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The fact is that vehicle owners do not pay anything extra for roadworthiness certificates. It is the CTC operators who pay the Administration out of the fees that they will collect. Indeed the schedule of charges already include administrative costs. I therefore see no logic or justification whatsoever in seeking to repeal section 2(c) of Order.

Mr President, if the Motion is adopted, this will result in a distinct element of inconsistency on the Council's part. May I respectfully remind Honourable Members that in adopting in 1994 the Public Accounts Committee recommendations on the Audit Report on "Fees for Vehicle Examinations", Members specifically expressed the firm view that fees for vehicle examination services should be set on a full cost recovery basis and that the level of fees should be revised annually to avoid substantial adjustment at irregular intervals.

Mr President, to support the Motion now under consideration would in effect mean that Honourable Members are vetoing what they themselves so strongly advocated should be the practice that the Administration should follow in reviewing and adjusting vehicle inspection fees. I therefore urge Members to vote against this Motion.

End/Thursday, November 2, 1995

Legal Aid Regulation

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary, the Hon Anson Chan, in moving the resolution on the Amendments to the Legal Aid (Assessment of Resources and Contributions) (Amendment) Regulation 1995 in the Legislative Council today (Thursday):

Mr President,

I move the first motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.