XN000022-1993-11-17 — Page 8

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993

MEASURES INCLUDING LEGISLATION, ENFORCEMENT AND LIAISON WITH CHINA HAD BEEN TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, HE ADDED.

"OUR STRATEGY HAS ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS.

"WHILE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HUGE PROFITS REMAINS, SMUGGLING IS LIKELY TO CONTINUR."

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

TRANSFER OF POWER TO MAKE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION

THE

GOVERNMENT PROPOSES THAT THE POWER TO MAKE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION FOR THE CONDUCT OF STATISTICAL SURVEYS SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO THE POLICY SECRETARY CONCERNED.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR TAM WING-PONG, SAID THE TRANSFER OF SUCH POWER SHOULD NOT APPLY TO THE CONDUCT OF A CENSUS OF POPULATION.

THIS IS BECAUSE UNLIKE STATISTICAL SURVEYS WHICH ONLY INVOLVE SAMPLES OF HOUSEHOLDS OR BUSINESS FIRMS, CENSUS-TAKING IS AN OPERATION WHICH WILL AFFECT THE COMMUNITY VERY WIDELY.

"THE

ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS, THEREFORE, THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S SPECIFIC APPROVAL SHOULD STILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE LAUNCHING OF A CENSUS OF POPULATION," MR TAM SAID.

AT PRESENT, UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MAY, BY ORDER IN THE GAZETTE, DIRECT THAT A CENSUS OF POPULATION OR A STATISTICAL SURVEY BE CONDUCTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS.

AS PART OF AN ON-GOING EXERCISE TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATION OF EXCO, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN REVIEWED TO IDENTIFY ANY MINOR POWERS CURRENTLY VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THAT MAY BE DEVOLVED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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