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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-3 February 1988
Wh . in theory all the vacant classrooms could be used to hasten the extension of whole-day schooling, in practice there are various constraints. For example, it is not desirable to require children to change schools; nor is it desirable to force children to take up places outside their normal catchment area. The Administration will take all practical steps to extend whole-day schooling as circumstances permit.
Review of Overseas Education Allowances
10. MR. LAI asked: Will Government inform this Council whether it has any plan to review the overseas education allowances for local civil servants whose children are receiving education in the United Kingdom since its introduction in 1972?
CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, civil service fringe benefits were recently considered in the context of the 1986 Pay Level Survey. As a result, the Government is in the process of reviewing housing benefits for civil servants but has no plan to review overseas education allowances or other fringe benefits for the time being.
Participation in an owners' corporation's business
11. MR. POON CHI-FAI asked: In view of a recent incident in which individual members of an owners' corporation were involved in legal proceedings as a result of their participation in the corporation's business, will Government inform this Council:
(a) what are the legal responsibilities of an individual member when he par- ticipates in the business of an owners' corporation or a mutual aid committee or their respective sub-committees;
(b) has the Government provided any briefings on legal matters or legal advice for
the individuals mentioned in (a) above; and
(c) what steps the Government will take to prevent civic-minded people from
being deterred from taking part in voluntary community work because of possible involvement in legal proceedings?
SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION: Sir, the management committee of an owners' corporation (OC) acts as its executive arm. The committee has to abide by resolutions of the corporation passed at general meetings. The members of the management committee have to maintain proper books and other records of the corporation, and could be held liable if they failed to do so, but otherwise so long as the members of the management committee act in good faith and exercise reasonable diligence in the exercise of the powers conferred on them by the Multi-Storey Buildings (Owners Incorporation) Ordinance, they should not be held personally liable for the acts of the corporation.