Transcript of remarks by STH

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Housing today (December 3):

Reporter: Mr Chan, can you give us an update on the probe into the car accident last week? Also, do you think there is a need for the Government to introduce laws to make it mandatory for passengers to wear seatbelts when they are sitting on coaches or buses?

Secretary for Transport and Housing: We are trying to ascertain what actually happened and that's what the Police and the Transport Department are looking into. Until when we do have a fair understanding of the fact, then we would be able to comment on the necessary remedial actions.

Reporter: How about the Government's stance on introducing laws for mandatory seatbelt wearing on coaches?

Secretary for Transport and Housing: As far as safety is concerned, it must be of very high importance. Whether or not we need to legislate for mandatory installation and use (of seatbelts) would be another issue that we have to look into by taking into account the entire operation, the cost and benefit, as well as the practicability of this. But as a matter of fact, all those new coaches now running in Hong Kong basically have seatbelts installed. The only difference is whether or not we should legislate to make its use mandatory.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)