1948-12-29 — Page 1

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 350

29th December, 1948.

PRESENT: —

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR ALEXANDER WILLIAM GEORGE HERDER GRANTHAM, K.C.M.G.)

THE HONOURABLE THE OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (BRIGADIER ARTHUR DE BURGH MORRIS, D.S.O., O.B.E.)

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. D. M. MACDOUGALL, C. M. G.) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. J. B. GRIFFIN, K.C.)

THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. R. R. TODD).

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (HON. C. G. S. FOLLOWS, C. M. G.)

HON. V. KENNIFF (Director of Public Works).

DR. HON. I. NEWTON (Director of Medical Services).

DR. HON. J. P. FEHILY, O.B.E. (Chairman, Urban Council).

HON. D. F. LANDALE.

HON. CHAU TSUN-NIN, C. B. E.

HON. SIR MAN-KAM LO, KT., C.B.E.

DR. HON. CHAU SIK-NIN.

HON. LEO D'ALMADA, K.C.

HON. M. M. WATSON.

HON. P. S. CASSIDY.

MR. J. L. HAYWARD (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 351

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on the 22nd December, 1948, were confirmed.

PAPERS.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid upon the table the following paper: —

Sessional Papers, 1948: —

No. 8—Report of the Hotel Rates Advisory Committee.

He said: —Sir, Council will recollect that this Committee was appointed in August with terms of reference as follows: —"To enquire into and advise Government concerning the rates to be charged for accommodation, food and services by hotels and boarding houses throughout the Colony.'' The Chairman of this Committee was my Honourable Friend, Mr. T. N. Chau.

The matter was both complex and controversial and although the Report now before Members is one which is short, it represents an immense amount of work and labour and I would like to pay tribute to the Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. T. N. Chau for the way in which it discharged its responsibilities.

Members will observe on reading the Report references to appendices which are not included in this document. The reason for that omission is that these appendices contain confidential commercial information which it is not thought right should be disclosed. Government is at present engaged in considering the recommendations. As I have said, they are both complex and controversial and in order to give time to consider the matter fully, which they deserve, steps are being taken now to extend to February 1st the period within which we will hold in suspension the previously published rates announced by the Competent Authority.

EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, 1948.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance further to amend the Education Ordinance, 1913."

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a Second time.

Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clause 3.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —Sir, I rise to move that section 4(2)(b) to be enacted by clause 3 of the Bill before Council be replaced as follows: —

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 352

"(b) any health inspeetor to be a health inspector of schools."

Sir, the amendment is necessary because it may be that health inspectors may be appointed health inspectors of schools who are not necessarily officers of the Urban Council.

This was agreed to.

Council then resumed.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Education (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 1948, had passed through Committee with one amendment and moved the Third reading.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a Third time and passed into law.

ADJOURNMENT.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR: — That concludes the business, Gentlemen. When is it your pleasure that we should meet again? Two weeks hence?

This was agreed to.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR: —Council will adjourn to this day fortnight, and I take this opportunity of wishing all Members a Happy New Year.