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In supporting this new joint application procedure, Members of the Bills Committee suggested that it should be available to all couples undertaking divorce proceeding. That is, by means of consequential amendments to the Matrimonial Proceeding and Property Ordinance, couples who have not reached final agreement with respect to child custody, financial arrangements and other matters concerning ancillary relief should also be able to undertake divorce proceedings by joint application. We accept this suggestion. It is in line with the principle of our Bill to promote a non fault-based approach to divorce.

The

The Bill provides for a reduction in the time restriction on divorce early in marriage from the current three years to one year. I note that the Hon. Rev. FUNG Chi-wood is due at Committee Stage to move an amendment that would provide for the time restriction on divorce early in marriage to be set at two years. Administration's view remains that one-year period proposed by the Law Reform Commission is appropriate. The proposed two-year time bar will create undue hardship to couples whose marriages have genuinely broken down irretrievably at an early stage. I note that the proposal was not supported by a majority of the Bills Committee.

Members of the Bills Committee expressed concern about whether the Administration is making separate and adequate provision for marriage counselling services in the community. Indeed, Honourable members who have just spoken highlight these concerns. Let me take this opportunity to re-assure honourable Members and the public generally that the Administration recognises the family as fundamental to society and has been devoting considerable resources to expand, strengthen, and promote the services in support of the family. I understand from the Secretary for Health and Welfare that a number of new initiatives have been undertaken recently to strengthen these services. They include an increase in the number of family caseworkers, and the opening of a Family Care Demonstration and Resource Centre and 19 Family Activity and Resource Centres. We are also committed to making information on marriage counselling and mediation services more available and accessible to potential clients. The information will be widely distributed through various channels including the Divorce Registry, Legal Aid Offices, the Police, Social Welfare Department, District Offices of the Home Affairs Department, non-government organisations and legal practitioners working in the family law area.

With these remarks, Mr President, I recommend the Bill to Members.