XN000022-1982-10-13 — Page 18

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1982

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+IN DISPLACING AT THE SAME TIME THE OTHER PROVISION MAKING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR THE PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION, THE ORDINANCE

INADVERTENTLY WENT TOO FAR, HE SAID.

THE OBJECT OF THE BILL, HE STRESSED, IS TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN, EVEN IF THEY ARE ILLEGITIMATE, SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT.

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT DUE CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE WISHES OF THE MINOR WHERE PRACTICABLE AND TO ANY MATERIAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE, INCLUDING REPORTS BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR NAZARETH SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

EXHIBITION CENTRE PROJECT ****

THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON BILL DORWARD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE SECOND STAGE OF THE CONSULTANCY FOR THE EXHIBITION CENTRE PROJECT WAS AWARDED IN JULY TO A CANADIAN/GERMAN CONSORTIUM WHICH HAD FORMED A LOCAL COMPANY FOR THE PURPOSE.

+THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE CALL FOR A DETAILED BRIEF AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR A MULTI-STOREY DEVELOPMENT TO INCLUDE AN EXHIBITION CENTRE OF ABOUT 20 000 SQUARE METRES, WITH ANCILLARY FACILITIES, AND TO ESTIMATE THE CAPITAL AND RECURRENT COSTS INVOLVED AND THE REVENUE WHICH COULD BE GENERATED, HE SAID, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG.

THE CONSULTANCY IS BEING OVERSEEN BY A NON-STATUTORY BOARD UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR MICHAEL SANDBERG AND COMPRISING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVES. REGULAR MEETINGS ARE BEING HELD BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE CONSULTANTS, WHOSE FINAL REPORT IS DUE IN JANUARY 1983.

+ON RECEIPT OF THE BOARD'S ASSESSMENT OF THAT REPORT AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW TO PROCEED, PROPOSALS WILL BE PUT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MR DORWARD ADDED.

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