TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 23

Question :

Reply :

Sir,

Question No. 9

Reply by Mr G.A. Higginson, Secretary for Economic Services, to a question by

the Hon CHEUNG Yan-lung, MBE, SBStJ, JP in Legislative Council on 29 May 1985

What actions are being taken by the Government to provide consumer protection

for tourists?

Tourists are entitled to the same protection

under the law as the citizens of Hong Kong. However, I do

recognize that consumer protection through law enforcement

is not always a practical solution for tourists, given

that their stay in Hong Kong is normally short and that

legal proceedings invariably take time. In consumer

disputes involving tourists it is, I believe, better to

rely on persuasion and active mediation by the independent

bodies. The Consumer Council and the Hong Kong Tourist

Association have both done much good work in this respect.

2.

The Administration is always prepared to

consider new proposals to give further protection to

consumers, be they citizens or tourists, if this can be

achieved without unnecessarily interfering with normal

business practices.