XN000022-1985-04-12 — Page 2

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1985

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DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES FOR JLG MEMBERS

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THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO GRANT CERTAIN DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES IN HONG KONG TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP,

THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (JOINT LIAISON GROUP) BILL SEEKS LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PARAGRAPH 10 OF ANNEX OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, PART OF WHICH READS +MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP SHALL ENJOY DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES AS APPROPRIATE WHEN IN THE THREE LOCATIONS+.

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 17 AND IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE ITS PASSAGE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 1.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE BILL CAN BE SENT TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

REGISTRATION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORS

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REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS FOR THE FIRST EVER LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (APRIL 15) AND LAST UNTIL MAY 6.

ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (GENERAL), ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH, MR L.R. MACCULLOCH CALLED ON ALL THOSE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO REGISTER FOR THE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER.

+THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEATS ARE TO BE FILLED BY ELECTION, AND IS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG. TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR FOR THIS MAJOR EVENT IS A PRIVILEGE WHICH NO RESPONSIBLE ORGANISATION OR INDIVIDUAL SHOULD LIGHTLY GIVE UP, HE SAID.

ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE MR L.S. LEE, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (ELECTORAL SERVICES) AND THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR LAI KWAN-TAT.

/ME LES