XN000022-1996-02-14 — Page 5

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Merchant Shipping (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Gordon Siu, in the motion on Merchant Shipping (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 1996 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

In response to Mrs Chow's second motion, I have already explained the rationale behind the proposed fee revisions. May I just make the point again that in. fact in June 1995 this council approved the new ordinance. Since then we have been working on the whole set, a complete set of regulations and I think members have actually approved all of them with the exception of fees. Now, with this set of regulations on fees being approved, I am afraid we cannot bring in the new ordinance and therefore we are still relying on the use of the outdated existing ordinance. I also would like to reiterate that in fact the increases proposed are very modest, 10% and they were last revised actually 1994 and since then inflation has actually exceeded this level that we have now proposed. Most of the items related to legal notice no. 10 are for examination fees; fees for examinations for certificates of competency as Trawler Masters and Trawler Engineers. These are not fees that have to be paid regularly. Clearly, the proposed increases will have little impact on the livelihood of seafarers as such.

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I do urge Members again to reject the motion.

Companies Ordinance (Amendment of Eighth Schedule) Order

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services, Mr Rafael Hui, in the motion on the Companies Ordinance (Amendment of Eighth Schedule) Order 1996 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

First of all, I am grateful that some Members have indicated that they are prepared to approve the various fee proposals put forward by the Companies Registry.