TNAG-1727-FCO40-2440-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 280

3

S

reorganization would

monitor

Government's

this affect

Council's

right to

adversely

performance in the housing area. We were

assured

will that the Authority's accounts and annual report

Ligislative Council, continue to be laid on the table of Lege and Members will be free to raise any questions in this Council. The Public Accounts Committee of this Council will still be able to question the

le. Authority's financial matters, and the close working relationship

le

between

continue.

the

OMELCO Housing Panel and the

Administration

Members present seemed to be by-and-large satisfied.

will

Comments received by the Ad Hoc Group from some public housing representatives on the Bill have focussed on the following main points, in addition to some of the issues I have already

addressed :

یا

(1) Membership should have a wider representativeness.

(2)

There is a call for a gradual move towards election of

members into the Authority.

(3)

Concern

has been

that expressed

the

surplus

of

the

Authority might be the result of escalating rent charged

to public housing tenants.

(4)

le.

Government should continue to be liable for the financial risks undertaken by the Authority.

Je

نیام

Bill,

we

sought

As the last point raised was relevant to Clause 3 of the

have

clarification

the from subsequently Administration, and are satisfied that it does not constitute an

unbearable burden on

In the Authority.

any case, Section

Section 12 of the Ordinance states that the Authority may borrow only with the approval of the Governor. The Government would as sole owner of the Authority provide guarantee for its liabilities.

The remaining points

not directly relevant are

to

the

Σ