XN000022-1982-12-21 — Page 4

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1982

HONG KONG-CANADA TEXTILES CONSULTATIONS

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THE TEXTILES CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA, WHICH BEGAN ON FRIDAY WERE CONCLUDED TODAY (TUESDAY). THE CANADIAN DELEGATION EXPLAINED THE SERIOUS ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE CANADIAN GARMENT INDUSTRY IN 1982, WHICH THEY FORECAST WOULD CONTINUE INTO 1983, BUT THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS UNABLE TO ACCEPT A CANADIAN PROPOSAL TO MODIFY THE TERMS OF THE CURRENT AGREEMENT.

UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT EITHER GOVERNMENT MAY REQUEST CONSULTATIONS AT ANY TIME AND THE OTHER GOVERNMENT WILL ACCEPT SUCH A REQUEST.

NO ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO HOLD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON THE CANADIAN PROPOSAL.

NINE BILLS DUE FOR FINAL READING

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NINE BILLS, INCLUDING THE ROAD TRAFFIC BILL 1982, AND THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY BILLS, ARE DUE FOR FINAL READINGS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

TWO OTHER BILLS, THE PUBLIC FINANCE BILL 1982 AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982, ARE DUE TO BE READ A FIRST AND SECOND TIME, WITH DEBATE ON THEM BEING ADJOURNED.

THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO RESOLUTIONS TO BE MOVED BY THE LAW DRAFTSMAN TO RAISE THE MEANS TEST LIMITS FOR BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES, MAKING LEGAL AID AVAILABLE TO STILL MORE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.

TWELVE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, DEALING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS.

THE QUESTIONS WILL CONCERN SUCH MATTERS AS THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, THE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS POSED BY CAR REPAIRING AND BODY-PAINTING SHOPS OPERATING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, THE PROVISION OF HELIPAD SITES IN NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR EMERGENCY USE, SPEED LIMITS ON THE EAST KOWLOON ELEVATED HIGHWAYS, THE FUTURE OF THE EXPORT TRADE FOLLOWING THE GATT MEETING IN GENEVA, CONTROL OF GOLD AND COMMODITIES FUTURES TRADING FIRMS, ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING REVIEW OF FILMS APPROVED BY THE CENSORS.

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