HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 25 May 1988
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erest? After all, registration of interest does not carry a firm commitment on either side.
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION: Sir, we do not participate directly in the bureau's work; therefore I have no direct knowledge as to what is on the agenda of the annual general meeting on 31 May. However, I do understand that the question of the frequency of World Expositions generally may well be on the agenda. I think it is fair to say that whatever decisions may be taken on 31 May this year by the bureau, these decisions will apply to registrations made both before and after that date. So, any decision taken would apply to any registration that may or may not be made in the future.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: I already have a long list of Members who wish to ask supplementary questions. I shall give as many Members as possible a chance to speak, but if I have many requests I shall have to draw a line at some point.
MR. ANDREW WONG: Sir, considering the widespread public interest in the idea of staging an Expo in Hong Kong in 1997, will Government assure this Council that the community will be involved in its feasibility study, and will the Government inform this Council of its first thoughts as to how the community is to be involved in the feasibility study?
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION: Sir, at this preliminary stage, the issues being investigated are basic issues which relate to strategic planning, infrastructural constraints, so on and so forth, and which fall within the government's ambit. Once these issues have been clarified, it is our intention to involve the private sector.
MR. MARTIN LEE: Sir, can the Administration assure this Council that a new airport will soon be built in Hong Kong, and if so, that the new airport will be completed well before 1997 so that the existing airport can be turned into a site for a World Exhibition in 1997?
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: Financial Secretary, are you able to help?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Fortunately, Sir, I was paying attention. I think the Chief Secretary is also anxious to partake in this.
I cannot give an assurance that we will have a replacement airport by 1997. We are working very hard on this project. As Members of this Council know, we have a number of feasibility studies in progress at the moment. We hope to be able to announce decisions progressively over the next 12 months.