XN000022-1992-10-21 — Page 7

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992

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WAYS TO AWARD CONTAINER TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS UNDER STUDY

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THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING THE MOST APPROPRIATE METHOD FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL NUMBER 9, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS BOSHER SAID A DECISION WOULD BE REACHED TIME FOR DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO BE GRANTED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.

THE IN

SHE SAID THE PREFERRED APPROACH WOULD BE DETERMINED IN THE LIGHT OF CAREFUL ASSESSMENT OF HOW BEST TO ENSURE TIMELY COMPLETION OF THE TERMINAL, OPTIMUM EFFICIENCY IN THE THROUGHPUT OF CONTAINERS AND THE NEED FOR COMPETITION IN THE PORT.

"AS NO CONCLUSION HAS YET BEEN REACHED, IT WOULD NOT BE

APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO SPECULATE ON WHICH METHOD OF DISPOSAL SELECTED OR THE REVENUE WHICH MIGHT BE GENERATED, SHE SAID.

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MAY BE

ADEQUATE INFORMATION SHOULD BE DISCLOSED TO PROPERTY BUYERS * * * * *

THE ADMINISTRATION SEES THE NEED TO PROVIDE PROSPECTIVE PROPERTY BUYERS WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON FLATS THEY WISH TO BUY, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA, MR EASON SAID THE REGISTRAR GENERAL (LAND OFFICER) ALREADY OPERATED A CONSENT SCHEME REQUIRING THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN THE SALE OF MANY UNCOMPLETED FLATS COMING ONTO THE MARKET.

HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ALSO EXAMINING, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPROVING THE POSITION THROUGH LEGISLATION.

**I UNDERSTAND THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION INTENDS TO CONDUCT A SIMILAR STUDY ON THE SUBJECT AND WILL ENSURE THAT THE COMMISSION IS PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION WHICH WILL ASSIST IT," HE ADDED.

DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON ESTATE AGENTS IN MAY, MR EASON CONFIRMED THAT, LOOKING BEYOND THE TRADE'S OWN CURRENT IDEAS ON SELF- REGULATION, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE EXAMINING POSSIBLE REGULATORY CONTROLS TO SUIT HONG KONG'S SITUATION.

TRADE

"SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE LATTER HAS AGREED TO PRESENT PROPOSALS ON THE MATTER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER.

"WE WILL STUDY THESE WHEN THEY ARE READY," MR EASON SAID.

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