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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1992
RIGHTS FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT LAWYERS
THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS } BILL 1992 WOULD PLACE LAWYERS IN THE DEPARTMENT IN THE SAME POSITION, IN RELATION TO CERTAIN RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES UNDER SOME ORDINANCES, AS OTHER LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JAMES FINDLAY, SAID THESE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES INCLUDED THE EXEMPTION FROM JURY SERVICE, THE COUNTING OF SERVICE TOWARDS ELIGIBILITY FOR THE ADMISSION AS A SOLICITOR AND FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT, AND THE ABILITY TO TAKE ON TRAINEE SOLICITORS.
THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT CAME INTO BEING ON JULY 2, 1990, SERVING AS A FOCAL POINT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG'S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME.
MR FINDLAY POINTED OUT THAT THE WORK PERFORMED BY LAWYERS IN THE DEPARTMENT WAS SIMILAR TO THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WORK FORMERLY CARRIED OUT BY LAWYERS IN THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.
THE BILL ALSO CLASSIFIED MONEY HANDLED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AS PUBLIC MONEY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
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FEES FOR VERBATIM RECORD OF PHARMACISTS' PROCEEDINGS REVISED
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A RECENT COSTING EXERCISE REVEALS THAT THE ACTUAL COST OF PRODUCING A VERBATIM RECORD OF PHARMACISTS' DISCIPLINARY INQUIRY PROCEEDINGS FOR EACH FOLIO OF 72 WORDS IS $73, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT PRESENT, THE FEE FOR EACH FOLIO OF 72 WORDS IS 75 CENTS.
MOVING A MOTION ON THE PHARMACISTS (DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE} (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID THE PRESENT FEE LEVEL WAS SET ABOUT TWO DECADES AGO.
"IT IS SERIOUSLY OUT OF STEP WITH THE ACTUAL COST OF THE SERVICE AND IS THUS CONTRARY TO THE GOVERNMENT POLICY OF RECOVERING THE COST OF SERVICES RENDERED, SHE SAID.
THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD HAS AGREED TO AMEND THE RELEVANT REGULATION TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF THE SERVICE RENDERED.
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE BOARD MAY MAKE REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THIS FEE.
/"THIS PROPOSED