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(The following is the interpretation of what Mr. CHEUNG Yan-lung asked.)
Sir, by the time when tourists lodge their complaints they have already suffered
losses and they will not be able to stay in Hong Kong until the case is settled.
So how would Government take follow up action in these cases? Has the Government
considered giving power to the Consumer Council or the Tourist Association so that
speedy redress of grievances could be effected ?
<p
Secretary for Economic Services : Sir, I would agree it is indeed a difficult
problem. We have been working closely with the Consumer Council and the Hong Kong
Tourist Association and with various branches of the Administration. We are
considering the Registrar of the Supreme Court whether it might be possible to
arrange for more expeditious hearings in the Small Claims Tribunal to accommodate
tourists. We are also considering whether any of the existing legisaltion needs to
be improved to enable tourists and citizens to have a rapid recourse to compensation
or to having their disputes settled.
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