- 12.
It remains our aim for the Bill to be enacted before the end of the current legislative session this month. Let me stress that this Bill is an enabling Bill setting out the principal features of the proposed scheme. Many details will need to be discussed and agreed subsequent to the passing of the Bill. These details will then be enshrined in subsidiary legislation to be enacted in the next session of the Legislative Council. In other words, there will be ample time for consultation with the Chinese side, with the Legislative Council and with other interested sectors of the community over the next 18 months. I hope that all parties concerned, will work together with us to bring about certainty in retirement protection and I encourage you all to provide comments on the detailed implementation aspects of the Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme.
Legal Continuity - Localisation and Adaptation of Laws
So far, I have concentrated on issues which reflect Hong Kong's need for a sound infrastructure, both physical and social. We should not forget the rule of law, the foundation of Hong Kong's success. In Hong Kong we enjoy legal certainty. Everybody knows the consequences of unlawful actions, as well as the sort of protection provided by the law. The Joint Declaration ensures that our existing laws shall be maintained. Of course, because of the transition some laws will need to be changed, for example British enactments will need to be localised, Hong Kong's own laws will need to be adapted to bring them into line with the Basic Law. This work is one of the more important tasks tackled by the Joint Liaison Group. Some progress is being made. We have, for example, so far agreed 16 localising bills with the Chinese side covering civil aviation, merchant shipping and other areas. We have also made adaptation proposals for about 130 out of the 600 ordinances on the statute book.
But we need to move much faster. There are still 15 localisation bills to be agreed with the. Chinese side. We need to agree on a way forward soon on the adaptation programme, if we are to have a complete set of laws which are in force and fully compatible with the Basic Law by 1 July 1997.
Smooth Transfer of Government
Aside from specific policy issues, it is essential that there is a smooth transfer of government. This is the key to maintaining Hong Kong's overall stability and confidence and as head of the civil service, I attach great importance to sustaining morale, confidence, and efficiency in the civil service. There are, of course, solid assurances in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law on the continuity of the civil service. We have agreed with the Chinese side on a new pension scheme, and the setting up of a pension reserve fund for civil servants. We also have a team of local officials who are both experienced and capable of assuming positions in the top echelons of the SAR Government.