XN000022-1992-01-15 — Page 20

18

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1992

BILL PROVIDES FOR PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF

GOVT VEHICLE EXAM CENTRES INTRODUCED

* * * * *

A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES IS COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 5) BILL 1991, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO CONTRACT OUT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEWEST GOVERNMENT'S VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT KOWLOON BAY ΤΟ ACHIEVE GREATER EFFICIENCY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS.

THIS CENTRE IS USED FOR THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE SIX VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE ANNUALLY ALL PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES AND GOODS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1983 то ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ROADWORTHY.

MR LEUNG SAID THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE UNDER A WRITTEN AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT MIGHT SPECIFY.

THE

"TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC INTEREST,

COMMISSIONER IS EMPOWERED TO GIVE GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO THE PRIVATE OPERATOR CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF THE CENTRE AND TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE HIS APPOINTMENT IF NECESSARY.

HE SAID INSPECTION FEES WILL CONTINUE TO BE SET BY THE GOVERNMENT, BUT WILL BE COLLECTED BY THE PRIVATE OPERATOR.

MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO IMPROVE CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES IN THE OPERATION OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES.

THESE INCLUDED THE PUBLICATION OF NOTICES IN THE PRESS REQUIRING THE PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES FOR EXAMINATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SERVING SUCH NOTICES IN WRITING AND SERVING SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE LICENCE ORDERS AND VEHICLE REPAIR ORDERS ON THE PERSON WHO PRODUCES THE VEHICLE FOR EXAMINATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SERVING SUCH ORDERS ON THE OWNER.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

/19

Page 20Page 21