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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council now invites members of the public and interested parties to express their views on the Rail Merger Bill.
The Bill, introduced into the Legislative Council on July 5, seeks to amend the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Ordinance (Cap. 372) and the Mass Transit Railway Ordinance (Cap. 556) to:
(a) provide the necessary legislative framework for the operation by the MTR Corporation Limited ("MTRCL") of the Mass Transit Railway, the Kowloon-Canton Railway and certain other railways under one franchise; and
(b) enable the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation ("KCRC") to enter into a service concession with MTRCL under which MTRCL is granted the right to have access to, use or possess the property of KCRC.
For background information of the Bill, please visit the website:
http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/bc/bc03/general/bc03.htm
A Bills Committee, chaired by Hon Miriam LAU Kin-yee, has been formed to study the Bill. Those interested in giving their views on the Bill are invited to send their written submissions (preferably in both Chinese and English and with soft copy as well) to the Clerk to the Bills Committee on or before September 25 (Monday). They may also indicate whether they intend to make oral representations to the Bills Committee at its meeting to be held on October 28 (Saturday) at 9am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. Depending on the number of interested individuals and deputations who wish to appear before the Bills Committee to give oral views on the Bill, the Bills Committee may convene another meeting on November 4 (Saturday) at 9am in the same venue. Submissions received will be made available to the media and the public and uploaded onto the Website of the Legislative Council unless advised otherwise. Submissions received and oral presentations at the meeting(s) will not be covered by the protection and immunity provided under the Legislative Council (Power and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap. 382).
The relevant address, fax and telephone numbers, and e-mail address of the Clerk to the Bills Committee are as follows:
Address : Clerk to the Bills Committee on Rail Merger Bill
Legislative Council Secretariat
3/F Citibank Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
Fax No. : 2121 0420
Tel No. : 2869 9212 or 2869 9214
E-mail Address : wcheng@legco.gov.hk
Ends/Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:17
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