XN000022-1997-04-16 — Page 29

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Motion to increase the award for bereavement

Following is the speech by the Attorney General, Mr Jeremy Mathews, on the Hon Albert Ho's motion to increase the award for bereavement in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

The Administration supports this motion. I would like to thank the Hon Albert Ho for taking the initiative to move it.

An award for bereavement offers some financial consolation, some financial services to the dependants of someone tragically killed in an accident. When the award was first introduced in 1986, it was fixed at $40,000. In May 1991, I moved a resolution which resulted in an increase in the amount to $70,000, in order to reflect inflation.

The current motion does more than reflect the rate of inflation since 1991. An inflation adjustment would bring the amount up to about $112,000. However, the Hon Albert Ho has argued that the award should be further increased to meet the changing social and economic conditions of Hong Kong.

The Administration would not normally propose an amendment in respect of the administration of justice that has policy implications without consulting the two branches of the legal profession, the Judiciary and other interested parties. Since this motion has policy implications, I have therefore consulted those bodies and parties. I am pleased to say that there was general support for this motion.

Assuming that this motion is passed to-day, it will be necessary to ensure that the amount of the award continues to be adjusted to reflect inflation. I am happy therefore to confirm that it is my intention to review the amount of the award for bereavement every two years.

Mr President, as I said a moment ago, the Administration supports this motion.

End