XN000022-1995-05-24 — Page 37

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In January 1994, we published the Airport Corporation Bill in the form of a White Bill for public consultation. Members of this Council formed a Sub-Committee to study the White Bill. We are most grateful for the comments and suggestions put forward by members of the Sub-Committee. In addition, we would like to thank the Hon Peter Wong who sent us a separate written submission and the Hon Albert Chan, the Hon Fung Kin-kee, the Hon Ei Wah-ming, and the Hon Steven Poon and the Hon Tam Yiu-chung who put forward comments on behalf of the organisations they represent. We would also like to thank members of the Airport Consultative Committee, as well as other organizations and members of the public for taking time to study and comment on the White Bill.

In the course of the public consultation exercise, we received 19 written submissions. We held 14 meetings with the Sub-Committee of this Council, the Ad Hoc Study Group of the Airport Consultative Committee and a number of organisations. The comments and suggestions put to us focussed mainly on the name, structure, powers and functions of the Authority, employment of staff, the extent of governmental control, monitoring and auditing, payment of compensation and charges. We have studied each and every comment received. In line with the "Memorandum of Understanding Concerning The Construction Of The New Airport In Hong Kong And Related Questions" (MOU), we have also consulted the Chinese side of the Airport Committee of the Joint Liaison Group.

The objectives and structure of the Airport Authority Bill are the same as those in the 1994 White Bill. In drafting the Bill, we have aimed to address as many of the comments and suggestions received as possible. We have also taken into account fully the agreements reached with the Chinese side.

Name

Under the Bill, the Provisional Airport Authority will be re-named the "Airport Authority" (AA) in English and ""in Chinese.

Structure

During the public consultation process, we have received suggestions that in order to provide a wide range of checks and balances on the Authority and its Management, the Authority should have a Board. It has also been suggested that the Authority's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separate persons. Accordingly, Clause 4 of the Bill now provides that the affairs of the Authority shall be under the care and management of a Board. Clause 3(3)(a) of the Bill also makes it clear that the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer will be different persons with different roles and responsibilities.