XN000022-1994-06-08 — Page 36

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1994

YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER

* * * * *

THE

YUEN

LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS IS EXPECTED TO TRAFFIC BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, THE SECRETARY FOR HAIDER BARMA, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

BR OPENED TO TRANSPORT,

MR

THE PROJECT WAS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE IN MID-AUGUST, MR BARMA SAID, ADDING THAT PART OF THE DELAY WAS BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER LAST YEAR.

"FOR THIS REASON, SOME EXTENSION OF TIME FOR THE COMPLETED CONTRACT WOULD BE JUSTIFIED, MR BARMA SAID.

77

IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG, MR BARMA SAID THE CONTRACTOR WOULD BE LIABLE FOR LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT CONSIDERED THE DELAY HAD ALSO BEEN CAUSED BY SLACK PERFORMANCE.

CONSUMERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND CONTRACT TERMS

THEIR

EFFORTS TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ARE IMPORTANT IN ENHANCING AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACT TERMS BEFORE ENTERING INTO ANY CONTRACT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR TH CHAU, SAID.

REGARD,

QUESTION

IN

HE THE

THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS DOING A GOOD JOB IN THIS

PANG CHUN-HOI'S то SAID IN HIS REPLY

THE HON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

"IT

IS CURRENTLY STUDYING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CARDS. THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A TIME.

OF CREDIT

FEW MONTHS'

CONSUMERS WHEN THEY AS FOR LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH COMMERCIAL PARTIES, MR CHAU SAID THE GUIDING AFTER CONSUMER PRINCIPLE WAS TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN INTERESTS AND PRESERVING FREEDOM OF CONTRACT.

LOOKING

OF THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES ORDINANCE CONTROLS THE USE

LIMIT THEIR EXEMPTION CLAUSES BY SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO CONTRACTUAL LIABILITIES TOWARDS CONSUMERS.

UNDER THE UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS BILL INTRODUCED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

CAUGHT BY APRIL, CONSUMERS

IN

INTO THE UNCONSCIONABLE

OF

CONTRACT TERMS COULD INITIATE CIVIL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST SUPPLIERS GOODS OR SERVICES.

AND THE COURT WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO REWRITE OR UNCONSCIONABLE TERMS IN CONSUMER CONTRACTS.

STRIKE DOWN

/"WE BELIEVE