XN000022-1994-05-11 — Page 16

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1994

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COMPENSATION AVAILABLE FOR AIR PASSENGERS

*

THE BOARD OF AIRLINE REPRESENTATIVES IN HONG KONG OVERSEES A VOLUNTARY SCHEME UNDER WHICH PARTICIPATING AIRLINES OFFER COMPENSATION TO ELIGIBLE PASSENGERS WITH CONFIRMED FLIGHT RESERVATIONS WHO ARE DENIED BOARDING IN HONG KONG.

THE BOARD IS MADE UP OF THE MAJOR AIRLINES OPERATING AT KAI TAK

AIRPORT.

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT ASK AIRLINES ΤΟ PROVIDE STATISTICS ON SUCH CASES EACH YEAR.

SAID.

體

"THE ADEQUACY OF THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS IS UNDER REVIEW, HE

IT TO SUCH ADDED.

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE FOR HAVE LEGISLATIVE POWERS TO REQUIRE AIRLINES TO COMPENSATE PASSENGERS AND TO SUPPLY STATISTICS ON THE CASES

REGULARLY, HE

0

NO SURPLUS QUOTAS FOR PARTICULAR OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT YET KNOW WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ANY SURPLUS PLACES AVAILABLE IN ANY OF THE CLASSES OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR, MR WOODHOUSE SAID NO DECISION ON RE-ALLOCATION HAD BEEN MADE SO FAR.

UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) (SELECTION SCHEME) (AMENDMENT} ORDER 1993, THE GOVERNOR HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFER ANY UNALLOCATED PLACES BETWEEN CLASSES,

"HOWEVER, SINCE DEMAND IS STRONG AMONG ALL OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS, AND GIVEN THAT THEY ALL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HONG KONG, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SINGLE OUT ANY ONE OCCUPATIONAL GROUP FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT," MR WOODHOUSE ADDED.

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