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Draftsman) must certify that a private bill conforms to the requirements to Standing Order No. 38 (Form of Bills) and the general form of Hong Kong legislation. It is the usual practice for the promoters of the bill to inform the Law Draftsman of proposals for a private bill before submitting a draft to him for checking.
Advertisement in the Gazette
22
A private bill is not referred to the Executive Council. Clause XXVII of the Royal Instructions (in Volume 23 of the Laws of Hong Kong) provides that no private bill shall be introduced into the Legislative Council until notice has been given by not less than two successive publications of the bill in the Gazette. The bill should be forwarded to the Government Printer with a request for printing in two successive issues of the Public Notices section in the Gazette. (A check with the Printer beforehand as to the time for delivery of copy is recommended). A copy of the certificate of the Counsel to the Legislature should accompany the request.
The Government Printer will send a debit note for printing, a charge to be borne by the promoters of the bill.
Advertisement in newspapers
23
Standing Order No. 39(3) also requires notice of a private bill to be given by two advertisements in each of two daily newspapers published in Hong Kong,
in Hong Kong, one of which must be a Chinese language newspaper. The practice is to
to insert a brief advertisement in these newspapers giving notice of intention to introduce the bill and stating the dates of the editions of the Gazette in which the full text of the bill is published.
24
It is emphasised that clause XXVII of the Royal Instructions prohibits the introduction of a private bill into the Legislative Council until the steps described in paragraphs 22 and 23 have been taken.
Introduction into the Legislative Council
25
When these procedures are complete, the promoters should arrange for the Unofficial Member who has agreed to be the Member in charge of the bill to send to the Clerk to the Legislative Council the following papers
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Private notes are available after approval.