The Lands Department announced today (December 19) that in respect of the tender for the site New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6591 at Kai Tak Area 4B Site 4, Kai Tak, Kowloon, which was awarded on November 14 to the successful tenderer, Rich Fast International Limited (parent company: Golden Sphere Developments Limited), on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $8,906,758,888, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows:

(1) $8,339,000,000
(2) $8,051,000,000
(3) $7,542,000,000
(4) $6,000,000,000
(5) $5,111,000,000
(6) $4,180,000,000

     The information disclosed in this press release is for information only.

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The Chief Executive has accepted the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal to extend the term of office of the Right Honourable the Lord Hoffmann, GBS as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal for a period of three years commencing January 12, 2019.
      
     The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance provides for a list of non-permanent Hong Kong judges and a list of judges from other common law jurisdictions. The term of appointment of such judges is three years. That term may be extended for one or more periods of three years by the Chief Executive acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Justice.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Castle Peak Hospital made the following announcement today (December 19):
 
     Five patients (aged 37 to 60) in a male forensic psychiatric ward presented with respiratory symptoms since December 16. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and the test results for three patients were positive for Rhinovirus. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
     
     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Regarding the incident of signalling system failure on MTR Island, Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan and Tseung Kwan O Lines on October 16, 2018, the Executive Review Panel (Panel) set up by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) has completed the investigation. The MTRCL today (December 19) submitted a detailed report to the Government on the Panel's investigation on the cause of the incident, its review on the contingency and information dissemination arrangements on the day, and its recommendations for continuous improvement.

     The Transport and Housing Bureau, the Transport Department (TD) and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) have looked into the report and accepted the investigation outcome of the Panel on the cause of the incident. Suggestions made by the Government on the review of the incident have also been agreed by the MTRCL and were reflected in the report.

     The Government was concerned about the incident on October 16 and requested the MTRCL to conduct in-depth investigation. During the MTRCL's investigation, the EMSD monitored the investigation work including reviewing the signalling system data records on the incident day and observing the simulation test conducted by the MTRCL and overseas experts from the signalling system suppliers. The MTRCL also arranged for overseas and local experts to assist in the investigation. 

     The report confirmed that the incident had no correlation with the signalling system upgrading project and its testing. That said, the EMSD has requested the MTRCL to conduct a comprehensive examination of the signalling system equipment, and to continue to closely monitor and maintain the relevant systems during the signalling system upgrading project and its testing, including deploying additional personnel when necessary to stand by in critical stations' signalling equipment rooms to reboot the computers and expedite the recovery works.

     In light of the experience gained, the TD is reviewing the existing contingency plan with the MTRCL, including the provision of free shuttle buses in affected stations, especially those with little alternative public transport when there is prolonged service delay. The review is expected to be completed by mid-2019.

     The TD and the EMSD will closely monitor the MTRCL in implementing the enhancement measures of the report in order to avoid recurrence of the incident, as well as the enhancement of its contingency and information dissemination arrangements during incidents.

     According to the Service Performance Arrangement under the MTR Fare Adjustment Mechanism, the MTRCL will be penalised for causing any service disruption of 31 minutes or more due to system breakdown or other human factors. As the setting of the signalling systems of Tseung Kwan O Line and part of Kwun Tong Line is different, coupled with the inter-connection among the other three lines, it is thus calculated on the basis of four incidents. The MTRCL has set aside $8 million to give concessions to passengers next year.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (December 19) visited the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to be briefed on the overall traffic diversion plan prepared by government departments in anticipation of a surge in passenger traffic during Christmas and New Year.

     Accompanied by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, Mr Cheung first visited the Passenger Clearance Building for a briefing on the facilities of the building. He then proceeded to the check-in service counters of the Hong Kong International Airport and the visitor centre of the Hong Kong Tourism Board to observe how these facilities assist passengers in checking in baggage, obtaining boarding passes and receiving information on accommodation and sightseeing. He was also provided an update on the business operation of shops in the Passenger Clearance Building.

     Later, he arrived at the Hong Kong Port Public Transport Interchange (South) to receive a briefing on the carrying capacity of various types of public transport during passenger peak periods. He also took the opportunity to tour the surroundings of the Passenger Clearance Building and note the study progress of providing food truck services for passengers in areas nearby.

     Following his visit to the Departure Hall to inspect clearance procedures for passengers by officers of the Immigration Department and the Customs and Excise Department, Mr Cheung moved on to the cross-boundary coach ticketing counter to observe how travel agencies made use of the pre-booked cross-boundary coach service to purchase cross-boundary coach tickets in advance for tour groups departing the Hong Kong Port for the Zhuhai Port so that the they could arrive at the Zhuhai Port in an orderly manner.

     He was also briefed at the pick-up areas for shuttle buses and cross-boundary coaches on the queuing, boarding and alighting arrangements for passengers during peak periods.

     Mr Cheung was pleased to note the close co-operation established between the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority and governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. He also expressed confidence in government departments’ joint efforts in meeting the demand arising from the peak periods of passenger flow during the holiday season and maintaining the smooth operation of the Hong Kong Port of HZMB.