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Following is a transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (January 22):
Reporter: Also about the taxis ... the fuel surcharge mechanism .... Do you think it is a viable option ...?
Secretary for Transport and Housing: The fuel surcharge proposal was actually put forward to the Government some years ago. But in the past, the Government was quite reluctant to pursue the idea because the Government then was worried that it would create confusion among the passengers, particularly if we are talking about very regularly revising the fuel surcharges, say every month. You have to update and change the fuel surcharge if necessary. Then, of course, for the passengers, when they get on the taxi, then they will have to make sure whatever charge imposed on fuel is a legitimate one. So that is something very challenging for the Government.
But the idea was recently put forward to the Government again by some organisations, and I think from the Government's point of view, we are willing to study the proposal, we are willing to find out what happens in other jurisdictions where such fuel surcharges are in place, and we would like to find out how the fuel surcharge will actually impact the consumption pattern and the passengers. Because they are consumers, their interests have also to be protected.
Reporter: And the Government has said many times that it will take additional measures when necessary in the housing and the property market. Under what conditions will the Government do so?
Secretary for Transport and Housing: Well, I cannot, of course, here say what particular measures are ... as far as the Government is concerned. But I think when we say that we are keeping a close watch on the market situation, we are not just saying that for the purpose of saying that. We are really concerned about the market because we know that any major fluctuations in the property market would immediately impact on the welfare of our community. It would also carry significant macroeconomic implications. So, whenever necessary, the Government will not be reluctant to introduce suitable measures.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:12
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