End
(b)
95 -
In general, it is the Government's policy to encourage competition. However, in so far as bus services are concerned, it is not practicable nor viable to allow for a complete duplication of bus routes. Franchised bus operators like KMB are required to operate a network of services, some of which are profitable and some are not. Allowing an additional operator to run parallel services throughout the same network would affect the operating efficiency and financial viability of the franchisee. There are also other practical problems such as the difficulty in finding suitable depot sites for bus operations.
Police in debts
Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Man-kwong and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Security, Mrs Carrie Yau, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Regarding the problem of policemen running into debts, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
of the amount of loan which policemen have borrowed from the Credit Union of the Police Force in each of the past three years, together with a breakdown of the Police Districts to which they belong and their respective ranks;
whether the Government has any knowledge of the amount of loan borrowed from licensed banks or financial institutions by policemen in each of the past three years; if so, will the Government provide a breakdown of the Police Districts to which they belong and their respective ranks;
whether any policemen are found to have borrowed money from illegal loan-sharks in the past three years; if so, will the Government provide a breakdown of the Police Districts to which they belong, their respective ranks and the loan amounts borrowed by them: