XN000022-1993-08-12 — Page 4

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1993

ABOUT 12,000 PLACES REMAINING UNUSED AT THE END OF THE FIRST PHASE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION IN THE PINAL PHASE RUNNING FROM JANUARY 3, 1994 TO JUNE 30, 1997.

IN A DIRECTION ISSUED TO THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW CUT-OFF DATE FOR NON-BRITISH NATIONALS WHO ARE INTERESTED

IN THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME TO APPLY FOR NATURALISATION AS BDTC's.

"THE SCHEME IS OPEN TO CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF BRITISH NATIONALS ONLY, SUCH AS BDTC'S AND BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS). TO QUALIFY, NON-BRITISH NATIONALS, SUCH AS HOLDERS OF CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY, MUST APPLY FOR NATURALISATION AS BDTC'S ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 13.

1993," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

"THIS CUT-OFF DATE WILL NOT APPLY TO PEOPLE HAVING NO PLANS TO APPLY UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME," HE ADDED. THE PUBLIC MAY CALL 824 6111 FOR ENQUIRIES.

AN INFORMATION BOOKLET GIVING DETAILS OF THE FINAL PHASE OF THE SCHEME, INCLUDING THE REVISED POINTS SYSTEM AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES, WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND IMMIGRATION OFFICES FREE OF CHARGE FROM TOMORROW.

DEADLINE DRAWS NEAR FOR COMMENTS ON LEGAL AID PAPER

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO COMMENT ON THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON LEGAL AID то ACT PROMPTLY AS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS WAS NEXT MONDAY (AUGUST 16).

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONDUCTING A PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON THE FINDINGS OF AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP WHICH HAS REVIEWED THE LAW, POLICY AND PRACTICE GOVERNING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID SERVICES IN HONG KONG.

THE WORKING GROUP HAS PROPOSED SOME MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID SERVICES. ITS FINDINGS ARE SET OUT IN THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON LEGAL AID.

"COPIES OF THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ARE AVAILABLE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF ALL DISTRICT OFFICES. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OFFER THEIR COMMENTS THE FINDINGS OF THE WORKING GROUP, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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COPIES OF THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE AVAILABLE то THE PARTIES DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID SERVICES. THEY INCLUDE THE BAR ASSOCIATION, LAW SOCIETY, LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, LAW SOCIETY LEGAL ADVICE AND DUTY LAWYER SCHEMES.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR SIMON IP MOVED A MOTION DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 21 URGING FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY AUTHORITY то BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTRATION OF LEGAL AID.

THE

/THE CHIEF