The Government announced today (March 29) the appointment of Ms Anita Kwok Ying-ying as a new member and the re-appointment of Dr Lo Pui-yin as a member of the Management Committee of the Consumer Legal Action Fund for a term of two years with effect from April 1, 2019.

     "We are grateful to the incumbent member, Dr Lo Pui-yin, for his continuous service on the Management Committee.  With Ms Anita Kwok Ying-ying joining as a new member, we are confident that the Management Committee will continue to manage the Fund effectively and appropriately to protect consumer interests," a government spokesman said.

     "We also express our gratitude to Ms Betty Chan Ka-wai for her valuable contributions as she retires from the Management Committee," the spokesman added.

     The Consumer Legal Action Fund was established in 1994 to facilitate consumer access to legal remedies by providing legal assistance to consumers in cases involving significant consumer interests.

     The Consumer Council is the trustee of the Fund. The Management Committee assists the Consumer Council in managing the Fund and determining the eligibility of applications under the Fund.

     The composition of the Management Committee with effect from April 1, 2019, is as follows:

Ms Rebecca Chan Ching-chu
Dr Catherine Chong Shiu-yin
Mr Alex Fan Hoi-kit
Mr Johnny Fee Chung-ming
Mr Richard Khaw Wei-kiang, SC
Ms Anita Kwok Ying-ying
Mr Kevin Lam Sze-cay
Mr Edmond Lam King-fung
Miss Queenie Fiona Lau
Dr Lo Pui-yin
Ms Gilly Wong Fung-han (ex-officio member)
Mr Selwyn Yu Sing-cheung, SC

     The Government today (March 29) announced the appointments of Ms Mary Huen Wai-yi and Mr James Wong Cheuk-on as new members of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). Their terms will run for two years from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021.

     "We welcome Ms Huen and Mr Wong in joining the Board and are grateful to the other members of the Board for their dedicated support. With their expertise and experience in different areas, we are confident that they will help the HKTB in enhancing Hong Kong's position as a premier tourist destination," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said.

     "We would also like to thank Mr Chan Tze-ching, Ms Shi Nan-sun and Ms Jeny Yeung Mei-chun, the outgoing members, for their contribution to the work of the Board," the spokesman added.

     Appointments to the HKTB are made by the Financial Secretary under section 9 of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Ordinance (Chapter 302), under authority delegated by the Chief Executive.

     The Government announced today (March 29) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Walter Chan Kar-lok as convenor-cum-member of the Pensions Appeal Panel (PAP) and the Appeal Panel on Government's Voluntary Contributions under the Civil Service Provident Fund Scheme (APGVC) for a term of three years with effect from April 8, 2019.
 
     As a statutory body established under the Pension Benefits Ordinance, the PAP is responsible for advising the Chief Executive on petitions made by civil servants against decisions to cancel, suspend, reduce or refuse to grant pension benefits. On the other hand, the APGVC is an administrative panel set up to tender advice to the Chief Executive on representations made by civil servants against decisions to forfeit or recover their accrued benefits attributable to government voluntary contributions under the Civil Service Provident Fund Scheme.
 
     The other two members of the appeal panels are Mr Henry Wu King-cheong and Miss Elaine Chan Wing-yi.

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:

     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2019 which will be held from April 5 to 7.

     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Karl Kwok, said today (March 29) that this event, like all "M" Mark events, will add colour and vibrancy to Hong Kong and help attract more visitors.

     "'M' Mark events showcase Hong Kong's capability to host world-class events and reinforce its position as the events capital of Asia," Mr Kwok said.

     "'M' Mark events also help generate economic benefits for Hong Kong by attracting tourists. They also instil a sustainable sporting culture in the community, and help foster a sense of pride and social cohesion," he added.

    The "M" Mark System was launched in 2004 to help local national sports associations organise more major sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some of the event organisers.

     The number of recognised "M" Mark events has increased from four in 2005 to 14 in 2019. So far, around $127.3 million has been approved to support recognised "M" Mark events.

     For details of other "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

     The Government proposes to introduce a new regulation under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance and amend four regulations under the Merchant Shipping (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Ordinance to incorporate into local legislation the latest requirements in relation to ships operating in polar waters and the discharge of sewage within the Baltic Sea Special Area under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of the International Maritime Organization.

     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau today (March 29) said, “The new Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Ships Operating in Polar Waters) Regulation requires ships operating in polar waters to apply for a Polar Ship Certificate from their respective flag administrations, be equipped with effective means to remove and prevent snow and ice accumulation, and keep on board a Polar Water Operational Manual.”

     The four regulations to be amended are the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulation, the Merchant Shipping (Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) Regulation, the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage) Regulation, and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Regulation. The amendments cover the restriction on discharge of pollutants from ships in polar waters, the requirements to prevent oil leakage and accidental discharge of oil from ships, and the restrictions on discharge of sewage by ocean-going passenger ships within the Baltic Sea Special Area.

     The Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development and consultative and advisory committees of the Marine Department have been consulted on the legislative proposal. Members supported the proposal.

     The legislative proposal was gazetted today and will be tabled at the Legislative Council on April 3 for negative vetting.