Extension of time for Commission of Inquiry to submit final report
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     The Chief Executive in Council approved today (September 10), at the request of the Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) Project, an extension of time for the Commission to submit its final report to the Chief Executive by March 31, 2020.

     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 raise 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 (MTRCL) and to make recommendations on suitable measures with a view to promoting public safety and assurance on quality of works.  
 
     The Chief Executive in Council approved on February 19, 2019, an expansion of the terms of reference of the Commission 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, and subsequently on July 2, 2019, an extension of time for the Commission to submit its final report to the Chief Executive to November 29, 2019. The expanded terms of reference of the Commission are in the Annex.
 
     The assessment and verification reports on the construction works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the SCL Project, produced by the MTRCL and accepted by the Government, were submitted to the Commission on July 18, 2019. In the light of its latest work plan, in particular the need to conduct hearings on the new issues arising from the MTRCL's reports, the Commission expects to complete its final report for submission to the Chief Executive by March 31, 2020. It has accordingly requested an extension of time for submitting the report.

Ends/Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:00

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