XN000022-1984-11-30 — Page 9

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1984

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MOVE TO WIDEN HOUSING COMMITTEE

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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO ENABLE A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PROPOSES TO DELETE FROM SECTION 7(3) OF THE HOUSING ORDINANCE THE REQUIREMENT THAT AT LEAST TWO THIRDS OF THE MEMBERS OF EVERY COMMITTEE APPOINTED PY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE NOW SIX COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH MATTERS CONCERNING FINANCE, BUILDING, ESTATE MANAGEMENT, HOME OWNERSHIP, OPERATIONS AND APPEALS.

+WHILE THE EXISTING PROVISION ENSURES THAT MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY HAVE A MAJORITY PARTICIPATION IN THE DELIBERATIONS OF ITS COMMITTEES, IT. RESTRICTS UNNECESSARILY THE NUMBER OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS ON EACH COMMITTEE.

+THIS RESTRICTION IS UNDESIRABLE AS IT IS THE AUTHORITY'S INTENTION THAT A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE REPRESENTED ON THE COMMITTEES AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, MORE CO-OPTED MEMBERS SHOULD BE APPOINTED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR ITS FIRST READING ON DECEMBER 5 AND TO GO THROUGH THE REMAINING STAGES ON DECEMBER 19.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12/F, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1/F, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

VIEWS SOUGHT ON NEW QUOTA PROPOSALS

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A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TEXTILE QUOTA TRANSFER RULES WILL BE CIRCULATED TO THE TRADE FOR COMMENTS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID, +ORGANISATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSALS IN THE PAPER, OR TO MAKE OTHER PROPOSALS, ARE INVITED TO DO SO IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, TRADE DEPARTMENT, OCEAN CENTRE, 15/F., CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, BEFORE JANUARY 15, 1985.+

THE PAPER