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Following is a transcript of a media session by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council Commission this morning (December 17) (English portion):

Question: Mr Tsang, why do you insist on delaying the construction of the Legco Chamber at Tamar?

Chief Secretary for Administration: This is principally a financial consideration. Redeveloping a new Legislative Council Chamber will cost roughly $1.3 billion dollars in terms of capital investment, and an additional cost in running new premises in the order of $20 or $30 million dollars a year. We believe that having regard to the financial fiscal position of the Government after the devastating experience of SARS, we should not, in the public interest, embark on this very expensive project at this point in time.

But we do believe there is a long-term need to redevelop a new chamber. For that reason, we have reserved the site at Tamar for this purpose. We believe that Tamar is an ideal site for the redevelopment of the Legislative Council Chamber, and when the financial position improves, we will certainly consider revisiting this project.

A further point is that I have explained and emphasised to members that the redevelopment proposal has nothing to do with the review of constitutional arrangements. If the outcome of the review means that there would be an enlargement of membership of the Legislative Council, we would certainly explore with members how we would meet with additional office accommodation requirements, either through alterations and additions to this very building or through some other spendings.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)

Ends/Wednesday, December 17, 2003

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