XN000022-1996-05-21 — Page 5

4.

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have made our position abundantly clear to Chinese leaders. I have explained our position on numerous occasions, including as recently as 18 April before the Legislative Council. I have also stressed that the Hong Kong Government is fully committed to continue to work with the current Legislative Council, which has a clear and legitimate mandate, and which is the only legally constituted legislature in Hong Kong.

It follows that the Hong Kong Government will not offer any assistance in relation to the provisional legislature. However, we are committed to co-operate with the Preparatory Committee and the Chief Executive (Designate) in other areas where both sides have identified common ground and on the basis of our three established parameters.

I have read with interest the transcript of Director Lu Ping's remarks made to

your

Chamber. I would like to make just one comment. Under the Joint Declaration, the British Government is responsible for administering Hong Kong until 30 June 1997 and the Chinese Government will co-operate in this regard. In the months ahead, we will continue to discharge our duties vigorously, conscientiously and in the best interests of Hong Kong. And we will not accept either a shadow government or a second centre of power.

End

Sewage charge increase proposed

The Government today (Tuesday) announced its intention to increase the sewage charge by $0.18 per cubic metre to $1.38 per cubic metre and to increase the trade effluent surcharge by the same proportion.

The increases will come into effect on August 1, seven months later than the original target date of January 1. Hence the need to make an adjustment to the increases originally forecast in November 1994 in order to allow for the inflation in the interim.

Even after the proposed increase, about 16 per cent of domestic households will still not be required to pay any sewage charge. A further 61 per cent will pay only $1 to $2.50 more per month.

The sewage charge allowance already payable to low-income families under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme will be increased to take account of the proposed increase.