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Following is a question by the Hon Dennis Kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (May 20):
Question:
It has been noted that numerous advertisements in the form of posters, trackside billboards, etc. advocating for the passage of the constitutional reform proposal made by the Government have recently been seen inside train compartments, as well as in the precincts of MTR stations and MTR-owned properties. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of the aforesaid advertisements in various forms inside MTR train compartments as well as in the precinct of each MTR station and MTR-owned property; the respective average number of days for which such advertisements in various forms are to be displayed; and
(2) whether it is required to pay for the display of such advertisements; if so, of the respective rates charged for various forms of advertisements, and whether the Government knows how such rates compare with those charged by the MTR Corporation Limited for commercial advertisements?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), the consolidated reply to the various parts of the Hon Dennis Kwok's question is as follows.
The Transport and Housing Bureau is responsible for overseeing the policy on railway services and safety. The Bureau is not involved in the operation of daily business, including the advertising business, of MTRCL.
MTRCL advises that the Corporation has engaged an advertising agency to handle advertising in the MTR system. The MTR system is an open advertising platform. MTRCL and its advertising agency welcome advertisements from all interested clients provided that the advertisements comply with the trade's relevant Code of Practice. The agency will design the terms of sales contract for clients to suit individual advertisement campaign.
In line with MTRCL's earlier reply to the Hon Dennis Kwok on May 4, the advertisement information as requested in the question forms part of the commercial contract signed between the advertising agency and its client. MTRCL advises that it is unable to provide the information requested.
Notwithstanding, MTRCL has provided the reference rates of major advertising formats for MTR urban lines in 2015. Details are at Annex. MTRCL advises that the advertising agency may offer different discounts to individual clients having regard to different factors such as booking status of advertisement locations and seasonal demands.
CMAB advises that it has set aside about $3.5 million in the financial year 2015-16 for the publicity work relating to constitutional development, including but not limited to different kinds of promotion at various MTR stations and inside the train compartments.
Ends/Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:00
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