XN000022-1990-03-14 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990

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BILL TO ENLARGE HKPC MEMBERSHIP

A BILL TO ENLARGE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY),

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, SIR PIERS SAID SECTION 9 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE SPECIFIED THAT THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 21, OUT OF WHICH NOT MORE THAN 14 SHOULD BE REPRESENTATIVES OF MANAGEMENT, LABOUR, AND PROFESSIONAL OR ACADEMIC INTERESTS.

THIS NUMBER HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1967.

ALLOW

HE SAID THE CURRENT SIZE OF MEMBERSHIP WAS INADEQUATE TO FOR ALL THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS TO BE SUFFICIENTLY REPRESENTED.

"THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSES TO ENLARGE THE COUNCIL'S

MEMBERSHIP FROM 21 TO 23 TO ALLOW FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO EXTRA MEMBERS FROM THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS," SIR PIERS SAID.

"THIS WILL ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED SCOPE, VOLUME AND COMPLEXITY OF ITS WORK.

H

SIR PIERS SAID THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO EMPOWER ΤΟ ESTABLISH AND ACQUIRE COMPANIES TO CARRY OUT ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES.

SIGNIFICANTLY

THE COUNCIL PRODUCTIVITY

SCOPE OF

"SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1967, THE NATURE AND ACTIVITIES OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAVE EXPANDED ENORMOUSLY.

IN

"THE COUNCIL HAS DEVELOPED INTO A LEADING INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION PROVIDING A DIVERSE RANGE OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES SUPPORT OF HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY," HE SAID.

SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THAT IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO PLAY ITS ROLE MORE EFFECTIVELY AND TO EXPLOIT MORE READILY OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES, THE BILL WOULD EMPOWER THE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH COMPANIES AND TO PURCHASE SHARES IN COMPANIES FOR BETTER CARRYING OUT ITS FUNCTIONS.

GIVE

"THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO EMPOWER THE COUNCIL TO MAKE LOANS OR OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE COMPANIES IT HAS ESTABLISHED, HE SAID.

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DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.