XN000022-1996-01-10 — Page 33

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Clause 2 of the Bill empowers the Governor in Council to set Annual Licence Fees at levels which need not be limited by reference to costs. The subsidiary legislation so made will be subject to the approval of the Legislative Council by resolution.

Mr President, I reiterate that the Administration has no immediate plans to increase Annual Licence Fees. Should it become necessary to do so in the future, Honourable Members will have the opportunity to vet the actual proposals. Indeed, as I have said the Council's specific approval will have to be obtained.

Thank you, Mr President.

End

Eastern Harbour Crossing Passenger Tax Bill

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in moving the second reading of the Eastern Harbour Crossing Road Tunnel (Passenger Tax) Bill in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

I move the Second Reading of the Eastern Harbour Crossing Road Tunnel (Passage Tax) Bill. The main purpose of this Bill is to enable the Administration to impose a Passage Tax at the Eastern Harbour Crossing as a measure to tackle traffic congestion.

This Bill is modelled on the Cross-Harbour Tunnel (Passage Tax) Ordinance which already provides for the imposition of a passage fax.

Again, the Administration is not at present proposing to impose any passage tax at the Eastern Harbour Crossing or increase the passage tax at the Cross Harbour Tunnel. If and when specific increases are sought, Ilonourable Members will have the opportunity to debate the Administration's proposals. Indeed, before any new passage tax can be implemented, the Council's specific approval has to be obtained.

Thank you, Mr President.

End