XN000022-1987-01-14 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1987

+HOWEVER, DUE TO THE PARTICULAR FORM OF WORDS USED IN SECTION 17 SUBSECTION (1) OF THE ORDINANCE, LEGAL ADVICE HAS BEEN THAT THE POWERS UNDER THAT SUBSECTION MUST BE EXERCISED BY THE GOVERNOR PERSONALLY,+

HE EXPLAINED THAT THESE POWERS RELATED TO THE CLOSURE OF ROADS AND RECLAMATION OF CROWN FORESHORE OR SEA-BED WHICH WERE AFFECTED BY ROAD WORKS.

+ SUCH MATTERS ARE LARGELY ROUTINE, AND THERE IS NO PRACTICAL REASON WHY THESE POWERS HAVE TO BE EXERCISED BY THE GOVERNOR, + HE SAID.

MR LAN SAID THE BILL WAS THEREFORE AIMED AT DELEGATING THE POWERS CONCERNED TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

DAMAGE TO ECONOMY LIKELY WITH INTERVENTION

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THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON ERIC HO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT BECAUSE OF THE EXTERNAL ORIENTATION OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMY AND THE NEED TO PROTECT ITS ABILITY TO ADJUST EFFICIENTLY, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY WOULD BE DAMAGED IF THE GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTED TO FRUSTRATE MARKET FORCES OR PLAN THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.

WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, MR HO SAID THAT WHILE THIS DID NOT RULE OUT INTERVENTION, IT CLEARLY MEANT THAT INTERVENTION SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN ONLY WHEN IT WAS IN THE LONG-TERM INTEREST OF THE ECONOMY.

+DIRECT SUBSIDIES TO BUSINESS ARE AVOIDED AND MARKET FORCES ARE ALLOWED TO BE THE DETERMINANTS IN ENTREPRENEURIAL DECISIONS,+ HE SAID,

+OUR OBJECTIVE AT ALL TIMES IS TO FACILITATE THE GROWTH OF OUR INDUSTRIES BY FOSTERING THEIR COMPETITIVE STRENGTH ON THE ONE HAND AND BY REMOVING IDENTIFIABLE OBSTACLES ON THE OTHER.

/+THE FIRST