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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Hon Mrs Anson Chan, in moving the committee stage amendments to the Consular Relations Bill in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Madam Chairman,

I move that clauses 3 and 4 of the Bill be amended as set out in the paper circularised to Members. The proposed amendments are technical in nature.

The amendment proposed to clause 3(4) of the Bill seeks to further clarify the meaning of the terms "head of mission" and "head of consular post" which appear in that clause.

The other amendments are to replace relevant references to "order" to read "order published in the Gazette" so as to put beyond doubt that the orders to be made by the Chief Executive-in-Council under clause 4 of the Bill are subsidiary legislation.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Hon Mrs Anson Chan, in moving the third reading of the Consular Relations Bill in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Madam President,

The Consular Relations Bill has passed through Committee with amendments. I move that this Bill be read the third time and do pass.

End/Wednesday, February 16, 2000

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