XN000022-1975-02-04 — Page 2

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1975

LE SLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW

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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION' INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) SEEKING APPROVAL FOR A 30 PER CENT INCREASE IN ANNUAL TELEPHONE RENTALS AND INSTALLATION CHARGES DEGINNING FORM MARCH 1, 1975.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE TELEPHONE (AMENDMENT) DILL SEEKING TO WAIVE ROYALTY PAYMENTS BY THE TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR 1974 AND 1975 AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GOVERNMENT DINECTOR TO THE BOARD OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY WILL ALSO DE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL.

TWO OTHER MOTIONS ONE ON THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER ON THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE WILL BE MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RESPECTIVELY.

THE FIRST SEEKS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF TAX IMPOSED UNDER THE HOTEL ACCOMODATION TAX ORDINANCE TO THREE PER CENT BEGINNING FROM APRIL 1, 1975 UNTIL MARCH 31, 1976 AND FURTHER TO INCREASE IT TO FOUR PER CENT FROM APRIL 1, 1976.

THE SECOND SEEKS TO EXTEND FOR THE TERM OF THREE YEARS ENDING ON APRIL 30, 1978 THE DURATION OF SECTIONS OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE APPLICATION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO THE FULL COUNT FOR THE REVIEW OF ANY SENTENCE PASSED BY ANY COURT.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ASKED THAT IN VIEW OF THE FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTIES SURROUNDING THE TELEPHONE COMPANY DISCLOSED BY ITS APPLICATION FOR INCREASED CHARGES UNAT WERE THE CONSIDERATIONS, IF ANY, FOR NOT SUSPENDING THE SHARES FROM BEING TRADED TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBILITY OF THOSE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ITS AFFAIRS GAINING AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER THOSE MORE IGNORANT.

OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL INCLUDE THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY ON THE CERTIFICATED MASTERS' DISPUTE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR INDUSTRY TO AVOID BANKRUPTCIES DUE TO CASH FLOW PROBLEMS THE SETTING UP OF PROPER COOKED FOOD BAZAARS IN NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON UNREGISTRADLE DOCTORS.

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