In Brief

Probe into ex-housing chief declares powers to call witnesses

A Legislative Council select committee investigating New World China Land's employment of former housing chief Leung Chin-man yesterday stressed that it had the power to summon witnesses. Company chairman Henry Cheng Kar-shun and executive director Stewart Leung Chi-kin earlier said they were ready to attend the inquiry hearing on November 3, but added that they did not accept it had any power to compel them to do so. Asked if the inquiry would face difficulties getting the pair to testify, Lee Wing-tat, deputy chairman, said that all witnesses summonsed had to appear. The pair will be summonsed for another hearing scheduled on November 17.