XN000022-1977-03-22 — Page 3

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1977

AMENDMENTS TO THE RATING ORDINANCE TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN DUE COURSE BUT, MEANWHILE, A REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER WILL BE NECESSARY TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE SCHEME FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1977.

THE PROPOSED SCHEME OF RELIEF WILL COST SOME $46 MILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR. REVENUE FROM GENERAL RATE IN 1977/78 IS, THEREFORE, NOW PUT AT $721 MILLION AN INCREASE OF 16.8 PER CENT ONLY OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1976/77 COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE OF 18.7 PER CENT OVER THE FOUR YEARS FROM 1973/74 TO 1976/77.

EXCO APPOINTMENT

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS HAD APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. I.M. LIGHTBODY AS AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 12.

MR. LIGHTBODY, WHO IS AT PRESENT SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, WILL BE TAKING OVER FROM MR. P.B. WILLIAMS AS SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION ON APRIL 1.

MR. LIGHTBODY WILL SUCCEED MR. F.K. LI AS AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL ON MR. LI'S DEPARTURE FOR A SHORT LEAVE. MR. LI WILL SUCCEED MR. D.C. BRAY AS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND THEREFORE AS AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON HIS RETURN ON MAY 5.

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