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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1993
"THE COMPUTERISED SYSTEM ISSUES STANDARDISED SUMMONS FORMS, KEEPS TRACK OF OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS AND SPEEDS UP COLLECTION OF FINES," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW AND A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE IMPROVEMENTS, MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE ARE REQUIRED.
SOME AMENDMENTS
TO THE
RATIONALISE
"THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS ARE MAINLY INTENDED TO THE EXISTING OPERATIONAL PRACTICES OF THE COMPUTERISED CASE AND SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
*
THE AMENDMENT BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 24 THIS YEAR.
DISASTER RELIEF FUND PROPOSED
*
A RESOLUTION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A DISASTER RELIEF FUND TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID ΤΟ THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"WHEN DISASTERS STRIKE, SWIFT PROVISION OF AID IS NEEDED ΤΟ SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY. THE PROPOSED FUND WILL FORMALISE THE EXISTING AD HOC ARRANGEMENTS AND ALLOW TIMELY RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL APPEALS FOR DISASTER RELIEF.
WELL-OFF
"HONG KONG, AS A RESPONSIBLE AND COMPARATIVELY COMMUNITY, HAS A MORAL DUTY TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE FUND WILL BE ADVISED BY A COMMITTEE. IT WOULD BE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND WOULD COMPRISE THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, TWO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND TWO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
PRACTICES
"THE COMMITTEE WILL ADVISE ON THE POLICY AND REGARDING THE DISBURSEMENTS OF THE FUND, ADVISE ON THE AWARD OF GRANTS, AND MONITOR THE USE OF GRANTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ENSURE THAT GRANTS ARE USED FOR THE DESIGNATED PURPOSES, THE AGENCY OR ORGANISATION CONCERNED WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ΤΟ THE COMMITTEE AN EVALUATION REPORT AND AN AUDITED ACCOUNT ON HOW THE GRANT IS USED ON COMPLETION OF THE AID PROJECT.
CURRENT FINANCIAL THE GENERAL
"OUR PLAN IS TO ESTABLISH THE FUND IN THE YEAR WITH AN INITIAL APPROPRIATION OF $50 MILLION FROM REVENUE. IT WILL BE TOPPED UP AS NECESSARY," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSAL WILL ENTAIL THE MAKING OF A RESOLUTION UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE. THE RESOLUTION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
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