XN000022-1995-04-19 — Page 43

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Preliminary discussions have also been held with the owner of the private lot on which Hung Lau stands. We have now obtained agreement in principle from the owner to surrender to Government the relevant part of this lot, including Hung Lau itself, subject to certain aspects, such as the handling of the existing tenants in Hung Lau, being satisfactorily resolved.

We hope to be able to resolve most of the key issues within the next 12 months or so to enable us to formally declare part of the former Castle Peak Farm in Tuen Mun as a monument.

End/Wednesday, April 19, 1995

Franchised bus drivers

Following is a question by the Hon Miriam Lau and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Transport, Mr Rafael Hui, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Under the current system for the licensing of drivers, holders of driving licences for vehicles of classes 9 and 10 (Private Bus and Public Bus) are authorized to drive vehicles of classes 4 and 5 (Private Light Bus and Public Light Bus) without having to submit separate applications for the latter type of licence. However, holders of driving licences for vehicles of class 17 (Public Bus-Franchised) are required to pass a driving test before they are permitted to drive vehicles of classes 4 and 5. The Transport Department maintains that this system will help to ensure an adequate pool of drivers for franchised buses. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

whether it is aware of any difficulties encountered by the franchised bus companies in the recruitment of bus drivers in the past three years; if so, what was the wastage of drivers of franchised buses during this period;

whether the Transport Department is in possession of any information to show that the wastage rate in respect of franchised public bus drivers who are also holders of driving licences for vehicles of classes 4 and 5 is higher than that of those franchised public bus drivers without the latter type of licence;