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Mr Mathews added that the Administration would drop the one recommendation that was clearly opposed by the public: that limitations based on years of experience might be imposed on barristers' rights of audience in open court proceedings.

A number of recommendations did not involve any changes to the existing legal system and for this reason there would be no further action on them, he said.

End

Promotion of equal opportunities in action

The Government's commitment to the promotion of equal opportunities is demonstrated by a track record of concrete action, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, said today (Tuesday).

Speaking at a luncheon of the British Chamber of Commerce, Mr Suen cited as examples the enactment of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance and the Disability Discrimination Ordinance last year and the two recently released consultation papers on discrimination on the grounds of family status and sexual orientation.

"Equality of opportunity means giving all individuals an equal chance to exercise their rights and participate in society. Equal opportunities for all is a social ideal that all societies should strive to achieve.

"The Hong Kong Government is fully and unequivocally committed to the pursuit of this ideal. And I have no doubt that our commitment commands the full support of the people of Hong Kong," he said.

He called on the public to speak their mind in response to the consultation exercise on discrimination on the grounds of family status and sexual orientation, which will last until the end of March.

Public debate on discrimination in these areas was not confined to making written submissions in response to our consultation documents but also extended to speaking up in public for a point of view as forcefully as one could, Mr Suen said.