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The Administration and the MTRC will do its best to accelerate the earlier completion of the Airport Railway. In the event that extra buses have to be provided as an interim measure, this can be arranged with the assistance of existing operators, for example through adjusting their bus acquisition and disposal programmes. Normal bus services will not be affected since there is no question of reducing the frequency of buses from existing routes.
The construction of the Airport Railway is progressing well. The MTRC has a good track record of completing projects ahead of schedule and within budget. We are constantly reviewing with the MTRC the construction programme of the Airport Railway. The Corporation will make every endeavour and take all possible steps to complete the project earlier so as to synchronise the opening dates of the airport and the railway as far as possible.
End
Summary administration of estates
Following is a question by the Hon Bruce Liu Sing-lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Under the Probate and Administration Ordinance, the survivor(s) of a deceased person may request the Official Administrator to administer an estate in a summary manner if it does not exceed $50,000 in total value. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
when the limit of $50,000 was set, and what criteria were adopted for determining such a limit;
whether the limit is subject to regular review and whether consideration will be given to raising that limit; and
how many people have requested the summary administration of estates in each of the past three years?