WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1986
+THESE REGULATIONS WERE INTRODUCED IN 1985 WITH A SIMPLE OBJECTIVE TO CONSTANTLY REVIEW AND UPDATE ALL FEES AND CHARGES LEVIED FOR VARIOUS SERVICES GOVERNMENT PROVIDES SO THAT THEIR YIELDS CAN BE MAINTAINED IN REAL TERMS AND THAT THE COST TO THE PUBLIC PURSE OF PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES MUST, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, BE PAID FOR BY THOSE WHO USED THEM,+ HE OBSERVED.
HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT TO STRONG PROTEST BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE YACHTING COMMUNITY, THE HONG KONG YACHTING ASSOCIATION HAD APPLIED FOR AND BEEN GRANTED BY THE HIGH COURT LEAVE TO APPLY FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE REGULATIONS.
MR CHEONG SAID THIS PRECIPITATED THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO ADMINISTRATIVELY REFUND THOSE AFFECTED BY THE 1985 REGULATIONS.
HE COMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT FOR CHOOSING THE ROUTE TO REFUND THUS AVOIDING THE TREMENDOUS COST TO THE PUBLIC PURSE OF A POSSIBLE PROTRACTED BATTLE OVER LEGAL JARGONS AND INTERPRETATIONS.
+AT THE VERY LEAST, GOVERNMENT SUBSCRIBES TO THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED ON HER THROUGH AN INDEPENDENT LEGAL SYSTEM AND THAT THOSE AGGRIEVED HAVE HAD A TEMPORARY RELIEF, HE SAID.
MR CHEONG ALSO APPLAUDED THE ADMINISTRATION IN HER RESOLVE TO EXAMINE AND TO TRY TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES WHICH WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE MACRO INTEREST OF HONG KONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WAS RIGHT IN NOT PURSUING THE MATTER OF THE 1985 REGULATIONS FURTHER THROUGH COURT, ITS DECISION TO REFUND DID NOT NECESSARILY SANCTIFY THE RATIONALE OF ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD BY PEOPLE WHO MIGHT EASILY HAVE BEEN PERCEIVED TO HAVE ACTED AND REACTED WITH A DEGREE OF PERSONAL INTERESTS.
+ IN MY VIEW, THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (FEES) BILL 1986 COMES IN TIMELY, ́AND GOVERNMENT IS FULLY JUSTIFIED IN MERELY SEEKING TO CLARIFY ANY GREY AREAS THAT MIGHT HAVE EXISTED, + MR CHEONG SAID.
CONTROL ON MANUFACTURE, SALE OF MINERAL WATER WELCOMED
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THREE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WHICH PROPOSED THAT THE MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF WATER+ BE PUT UNDER THE EXISTING FOOD LAWS.
MINERAL
AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF MINERAL WATER.
THOUGH REGULAR