XN000022-1992-06-03 — Page 5

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1992

MRS BOSHER EMPHASISED THAT NO DECISIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN ON THE DETAILS AND VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS ON THE ISSUE OF INTERCONNECTION WOULD GREATLY HELP THE GOVERNMENT'S DELIBERATIONS ON THE DETAILED

ARRANGEMENTS.

THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVING FURTHER VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE FROM INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES AND CONSUMERS.

"FURTHER LIBERALISATION IN INTERNATIONAL SERVICES IS OF COURSE CONSTRAINED BY THE TERMS OF HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL'S LICENCE WHICH DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL 2006.

"THERE IS, HOWEVER, IN OUR VIEW STILL SOME ROOM FOR FURTHER LIBERALISATION IN INTERNATIONAL SERVICES WITHOUT INFRINGING THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS GRANTED UNDER THAT LICENCE.

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"IN PARTICULAR, WE BELIEVE THAT CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LEASED CIRCUITS TO PROVIDE COMPETING VALUE- ADDED SERVICES COULD BE RELAXED FURTHER, SHE SAID.

即忄

IN ADDITION, COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS COULD BE AUTHORISED TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE CIRCUITS BY, FOR EXAMPLE, DIRECTLY LEASING SATELLITE CAPACITY, SHE SAID.

REVIEW OF DBS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS BEFORE NEXT ELECTIONS

THE GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT ΤΟ START A REVIEW ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, INCLUDING THE APPOINTED AND EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

WINDING UP A MOTION DEBATE ON THE REVIEW OF "DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS", MR SUEN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION AIMED TO COMPLETE THE REVIEW WITHIN 12 MONTHS IN TIME FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN 1994-95.

MR SUEN SAID TWO REVIEWS HAD ALREADY BEEN CONDUCTED ON THE FUNCTIONS OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN 1984 AND 1987.

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BUILDING, HE SAID.

"BOTH REVIEWS HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF DISTRICT BOARDS DISTRICT CONSULTATIVE ORGANS AND VEHICLES OF DISTRICT COMMUNITY

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AND THIS HAD BEEN FURTHER BACKED UP BY THE 1988 WHITE PAPER "DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD" WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO DEMAND FOR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES ΤΟ THEIR PRESENT ROLE.

ON

/THE REPORT