TNAG-1365-FCO40-1811-Hong-Kong-Legislative-Council-(Powers-and-Privileges)-Bill-1-1985 — Page 84

GIS/L/F/1547

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PA (04/14)

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To Commissionen (Paul Brown for immediate on pass to Galsworthy

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SPEECN BY DR HUN HO KAĦ TAI, OBE, JP

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 12.6.85

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985

at FCO)

The intentions of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Bill 1985 are to lay down some rules so as to enable Members of this Council as a body to properly and efficiently perform their duties and responsibilities, lowever, quite a few critics seem to have the impression that the Bill confers more powers and privileges than those presently enjoyed by the Legislative Council. In particular, they think that the power to call witnesses to give evidence before the Council is a new invention and express concern that it might infringe on privacy or civil liberties.

As a matter of public information, I would like to invite attention to the fact that such power has for many years been provided under section 4 of the baths and Declarations Ordinance, Cap. 11 of the Lawa of Hong Kong which reade:

The Legislative Council and any

committee thereof may administer an oath to

a witneas examined before the Council or committee, and for that purpose shall have the same powers, rights and privileges as are possessed or exercisable by the House of

Commons of the United Kingdom or any committee for enforcing the attendance of witnesses and punishing persons guilty of

contempt.

(2) An oath may be administered by the presiding member of; the Council or any committee thereof.

to

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