TNAG-1585-FCO40-2159-Hong-Kong-prisons-and-prisoners-1986 — Page 115

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Explanatory Memorandum

There has been in existence for some time

a non-statutory fund (known as the "Prisoners' Welfare

Donation Fund") for the welfare of prisoners which is

administered in accordance with Financial and Accounting

Rules. The object of this Bill is to make provision in

the principal Ordinance for that fund to be formally

established as the "Prisoners' Welfare Fund" (clause 3).

The fund is to be administered in accordance with rules

made by the Governor in Council under section 25 (as

amended by clause 5) in line with the Correctional

Services Department Welfare Fund,

2. Two consequential amendments are made to

section 22 (clause 4) and the opportunity is also taken

to replace a reference to "the Colony" in section 2 with

a reference to "Hong Kong" (clause 2).

3. The Bill has no Public Service staffing

implications and minimal implications for public

expenditure. Provision is made for the cost of

administration of the "Prisoners' Welfare Fund" to be

met out of a percentage (determined by the Financial

Secretary) of the fund's annual income.