XN000022-1994-12-14 — Page 70

48

Immigration Department's functions

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Alistair Asprey, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question: Will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it has any plans to phase out or transfer certain functions which are now the responsibility of the Immigration Department to the Central Government after 1997; and

(b) if the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, whether it has considered the staff

implications arising from such a change; if so, what is the outcome?

Reply:

Mr President,

We do not envisage that any functions of the Immigration Department will be transferred to the Chinese Government after 1997.

End/Wednesday, December 14, 1994

"Franchise" mode of business not regulated

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Huang Chen- ya and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Financial Services, Mrs Lessie Wei, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question: In view of the growing trend of conducting business by way of a

"franchise", will the Government inform this Council whether consideration will be given to enacting legislation to step up control on such a mode of business operation; and if not, what plans does the Government have to safeguard the interests of investors?

Page 70Page 71