JULY 9, 1985
2
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT OTHER THAN THESE TWO CHANGES, IT IS NOT THE INTENTION TO PROPOSE FURTHER CHANGES TO STANDING ORDERS IN THE PRESENT SESSION.
HOWEVER IT IS RECOGNISED THAT FURTHER CHANGES WILL BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ADAPT THE PROCEDURES OF THE COUNCIL TO THOSE REQUIRED BY THE ENLARGED AND PARTIALLY ELECTED COUNCIL WHICH WILL BE FORMED IN OCTOBER. SOME THOUGHT HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO THESE CHANGES BUT INSUFFICIENT TIME REMAINS IN THE CURRENT SESSION TO COME TO ANY CONCLUSIONS, IN ANY EVENT IT IS FOR THE NEW COUNCIL TO DECIDE HOW ITS PROCEEDINGS SHOULD BE REGULATED.
IT WAS THEREFORE THE PRESIDENT'S INTENTION TO CONSULT MEMBERS OF THE NEW COUNCIL ON THE PROCEDURE FOR REVIEW AND THE PUBLICITY ARRANGEMENTS.
+IN THE MEANTIME, IF ANY ORGANISATION WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE EXISTING STANDING ORDERS, THEY ARE FREE TO SEND THEIR VIEWS TO THE CLERK OF COUNCILS AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE CONTAINED IN THE LAWS OF HONG KONG. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR STUDY IN THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES LIBRARY OR THEY MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE FOR $55, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS.
JENKINS BILL SAID TO BE BAD ALL ROUND *****
THE PROTECTIONIST JENKINS BILL IS FUNDAMENTALLY BAD BAD FOR THE UNITED STATES, BAD FOR MANY FRIENDS OF THE UNITED STATES AND BAD FOR WORLD TRADE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, TOLD VISITING AMERICAN CONGRESSMEN LAST NIGHT.
MR HO WAS SPEAKING AT A DINNER IN HONOUR OF THE PARTY, LED BY CONGRESSMAN DON BONKER, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY AND TRADE.
MR HO OUTLINED THE EXTENT OF AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE TERRITORY'S COMMITMENT TO FREE TRADE. THE JENKINS BILL, HE SAID, +WOULD HIT HONG KONG WHICH IS UNJUST AND UNJUSTIFIED. BUT STEPPING FOR A MOMENT OUTSIDE OUR PAROCHIAL INTERESTS, I BELIEVE THE BILL IS FUNDAMENTALLY BAD, BAD FOR THE UNITED STATES, BAD FOR MANY FRIENDS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND BAD FOR WORLD TRADE. I WOULD URGE YOU ALL TO DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO OPPOSE IT.+
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT A LITTLE BEWILDERED BECAUSE WE ARE A COMPLETELY OPEN ECONOMY - DOING WHAT SUCCESSIVE U.S. ADMINISTRATIONS PREACH - AND YET YOUR ACTIONS SEEM TARGETTED AT US. THESE SHOCKS NOTWITHSTANDING, I WOULD LIKE TO CONCLUDE BY REAFFIRMING OUR TRUST IN FAIR PLAY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING OUR OPEN MARKET POLICIES AND OUR EXCELLENT COMMERICAL RELATIONS WITH THE U.S.+
/MR HO
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