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Looking back on the progress of discussion at the Subcommittee stage, I can appreciate Honourable Members' feelings about the time constraint in studying the tabled amendments before the deadline for moving their own amendments. Nevertheless, the Administration has done its best to address the Subcommittee's questions, has attended three meetings in less than one week's time, and has provided two detailed written replies with a number of proposals to deal with the Subcommittee's concerns.

We regret that notwithstanding our efforts to seek common ground, the Subcommittee nonetheless still seek a motion to repeal the amendments. The result of this motion would delay the implementation of the improvements to existing Prison Rules, at the expense of inmates in correctional institutions in Hong Kong. But we will nonetheless aim to reintroduce the Rules, amended as necessary in discussion with the Subcommittee, as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Mr President.

End

Commercial development above piers at Central reclamation

Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong Wai-yin and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is learnt that the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company Ltd (HYF) and the Government are still unable to reach an agreement on the regrant premium payable for the development of superstructures on the Company's piers in Central, thus causing delay in finalising the development project. In this connection, will the Government Inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

of the progress of its negotiations with HYF;

whether the authorities have set a deadline for the negotiations; and

of the contingency measures the Government has, if HYF decides to scrap the above development project in the absence of an agreement with the Government on the regrant premium, resulting in HYF not being able to realise its pledge of setting aside a sum in excess of $600m for improving ferry services?

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