XN000022-1972-07-19 — Page 9

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Wednesday, July 19, 1972

Speaking in support of the bill, Dr. the Hon. C.. Chung pointed out

that it was misleading to suggest that a small batch of "good" numbers are at

present reserved for members of the Legislative and Executive Councils.

He pointed out that this may have been true in the early years, but

the practice no longer exists, and he emphasised that no such special privileges

should be granted to members of the two Councils, members of the Government or

other bodies.

To dispel the popular misconception that members of Umelco are exempted

from the Road Traffic Ordinance Dr. Chung said: "There are instances in which

honourable Members were fined not only for driving in excess of speed limit

but also for minor parking offences."

In reply, the Financial Secretary, gave an assurance that charity had not

been "robbed" of a substantial sum by a delay in the introduction of legislation.

"In fact", he said, "since November 1969, pending the introduction of the

legislation, the Commissioner for Transport has issued no further registration

numbers which would qualify for inclusion in the list of 'good' numbers."

Mr. Haddon-Cave said that there were now over 3,000 'good' numbers in

reserve and those would be auctioned in suitable batches at carefully pre-

determined intervals.

He also said that his statement about a small batch of numbers being

reserved for members of the Legislative and Executive Councils had been made in

the context of a description of the established practice in the Transport

Department in allocating registration numbers. Certain numbers had in fact been

set aside and allocated in the past to members of the two oouncils, although

the practice had now ceased.

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