XN000022-1994-06-15 — Page 22

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1994

I AGREE WITH THE THRUST AND INTENT OF THE MOTION DRUG ABUSE BY YOUNG PEOPLE IS A TRAGEDY WHICH WE MUST SEEK TO PREVENT, AND WE MUST CONSTANTLY SEEK AND PURSUE NEW INITIATIVES IN ORDER TO DO SO. BUT, WE DO NOT AGREE THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR WHOLESALE AMENDMENT TO OUR EXISTING LAWS, NOR FOR WHOLESALE REPLACEMENT OF OUR EXISTING MACHINERY FOR POLICY AND STRATEGY FORMULATION, AND CO-ORDINATION OF THE OVERALL ANTI-NARCOTICS PROGRAMMES. WE ALREADY HAVE COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATION TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM, AND AN EFFECTIVE CO-ORDINATING BODY IN ACAN. CERTAINLY, WE SHOULD NOT BE COMPLACENT, AND WE ACCEPT THE NEED CONSTANTLY TO GIVE EFFECT TO NEW INITIATIVES TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM, AND TO PLUG LOOPHOLES WHEN THEY COME TO LIGHT. THIS WE HAVE DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO. WE SHOULD DO SO BY BUILDING ON AND IMPROVING OUR PRESENT STRATEGIES, LEGISLATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES, NOT BY DEMOLISHING AND SEEKING TO REBUILD THEM.

THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT.

BILL TO ESTABLISH ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

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THE PRIME MISSION OF THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IS TO PLAN, PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE BROAD DEVELOPMENT AND APPRECIATION OF AND PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS.

IT WILL PLACE PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE LITERARY, PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS, WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE

COMMUNITY.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS RACHEL CARTLAND, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL BILL 1994.

MRS CARTLAND SAID THE BILL, WHICH HAD BEEN CONSIDERED AND SUPPORTED BY THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, PROVIDED THE COUNCIL WITH A STRONG MANDATE ON WHICH TO BASE ITS WORK.

UNDER THE BILL, THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE 20 MEMBERS, OF WHICH 16 INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN WILL BE NON-OFFICIAL WHILST FOUR WILL BE EX-OFFICIO.

ON FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE COUNCIL TO RECEIVE SUBVENTION FROM GOVERNMENT THROUGH FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE COUNCIL IS ALLOWED TO RECEIVE INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCES INCLUDING GIFTS, DONATIONS, FEES AND RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS.

THE PROVISIONS ALSO ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO MAKE INVESTMENTS AND TO BORROW, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

MRS CARTLAND HOPED THAT THE BILL COULD BE PROCESSED IN TIME FOR ENACTMENT BY APRIL 1995.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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