1950-02-08 — Page 1

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 11

8th February, 1950.

PRESENT: —

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

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING IN CHIEF (LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR E. C. R. MANSERGH, K.B.E., C.B., M.C.).

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. R. R. TODD, Acting).

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. J. B. GRIFFIN, K.C.).

THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. B. C. K. HAWKINS, O.B.E., Acting). THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (HON. C. G. S. FOLLOWS, C.M.G.).

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

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

HON. E. A. BOYCE (Director of Public Works).

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

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

DR. HON. CHAU SIK NIN.

HON. M. M. WATSON.

HON. P. S. CASSIDY.

HON. C. E. M, TERRY.

MR. G. G. HAMILTON (Clerk of Councils).

ABSENT: —

HON. LEO D'ALMADA E CASTRO, K.C.

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 12

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25th January, 1950, were confirmed.

OATHS.

The Hon. C. E. M. Terry took the Oath of Allegiance and assumed his seat as a Member of the Council.

PAPERS.

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

The Arms and Ammunition Ord., 1933, —Order under Section 2 (d)(ii). (G.N. No. A. 18 of 1950).

The Protected Places Order, 1950. (G.N. No. A. 19 of 1950).

The Military Installations Closed Area Order, 1950. (G.N. No. A. 20 of 1950).

The Dutiable Commodities Ord., 1931, —Amendment to the First Schedule. (G.N. No. A. 21 of 1950).

The Stamp (Bank Authorization) No. 1 Order, 1950. (G.N. No. A. 22 of 1950).

The Registration of Persons Order (No. 1), 1950. (G.N. No. A. 23 of 1950).

The Public Health (Sanitary Provisions) Regulations, 1948—Declaration under section 2 (10) (a). (G.N. No. A. 24 of 1950).

The Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ord., 1936, —Order declaring Sung Shan (Taiwan) infected on account of smallpox. (G.N. No. A. 25 of 1950).

Annual Report of the Commissioner of Prisons for the year 1948-49. Annual Report of the Postmaster General for the year 1948-49. MOTIONS.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY moved that the additional supplementary provision for the fourth quarter ended 31st March, 1949, Schedule No. 5 of 1948- 49, be approved.

He said: Sir, this Schedule sets out the final excesses on various heads and sub-heads of the Estimates at the close of the financial year 1948/49 and thus clears the way for the final disposal of the finances of that year by a Supplementary Ordinance.

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All the items in the Schedule have been approved by Finance Committee, and there are no really large amounts except a provision of $2,300,000 to cover the excess on the vote for cost of living allowances and one of just over $800,000 in respect of occupation period salaries.

In moving the approval of the final Schedule of Supplementary Expenditure for 1947/48, I explained the difficulties that had been experienced since the re establishment of Civil Government in the closing of the final accounts. I expressed the hope that once we were able to settle down to a fixed routine we should be able to eliminate most of the delay. We have in fact speeded up the presentation of the final Schedule of Supplementary Expenditure by seven months and I hope that we shall be able to improve on this again next year.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

INTERPRETATION BILL, 1950.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the law relating to the construction and interpretation of the law applicable to the Colony and to make better provision for the interpretation of the terminology employed therein and for matters incidental thereto".

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

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

H.E. THE GOVERNOR: —I would suggest, Gentlemen, that we might take the clauses in blocks of 5 and then if any member wishes to raise a point on any clause, he can do so.

Clause 32.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —Sir, I move that the word "indicment" in the second line of paragraph (c) be replaced by the word "indictment" to correct a printing error.

Clause 41.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —Sir, I move that in the second line the word “of” be substituted by the word "or" to correct a printing error.

Council then resumed.

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THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Interpretation Bill, 1950, had passed through Committee with two amendments 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?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —I suggest this day fortnight, Sir. H.E. THE GOVERNOR: —Council will adjourn to this day fortnight.