HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL—5th August 1970. 809
OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 5th August 1970
The Council met at half past Two o'clock
[MR PRESIDENT in the Chair]
PRESENT
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (PRESIDENT)
SIR DAVID CLIVE CROSBIE TRENCH, GCMG, MC
THE HONOURABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (Acting)
MR DAVID RONALD HOLMES, CMG, CBE, MC, ED, JP
THE HONOURABLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Acting)
MR GRAHAM RUPERT SNEATH, QC, JP
THE HONOURABLE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (Acting) MR DENIS CAMPBELL BRAY, JP
THE HONOURABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
SIR JOHN JAMES COWPERTHWAITE, KBE, CMG, JP
THE HONOURABLE ROBERT MARSHALL HETHERINGTON, DFC, JP COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR
THE HONOURABLE JAMES JEAVONS ROBSON, JP
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
THE HONOURABLE DONALD COLLIN CUMYN LUDDINGTON, JP DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, NEW TERRITORIES
THE HONOURABLE JOHN CANNING, JP
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
DR THE HONOURABLE GERALD HUGH CHOA, JP
DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
THE HONOURABLE ALASTAIR TREVOR CLARK, JP
DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES (Acting)
THE HONOURABLE LAWRENCE EDWIN ARTHUR HOLT-KENTWELL, MBE, JP DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (Acting)
THE HONOURABLE DAVID HAROLD JORDAN, MBE, JP
DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (Acting)
THE HONOURABLE KAN YUET-KEUNG, CBE, JP
THE HONOURABLE WOO PAK-CHUEN, OBE, JP
THE HONOURABLE SZETO WAI, OBE, JP
THE HONOURABLE WILFRED WONG SIEN-BING, OBE, JP
THE HONOURABLE ELLEN LI SHU-PUI, OBE, JP
THE HONOURABLE WILSON WANG TZE-SAM, JP
THE HONOURABLE HERBERT JOHN CHARLES BROWNE, JP
THE HONOURABLE LEE QUO-WEI, OBE, JP
THE HONOURABLE OSWALD VICTOR CHEUNG, QC, JP
THE HONOURABLE ANN TSE-KAI, OBE, JP
ABSENT
DR THE HONOURABLE CHUNG SZE-YUEN, OBE, JP
THE HONOURABLE GERALD MORDAUNT BROOME SALMON, JP THE HONOURABLE LO KWEE-SEONG, JP
IN ATTENDANCE
THE DEPUTY CLERK OF COUNCILS
MR RODERICK JOHN FRAMPTON
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Papers
The following papers were laid pursuant to Standing Order No 14(2): — Subject LN No
Subsidiary Legislation: —
Protection of Women and Juveniles Ordinance.
Protection of Women and Juveniles (Places of Refuge)
(Amendment) Regulations 1970 .............................. 112
Tax Reserve Certificates Ordinance.
Tax Reserve Certificates (Fourth Series) (Amendment)
Rules 1970 ....................................... ....................... 114
Merchant Shipping Ordinance.
Merchant Shipping (Control of Ports) (Amendment)
Regulations 1970 (Commencement) Notice 1970 115
Oral answers to questions
Dumping of chemicals
1. MR Y. K. KAN asked: —
In the light of recent experience with regard to the dumping of chemicals is the Government considering (a) a more distant dumping ground and (b) a more effective method of disposal?
THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY (MR D. R. HOLMES): —Yes, Sir. Both points are under examination and when conclusions have been reached I shall be glad to communicate them to the honourable Member.
Library facilities for Sham Shui Po
2. MR KAN: —
What library facilities are at present available to the young inhabitants of the Sham Shui Po area and what plans has Government for the provision of such facilities in that area in the near future?
MR A. T. CLARK: —Sir, at present, the Boys' & Girls' Clubs Association, subvented from public funds controlled by my honourable Friend the Director of Social Welfare, runs three childrens' libraries in the Sham Shui Po area, at the Lei Cheng Uk Playground, the Shek
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Kip Mei Resettlement Estate and the Cheung Sha Wan Low Cost Housing Estate. Each of these libraries has a book stock of about 9,000 volumes. Their monthly circulations stand at 2,000, 1,200 and 3,700 issues and the number of registered members at the end of last month stood at 2,900, 2,000 and 18,600 respectively. The Lei Cheng Uk Friendly Centre, similarly subvented, and now run by the Lutheran World Federation, has a children's library with about 8,000 books, and a daily attendance of 600.
Many young residents of the area use the facilities offered by the Urban Council Kowloon Public Library at Cambridge Court, Ho Man Tin. A readers' survey conducted in 1968 indicated that 17% of the users were from the Sham Shui Po area, including Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon Tsai and Cheung Sha Wan. That percentage borrowed about 83,000 books last year.
The Urban Council has recommended the setting up of a new Council Library in Sham Shui Po, as part of a proposed programme for establishing five such libraries in various districts. Sham Shui Po is the fifth (and last) on this list of five libraries; a decision on it will be taken in the light of the first full year's costs and use made of all the first three libraries which have been approved under this programme. In other words, a decision on a Council library at Sham Shui Po is not likely to be taken for another two years at least.
I might add that one of the three new Urban Council libraries for which approval has been given will be in Yau Ma Tei. This will be the main Urban Council library in Kowloon and will be reasonably close to Sham Shui Po.
MR KAN: —Sir, I thank my honourable Friend for a very full reply. When was the recommendation of the Urban Council actually made?
MR CLARK: —It was made in 1968.
MR KAN: —Is there any reasonable hope of the matter being expedited rather than implementation being two years from now?
MR CLARK: —The situation, Sir, is that from the point of view of the availability of buildings, we may be able to speed up the opening of the Yau Ma Tei library and, in that event, then the year's "trial period", so to speak, may be speeded up; but any question of seeking to put up a library specifically in Sham Shui Po, at the present time, would require a reference back to the Executive Council.
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Oral Answers
Traffic accidents
3. MR WOO PAK-CHUEN asked: —
In view of the increase in traffic accidents in the Colony of Hong Kong—
(a) what effective steps has Government taken to prevent further increases of such accidents, and
(b) does Government contemplate launching a better and more comprehensive campaign for road safety?
THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY (MR HOLMES): —Sir, the first part of the question is a general one and I can only answer it in general terms. The Police Force, the Public Works Department and the Transport Department are in constant consultation about accident prevention. Regular studies of road conditions and accident statistics are made and, as a result of these and of experiments carried out, everything possible is done to enable vehicles and pedestrians to move safely and without unnecessary inconvenience. Taxis and buses are inspected annually, and there are inspections before licensing for all imported second hand vehicles and all trucks.
For the future, our plans include substantial improvements in the road systems; the introduction of the fixed penalty system for parking offences, for which legislation was recently enacted and which it is hoped will free many Police officers for duties more directly related to accident prevention; and the extension of facilities for inspection so as to include a wider range of vehicles.
As regards education and publicity campaigns—the matters referred to in the second part of the honourable Member's question—we have no particular single new campaign in mind at the present time for we regard road safety education as a more-or-less continuous duty. The Traffic Police do their best to bring the basic lessons home to the public at all times and all departments concerned are in regular contact with the voluntary organizations such as the Road Safety Association. As much as possible is done through the schools, Sir, from which the Government receives most valuable co-operation in this field.
MR WOO: —Sir, I think my honourable Friend has not touched upon the standard of driving of the drivers. Under regulation 17 of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations, the Commissioner for Transport has been given the discretion to retest a driver who has been convicted of serious traffic offences. Would Government consider making this compulsory—to retest in the case of a driver who has been convicted of serious road traffic offences, so as to improve the standard of driving and to reduce the number of road traffic accidents?
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THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY: —Certainly this can be considered, Sir, and I am prepared to give the assurance that it will be looked into. Perhaps an initial step should be to examine the question how far the existing powers referred to have been used, and again I shall be glad to find out this information and convey it to the honourable Member.
MR KAN: —Sir, may I ask a supplementary question? I have in my hand a statistical report of traffic accidents in June of this year which shows that 968 accidents occurred involving 1,202 casualties, of which 29 were fatal and 433 serious. A predominant cause of accidents is pedestrian carelessness. May I ask, Sir, could wider publicity be given to discourage jay walking and whether more legal action could be taken in respect of offences of this kind?
THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY: —Sir, the Government will be very glad to consider these possibilities. I think I may say that in the education campaigns to which I have already referred, considerable emphasis has been laid upon the discipline and good sense of pedestrians. I nevertheless am fully prepared to agree that this leaves a great deal to be desired and I shall be glad to bear in mind Mr KAN's remarks.
Drowning accidents
4. MR WOO: —
In view of the many drowning accidents at the beaches in the Colony of Hong Kong does Government consider the existing life saving facilities and swimming safety campaign adequate to meet the needs of present day Hong Kong and, if not, will Government take immediate steps to improve the facilities for life saving at the beaches and to give wide publicity of the campaign to be launched?
MR CLARK: —Sir, newspapers have reported nearly forty people as drowned this year in reservoirs, the harbour, waterholes and the sea. Only five of these have been drowned within the enclosed swimming areas of the thirty-eight beaches staffed by my department, and two of these accidents took place outside the duty hours of the staff. All these five were young people and, so we understand, were non-swimmers or probably poor swimmers. Such victims tend to be workers from the crowded areas, who have only very recently begun to swim at pleasure beaches in large numbers and so include many novices. To put these tragedies into some perspective, this year my staff have already carried out 156 successful rescues at beaches, and last year up to the same period there had been twelve fatalities at gazetted beaches.
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[MR CLARK] Oral Answers
The Urban Services Department has an establishment of 197 Beach Attendants, that is, lifeguards, including fourteen recently approved posts for New Territories beaches, which are now being filled. The numbers of our Beach Attendants range from twelve at the very popular beaches such as Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay, down to two at some of the small beaches in the New Territories. The Hong Kong Life Guard Club is also now supplying 86 honorary lifeguards at fifteen of the gazetted beaches during peak periods, and there are St John Ambulance Brigade volunteers at thirteen beaches. The Urban Services Department Beach Attendants receive first-aid training; the first-aid service they provide where St John Ambulance Brigade members are not on duty is believed to be fully satisfactory.
The Urban Council, together with the Hong Kong Life Guard Club and Government Departments, have given a great deal of publicity to water safety this year both in the press and on radio and television. A poster has been produced in Chinese by the Life Guard Club and my department for general distribution. Brochures are being prepared on the beaches and new swimming pools, and these will include safety tips in Chinese and English. However, there is a limit to the changes in human behaviour which publicity can make just on its own, and of course it is impossible to safeguard every strip of water in the Colony where people might choose to swim. Despite the five unfortunate drownings at gazetted beaches, the Urban Council and I have no present reason to believe that there are insufficient lifeguards at these beaches. The requirements are carefully reviewed every year and extra staff will certainly be requested whenever we consider it advisable.
While people continue to swim irresponsibly (and I don't want to sound heartless by using that word—but it is a fact that too many do swim in unsuitable places or without having learnt properly—or without the supervision of family or experienced friends), it would be unrealistic to expect that this unnecessary toll of life can be radically reduced. In any event the absolute numbers of swimmers are growing remarkably every year, as our citizens learn to enjoy the possibilities of leisure. I believe that our best hopes lie in the programme for building more swimming pools, not only to attract youngsters away from more dangerous areas, but also so that they can be taught to swim in safety; in developing and extending our service to more of the accessible beaches; and in continuing to warn the public of the dangers of careless and unwise bathing. It is largely a slow process of public education. Honourable Members know that the three large new district pool complexes in Kowloon, which include teaching pools, are expected to open within the next few months. This will increase the public swimming pool capacity fivefold. Six other swimming pools are in the Public
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Works Programme. My department is also having a close look at the possibility of developing and servicing more beaches, but this is not a matter on which instant progress can be made.
MR WOO: —Sir, I quite agree with my honourable Friend that people should be taught how to swim in safety. Would Government consider making swimming lessons form part of physical education in schools in the Colony and, further, whether lifesaving swimming classes should be instituted in schools in order to combat drowning tragedies?
MR CLARK: —This is not really for me to answer, Sir, but I have no doubt that as soon as the new complexes and the teaching pools are opened, the Education Department will be anxious to make full use of them.
MR WILFRED S. B. WONG: —Sir, would Government consider putting lifeguards on duty earlier on Sundays since, with the advent of four days compulsory holidays per month, the beaches are very full on Sundays? Last Sunday I was at Repulse Bay at 7.30 in the morning and there were already some six hundred people there.
MR CLARK: —We will certainly bear this in mind, Sir. It is something which we have noticed in our inquiries when looking into my honourable Friend's question.
Commercial quarries
5. MR SZETO WAI asked: —
In view of the present acute shortage of supply of coarse aggregate for concrete work, has Government any plan to encourage production by commercial quarries to cope with the increasing demand of this material by the building industry engaged on non-Government construction projects?
MR J. J. ROBSON: —Sir, in the short term, there is little that Government can do to stimulate production of aggregate by commercial quarries. The development of new quarries takes time but the immediate problem is expansion not of stone production but of stone crushing and processing.
In the past few years, the quarry industry has suffered a period of depression which was a direct result of the recession in the building industry. During this period, due to cut-throat competition among the
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[MR ROBSON] Oral Answers
quarry operators, the price of aggregate fell to such a low level as to not only discourage investment in new stone-crushing machinery, but also to force a number of operators out of business.
The increasing demand for aggregate over the past few months has led to rising prices and these are now at about the pre-1965 level. The increase in price has encouraged quarry operators to invest in more crushing machinery and the best hope for increased production is the early commissioning of this machinery.
At the same time, Government is preparing to let two quarry sites in the New Territories on long-term contracts and a site for a contract quarry on Hong Kong Island is being investigated for which it is hoped to be able to call tenders towards the end of this year. In addition a number of large site formation contracts, which will yield large volumes of rock, will commence shortly and crushing of this rock on site will be permitted wherever possible.
When considering the price of aggregate, however, it must be borne in mind that because of the restrictions now placed on the use of explosives and the increase in cost of labour, quarrying operations are much more expensive than in 1965.
Aided primary schools on outlying islands
6. MR WILSON T. S. WANG asked: —
Can Government inform this Council whether the provision of aided primary school places in outlying islands may be regarded as adequate both in quantity and in quality? Can Government explain the kind of problem a particular school in Mui Wo had to encounter in order to have a proper surface for its playground?
MR J. CANMNG: —Sir, the present position regarding the provision of aided primary school places in outlying islands is that there are 11,920 such places and a total enrolment of 9,993. This means that there are just over 1,900 vacancies.
When the proposed census is completed we can be more precise as to how the present provision will stand up to future needs and I would like to assure honourable Members that in these matters the New Territories Administration and my department have the closest relationship.
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As far as the quality of education is concerned the Subsidy Code under which all aided primary schools receive their subventions makes no distinctions between recurrent subsidies for rural schools as opposed to urban schools. Rural schools can offer the same salary to a qualified teacher that he would receive in an urban school. It nevertheless remains true that the remoteness of schools on outlying islands makes it difficult for them to attract and retain the services of fully qualified teachers. This phenomenon I might add is not restricted to Hong Kong and is a familiar problem in even the most fully developed countries.
If I may turn now to the case of the Mui Wo School Playground. Under the Subsidy Code non-recurrent subsidies are available in respect of major repair projects. The usual procedure is that schools are invited by a circular issued in May of each year to submit their applications by late June. All submissions which are received are processed for possible inclusion in the draft estimates submitted by my department in November.
In the case of the Mui Wo School the first application for assistance in connexion with the school's playground was received in the normal way in June 1966. This request was for filling and levelling the playground. The project was approved in the 1967-68 Estimates and the work was completed in February 1968. The second application this time for surfacing the playground was received in December 1969, and that is too late for consideration for inclusion in the 1970-71 Estimates. The supervisor was advised to re-submit in June 1970 for consideration for the 1971-72 Draft Estimates but the school did not submit a request.
A week ago, the supervisor reported to the Education Department that the school had received a donation of $10,000 for the surfacing of the playground from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club through the Interact Club of St Joseph's College as their summer work camp project. I understand work on this project is still in progress.
MR KAN: —Sir, is there no procedure whereby money for unforeseen expenditure can be obtained other than by having to submit an annual request in June, such as is done in Government departments?
MR CANNING: —Yes, Sir. Provision does exist when certain urgent matters need doing and money can be found if necessary by making an approach to the Finance Committee of this Council. In this particular case, however, it did not seem that the matter was so urgent that that action was appropriate.
MR KAN: —That, Sir, is of course a matter of opinion.
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Oral Answers
Education in industrial and commercial subjects
7. MR T. K. ANN asked: —
What is Government policy on the encouragement of industrial and commercial arts education?
MR CANNING: —Sir, Government maintains a policy of encouraging the development of industrial and commercial art and to this end, established in 1967 the Department of industrial and Commercial Design at the Technical College. This operates a three-year full-time Higher Diploma Course in Industrial Design with a current enrolment of 61 students which will expand to 97 students in September 1970. In addition the department conducts two-year part-time (evening) courses leading to the Certificate in Commercial Design or the Certificate in Basic Design. Enrolment during the recent session in these courses was 72 students studying Basic Design and 216 students studying Commercial Design. Provision for substantial increase in the size and facilities of this department are included in the recommendations of the Scope of Initial Courses Sub-Committee of the Polytechnic Planning Committee. These recommendations are at present being studied by the Polytechnic Planning Committee.
There are some indications that the establishment of these courses has encouraged students in secondary schools to offer Art as a subject in the Certificate of Education Examinations since the number of those who sat for this subject in the 1970 examinations shows an increase of approximately 40 per cent over those taking the subject in 1969.
If the four additional proposed Technical Institutes are approved by Government, it is intended to include a Department of Industrial Design in one of them to give design training at a lower level than the courses at the Technical College.
I understand that the University of Hong Kong is also contemplating Product Design as a third-year optional subject in the Departments of Architecture, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and that the Extra-Mural Department is considering a part-time postgraduate course leading to a Diploma in Industrial Design (Engineering).
In addition, The Hong Kong Chinese University has a Department of Fine Arts with an enrolment of 37 students, and is also running part-time courses in three dimensional design and graphic design for some 550 students.
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MR SZETO: —Sir, is the curriculum of the existing Third Year Specialist Course in one of our colleges of education which now offers an arts course geared to training in industrial and commercial arts?
MR CANNING: —No, Sir. The training given in the college of education is intended to prepare teachers for primary schools and lower forms in our secondary schools.
MR WOO: —Sir, if the four additional proposed technical institutes are approved by Government, when can they be established?
MR CANNING: —One of the technical institutes will include a department of industrial design and the department of industrial design would, I expect, be included in the first of the technical institutes which are approved. As to when will this happen, I regret I cannot say.
Expension in post primary education
8. MR WILFRED S. B.WONG asked: —
Would the Director of Education elaborate on Government's plans on post primary expansion in education?
MR CANNING: —Sir, I am very grateful to my honourable Friend for the opportunity his question gives me to speak on this subject.
The new aim for the post-primary sector receiving assistance from Government is as follows: —
(i) In the full expectation that it will be possible to offer, by 1971, an aided primary education to all children desiring it, the next main aim will be progressively to make available with Government assistance at least 3 years post-primary education to all children in the appropriate age group (12-14) seeking it.
(ii) It is intended to achieve the first half of this goal, that is to say, to provide for 50% of the age group, as determined from census information, by 1976: provided funds and the availability of teachers and other resources permit.
(iii) In the meanwhile, within the 50% figure, provision will be made for the 18%-20% of the 12-16 year age group to proceed on to aided courses leading to a Certificate of Education, in substitution for the present aim of providing for 15-20% of primary school-leavers. It is to be emphasized that this
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[MR CANNING] Oral Answers
figure of 18%-20% calculated on the new age group basis represents a considerable increase in the numbers to be provided for, since although 16.8% of school-leavers are currently being aided in this sector, this figure represents only 10% of the 12-16 age group. At present the primary school-leavers currently account for only some 70% of the appropriate age group. It is to be expected, however, that this figure of 70% would increase with time, thus in any case drawing the numbers to be provided for on the old and new basis progressively closer together.
(iv) The extra school places to he found in Forms I—III under this new policy will be provided either directly in Government or Aided schools, or in private non-profit making schools which will be assisted for the purpose, or by buying places in suitable private schools: in whatever proportion appears the most suitable and economic.
This statement of aims of the proposed policy was referred to the Board of Education at its meeting on 30th April 1970 and the members unanimously welcomed the proposals.
The present thinking is that the planning of this enormous expansion might proceed on the following broad guidelines so as to provide by 1976 the following distribution of places: —
(a) sufficient places in Government and aided secondary grammar schools for 14% of the 12-16 age group to proceed on to aided courses leading to a Certificate of Education, and in Government and aided secondary technical schools for 4% of the 12-16 age group. It is estimated that some 43,000 additional places will be required, at an order of cost of some $144 million in capital subsidies and $29 million annually in recurrent subsidies if they are all provided in aided schools.
(b) 10,000 places in Government and aided secondary modern and pre vocational schools offering 3-year courses. This has already been approved in principle. 5,000 new places will be required in aided pre vocational schools, costing an estimated $10.6 million in capital subsidies and $3.75 million annually in recurrent subsidies; and
(c) 70,600 bought places in Forms I—III of private schools, of which some may have to be in new schools attracting a capital subsidy. On this basis, the order of cost to public funds is estimated at $95 million in capital subsidies and $33 million annually in recurrent grants.
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The financial implications of achieving these targets by 1976 are estimated at $250 million for capital expenditure and an increase in recurrent costs of secondary education by $63 million so that by 1976 the annual cost of secondary education will be more than $134 million as compared with about $72 million at present. The Finance Committee of this Council has approved the financial implications of achieving these new aims and a paper is at present being prepared for submission to the Board of Education seeking the advice of the Board on the proposals for implementing the new policy.
I should like to emphasize at this point the enormous magnitude of the task we have set ourselves. Apart from the very considerable sums of money involved, sites will have to be found for the new school buildings needed, sponsors will have to be found for the new aided schools and last, but most certainly not least, teachers will have to be found to staff the new schools. I believe it is within the capacity of the community to achieve these aims but the task is a formidable one.
I said on an earlier occasion in this Council that any further step towards the progressive reduction of fees in government and aided primary schools which has been going on for some time would have to wait until the post-primary policy had been settled. Now that the Finance Committee of this Council is aware of the order of costs involved in the post-primary expansion policy, it is possible to consider further the reduction or possible elimination of primary school fees in government and aided schools. The implications of this are now being examined and I shall submit detailed recommendations through the usual channels as soon as possible.
MR WONG: —Thank you.
Government business
First reading
DOGS AND CATS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1970
Bill read the first time and ordered to be set down for second reading pursuant to Standing Order No 41(3).
Second reading
DOGS AND CATS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1970
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (SIR JOHN COWPERTHWAITE) moved the second reading of: —"A bill to amend the Dogs and Cats Ordinance."
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Dogs and Cats (Amendment) Bill—second reading
He said: —Sir, it may seem strange to honourable Members that the Financial Secretary should be in charge of this bill. The explanation is that the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries is the competent authority and the Financial Secretary generally speaks for him in this Council.
Section 4(4) of the Dogs and Cats Ordinance provides that any dog or cat detained in an observation kennel or quarantine station and not removed within seven days after the expiry of the observation or quarantine period may be destroyed, sold or otherwise disposed of. Experience has shown that virtually all owners who intend to reclaim their animals do so within 48 hours after the expiry of the observation or quarantine period. This being the case, there seems to be little purpose in maintaining unclaimed animals for seven days before disposal since this leads not only to wasted expenditure in feeding them but also to increased pressure on space in the kennels. The bill now before Council therefore seeks to reduce the period which an unclaimed animal has to be maintained before it can be disposed of from seven days to four days.
Honourable Members may like to know that during 1968-69, the last year for which full figures have been compiled, every dog or cat collected by its owner was collected within two days of the quarantine or observation period. None was collected after more than two days; more than one quarter were abandoned.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill read the second time.
Bill committed to a committee of the whole Council pursuant to Standing Order No 43(1).
Explanatory Memorandum
At present a dog or cat detained under the principal Ordinance in an observation kennel or quarantine station may be destroyed if it is not removed therefrom after seven days have elapsed from the expiration of the observation or quarantine period prescribed under the principal Ordinance.
Clause 2 substitutes for this seven day period a period of four days.
Committee stage
Council went into Committee.
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RESETTLEMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO 2) BILL 1970
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: —With the concurrence of honourable Members we will take the clauses in blocks of not more than five.
Clauses 1 to 12 were agreed to.
PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) (NO 3) BILL 1970
Clauses 1 to 4 were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
Third reading
THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL (MR G. R. SNEATH) reported that the Resettlement (Amendment) (No 2) Bill 1970
Pensions (Amendment) (No 3) Bill 1970
had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading of each of the bills.
Question put on each bill and agreed to.
Bills read the third time and passed.
Unofficial Member's bill
First reading
COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1970
Bill read the first time and ordered to be set down for second reading pursuant to Standing Order No 41(3).
Second reading
COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG
(AMENDMENT) BILL 1970
MR H. J. C. BROWNE moved the second reading of: —"A bill to amend the Community Chest of Hong Kong Ordinance."
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Community Chest of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill—second reading
He said: — Sir, the alterations to the principal Ordinance are very adequately outlined in the explanatory memorandum attached to the bill.
The reason for bringing forward the amendment at this time is that the Community Chest has been offered a donation from proceeds of a very large estate, and the amendments proposed make it absolutely clear that the Chest is fully and legally empowered to accept it on the terms on which it is offered.
I would here like to thank the Trustees of the estate for thinking of the Community Chest at this time and to express the hope that his donation may be the forerunner of many others.
MR WONG: —Sir, I rise to support my honourable Friend, Mr BROWNE, in speaking on the Community Chest of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 1970.
As the Community Chest increases in scope and age, it should be given the power to widen the scope of investment in order to obtain the best results for the Community Chest.
As the organization of the Community Chest gains experience it should be able to help any charitable trust in Hong Kong by acting as their Trustee.
Finally, by declaring the Community Chest as a charity in no uncertain terms it will help the Chest and also the public in understanding the objectives of the Community Chest.
Although I am a member of the executive committee of the Community Chest and should have declared an interest, I nevertheless speak for the bill as the Community Chest is truly, and now legally, a charity.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill read the second time.
Bill committed to a committee of the whole Council pursuant to Standing Order No 43(1).
Explanatory Memorandum
Clause 2 of the Bill amends section 8 of the principal Ordinance in three respects. Firstly, it widens the power of investment contained in paragraph (d), to permit the Community Chest to invest outside the British Commonwealth. Secondly, it adds a
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new paragraph (ea), which empowers the Community Chest to act, either alone or jointly, as a trustee of any charitable trust in Hong Kong. Thirdly, it adds a new paragraph (eb), by which the Community Chest is empowered to accept property of any kind upon terms that it be held on trust for the benefit of member agencies and to execute any deed establishing such a trust, which may include provisions for the appointment and remuneration of the trustees thereof.
Clause 3, for the avoidance of doubt, declares that the Community Chest is a charity.
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned pursuant to Standing Order No 8(5).
3.06 p.m.
NEXT SITTING
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: —Council will accordingly adjourn. The next sitting will be held on 19th August 1970.
Adjourned accordingly at six minutes past Three o'clock.
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