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 : Regarding the estimates for 2011-12 and 2012-13, a) the revised estimate for 2011-12 is lower than the original estimate by $50 million. Is the difference due to the failure to establish a Competition Commission in the year as planned? If so, is the reduction in the estimate by $50 million equivalent to the cost of establishing the Competition Commission? b) the estimate for 2012-13 is over $90 million, much higher than the estimate of $59.7 million for 2011-12. Given that there is no significant change in the focus areas for 2012-13 as compared with those for the previous year except the establishment of the Competition Commission, will the Government explain whether the sharp rise in the estimate is due to a substantial increase in the estimate for the operation of the Competition Commission? Asked by : Hon. CHAN Tanya Reply : Provision in the original estimate for Programme (4) in 2011-12 was earmarked mainly for the preparatory work relating to the Competition Commission (the Commission), in view of the possibility of enacting the Competition Bill (the Bill) in the later part of 2011-12. Having reviewed the legislative progress, the estimate for 2011-12 was revised downwards by $50 million. For 2012-13, we have earmarked $80.7 million. The increase over the provision in 2011-12 is to cater for the establishment and operation of the Commission in 2012-13 should the Bill be enacted within the same year.
Question : With regard to the public consultation exercise on the regulatory framework of the tourism sector, what is the Administration’s work plan for collating the public views and consultation findings? Will the Administration allocate resources for a policy study and legislative drafting work for the proposed regulatory framework of the tourism sector in 2012-13? If yes, what are the work plans and timetables? Asked by : Hon. CHAN Tanya Reply : The Government announced the findings of the public consultation on the review of the operation and regulatory framework of Hong Kong’s tourism sector and the way forward on 20 December last year. We proposed that an independent statutory body be established as the regulatory body of the tourism sector. We briefed the Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council on the way forward on 27 February 2012. In 2012-13, we will carry out policy research and legislative drafting work related to the implementation of the way forward with existing resources. No additional expenses will be incurred. Subject to the progress of work, we expect that the draft new legislation can be introduced into the Legislative Council in about two and a half years.
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