TNAG-1723-FCO40-2436-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 56

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 13 January 1988

Sir, I move that the debate on this motion be adjourned.

Motion made. That the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill be adjourned.

Question put and agreed to.

TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987

THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT moved the Second Reading of: ‘A Bill to amend the Tramway Ordinance'.

He said: Sir, I move the Second Reading of the Tramway (Amendment) Bill 1987.

The Bill provides that the authorised fares applicable to normal tram services and subject to the approval of the Governor in Council, should not apply to private hire and tour services also operated by the Hong Kong Tramways Company.

Since the late 1970s, the company has been operating a few trams, specially fitted out for private parties and hire and tour services at higher rates. These are usually offered as a group service available to private parties and tourists for entertainment and sightseeing purposes. Because the hiring hours are mainly in the evenings, they do not affect the normal tram services. We believe it is not necessary to keep the charges for such services within the ambit of controlled fares.

So that the trams required for normal passenger services will not be affected, the Bill provides also that the maximum number of cars for tour services should be subject to the Commissioner for Transport's control and approval.

Sir, I move that the debate on this motion be now adjourned.

Motion made. That the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill be adjourned.

Question put and agreed to.

BETTING DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987

Resumption of debate on Second Reading (9 December 1987)

Question proposed.

MR. HUI: Sir, the introduction of the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 1987 represents Government's sensitive response to the call for a review of the appropriation of lotteries proceeds. While the Bill serves to guarantee a more