XN000022-1975-02-05 — Page 18

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975

BUS BENCHISES EXTENDED UNTIL END OF MAY

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THE FRANCHISES OF HONG KONG'S MAJOR BUS COMPANIES CMB AND KMB HAVE DEEN EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31.

THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PASSAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES (EXTENTION OF GRANTS) BILL 1975, WHICH SEEKS TO EXTEND THE BUS COMPANIES' EXISTING FRANCHISES,

COMMENTING ON THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THE EXTENSION WOULD PROVIDE FURTHER AND MORE ADEQUATE TIME FOR FULL CONSIDERATION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES BILL, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A MEASURE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE÷.

THE EXISTING FRANCHISES OF THE TWO BUS COMPANIES ARE DUE TO EXPIRE ON FEBRUARY 14.

WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, THE HON. T.S. LO SAID THAT THE REASON FOR EXTENDING THE PRESENT FRANCHISES FOR A FEW MONTHS WAS THAT THE OFFICIALS FELT THAT MORE TIME WOULD BE REQUIRED BY THEM TO CONSIDER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS' PROPOSALS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IN GENERAL TERMS THE AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED BY THE UNOFFICIALS WERE IN THE MAIN RELATED TO ENSURING THAT THE TERMS OF FRANCHISES WERE MADE PUBLIC AND MIGHT DE AMENDED BY THE COUNCIL AND TO A SYSTEM OF STATUTORY CONTROL OF PROFITS NOT ENVISAGED IN THE BILL.

REPORT ON CERTIFICATED MASTERS' DISPUTE

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET DECIDED ON WHETHER THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY ON THE CERTIFICATED MASTERS" DISPUTE BE PUBLISHED OR NOT.

THIS WAS THE REPLY GIVEN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, THE HON, DENYS ROBERTS, TO THE HON. LI FOOK-WO WHO ASKED WHEN THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PUBLISH THE REPORT PREPARED BY THE SPECIAL COMMISSION WHICH WAS APPOINTED IN 1973.

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