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Report on 'interviews' of civil servants clarified
In response to press enquiries on the Xinhua News Agency statement and Mr Zhang Junsheng's comments, a government spokesman tonight (Wednesday) reiterated that there have been and will continue to be contacts between senior civil servants and officials of the Chinese side.
The spokesman went on to say that there was no question of these chats being interviews or of civil servants somehow being screened. "The Basic Law is very clear on what are the requirements for Principal Officials. It is also very clear that it is for the Chief Executive to nominate and report to the Central People's Government for appointment those persons whom he wishes to be the Principal Officials." he said.
The spokesman said that such contacts would enhance mutual understanding and communication between officials of the two sides.
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Bills on Budget revenue proposals to be introduced
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A total of 10 Bills, which are necessary to implement the Budget revenue proposals. will be gazetted on Friday (April 19).
The Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 1996 seeks to increase the salaries tax allowances as announced in the Budget, to introduce the new dependent brother/sister allowance and the tax deduction for training expenses, and to allow hotels to amortise refurbishment expenditure over a five-year period.
The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1996 seeks to apply a concessionary tax rate at half of the normal profits tax rate to profits and interest income derived from qualified debt instruments registered, cleared and issued in Hong Kong.
The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 1996 seeks to provide certainty in law in respect of profits tax liability regarding offshore funds managed in Hong Kong, and that of stock brokers acting as agents for non-residents in share trading and fund investment.