An independent committee, headed by Court of Final Appeal Non-permanent Judge Justice Barry Mortimer, will probe and report upon a Sai Wan Ho development in three months.

The committee, appointed by the Chief Executive, comprises Cheng Hon-kwa and senior counsel Anthony Chan as members.

The committee is working under a tight schedule and parties concerned are urged to render full co-operation.

The terms of reference of the committee are:

* to examine the procedures in approving the site classification, gross floor area exemption for the public transport terminal and bonus gross floor area for dedication of the reserved area of public passage in respect of the Sai Wan Ho building plans application, including how and under what circumstances the Building Authority's discretionary powers are exercised;

* to review and advise on whether the Building Authority's discretionary powers have been exercised properly and how the concerned departments may better perform their functions in these areas in future; and

* to submit a report with conclusions and recommendations to the Chief Executive in around three months' time.