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RULES OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-HONGKONG

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posed of

35.-The matter under discussion and any business not disposed of Business not dis- at the time of any adjournment shall stand as An Order of the Day for the next meeting of the Council.

36.-Strangers may be present in the Council Chamber during Strangers. debates; but must withdraw when called upon to do so by the President on any Member taking notice of their presence.

Any stranger expressing approbation or disapprobation shall be immediately removed.

ORDINANCES.

Rules and Regu-

37.-In the making of Laws the Governor and the Council shall lations under observe, as far as practicable, the following Rules :-

which Ordin- ances are to bo enacted.

Ordinances.

1. All Laws shall be styled "Ordinances," and the enacting Form of enacting

words shall be, "enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof."

2. All Ordinances shall be distinguished by titles and shall be Ordinances to be

divided into successive clauses or paragraphs, numbered numbered and

methodically ar- consecutively, and to every such clause there shall be ranged. annexed in the margin a short summary of its contents. The Ordinances of each year shall be distinguished by consecutive numbers, commencing in each year with the number one.

38.-A printed copy of every Bill shall, if possible, be sent to each Bills to be sent to Member by the Clerk at least two clear days before it is read a first time. Members.

39.-After having been read a first time, every Bill shall be published Publication after in the Government Gazette for general information.

first reading

to Committee after second

40.-When a Bill has been read a second time, the Council shall Council to go in- resolve itself into Committee to consider it clause by clause, and amend it as may be deemed necessary, unless at this stage of the proceedings reading. the Bill be referred to a Special or Standing Committ. c.

mittee.

41.-When a Bill shall have been referred to, and reported on by, Bill reported by one of the Standing Committees appointed under Rule 48, and it shall Standing Com. be certified by the Chairman of such Standing Committee that such Bill has been considered clause by clause in the presence of all the Members of such Standing Committee at least and that, in the opinion of the Committee, such Bill may be dealt with by the Council in the same manner as a Bill reported on by a Committee of the whole Council, such Bill may be dealt with accordingly if no Member object, but if any Member object the Bill shall be dealt with in the same mauner as a Bill reported on by a Special Commit.

42.—If no material alteration be made in any Bill so co umitted, it may be read a third time, and passed, at the same meeting, if no Member object; but, if any material alteration be made, or any Member object to proceed immediately with the third reading, it shall be postponed till the next ensuing meeting.

Third reading.

43.—If on the third reading any Member desire to omit or amend Recommittal on any provision contained in the Bil, or to introduce any fresh provision third reading. thereinto, be may move that the Bill be recommitted; and, if the motion

be carried, marginal notes of the different clauses of the Bill shall be read seriatim by the Clerk, and any alteration proposed shall be discussed in its proper place; after which the Council shall resume, and the third reading may be moved.

44.--A Bill may be referred either to a Special Committee, or to a Reference of Bill Standing Committee at any stage of its progress.

to a Committee.

45. When a Bill has been read a third time, the question "that Passing of Bills. this Bill do pass" shall immediately be put.

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