.05-MAR-1993
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P.006/006
10:51
BAUHINIA
Wen Wei carried an oxtract from an article in the latest edition of the Bauhinia magazine which criticised the "three-lugged stool". The article said that Legco had no right to overrule agreements reached by CHina and Britain as it was only a consultative machinery.
T.S. Lo's article in the Window magazine was also carried by Wen Wei and Ta Kung. Quoting a despatch by NCNA from Peking, the reports noted Mr Lo as saying that II's prospority and stability in the latter half of the transition hinged on the sincere co-operation between China and Britain.
ANDREW WONG
Several papers reported that Legco member Andrew Wong's motion to urge the Government to appoint major officials by way of political appointments had not been supported by CRC and UDHK. The motion would be debated in next Wednesday's Lugco meeting.
STRATEGIC LANDFILL
The Oriental Daily reported that the uward of a $3 billion contract for the operation of a strategic landfill at Nim Ran in NWNT had been delayed because of the recent row between China and Britain. SPEL Tony Eason told the paper thar details of the contract had heen passed to the Chinesa sida. However, he did not comment on the Chinese cosponse.
TAXI FARES
The papers reported in good coverage that a coalition formed by 10 taxi owners' associations yesterday submitted an application for a 22 per cent increase in fares to the Transport Department. Reports noted that Chan Kam-pui, a spokesman for another group, the Urban Taxi Drivers' Associatton, said that the proposed increase was too high and that he would suggest a 12 per cent increase.
PAY TV
Whar[ Cable vice-chairman Stephen Ng said he believed that a provisional licence could he granted to his company to run pay TV at the end of
next month, many papers reported. He added that based purely on business consideration, his company could not accept a licence which expired by 1997. He hoped a licence of 12 years could get the acquiescence of the Chinase.
NEW AIRPORT
Several papers carried a commentary issued by the HK CNA which criticised the Government for adopting a piecemeal' approach to seek funds from Legco for carrying the ACP projects. The article said that this had run contrary to the MOU and that China would definitely not accept it.
In another development, a few papers noted that Meeting Point Legco members would at the Legco Financial Committee meeting today vote against the allocation of funds for the North Lantau Expressway. Meanwhile, the papers reported that NAPCO director Gordon Siu, in a letter to members of the Legco airport group, reiterated that the Government would not disclose the amount of compensation offered to former PAA chief executive Richard Allen, and the contratual terms for the new executivo, Hank Townnsend,
Quoting Government sources, Ming Pao reported that the Government was considering extending the jurisdiction of the Director of Audit to include PAA, MTRC and other public corporations.
CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
Many papers reportd that the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee would hold a session today to prepare a list of senior government appointments to be tabled at the forthcoming NPC meeting later this month.
TOTAL P.006