XN000022-1985-07-23 — Page 5

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1985

TWO MOTIONS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED, ONE BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES TO AMEND THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE, AND THE OTHER BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN REGISTRABLE WORKPLACES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1985.

QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED BY UNOFFICIALS WILL DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS AS THE COST OF ACQUISITION OF THE HANG LUNG BANK AND PLANS FOR ITS FUTURE PLANS TO STEP UP THE SUPERVISION OF FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC, AND OFFICIALS REPLYING IN CANTONESE TO CANTONESE QUESTIONS PUT TO THEM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

A STATEMENT WILL ALSO BE MADE BY THE HON SIR ROGER LOBO ON THE 1984 ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.

STIPEND FOR LEGCO MEMBERS SOUGHT

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THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) CONSIDER A PROPOSED STIPEND OF UP TO $8 500 A MONTH FOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE PROPOSAL, IF APPROVED, WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR WHEN THE NUMBER OF UNOFFICIALS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL RISE TO 46.

PAYMENT OF THE STIPEND, UPON CLAIM, WILL THEN BE AUTOMATIC, ONE MONTH IN ARREARS, STARTING FROM THE DATE A MEMBER ASSUMES HIS SEAT UNTIL HE CEASES TO HOLD OFFICE OR OTHERWISE NOT IF IES AMENDMENT TO THE PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS.

IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH A STANDARD RATE OF REMUNERATION TO ENABLE THEM TO DEVOTE THE PROPER AMOUNT OF TIME AND ATTENTION TO THEIR DUTIES AS COUNCILLORS.

IT WOULD ALSO HELP TO ENSURE THAT PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE NOT PREVENTED FROM STANDING FOR ELECTION FOR FINANCIAL REASONS.

ALSO AT TOMORROW'S MEETING, MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE AN INCREASE IN THE MONTHLY MAXIMUM FOR REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS FROM $9 500 TO $10 200.

THE PROPOSED INCREASE IS TO COVER INCREASED COSTS OF SECRETARIAL AND CLERICAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS LOCAL TRAVELLING AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES SINCE AUGUST LAST YEAR.

/INCLUDED IS