TNAG-1365-FCO40-1811-Hong-Kong-Legislative-Council-(Powers-and-Privileges)-Bill-1-1985 — Page 92

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL 1985

SPEECH BY CHIEF SECRETARY AT SECOND READING

Sir

ON WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE 1985

I am very conscious 23 I rise to make my first speech in this Chamber as Chief Secretary of the deep concern shown over this legislation by lawyers, journalists, public epirited groups of people and, in response to their anxiety, perhaps of a wider concern within the community that chere was some hidden purpose behind the introduction of this legislation into this Council at the present time. I have no need to assure Members of thie Council that this is not the case, but let me say so quite emphatically to this wider audience which is concerned about the proceedings of this Council today. There is no hidden agenda. Of course I could wish, indeed we all wish chat it had had a happier and smoother passage than it

has.

But the debete and discussion of the past weeks have been most valuable and we have received a great deal of useful and constructive criticisa arising from this public debate, and as Members have revealed in their speeches today, subetantial amendments and deletions to the B111 are proposed. Before making some detailed

detailed points let

let me first say a few words about the need for the legislation and the principles

involved.

2

Members of

of this

this Council, sir, represent A wide cross-section of the community and theirs is the

duty heavy responsibility and

decide ON

the

Their

desirability of passing legislation into law. task in past weeks has not been easy, there has been so much criticism of certain passages in the Bill before us that we have been in danger of losing sight of the essential principles and objectives lying

That is not to behind this legislation.

say

that