TNAG-1365-FCO40-1811-Hong-Kong-Legislative-Council-(Powers-and-Privileges)-Bill-1-1985 — Page 124

DRAFT CO-TV

BYRON S L CHEN, CBE, JP GISLATIVE COUNCIL 12.5.85

Bagislative Counath 120 pore and Privileges) Bill 1985

This draft is subject to amendment and

12dbars

must not sbe, published or broadcast

without being checked against the speech

as delivered by the speakef

Mikefternoon will be long enough and I will speak only briefly to the all Mere are two points I wish to

addrete.

+

when the Bill was introduced on 15th May it was presented as a measure to codify the existing powers and privileges of this Council. I think the scale and scope of the amendments proposed, in responce to public representations and the views of the Unofficial Mombers of this Council, sbow that

it went beyond that understanding,

By decond point la also a presentational one.

Powers

and privileges as enshrined in thie Bill do not reflect the common meaning of these words. The provisions of this Bill provide for the orderly conduct of the business of this Council and it would have been far preferable in my view to present them as such. It has been argued that we are legislating "powers and privileges" for ourselves, This is also misleading. We are proceeding with the business of this Council and seeking to codify for Bong Rong Legislative Councils of the future the powers and immunities we at present enjoy. With the amendments proposed, I am satisfied that they are necessary, indeed, essential, for the orderly, effective and lawful conduct of the business of this Council.

the Bill.

Sir, on this understanding, I am pleased to support

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