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Following is translation of the speech by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in resuming the second reading debate of the Carriage by Air (Amendment) Bill 2005 at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 9):
Madam President,
We thank the Hon Howard Young for his support of the Bill.
The Bill empowers the Government to make subsidiary legislation requiring airlines to make advance payments to air accident victims to meet their immediate economic needs. The Hon Howard Young has just expressed the concern of airline in this regard. The Government will conduct further consultation on the detailed design of the scheme and introduce the subsidiary legislation at an appropriate time.
I would like to reinstate that the Bill is supported by the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Services, airline industry, Consumer Council, and trade organisations representing the travel industry, shippers and legal profession.
Madam President, Members are invited to support the Bill.
Ends/Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:27
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