XN000022-1985-02-05 — Page 2

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1985

LEGCO TO DEBATE BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS)' TITLE ******

FOUR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS ON +THE PROPOSED TITLE OF BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS)+ IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW.

EARLIER, UNOFFICIALS WILL BE ASKING 13 QUESTIONS DEALING WITH VARIOUS MATTERS, INCLUDING ELECTION LEGISLATION FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THE TAC WORKING GROUP'S REPORT ON CMB MAINTENANCE, VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, AND CHILDREN HELD BACK FROM SCHOOL.

OTHER MATTERS WILL INCLUDE A MOTION BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, ON AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO FACILITATE PUBLIC SITTINGS, AND A STATEMENT BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, ON CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE.

THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO NEW BILLS THE PENSIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) (CUSTOMS OFFICERS) BILL 1985, AND THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985.

DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1984, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, AND THE MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES, CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) BILL 1984, PRIOR TO COMMITTEE STAGE AND FINAL READING.

COUNCIL ACCEPTS OFFER TO DISCUSS FINANCES ****

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE URBAN COUNCIL

TODAY DECIDED THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ACCEPT AN OFFER BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO TAKE PART IN A JOINT WORKING PARTY WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON THE COUNCIL'S FUTURE FINANCIAL SITUATION.

THESE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT FROM THE COUNCIL'S SIDE BY REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH APPOINTED AND ELECTED MEMBERS.

+A JOINT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL'S FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEES IS TO BE HELD SHORTLY TO RE OMMEND WHAT APPROACH THE COUNCIL SHOULD TAKE IN ITS NE LOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT, SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.

+AT THE SAME TIME THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS PREPARING A DETAILED REPORT ON THE COUNCIL'S LIKELY FINANCIAL SITUATION IN THE COMING YEARS.

/+THE JOINT