THURS
APRIL 18, 1985
HE SAID THAT A SEPARATE AND SELF-CONTAINED ORDINANCE WAS REQUIRED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO EXISTING LEGISLATION WHICH COULD BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES.
+ THE SCHEDULE OF THE BILL SETS OUT THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO BE ENJOYED. THESE ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE AS LAID DOWN IN THE VIENNA CONVENTION ON DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS,+ HE SAID.
MR THOMAS SAID SOME FURTHER PROVISION MIGHT LATER HAVE TO BE MADE FOR THE EXPERTS AND SUPPORTING STAFF OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, AS WELL AS FOR THE CHINESE MEMBERS AND SUPPORTING STAFF OF THE LAND COMMISSION TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE SEVEN OF ANNEX 111 TO THE JOINT DECLARATION.
+DISCUSSIONS ARE CONTINUING WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ABOUT SUCH ARRANGEMENTS. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE EITHER AMENDMENTS TO THIS BILL, OR LATER A SUPPLEMENTARY BILL TO DEAL WITH THOSE FURTHER MATTERS, MR THOMAS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
UNOFFICIAL MAJORITY SOUGHT FOR ESTATES BOARD
*****
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL IS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SIZE OF THE CORPORATION'S BOARD BE INCREASED BY ONE, AND CHANGED TO PERMIT AN UNOFFICIAL MAJORITY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, SAID IN THE LÉGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR HO SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CORPORATION MIGHT BE A PUBLIC OFFICER.
HE SAID THAT THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1977 WITH THE BASIC PURPOSES OF DEVELOPING, LETTING AND MANAGING THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT TAI PO AND YUEN LONG.
+DURING THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR YEARS OF ITS LIFE, DEMAND FOR SITES AT THE TAI PO ESTATE, THE FIRST TO BE DEVELOPED, WAS BRISK.
+SUBSEQUENTLY, HOWEVER, INTEREST AMONG INDUSTRIALISTS SLACKENED FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. THESE INCLUDED THE DROP IN PROPERTY PRICES WHICH MADE LAND IN THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, THE PRICE OF WHICH WAS LINKED TO THE COSTS OF DEVELOPMENT. LESS COMPETITIVE WITH SITES AND PREMISES ELSEWHERE, + MR HO SAID.
/HE WAS