TNAG-1365-FCO40-1811-Hong-Kong-Legislative-Council-(Powers-and-Privileges)-Bill-1-1985 — Page 44

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Clause 8(3)

The control of public access and public conduct in the Chamber should be by way of

P..

a resolution of the Council, not by a

unilateral "instruction" from the President.

Moreover the phrase "and for other administrative

purposes" gives far too wide a scope to bar the public from meetings. . The preceding reasons

are all that are required for this purpose.

Clause 19(a) The use of word "insult" in this provision is a restriction of the freedom of speech. What

Clause 23

may appear to a Legislative Councillor to be

an insult may appear to the general public

to be legitimate criticism. The words "insults"

and "insult" should be deleted,

The reference to a motion or matter "expected

to be brought" before the Council or a committee

is far too vague a phrase to be used in a

provision imposing criminal sanctions.

words should be deleted.

These

For the reasone given above removing the right of the Courts to review the exercise of powers

conferred by Standing Orders is unacceptable.

The reference to "or the Standing Orders"

should be deleted.

We are also concerned that this Bill reflects a very short

term approach to the position of the Legislative Council. Miss Lydia Dunn said in another context during the budget debate, it is "clearly necessary that we should think ahead

a good deal further".

As

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