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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, in resuming the second reading debate of the Adaptation of Laws (No.16) Bill 1999 in the Legislative Council today (June 26):

Madam President,

I move that the Second Reading debate of the Adaptation of Laws (No.16) Bill 1999 be resumed.

I would like to thank the Hon Margaret Ng, the Chairman of the Bills Committee, and members of the Committee for their careful study of the Adaptation of Laws (No.16) Bill 1999 and their invaluable advice.

Adaptation of Laws (No.16) Bill 1999 adapts 13 Ordinances and their subsidiary legislation to bring them into conformity with the Basic Law and with Hong Kong's status as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. These 13 Ordinances regulate hospitals, clinics, mental health and other health-related matters such as antibiotics, pharmacy and poisons, smoking and prevention of diseases. The Bill comprises mainly terminological changes, e.g. references to "Governor" are replaced by "Chief Executive".

Madam President, I hope Members will support the Resumption of Second Reading of this Bill.

End/Monday, June 26, 2000

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