WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1993
12
LAW REFORM
A
TO
PROTECTION AS INSTANCE, THE
IN RELATION TO SO-CALLED "SHRUNKEN" PROPERTY, THE COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEE ON DESCRIPTION OF FLATS ON SALE WILL ISSUE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT IN EARLY 1994 AND THEN SUBMIT A FINAL REPORT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER THE WAY FORWARD IN THE LIGHT OF THE LAW IN RESPONSE TO THE HON FUNG CHI- REFORM COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS. WOOD'S POINTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT THAT THERE ARE JOINT EFFORTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND CONSUMER CONSCIOUS GROUPS IN PROMOTING CONSUMER RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL THE TWO SUBJECTS ARE BECOMING INCREASING RELATED. FOR CONSUMER COUNCIL IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE RETAIL SECTOR ON WAYS TO REDCE THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS. ON MR MICHAEL HO'S POINT ON THE DISCLOSURE OF MORE INFORMATION THAT THE CONSUMER TO PATIENTS BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, I NOTE COUNCIL IS WORKING WITH THE MEDICAL COUNCIL ON THE INTRODUCTION
POSSIBLE MEASURES IN THIS REGARD. MR FUNG KIN-KEE HAS POINTED OUT A CONFLICT OF ROLES BETWEEN MY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
FOR CONSUMER HONG KONG'S TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND MY RESPONSIBILITIES PROTECTION. LET ME ASSURE MR FUNG AND THIS COUNCIL THAT I HAVE HAD BETWEEN DIFFICULTIES AT ALL IN RECONCILING THE APPARENT CONFLICT TWO ROLES AND THAT I PERFORM BOTH WITH EQUAL ZEAL AND PASSION.
OF
OF
NO MY
CONCLUSION
POLICY OR
WE
MR PRESIDENT, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE GOVERNMENT'S ON CONSUMER PROTECTION IS SUCH THAT WE SHOULD INITIATE LEGISLATIVE
NOT ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT CONSUMERS ONLY WHERE THEY ARE
TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. THE DOCTRINE OF CAVEAT EMPTOR, I.E. LET ABLE
BE OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE, THE BUYER BEWARE, SHOULD CONTINUE TO
BE RELIED ON ENTIRELY, IT SHOULD NOT ALWAYS OF COURSE ALTHOUGH
SO ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHEN CONSUMERISM IS EVER RISING AND
WE SHALL KEEP UNDER REVIEW IS THE UNFAIR EXPLOITATION OF CONSUMERISM, OUR CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE LATEST MARKET ENVIRONMENT AND TRADE PRACTICES. ADMINISTRATIVE ADDITIONAL WHAT ON SHALL
AN OPEN MIND KEEP
BEFORE NEW LEGISLATIVE MEASURES MAY NEED TO BE INTRODUCED. OR CONTROLS ARE INTRODUCED, WE SHALL MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS CONSULTATION WITH CONCERNED PARTIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, SO THAT WE
THE ONE,
REASONABLE BETWEEN, ON MAY STRIKE A BALANCE PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS AND, ON THE OTHER HAND, ALLOWING HONG KONG'S ABOVE ALL, WE WILL ALWAYS TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO CONTINUE TO FLOURISH. BEAR IN MIND THE IMPORTANCE OF AVOIDING THE UNJUSTIFIABLE CREATION OF AVOIDING EXCESSIVE OR UNNECESSARY REGULATORY BUREAUCRACY INTERFERENCE WITH MARKET FORCES. THANK YOU.
AND OF
AFFORDING
OR
MEASURES ADEQUATE
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