Extension of time for Commission of Inquiry to submit final report
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The Commission was appointed by the Chief Executive in Council on July 10, 2018, with Mr Michael Hartmann as Chairman and Commissioner, and Professor Peter Hansford as Commissioner, to inquire into the facts and circumstances surrounding the steel reinforcement fixing works and any other works which raised concerns about public safety in respect of the diaphragm wall and platform slab construction works at the Hung Hom Station Extension under the SCL Project implemented by the MTR Corporation Limited, and to make recommendations on suitable measures with a view to promoting public safety and assurance on quality of works.
Following an expansion of its terms of reference, as approved by the Chief Executive in Council on February 19, 2019, to inquire into irregularities concerning the construction works at the North Approach Tunnels, the South Approach Tunnels and the Hung Hom Stabling Sidings under the SCL Project, the Commission was required to submit its final report to the Chief Executive by August 30, 2019.
Having regard to its latest work progress and work plan, the Commission expects to complete its final report for submission to the Chief Executive by November 29, 2019 and has accordingly requested an extension of time for submitting the report.
On February 25, 2019, the Commission submitted an interim report to the Chief Executive on the matters covered by its original terms of reference. The Government published the interim report in redacted form on March 26, 2019, taking account of legal considerations to avoid any prejudice (actual or perceived) to any ongoing criminal investigations and any potential prosecutions of any criminal offences in the future (if so decided to be justified after the relevant investigations).
The expanded terms of reference of the Commission are at the Annex.
Ends/Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
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