5.
Claims on Right of Abode untrue
Commenting on claims that the Government had already drafted a Bill on Right of Abode and was deliberately withholding it from the Chief Executive (Designate) Office, a Government spokesman said today (Sunday):
"This is completely untrue, as has been made clear in statements by the Governor, the Administration and the Attorney General."
The spokesman also rejected claims about the role of the provisional legislature in dealing with the issue. "Firstly, there is no statutory or administrative requirement for legislation on Right of Abode before July 1," he said.
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"Secondly, it will be the fact that the provisional legislature which has no constitutional role in Hong Kong before July 1 - has purported to process legislation before July 1 that will expose that legislation to legal challenge.
"If Mr Tsang Yok-shing is genuinely concerned about this issue, he should use his influence with Chinese officials to accept the Hong Kong Government's generous compromise offer to prepare a White Bill, agreed with the Chief Executive Designate's Office, which would provide the basis for a Blue Bill to be considered by the legislature of the day after June 30 - provided that the provisional legislature did not attempt to legislate on this issue before then."
End
Fund raising schedule in May
Fourteen organisations have been granted permission to raise funds for charitable purposes next month (May), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department said today (Sunday).
They will either sell flags, tokens or similar items, or place donation boxes in designated public places.
doubt.
Members of the public can call the Department's hotline 2343 2255 in case of