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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr W K Lam, in moving the committee stage amendments to the Attachment of Income Order (Amendment) Bill 2001 in the Legislative Council today (July 4):

Madam President, I move the amendments to clauses 2, 3 and 4, as set out in the paper circularized to Members.

The amendments are technical in nature. Apart from correcting a clerical error in the Bill, the amendments seek to empower the court to take into account, when deciding whether to issue an AIO, the maintenance payer's "past record and conduct", instead of merely his "past record" or merely his "past conduct" in discharging his reasonable financial obligations or in paying maintenance.

The amendment is made in response to the Bills Committee's proposal and has its support. Thank you, Madam President.

End/Wednesday, July 4, 2001

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