The SAR government on Wednesday tabled the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 to the Legislative Council to make miscellaneous amendments to various ordinances, including making straightforward adaptations of references that are inconsistent with the constitutional status of the HKSAR and repeal obsolete provisions or references in various ordinances.
Acting Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung Kwok Kwan said the use of an omnibus bill to propose the amendments is an efficient option by which to make improvements to a number of ordinances and subsidiary legislation.
He noted that some of the proposed amendments are largely minor, technical and non-controversial but are useful for the purpose of updating or improving the relevant legislation.
Cheung also said since the last bill was passed in 2020, the SAR government finds it necessary to make further miscellaneous amendments to various ordinances, with a view to keep the laws of Hong Kong up-to-date and commensurate with its status as a modern society governed by the rule of law under the constitutional framework of “one country, two systems”.
Most of the proposed amendments with adaptation of law elements are terminological or technical in nature, such as references to “Her Majesty the Queen, Her Heirs or Successors”, “Governor”, “Crown”, “Government of the United Kingdom” and “Secretary of State”.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 