XN000022-1987-03-25 — Page 23

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1987

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LEGAL AID FEES TO GO UP

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED AN INCREASE OF 33 PER CENT IN FEES PAYABLE TO COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS ASSIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO CONDUCT CRIMINAL CASES, WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.

MOVING THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES (AMENDMENT) RULES 1997, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, SAID THAT THE FEES WERE LAST INCREASED IN JANUARY 1982.

THE PRESENT INCREASE WAS TO REFLECT INFLATION AS EVIDENCED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SINCE THAT DATE, HE SAID.

CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE

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A SUMMARY OF THE CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1986-87 WAS TABLED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR JACOBS SAID THAT ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.

+SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $217.1 MILLION WAS APPROVED, HE SAID, ADDING THAT IT WAS FULLY OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT VOTES.

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MR JACOBS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, DURING THE PERIOD, APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $480.8 MILLION AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $629.1 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED.

CAVEATS IN PARTITION BILL DELETED

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AN AMENDMENT TO DELETE THE PROVISION OF CAVEATS IN THE PARTITION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE AMENDMENT DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID THERE WAS NO SYSTEM OF CAVEATS AGAINST LAND DEALINGS IN HONG KONG AND THEREFORE THIS PROVISION SERVED NO PRACTICAL PURPOSE.

+AS IT STANDS AT PRESENT NEW SECTION 3B(3)(A)(11) IN CLAUSE 4 PROVIDES THAT A MEMORANDUM FILED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS IN A PARTITION ACTION WILL NOT OPERATE TO PREVENT THE MAKING OF AN ORDER TO PREVENT THE LAPSE OF A CAVEAT AGAINST LAND DEALINGS, HE ADDED.

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