Daily Information Bulletin - 1980s - 1983 - APR - ENG





 DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

POPULATION OF 6.2 MILLION EXPECTED BY 1991 ..................... 1

WETTEST MONTHS CAUSED BY FREQUENT BUT MINOR SIBERIAN COLD SURGES ......................................................... 2

MORE SPORT LEADERS BEING TRAINED ............................... 5

LIFE SAVING SERVICES RESUME AT NT BEACHES ...................... 4

SIX THOUSAND TONS OF CONCRETE POURED AT ACADEMY'S SITE....... 5

BALLOT FOR MARINE FISH CULTURE SITES............................ 5

NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD IN USA .......................... 6

TAI PO OPEN ROAD RUNNING CONTEST ............................... 7

NEW FIRE STATION IN SAI KUNG ................................... 7

WAN CHAI INFORMATION GUIDE PUBLISHED ........................... 8

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1983

1

POPULATION OF 6.2 MILLION EXPECTED BY 1991 ******

HONG KONG'S POPULATION IS IN 1981 TO SOME 6.2 MILLION IN

EXPECTED TO GROW FROM 5.1 MILLION 1991, AND TO 7.1 MILLION IN 2001.

the age structure OF the POPULATION is also expected to CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY.

THE POPULATION UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE WILL FALL FROM 25 PER CENT IN 1981 TO 21 PER CENT IN 2001, WHILE THE PROPORTION WHO ARE 65 AND OVER WILL INCREASE FROM SEVEN PER CENT TO 1EN PER CENT.

THE PROPORTION IN THE WORKING AGE, WHO ARE BETWEEN 15 TO 64 YEARS OF AGE, WILL HOWEVER REMAIN UNCHANGED AT ABOUT 68 PER CENT.

THIS INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN ONE OF TWO REPORTS PUT OUT BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND SOON TO BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, HONG KONG.

THE REPORT DEALING WITH POPULATION IS ENTITLED + HONG KONG POPULATIONi A 20-YEAR PROJECTION*, AND THE OTHER IS ENTITLED ♦HONG KONG LIFE TABLES*.

THE POPULATION REPORT CONTAINS THE RESULTS OF PROJECTIONS MADE BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN 1982.

APART FROM PRESENTING THE PROJECTED POPULATION BY SEX AND QUINQUENNIAL AGE GROUP FOR THE 20 YEARS FROM 1982, IT ALSO GIVES A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FERTILITY, MORTALITY AND MIGRATION TRENDS IN THE 197O»S AND OF THE ASSUMPTIONS ON WHICH THE PROJECTIONS ARE BASED.

THE +HONG KONG LIFE TABLES*, INDICATES THAT THE EXPECTATION OF LIFE OF A MALE BORN IN 1981 IS 72 YEARS AND THAT OF A FEMALE IS 78 YEARS.

♦IT PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE MEANS OF PRESENTING THE MORTALITY EXPERIENCE OF A POPULATION AT A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME. THE EXPECTATION OF LIFE AT BIRTH CALCULATED FROM A LIFE TABLE IS A USEFUL INDICATOR OF THE GENERAL STATE OF HEALTH OF THE POPULATION,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

♦THE EXPECTATION OF LIFE AT BIRTH FOR HONG KONG IS COMPARABLE TO THAT FOR DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. FURTHER IMPROVEMENT, ALTHOUGH POSSIBLE, IS BOUND TO BE SLOW,* HE ADDED.

SEPARATE LIFE TABLES FOR MALES AND FEMALES BY SINGLE YEARS OF AGE FOR THE YEARS 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996 AND 2001 ARE GIVEN IN THE REPORT.

DETAILS ON HOW THE LIFE TABLES WERE COMPILED AND A COMPARISON OF HONG KONG'S POSITION WITH THAT OF OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES ARE ALSO PRESENTED.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1983 •

2

WETTEST MONTHS CAUSED BY FREQUENT BUT MINOR SIBERIAN COLD SURGES M * *

HONG KONG’S PERSISTENTLY RAINY WEATHER IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS WAS GENERALLY CAUSED BY THE MORE MODERATE COLD AIR SURGES COMING FROM SIBERIA, TOGETHER WITH THE PERSISTENCE OF THE UPPER AIR SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW OVER SOUTH CHINA, IT WAS EXPLAINED BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY.

IN THE WINTER, HE EXPLAINED, A HIGH PRESSURE AREA OVER SIBERIA CONTINUOUSLY SENDS COOLER AIR SOUTHWARDS, CAUSING A DROP OF TEMPERATURE IN THE AREA.

WHEN AN INTENSE COOL AIR MASS FROM THE NORTH ENCOUNTERS THE WARM AND MOIST AIR FROM THE SOUTH, THERE IS A SUDDEN BUT SHORT DURATION OF DOWNPOUR. ’’AFTERWARDS THE WEATHER BECOMES FINE AND DRY DURING THE COLD SPELL,” HE SAID.

HOWEVER, IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE COLD SURGES FROM THE NORTH WERE FREQUENT BUT MINOR, AND THE UPPER AIR DISTURBANCE WERE PERSISTENT AND SLOW MOVING,” HE ADDED. AS A RESULT OF THESE UNCOMMON WEATHER FEATURES, HONG KONG EXPERIENCED TWO RECORD-BREAKING MONTHS OF RAINFALL IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH.

LAST MARCH’S RAINFALL, TOTALLING OVER 420 MM, WAS THE HEAVIEST KNOWN SINCE RECORDS WERE KEPT IN 1884, MORE THAN 100 MM ABOVE THE PREVIOUS RECORD MARCH MONTH OF 291.2 MM IN 1905. THE FEBRUARY RAINFALL FIGURE OF 241 MM WAS ALSO THE WETTEST, AND JANUARY RAINFALL OF 76.3 MM WAS THREE TIMES THE AVERAGE.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT AVERAGE MONTHLY RAINFALL FOR THESE THREE MONTHS DO NOT NORMALLY EXCEED 100 MM.

’’AND IT IS ALSO UNCOMMON TO HAVE THE WETTEST TWO MONTHS CONSECUTIVELY,” HE SAID.

AFTER MARCH, HOWEVER, FEWER COLD SURGES WILL BE COMING DOWN SOUTH FROM SIBERIA AND THE CONTINUOUS RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONFRONTATION OF COOL AND WAftM AIR MASSES WILL BECOME LESS FREQUENT, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.

HOWEVER, UNSTABLE WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH SURFACE TROUGHS OF LOW PRESSURE NEAR THE SOUTH CHINA COAST AND IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IS COMMON IN MAY AND JUNE.

’’THE TROUGHS MAY MOVE NORTH OR SOUTH OF THE COAST BRINGING HEAVY RAINS,” HE SAID.

ON THE QUESTION OF FORECASTING, HE POINTED OUT THAT COLD SURGES WERE EASY TO PREDICT, BUT FORECASTING THEIR STRENGTH AND THEIR EXACT TIME OF ARRIVAL WAS DIFFICULT. THIS WAS BECAUSE OF THE GREAT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE HIGH PRESSURE AREA IN SIBERIA AND HONG KONG AND THE EXISTENCE OF A MOUNTAI’J BARRIER IN THE NORTH OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE.

THE COLD SURGES MAY WEAKEN, OR LINGER OVER GUANGDONG PROVINCE BEFORE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG, OR MAY EVEN BE BLOCKED BY THE MOUNTAIN BARRIER, HE EXPLAINED.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1983

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MORE SPORT LEADERS BEING TRAINED

* * * *

THE TRAINING OF SPORT INSTRUCTORS AND RECREATION LEADERS IS BEING STEPPED UP THIS YEAR.

FIVE THOUSAND MORE PEOPLE WILL BE TRAINED TO BECOME COMPETENT IN THE ORGANISING AND COACHING OF SPORTS AND RECREATION, ACCORDING TO MR DICKEN YUNG, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, RECREATION AND SPORT, <JF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.

IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT’S RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HAS ORGANISED COURSES AND SEMINARS TO TRAIN 10 000 INSTRUCTORS, OFFICIALS AND LEADERS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

♦THE TRAINING SCHEME WILL EASE PRESSURE ON PRESENT RESOURCES AS THERE IS A BIG DEMAND FOR INSTRUCTORS TO HELP VOLUNTARY BODIES AND SPORTS ORGANISATIONS TO CONDUCT RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.

ACCORDING TO MR YUNG, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND SKILLS ARE AMONG THE +ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS* OF THE SERVICE’S TRAINING PROGRAMME.

BESIDES BEING A +TRAINING SCHOOL*, THE RSS REGULARLY ARRANGES SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN OCTOBER 1974, THE RSS HAS ORGANISED SOME 25 000 PROJECTS FOR THREE MILLION PEOPLE.

IN 1982 MORE THAN 574 000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN ABOUT 7 150 PROJECTS, COMPARED WITH 530 600 PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART IN 6 900 PROJECTS IN 1981.

OVER 75 PER CENT OF THE PARTICIPANTS WERE BETWEEN THE AGES OF ID AND 45, AND MOST WERE FACTORY WORKERS, YOUTHS AND OFFICE EMPLOYEES.

THE ACTIVITIES RANGED FROM ATHLETICS, HIKING AND SAILING TO DANCING, FITNESS EXERCISES AND OTHER RECREATIONAL EVENTS.

IN ADDITION, MR YUNG SAID, THE DEPARTMENT WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORTS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE OVERALL SCHEME FOR TRAINING SPORT AND RECREATION LEADERS.

THE TWO UNIVERSITIES IN HONG KONG ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE SCHEME BY OFFERING, JOINTLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT, RECREATION MANAGEMENT COURSES FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND EXPERIENCED RECREATION LEADERS.

MR YUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS AND RECREATION ON A LARGE SCALE INVOLVES EFFICIENT CO-ORDINATION AMONG

DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

♦IM A CONGESTED ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG, A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH TO COMBINE RESOURC-S FOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES U ESSENTIAL,* HE ADDED.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 198?

4

LIFE SAVING SERVICES RESUME AT NT BEACHES * * *

LIFE SAVING AND FIRST AID SERVICES RESUME TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ALL 29 GAZETTED PUBLIC BATHING BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.

THE GAZETTED BEACHES ARE ANGLER’S BEACH, APPROACH BEACH, CASAM BEACH, DRAGON BEACH, GEMINI BEACH. HOI MEI WAN, LIDO BEACH, TING KAU BEACH IN TSUEN WAN’ NEW AND OLD CAFETERIA BEACH, CASTLE PEAK BEACH AND KADOORIE BEACH IN TUEN MUN; CAMPERS BEACH, FIRST AND SECOND CLEAR WATER BAY, HAP MUN BAY, KIU TSUI, PAK SHA CHAU, SILVERSTRAND BEACH AND TRIO BEACH IN SAI KUNG; UPPER AND LOWER CHEUNG SHA BEACH, PUI 0 BEACH AND SILVERMINE BAY ON LANTAU ISLAND; HUNG SHING YEH BEACH AND LO SO SHING BEACH ON LAMMA ISLAND? KWUN YAM BEACH AND TUNG WAN BEACH AT CHEUNG CHAU; AND TUNG WAN BEACH ON MA WAN ISLAND.

LIFEGUARDS WILL BE ON DUTY AT ALL 29 BEACHES BETWEEN 9 AM AND 6 PM DAILY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID.

HOWEVER, BEACHGOERS ARE URGED TO SWIM WITHIN THE SAFE AREA OF THE GAZETTED BEACH MARKED BY BUOY LINES AND KEEP WITHIN THEIR LIMITS WHILE SWIMMING.

MEANWHILE, BEACHGOERS ARE ADVISED TO STAY OUT OF WATER AT BOTH CASTLE PEAK BAY AND ANGLER’S BEACH ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN, AS THE WATER THERE IS STILL NOT SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.

APART FROM ENJOYING SUN BATH AND BARBECUE ACTIVITIES AT THESE TWO BEACHES, BEACHGOERS MAY ALSO HIRE PLEASURE BOATS AT CASTLE PEAK BEACH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

MORE THAN 10 MILLION BEACHGOERS ENJOYED A DIP OR PLEASURE BOATING AT THE POPULAR BEACHES DURING LAST YEAR.

THE FOUR PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES AT KWAI SHING, SHA TIN, FANLING AND YUEN LONG WILL OPEN FOR AN ADDITIONAL SESSION IN THE EVENING, FROM APRIL 1.

THE OPENING HOURS OF THE KWAI SHING AND SHA TIN SWIMMING POOLS ARE BETWEEN 7 AM TO 9.15 AM? 9.45 AM TO 12 NOOK; 1 PM TO 4 PM; 4.30 PM TO 6.45 PM< AND 7.45 PM TO 10 PM.

FOR FANLING AND YUEN LONG SWIMMING POOLS, THE NEW OPENING HOURS ARE BETWEEN 7 AM TO 9.15 AM’ 9.30 AM TO 11.45 AM5 12.45 PM TO 3 PM ‘ 3.30 PM TO 5.45 PM ; AND 6.45 PM TO 9 PM.

HEATED WATER IS BEING PROVIDED CONTINUOUSLY AT THE MAIN POOL CF THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COVERED BY THE NEWLY ERECTED AIR SUPPORT STRUCTURE.

THERE HAS BEEN GOOD RESPONSE TO THE COVERED HEATED POOL AT FANLING, A3 THE AIR BUBBLE GIVES SHELTER TO THE BATHERS FROM THE CHILLY WIND DURING THE COLD WEATHER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

MORE THAN 9 000 BATHERS ENJOYED A DIP AT THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING f ">0L LAST MONTH (MARCH), COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 800 \T EACH OF THE OTHER THREE SWIMMING COMPLEXES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1983

5

SIX THOUSAND TONS OF CONCRETE POURED AT ACADEMY’S SITE ******

THOUSANDS OF TONS OF READY-MIXED CONCRETE WERE POURED TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE TEACHING BLOCK CF HONG KONG’S ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON THE WAN CHAI WATERFRONT.

SOME 2 800 CUBIC METRES OF READY-MIXED CONCRETE WERE DELIVERED TO THE SITE OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 10 HOURS USING A SHUTTLE SERVICE TOTALLING ALMOST 500 CONCRETE TRUCKS.

THE CONCRETE WAS USED TO FILL ONE MASSIVE PILE-CAP IN THE SHAPE OF A TRIANGLE WITH A 28-METRE BASE AND A LENGTH OF 40 METRES SPANNING OVER THE TWO M.T.R. TUNNELS CARRYING TRAINS BETWEEN ADMIRALTY AND TSIM SHA TSUI STATIONS.

IN TERMS OF WEIGHT THE COMPLETED PILE-CAP IS COMPARABLE WITH A 6 200-T0N FREIGHTER.

TWENTY DAYS AGO THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF CONCRETE POURED EVER IN HONG KONG WAS CARRIED OUT AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE THEATRE BLOCK, ONCE AGAIN SPANNING OVER THE M.T.R. TUNNELS.

THIS WORK REQUIRED OVER 700 READY-MIX TRUCKS TO DELIVER 4 200 CUBIC METRES OF CONCRETE.

COMMENTING ON THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK THE PROJECT MANAGER, W J. HALLIDAY, SAID THAT DESPITE THE PERSISTENT HEAVY RAIN THE PROJECT WAS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND THE SUPERSTRUCTURE WORK WOULD START IN MID-APRIL.

HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE ACADEMY WOULD OPEN FOR ITS FIRST STUDENTS IN SEPTEMBER 1985.

THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB ARE FUNDING AND MANAGING ■THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ACADEMY ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENARY OF THE CLUB.

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BALLOT FOR MARINE FISH CULTURE SITES

* * *

A GENERAL BALLOT TO DETERMINE THE ORDER FOR SELECTION OF SITES FOR MARINE FISH CULTURE IN THE 26 DESIGNATED ZONES WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (APRIL 7).

ABOUT 1 700 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR SITES IN THE ZONES TO CULTURE FISH. THE TOTAL AREA DESIGNATED FOR THIS FORM OF FISH FARMING IS 1.3 MILLION SQUARE METRES.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS ARE INVITED TO BE OBSERVERS AT THE BALLOT WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET IN FAT TSEUNG STREET, KOWLOON.

RESUL.S OF THE BALLOT WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A NUMBER OF NEWSPAPERS ON APRIL 12.

/IMMEDIATELY........

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 19»J

6

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BALLOT, SITES WILL BE ALLOCATED IN STAGES, TAKING ONE OR TWO ZONES AT A TIME.

WHEN SITE ALLOCATION STARTS IN A CERTAIN ZONE, APPLICANTS WHO HAVE CHOSEN THAT ZONE WILL BE INFORMED •N WRITI NG TO BE AN APPOINTED TIME AND PLACE, FOR THE ALLOCATION OF

PRESENT AT SITES.

THOSE OPERATORS ALLOCATED SITES WILL HAVE TO MOVE THEIR RAFTS INTO THOSE SITES WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE BALLOT FOR MARINE FISH CULTURE SITES ON APRIL 7. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET BEFORE 2.30 PM.

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NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD IN USA * * * * * *

AN OPPORTUNITY IS OPEN TO HONG KONG’S YOUNG MUSICIANS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD AT INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN, USA, FROM JUNE 26 TO AUGUST 22.

IN RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP, THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM YOUNG MUSICIANS TO JOIN THIS CAMP.

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS; MUST BE BETWEEN 14 AND 18 YEARS OLD WITH AN ATTAINED GRADE VIII (PRACTICAL) IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT.

THEY ALSO NEED TO PASS AN AUDITION TO BE ARRANGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE IN MID-APRIL TO'MEET THE CLOSING DATES SET BY THE ORGANISING BODY.

AS NOTIFIED BY THE ORGANISER, PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO PARTICIPANTS WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE.

THE MUSIC OFFICE, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF WHICH THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL TRAVEL, UNDERTAKES TO MEET THE NECESSARY EXPENSES INVOLVED.

HOWEVER, THE SELECTED CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO PLACE A SUM OF US$160 IN THE CANDIDATE’S PERSONAL ACCOUNT WITH THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP, INTERLOCHEN, TO TAKE CARE OF PERSONAL EXPENSES SUCH AS LAUNDRY, SPENDING MONEY ETC.

THE FINAL DECISION REGARDING THE SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS RESTS WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE.

APPL’CATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE HEAD OFFICE AND ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE HEAD OFFICE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13. ______0 ______

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1983

7

TAI PO OPEN ROAD RUNNING CONTEST * * *

A 9 OOO-METRE OPEN ROAD RUNNING COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND TWO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE HELD IN TAI PO ON THE LAST SUNDAY OF APRIL.

THE TWO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE COMPETITION WILL BE OPEN TO RUNNERS OF BOTH SEXES AND THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS WILL BE LIMITED TO 450. THEY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES WHICH AREi BOYS BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGEi MEN AND WOMEN AGED 18 YEARS AND ABOVEj AND GIRLS AGED ABOVE 12 YEARS.

THE RACE WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM, STARTING FROM THE MAIN DAM OF THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR.

ENTRY WILL BE FREE AND APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT ALL RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICES OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

A TOTAL OF 30 TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS AND RUNNERS UP IN THE COMPETITION.

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NEW FIRE STATION IN SAI KUNG X M

A NEW SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION WILL BE BUILT IN SAI KUNG TOWN TO COPE WITH ITS DEVELOPMENT.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

« '

THE THREE-STOREY FIRE STATION, TO BE BUILT ON A 3 856 SQUARE-METRE SITE ON HIRAM’S HIGHWAY NEAR THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, WILL BE OF STANDARD DESIGN.

IT WILL HAVE AN APPLIANCE ROOM FOR FOUR FIRE ENGINES, OFFICES, SERVICE ROOMS, A RECREATIONAL ROOM, BARRACKS AND OTHER FACILITIES.

IN ADDITION, A DRILL YARD AND A STANDARD DRILL TOWER WILL BE PROVIDED.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN MAY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1983

8

WAN CHAI INFORMATION GUIDE PUBLISHED * * * *

AN INFORMATION GUIDE ON THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED AND MAY NOW BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE.

PRODUCED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, THE 56-PAGE BILINGUAL BOOKLET IS ILLUSTRATED WITH COLOURFUL PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND MAPS.

IT ALSO CONTAINS THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND RESIDENTS’ OCCUPATION.

THE BOOKLET DIVIDED WAN CHAI INTO SIX SUB-DISTRICTS - WAN CHAI WEST, WAN CHAI EAST, CAUSEWAY BAY NORTH, CAUSEWAY BAY SOUTH, HAPPY VALLEY AND TAI HANG/SO KON PO - AND CONTAINED DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH OF THE SUB-DISTRICT’S POPULATION, SIZE, BOUNDARY AND PROMINENT FEATURES.

OTHER INFORMATION ON THE DISTRICT’S TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, FACILITIES AND SERVICES AVAILABLE, AND LOCAL ATTRACTIONS ARE ALSO INCLUDED.

ABOUT 13 500 COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM TO FURTHER IMPROVE SERVICE................. 1

FREE RECRUITMENT SERVICE OFFERED.............................   2

MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR MATRICULANTS ........................... 3

WORKING GROUP TO STUDY WAN CHAI'S OLD PEOPLE..................  3

FIRST NT VENUE FOR RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CARS ................ 4

CHILDREN'S DAY GALA CONCERT AT LANDMARK........................ 5

NEW TRAFFIC SCHEME IN ABERDEEN ................................ 5

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG............................ 7

SATURDAY, APRIL U, 1983

1

NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM TO FURTHER IMPROVE SERVICE

* * * *

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IS NOW IMPLEMENTING THE FINAL PHASE OF A SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER PROJECT TO COPE WITH ITS INCREASING WORKLOAD AND TO IMPROVE FURTHER ITS STANDARD OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE NEW S4.3-MILLI0N COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE A CENTRALISED AND AUTOMATED INDEX FOR RETRIEVAL OF ALL TRAVEL DOCUMENT, VISA AND INVESTIGATION RECORDS KEPT IN THE DEPARTMENT.

IT CAN RETRIEVE IN FIVE SECONDS THE COMPLETE RECORD OF ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS APPLIED FOR OR HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH A VISA, PASSPORT OR OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.

♦THIS QUICK AND ACCURATE RETRIEVAL CAPABILITY WILL FURTHER li”ROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S RECORD-KEEPING AND RECORD-CHECKING SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE STANDARD OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.^ MR LEE MAN-CHEE, CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER, SAID.

THE NEW SYSTEM, KNOWN AS THE COMPUTER INDEXING (CINDEX) SYSTEM, WILL STORE OVER FIVE MILLION NAME RECORDS WHEN IT IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED BY MAY THIS YEAR.

WITH TWO TO THREE ADDITIONAL DATA STORAGE DEVICES, THE STORAGE CAPACITY OF CINDEX CAN BE INCREASED TO 10 MILLION RECORDS, LARGE ENOUGH TO COPE WITH THE ANTICIPATED INTAKE OF NEW RECORDS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THE CINDEX COMPUTER, WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN JUNE 1982 AT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S NEW HEADQUARTERS, BEGAN OPERATION IN NOVEMBER 1982, REPLACING THE FIVE-YEAR-OLD IMMIGRATION MICROFILM INDEXING (IMDEX) SYSTEM WITH A CAPACITY OF 3.5 MILLION RECORDS.

♦APART FROM ITS LARGER STORAGE CAPACITY, CINDEX CAN RESPOND MUCH MORE QUICKLY THAN IMDEX TO CHECKS AND ENQUIRIES FROM OUR DOCUMENTS DIVISION, VISA CONTROL DIVISION, INVESTIGATION DIVISION, CONTROL POINTS AND EVEN OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,♦ W LEE POINTED OUT.

♦AND THE NEW SYSTEM IS A FAR CRY FROM THE MANUAL INDEXING SYSTEM USED IN THE PAST. TO PUT TOGETHER A COMPLETE RECORD OF A PERSON IN THOSE DAYS, WE HAD TO CHECK WITH VARIOUS SECTIONS WHICH MAINTAINED THEIR OWN I ND ICES,+ MR LEE RECALLED.

THE NEW SYSTEM CAN ALSO RETRIEVE RECORDS BY CHINESE COMMERCIAL CODE OR IDENTITY CARD NUMBER SO THAT RECORD CHECKS CAN BE MADE EVEN WITH INCORRECT OR INCOMPLETE NAMES SUPPLIED, W LEE EXPLAINED.

THIS SOPHISTICATED FEATURE, HE ADDED, IS OF GREAT HELP TO THOSE HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHILE ABROAD.

THEY ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT THEIR LOSS TO THE NEAREST BRITISH VISA POST. BEFORE THE ViSA POST CAN ISSUE ’' '

A TEMPORARY OR REPLACEMENT TRAVEL DOCUMENT, IT WILL REFER THEIR CASES TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR PARTICULARS O'. THE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR PREV’OJt TRAVEL DOCUMENT’,

2

<N THE PAST. IT WOULD TAKE MUCH MORE EFFORT AND LONGER TIME TO TRACE THE RECORDS.

LAST YEAR. 588 PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG LOST THEIR TRAVEL °f?ERS OVERSEAS.

THE CINDEX SYSTEM CAN NORMALLY HANDLE 10 000 TO 16 000 RANSACTIONS A DAY, AND ITS CAPACITY CAN BE EXPANDED TO 20 000 TRANSACTIONS WITH A SMALL INCREASE IN STAFF.

THIS FLEXIBLE CAPACITY ENABLES THE DEPARTMENT TO COPE WITH UNEXPECTED FLUCTUATIONS OF WORKLOAD WITHOUT AFFECTING ITS EFFICIENCY.

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FREE RECRUITMENT SERVICE OFFERED *****

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF OR BUSINESS EXECUTIVES?

IF YOU ARE, WHY NOT MAKE USE OF THE FREE SERVICE OFFERED BY THE +SPECIAL REGISTER* UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE UNIT HAD BEEN HELPING BOTH EMPLOYERS IN RECRUITING PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND JOB-SEEKERS WITH UNIVERSITY OR POSTSECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT.

FOR THIS SPECIAL SERVICE, THE UNIT OPERATES TWO BRANCH CFFICES — ONE AT 4 HENNESSY ROAD, SINCERE INSURANCE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR (TELEPHONE FOR ENQUIRIES! 5-282039), AND THE OTHER IN CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR (TELEPHONE FOR ENQUIRIES! 3-695528).

THE UNIT KEEPS A RECORD OF JOB-SEEKERS WITH POST-SECONDARY OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EACH MONTH SENDS OUT BY POST A LIST OF SOME OF THE REGISTRANTS TO EMPLOYERS, SPELLING OUT THE REGISTRANTS’ EDUCATIONAL -STANDARDS, WORKING EXPERIENCES, POSITIONS AND SALARIES WANTED, ETC.

THE REGISTER ALSO KEEPS A LIST OF PROFESSIONAL AND EXECUTIVE VACANCIES NOTIFIED BY EMPLOYERS.

+AN EMPLOYER LOOKING FOR AN ENGINEER, AN ACCOUNTANT, A TEACHER OR A BUSINESS EXECUTIVE CAN LOOK UP THE LIST AND LET US KNOW THE TYPE OF CANDIDATE HE WANTS. IF HE CANNOT FIND A SUITABLE CANDIDATE, HE MAY ALSO INFORM US AND WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO HELP,* HE ADDED.

AFTER BEING INFORMED BY AN EMPLOYER, THE SPOKESMAN SA ID, THE UNIT WILL ARRANGE FOR SUITABLE CANDIDATES TO BE INTERVIEWED BY THE EMPLOYER, THUS SAVING THE LATTER THE TROUBLE IN MAKING PRELIMINARY SELECTIONS.

LAST YEAR, OVER 220 PEOPLE OBTAINED PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE UNIT.

------0-------

/3......

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1983

MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR MATRICULANTS * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET ASIDE MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR NEEDY STUDENTS AIMING TO PURSUE FULL-TIME MATRICULATION COURSES.

THE GRANT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT $600 PER ANNUM PER STUDENT, AND AIMS TO HELP NEEDY STUDENTS WHO WISH TO CONTINUc WITH iHEIP ADVANCED LEVEL OR HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATIONS STUDIES, A SPOKESHA.. FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.

NEEDY STUDENTS NOW STUDYING IN FORM/MIDDLE FIVE OR FORM SI' WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT CAN OBTAIN THE FORMS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTI( 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, ROOM 1522, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, HONG KONG FROM JUNE 1.

FOR STUDENTS NOW STUDYING IN FORM/MIDDLE FIVE, THE FORMS MUST BE RETURNED THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO JHE SECRETARY, MAINTENANCE GRANTS COMMITTEE, NOT LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION RESULTS.

STUDENTS IN FORM SIX AND PROMOTING TO FORM SEVEN MUST RETURN THE APPLICATION FORMS THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO THE COMMITTEE’S SECRETARY NOT LATER THAN JULY 23.

♦GRANTS ARE AWARDED ON A YEARLY BASIS AND RENEWAL IS NOT AUTOMATIC. IF A RECIPIENT IN FORM SIX WISHES TO BE CONSIDERt„ FORVGRANT ON 5r3mOTION TO FORM SEVEN, HE MUST APPLY AGAIN,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

STUDENTS IN FORM SIX WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING GRANTS IN THF CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR GRAMS Sable THEM TO COMPLETE THE ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION COURSE IN 1983/84, ME SAID.

GRANTS WILL BE PAID THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS AT THE END 10 MONTHS IN THE YEAR, AND THERE

OF EACH MONTH IN ARREARS FOR WILL BE NO PAYMENTS FOR JULY

AND AUGUST.

-----0------

WORKING GROUP TO

STUDY WAN CHAI’S OLD PEOPLE ******

A +CONCERN FOR THE AGED+ WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN SET U. WAN CHAI THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS BUILDING COMMITTEE.

ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE TO IDENTIFY THE NEEDS OF ELDERLY, ASSESS THE EXISTING SERVICES, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATI TO THE BOARD ON THE FUTURE PLANNING AND PROVISION ' FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DI^TFICT.

/THS GHO'JP .........

SATOHDaY, abxlIL d, U<

- 4 -

THE GROUP IS CHAIRED BT AN UNOFFICIAL BOARD MEMBER, MR NG SAI-YING, WITH FOUR OTHER DB MEMBERS AND THE ASSISTANT DI STR IC CFFiCER, MR FRANCIS HO, AS MEMBERS.

MR NG SAID THE GROUP WOULD ALSO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY 'F TAPPING THE RESOURCES OF THE ELDERLY SO THAT THEY COULD CONTRIi £A’. INGFULLY TO THE SOCIETY DESPITE THEIR OLD AGE.

FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, HE SAID, THE GROUP WOULD CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH ON AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS, AND A SURVEY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT AND THEIR NEEDS.

A REPORT ON THE SURVEY WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE 3Y SEPTEMBER 1983.

♦WE WELCOME OUTSIDE REPRESENTATION TO BE CO-OPTED INTO THE WORKING GROUP, SPECIALLY THOSE HAVING THE EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE,♦ *R NG SAID.

♦OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED FOR ThEiR VIEWS AND ADV ICE,♦ HE ADDED.

-----0------

FIRST NT VENUE FOR RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CARS ft ft ft ft

RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CAR ENTHUSIASTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL HAVE THEIR FIRST PROPER VENUE FOR PRACTISING EVERY SUNDAY MORNING STARTING FROM TOMORROW (APRIL 3).

TAI HING TEMPORARY SOCCER PITCH NEAR TAI HING ESTATE II TUEN MUN HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR USE BY RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CARS AS THE HOBBY BECOMES MORE AND MORE POPULAR IN HONG KONG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.

THE HARD-SURFACE SOCCER*PITCH WILL BE RESERVED EXCLUSIVELY *0R RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CAR ACTIVITIES BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 EVERY SUNDAY MORNING DURING THE NEXT SIX MONTHS ON A TRIAL i »S, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

NO ADMISSION FEES WILL BE CHARGED.

RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL CAR ENTHUSIASTS WILL BE ALLOWED r PLACE SMALL OBSTACLES AT THE SOCCER PITCH DURING THEIR PRACTICES

HOWEVER, THEY ARE URGED TO KEEP THE PITCH AS CLEAN AS L THEY FOUND IT.

IF PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THIS PILOT SCHEME IS ENCOURAGING, NTSD MAY CONSIDER DESIGNATING MORE VENUES IN THE NEW TERR FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

o --------

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1983

5

CHILDREN’S DAY GALA CONCERT AT LANDMARK * ft ft ft *

TO CELEBRATE CHILDREN’S DAY, THE MUSIC OFFiCE OF THt REcRtATION e,ND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG LAND GROUP WILL JOINTLY PRESENT A CHILDREN’S DAY GALA CONCERT ON EASTER MONDAY (APRIL v) T 3 PM AT THE LANDMARK IN CENTRAL.

THIS CONCERT WILL FEATURE BAND MUSIC BY THE CHILDREN’S ''•ARCH INC BAND OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND A NUMBER OF INSTRUMENTAL ITEMS SUCH AS ER-HU AND PI-PA SOLOS, Dl-ZI TRIO, SHENG TUTT I, VIOLIN DUO, STRING QUARTET AND PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE TO BE PERFORMED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE’S OUTSTANDING INSTRUMENTAL TRAINEES. THE LING HOI ACADEMY u. ivt a uuia pR0V|DE CHILDREN DANCES ON THIS HAPPY OCCASION.

CF ARTS WILL ALSO

ADMISSION TO CALL 5-283257.

THE CONCERT WILL BE FREE. FOR ENQUIRES, PLEASE

------0-------

NEW TRAFFIC SCHEME IN ABERDEEN ft ft ft ft ft

NEW MEASURES TO EASE TRAFFIC FLOW IN ABERDEEN WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 4).

UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, TRAFFIC ON WU PAK STREET WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND WHILE TRAFFIC ON TUNG SING ROAD BETWEEN WU NAM STREET AND SAI ON STREET WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.

TUNG SING ROAD BETWEEN WU NAM STREET AND LOK YEUNG STREET WILL BE OPEN TO FRANCHISED BUSES ONLY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.

BUT THE EXISTING BUS-ONLY LANE ON SAI ON STREET WILL BE RESCINDED.

WU PAK STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES 24 HOURS DAILY.

IN ADDITION, CHENGTU ROAD WESTBOUND AND WU PAK STREET BETWEEN ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD AND TUNG SING ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAYS WHERE VEHICLES WILL MOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.

THE BUS TERMINI FOR CMB NOS. 70 AND 77 WILL BE RELOCATED f-RJM SAI ON STREET TO TUNG SING ROAD.

LOK YEUNG STREET

’ S±i^MINUS

2

3 muTING

ABERDEEN (^Sh~efff

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1983

7

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG ft * * ft ft

THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWUN TONG ROAD BETWEENJJONG !’aM T0*6 AMDON°MONDAY (APRIL 4) FOR WORK ON A FOOTBRIDGE.

ROAD DURING THE CLOSURE.

-----o-----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

SUNDAY, APRIL J, 198}

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG’S JANUARY EXTERNAL TRADE ...................... 1

HONG KONG’S MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH TO WASTE DISPOSAL .... 5

UPDATED HK DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE INDEX EXPLAINED ......... 7

REMINDER ON TAX PAYMENTS................................. 8

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR WAN CHAI ........... 8

30 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED .............................. 9

DISTRICT BOARD TO SUPPORT CHILDREN ACTIVITIES .......... 10

SMOKING CONTROL POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION .............. 11

ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN NT .................. 12

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL... 13

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1983

1

HONG KONG'SJANUARY EXTERNAL TRADE * * * *

TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY 1983, VALUED AT $21 695 MILLION, INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT OVER JANUARY 1982, ACCORDING TO TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY THREE PER CENT TO $6 439 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 15 PER CENT TO 111 537 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 12 PER CENT TO S3 718 MILLION. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF SIX PER CENT.

THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE AS FOLLOWSt-

JAN. 1983 ($ MN) JAN. 1982 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ mn) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

U.S.A. 2 536 2 206 ♦330 ♦15

F.R. OF GERMANY 548 545 ♦ 3 ♦ 1

U.K. 437 566 -129 -23

CHINA 352 293 ♦ 59 ♦20

JAPAN 230 229 + 1 insignificant

CANADA 219 166 ♦ 53 ♦32

AUSTRALIA 188 284 - 96 -34

SINGAPORE 161 142 + 19 ♦14

NETHERLANDS 136 140 - 4 - 3

SWITZERLAND 118 118

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING ROSE BY 15 PER CENT. (BY $143 MILLION OR SUBSTANTIAL 17 PER

CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $107 MILLION OR 91 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY S71 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $63 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY |8 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT).

MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN VALUE, INCLUDING CLOTHING (BY $11 MILLION OR THREE PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $3 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT). HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT DECREASED BY $4 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT.

/DECREASES IN .......

SUNDAY, APRIL J, 198?

2

DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $85 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $13 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT).

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA OF TEXTILES (BY $30 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT), AS WELL AS FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS (EXCLUDING UNMILLED CEREALS) (BY $21 MILLION OR 2 313 PER CENT) AND IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $9 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT).

THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION ARE PRESENTED BELOWi-

JAN. 1983 ($ MN) JAN. 1982 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2 261 2 279 - 18 - 1

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 938 1 059 -121 -11

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 628 537 + 91 +17

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 523 460 ♦ 63 ♦ 14

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 430 433 - 3 - 1

TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 418 391 ♦ 27 ♦ 7

THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR AS FOLLOWSi-

SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED

/JAN. 1983 ........

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1983

INCREASE/

JAN. 1983 JAN. 1982 ( MM DECREASE (S MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

rlNJ

CHINA 2 964 2 371 +593 +25

JAPAN 2 340 1 913 +427 +22

U.S.A. 1 206 1 127 + 79 ♦ 7

TAIWAN 858 775 ♦ 83 ♦ 11

SINGAPORE 723 768 - 44 - 6

U.K. 565 492 ♦ 73 +15

F.R. OF GERMANY 311 242 + 69 ♦29

REPUBLIC OF KOREA 296 379 - 83 -22

(SOUTH KOREA)

SWITZERLAND 206 171 ♦ 35 +20

AUSTRALIA 178 152 + 26 +18

LOCAL DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY $114 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $57 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT), OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $54 MILLION OR 636 PER CENT) AND VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $40 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT).

AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE NOTED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $101 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT) AS WELL AS IRON AND STEEL (BY $67 MILLION OR 75 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $29 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT), NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES, N.E.S. (BY $10 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT).

INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. WERE MOSTLY OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY 064 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ARTIFICAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $9 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS CF TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $18 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT), VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $10 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT) AND PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMIPRECIOUS STONES UNWORKED OR WORKED (BY $8 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).

INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE CF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $12 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT) AND IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN CF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY 344 MILLION CR 49 PER CENT). IMPORTS CF TEXTILES FROM TAIWAN DECLINED (BY $34 MILLION CR 11 PER CENT).

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTION:-

/JAN. 1983

SUNDAY, APRIL J, 198?

- 4 * i

JAN. 1983 ($ MN) JAN. 1982 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (S MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 2 910 2 720 *190 ♦ 7

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 2 507 2 134 +372 *17

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 1 999 1 572 +427 +27

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 1 514 1 253 ♦260 +21

MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 938 970 - 32 - 3

CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 868 661 ♦208 ♦31

INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA (BY $126 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (BY $100 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (BY $99 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT), MACAU (BY $37 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT), MALAYSIA, WEST (BY $36 MILLION OR 83 PER CENT), VIETNAM (BY $35 MILLION OR 160 PER CENT), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $34 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT), AND SAUDI ARABIA (BY $32 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT).

MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING CLOTHING (BY $96 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $42 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $41 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $41 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY $154 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT), NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $38 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT) AND MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $23 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT).

THE JANUARY 1983 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY* WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$5 PER COPY.

A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, + HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN JANUARY, WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY APRIL 1983 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HKS10 PER COPY.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. t 5-214375).

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1983 5 -

HONG KONG’S MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH TO WASTE DISPOSAL *****

THE GOVERNMENT IS EXPANDING ITS REFUSE DISPOSAL FACILITIES TO COPE WITH THE GROWING QUANTITIES OF WASTE BEING PRODUCED DAILY IN HONG KONG.

POTENTIAL SITES FOR NEW LONG-TERM WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES ARE BEING EXAMINED, ACCORDING TO MR RICHARD HOARE, THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WASTE MANAGEMENT).

THE NEED FOR SPECIAL WASTE DISPOSAL PLANTS IS ALSO BEING CONSIDERED TO DEAL WITH TOXIC WASTE AND ACIDIC AND ALKALINE WASTE WHICH ARE BEING PRODUCED IN INCREASING QUANTITIES BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S RAPID INDUSTRIALISATION.

MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE GENERATED EACH DAY TOTAL SOME 6 500 TONNES, OR 1.25 KILOGRAMMES PER HEAD OF POPULATION. THE VOLUME OF REFUSE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 10 000 TONNES A DAY BY THE END OF THE DECADE, MUCH OF WHICH WILL ARISE FROM INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES.

WHILE THE PRESENT PER CAPITA FIGURE IS LOWER THAN IN SUCH INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES AS JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES AND MOST OF EUROPE, COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF HONG KONG’S REFUSE DAY AFTER DAY IS AN IMMENSE TASK WHICH COSTS THE GOVERNMENT 1500 MILLION A YEAR. WITH THE INCREASING DIFFICULTY IN FINDING ACCEPTABLE SITES CLOSE TO THE URBAN AREAS AND WITH THE HIGH STANDARDS OF DISPOSAL NOW EXPECTED BY THE COMMUNITY, THESE COSTS ARE LIKELY TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, MR HOARE SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP A SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER-BASED WASTE DISPOSAL PLANNING MODEL WHICH SHOULD BE READY IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, MR HOARE DISCLOSED.

+THE MODEL WILL ASSIST US IN ENSURING THAT AS THE PROBLEMS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG BECOME MORE AND MORE COMPLEX, THE SERVICE REMAINS EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE,* HE EXPLAINED.

AT THE SAME TIME, A STUDY HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED ON THE PRESENT CONTRIBUTION BEING MADE BY THE RECYCLING OF WASTE. A REPORT ON THE RESEARCH OUTLINING THE EXISTING RECYCLING METHODS AND EXPLORING NEW APPROACHES WILL BE COMPLETED THIS MONTH, MR HOARE SAID.

HE ALSO COMMENDED THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE RECYCLING OF WASTE.

♦UNLIKE OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE RECYCLING INVOLVES LARGE CAPITAL-INTENSIVE PLANTS AND HEAVY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY, IN HONG KONG THE OPERATIONS, THOUGH LABOUR-INTENSIVE, ARE HIGHLY COST EFFECTIVE. EXPORT OF RECYCLED WASTE PRODUCTS EARNS SOME $669 MILLION EACH YEAR,* HE POINTED OUT.

/+AU.0CT ...........

SUhvnX, KT.-XlL 5, 1983

- 6

♦ALMOST ALL DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL SOLID WASTE IS MANUALLY HANDLED AT SOURCE. THIS METHOD PROVIDES A HIGHLY EFFICIENT MEANS CF INSPECTION AND EXTRACTION OF MATERIAL FOR RECYCLING,* HE ADDED.

AT PRESENT ABOUT 65 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DAILY SOLID WASTE IS DISPOSED OF AT FOUR CONTROLLED TIPS, AND SOME 35 PER CENT AT THREE INCINERATORS LOCATED IN KWAI CHUNG, KENNEDY TOWN AND LAI CHI KOK. INCINERATION OF REFUSE IN THE DENSELY DEVELOPED URBAN AREAS IS CONSIDERED LESS DESIRABLE BECAUSE OF ASSOCIATED POLLUTION PROBLEMS, MR HOARE SAID.

FOR THIS REASON, HE SAID, IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT ANY MORE INCINERATORS WILL BE BUILT WITHIN THE URBAN AREA WHILE ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS ARE PRESENTLY BEING INSTALLED AT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR TO CUT EMISSION OF POLLUTANTS TO THE MINIMUM. THE KWAI CHUNG PLANT, THE LAST OF THE THREE TO BE COMPLETED IN 1979, WAS FITTED WITH PRECIPITATORS BEFORE COMMISSIONING.

CONTROLLED TIPPING IS THE MOST FLEXIBLE METHOD OF DISPOSAL AS ITS DAILY CAPACITY CAN BE ADJUSTED TO MEET ANY FLUCTUATING NEEDS, HE SAID. EVERY DAY, SOME 4 OOO TONNES OF WASTE IS DUMPED AT THE FOUR CONTROLLED TIPS IN MA YAU TONG, JUNK BAY, SIU LANG SHU I AND SHUEN WAN.

THE TIP AT JUNK BAY, IN OPERATION SINCE 1979, IS AMONG THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD, MR HOARE POINTED OUT. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A MODERN STEEL-WHEEL COMPACTOR WHICH CAN CHOP UP BULKY WASTE, THUS MAKING IT MORE COMPACT. TO EXTEND ITS *LIFE EXPECTANCY*, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO DEVELOP THE SECOND STAGE OF THE JUNK BAY TIP, WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF SIX TO TEN MILLION CUBIC METRES, LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE TIP TO FUNCTION TILL 1989. THE PRESENT CAPACITY OF FOUR MILLION CUBIC METRES FOR THE STAGE-ONE TIP AT THE SITE WILL BE EXHAUSTED BY 1985.

♦WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING INTO NEW TECHNOLOGY AND NEW IDEAS IN WASTE MANAGEMENT. NEW DISPOSAL FACILITIES WILL BE CAREFULLY ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL, COST AND OTHER CRITERIA,* HE SAID. HE CITED AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPOSTING PLANT IN CHAI WAN WHERE WASTES ARE BEING DISPOSED OF TO DETERMINE WHETHER REFUSE COMPOSTING IS SUITED TO HONG KONG.

♦COMPOSTING IS A PROCESS OF CONVERTING ORGANIC CONTENT IN THE WASTE INTO AN INOFFENSIVE PRODUCT FOR BENEFICIAL USES.

♦IT IS VITAL THAT A MARKET IS ESTABLISHED FOR THE COMPOST IN ORDER THAT WE CAN MAKE THE BEST ADVANTAGE OF THE PROCESS WHICH COULD HAVE A CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TO HONG KONG’S WASTE DISPOSAL NEEDS,+ MR HOARE SAID.

------0 ------

/7........

Gdi’il/M-. > At'AjLu , ^9C'3 - 7 -

UPDATED HK DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE INDEX EXPLAINED

******

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS REVISED THE WEIGHTS USED IN THE CALCULATION OF THE TRADE-WEIGHTED EXCHANGE RATE INDEX FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.

THE NEW WEIGHTS NOW REFLECT THE PATTERN OF HONG KONG’S VISIBLE TRADE IN 1981, WHEREAS THE OLD WEIGHTING SYSTEM WAS DERIVED FROM HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN 1972.

THE INDEX CONTINUES TO USE EXCHANGE RATES PREVAILING ON DECEMBER 18, 1971 AS 100 WHEN THE SMITHSONIAN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED.

A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ENTITLED +UPDATING THE TRADE WEIGHTS FOR THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR* APPEARS IN THE JANUARY 1983 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS, WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SOON.

THE ARTICLE EXPLAINS THE PURPOSE OF COMPILING THE INDEX, AND GIVES DETAILS OF THE WEIGHTING SYSTEM, THE METHOD OF COMPILATION, THE EFFECT OF UPDATING THE TRADE WEIGHTS, AND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE INDEX.

THE UPDATING OF THE TRADE WEIGHTS SEEMS TO HAVE A MODERATE EFFECT ON THE OVERALL TRADE-WEIGHTED AND THE IMPORT-WEIGHTED INDEXES, AND A GREATER EFFECT ON THE EXPORT-WEIGHTED INDEX. FOR INSTANCE ON JANUARY 3, 1983^ THE OVERALL INDEX, CALCULATED WITH THE 1981 TRADE WEIGHTS, STOOD AT 79.3, WITH THE IMPORT-WEIGHTED INDEX AT 77.1 AND THE EXPORT-WEIGHTED INDEX AT 82.6. WITH THE OLD 1972 WEIGHTS, THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES WERE 79.8, 79.5 AND 84.2 RESPECTIVELY.

THE NEW OVERALL TRADE-WEIGHTED AND EXPORT-WEIGHTED INDEXES WERE LOWER BECAUSE SOME CURRENCIES WITH INCREASED WEIGHTS (E.G. THE RENMINBI) HAD APPRECIATED MORE AGAINST THE HONG KONG DOLLAR THAN OTHER CURRENCIES WITH DECREASED WEIGHTS (E.G. THE POUND STERLING) WHEN COMPARED WITH THE BASE DATE.

THERE IS NO IMPLICATION, HOWEVER, THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAS SUDDENLY DEPRECIATED BY THE AMOUNT OF THE DIFFERENCE.

IN THE NEW SET OF TRADE WEIGHTS, THE SHARE OF THE RENMINBI AMONG THE 15 CURRENCIES HAS INCREASED TO 18 PER CENT FROM 11 PER CENT. HOWEVER, IT IS NOTED THAT PART OF THE INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF TRADE BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE EXPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND/OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO CHINA FOR FURTHER PROCESSING WORK AFTER ’ WHICH THEY ARE IMPORTED BACK INTO HONG KONG.

THE WEIGHT ATTACHED TO RENMINBI MAY BE OVERSTATED TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH PROCESSING TRADE MAY LEAD TO DOUBLE COUNTING AT LEAST IN PART, OF SOME OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA.

FURTHER DETAILS ON UPDATING THE EFFECTIVE (TRADE-WEIGHTED) EXCHANGE RATE INDEX FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ARE CONTAINED IN THE ' REVIEW ARTICLE.

THE DIGEST OF STATISTICS MAY BE PURCHASED SHORTLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG A7 $25 A COPY.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1983

8

REMINDER ON TAX PAYMENTS M K * M

TAXPAYERS ARE URGED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE TO CHECK THEIR DEMAND NOTES TO ENSURE THAT THE TAX DUE IS PAID ON OR BEFORE THE DUE DATE.

TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE PAID THE FIRST INSTALMENT EARLIER SHOULD NOW CHECK THEIR DEMAND NOTES AND ENSURE THAT THE SECOND INSTALMENT IS PAID ON OR BEFORE THE DATE STIPULATED, HE POINTED OUT.

PAYMENTS MAY BE MADE AT THE FOLLOWING COLLECTION OFFICESi-

HONG KONG - WINDSOR HOUSE, 3RD FLOOR, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

KOWLOON - PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.

TSUEN WAN - FOU WAH CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, N.T.

PAYMENTS MAY ALSO BE MADE BY POSTING A CROSSED CHEQUE, IN FAVOUR OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE DEMAND NOTE TOi

THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE,

G.P.O. BOX 132, HONG KONG.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR WAN CHAI * * H H M

THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL LAUNCH A +STREET MANAGEMENT* PILOT SCHEME TO IMPROVE STREETS WITH LONGSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE WAN CHAI ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER. Ml FRANCIS HO, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS KEEN TO TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY BECAUSE SUCH PROBLEMS lENDED TO AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

HE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT MANY STREETS IN WAN CHAI WERE IN GENERAL NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED OR MANAGED. ♦AS A RESULT, MANY OF THESE STREETS ARE FREQUENTLY OBSTRUCTED BY ILLEGAL HAWKERS, ILLEGAL PARKING, AND GOODS AND ARTICLES BELONGING TO SHOP AND COOKED-FOOD STALL OPERATORS,* HE SAID.

♦THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHa DISTRICT BOARD HAS THUS PROPOSED THAT A TRIaL SCHEME Bi CARRIED OUT IN SELECTED AREAS WHERE THE SITUATION IS PARTICULARLY BAD.*

♦UNDER THE SCHEME, THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL CO-ORDINATE JOINT INTER-DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS AND IMPROVE THE PARKING PROBLEM IN THESE TARGET AREAS.*

/A SSC2ICH .......

SUNDAY, APRIL J, 1983

9

A SECTION OF JOHNSTON ROAD BETWEEN LUARD AND O’BRIEN ROADS — A PROMINENT EYESORE IN THE DISTRICT — WILL BE THE SPOT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PILOT EXERCISE TO BE CARRIED OUT NEXT MONTH.

THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE, MRS PEGGY LAM SAIDi +AFTER A SITE VISIT TO ALL LOCATIONS RECOMMENDED, THE COMMITTEE BELIEVED THAT JOHNSTON ROAD SHOULD DESERVE TOP PRIORITY AS THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME WILL BENEFIT MOST PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.

♦IT IS HOPED THAT A COMPREHENSIVE STREET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME CAN THEN BE PLANNED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE TO BE GAINED FROM THIS PILOT EXERCISE,* SHE ADDED.

------0-------

30 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED * * *

THIRTY NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT THIS FEBRUARY, COMPARED WITH 64 IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.

OF THESE NEW PLANS, 14 WERE FOR NEW BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THREE FOR KOWLOON, AND 13 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE BUILDINGS INCLUDE A CINEMA IN SOY STREET AND A SEA-SCOUT ACTIVITIES CENTRE IN SAI KUNG.

THE DECLARED COST OF ALL THE NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS $582 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $723.7 MILLION IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.

THE USABLE FLOOR AREA OF THE NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED TOTALLED 235 253.8 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 191 396.5 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC AND 43 855.3 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

IN THE SAME MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 34 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, INCLUDING A LANDSCAPED GARDEN AND UNDERGROUND CARPARKS IN ELECTRIC ROAD, A CARGO SHIPPING TERMINAL IN KENNEDY TOWN, A SQUASH COURT IN KAI TAK AIRPORT, A SCHOOL IN CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, AN ELECTRICITY SUBSTATION IN HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR POK 01 HOSPITAL.

ALTOGETHER, 46 OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR NEWLY-COMPLETED BUILDINGS IN FEBRUARY, INCLUDING A SCHOOL ’IN HAU TEMPLE ROAD AND AN ELECTRICITY SUBSTATION IN LUNt CHEJNG r AD.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT FC- 33 BUILDINGS TO BE DEMOLISHED.

------0-------


SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1983 '

10

DISTRICT BOARD TO SUPPORT CHILDREN ACTIVITIES ******

THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL SPEND S315 000 TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL CHILDREN IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

♦THESE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE TRAINING COURSES FOR BALLET DANCING, DRAWING, CALLIGRAPHY, ORIENTAL DANCING, CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PLAYING AND THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR,♦ THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YAU 01 CHILDREN DAY AT YAU 01 ESTATE, HE SAID THESE GROUP ACTIVITIES MIGHT HELP STIMULATE LOCAL CHILDREN’S INTERESTS TO DEVELOP HEALTHY HOBBIES, AS WELL AS TO INJECT A SENSE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

I HOPE THEY WILL ALL BECOME CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS AND BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY IN FUTURE,+ HE SAID.

MR FUNG ALSO NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS WATCHING CLOSELY PROBLEMS CONCERNING LOCAL CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY IN PROVIDING THEM WITH FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION.

IN EVERY NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, UNITS ARE ALWAYS RESERVED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CHILD CARE CENTRES, KINDERGARTENS AND SCHOOLS FOR THEIR CONVENIENCE.

TAKE ON TING AND YAU 01 ESTATES FOR EXAMPLES,♦ HE SAID, ♦THE GOVERNMENT RESPONDED QUICKLY TO THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES BY BUILDING TWO MORE PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AND PLANNING TO CONVERT THE COVERED PLAYGROUNDS IN FOUR PRIMARY SCHOOLS INTO TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS TO COPE WITH THE URGENT NEED,+ l£ SAID.

MR FUNG ADDED THAT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WERE ALSO AVAILABLE IN EVERY HOUSING ESTATES FOR CHILDREN.

SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, TODAY’S EVENT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OF YAU 01 ESTATE, PENINSULA JAYCEES AND THE YAU 01 ESTATE OFFICE.

MORE THAN 5 000 PARENTS AND CHILDREN ENJOYED THEMSELVES WITH AN ENTERTAINING PROGRAMME INCLUDING BAND PERFORMANCES, MAGIC SHOWS, CHILDREN TELEMATCH AND SINGING, AS WELL AS PERFORMANCES BY TELEVISION ARTISTS.

0 --------

/11

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1983

11

SMOKING CONTROL POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION

******

THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN A +SMOKING CONTROL* POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION.

THE COMPETITION IS AIMED AT MAKING THE COMMUNITY AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING, ENCOURAGING SMOKERS TO STOP SMOKING, DISCOURAGING NON-SMOKERS FROM SMOKING AND AT PROMOTING THE RIGHTS OF NON-SMOKERS TO A SMOKE-FREE ATMOSPHERE.

THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO JUNIOR AND SENIOR DIVISIONS TO CATER FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS RESPECTIVELY. NO ENTRY FEE IS REQUIRED.

A STUDENT MAY SUBMIT ANY NUMBER OF DESIGNS WHICH MUST CONFORM TO THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ORGANISATION A2 SIZE OF 420 MM X 594 MM.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BEAR ON THE BACK IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH THE NAME, AGE AND HOME ADDRESS OF THE PARTICIPANT, AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE SCHOOL’S ENTRY FORM.

THE WINNER OF THE FIRST PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED BOOK/ STATIONERY TOKEN WORTH 1300 WHILE THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL RECEIVE TOKENS WORTH |200 AND flOO RESPECTIVELY. TOKENS WORTH 150 EACH WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO 30 MERIT PRIZE WINNERS.

SELECTED POSTERS WILL BE FORWARDED FOR DISPLAY AT THE 5TH WORLD CONFERENCE ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, WHICH WILL BE l€LD FROM JULY 10 TO 15 IN WINNIPEG, CANADA.

POSTERS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA SCHOOL HEADS TO THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 437, LEE GARDENS, 4/F, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG BEFORE APRIL 22.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COMPETITION MAY BE MADE AT THE SECTION AT TEL. NO. 5-8392376-80.

/12........

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1983

12

ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN NT ******

WITH THE APPROACH OF THE HOT AND HUMID SEASON, THE NEW ■TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS LAUNCHING THE FIRST PHASE CF ITS ANT I-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID THE UNPRECEDENTED TORRENTIAL RAINFALL DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS IS EXPECTED TO BRING SERIOUS MOSQUITO NUISANCE.

AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE PREVENTION OF MOSQUITO, STAFF OF THE NTSD ARE NOW VISITING POTENTIAL BREEDING PLACES THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES TO ELIMINATE THE NUISANCE, HE SAID.

APART FROM THAT, THE NTSD WILL DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION LEAFLETS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ADVISE THEM ON VARIOUS PRACTICAL WAYS TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BREEDING.

SUPPORT WILL ALSO BE ENLISTED FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, INCORPORATED OWNERS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND MANAGEMENT CF LARGE HOUSING ESTATES.

AS MOSQUITOES BREED ONLY IN STAGNANT WATER, THE SPOKESMAN URGED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE FOLLOWING MEASURES »

ft DISCARD ALL TINS, BOTTLES, RECEPTACLES AND OLD TYRES;

ft KEEP WATER STORAGE TANKS WELL COVERED AND IN GOOD CONDITION;

ft ENSURE DRAINAGE IS IN ORDER TO PREVENT CHOKAGE ; AND

ft CHANGE WATER IN VASES AT LEAST ONCE EVERY WEEK AND SEE THAT NO WATER ACCUMULATES IN TRAYS AND/OR FLOWER BEDS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO ADVISED TO KEEP THEIR SURROUNDINGS IN HYGIENIC CONDITION TO HELP ELIMINATE ALL POSSIBLE EREEDING PLACES.

THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ALLOW MOSQUITO BREEDING IN PREMISES AND CONSTRUCTION SITES. OFFENDERS WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF S5 OOO, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦IF YOU ENCOUNTER ANY MOSQUITO NUISANCE, YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE PEST CONTROL UNIT OF VARIOUS URBAN SERVICES OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR ASSISTANCE,* HE SAID.

MEANWHILE, ANTI-MOSQUITO TEAMS OF THE NTSD ARE CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS AT POSSIBLE MOSQUITO BREEDING GROUNDS IN RURAL AND BUILT-UP AREAS, AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTION SITES.

WHEN ANY LARVAE OR PUPAE OF MOSQUITO IS DETECTED, THE PEST CONTROL OFFICERS WILL KILL THEM BY SPRAYING INSECTICIDES ON THEM.

------c-------

/13......

SUNDAY, APRIL 3* 1983

1?

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL ******

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON TUESDAY (APRIL 5) FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.

FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM THAT DAY, A SECTION OF PEEL RISE NEAR ABERDEEN CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ALSO APPLY TO MOUNT AUSTIN ROAD AND THE SLIP ROAD FROM SHEK PAI WAN ROAD TO ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY.

AT THE SAME TIME, TRAFFIC ON THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE REROUTEDi

* CONSORT RISE ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM VICTORIA ROAD TO BISNEY ROAD?

* CAPE COLLINSON ROAD ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO SHEK 0 ROAD;

* LIN SHING ROAD ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM WAN TSUI ROAD TO CAPE COLLINSON ROAD;

* WAN TSUI ROAD ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE; AND

M WAH HA STREET ONE-WAY FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO CHAI WAN ROAD.

FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM THAT DAY, PARKING SPACES ALONG CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD, WAH HA STREET AND SHEK 0 ROAD (FROM CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE TO TAI TAM ROAD) WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.

THE CAR PARK AT UPPER PEAK TRAM TERMINUS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED DURING THIS PERIOD.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT URGED MOTORISTS TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AS CONGESTION IS EXPECTED ON THE APPROACH ROADS TO VARIOUS CEMETERIES.

HE ADDED THAT BUSES ON TWO SPECIAL ROUTES — NO. 57 (CENTRAL - CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY) AND NO. 89 (SHAU KEI WAN - CHAI WAN CEMETERY) — WILL RUN FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM ON APRIL 5 AT EIGHT-MINUTE INTERVALS.

-----o -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG, TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, APRIL <+, 198?

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1982 RE-EXPORT TRADE HITS NEW HIGH ............................. 1

CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL MEDICINE DEALERS ......................... 4

THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG'S ORIGIN CERTIFICATES .............. 5

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT TO VISIT HONG KONG ................................................ 6

SALE OF CROWN LAND.............................................. 7

ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE SET FOR APRIL 9 AND 10............... 8

GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCK IN TUEN MUN ............................ 9

+MEET-THE-PUBLIC+ SCHEME GETS GOOD RESPONSE ................... 10

BIG TREE AND FLOWER PLANTING EFFORT UNDERWAY .................. 10

STAR-WATCHING FROM COUNTRY PARK ............................... 12

TENNIS COURSES FOR CHILDREN ................................... 12

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1983

1

1982 RE-EXPORT TRADE HITS NEW HIGH

X X * %

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE REACHED A RECORD OF HK$44 353 MILLION IN 1982, AN INCREASE OF SIX PER CENT OVER 1981, ACCORDING TO DETAILED FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

RE-EXPORTS BY MARKET

THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR MARKETSs-

INCREASE/ PERCENTAGE

1982 1981 DECREASE CHANGE

(HK§ MN. ) (HK§ MN.) (HK$ MN.) (%)

CHINA 7 992 8 044 - 52 - 1

U.S.A. 5 615 4 785 +830 ♦17

INDONESIA 4 615 4 272 +343 ♦ 8

SINGAPORE 3 648 3 243 +405 +12

TAIWAN 2 662 2 420 +242 +10

JAPAN 2 566 2 792 -226 - 8

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

(SOUTH KOREA) 1 699 1 401 +293 *21

MACAU 1 588 1 407 +181 +13

PHILIPPINES 1 484 1 294 +191 +15

SAUDI ARABIA 941 582 +359 ♦62

CHINA WAS ONCE AGAIN THE . LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S

RE-EXPORTS, BUT RECEIVED §52 MILLION (OR ONE PER CENT) LESS

RE-EXPORTS IN 1982.

NOTABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY §631 MILLION OR 61%), AND TEXTILES (BY §500 MILLION OR 16%).

ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY §175 MILLION OR 81%), AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY §155 MILLION OR 48%).

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. (BY §830 MILLION OR 17%), THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS.

/THE COMMODITIES .......

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1983

2

THE COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE CLOTHING (BY $573 MILLION OR 67%) AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, MAINLY BASKET-WORK, WICKER-WORK AND WORK OF PLAITING MATERIALS (BY $124 MILLION OR 23%), AND VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $72 MILLION OR 37%). NOTABLE DECREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. WERE RECORDED FOR PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $49 MILLION OR 9%) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS (BY $29 MILLION OR 5%).

REMARKABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA OF OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $155 MILLION OR 968%), ROAD VEHICLES (BY $116 MILLION OR 7%) AND MANUFACTURES OF KETAL (BY $72 MILLION OR 28%). A SLIGHT DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR TEXTILES (BY $4 MILLION OR 2%).

AN OVERALL INCREASE OF $405 MILLION OR 12% IN RE-EXPORTS WAS REGISTERED FOR SINGAPORE. COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS (BY $150 MILLION OR 34%) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $69 MILLION OR 38%). A DECREASE OF $37 MILLION OR 6% WAS RECORDED FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS.

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF NONFERROUS METALS (BY $109 MILLION OR 120%) AND CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $96 MILLION OR 27%) TO TAIWAN. A DECREASE CF $58 MILLION OR 40% WAS RECORDED FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS.

RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

RE-EXPORTS BROKEN DOWN BY THE TEN MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN ARE GIVEN BELOWt-

1982 (HK$ MN.) 1981 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)

CHINA 14 694 12 834 + 1 860 ♦14

JAPAN 9 084 8 394 4 690 4 8

U.S.A. 4 940 4 041 + 899 +22

TAIWAN 2 500 3 379 879 -26

REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 1 363 1 954 591 -30

SWITZERLAND 1 075 967 + 108 + 11

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY 820 707 113 *16

UNITED KINGDOM 694 596 + 98 *16

MALAYSIA, WEST 538 356 4- 182 +51

SINGAPORE 527 662 135 -20

/chii:a remained

MONDAY, APHID 4, 198?

CHINA REMAINED THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS.

INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS WERE NOTED FOR CLOTHING (BY $873 MILLION OR 47%), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, MAINLY BASKET-WORK, WICKER-WORK AND ARTICLES OF PLAITING MATERIALS (BY $203 MILLION OR 21%), WOVEN FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES (BY $185 MILLION OR 52%), TEXTILE YARN (BY $158 MILLION OR 65%), MISCELLANEOUS CRUDE VEGETABLE MATERIALS, MAINLY PLANTS AND SEEDS USED IN PERFUMERY OR IN PHARMACY (BY $132 MILLION OR 23%), AND FOOTWEAR (BY $108 MILLION OR 33%).

JAPAN WAS THE SECOND MAJOR SOURCE OF RE-EXPORTS.

INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, PARTS AND ACCESSORIES (BY $91 MILLION OR 46%), WOVEN FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES (BY $56 MILLION OR 31%), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $48 MILLION CR 5%) AND THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS (BY $40 MILLION CR 12%).

OVERSEAS PURCHASES OF U.S. PRODUCTS THROUGH HONG KONG REMAINED ACTIVE IN 1982.

INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $77 MILLION CR 25%), THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND, PHOTOCELLS, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS (BY $65 MILLION OR 9%) AND CRUDE VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $54 MILLION OR 46%).

ON THE OTHER HAND, RE-EXPORTS OF TAIWAN ORIGIN DECLINED. SIGNIFICANT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILE YARN (BY $338 MILLION OR 47%), KNITTED OR CROCHETED FABRICS (BY $213 MILLION OR 67%) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $171 MILLION OR 60%).

RE-EXPORTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) ORIGIN ALSO DECLINED PARTICULARLY FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $263 MILLION OR 66%).

RE-EXPORTS BY ORIGIN AND DESTINATION

WHEN ANALYSED BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND THEN BY DESTINATION, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO THE U.S. (BY $760 MILLION OR 27%), INDONESIA (BY $247 MILLION OR 19%), SAUDI ARABIA (BY $230 MILLION OR 88%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $156 MILLION OR 38%).

INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OF JAPAN ORIGIN WERE MAINLY TO CHINA (BY $185 MILLION OR 13%), SAUDI ARABIA (BY $125 MILLION OR 59%) AND SINGAPORE (BY $113 MILLION OR 13%).

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE ALSO NOTED IN RE-EXPORTS OF U.S. ORIGIN TO CHINA (BY $467 MILLION OR 82%) AND SINGAPORE (BY $185 MILLION OR 29%).

------o-------

/4........

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1983

- -CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL MEDICINE DEALERS ******

THE FORENSIC PHARMACY SECTION OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS INTENSIFIED MEASURES TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL TRANSACTIONS OF PART ONE POISONS AND ANTIBIOTICS BY WHOLESALE DEALERS.

THE CHIEF PHARMACIST OPERATIONS, MR K.Y. LI SAID STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT ALL WHOLESALE DEALERS WILL COLLECT SIGNED DOCUMENTS FROM BUYERS TO SUPPORT ALL ENTRIES IN THE SALE OF PART ONE POISONS AND ANTIBIOTICS.

WE HAVE SENT OUT CIRCULARS TO ALL WHOLESALE DEALERS

ASKING THEM TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT, WHICH IS CONTAINED IN THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS,* SAID W LI.

WE WILL INITIATE PROSECUTIONS AGAINST THOSE WHO FAIL TO KEEP RECEIPTS FOR THE SALE OF SUCH DRUGS,* HE ADDED.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICE RECENTLY RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT SALESMEN OF WHOLESALE DRUGS DEALERS HAVE BEEN USING THE NAMES OF AUTHORISED PERSONS TO BUY CONTROLLED DRUGS FROM THEIR COMPANY AND THEN SELLING THEM ILLEGALLY.

THE +TOUGH MEASURES* ADOPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICE ARE NOT ONLY AIMED AT DEALING WITH SUCH ACTIVITIES BUT WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT PROPER RECORDS ARE KEPT BY WHOLESALE DEALERS.

MR LI SAID A RECENT TREND IN HEAVY COURT FINES FOR INFRINGEMENT CF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING.

+IN JANUARY A WHOLESALE DEALER WAS GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF 12 500 FOR FAILING TO KEEP PROPER RECORD OF PART ONE POISONS FOR FIRST OFFENCE AND SUBSEQUENT SIMILAR FINES ON THREE OTHER CHARGES,* SAID MR LI.

IN EFFECT, THE COMPANY WAS FINED A TOTAL OF SW 000, WHILE IN TWO OTHER CASES THE FINES IMPOSED WERE ALSO VERY HIGH,* HE ADDED.

AS A RESULT OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE COURT, THE MAGISTRATE HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN EVIDENCE CF ILLEGAL TRANSACTIONS OTHERWISE THE COMPANY INVOLVED -OU'-D HAVE KEPT PROPER RECORDS,* HE SAID.

♦THE HEAVY FINES IMPOSED BY THE MAGISTRATES SERVE AS AN INCENTIVE TO OUR INVESTIGATORS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD OVER THE YEARS,* MR LI SAID.

A FEW MONTHS AGO THE FINES FOR SIMILAR OFFENCES WERE ONLY A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS, AND HAD BEEN THAT WAY FOR A -Ew YEARS, BUT NOW THE MAGISTRATES ARE TAKING A MORE SERIOUS VIEW OK ILLEGAL SALE OF CONTROLLED DRUGS,* HE ADDED.

/ta LI ......

MONDAY, APRIL 19&J

- 5 -

MR LI SAID MEDICINE DEALERS SHOULD NOW BE AWARE THAT IF THEY DEAL IN ILLEGAL TRANSACTIONS THEY WILL NOT ONLY BE DETECTED, BUT WILL ALSO FACE HEAVY PENALTIES FROM THE COURTS.

MR LI FEELS THAT THE TIME HAS COME FOR INCREASING THE PENALTIES UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE, WHICH AT THE MOMENT STIPULATES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 DOO AND IMPRISONMENT FOR A YEAR.

IT MAY BE DESIRABLE TO INCREASE THE PENALTY AS THE LAST TIME THE ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED WAS IN 1972,+ SAID MR LI.

THE FORENSIC PHARMACY SECTION HAS PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN DETECTING ILLEGAL TRANSACTIONS IN MEDICINE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

IN 1980 THERE WERE ONLY 29 PROSECUTIONS IN ILLEGAL SALE OF CONTROLLED DRUGS, BUT IN 1981 THE FIGURE TRIPLED TO 77 AND FELL TO 55 LAST YEAR, WHICH SHOWS THAT THE SUDDEN INCREASE IN CASES TWO YEARS AGO WAS THE RESULT OF VIGOROUS EFFORTS BY THE FORENSIC PHARMACISTS WHILE THE DROP IN FIGURES THE FOLLOWING YEAR INDICATED MEDICINE DEALERS WERE WARY THAT THE AUTHORITIES hEANT BUSINESS.

IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR WE HAVE ALREADY CLOSE TO 20 CASES,+ SAID MR LI.

WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE INVESTIGATION OF ILLEGAL TRANSACTIONS AND IN CONDUCTING SURVEILLANCE OF SUSPECT CASES,* HE SAID.

------o-------

THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S ORIGIN CERTIFICATES * M M M *

IN 1982, HONG KONG EXPORTED $35 *58 MILLION WORTH OF GOODS UNDER ORIGIN CERTIFICATES OF ONE TYPE OR THE OTHER.

THEY WERE ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE OTHER FIVE GOVERNMENT-APPROVED CERTIFICATION ORGANISATIONS.

ORIGIN CERTIFICATES WERE REQUIRED FOR 43.6 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL 1982 DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $83 032 MILLION. THIS FIGURE REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S CERTIFICATION SYSTEM WHICH IS GEARED TO HELP EXPORTERS WITH CUSTOMS CLEARANCE, AND MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFEGUARDING THE INTEGRITY OF THE ENTIRE HONG KONG CERTIFICATION SYSTEM, MAINTAINS CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, OVERSEAS CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES AND WITH THE FIVE GOVERNMENT-APPROVED CERTIFICATION ORGANISATIONS! THE HK GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5 THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5 THE FEDERATION OF HK INDUSTRIES; THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 198?

6

TO EXERCISE CONTROLS, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT -THE POLICING ARM OF THE SYSTEM - CARRIES OUT INSPECTIONS ON FACTORIES AND CHECKS ON CONSIGNMENTS COVERED BY ORIGIN CERTIFICATES* COSTING CHECKS ARE ALSO CARRIED OUT AGAINST CERTIFICATION OF ORIGIN FORM •A’ APPLICATIONS - WHICH ARE USED TO SUPPORT EXPORTS CLAIMING PREFERENTIAL ENTRY INTO COUNTRIES WHICH GRANT TARIFF PREFERENCES TO HONG KONG UNDER GENERALISED PREFERENCE SCHEMES.

UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR A CERTIFICATION OFFENCE IS A FINE OF $100 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR. IN ADDITION, ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS, SUCH AS SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATION SERVICES, WOULD BE IMPOSED ON OFFENDING MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS.

-------0 ---------

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT TO VISIT HONG KONG

*****

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, fRS LYNDA CHALKER, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON APRIL 6 FOR A WEEK-LONG FAMILIARISATION VISIT.

DURING HER VISIT, MRS CHALKER WILL MEET SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND TOUR VARIOUS TRANSPORT ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS HOUSING ESTATES AT SHA TIN.

SHE WILL MEET THE PRESS ON FRIDAY (APRIL 8) AT 4.30 PM IN THE GIS THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.

THE FOLLOWING IS BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF MRS CHALKER!

MRS CHALKER HAS BEEN CONSERVATIVE MP FOR WALLASEY SINCE FEBRUARY 1974 AND WAS PREVIOUSLY PARLIAMENTARY L'NDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

SHE WAS BORN IN 1942, EDUCATED AT ROEDEAN SCHOOL, HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY, WESTFIELD COLLEGE, LONDON AND CENTRAL LONDON POLYTECHNIC.

SHE JOINED THE UNILEVER GROUP AS A STATISTICIAN WITH RESEARCH BUREAU LTD IN 1963 AND MOVED TO SHELL MEX AND BP LTD IN 1969 AS DEPUTY MARKET RESEARCH MANAGER. IN 1972 MRS CHALKER BECAME CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE INTERNATIONAL DIVISION 0F LOUIS HARRIS INTERNATIONAL.

MRS CHALKER WAS A MEMBER OF THE BBC GENERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM 1975-79, JOINT SECRETARY OF THE CONSERVATIVE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE (1975-76) CHAIRMAN, GREATER ^ONDON YOUNG CONSERVATIVES, (1969-70) NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN, YOUNG CONSERVATIVES (1970-71). SHE WAS OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN ON SOCIAL SERVICES FROM 1976-79. --------------------------------c--------

/7 .....

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1983

7

SALE OF CROWN LAND * K *

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER FOUR PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR SALE AT AN AUCTION TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON APRIL 26 AT 2.30 PM.

TWO OF THE SITES ARE IN SHA TIN, ONE IN YUEN LONG, WHILE THE REMAINING ONE IS IN SAI KUNG.

ONE OF THE SHA TIN SITES IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN PURPOSES. IT IS SITUATED NEAR TAI WAI AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2 215 SQUARE METRES.

THE OTHER SHA TIN SITE IS SITUATED NEAR HA WO CHE. IT MEASURES ABOUT 973 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR A SINGLE DETACHED PRIVATE DWELLING HOUSE.

THE YUEN LONG SITE IS ALSO FOR INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN PURPOSES. IT IS IN TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA AND IS ABOUT 1 777 SQUARE METRES.

THE REMAINING SITE IN RAZOR HILL, SAI KUNG, IS ABOUT 6 050 SQUARE METRES IN AREA. IT IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

FULL PARTICULARS AND SALE CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON’ AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, YUEN LONG, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.

MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING THREE PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR SHORT TERM TENANCIES.

TWO OF THE SITES ARE IN TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG.

BOTH OF THEM ARE FOR OPEN STORAGE, INCLUDING THE STORAGE OF EMPTY CONTAINERS AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS BUT EXCLUDING FULL OR PARTLY FULL CONTAINERS OR THE STUFFING OR DESTUFFING OF CONTAINERS.

THE LARGER. SITE IS ABOUT 3 385 SQUARE METRES WHILE THE SMALLER SITE IS ABOUT 1 000 SQUADE METRES IN AREA.

THE REMAINING SITE IS IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND COVERS ABOUT 8 400 SQUARE METRES.

IT IS TO BE USED FOR GENERAL OPEN STORAGE.

/"THE TENANCY....

MONDAY, APRIL L, 198?

8

THE TENANCY FOR THE SITES IS FOR ONE YEAR INITIALLY AND THEREAFTER MONTHLY.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS FOR ALL THREE SITES IS 12 NOON ON APRIL 15.

TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, KOwLOON GOVERNMENT OFF ICES,1OTH FLOOR, AO5 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (TUEN MUN) FOR THE TUEN MUN SITE AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (YUEN LONG) FOR THE YUEN LONG SITES.

-------o ---------

ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE SET FOR APRIL 9 AND IQ ft ft ft ft ft

MORE THAN 1 500 TEACHERS AND OTHER PEOPLE ENGAGED IN ADULT EDUCATION WILL TAKE PART IN THE TWO-DAY 28TH ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ON APRIL 9 AND 10 RESPECTIVELY.

ORGANISED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE CONFERENCE HAS THE THEME +PARTNERSHIP IN CONTINUING EDUCATION+. IT IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR TEACHING STAFF AND FIELD WORKERS OF THE VARIOUS COURSES RUN BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION.

IT WILL PROVIDE AN ARENA FOR PARTICIPANTS TO KEEP UP WITH MODERN TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT, TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND DISCUSS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF ADULT EDUCATION SERVICES.

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, WILL TAKE THE CHAIR AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL 9 AT THE SIR RUN RUN HALL, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR HO KAM-FAI WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY AND DELIVER THE THEME LECTURE. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR BRIAN FRENCH, WILL THEN DISTRIBUTE CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION TO PART-TIME STAFF OF THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION WITH OVER 10, 20 OR 25 YEARS’ SERVICE.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE MAIN THEME OF THE CONFERENCE.

THE PANELISTS WILL INCLUDE DR OWEN WONG, SENIOR STAFF TUTOR, DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA MURAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG* DR NELSON CHOW, CHAIRMAN OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE AND MR PETER LEE, MEMBER OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.

IN THE AFTERNOON, A SERIES OF SEMINARS ON ADULT EDUCATION WILL BE HELD IN THE VARIOUS LECTURE ROOMS OF the CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

THE CONFERENCE ........

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 198?

9

THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ON ITS SECOND DAY AND WILL START WITH A PANEL DISCUSSION AT 9.30 AM ON +PARTNERSHIP IN THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES*.

AMONG THOSE TAKING PART IN THE PANEL DISCUSSION WILL BE M? CHRISTOPHER WONG, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE: MR JAMES MAN, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (YAU MA TEI), SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT: AND MISS ALIMA TUET, ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN, URBAN COUNCIL PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE SUBSEQUENT SEMINARS.

------o ------

GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCK IN TUEN MUN

*****

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCK IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

THE WORK FORMS PART OF THE TUEN MUN CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX WHICH WILL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWN.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE COMPLEX, OCCUPYING A FOUR-HECTARE SITE ON THE RECLAIMED LAND NEAR THE NEW TOWN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, WOULD CONSIST OF A 1 450-SEAT AUDITORIUM, TWO GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCKS, A LIBRARY, A MAGISTRACY, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, POST OFFICE AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY AND A BUS STATION.

HE SAID, +THE COMPLEX WILL HAVE A LANDSCAPED GARDEN IN ITS CENTRE.*

WORK ON THE PRESENT CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF A 7-STOREY BLOCK WHICH WILL PROVIDE 7 000 SQUARE METRES OF ACCOMMODATION FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ABOUT 30 CAR PARKING SPACES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE BLOCK.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START IN EARLY JULY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1985.

-----0-------

/10......

ZOL’DAX, AJ:“IL 4, 1?Sj

- 10 -

♦MEET-THE-PUBLIC+ SCHEME GETS GOOD RESPONSE * * * *

THE DISTRICT BOARD’S +MEET-THE-PUBLIC* SCHEME HAS MET *ITH GOOD RESPONSE FROM RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON CITY AND THE NORTH TI DTP Cr OP THE NEW TERRITORIES.

a TOTAL OF 6g CASES HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH SINCE THE SCHEME ~as introduced in kowloon city in January and the north district IN FEBRUARY.

IN KOWLOON CITY, BOARD MEMBERS HAVE HANDLED 31 CASES RANGING FROM STREET MANAGEMENT, WATER SUPPLY, LAW AND ORDER, HOUSING, TENANCY, TRANSPORT, MEDICAL TO PERSONAL PROBLEMS.

BOARD MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE CHAIRMAN, MR LEE LAP-SUN, TOOK TURNS TO MEET THE RESIDENTS EVERY THURSDAY BETWEEN 8 PM TO 10 PM IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141-145 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.

COMMENTING ON THE GOOD RESPONSE, A DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN SAIDi +KOWLOON CITY IS A DEVELOPED PLACE WHERE THE MAJORITY Oc THE RESIDENTS HAVE LIVED FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS AND HAVE A SENS:_ OF BELONGING.*

IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, 35 CASES WERE HANDLED, MOST OF WHICH CONCERNED HOUSING, FLOODING, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, LAND MATTERS AND LAW AND ORDER.

BOARD MEMBERS IN THIS DISTRICT MET THE RESIDENTS EVERY WEDNESDAY BETWEEN 7 PM AND 8.30 PM AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE’S FANLING SUB-OFFICE IN JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.

RESIDENTS OF THESE TWO DISTRICTS WHO WISH TO CHANNEL THEIR VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE BOARD MEMBERS CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICES.

------c-------

BIG TREE AND FLOWER PLANTING EFFORT UNDERWAY *****

A CONCERTED MULTI-DEPARTMENTAL EFFORT, HELPED BY MEMBERS CF THE PUBLIC, IS AGAIN BEING UNDERTAKEN TO BEAUTIFY THE HONG KONG LANDSCAPE WITH GREENERY AND FLOWERS, AS PART OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.

KNOWN AS THE +ME I FA* — +BEAUTIFICATION+ — PHASE GF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, THE EFFORT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOf THE PAST 12 MONTHS DURING WHICH SOME THREE MILLION PLANTS TREEo, FLOWERING SHRUB, CREEPERS, CLIMBERS, BAMBOOS AND SEAS* ;Ai. FLOWERS HAVE BEEN PLANTED IN THE URBAN AREAS AND THE Nc.» TERR ITORIES.

ABOUT 2.2 MILLION MORE OF THE PLANTS AND FLOWERS vlLL BE PLANTED IN THE COMING DAYS, BRINGING THE TOTAL TC SOME 5.2 MILLION TO REPRESENT EACH PERSON IN HONG KONG.

+MOST OF THE PLANTS ARE GROWING WELL IN THE URBAN AN'j RURAL AREAS, THE NEW TOWNS. HOUSING ESTATES, HIGHWAYS, RECREATION SPOTS, LANDSCAPED AREAS, PARKS AND COUNTRY PARKS, SAID MR BOWEN LcUNG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THt NEw TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1985

11

SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OP THE *ME I FA* ACTION GROUP OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, MR LEUNG SAID VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CIVIC-MINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN DOING THE PLANTING DURING THE PRESENT EFFORT.

HELPING WITH THE WORK HAVE BEEN THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HIGHWAYS OFFICE, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTEERS FROM THE PUBLIC AS WELL.

A NUMBER OF TREE-PLANTING DAYS WILL BE HELD IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

COMMUNITY LEADERS, MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS AND *RAINBOW BRIGADES* FROM SCHOOLS WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE DISTRICT TREE PLANTING EXERCISE.

MR LEUNG PAID TRIBUTE TO SCHOOL CHILDREN AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO LAST YEAR’S EXERCISE. HE STRESSED THAT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION WERE IMPORTANT IN THE DRIVE TO KEEP HONG KONG GREEN AND BEAUTIFUL.

AND TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO CARE FOR PLANTS, MORE HORTICULTURE TRAINING AND TREE PLANTING PROGRAMMES WILL BE HELD THIS YEAR BY SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS.

MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE NTSD HAD ORGANISED A NUMBER CF HORTICULTURE CLASSES FOR THE ELDERLY AND STUDENTS IN SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT DURING LAST YEAR TO GIVE THEM MORE CHANCE TO OBSERVE AND KNOW MORE ABOUT THE GROWTH AND CARE OF PLANTS.

TREE PLANTING AND HORTICULTURE TRAINING HAVE ALSO BEEN ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WITHIN COUNTRY PARKS. LAST YEAR 90 SCHOOLS AND YOUTH GROUPS HAD ATTENDED VARIOUS WEEK-LONG FORESTRY WORK CAMPS.

AND IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR, AN INTER-SCHOOL POTTED PLANT COMPETITION WILL BE HELD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SIMILAR TO EFFORTS BEING MADE BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, SO AS TO PROMOTE FURTHER THE *MEI FA* SCHEME, SAID MR LEUNG.

♦ALL SCHOOLS WERE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT,* HE ADDED.

MEANWHILE, LARGE SCALE LANDSCAPING PROJECTS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN ALL NEW PARKS, OPEN SPACE, HIGHWAYS, NEW TOWNS AND NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

MR LEUNG ALSO SAID THAT PRIVATE DEVELOPERS WERE ATTACHING MORE IMPORTANCE TO LANDSCAPING THEIR PROJECTS.

HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE EFFORTS MADE BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR WOULD BE APPRECIATED BY ALL MEMBERS CF THE PUBLIC.

MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT MORE AND MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE DEVELOPING AN INTEREST IN HORTICULTURE. THIS WAS EVIDENT FROM THE GROWING NUMBER OF POTTED PLANTS THAT CAN BE SEEN/IN HOMES AND OFFICES, HE SAID.

/ ------0 ------ /12 ...............

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1983

12

STAR-WATCHING FROM COUNTRY PARK

* X * *

IN THE MIDST OF THE WOODS AND WILD FLORA IN THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK, A SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL-LOOKING STRUCTURE STANDS OUT.

IT RESEMBLES A TWIN TOWER WITH STEPS ON BOTH SIDES LEADING TO A PLATFORM AND IS USED FOR WATCHING THE STARS.

BUILT BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE STRUCTURE IS MODELLED AFTER A SIMILAR BUILDING DESIGNED ABOUT 650 YEARS AGO BY CHINESE ASTRONOMER GUO SHOUJING (1231-1316) DURING THE EARLY YUAN DYNASTY. THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE IS SAID TO BE STILL IN THE DENG-FENG COUNTY IN HENAN PROVINCE.

THE PLATFORM OF THE HONG KONG STRUCTURE IS SITUATED IN THE SHU I LONG WO DISTRICT OF THE SAI KUNG WEST COUNTRY PARK. IT STANDS SIX METRES ABOVE THE GROUND, THREE METRES SHORTER THAN THE CHINESE ORIGINAL.

THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE WAS USED TO OBSERVE SHADOWS CAST BY THF SUN TO DETERMINE THE DURATION OF A TROPICAL YEAR, AND WAS THUS ALS KNOWN AS A +SHADOW OBSERVATION PLATFORM*.

Oil A CLEAR. SUNNY DAY MANY A WOULD-BE ASTRONOMER FROM THE RANKS OF THE VlSiTORS TO THE PARK IN HONG KONG MAY BE SEEN STANDING ON TOP OF THE TOWER PLATFORM WATCHING THE STARS.

--------c-----------

TENNIS COURSES FOR CHILDREN * * * * *

THE

CHILDREN BETWEEN EIGHT AND 14 YEARS OF AGE WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

A 'LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS’ COURSE, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (RSS) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG TENNIS ASSOCIATION AND .HE ■ inncc <5DnoTQ OFNTRF. WILL BE HELD FROM MAY 14 TO MAY 2 .

JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, WILL BE HELD FROM

TWO-HOUR CLASSES OF 12 PLAYERS WILL SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN.

BE HELD AT THE JUBILEE

PLAYING

THERE WILL BE FOUR DIFFERENT GROUPS

2 PM AND 4 PM. EACH GROUP WILL CONSIST OF THREE

AT AM, 11 AM, CLASSES.

THE PROGRAMME FEE FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE IS 520.

ENROLMENT IS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. APPLICATION FORMS MA? BE OBTAINED FROM THE RSS HEADQUARTERS AND ITS 19 DISTRICT OFFICES, THE HONG KONG TENNIS ASSOCIATION AND i HE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-458511, 5-741546 OR 0-6351212.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, APRIL 5. 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

BETTER PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES ............................. 1

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE TO VISIT HONG KONG.............. 3

AIR POLLUTION METEOROLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT....... 4

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING COURSES FOR WORKERS .............. 6

INDUSTRIAL MISSION TO VISIT AUSTRALIA........................ 7

COUNTRY PARK INFORMATION CENTRE ............................. 7

THREE DISTRICT BOARDS TO MEET THIS WEEK...................... 8

BLITZ AGAINST NT HIGHWAY LITTERBUGS ......................... 9

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAI PO ......................... 9

TENDER SOUGHT FOR MAINS WORK................................. 10

URGENT WORK ON SWIMMING POOLS ............................... 11

SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION ..................................... 11

WATER CUT IN MID-LEVELS

11

TUESDAY, APR IL 5, 1983

BETTER PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES ******

ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1982, EXCEPT THOSE RELATING TO COMPULSORY INSURANCE, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.

A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON MARCH 25.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE ORDINANCE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PROVIDES BETTER PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES INJURED AT WORK AND IMPROVES PROCEDURES FOR THE RECOVERY OF COMPENSATION.

AMONG THE MAJOR PROVISIONS, ONE CONCERNS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWO-TIER EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION BOARD, CONSISTING OF AN ORDINARY ASSESSMENT BOARD AND A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BOARD, TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING MACHINERY FOR ASSESSING COMPENSATION.

ALL CLAIMS LIKELY TO INVOLVE PERMANENT INCAPACITY WILL BE REFERRED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO THE ORDINARY ASSESSMENT BOARD, WHICH WILL, IN MOST CASES, PROCEED TO ASSESS THE PERCENTAGE OF LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCALES LAID DOWN IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.

HOWEVER, WHERE THE BOARD CONSIDERS THAT SPECIAL ATTENTION HAS TO BE GIVEN TO SUCH FACTORS AS THE EMPLOYEE’S OCCUPATION, QUALIFICATIONS, PREVIOUS TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE, IT WILL REFER THE CLAIM TO THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BOARD, WHICH WILL ASSESS THE ACTUAL LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY BY TAKING THESE FACTORS INTO CONSIDERATION.

ANOTHER PROVISION, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, INTRODUCES A SIMPLER AND QUICKER PROCEDURE FOR CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF MINOR INJURY INVOLVING TEMPORARY INCAPACITY OF NOT MORE THAN 14 DAYS. FOR MORE SERIOUS CASES INVOLVING PERMANENT INCAPACITY OR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY OF OVER 14 DAYS, THE EXISTING PROCEDURE OF SETTLEMENT BY AGREEMENT WILL STILL APPLY.

THE PROVISION ALSO IMPROVES THE PROCEDURE FOR SETTLEMENT BY AGREEMENT BY IMPOSING MORE SPECIFIC OBLIGATIONS ON THE EMPLOYER AND BY IMPROVING BOTH THE PROCESS OF MAKING AN AGREEMENT AND ITS ENFORCEABILITY.

AS AN EXAMPLE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID AN EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITHIN 21 DAYS AFTER THE RELEVANT DATE NOTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER, AND TO SUBMIT AN AGREEMENT TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR APPROVAL WITHIN THREE DAYS AFTER IT WAS CONCLUDED WITH THE EMPLOYEE.

TUESDAY, APRIL J, 19b 3

2

A THIRD PROVISION PROVIDES THAT COMPENSATION IS PAYABLE TO EMPLOYEES INJURED WHILE TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THEIR WORKPLACES BY TRANSPORT PROVIDED OR ARRANGED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.

IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT WHERE, AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT, AN INSURANCE POLICY IS IN FORCE IN RESPECT OF A FAMILY MEMBER, THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WILL APPLY TO HIM AS IF HE WERE AN EMPLOYEE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ORDINANCE.

THE PROVISION FURTHER PROVIDES THAT AN EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO PAY COR THE COSTS OF PROSTHESES OR SURGICAL APPLIANCES WHEN SUCH ITEMS ARE REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT, IRRESPECTIVE CF WHETHER INJURIES HAVE RESULTED IN ANY PERMANENT INCAPACITY OR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY. A TYPICAL CASE IN THIS SITUATION IS AN EMPLOYEE WHO BREAKS HIS TOOTH IN AN ACCIDENT AT WORK.

A FOURTH PROVISION DEFINES A *SUB-CONTRACTOR* TO INCLUDE A SECOND OR THIRD LEVEL SUB-CONTRACTOR.

THE TERM +PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR* IS ALSO INTRODUCED TO REPLACE THE TERM +PRINCIPAL+. IN THIS WAY, AN INJURED EMPLOYEE CAN MAKE A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION AGAINST EITHER HIS IMMEDIATE EMPLOYER (THE +SUB-CONTRACTOR*) OR THE *PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR* AT THE TOP CF THE CONTRACTING HIERARCHY.

THE PROVISION ALSO REMOVES CURRENT RESTRICTION OF LIABILITY TO ACCIDENTS OCCURRING ON THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR’S WORK SITE OR PREMISES UNDER HIS CONTROL.

THE SPOKESMAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT OTHER PROVISIONS PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES INJURED AT WORK. THESE INCLUDE LEAVE WITH PAY TO AN EMPLOYEE FOR ATTENDING MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OR ASSESSMENTS OR VISITING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CONNECTION WITH AN AGREEMENT ON COMPENSATION, AND PROHIBITION TO TERMINATE OR GIVE NOTICE TO TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE BEFORE HE RECOVERS FROM INJURIES.

THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE ALSO EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF ■♦COMPENSATION* TO EMBRACE ALL THE BENEFITS UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE. THESE BENEFITS AREi

* COMPENSATION FOR DEATH, PERMANENT, TOTAL, AND PARTIAL INCAPACITY AND TEMPORARY INCAPACITY;

* COMPENSATION FOR CONSTANT ATTENTION, BURIAL EXPENSES AND MEDICAL EXPENSES;

* WAGES OR SALARIES FOR ABSENCE FROM WORK;

* COSTS OF SUPPLYING, FITTING, REPAIRING AND RENEWING PROSTHESES AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES; AND

M ANY SURCHARGE OR INTEREST PAYABLE UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1983

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE TO VISIT HONG KONG *****

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, LORD COCKFIELD, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM APRIL 10 TO 13.

HIS PROGRAMME WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF LORD COCKFIELDi

LORD COCKFIELD, A CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS, IS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND A MEMBER OF THE CABINET.

FRANCIS ARTHUR COCKFIELD WAS BORN IN 1916 AND EDUCATED AT DOVER COUNTY SCHOOL AND AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, WHERE HE GRADUATED IN BOTH LAW AND ECONOMICS. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR BY THE INNER TEMPLE IN 1942.

HE ENTERED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1934 FIRST IN THE CUSTOMS AND IN 1938 HE JOINED THE INLAND REVENUE. HE WAS ASSISTANT SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF INLAND REVENUE IN 1945, COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE FROM 1951 TO 1952, AND DIRECTOR OF STATISTICS AND INTELLIGENCE TO THE BOARD OF INLAND REVENUE FROM 1945 TO 1952.

HE LEFT THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1952 TO BECOME FINANCE DIRECTOR CF BOOTS PURE DRUG COMPANY LTD AND SUBSEQUENTLY FROM 1961 TO 1967 HE WAS MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. FROM 1970 TO 1973 HE WAS ADVISER ON TAXATION POLICY TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER. HE WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE PRICE COMMISSION FROM 1973 TO 1977. HE WAS APPOINTED A MINISTER CF STATE AT THE TREASURY FOLLOWING THE RETURN TO OFFICE OF THE CONSERVATIVES AFTER THE ELECTION OF MAY 1979. HE BECAME SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE IN APRIL 1982, WHEN HE WAS MADE A PRIVY COUNSELLOR.

HE WAS A FOUNDER MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SERVING FROM 1962 TO 1964. HE IS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE COURT OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM AND WAS PRESIDENT CF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY FROM 1968 TO 1969. HE WAS ELECTED AN HONORARY FELLOW OF THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS IN 1972.

LORD COCKFIELD WAS KNIGHTED IN 1973, AND WAS CREATED A LIFE PEER IN 1978.

HE IS MARRIED; HIS WIFE IS A CHOREOGRAPHER.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1983

AIR POLLUTION METEOROLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT * * * M

THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES EVER CONDUCTED IN HONG KONG ON AIR POLLUTION METEOROLOGY IS IN PROGRESS.

THE LONG-TERM PROJECT, WHICH IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S AIR POLLUTION METEOROLOGY RESEARCH UNIT (APMRU), WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION NEEDED FOR TOWN PLANNING AND LAND USE.

IN THE PAST, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY PROVIDED INFORMATION BASED ON DATA AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES.

HEADED BY A SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER, MRS ELAINE KOO, THE APMRU COMPRISES FOUR OTHER OFFICERS — TWO METEOROLOGISTS HOLDING PH.D. DEGREES PLUS TWO TECHNICAL STAFF.

USING ADVANCED EQUIPMENT AND METHODS, THE APMRU WILL DETERMINE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR POLLUTION DISPERSION POTENTIAL IN SPECIFIC AREAS PLANNED FOR DEVELOPMENT OR FOR LARGE-SCALE ENGINEERING PROJECTS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO GENERATE AIR POLLUTANTS.

♦THE FINDINGS WILL ALSO BE USEFUL FOR ASSESSING THE FUTURE AIR POLLUTION BURDEN THAT CAN BE TOLERATED IN AN AREA. THIS ASSESSMENT, IN TURN, WILL PROVIDE USEFUL AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND GUIDELINES FOR LAND USE STRATEGY AND TOWN PLANNING,* MRS KOO EXPLAINED.

IT IS PLANNED THAT 18 DIFFERENT REGIONS WILL BE INVESTIGATED INDIVIDUALLY SO THAT THE AIR POLLUTION METEOROLOGY OF THE WHOLE CF HONG KONG WILL BE DETERMINED, MRS KOO SAID.

♦WHEN THIS IS DONE, POLLUTION-GENERATING OPERATIONS MAY BE LOCATED WHERE THE NATURAL ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION CAPABILITY IS GREATEST,♦ SHE ADDED.

THE FIRST REGION SELECTED FOR INVESTIGATION IS JUNK BAY WHERE A NEW TOWN IS BEING PLANNED FOR A TARGET POPULATION OF ABOUT 300 000 PEOPLE.

THE STUDY COVERS A SITE ABOUT EIGHT KILOMETRES EAST OF THE HIGHLY URBANISED AREA OF KOWLOON PENINSULA.

♦IT IS EXPECTED THAT ON THE BASIS OF THIS STUDY, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS MAY BE SO LOCATED AS TO MINIMISE THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION FOR THE RESIDENTS,* MRS KOO SAID.

A REPORT WILL BE MADE WHEN THE RESEARCH IS COMPLETED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

FOR EACH STUDY, DATA WILL BE GATHERED FROM A FIELD SITE FOR A YEAR BECAUSE AT LEAST ONE FULL YEAR’S DATA INPUT IS REQUIRED TO PORTRAY A METEOROLOGICALLY REPRESENTATIVE PATTERN OF AN AREA,

MIS KOO POINTED OUT.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 19^3

- 5 -

THE RESEARCH REQUIRES DELICATE EQUIPMENT PACKAGES, WHICH INCLUDE A MONOSTATIC ACOUSTIC RADAR SYSTEM, A TETHERED-SONDE SYSTEM AND A SURFACE METEOROLOGICAL STATION.

♦THE SITING OF THE INSTRUMENTS HAS A SIGNIFICANT BEARING ON THE RELIABILITY AND QUALITY OF DATA THUS GATHERED,+ MRS KOO SAID.

tHE SITE MUST FIRST OF ALL BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OVERALL NETEORQ^OGICAL CONDITION OF THE REGION TO BE STUDIED.

FURTHERMORE, IT MUST HAVE RELIABLE POWER SUPPLY AND BE FAR AWAY FROM SOURCES OF NOISE AND ECHOES REFLECTED BY NEARBY OBJECTS. SECURITY AND PROTECTION FROM SEVERE WEATHER ARE ALSO MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS.

THE SURFACE METEOROLOGICAL STATION FOR THE CURRENT JUNK BAY STUDY COMPRISES AN INSTRUMENT-CARRYING TEN-METRE MAST AND A DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM LOCATED IN A SMALL ROOM MEASURING ABOUT THREE SQUARE METRES. THE ROOM HOUSES A MICRO-COMPUTER AND SOME ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FOR PROCESSING WIND, TEMPERATURE AND SOLAR RADIATION DATA.

MRS KOO EMPHASISED THAT IT IS THE FIRST +AUTOMATIC+ WEATHER STATION IN HONG KONG WITH ITS SOFTWARE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED BY STAFF OF THE APMRU — ^AUTOMATIC* BECAUSE THE COMPUTER IS PROGRAMMED TO PRODUCE DATA WHICH IS ALREADY QUALITY-CHECKED, PROCESSED AND ANALYSED.

THE TETHERED-SONDE SYSTEM IS AN AIRSHIP-LIKE BALLOON WITH A METEOROLOGICAL SENSOR PACKAGE SUSPENDED BELOW IT. BY MEASURING WINDS, TEMPERATURES AND OTHER ATMOSPHERIC ELEMENTS, IT CAN GATHER INFORMATION ON THE UPPER AIR FLOW.

THE MONOSTATIC RADAR SYSTEM IS A DEVICE WHICH TRANSMITS BRIEF AUDIBLE SOUND PULSES INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. THE ECHOES RETURNED ARE AMPLIFIED AND DISPLAYED ON A FACSIMILE CHART WHICH SHOWS THE HEIGHT OF THE ATMOSPHERE WITHIN WHICH POLLUTANTS CAN BE EFFECTIVELY DISPERSED AND DILUTED.

THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF THESE DATA COLLECTING PROCESSES IS ENSURED BY ANOTHER SYSTEM WHICH TRANSMITS THE COLLECTED INFORMATION SIMULTANEOUSLY TO THE APMRU OFFICE SO THAT ANY DEFECT IN THE OPERATION CAN BE DETECTED AT ONCE.

THE DATA IS THEN ANALYSED BY APMRU STAFF BEFORE ANY MEANINGFUL CONCLUSIONS CAN BE MADE.

WHEN THE RESEARCH IN JUNK BAY IS COMPLETED, THE EQUIPMENT PACKAGES WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE NEXT AREA TO BE STUDIED.

HONG KONG’S GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS ARE SUCH THAT THE WORST EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION CAN BE AVERTED THROUGH PLANNING AND CONTROL, SHE STRESSED.

HOWEVER, IT IS NECESSARY THAT STUDIES BE CARRIED OUT EARLY ENOUGH SO THAT INPUTS CAN BE PRESENTED BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE ON DEVELOPMENT, SHE ADDED.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1983

6

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING COURSES FOR WORKERS * * * * *

EMPLOYERS WERE URGED TODAY (TUESDAY) TO SEND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND VARIOUS TRAINING COURSES ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

THE DIVISION CONDUCTS THE COURSES AT ITS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE IN CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ENROLMENT IS NOW INVITED FOR SIX COURSES TO BE CONDUCTED FROM THIS MONTH TO THE END OF JUNE. THE COURSES, WHICH LAST FROM ONE TO THREE DAYS, ARE RELATED TO WORK IN CONFINED SPACES, +SLINGING+ SAFETY, MACHINERY SAFETY, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY, ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN INDUSTRY AND SAFETY AT WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR.

THE COURSES ARE RECOMMENDED FOR TECHNICIANS, FOREMEN, SUPERVISORS AND THOSE WHO MIGHT FROM TIME TO TIME BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM SUPERVISORY DUTIES. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE COURSE TRAINEES TO IDENTIFY UNSAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS, TO SUGGEST METHODS FOR THEIR ELIMINATION AND TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE DUTIES OF A SAFETY SUPERVISOR, IN ADDITION TO THEIR NORMAL DUTIES.

+IT IS HOPED THAT EMPLOYERS WOULD MAKE FULL USE OF OUR FREE SERVICE BY NOMINATING EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND THE COURSES. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE ENROLMENT AND DETAILS OF THE COURSES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 3-688111 EXT. 347,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE DIVISION CONDUCTED 298 TRAINING COURSES FOR 7 756 EMPLOYEES LAST YEAR.

IN THE SAME YEAR, OFFICERS FROM THE TRAINING CENTRE ALSO CONDUCTED 135 TALKS ON SAFETY FOR 15 405 PEOPLE FROM 71 ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING INSTITUTES OF HIGHER EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOLS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS.

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/7 ........

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1983

- 7 -

INDUSTRIAL MISSION TO VISIT AUSTRALIA * * * *

AN INDUSTRIAL MISSION, ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT AUSTRALIA THIS MONTH TO DISCUSS BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG WITH SENIOR EXECUTIVES CF AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES.

THE MISSION, PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME CF PROMOTING OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, WILL VISIT SYDNEY BETWEEN APRIL 11-22 AND BRISBANE FROM APRIL 23 TO 30.

LED BY THE PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, MR DAVID CHEUNG, THE MISSION WILL CALL ON COMPANIES ENGAGED IN LIGHT AND MEDIUM ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES, ELECTRONICS, AND THOSE WHICH PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORTING FACILITIES SUCH AS METAL CASTING, EXTRUSION, FORGING, TOOL AND DIE MAKING AND PRECISION MACHINING.

INVESTMENT FROM AUSTRALIA RANKS SEVENTH IN THE LIST OF COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG. OF THE 25 FACTORIES ESTABLISHED HERE WITH AUSTRALIAN INTEREST, 13 ARE WHOLLY OWNED AND THE REMAINDER ARE JOINT-VENTURES.

TOTAL INVESTMENT FROM AUSTRALIA AMOUNTS TO HKS160 MILLION.

0 - -

COUNTRY PARK Ht^ORMATION CENTRE

A MODERN INFORMATION CENTRE FOR VISITORS IS TO BE BUILT AT SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK AND AN ADJACENT OPEN-AIR CAR PARK WILL BE SURFACED WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE ANNOUNCED TODAY.

HE SAID THE CONTRACT FOR THE JOB, VALUED AT $5 MILLION, WAS AWARDED TO WING MOU CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD., WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THE BUILDING IN EARLY 1984.

THE PURPOSE-BUILT CENTRE AT PAK TAM CHUNG BARRIER, IS EXPECTED TO BE USED BY ABOUT 5 000 VISITORS A DAY.

IT WILL HAVE AN ARCHITECTURAL THEME OF A TRADITIONAL RURAL BUILDING TO FIT INTO THE LANDSCAPE OF THE COUNTRY PARK.

THE INTERIOR WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH STATIC DISPLAYS DEPICTING THE NATURAL AND HUMAN HISTORY OF THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA AS WELL AS MODELS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF^THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.

DR LEE SAID VISITORS TO THE PARK WOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF SAI KUNG AND ITS ENVIRONMENT AT THE CENTRE — THE FIRST CF ITS KIND — BEFORE OR AFTER HIKING THROUGH THE COUNTRY PARK.

OTHER VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK AND AT TAI MEI TUK IN PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1983

8

THREE DISTRICT BOARDS TO MEET THIS WEEK * * * *

YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE NEW IDENTITY CARD SYSTEM AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 7) MORNING.

THE BRIEFING WILL BE GIVEN BY A CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, MR WOO TSANG-WOON.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE MANAGEMENT OF THE STADIUM AND THE SWIMMING POOL IN THE DISTRICT.

IN THE AFTERNOON AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, MEMBERS WILL RAISE QUESTIONS ON THE ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS, THE EFFECT OF AIRCRAFT NOISE ON STUDENTS, AND AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES.

ON FRIDAY (APRIL 8) AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMME FOR THE DB BY-ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN THE TIN WAN/SHEK PAI WAN CONSTITUENCY IN MAY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND:

(A) THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 7) AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE;

(B) THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY AT 2.15 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD; AND

(C) THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON FRIDAY (APRIL 8) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 7-11 NAM NING STREET, 2ND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT IN ABERDEEN CENTRE.

A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 8 AM ON THURSDAY FOR YUEN LONG.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1983

- 9 -

BLITZ AGAINST NT HIGHWAY LITTERBUGS * * * *

A SPECIAL NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANTI-LITTER SQUAD IS NOW MOUNTING AN OPERATION AGAINST GOODS VEHICLES LITTERING THE PUBLIC ROADS IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN WARNED GOODS VEHICLE DRIVERS THAT THEY WILL BE BROUGHT TO COURT IF THEY COMMIT THE OFFENCE.

IN THE PAST YEAR, MORE THAN 200 DRIVERS AND LORRY OWNERS WERE BROUGHT TO COURT FOR LITTERING THE ROADS AT CLEARWATER BAY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION OF HANG HAU ROAD, AND NEAR TA KWUN LING SUN CHUEN AS WELL AS THE PIK UK PRISON.

SOME 20 OF THEM WERE FINED SUMS RANGING FROM $1 000 TO $15 000 BY MAGISTRATES IN ANTI-LITTER COURTS.

LITTERBUGS WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 AND A POSSIBLE JAIL SENTENCE OF SIX MONTHS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

LORRY DRIVERS WERE ADVISED TO SECURE THEIR GOODS AND BUILDING MATERIALS IN THEIR VEHICLES PROPERLY TO PREVENT LITTERING.

VEHICLES LOADED WITH EARTH OR BUILDING RUBBLE SHOULD BE COVERED TO KEEP THE HIGHWAY FREE FROM DUST NUISANCE.

HOLIDAY-MAKERS ARE ALSO URGED NOT TO THROW RUBBISH FROM THE WINDOWS OF THEIR PRIVATE CARS.

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NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAI PO

X * *

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN TAI PO ON THURSDAY (APRIL 7) TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW RAILWAY STATION ON THE SOUTH OF WONG SHIU CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THE OLD TAI PO MARKET RAILWAY STATION WILL BE CLOSED ON THE SAME DAY.

THE SECTION OF THE APPROACH ROAD LEADING FROM KWONG FUK ROAD TO THE NEW RAILWAY STATION WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC, BUT WILL BE DESIGNATED AS CLEARWAY WITHIN WHICH NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY.

THE ROAD SECTION WILL ALSO BE PROHIBITED TO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE AUTHORITY.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1983

10 -

KMB ROUTES 64 AND 74 WHICH AT PRESENT TERMINATE AT TAI PO MARKET CENTRE WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE NEW RAILWAY STATION AND RE-NUMBERED 64K AND 74K RESPECTIVELY.

FOUR MAXICAB ROUTES WILL COMMENCE OPERATION FROM TAI PO RAILWAY STATION: NO 21K TO TAI PO TAU» NO 22K TO KAM SHANj NO 23K TO WUN YIU AND NO 25K TO LAM TSUEN.

THE NEW ROUTES WILL OPERATE AT A PEAK-HOUR FREQUENCY OF 10 MINUTES. THEY WILL ALL CHARGE $1 PER TRIP EXCEPT NO 25K, WHICH WILL CHARGE $1.50.

MAX I CAB ROUTE 20 NOW OPERATING BETWEEN TAI PO MARKET AND SAM MUN TSAI WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE NEW RAILWAY STATION AND RE-NUMBERED 20K. THE EXTENDED SERVICE WILL OPERATE AT A PEAK-HOUR FREQUENCY OF FIVE MINUTES AND CHARGE $1.50 PER JOURNEY.

A TAXI STAND WILL BE DESIGNATED OUTSIDE THE EASTERN ENTRANCE OF THE STATION TICKET HALL.

PEDESTRIANS MAY APPROACH THE NEW RAILWAY STATION EITHER VIA THE WAN TAU STREET UNDERPASS AND THE FOOTPATH LEADING TO THE STATION OR VIA THE APPROACH ROAD LEADING FROM KWONG FUK ROAD TO THE STATION.

APPROPRIATE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE PEDESTRIANS.

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TENDER SOUGHT FOR MAINS WORK X X * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF A SYSTEM OF FRESH WATER MAINS IN HIRAM’S HIGHWAY, CLEARWATER BAY ROAD AND TAI MONG TSAI ROAD.

THE SYSTEM FORMS PART OF A PROJECT TO PROVIDE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO AREAS IN SAI KUNG AND CLEARWATER BAY PENINSULA.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT COMPRISES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 10 000 METRES OF DUCTILE IRON AND ASBESTOS CEMENT FRESH WATER MAINS, RANGING FROM 200 MM TO 400 MM IN DIAMETER.

WORK WILL START IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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/11 ........

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1983

URGENT WORK ON SWIMMING POOLS * * * *

THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE KWAI SHING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AT KWAI CHUNG WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED AS FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE MAIN POOL AND DIVING POOL OF THE COMPLEX WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR ABOUT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS FOR URGENT REPAIR WORK, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD.

THE TWO POOLS WILL BE RE-OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AS SOON AS THE REPAIR WORK IS COMPLETED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HOWEVER, PEOPLE WISHING TO ENJOY A DIP THERE MAY USE THE SECONDARY AND TRAINING POOLS WHICH ARE NOT AFFECTED BY REPAIR WORK.

- - 0 - -

SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION M X *

THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1 230-METRE SEAWALL AND THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 16 HECTARES OF LAND OFF THE NORTHERN SHORE OF STONECUTTERS ISLAND.

ON COMPLETION, THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WHICH IS TO SERVE THE NORTH WESTERN PART OF KOWLOON.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE.

WATER CUT IN MID-LEVELS X K X

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 8) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE PREMISES AFFECTED WILL BE THOSE ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF BONHAM ROAD IN BETWEEN BREEZY PATH AND PARK ROAD, PARK ROAD, BREEZY PATH, LYTTELTON ROAD, BABINGTON ROAD, OAKLANDS PATH, PROSPECT PLACE AND UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

- - o -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 198}

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

S4 MILLION SPENT ON ISLANDS’ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS...... 1

GOOD PROSPECTS FOR TRAINED GARMENT DESIGNERS ................... 2

+MEET THE PUBLIC+ SCHEME FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN................ 3

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT TO MEET THE PRESS....................................................... 4

NEW CAREERS GUIDANCE OFFICE IN ED HEADQUARTERS ................. 4

TWO SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURES IN TSUEN WAN DECLARED DANGEROUS 5

REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES TO REMAIN OPEN ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON ...................................................... 5

SHORT TERM TENANCY OFFERED FOR CROWN LAND....................... 6

NEW ACCOMMODATION FOR YUEN LONG POST OFFICE COUNTER............. 6

KENNEDY TOWN TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS............................... 7

NEW MAXICAB ROUTE FOR KWUN TONG ................................ 7

WATER FIGURES .................................................. 7

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1983

1

>4 MILLION SPENT ON ISLANDS’ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS *****

ABOUT >4.05 MILLION WERE SPENT ON MORE THAN 300 LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT

LAST YEAR, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THESE PROJECTS RANGED FROM PROVISION OF FOOTBALL PITCHES, CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATH NETWORKS TO MINOR MAINTENANCE WORKS ON EXISTING FACILITIES.

EXAMPLES WERE THE IMPROVEMENT TO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN PUI 0, IMPROVEMENT TO ACCESS ROADS IN TUNG CHUNG AND MUI WO, AND CONSTRUCTION OF SITTING-OUT AREAS IN CHEUNG CHAU AND PENG CHAU.

MR YAP WAS SPEAKING ON +ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT* AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONESS CLUB OF BRAEMAR HILL.

OF THE >4.05 MILLION, >1.25 MILLION CAME FROM THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE, >1 MILLION FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND >1.8 MILLION FROM LOCAL CHARITABLE FUNDS AND PRIVATE DONATIONS.

HE SAID BOTH THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS AND DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS WERE INTENDED TO BE USED FOR MINOR WORKS TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF VILLAGERS.

♦PERHAPS THE DISTINCTION IS THAT THE EMPHASIS OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IS PLACED ON THE PROVISION OF BASIC FACILITIES, WHEREAS THE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN BY DISTRICT BOARD ARE ONE STEP BEYOND THE BASICS,♦ HE SAID.

ON THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS SCHEME WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1919, MR YAP SAID IT HAS PROVED TO BE ONE OF GOVERNMENT’S MOST VALUABLE MEASURES TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE SAID THE SCHEME NOT ONLY IMPROVED THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, BUT ALSO ENABLED EMERGENCY REPAIR WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN RESPECT OF INSECURE STRUCTURES.

♦EVEN THE MOST REMOTE AREAS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT DERIVE BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME,* MR YAP SAID.

HE CITED AN EXAMPLE WHICH TOOK PLACE IN 1960 WHEN RESIDENTS CF THE REMOTE SOKO ISLANDS STARTED TO BUILD A BREAKWATER TO AFFORD PROTECTION TO FISHING BOATS AROUND THE ISLANDS.

THE COST OF MATERIALS WAS MET FROM LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE, AN OUTLAY WHICH WAS PROVED FULLY JUSTIFIED IN PROTECTING THE BOATS AGAINST DAMAGE WHEN TYPHOON ALICE HIT HONG KONG IN 1961, HE SAID.

MR YAP SAID ABOUT >1.8 MILLION HAD BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE DISTRICT FROM THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, AND HE BELIEVED A SIMILAR AMOUNT OF >1 MILLION WOULD COME FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.

/+THERE HAS ......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 198?

2

♦THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY DIFFICULTY IN SPENDING THE FUNDS ALLOCATED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.

♦THE DIFFICULTY RESTS WITH THE DETERMINATION OF THE PRIORITIES CF THE PROJECTS.

♦BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT FUNDS TO MEET THE VARIOUS REQUESTS, VERY OFTEN MANY REQUESTS MUST BE EITHER HELD OVER OR REFUSED.

♦OTHER THAN SIMPLY RELYING ON GOVERNMENT’S RESOURCES TO MEET THIS KIND OF LOCAL DEMAND, ONE POSSIBLE WAY IS TO LOOK FOR THE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY ORGAN ISATION,♦ HE SAID.

------o-----.

GOOD PROSPECTS FOR TRAINED GARMENT DESIGNERS * * * *

TRAINED GARMENT DESIGNERS AND PATTERN MAKERS ARE MUCH IN DEMAND IN HONG KONG BECAUSE OF THE GROWING FASHION INDUSTRY.

MOST STUDENTS OF THE KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE’S CLOTHING DEPARTMENT HAD FIRM JOB OFFERS EVEN BEFORE THEIR GRADUATION, MISS SUSANNA IU, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT, SAID.

THE DEPARTMENT OFFERS TWO-YEAR CERTIFICATE COURSES AND TWO-YEAR DIPLOMA COURSES.

MANY OF THE GRADUATES FROM THE CERTIFICATE COURSES ARE NOW SERVING IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY AS ASSISTANT LINE SUPERVISORS, QUALITY CONTROLLERS, PATTERN GRADERS AND SEWING MACHINISTS WHILE SOME HAVE BEEN APPOINTED ASSISTANT MANAGERS, MISS IU POINTED OUT.

AS THE LOCAL FASHION INDUSTRY MUST RELY ON QUALITY RATHER THAN MASS PRODUCTION TO COMPETE IN OVERSEAS MARKETS, EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS FOR TRAINED DESIGNERS AND PATTERN MAKERS REMAIN GOOD, SHE SAID.

THE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST BATCH OF DIPLOMA COURSE STUDENTS WILL EE GRADUATING THIS SUMMER.

DESPITE THE CURRENT RECESSION, MISS IU SAID SHE WAS OPTIMISTIC THEY WOULD HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT.

ON THE COURSES, SHE SAID, +THOUGH CREATIVITY IS IMPORTANT, IT MUST BE COMBINED WITH PRACTICABILITY AS THE FASHION INDUSTRY DOES NOT RELY ON FANCY DESIGN ALONE FOR SUCCESS.+

AS PART OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMME, STUDENTS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO ORGANISE THEIR OWN FASHION SHOWS.

LAST MONTH, THEY STAGED A DISPLAY OF SOME 100 GARMENTS OF THEIR OWN DESIGN AT THE INSTITUTE, ATTRACTING HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS FROM NEARBY SCHOOLS.

/THE STAGE .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 198j

3

THE STAGE PERFORMANCE, WHICH INCLUDED MODELLING, LIGHTING AND SOUND MONITORING, REQUIRED FOUR MONTHS* PREPARATION UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE INSTITUTE’S LECTURERS.

BESIDES OFFERING THE STUDENTS MUCH FUN, THE SHOW HAS GIVEN THEM ORGANISATIONAL EXPERIENCE WHICH COULD BE USEFUL TO THEIR FUTURE CAREER, MISS IU SAID.

THE COURSES OFFERED BY THE INSTITUTE ARE RECOGNISED BY BRITAIN’S PRESTIGIOUS TECHNICIAN EDUCATION COUNCIL.

GRADUATES CAN ALSO ENHANCE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS BY TAKING PART IN THE EXAMINATIONS SET BY THE UK CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INSTITUTE.

♦GRADUATES OF THE CERTIFICATE COURSES MAY ENROLL FOR A TWO-YEAR HIGHER DIPLOMA COURSE SPECIALLY SET UP FOR THEM AT THE POLYTECHNIC,♦ MISS IU SAID.

-------0 - - - -

♦MEET THE PUBLIC+ SCHEME FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN X * * *

THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL INTRODUCE A ♦MEET THE PUBLIC+ SCHEME ON APRIL 12 (TUESDAY) FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS.

ON EVERY TUESDAY BETWEEN 6 PM AND 8 PM, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL TAKE TURNS TO MEET THE PUBLIC AND LISTEN TO THEIR SUGGESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS.

IF REQUIRED, SUGGESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS WOULD BE REFERRED TO RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR NECESSARY ACTION, A BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦AN EVALUATION REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AFTER THREE MONTHS,+ HE ADDED.

THOSE WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 5-420209 OR IN PERSON TO THE KENNEDY TOWN AND CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICES.

-----0------

/4........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1983

4

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT TO MEET THE PRESS

*****

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR {JJNSPORT, PRS LYNDA CHALKER, WHO HERE ON A FAMILIARISATION VISIT, WILL MEET THE PRESS ON FRIDAY (APRIL 8) AT 4.30 PM IN int GIS THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

-------o----------

NEW CAREERS GUIDANCE OFFICE IN ED HEADQUARTERS

* * * *

A NEW CAREERS GUIDANCE OFFICE WILL BE OPENED AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN LEE GARDENS, CAUSEWAY BAY, ON APRIL 8 TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON CAREERS EDUCATION TO STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS.

THE OFFICE. AT ROOM 405 OF THE CAREERS EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON THE FOURTH FLOOR WILL BE OPENED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4.30 PM DURING WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.45 AM ON SATURDAYS. IT WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

IT HAS A LIBRARY WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH LITERATURE, JOURNALS, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION AND LEAFLETS ON CAREERS. ITS STAFF WILL ALSO PROVIDE PERSONAL ADVICE AND CONSULTATION ON CAREERS MATTERS TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS WHO ARE REFERRED BY CAREERS TEACHERS.

SCHOOLS WISHING TO ORGANISE GROUP VISITS TO THE OFFICE SHOULD CONTACT THE CAREERS EDUCATION SECTION ON 5-8392540.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE OFFICE MAY BE MADE TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (CAREERS EDUCATION), MR H.W. LEUNG ON 5-8392222.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE CAREERS GUIDANCE OFFICE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT 4TH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, ON APRIL 8 AT 12 NOON.

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

------o-------

/5........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1983

5

TWO SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURES IN TSUEN WAN DECLARED DANGEROUS ft ft ft ft

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DECLARED THE TWO SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURES ON CROWN LAND LICENCE W7241 AT THE 11-1/2-MILE-STONE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THESE SINGLE STOREY POST-WAR STRUCTURES HAD BEEN INSPECTED RECENTLY.

A LANDSLIP HAD ALREADY BROUGHT DOWN A LARGE QUANTITY OF EARTH AND BOULDERS FROM THE ADJOINING HILLSIDE. A PROPORTION OF THIS MATERIAL NOW RESTED AGAINST OR WAS COVERING THE EXPOSED GROUND FLOOR SLABS OF THESE STRUCTURES.

AS THE ADJOINING SLOPE ABOVE THESE STRUCTURES STILL CONTAINED MANY OVERHANGING AND POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE BOULDERS THESE STRUCTURES WERE AT RISK.

IT WAS THEREFORE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE BOTH THESE STRUCTURES.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON MAY 4 WERE POSTED TODAY.

REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES TO REMAIN OPEN ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON ft ft ft ft

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT ITS 11 REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS IS TO FACILITATE APPLICATIONS FOR IDENTITY CARDS FROM CHILDREN WHO ARE STILL ON SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, AS WELL AS TO EASE THE PRESSURE WHICH HAS BEEN BUILDING UP RECENTLY BY THOSE WHO APPLIED FOR REPLACEMENT OF LOST IDENTITY CARDS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES CAN TELEPHONE 3-7333111.

- - o - -

/6

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1963

6

SHORT TERM TENANCY OFFERED FOR CROWN LAND * * * *

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A PIECE OF CROWN LAND AT AH KUNG NGAM, HONG KONG FOR SHORT TERM TENANCY.

THE LOT, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 1 970 SQUARE METRES IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS, VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS BUT EXCLUDING USE FOR A CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT.

THE TENANCY FOR THE SITE IS FOR ONE YEAR INITIALLY AND THEREAFTER MONTHLY.

ACCEPTANCE FOR APPLICATIONS OF TENDERS WILL CLOSE AT 12 NOON ON APRIL 22.

TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, MURRAY BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

-----0------

MEW ACCOMMODATION FOR YUEN LONG POST OFFICE COUNTER ft * * *

THE COUNTER SECTION OF THE YUEN LONG POST OFFICE IN THE DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE BUILDING IN YUEN LONG MAIN ROAD WILL BE MOVED TO SAU FU STREET ON MONDAY (APRIL 11) TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR OTHER POST OFFICE FACILITIES.

THE NEW OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE COUNTER FACILITIES AT THE YUEN LONG POST OFFICE WHICH WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AT 5 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE POST OFFICE BOXES AT THE DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE BUILDING WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED AT THE OLD OFFICE.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW POST OFFICE IS 0-773037 AND THE EXISTING BUSINESS HOURS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

- - o - -

/7

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1983

7

KENNEDY TOWN TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS MM*

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KENNEDY TOWN FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 7) FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS AT BELCHER’S STREET.

UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, TRAFFIC ON BELCHER’S STREET BETWEEN DAVIS STREET AND CADOGAN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.

EASTBOUND VEHICLES ALONG VICTORIA ROAD WILL TRAVEL VIA CADOGAN STREET, CATCHICK STREET AND SMITHFIELD BEFORE REJOINING BELCHER’S STREET.

VEHICLES (EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES) TRAVELLING SOUTHBOUND ALONG DAVIS STREET WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING LEFT INTO BELCHER’S STREET.

-------o-------' -

NEW MAX ICAB ROUTE FOR KWUN TONG M M M

A NEW MAXICAB ROUTE, 22M, LINK ING LOK WAH ESTATE WITH KWUN TONG MTR STATION WILL START ITS SERVICE FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 8).

THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE VIA THE ACCESS ROAD TO LOK WAH ESTATE, KUNG LOK ROAD, HONG NING ROAD, YUE MAN SQUARE (KWUN TONG MTR STATION), TUNG YAN STREET, KWUN TONG ROAD, HIP WO STREET, MUT WAH STREET, HONG NING ROAD, KUNG LOK ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO LOK WAH ESTATE.

IT WILL RUN FROM 6.30 AM TO 10.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND 8 AM TO ID PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. ITS FREQUENCY WILL BE FOUR MINUTES DURING PEAK HOURS AND SEVEN MINUTES DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS.

THE FARE WILL BE 80 CENTS PER TRIP FROM LOK WAH ESTATE TO YUE MAN SQUARE AND 80 CENTS ON THE RETURN JOURNEY.

-------o---------

WATER FIGURES M M M

STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STOOD AT 77.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 446.973 MILLION CUBIC

METRES.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 211.116 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 36.5 PER CENT CAPACITY.

OF

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FEBRUARY MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS ................. 1

NOMINATION FOR DB BY-ELECTIONS OPENS............................ 4

FISH FARMERS URGED TO USE FASTER GROWING FISH..................  5

TSING YI CULTURE 'WEEK STARTS CN SATURDAY ...................... 6

CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ....................  7

LEASE OF FORESHORE AND SEABED FOR PIER CONSTRUCTION ...........  7

WATER CUT.....................................................   8

URBAN CLEARWAY IN CAUSEWAY BAY ................................. 8

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1983

1

FEBRUARY MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS * * * * *

THE BUILD-UP IN THE PUBLIC’S HOLDINGS OF NOTES AND COIN AHEAD OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN MID-FEBRUARY WAS ONLY PARTLY REVERSED DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE MONTH, ACCORDING TO MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE MONTH PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY).

THUS, CURRENCY HELD BY THE PUBLIC WAS STILL 8.6 PER CENT HIGHER AT THE END OF FEBRUARY THAN AT THE BEGINNING. ON THE OTHER HAND THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS - MOST NOTABLY IN CURRENT AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. LOANS AND ADVANCES INCREASED ONLY FRACTIONALLY.

THE TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE SLIGHTLY AND THERE WAS A FURTHER SHIFT OF DEPOSITS FROM DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (DTCS) TO BANKS.

THE TABLE ATTACHED SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1983 AND COMPARISONS WITH PREVIOUS MONTHS.

HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY

THE NARROWEST DEFINITION OF MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M1, GREW BY

1.1 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, AFTER A RISE OF 4.8 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE BROADER DEFINITIONS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3, BOTH DECLINED BY 0.5 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 3.0 PER CENT AND 1.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY.

IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, HK$M1 ROSE BY 10.1 PER CENT, HK|M2 BY 5.1 PER CENT AND HK$M3 BY 2.9 PER CENT. IN THE 12 MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 17.1 PER CENT, 28 PER CENT AND 2.9 PER CENT.

TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY

TOTAL Ml AND TOTAL M2 ROSE BY 2.2 PER CENT AND 0.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, AS AGAINST 5.3 PER CENT AND 4.0 PER CENT IN JANUARY. TOTAL M3, ON THE OTHER HAND, FELL BY A MARGINAL 0.2 PER CENT AFTER THE 2.9 PER CENT INCREASE IN JANUARY.

IN THE THREE MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 5.2 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 7.1 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 4.8 PER CENT. IN THE 12 MONTHS TO FEBRUARY, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 17.2 PER CENT, 79.9 PER CENT AND 42.7 PER CENT.

/LOANS AND .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 198?

2

LOANS AND ADVANCES

TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 0.7 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AFTER A 1.4 PER CENT RISE IN JANUARY. OVER THREE MONTHS, THE GROWTH RATE WAS 3.5 PER CENT, AND OVER 12 MONTHS 25.9 PER CENT. LOANS TO FINANCE HONG KONG’S VISIBLE TRADE FELL BY A MARGINAL 0.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, BUT RECORDED GROWTH OF 3.9 PER CENT OVER THREE MONTHS AND 16.1 PER CENT OVER 12 MONTHS. OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 1.3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY- OVER THREE MONTHS THE GROWTH RATE WAS 4.1 PER CENT AND OVER 12 MONTHS 26.8 PER CENT. !

FOREIGN CURRENCY POSITION

THERE WERE SLIGHT DECREASES IN BOTH THE MONETARY SECTOR’S SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES IN FEBRUARY. THE SECTOR AS A WHOLE RECORDED AN INCREASE IN NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES, FROM $17.9 BILLION IN JANUARY TO $19.0 BILLION IN FEBRUARY. BANKS HAD NET LIABILITIES OF $11.8 BILLION AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAD NET LIABILITIES OF $7.2 BILLION.

STATISTICS COLLECTED (ON THE BASIS OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS) BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOW THAT AT THE END OF FEBRUARY THE MONETARY SECTOR HAD NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES OF $18.5 BILLION, AND NET FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS OF $38.1 BILLION.

LIQUIDITY RATIOS

THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S.18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS DECLINED FURTHER IN FEBRUARY TO 43.9 PER CENT FROM 45.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S.24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE) FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE TO 60 PER CENT FROM 55.5 pER CENT IN JANUARY.

NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS

THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 128 AND 21 RESPECTIVELY. THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, HOWEVER, DECREASED BY 1 TO 335.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 19&3

Money Supply

M1 - HKS

Foreign Currency

Total

M2 - HKS

Foreign Currency

Total

MJ - HKS

Foreign Currency

Total

deposits

Demand deposits

Savings deposits

Time deposits with banks

( Time deposits with dtcs

All HKS deposits

All foreign currency deposits

Total

Loans and advances

To finance Hong Kong*s visible trade

To finance merchandising trade not touching Hong Kong

Other loans for use in Hong Kong

Other loans for use outside Hong Kong

Other loans where the place of use is not known

All loans in HK$

'All loans

Total

Monetary Statistics - Febru-' ry 1983 HKSmn February 198/

February 198? Janu-'i Earlier months (% change to February 198 <)

y 1983 Nov- ?ib-‘r 1982

27,649 27,345 (*1.1% ) 25,107 (+10.1%) ■ 23,606 ( + 17.1; ) *

1,919 1,598 (+20.1 %) 3,003 (-36.17) 1,633 ( .17.5 ) !

29,568 28,°4j (+2.2%) 28,110 ( + 5.2 ) 25,2^9 G1 '?.• ) -4

123,940 124,605 (-0.5') 117,912 (+5.1; ) 96,854 x

91,44’ on,A33 (+1.1%) 87,169 (+9.9 ) 22,7.93 (+2 ’.■'■')

215,38’ 215,038 (+0.2' ) 201,81 ( + 7.17) 119,747 (♦. . )

151,002 151,828 (-0.5%) 146,709 (+2.9%) 146,715 )

107,274 106,719 (+0.’%) 99.697 (+7.6") 34.312 ( + ?’.’.(', )

253,276 258,746 (-0.2%) 246,'Of (+4.8 ) 181,027 (+42.7.)

16,8^6 17,232 (-2.2%) 17,217 (-2.2%) 1 14,8:"' (+13.r ) 1

69,804 70,438 (-0.9 ) 65,950 (+5.8%) 53,1-'6 (+31.4 ) ,

111,019 110,610 (+0.4%) 102,628 ( + 8.2 ) 38,655 (+187.2%)°

41,717 42,582 (-2.0%) 44,230 (-5,7) on,;--' (-30.9 ) ,

135,338 137,684 (-1.3%) 133,5’6 (1.7 ) 1T4,C’5 (+1.n.) 1

103,548 103,178 (+0.4%) 96.400 (+7.3.) 32,474 ( + 210.9%) '

230,386 240,863 (-0.6%) 230,026 (+4.1%) 167,013 ( + ''3.3%)

26,323 ?6,387 (-0.2?:) 25,334 (+3,9%) 22,671 (+16.1%)

2,173 2,182 (-0.4%) 2,547 (-14.7%) 2,775 (-21.7%)

193,079 1^0,633 (+1.3%) 185,394 (+4.1%) 152,289 (+26.8%)

102,649 102,380 (+0.3%) 99,793 (+2.9%) 79,057 (+29.8%)

14,137 14,'.27 (-2.0%) 13,927 (+1.5%) 11,853 (+19.3%)

185,213 183,^69 (<0.8%) 180,146 (+2.8%) 152,202 (+21.7%)

153,147 152,240 (tO.6%) 146,848 (+4.3%) 116,445 (+31.5%)

339,360 336,008 c+o;7%) 326,995 (+3,5%) 268.647 (+25.9%)

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1983

4

NOMINATION FOR DB BY-ELECTIONS OPENS * * * *

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST BY-ELECTIONS SINCE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE FORMED WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (APRIL 8) FOR TWO WEEKS, A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.

THE BY-ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 12 TO FILL TWO SEATS ON THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARDS WHICH HAVE BECOME VACANT FOLLOWING THE ELECTION OF TWO MEMBERS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL LAST MONTH.

THEY ARE MR KWAN LIM-HO OF QUARRY BAY CONSTITUENCY AND MR JOSEPH CHAN OF TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN CONSTITUENCY.

ANYONE WHO HAS REGISTERED AS AN ELECTOR AND HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS IS QUALIFIED FOR NOMINATION AS A CANDIDATE IN EITHER ONE CONSTITUENCY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

A CANDIDATE MUST BE NOMINATED BY 10 REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE CONSTITUENCY WHERE HE SEEKS ELECTION, AND A DEPOSIT OF $1 000 IS REQUIRED.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT GOVERNMENT WELCOMED PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO BECOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AS LONG AS THEY WERE GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE IN THAT DISTRICT AND COULD OFFER CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS ON DISTRICT REFORMS.

+THE DISTRICT BOARD SYSTEM HAS BEEN SET UP AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC SO THAT THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE CAN BE BETTER REFLECTED TO GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN MAKING POLICY DECISIONS,* HE SAID.

NOMINATION PAPERS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AND SHOULD BE RETURNED NOT LATER THAN APRIL 22.

A CANDIDATE MAY PROMOTE HIMSELF THROUGH TELEVISION, RADIO, PAMPHLETS AND POSTERS. BUT THE CAMPAIGN EXPENSES CANNOT EXCEED $10 000.

THERE ARE 22 155 REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE QUARRY BAY CONSTITUENCY AND 9 836 IN THE TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN CONSTITUENCY.

------c-------

Z5......

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1983

5

FISH FARMERS URGED TO USE~- FASTER GROWING FISH * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES. DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED POND FISH FARMERS TO USE FASTER GROWING SPECIES OF FISH TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF LAND.

NORMALLY HYBRID SPECIES OF FISH WOULD GROW FASTER THAN TRADITIONAL SPECIES.

LAST YEAR 59 FISH PONDS TOTALLING FOUR HECTARES OF LAND WERE LOST TO DEVELOPMENT AND 79 PONDS INVOLVING 13 HECTARES WERE RESUMED IN 1981.

SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 14TH TERM OF THE HONG KONG NEW TERRITORIES FISH CULTURE ASSOCIATION, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FACING THE FISH FARMING INDUSTRY

WAS THE CONTINUING LOSS OF LAND.

♦TO OFFSET THIS WE MUST INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF OUR EXISTING RESOURCES BY REDUCING LOSSES DUE TO FLOODING ASSOCIATED WITH HEAVY RAINFALL AND ADOPTING MORE INTENSIVE FORMS OF CULTURE.

♦THE USE OF FASTER GROWING FISH SPECIES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AND GREATER ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE QUALITY OF FEED AND FEEDING PRACTICES. WATER QUALITY MUST BE IMPROVED AND BETTER HARVESTING TECHNIQUES PRACTISED.+

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WAS DEVOTING CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO THESE PROBLEMS BUT THE FINAL ONUS OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEVELOPMENT MUST REST WITH THE PRACTISING FARMERS, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID.

HE SAID LAST YEAR POND FISH FARMERS SUFFERED BADLY FROM THE WEATHER, ESPECIALLY FROM THE HEAVY RAINSTORMS IN MAY AND AUGUST.

♦HOWEVER, AS USUAL, THEY WORKED HARD AND EVEN THE BADLY AFFECTED FISH FARMS WERE BROUGHT BACK QUICKLY INTO PRODUCTION.*

ANNUAL PRODUCTION IN 1982 WAS 7 780 TONNES VALUED AT $115 MILLION, COMPARED WITH THE 1981 PRODUCTION OF 6 780 TONNES, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID.

HE ALSO SAID MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION HAD GROWN FROM 30 WHEN IT WAS FIRST FORMED IN 1955 TO 430 TODAY.

♦THE ASSOCIATION’S GROWTH AND STRENGTH CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE USEFUL PART THE ASSOCIATION PLAYS WITHIN THE FISH FARMING COMMUNITY,♦ DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID.

HE PRAISED MR CHAN PUI-HING, THE PRESENT CHAIRMAN, ON HIS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF THE ASSOCIATION OVER THE PAST 12 YEARS HE HAD BEEN WITH IT.

0 - -

/6.......

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1983

6

TSI NG Yl CULTURE WEEK STARTS ON SATURDAY *****

A WEEK OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING JOINT SCHOOL PERFORMANCES, DANCING, CHILDREN’S CHOIR SINGING, CANTONESE OPERA AND FILM SHOWS, WILL BE HELD ON TSING Yl IN TSUEN WAN STARTING ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9).

SPONSORED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED $15 OOO TOWARDS HALF OF THE COST FOR THE EVENT, THE TSING Yl CULTURE WEEK WAS HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR THE ISLAND’S 45 □□□ RESIDENTS.

OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE A RECITATION DEMONSTRATION AND PERFORMANCE, CHINESE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, A HORTICULTURAL SHOW AND A BOOK EXHIBITION.

ALL EVENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE THE FIRST SUCH CENTRE ON THE ISLAND CENTRE WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY AND INCLUDING A 450-SEAT AUDITORIUM.

CHEUNG CHING COMMUNITY CENTRE -- DAILY UNTIL APRIL 16. THE HAS WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES,

ADMISSION FROM THE TSING ORGANISATIONS.

TO ALL EVENTS IS FREE AND TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE Yl PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE AND LOCAL

THE EVENT IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSING YI AREA COMMITTEE THE YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE, THE TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 2 PM ON SATURDAY.

OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE TSING Yl CULTURE WEEK TO BE HELD AT 2 PM AT THE CHEUNG CHING COMMUNITY CENTRE IN CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9). A GOVERNMENT VAN, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 1 PM FOR TSING Yl.

- o -

/7

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1983

CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT

X * X

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED the INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR PAUL WONG, SIR PHILIP VIEWED THE NEW VERSION OF THE INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION FILM +50 000 CAN’T BE WRONG+.

’HE “ILM HIGHLIGHTS THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT AND POTENTIAL

FOR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG-KONG. IT IS USED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR SHOWING PRINCIPALLY TO OVERSEAS INVESTORS TO STIMULATE THEIR INTEREST IN HONG KONG AS A MANUFACTURING BASE FOR THEIR BUSINESS OPERATIONS.

SIR PHILIP HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE DIRECTORATE AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE TOURING THE OFFICES.

-------o----------

LEASE OF FORESHORE AND SEABED FOR PIER CONSTRUCTION * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO GRANT A LEASE OF ABOUT 7 900 SQUARE METRES OF THE FORESHORE AND SEABED NEAR MI-ESTONE 10, CASTlE PEAK ROAD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICULAR FERRY PIER WITH FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC.

THE PIER WILL PROVIDE A CONNECTION TO DISCOVERY BAY FROM TSUEN WAN AND, UPON COMPLETION, WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING PUBLIC PIER NEARBY.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABtD AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL MUST REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN 60 DAYS.

THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, aITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.

THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE SURVEY DIVISION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONb AND AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, cqu aAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN aAN.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1983

8

WATER CUT * M *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN THE PEAK AREA WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 11) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED WILL BE BOUNDED BY TREGUNTER PATH, MY ROAD AND OLD PEAK ROAD.

PREMISES ALONG CONDUIT ROAD, HORNSEY ROAD, OLD PEAK ROAD AND NOS. 1, 2, 4, 10 ROBINSON ROAD WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.

- - 0 - -

URBAN CLEARWAY IN CAUSEWAY BAY * * *

MORETON TERRACE IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE DESIGNATED AS AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE ARRANGEMENT, WHICH WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, IS TO ENABLE ROAD WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA.

THE CLEARWAY RESTRICTION WILL BE ENFORCED BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY, WHEN ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.

- 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

INVESTMiNT IN EDUCATION MUST CONTINUE ....................... 1

EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS IN DECEMBER 1982 3

NEW ROLE OF CNTA ............................................ 9

NEW HOSPITAL FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN .......................... 11

CAREERS EDUCATION CENTRE TO SERVICE PUPILS, PARENTS ......... 12

HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP................................... 13

NORTH DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN OPENS ON SUNDAY ...... 15

WARNING ON BUSH-CUTTERS ..................................... 15

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX INCREASED............................ 16

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHEUNG WAN......................... 16

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

1

INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION MUST CONTINUE

*****

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT HONG KONG CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE EDUCATION OF ITS YOUNG PEOPLE SO THAT THEY WILL BE WELL TRAINED AND EQUIPPED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING WHICH HE PERFORMED FOR THE NEW CAMPUS OF HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT SHUE YAN WAS MAKING A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG IN THIS RESPECT.

THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING +MARKS A NEW PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE, AND CONSTITUTES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.

THE NEW CAMPUS PROJECT IS BEING ERECTED ON A SITE IN NORTH POINT GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT NO PREMIUM.

SIR EDWARD PAID TRIBUTE TO DR HENRY H.L. HU AND DR CHUNG CHI-YUNG, WHO FOUNDED THE COLLEGE IN 1971 AND TO THE TING FAMILY.

♦THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN PERSONAL ENTHUSIASM AND IN FINANCIAL TERMS ARE CONSIDERABLE, AS ARE THOSE OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

♦WITHOUT THEIR ENERGY, FORESIGHT AND DETERMINATION, SHUE YAN WOULD NOT HAVE COME INTO BEING AND THIS PROJECT WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN REALISED,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.

/NOTE TO .......

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 198?

2

NOTE TO EDITORSj

THE TEXT OF SIR EDWARD’S SPEECH FOLLOWS: X

♦MR TING, DR HU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

+l AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE TODAY TO LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE NEW CAMPUS OF HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE. THIS EVENT MARKS A NEW PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE ; AND CONSTITUTES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.

+ | AM PLEASED TO LEARN THAT, SINCE ITS FOUNDATION IN 1971 AS A LIBERAL ARTS POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE, SHUE YAN HAS EXPANDED RAPIDLY IN BOTH STUDENT NUMBERS AND IN THE NUMBER OF COURSES OF STUDY OFFERED. INDEED BY 1977 IT HAD OUTGROWN THE PREMISES IN SING WOO ROAD AND HAD TO ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL PREMISES |N MONMOUTH PATH, WAN CHAI, TO ACCOMMODATE THE TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 3 500 STUDENTS.

♦THE NEED FOR PURPOSE-BUILT ACCOMMODATION FOR THE COLLEGE ON A PERMANENT CAMPUS WAS RECOGNISED FROM THE OUTSET BY THE BOARD Or GOVERNORS AND DETAILED PLANNING COMMENCED AS EARLY AS 1972 FOR A NEW CAMPUS TO BE ERECTED ON THIS SITE, WHICH WAS GRANTED BY GOVERNMENT AT NIL PREMIUM. THE CAPITAL COST OF BUILDING AND EQUIPPING THE COLLEGE’S NEW FACILITIES IS ESTIMATED TO BE $35 MILLION AND WILL BE MET BY DONATIONS FROM THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO PAY PARTICULAR TRIBUTE TO DR HU AND DR CHUNG, WHO FOUNDED THE COLLEGE IN 1971 AND TO THE TING FAMILY. THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN PERSONAL ENTHUSIASM AND IN FINANCIAL TERMS ARE CONSIDERABLE, AS ARE THOSE OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS. WITHOUT THEIR ENERGY, FORESIGHT AND DETERMINATION, SHUE YAN WOULD NOT HAVE COME INTO BEING AND THIS PROJECT WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN REALISED.

♦THE DEMAND FOR POST-SECONDARY PLACES IN HONG KONG IS EVIDENT AND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE EDUCATION OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE SO THAT THEY WILL BE WELL TRAINED AND EQUIPPED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE. SHUE YAN IS MAKING A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG IN THIS RESPECT.

♦ONCE AGAIN, I CONGRATULATE THE COLLEGE ON GETTING THIS FINE PROJECT OFF THE GROUND AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ITS COMPLETION IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.+

-----0------

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

5

EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS IN DECEMBER 1982 * * * * *

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN DECEMBER 1982.

THESE WERE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED EVERY QUARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT COVERING THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.

A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERS BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES. THE OVERALL FIGURES BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1981 AND SEPTEMBER 1982, ARE AS FOLLOWS i-

PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN

PERCENTAGE CHANGE *

SELECTED MAJOR

SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY

DEC. 81 SEPT. 82 DEC. 82

DEC. 82 ON DEC. 82 ON

DEC. 81 SEPT. 82

MANUFACTURING 905 900 856 100 847 200 -6.5 -1.0

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY) 88 900 81 200 82 100 -7.7 +1.0

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 483 800 502 800 517 700 +7.0 +3.0

FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 154 800 167 700 166 100 +7.3 -0.9

COMPARING THE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1982 WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1981 SHOWED THAT THERE WERE INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. AT 166 100, EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, RC \L ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR WAS 7.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1981.

/EXPLOYMJUT IN

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 198?

4

EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 517 700, WAS 7.0 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1981.

ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED BY 6.5 PER CENT AND 7.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

COMPARED WI^TsEPTEMBER 1982, EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES AND IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT AND 3.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

THE INCREASE OF ONE PER CENT IN EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES WAS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT AT HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS SITES. ON THE OTHER HAND, MODERATE DECREASES OF 1.0 PER CENT AND 0.9 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RESPECTIVELY.

DDnu TOGETHER WITH THE EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS, THE SURVEY ALSO STATISTICS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS

SK™, *ND THE FINANCE« INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS

SECTOR IN DECEMBER 1982. THE OVERALL FIGURES BY MAJOR

TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING

FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1981 AND SEPTEMBER 1982, ARE AS FOLLOWS :-

NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN

PERCENTAGE CHANGE X

SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC. 81 SEPT. 82 DEC. 82 DEC. 82 ON DEC. 81 DEC. 82 ON SEPT. 82

MANUFACTURING 44 100 29 900 23 800 -46.0 -20.4

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 6 500 4 500 3 900 -41.1 -14.9

FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 2 300 1 7G0 1 800 -20.9 + 7.2

/COMPARED WITH .......

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 19$3

COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1981, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR DECEMBER 1982 DECREASED IN ALL OF THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS. THE DECREASES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR WERE 46.0 PER CENT, 41.1. PER CENT AND 20.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

RELATIVE TO SEPTEMBER 1982, DECREASES OF 20.4 PER CENT AND 14.9 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES WERE REGISTERED RESPECTIVELY IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR.

OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR REPORTED AN INCREASE OF 7.2 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES.

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.

QUARTERLY TOTALS FOLLOWING TABLE. FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE

TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE X

SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 4TH QTR. 1981 4TH QTR. 1982 4TH QTR. 1982 ON 4TH QTR. 1981

HK$ MN HK$ MN

MANUFACTURING 5 076 5 111 + 0.7

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 2 931 3 530 +18.4

FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE A 3 BUSINESS .ERVICES 1 671 2 017 +20.7

RELATIVE TO THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN T::E ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT, 18.4 PER CENT A’0 '’0.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE INCREASES IN THE WHOLESALE AND R^-A.'L, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND 7 - FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. T 18.4 PER CENT A* D 20.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WERE PARTICULARLY RAPID. SUCH SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE IN PART DUE TO A RAPID

INCREASE N EMPLOYMENT.

/BY ADJUVTUJQ........

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 198}

6

BY ADJUSTING FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL PAYROLL OUTLAYS ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED. TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE ™DEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. VALUES OF THESE TWO INDICES ARE GIVEN IN-THE TABLES BELOW i- NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED

(JUNE 1980 - 100) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC. 81 DEC. 82 DEC. 82 ON DEC. 81

MANUFACTURING 138.4 150.7 +8.9

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 155.6 168.7 +8.4

FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 172.9 194.9 +12.7

REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 - 100)

PERCENTAGE CHANGE

SELECTED MAJOR

SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY

DEC. 81

DEC. 82

DEC. 82 ON

DEC. 81

MANUFACTURING

.HOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS

F ICE,

. RANCE, .AL ESTATE

3 SUS I NESS SERVICES

114.0

113.1

128.2 126.7 -1.2

142.4 146.3 +2.7

/COMPARED WITH .......

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1981, INCREASES OF 8.9 PER CENT, 8.4 PER CENT AND 12.7 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL' ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RESPECTIVELY.

OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED SHOWED DECREASES OF 0.8 PER CENT AND 1.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR. ON THE OTHER HAND, AN INCREASE OF 2.7 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.

EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SELECTED INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES WITHIN THE FOUR SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLES.

FURTHER DETAILS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS: MR AU HOO-KIT — 5-434185, MR NG KUNG-TAK — 5-455661, AND MR CHOI FUN-TAI — 5-455668.

DETAILS OF EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES

I. MANUFACTURING SECTOR

INDUSTRY GROUP DEC. EMPLOYMENT IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE

81 SEPT. 82 DEC. 82 DEC. 82 ON DEC. 81 DEC. 82 ON SEPT. 82

WEARING APPAREL (EXCLUDING KNITWEAR FROM YARN) 259 700 251 400 257 300 - 0.9 + 2.3

TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITWEAR FROM YARN) 122 600 111 600 111 900 - 8.8 + 0.3

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND S'j: LIES, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 124 800 118 800 113 100 - 9.4 - 4.9

PLASTIC PRODUCTS 89 100 83 000 80 700 - 9.4 - 2.8

FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 82 400 73 500 70 800 -14.1 - 3.7

/II. BUILDING AND........

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

8

II. BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

(MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY) EMPLOYMENT IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE *

DEC. 82 DEC. 82

ON ON

CONTRACTING PARTY DEC. 81 SEPT. 82 DEC. 82 DEC. 81 SEPT. 82

HOUSING DEPARTMENT 16 500 16 300 17 600 + 6.6 + 8.3

OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS + 20 300 18 100 19 000 - 6.7 + 4.8

MASS TRANSIT RA ILWAY CORPORATION ++ 2 000 4 300 5 000 +150.9 +16.2

PRIVATE SECTOR 50 000 42 600 40 500 -19.1 - 5.0

INCLUDING BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT

++ CONSTRUCTION SITES UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION REFER TO M.T.R. CONTRACTS FOR WHICH WORK WAS IN PROGRESS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD

III. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR

INDUSTRY GROUP EMPLOYMENT IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE M

DEC. 81 SEP! ’. 82 DEC. 82 DEC. 82 ON DEC. 82 ON SEPT. 82

DEC. 81

.HOLESALE TRADE 53 300 55 900 57 200 + 7.2 + 2.3

RETAIL TRADE i' ;PORT/EXPORT 156 500 161 900 167 700 7.1 + 3.5

BUSINESS RESTAURANTS, 124 000 130 500 132 600 + 7.0 + 1.6

CAFES AND BARS HOTELS AND 128 600 132 400 137 600 + 7.0 + 3.9

BOARDING HOUSES 21 400 22 100 22 600 /n. + FINANCE, 5.9 + 2.4

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 198?

9

IV. FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR

EMPLOYMENT IN PERCENTAGE ; CHANGE *

INDUSTRY GROUP DEC. 81 SEPT. 82 X DEC. 82 DEC. 82 ON DEC. 81 DEC. 82 ON SEPT. 82

MONETARY INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING BANKS 49 400 52 300 52 400 + 6.1 + 0.1

REAL ESTATE COMPANIES 23 100 26 500 25 400 +10.0 - 4.1

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 26 200 26 800 25 500 - 2.8 - 5.1

ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING FIRMS 5 700 6 600 6 600 +16.2 + 0.6

ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 10 300 11 700 11 400 +10.1 - 3.2

X BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES

-------o---------

NEW ROLE OF CNTA

* M *

THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE AS THE +EYES AND EARS+ OF THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE LIAISON NETWORK OF ITS 70 ADMINISTRATIVE AND 500 EXECUTIVE AND LIAISON OFFICERS.

THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, bfl ALBERT LAM, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A LUNCHEON SPEECH ON THE NEW ROLE OF THE CNTA TO THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG EAST AND LIONS CLUB OF THE PEAK.

+THROUGH THESE OFFICERS, THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY, THAT IS TO SAY, THE PEOPLE’S WISHES, ASPIRATIONS AND NEEDS.

+THE CNTA IS OFTEN CALLED UPON TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE, AND WHAT IS NOT,+ MR LAM SAID.

/+WE ALSO .......

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

10

+WE ALSO ENSURE THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE DEVELOPMENT CF EACH DISTRICT IS PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED IN A BALANCED AND SENSIBLE MANNER, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT WHAT THE PEOPLE REALLY WANT, AS OPPOSED TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT THINK THEY WANT.+

UNDER A MAJOR ADMINISTRATIVE REORGANISATION, THE CNTA WAS FORMED iN DECEMBER 1981 THROUGH THE AMALGAMATION OF THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

MR LAM SAID STAFF OF THE 18 DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY MET AND TALKED TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE EVERY DAY.

+IN THIS WAY, CNTA KEEPS ITSELF AND THE REST OF GOVERNMENT INFORMED OF WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING, OR WORRIED ABOUT, SO THAT THE DECISION-MAKERS OF GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE PUBLIC OPINION INTO ACCOUNT WHEN INTRODUCING NEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND CHANGE OUTDATED OR UNSATISFACTORY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES,+ HE SAID.

ANOTHER MAJOR ROLE OF THE CNTA, MR LAM ADDED, WAS TO ENSURE THAT DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OPERATED EFFECTIVELY AND DEVELOPED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND THAT THEIR ADVICE RECEIVED PROMPT ATTENTION FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES.

+IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE DONE MUCH TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE DISTRICTS, AND HAVE RENDERED MUCH VALUABLE ASSISTANCE TO GOVERNMENT IN VARIOUS WAYS,+ HE SAID.

COMMITTEES AND VARIOUS OTHER BODIES HAD BEEN FORMED TO TACKLE A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL ISSUES, RESULTING IN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, AND BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES ALL ROUND, HE SAID.

THE CNTA, ALONG WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ALSO TOOK AN ACTIVE PART IN PROMOTING AND ORGANISING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.

HE SAID A LOT OF WORK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN THE COMING FOUR WEEKS TO PUBLICISE THE BY-ELECTIONS FOR THE TIN WAN/SHEK PA i WAN AND QUARRY BAY DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCIES WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MAY 12.

IT WAS ALSO THE AIM OF THE CNTA TO FOSTER AND DEVELOP GOOD COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN THE DISTRICTS, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE VARIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES WERE IMPLEMENTED WITH IMAGINAilON, CARE AND WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN EACH DISTRICT, HE SAID.

-------0---------

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

11

NEW HOSPITAL FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN * * * *

THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS IN AUGUST THIS YEAR FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CF A NEW HOSPITAL NEAR THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

THE NEW HOSPITAL WILL HAVE 1 600 BEDS AND SERVE THE RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TOWN AS WELL AS THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

BUILDING WORK IS EXPECTED TO START TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 42 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE HOSPITAL WILL COMPRISE FOUR 10-STOREY MAIN WARD BLOCKS, A 10-STOREY OPERATING THEATRE BLOCK, A THREE-STOREY PATHOLOGY BLOCK AND A FOUR-STOREY BLOCK TO HOUSE VARIOUS SPECIAL FACILITIES AND SUNDRY ANCILLARY AREA.

IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL AND STAFF QUARTERS.

WORK ON THE PRESENT CONTRACT WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION CF THE HOSPITAL BLOCKS, FINISHES, SERVICES INSTALLATIONS INCLUDING AIR-CONDITIONING, VENTILATION, FIRE PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.

WORK ON THE NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL AND STAFF QUARTERS WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY SEPARATE CONTRACTS.

GROUP ’C’ CONTRACTORS AND OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS IN THE BUILDING WORKS CATEGORY OF THE LANDS AND WORKS APPROVED CONTRACTORS LIST AND II ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PRE-QUALIF(CATION FOR THE MAIN BUILDING CONTRACT.

AND SPECIALIST BUILDING SERVICES CONTRACTORS ON THE LANDS AND WORKS APPROVED LISTS OF SUPPLIERS AND SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS MAY APPLY FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR SERVICES INSTALLATION CONTRACT^.

APPLICATIONS FOR INCLUSION ON THE LISTS MUST REACH THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT '-^ARTMPNT, 12TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD BcFORE -.2 NOON ON FRIDAY, APRIL 29.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ANY Cc THE CONTRACTS MAY BE CHAINED FROM THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT.

/12........

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

12

CAREERS EDUCATION CENTRE TO SERVICE PUPILS, PARENTS * * * X

CAREERS EDUCATION IS FOR LIFE, MR COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN HE OPENED THE CAREERS EDUCATION CENTRE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, HONG KONG.

+IT IS IN THIS RECOGNITION THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR CAREERS ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PUPILS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS,+ MR HAYE NOTED.

THE CENTRE, WHICH WILL BE MATCHED BY ANOTHER SERVING KOWLOON BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WILL PROVIPE PERSONAL ADVICE AND CONSULTATION ON CAREERS MATTERS, AND A CAREERS LIBRARY THAT MAY BE DRAWN UPON BY PUPILS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS.

THE ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND MISTRESSES, WHICH NOW HAS 350 MEMBER SCHOOLS, WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH A ROOM IN WHICH TO MOUNT AN ENQUIRY SERVICE EVERY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY MORNING FROM JUNE, WHEN EXAMINATION RESULTS BRING HUNDREDS OF ANXIOUS ENQUIRIES TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

+IT IS VITAL THAT BOYS AND GIRLS GET CAREERS COUNSELLING BY THE AGE OF 15 BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN THEY MUST DECIDE WHETHER IT IS WORTH PURSUING AN ACADEMIC OR TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION,* MR HAYE SAID.

TOO OFTEN ANXIOUS PARENTS FORCED THEIR CHILDREN INTO UNSUITABLE MOULDS OR INTO OVER-ACHIEVING, WHICH MEANT UNHAPPINESS AND FRUSTRATION. +THIS IS WHY THEY TOO NEED CAREERS EDUCATION,*

MR HAYE SAID.

HE

HE ADDED THAT THE CENTRE WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT FOR CAREERS TEACHERS TO MEET AND EXCHANGE IDEAS. +IT IS H°PE£ ™AT MORE CAREERS TEACHERS WILL COME AND MAKE USE OF THE ABUNDANT MATERIALS

AVAILABLE IN THE CENTRE,* MR HAYE SAID.

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/13........

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

13

HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ft ft ft ft

YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS WHO WISH TO JOIN THE 4TH HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP THIS SUMMER ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION FORMS TO THE MUSIC OFFICE BY APRIL 15.

THE MUSIC CAMP, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT ST STEPHEN’S COLLEGE, STANLEY, FROM JULY 30 TO AUGUST 14.

APART FROM INVITING LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS TO JOIN THE CAMP, INVITATIONS ARE ALSO EXTENDED TO OVERSEAS INSTRUMENTALISTS.

♦IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING IN BOTH WESTERN AND CHINESE INSTRUMENTS IN A SUMMER CAMP ATMOSPHERE, THE MUSICAL CAPABILITIES OF YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BE DEVELOPED AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE BE FOSTERED,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

MUSIC TRAINING IN THE FORM OF WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, MASTERCLASSES, HI-FI MUSIC APPRECIATION, SECTIONAL AND ORCHESTRAL REHEARSALS ETC. WILL BE CONDUCTED BY BOTH RENOWNED LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MUSICIANS.

FOR RELAXATION DURING THE CAMP PERIOD, THERE WILL BE SPORT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING, TRAMPOLINI NG, CANOEING, TENNIS, ARCHERY, FOLK DANCE, BALL GAMES AND THE LIKE.

CLIMAX OF THE MUSIC CAMP WILL BE A FINALE CONCERT SET TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL ON AUGUST 13.

CANDIDATES APPLYING TO JOIN THE SYMPHONY/CHINESE ORCHESTRA CF THE CAMP SHOULD BE UNDER 24 YEARS OF AGE: WITH AN ATTAINED GRADE V OR ABOVE IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION, CR EQUIVALENT, IN WESTERN ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS- OR THOSE WHO HAVE REACHED AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE IN CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS (ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE).

CANDIDATES APPLYING TO JOIN THE JUNIOR STRING ORCHESTRA OF THE CAMP SHOULD BE UNDER 17 YEARS OF AGE WITH AN ATTAINED GRADE IV IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT.

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES MAY BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION TO rE HELD IN MAY. CAMP FEE WILL BE $200, INCLUSIVE OF TUITION FEES, THREE MEALS EACH DAY AND ACCOMMODATION.

/HEAN'rfHILE, .........

FRIDAY, APRIL & 1983

14

MEANWHILE, APPLICATION FORMS ARE STILL OBTAINABLE ATi (A) MUSIC OFFICE

(I) HEAD OFFICE

(II) KWUN TONG MUSIC CENTRE

(III) YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE

(IV) MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE

(V) TSUEN WAN MUSIC CENTRE

(VI) YUEN LONG MUSIC CENTRE

9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG. (TEL. I 5-283257)

3RD FLOOR, YAN HAU MANSION,

100 TING FU STREET, NGAU TAU KOK, KOWLOON. (TEL. i 3-7561328)

2ND TO 3RD FLOORS,

GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 138 AUSTIN ROAD, KOWLOON. (TEL. : 3-7226240)

1ST FLOOR, CAMBRIDGE COURT, 84 WATERLOO ROAD,

KOWLOON. (TEL. s 3-7149255)

2ND TO 3RD FLOORS,

CHEUNG YIU BUILDING, 167-173 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN,

NEW TERRITORIES. (TEL. : 0-428127)

2ND TO 3RD FLOORS,

YUEN LONG CENTRE,

SAU FU STREET, YUEN LONG,

NEW TERRITORIES. (TEL. : 0-750465)

(B) HEADQUARTERS, RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICES, 11TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG AND ALL ITS DISTRICT OFFICES.

(C) ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD REACH THE MUSIC OFFICE, FCAD OFFICE, 9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE APRIL 15.

------o - -

/15........

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

15

NORTH DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN OPENS ON SUNDAY

* * * * *

THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GORDON MORTIMER WILL OPEN THE 1983/84 NORTH DISTRICT ANT I-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN THIS SUNDAY (APRIL 10) AT 3 PM AT THE FANLING PLAYGROUND IN FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.

IT IS ALSO THE FIRST MAJOR PROJECT OF THE YEAR-LONG INTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE TERRITORY-WIDE ANT I-NARCOTICS EXERCISE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS LAUNCHING AS A TOP PRIORITY IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A POP CONCERT PRODUCED BY RADIO 2 OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FUNCTION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THOUSANDS OF YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE CONCERT WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 10) AT THE FANLING PLAYGROUND IN FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.

------o-------

WARNING ON BUSH-CUTTERS * * *

PORTABLE GASOLINE BUSH-CUTTERS COULD PROVE TO BE LETHAL IF THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED OR OPERATED BY UNTRAINED WORKERS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WARNED TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE WAS COMMENTING ON AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH AN UNTRAINED WORKER WAS KILLED WHEN HE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE REVOLVING BLADE OF A BUSH-CUTTER.

+PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE WORKER HAD BEEN USING THE BUSH-CUTTER, BUT HE LATER PUT IT ON THE GROUND WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE THROTTLE LEVER TO STOP THE BLADE TURNING,* HE NOTED.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT MANY MODERN PORTABLE GASOLINE BUSH-CUTTERS HAVE A SAFETY THROTTLE SYSTEM WHICH ENSURES THAT THE BLADE IS STATIONARY WHEN THE ENGINE IS IDLING. UNDER THIS SYSTEM THE BLADE WILL REVOLVE ONLY WHEN THE USER PRESSES A LEVER WHILE USING THE ENGINE.

+ALTHOUGH THIS ACCIDENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO LACK OF TRAINING IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE BUSH-CUTTER HAD THE NECESSARY SAFETY THROTTLE SYSTEM.

♦IT S ESSENTIAL NOT ONLY FOR A BUSH-CUTTER TO BE INCORPORA TED WITH A SAFETY THROTTLE SYSTEM BUT ALSO ALL USERS BE PROPERLY TRAINED,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1983

16

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX INCREASED * * * * *

THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED HOTEL PROPRIETORS THAT HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX-HAVE BEEN INCREASED FROM FOUR TO FIVE PER CENT.

THE INCREASE WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 FOLLOWED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET PROPOSALS IN FEBRUARY WHICH WERE SUBSEQUENTLY APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

- 0 - -

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHEUNG WAN * * * *

FROM 10 AM NEXT MONDAY (APRIL 11), MORRISON STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS.

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE RENEWAL OF TRAM TRACKS IN THE AREA, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ALONG DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL HEADING FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL HAVE TO USE MAN WA LANE OR RUMSEY STREET.

- o - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ENHANCED EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR EASTERN DISTRICT............... 1

BUSY SCHEDULE FOR LORD COCKFIELD .............................. 2

NOTES FOR PLATE MANUFACTURERS................................

NEW SUB-OFFICE FOR POKFULAM RESIDENTS ......................... 3

CONFERENCE ON ADULT EDUCATION OPENS............................ 4

SITTING-OUT AREAS FOR SAI YING PUN AND YAU MA TEI ............. 5

TSING YI CULTURAL WEEK OPENS .................................. 5

LECTURES ON FOOD HYGIENE FOR NT RESTAURANT OPERATORS......... 6

LAYING OF WATER MAINS IN TAI PO ............................... 7

FRESH WATER CUT IN N.T......................................... 7

FIRING PRACTICE

7

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1983

ENHANCED EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR EASTERN DISTRICT ******

EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE ENHANCED WHEN THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SECTION OF THE CHAI WAN HEALTH CENTRE COMES INTO OPERATION ON MONDAY (APRIL 11).

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE SECTION WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, AND WILL SERVE AS THE DISTRICT’S CASUALTY STATION UNTIL THE PROPOSED EASTERN HOSPITAL IS COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS DECADE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR EMERGENCY CASES IN THE HONG KONG REGION ARE PROVIDED AT QUEEN MARY AND TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITALS, TRAFFIC CONGESTION DURING PEAK HOURS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF CASUALTY CASES TO THE HOSPITALS.

IT IS HOPED THAT WITH THE OPENING OF THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SECTION AT THE CHAI WAN HEALTH CENTRE, THE SITUATION WILL BE MUCH IMPROVED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT ACCIDENT VICTIMS TAKEN TO THE CHAI WAN CLINIC WILL BE GIVEN PRIMARY TREATMENT AND THEIR CONDITIONS WILL BE STABILISED BEFORE THEY ARE SENT TO EITHER TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL OR QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND TREATMENT.

THE CLINIC WILL BE MANNED BY SIX DOCTORS AND ELEVEN NURSES WHO WILL BE WORKING ON SHIFT DUTY TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN BOTH THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SECTION AND THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT.

FOUR OBSERVATION BEDS AS WELL AS LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS, WHICH ARE COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF OTHER ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE CLINIC.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AN ASSESSMENT WILL LATER BE MADE TO SEE WHETHER THERE IS A NEED TO EXTEND THE SERVICES BEYOND 9.30 PM.

HE SAID THAT A FULL ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE 1 400-BED EASTERN HOSPITAL AT CHAI WAN WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF MEDICAL SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

-----o------

SATURDAY, APRIL y,

2

BUSY SCHEDULE FOR LORD COCKFIELD * * * *

BRITAIN’S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, LORD COCKFIELD, WILL HAVE A TIGHT SCHEDULE DURING HIS THREE-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG FROM SUNDAY (APRIL 10) TO WEDNESDAY (APRIL 13).

HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY COCKFIELD.

DURING HIS STAY, HE WILL TOUR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND VISIT THE CASTLE PEAK POWER STATION.

HE WILL ALSO CALL ON THE UMELCO MEMBERS, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.

LORD COCKFIELD WILL VISIT A MAJOR ELECTRONIC PLANT AND A CONTAINER TERMINAL COMPLEX AS WELL AS MEET WITH VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

HE IS SCHEDULED TO GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON APRIL 12.

------o-------

NOTES FOR PLATE MANUFACTURERS

X X X X

MANUFACTURERS OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION PLATES MUST ENSURE THAT THEIR PRODUCTS COMPLY WITH THE REVISED ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (LICENSING) OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR C.J. PRISTON SAID TODAY.

AS STATED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON MARCH 25, 1983, THE PLATES MUST COMPLY WITH THE BRITISH SPECIFICATION BS AU 145(A) PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 11, 1972.

THIS SPECIFICATION COVERS THE REQUIREMENT FOR REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES OF THE PLATES AND THE STANDARDS FOR RESISTANCE TO CORROSION, WATER AND EXTREMES OF TEMPERATURE.

MR PRISTON SAID THAT ALL LETTERS AND NUMERALS MUST BE MORE THAN 8 CM AND LESS THAN 11 CM HIGH.

THIS DIMENSION WILL NOT APPLY TO MOTOR CYCLES WHICH IN FUTURE ARE PERMITTED TO CARRY ONE NUMBER PLATE AT THE REAR WITH LETTERS AND NUMERALS 5 CM HIGH.

THE PROPORTION AND FORM OF THE LETTERS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE CURRENTLY IN USE AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE GAZETTE.

THE REGULATION WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR FOR ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED ON OR AFTER THAT DATE, AND ALL CURRENTLY REGISTERED VEHICLES MUST BE FITTED WITH REFLECTING NUMBER PLATES BY JUNE 1, 1985.

THE REGULATIONS COVER ALL VEHICLES INCLUDING TAXIS, GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

/BEFOEE ANY .......

SATURDAY, APRIL 9. 1983

- 3 -

BEFORE ANY PLATE IS FITTED TO A VEHICLE UNDER THESE REGULATIONS A SAMPLE MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING DIVISION AT 2 MURRAY ROAD, CENTRAL, TOGETHER WITH A LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTE STATING THAT THE SAMPLE MEETS THE REQUIREMENT OF BRITISH SPECIFICATION BS AU 145(A).

EACH SAMPLE MUST BE LEGIBLY AND PERMANENTLY MARKED WITH THE SPECIFICATION NUMBER AND THE NAME, TRADEMARK OR OTHER MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION OF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PLATE.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL KEEP A RECORD OF THOSE MANUFACTURERS, AND TRADEMARKS WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND ISSUE A CERTIFICATE THAT THE PLATE COMPLIES WITH HIS REQUIREMENTS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BUYING REFLECTING NUMBER PLATES ARE ADVISED TO CHECK THAT THE PLATES HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND BEAR THE SPECIFICATION NUMBER BS AU 145(A).

+FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS COULD RESULT IN A HEAVY FINE FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER,+ MR PRISTON WARNED.

COMPANIES WISHING TO MANUFACTURE THEIR OWN PLATES ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT SAMPLES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTE AT 2 PARK STREET, LONDON WIA 2BS.

FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE SPECIFICATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG STANDARDS AND TESTING CENTRE BY CALLING 3-659061.

-------------------o------- NEW SUB-OFFICE FOR POKFULAM RESIDENTS *****

A NEW SUB-OFFICE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE SERVING RESIDENTS OF WAH FU AND POKFULAM AREA WAS OPENED TODAY (SATURDAY).

LOCATED AT THE WAH CHING HOUSE IN WAH FU ESTATE, THE OFFICE PROVIDES SUCH SERVICES AS ADMINISTERING STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, GIVING ADVICE ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES, DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS, DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS AND FREE LEGAL ADVICE BY LAWYERS FROM THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE NEW OFFICE IS 5-510111.

ON EVERY TUESDAY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 9 PM, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO HOLD THE +MEET THE PUBLIC* SESSION AT THE NEW OFFICE.

RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO CHANNEL THEIR VIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT AND OTHER PROBLEMS TO THE BOARD MEMBERS CAN EITHER CALL AT THE OFFICE OR MAKE APPOINTMENT AT 5-524429.

THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT IS NOW SERVED BY THREE DISTRICT OFFICES -THE MAIN OFFICE IN ABERDEEN CENTRE, THE STANLEY SUB-OFFICE AND THE NEW WAH FU SUB-OFFICE.

OFFI'IATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ,-FICER, MR K.C. KWONG, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR KWOK WAI-MING AND MR LAM KWOK-KWONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE WAH FU AREA COMMITTEE, MR CHIM CHUNG-LEUNG AND CHAIRMAN OF THE POKFULAM AREA COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG WAI-SUM.

0 -

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1983

4

CONFERENCE ON ADULT EDUCATION OPENS

*****

MORE THAN 1 OOO TEACHERS AND PEOPLE ENGAGED IN ADULT EDUCATION TODAY (SATURDAY) ATTENDED THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TWO-DAY 28TH ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN SHA TIN.

UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR HO KAM-FAI, DELIVERED THE THEME LECTURE OF THE CONFERENCE WHICH FEATURED +PARTNERSHIP IN CONTINUING EDUCATION*, WHILE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, TOOK THE CHAIR.

ORGANISED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE CONFERENCE IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR TEACHING STAFF AND FIELD WORKERS OF THE VARIOUS COURSES RUN BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION.

IT ALSO PROVIDES AN ARENA FOR PARTICIPANTS TO KEEP UP WITH MODERN TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT, TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND DISCUSS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF ADULT EDUCATION SERVICES.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR HAYE SAID: +OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS I FEEL CERTAIN THAT THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS BETWEEN OUR DISTINGUISHED PANELISTS, GUEST SPEAKERS AND YOURSELVES WILL ENABLE US TO SEE EVEN MORE CLEARLY THAT OUR INDIVIDUAL ROLES ARE REALLY PART OF AN INTEGRATED EFFORT -A PARTNERSHIP FROM WHICH THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE BENEFITS.*

MR HAYE ALSO THANKED DR HO FOR DELIVERING THE THEME LECTURE OF THE CONFERENCE.

BEING A PROMINENT EDUCATIONALIST AND SOCIAL WORKER, DR HO +HAS CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED A GENUINE AND ACTIVE INTEREST IN ADULT EDUCATION IN HONG KONG WHICH HAS INCLUDED PARTICIPATION IN OVERSEAS CONFERENCES CONCERNED WITH THIS IMPORTANT SECTION OF EDUCATION,* MR HAYE NOTED.

TODAY’S CONFERENCE FEATURED A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE MAIN THEME AND A SERIES OF SEMINARS COVERING THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ADULT EDUCATION.

THE SPEAKERS INCLUDED DR OWEN WONG, SENIOR STAFF TUTOR, DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA MURAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; DR NELSON CHOW, CHAIRMAN OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE AND MR PETER LEE, MEMBER OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.

THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT GASCOIGNE ROAD ON ITS SECOND DAY AND WILL START WITH A PANEL DISCUSSION AT 9.30 AM ON +PARTNERSHIP IN THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES*.

TAKING PART IN THE PANEL DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE CHRISTOPHER WONG, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE; MR JAMES MAN, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (YAU MA TEI), SOCIAL WEL- ARE DEPARTMENT; AND MISS ALIMA TUET, ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN, URBAN COUNCIL PUBLIC LIBRARIES. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS.

------o-------

/5......

- 5 -

SITTING-OUT AREAS FOR SAI YING PUN AND YAU MA TEI

*****

THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD TWO SITTING-OUT AREAS IN SAI YING PUN AND YAU MA TEI TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE TWO AREAS.

THE SAI YING PUN SITTING-OUT AREA WILL BE SITUATED BETWEEN POFULAM ROAD AND ROSE LANE, WHILE THE YAU MA TEI ONE WILL BE NEAR THE JUNCTION OF CANTON ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD.

BOTH WILL HAVE A CHILDREN PLAY AREA, SEATING BENCHES, ARBOURS AND FLOWER BEDS.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECTS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

WORK ON THE PROJECTS WILL START IN JUNE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER.

- - - - 0 ----

TSI NG Yl CULTURAL WEEK OPENS * * * *

THE TSING Yl CULTURAL WEEK BEGAN TODAY (SATURDAY) PROVIDING A SERIES OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ISLAND’S 45 OOO RESIDENTS.

SPEAKING AT AN OPENING CEREMONY HELD AT THE CHEUNG CHING COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR ADOLF HSU, SAID THE EVENT PROVIDED A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF BOTH LOCAL AND OUTSIDE PERFORMING GROUPS TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE AND VIEWS.

♦WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE FIRST ON TSING Yl, I AM SURE THAT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON THE ISLAND WILL EE ABLE TO FLOUR ISH,+ HE SAID.

HE PRAISED THE 30-0DD PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAD ONLY SPENT JUST OVER TWO MONTHS TO ORGANISE THE SERIES OF ACTIVITIES.

TODAY’S OPENING WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY AN HOUR OF SINGING, DANCING AND CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE BY SCHOOL CHILDREN AND MEMBERS OF THE TSING Yl SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE OF THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

A HORTICULTURAL SHOW WAS ALSO PUT ON AND wILL LAST UNTIL 6 =M TOMORROW.

AT 8 PM TONIGHT, THERE WILL BE A DANCE PERFORMANCE BY THE TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION COORDINATING ASSOCIATION.

OTHER PROGRAMMES INCLUDE A JOINT CHILDREN’S CHOIRS PERFORMANCE, CANTONESE OPERA BY THE LUNG CHEUNG OPERA TROUPE, A FILM SHOW, A RECITATION DEMONSTRATION AND PERFORMANCE AND A CANTONESE SONG SINGING NIGHT.

THE SUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD HAS CONTRIBUTED $15 000 TOwARDS MEETING HALF OF THE COST FOR THE EVENT.

ADMISSION IS FREE AND TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE TSING Yl PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE AND LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1983

6

LECTURES ON FOOD HYGIENE FOR NT RESTAURANT OPERATORS *****

A SERIES OF LECTURES ON HOW TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM THE DANGER OF FOOD-BORNE DISEASES ARE NOW BEING HELD AT NORTH DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ORGANISED BY THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE FIRST OF FOUR DAY-LONG LECTURES AND AN OPEN FORUM TO BE HELD AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE IN SHEUNG SHU I, WILL BEGIN TODAY (SATURDAY).

THE LECTURES WERE ARRANGED FREE OF CHARGE FOR RESTAURANT LICENSEES, MANAGERS, CHEFS AND SUPERVISORS OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS IN SHEUNG SHUI, FANLING AND SHA TAU KOK.

MORE THAN 40 MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY STAFF OF THE NORTH DISTRICT LICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ATTENDED THE COURSE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE AIM IS TO PROMOTE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FOOD HYGIENE AND THEIR APPLICATION IN COMMERCIAL PRACTICE SO THE PARTICIPANTS COULD PASS ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO FELLOW WORKERS AFTER ATTENDING THE COURSE.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TALKS WILL BE ON PREVENTION OF FOOD POISONING AND THE ATTENDANTS WILL BE LEARNING THE CAUSES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF FOOD POISONING AND THE METHODS OF PREVENTION.

THE COURSE IS ALSO INTENDED TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WORKING IN RESTAURANTS AS FOOD HANDLERS.

THE TALKS, TO BE GIVEN BY EXPERIENCED HEALTH INSPECTORS OF THE NTSD, WILL ALSO DEAL WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF MICROBIOLOGY AND PREVENTION OF FOOD POISONING, FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES, SUPPLY OF CLEAN FOOD, CLEANLINESS OF UTENSILS AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING AND LOCAL FOOD BUSINESS LAWS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE FILM AND SLIDE PRESENTATIONS, VISUAL DISPLAY AND LIVE SPECIMENS INCLUDING MEDIA PLATES SHOWING COLONY GROWTH OF BACTERIA FROM A COUGH AND A DROP OF LIQUID FROM A DISH CLOTH.

THROUGH THIS, PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACTUALLY OBSERVE CERTAIN TYPES OF BACTERIA THAT CAUSE HEALTH HAZARDS.

AT THE END OF THE COURSE, AN OPEN FORUM WILL BE ARRANGED FOR PARTICIPANTS TO DISCUSS PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE SANITATION OF FOOD PREMISES WITH THE HEALTH INSPECTORS.

MEANWHILE, ANOTHER FOOD HYGIENE TRAINING COURSE IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN TAI PO NEXT MONTH.

LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 200 SUPERVISORY STAFF OF FOOD TRADE AND RESTAURANTS AT SHA TIN, SAI KUNG, YUEN LONG, KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN ATTENDED A SIMILAR TRAINING COURSE ORGANISED BY THE NTSD.

-------o -

/7........

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1983

LAYING OF WATER MAINS IN TAI PO *****

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF FRESH AND FLUSHING MAINS IN THREE STREETS IN TAI PO.

THE STREETS ARE PAK SHING STREET, KWONG FUK ROAD AND TING KOK ROAD.

THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF A SCHEME TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE EXISTING FRESH WATER SUPPLY AND TO IMPLEMENT A NEW FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM TO MEET THE DEMAND OF TAI PO NEW TOWN.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT COMPRISES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 4 6OO METRES OF MILD STEEL PIPES RANGING FROM 600 MM TO 1 000 MM IN DIAMETERS AND 950 METRES OF DUCTILE IRON PIPES RANGING FROM 250 MM TO 450 MM IN DIAMETERS.

WORK WILL START IN MAY AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

------0-------

FRESH WATER CUT IN N.T. * * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN VILLAGES IN THE NORTH WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR 11 HOURS FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 12) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.

THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL VILLAGES ALONG KAM TIN ROAD BETWEEN AU TAU AND SHEUNG TSUEN, KAM SHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN SHU I TAU TSUEN AND SHEUNG TSUEN IN KAM TIN, AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN AU TAU AND SAN TIN IN YUEN LONG.

-----o------

FIRING PRACTICE *****

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE RANGE FROM WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY (APRIL 13 TO

HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK 15).

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.

THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE:

DATE

TIME

APRIL 13 (WEDNESDAY)

APRIL 14 CiHURSDAY)

APRIL 15 (FRIDAY)

8 AM - 4 PM

8 AM - 5 PM

8 AM - 4 PM

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

UMELCO DELVING DEEP INTO GOVERNMENT SPENDING ............. 1

COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS OPENS ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAI® .... 3

MORE OPEN SPACES FOR TSIM SHA TSUI ....................... 4

TAI PO TEMPORARY MARKET AND COOKED FOOD CENTRE OPENS NEXT MONTH .................................................... 5

SQUATTERS GET IMPROVED POSTAL DELIVERY ................... 6

FIRST AID COURSES PLANNED FOR YUEN LONG................... 6

CLUBHOUSE FOR KWAI CHUNG JPCS ............................ 7

NEW ADDRESS FOR NORTH DISTRICT URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ..... 7

FOOTBRIDGE FOR NGAU TAU KOK .............................. 8

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE CONGRESS ............................ 8

ROADS CLOSED IN KWUN TONG...............................

PARKING METERS FOR HUNG HOM.............................

WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN .................................

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1983

1

UMELCO DELVING DEEP INTO GOVERNMENT SPENDING * * * * *

THERE HAS BEEN HARDLY ANY YEAR IN WHICH GOVERNMENT BUDGET REQUESTS HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED AS A RESULT OF MICROSCOPIC SCRUTINY BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

EXPENDITURE PAPERS COME IN THICK AND FAST FOR THE MEMBERS’ CONSIDERATION, COVERING A TOTAL OF 71 BROAD CATEGORIES PLUS INNUMERABLE SUB-CATEGORIES.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS THREE OFFICIAL MEMBERS: THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS. BUT IT IS THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO HAVE THE VOTING RIGHT.

NUMBERING 27 IN ALL, THESE UNOFFICIALS ARE DRAWN FROM DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS AND SOCIAL STRATA, EACH WITH HIS OWN FULL-TIME JOB TO TACKLE ON TOP OF THE VOLUNTARY WORK FOR THE COMMITTEE. THEIR PROFESSIONS RANGE FROM TEACHING, SOCIAL WORK, MEDICINE AND LAW TO BANKING, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, ACCOUNTANCY, ENGINEERING AND OTHER FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR. THEY ALSO SIT ON THE EXECUTIVE OR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND SOME OF THEM ON BOTH.

THE QUESTION INEVITABLY ARISES: HOW DO THEY FIND TIME TO DEAL WITH THE DAUNTING, TIME-CONSUMING TASK OF EXAMINING AND MONITORING GOVERNMENT SPENDING, MAKING REASONABLY SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY GET GOOD VALUE FOR PUBLIC FUNDS.

TO THIS, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER MR ROGER LOBO REPLIED: + IT’S ALWAYS THE BUSY PEOPLE WHO HAVE TIME. WE ADJUST OUR LIFE HERE AND THERE TO ’CREATE’ MORE TIME.+

DR HARRY FANG, ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, SHARED THIS SENTIMENT: +IT’S A WELL-KNOWN FACT THAT IF YOU WANT THINGS DONE, YOU ALWAYS GO TO BUSY PEOPLE.+

DR FANG MADE THIS REMARK IN A +RUNNING+ LUNCH-TIME INTERVIEW GIVEN BETWEEN TWO EMERGENCY SURGICAL OPERATIONS AT ST PAUL’S HOSPITAL. STILL WEARING HIS WHITE OVERALL WITH A SURGICAL MASK DANGLING IN FRONT, DR FANG SAID HE DEVOTED SOME 30 PER CENT OF HIS WORKING HOURS TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WORK. TYPICALLY FOR MANY MEMBERS, SUCH HOURS ARE LONG ON MOST DAYS, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

AFTER RECEIVING COPIES OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES IN FEBRUARY EACH YEAR, THESE MEMBERS IMMEDIATELY FORM THEMSELVES INTO DIFFERENT WORKING GROUPS TO EXAMINE AND DECIPHER THE FACTS AND FIGURES BEHIND EVERY EXPENDITURE CATEGORY. THIS YEAR, FOUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO DEAL SEPARATELY WITH LAW AND ORDER; ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICES; SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HOUSING; AND GENERAL SERVICES.

+WE DISCUSS THE ESTIMATES IN THE UMELCO OFFICE, SHARE OUT OUR TASKS AND INVARIABLY TAKE THE VOLUMINOUS PAPERS HOME TO SCRUTINISE, TO EVALUATE, BEARING IN MIND THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS AS WELL.+ SAID MR LOBO, A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN WITH A TIGHT SCHEDULE.

/THE VARIED .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1983

- 2 -

THE VARIED BACKGROUNDS OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE PROVED TO BE OF GREAT HELP. EVEN THEN, ACCORDING TO DR FANG, MEMBERS SOMETIMES FOUND IT NECESSARY TO CONSULT NON-PARTISAN EXPERTS ON HIGHLY TECHNICAL MATTERS.

DURING NUMEROUS IN-CAMERA SESSIONS WHICH OFTEN STRETCHED LATE INTO THE EVENING, 25 CONTROLLING OFFICERS APPEARED BEFORE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS THIS YEAR TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON MANY ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES. THIS VERBAL +GRILLING+ IS IN ADDITION TO WRITTEN REPLIES REQUESTED BY UNOFFICIALS. NO LESS THAN 366 QUERIES HAVE BEEN THUS ANSWERED.

DR FANG SAID: + l WOULD SAY IT HAS NOT BEEN SMOOTH SAILING FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS OR THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SINGLE SESSION IN WHICH A BUDGET PAPER WAS NOT THOROUGHLY QUESTIONED.+

BUT THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING — THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS +BUDGET TIME+ FOR THE UNOFFICIALS. THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE FISCAL YEAR AFTER THE APPROPRI AT ION BILL IS PASSED, NORMALLY IN APRIL, SEPARATE FINANCIAL PAPERS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE UNOFFICIALS FOR EXAMINATION. THESE ARE DOCUMENTS WHICH EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD CR CONTROLLING OFFICER MUST PREPARE, GIVING ITEM-BY-ITEM ACCOUNTS FOR HIS DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSED EXPENDITURE. AND NO FUND CAN BE SPENT BEFORE APPROVAL.

WE EXAMINE THESE PAPERS TO SEE IF THERE COULD BE ANY CASES OF OVERSPENDING OR IF THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT NOT BE SPENDING ENOUGH FOR, SAY, SOME VITAL COMMUNITY SERVICES,+ MR LOBO EXPLAINED.

ON THE BASIS OF OUR FINDINGS, WE RAISE OBJECTIONS, DEFER PAYMENT, ASK THAT CERTAIN PAPERS BE WITHDRAWN, OR REQUEST RE-SUBMISSIONS WITH AMENDMENTS,♦ HE SAID.

WE COULDN’T BE TOO CAREFUL AS THESE PAPERS COVER EXPENSES RANGING FROM, SAY, A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS IN THE CASE OF MAJOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS,+ DR FANG SAID.

SOME DEPARTMENT HEADS UNDERSTANDABLY MAY BE FRUSTRATED WHEN THEY CAN’T GET WHAT THEY HAVE APPLIED FOR. BUT THAT’S A FACT OF LIFE.+ MR LOBO SAID.

WHEN ASKED WHETHER THERE WAS ANY PARTICULAR EXPENSE CATEGORY DEMANDING MORE ATTENTION THIS YEAR, MR LOBO SAID THAT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS +TREAT EVERY ITEM WITH EQUAL CARE+. EVEN SO, IN THE COURSE CF INVESTIGATION, SOME EXPENSE ISSUES APPEAR TO STAND OUT. DR FANG CITED CONSULTANCY FEES AND CERTAIN COMPUTERISATION PROGRAMMES AS INSTANCES OF EXPENSE ITEMS WHICH APPEAR +VERY HIGH* TO UNOFFICIALS. DETAILED EXPLANATIONS ARE THUS REQUESTED AND, WHERE NECESSARY, OUTSIDE EXPERT OPINION IS DISCREETLY CONSULTED AS UNOFFICIALS EVALUATE THESE EXPLANATIONS.

GOVERNMENT UNITS WHICH HAVE REQUESTED BUDGETS FOR REGULAR OVERTIME PAY HAVE DRAWN AMMUNITION FROM UNOFFICIALS, DR FANG SAID.

THE MORAL HERE, AS DR FANG INTIMATED, IS THAT IF THERE IS REGULAR OVERTIME, THE CHANCES ARE THE DEPARTMENT OR UNIT CONCERNED S EITHER NOT EFFICIENT ENOUGH OR THE STAFF PLANNING HAS GONE aWRY^

/these are .......

CMUUU, ATAXli IV, I tv J

3 -

THESE ARE BUT A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW EXPENDITURE IS BEING CROSS-EXAMINED.

THE TASK OF MONITORING GOVERNMENT SPENDING CANNOT BE TAKEN IN ISOLATION OR DIVORCED FROM THE OVERALL WORK OF UMELCO, MR LOBO EXPLAINED. IT IS ALL PART OF THE UNOFFICIALS’ FUNCTION.

IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR UMELCO MEETINGS, DIFFERENT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ATTEND COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS, MEET WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, VISIT HOSPITALS, RESETTLEMENT ESTATES, COMMUNITY CENTRES, PRISONS, REFUGEE CAMPS, RECEIVE COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC OR OTHERWISE KEEP THE EAR TO THE GROUND TO GET A FEEL OF THE GOINGS-ON IN HONG KONG.

ALL THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE A DIRECT BEARING ON THE UNOFFICIALS’ ROLE AS OVERSEERS OF PUBLIC SPENDING — THEY EQUIP THE MEMBERS WITH GRASSROOT KNOWLEDGE AND VITAL INFORMATION AGAINST WHICH GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE MAY BE JUDGED, MR LOBO EXPLAINED.

WHAT MAKE THESE UNOFFICIALS PUT IN SO MUCH OF THEIR TIME VOLUNTARILY?

THE COMMON DENOMINATOR, MR LOBO SAID, IS THAT THEY ENJOY WORK AND DERIVE MUCH PERSONAL SATISFACTION FROM WHATEVER CONTRIBUTION THEY COULD MAKE TO THE COMMUNITY. INDEED, THEY HAD BEEN ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BEFORE JOINING THE EXECUTIVE OR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

+IF I WERE NOT VERY BUSY, I WOULD GET RESTLESS,+ MR LOBO SAID, GLANCING AT HIS SCHEDULE PINNED UP ON HIS OFFICE WALL. IT SHOWS A MULTITUDE OF SQUARES IN DIFFERENT COLOURS, WITH EACH COLOUR DENOTING THE NATURE OF AN ENGAGEMENT.

WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE LONELY PATCH OF YELLOW, MR LOBO SAID, +THAT STANDS FOR A DATE WITH A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY.+

BUT THEN, HIS FAMILY IS MOST UNDERSTANDING AND OF LIKE SPIRIT.

------o-------

COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS OPENS ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN

******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GORDON MORTIMER TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED PARENTS TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM DRUG ADDICTION BY MAINTAINING CLOSE CONTACT WITH THEM.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1983/84 NORTH DISTRICT ANTl-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN AT THE FANLING PLAYGROUND IN FANLING.

REFERRING TO HONG KONG’S FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, MR MORTIMER POINTED OUT THAT THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THROUGH ITS PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, HAD MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING IN THE COMMUNITY N AWARENESS OF THE GRAVE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE BUT SAID -t .E STILL HAVE FAR TO GO TO REACH THE GOAL OF DRUG ERADICATION.*

/however, he ........

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1983 '

- 4 -

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE GOAL CAN BE REACHED THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.

THE BASIC COMMUNITY UNIT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS IS THE FAMILY.

I URGE PARENTS TO PROTECT THEIR YOUNG AGAINST HEROIN AND OTHER DRUGS OF ABUSE BY MAINTAINING CLOSE CONTACT WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THE TEENAGERS, AND BY SHOWING THEM LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.

I ASK THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHOW RESPECT TO THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITY BY REFUSING TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH DRUGS,+ HE SAID.

THE NORTH DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.

IT IS ALSO THE FIRST MAJOR PROJECT OF THE YEAR-LONG INTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-NARCOTICS EXERCISE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS LAUNCHING AS A TOP PRIORITY IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE NORTH DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES TO BE CARRIED OUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A POP CONCERT ATTENDED BY THOUSANDS OF YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT. SEVERAL wELL-KNOWN SINGERS PERFORMED IN THE CONCERT WHICH WAS PRODUCED BY RADIO 2 OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.

OTHER GUESTS ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDED MR CHEUNG KUEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE? THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; MR S.W. HARBINSON, DISTRICT OFFICER (NORTH); MR JOHN GREENE, COMMANDER, FRONTIER POLICE DIVISION; AND MR CHU PUI-HING, HEAD OF CHINESE PROGRAMME SECTION (RADIO), RTHK.

------o-------

MORE OPEN SPACES FOR TSIM SHA TSUI *****

OFFICE WORKERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, AS WELL AS SHOPPERS AND VISITORS, WILL SOON BE ABLE TO ENJOY MORE OPEN SPACES IN THE AREA.

THREE OPEN SPACES ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED AND TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE MORE ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

IN ALL, 10 SUCH SPACES WILL BE BUILT IN THE AREA TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

/ONE OF........

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1963

- 5 -

ONE OF THE THREE NEW OPEN SPACES WILL BE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF CHATHAM ROAD WHILE THE OTHER TWO WILL BE ALONG SALISBURY ROAD, HE SAID.

THEY WILL BE PLANTED WITH TREES AND SHRUBS, AND PROVIDED WITH BENCHES, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS, PAVILIONS AND A TOILET.

THERE WILL BE TWO FOUNTAINS TO SERVE AS A CENTRAL PIAZZA IN THE DISTRICT.

WORK ON THE THREE OPEN SPACES IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

--------o----------

TAI PO TEMPORARY MARKET AND COOKED FOOD CENTRE OPENS NEXT MONTH ******

FINISHING TOUCHES ARE BEING PUT TO THE $5.8 MILLION TAI PO TEMPORARY MARKET AND COOKED FOOD CENTRE WHICH IS DUE TO OPEN ON MAY 1.

LOCATED ON A 5 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT PO HEUNG STREET IN THE TOWN CENTRE, THE NEW MARKET WILL ACCOMMODATE ALL ELIGIBLE HAWKERS AND COOKED FOOD OPERATORS CURRENTLY TRADING AT THE PO YICK STREET HAWKER BAZAAR.

THE SCHEME FORMS PART OF THE MAJOR RE-DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME CF THE TAI PO CENTRAL AREA, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.

THE PO YICK STREET HAWKER BAZAAR WHICH IS CAUSING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AT TAI PO ROAD WILL LATER BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT.

THE NEW TEMPORARY MARKET, WHICH IS A SINGLE STOREY STRUCTURE, CAN ACCOMMODATE 199 STALLS FOR SELLING MEAT, POULTRY, FISH, SIU MEI AND LO MEI, AS WELL AS 174 MINI STALLS FOR DRY AND WET GOODS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE 60 COOKED FOOD STALLS WHICH WILL BE FENCED OFF FROM THE MARKET STALLS.

A COMMUNAL MECHANICAL EXHAUST SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE ROOF OF THE COOKED FOOD CENTRE TO EXTRACT SMOKE FROM THE COOKED FOOD STALLS.

OTHER FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE A SCALDING ROOM, A STOREROOM, A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, PUBLIC TOILET AND AN OFFICE FOR NTSD STAFF.

ON A LONGER TERM BASIS A NEW TAI PO CENTRAL MARKET, WHICH IS NOw IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF PLANNING, WILL BE BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE ALL HAWKERS AND TEMPORARY MARKET TRADtRS IN THE AREA, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

/6........

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1983 '

6

SQUATTERS GET IMPROVED POSTAL DELIVERY * * * *

MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE TO THE 2 000 RESIDENTS IN THE MOUNT DAVIS HOI PONG VILLAGE SQUATTER AREA HAS BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED WITH THE INSTALLATION OF 471 LOCKED LETTER BOXES FOR INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD.

PREVIOUSLY, THE RESIDENTS HAD TO SHARE AMONG THEMSELVES EIGHT COMMUNAL LETTER BOXES PLACED ALONGSIDE THE ROAD OR INSIDE SHOP PREMISES.

AT A BRIEF CEREMONY TODAY (SUNDAY) THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR LEE TAT-YU, SAID THE IMPROVED SERVICE WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORT OF THE RESIDENTS’ COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED $30 003 TOWARDS THE COST OF THE LETTER BOXES.

MR LEE SAID IN THE PAST LETTERS DELIVERED TO THE COMMUNAL BOXES WERE EITHER STOLEN, DELAYED, DAMAGED OR UNCLAIMED, AND HAD BEEN A SOURCE OF COMPLAINT FOR YEARS.

♦THE COMMITTEE HAS EXAMINED THE PROBLEM AND PROPOSED THAT EIGHT BLOCKS OF LETTER BOXES BE PUT UP AT FIVE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN THE VILLAGE,* MR LEE SAID.

MR LEE SAID DURING THE PAST YEAR THE COMMITTEE HAD CARRIED OUT A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE SQUATTER AREA. THESE INCLUDED INSTALLATION OF GUARD-RAILINGS AND ROAD RE-SURFACING.

0 - -

FIRST AID COURSES PLANNED FOR YUEN LONG *****

YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, TODAY (SUNDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DISTRICT NURSING DIVISION OF THE ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE WHICH PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

INSPECTING THE PARADE OF THE DIVISION AT THE MINI SOCCER PITCH ON TAI YUK ROAD, MR WILSON SAID THAT THE TEAM MEMBERS -VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE MOSTLY LOCAL RESIDENTS - HAD CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN 2 300 HOURS OF SERVICE LAST YEAR.

BESIDES PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE DURING DISTRICT EVENTS SUCH AS THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL, CHILDREN FUNFAIR AND TELE-MATCHES, THE DIVISION ALSO HAS PLANS TO RUN FIRST AID COURSES AND SEMINARS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.

THE NURSING DIVISION, SET UP IN 1950, AT PRESENT HAS 46 MEMBERS - THE LARGEST TEAM THROUGHOUT KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S INSPECTION WAS THE DIVISIONAL PRESIDENT CF THE DIVISION, MR LEUNG SHUI-FAT.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1983

- 7 -

CLUBHOUSE FOR KWAI CHUNG JPCS

*****

A JUNIOR POLICE CALL CLUBHOUSE WILL BE BUILT AT HANG PING STREET IN KWAI CHUNG TO SERVE SOME 38 000 JPC MEMBERS IN THE DISTR ICT.

TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORK ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

THE NEW CLUBHOUSE WILL BE OF A MODEST DESIGN AND WILL HAVE AN OFFICE, A LIBRARY, A CLUB HALL AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE PENINSULA ROTARY CLUB HAVE PLEDGED DONATIONS OF $120 000 AND $60 000 RESPECTIVELY TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE PROJECT.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN JUNE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

-----o------

NEW ADDRESS FOR NORTH DISTRICT URBAN SERVICES OFFICE * * * *

THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICE OF NORTH DISTRICT HAS MOVED FROM THE MEI TAK BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO MARKET, TO TAI YUEN ESTATE, GARAGE NO. 1, GROUND FLOOR, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO.

IT WILL OPERATE AT THE NEW OFFICE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY). ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 0-6570588.

MEANWHILE, THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE INFORMATION UNIT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE CHANGED TO 3-7213852 AND 3-7211769, EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW.

THE ADDRESS OF THE INFORMATION UNIT OF THE NTSD WILL ALSO BE CHANGED TO THE FOURSEAS BUILDING, 9TH FLOOR, 208-212 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.

0

/8 ........

SUNDAY, APRIL 10,

1983

8

FOOTBRIDGE FOR NGAU TAU KOK * * * *

THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS KWUN TONG ROAD NEAR BLOCK 1 OF LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE.

THIS FOOTBRIDGE WILL PROVIDE A SAFE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING OVER BUSY KWUN TONG ROAD FOR RESIDENTS IN THE NGAU TAU KOK AREA.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED PROJECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROJECT CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE; THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, 3RD AND 4TH FLOOR, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN SIXTY DAYS.

-----o------

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE CONGRESS * * * *

MR E.A. INGHAM, SURVEYOR-IN-CHARGE OF THE AIRWORTHINESS SECTION OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT LEAVES TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR DUSSELDORF, WEST GERMANY TO ATTEND THE 3RD AIR MECHANIC INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS OPENING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 12).

THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE WILL DEAL WITH VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND FACILITIES IN THE FIELD.

-----o------

/9........

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

9

ROADS CLOSED IN KWUN TONG * * * *

A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN O.5O AM AND 5.45 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 12) AND WEDNESDAY (APRIL 13) FOR WORK ON THE SOUTHERN ELEVATED ROAD.

THEY ARE THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KOWLOON BAY TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN THIS ACCESS ROAD AND KWUN TONG ROAD, AND THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN SIU YIP STREET AND THE SAME ACCESS ROAD.

DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES TRAVELLING ALONG SIU YIP STREET SOUTHBOUND MAY TURN RIGHT INTO WAI YIP STREET WESTBOUND, BUT THEIR LEFT TURN MOVEMENT AT THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE FORBIDDEN.

TRAFFIC HEADING FOR TELFORD GARDENS DURING THE PERIOD WILL HAVE TO USE KWUN TONG ROAD, HONG TAK ROAD AND TAI YIP STREET.

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PARKING METERS FOR HUNG HOM *****

A TOTAL OF 86 PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED ALONG TAK MAN STREET, MAN TAI STREET, MAN SIU STREET AND DYER AVENUE IN HUNG HOM TO REGULATE THE USE OF ON-STREET PARKING SPACES.

THE NEW METERS WILL BE IN OPERATION FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 12).

0 - -

WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE CUT OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 13) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED WILL BE BOUNDED BY SHA TSUI ROAD, KWAN MUN HAU STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TAI HO ROAD. THIS WILL INCLUDE CHUEN LUNG STREET, HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET, SHIU WO STREET, CHUNG ON STREET AND HAM TIN STREET.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

LORD COCKFIELD TOURS NT ....................................... 1

TECHNICAL BACK-UP SERVICES FOR INDUSTRY ....................... 1

TOP GATT OFFICIAL TO VISIT HONG KONG........................... 2

UK TOUR OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG HK MUSICIANS..................... 3

IMPROVEMENTS FOR SQUATTER AREA................................. 4

CERTIFICATES FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF .................. 4

WATER MAINS WORK ............................................. 5

WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG.......................................... 5

WATER FIGURES ................................................. 5

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983

LORD COCKFIELD TOURS NT M * * *

LORD COCKFIELD, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, WHO ARR JVED IN HONG KONG LAST NIGHT FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT, *ENT THIS MORNING BY HELICOPTER ON A FAMILIARISATION TOUR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY LADY COCKFIELD AND MR BRYAN O’RORKE, DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, WHO BRIEFED HIM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS NEW TOWNS.

LORD COCKFIELD LATER LANDED AT A LOOKOUT POINT IN SHA TIN WHERE HE WAS MET AND BRIEFED BY”RKENNETH KWOK, PROJECT MANAGER (SHA TIN) AND MR DONALD TSANG, DISTRICT OFFICER (SHA TIN).

ALSO ON BOARD THE HELICOPTER WAS MR C.C.W. ADAMS, SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, WHO ACCOMPANIED LORD COCKFIELD ON HIS VISIT TO THE CASTLE PEAK POWER STATION.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

LORD COCKFIELD WILL MEET THE PRESS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 4.30 PM IN THE GIS THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

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TECHNICAL BACK-UP SERVICES FOR INDUSTRY * * * *

THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED A REORGANISATION OF ITS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION.

♦THIS IS PART OF AN ON-GOING PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY’S NEEDS FOR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT FACILITIES AND TECHNICAL BACK-UP SERVICES ARE ADEQUATELY PROVIDED FOR BY GOVERNMENT,* SAID THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY.

THESE NEEDS WERE IDENTIFIED IN BROAD TERMS IN THE 1979 R£Pf?T OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION, AND ARE 'RMINED IN DETAIL AS A RESULT OF THE REGULAR DELIBERATIONS OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB), WHICH MEETS UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

/as feom ......

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983

- 2 -

AS FROM TODAY THERE WILL BE TWO DIVISIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT DEALING WITH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MATTERS, EACH HEADED BY AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - ONE A SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR, MR T.K. TSE AND THE OTHER A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, MR E.J. EVANS. THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY.

ONE DIVISION WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD IN ADDITION TO BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH MATTERS AS QUALITY CERTIFICATION SERVICES, PRODUCT STANDARDS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE.

THE NEW DIVISION, TO BE CALLED THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT DIVISION, WILL PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC INPUT. THE PROFESSIONAL OFFICER IN CHARGE WILL BE SUPPORTED BY TWO SENIOR ENGINEERS, WHO ARE BEING RECRUITED FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

THE DIVISION’S SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S NEW STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CONSULTANCY ON ACCREDITATION OF TESTING LABORATORIES, THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL INPUT TO THE IDB ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS, THE FACILITATION OF TRANSFERS OF TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED RESEARCH; AND MORE GENERALLY THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO OTHER DIVISIONS OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.

+THE MAIN FEATURE OF THIS REORGANISATION IS THAT AN INCREASING THRUST IN THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL IN FUTURE BE DEVOTED TO THE PROVISION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSIFICATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY.

+THE TWO DIVISIONS WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S SCIENCE ADVISER WHO WILL ASSIST IN IMPROVING THE DEPARTMENT’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRY,* SAID MR YAXLEY.

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TOP GATT OFFICIAL TO VISIT HONG KONG

* * * *

THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, HIS EXCELLENCY ARTHUR DUNKEL AND MRS DUNKEL WILL ARRIVE FROM SOUTH KOREA TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR A FIVE-DAY VISIT.

MR DUNKEL WILL CALL ON THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, AND WILL THEN TOUR SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE. THE NEXT DAY, HE WILL VISIT A GARMENT FACTORY AND AN ELECTRONICS FACTORY IN KWUN TONG.

HE WILL HOLD AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION ON FRIDAY WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, INCLUDING MR HOS THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD; AND THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY, BEFORE MEETING THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE FOR LUNCH AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

MR AND MRS DUNKEL WILL LEAVE FOR GENEVA ON SATURDAY.

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MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983

UK TOUR OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG HK MUSICIANS * * K *

SIX YOUNG HONG KONG MUSICIANS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE ON A TOUR OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN JULY THIS YEAR.

THEY WILL BE SELECTED IN AN OPEN AUDITION AND WILL TRAVEL UNDER THE BANNER OF +HONG KONG JING YING+ TO TAKE PART IN A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL EVENTS THERE.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE TOUR ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, IN RESPONSE TO INVITATIONS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.

THE YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD FROM JULY 5 TO 10 AND THE ALDEBURGH ORIENTAL DAY FROM JULY 15 TO 17, AND WILL ALSO PERFORM IN LONDON.

THE WINNER IN THE VOCAL SECTION OF THE 1982 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSIC MAKERS’ TALENT QUEST, MISS LINDA LI, WILL JOIN THE TOUR AND TAKE PART IN THE LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD.

THE HONG KONG JING YING WILL COMPETE IN THE LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD, WHICH IS PRESENTED BY THE COUNCIL OF LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD WITH THE AIM OF FOSTERING INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING. THE FIRST EISTEDDFOD WAS HELD IN 1947 AND SINCE THEN LLANGOLLEN HAS BECOME A FOCAL POINT FOR INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL INTERCHANGE.

AMATEUR SINGERS, DANCERS AND INSTRUMENTAL GROUPS OF ALL NATIONALITIES ARE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITIONS EACH YEAR. ALL COMPETITORS ATTENDING THE EISTEDDFOD ARE ASSURED OF FAITHFUL, CONSTRUCTIVE ARTISTIC ASSESSMENT OF THEIR EFFORTS BY AN INTERNATIONAL PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS, ALL EXPERTS IN THEIR SPECIAL FIELDS OF STUDY.

AFTER THEIR PERFORMANCES IN LLANGOLLEN, THE JING YING

GROUP WILL STOP OVER IN LONDON FOR FOUR DAYS FROM JULY 11 TO 14 AND WILL PUT ON TWO PERFORMANCES.

FROM LONDON MISS LINDA LI, THE SOPRANO SOLOIST, WILL GO TO CARDIFF TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CCRPO: XTION, WALES AND THE WELSH NATIONAL OPERA, WHILE THE REST OF THZ GROUP WILL TRAVEL TO ALDEBURGH TO TAKE PART IN AN ORIENTAL LAY FROM. JULY 15 TO 17. ALDEBURGH IS WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL WHERE FIRST-CLASS INTERNATIONAL FOLK MUSICIANS ASSEMBLE.

THE GROUP WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JULY 19 AND WILL PERFORM IN THE 4Tr. HO\G KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE FROM JULY 30 TO AJGUST 14.

MISS LI

IS EXPECTED T' 'ETURN TO HONG KONG ON JULY 25.

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983 '

- 4 -

IMPROVEMENTS FOR SQUATTER AREA * * *

SEVEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT 30ARD TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED THE MOUNT DAVIS HOI PONG VILLAGE SQUATTER AREA TO STUDY PROPOSED FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LEE KAI-FAT, THE MEMBERS WERE FIRST BRIEFED BY THE CHIEF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICER (VICTORIA) OF THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION, MR PETER LOMAS, ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE EXISTING WATER CHANNELS. THE CHANNELS ARE FILLED WITH RUBBISH AND DEBRIS WHICH PREVENT THE REGULAR WATER FLOW.

THE GROUP THEN MOVED ON TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS WHERE THE INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTS HAS BEEN PROPOSED.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR LEE TAT-YU, SAID THAT TO APPROVE DB FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WAS NO EASY TASK.

+WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVERSPEND AND, AT THE SAME TIME, MAKE THE BEST OUT OF THE LIMITED RESOURCES,+ HE SAID.

♦THE BEST WAY TO MAKE SURE IS STUDY THE PROJECTS CAREFULLY, AND A SITE VISIT TO THE PROBLEM AREA IS MOST HELPFUL,♦ HE ADDED.

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CERTIFICATES FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF

X X X X

TWENTY ASSISTANT OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE TODAY AWARDED CERTIFICATES ON COMPLETION OF AN EXTENSION COURSE ON SOCIAL WORK.

THE TWO-MONTH, PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, WAS DESIGNED FOR OFFICERS ON AFTER-CARE DUTIES.

IT PROVIDED INSTRUCTION IN SOCIAL WORK TECHNIQUES, HUMAN GROWTH AND BEHAVIOUR, AND RESIDENTIAL CARE.

DR ROBERT ANDRY, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEALING WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT, PRESENTED THE CERTIFICATES TO THE OFFICERS, AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY HELD AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

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MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1983

WATER MAINS WORK * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 14) FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, PEKING ROAD, CANTON ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD INCLUDING HANKOW ROAD, MIDDLE ROAD, ASHLEY ROAD, STAR FERRY AND NEW WORLD HOTEL.

- - 0 - -

WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 13) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.

THE ARRANGEMENT WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG HIRAM’S HIGHWAY BETWEEN TAI CHUNG HAU AND SHA HA, INCLUDING THOSE IN PAK KONG, TA HO TUN, O’LONG, PO LO CHE, SAN ON TSUEN, TAN CHEUNG, SHA KOK MEI, SAI KUNG POLICE STATION, AND SAI KUNG TOWN.

- - 0 - -

WATER FIGURES * * * *

STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 78.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 455.316 MILLION CUBIC METRES.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 208.320 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 36.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO,

DWELLING VESSELS TO BE CONTROLLED............................ . 1

DISTRICT BOARD INVOLVEMENT URGED ................................ 3

10 000 YOUNG TREES FOR PUBLIC PLANTING........................... 5

OFFICIALS TO REPLY AT LEGCO ..................................... 6

DISTRICT STRATEGY FOR KOWLOON CITY............................... 6

BUS SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS DISCUSSED .............................. 7

MONG KOK BOARD MEMBERS TO TOUR DISTRICT ......................... 8

SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE........................ 8

TWO HONG KONG GIRLS SCORE HIGH IN ACCOUNTANCY EXAMS.............. 9

LANTAU SITES FOR SALE........................................... 10

WIDENING OF LUNG MUN ROAD IN TUEN MUN .......................... 10

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN TSIM SHA TSUI ............................ 11

WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY

11

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

1

DWELLING VESSELS TO BE CONTROLLED * * *

AMENDING LEGISLATION AIMED AT CONTAINING THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF DWELLING VESSELS IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (APRIL 13).

/*mcJmL^°»?.S.ALL^E £GNTAINED IN THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN PR0P0SALS» AND ALL THREE READINGS OF THE BILL WILL BE TAKEN AT ONE SITTING TOMORROW.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE. PEP£YDAVY, SA,D THE 13 TYpHOON SHELTERS WERE PROVIDED FOR THE SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF WORKING CRAFT. BUT THE PRESENCE OF DWELLING VESSELS TENDED TO DENY SHELTER TO SUCH CRAFT, WHILE INCREASING THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF THE TYPHOON SHELTERS REQUIRED.

♦THE CONGLOMERATION OF DWELLING VESSELS INSIDE VARIOUS TYPHOON SHELTERS, WHICH ARE FAIRLY CONGESTED EVEN IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS, RESULTS IN INSUFFICIENT FIRE LANES AND MAKES IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR LICENSED WORKING CRAFT TO GAIN ACCESS.♦ HE SAID. +AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE DWELLING VESSELS THEMSELVES ARE OFTEN SAFETY, FIRE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND HYGIENE HAZARDS.♦

AT PRESENT A TOTAL OF ABOUT 2 700 DWELLING VESSELS ARE FOUND IN NINE OF THE 13 TYPHOON SHELTERS AND IN SEVEN SHELTERED BAYS WHICH COULD BE USED BY FISHING VESSELS. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS THE NUMBER OF DWELLING VESSELS IN TYPHOON SHELTERS ALONE MAS GROWN BY SOME 18 PER CENT.

♦TO FACILITATE EFFICIENT USE AND MANAGEMENT OF TYPHOON SHELTERS AND TO REMOVE THE HAZARDS POSED BY DWELLING VESSELS, THE NUMBERS OF THESE BOATS MUST BE REDUCED,+ MR DAVY SAID.

♦HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED, THIS WILL BE DONE IN THE LONG TERM,+ HE STRESSED. +IN THE MEANTIME, STEPS WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN TO PREVENT THE FURTHER PROLIFERATION OF DWELLING VESSELS IN THE SHELTERS.+

THE BILL ENABLES REGULATIONS TO BE MADE FOR THE DECLARATION G ANY PART OF HONG KONG WATERS AS AN AREA WITHIN WHICH NO DWELLING VESSEL MAY ENTER OR REMAIN.

A NEW LICENSING SYSTEM WILL BE INTRODUCED WHEREBY VESSELS WILL BE PERMITTED TO MOOR ONLY AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS INSIDE SPECIFIED TYPHOON SHELTERS AND IN OTHER AREAS. DWELLING VESSELS ALP"ADY MOORED THERE WHEN THE NEW LEGISLATION COMES INTO OPE AT I ON WILL HAVE THEIR PARTICULARS REGISTERED AND WILL BE LICENSED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. ALL OTHER VESSELS WILL BE PREVENTED FROM ENTERING OR REMAINING AT THESE DESIGNATED LOCATIONS OR TAKING UP VACANT MOORING SPACES.

A LICSNCi .......

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1?83 ■

- 2 -

A LICENCE WILL BE ISSUED ONLY TO AN OCCUPANT OF A DWELLING VESSEL AND IT WILL NOT BE TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT IN THE DEATH OF THE LICENSEE. THE TRANSFEREE MUST BE THE NEXT-OF-KIN OR, IN THE CASE OF MORE THAN ONE FAMILY LIVING ON BOARD, A NOMINATED OCCUPANT WHO HAS BEEN LIVING ON THE BOAT SINCE THE TIME THAT THE LICENCE WAS FIRST ISSUED. NO FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE >SSUE OF LICENCES.

THE REGULATIONS WILL EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO SEIZE, DETAIN OR ORDER THE REMOVAL OF AN UNLICENSED VESSEL FROM A CONTROLLED AREA. THE DIRECTOR WILL ALSO HAVE THE POWER TO EVICT ANY PERSON ON BOARD AND TO SELL THE VESSEL, PAYING THE PROCEEDS TO THE OWNER, OR TO DISPOSE OF IT IF THERE ARE NO BUYERS.

♦THE FORFEITURE OF BOATS IS ESSENTIAL TO AVOID A PERPETUATION OF THE PRESENT PROBLEMS POSED BY DWELLING VESSELS,♦ MR DAVY EXPLAINED. ♦THEREFORE IT IS NECESSARY FOR MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE SUPPLY OF UNSEAWORTHY VESSELS FOR DWELLING PURPOSES AND THE RECYCLING OF SEIZED VESSELS WHICH HAVE BEEN SOLD.+

THE NEW LEGISLATION DOES NOT REPRESENT ANY CHANGE IN THE PRESENT POLICY FOR REHOUSING BOAT DWELLERS ON LAND.

IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE HARDSHIP OF THOSE WHO ARE RENDERED GENUINELY HOMELESS AS A RESULT OF THEIR DWELLING VESSEL BEING FORFEITED, PEOPLE EVICTED UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE OFFERED TRANSIT ACCOMMODATION INITIALLY BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TEMPORARY HOUSING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CONTROL MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED INITIALLY AT THE YAU MA TEI, TSI NG Yl, CHEUNG CHAU AND TUEN MUN SHELTERS.

HR DAVY SAID LOCAL PUBLICITY WOULD BE MOUNTED TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE.

THE OCCUPANTS AND OWNER OF EACH DWELLING VESSEL INSIDE THE DESIGNATED AREAS WILL BE GIVEN A LETTER EXPLAINING THE DETAILS CF THE CONTROL SCHEME AND SETTING OUT THE PROCEDURES BY WHICH THEY MAY APPLY FOR A LICENCE. APPLICANTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED IN DUE COURSE IN ORDER TO RECORD DETAILS OF THE VESSELS AND PARTICULARS OF THE OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS. UPON COMPLETION OF THE "TERVIEWS AND THE ALLOCATION OF DESIGNATED MOORING PLACES, L’CENCES WILL BE ISSUED AND LICENCE NUMBERS WILL BE PAINTED ON THE VESSELS BY OFFICERS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL MAINTAIN A PATROLLING PRESENCE IN THE FOUR TYPHOON SHELTERS ON A PERMANENT BASIS. THE CONTROLS WILL BE EXTENDED TO OTHER AREAS AS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ARE OBTAINED.

THE BOUNDARIES OF PRESCRIBED AREAS AND AREAS CLOSED TO ' .ICENSED DWELLING VESSELS WILL BE DELINEATED ON PLANS DEPOSITED THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND THESE WILL BE OPEN FOR INSPECTION. ALSO COPIES OF THESE PLANS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE NEAREST I AR I NE DEPARTMENT STATION.

/la DAVY.......

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

- 3 -

MR DAVY SAID LICENSED DWELLING VESSELS WOULD BE PHASED OUT IN -HE LONG TERM AS THE OCCUPANTS MOVED ASHORE TO LIVE. THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN A BOAT BECAME UNSAFE AND THE OCCUPANTS TOOK UP OFFERS OF REHOUSING, WHEN A FAMILY BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING THROUGH THE WAITING LIST OR AS A RESULT OF DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCES, WHEN A FAMILY MOVED ASHORE VOLUNTARILY TO PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION OR WHEN THE LICENCE OF A VESSEL COULD NO LONGER BE TRANSFERRED ON THE DEATH OF THE HOLDER.

♦THE REPLACEMENT OF A DWELLING VESSEL WILL BE ALLOWED BUT ONLY IN VERY SPECIAL CASES,♦ HE ADDED. PERMISSION WILL BE GRANTED IF THE LICENSEE CAN ESTABLISH THAT THE REPLACEMENT VESSEL IS IN A SAFE CONDITION AND IS NO LARGER THAN THE VESSEL TO BE REPLACED, THAT THE OCCUPANTS PROVIDE A SERVICE TO OTHER BOATS IN THE VICINITY AND THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A LICENCE.

BREACHES OF THE REGULATIONS WILL MAKE A PERSON LIABLE TO A FINE OF 15 □□□ AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

MOTE TO EDITORS!

A PRESS FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR THURSDAY (APRIL 14) MORNING TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER TO SEE THE OPERATION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN THE REGISTRATION OF DWELLING BOATS.

TWO BOATS — -♦TIN HAU+ AND +MARINE NO.9+ — WILL DEPART FROM QUEEN’S PIER, CENTRAL AT 10 AM SHARP TO TAKE PRESS MEMBERS TO THE TYPHOON SHELTER.

GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

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DISTRICT BOARD INVOLVEMENT URGED

* * * *

URBAN RENEWAL AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE OLDER PARTS OF TSUEN WAN IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND ONE WHICH MUST INVOLVE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS FOR A SOLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIES IN TSUEN WAN, MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE PROBLEM NEEDED TO BE TACKLED NOW BECAUSE THE SOLUTIONS WERE DIFFICULT TO FIND AND TOOK HANY YEARS TO IMPLEMENT.

♦THERE ARE STILL PATCHES OF OLD UNSANITARY TSUEN WAN TO BE CLEARED, MANY OF THE BUILDINGS OF THE FIFTIES AND SIXTIES ARE NOW IN AN ADVANCED STATE OF DETERIORATION AND DECAY.

♦THEY ARE DENSELY INHABITED AND THE PROCESS OF URBAN RENEWAL AND IMPROVEMENT WILL BE COMPLEX AND COSTLY,+ HE SAID.

BUT, HE ADDED, TSUEN WAN WOULD NOT STOP GROWING.

DIVER. ON OF TRAFFIC FROM THE NORTH WEST OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ON TO THE -PASS ACROSS THE BAY WOULD TAKE PLACE IN 1985 AND WOULD RELIEVE THE TOWN OF MUCH OF ITS TRAFFIC CONGESTION, AND POLLUTION FROM NOISE AND TRAFFIC FUMES, HE SAID.

TUESDAY, APBIL 12, 1983 ,

4

THE RECLAMATION WOULD ENABLE THE YEUNG UK SPORTSGROUND TO BE RELOCATED, REBUILT AND RE-EQUIPPED, AND ENABLE ONE OF THE OLDER HOUSING ESTATES TO BE REBUILT AND A PUBLIC GARDEN BE BUILT IN ITS PLACE.

THE CONTAINER PORT WOULD EXPAND AND ENABLE A GREATER CONCENTRATION OF ACTIVITY NEAR THE PORT AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF OVERSPILL ON TO THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

ANOTHER BRIDGE TO TSI NG Yl WOULD BE BUILT AND HOUSING AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO EXPAND.

HE SAID PERHAPS NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD HAD A TOWN GROWN FROM A POPULATION OF 60 000 TO 600 000 IN 25 YEARS, PROVIDING HOMES, WORK, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR ITS PEOPLE. NOW THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES WERE CLOSELY INVOLVED IN ITS MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT, HE ADDED.

♦IN ORDER BETTER TO UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTION AND THRUST OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IT IS SOMETIMES HELPFUL TO REMIND OURSELVES HOW WE REACHED THIS PRESENT POSITION, WHETHER THE PRESENT SITUATION IS GOOD OR BAD, AND WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE,+ HE SAID.

HE RECALLED THAT BOTH KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN WERE BUILT IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE NEED FOR HOMES FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAD FLOODED INTO HONG KONG AFTER 1945, AND FOR LAND ON WHICH TO BUILD FACTORIES TO PROVIDE INDUSTRY AND EMPLOYMENT.

HE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS MUCH TO FIND FAULT WITHIN THESE TOWNS TODAY, IN FACT THEY WERE NOT BUILT WITHOUT THE GUIDANCE CF TOWN PLANNING.

A FORMAL PLAN WAS APPROVED IN 1965 AND CONSCIOUSLY AIMED AT MAKING TSUEN WAN A SELF CONTAINED TOWN WITH ITS OWN INFRASTRUCTURE AND AMENITIES.

♦BUT THE STANDARDS OF THE 196O’S WERE VERY BASIC AND THE AMENITIES RUDIMENTARY.

♦THEN, AFTER THE BUILDINGS WERE COMPLETE THERE WAS LITTLE EFFORT SPENT ON MANAGEMENT? THE PRESSURES OF PEOPLE, THE DESPERATE SEARCH FOR A LIVING, COVERED THE PAVEMENTS AND OPEN SPACES WITH HAWKERS AND THE HILLSIDES AND THE ROOFTOPS BECAME THE HOMES OF THOUSANDS OF SQUATTERS.

♦OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN,+ t-.R KERS-JONES SAID.

THE OPENING OF THE CONTAINER PORT IN 1973, THE COMPLETION OF 7HE TSI NG Yl BRIDGE IN 1974, AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION TO TSUEN WAN, PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES TO BEGIN TO ACQUIRE SOME OF THE STYLE LACKING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PREVIOUS 20 YEARS.

♦MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER IN THE DISTRICT BOARD TO GET TO GRIPS WITH THE PROBLEMS OF MANAGEMENT OF THIS GREAT CONURBATION OF OVER 600 000 PEOPLE,♦ HE ADDED.

♦I AM JRE YOUR ASSOCIATION WILL PLAY ITS PART IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN AND IN THE GREAT WORK OF MAKING TSUEN WAN A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE,* HE SAID.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

5

10 000 YOUNG TREES FOR PUBLIC PLANTING *****

SOME 10 000 YOUNG TREES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PLANTING BY THE PUBLIC INSIDE SIX COUNTRY PARKS IN HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (APRIL 17) DURING A COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING DAY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

THE SIX LOCATIONS WHERE THE TREES WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE CF CHARGE FOR PLANTING ARE NEAR THE RESERVOIR BARRIER INSIDE THE POKFULAM COUNTRY PARK ON HONG KONG ISLAND; NEAR THE NAM SHAN CAMP SITE INSIDE THE LANTAU SOUTH COUNTRY PARK ON LANTAU ISLAND; HEAR THE TAI AU MUN CAR PARK INSIDE THE CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARK; NEAR THE PAK TAM CHUNG CAR PARK INSIDE THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK; AT BRIDE’S POOL IN THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK, AND NEAR THE ROUTE TWISK MANAGEMENT CENTRE INSIDE THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE MASS PLANTING ON SUNDAY WILL HIGHLIGHT A THREE-DAY EFFORT ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO START OFF THIS YEAR’S TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME.

ON THAT DAY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY VISIT THE COUNTRY PARKS AND COLLECT THE TREES FOR PLANTING INSIDE THE PARKS. ADVICE ON HOW TO PLANT THE TREES PROPERLY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FROM COUNTRY PARKS STAFF.

THE TREES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM ON SUNDAY.

TO START OFF THE PROGRAMME, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN WILL OFFICIATE AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15) WHEN HE WILL LEAD A PARTY OF GUESTS, COMPRISING LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, COUNTRY PARKS BOARD MEMBERS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND LEADERS OF ORGANISED GROUPS, IN PLANTING THE FIRST TREES FOR 1983.

THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM, AT A SITE NEAR THE MANAGEMENT CENTRE OF THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

ON SATURDAY, ABOUT 400 MEMBERS OF ORGANISED GROUPS, INCLUDING THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB AND OTHER SCHOOLS, WILL BE PLANTING TREES IN THE SIX COUNTRY PARKS.

THE FIRST COMMUNITY TREE-PLANTING DAY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WAS HELD IN SHING MUN IN 1957. THE EVENT WAS THEN HELD EVERY YEAR UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE 1970’S.

IT WAS REVIVED LAST YEAR WHEN THE DEPARTMENT MADE AVAILABLE YOUNG TREES FOR PLANTING INSIDE SIX COUNTRY PARKS.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMUNITY TREE-PLANTING SCHEME OPENING C REMONY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15). AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMEI TRANSPORT TAKING MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE CEREMONY AT THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK, WILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER IN CENTRAL AT 1.35 PM.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

6

OFFICIALS TO REPLY AT LEGCO * ft * *

ELEVEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL REPLY 3 POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES AT THE RESUMED UDGET DEBATE TOMORROW AND ON THURSDAY.

TOMORROW’S SPEAKERS WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND SECRETARY FOR HOUSING.

THE OTHER FIVE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY. THEY ARE THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

THE SITTINGS ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ' RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG ON RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 .ENGLISH) FROM 2.30 PM.

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DISTRICT STRATEGY FOR KOWLOON CITY * H * K

THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE IAS FORMULATED A STRATEGY TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, TO STRENGTHEN THEIR ACTIVITIES.

SPEAKING AT THE LIONS CLUB OF LION ROCK HONG KONG LUNCHEON frlETING TODAY, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS CLARIE LO, SAIDi ♦THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO MOBILISE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN, AND ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY LEADERS TO GET INVOLVED IN, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES OR AFFAIRS.*

*THE STRATEGY WILL ALSO SEEK TO STEP UP SERVICES TO FACTORY WORKERS, STUDENTS AND THE HANDICAPPED,* SHE SAID.

THE STRATEGY, MRS LO EXPLAINED, WAS BASED ON RESULTS OF A SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST YEAR BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY ON THE NEEDS ...ND EXPECTATIONS OF RESIDENTS TOWARDS RECREATION AND CULTURE, AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.

LARGE SCALE FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE DURING THE YEAR INCLUDED THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FESTIVAL AND ELDERLY WHICH FEATURED A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES AIMED AT PROMOTING A

SEL..E OF BELONGING AND RESPECT FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS.

/THS COMiITTEE........

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

- 7 -

THE COMMITTEE HAD ALSO ASSISTED INFORMING THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE COUNCIL AND KOWLOON CITY CHILDREN CHORUS TO PROMOTE ARTS AND CULTURE, AND TO STIMULATE CHILDREN’S INTEREST >N MUSIC.

FOR THE FEMALE POPULATION, THE COMMITTEE SUPPORTED THE SETTING UP OF HK GIRL GUIDES KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ASSOCIATION AND Ol MAN YIN NGA I SOCIETY.

THE OBJECT OF COMMUNITY BUILDING WAS TWO-FOLD — COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, MRS LO SAID.

BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, THE COMMITTEE WAS TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING AND TO SUPERVISE THE PROGRESS OF SUCH ACTIVITIES.

♦COMMUNITY BUILDING CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY JUST ONE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT - THE DISTRICT OFFICE - BUT IT NEEDS THE CO-OPERATION OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.

♦AND THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM WAS GRADUALLY IMPLEMENTED IN THE EARLY 8O’S WITH THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND LATER DISTRICT BOARDS BEING SET UP,+ SHE SAID.

-----o-----

BUS SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS DISCUSSED

* * O

A GROUP OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY HEADQUARTERS IN KWAI CHUNG FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUS SERVICES.

HEADED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STUART HARB INSON, THE GROUP WAS GREETED BY THE COMPANY’S GENERAL MANAGER, LAWRENCE LOUEY, AND OTHER SENIOR KMB OFFICIALS. THEY DISCUSSED POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING SERVICES IN NORTH DISTRICT.

THE DB MEMBERS PROPOSED THE DISPLAY OF ROUTE INFORMATION IN EVERY BUS STOP. THEY ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER FEEDER JS SERVICES WHEN THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WAS TO BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED LATER THIS YEAR.

THE GROUP WAS HAPPY TO LEARN ABOUT A COMPUTERISED PASSENGER ENQUIRIES SYSTEM ALREADY INTRODUCED BY KMB, AND THAT A MAP OF DIFFERENT BUS ROUTES WOULD SOON BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE DISCUSSION WAS FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF VARIOUS SECTIONS CF THE KMB HEADQUARTERS.

-----o------

/8........

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

8

MONS KOK BOARD MEMBERS TO TOUR DISTRICT

*****

MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL STUDY THE DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, TRAFFIC SITUATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS DURING A TOUR TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

THE TOUR WILL START AT 2.30 PM, WHEN MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED MARKET COMPLEX ON A SITE BOUNDED BY TAI KOK TSUI ROAD, IVY STREET AND FUK TSUEN STREET.

THE PARTY WILL THEN VISIT A TEMPORARY LORRY PARKING AREA AT ANCHOR STREET WHERE THEY WILL ALSO SEE A TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME PROPOSED BY THE BOARD FOR THE TAI KOK TSUI AREA.

AT SOY STREET, MEMBERS WILL OBSERVE THE OBSTRUCTIONS CAUSED TO TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS BY ON STREET COOKED-FOOD STALLS.

THEY WILL LATER VISIT A TEMPORARY COOKED-FOOD CENTRE WHERE THE STALLS WILL BE RESITED.

THE MEMBERS WILL THEN INSPECT SOME REAR LANES BOUNDED BY ARGYLE STREET, NATHAN ROAD, DUNDAS STREET AND YIM PO FONG STREET, WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN CLEARED IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

THEY WILL THEN GO TO THE TUNG CHOI STREET HAWKER PERMITTED AREA TO LOOK OVER THE HAWKING SITUATION AND THE TAPPING OF ELECTRICITY.

THE TOUR WILL END AT 4.30 PM WITH A VISIT TO BOUNDARY STREET TO SEE AN OPEN NULLAH.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILFRED WONG WILL ACCOMPANY THE MEMBERS DURING THE TOUR.

-----o-----

SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE * * * *

A SERIES OF FULL-DAY SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN FOR TEACHERS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

MAY AND JUNE

ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SEMINARS ARE AIMED AT PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE a’"''0LVING°THEMCUSS PR0BLEMS THEY MAY ENCOUNTER AND TO SEEK WAYS

, THE CONTENT OF THE SEMINARS WILL INCLUDE A SHORT TALK, A WORKSHOP AND A DISCUSSION SESSION.

/TWO CF .......

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

- 9 -

TWO OF THE SEMINARS WILL BE HELD ON MAY 10 AND 12 AT THE HONG KONG UNIT OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD, 1/F, HONG KONG, WHILE THE OTHER FOUR SEMINARS WILL BE HELD FROM JUNE 7 TO 10 AT THE CENTRE’S KOWLOON UNIT AT MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2/F, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.

AS EACH SEMINAR CAN ONLY ACCOMMODATE 40 TEACHERS, THE PANEL CHAIRMAN OR ONE TEACHER SHOULD BE RECOMMENDED FROM EACH SCHOOL.

SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE THEIR TEACHERS TO ATTEND ANY OF THE SEMINARS ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATION TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2/F, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON ON OR BEFORE APRIL 22.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SEMINARS CAN BE MADE AT THE CENTRE ON TELEPHONE NO. 3-7128476 OR 5-488230.

-----0 ---------

TWO HONG KONG GIRLS SCORE HIGH IN ACCOUNTANCY EXAMS *****

TWO HONG KONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS WERE AMONG THE TOP FOUR CANDIDATES IN TWO ACCOUNTANCY EXAMINATIONS ORGANISED FOR COMMONWEALTH STUDENTS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS (AAT), BRITAIN.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE MARCH ISSUE OF THE AAT JOURNAL, THE ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN.

TWENTY-ONE YEAR OLD MISS LAM YING-WAH, CAME THIRD IN THE AAT PART ONE EXAMINATION, AND 22-YEAR OLD MISS KWOK CHUI-WAH, CAME FOURTH IN THE PART TWO EXAMINATION.

MISS LAM IS A SECOND YEAR ACCOUNTANCY STUDENT AT LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, AND MISS KWOK IS IN HER SECOND YEAR AT KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

THE AAT IS A POPULAR EXAMINATION BODY. ITS QUALIFICATIONS ARE DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUALS TO ACQUIRE ACCOUNTING SKILLS AND ACHIEVE RESPONSIBLE POSTS AT SUPERVISORY OR MANAGEMENT LEVEL.

THE AAT EXAMINATIONS ARE HELD TWICE A YEAR, IN JUNE AND DECEMBER, AND ARE IN TWO PARTS. THEY HELP TO QUALIFY THE ACCOUNTANCY TECHNICIANS MUCH NEEDED BY LOCAL FIRMS.

THE FIRST PART COVERS ACCOUNTING, BUSINESS LAW, DATA PROCESSING AND STATISTICS, ECONOMIC ORGANISATION. THE SECOND PART INCLUDES COST ACCOUNTING AND BUDGETING, AUDIT AND CONTROLS, TAXATION, ACCOUNTING.

THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OFFER A TWO-YEAR, FULL-TIME COURSE IN ACCOUNTANCY.

- 0

/io .......

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

10

LANTAU SITES FOR SALE

MM*

FOUR SITES TOTALLING ABOUT 12 000 SQUARE METRES AT CHEUNG SHA ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE SOLD OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS.

AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON DETAILS OF THE SITES.

BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CURRENT ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN, THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS AND THE FORMATION OF DB COMMITTEES.

AN ICAC OFFICER WILL GIVE A TALK ON THE WORK OF ICAC IN 1982 WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS ACTIVITIES ON OUTLYING ISLANDS.

-----o------

WIDENING OF LUNG MUN ROAD IN TUEN MUN M M M M

THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED A CONTRACT TO LEADER CIVIL ENGINEERING CORPORATION LTD. FOR THE REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING OF A SECTION OF LUNG MUN ROAD.

THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN $18 MILLION, WAS SIGNED THIS AFTERNOON BY MR LAM CHUN-KEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, INVOLVES THE WIDENING OF ABOUT 1.2 KILOMETRES OF LUNG MUN ROAD FROM PAK KOK TO BUTTERFLY BEACH INTO A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY.

UPON COMPLETION, THE NEW ROAD WILL PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO BUTTERFLY BEACH AND TO THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TOWN.

COMPLETE °N THE PR0JECT IS EXPECTED to TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO

- 0----------

/11.........

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1983

11

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN TSIM SHA TSUI X * * *

A NUMBER OF ROADS IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA.

BLENHEIM AVENUE BETWEEN MODY ROAD AND MINDEN AVENUE WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND.

MINDEN AVENUE BETWEEN BLENHEIM AVENUE AND MINDEN ROW WILL BECOME ONE WAY WESTBOUND, AND MINDEN ROW BETWEEN MINDEN AVENUE AND MODY ROAD ONE WAY NORTHBOUND.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 - -

WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY XXX

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED WILL BE BOUNDED BY PATERSON STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD, PERCIVAL STREET, HENNESSY ROAD AND GREAT GEORGE STREET. THIS WILL INCLUDE EXCELS ICR HOTEL, WORLD TRADE CENTRE AND ..iLLETT ISLAND.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

DING

iiMMWI

LONG-TERM MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE PLANNING TO CONTINUE 1 MEDICAL PRIORITY FOR NEEDY STRESSED ......................

ADDITIONAL HELP FOR NEEDY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CONSIDERED .. 3

SALE OF PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS ................................ 5

-►DIFFICULT OPERATIONS- SUPPORTED ............................ 6

SQUATTING PROBLEM EXPLAINED .................................. 8

EDUCATION FACILITIES EXPANDING ............................... 9

POLYTECHNIC EXPANDING IN QUANTITY AND QUALITY ............... 10

LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT RELATIONS PEACEFUL .................... 11

GOVERNMENT AWARE OF POLLUTION CAUSES ........................ 12

PRECIPITATORS FOR INCINERATORS .............................. 14

ACTION STEPPED UP AGAINST DRIVING OFFENDERS ................. 15

SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH PERSISTENT RECKLESS DRIVING.............. 15

OUTDATED LAWS REMOVED FROM STATUTES BOOKS, AG SAYS........ 16

COMMERCIAL CRIME FIGURES .................................... 17

63 NEW OFFENCES CREATED IN 1981 ............................. 17

BILL TO DEAL WITH SEIZED MARICULTURE ITEMS .................. 18

MORE PEOPLE HELPED BY TAVA SCHEME ........................... 18

MEMBERS THANKED FOR WORK ON BILL ............................ 20

REPORT ON DRAFT ESTIMATES ................................... 20

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS APPROVED ........................... 21

BILLS PASSED ................................................ 21

FARE RISE, ONE-MAN OPERATION FOR LANTAU BUS ................... 22

LORD COCKFIELD VISITS ELECTRONICS FACTORY AND CONTAINER PORT 23

TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR YAU MA TEI ........................... 24

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

1

LONG-TERM MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE PLANNING TO CONTINUE *****

THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE ITS POLICY TO MAINTAIN A LONG-TERM APPROACH TO PLANNING IN THE MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE FIELDS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WAS PLANNED ON A TEN-YEAR BASIS, WITH AN ANNUAL REVIEW BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THIS REVIEW, HE EXPLAINED, PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW PROJECTS TO BE ADDED, OR THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME TO BE REVISED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING NEEDS RESULTING FROM SUCH FACTORS AS AN INCREASE OR RE-DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION, CHANGES IN DISEASE PATTERN, USAGE RATES AND ADOPTION OF NEW PLANNING STANDARDS.

APART FROM EXTENSIONS TO EXISTING INSTITUTIONS, THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ENVISAGED THE BUILDING OF FIVE NEW HOSPITALS OF OVER 1 300 BEDS EACH AND SOME 20 NEW CLINICS AND POLYCLINICS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, MR BARNES SAID.

+EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO ENSURE THAT THESE PROJECTS SHOULD PROCEED AS PLANNED BUT OBVIOUSLY ANY CAPITAL PROGRAMME OF THIS MAGNITUDE HAS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG AND THE COMPETING DEMANDS FOR AVAILABLE FISCAL RESOURCES,* HE ADDED.

AS EXAMPLES OF FORWARD PLANNING FOR SOCIAL WELFARE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, MR BARNES CITED 2 000 NEW CARE AND PROTECTION PLACES AND 22 NEW MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, 16 NEW COMMUNITY HALLS AS WELL AS 13 000 ADDITIONAL NURSERY PLACES.

ON THE ISSUE OF HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, MR BARNES REPORTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAKING +EVERY ATTEMPT* TO PROVIDE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO MEET NEEDS IN THE PREVENTIVE, CURATIVE AND REHABILITATION FIELDS.

HE COMMENDED THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR THEIR SKILL AND DEDICATION IN PROVIDING SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, AND MR BARNES SAID THAT THEIR WORK WAS ESSENTIALLY COMPLEMENTARY TO GOVERNMENT EFFORTS.

RESPONDING TO THE HON WONG LAM’S VIEW THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT INVOLVE ITSELF WITH THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING AN ADEQUATE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM AND CERTAIN SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY THOSE REQUIRED BY LAW.

♦THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO RELINQUISH THESE SERVICES TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. INDEED IN CERTAIN AREAS OF WORK IT IS CLEARLY IN THE INTERESTS OF BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD IMPLEMENT POLICIES DIRECTLY,* MR BARNES SAID.

/ON A........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 19&3

- 2 -

ON A CONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME, HE RECALLED THAT THE FINDINGS OF AN OPINION SURVEY OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES CONFIRMED THAT SUCH A SCHEME WOULD BE TOO DIFFICULT TO APPLY.

HE ADDED THAT IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT A COMPULSORY SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME WOULD +UNDERMINE OUR WELL-ESTABLISHED NONCONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS.*

♦ALTERNATIVE PLANS ARE THEREFORE BEING DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE EXTENDED SICKNESS BENEFITS AND DEATH GRANTS FOR INCORPORATION IN LEGISLATION.

♦MEANWHILE, THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME MUST REMAIN THE CENTRAL PILLAR OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, AS MUST OUR APPROACH OF CONCENTRATING ASSISTANCE ON THE MORE VULNERABLE GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY,+ MR BARNES SAID.

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MEDICAL PRIORITY FOR NEEDY STRESSED * * * * *

THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED CLASS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE GI VEN PRIORITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL FACILITIES, THE DIRECTOR OF bEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG, SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR THONG POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF BEDS IN THE GENERAL WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS HAD BEEN INCREASED TO 10 544, AS COMPARED WITH 221 BEDS FOR PRIVATE PATIENTS.

IT WAS GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT MEDICAL AND HEALTH FACILITIES BE PROVIDED TO ALL PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY TO THE LARGE SECTION WHO RELIED ON SUBSIDISED ATTENTION.

♦UNDER THIS POLICY WHICH IS CLEARLY STATED IN THE 1974 WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, SUCH SERVICES ARE BASICALLY REGARDED AS AN IMPORTANT SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO PAY NOMINAL CHARGES WHICH ARE NOT AT ALL RELATED TO RECOVERY OF COST,+ HE SAID.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, FOR THE BETTER-OFF SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY HIGH MADE USE OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF BEDS IN THE PRIVATE WARDS OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO RECOVER THE FULL OR PARTIAL COST OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED.

A DECISION WOULD SOON BE SUCH PATIENTS SHOULD CONTINUE

TAKEN ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER TO BE SUBSIDISED, HE ADDED.

COMMENTING ON REMARKS BY SOME UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ABOUT THE COSTING OF SERVICES, DR THONG SAID THAT THE REVIEW OF MANY FEES AND CHARGES WAS TIME-CONSUMING AND WAS FURTHER COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT MEDICAL TREATMENT AND LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS WERE CONTINUOUSLY CHANGING AS NEW TESTS AND IMPROVED TECHNIQUES WERE INTRODUCED.

/+F0R THIS .......

WEDN2SDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 3 -

♦FOR THIS REASON, CHARGES FOR THESE ITEMS WERE NOT UPDATED BECAUSE IT IS THE INTENTION TO COST AND UPDATE THE CHARGES FOR BETTER AND MORE ADVANCED TECHNIQUES,* HE SAID.

HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT NEW CHARGES FOR PRIVATE PATIENTS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.

A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM INTRODUCED SHOULD MAKE THE WORK ON FEES AND CHARGES EASIER, HE SAID.

BUT DUE TO THE POLICY OF ACCORDING PRIORITY TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO BECOME SELF-FUNDING, HE SAID.

COMMENTING ON THE FALLING PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE AS COMPARED TO EXPENDITURE IN THE DEPARTMENT BETWEEN 1979 AND 1983, DR THONG EXPLAINED THAT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS A SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT PROVIDING A NON-PROFIT MAKING SERVICE.

HE SAID THAT THE REVENUE RAISED FROM THE BULK OF THE PATIENTS IN THE GENERAL WARD WAS NOMINAL, WHILE FULL OR PARTIAL COST WAS RECOVERED FROM A COMPARATIVELY INSIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PRIVATE BEDS.

IT WAS QUITE INAPPROPRIATE TO COMPARE THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHICH WAS NOT A BUSINESS CONCERN, HE SAID.

------0-------

ADDITIONAL HELP FOR NEEDY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CONSIDERED ******

REQUESTS BY VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS WOULD BE GIVEN ^SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION*, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REFERRING TO CONCERN EXPRESSED EARLIER IN THE BUDGET DEBATE BY THE HON F.K. HU ON THIS POINT, MR CHAMBERS EXPRESSED FULL AGREEMENT THAT AGENCIES SHOULD BE GIVEN ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO DISCHARGE THEIR CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS.

MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT +IN FACT, ALL AGENCIES RECEIVED INCREASED LEVELS OF SUPPORT LAST YEAR*.

SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO ANY AGENCY EXPERIENCING GENUINE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY, HE SAID.

/COMMENTING ON .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 4 -

COMMENTING ON MR HU’S REFERENCE TO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES FACED BY SOME AGENCIES OPERATING SOCIAL CENTRES AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, MR CHAMBERS REITERATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY REAL FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES IN THIS AREA.

AFTER THE 1982/83 ALLOCATIONS, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED ONLY TWO APPEALS FROM THE 30 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES RUNNING SOME 70 SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY AND BOTH WERE SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED, HE SAID.

*NOR IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE VALUABLE SERVICES WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, SINCE THE PLANNED PROVISIONS FOR 1983/84 HAVE ALL BEEN TAKEN UP BY THE AGENCIES,* HE SAID.

♦I SHALL HOWEVER BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER AN APPEAL FROM ANY INDIVIDUAL AGENCY WHICH CAN SHOW THAT IT IS UNABLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WITH THE FUNDS ALLOCATED,* HE ADDED.

REFERRING TO THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT’S REMARKS ON SERVICES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED THAT AN EDUCATION ADVISER WAS SECONDED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO STUDY SCHOOLING PROVIDED FOR INMATES IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FIVE RESIDENTIAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, THE ADVISER WAS NOT DEALING ONLY WITH +ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS*, HE SAID.

+SPECIFICALLY HE IS REVIEWING THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE INMATES, DESIGNING APPROPRIATE CURRICULUMS IN DIFFERENT HOMES TO MEET THESE NEEDS, INCLUDING ACADEMIC, PRACTICAL AND PRE-VOCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, ADVISING ON SPACE AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS, AND DRAWING UP A STAFFING ESTABLISHMENT FOR EACH HOME,* HE EXPLAINED.

IN DOING THIS WORK, THE ADVISER CONSULTED OTHER SPECIALIST OFFICERS IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION.

♦I AM NATURALLY ANXIOUS THAT ALL THE EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IS BROUGHT TO BEAR ON THIS IMPORTANT AREA OF OUR WORK AND I SHALL BE HAVING FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH MY COLLEAGUE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WHEN THE EDUCATION ADVISER’S REPORT IS RECEIVED,* HE SAID.

REFERRING TO DR HENRY HU’S SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE MORE GENEROUS IN DEALING WITH THOSE UNABLE TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF OLD AGE OR DISABILITIES, MR CHAMBERS SAID, *WE ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE CHANGING SOCIAL PATTERN IN HONG KONG, AND THE PLIGHT OF MANY OF THE OLD AND DISABLED MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY AS WELL AS THE PRESSURES ON THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE TO LOOK AFTER THEM.*

+THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO MOST NEED HELP AND THEY ARE THE PRIME TARGETS BOTH OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES AND OF OUR DIRECT SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.*

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 5 -

SALE OF PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS M * * K

THERE WERE SOME FINANCIAL BENEFITS IN SELLING PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS BUT ITS FEASIBILITY HAD TO BE EVALUATED AGAINST A PUBLIC HOUSING POLICY OF EXTREMELY LOW RENTAL AND ALMOST COMPLETE SECURITY OF TENURE.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO DR THE HON HARRY FANG AND THE HON ANDREW SO WHO HAD MADE THE PROPOSAL.

MR LIAO SAID THAT IF THE PURCHASE TERMS WERE TO BE MADE SUFFICIENTLY ATTRACTIVE, FLATS EVEN IN THE NEWER ESTATES WOULD HAVE TO BE PRICED AT A LEVEL FAR LOWER THAN THAT SUGGESTED BY DR FANG.

+THEREFORE, EVEN ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT SEVEN PER CENT OF EXISTING TENANTS WOULD BUY THEIR FLATS, THE REVENUE LIKELY TO BE GENERATED WOULD BE MUCH LESS THAN S3.5 BILLION OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

+ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION WOULD BE THE MANY SOCIAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGING BLOCKS WITH A MIXED POPULATION OF PRIVATE OWNERS AND PUBLIC TENANTS.

+ALTHOUGH THIS COULD THEORETICALLY BE OVERCOME BY EARMARKING COMPLETE BLOCKS FOR SALE, THIS WOULD INVOLVE MOVING OUT FAMILIES UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO BUY, LEADING TO MUCH DISRUPTION AND RESENTMENT.

+THE EXPERIENCE WITH THOSE RELUCTANT TO MOVE IN THE COURSE OF REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD ESTATES DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS HAS AMPLY ILLUSTRATED THE SORT OF PROBLEMS THAT WOULD ARISE.+

HOWEVER, MR LIAO ENTIRELY AGREED THAT WELL-OFF PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS SHOULD BE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES, AND SAID THIS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

+THE PRESENT PRACTICE IS TO SET ASIDE 50 PER CENT OF HOS FLATS FOR SALE TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS, AND TO DATE SOME 10 000 NEW FLATS HAVE BEEN SOLD TO THIS GROUP.+

HE ALSO AGREED THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF HOUSING PRIORITIES, THE BALANCE BETWEEN HOS AND RENTAL FLATS NEEDED TO BE REVIEWED.

+WHILE THERE IS A CONTINUING HIGH DEMAND FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING, THERE IS ALSO A STRONG UNDERLYING DEMAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP.

+THE FACT THAT THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR HOS FLATS HAS CONSISTENTLY EXCEEDED BY MANY TIMES THE NUMBER OF FLATS AVAILABLE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THIS TREND, AND WE ARE EXAMINING WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH MORE FLATS CAN BE PROVIDED TO MEET THE ASPIRA IONS OF THOSE THE SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT.*

/r: PUBLIC .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

6

IN PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION, MR LIAO SAID EFFORTS COULD NOT BE RELAXED DESPITE THE VERY LARGE OUTPUT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, AND HE GAVE ASSURANCE THAT IT WOULD AT LEAST BE MAINTAINED AT ITS CURRENT LEVEL FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR JUST COMPLETED, HE SAID PUBLIC SECTOR PRODUCTION AGAIN EXCEEDED THE TARGET OF 35 OOO FLATS.

ON THE GOVERNMENT’S FLATTED FACTORY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME, MR LIAO SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A REVIEW AND CONCLUDED THAT THE LARGE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN EXISTING FLATTED FACTORIES SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TO MEET CLEARANCE DEMAND FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

+THEREFORE, FOR THE PRESENT NO FURTHER FLATTED FACTORIES SHOULD BE BUILT AFTER THOSE BLOCKS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE COMPLETED.

+RECENT EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF FACTORIES AND WORKSHOPS WHICH ARE CLEARED CANNOT READILY FIND ACCOMMODATION IN PRIVATE FACTORIES AND NEED TO LOOK TO HOUSING AUTHORITY FLATTED FACTORIES FOR REPROVISIONING.

+IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THESE FACTORIES, OPEN TENDERS ARE INVITED ON A REGULAR BASIS, THUS MEETING THE NEEDS NOT ONLY OF FACTORIES AND WORKSHOPS DISPLACED BY CLEARANCE, BUT ALSO OF MANY OTHER SMALL FACTORY OPERATORS REQUIRING PURPOSE-BUILT UN ITS.+

-----o------

♦DIFFICULT OPERATION+ SUPPORTED M * * *

THE POLICY TO CONTINUE WITH THE MANY PROGRAMMES DESIGNED TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG IS A POSITIVE AFFIRMATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINED EFFORTS TO MEET INCREASED PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE HON PETER C. WONG, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, WHICH WAS LATER PASSED.

MR WONG SAID THE +PRESENT EXERCISE+ WAS BUT ONE FACET OF THIS POLICY.

HE NOTED THAT THIS ♦DIFFICULT BUT LONG OVERDUE OPERATION+ WOULD BE ♦IMPLEMENTED IN A MANNER THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LEAST INCONVENIENCE AND HARDSHIP TO THE BOAT DWELLERS.*

MR WONG STRESSED THAT +CONFRONTATION SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.♦

/♦COURTESY AND .......

WEDNESDAY, APHIL 13, 1983

- 7 -

♦COURTESY AND GOODWILL ON THE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE ONE HAND AND THE UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION OF THOSE AFFECTED ON THE OTHER, WILL CERTAINLY GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS PREVENTING ANY UNPLEASANT INCIDENT WHICH MAY OTHERWISE OCCUR.

♦THESE ARE ALSO NECESSARY INGREDIENTS ON WHICH THE SUCCESS OF THIS WORTHY OPERATION WILL DEPEND,♦ HE SAID.

MR WONG SAID THAT THE AD HOC GROUP OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD CONSIDERED THE DRAFT BILL AND THE DRAFT REGULATIONS AND HAD ALSO MET THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED IN THE BILL GAZETTED YESTERDAY AND WILL ALSO BE REFLECTED IN THE NEW REGULATIONS WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.

WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THE BILL AND THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL PROVIDE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WITH THE NECESSARY STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THE GROWING NUMBER OF DWELLING VESSELS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTERS, WHICH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF MUCH CONCERN,+ HE SAID.

AS A START, THE NEW REGULATIONS WOULD ONLY APPLY TO THE TYPHOON SHELTERS AT YAU MA TEI, TSI NG Yl, TUEN MUN AND CHEUNG CHAU.

MR WONG SAID DESIGNATING THE FOUR MOST DENSELY POPULATED TYPHOON SHELTERS AS PRESCRIBED AREAS WAS A GOOD START AND HE HOPED THAT CONTROL WOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER AREAS AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.

IN THE MEANTIME, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT A CLOSE WATCH BE KEPT ON AREAS NOT BROUGHT WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE NEW REGULATIONS, HE SAID.

MR WONG SAID THE NEED TO TAKE ALL THREE READINGS OF THE BILL AT ONE SITTING IN ORDER TO PREVENT A SUDDEN RUSH OF DWELLING BOATS INTO THE SHELTERS WAS FULLY APPRECIATED BY THE UNOFFICIALS. ♦HOWEVER, WE WOULD STRESS THAT ONLY IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD SUCH PROCEDURE BE ADOPTED,+ HE SAID.

THE HON P. JACOBS, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, IN MOVING THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO PROVIDE BETTER CONTROL OVER DWELLING VESSELS, AND THUS TO CONTAIN THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER CF SUCH VESSELS IN TYPHOON SHELTERS.

THIS WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY MEANS OF A LICENSING SYSTEM.

HE THANKED MR PETER C. WONG AND MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP CF UNOFFICIALS FOR THEIR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL AND THE REGULATIONS.

A NUMBER OF VERY USEFUL AND PROPER AMENDMENTS WERE INCLUDED AS A RESULT,♦ HE SAID.

--------0 ----------

/8 .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

8

SQUATTING PROBLEM EXPLAINED X * *

THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE FIRE AND HEALTH HAZARDS POSED BY ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IS THEIR COMPLETE REMOVAL, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR AKERS-JONES WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT ON MEASURES TAKEN TO ALLEVIATE SUCH HAZARDS AND TO PREVENT SIMILAR SQUATTING IN FUTURE.

HE EXPLAINED THAT BEFORE A SITE WAS HANDED OVER TO A PARTICULAR PARTY, THE LANDS AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS WOULD CLEAR ALL ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND OTHER ENCUMBRANCES.

ONCE THE SITE WAS HANDED OVER, THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING IT FREE FROM ILLEGAL SQUATTING WOULD REST WITH THE GRANTEE OF THE LAND.

REFERRING TO THE RECENT BACK LANE CLEARANCE IN HANG ON STREET IN KWUN TONG TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NING PO COLLEGE’S EXTENSION, NR AKERS-JONES RECALLED THAT A CLEAR SITE WAS HANDED OVER TO THE SCHOOL IN FEBRUARY 1979.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE SCHOOL WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE LAND CLEAR AND ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WERE BUILT ON IT AND ON THE CROWN LAND IN THE BACK LANE OF HANG ON STREET.

AFTER COURT BAILIFFS EXECUTING A WRIT OF RESTITUTION FOR THE SCHOOL HAD MET WITH STRONG RESISTANCE FROM THE SQUATTERS, THE SCHOOL SOUGHT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE STRUCTURES ON THE LEASED LAND WERE CLEARED IN APRIL LAST YEAR.

♦UNFORTUNATELY ONCE AGAIN THE CLEARED SITE WAS NOT FENCED OFF BY THE SCHOOL AND THE SQUATTERS SOON RETURNED TO REBUILD THEIR HUTS.

♦THE SITUATION IN THE ADJOINING BACK LANE HAD DETERIORATED IN THE MEANTIME AND POSED A SERIOUS THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND HYGIENE TO THE NEIGHBOURING RESIDENTS.

♦THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THEREFORE PLANNED ANOTHER OPERATION TO CLEAR ALL THE STRUCTURES.

♦HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE COMMITMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED, THEIR CLEARANCE COULD NOT BE EFFECTED UNTIL MARCH 29 THIS YEAR.+ HE SAID.

------o-------

/9 .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 9 -

EDUCATION FACILITIES EXPANDING *****

A PLAN FOR A FURTHER STAGE OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME WAS BEING EXAMINED AND, IF APPROVED WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO PHASE OUT ALL THE LESS SATISFACTORY BOUGHT PLACES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MEANWHILE, WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE REMAINING 39 SCHOOLS IN THE PRESENT SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME, BOUGHT PLACES IN LESS SATISFACTORY SCHOOLS WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY REDUCED, NR TOPLEY SAID IN RESPONSE TO REMARKS BY REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT ON THE SUBJECT.

ON SPECIAL EDUCATION, MR TOPLEY REPORTED THAT THERE WERE SUFFICIENT SCHOOL PLACES FOR ALL BLIND AND DEAF CHILDREN.

+BY 1984-85 OVER 92 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF MALADJUSTED CHILDREN WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SPECIAL SCHOOL PLACE; AND BY 1987/88 ALL PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A PLACE,* HE DISCLOSED.

THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT SHORTFALL, HE SAID, WAS IN PLACES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.

ALTHOUGH THE 1982 REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN REVIEW GAVE A SHORTFALL IN PROVISION OF 6 292, THE PLANNED PROVISION WOULD RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL 5 620 PLACES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS BY 1990, MR TOPLEY SAID.

ON DELAYS TO CAPITAL BUILDING PROJECTS, HE POINTED OUT THAT SPONSORS PLANNING NEW SCHOOL PROJECTS WERE ASSISTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPLETE THEIR PROJECTS *WITH ALL POSSIBLE SPEED*.

AS FOR PARTICULAR PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED, HE MENTIONED THE RECENT RESISTANCE TO CLEARANCE BY SQUATTERS IN KWUN TONG WHICH AROSE FROM THE NEED TO EXTEND A SECONDARY SCHOOL, ON WHICH WORK HAD BEEN DELAYED FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS.

THE HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF HAD ALSO BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE OF SQUATTERS ON PRIVATE LAND WHERE THE SCHOOL WAS TO BE REPROVISIONED, HE POINTED OUT.

OF THE 24 SPECIAL SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE CURRENT PROGRAMME, TWO HAD BEEN COMPLETED, 14 WERE PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE AND ONLY EIGHT HAD BEEN DELAYED, MR TOPLEY SAID. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICERS WERE WORKING CLOSE WITH THE SPONSORING BODIES TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS, HE SAID.

MR TOPLEY EXPRESSED DISAGREEMENT WITH THE HON WONG LAM’S CONTENTION THAT THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS WAS A WASTE CF PUBLIC MONEY.

+WHERFAS THE GOVERNMENT IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH THE ESTABLISHM NT OF STANDARDS AND SEEING THAT THEY ARE MET, IT NEEDS, ON OCCASIO.., A MEANS FOR DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

/+FOit INSTANCE........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 10 -

♦FOR INSTANCE, BY INTRODUCING THE ACTIVITY APPROACH IN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS, IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO DEMONSTRATE TO OTHERS, THE BENEFIT OF THIS LESS STRUCTURED APPROACH TO PRIMARY EDUCATION,* MR TOPLEY SAID.

HE ADDED THAT SINCE 1965, IT HAD BEEN GOVERNMENT POLICY TO EXPAND EDUCATION THROUGH THE AIDED SECTOR, BUT WHERE THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE, GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS WERE CONSIDERED.

-----o-----

POLYTECHNIC EXPANDING IN QUANTITY AND QUALITY X X X *

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC HAS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, ACHIEVED UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH NOT ONLY IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS BUT ALSO IN THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON S.L. CHEN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY. MR CHEN WAS PRESENTING THE TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE POLYTECHNIC, COVERING THE ACADEMIC YEAR ENDING IN JULY, 1982.

THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME STUDENTS EXPANDED NEARLY FIVE TIMES FROM 1 580 IN 1972 TO 7 506 IN 1982, MR CHEN SAID.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS ALSO INCREASED ABOUT FIVEFOLD DURING THE PERIOD — FROM 1 030 TO 4 860 — WHILE THE NUMBER OF THOSE ATTENDING SHORT FULL-TIME COURSES EXPANDED ALMOST 20 TIMES, FROM 120 TO 2 370.

THE POLYTECHNIC NOW HAS 21 TEACHING DEPARTMENTS, COMPARED WITH ONLY EIGHT IN 1972.

EACH YEAR, POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES WERE BEING OFFERED SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER SALARIES, WITH THE RATE OF INCREASE WELL ABOVE THAT OF INFLATION, MR CHEN SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT DESPITE THE RECESSION, THE AVERAGE STARTING SALARY FOR GRADUATES AT ALL LEVELS ACROSS THE POLYTECHNIC THIS YEAR WAS 15 PER CENT HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR’S AVERAGE.

FOR PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA AND HIGHER DIPLOMA GRADUATES, WHO FORM THE LARGEST GROUP, THE AVERAGE STARTING SALARY WAS MORE THAN 18 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S, MR CHEN SAID.

THESE FIGURES CLEARLY SHOWED THAT POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES WERE IN GOOD DEMAND AND THAT THE INSTITUTE HAD ACHIEVED NOT ONLY THE UNPRECEDENTED PLANNED GROWTH IN NUMBERS, BUT ALSO THE GROWTH IN QUALITY.

SPEAKING OF THE POLYTECHNIC DEGREE COURSES WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR, MR CHEN EXPLAINED THAT THE PROGRAMME, EVEN WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED BY THE EARLY 1990’S, WOULD NOT ACCOUtT FOR MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS.

/+THE REMAINING........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 11 -

♦THE REMAINING 70 PER CENT OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S WORK WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE PRODUCTION OF PROFESSIONAL AND HIGHER DIPLOMA GRADUATES, WHO ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD,* MR CHEN SAID.

MR CHEN SAID HONG KONG NOW HAD A POLYTECHNIC WHICH WAS NOT ONLY VERY LARGE BY ANY STANDARD, BUT WAS ALSO A TRUE POLYTECHNIC IN THE SENSE THAT IT PROVIDED A WIDE VARIETY OF COURSES AT VARIOUS LEVELS IN DIFFERENT ATTENDANCE PATTERNS FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS OF ALL AGES.

♦MOREOVER IT IS, I BELIEVE, A POLYTECHNIC WELL-TUNED TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES,+ HE CONCLUDED.

------o-------

LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT RELATIONS PEACEFUL * N * *

LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN HONG KONG WERE ENCOURAGING AND REASONABLY PEACEFUL, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE WAS REFERRING TO A SPEECH MADE EARLIER BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HARMONIOUS LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT RELATIONS.

HE SAID THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD ACHIEVED A VERY HIGH SUCCESS RATE IN SETTLING MAJOR DISPUTES NOT INVOLVING INSOLVENCY, AND HAS SO FAR NOT HAD TO RESORT TO THE SPECIAL PROCEDURES PROVIDED IN THE LABOUR RELATIONS ORDINANCE.

MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT THE ANNUAL FIGURES ON +WORKING-DAYS+ LOST DUE TO STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS (39 743 IN 1979, 21 069 IN 1980, 15 319 IN 1981 AND 17 960 IN 1982) WERE AS LOW AS COULD REASONABLY BE EXPECTED.

♦IN FACT, THE FIGURE OF 17 960 WORKING-DAYS LOST IN 1982 COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 22 558 WORKINGDAYS LOST IN THE PAST TEN YEARS (1973-1982) AND REMAINS VERY LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS,+ HE NOTED.

REFERRING TO CONCERN EXPRESSED BY DR HO AT THE ♦DECLINING TREND* IN RESOLVING LABOUR DISPUTES BY THE SERVICE, MR HENDERSON EXPLAINED THAT THE DECLINE MIGHT BE ATTRIBUTED TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

FIRSTLY, HE SAID, THOUGH EMPOWERED TO INTERVENE IN DISPUTES UNDER THE LABOUR RELATIONS ORDINANCE, THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OFFERED A CONCILIATION SERVICE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, AND IT WAS ENTIRELY UP TO EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT ITS SERVICE.

+OTHER MAJOR FACTORS THAT AFFECT CASE WORK INCLUDE THE INCREASE IN LABOUR LEGISLATION OVER THE PAST DECADE, THE ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS INTRODUCED IN RECENT YEARS, THE GREATER AWARENESS OF EMPLOYEES OF THEIR LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS, THE MORE LEGALISTIC STANCE TAKEN BY SOME EMPLOYERS IN DISPUTES, AND THE A AILABILITY OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL AS A MEANS OF SETTLING CLAIMS DErINITIVELY.

/+THESS ALL ......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 12 -

+THESE ALL CONTRIBUTE, TO SOME EXTENT, TO A GREATER RESISTANCE AND RELUCTANCE OF THE PARTIES TO A DISPUTE TO SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES BY COMPROMISE AND AGREEMENT. IN OTHER CASES, THE NATURE OF DISPUTE, E.G. INSOLVENCY OF EMPLOYERS, IS SUCH THAT CONCILIATION IN ITSELF COULD NOT BRING ABOUT A SETTLEMENT,+ HE ADDED.

HOWEVER, THE REDUCTION IN CASES SETTLED IN THAT MANNER, hfi HENDERSON CONTINUED, MUST BE SEEN IN ITS PROPER PERSPECTIVE. EVERY CASE OF DISPUTE RECEIVED THE ATTENTION AND ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, AND THE RATE OF SETTLEMENT COULD NOT BE TAKEN AS A MEASUREMENT OF THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND MANPOWER SPENT ON CONCILIATION, NOR OF THE VALUE OF THE SERVICE BEING RENDERED TO THE PUBLIC.

NEVERTHELESS, HE ASSURED DR HO THAT THE CONCILIATION WORK METHODS OF THE SERVICE WERE CONSTANTLY REVIEWED FOR IMPROVEMENT.

THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO CONSIDERING WHETHER EXPERIENCED OFFICERS IN THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE SHOULD BE EMPOWERED, FOR EXAMPLE, TO MAKE RULINGS ON THE BASIS OF THE FACTS OF THE CASE AND DETERMINE THE CLAIM IN MINOR CASES, SUBJECT TO APPEAL.

------0-------

GOVERNMENT AWARE OF POLLUTION CAUSES *****

THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE TYPES OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY SUCH THINGS AS COOKED FOOD STALLS, VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS, GOVERNMENT INCINERATORS, ELECTRICITY GENERATING STATIONS. AND AIRCRAFT TAKING OFF, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SOME OF THE EXAMPLES GIVEN PRODUCED MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF POLLUTION, HE ADDED.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, MR BARNES SAID, HOWEVER, THAT IT WAS IMPRACTICABLE TO MONITOR THE PRECISE LEVELS OF POLLUTION IN EVERY CASE ON A PERMANENT BASIS.

COOKED FOOD STALLS, HE EXPLAINED, PRODUCED POLLUTION FROM THE REFUSE GENERATED, AND FROM THE GREASE PRODUCED IN THE COOKING PROCESS! BOTH OF WHICH CONSTITUTED A DISPOSAL PROBLEM.

THEY ALSO PRODUCE SMELLS, BUT THESE WERE NOT A MEASURABLE SOURCE OF AIR POLLUTION. THE FUELS USED, LPG OR KEROSENE, BECAUSE OF THEIR LOW SULPHUR CONTENT, CAUSED ONLY NEGLIGIBLE QUANTITIES OF AIR POLLUTION AND HAVE NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF POLLUTION COMPLAINTS.

THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY THE POLICY IS TO RELOCATE SUCH STALLS IN PROPERLY DESIGNED COOKED FOOD CENTRES WITH ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR HANDLING THE WASTES WHICH THEY GENERATE.

MEAN’ IILE, USD STREET CLEANING TEAMS HAVE INSTRUCTIONS TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO LOCATIONS IN WHICH COOKED FOOD STALLS OPERATE.

/vehicle repair .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 13 -

VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS FREQUENTLY PRODUCE BOTH AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION IN THEIR IMMEDIATE VICINITY AND CAUSE OTHER INCONVENIENCES.

THE GOVERNMENT’S DIFFICULTIES IN TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS IN LOCATIONS WHERE THEY WOULD NOT POSE SUCH PROBLEMS HAD EARLIER BEEN OUTLINED IN THE COUNCIL, HE ADDED.

GOVERNMENT INCINERATORS, HE SAID, WERE SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION.

♦ALTHOUGH THEY WERE BUILT TO THE BEST U.K. STANDARDS PREVAILING AT THE TIME OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION THEY ARE NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT, AND ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN HAND TO ACHIEVE THIS.

♦I SHALL BE GIVING DETAILS OF THIS PROGRAMME IN REPLY TO A LATER QUEST I ON,♦ HE SAID.

HE SAID THAT POLLUTION FROM ELECTRICITY GENERATING STATIONS COULD TAKE MANY FORMS.

♦AIR POLLUTION CAN ARISE FROM COAL HANDLING, COAL STORAGE, THE TRANSPORTATION OF ASH AND FROM THE NORMAL COMBUSTION PROCESS.

♦WATER POLLUTION CAN BE CAUSED BY HOT WATER DISCHARGES

IN THE COOLING PROCESS AND FROM POOR HANDLING OF COAL OR ASH WHICH THEN FINDS ITS WAY INTO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT. THE OLDER, OIL-FIRED POWER STATIONS AT TSING Yl, AP LEI CHAU AND HUNG HOM ARE KEPT UNDER SURVEILLANCE BY THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND ARE GENERALLY OPERATING WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE, WHICH MERELY CONTROLS AIR POLLUTION ARISING FROM THE COMBUSTION PROCESS.

♦NEW LEGISLATION AIMS TO EXTEND OUR PRESENT CONTROLS TO INCLUDE AIR POLLUTION FROM SUCH SOURCES AS COAL HANDLING AND ASH HANDLING,+ HE SAID.

MR BARNES SAID THAT CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF THE NEW COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS INDICATED THAT INTERNATIONAL AIR QUALITY STANDARDS WERE BEING COMPLIED WITH, AND THAT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT REMAINED SATISFACTORY.

REFERRING TO POLLUTION ASSOCIATED WITH AIRCRAFT TAKING-OFF, HE SAID THIS PRIMARILY TOOK THE FORM OF NOISE.

♦BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE AIRPORT THERE IS A BAN ON ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6.30 AM ALTHOUGH, IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, A TAKE-OFF MAY BE PERMITTED PROVIDED THE AIRCRAFT DOES NOT FLY OVER THE KOWLOON PENINSULA.

♦FLIGHTS OVER THE KOWLOON PENINSULA ARE FURTHER RESTRICTED BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT AND BETWEEN 6.30 AM AND 7 AM AND ARE ONLY PERMITTED WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS OR UNSERVICEABLE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS PREVENT TAKE-OFFS VIA LEI YUE MUN. THE INTRODUCTION OF QUIETER AIRCRAFT BY INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES WILL ALSO HELP IN THIS REGARD,+ HE SAID.

THE rNVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAD GIVEN ASSURANCE THAT AIR POLLU ION FROM AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS AT KAI TAK WAS NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM, HE SAID.

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/14......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983.

- 14 -

PRECIPITATORS FOR INCINERATORS * * * *

NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE A PILOT SCHEME TO INSTALL ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS IN THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES EXPLAINED THAT THE PRECIPITATORS WOULD BE INSTALLED IN TWO OF THE REFUSE BURNING LINES AT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR, AT A COST OF $8.5 MILLION.

THE OTHER THREE UNITS AT KENNEDY TOWN WOULD BE FITTED WITH PRECIPITATORS BETWEEN JULY 1984 AND OCTOBER 1985, SUBJECT TO PROVISION OF FUNDS, MR BARNES SAID. THIS WORK WOULD COST $18 MILLION.

MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS THREE INCINERATORS - AT KWAI CHUNG, KENNEDY TOWN AND LAI CHI KOK.

THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR, COMMISSIONED ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, HAS ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN ITS DESIGN.

+1 UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE ITS COMMISSIONING NO COMPLAINT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC,+ HE SAID.

THE KENNEDY TOWN AND LAI CHI KOK INCINERATORS ARE MUCH OLDER PLANTS. WHEN BUILT, THEIR DESIGNED FLUE TEMPERATURES WERE TOO HIGH FOR ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS TO BE INSTALLED.

AS A RESULT OF NEW TECHNOLOGY, HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOW EMBARKED ON A PILOT SCHEME TO INSTALL PRECIPITATORS ON TWO OF THE FIVE REFUSE BURNING LINES AT KENNEDY TOWN.

IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SAY CONCLUSIVELY AT THIS STAGE HOW EFFECTIVE THIS WOULD PROVE, BUT THE INITIAL TEST RESULTS WERE SATISFACTORY AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UNIT WAS COMFORTABLY WITHIN THE LATEST DUST EMISSION STANDARDS ADOPTED IN THE U.K. HOWEVER, A PREMATURE CORROSION PROBLEM HAD DEVELOPED AND WAYS OF OVERCOMING THIS WERE BEING STUDIED BY THE STAFF OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MANUFACTURER AND THE STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.

THE EIGHT UNITS FOR LAI CHI KOK WOULD HAVE PRECIPITATORS FITTED BETWEEN LATE 1985 AND MID-1990, AT A COST OF $116 MILLION.

HE SAID THE INSTALLATION PROGRAMME WAS ARRANGED TO MEET THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REQUIREMENT THAT ONLY TWO INCINERATION LINES SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN AT ANY ONE TIME FOR MODIFICATION WORK. IN THIS WAY AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF REFUSE DISPOSAL CAPACITY CAN BE MAINTAINED,* HE SAID.

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/15 .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 15 -

ACTION STEPPED UP AGAINST DRIVING OFFENDERS * * * *

THE POLICE WERE STEPPING UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE UNDESIRABLE UPWARD TREND IN OFFENCES OF DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID VEHICLE LICENCE OR DRIVING LICENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

+THIS WILL CONTINUE,* HE SAID.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM FAI, MR SCOTT SAID PROSECUTIONS FOR DRIVING WITH EXPIRED VEHICLE LICENCES TOTALLED 952 IN 1980, 921 IN 1981 AND 1 407 IN 1982.

+PROSECUTIONS FOR DRIVING WITH EXPIRED DRIVING LICENCES WERE 1 430 IN 1980, 1 739 IN 1981 AND 3 348 IN 1982.

+PROSECUTIONS FOR DRIVING WITHOUT A DRIVING LICENCE AMOUNTED TO 507 IN 1980, 496 IN 1981 AND 604 IN 1982,+ HE SAID.

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SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH PERSISTENT RECKLESS DRIVING

* * M *

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM IS THAT IT TACKLES UNSAFE DRIVING BEHAVIOUR DIRECTLY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SAID IN MOVING THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS) BILL 1983 THROUGH A SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

ROAD SAFETY STUDIES WORLDWIDE HAVE INDICATED THAT MOST ACCIDENTS ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SHORTCOMINGS OF ROAD USERS, RATHER THAN TO THE HIGHWAY ENVIRONMENT OR TO FAULTS IN VEHICLES, MR SCOTT POINTED OUT.

+THE INNOVATIVE AND IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM IS THAT IT IS NOT ONLY AIMED AT INFLUENCING THE BEHAVIOUR OF DRIVERS, BUT ALSO THAT BENEFITS SHOULD APPEAR IN THE SHORT TERM AND SHOULD PERSIST,* HE SAID.

STATISTICS INDICATE THAT UNDER THE SYSTEM PROPOSED, ABOUT ONEFIFTH OF DRIVING LICENCE HOLDERS WOULD ACCUMULATE SOME POINTS WITHIN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

MOST OF THESE WOULD HAVE LESS THAN NINE POINTS, AND LESS THAN TWO PER CENT WOULD REACH THE LEVEL AT WHICH THEY WOULD BE LIABLE TO DISQUALIFICATION, MR SCOTT SAID.

+THESE FIGURES UNDERLINE THE OBJECT OF THE SCHEME: TO TACKLE THE PERSISTENT OFFENDER WHOSE RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR CREATES DANGERS AND PROBLEMS FOR THE MAJORITY OF RESPONSIBLE MOTORISTS AND OTHER ROAD USERS,* MR SCOTT SAID.

DEBAE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TILL THE NEXT SESSION ON APRIL 27.

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/16......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 16 -

OUTDATED LAWS REMOVED FROM STATUTES BOOKS, AG SAYS ft ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNMENT IS ALERT TO THE NEED TO KEEP THE TOTAL BODY OF THE CRIMINAL LAW UNDER REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT THOSE PARTS OF THE LAW THAT HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR USEFULNESS ARE REMOVED FROM THE STATUTE BOOK.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JOHN GRIFFITHS, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON LO TAK-SHING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR GRIFFITHS ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE POLICE FORCE IS THE PRINCIPAL AGENCY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HONG KONG.

+THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE MONITORS ENFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS AND DEPLOYS HIS RESOURCES AS APPROPRIATE TO MEET PARTICULAR PROBLEMS AT PARTICULAR POINTS IN TIME.

+THIS MONITORING TAKES PLACE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE COMMISSIONER’S DIRECTIVE TO HIS SENIOR POLICE COMMANDERS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICIES AND PRIORITIES. THE DIRECTIVES ARE RE-EXAMINED ANNUALLY TO DETERMINE LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICIES AND PRIORITIES,* HE SAID.

+THE MOST RECENT DIRECTIVE ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 25 THIS YEAR SETS OUT THE BASIC POLICIES AS THEY RELATE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AS FOLLOWS:

(A) TO ENSURE AN APPROPRIATE POLICE PRESENCE THROUGHOUT HONG KONG;

(B) TO ADMINISTER AND MANAGE POLICE MANPOWER AND OTHER RESOURCES TO ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE RETURN FROM SUCH RESOURCES;

(C) TO CULTIVATE AND DEVELOP PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE FORCE IN THE EXECUTION OF ITS DUTIES.

MR GRIFFITHS SAID THE DIRECTIVE LISTED THE PRIORITIES OF THE FORCE AND THE FIRST PRIORITY WAS THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF CRIME.

+IN TERMS, THE DIRECTIVE REQUIRES SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS TO KEEP THESE POLICIES AND PRIORITIES UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW AND SUPERVISION. THE COMMISSIONER MONITORS THE POSITION CONSTANTLY AND REPORTS THE SITUATION MONTHLY TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. HE DECIDES HOW AND WHERE AND WITH WHAT PRIORITY AND IN WHICH AREA OF CRIME TO DEPLOY POLICE RESOURCES,* MR GRIFFITHS SAID.

SOME OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO HAD RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ENFORCING ORDINANCES AND HERE, TOO, THERE WAS A CONSTANT MONITORING OF THE LAW AND ITS ENFORCEMENT BOTH AT A DEPARTMENTAL AND BRANCH LEVEL, MR GRIFFITHS SAID.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

17

COMMERCIAL CRIME FIGURES * * * *

THE NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU WERE 809 IN 1980, 1 094 IN 1981 AND 1 149 IN 1982, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JOHN GRIFFITHS SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON WONG PO-YAN, HE SAID THE AMOUNT OF MONEY REPORTED LOST BY THEFT OR RRAUD#‘NOT^ CASES WERE $108 286 004 IN 1980, $151 299 883 IN 1981 AND $258 098 082 IN 1982.

NO STATISTICS HAD BEEN KEPT ON THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS BUT A STUDY OF THE POLICE FILES COULD BE UNDERTAKEN FOR AN ANSWER, HE SAID.

MR GRIFFITHS ALSO SAID THAT THE LAW IN A NUMBER OF AREAS WAS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW.

♦FOR INSTANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES ARE CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE POSITION UNDER THE ORDINANCE DEALING WITH DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES AND WITH COMMODITY TRADING.

THE AREA OF THE LAW COVERING PYRAMID AND INERTIA SELLING IS ALSO UNDER EXAMINATION AT THE MOMENT.

I ANTICIPATE IN DUE COURSE SOME AMENDMENT OF THE LAWS WILL BE FOUND NECESSARY IN EACH OF THESE AREAS,♦ HE CONCLUDED.

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63 NEW OFFENCES CREATED IN 1981 * * * *

SIXTY-THREE NEW OFFENCES WERE CREATED BY ORDINANCES ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1981, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JOHN GRIFFITHS, SAID TODAY.

A FURTHER 106 OFFENCES WERE CREATED BY SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION LAID ON THE TABLE OF THIS COUNCIL. THE FIGURES FOR 1982 ARE 78 AND 184 RESPECTIVELY,♦ HE SAID.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LO TAK-SHING.

/IB........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 18 -

BILL TO DEAL WITH SEIZED MARICULTURE ITEMS

KKl

A BILL TO SIMPLIFY PROCEDURE FOR CLEARING MARICULTURISTS WAS INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE BILL, THE MARINE FISH CULTURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, WILL ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES TO DISPOSE OF ITEMS SEIZED DURING CLEARANCE BY SELLING, DESTROYING CR OTHERWISE DISPOSING OF THEM AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER SEIZURE, HE EXPLAINED.

THE OWNERS OF THE ITEMS SO DISPOSED OF ARE ENTITLED TO CLAIM THE PROCEEDS OF SALES, IF ANY, AFTER DEDUCTION OF THE EXPENSES INCURRED,* HE SAID.

DR RIDDELL-SWAN FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT IN IMPLEMENTING THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO RELOCATE LARGE NUMBER OF MARICULTURISTS. IN DOING SO, IT MIGHT ALSO BE NECESSARY TO SEIZE AND DISPOSE OF RAFTS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT USED IN MARICULTURE OPERATIONS.

THE PRESENT ORDINANCE, HE SAID, WAS NOT WELL SUITED TO LARGE-SCALE CLEARANCE OPERATIONS. THE PROCEDURES IN THE ORDINANCE AND THE REGULATIONS MADE UNDER IT WERE COMPLICATED AND TIME-CONSUMING, AND DID NOT, IN GENERAL PROVIDE FOR THE IMMEDIATE DISPOSAL OF SEIZED ITEMS.

WITH ITS LIMITED RESOURCES AND STORAGE FACILITIES GOVERNMENT WOULD THEREFORE ENCOUNTER SERIOUS PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN HAVING TO HOLD AND SAFEGUARD SEIZED ITEMS, WHILE RUNNING THE RISK OF CLAIMS FOR DAMAGE OR LOSS OF PROPERTY.

THAT PROBLEM WILL BE PARTICULARLY ACUTE IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF IMPLEMENTING THE ORDINANCE IN THAT LARGE NUMBERS OF MARICULTURISTS ARE INVOLVED,+ HE SAID.

DEBATE AN THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED. p

------o------

MORE PEOPLE HELPED BY TAVA SCHEME

XXX

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PAID OUT MORE THAN $24 MILLION TO HELP TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS IN THE 1981/82 FISCAL YEAR.

THE YEAR SAW A 24.3 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 6 169, ACCORDING TO THE 1981/82 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND, WHICH WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 19 -

THE REPORT ATTRIBUTES THE INCREASES TO REPEATED PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, RELAXATION OF THE SICK LEAVE REQUIREMENT FROM SEVEN TO THREE DAYS, AND EFFORTS BY SWD WORKERS TO ASSIST VICTIMS, OR THEIR DEPENDANTS, WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS.

OF THE 6 169 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, 497 INVOLVED DEATH, 4 824 SERIOUS INJURIES AND 848 SLIGHT INJURIES.

THE HIGHEST SINGLE PAYMENT OF $32 900 WAS AWARDED TO A WIDOW AND HER FOUR DEPENDENT CHILDREN AFTER THE FATHER DIED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN TUEN MUN ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

+THE WORST TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, OCCURRED WHEN TWO COACHES CARRYING FACTORY WORKERS COLLIDED ON AUGUST 19, 1981 ON TSI NG Yl ROAD, KILLING TWO PERSONS AND INJURING 59 OTHERS,+ THE REPORT NOTES.

THIS LED TO 61 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE, 23 OF WHICH WERE FOUND TO BE ELIGIBLE.

DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, THREE APPEALS WERE LODGED WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL BOARD AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT ONLY TWO WERE HEARD. THE DEPARTMENT’S DECISIONS IN THESE TWO’CASES WERE UPHELD.

THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH ADVISES THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TAVA SCHEME AND THE FUND, HAD CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF ISSUES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE SCHEME FURTHER.

THESE INCLUDED INCREASING THE PAYMENT RATES, REDUCING THE RATES OF LEVIES ON VEHICLES AND DRIVING LICENCES OR PERMITS, RELAXING THE SICK LEAVE REQUIREMENT FROM SEVEN TO THREE DAYS, EXTENDING THE SCHEME TO COVER TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON PRIVATE ROADS, AND A SEPARATE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ACCIDENT VICTIMS.

THREE IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE DURING THE YEAR.

FIRST, THE RATES OF PAYMENTS WERE RAISED BY AN OVERALL 35.2 PER CENT AND THE BURIAL GRANT BY 87.5 PER CENT, FROM $1 600 TO $3 000, GIVING MORE SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.

SECOND, THE ORIGINAL SEVEN-DAY SICK LEAVE QUALIFICATION WAS REDUCED TO THREE DAYS FOR INJURY CASES OCCURRING ON OR AFTER JANUARY 6, 1982 TO ENABLE MORE VICTIMS WITH MINOR INJURIES TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE.

THIRD, AN AMENDMENT TO REDUCE THE LEVIES ON VEHICLES, TRADE LICENCES AND DRIVING LICENCES OR PERMITS BY 60 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 1, 1982 WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 6, 1982.

- o - -

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1933

20

MEMBERS THANKED FOR WORK ON BILL M * * *

MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE, HEADED BY THE HON. F.K. HU, AND MEMBERS OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, WERE CONGRATULATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN GRIFFITHS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY FOR THEIR WORK ON THE BILLS OF EXCHANGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983.

MR GRIFFITHS WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, WHICH AIMS AT REMOVING UNCERTAINTY CONCERNING LIABILITY OF PERSONS WHO SIGN BILLS OF EXCHANGE.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WILL RESUME ON APRIL 27.

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REPORT ON DRAFT ESTIMATES * X *

THE REPORT BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1983-84 WAS PRESENTED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

TABLING THE REPORT, THE HON THE CHIEF SECRETARY SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT AT THE REQUEST OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, THE MEETINGS THIS YEAR TOOK PLACE OVER FOUR AFTERNOONS, TWO MORE THAN USUAL, ENABLING MEMBERS TO EXAMINE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES IN GREATER DETAIL.

+INSTEAD OF THE PRECIS OF THE ORAL AND WRITTEN ANSWERS WHICH USUALLY MAKES UP THE OFFICIAL REPORT, WE HAVE THIS YEAR PROVIDED A MUCH FULLER ACCOUNT BY ATTACHING BOTH THE ORAL AND WRITTEN REPLIES TO MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS AS ENCLOSURES TO THE REPORT.

+THIS IS AN EXPERIMENT WHICH I THINK WILL BE WELCOMED BY MEMBERS, THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.

THIS NEW STYLE REPORT, HE SAID, PROVIDES A MUCH CLEARER INDICATION THAN PREVIOUSLY OF THE ATTENTION GIVEN BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO THE EXAMINATION OF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES, AND OF THE CARE TAKEN BY CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND THE FINANCE BRANCH TO RESPOND TO MEMBERS’ ENQUIRIES.

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/21 ........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

21

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS APPROVED * * * *

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION APPROVING SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS AMOUNTING TO $530 MILLION FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1982-83.

MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID THAT THE MAJOR ITEMS INCLUDE $246 MILLION FOR VARIOUS SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND STAFF OF SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS ARISING FROM THE 1982 PAY TREND SURVEY.

OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE $124 MILLION TO MEET A RECURRENT GRANT TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, $19 MILLION TO MEET ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE DUE TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CLAIMS FROM CIVIL SERVANTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR DENTAL TREATMENT, AND $17 MILLION TO MEET PAYMENTS OF EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION RESULTED IN A NET INCREASE OF $246 MILLION IN EXPENDITURE, THE REMAINDER KING OFFSET UNDER OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE AND BY THE FREEZING OF FUNDS UNDER THE TWO ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS VOTES.

FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD APPROVED ALL THE ITEMS AND THE PURPOSE CF THE MOTION WAS SIMPLY TO SEEK THE COVERING AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID.

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BILLS PASSED X * X

THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1983, AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL, THE COUNCIL OF ST PAUL’S COEDUCATIONAL COLLEGE INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WAS ALSO PASSED.

THREE BILLS, THE BILLS OF EXCHANGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS) BILL 1983 AND THE MARINE FISH CULTURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, WERE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME. DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED TILL APRIL 27.

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WEDNESDAY, APHID 13, 1983

22

FARE RISE, ONE-MAN OPERATION FOR LANTAU BUS

If * If I K If

THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED A FARE INCREASE FOR THE NEW LANTAU BUS COMPANY, TOGETHER WITH THE COMPANY’S PROPOSAL FOR A ONE-MAN OPERATION PROGRAMME, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE VIABILITY OF THE BUS SERVICES ON LANTAU.

THE FARE RISE, AVERAGING ABOUT 35 PER CENT, WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 20.

THE NEW LANTAU BUS COMPANY, WHICH LAST RAISED ITS FARES IN APRIL 1980, APPLIED IN JULY LAST YEAR FOR AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF ABOUT 44 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER THAT YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL FOUND THAT WHILE THERE WAS A NEED FOR AN INCREASE, BECAUSE OF THE RISE IN OPERATING COSTS SINCE 1980, IT SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 35 PER CENT.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL FORECAST, THE COMPANY WOULD SUFFER A LOSS OF ABOUT $300 000 FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1983. THE REVISED FORECAST INDICATED EVEN BIGGER LOSSES FOR THE YEARS 1983-84 AND 84-85 IF THERE WAS NO FARE REVISION.

TO HELP REDUCE OPERATING COSTS AND STABILISE BUS FARES IN THE LONG TERM, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO APPROVED A PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF ONE-MAN BUS OPERATIONS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES BETWEEN JUNE 1, 1983 AND APRIL 1, 1984. HOWEVER, THIS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE VIEWS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, WHO WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSAL AT ITS MEETING TODAY.

THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES THE INTRODUCTION OF A SHORT-DISTANCE ROUTE BETWEEN MUI WO AND PUI 0, AND THE RETENTION OF TWO-WAY SECTIONAL FARES ON ANOTHER ROUTE BETWEEN MUI WO AND TAI 0 SO THAT COMMUTERS TRAVELLING SHORT DISTANCES WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FULL FARES.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE APPROVED FARE SCALE ON MAIN ROUTES FROM MUI WOs

EXISTING NEW

MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS

PUI 0 $0.80 $1.00

TONG FUK $1.50 $2.00

TAI 0 $3.00 $4.00

SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

SHEK PIK $3.00 $4.00

TUNG CHUNG $4.00 $5.50

NGONG PING $6.00 $3.00

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1933

23

LORD COCKFIELD VISITS ELECTRONICS FACTORY AND CONTAINER PORT *****

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, LORD COCKFIELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED AN ELECTRONICS FACTORY AND A CONTAINER TERMINAL IN KWAI CHUNG.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO AND THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR CHRISTIAN ADAMS, LORD COCKFIELD ARRIVED AT ELECTRONICS DEVICES LTD AT KWAI CHEONG ROAD WHERE HE WAS WELCOMED BY THE FACTORY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR TOMMY ZAU.

THE FACTORY, ESTABLISHED IN 1969, IS A JOINT VENTURE BY HONG KONG AND THE NETHERLANDS’ INTERESTS. IT MANUFACTURES A WIDE RANGE OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS SUCH AS SMALL SIGNAL TRANSISTORS, POWER TRANSISTORS, PROFESSIONAL MICRO-MINIATURE TRANSISTORS, HIGH FREQUENCY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES WHICH ARE BASIC COMPONENTS IN MANY ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES SUCH AS TELEVISION, VIDEO TELEVISION AND RADIO.

MOST OF THE FINISHED PRODUCTS - AMOUNTING TO 1.3

BILLION UNITS A YEAR, OR 4.3 MILLION UNITS A DAY - ARE EXPORTED TO EUROPE, AMERICA AND THE FAR EAST, WHILE THE REMAINDER ARE FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION.

LORD COCKFIELD ALSO VISITED THE PREMISES OF MODERN TERMINALS LTD (MTL), PART OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL WHICH RANKS AMONG THE TOP THREE CONTAINER TERMINALS IN THE WORLD. HE WAS MET BY THE COMPANY'S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR J.M.E. LEESE AND THE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR, MR W.S. PIRIE.

MODERN TERMINALS LTD, ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG IN 1969, EMPLOYS NEARLY 1 300 STAFF. ITS TWO BERTHS, WITH LENGTHS OF 305 METRES AND 473 METRES, NOW ACCOMMODATE OVER 1 300 VESSELS A YEAR - OR BETWEEN THREE TO FOUR SHIPS A DAY.

THIRTY-NINE SHIPPING LINES USE THE COMPANY’S FACILITIES, WHICH COMPRISE TWO GROUND-LEVEL CONTAINER FREIGHT STATIONS AND A TWO-STOREY FREIGHT STATION WHICH IS PART OF A TWELVE-STOREY COMPLEX. THIS COMPLEX INCLUDES TEN STOREYS OF WAREHOUSE AREA AND OFFICES, AS WELL AS THE TERMINAL CONTROL ROOM.

DURING 1982, MTL HANDLED A TOTAL OF 664 360 TEUS (TWENTYFOOT EQUIVALENTS, THE STANDARD MEASURE OF CONTAINER THROUGHPUT), AND ALSO 1 610 252 FREIGHT TONS THROUGH THE CONTAINER FREIGHT STATIONS. THE TERMINAL OPERATIONS ARE CONTROLLED BY AN ON-LINE 24-HOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN HONG KONG.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

- 24 -

TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR YAU MA TEI * * *

TWO PROPOSED PROJECTS COSTING A TOTAL OF $26 MILLION TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW AND PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE DISCUSSED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THEY WILL COMMENT ON A $15 MILLION SCHEME FOR THE WIDENING CF A SECTION OF CANTON ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND JORDAN ROAD FERRY CONCOURSE.

THE SECOND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NETWORK OF PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS AT THE JORDAN ROAD INTERSECTION WITH THE FERRY CONCOURSE, AT A COST OF $11 MILLION.

AT THE MEETING, THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY A HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ON THE REHOUSING POLICY TOWARDS STREET-SLEEPERS, AND ALSO DISCUSS MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO ABATE FIRE HAZARDS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT INTERIM REPORT, THE RESITING OF COOKED-FOOD STALLS INTO TEMPORARY CENTRES, KOWLOON HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAMME, AND THE DESIGN OF A LOGO FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD.

0 --------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

i

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 198?

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:

BUDGET 'BALANCED AND LOGICAL', FS SAYS ...................... 1

'WE FACE FUTURE WITHOUT DEBT' ............................... 4

NO CHANGE CONTEMPLATED FOR BUDGET PROPOSALS ................. 5

+PROFITS TAX INCREASE WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE* ............... 6

NEED FOR NEW TAXES ON TOURISM EXPLAINED ..................... 8

FISCAL NEEDS BEHIND OILS TAXES STRESSED .................... 11

FULL SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN UNSUITABLE ........ 12

GOVERNMENT'S ROLES IN TRADE AND INDUSTRY.................... 1J

CIVIL SERVICE ACHIEVES HIGH PRODUCTIVITY ................... 15

BOLD AIRPORT PROPOSAL SET ASIDE AFTER INITIAL STUDY ........ 17

VIETNAMESE MUST BE DISCOURAGED FROM COMING, COUNCIL TOLD . 21

BUDGET DEBATE ADJOURNED .................................... 22

DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS LAI CHI KOK PARK ................... 2J

AMS VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE PART IN SURF LIFE SAVING CONTEST IN HAWAII ....................................................... 2j

BUILDINGS CONSIDERED DANGEROUS ............................... 24

EAST KOWLOON WATER CUT ....................................... 24

WATER MAINS LEAKAGE TEST...................................... 24

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

1

BUDGET ’BALANCED AND LOGICAL’, FS SAYS * * * *

WHILE SHARING WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC A SENSE OF THEIR SHOCK AT SHARPLY INCREASED INDIRECT TAXES, DUTIES AND FEES, HE BELIEVED THAT HIS +TOUGH BUDGET* WAS +BALANCED AND LOGICAL*, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY.

♦SOME WILL CONTINUE TO CRITICISE IT GENERALLY FOR SOFT REASONS THE EFFECT OF WHOSE ADOPTION CAN GENERALLY BE SEEN ELSEWHERE IN THE SHAPE OF INFLATION, HIGH PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, EXCESSIVE TAXATION, INDUSTRIAL DECAY AND MASS UNEMPLOYMENT.

♦MOST WILL AGREE THAT IT IS NECESSARY AT THIS MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY. INDEED WE HAVE NO EASY OPTIONS,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

HE REPEATED THE VIEW HE EXPRESSED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH THAT THERE WAS NO SENSIBLE ALTERNATIVE BUT TO PROMOTE +ACTUAL EXPORT NOT THEORETICAL EQUITY, SOLVENCY NOT SOFT-HEARTEDNESS, INCENTIVES NOT IDEOLOGY* — WHILE STILL REMAINING COMPASSIONATE AND CARING PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF INDIVIDUAL INADEQUACIES AND SUFFERING.

REFERRING TO INDIVIDUAL POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, W BREMRIDGE SAID HE AGREED +VERY MUCH* WITH THE HON S.L. CHEN’S COMMENTS ON THE NEED TO DEVELOP CONTINUALLY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ♦VALUE FOR MONEY AWARENESS+.

♦MUCH HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. NO DOUBT MORE IS NECESSARY. BUT CIVIL SERVANTS, LIKE THEIR FELLOWS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ARE GENERALLY MOTIVATED TO DO THEIR BEST,+ HE SAID.

REFERRING TO COMMENTS BY DR THE HON HENRY HU ABOUT INTEREST TAX ISSUES, HE SAID THAT, HAVING WITH SUBSEQUENT SUCCESS REMOVED THE TAX ON FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ONLY A YEAR AGO, HE DID NOT INTEND TO LEVY SUCH A TAX AGAIN THIS YEAR —+EVEN ON A REDUCED BASIS*.

♦IT WOULD RESULT,+ HE ADDED, *IN A HUGE OUTFLOW.+

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE NOTED, AND TO SOME EXTENT SHARED, DR HU’S VIEWS ON POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT BORROWING AND WOULD BEAR THIS IN MIND.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE SHARED THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY THE HON WONG LAM AND THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG ABOUT INCREASED RATES.

♦BUT, HOWEVER UNPALATABLE, THE SITUATION MUST BE RECOGNISED,* HE SAID.

FROM 1977-78 TO 1981-82, THE YIELD FROM THE GENERAL RATE INCREASED BY ONLY 1.5 TIMES, COMPARED WITH A THREE-FOLD INCREASE IN ALL OTHER RECURRENT REVENUE.

/IN 1982-83 .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

2

IN 1982-83 THE YIELD EVEN IN MONEY TERMS FROM THE GENERAL RATE WILL BE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE 1977-78 LEVEL. THE PROPOSED INCREASES IN THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGES FOR 1983-84 WILL RAISE THE YIELD ONLY MARGINALLY ABOVE THE 1981-82 LEVEL, BUT IT WILL STILL BE BELOW IN REAL TERMS.

+WE ARE DOING NO MORE THAN STAND STILL,+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

ON THE PROPOSED DEPENDENT PARENTS ALLOWANCE INCREASE BY $2 OOO HE SAID IT WAS TO MAKE SPECIAL PROVISION FOR THOSE WHO ACCOMMODATE THEIR PARENTS IN THEIR OWN HOUSEHOLDS, AND SHOULD NOT APPLY TO PARENTS LIVING ELSEWHERE.

DISCUSSING DR THE HON RAYSON HUANG’S COMPLAINT ABOUT THE INCREASED COST OF DRIVING LICENCES, MR BREMRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS COST RELATED — THE LAST REVISION BEING AS LONG AGO AS 1973.

ON THE QUESTION OF CIVIL SERVANTS’ PAY INCREASE, HE SAID HE FELT THE FINAL DECISION WAS +BOTH FAIR IN ITSELF AND JUST ACCEPTABLE IN BUGDETARY TERMS+.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID MUCH OF WHAT DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID ABOUT SUPERVISION OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WAS +VERY HELPFUL*..♦

+IN PARTICULAR HE WAS PERCEPTIVE IN STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ’ON-GOING MECHANISM WHEREBY DEPARTMENTS ARE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING THEIR EXPENDITURE’* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

THE NEED TO BE EVER MINDFUL OF COST EFFECTIVENESS WAS NOT NEW, AND HAD ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE ROLE OF THE FINANCE BRANCH, HE ADDED.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT HE SHARED THE HON ALLEN LEE’S +SOUND VIEWS ON THE NEED CONSTANTLY TO FIGHT INFLATION*.

BUT HE WAS SORRY THAT MR LEE DID NOT COMMENT THAT THERE WAS A REDUCTION OF 33 PER CENT LAST YEAR AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A FURTHER 10 PER CENT DROP IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR DESPITE THE MILD INFLATIONARY IMPACT OF HIS TAX PACKAGES.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT MR LEE WOULD AGREE THAT INFLATION WOULD NOT BE BEATEN BY PLEAS FOR SUBSIDY FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITIES OR FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, AS THIS WOULD MERELY COME THROUGH IN EXCESSIVE PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE.

+BUT WE MUST CONTINUE TO SEEK HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND GREATER EFFICIENCY IN OUR EFFORT TO CONTAIN RISING COSTS,* HE SAID.

REFERRING TO THE PROPOSAL BY THE HON ANDREW SO FOR A DEPOSIT INSURANCE SCHEME, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WOULD NOT CHANGE FROM THE FULL ANSWER WHICH HE GAVE THE COUNCIL AS RECENTLY AS MARCH 9, WHEN MR SO RAISED THE SAME ISSUE.

/+HE AND .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

3

+HE AND OTHERS WILL, HOWEVER, BE PLEASED TO KNOW THAT DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN FOR AMENDMENTS DESIGNED TO TIGHTEN UP THE BANKING AND DTC ORDINANCES,* HE SAID.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT, SUBJECT TO CONSULTATIONS AND TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVICE, HE HOPED TO PRESENT AMENDMENT BILLS TO THE COUNCIL WELL BEFORE THE END OF THIS SESSION.

♦CONSISTENT UPDATING IS ESSENTIAL — NOT LEAST IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT EXCESSES, WHICH I DEPLORE,* HE ADDED.

ON THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE SUGGESTION BY THE HON WILLIAM BROWN OF A ONE-LINE VOTE WOULD BE CONSIDERED.

MR BREMRIDGE ALSO GAVE ASSURANCE THAT THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE REQUIRED CONSTANT CONTROL AND THAT HE WOULD DO HIS BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS NO ABSOLUTE GROWTH BEYOND 24 PER CENT.

HE ALSO AGREED ENTIRELY WITH THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG’S +PERTINENT VIEWS ON PUBLIC SECTOR, BUDGETARY AND EXPENDITURE CONTROL*.

+MY AGREEMENT IS OF COURSE IN PRINCIPLE AND NOT NECESSARILY IN DETAIL,* HE ADDED.

REFERRING TO THE HON MARIA TAM’S COMMENTS ON THE NEED TO TRACE THE INCOME OF COMPANIES REGISTERED IN MONG KONG, MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAD AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS UNIT WITH 70 PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS +DEDICATED TO THE DETECTION AND PUNISHMENT OF TAX EVADERS*.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR DR HENRY HU AND THE HON ROGER LOBO’S ACCEPTANCE OF +THE WISDOM OF POSTPONING BUDGET DAY BY A MONTH*.

QUITE DIFFICULT ISSUES WERE, HOWEVER, INVOLVED, AND THE NECESSARY PROCESSES WOULD NOW COMMENCE.

IT WAS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER SUCH A POSTPONEMENT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED SUCCESSFULLY, BUT HE WAS-HOPEFUL, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

AT THE CONCLUSION OF HIS SPEECH, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN GREATLY ASSISTED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS BY *AN ADMIRABLE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY — THE HON HENRY CHING*, WHO WOULD BE TAKING UP THE POST OF SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE.

+MY PREDECESSOR JOINS ME IN THANKING HIM FOR ALL HE HAS DONE FOR BOTH OF US AND IN WISHING HIM WELL FOR THE FUTURE,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

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A.......

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

4

'WE FACE FUTURE WITHOUT DEBT’

* ** *

LET US BE GRATEFUL THAT WE FACE THE FUTURE WITHOUT DEBT AND WITH SATISFACTORY FISCAL RESERVES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.

HE ALSO SAID WE SHOULD THANK THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SITUATION — +IT IS NOT A GENERAL EXPERIENCE IN TODAY’S WORLD.*

SUMMING UP HIS BUDGETARY POLICY AND ANSWERING UNOFFICIAL COMMENTS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE +HARD TRUTH* WAS THAT ON APRIL 1, 1983, HONG KONG HAD FREE FISCAL RESERVES (SURPLUS AFTER PROPER PROVISION FOR CONTINGENCIES) OF ABOUT SU.5 BILLION.

HE SAID THE EXPECTED DEFICIT IN THE 1983-84 FINANCIAL YEAR MIGHT CONCEIVABLY BE UP TO $1 BILLION LARGER THAN FORECAST.

+CONSEQUENTLY WITHOUT INCREASED TAXATION HONG KONG COULD FACE AN UNCERTAIN 1984-85 WITH FREE FISCAL RESERVES REDUCED TO ABOUT S4.3 BILLION. THIS WOULD CLEARLY BE DANGEROUSLY LOW,* MR BREMRIDGE EXPLAINED.

HE MAINTAINED FIRMLY THE NEED TO INCREASE TAXATION BY ABOUT $3 BILLION, ADD I NGi

+IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD BE SEEN TO BE RESORTING TO PRESENT SELF HELP AND NOT TO BE TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT BY SHORTSIGHTEDLY LIVING ON OUR PAST SUCCESSES. MOREOVER WE MUST HAVE ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE — WITH REGARD TO POSSIBLE BORROWING IN PARTICULAR.*

ON THE CONSIDERABLE INCREASES HE HAD PROPOSED IN INDIRECT TAXATION, MR BREMRIDGE SAID IT WAS A FACT TAXES WERE RAISED FOR FISCAL AND NOT FOR SOCIAL ENGINEERING OR OTHER PURPOSES.

+IN STEADY CIRCUMSTANCES THE TAXPAYER MIGHT THUS EXPECT REGULAR, GENTLE INCREASES IN INDIRECT TAXATION, AND NOT AS HAS HAPPENED A RELATIVE STANDSTILL FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THEN A HORRIBLE DAY OF AWAKENING.

+BUT AWAKEN WE MUST TO THE FACT THAT THE HONEYED YEARS OF WINDFALL REVENUE FROM LAND SALES CONTRIBUTING TO LARGE BUDGET SURPLUSES — HELPFUL TO THE TAXPAYER WHILE THEY LASTED — ALSO PERFORCE SHIELDED US FROM THE CHANGING SITUATION, BECAUSE TAXES COULD REMAIN DECEPTIVELY CONSTANT.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT OUR FISCAL POLICIES WERE RIGHT — +BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND WE MUST CHANGE WITH THEM.*

MR BREMRIDGE, SPEAKING ON THE 1982-83 REVISED ESTIMATES, SAID THE ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE WAS NOW SLIGHTLY LOWER AT $34.5 BILLION AND TOTAL REVENUE MARGINALLY HIGHER AT $31 BILLION (IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE WAS GIVEN AT $34.7 BILLION AND REVENUE, $30.9 BILLION WHICH PRODUCED A DEFICIT OF $3.8 BILLION).

/BECAUSE OF .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

5

BECAUSE OF THIS +SLIGHTLY IMPROVED SITUATION,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID A FURTHER $300 MILLION WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND AND THE ESTIMATED DEFICIT WILL REMAIN AT $3.8 BILLION.

THE TRANSFER, HE SAID, WILL BRING THE RESERVE FUND TOTAL FOR 1983-84 TO $10.6 BILLION AGAINST AN ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF $9.3 BILLION TO PROVIDE FOR A USEFUL BALANCE OF $1.^BILLION AT THE END OF FISCAL 1983.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE WOULD MAINTAIN HIS ORIGINAL FORECAST CF FOUR PER CENT GROWTH RATE OF THE GDP FOR 1983 DESPITE RECENT SIGNS OF RECOVERY IN THE USA, WHICH LED TO A NUMBER OF UPWARD REVISIONS IN FORECASTS FOR THAT ECONOMY, PLUS THE FALL IN THE PRICE OF CRUDE OIL.

♦IT IS, HOWEVER, STILL EARLY DAYS AND THERE HAVE BEEN FALSE DAWNS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC RECOVERY,+ HE SAID.

♦THE RIGHT TIME TO THINK OF MAKING FORMAL REVISIONS WILL BE IN MY MID-YEAR REVIEW,* HE ADDED.

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NO CHANGE CONTEMPLATED FOR BUDGET PROPOSALS H * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT HE HAD NO INTENTION TO CHANGE ANY OF HIS +CAREFULLY CONSIDERED* BUDGET PROPOSALS.

♦THIS FIRMNESS OF STAND DOES NOT REFLECT OBSTINACY OR AN ARROGANT BELIEF THAT I AM RIGHT AND MY CRITICS WRONG,+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.

AS IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE GOVERNMENT RAISE $3 BILLION, MR BREMRIDGE SAID, HIS PROPOSALS WOULD DO SO +IN THE LEAST UNATTRACTIVE AND BURDENSOME WAY THAT IS POSSIBLE+.

♦THEY ALSO DO NOT IMPEDE THE IMPERATIVE ENCOURAGEMENT OF AN EXPORT-LED RECOVERY.

EXPORT TRADE AND THE RESULTANT IN HONG KONG TO TAX,+ HE STRESSED.

♦WITHOUT A SUCCESSFUL INCOME THERE WILL BE LITTLE

HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S JOB TO MAKE UNPLEASANT DECISIONS IN DIFFICULT TIMES WHILE CARRYING ON +CALMLY AND STEADILY WITH AGREED PROGRAMMES*.

+1 KNOW THAT MANY OF THE NEW TAXES OR INCREASES EXISTING TAXES ARE UNPOPULAR. I SUBMIT ONLY THAT THE POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES ARE WORSE,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

------0-------

/6......

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983.

6

+PROFITS TAX INCREASE WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE* X * X * *

AN INCREASE IN PROFITS TAX TODAY WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE AND PROBABLY FOOLISH IN THE EXTREME, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

BUT HE ADDEDi +THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES IN FUTURE YEARS I RULE OUT A MODERATE INCREASE. INDEED, IT IS ARGUABLE THAT ONLY THE WINDFALL REVENUE FROM LAND SALES IN THE PAST SIX YEARS HAS PREVENTED SUCH INCREASES BEFORE NOW.*

MR BREMRIDGE WAS REPLYING TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO HAD ADVOCATED INCREASED PROFITS TAX.

BUT HE STRESSED THAT IF AN INCREASE BECAME NECESSARY, IT CERTAINLY WOULD NOT FALL MORE HEAVILY ON THOSE WHO MADE LARGER PROFITS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT 22 OOO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES PLUS 17 500 UNINCORPORATED BUSINESSES WOULD PAY PROFITS TAX NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, WITH AN ESTIMATED 31 000 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN PAYMENTS BY THE UNINCORPORATED SECTOR.

FURTHERMORE, AN ESTIMATED 55 000 PEOPLE WOULD ELECT TO TRANSFER THEIR BUSINESS PROFITS FOR PERSONAL ASSESSMENT, THUS MAKING A FURTHER 86 000 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THESE PAYMENTS IN ADDITION TO LIMITED COMPANIES, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

HE DESCRIBED THESE PEOPLE AS +THE ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVING FORCE OF HONG KONG, CONTRIBUTING TO THE CREATION OF COMMUNITY WEALTH AND PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT FOR THE LABOUR FORCE.+

+NOT JUST THE LARGE COMPANIES BUT EVERY LITTLE RESTAURANT, EVERY BACKYARD WORKSHOP AND EVEN MANY FIXED STAND HAWKERS ARE INVOLVED. ALREADY THEY PAY 64 PER CENT OF TOTAL DIRECT TAXATION,* MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT.

TURNING TO ARGUMENTS FOR A HIGHER SALARIES TAX, HE SAID, ♦SETTING ASIDE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS OF MAINTENANCE OF CONFIDENCE AND OF LIKELY RIPPLE EFFECTS, AND ACCEPTING THAT A MODERATE INCREASE MAY BE INDICATED IN LATER YEARS, I SCORN PERVERSE ACCUSATIONS THAT I NOW PROPOSE THE RAISING OF TAXES ON THE POOR IN THE INTERESTS OF THE RICH. THIS IS RUBBISH.*

MR BREMRIDGE STATED THAT THE LOGIC BEHIND THE VARIOUS INCREASES PROPOSED IN INDIRECT TAXATION OWED NOTHING TO CAPRICIOUSNESS.

TO THE CONTRARY AND GIVEN THE OVERALL SITUATION, HE HAD SET OUT TO LIMIT THE BURDENS OF THE LESS WELL PAID AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BY TRYING TO GIVE PEOPLE A CHOICE, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

+1 REGRET THAT SOME CRITICS DO NOT APPRECIATE FREE CHOICES. IT IS ALSO A MAJOR CONCERN THAT OUR DEPENDENCE ON DIRECT TAXES HAS BECOME 30 PRONOUNCED AT A TIME *HEN PROFITS AND SALARIES ARE NOT BUOYANT,* HE SAID.

/THIS ......

THURSDAY, APRIL T4, 198?

7

THIS TREND, HE STRESSED, MUST BE CHANGED.

CITING STATISTICS TO ILLUSTRATE HIS POINT, MR BREMRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR, THERE WOULD BE ABOUT 2.4 MILLION WAGE AND SALARY EARNERS, ONLY ABOUT 315 OOO CF WHOM WOULD PAY ANY SALARIES TAX AT ALL.

OF THESE TAXPAYERS, 22 000 OR SEVEN PER CENT WOULD PAY 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TAX.

+THIS SEEMS CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT NOT ONLY ARE THE POOR NOT OVER-TAXED BUT IN FACT ARE NOT DIRECTLY TAXED AT ALL.

+1 REMIND YOU THAT A TYPICAL HONG KONG FAMILY OF MAN, WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN PAYS NO SALARIES TAX BELOW AN INCOME OF $5 790 A MONTH — HARDLY A DEFINITION OF THE LOWLY PAID POOR,+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

HE ALSO UNDERLINED THE +CONSTANTLY OVERLOOKED FACT* THAT THE GOVERNMENT NOW PROVIDES HOUSING ON A SUBSIDISED BASIS TO SOME 43 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION, A FIGURE THAT WILL GROW IN THE COMING YEARS.

DESCRIBING THIS SUBSIDY AS +NEGATIVE INCOME TAX+, M? BREMRIDGE NOTED THAT NEARLY HALF OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION IS HOUSED BELOW COST, PARTLY AT OTHER TAXPAYERS’ EXPENSE, AND A LARGE MAJORITY ALSO PAYS NO DIRECT TAX.

+THE PICTURE THEREFORE IS NOT ONE OF EXCESS TAXATION OF THE LOWLY PAID, FOR CLEARLY THE FEW CARRY THE MANY.

♦THOSE WHO ADVOCATE HIGHER SALARIES TAX SHOULD ALSO NOT FORGET THAT THE REALLY RICH IN HONG KONG ARE GENERALLY NOT SALARIED,* HE POINTED OUT.

HE EXPLAINED THAT IF HE WAS TO INCREASE THE RETURN ON SALARIES TAX, HE WOULD NEED TO +ATTACK BOTH ENDS OF THE TAX SPECTRUM.*

+THE RICH WOULD PAY MORE BUT THE MIDDLE CLASSES WOULD ALSO FACE ADDITIONAL BURDENS AND LARGE NUMBERS OF THE LESS WELL PAID WHO NOW ARE UNTAXED WOULD PERFORCE ENTER THE NET AS ALLOWANCES WERE REDUCED.

+WE SIMPLY CANNOT SECURE ALL THAT WE NEED FROM THE HIGHER PAID ALONE FOR THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH OF THEM: SUCH AN APPROACH ANYWAY WOULD LACK BALANCE, SMELL OF SOCIAL ENGINEERING, AND DESTROY INCENTIVES,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

TO ILLUSTRATE HIS POINT FURTHER, HE SAID THAT IF THE SALARIES TAX RATE WAS TO BE RAISED BY FOUR PERCENTAGE POINTS TO 19 PER CENT FOR THE +RICH+, SUCH AN INCREASE WOULD YIELD NO MORE THAN $400 MILLION AT THE MOST.

/+THUS I ....

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 198?

8

♦THUS I SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO CAST THE NET WIDE TO PRODUCE THE REMAINING $1 100 MILLION,♦ HE EXPLAINED, IN REFERENCE TO SUGGESTIONS THAT $1.5 BILLION BE RAISED THROUGH INCREASED SALARIES TAX.

IN THIS CASE, HE SAID, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO REDUCE THE TAX THRESHOLDS TO THE LEVELS PREVAILING IN 1979-80, REMOVING THE VERY CONSIDERABLE CONCESSIONS MADE TO THE LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS IN THE BUDGETS FOR THE THREE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEARS.

♦NOT ONLY WOULD SUCH A MOVE INCREASE CONSIDERABLY THE TAX BURDEN OF ALL WHO ARE PRESENTLY IN THE NET, BUT IT WOULD ALSO BRING IN NOT LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLION, AND PERHAPS AS MANY AS 300 000, NEW TAXPAYERS — ALL OF WHOM WOULD BE FROM THE LOWER INCOME GROUP WHO NOW PAY NOTH I NG,+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

RESPONDING TO REMARKS BY DR THE HON RAYSON HUANG ON TAX BANDS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THAT THE PRESENT BANDS DID NOT GENERALLY CAUSE A REDUCTION IN AFTER-TAX TAKE-HOME PAY BECAUSE CF THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION.

♦THE TRUTH REMAINS THAT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME SINGLE PEOPLE WITHIN A FAIRLY NARROW INCOME RANGE WHO HAVE LOST A FRACTIONAL AMOUNT, THE VAST MAJORITY OF TAXPAYERS ENJOY LOWER EFFECTIVE RATES THAN THEY DID FIVE YEARS AGO, UNLESS OF COURSE, AS FORTUNATELY IS NOT UNCOMMON, THEIR INCREMENTS TO INCOME HAVE OUTSTRIPPED THE RATE OF INFLATION.+

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NEED FOR NEW TAXES ON TOURISM EXPLAINED

* X * X *

WHEN THERE WERE ABUNDANT SURPLUSES THERE WAS NO PRESSING NEED TO PROPOSE SUCH MEASURES AS AN INCREASED HOTEL TAX, A NEW AIRPORT TAX AND A SMALL LOWERING OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION SUBVENTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

BUT THE PICTURE HAD NOW CHANGED, AND HE WAS SEEKING ADDITIONAL REVENUE BY PLACING NEW BURDENS ON THOSE WHO COULD BEST AFFORD THEM, HE SAID AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.

MR BREMRIDGE WAS REFERRING TO CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SEVERAL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE EFFECTS ON TOURISM OF THE NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY HIM.

WHILE SHARING THEIR CONCERN, HE HAD ALSO NEED TO RESTRAIN PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE AND TO RAISE ADDITIONAL TAXES, HE SAID.

/EIS PROPOSALS

1

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

- 9

HIS PROPOSALS WOULD YIELD ABOUT $245 MILLION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR AND APPRECIABLY MORE THEREAFTER, HE SAID.

WHILE HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE VALUE OF TOURISM AS AN EXPORT INDUSTRY UNCONSTRAINED BY PROTECTIONISM AND AS A USEFUL EMPLOYER CF LABOUR, HE FELT IT UNWISE OF THE INTERESTS INVOLVED TO OVERSTATE THEIR CASE, HE SAID.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID TOURISM EARNED ABOUT $9 BILLION LAST YEAR, BUT THESE WERE GROSS EARNINGS WHICH DID NOT MEASURE THE INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE GDP.

♦THE BEST ESTIMATE WE HAVE OF THE LATTER IS ABOUT FOUR PER CENT AS COMPARED, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH 25 PER CENT AND 26 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FOR THE MANUFACTURING AND THE FINANCIAL AND ALLIED SERVICES SECTORS,+ HE SAID.

THUS TOURISM’S CONTRIBUTION WAS ABOUT ONE-SIXTH OF THAT CF EACH OF THE TWO MAJOR SECTORS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

TOURISM WAS VALUABLE, BUT WAS BY NO MEANS THE MOST IMPORTANT EXPORT INDUSTRY. + IT IS NOW SENSIBLE TO CUT IT LOOSE FROM DIRECT ASSISTANCE BY ALL TAXPAYERS,* HE EXPLAINED.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE WAS UNMOVED BY THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT A 25 PER CENT INCREASE IN HOTEL TAX.

♦IT IS COLLECTED BY HOTELS ON THEIR BILLS AND WILL GO ENTIRELY TO SUPPORT THE HKTA, WHOSE MARKETING EFFORTS CLEARLY SUPPLEMENT IF NOT SUPPLANT THOSE THAT THE HOTELS SHOULD BE MAKING. IT SEEMS MODERATE ENOUGH TO ME,+ HE SAID.

HE COMPARED THE PROPOSED TAX TO THOSE PRACTISED ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD — MACAU, FIVE PER CENT? LOS ANGELES, 7.5 PER CENT; VANCOUVER AND NEW YORK, EIGHT PER CENT; SOUTH KOREA, JAPAN, THE PHILIPPINES, JAKARTA AND MALAYSIA, 10 PER CENT; BALI, 11 PER CENT; THE UNITED KINGDOM, 15 PER CENT AND BANGKOK, 16.5 PER CENT.

♦WE MUST NOT ALSO FORGET VAT OR SALES OR SPECIFIC TAXES ON THE MORE EXPENSIVE RESTAURANT MEALS, WHICH ARE APPLIED IN MANY PLACES. SUCH A SPECIFIC TAX IS INCIDENTALLY ONE OF THE MANY IDEAS THAT I CONSIDERED AND DISMISSED FOR HONG KONG — AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BE I NG,♦ HE ADDED.

ON COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORWARD BOOKING, HE SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THAT ALL CONTRACT NOTES DID NOT INCLUDE AN EXCLUSION CLAUSE TO COVER THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASED GOVERNMENT TAXES.

♦HIGHER SALARIES OR PROFITS TAXES OR TAXES ON RESTAURANT MEALS WOULD ALL HIT THE HOTEL INDUSTRY FAR HARDER. AND ANYWAY IF TAXES WERE REDUCED WHO WOULD BENEFIT; THE HOTEL OR THE GUEST7+ HE ASKED.

/HR BRIN RIDGE

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

10 -

MR BREMRIDGE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOME CARELESS MANAGEMENTS MAY FACE MODERATE DIFFICULTY WITH FORWARD BUSINESS, BUT A ONE PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE (THE FIRST SINCE 1976) AT $4 PER HEAD PER DAY WAS REALLY NOT TOO BAD.

+THEY MUST TAKE THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH,+ HE SAID. BREMRIDGE SAID THE $100 AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX WOULD FALL ONLY ON THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD TO FLY AND, IN MANY CASES, IT WAS LESS THAN THE DISCOUNT GIVEN BY AIRLINES OR THEIR AGENTS ON PUBLISHED FARES.

NEW LEGISLATION, WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND SUBJECT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVICE, WOULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, HE ADDED.

APPROXIMATE COMPARATIVE FIGURES WERE: SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE, $118 ; PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 3104; THE SEYCHELLES, $70; INDIA, $67; TOKYO, $49; SINGAPORE, $36 ; AND SHANGHAI, $34.

+THE TAX PROPOSED FOR HONG KONG IS HIGHER THAN AVERAGE, BUT WE CLEARLY NOW NEED THE REVENUE. WHERE ELSE IS IT TO COME FROM,* HE ASKED.

MR BREMRIDGE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HE HAD PROPOSED AN AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX, NOT A GENERALISED DEPARTURE TAX, BECAUSE HE DID NOT WISH EITHER TO IMPEDE PEOPLE’S FREEDOM TO LEAVE HONG KONG OR TO LAY FINANCIAL BURDENS ON THOSE TRAVELLERS OF WHOM THE MAJORITY WAS +CLEARLY NOT WELL OFF*.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE WOULD NOT NOW PROPOSE TO ABOLISH THE PRESENT $20 SERVICES CHARGE AND INTRODUCE AN AIRPORT TAX AS HIGH AS $100 IF HE COULD FAIRLY SECURE MATCHING REVENUE FROM OTHER SOURCES.

+THE TAX ITSELF NEVERTHELESS HAS ATTRACTIVE FEATURES. MEMBERS MAY REFLECT THAT SUCH A TAX IS BUT ONE ASPECT OF THE AVAILABLE MARKET MECHANISMS WHICH MAY PROLONG THE EXISTENCE OF AN ADEQUATE AIRPORT AT KAI TAK AND THUS ENABLE US FOR EXAMPLE TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME,* FE ADDED.

---0------

/11 .........

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

11

FISCAL NEEDS BEHIND OILS TAXES STRESSED

X * * * X

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE TODAY STRESSED THAT THE INCREASED TAXES ON HYDROCARBON OILS AND VEHICLE LICENCES WERE MOTIVATED PURELY AND SIMPLY BY FISCAL NEEDS.

IN HIS CONCLUDING SPEECH OF THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE ADDITIONAL YIELD FROM THIS PACKAGE OF TAXES WOULD BE NO LESS THAN ABOUT $840 MILLION NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.

HE SAID HE SYMPATHISED WITH THE VIEWS OF SOME UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO HAD SPOKEN +D I SPARAG INGLY ABOUT THIS WIDELY UNPOPULAR PROPOSAL*, BUT HE ADDED: +FROM WHAT OTHER SOURCES CAN I SECURE $840 MILLION?*

+HONG KONG IS GETTING RICHER AND I FULLY SUPPORT ASPIRATIONS TO CAR OWNERSHIP. MEMBERS MAY, HOWEVER, AGREE THAT ON MOST DEFINITIONS THESE INCREASED TAXES WILL NOT LIE HEAVILY ON THE POOR,* HE SAID.

+AFTER ALL 80 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION PERFORCE USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT ALL TIMES.*

IN A FEW YEARS’ TIME, MR BREMRIDGE ADDED, IT MAY ANYWAY BE POSSIBLE THROUGH ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING TO ADVANCE THE POLICY OF TAXING VEHICLE USAGE RATHER THAN OWNERSHIP.

HE SAID HE WAS WELL AWARE OF THE DEEP FEELING OF UNFAIRNESS BORNE BY A CAR OWNER WHO USED IT SPARINGLY AT WEEKENDS FOR FAMILY OUTINGS.

+AT PRESENT THERE IS NO WAY ROUND THIS PROBLEM, THOUGH I MUST OBSERVE THAT BY EUROPEAN STANDARDS THE INCREASED PETROL PRICE IN HONG KONG IS NOT UNUSUAL.*

EARLIER, MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE HAD EXCLUDED FRANCHISED BUSES FROM THE INCREASED OIL TAX, BUT THE SAME BENEFIT COULD NOT BE EXTENDED TO PLB’S, TAXIS AND OTHERS +FOR THE PRAGMATIC REASON THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO SEGREGATE THE NECESSARY FUEL PUMPS*.

- o - -

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

- 12

FULL SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN UNSUITABLE *****

FULL SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN WAS NOT SUITABLE IN HONG KONG’S FISCAL AND SOCIAL CLIMATE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

+MOREOVER, WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A TOTAL REVERSAL OF LONG-EXISTING POLICIES AT THE PRESENT TIME,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

THE ESTIMATED COST TO REVENUE OF SEPARATE TAXATION WOULD BE OF THE ORDER OF $285 MILLION IN THE YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION,* HE POINTED OUT.

+SINCE I CAN CERTAINLY NOT FOREGO THAT SUM I SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO RECOUP IT ELSEWHERE.

+WERE I TO DO SO FROM OTHER SALARIES TAXPAYERS, THE EFFECT WOULD BE AN ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASE IN TAX BILLS OF SOME 13 PER CENT,* MR BREMRIDGE EXPLAINED.

+WITH THIS BACKGROUND AND SUBJECT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVICE, I INTEND TO INTRODUCE INTO THIS COUNCIL THE REFORM NEASURES I PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET SPEECH,* HE SAID.

MR BREMRIDGE NOTED THAT OF THE 23 UNOFFICIALS WHO SPOKE AT THE BUDGET DEBATE, NO LESS THAN 19 HAD NO COMMENT TO MAKE ON THIS ♦ALLEGEDLY BURNING ISSUE* — HIS NEW PROPOSAL FOR THE VOLUNTARY SEPARATE ASSESSMENT OF MARRIED WOMEN.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE TOOK IT THAT +SILENCE MEANS ACQUIESCENCE*.

-----0------

/13.......

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

- 1? -GOVERNMENT’S ROLES IN TRADE AND INDUSTRY * * K *

THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E.P. HO TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THAT THE UNDERLYING STRENGTH OF HONG KONG’S CASE AGAINST FRENCH TRADE RESTRICTIONS LAY IN OUR TOTAL AND UNRESERVED FULFILMENT OF OUR OWN OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT).

♦ IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE GATT PANEL CURRENTLY EXAMINING THE CONSISTENCY WITH THE GATT OF THE RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON CERTAIN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG BY FRANCE WILL SOON MAKE A RECOMMENDATION WHICH WILL LEAD TO THE ELIMINATION OF ALL DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT AGAINST US IN THAT MARKET,+ SAID MR HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUDGET DEBATE.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD AN ONEROUS TASK IN SECURING AND MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S ACCESS RIGHTS TO THE WORLD MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S GOODS IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GATT.

♦ IT WOULD BE WRONG OF ME NOT TO STRESS THAT WITH THE DISAPPOINTING OUTCOME TO THE MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE GATT IN GENEVA LAST NOVEMBER, AND THE SIGNIFICANT AND INCREASING NUMBER CF MEASURES BEING TAKEN OUTSIDE ITS PROVISIONS, THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM IS PROBABLY IN ITS MOST CRITICAL POSITION SINCE THE 193O’S WHEN IT BEGAN TO DAWN ON ALL THINKING PEOPLE THAT BEGGARING THY NEIGHBOUR DOES NOT REALLY BRING REAL IMPROVEMENTS TO ONES OWN COMMUNITY.

♦THIS IS BECAUSE PROTECTIONISM NOT ONLY DISTORTS THE FLOW OF GOODS AND SERVICES BETWEEN TRADING PARTNERS, IT ALSO INVOLVES THE TRANSFER OF INCOME AND RESOURCES BETWEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE PROTECTIONIST ITSELF, RETARDING THE GROWTH OF DYNAMIC NEW INDUSTRIES THEREIN AND REDUCES THE SIZE CF THE ENTIRE ECONOMIC CAKE THUS RESULTING IN REDUCED SHARES FOR ALL.

♦IT IS OUR HOPE AND BELIEF THAT AS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RECOILS FROM THE ABYSS TOWARDS WHICH WE SEEM TO BE HEADING THERE WILL BE GENERAL RECOGNITION THAT THE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE FOR EVERYONE - THE GIANTS AS WELL AS THE MIDGETS AMONG TRADING COMMUNITIES - LIES IN RESPECT FOR AND OBSERVANCE OF THE GATT,+ HE NOTED.

IN REPLY TO QUERIES BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS REGARDING GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO UPGRADE HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE, MR HO OUTLINED THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME AND PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION.

/EE STRESSED

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

1U -

HE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST NOT INDULGE IN WHAT COULD BE INTERPRETED AS EXPORT SUBSIDIES.

+l NEED HARDLY SAY THAT ANY INFRINGEMENT BY US OF THE GATT CODE ON SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING DUTIES WILL NOT ONLY UNDERMINE OUR MORAL AS WELL AS LEGAL STANDING IN THE GATT, WE MIGHT ALSO INVITE COUNTERVAILING ACTION AGAINST OUR PRODUCTS IN OUR OVERSEAS MARKETS IN FUTURE,* MR HO SAID.

ON MAINTAINING INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVE POSITION, MR HO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE WAS THUS IN PROVIDING THE BASIC INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND VARIOUS SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION EFFORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, +BUT THE REAL RESPONSIBILITY LIES IN OUR INDUSTRIALISTS’ INNOVATION, RESOURCEFULNESS AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTAKE IN THE CONTINUAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.+

COMMENTING ON THE HON WONG PO YAN’S REMARKS THAT THE GROWTH OF LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY WAS ON THE DECLINE, MR HO EXPLAINED THAT LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY WAS RELATED TO INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY AND SKILLS OF WORKERS, AND A DECLINE IN THE GROWTH RATE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WAS NOT UNEXPECTED.

♦THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN RECENT YEARS OF UNSKILLED LABOUR THROUGH IMMIGRATION AND A DECLINE IN INVESTMENT OF PLANT AND MACHINERY AS A RESULT OF CHANGING ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING DIVERSION OF INVESTMENT INTO THE FINANCIAL AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A DOWNTURN IN WORLD MARKET DEMANDS.+

MR HO AGREED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO INCREASE LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH GREATER AUTOMATION AND INCREASED MANPOWER TRAINING. +INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD PROJECTS, AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE’S EFFORTS ALL HELP TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST INDUSTRY TO INVEST FURTHER IN PLANT AND MACHINERY AND ADOPT IMPROVED PROCESSES OF PRODUCT I ON,+ HE ADDED.

ON THE EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR HO DISCLOSED THAT THE STAGE II CONSULTANTS HAD SUBMITTED THEIR REPORT TO THE NON-STATUTORY BOARD IN FEBRUARY 1983. AT THE BOARD’S REQUEST, THE CONSULTANTS MADE CERTAIN AMPLIFICATIONS TO THEIR FINANCIAL ESTIMATES. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE NON-STATUTORY BOARD WILL SUBMIT VERY SHORTLY ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL FOR A DECISION ON THE FUTURE OF THE PROJECT.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

15

CIVIL SERVICE ACHIEVES HIGH PRODUCTIVITY * * * *

THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE HAD ALREADY ATTAINED LEVELS OF PRODUCTIVITY NOT GENERALLY ACHIEVED BY CIVIL SERVICES ELSEWHERE --BUT MUST MOVE FORWARD, THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS, SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR ROWLANDS SAID: +WE HAVE LAID THE GROUNDWORK: WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF UNOFFICIALS, OF MANAGEMENT, AND OF THE INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANT; AND PROVIDED WE PERSEVERE AND ARE NOT AFRAID TO INNOVATE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RAISE THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR SERVICE TO A NEW PLATEAU.+

MR ROWLANDS WAS REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL AMBERS CONCERNING THE STAFFING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE GENERALLY.

IN THEIR REFERENCES TO THE STAFFING OF THE SERVICE, THE UNOFFICIALS FOCUSED ON THE FOLLOWING THREE MAIN OBJECTIVES:

1. ECONOMY OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE (THE GREATER PART OF WHICH IS STAFF-BASED);

2. IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY, AND

3. MINIMUM GROWTH OF STAFF MEMBERS, THE STAFF FOR NEW AND EXPANDED SERVICES BEING FOUND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BY REDEPLOYMENT OF EXISTING RESOURCES.

MR ROWLANDS SAID HE WAS SURE THAT ALL OFFICIALS WOULD ENDORSE THESE OBJECTIVES, AND INDEED, THAT THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE COMING YEAR REFLECTED NUMEROUS MEASURES ALREADY TAKEN IN THIS DIRECTION.

HE SAID THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, AS THE LARGEST IN THE SECRETARIAT, HAD CLEARLY TO SET AN EXAMPLE AND HAD SOUGHT NO INCREASE IN STAFF FOR THE COMING YEAR.

+THIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SERVICE WHICH WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING IS CONTINUING TO GROW,+ HE ADDED.

HE SAID THAT OF THE 60 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, 35 (OR 58 PER CENT) WERE DUE TO EXPERIENCE ZERO OR CLOSE-TO-ZERO GROWTH IN STAFF DURING THE YEAR.

SINCE THEIR WORKLOADS WERE UNLIKELY TO DECREASE, THE CONSEQUENCE SHOULD BE INCREASED EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY, HE SAID.

MR ROWLANDS SAID THAT THE FACT THAT THE WORK OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS OFTEN QUALITATIVE AND COULD NOT EASILY BE MEASURED DID NOT MEAN THAT PRODUCTIVITY COULD NOT BE IMPROVED, OR THAT BENCHMARKS SHOULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED AGAINST WHICH SUCH IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MEASURED.

/+INDEED IT.....

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

16

+ INDEED IT CAN BE ARGUED THAT PRECISELY BECAUSE THE OUTPUT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS NOT GENERALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MEASURES OF PRODUCTIVITY, SO IT IS MORE THAN EVER NECESSARY TO SUBJECT THE PROCESSES WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE TO THE DISCIPLINE OR PRODUCTIVITY MEASURES,+ HE ADDED.

HE SAID THAT THERE WAS HERE +AN ASPECT OF CORPORATE MANAGEMENT WHICH NEEDED TO BE EXPLORED WITH RENEWED VIGOUR AND WITH AN EYE TO INNOVATION+.

HE SAID THAT IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED IN AN ORGANISATION AS BIG AS THE CIVIL SERVICE WITHOUT A GREAT DEAL OF PREPARATORY GROUNDWORK AIMED AT IMPROVING MANAGEMENT OF THE SERVICE IN ALL ITS ASPECTS.

IT WAS, HE THOUGHT, IMPORTANT TO VIEW WHAT WAS BEING NOW DONE IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, +BECAUSE ANY SUCCESS THAT ATTENDS OUR EFFORTS IN TIME FUTURE WILL FLOW FROM MEASURES TAKEN IN TIME PAST*.

MR ROWLANDS SAID THAT PERHAPS THE KEY STEP TAKEN WAS THE SETTING UP IN 1979 OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.

+THE ADVICE CONTAINED IN THE SUCCESSION OF STANDING COMMISSION REPORTS SINCE THEN HAS GIVEN THE SERVICE A GRADE STRUCTURE WHICH IS NOW FACILITATING MOVES TOWARDS GREATER EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY.

+WE REALLY ARE INDEBTED TO THE STANDING COMMISSION FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE,+ HE SAID.

MR ROWLANDS POINTED OUT THAT IN 1980 THE SERVICE EMBARKED ON A PROGRAMME OF STRENGTHENING THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE DEPARTMENTS TO BETTER ENABLE THEM TO DISCHARGE THEIR MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS.

IN 1981, THE SERVICE EMBARKED, WITH THE ADVICE OF THE STANDING COMMISSION, ON SERVICE-WIDE IMPROVEMENTS TO STAFF CONSULTATION AND TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR HANDLING STAFF RELATIONS GENERALLY.

DURING 1982, IT PLACED PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES AIMED AT STAFF ENGAGED IN SUPERVISORY ROLES AND IN STAFF MANAGEMENT WORK.

+FOR 1983, WE CONCLUDED THAT THE TIME HAD COME TO LAY STRESS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY AT THE POINT OF DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC,+ HE SAID.

MR ROWLANDS SAID THAT THE SERVICE WAS NOW ENGAGED IN A NUMBER OF PRACTICAL STUDIES AND HAD RECEIVED FULL COOPERATION FROM THE STAFF THEMSELVES, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTING IN THEIR ROLE AS CLIENTS.

--------0-----------

/17........

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

- 17 -

BOLD AIRPORT PROPOSAL SET ASIDE AFTER INITIAL STUDY *****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED NOT TO GIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO A PROPOSAL TO STUDY THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING A 75 SQUARE KILOMETRE RECLAMATION TO THE EAST OF HONG KONG ISLAND TO PROVIDE BOTH A SITE FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AND AN EXTENSIVE LAND BANK AFTER AN INITIAL EXAMINATION OF THE +BOLD+ CONCEPT.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD, SAID IN REPLY TO THE PROPOSAL MADE EARLIER BY THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN THAT SUCH A RECLAMATION WOULD BE A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING, IN BOTH ENGINEERING AND FINANCIAL TERMS.

♦IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, THEREFORE, TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE BROAD CONCEPT HAS SUFFICIENT MERIT, PRIMA FACIE, TO JUSTIFY DIVERTING RESOURCES SO THAT IT CAN BE STUDIED IN GREATER DETAIL,+ MR MCDONALD SAID.

♦SOME ASPECTS WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED, SUCH AS POSSIBLE FLIGHT PATH CONFIGURATIONS, NOISE POLLUTION PROBLEMS AND EXISTING SHIPPING LANES, WERE MENTIONED BY MR CHAN. I DO NOT PROPOSE TO PURSUE THESE MATTERS TODAY BUT IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH THAT MR CHAN’S FAVOURABLE PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THEM ARE JUSTIFIED,* HE ADDED.

AN INITIAL EXAMINATION OF THE BROAD CONCEPT HAD CONCENTRATED INSTEAD ON THE ENGINEERING ASPECTS AND THE CONCLUSIONS WERE FAR FROM FAVOURABLE.

THE RECLAMATION PROPOSED WOULD BE IN WATERS WHICH ARE ABOUT 30 TO 34 METRES DEEP, SOMEWHAT MORE THAN THE 10 FATHOMS, OR 20 METRES, ESTIMATED BY MR CHAN AND CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN THE FOUR TO FIVE METRES DEPTH AT CHEK LAP KOK.

+VERY SUBSTANTIAL PROTECTION AND A HIGH FORMATION LEVEL WOULD BE NEEDED FOR THE RECLAMATION BECAUSE OF ITS EXPOSURE TO THE VAST OCEAN REACH TO THE SOUTH-EAST,* MR MCDONALD SAID. +BUT EVEN ALLOWING FOR A NOMINAL RECLAMATION OF SAY EIGHT METRES ABOVE PRINCIPAL DATUM AS AT CHEK LAP KOK THE RECLAMATION FOR THE AIRPORT ALONE WOULD REQUIRE ABOUT 1 620 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF FILL AS COMPARED WITH THE 77 MILLION CUBIC METRES REQUIRED FOR CHEK LAP KOK.+

THE PROPOSED THREE-KILOMETRE BAND OF LAND LINKING THE AIRPORT WITH HONG KONG ISLAND WOULD REQUIRE A FURTHER 2 170 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF FILL.

/+ I MIGHT .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 198?

- 18 -

♦I MIGHT ADD THAT MR CHAN’S SUGGESTED SOURCE OF FILL, THAT IS, THE PO TOI ISLAND GROUP COULD GENERATE APPROXIMATELY 500 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF FILL OR ABOUT ONE-EIGHTH OF THE REQUIREMENT,+ MR MCDONALD SAID.

HE SAID THAT A VERY ROUGH AND CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF THE WHOLE RECLAMATION WAS $206 BILLION. IN ADDITION, A $2.4 BILLION HIGHWAY SCHEME WOULD BE REQUIRED AT THE EASTERN END CF HONG KONG TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT.

+GIVEN THE IMMENSITY OF THE ENGINEERING TASK INVOLVED, THE VAST QUANTITIES OF FILLING MATERIAL REQUIRED AND THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG, I THINK WE MUST CONCLUDE THAT MR CHAN’S BOLD CONCEPT IS NOT ONE TO WHICH WE COULD GIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION, EITHER AS A POTENTIAL SITE FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT OR AS A LAND BANK,* MR MCDONALD SAID.

HE THEN TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT HE SHOULD MENTION THE RANGE OF REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL STUDIES WHICH HAD BEEN UNDERWAY SINCE 1980 TO SYSTEMATICALLY IDENTIFY MAIN FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS AND TO RECONCILE THE DEMANDS OF HOUSING, INDUSTRY, DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN A LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WITHIN THE LIMITS OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES.

+THE SUB-REGIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN OR ARE BEING STUDIED ARE THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES, THE NORTH-EAST NEW TERRITORIES, JUNK BAY/SAI KUNG, NORTH-EAST LANTAU AND THE HARBOUR AREA. THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THESE STUDIES INDICATE THAT THE TERRITORY HAS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL TO MEET ITS NEED WELL BEYOND THIS CENTURY AND FAR MORE COST EFFECTIVELY THAN IS LIKELY TO BE POSSIBLE WITH THE TYPE OF RECLAMATION SCHEME ENVISAGED BY MR CHAN,* MR MCDONALD SAID.

*AS HAS BEEN STATED SEVERAL TIMES IN RECENT MONTHS, AND MOST RECENTLY IN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET SPEECH, THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THESE STUDIES OVER THE PAST TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS OR SO SHOULD BEAR FRUIT LATER THIS YEAR WHEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO ASSESS OUR DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES AND CONSIDER NEW PROGRAMMES,* HE ADDED.

IN RESPONSE TO ANOTHER POINT RAISED BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO SAY THAT GOVERNMENT HAD, IN THE PRESENT DEPRESSED STATE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET, CONSIDERED BUYING RATHER THAN BUILDING ACCOMMODATION.

THIS WAS EVIDENCED BY THE PURCHASE OF POLICE RANK-AND-FILE MARRIED QUARTERS AND NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS AT LAI CHI KOK AND SHA TIN IN RECENT MONTHS AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT PREMISES FOR THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT MAY ALSO BE PURCHASED RATHER THAN BEING SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTED.

/+UKDER PROCEDURES ..

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 198}

- 19

♦UNDER PROCEDURES RECENTLY ESTABLISHED, THE ACCOMMODATION POLICY GROUP, COMPRISING SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, ECONOMIC SERVICES AND CIVIL SERVICE BRANCHES OF THE SECRETARIAT TOGETHER WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS AND THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, DETERMINES WHETHER JUSTIFIED ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS CAN BEST BE MET BY PURCHASE OR CONSTRUCT I ON,+ MR MCDONALD SAID.

♦IN COMING TO A DECISION, THEY MUST OBVIOUSLY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHETHER OR NOR SUITABLE PREMISES ARE ON OFFER, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE WHICH CAN BE NEGOTIATED AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS TO COMPLETE THE PURCHASE GIVEN OTHER GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS,* HE ADDED.

EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE MUST BE CONSIDERED ON ITS MERITS AND NO BROAD GENERALISATION WAS POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE ADVANTAGES WHICH PURCHASE COULD OFFER, NOT LEAST THE FACT THAT THE PREMISES WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR OCCUPATION AT A MUCH EARLIER DATE THAN IF BUILT FROM SCRATCH BY GOVERNMENT.

♦IF SUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES ARISE IN THE FUTURE, THE PROCEDURES ALREADY ESTABLISHED WILL ENSURE THAT DUE CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO THE ADVANTAGES OF PURCHASE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO BUILDING GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION,* MR MCDONALD SAID.

REPLYING TO THE HON W.C.L. BROWN WHO HAD SUGGESTED THAT FURTHER BENEFIT COULD BE DERIVED FROM DIRECT INPUT BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PROJECT STEERING GROUP, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT THE SUGGESTION WOULD SEEM TO BE BASED ON THE BELIEF THAT THE STEERING GROUP HAD A WIDER FIELD OF RESPONSIBILITY THAN IT ACTUALLY HAD.

+IT DOES NOT MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF ALL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS THROUGH THE ENTIRE SYSTEM,* MR MCDONALD SAID. +ITS MAIN FUNCTIONS ARE TO SET STARTING DATES FOR NEW PROJECTS NOT INCLUDED IN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN SUBHEADS IN THE ESTIMATES AND TO MONITOR EXPENDITURE TO ENSURE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE ITS CONTAINMENT WITHIN THE EXPENDITURE GUIDELINE.*

IT COULD, THEREFORE, BE SEEN THAT THE PROJECT STEERING GROUP E'ALT ONLY WITH PROJECTS IN CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME C IN CATEGORY AB BUT SELECTED FOR UPGRADING TO CATEGORY A ALL OF WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN SCRUTINISED EY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, MCDONALD SAID.

HE THEN TOLD THE COUNCIL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ESTABLISHED FOR THE PROCESSING Or PROJECTS INTO AND THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

/+ts: PUBLIC........

THURSDAY, APRIL 1U, 198?

20 -

♦THE PUBLIC WORKS VETTING COMMITTEE, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EXAMINING ALL SUBMISSIONS FOR NEW PROJECTS MADE BY DEPARTMENTS AND ENSURING THAT SUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION EXISTS FOR THE INCLUSION OF ITEMS IN CATEGORY C,+ MR MCDONALD SAID.

INCLUSION IN CATEGORY C ENTAILED NO MORE THAN ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAMME BUT DID NOT PERMIT ANY WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT ON SUCH PROJECTS, HE ADDED.

REQUESTS FOR UPGRADING OF PROJECTS FROM CATEGORY C TO CATEGORY B WERE MADE TO THE PUBLIC WORKS PRIORITIES COMMITTEE WHICH COMPRISED THE SECRETARIES FOR LANDS AND WORKS, HOUSING, TRANSPORT, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY.

POLICY BRANCH SECRETARIES CONCERNED WITH SUCH REQUESTS ATTENDED MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS THEIR SUBMISSIONS AND ADVISED ON PROJECT PRIORITIES WITHIN THEIR OWN POLICY SPHERE.

THE COMMITTEE WAS NOT CONCERNED WITH PURELY FINANCIAL ISSUES BUT TOOK A BROADER VIEW OF OVERALL NEEDS, COMMITMENTS AND PLANNING RESOURCES AND WAS GUIDED IN ITS DELIBERATIONS BY THE ADVICE TENDERED BY POLICY BRANCHES.

+HOWEVER, THE UPGRADING OF ITEMS TO CATEGORY B SIMPLY MEANS THAT THEY MAY BE PLANNED IN OUTLINE FORM ONLY TO ENABLE THEIR SCOPE TO BE MORE ACCURATELY DETERMINED,* MR MCDONALD SAID.

INCLUSION IN CATEGORY C AND UPGRADING TO CATEGORY B WERE, THEREFORE, ADMINISTRATIVE STEPS DESIGNED TO SIFT THROUGH THE FORMLESS MASS OF INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENTS AND TO ENSURE THAT JUSTIFICATION FOR EACH PROJECT EXISTED AND THAT ITS SCOPE WAS CLEARLY ESTABLISHED BEFORE SUBMISSION FOR FURTHER UPGRADING TO THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP WAS LARGELY UNOFFICIAL.

+ IT WOULD SEEM DOUBTFUL, THEREFORE, WHETHER ANY USEFUL PURPOSE WOULD BE SERVED BY UNOFFICIAL PARTICIPATION IN EITHER THE PUBLIC WORKS VETTING COMMITTEE OR THE PUBLIC WORKS PRIORITIES COMMITTEE,* MR MCDONALD SAID.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

21

VIETNAMESE MUST BE DISCOURAGED FROM COMING, COUNCIL TOLD *****

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WERE FACING SUCH POOR PROSPECTS OF RESETTLEMENT THAT DISCOURAGING THEM FROM COMING TO HONG KONG WAS THE ONLY HUMANITARIAN AND RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE FOR HONG KONG TO ADOPT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR JEAFFRESON DISAGREED WITH REV THE HON PATRICK MCGOVERN’S SUGGESTION THAT VIETNAMESE REFUGEES NOW IN CLOSED CENTRES BE ALLOWED TO TILL THE FIELD.

CITING THE EDITORIAL LINE OF A LOCAL ENGLISH DAILY, ►R JEAFFRESON SAID THAT WORK AND JOB SECURITY PROVIDED FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WOULD MAKE HONG KONG SEEM A MORE DESIRABLE GOAL FOR VIETNAM’S MALCONTENTS WHO WOULD HEAD THEIR BOATS NORTH IN INCREASING NUMBERS.

♦THIS IS SOMETHING WE SIMPLY CANNOT ALLOW TO HAPPEN. WE STILL HAVE A MOST ACUTE AND WORRYING PROBLEM AND A DISTINCT SHORTAGE OF SOLUTIONS,+ HE STRESSED.

ON MARCH 31, HONG KONG HAD 12 162 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN OPEN AND CLOSED CENTRES, ONLY 469 LESS THAN ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR BUT 2 185 MORE THAN ON MARCH 31, 1982.

♦THE BRUTAL FACT IS THAT THE RESETTLEMENT PROSPECT FOR NEW ARRIVALS ARE NOW EXTREMELY BAD.

+AND OVER-CROWDED HONG KONG, HAVING ALREADY ABSORBED AS MANY AS 14 OOO FROM VIETNAM INTO ITS OWN COMMUNITY (PER HEAD OF OUR POPULATION AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION IN WORLD TERMS), CANNOT ITSELF BE EXPECTED TO RESETTLE ANY MORE,+ HE EXPLAINED.

MR JEAFFRESON ALSO REFERRED TO THE HON PETER WONG’S CONCERN THAT AT A TIME WHEN SERIOUS CRIME WAS ON THE INCREASE, THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE ALLOWED FOR ONLY FOUR PER CENT GROWTH IN THE POLICE FORCE, COMPARED WITH THE FIVE PER CENT OVERALL GROWTH LIMIT FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE.

WHILE SYMPATHETIC WITH MR WONG’S VIEW, MR JEAFFRESON SAID HE WOULD NOT WISH TO PRESS FOR MORE ON BEHALF OF THE FORCE.

♦THE FACT IS THAT THE POLICE’S FOUR PER CENT MEANS 1 000 NEW POSTS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 6 700 NEW POSTS FOR THE WHOLE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.

+UNLESS THE TREND IN THE INCREASE IN CRIME CHANGES DRAMATICALLY FOR THE WORSE, I THINK THIS WILL HAVE TO D0,+ HE SAID.

ON DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI’S CONCERN THAT THE POLICE’S PLANNED GROWTH FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD NOT BE UP TO THAT FOR HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON, MR JEAFFRESON CONCEDED THAT THE POLICE STRENGTH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES PER 1 000 OF POPULATION HAD FALLEN MARGINALLY IN THE PAST TwO YEARS.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1985

22

+EUT I DON’T THINK THE CITIZENS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES have ™AT_?^CH CAUSE F0R WORRY,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE NT RATIO •AS STILL HIGHER THAN THAT IN KOWLOON.

-rJ MUCHM°re IMPORTANT MEASURE, HE SAID, WAS THE DEPLOYMENT CF THE FORCE IN TERMS OF CRIMES COMMITTED.

♦AGAIN I WOULD SLEEP MUCH MORE EASILY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THAT I WOULD IN KOWLOON.

♦AND THE FACT THAT THE DEPLOYMENT FOR HONG KONG ISLAND IN THESE TERMS IS MARGINALLY MORE FAVOURABLE THAN THAT FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SIMPLY REFLECTS THE CONCENTRATION OF COMMERCIAL AND BANKING ACTIVITY AND ACTIVITIES INVOLVING CROWD CONTROL ON THE ISLAND,+ HE EXPLAINED.

TO MEET TlEH%EHjNji8OTTTHe£MWIN“p§pJST;jBS^ERE"° 0RS‘NISATI0N

♦AS FOR KOWLOON, BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF ITS POPULATION AND THE HEAVY INCIDENCE OF CRIME, OUR PLANS ARE TO DIVIDE IT INTO TWO regions and to strengthen the police presence there as soon as WE CAN,+ HE SAID.

REFERRING TO REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT’S REMARK ABOUT THE OVERLAP OF RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD GIVEN +A LOT OF THOUGHT+ TO MISS BENNETT’S IDEA OF TIDYING IT UP.

HE CONCEDED THAT THE POSITION WAS CERTAINLY UNTIDY.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS A VARIETY OF FACILITIES CATERING FOR OFFENDERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF SEVEN AND 21, WHILE THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER FACILITIES FOR OFFENDERS AT THE AGES OF 14 AND OVER.

♦BUT WE CONCLUDED THAT THERE WERE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES IN RETAINING THE OVERLAP BETWEEN THE TWO DEPARTMENTS.

♦IT GIVES MORE VARIED SCOPE FOR PARTICULAR TREATMENT TO SUIT PARTICULAR OFFENDERS, WITH A VIEW TO WEANING THEM AWAY FROM CRIME ALTOGETHER,+ MR JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED.

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BUDGET DEBATE ADJOURNED * * *

^jouJned1tSd??Sft^DtSeDfiIanc[IlNse«e^ryLEth!LJJnVjoSnUNCIL BREMRIDGE, DELIVERED THE SPEECH CONCLUDING THE’dEBATF ON THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, 1983. E

THE .JMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL WILL BE FELD AT THE FOURTH BUDGET SITTING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

23

DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS LAI CHI KOK PARK X * * *

DEVELOPMENT OF A 57 400-SQUARE-METRE SITE RECLAIMED FROM THE FORMER LAI CHI KOK BAY INTO A PARK WILL BE DISCUSSED AT TOMORROW’S (FRIDAY) SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.

MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE STAGE ONE OF THE PROJECT WHICH WILL INCLUDE THREE MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, 10 TENNIS COURTS, 23 SQUASH COURTS AND OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY A REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON PAVEMENTS AND IN REAR LANES IN THE DISTRICT AND THE NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY TRAFFIC AT THE KWAI CHUNG ROAD FLYOVER.

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE IMPROVEMENT WORK FOR THE TAI HANG TUNG RECREATION GROUND, ARRANGEMENTS FOR FLOWER WHOLESALERS IN FA HUI PARK AND THE KOWLOON HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAMME.

TEN SEATS HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR THE PUBLIC AND THEY ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT MISS MARIA KONG AT 3-704251 FOR SEATING ARRANGEMENT.

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AMS VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE PART IN SURF LIFE SAVING CONTEST IN HAWAII

*****

FROM THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE SURF

A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS FROM THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL StRVIOt oUKr LIFE SAVERS LEAVES FOR HAWAII TODAY (THURSDAY) TO TAKE PART IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION ON SURF LIFE SAVING.

THE 20-MEMBER SQUAD, LED BY THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF THE AMS MR K.C. TONG, WILL BE COMPETING IN THE WORLD LIFE SAVING INTERCLUB SURF LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS HAWAII 1983.

THE WEEK-LONG COMPETITION, WHICH BEGINS ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15), WILL BE HELD ON THE BEACHES OF WAIKIKI, NORTH BEACH, MAKAPUU AND BELLOWS BEACH.

COMPETITORS WILL BE PUT THROUGH A SERIES OF EVENTS TO TEST THEIR SKILL AND ABILITY IN RESCUE AND LIFE SAVING WITH THE USE OF SURF BOARDS, RESCUE CRAFT AND OTHER LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT.

THE AMS TEAM WAS NOMINATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE AMS SURF LIFE SAVING TEAM HAS REPRESENTED HONG KONG IN THIS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION. THE TEAM TOOK PART IN THE 1981 CHAMPIONSHIPS WHICH WAS HELD IN BALI, INDONESIA.

THE AMS TEAM WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON APRIL 24 (SUNDAY).

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1983

2 4

BUILDINGS CONSIDERED DANGEROUS * * *

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED NOS. 3, 4 AND 5 TANK LANE TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NOS. 1 AND 2 TANK LANE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THESE THREE STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS AND MOSTLY TIMBER BUT WITH SOME REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS AND ROOFS, HAD BEEN UNDER SURVEILLANCE SINCE 1970.

A RECENT INSPECTION HAS SHOWN THAT THE EXTENT AND POSITION OF THE FRACTURING IN THE PARTY WALLS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FRONT ELEVATION COUPLED WITH THE GENERALLY DEFECTIVE CONDITION OF THE CHINA FIRS AND ADVANCED STAGE OF CORROSION TO THE SUPPORTING STEELWORK IS SUCH THAT THERE IS A RISK OF A COLLAPSE. IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON MAY 12, 1983 WERE POSTED TODAY.

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EAST KOWLOON WATER CUT X X X

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN EAST KOWLOON HAS BEEN SUSPENDED THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING FOR EMERGENCY REPAIR AT THE SAU MAU PING SALT WATER PUMPING STATION. THE SUSPENSION WILL LAST UNTIL 12 NOON ON TUESDAY (APRIL 19).

PREMISES AFFECTED INCLUDED THOSE IN SAU MAU PING ESTATE, LAM TIN ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, HONG LEE ROAD, HONG NING ROAD AND KUNG LOK ROAD.

0 - -

WATER MAINS LEAKAGE TEST XXX

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 18) FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE THOSE BOUNDED BY KING’S ROAD, SHU KUK STREET, PEACOCK ROAD, CHING WAH STREET AND NORTH VIEW STREET INCLUDING MING YUAN TERRACE.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FURTHER EXTENSION OF RENT CONTROLS ............................. 1

LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 ........................... 3

HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES REVISED ............................... 4

OPINIONS WELCOME ON REGIONAL TRANSPORT SERVICES ................ 5

181 CASES HANDLED BY CHAI WAN EMERGENCY CLINIC ................. 5

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO MUSICIANS AND DANCERS .................. 6

COMMUNITY LEADERS PLANT TREES .................................. 7

LAND RESUMPTION FOR UC SPORTS GROUND ........................... 8

SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH................................. 9

OLD TEN-CENT COINS TO BE WITHDRAWN ............................. 9

TEAMS MAY ENROL FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE ................... 10

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

1

FURTHER EXTENSION OF RENT CONTROLS * M * M

IT IS PROPOSED THAT TENANTS OF POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE INCREASES IN RENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO, ANNOUNCED TODAY.

THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY, SEEKS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF PART II OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE BY TWO YEARS, UNTIL DECEMBER 18, 1985.

THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS A NUMBER OF OTHER PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH ARE I

* THE INTRODUCTION FROM DECEMBER 19 OF AN ADDITIONAL REGULATOR TO THE METHOD OF DETERMINING PERMISSIBLE INCREASES IN RENTi

* THE EXCLUSION OF ALL NEW TENANCIES CREATED AFTER JUNE 30* AND

M THE EXCLUSION, FROM DECEMBER 19, 1983 OF EXISTING TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH A CURRENT RATEABLE VALUE OF $50 000 AND ABOVE.

COMMENTING ON THE BILL, MR LIAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF THE LEGISLATION WELL IN ADVANCE OF ITS CURRENT EXPIRY DATE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO GIVE PLENTY OF NOTICE OF PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE CONTROLS AND TO ALLOW TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THEM.

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 27, FOR ITS FIRST AND SECOND READING. THE RESUMPTION OF DEBATE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL MAY 25, AND THE THIRD READING ON JUNE 8.

PUBLIC VIEWS EXPRESSED DURING THIS TIME WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND REPRESENTATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED TO UMELCO (SWIRE HOUSE. 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG) OR THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING (GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG).

UNDER THE EXISTING FACTOR SYSTEM, THE PERMITTED INCREASE IN RENT IS HALF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT RENT AND THE FAIR MARKET RENT, OR 30 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT RENT, WHICHEVER IS THE SMALLER AMOUNT.

IT IS NOW PROPOSED THAT IN CASES WHERE THE NEW RENT DETERMINED BY THIS FORMULA IS LESS THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE FAIR MARKET RENT, TH" PERMITTED INCREASE SHOULD BE AN AMOUNT NECESSARY TO BRING THE CURRENT RENT UP TO 30 PER CENT OF THE FAIR MARKET RENT.

MR LIAO SAID THE OBJECT WAS TO PREVENT VERY LOW RENTS, MANY OF WHICH HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO CONTROL FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS, FROM FALLING FURTHER BELOW MARKET LEVELS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE EVENTUAL r USING OF SUCH RENTS CLOSER TO MARKET LEVELS.

/♦AS THE .....

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1963

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+AS THE INCREASES AFFECTED BY THE ADDITIONAL REGULATOR WILL BE ON VERY LOW BASE RENTS, THEY WILL NOT BE EXCESSIVE IN DOLLAR TERMS,* HE SAID. +AND IN SUCH CASES THE NEW RENT WILL BE NO MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE FAIR MARKET RENT.*

AN ANALYSIS CARRIED OUT BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT EARLY THIS YEAR SHOWED THAT ONLY ABOUT 7 000 OR FIVE PER CENT OF PROTECTED SOLE TENANTS WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS PROPOSAL.

+FOR MOST PROTECTED TENANTS THE BIENNIAL PERMITTED INCREASE WILL STILL BE DERIVED FROM THE EXISTING FACTOR SYSTEM,* HE EXPLAINED.

COMMENTING ON THE EXCLUSION OF TENANCIES FROM PART II OF THE ORDINANCE, MR LIAO SAID THEY WOULD BE ACCORDED SECURITY OF TENURE UNDER PART IV.

THIS MEANS THAT SITTING TENANTS WILL HAVE SECURITY OF TENURE AS LONG AS THEY ARE PREPARED TO PAY A FAIR MARKET RENT FOR THEIR ACCOMMODATION. WHERE MUTUAL AGREEMENT ON A TENANCY RENEWAL CANNOT BE REACHED, THE TENANT CAN APPLY TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR THE GRANT OF A NEW TENANCY AT A FAIR MARKET RENT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE TRIBUNAL.

MR LIAO SAID TENANTS WHO TOOK OUT FRESH LETTINGS OF POST-WAR PREMISES AFTER JUNE 30 THIS YEAR, WHATEVER THE AGE OF THE BUILDING, WOULD BE IN THE SAME POSITION AS TENANTS OF BUILDINGS COMPLETED AFTER JUNE 18, 1981, WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXCLUDED FROM PART II CONTROLS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.

TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH RATEABLE VALUES OF $80 000 AND ABOVE AND $60 000 AND ABOVE WERE EXCLUDED FROM PART II IN 1981 AND 1982 RESPECTIVELY, AND THE FURTHER EXCLUSION PROPOSED IN THE BILL IS A CONTINUATION OF THE PROGRESSIVE REMOVAL OF TENANCIES OF LUXURY FLATS FROM RENT CONTROL. ABOUT 1 100 TENANCIES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL TO EXCLUDE THOSE OF PREMISES WITH A RATEABLE VALUE OF $50 000 AND ABOVE. +0F THESE, SOME 80 PER CENT ARE HELD BY CORPORATE TENANTS,* MR LIAO POINTED OUT. HE ADDED THAT IT WAS THE INTENTION TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROGRESSIVE REMOVAL FROM CONTROLS OF LUXURY PREMISES IN FUTURE YEARS.

MR LIAO SAID IT WAS PROPOSED TO CHANGE THE TERM +FAIR MARKET RENT* TO ^PREVAILING MARKET RENT*, BUT THE DEFINITION WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED. HE SAID THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHANGE WAS TO REMOVE THE POSSIBLY MISLEADING CONNOTATION OF THE TERM +FAIR+.

THE BILL ALSO INCLUDES A NUMBER OF LEGAL AND TECHNICAL REFINEMENTS TO THE EXISTING ORDINANCE.

PROVISION IS MADE FOR THE SURRENDER, BY AGREEMENT, OF A TENANCY PROTECTED UNDER PART II. SUCH AN AGREEEMENT WILL BE SUBJECT TO ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, WHO IS REQUIRED TO SATISFY HIMSELF THAT THE TENANT INVOLVED UNDERSTANDS ITS EFFECT.

ANOTHER PROPOSAL RECOMMENDS THAT WHERE A PRINCIPAL TENANT HAS SUBLET THE WHOLE OF THE PREMISES HE SHOULD NOT BE ACCORDED ANY SECURITY OF TENURE. THE LANDLORD MAY APPLY FOR RECOVERY OF POSSESSION IN SUCH CASES. +HOWEVER,* MR LIAO STRESSED, ♦SUBTENANTS 0" THE PREMISES WOULD BECOME DIRECT TENANTS OF THE LANDLORD AND CONTINUE TO ENJOY SECURITY OF TENURE.*

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

- 3 -

THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING PROVISION PROHIBITING THE LETTING AND SELLING OF PREMISES FOLLOWING RECOVERY OF POSSESSION FOR SELF-OCCUPATION OR REDEVELOPMENT.

+UNDER THE NEW PROVISION, THE PROHIBITION WILL BE IN FORCE BOTH DURING THE PERIOD OF STAY OF EXECUTION OF THE POSSESSION ORDER AND 24 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF DELIVERY OF VACANT POSSESSION BY THE TENANT,+ HE EXPLAINED. +IN ADDITION, THE MISUSE OF PREMISES FOLLOWING RECOVERY OF POSSESSION WILL BE PROHIBITED, AND THE LANDLORD WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE SUCH PREMISES FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN AS A RESIDENCE FOR THE PERSON FOR WHOM POSSESSION WAS OBTAINED.+

AS A FURTHER FORM OF PROTECTION, HARASSMENT WITH INTENT TO INDUCE A TENANT TO QUIT WOULD BECOME A CRIMINAL OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE. ANYONE CONVICTED OF SUCH AN OFFENCE WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500 000 AND, ON A SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION, TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS.

MR LIAO SAID ANYONE WHO HAD ANY QUERIES CONCERNING THEIR OWN POSITION COULD SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM RENT OFFICERS AT THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT OR DISTRICT OFFICES.

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LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 *****

A BILL TO EXTEND THE JURISDICTION OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL AND TO IMPROVE MATTERS OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

THE LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT ITS NEXT SITTING ON APRIL 27 FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING. THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 25.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY DIRECT THEIR VIEWS ON THE BILL TO UMELCO OR THE HOUSING BRANCH.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PROVISION IN THE BILL ENABLES THE TRIBUNAL TO DEAL WITH APPLICATIONS FOR POSSESSION DURING THE CONTRACTUAL PERIOD.

UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE TRIBUNAL IS OBLIGED TO REFER A LANDLORD WHO IS ENTITLED TO POSSESSION UNDER THE CONTRACTUAL TENANCY TO THE DISTRICT COURT OR THE HIGH COURT IN CASES WHERE THE TRIBUNAL FINDS THAT THE MATTER DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.

+THE PROPOSED PROVISION STREAMLINES THE JUDICIAL ARRANGEMENT AND AVOIDS THE WASTE OF COST AND TIME TO THE BENEFIT OF BOTH LANDLORDS AND TENANTS,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE TRIBUNAL TO MAKE ORDERS FOR PAYMENT A'ID INTERIM PAYMENT OF RENT AND MESNE PROFITS.

THE BILL CONTAINS A NUMBER OF OTHER PROVISIONS, WHICH ARE TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES REVISED * * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED A SERIES OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR CLINICAL CONSULTATIONS, INVESTIGATIONS AND TREATMENT FOR PRIVATE PATIENTS ATTENDING GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.

THE NEW CHARGES, WHICH TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

COMMENTING ON THE NEW RATES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE REVISED CHARGES APPLY ONLY TO SUCH ANCILLARY SERVICES AS SURGICAL AND GYNAECOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS, LABORATORY TESTS AND PATHOLOGICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS, RADIOTHERAPY, CHEMOTHERAPY, CARD I AC-CATHER I SAT ION ETC.

THE DAILY MAINTENANCE CHARGES FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BEDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL, AT PRESENT AT $240 AND $160 RESPECTIVELY, WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR THE TIME BEING.

♦A REVIEW ON THE DAILY MAINTENANCE FEES IS UNDERWAY AND A DECISION WILL BE MADE IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME,* HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE CURRENT REVISION OF FEES AND CHARGES WILL NOT AFFECT THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO STAY IN THE GENERAL WARDS OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS OR ATTEND OUT-PATIENT CLINICS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT PRIVATE PATIENTS ARE THOSE REFERRED TO GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS OR SPECIALIST CLINICS BY PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND THOSE WHO OPT TO STAY IN FIRST AND SECOND CLASS WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.

THE RATES FOR THE ANCILLARY MEDICAL CHARGES FOR PRIVATE PATIENTS ATTENDING GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1975, WITH SOME AS FAR BACK AS 1972, HE SAID.

♦THESE CHARGES ARE NO LONGER REALISTIC AND DEFINITELY INSUFFICIENT TO COVER THE FULL COSTS OF SUCH SERVICES,* HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT IS GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO RECOVER IN FULL OR IN PART THE COST OF THESE SERVICES, AND IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO UPDATE THE CHARGES NOW WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTERISED SYSTEMS, WHICH RENDER COSTING EXERCISES MUCH MORE ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT.

HE REITERATED THAT IT REMAINS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO CHARGE NOMINAL FEES FOR PATIENTS IN THE GENERAL WARDS AND THOSE WHO ATTEND THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WITH A PROVISO TO WAIVE CR REDUCE THESE FEES FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEM.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

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OPINIONS WELCOME ON REGIONAL TRANSPORT SERVICES *****

DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WERE TODAY (APRIL 15) ENCOURAGED TO AIR THEIR VIEWS ON REGIONAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SERVICES THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BOARDS.

ADDRESSING A GROUP OF 36 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY AND KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARDS WHO VISITED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT ITS KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICES TODAY, MR PANG HAU-CHUNG ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (KOWLOON), SAID THE BOARDS’ OPINIONS WERE IMPORTANT TO THE DEPARTMENT’S POLICY DECISIONS.

♦THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS REORGANISED IN OCTOBER 1982 IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION DRIVE, GIVING AUTONOMY TO THE REGIONAL OFFICES OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES,♦ MR PANG RECALLED.

♦THIS WAS TO ENABLE FASTER AND MORE EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO TRAFFIC AMD TRANSPORT NEEDS IN THE DISTR ICTS,♦ HE SAID.

THE ARRANGEMENT HAS WORKED WELL SINCE THEN.

TODAY’S VISIT WAS TO FAMILIARISE BOARD MEMBERS WITH THE OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.

THE GROUP LATER VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES, THE INDOOR DRIVING INSTRUCTION CENTRE AND PARKING METER DEPOT.

ARRANGEMENTS ARE TO BE MADE FOR ANOTHER VISIT BY THE NEW CHAIRMEN OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEES OF ALL THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN KOWLOON WHEN THEY ARE ELECTED.

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181 CASES HANDLED BY *

CHAI WAN EMERGENCY CLINIC * * * *

A TOTAL OF 181 CASES HAVE BEEN HANDLED BY THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SECTION OF THE CHAI WAN HEALTH CENTRE DURING THE PAST FOUR DAYS SINCE IT BEGAN OPERATION ON MONDAY (APRIL 11).

MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WERE TOLD THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) DURING A VISIT TO THE CLINIC TO SEE ITS FACILITIES AND OPERATION.

THEY LEARNED THAT OF THESE, 131 PATIENTS WERE TREATED AND DISCHARGED WHILE THE REMAINING 50 WERE GIVEN PRIMARY TREATMENT BEFORE BEING SENT TO QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

THE CLINIC, WHICH OPENS DAILY FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, SERVES AS THE DISTRICT’S CASUALTY STATION UNTIL THE PROPOSED EASTERN HOSPITAL WAS COMPLETED.

DURING THE VISIT, THE MEMBERS WERE SHOWN VARIOUS LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS AND WERE BRIEFED ON HOW THE CLINIC OPERATED.

ACCOMPANYING THE PARTY WERE THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR (HONG KONG) OF IE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR CHAN KWAN-YUEN, AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR H.T. LUI, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.

0 - - - -

raiDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

- 6 ”

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO MUSICIANS AND DANCERS M * * *

TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS CAN NOW APPLY FOR THE 1983/84 SCHOLARSHIPS OF THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PRIMARILY FOR ONE YEAR TO ENABLE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO PURSUE A THREE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE AT EITHER THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC OR THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF BALLET.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC FUND POINTED OUT TODAY THAT THE SCHOLARSHIPS WOULD COVER TUITION FEES AND INCLUDE A TECHNICAL ALLOWANCE. A MONTHLY SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE OF UP TO SI OOO MIGHT BE GRANTED ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.

FOR EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED CANDIDATES, OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS MIGHT BE CONSIDERED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR ADVANCED INSTRUMENTAL STUDIES SHOULD NOT BE OVER THE AGE OF 23 ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1983 AND SHOULD HAVE ACHIEVED A MERIT IN GRADE VIII OR EQUIVALENT. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH A DIPLOMA STANDARD.

AS FOR BALLET SCHOLARSHIPS, CANDIDATES SHOULD BE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1983 AND HAVE SOME PREVIOUS DANCE TRAINING. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED, OR ARE WORKING FOR, THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCING ELEMENTARY EXAMINATION OR ITS EQUIVALENT.

ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE YEAR’S RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG AND THEY WILL BE AUDITIONED OR INTERVIEWED IN MAY (FOR MUSIC) AND JULY (FOR BALLET) 1983. SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE UP THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS IN SEPTEMBER 1983.

APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROMi

(A) HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND OFFICE,

7TH FLOOR, PACIFIC HOUSE,

20 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

(B) MUSIC OFFICE HEADQUARTERS,

RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT,

9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, AND

(C) MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, (ADDRESSES ARE OBTAINABLE ON 5-249353)

COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND OFFICE BY THE APPLICANT PERSONALLY.

THE COSING DATE FOR ADVANCED INSTRUMENTAL STUDIES IS MONDAY, APRIL 25, 983 AND FOR BALLET IS MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1983.

FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED BY DIALLING 5-249353.

- - U-----

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

7

COMMUNITY LEADERS PLANT TREES * * *

A TOTAL OF 780 000 YOUNG TREES WILL BE PLANTED IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.

OF THESE TREES, WHICH ARE PRODUCED AT NURSERIES OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, 380 000 WILL BE PLANTED IN COUNTRY PARKS AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ON-GOING FORESTRY WORK. THE REMAINDER WILL BE PLANTED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN OTHER AREAS, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID.

DR RIDDELL-SWAN TODAY LED A GROUP OF GUESTS, INCLUDING LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LEADERS OF ORGANISED GROUPS, TO PLANT THE FIRST TREES AT A SITE INSIDE THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK TO KICK OFF THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE SCHEME IS A MASS PLANTING ON SUNDAY (APRIL 17) WHEN 10 000 YOUNG TREES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE TO VISITORS TO SIX COUNTRY PARKS FOR PLANTING.

LOCATIONS WHERE THESE TREES WILL BE AVAILABLE ARE NEAR THE RESERVOIR BARRIER INSIDE THE POKFULAM COUNTRY PARK ON HONG KONG ISLANDj NEAR THE NAM SHAN CAMP SITE INSIDE THE LANTAU SOUTH COUNTRY PARK ON LANTAUJ NEAR THE TAI AU MUN CAR PARK INSIDE THE CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARK} NEAR THE PAK TAM CHUNG CAR PARK INSIDE THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK; AT BRIDE’S POOL IN THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK, AND NEAR THE ROUTE TWISK MANAGEMENT CENTRE INSIDE THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

SPEAKING AT TODAY’S SPECIAL CEREMONY, DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID ANOTHER 3 000 SEEDLINGS HAD BEEN GIVEN TO SCHOOLS AND WELFARE CENTRES FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THEIR PREMISES.

HE SAID; +THERE ARE NOW PROBABLY MORE TREES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE CF HONG KONG THAN AT ANY TIME SINCE THIS CENTURY.+

DR RIDDELL-SWAN RECALLED THAT THE FIRST COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING DAY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WAS HELD IN SHING MUN IN 1957 AND TREE PLANTING DAYS WERE ANNUAL EVENTS UNTIL THE MID-SEVENTIES. THE SCHEME WAS REVIVED LAST YEAR AND IT WILL CONTINUE IN FUTURE.

♦THE PLANTING OF TREES IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG IF WE ARE TO KEEP OUR LANDSCAPE FRESH AND GREEN AND IF WE ARE TO MAKE AMENDS FOR TREES LOST THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF CAUSES, SOME NECESSARY AND SOME UNFORTUNATELY EASILY PREVENTABLE.

+1 WOULD LIKE, THEREFORE, TO ASK ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO AFFIRM THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE BEAUTIFICATION OF HONG KONG BY PLANTING A TREE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN ONE OF THEIR COUNTRY PARKS.♦

STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON DUTY ON SUNDAY IN THE SIX COUNTRY PARKS TO ASSIST THE TREE-PLANTING PUBLIC.

/□K HI WELL-SWAB.....

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

- 8 -

DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAIDi +IT WAS NOT ENOUGH JUST TO PLANT TREES. TREES HAVE TO BE PROTECTED, ESPECIALLY FROM THEIR GREATEST ENEMY --- FIRE.

♦VISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE SHOULD TAKE PARTICULAR CARE NOT TO START FIRES AND DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO TREES AND PLANTS THROUGH VANDALISM AND IGNORANCE.*

THREE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, THE REV JOYCE BENNETT, DR HENRY HU AND MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG PRESENTED SOUVENIR BANNERS TO REPRESENTATIVES OF SCHOOL GROUPS, ORGANISED HIKING GROUPS AND OTHER PARTIES WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN VARIOUS VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE YEAR.

----o------

LAND RESUMPTION FOR UC SPORTS GROUND * * *

ABOUT 2 226 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE LAND AT THE JUNCTION OF HAMMER HILL ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE RESUMED FOR AN URBAN COUNCIL SPORTS GROUND AND SWIMMING POOL PROJECT.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO MEET THE SHORTFALL OF ACTIVE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE EAST KOWLOON AREA, THE URBAN COUNCIL PLANS TO CONSTRUCT ON A FIVE-HECTARE SITE A COMPLEX TO BE KNOWN AS THE +HAMMER HILL ROAD SPORTS GROUND AND SWIMMING POOL*.

♦THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF AN EIGHT-LanE RUNNING TRACK WITH ATHLETIC TRAINING FACILITIES, AN ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL PITCH, TENNIS COURTS, A STANDARD MAIN SWIMMING POOL AND RECREATIONAL POOLS SUCH AS A WAVE POOL AND A SLIDE POOL,*

THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+THIS WILL BE A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE PROJECT AS SO FAR NO RECREATIONAL POOLS EXIST IN HONG KONG,* HE ADDED.

♦DEVELOPMENT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGE. WORK ON

THE FIRST STAGE, COMPRISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SPORTS GROUND AND THE OTHER OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, WILL START IN JULY. WORK ON THE SWIMMING POOLS AND RECREATIONAL POOLS FACILITIES, WHICH FORMS STAGE TWO OF THE PROJECT, IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT YEAR.+

THE RESUMPTION WILL AFFECT 796 STRUCTURES, COMPRISING 700 DOMESTIC DWELLINGS, EIGHT SHOPS, 82 WORKSHOPS, FOUR GODOWNS AND TWO UNREGISTERED TEMPLES.

♦ABOUT 2 400 PEOPLE FROM ABOUT 690 FAMILIES WILL BE REHOUSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRESENT HOUSING POLICY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦THOSE ELIGIBLE WILL BE PAID EX-GRATIA DOMESTIC REMOVAL ALLOWANCE WHILE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WILL BE OFFERED EX-GRATIA CASH ALLOWANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT POLICY.♦

-----o-------

/9........

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

9

SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH * * *

A SEMINAR FEATURING ^LANGUAGE LEARNING SKILLS AND LEARNING LANGUAGE SKILLS* WILL BE HELD ON MAY 14 FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND/FOREIGN LANGUAGE, THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRE’S HONG KONG UNIT AT 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG.

THE PRINCIPAL LECTURER OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE, MR YU FONG-YING, WILL PRESENT THE THEME SPEECH.

THERE WILL BE PLACES FOR 80 SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE TREATED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

HEADS OF SCHOOLS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE APRIL 28.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SEMINAR MAY BE MADE AT THE CENTRE AT TEL. NO.

-----o------

OLD TEN-CENT COINS TO BE WITHDRAWN * * *

THE OLD, HEAVIER NICKEL-AND-BRASS TEN-CENT COINS WILL CEASE TO BE LEGAL TENDER FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.

A PROCLAMATION ON THIS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

THIS MEANS THAT FROM JANUARY 1, 1984, THERE WILL BE NO LEGAL OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT THESE OLD COINS IN SATISFACTION OF DEBTS NOT EXCEEDING TWO DOLLARS, THE LEGAL TENDER LIMIT FOR TEN-CENT COINS. THE COINS BECAME LEGAL TENDER ON FEBRUARY 16, 1949.

THE PUBLIC SHOULD THEREFORE EXCHANGE THEIR COINS AT BANKS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.

ALTHOUGH SHOPKEEPERS AND OTHERS NEED NOT ACCEPT THE COINS AFTER THAT TIME, THE BANKS HOWEVER, WILL ACCEPT THEM FOR EXCHANGE.

THE NEW, SMALLER, TEN-CENT COIN, ALSO MADE OF NICKEL-AND-BRASS, WAS INTRODUCED ON JULY 2, 1982. SINCE THAT DATE THE OLD COINS RECEIVED BY THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM CIRCULATION.

/AS AT .......

/9ZDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

ID-

AS AT MARCH 31 THIS YEAR, 553 MILLION TEN-CENT COINS WERE IN CIRCULATION, OF WHICH 361 MILLION WERE THE OLD TYPE. HOWEVER, IT IS LIKELY THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF THE OLD COINS HAVE BEEN LOST.

THE DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TWO COINS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

EDGE/ TYPE

DIAMETER WEIGHT THICKNESS SHAPE OF EDGE

(MM) (GRAMME) (MM)

NEW COIN: NICKEL-BRASS 17.50 1.85 1.15 ROUND PLAIN

OLD COIN: NICKEL-BRASS 20.57 4.54 1.85 ROUND MILLED

-----o-----

TEAMS MAY ENROL FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE * * * *

TEAMS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S DRAGON BOAT RACE IN TAI PO MAY ENROL WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE OR THE RURAL COMMITTEE FROM TODAY.

THE RACE WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 15 ALONG THE MAIN DAM OF THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR. THE LENGTH OF THE RACING COURSE IS ABOUT 1 000 METRES.

APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICES OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT OFFICE AND MUST BE RETURNED BEFORE MAY 10.

EACH TEAM SHALL HAVE 27 MEMBERS, COMPRISING A PADDLING CREW OF 24, ONE DRUMMER, ONE GONG-BEATER AND ONE STEERSMAN.

THE DRAGON BOAT RACE IS ORGANISED BY A COMMITTEE COMPRISING THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RURAL COMMITTEE, THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

THE EVENT WILL COST ABOUT $300 000 FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL DONATIONS.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF SCOUTING ....................... 1

TSING YI CULTURAL WEEK WELL RECEIVED ........................... 2

CHILDREN GET 'KEEP HK CLEAN' MESSAGE ........................... 3

'ON DEMAND' SPEEDPOST TO BRAZIL ................................ 3

FOURTH COMMUNITY HALL FOR SHA TIN .............................. 4

DAY OF FUN FOR 500 ELDERLY PEOPLE .............................. 5

SURVEY ON SQUATTER FAMILIES .................................

NEW METHADONE CLINIC STARTING................................... 6

CORRECTIONAL SERVICES HOLD SPORTS MEET ......................... 6

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 19©3

1

GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF SCOUTING *****

SCOUTING AND SIMILAR YOUTH MOVEMENTS ARE IMPORTANT AS THEY STIMULATE NEW INTERESTS TO COUNTER-BALANCE THE UNSETTLING CONSEQUENCES OF RAPID SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ST GEORGE’S DAY SCOUT RALLY HELD AT THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL.

SIR EDWARD SAID SCOUTING DEVELOPED PERSONALITY, DISCIPLINE AND A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND COMPLEMENTED THE EDUCATION RECEIVED AT HOME AND IN SCHOOLS.

♦THE VALUE OF ITS INFLUENCE ON THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNG CITIZENS AND OUR SOCIETY HAS BEEN INCALCULABLE,+ SIR EDWARD ADDED.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH«

PRESIDENT, FELLOW SCOUTS AND GUESTS,

♦I AM VERY PLEASED TO JOIN YOU TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR ANNUAL RALLY.

♦OVER THE 72 YEARS OF ITS HISTORY THE SCOUT MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG HAS PROVIDED GUIDANCE AND TRAINING TO HALF A MILLION BOYS AND MORE. THE VALUE OF ITS INFLUENCE ON THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNG CITIZENS AND OUR SOCIETY HAS BEEN INCALCULABLE. SCOUTING DEVELOPS PERSONALITY, DISCIPLINE AND A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE. IT COMPLEMENTS THE EDUCATION RECEIVED AT HOME AND IN SCHOOLS. SCOUTING AND SIMILAR YOUTH MOVEMENTS ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN ENABLING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, AND IN PROVIDING AN OUTLET FOR YOUTHFUL ENERGY. THEY STIMULATE NEW INTERESTS TO COUNTER-BALANCE THE UNSETTLING CONSEQUENCES OF RAPID SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE BUSY WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.

♦THIS YEAR IS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT FOR SCOUTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BECAUSE WE CELEBRATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WORLD MOVEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE FORESIGHT OF YOUR FOUNDER, YOUR ASSOCIATION HAS PLANNED A SERIES OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES WHICH CULMINATE IN SEPTEMBER.

♦LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE AND LIVING UP TO YOUR MOTTO OF +BE PREPARED+, YOUR ASSOCIATION HAS ALSO COMPILED THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE 198O’S TO KEEP THE MOVEMENT ABREAST OF THE MANY EVOLVING ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY LIFE IN HONG KONG AND TO MEET YOUR COMMITMENTS TO THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION AND THE WORLD ORGANISATION. LATER THIS AFTERNOON I SHALL HAVE THE PLEASURE OF RECEIVING FROM ONE OF YOUR BENEFACTORS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD FOUNDATION. THIS IS YET ANOTHER INDICATION OF THE ACTIVE ROLE OF HONG KONG IN THE WORLD BROTHERHOOD OF SCOUTING.

♦FINALLY I SHOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL SCOUT LEADERS AND SUPPORTER0 FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS. WITHOUT THEM SCOUTING COULD NOT FLOURISH AS IT DOES. AND I WISH SCOUTING IN HONG KONG CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.♦ ---------------------------------0-------

/2 .....

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1983

2 -

TSI NG Yl CULTURAL WEEK WELL RECEIVED

X X * *

THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF VARIOUS ORGANISERS HAVE MADE THE TSI NG Yl CULTURAL WEEK A GREAT SUCCESS.

THE PROGRAMME BEGAN LAST SATURDAY WHEN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR ADOLF HSU, OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

DURING THE WEEK, A SERIES OF CULTURAL PROGRAMMES WERE HELD AND ALL PERFORMANCES ATTRACTED FULL HOUSE ATTENDANCE.

THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW AND THE BOOK EXHIBITION ALSO ATTRACTED LARGE CROWDS OF VISITORS AND A LARGE NUMBER OF BOOKS WAS SOLD AT REDUCED PRICES.

SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY TONIGHT, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (TSING Yl), MR BARTON IRELAND, SAID IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE TO FIND THAT THE CULTURAL WEEK HAD PROVED SO SUCCESSFUL.

I MUST CONGRATULATE THE 3O-ODD PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR CONCERTED EFFORTS TO ORGANISE THE EVENT IN JUST ABOUT TWO MONTHS, IT TURNED OUT TO BE SO WELL-RECEIVED BY THE RESIDENTS,* MR IRELAND SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE POPULARITY OF THE EVENT HAD A FEW SIGNIFICANT POINTS.

FIRST,* HE SAID, +THE FULL HOUSE ATTENDANCE RATE IS A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN ORGANISING FUTURE EVENTS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

SECOND, IT SHOWS THAT THE PEOPLE ARE NOT ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR REALISTIC LIFE SUCH AS THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT, BUT ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SPIRITUAL LIFE.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THEIR ENTHUSIASM IN INVOLVING IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WILL CERTAINLY HELP IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF THEIR OWN COMMON ITY.+

THE TSI NG Yl CULTURAL WEEK IS THE FIRST CULTURAL PROGRAMME OF THIS SCALE TO HAVE BEEN HELD ON TSI NG Yl AND IN THE NEWLY COMPLETED CHEUNG CHING COMMUNITY CENTRE.

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD HAD CONTRIBUTED $15 000 TO MEET HALF OF THE COST FOR THE EVENT.

0

/3........

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1983

3

CHILDREN GET ’KEEP HK CLEAN’ MESSAGE

* * *

THOUSANDS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON OUTLYING ISLANDS WERE RECENTLY TOLD THAT THE GOOD HABIT OF KEEPING A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT SHOULD START AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL.

THE CHILDREN WERE URGED TO PLAY THEIR PART IN MAKING THE CURRENT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS.

THE MESSAGE WAS BROUGHT TO THEM BY HEALTH INSPECTORS WHO WENT TO THE SCHOOLS TO GIVE TALKS ON THE SUBJECT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THE LECTURES COINCIDED WITH THE TERRITORY-WIDE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE MORE AWARE OF THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE. THE TALKS WERE ARRANGED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF VARIOUS PRINCIPALS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

THE STUDENTS WERE TOLD THAT INDISCRIMINATE LITTERING IN A PUBLIC PLACE, IN SCHOOL OR AT HOME WOULD RESULT IN POOR SANITATION AND HEALTH HAZARDS.

THEY WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE WAR AGAINST LITTER BUGS IN HONG KONG WAS STILL BEING WAGED.

MEANWHILE, NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOL PRINCIPALS WHO WISH TO ARRANGE FOR TALKS TO BE GIVEN TO THEIR STUDENTS MAY CONTACT THEIR LOCAL URBAN SERVICES OFFICES.

HEALTH INSPECTORS OF THE NTSD WOULD BE HAPPY TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND TO TALK TO THE CHILDREN, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

-----0------

’ON DEMAND’ SPEEDPOST TO BRAZIL * * * *

FROM MONDAY (APRIL 18), THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO BRAZIL, WHICH HITHERTO ONLY OPERATED ON A CONTRACT BASIS, WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF ITEMS POSTED UNDER THE ’ON DEMAND’ FACILITY, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY.

FROM THAT DATE, CUSTOMERS CAN POST SPEEDPOST PACKAGES THROUGH A PRE-REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO BRAZIL AT THE NINE DESIGNATED SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE POST OFFICES, I.E. GENERAL POST OFFICE AND HENNESSY ROAD POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL, TSIM SHA TSUI, CHEUNG SHA WAN, KWUN TONG, GILLIES AVENUE, SAN PO KONG AND THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE.

THE CHARGE FOR PACKAGES WEIGHING UP TO 250 GRAMMES WILL BE $119, AND UP TO 500 GRAMMES $139. EACH ADDITIONAL 500 GRAMMES WILL BE $34.

/the service........

SATUHDAY, APRIL 16, 1983

THE SERVICE IS RESTRICTED TO BUSINESS DOCUMENTS AND SAMPLES

ONLY

SPEEDPOST PACKAGES POSTED BEFORE 10 AM EACH DAY AND ADDRESSED TO RIO DE JANEIRO AND SAO PAULO WILL NORMALLY BE DELIVERED ON THE SECOND WORKING DAY AFTER POSTING AND ON THE THIRD DAY FOR THE REMAINING AREAS.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON TELEPHONE 5-2671222 OR TO THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES AT 5-2671108.

- - 0 - -

FOURTH COMMUNITY HALL FOR SHA TIN *****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) OPENED ITS FOURTH COMMUNITY HALL IN SHA TIN TO MEET THE INCREASING NEED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES IN THE FAST DEVELOPING NEW TOWN.

THE OTHER HALLS ARE AT LEK YUEN, WO CHE AND SUN TIN WAI.

THE LATEST ONE, AT SHA KOK ESTATE, WILL ALSO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE TWO NEARBY HOUSING ESTATES — JAT MING CHUEN AND YUE SHING COURT.

FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE NEW COMMUNITY HALL INCLUDE A STUDY ROOM, A CONFERENCE ROOM, AND A HALL ORGANISING VARIOUS SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

ALL THESE ARE DESIGNED FOR THE USE BY THE LOCAL PEOPLE FROM ALL AGE GROUPS.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, A SHA TIN COMMUNITY LEADER MR NG CHAN-LAM, SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM TO HAVE A COMMUNITY HALL IN EVERY PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WITH A POPULATION CF 20 000 WAS TO MEET THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES.

HE CALLED FOR A JOINT EFFORT BY THE RESIDENTS TO MAKE SHA TIN A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.

+THE HELP OF COMMUNITY WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS IS ALSO IMPORTANT IN PROMOTING NEIGHBOURLINESS,* HE SAID.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY PERFORMANCES BY A CHILDREN’S CHOIR, A YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND A BALLET AS WELL AS A TRAMPOLINE DEMONSTRATION.

5

DAY OF FUN FOR 500 ELDERLY PEOPLE M X M X M

ABOUT 500 ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL BE TAKING PART IN A DAY OF FUN AND GAMES AT THE HAPPY VALLEY RACE COURSE TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (WAN CHAI OFFICE) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303.

TROPHIES AND OTHER PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS IN TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL EVENTS.

+THIS IS ONE OF THE MONTHLY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE BY THE RSS.+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

+WE PLAN TO ORGANISE MORE ACTIVITIES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE OF WAN CHAI BECAUSE THEY FORM A BIG PERCENTAGE OF THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION.♦

LAST MONTH, ABOUT 400 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WERE TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING VISITS TO TWO MONASTERIES.

-----o-----

SURVEY ON SQUATTER FAMILIES * * *

A MONTH-LONG SURVEY ON THE MEDICAL CARE AND FAMILY PLANNING ASPECTS OF SQUATTERS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN ON LOK VILLAGE, KWUN TONG, STARTING MONDAY (APRIL 18).

THE SURVEY WILL BE JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT AND THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, WITH THE HELP OF SEVERAL VOLUNTEERS.

♦THE INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL SERVE AS USEFUL REFERENCE FOR THE PARTIES CONCERNED IN PLANNING FUTURE IMPROVEMENT AND RENDERING POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE TO THE SQUATTERS,* A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 450 FAMILIES WITH ABOUT 2 000 PEOPLE LIVING IN ON LOK VILLAGE.

THE EXERCISE IS BASICALLY A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY, TO OBTAIN SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE DAILY LIVES OF THE SQUATTERS.

♦INTERVIEWERS WILL CARRY SPECIAL IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE WHEN THEY CALL ON EACH HOUSEHOLD, AND VILLAGERS ARE URGED TO CO-OPERATE,+ HE ADDED.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 3-416315 EXTENSION 391.

-----o------

/6........

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1983

6

NEW METHADONE CLINIC STARTING ft * ft

A NEW EVENING METHADONE CLINIC PROVIDING TREATMENT TO DRUG ADDICTS WILL BEGIN OPERATION IN NGAU TAU KOK ON MONDAY (APRIL 18).

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE CLINIC WILL BE LOCATED INSIDE THE NGAU TAU KOK JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AT 60 TING ON STREET.

THE NEW METHADONE CLINIC WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 6 PM TO 10 PM, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, HE SAID.

WITH THE OPENING OF THIS CLINIC, THE DEPARTMENT NOW RUNS A TOTAL OF 24 METHADONE CLINICS, INCLUDING FOUR ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 13 IN KOWLOON AND SEVEN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

AT THE END OF 1982, SOME 28 122 PATIENTS HAVE REGISTERED IN BOTH THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE AND DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMMES AND THE NUMBER OF ATTENDANCES DURING THE YEAR AMOUNTS TO 2.5 MILLION.

_ - 0 - -

CORRECTIONAL SERVICES HOLD SPORTS MEET ft ft ft ft

THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL SPORTS MEET WAS HELD TODAY AT THE STANLEY FOOTBALL FIELD WITH MORE THAN 250 MEMBERS COMPETING IN THE VARIOUS FIELD AND TRACK EVENTS.

SHARING IN THE FUN WERE A GROUP OF DISABLED PEOPLE FROM THE MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE. THEY PARTICIPATED IN THREE SPECIAL EVENTS, SHOTPUT AND PRECISION JAVELIN AS WELL AS A SLALOM RACE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR CLASS.

A WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL MATCH WAS ALSO ARRANGED BETWEEN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF AND GUESTS TEAM FROM THE REHABILITATION CENTRE.

THE TAI TAM GIRL PIPERS AND PRECISION MARCHING TEAM PERFORMED.

MRS BEVERLEY GARNER, WIFE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.

- - 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING MASSIVE SUMS ON SLOPE STABILISATION .... 1

GOVERNOR TO OPEN $^O-MILLION SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX............. 4

QUARTERLY LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS ............................. 5

LEAFLET TO HELP PUBLIC GET NEW ID CARDS........................ 7

SURVEYS ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION .......................... 9

DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR WORTHWHILE PROJECTS.................... 10

COMMITTEE PROMOTES EDUCATION ON REHABILITATION ............... 11

AIRPORT INFORMATION TAIKS .................................... 12

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL SUMMER ACTIVITIES.................. 12

PRIZES FOR SAFETY POSTER DESIGN WINNERS ...................... 13

RECONSTRUCTION OF WATER STREET ............................... 13

SHORT TERM TENANCIES FOR CROWN LAND........................... 14

COVERED FOOTBRIDGE FOR TSIM SHA TSUI EAST..................... 15

TUEN MUN WATER MAINS WORK

15

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

1

GOVERNMENT SPENDING MASSIVE SUMS ON SLOPE STABILISATION ******

THE MANY STABILISED SLOPES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ARE EXPECTED TO HOLD UP WELL AGAINST RAINS IN THE COMING MONSOON SEASON.

THESE SLOPES WITHSTOOD STRENUOUS TESTS IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH WHEN TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS OF 291.2 MM AND 428 MM RESPECTIVELY WERE THE HEAVIEST FOR THE TWO MONTHS SINCE RECORDS STARTED IN 1884.

THE ABSENCE OF ANY SERIOUS LANDSLIDES DESPITE THIS ONSLAUGHT WAS LARGELY THE RESULT OF THE MASSIVE STABILISATION PROGRAMME ON SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS CARRIED OUT SINCE 1977, SAID DR E.W. BRAND, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER WHO HEADS THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE (GCG).

THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR THAT STABILISED SLOPES HELD THEIR OWN AGAINST HEAVY RAINS, HE POINTED OUT. DURING THE SEVERE RAINSTORMS IN MAY AND AUGUST LAST YEAR, THERE WAS NO FAILURE OF ANY +ENGINEERED SLOPE* INVOLVING CASUALTIES.

THE RAINSTORM IN MAY WAS DESCRIBED BY DR BRAND AS A +ONE IN 15 YEARS EVENT* AND THAT IN AUGUST AS A +ONE IN EIGHT YEARS EVENT*. STATISTICALLY, HONG KONG WOULD ONLY HAVE TWO SEVERE RAINSTORMS IN ONE YEAR ONCE EVERY 120 YEARS, HE EXPLAINED.

THERE WERE INDEED MANY LANDSLIPS DURING THE TWO MONTHS, RESULTING IN 22 DEATHS IN MAY AND ANOTHER FIVE DEATHS IN AUGUST. THESE CASUALTIES, HOWEVER, WERE CONFINED ENTIRELY TO SQUATTER AREAS WHERE MEANINGFUL SLOPE STABILISATION WORK IS IMPOSSIBLE UNLESS THE SQUATTERS ARE CLEARED, DR BRAND POINTED OUT.

♦WHAT WE DIDN’T HAVE IS A FAILURE OF ANY CONSEQUENCE OF ANY ENGINEERED SLOPE,* HE STRESSED. THIS WAS IN SHARP CONTRAST TO THE CATASTROPHES WHICH HAD BEFALLEN HONG KONG ON SOME OCCASIONS IN THE PAST.

IN JUNE 1972, A 12-STOREY BUILDING IN THE MID-LEVELS COLLAPSED, KILLING 55 PEOPLE. IN THE SAME YEAR, AND AGAIN IN 1976, SLOPES BEHIND A HOUSING ESTATE IN KOWLOON MELTED AWAY, KILLING 71 AND 18 PEOPLE RESPECTIVELY.

IT WAS BECAUSE OF THESE DISASTERS THAT THE GCO WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1977. THE OFFICE IS THE GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION CONCERNED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF GEOTECHNICAL ACTIVITIES, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE STABILITY OF SLOPES AND ON THE GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF SLOPE-RELATED PROJECTS.

ENGINEERS OF THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY MOVED INTO ACTION AND HAVE SINCE STABILISED SEVERAL HUNDRED SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF HONG KONG AT A TOTAL COST OF SOME $470 MILLION.

♦PREVENTIVE WORK WAS INITIALLY FOCUSSED ON LARGE FILL OR MAN-MADE SLOPES. IT WAS FELT THESE SLOPES POSED THE GREATEST DANGER TO LIFE AND PROPERTY AT TIMES OF EXTREMELY HEAVY RAINSTORMS,+ DR BRAND SAID.

/HE EXPECTED.....

SUNDAY, APRIL 1?, 198?

2

HE EXPECTED THAT THESE AND OTHER SLOPES ALREADY STABILISED WOULD CONTINUE TO WITHSTAND THIS YEAR’S UNUSUALLY WET SEASON, NOTING, +TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, ALL THE LARGE FILL SLOPES THAT POSED A DANGER HAVE NOW BEEN SATISFACTORILY DEALT WITH.+

STABILISATION WORK ON LARGE FILL SLOPES HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON THE GCO’S LANDSLIDE PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME.

+WE ARE NOW FOCUSING ON SOIL CUT SLOPES, ROCK CUT SLOPES, RETAINING WALLS AND BOULDER STABILISATION,+ DR BRAND EXPLAINED.

♦BECAUSE OF THE SHIFT IN EMPHASIS, WE ARE NOW DEALING WITH A GROWING NUMBER OF SLOPES,+ HE SAID.

AS THE COST INVOLVED IS GENERALLY MUCH LOWER THAN FOR FILL SLOPES, THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST OF THE PROGRAMME IS LIKELY TO REMAIN AT ITS PRESENT LEVEL OF ABOUT $50 MILLION, DR BRAND EXPLAINED.

BESIDES THE GCO’S LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME, OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SPEND SOME $60 MILLION A YEAR ON VARIOUS FORMS OF SLOPE SAFETY MEASURES.

THE LARGEST SINGLE LANDSLIP PREVENTION PROJECT IN HONG KONG NOW NEARING COMPLETION IS BEING CARRIED OUT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $60 MILLION BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO STABILISE THE HUGE SLOPE BEHIND THE TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE, DR BRAND SAID.

A SUM OF OVER $23 MILLION HAS ALSO BEEN PROVIDED FOR BASIC IMPROVEMENTS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN 1983-84 BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN A NUMBER OF SQUATTER AREAS.

BESIDES PROVIDING BASIC SERVICES AND FIRE PREVENTION WORKS, THE PROGRAMME INVOLVES FIRST AID MEASURES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF LANDSLIPS, BUT DR BRAND EMPHASISED THAT THESE MEASURES COULD NOT RENDER THE SQUATTER AREAS SAFE FROM LANDSLIDES.

LOOKING AHEAD, DR BRAND DISCLOSED THAT THE GCO WOULD CARRY OUT STABILISATION WORK ON 39 SLOPES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF HONG KONG DURING THE 1983-84 FISCAL YEAR.

THE GCO HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A TERRITORY-WIDE NETWORK OF 42 AUTOMATIC RAINGAUGES WHICH FEED RAINFALL READINGS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS VIA TELEPHONE LINES TO A COMPUTER IN THE GCO EVERY 15 MINUTES.

THIS SYSTEM PROVIDES EARLY WARNINGS ABOUT WHERE INCIDENTS ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING HEAVY RAINSTORMS SO THAT SPEEDY ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN. FOREWARNINGS CAN BE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO SQUATTER AREAS THREATENED BY LANDSLIDES.

IN THE LONG TERM, THE GCO WILL USE INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM THE SYSTEM TO ESTABLISH SCIENTIFIC CRITERIA RELATING LANDSLIPS '0 RAINFALLS. THE INFORMATION IS ALSO USEFUL FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN, PARTICULARLY OF DRAINAGE.

/GEOTECHNICAL ....

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 198?

3

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING IS MORE DIFFICULT THAN MANY OTHER ENGINEERING BRANCHES IN THAT IT DEALS WITH NATURAL MATERIALS WHICH, UNLIKE MAN-MADE MATERIALS, HAVE UNKNOWN VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS, HE SAID.

AS AN EXAMPLE, DR BRAND CITED HONG KONG’S ROCKS WHICH HAVE BEEN +DEEPLY WEATHERED* TO FORM WHAT IS CALLED RESIDUAL SOIL WHICH IS HETEROGENEOUS AND PERMEABLE TO WATER.

♦BECAUSE IT CONSISTS OF EVERYTHING FROM CLAY TO BOULDERS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES, ANY TESTING METHOD ADOPTED CAN ONLY 4PPLY TO THE PARTICULAR PIECE OF MATERIAL UNDER STUDY,+ HE EXPLAINED.

THEN THERE IS COLLUVIUM TO DEAL WITH — DEBRIS WHICH HAS ROLLED DOWNHILL FROM ROCKS AS PART OF A GEOLOGICAL PROCESS THAT IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME, DR BRAND POINTED OUT.

THESE LAYERS OF COLLUVIUM, BY THEIR VERY NATURE, ARE USUALLY ONLY JUST IN EQUILIBRIUM.

♦WHEN DEVELOPERS CUT INTO COLLUVIUM SLOPES, THEY DISTURB THE EQUILIBRIUM AND A HEAVY RAINSTORM COULD CAUSE THEM TO FALL DOWN UNLESS GOOD ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN USED,* HE SAID.

EXPLAINING HOW THE GCO HAS BEEN TACKLING THIS TRICKY PROBLEM, DR BRAND SAID, +IT IS NECESSARY FIRST TO KNOW THE GEOMETRY OF THE SITUATION, TO ASSESS THE STRENGTH OF THE MATERIALS INVOLVED AND TO MEASURE OR PREDICT THE WATER PRESSURE IN THE SLOPE.*

COMPOUNDING THE PROBLEM IS THE MINUTE-BY-MINUTE CHANGE OF THE WATER PRESSURE IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM.

♦SOUND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE AND JUDGEMENT ARE VITAL IN COMING UP WITH AN EFFECTIVE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME,* HE SAID.

THE GCO PRESENTLY HAS 97 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS, 10 OF THEM WITH PH D DEGREES. A TYPICAL ONE HAS A MASTER’S DEGREE IN SOIL MECHANICS, ROCK MECHANICS OR ENGINEERING GEOLOGY, WITH SEVEN YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND FOUR YEARS IN GENERAL CIVIL ENGINEERING.

EXPERIENCED GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS ARE A RARE BREED, WHICH EXPLAINS WHY THERE ARE 14 NATIONALITIES AMONG THOSE WORKING WITH THE GCO.

THE OFFICE IS CURRENTLY UNDERSTAFFED AND 22 MORE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN OR ARE BEING RECRUITED FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, DR BRAND DISCLOSED.

BESIDES GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS, THE OFFICE HAS 16 OTHER PROFESSIONAL STAFF, INCLUDING CHEMISTS, METALLURGISTS AND LAND SURVEYORS.

APAR FROM SLOPE STABILISATION WORK, THE GCO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH lTHER FUNCTIONS AS GEOLOGICAL MAPPING, MATERIALS TESTING, SITE INVESTIGATION, QUARRYING AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION.

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983


GOVERNOR TO OPEN $4O-MILLI0N SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX *****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEWLY-BUILT $40-MILLI0N YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND REST GARDEN ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23).

THE POOL IS THE FOURTH MULT I-MILL ION DOLLAR SWIMMING COMPLEX UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

IT IS ALSO THE FIRST PUBLIC BATHING FACILITY TO MEET THE l£EDS OF YUEN LONG PEOPLE.

SINCE ITS OPENING IN DECEMBER, IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE - AND MORE THAN 15 OOO PEOPLE USED THE POOLS DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ON A 2.34-HECTARE SITE TO THE SOUTH OF THE YUEN LONG STADIUM, THE SWIMMING COMPLEX IS WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE OF THE TOWN CENTRE.

THE CONSTRUCTION COST WAS JOINTLY FINANCED BY AN ANONYMOUS DONOR AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE COMPLEX IS MADE UP OF ONE MAIN OLYMPIC-SIZE POOL, WHICH CAN BE USED FOR COMPETITIVE SWIMMING, A SECONDARY POOL OF SIMILAR SIZE FOR LEISURE BATHING, A DIVING POOL, A TEACHING POOL FOR BEGINNERS AND A PADDLING POOL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A COVERED SPECTATOR STAND FOR 630 PEOPLE AND A TWO-STOREY SERVICE BUILDING ACCOMMODATING CHANGING ROOMS AND OFFICES ON THE LOWER LEVEL AND A GENERAL RESTAURANT ON THE UPPER DECK.

PURPOSE-BUILT CHANGING FACILITIES AND RAMPS LEADING TO THE POOL SIDE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE USE OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

APART FROM SWIMMING, RESIDENTS MAY ENJOY THE PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS OF A PEDESTRIAN MALL AND LANDSCAPED REST GARDEN.

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE GARDEN INCLUDE TWO BEAUTIFULLY-DESIGNED FOUNTAINS, ARBOURS, BENCHES, FLOWER BEDS PLANTED WITH SEASONAL COLOURFUL FLOWERS AND PARK LIGHTINGS.

A BASKETBALL PITCH WHICH CAN BE CONVERTED FOR VOLLEYBALL IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

/THE SWIMMING .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 198j

- 5 -

THE SWIMMING POOL AND REST GARDEN COMPLEX, WILL BE OFFICIALLY DECLARED OPEN BY SIR EDWARD AT A CEREMONY AT 11.15 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23).

ALSO PRESENT AT THE FUNCTION WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON AND THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD.

OTHERS PRESENT WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), W IAN MACPHERSON, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, MR MOK WAI-TAK, THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF YUEN LONG, MR JAMES WILSON, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LAU WONG-FAT.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YUEN LONG SWIMMING POOL AT 11.15 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23).

NTSD INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL ASSIST THE PRESS.

------o-------

QUARTERLY LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS * * * * *

THE DECEMBER

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE QUARTER 1982 - FEBRUARY 1983 WAS 4.5 PER CENT, WHICH COMPARES WITH 3.9 PER CENT FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1982, AND 3.1 PER CENT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.

THE INCREASES OF 0.6 PERCENTAGE POINT AND 1.4 PERCENTAGE POINTS RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE TWO PREVIOUS QUARTERS ARE STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR COLIN GREENFIELD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1983 WAS PROVISIONALLY ESTIMATED TO BE 113 000, AS COMPARED WITH 98 000 FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, AND 77 700 FOR THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.

/THE UNDEREMPLOYMQiT

SUNDAY, APRIL 1?, 198?

6

THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 2.6 PER CENT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1983, WHICH COMPARES WITH 1.9 PER CENT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1982. THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS 64 OOO FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1983, AS COMPARED WITH 46 900 FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.

MR GREENFIELD EXPLAINED THAT, CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION, PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE SEEKING MORE WORK OR WERE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED MORE WORK WAS NOT AVAILABLE. IN OTHER WORDS, PEOPLE SUCH AS PART-TIME WORKERS WHO CHOSE TO WORK LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK AND WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK, WERE NOT UNDEREMPLOYED.

IN COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, HE SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES SEASONALLY ADJUSTED FOR THE VARIATIONS IN FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME. THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1983 WAS 4.5 PER CENT.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THIS SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 15 000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 55 000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED POPULATION IN HONG KONG. PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.

MR GREENFIELD DREW ATTENTION TO THE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS USED IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY COMPARED WITH THOSE USED IN THE PREVIOUS LABOUR FORCE SURVEY.

THE EFFECT OF THIS DIFFERENCE ON THE ESTIMATE OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, HOWEVER, WAS SMALL, HE SAID.

USING THE DEFINITIONS ADOPTED IN THE LABOUR FORCE SURVEY, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1983 WAS 4.7 PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH THE 4.5 PER CENT BASED ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DEFINITIONS.

HE ADDED THAT DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY REPORT WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THERE WILL BE NO REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1983, BUT ONE COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1983 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AROUND APRIL 20, 1983.

0

/7........

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

7

LEAFLET TO HELP PUBLIC GET NEW ID CARDS *****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED A BILINGUAL LEAFLET TO TELL THE PUBLIC HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NEW HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD WHEN THEIR TURN COMES.

FREE COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND ENQUIRY SECTIONS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.

THE FOUR-PAGE LEAFLET ENTITLED +HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NEW HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD+ IS THE LATEST EDITION OF THE +HOW TO APPLY* SERIES PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.

INTRODUCING THE LEAFLET TODAY (SUNDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAIDi +THE ISSUE OF THE NEW ID CARD IS A SCHEME THAT AFFECTS EVERY HONG KONG RESIDENT, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW EXACTLY ’WHEN’, ’WHERE’ AND ’HOW’ TO GET ONE.*

A LEAFLET IS CONSIDERED THE BEST WAY TO EXPLAIN THE PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS IN DETAIL,* HE ADDED.

THE LEAFLET ALSO CONTAINS USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT JUVENILE ID CARDS, CANCELLATION OF THE OLD IDENTITY CARD AS WELL AS ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEW ARRIVALS IN HONG KONG AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE OVERSEAS WHEN THEIR TURN COMES.

HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO HONG KONG.

THE FIRST GROUP OF PEOPLE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE NEW CARD IS MEN BORN IN 1964.

THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THEM TO CALL AT ANY OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES BETWEEN MAY 2 AND JUNE 4, BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR OLD CARDS.

THEY WILL GET THEIR NEW CARDS AT NO COST ABOUT 18 WORKING DAYS AFTER THEIR APPLICATIONS, HE SAID.

THE ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9.30 PM EVERYDAY FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY.

THEIR ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWSi-

HONG KONG ISLAND

CARR IAN CENTRE BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.

TEL. NO. 5-747070

/EAST KOWLOON .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

8

EAST KOWLOON

AMOY GARDEN PLAZA, 2ND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK, KOWLOON.

TEL. NO. 3-7553669

WEST KOWLOON

CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2ND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.

TEL. NO. 3-7232424

TSUEN WAN

EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.

TEL. NO. 0-4980117

SHA TIN

SHA TIN CENTRE. PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK STREET, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.

TEL. NO. 0-6059108

SHEUNG SHU I

TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI, NEW TERRITORIES.

TEL. NO. 0-927191

YUEN LONG

HOP YICK CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.

TEL. NO. 0-771543

TUEN MUN

CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LbK FA YUEN, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.

TEL. NO. 0-862646

- - 0 -

/9........

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

9

SURVEYS ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION *****

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A SURVEY CF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS FOR THE YEAR 1982.

IT IS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME TO COLLECT ANNUAL STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SECTORS AND TO UPDATE THE INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY COLLECTED FOR THE YEAR 1981, A SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦SUCH STATISTICS WILL HELP TO ASCERTAIN THE CONTRIBUTION CF THESE SECTORS TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

+THEY ALSO WILL ASSIST IN THE STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF COSTS AND OUTPUTS OF THE DIFFERENT TRADES AND OF THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES CF SITES AND PROJECTS,* HE SAID.

AS A COMPLEMENT TO THE YEARLY ENQUIRY, A QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IS BEING INTRODUCED TO ASCERTAIN THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS.

DATA COLLECTION ALREADY STARTED.

FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR HAS

THE STATISTICAL SERIES WILL SERVE AS A PROMPT INDICATOR OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS AND OUTPUT TRENDS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND HENCE, WILL THUS SERVE A DIFFERENT PURPOSE FROM THAT OF THE ANNUAL SURVEY. TOGETHER, HOWEVER THEY WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR FIRMS BOTH, IN THESE SECTORS AND IN OTHER RELATED BUSINESS SECTORS, AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IN ASSESSING AND MONITORING THE STATE OF THESE SECTORS.

THE ANNUAL SURVEY USES DIFFERENT QUESTIONNAIRES FOR FIRMS ENGAGED IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES, NAMELY, (A) BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, (B) REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, (C) ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING AND (D) REAL ESTATE LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

ABOUT 5 3OO ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE COVERED, INCLUDING ALL THE LARGER FIRMS AND A RANDOM SAMPLE OF THE SMALLER ONES.

INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NUMBER OF DIRECT EMPLOYEES, LABOUR COSTS, CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND FITTINGS FOR CONSTRUCTION, SUB-CONTRACT WORK, OPERATING EXPENSES, VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED, VALUE OF PROPERTY UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND THE ASSOCIATED PROJECT OUTLAYS (INCLUDING LAND VALUE), OTHER FORMS OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS, ,AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.

AS FOR THE QUARTERLY SURVEY, ONLY INFORMATION ON THE VALUE CF CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BE SOUGHT, AS THE PURPOSE IS TO PRODUCE, WITH THE MINIMUM TIME LAG, AN INDICATOR OF OUTPUT TRENDS IN THE INDUSTRY. ABOUT 1 800 CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY.

/THE SURVEYS .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

10

THE SURVEYS ARE CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS) ORDER 1982 AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT) ORDER 1982, WHICH WERE MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 67 AND 66 RESPECTIVELY IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE OF MARCH 5, 1982.

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY OR ARE DELIVERED BY CENSUS OFFICERS TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED. MANAGEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT PROMPTLY. CENSUS OFFICERS WHO VISIT ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES ARE PERMANENT STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND CARRY GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS WHILE ON DUTY.

THE DEPARTMENT MAY BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AT TELEPHONE NUMBERS 3-7213809 AND 3-7224454.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO MANAGEMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES AS REQUIRED AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH CENSUS OFFICERS IN THE COURSE OF ENUMERATION.

HE EMPHASISED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD ONLY BE USED IN AN AGGREGATE FORM FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES.

------o-------

DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR WORTHWHILE PROJECTS

******

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND SERVICE AGENCIES IN KOWLOON CITY MAY APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR WORTHWHILE PROJECTS, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LEE LAP-SUN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES FORTNIGHT, HE SAIDl +AS A RULE, DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS CANNOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN NON-PROFIT MAKING AND PUBLIC PROJECTS.

♦A SECOND CRITERION IS THAT THE GRANTS CARRY NO RECURRENT IMPLICATIONS.

+THIRDLY, THE ORGANISATIONS OR AGENCIES APPLYING FOR FUNDS MUST HAVE THE CAPACITY OF CARRYING OUT THE PROJECT ON THE SCALE SUGGESTED.+

MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A GENUINE DEMAND FOR SUCH FUNDING, AS REFLECTED IN THE CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.

/+LAST YEAB, .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

11

♦LAST YEAR, THE BOARD WAS ALLOCATED $870 000 AND THIS HAS BEEN INCREASED TO $1.45 MILLION FOR 1983-84.+

MR LEE SAID ALL APPLICATIONS BOARD OR ITS COMMITTEES TO ENSURE WISELY.

WOULD BE VETTED BY THE DISTRICT THAT MONEY ALLOCATED WAS USED

THE SOCIAL WELFARE FORTNIGHT

- ......—. WAS A MEANINGFUL PROJECT AND

SERVED TO INFORM RESIDENTS OF WELFARE SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE DISTR ICT.

DURING THE TWO WEEKS, OUTDOOR PROGRAMMES INCLUDING VISITS TO OCEAN PARK, CHILDREN AND FAMILY CAMPS, AND INDOOR FUNCTIONS SUCH AS FORUMS, SEMINARS AND A HEALTH EXAMINATION SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE ORGANISED.

♦THESE PROGRAMMES AIM AT PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL CONCERN AMONG RESIDENTS AND AT INCREASING THE UTILISATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES BY THEM,* A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE PROJECT IS JOINTLY RUN BY 48 VOLUNTEER AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.

------o-------

COMMITTEE PROMOTES EDUCATION ON REHABILITATION *****

A COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP TO PROMOTE AND CO-ORDINATE ANNUAL PROGRAMMES OF PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ON REHABILITATION, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE SHAM SHU I PO PHAB CENTRE.

HE SAID THE COMMITTEE, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WAS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS IN 1981.

THE THEME FOR 1983 IS ^FRIENDSHIP - A WAY TO INTEGRATION*.

MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION HAD ALWAYS ADOPTED A VERY SPECIAL APPROACH TO THEIR WORK FOR THE HANDICAPPED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

HE NOTED THAT THE PHAB CONCEPT, EXPRESSED IN SIMPLE TERMS, WAS TO PROMOTE CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED BY BRINGING THEM TOGETHER FOR RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES.

♦CLOSER INTERACTION BETWEEN THE ABLE-BODIED AND THE HANDICAPPED IS SEEN AS THE KEY TO ACHIEVING CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTAND I NG,♦ HE STRESSED.

HE SAID THE CONCEPT +IN FACT EMBODIES THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF REHABILITATION FOR THE HANDICAPPED, WHICH IS THE FULLEST POSSIBLE DEGREE OF INTEGRATION INTO AND ACCEPTANCE BY THE COMMUNITY.*

THE DIRECTOR CONGRATULATED THE ASSOCIATION, WHICH WAS CELEBRATING ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, FOR THE INVALUABLE WORK IT HAD DONE DURING THE PAST DECADE.

------0-------- /12................

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

12

AIRPORT INFORMATION TALKS * * *

MR R.A. SIEGEL, AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER, WILL REPRESENT THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AT THE 13TH ANNUAL AOCI (AIRPORT OPERATORS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL) ASIA-PACIFIC BASIN REGIONAL AIRPORTS CONFERENCE TO BE STAGED AT CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND FROM APRIL 18 TO 21.

THE MEETING PROVIDES THE MEANS FOR AN INFORMAL EXCHANGE OF AIRPORT INFORMATION ON TECHNICAL, OPERATIONAL, MANAGERIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

- ----0-------

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL SUMMER ACTIVITIES

XXX

SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR ACTIVITIES DURING THE COMING SUMMER HOLIDAY.

HEADS OF SCHOOLS MAY SUBMIT TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT COPIES OF THEIR PROPOSED SCHOOLS’ SUMMER ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME, SHOWING SEPARATELY THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND STAFF EXPECTED TO BE INVOLVED IN EACH ITEM.

EACH PROGRAMME MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR A SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED ONLY IF FUNDS WERE MADE AVAILABLE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.

ALL ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN JULY 11 AND AUGUST 31, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.

THE MAIN CRITERION IN THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS WILL BE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES IN PROVIDING A WORTHWHILE USE OF LEISURE TIME, INCLUDING BOTH PHYSICAL AND CENTAL ACTIVITY.

UNLIKE IN PREVIOUS YEARS, FUNDS WILL NOT BE ALLOCATED FOR PICNICS AND SCHOOLS ARE ASKED TO PLAN ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE MORE EDUCATIONAL AND MEANINGFUL, SUCH AS GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD TRIPS TO OUTLYING ISLANDS OR VISITS TO THE OCEAN PARK.

ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICAL EDUCATION), (SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR SCHOOLS), PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 7/F, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, HEADS OF SCHOOLS MAY CONTACT THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION AT TEL. NO. 3-884111 EXT. 272 OR 258.

------0------- /13..............................

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

13

PRIZES FOR SAFETY POSTER DESIGN WINNERS * * * * *

A STUDENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND ONE FROM QUEEN’S COLLEGE -HAVE WON THE TWO TOP PRIZES FOR THEIR ENTRIES IN THE 15TH ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

THE WINNING ENTRIES WERE SELECTED BY A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING AN ARTS INSPECTOR FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR LEE SAU-KEE, A LECTURER FROM THE DESIGN DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MR DERICK PAO, AND TWO OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

THE COMPETITION, WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS - AN +A+ SECTION, FOR STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND A +B+ SECTION, FOR POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES. IT ATTRACTED A RECORD 675 ENTRIES.

IN SECTION +A+, THE FIRST PRIZE OF A GIFT COUPON OF $1 500 GOES TO LEE KIN-HUNG OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE, AND IN SECTION +B+, A SIMILAR COUPON, GOES TO LAI OI-SHAN OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.

IN ADDITION, 10 ENTRIES FROM EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED $300 GIFT COUPONS AS CONSOLATION PRIZES.

THE PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE +SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA* SLIDE SHOW AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL ON MAY 10.

THE STANDARD OF SOME OF THE ENTRIES IN BOTH SECTIONS WAS QUITE GOOD, MR DERICK PAO, OF THE POLYTECHNIC SAID. ENTRIES IN THE +B+ SECTION WERE COMPARATIVELY MORE CREATIVE AND FEATURED BETTER IMAGES AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SLOGANS, HE ADDED.

+MORE IMPORTANT AND ENCOURAGING FOR US IS THE FACT THAT THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO THE COMPETITION UNDERLINED THE PARTICIPANTS’ INTEREST IN AND CONCERN FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY,* HE NOTED.

0 -------

RECONSTRUCTION OF WATER STREET * * * *

TUP ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO RECONSTRUCT A SECTION OF WATER STREET BETWEEN THIRD STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO RELIEVE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREA.

THE PROJECT ALSO COMPRISES THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FOOTPATHS INCLUDING THE WIDENING OF A SECTION OF THE WESTERN fXaTH TO ACCOmJSdItE TK EXISTING COOKED FOOD STALLS AND THE ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.

/During the .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 17. 19*J

14

SECTION OF WATER STREET WEST WILL BE CLOSED TO BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD OPENED ONLY TO ONE-LANE

xtJ!^!!LTHE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD A BETWEEN THIRD STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND ITS SECTION WEST AND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WILL BE

.■NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE? THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, MURRAY BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

objectionP|nSwrit?ngCtoN?h?0J?L??ovOSAL MUST SEND H,S

WITHIN 60 DAYS G E SECRETARY F0R LANDS AND WORKS

-------o---------

SHORT TERM TENANCIES FOR CROWN LAND * * * * *

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCIES OF THREE PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

TWO OF THE LOTS, EACH OF ABOUT 375 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, ARE IN TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA IN YUEN LONG.

THEY ARE FOR THE REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE (INCLUDING PAINT SPRAYING) OF MOTOR VEHICLES OF BELOW TWO TONS IN WEIGHT.

THE TENANCY FOR THESE SITES IS FOR TWO YEARS AND THEREAFTER QUARTERLY.

THE REMAINING LOT IS IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN NEAR SHA TIN CITY NO. 1.

IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1 480 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS OF A GENERAL NATURE, BUT EXCLUDING THE REPAIRING AND BREAKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

THE TENANCY FOR THIS SITE IS FOR THREE YEARS AND THEREAFTER QUARTERLY.

THE DEADLINE FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS FOR THE ABOVE THREE SITES IS 12 NOON ON APRIL 29.

TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHA 1 ROAD, KOWLOON? AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE YUEN LONG FOR HE YUEN LONG SITES AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE SHA TIN FOR THE SHA TIN SITE.

------o-------

/15......

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1983

15

COVERED FOOTBRIDGE FOR TSIM SHA TSUI EAST * * * *

THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE AT THE JUNCTION OF CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH AND GRANVILLE ROAD TO PROVIDE ANOTHER SAFE CROSSING FACILITY FOR THE PEDESTRIANS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.

WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN JULY NEXT YEAR.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE; THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, 490-492 NATHAN ROAD, HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND, 2ND - 5TH FLOORS, KOWLOON AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.

- - 0 - -

TUEN MUN WATER MAINS WORK * * * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO HOUSES IN SOME AREAS IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 11 HOURS FROM 9 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 20) FOR WATER MAINS CONNECTION.

THE ARRANGEMENT WILL AFFECT HOUSES IN AREA 4B, AREA 26, AREA 36, AREA 10 (INCLUDING TUEN MUN CLINIC), AREA 11, AREA 37A, AND AREA 37B (INCLUDING YAN 01 POLYCLINIC) IN TUEN MUN; ON TING ESTATE, YAU 01 ESTATE, SAN FAT ESTATE, SAM SHING ESTATE. ALSO AFFECTED WILL BE HOUSES ALONG CASTLE. PEAK ROAD FROM TSENG TAU TSUEN SHEUNG TSUEN TO TAI LAM CHUNG, INCLUDING ALL VILLAGES, VILLAS AND PEARL ISLAND.

- - 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 198}

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO URBAN COUNCIL ........................ 1

AIRBORNE TRADE INCREASES NINE PER CENT ........................ 2

CONCESSIONARY WATER CHARGES OFFERED ........................... 5

MORE SCHOOLS MAY GET COMPUTER STUDIES ......................... 5

NEED FOR INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES FOR AGED ...................... 7

WARNING ABOUT ILLEGAL CAR PLATES .............................. 7

JOB TRAINING MANUALS FOR TEXTILE INDUSTRY ..................... 8

NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR SHEUNG SHUI ......................... 8

FRESH WATER CUT ............................................

WATER FIGURES

9

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1983

1

GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO URBAN COUNCIL

* M * M

THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS SEEN MANY CHANGES IN ITS COMPOSITION FUNCTIONS AND METHOD OF SELECTION IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSITION OVER THE 100 YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY.

AND IT HAS GROWN FROM A SANITARY BOARD WITH THREE OFFICIALS IN 1883 TO AN ENLARGED ASSEMBLY COMPRISING 30 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO DATE, HE ADDED.

♦THAT IS A REFLECTION OF THE NEED FOR PUBLIC BODIES TO RESPOND TO THE CHANGES IN THE SOCIETY WHICH THEY SERVE.

♦THE SANITARY BOARD GREW OUT OF A REQUIREMENT TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG THEN LIVED,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.

THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING Al THE SPECIAL URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY MEETING HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS TODAY (MONDAY) TO MARK THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S PREDECESSOR BODY, THE SANITARY BOARD, IN 1883.

THIS YEAR IS ALSO THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RECONSTITUTION CF THE COUNCIL IN 1973 AND MARKS THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE NEW PROCESS UNDER WHICH MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE FOR THE FIRST TIME BEEN ELECTED ON A CONSTITUENCY BASIS.

SIR EDWARD RECALLED THAT WHEN SIR GEORGE BOWEN BECAME THE GOVERNOR IN 1883, HE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO INFORM THE SECRETARY CF STATE THAT ♦PARTS OF HONG KONG WERE OVERCROWDED, FILTHY AND DEFICIENT IN ALL THE PRIMARY ELEMENTS OF HEALTH AND DECENCY+.

HOWEVER, HE SAID: +WHEN I ASSUMED THE GOVERNORSHIP SOME 99 YEARS LATER I FOUND NO NECESSITY TO REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN A SIMILAR VEIN.

♦THAT THE NEED HAS GONE OWES MUCH OF THE DETERMINATION OF THIS COUNCIL OVER THE YEARS TO MAKE HONG KONG A CLEANER AND PLEASANTER PLACE TO LIVE IN TO THE BENEFIT BOTH OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND OUR INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION.+

BUT HE ADDED QUICKLY THAT THE COUNCIL’S AREA OF CONCERN HAD LONG GONE BEYOND CLEANSING AND HYGIENE.

WITH ITS INTEREST IN MARKETS, STREET TRADERS, LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AS WELL AS CULTURE, THE COUNCIL IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES WHICH CLOSELY AFFECT THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF LOCAL CITIZENS.

♦THEIR EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT CAN CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR SOCIETY BY MAKING THIS CITY A PLEASANTER, EASIER AND LESS STRESSFUL PLACE TO LIVE IN, AND IN SO DOING CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE SOCIAL EVILS OF THE MODERN WORLD FIND IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GROW.+

/AS THE

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 198?

- 2 -

AS THE POPULATION IN THE AREA FOR WHICH THE URBAN COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE HAS GROWN ENORMOUSLY IN THE POST WAR YEARS. SIR EDWARD CONSIDERED IT FIT THAT ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE COUNCIL TO REINFORCE ITS CONTACTS WITH THOSE WHOM IT REPRESENTS +NOT ONLY THROUGH ELECTIONS ON A WIDER FRANCHISE BUT THROUGH THE PROVISION OF SEATS FOR ELECTED COUNCILLORS ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES*.

♦THIS WILL IMPROVE THE ACCESS OF THE COUNCIL TO THE VIEWS OF THOSE ON WHOSE BEHALF YOU ACT AND ENABLE YOU TO REFLECT THE NEEDS OF THE DISTRICTS IN THE DECISIONS WHICH YOU TAKE.

♦IT WILL IN TURN PROVIDE A MEANS BY WHICH THE POLICIES ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL CAN BE EXPLAINED AND GAIN ACCEPTANCE AT DISTRICT LEVEL,+ HE SAID.

IN PAYING TRIBUTE TO BOTH PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL, SIR EDWARD ADDEDs + IN THE AREA OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES IT WILL BE YOUR TASK, AND IT IS A CHALLENGING ONE, TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR FAST DEVELOPING URBAN SOCIETY AND I WISH YOU ALL EVERY SUCCESS IN IT.+

-----o-----

AIRBORNE TRADE INCREASES NINE PER CENT * * * *

HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE LAST YEAR, VALUED AT $62 063 MILLION, INCREASED BY NINE PER CENT OVER THE 1981 FIGURE, ACCORDING TO SUMMARY STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.

AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS, VALUED AT $21 966 MILLION, INCREASED BY THREE PER CENT; IMPORTS, AT $29 584 MILLION, ROSE BY 15 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS AT 110 513 MILLION, INCREASED BY FIVE PER CENT.

LAST YEAR’S AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS MADE UP 26 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IMPORTS MADE UP 21 PER CENT OF TOTAL VALUE AND RE-EXPORTS 24 PER CENT OF TOTAL VALUE, THE DEPARTMENT STATED.

IN TERMS OF WEIGHT, TOTAL AIRBORNE EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO 172 609 TONNES, OR 1.8 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPORTS TONNAGE, AND AIRBORNE IMPORTS CAME TO 133 148 TONNES, REPRESENTING 0.4 PER CENT CF TOTAL IMPORT TONNAGE.

BY COMMODITY, INCREASES IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED MAINLY IN JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS* AND SILVERSMITHS* WARES (BY $247 MILLION OR 28%), OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY $233 MILLION OR 38%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $132 MILLION OR 2%), AND MISCELLANEOUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, PARTS, AND ACCESSORIES (BY $122 MILLION OR 59%).

HOWEVER, DECLINES WERE RECORDED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $468 MILLION OR 22%), AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $74 MILLION OR 30%).

/FURTHER ANALYSIS .......

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 198?

3

FURTHER ANALYSIS OF COMMODITY BY COUNTRY REVEALED GROWTH IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $424 MILLION CR 25%) AND CLOTHING (BY $79 MILLION OR 2%) TO THE U.S.A., BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS. GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS TO CANADA (BY $74 MILLION OR 215%), AND CLOTHING TO JAPAN (BY $56 MILLION OR 7%).

HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PARTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND' AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES TO THE U.S.A. (BY $502 MILLION OR 28%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $82 MILLION OR 19%) AND TO JAPAN (BY $14 MILLION CR 7%).

THERE WERE INCREASES IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $1 526 MILLION OR 57%), THEMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS TRANSISTORS AND PARTS (BY $791 MILLION OR 21%), CLOTHING (BY $225 MILLION OR 29%), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPARATUS (BY $129 MILLION OR 25%) AND JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS* AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $101 MILLION OR 16%).

IN CONTRAST, DECREASES WERE NOTED IN THE SUPPLY, BY AIR, OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1 070 MILLION OR 16%), AS WELL AS PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $211 MILLION OR 14%).

INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS FROM TAIWAN (BY $426 MILLION OR 85%); FROM JAPAN (BY $269 MILLION OR 24%), AND FROM THE U.S. (BY $210 MILLION OR 18%). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE ALSO REGISTERED IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS FROM JAPAN (BY $373 MILLION OR 11%), FROM SWITZERLAND (BY $260 MILLION OR 16%) AND FROM REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY $231 MILLION OR 35%).

AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS EXPERIENCED SLOW GROWTH IN 1982. CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN VALUE WERE REGISTERED FOR PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $346 MILLION OR 21%), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $122 MILLION OR 25%), CRUDE VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $56 MILLION CR 18%) AND CLOTHING (BY $53 MILLION OR 18%). ON THE OTHER HAND, AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY (BY $248 MILLION OR 11%).

THE UNITED STATES WAS THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS, WITH A VALUE OF $1 851 MILLION (AN INCREASE OF $273 MILLION OR 17%). NOTABLE INCREASES WERE ALSO -EGISTERED IN AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG (BY $154 MILLION OR 126%), TO JAPAN (BY $130 MILLION OR 13%), TO SINGAPORE (BY $103 MILLION OR 8%) AND TO THE PHILIPPINES (BY MILLION OR 31%). ON THE OTHER HAND, AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO JSkAEL AND CHINA DECREASED CONSIDERABLY (BY $81 MILLION OR 21> AND “Y $31 MILLION OR 8% RESPECTIVELY).

FOLLOWING .

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 198?

4

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF

THE TEN MAJOR MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS!-

c-T 'Y-P* INCREASE/

1982 1981 DECREASE PERCENTAGE

(HK$ MN. ) (HK$ MN-*) (HK$ MN.) CHANGE

U.S.A. 9 886 9 659 ♦227 ♦ 2

FED. REP. OF GERMANY 1 957 2 003 - 46 - 2

JAPAN 1 427 1 367 + 60 ♦ 4

U.K. 1 278 1 394 -116 - 8

CANADA 786 666 ♦120 +18

SWITZERLAND 589 564 + 25 + 4

NETHERLANDS 521 442 ♦ 79 +18

SINGAPORE 516 379 +137 +36

FRANCE 433 537 -104 -19

AUSTRALIA 409 392 + 17 + 4

AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE ( □ 1 VEN BELOW

INCREASE/

1982 1981 DECREASE PERCENTAGE

(HK$ MN. ) (HK| MN.) (HKS MN.) CHANGE

JAPAN 6 298 6 012 +286 + 5

U.S.A. 5 799 5 089 +710 + 14

U.K. 2 104 1 507 +597 + 40

SWITZERLAND 1 980 2 139 -159 - 7

TAIWAN 1 964 1 457 +507 + 35

SINGAPORE 1 388 1 260 +128 + 10

REP. OF KOREA

(S. KOREA) 1 196 1 295 - 99 - 8

BELGIUM AND

LUXEMBOURG 1 068 435 ♦633 + 146

FED. REP. OF GERMANY 1 008 803 *205 + 26

ITALY 1 000 791 ♦209 + 26

FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTA INED IN THE DECEMBER 1982 ISSUED

OF THE +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT

PUBLICATIONS CENTRE. — — — — o /5

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1983

5

CONCESSIONARY WATER CHARGES OFFERED *****

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT LETTERS HAD BEEN SENT TO LARGE TRADE CONSUMERS ADVISING THEM TO APPLY FOR THE CONCESSIONARY TARIFF WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1983.

THE BASIC RATE FOR TRADE SUPPLY IS $7.60 PER UNIT OF 1 000 GALLONS AND THE CONCESSIONARY RATE IS $6.40 PER UNIT.

THE CONCESSIONARY RATE APPLIES ONLY TO CONSUMPTION IN EXCESS OF 6 000 UNITS PER FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD OR WHERE WATER COSTS AT $7.60 PER UNIT CONSTITUTE THREE PER CENT OR MORE OF TOTAL OPERATING COSTS. THIS IS SUBJECT TO APPLICANTS NESTING OTHER CRITERIA DETAILED IN THE ADVISORY LETTER.

THE CONCESSION IS AIMED AT GIVING TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN TRADES WHICH INTRODUCE MEASURES TO ECONOMISE IN THE USE OF WATER, AND WILL BE WITHDRAWN ON MARCH 31, 1984.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE CONCESSION WOULD APPLY FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILLING PERIOD FOLLOWING THE RECEIPT OF THE VALID APPLICATION BY THE DEPARTMENT.

+IT IS IMPERATIVE, THEREFORE, THAT LARGE TRADE CONSUMERS SHOULD APPLY ON OR BEFORE JULY 30, 1983 OTHERWISE THEIR APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED,* HE SAID.

ANY TRADE CONSUMER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED AN ADVISORY LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT, BUT WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS WATER CONSUMPTION HAD INCREASED TO A LEVEL WHICH MIGHT QUALIFY HIM FOR THE CONCESSION (OR ANY NEW CONSUMER ANTICIPATING HIGH CONSUMPTION), SHOULD MAKE AN APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE CONCESSION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE COLLECTED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S ENQUIRY CENTRES ON THE 11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, OR ARGYLE STREET DEPOT, KOWLOON.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CONCESSIONARY TARIFF PLEASE CONTACT MR PETER CHAN, TELEPHONE NO. 5-7900348.

------o-------

MORE SCHOOLS MAY GET COMPUTER STUDIES X X X X X

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING EXTENDING COMPUTER STUDIES TO OTHER SCHOOLS FOLLOWING FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM PUPILS AND SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT SCHEME INTRODUCED LAST SEPTEMBER.

THIS PROPOSAL, HOWEVER, WILL DEPEND ON THE RESULTS OF A FULL EVALUATION REPORT AT THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FINAL POLICY APPROVAL.

/♦THE COMPUTER ......

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 198? -

6

♦THE COMPUTER SYLLABUS IN FORM IV AND V IS UNTRIED AND MAY NEED TO BE ADJUSTED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE. ALSO WE HAVE TO EE FULLY AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE SUITABILITY OF EQUIPMENT OR CURRICULUM MATERIAL,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

GIVEN THAT ALL FACTORS ARE FAVOURABLE, THE EARLIEST DATE FOR EXTENSION OF COMPUTER STUDIES IN SCHOOLS WOULD BE SEPTEMBER 1984, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE EVALUATION REPORT AT THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE DESIRABILITY OF INTRODUCING COMPUTER EDUCATION TO JUNIOR SECONDARY, PRIMARY OR SIXTH FORM LEVELS.

NEARLY $2 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT IN LAUNCHING THE PILOT SCHEME. THIS INVOLVED 30 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, EACH HAVING AT LEAST NINE MICRO-COMPUTERS, FIVE OR MORE DISC DRIVES, A CASSETTE TAPE-RECORDER AND TWO PRINTERS.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE HAS BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THE SCHEME AND HAS FOUND THAT OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE PUPILS CONSIDER THE COURSE INTERESTING AND WITHIN THEIR ABILITY. TEACHERS TOO CONSIDER THE COURSE CONTENTS SUITABLE.

APART FROM THE 30 PILOT SECONDARY SCHOOLS, 45 OTHER SCHOOLS ALSO APPLIED TO INTRODUCE THIS SUBJECT. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN PRINCIPLE GAVE THEM PERMISSION ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT WOULD BE PROVIDED FROM THE SCHOOLS’ OWN RESOURCES.

+ IT IS EXPECTED THAT ABOUT 4 000 PUPILS WILL BE SITTING COMPUTER STUDIES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MAY 1984,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE DEPARTMENT, IN PREPARATION FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS SUBJECT, BEGAN COURSES FOR TEACHERS AS FAR BACK AS 1977 IN CONJUNCTION WITH HKU, CUHK AND THE POLYTECHNIC. IN ALL, NEARLY 2 000 TEACHERS WENT THROUGH THESE COURSES, WHICH INCLUDED SUCH TOPICS AS A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER APPLICATION IN EDUCATION, AND PROGRAMMING IN FORTRAN AND BASIC.

THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDES A SUPPORTING SERVICE TO SCHOOLS IN THE PROVISION OF RELATED AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS AND IN SUPPLYING TEACHING MATERIAL AND ADVISING TEACHERS ON THE USE OF REFERENCE BOCKS.

THE SCHOOLS INVOLVED IN THE SUBJECT - BOTH PILOT AND NON-PILOT -ARE ALSO VISITED REGULARLY BY SUBJECT INSPECTORS WHO OFFER ADVICE AND GUIDANCE WHERE NEEDED.

♦COMPUTER ’STUDIES’ IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT 3E CONFUSED WITH COMPUTER ’AWARENESS* IN SCHOOLS ELSEWHERE. IT IS ONE THING TO LET SMALL CHILDREN PLAY AROUND WITH COMPUTERS, QUITE ANOTHER TO ENCOURAGE OLDER CHILDREN TO STUDY AND USE THEM,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

------o---------

/7........

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1983

7

NEED FOR INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES FOR AGED * * * *

THE ’CARE IN THE COMMUNITY’ CONCEPT DOES NOT OBVIATE THE NEED FOR INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES FOR A PROPORTION OF OUR ELDERLY POPULATION.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) WHEN HE OPENED THE KOWLOON WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB’S WONG CHEUNG KIN MEMORIAL HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY.

♦WHEN CARE IN THE COMMUNITY IS NO LONGER VIABLE OR SATISFACTORY BECAUSE OF INCREASING FRAILTY, OR THE ABSENCE OR INABILITY OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO PROVIDE THE ELDERLY WITH THE CARE AND SUPPORT NEEDED, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES ARE THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE,♦ HE SAID.

THE NEW HOSTEL, LOCATED AT SHUN TIN ESTATE IN KWUN TONG, HAS A CAPACITY FOR 164 ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN.

IT WAS NAMED AFTER THE LATE MOTHER OF MR WONG CHO-TONG, WHO HAD DONATED $1 MILLION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT.

MR CHAMBERS SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THE HOSTEL WOULD DO MUCH TO SERVE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN NEED OF SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION.

THE KOWLOON WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB WAS FOUNDED IN 1956 TO PROMOTE AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND WELFARE PROJECTS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

THE OPENING OF THIS HOSTEL MARKED THE BEGINNING OF A NEW PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE CLUB’S ACTIVITIES, THE DIRECTOR SAID.

------o-------

WARNING ABOUT ILLEGAL CAR PLATES M M M

OWNERS OF VEHICLES ARE CAUTIONED AGAINST BUYING REFLECTIVE NUMBER PLATES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REVISED ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS.

A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL PLATES HAD BEEN SPOTTED ON THE ROADS AND THE POLICE HAD BEEN REQUESTED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST OFFENDERS, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (LICENSING) OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR COLIN PRISTON, SAID TODAY.

♦THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE BRITISH SPECIFICATION FOR REFLECTIVE NUMBER PLATE BS AU 145 (A> WILL BE A FINE OF SI OOO AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT,* MF. PRISTON WARNED.

APPROVED MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH OFF IC IA^ LETTERS FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, AND PROSPECTIVE BUYERS ARE ADVISED TO CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-259494 IF THEY ARE IN DOUET.

THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JUNE 1, 1983 FOR ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED ON OR AFTER THAT DATE, WHILE ALL CURRENTLY REGISTERED VEHICLES MUST BE FITTED WITH REFLECTIVt NUMBER PLATES

BY JUNE 1, 1985. -------------------------------o--------

/8.......

. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 198?

- 8 -JOB TRAINING MANUALS FOR TEXTILE INDUSTRY MX**

TWO MANUALS ON MODEL TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE SPINNING AND TEXTURISING BRANCHES AND THE WEAVING BRANCH OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED.

THE MANUALS WERE COMPILED BY THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE FORMER HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, NOW REPLACED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.

THE MODEL TRAINING PROGRAMMES LISTED IN THE TWO MANUALS INCLUDE PRINCIPAL JOBS AT THE TECHNOLOGIST, TECHNICIAN AND CRAFTSMAN LEVELS IN THE TWO BRANCHES OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD, MR FEI LEE, SUGGESTED THAT EMPLOYERS IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY COULD DRAW UP THEIR OWN TRAINING PROGRAMMES ON THE GUIDELINES SET IN THE MANUALS.

+A TRAINEE OR AN APPRENTICE SHOULD RECEIVE TRAINING IN MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE ACTIVITIES LISTED IN THE MODEL TRAINING PROGRAMMES,* HE SAID.

THE TRAINING BOARD IS CONFIDENT THAT THE MODEL TRAINING PROGRAMMES WILL ASSIST IN RAISING THE STANDARD OF TRAINING, RESULTING IN A MORE EFFICIENT WORKFORCE.

THE BILINGUAL TRAINING MANUALS ARE ON SALE AT $15 AND $19 EACH, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.

- - - - 0 ----

NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR SHEUNG SHUI

* * M *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED A CONTRACT TO MITSUI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 28 OOO-CUBIC METRE SERVICE RESERVOIR AT TABLE HILL, SHEUNG SHUI, AND THE LAYING OF ABOUT 750 METRES OF PUMPING MAINS.

THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN $17.4 MILLION, WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION) OF THE DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY.

MR LEE SAID AT PRESENT WATER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES COMES FROM TAU.

SUPPLY TO THE NOCTHEASTERN PART THE TREATMENT WORKS AT TAI PO

HOWEVER, WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FROM CURRENT AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA, IT IS NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT THE NEW SCHEME AT SHEUNG SHUI, HE SAID.

THE SCHEME, WHICH WILL AUGMENT THE EXISTING SUPPLY SYSTEM, WILL COMPRISE A TREATMENT PLANT AND PUMPING STATION AT ORB HILL, A SERVICE RESERVOIR AT TABLE HILL AND ASSOCIATED PIPE LINES.

THE RESERVOIR WILL BE COVERED WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE. THE ROOF WILL BE TOPPED OFF WITH SOIL AND GRASS AND THE RESERVOIR SITE WILL BE LANDSCAPED.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1983

9

FRESH WATER CUT * * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WONG CHUK HANG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS BETWEEN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (APRIL 20 AND 21) TO FACILITATE MAINS WORK.

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE SUSPENSION WILL BE FOR NINE HOURS FROM 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 20) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AND VILLAGES ALONG:

* TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON HANG TSUEN AND SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROAD;

M CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROAD AND LOK MA CHAU ;

ft FAN KAM ROAD BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROAD AND CHIU KENG TSUEN ;

ft JOCKEY CLUB ROAD BETWEEN FANLING ROUNDABOUT AND SAN FUNG AVENUE, INCLUDING SHEK WU HUI AND SHEUNG SHU I TSUEN;

ft MAN KAM TO ROAD BETWEEN SAN FUNG AVENUE AND MAN KAM TO POLICE POST, INCLUDING THE LO WU K.C.R. STATION AND MUK WU PUMPING STATION;

* SHA TAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT AND SHA TAU KOK MARKET, INCLUDING LUEN WO HUI AND ON LOK TSUEN; AND

* PING CHE ROAD BETWEEN SHA TAU KOK ROAD AND TA KWU LING POLICE STATION.

IN WONG CHUK HANG, THE SUSPENSION WILL BE FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 21).

THIS SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG SHUM WAN ROAD, INCLUDING THOSE SOUTH OF THE MARINE POLICE STATION.

- - o - -

WATER FIGURES * * *

STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 78.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 451.640 MILLION CUBIC HiTRES.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 204.571 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 35.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.

- - c -

PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPPLEMENT SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR SIR EDWARD YOUDE, GCMG, MBE AT THE

MEETING OF URBAN COUNCIL ON 18 APRIL 1983

Mr Chairman,

It is a great pleasure for me to be present today at this Special Meeting of the Urban Council. It marks this 1OOth Anniversary of the establishment of the Council’s predecessor body, the Sanitary Board in 1883. This year is also the 10th Anniversary of the reconstitution of the Council in 1973: and to add to the importance of the occasion we mark also the successful completion of the new process under which members of the Council have for the first time been elected on a constituency basis. It gives me the opportunity too to congratulate you, Mr Chairman, on your election for a further period of office. I might add that if our predecessors in the ’30s had got round to things two years earlier and acted in 1933 instead of 1935 we could have completed the pattern and celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Urban Council itself in our celebrations today.

In the process of transition over the 100 years of its existence from a three man Sanitary Board, all officials of the Government, to this enlarged assembly of 30 members, all Unofficials, the Council has seen many changes in its composition functions and method of selection. That is a reflection of the need for public bodies to respond to the changes in the society which they serve. The Sanitary Board grew out of a requirement to improve the environment in which the population of

/Hong Kong........

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

2

Hong Kong then lived. In 1883 Sir George Bowen, on becoming Governor, found it necessary to inform the Secretary of State that parts of Hong Kong were overcrowded, filthy and deficient in all the primary elements of health and decency. When I assumed the Governorship some 99 years later I found no necessity to report to the Secretary of State in a similar vein. That the need has gone owes much of the determination of this Council over the years to make Hong Kong a cleaner and pleasanter place to live in to the benefit both of the people who live here and our international reputation.

The Council’s area of concern has long gone beyond cleansing and hygiene. With your interest in markets, street traders, libraries and museums, and recreational facilities, as well as culture, you are now responsible for activities and facilities which closely affect the everyday life of our citizens. Their efficient management can contribute greatly to the well-being of our society by making this city a pleasanter, easier and less stressful place to live in, and in so doing create an environment in which the social evils of the modem world find it more difficult to grow.

The population in the area for which this Council is responsible has also grown enormously in the post war years. It is therefore fitting that arrangements have been made for the Council to reinforce its contacts with those whom it represents not only through elections on a wider franchise but through the provision of seats for elected councillors on the District Boards in their constituencies. This will improve the access of the Council to the views of those on whose behalf you act and enable you to reflect the needs of the districts in the decisions which you take. It will in turn provide a means by which the policies adopted by the Council can be explained and gain acceptance at District level.

/ Before concluding, ........

3

Before concluding, Mr Chairman, I should like to pay tribute to the contribution to the work of the Council which has been made by its members both past and present. There are three still serving, of whom you are one Mr Chairman, whose service stretches over more than two decades. The community is grateful to you all for the contribution you have made. And now the Council welcomes new faces. With them will come, I am sure, new ideas and new perspectives. In the area of your responsibilities it will be your task, and it is a challenging one, to meet the needs of our fast developing urban society and I wish you all every success in it.

0

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

WORLD ATTENTION al HK GOLD MARKET .............................. 1

THOUGHTS ON URBAN RENEWAL ...................................... 2

ELECTION CANDIDATES URGED TO COME FORWARD ...................... 4

COACH LINK FOR OUTLYING DEVELOPEMENTS .......................... 5

REMEDIAL TEACHING SERVICE A SUCCESS ............................ 6

GOOD HEALTH POSTER DESIGN AND SLOGAN CONTEST ................... 6

QUARTERLY HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ..................................... 7

REMINDER TO MANUAL WORKERS TAKING UP OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT .... 8

PERMITS FOR CARS TO CROSS BORDER ............................... 9

DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ........................................ 9

IMMIGRATION OFFICERS PASSING OUT PARADE ....................... 10

WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI

10

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983

1

WORLD ATTENTION ON HK GOLD MARKET * * * *

THE HONG KONG GOLD MARKET IS NO*/ PROBABLY THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE WORLD, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING, MR DEREK MURPHY, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

MR MURPHY WAS ADDRESSING THE EIGHTH INTERAMERICAN CONFERENCE OF SECURITIES COMMISSIONS AND SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS BEING HELD IN QUITO, ECUADOR FROM APRIL 17 TO 23.

EVEN THOUGH SYDNEY AND TOKYO ARE THE FIRST MAJOR MARKETS TO OPEN IN THE ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION, IT IS THE HONG KONG GOLD MARKET ON WHICH THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE FOCUSED EVERY MONDAY MORNING FOR THE FIRST PRICE FIXING AFTER THE WEEKEND, MR MURPHY POINTED OUT.

INTERNATIONAL GOLD TRADING IS ONE OF THE ASPECTS HE TOUCHED ON IN HIS DISCUSSION OF HONG KONG AS A GLOBAL FINANCIAL CENTRE AND AS A BASE FOR INVESTMENTS GENERALLY.

MR MURPHY CONCEDED THAT AN +OVER-ZEALOUS BANKING SECTOR IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT* CONTRIBUTED IN LARGE MEASURE TO SOME OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FALTERING PROPERTY MARKET IN 1981-82.

BUT HE STRESSED THAT THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SYSTEM REMAINED FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND.

+INDEED, IT MIGHT BE ARGUED THAT THE FAILURE OF A SMALL HANDFUL OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WILL, IN THE LONGER TERM, BE A SALUTARY REMINDER THAT ONE OF THE VIRTUES OF A LARGELY FREE-ENTERPRISE SYSTEM IS THAT THE FAILURE OF THE WEAKEST LINK MAY RESULT IN A STRONGER CHAIN,* HE ADDED.

THE TERRITORY’S HIGH ADAPTABILITY IN RESPONDING TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, IN CREATING NEW FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND IN OPENING NEW MARKETS WAS ALSO ONE DIMENSION WHICH +AUGURS WELL FOR INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF HONG KONG AS A MAJOR CENTRE, ABLE TO RESPOND POSITIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY ARISE,* MR MURPHY SAID.

IN VIEW OF THE +SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR* OF SHARE MARKET TRANSACTIONS, MR MURPHY SAW A GROWING NEED FOR WORLD COOPERATION IN SURVEILLANCE AND MARKET INTELLIGENCE.

*1 PERCEIVE IT TO BE NOT ONLY OUR RIGHT, BUT OUR DUTY, TO THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTOR, BOTH ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL, FQF ThE SECURITIES MARKET REGULATORS IN HONG KONG TO TAKE All NECESSARY STEPS TO ASSIST INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY AUTHORITIES TO THE MAxlvUM EXTENT POSSIBLE, SUBJECT ONLY TO OVERRIDING LEGAL RESTRAINTS IN THE DISSEMINATION OF SECRET ;NFORMATION,* he SAIL.

ON THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS OVER HONG r'.ONG's FvTuRE, vR MURPHY EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT AN *ACCEPTABLE, PRAGMATIC SOLUTION *ILL BE FOUND TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OR HONG KONG, AND THAT INVESTMENT >N THE territory WILL BE SAFEGUARDED.*

- O

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983 2 -

THOUGHTS ON URBAN RENEWAL * * *

COORDINATED CLEAN-UP EXERCISES, HELPED BY THE FORMATION OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT TEAMS AND THE MORAL ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN BY DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ARE BEGINNING TO MAKE A REAL IMPRESSION ON PAVEMENTS AND BACKLANES.

THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) IN A SPEECH ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE OLDER URBAN AREAS TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG.

+THIS KIND OF COOPERATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL MUST BE INTENSIFIED, AND IT COULD MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN OTHER AREAS ALSO, SUCH AS BETTER CONTROL OF UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES AND OFFENSIVE TRADES AND POLLUTION, W ERE GOVERNMENT OR THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS A CONTROL FUNCTION,* HE SAID.

THE REGIONAL SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THIS WAS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT HONG KONG SHOULD CONCENTRATE ITS ENERGIES CN IN THE PROCESS OF URBAN RENEWAL.

+URBAN RENEWAL IS A COMPLICATED PROCESS? IT HAS BEEN MOST SUCCESSFUL WHEN DONE FOR SOUND ECONOMIC REASONS? BUT IT IS AL*AYS COSTLY, EVEN WHERE IT WILL RESULT IN AN APPRECIATION OF PROPERTY VALUES,* MR BARNES SAID.

♦IN HONG KONG, BECAUSE OF EXISTING HIGH DENSITIES AND THE NEED TO THIN OUT RATHER THAN INTENSIFY DEVELOPMENT, PROPER?'. VALUES ARE NOT LIKELY TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY.

+SO URBAN RENEWAL COSTS WILL TEND TO FALL CN THE RUBuiC SECTOR.*

HOWEVER, MR BARNES NOTED THAT IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT nONc KONG COULD AFFORD WHOLESALE REPLANNING AND REPLACEMENT OF DETE°1-RATED AREAS EXCEPT AT AN UNACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE OF OTHER PRIORITIES.

HE SUGGESTED, INSTEAD, THAT ENERGIES SHOULD BE CONCENTRATED ON IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, BETTER BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE, AND SELECTED URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS H AREAS OF GREATEST NEED.

ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR BARNES SAID =RIVAT£ BUILDINGS PRODUCED MUCH GREATER PROBLEMS, BECAUSE THEIR INTERNAL ORDER WAS THE AFFAIR OF THOSE WHO LIVED IN THEM AND THEIR MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE THEIR OWNERS’ RESPONSIBILITY.

/♦AT THE

TOSSDAY, APRIL 19» 1985

- 3 -

AT THE SAME TIME THEIR CONDITION AND APPEARANCE ARE CRUCIAL TO THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, AND SO A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT MUST BE THE SECOND ELEMENT OF SELECTIVE URBAN RENEWAL.+

THE THIRD ELEMENT IS SELECTIVE URBAN RENEWAL ITSELF AND « EXPLAINED THAT BY THIS HE MEANT THAT +THE INNER PARTS OF THE URBAN AREAS MUST BE EXAMINED AND THOSE WHICH HAVE DETERIORATED FURTHEST MUST BE SELECTED FOR INTENSIVE STUDY.*

THE AIM OF THIS STUDY WOULD BE TO PLAN HOW, WITH A MINIMUM CF DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS AND DISRUPTION OF RESIDENTS, A MORE ACCEPTABLE PEDESTRIAN AND MOTOR CIRCULATION CAN BE PROVIDED AND OTHER FACILITIES BUILT,* HE SAID.

+THIS IS A COMPLEX EXERCISE 'NVOLVING PLANNING, CONTROL OF BUILDING ACQUISITIONS, REHOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION BOTH OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALSO OF NEW RESIDENTIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS.

AS WE ARE DEALING WITH LEASED LAND, AND PLANNING CONTROLS ADDITIONAL TO THOSE PROVIDED IN EITHER CROWN LEASES OR PRESENT LEGISLATION, I WOULD FORESEE THE NEED FOR NEW SPECIALLY DRAFTED LEGISLATION.*

HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY THAT A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WITH STATUTORY POWERS OF PURCHASE MIGHT BE A MORE EFFECTIVE AGENT THAN GOVERNMENT IN EXECUTING THIS KIND OF PROGRAMME.

I AM BY NO MEANS YET PERSUADED THAT AN AGENCY OR CORFORATION IS THE BEST MEANS OF DEALING WITH THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS WE A.- 1 LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER IN HONG KONG.

+HOWEVER, THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ACHIEVING ANYTHING IS LIKELY TO BE DETERMINATION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE FACE CF HIGH EXPENSE AND ONLY GRADUALLY REALISED TANGIBLE ADVANTAGES.

+IF ESTABLISHING A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CAN HELP SUSTAIN DETERMINATION AND PERSISTENCE AND ALSO HELP TO MAKE THE PROCEDURES QUICKER AND MORE FLEXIBLE, THEN IT MAY BE WORTH A TRY.

IN THE PRESENT RECESSION, NOT MUCH IN THE WAY OF ACTUAL URBAN RENEWAL IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO CLEAR OUT THINKING AND PREPARE POLICY AND LEGISLATION FOR THE FUTURE. AND THIS IS WH <T WE ARE BEGINNING TO DO NOW,+ HE SAID.

0

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983

A

ELECTION CANDIDATES URGED TO COME FORWARD * * * *

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTIONS ON MAY 12 WERE URGED TODAY BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MRS REGINA IP, TO COME FORWARD EARLY AS THE DEADLINE WAS ONLY THREE DAYS AWAY.

TODAY ( TUESDAY), ONE CANDIDATE ---- MR GIUSEPPE SALAROLI (47)

FOR THE QUARRY BAY CONSTITUENCY ---- SUBMITTED HIS NOMINATION TO

THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.

LAST WEEK, MR TSE KIT-TO (51) WAS NOMINATED TO STAND IN THE TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN CONSTITUENCY.

SO FAR, THEY ARE THE ONLY CANDIDATES FOR THEIR CONSTITUENCIES.

TWO SEATS ---- ONE IN THE EASTERN AND THE OTHER IN SOUTHERN

DISTRICT BOARDS --- WERE MADE VACANT FOLLOWING THE ELECTION OF

TWO DB MEMBERS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL LAST MONTH.

MRS IP STRESSED THAT DISTRICT BOARDS HAD BEEN PROVIDING INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART DIRECTLY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.

♦PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE WELFARE OF THE DISTRICT AT HEART SHOULD SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY BY COMING OUT AS CANDIDATES IN THE COMING BY-ELECTIONS,+ SHE ADDED.

FIVE POLLING STATIONS WILL BE SET UP ON ELECTION DAY FOR THE 9 836 VOTERS IN TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN CONSTITUENCY AND THE 22 155 VOTERS IN THE QUARRY BAY CONSTITUENCY.

NOMINATION PAPERS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AND SHOULD BE RETURNED BEFORE APRIL 22.

ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR WHO HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS IS QUALIFIED FOR NOMINATION.

-----o-----

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983

5

COACH LINK FOR OUTLYING DEVELOPMENTS * * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (APRIL 19) GRANTED SEVEN RESIDENTIAL COACH LICENCES TO QUALIFIED OPERATORS.

ISSUING THE LICENCES THIS MORNING, MR RICHARD SCURFIELD, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (NEW TERRITORIES), SAID THE PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE RESIDENTIAL COACH SERVICES OFTEN CAME FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS.

HE ALSO DESCRIBED THE AGREEMENT TO RUN THE COACH SERVICES AS *A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE* BETWEEN THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE EXPERTISE OF THE PRIVATE BUS OPERATORS.

♦RESIDENTIAL COACH SERVICES ARE PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR PROVIDING PEAK HOUR SERVICES FOR LOWER DENSITY HOUSING AREAS,* W SCURF IELD POINTED OUT.

THE NEW ROUTES WILL LINK TAI YUEN ESTATE WITH.KWUN TONG; TUEN MUN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA WITH KWUN TONG; CITY ONE SHA TIN WITH KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION AND HUNG HOM FERRY PIER; CHI LOK FA YUEN WITH MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, TSUEN WAN AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.

THEIR SCHEDULES OF SERVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATION ARE STIPULATED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT. THE FARES LEVIED WILL RANGE FROM $1.5 TO $5 PER TRIP.

ALTOGETHER, THERE ARE NOW 15 RESIDENTIAL COACH ROUTES OPERATING IN THE TERRITORY.

♦MOST OF THESE ARE BEING PROVIDED WITHIN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* MR SCURFIELD SAID.

♦THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED AS DEVELOPMENT IS RAPIDLY GOING ON IN THE AREA,* HE ADDED.

FIVE MORE ROUTES ARE BEING ORGANISED AND OPERATORS WILL BE GRANTED LICENCES SOON.

MR SCURFIELD WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT BE INVITING LARGE SCALE APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL COACH SERVICES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

♦HOWEVER, APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS MAY STILL BE SUBMITTED ANY TIME TO THE DEPARTMENT,* HE SAID.

♦WE WILL CONSIDER ISSUING ADDITIONAL LICENCES WHERE IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT EXISTING PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES DO NOT ADEQUATELY SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS DURING PEAK HOURS.♦

- o -

/6.......

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983

6

REMEDIAL TEACHING SERVICE A SUCCESS *****

GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE RESPONDED FAVOURABLY TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CALL TO PROVIDE A REMEDIAL TEACHING SERVICE FOR THE LESS ABLE PUPILS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

MR LEUNG, WHO WAS ADDRESSING HEADS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG (SOUTH AND NORTH) AREAS AT A LUNCHEON MEETING, SAID THAT AN INITIAL REVIEW SHOWED THAT RESULTS HAD BEEN MOST ENCOURAGING.

APART FROM ISSUING GUIDELINES TO SCHOOLS ON THE POSSIBLE MODES OF CONDUCTING REMEDIAL TEACHING, THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALLOWED SCHOOLS GREAT FLEXIBILITY TO EXPERIMENT WITH OTHER APPROACHES SUBJECT TO CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND THESE HAD PROVED TO BE MOST SUCCESSFUL.

THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO HELD SEMINARS FOR SCHOOL HEADS AND CONDUCTED CONSULTATIONS WITH SCHOOL MANAGEMENTS AND TEACHER ORGANISATIONS TO HELP PROMOTE THE SERVICE AND IN HELPING SCHOOLS WITH ANY PROBLEMS.

MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SERVICE AND CARRY OUT REGULAR REVIEWS TO BRING ABOUT FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

- - 0 - -

GOOD HEALTH POSTER DESIGN AND SLOGAN CONTEST *****

SOME 300 YOUNGSTERS HAVE ALREADY SENT IN THEIR ENTRIES FOR THE GOOD HEALTH POSTER DESIGN AND SLOGAN COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AND MANY MORE ENTRIES ARE EXPECTED.

THE COMPETITION, AIMED AT ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO DEVELOP GOOD HEALTH HABITS, IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN ON PREVENTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT DESCRIBED THE RESPONSE AS ENCOURAGING, AND SAID ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SENT IN BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE ON APRIL 30.

THE DESIGN MUST SHOW THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PERSONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD HYGIENE, WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL IN THE PREVENTION OR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

COM?i.TITICN ..

TUESDAY, APHIL 19, 1983

7

THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS — A JUNIOR SECTION FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN EIGHT AND 12 YEARS OF AGE, WITH THE THEME ON FOOD HYGIENE; AN INTERMEDIATE SECTION FOR THOSE BETWEEN 13 AND 15 YEARS OF AGE, ON THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMUNISATION, AND A SENIOR SECTION FOR THOSE BETWEEN 16 AND 18,ON GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES.

EIGHT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED IN EACH SECTION, THE TOP THREE BEING A TROPHY AND BOOK COUPON WORTH $300, $400 AND $500 RESPECTIVELY.

ONLY ONE ENTRY MAY BE SUBMITTED BY EACH PARTICIPANT, ON PAPER NEASURING 42 X 60 CM, AND BEARING THE NAME, AGE, TELEPHONE NUMBER, ADDRESS, NAME OF SCHOOL AND CLASS ATTENDED.

ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AT 181-185 GLOUCESTER ROAD, 2ND FLOOR, HONG KONG OR THE SHA TIN HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AT LEK YUEN HEALTH CENTRE.

ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 5-720861.

- - 0 - -

QUARTERLY HOUSEHOLD SURVEY * * * *

THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR THE QUARTER NOVEMBER 1982 - JANUARY 1983 IS NOW ON SALE.

IT CONTAINS DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, INCLUDING THEIR AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS AND OCCUPATION.

IT ALSO CONTAINS INFORMATION ON HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT OF THE UNEMPLOYED AND MAIN ACTION TAKEN TO LOOK FOR WORK BY JOB SEEKERS.

FINDINGS OF THIS SURVEY ARE COMPARED WITH THOSE OBTAINED FROM THE SURVEYS IN PREVIOUS QUARTERS, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, A SPOKESMAN OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.

COPIES OF THE REPORT MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING.

- 0 - -

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983

8

REMINDER TO MANUAL WORKERS TAKING UP OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ******

MANUAL WORKERS GOING OVERSEAS FOR EMPLOYMENT WERE REMINDED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT THAT THEY SHOULD ENTER INTO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS WITH THEIR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACTS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO PROTECT THEIR OWN INTEREST.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE CONTRACTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR ATTESTATION BEFORE THE WORKERS GO ABROAD. DULY ATTESTED WRITTEN CONTRACTS WOULD NOT ONLY CLEARLY DEFINE THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES, BUT ALSO ENSURE THE REASONABLENESS OF THE TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.

ALL OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS MUST INCLUDE DETAILS OF PAY, NATURE AND HOURS OF WORK, HOLIDAYS, PAYMENT OF OVERTIME, SICKNESS ALLOWANCE, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION, PROVISIONS FOR FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION, REPATRIATION ARRANGEMENTS AND PROVISIONS FOR DEPENDANTS.

WITHOUT AN ATTESTED CONTRACT, A WORKER WOULD PUT HIMSELF IN A MOST DISADVANTAGEOUS POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A DISPUTE OVER EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS.

A VERBAL AGREEMENT OR A WRITTEN CONTRACT PRIVATELY ENTERED INTO, WHICH USUALLY DOES NOT ADEQUATELY COVER ALL ASPECTS CF EMPLOYMENT, IS ALWAYS A SUBJECT OF CONTENTION. MOREOVER, THE ABSENCE OF AN ATTESTED CONTRACT WOULD TO A GREAT EXTENT IMPEDE THE DEPARTMENT FROM INTERVENING IN DISPUTES.

♦A WORKER SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO WORK IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY WITHOUT THE PROTECTION OF A PROPERLY ATTESTED CONTRACT,+ IE OBSERVED.

THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON THOSE WORKERS WISHING TO TAKE UP OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT TO CONSULT THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT ON THE PROPER COURSES TO FOLLOW.

THE SERVICE IS SITUATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF SINCERE INSURANCE BUILDING AT 4 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.

THE TELEPHONE FOR ENQUIRIES IS 5-281035.

-----o------

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983

9

PERMITS FOR CARS TO CROSS BORDER

* M *

BUSINESSMEN WITH SUBSTANTIAL INTERESTS IN THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE MAY AGAIN APPLY FOR PERMITS FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR PRIVATE CARS TO CROSS THE BORDER AT MAN KAM TO.

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT LAST YEAR, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN BE ISSUING A LIMITED NUMBER OF PERMITS STRICTLY FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE INFORMATION OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT 61 MODY ROAD, KOWLOON.

+AND APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN MAY 16,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-7333111.

-------o---------

DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED

* * *

THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON LUI SIU-HOI ON APRIL 3, 1981 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPR ISONMENT.

LUI WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF CHAN WING-WAH ON DECEMBER 17, 1979.

-------o----------

/1O........

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1983

10

IMMIGRATION OFFICERS PASSING OUT PARADE * * *

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT A PASSING OUT PARADE OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PARADE GROUND IN SPORTS ROAD AT 9.05 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 21).

FORTY THREE ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND 36 IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS WILL BE ON PARADE.

THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE BANDS WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PARADE.

- 0 - -

WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI x x x

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 22) UNTIL 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SPRING GARDEN LANE, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, LUN FAT STREET AND JOHNSTON ROAD.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ROYAL OBSERVATORY EXPANDS WARNING SERVICES .................... 1

SECURITY CHIEF SEES VOLUNTEERS IN TRAINING CAMP................ 2

COUNCIL OF SCHOOL HEADS SET UP................................. 3

DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS PARKING FACILITIES IN MONG KOK ... 4

STUDENTS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION 4

SCENIC ISLANDS TOURS ARRANGED................................   5

LUNCH-TIME MUSIC RENDEZVOUS FOR OFFICE WORKERS ................ 6

FANLING SWIMMING POOL TEMPORARILY CLOSED....................... 6

YUEN LONG LOT FOR SHORT TERM TENANCY........................    7

URBAN CLEARWAY FOR YUEN LONG

7

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1983

1

ROYAL OBSERVATORY EXPANDS WARNING SERVICES . X X * * *

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY THIS YEAR HAS FURTHER EXTENDED ITS PUBLIC WARNING SYSTEM TO COVER THE DANGERS OF LANDSLIPS AND FLOODING DUE TO HEAVY RAIN.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS GIVING WEATHER INFORMATION AND APPROPRIATE ADVICE WILL BE ISSUED AND BROADCAST TO ALL CONCERNED.

♦THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC ADVICE TO THOSE WHO MAY BE AFFECTED AND TO ALERT THEM TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS,* THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR JOHN PEACOCK, EXPLAINED TODAY.

PREPAREDNESS, HE STRESSED, IS THE KEY FACTOR FOR MINIMISING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO HAZARDOUS WEATHER.

SINCE 1884 THE OBSERVATORY HAS BEEN PROVIDING TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNINGS TO MARINERS AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

AND OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THESE SERVICES AND INTRODUCED ADDITIONAL WARNING SYSTEMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS.

♦FOR INSTANCE, THE OBSERVATORY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING WARNINGS TO ADVISE FARMERS OF POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THEIR CROPS DUE TO LOW TEMPERATURES, WARNINGS TO ALERT THE PUBLIC OF THE DANGERS WHEN USING SOME GAS WATER HEATERS AND WARNINGS OF THE HIGH RISK OF HILL FIRES,+ MR PEACOCK POINTED OUT.

IT HAS BEEN NEARLY FOUR YEARS SINCE TYPHOON HOPE SWEPT OVER HONG KONG AND 12 YEARS SINCE TYPHOON ROSE KILLED 110 PEOPLE AND LEFT OVER 5 600 HOMELESS.

MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN OR NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH DISASTROUS EFFECTS, BUT SOME BASIC PRELIMINARY PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TYPHOONS SHOULD BE TAKEN NOW, AS THE TROPICAL CYCLONE SEASON IS APPROACHING, MR PEACOCK SAID.

♦CIVIL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS SHOULD ENSURE THAT PROCEDURES ARE ESTABLISHED SO THAT SCAFFOLDINGS MAY BE SECURED WHEN HIGH WINDS THREATEN HONG KONG AND THAT PREVENTIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN AT WORK SITES, ESPECIALLY THOSE NEAR HILL SLOPES, AGAINST DAMAGE BY HEAVY RAIN, FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS.

♦THOSE LIVING IN HUTS ON HILL-SIDES ARE URGED TO BE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF LANDSLIPS. THOSE LIVING IN LOW-LYING AREAS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR FLOODING ARISING FROM VIOLENT RAINFALL AND STORM SURGES,♦ HE STRESSED.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THE NEAREST SAFETY SHELTERS TO GO TO IF THEIR HOMES ARE THREATENED OR DAMAGED, HE ADDED.

/INFORMATION .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 198j

2

INFORMATION REGARDING THE OPENING OF TEMPORARY SHELTERS DURING STORMS IS AVAILABLE AT THE NEAREST DISTRICT OFFICE OR POLICE STATION. IT WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST ON RADIO AND TELEVISION WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.

♦OWNERS OF SMALL CRAFT SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR MOORINGS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND THAT THE MOORINGS BITTS AND CLEATS ON THEIR VESSELS ARE STRONG AND SECURELY FIXED TO WITHSTAND TYPHOON CONDITIONS,* HE SAID.

0

SECURITY CHIEF SEES VOLUNTEERS IN TRAINING CAMP ft * * ft *

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, SPENT THE MORNING AND PART OF THE AFTERNOON TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) AT THEIR SPRING CAMP IN LO WU, NEW TERRITORIES.

HE SAW MORE THAN 500 VOLUNTEERS TAKING PART IN A WIDE RANGE OF MILITARY TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ENTHUSIASM AND TEAM SPIRIT THEY DISPLAYED.

THIS WAS THE FIRST VISIT TO THE REGIMENT BY MR JEAFFRESON SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT AS THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY LAST OCTOBER.

ON ARRIVAL BY HELICOPTER AT THE REGIMENT’S CAMP SITE, ft JEAFFRESON WAS MET BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER, LIEUTENANT COLONEL MIKE BARNEBY AND SENIOR OFFICERS, WHO BRIEFED HIM ABOUT THE WEEK-LONG TRAINING CAMP.

HE WAS THEN ESCORTED TO A NEARBY FOOTBALL PITCH WHERE HE SAW A SQUADRON OF VOLUNTEERS UNDERGOING HELICOPTER TRAINING.

THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO THE LO WU AND CASTLE PEAK FIRING RANGES, WHERE TWO OTHER SQUADRONS WERE BEING TRAINED IN DEFENCE SHOOTING AND FIELD FIRING UNDER BATTLE CONDITIONS.

AFTERWARDS, MR JEAFFRESON SPENT SOME TIME AT A TRAINING GROUND IN TAI LAM CHUNG, CHATTING WITH THE VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED IN EXERCISES.

THE SPRING CAMP, WHICH COMMENCED-LAST SATURDAY, INCLUDES SUCH ACTIVITIES AS FIELD FIRING SESSIONS WITH THE USE OF LIVE AMMUNITION, HELICOPTER AND ASSAULT BOAT TRAINING AND A 48-HOUR BATTLE EXERCISE TO TEST THE EFFICIENCY OF THE REGIMENT AT ALL LEVELS.

/THE REGIMENT ........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 198?

THE REGIMENT IS A VOLUNTARY FORCE COMPRISING SOME 870 KMBERS WHO GIVE UP THEIR SPARE TIME TO BE TRAINED AS SOLDIERS. IT OPERATES AS PART OF THE GURKHA FIELD FORCE TO SUPPORT THE BRITISH GARRISON IN THE EVENT OF ANY EMERGENCY OR INTERNAL DISORDER.

THE REGIMENT PLANS TO RECRUIT 100 VOLUNTEERS LATER THIS YEAR.

A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL BE MOUNTED IN JULY IN SUPPORT OF THE RECRUITMENT EXERCISE.*

----- - o -------

COUNCIL OF SCHOOL HEADS SET UP * * * *

BETTER COMMUNICATION THE 82 SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL UP OF A COUNCIL OF SCHOOL

AND CLOSER TIES ARE EXPECTED AMONG AND WESTERN DISTRICT WITH THE SETTING principals.

FORMED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND A 12-MEMBER SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE, THE ’COUNCIL OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN SCHOOL HEADS’ WILL PROVIDE A FORUM FOR SCHOOL PR INCI PALS TO MEET REGULARLY, DISCUSS PROBLEMS AND ORGANISE JOINT-SCHOOL FUNCTIONS, THEREBY STRENGTHENING THE LINK AMONG TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

THE COUNCIL HAS FORMED FIVE WORKING GROUPS TO DEAL WITH STUDIES, SERVICES, PUBLIC RELATIONS, RECREATION AND CULTURE, AND THE DRAFTING OF A CONSTITUTION.

ALL PRINCIPALS OF GOVERNMENT, AIDED AND PRIVATE SECONDARY PRIMARY, PREVOCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN.

THE COUNCIL WILL BE INAUGURATED AT A CEREMONY AT 5 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE ROYAL HK AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS’ MESS IN BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TONY COOPER, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LEE KA I-FAT, AND THE PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER (HONG KONG REGION), MR TANG YAN, WILL BE PRESENT.

-----0-----

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1983

- 4 -

DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS PARKING FACILITIES IN MONG KOK * M * * ft *

THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF FOUR STOREY CAR PARKS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.

SITES IN MONG KOK INTO MULTI-TOMORROW’S (THURSDAY)

THE SITES ARE THE URBAN SERVICES

...... , , ----------------- -------- DEPARTMENT DEPOT AT SAI YEE STREET, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT DEPOT AT ARGYLE STREET. THE yuenNstreetBmarket Y0UTHCENTRE AT YIM P0 F0N6 street, AND THE FA

„ * ^TJ!^J?!ET!N6» MEMBERS W,LL also COMMENT ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3.4-METRE WIDE PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY ACROSS

NATHAN ROAD AT SOY YEUNG CHOI STREET AND

STREET, AND A PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY BETWEEN SAI PORTLAND STREET.

TEI

MEMBERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE MEDICAL AND MONG KOK RESIDENTS, AND THE PROPOSED

FACILITIES FOR YAU MA TAI KOK TSUI MARKET.

%

FOR THE

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE THE DESIGN OF A LOGO THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE ELECTION OF UNOFFICIAL CHAIRMANSHIP OF BOARD’S COMMITTEES AND THE REPORT ON WORKS OF THE DISTRICT’S AREA COMMITTEES.

2* THE SAME AFTERNOON, THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS

BE “IEFED THE electrification of

InC AUWLUUN~VANIUN [<AILWAT«

,MEMBERS W,LL ALSO STUDY AN INTERIM REPORT ON THE +MEET THE PUBLIO SCHEME, THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN THE DISTRICT AND THE PROPOSED MEMBERSHIPS FOR THE BOARD'S COMMITTEES.

STUDENTS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION

* * * *

PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT ENTRIES TO THE 25TH WORLD SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE HELD IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR AT THE KOREAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE IN SEOUL.

ORGANISED BY THE YOOK YOUNG FOUNDATION OF KOREA, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT PROMOTING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, STRENGTHENING FRIENDSHIP AND ENCOURAGING ART EDUCATION THROUGH THE EXCHANGE OF CHILDREN’S ART.

STUDENTS WHO ARE BETWEEN THE AGE OF SIX AND 12 YEARS ARE S.IGIELE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXHIBITION AND THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE THEME OF THEIR WORK.

/theib submission

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 198?

THEIR SUBMISSION CAN EITHER BE A DRAWING, PAINTING, PRINTMAKING OR ANY OTHER TWO-DIMENSIONAL WORK, AND THE MAXIMUM SIZE SHOULD BE 45 CM X 55 CM.

PARTICIPANTS MUST WRITE DOWN AT THE BACK OF THEIR WORK THEIR NAME. AGE. SEX AS WELL AS THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THEIR SCHOOL. THEY SHOULD ALSO WRITE DOWN THE THEME OF THEIR WORK AND THEIR NATIONALITY.

ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA SCHOOL HEADS TO JHE INSPECTOR (ART), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 4/F., NORTH POINT ON OR BEFORE JUNE 18 FOR'PRELIM I NARY VETTING.

EXHIBITION MAY BE MADE TO THE ART , EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, TEL. 5-621006

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OR 5-621967.

SCENIC ISLANDS TOURS ARRANGED * ft ft X *

PEOPLE WISHING TO TOUR THE SCENIC OUTLYING ISLANDS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN IN EXCURSIONS ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (ISLANDS OFFICE) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.

INCLUDED IN THE EXCURSIONS WILL BE TIU CHUNG CHAU, KIU TSUI AND PAK SHA CHAU.

THE EXCURSIONS ARE HELD ONCE A MONTH, ON A SUNDAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR RSS SAID.

QUITE A LOT OF PEOPLE GO ON THE SIGHTSEEING TRIPS ORGANISED BY THE RSS BECAUSE THESE PLACES CAN ONLY BE REACHED BY SPECIALLY CHARTERED VESSELS.

AND IT COSTS ONLY $10 FOR EACH PERSON FOR A TRIP TO THESE ISLANDS, HE SAID.

PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE EXCURSIONS SHOULD COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM AVAILABLE AT RSS ISLANDS OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, 55 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAI-NED BY CALLING 5-423085.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1983

6

LUNCH-TIME MUSIC RENDEZVOUS FOR OFFICE WORKERS

*****

OFFICE WORKERS IN WAN CHAI WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THEIR LUNCH AND, AT THE SAME TIME, LISTEN TO LIGHT MUSIC AND FOLK SONGS INSIDE A COSY COMMUNITY HALL.

STARTING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND FOR THE FOLLOWING FOUR WEEKS, A +LUNCH-TIME MUSIC RENDEZVOUS* WILL BE STAGED AT THE HALL OF THE ►ETHODIST CHURCH YOUTH CENTRE IN HENNESSY ROAD FROM NOON TO 2 PM EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY.

A WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN WELCOMED OFFICE WORKERS IN THE DISTRICT TO BRING ALONG THEIR LUNCH BOXES TO THE HALL WHERE THEY CAN ENJOY THEIR LUNCH, LISTEN TO LIGHT MUSIC AND RELAX.

HE SAID HAVING LUNCH IN THE AREA WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE AND MOST OFFICE WORKERS HAD TO GO FOR LUNCH BOXES.

+IT CAN WELL BE UNDERSTOOD THAT, HAVING STAYED IN THE OFFICE FOR THE WHOLE MORNING, THEY WILL WANT TO HAVE LUNCH ELSEWHERE. BUT, WAN CHAI IS SHORT OF LEISURE GROUNDS AND REST AREAS,* HE SAID.

THE FUNCTION, BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE WAN CHAI (WEST) AREA COMMITTEE, WILL BE ON UNTIL MAY 16.

-----0------

FANLING SWIMMING POOL TEMPORARILY CLOSED

* * * *

THE MAIN POOL OF THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING COMPLEX WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 22) AND THE OTHER POOLS FROM MONDAY (APRIL 25).

THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE DEFLATION AND REMOVAL OF THE AIR SUPPORT STRUCTURE INSTALLED OVER THE MAIN POOL, AS THE STRUCTURE WILL NOT BE NEEDED DURING THE WARM SEASON, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

THE WHOLE COMPLEX WILL BE REOPENED ON MAY 2 (MONDAY), THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

MORE THAN 2 000 BATHERS USED THE HEATED MAIN POOL SINCE THE INSTALLATION IN FEBRUARY OF THE AIR SUPPORT STRUCTURE, WHICH SHELTERS THE POOL FROM THE WINTER COLD.

THE STRUCTURE WILL BE REINSTALLED NEXT WINTER.

-------o---------

/7........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1983

7

YUEN LONG LOT FOR SHORT TERM TENANCY * ft ft *

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A LOT IN YUEN LONG.

THE SITE, OF ABOUT 2 097 SQUARE METRES AT TAI PEI TAU PATH IN YUEN LONG, IS TO BE USED AS A FEE PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK. tUcoJcLIEmANCY 0F THE S,TE W,LL BE INITIALLY FOR SIX MONTHS ANO THEREAFTER MONTHLY.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS ON MA Y 6.

12 NOON

TENDER FORMS, NOTICES, AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON 5 AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (YUEN LONG), YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.

-----0------

URBAN CLEARWAY FOR YUEN LONG ft ft ft ft

FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 22), THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (PING SHAN) FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TAN KWAI TSUEN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY.

NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

-----o------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR TO VISIT YUEN LONG .................................... 1

CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS .............. 1

MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR FEBRUARY ....................................................... 2

REMINDER ON INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE 1983 ................. 4

VITAL ROLE OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS STRESSED.................... 5

SHA TIN BOARD TO STRESS CONSULTATION ........................... 6

ELEGANCE ROAD FLYOVER OPENS .................................... 8

SIGNBOARDS AND OBSTRUCTIONS TO BE REMOVED ...................... 9

HONG KONG - NORWAY TEXTILE TALKS BEGIN ......................... 9

TRAINING COURSE FOR CAREERS TEACHERS

10

THUKSDAX, ATiUL ^1,

- 1 -

GOVERNOR TO VISIT YUEN LONG IXI

THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL OPEN THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AT 11.30 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23). HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY YOUDE.

BEFORE THE CEREMONY, SIR EDWARD WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR PART OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT, INCLUDING SHU I PIN WAI ESTATE, TO KEEP HIMSELF UP TO DATE ON DEVELOPMENTS AND LOCAL MATTERS.

HE WILL ALSO VISIT LUT SAU HALL WHERE MANY OF THE DISTRICT’S CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S TOUR OF YUEN LONG AND THE SWIMMING POOL OPENING CEREMONY. TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE KO^OON PUBLIC PIER AT 8.15 AM SHARP ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23). GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

------o-------

CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS * * * * *

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE) AND THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE IN KOWLOON.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, SIR PHILIP FIRST VISITED THE ILE AT PARK-IN COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 21ST FLOOR, DUNDAS STREET.

THERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE INSTITUTE’S ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (ILE), MR ANDREW FOK. SIR PHILIP ALSO TALKED TO THE SENIOR STAFF OF THE INSTITUTE AND SOME OF THE TEACHERS ATTENDING A COURSE THERE.

DURING HIS ONE-HOUR STAY AT THE INSTITUTE, WHICH IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S S35O-MILLI0N PACKAGE TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF LANGUAGE IN SCHOOLS AND AMONG THE COMMUNITY, SIR PHILIP WAS TOLD THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY PROVIDE LANGUAGE REFRESHER COURSES TO ALL OF HONG KONG’S TEACHERS.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY LATER WENT TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE AT 6 PERTH STREET WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SERVICES), MR JOHN LEUNG.

THE CENTRE, ONE OF THREE OPERATED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.

THE PRIMARY AIM OF THESE SERVICES IS THE EARLY DETECTION OF CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM VARIOUS IMPAIRMENT SO THAT REMEDIAL MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY WAS EXTREMELY INTERESTED IN THE VARIOUS PETHODS OF DETECTION AND THE SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT USED BY THE SPECIALIST STAFF IN THEIR WORK.

- -UJ-- /2 ......

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983

2

MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR FEBRUARY *****

THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN TERMS OF MONTHS AS REPORTED BY THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED FOR FEBRUARY 1983 INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER JANUARY, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE MORE NOTABLE INCREASES OCCURRED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, THE SURVEY SHOWS.

THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES — CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZE IN SEPTEMBER 1979 — AS WELL AS THE 43 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS.

AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE RESULTS IN MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, BUT SHOULD GIVE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS IN THE +OTHERS+ SECTOR INCREASED FOR FEBRUARY WHEN SOME OF THE MANUFACTURERS ISSUED THEIR YEAR-END AWARDS, THE SURVEY SAYS.

BUT THEY DECREASED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, WEARING APPAREL AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES PLUS THE CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES SECTORS AS BONUSES AND DOUBLE PAY WERE GRANTED BY A NUMBER OF COMPANIES A MONTH EARLIER.

BECAUSE OF LABOUR TURNOVER FOLLOWING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, EMPLOYMENT FOR THE SURVEYED MANUFACTURERS COLLECTIVELY DECLINED SLIGHTLY IN FEBRUARY OVER JANUARY.

IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT DROPPED AS SEVERAL COMPANIES CUT MANPOWER BECAUSE OF FEWER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ON HAND.

THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWS THAT AS MANUFACTURERS FOUND IT CONVENIENT TO GRANT THEIR EMPLOYEES HOLIDAYS AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS WORKED PER WEEK BY OPERATIVES DECLINED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN FEBRUARY.

THE SURVEY REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, AT SI.5 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY MAY BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION AT 3-7212832.

/THE POLLOWING.......

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1963

3

THE FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL TABLE FOR THE SURVEY:

A. EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS

PERSONS ENGAGED

INDUSTRY/SERVICE BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED PER CAPITA EARNINGS PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR FEB. 1983 (HK$)

(% CHANGE OVER THE FEB. 1983 PRECEDING MONTH)

DEC. 1982 JAN. 1983 DEC. 1982 JAN. 1983 FEB. 1983

MANUFACTURING -1 -1 -2 4 16 4 2 830

FOOD AND DRINKS -1 * * 5 54, -35 3 215

WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR * * -1 4 12 - 9 2 132

TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL -3 * -2 12 21 -10 2 528

PLASTIC PRODUCTS -2 -2 -2 - 6 22 34 2 775

FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS * * -2 -10 24 9 2 583

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -2 * -2 3 13 11 2 929

OTHERS -2 -1 6 5 26 4 205

CONSTRUCTION** -3 -4 -3 7 25 -27 3 481

SERVICES * * * 27 28 -34 4 203

—— ——— ————

BANKS * * -1 64 -2 -35 3 746

HOTELS -1 -2 * 55 23 -31 3 271

PUBLIC UTILITIES * * * 9 51 -39 3 864

OTHERS * 2 -1 12 35 -20 6 699

/B. ORDERS;ON-HAND in .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983

4

B. ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING

INDUSTRY

WEARING APPAREL EXCEPT FOOTWEAR

TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL

PLASTIC PRODUCTS

FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS

OTHERS

(% CHANGE PRECEDING

DEC.

1982

11

ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES

* CHANGES WITHIN + 0.5%

X* PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY

OVER THE MONTH)

JAN.

1983

FEB.

1983

20

EMPLOYEES

ONLY?

EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS

ORDERS-ON-HAND ( IN TERMS OF MONTHS) FOR FEBRUARY 1983

4.80

2.33

3.00

2.45

4.52

3.57

3.91

SITE WORKERS

NOT INCLUDED

4

*

*

1

3

2

1

*

*

5

2

*

6

3

2

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REMINDER ON INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE 1983 * * * *

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT TODAY DREW THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE 1983 WHICH WAS ENACTED ON FEBRUARY 8, AND WHICH WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE.

THE ORDINANCE CONTAINS PROVISIONS TO FIX STANDARDS REQUIRED OF INSURANCE COMPANIES AND SUBMIT CERTAIN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER TO THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, WHICH IS ABOUT TO TO ADMINISTER THE ORDINANCE.



THERE ARE VARIOUS PROVISIONS DESIGNED TO INTERESTS OF POLICYHOLDERS.

THE MINIMUM FINANCIAL REQUIRES THEM TO RELEVANT INFORMATION BE ESTABLISHED

SAFEGUARD THE

/ONE OF

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983

5

ONE OF THEM SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT ANY PERSON WHO IS CONSIDERED BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY NOT TO BE A FIT AND PROPER PERSON TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH AN AUTHORISED INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT FREELY ACQUIRE A POSITION OF INFLUENCE IN RELATION TO SUCH A COMPANY.

HE SAID THAT HE BELIEVED THE ORDINANCE WOULD PROVIDE A GOOD FRAMEWORK FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES, WHETHER LOCAL OR OVERSEAS, TO OPERATE IN HONG KONG AND WOULD NOT PLACE UNREASONABLE BURDENS OR CONSTRAINTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY OF SUCH INSURANCE COMPANIES.

HE SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY ISSUED CIRCULAR LETTERS TO ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES CARRYING ON THE PRESENTLY REGULATED CLASSES OF INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, NAMELY, LIFE, FIRE, MARINE AND MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE BUSINESS, ADVISING THEM OF THE FORMALITIES THEY WOULD NEED TO COMPLY WITH UPON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.

IN THE LETTERS, THE COMPANIES WERE ADVISED THAT THEIR AUTHORISATIONS TO CARRY ON THOSE CLASSES OF INSURANCE BUSINESS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE PROVIDED THAT, WITHIN A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE, THEY FURNISHED THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR DIRECTORS AND CONTROLLERS AND MET A NUMBER OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS.

THE LETTERS ALSO ADVISED THOSE COMPANIES OF THE NEED TO APPLY EARLY FOR AUTHORISATION IN RESPECT OF ALL OTHER CLASSES OF INSURANCE BUSINESS CARRIED ON BY THEM BUT NOT PREVIOUSLY REGULATED BY THE INSURANCE LEGISLATION.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES CARRYING ON THE UNREGULATED CLASSES OF INSURANCE BUSINESS OF THE NEED TO LODGE TIMELY APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION IN ORDER THAT THEY MIGHT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO CARRY ON SUCH BUSINESS UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE.

ALL ENQUIRIES IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID, SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE INSURANCE REGISTRY, ROOMS 1405-6, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-441711).

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VITAL ROLE OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS STRESSED * * * *

IN THE INTERESTS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY, IMMIGRATION MUST BE CAREFULLY CONTROLLED AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS REPATRIATED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, STRESSED TODAY (THURSDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, W JEAFFRESON REITERATED THAT CONTRARY TO RUMOURS, THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DISCOVERED AS A RESULT OF INTRODUCING THE NEW IDENTITY CARD.

♦NO ILLEGAL ENTRANTS CAN EXPECT TO BE ALLOWED TO STAY. ONCE THEY ARE FOUND AND ESTABLISHED AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, THEY WILL BE SENT BACK,+ HE EMPHASISED.

/MR JSAJFRESON .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983

- 6 -

MR JEAFFRESON COMMENDED THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR ITS HIGH REPUTATION AND POINTED OUT THAT ITS SERVICE IS VITAL TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.

ADDRESSING THE 79 NEW OFFICERS, HE COMMENTED ON TWO ASPECTS OF THEIR FUTURE CAREERS*

THE FIRST WAS THE PRESSURES THEY WOULD BE UNDER FROM MANY KINDS OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING VISITORS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.

+REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE INVARIABLY THE FIRST AND LAST HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHOM OUR MANY VISITORS COME INTO CONTACT WITH. THEIR IMPRESSION OF HONG KONG WILL BE COLOURED BY THE IMPRESSION YOU GIVE,* HE SAID.

HE CALLED ON THE OFFICERS TO BE HELPFUL AND COURTEOUS AND TO STAY CALM AND PATIENT AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN SOME OF THE PEOPLE THEY DEAL WITH MIGHT BE UNREASONABLE AND CRITICAL.

THE SECOND WAS THE DIFFICULT TASK OF KEEPING CRIMINALS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AWAY TO MAKE HONG KONG A MORE SECURE AND BETTER PLACE.

IN THIS CONTEXT, HE SAID, IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WOULD BE PLAYING A VITAL ROLE.

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SHA TIN BOARD TO STRESS CONSULTATION M * X *

THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL PUT GREATER EMPHASIS ON CONSULTATION AND ADVICE ON GOVERNMENT PLANS AND ACTIVITIES, AND INTENSIFY HOUSEHOLD AND INSTITUTIONAL LIAISON IN ITS FUTURE WORK, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

♦ONCE-OFF ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE DE-EMPHASISED, HOUSEHOLD AND INSTITUTIONAL LIAISON SHOULD BE LAUNCHED AT A MUCH WIDER AND PENETRATING LEVEL YIELDING MORE ACCURATE AND TRULY REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNITY INFORMATION, AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES, PLANS, SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR THE DISTRICT SHOULD BE MORE CLOSELY MONITORED,* HE SAID.

IN A LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH, HE SAID THIS WOULD MEAN NOT ONLY MUCH MORE WORK, WHICH THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF WOULD READILY DO, BUT ALSO BRINGING TO THE OPEN PREVIOUSLY DORMANT CONTROVERSIES, DISAGREEMENTS AND INADEQUACIES.

♦THIS IS POTENTIALLY CONTENTIOUS. ON BALANCE, I THINK THE ADVANTAGES OUTWEIGH THE DISADVANTAGES.*

/HE SAID .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983

- 7 -

HE SAID THE TOLERANT CHINESE MENTALITY TENDED TO CREATE BUREAUCRATIC COMPLACENCY AND OVERSIGHT AND COULD LEAD TO VIOLENT LARGE SCALE ERUPTIONS BEYOND A CERTAIN TOLERANCE LEVEL.

♦THUS PROBLEMS MUST BE IDENTIFIED EARLY, UNRAVELLED AND RESOLVED BEFORE THEY ESCALATE,♦ HE SAID.

♦ANOTHER IMPLICATION IS THAT THE ROLES OF THE DISTRICT CFFICE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT MUST CHANGE.

♦THEY WILL BECOME MORE CO-OPERATIVE AND SUPPORTIVE THAN DIRECTIVE IN HANDLING DISTRICT AFFAIRS.

♦THE INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL CERTAINLY MEAN A REDUCED PROMINENCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE PUBLIC EYE.

♦THIS DEVELOPMENT, IN MY VIEW, IS NOT A CAUSE FOR WORRY, BUT A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR A BUREAUCRACY, MATURING WITH PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.+

HE SAID BOTH THE BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD BEEN INSTRUMENTAL TO MEET THE CHANGE.

FOR INSTANCE, THE CAMPAIGN CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD WAS ABOLISHED, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WERE COMBINED, AND THREE NEW COMMITTEES TO ADVISE ON HOUSING, NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, LAW AND ORDER WERE FORMED.

THERE WAS A BALANCE OF INFLUENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF WORK WITH THE RECENT RESHUFFLE OF THE COMMITTEES’ CHAIRMANSHIPS AND MEMBERSHIPS, AND THE BOARD WAS NOW INVOLVED IN THE MORE TECHNICAL AND MORE DIFFICULT ASPECTS OF TOWN MANAGEMENT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD, SINCE THIS MONTH, DEPLOYED, TWO-THIRDS OF THE LIAISON OFFICERS TO HELP SET UP MORE MACS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND SERVICE THEM, MAINTAIN REGULAR CONTACT WITH LOCAL INSTITUTIONS, PROMOTE MINORITY INTERESTS AND REVITALISE THOSE DORMANT ORGANISATIONS WHICH WOULD IMPROVE COMMUNITY BUILDING.

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, MR TSANG SAID SHOULD THE DISTRICT BOARD SET ITS PRIORITIES RIGHT AND ACT DI SCR IM INATELY AND TACTFULLY, ITS ADVICE WOULD BE AS GOOD AS GOLD.

♦IF MY ASSESSMENT IS CORRECT, THERE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY

BE A MUCH GREATER INTEREST AMONG THE VOCAL OR SO-CALLED PRESSURE GROUP MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN DISTRICT BOARD AFFAIRS,+ HE SAID.

HE BELIEVED THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION IN 1985 WOULD THUS BE FAR MORE COMPETITIVE; MORE ELECTORS WOULD COME FORWARD; AND NEW FACES AND A NEW BALANCE OF INFLUENCE WOULD EMERGE.

0 --------

/8 .........

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983' 8 -

ELEGANCE ROAD FLYOVER OPENS * * * *

TRAVELLING TIME BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND KWUN TONG WILL BE REDUCED FURTHER WITH THE OPENING TODAY OF THE ELEGANCE ROAD FLYOVER — THE LAST SECTION OF ROUTE 3.

THE REV JOYCE BENNETT, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHO OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SAID ROUTE 3 WOULD NOW EXTEND RIGHT INTO KWUN TONG ENABLING TRAFFIC TO BYPASS THE HEAVILY CONGESTED INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREA OF NGAU TAU KOK.

IN ADDITION, SHE SAID, THE FLYOVER WOULD IMPROVE SUBSTANTIALLY THE CAPACITY OF THE KWUN TONG ROAD/LAI YIP STREET/ELEGANCE ROAD JJNCTION BY THE SEPARATION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC ALONG KWUN TONG ROAD.

MISS BENNETT SAID THAT WITH THE COMPLETION OF ROUTE 3, KWUN TONG WAS NOW SERVED BY A DIRECT HIGH CAPACITY TRAFFIC LINK, VIA THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL TO HONG KONG ISLAND AND VIA ROUTE 2 TO THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN REGIONS OF KOWLOON.

IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO KOWLOON BAY DEVELOPMENT, THE AIRCARGO TERMINAL AND HUNG HOM.

MISS BENNETT RECALLED THAT IN HER MAIDEN SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER 1976, SHE WAS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE FACT THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE ROAD INTO KWUN TONG. NOW WITH THE COMPLETION OF THIS ROUTE 3, +WE HAVE THREE GOOD ROADS BY WHICH WE CAN GET IN AND OUT OF KWUN TONG.+

LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD, SHE SAID, ROUTE 3 WOULD SERVE AS A MAJOR LINK TO JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND ANY FUTURE LEI YUE MUN CROSSING.

MISS BENNETT CONGRATULATED THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WHO DESIGNED THE FLYOVER AND SUPERVISED ITS CONSTRUCTION, AND KUMAGAI GUM I (H.K.) LTD., THE CONTRACTOR, FOR ITS GOOD WORK.

IN HIS SPEECH WELCOMING MISS BENNETT, THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR F.E. SHORT, SAID THAT ROUTE 3 WAS CONSTRUCTED AND BROUGHT INTO USE IN STAGES.

THE ELEVATED ROAD FROM WUHU STREET IN HUNG HOM TO THE SAN SHAN INTERCHANGE IN KOWLOON CITY WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN 1981 WHILE THE TUNNEL UNDER KAI TAK AIRPORT, SOME OF THE ROADS ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION, AND THE WAI'YIP STREET INTERCHANGE CAME INTO USE LAST YEAR.

MR SHORT SAID THAT THE SUBSTRUCTURE WORK FOR THE FLYOVER WAS COMPLETED IN 1980 AT A COST OF $20 MILLION AS PART OF THE WORK ENTRUSTED TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION DURING THEIR CONSTRUCTION OF THE NGAU TAU KOK STATION LINE.

+THE SUPERSTRUCTURE HAS TAKEN 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE AT A COST OF ABOUT $25 MILL ION,+ HE ADDED.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983

9

SIGNBOARDS AND OBSTRUCTIONS TO BE REMOVED * * * *

ABOUT 40 SIGNBOARDS AND ARTICLES CAUSING SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION ALONG CORRIDORS INSIDE TWO BUILDINGS IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE REMOVED IN A CLEARANCE OPERATION TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.

THE TWO LOCATIONS ARE HANG LOONG BUILDING AT 44-46 DUNDAS STREET AND THE NEW LUCKY HOUSE AT 300-306 NATHAN ROAD.

THE CLEARANCE, SUPPORTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, IS PART OF A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT PILOT SCHEME INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN THESE BUILDINGS.

COORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TOMORROW’S CLEARANCE WILL BE JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE POLICE, THE HOUSING, THE FIRE SERVICES, AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.

- - 0 - -

HONG KONG

NORWAY TEXTILE TALKS BEGIN X * X X *

DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN NORWAY AND HONG KONG BEGAN TODAY (THURSDAY) CONCERNING NORWAY’S PROPOSALS FOR A NEW BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID THE TALKS WOULD CONTINUE TOMORROW AND PROBABLY INTO NEXT WEEK ALSO.

THE TALKS WERE BEING CONDUCTED IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE BUT SO FAR WERE ONLY IN THE PRELIMINARY STAGES.

THE NORWEGIAN DELEGATION WAS LED BY MR BJORN F OESTERN, SPECIAL ADVISER IN THE MINISTRY OF TRADE, WHILE THE LOCAL TEAM WAS LED BY MR HAMISH MACLEOD, DIRECTOR OF TRADE.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1983

10

TRAINING COURSE FOR * * *

CAREERS TEACHERS * *

THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL JOINTLY ORGANISE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A ONE-YEAR PART-TIME TRAINING COURSE ON CAREERS EDUCATION FOR CAREERS TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AUGUST.

AN ORGANISING COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS, AND COURSE CO-ORDINATORS FROM ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS HAS BEEN SPECIALLY SET UP TO ADMINISTER THIS FIRST COURSE.

♦THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, CAREERS EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAS BEEN A FAIRLY INFORMAL ACTIVITY AND TRAINING FOR CAREERS TEACHERS HAS ONLY BEEN CONDUCTED ON A PIECEMEAL BASIS,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).

THIS TRAINING COURSE IS TO TIE IN WITH LIKELY INCREASE IN FREE PERIODS FOR CAREERS TEACHERS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. +IT ALSO SERVES TO DEMONSTRATE THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINED POLICY TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO CAREERS TEACHERS,* THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.

THE COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR CAREERS TEACHERS WITH SOME TEACHING EXPERIENCE.

THE SPOKESMAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT EXPERTS IN CAREERS AND GUIDANCE WORK, UNIVERSITY LECTURERS, EXPERIENCED CAREERS TEACHERS AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL BE INVITED TO DELIVER LECTURES WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRAMURAL STUDIES, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS, STARTING FROM AUGUST 26.

THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL BE SENDING LETTERS TO SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN MAY TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND TO INVITE THEM TO NOMINATE CAREERS TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSE.

SCHOOLS NOT RECEIVING THE LETTER BY MAY 18 MAY CONTACT THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE THROUGH LABOUR OFFICER MR W.K. SUNG OF THE YEAS ON 5-7956212.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

JANUARY PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE ......... 1

BUILDING (PLANNING)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1983 .............. 3

HONG KONG'S REMARKaBLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN PAST DECADE ........... 4

PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA ..................................... 6

SIX RECEIVE GOVERNOR'S COMMENDATION .......................... 6

STREET ALTERATIONS FOR MTR ISLAND LINE ....................... 8

FURTHER CONCESSION EUR PHYSICALLY DISABLED DRIVERS ........... 9

THREE CANDIDATES FOR EASTERN DB SEAT ......................... 10

RADIO PROGRAMMES TO SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE ................. 11

APPLICATION OF DB FUNDS FOR LOCAL ACTIVITIES ................. 11

NEW ROADS FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN .............................. 12

CLOSURE OF SECTION OF PRATAS STREET PROPOSED ................. 12

LEARNING IT FROM AN EXPERT ................................... 13

WATER CUT .................................................... 13

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1983

1

JANUARY PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE * * * *

THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY FOUR PER CENT AND THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS BY TWO PER CENT SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES WERE UP BY FOUR PER CENT IN JANUARY 1983, AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1982, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

MEANWHILE, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY THREE PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) INCREASED BY ONE PER CENT.

THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DROPPED BY ONE PER CENT BUT THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY NINE PER CENT SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS THE VOLUME WAS UP BY TWO PER CENT. MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPOR INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT. %

FOR THE TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD TO JANUARY 1983, AS COMPARED WITH THE 12 MONTHS TO JANUARY 1982, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY SIX PER CENT, THOSE OF IMPORTS BY FIVE PER CENT AND THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS BY NINE PER CENT. THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY TWO PER CENT AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS BY ONE PER CENT, GIVING A TWO PER CENT DECREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. BUT A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS WAS RECORDED.

PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, WHILE CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE ARE DERIVED FROM CHANGES IN TRADE VALUES, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN BELOWi

PERCENTAGE CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1983 WITH JANUARY 1982

EXPORT VALUE EXPORT UNIT VALUE EXPORT VOLUME

CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR) ♦ 1 + 7 - 6

TEXTILE FABRICS ♦ 8 + 2 ♦ 6

TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD ♦16 - 3 +20

TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES - 7 ♦ 8 -14

RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -14 - 2 -12

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ♦51 +14 +32

FOOTWEAR -31 - 2 -30

METAL MANUFACTURES +15 ♦10 + 4

METAL ORES AND SCRAP +44 +10 +31

WATCHES AND CLOCKS +23 -12 +39

TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -19 +12 -28

DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES - 2 - 2 INSIGNIFICANT

ALL COMMODITIES ♦ 3 + 4 -•

/EXPORT PRICES .......

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 198}

2

EXPORT PRICES OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED, FROM TWO PER CENT FOR TEXTILE FABRICS TO 14 PER CENT FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN THE EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR FOOTWEAR, RADIOS OF ALL KINDS AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-2% FOR EACH CATEGORY), TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-3%), AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-12%).

CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+39%), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+32%) AS WELL AS METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+31%). HOWEVER, DECREASES IN EXPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR) (-6%), RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-12%), TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-14%), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-28%), AS WELL AS FOOTWEAR (-30%).

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOWt PERCENTAGE CHANGES COMPARING

JANUARY 1983 WITH JANUARY 1982

IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME

FOODSTUFFS +24 + 6 +17

CONSUMER GOODS +19 ♦ 3 +16

RAW MATERIALS AND

SEMI-MANUFACTURES +14 ♦ 1 +13

FUELS - 2 ♦ 7 - 9

CAPITAL GOODS +15 + 2 +13

ALL COMMODITIES +15 ♦ 3 +12

IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED, RANGING FROM ONE PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO SEVEN PER CENT FOR FUELS.

IMPORTS OF MOST FOODSTUFFS ROSE IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ITEMS BEING WHEAT AND FLOUR AND SUGAR. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF LIVE POULTRY DECLINED.

IN THE CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORY, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR FOOTWEAR, RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS AND WATCHES. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF PASSENGER MOTOR CARS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AS WELL AS TOBACCO MANUFACTURES DROPPED.

THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE, WITH SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES REGISTERED FOR YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES, BASE METALS (INCLUDING IRON AND STEEL) AS WELL AS THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK AS WELL AS SILK FABRIC DECLINED.

IMPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY NINE PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.

/AS FOR .....

WOSML, APRIL 22, 1983

5

AS FOR CAPITAL GOODS, MAJOR INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, WHEREAS A SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE WAS REGISTERED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY.

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOWi

PERCENTAGE CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1983 WITH JANUARY 1982

RE-EXPORT VALUE RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT VOLUME

FOODSTUFFS ♦53 +16 +31

CONSUMER GOODS +18 + 4 +14

RAW MATERIALS AND

SEMI-MANUFACTURES - 3 - 3 INSIGNIFICANT

FUELS -35 +12 -42

CAPITAL GOODS +18 + 8 ♦10

ALL COMMODITIES ♦12 ♦ 2 ♦ 9

THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORT VOLUME VARIED AMONG THE FIVE END-USE CATEGORIES. RANGING FROM A 42 PER CENT DECREASE FOR FUELS TO A 31 PER CENT INCREASE FOR FOODSTUFFS.

FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE JANUARY 1983 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*, AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$2 PER COPY.

------0-------

BUILDING (PLANNING)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1983 ft ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THE SAFE INSTALLATION OF GAS WATER HEATERS IN ALL NEW BUILDINGS.

AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDING PLANNING REGULATIONS, PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), ENSURE THAT IN ALL NEW BUILDINGS EVERY BATHROOM WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN APERTURE IN AN EXTERNAL WALL TO PERMIT THE INSTALLATION OF A ROOM SEALED GAS WATER HEATER. THIS APERTURE WILL FUNCTION AS AN EXTERNAL AIR INLET, AS WELL AS AN OUTLET FOR BURNT GAS.

♦THIS MEANS THAT THESE BATHROOMS WILL NOT NEED ANY FURTHER VENTILATION TO BE SAFE,* A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

THE REGULATIONS WILL APPLY TO ALL NEW BUILDINGS IN WHICH GAS WILL BE USED, OTHER THAN THOSE WITH A CENTRALISED HOT WATER SUPPLY, WHERE THE PLANS FOR BUILDING WORKS ARE APPROVED AFTER MAY 20.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID PROVISION FOR THE APERTURE IN PLANS FOR NEW BUILDINGS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE VOLUNTARILY BY THE BUILDING TRADE SINCE MARCH 1982, WHEN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ISSUED A BUILDING PRACTICE NOTE TO ALL AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS.

/IN ALL ........

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 198?

IK ALL EXISTING BUILDINGS, WHERE THESE INSTALLATION ARRANGEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE, GAS USERS ARE REMINDED OF THE NEED TO OPEN THEIR BATHROOM WINDOWS OR DOORS WIDE TO PREVENT A DANGEROUS BUILD-UP OF CARBON MONOXIDE.

♦BETTER STILL, TO SAFEGUARD THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, WITHOUT ANYONE EVER HAVING TO REMEMBER THE OPEN WINDOW RULE, GAS USERS ARE ADVISED TO FIT ONE OF THE NEW RANGE OF REPLACEMENT WATER HEATERS WHICH HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.

THESE HEATERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH TOWN GAS AND LP GAS DEALERS AND ARE ALL APPROVED AS SAFE BY THE GAS ADVISER'S OFFICE

IN MOST CASES THEY CAN BE FITTED WITH VERY LITTLE INCONVENIENCE TO THE CUSTOMER. IN THE CASE OF SOME TOWN GAS APPLIANCES, A CONVERSION KIT CAN BE USED.

-----o-----

HONG KONG'S REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN PAST DECADE * * * *

PAST TRADE TRADE

THE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS ACHIEVED BY HONG KONG IN THE DECADE WERE HIGHLIGHTED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO WHEN HE REVIEWED THE GROWTH {J THE AND INDUSTRY SCENE AND THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE TRADE. INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENTS WHICH HE HAS REJOINED AFTER 10 YEARS.

ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG, MR HO RECALLED THAT THE OLD COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, WHEN HE LEFT IN SEPTEMBER 1973, HAD ONLY 1 871 POSTS

♦TODAY THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENTS HAVE A TOTAL ESTABLISHMENT OF 4 112 POSTS, AN INCREASE OF 2 241 OR 120 PER CENT. MAY I ADD THAT MY BRANCH HAS A FURTHER 24 POSTS INCLUDING MINE TO CONTRI BUTE,+ HE SAID.

♦IN EXPENDITURE TERMS, THE OLD C AND I DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY SPENT 133.9 MILLION IN 1973/4. IN THE 1983/4 DRAFT ESTIMATES THE THREE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TOTAL PROVISIONS FOR $274 MILLION OR AN INCREASE OF SOME 700 PER CENT.*

ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE, HE NOTED THAT IN 1972, HONG KONG’S POSITION IN WORLD TRADE LEAGUE TABLE WAS NO. 23, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF US$7 343 MILLION WORTH OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, OR 0.9 PER CENT OF THE WORLD TOTAL.

♦IN 1981, THE LATEST YEAR FOR WHICH WE HAVE FIGURES, WE HAVE MOVED UP TO 18TH PLACE WITH A TOTAL TRADE VALUE OF US$46 600 MILLION OR 1.2 PER CENT OF THE WORLD TOTAL. OVER THE SAME PERIOD HONG KONG’S GDP PER CAPITA WENT UP FROM US$980 IN 1972 TO US$4 766 IN 1981, AN INCREASE OF 386 PER CENT.

/+PUT IN

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 198?

♦PUT IN ANOTHER WAY, AND IN RELATIVE TERMS, OUR GDP PER CAPITA WAS ROUGHLY ONE-THIRD THAT OF BRITAIN OR AUSTRALIA IN 1972, WHILE IN 1981, IT WAS A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF OF THEIRS. OF COURSE, IN VALUE TERMS, THE SIZE OF OUR INCREASE BY 514 PER CENT WAS A GROWTH RATE HIGHER THAN FOR ANY TERRITORY, OTHER THAN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, IN THE WHOLE OF THIS MOST DYNAMIC ASIA AND PACIFIC REGION. SO WE HAVE EVERY REASON FOR SATISFACTION OVER OUR RATE OF PROGRESS DESPITE OUR HIGHER THAN DESIRED GROWTH OF POPULATION,* HE ADDED.

MR HO OUTLINED TO THE INSURERS HOW THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION PROGRAMME DEVELOPED FROM ITS EMBRYONIC STAGE IN 1973 TO THE PRESENT STRENGTH UNDER WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICES IN TOKYO, LONDON, STUTTGART AND SAN FRANCISCO LAST YEAR. HE ADDED THAT THE RECENT RE-ORGANISATION OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION; THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY IN A YEAR’S TIME WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FOR A BROADER BASE FOR OUR INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION IN KEEPING WITH MARKET TRENDS.

♦WHILE WE MAINTAIN OUR ACCESS TO THE MARKETS OF THE WORLD AND UPGRADE OUR MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY AND CAPABILITY WE ARE NOT NEGLECTING THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR COMMERCIAL INTEGRITY. THE CERTIFICATION BRANCH OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT CARRIES ON THE GOOD WORK WELL BEGUN MANY MANY YEARS AGO, WHILE THE CUSTOMS AMD EXCISE SERVICE CHECKS MANIFESTS AND VERIFIES THE ACCURACY OF CONSIGNMENTS AGAINST EXPORT LICENCES. THESE ARE PERHAPS AREAS OF LEAST CHANGE FROM 10 YEARS AGO WHICH FOR THAT VERY REASON IS WORTH HIGHLIGHTING.*

HE PRAISED THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATTING COMMERCIAL CRIMES IN COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DESCRIPTION FIELDS. *THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TO PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK AND TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR OPEN TRADING SYSTEM, SO THAT OUR DYNAMIC ENTREPRENEURS CAN CONTINUE TO INVEST AND TRADE, AND OUR WORKERS APPLY THEIR INDUSTRY, IN A JUST SOCIETY IN WHICH THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL ARE RESPECTED AND WHERE LAW AND ORDER PREVAILS.

♦PUT IN ANOTHER WAY, OUR AIM IS TO PROVIDE A QUALITY ASSURANCE COVER FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL TRADING ENVIRONMENT, IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE STANDS FOR IMPROVING STANDARDS WHILE THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY STANDS READY TO WRITE POLICIES TO COVER LIFE AND LIMB AS WELL AS GOODS AND SERVICES,♦ MR HO CONCLUDED.

------0-------

/6........

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 198?

6

PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA * * * * *

EIGHTY-FOUR PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WILL RECEIVE THEIR INSIGNIA FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT 6 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 25).

THE INSIGNIA TO BE PRESENTED INCLUDE FOUR CBE’S, SIX OBE’S, THREE ISO’S AND FIVE MBE’S.

HEADING THE LIST OF RECIPIENTS ARE THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO; EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR, MR MICHAEL SANDBERG; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ALEX WU5 AND THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR MA LIN, ALL OF WHOM WILL RECEIVE THE CBE.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

A LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS AT THE INSIGNIA PRESENTATION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM AT 4 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 25).

ONLY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WITH SPECIAL PASSES WILL BE ADMITTED TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THEY SHOULD MEET GIS OFFICERS IN THE GUARD ROOM NOT LATER THAN 5.30 PM.

NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT SUCH PASSES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PRINTS WITH CAMBRIDGE WONG’S STUDIO AT MANNING HOUSE, HONG KONG, TEL. 5-237808.

------o-------

SIX RECEIVE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION

******

thf GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE NAMES OF THE first rIcpierts of the "governor's commendation for comhuritt SERVICE.

tuf RECIPIENTS WHOSE NAMES WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY, ARE COMMENDED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING AND VALUABL CONTRIBUTION fo THE COMMUNITY THROUGH SPECIFIC ACTS.

» GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW AWARD SCHEME WAS TO EE ENTIRELY SEPARATE FROM THE CONVENTIONAL HONOURS AND AWARDS WHICH EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY. WERE NORMALLY GIVEN FOR DISTINGUISHED LONG-TERM SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

/♦THE COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1985

- 7 -

♦THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION COVERED BY THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE RELATES TO SPECIFIC PERFORMANCES DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE RECIPIENTS’ PHYSICAL EFFORTS OR INNOVATIVE IDEAS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

EXAMPLES OF THESE INCLUDE DEMONSTRATIONS OF OUTSTANDING ABILITY, ENERGY OR DEVOTION TO DUTY IN LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT CAMPAIGNS.

RECOGNITION MAY ALSO BE GIVEN TO PERFORMANCE OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE OR COURAGEOUS ACTS BEYOND THE CALL OF NORMAL DUTIES OR AT EMERGENCIES.

AT A BRIEF CEREMONY IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TODAY, CERTIFICATES OF THE COMMENDATION WERE PRESENTED TO THE RECIPIENTS (EXCEPT DR TAYLOR, WHO IS NOW RESIDENT IN BRITAIN) BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY.

FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF THE SIX RECIPIENTS AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION!

ft MR WONG LAI-YIM, A STAFF MEMBER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS PROMPT AND DECISIVE ACTION IN PREVENTING A SERIOUS FIRE AND POSSIBLY A MAJOR EXPLOSION IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.

* MISS L. BENETEAU, A SOCIAL WORKER, WAS RECOGNISED FOR HER SPECIAL EFFORTS IN DEVELOPING MEDICAL AND DENTAL FACILITIES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.

ft MR H.C. LEUNG, A STAFF MEMBER OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS CONTINUOUS EFFORTS IN HELPING TO DEVELOP A WELL EQUIPPED MECHANICAL WORKSHOP FOR THE CIVIL AID SERVICES CADET CORPS.

ft REV S.P. BURKE, A MARYKNOLL PRIEST, WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS SERVICE TO PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.

* MR K.Y.H. TONGSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SEMINAR ORGANISATION SUB-COMMITTEE IN 1981, WAS RECOGNISED FOR HIS SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN HONG KONG.

ft DR N.R. TAYLOR, FORMERLY WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP IN PROMOTING AND ORGANISING THE ♦MACLEHOSE RUN+, A PROJECT IN AID OF THE DISABLED IN THE YEAR OF THE DISABLED.

- - O -------

/8........

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1983

8

STREET ALTERATIONS FOR MTR ISLAND LINE * * * *

A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY STREET ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN CAUSEWAY BAY, NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE.

THE EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THE STREET ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. IN EACH CASE, ALTERNATIVE TRAFFIC ROUTING AND SUITABLE PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED AND TRAFFIC SIGNS ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

IN CAUSEWAY BAY, THE WIDTH OF CARRIAGEWAYS AND FOOTPATHS OF THREE ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE REDUCED. THEY ARE THE SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD FROM HOUSE NO. 534 TO THE JUNCTION WITH JARDINE’S BAZAAR; THE SECTION OF JARDINE’S BAZAAR BETWEEN JARDINE’S CRESCENT AND HENNESSY ROAD ; AND THE SECTION OF JARDINE’S CRESCENT FROM HOUSE NO. 1 TO THE JUNCTION WITH JARDINE’S BAZAAR. A SCAVENGING LANE TO THE REAR OF HOUSE NOS. 534-542 HENNESSY ROAD AND NOS. 1-3 JARDINE’S CRESCENT WILL ALSO BE NARROWED.

IN NORTH POINT, A SECTION OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KING’S ROAD STRETCHING FROM THE EASTERN BUILDING LINE OF SHU KUK STREET EASTWARDS FOR 51 METRES WILL BE MADE NARROWER, WHILE THE NORTHERN FOOTPATH ALONG THE SAME STRETCH WILL BE DIVERTED AND REDUCED IN WIDTH.

IN QUARRY BAY, THE CARRIAGEWAY OF HEALTHY STREET EAST SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION WITH TSAT TSE MUI ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED. ALSO TO BE CLOSED WILL BE PART OF THE EASTERN FOOTPATH. MEANWHILE, THE STAIRCASE THERE LEADING TO PAK FUK ROAD WILL BE RELOCATED WESTWARDS.

ON PAK FUK ROAD, THE CARRIAGEWAY FROM THE WESTERN BUILDING LINE OF HEALTHY STREET EAST STRETCHING EASTWARDS FOR 55 METRES WILL BE REDUCED IN WIDTH. AS FOR THE FOOTPATHS, THE SOUTHERN ONE WILL BE CLOSED, WHILE THE NORTHERN ONE MAY BE RELOCATED.

IN ANOTHER SECTION OF PAK FUK ROAD, THE SOUTHERN FOOTPATH FROM STARTING A POINT 80 METRES EAST OF THE WESTERN BUILDING LINE CF HEALTHY STREET EAST EASTWARDS FOR 40 METRES WILL BE CLOSED, WHILE ACCESS TO BRAEMAR TERRACE THROUGH ADJACENT LAND WILL BE MAINTAINED.

A NOTICE IN RESPECT OF THE TEMPORARY ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

COPIES OF IT, TOGETHER WITH THE STREET ALTERATIONS PLANS (NO. MT/G/236, 237 AND 238), MAY BE INSPECTED DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS AT THE ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AT CGO WEST WING; THE DISTRICT OFFICE (WAN CHAI) AT 201 HENNESSY ROAD 5 THE DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN) AT 884-886 KING’S ROAD? OR THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION IN MURRAY BUILDING, COTTON TREE DRIVE.

CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE ALTERATIONS OR CLOSURES MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND MUST REACH HIS OFFICE WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ROAD IS REINSTATED OR REOPENED.

- - 0 - - - -

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1983

9

FURTHER CONCESSION FOR ft

PHYSICALLY DISABLED DRIVERS ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES A FURTHER CONCESSION TO PHYSICALLY DISABLED DRIVERS BY EXEMPTING THEM FROM PAYING FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON PURCHASING A NEW PRIVATE CAR.

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE CONTAINED IN THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX FOR PRIVATE VEHICLES WAS DOUBLED LAST MAY FROM THE PREVIOUS RANGE OF 35-45 PER CENT TO 70-90 PER CENT OF THE COST, INSURANCE AND FREIGHT VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS, TOGETHER WITH OTHER MEASURES INTRODUCED AT THE SAME TIME, WAS AIMED AT CURBING THE RATE OF GROWTH OF PRIVATE VEHICLES.

HOWEVER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN FIRST REGISTRATION TAX WAS NOT INTENDED AS AN OBSTACLE TO THE INTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF DISABLED DRIVERS WHO ARE DEPENDENT ON A CAR FOR MOBILITY.

TO ASSIST THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE, A NUMBER OF REGULATIONS WERE MADE IN MARCH LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE FOR A PACKAGE OF CONCESSIONS INCLUDING THE WAIVING OF FEES FOR DRIVING TESTS, THE ISSUE OF PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES AND DRIVING LICENCES AND THE REDUCTION IN FEES FOR VEHICLE LICENCES.

TO QUALIFY FOR THESE CONCESSIONS, A DISABLED PERSON NEEDS TO PROVE HIS FITNESS TO DRIVE A PRIVATE CAR AND BE CERTIFIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AS SUFFERING FROM A PERMANENT DISEASE OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY THAT CAUSES HIM CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTY IN WALKING.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED EXEMPTION FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX WOULD ONLY APPLY TO PRIVATE VEHICLES WITH A COST, INSURANCE AND FREIGHT VALUE OF BELOW 130 000 AS EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT SUCH TYPES OF VEHICLES WERE MOST SUITABLE FOR USE BY DISABLED DRIVERS.

NO EXEMPTION WAS PROPOSED IN RESPECT OF CARS WITH A CIF VALUE EXCEEDING S30 000 AS THEY BELONGED TO THE LUXURY CATEGORY, HE SAID.

IT HAS ALSO BEEN PROPOSED THAT SUCH AN EXEMPTION SHOULD ONLY BE GRANTED TO A DISABLED DRIVER ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS UNLESS THERE ARE EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS WHEN A CAR SO REGISTERED HAS BEEN DAMAGED BEYOND ECONOMIC REPAIR OR HAS BEEN STOLEN BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.

/THE BILL

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 198?

10

PROVISION TO CLOSE A POSSIBLE MOTOR VEHICLE IS FIRST REGISTERED

THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW WHEREBY A ----- -------

IN A CATEGORY CARRYING A LOW RATE OF TAX AND, BY CHANGE OF USE, IS CONVERTED INTO A VEHICLE OF A CATEGORY WHICH WOULD HAVE ATTRACTED A HIGHER RATE OF TAX. IN FUTURE T.HE DIFFERENCE IN TAX WOULD BE PAYABLE AND CALCULATED WITH REFERENCE TO THE DATE ON

WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED INITIALLY.

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 27. THE RESUMPTION OF DEBATE AND SECOND AND THIRD READINGS WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 11.

PUBLIC VIEWS EXPRESSED DURING THIS TIME WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND REPRESENTATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED TO UMELCO (SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG) OR THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (REHABILITATION DIVISION, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG).

------0-------

THREE CANDIDATES FOR EASTERN DB SEAT K M M * * M

A VACANT SEAT ON THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE KEENLY CONTESTED BY THREE CANDIDATES IN A BY-ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MAY 12.

THE TRIO — MR GIUSEPPE SALAROLI (47), MR YEUNG CHO-CHEUNG (47) AND MR SHAM TAK-ON (29) — WILL BE CONTESTING FOR THE SEAT IN THE QUARRY BAY CONSTITUENCY WHICH WAS LEFT VACANT BY MR KWAN LIM-HO AFTER HE WAS ELECTED TO THE URBAN COUNCIL LAST MONTH.

IN THE TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN CONSTITUENCY OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR TSE KIT-TO (51), WAS THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHEN NOMINATIONS CLOSED AT 5.30 PM TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE WILL BE DECLARED ELECTED UNCONTESTEDLY TO FILL THE SEAT LEFT VACANT BY MR JOSEPH CHAN WHO WAS ALSO SUCCESSFUL IN LAST MONTH’S URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

TWO POLLING STATIONS, ONE AT THE TAIKOO PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE OTHER AT THE HONG KONG CHINESE WOMEN’S CLUB COLLEGE, WILL OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 10 PM ON ELECTION DAY FOR THE 22 155 REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE QUARRY BAY CONSTITUENCY.

ALL THE VOTERS WILL RECEIVE A POLL CARD SHORTLY INFORMING THEM OF THE ELECTION AND THE LOCATION OF THEIR STATIONS.

o

/11 ........

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 19«3

11

RADIO PROGRAMMES TO SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE ft * * *

AS PART OF THE OVERALL EFFORT TO COMBAT HONG KONG’S LONGSTANDING DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND COMMERCIAL RADIO WILL JOINTLY LAUNCH A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL-CUM-ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES THIS YEAR TO BRING HOME THE ANT I-NARCOTICS MESSAGE.

DETAILS OF THE JOINT PROGRAMMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 1 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE VIP ROOM OF OCEAN CITY RESTAURANT, NEW WORLD CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.

THE CONFERENCE WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR HANDRICK NG, PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT; MR CHOW CHUNG, PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, AND MR TONG CHING CHUEN, ASSISTANT PROGRAMME DIRECTOR OF RADIO 1, HONG KONG COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING COMPANY LIMITED.

------0-------

APPLICATION OF DB FUNDS FOR LOCAL ACTIVITIES

XXX

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN MONG KOK MAY APPLY TO THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR FUNDS TO SUBSIDISE THEIR ACTIVITIES.

THOSE WISHING TO ORGANISE FUNCTIONS IN THE NEXT FIVE BETWEEN MAY AND SEPTEMBER, MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS DISTRICT BOARD’S SECRETARIAT BEFORE APRIL 30.

ANOTHER APPLICATION WILL BE CALLED FOR IN AUGUST FOR PLANNED FOR THE SECOND PART OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR.

MONTHS TO THE

ACTIVITIES

LOCAL

A DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT PREVIOUSLY ORGANISATIONS SUBMITTED THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR EACH

INDIVIDUAL FUNCTION.

♦THIS YEAR WE HAVE DECIDED TO CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TWICE A YEAR, WHEREBY THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE. WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE, CAN HAVE AN OVERALL ASSESSMENT,♦ HE SAID.

♦IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THIS CAM SPEED UP THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE,♦ HE ADDED.

HE SAID THERE WOULD BE NO SET LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS APPLIED, BUT THE BOARD HOPED THAT LOCAL ORGANISATIONS COULD SHOULDER PART OF THE COSTS.

THE ACTIVITIES TO BE FUNDED BY THE BOARD SHOULD BE EDUCATIONAL, HELP PROMOTE THE DISTRICT’S CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, BUILD UP A SENSE OF IDENTITY AMONG RESIDENTS AND FOSTER GOOD RELATIONS AMONG LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.

APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AT TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE BOARD'S SECRETARIAT IN MAY.

------o ------- /12...................

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 198?

1 2

NEW ROADS FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN ft ft ft ft

THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THREE NEW ROADS AND A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGE IN SAN WAI TSAI AND TSENG TAU TSUEN HA TSUEN, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

IT ALSO INCLUDES A NULLAH BRIDGE CROSSING TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO EXISTING AND NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHERN PART CF THE TOWN.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED PROJECT WAS■PUBLI SHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED PROJECT MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE- AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.

ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.

-----o-------

CLOSURE OF SECTION OF PRATAS STREET PROPOSED ft ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CLOSE A SECTION OF PRATAS STREET BETWEEN PO ON ROAD AND SHUN NING ROAD TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHUN NING ROAD RECREATION GROUND.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED CLOSURE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY}.

A Pl AN SHOWING THE PROPOSED CLOSURE MAY BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL MVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE? THE KOWLOON ^’STRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10/F., 405 NATHAN ROAD, YAU MA TEI AND THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, HANG SHUN BUILDING, KOWLOON.

ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND H’S OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.

-----0-----

/U.....

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1983

15

LEARNING IT FROM AN EXPERT

*****

MORE THAN 150 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM SIX SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SHA TIN ARE LEARNING THE ART OF FENCING FROM AN EXPERT, MR TOM NORCROSS, FORMER NATIONAL COACH FOR THE AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION IN ENGLAND.

MR NORCROSS, NOW THE HEAD FENCING COACH AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, HAS BEEN OFFERING SINCE APRIL 10, A 10-WEEK FREE-OF-CHARGE PROGRAMME TO 138 PUPILS AND 33 TEACHERS IN THE DISTRICT.

THE PROGRAMME, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE NEW TOWN, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

MOST OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE NEW LEARNERS.

THE STUDENTS ARE TRAINED ONE HOUR PER WEEK WHILE THE TEACHERS ARE MEETING TWO HOURS EVERY WEEK AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.

IF PROVED SUCCESSFUL, THE FENCING PROGRAMME WILL BE EXTENDED TO OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SHA TIN THIS SUMMER.

-----o-------

WATER CUT * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 25) FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, WYNDHAM STREET AND POTTINGER STREET. PREMISES ALONG ON LAN STREET, ON HING TERRACE AND ZETLAND STREET WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.

MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SEVERAL DISTRICTS IN KOWLOON WILL ALSO BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26) FOR A WATER PUMP-REPAIR.

THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN HUNG HOM TO KWA WAN MA TAU WAI, MA TAU KOK, KOWLOON CITY, WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON TONG AND WANG TAU HOM DISTRICTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN LOK FU ESTATE, TUNG TAU ESTATE, FU SHAN ESTATE, KAI TAK AIRPORT AND THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL.

-------0

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR OPENS YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL ................. 1

VISIT OF HRH, THE PRINCESS ANNE .............................

COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR KOWLOON CITY SQUATTERS ............... 3

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL IN WONG TAI SIN ......................... 3

DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR CENTRAL AND 7/ESTERN .................... 4

CHANGES IN TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ............................... 5

SAI KUNG FISH SPALL FOR AUCTION ............................... 5

CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY DS>OT AT HO TUNG LAU .................. 6

TENDERS INVITED FOR LAYING OF WATER PIPELINE................... 6

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1983

1

GOVERNOR OPENS YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL * M * * *

THE COMPLETION OF THE MAGNIFICENT YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, THE FOURTH PUBLIC POOL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, REFLECTED THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO PROVIDE MORE AND BETTER RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING FACILITIES FOR THE NEW TOWNS AND REMOTER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

SIR EDWARD WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIVE-POOL COMPLEX, BUILT AT A COST OF $40 MILLION.

YUEN LONG, LIKE OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, WAS DEVELOPING RAPIDLY, SIR EDWARD SAID, ADDING THAT UNDER CURRENT PLANS, THE POPULATION FOR YUEN LONG TOWN WOULD GROW TO 150 000 IN TEN YEARS’ TIME.

♦APART FROM THE PROVISION OF HOUSING, ROADS AND OTHER NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ADEQUATE SUPPORTING FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED IN GOOD TIME TO MEET THE RISING ASPIRATIONS OF AN EXPANDING POPULATION,♦ HE SAID.

♦EARLY COMPLETION OF THE POOL WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION OF $10 MILLION FROM A DONOR WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK HIM FOR HIS MOST TIMELY GIFT. HE WILL, I AM SURE, SEE HIS REWARD IN THE ENJOYMENT WHICH IT WILL GIVE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN YUEN LONG,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.

IN ANTICIPATION OF THE POOL’S OPENING, VARIOUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TRAINING CLASSES AND SWIMMING COMPETITIONS HAD BEEN PLANNED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION WITH THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, SIR EDWARD POINTED OUT.

IT IS ENCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT THE BOARD IS PLAYING A LEADING ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.

LAST YEAR NEARLY HALF A MILLION DOLLARS WERE ALLOCATED BY THE BOARD TO SUPPORT SUCH ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.

IN CONCLUSION, SIR EDWARD SAID, +MAY I WISH ALL OF THE YUEN LONG RESIDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHOM I HAVE MET THIS MORNING, AND ALL OF YOU WHO ARE PRESENT HERE TODAY EVERY ENJOYMENT IN MAKING USE OF THE POOL.+

EARLIER, IN HIS WELCOMING REMARKS AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, SAID THE SWIMMING COMPLEX RANKED AS ONE OF THE LARGEST PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS YET HANDED OVER TO THE NTSD FOR MANAGEMENT.

/♦IT IS .......

SATURDAY, APHID 23, 1983

- 2 -

♦IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE TO BE GIVEN THE TASK OF MANAGING SUCH AN IMPORTANT LOCAL FACILITY AND I KNOW WE WILL TAKE GREAT PRIDE AND PLEASURE IN UNDERTAKING THIS TASK FOR THE BETTER ENJOYMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF YUEN LONG,+ MR HEYWOOD ADDED.

THE GOVERNOR LATER UNVEILED A MEMORIAL PLAQUE TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE SWIMMING COMPLEX.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON. AND MRS WILSON, MR HEYWOOD AND MRS HEYWOOD, SIR EDWARD AND LADY YOUDE THEN TOURED AROUND THE POOLS WHERE DEMONSTRATIONS OF LIFE SAVING, SWIMMING AND DIVING WERE STAGED.

ALSO TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY WERE THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MR HAIDER BARMA; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR BOWEN LEUNG; THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF YUEN LONG, MR JAMES WILSON;

AND THE CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LAU WONG-FAT.

------0-------

VISIT OF HRH, THE PRINCESS ANNE * * * *

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ANNE, MRS MARK PHILLIPS, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM APRIL 29 TO MAY 2.

DURING HER FOUR-DAY PRIVATE VISIT HERE, PRINCESS ANNE WILL TOUR ONE OF THE LATEST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AT AP LEI CHAU AND OPEN THE NEW CENTENARY BUILDING AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

AT AP LEI CHAU, SHE WILL ALSO SEE FROM A VANTAGE POINT THE BOAT POPULATION OF ABERDEEN HARBOUR AND THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE HER LAST VISIT IN 1971.

PRINCESS ANNE WILL ALSO MEET UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND VISIT THE QUEEN’S GURKHA SIGNALS AT SHEK KONG AND HMS TAMAR.

-----0-----

/3........

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1983

- 3 -

COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR KOWLOON CITY SQUATTERS

*****

A SITTING-OUT AREA AND A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OFFICE WERE OPENED THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR THE 2 OOO RESIDENTS OF THE HO KAR YUEN SQUATTER AREA IN KOWLOON CITY.

THE TWO PROJECTS, FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AT $145 000, WERE BUILT ON A 600-SQUARE-METRE SITE FORMERLY USED AS A STORAGE DEPOT.

SPEAKING AT A KEY HANDING OVER CEREMONY, THE MAC CHAIRMAN, MR TSE MING-KWUN, SAID THE OFFICE WOULD NOT ONLY BE A MEETING PLACE FOR MEMBERS BUT ALSO A TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR VICTIMS OF ANY NATURAL DISASTER.

+WE DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMUNITY FACILITIES HERE, AND THE PROVISION OF A SITTING-OUT AREA AND AN OFFICE WILL CERTAINLY IMPROVE THE SITUATION,* HE SAID.

THE ONLY SERVICE AVAILABLE TO THE RESIDENTS IS THE SUPPLY OF WATER AND ELECTRICITY, WHILE BOTH THE MAC AND A FIRE WATCH TEAM WERE SET UP IN 1981 THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.

ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER, MR DEREK DEAR, AND THE CHIEF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICER, M? DON RAMANAYAKE.

-----0--------

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL IN WONG TAI SIN III

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26).

A SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR LAI BING-NAM WILL SPEAK ON THE EXISTING LEG SLAT IONS DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES, PRESENT SITUATION OF POTENTIAL AIR POLLUTION ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT AND A NEW AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL SOON TO BE ENACTED.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE LEGAL EFFECT CF AGE, BY THE SECRETARY OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, MR WATSON BROWN.

THE DRAINAGE PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT’S SQUATTER AREAS, THE REMEDIAL MEASURES AND LONG-TERM SOLUTION WILL BE DISCUSSED.

MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY A PROPOSAL TO ORGANISE SEMINARS FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS TO HELP THEM ADAPT TO THE LIFESTYLE OF HONG KONG.

THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO HOLD ITS MEETING IN THE MORNING AND ITS MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROVISION OF STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.

/THEY WILL.......

4

THEY WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS TO COPE WITH THE ELECTRIFIED TRAIN SERVICE WHICH WILL BEGIN ON MAY 2 IN TAI PO.

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE THE ISSUE OF NEW IDENTITY CARD, THE PUBLICATION OF A TAI PO DISTRICT HANDBOOK AND THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS FOR THE COMING YEAR.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

(A) MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26) AT THE FUNG MING HALL, SIK SIK YUEN, WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.

(B) THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE. A GOVERNMENT VAN, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 8 AM FOR TAI PO.

------o-------

DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN *****

A DISTRICT FESTIVAL, SPONSORED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE LAUNCHED IN NOVEMBER TO HEIGHTEN THE SENSE OF LOCAL IDENTITY.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF THE SIXTH TERM TRUSTEE COUNCIL OF WESTERN DISTRICT KAIFONG ASSOCIATION CORPORATION, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TONY COOPER, NOTED THAT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.

♦TO THIS END, THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS DECIDED TO HOLD A FESTIVAL, AND A WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP TO DESIGN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES INVOLVING AREA COMMITTEES, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, AND ESPECIALLY, THE RESIDENTS,+ HE SAID.

MR COOPER THANKED THE WESTERN DISTRICT KAIFONG ASSOCIATION -ONE OF THE OLDEST IN HONG KONG WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF HISTORY -FOR SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE TO OTHER ASSOCIATIONS AND BODIES IN THE DISTRICT.

♦OVER THE YEARS, THE ASSOCIATION HAS PROMOTED GENERAL SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING EMERGENCY RELIEF, MEDICAL SERVICES AND RECREATION FOR THE YOUNG AND THE OLD AL IKE,♦ HE ADDED.

ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MISS MARIA TAM, POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (WESTERN), MR B.J. DEEGAN, POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (CENTRAL), MR R.C. LIDSTER, AND DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (CENTRAL, WESTERN AND ISLANDS), MISS CHAN JOY-YIN.

-----0------

/5........

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1983

CHANGES IN TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS * * * *

CHANGES IN TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT SUFFOLK ROAD AND AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI FERRY CONCOURSE FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 25), A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).

AT SUFFOLK ROAD, THE EXISTING 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE EXTENDED WESTWARDS FOR ABOUT 10 NE TRES.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE ROAD’S WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KENT ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A 24-HOUR CLEARWAY.

NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.

AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI FERRY CONCOURSE, THE RESTRICTED ZONE FOR ALL VEHICLES FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN 8 PM AND 11 AM DAILY ON THE EASTERN LANE OF THE TAXI STAND WILL BE RESCINDED.

SAI KUNG FISH STALL FOR AUCTION XXX

A FISH STALL AT THE SAI KUNG MARKET IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ON MONDAY (APRIL 25).

THE AUCTION WHICH WILL START AT 10 AM WILL BE HELD AT THE OFFICE OF SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE AT NO. 1, PO TUNG ROAD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.

THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL OF THE STALL IS #50 AND THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE ABLE TO START BUSINESS ON MAY 1 ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE OPERATOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE BID RENTAL ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.

POTENTIAL BIDDERS WHO MUST BE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS.

FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, TELEPHONE 3-2813707.

- - 0 - -

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1983

6

CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY DEPOT AT HO TUNG LAU

* * * *

THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT S INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT WAY DEPOT AT HO TUNG LAU FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.

THE WORKS WHICH FORM PART OF THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CONSIST OF FACILITIES FOR STORAGE OF TRACK MATERIALS AND FOR WELD NG OF RAILS INTO CONTINUOUS LONG LENGTHS FOR USE IN TRACK MAINTENANCE.

WORK WILL BEGIN IN AUGUST AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO FINISH.

-----o-----

TENDERS INVITED FOR LAYING OF WATER PIPELINE

* * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR PIPELINE INSTALLATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS BETWEEN THE PROPOSED YAU KOM TAU TREATMENT WORKS AND THE TSUEN WAN WEST SERVICE RESERVOIR.

THE WORK MAINLY INVOLVES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 2.5 KILOMETRES OF STEEL PIPELINE RANGING FROM 900 MM TO 1 400 MM IN DIAMETERS.

THE WORK FORMS PART OF THE WATER TREATMENT AND TRANSFER FACILITIES AT YAU KOM TAU, TSUEN WAN - STAGE I PROJECT.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JUNE AND TAKES ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

--------o - - - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

COUNTRY AND COMMODITY BREAKDOWN FIGURES FOR HONG KONG'S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY - FEBRUARY 1983 ................... 1

HONG KONG BECOMES MAJOR PUBLISHING CENTRE .................... 5

HAILSTONE RECORD SET IN MARCH................................. 7

METRICATION COMMITTEE APPOINTS NEW MEMBER .................... 10

NEW ROAD IN STANLEY .......................................... 11

HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN YAU MA TEI ........................... 12

TEMPORARY TRAINING COURSE ON IRONING BOILERS ................. 12

MORE SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR ISLANDERS ......................... 13

TENDERS FOR LAYING OF WATER MAINS ............................ 14

PUBLIC URGED TO PROTECT PLANTS ............................... 15

PAINTING ON HOARDINGS

15

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

1

COUNTRY AND COMMODITY BREAKDOWN FIGURES

FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY - FEBRUARY 1983 *****

THE TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1983, VALUED AT $40 865 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 5 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1982, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 9.8 PER CENT TO $12 009 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 2 PER CENT TO $21 703 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 3 PER CENT TO $7 153 MILLION.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 7 PER CENT.

THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE AS FOLLOWS«-

JAN-FEB 1983 ($ MN) JAN-FEB 1982 ($ MN) INCREASE/

DECREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

USA 4 627 3 824 +803 +21

F R OF GERMANY 1 035 938 ♦ 97 +10

UK 922 964 - 42 - 4

CHINA 635 578 + 58 +10

JAPAN 425 406 + 19 + 5

CANADA 412 305 +107 +35

AUSTRALIA 357 445 - 88 -20

SINGAPORE 279 269 + 10 + 4

NETHERLANDS 273 253 ♦ 20 + 8

SWITZERLAND 221 190 + 31 +16

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE US ROSE BY 21 PER CENT. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $427 MILLION OR 31%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $186 MILLION OR 77%) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $110 MILLION OR 48%). DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $100 MILLION OR 29%) AS WELL AS FOOTWEAR (BY $18 MILLION OR 30%).

/MOST COMMODITIES........

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

- 2 -

MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN VALUE, INCLUDING CLOTHING (BY $83 MILLION OR 15%) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $7 MILLION OR 10%). BUT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT DECREASED BY $3 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT.

DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UK WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $81 MILLION OR 17%) AS WELL AS PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $24 MILLION OR 37%).

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA OF TEXTILES (BY $63 MILLION OR 59%), AS WELL AS FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS (BY $31 MILLION OR 1 037%) AND IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $12 MILLION OR 36%).

THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION ARE PRESENTED BELOWi-

JAN-FEB 1983 ($ MN) JAN-FEB 1982 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4 195 3 733 +462 + 12

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 1 751 1 834 - 83 - 5

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1 184 1 065 +119 +11

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 956 870 + 86 + 10

TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 830 728 +102 +14

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 806 798 + 8 ♦ 1

/THE CHANGES .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

3

THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS:-

THE 10 MAJOR SOURCES ARE

JAN-FEB JAN-FEB INCREASE/

1983 1982 DECREASE PERCENTAGE

($ MN) ($ MN) ($ MN) CHANGE

CHINA 5 130 4 793 +337 + 7

JAPAN 4 689 4 402 +287 ♦ 7

USA 2 300 2 280 ♦ 20 + 1

SINGAPORE 1 557 1 754 -197 -11

TAIWAN 1 469 1 621 -152 - 9

UK 998 928 + 70 + 7

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

(SOUTH KOREA) 598 764 -166 -22

F R OF GERMANY 577 486 + 91 +19

SWITZERLAND 406 395 ♦ 11 ♦ 3

FRANCE 326 307 + 19 + 6

LOCAL DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY $143 MILLION OR 26%), OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $66 MILLION OR 141%), NEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS (BY $30 MILLION OR 14%), AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD (BY $28 MILLION OR 9%).

AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE NOTED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $141 MILLION OR 34%) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $65 MILLION OR 19%). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $48 MILLION OR 23%), AND ROAD VEHICLES (INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES) (BY $39 MILLION OR 8%).

INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE US WERE MOSTLY OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $91 MILLION OR 47%) AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $60 MILLION OR 25%). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES UNWORKED OR WORKED (BY $78 MILLION OR 47%), GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $23 MILLION OR 23%), AND VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $8 MILLION OR 5%).

/decreases were .......

SUNDAY, APHIL 24, 1983

4

DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $285 MILLION OR 23%' ““ .....................................  .

AND IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF TEXTILES (BY $184 Hiuuivn vrx . BUT, IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF FROM TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE INCREASED (BY $16 MILLION OR 7% AND BY $16 MILLION OR

MILLION OR 28%

17% RESPECTIVELY).

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT

CHANGES IN

IMPORTS BY COMMODITY

SECTIONt-

JAN-FEB 1983 (I MN)

JAN-FEB 1982 ($ MN)

INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN)

PERCENTAGE CHANGE

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 5 424 6 072 -648 -11

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 4 799 4 627 +172 + 4

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 3 820 3 351 ♦469 +14

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 2 659 2 378 +282 + 12

MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 1 908 1 986 - 78 - 4

CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 518 1 379 +139 ♦ 10

INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA (BY $180 MILLION OR 27%), THE US (BY $132 MILLION OR 16%), SINGAPORE (BY $68 MILLION OR 12%), SAUDI ARABIA (BY $57 MILLION OR 57%), NIGERIA (BY $50 MILLION OR 32%), VIETNAM (BY $49 MILLION OR 111%), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $35 MILLION OR 14%), AND MALAYSIA, WEST (BY $29 MILLION OR 32%). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $261 MILLION OR 19%) AND JAPAN (BY $106 MILLION OR 23%).

MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING CLOTHING (BY $175 MILLION OR 44%), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES AND BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) (BY $75 MILLION OR 22%), OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $56 MILLION OR 137%) AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $55 MILLION OR 77%).

/DECREASES WERE........

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1963

DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY $344 MILLION OR 28%), NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $104 MILLION OR 25%) AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $53 MILLION OR 29%).

THE FEBRUARY 1983 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY* WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$5 PER COPY.

A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, WITH ADETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1983 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY MAY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$10 PER COPY.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.t 5-214375).

-----o------

HONG KONG BECOMES MAJOR PUBLISHING CENTRE %%%%*%

OVER RECENT YEARS HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED INTO AN INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING CENTRE.

LAST YEAR. 2.5 MILLION COPIES OF BOOKS COMPRISING 4 071 TITLES IN 22 LANGUAGES WERE PRINTED HERE, ACCORDING TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S BOOKS REGISTRATION OFFICE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF NEW BOOKS PRODUCED IN HONG KONG.

THE NUMBER OF BOOKS PRINTED AND PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG HAS INCREASED FROM 692 TITLES IN 1970 TO MORE THAN 4 000 TITLES A YEAR TODAY.

THESE BOOKS ARE DISTRIBUTED LOCALLY AND TO MARKETS AROUND THE WORLD.

+THE GROWTH RATE IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S ADVANCED PRINTING TECHNOLOGY, COMPETITIVE PRODUCTION COSTS, AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION SERVICES,* THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN IN CHARGE OF THE BOOKS REGISTRATION OFFICE, MR ALEX NG, SAID.

FOR THESE REASONS, MORE AND MORE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS HAVE SET UP OFFICES IN HONG KONG, MR NG POINTED OUT.

BOOKS IN SWEDISH, DUTCH, GERMAN, MEXICAN, MALAY AND FRENCH ARE PRINTED HERE ANNUALLY IN LARGE QUANTITIES, WHILE THOSE IN JAPANESE, NORWEGIAN AND SPANISH ARE NOT UNCOMMON.

/+HECENTLY, WE .......

SUKDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

- 6 -

♦RECENTLY, WE EVEN REGISTERED A LINGUISTIC TEXTBOOK IN NIGERIAN AND A BOOK IN ARABIC ON QATAR NATIONAL MUSEUM,+ MR NG SAID.

BUT THE MAJORITY IS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE. ENGLISH BOOKS TOPPED THE LIST IN 1982 WITH 2 367 TITLES, FOLLOWED BY CHINESE BOOKS WITH 978 TITLES.

♦IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE HIGH PRINTING QUALITY AND COLOUR REPRODUCTION OF OUR PRINTING INDUSTRY THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF BOOKS PRODUCED HERE ARE RICHLY ILLUSTRATED WITH FULL-COLOUR PLATES,+ HE ADDED.

♦THE BOOKS PRODUCED HERE COVER A BROAD RANGE OF SUBJECTS — LITERATURE, POLITICS, RELIGION, LAW, ARTS, ECONOMICS, PHILOSOPHY, SCIENCE, SPORTS, AND MARTIAL ART, JUST TO MENTION A SAMPLING,* W NG POINTED OUT.

UNDER THE BOOKS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, EACH NEW BOOK PRINTED OR PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE BOOKS REGISTRATION OFFICE WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER PUBLICATION. THE PUBLISHER OR PRINTER MAY THEN APPLY FOR A CODE NUMBER UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BOOK NUMBERING SYSTEM WHICH FACILITATES ORDER PROCESSING BY COMPUTER FOR CUSTOMERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, MR NG EXPLAINED.

FIVE COPIES OF EACH TITLE REGISTERED MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE. THEY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD IN LONDON, THE CITY HALL LIBRARY, THE NEW TERRITORIES PUBLIC LIBRARIES, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

♦THIS DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENT HELPS TO ENRICH THE PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTION,* HE SAID.

IN ORDER TO RECOGNISE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LOCAL PUBLICATION INDUSTRY AND TO ENCOURAGE THE CONTINUAL UPGRADING OF PRINTING STANDARDS, THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS ORGANISED COMPETITIONS FOR THE BEST BOOKS PRODUCED IN HONG KONG SINCE 1978. RECENTLY, THE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO MAKE THE COMPETITION AN ANNUAL EVENT TO BE ORGANISED BY THE BOOKS REGISTRATION OFFICE.

BOOKS REGISTERED WITH THE OFFICE AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY AS ENTRIES. THIS YEAR, THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL GIVE 14 AWARDS TO THE BOOKS COMPETITION.

MEANWHILE, TO MEET THE GROW ING-DEMAND FOR HIGHLY SKILLED PRINTING TECHNICIANS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP A PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY IN SEPTEMBER 1984, WITH A CAPACITY OF 300 TRAINEES EACH YEAR.

-----0------

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

- 7 -

HAILSTONE RECORD SET IN MARCH

M * K *

HAIL OCCURRED ON FIVE DAYS LAST MONTH, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTS. THIS IS THE HIGHEST FREQUENCY OF HAIL EVER RECORDED IN HONG KONG.

ON ONE OCCASION, WHEN A COLD FRONT FROM CHINA CROSSED HONG KONG ON MARCH 1 AND BROUGHT FREQUENT THUNDERSTORMS, HAILSTONES MEASURING 25 MM IN DIAMETER WERE OBSERVED BY RESIDENTS ON LANTAU ISLAND.

THEN, THE NEXT DAY (MARCH 2) HAILSTONES +THE SIZE OF BEANS+ WERE REPORTED TO HAVE FALLEN IN MONG KOK EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND IN KOWLOON TONG AT ABOUT NOON. HAILSTONES ALSO FELL ON MARCH 12, 25 AND 26.

IN ADDITION TO THE HAILSTONE PHENOMENON, LAST MONTH WAS THE WETTEST MARCH SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884, WITH RAINFALL OF 428 MM, NEARLY EIGHT TIMES THE NORMAL OF ABOUT 55 MM.

AND ITS TEN DAYS OF THUNDERSTORMS RECORDED WERE A RECORD SINCE 1947.

THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL OF 745.3 MM FROM JANUARY 1 TO THE END OF MARCH CAME TO 34 PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL OF 2 224.7 MM.

THE DURATION OF SUNSHINE FOR THE MONTH WAS 33.3 HOURS, WHICH WAS 68.1 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL AND THE SEVENTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR MARCH. AND, THE TOTAL SUNSHINE DURATION FROM JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31 AMOUNTED ONLY TO 144.8 HOURS, THE LOWEST ON RECORD.

THE MONTH BEGAN WITH AN ACTIVE COLD FRONT ACROSS SOUTH CHINA CAUSING WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE COASTAL REGION.

AROUND 3 AM ON MARCH 1, A CHINESE RIVER FERRY, THE +RED STAR 312+, CAPSIZED IN SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS NEAR SANSHUI, ABOUT 86 NAUTICAL MILES NORTHWEST OF HONG KONG. ABOUT 150 PASSENGERS ON BOARD WERE DROWNED.

THE COLD FRONT CROSSED HONG KONG DURING THE MORNING AND BROUGHT FREQUENT THUNDERSTORMS, AS WELL AS HAIL ON THAT DAY AND THE NEXT. SOME LANDSLIPS OCCURRED INNGAU TAU KOK AND ON TSING Yl ISLAND, AND FLOODING WAS REPORTED IN TUEN MUN.

THE WEATHER IMPROVED ON MARCH 3 BUT SOME MIST DEVELOPED IN THE AFTERNOON.

A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED EARLY ON MARCH 4, BRINGING NORTHERLY WINDS, SOME SHOWERS AND COOLER WEATHER.

NORTHERLY WINDS STRENGTHENED IN THE NIGHT AND GUSTS OF 64 KNOTS WERE RECORDED AT TATE’S CAIRN.

NORTHERLY WINDS MODERATED THE NEXT DAY AND THERE WERE SUNNY PERIODS ON MARCH 5 AND 6.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

- 8 -

EARLY ON MARCH 6, THE TEMPERATURE FELL TO 9.6 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE LOWEST OF THE MONTH.

WINDS TURNED EASTERLY AND THE WEATHER BECAME CLOUDY ON MARCH 7. IT REMAINED CLOUDY WITH RAIN EVERY DAY UNTIL MARCH 11. SOME COASTAL FOG DEVELOPED ON MARCH 9 AND 10.

THE WEATHER DETERIORATED ON MARCH 12 AND HAIL WAS REPORTED AT TSUEN WAN IN THE MORNING. JUST AFTER 2 PM, TWO BARGES, BOTH CARRYING OIL, COLLIDED IN FOG NEAR TSING Yl BRIDGE. DAMAGE TO THE BARGES WAS ONLY MINOR, AND NO OIL POLLUTION WAS REPORTED.

THE WEATHER IMPROVED BUT REMAINED CLOUDY ON MARCH 13.

EASTERLY WINDS STRENGTHENED EARLY ON MARCH 14 AND GUSTS REACHED 60 KNOTS AT TAI 0.

MIST RETURNED IN THE MORNINGS OF MARCH 14 AND 15 AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED IN THE AFTERNOONS.

THUNDERSTORMS WERE WIDESPREAD IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 16. WINDS TURNED NORTHERLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND THE VISIBILITY IMPROVED.

THE WEATHER BECAME COOLER ON MARCH 17 WITH SOME ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.

WINDS TURNED EASTERLY AGAIN ON MARCH 18 AND THERE WERE TRACES OF RAIN AT NIGHT.

THUNDERSTORMS RECURRED IN THE EVENING OF MARCH 19 AND CONTINUED INTO THE FOLLOWING MORNING.

THE WEATHER REMAINED WARM WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN FROM MARCH 20 TO 24.

ON MARCH 23, THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TQ 25.9DEGREES CELSIUS, THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH.

WIDESPREAD COASTAL FOG PERSISTED DURING THE PERIOD, CAUSING A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AT SEA AND SERIOUSLY DISRUPTING AIR AND SEA TRAFFIC.

A HOVERFERRY WITH 47 PASSENGERS ON BOARD WAS STRANDED IN DENSE FOG AT SHAN BAN ZHOU IN THE ZHU JIANG ESTUARY IN THE AFTERNOON ON MARCH 20 ON THE WAY FROM GUANGZHOU TO HONG KONG. IT EVENTUALLY ARRIVED 14 HOURS BEHIND SCHEDULE.

A FISHING JUNK AND A FIRE SERVICES BOAT RAN AGROUND NEAR MA WAN AND KAP SHU I MUN RESPECTIVELY AROUND 7 PM. NOBODY WAS HURT IN THESE INCIDENTS.

A CARGO VESSEL RAN AGROUND AT KAU LING CHUNG NEAR SHEK PIK AND A POLICE LAUNCH RAN ONTO ROCKS EAST OF CHEUNG CHAU AROUND MIDNIGHT ON MARCH 21.

/ON MARCH .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

9 -

ON MARCH 24 A TRAWLER RAN AGROUND NEAR HEI LING CHAU. TWO FREIGHTERS COLLIDED TO THE SOUTHEAST OF PO TOI ISLAND, BUT THEY WERE ONLY SLIGHTLY DAMAGED. ALTOGETHER THREE PERSONS WERE INJURED IN THESE INCIDENTS.

A COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG LATE ON MARCH 24, BRINGING FRESH EASTERLY WINDS AND COOLER WEATHER.

THERE WERE FREQUENT THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY SHOWERS ON MARCH 25 AND HAIL WAS REPORTED BY PILOTS OVERFLYING SEK KONG AND CHEK LAP KOK AROUND NOON.

MORE THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED ON MARCH 26 AND HAIL LASTING FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES WAS REPORTED AT KWAI CHUNG AROUND 3.25 PM. THE HAILSTONES WERE DESCRIBED AS OF THE SIZE OF PEANUTS.

FREQUENT THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED ON MARCH 27 AND THE DAILY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 98.6 MM WAS THE HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR MARCH SINCE 1884. SEVERE FLOODING OCCURRED IN SHA TIN, KWAI CHUNG, SAU MAU PING AND THE LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES.

MINOR LANDSLIPS OCCURRED IN SAU MAU PING, KWUN TONG, LAM TIN, YAU TONG, WESTERN DISTRICT, SO KON PO, CAUSEWAY BAY, SHAU KEI WAN AND LEI YUE MUN.

SOME MIST DEVELOPED ON MARCH 28 BUT WINDS TURNED NORTHERLY DURING THE DAY AND THE VISIBILITY IMPROVED. THERE WERE SOME ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.

FROM MARCH 26 TO 28, THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 17 LANDSLIP REPORTS AND THERE WAS FLOODING AT 47 PLACES, BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED.

THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY WITH TRACES OF RAIN ON MARCH 29, BUT THERE WERE SUNNY INTERVALS ON MARCH 30 AND 31.

DURING THE MONTH SIX AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER.

THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON MARCH 1, 2, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 AND 28.

HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS WERE ALSO ISSUED ON MARCH 26, 27 AND 28.

THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON MARCH 7-8 AND 13 WHILE THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON MARCH 5-6.

SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:

DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING

WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 4 8.05 PM MARCH 5 8.00 AM

WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 14 3.45 AM MARCH 15 6.15 AM

/THE JCNTH'S .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

10 -

THE MONTH’S FIGURES

SUNSHINE

RAINFALL

CLOUDINESS

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE

MEAN TEMPERATURE

MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE

MEAN DEW POINT

TOTAL EVAPORATION

AND DEPARTURES FROI

33.3 HOURS I

428.0 MM i

92 PER CENT i

84 PER CENT i

19.2 DEGREES C i

17.1 DEGREES C i

15.3 DEGREES C 8

14.1 DEGREES C 8

59.5 MM8

NORMAL WEREs

68.1 HOURS BELOW NORMAL

373.2 MM ABOVE NORMAL

16 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL

2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL

2.1 DEGREES C BELOW NORMAL

1.4 DEGREES C BELOW NORMAL

1.0 DEGREES C BELOW NORMAL

0.9 DEGREES C BELOW NORMAL

43.5 MM BELOW NORMAL

THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 25.9 DEGREES ON MARCH 23 WHILE THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF WAS RECORDED ON MARCH 6.

CELSIUS WAS RECORDED 9.6 DEGREES CELSIUS

METRICATION COMMITTEE APPOINTS NEW MEMBER * M * * M

THE METRICATION COMMITTEE HAS FURTHER STRENGTHENED ITS bEMBERSHIP TO PROMOTE METRICATION IN HONG KONG.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR JAMES WU ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT MR IP YEUK-LAM, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE.

MR IP IS A LEADING IMPORTER OF CHINESE SUBSIDIARY FOOD PRODUCE. HE HOLDS RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS IN VARIOUS TRADE ORGANISATIONS, NOTABLY THE HONG KONG FOOD COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON FRUIT AND VEGETABLES EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS GUILD.

COMMENTING ON THE NEW APPOINTMENT, MR WU SA IDs +MR IP ALSO HAS CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH THE CHAINS OF CHINA PRODUCTS EMPORIUM WHICH IS OUR MAJOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR CONSUMER GOODS, PARTICULARLY FOODSTUFFS.+

/+WITH MH........

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

♦WITH MR IP ON THE COMMITTEE, WE CAN LOOK FORWARD’TO FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION FROM IMPORTERS OF CHINESE PRODUCTS (WHICH ARE IN METRIC UNITS ALREADY AT THE IMPORT LEVEL) IN WORKING TOWARDS A METRICATED PROGRAMME FOR THE LOCAL RETAIL TRADE, PARTICULARLY IN PACKAGING,* HE ADDED.

THE APPOINTMENT COINCIDES WITH THE COMMITTEE’S NEW APPROACH TO PROMOTING METRICATION, WHICH IS TO PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON CONSUMER EDUCATION SO AS TO ENCOURAGE WIDER ACCEPTANCE AND USAGE OF THE METRIC SYSTEM IN DAILY LIFE.

+CONSUMERS WILL ONLY BE PREPARED TO CHANGE OVER IF AND WHEN THEY ARE CONVINCED OF THE CONVENIENCE AND ACTUAL BENEFITS OF GOING METRIC,* HE SAID.

LED BY MR WU, WHO IS HIMSELF AN INDUSTRIALIST, AND ASSISTED BY EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS TRADES, THE METRICATION COMMITTEE IS WELL EQUIPPED TO GO AHEAD WITH ITS NEW ENDEAVOUR.

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE INCLUDE MISS OPHELIA CHEUNG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL? MISS CECILIA FUNG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; MR CECIL CHAN, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HONG KONG STANDARD AND TESTING CENTRE, FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES; MISS RITA TSUI, SECRETARY OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION; MISS ELIZABETH SHING, THE JOINT DIRECTOR, HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION;

DR D.F. TAYLOR, THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE; AND MR J.F. HENDERSON, A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS.

GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES ARE DRAWN FROM THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

THE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN 1978 TO ADVISE ON AND CO-ORDINATE ALL MATTERS RELATING TO METRICATION. UNDER THE MAIN COMMITTEE, THERE ARE FIVE SECTOR COMMITTEES, EACH DEALING WITH A SPECIFIC AREA OF THE METRICATION PROGRAMME.

------0-------

NEW ROAD IN STANLEY MM*

A NEW ROAD TO BE KNOWN AS HOI FUNG PATH WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AT THE NORTHERN END OF STANLEY LINK ROAD TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE- THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 6/F., NEW WORLD TOWER, NOS. 16-18 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, NOS. 7-11 NAM NING STREET, 2/F., ABERDEEN CENTRE, HONG KONG.

ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.

------0-------

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

12

HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN YAU MA TEI * * * *

A WEEK-LONG HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN, FEATURING AN EXHIBITION, A VARIETY SHOW, A SEMINAR AND FILM SHOW WILL BE HELD IN YAU MA TEI STARTING SUNDAY, MAY 1.

ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE NEW WORLD CENTRE, THE AIM OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO MAKE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE DANGER IN THE MISUSE OF HOME APPLIANCES, THE MOST COMMON ACCIDENTS LIKELY TO OCCUR AT HOME AND WAYS TO PREVENT THEM.

A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE COMPRISING BOARD MEMBERS, SCHOOL MASTERS AND BUSINESSMEN HAS BEEN FORMED TO PLAN THE CAMPAIGN.

AN OPENING CEREMONY, TOGETHER WITH AN EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING EXHIBITION ON HOME SAFETY, WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE MAIN ENTRANCE.

AT THE EXHIBITION THERE WILL BE A DISPLAY OF PHOTOGRAPHS, ANTI-BURGLARY EQUIPMENT AND GAS HEATERS, A FIRST-AID DEMONSTRATION AND A LASER SHOW.

OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE A HOME SAFETY SEMINAR AND A FILM ♦IT TAKES TWO* TO BE HELD AT THE OCEAN THEATRE ON MAY 7 AND A HOME SAFETY COMPETITION FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN YAU MA TEI.

THE CAMPAIGN WILL END WITH A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING SINGING AND DANCE PERFORMANCES BY WELL KNOWN ARTISTS AND STUDENTS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS TO BE HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MAY 7.

A BOOKLET +SAFETY STARTS AT HOME+ HAS BEEN PRINTED.

BOTH THE BOOKLET AND TICKETS TO ALL THE EVENTS CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.

TEMPORARY TRAINING COURSE ON IRONING BOILERS *****

THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS INTRODUCING A TEMPORARY FREE TRAINING SCHEME TO ASSIST FACTORY OWNERS IN OBTAINING COMPETENT PERSONNEL FOR THE OPERATION OF THEIR SMALL ELECTRIC IRONING BOILERS.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT STRONGLY URGED FACTORY OWNERS WHO DO NOT HAVE COMPETENT PERSONNEL ATTENDING TO THEIR BOILERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE CF THE SCHEME.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SCHEME WOULD ALSO ENABLE A FACTORY OWNER TO USE THE BOILERS WITHOUT BREACHING THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT.

/according to ....

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

- 13 -

ACCORDING TO THE LAW, A BOILER HAS TO BE ATTENDED TO BY A PERSON HOLDING A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE, AND BREACH OF THIS REQUIREMENT CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF 130 000.

THE SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, IS OPEN TO PEOPLE WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO MONTHS’ EXPERIENCE IN OPERATING IRONING BOILERS WHO WISH TO QUALIFY AS A COMPETENT OPERATOR, AND FACTORY OWNERS MIGHT ARRANGE FOR SUCH PERSONNEL IN THEIR EMPLOY TO RECEIVE TRAINING UNDER THE SCHEME.

THE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE TO ATTEND A TWO-HOUR LECTURE ON THE SAFE OPERATION OF IRONING BOILERS TO BE GIVEN IN CANTONESE BY INSPECTORS OF THE UNIT.

UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE LECTURE, THE CANDIDATES WILL BE GIVEN A MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST, AND THOSE WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL WILL BE PERMITTED TO ATTEND TO THE BOILERS FOR A PERIOD OF 14 MONTHS UNDER AN EXEMPTION ORDER TO BE ISSUED BY THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR.

DURING THIS PERIOD A CANDIDATE SHOULD OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY BY PASSING THE APPROPRIATE EXAMINATION, OTHERWISE HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE BOILER AFTER THE EXEMPTION ORDER EXPIRES.

CANDIDATES WISHING TO JOIN THE SCHEME SHOULD CALL ON THE EXAMINATION CLERK OF THE UNIT ON THE 4TH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI (TEL. NO. 3-688111 EXT. 352), AND BRING ALONG THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTSi-

(A) HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD;

(B) A LETTER FROM THE FACTORY OWNER CONFIRMING HIS PERIOD OF SERVICE IN THE OPERATION OF ELECTRIC IRONING BOILERS; AND

(C) A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS OF THE REGISTERED BOILER.

-----0--------

MORE SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR ISLANDERS

* * * *

MORE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES ARE BEING ORGANISED FOR THE ISLANDS’ RESIDENTS BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.

SPEAKING AT A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE ANNUAL LANTAO LONG RUN, MR YAP SAID THE EVENT AND OTHER ACTIVITIES BEING PLANNED WERE TO PROMOTE SPORTSMANSHIP AND A SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS AMONG THE LOCAL PEOPLE.

♦I HOPE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WILL MAKE GOOD USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY AND PARTICIPATE IN THESE MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES TO BUILD UP A HEALTHY MIND AND BODY,+ HE SAID.

/MORE than .......

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

- 14 -

MORE THAN 400 YOUNG ATHLETES TOOK PART IN TODAY’S LONG RUN WHICH STARTED AT 10 AM.

THE SIX-KILOMETRE RUN BEGAN FROM THE MUI WO POLICE STATION, PASSED SOUTH LANTAO ROAD, THE NAM SHAN COUNTRY PARK, PUI 0, AND FINISHED AT THE YWCA YOUTH CAMP AT SAN SHEK WAN.

SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, TODAY’S EVENT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFF ICE/ISLANDS DIVISION AND MUI WO YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICE GROUP.

♦THIS IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND I SINCERELY HOPE THIS SPIRIT WILL CONTINUE,♦ MR YAP SAID.

-----o-----

TENDERS FOR LAYING OF WATER MAINS

* * * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF ABOUT 1 800 METRES OF FRESH AND SALT WATER MAINS ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN PUI TO ROAD AND TAI HING BRIDGE.

THE MAINS LAYING WORK WILL INVOLVE PIPES RANGING FROM 400 MM TO 800 MM IN DIAMETERS.

PART OF THESE WORKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE NECESSARY DIVERSION REQUIRED IN THE CURRENT ROAD-WIDENING WORKS.

THE REMAINDER OF THE CONTRACT WILL FORM PART OF THE SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE EASTERN EXTENSION OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN EARLY JULY AND TO TAKE 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

0 --------

SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1983

- 15 -

PUBLIC URGED TO PROTECT PLANTS

* * *

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO PROTECT PLANT LIFE AS PART OF A BEAUTIFICATION SCHEME TO GIVE HONG KONG MORE GREENERY.

SINCE THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED 13 MONTHS AGO BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS, MORE THAN THREE MILLION PLANTS, INCLUDING TREES AND SHRUBS, HAVE BEEN PLANTED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF HONG KONG.

THOUGH THESE PLANTS HAD BEEN GROWING WELL, THOUSANDS OF THEM HAD BEEN DAMAGED BY VANDALISM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT DAMAGING PLANT LIFE ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION UNDER THE SUMMARIES OFFENCE ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN WARNED.

TO KEEP UP THE BEAUTIFICATION SCHEME, THE NTSD WILL BE LAUNCHING MORE TREE-PLANTING PROGRAMMES OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, INVOLVING SCHOOL CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES.

MEANWHILE, MORE RAILINGS AND BARRIERS WILL BE ERECTED AT VARIOUS OPEN SPACES AND ON THE ROADSIDE TO PROTECT YOUNG TREES.

----0------

PAINTING ON HOARDINGS

XXX

MORE THAN 60 STUDENTS FROM THREE SCHOOLS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR TALENT AND SKILL IN PAINTING IN A BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, MAY 1.

THEIR TALENTS WILL BE USED TO BRIGHTEN UP A SERIES OF HOARDINGS AT THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND HONG LOK ROAD.

THE THEME OF THEIR PAINTINGS WILL BE THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON MAY 5 THIS YEAR.

THE PROJECT, ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, IS BEING SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION.

AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID SKINNER} THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR TANG CH I-LEUNG; AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, NR TERRY TANG, WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO THE PARTICIPANTS BEFORE THE PAINTING SESSION.

--------o

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SECOND POLYTECHNIC NaMED .................................... 1

CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH............................. 2

PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA .................................... 5

YOUTH INVITED TO JOIN ACAN VOLUNTEER GROUP .................. 9

LOCAL BUSINESS COURSE GAINS PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION ........ 10

AUDIOLOGY PROFESSOR IN HONG KONG............................. 1°

NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL OPENS IN SHA TIN ......................... 11

AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS............................... 12

WATER FIGURES

12

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

1

SECOND POLYTECHNIC NAMED * * * *

THE SECOND POLYTECHNIC WILL BE KNOWN AS THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG.

THE NAME WAS CHOSEN FROM NEARLY 300 SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOLLOWING A CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO REPORT ON PROGRESS IN THE PLANNING OF THE NEW POLYTECHNIC. THE CONFERENCE WAS HOSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE INSTITUTION, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR KENNETH TOPLEY.

MR TOPLEY SAID ACTION WAS BEING TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT ON SEVERAL MATTERS ON WHICH THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HAD ADVISED.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE LEGISLATION FOR THE NEW POLYTECHNIC SHOULD BE'MODELLED LARGELY ON THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ORDINANCE, SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF MINOR MODIFICATIONS.

+THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES PROPOSED ARE THE INCLUSION OF SPECIFIC POWERS TO MAKE DEGREE AWARDS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LARGER COUNCIL ALLOWING FOR MEMBERS TO BE DRAWN FROM THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG,* MR TOPLEY SAID.

+STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGISLATION IS ENACTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,* HE ADDED.

REGARDING ACCOMMODATION FOR THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, MR TOPLEY SAID THE PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED 12.2-HECTARE SITE AT TAT CHEE AVENUE WOULD BE HANDED OVER BY THE GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

SIR S.Y. CHUNG SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD ORGANISED AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION FOR THE PREPARATION OF A MASTER PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAMPUS AND THE FINAL JUDGING WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF JUNE.

THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE FIRST COURSES SHOULD START IN OCTOBER 1984.

+THE COMMITTEE FEELS THAT AN EARLY START IS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE TARGET OF 8 000 FULL-TIME AND EQUIVALENT PART-TIME STUDENTS BEFORE THE END OF THE DECADE AT A REALISTIC ANNUAL RATE OF GROWTH,* HE EXPLAINED.

+THE DEMAND FOR TECHNICALLY TRAINED AND EDUCATED MANPOWER, FROM BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, IS STILL EXCEEDING THE SUPPLY AND THERE IS A PRESSING NEED TO PROVIDE THE COURSES WITH ALL POSSIBLE SPEED.

+THE INITIAL COURSES WILL BE IN FIELDS WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE LARGE SPECIALIST AREAS OF MAJOR PHYSICAL SERVICES. THE COMMITTEE PROPOSES A NUMBER OF 700 FULL-TIME AND EQUIVALENT PART-TIME STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST YEAR IN 1984,+ SIR S.Y. ADDED.

/+TF THE........

MONDAY, APHIL 25, 1983

- 2 -

+IF THE GOVERNMENT AGREES WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF COURSES IN 1984, TEMPORARY TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATION ACCOMMODATION WILL NEED TO BE FOUND AS CONSTRUCTION WORK AT THE TAT CHEE AVENUE SITE IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED UNTIL 1988 AT THE VERY EARLIEST,+ W TOPLEY POINTED OUT.

ON THE QUESTION OF STAFF, SIR S.Y. SAID HIS COMMITTEE HAD JUST COMPLETED THE TASK OF RECRUITING A DIRECTOR FOR THE NEW POLYTECHNIC. OUT OF MORE THAN 100 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED LOCALLY AND FROM BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA AND NORTH AMERICA, FIVE CANDIDATES WERE INTERVIEWED IN HONG KONG OVER THE WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 14, 1983.

♦THE PLANNING COMMITTEE IS MOST PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE THAT AN OFFER OF APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY PROF DAVID JOHNS, WHO SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE UP HIS POST AS FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR,* SIR S.Y. SAID.

PROF JOHNS IS CURRENTLY THE SENIOR PRO VICE CHANCELLOR OF LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY IN BRITA-N. AGED 51, HE IS AN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER BY TRAINING. HE GRADUATED FIRST FROM BRISTOL UNIVERSITY AND LATER OBTAINED A DOCTORATE FROM LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY. HE IS A CHARTERED ENGINEER AND A FELLOW OF THE ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY, THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT, THE INSTITUTE OF ACOUSTICS AND THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS. PROF JOHNS HAS A DISTINGUISHED CAREER BOTH IN INDUSTRY AND IN TEACHING IN BRITAIN.

♦THE PLANNING COMMITTEE WAS MOST IMPRESSED BY PROF JOHNS’ QUALITIES AND HAS EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THE NEW POLYTECHNIC WILL BE OFF TO A FINE START UNDER HIS DIRECTION,* SIR S.Y. SAID.

REFERRING TO THE RECRUITMENT OF OTHER SENIOR STAFF, SIR S.Y. SAID THE PLANNING COMMITTEE WOULD SHORTLY BE ADVERTISING A NUMBER OF KEY POSTS BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS WITH A VIEW TO GETTING A TEAM TOGETHER UNDER PROF JOHNS TO START THE MORE DETAILED PLANNING FOR AS EARLY A START AS POSSIBLE OF THE FIRST COURSES OF THE NEW POLYTECHNIC.

-----0-----

CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH * * *

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR MARCH 1983 WERE 140 AND 139 RESPECTIVELY, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).

COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1983, CP I(A) INCREASED BY 2 POINTS OR 1.4 PER CENT AND CPI(B) BY 1 POINT OR 0.7 PER CENT. COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH OF 1982, CP I(A) ROSE BY 13 POINTS OR 10.2 PER CENT AND CPI(B) BY 13 POINTS OR 10.3 PER CENT.

DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDING IN MARCH 1983, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP I(A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.8 PER CENT EACH MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP 1(B), 0.7 PtR CENT.

/BUSING MAECH, .......

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

DURING MARCH, RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS INCREASED. THE RISE IN FRESH VEGETABLE PRICES WAS DUE TO A SHORTFALL IN SUPPLY CAUSED BY PROTRACTED ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG AND FLOODING IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE. RETAIL PRICES OF CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS ALSO WENT UP, REFLECTING THE FULL IMPACT OF THE INCREASES IN THEIR DUTIES EFFECTED IN LATE FEBRUARY.

THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50% AND 30%, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1979/80 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE CP I(A) REFERRED TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $1 000 AND $3 499 A MONTH AND THE CP 1(B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN S3 500 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.

THE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1983 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/ SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR FEBRUARY 1983 AND MARCH 1982.

(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1^80 AVERAGE - 100)

SECTION MAR 82 CPI(A) FEB 83 MAR 83 MAR 82 CP 1(B) FEB 83 MAR 83

FOODSTUFFS 130 142 144 130 143 144

HOUS 1 NG 121 133 133 121 132 132

FUEL AND LIGHT 137 145 143 138 146 144

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 124 140 190 122 137 182

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 123 133 135 123 133 135

DURABLE GOODS 109 108 109 110 110 111

MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 120 130 129 117 130 128

TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 137 147 149 134 148 152

SERVICES 130 148 146 129 147 144

ALL ITEMS 127 138 140 126 138 139

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY TWO POINTS IN CP I(A) AND BY ONE POINT IN CPI(B). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS INCREASED. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESHWATER FISH, LIVE POULTRY AND SALT-WATER FISH DECREASED AS A RESULT OF SLACKENED DEMAND AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS. THE EFFECT OF THE MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.

/ths index........

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

- 4

THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH CP I (A) AND CPI(B) BECAUSE OF LOWER PRICES OF KEROSENE AS WELL AS LOWER CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY CAUSED BY REDUCED FUEL COSTS.

THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 50 POINTS IN CPI(A) AND BY 45 POINTS IN CPI(B), REFLECTING THE FULL IMPACT OF THE INCREASES IN THE DUTIES ON TOBACCO AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS EFFECTED IN LATE FEBRUARY.

THE TWO-POINT INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR IN BOTH CP I(A) AND CPI(B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.

HIGHER PRICES OF ELECTRICAL CONSUMER GOODS, TELEVISION SETS AND SOUND EQUIPMENT CAUSED THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS TO RISE BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CP I (A) AND CPI(B).

THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN CP I(A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN CPI(B) FOLLOWING LOWER PRICES OF JEWELLERY.

THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES WENT UP BY TWO POINTS IN CPI(A) AND BY FOUR POINTS IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER DRIVING INSTRUCTION FEES, INCREASED FERRY FARES AND THE FULL IMPACT OF HIGHER PRICES OF GASOLINE AND INCREASED FEES FOR DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES DECREASED BY TWO POINTS IN CP I(A) AND BY THREE POINTS IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF REDUCED CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AND PACKAGE TOURS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN THE OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR MARCH 1983. BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT S3 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE 3-7216512.

NOTE TO EDITORS i

UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, FIGURES PRESENTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED.

-----0------

/5........

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

- 5 -PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA

* * * *

EIGHTY-FOUR PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY RECEIVED THEIR INSIGNIA FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS EVENING (MONDAY).

THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF INSIGNIA RECIPIENTS!

CBE (COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

THE HON DONALD LIAO POON-HUAI

THE HON MICHAEL GRAHAM RUDDOCK SANDBERG THE HON ALEX WU SHU-CHIH DR MA LIN

OBE (OFFICER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR SAMUEL VICTOR GITT I NS

THE HON JAMES NEIL HENDERSON

THE HON IAN FRANCIS CLUNY MACPHERSON W OLIVER RICHARD SIDDLE NR FREDERICK LANGTREE WALKER PROFESSOR LEONARD KENNETH YOUNG

ISO (IMPERIAL SERVICE ORDER)

NR ALAN JOHN STOCKMAN LACK ALAN KENNETH MASON

MR JAMES MILTON MURPH IE

MBE (MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR DONALD CHAN SIU-TUNG W HENRY KU HONG-CHEONG NRS TERESA LAM WONG SHIU-SHUK NR LUI CHE-WOO NR HOWARD YUNG KUNG-KUEN

/gpgai'S GALLANTRY

aa/iuifti 9 jmtaxaj c-j9 i/vj - 6 -

QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL

MR LO WAI-SHING

QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT

MR WONG CHUN-FAI

BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL)

MISS CHAN MAY-MAY

MR CHU SAM

MR CHU SING-KEUNG

MR HUNG KOON-FAT

MR KO YAT

MR KONG CHIU-YEE

MR KWOK TAT

MISS WANDA LEE WAN-WAH

MR LEUNG SUN

MR LOUIE YUE-KWAN

MR MA SHING

MR MAK KAI-YIM

MR MAK MO

MR PEDRO DO ROZARIO

MR SUEN LING-KAN

MR TONG KWONG-WAI

IR TSUI CHI—WAI

BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL) (MILITARY DIVISION)

STAFF SERGEANT JOHN DUNCAN HOLMES

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER CATERER JOHN ARTHUR JACKSON

LANCE CORPORAL LAU YING-TANG

SERGEANT LEUNG KWOK-HUNG

SERGEANT DILK ISHOR RAI

SERGEANT DORJEE SHERPA

/SEF......

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

QPM (QUEEN’S POLICE MEDAL)

NR PETER JOHN CLARKE NR CHARLES DEREK MAYGER

QFSM (QUEEN’S FIRE SERVICE MEDAL)

NR MONTAGUE KINGDOM MR JOHN HOWARD MARCH

ISM (IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL)

NR CHIU CHI-WING

CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL) (POLICE)

NR PATRICK EDWARD BIRNEY

NR GEORGE DAVID BROOKE

NR CHAN KWOK-YIN

MR BARRIE JOSEPH DEEGAN

NR LEONARDO JOHN HARTEAM

MR LEE HOI-CHING

NP LING PUI

MR MA KWONG-YEE

NR BENJAMIN WILLIAM MUNFORD

NR PETER GRAHAM OAKEY

MR ROBERT ALLAN PORTER

NR SO KI-KWONG

NR TANG WING-SUN

NR WONG SIU-BUN

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983’

8

CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL) (FIRE SERVICES)

CHAN FONG M? CHOW PUI-SHING MR LEE KWOK-CHIU

BADGE OF HONOUR

MR CHAN BING-SING MR CHAN KWAI-SANG W CHAN TIN-SUNG MR FAN KAM-PING MR FONG LOI W PETER HO WING-KO MR IP CHI-HOI MR RICHARD KO MR LAM LEUNG-KI MR LAM YING-HO MR LEE KON MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM MR NG CHEUK-TAI MR TAM KUEN MR CLEMENT TAO KWOK-LAU MR TUNG HONG-YING MR WAI YU-BING MR WONG DA I-HE I MR YANG TZE-KIANG

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

9

YOUTH INVITED TO JOIN ACAN VOLUNTEER GROUP

* * M *

THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS IS LAUNCHING A CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT ENTHUSIASTIC AND RESOURCEFUL YOUNG PEOPLE TO HELP FIGHT THE DRUG PROBLEM IN HONG KONG.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION SAID THE FUNCTION OF THE GROUP IS TO ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTING ANT I-NARCOTICS EDUCATION OR PUBLICITY PROJECTS ORGANISED BY ACAN.

♦THE GROUP IS ESTABLISHED WITH A VIEW TO TRAINING AND ENCOURAGING YOUNG VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE MORE ACTIVE AND DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK+, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN ACAN’S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WORK AND THEIR SELF-INITIATED PROJECTS, THEY WILL CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TOWARDS A WORTHY SOCIAL CAUSE IN SPREADING THE ANT I-NARCOTICS MESSAGE.+

♦IN ADDITION, THEY WILL GAIN ORGANISATION EXPERIENCE AND MAKE FRIENDS. MEMBERS WITH GOOD PERFORMANCE WILL ALSO BE AWARDED COMMENDATION CERT IFICATES,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1981, THE VOLUNTEER GROUP HAS PARTICIPATED IN SOME 50 ANTI-NARCOTICS PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CONCERTS, SPORTS MEETS, SEMINARS, TRAINING CAMPS AND OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY ACAN.

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP ARE ALL HIGHLY MOTIVATED AND ENTHUSIASTIC YOUNG PEOPLE COMING FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THEY MAKE USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME IN THE EVENINGS OR DURING HOLIDAYS TO CARRY OUT THE WORK.

THE RECRUITMENT EXERCISE IS NOW OPEN TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 28 YEARS, WITH A MINIMUM OF FORM FIVE EDUCATION STANDARD.

EACH APPLICATION WILL BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED BY A SELECTION BOARD AND AN INTERVIEW WILL BE HELD TO SELECT SUITABLE CANDIDATES.

TRAINING PROGRAMMES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR NEW MEMBERS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUES IN CARRYING OUT THE ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES; THE DRUG EDUCATION/LIA ISON CENTRE, NARCOTICS DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, UNITED CENTRE, 31ST FLOOR, 95 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG; AND THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE AT ROOM 602, DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING, 15 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG OR AT ROOM 409, TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, MONGKOK, KOWLOON.

COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DRUG EDUCATION/LIAISON CENTRE, NARCOTICS DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, ON OR BEFORE MAY 16.

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE CENTRE AT 5-295140.

---------------------------0-------

/10 .....

huiwat, April. £9, iw

- 10 -

LOCAL BUSINESS COURSE GAINS PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION *****

THE INSTITUTE OF BANKERS IN LONDON HAS GRANTED PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION TO DIPLOMA COURSE GRADUATES IN BUSINESS STUDIES OFFERED BY THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

STARTING THIS YEAR, GRADUATES WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM THE FIRST PART OF VARIOUS SUBJECTS WHEN TAKING PART IN THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE OF BANKERS (IOB).

SIMILAR RECOGNITION WAS ALSO GIVEN EARLIER THIS YEAR TO THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WHERE TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME DIPLOMA COURSE IN BUSINESS STUDIES IS ALSO OFFERED.

THIS IS ONE OF THE POPULAR COURSES AMONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE APPLICANTS AND IT IS AIMED AT PROVIDING SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS IN BUSINESS. *

WITH THE FOUNDATION THUS OBTAINED, GRADUATES CAN FURTHER SPECIALISE THEIR DEVELOPMENT IN A PARTICULAR BUSINESS FIELD SUCH AS BANKING, INSURANCE OR MARKETING.

ON RECOMMENDATION BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, STUDENTS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY’S DIPLOMA EXAMINATION IN MANAGERIAL PRINCIPLES DURING THEIR STUDIES AND IN THE PAST HAVE OFTEN OBTAINED EXCELLENT RESULTS.

- - - - 0 ---------

AUDIOLOGY PROFESSOR IN HONG KONG

* * * *

PROFESSOR IAN TAYLOR, A PROFESSOR OF AUDIOLOGY AND EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND CURRENTLY DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG LAST FRIDAY (APRIL 22) FOR A WEEK’S VISIT.

DURING HIS STAY, HE WILL VISIT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE TWO UNIVERSITIES TO DISCUSS SPECIAL EDUCATION AND AUDIOLOGY, ESPECIALLY ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN.

TOMORROW PROFESSOR TAYLOR WILL'GIVE A TALK ON +BRAINSTEM AUDIOMETRY* TO MEMBERS OF THE EAR, NOSE AND THROAT SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.

ON WEDNESDAY, HE WILL CALL ON THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MR JOHN LEUNG, BEFORE ATTENDING A WORKSHOP ON +AUDIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF A MULTIPLE-HANDICAPPED CHILD* AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON.

IN THE EVENING, PROFESSOR TAYLOR WILL DELIVER A PUBLIC LECTURE ON +ASSESSMENT AND EDUCATIONAL TREATMENT OF PRE-SCHOOL HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN* AT THE AUDITORIUM OF THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING AT 15 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 6 PM.

------o-------

/11.......

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

11

NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL OPENS IN SHA TIN

* * * *

A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL WAS OPENED IN SHA TIN THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, PROVIDING A FURTHER 2 OOO SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE NEW TOWN.

THE LOK SIN TONG CHAN CHO CHAK SCHOOL, LOCATED IN JAT MIN CHUEN, HAS AN AREA OF 10 000 SQUARE METRES WITH 24 CLASSROOMS, SEVERAL MULTI-PURPOSE LECTURE ROOMS, A LIBRARY, AN INDOOR STADIUM, BASKETBALL COURTS AND A SCHOOL HALL.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, SAID THE SCHOOL WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MUCH-NEEDED SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE FAST GROWING NEW TOWN.

HE THANKED THE LOK SIN TONG’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PLANNING AND BUILDING THE SCHOOL.

+YOUR TONG HAS MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF HISTORY AND IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHARITY ASSOCIATIONS IN HONG KONG, PROVIDING A FULL RANGE OF ACTIVITIES BOTH IN THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION, MEDICAL, SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND OTHER SERVICES HAVE BEEN WIDELY RECOGNISED AND HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE TO THE COMMUNITY,+ HE SAID.

HE ALSO PAID SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO MR CHAN CHO CHAK FOR HIS $300 000 DONATIONS TOWARDS THE SCHOOL’S FOUNDATION FUND.

STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL HAD BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN THE DISTRICT’S ACTIVITIES, HAVING WON TWO FIRST PRIZES AND A NUMBER OF HONOURS IN THE RECENT SHA TIN HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN SLOGAN DESIGN AND ESSAY WRITING CONTESTS.

-------o----------

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1983

12

AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS

* * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.

A TOTAL OF 31 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR

BIDDING. THEY AREi

CY 827 CY 450 CW 1111 AU 2808

CY 128 AA 3131 CY 662 BL 163

CY 629 CY 891 AH 911 CG 3223

AP 678 CY 480 CX 7777 BB 2623

CX 8696 CW 8 CX 9904 CF 3

CY 365 CX 8698 CY 8188 CY 9993

CY 633 CY 1283 CK 800 AC 8998

BB 456 BZ 9237 CY 6569

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PA? r IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY

AFTER THE BIDDING.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.

PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.

THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 84TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.

--------o - - - -

WATER FIGURES * * *

STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 77.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 445.194 MILLION CUBIC METRES.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 207.017 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 35.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.

_ _ o - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG-SHENZHEN WORKING GROUPS MEETING ..................... 1

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL.............. 1

SUPER-HERO TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY ............................. 3

EXPERT ON SCHOOL BUILDING DESIGN IN HK ........................ 4

LABOUR LAW OFFENCES ........................................... 5

EASTERN DB TO HOLD MEETING ON THURSDAY ........................ 6

LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE LAND AD1HNISTRATICN COURSE............ 6

AMBULANCE DEPOT TO BE BUILT ON TSING YI ....................... 7

SALE OF CROWN LAND BY AUCTION ................................. 8

PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER CLOSED ......................... 8

SEMINARS FOR MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS ................................ 8

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1933

1

HONG KONG-SHENZHEN WORKING GROUPS MEETING * * * * *

AT THE INVITATION OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE SHENZHEN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, MR ZHEN XI PE I, THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MCLAREN, WILL LEAD A DELEGATION OF EIGHT HONG KONG OFFICIALS TO VISIT SHENZHEN ON APRIL 28 AND 29.

THE HONG KONG OFFICIALS WILL INCLUDE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NT), MR IAN MACPHERSON, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HON^’KONG AND KOWLOON), MR GRAHAM BARNES, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL SUEN, THE ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALAN MASON AND PRINCIPAL IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR M.Y. LEUNG.

THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO REVIEW THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOINT HONG KONG-SHENZHEN WORKING GROUPS ESTABLISHED UNDER AN AGREEMENT SIGNED ON APRIL 30, 1982.

THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES OVER VARIOUS CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS, IN PARTICULAR PROPOSALS TO BUILD NEW BRIDGES AT LOK MA CHAU, SHA TAU KOK AND MAN KAM T0> TO ESTABLISH A FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND BEACH RESORTS AT DA MEI SHA AND XIAO MEI SHA ON' MIRS BAYj AND TO TAKE JOINT ►EASURES TO PREVENT FLOODING AND POLLUTION IN THE SHENZHEN RIVER. A JOINT WORKING GROUP HAS ALSO BEEN SET UP TO CO-ORDINATE PLANS FOR THE REBUILDING OF THE RAILWAY STATIONS AT LOWU AND SHENZHEN.

THE WORK OF THE JOINT WORKING GROUPS WAS LAST REVIEWED IN OCTOBER 1982, WHEN MR ZHEN XI PE I AND A NUMBER OF HIS OFFICIALS VISITED HONG KONG. THE PRESENT MEETING WILL MARK THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNATURE OF THE AGREEMENT.

THE JOINT WORKING GROUPS HAVE MET REGULARLY DURING THE PAST YEAR. CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE AND A NUMBER OF THE CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS HAVE ADVANCED TO THE PLANNING AND DESIGN STAGE.

- - 0 - -

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL * * * *

MAJOR AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982, WHICH IS DUE FOR A FINAL READING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWSi

* TO CLAUSE 11 WHICH REFERS TO THE DECLARATION OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF INDUSTRY AS +SPECIFIED PROCESSES*, THUS REQUIRING THEM TO BE LICENSED IN ORDER TO SET UP OPERATION.

/as ohiginally .......

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1983

- 2 -

AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED, THIS CLAUSE ENABLED SUCH DECLARATIONS TO BE MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, ON THE ADVICE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT PROVIDES THAT IT SHALL BE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH WILL APPROVE THE LIST OF ^SPECIFIED PROCESSES* AND ANY AMENDMENTS TO THAT LIST.

* TO SCHEDULE 1A WHICH LISTS THOSE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES WHICH WILL BE DESIGNATED AS +SPECIFIED PROCESSES* WHEN THE BILL IS ENACTED. THESE ARE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS WITH A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR AIR POLLUTION, SUCH AS CEMENT, CHLORINE, GAS AND ELECTRICITY WORKS.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO DECLARE THESE PROCESSES AFTER THE BILL WAS ENACTED. THE SCHEDULE IS NOW REQUIRED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED TO CLAUSE 11.

* TO CLAUSE 33 WHICH RELATES TO THE SITUATION WHERE A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN SERVED WITH AN AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT NOTICE, APPEALS AGAINST THAT NOTICE.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL ALLOW THE APPEAL BOARD, IF HIS APPEAL IS SUCCESSFUL, TO AWARD HIM COSTS AND, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, COMPENSATION.

* TO CLAUSE 10 WHICH SPECIFIES THE PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF AN AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT NOTICE.

THE EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL BE TO INTRODUCE A DEFENCE FOR A PERSON WHO IS PROSECUTED FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH A NOTICE, IN THAT THE AUTHORITY WILL BE OBLIGED TO PROVE TO THE COURT THAT THE AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE EXISTED OR WAS IMMINENT AT THE TIME WHEN THE ABATEMENT NOTICE WAS ISSUED.

ALSO DUE FOR FINAL READINGS ARE THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1983, BILLS OF EXCHANGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 AND MARINE FISH CULTURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983.

EIGHT BILLS WILL BE READ A FIRST AND SECOND TIME, WITH DEBATE TO BE ADJOURNED.

THEY ARE THE BETTING DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1983, ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 AND LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983.

AT THE MEETING, THERE WILL BE 12 QUESTIONS BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, WITH FOUR OF THEM FOCUSING ON CRIME ISSUES.

THE OTHER QUESTIONS WILL DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS AS SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES, THE NUMBER OF MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS AUTHORISED TO SUPPLY THE NEW REFLEX-REFLECTING CAR NUMBER PLATES, POLLUTION CONTROL, QUALITY OF SERVICE AND SAFETY STANDARDS IN PRIVATE HOMES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE, AND THE SAFETY OF BATHERS AT PUBLIC BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS.

- - - - -

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1983

- 3 -

SUPER-HERO TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY ft ft ft ft

HONG KONG’S YOUNG CHILDREN ARE ABOUT TO HAVE THEIR OWN LOCAL SUPER-HERO.

+CAPTAIN SAFETY*, THE CENTRAL CHARACTER IN AN INNOVATIVE ROAD SAFETY EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY AT PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, WAS INTRODUCED TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL.

THE CURRENT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IS PRIMARILY AIMED AT REDUCING PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THREE IDENTIFIABLE TARGET GROUPS I.E., YOUNG CHILDREN, TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS, AND DRIVERS.

ACCORDING TO STATISTICS THE MOST VULNERABLE GROUPS OF VICTIMS OF ROAD ACCIDENTS IS CHILDREN AGED FIVE TO 11 YEARS. LAST YEAR 23 CHILDREN IN THIS AGE GROUP WERE KILLED AND MORE THAN 2 OOO WERE INJURED ON HONG KONG’S ROADS.

IN VIEW OF THIS, SPECIAL CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN IN THE ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO THE EDUCATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN ON THE DANGERS THAT EXIST ON THE ROADS.

THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL, MR PETER MOOR SAID AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE« ♦INTERNATIONALLY SPEAKING, IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT CAMPAIGNS AIMED AT YOUNG CHILDREN ARE NOT VERY EFFECTIVE. ON THE OTHER HAND, INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH HAS CLEARLY INDICATED THAT YOUNG CHILDREN ARE VERY RESPONSIVE TO HERO FIGURES.

♦THROUGHOUT THE WORLD THERE ARE TWO HIGHLY REGARDED ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMMES AIMED AT PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. ONE IS THE TRAFFIC CLUBS' SCHEME IN NORWAY. THE OTHER IS THE UNITED KINGDOM S ’GREEN CROSS MAN CAMPAIGN’, AND WE HAVE USED A SIMILAR APPROACH IN CREATING CAPTAIN SAFETY.+

MR MOOR WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN SUPER-HERO WAS A LONG-TERM APPROACH TO EDUCATING THE YOUNG ON THE SUBJECT OF USING THE ROADS CORRECTLY. THE CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO HEED CAPTAIN SAFETY’S ADVICE CONCERNING ROAD SAFETY AND TRAFFIC EDUCATION IN GENERAL.

INTRODUCING CAPTAIN SAFETY (ACTOR JOE LEE) AND HIS ROBOT, MR MOOR SAID THAT CAPTAIN SAFETY WILL APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE MANY DISTRICT AND TERRITORY-WIDE ROAD SAFETY FUNCTIONS THAT ARE PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR. HE WILL ALSO BE FEATURED IN SHORT TELEVISION FILMS TO BE SCREENED IN THE AFTERNOONS DURING CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES. THESE FILMS WILL HAVE A STRONG INTERACTION WITH SPECIAL COMICS FEATURING CAPTAIN SAFETY TO BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMME PROVIDES FOR A PLANNED SEQUENCE OF SHORT FILMS BUILDING UPON ONE ANOTHER AND AMPLIFYING THE SIX INDIVIDUAL PRINCIPLES OF THE ROAD CROSSING CODE. FUTURE EDITIONS OF CAPTAIN SAFETY COMICS WILL EXPLAIN IN GREATER DETAIL THE POINTS MADE BY THE TV FILMS.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1983

- 4 -

THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE CLOSELY COORDINATED WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMME DUE TO COMMENCE IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

MR MOOR ALSO SAIDt +THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROGRAMME DEPENDS NOT ONLY ON PUBLICITY AND SCHOOLS’ SUPPORT, BUT ON ALL PARENTS AND ESPECIALLY ON THE MEDIA. FOR THE MORE DISCUSSION AND EXPOSURE THAT THE SUBJECT AND CAPTAIN SAFETY HIMSELF CREATE AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN, THE MORE EFFECTIVE THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE.+

THERE ARE ALREADY PLANS IN HAND TO PUBLISH REGULAR CAPTAIN SAFETY CARTOON STRIPS IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS.

TO ALLAY ANY POSSIBLE FEARS THAT A SUPER-HERO MAY ENCOURAGE YOUNG CHILDREN TO PERFORM SUPERMAN-TYPE FEATS, MR MOOR MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT CAPTAIN SAFETY IS NOT A SUPER HUMANj HIS EQUIPMENT AND ROBOT COMPANION MAY WELL BE HIGH TECHNOLOGY ORIENTATED, BUT THE CHARACTER HIMSELF WILL NEVER BE PORTRAYED AS BEING STRONGER THAN STEEL OR BEING ABLE TO FLY.

+IT IS CAPTAIN SAFETY’S KNOWLEDGEABLE ADVICE WHICH WILL BE CONSTANTLY FEATURED IN OUR EFFORTS TO PERSUADE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN TO CROSS THE ROAD CORRECTLY,+ HE SAID.

_____0------

EXPERT ON SCHOOL BUILDING DESIGN IN HK

*****

AN ARCHITECT WHO FORMERLY WORKED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, MR K.E. FOSTER, HAS ARRIVED IN HONG KONG TO ADVISE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON SCHOOL BUILDING DESIGNS MOST SUITABLE TO HONG KONG.

MR FOSTER, WHO WILL BE HERE UNTIL MAY 12, WILL ALSO GIVE ADVICE ON THE FOLLOW I NGi

* OPTIMISATION OF THE USE OF EXISTING SCHOOL FACILITIES, IN PARTICULAR WHETHER THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF OPERATING FLOATING CLASSES IS OVER-STRETCHING THE FACILITIES*

* OPTIMUM USE OF LAND FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES IN SCHOOL PLANNING? AND

* THE METHODS OF CONVERSION AND EXTENSION TO SCHOOL PREMISES TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS AND EDUCATIONAL TARGETS, SUCH AS REDUCTION OF CLASS SIZE, IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIVITY APPROACH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AND ADDITION OF MORE CLASSROOMS.

MR FOSTER WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG LAST THURSDAY (APRIL 21) HAS SINCE MET THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE AND HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH SENIOR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS. HIS VISIT WAS ORGANISED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL.

/during his .......

TUeT'AY, APBIL 26, 1983

5

DURING HIS STAY HE WILL VISIT A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS JO SEE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF PURPOSE-BUILT OR CONVERTED SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG.

MR FO’STFR IS EXTREMELY VERSATILE AND HAS WIDE EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATION AND PLANNING AND DESIGN TO MEET EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. THE TIME HE SPENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE WAS ONE OF UNPRECEDENTED EXPANS ION IN THP EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE U.K. HE HAS THEREFORE ACQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF EXPERTISE IN THE WHOLE FIELD OF PLANNING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF RAPIDLY EXPANDING PUPIL AND STUDENT POPULATIONS.

HE HAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN A NUMBER OF OVERSEAS CONSULTANCIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, NEPAL AND THE PHILIPPINES ADVISING ON EDUCATIONAL PROVISION.

- - 0 - -

LABOUR LAW OFFENCES * * * K

A TOTAL OF 686 PROSECUTIONS FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LAWS TAKEN OUT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS BY THE COURTS LAST (MARCH) MONTH WITH FINES AMOUNTING TO MORE THAN $701 000.

MOST OF THE PROSECUTIONS CONCERNED BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.

PROSECUTIONS CONCERNING VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS TOTALLED 196, WITH $382 050 IN FINES. THESE INCLUDED 79 (WITH $110 300 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS AND 85 (WITH $237 650 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.

PROSECUTIONS RELATING TO BREACHES OF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS ACCOUNTED FOR 436 WITH $280 950 IN FINES.

OF THE OTHER PROSECUTIONS, 16 WERE RELATED TO FAILURE TO KEEP RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES, LEADING TO $8 250 IN FINES.

--------q - - - -

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1983’

6

EASTERN DB TO HOLD MEETING ON THURSDAY ft ft ft ft

MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED FACILITIES IN THE URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX IN ELECTRIC ROAD AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 28).

THE FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A MARKET, A COOKED-FOOD CENTRE, A CULTURAL CENTRE, A PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN GAMES AREA, A TABLE TENNIS CENTRE, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AND SQUASH COURTS.

THE COMPLEX, AIMED AT ACCOMMODATING ON-STREET HAWKERS IN A PURPOSE-BUILT MARKET AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1986.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, DR JAMES HAYES, ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DISTRICT.

ALSO INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA ARE THE ORGANISATION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS TERMINUS IN CHAI WAN AND REPORTS OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.

THE MEETING WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE SECRETARY, MR K.K. NG AT 5-630181.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE FIFTH EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 28) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, AT 884—886 KING’S ROAD, 1ST FLOOR.

-----0------

LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE LAND ADMINISTRATION COURSE ft ft ft ft *

THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 24 LAND EXECUTIVES OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, WHO HAVE PASSED A CERTIFICATE COURSE IN LAND ADMINISTRATION.

THE TWO-YEAR COURSE IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

THE PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSE PROVIDES FORMAL TRAINING IN LAND ADMINISTRATION FOR NEW LAND EXECUTIVES IN THE DEPARTMENT.

/subjects covered .......

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1983

- 7 -

SUBJECTS COVERED INCLUDE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF LOCAL SERV ICES; LAND SURVEYING AND MAP INTERPRETATION? VALUATION OF LAND AND BUILDINGS; LAW RELATED TO LAND ADMINISTRATION; BUILDING CONSTRUCTION; .'LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT; ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT! AND ECONOMICS.

SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR TODD SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH STANDARD OF THE COURSE, IT HAD GAINED RECOGNITION FROM THE PUBLIC AND IN MANY CASES HAD BEEN REGARDED AS A REQUIREMENT FOR POSTS IN LOCAL LEADING ESTATE AGENCIES AND LARGE COMPANIES.

♦AS THE COURSE IS BASED ON THE SYLLABUS FOR THE PART I EXAMINATION OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS IN THE GENERAL PRACTICE (ESTATE MANAGEMENT) DIVISION,+ HE SAID, ♦THE SOCIETY OF SURVEYING TECHNICIANS HAS NOW ACCEPTED THIS COURSE AS BEING EQUIVALENT TO THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION COUNCIL HIGHER CERTIFICATE AND THEREFORE ALLOWS ADMISSION WITH TWO YEARS APPROVED SURVEYING EXPERIENCE TO BECOME ASSOCIATE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY IN THE GENERAL PRACTICE DIVISION.♦

IN RECOGNITION OF THIS, MR TODD SAID THAT THE ACADEMIC BOARD OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC HAD NOW AGREED TO RETITLE THE CERTIFICATE AS A HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN LAND ADMINISTRATION.

SINCE THE COURSE STARTED IN 1974, A TOTAL OF 154 SERVING LAND EXECUTIVES, INCLUDING THE PRESENT 24, HAVE COMPLETED IT SUCCESSFULLY AND ANOTHER 71 ARE ATTENDING IT.

--------o - - - -

AMBULANCE DEPOT TO BE BUILT ON TSI NG Yl

* X ft

A NEW AMBULANCE DEPOT WILL BE BUILT ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND TO IMPROVE THE AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.

THE NEW DEPOT, COVERING A SITE-OF ABOUT 1 350 SQUARE METRES, WILL BE SITUATED ON CHUNG MEI ROAD NEAR CHEUNG HONG ESTATE.

IT WILL BE A STANDARD FOUR-STOREY AMBULANCE DEPOT TO ACCOMMODATE 10 AMBULANCES. BARRACKS, A CANTEEN AND TRAINING FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.

WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED IN MAY NEXT YEAR.

-----o-----

/8 .......

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1?83

8

SALE OF CROWN LAND BY AUCTION

X X X

TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WERE SOLD AT AN AUCTION HELD BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE FIRST SITE, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 2 215 SQUARE METRES IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN PURPOSE.

IT WAS SOLD TO TIAN TECK PROPERTY LIMITED FOR $6.7 MILLION OR $3 024.83 PER SQUARE METRE.

THE OTHER LOT IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 6 050 SQUARE METRES AND IS IN RAZOR HILL, SAI KUNG.

IT WAS SOLD TO TRIFFIDS LIMITED FOR $7.5 MILLION OR $1 239.67 PER SQUARE METRE.

TWO OTHER LOTS, ONE IN SHA TIN AND ONE IN YUEN LONG, WERE WITHDRAWN BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BIDDERS.

------o-------

PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER CLOSED

* * * *

PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER IN HO MAN TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (APRIL 28 AND 29) FOR MAINTENANCE WORKS.

TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE THE GROUND LEVEL ROAD DURING THE CLOSURES.

--.-0---------

SEMINARS FOR MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS * * * *

A SERIES OF FIVE MUSIC SEMINARS WILL BE HELD EVERY FRIDAY FOR MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS STARTING FROM APRIL 29 BETWEEN 7.30 PM AND 9 PM AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IN CAMBRIDGE COURT, WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON.

ENTITLED ’VOICE IN SPRING’ THE SEMINARS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE_RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE COUNCIL.

THEY WILL BE CONDUCTED BY MISS POON CHI-CHING, A RENOWNED SINGER, AND WILL FOCUS ON TOPICS LIKE FUNDAMENTAL SINGING TECHNIQUES, THE ART AND METHOD OF SINGING, THE APPRECIATION CF VARIOUS TYPES OF ART SONGS AS WELL AS COMMON PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY YOUNG SINGERS.

FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE (GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, 136-136 AUSTIN ROAD, KOWLOON) AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (MORNING JOY BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 141-143 KAU PUI LOONG ROAD, KOWLOON).

FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE SEMINARS MAY BE MADE BY DIALLING >7226240.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

' CONTENTS PAGE NO.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:

HK'S CRIME DETECTION RATE HIGH BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS 1

DB'S PROMOTING RECREATION ................................ 3

MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATIONS MAKING GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS ....... 3

SUPPLY FOR NEW CAR NUMBER PLATES.......................... 4

MUSIC TEACHING SCHEME A SUCCESS .....'........... 5

MORE APPLICATIONS FOR NATURALISATION ............’........ 5

TIGHT WATCH ON BEACH WATER ............................... 6

SWD GATHERING INFORMATION ON .PRIVATE HOMES FOR AGED...... 6 .

GYRATORY SYSTEM BRINGS ABOUT TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT ......... 8

TRIAD ACTIVITIES TACKLED IN SCHOOLS ...................... 9

INVOLVEMENT OF IMMIGRANTS IN CRIME........................ 9

DROP IN DROWNING TOLL .................................... 10

PASSAGE OF AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL IS RESULT OF LENGTHY 11 CONSULTATIVE PROCESS .....................................

LABOUR COMMISSIONER GIVES ASSURANCE ...................... 15

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL QUERIED........................ 1?

POLLUTION BILL — ASSURANCE SOUGHT ......................... 18

REASONABLENESS IN DEGREE OF CLEAN AIR STRESSED ........... 20

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL ONLY THE BEGINNING............. 21

AIR POLLUTION IS EVOLVING PROBLEM ........................ 22

/ENVIRONMENTAL........

/

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT MUST NOT BE AT EXPENSE OE CIVIL ____________

RIGHTS ....................................................      25

CALL TO PROTECT SMALL FACTORIES................................. 25

+SCIENTIFIC STANDARDS, TESTS LACKING+ .......................... 26

CALL FOR IMPROVEMENT AND SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES.................. 28

MTR A POPULAR FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT ......................... 29

TAX PROPOSALS APPROVED......................................   ' 29

BILL TO GIVE CONCESSION TO DISABLED DRIVERS ..................   50

RENT CONTROL POLICY — A DYNAMIC ENTITY ......................... 51

PUBLIC EXPECTED TO WELCOME LANDS TRIBUNAL BILL ..*.............. 55

BILL TO CHANGE TITLES........................................... 55

FOUR BILLS PASSED.............................................   55

% •

SIR EDWARD OPENS HONG KONG COLISEUM ............................. 5*+

STEADY POLICIES PROVIDE STABLE, ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS

ENVIRONMENT, SAYS FS............... 55

APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL .................................. 56

SEMINAR ON DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT ............................... 57

« *• o

x • ’ •. ' i • . •

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

1

HK’S CRIME DETECTION RATE HIGH BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ******

THE OVERALL CRIME DETECTION RATE IN HONG KONG IS HIGH BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND IN SOME AREAS IT IS VERY HIGH INDEED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

+FOR EXAMPLE, OF 24 CASES OF KIDNAPPING REPORTED TO THE POLICE IN THE THREE AND A QUARTER YEARS FROM JANUARY 1980 TO END MARCH 1983, THE POLICE SUCCESSFULLY DETECTED THOSE INVOLVED IN 23. AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPRISALS,* SIR PHILIP SAID.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN ON THE CRIME ISSUE.

AS REGARDS THE RECENT KIDNAPPING CASE, HE SAID THE POLICE HAVE MADE SEVERAL ARRESTS ALREADY AS A RESULT OF INTENSIVE INVESTIGATIONS AND THESE INVESTIGATIONS ARE STILL GOING ON.

HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHORTLY BE SEEKING

THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON HOW THE VARIOUS EFFORTS OF THE MANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE PREVENTION OF CRIME CAN BE MADE, COLLECTIVELY, MORE EFFECTIVE.

HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT THERE IS PUBLIC CONCERN AND EVEN ANXIETY ABOUT THE PRESENT STATE OF LAW AND ORDER, TRIGGERED PERHAPS BY SEVERAL MOST UNPLEASANT MURDER CASES, A SPATE OF ROBBERIES OF GOLDSMITH SHOPS AND THE RECENT HIGHLY ORGANISED KIDNAPPING CASE.

SIR PHILIP NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CRIMES PER 100 000 OF THE POPULATION WAS 1 468 IN 19801 AN INCREASE OF 3.4 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN 1981, AND A FURTHER INCREASE OF EIGHT PER CENT IN 1982.

IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 2.8 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR’S CORRESPONDING PERIOD.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IN TERMS OF VIOLENT CRIME PER 100 000 CF THE POPULATION THE PICTURE IS SLIGHTLY BETTER, VIOLENT CRIME BEING DEFINED TO INCLUDE MURDER, KIDNAPPING, ROBBERY, ARSON, BLACKMAIL AND RAPE.

THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VIOLENT CRIMES PER 100 000 OF THE POPULATION WAS 424 IN 1980s A DECREASE OF 5.8 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN 1981, BUT THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AN INCREASE OF 7.6% IN 19825 AND IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983, THERE WAS AN INCREASE CF 5.5% OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1982, HE SAID.

+SOME COMFORT CAN ALSO BE DERIVED FROM THE FIGURE^ FOR HOMICIDES AND FOR KIDNAPPINGS THERE WERE 86 HCMECIDES IN 1980, 105 IN 1981, 93 IN 1982 AND 18 IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1983 (ANNUALISED, THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 72).

WEDNESDAY, APKIL 27, 1983

2 -

♦THESE FIGURES MAY BE COMPARED WITH 115 IN 1972, THE WORST YEAR FOR HOMICIDES IN THE 1970’S. THE LOWEST NUMBER RECORDED IN THAT DECADE WAS 57 IN 1977,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.

WHEN ASSESSING RECENT FIGURES, ONE MUST REMEMBER THAT BETWEEN 1971 AND 1982, THE POPULATION INCREASED FROM 3.9 MILLION TO 5.2 MILLION, HE ADDED.

AS REGARDS KIDNAPPING, THERE WERE 10 REPORTED CASES IN 1980, EIGHT IN 1981 AND FOUR IN 1982.

THERE HAVE BEEN THREE SO FAR THIS YEAR AND THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES OF KIDNAPPING IN THE 1970’S WAS NINE IN 1975, SIR PHILIP SAID.

ONE OF THE MOST PRACTICAL MEASURES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TAKE AGAINST CRIME IS TO REPORT IT, HE STRESSED, NOTING THAT IN RESPECT OF KIDNAPPING, THE RELATIVES OF THOSE KIDNAPPED MIGHT PREFER TO PAY UP AND BRING THE INCIDENT TO A CLOSE RATHER THAN GO TO THE POLICE.

HE SAID THAT THE POLICE ARE ENTRUSTED BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE TASK OF ENSURING THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY CAN GO ABOUT HIS OR HER BUSINESS WITHOUT LET OR HINDRANCE.

THE COMMISSIONER, HIS SENIOR OFFICERS AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE POLICE FORCE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS TASK. BUT THIS TASK IS IMPOSSIBLE OF ACHIEVEMENT IF CRIMINAL ACTS — ATTEMPTED OR SUCCESSFUL — GO UNREPORTED,♦ SIR PHILIP SAID.

SO ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ALL OTHERS TO REPORT CRIME,♦ HE ADDED.

THE REASON WHY REPORTING CRIME IS WORTHWHILE IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS INVESTED HEAVILY IN A WELL MANNED, WELL EQUIPPED AND WELL TRAINED POLICE FORCE,+ HE STRESSED.

BUT SIR PHILIP SAID THAT WHATEVER THE STATISTICAL TRENDS MAY BE, AND NO MATTER HOW FAVOURABLY HONG KONG MAY COMPARE WITH OTHER CITIES, THERE IS STILL TOO MUCH CRIME GENERALLY AND VIOLENT CRIME IN PARTICULAR.

HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE POLICE ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING THE FIGURES.

TO THIS END, THE COMMISSIONER IS ENGAGED IN A RESTRUCTURING EXERCISE, INVOLVING BOTH THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND THE CID DESIGNED TO GIVE COMMANDERS IN THE REGIONS AND DISTRICTS GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM TO MEET THE PROBLEMS WITH WHICH THEY ARE FACED.

THE POLICE ARE ALSO CONSTANTLY REVIEWING THEIR METHODS OF INVESTIGATING CRIME. OF COURSE, THE FUNDAMENTAL TASK IS TO PREVENT CRIME FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE,* SIR PHILIP SAID.

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/3

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

3

DB'S PROMOTING RECREATION ******

DISTRICT BOARDS ARE PARTICULARLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE PROMOTION OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

QUERIED BY THE HON ANDREW SO ON THE ROLE PLAYED BY DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES, MR BRAY SAID THAT THE ANNUAL PROGRAMME, PLANNED BY DISTRICT BOARDS, WILL ALSO INCLUDE SOME LOCAL PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND CO-ORDINATED BY DISTRICT OFFICERS *TO ENSURE THAT DISTRICT EFFORTS IN. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER*.

♦SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES ARE FUNDED BY THE JOCKEY CLUB, THE GOVERNMENT, PARTICIPANTS’ FEES, DONATIONS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL,* HE POINTED OUT.

BUT, HE SAID, PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS HAVE INDICATED NO INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND, UNLESS DONATIONS FROM OTHER SOURCES WERE INCREASED, THE SCALE OF THE PROGRAMME FOR 1983 WOULD BE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR'S,

ABOUT 7 OOO EVENTS OF VARIOUS TYPES, MOSTLY RECREATIONAL, WERE AVAILABLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE LAST YEAR, HE ADDED.


MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATIONS MAKING GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS * * *

MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATIONS HAD CONTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL TO CREATING A SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AT A TIME OF GREAT SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR AKERS-JONES ALSO WOULD NOT HESITATE TO SAY THAT THE MACS WERE A MOST EFFECTIVE ORGANISATION IN PROMOTING THE SECURITY AND CLEANLINESS OF BUILDINGS AND IN PREVENTING CRIME.

ANSWERING A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG LAM AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THAT IN THE 10 YEARS SINCE 1973 WHEN THE MOVEMENT FIRST STARTED, 3 800 MACS HAD BEEN FORMED IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

♦IT IS PROBABLY TRUE TO SAY TODAY THAT HALF THE TOTAL POPULATION OF HONG KONG COME UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE,* HE ADDED.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

4

MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT THE COMMITTEES +WERE, AND ARE, A MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE CONTINUING CAMPAIGN AGAINST CRIME AND IN SUSTAINING THE EFFORT TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN.*

♦I CAN SAY, WITH CONFIDENCE, THAT WITHOUT THEM LIFE TODAY WOULD BE INTOLERABLE FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF OUR PEOPLE. THEY 'WORK WITHIN THEIR BUILDINGS AND THEIR WORK IS LARGELY UNSEEN BY PASSERS-BY; BUT THEIR WORK IS VITAL TO THE MATERIAL WELL-BEING OF OUR SOCIETY AND, FOR THE .WORK THEY DO, THE MEMBERS OF THESE COMMITTEES DESERVE THE GRATEFUL THANKS OF US ALL,* HE POINTED OUT.

MACS, HE ADDED, HAD ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTED CAMPAIGNS DIRECTED AT OTHER TARGETS -- ANTI-NARCOTICS, ROAD SAFETY AND FIRE PREVENTION AND SO ON.

MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT MACS, BEING HONG KONG’S BASIC COMMUNITY ORGANISATION, PROVIDED MEANS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE DENSELY POPULATED CITY AND, +THROUGH THEIR WORK WITHIN BUILDINGS, STRANGERS BECOME NEIGHBOURS AND FRIENDS.*

“HEIR IMPORTANCE, HE ADDED, HAD GROWN BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THEIR BUILDINGSi THEY FORGED LINKS WITH AREA COMMITTEES, DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT OFFICES; THEY HAD PLAYED AN ACTIVE AND ENTHUSIASTIC PART IN DEVELOPING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND, THEY WERE HELPING TO ORGANISE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND OTHER PROJECTS AND FUNCTIONS.

-.--0----

SUPPLY FOR NEW CAR NUMBER PLATES fc X *

THREE MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS HAD SO FAR BEEN AUTHORISED TO SUPPLY THE NEW REFLEX-REFLECTING CAR NUMBER PLATES, AND MORE APPLICATIONS WERE EXPECTED, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR SCOTT WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON S.L. CHEN ON THE SUBJECT.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WOULD APPROVE ANY '.PPLICATION PROVIDED THAT ALL COMPONENTS OF THE PLATES MET THE L*. ITISH STANDARD BS AU 145(A), HE SAID.

--------o

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

MUSIC TEACHING SCHEME A SUCCESS * * * *

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS SOUGHT POLICY APPROVAL TO CONTINUE TO RUN IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR A CENTRALISED SYSTEM FOR TEACHING MUSIC FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION AND HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON COLVYN HAYE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

QUESTIONED BY THE HON JOYCE BENNETT AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HAYE SAID THE SYSTEM LAUNCHED LAST SEPTEMBER HAD BEEN EVALUATED WITH ENCOURAGING RESULTS.

HE SAID THE SYSTEM IS BEING TRIED OUT FOR SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE GENUINE DIFFICULTY IN SCHEDULING SMALL NUMBERS OF PUPILS WISHING TO TAKE POST-FORM III CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION COURSES IN MUSIC AS A SCHOOL SUBJECT.

MR HAYE ADDED THAT THERE WOULD BE A FURTHER EVALUATION OF THE SYSTEM IN THE LIGHT OF EXAMINATION RESULTS NEXT YEAR BEFORE ANOTHER DECISION TO CONTINUE, ANE PERHAPS TO EXPAND THt SYSTEM COULD BE TAKEN.

- - 0 -

MORE APPLICATIONS FOR NATURALISATION * * * X

A MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 78 PERSONS IN HONG KONG HAS APPLIED FOR NATURALISATION AS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS SINCE JANUARY 1, 1983, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HO*' DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THIS NUMBER COMPARED WITH A MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 45 PEf-SONS WHO HAD APPLIED FOR NATURALISATION AS BRITISH SUBJECTS UP TO THAT DATE, MR JEAFFRESON SAID, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO.

MR JEAFFRESON ALSO POINTED TO THE FOLLOWING THREE MAIN CHANGES TO NATURALISATION PROCEDURES SINCE THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1983t

* THE NUMBER OF REFEREES REQUIRED HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM FOUR TO TWO.

* THE RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT FOR THE SPOUSE OF A CITIZEN HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM FIVE YEARS TO THREE.

* AN APPLICATION FOR NATURALISATION AS A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN CAN BE APPROVED IN HONG KONG WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

6

TIGHT WATCH ON BEACH WATER * * * • 'f

REGULAR AND SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING IS UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF THE WATER AT GAZETTED BEACHES IS AT A LEVEL ADEQUATE TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF SWIMMERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON G.T. BARNES SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BARNES SAID BEACH WATER POLLUTION CONTROL WAS ACHIEVED MAINLY THROUGH THREE PROCESSES — MEASURES TAKEN TO PREVENT EFFLUENTS FROM NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOULING BATHING BEACHES AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME TO BUILD SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES AND SPECIFIC CONTROLS ON MARINE AND BEACH LITTERING.

MR BARNES SAID ALL WATER SAMPLES WERE ANALYSED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THESE CONTROLS HAVE THE DESIRED EFFECT.

SHOULD THE WATER QUALITY AT ANY BEACH BE FOUND TO HAVE DETERIORATED TO THE EXTENT THAT IT COULD NO LONGER MEET THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION STANDARD, PROMPT ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE HEALTH HAZARDS BY MEANS OF WARNING NOTICES POSTED AT THE BEACH, HE ADDED.

+IN 1981 THIS LED TO TWO OF THE TERRITORY’S 42 GAZETTED BEACHES BEING JUDGED UNSAFE FOR SWIMMING — CASTLE PEAK BEKH AT TUEN MUN AND ANGLERS’ BEACH NEAR TSUEN WAN. AT THESE BEACHES NOTICES HAVE BEEN POSTED PROMINENTLY, WARNING PEOPLE NOT TO SWIM.

+THE SITUATION AT THESE AND THE REMAINDER OF OUR GAZETTED BEACHES IS VERY CLOSELY MONITORED. THIS IS ESSENTIAL IN VIEW OF THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE TERRITORY’S POPULATION AND INDUSTRY,* HE SAID.

MR BARNES ADDED THAT THE POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES WERE GENERALLY ADEQUATE TO SAFEGAUARD THE HEALTH OF SWIMMERS.

---0------

SWD GATHERING INFORMATION ON PRIVATE HOMES FOR AGED * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS OBTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY TO DECIDE WHETHER ANY GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IS REQUIRED, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI >N THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAMBERS SAID HE WAS AWARE TH T A NUMBER CF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED IN RECENT MONTHS.

/+VISITS ALREADY........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

- 7 -

VISITS ALREADY MADE TO SOME OF THESE HOMES DO NOT INDICATE ANY IMMEDIATE CAUSE FOR CONCERN,♦ HE SAID.

HE SAID THESE HOMES +APPEAR TO BE MEETING A COMMUNITY NEED, PARTICULARLY FOR THE RELATIVELY BETTER-OFF FAMILIES WHO ARE NOT CATERED FOR BY SUBVENTED HOMES.♦

NO COMPLAINT HAS BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR FROM ANY RESIDENT OF THESE HOMES,♦ HE ADDED.

PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY ARE NOT AT PRESENT SUBJECT TO ANY SPECIFIC GOVERNMENT CONTROLS. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE NORMAL PROVISIONS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WHICH APPLY TO ALL PRIVATE BUILDINGS.

MEANWHILE, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, COMMENTING ON RECENT PRESS REPORTS WHICH APPEARED TO CONFUSE PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE AGED WITH SOCIAL CENTRES -OR THE ELDERLY, SAID IT WAS WRONG TO SAY THAT MANY ORGANISATIONS RUNNING THESE HOMES WERE BEING DISCOURAGED FROM OPERATING NEW ESTABLISHMENTS BECAUSE OF A CUT IN GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES.

PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID, ARE PROFIT-MAKING. THEY RECEIVE NO SUBVENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND OPERATE IN RESPONSE TO MARKET FORCES.

ON THE OTHER HAND, SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY PROVIDE SERVICES LARGELY OF A SOCIAL OR RECREATIONAL NATURE AND ARE NON-RESIDENT I AL. THEY ARE CLASSIFIED IN CATEGORY II UNDER THE NEW SUBVENTION SYSTEM, WHICH MEANS THEY RECEIVE LESS THAN 100 PER CENT SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

THE INTENTION IS TO PROMOTE THE VOLUNTARY SPIRIT BY ATTRACTING AN ELEMENT OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR SUCH SERVICES ON TOP OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SUBVENTION,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

REFERRING TO PRESS REPORTS THAT THE NEW SYSTEM HAD DISCOURAGED MANY AGENCIES FROM STARTING NEW SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THIS AND ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS PREPARED TO GIVE SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION TO THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO ANY AGENCY WHICH EXPERIENCED GENUINE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE VALUABLE SERVICES IS PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY AND THE PLANNED PROVISIONS FOR 1^83/84 HAVE ALL BEEN TAKEN UP BY INTERESTED AGENCIES, INCLUDING A FEW NEW ONES NOT ALREADY OPERATING SUCH SERVICES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT ONLY TWO OUT OF THE 30 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH RUN SOME 70 SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY APPEALED OVER LAST YEAR’S ALLOCATIONS.

THESE WERE SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

0

/8 .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

8

GYRATORY SYSTEM BRINGS ABOUT TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT *****

THE DECISION TO POSTPONE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGES AT NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY WAS TAKEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROGRESS IN THE GYRATORY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND THE STRATEGIC REQUIREMENT FOR EFFECTIVE ROAD AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SAID TODAY.

THE PROJECT OF THESE FOOTBRIDGES, WITH ONE ON JAVA ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH NORTH POINT ROAD AND EIGHT ALONG KING’S ROAD AT ITS JUNCTIONS WITH NORTH POINT ROAD, TIN CHIU STREET, MANSION STREET, F INNIE STREET, PAN HOI STREET, QUARRY BAY STREET, YAU MAN STREET AND TAI KOO SHING ROAD, HAD NOT BEEN UPGRADED FROM CATEGORY AB TO CATEGORY A, MR SCOTT SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

THE EFFECT WAS THAT THE FULL POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF THE GYRATORY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD BE DELAYED, HE ADDED.

+HOWEVER, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GYRATORY SYSTEM HAS ALREADY BROUGHT ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN TRAFFIC FLOWS ALONG KING’S ROAD, RESULTING IN JOURNEY TIME SAVINGS OF THE ORDER OF FIVE MINUTES FOR EASTBOUND TRAFFIC AND FIVE TO 11 MINUTES FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC,* HE SAID.

MR SCOTT WAS REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE HON MARIA TAM CONCERNING THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENT DECISION TO SHELVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGES AT NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY IN ORDER TO FINANCE THE CONSULTANCY ON ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME.

HE ADDED THAT FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS WERE EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 12 MONTHS AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HONG KONG AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL INITIAL SYSTEM WHICH WOULD COVER KING’S ROAD, HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY ROAD AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD.

THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD APPROVED A PROPOSAL FOR A CONSULTANCY TO ESTABLISH THE PILOT STAGE OF AN ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME, SUBJECT TO SAVINGS BEING FOUND IN THE TRANSPORT COMPONENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, MR SCOTT POINTED OUT.

+THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL, WHEN CONSIDERING THE PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR THE PILOT STAGE, NOTED WHICH PROJECTS WERE PROPOSED FOR POSTPONEMENT TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FUI<DS,+ HE SAID.

-----o------

/9 .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

9

TRIAD ACTIVITIES TACKLED IN SCHOOLS

X * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY ALERT TO THE DANGERS OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS AND POSITIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO COMBAT THEM, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. THE HON COLVYN HAYE, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN, MR HAYE SAID ALL SCHOOLS HAD BEEN TOLD HOW TO RECOGNISE THE SYMPTOMS OF TRIAD OR GANG ACTIVITIES, AND HOW TO COUNTER THEM, THROUGH VERY CLOSE AND CONSTANT LIAISON ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS WITH LOCAL POLICE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS, AND ON A REGULAR SEMINAR BASIS WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.

-►SPECIFIC ADVICE AND ACTION IS AVAILABLE TO ANY SCHOOL REQUIRING IT AND TEACHERS KNOW THAT THEY HAVE ONLY TO LIFT A PHONE TO GET IMMEDIATE HELP,* HE NOTED.

MR HAYE SAID THAT IN THE LONG TERM THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN MEASURES TO PREVENT CHILDREN BEING DRAWN INTO UNHEALTHY PURSUITS OR ACTIVITIES BOTH IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL.

HE SA ID I +WE ENCOURAGE A WIDE AND STIMULATING RANGE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY SERVICE AND INVOLVEMENT.

+OF THE MANY SCHOOL-BASED CLUBS TWO DESERVE PARTICULAR MENTION - THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS (WHICH HAVE BEEN GOING SINCE 1979 AND WHICH NOW HAVE A MEMBERSHIP OF 72 000 DRAWN FROM 590 SCHOOLS) AND THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL CLUBS (WHICH HAVE ENJOYED PHENOMENAL POPULARITY SINCE THEY WERE LAUNCHED IN 1981 AND WHICH NOW HAVE 330 000 MEMBERS IN 247 SCHOOLS).*

MR HAYE SAID A FEW MONTHS AGO HE MADE A VERY COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT IN THE COUNCIL ON THE PROGRESS THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IN PROMOTING AN AWARENESS OF MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS.

+THIS, HIGHLIGHTED NOT ONLY THE MORAL EDUCATION OF PUPILS, BUT STEPS TAKEN TO REACH PARENTS AND TEACHERS IN ARRESTING AN APPARENT EROSION OF TRADITIONAL SOCIAL VALUES.

*IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND OF AWARENESS THAT GENERAL AND SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES OF EDUCATION AND ACTION HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED AND WILL BE VIGOROUSLY MAINTAINED,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.

- - - - 0 ----

INVOLVEMENT OF IMMIGRANTS IN CRIME * * *

THERE IS AN UPWARD TREND OF INVOLVEMENT OF RECENT ARRIVALS IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, PARTICULARLY IN VIOLENT CRIMES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

/+IN 1980, .........

’W3DN3SMY, APRIL 27, 1983

10

♦IN 1980, RECENT ARRIVALS MADE UP 6.4 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION AND ACCOUNTED FOR 6.8 PER CENT OF THE PROSECUTIONS FOR CRIME AND 6.1 PER CENT OF THE PROSECUTIONS FOR VIOLENT CRIME. IN 1981 THE PERCENTAGES WERE 8 PER CENT, 11.1 PER CENT AND 9.5 PER CENT. IN 1982, 9 PER CENT, 13.7 PER CENT AND 11.9 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT EVADERS, WHO ENTERED ILLEGALLY SINCE DECEMBER 1980, ARE EXTENSIVELY INVOLVED IN CRIME, PARTICULARLY ROBBERY, PICKPOCKETING AND THEFT.

♦OF THE 16 TO 30 MALE AGE GROUP WHICH IS THE GROUP MOST PRONE TO CRIME, EVADERS AND LEGAL ARRIVALS ARE APPRECIABLY MORE PRONE TO CRIME THAN ARE LOCAL RESIDENTS,+ HE ADDED.

TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND TO CONTAIN LEGAL IMMIGRATION. THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO TACKLING THE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF FACILITATING THE ASSIMILATION OF LEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTO OUR SOCIETY.

ON THE POLICE SIDE CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES ARE BEING DEVOTED TO THE PURSUIT OF RECENTLY ARRIVED CRIMINAL ELEMENTS, MR JEAFFRESON SAID.

--------0 - -

DROP IN DROWNING TOLL ******

DROWNING ACCIDENTS AT PUBLIC BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS DROPPED FROM 11 IN 1981 TO THREE LAST YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR BRAY ALSO SAID THAT HONORARY LIFE GUARDS WOULD BE EMPLOYED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT THIS SUMMER TO SUPPLEMENT THE REGULAR LIFE GUARD SERVICE DURING THE PEAK SWIMMING SEASON.

HE ADDED THAT AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE ANNUAL WATER SPORTS SAFETY CAMPAIGN WOULD BE CO-ORDINATED BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT ON THE ADVICE OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT.

♦THE URBAN COUNCIL WATER SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION WILL AGAIN BE HELD THIS YEAR. THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE USED AS THE DESIGN FOR THE POSTER, COPIES OF WHICH WILL BE DISPLAYED AT PUBLIC BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS AS WELL AS OTHER PROMINENT POSTER SITES,+ MR BRAY SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL LEARN-TO-SWIM SCHEME AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE SWIMMING CLASSES WOULD ALSO BE HELD TO INTRODUCE AND PROMOTE SWIMMING SKILLS AND SAFETY CONCEPTS. —

------0-------

/11 ........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

11

PASSAGE OF AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL IS RESULT OF LENGTHY CONSULTATIVE PROCESS *****

THE LENGTHY CONSULTATIVE PROCESS BEGINNING IN 1978 AND CULMINATING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE PASSING OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982 WAS DESCRIBED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY.

SPEAKING AT THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL, MR BRAY SAID:

♦IF ANYBODY STILL THINKS THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE THE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG CAN CASUALLY DASH OFF /ND ENACT LEGISLATURE WITHOUT EXAMINATION I SHOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE HIM AFTERWARDS AND TELL HIM ABOUT THE FOUR-YEAR GESTATION PERIOD OF THIS BILL AND THE NEARLY ONE YEAR OF ITS PASSAGE THROUGH THIS COUNCIL.+

WORK ON THE BILL, HE SAID, STARTED IN 1978 AND LONG BEFORE IT CAME TO THE COUNCIL IT HAD BEEN FIRST THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHCSE SOLE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE COUNCIL, THE HON ANDREW SO, HAD DEVOTED MUCH TIME ON THE SUBJECT AND WHOSE SUPPORT HAD BEEN SO REASSURING.

THEN MR BRAY SAID THERE WERE LONG SESSIONS WITH INDUSTRIALISTS, LAWYERS* ADMINISTRATORS,' CONSERVATIONISTS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO THOUGHT HE KNEW ABOUT IT.

♦EVEN SO, WE FOUND THAT MUCH GROUND HAD TO BE GONE OVER FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES IN THIS COUNCIL. I DO NOT RESENT THIS AND I THINK THE BILL IS BETTER NOW. BUT I AM GLAD I DO NOT HAVE MANY SUCH BILLS,♦ HE ADDED.

MR BRAY THEN SUMMED UP THE BILL'S AIMS AND WHAT ALL THE DISCUSSION HAD BEEN ABOUT.

HE SAID THAT THEY WERE CONSIDERING, IN THE BILL, AIR POLLUTION ARISING FROM STATIC SOURCES — FURNACES, FACTORIES, CHIMNEYS AND THE LIKE AND THAT THESE OPERATIONS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO SORTS: THOSE OBVIOUSLY LIKELY TO GIVE RISE TO SERIOUS POLLUTION ON THE ONE HAND AND THE REST ON THE OTHER.

♦THE FIRST SORT OF OPERATION WE HAVE CALLED 'SPECIFIED PROCESSES’. THERE ARE PROVISIONS FOR LICENSING THESE PROCESSES PLANT BY PLANT. THE PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE PLACE UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS SO THAT THE BEST PRACTICAL METHODS CAN BE INCORPORATED FROM THE EEG INN I NG,+ HE SAID.

PLANTS ALREADY IN OPERATION WHEN THE LAW IS ENFORCED WOULD EE EXEMPTED FROM LICENSING UNTIL THE PLANT IS/REPLACED OR EXPANDED AND, HE SAID, THERE ARE 81 SUCH PLANTS OPERATING NOW.

HE SAID THAT FOR THE REST, THE BILL PROPOSED GENERALLY TO FOLLOW THE PRACTICES THAT HAD BEEN IN USE FOR OVER 20 YEARS UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE.

/+HSHE OPSSATQRS........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

12

♦HERE OPERATORS PROCEED UNFETTERED UNLESS THEY ARE CAUSING A NUISANCE TO PEOPLE ROUND ABOUT. IF THIS HAPPENS THEY ARE SHOWN HOW TO REDUCE THE NUISANCE AND, WHEN NECESSARY, THERE ARE POWERS TO REQUIRE OPERATORS TO PUT THINGS RIGHT,♦ MR BRAY EXPLAINED.

HE WAS HAPPY WITH THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE HON SELINA CHOW ON THE PROVISIONS DEALING WITH THE POTENTIALLY VERY • POLLUTING ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED AS SPECIFIED PROCESSES.

BUT, HE ADDED, THE PRINCIPAL CHANGE OF SUBSTANCE HAD BEEN PROPOSED BY THE HON WONG PO-YAN.

♦THE ORIGINAL BILL PROVIDED THAT SPECIFIED PROCESSES SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL. THERE NEVER WAS ANY QUESTION THAT THE LIST WOULD BE KEPT SECRET OR UNKNOWN TO SMALL INDUSTRIALISTS AS MR WONG SUGGESTED, BUT THE LIST COULD HAVE BEEN ADDED TO WITHOUT FORMAL PUBLIC DEBATE,♦ MR BRAY SAID.

HE ADDED THAT BY PUTTING THE LIST IN A SCHEDULE TO THE BILL, AND PROVIDING THAT AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHEDULE WOULD REQUIRE A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL, THE ADDITION OF NEW PROCESSES WOULD ONLY FOLLOW AFTER DUE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND DEBATE.

THIS, HE SAID, WAS AN IMPROVEMENT.

ANSWERING MR WONG’S AND THE HON S.L. CHEN’S SUGGESTION THAT REALISTIC ACCOUNT BE TAKEN OF THE FACTS OF INDUSTRIAL LIFE IN FIXING AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES, MR BRAY POINTED TO THE TWO LARGE POWER STATIONS.

THEY, WITH EXCELLENT CONTROLS OVER AIR POLLUTION, HAVE BEEN BUILT ON SITES CHOSEN PRECISELY BECAUSE POWER GENERATION WAS BOUND TO GENERATE SOME POLLUTION AND SHOULD BE KEPT AWAY FROM WHERE PEOPLE LIVED, HE EXPLAINED.

♦IF A POINT IS REACHED AT WHICH AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES ARE ENDANGERED THEN AS NEW SPECIFIED PROCESSES ARE PROPOSED SPECIAL CARE OVER SITING AND LICENCE CONDITIONS COULD STILL MAKE THEM ACCEPTABLE,♦ HE SAID.

MR BRAY FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT MR CHEN’S SECOND POINT CONCERNING THE NEED TO INSPECT PLANS OF PLANTS INVOLVED IN SPECIFIC PROCESSES.

TO EXERCISE PROPER CONTROL IN A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY, HE SAID, THE AUTHORITY’S OFFICERS PLAINLY NEEDED ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND, THE DANGER THAT THEY MIGHT BE ENCOURAGED TO DIVULGE THIS WOULD BE HEAVILY COUNTERED BY PENALTIES UNDER CLAUSE 41.

♦THIS IS THE ONLY CLAUSE IN THIS BILL UNDER WHICH SOMEONE CAN BE SENT TO PRISONi A PENALTY NOT TO BE INFLICTED EVEN UPON SOMEONE WHO IS POISONING THE ATMOSPHERE AND ONE WHICH WOULD CERTAINLY END AN OFFICER’S CAREER,+ HE EXPLAINED.

ON AIR POLLUTION NUISANCES, MR BRAY SAID WHAT DID CAUSE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT WAS THE COMPARATIVELY MINOR EXTENSION OF CONTROL PROCEDURES THAT HAVE OPERATED FOR OVER 20 YEARS WITHOUT GENERATING EITHER A CORRUPT OR OPPRESSIVE BUREAUCRACY NOR ANY BODY OF PROTEST.

/he explained......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2?, 1983

- 13 -

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE CONCEPT OF NUISANCE USED IN THE BILL, THOUGH THE SUBJECT OF PAGES OF DISCUSSION IN LEARNED LAW BOOKS, CLEARLY INVOLVED SERIOUS AND UNREASONABLE INTERFERENCE WITH THE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE OF OTHER PEOPLE.

POINTING OUT THAT THERE WERE A GREAT MANY MINOR INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO AIR POLLUTION, HE SAID THE BASIC PRINCIPLE WAS THAT IF THE POLLUTION WAS NOT CAUSING A NUISANCE, OR A DANGER TO HEALTH OR TO AIRCRAFT, IT REALLY COULD NOT BE DOING MUCH HARM AND MIGHT BE LEFT ALONE.

HE SAID HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SOME MEMBERS FOUND THIS EMINENTLY COMMONSENSE APPROACH SO OBJECTIONABLE.

♦THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS OF COMPILING A COMPENDIUM OF ABSOLUTE STANDARDS OF EVERY CONCEIVABLE FORM OF AIR POLLUTION WOULD BE FORMIDABLE. AND WHAT WOULD BE THE POINT OF IT,+ HE ASKED.

MR BRAY SAID THAT FOR THE GENERALITY OF THIS MINOR POLLUTION WHAT MATTERS WAS NOT WHETHER SOME STANDARD OR OTHER WAS BREACHED BUT WHETHER THE POLLUTION WAS CAUSING TROUBLE TO OTHER PEOPLE.

HE ADDED THAT IT SEEMED SENSIBLE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE EFFECT ON PEOPLE AND NOT SOME ABSTRUSE CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL STANDARD.

♦BUT PEOPLE AND THEIR FEELINGS ARE NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO MATHEMATICAL MEASUREMENT AND SO THE BILL AND ITS PREDECESSOR THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE PROCEED DEL IBERATELY, ♦ HE SAID.

MR BRAY SAID INITIALLY IT WAS A PROFESSIONAL OFFICER WHOSE JUDGEMENT WAS EXERCISED IN ASSESSING WHETHER THE AIR POLLUTION WAS CAUSING A NUISANCE OR NOT. IF THERE WAS A NUISANCE HE WOULD FIRST PROCEED BY OFFERING ADVICE.

IF THE PLANT OPERATOR FAILED TO HEED ADVICE, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE AUTHORITY MAY THEN REQUIRE, BY A NOTICE, SOME ACTION BE TAKEN TO ABATE THE NUISANCE.

IN ENGLISH PRACTICE THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE A PROSECUTION IN A MAGISTRATE’S COURT. +WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO HAVE SUCH ARGUMENTS HEARD BEFORE AN APPEAL BOARD COMPRISING A DISTRICT JUDGE AND EXPERTS IN THE RELEVANT ENGINEERING FIELD,♦ HE SAID.

MR BRAY DISAGREED WITH THE HON BILL BROWN THAT THE BOARD WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAKE A FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING WHETHER THE INITIAL ACTION OF THE AUTHORITY WAS CORRECT.

HE EXPLAINED: +IT DOES NOT TRY AN OFFENCE. IT IS CONSIDERING THE PROBLEM OF SOMEONE 'AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION, REQUIREMENT OR SPECIFICATION OF A PUBLIC OFFICER’. THE APPEAL BOARD IS ENABLED TO ’CONFIRM, REVERSE OR VARY THE DECISION, REQUIREMENT OR SPECIFICATION APPEALED FROM'.

htt BRAY SAID HE SAW NO OBJECTION TO MR BROWN’S AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE THE APPEAL BOARD TO START AT THE BEGINNING — TO CONSIDER WHETHER THERE EVER WAS A NUISANCE AT ALL.

/HE ALSO .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1963

- 14 -

HE ALSO WELCOMED MR BROWN’S PROPOSAL FOR THE AWARD OF COSTS AND COMPENSATION IF THE PLANT OPERATOR HAD BEEN UNREASONABLY PURSUED.

REPLYING TO THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG’S COMMENTS, MR BRAY REFERRED HIM TO THE OCTOBER 13, 1982, MEMORANDUM WHICH INCLUDED GRAPHS SPECIFYING LEVELS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN MILLIGRAMS PER CUBIC METRE AND SUSPENDED PARTICULATES IN THE SAME MEASURE YEAR BY YEAR FOR 10 YEARS AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS, AND A FULL ANALYSIS OF THE READINGS.

♦THIS COMPARED IN THE MOST PRECISE WAY AIR POLLUTION IN THESE LOCATIONS WITH THE STANDARDS USED IN THE EEC AND FOUND THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG ACCEPTABLE,♦ HE SAID.

MR BRAY ALSO ASSURED MR CHEONG THAT THE NETWORK OF MONITORS WAS STILL MEASURING KEY POLLUTANTS — SULPHUR DIOXIDE, COEFFICIENT OF HAZE, AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE CONCENTRATIONS.

♦THESE ARE THE KEY INDICATOR OF INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION IN A CITY LIKE OURS. THE DATA PRESENTED SUPPORTS THE VIEW THAT PRESENT LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION ATE WITHIN TOLERABLE LIMITS, ALTHOUGH THE SITUATION IS MARGINAL IN SOME PLACES AND THERE ARE UNDOUBTED BLACKSPOTS,♦ HE SAID.

BUT, HE ADDED, IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT DESPITE REASONABLE CONTROLS ON THE NEW CHEMICAL, POWER GENERATION AND CEMENT PRODUCTION FACILITIES ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THERE WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN EMISSIONS OF SUCH THINGS AS SULPHUR DIOXIDE, OXIDES OF NITROGEN AND PARTICULATE MATTER OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

MR BRAY POINTED OUT THAT WITHOUT THE OVERALL, AS WELL AS DETAILED, CONTROLS ON FURTHER ADDITIONAL EMISSIONS WHICH THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL WAS INTENDED TO PROVIDE, AIR QUALITY IN HONG KONG WOULD DETERIORATE TO UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS.

MR CHEONG ALSO SUGGESTED THAT MOST OF THE EXISTING AIR POLLUTION PROBLEMS COULD BE DEALT WITH WITHOUT EXTENDING THE AMBIT OF THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE BECAUSE AT A GIVEN TIME THERE WERE ONLY 96 PREMISES CAUSING AIR POLLUTION WHICH DID NOT COME WITHIN THE ORDINANCE.

IN REPLY, MR BRAY SAID THE EXTENSION WAS TO COVER AIR POLLUTION NOT ONLY BY SMOKE AND GRIT BUT BY NUMEROUS p01 SONOUS GASES THOUGH NOT ODOURS WHICH REALLY WERE UNMEASURABLL.

♦THIS HAPPILY LOW FIGURE OF PLANTS NOT NOW COVERED IS NOT STATIC. WITH CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT IT MAY BE EXPECTED TO RISE AND EVEN NOW HALF THE AIR POLLUTION COMPLAINTS RECEIVED ARISE FROM PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE + HE SAID.

THE PRIME AIM, HE ADDED, WAS TO STABILISE THE PRESENT SITUATION AND GUARD AGAINST FURTHER DETERIORATION, NOT LAUNCH A MASSIVE ASSAULT ON EXISTING INDUSTRY. +FAR BETTER, BY PRUDENT PLANNING, TO PLACE OURSELVES ADVANTAGEOUSLY TO GUARD AGAINST FURTHER DETERIORATION, THAN TO FAIL TO ARM OURSELVES NOW ON THE GROUNDS THAT THERE IS NO EXISTING PROBLEM.

/HE reiterated .......

WEDNESDAY, APBIL 27, 1983

- 15 -

HE REITERATED THAT THE BILL WOULD NOT DEAL WITH MOBILE SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION, THAT IS VEHICULAR SOURCES — THESE WERE ALREADY CONTROLLED BY EXISTING LEGISLATION.

♦IN ADDITION, THE EMISSION OF EXCESSIVE SMOKE BY ANY MOTOR VEHICLE IS AN OFFENCE AND CONTROLS ARE EXERCISED PRIMARILY BY THE POLICE USING SMOKE METERS TO EXAMINE SUSPECT VEHICLES,+ HE ADDED.

MR BRAY POINTED OUT THAT NEARLY 6 OOO FIXED PENALTY TICKETS WERE ISSUED IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1982.

♦SO WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY IS TO PLUG THE GAP IN EXISTING LEGISLATION BY EXTENDING CONTROLS ON THE STATIONARY SOURCES FOR WHICH THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE IS INADEQUATE. I HOPE NOW WE HAVE GOT THIS RIGHT. THIS IS NOT EASY LEGISLATION AND IT' IS IMPORTANT,♦ HE SAID.

- - - - 0 ----------

LABOUR COMMISSIONER GIVES ASSURANCE ft ft * *

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL EXERCISE ♦CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND EFFECTIVELY^ THE POWERS CONFERRED BY THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL IN ISSUING STATUTORY AIR POLLUTION NUISANCE ABATEMENT NOTICES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT IN EXERCISING THE POWERS HE WOULD APPLY THE EXISTING WELL-TRIED ENFORCEMENT POLICY IN RESPECT OF THE ISSUING OF SMOKE NUISANCE ABATEMENT NOTICES UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE.

IN PARTICULAR, HE ADDED, INVESTIGATING OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION MUST HAVE THE APPROVAL OF A SENIOR OFFICER BEFORE ISSUING A STATUTORY NOTICE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE.

FURTHERMORE, A SET OF CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT GUIDELINES FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF AIR POLLUTION COMPLAINTS WOULD BE USED TO BRING ABOUT UNIFORMITY AND FAIRNESS IN ENFORCEMENT.

MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S POLICY TO ^'^E.’/ERSUADE AND 61VE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PERSON CONCERNED TO BRING ABOUT THE ABATEMENT OF A NUISANCE HAD WORKED WELL.

IN THE GREAT MAJORITY OF CASES THE NUISANCES WERE ABATED WITHOUT RESORTING TO THE STATUTORY NOTICE WHICH WAS ISSUED ONLY ON THE APPROVAL OF THE HEAD OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION.

302 £ASES 0F SM0KE NUISANCES WERE DEALT WITH, AND ONLY IN EIGHT CASES STATUTORY NOTICES HAD TO BE ISSUED.

/THE CLEAN .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2?, 1983

- 16 -

THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR APPEAL BY WAY OF PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR IF THE RECEIPIENT OF THE STATUTORY NOTICE FELT AGGRIEVED, BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO SUCH APPEAL SINCE THE ORDINANCE CAME INTO FORCE IN I960, INDICATING THAT THE LAW HAD BEEN REASONABLY AND FAIRLY ENFORCED.

NEW APPEAL PROCEDURES AS CONTAINED IN THE BILL WAS A DESIRABLE SAFEGUARD IN PROVIDING A JUDICIAL CHECK IN DISPUTED CASES, MR HENDERSON ADDED.

REFERRING TO A POINT RAISED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG ON ENFORCEMENT OF THE BILL, MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL AND OTHER LEGISLATION, PARTICULARLY WHERE THE PUBLIC AT LARGE WAS AFFECTED, MUST RELY ON A MIXTURE OF ENFORCEMENT BY INSPECTION AND COMPLAINT.

HOWEVER, HE REASSURED MR CHEONG THAT MAJOR OFFENDERS WOULD CERTAINLY RECEIVE THE DEPARTMENT’S FULL ATTENTION WHEN NECESSARY.

EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT COMPLAINT WAS AN EFFECTIVE WAY OF DRAWING THE DEPARTMENT’S ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM SPOTS. EVERY COMPLAINT WAS THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED, BUT ON AVERAGE LESS THAN HALF OF THE SMOKE COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND JUSTIFIED.

IN REPLY TO THE HON SELINA CHOW AND THE HON S.L. CHEN, l*R HENDERSON EXPLAINED THAT THE POWERS OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION CONTAINED IN THE BILL WERE NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE AND CAUSE OF AIR POLLUTION.

♦SEVERAL FACTORIES OFTEN SHARE A COMMON CHIMNEY, AND WITHOUT POWERS OF ENTRY IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE FACTORY WHICH IS CAUSING THE AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE.♦

HOWEVER, ENTRY TO AND SEARCH OF PREMISES USED SOLELY FOR DWELLING PURPOSES REQUIRED A WARRANT.

FINALLY, MR HENDERSON TOOK SLIGHT ISSUE WITH THE HON WONG PO-YAN ON THE SUBJECT OF LABOUR LEGISLATION.

HE NOTED THAT MR WONG BLANKETED SUCH LEGISLATION BY THE TERM ’RESTRICTIVE MEASURES’.

♦IT SEEMS TO ME,+ MR HENDERSON SAID, +THAT THIS DESCRIPTION IS TO UNDERVALUE GREATLY THE IMPROVED HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE PROVISION FOR THE WORKFORCE ON WHICH INDUSTRY DEPENDS, AND IT CERTAINLY DOES LESS THAN JUSTICE TO THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY EMPLOYERS AND THEIR ORGANISATION TO MUCH OF THIS LEGISLATION.*

WITH REGARD TO ASSISTANCE TO SMALL OPERATORS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD CERTAINLY TENDER WHATEVER HELP AND ADVICE IT COULD, MR HENDERSON CONCLUDED.

-----0------

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

17

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL QUERIED * * * *

THE HON T.S. LO TODAY (WEDNESDAY) QUERIED WHETHER THE PASSAGE OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982 WOULD GIVE HONG KONG CLEAN AIR.

♦VERY LIKELY IT WILL MERELY INTERFERE WITH MANY PEOPLE MAKING A LIVING,+ SAID MR LO, WHO IS THE CONVENER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNOFFICIALS’ GENERAL SERVICES WORKING GROUP ON THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL.

EIGHT OTHER UNOFFICIALS SPOKE ON THE BILL TODAY.

MR LO SAID IT WAS NOW POSSIBLE TO IMAGINE, THEORETICALLY AT ANY RATE, MEN OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION DEALING WISELY AND IMPARTIALLY WITH ALL COMPLAINTS OF POLLUTION THEY RECEIVED, RANGING FROM CLOUDS OF SMOKE ERUPTING FROM A GOVERNMENT INCINERATOR TO FAINTLY VISIBLE FUMES FROM THE STOVE OF AN ANCIENT INTINERANT HAWKER ROASTING CHESTNUTS.

♦THESE WISE MEN WILL ADVISE THE ANCIENT HAWKER EXPERTLY AND PATIENTLY HOW TO EXTRACT HIS CHESTNUTS FROM THE FIRE AND, IN THE CASE OF THE GOVERNMENT INCINERATOR, TAKE ON THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND ADVISE HIM ON THE TYPE OF $12OM PRECIPITATOR TO BE INSTALLED WITH EQUAL EXPERTISE AND, I HOPE, WITH EQUAL PATIENCE.

I AM ASTONISHED THAT SUCH WISE AND PATIENT MEN MAY BE ATTRACTED INTO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT ON POINT 21 OF THE MASTER PAY SCALE,♦ HE SAID.

THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL WAS INTRODUCED LAST JUNE AND WAS ONLY BROUGHT BACK BEFORE COUNCIL TODAY DUE IN PART +TO AN UNDERDEVELOPED SENSE OF URGENCY.+

MR LO SAID A MORE IMPORTANT REASON FOR THE DELAY WAS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION FOR A CONSIDERABLE TIME CONSIDERED IT INAPPROPRIATE TO LOOK AT THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES RAISED BY THE BILL.

IT WAS ARGUED WITH GREAT CONVICTION IF NOT LOGIC THAT WHATEVER THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES MAY HAVE BEEN THEY NEED NOT BE LOOKED AT AFRESH BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE ON THE STATUTE BOOKS THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THIS ATTITUDE FOR I AM AWARE HOW VERY EFFECTIVELY LED IS THE PRESSURE GROUP OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS KNOWN AS EPCOM.+ HE SAID.

IN THE END THE UNOFFICIALS INDICATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION THAT IF THESE ISSUES WERE NOT DEALT WITH AND THE BILL IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM WERE TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO COUNCIL THEY WOULD VOTE AGAINST IT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BILL WAS REMOVED FROM THE ORDER PAPER.

MORE MEETINGS FOLLOWED IN ONE OF WHICH WE WERE MUCH BENEFITED BY THE PRESENCE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HIMSELF WHOSE CONTRIBUTION ALLOWED SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE BILL,+ HE SAID.

/as OBIGTNATJ.Y....

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 19&3

- 18 -

AS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED THE BILL IN EFFECT ALLOWED THE ADMINISTRATION TO CAUSE A PERSON TO BE PUNISHED BY THE COURTS FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH AN ABATEMENT NOTICE WITHOUT THE COURTS BEING ABLE TO CONSIDER WHETHER HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY POLLUTION AT ALL.

THE BILL ALSO LICENSED LARGE POLLUTORS AND SO LONG AS THEY COMPLIED WITH THE TERMS OF THEIR LICENCES THEY WERE NOT LIABLE TO ABATEMENT NOTICES EVEN THOUGH MANY JUSTIFIABLE COMPLAINTS MIGHT BE MADE AGAINST THEM.

♦THESE ARE PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL POINTS AND I AM GLAD THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER THERE TO OFFEND THE EYE,+ MR LO SAID.

-----o------

POLLUTION BILL — ASSURANCE SOUGHT * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ASSURE THAT INDUSTRY WOULD NOT BE DISALLOWED OR UNDULY PENALISED ON THE GROUNDS OF AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND MODIFY THE POWER PROVIDED BY CLAUSE 28 OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL, THE HON S.L. CHEN SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE SAID THAT +UNLESS MY TWO POINTS ARE DEALT WITH SATISFACTORILY, I AM AFRAID THAT I SHALL ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THE BILL.+

PART II OF THE BILL, HE SAID, PROVIDED FOR THE DECLARATION OF AIR CONTROL ZONES AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES (AQO).

MR CHEN SAID THESE WERE THE GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE AUTHORITY TO OBSERVE AND TRANSLATE INTO CONTROL REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL PLANTS OR INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES SO THAT COLLECTIVELY, THE AIR QUALITY OF A PARTICULAR ZONE WOULD BE MAINTAINED WITHIN A CERTAIN ESTABLISHED STANDARD.

♦THIS BEING THE CASE THE BILL WOULD THEREFORE OPERATE ON A 'FIRST COME FIRST SERVED’ BASIS IN THE SENSE THAT IF THE EMISSION OF A NEW PLANT, WHEN TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING EMISSIONS FROM OTHER ADJACENT PLANTS, WERE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED AQO IN AN AIR CONTROL ZONE, THE PLANT COULD BE ALLOWED.

♦ON THE OTHER HAND, ANOTHER IDENTICAL PLANT WITH SIMILAR CR LESS EMISSION MIGHT BE DISALLOWED BECAUSE THE TOTAL EMISSION FROM ALL OTHER PLANTS IN THE ZONE HAD ALREADY SATURATED THE AQO.+ HE SAID.

MR CHEN SAID THIS APPEARED TO BE UNFAIR ;AND NEW INDUSTRY WOULD AS A CONSEQUENCE BE PENALISED.

/.’ffi SXP3CTED

WEDK3SDAY, APHIL 27, 1983

- 19 -

HE EXPECTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE REGARD TO THE NORMAL AND POTENTIAL INDUSTRIAL GROWTH IN THE ZONE SUCH THAT THE AQO ESTABLISHED WOULD NOT REACH OR LIKELY TO REACH SATURATION POINT FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME, SAY AT LEAST A DECADE OR TWO.

♦ALTHOUGH THE PROVISION IN CLAUSE 7(3) OF THE BILL WOULD ENABLE THE AQO TO BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE SECRETARY, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, I NEVERTHELESS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN ASSURANCE FROM GOVERNMENT THAT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY GUIDELINE, NO INDUSTRY SHALL BE DISALLOWED OR UNDULY PENALISED ON THE GROUNDS OF AQO,+ HE SAID.

MR CHEN STRESSED THAT THE POWER PROVIDED BY CLAUSE 28 OF THE BILL WAS +FAR TOO WIDE*. IN PARTICULAR, UNDER SUB-CLAUSE (1)(IV) AN AUTHORISED OFFICER WAS EMPOWERED TO OBSERVE AND RECORD ANY PROCESS OR PROCEDURE USED IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONDUCT OF ANY SPECIFIED PROCESS, AND TO INSPECT AND MAKE COPIES OF ANY DRAWINGS, RECORDS OR DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE SPECIFIED PROCESS.

THE DANGER THAT TRADE SECRETS COULD BE REVEALED WAS NOT AN IMPOSSIBILITY, HE POINTED OUT.

♦WE WERE TOLD, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH A SITUATION WOULD BE SAFEGUARDED BY CLAUSE 41 OF THE BILL WHERE A PERSON COMMITS AN OFFENCE IN DISCLOSING TO ANOTHER PERSON TRADE OR MANUFACTORY SECRET WHICH HAS COME TO HIS KNOWLEDGE OR POSSESSION IN THE COURSE OF PERFORMING HIS DUTIES UNDER THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $10 000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

♦HOWEVER, FOR SOME HIGHLY PROFITABLE TRADE SECRETS, THESE PENALTIES WOULD HARDLY PROVIDE ANY PROTECTION, AND I REMAIN UNCONVINCED THAT CLAUSE 28 SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAND WITHOUT SOME MODIFICATIONS,* HE SAID.

TURNING TO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL, HE SAID THAT TO OPERATE THE BILL THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD ONLY NEED TO INCREASE ITS MANPOWER STRENGTH BY THE ADDITION OF FOUR PROFESSIONAL AND THREE CLERICAL OFFICERS WHEN THE BILL WAS ENACTED.

THE DIVISION AT PRESENT COMPRISES ONE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER, TWO SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS, 17 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS AND SIX CLERICAL STAFF.

I AM PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN MANPOWER REQUIREMENT BUT WOULD OPPOSE STRONGLY, THAT ANY FURTHER ADDITIONAL POSTS TO BE CREATED IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, SAY DURING THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL,+ MR CHEN SAID.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

20 -

REASONABLENESS IN DEGREE OF CLEAN AIR STRESSED ******

THE MAIN AIM OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982 IS TO ENSURE A REASONABLE DEGREE OF CLEAN AIR ACCORDING TO THE DICTATE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE HON CHARLES YEUNG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION, HE ADDED THAT THE LEVEL CF CONTROL AND PROHIBITION SHOULD THEREFORE ONLY BE THAT WHICH WAS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THAT AIM.

THE DEGREE OF ’REASONABLENESS’ IS RELATIVE TO CIRCUMSTANCES.

ONE CANNOT EXPECT CITY AIR TO BE AS CLEAN AS COUNTRY AIR. THE SOURCE OF POLLUTION IN INDUSTRIAL TOWNS IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT IN COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL AREAS,* HE SAID.

IN RECOGNITION OF THIS, PART II OF THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AIR CONTROL ZONES AND AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES.

CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE CONSULTATION AND TO MONITOR PUBLIC REACTION TO ITS APPLICATION. CHANGES WHERE NECESSARY SHOULD BE PROMPTLY INTRODUCED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE, SAID.

MR YEUNG SAID POLLUTION FROM AREA SOURCES WAS GENERALLY CONTROLLED BY PART I I I OF THE BILL WHICH DEALT WITH THE ABATEMENT OF AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCES, EXTENDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE CHEMICALS AND EMISSIONS INJURIOUS TO FtALTH.

THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE BILL WOULD CAST A VERY WIDE NET AND WOULD AFFECT NOT ONLY RESTAURANTS AND SMALL FACTORIES BUT ALSO HOUSEWIVES, HAWKERS, FARMERS AND NEARLY EVERYBODY.

IT IS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE THAT ITS PROVISIONS

SHOULD BE SPECIFIC AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE APPLIED FAIRLY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS.

IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS, MUCH TIME AND EFFORT HAS BEEN SPENT BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN EXAMINING THIS PART OF THE BILL.

ALTHOUGH MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES WILL BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, ONE CAN NEVER BE CERTAIN THAT THE RIGHT BALANCE HAS BEEN STRUCK,+ HE SAID.

MR YEUNG STRESSED THAT VIGILANCE WAS REQUIRED TO MONITOR PROGRESS.

ON POLLUTION FROM POINT SOURCES, HE SAID LARGE SCALE EMITTERS, SUCH AS MUNICIPAL INCINERATORS, POWER AND CEMENT PLANTS WOULD POSE THE MOST SERIOUS POLLUTION THREAT AND THE COST FOR REDUCING POLLUTION FROM THIS SOURCE ALONE WOULD BE VERY HIGH.

/MR YEUNG .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

- 21 -

MR YEUNG SAID THAT PART IV OF THE BILL ATTEMPTED TO CONTAIN THE PRESENT LEVEL OF POLLUTION EMITTED BY EXISTING PLANTS AND TO CONTROL EMISSIONS FROM NEW SPECIFIED PROCESSES BY REQUIRING THEM TO APPLY FOR LICENCES.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO PURSUE ITS OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING AIR QUALITY BY IMPOSING CONDITIONS ON THE CONDUCT CF THESE PROCESSES. IT WOULD ALSO ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION OR VARIATION OF THE LICENCE.

+IF GOVERNMENT IMPOSES TOO HIGH A STANDARD, THE COSTS TO ACHIEVE IT MAY BECOME PROHIBITIVE AND THEREBY STIFLE OUR ECONOMY.

ON THE OTHER HAND IF TOO LOW A STANDARD IS SET, THE EMISSION MAY BE IN BREACH OF THE LAW UNDER PART II OR PART I I I OF THE BILL AND THE OPERATOR OF THE PLANT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH EMISSIONS,♦ HE SAID.

FURTHERMORE, SPECIFIED PROCESSES OF LARGE SCALE PLANTS HAD AN ADVANTAGE OVER NON-SPECIFIED PROCESSES OF SMALL FACTORIES AND RESTAURANTS AS THIS BENEFIT WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO THEM, HE ADDED.

MR YEUNG URGED THAT WHEN THE BILL BECAME LAW, THE AUTHORITY SHOULD PROCEED WITH CIRCUMSPECTION IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT.

----

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL ONLY THE BEGINNING

* * * *

THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL, IF PASSED, WOULD ONLY BE A BEGINNING, THE HON ANDREW SO TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IT WOULD SERVE AS A FRAMEWORK FOR DRAWING UP FUTURE REGULATIONS THAT DEAL WITH PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF AIR POLLUTION SO THAT THE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES MAY FOLLOW THE REGULATIONS AND EXECUTE THEIR DUTIES EFFECTIVELY, MR SO SAID.

IN GIVING HIS SUPPORT TO THE BILL, MR SO, WHO IS A MEMBER CF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNOFFICIALS’ GENERAL-SERVICES WORKING GROUP ON AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL, SAID HE APPRECIATED FULLY THE PRUDENT PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN STUDYING AND DEBATING THE BILL.

HE SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO CONTROL CERTAIN LARGE INDUSTRIES THAT WOULD POSE A MAJOR POLLUTION HAZARD THROUGH LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ^SPECIFIED PROCESSES^.

♦AT THE SAME TIME IT AIMS TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE CAUSED BY CERTAIN SMALL INDUSTRIES AND OTHER SOURCES OF POLLUTION BY MEANS OF 'ABATEMENT NOTICES’ PROCEDURES,♦ HE ADDED.

MR SO SAID THAT THE BALANCE BETWEEN SOCIAL NEEDS AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS HAD TO BE BORNE IN MIND.

♦IN THE FIELD OF ENFORCEMENT,♦ HE ADDED,+ WE MUST TRY OUR BEST TO BE FAIR TO ALL PARTIES CONCERNED.♦

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

22

AIR POLLUTION IS EVOLVING PROBLEM

* * *

THERE COULD BE NO COMPLETE AND SIMPLE SOLUTION TO AN EVOLVING AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM, THE HON WONG PO YAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982, MR WONG NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARD FOR THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEVEL OF A GIVEN AIR POLLUTANT.

NEW MATERIAL, MACHINERY AND PROCESSES HAD CREATED NEW POLLUTANTS WHILE, ON THE OTHER HAND, NEW PROCESSES TO ABATE AIR POLLUTION HAD BEEN DEVELOPED THROUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, HE SAID.

THE AIR POLLUTION ISSUE WAS THUS ^CONSTANTLY EVOLVING* AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD THEREFORE +TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO SET OBJECTIVES AT REALISTIC LEVELS AND MAKE PROVISION FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIAL NATURE OF AIR EMISSION, DISPERSIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS,* HE SAID.

MR WONG MENTIONED PART IV AND PART VII OF THE BILL WHICH PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO MINIMISE AIR POLLUTION BY REQUIRING LARGE SCALE PLANTS WITH HIGH POLLUTION POTENTIAL TO HOLD LICENCES, AND BY ENCOURAGING SMALL OPERATORS TO COMPLY WITH CODES OF PRACTICE COVERING STANDARD CONTROL MEASURES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT DURING MANY HOURS OF DELIBERATION ON THE BILL, UNOFFICIALS OF THE COUNCIL’S GENERAL SERVICES WORKING GROUP WERE CONCERNED THAT THE +STRINGENT CONTROL PROVISIONS STIPULATED WOULD BE INEXPEDIENT AND IMPRACTICABLE IF APPLIED INDISCRIMINATELY.*

+UNOFFIC IALS, THEREFORE, URGED THAT A SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIED PROCESSES BE ADDED TO DEFINE IN DETAIL PROCESSES THAT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO LICENSING.

♦AT MEMBERS’ REQUEST, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS IDENTIFIED 23 SPECIFIED PROCESSES WHICH WILL FORM A NEW SCHEDULE 1A,+ MR WONG POINTED OUT.

THIS NEW SCHEDULE WOULD BE A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT TO THE BILL AND WOULD OFFER AN IMPORTANT GUIDELINE FOR THE SMALL INDUSTRIES WHICH OTHERWISE MIGHT NOT BE SURE WHETHER THEY WOULD COME UNDER THE CATEGORY OF SPECIFIED PROCESSES, HE SAID.

♦FOR MY PART, I SHALL BE PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 11 TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY PROCESS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST WILL NOT BE A SPECIFIED PROCESS AND WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO CONTROL PROCEDURES UNDER PART IV OF THE BILL.

/+THE AMENDED........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

- 23 -

+THE AMENDED CLAUSE 11 WILL ALSO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE INCLUSION OF NEW PROCESSES AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR THIS COUNCIL TO AMEND THE NEW SCHEDULE 1A OF SPECIFIED PROCESSES BY RESOLUTION, W WONG SAID.

HE EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR MAINTAINING FLEXIBILITY IN SETTING LICENSING CONDITIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS SO AS TO MINIMISE THE INITIAL IMPACT ON OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND POSSIBLE HIGHER COSTS OF PRODUCTION.

AS FOR SMALL OPERATORS WHO WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT LICENCES, AT LEAST INITIALLY, MR WONG SUGGESTED THAT THEY BE OFFERED ASSISTANCE AND INCENTIVES SO THAT THEY MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF POLLUTION CONTROL AND LIMIT THEIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS VOLUNTARILY.

-----o------

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT MUST NOT BE AT EXPENSE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

*****

POLLUTION CONTROL COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED MERELY BY PLACING LEGISLATION ON THE STATUTE BOOK, THE HON BILL BROWN SAID AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

♦SUCH CONTROL MUST ALSO INCLUDE INSTITUTIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENTS, WHICH ARE ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE AND WITHOUT WHICH THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE A POINTLESS EXERCISE,* BROWN SAID.

IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY FOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO ENQUIRE INTO THESE ISSUES AND TO SATISFY THEMSELVES ON THEM, HE SAID.

ADDITIONALLY, THEY HAD BEEN CONCERNED THAT THE DESIRE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT SHOULD NOT BE ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF UNNECESSARY ENCROACHMENT UPON THOSE CIVIL RIGHTS WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE ENTITLED TO SEE PRESERVED, HE SAID.

♦THE BILL AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS OPERATES ON THE BASIS OF THE OPINION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AS FAR AS THE ISSUE OF ABATEMENT NOTICES IS CONCERNED,♦ MR BROWN POINTED OUT.

HE NOTED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WAS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE APPEAL BOARD PROCEDURES WOULD ENSURE JUSTICE AND GOOD GOVERNMENT.

♦HOWEVER, AS THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE APPEAL BOARD ON THIS MATTER WILL BE TO DECIDE WHETHER THE AUTHORITY IS RIGHT TO ISSUE THE ABATEMENT NOTICE AND AS IT IS AN OFFENCE NOT TO COMPLY WITH THE NOTIFICATION, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE ON WHAT GROUNDS APPEALS WOULD SUCCEED,♦ HE SAID.

TO GET OVER THIS, IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE BILL COULD BE AMENDED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE APPEAL BOARD MUST CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF WHETHER A NUISANCE EXISTED OR WAS IMMINENT AT THE TIME AN ABATEMENT NOTIFICATION WAS GIVEN.

/+H0WEVES, THIS.........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

- 24 -

♦HOWEVER, THIS WOULD IMPOSE UPON THE INDIVIDUAL THE BURDEN OF PROOF THAT AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE DOES NOT EXIST OR IS NOT IMMINENT.

♦THIS IS AGAINST A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE IN ENGLISH LAW THAT IT IS UP TO THE STATE TO PROVE BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT THAT AN INDIVIDUAL HAS COMMITTED AN OFFENCE,+ HE POINTED OUT.

AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MR BROWN SAID THAT HE WOULD THUS BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 10 TO THE EFFECT THAT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN HAVE HIS CASE CONSIDERED BY THE COURT AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO PLACE UPON THE PROSECUTION, INSTEAD OF THE INDIVIDUAL, THE BURDEN OF PROOF THAT AN AIR POLLUTANT EXISTED.

HE ALSO DEALT WITH ANOTHER FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE IN ENGLISH LAWi IF AN INDIVIDUAL SUFFERS LOSS OR DAMAGE, AND INCURS SUBSTANTIAL COSTS BY BEING WRONGLY ACCUSED, HE SHOULD.BE AWARDED COSTS AND IN APPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES COMPENSATION.

♦THIS IS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE BILL. ACCORDINGLY, AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE I SHALL BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 33 WHICH WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF CONFERRING UPON THE APPEAL BOARD THE POWER TO AWARD COSTS AND COMPENSATION, WHERE THE APPEAL BOARD ALLOWS AN APPEAL,♦ HE SAID.

EVEN WITH THESE AMENDMENTS, MR BROWN SAID HE STILL HAD RESERVATIONS AS TO THE ABILITY OF THE AUTHORITIES TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.

IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT REALLY POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC, AND CONCERN MUST BE EXPRESSED AS TO WHETHER SUCH SUPPORT IS BEING ERODED BY THE CRIMINAL STATUTE BOOK BECOMING UNMANAGEABLE THROUGH THE SHEER VOLUME OF CRIMINAL LAW BEING ADDED TO IT,+ HE SAID.

SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED, DEPENDED ON RESPECT WHICH COULD BEGIN TO WANE IF DAILY VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW WENT UNPUNISHED.

WE MUST BE CAREFUL, THEREFORE, TO QUESTION ALL NEWLY CREATED OFFENCES, AND INDEED I SEE IT AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE DUTIES OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO QUESTION ALL NEWLY CREATED OFFENCES TO ENSURE SUCH ARE REALLY NECESSARY,+ MR BROWN SAID.

THE AMENDMENTS WOULD RESULT IN A BILL DIFFERENT IN MANY FUNDAMENTAL RESPECTS FROM THAT AS ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED, HE SAID.

IN ITS AMENDED FORM, IT IS, HOWEVER, IN MY VIEW APPROPRIATE TO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE IN HONG KONG IN THE FIELD OF ANT I-POLLUTION MEASURES AT THIS STAGE OF OUR DEVELOPMENT,♦ MR BROWN SAID.

-----o------

/25 .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

25

CALL TO PROTECT SMALL FACTORIES * * * *

THE HON K C CHAN SAID HE WAS *ALL FOR FIGHTING AIR POLLUTION*.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, IN HONG KONG’S UNIQUE SET-UP, WE MUST PROTECT OUR INDUSTRY, OVER 95 PER CENT OF WHICH SMALL FACTORIES EMPLOYING LESS THAN 50 WORKERS EACH.

SPEAKING AT THE DEBATE ON AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MR CHAN SAID WE SHOULD NOT GET OURSELVES INTO THE SITUATION FACED BY SOME ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL NATIONS, WHERE DUE TO TOO HARSH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONTROLS, A NUMBER OF ONE-INDUSTRY TOWNS HAVE TURNED INTO GHOST TOWNS.

MR CHAN, WHO SUPPORTED THE MOTION, POINTED OUT THAT CLAUSE 9 OF THE BILL, AS PUBLISHED, EMPOWERED THE ADMINISTRATION TO GIVE NOTICES OF AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE TO OWNERS OF PREMISES TO ABATE THE NUISANCE, EITHER VERBALLY OR IN WRITING.

I SEE DANGER HERE, AND I SHARE MY COLLEAGUES’ VIEWS THAT A WRITTEN NOTICE SHOULD BE MANDATORY.

AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, I SHALL BE MOVING AN AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 9 TO THIS EFFECT. I AM GLAD THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED TO THE AMENDMENT,* HE SAID.

MR CHAN SAID THAT IN THE BEGINNING THE DIRECT COSTS OF CONTROLLING AIR POLLUTION WOULD ONLY BE BORNE BY THE UTILITIES AND INDUSTRIES RESPONSIBLE.

BUT THE COSTS WILL ULTIMATELY BE PASSED ONTO THE LOCAL CONSUMERS, RESULTING IN HIGHER PRICES AND POSSIBLY INCREASED TAXATION. FOR OVERSEAS CONSUMERS, THIS COULD RESULT IN OUR PRICES BECOMING LESS COMPETITIVE, RESULTING IN LESS ORDERS AND LOCAL EMPLOYMENT.

+IN THE LONGER TERM, WE MUST PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ELIMINATING AIR POLLUTION AT SOURCE.

+AS THIS WILL BE LEAST COSTLY, WE SHOULD SEEK COOPERATION FROM THE PUBLIC IN THE FIRST INSTANCE. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO SEEK A BALANCE BETWEEN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC COSTS AND THE BENEFITS THAT CAN BE DERIVED.

+OUR OBJECTIVE SHOULD BE TO GET CLEAN AIR, WITHOUT UNDUE ECONOMIC RISKS TO OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR WHICH IS STILL THE LIFE BLOOD OF HONG KONG,* HE SAID.

TURNING TO STATISTICS, MR CHAN SAID HE CAME ACROSS SOME FIGURES PRODUCED BY USA IN THE EARLY 1970S WHEN THERE WERE A LOT OF PUBLIC DEBATES ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

/IT was .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

- 26 -

IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 215 MILLION TONS OF POLLUTANTS *£RE POURED INTO THE AIR EACH YEAR, OR ONE TON PER PERSON, FROM THE VARIOUS SOURCES AS FOLLOWSi-

MILL I ON TONS

* VEHICLES (MOSTLY AUTOMOBILES) 90 MILLION TONS

M SMOKESTACKS (CHIEFLY ELECTRIC POWER PLANTS) 46 MILLION TONS

* INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES 30 MILLION TONS

* SOLID-WASTE DISPOSAL (INCINERATION) 11 MILLION TONS

* MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES (INCLUDING FOREST FIRES) 38 MILLION TONS

IF WE DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PRODUCE SIMILAR STATISTICS, IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO COMPARE HONG KONG’S FIGURES WITH THE ABOVE FIGURES.

PERHAPS, BECAUSE WE HAVE FEWER HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND AUTOMOBILES AND OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES ARE GRADUALLY SHIFTING TO NON-POLLUTING ONES E.G. ELECTRIFIED TRAINS AND TRAMS, WE MAY HAVE MORE ENCOURAGING FIGURES.

IN THIS, I THINK GOVERNMENT HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND OUR AIR QUALITY BY LEGISLATING AGAINST CIGARETTE SMOKING.

IF WE ENCOURAGE MORE RESTAURANTS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS TO COOK WITH GAS AND ELECTRICITY, AND TAXIS TO USE LP GAS INSTEAD CF DIESEL OIL LIKE JAPAN, IT MAY FURTHER HELP TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION,♦ HE SAID.

-------o------

♦SCIENTIFIC STANDARDS, TESTS LACKING+

*****

NO SCIENTIFIC STANDARDS HAVE BEEN LAID DOWN AND NO SCIENTIFIC TESTS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL BUT WITH ONE RESERVATION, MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE ABATEMENT PROVISIONS REQUIRED ONLY THAT THE AUTHORITY, OR AN AUTHORISED OFFICER, BE OF THE OPINION THAT THE EMISSIONS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO SOME UNDEFINED AND POSSIBLY MINIMAL EXTENT TO AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE.

HE SAID THEIR OPINION WAS THAT ANY STATUTORY ACTION IN RESPECT OF EMISSIONS FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN +SPECIFIED PROCESSES+ SHOULD BE BASED ON FACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT THE EMISSIONS CONSTITUTED OR CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE.

/THE UNOFFICIALS' ........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

- 27 -

THE UNOFFICIALS’ WORKING GROUP WERE CONCERNED THAT, IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY OVERALL MONITORING OF EMISSIONS, ACTION UNDER THE ABATEMENT PROVISIONS WOULD IN PRACTICE BE TAKEN MAINLY, IF NOT SOLELY, ON THE BASIS OF COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, MR CHEONG SAID.

BUT HE NOTED THAT THE COMPLAINANT DID NOT NEED TO PRODUCE FACTUAL EVIDENCE OR PROVE ANY DAMAGE.

+THE RESULT MAY BE THAT CONTROL WILL PROBABLY BE APPLIED UNEVENLY AND HAPHAZARDLY, AND THAT ACTION MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST VERY MINOR OFFENDERS BUT NO ATTENTION PAID TO MAJOR OFFENDERS,+ HE SAID.

MR CHEONG MENTIONED CLAUSE 46 OF THE BILL IN THE PUBLISHED FORM WHICH ALLOWED A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FOR THE LAYING.OF A COMPLAINT OR INFORMATION FROM THE TIME THEY ARISE; AND FURTHER ALLOWED A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS FROM THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION OF AN OFFENCE.

HE CONSIDERED THE PERIOD FAR TOO LONG EFFECTIVELY FOR THE AUTHORITY TO GATHER INFORMATION ON THE OFFENCE WHICH MIGHT LEAD ONE TO MISINTERPRET THAT THE ADMINISTRATION LACKED EFFICIENCY IN ITS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.

HE WAS GRATEFUL THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED TO AMEND THE CLAUSE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE PERIODS BE REDUCED BY HALF, TO SIX MONTHS AND ONE YEAR RESPECTIVELY.

MR CHEONG ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION’S INABILITY TO CLEARLY INFORM THE PUBLIC THE RELEVANT FACTS AND FIGURES CONCERNING AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG.

HE SAID; +WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THE CURRENT LEVELS OF POLLUTION ARE AND WHAT LEVEL OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE OR NOT, ANY MEANINGFUL PLAN ENVISAGED MUST BE THEORETICAL TO A GREAT EXTENT.*

CITING INFORMATION WHICH ADVISED THAT SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO MOVABLE SOURCES (SUCH AS MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFTS) AND STATIONARY CULPRITS (SUCH AS FACTORIES AND INCINERATORS) APPROXIMATELY IN A PROPORTION OF 6:4, MR CHEONG SAID, + IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF HAVING CLEANER AIR FOR HONG KONG CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH TAKING A COMBINATION OF MEASURES AGAINST BOTH MOVABLE AS WELL AS STATIONARY SOURCES OF POLLUTION.*

BUT HE EXPECTED THAT COST WOULD BE CAREFULLY ANALYSED.

IMPLICATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY

+LET US NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT OUR SURVIVAL IS VERY MUCH DEPENDENT ON WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN CONTINUE OUR PROGRESS ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT,* HE ADDED.

------0 - - - -

/28........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

28

CALL FOR IMPROVED AND SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES *****

THE HON SELINA CHOW, SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982, TODAY CALLED FOR +IMPROVED AND SIMPLIFIED* PROCEDURES FOR LICENSING SPECIFIED PROCESSES.

SHE SAID, PART IV OF THE BILL DEALT WITH SPECIFIED PROCESSES AND, AS PUBLISHED, CLAUSE 16 REQUIRED THE OPERATOR OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS TO REPEAT THE ENTIRE APPLICATION PROCEDURES WHEN HIS LICENCE WAS DUE FOR RENEWAL.

+MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES HAD EXPRESSED STRONG FEELING THAT THESE LICENCE HOLDERS SHOULD NOT UPON RENEWAL BE REQUIRED TO REPEAT THE SAME LENGTHY PROCEDURES REQUIRED BY FRESH APPLICATION.

+TO SIMPLIFY MATTERS, I SHALL MOVE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE PROCEDURES FOR. APPLICATION FOR NEW LICENCES WOULD NOT APPLY TO APPLICATIONS FOR RENEWALS UNLESS THE AUTHORITY DIRECTS OTHERWISE,* SHE SAID.

MRS CHOW DISCUSSED CLAUSE 19 WHICH DEALT WITH NOTICES OF EXISTING PREMISES USED FOR SPECIFIED PROCESS.

IN ITS PRESENT FORM, SHE SAID, CLAUSE 19 DID NOT PROVIDE FOR THE AUTHORITY TO STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS, AND IT WAS NOT CLEAR THAT THE AUTHORITY WOULD SO SPECIFY.

FURTHER, IT WAS NOT CLEAR WHEN THE NOTICE PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS WOULD COMMENCE.

+TO REMOVE ANY TRACE OF DOUBT, I SHALL MOVE AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 19 AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE SEEKING TO REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY TO STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS REGARDING PARTICULARS AND INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED BY THE OWNER OF ANY PREMISES USED FOR THE CONDUCT OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS, AND TO CLARIFY THAT THE PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS’ NOTICE WOULD START FROM THE TIME WHEN THE ORDER FOR SUCH INFORMATION IS PUBLISHED.

♦CONSEQUENTIAL TO THIS AMENDMENT, CLAUSES 20 AND 21 WOULD NEED TO BE SUITABLY AMENDED,* SHE SAID, ADDING THAT SHE WOULD ALSO MOVE AMENDMENTS TO THESE TWO CLAUSES.

MRS CHOW SAID SHE WAS GLAD THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED TO ALL THESE AMENDMENTS, WHICH IF ADOPTED WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO SIMPLIFYING AND IMPROVING THE BILL.

TURNING TO CLAUSE 28 SUBSECTION 2, SHE SAID THE AUTHORITY WAS GRANTED THE RIGHT OF ENTRY TO SEARCH ANY PREMISES WITHOUT WARRANT.

MRS CHOW SHARED SOME OF THE UNOFFICIALS’ CONCERN THAT SUCH WIDE POWERS MIGHT BE OPEN TO ABUSE AND STRESSED THE NEED FOR ♦EXTREME CAUTION AND DISCRETION* AND +CLOSE MONITORING* TO ENSURE THAT EXECUTION WAS IN LINE WITH THE ORIGINAL SPIRIT AND INTENTION CF THE BILL.

-----o------

/29 .......

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

29

MTR A POPULAR FORM * *

OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT *

THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY HAD CLEARLY PROVED ITSELF AS A POPULAR, EFFICIENT AND REASONABLY PRICED FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID TODAY.

IN TABLING THE MTRC’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1982 AND ITS ACCOUNTS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENT DURING THE YEAR WAS THE COMMISSIONING OF THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION IN MAY.

IT WAS COMPLETED BELOW BUDGET AND SEVEN MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. BY THE END OF 1982, A DAILY AVERAGE OF 1.2 MILLION PASSENGERS WERE CARRIED BY THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM AND THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION TOGETHER, COMPARED WITH JUST OVER 700 000 AT THE END OF 1981. -s <

4 ?’

ON THE ISLAND LINE, MR BREMRIDGE SAID DESPITE PROBLEMS DUE TO THE CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES IN HONG KONG'S PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT MARKET, MAJOR CONTRACTS HAD BEEN LET AS PLANNED AND PROGRESS HAD BEEN SATISFACTORY.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MTR CHAIRMAN, W NORMAN THOMPSON WHO WILL RETIRE FROM THAT POST NEXT MONTH, FOR +HIS UNIQUE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CREATION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY*.

-----o------

TAX PROPOSALS APPROVED

* * M

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED TAX PROPOSALS MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET FOR 1983-84.

THE PROPOSALS, SET OUT IN FOUR RESOLUTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO YIELD |2 105 MILLION ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE FOUR RESOLUTIONS WERE MADE UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE FOR INCREASES IN DUTY RATES FOR LIQUOR, TOBACCO AND HYDROCARBON OILS; SECTION 18(1) OF THE RATING ORDINANCE FOR INCREASES IN THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGES; SECTION 18 OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE FOR INCREASE IN ANNUAL BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE, AND SECTION 3(2) OF THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX ORDINANCE FOR INCREASE IN THE RATE OF HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX ON ROOM CHARGES.

FOUR AMENDMENT BILLS WERE ALSO INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES.

/THE TOUR .......

WEENESDAY, APRIL 27, 198?

- 30 -

THE FOUR AMENDING BILLS WERE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL FOR INCREASE IN COMPANY REGISTRATION FEE; BETTING DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL FOR INCREASES IN BETTING DUTY; ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL FOR INCREASES IN ANNUAL LICENCE FEES FOR SPECIFIED CLASSES CF MOTOR VEHICLES, AND ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL FOR INCREASES IN THE FEES FOR PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES, ANNUAL DRIVING LICENCES AND DRIVING TESTS.

DEBATE ON THE BILLS WAS ADJOURNED.

------0-------

BILL TO GIVE CONCESSION TO DISABLED DRIVERS * * * *

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 IS TO PERMIT A DISABLED PERSON TO REGISTER A NEW CAR WITH A CIF VALUE OF UP TO $30 000 WITHOUT PAYING FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR TOPLEY SAID AS 370 DISABLED DRIVERS WERE DEPENDENT ON A CAR FOR MOBILITY, THIS LATEST CONCESSION WOULD SUPPORT AND REAFFIRM THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING INTENTION TO +ENSURE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE INTEGRATION CF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE LIFE OF THEIR COMMUNITIES*.

♦THIS CONCESSION WILL BE ALLOWED ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS UNLESS THE COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORT IS SATISFIED THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFYING A SHORTER PERIOD,+ HE ADDED.

UNDER THE BILL, A NUMBER OF DEFINITIONS IS ALSO AMENDED TO BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH THOSE USED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE 1982.

AMENDMENT IS ALSO MADE TO CLOSE A POSSIBLE LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW, WHEREBY A MOTOR VEHICLE IS FIRST REGISTERED IN A CATEGORY CARRYING A LOW RATE OF TAX AND, BY CHANGE OF USE, IS CONVERTED INTO A VEHICLE OF A CATEGORY WHICH WOULD HAVE ATTRACTED A HIGHER RATE OF TAX.

♦IN FUTURE THE DIFFERENCE IN TAX IN SUCH A CASE WOULD BE PAYABLE AND CALCULATED WITH REFERENCE TO THE DATE ON WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED INITIALLY,+ HE EXPLAINED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

------0-------

/31 .....

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

31

RENT CONTROL POLICY — A DYNAMIC ENTITY X X X X

RENT CONTROL POLICY IS A DYNAMIC ENTITY WHICH MUST BE ADJUSTED IN RESPONSE TO SOCIAL AND MARKET SITUATIONS WHILE KEEPING IN VIEW THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF AN EVENTUAL RETURN TO FREE MARKET CONDITIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, MR LIAO SAID ALTHOUGH STEPS WERE TAKEN IN 1981, CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE SINCE CHANGEDi SELLING PRICES OF FLATS HAVE DROPPED SUBSTANTIALLY AND RENTS HAVE STABILISED OR FALLEN.

+AT THE END OF 1982, THERE WERE SOME 32 000 DOMESTIC PREMISES STANDING VACANT - AN ALL-TIME RECORD,* HE SAID. +IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL NOW BEFORE THIS COUNCIL HAVE BEEN FORMULATED.*

MR LIAO SAID THE MAIN PROPOSAL WAS THAT THE LIFE OF PART II OF THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS BEYOND ITS PRESENT EXPIRY DATE OF DECEMBER 18, 1983.

HE SAID BECAUSE OF PROLONGED AND RIGID RENT INCREASE CONTROL THERE WAS IN MANY CASES A VERY WIDE DISPARITY BETWEEN CONTROLLED AND MARKET RENTS.

♦WHILST CONTROLLED RENTS STAND, ON AVERAGE, AT ABOUT 45 PER CENT OF MARKET RENTS, A GREAT NUMBER OF TENANTS PAY SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER RENTS FOR THEIR ACCOMMODATION.

+UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WOULD CLEARLY BE WRONG TO CONSIDER SUDDEN AND COMPLETE REMOVAL OF RENT CONTROLSi THE DEGREE OF SOCIAL UPHEAVAL WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE.*

MR LIAO SAID IT WAS FOR THIS REASON ABOVE ALL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO A GRADUAL RETURN TO A FREE MARKET IN PRIVATE RENTED ACCOMMODATION.

+IN EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THIS LEGISLATION, WE ARE PROPOSING THREE FURTHER STEPS IN THIS GRADUAL DECONTROL PROCESS,* HE ADDED.

THESE WEREi

THE MODIFICATION OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF RENT --------------------------- “ THAT VERY LOW

INCREASE CONTROL UNDER PART II SO CONTROLLED RENTS MAY BE INCREASED PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET

TO AT LEAST 30 RENT l

X THE EXCLUSION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF PART II OF ALL FRESH TENANCIES; AND

X THE EXCLUSION FROM PART II FROM DECEMBER 19, 1983 ONWARDS OF EXISTING TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH RATEABLE VALUES OF $50 000 OR MORE.

/MR LIAO .........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983.

32

MR LIAO SAID THE MODIFICATION OF EXISTING SYSTEM OF RENT INCREASE CONTROL WAS INTENDED TO PREVENT EXCEPTIONALLY LOW CONTROLLED RENTS FROM FALLING EVEN FURTHER BELOW MARKET LEVEL, AND TO MAKE POSSIBLE THE EVENTUAL RAISING OF SUCH RENTS CLOSER TO MARKET LEVELS.

UNDER THE REVISED SYSTEM, ABOUT 7 OOO TENANCIES, OR FIVE PER CENT OF ALL PROTECTED SOLE TENANCIES, WILL FACE A LARGER INCREASE THAN UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS IN ORDER THAT THEIR RENTS MAY BE BROUGHT UP TO AT LEAST 30 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.

THESE INCREASES, HOWEVER, WILL BE ON VERY LOW BASE RENTS WHICH HAVE GENERALLY BEEN SUBJECT TO CONTROL FOR MANY YEARS, AND THUS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANT IN MONEY TERMS.+

HE SAID TENANTS AFFECTED BY THIS PROPOSAL WOULD BE THOSE WHOSE CURRENT RENTS WERE 23 PER CENT OR LESS OF PREVAILING MARKET RENT.

FOR THE REMAINING 95 PER CENT OF PROTECTED TENANCIES, HE SAID, PERMITTED RENT INCREASE REMAIN AS DETERMINED BY THE EXISTING SYSTEM.

ON THE PROPOSAL TO EXCLUDE FRESH LETTING FROM RENT INCREASE CONTROL UNDER PART II, MR LIAO SAID THIS SHOULD ENCOURAGE LANDLORDS TO RELEASE VACANT PREMISES INTO THE RENTAL MARKET, THUS HELPING TO STIMULATE THE SUPPLY OF FLATS FOR RENT.

THIS MEASURE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A POSITIVE STABILISING EFFECT ON THE MOVEMENT OF RENTS TO THE BENEFIT OF PROSPECTIVE TENANTS,+ HE SAID.

ON THE EXCLUSION OF TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH RATEABLE VALUES OF $50 000 OR MORE, HE SAID THIS WAS A CONTINUATION OF PROGRESSIVE DECONTROL OF LUXURY PREMISES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW. ABOUT 1 100 TENANCIES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL. OF THESE, SOME 80 PER CENT ARE HELD IN THE NAME OF CORPORATE BODIES, GOVERNMENTS AND SO ON.

MR LIAO SAID IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO CONTINUE THIS PROCESS OF EXCLUDING LUXURY PREMISES FROM RENT CONTROL AND FURTHER PROPOSALS IN THIS REGARD WOULD BE MADE FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW RATEABLE VALUES NEXT APRIL.

OTHER THAN THESE MEASURES IN PURSUIT OF DECONTROL, MR LIAO SAID, THERE WERE ALSO A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.

THESE INCLUDED PROVISION FOR SURRENDER BY AGREEMENT OF TENANCY PROTECTED UNDER PART II, RECOMMENDATION THAT A PRINCIPAL TENANT WHO HAS SUB-LET THE WHOLE OF A PREMISES SHOULD NOT BE ACCORDED SECURITY OF TENURE, STRENGTHENING OF THE EXISTING PROHIBITION ON LETTING OR SELLING OF PREMISES FOLLOWING RECOVERY OF POSSESSION, AND A PROPOSAL TO MAKE HARASSMENT WITH INTENT TO INDUCE A TENANT TO QUIT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

DEBATE ON THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE RESUMED ON MAY 25.

------0------- /33.................

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

33

PUBLIC EXPECTED TO WELCOME LANDS TRIBUNAL BILL ft ft ft ft

THE LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, WHICH PROPOSES EXTENSION OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL AND IMPROVEMENTS IN MATTERS OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE, WAS EXPECTED TO BE WELCOMED BY THE PUBLIC AS AN IMPROVEMENT TOWARDS SAVING COSTS AND FURTHER RATIONALISATION OF JURISDICTION IN LANDLORD AND TENANTS MATTERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO SAID TODAY.

IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR LIAO SAID, ♦THE MOST IMPORTANT PROVISION IS THAT CONTAINED IN CLAUSE 2 WHICH GIVES THE TRIBUNAL JURISDICTION TO DEAL WITH APPLICATIONS FOR POSSESSION DURING THE CONTRACTUAL PERIOD OF A LEASE.

+AT PRESENT, SUCH CASES HAVE TO BE REFERRED TO THE DISTRICT COURT.+

MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT AS THE LANDS TRIBUNAL WAS NOW THE MAJOR JUDICIAL BODY ON LANDLORD AND TENANT MATTERS, THIS BILL WAS CLOSELY LINKED TO THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

------o-------

BILL TO CHANGE TITLES ft ft ft ft

THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WHICH SEEKS TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF THREE OFFICES IN THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT AND MAKE SOME CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL TODAY.

IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE J-AW DRAFTSMAN, THE HON GERALD NAZARETH, SAID THE NEW TITLES WOULD REFLECT MORE ACCURATELY THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICERS CONCERNED, AND WOULD FIT BETTER IN THE GENERAL NOMENCLATURE OF COMPARABLE GRADES.

THE BILL PROPOSED TO CHANGE THE TITLES OF ASSISTANT PR I NCI PAL LEGAL AID OFFICER, SENIOR LEGAL AID °^,ICERA,JDLEGAL AID OFFICER TO ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL LEGAL AID COUNSEL, SENIOR LEGAL AID COUNSEL AND LEGAL AID COUNSEL, RESPECTIVELY.

--------o ---------

FOUR BILLS PASSED ft ft ft

FOUR BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY). THEY ARE THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1983, BILLS GF EXCHANGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL 1982, AND MARINE FISH CULTURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MAY 11.

-----o------

734........

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1983

- 34 -

SIR EDWARD OPENS HONG KONG COLISEUM * * * *

THE HONG KONG COLISEUM, ONE OF ASIA’S LARGEST AND FINEST INDOOR STADIA, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR EDWARD SAID: + IN A CROWDED AND BUSY COMMUNITY SUCH AS OURS, WE MUST DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR SPORTS, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES TO REACH ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.

+THE COMPLETION OF THE COLISEUM IS ANOTHER INDICATION OF THE DETERMINATION OF BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL TO PERSEVERE IN THIS TASK.*

THE OPENING OF THE COLISEUM ALSO COINCIDES WITH THE 1OOTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.

SIR EDWARD BELIEVED THAT THE COLISEUM, WITH ITS 12 5OQ SEATS AND A FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA OF 1 600 SQUARE METRES, WOULD SOON PROVE ITSELF TO BE A POPULAR VENUE FOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

THROUGH THE IMAGINATION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, HE ADDED, THE COLISEUM HAD BEEN BUILT TO AN EYE-CATCHING +INVERTED PYRAMID* DESIGN.

♦THIS DESIGN IS NOT ONLY AESTHETICALLY APPEALING- IT ENABLES ALL SPECTATORS TO HAVE AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE ENTIRE ARENA,* HE SAID.

♦THE ARENA ITSELF HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR SPORTS, CULTURAL AND CONFERENCE PURPOSES, WITH FLEXIBLE SEATING ARRANGEMENTS AND WITH ALL BACKSTAGE, LIGHTING, SOUND AND ACOUSTIC REQUIREMENTS TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT.*

THE CAPITAL COST FOR THE BUILDING AMOUNTS TO OVER $140 MILLION, OF WHICH MORE THAN $23.5 MILLION WAS CONTRIBUTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.

IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, DENIS BRAY, SAID THE OPENING OF THE COLISEUM SYMBOLISES THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.

HE POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF THE MONEY FOR THIS PROJECT CAME FROM THE GOVERNMENT WHICH WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS PLANNING AND ERECTION.

♦THROUGHOUT, THERE HAS BEEN THE CLOSEST WORKING

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

♦FROM THE OPENING TODAY THEY WILL MANAGE THIS FINE NEW CIVIC CENTRE FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE WHO LIVES HERE IN THE COMPETENT WAY WE HAVE COME TO EXPECT OF THEM,* MR BRAY ADDED.

/♦THE CHAIRMAN

J

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 198?

- 35 -

♦THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, DESCRIBED THE OPENING OF THE COLISEUM AS ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE URBAN COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.

HE PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE COLISEUM WHICH, HE STRESSED, •♦WILL ASSUREDLY PROVIDE PLEASURE TO ALL WHO COME HERE FOR THE MANY SPORTS, CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES IN COMFORTABLE SITTING AT ANY TIME DURING THE YEAR.*

------o--------

STEADY POLICIES PROVIDE STABLE, ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, SAYS FS M M M M M

ONE IMPORTANT REASON THAT BUSINESS FIRMS HAVE CHOSEN TO OPERATE IN HONG KONG IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S STEADY POLICIES HAVE PROVIDED A STABLE AND ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WITH AN ESTABLISHED AND ACCEPTED INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN A SPEECH TO THE ZONTA CLUB ON THE TERTIARY SERVICES SECTORS OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, MR BREMRIDGE SAID MANY OF THE FIRMS IN THESE SECTORS BY THEIR NATURE WERE HIGHLY MOBILE, PARTICULARLY THOSE PROVIDING THEIR SERVICES ON A REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RATHER THAN A LOCAL BASIS.

♦BECAUSE OF THIS, MANY ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN HERE ONLY SO LONG AS THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT REMAINS STABLE AND ATTRACTIVE AND THEY HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO. CONFIDENCE IS THUS OF OVERWHELMING IMPORTANCE,* HE SAID.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT TOWARDS BUSINESS WAS AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THIS CONFIDENCE.

♦IT IS YOUR GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT FOR ALL OF OUR CHANGING ECONOMY, BUT NOT TO DIRECT SUBSIDY OR OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE TO ANY PARTICULAR SECTOR OR SECTORS. THEY MUST STAND ON THEIR OWN FEET.*

IN THE CASE OF FINANCING, INSURANCE; REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY REQUIRED NEVERTHELESS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE STABLE AND ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS, INCLUDING THE OVERSIGHT OF MARKETS AND, AS REQUIRED, THE REGULATION OF THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC.

♦FAIR MARKETS OFFER GREAT ADVANTAGE TO THE CONSUMER, BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE FAIR,+ MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IT WAS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO ESTABLISH WHETHER AND HOW TO REGULATE. ♦WHILST THERE MUST BE SUFFICIENT REGULATION TO PROMOTE SOUND BUSINESS STANDARDS AND CONFIDENCE IN THE INSTITUTIONS, AT THE SAME TIME THE REGULATIONS MUST NOT IMPOSE UNNECESSARY BUREAUCRATIC BURDENS.

/♦IN PARTICULAR

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1985 - 56 -

IN PARTICULAR THEY MUST NOT IMPOSE THE JUDGMENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS UPON THOSE WHO TAKE THE RISKS. THUS IN SO FAR AS IT IS POSSIBLE SELF REGULATION IS TO BE PREFERRED.+

MR BREMRIDGE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT SOUGHT TO PROVIDE A STABLE AND CONSISTENT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IT WAS A CONTINUOUS TASK TO ENSURE THAT THE FRAMEWORK REMAI NED APPROPRIATE TO CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES. ntriAiNtu

HONG KONG IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE, AND WE THUS MUST SHOULDER INCREASING (^CONFIDENCE ,INANCIAL 0BL,6AT<0NS - INCLUDING THE MAINTENANCE

MR BREMRIDGE SAID HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE HAD REMAINED STRONG DESPITE THE DIFFICULT ES RECENTLY EXPERIENCED BY A SMALL NUMBER OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

TO ENSURE THAT THIS REMAINS THE CASE IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES AND TO PROMOTE FURTHER ADVANCES, I AM DETERMINED THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE FINANCIAL AND RELATED SERVICES SECTOR OPERATES WILL BE SUBJECT TO CONSTANT REVIEW.

IF IT EMERGES THAT FURTHER CHANGES ARE DESIRABLE, THEY WILL BE INTRODUCED.+

HOWEVER, HE ASSURED THAT HE DID NOT EXPECT THAT ANY SUDDEN OR DRASTIC CHANGES WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND THAT HE REGARDED THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS IN HONG KONG AS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE•

------o-------

APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

*****

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JOHN GRIFFITHS QC, WILL LEAVE THE SERVICE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN JUNE 1983 TO RESUME HIS PRACTICE AT THE ENGLISH BAR. MR GRIFFITHS TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT IN MAY 1979 FROM ENGLAND.

HE WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY MR MICHAEL THOMAS QC WHOSE APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

MR THOMAS IS 49 YEARS OF AGE. AFTER NATIONAL SERVICE IN THE ROYAL NAVY, HE GRADUATED AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS WITH AN LLB DEGREE IN 1954. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR BY MIDDLE TEMPLE IN 1955 AND BECAME A HARMSWORTH LAW SCHOLAR IN 1957. HE IS A BENCHER OF HIS INN.

HE HAS BEEN IN PRACTICE AT THE ENGLISH BAR SINCE 1957 AND WAS APPOINTED A QUEEN’S COUNSEL IN 1973. HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS JUNIOR COUNSEL TO THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (ROYAL NAVY) AND ALSO TO THE TREASURY IN ADMIRALTY MATTERS FROM 1966 TO 1973.

HIS PRACTICE HAS BROUGHT HIM TO HONG KONG ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN RECENT YEARS. HIS INTERESTS INCLUDE MUSIC AND TRAVEL.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 19*3

57

seminar ON DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT * * * *

MULTI-STOREY building management.

4 T4L^‘wiis

SESSION.

ORGANISED by the DISTRICT OFFICf; AM’,(EASTER^D^TR^Cr

rSTSSnrfe .............................

S‘S>" ”«

TO ATTEND SHOULD CONTACT MR JOHN Ltt u 5-630181.

NOTE to EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR.

____-0--------

PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR SIR EDWARD YOUDE, GCKC, MBE AT THE OPINING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG

COLISEUM ON 27 APRIL 1983

I am delighted to be present this evening at the opening of the Hong Kong Coliseum.

The completion of the Coliseum is a landmark in the development of sporting, recreational and cultural facilities in Hong Kong. This Coliseum, with up to 12,500 seats and a fully air-conditioned multi-purpose arena of 1,600 square metres, is one of Asia’s largest and finest indoor stadia. Well equipped with the most modern facilities, the Coliseum will soon prove itself to be a popular venue for international sports events and other recreational and cultural activities.

The Coliseum has been built to an eye-catching ’’inverted pyramid” design, thanks to the imagination shown by the Urban Council and the Building Development Department. This design, is not only aesthetically appealing; it enables all spectators to have an unobstructed view of the entire arena. The arena itself has been designed for sports, cultural and conference purposes, with flexible seating arrangements and with all backstage, lighting, sound and acoustic requirements taken fully into account.

The capital cost for this magnificent building amounts to over $140 million. Of this, over $23.5 million was contributed by the

/Urban Council .......

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

2

Urban Council and the remainder by the Government. In a crowded and busy community such as ours we must do our best to provide facilities for sports, recreational and cultural activities to reach all sections of the community. The completion of the Coliseum is another indication of the determination of both the Government and the Urban Council to persevere in this task.

I would like this evening to congratulate all who have been involved in this project. The Coliseum will stand as a symbol of the contribution they have made. It now gives me great pleasure to declare open the Hong Kong Coliseum.

--------0-----------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PROGRAM® OF PRINCESS ANNE'S VISIT ......................... 1

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM FOR HK'S TRADE PROSPECTS ................ 2

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH ....................... 3

PRODUCT INNOVATION IS IMPORTANT TO OUR COMPETITIVENESS.. 5

WAGES INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1982 ........................... 6

PROPERTY REVIEW 1983 TO GO ON SALE......................... 9

INDUSTRIAL MISSION TO SWEDEN AND GERMANY.................. 12

CHIEF SECRETARY IMPRESSED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT .... 12

CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS NGAU TAU KOK JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ... 13

SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE VISITS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT .. 14

ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE .................. 15

TENDERS INVITED FOR CROWN LAND TENANCY ................... 15

TECHNICAL INSTITUTES INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR EVENING COURSES .................................................. 16

TSUEN WAN DC CALLS ON RURAL COMMITTEE..................... 17

SINGAPORE FIRE CHIEF VISITS HONG KONG .................... 17

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN SAI WAN HO ......................... 18

PLB CLEARWAY AT TAI TUNG STREET .......................... 18

WATER CUT ................................................ 18

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

1

PROGRAMME OF PRINCESS ANNE’S VISIT

******

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ANNE, MRS MARK PHIL IPS, IS DUE TO ARRIVE FROM TOKYO TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON FOR A FOUR-DAY PRIVATE VISIT.

SHORTLY AFTER HER ARRIVAL, PRINCESS ANNE WILL SPEND ABOUT AN HOUR VISITING AP LEI CHAU WHERE SHE WILL INSPECT ONE OF THE LATEST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

WHILE AT AP LEI CHAU, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ALSO SEE FROM A TERRACE THE BOAT POPULATION OF ABERDEEN HARBOUR aND THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE HER LAST VISIT IN 1971.

ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30) AFTERNOON, PRINCESS ANNE, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE AND LADY YOUDE, WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE CENTENARY BUILDING OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

ON SUNDAY (MAY 1), PRINCESS ANNE WILL HAVE NO OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS.

BUT ON MONDAY (MAY 2) THE LAST DAY OF HER VISIT, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS IN THE COMPANY OF THE GOVERNOR, WILL CALL ON THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.

AFTER HER MEETING WITH THE UMELCO, PRINCESS ANNE WILL INSPECT THE QUEEN’S GURKHA SIGNALS AT SHEK KONG AND THEN VISIT THE HMS TAMAR.

IN THE EVENING, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL DEPART FOR KARACHI.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

PRESS FACILITIES

ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK AIRPORT

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE ARRIVAL OF PRINCESS ANNE SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING ONE HOUR BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF HER FLIGHT CX 501 (ETA 2.30 PM) ON FRIDAY (APRIL 29). THEY WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE PRESS POSITION BY GIS OFFICERS. (NOTEt NO PRESS BADGES ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT).

VISIT TO AP LEI CHAU HOUSING ESTATE

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 3.15 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 29). GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST (NOTEi PRESS BADGES MUST BE DISPLAYED).

- — - u - -----

/2 ......

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

2

i

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM FOR HK’S TRADE PROSPECTS

******

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM SEEMED AN APPROPRIATE MOOD FOR HONG KONG’S TRADE PROSPECTS FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO.

ADDRESSING THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, HE EXAMINED HONG KONG’S TRADE PROSPECTS IN RELATION TO RESTRAINT AGREEMENTS AND MEASURES WHICT MIGHT PREVENT HONG KONG TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE EXPECTED UPTURN IN WORLD ECONOMY.

HE SAID THAT THE PRESSURE FOR ’SAFEGUARDS’ - MEANING THE AUTHORISATION OF SELECTIVE RESTRAINTS - AT THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) MINISTERIAL MEETING LAST YEAR WAS STILL UNDER STUDY, BUT THE THREAT WHICH IT POSED OF TEXTILE AND CLOTHING STYLE RESTRAINTS BEING EXTENDED TO OTHER PRODUCTS NOW SEEMED LESS REAL.

♦IN PARTICULAR, THE USA IS NOW LESS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT SAFEGUARDSj AND THE UPTURN IN WORLD ECONOMY SHOULD HOPEFULLY LIFT THE PRESSURE SOMEWHAT IN OTHER COUNTRIES TOO.

♦SO FAR AS NON-CLOTHING AND TEXTILE EXPORTS ARE CONCERNED, THE PROSPECTS ARE REASONABLY BRIGHT THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO EXPAND WITHOUT FORMAL OR INFORMAL RESTRAINT AGREEMENTS ARTIFICIALLY LIMITING THEIR POTENTIAL. THE ONLY DANGER HERE IS THAT WE MAY GRADUALLY LOSE SOME OF THE TARIFF CONCESSIONS THAT WE ENJOY, ALONG WITH OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, FOR CERTAIN PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO CERTAIN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.+

HE EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG HAD TO DATE EFFECTIVELY RESISTED AGREEING TO ANY RESTRAINT ON EXPORTS OF GOODS OTHER THAN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.

THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE FEW COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES WITH A GENUINELY FREE MARKET FOR OTHER COUNTRIES’ EXPORTS.

♦ANOTHER REASON IS THE EXISTENCE OF THE GATT, WITH ITS RULES AGAINST SELECTIVE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS - THAT IS TO SAY SELECTIVE AS BETWEEN ONE COUNTRY AND ANOTHER.

♦ONE OF THE DANGERS HAS BEEN THAT AS HONG KONG DIVERSIFIES AND BEGINS TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL AND COMPETITIVE EXPORTER OF NONTEXTILE AND CLOTHING PRODUCTS - LIKE WATCHES - THE PRESSURE GROWS TO MODIFY THE GATT IN SOME WAY SO THAT SELECTIVE RESTRAINTS ON SUCH PRODUCTS CAN BE IMPOSED ON HONG KONG. HENCE OUR CONCERN OVER THE PRESSURE AT THE GATT MINISTERIAL MEETING LAST YEAR FOR ACTION ON 'SAFEGUARDS’,♦ HE REMARKED.

TURNING TO THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING TRADE, MR MACLEOD STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO ALL IT COULD TO OBTAIN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS FOR HONG KONG.

/PUTTING THESE .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 19&3

- 3 -

PUTTING THESE AGREEMENTS IN PERSPECTIVE HE POINTED OUT THAT DESPITE RESTRAINT UNDER THE MFA SINCE 1974, AND UNDER OTHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR YEARS BEFORE THAT, HONG KONG STILL HAD A HEALTHY INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY IN THE CLOTHING SECTOR.

♦ AND DESPITE VERY RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS ON OUR TWO MAJOR MARKETS, THE USA AND THE EEC, THERE WILL STILL BE ROOM FOR TRADE TO GROW OVER 1982 LEVELS, ALTHOUGH IN THE ’HOTTEST’ CATEGORIES THE POSITION WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE VERY TIGHT.

♦THE AGREEMENTS ARE IN TERMS OF QUANTITY. HENCE THEY HAVE THE PARADOXICAL RESULT OF FORCING HONG KONG TO CONTINUALLY MOVE UPMARKET, SO BECOMING MORE DIRECTLY COMPETITIVE WITH THE DOMESTIC PRODUCTS OF THE IMPORTING COUNTRY - SURELY NOT THEIR INTENTION.♦ Hi MACLEOD CONCLUDED.

-----o------

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH ******

HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS IN MARCH 1983 INCREASED BY THREE PER CENT OVER MARCH 1982 TO REACH $10 620 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR VISIBLE TRADE RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE TOTAL COMPRISED $6 620 MILLION FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND $4 000 MILLION FOR RE-EXPORTS WHICH GREW BY ONE PER CENT, OR $43 MILLION, AND EIGHT PER CENT, OR $286 MILLION, RESPECTIVELY OVER THE SAME MONTH OF 1982.

LAST MONTH’S IMPORTS INCREASED BY ONLY TWO PER CENT, OR $262 MILLION, LEAVING A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $1 820 MILLION FOR THE MONTH.

THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP — THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS — THUS NARROWED TO 14.6 PER CENT FROM 15.5 PER CENT OF MARCH LAST YEAR.

PUTTING LAST MONTH’S TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT. A GOVERNMENT S*ID THAT ™E VALUES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS aAd OF RE-EXPORTS T*E F,RST OUARTER OF THIS YEAR WERE UP BY SIX PER CENT AND FIVE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER LAST YEAR’S CORRESPONDING PERIOD THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS THUS INCREASED BY SIX PER CENT.

AS THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS ONLY TWO PER CENT HIGHER THE ®AP ,N THE FlRST ®UARTER STOOD AT 12.8 PER CENT, Cc?oMTLY SMALLER THAN THE 15.8 PER CENT FOR THE SAME PERIOD

Ac . Y t AR <

= DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS THUS

SHOWED SOME SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WHEN COMPARED WITH THE LAST QUARTER OF 1982.

/♦IT IS........

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

- 4 -

+ IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE US AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY IN PARTICULAR HAVE INCREASED, AS THESE TWO ECONOMIES STARTED TO RECOVER,* HE SAID.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE FOR MARCH 1983 t

SHOWS PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE

TRADE FIGURES

MERCHANDISE! DOMESTIC EXPORTS I $ 6 620 MILLION

RE-EXPORTS 1 $ 4 000 MILLION

TOTAL EXPORTS 1 $10 620 MILLION

IMPORTS 1 $12 440 MILLION

TRADE BALANCE $ 1 820 MILLION

( IN DEFICIT)

COMPARATIVE FIGURES

JAN - MAR JAN - MAR INCREASE OR

LATEST 3 MONTHS 1983 1982 DECREASE

$ MN. 1 MN. S MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 18 629 17 504 +1 125 + 6.4

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (62.6%) (62.2%)

RE-EXPORTS 11 153 10 627 + 526 *4.9

TOTAL EXPORTS 29 782 28 131 +1 651 * 5.9

IMPORTS 34 143 33 411 ♦ 732 ♦ 2.2

TRADE BALANCE - 4 361 - 5 280 ♦ 919

MARCH MARCH INCREASE OR

SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1983 1982 DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 6 620 6 577 + 43 + 0.7

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (62.3%) (63.9%)

RE-EXPORTS 4 000 3 714 ♦ 286 +7.7

TOTAL EXPORTS 10 620 10 291 + 329 +3.2

IMPORTS 12 440 12 178 ♦ 262 +2.2

TOADE BALANCE - 1 820 - 1 887 + 67

/LAST MDNTH

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

- 5 -

LAST MONTH MARCH 1983 FEB 1983 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. S MN. ft

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (ft OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 6 620 (62.3ft) 5 569 (61.9ft) ♦ 1 051 +18.9

RE-EXPORTS 4 000 3 435 + 565 ♦ 16.4

TOTAL EXPORTS 10 620 9 004 616 ♦ 17.9

IMPORTS 12 440 10 166 +2 274 +22.4

TRADE BALANCE - 1 820 - 1 162 658

LAST 12 MONTHS APRIL 1982 TO MARCH 1983 APRIL 1981 TO MARCH 1982 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. 1 MN. ft

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 84 157 81 863 +2 294 ♦ 2.8

RE-EXPORTS 44 879 42 841 +2 038 ♦ 4.8

TOTAL EXPORTS 129 036 124 704 +4 332 ♦ 3.5

IMPORTS 143 624 140 706 +2 918 + 2.1

TRADE BALANCE -14 588 -16 002 + 1 414


PRODUCT INNOVATION IS IMPORTANT TO OUR COMPETITIVENESS ft ft ft ft ft

THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A WORKING PARTY OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD WAS EXPLORING WAYS TO ESTABLISH A PRODUCT INNOVATION AND DESIGN SERVICE TO HELP LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVENESS IN A RECOVERING WORLD ECONOMY.

OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1983 HONG KONG NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR HO CALLED ON LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS TO KEEP UP THEIR EFFORTS IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY UPTURN.

+BESIDES DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS TO MEET NEW MARKET NEEDS OR IMPROVING EXISTING PRODUCTS TO GAIN A BETTER MARKET POSITION, A HIGH STANDARD OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR MANUFACTURERS TO ATTRACT REPEATED ORDERS FOR THEIR PRODUCTS.

/+A CONPEHHMCE •••••••

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

- 6 -

♦A CONFERENCE ON QUALITY ASSURANCE WILL BE HELD LATER THIS YEAR BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT, TO AROUSE THE QUALITY CONSCIOUSNESS OF INDUSTRIAL STS IN HONG KONG AND ENCOURAGE THE PRACTICE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY ON A MUCH WIDER SCALE,+ MR HO SAID.

MR HO REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN MAINTAINING INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVE POSITION WAS TO PROVIDE THE BASIC INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SUPPORT SERVICES AND A FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR INDUSTRY. +IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDUSTRIALIST TO PROVIDE THE INNOVATIONS IN HIS PRODUCT LINE WHICH WILL WIN NEW MARKETS. HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IN EXPORTING IS A TRIBUTE TO THE WILLINGNESS AND RESOURCEFULNESS OF OUR INDUSTRIALISTS TO TAKE UP THIS TASK,+ HE CONCLUDED.

- - - - 0 ----------

WAGES INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1962 X * * *

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED WAGE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1982. THESE WERE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EVERY QUARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT COVERING BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURI NG SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/ RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.

TAKING MARCH 1982 AS 1OO, THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX STOOD AT 105 FOR DECEMBER 1982, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1982, AND OF 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1982.

THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR JUNE, SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER 1982 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN BELOWi

INDEXES (MARCH 1982-100)

SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR

MANUFACTURING

WHOLESALE/RETA IL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS

TRANSPORT SERVICES

BUSINESS SERVICES

PERSONAL SERVICES

ALL SECTORS ABOVE

7!-

JUNE 1982 SEPT 1982 DEC 1982

102 103 105

100 102 104

106 110 110

102 103 103

102 103 104

102 103 ■ ■■ 105

/#H3N DSCEMBHl........

THUBSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

WHEN DECEMBER 1982 IS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1982, THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT (PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED TABLE FOR MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS), FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 2 PER CENT AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 1 PER CENT. THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR DURING THE SAME PERIOD.

WITH MARCH 1982 TAKEN AS 1OO, THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX STOOD AT 99 FOR DECEMBER 1982. THE INDEX REMAINED THE SAME WHEN COMPARED WITH THAT OF BOTH JUNE 1982 AND SEPTEMBER 1982.

THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FDR JUIE, SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER 1982 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVER BELOW:

INDEXES (MARCH 1982-100)

SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS JUNE 1982 SEPT 1982 DEC 1982

MANUFACTURING 99 98 98

WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 98 97 98

TRANSPORT SERVICES 103 105 103

BUSINESS SERVICES 99 98 96

PERSONAL SERVICES 99 98 98

—— — ———

ALL SECTORS ABOVE 99 ■ ■ 99 ■ ■ 99 a a

WHEN DECEMBER 1982 IS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1982, THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES AND FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR DECLINED, EACH BY 2 PER CENT. THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR DURING THE SAME PERIOD. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT.

BOTH THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX AND THE REAL WAGE INDEX MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982. WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES. WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), bEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY EARNED AS WAGES (ALTHOUGH THE SAME DEFLATOR IS USED FOR EACH INDUSTRY TO DERIVE THE REAL WAGE INDEX FROM ITS NOMINAL COUNTERPART, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MOVEMENTS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX AND THE REAL WAGE INDEX BETWEEN ANY TWO TIME PERIODS MAY VARY SLIGHTLY FROM INDUSTRY TO INDUSTRY DUE TO ROUNDINGS).

/APART PHOM .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1?83

- 8 -

APART FROM BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, WAGE RATE IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE ALSO COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCES, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS, NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS. ESSENTIALLY, THE WAGE INDEXES, WHICHMEASURE THE CHANGES OF THE PRICE OF LABOUR, ARE CONCERNED WITH THE MOVEMENTS OF WAGE RATES WHICH INDICATE THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL TIME OF WORK. ON THE OTHER HAND, INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED ARE AFFECTED BY CHANGES IN WAGE RATES, AS WELL AS CHANGES IN SUCH OTHER FACTORS AS THE AMOUNT OT TIME ACTUALLY WORKED, THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE AND THE INCIDENCE OF THE PAYMENT CF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY. AS A RESULT, THE MOVEMENTS OF THE WAGE INDEXES DO NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THOSE OF THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.

THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN BELOWi

INDEXES (MARCH 1982-100)

INDUSTRY

JUNE 1982 SEPT 19 2 DEC 1982

GARMENTS 102 103 105

GLOVES 102 103 105

HANDBAGS 100 101 102

COTTON SP1 NN 1NG/WEAV1 NG 101 102 102

KNITTING 104 104 106

BLEACHING AND DYEING 102 103 103

PRINTING 104 105 106

PLASTIC PRODUCTS 102 102 105

KETAL PRODUCTS 101 102 103

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 101 103 102

ELECTRONICS 101 103 105

WATCHES AND CLOCKS 100 103 106

MANUFACTURING 102 ■ WB* 103 a a a 105 aaa

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE 5-452703.

--.-0-------

/a

IHUKSUAT, AKHIL ZQ ,

- 9 -

PROPERTY REVIEW 1983 TO GO ON SALE * * * *

THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT’S 1983 PROPERTY REVIEW WILL GO ON SALE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT $65 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, G.P.O. BUILDING.

THE REVIEW COVERS THE CALENDAR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1982, AND PROVIDES DETAILS OF SUPPLY, TAKE-UP, VACANCIES, RENTAL AND PURCHASE PRICE MOVEMENTS IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET.

THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT TODAY ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TO ACCOMPANY THE PROPERTY REVIEWt

GENERAL COMMENTSi THE SUPPLY OF ACCOMMODATION IN 1982 EXCEEDED EFFECTIVE DEMAND IN ALL SECTORS AND VACANCIES HAVE INCREASED IN CONSEQUENCE. OFFICES AND FLATTED FACTORIES SHOWED THE HIGHEST INCREASE IN VACANCIES. THE INCREASE IN RESPECT OF LARGE FLATS AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES WAS ALSO SUBSTANTIAL. THE SMALLEST INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR AS A WHOLE.

REFLECTING THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND, PRICES HAVE FALLEN SIGNIFICANTLY IN ALL SECTORS. RENTS TOO HAVE FALLEN IN MOST SECTORS, THOUGH GENERALLY LESS THAN PRICES.

DOMESTIC (ALL CLASSES)

NO. OF UNITS

SUPPLY IN 1982 23 900

TAKE-UP IN 1982 19 600

VACANT AS AT 31.12.82 31 700 - 6.0 OF PER CENT STOCK

FORECAST SUPPLY IN 1983 24 100

THE PRICE INDEX FELL BY 18 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR, WHEREAS

THE RENTAL INDEX REMAINED STEADY.

DOMESTIC (LARGER UNITS)

NO. OF UNITS

SUPPLY IN 1982 TAKE-UP IN 1982 VACANT AS AT 31.12.82 FORECAST SUPPLY IN 1983 2 500 1 200 3 800 - 8.7 PER CENT OF STOCK 3 600 /THS PRICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

10

THE PRICE INDEX FELL BY 25 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR, WHEREAS THE RENTAL INDICES FELL BY BETWEEN 8 AND 15 PER CENT.

COMMERCIAL

AREA IN SQUARE METRE

SUPPLY IN 1982 368 000

TAKE-UP IN 1982 198 000

VACANT AS AT 31.12.82 545 000 - 10.7 PER CENT

OF STOCK

FORECAST SUPPLY IN 1983 245 000

THE PRICE INDEX FELL BY JUST UNDER 30 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR WHEREAS THE RENTAL INDEX REMAINED STEADY.

OFFICES

AREA IN SQUARE METRE

SUPPLY IN 1982 518 000

TAKE-UP IN 1982 253 000

VACANT AS AT 31.12.82 545 000 - 16.9 PER CENT

OF STOCK

FORECAST SUPPLY IN 1983 580 000

THE RENTAL INDEX FELL BY ALMOST 20 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.

THE PRICE INDEX SHOWS A LESSER FALL, OF ABOUT 8 PER CENT, WHICH DOES NOT ACCORD WITH MARKET SENTIMENT. WHILE THE INDEX IS ’CORRECT’ TO THE EXTENT THAT IT ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE FEW RECORDED TRANSACTIONS, IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE FALL IN MARKET VALUES DURING 1982.

FLATTED FACTORIES

AREA IN SQUARE METRE

SUPPLY IN 1982 1 041 000

TAKE-UP IN 1982 571 000

VACANT AS AT 31.12.82 1 219 000 - 10.5 PER CENT

OF STOCK

FORECAST SUPPLY IN 1983 734 000

/THE PRICE ....

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

THE PRICE INDEX, WHICH EXCLUDES NEW TERRITORIES PROPERTIES, FELL BY JUST OVER 25 PER CENT DURING THE YEAR. THE EQUIVALENT RENTAL INDEX FELL BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT.

CONCLUSIONi 1982 CLEARLY WAS NOT A GOOD YEAR FOR THE PROPERTY MARKET, THOUGH AS HONG KONG ENTERED 1983 THERE WERE SOME SIGNS OF MORE STABLE TIMES AHEAD. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SO FOR SMALLER DOMESTIC UNITS. IT CONTINUES TO BE SELF-EVIDENT THAT THERE IS A CONTINUING DEMAND FOR SUCH UNITS AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

IN CONTRAST, THE OUTLOOK FOR SALES OF LARGER FLATS IS LESS GOOD. THE RECORD SUPPLY FORECAST FOR 1983 SEEMS LIKELY TO EXERT FURTHER DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON BOTH PRICES AND RENTS.

THE INCREASE IN TAKE-UP IN BOTH THE COMMERCIAL AND OFFICE SECTORS WAS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN, AND INDICATES THAT LOWER PRICES AND RENTALS HAVE HELPED TO STIMULATE DEMAND. NEVERTHELESS, IN RESPECT OF OFFICES AT LEAST, A RECORD SUPPLY IS FORECAST FOR 1983, WHICH, AS WITH LARGER FLATS, IS LIKELY TO HAVE A DAMPENING EFFECT ON PRICES AND RENTS.

FOR FLATTED FACTORIES DECLINING TAKE-UP RATHER THAN RECORD SUPPLY LEVELS HAS CAUSED THE BUILD-UP IN VACANCIES. THE SUPPLY NOW FORECAST FOR 1983 IS DOWN BY ALMOST 60 PER CENT ON PREVIOUS EXPECTATIONS. GIVEN AN UPTURN IN HONG KONG’S MAIN EXPORT MARKETS, TAKE-UP SEEMS LIKELY TO INCREASE.

THE LARGE STOCK OF VACANT ACCOMMODATION IN ALL SECTORS WILL CONTINUE TO FAVOUR END-USERS AND SHOULD PROVIDE A DISINCENTIVE TO SPECULATORS LOOKING FOR QUICK TRADING PROFITS. SUCH STOCKS, PARTICULARLY IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, PLACE HONG KONG IN A FAVOURABLE POSITION TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY UPTURN IN THE WORLD ECONOMY. HOWEVER, THEY WOULD ALSO SEEM TO PRECLUDE AN EARLY RECOVERY OF THE MARKET.

THE ABILITY OF END-USERS TO TRADE UP IN TERMS OF QUALITY, QUANTITY AND LOCATION SEEMS LIKELY TO BE A FACTOR IN THE COMING YEAR. IN THIS REGARD, HONG KONG’S TRADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS EXHIBIT AN ENVIABLE MOBILITY.

CLEARLY, TOO, PRICES HAVE FALLEN MORE THAN RENTALS WITH THE RESULT THAT INITIAL YIELDS NOW LOOK MORE ATTRACTIVE VIS-A-VIS ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF INVESTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

IF FURTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENTS ARE REQUIRED, PLEASE CONTACT EITHER THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (VALUATION) MESSRS HUI MAN-SHING (CHINESE MEDIA) ON 5-7957604, OR THE TECHNICAL SECRETARY, MIKE WILLIAMS (ENGLISH MEDIA) ON 5-7957613, IN FIRST INSTANCE. FURTHER FACTUAL INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM NESSRS YEUNG CHE-KEUNG ON 5-7957629 OR STEVE WILCOX ON 5-7957614.

-----o------

/12 .......

THURSDAY, AEKIL *tS, 1983

- 12 -

INDUSTRIAL MISSION TO SWEDEN AND GERMANY * * *

NINE HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW NIGHT (FRIDAY) ON A 12-DAY MISSION TO SWEDEN AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY.

THE MISSION, ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, IS BEING LED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR PAUL WONG, WHO IS ASSISTED BY TWO PRINCIPAL CONSULTANTS, MAJOR C.G. BERNARD AND M? JOSEPH YIP.

IT WILL ENABLE LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS TO MEET POTENTIAL PARTNERS IN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

THEY WILL SPEND THE FIRST WEEK IN SWEDEN BEFORE VISITING THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY.

MEETINGS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED TO ENABLE MISSION PARTICIPANTS TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITIES OF JOINT VENTURES, LICENSING OF TECHNOLOGY KNOW-HOW AND SUBCONTRACTING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN STOCKHOLM AND GOTHENBERG, AS WELL AS IN STUTTGART AND MUNICH.

THE NINE INDUSTRIALISTS ARE REPRESENTING THEIR OWN COMPANIES, WITH THE MAJORITY OF THEM COMING FROM THE ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES. THE OTHERS PRODUCE INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES, SAFES, FIRE-PROOF FILING CABINETS, FURNITURE, CABLE AND UNIFORMS.

DURING THE MISSION, FOUR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN CO-OPERATION WITH SWEDISH AD GERMAN GOVERNMENT TRADE AND INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS.

THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SENT TWO SIMILAR MISSIONS TO THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.

BOTH RETURNED WITH + VERY ENCOURAGING RESULTS*, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

----0----

CHIEF SECRETARY IMPRESSED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT * * ft * ft

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY WAS IMPRESSED BY THE MUCH-IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT IN THE HANG ON STREET REAR LANE IN KWUN TONG WHICH, JUST A MONTH AGO, WAS CRAMMED WITH SQUATTER HUTS POSING SERIOUS FIRE HAZARDS AND OTHER NUISANCES TO NEARBY RESIDENTS.

DURING A TOUR OF THE AREA, SIR PHILIP LEARNED THAT THE LANE WOULD SOON BE TURNED INTO A REST GARDEN FOR THE LOCAL PEOPLE.

CLEARANCE OF THE STRUCTURES, CARRIED OUT A FORTNIGHT AGO, WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

/*! AM........

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1983

- 13 -

♦I AM IMPRESSED BY THE GOOD TEAM WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO THIS EXERCISE BY THE DISTRICT BOARD,* SIR PHILIP SAID.

THE CLEARANCE WILL ALSO ENABLE THE NING PO COLLEGE TO CARRY OUT ITS PLANNED SCHOOL EXTENSION WHICH HAD BEEN DELAYED PREVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF SQUATTERS.

ACCOMPANYING THE CHIEF SECRETARY WERE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG SHEK-FU, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE, HOUSING AND LANDS DEPARTMENTS.

- - - - 0 ----------

CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS NGAU TAU KOK JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC * X * ft *

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE NGAU TAU KOK JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, AND SAW HOW VARIOUS MEDICAL SERVICES WERE RENDERED TO RESIDENTS IN THE FAST DEVELOPING EAST KOWLOON AREA.

SINCE IT WAS OPENED IN JANUARY 1982, THE CLINIC HAS PROVIDED VALUABLE SERVICES TO THE 250 000 RESIDENTS OF THE FIVE ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCIES OF PING SHEK AND KAI YIP, NGAU TAU KOK EAST AND WEST, TING ON AND KWUN TONG TOWN AND INDUSTRIAL AREA.

THE SEVEN-STOREY CLINIC, WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 4 000 SQUARE METRES, WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $11.5 MILLION, OF WHICH $8.5 MILLION WAS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WITH THE REMAINING $3 MILLION FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE CLINIC PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING A GENERAL OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT, WHICH AT PRESENT TREATS ABOUT 320 PATIENTS A DAY.

OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE, A MATERNITY WARD, A GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL, A PSYCHIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE.

A PILOT PROJECT OFFERING HEALTH EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC IS ALSO BEING CONDUCTED AT THE CLINIC WHERE SLIDE SHOWS ARE MOUNTED IN THE WAITING AREA OF THE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT.

SIR PHILIP WAS VERY MUCH IMPRESSED BY THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE WHICH PROVIDES ANTE-NATAL AND POST-NATAL CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, FAMILY PLANNING ADVICE, INFANT AND TODDLER SESSIONS AND DEVELOPMENT SCREENING OF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME.

IN ADDITION, THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE HAS A 24-BED MATERNITY UNIT ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE CLINIC, WHICH IS WELL USED WITH AN AVERAGE MONTHLY BIRTH OF ABOUT 30.

/the chijf .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

- 14 -

THE CHIEF SECRETARY SPENT SOME TIME IN THE GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL WITH A SCHEDULED ACCOMMODATION OF 40 PLACES FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE BOTH MEDICAL AS WELL AS INTENSIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.

HE ALSO VISITED THE PSYCHIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL IN THE CLINIC WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 40 PATIENTS AT ANY ONE TIME. THE MAIN EMPHASIS OF THIS DAY HOSPITAL IS THAT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY WHERE PATIENTS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR WORK AND HABIT TRAINING, MENTAL STIMULATION THROUGH DISCUSSION, SOCIALISATION, DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES AND TRAINING FOR SOCIAL SKILLS, SELF-AWARENESS AND INDEPENDENCE.

- - - - 0 -----------

SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE VISITS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ft * ft ft *

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND ITS VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS IN WAN CHAI.

DURING HIS VISIT, MR ROWLANDS HELD TALKS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE AND OTHER STAFF OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

HE FIRST MET THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, AT THE LUI KEE EDUCATION SERVICE CENTRE IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WHICH HOUSES THE DEPARTMENT’S PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT, TRAINING UNIT, JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SECTION AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION.

DURING HIS STAY AT THE CENTRE, MR ROWLANDS TALKED TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PLANNING AND BUILDING), MR ROBERT LO AND hEADS OF THE VARIOUS UNITS AND SECTIONS ON THEIR DAILY WORK AND PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR LEUNG, MR ROWLANDS LATER WENT TO THE TANG SHIU KIN VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL IN Ol KWAN ROAD WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SCHOOLS), MR T.L. LAM AND THE SCHOOL'S PRINCIPAL, MR PAUL LUI.

DURING HIS TOUR OF THE SCHOOL, MR ROWLANDS EXPRESSED KEEN INTEREST IN THE WIDE SCOPE OF CURRICULUM AND ACTIVITIES ARRANGED FOR THE PUPILS.

NEXT MR ROWLANDS WENT TO THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS WHERE HE HAD A BRIEF DISCUSSION WITH MR HAYE, AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF.

TODAY’S VISIT TO THE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS THE FIRST OF THE SECOND ROUND OF VISITS BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TO MAJOR DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES TO REINFORCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN SECRETARIAT AND DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT.

-------o - * - -

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

- 15 -

ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE * * *

THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE IS ORGANISING WITH THE NARCOTICS DIVISION TWO WEEKS OF ACTIVITIES TO DRIVE HOME THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN 15 AND 24 YEARS CF AGE.

AN AT TO

TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT, OPEN-AIR CONCERT WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MAY 1) AT 1.30 PM THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT. THE CONCERT IS EXPECTED ATTRACT AN AUDIENCE OF SOME 10 000 PEOPLE.

OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE AN EXHIBITION ON +WAR AGAINST DRUGS*, A SEMINAR ON +YOUTHS AND DRUGS+, A TELE-MATCH, PAINTING AND DRAWING COMPETITIONS, FILM SHOWS, CAMPING AT FANLING AND A VISIT TO THE POLICE ANTI-NARCOTICS BUREAU IN ARSENAL ETREET.

A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS YEAR, PUBLICITY ON ANT I-NARCOTICS WILL BE DONE ON A DISTRICT BASIS.

♦BEING THE FIRST URBAN DISTRICT TO LAUNCH THESE ACTIVITIES, WE WILL EMPHASISE ON EDUCATION, AND OUR TARGET GROUP IS THOSE BETWEEN 15 AND 24 YEARS OF AGE,+ HE SAID.

♦THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, WE HOPE TO WARN THE GENERAL PUBLIC CF THE DANGER OF TAKING DRUGS, TO CORRECT THEIR HOSTILE ATTITUDE TOWARDS FORMER ADDICTS, AND TO MAKE KNOWN THE AVAILABLE SERVICES FOR ADDICTS TO KICK OFF THE HABIT,* HE ADDED.

AN ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR LEUNG SIK-WAH, HAS BEEN FORMED IN MARCH TO PLAN THE ACTIVITIES.

THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG. .AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM J THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TONY COOPERLAND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PREVENTIVE, EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, MR KARL STUMPF, WILL BE PRESENT AT AN OPENING CEREMONY PRIOR TO THE OPEN-AIR CONCERT ON SUNDAY.

0 - - - -

TENDERS INVITED FOR CROWN LAND TENANCY OK )f

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF TWO PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN KOWLOON.

THE LARGER SITE, OF ABOUT 5 780 SQUARE METRES AT THE SHAM SHUI PO RECLAMATION, IS TO BE USED AS A FEE PAYING GOODS VEHICLE PARK.

THE TENANCY WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS INITIALLY AND THEREAFTER MONTHLY.

/THE remaining ......

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1?83

- 16 -

THE REMAINING SITE IS AT HOI BUN ROAD, KWUN TONG. IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1 480 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR OPEN STORAGE BUT EXCLUDING THE STORAGE AND PARKING OF VEHICLES.

THE TENANCY FOR THIS SITE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND THEN QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.

TENDERS FOR BOTH SITES WILL CLOSE AT 12 NOON ON MAY 13.

TENDER FORMS, NOTICES, AND CONDITIONS FOR THE ABOVE SITES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON EAST) AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9TH AND 10TH FLOORS, A05 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

--------o - - - -

TECHNICAL INSTITUTES INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR EVENING COURSES

X X X K

THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES MANAGED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ARE INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR THEIR PART-TIME EVENING COURSES SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER.

THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, NAMELY MORRISON HILL, KWAI CHUNG, HAKING WONG, KWUN TONG AND LEE WAI LEE, WILL OFFER 92 PART-TIME EVENING COURSES IN THEIR 12 DISCIPLINES.

THE COURSES OFFERED ARE MAINLY AT CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVEL, SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES.

THE 12 DISCIPLINES COVER HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, PRINTING, MARINE AND FABRICATION, TEXTILES INDUSTRIES, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES AND DESIGN.

WHILE THE ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS FOR THESE COURSES DEPEND ON THE LEVELS OF THE PROGRAMMES, RELEVANT EMPLOYMENT IS NEVERTHELESS REQUIRED OF THE APPLICANTS FOR CERTAIN COURSES.

APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDES ARE OBTAINABLE DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM ANY OF THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND ALSO THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

APPLICATION, WHICH IS ALSO OPEN TO CURRENT FORM FIVE STUDENTS, WILL CLOSE ON MAY 16.

DETAILS OF THESE COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN LOCAL ENGLISH AND CHINESE NEWSPAPERS ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30).

-----o------

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

- 17 -

TSUEN WAN DC CALLS ON RURAL COMMITTEE X K X K M

CONTINUED COOPERATION BETWEEN THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND RURAL COMMITTEES WILL BE MAINTAINED DESPITE THE RECENT ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR ADOLF HSU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, MR HSU PAID A COURTESY CALL TO THE TSUEN WAN RURAL COMMITTEE THIS MORNING AND HELD TALKS WITH THE MEMBERS.

HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE STILL HAD AN IMPORTANT COORDINATING ROLE TO PLAY TO ENSURE THAT THE WELFARE OF THE VILLAGERS WAS NOT AFFECTED.

+THERE IS A GOOD RECORD OF CLOSE RELATIONSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN RURAL COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT OFFICES, AND THIS HAS RESULTED IN ALL PROJECTS BEING COMPLETED IN TIME.+ HE SAID.

+YOUR VALUABLE SUPPORT IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, CLEAN-UP AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGNS HAVE HELPED ACHIEVE GREAT SUCCESS.

+IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE BE MAINTAINED TO STRIVE FOR THE BENEFIT AND WELFARE OF THE VILLAGERS. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL DO ITS BEST AND I COUNT ON YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND ADVICE AS YOU HAVE BEEN GIVING IN THE PAST,+ HE SAID.

--------0----------

SINGAPORE FIRE CHIEF VISITS HONG KONG ft ft ft ft

FIVE SENIOR OFFICERS FROM THE SINGAPORE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS VISITING HONG KONG TO STUDY THE LATEST TECHNIQUE IN FIRE FIGHTING AND THE FIRE SAFETY MEASURES IN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.

THE DELEGATION WAS HEADED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT MR LOH KOH-LOON. THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE A DIVISIONAL OFFICER AND THREE ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICERS.

THE GROUP WILL BE ATTACHED TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU AND THE MTR STRIKE FORCE, FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE RETURNING HOME.

/18 .......

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1983

- 18 -

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN SAI WAN HO III

WAN HO MTR STATION,

SAI

TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF

TRAFFIC ON A SECTION OF HOI AN STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HING MAN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND FROM SATURDAY (APRIL 30).

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - - - 0 -----------

PLB CLEARWAY AT TAI TUNG STREET * * * *

FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30), THE SECTION OF TAI TUNG STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI SHING STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A PLB CLEARWAY.

WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.

-.--0-----

WATER CUT

* * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 2) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, POTTINGER STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND ICE HOUSE STREET.

ON THE SAME DAY, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM FOR WATER MAINS CONNECTION.

PREMISES AFFECTED WILL BE THOSE ALONG BRAEMAR HILL ROAD, TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD, CLOUD VIEW ROAD AND YEE KING ROAD.

- - - - 0 ------------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ANNE ARRIVES ................................... 1

PRINCESS ANNE TOURS FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON AP LEI CHAU..................................................... 1

PRINCESS ANNE TO OPEN ROYAL OBSERVATORY'S CENTENARY BUILDING 2

TIGHT BORDER CONTROL TO BE MAINTAINED ................... 3

USE OF LPG AS VEHICLE FUEL IMPRACTICABLE................. 4

FAMILIARISATION TOUR FOR MPS ............................ 5

AMENDMENTS TO TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ............. 5

NEW ROAD FOR CHAI WAN ................................... 6

INSURANCE COMPANY WINDING UP ............................ 7

CROW LAND IN SHA TIN FOR AUCTION ........................ 7

NGAU CHI WAN VILLAGE HOUSES AUCTIONED ................... 7

HONG KONG JURY LIST ..................................... 8

ONE YEAR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHERS' COURSE............ 8

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND GRANTS... 9

WAN CHAI DB TO DISCUSS STREET SLEEPERS .................. 10

SEMINAR ON RECREATION ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH............... 10

SUBSIDISED PLACES IN OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL ............... 11

MA ON SHAN - MA LIU SHUT FERRY SERVICES ................. 11

TRAM SERVICES CURTAILED.................................. 11

HI FI CONCERTS AT TELFORD GARDEN COMMUNITY CENTRE........ 12

FIRING PRACTICE ......................................... 12

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

1

PRINCESS ANNE ARRIVES A 3£ ft

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ANNE ARRIVED FROM TOKYO TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR A FOUR-DAY PRIVATE VISIT.

SHE WAS GREETED AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE AND LADY YOUDE.

THE GOVERNOR THEN PRESENTED HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP, MR PAUL CROFT; THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE AND LADY HADDON-CAVE; THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL DEREK BOORMAN AND NRS BOORMAN; SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL-; MR ROGER LOBO, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND MRS LOBO1 THE CONSUL-GENERAL OF JAPAN, NR CHUSEI YAMADA AND MRS YAMADA; AND THE MASTER OF SIGNALS, MAJOR GENERAL J.M.W. BADCOCK.

----0--------

PRINCESS ANNE TOURS FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON AP LEI CHAU X * ft *

SHORTLY AFTER HER ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ANNE TODAY TOURED THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON AP LEI CHAU AND HAD A PANORAMIC LOOK AT THE ADJOINING TOURIST ATTRACTION OF ABERDEEN HARBOUR.

AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S 91ST ESTATE, THE PRINCESS VISITED TWO FAMILIES, STROLLED ALONG ITS BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED COASTAL PROMENADE AND REST GARDEN, AND WATCHED THE ESTATE’S CHILDREN TAKING PART IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WAS PLEASANTLY AMAZED AT THE CHANGING FACES OF ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU, AND WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE FAST DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

PRINCESS ANNE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO, AND THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR BERNARD WILLIAMS. ON HER AFTERNOON VISIT TO THE ESTATE WHICH WAS COMPLETED LAST OCTOBER. PROVIDING MODERN HOMES FOR 19 600 PEOPLE.

FROM A VANTAGE POINT ON THE PROMENADE, PRINCESS ANNE SAW WITH KEEN INTEREST HOW THE FISHERMEN LIVED IN THE ABERDEEN HARBOUR WHICH IS SO OFTEN PORTRAYED IN WESTERN FILMS.

LINKED WITH ABERDEEN BY A $60 MILLION, 230-METRE-LONG BRIDGE, WHICH OPENED IN 1980, THE ONCE SLEEPY ISLAND IS NOW TRANSFORMED INTO A BUSY MODERN TOWNSHIP. SITE-FORMATION WORKS ARE WELL UNDERWAY ON THE ISLAND FOR TWO MORE PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS WHICH WILL HOUSE ANOTHER 40 000 PEOPLE IN 10 400 FLATS BY 1988.

ARRIVING AT THE ESTATE’S COMMUNITY HALL WHICH SERVES AS A FOCAL POINT OF RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE TENANTS, PRINCESS ANNE WAS GREETED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, NR JOHN CHAMBERS.

/Di SIDS THE.......

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

2

INSIDE THE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, SHE SAW BOTH THE YOUNG AND THE OLD PLAYING TABLE-TENNIS, CHINESE BILLIARDS OR CHESS OR DOING KNITTING, EMBROIDERY, CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AND PAINTING. SHE TALKED WITH THE PARTICIPANTS AND ENQUIRED ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES. SHE LATER ACCEPTED A SCROLL FROM ONE OF THEM.

AT A NEARBY PLAYGROUND, THE PRINCESS ALSO WATCHED GROUPS OF ENTHUSIASTIC SCHOOLCHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN COMPETITIVE GAMES.

THE STROLL ALONG THE PROMENADE TOOK PRINCESS ANNE TO A NON-PROFIT MAKING DAY NURSERY WHERE SHE MET OFFICIALS FROM THE WESTERN DISTRICT WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB WHICH RUNS THE PROJECT.

EARLIER DURING HER VISIT TO TWO FAMILIES AT LEI MOON HOUSE, PRINCESS ANNE WAS WARMLY WELCOMED BY THE TENANTS, MADAM CHEUNG YUK-CHUN AND MADAM LEUNG HO, AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THEIR DAILY LIFE AND ASKED HOW THEY LIKED THEIR HOMES. BEFORE LEAVING SHE HAPPILY ACCEPTED A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS FROM MADAM CHEUNG.

BOTH THE FIVE-PERSON AND SEVEN-PERSON FAMILIES MOVED INTO THEIR MUCH LARGER, ADJOINING FLATS ON THE 21ST FLOOR LAST DECEMBER FROM OLDER ESTATES IN ABERDEEN UNDER A SCHEME OF EXTERNAL TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS.

- 0 - -

PRINCESS ANNE TO OPEN ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S CENTENARY BUILDING * * * *

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ANNE WILL VISIT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON AND UNVEIL A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE CENTENARY BUILDING OF THE OBSERVATORY.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE AND LADY YOUDE, PRINCESS ANNE WILL ARRIVE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AT 4 PM. THEY WILL BE RECEIVED ON ARRIVAL BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR PATRICK SHAM.

MR SHAM WILL MAKE A BRIEF WELCOMING SPEECH AND OUTLINE THE HISTORY AND WORK OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

PRESS FACILITIES

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE FUNCTION SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN NATHAN ROAD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) NOT LATER THAN 3.20 PM. THEY WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE PRESS POSITIONS BY GIS OFFICERS. (NOTEi PRESS BADGES MUST BE DISPLAYED AND IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CATER FOR LATE ARRIVALS).

THERE WILL BE TWO POSITIONS FOR THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. BUT IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER, POSITION 'A’ ON THE FIRST FLOOR BALCONY OF THE OLD R.O. BUILDING WILL BE CANCELLED AND POSITION ’B’ WILL BE MOVED INDOORS.

0

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

3

-TIGHT BORDER CONTROL TO BE MAINTAINED * * * *

THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MCLAREN, SAID TODAY THAT THERE WOULD BE NO RELAXATION OF BORDER CONTROLS ON THE HONG KONG/SHENZHEN BORDER.

HE WAS SPEAKING ON HIS RETURN THIS EVENING AFTER LEADING A TEAM OF HONG KONG OFFICIALS ON A TWO-DAY VISIT TO SHENZHEN FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS THERE LED BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SHENZHEN MUNICIPALITY, MR ZHEN XI PE I.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE VISIT WAS TO REVIEW THE WORK OF THE JOINT WORKING GROUPS SET UP UNDER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SHENZHEN AND HONG KONG, SIGNED ON APRIL 30, 1982, TO OPEN UP NEW CROSS BORDER LINKS.

THE WORKING GROUPS COVER LAND TRAFFIC LINKS (NEW BRIDGES AT SHA TAU KOK AND LOK MA CHAU, THE BUILDING OF A SECOND BRIDGE AT MAN KAM TO AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO RAILWAY STATIONS AT LOWU AND SHENZHEN), MARINE LINKS, BORDER CONTROLS AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS, IN PARTICULAR POLLUTION AND FLOOD CONTROL IN THE SHENZHEN RIVER.

MR MCLAREN SAID IT WAS AGREED THAT GOOD PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE BY THE WORKING GROUPS LOOKING AT FUTURE PROJECTS AND THAT THERE HAD ALSO BEEN EXCELLENT CO-OPERATION IN DEALING WITH CURRENT QUESTIONS, SUCH AS FACILITATING PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT LOWU AT PEAK TIMES.

TODAY THE HONG KONG TEAM TOURED THE WESTERN PART OF THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE, VISITING THE SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL ZONE AT SHEKOU, THE PORT AREA AT CHI WAN AND TWO DEVELOPING RESORT COMPLEXES (THE XI LI LAKE RESORT AND XIANGMI (HONEY) LAKE COUNTRY CLUB). THEY ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT A NEW CONTROL POST ON THE NORTHERN BORDER OF THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AT NAN TOU ON THE MAIN SHENZHEN-CANTON ROAD.

♦THE HONG KONG TEAM UNDERSTOOD THAT THE COMPLETION OF THIS ’SECOND LINE’ WOULD PERMIT A SIMPLIFICATION OF CUSTOMS PROCEDURES IN SHENZHEN WHICH WOULD BENEFIT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THERE,+ MR MCLAREN SAID. HE ADDED THAT IT MIGHT HAVE THE INCIDENTAL EFFECT OF MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO ENTER HONG KONG THROUGH SHENZHEN.

♦THIS SUCCESSFUL VISIT IS A FURTHER DEMONSTRATION OF THE IMPORTANCE WHICH BOTH SIDES ATTACHED TO MAINTAINING AN INTENSIFYING PRACTICAL CO-OPERATION, HE POINTED OUT.

A FURTHER BORDER REVIEW MEETING WOULD BE HELD IN HONG KONG IN SIX MONTHS TIME.

o - - - -

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

- 4 -

USE OF LPG AS VEHICLE FUEL IMPRACTICABLE * * *

THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AIR POLLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICABLE TO USE LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS AS A FUEL FOR MOTOR VEHICLES IN HONG KONG.

THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE MADE THE CONCLUSION AFTER CONSIDERING THE REPORT OF A STUDY BY A WORKING PARTY COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OF THE LPG INDUSTRY TECHNICAL GROUP, A PRIVATE SECTOR BODY FORMED BY THE MAJOR IMPORTERS OF LPG.

THE STUDY NOTED THAT EVEN GIVEN THE MAINTENANCE OF A PRICE ADVANTAGE, THE ECONOMIES OF LPG USAGE AS A VEHICLE FUEL WERE UNLIKELY TO MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE TO OTHER THAN FLEET OPERATORS OF RELATIVELY SMALL VEHICLES.

IT COMMENTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE USE OF LPG AS A REPLACEMENT FUEL FOR DIESEL ENGINES WOULD RESULT IN LOWER EMISSIONS OF SMOKE, ODOUR, SULPHUR OXIDES AND NOISE, THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN THOSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND OXIDES OF NITROGEN SO THAT THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS WOULD BE VERY MARGINAL.

IT ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AMONG THE DISINCENTIVES TO THE ADOPTION OF LPG WOULD BE THE RESTRICTIONS ON TUNNEL USAGE AND ACCESS TO CONFINED SPACES BY LPG-FUELLED VEHICLES, PLUS THE SHORTAGE OF LAND IN THE URBAN AREAS ON WHICH TO LOCATE CONVENIENTLY PLACED LPG STORAGE AND CYLINDER RECHARGING/REPLACEMENT FACILITIES.

ON THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF LPG USAGE AS A VEHICLE FUEL, THE STUDY REPORT NOTED THAT DESPITE THE HIGH DEGREE OF SAFETY ACHIEVED ELSEWHERE THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN LPG INCIDENT IN HONG KONG, WITH ITS HIGH TRAFFIC AND POPULATION DENSITIES, COULD BE POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS.

IT ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE DIFFICULTY OF ENSURING ADEQUATE STANDARDS OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF DANGEROUS UNAUTHORISED LPG CONVERSIONS, GAVE RISE TO STRONG RESERVATIONS ON THE LIKELY SAFETY OF LPG VEHICLES IN HONG KONG.

IN ADDITION TO THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY, THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ALSO HEARD THAT THE CUTBACK IN PRODUCTION OF PETROLEUM HAD SEVERELY REDUCED THE SUPPLY AND CREATED AN ACUTE WORLD SHORTAGE CF LPG, WITH THE RESULT THAT ITS PRICE HAD RISEN IN RECENT MONTHS BY SOME 15 PER CENT AND WAS EXPECTED TO RISE STILL FURTHER IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

0 - - - -

/5

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

5

FAMILIARISATION TOUR FOR MPS * * *

TWO CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG FOR A ONE WEEK FAMILIARISATION VISIT AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.

THEY ARE MR MARK CARLISLE QC, MP (CHESHIRE. RUNCORN DIVISION) AND MR TONY DURANT, MP (READING, NORTH DIVISION).

ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, MR CARLISLE IS DUE TO ARRIVE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WHILE MR AND MRS DURANT ARE EXPECTED TO BE HERE ON SUNDAY (MAY 1).

DURING THEIR STAY, THEY WILL MEET THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YDUDE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS. THEY WILL ALSO VISIT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND TAKE A HELICOPTER TOUR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND HONG KONG ISLAND.

MR CARLISLE AND MR DURANT WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MAY 7 (SATURDAY), THE LAST DAY OF THEIR VISIT IN HONG KONG.

AMENDMENTS TO TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN

X * * X

THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THAT THE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY TO INCORPORATE NEW DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND ENHANCE THE GENERAL AMENITY AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF AREA 2 IN TSUEN WAN WEST.

A 60-METRE WIDE STRIP OF RECLAMATION, ABOUT SIX HECTARES IN AREA, HAS BEEN PROPOSED SOUTH OF THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AREA IN TSUEN WAN WEST.

IT WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR A PUBLIC WATERFRONT ESPLANADE AND A NEW DUAL CARRIAGEWAY ROAD LINKING CHAI WAN KOK INTERCHANGE AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT YAU KOM TAU.

THE NEW ROAD WILL TAKE THROUGH TRAFFIC OFF THE EXISTING SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN AREA 2 WHICH IS THEN DOWNGRADED AS A LOCAL ROAD, THUS IMPROVING THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF THE FUTURE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.

PART OF THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION TO THE EAST HAS BEEN RESERVED AS AN EXTENSION OF THE ADJOINING CARGO HANDLING AREA IN TSUEN WAN CENTRAL.

OTHER MINOR EXTENSIONS OF THE +OTHER SPECIFIED USES (COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AREA)* ZONE IN AREA 2 HAVE BEEN PROPOSED TO FACILITATE MORE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND ALLOW FOR MORE LAND FOR SUPPORTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO SERVE THE PLANNED POPULATION IN THE AREA.

/•/HE SCHEDULE....

FHIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

- 6 -

THE SCHEDULE OF NOTES ATTACHED TO THE PLAN HAS ALSO BEEN REVISED.

THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD} THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE} AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (TSUEN WAN), 2ND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.

ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD ON OR BEFORE MAY 19.

THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN IS ON SALE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AT $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR A COLOURED COPY.

----

NEW ROAD FOR CHAI WAN * * * *

THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW ROAD IN CHAI WAN TO FORM PART OF STAGE I I I OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.

THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN 800-METRE LONG DUAL TWO-LANE ROAD BETWEEN THE WING TAI INTERCHANGE AND CHAI WAN.

ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE THE EXTENSION OF WING TAI ROAD TO THE INTERCHANGE ON THE CORRIDOR, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ROUNDABOUT AT THE JUNCTION OF CHAI WAN ROAD AND WAN TSUI ROAD, AND THE WIDENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF A 350-METRE LONG SECTION OF CHAI WAN ROAD.

A SYSTEM OF COVERED FOOTBRIDGES OVER THE CHAI WAN ROAD AND WAN TSUI ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND FOUR OTHER COVERED FOOTBRIDGES AND A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ALONG THE NEW ROAD WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED UNDER THIS PROJECT.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START LATER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN 1985.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, 3RD FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AND THE CHAI WAN SUB-OFFICE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, BLOCK 2 OF HING WAH ESTATE, CHAI WAN.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

7

INSURANCE COMPANY WINDING UP * ft ft *

THE REGISTRAR GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A RESOLUTION FOR THE VOLUNTARY WINDING UP OF THE CHIAP LUEN INSURANCE CO. LTD, A COMPANY INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG, HAD BEEN PASSED.

THE RESOLUTION WAS MADE TODAY AT A MEETING OF THE CREDITORS CF THE COMPANY.

ACCORDINGLY, THE ATTENTION OF POLICY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY IS DRAWN TO THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY’S AUTHORISATION FOR CARRYING ON FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE BUSINESS UNDER THE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES DEPOSIT ORDINANCE WILL BE REVOKED BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1983.

- - - - 0 ----

CROWN LAND IN SHA TIN FOR AUCTION

III

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER TWO PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN SHA TIN FOR SALE AT AN AUCTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MAY 25 AT 2.30 PM.

ONE OF THE SITES IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES. IT IS SITUATED NEAR WO LIU HANG AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2 223 SQUARE METRES.

THE OTHER SITE, SITUATED NEAR HA WO CHE, MEASURES ABOUT 971.8 SQUARE METRES, AND IS FOR A SINGLE DETACHED PRIVATE DWELLING HOUSE PURPOSE.

FULL PARTICULARS AND SALE CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONGl THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROADj THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.

-.--0---------

NGAU CHI WAN VILLAGE HOUSES AUCTIONED ft ft ft ft ft

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT HAS SOLD FOUR HOUSES IN NGAU CHI WAN VILLAGE TODAY AT AN AUCTION HELD IN THE CHOI WAN ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN CHOI WAN ESTATE.

THE HOUSES, EACH WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 56 SQUARE METRES, ARE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, CINEMA, REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES) PURPOSES.

THEY HAVE BEEN SOLD FOR $790 000, $890 000, $800 000 AND $910 000 RESPECTIVELY.

o --------

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

8

HONG KONG JURY LIST * ft ft ft ft

THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR NICHOLAS JOHN BARNETT, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING AT JACKSON ROAD ON MAY 3.

THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS DURING WHICH PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN SUCH NOTICE. THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST.

- - - - 0 -------------

ONE YEAR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE ft ft ft ft

YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER, 1983 AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.

THE COURSE IS INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH SOME YEARS OF SOUND INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PASSING ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF THEIR OWN SPECIALISM TO STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND IN TAKING UP TEACHING AS A PROFESSION.

INDUCEMENT GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS ON THEIR COURSE AT THE MINIMUM OF HK$1 650 PER MONTH UP TO THE MAXIMUM OF HK$2 500 PER MONTH, CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF RELEVANT POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A HIGHER DIPLOMA/ORDI NARY DIPLOMA/ HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR EQUIVALENT, AWARDED BY THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE/POLYTECHNIC/TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR AN EQUIVALENT EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT IN ONE OF THE DISCIPLINES! CONSTRUCTION, MARINE FABRICATION, AND PRINTING.

TO APPLY FOR THE HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING STUDIES, APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A RECOGNISED DIPLOMA IN HOTEL AND CATERING (E.G. ORDINARY NATIONAL DIPLOMA) OR CITY AND GUILD OF LONDON INSTITUTE CERTIFICATES 707-1, 707-2, 707-3 OR EQUIVALENT.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI. ON COMPLETION THEY MUST BE RETURNED BY MAY 14.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

- 9 -

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND GRANTS *****

SCHOOLS AS WELL AS MUSIC AND DANCE ORGANISATIONS CAN NOW APPLY FOR GRANTS FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOR THE YEAR 1983-84.

THE GRANT AIMS AT DEVELOPING AND PROMOTING MUSIC AND DANCE THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES.

THE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC FUND SAID, + IN PREVIOUS YEARS, GRANTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO SCHOOLS, MUSIC AND DANCE ORGANISATIONS FOR PURCHASING MUS ICAL/DANCE INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT, PAYING INSTRUCTORS’ FEES FOR TRAINING, PURCHASING MUSIC BOOKS, SCORES AND TAPES, AND ORGANISING MUSIC EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS AND MUSIC CAMPS.+

♦APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE FOR GRANTS FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHICH CONFORM WITH THE OVERALL EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE FUND,+ HE ADDED.

THE MUSIC FUND HAS SO FAR GRANTED SOME $3 MILLION TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS. IN 1982-83, MORE THAN $200 000 WAS GRANTED TO 78 SCHOOLS, 12 MUSIC/DANCE ORGANISATIONS AND SEVEN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

APPLICATION IS OPEN TO ALL REGISTERED NON-PROFIT-MAKING CRGANI SAT IONS.

APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROMj

* HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND OFFICE, 7/F, PACIFIC HOUSE, 20 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

* MUSIC OFFICE HEADQUARTERS, RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, 9/F, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, WAN CHAI.

* MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE (FOR ADDRESSES, PLEASE DIAL 5-249353).

THE CLOSING DATE IS MONDAY, MAY 16. FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED BY DIALLING 5-249353.

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/10 .......

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

10

WAN CHAI DB TO DISCUSS STREET SLEEPERS * * * *

STREET SLEEPERS IN WAN CHAI WILL BE ONE OF THE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY (MAY 3).

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY A PROGRESS REPORT ON STREET MANAGEMENT, A PILOT SCHEME BEING IMF>LEMENTED IN THE DISTRICT TO IMPROVE STREETS WITH LONGSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.

THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ARTS, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEES, AND THE WORK OF THE AREA COMMITTEES.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THE MEETING SHOULD CONTACT FOR SEATING ARRANGEMENT.

WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE BOARD’S SECRETARY AT 5-8921239

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 4 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 3) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TUNG WAH MANSION, EIGHTH FLOOR, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.


NOTE TO EDITORS:

SEMINAR ON RECREATION ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH 4 * X

THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (RECREATION AND SPORT) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, MR DICKEN YUNG, WILL SPEAK AT A SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING IN HENNESSY ROAD TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE SEMINAR WILL BE ON ^RECREATION ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH* ORGANISED BY THE PENINSULA UAYCEES.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW.


FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983

NOTE TO EDITORSi SUBSIDISED PLACES IN OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL ft ft ft ft

A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF A JOINT SCHEME BETWEEN THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL TO PROVIDE SUBSIDISED PLACES FOR DESERVING YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (MAY 2) AT 3 PM IN THE GlS THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR BARRIE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL, MR JACK AND CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MR DAVID MAK, WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THE CONFERENCE.

WlGGHAM TUCKER

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.

-------o - - - -

MA ON SHAN - MA LIU SHU I FERRY SERVICES ft ft ft ft

FERRY FARES BETWEEN MA ON SHAN AND MA LIU SHU I WILL BE REVISED FROM SUNDAY (MAY 1) FROM $2 TO $3 FOR ADULTS AND FROM $1 TO $1.50 FOR STUDENTS AND CHILDREN.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FARE INCREASE WAS NECESSARY DUE TO RISING OPERATIONAL COSTS AND A DROP IN PATRONAGE FOLLOWING THE CLEARANCE OF MA ON SHAN SQUATTER AREAS.

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TRAM SERVICES CURTAILED

UI

TRAM SERVICES WILL BE CURTAILED ON SATURDAY NIGHT (APRIL 30) FOR WORKS ON TRAM TRACK AT THE JUNCTION OF HENNESSY ROAD AND ARSENAL STREET.

THE LAST DEPARTURES FROM HAPPY VALLEY TO KENNEDY TOWN, WHITTY STREET AND WESTERN MARKET WILL BE AT 11.15 PM, FROM NORTH POINT TO WHITTY STREET AND WESTERN MARKET AT 11.08 PM AND FROM SHAU KEI WAN TO WESTERN MARKET AT 10.50 PM.

TRAVELLING EASTBOUND, THE SERVICE FROM WESTERN MARKET TO SHAU KEI WAN WILL RUN UNTIL 11.38 PM, TO NORTH POINT UNTIL 11.51 PM AND TO HAPPY VALLEY UNTIL 12.02 AM.

THE LAST TRAMS WILL LEAVE WHITTY STREET FOR NORTH POINT AT 11.43 PM AND FOR HAPPY VALLEY AT 11.54 PM.

THE LAST DEPARTURE FROM KENNEDY TOWN TO HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE AT 11.48 PM.

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/12 ....

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1983 .

- 12 -

HI Fl CONCERTS AT TELFORD GARDEN COMMUNITY CENTRE * * * *

THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (ESTATES MANAGEMENT) LTD WILL JOINTLY PRESENT TWO HI Fl CONCERTS AT THE TELFORD GARDEN COMMUNITY CENTRE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND AGAIN ON MAY 29, AT 3 PM.

THE CONCERTS WILL BE DESIGNED AND PRESENTED BY MR CHAN HO—CHOI, A LOCAL MUSIC COMMENTATOR.

THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY LASER COMPACT DISCS, MR CHAN WILL INTRODUCE CLASSICAL MUSIC, FOLK SONGS AND MOVIE THEME SONGS ID THE AUDIENCE.

FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG MUSIC CENTRE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (ESTATES MANAGEMENT) LTD AT TELFORD GARDEN, BLOCK D.

ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE BY DIALLING 3-7561328 OR 3-7501688.

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FIRING PRACTICE * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR FOUR DAYS IN MAY.

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICESi

DATE TIME

MAW A (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 11 PM

MAY 16 (MONDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM

MAY 26 (THURSDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM

MAY 27 (FRIDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, APRIL 50, 1985

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ANNE INAUGURATES R.O.'S CENTENARY BUILDING ........ 1

APPLICATION FOR NEW I.D. CARDS STARTS MONDAY ............... 2

PRINCESS ANNE'S MONDAY ENGAGEMENTS ....................... 3

GOVERNOR TO OPEN WATER SPORTS CENTRE ....................... 4

APPOINTMENT OF Q.C..........................................

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR YUEN LONG ................... 5

FOUR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND SITES UNDER PROTECTION ....... 6

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL MEETING .................................................... 7

INLAND REVENUE ISSUES REMINDER ............................. 8

LEAFLET ON TRAIN AND BUS SERVICES .......................... 9

HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION ..................................... 9

NEW PES CENTRE FOR TSUEN WAN ............................... 10

SWIM WITHIN LIMITS, PUBLIC URGED ........................... 10

SPECIAL CAR NOS. SALE BY AUCTION ........................... 11

FERRY SERVICES TO MA LIU SHUT PIER ......................... 11

NEW CARRIAGEWAY PROPOSED FOR ABERDEEN....................... 12

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE AT NANKING STREET.................... 12

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1983

1

PRINCESS ANNE INAUGURATES R.O.’S CENTENARY BUILDING * M * *

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE PRINCESS ANNE, THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE I18-MILLI0N CENTENARY BUILDING AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, WHICH ALSO MARKED THE BEGINNING OF A SERIES OF CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE OBSERVATORY.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE AND LADY YOUDE, PRINCESS ANNE WAS RECEIVED ON ARRIVAL BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR PATRICK SHAM.

AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE PRINCESS TOURED AROUND THE NEW 10—STOREY BUILDING. HRH WENT FIRST TO THE CENTRAL FORECASTING OFFICE ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR, WHERE SHE INSPECTED THE HIGHLY ADVANCED EQUIPMENT USED FOR WEATHER FORECASTING, INCLUDING MODERN DISPLAY UNITS SHOWING DIGITAL RADAR AND SATELLITE INFORMATION.

THE PRINCESS LATER VISITED THE COMPUTER ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE SEISMOLOGICAL OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR, WHERE SHE WAS BRIEFED ON EARTHQUAKE RECORDING AND ANALYSIS WORK.

IN HIS WELCOMING ADDRESS, MR PATRICK SHAM SAID THE CENTENARY BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE SPACE FOR STAFF AND EQUIPMENT IN THE OLD BUILDING WHICH WAS BUILT 100 YEARS AGO.

HE SAID THAT THE OLD BUILDING WOULD BE DECLARED A HISTORIC MONUMENT. RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION AND PRESERVED FOR CONTINUED USE OF THE OBSERVATORY.

PRINCESS ANNE WAS TOLD THAT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HAD ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS AND EXPANDED ITS ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE YEARS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG. IT HAS ALSO ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED INSTITUTES IN THE WORLD IN TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECASTING AND RESEARCH.

MR SHAM ADDED THAT THE CENTENARY CELEBRATION PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE THE PUBLICATION OF A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE OBSERVATORY, THE ISSUE OF A SET OF SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS, OPEN DAYS, AND A REGIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SEMINAR UNDER THE CO-SPONSORSHIP OF THE OBSERVATORY AND THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL SEMINAR UNDER THE CO-SPONSORSHIP OF THE OBSERVATORY AND THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION.

BEFORE LEAVING THE OBSERVATORY, PRINCESS ANNE ATTENDED A RECEPTION OF ABOUT 100 GUESTS. THE GUESTS INCLUDED SEN I OR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR AND THE BRITISH SERVICES.

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/2

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1983

2

APPLICATION FOR NEW I.D. CARDS STARTS MONDAY *****

THE FIRST PHASE OF THE NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE SCHEME WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (MAY 2).

THIS PHASE, WHICH IS TARGETED AT MEN BORN IN 1964, WILL LAST FOR FIVE WEEKS, ENDING JUNE 4, 1983.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY)I +MALE RESIDENTS OF THIS AGE GROUP MUST HAVE THEIR EXISTING I.D. CARDS REPLACED BY NEW ONES DURING THE SPECIFIED PERIOD. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY LEAD TO PROSECUTION.*

♦HOWEVER, IF A PERSON HAPPENS TO BE AWAY FROM HONG KONG DURING THIS PERIOD, HE MAY DEFER APPLICATION UNTIL HIS RETURN,♦ HE ADDED.

APPLICATIONS FOR NEW CARDS SHOULD BE MADE IN PERSON TO ANY OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE l€W TERRITORIES. THESE OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THESE OFFICES WILL NOT DEAL WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF LOST OR DAMAGED I.D. CARDS, NOR WILL THEY DEAL WITH THE CHANGE OF PARTICULARS ON EXISTING CARDS.

THESE MATTERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE HANDLED BY THE REGULAR REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES,+ HE SAID.

EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURES OF APPLYING FOR A NEW I.D. CARD, THE SPOKESMAN SAIDi *THE APPLICANT WILL BE ASKED TO PRODUCE HIS OLD I.D. CARD BUT WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SURRENDER IT UNTIL HE IS ISSUED WITH THE NEW ONE.

THE PROCESSING WILL TAKE ONLY HALF AN HOUR. THE APPLICANT WILL THEN BE INFORMED OF THE DATE ON WHICH THE NEW CARD WILL BE READY FOR COLLECT ION.+

IN THE MEANTIME, HE CAN CONTINUE TO USE HIS OLD CARD AS PROOF OF IDENTITY,♦ HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT DURING THE NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE EXERCISE, THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO HONG KONG.

THOSE WHO ARE HERE ILLEGALLY, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE HOLDING FORGED I.D. CARDS, WILL BE DETECTED AND REPATRIATED,* HE SAID.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF NEW I.D. CARDS CAN BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING 5-7956066 (CHINESE LANGUAGE) OR 5-7909393 (ENGLISH LANE HAGE).

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1983

5

PRINCESS ANNE'S MONDAY ENCASEMENTS

* * * *

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ANNE HAS NO ENGAGEMENTS TOMORROW (SUNDAY), BUT ON MONDAY (MAY 2) SHE WILL LUNCH WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND VISIT THE HMS TAMAR.

PRINCESS ANNE, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL AT SWIRE HOUSE BY THE HON OSWALD CHEUNG AND THE HON ROGER LOBO.

AFTER LUNCH, THE PRINCESS WILL PROCEED TO THE HMS TAMAR FOR OTHER PRIVATE ENGAGEMENTS.

HER ROAYL HIGHNESS WILL EVENING, ENDING HER FOUR-DAY

LEAVE FOR KARACHI LATER IN THE PRIVATE VISIT TO HONG KONG.

NOTE TO ED ITORSi PRESS FACILITIES

UMELCOi THERE WILL BE A PRESS FACILITY TO COVER PRINCESS ANNE’S ARRIVAL OUTSIDE THE REDDER STREET ENTRANCE TO SWIRE HOUSE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE IN POSITION BY 12.45 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 2). GIS OFFICERS WILL ASSIST. (NOTEi NO PRESS BADGES REQUIRED FOR THE FUNCTION) bHS TAMARi MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN GATES OF HMS TAMAR NOT LATER THAN 2 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 2). THEY WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE PRESS POSITION BY JSPRS OFFICERS. (NOTEi PRESS BADGES MUST BE DISPLAYED)

DEPARTURE AT KAI TAKi PRINCESS ANNE WILL LEAVE FOR KARACHI ON FLIGHT LH 641 (ETD 9.20 PM) ON MONDAY (MAY 2). THERE WILL BE A FIXED PRESS POSITION FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING ONE HOUR BEFORE THE DEPARTURE TIME, I.E. 8.20 PM. THEY WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE PRESS POSITION BY GIS OFFICERS. (NOTE: NO PRESS BADGES WILL BE REQUIRED)

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/4

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 198?

4

NOTE TO EDITORSi

GOVERNOR TO OPEN WATER SPORTS CENTRE ft ft ft

THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT’S CHONG HING WATER SPORTS CENTRE AT THE HIGH ISLAND WATER RESERVOIR, SAI KUNG ON TUESDAY (MAY 3) AT 2.30 PM.

SIR EDWARD WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY YOUDE.

FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE CENTRE, DONATED BY THE LIU CHONG HING BANK LTD., SIR EDWARD WILL FIRE A CANNON TO START A MINI-DRAGON BOAT RACE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

TRANSPORT TO THE CENTRE WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO COVER THE CEREMONY ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK SITE AT 12.15 PM.

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APPOINTMENT OF Q.C. ft ft ft ft

THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT LOCAL SILKS IS REFLECTED BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF QUEEN’S COUNSEL COMING FROM ENGLAND EVERY YEAR TO BE ADMITTED FOR PARTICULAR CASES, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

HE WAS OFFICIATING AT A CEREMONY IN THE SUPREME COURT TO CALL WITHIN THE BAR TWO PRACTISING BARRISTERS, MR-KEMAL BOKHARY AND MR GILBERT RODWAY.

SIR DENYS SAID, +WHERE A DIVIDED PROFESSION EXISTS, AND THE AMOUNT OF SUBSTANTIAL CIVIL WORK IS SIGNIFICANT, A PROPORTION OF ABOUT ONE LEADER TO TEN JUNIORS PROVIDES THE RIGHT BALANCE.*

AT PRESENT THERE ARE 16 SILKS IN PRACTICE AT THE BAR, OUT OF A TOTAL OF ABOUT 210 MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, STILL BELOW THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED PROPORTION, HE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT LEADERS APPEAR IN THE MORE DIFFICULT CRIMINAL MATTERS AS WELL AS IN THE CIVIL CASES IN THE HIGH COURT AND THE COURT OF APPEAL.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, CIVIL APPEALS ROSE BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT, WHEREAS CLAIMS IN THE HIGH COURT NEARLY DOUBLED FROM 7 500 IN 1980 TO 13 000 IN 1982.

/HE ATTRIBUTED .......

SATURDAY, APRIL JO, I98J

5

HE ATTRIBUTED THIS DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE CIVIL FIELD TO THE EFFECT OF INFLATION, WHICH HAS BROUGHT MANY MATTERS ABOVE THE MONETARY LIMITS OF THE DISTRICT COURT.

THE MONETARY LIMITS OF THE DISTRICT COURT MIGHT BE RAISED LATER THIS YEAR SO AS TO ENABLE THE HEARING OF MANY CASES THERE, SIR DENYS ADDED.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE GROWTH OF CIVIL WORK IN THE HIGH COURT WAS MATCHED BY THE SURGE OF CRIMINAL CASES. LAST YEAR CRIMINAL CASES TRIED IN HIGH COURT TRIPLED THAT IN 1979.

WITH THE INCREASE IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES, THE LOCAL SILKS WOULD NOT BE LEFT IDLE, SIR DENYS ASSURED.

COMMENTING ON THE APPOINTMENT OF MR BOKHARY AND MR RODWAY, HE SAIDt +THEIR VERY HIGH STANDARDS OF PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND CONDUCT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BODY OF QUEEN’S COUNSEL CONTINUES TO GIVE THE RIGHT KIND OF LEADERSHIP TO THE BAR IN GENERAL.*

THE’ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY ALSO ADDRESSED THE GATHERING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BENCH AND THE BAR BEFORE THE CEREMONY CLOSED WITH A REPLY BY MR BOKHARY ON BEHALF OF THE NEW QUEEN’S COUNSEL.

------0--------

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR YUEN LONG * * * * *

THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE A SERIES OF OPERATIONS TO CLEAR ILLEGAL SHOP EXTENSIONS AND BACKLANE STRUCTURES NEXT MONTH TO BRIGHTEN UP THE TOWN’S ENVIRONMENT.

THE CLEARANCES, TO BE CARRIED OUT IN STAGES, FORM PART OF THE DISTRICT’S STREET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME.

THIRTY-ONE NEWLY-ERECTED BACKLANE STRUCTURES — INCLUDING PORCHES, WALL STALLS, METAL STAIRCASES AND IRON SHELVES — IN THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF YUEN LONG WILL BE CLEARED ON MAY 6 AND 10.

THESE OPERATIONS, CO-ORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL BE JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY THE LANDS, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENTS AND THE POLICE.

THERE ARE ALSO OLDER AND MORE ESTABLISHED UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN YUEN LONG. THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE CONSULTED ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE OTHER STRUCTURES.

COMMENTING ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OPERATIONS, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT), MR DAVID SKINNER, SAID THE SHOP EXTENSIONS, IN THE FORM OF FLOOR TILES, WERE DANGEROUS AND SLIPPERY ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATHER-

/+NOT ONLY ....

SATURDAY, APRIL JO, 198?

6

♦NOT ONLY WOULD THEY POSE A HAZARD TO PEDESTRIANS, BUT ALSO SPOIL THE BEAUTY OF THE ENVIRONMENT,* HE SAID.

A LETTER IS BEING SENT BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO THE SHOP OPERATORS CONCERNED, URGING THEM TO REMOVE SUCH TILINGS.*

MORE THAN 90 OPERATORS WITH ILLEGAL SHOP FRONT EXTENSIONS HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO COMPLY WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS, OR THEY WILL BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.

MR SKINNER SAID THE STREET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME WAS A GRADUAL PROCESS TO BE TIED UP WITH THE REPROVISIONING OF ACTIVITIES OFF STREET, ALSO WITH COMPLETION OF THE TOWN LAYOUT.

AS THE LAYOUT FOR THE DISTRICT WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, IT IS TIME TO TAKE ACTION STEP BY STEP TO ENSURE THAT OUR STREETS ARE PROPERLY MANAGED,+ HE SAID.

CLEARANCE OF STREETS WOULD INCLUDE HAWKERS, ILLEGAL PARKING AND STRUCTURES AND WORK DEBRIS.

AS THE STREETS ARE CLEARED, HARD LANDSCAPING WILL BE PROVIDED, WHERE POSSIBLE, TO PREVENT REOCCUPATION OF THE STREET AND IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, ♦ HE SAID,.

THE LANDSCAPING WILL BE PROVIDED EITHER BY THE DISTRICT BOARD OR BY THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER NEW TERRITORIES’ MINOR WORKS VOTE.

WHILE THE STREET MANAGEMENT PROCESS FOR YUEN LONG TOWN AND HUNG SHUI KIU WAS FAIRLY WELL IN HAND, MR SKINNER ADDED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO INITIATE SIMILAR PROGRAMMES FOR KAM TIN, SAN TIN AND LAU FAU SHAN.

TO THIS END, A WORKING GROUP LOOKING INTO STREET MANAGEMENT MATTERS IN KAM TIN HAS ALREADY BEEN FORMED.

- - 0 - -

FOUR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND SITES UNDER PROTECTION

* X * *

TWO BUILDINGS, A KILN SITE AND A STONE CIRCLE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL VALUE ARE TO BE DECLARED AS HISTORICAL STRUCTURES AND MONUMENTS. A GAZETTE NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WILL BE PUBLISHED ON FRIDAY (MAY 6).

THIS FOLLOWS A RECENT APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO PRESERVE THE FOUR INTERESTING STRUCTURES, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE UNIVERSITY MAIN BUILDING, A SITE OF THE OLD POTTERY KILNS AT WUN YIU VILLAGE, TAI PO, AND AN ANCIENT STONE CIRCLE ON LANTAU ISLAND.

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IS A FINE TWO-STOREYED BRICK STRUCTURE WITH ARCHED WINDOWS AND LONG VERANDAHS.

/IT WAS

SATURDAY, APRIL JO, 1983

7

IT WAS BUILT IN 1883 AND THUS, APPROPRIATELY, CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY THIS YEAR, WHICH HAPPENS TO COINCIDE WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL’S OWN 1OOTH ANNIVERSARY.

THE UNIVERSITY MAIN BUILDING IS A WELL-KNOWN CULTURAL LANDMARK SITUATED IN THE WESTERN END OF HONG KONG ISLAND.

AN IMPRESSIVE RED-BRICK BUILDING, IT IS SURMOUNTED BY A CLOCK TOWER, WITH ITS EXTERNAL GRANITE COLOURS OF GREEK IONIC ORDER.

THE BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN 1910 AND 1912, AND ALTHOUGH A MASSIVE RE-DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS UNDERWAY AT THE UNIVERSITY, THE MAIN BUILDING IS TO REMAIN AS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE UNIVERSITY TRADITION AROUND WHICH THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IS TO EVOLVE.

A SITE OF THE OLD POTTERY KILNS AT WUN YIU VILLAGE, TAI PO, IS TO BE PRESERVED AS A HISTORICAL SITE.

THE KILNS, OF WHICH ONLY RUINED REMAINS CAN BE IDENTIFIED. HAD ONCE BEEN A CENTRE OF A THRIVING AND WELL-KNOWN POTTERY INDUSTRY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WHICH FLOURISHED FOR SOME 300 YEARS.

IT IS HOPED TO DISPLAY THE REMAINS OF THE KILNS AND POSSIBLY PARTLY TO RESTORE THEM.

AN ANCIENT STONE CIRCLE ON LANTAU ISLAND HAS ALSO TO BE DECLARED A MONUMENT.

-------o---------

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL MEETING M * * MM

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR TREVOR THORPE, IS LEAVING FOR DUESSELDORF, WEST GERMANY, TODAY (SATURDAY) TO ATTEND A TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING SPONSORED BY THE AIRPORT OPERATORS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL.

THE CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL START ON MONDAY (MAY 2), IS DESIGNED TO KEEP WORLD AIRPORT OPERATORS ABREAST OF LATEST TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN AIRPORT OPERATIONS AND DESIGN.

IT IS ALSO INTENDED TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS ON MUTUAL PROBLEMS AND ON PROGRESS IN OVERCOMING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES OF AIRPORT OPERATIONS.

TOPICS FOR DETAILED STUDY WILL INCLUDE BIRD HAZARDS AND fCTHODS OF REDUCING THE PROBLEM, JET BLAST CLEARANCES AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES, PAVEMENT FRICTION MEASUREMENT, EFFECTS OF RUNWAY GROOVING ON AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF SUPER JUMBO JETS ON AIRPORT OPERATION.

------o-------

/8......

8

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1983

INLAND REVENUE ISSUES REMINDER * * * *

THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND EMPLOYERS OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.

A SPOKESMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EVERY PERSON CHARGEABLE TO TAX FOR ANY YEAR OF ASSESSMENT MUST NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN WRITING NOT LATER THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE BASIS PERIOD OF THE YEAR IN WHICH HE IS SO CHARGEABLE UNLESS HE HAS ALREADY BEEN REQUIRED TO FURNISH A RETURN FOR THAT YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ANY PERSON WHO CEASED TO CARRY OUT A TRADE, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS’ TO HOLD AN OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT IN RESPECT OF WHICH SALARIES TAX IS CHARGEABLE” OR TO HAVE A SOURCE OF INCOME IN RESPECT OF WHICH HE IS PERSONALLY ASSESSED, MUST ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING WITHIN ONE MONTH OF SUCH CESSATION.

ANY PERSON CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES, PROFITS OR PERSONAL TAX AND IS ABOUT TO LEAVE HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH MUST NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE, HE SAID.

♦THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO PERSONS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO LEAVE HONG KONG FREQUENTLY IN THE COURSE OF BUSINESS OR EMPLOYMENT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ALSO REMINDED TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR ADDRESS TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE CHANGE.

.EMPLOYERS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING THE PARTICULARS OF ANY NEW EMPLOYEE LIKELY TO BE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF HIS EMPLOYMENT.

AN EMPLOYER WHO IS ABOUT TO CEASE TO EMPLOY IN HONG KONG ANY PERSON LIKELY TO BE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX MUST ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE THE TERMINATION OF SUCH EMPLOYMENT.

IT IS ALSO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AN EMPLOYER TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER WHENEVER AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX IS ABOUT TO LEAVE HONG KONG MORE THAN A MONTH AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN AN EMPLOYER HAS INFORMED THE COMMISSIONER THAT HE IS ABOUT TO CEASE TO EMPLOY A PERSON CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX, HE MUST NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENT TO THAT EMPLOYEE WITHIN A MONTH FROM THE DATE OF GIVING SUCH NOTICE, EXCEPT WITH THE CONSENT IN WRITING OF THE COMMISSIONER.

♦THE EMPLOYER MAY HOWEVER, DURING THAT MONTH PAY TO THE COMMISSIONER OUT OF THE MONEYS DUE TO THE EMPLOYEE SUCH SUM AS THE EMPLOYEE MAY DIRECT HIM TO PAY.*

FORMS FOR GIVING SUCH NOTICES MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1983

- -9 -

LEAFLET ON TRAIN AND BUS SERVICES

AN AND THE RAILWAY

INFORMATION LEAFLET ON THE ELECTRIFIED TRAIN SERVICE RELATED BUS AND MAXI BUS FEEDER SERVICES IN TAI PO HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF LOCAL

RES IDENTS.

PREPARED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION. THE LEAFLET CONTAINS A MAP OF TAI PO MARKET SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE NEW KCR STATION AND INTERCHANGE, TIME TABLES AND FARES OF THE TRAIN, BUS AND MAXIBUS FEEDER SERVICES.

A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEAFLET WAS PRODUCED TO COINCIDE WITH THE EXTENSION OF THE ELECTRIFIED TRAIN SERVICE TO TAI PO FROM NEXT MONDAY.

TO

♦A TOTAL OF 30 000 COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION SCHOOLS, SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND THE IWO RURAL COMMITTEES,+ HE SAID.

♦IT IS ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTERS OF TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE.+

- - 0---------

NOTE TO EDITORSi

HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION X * M

A 90-MINUTE EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION, INCLUDING THE DISPLAY OF ANTI-BURGLARY EQUIPMENT AND GAS HEATERS, AND FIRST AID DEMONSTRATION, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 3.30 PM AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE TO MARK THE OPENING OF YAU MA TEI HOME SAFETY WEEK.

OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY ARE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILFRED WONG, AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF NEW WORLD MANAGEMENT OFFICE, MR GEORGE PRYOR.

BRIEFINGS WILL BE GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE GAS ADVISERS’ OFFICE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YAU W TEI HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN.

------o-------

/10

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1983

10

NEW PES CENTRE FOR TSUEN WAN

* * *

A NEW PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE IN SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, TSUEN WAN, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM MONDAY (MAY 2).

THE NEW CENTRE, LOCATED AT UNITS 16-18 ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SHEK LAN HOUSE, WILL OPEN FROM 8.45 AM TO 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM BETWEEN MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.

THE SERVICES AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE WILL INCLUDE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT FORMS AND PAMPHLETS, ANSWERING ENQUIRIES, STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, REFERRING CASES TO THE LAW SOCIETY’S LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME AND THE RENT OFFICER’S SCHEME.

THE NEW CENTRE, THE 11TH IN TSUEN WAN, WILL MAINLY SERVE RESIDENTS OF TSUEN WAN NORTH, SUCH AS THE CHEUNG SHAN AND SHEK WAI KOK PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND KHU HANG SQUATTER AREA.

-------0---------

SWIM WITHIN LIMITS, PUBLIC URGED

******

BEACHGOERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE SWIMMING AT PUBLIC BATHING BEACHES DURING THE SUMMER.

♦ONE OF THE GOLDEN RULES IS TO KEEP WITHIN YOUR LIMITS AND TO SWIM WITHIN THE SAFE SWIMMING AREAS CLEARLY MARKED WITH BUOY LINES AT THE GAZETTED BEACHES WITH LIFEGUARDS NEARBY,♦ A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

♦POOR SWIMMERS SHOULD NOT GO BEYOND THEIR OWN DEPTH UNLESS THEY CAN MAKE THE DISTANCE,+ HE SAID.

HE WARNED THE PUBLIC NOT TO RELY ON SWIMMING AIDS OR USE SNORKELS AND DIVING MASKS IMPROPERLY.

HE ADVISED THEM NOT TO SWIM IMMEDIATELY AFTER A HEAVY MEAL, OR WHEN HUNGRY OR TIRED AND URGED PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO SUPERVISE THEIR CHILDREN.

BEACHGOERS ARE ALSO ADVISED NOT TO CAMP OR START BARBECUE FIRES ON ALL GAZETTED PUBLIC BATHING BEACH AS IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ERECT TENTS OR LIGHT FIRES ON BEACHES. OFFENDERS WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $500 AND A JAIL SENTENCE OF TWO WEEKS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

- o

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1983

11

SPECIAL CAR NOS. SALE BY AUCTION * * *

THIRTY-ONE SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $187 500 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.

THE AUCTION HELD AT RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, 8TH FLOOR, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER CF 3 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $45 000.

ANOTHER NUMBER CW 8 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE CF $35 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000.

THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES:

CY 827 1 (1 000 CY 480 $1 000 CY8188 $2 600

CY 128 1 12 500 CX8698 $1 000 CK 800 $10 500

CY 629 1 11 000 CY1283 $2 500 CY6569 $1 000

AP 678 | 12 000 BZ9237 $1 000 AU2808 $3 300

CX8696 | H ooo CW1111 $20 000 BL 163 $9 500

CY 365 1 11 000 CY 662 $3 500 CG3223 $5 000

BB 456 I 11 000 AH 911 $4 000 BB2623 $1 000

CY 450 | 11 500 CX7777 $11 000 CY9993 $3 500

AA3131 1 15 000 CX9904 $1 000 AC8998 $6 000

CY 891 1 12 100 CY 633 $2 000

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.

THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITH 12 MONTHS CF THE DATE OF AUCTION.

TODAY’S SALE, THE 84TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $27 439 832.

-----o------

FERRY SERVICES TO MA LIU SHU I PIER

*****

TWO FERRY ROUTES WILL HAVE THEIR TERMINI MOVED FROM TAI PO KAU PUBLIC PIER TO MA LIU SHU I PIER FROM MONDAY (MAY 2) FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF KCR’S TAI PO KAU STATION.

THEY ARE THE TOLO HARBOUR FERRY SERVICE TO TAP MUN AND THE EXCURSION FERRY SERVICE TO PING CHAU (MIRS BAY).

HOWEVER, THE TIMETABLES OF THESE SERVICES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

------o-------

/V.......

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1983

12

NEW CARRIAGEWAY PROPOSED FOR ABERDEEN * * *

THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PROPOSING TO CONSTRUCT A NEW DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY OF ABOUT 950 METRES BETWEEN SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE ABERDEEN AREA.

THE PROJECT, WHICH FORMS PART OF A LONG-TERM ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME IN ABERDEEN, WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGES, A SUBWAY AND A FLYOVER CONNECTING ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD TO THE NEW CARRIAGEWAY.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE PROJECT PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KST WING MAIN ENTRANCE; THE HONG KONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 3RD FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT CFFICE, 22 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, HONG KONG.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.

- - 0 - -

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE AT NANKING STREET ft ft ft ft

THE SECTION OF NANKING STREET BETWEEN TEMPLE STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM DAILY FROM MAY 2 (MONDAY) TO MAY 9, 1983 FOR THE LAYING OF A GAS MAIN.

DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC ON NANKING STREET WESTBOUND 4CADING F0£ SHANGHAI STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TEMPLE STREET AND SAIGON STREET.


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