TNAG-1366-FCO40-1812-Hong-Kong-Legislative-Council-(Powers-and-Privileges)-Bill-1-1985 — Page 149

GIS/L/F/1571

FROM: DIS (D.O.) TO: COMMISSIONER, LONDON (BROWN)

JUNE 24, 1985

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE

PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY MONDAY JUNE 24TH

The Chairman of the Bar Association, Mr. Denis Chang Q,C, and

the President of the Law Society,Nr.Brian Tisdall today

forwarded further comments and suggestions on the Legislative

Council (Powers and Privileges) Bill to Umelco.

"Since we issued our statement last week a number of further

substantive poënts have been raised which 'we believe require

serious consideration "Nr.Chang and Mr. Tisdall said.

Briefly these points are:-

1)The combined effect of Clauss 28, which ousts the

irisdiction of the courts if Legco has exercised its powers

"lawfully" and the powers given to Legco under Clause

15 to decide on matters of privilege results in an ambiguity

which must be resolved.

210ng commentator has pointed out that section 14 (2) might

have the effect of giving the executive the power to prevent

Legco from involving itself in a wide range of matters.Further thought should be given as to whether this clause is either

necessary or desirable¿e are of the view that it should not be

passed in its present form and should probably be dropped

altogether.

3)The right to have legal representation before Legco and

its committees should be provided for.

"In short "Hr. Chang and Kr.Tisdall added "there are still

1924 24 Au

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