XN000022-1996-07-12 — Page 8

6 -

Energy Advisory Committee chairman appointed

Professor Charles Kao Kuen has been appointed as Chairman of the newly formed Energy Advisory Committee, which will advise the Government on energy policy matters.

Professor Kao, an electronics engineer by profession, has received numerous scientific and technical awards for his work in fibre optics from academic and other institutions around the world. He will retire shortly as Vice-chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a position he has held since October 1987.

Commenting on the appointment, the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, said he was very pleased that Professor Kao had agreed to chair the committee.

"Professor Kao is a distinguished scientist, engineer and administrator with a wealth of knowledge and experience to call upon in leading a committee to advise the Government on energy policy," he said. Joining Professor Kao as members will be 13 other non-official members, including experts in the energy field, representatives of the business sector and the Consumer Council and community personalities. The Secretary for Economic Services, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands and the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services will also be members of the new committee.

The Government's intention to establish an Energy Advisory Committee was announced on February 12 in response to the report of the Consumer Council on competition in the domestic water heating and cooking fuel market.

The terms of reference of the Committee are to advise the Government on energy policy, including policy matters concerning energy supply and demand and energy conservation and efficiency, and other related matters referred to it by the Administration.

The full membership of the committee is as follows:

Chairman:

Members:

Professor Charles Kao Kuen

Mr Michael Corbyn

Mr Jim Dale

Professor Peter Hills

Dr Joseph Choi Lam

Mr Lam Wai-kwun

Mr Dennis Lau Wing-kwong