XN000022-1996-05-28 — Page 13

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A government spokesman said Lantau taxi fares were last increased by 11.1 per cent in July last year. The Lantau Taxi Association has applied to increase fares by 19 per cent.

"The Executive Council considered that the fare rise is necessary to ensure the financial viability of Lantau taxi operations," the spokesman said.

"It will also help maintain an acceptable level of taxi service on Lantau, and a reasonable fare differential between Lantau taxis and New Lantao Bus services."

End

Eighth JLG meeting on transitional budget

The Sino-British Joint Liaison Group will hold their eighth round of expert talks on May 29 and 30 in Hong Kong to discuss the preparation of Hong Kong's transitional budget and related matters.

The British team will be led by the Secretary for the Treasury of the Hong Kong Government, Mr K C Kwong. The Chinese team will be led by the Chinese Representative on the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, Mr Chen Zuo'er. They will be assisted by experts.

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Government land adjoining Hilton Hotel site granted

The Director of Lands, Mr Bob Pope, announced that the Governor-in-Council agreed today (Tuesday) to grant to Cheung Kong the government land adjoining the old Hilton Hotel site, where the Garden Road Multi-Storey car park and Beaconsfield House currently stand.

The grant would be at a premium of $3,027.4 million.

He said that the premium was assessed at full market value and reflected the fact that Cheung Kong are required to reprovide a 800-space public car park, a post office and a public toilet and to provide at least 5,200 square metres of open space at their own expense.