XN000022-1976-05-12 — Page 16

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1976

LEGAL AID APPLICATIONS

LIMIT OF DISPOSABLE INCOME TO BE RAISED

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THE GOVERNMENT AGREES THAT THE MAXIMUM LIMITS OF DISPOSABLE INCOME AND DISPOSABLE CAPITAL USED IN THE MEANS TEST FOR LEGAL AID APPLICATIONS IN CIVIL CASES OUGHT TO BE RAISED, BOTH TO KEEP PACE WITH A GENERAL INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF WAGES AND ALSO TO MAKE MORE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE.

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. GARTH THORNTON, TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY IN REPLY TO THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH WHO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RAISE THESE LIMITS.

+HOWEVER,+ HE ADDED, THIS DESIRABLE OBJECTIVE HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AGAINST CONFLICTING CLAIMS ON THE RESOURCES OF THE GOVERNMENT.+

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LIMITS FOR CIVIL CASES WERE INCREASED IN 1972 TO $700 A MONTH FOR DISPOSABLE INCOME, AND $4,000 FOR DISPOSABLE CAPITAL.

FOR CRIMINAL CASES AND APPEALS, HE SAID THE LIMIT OF MONTHLY DISPOSABLE INCOME WAS AT PRESENT $1,500, AND DISPOSABLE CAPITAL $10,000. +IT IS NOT PROPOSED AT PRESENT TIME TO ALTER THESE LIMITS.+

RECOMMENDATIONS BY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO HKTC

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GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SAID TODAY.

IN PARTICULAR, HE SAID A PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME HAD NOW BEEN AGREED WITH THE TELEPHONE COMPANY AND A REPORT WOULD SHORTLY BE MADE TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.

IN REPLY TO THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, HE PROMISED THAT A FULL STATEMENT ON THE POSITION WOULD BE MADE TO THE COUNCIL WITHIN ONE MONTH.

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