18.
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Quorum for meetings
A number of commentators expressed concern that the quorum requirement for meetings of the Authority in the White Bill was too low as compared to that for other statutory bodies. Clause 11(8) of the Bill now specifies that the quorum for all meetings of the Board shall be at least half of the members of the Authority including the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. The minimum number of public officers in the quorum is now two.
Airport charges
We have received suggestions that the Government or the Legislative Council should be given wider powers to vet and approve airport charges. These stemmed from a concern that the Authority might try to levy high fees in order to maximize profits. Others have noted however that doing so might significantly undermine the Authority's ability to conduct its business according to prudent commercial principles. Clause 34 of the Bill now provides that the Authority may make a scheme or schemes for determining airport charges and before making such a scheme, it shall submit to the Governor in Council for approval a draft of the proposed scheme together with a statement specifying the date on which the charges are intended to operate and the reasons for the proposed scheme. Separately, we have taken the opportunity to refine the definition of "airport charges" in the Bill. At the time the White Bill was drafted, it was thought that aircraft passenger charges would be subject to international obligations applying to Hong Kong. Accordingly these charges were included under the definition of "airport charges" in the White Bill. It now transpires that, as a result of the conclusion of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the United States of America on air services, aircraft passenger charges would not be subject to international obligations applying to Hong Kong. The definition of "airport charges" in the Airport Authority Bill has therefore been amended accordingly.
Conclusion
Mr President, in drafting the Airport Authority Bill we have attempted to take into account all views and suggestions put to us. We have strengthened Government controls over the Authority. We have defined more clearly the Authority's powers and functions, structure and procedures. We have sought to strike that delicate balance between controlling the Authority but at the same time not restricting its activities in such a way as to render it impossible to conduct its business in accordance with prudent commercial principles. Mr President, I commend the Bill to this Council and I look forward to further discussion with Members.
End/Wednesday, May 24, 1995
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