XN000022-1996-05-15 — Page 18

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The Bill restricts the use of the description "registered veterinary surgeon" to those qualified to use it and provides for criminal offences relating to false representation and practising veterinary surgery without being registered, with a maximum penalty on conviction of a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 1 year.

The proposals in the Bill will improve the quality of the veterinary services offered in Hong Kong and open the way for persons holding veterinary qualifications other than membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to practise as veterinary surgeons in Hong Kong, subject to their qualifications being accepted by the Veterinary Surgeons Board once it is established. I commend the Bill to this Council.

End

Public Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Bill

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr Chau Tak-hay, in moving the second reading of the Public Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Bill 1996 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday);

Mr President,

I move that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Bill 1996 be read the second time.

The purpose of the Bill is to facilitate early removal of articles obstructing scavenging or street sweeping operations. Section 22(2)(a)(i) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, as it stands at the moment, requires that a minimum period of notice to be given, i.e. not less than 24 hours, to the owner of an obstructing article, asking him to remove the article. After Section 22(2)(a)(i) is amended, the owner of an obstructing article will have 4 hours within which to remove the article. The legislative amendment will enable the law enforcement officers to expedite the procedure for the removal of obstructing articles and should therefore facilitate further effective environmental improvement.

End