Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13
Question : Recently there has been an upward trend in the number of consumer complaints lodged by Mainland visitors. The authorities indicate that enforcement operations will be stepped up against false trade descriptions and mis-statements in respect of selling of goods. Please give an account of the operations. Will the department increase enforcement manpower and enhance publicity? What is the expenditure incurred? Asked by : Hon. WONG Ting-kwong Reply : In order to strictly enforce the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (the Ordinance), Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) will continue to proactively petrol retail shops in the territory; deploy extra resources to petrol renowned shopping and tourist areas during long holidays of the Mainland and conduct undercover operations by posing as customers where appropriate. In order to facilitate the report of malpractices by tourists, the C&ED’s Quick Response Team, which is on call 24 hours, will be deployed to instantly deal with complaints. We will also strengthen training for front-line officers to enhance their enforcement skills and product knowledge, and enhance cooperation with the Police, Consumer Council, Travel Industry Council, Tourism Commission, Tourism Board, and various trade associations, including mounting large-scale joint operations with the Police and other departments. For publicity and education, the Department distributes leaflets published in English and traditional / simplified Chinese characters to visitors at boundary control points to raise their awareness about unfair trade practices. At the same time, messages are conveyed via the Consumer Council’s website and its monthly publication, the Choice Magazine, to encourage reports on activities in contravention of the Ordinance. Moreover, talks are organized for registered tourist guides to disseminate through them the messages of consumers’ rights to tourists. All the above operations are carried out through internal deployment of manpower and no extra expenditure is incurred.
Question : In 2012-13, the Civil Engineering and Development Department will continue the site formation for Kai Tak cruise terminal development. Please inform this Committee about the progress of the works and the target of this year. Asked by : Hon. LAU Kin-yee, Miriam Reply : The progress of the site formation works for Kai Tak cruise terminal development is generally satisfactory. All piling works have been completed, and seawall reconstruction and quay deck construction have commenced. Our target is to substantially complete the first berth in 2012 13 for commissioning together with the terminal building in mid-2013.
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