XN000022-1983-07-27 — Page 20

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 1983

BILL TO CLEAR UP UNCERTAINTY

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THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WAS TO CLEAR UP THE UNCERTAINTY CONCERNING THE BUSINESS WHICH MAY BE TRANSACTED IN THE SUPREME COURT DURING ITS VACATIONS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

AT THE MOMENT THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE PRESCRIBES WHAT BUSINESS MAY BE CONDUCTED DURING VACATIONS.

BUT THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT ALSO DEAL WITH VACATION BUSINESS.

THE UNCERTAINTY HAD ARISEN BECAUSE DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS OF THE WORD +PLEADING+ WERE USED IN THE ORDINANCE AND THE RULES, MR THOMAS SAID ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.

THE BILL PROPOSES THAT, APART FROM CRIMINAL TRIALS, CRIMINAL APPEALS AND INCIDENTAL BUSINESS, THE BUSINESS WHICH MAY BE TRANSACTED DURING VACATIONS WILL BE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE RULES OF COURT, SO AS TO REMOVE OVERLAPPING OF THE ORDINANCE AND THE RULES.

THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF +COMMISSIONER OF THE HIGH COURT TO DEPUTY JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT+, MR THOMAS SAID.

COMMISSIONERS ARE PEOPLE APPOINTED FROM AMONG ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO ACT AS HIGH COURT JUDGES WHEN THERE IS A VACANCY ON THE BENCH OR WHEN A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY.

+THEY ARE KNOWN AS DEPUTY JUDGES IN ENGLAND AND WALES AND IT IS PROPOSED THAT WE FOLLOW SUIT IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO AUGUST 10.

ENERGY CONSERVATION DRIVE KEPT UP ***

THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO THE PROMOTION OF ENERGY CONSERVATION DESPITE THE CURRENT WORLD SURPLUS OF OIL, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO, MR YEUNG SAID THAT IN THE PAST, THE TIGHTENING OF THE GLOBAL OIL SUPPLY HAD BEEN BEHIND HONG KONG'S INTRODUCTION OF ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES, INCLUDING INTENSIVE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS.

/BECAUSE OF

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