In Brief

Review of education institute inquiry findings set for October

The hearing of a judicial review into the findings of the Hong Kong Institute of Education commission of inquiry will start in the Court of First Instance in October. The application was brought by the government last September, seeking a review of the inquiry's finding that former permanent secretary for education and manpower Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun improperly interfered with the academic freedom of researchers at the institute. It also calls for the findings to be quashed on the grounds that academic freedom is not a fundamental right and should not take precedence over government officials' right to freedom of expression. The government will be represented by Johnny Mok Shiu-luen SC, led by Michael Beloff QC, one of England's most senior constitutional lawyers.

Feasibility of shared rail checkpoint to be studied

The government will study the feasibility of implementing a shared checkpoint for immigration and customs facilities at West Kowloon station for the future Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng told the Legislative Council. A motion moved by Wong Ting-kwong, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, calling for the measure was blocked by pan-democrats' abstentions. Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee of the Civic Party said enforcing mainland laws at a customs point in Hong Kong would contravene the Basic Law.

Fake HK$10 coins still a problem

More than 15,700 fake HK$10 coins were found in the first three months of this year compared with the 72,550 that were found during the whole of last year, the government said. The counterfeit coins had rough finishing with blurred fonts and patterns on the surface. The Monetary Authority had no plans to stop issuing HK$10 coins as there was still a demand for them, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Chan Ka-keung said.