XN000022-1982-05-28 — Page 8

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1982

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TENANCY TRIBUNAL TO BE ABOLISHED

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A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY ANNOUNCED THE COMING INTO OPERATION ON JUNE 11, 1982, OF VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.

THE EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENTS, WHICH WERE ENACTED LAST DECEMBER BUT HELD IN ABEYANCE UNTIL THE NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE MADE, IS TO ABOLISH THE TENANCY TRIBUNAL, WHICH HAS HITHERTO EXERCISED JURISDICTION UNDER PART OF THE ORDINANCE DEALING WITH PRE-WAR BUILDINGS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE ABOLITION OF THE TENANCY TRIBUNAL AND THE TRANSFER OF ITS JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL WAS A FURTHER MOVE TOWARDS MAKING THE LANDS TRIBUNAL THE SOLE FORUM FOR ADJUDICATING IN LANDLORD AND TENANT MATTERS. THE PROCESS WAS LIKELY TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR WHEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH MATTERS UNDER PART II OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH DEALS WITH POST-WAR PREMISES SUBJECT TO RENT CONTROL, IS EXPECTED TO PASS FROM THE DISTRICT COURT TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.

IN RECENT YEARS THE MAIN WORKLOAD OF THE TENANCY TRIBUNAL HAS INVOLVED APPLICATIONS FOR PREMISES TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROTECTION GIVEN BY PART OF THE ORDINANCE, USUALLY BECAUSE THE LANDLORD WISHES TO REDEVELOP THE SITE, AND THE DETERMINATION OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO AFFECTED TENANTS. UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS THE LANDS TRIBUNAL IS EMPOWERED TO MAKE EXCLUSION ORDERS RATHER THAN, AS FORMERLY, RECOMMENDING TO THE GOVERNOR THAT THEY BE MADE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

SIR PHILIP TO INSPECT

PASSING-OUT PARADE OF THE VOLUNTEERS+

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THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 83 RECRUITS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) ON SUNDAY (MAY 30).

HE WILL ALSO PRESENT PRIZES TO RECRUITS AND MEDALS TO LONG- SERVING VOLUNTEERS DURING THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE RHKR(V) HEADQUARTERS, SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.

THEY

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY. SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE RHKR(V) HEADQUARTERS PARADE GROUND NOT LATER THAN 9.40 AM. CAPTAIN FRANCIS CHAN OF THE REGIMENT WILL ASSIST THE PRESS.

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