XN000022-1995-07-27 — Page 50

· 42

Public Bus Services (Amendment) Bill 1995: Clauses 2 to 5

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in moving Clauses 2 to 5 at the Committee Stage amendments of the Public Bus Services (Amendment) Bill 1995 in the Legislative Council today (Thursday):

Mr Chairman,

I move that the clauses specified be amended as set out in the paper circulated to Members.

As suggested by the Bills Committee, a new section 25(1A) has been added which enables the Government to serve advance notice to a bus company regarding the Government's intention to lease its property. This provides more flexibility and ensures that the Administration will have sufficient lead time to prepare for taking possession of such property.

Under the existing Bill, there are no provisions for compensation to be paid on any improvements made to land and buildings within a period of one year before the expiry of the franchise. The Bills Committee considered that the franchisee should be compensated for legitimate and necessary improvements which have been made. This is very reasonable and the amendment to section 25(5)(b) accordingly provides for compensation to be payable when these improvements which have been made are with the written permission of the Commissioner for Transport.

The other amendments which have been proposed are either technical or textual in nature. The amendments to sections 23(7)(b), 25(1), 25(6)(b), 25E(1)(b) and 25F(3) have all been agreed by the Bills Committee.

Mr Chairman, I beg to move.

End/Thursday, July 27, 1995

Page 50Page 51