TNAG-1854-FCO40-2629-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 160

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - - 11 January 1989

香港立法局 ————————一九八九年一月十一日

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SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Sir, the present position is that children may start primary school from the age of five years and eight months, though attendance is not compulsory until the age of six. The Education Commission is now studying the curricula and behavioural problems during the nine years of free and compulsory education, and in this context will reconsider whether it is desirable to lower the minimum age of entry to primary schools.

MR. DAVID CHEUNG: Sir, will the Secretary inform this Council whether the Government has any view on this issue? If so, what is the Government's view?

SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Sir, I think we have an open mind at this stage. We will wish to see what the commission has to say.

Option to freeze registration of motor vehicles

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4. MR. TIEN asked: In view of the worsening traffic congestion in the territory, the Government recently announced various options, such as increase of tax on fuel, licensing fee, and first registration tax as ways to solve the problem. Will Government inform this Council whether consideration would be given to the option of freezing the total number of vehicles by categories at current levels for a period of time, say two years, until more roads are built?

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT: Sir, a wide range of options for improving the mobility of people and goods up to the year 2001 are being analysed under the Second Comprehensive Transport Study and will be set out for public consultation in a Green Paper to be issued later this year. I will arrange for Mr. TIEN's suggestion to be examined by the study team to see whether this suggestion is feasible.

MR. TIEN: Sir, the Second Comprehensive Transport Study as mentioned will not be set out for public consultation in a Green Paper until later this year. By the time the study is completed, and its recommendations accepted, we might well be into 1990. Will the Secretary for Transport inform this Council what his immediate plans are to prevent traffic congestion from worsening further? I hope his answer will not be "please be patient and wait".