XN000022-1993-05-05 — Page 25

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1993

THIRD, THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. DISCIPLINARY SERVICES' POWERS ARE BY THEIR VERY NATURE CONTROVERSIAL AND IT IMPORTANT THAT IN FORMULATING OUR PROPOSALS ON THE REPORT'S

IS

RECOMMENDATIONS, FULL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO PUBLIC OPINION. WE INTEND TO SEEK VIEWS AND WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING HOW BEST THIS SHOULD BE DONE. THE VIEW EXPRESSED BY HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL BE TAKEN CAREFULLY INTO CONSIDERATION IN THIS REGARD.

MR PRESIDENT, THE ABILITY OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES

ΤΟ MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER IS THE BASIS OF OUR STABILITY. WE MUST ENSURE THAT THEIR POWERS ARE NECESSARY AND ADEQUATE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, CONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS. THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT HAS PROVIDED A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WE MUST NOW CAREFULLY REVIEW. I HOPE THAT THE OUTCOME OF OUR DELIBERATIONS WILL BE APPROPRIATE TO MEET HONG KONG'S CIRCUMSTANCES AND WILL ENJOY THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.

WITH THESE REMARKS, MR PRESIDENT, I SUPPORT THE MOTION.

0

TRANSFER OF EXECUTIVE DUTIES

THE GOVERNMENT WILL IN DUE COURSE DEVELOP PLANS TO ENSURE AN ORDERLY AND SMOOTH TRANSFER OF DUTIES FROM THE EXISTING EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES TO THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT IN 1997.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG, MR SZE SAID: "SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE PUT IN PLACE BEFORE OR BY JUNE 30,

1997.'

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RULES FOR EXCO MEMBERS DECLARING INTERESTS

THERE ARE ALREADY A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS WHICH HELP EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AVOID ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND OBSERVE THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE ADVICE TENDERED TO THE GOVERNOR IS DISINTERESTED AND IMPARTIAL.

THE REMARK WAS MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, WHEN HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE PURPOSE OF THE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION AND DECLARATION OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON ANY PECUNIARY INTEREST OR OTHER MATERIAL BENEFIT WHICH A MEMBER MAY RECEIVE WHICH MIGHT BE THOUGHT ΤΟ INFLUENCE HIS DECISIONS IN TENDERING ADVICE ΤΟ THE GOVERNOR, MR MACLEOD SAID.

"IN THIS CONTEXT WE CAN SEE THE MERIT OF KEEPING THE SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RULES RELATING TO REGISTRATION AND DECLARATION OF INTERESTS UNDER PERIODIC REVIEW.

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