CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 1249
OF 080415Z MAY 92
Миз
012
TOP COPY Q DIST?
INFO PRIORITY HK GOVT OFFICE, PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
pa
167456
MDLIAN 4226
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: ACTIVITIES IN APRIL 1992.
SUMMARY
THREE LEGCO SITTINGS AND ONLY ONE FINANCE COMMITTEE (FC) MEETING IN APRIL 1992 OWING TO THE EASTER BREAK.
THE BUDGET
2. WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL ON 1 APRIL, THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON THE INCREASE OF RATES BY HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT SCHEDULED TO BE DEBATED IN LEGCO IN MAY. HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ANNOUNCED ON 6 MAY THE GOVERNMENT'S WITHDRAWAL OF THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE RATES BECAUSE OF THE UNANTICIPATED EXTRA SURPLUS OF DOLLARS 6 BILLION FOR 1991-92. THIS WAS QUITE A RELIEF TO THE VARIOUS POLITICAL FACTIONS WHO HAD STAKED THEIR CREDITABILITY ON VOTING DOWN THE RATES INCREASE. THE REST OF THE REVENUE MEASURES WERE ALL PASSED
LEGISLATION
3. TWELVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO FOR FIRST READING, INCLUDING FOUR BUDGET-RELATED BILLS. OTHER BILLS OF PUBLIC INTEREST WERE THE HUMAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT BILL, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS SAFETY BILL, OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES BILL, BANKING CAMENDMENT) BILL AND THE IMMIGRATION CAMENDMENT) BILL.
4.
SIXTEEN BILLS PASSED THROUGH LEGCO, INCLUDING SIX PIECES OF LABOUR LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FURTHER PROTECTION TO
WORKERS.
5.
AS AT 30 APRIL, SIXTY-FOUR BILLS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO, THIRTY-SEVEN OF WHICH HAD BEEN ENACTED.
DEBATES
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