Members visit the ERP Electronic Number Plate Fitting Centre
by Hong Kong BDTC passport and Cl holders; illegal child immigrants; immigration status of Hong Kong fishermen's wives from China; police enquiry into the robbery of a Tsim Sha Tsui watch shop in May 1985; and Vietnamese refugees.
Trade and Industry Panel Convener, Mr Q W LEE
The Panel received regular progress reports on the state of the Hong Kong economy as well as on trade and industry issues throughout the year. On 17.10.84, the Panel held a joint meeting with the Economic Services and Monetary Affairs Panel and were briefed on the economy by the Secretary for Economic Services.
On 4.3.85, the Panel met Messrs Jean-Pierre Leng and Daniele Verdiani from the Commission of the European Communities regarding Hong Kong's position in the GATT and similar international organisations.
A meeting was held on 14.3.85 with the heads of Overseas Offices, including Mr W Dorward, Commissioner for Hong Kong Commercial Affairs, New York; Mr D Jones, Minister, Hong Kong Government Office in Brussels; and Mr P LO, Counsellor, Hong Kong Commercial Affairs in Washington. Members were briefed on the economic situation in the United States and Europe.
On 10.5.85, the Panel met members of the House of Commons Select
CW 494
SENHO
Committee on Trade and Industry after their trip to China. Topics discussed included the Select Committee's tour of China; trade with China; and renewal of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement.
The Panel also attended a briefing on US textile and trading matters by the Trade Development Council lobbyist at Washington, Mr Vic French, during his visit to Hong Kong on 28.5.85.
Transport Panel
Convener, Miss Lydia DUNN
The Panel held periodic meetings with the Administration to discuss various traffic and transport problems. At a meeting on 12.11.84, it received a briefing from the Secretary for Transport on the proposed Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) Scheme. On 18.1.85, the Panel met with the Secretary for Transport, the Commissioner for Transport and the Deputy Secretary for Transport to discuss the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme; the Island Eastern Corridor bus fares; the ERP Scheme; the Kowloon-Canton Railway; and the Tuen Mun/Yuen Long Light Rail Transit System.
Two visits were made by the Panel to the ERP Control Centre and the Electronic Number Plate Fitting Centre on 7.2.85 and 14.6.85. Members were further briefed on the latest position of the ERP Scheme by the Secretary for Transport on 21.5.85.
Other UMELCO Studies Apart from the Panel activities
reported above, two further UMELCO internal Panels dealt with UMELCO Staff and House matters, and the full UMELCO met regularly each month with the Chief Secretary to discuss Government business in general. A ful! list of UMELCO Panels is set out at Appendix IV.
In addition, a number of UMELCO Ad Hoc Groups were formed during the year to look at specific issues.
UMELCO Ad Hoc Inland Revenue
Review Panel
Convener, Mr Q W LEE
Deputy Convener, Mr Peter POON In July 1985, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 1985 was submitted to the Executive Council for consideration. After considering the Bill, the Acting Governor ordered that it should be published in draft form in the Hong Kong Government Gazette on 19.7.85 for public consultation. On 12.7.85, at a meeting of UMELCO, Members decided that in view of the complexity of the draft Bill and the possible effects it might have on business confidence in Hong Kong, a UMELCO Ad Hoc Panel should be formed to review the 1985 draft Bill and the 1984 Amendment Ordinance in the context of established tax principles.
The Panel's terms of reference
were:-
"Having regard to Hong Kong's long standing policy of maintaining a simple and stable tax environment conducive to investment and confidence, the Ad Hoc Group will:- (i) examine the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Ordinance 1984 and the relevant Practice Note to ascertain whether they conform with the declared intention and spirit of the Ordinance;
(ii) examine the draft Bill published on 19.7.85 on anti-avoidance
measures;
(iii) examine the cumulative effects of recent amendments to the Inland Revenue Ordinance to ascertain their effect on the economy and business confidence;
(iv) consult widely and receive further representations from the public; and
(v) report to UMELCO by 10.9.85."
Members of the public and interested organisations were invited to comment on the draft Bill. The
31