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The main functions of these boards are to deal with the registration and disciplinary matters relating to their respective professions.
The spokesman said that however, there was no provision under these ordinances to empower the Boards to make orders for costs related to disciplinary proceedings and if the situation persisted, the possible financial burden might make the boards difficult to operate.
By giving the boards power to make orders for costs, the Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Planners Registration (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 1996 seeks to reduce the chance of the Boards having financial difficulties arising from disciplinary proceedings.
It will also bring them in line with the position of other tribunals, such as disciplinary tribunals, which have similar powers to make orders for costs, he added.
In addition, the Bill will also provide for the Boards to engage professional advisers in connection with all their statutory duties.
Another provision of the Bill proposes that any rules regulating the procedure of meetings of the boards should be lodged with the Secretary for Works, who heads the policy branch having the most dealings with these professionals, instead of the Director of Administration as in the past.
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on November 13, 1996.
End
Law to be amended to ban monkey feeding
The Government has proposed amendments to the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance to prohibit the feeding of monkeys and other wild animals at specified places.
Under the Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 1996, published in the Gazette today (Friday), any person doing that will be liable to prosecution.
A government spokesman said the prohibition was to curb the unnatural growth of monkeys and to discourage their aggressive behaviour and possible spread of disease. It would also prevent them from losing their skill to forage natural food in the wild.