XN000022-1990-03-23 — Page 6

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FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990

SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST A CHILD OF THE FAMILY UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE; AND

ATTEMPTING,

CONSPIRING

TO COMMIT, AIDING, ABETTING,

COUNSELLING OR PROCURING OR INCITING THE COMMISSION OF SUCH AN OFFENCE.

THE CHANGES, HOWEVER, WILL NOT CAUSE A PERSON, WHO IS JOINTLY CHARGED WITH AN OFFENCE WITH HER OR HIS SPOUSE, TO LOSE THE RIGHT OF ALL ACCUSED PERSONS NOT TO GIVE EVIDENCE AND NOT TO INCRIMINATE HER OR HIMSELF.

THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT OF A SPOUSE NOT TO DISCLOSE ANY COMMUNICATION MADE BY HER OR HIS SPOUSE DURING THE MARRIAGE EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE BASED THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WERE ACCEPTED PRINCIPLE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL LAST YEAR.

ON IN

THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE RIGIDITY OF THE CURRENT MIXTURE OF COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY RULES GOVERNING COMPETENCE AND COMPELLABILITY OF SPOUSES GIVING EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.

AFFECTING

PREVAIL OVER

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN THE CASE OF CRIMES THE FAMILY ITSELF, THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE SHOULD SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY HARMONY.

THE

MOVE TO RELAX CRITERIA FOR GRANTING OF GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS

* * *

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO WIDEN THE ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE GRANTED UNDER THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND ORDINANCE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

IN THE PAST, SCHOLARSHIPS WERE GRANTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE то STUDENTS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

LEGISLATION

-

UNDER THE AMENDING

THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS LUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990

SCHOLARSHIPS MAY IN FUTURE ALSO BE DRANTED ON THE BASIS OF ACADEMIC AND OTHER RELEVANT ACHIEVEMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE AMENDMENTS HAVE HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE.

THE

HE SAID THAT AS THE RESULT OF GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN INCOME LEVEL OF HONG KONG'S POPULATION, THE DEMAND FOR SCHOLARSHIPS BY STUDENTS IN FINANCIAL NEED HAS DECREASED IN RECENT YEARS, WHILE THE ANNUAL INCOME OF THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND HAS INCREASING STEADILY.

BREN

/THIS HAS