XN000022-1984-10-18 — Page 8

PERSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1984

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MEMBERS OF THE ENGLISH BENCH SHOULD BE INVITED TO SIT IN THE COURTS.

SECTION I PROVIDES THAT JUDGES MAY BE RECRUITED FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS; AND THAT JUDGES FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS MAY BE INVITED TO SIT ON THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL.

OUR LAW MUST KEEP PACE WITH THAT OF OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS.

SECTION II PROVIDES THAT THE COURTS OF THE SAR MAY REFER TO PRECEDENTS IN OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS, JUDGES FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS MAY BE RECRUITED. THERE IS ALSO PROVISION FOR FOREIGN LAWYERS TO PRACTISE IN THE SAR.

(9) THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHOULD BE ACCORDED LEGAL STATUS

IN THE COURTS.

SECTION FI PROVIDES THAT ENGLISH MAY BE USED IN THE COURTS.

(10) THE FINAL COURT OF APPEAL SHOULD BE IN HONG KONG AND

NOT PEKING.

SECTION III PROVIDES FOR THAT, AND FOR IT TO INVITE JUDGES TO SIT ON IT FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS.

LAND ISSUES WILL NOT AFFECT FISCAL POLICY

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SIR JOHN

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMR IDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY HE DID NOT BELIEVE FUTURE COMMITMENTS ABOUT LAND LEASES AND THE SHARING OF CAPITAL LAND REVENUE WITH THE FUTURE SAR WOULD SERIOUSLY AFFECT HONG KONG'S FISCAL OR BUDGETARY POLICY.

SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG, SIR JOHN SAID, THE PREMIUM INCOME TO BE DIVIDED IS NET OF THE AVERAGE COST OF PRODUCTION, WHILE THE 50 HECTARE LIMIT SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES GRANTS TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSIN

+MOREOVER, THE LIMIT APPLIES TO LAND GRANTED UNDER LEASE, AND NOT TO LAND MADE AVAILABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, FOR INSTANCE ROADS, WITHOUT A LEASE.+

SIR JOHN BELIEVED THAT THE ACTUAL PREMIUM INCOME RESERVED FOR THE FUTURE SAR BY THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT BE LARGE IN PROPORTION TO TOTAL ANNUAL REVENUE.

+ THE ACTUAL SUMS WILL SEEM BIG, BUT I DOUBT IF THEY WILL BE SIGNIFICANT IN TERMS OF OVERALL BUDGETARY POLICY.

/+MOREOVER, WHILE