XN000022-1983-01-18 — Page 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1983

INSURANCE BILL DEBATE RESUMES TOMORROW

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THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL 1982 WILL BE RESUMED TOMORROW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL 1S TO PROTECT POLICYHOLDERS +WHO BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES CLEARLY CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES AND NEED GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO ASSIST THEM+.

THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES ON MAY 19, 1982. DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED ON THAT OCCASION AND WILL BE FURTHER ADJOURNED AFTER DISCUSSION TOMORROW.

AT TOMORROW'S MEETING, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (RECRUITING OF SEAMEN) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WILL BE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME BEFORE DEBATE IS ADJOURNED. IT WILL BE MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS.

THREE BILLS ARE DUE FOR FINAL READING. THEY ARE THE PUBLIC FINANCE BILL 1982, SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1981-82) BILL 1983, AND THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983.

A NUMBER OF SESSIONAL PAPERS WILL ALSO BE TABLED AT THE MEETING TOMORROW AND WILL INCLUDE THE REPORT AND CERTIFICATE OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1982.

THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE'S REPORT NO. 5 AND THE 1981-2 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES WILL ALSO BE TABLED.

IN ADDITION, 13 QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

THEY WILL DEAL WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS, INCLUDING PATENT AND COPYRIGHT, HYGIENE INVOLVING COOKED FOOD STALLS, ASSIMILATION INTO THE COMMUNITY OF RECENT ARRIVALS FROM CHINA, AND THE DELAY IN WORK ON THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL.

OTHER QUESTIONS WILL DEAL WITH NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES, INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION, POLICY REGARDING URBAN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, STUDENTS' MAINTENANCE GRANTS AND MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, THE ROAD SUBSIDENCE ON HENNESSY ROAD, CIVIL DEBTORS AND TRANSPORT.