XN000022-1985-10-02 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1985

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LEGCO TO MEET WEEKLY

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM THE COMING 1985-86 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL WILL NORMALLY MEET WEEKLY RATHER THAN FORTNIGHTLY AS IN THE PAST.

THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ALLOW MORE TIME FOR THE VOLUME OF BUSINESS WHICH IS ANTICIPATED WITH THE INCREASE OF THE COUNCIL'S MEMBERSHIP FROM 45 TO 56, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ELECTED ELEMENT.

ANOTHER FACTOR IS THAT IT WILL ALLOW THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATION TO BE SPREAD MORE EVENLY OVER THE LEGISLATIVE YEAR: IN THE PAST THIS TENDED TO BE CONCENTRATED INTO THE SUMMER MONTHS BETWEEN THE COMPLETION OF THE BUDGET DEBATE IN LATE APRIL AND THE RECESS IN AUGUST.

IN THE NEW SESSION IT IS PLANNED TO HOLD 33 SITTINGS, INCLUDING A NUMBER OF TWO-DAY SITTINGS FOR THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS AND FOR THE BUDGET DEBATE AND AN EXTRA SITTING MAY BE HELD AT THE END OF THE SESSION TO CLEAR OUTSTANDING BUSINESS. THIS CONTRASTS WITH THE 22 SITTINGS PLANNED IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE FREQUENCY OF FINANCE COMMITTEE AND PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO MEET FORTNIGHTLY AND THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE MONTHLY.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS:

DATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTINGS FOR THE 1985-86 SESSION

(WEEKLY MEETINGS)

WEDNESDAY 30TH OCTOBER 1985

WEDNESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 1985

WEDNESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 1985 THURSDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 1985

WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 1985

WEDNESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 1985

OPENING OF THE 1985-86 SESSION (GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS)

REGULAR MEETING

DEBATE ON MOTION OF THANKS (UNOFFICIALS SPEAK)

REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY 4TH