XN000022-1985-12-18 — Page 14

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3DNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1985

THE HON MARTIN LEE URGED THAT THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES MUST LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED IN ITS INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SCANDAL.

THEY MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT EVERY LEGAL STEP WOULD BE TAKEN AGA INST THOSE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS UNFORTUNATE STATE OF AFFAIRS INCLUDING THE INSTITUTION OF CRIMINAL, CIVIL OR DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS, HE SAID.

HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION MUST BE PERCEIVED TO BE DOING ITS VERY BEST TO SUPPLY THE UNOFFICIALS WITH ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION OR ELSE THERE WOULD BE A REAL FEAR THAT THE TRUTH MIGHT NOT BE KNOWN.

THE PUBLIC MUST BE TOLD EXACTLY WHAT THE POSITION WAS BECAUSE OPEN GOVERNMENT REQUIRED THAT THE RELEVANT AND MATERIAL INFORMATION BE SUPPLIED TO THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.

DR THE HON RICHARD LAI SAID THIS INCIDENT MIGHT INVOLVE CORRUPTION OR DERELICTION OF DUTIES AND HE SUGGESTED GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPEED ILY CONSIDER SETTING UP AN OMBUDSMAN TO DEAL WITH MALADMINISTRATION.

HE FURTHER SUGGESTED A SPECIAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY BE SET UP AND FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO INCLUDE MORE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUEL IC.

WIDE SUPPORT FOR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME

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THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME PROPOSED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 SHOULD BE ADOPTED TO PROVIDE BETTER AND İMMEDIATE PROTECTION TO THE LOCAL WORKFORCE.

THIS WAS THE VIEW OF 10 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY WERE THE HON WONG PO-YAN, THE HON K.C. CHAN, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, THE HON MARTIN LEE, THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT, THE HON SZETO WAH, THE HON ROSANNA TAM AND THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.

THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI ALSO SPOKE ON THE BILL BUT ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE MOTION.

MOST OF THE SPEAKERS EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SCHEME WOULD BE REVIEWED AFTER IMPLEMENTATION FOR ONE YEAR, WHEN THE CONDITIONS FOR PAYMENT, IN PARTICULAR THE AGE LIMITS WOULD BE FURTHER LOOKED INTO AND IMPROVED IF NECESSARY.