XN000022-1996-11-20 — Page 8

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Full-cost licence fees will be phased in over a five-year period. In 1997, ATV and TVB will have to pay 20% of the assessed full cost, and in 1998, they would pay 40% of the assessed full cost, and so on until full-cost recovery is achieved in 2001. The new licence fees will amount to about $1.8 million for each licensee for the year starting from 1 January 1997.

The new fees will be introduced with effect from 1 December, subject to approval of the regulation by the Legislative Council.

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Government team to attend UN hearing

Solicitor General, Mr Daniel R Fung QC, will lead an eight-member Hong Kong Government team, as part of the British delegation, to attend a hearing of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UNCESCR) to be held in Geneva on November 26 and 27.

During the hearing, the UN Committee will examine the Third Periodic Report in respect of Hong Kong under Articles 2 to 16 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

The report, submitted under ICESCR, covers developments in Hong Kong.on a wide range of social issues, including housing, social welfare, education, health and employment.

The Hong Kong team will assist the British delegation in answering any questions arising from the report by the Committee members.

The last report to the UNCESCR made by the British Government on behalf of Hong Kong was submitted in November 1994, regarding Articles 10 to 15 of the ICESCR.

Apart from Solicitor General, Mr Daniel R Fung, the Hong Kong team comprises Deputy Solicitor General, Mr Stephen Wong, Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jeremy Croft, Principal Assistant Secretary Education and Manpower, Mr Tony Reynalds, Principal Assistant Secretary for Security, Mr John Sherwin, Principal Assistant Secretary for Health and Welfare, Ms Miranda Chiu, and Principal Assistant Secretary for Housing, Mr William Shiu.

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