XN000022-1974-09-12 — Page 3

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1974

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED. IN PRINCIPLE THE NEED TO MAKE LEGAL AID AVAILABLE TO ALL PERSONS CHARGED BEFORE THE DISTRICT COUNT. PROVISION FOR LEGAL AID IN DISTRICT COURT CRIMINAL CASES, WHICH WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN MARCH 1973, EXTENDS AT PRESENT TO ALL PERSONS CHARGED WITH OFFENCES CARRYING A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT OF 14 OR MORE YEARS, WHO AMOUNT TO ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF ACCUSED PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT.

IT IS HOPED THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO EXTEND LEGAL

AID TO THE REMAINING ACCUSED PERSONS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, THOUGH NECESSARILY LEGAL AID MUST COMPETE FOR AVAILABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES.

NEW PRISON OFFICERS COMPLETE TRAINING

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NOTE TO EDITORS:

SIXTY-TWO RECRUIT PRISON OFFICERS, INCLUDING THREE WOMEN, WILL BE GRADUATING FROM THE PRISON DEPARTMENT'S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY, THIS SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 14).

TO MARK THE OCCASION THEY WILL TAKE PART IN A PASSING-OUT PARADE WHICH WILL BE INSPECTED BY MR. H.M.A. BRISTOW, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY.

REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE WELCONE TO COVER THE PARADE WHICH WILL START AT 11 A.M. ON SATURDAY.

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