§ Lord Brockwayasked Her Majesty's Government:
By how much licence fees for cars in Hong Kong have been increased; whether this was not contrary to the assurance by the Commissioner for Transport that the Government was not planning large increases; whether prior discussions took place with the Automobile Association, the Transport Advisory Committee and pedestrian representatives; and, if not, why not.
§ Lord BelsteadI must emphasise that this is a matter for the Hong Kong Government. Private vehicle licence fees have generally been increased threefold. This is not contrary to any official assurance. The Transport Advisory Committee endorsed these sensible measures to prevent an unacceptable increase in vehicles; but in order to avoid advance avoidance of fees there were no definitive prior discussions with the Automobile Association or any other public body.
House adjourned at four minutes past eleven o'clock.