XN000022-1987-03-25 — Page 3

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1737

FIRST FILINGUAL BILL READY BY MAY

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THE FIRST BILL WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO A BILINGUAL FORMAT IS EXPECTED TO BE TABLED BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN MAY TRIS YEAR SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, IN WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 AND THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)

HE ALSO SAID THE FIRST BILINGUAL BILL WOULD LIKELY BE THE PROPOSED NEW WEIGHT AND MEASURES BILL 1987.

MR THOMAS NOTED THAT SEVERAL MEMBERS HAD EXPRESSED FEARS ABOUT THE ADEQUACY OF THE RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL AVAILABLE TO HIS CHAMBERS AS THE GOVERNMENT EMBARKED ON THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT.

+ I LOOK FORWARD OF COURSE, TO THE FUTURE SUPPORT IN THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY TO COME BACK FOR ADDITIONAL POSTS OR FUNDS IN THE FUTURE,+ HE ADDED.

MR THOMAS SAID THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILLS WAS ONLY THE FIRST STEP TO A HERCULEAN TASK.

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+PUT GIVEN THE WILL AND THE SUPPORT OF THIS COUNCIL THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE SHALL ACCOMPLISH OUR TASK, HE SAID.

HE SAID THE TWO PILLS WOULD PROVIDE A SOUND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTING THE IMPORTANT PROJECT OF BILINGUAL LEGISLATION.

MR THOMAS ALSO THANKED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP FOR STUDYING THE PILLS AND FOR THE COMMENTS MEMBERS MADE DURING THE DEBATE.

HE SAID THE AMENDMENTS TABLED TODAY WERE THE RESULT OF INTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE PROFESSIONS AND WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

THE PROPOSED COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION, HE ADDED.

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