XN000022-1991-05-15 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991

NOTING THAT MEMBERS HAD

ON

INDICATED THE WHOLE SUBJECT INFLATION WAS TO BE DEBATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 29, SIR PIERS SAID THAT OCCASION WOULD GIVE MEMBERS AND THE ADMINISTRATION FURTHER OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER WHAT REMEDIES EXISTED.

A

"CLEARLY, THE PROBLEM IS SERIOUS. I DO NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE IT IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. IT IS NECESSARY TO SIGNAL NOW THAT WE INTEND

TO TACKLE INFLATION.

"MEMBERS HAVE SINGLED OUT THIS ONE MEASURE AS A SUITABLE STARTING POINT. AS TO THE HEALTH ASPECTS, A 100 PER CENT INCREASE IN DUTY IS STILL SUBSTANTIAL, AND THIS MEASURE, AND WHAT MEMBERS HAVE "AID IN THIS AFTERNOON, WILL DO MUCH TO FOCUS MINDS ON THE NEED ΤΟ PURSUE NEW ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES, HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS FIRST MOTION ALSO SOUGHT ΤΟ INCREASE THE DUTY RATES UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE ON HYDROCARBON OILS BY FIVE PER CENT; THE SPECIFIC DUTY RATES ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ALCOHOL BY 15 PER CENT; AND THE AD VALOREM RATE ON COSMETICS BY FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS.

OFFICIAL MEMBERS ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON COMPELLABILITY BILL

* * * *

TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

PROCEDURE ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE SECOND READING OF THE CRIMINAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.

NELLIE FONG THAT A DID NOT SUPPORT THE MATHEWS, SAID IT WAS A HAD ACCURATELY

FAMILY SAID,

AFTER HEARING AN INDICATION FROM THE HON CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY BILL THAT WOULD AFFECT, RELATIONSHIPS.

AS

MRS FONG

"ON A SOCIAL ISSUE SUCH AS THIS IT IS RIGHT THAT MY

MR MATHEWS SAID. THAT OFFICIAL MEMBERS SHOULD ABSTAIN,

"

SUBMISSION

CARRIED,

THE MOTION FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL WAS NOT WITH 17 MEMBERS AGAINST, 14 MEMBERS FOR AND NINE MEMBERS ABSTAINED.

IMPROVE

THE COMPETENCE

BALANCE BETWEEN

BEFORE THE VOTE MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED THAT THE

AND MODERNISE THE LAW GOVERNING

WHILE ACHIEVING A COMPELLABILITY OF SPOUSES,

THE

JUSTICE, AND INTERESTS OF POSSIBLE WITH RELATIONS BETWEEN

BILL SOUGHT

TO

AND

THE

AIM MARRIED

OF

LITTLE AS INTERFERING AS COUPLES AND THE FAMILY.

AVAILABILITY OF TESTIMONY AND IN SO DOING OF THE PROBLEMS

HE SAID THE BILL WOULD ENHANCE THE CASES OF SERIOUS VIOLENCE WITHIN THE FAMILY,

OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN LATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

LLOW

SOME ADDRESSING

/HE SAID