HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 28 February 1990
香港立法局 一九九0年二月二十八日
15
周美德議員問:經濟司答覆的第六段提到,消費者有權選擇以電力作為另一種能源使用,所以不 考慮立法去管制煤氣公司。但為何中華電力公司會受到港督會同行政局的審核而煤氣公司卻可以 受到不同的對待?
SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES: Sir, consistent with Government's policy of free competition in the market, if there is no evidence that market forces are not operating efficiently, then there are no grounds for the Government to seek to interfere in the operation of that market mechanism. However, if there are grounds that there is a monopoly or quasi-monopoly situation, then the Government will consider means of regulating the activities of that particular company.
MR. Peter WONG: Sir, can the Secretary inform this Council of the rate of return enjoyed by the Hong Kong and China Gas Company and whether, in her opinion, such rate is reasonable?
SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES: Sir, as we do not seek to regulate the activities of the Hong Kong and China Gas Company, I am not able at present to say what its rate of return is. But I assume that, to the extent that consumers have a choice, presumably consumers would compare the relative prices of towngas and private gas supplies.
MR. MCGREGOR: Sir, is the Government satisfied with the performance of the Hong Kong and China Gas Company in terms of efficiency and the public interest?
SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES: Sir, I have no grounds to conclude that the Hong Kong and China Gas Company is not operating efficiently. Nor has the Government received any complaints about it. And I believe that the Consumer Council has not received many complaints about the company either.
MR. MARTIN LEE: Sir, would the Secretary please refer to paragraph 7 of her main reply and inform this Council what steps the Government will take in seeking to monitor the situation closely?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.