Quake relief: Chief Executive Donald Tsang says another search and rescue team will be sent to Sichuan to help earthquake victims.

Hong Kong will send another search and rescue team to Sichuan to help earthquake victims, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says, adding more manpower and resources will be deployed if required.

Speaking at his Legislative Council question-and-answer session today, Mr Tsang said the volunteer team of government officers led by a Fire Services Department Senior Divisional Officer, and an initial assessment team of the Hospital Authority, have arrived in the province. Taking their initial assessment into consideration, the Government will send another 20-member rescue team tonight.

Thanking lawmakers for their swift approval of $300 million to help the quake victims, Mr Tsang said Premier Wen Jiabao and other Mainland leaders appreciate Hong Kong's help. He called on Hong Kong people to help the country overcome this difficult time.

Inflation situation

On inflation, Mr Tsang said rising fuel prices have triggered a wave of public transport fare-adjustment applications, while rising food costs are adversely affecting lower-income families.

He said the Financial Secretary has introduced measures to alleviate the burden, reiterating the Government will be cautious in handling fare-rise applications and will balance public and shareholder interests.

He said the Consumer Council will conduct price surveys and urged political parties, lawmakers, community groups and the media to do similar monitoring work.

Although it is impossible to eliminate inflation in a free market, the Government will adopt an active approach in tackling the problem, he said. More concrete measures will be outlined in his coming Policy Address. He said every measure must comply with market principles, adding he had reservations about the suggestion of offering long-term transport subsidies.

Other issues

Turning to the proposed new competition law, he said the Government has launched a public consultation and hopes a consensus will be reached on the issue soon.

On the Wage Protection Movement, he said a final review will be conducted in October, reiterating the Government will prepare for the introduction of legislation for a minimum wage if the campaign fails to yield satisfactory results.

Regarding universal suffrage, Mr Tsang said the most important task now is to finalise the arrangements for the LegCo and Chief Executive elections in 2012. The specific methods for electing the Chief Executive in 2017 and lawmakers in 2020 can be decided later.