HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 1 June 1988
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consider the alternatives proposed in the light of overall transport infrastructure and development strategy, as explained in April 1987 to the corporation. Evaluation is now being done in the context of the Second Comprehensive Transport Study which examines all relevant factors, including the present and future travel patterns, benefits to the community, distribution of existing development, the potential for development along various alignments, the strategic transport network and related social aspects. Progress has been satisfactory so far and we hope to receive preliminary results in August this year.
Under section 20 of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Ordinance, any extension to the KCR or the light rail transit (LRT) will have to be approved by the Governor in Council. But until we have the findings of the Second Comprehensive Transport Study, Government will not be in a position. to take a firm view as to whether any extension of the LRT to the urban area will be viable or which would be the preferred alignment.
Government Business
Motions
AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX ORDINANCE
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY moved the following motion: That with effect from 1 April 1988 the First Schedule to the Ordinance be amended as follows-
(a) in item 1 by deleting '120' and substituting the following
'100';
(b) in item 2 by deleting '60' and substituting the following-
'50'.
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He said: Sir, I move the first motion standing in my name in the Order Paper.
The purpose of this motion is to reduce the tax payable under the Air Passenger Departure Tax Ordinance from $120 to $100 for an adult, and from $60 to $50 for a child, as proposed in the 1988 Budget.
The cost to General Revenue arising from the passage of the resolution is $120 million a year. There are no staffing implications.
Sir, I beg to move.
Question proposed, put and agreed to.