XN000022-1993-04-28 — Page 41

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28,

1993

"THE BILL WILL NOT EFFECT CASES IN WHICH LEVELS OF FEES AND CHARGES ARE DIRECTLY APPROVED BY THIS COUNCIL, MR YEUNG SAID.

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HE ALSO STATED THAT SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AMENDMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS AT PRESENT.

"THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S POWER TO MONITOR AND CHALLENGE FEE PROPOSALS WILL THUS IN NO WAY BE ERODED, HE ADDED.

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AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT COLLECTS OVER 5,000 FEES AND CHARGES, ABOUT HALF OF WHICH ARE STIPULATED IN SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.

"OUR POLICY IS TO REVIEW FEES ANNUALLY TO ENSURE THAT THE LEVELS ARE, WITH CERTAIN SPECIFIC EXCEPTIONS, AT LEAST SUFFICIENT TO RECOVER THE COSTS INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING THE SERVICES OF FACILITIES CONCERNED," MR YEUNG SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

SEPARATE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL PROVISIONS FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS

A BILL THAT PROVIDES FOR THE PROCEDURES FOR THE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS OTHER THAN JUDGES WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THESE OFFICERS INCLUDE THE REGISTRAR, DEPUTY AND ASSISTANT REGISTRARS OF THE SUPREME COURT, MAGISTRATES, PRESIDING OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, MEMBERS OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL, ADJUDICATORS OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL AND CORONERS.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE JUDICIAL OFFICERS (TENURE OF OFFICE) BILL THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD SAID THE BILL WAS INTENDED TO UNDERLINE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THESE JUDICIAL OFFICERS FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE.

AT PRESENT, JUDICIAL OFFICERS OTHER THAN JUDGES, ALONG WITH OTHER PUBLIC OFFICERS, ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE LETTERS PATENT FOR THEIR DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.

"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT SEPARATE PROVISIONS FOR THEIR DISCIPLINE,. AND REMOVAL SHOULD BE EMBODIED IN THE LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR THEIR TENURE OF OFFICE, RATHER THAN IN COLONIAL REGULATIONS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS REGULATIONS," SIR DAVID SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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