XN000022-1987-07-31 — Page 5

FRIDAY, 31 JULY, 1987

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BILL TO STOP USE OF UNOFFICIAL' TITLE

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DISCONTINUE THE USE OF THE TITLE 'UNOFFICIAL' ΤΟ REFER TO THOSE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS WHO DO NOT HOLD OFFICE UNDER THE CROWN.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CONTINUED USE OF THE TERM 'UNOFFICIAL' COULD BE CONFUSING TO THOSE WHO WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE HONG KONG CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM.

THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (MEMBERS) BILL 1987 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) WILL AMEND VARIOUS ORDINANCES TO REPLACE THE TERM UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS' WITH 'MEMBERS, OTHER THAN EX-OFFICIO OR OFFICIAL MEMBERS' WHEN REFERRING TO EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS; AND 'MEMBERS, OTHER THAN OFFICIAL MEMBERS' WHEN REFERRING TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN TO EXEMPT OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS FROM JURY SERVICE AFTER A REVIEW OF THE JURY ORDINANCE.

"THIS IS NO MORE THAN A RATIONALISATION OF PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS AS OFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE ALREADY EXEMPT BY VIRTUE OF THEIR OFFICE UNDER OTHER SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, HE SAID.

IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTARY SAFETY MOVEMENT STRESSED

EVENING

A SENIOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THIS (FRIDAY) CALLED ON FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO SET UP IN-PLANT SAFETY COMMITTEES INVOLVING BOTH MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS.

DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID THAT THE COMMITTEES, THROUGH THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION OF ALL CONCERNED, SHOULD AIM AT PROVIDING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND AT AROUSING SAFETY AWARENESS OF ALL WORKERS.

"TO ACHIEVE THESE, EMPLOYERS SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE ΤΟ ORGANISE SUITABLE STAFF TO SIT ON THE COMMITTEES AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ADEQUATE TRAINING TO DEAL WITH ALL KINDS OF SAFETY MATTERS WITHIN THEIR OWN ORGANISATIONS,

HE ADDED.

/SPEAKING AT