XN000022-1985-04-17 — Page 39

WEDNESurf, APRIL 17, 1985

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GOVERNOR GOING TO LONDON

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THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL MAKE A SHORT VISIT TO LONDON EARLY NEXT WEEK (APRIL 22, 23 AND 24).

HIS PRIMARY PURPOSE WILL BE TO GIVE HMG A REPORT ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG, IN PARTICULAR THE PREPARATIONS BEING MADE FOR THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

HE WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW OTHER CURRENT ISSUES. DURING HIS VISIT HE HOPES ALSO TO MEET A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.

EXCO APPROVES INCREASES IN TRANSPORT FEES

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THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED INCREASES IN THE FEES FOR VEHICLE EXAMINATIONS AND VARIOUS OTHER TRANSPORT FEES AND CHARGES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY. THE INCREASES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 19.

REGULAR EXAMINATIONS TO CHECK THE ROADWORTHINESS OF VEHICLES ARE CARRIED OUT TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS AND TO CUT DOWN TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY VEHICLE BREAKDOWNS. AT PRESENT, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE VEHICLES (BUSES, LIGHT BUSES AND TAXIS), ALL GOODS VEHICLES OVER 9 YEARS OLD AND ALL PRIVATE CARS OVER 12 YEARS OLD HAVE TO BE EXAMINED ANNUALLY AT A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE BEFORE THEY CAN BE RE-LICENSED.

THE REVENUE FROM VEHICLE EXAMINATION FEES IS DESIGNED TO RECOVER THE FULL COSTS OF THE SERVICE. A RECENT REVIEW INDICATED THAT THE EXISTING FEES, WHICH WERE SET IN JULY 1982, ARE INSUFFICIENT TO COVER THESE COSTS.

THE FEE FOR EACH TYPE OF VEHICLE WILL BE INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT AND THE EFFECT OF THIS WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

TYPE OF VEHICLE

PRESENT FEE $

NEW FEE $

(1)

MOTORCYCLE

25

35

(2) PRIVATE CAR

120

160

(3) TAXI OR TRAILER

120

160

1141

GOODS