Railway Objections Hearing Panel

(Appointed by the Secretary for Transport and Housing)

Enquiry : Transport and Housing Bureau

17/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Hei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong

Telephone : 3509 7259

Membership List

Mr CHAN Yiu-kei
Mr Raymond CHAN Yuk-ming
Mr Francis CHAU Yin-ming, MH
Miss Anna CHOW Suk-han
Mr Rufin MAK Bing-leung
Professor NG Mee-kam

Ms Joanlin AU Chung-leung
Miss CHENG Wai-hing
Ms Alexa CHOW Yee-ping
Mr Raphael Ding Wai-chuen
Ir Francis KUNG Wing-chuen
Dr James LEE Kim-keung
Mr LEUNG Hing-fung
Mr Andy LEUNG Kit-man
Ms Susan LEUNG So-wan
Professor LO Hong-kam
Mr Kyran SZE
Mr WONG Che-ming, MH
Ir Toni ZEN Tung-yee

(Convenor)
(Convenor)
(Convenor)
(Convenor)
(Convenor)
(Convenor)

Terms of Reference

(a)
According to the Railways Ordinance (the Ordinance), the Secretary for Transport and Housing (the Secretary) has to submit the railway scheme concerned and/or its amendments gazetted under the Ordinance, together with all unwithdrawn objections, to the Executive Council for consideration not later than nine months after the expiration of the 60-day period for lodging objections in respect of the scheme (or three months after the expiration of the 60-day period for lodging objections in respect of an amendment to the scheme). Prior to the said procedure, a panel of independent persons appointed by the Secretary will conduct hearings in respect of all unwithdrawn objections. This is an administrative measure to ensure that the objections are handled in a fair, open and transparent manner.

(b)
In particular, the panel will be responsible for advising the Secretary on:

whether the Administration has dealt with such objections in accordance with pledges made;

whether the objectors have been given adequate opportunity to express their views;

whether the Administration has properly reviewed the scheme having regard to the objectors' views; and

whether the Administration has explained fully to the objectors the findings of its review.

(c) The panel will also be responsible for conducting hearings in respect of all unwithdrawn objections on a collective basis in order to :

listen to the views of the objectors;

listen to the views of the Administration and the relevant railway corporation;

form an opinion as to whether the objection has been dealt with in a fair, open and transparent manner; and

compile a report on its findings for submission to the Secretary for consideration.

Enquiry :	Transport and Housing Bureau
	17/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Hei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong
Telephone :	3509 7259

(a)	According to the Railways Ordinance (the Ordinance), the Secretary for Transport and Housing (the Secretary) has to submit the railway scheme concerned and/or its amendments gazetted under the Ordinance, together with all unwithdrawn objections, to the Executive Council for consideration not later than nine months after the expiration of the 60-day period for lodging objections in respect of the scheme (or three months after the expiration of the 60-day period for lodging objections in respect of an amendment to the scheme). Prior to the said procedure, a panel of independent persons appointed by the Secretary will conduct hearings in respect of all unwithdrawn objections. This is an administrative measure to ensure that the objections are handled in a fair, open and transparent manner.

(b)	In particular, the panel will be responsible for advising the Secretary on: whether the Administration has dealt with such objections in accordance with pledges made; whether the objectors have been given adequate opportunity to express their views; whether the Administration has properly reviewed the scheme having regard to the objectors' views; and whether the Administration has explained fully to the objectors the findings of its review.

(c)	The panel will also be responsible for conducting hearings in respect of all unwithdrawn objections on a collective basis in order to : listen to the views of the objectors; listen to the views of the Administration and the relevant railway corporation; form an opinion as to whether the objection has been dealt with in a fair, open and transparent manner; and compile a report on its findings for submission to the Secretary for consideration.