XN000022-1988-07-20 — Page 13

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1988

THIRDLY, DR SOHMEN MAINTAINED THAT THE POLICE AND THE ICAC SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM THE JURISDICTION OF THE COMMISSION.

HE SAID THAT SUCH A MOVE WOULD BE SEEN BY THE PUBLIC AS A SIGN THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS NEW INSTITUTION WAS NOT REALLY A SERIOUS EFFORT TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE CHANNEL FOR THESE COMPLAINTS.

HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT BY MAKING THE COMMISSIONER AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE AND THE ICAC COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

THE

"INDEED IN THE PUBLIC EYE, IT COULD LOWER THE STATUS OF THE COMMISSIONER AS A SUPPOSEDLY IMPARTIAL REVIEW ORGAN OF GRIEVANCES OF PRIVATE CITIZENS," HE SAID.

FOURTHLY, DR SOHMEN FELT STRONGLY THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER BY THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE THE APPROVAL OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.

:

'WE ARE NOW IN A TRANSITION PERIOD FOR HONG KONG AND ARE CREATING AN INSTITUTION WHOSE POWERS OF INVESTIGATION COULD LET IT ASSUME AN. INFLUENCE OVER THE CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS WHICH GOES BEYOND THE ORIGINAL DESIGN," HE SAID.

AUTHORITY MAY IN TIME RECONSIDER TV BILL PROVISION

THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY MAY RECONSIDER THE PROVISION WHICH RESTRICTS A TELEVISION LICENSEE'S PARTICIPATION AS A MINORITY SHAREHOLDER IN OTHER COMPANIES, IF THE CASE SO WARRANTS.

THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN WINDING UP THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.

MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 17A UNDER CLAUSE 14 REQUIRED THAT THE LICENSEE MIGHT ONLY HOLD A MAJORITY INTEREST IN OTHER COMPANIES, AND REQUIRED, IN EFFECT, THE LICENSEE TO HAVE CONTROL OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF SUCH SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES, AS IT MIGHT BE PERMITTED TO ACQUIRE.

THE PURPOSE WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE LICENSEE WAS FULLY RESPONSIBILE FOR ANY OTHER BUSINESS IN WHICH IT HAD AN INTEREST AND WAS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY UNDUE EXTERNAL PRESSURE AS A RESULT OF ITS OUTSIDE INVESTMENTS.

/NOTING THE