TNAG-1733-FCO40-2446-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 151

Clause 6 MRS. TAM: Sir,

DRAFT SPEECH BY HON MRS ROSANNA TAM LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 22.6.88

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 1987

Committee Stage Clause 6 moved by Hon Mrs Rosanna TAM

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I move that Clause 6 be amended as set out in the paper

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A further amendment to flause 6 which allows the

to guardianship application be amended with the consent of the Director of Social Welfare within 14 days prevents the Director from consenting to substantial amendments. This will ensure that no change of substance is allowed, but inaccuracies such as typing or clerical errors may be corrected.

circulated under my name to Members. This amendment answers the criticism that the power of the Director of Social Welfare may be abused since the Bill empowers the pirector both to accept guardianship applications and to appoint himself as the guardian. The amendment retains the benefit of such an arrangement, in that the Director of Social Welfare is best placed to decide on the suitability of the nominated guardian. What it achieves is the assurance that the Director will only act as the guardian of last resort in cases where the guardian named in the guardianship application is found to be not suitable.

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With these remarks, (Sir

I beg to move.