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Second reading of Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Bill 1995
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Michael Leung, on the second reading debate on the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Bill 1995 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
I am grateful to Members for their support of this important Bill. I am sure Members will share with me the gratitude that we can finally at long last bring into operation a compensation scheme for our workers for occupational deafness which has been discussed for the last six years. I am sure members will agree with me also that whilst the scheme is not perfect, this is only the beginning of the improvements and I'l! certainly promise to review the scheme after one year's operation. I would like to thank Mr Michael Ho and Members of the Bills Committee for their efforts in making a detailed examination of the Bill and for their very useful suggestions and views. Having considered the views and suggestions from the Bills Committee, I will be moving a number of amendments to the Bill at the Committee Stage later, and will explain these in more detail. Thank you, Mr President.
End/Wednesday, April 19, 1995
Rating (Amendment) Bill 1994
Following is the speech by the Secretary for the Treasury, Mr K C Kwong, in the resumption of second reading debate on the Rating (Amendment) Bill 1994 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
I thank the Hon Moses Cheng for the clear exposition of the purposes of the Bill, the discussion of the Bills Committee, and the administration's views on the points raised by members of the Bills Committee.
The Bills Committee chaired by the Honourable Moses Cheng has offered valuable advice to us. We are grateful for the Committee's support for the proposed transfer of the Collector of Rates' functions to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation. Subject to Members' approval, we are keen to implement the proposal as soon as possible so as to provide a one-stop service for ratepayers and to allow better use of the resources of the departments concerned.
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