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 item on “examining consumer issues such as the use of unfair terms in standard consumer contracts”, please advise on the following: a) What are the approximate expenditures involved? b) What issues will be included in the concrete work plan for examination? c) What is the progress or timetable for 2012-13? d) How will the examination findings be used? Asked by : Hon. LI Wah-ming, Fred Reply : Researches undertaken by the Consumer Council (the CC) on consumer issues, such as the use of unfair terms in standard consumer contracts, are mostly handled in-house. Related expenditure has been subsumed into the recurrent establishment and provision, and it is difficult to quantify them separately. The following issues are covered in the CC’s work plan on examining consumer issues in 2012-13:- (1) providing views in a timely manner on policies and legislation related to consumer rights that may be proposed by the Government and on issues involving consumer rights put forth by public bodies and organizations; and conducting researches and providing views on consumer issues arising from significant social or economic incidents; and (2) drawing up a report on unfair terms in standard consumer contracts, and drafting guidelines on standard consumer contracts and a specimen contract, as well as examining the time and format for releasing the above documents. Upon the completion of researches, the CC will pass the results to relevant Government departments, public bodies and organizations. It will also make public its views on consumer policies and issues through the media from time to time. In addition, the CC will also upload its responses to public consultations of the Government on its website for public access.
Question : On the work to “enhance public understanding of the benefits that may be brought about by a competition law”, please provide the following information: a) What are the estimated expenditure? b) What items are included in the work plan? c) What will be the progress or timetable in 2012-13? d) How to evaluate whether the planned targets are met or not? Asked by : Hon. LI Wah-ming, Fred Reply : The Consumer Council (CC) strongly supports the early enactment of a competition law. To promote public understanding of the benefits that such a law may bring about and encourage discussion, the CC has organized two fora (mainly for small and medium entreprises), and produced bilingual information pamphlets and set up a dedicated website. In the coming year, the CC plans to undertake the following initiatives: 1. producing radio segments and using web advertising banners to enhance promotion, with an estimated expenditure of about $200,000; 2. offering commentaries and responses in the light of market situations, such that the public can understand from real life cases the benefits of implementing a competition law; and 3. paying visits to District Councils to help cultivate within the community a correct understanding of a competition law and its benefits, and make use of these opportunities to assess the effectiveness of the education and promotion work referred to above.
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