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I am most grateful to those Members who have already indicated their support for the MPF and would urge those Members who have not yet decided and those who were previously opposed to it to reconsider, having regard to what Members have said today in this debate, including Mr Andrew Cheng's strong support for developing our debt market for which to MPF is an ideal vehicle. I am certain that they will seriously ponder over their position, as a rejection of the MPF proposal will deprive Hong Kong of an invaluable opportunity to enhance our position in an increasingly competitive world.

Thank you.

End

Coroners Bill

Following is the speech by the Attorney General, the Hon Jeremy Mathews, in moving the second reading of the Coroners Bill in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

I move that the Coroners Bill be read the second time. The Bill aims to reform the coroners system in Hong Kong.

The Coroners' Court was first established in 1967. In April 1984, the Law Reform Commission appointed a sub-committee to review the coroners system, including the duty to report a death to coroners, the arrangements relating to the reporting of deaths to coroners, the investigatory role of the coroners and the functions of the Coroners' Court relating to a death.

The Law Reform Commission Sub-committee completed its deliberations in October 1986 and the Law Reform Commission itself subsequently issued a Report on Coroners in August 1987. Extensive public consultation was carried out by the Law Reform Commission in the course of the compilation of its Report. A number of defects were identified in the existing system and a comprehensive reform of the system was recommended.