TNAG-1360-FCO40-1806-Procedural-changes-in-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 21

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(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

drafting the

second reading

speech. This may need to be cleared with the Branch Secretary concerned,

other

Branch

of

Secretaries, Heads of Departments

concerned,

Information

Draftsman.

It

Director

Services and the Law is therefore advisable for the first draft of the second reading speech to

to be produced immediately after the Executive Council meeting at which the introduction of the bill is approved;

maintaining records of public comments, press cuttings, letters and other reaction to the bill;

arranging publicity and drafting press release in consultation with the Director of Information Services;

in

drafting further speeches or explanations which may need to be given by the Official Member charge of the bill (e.g. the Official Member's reply in the debate on second reading or a short speech prefacing committee stage amendments); and

committee

seeking instructions, if fresh policy decisions are required, and obtaining agreement to proposed

stage amendments. Close contact must be maintained with the Attorney General's Chambers, the Director of Information Services and the Clerk to the Legislative Council.

The assent of the Governor

15

A bill which has received its third reading becomes law when it receives the Governor's assent. The Governor's assent is normally given on the day following the third reading in the Legislative Council. The bill is then published as an ordinance in Supplement No. 1 to the Government Gazette and becomes law, unless the ordinance