XN000022-1994-03-23 — Page 3

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994

LOCALISATION OF LAW SET FOR COMPLETION BEFORE 1997

THE GOVERNMENT ANTICIPATES THAT LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS PROGRAMMES SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1996.

HOWEVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THERE MAY BE SOME SLIPPAGE INTO EARLY 1997 AND THERE WILL INEVITABLY BE LOOSE ENDS TO TIE UP IN 1997.

THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO BE DONE, NOT MUCH TIME TO IT, IF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A COMPLETE SET LAWS CAPABLE OF CONTINUING BEYOND 1997, MR NG SAID.

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"IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR US TO LET GAPS IN THE LAW DEVELOP AFTER 1997. AND WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP то OUR TARGET FOR THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT EXERCISE," THE SECRETARY SAID.

HE ADDED THAT IT WAS OBVIOUSLY THE STRONG WISH OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCEED WITH THIS WORK ON THE BASIS OF CONSENSUS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.

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"WE WOULD DO ALL WE CAN TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THAT, HE SAID.

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LOCALISATION OF LAWS, MR NG SAID OF THE 300 OR SO UK ENACTMENTS ORIGINALLY IDENTIFIED FOR LOCALISATION, AROUND 30 HAD BEEN LOCALISED

AS HONG KONG ORDINANCES IN THE AREAS OF ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION AND MERCHANT SHIPPING.

"A FIRST STAGE CIVIL AVIATION BILL (COVERING THE LOCALISATION OF FOUR UK ENACTMENTS) IS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION BY LEGCO," HE SAID.

NINETY ENACTMENTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NOT REQUIRING

LOCALISATION.

CONSULTATION PAPERS ON ANOTHER 75 ENACTMENTS HAVE BEEN HANDED TO THE CHINESE SIDE.

DRAFTING OF SEVERAL LOCALISING BILLS IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE.

ON ADAPTATION OF LAWS, MR NG SAID AN INITIAL REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCES AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION HAD ALMOST BEEN COMPLETED.

"OUR FIRST CONSULTATION PROPOSAL WAS HANDED TO THE CHINESE SIDE IN NOVEMBER 1992.

"SINCE SEPTEMBER 1993 WE HAVE BEEN HANDING OVER CONSULTATION PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE IN A STEADY FLOW, MR NG SAID.

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UP TO NOW, CONSULTATION PAPERS COVERING ABOUT 30 ORDINANCES HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE CHINESE SIDE.

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DRAFTING OF AN OMNIBUS ADAPTATION BILL IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE,

HE SAID.

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