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Subject to the enactment of the Bill, we plan to introduce the scheme immediately. We will review its operation in the light of experience and demand from other sectors, and we will consider whether and when the scheme should be extended on a phased basis to other taxpayers e.g. civil service pensioners both in Hong Kong and overseas.

The Bill also seeks to transfer the power to make rules under the Ordinance from the Governor to the Secretary for the Treasury. This is not an important power and should more appropriately be exercised by the Secretary.

Mr President, with these remarks, I commend the Bill to Members.

End/Wednesday, October 18, 1995

Closure of Tuen Mun Highway

The following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong Wai-yin and a reply by the Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In regard to the closure of Tuen Mun Highway to traffic on three occasions after boulders had fallen on 18th August, 1995, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the causes leading to the falling of the boulders;

(b) whether any human error was involved and whether there was any

dereliction of duty on the part of the officials concerned;

(c) whether an independent inquiry will be held; if not, why not; and

(d) what measures will be taken to ensure that similar accidents will not occur

in future?