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Airport Authority Bill gazetted
The Airport Authority (AA) Bill is gazetted today (Monday) and will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading and commencement of second reading debate on May 24.
A Government spokesman said the Bill was approved by the Governor-in- Council on April 25, but gazettal has been deferred to allow time for the Chinese side to study it.
The Chinese side has now completed its examination. Both the British and the Chinese sides agree that the Bill should be gazetted and introduced into the Legislative Council.
The spokesman said the Bill reflects agreement reached with the Chinese side. It is the same as the Bill circulated to members of the Legislative Council on April 26.
Under the AA Bill, the existing Provisional Airport Authority (PAA) will be renamed as the Airport Authority (AA) and reconstituted, but its contractual and other legal obligations will remain intact.
The Bill sets out the powers and functions of the AA to operate, develop and maintain Hong Kong's new international airport at Chek Lap Kok. It incorporates a wide range of measures to strengthen Government controls over the Authority.
The spokesman said in January last year, the Government had published the Airport Corporation Bill as a White Bill for public consultation.
While the objectives and structure of the AA Bill and the White Bill remain basically the same, a number of important changes have been made.
The changes were made in the light of comments received from members of the Legislative Council, the Airport Consultative Committee and the public during the consultation exercise. The Bill also takes into account the agreements reached with the Chinese side.
"In general, the changes serve to strengthen Government's controls over the AA," said the spokesman.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.