XN000022-1976-11-22 — Page 5

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1976.

RECORD NUMBER OF QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IN LEGCO

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A RECORD NUMBER OF QUESTIONS WILL BE RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETS ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 24)

THE FIRST OF THE 20 QUESTIONS, THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED IN ANY ONE SITTING, WILL BE ASKED BY THE HON. JOHN BREMRIDGE. HE WILL ENQUIRE WHAT STEPS IS THE GOVERNMENT PREPARED TO TAKE IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE COST OF BORROWING MONEY FOR PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF HOMES BUILT BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.

AFTER THIS, THE HON. T.S. LO WILL ENQUIRE WHEN WILL THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DISTRICT COURTS WITH JURISDICTION TO AWARD COSTS TO A PERSON ACQUITTED OF A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

THE HON. ROGER LOBO WILL ASK THREE QUESTIONS RELATING TO MAHJONG SCHOOLS.

DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG WILL ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE A REPORT ON THE TEST RUNNING OF THE LOK ON PAI DESALTING PLANT SINCE IT COMMENCED OPERATION.

OTHER QUESTIONS CONCERN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE INTRODUCTION OF A GRADUATED HOUSING ALLOWANCE FOR LOCAL OFFICERS WHO ARE BELOW THE SALARY POINT AT WHICH HOUSING ALLOWANCE IS AT PRESENT PAYABLE, THE NOISE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION WORK, AND THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TOLL COLLECTION AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.

FOUR BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY ARE THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1976, THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1976 AND THE ARMY LEGAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976.

DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THREE OTHER BILLS.

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