End
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3 -
(b)
(c)
(d)
the trade was not specifically consulted on the criteria mentioned in (a) above, but in proposing the criteria, the Administration had taken into consideration fishermen's concerns as expressed at the Fishermen Liaison Meetings held in August and November 1992. The Administration also explained the criteria to the Legislative Council Lands and Works Panel in April 1993. Members were generally supportive of the criteria. This said, we also consulted 40 fishermen associations by questionnaire from December 1993 to February 1994. The outcome of the consultation helped us to work out the detailed vetting criteria for processing claims from affected fishermen owning vessels of more than 15 metres in length;
fishermen who are dissatisfied with ex-gratia payments may appeal to an Appeal Board. The Appeal Board's role is to examine whether the amounts have been determined in accordance with the approved criteria, having regard to any new or additional information or evidence provided by the appellants or the relevant government departments; and
we have recently commissioned a consultancy study on fisheries resources and fishing operations in Hong Kong waters. The findings of the study will enable us to, among other things, review the existing basis for payment of ex-gratia allowances to the affected fishermen. Pending the completion of the study, we can only base the calculation of ex- gratia allowances payable to affected fishermen on the 1989-91 survey and FMO's fish price index.
Membership of government advisory committees
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Cheung Bing-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council: