DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
CONT^TS PAGE NO.
HK-U.S. TEXTILES AGREEMENTS INITIALLED .............. 1
LEGCO TO DISCUSS LIGHT RaIL TRANSIT SYSTEM........... 2
NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO EXCO........................ 4
HONG KONG OPENS NEW OFFICE IN U.S.................... 4
DEBATE RESUMES ON LANDLORD AND TENaNT BILL........... 6
BOiiRD TO DISCUSS DaYa BAY PROJECT................... 6
KOWLOON CITY DB TO DISCUSS TRIaD REPORT ............. 7
AMERICAN INVESTORS HaVE IMPORTaNT ROLE............... 8
JiiRAliESjs INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG SIGNIFICANT.... 9
EaSTERN DISTRICT SETS UP TENDER BOaRD .............. 10
TOWN SQUARE TO Be BUILT IN YUEN LONG................ 11
contract signing ceremony .......................... 11
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD oURVaY CONTINUING ................ 12
LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME SET FOR REVIEW.......... 12
WINNING ENTRIES ON DISPLAY.......................... 1J
seminar on remedial English teaching................ 14
SPECIAL CONCERTS FOR PRIMARY PUPILS ................ 14
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR WATERWORKS MAINTENANCE .......... 15
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SHEUNG SHUI .................... 15
WESTERN, jaOTeRN DISTRICT TRAFFIC CHANGES........... 15
WONG NAT CHUNG GaP ROiJD TEMpOR^Y CLOSURE........... 16
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
1
HK-U.S. TEXTILES AGREEMENTS INITIALLED ******
A +MODIFI CAT I ON AND EXTENSION* OF THE HK-U.S. BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT WAS INITIALLED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF MONDAY, JUNE 30, IN WASHINGTON.
HONG KONG’S CHIEF TEXTILES NEGOTIATOR, DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, DESCRIBED THE NEW AGREEMENT AS +YET ANOTHER STEP TO TIGHTEN RESTRAINTS ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS.*
HE ATTRIBUTED THE RIGID STANCE OF THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION TO THE STRONG PROTECTIONIST FEELING IN THE U.S.A. AND THE THREAT OF PROTECTIONIST LEGISLATION SUCH AS THE THURMOND-JENKINS BILL. THIS SITUATION WAS REFLECTED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS THEMSELVES.
+ALTHOUGH THE AGREEMENT REACHED IS NOT AS RESTRICTIVE AS THE ORIGINAL U.S.A. PROPOSAL, IT INVOLVES OVERALL LIMITS AT 1985 TRADE LEVELS, WITH VERY LOW GROWTH RATES. WHILE WE ALSO ACHIEVED SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN FLEXIBILITY AND GROWTH PROVISIONS THESE CERTAINLY DO NOT COMPENSATE FOR THE NEW RESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS IN THE AGREEMENT,* HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, ALSO IN WASHINGTON TOGETHER WITH THE ENTIRE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, COMMENTED THAT THE PRESENCE OF THE BOARD THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS ENABLED THE TRADE EFFECTS OF THE U.S. PROPOSAL ON THE ENTIRE TEXTILES AND GARMENT INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG TO BE ASSESSED ON THE SPOT.
HE ADDED THAT THE HONG KONG TEAM HAD FOUGHT HARD, AND WON SOME USEFUL IMPROVEMENT OVER EARLIER PROPOSALS, INCLUDING MODEST IMPROVEMENTS ON FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS. BUT IN THE END, THE POLITICAL REALITIES HAD TO BE FACED.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE AGREEMENT, WHICH EXTENDS TO 1991, ARE:
(A) EXTENSION OF COVERAGE TO SILK AND VEGETABLE FIBRES (ALTHOUGH BLENDS WITH A HIGH PROPORTION OF SILK ARE EXCLUDED) ;
(B) INTRODUCTION OF GROUP LIMITS FOR THREE MAIN GROUPS OF CATEGORIES — THE EXISTING COTTON, WOOL, AND MAN-MADE FIBRE CATEGORIES BEING SPLIT INTO APPAREL AND NON-APPAREL, AND A NEW APPAREL GROUP BEING FORMED FOR PREVIOSUSLY UNRESTRAINED VEGETABLE FIBRES.
FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE ISSUED TO THE INDUSTRY, AND IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS WILL BE WORKED OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, TO MINIMISE UNAVOIDABLE DISRUPTION TO THE TRADE.
/ALTHOUGH
2
ALTHOUGH THE PACKAGE INVOLVES A MODIFICATION TO THE CURRENT BILATERAL AGREEMENT COVERING TRADE IN COTTON, WOOL, AND MAN-MADE FIBRE TEXTILES, THERE IS NO REDUCTION TO QUOTAS ISSUED FOR THE EXISTING RESTRAINED CATEGORIES.
THE RESTRAINTS ON PREVIOUSLY UNRESTRAINED CATEGORIES OF SILK AND VEGETABLE FIBRE WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1.
EXPORT LICENCES FOR THESE NEWLY RESTRAINED CATEGORIES WILL BE SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT ALTHOUGH SHIPMENTS AGAINST LICENSES ALREADY ISSUED WILL CONTINUE TO BE ALLOWED. THE ISSUE OF THESE LICENCES WILL BE RESUMED AS SOON AS THE CALCULATION OF QUOTA ENTITLEMENTS HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRELIMINARY PRESS BRIEFING ON THE MODIFICATION OF THE HK-U.S. TEXTILES AGREEMENT WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 15TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH MEMBERS OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, BY JAL 1 AT 9.30 PM TODAY. A PRESS POSITION WILL BE SET UP ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE VIP SUITE AT THE AIRPORT.
LEGCO TO DISCUSS LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL SOON DISCUSS A BILL WHICH WILL EMPOWER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM IN THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
THE BILL - TO BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 16 - WILL ALSO ENABLE THE KCRC TO OPERATE BUS SERVICES WITHIN THE NORTH-WEST TRANSIT SERVICE AREA (TSA) WHICH ENCOMPASSES TUEN MUN DISTRICT AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT WEST OF THE EXISTING EASTERN ROUNDABOUT.
/DLTaILo cf .......
TUESDAY, uULY 1, 1986
DETAILS OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1936 WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR DAVID H.T. LAN.
THE $1.16 BILLION CONTRACT FOR PHASE I OF THE SYSTEM - A LIGHT RAIL LINK BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG TO BE IN OPERATION IN AUGUST 1988 - WAS AWARDED LAST YEAR TO AN AUSTRALIAN CONSORTIUM HEADED BY LEIGHTON CONTRACTOR (ASIA) LTD AND THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.
MR LAN SAID THAT IN LINE WITH THE PRESENT POLICY TOWARDS THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, THE KCRC WOULD HAVE POWERS TO DETERMINE FARES, ROUTES AND FREQUENCIES OF BOTH THE LRT AND INTERNAL BUS SERVICES.
HE ADDED THAT CONSUMER INTERESTS IN THE SETTING OF FARES AND PROVISION OF SERVICES WOULD BE PROTECTED BY KCRC’S BOARD WHICH CONSISTED OF A MAJORITY OF UNOFFICIALS WHO WERE DRAWN FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND OTHER ADVISORY BODIES.
IT WAS THEREFORE NOT NECESSARY FOR THE CORPORATION TO BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME KIND OF CONTROLS ON FARES, ROUTES AND FREQUENCIES WHICH APPLIED TO SOME OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS.
FARES BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG ON THE LRT WOULD ONLY BE MARGINALLY HIGHER THAN THE CURRENT KMB BUS SERVICE. THE SMALL PREMIUM PROVIDED FOR A FAST AND MODERN MODE OF TRANSPORT WITH AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES. AND BECAUSE IT WAS ELECTRONICALLY OPERATED, IT WOULD REDUCE POLLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
MR LAN SAID THE ACCOUNTS OF CORPORATION HAD A GOOD RECORD OF
KCRC WERE MADE PUBLIC AND THE REASONABLE FARE POLICY.
HE WENT ON : +UNLIKE THE MTR WHICH IS BUILT AS AN ADDITIONAL MODE SERVING BUSY CORRIDORS OF HIGH PASSENGER DEMAND, THE LRT IS TO BE BUILT AS THE PRIME PEOPLE-MOVER IN THE GROWING REGION OF THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES WHERE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT INTERNAL DEMAND TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF MODES.
+TO ALLOW UNRESTRICTED COMPETITION FROM OTHER MODES WOULD SERIOUSLY UNDERMINE THE VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT. THE LRT WAS DESIGNED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL ROAD PASSENGER TRANSPORT. THE LRT AND ITS FEEDER BUSES WILL OPERATE A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF ROUTES PROVIDING SUFFICIENT CAPACITY TO COPE WITH TRAFFIC DEMAND WITHIN THE SERVICE AREA.
♦ALLOWING UNRESTRICTED COMPETITION FROM OTHER MODES WOULD ERODE THE POTENTIAL TRAFFIC OF ALL MODES RESULTING IN PRESSURE TO RAISE FARES.+
/A JLaUSL .......
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
4
A CLAUSE IN THE BILL EMPOWERS THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO AMEND THE EXISTING FRANCHISE OF BUS COMPANIES. THIS IS REQUIRED TO TERMINATE THE INTERNAL BUS ROUTES CURRENTLY OPERATED BY KMB AND TO INTRODUCE BOARDING AND ALIGHTING RESTRICTIONS ON KMB’S EXTERNAL BUS SERVICES. THE CLAUSE ALSO PROVIDES FOR FULL AND FAIR COMPENSATION TO BE PAID TO KMB FOR A PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE TO THE COMPANY AS A RESULT OF THE NEW SYSTEM.
MR LAN SAID IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO CANCEL KMB’S ROUTES IN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA BECAUSE OF THE UNFAVOURABLE ECONOMIC SITUATION INVOLVED IN HAVING LRT AND BUS SERVICES RUNNING PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER. THE LRT WOULD BE A RELATIVELY HIGH CAPACITY MODE AND, ON ECONOMIC GROUNDS, POTENTIAL RIDERSHIP SHOULD BE MAXIMISED.
NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO EXCO *****
WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED FOUR NEW MEMBERS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND EXTENDED THE TERMS OF TWO CURRENT MEMBERS.
THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF SIR MICHAEL SANDBERG AND MR OSWALD CHEUNG, WHICH WERE DUE TO EXPIRE ON AUGUST 31, HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 31.
MR PETER C. WONG, DR CHIU HIN-KWONG AND DR DANIEL TSE HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR A TERM OF APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS FROM OCTOBER 1 UNTIL AUGUST 31, 1988.
MR WILLIAM PURVES HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1987 UNTIL AUGUST 31, 1989.
HONG KONG OPENS NEW OFFICE IN U.S
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY ESTABLISHED A FI RM FOOTHOLD ON THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES WITH THE OPENING OF AN ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO.
THE OPENING OF THE OFFICE REFLECTS THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE AMERICAN MARKET TO HONG KONG AND WILL COMPLEMENT THE EAST COAST EFFORTS OF THE EXISTING REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON.
/heading
TUjSSDAY, JULY 1, 1986
HEADING THE OFFICE AS DIRECTOR IS MR BILLY LAM, A 38-YEAR-OLD STAFF GRADE B OFFICER WHO HAS JUST COMPLETED THE 1O-MONTH SLOAN PROGRAMME AT CALIFORNIA’S STANFORD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.
MR LAM SAYS THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE OFFICE WILL BE TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND OTHER INTERESTS BY CREATING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERRITORY IN AREAS WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
+AS WELL AS DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ABOUT HONG KONG, WE WILL ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP CONTACTS WITH INFLUENTIAL INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS,+ HE SAID.
+WE WILL ALSO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE OTHER HONG KONG ORGANISATIONS HERE — SUCH AS THE INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICE, TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND TOURIST ASSOCIATION -- TO OPTIMISE HONG KONG’S OVERALL PROMOTION EFFORTS,+ HE ADDED.
MR LAM SERVED AS DISTRICT OFFICER OF TUEN MUN DURING ITS FORMATIVE YEARS AND WAS ALSO A CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, AT KOWLOON CITY. OTHER POSTINGS INCLUDED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE SECRETARIAT. HIS LAST POST WAS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES.
THE DIRECTOR IS ASSISTED BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER MR HERMAN CHO COMING FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER MR PETER RANDALL OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
LOCATED AT 180 SUTTER STREET IN THE HEART OF SAN FRANCISCO’S FINANCIAL DISTRICT, THE NEW OFFICE ALSO ACCOMMODATES THE INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICE HEADED BY MR BOB ASHWORTH, A PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THE OFFICE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON JULY 15 BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, DURING HIS OFFICIAL 13-DAY VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA.
TUESDAY , JULY I, 1966
DEBATE RESUMES ON LANDLORD AND TENANT BILL
*****
DEBATE ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WILL RESUME WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR OTHER BILLS: THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986, THE BUILDING ORDINANCE (APPLICATION TO THE NEW TERRITORIES) BILL 1986 AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL 1986 WILL BE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME.
IN ADDITION, 10 QUESTIONS WILL BE RAISED BY UNOFFICIALS TO DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS AS THE MONITORING OF AIR QUALITY IN KWUN TONG, THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SCHEME, COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICE AND PROTECTION OF NON-SMOKERS FROM SMOKERS.
BOARD TO DISCUSS DAYA BAY PROJECT
*****
THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PLANT PROJECT AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 3).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE WORK PROGRESS OF THE TSING Yl NORTH BRIDGE AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SOUTH BRIDGE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE NORTH BRIDGE.
QUESTIONS WILL BE RAISED ON THE SITUATION OF GOVERNMENT CLINICS ON TSING Yl AND EVENING CLINIC SERVICE AND ON THE KWOK AH-NUI CASE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CIVIC CENTRE IN KWAI CHUNG AND A PROPOSAL THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD SEEK THE BOARD’S VIEWS BEFORE THE FINAL PROPOSALS BY THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING SUBSIDY TO TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING GREEN PAPER ARE ENDORSED.
/FAFEH6 CN
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
- 7 -
PAPERS ON THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF THE SEVEN COMMUNITY CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT AND A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE +MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME* WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS VIEWS AND DISCUSSION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
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KOWLOON CITY DB TO DISCUSS TRIAD REPORT
*****
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JULY 3) TO DISCUSS THE DOCUMENT ON OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR MICHAEL STONE, AND SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, MR ANDREW BRUCE, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING AND WILL EXPLAIN THE DOCUMENT AND LISTEN TO THE VIEWS OF MEMBERS.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (KOWLOON), MRS DOROTHY CHAN, WILL ALSO INTRODUCE A PAPER ON THE ROLE OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT PLAN IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE CURRENT LAND USE PROPOSALS ON TO KWA WAN RECLAMATION AND THE PROPOSED PLAN FOR A BETTER KOWLOON CITY PREPARED BY THE KOWLOON CITY AND SAI TAU AREA COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN, AT
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 2.15 PM ON THURSDAY.
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
8
AMERICAN INVESTORS HAVE IMPORTANT ROLE
*****
THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES IS THE LARGEST OVERSEAS INVESTOR IN THE TERRITORY’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR STEUART WEBB-JOHNSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID THE UNITED STATES ACCOUNTED FOR OVER 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
+MORE THAN 800 COMPANIES WITH UNITED STATES CONNECTIONS ARE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING 89 WHOLLY-OWNED AND 53 JOINT VENTURE MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS EMPLOYING SOME 40 000 WORKERS,+ HE SAID, WHEN OPENING TEKTRONIX HONG KONG LIMITED IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
TO CREATE AN EVEN BETTER ENVIRONMENT TO ENCOURAGE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT IN RECENT YEARS HAD FINANCED A NUMBER OF PROJECTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TECHNOLOGICAL FACILITIES IN SUPPORT OF MANUFACTURING.
+EXAMPLES ARE THE GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY AND THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCING OF PROGRAMMES BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AND TO PROVIDE AN IMPROVED AND EXPANDED PRECISION TOOLING SERVICE.*
MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO INVESTED HEAVILY IN MANPOWER TRAINING THROUGH ITS EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AND IN THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH INDUSTRIAL LAND FORMATION AND PUBLIC WORKS.
+AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE GOVERNMENT IS HOPEFUL THAT WHEN OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE POSSESSING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, ARE LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE OFFSHORE MANUFACTURING BASE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, THEY WILL SEE HONG KONG AS A PLACE WHERE THEY MAY NOT ONLY ACHIEVE SUBSTANTIAL PROFITS BUT ALSO FIND ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR OPERATIONS,* HE ADDED.
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
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JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG SIGNIFICANT
*****
THERE HAVE BEEN MORE CASES OR PROJECTS OF JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG THAN IN ANY OTHER ASIAN ECONOMY. THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED BY THE JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADc ORGANISATION IN TOKYO, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S SHARE AMOUNTED TO SOME 2 299 CASES (OR 21 PER CENT) OUT OF AN ASIAN TOTAL OF IQ 844.
♦ AND THE VALUE OF TOTAL JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, ESTIMATED AT U.S.32 799 MILLION, IS LARGER THAN THAT IN ANY EUROPEAN COUNTRY, OR IN SINGAPORE, TAIWAN, SOUTH KOREA, MEXICO AND BRAZIL.+
+ADMITTEDLY, A GOOD DEAL OF THIS INVESTMENT IS IN HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR, BUT THE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS STILL SIGNIFICANT.
♦THIS INVESTMENT IS REPRESENTED BY 127 FACTORIES INCLUDING 67 JOINT VENTURES, AND BY AN AGGREGATE INVESTMENT VALUE OF SOME U.S.3380 MILLION AS AT THE END OF MARCH 1986.
+MORE IMPORTANTLY THE QUALITY OF THE INVESTMENT HAS ALSO IMPROVED.+
MR YEUNG SAID THE REASONS FOR HONG KONG BEING AN IDEAL PLACE FOR INVESTMENT INCLUDED THE EXCELLENT BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD CREATED AND NURTURED, THE MARKET OPPORTUNITIES CREATED BY CHINA’S MODERNISATION AND HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A WINDOW TO THAT MARKET 5 AND THE APPRECIATION IN EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE YEN IN RECENT MONTHS.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S SIZE AS AN EXPORT MARKET, HE SAID: +DURING 1985 HONG KONG IMPORTED U.S.$6.8 BILLION WORTH OF RAW MATERIALS, SEMI-MANUFACTURES AND FINISHED PRODUCTS FROM JAPAN, OF WHICH U.S.36.1 BILLION WAS RETAINED.+
+TAKEN ALL TOGETHER JAPANESE FIRMS MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONv. REPORTED IN 1984 THAT NO LESS THAN 41 PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL OUTPUT, WORTH U.S.3361 MILLION, WAS CONSUMED LOCALLY.
+THE SORT OF PRODUCTS FOR WHICH THERE IS A SIZEABLE AND STABLE DEMAND IN HONG KONG INCLUDE HIGH QUALITY FABRICS, PRECISION TOOLS AND MOULDS, PRECISION METALS AND PLASTICS PARTS AND COMPONENTS WHICH WE REQUIRE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF HIGHER QUALITY ELECTRONIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS, AND THE FULL RANGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT*.
/GN THE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
10
ON THE ADVANTAGES WHICH HONG KONG HAD TO OFFER AS AN OPEN ECONOMY, MR YEUNG SAID PRICES AND WAGES IN HONG KONG WERE INFLUENCED EXCLUSIVELY BY MARKET FORCES.
THERE WERE ALSO READY AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL AND A RANGE OF HIGHLY EFFICIENT SUPPORTING SERVICE INDUSTRIES, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT FIRMLY BELIEVED IN ALLOWING BUSINESSMEN TO GET ON WITH THEIR BUSINESSES, BUT ALSO INVESTED HEAVILY IN MANPOWER TRAINING, CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT FACILITIES HE ADDED. ’
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EASTERN DISTRICT SETS UP TENDER BOARD
*****
A TENDER BOARD HAS BEEN SET UP UNDER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO SELECT PRIVATE CONTRACTORS TO CARRY OUT MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
♦THE BOARD IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD REGARDING TENDERING MATTERS FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WITHIN THE RANGE OF 32 OQO AND $50 000,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
+THE FIRST JOB IS THE PURCHASE OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS FOR THE SITTING-OUT AREA AT LYEMUN BARRACKS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+MEANWHILE, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE IS PLANNING TO COMPILE A LIST OF CONTRACTORS CAPABLE OF SUPPLYING PEAT AND PLANTS, AND FLOWER POTS, AS WELL AS SIMPLE CIVIL WORKS AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS,* HE CONTINUED.
INVITATION LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO CONTRACTORS ON THE RELEVANT LIST WHEN THE COMMITTEE HAD DECIDED ON THE NEED TO FARM OUT ITS PROJECTS TO PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.
/11 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
-11
TOWN SQUARE TO BE BUILT IN YUEN LONG
*****
A SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF FAU TSOI STREET AND IN YUEN LONG IS TO BE DEVELOPED INTO A TOWN SQUARE FACILITIES.
YAU SAN STREET WITH RECREATIONAL
OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 5 000 SQUARE METRES THE SQUARE WILL ?£-hv?t!fcD Wl™ C0NCRETE PAVING AND A RAISED PLATFORM FOR PERFORMING AU I I V I I
ALSO INCLUDED ARE A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA, WATER CASCADE POOL CLOCK TOWER, LANDSCAPED AREA AND ASSOCIATED LIGHTING. ’ ’
CONCRETE SEATS, ARBOURS AND PAVILIONS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
-rur nI«E.1-^CHIIECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR 1nEMAY°NEXt’yEARK °N WHICH WILL START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED
CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY *****
A CONTRACT TO DEMOLISH AND REPLACE THE EXISTING PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE SIGNED AT 10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND NISHIMATSU CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, WILL SIGN FOR THE GOVERNMENT, WHILE MR YUKITOSHI YANAGISAWA, DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER, WILL SIGN FOR NISHIMATSU CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY AT ROOM 911, EMPIRE CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
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TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
12
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONTINUING
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IN JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTER I STICS OF THE POPULATION.
ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
SOME 5 OOO HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR COOPERATION.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING AN IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME SET FOR REVIEW
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW ON THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT LEGISLATION EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ASSOCIATION, MR CHEN SAID THE REVIEW WOULD COVER AGE, LENGTH OF SERVICE AND TERMINATION OF WORK DUE TO OLD AGE AND SICKNESS.
+THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS COLLECTING VIEWS ON IT SO THAT PUBLIC OPINION AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE COULD BE REFLECTED AND TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE REVIEW,* HE SAID.
TUESDAY, vULY 1, 1986
MR CHEN NOTED THAT THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, HAD HELPED SOLVE SOME PROBLEMS ARISING OUT OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND THE SO-CALLED +UNFAIR DISMISSAL* BY EMPLOYERS.
ALL IN ALL, HE ADDED, THE SCHEME PROVIDED OLD AGE WORKERS WITH ADDED PROTECTION +SINCE IT IS MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM THAN THEIR YOUNGER COUNTERPARTS TO SECURE ANOTHER JOB AFTER BEING DISMISSED.*
MR CHEN ALSO SPOKE OF GOOD LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIP. HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE WAY OF GOING ABOUT THIS WAS FOR EMPLOYERS TO SET UP THEIR OWN COMPANY PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES.
WINNING ENTRIES ON DISPLAY
* * * *
A COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECTS EXHIBITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD FROM THURSDAY (JULY 3) TO WEDNESDAY (JULY 9).
SCHOOL CHILDREN AND TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION AT THE CULTURAL CRAFT CENTRE AT PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 11.45 AM ON SATURDAY.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE WINNING AND OTHER COMMENDABLE ENTRIES IN THE COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION HELD EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE THEME OF THE COMPETITION WAS +COMMERCE AND CIVIC EDUCATION* WHICH WAS AIMED AT AROUSING THE INTEREST OF SECONDARY STUDENTS IN BUSINESS.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, 440 STUDENTS OF 55 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WERE AWARDED PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES OF MERITS FOR THEIR GOOD WORK.
0
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1936
14
SEMINAR ON REMEDIAL ENGLISH TEACHING
*****
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING A SEMINAR ON TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND OR FOREIGN LANGUAGE. SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE TEACHING CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD ON SATURDAY, JULY 12.
A SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR KEITH JOHNSON, WILL GIVE A TALK ON REMEDIAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
HE WILL ALSO PRESENT A PAPER ON THE PRESENT SITUATION AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES OF REMEDIAL ENGLISH TEACHING, BASED ON RESEARCH INTO REMEDIAL LANGUAGE TEACHING IN 1OO SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
SECONDARY HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINAR SHOULD APPLY TO THE TEACHING CENTRE BY JULY 7.
SPECIAL CONCERTS FOR PRIMARY PUPILS
*****
THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL GIVE TWO DEMONSTRATION CONCERTS ON FRIDAY (JULY 4) FOR PRIMARY PUPILS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 12 LIVING IN THE TAI PO DISTRICT.
THE CONCERTS, AIMED AT PROMOTING INTEREST IN MUSIC AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN, WILL BE HELD AT THE LEUNG SING TAK PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE TAI PO PUBLIC SCHOOL, AT 10 AM AND 11.30 AM RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH CONCERTS WILL FEATURE POPULAR QUARTET AND QUINTET MUSIC. THE ENSEMBLE WILL ALSO INTRODUCE TO THE AUDIENCES THE HISTORY AND PLAYING TECHNIQUES OF VARIOUS STRING INSTRUMENTS AND THE FRENCH HORN.
/15........
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
15
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR WATERWORKS MAINTENANCE
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS CALLING TENDERS FOR A MULT I-MILL I ON-DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR MAINTENANCE OF WATERWORKS IN DISTRICT NO. 1 WHICH COVERS HONG KONG ISLAND AND AP LEI CHAU.
THE CONTRACT WILL RUN FROM SEPTEMBER 1 UNTIL AUGUST 31, 1989.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING WATER MAINS, CATCHWATERS, SERVICE RESERVOIRS, BUILDINGS AND SEAWATER INTAKES AS WELL AS FOR PIPELAYING AND REDECORATION OF PUMPING STATIONS.
--------0-----------
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SHEUNG SHU I
*****
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON JOCKEY CLUB ROAD IN SHEUNG SHU I FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 4) TO FACILITATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORK.
THE SECTION OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD BETWEEN FUNG KAI SCHOOL AND ROAD D4 WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC WHICH WILL BE DIVERTED TO A NEW ROAD PARALLEL TO THE CLOSED SECTION OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.
MEANWHILE, KMB ROUTE 73K WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE ALONG THE NEWLY-CONSTRUCTED ROAD.
-------0---------
WESTERN, EASTERN DISTRICT TRAFFIC CHANGES *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN SAI WAN TERRACE AND HOUSE NO. 1094, BO FUNG GARDENS, WILL BE CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC TRAVELLING ON KING’S ROAD WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL ON THE UNNAMED NEW ROAD LINKING SAI WAN TERRACE AND BO FUNG GARDENS SOUTH OF KING’S ROAD.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 4), NO VEHICLE EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS ON SECOND STREET WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT INTO WESTERN STREET FOR ABOUT A WEEK TO FACILITATE TRENCH REINSTATEMENT WORK.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO POK FU LAM ROAD AND THIRD STREET TO REJOIN WESTERN STREET.
_ _ _ _ o _ _ _ _
/16........
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1986
16
WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD TEMPORARY CLOSURE
*****
TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, ™E SECTION OF WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN THE EASTERNEND OFTHE WONG CHUNG GAP ROAD FLYOVER AND THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD J J™ES
6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ?N WESTBOUND WONG NAI CHUNG GAP K*’;;? chUNG^GAP^ROAD^ELYOVER^THE^UNNAMED^LOOP^ROAD^OUTS I DE LING NAM COLLEGE, STUBBS ROAD EASTBOUND AND THE STUBBS ROAD ROUNDABOUT.
U
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD' HOUSE. HONG KONG: TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
MINIMAL COSTS TO GOVT BUILDING zASTERN CROSSING. 1
SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME A 'MODEST' BEGINNING ... 4
bill removes unsatisfactory bankruptcy
PROVISIONS .................................... 7
LOOPHOLES IN NT VIsLAGe. HOUSING LAW BEING CLOSED 9 KWOK AH-NUI’S CASE FOR UI-ULCO PANEL........... 10
POLICE'TAKING ACTION TO COUNTER BURGLARIES .... 10
AIM IS COMPREHENSIVE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL.... 12
SMOKING OFFENCE PENALTIES STILL ADEQUATE ...... 1?
GOOD RESPONSE TO SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SCHhME .... 15
COURTEOUS MTR PASSENGERS CAN EASE RUSH HOUR
DIFFICULTY ................................. 15
REMOVAL .OF MAINTENANCE LIMITS UNDER STUDY ...... 16 FEASIBILITY OF CABLE. TV BEING EXAMINED .«*,.■. 1?
TAXI COMPLAINTS AVERAGE UNDER ONE A DAY ....... 18
ADVICE ON PARTNERSHIPS FOR MINIBUS OPERATORS ... 19 NEGLIGENT OFFICERS FACE PUNISHMENT............. 20
RENTAL MARKET DEVELOPMENTS CAREFULLY WATCHED ... 21
CALL TO PUNISH PROFITEERING LANDLORDS ......... 22
EXTENSION OF HOUSING SCHEMES URGED ............ 22
/DISRUPTIVE ......
2
DISRUPTIVE CHANGES SHOULD BE AVOIDED .......... 24
STeP-BY-STEP ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDED ........... 25
NO REASON TO SLOW DOW RENT DECONTROL MECHANISM 26
proposed rental adjustments +fair and
REASONABLE+ ................................... 2?
THREE BILLS PASSED ......................... 28
revised school fees from September —............ .29
DETAILS OF SCHOOL FEE REVISION .................. 52 _
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR. REPLACEMENT OF FLYOVER..... 52
RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS FOR APRIL OUT ........ 55
CENTRE TO TRAIN PRECISION TOOL MAKERS SET UP ..... 58
RENT POLICY CONSULTATION PROPOSALS TO 3E DISCUSSED ....................................... 59
MONG KOK -DB TO DISCUSS MEDICAL REPORT ........... 59
RAFFLE DRAW FOR HOSPITAL PROJECT ................ 40-
PLANTING STARTS TSUED3 WAN YOUTH PROGRAMME........ 41
container parking site to iet ................... 41
DEMONSTRATION OF NEW HERBICIDE ................... 42
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS SET UP................ 42
KING'S ROAD CLOSURE FOR FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION .. 45
FORUM ON PLANNED COMMUNITY THERAPEUTIC CENTRE .... 45
CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH ................. 44
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
1
MINIMAL COSTS TO GOVT BUILDING EASTERN CROSSING
*****
THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROJECT WILL BE BUILT AT MINIMAL COST TO GOVERNMENT AND WHEN IT MADE A PROFIT APPROPRIATE DIVIDENDS WOULD ACCRUE TO PUBLIC REVENUE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ONLY COSTS TO GOVERNMENT WERE THOSE FOR A SMALL ENGINEERING SUPERVISION TEAM, WHICH HAD BEEN SET UP BY THE REDEPLOYMENT WITHIN THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND THE PROVISION OF LAND ON WHICH THE TUNNEL AND THE APPROACH ROADS REST, FOR WHICH ALL CLEARANCE AND COMPENSATION COSTS WOULD BE BORNE BY THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL CONSORTIUM, HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL 1986, MR GREWAL SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY STATUTORY BACKING TO THE CIVIL CONTRACT, COVERING IN PARTICULAR THE REGULATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TUNNELS, THE SETTING, REVIEWING AND COLLECTION OF TOLLS, THE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC AND CERTAIN PROCEDURES CONCERNING THE SETTING UP AND CONTROL OF THE COMPANIES HOLDING THE FRANCHISES, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IN RESPECT OF THE RAILWAY.
+AS WAS A CONDITION OF THE CIVIL CONTRACT WITH THE CONSORTIUM, IT IS MODELLED ON THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ORDINANCE BUT IN THE EVENT IT IS RATHER LONGER AND MORE COMPLEX ESSENTIALLY BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO CATER FOR A RAIL TUNNEL IN ADDITION TO A ROAD TUNNEL,+ HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THAT THE BILL HAD 13 PARTS, MR GREWAL SAID THAT PARTS I TO IV DEALT WITH THE LENGTH OF THE FRANCHISES, THE COMPANY STRUCTURE, CAPITALISATION AND DIRECTORS; PARTS V AND VI COVERED THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE, IN PARTICULAR THE POWERS OF THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS CONCERNING STANDARDS AND METHODS; PART VII COVERED THE CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS OF THE ROAD AND RAIL COMPANIES, IN PARTICULAR IN RESPECT OF DEFECTS AND MAINTENANCE.
♦ IN ESSENCE THE POSITION IS THAT THE COMPANIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMEDY OF LATENT DEFECTS AND WITH RESPECT TO THE IMMERSED TUBE PORTION OF THE PROJECT THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN THE TUBE IN SOUND CONDITION,* HE SAID.
PARTS VIII, IX AND X, HE ADDED, PROVIDED FOR THE OPERATION OF THE ROAD TUNNEL, FOR BY-LAWS TO BE DRAFTED, FOR TOLLS TO BE CHARGED AND FOR THE PROCESSING OF SUSPECTED TRAFFIC OFFENCES WITHIN THE TUNNEL.
+AS WITH THE PROCEDURE FOR SETTING TOLLS FOR THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, THE INITIAL TOLLS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND ARE RECORDED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE BILL.
/♦TiLEY J Aly
WhDiiBBDAY, JULY 2, 1986
2
♦ THEY CAN ONLY BE ALTERED WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE GOVERNORIN-COUNCIL, OR FAILING AGREEMENT, FOLLOWING ARBITRATION,* MR GREWAL SAID.
PART XI OF THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE OPERATION OF THE RAIL TUNNEL BY THE MTRC WHILE PART XII PROVIDED FOR THE REVOCATION OF THE FRANCHISES, THE KEY POINTS BEING THAT IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT CREDITORS OF THE COMPANIES WOULD BE GIVEN FIRST OPTION FOR MAKING SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR OVERCOMING DEFAULT AND ONLY IN THE EVENT OF THEIR FAILURE WOULD REVOCATION TAKE PLACE.
MR GREWAL SAID THAT THIS DEPARTURE FROM PROVISIONS IN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ORDINANCE WAS SEEN AS NECESSARY TO ASSIST IN THE RAISING OF PROJECT FINANCE AND INCREASING THE CONFIDENCE OF POTENTIAL LENDERS.
IN THE FINAL PART OF THE BILL THERE WAS PROVISION FOR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AGAINST ANY REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY AUTHORITIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AND WITH RESPECT TO THE CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS IN A DISPUTE WITH THE DIRECTOR WHERE FAILURE OF THE APPEAL WOULD PLACE THE COMPANIES IN DEFAULT, THE GOVERNOR WOULD REFER SUCH A DISPUTE TO ARBITRATION.
EARLIER, MR GREWAL TOLD THE COUNCIL THE BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT AND THE CIVIL CONTRACTUAL ASPECTS OF THE BILL. HE SAID HE THOUGHT IT RELEVANT TO RECORD THAT COMPETITION FOR THIS VITAL NEW LINK IN THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WAS INTENSE AND THAT THE NEGOTIATED DEAL WAS SATISFACTORY AND BENEFICIAL FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1984 THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL DECIDED THAT THE NEXT HARBOUR CROSSING SHOULD BE A FOUR-LANE ROAD TUNNEL BETWEEN CHA KWO LING IN EAST KOWLOON AND TAI KOO SHING ON THE ISLAND.
IT WAS TO BE FINANCED, CONSTRUCTED AND OPERATED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON TERMS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, AND IT WAS FOR CONSIDERATION BY POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS IF A RAIL TUNNEL COULD BE PROVIDED ON THE SAME ALIGNMENT.
+ON APRIL 1, 1985, NINE CONSORTIA OR INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES SUBMITTED PROPOSALS AND IN JULY 1985, AFTER A VERY DETAILED ANALYSIS, THE GOVERNOR-1N-COUNCIL DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH A COMBINED ROAD-MTR TUNNEL AND TO INVITE REVISED PROPOSALS FROM A SHORT LIST OF THREE CONSORTIA.
wxJjlucubDAY, vliuuY c., '1'^86
+AS A BASIS FOR THESE PROPOSALS A MORE PRECISE PROJECT BRI-F -'AS ISSUED WHICH, INTER ALIA, COVERED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS, LAID DOWN TARGET TOLLS FOR 1989 --ttin FOR A PRIVATE CAR- NOTED THAT THE LENGTH OF THE FRANCHISE AND ROYALTY OR EQUITY FOR GOVERNMENT WERE NEGOTIABLE, OFFERED A FIVE-YEAR EXEMPTION FROM PASSAGE TAX, AND, IN RESPECT OF THF RAIL TUNNEL, STIPULATED THAT THE MTRC LEASE PAYMENTS SHOULD NOT BE GREATER THAN THEIR FORECAST NET INCREMENTAL REVENUE AND THAT THERE BE NO CROSS SUBSIDY FROM THE ROAD TUNNEL,+ HE SAID.
ON OCTOBER 1, 1985, REVISED PROPOSALS BASED ON THE PROJECT BRIEF WERE RECEIVED FROM THE SHORTLISTED CONSORTIA AND WERE THE SUBJECT OF NEGOTIATIONS UNTIL NOVEMBER 3.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIVE FINANCIAL AND ENGINEERING MERITS OF THE THREE FINAL, NEGOTIATED PROPOSALS INDICATED THAT THE BEST BID WAS THAT FROM THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL CONSORTIUM AND FOLLOWING THF DECISION OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL, ON DECEMBER 5, 1985, A CONTRACT WAS SIGNED WITH THE CONSORTIUM, ON THE BASIS OF THEIR FINAL PROPOSAL, SUBJECT ONLY TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
MR GREWAL SAID THAT THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY EACH MEMBER OF THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL CONSORTIUM, WHO WERE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT.
THE CONSORTIUM HAD FORMED A ROAD COMPANY, THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL CO. LTD., TO HOLD THE ROAD FRANCHISE AND A RAIL COMPANY, THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING CO. LTD., TO HOLD THE RAIL FRANCHISE.
♦ THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WAS TO MAXIMISE THE BENEFITS FOR THE ROAD USER THROUGH THE LOWEST POSSIBLE TOLLS AND THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TOLL REVIEW MECHANISM.
+IN THIS RESPECT THE CONSORTIUM HAVE AGREED TO THE TARGET TOLL STRUCTURE AND HAVE AGREED TO A TOLL REVIEW PROCEDURE COMPARABLE TO THAT USED IN THE CASE OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.+
OTHER KEY POINTS IN THE ROAD FRANCHISE WERE THAT IT WOULD RUN FOR 80 YEARS FROM THE START OF CONSTRUCTION, AND THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD RECEIVE A TRANSFER OF 5 PER CENT OF THE EQUITY OF THE ROAD COMPANY, AS IT WAS SUBSCRIBED, AND A FURTHER 2.5 PER CENT ON THE OPENING OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL TO GIVE A TOTAL OF 7.5 PER CENT.
+ALTHOUGH NOT INCLUDED IN THE BILL, IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED THERE WILL BE NO PASSAGE TAX FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE START OF OPERATIONS.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
+THE ROAD COMPANY WILL HAVE A CAPITAL OF $750 MILLION. THERE WILL 3E A SEPARATE RAIL FRANCHISE FOR 18-1/2 YEARS FROM THE OPENING OF THE RAIL TUNNEL, TO BE HELD BY THE RAIL COMPANY WITH A CAPITAL OF $350 MlLLION.
+IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE CONSORTIUM MET THE TARGET FOR THE MTRC’S LEASE PAYMENTS AND THESE WILL BE LESS THAN THE PROJECTED NET INCREMENTAL REVENUE. THE CONSORTIUM IS CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION WITHIN 3-1/2 YEARS,+ MR GREWAL SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME A ’MODEST’ BEGINNING * * * *
THE SCHEME PROPOSED BY THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS
BILL 1986 IS A MODEST ONE, AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE POSSIBLE TO EXTEND ITS PROVISIONS AT A LATER DATE IF THE MEASURE IS FOUND TO WORK SATISFACTORILY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, HE SAID ANOTHER FACTOR TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN CONSIDERING AN EXTENSION WOULD BE IF THE PUBLIC SHOWED BY THEIR SUPPORT THAT THEY ACCEPTED THAT THE MEASURE WAS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY AT LARGE.
MR THOMAS SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO ASSIST IN THE REHABILITATION OF THOSE WHO, YEARS BEFORE, HAD COMMITTED A SINGLE MINOR OFFENCE. AT PRESENT, ANY RECORDED CONVICTION, HOWEVER MINOR, REMAINED PERMANENTLY ON RECORD.
+ALTHOUGH AN OFFENDER MAY HAVE SPENT MANY YEARS ENDEAVOURING TO LIVE DOWN HIS PAST, HE WILL ALWAYS RUN THE RISK THAT HE MAY BE ASKED TO DISCLOSE HIS CONVICTION OR THAT IT MAY BE UNNECESSARILY, EVEN MISCHIEVOUSLY, REVEALED IN LATER YEARS, THUS DESTROYING HIS EFFORTS AT REHABILITATION,* HE SAID.
THE BILL ALLOWED A MINOR CONVICTION TO BE REGARDED AS SPENT AFTER A PRESCRIBED PERIOD AND PREVENTED REFERENCE TO THAT SPENT CONVICTION UNLESS THERE WAS SOME SPECIFIC NEED FOR DISCLOSURE.
/ LilGxmLaT iuI. .......
5
WlLlil'i.GOD A i . ui-i-i £ » 1
LEGISLATION TO ACHIEVC SIMILAR “MDS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED ELSEWHERE, NOTABLY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, RECOGNISING THAT IT WAS IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIETY TO OFFER SOME ENCOURAGEMENT TO A PERSON WHO, HAVING BEEN CONVICTED OF A ^INOR OFFENCE, THEREAFTER BEHAVED HIMSELF AS A LAW ABIDING CITIZEN FOR A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF YEARS.
MR THOMAS NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MANY REPRESENTATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS CALLING FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A LEGISLATIVE SCHEME IN HONG KONG. IN DECEMBER 1984 HIS CHAMBERS HAD PUBLISHED A DISCUSSION PAPER WHICH PUT FORWARD A MUCH SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT.
THERE HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PAPER, AND MOST RESPONDENTS WERE IN FAVOUR OF THE INTRODUCTION OF A SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME THOUGH THERE WAS CRITICISM OF SOME OF THE DETAIL CONTAINED IN THE PROPOSAL. A FEW PEOPLE SPOKE STRONGLY AGAINST THE ADOPTION OF ANY SCHEME WHICH WOULD ALLOW AN OFFENDER TO DISGUISE HIS TRUE BACKGROUND.
THEY ARGUED THAT TRUTH SHOULD NOT BE SACRIFICED TO THE SOCIAL GOAL OF REHABILITATION.
+BUT MEMBERS MAY THINK, LIKE THE SCHEME’S SUPPORTERS, THAT THE BALANCE OF INTEREST OF BOTH SOCIETY AND THE OFFENDER LIES IN ALLOWING THOSE WHO ARE GUILTY OF A SINGLE MINOR BREACH OF THE LAW TO LIVE DOWN THAT CONVICTION AFTER A SUITABLE PERIOD HAS ELAPSED,+ HE SAID.
MR THOMAS SAID HE ACCEPTED THE POINT THAT LAPSE OF TIME ALONE MIGHT NOT BE AN ENTIRELY CERTAIN INDICATION THAT AN OFFENDER HAD GONE STRAIGHT. BUT IT DID AT LEAST PROVIDE A SIMPLE TEST WITHOUT THE NEED FOR COSTLY AND CUMBERSOME ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.
THE SCHEME NOW PROPOSED HAD BEEN FOUND TO BE BROADLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF THOSE COMMENTING ON THE PAPER. +1 RECOGNISE THAT IT IS STILL A MODEST SCHEME BUT I BELIEVE IT IS RIGHT TO PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY AND THIS IS A REAL STEP FORWARD,* HE SAID.
MR THOMAS SAID THE ESSENCE OF THE SCHEME WAS THAT ANY FIRST OFFENCE FOR WHICH THE OFFENDER WAS SENTENCED TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $5 000 SHOULD BECOME SPENT AFTER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS HAD ELAPSED WITHOUT THE OFFENDER BEING CONVICTED AGAIN IN HONG KONG OF ANY OFFENCE.
+SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT FALL OUTSIDE THE SCHEME. SO, OF COURSE, DO DEATH SENTENCES AND I SHALL BE MOVING A MINOR AMENDMENT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.*
/THb REouLT.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 19£
6
THE RESULT WOULD 3E THAT ONCE A CONVICTION HAD BECOME SPENT, AND AS LONG AS THE OFFENDER WAS NOT CONVICTED AGAIN FOR ANY OFFENCE, EVIDENCE OF THE CONVICTION WOULD NOT GENERALLY BE ADMISSIBLE IN COURT. THE OFFENDER WOULD NOT NEED TO DISCLOSE IT IN ANSWER TO ANY QUESTION, AND IT WOULD NOT BE A LAWFUL GROUND FOR PREJUDICE IN RELATION TO EMPLOYMENT.
THE SCHEME WOULD BE LIMITED TO A CONVICTION IN HONG KONG, AND CONVICTIONS IN A FOREIGN COURT WERE LEFT OUT OF ACCOUNT ALTOGETHER.
HE SAID: +l SHOULD STRESS THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BILL WILL NOT, INDEED CANNOT, AFFECT THE REQUIREMENTS OF DISCLOSURE IMPOSED BY FOREIGN LAWS ON HONG KONG CITIZENS WISHING TO EMIGRATE. REQUIREMENTS TO MAKE FULL DISCLOSURE OF ALL CONVICTIONS ARE IMPOSED BY THE COUNTRY OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION, NOT BY HONG KONG. A PROSPECTIVE EMIGRANT WILL, IF ASKED, HAVE TO REVEAL HIS CONVICTION WHETHER OR NOT IT IS CONSIDERED SPENT IN HONG KONG IF THE FOREIGN LAW REQUIRES HIM TO GIVE A TRUTHFUL ANSWER.
+l KNOW THAT SOME WHO RESPONDED TO OUR ORIGINAL DISCUSSION PAPER HOPED WE COULD ASSIST THOSE SEEKING TO EMIGRATE. BUT HONG KONG LEGISLATION CANNOT CHANGE IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY FOREIGN STATES. IT IS TO BE HOPED, HOWEVER, THAT CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THIS BILL, OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES WILL ORDINARILY OVERLOOK A MINOR CONVICTION WHERE IT HAS OCCURRED SOME TIME PREVIOUSLY.+
MR THOMAS SAID THE SCHEME WAS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS. FIRSTLY, IT ALLOWED A COURT TO HEAR ABOUT A SPENT CONVICTION WHER IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT JUSTICE WAS DONE, AND ALSO WHEN SENTENCING AN OFFENDER.
SECONDLY, THE SCHEME WOULD NOT APPLY TO THOSE IN CERTAIN PROFESSIONS OR PUBLIC OFFICES WHERE THE PUBLIC HAD A RIGHT TO EXPECT THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PROBITY. +IN THESE CASES IT IS REASONABLE THAT FULL DISCLOSURE OF ALL PAST MISDEMEANOURS SHOULD BE MADE,+ HE SAID.
NOR WOULD THE SCHEME APPLY TO ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO A PERSON’S SUITABILITY TO BE GRANTED ANY LICENCE, PERMIT OR DISPENSATION OR TO BE REGISTERED UNDER ANY LAW. +THE SCOPE OF THIS EXCLUSION IS WIDE AND WILL, FOR INSTANCE, MAKE FULL DISCLOSURE A REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A TEACHER, AS WELL AS APPLICATION FOR A HAWKER’S LICENCE,+ HE NOTED.
- 7 -
jhY , uULY 2y 19b6
MR THOMAS SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN MUCH CONCERN, ESPECIALLY ON THE PART OF THE POLICE, THAT THOSE CONVICTED OF TRIAD RELATED OFFENCES SHOULD NOT BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME. ACCORDINGLY, THE UNUSUAL STEP HAD BEEN TAKEN TO PRESENT A BILL THAT OFFERED TWO OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COUNCIL.
+ THE FIRST OPTION IS TO EXCLUDE TRIAD RELATED OFFENCES UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE FROM THE REHABILITATION SCHEME ALTOGETHER. THE SECOND OPTION IS TO ALLOW A TRIAD RELATED OFFENCE TO BECOME SPENT ONLY IF THE OFFENDER HAS RENOUNCED HIS CONNECTION WITH TRIAD SOCIETIES...+
THE SECOND OPTION WAS AN IDEA THAT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED IN SOME DETAIL IN THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENT DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
FINALLY, MR THOMAS SAID, THE BILL PROPOSED TO AMEND THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE TO REMOVE THE POWER OF A MAGISTRATE NOT TO RECORD A CONVICTION AFTER FINDING A MINOR CHARGE PROVED.
HE SAID: +THE PURPOSE OF NOT RECORDING A CONVICTION WHEN THERE HAS BEEN A CONVICTION IS NOT ALTOGETHER EASY TO FOLLOW, ALTHOUGH IT WAS PROBABLY INTENDED TO HELP AN OFFENDER PUT MINOR CONVICTIONS BEHIND HIM, AS SUCH, THIS BILL OFFERS A MORE RATIONAL APPROACH. THE BILL WILL REQUIRE THE MAGISTRATE TO RECORD A CONVICTION IN SUCH A CASE.
+BY SO DOING, IT WILL ENSURE THAT A COURT IN SUBSEQUENT CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS WILL BE FULLY APPRISED OF THE OFFENDER’S BACKGROUND AND WILL NOT WRONGLY TREAT HIM AS A FIRST OFFENDER. EQUALLY IT WILL BECOME A SPENT CONVICTION AFTER THREE YEARS IN THC SAME WAY AS ANY OTHER ELIGIBLE CONVICTION. THIS AMENDMENT TO THE LAW HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE JUDICIARY.*
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS AJOURNED.
BILL REMOVES UNSATISFACTORY BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS
X * * * * *
THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 SEEKS TO ALTER THOSE PROVISIONS OF THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE WHICH HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE UNSATISFACTORY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVI-NG THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE CONTAINED PROVISIONS DESIGNED TO PREVENT BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS FROM BEING A FUTILE EXERCISE.
/hi bxiD .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1%6
b
HE SAID THAT UNDER THE EXISTING SECTIONS 9(3) AND 10(1) OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, THE COURT MIGHT ’DISMISS A BANKRUPTCY PETITION IF IT IS SATISFIED THAT THE ASSETS FOR DIVISION AMONG THE UNSECURED CREDITORS, AFTER PAYMENT OF ALL COSTS, CHARGES, EXPENSES AND PREFERENTIAL DEBTS, ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO PAY A 15 PER CENT DIVIDEND.’
+UNDER THE EXISTING SECTION 33(1), THE COURT MAY, ON THE SAME GROUND AND ON THE APPLICATION OF ANY PERSON INTERESTED, ANNUL AN ADJUDICATION ORDER IN BANKRUPTCY.+
HOWEVER, MR JACOBS SAID THE '15 PER CENT DIVIDEND’ PROVISION HAD BEEN UTILISED BY UNSCRUPULOUS DEBTORS TO SEEK TO AVOID THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS.
HE SAID IN THE PAST TWO YEARS NUMEROUS BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS HAD BEEN OPPOSED AND APPLICATIONS FOR ANNULMENT HAD BEEN MADE BY DEBTORS PLEADING THAT THEIR ASSETS WERE INSUFFICIENT TO PAY A 15 PER CENT DIVIDEND.
+IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE CONCEPT OF A FIXED PERCENTAGE OF DIVIDEND IS TOO RIGID,+ HE ADDED.
+FURTHERMORE, IT IGNORES THE BROADER OBJECTIVES OF THE LAW RELATING TO BANKRUPTCY.+
MR JACOBS SAID MUCH OF THE COURT’S TIME COULD BE WASTED IN DETERMINING WHETHER DEBTORS FELL WITHIN THE 15 PER CENT PROVISION, THUS ALLOWING INSUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF OTHER MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS SUCH AS THE REASONS FOR BANKRUPTCY, THE POSSIBILITY OF FRAUD, AND THE REHABILITATION OF THE BANKRUPT.
IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION, THE BILL PROPOSED TO REMOVE THE 15 PER CENT DIVIDEND PROVISION FROM SECTIONS 9 AND 10 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE SO THAT A PETITION COULD NOT BE DISMISSED ON THIS GROUND ALONE, HE SAID.
+THE COURT’S POWER UNDER SECTION 33 TO ANNUL THE ADJUDICATION SHOULD BE PRESERVED AND EXTENDED TO RESCISI ON OF A RECEIVING ORDER BUT IN FUTURE THIS POWER MAY BE INVOKED ONLY BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND NOT BY A DEBTOR,+ HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
/V........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1336
9
LOOPHOLES IN NT VILLAGE HOUSING LAv. BEING CLOSED
*****
A BILL TO REPEAL LEGISLATION ON VILLAGE HOUSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, TO RECTIFY DEFECTS AND LOOPHOLES, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE (APPLICATION TO THE NEW TERRITORIES) BILL 1986, SAID THE BILL WAS INTENDED TO REPLACE THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE (APPLICATION TO THE NEW TERRITORIES) ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS WHICH HAD NOT PROVED SATISFACTORY.
THE PRESENT ORDINANCE, HE TOLD THE COUNCIL, DID NOT SPECIFY THAT EXEMPTIONS FROM THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS APPLIED ONLY TO INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS UNDER THE SMALL HOUSE POLICY, WITH THE RESULT THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS ERECTED BY NON-INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS HAD ALSO BEEN EXEMPT.
SECONDLY, ALTHOUGH IT WAS NEVER INTENDED, SITE FORMATION AND DRAINAGE WORKS HAD BEEN AUTOMATICALLY EXEMPT BECAUSE TERMS SUCH AS ’BUILDING WORKS’ WERE LOOSELY DEFINED.
+THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS TO RECTIFY THE DEFECTS AND LOOPHOLES IDENTIFIED IN THE CURRENT LEGISLATION,* HE SAID.
CLAUSE FIVE OF THE BILL SPECIFIED THAT AS A PREREQUISITE FOR EXEMPTION, THE BUILDING MUST BE BUILT BY AN INDIGENOUS VILLAGER.
OTHER STRUCTURES WHICH WOULD ALSO BE EXEMPT WOULD BE THOSE ERECTED BY BONA FIDE ORGANISATIONS FOR COMMUNITY USE, STRUCTURES ERECTED ON AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES AND SMALL TEMPORARY DOMESTIC STRUCTURES FOR WHICH PERMISSION TO REBUILD HAD BEEN GIVEN.
MR CHAN SAID THAT TO ENSURE SITE FORMATION AND DRAINAGE WORKS WERE NOT AUTOMATICALLY EXEMPT, THE TERM ’BUILDING WORKS’ HAD BEEN MORE PRECISELY DEFINED AND CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION WOULD BE ISSUED SEPARATELY FOR SITE FORMATION AND DRAINAGE WORKS TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF VILLAGERS.
HE SAID THE OPPORTUNITY HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO INCREASE THE PERMITTED HEIGHT OF VILLAGE HOUSES FROM 7.62 METRES (25 FEET) TO 8.23 METRES (27 FEET) TO ENABLE THREE-STOREY HOUSES WITH REASONABLE CEILING HEIGHT AND VENTILATION TO BE BUILT.
+VILLAGE HOUSES ALREADY BUILT TO THE NEW HEIGHT BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THIS NEW ORDINANCE WILL BE DEALT WITH ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS,* MR CHAN SAID.
LETTERS OF TOLERATION WOULD BE ISSUED AND A TOLERATION FEE LEVIED ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF CONTRAVENTION, UP TO A MAXIMUM CF $10 000'.
+IF THE VILLAGER IS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE BUILDING COMPLIES IN ALL RESPECTS WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW ORDINANCE, NO PENALTIES WILL BE CHARGED,* HE SAID.
-------C---------
/-io ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1’986
10
KWOK AH-NUI'S CASE FOR UMELCO PANEL * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE’S REVIEW OF THE CASE OF KWOK AH-NUI WOULD BE PUT TO THE UMELCO PANEL ON WELFARE SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS MAKING STATEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CASE OF KWOK AH-NUI, ON WHICH HE ANSWERED A QUESTION IN THE COUNCIL ON MAY 14.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE HON Y.F. HUI HAD PROPOSED THAT WHEN THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE’S REVIEW OF THE CASE WAS COMPLETED IT SHOULD BE PUT TO THE UMELCO PANEL ON WELFARE SERVICES, WHICH WOULD STUDY THE REPORT IN DETAIL AND IF NECESSARY HAVE A SESSION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
THE PANEL WOULD THEN MAKE KNOWN ITS VIEWS ON THE CASE, THUS ASSURING THE PUBLIC OF AN OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CASE OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT, MR HUI HAD PROPOSED.
HAVING SPOKEN TO DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, THE CONVENOR OF THE WELFARE PANEL, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL AND WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PANEL TH-REVIEW BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AS WELL AS A REVIEW BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ON THE MEDICAL ASPECTS OF THE CASE.
+CERTAIN PARTS OF THESE REVIEWS DEAL WITH ASPECTS OF THE CASE WHICH IT WOULD NOT BE PROPER TO DISCLOSE TO THE PUBLIC, SUCH AS THE MEDICAL REPORTS ON MRS WONG’S CONDITION AND OTHER PERSONAL DETAILS,* HE SAID.
+ WE SHALL BE ASKING THE PANEL TO TREAT THESE MATTERS AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL,* HE ADDED.
FOLLOWING THE EXAMINATION OF THE REPORTS BY THE UMELCO PANEL, A FULL STATEMENT ON THE CASE WOULD BE MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID.
POLICE TAKING ACTION TO COUNTER BURGLARIES * * * * *
THE POLICE ARE TAKING ACTIVE STEPS TO COUNTER THE INCREASE IN BURGLARIES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY ^WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LIU LIT-FOR, MR THOMAS cAin POLICE PATROLS WERE BRIEFED TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO BUILDINGS WITH SCAFFOLDING, WHICH WAS A FAVOURITE METHOD OF ILLEGAL ENTRY.
/CARETidLhitb AIW.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
11
CARETAKERS AND WATCHMEN WERE VISITED BY POLICE PATROLS AND URGED TO REPORT ANY INFORMATION ON SUSPICIOUS PERSONS IMMEDIATELY VIA THE 999 SYSTEM.
+ THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME IS BEING INTRODUCED IN CENTRAL DISTRICT, AT PRESENT FOUR BUILDINGS ARE TAKING PART AND OTHERS ARE BEING ACTIVELY CANVASSED BY POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS AND CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS, WHO ARE ALSO ON HAND TO GIVE ADVICE ON SECURITY MEASURES,* HE SAID.
+ THE BEST DEFENCE IS PROPER SECURITY MEASURES BOTH BY OWNERS OF THE BUILDINGS AND BY THE TENANTS*.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GROUND FLOORS OF BUILDINGS MUST BE SECURED WITH REGULAR PATROL OR SURVEILLANCE OF CORRIDORS, LIFTS AND PASSAGEWAYS.
PREMISES SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO PROPER SECURITY MEASURES INCLUDING GOOD QUALITY LOCKS AND ALARM. VALUABLES SHOULD NOT BE LEFT IN INSECURE OFFICES OVERNIGHT.
MR THOMAS SAID: +INCREASING BURGLARIES OF COMMERCIAL PREMISES IS A WORRYING PHENOMENON NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG BUT ALSO IN OTHER PLACES SUCH AS BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.*
HE SAID COMMERCIAL PREMISES WERE A TEMPTING TARGET. AFTER OFFICE HOURS, THEY MIGHT OFFER A LARGE NUMBER OF UNOCCUPIED OFFICES AND A SUITABLY LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME FOR BURGLARS TO OPERATE UNDISTURBED.
OFTEN THE BURGLAR’S LIFE WAS MADE EVEN EASIER BY POOR SECURITY OR EVEN A TOTAL LACK OF SECURITY PROVISIONS, EITHER FOR THE BUILDING IN GENERAL OR FOR PARTICULAR OFFICES.
MR THOMAS TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE NUMBER OF REPORTED BURGLARIES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT INCREASED FROM 109 CASES TO 171 CASES IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS THIS YEAR COMPARED TO THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1985, GIVING A RISE OF 57 PER CENT.
+THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE RISE IN BURGLARIES IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS FROM 29 CASES TO 109 CASES,* HE SAID.
+BURGLARIES OF SHOPS ALSO ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY WITH SEVEN ADDITIONAL CASES, TO A TOTAL OF 18, WHILE CASES INVOLVING RESIDENTIAL PREMISES FELL FROM 56 TO 36 CASES.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RISE IN REPORTED BURGLARIES IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WAS DISTORTED BY THE INCIDENCE OF MULTIPLE BURGLARIES.
/twenty .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
12
TWENTY SEPARATE COMPANY OFFICES ON A SINGLE FLOOR OF A BUILDING MIGHT BE BROKEN INTO ONE NIGHT BY ONE BURGLAR OR GANG OF BURGLARS AND THEY WOULD BE RECORDED AS 20 SEPARATE BURGLARIES.
IN JANUARY TO APRIL THIS YEAR, THERE WERE THREE CASES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT OF MULTIPLE BURGLARIES IN WHICH FIVE OR MORE PREMISES WERE BROKEN INTO.
THESE THREE CASES ALONE ACCOUNTED FOR 40 OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED BURGLARIES AND THERE WERE NO SUCH MULTIPLE BURGLARIES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1985.
+S0 THE RISE, WHILE SERIOUS, IS NOT QUITE AS DRAMATIC AS MIGHT FIRST APPEAR,* HE SAID.
------0-------
AIM IS COMPREHENSIVE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM IS TO MOVE TOWARDS COMPREHENSIVE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL, AND CONSULTATION ON THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION WILL BE UNDERTAKEN LATER THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT KWUN TONG WOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST TWO AIR CONTROL ZONES TO BE DECLARED.
HE SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT MONITORED THE AIR QUALITY IN THE DISTRICT FROM A STATION INSTALLED ON THE ROOF OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING.
THE RELEVANT AIR QUALITY PARAMETERS WERE MEASURED CONTINUOUSLY, AS WERE WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION. THE RESULTS OF THESE MEASUREMENTS WERE COMPARED WITH THE AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES UNDER SECTION 7 OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
+IN 1985-86, THE AMOUNTS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE, TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (OR DUST) AND NITROGEN DIOXIDE WERE ALL IN EXCESS OF THE PROPOSED OBJECTIVES ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS,* MR CHAMBERS SAID.
THE HIGH LEVEL OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE DETECTED IN THE AIR WAS A RESULT CHIEFLY OF THE COMBUSTION OF SULPHUR-BEARING FUEL OIL BY INDUSTRY IN THE AREA.
APOLLO w ING ...
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
- 15 -
♦FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, THE MAJOR OIL SUPPLYING COMPANIES IN HONG KONG HAVE AGREED TO REDUCE THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF FUEL OIL FROM THE PREVIOUS RANGE OF 2.8 TO 3.5 PER CENT BY WEIGHT TO AN AVERAGE OF 2.5 PER CENT, WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1986,+ HE SAID.
+PRIOR APPROVAL IS REQUIRED UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE FOR THE INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION OF FURNACES, OVENS AND CHIMNEYS IN FACTORIES, AND IN EXERCISING THESE CONTROLS CARE IS TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE EMISSION OF POLLUTANTS IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM,* HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT AS HIGH TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE CONCENTRATIONS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND NOT JUST IN KWUN TONG, OTHER PLANS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT INCLUDED REDUCTION OF THE EMISSION OF DUST TO THE ATMOSPHERE THROUGH THE PROVISION OF APPROPRIATE LEASE CONDITIONS TO CONTROL SITE FORMATION WORKS AND THE OPERATION OF CEMENT BATCHING PLANTS.
+CONTROLS ON PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM STATIONARY SOURCES, SUCH AS THE CASTLE PEAK AND LAMMA POWER STATIONS, HAVE BEEN AGREED FOLLOWING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT,+ HE SAID.
+MEASURES ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO CONTROL DUST GENERATED BY CONSTRUCTION AND RECLAMATION WORKS, AND A NEW SCHEME FOR TAKING ACTION AGAINST SMOKING VEHICLES HAS RECENTLY BEEN ENDORSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.*
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE HIGH LEVELS OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE WERE A RELATIVELY NEW PHENOMENON IN HONG KONG. THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNCLEAR AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WAS STILL INVESTIGATING THE MATTER.
_ _ _ - o---
SMOKING OFFENCE PENALTIES STILL ADEQUATE * * * * *
IN 1984 AND 1985 THE GOVERNMENT RECEIVED 228 AND 250 REPORTS RESPECTIVELY ABOUT SMOKING IN NO-SMOKING AREAS AND THE FINE IMPOSED IN MOST CASES RANGED FROM $100 TO S200, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT UNDER THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) ORDINANCE, SMOKING WAS PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC LIFTS, SINGLE DECK PUBLIC LAND TRANSPORT VEHICLES■OTHER THAN TAXIS, TRAINS AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES, AND THE LOWER DECKS OF DOUBLE-DECK PUBLIC LAND TRANSPORT VEHICLES.
/+ lh aJDUIOIm, ......
s uULY 2,
1m-
+ IN ADDITION, NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF EACH CLASS OF SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN OTHER TYPES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES SUCH AS FERRIES AND TRAINS AND IN CINEMAS, THEATRES, AND CONCERT HALLS MUST BE SET ASIDE AS NO-SMOKING AREAS,* HE SAID.
+ WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1982, THE EXTENT OF NO-SMOKING AREAS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WAS DETERMINED HAVING REGARD TO THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION WERE NON-SMOKERS.*
CONSIDERATION WAS ALSO GIVEN TO PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NO-SMOKING AREAS, TO THE PRACTICABILITY OF DIVIDING A PLACE OR VEHICLE INTO SMOKING AND NO SMOKING SECTIONS, AND TO ENFORCEMENT DIFFICULTIES, HE SAID.
+THESE CONSIDERATIONS ARE STILL VALID.*
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR SMOKING IN A NO-SMOKING AREA WAS Ki 000, WHILE THE PENALTY FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY OR GIVING A FALSE NAME OR ADDRESS WAS $3 000.
+THESE PENALTIES APPEAR TO BE ADEQUATE AT PRESENT, BUT THE NEED TO RAISE THEM AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE WILL BE KEPT IN MIND,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THE INITIATIVE IN TAKING ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST PEOPLE WHO SMOKED IN NO-SMOKING AREAS RESTED MAINLY WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC PLACE OR TRANSPORT SERVICE CONCERNED.
+THEY WERE GIVEN POWERS UNDER THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE AN OFFENDER TO CEASE SMOKING, AND IF HE FAILS TO DO SO, TO REQUIRE HIM TO GIVE HIS NAME AND ADDRESS AND TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY.*
HE SAID: +ASSISTANCE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR THE POLICE.*
+THE MANAGEMENTS CONCERNED WERE INFORMED OF THE POWERS VESTED IN THEM BY THE ORDINANCE, THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR ENFORCEMENT AND THE ASSISTANCE THEY COULD OBTAIN FROM THE GOVERNMENT, BY A CIRCULAR LETTER ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 1983.
+A SIMILAR CIRCULAR LETTER WILL BE ISSUED SHORTLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAJOR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON ANTI-SMOKING THIS YEAR,* HE ADDED.
0
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
'<5
GOOD RESPONSE TO SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SCHEME ******
THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SCHEME HAS MET WITH A GOOD RESPONSE FROM HEADS OF SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG, MR CHAMBERS SAID ACCORDING TO A NUMBER OF SURVEYS CONDUCTED IN RECENT YEARS, THE SERVICE HAD BEEN VERY USEFUL IN HELPING SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH A VARIETY OF SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS.
+IT HAS ALSO HELPED TO RELIEVE HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS OF SOME OF THE WORK INVOLVED IN DEALING WITH BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS,* HE ADDED.
THE SURVEYS HAD ALSO INDICATED AREAS IN WHICH THE SERVICE COULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED.
+IN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS MADE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, A WORKING GROUP WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR AND SCHOOLS HAS BEEN SET UP TO REVIEW THE SERVICE AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ITS LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT,* MR CHAMBERS SAID.
+THE WORKING GROUP HAS MET FOUR TIMES AND IS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT A REPORT LATER THIS YEAR.*
HE SAID THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SERVICE WAS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY AND HELP PUPILS WHO HAD PROBLEMS IN THEIR ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TO ASSIST PUPILS TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM USE OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND TO PREPARE THEM FOR RESPONSIBLE ADULT LIVING.
THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS IN 1978, AND AT PRESENT THE SERVICE COVERED ABOUT 462 OOO PUPILS IN 487 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND 410 000 PUPILS IN 796 PRIMARY SCHOOL SESSIONS.
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COURTEOUS MTR PASSENGERS CAN EASE RUSH HOUR DIFFICULTY
*****
MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PASSENGERS CAN HELP EASE THE DIFFICULTY OF GETTING OFF DURING RUSH HOURS BY EXERCISING A LITTLE COURTESY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, MR GREWAL SAID AS WITH OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE MTR WAS SUBJECTED TO HEAVY DEMAND DURING PEAK HOURS.
/+TK& DliJl'IGULTY .........
+ THE DIFFICULTY PASSENGERS EXPERIENCE IN AL HTlNG FROM MTR TRAINS DURING RUSH HOURS STEMS PARTLY FROM THE FACT THAT IT IS A MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM CARRYING A LARGE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS IM EACH CAR AND PARTLY FROM CAR EXITS BEING BLOCKED BY PEOPLE ANXIOUS TO GET ON BOARD,+ HE SAID.
+THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS PURSUED VARIOUS MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION,* HE ADDED.
THE CORPORATION HAD CARRIED OUT, FROM TIME TO TIME, PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS TO PROMOTE COURTEOUS BEHAVIOUR THROUGH TELEVISION AND PRESS ADVERTISEMENTS, POSTERS AND NOTICES.
+AT ALL BUSY STATIONS DURING PEAK HOURS, ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE MADE BY STATION STAFF TO REMIND PASSENGERS WAITING ON PLATFORMS TO ALLOW THOSE ON BOARD INCOMING TRAINS TO ALIGHT BEFORE GETTING ON THEMSELVES.
+PASSENGERS ON TRAINS BETWEEN STATIONS ARE ADVISED OVER THE INTERNAL SPEAKER SYSTEM WHAT THE NAME OF THE NEXT STATION IS SO THAT THEY MAY POSITION THEMSELVES NEAR A DOOR IF THEY SHOULD WISH TO ALIGHT.*
MR GREWAL SAID THE CORPORATION WOULD CONTINUE WITH THESE VARIOUS MEASURES AND OTHERS THAT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE.
+BUT PASSENGERS THEMSELVES CAN HELP EASE THE SITUATION BY EXERCISING A LITTLE COURTESY AND ALLOWING THOSE WISHING TO ALIGHT TO DISEMBARK FIRST,* HE ADDED.
REMOVAL OF MAINTENANCE LIMITS UNDER STUDY * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CONSIDERING AMENDMENTS TO THE SEPARATION AND MAINTENANCE ORDERS AND THE AFFILIATION PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE TO REMOVE THE FINANCIAL LIMITS ON THE AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS GRANTED UNDER THEM.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+ THE. WHOLE MATTER IS DUE TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH, WHEN THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE LIMITS WILL BE CANVASSED FULLY,* MR THOMAS SAID.
a, i/Sfe
IN EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE:' SAID SUCH LIMITS DATED BACK TO A =7 : jD 17 WHEN THE JURISDICTION WAS EXERCISED BY LAY
LI Ml ’ 7, ' fHOMAS
ENGLAND AMD WALES MAGISTRATES.
+THE CONCEPT 0" A STRICTLY LIMITED JURISDICTION EXERCISABLE BY MAGISTRATES WITHOUT LEGAL QUALIFICATIONS IS, OF COURSE, NOT RELEVANT TO HONG KONG WHERE MATTERS UNDER BOTH ORDINANCES ARE HANDLED BY THE DISTRICT COURT,+ HE SAID.
HANSARD DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY DISCUSSION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE FINANCIAL LIMITS WHEN THE SEPARATION AND MAINTENANCE ORDERS AND THE AFFILIATION PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE WERE ENACTED IN 1935 AND 1971 RESPECTIVELY, HE SAID.
+ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES WITH HAVING LIMITS IS THAT IF THEY ARE TO BE SUFFICIENTLY HIGH ENOUGH TO ENABLE JUSTICE TO BE DONE IN ALL CASES, THEY MAY RAISE EXPECTATIONS UNDULY IN THE EVERYDAY CASE,* HE ADDED.
THERE WAS NO REASON IN LAW WHY THE ASSESSMENT OF MAINTENANCE UNDER BOTH ORDINANCES COULD NOT BE LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT, LIKE APPLICATIONS UNDER THE MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS AND PROPERTY ORDINANCE, MR THOMAS SAID.
+ IN ALL CASES THERE WILL BE OF COURSE THE USUAL RIGHTS OF APPEAL,* HE ADDED.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT MAINTENANCE ORDERS UNDER THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS ORDINANCE WERE AT PRESENT SUBJECT TO A LIMIT OF $500 PER WEEK IF MADE IN THE DISTRICT COURT, ALTHOUGH NO LIMIT APPLIED TO PROCEEDINGS TRANSFERRED TO THE HIGH COURT, AS THEY COULD BE AT THE OPTION OF EITHER PARTY.
FEASIBILITY OF CABLE TV BEING EXAMINED * * * * *
FEASIBILIT KINDS OF SIR DAVID
OF
THE ADMINISTRATION IS STUDYING IN DETAIL THE OVERALL CABLE TELEVISION IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY THAT MAY BE USED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY THE HON AKERS-JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, SIR DAVIT SAID THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY HAD SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO OPERATE A CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
+SINCE THEN, OTHER COMPANIES HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN OPERATING A CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE,* HE SAID.
/jLx JaVID........
.MDNao^aY, JULY ci, 1^86
18
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID HE HOPED TO SEEK IN THE NEAR FUTURE ADVICE FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON WHETHER AND IN WHAT FORM CABLE TELEVISION SHOULD PROCEED.
+ONCE THAT ADVICE IS OBTAINED WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONSIDER ANY APPLICATIONS RECEIVED IN GREATER DETAIL.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT HE COULD NOT AT THIS STAGE SAY WHEN CABLE TELEVISION WOULD BEGIN OPERATION BECAUSE +EVEN AFTER POLICY APPROVAL HAS BEEN OBTAINED FOR CABLE TV TO BE ESTABLISHED, LEGISLATION WILL HAVE TO BE INTRODUCED BEFORE AN OPERATOR CAN BE LICENSED TO PROVIDE A CABLE TV SERVICE.*
+IT WILL TAKE TIME FOR THE LICENSEE TO LAY ON THE NETWORK BEFORE ANY PROGRAMME CAN START TRANSMISSION,* HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID HE UNDERSTOOD ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF A CABLE TELEVISION WAS THAT A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES COULD BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR MINORITY INTERESTS.
+CERTAINLY, THE POSSIBILITY OF SHOWING PROGRAMMES ON CURRENT AFFAIRS AND HOME EDUCATION COURSES WILL BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE LICENCE CONDITIONS ARE DRAWN UP,* HE NOTED.
0 -
TAXI COMPLAINTS AVERAGE UNDER ONE A DAY
* * * K
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXI MALPRACTICES MADE TO THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT AVERAGES LESS THA^ ONE A DAY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR THOMAS SAID COMPLAINTS WERE GENERALLY MADE EITHER TO THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT OF THE TRANSPORT BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT OR DIRECT TO THE POLICE.
COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT IN THE THREE YEARS BETWEEN OCTOBER 1982 AND SEPTEMBER 1985 NUMBERED 199, 106 AND 84 RESPECTIVELY.
THESE INVOLVED IN TOTAL FOR THE THREE YEARS: NON-ADHERENCE TO DIRECT ROUTE, 36; CONDUCT OF DRIVER, 65; FAILURE TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGER, 125; AND OVERCHARGING, 163.
/MR THOIiaS..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1966
19
MR THOMAS SAID STATISTICS OF THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS MADE DIRECT TO THE POLICE WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. BUT RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE OF THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS RESULTING FROM SUCH COMPLAINTS, AND THESE SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 163 PROSECUTIONS IN 1983, 180 IN 1984, AND 272 IN 1985.
THESE INVOLVED, IN THREE YEAR TOTALS: REFUSING HIRE, 218, REFUSING TO DRIVE TO THE REQUIRED DESTINATION, 151= NON-ADHERENCE TO DIRECT ROUTE, 127= AND OVERCHARGING, 71. TAXIMETER OFFENCES ACCOUNTED FOR 48 PROSECUTIONS IN 1985.
+THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS DOES NOT SEEM TO CALL FOR ANY EXCEPTIONAL MEASURES,* MR THOMAS SAID. +THERE ARE 16 678 LICENSED TAXIS IN HONG KONG OPERATING VIRTUALLY 365 DAYS AND NIGHTS A YEAR.*
NEVERTHELESS, VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTION WOULD CONTINUE, HE SAID.
+AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS ARE ALSO PLANNED. THESE WILL ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO SPECIFY IN GREATER DETAIL THE DESIGN, CONTENT AND POSITIONING OF FARE PLATES IN TAXIS.*
HE SAID THIS PLATE WOULD PROVIDE TAXI PASSENGERS WITH CLEARF INFORMATION ABOUT TAXI FARES AND WOULD ALSO SHOW THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT.
--------0------------
ADVICE ON PARTNERSHIPS FOR MINIBUS OPERATORS * * * * *
GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORMALISE THEIR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR PARTNERS THROUGH THE FORMATION OF PROPERLY INCORPORATED COMPANIES, TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF PARTNERSHIP DISPUTES OCCURRING TO A MINIMUM, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CH I-FA I, MR GREWAL SAID IN THE EVENT THAT A PARTNERSHIP DISPUTE SHOULD ARISE, LEADING TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A PROLONGED DISRUPTION OF SERVICE, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE STEPS TO MINIMISE THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS COULD BE DONE EITHER BY ARRANGING FOR ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES SUCH AS FRANCHISED BUSES TO BE AUGMENTED FOR THE PERIOD REQUIRED OR BY GRANTING A TEMPORARY LICENCE TO ANOTHER GREEN MINIBUS OPERATOR TO PROVIDE AN EMERGENCY SERVICE, OR BY PURSUING BOTH THESE COURSES OF ACTION AS NECESSARY.
/AT JUNE ..........
Wl£DNKiSDAY, JUxiY 2,
AT JUNE 70 THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 1 056 GREEN MINIBUSES IN OPERATION ON 137 APPROVED ROUTES, HE SAID.
+DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY TWO INCIDENTS OF A GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE BEING DISRUPTED AS A RESULT OF EXPIRED VEHICLE OR SERVICE LICENCES,* HE NOTED.
+ THE UNDERLYING CAUSE IN BOTH CASES WAS AN INTERNAL PARTNERSHIP DISPUTE AMONG THE OPERATORS CONCERNED. THE INCIDENTS WERE BOTH SHORT IN DURATION HAVING BEEN RESOLVED WITHIN A DAY EACH AND DISRUPTION IN SERVICE WAS THEREFORE LIMITED.*
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD NORMALLY REMIND A GREEN MINIBUS OPERATOR TO RENEW HIS PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE WELL BEFORE ITS EXPIRY DATE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO ENSURE TIMELY RENEWAL OF HIS LICENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ADDED.
NEGLIGENT OFFICERS FACE PUNISHMENT
*****
A CIVIL SERVANT WHOSE NEGLIGENCE HAD CAUSED FINANCIAL LOSS TO THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT EITHER BE SURCHARGED OR SUBJECTED TO DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AND PUNISHMENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, SIR DAVID SAID IF THE NEGLIGENCE CONSTITUTED A PRIME FACIE CASE OF MISCONDUCT, DISCIPLINARY ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THE OFFICER.
+IF MISCONDUCT IS PROVED, THE OFFICER WILL BE PUNISHED WHICH WILL USUALLY INCLUDE A FINE, A DEFERMENT OF AN INCREMENT OR A STOPPAGE OF INCREMENT TO REFLECT GOVERNMENT’S LOSS,* HE ADDED.
+IF THE OFFICER’S NEGLIGENCE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MISCONDUCT, HE MAY BE SURCHARGED BY GOVERNMENT TO RECOVER THE VALUE OF THE LOSS TO GOVERNMENT.*
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THAT IN THE PAST THREE FINANCIAL YEARS, THERE WERE NINE DISCIPLINARY CASES OF MISCONDUCT DEALT WITH BY THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH INVOLVING FINANCIAL LOSSES TO GOVERNMENT.
IN FIVE OF THESE, THE OFFICERS WERE FOUND GUILTY OF MISCONDUCT AND PUNISHED.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, FIVE OFFICERS WERE SURCHARGED FOR FINANCIAL LOSSES SUFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE.
G
WEDHESD- Y, JJ-Y 2, 1936
rental MARKET developments carefully watched * * * * >
SINCE THE LANDLORD AND TENANT LEGISLATION WAS COMPREHENSIVELY REVIEWED IN 1931, THE GOVERNMENT HAS HATCHED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RENTAL MARKET VERY CAREFULLY AND SINCE 1983 HAS CARRIED OUT A FULL REVIEW ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON JOHN TODD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+THIS PRACTICE WILL CONTINUE AND I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE POINTS WHICH THEY HAVE MADE TODAY WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FUTURE CONSIDERATION OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE,* HE SAID IN WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
MR TODD SAID LANDLORD AND TENANT LEGISLATION WAS, BY ITS NATURE, COMPLEX AND , IF IT WAS TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES IT MUST BALANCE THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT TENANTS COULD ENJOY A FAIR RENTAL SYSTEM WITH ADEQUATE SECURITY OF TENURE WHILE LANDLORDS COULD ACHIEVE A FAIR RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT.
HE REFERRED TO THE TWO SPECIFIC POINTS RAISED BY THE HON HO SAI-CHU WHO ASKED WHETHER THE PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE LIMIT IN SECTION 129 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH DEALT WITH THE RECOVERY OF PREMISES, WOULD AFFECT SECURITY OF TENURE.
♦ THE PROVISION WILL ONLY APPLY TO CASES WHERE THE TENANCY HAS BEEN DETERMINED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE AND I CAN CONFIRM THAT THE SECURITY OF TENURE WHICH TENANTS ENJOY UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE, WILL NOT BE AFFECTED,* MR TODD SAID.
MR HO HAD ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE LIMIT UNDER SECTION 129 WOULD BE BETTER SET AT $12 000, BASED ON AN UPDATING OF PROPERTY VALUES.
+THE GREAT MAJORITY OF PREMISES UNDER THIS LIMIT HAVE MONTHLY RENTALS OF ABOUT $1 000 AND ARE MAINLY NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES SUCH AS CAR PARKING AND STORAGE SPACES, AND IF WE ARE TO TAKE THIS LIMIT ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF DOMESTIC PREMISES, MAINLY TEMPORARY STRUCTURES IN RURAL AREAS, WOULD BE AFFECTED,* MR TODD NOTED.
HE THOUGHT THAT THE LIMIT OF $30 000 WAS A REASONABLE ONE WHEN DUE ACCOUNT WAS TAKEN NOT ONLY OF CHANGES IN PROPERTY VALUES SINCE THE LIMIT WAS INTRODUCED, BUT ALSO OF THE CHANGES IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG.
/22........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, l)c
CALL TO PUNISH PROFITEERING LANDLORDS
*****
CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO PUNISHING THOSE LANDLORDS WHO LEAVE THEIR DOMESTIC PROPERTIES VACANT FOR PERIODS OF MORE THAN Sl> MONTHS BY IMPOSING A PROHIBITIVE TAX, THE HON ANDREW WONG SAID TOD. (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATI ON)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, MR WONG SAID HIS SUGGESTION MIGHT SOUND THEORETICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL BUT WAS IN FACT PRACTICAL.
ALTHOUGH THE SOLUTION COULD BE COSTLY, IT WAS PRACTICABLE, HE SAID.
MR WONG OBSERVED THAT PRICES AND RENTALS WERE DETERMINED BY DEMAND AND SUPPLY AND THAT OWNERS OF DOMESTIC PREMISES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PROFITEER THROUGH HOARDING.
THEREFORE, HE SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO PUNISHING THOSE LANDLORDS WHO LEFT THEIR DOMESTIC PROPERTIES VACANT FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS BY IMPOSING A PROHIBITIVE TAX SUCH AS DOUBLING THEIR PROPERTY TAX.
MR WONG ALSO SAID THAT THE PROPOSED RENTAL ADJUSTMENTS IN PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES AND POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES HAD TO BE VIEWED IN THE WIDER PERSPECTIVE OF THE TOTAL DOMESTIC HOUSING STOCK AND THE RENTALS CHARGED.
HE NOTED THAT NOT ALL PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WERE POOR AND NOT ALL PRIVATE HOUSING TENANTS WERE RICH.
+THINK OF THOSE POOR TENANTS AND SUB-TENANTS IN PRIVATE HOUSING WHO LIVE FROM HAND TO MOUTH,+ HE ADDED.
------O--------
EXTENSION OF HOUSING SCHEMES URGED
*****
THE HON LEE YU-TAI SUGGESTED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER EXTENDING THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES AND SETTING UP A HOME PURCHASE LOAN FUND TO TAKE CARE OF THE +SANDWICH CLASS+.
PEOPLE IN THE +SANDWICH CLASS+ WERE MAINLY LIVING IN CONTROLLED PREMISES .IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THEREFORE WERE MOST LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE RENT DECONTROL POLICY, HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/bPnAKIblG.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
- 23 -
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, MR LEE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE BILL BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO INSIST THAT LANDLORDS SHOULD BENEFIT THEIR TENANTS PERMANENTLY BY CHARGING RENTALS SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT TENANTS LIVING IN CONTROLLED PREMISES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR MAINLY BELONGED TO THE +SANDWICH CLASS* WHO WERE NOT WELL-OFF AND YET WERE NOT QUALIFIED TO APPLY FOR PUBLIC OR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME HOUSING SINCE THEIR INCOME HAD EXCEEDED THE SPECIFIED LIMIT OF 58 500 PER MONTH.
HE NOTED THAT THE PROPOSED RENT INCREASE WOULD AFFECT 26 000 HOUSEHOLDS OF OVER 100 000 PEOPLE AND THERE WOULD BE A FURTHER INCREASE OF 30 PER CENT EVERY TWO YEARS IN THE SUBSEQUENT FOUR YEARS WHICH WOULD BRING THE RENT TO 100 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
MR LEE THEREFORE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER EXTENDING THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES AND RAISE THE MONTHLY INCOME LIMIT OF $8 500, AND THUS BENEFIT THE +SANDWICH CLASS*.
HE ALSO SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HOME PURCHASE LOAN FUND WAS WORTH CONSIDERING.
THROUGH THIS SCHEME, LOANS AT LOW INTEREST RATES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IN THE +SANDWICH CLASS* TO ASSIST THEM IN MAKING DOWN-PAYMENTS FOR BUYING PRIVATE PREMISES, HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE FUND COULD BE ADMINISTERED EITHER BY THE GOVERNMENT OR BY THE BANKING INDUSTRY AND IT COULD BE SPECIFIED THAT ONLY THOSE WITH EARNINGS BELOW A CERTAIN INCOME LIMIT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
THERE COULD ALSO BE STIPULATIONS THAT THE PREMISES PURCHASED SHOULD BE USED SOLELY FOR ACCOMMODATION OF THE APPLICANT’S HOUSEHOLD AND THAT EACH HOUSEHOLD COULD APPLY ONLY ONCE, MR LEE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
24
DISRUPTIVE CHANGES SHOULD BE AVOIDED * * * * *
THE HON HO SAI-CHU EMPHASISED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE IS GENERALLY IN FAVOUR OF THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG TERM OBJECTIVE OF PHASING OUT RENT CONTROL. BUT HE SAID IT SHOULD BE IN A MANNER WHICH WAS NOT SOCIALLY OR POLITICALLY DISRUPTIVE IN HONG KONG’S PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
MR HO COMMENTED ON TWO ASPECTS OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WHEN DEBATE ON THE MEASURE RESUMED.
THE FIRST CONCERNED THE SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES TO OBTAIN POSSESSION AND THEIR POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON THE SECURITY OF TENURE OF THE AFFECTED TENANTS.
MR HO SAID HE HAD BEEN GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CONDITIONS LISTED IN SECTION 129 OF PART VI OF THE ORDINANCE ONLY APPLIED TO CASES WHERE A TENANCY HAD BEEN +DETERMINED+ AND THAT WHERE A LEASE HAD EXPIRED AND WHERE THE TENANT WAS STILL PROTECTED UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE, THE CONCERNED TENANT WOULD STILL BE CONSIDERED AS THE STATUTORY TENANT OF THE PREMISES SO THAT THE SUMMARY RECOVERY PROVISIONS WOULD NOT APPLY.
HE NOTED THAT THESE CONDITIONS WOULD ONLY BE APPLICABLE IN CASES WHERE ALL CONTRACTUAL RELATIONS BETWEEN A LANDLORD AND HIS TENANT HAD CEASED.
+IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF PREMISES WHICH ARE STILL UNDER RENT CONTROL, I AM RATHER CONCERNED AS TO THE ADEQUACY OF THE PROVISIONS TO PROTECT THE SECURITY OF TENURE OF TENANTS WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED AND WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO CONFIRM THE POSITION WHICH I HAVE JUST MENTIONED,+ HE SAID.
MR HO THEN TURNED TO THE PROPOSAL TO LIFT THE VALUE LIMIT OF PREMISES COVERED BY THE SUMMARY RECOVERY PROVISIONS FROM AN ANNUAL RENTAL OF $900 TO THOSE WITH A CURRENT RATEABLE VALUE OF NOT EXCEEDING $30 000.
HE NOTED THAT BY SETTING THE RATEABLE VALUE LIMIT AT $30 000, ABOUT 200 000 UNITS WOULD COME WITHIN THIS LIMIT AND IT WOULD COVER ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF DOMESTIC TENANCIES IN HONG KONG.
+1 CANNOT HELP BUT WONDER WHETHER THE NET HAD NOT BEEN CAST TOO WIDE,* HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO RELATE THE VALUE LIMIT OF $900 IN THE EXISTING PROVISIONS TO THE PRESENT RATEABLE VALUE WHICH WAS ABOUT $12 200.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 198!
25 -
STEP-BY-STEP ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TRY TO ADJUST STEP BY STEP THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT TO A LEVEL REASONABLY COMPARABLE TO THE INCOME LEVEL OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, APART FROM EXERCISING PHASED RENT DECONTROL, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE SUGGESTED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, DR TSE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT MEMBERS OF THE +SANDWICH CLASS* WHO HAD NEITHER THE FINANCIAL ABILITY TO BECOME FLAT OWNERS NOR THE QUALIFICATIONS TO MOVE INTO PUBLIC HOUSING.
+ IN FACT, THEY ARE FALLING BETWEEN TWO STOOLS AND AS A RESULT THE RENT THEY ARE PAYING FOR THEIR ACCOMMODATION TAKES UP TOO LARGE A PROPORTION OF THEIR INCOME.
+ FROM THE ECONOMIC VIEWPOINT OF A FREE SOCIETY, GRADUAL RENT DECONTROL IS A MEASURE WHICH GIVES NO CAUSE FOR MUCH CRITICISM + HE SAID.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY HONG KONG WAS A SMALL TERRITORY WITH A LARGE POPULATION, DR TSE NOTED.
COUPLED WITH THE FACTOR OF SPECULATION, THE SO-CALLED +EQUITABLE MARKET RENTAL VALUE* WAS ACTUALLY NOT VERY EQUITABLE AS IT WAS QUITE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE INCOME LEVEL OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, HE OBSERVED.
+THE FACT THAT THERE IS RENT CONTROL AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC HOUSING RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS ON A MASSIVE SCALE AMPLY PROVE THAT ANOMALY OF HIGH RENT DOES EXIST,* HE SAID.
DR TSE CONSIDERED THAT THE RELAXATION OF RENT CONTROL SHOULD BE IN CO-ORDINATION WITH THE FORMULATION OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME POLICY SO THAT THE +SANDWICH CLASS* WOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF UNREASONABLE RENT INCREASES.
------0----------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
26
NO REASON TO SLOW DOWN RENT DECONTROL MECHANISM *****
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1936, I" ENACTED WOULD BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN GRADUALLY PHASING OUT RENT CONTROL AND AS THE SECURITY OP TENURE WAS ADEQUATELY PROTECTED, THERE WAS NO REASON FOR SLOWING DOWN THE RENT DECONTROL MECHANISM WHICH HAD BEEN SET IN MOTION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON K C CHAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL.
HE SAID THE BILL HAD BEEN STUDIED BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP, OF WHICH HE WAS THE CONVENER, AND MEMBERS HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO SUPPORT IT.
HOWEVER, AS RENT INCREASE AND SECURITY OF TENURE WERE SENSITIVE PUBLIC ISSUES, MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT A STATEMENT BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO CLARIFY THE POINTS RAISED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND PERIODIC MONITORING OF THE EFFECTS OF THE BILL WOULD CLEAR DOUBTS, IF ANY, IN THE MINDS OF THE PUBLIC.
PERSONALLY, MR CHAN SAID, HE WAS IN SUPPORT OF DECONTROL OF RENT FOR PRIVATE HOUSING AND IN THE SUPPLY OF BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING BY STAGES TO SOLVE HONG KONG’S HOUSING PROBLEMS.
ELABORATING, HE SAID THAT THE ABSOLUTE MAJORITY OF SO-CALLED ♦LANDLORDS* IN HONG KONG WERE ONLY OWNERS OF ONE OR TWO SMALL FLATS.
SOME 30 YEARS AGO, HE SAID, THE PURCHASE OF FLATS BY INSTALMENT PAYMENT WAS AVAILABLE TO MEN OF SMALL MEANS, SUCH AS CLERKS, BLUE COLLARED WORKERS AND DOMESTIC SERVANTS.
+AS MOST OF THEM WOULD RETIRE WITHOUT PENSION OR GRATUITY, BUYING A FLAT OR TWO BY MONTHLY SAVINGS WOULD PROVIDE THEM WITH FOOD AND SHELTER FOR THEIR OLD AGE,* HE SAID.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE SOLUTION OF HOUSING PROBLEM FOR THE +NOT-SO-WELL-TO-DO+ WAS NOT A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE ANSWER WAS MORE PUBLIC HOUSING.
♦ THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF PROPERTY TAX AT THE STANDARD RATE ON ACTUAL RENT COLLECTED LESS 20 PER CENT OUTGOINGS WOULD PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS IN THE PUBLIC COFFERS TO SUBSIDISE MORE PUBLIC HOUSING SCHEMES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND,* HE SAID.
/ON HOUSING .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
- 27 -
ON HOUSING TRENDS, HE RECALLED THAT HE HAD POINTED OUT IN HIS SPEECH IN 1981 THAT THERE WOULD BE ABOUT ONE MILLION PERSONS ON THE WORKER-OWNER SIDE AND 1.2 MILLION ON THE WORKER-TENANT SIDE AND THE TREND APPEARED TO BE THAT THE NUMBER OF WORKER-OWNERS WOULD GRADUALLY INCREASE.
+THE RATIO IS NOW 1 TO 1.5 IN FAVOUR OF THE WORKER-OWNER + HE SAID.
ANOTHER INDICATOR WAS THAT MOST FLATS PURCHASED WERE WHOLLY OWNER OCCUPIED, HE ADDED, REFERRING TO FIGURES IN THE PROPERTY REVIEW 1986.
------- o--------
PROPOSED RENTAL ADJUSTMENTS +FAIR AND REASONABLE*
*****
RENTAL ADJUSTMENTS PROPOSED UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT CONSOLIDATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE, AND SHOULD NOT CAUSE ANY SOCIAL OR POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC DISRUPTION.
THIS WAS THE VIEW EXPRESSED BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WHEN SUPPORTING THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOPED THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL «OULD ENCOURAGE LANDLORDS EVEN FURTHER TO IMPROVE THE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS IN THEIR PREMISES.
MR CHEONG-LEEN OBSERVED THAT THE BILL SOUGHT TO FINELY BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF BOTH THE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS OF PREMISES WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED.
FOLLOWING THE PRINCIPLE OF GRADUAL DECONTROL, THE PERMITTED INCREASES PROPOSED IN THE BILL SHOULD BE FAIR AND REASONABLE, AND BY AND LARGE BE WITHIN THE CAPACITY OF THE TENANT TO PAY, HE SAID.
IN THE CASE OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES WHICH CAME UNDER PART I, IT WAS PROPOSED TO RAISE THE PERMITTED RENTS FROM 27 TO 30 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT, WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1, 1986.
MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED THAT SOME 2 200 PRE-WAR DOMESTIC UNITS WERE IN THIS CATEGORY, AND THE AVERAGE INCREASE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 11 PER CENT OR 5132 PER MONTH.
THE PART II GROUP COVERED POST-WAR PREMISES GIVING DUAL PROTECTION OF RENT CONTROL AND SECURITY OF TENURE TO ABOUT 105 333 TENANCIES OF WHOLLY-LET DOMESTIC UNITS PLUS A NUMBER OF SUB-TENANCIES.
HE NOTED THAT UNDER THE NEW PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FROM DECEMBER 19, 1986, THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT WOULD BE RAISED TO '60 PER CENT OF PREVAILING MARKET RENT, INSTEAD OF 55 PER CENT AS OF LAST YEAR.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT 26 000 TENANCIES OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 105 000 UNITS COULD BE AFFECTED, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
/28........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
28
THREE BILLS PASSED
*****
THRPP PILLS -- THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1Qfiz thF I ANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1936 THE COM^SlTY CHEST OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 - WERt PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR OTHER BILLS — BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, rfharII ITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986, BUILDING ORDINANCE (Ap£lIcX|!| ?O THE n!w TERRITORIES) BILL 1986 AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL 1986 — WERE READ A SECOND TIME AND DEbATc ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO JULY 9.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
REVISED SCHOOL FEES FROM SEPTEMBER * * * *
FEES FOR FORMS 4-7 IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS AND FOR TEACHER TRAINING AND ADULT EDUCATION COURSES OPERATED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE REVISED FROM SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INCREASES IN COST OF LIVING.
THE REVISION SEEKS TO RESTORE THE REAL VALUE OF THE CURRENT FEES WHICH HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE THE LAST FEE REVISION ANNOUNCED IN THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION.
TO AVOID ANY UNDUE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON PARENTS, THE FEE INCREASES WILL BE PHASED IN OVER THE NEXT FIVE SCHOOL YEARS, BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER.
FOR FORMS 4 AND 5, THE FEE PAYABLE IN TEN MONTHLY INSTALMENTS A YEAR WILL RISE BY 510 TO $70 A MONTH FROM SEPTEMBER. IT WILL RISE FURTHER TO $85 A MONTH IN THE SCHOOL YEAR COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER 1987.
FOR FORMS 6-7 AND FULL-TIME DAY COURSES AT THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE (HKTTC), FEES WILL INCREASE BY $15 A MONTH TO $95 WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER, AND RISE TO $115 FROM SEPTEMBER 1987.
INCREASES FOR THE THREE SUCCEEDING SCHOOL YEARS, 1988-89 TO -1990-91, WILL BE REVIEWED AND ANNOUNCED NEARER THE TIME, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT MORE UP-TO-DATE COST OF LIVING FIGURES.
THE REVISED STANDARD FEES WILL ALSO AFFECT FEE ASSISTANCE FOR FORMS 4-7 BOUGHT PLACES IN NON-PROFIT MAKING PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT GRANTS FOR ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND LINGNAN COLLEGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID NEEDY STUDENTS COULD CONTINUE TO SEEK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME. UNDER THE SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES REMISSION OF FEES UP TO 45 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FEE INCOME FROM FORMS 4-5 AND 50 PER CENT FROM FORMS 6-7. AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT MAY RECEIVE EITHER HALF, THREE QUARTERS, OR FULL FEE REMISSION.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF INTEREST-FREE LOANS AND MAINTENANCE GRANTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
Ax/Ujui1 ............
rt£.DiUbDAY, JULY 2, 1986
FOR ADULT EDUCATION COURSES OPERATED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THE FULL EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES AT JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL AND GENERAL BACKGROUND COURSES TO IMPROVE BASIC READING AND WRITING SKILLS OF ADULTS WILL REMAIN FREE.
FEES FOR FULL EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL WILL RISE FROM 331 TO 337 A MONTH FROM SEPTEMBER AND TO $45 FROM SEPTEMBER 1987.
FEE ADJUSTMENTS FOR OTHER ADULT EDUCATION COURSES AND SHORT COURSES OPERATED BY THE HKTTC IN THE NEXT TWO SCHOOL YEARS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
ADULT EDUCATION - ENGLISH COURSE
CURRENT FEE 1986-37 1987-88
PRIMARY LEVEL (PER ANNUM) 3109 3120 t 3140
SECONDARY LEVEL (PER ANNUM) 3150 3180 $220
GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION - ’O’ LEVEL (PER ANNUM) 3200 3240 $290
ADULT EDUCATION - GENERAL BACKGROUND COURSES
COOKERY 3135 3160 $190
PRACTICAL BACKGROUND (PER ANNUM) 3 70 $ 80 $100
EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE 3100 $120 $140
STUDIES
TEACHERS’ COURSE (PER ANNUM) 3210 $250 $300
ADULT EDUCATION - HOBBY AND COMPUTER COURSES
HOBBY COURSES FREE $ 70 3 80
MICRO-COMPUTER COURSES
(A) 'LONG EVENING COURSES FREE $280 $330
/(B) BHOHT........
wxDNhiiDAY, JULY 2, 1986
- 51 -
(R) SHORT EVENING COURSES FREE $ 70 $ 80
(C) SHORT DAY TIME COURSES FREE 3 70 $ 80
TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE - SHORT COURSES
BASIC COURSE IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES
(A) BLOCK RELEASE COURSE $100 $120 $140
(B) PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE $100 $120 $140
(C) PART-TIME EVENING COURSE $100 $120 $140
CERTIFICATE COURSE IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT $100 $120 $140
ONE YEAR EVENING COURSE FOR PART-TIME LECTURERS $175 $210 $250
BASIC TEACHING TECHNIQUES FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PART-TIME $100 $120 $140
LECTURERS
AS IN THE CASE OF FORMS 4-7, THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND HKTTC, FEE INCREASES FOR THE SUCCEEDING YEARS WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEARER THE TIME OF THE ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT NO CHANGES TO SCHOOL FEES IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OF EDUCATION HAD BEEN MADE SINCE THE LAST FEE REVISION ANNOUNCED IN 1978 BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WISHED TO AWAIT A DECISION ON THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF THE REVIEW BY THE OVERSEAS PANEL OF VISITORS AND SUBSEQUENTLY BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
+IT IS INTENDED THAT, FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE CURRENT ROUND OF INCREASES IN 1990-91, FEES WILL BE REVIEWED REGULARLY ON A BASIS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE LIGHT OF ADVICE FROM THE EDUCATION COMMISSION,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/52........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
52
DETAILS OF SCHOOL FEE REVISION
*****
FEES FOR FORMS 4-7 IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS AND FOR TEACHERS TRAINING AND ADULT EDUCATION COURSES OPERATED SY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, WILL CHAIR THE PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE THIRD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, AT 4 PM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE THE FEE REVISION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
_ _ _ _ (j---------
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR REPLACEMENT OF FLYOVER *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SIGNED A $60 MILLION
CONTRACT TO BUILD A REPLACEMENT FOR THE 20-YEAR-0LD PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER IN KOWLOON.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL TAKE JUST UNDER THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE, WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND THE DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER OF NISHIMATSU CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED, MR YUKITOSHI YANAGISAWA.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH STARTED LAST FRIDAY (JUNE 27), CALLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-LANE FLYOVER TO REPLACE THE EXISTING THREE-LANE ONE.
THE PRESENT FLYOVER WILL BE DEMOLISHED IN STAGES TO SUIT THE CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE OF THE NEW FLYOVER.
FOR TRAFFIC REASONS, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN TWO LANES OF THE EXISTING FLYOVER FOR USE BY SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES THROUGHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS REQUIREMENT HAD INCREASED THF COMPLEXITY IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FLYOVtR, BUT WOULD GREATLY MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO TRAFFIC.
/Tiio WUHK...........
if
WjiDIUSDAY , JULY 2, 1986
53
THE WORK ALSO INVOLVES CUTTING BACK THE SLOPE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE WATERLOO ROAD-ARGYLE STREET JUNCTION, IMPROVEMENT TO EXISTING GROUND LEVEL ROADS IN WATERLOO ROAD AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR JUNCTION WITH ARGYLE STREET, TOGETHER WITH THE DIVERSION OF UTILITY SERVICES.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE NEW FLYOVER WILL BE ABOUT 440 METRES LONG WITH A MINIMUM WIDTH OF 15.83 METRES WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PROVISION OF DUAL, TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAYS SEPARATED BY A CONCRETE CENTRAL BARRIER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTION WORK ON ROAD USERS, RESIDENTS OF NEARBY BUILDINGS AND CHILDREN ATTENDING NEARBY SCHOOLS HAD BEEN RECOGNISED WHEN PLANNING THE PROJECT.
♦NOISE WILL BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM DURING DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING FLYOVER AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE PILES NEEDED FOR THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE NEW ONE,+ HE SAID.
REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER KOWLOON, MR K.C. YEUNG, HAD WRITTEN TO OWNERS AND USERS OF PROPERTIES NEAR THE FLYOVER APPEALING FOR THEIR +TOLERANCE AND CO-OPERATION+ DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
IN HIS LETTER, MR YEUNG SAID: +1 WISH TO ASSURE YOU THAT EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION WORK ON YOUR PROPERTY, BUT I MUST ADVISE YOU THAT SOME TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND DISTURBANCE FROM CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES WILL BE INEVITABLE, GIVEN THE SCOPE AND INTRICACIES OF THE PROJECT.
♦ IN CONNECTION WITH THIS I WOULD LIKE TO ADVISE YOU THAT THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THE BUILDER TO USE MODERN AND SILENT TYPES CF MACHINERY AND METHODS, WHICH SHOULD REDUCE NOISE TO A MINIMUM.*
TO MINIMISE TRAFFIC DELAYS CAUSED BY THE PROJECT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED DIVERSIONS FOR VEHICLES HEADING NORTH FROM THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL TO WEST KOWLOON.
--------C _ _ _ _
RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS FOR APRIL OUT *****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN APRIL 1986, ESTIMATED AT <55 575 MILLION, WAS 3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN APRIL 1985, WHILE THEIR VOLUME WAS 1 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 4 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND VOLUME RESPECTIVELY.
wLDNisHDAY, JULY 2, 1986
CONSUMER DURABLES AND +OTHER CONSUMER GOODS+ RECORDED INCREASES OF 5 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VALUE BUT DECREASES OF 2 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VOLUME.
FUELS WENT DOWN BY 10 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT RECORDED A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS ANL OF DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED MODERATELY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE MODERATELY IN SALES VALUE BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES, OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, RECORDED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN SALES VALUE BUT A SLIGHT DROP IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD FEBRUARY-APRIL 1986 WITH THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT FELL BY 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT RECORDED ALMOST NO CHANGE IN VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE +OTHER CONSUMER GOODS* SHOWED DECREASES OF 1 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND VOLUME RESPECTIVELY. FUELS WENT DOWN BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED.
RETAIL SALES BY SUPERMARKETS SHOWED MODERATE INCREASES IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE MODERATELY IN SALES VALUE BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN SALES VOLUME.
BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME OF CONSUMER DURABLES, OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, SHOWED SLIGHT DECREASES, WHILE RETAIL SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES RECORDED A SLIGHT DROP IN VALUE AND A MODERATE FALL IN VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1986, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR APRIL 1986 FELL BY 2 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT IN VALUE AND VOLUME RESPECTIVELY. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT ROSE BY 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE OF +OTHER CONSUMER GOODS* DECREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
/CLOTHING, ......
WEDNj^DaY, JULY 2, 1986
CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT RECORDED ALMOST NO CHANGE IN SALES VOLUME. ON THE OTHER HAND, FUELS HAD A DECREASE OF 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT A NEGLIGIBLE CHANGE IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND A DECREASE OF 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE CONSIDERABLY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS. CONSUMER DURABLES, OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, SHOWED SLIGHT DECREASES IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME, WHILE RETAIL SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES AND OF SUPERMARKETS DECREASED MODERATELY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
TWO TABLES AND TWO GRAPHS WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK AND ALSO BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL SALES FIGURE FOR MARCH 1986 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR APRIL 1986.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES IN 1980 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF APRIL 1986 RESULTS WITH THOSE OF MARCH 1986 AND APRIL 1985 AND COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD FEBRUARY 1986-APRIL 1986 WITH THOSE IN THE SAME PERIOD 12-MONTH PREVIOUSLY ARE ALSO GIVEN.
GRAPHS 1 AND 2 DEPICT THE MOVEMENTS OF THE INDEXES OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES, INCLUDING THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED INDEXES AND TRENDS, FROM JANUARY 1983 TO MARCH 1986.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE APRIL 1986 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL: 3-7216024.
/TABLL 1 : .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
- ;56 -
TABU 1 > TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for April ’.986 for March 1986
(Provisional Figure) ■ KKS5 575 million
(Revised Figure) = HKS5 706 million
TABLE i
Value and volume indexes of retail sales
FOR MARCH AND APRIL 1986____________________
(Monthly average of 1980 » 100)
Item Index of Retail Sales March 1986 April 1986 April 1986 compared with March 1986 April 1986 compared with April 1985 Feb. 86 - Apr. 86 compared with Feb. 85 - Apr . 85
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points 1 A Points I % Points %
(A) FOR kETaIL TRADES
Value 168 16* . 4 - 2 ♦ 5 ♦ 3 • •
Volume 113 110 - 3 - 3 ♦ 1 ♦ 1 - 3 - 3
(B) BY MAJOR fiuu)£ GROUPS
Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco Value Volume 18* 119 185 120 ♦ 1 ♦ 1 • ♦ 1 ♦ 7 ♦ 5 ♦ 4 ♦ 5 * 1 • • •
Fuels Value 188 17* -13 - 7 -19 -10 - 8 - *
Volume 12* 12* - 1 • ♦ 1 ♦ 1 ♦ 1 ♦ 1
Clothing, footwear and allied products Value Volume 215 130 225 130 ♦ 10 • * 5 • ♦27 ♦ 8 ♦1* ♦ 6 ♦1* • ♦ 7 •
Consumer durables Value 1*9 152 ♦ 3 ♦ 2 ♦ 8 ♦ 5 ♦ 2 ♦ 1
Volume 105 104 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - * - *
Other consumer goods Value 158 1*7 -11 - 7 ♦ 3 ♦ 2 - 2 - 1
Volume 109 101 - 8 - 7 - 1 - 5 - 5
(G) BY ucL^vTED TRADES
Supermarkets Value 33* 309 -25 - 7 ♦21 ♦ 7 ♦29 ♦ 9
Volume 200 185 -15 - 8 ♦ 11 ♦ 6 ♦1* ♦ 7
Motor vehicles and parts Value 86 98 ♦ 12 ♦1* ♦ 9 ♦10 ♦ 6 ♦ 7
Volume *6 51 ♦ 6 ♦ 12 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 3
Consumer durables other than motor vehicles and parts Value Volume 192 1*6 189 1*0 - 3 - 6 - 2 . * ♦ 7 - 2 ♦ * - 2 - 1 - 6 - 1 - *
Department stores Value 155 1*7 - 8 - 5 ♦ 11 ♦ 8 1 - 6 - *
Volume 107 101 - 6 - 6 ♦ 5 ♦ 5 - 8 - 7
' Notes :
1. "Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco" includes "supermarkets".
2. "Consumer durables" includes "motor vehicles and parts".
J. "Other consumer goods" includes "department stores".
*• Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
5. * denotes change of Issa than O.5.
/Graph 1: ......
57 > uuL‘Y^2, '1^86
Graph 1: Value Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Va’ 3 index Value index
Graph 2: Volume Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Volume index Volume index
Notes (i) Monthy average of 1980 = 100
(2) The seasonally adjusted value and volume indexes and Henderson trends are compiled using theX-11 variant seasonal adjustment program of the U S Bureau of the Census
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
38
CENTRE TO TRAIN PRECISION TOOL MAKERS SET UP * * * *
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS SET UP A S27 ■N.I LL J ON PRECISION TOOLING TRAINING CENTRE AT KOWLOON BAY TO ENSURE THERE WERE SUFFICIENT WELL-TRAINED PERSONNEL AVAILABLE TO OPERATE SOPHISTICATED MACHINE TOOLS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PRECISION METAL AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO MARK THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTRE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL, MR MORRIS MORGAN, SAID INDUSTRIALISTS WERE BEGINNING TO INVEST IN SOPHISTICATED MACHINE TOOLS, SUCH AS THE COMPUTER NUMERICALLY CONTROLLED (CNC) MACHINES, AND WERE REAPING THE BENEFITS OF FASTER OUTPUT, LOWER MANNING LEVELS, AND HIGHER AND MORE CONSISTENT QUALITY STANDARDS.
+TO ENSURE THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES AND OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES REMAIN COMPETITIVE, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO UPGRADE EXISTING TOOLING WORKERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF CNC MACH IN ING.+
MR MORGAN SAID THE CENTRE, wHICH WOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH ABOUT 80 MACHINES INCLUDING SOME OF THE LATEST CNC MACHINES, WOULD PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG WORKERS TO OBTAIN A SKILL LEVEL COMPARABLE WITH THOSE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
A BRITISH-MADE BRIDGEPORT CNC MACHINING CENTRE WAS RECENTLY INSTALLED IN THE PRECISION TOOLING TRAINING CENTRE. IT WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR REG HOLLOWAY, SAID THAT THE CENTRE NOT ONLY SHAPED METAL, IT ALSO SHAPED AND IMPROVED THE SKILLS OF ENGINEERS WHO WERE NEEDED TO SUSTAIN MODERN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION.
♦MACHINE TOOLS ARE AN IMPORTANT UK EXPORT AND BRIDGEPORT HAS 75 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PRODUCING FINE MACHINE TOOLS,+ HE SAID.
HE CONGRATULATED THE COUNCIL ON THE EXTRAORDINARY ROLE IT WAS PLAYING IN PROVIDING SKILL WORKERS WHICH HONG KONG INDUSTRY NEEDED.
HE ECHOED THE VIEWS OF THE BRITISH SECRETARY OF EMPLOYMENT, LORD YOUNG, WHO SAID THAT THE COUNCIL’S TRAINING CENTRES WERE THE BEST THAT HE HAD SEEN.
THE CENTRE WILL OFFER FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES FOR 1)30 TRAINEES COVERING THE COMPLETE RANGE OF PRECISION TOOLING ENGINEERING EARLY NEXT YEAR.
SHORT MODULAR COURSES OF FOUR-WEEK DURATION wILL BE AVAILABLE FROM SEPTEMBER FOR THOSE WANTING TO UPDATE OR UPGRADE THEIR SKILLS IN A SPECIFIC ASPECT OF TOOLING MAKING.
----0----
/39...
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
- 39 -
RENT POLICY CONSULTATION
* *
PROPOSALS TO BE DISCUSSED * * *
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF
_ THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON FRIDAY (JULY 4) TO DISCUSS THE RENT POLICY CONSULTATION PROCEDURES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO EXPLAIN THE PRESENT POLICY AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE REPLENISHMENT OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR SQUATTER AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA; RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MISSION HILL; WATER ACCUMULATION ON CARRIAGEWAYS CAUSED BY BLOCKAGE OF DRAINS; AND STREET LIGHTS IN SQUATTER AREAS.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.15 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 39 TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON.
OF
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING ON FRIDAY.
- - - - O
MONG KOK DB TO DISCUSS MEDICAL REPORT
*****
THE REPORT ON THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE BOARD WILL LOOK AT VARIOUS OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS IN THE REPORT, INCLUDING OVERCROWDING AND THE IMBALANCE OF STAFF BENEFITS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE LEVEL OF FUTURE GOVERNMENT FUNDING, THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF RESOURCES, AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF HIGHER CLASS ACCOMMODATION IN HOSPITALS.
/THE HEr-CRT ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
40
THE REPORT ON LAWS IN CHINESE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
IN ADDITION. THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER A JOINT LANDSCAPE PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND MONG KOK ROAD TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND REDUCE TRAFFIC ACC IDENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
--------0-----------
RAFFLE DRAW FOR HOSPITAL PROJECT * * * * *
A RAFFLE DRAW FOR THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL FUND-RAISING PROJECT WILL 3E HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
TWENTY-FIVE PRIZES, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF ^1^0 □□□, WILL BE DRAWN, INCLUDING A $80 000 SALOON CAR, JEWELLERY, A COMPUTER SET, A WASHING MACHINE AND A SHARK’S FIN BANQUET.
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR KEVIN MAK, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE DRAW.
THE FUNCTION IS PART OF THE YEAR-LONG FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE HOSPITAL CO-ORDINATED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD. A TOTAL OF l.B MILLION TICKETS WERE OFFERED FOR SALE TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR THE $730 MILLION EXTENSION PROJECT OF THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL EXTENSION FUND-RAISING RAFFLE DRAW TO BE HELD TOMORROW AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
0
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
41
PLANTING STARTS TSUEN WAN YOUTH PROGRAMME
*****
ABOUT 500 STUDENTS IN TSUEN WAN WILL TAKE PART IN A SEED PLANTING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT EXERCISE AT THE TAI MO SHAN ROTARY PARK ON JULY 12 TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE 1986 TSUEN WAN
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
AS PART OF THE DAY’S PROGRAMME, A CARNIVAL WITH STALL GAMES, FLOWER EXHIBITION AND MURAL PAINTING BY STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE HELD IN THE AFTERNOON AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
SOME 200 ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CAMPING, EXCURSIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS WILL BE HELD UNTIL EARLY SEPTEMBER.
BESIDES SUPPORTING THE CENTRAL THEME OF +CARE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, GET TO KNOW IT BETTER*, ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO GEAR TO THE DISTRICT’S OBJECTIVES OF TRANSFORMING TSUEN WAN INTO A FLORID CITY AND NURTURING THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 1986 TSUEN WAN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ORGANISING COMMITTEE, DR FRANK CHEUNG, AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ANGUS MIU, WILL MEET THE MEDIA TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME ON FRIDAY (JULY 4) AT 12.15 PM AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
CONTAINER PARKING SITE TO LET
*****
A PARKING AREA FOR CONTAINER TRACTORS AND UNLOADED TRAILERS IN KWAI CHUNG IS BEING LET BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TO EASE PARKING PROBLEMS IN THE AREA.
THE SITE, MEASURING 1.08 HECTARES, IS SITUATED AT HING FONG ROAD OPPOSITE THE KWAI FONG MTR STATION.
THE INITIAL TENANCY FOR THE SITE IS SIX MONTHS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON JULY 18.
0
/*2
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
42
DEMONSTRATION OF NEW HERBICIDE
* * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY EXPERIMENTED WITH A NEW HERBICIDE FOR SAFER AND MORE EFFECTIVE 'WEED CONTROL FOR VEGETABLE CULTIVATION.
A FIELD DEMONSTRATION WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR FARMERS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 10.30 AM AT THE DEPARTMENT’S TAI LUNG EXPERIMENTAL FARM. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BRIEFING BY HORTICULTURIST MR K.Y. HO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIELD DEMONSTRATION AND THE BRIEFING. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON BY 9.30 AM.
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS SET UP
*****
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF KING’S ROAD LINKING SAI WAN TERRACE AND HOUSE NO. 1094 IN KING’S ROAD, WILL BE MADE A PEAK HOUR (7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 4).
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 5), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF BELCHER’S STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SANDS STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL ALSO BE MADE A PEAK-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS.
--------0----------
/4J .......
rf-EDHEbDAY, JULY 2, 1986
- *3 -
KING’S ROAD CLOSURE FOR FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION *****
THE SECTION OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH PAN HOI STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY (JULY 5) TO 7 AM THE NEXT MORNING TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED:
* EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON KING’S ROAD OR JAVA ROAD HEADING FOR QUARRY BAY OR AREAS BEYOND WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR NEAR HEALTHY STREET WEST, ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, TAI KOO WAN ROAD, TAI WING AVENUE AND TAI KOO SHING ROAD BEFORE REJOINING SHAU KEI WAN ROAD OR KING’S ROAD.
* WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON KING’S ROAD HEADING FOR NORTH POINT AND AREAS BEYOND WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA WESTLANDS ROAD, TAI KOO SHING ROAD, TAI YUE AVENUE, TAI KOO WAN ROAD, ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO KING’S ROAD NEAR HEALTHY STREET WEST.
* TRAM SERVICES BETWEEN NORTH POINT AND SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED AND ALL EASTBOUND TRAMS SCHEDULED TO SHAU KEI WAN WILL TERMINATE AT NORTH POINT.
--------0-----------
FORUM ON PLANNED COMMUNITY THERAPEUTIC CENTRE
*****
AN CENTRAL EVEN ING
OPEN FORUM ON THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY THERAPEUTIC CENTRE IN AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE KENNEDY TOWN KAI FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION.
THE FORUM HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, ASSISTED BY THE KENNEDY TOWN AND MOUNT DAVIS AREA COMMITTEE.
GUESTS SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (HONG KONG) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR KWOK NAI-SIK;
DISTRICT SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (CENTRAL, WESTERN AND ISLANDS), M? KAM YING-TONG; EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, DR MAK Kl-YAN; AND GENERAL SECRETARY OF NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION, MRS DEBORAH CHAN.
/Tiix ojlNIOR......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986
44
THE SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, UNIVERSITY CF HONG KONG, DR NELSON CHOW, HAS BEEN INVITED TO ACT AS MODERATOR.
RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE FORUM, WHICH WILL START
AT 8 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPEN FORUM TO BE AT 8 PM TOMORROW AT THE KENNEDY TOWN KAI FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, 14A BELCHER’S STREET, KENNEDY TOWN.
_ _ _ _ c - ------------
CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE IORTm
„ 4 * * *.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES BETWEEN 8 AM AND 8 PM ON JULY 5 (SATURDAY) AND ON JULY 26 (SATURDAY).
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1984 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SURVEY RESULTS OUT .... 1
UhELCO PANEL TO MELT NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY TEAM .. 5
EPD CHIEF INSPECTS KWUN TONG FACTORIES ........... 5
COMMISSION AtPOINTMENT ........................... 6
TWO MARKETS BEING aIR CONDITIONED ................ 6
hung hom reclamation to start..................... 7
SPECIAL STAMPS TO MARK xAPU '86 .................. 7
FARMERS SHOWN NEW HERBICIDE FOR WEED CONTROL ..... 8
FIRST BANGKOK CITY FINANCE LTD WINDING UP......... 9
NEL NUMBER FOR METER COMPLAINTS................... 10
COUNCIL AWARDS ^435 000 IN ARTISTIC GRANTS ....... 11
FREE SHO'.. FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ............... 12
INMATES FORM SCOUT GROUP.......................... 12
ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR FOLK SINGING CONTEST .......... 13
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE DEMOLISHED .............. 13
COURSE wORK, TEACHING RESOURCES ON DISPLAY ....... 14
JACKSON ROAD RE-ROUTED ........................ 14
BRIDGE CLOSED FOR MONITORING ..................... 15
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
1
1984 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SURVEY RESULTS OUT *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED SUMMARY STATISTICS FROM THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION COVERING THE REFERENCE YEAR 1984. FIELD WORK FOR THIS SURVEY WAS UNDERTAKEN BETWEEN MAY 1985 AND MARCH 1986.
THE SURVEY ESSENTIALLY COVERED THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. BUT, IN ADDITION, IT INCLUDED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING AND IN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
IN 1984, THE VALUE OF GROSS OUTPUT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $189 612 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 18 PER CENT OVER 1983.
THE EXPENSES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1984 INCLUDED $124 644 MILLION FOR THE PURCHASES OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES: $32 930 MILLION FOR COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEESAND $17 083 MILLION FOR OTHER EXPENSES. THE GROSS SURPLUS OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO $17 402 MILLION.
THE VALUE ADDED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN 1984 WAS $52 741 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 20 PER CENT OVER 1983. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE NET OUTPUT OF THE SECTOR AND IS USED TO REFLECT ITS CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
RANKED ACCORDING TO THEIR VALUE ADDED, THE TOP FIVE INDUSTRY GROUPS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WERE WEARING APPAREL ($13 171 MILLION OR.25 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR)5 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ($8 912 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT)5 METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ($8 325 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT) TEXTILES ($7 294 MILLION OR' 14 PER CENT): AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS ($4 809 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT).
TABLE A, SHOWS THE BASIC STATISTICS OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ANALYSED BY INDUSTRY GROUP.
AS REGARDS THE LOCATION OF INDUSTRIES, NEW KOWLOON STOOD OUT AS THE MOST IMPORTANT MANUFACTURING DISTRICT, FOLLOWED BY THE TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT.
/ESTABLISHMENTS ......
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
2
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE LOCATIONS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 65 PER CENT AND 66 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE GROSS OUTPUT AND VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. TABLE B GIVES THE DETAILS.
ABOUT 77 PER CENT OF THE GROSS OUTPUT AND 74 PER CENT OF THE VALUE ADDED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WERE GENERATED BY LIMITED COMPANIES. IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS, HOWEVER, NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WERE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIPS WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 15 PER CENT OF THE GROSS OUTPUT AND 17 PER CENT OF VALUE ADDED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. THE REST OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR CONSISTED OF PARTNERSHIP UNDERTAKINGS. DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE C.
THE NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING LESS THAN 10 PERSONS AMOUNTED TO 33 294 OR 67 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL. HOWEVER,
THEY ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 7 PER CENT OF THE GROSS OUTPUT AND 9 PER
CENT OF THE VALUE ADDED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. IN CONTRAST, ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 100 OR MORE PERSONS, WHICH AMOUNTED TO ONLY 1 633 OR ABOUT 3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, CONTRIBUTED OVER HALF OF THE
SECTOR’S GROSS OUTPUT AND VALUE ADDED. DETAILS ARE PROVIDED IN
TABLE D.
THE 1984 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF UPDATING THE ESTIMATES OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND ASCERTAINING THE OPERATING CHARACTER I STICS OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FROM THE 1984 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FORTHCOMING JUNE 1986 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE 1984 SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN THE SURVEY REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED NEAR THE END OF JULY.
IN THE MEANTIME, ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 3-7213578).
/bummary
3
THURSDAY, JULY 3, '1986
Summary results of the 1984 Survey ot Industrial Production
Table A Analysis by manufacturing industry group
Industry Jroup Number of establishments Compensation of employees (s Purchases of materials, supplies and industrial services (1 bn) Gross output (5 Mn) National accounts value added ($ Nn)
rood, beverages ic tobacco 954 (-6.5) 1,039 (16.3) 5,075 (18.2) 8 ,021 (17.7) 2,181 (2C.2)
Text iles(including knitting) 4 879 (8.J) <*,179 (10.7) 19,818 (3.D 29,076 (9.3) 7,294 (13.8)
Wearing apparel, except knitwear & footwear 10 323 (6.7) 9,874 (20.1) 25,508 (21.5) 41,309 (21.4) 13,171 (18.3)
Leather, wood & cork products 3 564 (11.4) 1,013 (27.0) 2,885 (12.6) 4-,590 (14.8) 1,356 (23.5)
Paper products, printing & publishing 5 225 (1C.9) 1,811 (19.5) 5,776 (28.2) 9,742 (26.5) 3,158 (22.2)
Chemicals, rubber & non-cetallic mineral products 1 547 (22.8) 751 (11.9) 4,105 (-1.1) 6,1^6 (3.M 1,532 (13.7)
Plastic products 4 985 (11.6) 2,967 (3^.1) *0,A01 (52.0) (5C.0) 4,809 (47.9)
Basic metals, fabricated r.etal products, machinery Sc equipment 12 386 (5.7) 5.380 (6.3) 20,105 (-C.4) 30,193 (2.8) 8,325 (9.2)
Electrical & electronic products 2 373 (11.8) 4,670 (21.8) 24,958 (20.7) 35,815 (23-6) 8,912 (23-0)
Cther manufacturing industries 3 296 (4.5) 1,241 ■ (16.4) 5,512 (43.4) 7,855 (35.D 2,004 (23-0)
Total 50 033 (3.0) 32,930 (17.4) 124,644 (15.8) 189,612 (18.1) 52,741 (19.5)
Notes: (1) For this table and all subsequent tables, individual entries may not add up exactly to the respective totals due to rounding.
(2) Figures in brackets represent percentage changes of 198^ over 1983.
/TABLE B
District - 4 - Iab 1 e B Analysis by geograp^ THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986 tic location
Number- of establishments Compensatfor of employees ($ Mn) Purchases of materials, supplies and industrial services (S to) Gross output ($ Mn) National-accounts value added (8 to)
Hong Kong Island 7 081 4,338 19,730 28,844 7,465
Kowloon 8 386 3,923 12,563 19,656 5,749
New Kowloon 17 453 13,906 48,050 73,723 21,133
Tsuen .van, Kwai Chung, 11 330 8,007 33,226 50,362 13,653
Tsing Yi Pest of N.T, 5 78j 2,756 11,074 17,026 4,741
Total 50 033 32,930 124,644 189,612 52,741
Table C Analysis by type of ownership Purchases of materials, supplies and Number of Compensation industrial Gross National accounts value
establish- of employees services output (i Ln) aduea
y pe o: o ■< ne r sh ip cents (S to) Mn) (5 Mn)
Limited company 8 328 23 ,566 97,140 145,485 39,147
Sole proprietorship 32 829 6,123 18,132 26,947 8,891
partnership 8 876 3,240 9,372 15,179 4,703
Total 5C C55 32 ,930 124 ,644 189,612 52,741
Table D Analy Number of sis by employment size ranges Purchases of , materials, supplies and Compensation industrial Gross National accounts value
Number of establish- of employees Mn) services output added
persons engaged 1 - 9 meats (5 Mn) ($ to) ($ Mn)__
33 294 2,739 7,910 13,752 4,629
10 - 19 7 177 3,005 9,530 14 ,726 4,262
20-49 5 657 6,034 21 ,958 32,519 8 ,562
50 - 99 2 271 5,434 20,684 30,733 8 ,180
ICO - 199 1 C47 5,101 20 p&3 3C ,276 7 ,791
2CC - 499 432 4,876 21 ,602 31,815 8,281
5C0 - 999 106 2,646 1C ,61c 16 ,809 5,064
1 OCC & over 48 3 ,095 1A ,767 18 ,9o2 5,972
Total 50 C35 52,95c 124,6**4 10/, 612 52,741
— — - - 0 — /5
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
5
UMELCO PANEL TO MEET NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY TEAM *****
A MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BETWEEN UMELCO’S STANDING PANEL ON PUBLIC UTILITIES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY (GNPJVC) ON SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE DAYA BAY POWER PLANT.
ATTENDING FROM THE GNPJVC WILL BE MR P.A. LITTLEWOOD. PLANNING AND CONTRACTS MANAGER, MR H. MACHENAUD, TECHNICAL MANAGER, AND MR P. AMORAVAIN, ENGINEERING MANAGER.
A MEDIA FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED ON THIS OCCASION TO ENABLE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE NEWS MEDIA TO OBSERVE THE MEETING AND LISTEN TO THE DISCUSSIONS.
AS THIS IS A FORMAL PANEL MEETING, ONLY MEMBERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE DISCUSSIONS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE MEETING ARE REMINDED TO BRING ALONG THEIR PRESS IDENTIFICATION CARDS ISSUED BY THEIR ORGANISATIONS. THESE MUST BE PRODUCED FOR ENTRY TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING.
THEY ARE ALSO ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO AS TO ALLOW AMPLE TIME FOR ADMISSION PROCEDURES TO BE COMPLETED AND FOR SETTING UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
STAFF FROM THE UMELCO INFORMATION UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - O’ - -
EPD CHIEF INSPECTS KWUN TONG FACTORIES *****
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON JOINED THE EMISSION SURVEILLANCE SECTION OF THE AIR CONTROL GROUP OF HIS DEPARTMENT ON ONE OF THEIR FACTORY INVESTIGATION VISITS COVERING A NUMBER OF SMALL FACTORIES IN THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA.
THE FACTORIES VISITED HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AIR POLLUTION COMPLAINTS AND INCLUDED A PICTURE LAMINATING FACTORY, A LEATHERCURING FACTORY AND A DECORATION WORKS FACTORY.
DURING THE FACT-FINDING VISIT, DR REED WAS BRIEFED BY FACTORY MANAGEMENT ON THE PROCESSES OF THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.
/ALTHOUGH THE
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1986
6
ALTHOUGH iHE AMOUNT OF AIR POLLUTANTS EMITTED FROM THESE SMALL-SCALE FACTORIES IS NOT GREAT, THEIR EMISSIONS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS NUISANCE TO IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOURS IF NOT PROPERLY CONTROLLED.
WHILE OPERATORS GENERALLY LACK TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE ON THE CONTROL OF EMISSIONS, DR REED WAS GLAD TO FIND THAT THE FACTORY OWNERS HAD READILY ADOPTED CONTROL MEASURES UPON HIS STAFF’S ADVICE.
THE EMISSION SURVEILLANCE SECTION IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ENFORCES THE PROVISIONS OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS BY PERFORMING SURVEILLANCE DUTY AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL ADVICE TO POLLUTING PROCESSES AND PLANTS.
THE WORK OF THE SECTION COVERS ALSO THE INVESTIGATION OF AIR POLLUTION COMPLAINTS, THE INSPECTION AND SURVEY OF FUEL BURNING AND OTHER POTENTIALLY POLLUTING PROCESSES AND PLANTS AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ADVICE TO MANAGEMENT ON THE ABATEMENT OF AIR POLLUTION NUISANCES.
-------0---------
COMMISSION APPOINTMENT * * *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR POON CHI-FA I TO BE A MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1986.
MR POON IS AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND IS ALSO THE SENIOR OPERATION OFFICER OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND A MEMBER OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD.
--------0-----------
TWO MARKETS BEING AIR CONDITIONED *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING MORE THAN $8 MILLION TO AIR CONDITION TWO URBAN COUNCIL MARKET COMPLEXES NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT SHU I WO STREET, KWUN TONG, AND AT THE JUNCTION OF MOUNT PARKER STREET AND QUARRY BAY STREET, QUARRY BAY.
CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR INSTALLATION OF AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM.
/THE OONTRACT
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1986
THE CONTRACT FOR THE QUARRY BAY COMPLEX INVOLVES S3.58 MILLION AND THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO LAST 12 MONTHS.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE EIGHT-STOREY BUILDING WILL INCLUDE A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, A MARKET, COOKED FOOD STALLS, AN OFFICE, LIBRARY, STUDY ROOM, GAMES ROOMS, SQUASH COURTS AND A MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL. WORK ON THE COMPLEX STARTED LAST SEPTEMBER AND WILL BE FINISHED BY LATE NEXT YEAR.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE SHU I WO STREET COMPLEX INVOLVES 34.76 MILLION AND THE WORK IS ALSO EXPECTED TO LAST A YEAR. THE MARKET WILL OPEN IN MID-1987.
FACILITIES IN THE NINE-STOREY BUILDING WILL INCLUDE MARKET STALLS, COOKED FOOD STALLS, A LIBRARY AND STUDY ROOMS, A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS HALL, SQUASH COURTS, A GAMES ROOM AND OFFICES.
--------0-----------
HUNG HOM RECLAMATION TO START * * * * *
WORK ON THE FIRST PHASE OF RECLAIMING HUNG HOM BAY - INVOLVING 20.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED NEAR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RA'lLWAY TERMINAL BUILDING IS TO START NEXT WEEK.
THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED TO EXPAND THE RAILWAY’S KOWLOON GOODS YARD.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A «14.8 MILLION CONTRACT TO VIANINI LAVORI TO PROVIDE BARGES AND TO DELIVER FILL MATERIAL TO THE RECLAMATION SITE.
THE RECLAMATION SITE.
-------0----------
SPECIAL STAMPS TO MARK EXPO ’86
*****
FURTHER DETAILS OF SPECIAL STAMPS TO COMMEMORATE PARTICIPATION IN EXPO ’86 IN VANCOUVER WERE ANNOUNCED OFFICE TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE. SET OF FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS WILL BE ISSUED ON IS +HONG KONG DAY+ AT EXPO.
HONG KONG’S BY THE POST
JULY 18, WHICH
/THE VARIOUS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
8
THE VARIOUS THEMES FEATURED AT THE PAVILION ARE DEPICTED ON THE STAMPS, WHICH ARE DESIGNED BY AGAY NG.
THE NEW STAMPS ARE:
* TRANSPORT - 50 CENTS - AN MTR TRAIN IS DEPICTED.
* FINANCE - $1.30 - THE CENTRAL BANKING AREA IS FEATURED.
X TRADE - $1.70 - THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL IS DEPICTED ON THIS STAMP TO PROJECT THE BUSY IMPORT AND EXPORT OF HONG KONG.
* COMMUNICATION - $5 - A DISH ANTENNA AT THE SATELLITE EARTH STATION IS SHOWN.
THE STAMPS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT LEVEL 2 OF OCEAN TERMINAL THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AND AT THE PHILATELIC CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE FROM MONDAY (JULY 7).
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 50 CENTS
EACH WILL BE ON SALE
ALL POST OFFICES TOMORROW (JULY 4). ADVANCE TREATMENT OF FIRST COVERS, AT A MINIMUM OF FIVE PER ORDER, WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM JULY 4 TO 11 AT ALL POST OFFICES. THE SERVICE WILL HELP AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
AT DAY
FARMERS SHOWN NEW HERBICIDE FOR WEED CONTROL
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FI SHER IES-DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) INTRODUCED TO FARMERS A NEW HERBICIDE WHICH HAS BEEN PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN PRE-EMERGENT WEED CONTROL IN VEGETABLE CULTIVATION.
KNOWN AS +NAPROPAMIDE+, THE WEED CONTROL AGENT HAS BEEN SHOWN BY TESTS TO BE VERY SUITABLE FOR USE UNDER LOCAL CONDITIONS.
THE CHEMICAL IS KNOWN FOR ITS CONTINUING EFFECT AND ITS WIDE SPECTRUM IN CONTROLLING MANY MAJOR WEEDS. WHEN APPLIED TO THE SOIL SURFACE, IT BREAKS DOWN UNDER SUNNY WEATHER IN ABOUT 30 DAYS. ITS CHARACTERISTICS THEREFORE FIT IN VERY WELL WITH THE SHORT-TERM CROPPING PATTERN PRACTISED LOCALLY.
THE USE OF NAPROPAMIDE DOES NOT LEAD TO ANY HARMFUL RESIDUAL EFFECT ON SUCCEEDING CROPS.
/THE USE
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1986
THE USE OF THIS NEW HERBICIDE WAS ILLUSTRATED TO FARMERS AT A FIELD DEMONSTRATION CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S HORTICULTURIST, MR K.Y. HO, AT THE TAI LUNG EXPERIMENTAL FARM.
MR HO SAID THE CHEMICAL DOES NOT LEACH READILY, EVEN AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
+NAPROPAMIDE CAN BE APPLIED BY SPRAYING ON TO THE SOIL SURFACE AFTER SEED-SOWING OR JUST BEFORE CROP TRANSPLANTING.
+AFTER APPLICATION, IT IMMEDIATELY WORKS ON THE WEEDS TO RETARD THEIR GROWTH. COMPARED WITH OTHER HERBICIDES BEING USED BY FARMERS, IT IS THE LEAST LIKELY TO CAUSE PHYTO-TOXIC ITY IN CROP PLANTS,+ HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING SCREENING EXPERIMENTS AND FIELD EVALUATIONS ON EFFECTIVE WEED CONTROL MEASURES. FOLLOWING A SERIES OF TESTS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, NAPROPAMIDE WAS SELECTED FROM AMONG A GROUP OF THREE FOR ITS ECONOMY AND SAFETY.
FARMERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO USE HERBICIDES TO CLEAR WEEDS FROM THEIR FIELDS. +SUCH PRACTICE IS MORE EFFECTIVE AND MUCH SAFER THAN BURNING OFF,+ MR HO EMPHASISED.
--------0----------
FIRST BANGKOK CITY FINANCE LTD WINDING UP
*****
FIRST ON JULY 1, COMPANY.
CITY FINANCE LIMITED CLOSED ITS DOORS FOR BUSINESS THERE IS NOBODY LEFT IN HONG KONG TO MANAGE THE
BANGKOK 1986.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD APPOINTED MR Y.K. CHOI TO INSPECT THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY UNDER SECTION 38(2) OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
ON RECEIPT OF HIS REPORT AND AS A MEASURE TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS OF THE COMPANY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS PETITIONED TO THE HIGH COURT FOR THE WINDING UP OF THE FIRST BANGKOK CITY FINANCE LIMITED.
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WAS APPOINTED AS THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR ON JULY 2. PETITION FOR THE WINDING UP OF FIRST BANGKOK CITY FINANCE LIMITED WILL BE HEARD IN AUGUST 1986.
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE POSITION OF FIRST BANGKOK CITY FINANCE LIMITED SHOULD BE MADE TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT THE 11TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, CENTRAL, TEL: 5-8622448.
/1O........
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
10
NEW NUMBER FOR METER COMPLAINTS
*****
CAR OWNERS REPORTING DEFECTIVE PARKING METERS TO THE METER COMPLAINTS UNIT OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD DIAL 5-298611 FROM SATURDAY (JULY 5) IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE PROBLEM METER IS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON OR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THE METER COMPLAINTS UNIT IS ONE OF THE MANY DIVISIONAL OFFICES CF THE DEPARTMENT MOVING TO NEW PREMISES ON THE 27TH TO 29TH FLOORS OF THE HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES (QGO) THIS WEEKEND. THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, CURRENTLY LOCATED IN GUARDIAN HOUSE, WAN CHAI, IS ALSO ON THE MOVE.
+IN VIEW OF THE MOVE, THE 24-HOUR TRANSPORT ENQUIRIES HOTLINE 5-8933111 WILL CEASE TO OPERATE FROM SATURDAY (JULY 5) MORNING AND THE NEW HOTLINE 5-200933 WILL BE TAKING RECORDED MESSAGES FROM THE SAME AFTERNOON,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE TRANSPORT OPERATIONS (HONG KONG) DIVISION WILL NOT ISSUE CLOSED ROAD PERMITS ON LANTAU AND OTHER KINDS OF PERMITS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON SATURDAY. HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO GO TO THE DIVISION’S NEW OFFICE ON THE 29TH FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK, QGO ON MONDAY (JULY 7).
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF VARIOUS OFFICES ARE LISTED BELON:
OFFICE HEADQUARTERS INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION TRANSPORT OPERATION (HK) DIVISION METER COMPLAINTS UNIT STUDENT TRAVEL OFFICE 0 TEL NUMBERS 5-8623218 5-8623201 5-8623248 5-8623368 5-298611 5-8623253 /11
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
11
COUNCIL AWARDS $435 OOO IN ARTISTIC GRANTS *****
ELEVEN LOCAL PERFORMING GROUPS AND ONE PERFORMING ARTIST HAVE RECEIVED PROJECT GRANTS TOTALLING $435 000 UNDER THE GRANT APPLICATION SCHEME (GAS) 1986 OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA).
THE MAJORITY OF THE GRANTS WILL HELP COVER THE COSTS OF PERFORMANCES WHICH WILL BE STAGED LATER THIS YEAR.
RECIPIENTS OF PROJECT GRANT AWARDS UNDER THE GAS 1986 INCLUDE THE HAN HSIAO DANCE COMPANY AND THE HARMONIOUS DANCE TROUPE, THE INNOVATIVE DANCE-THEATRE GROUP ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON, AND FOUR DRAMA ORGANISATIONS - HONG KONG CHING WAN DRAMA ASSOCIATION, ACTOR, SEALS PLAYERS’ FOUNDATION AND AMITY DRAMA CLUB.
IN MUSIC, THE HONG KONG COMPOSERS’ GUILD AND THE HONG KONG SILVER JUBILEE SINGERS HAVE RECEIVED PROJECT GRANTS, AS HAS THE ARTLAND, A CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE.
AN INDIVIDUAL GRANT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO PHILLIP FOK, A MIME ARTIST. TO ENABLE HIM TO PRESENT A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES AT THE FRINGE CLUB LATER THIS YEAR. THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE ITSELF HAS RECEIVED A PROJECT GRANT TO ASSIST IT IN MOUNTING THE FRSTIVAL FRINGE ’87.
FURTHER APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECT GRANTS, INDIVIDUAL GRANTS AND CAPITAL GRANTS (THE LATTER BEING GRANTS WHICH ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST IN THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT ESSENTIAL TO PERFORMANCE) UNDER THE GAS 1986 ARE INVITED BY THE CFPA. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JULY 31.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THE-GAS, AS WELL AS GRANT APPLICATION FORMS, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, TENTH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES MAY ALSO BE MADE TO THE CFPA SECRETARIAT ON 5-735878, 5-735569 OR 5-735045.
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THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
12
FREE SHOW FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS
*****
MONG KOK RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO AN ENTERTAINING AND EXCITING VARIETY SHOW AT THE MACPHERSON INDOOR STADIUM ON JULY 12.
THE EVENT, TO BE STAGED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE PROGRAMME WHICH IS TO LAST UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
A WIDE RANGE OF PERFORMANCES WILL BE PRESENTED BY POPULAR SINGER, ALBERT AU; THE BMX BICYCLE FREE STYLE TEAM ; THE BRASS BAND OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHIU CHOW SCHOOL’ THE HONG KONG CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION; THE HONG KONG JUDO KAN AND A CHINESE FOLK DANCE GROUP.
ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FREE AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TAI KOK TSUI BRANCH OFFICE.
THIS YEAR ABOUT 90 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS TO OFFER HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL RECREATION TO MORE THAN 80 000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
A PAMPHLET LISTING DETAILED INFORMATION OF THE ACTIVITIES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE BRANCH OFFICE.
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INMATES FORM SCOUT GROUP
*****
A SCOUT GROUP COMPRISING INMATES OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TRAINING CENTRES WILL BE FORMED ON SATURDAY (JULY 5).
THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 221ST GROUP OF HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE HELD AT LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE.
THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF SCOUTS, MR CHAU CHAM-SON, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, WILL OFFICIATE.
NINETEEN CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED AS SCOUT LEADERS WILL ALSO BE FORMALLY APPOINTED AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY. MEDIA TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CSD PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, AT 2.15 PM ON SATURDAY.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
/15........
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
15
ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR FOLK SINGING CONTEST
*****
YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WITH A FLAIR FOR SINGING MAY HAVE THE CHANCE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR TALENT AT THE DISTRICT’S ANNUAL SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH.
THOSE AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 30 ARE INVITED TO SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS BEFORE JULY 26 FOR AUDITIONS ON AUGUST 2 AND 3.
THE SEMI-FINAL WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 17 AND THE FINAL WILL BE STAGED ON AUGUST 30 AT THE COMMUNITY HALL OF THE CARITAS CENTRE IN CAINE ROAD.
SPONSORED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE +CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FOLK SINGING CONTEST '86+ IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE WESTERN GROUP WORK OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 200 CONTESTANTS ENTERED THE COMPETITION HELD TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN FOLK SINGING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
THIS YEAR, A SPECIAL PRIZE ON SONG COMPOSING WILL BE OFFERED IN ADDITION TO SOLO AND GROUP CONTESTS AND ATTRACTIVE PRIZES WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO RUNNERS-UP IN EACH CATEGORY.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, TOM LEE MUSIC COMPANY AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES, THE CARITAS CENTRE IN CAINE ROAD AND ITS YOUTH CENTRES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523485 OR 5-463024.
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE DEMOLISHED
*****
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING IN QUARRY BAY, WHICH THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ORDERED TO BE DEMOLISHED 18 MONTHS AGO UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, ARE TO BE CLOSED.
THE STRUCTURES ARE OVER FLATS A AND B, 12TH FLOOR, MANSION BUILDING, 842-850, KING’S ROAD.
/FOLLOWING .......
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1986
14
FOLLOWING NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEMOLITION ORDER THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 21.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DO THIS WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE STRUCTURES MUST BE CLOSED IN ADVANCE SO THAT DEMOLITION, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER HAS BEEN OBTAINED, CAN GO AHEAD WITHOUT DANGER TO RESIDENTS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
COURSE WORK, TEACHING RESOURCES ON DISPLAY
*****
TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AN EXHIBITION ON COURSE WORK AND TEACHING RESOURCES AT THE ANNEXE OF GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4.30 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 7) AND TUESDAY (JULY 8).
ON DISPLAY AT THE ANNEXED- 2QTH FLOOR, ARGYLE CENTRE, PHASE 1, 688 NATHAN ROAD, MONGKOK - WILL BE WORK BY PARTICIPANTS OF THE RETRAINING COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS CONDUCTED BY THE COLLEGE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE EXHIBITION, AIMED AT PROMOTING THE USE OF TEACHING RESOURCES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, WILL COMPRISE COURSE WORK IN BASIC SKILLS. TEACHING KITS AND BULLETIN DISPLAYS IN GENERAL SUBJECTS, COURSE WORK IN CULTURAL SUBJECTS, TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES FOR USE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE MAKING OF ART AND CRAFT OBJECTS AND IN CONDUCTING RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES IN MUSIC.
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JACKSON ROAD RE-ROUTED * * *
TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO JACKSON ROAD DURING THE OPERATION OF THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT, JACKSON ROAD WILL, FROM 7 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 6), BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN 7 AM AND 12 MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
0
/15
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1986
15
BRIDGE CLOSED FOR MONITORING
* * * X
TSING Yl BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON SUNDAY (JULY 6) TO ALLOW THE STRUCTURE OF THE BRIDGE TO BE MONITORED, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 12.30 AM TO 2.30 AM- 6.30 AM TO 7.30 AM- AND 3 PM TO 4 PM.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE BRIDGE WILL BE REOPENED TO GENERAL TRAFFIC AT FIVE-MINUTE INTERVALS AND IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE VEHICLES.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NG.
BILL PROPOSES TIGHTER CONTROL ON POISON SALES .... 1
ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR VISITS BY MACAU RESIDENTS .. 2
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MaY 1986 ................... 3
U.S. BANK'S LICENCE REVOKED ........................ 7
MORE SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED PLANNED ... 7
Ratepayers reminded to pay third quarter rates ... 9
1984-85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY REPORT OUT .. 10
BROADER CURRICULA TO MEsT STUDENTS' NEEDS ......... 10
MORE LAND EOR TaI PO DEVELOPMENT ................. 11
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGs OVER SHING MUN RIVER ........... 12
SEMINaR ON YOUTHS, pornographic publications ...... 13
HISTORICAL SURVEY OF KaM TIN, PaT HEUNG............ 14
CARNIVAL LAUNCHES SOUTHERN YOUTH ACTIVITIES ....... 14
TaI PO SUMMER PROGRAMME STARTS WITH RISING BaLLOON 15
PUPPET SHOW FOR CENTRAL-WESTERN RESIDENTS ......... 16
WaN CHAE YOUTH PROGRaMi .E STaRTS TOMORROW......... 17
GYM, JUDO DISPLAY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE................. 17
PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY ............................. 18
ROJiD WORKS aT LION ROCK TUNNEL aPPROaCHES ........ 18
WONG TaI SIN TRAFFIC CHaNGES....................... 19
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
1
BILL PROPOSES TIGHTER CONTROL ON POISON SALES
X X X X X
TIGHTER CONTROL ON THE SALE OF POISONS AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AT RETAIL OUTLETS WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
PROPOSALS FOR TIGHTENING THE CONTROL OF DRUGS ARE CONTAINED IN THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW LAW, THE CONTROL OF THE RETAIL SALE OF POISONS AND DRUGS WILL INCLUDE +SUPPLY WITHOUT PAYMENT*. THIS PROVISION WILL REMOVE A LOOPHOLE IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION WHICH ONLY COVERS SUPPLY WITH PAYMENT.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO REDEFINE THE WORD +DISPENSE+ IN THE MAIN ORDINANCE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE WORD MEANS THE SUPPLY OF A MEDICINE OR POISON ON AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PRESCRIPTION AND THE COMPOUNDING OR MIXING OF SUBSTANCES, INCLUDING POISONS AND THE SUPPLYING OF SUCH SUBSTANCES.
ARRANGEMENTS PROHIBITING THE DISPENSING OF MEDICINE BY LISTED SELLERS OF POISONS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.
ALTHOUGH THE EXISTING LEGISLATION PROHIBITS LISTED SELLERS OF POISONS FROM SELLING PART I POISONS, IT DOES NOT PROHIBIT THEM FROM DISPENSING PRESCRIPTIONS. THIS SITUATION IS UNSATISFACTORY AS LISTED SELLERS, WHO ARE NOT REQUIRED BY LAW TO ENGAGE A REGISTERED PHARMACIST, ARE NOT COMPETENT TO DISPENSE PRESCRIPTIONS.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL OF THE BILL PROVIDES FOR TIGHTER CONTROL ON THE APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION OF PREMISES OF AUTHORISED SELLERS. UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD HAS NO AUTHORITY TO REJECT AN APPLICATION FOR THE REGISTRATION OF PREMISES AS LONG AS IT IS USED FOR THE SALE OF POISONS AND THE SALE IS CONDUCTED OR SUPERVISED BY A REGISTERED PHARMACIST.
THE AMENDING LEGISLATION WILL EMPOWER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD TO ACCEPT OR TO REFUSE AN APPLICATION TO REGISTER AS ■•■AUTHORISED SELLER OF POISONS* OR TO IMPOSE SUCH CONDITIONS AS IT THINKS FIT.
IN ADDITION, THE BILL WILL PROVIDE FOR A LOGO IN A PRESCRIBED FORM TO BE DISPLAYED ONLY BY AUTHORISED SELLERS OF POISONS.
OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WILL EFFECT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD AND THE COMMITTEE OF EXAMINERS. THESE WILL STRENGTHEN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD BY INCLUDING A PHARMACOLOGIST FROM EACH OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AS WELL AS TO ENABLE A PHARMACOLOGIST FROM EITHER UNIVERSITY TO BE APPOINTED TO THE COMMITTEE.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR ITS FIRST READING ON JULY 16.
/2........
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
2
ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR VISITS BY MACAU RESIDENTS X X * X X
EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHO HAVE LIVED IN MACAU FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS WILL BE ALLOWED TO VISIT HONG KONG UNDER NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED FROM AUGUST 1, 1986.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHOSE MACAU IDENTITY CARDS WERE ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 14, 1979 AND WHO CAN SHOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING IN MACAU FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS AT THE DATE OF APPLICATION.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT LOCAL SPONSORS MAY FROM TODAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM ANY PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THESE FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM ANY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICE OR REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE, EXCEPT THE OFFICES AT THE NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY. THE FORMS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED BY WRITING TO THE INFORMATION OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT 61 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS FOR VISITS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED FROM AUGUST 1, 1986 BY MAIL TO THE MACAU VISIT PERMIT OFFICE, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, SECOND FLOOR, 99 QUEENSWAY.
ONCE A VISIT PERMIT IS ISSUED, THE APPLICANT WILL BE ABLE TO PAY ONE VISIT OF UP TO 14 DAYS. FURTHER VISITS WILL BE ALLOWED ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS. PERMIT HOLDERS, HOWEVER, MUST RETURN TO MACAU AT THE END OF THEIR TWO WEEKS’ VISIT AND EXTENSIONS OF STAY WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. ANY VISITORS WHO DELIBERATELY OVERSTAY WILL NOT NORMALLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER VISITS.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED AN ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS. UNDER THE SCHEME, WHICH WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED FROM AUGUST 1, 1986, A LIMITED NUMBER OF EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHO ARE MARRIED TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS (TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN) MAY APPLY TO JOIN THEIR HUSBANDS IN HONG KONG. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM THOSE WHOSE MACAU IDENTITY CARDS WERE ISSUED BETWEEN JANUARY 15 AND FEBRUARY 28, 1979 (BOTH DATES INCLUSIVE), BUT OTHERS WILL BE INVITED TO APPLY LATER.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR ENTRY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ANY PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND FROM ANY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICE OR REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE, EXCEPT THE OFFICES AT THE NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY.
/THE FORMS .......
FRIDA!, JULI 4, 1986
5
THE FORMS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED BY WRITING TO THE INFORMATION OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 61 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED FROM AUGUST 1, 1986 BY THE SPONSORS IN PERSON TO THE ENTRY VISA SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 61 MODY ROAD, THIRD FLOOR, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE VISIT OR THE ENTRY SCHEME MAY TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 3-7333126.
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY 1986 * * * *
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEMAND DEPOSITS FELL IN MAY AFTER THE UNUSUAL INCREASE IN APRIL, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH TODAY. HONG KONG DOLLAR SAVINGS DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS, HOWEVER, INCREASED. DEPOSITS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES ALSO CONTINUED TO GROW.
THE FALL IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEMAND DEPOSITS RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY AND TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS.
LOANS AND ADVANCES FELL IN MAY, AGAIN DUE TO THE UNUSUAL INCREASE IN LOANS DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS IN APRIL. LOANS TO FINANCE THE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG ALSO FELL AFTER INCREASING RAPIDLY IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
A STATISTICAL TABLE, WHICH SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR MAY 1986 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS, WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK.
DEPOSITS
TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL IN MAY AS DEMAND DEPOSITS FELL BACK FROM THE UNUSUALLY HIGH LEVEL CAUSED BY THE CATHAY PACIFIC ISSUE AT THE END OF APRIL, OFFSETTING THE INCREASE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS OF 5.5 PER CENT AND 0.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY DURING THE MONTH.
AT OVER HKI218 BILLION, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS AT THE END OF MAY WERE ABOUT THE SAME AS THAT AT THE END OF FEBRUARY AND 7.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO.
/TAKING ACCOUNT
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
TAKING ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS TOTALLED HK3249 BILLION AT THE END OF MAY. GROWTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY WAS 1.6 PER CENT AND DURING THE 12 MONTHS TO MAY WAS 8.9 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS TOTALLED AN EQUIVALENT OF HK$267 BILLION AT THE END OF MAY, OR HKS237 BILLION EXCLUDING SWAP DEPOSITS. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN MAY OF 2 PER CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 4.6 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS BY 37.8 PER CENT. EXCLUDING SWAP DEPOSITS THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 3.3 PER CENT AND 40.3 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS CONTINUED TO INCREASE, BY 2.3 PER CENT AFTER AN INCREASE OF 10.8 PER CENT IN APRIL.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY, DEPOSITS (ALL CURRENCIES) WITH BANKS ROSE BY 4.9 PER CENT WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 8.8 PER CENT. OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THE GROWTH RATES WERE 25.8 PER CENT FOR BANKS AND 6.5 PER CENT FOR DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS FELL, DUE TO THE UNUSUAL INCREASE IN THESE AGGREGATES IN APRIL. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY, HOWEVER, HK$M2 GREW BY 1.7 PER CENT WHILE HK$M1 AND HK$M3 FELL BY 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
AFTER ADJUSTING FOR SWAP DEPOSITS, BOTH HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED IN THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY, BY 3.4 PER CENT AND 1.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY FELL ON ALL DEFINITIONS, AGAIN REFLECTING THE UNUSUAL INCREASE IN APRIL. OVER THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY, TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3 INCREASED BY 4.3 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHILE TOTAL Ml FELL BY 2 PER CENT.
/LOANS AND .......
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
LOANS AND ADVANCES
LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL IN MAY, AGAIN DUE TO THE UNUSUAL INCREASE IN LOANS IN APRIL. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY, HOWEVER, THESE LOANS GREW BY 3 PER CENT. OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, THE GROWTH RATE WAS 7.7 PER CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY, LOANS DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 2.4 PER CENT WHILE LOANS DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES GREW BY 3.6 PER CENT.
WITHIN THE TOTAL, LOANS TO FINANCE THE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG FELL BY 1.7 PER CENT AFTER INCREASING BY 2.4 PER CENT IN MARCH AND 5.6 PER CENT IN APRIL. OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ALSO FELL AS LOANS TO APPLICANTS FOR CATHAY PACIFIC SHARES WERE REPAID.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO MAY, HOWEVER, LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 1.4 PER CENT. OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THEY GREW BY 7.2 PER CENT.
LIQUIDITY RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS INCREASED TO 54.3 PER CENT IN MAY FROM 52.9 PER CENT IN APRIL. THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AS DEFINED IN S. 24A OF THE DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE) INCREASED TO 41.6 PER CENT IN MAY FROM 40.2 PER CENT IN APRIL.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY 1 TO 150. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 36. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 2 TO 269.
/MONETARY .......
FRIDAY,
JULY 4, 1986
(HKjmn)
- 6 -
MONETARY STATISTICS - MAY 1986
May 1986
Earlier months (% change to May 1986)
Money Supply
Apr 1986
Feb 1986
Ml - HK$ Foreign currency Total M2 - 8X3 Foreign currency 42,341 3,820 46,161 204,831 226,471 431,301 240,273 272,797 513,069 92,189 (-54.1%) 3,917 (- 2.5%) 96,106 (-52.0%) 248,716 (-17.6%) 220,781 (+ 2.6%) 469,497 (- 8.1%) 285,463 (-15.8%) 267,663 (+ 1.9%) 553,126 (- 7.2%) 42,690 (-0.8%) 4,433 (-13.8%) 47,123 (- 2.0%) 201,422 (+ 1.7%) 211,938 (+ 6.9%) 413,360 (+ 4.3%) 241,476 (- 0.5%) 261,279 (+ 4.4%) 502,755 (+ 2.1%)
Total M3 - HKi Foreign Total currency
Deposits
Demand deposits 28,627 78,759 (-63.7%) 28,509 (+ 0.4%)
Savings deposits 103,156 97,017 (+ 6.3%) 100,976 (+ 2.2%)
Time deposits with banks 275,791 269,981 (+ 2.2%) 259,234 (+ 6.4%)
Time deposits with dtcs 78,078 79,853 (- 2.2%) 85,626 (- 8.8%)
All HK$ deposits 218,168 263,466 (-17.2%) 218,574 (- 0.2%)
All foreign currency deposits 267,484 262,144 (+ 2.0%) 255,770 (+ 4.6%)
Total 485,651 525,610 (- 7.6%) 474,344 (+ 2.4%)
May 1985
36,792 (+15.1%)
3,547 (+ 7.7%)
40,339 (+14.4%) 182,463 (+12.3%) 161,617 (+40.1%) 344,080 (+25.3%) 219,926 (+ 9.3%) 200,218 (+36.2%) 420,144 (+22.1%)
25,599 (+11.8%)
88,034 (+17.2%)
210,270 (+31.2%)
73,306 (+ 6.5%)
203,057 (+ 7.4%)
194,151 (+37.8%)
397,208 (+22.3%)
Loans and advances
To finance Hong Kong’s visible 33,107 33,664 (- 1.7%) 31,131 (+ 6.3%)
trade To finance merchandising trade 4,842 4,865 (- 0.5%) 4,732 (+ 2.3%)
not touching Hong Kong OtheiL loans for use in Hong Kong 244,021 279,002 (-12.5%) 240,740 (+ 1.4%)
Other loans for use outside Hong 158,942 160,076 (- 0.7%) 152,196 (+ 4.4%)
Kong Other loans where the place of use 25,049 24,327 (+ 3.0%) 23,619 (+ 6.1%)
is not known All loans in HK$ 231,054 267,413 (-13.6%) 225,712 (+ 2.4%)
All loans in foreign currencies 234,908 234,521 (+ 0.2%) 226,705 (+ 3.6%)
Total 465,962 501,934 (- 7.2%) 452,417 (+ 3.0%)
32,525 (+ 1.8%)
4,391 (+10.3%)
227,667 (+ 7.2%)
148,041 (+ 7.4%)
19,941 (+25.6%)
217,306 (+ 6.3%)
215,258 (+ 9.1%)
432,564 (+ 7.7%)
0
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
7
U.S. BANK’S LICENCE REVOKED * * * * *
CROCKER NATIONAL BANK’S (CNB) REQUEST FOR REVOCATION OF ITS BANKING LICENCE HAS BEEN GRANTED ON THE GROUND THAT IT HAS CEASED TO TRANSACT BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG. A NOTICE TO THIS EF'FCT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL MAY REVOKE A BANKING LICENCE IF HE IS SATISFIED THAT THE HOLDER OF THE LICENCE HAS CEASED TO TRANSACT BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
INCORPORATED IN THE UNITED STATES, CNB WAS LICENSED TO CONDUCT BANKING BUSINESS HERE IN SEPTEMBER 1978 AND COMMENCED OPERATION IN APRIL 1979.
IT BECAME A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MIDLAND BANK PLC IN MAY 1985 AND ITS HONG KONG BUSINESS, TOGETHER WITH ALL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE LATTER IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
WITH THIS REVOCATION, THE NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG NOW STANDS AT 151.
MORE SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED PLANNED
*****
AN ADDITIONAL 2 960 PLACES IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE IN 1990-91 FOR DISABLED PERSONS WHO CANNOT OBTAIN OPEN EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OR SEVERITY OF THEIR DISABILITY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND END-OE“SCHOOL-TERM CEREMONY OF THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, SHE SAID THAT 460 SUCH PLACES WERE PLANNED FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
AT PRESENT SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND FACTORIES FOR THE DISABLED WERE RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND WELFARE AGENCIES AND PROVIDED 2 530 PLACES.
IN ADDITION WORK ACTIVITY CENTRES PROVIDED TRAINING IN DAILY LIVING SKILLS AND SIMPLE WORK ACTIVITIES FOR MODERATELY AND SEVERELY MENTALLY -HANDICAPPED ADULTS UNABLE TO BENEFIT FROM VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR SHELTERED WORK.
/♦THERE ARE.......
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
♦THERE ARE AT PRESENT 730 WORK ACTIVITY PLACES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
♦THIS FISCAL YEAR, 290 ADDITIONAL WORK ACTIVITY PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED. BY 1990-91, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WORK ACTIVITY PLACES WILL BE INCREASED TO 2 060,+ SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, MRS CHAN ADDED THAT DISABLED PERSONS MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOME TIME BEFORE FINDING OPEN EMPLOYMENT OR GAINING ADMISSION TO SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND WORK ACTIVITY CENTRES.
SHE SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT APPRECIATED THE WORRIES OF PARENTS IN THIS RESPECT AND OF WAYS TO INCREASE EXISTING CAPACITIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY DID NOT LOSE THOSE SKILLS WHICH THEY HAD ACQUIRED AT SCHOOL.
MRS CHAN ALSO SUGGESTED THAT PARENTS SHOULD ENCOURAGE THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN TO MAKE USE OF ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES PROVIDED BY SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL CENTRES DESIGNED FOR DISABLED.
THERE WERE AT PRESENT 23 SUCH CENTRES OFFERING ORGANISED SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS SPORTS TRAINING.
MRS CHAN SAID THAT FOR THE DISABLED, THE TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK WAS DIFFICULT AND THAT THEY WOULD NEED ASSISTANCE IF THEY WERE TO MOVE A LESS RESTRICTIVE AND MORE INDEPENDENT LIFE.
ONE IMPORTANT AVENUE OF ASSISTANCE WAS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION WHICH INCLUDED VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE AND ASSESSMENT, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES.
VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS WAS USUALLY CARRIED OUT BY SOCIAL WORKERS, WHILE VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT WAS PROVIDED AT THE KWUN TONG SKILLS CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED OPERATED BY THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT.
MRS CHAN URGED PARENTS WITH DISABLED CHILDREN TO ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE INSTEAD OF FEELING GRIEF OR GUILT.
+D0 NOT DEPRIVE YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER OF THE JOYS OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIP — LIKE A SIMPLE TRIP TO THE BEACH OR TO THE PARK — BECAUSE OF THE IGNORANT PREJUDICE OF A FEW PEOPLE,+ SHE SAID.
PARENTS COULD APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES FOR ADVICE AND INFORMATION. THERE WERE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMMES WHICH BEGAN TRAINING MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN FROM BIRTH, AND SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES TO LOOK AFTER THE MORE SERIOUSLY PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
MRS CHAN EXPRESSED HER GRATITUDE TO THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG FOR PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR THE SEVERELY DISABLED INCLUDING RUNNING SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.
- - 0 -
/9........
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
9
RATEPAYERS REMINDED TO PAY THIRD QUARTER RATES
*****
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT RATES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1986 MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON JULY 31.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY THAT LATE PAYMENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE AND A FURTHER SURCHARGE CF 10 PER CENT ON ACCOUNTS STILL OUTSTANDING SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
HE SAID RATEPAYERS SHOULD HAVE BY NOW RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES.
THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES SHOULD APPLY FOR A COPY AT THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG” THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON” OR THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT RATES MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE DUE DATE, HE POINTED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PREMISES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO REFUND IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO EE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, UNLESS IT IS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT RATEPAYERS WHO HAD SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING +PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY AUTOPAY+ WAS SHOWN IN THE NOTE.
IN THIS CASE THEIR PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON JULY 31, 1986.
IN THIS CONNECTION, RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
TO AVOID QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY CF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
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/TO .......
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
10
1984-85 HOUSEHOLD EXPtNDITURE SURVEY REPORT OUT * * * * *
A DETAILED REPORT ON THE 1984-85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, ENTITLED +REPORT ON THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY 1984-85+, WAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE HAN SENG BANK DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN OCTOBER 1984 AND SEPTEMBER 1985
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WERE USED IN DETERMINING THE WEIGHTING SYSTEM OF THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES WHICH HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED SINCE APRIL 1986.
THE REPORT CONTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE SURVEY’S OBJECTIVE, ITS DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY, AND ITS MAJOR FINDINGS. INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ARE THREE CHARTS AND 13 TABLES SHOWING THE VARIATION OF AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE PATTERNS BY DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLD AND HOUSING CHARACTER I STICS. THIS INFORMATION PROVIDES VALUEABLE INSIGHT INTO THE CONSUMPTION PATTERNS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG.
THE REPORT IS ON SALE AT $25 A COPY, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE: 3-7216558. _ ________________
--------0-----------
BROADER CURRICULA TO MEET STUDENTS’ NEEDS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS BROADENING SCHOOL CURRI CUL.A TO INCLUDE MORE NEW SUBJECTS AT ORDINARY LEVEL TO MEET THE NEEDS °F STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT APTITUDES AND LEARNING INTERESTS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH - HONG KONG SYNOD’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MR LEUNG SA ID THE EXPANSION OF CURRICULA WAS IN LINE W^H™E RECOMMENDATION IN THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION.
/THIS ............
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
THIS WAS THAT STUDENTS AT FORK'S 4-5 LEVEL SHOULD SELECT ONE PRACTICAL OR TECHNICAL SUBJECT, SUCH AS ART AND DESIGN, POTTERY, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, HOME ECONOMICS, NEEDLEWORK-DRESSING OR COMMERCIAL STUDIES.
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, A NUMBER OF NEW SUBJECTS AT ORDINARY LEVEL HAD BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE CURRICULA. THESE INCLUDED ENGINEERING SCIENCE, HUMAN BIOLOGY, COMPUTER STUDIES AND SOCIAL STUDIES, MR LEUNG SAID.
TWO MORE NEW SUBJECTS WERE INTRODUCED RECENTLY -- ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING SERVICES, FASHION AND CLOTHING — TO SUIT STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT APTITUDES AND ABILITIES.
TO FURTHER CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF PUPILS, MORE NEW SUBJECTS AT NON-ORDINARY LEVEL WOULD BE INTRODUCED. THEY WOULD INCLUDE BASIC MATHEMATICS, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, INTEGRATED SCIENCE AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
BASED ON THE BROADER CURRICULA PUPILS COULD SELECT SUBJECTS AT ORDINARY AND NON-ORDINARY LEVELS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR APTITUDE AND ABILITY.
THOSE WHO HAD ATTAINED GOOD ACADEMIC RESULTS COULD FURTHER THEIR STUDIES ACCORDING TO THEIR CHOICES WHILE THOSE WHO DID NOT DO SO WELL WOULD BE BETTER PREPARED TO ENTER INTO SOCIETY TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT, MR LEUNG ADDED.
--------0----------
MORE LAND FOR *
TAI PO DEVELOPMENT * * X *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO FORM ABOUT 20 HECTARES OF AND BUILD A NUMBER OF ROADS IN THE WAN TAU TONG, PAK KIU TO TUNG AND MA WO AREAS ADJACENT TO TAI PO MARKET KCR STATION
LAND YUEN
THE LAND FORMED WILL BE USED FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE A PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIAL AND SlPE^LJ^KS’ A MEDICAL CENTRE’ A SPORTS HALL, SCHOOLS AND LUCAL OPEN SPACE.
A DISTRIBUTOR 1.5 KILOMETRES AND LINKING TO THE NEW BE BUILT TO SERVE
ROAD OF 1.2 KILOMETRES, FIVE LOCAL ROADS TOTALLING
TWO SLIP ROADS - EACH MEASURING 300 TERRITORIES TRUNK ROAD NEAR LAI CHI
THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.
METRES, AND SHAN - WILL
/ALSO, TWO .........
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
12
ALSO, TWO ROAD BRIDGES AND TWO FOOTBRIDGES ARE TO BE PROVIDED ACROSS THE TAI PO RIVER CHANNEL.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF A TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE COMPRISING A BUS TERMINUS, A MAXICAB TERMINUS AND A TAXI RANK ON A SITE ADJOINING THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF TAI PO MARKET KCR STATION.
FOUR SUBWAYS FOR PEDESTRIANS AS WELL AS CYCLISTS WILL BE BUILT NEAR THE INTERCHANGE.
OTHER WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF STORM WATER DRAINS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS.
TEMPORARY ROADS AND FOOTPATHS WILL BE PROVIDED TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC DURING CONSTRUCTION.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED !►' THE LATEST GAZETTE.
WRITTEN OBJECTIONS MUST BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY SEPTEMBER 2.
- - - - 0-------------
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER SHING MUN RIVER
* X X * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A 523.4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-SPAN PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN.
THE BRIDGE, MORE THAN 200 METRES LONG AND ABOUT FOUR METRES WIDE, WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE CULTURAL COMPLEX AND THE TOWN CENTRE FROM TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD.
THE CONTRACT, AWARDED TO KIN SHING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE LINKING THE NEW TOWN PLAZA WITH THE CULTURAL COMPLEX.
OTHER WORKS COMPRISE LANDSCAPING OF OPEN SPACE NEAR TSANG TAI UK AND AROUND THE CULTURAL COMPLEX, AND THE PROVISION OF A FOOTPATH AND CYCLETRACK, AS WELL AS A DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
WORK ON THE SCHEME IS DUE TO BEGIN SOON AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
0
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
15
SEMINAR ON YOUTHS, PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS
*****
A SEMINAR ON YOUTHS AND PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AND THE BAPTIST 01 KWAN SOCIAL SERVICE, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
AT THE SEMINAR, RESULTS OF A RECENT SURVEY ON THE READING HABITS OF YOUTHS IN WAN CHAI WILL ALSO BE REVEALED.
THE SURVEY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE WORKING GROUP FOR THE CONCERN OF PORNOGRAPHIC ACTIVITIES IN WAN CHAI UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD AND CONDUCTED BY THE BAPTIST 01 KWAN SOCIAL SERVICE TO FIND OUT THE READING HABITS OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THE READING OF PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS.
APART FROM PRESENTING THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF SUCH PUBLICATIONS ON LOWER FORM STUDENTS.
SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MRS PEGGY LAM, A SOCIAL WORK LECTURER OF THE BAPTIST COLLEGE, MISS IRENE WONG, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BAPTIST 01 KWAN SOCIAL SERVICE, MR LEE TAK-YAN, AND THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MISS MARGARET FONG.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT THE LILY VALE ------ * - ‘
COFFEE HOUSE OF THE BAPTIST 01 KWAN SOCIAL ROAD FROM 2 PM TOMORROW.
SERVICE AT 36 01 KWAN
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR TOMORROW AT 2 PM.
/14 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
14
HISTORICAL SURVEY OF KAM TIN, PAT HEUNG * * * * *
THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH IS BEGINNING ITS NINTH SURVEY OF RURAL AND HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A MSB SPOKESMAN SAID THE SURVEY IS INTENDED TO DOCUMENT THE HISTORY OF VILLAGES AND TO RECORD VILLAGE HOUSES AND SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL BUILDINGS, SUCH AS TEMPLES AND ANCESTRAL HALLS, WHICH ARE DISAPPEARING BECAUSE OF RAPID URBANISATION.
+ THIS YEAR’S SURVEY WILL COVER KAM TIN AND PAT HEUNG WHICH ARE AMONG THE MOST HISTORICAL AREAS IN THE TERRITORY, DATING BACK AS EARLY AS THE 11TH CENTURY,* HE SAID.
EIGHT HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURAL STUDENTS FROM THE TWO UNIVERSITIES ARE BEING EMPLOYED FOR TWO MONTHS TO CONDUCT THE SURVEY. THEY WILL SUBMIT A FULL REPORT COMPLETE WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS AND PLANS.
THE SURVEY IS SUPPORTED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND LOCAL VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, WHO WILL MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS IN THE COURSE OF THE SURVEY.
CARNIVAL LAUNCHES SOUTHERN YOUTH ACTIVITIES
* * * *
A CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY (JULY 6) AFTERNOON AT WAH HONG SQUARE IN WAH FU ESTATE WILL LAUNCH THE TWO-MONTH-LONG SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE OPENING CEREMONY IS ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE CARNIVAL BY THE SALVATION ARMY WAH FU CORPS.
THE CARNIVAL, TO BE HELD FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM, WILL INCLUDE GAME STALLS, VARIETY SHOW, LION DANCE, PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES FOR THE FAMILY, COCKERY DEMONSTRATION, MURAL PAINTING, AND COMPETITIONS ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ON KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE DISTRICT’S FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
MORE THAN 140 ITEMS OF SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, CENTRED ON THE THEME +CARING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AND GETTING TO KNOW IT BETTER*, WILL BE STAGED IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT THIS SUMMER WITH A $154 000 SPONSORSHIP FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
/AOTIVITIhS, .......
., JU.LY 4-, 1986
- 15 -
ACTIVITIES, WHICH INCLUDE OUTDOOR EVENTS, SEMINARS, FORUMS, COMPETITIONS, RECREATIONAL AND TRAINING CAMPS, CARNIVALS, VARIETY SHOWS, PERFORMANCE, FILM SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS, WILL CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, STUDENTS AND YOUNG WORKERS UP TO THE AGE OF 25.
+ WE HOPE THESE ACTIVITIES WILL HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL, BETTER UNDERSTAND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY,* THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR PAUL YOUNG SAID.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR PAUL YOUNG AND MR YUNG CHEK-CHOW-SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR JASPER LAM- ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ANGELA TSANG- DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER, MR LO KWAN-HUNG- YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICER, MRS TANG CHU TSUI-HAR-RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MR HO MING-CHEONG- CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT MANAGER (HONG KONG), MR DANIEL CHUNG- AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER (WESTERN), MR MAK KWOK-KUEN.
WINNERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD SCHEME WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES. THE WINNERS, WHOSE AGES RANGE FROM 10 TO 82 YEARS OLD, WERE CHOSEN FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASM AND ACHIEVEMENT IN RENDERING VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY SERVICES TO THE NEEDY IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY IN
TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND CARNIVAL WAH HONG SQUARE, WAH FU ESTATE.
0
TAI PO SUMMER PROGRAMME STARTS WITH RISING BALLOON
*****
THE OPENING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE MARKED BY THE ASCENT OF A HOT-AIR BALLOON FROM THE TAI PO PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.
THE HOT-AIR BALLOON, CARRYING THIS YEAR’S THEME, +CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY, GET TO KNOW IT BETTER* ON A BANNER, WILL RISE TO A HEIGHT OF 40 FEET FROM THE GROUND.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING. A NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION’S CHILDREN CHOIR, THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
/THE PROGRAMME .......
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
16
THE PROGRAMME THIS YEAR WILL OFFER MORE THAN 220 EVENTS TO YOUNGSTERS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDING RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, TRAINING COURSES AND A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION, IS BEING ORGANISED WITH A FUND OF $240 000, HALF OF WHICH WAS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
OFFICIATING AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANISSA WONG, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN WONG, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR HO YUNG-SANG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE VARIETY SHOW OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT 8 PM TOMORROW AT THE TAI PO PLAYGROUND AT HEUNG SZE WUI STREET.
-------0----------
PUPPET SHOW FOR CENTRAL-WESTERN RESIDENTS ******
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A FREE CANTONESE ROD PUPPET SHOW ON SUNDAY (JULY 6) AFTERNOON.
THE SHOW IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF FUNCTIONS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL TO PROVIDE MORE ENTERTAINMENT FOR RESIDENTS.
THE FIRST EVENT WAS A VARIETY SHOW STAGED TWO WEEKS AGO AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE WHICH ATTRACTED MORE THAN 500 RESIDENTS.
ON SUNDAY, THE ONE-AND-A-HALF-HOUR SHOW TO BE PERFORMED BY THE HONG KONG FEI PANG ROD PUPPET GROUP IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN.
RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO WATCH THE SHOW AT 3 PM IN THE MAIN HALL OF THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, WESTERN STREET, SAI YING PUN'.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE KENNEDY TOWN SUB-OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
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/17 ......
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
17
WAN CHAI YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS TOMORROW
* K * * K
MORE THAN 130 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN WAN CHAI UNDER THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WHICH BEGINS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL CONSIST OF AN EXHIBITION ON +THE LIFE OF THE DEAF+ ORGANISED BY THE ST JAMES’ SETTLEMENT AT THE HENNESSY ROAD PLAYGROUND AND A TRAM PARADE ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR STEPHEN WONG, MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MR KWOK KA-MING, AND THE SUPERVISOR-IN-CHARGE OF ST JAMES’ SETTLEMENT, MISS KAY LAI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT HENNESSY ROAD PLAYGROUND (NEXT TO C.C. WU BUILDING AT 308 HENNESSY ROAD) AT 5 PM TOMORROW.
GYM, JUDO DISPLAY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
X X X * *
A DEMONSTRATION OF JUDO AND GYMNASTICS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING AT THE OSMAN RAMJU SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL FOR YOUNG RESIDENTS IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl.
THE EVENT HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE NEWLY-FORMED KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
THE AIM IS TO PROMOTE A SERIES OF TRAINING COURSES ON JUDO, GYMNASTICS AND RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE TRAINING COURSES WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AT THE TAI WO HAU COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE CHEUNG CHING COMMUNITY CENTRE.
/THc, IWUGLK
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
18
THE MANAGER OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, MR HOWARD WELLS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE DEMONSTRATION TOMORROW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE JUDO AND GYM DEMONSTRATION AT 11 AM TOMORROW AT THE OSMAN RAMJU SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL IN HING FONG ROAD.
------0-------
PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE MRS ELIZABETH 'JONC WILL OFFICIATE AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE 1OTH HONG KONG’sPECIAL OLYMPICS SWIMMING GALA TO BE HELD AT DIOCESAN BOYS SCHOOL, ARGYLE STREET, AT 12.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
-------0----------
ROAD WORKS AT LION ROCK TUNNEL APPROACHES *****
VARIOUS LANES ON THE SHA TIN APPROACHES TO THE SOUTHBOUND TUBE OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 10) FOR ROAD RESURFACING.
THE WORK, BE CARRIED OUT TO TRAFFIC.
WHICH WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETE, WILL BETWEEN 8 PM AND 6 AM DAILY TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION
WORK- WILL ONLY BE CARRIED OUT IN THE VICINITY OF THE TOLL BOOTHS AND THE TUNNEL PORTAL WHILE LANES INSIDE THE TUNNEL WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
/AS TRAF1I0 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1986
- 19
AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE FULL USE OF TAI PO ROAD AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE. TEMPORARY ADVANCE WARNING SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
MEANWHILE, THE KOWLOON-BOUND BUS STOP ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR THE TOLL BOOTHS WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 8 PM AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 24 FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
WONG TAI SIN TRAFFIC CHANGES
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WONG TAI SIN FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 7) TO FACILITATE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF TUNG TAU ESTATE.
THESE ARE:
* TUNG WOR ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC;
* TUNG LUNG ROAD BETWEEN TUNG WOR ROAD AND LOK SIN ROAD WILL BE CONVERTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND 5 AND
* MOTORISTS ON LOK SIN ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD HEADING FOR EASTBOUND TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD SHOULD USE TUNG KWONG ROAD, TUNG FAT ROAD AND TUNG LUNG ROAD.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
CONTENTS page no.
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF APRIL EXTERNAL TRADE .............. 1
IMPORTANT COGS IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION .................... 5
YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROMOTE CARE FOR COMMUNITY .................. 6
STEADY YEAR FOR CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT ........................ ?
IMPORTANCE OF MAC'S STRESSED ................................. 9
PAMPHLET EXPLAINS LANGUAGE POLICY TO PARENTS ................. 9
SCOUTING EXPERIENCE FOR TRAINING CENTRE INMATES .............. 10
TECHNICAL STUDENTS EXCEL IN UK EXAMS ......................... 11
KWUN TONG SUMMER ACTIVITIES BEGIN TOMORROW ................... 12
MAN KAM TO ROAD TO BE IURTHER IMPROVED ....................... 12
JOINT UC-RC CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED .......................... 1?
POSTAL SERVICES RESUME ....................................... 1^
MORE PARKING METERS FOR KWAI CHUNG ........................... 1**
PLB RESTRICTION ON CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD ....................... 14
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF APRIL EXTERNAL TRADE
*****
STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE 3Y 5 PER CENT IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1986 AS COMPARED WITH TIE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS, HOWEVER, DECLINED BY 4 PER CENT. THERE WAS THEREFORE AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 1 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS.
IMPORTS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS AND HENCE ALSO THOSE OF TOTAL EXPORTS REMAINED UNCHANGED.
PRICES OF IMPORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, ROSE BY 3 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) DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE COMPILED. THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM TRADE VALUES BY DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1986 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1985, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT, GIVING AN INCREASE OF 2 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS.
THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS REMAINED UNCHANGED, WHILE THOSE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND IMPORTS BOTH DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR APRIL 1986 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS FELL IN APRIL 1986 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985. THESE INCLUDED RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-11 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-7 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-5 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-3 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-2 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE, HOWEVER, RECORDED FOR TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+9 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+5 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+2 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+1 PER CENT).
/THB jX.
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN APRIL 1986 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985, INCLUDING WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+41 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+41 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+29 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+25 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+25 PER CENT) ; CLOTHING ( + 23 PER CENT) TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+20 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+9 PER CENT)-; DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+2 PER CENT) AS WELL AS FOOTWEAR (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-51 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-16 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR APRIL 1986 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORT PRICES OF SOME END-USE CATEGORIES ROSE IN APRIL 1986 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985, RANGING FROM 2 PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO 14 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 32 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED IN VOLUME TERMS IN APRIL 1986 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985. SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN VEGETABLES; LIVE POULTRY? FRUIT; TEA AND COFFEE; MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS AS WELL AS FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR RICE; CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS, OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR; MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS; WHEAT AND FLOUR AS WELL AS ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MANY CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING WATCHES; CLOTHING; MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS AS WELL AS FOOTWEAR.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; TOBACCO MANUFACTURES AS WELL AS PASSENGER MOTOR CARS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROPE IN APRIL 1986 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985. THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN COTTON YARN AND THREAD; CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, ETC., EXCEPT GLASS; WATCH AND CLOCK MOVEMENTS, CASES AND PARTS; CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS; DYEING, TANNING AND COLOURING MATERIALS; RAW COTTON YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; PAPER AND PAPERBOARD; FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS; YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES AS WELL AS IRON AND STEEL.
/DECREASES IN
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE MAINLY NOTED FOR WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR AS WELL AS BASE METALS, EXCLUDING IRON AND STEEL.
IMPORTS OF FUELS ROSE BY 67 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN APRIL 1986 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOME COMMODITIES DECREASED IN APRIL 1986 WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985, THE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT- OFFICE MACHINES-CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY- SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS AS WELL AS OTHER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY.
INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE MACHINERY AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR APRIL 1986 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF SOME END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN APRIL 1986 WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985, RANGING FROM 6 PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO 229 PER CENT FOR FUELS. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS AND CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY 23 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE APRIL 1986 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS* AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND JULY 10 AT $2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT AND ON TRADE INDEXES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-214375) AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-444584).
TABLE 11 INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING JAN-APR 1986 WITH JAN-APR 1985 UNIT COMPARING APRIL 1986 WITH APRIL 1985
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
VALUE % VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING • 8 -2 11 22 * 23
TEXTILE FABRICS 21 -5 27 37 -3 41
/TEXTILE YARN
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 14 -9 18 22 -2 25
TEXTILE MADE-UPS ANn RELATED ARTICLES 4 -2 6 20 * 20
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -9 -10 1 15 -11 29
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS -1 7 -8 27 1 25
FOOTWEAR 11 1 10 4 2 1
METAL MANUFACTURES 3 -1 4 9 * 9
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -36 -5 -33 -53 -5 -51
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 26 2 24 48 5 41
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -12 6 -17 -9 9 -16
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -19 -9 -11 -5 -7 2
ALL COMMODITIES 5 * 5 17 1 17
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING JAN-APR 1986 COMPARING APRIL 1986
END-USE CATEGORY WITH JAN-APR 1985 UNIT WITH APRIL 1985 UNIT
VALUE % VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 14 -3 17 13 -2 15
CONSUMER SOODS 0 7 1 20 10 9
/RAW MATERIALS ........
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
- 5 -
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 9 * 9 17 2 15
FUELS 3 -19 27 13 -32 67
CAPITAL GOODS -7 13 -18 -5 14 -16
ALL COMMODITIES 6 3 3 14 4 9
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING JAN-APR 1986 WITH JAN-APR 1985 COMPARING APRIL 1986 WITH APRIL 1985
UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME END-USE CATEGORY % % % UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME % % %
FOODSTUFFS 30 1 29 28 1 27
CONSUMER GOODS -3 3 -5 2 3 -1
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 2 -5 7 2 -4 6
FUELS 65 -17 100 131 -30 229
CAPITAL GOODS -28 8 -33 -14 11 -23
ALL COMMODITIES -4 -4 1 2 -1
NOTES * INSIGNIFICANT, I.E. LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT.
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IMPORTANT COGS IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
*****
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION HELPS CO-ORDINATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SPEED UP RESPONSES TO PUBLIC NEEDS, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MRS FUNG WAS EXPLAINING THE MODEL OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AT A RESIDENTS’ SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE TAI KOK TSUI AREA COMMITTEE AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE.
/♦THE DISTRICT .......
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
6
+THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ARE COMPATIBLE PARTNERS WORKING HAND IN HAND TO MANAGE THE DISTRICT + SHE SAID.
+THE DISTRICT BOARD REFLECTS RESIDENTS’ VIEWS TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, WHILE THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SOLICITS RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES THROUGH THE DISTRICT BOARD,+ SHE ADDED.
MRS FUNG SAID AREA COMMITTEES HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN GATHERING VIEWS FOR THE BOARD, ESPECIALLY VIEWS FROM BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS.
AREA COMMITTEES COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL BODIES VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS AND WERE VITAL COMMUNI CAT I ON LINKS BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THF RESIDENTS.
SHE SAID THE TAI KOK TSUI AREA COMMITTEE HAD BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN REFLECTING PUBLIC VIEWS.
THE COMMITTEE HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT VARIOUS LOCAL ISSUES INCLUDING ERECTION OF BUS STOP SHELTERS, PROVISION OF LORRY PARKING* SPACES, PROPOSALS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TAI KOK TSUI TEMPORARY MARKET. THE GOVERNMENT’S DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM HAD ALSO BEEN DISCUSSED.
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YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROMOTE CARE FOR COMMUNITY * * * * *
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTED TODAY (SATURDAY) WITH AN EXHIBITION ON +THE LIFE OF THE DEAF+ AT THE HENNESSY ROAD PLAYGROUND AND A TRAM PARADE IN THE DISTRICT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, SAID THE CENTRAL THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WAS +CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND GETTING TO KNOW IT BETTER+.
HE SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE ORGANISING OF AND PARTICIPATION IN SUMMER ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO TAKE PART MORE ACTIVELY IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
HE SAID THAT MOST OF THE 130 ACTIVITIES UNDER THE DISTRICT’S PROGRAMME HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO INCORPORATE THE CENTRAL THEME, APART FROM THE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS.
/THESE INCLUDED
SATURDAY, JULY 5. 1986
THESE INCLUDED A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG REPORTERS, VISITS TO HOMES FOR THE AGED, LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMPS, AND EXHIBITIONS AND QUIZ ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
MR GARCIA POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS ALSO PART OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION BEING PROMOTED EXTENSIVELY THIS YEAR.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TOGETHER WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WOULD JOINTLY ORGANISE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG THE DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, MR GARCIA SAID.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR STEPHEN WONG, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR LEE KON, MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MR KWOK KA-MING, AND THE SUPERVISOR-IN-CHARGE OF ST. JAMES’ SETTLEMENT, MISS KAY LAI.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS BOARDED A SPECIAL TRAM AND TOURED THE DISTRICT, STOPPING AT VARIOUS PLACES TO DISTRIBUTE PAMPHLETS CONTAINING THE DETAILS OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP TO THE PUBLIC.
- - c------------
STEADY YEAR FOR CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT ******
THE BUSINESS OF ALL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES HAS CONTINUED TO BE STEADY LAST YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING THE 64TH INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE DAY CELEBRATION DINNER IN HIS CAPACITY AS REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, DR LEE SAID THAT VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES CONTINUED TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE MARKETING OF VEGETABLES.
IN ADDITION, THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES HAD ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN ITS ANCILLARY OPERATIONS SUCH AS THE CO-OPERATIVE SALE OF ROTARY CULTIVATORS, PLASTIC BASKETS AND GOOD QUALITY PESTICIDES AT LOW PRICES.
DR LEE SAID THAT THE FEDERATION ALSO MADE FULL USE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
+LAST YEAR, UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE FEDERATION AND THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION, 14 FARMERS VISITED THE UNITED STATES TO .LEARN ABOUT VEGETABLE CULTIVATION AND MARKETING AND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION WITH OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS,* HE SAID.
/DR LEE
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 19&6
- 8 -
DR LEE SAID THAT THE FEDERATION OF PIG RAISING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIEs'cONTINUED TO HELP MEMBERS UPGRADE THEIR BREEDING STOCK BY IMPORTING PEDIGREED ANIMALS FROM OVERSEAS, AND BY ORGANISING MONTHLY TECHNICAL DISCUSSION MEETINGS FOR MEMBERS.
HE NOTED THAT THE FEDERATION WAS PLANNING TO PRODUCE A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER TO FACILITATE THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON MODERN PIG PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES.
DR LEE SAID THAT FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL CREDIT.
♦DURING 1985-86, OF $19.5 MILLION LOANED TO FARMERS FROM THE VARIOUS LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, 19 PER CENT WERE CHANNELLED THROUGH THESE SOCIETIES,* HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE SOCIETIES ISSUED $430 000 FROM THEIR OWN REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS TO MEET A WIDE RANGE OF FARM CREDIT NEEDS BY MEMBERS.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, FISHERMEN’S SOCIETIES LOANED OUT ABOUT $12 MILLION TO MEMBERS FOR BUILDING NEW VESSELS, PURCHASING FISHING GEAR AND REPAIRING ENGINE AND HULL.
LAST YEAR, HE ADDED, THE DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SPONSORED TEN FISHERMEN ON A 12-DAY STUDY TOUR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NORWAY TO LEARN OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN FISHING TECHNOLOGY.
REFERRING TO URBAN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, DR LEE SAID A REVIEW OF LOCAL CIVIL SERVANTS CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETIES WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR.
GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO PERMIT THE TRANSFER OF THE LEGAL TITLE TO FLATS AND LAND FROM SUCH SOCIETIES TO THEIR MEMBERS AND TO PERMIT THE SALE, LETTING OR OTHER DISPOSAL OF SUCH PROPERTIES SUBJECT TO CERTAIN PRESCRIBED CONDITIONS.
HE SAID THAT THREE CONSUMERS’ SOCIETIES WERE REGISTERED IN THE PAST YEAR, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO TEN.
DR LEE THEN PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ABERDEEN MECHANISED CONGER PIKE SMALL LONG LINER FISHERMEN’S CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY UNLIMITED, MR LAI MUK-KAM, COMMITTEE MEMBER OF THE TSUI KENG VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED, MR YEUNG YEE-HOI, AND SECRETARY OF THE HUNG SHU I KIU TIN SAI PIG RAISING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED, MR WONG HON-SING.
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/9........
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
9
IMPORTANCE OF MAC’S STRESSED
*****
MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC’S) ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT CAN KEEP ITS FINGERS ON THE PULSE OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, SAID.
THIS WAS THE MESSAGE, HE ADDED, HE HAD 3EEN BRINGING ACROSS SINCE HE STARTED HIS EVENING VISIT EVERY THURSDAYS TO MAC’S AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN THE DISTRICT TWO MONTHS AGO.
+ALTHOUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS IN CLOSE AND CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE MAC’S, CALLING ON THEM IN THE EVENING HAS ENABLED ME AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO SEE HOW THEY ACTUALLY OPERATE SINCE MOST MAC ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT AFTER MEMBERS RETURN HOME FROM WORK.
+MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE MORE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS ON LOCAL ISSUES,+ HE SAID.
MR WILSON SAID THAT SINCE MAC MEMBERS WERE IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH RESIDENTS OF THEIR OWN BUILDINGS, THEY WERE IN AN IDEAL POSITION TO REFLECT THE VIEWS AND CONCERN OF THE PEOPLE, NOT ONLY ON LOCAL AFFAIRS, BUT ALSO ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN GENERAL.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 194 MAC’S AND 26 OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN YUEN LONG AND THE NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO GROW AS THE DISTRICT TRANSFORMS FROM A RURAL AREA INTO A SATELLITE TOWN WITH MORE AND MORE BUILDINGS COMING UP EVERY DAY.
- - 0 -
PAMPHLET EXPLAINS LANGUAGE POLICY TO PARENTS
*****
AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO HELP PARENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE POLICY ON ENCOURAGING WIDER USE OF CHINESE AS THE TEACHING MEDIUM.
THE PAMPHLET, ENTITLED +INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ON THE USE OF CHINESE AS THE TEACHING MEDIUM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS*, IS BEING DISTRIBUTED TO 400 000 PARENTS THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
IT EXPLAINS HOW THE POLICY ON THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION CAME INTO BEING, MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO ADOPT WIDER USE OF CHINESE WITHOUT SACRIFICING PUPILS’ ENGLISH STANDARD, AND HOW PARENTS MAY CONVEY THEIR VIEWS ON THE ISSUE TO SCHOOLS.
/KEY FUTURES
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
- 10 -
KEY FEATURES OF THE LANGUAGE MEASURES ARE THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND OTHER RESOURCES, SUCH AS A GRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL READING MATERIALS IN ENGLISH AND OF OTHER TEACHING AIDS, TO MAINTAIN AND FURTHER IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH IN SCHOOLS WHICH PLAN TO USE CHINESE MORE EXTENSIVELY.
ALL EXISTING CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THESE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AUTOMATICALLY. THEY WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO GRAMMAR SCHOOLS, TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND PREVOCATION SCHOOLS IF THEY MAKE WIDER USE OF CHINESE.
PARENTS WILL ALSO NOTE IN THE PAMPHLET THAT SCHOOLS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO REMOVE FROM THEIR REGISTERED NAMES ANY REFERENCE TO THE LANGUAGE MODE THEY USE IN TEACHING, SUCH AS THE TERMINOLOGY +ANGLO-CHINESE+ OR +CHINESE MIDDLE*. THIS IS ANOTHER MEASURE INTENDED TO ELIMINATE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN ENGLISH AND CHINESE SCHOOLS.
THE PAMPHLET ALSO ADVISES PARENTS THAT THE LANGUAGE MEDIUM INDICATOR WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION WITH EFFECT FROM 1986 AND THAT CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO MAKING THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION AVAILABLE IN THE MEDIUM OF CHINESE.
PARENTS WHO WISH TO CONVEY THEIR VIEWS ON THE ISSUE TO SCHOOLS OR TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT DIRECTLY THE SCHOOL THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE ATTENDING.
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SCOUTING EXPERIENCE FOR TRAINING CENTRE INMATES
*****
ABOUT 80 YOUNG INMATES OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING CENTRES TODAY (SATURDAY) BECAME SCOUTS FOLLOWING THE INAUGURATION OF THE 221ST HONG KONG GROUP.
THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE AND WAS OFFICIATED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, AND THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF SCOUTS, MR CHAU CHAM-SON. ALL GROUP MEMBERS ARE TRAINING CENTRE INMATES AGED 14 TO 21.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR CHAN SAID SCOUTING WOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR CHARACTER.
/+THE INCLUSION .......
SATURDAY, JULY 5. 1986
11
+ THE INCLUSION OF SUCH AN ACTIVITY IN THE TRAINING CENTRES WILL SUBSTANTIALLY HELP TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULTS OF CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMING.
+ l HOPE THEY WILL ’BE PREPARED’ TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WHICH LIE AHEAD. DY HOLDING THEIR HEADS HIGH, THEY WILL LEARN TO BECOME USEFUL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ON THEIR RELEASE.*
MR CHAU SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO SET UP THE NEW GROUP JOINTLY WITH THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
+ BY PROMOTING SCOUTING, MORE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN SPEND THEIR TIME AND ENERGY ON MORE MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.
A TOTAL OF 78 INMATES WERE AFFIRMED AS SCOUTS OR VENTURE SCOUTS DURING THE CEREMONY. THEY WERE SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 2OO APPLICANTS IN THE LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE AND THE CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.
NINETEEN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF WHO HAD BEEN TRAINED AS SCOUT LEADERS WERE ALSO FORMALLY APPOINTED.
SCOUTING ACTIVITIES HAS EXISTED IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS EARLY AS IN 1950, WHEN THE 8TH HONG KONG GROUP WAS FOUNDED AT THE THEN STANLEY TRAINING CENTRE WITH ABOUT 40 MEMBERS. THE GROUP WAS DISBANDED IN 1973 FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE CENTRE.
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TECHNICAL STUDENTS EXCEL IN UK EXAMS
*****
FIVE STUDENTS FROM THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WON HIGH HONOURS IN THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED LAST YEAR.
IN THE WORLD AGGREGATE EXAMINATION RESULTS RELEASED RECENTLY, FOK YUEN-BING OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE CAME SECOND IN THE HIGHER COST ACCOUNTING PAPER FOR SPRING 1985.
TSANG PUI-YI ALSO FROM THE INSTITUTE’S COMMERCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT, WAS PLACED SECOND IN THE INTERMEDIATE BOOK-KEEPING EXAMINATION FOR SUMMER 1985.
CHAUPUI-SIM, A CLASSMATE OF MISS TSANG, GAINED THE HIGHEST MARK IN THE INTERMEDIATE ECONOMICS EXAMINATION FOR SUMMER 1985.
/AND ON .......
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1986
AND ON GRADING ON REGIONAL BASIS, LAU SIU-MING FROM THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND NG HIN-TAO FROM THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE LAST YEAR ALSO TOPPED THE HONG KONG CENTRE’S SCORE LISTS IN THE INTERMEDIATE TYPEWRITING AND HIGHER BUSINESS STATISTICS PAPERS RESPECTIVELY.
THEY HAVE BEEN AWARDED MEDALLIONS AND CERTIFICATES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE EXAMINATIONS.
KWUN TONG SUMMER ACTIVITIES BEGIN TOMORROW
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BRIAN CHAU, WILL OPEN THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT THE HIU KWONG STREET INDOOR STADIUM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
A LARGE-SCALE VARIETY SHOW, FEATURING THE VITALITY OF YOUTHS, AND A TELEMATCH BETWEEN THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED YOUTHS WILL BE HELD TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF SUMMER ACTIVITIES.
PROGRAMMES FOR THE AFTERNOON INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND DISC JOCKEYS, A BRASS BAND, A FOLK DANCE TEAM AND A HARMONICA BAND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW AT 2 PM AT HIU KWONG STREET INDOOR STADIUM IN KWUN TONG.
MAN KAM TO ROAD TO BE FURTHER IMPROVED
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE SECOND AND FINAL STAGE OF A PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE ROAD LINK WITH CHINA AT MAN KAM TO.
WORK INVOLVES WIDENING ABOUT 500 METRES OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND MAN KAM TO ROAD FROM SIX METRES TO 10.3 METRES TO ACCOMMODATE THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC.
/TWO EXISTING
SATURDAY , JULY 5, 1986
TWO EXISTING SUB-STANDARD BRIDGES IN THE AREA ARE TO BE DCMOLISHED AND REBUILT INTO A FOUR-CELL BOX CULVERT AND A REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE.
THF PROJECT INCLUDES LANDSCAPING, ROAD DRAINAGE WORKS AND THE PROVISION OF RETAINING WALLS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
LAST WEEK, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AWARDED AN 318 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
UNDER THIS, THE CONTRACTOR, HENRYVICY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED, WILL WIDEN THREE KILOMETRES OF MAN KAM TO ROAD BETWEEN JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND LIN MA HANG.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF A 1.6-METRE-WIDE FOOTPATH ALONG THE CARRIAGEWAY, RETAINING WALLS AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE.
- - 0 - -
JOINT UC-RC CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED
*****
THE FIRST URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL JOINT CAMPAIGN — THE CLEAN BEACH PHASE OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN -- IS TO BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW (SUNDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED UC-RC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR WALTER M. SULKE, AT REPULSE BAY BEACH OUTSIDE THE MCDONALD’S RESTAURANT STARTING 2 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE THE UC CHAMBERS AT EDINBURGH PLACE AT 12.30 PM.
- 0 -
/14
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1936
14
POSTAL SERVICES RESUME * * *
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE AT THE MELBOURNE POST OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA HAD BEEN RESOLVED.
ALL POSTAL SERVICES FROM HONG KONG TO VICTORIA WERE BACK TO NORMAL. HOWEVER, IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO DELIVERY OF SURFACE MAILS MIGHT STILL BE SUBJECT TO DELAY.
--------c ---------
MORE PARKING METERS FOR KWAI CHUNG
*****
SEVEN MORE PARKING METERS IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL FROM TUESDAY (JULY 8).
THE TWO-HOUR METERS, WHICH ARE INSTALLED ON HING FONG ROAD OUTSIDE BLOCK 2 KWAI HING ESTATE, ARE FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, BUSES, MOTOR-CYCLES AND BICYCLES.
THE OPERATING HOURS WILL SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
BE FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT EXCEPT ON THE FEE WILL BE Si FOR 30 MINUTES.
-----o------
PLB RESTRICTION ON CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD
*****
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 8), WESTBOUND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD !N I Al ?hi ?0K FROM A POINT ABOUT 33 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI NAN WEST STREET TO KOM TSUN STREET, WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
NO PLB’S WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HE PERFORMERS TO LIGHT UP EXPO ON JULY 18 ........ 1
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON NULLAH DECKING CLEARED ....... 2
HONG KONG-CHINA FERRY TERMINAL PLANS APPROVED ... * 3
YOUTH COMMITTEE SWINGS INTO ACTION ................. 5
SERVICE BY YOUTH NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY .............. 6
SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL GOING ON 7 CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED WITH SONGS ........... 8
LABOUR OFFICIALS TO ATTEND ASIAN SEMINAR........... 8
ENQUIRY SERVICE OFFERS HELP ON TENANCY MATTERS ... 9
SWIMMING POOL FOR POLICE TRAINING oCHOOL .......... 10
SPECIAL MEETING ON NUCLEAR PLANT ................. 16
SCHOOLS COMPETITION TO PROMOTE CIVIC AWARENESS ... 11 MINI-TENNIS.CLUB FORMED IN KWAI CHUNG, THING YI .. 12 talents sought for tuen mun children choir ........ 12
NEW POST OFFICE OPENING IN ABERDEEN................ 13
COMMITTEE MEETINGS OPEN TO PUBLIC ................. 14
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
HK PERFORMERS TO LIGHT UP EXPO ON JULY 18 ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG DAY AT EXPO '86 ON JULY 18 IN VANCOUVER.
THE CEREMONY, TO BE HELD AT 11 AM AT THE PLAZA OF NATIONS, WILL BE PRECEDED BY VARIOUS PERFORMANCES PRESENTED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE BAND AND FAN DANCERS. POPULAR SINGER FRANCES YIP WILL ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE AFTER THE CEREMONY.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR JAMES SO, WHO IS ATTENDING IN HIS CAPACITY AS COMMISSIONER, HONG KONG PAVILION.
HONG KONG IS ALSO FLYING OVER A HOST OF ENTERTAINMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE AUSPICIOUS DAY.
OVER 100 PEOPLE, INCLUDING WELL-KNOWN SINGERS AND ARTISTES FROM ASIA TELEVISION LTD. AND HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCASTING CO. LTD., WILL PUT ON A NUMBER OF ATTRACTIONS ON THAT DAY.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE THE COMMISSIONER GENERAL OF EXPO, MR PATRICK REID. A FEDERAL CANADIAN GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE AND A PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE.
LION DANCERS WILL GATHER OUTSIDE THE HONG KONG PAVILION AT 2.30 PM AND PERFORM AT THE PLAZA OF THREE CONTINENTS AS SIR EDWARD ARRIVES AT 3 PM TO PRESENT THE HONG KONG CUP TO THE CHAMPION TEAM OF THE FIRST ANNUAL VANCOUVER DRAGON BOAT RACES, THE FALSE CREEK CANOE RACING CLUB.
THE FALSE CREEK CANOE RACING CLUB WAS FIRST RUNNER-UP OF THIS YEAR’S HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACES.
TO ROUND OFF THE OCCASION, TEAMS FROM SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL PAVILIONS WILL TAKE PART IN A SPECTACULAR INTER-PAVILION DRAGON BOAT CHALLENGE RACE WHICH WILL BE STAGED AT THE INTERNATIONAL DOCK.
AT THE SAME TIME, FIVE STUDENTS FROM ST. CATHARINE’S SCHOOL, THE WINNING SCHOOL OF THE POSTCARD DRAWING COMPETITION HELD EARLY THIS YEAR, AND A TEAM OF COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) MEMBERS WILL ENTERTAIN VISITORS WAITING OUTSIDE THE HONG KONG PAVILION BY DEMONSTRATING THEIR DRAWING SKILL ON POSTCARDS.
THE FIVE STUDENTS AND A TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL WERE FLOWN OUT BY COURTESY OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS.
LOCAL ARTIST BILL YIM, WHO WILL START DOING CARICATURE AT THE EXPO FOR A MONTH AS FROM JULY 10, WILL ALSO DO CARICATURE FOR VISITORS NEAR THE PAVILION ENTRANCE ON THE AFTERNOON OF THAT DAY.
/AN AMAZING
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
2
AN AMAZING VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES WILL GLAMORISE THE COLOURFUL GALA EVENING HELD AT THE EXPO’S XEROX INTERNATIONAL THEATRE BETWEEN 10.30 AND 11.30 PM.
PROGRAMMES WILL VARY FROM SINGING AND DANCES TO A DIVERSITY CF CULTURAL PERFORMANCES INCLUDING LION DANCE, TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ART ACROBATIC STUNTS, AND DRUM SHOW STAGED BY FAMOUS ARTISTES FROM THE TWO TV STATIONS.
THE SHOW WILL BE HOSTED BY FRANCES YIP AND GIGI WONG, WHILE TVS ARTISTES LYDIA SHUM, LESLIE CHEUNG, SALLY YEH AND MAY NG AND ATV ARTISTES Li CHI, LAI YIN-SHAN, TSANG WAI-KUEN, LEE CHOI-FUNG, CHEUNG LAP-KEI, YIM WAI-LING, NG SHUN-YI AND CHAN YIK-ZEE WILL PERFORM IN THE PROGRAMME.
PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST BY SATELLITE ON BOTH TV STATIONS IN HONG KONG: JULY IP, 7.30 TO 8.30 PM ON ATV AND JULY 20, 8.30 TO 9.35 PM ON TVB.
THE PRODUCTION OF THE GALA PERFORMANCE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS DONATION OF CHUANG'S (HOLDINGS) L IM I TED WHILE THE sATELLI S?OADCAST IS SPONSORED BY CABLE AND WIRELESS (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON NULLAH DECKING CLEARED ******
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON NAM CHEONG STREET NULLAH DECKING, WHICH HAD CAUSED ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN SHAM SHU I PO FOR THE PAST QUARTER CENTURY, WERE FINALLY PULLED DOWN TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AMENITY AREA.
THE CLEARANCE WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AFTER EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE NAM CHEONG SUB-DISTRICT.
THE 221 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES THAT WERE CLEARED COMPRISED 115 SHOPS, 48 WORKSHOPS AND THREE GODOWNS. THE 32 AFFECTED FAMILIES HAD BEEN OFFERED REHOUSING IN URBAN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND REMOVAL ALLOWANCE RANGING FROM $800 TO $1 200.
THE SITE OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WAS ORIGINALLY A HAWKER BAZAAR BUILT IN I960 ON A DECKED-OVER NULLAH IN THE MIDDLE OF NAM CHEONG STREET, BETWEEN UN CHAU STREET IN THE NORTH AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD IN THE SOUTH.
WHEN’IT WAS FIRST BUILT, THERE WERE CARRIAGEWAYS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BAZAAR, FENCED OFF BY A SIX-FOOT HIGH WIRE FENCE. WITHIN THE AREA WERE 390 PITCHES OF THREE FEET BY FOUR FEET, MARKED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAZAAR IN TWO ROWS.
/WHEN THE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
- 5 -
WHEN THE HAWKERS MOVED INTO THE BAZAAR IN 1961 THEY WERE ALL LICENSED AS FIXED-PITCH HAWKERS. HOWEVER, STARTING FROM JUNE THE SAME YEAR, THEY BEGAN TO EXTEND THEIR STALLS ILLEGALLY BEYOND THE PERMITTED LIMITS.
REPEATED ENFORCEMENT ACTION WAS TAKEN BUT CONTROL WAS NOT EFFECTIVE DUE TO THE RELATIVELY MILD SENTENCES. HAWKERS THEN COMBINED THEIR STALLS AND EXTENDED THEM RIGHT UP TO THE FENCE, AND LATER EVEN DEMOLISHED THE FENCE TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL SQUATTER AREA.
THE SITUATION AND THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WERE FIRST BROUGHT UP FOR DISCUSSION IN THE DISTRICT BOARD IN DECEMBER 1981. IT AGREED THAT THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SHOULD BE CLEARED, AND A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WAS SET UP TO HANDLE THE ISSUE.
HOWEVER, WHILE THE ISSUE WAS BEING DISCUSSED, THE STRUCTURES HAD TAKEN UP EVERY INCH OF THE NULLAH DECKING, LEAVING ONLY NARROW PASSAGEWAYS AT POINTS.
MANY HAD GROWN TO DOUBLE STOREYS AND IN ONE PARTICULAR SECTION, THE EXTENSION UPWARDS WAS SUCH THAT THE SAFETY OF THE STRUCTURES WAS DOUBTFUL' FIRE HAZARD ALSO EXISTED OVER CERTAIN WORKSHOPS WHERE USED CHEMICAL CONTAINERS WERE STOCKPILED.
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AFTER A SERIES OF WARNING, DECIDED THAT ALL THE HAWKERS’ LICENCES WOULD NOT BE RENEWED AS FROM APRIL 1983.
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HONG KONG-CHINA FERRY TERMINAL PLANS APPROVED
*****
PLANS FOR A HONG IN TSIM SHA TSUI HAVE CFFICE (B.O.O.).
KONG-CHINA FERRY TERMINAL AT CANTON ROAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE
THE DEVELOPMENT ON THE 2.44-HECTARE SITE, BOUGHT BY CASH TENDER AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR BY MILLION SUCCESS LlMlTtD, Six INCLUDE A SEVEN-LEVEL PODIUM AND A THREE-STOREY PIER
STRUCTURE.
THE PODIUM DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE TWO LEVELS FOR CAR PARKING, AND TWO LEVELS FOR A TRAFFIC INTERCHANGE AND SHOPS.
OCCUPIED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT , CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MARINE,
A FURTHER TWO LEVELS WILL BE DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING IMMIGRATION MEDICAL AND HEALTH AND THE POLICE.
ON THESE LEVELS THERE WILL ALSO BE THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE. HALLS WAITING AND GREETING AREAS, BAGGAGE CLAIM AND HANDLING AREAS; SHOPS, TICKET OFFICES AND A LUGGAGE CHECK-IN COUNTER.
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
ON THE TOP LEVEL THERE WILL BE SHOPS, REFUSE COLLECTION ROOMS, A SWIMMING POOL AND GARDEN AREAS.
ABOVE THE PODIUM, A RESIDENTIAL BLOCK OF 14 STOREYS AND FOUR 13-STOREY OFFICE BLOCKS WILL BE BUILT.
THE PIER STRUCTURE WILL BE OF THREE STOREYS COMPRISING A PIER DECK, A DEPARTURE AREA AND AN ARRIVAL AREA. TRAVELATORS WILL BE INSTALLED. THE ROOF AREA OF THE PIER STRUCTURE WILL BE TURNED INTO A PUBLIC PROMENADE AND OPEN SPACE.
UNDER THE TERMS OF THE TENDER, MILLION SUCCESS LIMITED IS REQUIRED TO DEMOLISH THE EXISTING PIER WHICH WAS OPERATED UNTIL THE END OF 1984 BY THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN COMPANY LIMITED.
THE FERRY TERMINAL WAS ONE OF 44 PLANS APPROVED BY THE B.O.O. IN MAY. THE MAJORITY OF THESE -- 24 — WERE RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCOMMODATION SUCH AS APARTMENT BLOCKS, APARTMENT-COMMERCIAL BLOCKS AND INDIVIDUAL RESIDENCES.
AMONG THE DEVELOPMENTS GIVEN APPROVAL WERE A SIX-STOREY APARTMENT BLOCK FOR THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY IN TAI PAK TERRACE, WESTERN DISTRICT; FIVE 26-37 STOREY BLOCKS, ALL OVER SIX-STOREY CAR PARK PODIUMS, AT 28 TAI TAM ROAD, ON HONG KONG ISLAND; TWO 20-ST0REY TOWERS AT KING’S ROAD-SHU KUK STREET ON HONG KONG ISLAND, BOTH WITH A TWO-STOREY PODIUM AND TWO BASEMENT LEVELS'? AND 15 20-STOREY DOMESTIC BUILDINGS, WITH A SOCIAL CENTRE AND CAR PARK, AT SITE ’C’ OF THE HENG FA CHUEN DEVELOPMENT.
ALSO PASSED WERE A 768-ROOM COMMERCIAL HOTEL IN QUEENSWAY FOR KORNHILL DEVELOPMENT LIMITED; A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THREE STOREYS AT 109, REPULSE BAY ROAD, FOR HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI HOTELS LIMITED; A 36-STOREY CINEMA AND APARTMENTCOMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CHINACHEM FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED AT TUEN MUN; A FIVE-ROOM MOTEL AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG; AND A SINGLE-STOREY FACTORY FOR KYOWA COMPANY LIMITED AT YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
OF THE PLANS APPROVED. 16 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SEVEN IN KOWLOON AND 21 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DURING THE MONTH, PERMISSION WAS GIVEN FOR WORK TO START ON 42 PROJECTS, INCLUDING A 552-ROOM HOTEL FOR PHASE II OF THE KORNHILL DEVELOPMENT; A HOME FOR THE AGED AT RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG AND AN INTEGRAL ACADEMIC BUILDING FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AT SHA TIN.
OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR A TOTAL OF 40 BUILDINGS, CF WHICH 11 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 11 IN KOWLOON AND 18 IN THE f£W TERRITORIES.
/TH MAY,
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
IN MAY, THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED WAS 296 761.6 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 219 925 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC USE. THE VALUE OF THESE BUILDINGS TOTALLED APPROXIMATELY $925 MILLION.
ALSO IN MAY, THE B.O.O. ISSUED 22 DEMOLITION ORDERS AFFECTING 55 BUILDINGS.
YOUTH COMMITTEE SWINGS INTO ACTION
*****
FOUR COMMITTEES WILL BE SET UP UNDER THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH TO ASSIST IT IN EXAMINATING YOUTH POLICY AND PROMOTING YOUTH ACTIVITIES.
THIS WAS THE DECISION OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AT ITS SECOND MEETING HELD RECENTLY.
THE FOUR COMMITTEES ARE THE INFORMATION AND RESEARCH COMMITTEEYOUTH ACTIVITIES PROMOTION COMMITTEE- SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE AND WORKING PARTY ON YOUTH POLICY.
THE INFORMATION AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE WILL IDENTIFY THE SCOPE AND COVERAGE OF EXISTING YOUTH SERVICES AND PROVISIONS.
IT WILL ALSO COLLATE EXISTING FINDINGS OF RESEARCHES AND SURVEYS ON YOUTH AND ESTABLISH A TERRITORY PROFILE OF YOUTH.
AS AND WHEN NECESSARY, THE COMMITTEE WILL INITIATE AND SUPPORT RESEARCHES AND SURVEYS ON YOUTH.
THE WORK OF THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROMOTION COMMITTEE IS TO ADVISE ON THE PROMOTION OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND THEIR FUNDING WHERE APPROPRIATE AND TO LIAISE WITH RELEVANT LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED.
IT WILL INITIATE TERRITORY-WIDE PROGRAMMES CONDUCIVE TO THE PROMOTION OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATION, INCLUDING SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES ON YOUTH.
THIS COMMITTEE WILL ALSO HELP TO FACILITATE THE PARTICIPATION OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE IN WORTHWHILE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ACTIVITIES.
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE IS SET UP TO PLAN AND CO-ORDINATE THE RUNNING OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP).
IT WILL ADVISE ON THE FUNDING OF THE SYP AND ITS APPORTIONMENT TO DISTRICT COMMITTEES AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
/IT WILL .......
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
6
IT WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CO-ORDINATING THE PUBLICITY FOR SYP AND THE EVALUATION OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS.
TH- TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE WORKING PARTY ON YOUTH POLICY IS TO STUDY EXISTING POLICIES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS PERTAINING TO YOUTH AND TO EXAMINE AVAILABLE YOUTH POLICIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND THEIR FORMULATION.
IT WILL ALSO RECOMMEND TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH POLICY.
THESE FOUR COMMITTEES WILL REPORT TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SCOPE OF WORK.
THE FOUR COMMITTEES WILL BE HOLDING THEIR FIRST MEETING THIS MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEES WILL INCLUDE UNOFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SITTING ON THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH. OTHER MEMBERS MAY BE CO-OPTED AS AND WHEN NECESSARY.
IN ADDITION, THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH HAS LAUNCHED A VISIT PROGRAMME TO REACH RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS ON YOUTH WORK SUCH AS CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTtS
--------0----------
SERVICE BY YOUTH NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY * * * * *
THE ORGANISATION OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ALLOWS YOUNG PEOPLE TO IDENTIFY THE NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT AND TO JOIN HANDS IN BETTER SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BRIAN CHAU, SAID.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TODAY (SUNDAY) MR CHAU SAID, + THE PROGRAMME ALSO HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE TO SPEND THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN A MORE FRUITFUL AND HEALTHY WAY.*
MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE MAIN THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WAo TO +TO CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND TO GET TO KNOW IT BETTER*.
+WE HOPE THE ACTIVITIES CAN ENHANCE YOUNG PEOPLE’S SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT SO AS TO BRING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS TO THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
MR CHAU BELIEVED THAT THEIR AFFECTION AND CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY WERE INDISPENSABLE IN BUILDING A HARMONIOUS AND PLEASANT COMMUNITY.
/ALSO Oii'IJlAIIxi’G
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
- 7 -
ALSO~O'FFicTAT'l'NG“AT TODAYS OFENTNG WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MISS YEUNG KAM-CHUN, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR POON CHI-FAI.
MORE THAN 120 LOCAL BODIES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND WELFARE ASSOCIATIONS ARE TAKING PART ORGANISING SOME 600 SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT.
THESE INCLUDE LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSES, INTEREST CLASSES, OUTINGS, CAMPAIGNS, SPORTS, GAMES, COMPETITIONS, VARIETY SHOWS AND CARNIVALS.
A PAMPHLET LISTING THE ADDRESSES OF THE ORGANISERS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS BRANCH OFFICES AND COMMUNITY CENTRES J.N_THE DISTRICT.
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SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL GOING ON *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A SURVEY CF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
145 000 ESTABLISHMENTS DRAWN RANDOMLY SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRY ING:
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT
FROM THOSE IN THE INDUSTRIAL ------- f
MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES), AND THEY COVER ALL THOSE IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED BY THE SURVEY AT THE END JUNE OF AND REMINDERS ARE BE NG SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL MAIL ENQUIRY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON JUNE 30 FOR EACH ESTABLISHMENT. SOME ID 000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THESE 145 000 ESTABLISHMENTS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH CF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF APRIL-JUNE 1986.
RESPONDENTS HAVING DIFFICULTIES COMPLETING THE FORMS SHOULJ CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR HELP AT THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS: 5-436551, 5-444301, 5-455661 AND 5-455668.
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
8
CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED WITH SONGS
*****
THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS JOINED FORCES WITH A NUMBER CF POPULAR SINGERS TODAY (SUNDAY) AT REPULSE BAY BEACH TO LAUNCH THE +CLEAN BEACH* PHASE OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
FOR NEARLY TWO HOURS LUI FONG, LUN WING-LUEN, TERESA CARPIO, CHAN WAI-HAN AND CHEUNG TAK-LAN SANG TO CROWDS ON THE BEACH.
THE SHOW WAS BROADCAST LIVE BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AS PART OF THEIR INFORMATION ’86 SERIES.
BUT ENTERTAINMENT WAS ONLY THE +SOFT+ SIDE OF A CAMPAIGN wHICH HAD +TEETH* TOO, WARNED URBAN COUNCIL MEMBER, MR WALTER SULKE, WHO SPOKE IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE UC-RC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE.
MR SULKE WAS REFERRING TO THE RECENT ONE-DAY SWEEP OF URBAN BEACHES WHICH NETTED 155 LITTERBUGS.
+WE WILL HAVE MORE BLITZES OF THIS SORT ON MANY BEACHES,* SAID, BECAUSE THE UC AND RC WOULD CONVINCE LITTERBUGS TO CHANGE THEIR WAYS.
MR SULKE THEN INTRODUCED THE STEERING COMMITTEE’S VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR CARLOS CHEUNG, WHO WAS REPRESENTING THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN THE JOINT EFFORT.
MR SULKE POINTED OUT THAT THE CURRENT JOINT CAMPAIGN WAS A STEP TOWARD A MAJOR GOVERNMENT CLEAN-UP WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS NECESSARY TO.EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATE FILTH IN THE.TERR LTORY.
-------0---------
LABOUR OFFICIALS TO ATTEND ASIAN SEMINAR
*****
TWO SENIOR OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE TO LEAVE FOR BANGKOK NEXT WEEK TO ATTEND THE ASIAN REGIONAL SEMINAR ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
THEY ARE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, AND SUPERINTENDENT OF FACTORY INSPECTORS, MR LEE HUNG-KWONG.
OTHER PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AS WELL AS EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES FROM 11 ASIAN COUNTRIES.
THE SEMINAR, FROM JULY 14 TO 23, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR IN THAILAND.
/DUK1NG THE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
- 9 -
during THE 13—DAY MEETING. MR YIP WILL PRESENT A PAPER ENTITLED -♦PROMOTION OF SAFETY HEALTH AND WELFARE IN THE CONSTRUCTION imdii^TRY IN HONG KONG+ HE WILL ALSO SHOW TO PARTICIPANTS A JJ-MINUTE DOCUMENTARY FILM AND VARIOUS API’S ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
mp i pp WHO HAS BEEN INVITED TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANISING AND THE cSRpiEaTiSS OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEMINAR, WILL ALSO DELIVER A PAPER.
0 -
ENQUIRY SERVICE OFFERS HELP ON TENANCY MATTERS
******
MORE THAN 348 OOO ENQUIRIES ON TENANCY MATTERS WERE RECEIVED LAST YEAR AT THE 65 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES RUN BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THIS REPRESENTED 6.4 PER CENT .OF THE FIVE MILLION ENQUIRIES HANDLED BY PES STAFF IN THE WHOLE YEAR, A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WERE RENT INCREASES, RECOVERY OF PREMISES, ARREARS OF RENT, TENANCY DISPUTES AND TENANCY AGREEMENTS.
+LANDLORDS OR TENANTS WHO HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR STATUTORY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS CAN ALWAYS SEEK ADVICE FROM THE PES CENTRES,+ HE SAID.
+THROUGH REFERRALS, THEY CAN DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS WITH RENT OFFICERS FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT UNDER THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME.*
THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME, LAUNCHED IN APRIL 1978, IS ADMINISTERED BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT.
+UNDER THE SCHEME, RENT OFFICERS ARE ON DUTY AT SELECTED DISTRICT OFFICES ON SPECIFIC DAYS EACH WEEK TO DISCUSS WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THEIR PROBLEMS.
+THEY ALSO GIVE ADVICE ON TENANCY MATTERS RELATING TO THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE AND OTHER COMMON LAW MATTERS CONCERNING LANDLORD AND TENANT RELATIONSHIP.*
ANYONE WISHING TO SEEK ADVICE ON TENANCY MATTERS OR OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHEME MAY APPROACH THE 65 PES CENTRES OR CONTACT THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT DIRECT.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE SECTION AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON THE 13TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI (TEL. 3-692255).
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/10........
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
10
SWIMMING POOL FOR POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL * * * * *
A HEATED OPEN-AIR SWIMMING POOL AND AN EIGHT-STOREY TEACHING ELOCK ARE TO BE BUILT AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL AT ABERDEEN IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE PROJECT, FOR WHICH TENDERS ARE NOW BEING CALLED, IS THE THIRD AND FINAL ^HASE OF THE $100 MILLION STAGE FIVE OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT.
THE EIGHT-STOREY BLOCK WILL CONTAIN CLASSROOMS, OFFICES, EXAMINATION HALLS, A LIBRARY, READING ROOM, LANGUAGE LABORATORY, TELEVISION STUDIO AND A LECTURE THEATRE.
PHASE THREE ALSO INCLUDES THE PROVISION OF A 500-METRE JOGGING TRACK EXTENSION OF THE GUARD ROOM, IMPROVEMENTS TO TWO EXISTING SHOOTING RANGES AND LANDSCAPING.
A TRANSFORMER ROOM, SWITCH ROOM AND EMERGENCY GENERATOR ROOM ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT.
THE ALREADY COMPLETED PHASES ONE AND TWO OF THE REDEVELOPMENT SAW THE BUILDING OF A NEW BLOCK FOR THE POLICE BAND, NEW QUARTERS FOR MALE AND FEMALE INSPECTORS, EXTENSIONS TO THE OFFICERS’ MESS AND LAUNDRY, A NEW RANK AND FILE MESS, A NEW CANTEEN AND A CAR PARK, WITH CHANGING ROOMS UNDERNEATH.
A NEW TENNIS COURT WAS LAID AND IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO THE CRICKET AND FOOTBALL PITCHES.
WORK ON THE FINAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 1988.
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SPECIAL MEETING ON NUCLEAR PLANT
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON TUESDAY (JULY 8) TO DISCUSS ASPECTS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY GENERATING PLANT.
TWO ACADEMICS FROM THE TWO UNIVERSITIES WILL BE INVITED TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT. THEY ARE DR KENNETH YOUNG OF THE PHYSICS DEPARTMENT, CHINESE UNIVERSITY, AND DR RAYMOND YEUNG OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THEY WILL SPEAK ON RATIONAL APPROACH TO NUCLEAR ENERGY AND THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF NUCLEAR PLANTS.
/THE MjlETING
bUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
11
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM CF THE KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT 166-174, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI HING.
THE MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl DISTRICT BOARD AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI HING.
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SCHOOLS COMPETITION TO PROMOTE CIVIC AWARENESS * * * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS TO HOLD AN INTER-SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION TO PROMOTE CIVIC AWARENESS AMONG SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO GROUPS OF SECONDARY AND PRIMARY PUPILS WITH ONE ENTRY FROM EACH SCHOOL.
THE PROJECT MAY BE ON ANY SOCIAL ISSUE OF PUBLIC INTEREST AND SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHOOSE AND TO DETERMINE ON THEIR OWN, THE TITLE, SCOPE AND FORMAT OF THE PROJECT.
THE PROJECT MAY BE PRESENTED IN ENGLISH OR CHINESE AND ALL ENTRIES MUST BEAR THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL. PRIZES WORTH $10 000 IN FORM OF BOOK COUPONS WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNING SCHOOLS IN EACH CATEGORY.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE FIVE MERIT PRIZES AND TEN CONSOLATION PRIZES IN EACH CATEGORY.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS SHOULD RETURN COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS TO THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 515, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, BY JULY 15. THE COMPLETED PROJECTS SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO THE SAME SECTION ON OCTOBER 30 AND 31.
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/12........
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
MINI-TENNIS CLUB FORMED IN KWAI CHUNG, TSING Yl *****
A MINI-TENNIS CLUB HAS BEEN FORMED IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE SPORT IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SPORT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO LOCAL RESIDENTS BY THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN JULY LAST YEAR.
SINCE THEN, A SERIES OF TRAINING COURSES AND DEMONSTRATIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CENTRES, WITH ENCOURAGING RESULTS.
MINI-TENNIS WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE TSUEN KWAI SPORTS FESTIVAL AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG, WERE ATTRACTED TO THE GAME.
THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl MINI-TENNIS CLUB WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT 2.30 PM AT THE OSMAN RAMJU SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL AT HING FONG ROAD, KWAI HING.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DEMONSTRATION OF THE GAME AFTER THE CEREMONY.
KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO TUNG-CHING, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGRATION CEREMONY OF THE MINI-TENNIS CLUB TO BE HELD TOMORROW AT 2.30 PM AT THE OSMAN RAMJU SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL AT HING FONG ROAD, KWAI HING.
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TALENTS SOUGHT FOR *
TUEN MUN CHILDREN CHOIR * * * *
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP
rmiDRFN IN TUEN MUN WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNI It IU utvcuur THEIR SINGING POTENTIAL WITH THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN CHOIR RECRUITING IEW BLOOD FOR THE FIRST ?IME SINCE IT WAS FORMED FOUR YEARS AGO.
a for THF CHOIR SAID ABOUT 60 VACANCIES HAVE BECOME
AVAILABLE AS RaNY MEMBERS W|Cl Ie LEAVING THE CHOIR BECAUSE OF VOCAL CHORD CHANGES SINCE THEY HAVE REACHED ADOLESCENCE.
/APPLICATIONS
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1986
- 13 -
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN TO CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND~14 IN THE DISTRICT AND FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS FOUR SUB-OFFICES AT TAI HING, ON TING-YAU Ol, SIU HONG AND WU KING-BUTTERFLY ESTATES,
COMPLETED FORMS, WITH EITHER THE PARENTS OR THE GUARDIANS CONSENT SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE BY JULY 20. APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED FOR AN AUDITION AND SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL THEN BE SELECTED TO JOIN THE CHOIR.
+0N BECOMING A CHOIR MEMBER THE CHILDREN WILL, IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON, BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO TAKE PART IN PUBLIC PERFORMANCES, AS REPRESENTATIVES OF TUEN MUN,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE 100-MEMBER TUEN MUN CHILDREN CHOIR WAS FORMED IN 1982 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROVIDE TRAINING FACILITIES TO GROOM LOCAL MUSIC TALENTS AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWN.
OVER THE YEARS, THE CHOIR HAS GROWN IN POPULARITY NOT JUST IN TUEN MUN BUT ALSO IN OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN TELEV IS ION SHOWS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
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NEW POST OFFICE OPENING IN ABERDEEN
* * * * *
A NEW POST OFFICE WILL OPEN IN THE TOWN CENTRE OF ABERDEEN ON MONDAY, JULY 14.
THE POST OFFICE IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS OF KAM FUNG BUILDING, AT THE JUNCTION OF SAI ON STREET AND ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
IT REPLACES THE PRESENT ABERDEEN POST OFFICE AT SHOP 7A, NAM NING STREET, IN ABERDEEN CENTRE SITE 1 AND THE POST OFFICE BOX CFFICE AT 31 TUNG SHING ROAD. THESE TWO PLACES WILL CLOSE AT 5 PM ON SATURDAY, JULY 12.
OPERATING IN LARGER ACCOMMODATION WITH IMPROVED FACILITIES, THE COUNTER OFFICE WHICH IS ON THE GROUND FLOOR WILL OFFER A FULL RANGE OF NORMAL COUNTER SERVICES.
THE FIRST FLOOR WILL ACCOMMODATE THE MAIL DELIVERY OFFICE SERVING THE ABERDEEN DISTRICT AND P.O. BOX LOBBY. THE PROVISION OF P.O. BOXES WILL ALSO BE INCREASED, FROM THE PRESENT 200 BOXES TO 500, TO MEET INCREASING DEMAND.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER (5-559960), HOURS OF BUSINESS AND HOURS CF ACCESS TO THE P.O. BOX LOBBY (9 AM TO 5 PM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY) FOR THE POST OFFICE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
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/14........
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 1936
14
COMMITTEE MEETINGS OPEN TO PUBLIC
*****
MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL IN FUTURE BE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE FIRST OPEN MEETING IS THE CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE MEETING ON TUESDAY (JULY 8).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE WORKING GROUPS ON THE +ART NURTURE SCHEME* AND THE SCHEME TO TRANSFORM TSUEN WAN INTO A FLOWER CITY.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER TWO APPLICATIONS FOR ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO RUN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM CF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JULY 7, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES, ENFORCEMENT ACTION COMPLEMENTARY .............................. . 1
THIRD CHOL-eRA CASE CONFIRMED...................... 2
PUMPING STATION FOR SHEUNG TSUEN .................. 2
SHA TIN FORM-o 'CONCERN FOR YOUTH' SCHEME.......... J
SHa TIN COMPETITION TO PROMOTE SWIMMING............ J
CONCERT PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN....................... 4
KWAI TmING YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENS WEDNESDAY....... 5
YOUNG PEOPLE TO HELP IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT .......... 5
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ........... 6
DETAILS of industrial SAFETY SHOW ................. 7
JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY ......................... 7
ROAD WORKS AT LION ROCK TUNNEL APPROACHES.......... 8
WESTERN DISTRICT WATER CUT ........................ 8
WATER STORaGE FIGURE .............................. 8
MONDAY, JULY 7, 1986
1
PP O'' C T I ON AL ACTIVITIES, ENFORCEMENT ACTION COMPLEMENTARY
*****
ENFORCEMENT ACTION ALONE CAN NEVER PREVENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT^, ThE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAL TODAY (MONDAY).
INSPECTION AND PROSECUTION, HE POINTED OUT, COULD HAVE A TEMPORARY IMPACT BUT WOULD NOT ALWAYS BE TAKEN AS A LESSON.
+TO BE TRULY EFFECTIVE, A SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICY REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME OF WIDER ACTIVITIES TO COMPLEMENT THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION, OR RATHER, THE VICE VERSA IS THE CASE,+ HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST, MR YIP SAID THAT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MANPOWER AND RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE WAS COMMITTED ANNUALLY TO THE PROMOTION OF THESE WIDER ACTIVITIES. THESE INCLUDE ADVISORY AND INFORMATION SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND INTENSIVE PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES.
HE NOTED THAT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WAS ALWAYS READY TO OFFER ADVICE AND INFORMATION ABOUT WAYS AND MEANS OF IMPROVING SAFETY STANDARD AT WORKPLACES.
+DURING THEIR DAILY VISITS TO FACTORIES, THEY OFTEN TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO DISCUSS SAFETY PROBLEMS AND EXPLAIN THE PRESENCE OF HAZARDS WITH THE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS,* HE SAID. +SAFETY LITERATURE AND PAMPHLETS ARE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO COMPLEMENT VERBAL ADV ICE.*
ON EDUCATION, THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE RUN BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE CONDUCTS A WIDE RANGE OF BASIC AND ADVANCE SAFETY TRAINING COURSES NOT ONLY FOR ITS OWN STAFF BUT ALSO FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICERS.
IN ADDITION, IT MAINTAINS A LIBRARY OF OVER 3 □□□ TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS, 1 200 TECHNICAL PERIODICALS AND ABOUT 300 SAFETY FILMS AND VIDEO TAPES WHICH CAN BE USED FOR REFERENCE BY TRaLmc.ES, COURSE ATTENDANTS AND PROFESSIONALS IN INDUSTRIES.
TURNING TO PUBLICITY, MR YIP SAID THE DEPARTMENT ORGaN ISEo AN ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN WITH A VIEW TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF, AND TO INCULCATE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS wITH, Trit IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AT WORK.
THIS YEAR, HE SAID, A BUDGET OF $750 000 HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR THE CAMPAIGN. MAJOR ACTIVITIES WHICH RECEIVED VERY GOOD PUBLIC RESPONSE LAST YEAR WILL CONTINUE TO BE ORGANISED. THESE INCLUDE A RADIO SHOW +MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK*, AN EIGHT-EPISODE TELEVISION DOCU-DRAMA, AND A +SAFETY WEEK* WHICH WILL LEAD UP TO A GALA NIGHT EARLY NEXT YEAR WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM EMPLOYERS AND TRADE UNIONS TO MARK THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION.
+ALL THESE ARE AIMED AT THE WIDEST POSSIBLE SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY,* MR YIP SAID. +IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES, SOME OF WHICH COMBINE EDUCATION wITH ENTERTAINMENT, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MESSAGES CAN REACH EVERY HOME AND WORKPLACE IN HONG KONG.*
MONDAY, JULY 7, 1986
2
THIRD CHOLERA CASE CONFIRMED * * * *
A 'U-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS CONFIRMED TODAY (MONDAY) TO BE SUFFERING FROM CHOLERA. IT BROUGHT TO THREE THE NUMBER OF CHOLERA CASES REPORTED THIS YEAR.
THE WOMAN, AN INDONESIAN, HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG FROM INDONESIA WITH FIVE RELATIVES ON JULY 2.
THE PATIENT DEVELOPED DIARRHOEA IN THE MORNING OF JULY 3 AND WAS ADMITTED TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ON JULY 5. SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL TODAY.
THE DOCTOR DEALING WITH THE CASE DESCRIBED THE WOMAN’S CONDITION AS SATISFACTORY.
SINCE THE PATIENT HAD COME FROM OVERSEAS, THE CASE WAS CLASSIFIED AS IMPORTED.
HEALTH OFFICERS FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAVE VISITED A HOTEL AND A TOUR CENTRE WHERE THE PATIENT AND THREE OF HER RELATIVES HAD STAYED. THE RELATIVES WERE MEDICALLY EXAMINED AND GIVEN PREVENTIVE DRUGS, AND THE ROOMS THE VISITORS HAD STAYED IN WERE DISINFECTED BY STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT SINCE THERE HAS BEEN NO SECONDARY CASE, THERE IS NO NEED TO DECLARE HONG KONG AS A CHOLERA-INFECTED AREA.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE STRICT PERSONAL HYGIENCE AND TO BE CAREFUL IN THE CONSUMPTION OF FOOD AND DRINKS TO AVOID CONTRACTING THE DISEASE.
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PUMPING STATION FOR SHEUNG TSUEN * * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY WILL BE EXTENDED TO HIGH LEVEL AREAS OF SHEK KONG AND PAT HEUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHEN A PUMPING STATION IS CONSTRUCTED AT SHEUNG TSUEN.
OCCUPYING A SITE OF 88 SQUARE METRES NEAR KAM SHEUNG ROAD, THE SINGLE STOREY STATION WILL HOUSE TWO ELECTRIC PUMP SETS, EACH WITH A CAPACITY OF ABOUT 2 600 CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
THE WATER WILL BE DRAWN FROM THE SERVICE RESERVOIR AT aU TAU THROUGH AN EXISTING MAIN AT KAM SHEUNG ROAD AND PUMPED TO A WATER TANK AT SHEUNG TSUEN, NOw UNDER CONSTRUCTION, -0-DISTRIBUTION TO CONSUMERS.
TE ND ER S F OR THE ^ROuECT — * ORK ON n n IC H a I >_L Si-- Kz / i '■'ON i -AND BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR - ARE BEING INVITED.
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MONDAY, JULY 7, 1936
3
3i.A TIN FORMS ’CONCERN FOR YOUTH’ SCHEME
*****
SHA TIN RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN YOUTH AFFAIRS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE CONCERN FOR YOUTH SCHEME THROUGH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC).
THE SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD. ITS AIMS ARE TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO PARTICIPANTS SO THAT THEY CAN ASSIST IN THE ORGANISING OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT AND TO ENCOURAGE YOUTHS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORK OF THE MAC’S.
THE SCHEME INCLUDES INTRODUCTION ON YOUTH PSYCHOLOGY, COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MAC.
THE SCHEME, LASTING FOUR MONTHS, WILL BEGIN IN AUGUST AND IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES.
THE FIRST PHASE IS ON BASIC TRAINING AND INCLUDES SEMINARS AND VISITS. THE SECOND PHASE IS ON PRACTICAL TRAINING AND PARTICIPANTS WILL BE TAUGHT THE TECHNIQUES OF ORGANISING YOUTH ACTIVITIES.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES AT THE END OF THE SCHEME WHILE THE MAC WITH OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE DURING PRACTICAL TRAINING WILL BE AWARDED A TROPHY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL SHA TIN MAC’S AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 0-6478816. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS AUGUST 2.
SHA TIN COMPETITION TO PROMOTE SWIMMING
*****
ABOUT 400 SWIMMING ENTHUSIASTS LIVING, WORKING OR STUDYING SHA TIN WILL TAKE PART IN A DISTRICT SWIMMING COMPETITION ON SUNDAY (JULY 13).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE SwIMi'ilNb GALA AIMS TO PROMOTE AN INTEREST IN THE SPORT AND IMPROVE GENERAL STANDARDS WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL FROM 8.30 AM TO 6 PM.
THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR SECTIONS — ONE FOR NEN AND THREE FOR WOMEN, ACCORDING TO AGE.
/WINNERS
MONDAY, JULY 7, 1986
of each section will be awarded prizes and may rcPresen??HE DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT SWIMMING COMPETITION NEXT MONTH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN SWIMMING GALA TO BE THIS SUNDAY AT THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.
HELD
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CONCERT PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN
*****
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 9) TO DISCUSS SPONSORSHIP CF A PERFORMANCE BY THE PAN ASIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN SEPTEMBER.
THE PROPOSED CONCERT WILL BE HELD IN THE HALL OF THE YAN Ol TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE. IT WILL CONSIST OF A LECTURE RECITAL ON VARIOUS ORCHESTRAL MUSIC INSTRUMENTS AND A PERFORMANCE OF MUSIC SCORES, INCLUDING DANCE MUSIC, LIGHT MUSIC, FOLK SONGS AND POP MUSIC.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD HAS SPONSORED MANY ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCES IN THE PAST, INCLUDING A RECENT ONE BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, WHICH WAS WELL-RECEIVED.
ALSO AT WEDNESDAY’S MEETING, AN INFORMATION PAPER ON ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES OF THE ICAC TUEN MUN OFFICE IN 1986-87 WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER SOME 23 APPLICATIONS FOR ORGANISING CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES DURING SUMMER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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/5........
MONDAY, JULY 7, 1986
5
KWAI TSI NG YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENS WEDNESDAY * * * *
AN OPENING CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE 1936 KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 9) AT THE WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND.
THE CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN AREA TEAMS FEATURING WESTERN AND ORIENTAL DANCES, AEROBIC DANCE, CHORAL SINGING AND A SPECIAL GYMNASTIC DEMONSTRATION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A BRASS BAND PERFORMANCE AND A MAGIC SHOW BY THE + TVB CARES* TEAM.
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (TSUEN WAN), MR CHAN SUI-JEUNG, KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO TUNG-CHING, DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK, AND THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (NT), MR CHUI WING-MAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARP INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AT 3.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY AT THE WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND.
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YOUNG PEOPLE TO HELP IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT
T ff * * *
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ORGANISED A CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME TO TRAIN LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE TO HELP IMPROVE THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT.
THE SUMMER PROGRAMME, wI TH THE THEME OF +1 LOVE ISLANDS*, INCLUDES ACTIVITIES SUCH AS LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMPS, MURALPAINTING PROJECTS, BEACH CLEANING EXERCISE, PAINTING RAIN SHELTERS AND CUTTING GRASS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY): +THE IDEA BEHIND THE PROGRAMME IS TO LET THE YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DISTRICT AND ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING THROUGH PARTICIPATION AND PLANNING FOR THE DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
+THE GROWN-UPS ALSO HAVE CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE IN THE PROGRAMM THEY CAN HELP IDENTIFY wORK AND PROBLEM AREAS FOR THE YOUNG PEOPL TO FOLLOW UP.+
LOCAL STUDENTS, MEMBERS OF YOUTH GROUPS, JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS HAVE RESPONDED ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO THE PROGRAMME AND MOST OF THE ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN OVER-SUBSCRIBED.
11J • » I
/THr. BBaCH...........
MONDAY, JULY 7, 1986
6
THE BEACH CLEANING EXERCISE STARTED TODAY AT VARIOUS BEACHES ON LANTAU ISLAND, PENG CHAU AND LAMMA ISLAND.
A BEACH-CLEANING EXERCISE WILL TAKE PLACE AT TUNG WAN ON CHEUNG CHAU ON THURSDAY, JULY 17.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ™ DISTRICT HAVE ASKED THEIR PUPILS TO TAKE PART IN THE BEACH CLEANING EXERCISES.
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET
*****
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY, ACCESS FACILITIES TO THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION, AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AREA.
THEY WILL CONSIDER THE REVIEW OF LAST YEAR’S ACTION PROGRAMME ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS, AND STATISTICS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT AND RAISE QUESTIONS ON GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES FROM SHIU FAI TERRACE TO ADMIRALTY STATION AND CAUSEWAY BAY AND THE PUTTING UP OF RAILING ALONG KENNEDY ROAD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 4 PM IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD.
THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD CONTACT THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON 5-8921239 FOR RESERVATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 4 PM TOMORROW AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR CF TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD.
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/7........
MONDAY, JULY 7, 1986
1
DETAILS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SHO* * * * *
DETAILS OF A TELEVISION PROGRAMME, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PIONEER, WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE VERSAILLES, THIRD FLOOR, HOTEL REGAL MERIDIEN HONG KONG, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, aT 3 Pi’l TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE PROGRAMME AIMED AT PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AMONG THE PUBLIC AND MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS, IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED.
SPEAKING AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, IVR YIP YUK-LUN, AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF HK-TVB, MR KAM CHI-FA I.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY
* * * *
A TOTAL OF 1 143 GRADUATES OF THE GRANTHAM, NORTHCOTE AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG T-CHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE wILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES AT A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE CEREMONY FOR THE GRADUATES HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TWO-YEAR OR THREE-YEAR FULL-TIME PRE-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE.
UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, WILL ADDRESS THE GRADUATES WHILE MRS POON WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL CHaIR THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL IN KOWLOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY CF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AT ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL TOMORRO* AT 3.15 PM.
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/8 .......
MONDAY, JULY 7, 1986
8
r.cAD WORKS AT LION ROCK TUNNEL APPROACHES *****
VARIOUS LANES ON THE SHA TIN APPROACHES TO THE SOUTHBOUND TUB- Or TriE'LlON ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 13) FOR RESURFACING WORK WHICH WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN 8 PM AND 6 AM DAILY TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC.
IT WILL ONLY BE CARRIED OUT NEAR THE TOLL BOOTHS AND THE TUNNEL PORTAL WHILE LANES INSIDE THE TUNNEL WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED, MOTORISTS SHOULD MAKE FULL USE OF TAI PO ROAD AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE. TEMPORARY ADVANCE WARNING SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
THE KOWLOON-BOUND BUS STOP ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR THE TOLL BOOTHS WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 8 PM AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 24 FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
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WESTERN DISTRICT WATER CUT
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 10) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY POKFULAM ROAD, VICTORIA ROAD AND SASSOON ROAD; TAI WAN SAN TSUEN; HO TUNG HILL SQUATTER AREA; NOS. 1-35 AND 2-10 MT. DAVIS ROAD; NO. 96, BLOCK A,B AND 0 OF POKFULAM ROAD AND TELEGRAPH VILLAGE.
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
AM TODAY (MONDAY)
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9
STOOD AT 55.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 323.854 MILLION CUBIC
KETRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 349.257 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 59.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FUNDS FOP VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOUGHT 1
21 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON TRIAD DOCUMENT......... 2
i^UGTA ARRANGEMENTS FOR TEXTILE EXPORTS TO U.S. ... 5
REMINDER ON PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TROPICAL CYCLONES 4
SSPA RESULTS TO BE RELEASED FRIDAY................ 6
IMPORTANCE OF BILINGUAL TEACHING STRESSED ........ 9
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS .... 11
TV SERIES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ........... 12
PROXY VOTE FOR UK CITI SENS LIVING ABROAD......... 12
CURRICULUM GUIDES FOR SPEECH TEACHING UNDER STUDY 1$
CLAMPDOWN ON ILLEGAL SALE OF ANIMALS, BIRDS....... 15
WIDE-RANGING SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS ........ 16
SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES FOR SAI KUNG START 1?
SATURDAY ........................................
VOCATIONAL TRAINING EXHIBITIONS Tu BE STAGED .... 18
SPECIAL CaR NUMBERS TO BE AUCTIONED .............. 18
5,9.4 MILLION ROAD AND DRAINAGE CONTRACT AWaRDED . 19
TAI PO WaTaR CUT ................................. 19
demolition of rooftop illegal structures sought . 20
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1936
1
FUNDS FOR VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOUGHT
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO APPROVE A COMMITMENT OF $178 700 000 FOR THE INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING OF THE PROPOSED VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (VTMS), A NETWORK OF RADAR STATIONS SET UP AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS TO COVER MARINE TRAFFIC LANES.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF IMPLEMENTING THE VTMS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $215 010 000.
COUPLED WITH COMPUTERS AND VERY HIGH FREQUENCY COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT, THE VTMS WILL BE ABLE TO MONITOR AND CONTROL VESSEL MOVEMENTS CONTINUOUSLY TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND TRAFFIC FLOW, WHICH HAS QUADRUPLED IN THE PAST 20 YEARS IN CERTAIN AREAS.
IN 1985 AN AVERAGE OF 2 229 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERED AND DEPARTED FROM THE PORT EACH MONTH AND THIS NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY FOUR PER CENT ANNUALLY.
RIVER TRADE CRAFT AND INTERNATIONAL FERRY TRAFFIC HAS ALSO GROWN, WITH ABOUT 13 660 MOVEMENTS A MONTH IN 1985. AT THE SAME TIME, VESSELS HAVE BECOME LARGER AND FASTER.
A VTMS FOR THE PORT OF HONG KONG AND ITS APPROACHES HAS BEEN PROPOSED AFTER THE EXAMINATION OF A REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE CANADIAN COMMERCIAL CORPORATION (CCC) IN LATE 1984 AND THE EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY POTENTIAL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VTMS HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE PORTS COMMITTEE, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MARINE POLICY.
THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY HAS SUPPORTED THE VTMS AND ACCEPTS THE IMPLICATIONS OF RECOVERING THE COSTS OF IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH INCREASE IN PORT AND LIGHT DUES AND PASSENGER EMBARKATION FEES.
AS THE SYSTEM IS NEW TO HONG KONG, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE CCC WOULD BE EMPLOYED FOR THE SUPPLY, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING CF THE SYSTEM, SUBJECT TO NORMAL TENDERING PROCEDURES.
IF ACCEPTED, IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-1989.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED AT TOMORROW’S MEETING AREs
* AN INCREASE IN PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR THE AUXILIARY FORCES (OTHER THAN THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE) AND TO OFFSET A SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $2 752 0001
/• A SUPPLEMENTARY
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
2
*
*
*
A SUPPLEMENTARY PROV IS ION TO MEET ' ^^S^eEqoVERNMENT ; ARISING FROM COURT COSTS AWARDED AGAINST THE bUVEKNiiumi, SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS FOR THE UN IVERS IT IES THE POLYTECHNICS ^RZHESA^T'^C^l2 T S 0 J IsTHENTS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE NON-DIRECTORATE PAY SCALES, A CAP ITAI GRANT FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TO THE HONG KONG cnr ipty for the blind to equip a centralised braille PRODUCTION CENTRE AND THE EXTENSION °F THE AMBIT OF HEAD 41 EDUCATION SUBVENTIONS SUBHEAD TO INCLUDE A SUBVENTION TO THE SOCIETY TO OPERATE THE CENTRE. AND
*
. NEW COMMITMENTS TOTALLING $5 858 OOO TOI MEET THE COST OF furnishing AND EQUIPPING THE PROPOSED JEWELLERY INUUoikt TRAINING CENTRE AND ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING ^KAIININ CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, AND TO ACCcPT THE RECURRENT FINANCIAL IMPLICATION ARISING FROM THE OF THE TWO CENTRES.
OPENING
- - 0 - -
21 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON TRIAD DOCUMENT * * * * *
TwENTY-ONE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE TO BE HELD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAw AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
FIVE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME. THEY ARE: THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986 AND THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
THE FIRST THREE BILLS DEAL WITH REVISION OF FEES FOR SOME SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
IN ADDITION, DEBATE WILL RESUME ON SIX BILLS. THEY ARE:
THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1986?
THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOL I DAT ION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986;
THE FATAL ACCIDENTS BILL 1986;
/THE PRISONS .......
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
TriE PRISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986;
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1986 ?
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POI NTS)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
OTHER BUSINESS INCLUDES NINE QUESTIONS FROM UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND A MOTION BY THE HON MARIA TAM TO AMEND STANDING ORDER NO. 14 OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ENABLE MEMBERS, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PRESIDENT, TO SPEAK ON SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION LAID BEFORE IT.
LAID BEFORE IT.
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QUOTA ARRANGEMENTS FOR TEXTILE EXPORTS TO U.S.
* * * * *
SHIPMENT RETURNS ARE NOW BEING INVITED FROM EXPORTERS FOR QUOTA AND ENTITLEMENT ALLOCATION FOR GARMENTS (INCLUDING SWEATERS) OF SILK BLEND AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRE FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE 1986 - 1991 HONG KONG-UNITED STATES BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENT.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT TO FACILITATE CALCULATIONS OF 1986 AND 1987 QUOTA ENTITLEMENTS, EXPORTERS WHO HAVE TAKEN OUT NON-RESTRAI NED LICENCES DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 21, 1985 TO FEBRUARY 20, 1986 TO COVER SHIPMENTS OF GARMENTS OF SILK BLEND AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRE ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT A RETURN SHOWING THEIR COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF SHIPMENTS IN RESPECT OF THESE PRODUCTS WHICH WERE LICENSED DURING THE PERIOD.
EXPORTERS ARE ESPECIALLY REQUIRED TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE AND SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE TYPE OF GOODS LICENSED.
THE DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SHIPMENT SAMPLES FOR EXAMINATION.
RETURNS MUST REACH COUNTER NOS. 51(N) AND 51(0) OF THE NORTH AMERICA DIVISION, TEXTILE CONTROLS BRANCH ON 15TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, BY HAND BY JULY 12, 1986.
+LATE RETURNS AND RETURNS WITH INADEQUATE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MANUFACTURERS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE RETURNS ARE BEING INVITED FROM EXPORTERS ONLY. THEY ARE ADVISED TO ENSURE THAT, WHERE THEY THEMSELVES ARE NOT THE EXPORTERS, THEIR EXPORTERS SHOULD SUBMIT THE APPROPRIATE RETURNS.
/manufacturers
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
4
MANUFACTURERS WHO PERFORMED THE PRINCIPAL PROCESSES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE GOODS IN QUESTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CERTIFICATION OF ORIGIN CIRCULARS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT WILL EE ELIGIBLE FOR ALLOCATION.
MEANWHILE, IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT ON THE ADVICE OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, THE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO OPERATE, WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 8, 1986, A SPECIAL FREE QUOTA SCHEME TO DISPOSE OF THE UNCOMMITTED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE FOR ISSUE OF EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS IN GROUP I (NON-APPAREL OF COTTON, MAN-MADE FIBRE AND WOOL), GROUP II (APPAREL OF COTTON, MAN-MADE FIBRE AND WOOL) AND GROUP III (APPAREL OF SILK BLEND AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRES OTHER THEN SWEATERS) ESTABLISHED UNDER THE 1986 - 1991 HC/U.S. TEXTILES AGREEMENT.
THE SCHEME WILL BE OPERATED FROM JULY 8, 1986 TO JULY 16, 1936, DURING WHICH ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WILL BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER AND APPROVED, IF NECESSARY, ON A PROPORTIONATE BASIS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EXPORTERS THAT UNDER THE COVERAGE OF THE NEW AGREEMENT, EXPORTS OF MAN-MADE-FIBRE LUGGAGE, HANDBAGS AND FLATGOODS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE NEW CATEGORY 670 AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE VISA REQUIREMENT WHEN IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES.
wITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, ALL EXPORTS OF MAN-MADE FIBRE LUGGAGE, HANDBAGS AND FLATGOODS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE UNDER EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS IN CATEGORY 670 IN GROUP I.
THE DEPARTMENT ON JULY 1, 1986 SUSPENDED THE ISSUE OF FURTHER NCN-RESTRAI NED LICENCES FOR EXPORTS OF MMF LUGGAGE, HANDBAGS AND FLATGOODS.
HOLDERS OF VALID NON-RESTRAI NED LICENCES ISSUED IN JUNE 1986 ARE REQUIRED TO APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE JULY 12, 1986 FOR EXCHANGE OF EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS TO EFFECT THEIR SHIPMENTS.
DETAILS OF THE CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE LATEST ISSUES OF NOTICES TO EXPORTERS WHICH ARE BEING SENT TO THE EXPORTERS. COPIES OF THESE NOTICES MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FREE AT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
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REMINDER ON PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TROPICAL CYCLONES * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR PATRICK SHAM, TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THE TROPICAL CYCLONE SEASON FOR THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL REGION HAS COMMENCED AND TYPHOON PEGGY, THE FIRST TYPHOON TO APPROACH THE SOUTH CHINA SEA THIS YEAR, IS NOW CENTRED OVER THE PACIFIC TO THE EAST OF NORTHERN LUZON.
HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT PREPAREDNESS IS THE KEY FACTOR FOR MINIMISING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE.
/CIVIL ENGINEERS,
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
- 5 -
CIVIL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS SHOULD ENSURE THAT SCAFFOLDING IS SECURED AGAINST DAMAGE FROM HIGH WINDS AND THAT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ARE TAKEN AT SITE WORKS, ESPECIALLY THOSE NEAR HILL SLOPES, AGAINST DAMAGE BY HEAVY RAIN, FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS.
BY NOW, THOSE WHO HAVE SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES DURING STORMS SHOULD HAVE REVIEWED THEIR INSTRUCTIONS AND BROUGHT THEM UP-TO-DATE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE MEANINGS OF TROPICAL CYCLONE SIGNALS AND THESE ARE EXPLAINED IN A CARD WHICH IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS, THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT OFFICES. HOWEVER, THIS KNOWLEDGE ALONE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE THAT PRECAUTIONARY ACTION TAKEN DURING A TROPICAL CYCLONE WILL BE APPROPRIATE. THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO LISTEN TO DETAILED WEATHER BROADCASTS.
GENERAL ADVICE ON SUITABLE PRECAUTIONS AS WELL AS REPORTS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE TROPICAL CYCLONE AND EXPECTED WEATHER CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG ARE INCLUDED IN WEATHER BULLETINS BROADCAST OVER RADIO AND TELEVISION. STARTING THIS YEAR, THE OBSERVATORY WILL USE THE METRIC UNITS TO EXPRESS THE SPEED OF MOVEMENT OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE AND WIND SPEEDS. THEY WILL BE GIVEN IN KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
EMPLOYERS SHOULD REACH EARLY AGREEMENTS WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES ON WORKING ARRANGEMENTS DURING A TROPICAL CYCLONE. IN OBTAINING AGREEMENTS AS TO WHAT STAGE DURING A TROPICAL CYCLONE THREAT STAFF SHOULD BE RELEASED FROM WORK, THEY SHOULD CONSIDER THE AVAILABILITY OF ALL INFORMATION ON WEATHER AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND OTHER FACTORS RELEVANT TO THE SAFETY OF THE EMPLOYEES. SIMILAR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BY EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IS DESIRABLE IN DECIDING HOW SOON IT IS SAFE AND NECESSARY TO RETURN TO WORK.
MR SHAM STRESSES THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WHILST ALL PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE DANGERS TO LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM TROPICAL CYCLONES, PRUDENT DECISIONS ARE NEDED TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE UNNECESSARY DISRUPTION TO INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES. SUCH DECISIONS SHOULD NOT BE BASED SOLELY AND AUTOMATICALLY ON THE WARNING SIGNALS WHICH WERE ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO WARN SHIPS’ CAPTAINS AND FISHERMEN OF WIND CONDITIONS AT SEA.
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/6........
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
6
SSPA RESULTS TO BE RELEASED FRIDAY
* * *
RESULTS OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION (SSPA) AILL BE RELEASED ON FRIDAY (JULY 11), THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
A TOTAL OF 89 282 PRIMARY 6 PUPILS TOOK PART IN THE SSPA THIS YEAR. THEY WILL BE ALLOCATED FORM 1 OR MIDDLE 1 PLACES IN GOVERNMENT, AIDED AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS. UNDER THE SCHEME, PARTICIPATING PUPILS WILL BE GIVEN THREE YEARS OF FREE EDUCATION UP TO FORM 3 OR MIDDLE 3 LEVEL.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ADVISED PUPILS TO FOLLOW ARRANGEMENTS LAID DOWN BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHEN INQUIRING ABOUT RESULTS OF ALLOCATION. THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORMS SO THAT THEIR INDIVIDUAL ALLOCATION SL IPS MAY BE ATTACHED.
+ ALL PUPILS SHOULD REPORT DURING THE FIRST REGISTRATION PERIOD TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DATES AND TIMES SPECIFIED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SA ID.
+THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN SUPPLIED TO ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS,+ HE ADDED.
WHEN REPORTING TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR REGISTRATION, PUPILS SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING:
(A) PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORMS, TO WHICH THEIR INDIVIDUAL ALLOCATION SLIPS HAVE BEEN STAPLED OR GLUED;
(B) ADMISSION SLIPS;
(C) BIRTH CERTIFICATES, HONG KONG JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS OR OTHER DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR DATE OF BIRTH AND THEIR STATUS AS PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG;
(D) LATEST SCHOOL REPORTS, IF ANY; AND
(E) TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZED PHOTOGRAPHS.
+PUPILS WHO FAIL TO REPORT TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS ALLOCATED ON TUESDAY (JULY 15) AND WEDNESDAY (JULY 16) ARE DEEMED TO HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE UP THE PLACES ALLOCATED,* THE SPOKESMAN SA ID.
/IN THE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
- 7 -
IN THE EVENT OF GENUINE DIFFICULTIES PARENTS OR PUPILS CONCERNED SHOULD INFORM THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION IN ADVANCE ON OR BEFORE THE END OF THE FIRST REGISTRATION PERIOD SO THAT ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE MADE.
THE SECOND REGISTRATION DAY (JULY 23) IS FOR PUPILS WHO HAVE TRANSFERRED FROM THE SCHOOL ALLOCATED TO ANOTHER SCHOOL. IN CASE IT IS A CROSS-NET TRANSFER, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL SHOULD SEEK APPROVAL FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCIL SECRETARY OF HIS NET ON BEHALF OF THE PUPIL BEFORE ADMITTING HIM.
+SHOULD THE TERRITORY BE AFFECTED BY TROPICAL CYCLONES, PERSISTENT HEAVY RAIN OR THUNDER-STORM DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIODS, HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO PAY HEED TO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE MEDIA FOR ANY NECESSARY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANY ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION RESULTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8912200.
THE NAMES, OFFICE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL SECRETARIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) DISTRICT COUNCIL SECRETARIES
SCHOOL
NET/AREA SECRETARY ADDRESS TEL NO.
EXT
HONG KONG
1. CW MS K.F. LAW RM 601, 6/F, 5-8523193
HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER RD, CENTRAL HONG KONG
2. 3. WCH HKE MS B.L. CHAN ) MRS JOYCE LUI > 1 3/F, LEE GARDENS, 1 HYSAN AVENUE, I HONG KONG 5-8392342 5-8392334
4. SOU MR K.H. LO 1 5-8392350
/KOWLOON ........
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
8 -
KOWLOON
1. 2. YMT MK MRS O.M. CHAN ) KOWLOON GOVT OFFICES, 3-884111 297 272
) 405 NATHAN ROAD, 3-884111
MR Y.Y. NG ) 6/F AND 7/F, KOWLOON
3. KC MRS C.M. KWAN TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVT OFFICES, 8/F, 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD, KOWLOON. 3-7140444
4. SSP MS H.Y. LEUNG ) KOWLOON GOVT OFFICES, ) 405 NATHAN ROAD, 3-884111 273
5. SSP MRS K.L. L 1 j 6/F AND 7/F, ) KOWLOON 3-884111 236
6. KC MR W.K. YAN TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVT OFFICES, 8/F, 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD, KOWLOON. 3-7140835
7. WTS MR P.W. TAM ) KOWLOON GOVT OFFICES ) 405 NATHAN ROAD, 3-884111 283
8. 9. WTS KT MRS ANITA CHIN) 6/F AND 7/F, KOWLOON MR C.C. TAI ) KOWLOON EAST GOVT. ) OFF ICES, 9/F, 3-884111 3-498712 253
10. KT MS A. YEUNG j 12 LE1 YU MUN ROAD, ) KWUN TONG, 3-498186
11. NEW KT TERRITOR MRS. Y CHOW ) KOWLOON IES 3-497138
1. KWC MS Y.H. WONG ) KWAI HING GOVT ) OFF ICES, 7/F, 0-213019
2. KWC MRS F.P. WONG j 166-174 HING FONG ) ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, 0-215617
3. TW MRS L.K. ) NEW TERRITORIES CHEUNG ) 0-213279
4. TM MR C.K. TAM TUEN MUN GOVT OFFICES 2/F, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN, NT , 0-4513028
5. YL MR B. CHEUNG YUEN LONG GOVT OFFICES, 0-799303 4/F, 2 K IU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NT
/6. TP ........
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
- 9
6. TP
7. ST
8. SK
9. I
10. N
MR S.L. LEE
MR T.K. AU
MR K.L. LAM
MR S.N. LAU
MR W.M. CHOI
11/F, TAI PO COMMERCIAL 0-6566354 CENTRE, 152-172 KWONG
FULL ROAD, TAI PO, NT
3/F, KCR HOUSE, 0-6981076
SHA TIN, NT
SAI KUNG GOVT OFFICES, 3-2813938 1/F, SAI KUNG MARKET,
SAI KUNG, NT
RM 601, 6/F, HARBOUR 5-8523197
BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD,
CENTRAL, HK
11/F, TAI PO COMMERCIAL 0-6566414
CENTRE, 152-172 KWONG
FULL ROAD, TAI PO, NT
(B) SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION
LUI KEE EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE, 5-8912200
269 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
-------0 _--------
IMPORTANCE OF BILINGUAL TEACHING STRESSED
*****
THE USE OF CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IS MOST APPROPRIATE TO EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES AND MOST NATURAL BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THE UNOBSTRUCTED FLOW OF SPEECH AND THOUGHT, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT GRADUATION OF GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, AT ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL, PROF POON SAID THAT THE ADOPTION OF CHINESE FOR INSTRUCTION DID NOT MEAN THE EXCLUSION OF ENGLISH.
HE ASKED THE 1 143 GRADUATES TO EQUIP THEMSELVES TO BE CONVERSANT IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE SO AS TO ACHIEVE COMPETENCE IN BILINGUAL TEACHING.
/noting that........
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
10 -
NOTING THAT LANGUAGE WAS A VEHICLE FOR COMMUNICATION AND ITS FUNCTION IN TEACHING WAS CONSIDERABLE, PROF POON SAID FN THE PROCESS OF TEACHING, CHINESE FARED BEST IN EXPRESSING ONE’S IDEAS, STIMULATING ONE’S THINKING AND DEVELOPING ONE’S INTELLECT.
HE SAID THE REPORT BY THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) EXPERTS IN 1982 CONFIRMED THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE IN TEACHING.
+THE REPORT THUS AGREED THAT CHINESE BE USED AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN KINDERGARTENS AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS. THE REPORT FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT BILINGUAL TEACHING BE ADOPTED GRADUALLY FROM JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL ONWARD TO COPE WITH THE ACTUAL DEMAND.+
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS SET UP IN 1984 TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE OF THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, AND IT RECOMMENDED THAT LANGUAGE RESEARCH PROJECTS BE CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE EDUCATION RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE TWO UNIVERSITIES.
+AS THE FINDINGS OF THE PROJECT WERE POSITIVE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONSEQUENTLY FORMULATED A SET OF GUIDLINES TO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR (1986), THEREBY RESOLVING MUCH OF THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE OF THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION,* HE ADDED.
TO AVOID A FALL IN THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH, HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT ADDITIONAL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND RESOURCES WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR SCHOOLS WHICH USE CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SEPTEMBER 1988 IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH TO AVERT ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DROP IN THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH DUE TO REDUCED EXPOSURE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION BASED ON THE VIEW OF THE OECD EXPERTS.
WITH THE SUPPLIES 0^ ADDITIONAL ENGLISH TEACHERS AND RESOURCES TO SCHOOLS, PROF POON SAID STUDENTS’ FOUNDATION OF ENGLISH COULD BE CONSOLIDATED AND, REINFORCED WITH LONG-TERM TRAINING, THEIR STANDARD OF ENGLISH RAISED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID HE FELT THAT THE TIME ALLOCATED TO THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AT SECONDARY LEVEL REMAINED INADEQUATE, AS STIPULATED YEARS AGO.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD CONSIDER INCREASING THE TIME ALLOCATED TO ENGLISH TEACHING SO THAT THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH COULD BE RAISED.
EARLIER, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MR W.K. PUN, SAID FOR THE FIRST TIME THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE HELD ITS GRADUATION CEREMONY WITH THAT OF THE OTHER THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
/+THE HONG .......
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
+THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE HAS ALSO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION JOINT SELECTION BOARD AS FROM THIS YEAR WHICH MEANS THAT THE COLLEGES ARE NOW ABLE TO SELECT STUDENTS FOR ADMISSION TO ALL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES UNDER ONE ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY,+ MR PUN ADDED.
MRS POON THEN PRESENTED CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES TO THE GRADUATES. THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TOOK THE CHAIR AT THE CEREMONY.
-----o-----
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS * * K *
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JULY 10) TO DISCUSS SEVERAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
AMONG THEM ARE A PROPOSED $80 000 BEAUTIFICATION PLAN AT THE FERRY POINT COMPLEX AND A $40 000 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN SOME CLEARED REAR LANES.
IN ADDITION, A PAPER PRESENTED BY AN AREA COMMITTEE MEMBER ON MAJOR FACTORS LEADING TO WIDESPREAD FLOODING DURING RAINSTORMS WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION.
ALSO TO BE TABLED IS A PROGRESS REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT CASES LODGED WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE MEETING AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND SHOULD CONTACT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 3-323791 FOR RESERVATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY.
------o-------
/12 .......
TUESDAY, JULr 8, 1936
12
TV SERIES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED FOR MORE MEDIA SUPPORT IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE LAUNCHING A NEV/ TELEVISION SERIES, + INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PIONEER*, THE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID MEDIA PUBLICITY WAS A MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF DRIVING HOME SAFETY MESSAGES TO THE PUBLIC.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF NOT ONLY THOSE DIRECTLY CONCERNED - THE EMPLOYERS, THE WORKERS AND THE GOVERNMENT - BUT ALSO THE MASS MEDIA, WE CAN CREATE A CONSTANT SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE PUBLIC, EDUCATE WORKERS TO WORK SAFELY, AND REMIND EMPLOYERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR WORKERS,* HE SAID.
THE + INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PIONEER* IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED AS PART OF THE 1986-7 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
IT IS AN EIGHT-EPISODE +DOCU-DRAMA+ COMBINING EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION AFTER EACH EPSIODE.
THE CONTENTS OF THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE THE TRUE STORIES OF INJURED WORKERS, SAFE PRACTICES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, CHEMICAL SAMPLINGS, USE OF ASBESTOS, RESPONSIBILITY OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, HEALTH AND WELFARE OF WORKERS, FIRST AID AND COMPULSORY INSURANCE.
THE SERIES WILL BE SCREENED ON TV-JADE’S ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT SHOW EVERY MONDAY STARTING FROM JULY 14.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS TVB EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, MR KAM CHI-FA I.
------o ------
PROXY VOTE FOR UK CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD
*****
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT HAVE APPROVED NEW REGULATIONS GIVING EFFECT TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT 1985 WHICH EXTENDS THE FRANCHISE TO CERTAIN BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD AND ALLOWS BRITISH HOLIDAYMAKERS AN ABSENT VOTE.
THE ACT ENABLES QUALIFIED BRITISH CITIZENS WHO ARE OVERSEAS RESIDENTS AND WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN A CONSTITUENCY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WITHIN THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS TO REGISTER AS OVERSEAS ELECTORS BY MAKING AN ANNUAL DECLARATION ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 10.
/I IS WILL........
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
THIS WILL ALLOW THEIR NAMES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ELECTORAL REGISTER OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES AND WILL ALLOW THEM TO VOTE BY PROXY IN UNITED KINGDOM PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AND IN EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS.
QUALIFIED OVERSEAS ELECTORS MUST REGISTER EVERY YEAR ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 10 (SEPTEMBER 15 IF THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY LIVING IN NORTHERN IRELAND) IF THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR’S ELECTIONS.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE WILL LAPSE IF THE ELECTOR REMAINS ABROAD FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS WITHOUT RETURNING TO RE-REGISTER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
DECLARATION AND PROXY APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WHEN THE REGULATIONS COME INTO FORCE ON JULY 11. THE FIRST TIME A DECLARATION IS MADE, IT HAS TO BE ATTESTED BY A BRITISH CONSULAR POST (IN HONG KONG, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT). THERE IS NO FEE FOR THIS SERVICE OR FOR ANY OTHER PART OF THE REGISTRATION PROCESS.
THE ACT ALSO CONTAINS NEW PROVISIONS FOR BRITISH HOLIDAYMAKERS TO OBTAIN AN ABSENT VOTE FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE ELECTORAL REGISTRATION OFFICER IN BRITAIN. THESE PROVISIONS WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
- - 0 - -
CURRICULUM GUIDES
FOR SPEECH TEACHING UNDER STUDY * X X * *
THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS TO DESIGN CURRICULUM GUIDES FOR SPEECH TEACHING AND TO INVESTIGATE COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS OF DEAF CHILDREN, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION , MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE OCCASION OF THE SPEECH DAY OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, MR LEUNG SAID THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION WOULD MAINTAIN CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF IN WORKING TOWARDS THE COMMON GOAL OF EDUCATING DEAF CHILDREN.
REFERRING TO SERVICES BEING PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT, MR LEUNG SAID THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE IN KOWLOON OPERATED AN EAR-MOULD LABORATORY TO PROVIDE FREE EAR-MOULD SERVICE FOR HEARING IMPAIRED PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL CHILDREN.
/THE EMPLOYMENT
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
14
THE EMPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL AUDIOLOGISTS WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION SO THAT OUTREACH AND PERIPATETIC PROGRAMMES COULD BE ORGANISED, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ALSO RECALLED THAT LAST YEAR A REFRESHER COURSE ON AURAL REHABILITATION WAS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, WITH OVERSEAS EXPERTS BEING INVITED TO ATTEND.
BESIDES SUBVENTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SCHOOL PREMISES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXPANDED SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR EDUCATING THE DEAF.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 1935, MR LEUNG SAID A REPROVISIONING PROJECT HAD BEEN APPROVED.
+THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SCHOOL PREMISES WILL BE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHILE THE BUILDING OF DORMITORIES AND THE GYMNASIUM WILL BE SUBVENTED BY THE HONG KONG LOTTERIES FUND AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB,+ MR LEUNG SAID.
+IF THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED IN 1989 AS SCHEDULED, THE NEW PREMISES WILL PROVIDE 26 STANDARD CLASSROOMS AND MANY SPECIAL ROOMS SUCH AS THE SCIENCE LABORATORY, THE SPEECH THERAPY ROOM, ART AND CRAFT ROOM, DOMESTIC SCIENCE ROOM AND RESOURCE ROOM.
♦THESE IMPROVED FACILITIES WILL GIVE DEAF CHILDREN A FAR BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.*
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE SCHOOL FOR ITS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN EDUCATING THE DEAF, MR LEUNG SAID STUDENTS WERE NOT ONLY PROVIDED WITH EXPERT TEACHING AND GUIDANCE BUT WERE ALSO HELPED TO REALISE THEIR POTENTIAL IN BECOMING CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
+GRADUATES OF THIS SCHOOL HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES AND BEEN ABLE TO PURSUE HIGHER ACADEMIC STUDIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES,* MR LEUNG SAID.
MANY HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN GAINING ENTRANCE TO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WHILE OTHERS HAD FOUND GOOD EMPLOYMENT.
-------0 - -
/15........
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
15
CLAMPDOWN ON ILLEGAL SALE OF ANIMALS, BIRDS * * * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL STEP UP PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL TRADERS IN ANIMALS AND BIRDS, PARTICULARLY THE ENDANGERED SPECIES WHICH ARE PROTECTED BY LAW.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ISSUED THIS WARNING TODAY (TUESDAY) FOLLOWING A COURT CASE IN WHICH A MAN WAS SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT AT NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE INVOLVING ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF PANGOLIN MEAT FOR TRADING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A JAIL SENTENCE HAD BEEN IMPOSED BY THE COURT UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
+IT IS HOPED THAT HEAVY PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE COURT, TOGETHER WITH STRINGENT LAW ENFORCEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL DETER PEOPLE FROM BREACHING THE LAW,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN THE PAST TEN DAYS, THE DEPARTMENT, WITH POLICE SUPPORT, HAD MADE THREE SUCCESSFUL RAIDS IN MONG KOK. IN THESE OPERATIONS, 22 ANIMALS AND 22 BIRDS WERE SEIZED, INCLUDING TWO BLACK BAZAS, TWO PARROTS AND AN ELONGATED TORTOISE. ALL ARE ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THOSE INVOLVED FACE ACTION UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCES.
THE FORMER ORDINANCE, WHICH AIMS AT CONSERVING ENDANGERED ANIMALS AND PLANTS BY CONTROLLING THEIR IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESSION, PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF 55 OOO FOR A FIRST CFFENCE AND A FINE OF $10 000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE.
UNDER THE LATTER ORDINANCE, WHICH REGULATES TRADING OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS BY LICENSING CONTROL, A FINE OF $2 000 MAY BE IMPOSED ON AN OFFENDER.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT MONG KOK HAD RECENTLY BECOME A BLACK SPOT FOR SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, THERE WERE SEVEN CASES INVOLVING EIGHT ANIMALS AND 113 BIRDS COMPARED WITH SIX CASES INVOLVING ONE ANIMAL AND 67 BIRDS IN ALL OF 1985.
THESE ANIMALS AND BIRDS INCLUDED SUCH ENDANGERED CREATURES AS PANGOLINS, MONKEYS, LEOPARD CATS, OWLS, KESTRELS AND SEA TURTLES.
+ENFORCEMENT STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE VISITING THE PROBLEM AREA MORE FREQUENTLY WITH A VIEW TO CURBING THESE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO ASSIST BY REPORTING ANY SUCH ILLEGAL SALE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S LIVESTOCK ENFORCEMENT UNIT AT 3-7332158.
------o-------
/16
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1936
16
WIDE-RANGING SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS
*****
OVER 600 RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WONG TAI SIN DI STR I CT THIS SUMMER.
ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD FROM JULY 13 TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER WILL CENTRE ON THE THEME OF ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION IN AND CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SAID THAT THERE WILL BE CAMPS, SPECIAL INTERESTS COURSES, VISITS, TOURS, PICNICS, LAUNCHES, CARNIVALS, COMPETITIONS, VARIETY SHOWS, AND FILM SHOWS ORGANISED BY 40 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
+THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS GRANTED $250 000 TO THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT THIS YEAR, WHILE THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ENDORSED A SPONSORSHIP OF $18 400,+ HE SAID.
THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL START WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 13) AT THE CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND.
IT WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE ACTING WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL CHENG, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON) MR CARLOS LEUNG, AND CHIEF MANAGER (LEISURE SERVICES) KOWLOON EAST OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR WOO WAI-MAN.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, A COMPETITION OF RADIO-CONTROLLED MODEL CARS WILL BE HELD ON THE FOOTBALL PITCH.
THERE WILL BE MAGIC SHOWS, PERFORMANCE BY A CHINESE ORCHESTRA, A YOUTH BAND, AND CHILDREN’S RYTHMATIC DANCE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE GAME STALLS. FREE GAMES COUPONS CAN EE OBTAINED AT THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUB ASSOCIATION CHOI HUNG ROAD LIBRARY ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
A PHAMPHLET LISTING DETAILED INFORMATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE TSZ WAN SHAN DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE AT 3-241872 AND 3-283169.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ON SUNDAY AT 2.33 PM AT THE CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND, SAN PO KONG.
-----o------
/17........
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 193b
17
SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES FOR SAI KUNG START SATURDAY
* * * *
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME 1986 WILL BE LAUNCHED THIS SATURDAY (JULY 12) WITH A CARNIVAL AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO, AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN.
THE PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, CO-ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
FORTY-EIGHT EVENTS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED BY THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING RECREATION CAMPS, TRAINING CAMPS, VISITS TO FARMS AND PRIVATE FIRMS, FILM SHOWS, HIKINGS, PICNICS, PHOTO-TAKING AND MODEL MAKING COMPETITIONS AS WELL AS VARIOUS SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS -♦CARE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, GET TO KNOW IT BETTER*. IT IS HOPED THAT, BY PARTICIPATING IN SUCH EVENTS, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRICT AND DEVELOP A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JULY 12 AND THE END OF AUGUST. A TOTAL OF $103 432, INCLUDING $55 000 ALLOCATED FROM JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS, HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME, WHICH STARTS WITH AN EIGHT-DAY EXHIBITION AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL FROM JULY 12 TO 19.
AT THE EXHIBITION, PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO KNOW VARIOUS ASPECTS ABOUT SAI KUNG SUCH AS CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, EXISTING COMMUNITY SERVICES, FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DISTRICT AND FUNCTIONS OF VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
COPIES OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BOOKLET WITH DETAILED INFORMATION OF ALL FUNCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE CARNIVAL OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME 1986 AT 4 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 12) AT SAI KUNG TOWN HALL, NEXT TO THE BUS TERMINUS OF SAI KUNG TOWN.
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/18 .......
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1936
- 18 -
VOCATIONAL TRAINING EXHIBITIONS TO BE STAGED K * X X X
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BE HOLDING SIX EXHIBITIONS IN THE COMING WEEKS TO PUBLICISE COURSES TO BE OFFERED AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND TRAINING CENTRES.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, FOUR OF THE EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED AT MAJOR MTR STATIONS.
THESE ARE:
X CENTRAL STATION JULY 10, 11
X MOK KOK STATION JULY 19, 20
X KWUN TONG STATION JULY 24, 25
* TSUEN WAN STATION JULY 31, AUGUST 1
THE OTHER TWO EXHIBITIONS WILL BE HELD AT YAN Ol COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TUEN MUN FROM AUGUST 7 TO 9 AND THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN FROM AUGUST 15 TO 17.
THE DISPLAY AT TUEN MUN IS CO-SPONSORED BY THE COMMUNITY WORK UNIT OF THE YAN Ol TONG.
TEACHERS, PARENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO THE EXHIBITIONS WHICH WILL BE ON FROM 9.30 AM TO 6.30 PM, EXCEPT ON JULY 10, 19, 24, AND 31, WHEN THEY WILL START AT NOON.
-------c----------
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS TO BE AUCTIONED X X * X X
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS THIS SATURDAY (JULY 12) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 35 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
DJ511 DJ172 DJ240 DJ6623 DD391
DJ8798 DJ8777 DJ2316 DJ310 DJ9888
BK7 DJ233 DH1661 DJ168 CC75
/DJJ668
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
- 19 -
DJ3668 CA9000 DJ654 DJ400 DJ180
DH6618 DJ3345 DJ1283 DJ316 DJ2628
AL131 DJ932 DJ77OO DJ391 3601
DJ162 DH333 DJ1288 DH7 DJ8288
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE. VEHICLE ... REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD ONLY BE ASSIGNED TO A VEHICLE RtGliT^Rs^ IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCT1O!..
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 1O6TH ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTS . < SINCE MAY 1973.
-------o -------
$9.4 MILLION ROAD AND DRAINAGE CONTRACT AWARDED *****
A $9.4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR BUILDING A TOTAL OF 1.4 KILOMETRES CF ROADS ON SAI WAN HO RECLAMATION BETWEEN TAI CHEONG AND TAI ON STREETS HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
THE CONTRACTOR, GAMMON (HONG KONG) LIMITED, IS ALSO REQUIRED TO LAY A NUMBER OF STORM WATER AND SEWER DRAINS.
WORK UNDER THE CONTRACT, WHICH STARTED LAST MONTH, IS EXPECTED TO LAST 10 MONTHS.
------0-------
TAI PO WATER CUT * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY LEAKAGE TEST.
CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE TURNED (JULY 10) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR
ARE BOUNDED BY STREET TSING YUEN STREET, KWONG FUK ROAD INCLUDING LUK HEUNG LANE, ON FU ROAD, PO HEUNG STREET SQUARE, TUNG SAU SQUARE AND TUNG FAT SQUARE.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES
PLOVER COVE ROAD, PO YICK AND TUNG CHEONG STREET
TUNG MAU
- 0 - -
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1986
20
DEMOLITION OF ROOFTOP ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING AT 12-14, KAU U FONG IN CENTRAL DISTRICT TO ENABLE DEMOLITION WORK TO START.
THE ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO REQUIRING DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES. THE ORDER HAS NOT BEEN
COMPLIED WITH.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THE CLOSURE ORDER FROM VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 5 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
-------o----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: WIDESPREAD WORRY ON TRIAD PROBLEM ......................... 1
ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS NEEDED TO PREVENT POWER ABUSE..... 2
TRIAD ACTIVITIES A +CANCEROUS GROWTH* .................. 6
TIME TO RECONSIDER DEATH PENALTY ....................... 7
NEED FOR POLICE AND PUBLIC TO COOPERATE................. 8
JOINT EFFORT NEEDED TO CURB ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS....... 10
FOURFOLD APPROACH TO TACKLE PROBLEM SUGGESTED .......... 11
SUPERVISION SCHEME ’INFRINGES ON FREEDOM’ .............. 13
CONCERTED EFFORT TO CONTAIN TRIADS STRESSED ............ 14
INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE +COULD MONITOR POLICE SUPERVISION* .. 16
REHABILITATION METHODS CAN HELP HARNESS TRIADS.......... 18
LEGAL GAMBLING OPTION ’IMPRACTICAL’ .................... 19
POLICE SUPERVISION ’DOUBLE PUNISHMENT IN DISGUISE*;..... 21
CONFIDENCE IN POLICE CRUCIAL TO TACKLING PROBLEM ....... 22
MORE LEGISLATIVE PROTECTION FOR JUVENILES URGED ........ 25
SPECIAL BODY SHOULD BE FORMED........................... 26
HEAVY PENALTY AND TOUGH LAWS IMPORTANT.................. 27
‘•LOOPHOLES’ MUST BE PLUGGED............................. 39
LACK OF INTEGRATED PLAN TO COUNTER TRIADS CRITICISED.... J1
COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY NEEDED TO ELIMINATE TRIADS ...... 32
/COMPULSORY .....
2
COMPULSORY CUSTODIAL SENTENCES WARRANTED .................... 33
Fairness, effectiveness of anti-triad measures questioned 34
APPROPRIATE PROTECTION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS...... 36
FEE REVISIONS FOLLOW COST STUDY ............................. 37
COMPUTERISED LAND RECORDS FOR BETTER SERVICE ................ 38
PUTTING RIGHT TRAFFIC LAW ANOMALY WELCOMED .................. 39
RELIEF FOR DISQUALIFIED DRIVERS UNDESIRABLE ................. 42
GREATER FLEXIBILITY CALL FOR SUBSIDIARY LAW SUPERVISION .. 4}
PERSONAL INJURY LAWS BEING RATIONALISED ............. ... ' Mt- ‘
PRAISE FOR UMELCO AD HOC GROUP .............................. 48
CALL TO REVIEW PRISONERS WELFARE FUND USE ................... 49
LEGAL AID EXTENDED TO OVERSEAS CaSES ........................ 50
STANDING ORDER NO. 14 AMENDED ............................... 51
SEWAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT KEPT UNDER REVIEW ................. 51
HIGH PRIORITY GIVEN TO SAFETY CAMPAIGN ...................... 52
GOVERNMENT'S POSITION ON RELIGIOUS CULTS STATED ............. 54
DETAILED STUDY NEEDED ON NULLAH POLLUTION ................... 55
ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY DIRECTED TOWARDS HEROIN ................. 56
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REVIEW NEARING COMPLETION ................. 57
NO HARDSHIP IN IMPLEMENTING CENTRALISED SCHOOLS SCHEME ... 58
SUICIDE CASES: OUTLINE OF POSSIBLE FACTORS .................. 59
LEI YUE MUN TO PRESERVE VILLAGE CHARACTER ................... 60
SIX BILLS PASSED ............................................ 62
GOVERNOR TO VISIT PEKING ....................................... 63
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR NORTH JiMERICA TOMORROW .................... 63
GOVERNMENT RECORDS TO BE APPRAISED ............................. 65
REGISTRATION REVOKED ........................................... 65
AH KUNG NGAM W„TER KIOSK REOPENS ............................... 65
/DB COMMITTEE .......
3
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS STREET LIGHT PROBLEM ................... 66
PRESS BRIEFING ................................................. 66
DETAILS OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME .............................. 67
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CRiNGES III WESTERN .......................... 67
TRAFFIC CRINGES IN EASTERN DISTRICT ........................... 68
PLB RESTRICTION IN ABERDEEN .................................... 69
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1536
1
WIDESPREAD WORRY ON TRIAD PROBLEM *****
IT IS THE GENERAL PERCEPTION THAT THERE IS CONTINUING AND WIDESPREAD WORRY ABOUT THE THREAT TO LAW AND ORDER AND TO SOCIETY ITSELF PRESENTED BY TRIAD SOCIETIES AND OTHER GANGS DESPITE SOME RESERVATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
HE SAID THE DEBATE MARKED THE FINAL PHASE OF CONSULTATION ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT AND DURING THE THREE MONTHS OF CONSULTATION, ALL DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES HAD DISCUSSED IT.
THE WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION WERE RECEIVED EARLIER THIS WEEK, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS, AND THE AD HOC GROUP CF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD ALSO TAKEN TIME TO STUDY THE DOCUMENT AND TO MEET ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS.
+THIS CONSULTATION HAS BEEN EXTREMELY USEFUL AND REVEALING A4j I SHOULD LIKE TO PUT ON RECORD THE GOVERNMENT’S APPRECIATION OF ALL THOSE wHO HAVE TAKEN PART,+ HE NOTED.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO RESPOND TODAY TO THE POINTS WHICH HAD BEEN MADE BECAUSE THEY NEEDED ANALYSIS, AND CONCLUSIONS TO BE DRAWN.
HE SAID: +WE SHALL NEED TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS TO WHICH OPTIONS TO PURSUE AND HOW TO PURSUE THEM, FOLLOWING WHICH A STATEMENT WILL BE MADE, DURING THE EARLY PART CF THE NEXT SESSION OF THIS COUNCIL, SETTING OUT THE «AY IN >.hlCH THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO TAKE THEM FORWARD.+
THEREAFTER, SINCE MANY OF THE OPTIONS INVOLVED CHANGES TO TH. LAW, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WOULD BE A FURTHER STAGE FOR PUBLIC DEBATE WHEN LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE ADDED: +1 HOPE SOME THINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED RELATIVELY QUICKLY, OTHERS WILL TAKE LONGER.
♦ BUT IN ALL THESE NECESSARY PROCESSES AND DELIBERATIONS WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF OUR PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES, wE HAVE TO REASSURE OUR CITIZENS SO THAT THEY wILL FEEL ABLE TO COME FORWARD AND GIVE EVIDENCE WITHOUT FEAR OF RETRIBUTION AND Wc HAVE TO FIND THE MEANS TO DEAL WITH THE SPECIAL CHARACTER I ST ICS CF THESE ORGANISATIONS WHICH MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT NORMAL PROCEDURES AGAINST THEM.+
-----0--------
/2......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1936
2
ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS NEEDED TO PREVENT POWER ABUSE
******
ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO PREVENT THE POSSIBLE ABUSE OF POLICE POWER ARISING FROM AN INCREASE IN POLICE INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION AND ENFORCEMENT POWER IF OPTIONS TO COMBAT THE TRIAD PROBLEM ARE ADOPTED, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS LEADING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HIS CAPACITY AS CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
DR HO CONCEDED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WAS A TIGHT SYSTEM OF SUPERVISION WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE AND THE STANDARD OF TRAINING CF POLICE OFFICERS AND THE EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF POLICE CONSTABLES WERE IMPROVING YEAR BY YEAR.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE CROWN’S PROSECUTING ARM wAS NOT A PART CF THE POLICE FORCE AND THERE WAS AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE OFF I Ct (CAPO) WAS UNDER THE SUPERVISION AND MONITORING OF AN INDEPENDENT BODY KNOWN AS THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE AND HONG KONG uAS AN OPEN SOCIETY WITH AN INCREASINGLY REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AND A FREE PRESS WHICH WAS RIGHTLY CRITICAL OF ANY ABUSE OF POWER.
NEVERTHELESS, HE BELIEVED ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THOUGH SOME OF THE OPTIONS IN THE DOCUMENT ALREADY HAD BUILT-IN SAFEGUARDS, IN THAT THEY MIGHT ONLY BE USED wITH THE PERMISSION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
DR HO NOTED SUGGESTIONS BY DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE PUBLIC THAT CAPO SHOULD BE MADE INDEPENDENT OF THE POLICE AND THAT A SEPARATE BODY SHOULD BE SET UP TO MONITOR POLICE BEHAVIOUR.
SOME OF THE MEASURES PROPOSED IN THE OPTIONS SHOULD HaVE m LIMITED LIFE, AND BE ERASED FROM THE STATUTE BOOKS AFTER THEY HAD SERVED THEIR PURPOSES, HE SAID.
IF OPTIONS PROVED TO BE UNSUCCESSFUL AND INEFFECTIVE, THEY SHOULD NOT wAIT AROUND REDUNDANTLY FOR REPEAL IN SEVERAL YEARS’ CR DECADES’ TIME, OR, WORSE STILL, TO BE USED IN INAPPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES.
+CONS (DERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO GIVING SOME OF THE OPTIONS A LIFE OF, SAY, FIVE YEARS AND MAKING THEM RENEWABLE AND AMENDABLE BY THIS COUNCIL,* HE SUGGESTED.
/DK HO ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
DR HO EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS NOT PROPOSING THAT ALL OPTIONS SHOULD HAVE A LIMITED LIFE BUT THE PROHIBITION SCHEME. THE SUPERVISION SCHEME AND PERHAPS THE RENUNCIATION SCHEME WERE OBVIOUS CANDIDATES FOR THIS TREATMENT.
+THE LIST OF PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES. VvHICH HAS CAUSED CONSIDERABLE CONTROVERSY, IS CLEARLY A SCHEDULE THAT WILL HAVE TO BE REGULARLY REVISED, IF ADOPTED,* HE ADDED.
DR HO NEXT STRESSED THAT THE UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT OF THE JUDICIARY WAS ESSENTIAL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COURSE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION HAD REVEALED THE COURTS WERE NOT SEEN TO BE METING OUT DETERRENT PENALTIES TO CONVICTED TRIAD MEMBERS.
+WHILE WE RECOGNISE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY, THE PUBLIC URGE THAT THE JUDICIARY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE COMMUNITY’^ SENTIMENTS AND CULTURAL AND SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PASSING SENTENCES ON THE TRIADS,* HE SAID.
+JUST MERELY TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM FINES UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE WEAPON TO CRUSH TRIAD AND GANG ACTIVITIES.
+THE GREATEST DETERRENT FOR AN OFFENDER IS HIS BEING CAUGHT AND APPROPRIATELY SANCTIONED,* HE STRESSED.
DR HO ALSO EMPHASISED THAT A LONG-TERM, CO-ORDINATED EFFORT FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY AND ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS wAS REQUIRED TO EFFECTIVELY CLAMP DOWN ON ORGANISED CRIME.
NOTING THE INCREASED PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, HE SUGGESTED A CENTRALISED ANTI-TRIAD UNIT BE SET UP.
THE UNIT WOULD BE MAINLY OPERATIONAL IN FUNCTION AND IT MUST BE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT PEOPLE IN THE STREET COULD APPROACH IT WITH EASE SHOULD THEY HAVE INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE TO CONFIDE IN THE POLICE, DR HO SAID.
HE FELT THAT SUCH A UNIT WOULD IN THE LONG RUN FOSTER A CLOSER LINK BETWEEN PUBLIC AND POLICE AND ENHANCE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE POLICE TO FIGHT CRIME.
COMMENTING ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT AS A WHOLE, DR HO DESCRIBED IT AS +A TIMELY AND MUCH-NEEDED ATTEMPT* TO GRAPPLE WITH THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
/♦WHETHER WE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
4
♦WHETHER WE AGREE WITH ALL, OR SOME, OR NONE OF THE CONCRETE SOLUTIONS IT PUTS FORWARD, FEW OF US WOULD QUESTION THE GOVERNMENT’ SINCERITY AND STRENGTH OF PURPOSE IN SUPPRESSING TRIADS AND GANGS AND IN LISTENING CONSCIENTIOUSLY TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT THE DOCUMENT HAS GENERATED,+ HE SAID.
HE COMMENDED THE SECURITY BRANCH AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’o CHAMBERS FOR SENDING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO EXPLAIN THE OPTIONS TO ALL DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, AND TO LISTEN TO THEIR VIEWS.
♦IT IS AS A RESULT OF THIS HUGE EXERCISE IN CONSULTATION THAT WE HAVE A CLEAR IDEA OF THE VIEWS OF ALL SEGMENTS OF THE SOCIETY ON THE PROPOSALS.
♦THE INTELLIGENCE AND THOUGHTFULNESS BEHIND THE DISCUSSION OF THE DOCUMENT IN THE DISTRICTS IS, I THINK, AMPLE JUSTIFICATION OF OUR BURGEONING SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND A CREDIT TO ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN IT,+ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT THE REQUEST OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, THE SUMMARY OF VIEWS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES PREPARED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND SUBMISSIONS TO UMELCO, DR riO SAID IT WAS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE CONVERGENCE OF VIEWS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE OPTIONS AS RECOMMENDED IN THE DOCUMENT.
HE OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO STAMP OUT TRIADS AND FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE DOCUMENT, AND POSITIVE REACTIONS TO OPTIONS PROVIDING FOR HARSHER TREATMENT OF TRIAD MEMBERS, HEAVIER FINES, THP USE OF ONE-WAY VIEWERS, BETTER PROTECTION OF WITNESSES AND TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST THOSE INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL VICE, GAMBLING AND DRUG TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THERE WERE CONTROVERSY ABOUT SEVERAL ASPECTS THESE INVOLVED POSSIBLE INFRINGEMENT OF CIVIL LIBERTIES, ABUSES CF POWER BY POLICE, AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 20 AND 22 OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, PROHIBITIONS IMPOSED ON ENTRY INTO CERTAIN PREMISES FOR THOSE CONVICTED UNDER SECTION 20 OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, AND THE POLICE SUPERVISION SCHEME.
HE FURTHER SAID THAT THERE WAS A GENERAL OUTCRY AGAINST THE OPTION FOR LIBERALISING GAMBLING, AND NOTED THAT IT WAS NO LONGER THE INTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE THIS OPTION.
DR HO SUGGESTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD MAKE A FURTHER IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE OPTIONS AIMED AT TACKLING SOPHISTICATED ORGANISED CRIME AS CONTAINED IN THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE DOCUMENT AND CONSULT THE PUBLIC AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE PUBLIC DID- NOT UNDERSTAND THESE OPTIONS IN VIEW OF THE VERY LITTLE DISCUSSION ON THEM.
/COMMENTING ON .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9,.. 1986
- 5 -
COMMENTING ON CRITICISM OF THE DOCUMENT, DR HO SAID THE CRITICS FEARED THAT PERSONAL FREEDOMS WOULD BE UNDULY RESTRICTED.
HE SAID: +APPARENTLY THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON IS AFRAID OF GOING OUT IN QUIET AREAS, OUR WOMEN-FOLK FEEL VERY INSECURE IN THEIR HOME ALONE AT NIGHT, PARENTS TEND TO PROHIBIT THEIR CHILDREN FROM PLAYING IN THE PARKS AND STUDENTS ARE NOT AT EASE EVEN IN THE SCHOOL PREMISES, IN THE LIGHT OF THE BULLYING, INTIMIDATING AND DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF THE TRIADS AND GANGSTERS,+ HE SAID.
+TO CONDONE THESE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IS TANTAMOUNT TO RESTRAINING THE FREEDOMS OF LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.+
+MAY I THEN ASK THE CRITICS WHY THE SAFETY AND FREEDOM OF THE LAWFUL MAJORITY HAS TO BE SACRIFICED FOR THE LIBERTIES OF THE UNLAWFUL FEW OR THE LONG-TERM ORDER AND PEACE OF THE TERRITORY HAS TO BE TRADED IN FOR THE INSOLENCE AND TERRORISM CF THE UNRULY7+
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SURVEY HAD INDICATED THAT 73 PER CENT CF THOSE RESPONDENTS INTERVIEWED ACCEPTED THE +LOSS OF CIVIL LIBERTY+ AS A WORTHWHILE PRICE FOR COMBATTING TRIADS AND ORGANISED CRIME, WHILE ONLY 11 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS THOUGHT OTHERWISE.
+THE GREAT MAJORITY HAVE MADE A CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE CHOICE,+ HE SAID.
AS FOR CRITICISM LEVELLED AT THE DOCUMENT FOR FOCUSING LARGELY ON THE INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION AND ENFORCEMENT ASPECTS CF THE POLICE EFFORT IN SUPPRESSING TRIAD AND GANG ACTIVITIES, DR HO SAID THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE FULLY SUBSCRIBED TO THE STRATEGY THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE SUBJECTED TO AS BROAD AN ATTACK AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFECT.
ACTING IN THIS SPIRIT, HE SAID, THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD SET UP A NUMBER OF SUB-COMMITTEES, EACH DESIGNED TO TACKLE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE TRIAD AND GANG PROBLEM, SUCH AS TO REVIEW THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE TO EXAMINE THE SECURITY INDUSTRY TO REVIEW WITH THE INTENTION TO AMEND THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE POSSESSION AND USE OF REPLICA FIREARMS AND TO MONITOR AND ALLEVIATE DELINQUENT AND UNRULY BEHAVIOUR AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN.
REGARDING THE VIEWS OF THE AD HOC GROUP, DR HO REPORTED THAT BROAD AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED ON SUCH OPTIONS AS INCREASING THE MAXIMUM FINES RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP; CLOSURE ORDERo FOR VICE-ESTABLISHMENTS; POLICE PROTECTION OF WITNESSES; OMISSION CF ADDRESSES IN WITNESS STATEMENTS'; ONE-WAY VIEWERS ; MANDATORY IDENTIFICATION PARADES'; THE USE OF TASK FORCES AND CONFISCATION CF PROCEEDS FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING.
/HOWEVEB, THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 6 -
HOWEVER, THE GROUP HAD MIXED VIEWS ON THE AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 20, 22 AND 34 OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, THE PROHIBITION SCHEME, POLICE SUPERVISION, AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE CRIME ORDINANCE AND GREATER USE OF ACCOMPLICE EVIDENCE, HE SAID.
+THE GROUP CONCURRED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION THAT THE OPTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE GRAND JURY AND THE RACKETEER INFLUENCED CORRUPT ORGANISATIONS STATUTE SHOULD BE STUDIED IN GREATER DETAIL BUT OBJECTED STRONGLY TO LEGALISING MORE FORMS OF GAMBLING,* HE ADDED.
-----o------
TRIAD ACTIVITIES A +CANCEROUS GROWTH* * * * * *
THE CANCEROUS GROWTH OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG MUST BE CHECKED, THE HON K.C. CHAN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM, MR CHAN SAID HE SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE THE SPIRIT OF THE DOCUMENT, WHICH ALSO HAD THE GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC.
HE SAID THAT FOR THOSE WHO LIVED IN AN + IVORY TOwER*, THt TRIAD PROBLEM MIGHT SEEM FAR AWAY, BUT THIS WAS NOT THE View OF THE ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO FELL PREY TO TRIAD INTIMIDATION AND EXTORTION.
MR CHAN NOTED THAT OVERSEAS THE TREND HAD BEEN FOR LARGE-SCALE CRIMINAL SYNDICATES TO USE THEIR ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH TO INVEST IN MANY LEGITIMATE ENTERPRISES AND, IN SOME CASES, TO ENTER POLITICS.
THEY COULD AFFORD TO HIRE THE BEST LEGAL AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COULD CORRUPT LAW OFFICERS, AND EXTORT CONTRACTS AND CONTROL UNIONS.
+IT IS THEREFORE NOT SURPRISING THAT THEY COULD PURCHASE OR CREATE PUBLIC OPINION AND EVEN BEND POLITICIANS WITH THE VOTES UNDER THEIR CONTROL,* HE SAID, ILLUSTRATING THE NEED FOR HONG KONo TO CHECK THE GROWTH OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
REFERRING THEN TO THE TERM +HUMAN RIGHT*, MR CHAN SAID THIS HAD OFTEN BEEN MISUSED.
+ THESE RIGHTS ARE FREEDOMS TO DO wHAT ONE SHOULD DO FOR The GOOD OF ONESELF, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY BUT NOT TO DEPRIVE OTHeRo _F THE IR RIGHTS,* HE OBSERVED.
/HE EAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 19B6.
HE SAID ONCE THIS DEMARCATION LINE ..AS VIOLATE-, THEN CRIMINAL LAa AND LAw ENFORCEMENT SHOULD TAKE OVER TO RESTRICT THE FREEDOM OF THE VIOLATORS TO PROTECT THE VICTIMS’ SECURITY AND THE PEACE AND ORDER OF THE COMMUNITY.
MR CHAN * AS DISSATISFIED THAT WHILE THE TRIAD V ICT IM wAb T I' TORMENT, THE SUSPECT AND LATER THE CRIMINAL WAS wtLL-PRO ic.v itJ AND COULD ENJOY THE MULTIPLE BENEFITS OFFERED TO HIM, INCLUDING LEGAL AID PAID BY TAXPAYERS, EXPERT MITIGATION, DISCOUNT FOn _ THE IMPRISONMENT PERIOD, PROTECTION OF ILL-GOTTEN GAINS 0. nxL_ AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.
+DOES CRIME PAY AND DOES THIS FIT THE CHINESE SAYING TO FDjTxa EVIL PROPENSITIES BY BEING OVER LENIENT?* HE ASKED.
HE SAID HE HOPED A COMBINED REPLY FROM THE COMMUNITY TO THE TwO QUESTIONS wAS A RESOUNDING *N0+.
+ORGANISED CRIME REQUIRES ORGANISED EFFORTS BY THE COMMUNITY TO COMBAT IT, SO THAT CRIME DOES NOT PAY,+ MR CHAN CONCLUDED.
--------o ---------
TIME TO RECONSIDER DEATH PENALTY
*****
SERIOUS CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE DEATH PENALTY FOR MASTERMINDS OF GANG WARS AS /.ELL AS SYNDICATED DRUG TRAFFICKING, THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID TODAY (.WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ADJOURNMENT DEBAT-ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM, SHE SAID WHEN ONE REFERRED TO TRIAD MEMBERS, ONE WAS TALKING ABOUT A FAIRLY WIDE RANGE IN THE CRIMINAL HIERARCHY.
+THERE IS THE NEWLY RECRUITED 14-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL BOY, AS WELL AS THE ’BIG BROTHER’ OF THE DRUG SYNDICATE WHO HEADS THE ORGANISATION.
+wHILE THE FORMER HARDLY COMPREHENDS WHAT HE IS DOING, AND THEREFORE IF PROPERLY REHABILITATED COULD POSSIBLY HAVE A FRESH START IN LIFE, THE LATTER IS BEYOND ANY KIND OF REDEMPTION,* RRS CHOW SA ID.
THE DIFFICULT BUT NECESSARY TASK, SHE SAID, WAS TO SORT THE MEN FROM THE BOYS SO AS TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
FOR THE FIRST OFFENDER AND NOVICE TRIAD MEMBER, APPROPRIATE ACTION INVOLVED MEASURES THAT ACHIEVED REHABILITATION AND PREVENTION OF RECIDIVISM, SHE SAID.
/FOR THS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 8 -
FOR THE DIEHARD TRIAD VETERAN, SHE BELIEVED APPROPRIATE ACTION SHOULD LIMIT HIS MOVEMENTS AND INFLUENCE AS EFFECTIVELY AND FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE SO AS TO PROTECT SOCIETY.
+ IN THIS REGARD, ONE WONDERS WHETHER PRESENT PUNISHMENT IS rEAVY ENOUGH TO COPE WITH THE EXTREMELY SERIOUS OR VIOLENT ORGANISED CRIMES BEING COMMITTED.
+ l BELIEVE IT IS TIME TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE REINSTATEMENT CF THE DEATH PENALTY FOR MASTERMINDS OF GANG WARS AS WELL AS SYNDICATED DRUG TRAFFICKING,* MRS CHOW SUGGESTED.
REFERRING TO THE PROPOSED OPTION WHEREBY AN OFFENDER WOULD BECOME AUTOMATICALLY INDEBTED TO THE CROWN UPON CONVICTION UNDER THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE, MRS CHOW SAID SHE SUPPORTED THIS BUT DID NOT THINK IT WENT FAR ENOUGH.
SHE SAID IN FACT A NUMBER OF TRIAD TRADES SUCH AS GAMBLING DENS AND VICE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE SOURCES OF INCOME WHICH SHOULj EE SUBJECT TO THE SAME TREATMENT AS INCOME FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING.
+FURTHERMORE, ANY MEANS TO CURB THE GROWTH OF CRIMINAL WEALTH THROUGH TRIAD ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE EXPLORED, FOR THIS WOULD NOT ONLY WEAKEN THEIR POSITION CONSIDERABLY, BUT ALSO UNDERMINE TrtE MATERIALISTIC APPEAL OF SUCH CRIMINAL ASSOCIATION TO THE VANITY CF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE,* SHE ADDED.
------0-------
NEED FOR POLICE AND PUBLIC TO COOPERATE * * * *
IN DEALING WITH TRIAD SOCIETIES AND UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS, THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC MUST REACH SOME COMMON UNDERSTANDING AND REALISE EACH OTHER’S POSITION, THE HON RITA FAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM, MRS FAN SAID THAT CITIZENS HAD TO SPARE MUCH TIME TO GIVING STATEMENTS, IDENTIFYING SUSPECTS AND ACTING AS WITNESSES WHEN THEY REPORTED TO THE POLICE ABOUT TRIADS.
AS A RESULT IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE POLICE TO FIND WITNESSES, SHE SAID.
SHE URGED THE POLICE TO APPRECIATE THE DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND TO DO THEIR BEST TO ASSIST THEM, RATHER THAN RELYING SOLELY ON LEGAL POWERS AND WORKING BY- THE BOOK.
/+FIRST OF .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
9
♦FIRST OF ALL, WITNESSES MUST BE GIVEN SUITABLE PROTECTION AND THE RELEVANT PROPOSALS IN THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT MUST BE IMPLEMENTED.
♦SECONDLY, THE POLICE MUST MAKE EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH AND REINFORCE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC IN THEM,+ SHE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE POLICE CONSTITUTED THE MOST IMPORTANT SECTOR IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TRIAD SOCIETIES, MRS FAN SAID THEY REQUIRED MORE FORCEFUL SUPPORT IN LEGISLATION AND MORE EFFECTIVE PROCEDURES IN ORDER THAT THEY COULD TAKE MORE EFFECTIVE AND FASTER ACTION.
AS FOR THE FEAR OF POSSIBLE ABUSE OF POWER, SHE SAID IF THE POLICE MAINTAINED THEIR EXISTING POWERS, IT WAS VERY DOUBTFUL WHETHER THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE TRIAD PROBLEM, WHICH WAS GETTING MORE AND MORE SERIOUS.
THE POLICE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT POWER TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT IN CASE OF ANY ABUSE OF POWER, POLICE OFFICERS MUST BE SEVERELY PUNISHED, SHE ADDED.
SHE SAID MANY CITIZENS FERVENTLY HOPED THAT JUDICIAL OFFICERS WOULD ALSO PASS A HEAVY SENTENCE ON LAW ENFORCERS WHO VIOLATED THE LAW THEMSELVES.
MRS FAN ALSO SUPPORTED IMPOSING HEAVIER SENTENCES ON CONVICTED TRIAD MEMBERS, AS PROPOSED IN THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT.
♦I FURTHER HOPE THAT HONG KONG’S JUDICIAL OFFICERS wILL NOT BE TOO LENIENT IN PASSING SENTENCES.
♦LENIENCY TOWARDS TRIAD MEMBERS IS CRUELTY TOWARDS LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS,+ SHE SAID.
ON OTHER JUDICIAL MEASURES, MRS FAN SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO EXAMINE THE RACKETEER INFLUENCED CORRUPT ORGANISATIONS (RICO) STATUTE AND TO CONSIDER WHETHER IT WAS POSSIBLE TO INSCRIBE ITS SPIRIT IN HONG KONG LAWS.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT THIS AMERICAN STATUTE ENABLED THE PROSECUTION TO PRESENT A FULL PICTURE OF ORGANISED CRIME TO THE COURT SO THAT THE LATTER COULD HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT CRIMES INVOLVED, AS WELL AS THE EXTENT OF INVOLVEMENT.
♦EXISTING CRIMINAL LAW RULES IN HONG KONG GENERALLY
RESULT IN VARIOUS CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST AN ACCUSED PERSON TO BE TRIED SEPARATELY, AND THE COURT WILL CONSIDER EACH CHARGE IN INSOLATION.
/♦THE DEFECT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
10
+THE DEFECT IN EXISTING POSSIBLE TO FULLY EXPOSE THE CRIME OF TRIAD SOCIETIES AND TO BRING TO JUSTICE THE RING SHE SAID.
LAWS IS THAT IT WOULD NOT BE SERIOUSNESS OF ORGANISED IT WOULD ALSO BE DIFFICULT LEADER BEHIND THE SCENE,+
FOR EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE MADE USE OF THE GAIN OBTAINED FROM TRIAD ACTIVITIES TO RUN SOME LEGAL BUSINESS, SUCH A PERSON COULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE UNDER THE AMERICAN RICO STATUTE AND HIS GAINS COULD ALSO BE CONFISCATED SO THAT THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL ORGANISATION WOULD BE HARD HIT AND CONSEQUENTLY PUT OUT OF EXISTENCE.
--------0 ---------
JOINT EFFORT NEEDED TO CURB ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS ******
THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE SHOULD NOT AND CANNOT BE THE SOLE DEPARTMENT COMMITTED TO THE TASK OF CURBING TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS, THE HON PAULINE NG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE SAID SHE BELIEVED IT WAS ONLY THROUGH THE CO-OPERATION CF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE ICAC AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED THAT THE TASK WOULD ATTAIN ANY SUCCESS.
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
MRS NG SAID SHE REGRETTED THAT THE DOCUMENT HAD NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED THE TRIAD PROBLEM IN SCHOOLS.
TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM IN SCHOOLS, SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE FORMMASTER SYSTEM.
AS FORMMASTERS WERE WORKING IN THE FRONT-LINE IN THEIR CONTACT WITH STUDENTS, SHE SAID THE RELEVANT AUTHORITY SHOULD CUT DOWN THEIR TEACHING SESSIONS TO ALLOW THEM AMPLE TIME TO GET TO KNOw THEIR STUDENTS BETTER, KEEP IN TOUCH WITH PARENTS AND TAKE EARLY PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
AS FAR AS THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS CONCERNED, F'RS NG SAID IT SHOULD REVISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THE EXISTING RATIO OF ONE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER TO 4 000 STUDENTS.
UNDER THIS RATIO, SHE SAID, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS WERE TOO FULLY OCCUPIED AND WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT COUNSELLING SERVICE TO. STUDENTS.
/MEANWHILE,
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
11
MEANWHILE, THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BUREAU OF THE POLICE FORCE SHOULD BE ADDITIONALLY STAFFED TO STRENGTHEN ITS TIES WITH SCHOOLS IN A BID TO NIP IN THE BUD TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS.
LASTLY, SHE URGED THE ICAC TO KEEP UP ITS GOOD WORK OF PROVIDING TO SCHOOLS TEACHING MATERIALS AND AIDS FOR MORAL AND CIVIC EDUCATION.
EARLIER, MRS NG SAID THAT SHE WAS STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF THE IDEA OF USING THE AMERICAN PROCEDURE OF IDENTIFYING SUSPECTS THROUGH ONE-WAY VIEWERS.
+THE ADOPTION OF THIS PROPOSAL WILL DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME AND GIVE EVIDENCE AS THIS WILL ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE WITNESSES AND REDUCE THE CHANCE OF THEIR BEING VICTIMS OF REVENGE BY TRIAD ELEMENTS,+ SHE SAID.
SHE WAS ALSO IN SUPPORT OF AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATION TO CONTROL PORNOGRAPHIC ACTIVITIES AND THE NUISANCES ARISING FROM SUCH ACTIVITIES.
SUMMARY OFFENCES
FURTHERMORE, MRS NG SAID SHE AGREED THAT THE PROCEEDINGS SHOULD BE ENACTED TO DEAL WITH THE NUISANCES CAUStD BY THOSE +ONE-WOMAN BROTHELS+ SO THAT TENANTS IN DOMESTIC PREMlStS COULD MORE EASILY LODGE COMPLAINTS TO THE COURT.
-----0------
FOURFOLD APPROACH TO TACKLE PROBLEM SUGGESTED * * * * *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN LIKENED, THE TRIAD PROBLEM TO A VICIOUS DISEASE AND SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT A FOURFOLD APPROACH TO TACKLE IT.
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR YEUNG SAID AS THE INFLUENCE OF THIS DISEASE WAS SO FAR-REACHING AND AS THERE WAS NO BASIC CURE, HE FELT THAT THE PRINCIPAL TASK WAS TO FACE REALITY AND ADOPT EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL AND ALLEVIATE THE STATE OF ILLNESo SO THAT IT WOULD NOT SPREAD AND DETERIORATE.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD COUNTER THE PROBLEM WITH FOUR MEASURES AT THE SAME TIME, NAMELY STRINGENT POLICIES, REHABILITATION, LONG-TERM ATTENTION AND PREVENTIVE WORK.
/IN IMPLEMENTING .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
12
IN IMPLEMENTING STRINGENT POLICIES WHICH WAS SIMILAR TO GIVING SPECIFIC INJECTIONS AND DRUGS TO SUPPORT A SURGICAL OPERATION, FR YEUNG SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF AMENDING THE LAW 'WAS PRINCIPALLY TO ASSIST THE POLICE IN FURTHER PROTECTING THE LIFE AND PROPERTY OF THE PUBLIC AND NOT TO GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL AND UNNECESSARY POWERS.
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE FELT THAT THE POLICE SHOULD DRAW UP DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES SO THAT MEMBERS OF THE FORCE KNEW CLEARLY HOW THEY SHOULD MAKE USE OF THESE POWERS AND AVOID ABUSING THEM AND INFRINGING ON PERSONAL FREEDOM.
HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT BY CUTTING OFF THEIR SOURCES OF INCOME, THE GROWTH OF TRIAD INFLUENCES WOULD DEFINITELY BE CHECKED AND SAID THIS COULD BE DONE BY THOROUGHLY IMPLEMENTING THE CLOSURE ORDER SYSTEM, INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND CONFISCATING PROFITS AND PROPERTIES ACQUIRED BY DRUG TRAFFICKING.
COMPARING REHABILITATION TO TAKING NOURISHING FOOD OR TONICS TO SPEED UP RECOVERY, MR YEUNG SAID THE +SCHEME OF RENUNCIATION OF •TRIAD MEMBERSHIP+ WOULD DEFINITELY BE USEFUL TO THOSE TRIAD MEMBERS WHO WERE AWARE OF THEIR PAST FOLLIES AND WHO WISHED TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
+THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STEP UP REHABILITATION WORK AND PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT THOSE TRIAD MEMBERS WHO INTEND TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF MAY BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD A NORMAL LIFE AND BE FREE FROM FALLING PREY TO THE INDUCEMENT, THREATS AND CONTROL OF TRIADS ONCE AGA IN,+ HE SAID.
MR YEUNG THEN STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF LONG-TERM ATTENTION TO SOCIAL TRENDS TO PREVENT THE RESURGENCE OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES, JUST AS HEALTH CARE AND REGULAR MEDICAL EXAMINATION WERE NECESSARY FOR GOOD HEALTH.
HE CALLED ON VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN CO-ORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION IN ORDER TO MAKE CONCERTED EFFORTS TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
APART FROM ERADICATING TRIAD ACTIVITIES AT DISTRICT LEVEL, rE FELT THE POLICE SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH ADEQUATE RESOURCES, SUCH AS INSTALLATION OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT. TO COPE WITH INTENSIFIED WORK IN CONNECTION WITH COUNTERING TRIAD ACTIVITIES AND STAMPING OUT ORGANISED CRIME.
LASTLY, MR YEUNG SUGGESTED THAT AS +PREVENTION IS BETTER THAI CURE*. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CARRY OUT PREVENTIVE WORK BY ACTIVELY PROMOTING YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND ESTABLISHING A HEALTHY SOCIETY WITH PROPER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
HE ALSO EMPHASISED THE NEED TO FULLY WIPE OUT THE +HERO IMAGE* OF TRIAD SOCIETIES AND TO CONVEY TO YOUTHS THE CORRECT SOCIAL VALUES.
MR YEUNG CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT ADOPTED THE FOUR MEASURES MENTIONED ABOVE AT THE SAME TIME, THE ADVERSE INFLUENCE OF TRIAD SOCIETIES ON THE PUBLIC WOULD BE REDUCED ACCORDINGLY AND THE IMAGE OF A REALLY STABLE AND PROSPEROUS SOCIETY WOULD DISTINCTLY EMERGE.
------0-------
/15......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1936
SUPERVISION SCHEME ’INFRINGES ON FREEDOM’
******
IF HEAVY PENALTIES IMPOSED TO CRACK DOWN ON TRIADS ARE FOUND TO INFRINGE ON PERSONAL FREEDOM AND THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THE ISSUE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED MOST CAREFULLY, THE HON JACKIE CHAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE VOICED STRONG OBJECTION TO THE SUGGESTED POLICE SUPERVISION SCHEME WHEN SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
+PERHAPS SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY THAT HEAVY PENALTIES ARE REQUIRED IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, BUT IS HONG KONG IN SUCH TROUBLED TIMES THAT IT REQUIRES US TO SACRIFICE OUR GOOD SPIRIT OF RULE BY LAW TO COMBAT CRIME?* MR CHAN ASKED.
APART FROM RUNNING COUNTER TO THE SPIRIT OF RULE BY LAw, THIS OPTION IN FACT LEFT MUCH ROOM FOR DISCUSSION, HE SAID.
THE SCHEME AT FIRST APPEARED TO BE ALL RIGHT AS IT WAS ONLY AIMED AT TRIAD ELEMENTS WHO HAD BEEN PENALISED BY DETENTION.
+BUT, IN PRACTICE, THE SITUATION MAY NOT BE AS SIMPLE AS WHAT WE EXPECT AS ORDINARY CITIZENS WILL ALMOST INEVITABLY BE INVOLVED BECAUSE OF THEIR SIMILAR APPEARANCE TO SPECIAL CITIZENS UNDER POL ICE SUPERVIS ION.
+AS A RESULT, THEY WILL OFTEN BE DISTURBED UNNECESSARILY AND THEIR PERSONAL FREEDOM SERIOUSLY INFRINGED UPON,* MR CHAN SAID.
HE BELIEVED IT WAS IMPRACTICAL TO ENACT A PIECE OF LEG I SLAT ION WHICH WOULD CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO THE MAJORITY OF CITIZENS SIMPLY BECAUSE SUPERVISION WAS REQUIRED FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF TRIAD ^EMBERS RELEASED FROM DETENTION.
BESIDES THIS, HE FELT THE SCHEME WOULD HAVE A SERIOUS IMPACT OJ'J THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE RELEASED PRISONERS WHO MIGHT FEEL DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND REJECTED BY THE COMMUNITY DESPITE HAVING SERVED THEIR DUE PUNISHMENT.
THIS COULD INDUCE A RESISTANCE TO THE LAw AND HOSTILITY TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY, LEADING ULTIMATELY TO A CRIMINAL OFFENCE BE ING COMMITTED AGAIN.
MR CHAN BELIEVED THAT MANY EMPLOYERS WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO CONSIDER TAKING ON RELEASED PRISONERS UNDER SUPERVISION.
+THE EXISTING POLICY IS TO ASSIST RELEASED PRISONERS TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF AND RETURN TO SOCIETY.*
/+THIS BIZARRE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
-14
+THIS BIZARRE PROPOSAL HOWEVER SEEMS TO STOP THEM FROM DOING SO,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID POLICE RESOURCES SHOULD NOT BE WASTED ON THE SUPERVISION CF TRIAD MEMBERS ALREADY PENALISED WHEN THE PRIORITY FOR THE FORCc. SHOULD BE TO REORGANISE AND EXPAND ITS ANTI-TRIAD UNIT, AND TO CENTRALISE MANPOWER AND RESOURCES IN COMBATTING TRIAD SOCIETIES.
HE BELIEVED IT WAS MOST IMPORTANT TO RESTRAIN TRIAD MASTERMINDS BY LAW, IMPOSE HEAVY PENALTIES ON THEM AND CONFISCATE THE GAINS WHICH THEY HAD ACQUIRED IN ILLLEGAL ACTIVITIES.
+WITHOUT A LEADER, I BELIEVE THAT THE THREAT TO OUR SOCIETY POSED BY THE REMAINING TRIAD MEMBERS WILL BE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM,* HE SAID.
IN THE LONG RUN, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STEP UP PREVENTIVE WORK IN SCHOOLS, MR CHAN SUGGESTED.
+ON ONE HAND, AN ALL-OUT EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO CURB TRIAD INFILTRATION INTO SCHOOLS WHILE, ON THE OTHER HAND, CORRECT IDEAS SHOULD BE INSTILLED INTO OUR YOUTHS TO RECTIFY THEIR PERCEPTION OF TRIADS AS HEROES AND THEIR ERRONEOUS CONCEPT OF MATERIALISM AND HEDONISM, TO ESTABLISH A HEALTHY SOCIAL PLATFORM FOR THEM SO THAT OUR STABLE AND PROSPEROUS SOCIETY MAY DEVELOP FURTHER UNDER A BALANCED AND ORDERLY CLIMATE,* HE SAID.
EARLIER, MR CHAN EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR SEVERAL OPTIONS IN THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THE SCHEME FOR RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP, INTRODUCTION OF A NEW FORM OF IDENTIFICATION PARADE, AND, IN ^ARTICULAR, AMENDING THE LAW TO ENABLE THE FORMULATION OF CLOSURE ORDERS ON VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
- 0 - -
CONCERTED EFFORT TO CONTAIN TRIADS STRESSED
*****
....... A SB.N^n1T^rnE^F0RT W 1TH 1N THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF IS BOUND TO tScEtoiAnLIJnb. CM EFFECT IN THE L0NG RUN T0 CONTAIN THE SIZE OF ,™E .J.R'AI> PROBLEM, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
GREAK|NG AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION TR,AD PROBLEM, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE SUPPORTED THE INCREASED CO-ORDINATION RESULTING FROM THE DOCUMENT BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO TACKLE THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 19&6
HE SAID THE PUBLIC, HAVING NOW BEEN MADE MORE AWARE OF THE DIMENSIONS OF THE PROBLEM, COULD PERHAPS BE PERSUADED TO MORE CLOSELY CO-OPERATE WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN FACING UP TO THE CHALLENGE AND DANGERS OF TRIADS.
+IN THIS RESPECT, THE ORGANISED CRIME AND OTHER SERIOUS CRIMES GROUP WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEALING WITH TRIADS WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE COULD ADOPT A MORE VISIBLE PRESENCE WITH THE PUBLIC,* HE SAID.
A TRIADS HOT LINE WHICH WOULD BE TAKING CALLS 24 HOURS A DAY COULD ALSO BE SET UP, HE SUGGESTED.
IN ORDER TO COMMAND PUBLIC SUPPORT, THE POLICE MUST BE SEEN BY THE PUBLIC TO BE GOING ALL-OUT TO TACKLE THE TRIAD PROBLEM, STRESSED.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID THERE COULD BE MORE FOCUS ON TRIAD-RELATED MATTERS AT DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND AT OTHER FUNCTIONS ATTENDED BY POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS CFFICERS TO GIVE ADDED INPUT TO THE POLICE COMMUNICATION NETWORK IN COMBATING THE PROBLEMS.
ON THE PROPOSED OPTIONS WHICH WOULD CURTAIL THE WIDE RANGE CF INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM IF ADOPTED, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID WE WERE FACED WITH A CHOICE IN THE BALANCING OF THE LARGER INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AGAINST THE PERSONAL FREEDOM OF THOSE WHO WOULD FLOUT THE LAW.
IN HIS VIEW, IT WAS NECESSARY TO LEGISLATE FOR SOME OF THE OPTIONS PROPOSED.
+CERTAINLY, THE PUBLIC WOULD WELCOME NEW MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE WITNESSES TO COME FORWARD TO TESTIFY, SUCH AS THE USE OF ONE-WAY MIRRORS, THE CREATION OF ’TASK FORCES’ OF INVESTIGATORS AND LAWYERS TO CONCENTRATE ON SUSPECTED INDIVIDUAL^ AND ENTERPRISES, THE ADAPTING OF SOME OF THE PROCEDURES OF THE AMERICAN GRAND JURY SYSTEM IN THE ATTACKING OF THE ORGANISED CRIME IN ORDER TO GET AT THE ’BIG GUN’ IN THE TRIAD WORLD,* MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
ON THE ADDITIONAL POWERS WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIGHT TRIADS AND OTHER FORMS OF ORGANISED CRIME, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD GIVE THEM TO THE POLICE AND AT THE SAME TIME STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING COMMITTEES TO ENSURE THAT THESE POWERS WOULD NOT BE ABUSED.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO REVIEW THE REDUCTION OF ANY POWERS HAVING TO DO WITH PERSONAL FREEDOM WHICH WERE NO LONGER REQUIRED IN THE OVERALL COMMUNITY INTEREST AS AND WHEN THE GROWING THREAT OF ORGANISED CRIME AS REPRESENTED BY TRIADS IN PARTICULAR BECAME LESS SERIOUS.
/MR CHEONG-LEEN .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9,. 1986
- 16 -
MR CHEONG-LEEN ALSO SUPPORTED ALL EFFORTS DESIGNED TO ENABLE THOSE wHO WISHED TO RENUNCI ATE THEIR TRIAD LINKS AND THE PROPOSED POLICE SUPERVISORY SYSTEM TARGETTED AT THE ’POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS RE-OFFENDER’.
♦HOWEVER, IT WOULD SEEM THAT PENALTIES SUCH AS NOT ENTERING JOCKEY CLUB PREMISES OR POSSESSING A PAGING MACHINE ARE NOT PRACTICAL FROM A WIDER POINT OF VIEW,* HE SAID.
MR CHEONG-LEE ALSO URGED THAT THE REHABILITATIVE SUPERVISION CF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS BE BROUGHT INTO PLAY WHENEVER IT WAS SUITABLE.
-------0 ---------
INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE +COULD MONITOR POLICE SUPERVISION*
*****
AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SET UP TO MONITOR THE POLICE IN CARRYING OUT THE PROPOSED SUPERVISION ORDER, THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM, MR CHUNG SAID WHILE THE PROPOSED POLICE SUPERVISION ORDER AND THE PROHIBITION ORDER MIGHT BE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING CONTACT BETWEEN SUPERVISED PERSONS AND TRIADS, THEY WERE ONLY PENAL MEASURES, AND LACKED COUNSELLING AND REHABILITATIVE FUNCTIONS.
THEREFORE, HE SUGGESTED THE FORMATION OF AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY COMMITTEE, INSTEAD OF LETTING ONLY THE POLICE CARRY OUT THE SUPERVISION ORDER.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE SHOULD CONSIST OF UMELCO MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG DISCHARGED PRISONERS’ AID SOCIETY, SOCIAL WORKERS AND MEMBERS CF THE PUBLIC.
+THE POLICE SHOULD SUBMIT TO THE COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE SUPERVISED PERSONS AT REGULAR INTERVALS,* HE SAID.
+THE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO PROVIDE PROPER REHABILITATIVE SERVICE TO THOSE PLACED UNDER THE ORDER ACCORDING TO THE ACTUAL NEEDS OF THE ONE BEING SUPERVISED.
+IT SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO REGULATE THE WEIGHT PLACED ON SUPERVISION IN RELATION TO REHABILITATION AND VICl VCRSA FOR EACH CASE, AS WELL AS TO SHORTEN THE TIME OF THE SUPERVISION ORDER IF NECESSARY,* MR CHUNG SAID.
/IN ADDITION.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 17 -
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE COULD PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE HARASSED BY TRIADS OR FORMER FELLOW GANG MEMBERS AFTER THE EXPIRY OF A SUPERVISION ORDER, HE SAID.
MR CHUNG SAID IT WAS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A PROPOSAL UNDER THE ORDER COULD INVOLVE A SPECIAL FORM OF CAUTION WHEN A PERSON BEING SUPERVISED WAS CHARGED WITH A SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE OR WAS QUESTIONED IN RELATION TO THAT OFFENCE AT A POLICE STATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS WOULD MAKE EXPLANATION OR PROVISION CF EVIDENCE TO THE CHARGE MANDATORY IN THE CASE OF A PERSON UNDER THE SUPERVISION ORDER.
+HIS RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT IS THUS INFRINGED,* HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, IF THE SPECIAL FORM OF CAUTION APPEARED IN THE SUSPECT’S STATEMENT, THE COURT WOULD BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE SUSPECT HAD A PREVIOUS CRIMINAL RECORD, WHICH WOULD BE GREATLY DISADVANTAGEOUS TO THE SUSPECT, HE SAID.
REFERRING TO CHANNELS FOR COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE, PR CHUNG SUGGESTED THAT ALL COMPLAINT CASES. WHETHER MINOR OR SERIOUS, SHOULD BE HANDLED BY THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICE ITSELF.
HE SAID IT WAS UNDESIRABLE TO REFER MINOR CASES TO A POLICE STATION WHERE THE POLICE OFFICER COMPLAINED AGAINST WORKED.
AS REGARDS THE GRAND JURY APPROACH, HE SAID ALTHOUGH THERE WAS MERIT IN THIS PROPOSAL, IT WOULD MEAN INFRINGEMENT UPON A WITNESS’S RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, THUS CONTRADICTING THE TRADITIONAL PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE.
MR CHUNG CONSIDERED THAT THIS APPROACH SHOULD NOT BE ADOPTED AT THE PRESENT STAGE.
LASTLY, HE SAID THE PROPOSALS IN THE DOCUMENT WERE MAINLY STOP-GAP MEASURES AND THERE WERE FEW RADICAL SOLUTIONS.
IN HIS OPINION, TO ROOT OUT THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY, THE POLICE, SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH ONE ANOTHER TO ELIMINATE AND PREVENT TRIAD MEMBERS FROM PENETRATING SCHOOLS, AND MORE EFFECTIVE METHODS SHOULD BE EMPLOYED IN ANTI-TRIAD CAMPAIGNS.
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/18........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
18
REHABILITATION METHODS CAN HELP HARNESS TRIADS X * * ¥ ¥
THE IMPORTANCE OF REHABILITATION WORK IN COUNTERING TRIAD ACTIVITIES WAS STRESSED BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON OPTIONS TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM, MR HUI DESCRIBED THE DOCUMENT AS +A LAUDABLE ATTEMPT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTAIN THE CANCEROUS GROWTH OF A PERENNIAL SOCIAL PROBLEM+. HE SAID HE FULLY SUPPORTED ITS PROPOSALS.
ON SPECIFIC OPTIONS, HE SAID THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE POLICE SUPERVISION ORDER SCHEME PLACED TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE RESTRICTIVE AND PREVENTIVE EFFECTS OF THE ORDER AND IGNORED THE REHABILITATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONS OF IMPOSING A JUDICIAL PENALTY.
MR HUI SAID A POLICE SUPERVISION ORDER HAD BEEN REPEALED IN 1983, AND SHOULD BE RE-IMPLEMENTED WITH EXTREME DISCRETION, AIMING AT HARD-CORE CASES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE IMPOSITION OF SUCH AN ORDER SHOULD BE DECIDED BY THE COURT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE POLICE AND PROBATION OFFICERS IN CONSULTATION WITH PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS.
♦THIS WAY, THE SUITABILITY OF THE ORDER, IMPOSED AFTER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION ON RE-OFFENDERS WITH REAL NEED, CAN BE GUARANTEED,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE ORDER SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED BY EXPERIENCED POLICE OFFICERS AND THAT THE SCHEME SHOULD BE REVIEWED AFTER A TRIAL PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
MR HUI FELT THAT THE POLICE SUPERVISION ORDER AS IT NOW STOOD FAILED TO GET TO THE ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM IN THAT IT HAD NOT PROVIDED OFFENDERS WITH THE NECESSARY ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE THEM TO GO STRAIGHT UPON COMPLETION OF THE ORDER.
HE SAID SOCIAL WORKERS GENERALLY FAVOURED A MOREBALANCED APPROACH OF EMPLOYING SUCH ADDITIONAL MEANS AS OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK AND REHABILITATION SERVICES TO HELP YOUNG OFFENDERS BREAK FREE FROM THE ASSOCIATION AND INTIMIDATION OF TRIAD GANGS.
+ BY OFFERING THEM PREVOCATI ONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, 'WE CAN SUCCESSFULLY HELP THEM TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF,+ HE SAID.
MR HUI ALSO SAID HE OBJECTED TO THE OPTION THAT PROHIBITED TRIAD MEMBERS FROM VISITING CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES.
/+APART FROM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 19 -
+APART FRO!' OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES, THE ENVISAGED NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THIS OPTION, INCLUDING ANTAGONISING TRIAD MEMBERS AND CURTAILING HUMAN RIGHTS, TEND TO OUTWEIGH THE ADVANTAGES, HE ARGUED.
NOTING THAT ANY FORM OF PENALTY OBJECTIVE OF MAKING THE CRIMINAL PAY MADE THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS:
WOULD CARRY WITH IT THE FOR HIS OFFENCE, MR HUI
* THE POLICE SUPERVISION ORDER SHOULD BE REINTRODUCED AS A MANDATORY SENTENCE FOR SELECTED RE-OFFENDERS IN PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST;
* A MONITORING GROUP CONSISTING OF PSYCHOLOGISTS, LAWYERS, POLICE AND SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD BE SET UP TO OVERSEE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUPERVISION SCHEME AND TO CONDUCT PERIODICAL REVIEWS;
* IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE MISCALCULATED DISBANDMENT OF THE TRIAD SOCIETY BUREAU HAD GIVEN RISE TO THE RAMIFICATIONS OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES, THIS SPECIAL UNIT SHOULD BE REESTABLISHED AND STRENGTHENED AS A HIGH-POWERED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY;
* OTHER FORMS OF PENALTIES SHOULD BE EXPLORED IN DEALING WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRIAD OFFENCES.
IN CONCLUSION MR HUI EMPHASISED THE NEED TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE MAINTENANCE OF FREEDOM IN SOCIETY AS FREEDOM COULD NOT BE SACRIFICED AS A MEANS OF ACHIEVING A QUICK SOLUTION TO THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
+IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO HARNESS TRIAD ACTIVITIES BY EMPLOYING LONGER TERM REHABILITATION METHODS, FOR WHICH MORE SOCIAL RESOURCES SHOULD BE DEPLOYED TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS,* HE SAID.
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LEGAL GAMBLING OPTION ’IMPRACTICAL’
******
THE TRIAD DOCUMENT’S OPTION PROVIDING FOR MORE LEGAL GAMBLING WAS HIGHLY IMPRACTICAL, AND WOULD INSTEAD LEAD TO MORE TRIAD ACTIVITIES, THE HON RICHARD LAI TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+ SUCH A PROPOSAL WILL AFFECT SOCIETY FAR MORE THAN TRIAD SOCIETIES BECAUSE MORE CITIZENS WILL INDULGE IN GAMBLING, THUS RESULTING.IN MORE BROKEN HOMES AND SOCIAL TRAGEDIES, AS WELL AS DISRUPTING PEOPLE’S LIVES AND AFFECTING HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH,* HE SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT.
/IT WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 20 -
IT WOULD ALSO LEAD TO MORE LOAN-SHARKING AND INTIMIDATION.
MR LAI COMMENTED THAT ILLEGAL GAMBLING WHICH OFFERED MORE ATTRACTIVE PAYOUTS WOULD CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN ITS ATTRACTION IRRESPECTIVE OF THE EXISTENCE OF LEGAL FORMS OF GAMBLING.
IN HIS VIEW, THE OPTION WOULD ONLY HELP TO BOOST THE INFLUENCE OF TRIADS.
+AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF GAMBLING IS UNDOUBTEDLY CONTRADICTORY TO THE OBJECTIVE OF BUILDING A HEALTHY AND STABLE SOCIETY,+ MR LAI MAINTAINED.
REFERRING TO THE OPTION PROVIDING FOR A POLICE SUPERVISION SCHEME, HE SAID THIS WOULD ONLY RESULT IN SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND CREATE A SENSE OF ANTAGONISM AMONG DISCHARGED CRIMINALS, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO RECOVER AS NORMAL CITIZENS AND BE RE-INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY.
HE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT SUCH A SCHEME MIGHT LEAD TO AN ABUSE OF POWER BY POLICE OFFICERS.
LIMITATIONS ON DISCHARGED CRIMINALS SO THAT THEY COULD NOT ENTER CERTAIN PLACES OR USE CERTAIN EQUIPMENT WOULD ONLY ENCOURAGE THEM TO FIND LOOPHOLES.
MR LAI SAID THAT WHEN CRIMINALS WERE SENTENCED TO PRISON, IT MEANT THEY HAD TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THEIR DEEDS.
+THEREFORE, IN ORDER TO IMPOSE HEAVIER PENALTIES OR FURTHER nPPRIVE THEM OF THEIR FREEDOM, IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO CARRY OUT SUCH MEASURES WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN PRISON RATHER THAN AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED,* HE SAID.
AS FOR THE OPTION TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO IMPLY, DELIBERATELY, THAT HE WAS A MEMBER OF A TRIAD SOCIETY, MR LAI SAID THIS WOULD CREATE MANY ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE FLEXIBILITY IN THE PROVISION.
ABUSE OF POWER BY THE POLICE COULD ARISE IN THE PROCESS OF PROSECUTION AS WELL AS IN THE COURSE OF ARREST ALTHOUGH PROSECUTIONS MADE UNDER THE PROVISION HAD TO HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
ANOTHER OPTION WHICH WOULD SWITCH THE BURDEN OF PROOF FROM THE PROSECUTION TO THE DEFENCE WOULD CONTRAVENE THE JUDICIAL SPIRIT IN HONG KONG.
MR LAI SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE A SCHEME FOR RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP.
/BUT HE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
21
BUT HE HOPED THAT THE POWER OF THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES TO REFUSE APPLICATIONS FOR RENUNCIATION COULD BE USED WHERE NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE SCHEME FROM BEING ABUSED BY HARDENED CRIMINALS.
HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT IF POSSIBLE RENUNCIATION SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED AS A FORMAL CEREMONY IN CAMERA BEFORE A MAGISTRATE.
MR LAI SAID THE OPTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF EVIDENCE WAS FEASIBLE, BUT THE LEGISLATION MUST PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY IN APPLICATION.
+IF THE STATEMENTS GIVEN BY A WITNESS ARE CONTRADICTORY, HE SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO EXPLAIN THE REASONS.*
+THE COURT ALSO HAS TO INVESTIGATE CAREFULLY TO SEE IF THE WITNESS’ EXPLANATIONS ARE SATISFACTORY BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER HE HAS COMMITTED PERJURY,* HE SAID.
MR LAI ALSO SAID THE DOCUMENT FAILED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE SITUATION CONCERNING TRIAD SOCIETIES AND PLACED TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON EXPANDING THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION OF THE POLICE AND ON THE CHARGING OF SUSPECTS.
HE AGREED THAT MORE SEVERE SENTENCES SHOULD BE IMPOSED IN TACKLING CRIME, BUT NOT NECESSARILY BY PUTTING THE EMPHASIS ON AMENDING THE LAW.
THE FOCUSING
CRIME PROBLEM COULD BE DEALT WITH MORE THOROUGHLY BY ON THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, HE SUGGESTED.
HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING STRICTER CONTROLS ON THE LICENSING OF BILLIARD SALOONS AND AUTOMATIC GAMES CENTRES.
+EFFORTS SHOULD ALSO BE MADE TO ELIMINATE ILLEGAL ESTABLISHMENTS WHILE PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE CHANNEL FOR THE PUBLIC TO REPORT TRIAD ACTIVITIES,* HE ADDED.
-----o--------
POLICE SUPERVISION
’DOUBLE PUNISHMENT IN DISGUISE’ * * * * *
THR OPTION FOR POLICE SUPERVISION PROPOSED BY THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM REPRESENTED A FORM OF +DOUBLE PUNISHMENT IN DISGUISE*, DR THE HON CONRAD LAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WAS UNFAIR FOR THE POLICE TO UNDERTAKE FURTHER SUPERVISION OF DISCHARGED TRIAD OFFENDERS WHO HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR DUE PUNISHMENT THROUGH IMPRISONMENT, HE SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCSSION DOCUMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/+UNDER .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9. 1986
22 -
+UNDER POLICE SUPERVISION FOR A LONG PERIOD, DISCHARGED OFFENDERS MAY FIND IT HARD TO FIND A JOB AND THIS MAY AFFECT THEIR EFFORTS IN REHABILITATION,* HE SAID.
DISCHARGED OFFENDERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENTER FREELY INTO BILLIARD HALLS, ENTERTAINMENT PLACES AND TO CARRY PAGING MACHINE JUST LIKE ORDINARY CITIZENS.
+l BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE OF US IN THIS CONFERENCE HALL HAS DONE SOMETHING WRONG IN THE PAST. IF WE ADHERE TO THE PRINCIPLE OF ’DO NOT IMPOSE ON OTHERS WHAT WE DO NOT WANT TO BE IMPOSED ON OURSELVES’, WE WILL NOT GIVE OUR CONSENT TO THE PROPOSED SUPERVISION ON DISCHARGED OFFENDERS SO READILY,* HE SAID.
ON THE OPTION TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR PEOPLE TO PROCLAIM THEMSELVES TO BE TRIADS, DR LAM SAID IT COULD PERHAPS DEAL A BLOW TO THE ’SMALL POTATOES’ OF TRIAD GANGS BUT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO UNCOVER THE IDENTITIES OF CORE MEMBERS.
Hc ALSO OBSERVED THAT IT WAS A NATURAL AND LOGICAL RESULT THAT THE POWERS OF THE POLICE WOULD BE INCREASED FOLLOWING AN EXPANSION OF THEIR SCOPE OF WORK WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OPTIONS PROPOSED BY THE DOCUMENT.
+IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT IN 1985, ON THE AVERAGE, 12 CASES OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE WERE LODGED BY THE PUBLIC EVERY DAY, WE MUST PROCEED VERY CAREFULLY AND TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO PREVENT POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS FROM DETERIORATING,* HE SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DR LAM WELCOMED THE OPTION ON PROTECTION OF WITNESSES AND SUGGESTED THAT A HOTLINE BE SET UP TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS AND INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
A CENTRALISED TRIAD SOCIETIES BUREAU SHOULD ALSO BE ESTABLISHED TO CO-ORDINATE ALL EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO COMBAT TRIAD GANGS, HE ADDED.
- - - - 0 ----
CONFIDENCE IN POLICE CRUCIAL TO TACKLING PROBLEM
* * * *
THE TRIAD PROBLEM CANNOT BE SOLVED UNLESS THE POLICE HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON TRIAD PROBLEM, MR LEE NOTED THERE SEEMED TO BE A GENERAL RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT TRIAD-RELATED CRIMES TO THE POLICE.
/HE ATTRIBUTED
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 23 -
HE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
* FEAR OF REPRISAL:
* NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE POLICE WOULD GIVE SUFFICIENT PROTECTION TO THE PUBLIC IF THEY REPORT THE CRIMES ?
* THE BELIEF (RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY) THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE POLICE FORCE WORK HAND-IN-GLOVE WITH TRIAD MEMBERS SO THAT IF THE PUBLIC WERE TO REPORT SUCH CRIMES TO THE POLICE, THEY MAY BE VICTIMISED BY THE POLICE; AND
* NOT ENOUGH HAS BEEN DONE BY THE POLICE TO FACILITATE THE REPORTING OF THESE CRIMES.
MR LEE SAID FEAR OF REPRISAL COULD AND WOULD BE REMOVED IF THE POLICE COULD RECTIFY THE OTHER THREE MATTERS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS TIME FOR THE POLICE TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT ITS OWN DEFICIENCIES AND TRY TO IMPROVE ON THEM.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THEY SHOULD START BY MAKING IT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO REPORT TRIAD-RELATED CRIMES, FOR EXAMPLE, BY HAVING A HOT LINE AS SUGGESTED BY THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION.
THE POLICE MUST ALSO DISPEL THE BELIEF THAT THEY WERE WORKING HAND-IN-GLOVE WITH TRIAD MEMBERS BY DOING MORE TO SEEK OUT ALL THE BAD ELEMENTS WITHIN THE FORCE AND BRING THEM TO COURT.
+AND FURTHER, THEY SHOULD ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT AS SOON AS THEY REPORT THESE CRIMES, THEY WILL, IF THEY DO REQUEST, RECEIVE IMMEDIATE PROTECTION FROM THE POLICE WHICH WILL CONTINUE EVEN AFTER THE CULPITS HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH BY LAW,+ HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HE WAS SURE THAT WITH THESE IMPROVEMENTS, THE PUBLIC WOULD BE MUCH MORE READY TO REPORT THESE CRIMES AND GIVE EVIDENCE AT THE TRIAL OF TRIAD MEMBERS.
HE SAID IF AFTER THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWERS OF THE POLICE WERE INSUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THEM TO SECURE CONVICTIONS OF GUILTY TRIAD MEMBERS WITHOUT THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL POWERS, THEN THE PROPOSALS COULD BE CONSIDERED.
/+BUT EVEN
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 24
+ BUT EVEN THEN I SUGGEST THAT IT IS STILL INCUMBENT TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS AGAINST THE POSSIBLE ABUSE OF THESE ADDITIONAL POWERS,* HE NOTED.
MR LEE BELIEVED THIS WAS THE WAY TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, RATHER THAN THE APPROACH ADOPTED IN THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS +ENTIRELY ILLOGICAL, TOTALLY MISLEADING IN ITS CONCLUSION* AND MISSING THE WOOD OF THE TREES.
+THE RESULT IS THAT OUR ATTENTION IS DIVERTED AWAY FdOM THE REAL AND IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS WHICH PERTAIN TO THE POLICE FORCE AND FOCUSSED INSTEAD ON THE REFORM OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM,* HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT UNTIL THE POLICE HAD SUCCEEDED IN PUTTING ITS OWN HOUSE IN ORDER, ANY ADDITIONAL POWER WAS LIKELY TO AGGRAVATE THE PROBLEM EVEN MORE.
+IF THE PUBLIC DO NOT TRUST THE POLICE WITH THE PRESENT POWERS, THE PUBLIC WILL TRUST THE POLICE EVEN LESS WITH ADDITIONAL POWERS,* HE SAID.
MR LEE ALSO MADE SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE RESULT OF THE RECENT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY ON THE DOCUMENT.
HE WARNED THAT THE APPARENT SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE SPIRIT OF THE DOCUMENT SHOULD BE VIEWED WITH THE GREATEST CARE BECAUSE IT WAS SO EASY TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC OPINION BY FRAMING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
+IF WE WERE TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE POLICE POWERS AS A RESULT OF THESE SURVEYS, WE WILL BECOME A POLICE STATE VERY SOON INDEED,* HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID THERE WAS GENERAL CONCERN AMONG THE PEOPLE SURVEYED THAT THERE SHOULD BE ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSE AND URGED THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE ADDITIONAL POWERS WITHOUT ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS.
HE CONCLUDED THAT THE TRIAD PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED UNLESS THE POLICE HAD THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE.
+SO LET IMPROVEMENTS START WITH THE POLICE. AND LET US NjT INTERFERE WITH OUR EXISTING LEGAL SYSTEM UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO DO SO,* HE SAID.
-----o------
/25
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
25
MORE LEGISLATIVE PROTECTION FOR JUVENILES URGED * * * * *
A CALL WAS MADE BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO AMEND EXISTING LEGISLATION TO ASSIST PARENTS AND TEACHERS TO RELIEVE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE CONTROL OF TRIADS.
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT On THE TRIAD PROBLEM, MR LEE SAID THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WERE THE MAIN TARGETS OF RECRUITMENT OF TRIAD SOCIETIES, AND THEIR PARENTS AND TEACHERS WERE HELPLESS IN BRINGING THEM BACK.
HE FELT THAT AT PRESENT THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE WAS UNABLE TO IMPOSE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR JUVENILES AS IT ONLY PROVIDED THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WITH THE RIGHT TO GUARDIANSHIP.
+ACTION SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN TO REVIEW AND AMEND THE ORDINANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT PARENTS MAY THEN APPLY TO THE COURT OR THE AUTHORITY CONCERNED FOR INJUNCTION TO RELIEVE THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE STILL JUVENILES FROM THE INTIMIDATION AND CONTROL OF THE TRIAD SOCIETIES WHEREBY THEY MAY LEAD A NORMAL LIFE AGAIN UNDER GOOD PROTECTION,+ HE URGED.
HE BELIEVED THAT SUCCESS IN STOPPING THE TRIAD SOCIETIES FROM RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS WOULD MEAN SUCCESS IN THE PREVENTION OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
MR LEE ALSO NOTED THAT THE DOCUMENT HAD NOT DRAWN UP ANY SUBSTANTIVE PROGRAMME FOR THE REHABILITATION OF EX-OFFENDERS WHO WISHED TO START A NEW LIFE.
CRITICISING THE PROPOSAL TO RESTRICT THE FREEDOM OF THE EX-RECIDIVISTS, HE SAID: +SUCH MEASURE WOULD MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THOSE UNDER SUPERVISION ORDER TO RETURN TO THEIR NORMAL LIFE.
+ON THE CONTRARY, THEY WOULD BE DISCRIMINATED AND LOOKED DOWN UPON AS OBJECTIONABLE ELEMENTS OF THE SOCIETY.+
HE WARNED THAT AS A RESULT THEY WOULD HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BJT JOIN THEIR GANGS AND TAKE UP THEIR FORMER ACTIVITIES, ENDING UP BEING ’ONCE A TRIAD, ALWAYS A TRIAD’.
AS THE PROPOSAL HAD A +BRANDING+ EFFECT WHICH WOULD BE UNFAIR TO EX-OFFENDERS WHO WISHED TO GO STRAIGHT, IT SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED, HE SAID.
ON THE DOCUMENT AS A WHOLE, MR LEE SAID IT SEEMED TO HAVE FAILED IN‘GRASPING THE PROBLEM IN ITS FULL CONTEXT AND THE OPTIONS THEREIN COULD NOT BE FULLY EFFECTIVE IN ROOTING OUT THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
/TO SUCCESSFULLY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
26 -
TO SUCCESSFULLY CONTAIN THE PROBLEM, HE SUGGESTED THAT A COMPREHENSIVE AND ALL-OUT COUNTER-ACTION SHOULD BE LAUNCHED.
HE ALSO CALLED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND STRICTER LEGISLATION TO STOP TRIAD SOCIETIES FROM RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS AND MORE FOLLOW UP ACTIONS AND BETTER REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES TO HELP THOSE WHO HAD GONE ASTRAY TO START A NEW AND LEAD A NORMAL LIFE AGAIN.
-----o------
SPECIAL BODY SHOULD BE FORMED
*****
A SPECIAL BODY SHOULD BE FORMED TO DEAL WITH THE TRIAD PROBLEM, THE HON LIU LIT-FOR SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE TRIAD DISCUSSION DOCUMENT, MR LIU NOTED THAT THE CENTRAL AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIMES COMMITTEES HAD ALREADY FORMED AN EFFECTIVE STRUCTURE FOR TACKLING SERIOUS CR IMES.
HE SAID THIS STRUCTURE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND STRENGTHENED SO AS TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES OF CRIME PREVENTION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON VARIOUS WAYS TO COMBAT CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND ORGANISED CRIME.
+HOWEVER, GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THE TRIAD PROBLEM, THERE APPEARS TO BE A NEED TO SET UP AN ADDITIONAL BODY TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PROBLEM,* HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT A SPECIALISED BODY WOULD ALLOW THE POOL I Nu CF ALL RELEVANT RESOURCES AND PROFESSIONAL TALENT TO CO-ORDINATE AND EFFECT ANTI-TRIAD MEASURES THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE POLICE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
+THE TRIAD PROBLEM IS A SPECIAL PROBLEM WHICH CALLS FOR SPECIFIC MEASURES,* HE STRESSED.
MR LIU WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT TRIAD INFLUENCE ON CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS, AND SAID PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN SCHOOLS SHOULj BE STEPPED UP.
HE NOTED THAT THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT TOUCHED ONLY BRIEFLY ON THIS POINT AND HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD FORMULATE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO PREVENT STUDENTS FROM GOING ASTRAY AND BEING INDUCED TO JOIN TRIAD SOCIETIES.
/MR LIU .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 27 -
MR LIU SAID HE AGREED IN PRINCIPLE WITH THE VARIOUS OPTIONS PROPOSED IN THE DOCUMENT.
HOWEVER, HE HAD CERTAIN RESERVATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE ON THE OPTION TO PROHIBIT CONVICTED TRIAD MEMBERS FROM ENTERING CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES.
+RESTRICTING THEM FROM ENTERING PREMISES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL NOT GATHER AT OTHER UNEXPECTED PLACES, OR EVEN CARRY OUT MORE SECRET ACTIVITIES WHICH RENDER POLICE INVESTIGATION EVEN MORE DIFFICULT,* HE ARGUED.
HE ALSO FELT THAT THE RESTRICTION SEEMED TO HAVE DEPRIVED THE INDIVIDUAL OF HIS BASIC FREEDOM AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THIS OPTION WAS PARCTICABLE AND EFFECTIVE.
MR LIU SAID HE FULLY SUPPORTED THE LEGAL PROCEDURE CONCERNING THE SCHEME FOR RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP AS THIS GAVE TRIAD MEMBERS A CHANCE OF REHABILITATION.
AS FOR THE OPTION CONCERNING IDENTIFICATION PARADES, MR LIU LRGED THAT IT BE ADOPTED SO AS TO ENCOURAGE MORE WITNESSES TO COME FORWARD AND ASSIST THE POLICE IN PUNISHING CRIMINALS WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL.
MR LIU CRITICISED THE OPTION FOR LEGALISING MORE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES WHICH HE SAID WOULD BE A SERIOUS MISTAKE AND COULD NEVER HELP SOLVE THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
+ON THE CONTRARY, THIS WOULD BRING ABOUT A NEGATIVE EFFECT BY ENCOURAGING MORE GAMBLING ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.
-------0----------
HEAVY PENALTY AND TOUGH LAWS IMPORTANT X * * *
THE IMPORTANCE OF HEAVY PENALTIES AND TOUGH LAWS TO DETER CRIMES WAS UNDERLINED BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
THE USE OF HEAVY INEVITABLE, HE SAID.
PUNISHMENT AT TROUBLED TIMES WAS INDEED
MR POON SAID HE HOPED THAT THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED WOULD, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, LIST OUT THE MAXIMUM AS WELL AS MINIMUM PENALTIES OF ALL OFFENCES IN THE PENAL CODE AND MAKE SURE THAT SERIOUS CRJMES WOULD BE SEVERELY PUNISHED.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 28 -
HE ALSO OBSERVED THAT IMPRISONMENT AND PAYMENT OF A FINE WERE LOSING THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT AS THEY HAD COME TO BE REGARDED AS PART OF THE OPERATIONAL COST BY SOME ILLEGAL SYNDICATES AND MERE VACATION BY MANY CRIMINALS.
+INSTEAD, CANING AS A PUNISHMENT IS WHAT STRIKES FEAR IN THE CRIMINALS AND LEAVES A LASTING MEMORY AND, AS SUCH, IS THE BEST DETERRENT,* HE SAID.
MR POON SAID HE HOPED THAT THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED WOULD CONSIDER CANING AS A PENALTY IN ADDITION TO IMPRISONMENT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE DETERRENT EFFECT;
HEAVY PENALTY AND TOUGH LAWS, SUPPLEMENTED BY MORAL EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, PROMPT INTRODUCTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, EXTENSIVE ANTI-CRIME PUBLICITY, PROMOTION OF PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE EVILS OF TRIAD SOCIETIES AND A REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR OFFENDERS, WOULD HELP TO CURB CRIMES BY TACKLING THE PROBLEM BOTH AT ITS SOURCE AND AT ITS MANIFESTATION, HE ADDED.
ON THE PROBLEM OF PREVENTING THE POLICE FROM ABUSING POWERS, MR POON SUGGESTED THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT BODY WITH MEMBERS DRAWN FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE PUBLIC TO MONITOR ANY POSSIBLE ABUSE OF POWERS AND TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS.
AS TO THE SCHEME OF RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP, HE SAID AN OFFENDER CHARGED ONLY WITH BEING A TRIAD MEMBER AND '■/HO HAD NEVER PREVIOUSLY COMMITTED ANY OTHER OFFENCE SHOULD RECEIVE A LIGHT SENTENCE SO AS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR HIM TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
ON THE PROPOSAL TO RESTRICT THE ACTIVITIES OF CONVICTED TRIAD MEMBERS FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS AFTER DETENTION, MR POON SAID THIS WAS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT AND WAS CONTRARY TO THE PRINCIPLE OF LAW.
+ IT IS PARTICULARLY UNFAIR TO PERSONS WHO MERELY POSSESS TRIAD MEMBERSHIP BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF OTHER OFFENCES,* HE SAID.
MR POON ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE SUPERVISION ORDER WAS UNREASONABLE BECAUSE IT AMOUNTED TO IMPOSING FURTHER PENALTY AFTER SENTENCING, WHICH WAS AGAINST THE SPIRIT AND PRINCIPLE OF LAW.
+IF THE SUPERVISION ORDER IS TO BE REGARDED AS WHOLE PENALTY, THEN IT MUST BE PUT BEFORE THE COURT SENTENCING TO ENABLE THE COURT TO CONSIDER BOTH THE OTHER PENALTIES AS A WHOLE,* HE SAID.
PART OF THE PRIOR TO ORDER AND
-----o------
/29 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 29 -
’LOOPHOLES’ MUST BE PLUGGED
******
SOME +LOOPHOLES+ EXISTED IN THE TRIAD DOCUMENT’S OPTION FOR INTRODUCING A SCHEME WHEREBY MEMBERSHIP OF A TRIAD SOCIETY COULD BE RENOUNCED, THE HON ROSANNA TAM TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM, MRS TAM SAID SHE ACCEPTED THE IDEA OF THE SCHEME BUT THE LOOPHOLES CONTAINED IN IT MUST BE PLUGGED.
ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENT’S OPTION, ANY PERSON WHO WISHED TO RENOUNCE HIS TRIAD AFFILIATION THROUGH THE SCHEME MUST FIRST IDENTIFY HIS TRIAD STATUS, COMPLETE A FORM OF DECLARATION AND THEN RETURN IT TO THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES OR A MAGISTRATE, WHO WOULD DECIDE WHETHER THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE ACCEPTED,* SHE EXPLAINED.
WHILE IT WAS STIPULATED THAT NO PROSECUTION WOULD BE MADE BY THE AUTHORITIES ON THE BASIS OF ADMISSIONS CONTAINED IN THE FORM ONCE SUCH A DECLARATION WAS ACCEPTED, MRS TAM POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSAL GAVE NO SPECIFIC GUARANTEE THAT THE DECLARER WOULD NOT BE PROSECUTED WHEN THE DECLARATION WAS NOT ACCEPTED.
+THIS LOOPHOLE IS UNFAIR TO THE DECLARER AND THE WORRIES IT CREATES WILL ALSO DETER THOSE WHO REALLY WANT TO RENOUNCE THEIR TRIAD MEMBERSHIP FROM COMING FORWARD,* SHE SAID.
THEREFORE, SHE PROPOSED THAT AN AMENDMENT BE MADE TO PROTECT THE DECLARER FROM BEING PROSECUTED EVEN IF HIS DECLARATION WAS NOT ACCEPTED.
TURNING TO THE RE INTRODUCTI ON OF A POLICE SUPERVISION SCHEME, MRS TAM SAID THE SUGGESTED SCHEME WAS STILL ESSENTIALLY A MEASURE OF SOCIAL RESTRAINT AND DID NOT CARRY ANY REHABILITATIVE FUNCTION.
+ITS TARGETS, THEREFORE, SHOULD NOT BE THOSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS RE-OFFENDERS MENTIONED IN THE DOCUMENT, BUT RECIDIVISTS WHO HAVE COMMITTED SERIOUS CRIMES AND WHO HAVE A LONG CRIMINAL RECORD.
+1 THINK WHAT THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS RE-OFFENDERS SHOULD RECEIVE IS THE KIND OF REHABILITATIVE SCHEME PROVIDED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OR OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,* SHE SAID.
/SHE ALSO ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
SHE -ALSO EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ON THE OPTION REQUIRING THOSE UNDER SUPERVISION TO BE GIVEN A SPECIAL FORM OF CAUTION ON BEING CHARGED.
+ON ONE HAND, IT IS AGAINST THE CURRENT JUDICIAL SPIRIT IN HONG KONG TO PASS THE BURDEN OF PROOF ON TO THE DEFENDANT.
+ON THE OTHER, THIS PROPOSAL WILL INDIRECTLY MAKE KNOWN THE DEFENDANT’S PAST CRIMINAL RECORD TO THE JUDGE AND HENCE, MIGHT BIAS THE TRIAL,+ SHE SAID.
ON RESTRICTING THE ACTIVITIES OF TRIAD OFFENDERS, MRS TAM AGREED THAT TRIAD FOLKLORE SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF ITS +GLAMOUR+ BUT SHE HAD SOME RESERVATIONS ON ADOPTING THE SUGGESTED APPROACH FOR THREE REASONS.
+FIRST, RESTRICTING TRIAD MEMBERS FROM ENTERING PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMITTING CRIMES WILL BE REDUCED.*
♦TRIAD MEMBERS COULD EASILY SWITCH THEIR BASE TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS, THEATRES, OR EVEN RESTAURANTS, THUS CREATING GREATER DISTURBANCE TO THE PUBLIC,* SHE SAID.
+SECOND, THIS MIGHT CREATE A SENSE OF SOCIAL DISCRIMINATION AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRIAD MEMBERS AND REINFORCE THEIR BELIEF THAT ’ONCE A TRIAD, ALWAYS A TRIAD’ AND THUS MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO RE-LIVE THE LIFE OF A NORMAL PERSON.*
+THIRDLY, SOME OF THE PROHIBITED PLACES OF ACTIVITY LISTED IN THE DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN INAPPROPRIATELY INCLUDED, SUCH AS BILLIARD SALOONS AND AUTOMATIC GAMES CENTRE,* SHE ADDED.
MRS TAM BELIEVED ONCE THE CONTROL OF BILLIARD SALOONS BILL AND THE AUTOMATIC GAMES CENTRES BILL WERE PASSED, THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE PLACES WOULD BE IMPROVED. THEREFORE THEY SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED AS PROHIBITED PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT.
LASTLY, MRS TAM SAID SHE WAS GLAD THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING THE TRIAD PROBLEM SERIOUSLY AND HAD COME UP WITH SOME OPTIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO DEAL WITH TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME, SHE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO ENFORCEMENT POWER AND MEASURES BY REESTABLl’SHI NG AN ANTI-TRIAD UNIT WITHIN THE POLICE, SO AS TO CENTRALISE RESOURCES IN FIGHTING TRIADS.
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/51
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
31
LACK OF INTEGRATED PLAN TO COUNTER TRIADS CRITICISED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CRITICISED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG FOR LACKING AN INTEGRATED AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR PREVENTING AND SUPPRESSING TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM, MR TAM SAID THE DOCUMENT HAD GENERALLY EXPOSED THE RAMPANT SITUATION OF THc triad PROBLEM BUT PROVIDED LITTLE RELEVANT INFORMATION TO PROVE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM, NOT TO MENTION THE LACK OF A MORE PROFOUND AND COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE VARIOUS CAUSES LEADING TO IT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SUGGESTIONS IN THE DOCUMENT TENDED TO CONCENTRATE ONLY ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION.
+WHILE NO CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN MADE FROM THE ANGLE OF COUNSELLING, THE DOCUMENT ALSO REVEALS THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE AN INTEGRATED AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR PREVENTING AND SUPPRESSING TRIAD ACTIVITIES, OR FOR CUTTING OFF VARIOUS FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE EXPANSION OF TRIAD POWER,+ HE SAID.
MR TAM EXPRESSED DOUBTS ON A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS IN THE DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED PLACING OF A SUPERVISION ORDER ON THE +POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS RE-OFFENDERS+, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROHIBITION ORDER AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
HE SAID IF THE SUPERVISION ORDER WAS MISUSED OR USED ON YOUTHS WHO WERE ONLY FIRST OFFENDERS, IT MIGHT CREATE AN ADVERSE EFFECT OF GIVING RISE TO MORE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT THE ORDER SHOULD BE PLACED MAINLY ON CORE MEMBERS OF TRIAD SOCIETIES.
MR TAM ALSO SAID HE WAS DOUBTFUL ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROHIBITION ORDER SINCE RESTRICTING TRIAD MEMBERS FROM GOING TO CERTAIN PLACES DID NOT MEAN THAT THEIR CHANCES OF COMMITTING CRIMES WOULD BE REDUCED AS THEY COULD EASILY GATHER AT SOME OTHER PLACES.
AS FOR THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, HE WAS WORRIED THAT INNOCENT SOCIETIES WHICH HAD NO TRIAD AFFILIATION WOULD BE AFFECTED.
MR TAM SUGGESTED THAT IN CRACKING DOWN ON TRIAD ACTIVITIES, EMPHASIS 'SHOULD BE PLACED ON DISCONNECTING THEIR FINANCIAL SOURCES AND ON GETTING RID OF THE CORE MEMBERS OF SUCH ORGANISATIONS.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 32 -
HE ALSO STRESSED THE MEED FOR EFFECTIVE AMD STRICT MONITORING MEASURES TO TACKLE THE EXPANSION OF POLICE POWER AND INTERFERENCE WITH CIVIL RIGHTS WHICH MIGHT RESULT FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE DOCUMENT.
LASTLY, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LATENT THREATS POSED 3Y TRIAD SOCIETIES HAD PREVENTED THE EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF +FULL-FLEDGED+ LEGAL MEASURES.
+PREVENTION OF THE INFILTRATION OF TRIAD INFLUENCE INTO THE POLICE FORCE WILL HELP TO REDUCE ITS THREATENING FORCE AND SO REINFORCE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN SOLVING THE TRIAD PROBLEM,+ HE SAID.
MR TAM CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT COULD ONLY BE REGARDED AS A FIRST STEP TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
+WE MUST TRY TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM BY ADOPTING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND THOROUGH SCHEME THAT BRINGS TOGETHER THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS OF THE COMMUNITY, SO AS TO ATTAIN BETTER RESULTS AND MINIMISE ANY SOCIAL EFFECTS,* HE SAID.
-----0------
COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY NEEDED TO ELIMINATE TRIADS
*****
ELIMINATE TRIAD ACTIVITIES, THE HON
A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY IS NEEDED TO ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS CRIMINAL SYNDICATE LAU WONG-FAT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
MR PRUDENT WE WERE
LAU STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO BE VERY AND NOT TO ACT WITH UNDUE HASTE, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER AMENDING THE CURRENT LEGISLATION OR ENACTING NEw LAWS Tu
THAT EFFECT.
OTHERWISE, HE ADDED, IT WOULD EASILY EXERT A PERNICIOUS INFLUENCE AND THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THE CONCEPT WOULD BE De.Fu.aTxu,
MR
TO DEAL CHANGES
LAU NOTED THAT CERTAIN PARTS OF THE PREVAILING LEG I SLaT I J.m WITH TRIAD SOCIETIES WERE APPARENTLY OUTDATED IN VIE* OF
IN SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER AT THE PRESENT STAGE AN INCREASE IN THE PENALTY TERMS AND MAKE APPRu. RIai^ WENDMENTS TO CERTAIN RELEVANT LEGISLATION IN THE LIGHT OF CURRENT
SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
/+ONLY BY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 53 -
♦ONLY BY DOING SO CAN WE BRING ABOUT A STOP-GAP AS WELL AS A RADICAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM,+ HE SAID.
NOTING THAT MOP-UP OPERATIONS WERE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO ELIMINATE CRIMINAL SOCIETIES, MR LAU SAID CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO STRENGTHENING THE POLICE FORCE BY WAY OF ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL UNIT TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH THE ORGANISED CRIMINAL SYNDICATES.
TO REMOVE WORRIES THAT THE POLICE WOULD ABUSE THEIR POWERS AND TO SAFEGUARD CIVIC RIGHTS, A MONITORING COMMISSION HEADED BY A JUDGE COULD BE SET UP TO DEAL WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE, HE SAID.
MR LAU ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROBE DEEPLY INTO THE REASONS AND BACKGROUND .LEAD I NG TO JOUNG^EOPL^ JO INI NG
TRIAD SOCIETIES AND COMMITTING CRIMES, AND
EDUCATIONAL AND PROPAGANDA POLICIES.
IN CULTURAL AND THEIR CHANCES OF GETTING
BY ENABLING YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE PART RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, IT WOULD MINIMISE IN TOUCH WITH TRIAD ELEMENTS, THEREBY STEER...- -
RIGHT TRACK AND MAKING THEM BECOME GOOD CITIZENS, HE SAID.
ING THEM BACK ON THE
-------0 ---------
COMPULSORY CUSTODIAL SENTENCES WARRANTED
* * * *
COMPULSORY CUSTODIAL SENTENCES MAY BE WARRANTED TO DEAL WITH THE TRIAD PROBLEM, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM, MR Th I WARNED THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD HINDER THE PROPER MAINTENANCE CF LAW AND ORDER IF IT WAS NOT TACKLED SERIOUSLY.
HE STATED THAT OVER THE YEARS THE JUDICIARY HAD TAKEN A LENIENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS TRIAD MEMBERS AND RELATED TRIAD OFFENCES, AND CUSTODIAL SENTENCES WERE RARELY IMPOSED.
+REFORMATIVE MEASURES HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKEN BY THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CONNECTION WITH TRIADS, BUT THE DIMENSION AND PROLIFERATION CF TRIADS NOW EXISTING IN HONG KONG DO SUGGEST WE HAVE TO TAisE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS FACING US AND, PERHAPS, THERE IS A NEED TO TAKE DETERRENT MEASURES AGAINST THESE OFFENCES,+ NR TAI SAID.
/HE QUESTIONED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- & -
HE QUESTIONED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IMPOSING FINES AS A DETERRENT.
+FOR TECHNICAL OFFENCES OR FOR OFFENCES WHICH DO NOT PCSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE vVELL—BE I NG OF OUR SOCIETY, A FINE WOULD BE A PROPER DETERRENT MEASURE,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, a I TH THE TRIAD PROBLEM NOW FACING HONG KONG, COMPULSORY CUSTODIAL SENTENCES MIGHT BE aARRANTED.
REFERRING TO THE OPTION FOR CHANGING THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE RELATING TO WITNESS STATEMENTS MADE DURING THE COURSE OF POLICE INVESTIGATION, MR TAI SAID THE CLEAR DISADVANTAGE WAS THAT A HOSTILE WITNESS MIGHT RESIST TELLING THE TRUTH FOR FEAR OF SANCTION.
AS THE CHANGES WOULD NOT ONLY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE LAW CF EVIDENCE RELATING TO TRIAD CASES, BUT ALSO ON WITNESS STATEMENTS IN ALL CRIMINAL CASES, MR TAI HOPED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD LOOK AGAIN AT THIS MATTER.
-------c ---------
FAIRNESS, EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTI-TRIAD MEASURES QUESTIONED ******
TO PINPOINT AT TRIAD SOCIETY AND NOT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF CULPRITS OF ORGANISED CRIME WILL BRING ABOUT TWO PROBLEMS, THE HON ANDREW WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SOUNDED THIS WARNING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM WHILE CONGRATULATING THE GOVERNMENT, THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND ITS WORKING GROUP FOR THE DOCUMENT AND SALUTING DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS WHO HAD EXPRESSED VIEWS ON IT.
+BY PINPOINTING AT THE ORGANISATION BUT NOT THE OFFENCE, ARE WE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE? WILL IT FORCE CRIMINALS TO DENOUNCE THEIR TRIAD MEMBERSHIP AND CONTINUE TO COMMIT OFFENCES IN ANOTHER ORGANISED FORM?+ HE ASKED.
MR WONG SAID CRITICS DID HAVE A POINT TO MAKE WHEN THEY SAID THE DOCUMENT WAS FAR FROM COMPREHENSIVE.
HOWEVER, HE CONCEDED THE DOCUMENT DID CONSIDER THE OVERALL PROBLEM APART FROM TACKLING. THE TRIAD PROBLEM WITHIN ITS TERMS CF REFERENCE, SUCH AS ITS 'RECOMMENDATION FOR A FURTHER STUDY OF THE RICO (RACKETEER INFLUENCED CORRUPTED ORGANISATIONS) STATUTE CF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
/ON SPECIFIC
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 55 -
ON SPECIFIC PROPOSALS OF THE DOCUMENT, HE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE SCHEME OF RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP.
IN HIS OPINION, THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CONCEPT CF IDENTIFYING TRIAD SOCIETIES AS CRIMINAL ORGANISATIONS.
HE ARGUED THAT SOME MIGHT HAVE NEVER COMMITTED ANY CRIME, OTHERS WOULD NEVER DO SO, WHILE STILL OTHERS MIGHT HAVE DONE SO BUT HAD ALREADY TURNED OVER A NEW LEAF.
+HOWEVER, IT IS PERFECTLY REASONABLE TO CLASSIFY TRIAD SOCIETIES AS ILLEGAL ORGANISATIONS AND REGARD TRIAD MEMBERS WHO, ONCE AFFILIATED, AS HAVING COMMITTED CERTAIN CRIMES AND THUS AS CRIMINALS,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID HE AGREED THAT A FREE SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG SHOULD ALLOW ITS PEOPLE TO HAVE THE FREEDOM OF FORMING SOCIETIES AND ALLOW SOCIETIES TO HAVE PRIVACY.
+HOWEVER, IT SHOULD NOT ALLOW ITS PEOPLE TO FORM SOCIETIES SECRETLY AND CARRY OUT SECRET ACTIVITIES, BECAUSE THESE ARE NOT PRIVACY, BUT RATHER INDULGENCE, THE SELF-INDULGENCE AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT’S INDULGENCE OF SOME PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
+IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY DEALS WITH TRIAD SOCIETIES, AND THAT TRIAD MEMBERS ARE NOT NECESSARILY CRIMINALS, AND THAT THEY MAY NOT COMMIT ANY CRIMES OR COMMIT ANY CRIMES AGAIN, I THEREFORE SUPPORT THE SCHEME OF RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP AS PROPOSED IN THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT,+ HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT, MR WONG MAINTAINED THAT ALL PUNISHMENT SHOULD ONLY HAVE ONE OBJECTIVE OF GIVING DUE JUDGMENT WHICH WAS NOT RETALIATORY RATHER THAN THE COMMONLY-BELIEVED FUNCTIONS OF RETRIBUTION, REFORM AND DETERRENCE.
♦ THIS DOES NOT EXCLUDE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BECAUSE THIS MAY BE THE DUE JUDGMENT FOR CERTAIN CRIMES.
+REFORM IS SIMPLY THE EFFECT PRODUCED EITHER DELIBERATELY JR ACCIDENTALLY WHEN IMPLEMENTING THE PENALTY,+ HE ADDED.
THEREFORE, THE RATIONALE BEHIND HIS SUPPORT FOR A REVIEW OF THE AMOUNT OF FINES AND AN INCREASE IN THE YEARS OF PUNISHMENT WAS NOT DETERRENCE, HE SAID.
LASTLY, MR WONG SAID HE OPPOSED IN PRINCIPLE THE PROPOSALS ON SUPERVISION ORDER AND ON RESTRICTING THE ACTIVITIES OF TRIAD MEMBERS.
+l WOULD LIKE TO EARNESTLY REQUEST HEREBY THOSE WHO SUPPORT IN PRINCIPLE THE ABOVE PROPOSALS TO CONSIDER WHETHER THESE MEASURES ARE PRACTICABLE AND EFFECTIVE,+ HE URGED.
-------0----------
/36........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
36
APPROPRIATE PROTECTION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
*****
A WOMAN WHO IS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NEEDS SOME SORT CF PROCEDURE THAT w ILL ENABLE HER TO GO QUICKLY TO A COURT AND OBTAIN TEMPORARY RELIEF THAT WILL GIVE HER APPROPRIATE SHORT-TERM PROTECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986, MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE BILL GAVE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THE RIGHT TO CLAIM AN INJUNCTION FROM A DISTRICT COURT ON A SIMPLE APPLICATION, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS.
THE HIGH COURT WOULD ALSO HAVE JURISDICTION TO GRANT THE INJUNCTION IN URGENT CASES OR WHERE THERE WERE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID.
THREE TYPES OF ORDER MIGHT BE ISSUED: TO FORBID THE MOLESTATION CF THE APPLICANT OR A CHILD- TO EXCLUDE THE OTHER PARTY FROM THE HOME OR A PART OF THE HOME- OR TO REQUIRE THE OTHER PARTY TO PERMIT THE APPLICANT TO ENTER AND REMAIN IN THE MATRIMONIAL HONE.
MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE BILL WAS ALSO OF INTEREST TO MEN BECAUSE +THEY ARE THE MAIN CULPRITS AND SO THEY WILL BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY ORDERS MADE UNDER THE BILL*.
+ IN ADDITION, THE PROTECTION OF THE BILL APPLIES TO MEN AS WELL AS TO WOMEN AND IT IS RIGHT THAT IT SHOULD DO SO,+ HE SAID.
MR THOMAS QUOTED STATISTICS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH SHOWED THAT OUT OF 838 CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RECORDED DURING THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1986, THERE WERE 51 CASES OF MEN BEING THE VICTIMS.
MR THOMAS DESCRIBED IN PARTICULAR THREE FEATURES OF THE BILL.
FIRST, IT APPLIED TO COHABITEES AS WELL AS TO MARRIED PERSONS, THOUGH SPECIAL PROVISION WAS MADE TO REQUIRE THE JUDGE TO HAVE REGARD TO THE PERMANENCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP.
SECOND, THE BILL WOULD ENABLE A JUDGE TO ATTACH A POwER OF ARREST TO HIS ORDER IF HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE OTHER PARTY HAD ALREADY CAUSED ACTUAL BODILY HARM TO THE APPLICANT OR A CHILD, MEANING THAT IF THE VIOLENCE CONTINUED THE POLICE COULD MAKE AN ARREST.
THIRD, AN EXCLUSION ORDER WOULD HAVE NO LEGAL EFFECT ON PROPERTY RIGHTS OR TENANCIES.
/MR THOMAS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 37 -
- THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN LITTLE .HESITATION IN LEGISLATING FOR VIOLENCE IF IT TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE THE FAP ILY AND QUESTIONED THE FACT THAT VIOLENCE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS SHOULD BE A REASON TC DENY THE VICTIM THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRST AID THROUGH THE COURTS.
+THE KNOWN FIGURES MAY BE RELATIVELY SMALL,+ HE SAID, + BUT I TAKE THE VIEW THAT THIS LEGISLATION WOULD BE JUSTIFIED EVEN IF THERE wAS ONLY ONE CASE WHERE THE VICTIM OF VIOLENCE WISHED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ITS PROVISIONS.*
AT THE PRESENT TIME, IF A WOMAN WAS ASSAULTED BY HER HUSBAND AND FELT SHE COULD NO LONGER PUT UP WITH IT, SHE HAD A LIMITED RANGE OF OPTIONS.
+SHE COULD OF COURSE LEAVE HOME, BUT THIS ASSUMES SHE AND HER CHILDREN HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO AND TO SEEK REFUGE. IF SHE CALLS THE POLICE, SHE WILL GENERALLY FIND THAT THEY ARE RELUCTANT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC PROCEEDINGS.
+SHE COULD HERSELF COMMENCE PROCEEDINGS FOR ASSAULT.
BUT WHILE SHE WAITS FOR THE CASE TO COME ON, THE VIOLENCE IN THE HOUSE MAY CONTINUE. AND THE OUTCOME OF THE CASE IS UNCERTA IN.
♦SHE MAY COMMENCE DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS AND SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF THE COURT. BUT SHE MAY STILL LOVE HER HUSBAND AND HOPE TO SAVE THE MARRIAGE,* HE SAID.
MR THOMAS SAID THAT IN EARLY 1984, HE INITIATED STEPS TO HAVE THE MATTER REVIEWED AND THE NECESSARY AMENDING LEGISLATION INTRODUCED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL wAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 ---------
FEE REVISIONS FOLLOW COST STUDY * * * *
BILLS PROPOSING REVISIONS OF FEES PAYABLE FOR VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILLS ARE THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 AND THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILLS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TH: HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID THE OBJECT OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS WAS TO RECOVER A GREATER PROPORTION OF THE COST OF THE SERVICES
/Htl THCMAS........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9. 1986
MR THOMAS SAID THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 PROPOSED REVISION IN THE LEVEL OF FEES PAYABLE FOR VARIOUS MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
THESE SERVICES INCLUDED LATE REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, SEARCH OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS RECORDS, ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION AND ADDITIONS OR ALTERATIONS TO THE REGISTERED NAME OF A CHILD.
IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE FEES BE INCREASED BY AMOUNTS VARYING BETWEEN 10 AND 25 PER CENT AND IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF NOT MORE THAN $500 000 A YEAR WOULD BE GENERATED BY THE MEASURE.
THE LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 PROPOSED A REVISION IN THE LEVEL OF THE FEES PAYABLE FOR THE RE-REGISTRATION OF THE BIRTH OF LEGITIMATED PERSONS OUTSIDE THE STIPULATED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE ISSUE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF ENTRIES OF THE BIRTH OF SUCH PERSONS, MR THOMAS SAID.
+IT IS NOW PROPOSED THAT THEY BE INCREASED FROM $30 AND $10 TO $35 AND $12 RESPECTIVELY.*
THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, HE SAID, PROPOSED A REVISION IN THE FEES PAYABLE FOR THE ISSUE OF A GOVERNOR’S LICENCE OF FOREIGN MARRIAGE UNDER THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE ORDINANCE.
IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE FEE BE INCREASED FROM $60 TO $70.
HE SAID THAT THE REVISIONS WERE PROPOSED ON THE BASIS OF A COST STUDY AND THAT THE FEES IN QUESTION WERE LAST REVISED IN 1984.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
- 0 -
COMPUTERISED LAND RECORDS FOR BETTER SERVICE
*****
THE COMPUTERISATION OF LAND REGISTRATION RECORDS WOULD PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986,’ MR CHAN SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO AMEND THE LAND REGISTRATION ORDINANCE TO FACILITATE THE STORAGE OF LAND REGISTRATION RECORDS ON COMPUTER.
/♦THIS IS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 39 -
+ THIS IS ACHIEVED BY INSERTING INTO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE AN INTERPRETATION PROVISION DEFINING ’DOCUMENT’ AND ’RECORD’ WIDELY ENOUGH TO INCLUDE COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND MICROFILM,+ MR CHAN SAID.
+THIS WILL ENABLE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE FOR THE KEEPING OF RECORDS ON COMPUTER.+
HE SAID COMPUTERISATION OF LAND REGISTRATION RECORDS WOULD ENABLE THE LAND OFFICE TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC BY SIMPLIFYING SEARCH PROCEDURES AND REDUCING THE SEARCH TIME TAKEN.
IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A MORE COST EFFICIENT AND LESS LABOUR INTENSIVE RECORD SYSTEM.
+THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL HAS ALREADY APPROVED FUNDS TO COMPUTERISE LAND REGISTRATION RECORDS,* MR CHAN SAID.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE COMPUTERISATION PROGRAMME WOULD START IN NOVEMBER 1986 AND BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 1988.
+WHEN COMPLETED, IT IS EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE AN ANNUAL SAVING OF ABOUT $6 MILLION IN STAFF COSTS AND $1.3 MILLION IN ACCOMMODATION COST,* MR CHAN SAID.
-------0----------
PUTTING RIGHT TRAFFIC LAW ANOMALY WELCOMED X X X * X
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ASKED TO WIDELY AND CLEARLY PUBLICISE THE NEW SYSTEM OF SPEEDING PENALTIES IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE SAFE DRIVING AND TO DETER THE WOULD-BE SPEEDER.
THIS CALL WAS MADE BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1986 AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
MR CHENG, CONVENER OF A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE TWO BILLS, WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTION IN INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO PUT RIGHT A SERIOUS ANOMALY IN THE LAWS RELATING TO THE OFFENCE OF SPEEDING.
HE SAID THE REMOVAL OF THE MANDATORY DISQUALIFICATION AND RETEST FROM THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND THE ACCOMPANYING AMENDMENTS TO THE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS ORDINANCE WOULD PRODUCE A FAIRER AND MORE CONSISTENT SYSTEM OF PENALTIES.
/MR CHENG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
40
MR CHENG REVEALED THAT THE ANOMALY WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF UMELCO MEMBERS IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR BY THE MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNION, AND AN AD HOC GROUP WAS FORMED TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEM.
HE SAID THAT THE GROUP MET THE ADMINISTRATION ON TWO OCCASIONS TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED RECTIFICATION OF THE ANOMALY AND THE MORE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF ARRANGING RETROSPECTIVE LEGISLATION TO EXONERATE AFFECTED DRIVERS.
♦AFTER LENGTHY AND COMPLICATED DISCUSSIONS WE WERE GENERALLY SATISFIED THAT ANY ATTEMPT AT RETROSPECTIVE LEGISLATION WOULD AMOUNT TO AN INTERFERENCE IN PROPERLY-PASSED JUDICIAL SENTENCES AND WOULD PROBABLY RESULT IN ALLOWING BACK ON THE ROADS WITHOUT A RETEST A NUMBER OF DRIVERS WHO WERE NOT FIT TO DRIVE,* HE SAID.
♦WE THEREFORE RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED THAT RETROSPECTIVE LEGISLATION, EVEN FOR THOSE WHO HAD ONLY COMMITTED MINOR OFFENCES, WAS NOT A SENSIBLE SOLUTION,+ HE ADDED.
EARLIER, MR CHENG SAID IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT SECTION 41 OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, WHICH PROVIDED FOR A FINE OF UP TO $4 □□□ AND POSSIBLE DISQUALIFICATION UNDER ANOTHER SECTION, MUST STILL EXIST FOR EXCEPTIONAL CASES AND FOR VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES.
HOWEVER, HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE A CLEAR ACCOUNT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF WHAT KIND OF CASES SECTION 41 CF THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE USED FOR AND AN ASSURANCE THAT IT WOULD ONLY BE USED IN CASES WHERE THE FIXED PENALTY ORDINANCE COULD NOT BE APPLIED.
ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON RICHARD LAI, POINTED OUT THAT THE ANOMALIES WHICH CAME TO EXIST BETWEEN THE TRAFFIC ORDINANCES WERE THE RESULTS OF OVERSIGHTS ON THE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
IN THE ENSUING CONFUSION, MR LAI SAID HE FELT THAT THE PUBLIC WAS NOT ADEQUATELY INFORMED OF THE SEVERITY OF PENALTIES LIKELY TO BE INCURRED EVEN FOR MINOR SPEEDING OFFENCES, AND THAT THE POLICE HAD TOO FREE A HAND IN DECIDING WHICH PENALTY WAS APPROPRIATE FOR A GIVEN OFFENCE.
HE SAID IN THE ABSENCE OF CLEAR GUIDELINES AN OFFENDER COULD BE PENALISED EITHER WITH PENALTY POINTS OR WITH DISQUALIFICATION DEPENDING UPON WHICH LAW THE POLICE CHOSE TO APPLY.
♦THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WAS INTENDED TO BE USED FOR SERIOUS SPEEDING OFFENCES AND NOT, AS BECAME COMMON PRACTICE, FOR REPEATED MINOR OFFENCES,+ HE NOTED.
/BECAUSE OF .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9. 1986
41
BECAUSE OF ARBITRARY USE OF THE ORDINANCES, DRIVERS WHO WOULD HAVE INCURRED PENALTY POINTS UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) ORDINANCE HAD IN SOME INSTANCES SUFFERED DISQUALIFICATION FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS WITH THE ADDED BURDEN OF AN OBLIGATORY RE-TEST, |vR LAI OBSERVED.
SUCH HARSH PENALTIES HAD IN SOME CASES LED TO A LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD, AND UNDOUBTEDLY, SOME DRIVERS HAD SUFFERED UNDULY BECAUSE OF THE DISCREPANCY WITHIN THE LAW, HE SAID.
THEREFORE, IN WELCOMING THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO REMOVE THE ANOMALIES IN THE LAWS, MR LAI SAID HE WISHED TO PLACE ON RECORD HIS CONCERN REGARDING THE INJUSTICE SUFFERED INEVITABLY BY SOME DR IVERS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE TWO BILLS, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CONSIDER IN FUTURE TWO REFINEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM OF PENALTIES FOR SPEEDING OFFENCES.
FIRSTLY, IN THE CASE OF DRIVING IN EXCESS OF SPEED LIMIT BY MORE THAN 30 KILOMETRES AND 45 KILOMETRES PER HOUR, THE FIXED PENALTIES SCALE SHOULD BE ESCALATED PROGRESSIVELY, HE SAID.
SECONDLY, IN THE CASE OF HEAVY VEHICLES SUCH AS LORRIES AND BUSES, WHERE SPEEDING COULD BE A MUCH MORE SERIOUS MATTER THAN SPEEDING BY ORDINARY VEHICLES, THE LEVEL OF FIXED PENALTIES FOR THESE HEAVY VEHICLES SHOULD BE ON A HIGHER SCALE, HE ADDED.
THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG ECHOED MR CHENG’S APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE THE BILLS EXTENSIVE PUBLICITY ONCE THEY HAD BEEN PASSED, SO AS TO EDUCATE THE MOTORISTS.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT COULD CONSIDER ERECTING CONSPICUOUS WARNING SIGNS ON SOME ROADS TO ADVISE MOTORISTS OF THE NEED TO REDUCE SPEED, SO THAT THEY COULD BE PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED AND PLAY THEIR PART IN A JOINT EFFORT TO SAFEGUARD ROAD SAFETY.
HOWEVER, MR TAM OBSERVED THAT EVEN IF THE BILLS WERE PASSED, PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS MIGHT STILL WORRY ABOUT THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE CF DUAL SYSTEMS, AS THE POLICE COULD PROSECUTE THEM UNDER THE TWO DIFFERENT ORDINANCES.
IN ADDITION, THOSE PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS DISQUALIFIED UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION BECAUSE OF MINOR SPEEDING OFFENCES MIGHT WISH TO REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM THE RE-TEST, HE SAID.
FIRMLY BELIEVING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD THE IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFEGUARDING ROAD SAFETY, MR TAM SAID HE AGREED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD DEAL SEVERELY WITH THOSE WHO BLATANTLY COMMITTED.SER I OUS SPEEDING OFFENCES.
+AS TO THOSE DISQUALIFIED UNDER THE DUAL SYSTEMS FOR REPEATED MINOR OFFENCES, I THINK GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER ACCEDING TO THEIR REQUESTS,+ HE SA ID.
------o-------
/42......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 42
RELIEF FOR DISQUALIFIED DRIVERS UNDESIRABLE *****
IT WAS ACCEPTED ON ALL SIDES THAT RETROSPECTIVE LEGISLATION, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE RELIEF FOR DRIVERS ALREADY DISQUALIFIED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, WOULD BE UNDESIRABLE FOR A NUMBER OF LEGAL AND PRACTICAL REASONS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOT THE LEAST OF THESE WAS THE RISK OF ALLOWING UNFIT DRIVERS BACK ONTO THE ROADS, HE SAID.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1986 TODAY AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR GREWAL SAID THE MATTER, WHICH WAS RAISED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, HAD BEEN GIVEN VERY SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND BEEN UNDER EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH AN AD HOC GROUP OF UMELCO MEMBERS.
TURNING TO THE PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM, MR GREWAL SAID SPEEDING OFFENCES WOULD NORMALLY BE DEALT WITH BY THE FIXED PENALTY PROCEDURE UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) ORDINANCE.
SUMMONS ACTION UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WOULD BE TAKEN ONLY IN THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES:
FIRST, IN A CASE WHERE THE OFFENDER IS A HOLDER OF AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT OR A FOREIGN DRIVING LICENCE RECOGNISED IN HONG KONG AND WHERE ACTION BY FIXED PENALTY IS TECHNICALLY NOT POSSIBLE?
SECONDLY, IN A CASE WHERE A DRIVER COMMITS SPEEDING AND OTHER TRAFFIC OFFENCES AT THE SAME TIME;
THIRDLY, IN A CASE WHERE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENCE WARRANTS EXPOSURE OF THE OFFENDER TO HIGHER PENALTIES PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE; AND
FOURTHLY, IN A CASE WHERE THE DRIVER CANNOT BE STOPPED AT THE SCENE OF A SPEEDING OFFENCE AND CANNOT BE TRACED AFTER 3-1/2 MONTHS.
ELABORATING ON THE LAST CATEGORY, MR GREWAL SAID SUMMONS ACTION WOULD ONLY BE TAKEN AGAINST THE REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNER.
THE 3-1/2 MONTH PERIOD WAS SET ADMINISTRATIVELY TO COPE WITH THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO SERVE A DEMAND NOTICE OR TO APPLY FOR SUMMONS WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AN OFFENCE, HE SAID.
MR GREWAL SAID THAT ARRANGEMENTS WERE IN HAND TO PUBLICISE THE NEW PROVISIONS WIDELY.
A PAMPHLET, WHICH CLEARLY SET OUT THE OFFENCES FOR WHICH DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS WOULD BE AWARDED AND THE NUMBER OF POINTS IN EACH CASE, WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES, HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- V -
GREATER FLEXIBILITY CALL FOR SUBSIDIARY LAW SUPERVISION ******
WHILE THE PRESENT PROCEDURE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION IS ACCEPTABLE IN MOST CASES, THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN A GREATER DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY IS NEEDED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON MARIA TAM WHEN SHE SPOKE AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE SAID THE BILL HAD BEEN INTRODUCED AS A RESULT OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY GUIDELINES FOR THE MAKING OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION AND TO REVIEW THE PRESENT PROCEDURE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.
MISS TAM SAID IT SOUGHT TO AMEND THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO EXTEND BY RESOLUTION THE PERIOD IN WHICH IT MIGHT INTERVENE TO AMEND A SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TABLED IN THE COUNCIL BY UP TO 21 DAYS AND TO INTERVENE AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE FIRST 28 DAYS AFTER A SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WAS TABLED.
SHE NOTED THAT UNDER THE CURRENT PRACTICE, A DIFFICULT SITUATION WOULD ARISE WHEN THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF AN ITEM OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION COULD NOT BE ASSESSED FULLY WITHIN THE STIPULATED TIME LIMIT OF 28 DAYS OR WHEN A LARGE NUMBER OF PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS WERE RECEIVED AND DETAILED DISCUSSION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION HAD TO TAKE PLACE.
MISS TAM SAID: +TO GIVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A GREATER DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY, THE AD HOC GROUP RECOMMENDS THAT A PROVISION BE MADE TO ENABLE AN EXTENSION, IF NECESSARY, OF THE PERIOD DURING WHICH AMENDMENTS MAY BE MADE.
+NEVERTHELESS, CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO CONFINE THE EXTENSION TO A REASONABLE PERIOD, THE GROUP HAS AGREED TO A MAXIMUM OF 21 DAYS.
+THIS PERIOD, IN ADDITION TO THE 28 DAYS ALREADY PROVIDED FOR, SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR PROPER CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO EVEN COMPLEX OR CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS.+
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AD HOC GROUP FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN UNDESIRABLE POSSIBILITY FOR SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TO HAVE TAKEN EFFECT BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COULD EXERCISE ITS POWERS TO INTERVENE.
/MISS TAM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
44
VISS TAM OBSERVED THAT GIVEN THE FACT THAT SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUPERVISION UNDER SECTION 34 CAME INTO IMMEDIATE LEGAL EFFECT ONCE IT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE, SECTION ?4 OF THE ORDINANCE EFFECTIVELY PREVENTED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM AMENDING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION UNTIL THE FIRST SITTING HELD NOT LESS THAN 27 DAYS AFTER IT WAS TABLED.
TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, THE GROUP PROPOSED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BE PROVIDED WITH THE POWERS TO AMEND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE PERIOD STIPULATED UNDER SECTION 34.
MISS TAM BELIEVED THIS SHOULD GIVE ADEQUATE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE EFFICIENT SUPERVISION OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
LASTLY, AS BOTH +SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION* AND +REGULATIONS+ WERE DEFINED IN THE ORDINANCE AS HAVING THE SAME MEANING, THE GROUP PROPOSED TO REMOVE ANOMALOUS WORDING IN SECTION 34 BY SUBSTITUTING +SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION* FOR +RULES, REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS*, SHE SAID.
-------o ---------
PERSONAL INJURY LAWS BEING RATIONALISED
*****
A SINGLE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE CREATED TO DEAL WITH CLAIMS BY DEPENDANTS AND THE ESTATE OF AN ACCIDENT VICTIM, THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THAT SUCH CLAIMS WERE AT PRESENT DEALT WITH UNDER TWO SEPARATE ORDINANCES AND HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONSIDER AMALGAMATING THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS INTO A SINGLE ORDINANCE.
MR WONG WAS SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 AND THE FATAL ACCIDENTS BILL 1986.
THE PURPOSE OF THE BILLS WAS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSALS OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION CONTAINED IN ITS +REPORT ON DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND DEATH* WHICH AIMED AT UPDATING AND RATIONALISING LEGISLATION IN THIS AREA OF THE LAW, WHICH WAS IN NEED OF REFORM. MR WONG SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
HE NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS COULD BE MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
THE NEW PROPOSALS DEALT WITH THREE MAJOR ISSUES, MR WONG SAID.
THE FIRST WAS THE BROADENING OF THE LIST OF DEPENDANTS WHO MIGHT CLAIM DAMAGES AND HE SAID THE ADDITION OF COHABITEES WAS SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSIAL BUT AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, THE COUNCIL’S AD HOC GROUP FELT THAT THE INCLUSION WAS JUSTIFIED.
REFERRING TO THE SECOND ISSUE OF GIVING THE COURT POWER TO AWARD PROVISIONAL DAMAGES WHICH WAS NOT POSSIBLE UNDER THE EXISTING LaW, HE SAID THIS WAS SEEN TO BE MORE EQUITABLE AS A ONE-OFF AWARD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE FULLY INTO ACCOUNT ANY FURTHER DISABILITY OR ILLNESS WHICH THE INJURED PERSON MIGHT SUFFER AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.
THE THIRD MAJOR ISSUE WAS TO ABOLISH CERTAIN CLAIMS WHICH WERE CONSIDERED TO BE ARCHAIC AND ANOMALOUS AND MR WONG CITED AS EXAMPLE THE ACTION OF SERVITIUM WHICH ENABLED AN EMPLOYER TO SUE FOR THE LOSS OF HIS EMPLOYEE’S SERVICE.
HE NOTED THAT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION ALSO PROPOSED OTHER REFORMS SUCH AS DOING AWAY WITH +WINDFALL+ DAMAGES AND THE CREATION OF A CLAIM FOR BEREAVEMENT.
+THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE TWO BILLS ARE BROADLY IN LINE WITH RECENT REFORMS IN ENGLAND, AND ARE TAILORED TO MEET THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.
+ONE EXAMPLE IS THE INCLUSION OF CONCUBINES TAKEN BEFORE OCTOBER 7, 1971 AS DEPENDANTS WHO MAY CLAIM DAMAGES.+
MR WONG LISTED THE AGREED AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED BY HIMSELF AND THE HON MARIA TAM AND DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
LASTLY, HE SAID IT WAS AGREED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO A REVIEW OF THE LAW OF SUCCESSION IN THE LIGHT OF REFORMS NOW BEING PROPOSED.
+UNDER THE NEW PROPOSALS, IF A COHABITEE DIES AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE SURVIVING COHABITEE MAY CLAIM DAMAGES.
+HOWEVER, UNDER THE EXISTING LAW OF INTESTACY, IF THE COHABITEE DIES OF A HEART ATTACK, THE SURVIVING COHABITEE WOULD NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY DISTRIBUTION OF THE DECEASED’S ESTATE,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT SUCH INCONSISTENCY WAS UNDESIRABLE.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 46 -
HE SAID IT WAS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE SUBJECT WAS CURRENTLY BEING EXAMINED BY A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION AND THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BRING TO THE SUB-COMMITTEE’S ATTENTION THE GROUP’S OBSERVATION.
ANOTHER MEMBER, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, ALSO ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE (LARCO) AND THE FATAL ACCIDENTS ORDINANCE (FAO) BE COMBINED INTO ONE.
COMMENTING ON SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDING BILL TO LARCO, DR IP SAID ONE OF THEM WAS TO REMOVE INCIDENTS OF +DOUBLE RECOVERY*.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE LARCO DEALT WITH THE AWARD OF DAMAGES FOR INJURIES AND IN SOME CASES DEATH AND THE FAO DEALT WITH THE AWARD OF DAMAGES FOR FATAL INJURIES.
+WHEN A PERSON IS INJURED THROUGH THE TORTIOUS ACTS OF ANOTHER, HIS ’DEPENDANTS’ ARE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF HIS SUPPORT.
+IN THE CASE OF A FATAL ACCIDENT, ANY PECUNIARY BENEFIT WHICH ACCRUES TO A DEPENDANT OF A DECEASED IN CONSEQUENCE OF HIS DEATH MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DAMAGES ARE AWARDED TO HIS DEPENDANT UNDER FAO,+ SHE SAID.
IN PRINCIPLE THIS AWARD MERGED WITH THE AWARD FOR LOST YEARS UNDER LARCO BUT, IF THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE DEPENDANT, FOR EXAMPLE, A WIFE AND CHILD, THE WIFE MIGHT INHERIT THE WHOLE OF THE LARCO AWARD, AND THE SON WOULD BE ENTITLED IN HIS OWN RIGHT TO DAMAGES UNDER THE FAO, WHICH MEANT THAT THE DEFENDANT MUST PAY THE FULL LARCO AWARD PLUS A FURTHER AMOUNT UNDER THE FAO.
+TO ELIMINATE THE INCIDENTS OF 'DOUBLE RECOVERY’, CLAUSE 2 OF THIS BILL PROVIDES THAT THE CALCULATION OF AN AWARD UNDER LARCO SHALL BE MADE WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY LOSS OR GAIN TO THE DECEASED’S ESTATE CONSEQUENT TO HIS DEATH (EXCEPT FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES) AND DAMAGE FOR LOSS OF ABILITY TO RENDER SERVICE AFTER HIS DEATH.
+THE DAMAGES UNDER LARCO IS ALSO SUBJECTED TO ANY DEDUCTION THE COURT FINDS JUSTIFIED IN THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES,* DR IP EXPLAINED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SHE SAID, WHERE THE VICTIM SUFFERED NON-FATAL INJURIES AND THEIR EXTENT AND EFFECT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY ASSESSED BY THE TIME JUDGEMENT WAS GIVEN IN HIS FAVOUR, THE DAMAGES AWARDED MIGHT NOT FULLY REFLECT THE DEGREE OF DISABILITY HE WOULD SUFFER SOME YEARS LATER.
/AS A .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- ^7 -
AS A RESULT OF THIS, HE COULD BE UNDER-COMPENSATED FOR HIS INJURIES.
HENCE UNDER CLAUSE 5 OF THE BILL THE HIGH COURT SHOULD BE GIVEN POWER TO MAKE AWARDS OF PROVISIONAL DAMAGES, SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT WOULD BE AMENDED TO ALLOW FOR THESE CHANGES AND FOR ASSESSMENT AND AWARD OF FURTHER DAMAGES.
ON THE ASSESSMENT ON AN AWARD FOR LOST YEARS, DR IP REPORTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ACCEPTED A PROPOSAL MADE BY THE HON MARTIN LEE THAT UNDER CLAUSE 2 OF LARCO COMPENSATION SHOULD BE GIVEN FOR THE ACTUAL LOSS THE DECEASED PERSON’S ESTATE SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF HIS PREMATURE DEATH BY DIRECTING THE COURT TO THE ACCUMULATED WEALTH WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE DECEASED’S ESTATE IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF EVENTS.
+THIS APPROACH AVOIDS PROBLEMS SUCH AS HOW TO TREAT NONCONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE BILLS’ ORIGINALLY PROPOSED ’PATTERN OF SAVINGS’ FORMULAE,* SHE SAID.
DR IP ALSO SAID THE AD HOC GROUP HAD HELD LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS ON WHETHER COHABITEES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF ’DEPENDANTS’ WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE AWARD OF DAMAGES, AS THEY DID NOT ENCOURAGE COHABITATION.
HOWEVER, IT HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO MEMBERS’ ATTENTION THAT MANY NEWLY-ARRIVED CHINESE RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG HAD GONE INTO COHABITATION, NOT REALISING THE NEED IN HONG KONG TO REGISTER A MARRIAGE, AND WERE THEREFORE EXCLUDED FROM COMPENSATION UNDER BOTH LARCO AND FAO.
+THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S REPORT SUGGESTED THAT COHABITEES WHO HAVE LIVED TOGETHER AS MAN AND WIFE FOR TWO YEARS OR MORE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS ’DEPENDANTS’ BECAUSE THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT A PERMANENT RELATIONSHIP EXISTS BETWEEN THEM,* DR IP SAID.
AS FOR THE INCLUSION OF +A GODCHILD OR A GODPARENT OF THE DECEASED ACCORDING TO THE CHINESE CUSTOM* IN THE DEPENDANT LIST, DR IP SAID +KUO KAI* WAS A DEEPLY ENTRENCHED CUSTOM IN CHINESE FAMILIES AND OFTEN A MAN WITHOUT A SON WOULD TAKE HIS NEPHEW AS HIS OWN CHILD TO INHERIT HIS WEALTH.
♦THESE PROPOSALS ALSO COVER THE SITUATION WHERE A PERSON TAKES A GODCHILD ACCORDING TO THE CHINESE CUSTOM. IN BOTH INCIDENTS THE +GODCHILD+ MUST PROVE THAT HE DEPENDS ON THE SUPPORT OF THE VICTIM,* SHE ADDED.
/CH GRATUITOUS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 48 -
ON GRATUITOUS SERVICES, OR IP SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS THAT THE INJURED PERSON, RATHER THAN THE PERSON WHO LOST THE BENEFIT OF GRATUITOUS SERVICES, MIGHT CLAIM COMPENSATION.
+THE RATIONALE IS THAT GRATUITOUS SERVICES ARE RENDERED AT THE OPTION OF THE PERSON WHO SUPPLIES THEM.
+HF CAN WITHDRAW THEM WHENEVER HE WISHES AND IT WOULD BE WRONG TO DEPRIVE HIM OF THE COMPENSATION WHICH IS INTENDED TO SUBSTITUTE FOR HIS ABILITY TO RENDER GRATUITOUS SERVICES.
♦DAMAGES ARE INTENDED TO PUT A PERSON BACK IN THE POSITION THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD THE ACCIDENT NOT HAPPENED,+ SHE OBSERVED.
DR IP ADDED THAT THE AD HOC GROUP HAD IN CONSIDERING THESE AMENDMENTS, GONE INTO GREAT DETAIL TO ENSURE FAIR TREATMENT TO ALL THOSE WHO WERE DEPENDANT ON THE SUPPORT OF A VICTIM OF FATAL OR NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS AND HOPED THAT THP PROPOSALS WOULD MEET WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE JUDICIARY.
REGARDING THE FAO BILL, SHE NOTED THAT THE AMENDMENT CONTAINED IN CLAUSE 5(3) MIGHT REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT TO THE SUPREME COURT RULES TO ENSURE THAT ALL DEPENDANTS MIGHT BE JOINED AS A PLAINTIFF IN THE SAME ACTION.
SHE SAID SHE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT WjULD BE RECONSIDERED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE IN THIS CONNECTION.
-----o--------
PRAISE FOR UMELCO AD HOC GROUP
*****
AMENDMENTS THAT THE HON MARIA TAM AND DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP MOVED TO TWO BILLS HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR THOMAS WAS WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1^86 AND THE FATAL ACCIDENTS BILL 1986.
HE NOTED THAT THESE AMENDMENTS AROSE FROM THE WORK OF A PARTICULARLY ASTUTE AND ATTENTIVE AD HOC GROUP OF UMELCO, AND COMMENTED: +THE TWO ORDINANCES, AS THEY WILL FINALLY EMERGE FROM THIS CHAMBER, WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE BETTER PIECES OF LEGISLATION AS A RESULT OF THEIR EFFORTS, AND MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAVE PROVED YET AGAIN THAT THEY CAN PLAY A MOST VALUABLE ROLE IN THE PROCESS OF LAW REFORM.+
/THS ADMINISTRATION ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
49
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ADOPTED AND PROMOTED PROPOSALS FROM THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IN A WAY THAT WAS NOT MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FR^r. THE FORMS SUGGESTED BY THE COMMISSION IN ITS REPORT.
THAT THE AD HOC GROUP WAS ABLE TO FIND WAYS OF FURTHER REFINING SOME ALREADY SOPHISTICATED PROPOSALS WAS NOT AN ADVERSE REFLECTION UPON THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, BUT +RATHER A CONFIRMATION OF THE FACT THAT NO LAW REFORM PROPOSAL IS EVER PERFECT, PERHAPS NOT EVEN NOW, AND THAT WITH TIME AND HINDSIGHT, AND WITH NEW PERSPECTIVES, IT OFTEN HAPPENS THAT NEW, AND BETTER, WAYS OF DEALING WITH PROBLEMS ARE BROUGHT TO LIGHT. +
MR THOMAS SAID THIS WAS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT IN THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY MISS TAM TO THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL’S PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE LOST YEARS’ CLAIM WHICH AIMED AT ENSURING THAT THE ESTATE OF A DECEASED PERSON WAS COMPENSATED FOR WHAT IT LOST AS A RESULT OF THE DECEASED’S PREMATURE DEATH.
IN ENGLAND THIS CLAIM HAD BEEN COMPLETELY ABOLISHED. PARLIAMENT HAD SEEN NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH BESET IT.
HOWEVER, MISS TAM’S AMENDMENT ACHIEVED THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROVISIONS CONCERNING THIS ASPECT ’IN THE SIMPLEST WAY POSSIBLE’.
MR THOMAS SAID HE HAD NOTICED THE HON PETER C. WONG’S COMMENTS ABOUT THE DESIRABILITY OF AMALGAMATING ALL THE PROVISIONS IN THE LAW RELATING TO DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND DEATH INTO ONE ORDINANCE.
+l HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF SYMPATHY FOR HIS SUGGESTION, BUT IT IS NOT AS EASY TO IMPLEMENT AS MIGHT AT FIRST SIGHT APPEAR.+
HE INTENDED TO KEEP THE WHOLE MATTER UNDER REVIEW AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO MEET THE SUGGESTION.
-----o------
CALL TO REVIEW PRISONERS WELFARE FUND USE
*****
THE USE OF THE PRISONERS WELFARE FUND SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND EXPANDED TO ASSIST PRISONERS AFTER DISCHARGE, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE PRISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID ALTHOUGH THE FUND HAD IN FACT EXISTED FOR MANY YEARS, NO MONEY HAD EVER BEEN DISBURSED FOR HELPING EX-PRISONERS.
/+HERE I
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
♦HERE I THINK A REVIEW WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FIRSTLY TO THE DISCHARGED PRISONER WHO IS IN NEED OF SUCH HELP, DEPENDING ON INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, AND SECONDLY TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, WHICH HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN THESE PERSONS WHO HAVE EXPIATED THEIR CRIME AND ARE REJOINING SOCIETY,+ HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE FUND BE EXPANDED IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY TO ASSIST EX-PRISONERS TO GET BACK INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY AS REFORMED INDIVIDUALS.
IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID A MULTI-AGENCY APPROACH SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN WHICH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS COULD BE CALLED UPON EVEN MORE THAN BEFORE.
♦SPECIFICALLY, ASSISTANCE WHERE SUITABLE COULD BE GIVEN TO TRIAD MEMBERS WHO HAVE OR ARE PREPARED TO RENOUNCE THEIR TRIAD CONNECTIONS,+ HE STRESSED.
THANKING MR CHEONG-LEEN FOR HIS SUPPORT FOR THE BILL AND HIS VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS FOR DISBURSING BENEFITS FROM THE FUND, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID THE COMMISSIONER CF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES HAD GIVEN ASSURANCE TO REVIEW THE PROCEDURES FOR AXINISTERING THE FUND IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY DESERVING CASES AND TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO THEM.
♦EACH CASE WILL, OF COURSE, BE DEALT WITH ON ITS MERITS,+ THOMAS SAID.
-----0------
LEGAL AID EXTENDED TO OVERSEAS CASES
X X X X X
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES (AMENDMENT) RULES 1986 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
^e^VING THE RESOLUTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID A^S-JONES, SAID THE AMENDED RULES, WHICH WERE MADE BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE WERE AIMED AT EXTENDING THE AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL AID TO PROCEEDINGS OVERSEAS WHERE EVIDENCE WAS TO BE TAKEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF CRIMINAL
PROCEEDINGS IN HONG KONG.
♦THIS HAS BEEN DONE IN RULE 2(B),+ HE NOTED.
♦RULE 3 MAKES CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL'AID TO ENGAGE OVERSEAS LAWYERS TO REPRESENT THE ACCUSED PERSON IN SUCH PROCEEDINGS OVERSEAS,* SIR DAVID SAID.
♦AND RULE 5 CONSEQUENTIALLY ADDS THE PROVISION FOR PAYMENT OF FEES TO SUCH OVERSEAS LAWYERS,* HE ADDED.
- c -
/51 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1936
51
STANDING ORDER NO. 14 AMENDED * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A MOTION AMENDING STANDING ORDERS SO AS TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO SPEAK ON SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TABLED IN THE COUNCIL.
MOVING THE MOTION TO AMEND STANDING ORDER NO. 14, THE HON MARIA TAM EXPLAINED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENT wAS TO ENABLE MEMBERS, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PRESIDENT, TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TABLED AT THAT PARTICULAR SITTING OR AT ANY OF THE THREE SITTINGS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THAT SITTING.
AT PRESENT, MEMBERS OTHER THAN EX-OFFICIO OR OFFICIAL MEMBERS CAN ONLY SPEAK ON SUCH LEGISLATION IF A RESOLUTION TO AMEND IS MOVED OR IF THE LEGISLATION IS MADE THE SUBJECT OF A MOTION FOR DEBATE OR AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE.
HOWEVER, MISS TAM SAID, MEMBERS HAD COME ACROSS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION THE ENACTMENT OF WHICH ENHANCED NOT ONLY THE ACTIVITIES OF A SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO THE POSITION OF HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE OF THE WORLD OR AFFECTED THE INTEREST OF A VITAL SECTION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, MEMBERS BELIEVED IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, OR TO EXPLAIN THE NECESSARY BALANCE STRUCK BETWEEN PROTECTING THE SECTORAL INTEREST AS WELL AS PUBLIC INTEREST.
_ THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED IN THIS MOTION WE SHAI I
“ssBtShT^.S0 without the ‘fOREMENnoNE^e^,^,^^1;
-------0 --------
SEWAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT KEPT UNDER REVIEW * * * * *
THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO HONG KONG’S TRUNK SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS IS KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ANSWERING A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE HON WONG PO-YAN, MR CHAN SAID THIS WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM MET NEW REQUIREMENTS AND DID NOT BECOME A CONSTRAINT ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
/MINOR UPGRADING........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9. 1986
- 52 -
MINOR UPGRADING WORKS WERE CARRIED OUT SPEEDILY UNDER A BLOCK VOTE FOR +WORKS CONTINGENT ON DEVELOPMENT+.
FOR MAJOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS THERE WAS A 10-YEAR +SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME* WHICH INCLUDED ALL PROJECTS FOR THE PROVISION OF TRUNK SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
MR CHAN SAID IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING OUTFALLS IN OLDER DISTRICTS SUCH AS TO KWA WAN, KWUN TONG AND WAN CHAI HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT UNDER THIS PROGRAMME, WITH OLD SEA-WALL OUTLETS BEING REPLACED BY UNDERWATER OUTFALLS WHICH CARRIED SEWAGE AWAY FROM THE SHORE LINE TO THE MAIN TIDAL FLOW.
+ IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SOME 30 KILOMETRES OF NEW SEWERS HAVE BEEN LAID, AND A FURTHER 47 KILOMETRES ARE NOW UNDER PLANNING OR CONSTRUCTION,* HE SAID.
A MAJOR NEW SEWAGE OUTFALL, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS PLANNED TO SERVE LAI CHI KOK, TAI KOK TSUI AND SHAM SHU I PO, AND CONSTRUCTION SHOULD START SHORTLY.
THERE WERE 20 SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS IN OPERATION, AND 27 MORE WERE UNDER VARIOUS STAGES OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION.
-----o------
HIGH PRIORITY GIVEN TO SAFETY CAMPAIGN * * * * *
THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ACCORDED HIGH PRIORITY FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS AND CONTINUES TO BE TREATED AS A MAJOR CAMPAIGN, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR LEUNG SAID ONLY ONE OTHER PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN ALLOCATED AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE $750 000 ALLOCATED TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY THIS YEAR.
, WITH ACCUMULATED EXPERIENCE IN ES, THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE THE TARGETTING OF THE PROMOTIONAL
+IN RECENT YEARS, MOREOVER ORGANISING PROMOTIONAL ACT I VITI CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ENHANCED AND
EFFORT HAS BEEN IMPROVED,* HE SAID.
DEVELOPMENT OF TRIPARTITE PARTICIPATION HAD BEEN ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR.
/+THE LABOUR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 55 -
♦THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ACTIVELY PROMOTED IN RECENT YEARS A CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT IN WHICH REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO WORK FOR THE COMMON OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING SAFETY AT WORK,* HE SAID.
+THESE EFFORTS ARE BEGINNING TO BEAR FRUIT AND GENEROUS DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIALISTS AND EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS.*
IN 1985-86, ABOUT 590 OOO WAS DONATED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR TOWARDS THE COSTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN. IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HOPED TO SECURE DONATIONS TOTALLING 5200 000.
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO INDUSTRIAL safety remained unchanged, mr leung said, it had been possible as a result of these developments to sustain the industrial safety DRIVE AT REDUCED COSTS TO PUBLIC FUNDS BUT WITH INCREASED IMPACT.
THUS A DECREASE IN PROVISION BY NO MEANS IMPLIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ATTACHING LESS IMPORTANCE TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
MR LEUNG ALSO NOTED THAT THE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR A PARTICULAR PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME DEPENDED ON THE TOTAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN A GIVEN YEAR TO MEET THE CLAIMS OF ALL DEPARTMENTS FOR PUBLICITY AND CAMPAIGN FUNDING.
HE SAID WORK IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY WAS KEPT UNDER REVIEW AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES WAS CLOSELY MONITORED TO ENSURE THAT THE BEST VALUE WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS AVAILABLE.
+THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVES, THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD’S COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND ITS SIX INDUSTRY-BASED SUB-COMMITTEES, IS OF PARTICULAR VALUE IN ENSURING CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PROGRAMME AND A HEALTHY INFUSION OF NEW IDEAS,* HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
54
GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON RELIGIOUS CULTS STATED * * * * *
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO UPHOLD RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, POLICE WILL INITIATE PROSECUTION WHENEVER ACTIVITIES OF NON-TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS SECTS OR CULTS WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT YOUNG PEOPLE CONSTITUTE A PR I MA FACIE BREACH OF THE LAW, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LIAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF SUCH SECTS OR CULTS, THE DOCTRINE AND PRACTICES OF WHICH ARE SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE AND RUN COUNTER TO GENERALLY ACCEPTED ETHICAL STANDARDS.
♦FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE HAD REPORTS OF ONE CULT WHOSE ADHERENTS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO USE SEX TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS. ANOTHER ONE SEEKS TO SET UP BASES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS AND PREACH ESCHATOLOGY TO INCULCATE A PESSIMISTIC OUTLOOK ON LIFE AMONG ITS FOLLOWERS.+
MR LIAO SAID PERSONS RELATED TO ANY OBSCURE RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CLOSE VETTING AND MAY BE REFUSED LANDING ON ARRIVAL OR SUBSEQUENT EXTENSION OF STAY.
+DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE STAFF, WHO ARE WELL AWARE OF THE NATURE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THESE NON-TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS CULTS, PROVIDE NECESSARY COUNSELLING SERVICE TO PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM FALLING A PREY TO SUCH CULTS,+ HE SAID.
MR LIAO STRESSED THAT THERE IS AS YET LITTLE EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT SUCH RELIGIOUS CULTS HAVE SPREAD TO THE EXTENT TO BE A CAUSE FOR ALARM.
♦HOWEVER, TO COMBAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM EFFECTIVELY, IT wOULD REQUIRE INCREASED ATTENTION OF CARE BY THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE,* HE ADDED.
♦IN PARTICULAR, FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BODIES, SOCIAL WORK ORGANISATIONS AND ALL THOSE CONCERNED WITH THE WELL-BEING OF YOUTH HAVE A PART TO PLAY.+
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/55........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1936
- 55 -
DETAILED STUDY NEEDED ON NULLAH POLLUTION
******
THE LONG-TERM ANSWER TO POLLUTION OF THE WONG CHUK HANG NULLAH LIES IN REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC WASTt ENTERING IT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS WOULD INVOLVE A DETAILED STUDY OF THE SOURCES OF POLLUTION AND TAKING ACTION AGAINST THE PERSONS OR COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE, MR SHIPMAN SAID.
+IN SOME CASES IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO DIVERT GROSSLY-POLLUTED STORMWATER DRAINS INTO THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM.+
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LIU LIT-FOR, MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT DOMESTIC WASTE FROM SQUATTER AREAS AND INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES CONNECTED INTO THE STORM WATER DRAINS WERE SOURCES OF POLLUTION IN THE WONG CHUK HANG NULLAH.
THE TIDAL FLOWS FROM ABERDEEN HARBOUR ALSO CARRIED POLLUTANTS AND REDUCED THE FLUSHING RATE OF THE NULLAH.
+AS A RESULT, THE NULLAH IS HEAVILY POLLUTED, PARTICULARLY AT THE MAIN TIDAL STRETCH DOWNSTREAM OF THE NAM LONG SHAN ROAD ER IDGE,+ HE SA ID.
+ESPECIALLY IN DRY WEATHER, THE DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVEL IN THE WATER IS LOW AND AN OBNOXIOUS ODOUR EXUDES FROM THE POLLUTED MUD ON THE BED OF THE NULLAH.+
HOWEVER, A MEASURE OF IMPROVEMENT HAD BEEN NOTED SINCE WATER DISCHARGED FROM OCEAN PARK’S WATER WORLD BEGAN FLOWING THROUGH THE NULLAH.
+IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE NUISANCE, THE NULLAH IS CLEANED AND DESILTED ON A REGULAR ANNUAL BAS IS,+ HE SAID. THIS WORK BROUGHT ONLY TEMPORARY RELIEF, AND THERE WERE NO PLANS TO UNDERTAKE IT MORE FREQUENTLY.
MR SHIPMAN SAID IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO DECK OVER OR FILL IN THE NULLAH.
+DECKING OVER THE NULLAH HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BUT IS NOT
THOUGHT TO BE WORTHWHILE SO LONG AS INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC WASTES CONTINUE TO BE DISCHARGED INTO IT. THERE WOULD BE A RISK OF TRAPPING VAPOURS AND GASES BENEATH THE DECKING,* HE EXPLAINED.
FURTHER, AS THE ESTIMATED COST FOR DECKING OVER THE WHOLE OF___________ THE NULLAH WAS ABOUT $200 MILLION, THE PROJECT WOULD NOT Be JUST IF Leu UNLESS THE ADDITIONAL LAND SPACE THUS CREATED WAS REQUIRED FOR ROAu
IMPROVEMENTS OR FOR OTHER FACILITIES.
/+IT WOULD........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
+IT WOULD ALSO MAKE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS MORE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE,* HE ADDED.
AS FOR FILLING IN THE NULLAH, HE EXPLAINED IT WOULD ALSO NOT EE POSSIBLE AS THE NULLAH WAS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE DRA I NAG-OF STORM WATER IN THE AREA.
MR SHIPMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE POLLUTION OF NULLAHS BY THE IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF WASTE WAS A TERRITORY-WIDE PROBLEM. +THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY COMMITTED TO STUDIES IN OTHER AREAS, BUT WILL EXAMINE HOW THE PROBLEMS AT WONG CHUK HANG SHOULD BE REMEDIED ONCE RESOURCES BECOME AVAILABLE. I HOPE THAT THESE STUDIES CAN BE UNDERTAKEN IN THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR,* HE ADDED.
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ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY DIRECTED TOWARDS HEROIN
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING $1.58 MILLION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR TO COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE ANTI-NARCOTICS PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, ME THOMAS SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE A BREAKDOWN OF THE EXPENDITURE IN RESPECT OF PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES RELATING TO THE ABUSE OF NON-OPIATE PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES.
HE SAID: +IN HONG KONG, THE MOST COMMONLY ABUSED DRUG IS HEROIN AND, FOR THIS REASON, THE MAIN THRUST OF PUBLICITY IS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE HEROIN PROBLEM.*
HE REMINDED MEMBERS THAT MEASURES DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY AT THE ABUSE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES HAD BEEN OUTLINED BY THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR FINDLAY, IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION IN THE COUNCIL ON MAY 21.
WITH REGARD TO CRISIS COUNSELLING, MR THOMAS SAID: +ABUSERS CF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS WOULD PROBABLY NOT REALISE THAT A CRISIS SITUATION HAD ARISEN UNTIL EITHER THEY WERE IN URGENT NEED OF MEDICAL TREATMENT OR THEIR DRUG TAKING HAD LED THEM INTO SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.*
IN THE FORMER CASE, HE SAID, COUNSELLING WOULD FORM PART OF THE TREATMENT AVAILABLE IN THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL OR OUT-PATIENT SERV ICE.
/IN THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 57 -
IN THE LATTER CASE, IF IN SOCIAL OR FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES THE ABUSERS COULD TURN TO ONE OF A NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHO COULD REFER THEM TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION CF DRUG ABUSERS (SARDA) FOR COUNSELLING.
+WHERE A CRISIS SITUATION HAD NOT ARISEN, ANY OUT-REACH SOCIAL WORKER COMING INTO CONTACT WITH AN ABUSER OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME DEGREE OF COUNSELLING,* NR THOMAS ADDED.
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PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REVIEW NEARING COMPLETION
M * * *
THE REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME IS NEARING COMPLETION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR SHIPMAN SAID: + l HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO FINALISE THE PROPOSALS WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR S0.+
HE SAID THE REVIEW WAS NOT CONCERNED WITH REVISING THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INDEX, WHICH WAS A STATISTICAL MEASUREMENT OF THE AGGREGATE CHANGE IN THE PRICES OF ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE LIKELY TO BE INCURRED BY HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
+THE REAL VALUE OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS IS MONITORED EACH MONTH AGAINST MOVEMENTS OF THE INDEX AND THE BASIC SCALE OF RATES IS ADJUSTED WHEN PRICE MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEX HAVE SHOWN THIS TO BE NECESSARY,* MR SHIPMAN SAID.
+EACH TIME THE RATES ARE ADJUSTED, THEY ARE SET SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE CURRENT LEVEL ON THE INDEX TO ALLOW FOR FUTURE INFLATION.*
HE SAID THE REASON WHY NO INCREASE HAD BEEN NECESSARY SINCE FEBRUARY 1984 WAS THAT INFLATION HAD SLOWED DOWN AND THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM HAD NOT BEEN TRIGGERED.
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/58........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 58 -
NO HARDSHIP IN IMPLEMENTING CENTRALISED SCHOOLS SCHEME ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN FULL ACCOUNT OF THE NEEDS OF THE DIFFERENT LOCALITIES TO ENSURE THAT NO HARDSHIP WILL BE CREATED FOR PUPILS, PARENTS OR SCHOOL AUTHORITIES WHEN IMPLEMENTING THE CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOLS SCHEME, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR LEUNG SAID THE AGREEMENT OF THE CONSTITUENT SCHOOL AUTHORITIES WOULD BE SOUGHT AT THE INITIAL STAGE.
AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE INCORPORATED BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL WOULD BE COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSTITUENT SCHOOLS TO BE REPLACED.
SECONDLY, IN ORDER TO ASSIST WITH THE TRAVELLING EXPENSES WHICH MIGHT BE INCURRED BY VILLAGE CHILDREN IN ATTENDING A CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARED TO CONSIDER TRANSPORT SUBSIDIES WHEN NECESSARY.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT ANY MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF OF THE CONSTITUENT SCHOOLS WHO COULD NOT BE RE-EMPLOYED IN THE NEW CENTRALISED SCHOOL WOULD BE GIVEN APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE IN FINDING ALTERNATIVE POSTS ELSEWHERE.
TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY MR CHEUNG, ABOUT PROGRESS MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE SCHEME, MR LEUNG NOTED THAT FOUR CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAD BEEN PROPOSED, BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATION IN THE 1981 WHITE PAPER +PR IMARY EDUCATION AND PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES*. OF THESE, THE ONE IN HO CHUNG (SAI KUNG) HAD BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE OCTOBER 1984.
THE REMAINING THREE WERE INTENDED TO REPLACE SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS IN HANG HAU (SAI KUNG), SHA TAU KOK AND LANTAU ISLAND.
MR LEUNG SAID A SITE AT MANG KUNG UK VILLAGE, WHICH AT PRESENT ACCOMMODATED THE EXISTING HANG HAU DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOL, wAS CHOSEN FOR THE HANG HAU PROJECT.
+THE INTENTION IS TO BUILD A NEW 12 CLASSROOM PRIMARY SCHOOL ON THIS SITE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SCHOOL AND TO ACCOMMODATE THE PUPILS FROM FIVE OTHER SMALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE VICINITY.*
HE SAID HE HOPED THE HANG HAU CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE 1989-90 SCHOOL YEAR.
/THE THIRD .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 59 -
THE THIRD CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL, HE SAID WOULD BE BUILT at cua taii knk to PFPROVISION THE EXISTING FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION’S SCHOOL WHICH WOULD BE CLOSED DUE TO A REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME THERE, AND to REPLACE FOUR OTHER SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS IN THE VICINITY.
HF ALSO ADDED THAT THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD HAD GIVEN SUPPORT TO THE PROJECT WHICH WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE 1980-89 SCHOOL YEAR.
AS REGARDS A CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL ON LANTAU, HE SaID THAT DUE TO THE LACK OF SUPPORT FROM HEADMASTERS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS CONCERNED, THIS PROJECT WOULD BE SHELVED FOR THE TIME BE ING.
MR LFUNG SAID THE INTENTION WAS TO AMALGAMATE FIVE SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS IN SOUTH LANTAU. THE PREMISES OF ONE OF THE EXISTING SCHOOLS WOULD BE USED FOR THE NEW SCHOOL AS DEMAND FOR SCHOOL PLACES IN THAT PART OF THE ISLAND DID NOT WARRANT THE BUILDING CF A NEW 12 CLASSROOM SCHOOL.
IT WAS HOPED THAT THE PROPOSED AMALGAMATION WOULD BRING
IT WAS HOPED 1H^A^-jNG^Y D0|NG AWAy WITH COMBINED CLASSES, +
ABOUT MORE EFFECTIVE HE EXPLAINED.
-----o------
SUICIDE CASES: OUTLINE OF POSSIBLE FACTORS
*****
THE REASON FOR THE INCREASE IN SUICIDE CASES INVOLVING SCHOOL CHILDREN OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS IS NOT KNOWN, ALTHOUGH IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THE INFLUENCE OF SUICIDES AMONG PEERS AND REPORTING OF CASES LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS MIGHT BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR LEUNG SAID THE TOTAL NUMBERS OF CASES, KNOWN TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, OF SUICIDE OR ATTEMPTED SUICIDE INVOLVING SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE TEN IN 1983-84, 34 IN 1984-85 AND 56 IN 1985-86.
THERE WERE TWO DEATHS IN 1983-84, ONE IN 1984-85, AND FIVE IN 1985-86.
IN ADDITION, MR LEUNG SAID, THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT KNEW OF TWO FATAL CASES, BOTH DURING THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR, INVOLVING STUDENTS ATTENDING TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
/NO INFOHMATION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9» 1986
NO INFORMATION WAS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE ABOUT CASES INVOLVING POST-SECONDARY OR TERTIARY STUDENTS, HE SAID.
+FIGURES FROM THE CORONER’S OFFICE, MEANWHILE, INDICATE THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUICIDES IN THE 10-19 AGE GROUP IN THE YEARS 1983, 1984 AND 1985 WERE 21, NINE AND 14 RESPECTIVELY,* HE SAID.
+ IT SHOULD BE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE TIME PERIODS ARE CALENDAR RATHER THAN ACADEMIC YEARS AND THAT THE 10-19 AGE GROUP IS NOT COMPOSED WHOLLY OF STUDENTS.*
PRINCIPAL, BUT NOT NECESSARILY SOLE, CAUSES IN THE CASES INVOLVING SCHOOL CHILDREN, AS REVEALED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATIONS, INCLUDED POOR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, ABNORMAL EMOTIONAL REACTIONS AND SCHOOL PROBLEMS.
AS REGARDS THE TWO STUDENTS ATTENDING TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, HE SAID, THE UNDERLYING CAUSE IN ONE CASE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN A COMBINATION OF PERSONAL AND WORK-RELATED FACTORS, WHILE THE CAUSE IN THE OTHER CASE WAS NOT KNOWN.
--------c ----------
LEI YUE MUN TO PRESERVE VILLAGE CHARACTER
*****
MUN AND AREA
THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AT LEI YUE &&INBlESI?EKIJ,T?EHEPRsI^e™f^rL^jr^R«OORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IM a WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON POON CHI-FA I, AFFECTED.
+ NEVERTHELESS, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND FAC IL IT Ito CF THE AREA ARE NEEDED,* HE SAID.
r«EcEH&T^
STOREY CAR-LORRY PARK.
iki tuf quarter TERM THREE PIECES OF LAND HAD BEEN LET ON SHORT-TER^ TENANCIES for’TEMPORARY CAR PARKS, PROVIDING A TOTAL CF 162 SPACES.
/IN ADDITION, ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 61
IN ADDITION, SITES AT THE JUNCTIONS OF YAN WING STREET AND KA wING STREET AND ALONG SHUNG SHUN STREET WERE ALSO PROPOSED FOR TEMPORARY CAR PARKS, PROVIDING A FURTHER 88 PARKING SPACES.
MR CHAN SAID IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM WERE BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT UNDER THEIR SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AND WERE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION EARLY NEXT YEAR.
♦THERE IS AT PRESENT NO SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR THE AREA, BUT A STUDY ON THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR THE WHOLE OF EAST KOWLOON, INCLUDING LEI YUE MUN, IS AT PRESENT BEING UNDERTAKEN,+ MR CHAN SAID.
THE STUDY WAS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1987.
A SITE AT KO FAI ROAD WAS EARMARKED FOR A SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FOR THE AREA.
ON FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE, MR CHAN SAID A 4.5-METRE-WIDE EMERGENCY ACCESS LANE LEADING TO THE EXISTING JETTY HAS BEEN PROPOSED. SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, THIS WAS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MARCH 1988.
IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING FOOTPATHS WOULD ALSO BE MADE UNDER THE SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAMME.
+WORK ON OTHER IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING A METERED WATER SUPPLY AND STREET LIGHTING, IS IN HAND AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN 1987,+ NR CHAN SAID.
+THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES IN THE SHORT TERM IS HINDERED BY THE LACK OF VACANT LAND IN THE VILLAGE.
+HOWEVER, LONGER TERM IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE AREA ARE BEING CONSIDERED,* HE SAID.
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/62........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9. 1986
SIX BILLS PASSED
I * * *
SIX BILLS -- THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1986, THE LAW AMENDMENT ^D REFORM (CONSOL IDAT ION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE FATAL ACCIDENTS BILL 1986, THE PRISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 THE ROAD TRAFF C (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1986 AND THE R0A°™AFF IC (DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 — WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FIVE OTHER BILLS — THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REG ISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986. THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE ^ENDMENT) B ILL 1986, THE LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986 AND THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 — WERE READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO JULY 16.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
63
GOVERNOR TO VISIT PEKING * * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL OF AUGUST 29 TO SEPTEMBER 2 AS A SIR RICHARD EVANS.
TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE VISIT PEKING OVER THE WEEKEND GUEST OF THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR,
SIR EDWARD, WHO SERVED TO VISIT CHENGDE.
IN PEKING FOR MANY YEARS,
HOPES ALSO
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR NORTH AMERICA TOMORROW * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY YOUDE, WILL LEAVE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING FOR A 13-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA TO FURTHER HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC TIES.
SIR EDWARD’S VISIT WILL TAKE HIM TO SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE, VANCOUVER AND CHICAGO. HE WILL MAKE SPEECHES IN EACH CITY, AND WILL ALSO HAVE A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS AS WELL AS GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS.
THE VISIT IS INTENDED TO DELIVER A POSITIVE MESSAGE ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE, AND ITS TRADING AND BUSINESS POTENTIAL FOR THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. HE WILL ALSO STRESS THE THREAT THAT PROTECTIONISM POSES TO WORLD TRADE.
THE GOVERNOR WILL DELIVER HIS FIRST SPEECH IN SAN FRANCISCO Oj MONDAY, JULY 14, AT A LUNCH JOINTLY HOSTED BY THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE HONG KONG BAY AREA ASSOCIATION. THE AUDIENCE OF 600 WILL INCLUDE CITY AND STATE POLITICIANS, BUSINESS PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THE NEXT DAY HE WILL OPEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S NEW ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICE LOCATED IN CENTRAL SAN FRANCISCO. THIS OFFICE, HEADED BY MR BILLY LAM, HAS BEEN SET UP IN RECOGNITION OF THE AMERICAN MARKET’S IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG.
THE VISIT TO SAN FRANCISCO COINCIDES WITH A +HONG KONG WEEK+ BEING HELD IN THE CITY.
/SIR EDWARD .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
- 64 -
SIR EDWARD WILL FLY TO SEATTLE ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 AND WHILE THERE WILL GIVE A LUNCH SPEECH TO MEMBERS OF THE WASHINGTON STATE COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL.
LATER THAT DAY SIR EDWARD WILL GO ON TO VANCOUVER WHERE HE WILL REMAIN UNTIL SUNDAY, JULY 20. ON THURSDAY, JULY 17 HE WILL SPEAK TO MEMBERS 0^ THE VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE, THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY.
SIR EDWARD AND LADY YOUDE WILL SPEND FRIDAY, JULY 18 AT EXPO ’86, FIRST INSPECTING THE HONG KONG PAVILION AND THEN TOURING THE EXHIBITION SITE. THE DAY HAS BEEN DESIGNATED +HONG KONG DAY+ BY THE EXPOSITION ORGANISERS.
THE GOVERNOR WILL FLY TO CHICAGO ON JULY 20. ON MONDAY, JULY 21, HE WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS OF THE CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE, AND THEN WILL GIVE HIS FOURTH MAJOR SPEECH, AT A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.
AT THE END OF THE NORTH AMERICAN VISIT, SIR EDWARD AND LADY YOUDE WILL FLY TO LONDON TO BEGIN THEIR ANNUAL LEAVE.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE FLYING TO SAN FRANCISCO AS GUEST-OF-HONOUR ON CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS’ INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO THAT CITY.
ALSO ON BOARD WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BANK, SIR MICHAEL SANDBERG- AND CATHAY PACIFIC CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL MILES, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE DEPARTING ON CX800 AT 10.15 AM TOMORROW. A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE ARRANGED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 9.15 AM.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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/65........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
65
GOVERNMENT RECORDS TO BE APPRAISED
******
MR All. DIAMOND, THE FORMER ARCHIVIST, HAS BEEN APPOINTED ♦GOVERNMENT RECORDS CO-ORD INATOR+ FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS.
HIS TASK WILL BE TO INITIATE AN APPRAISAL OF GOVERNMENT RECORDS w»fTH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING THOSE WHICH SHOULD BE SENT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM BEFORE 1997.
THE APPRAISAL WILL ALSO INCLUDE AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RECORD KEEPING PRACTICES IN DEPARTMENTS WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING GREATtK EFFECT IVENESS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RECORDS.
-----0-------
REGISTRATION REVOKED * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF SINO-THAI FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 14(2) OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
-------0----------
AH KUNG NGAM WATER KIOSK REOPENS
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS TO REOPEN ITS WATER SELLING KIOSK FOR DWELLERS OF AH KUNG NGAM IN SHAU KEI WAN FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
LOCATED AT THE SEAWALL ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, THE KIOSK HAD BEEN CLOSED SINCE JULY 1982 BECAUSE OF RECLAMATION WORK.
DURING THAT PERIOD, A TEMPORARY KIOSK HAD BEEN OPERATING AT SAI WAN HO.
OPENING HOURS OF THE KIOSK WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO NOON AND 1 PM TO 5 PM DAILY, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
TICKETS FOR PURCHASING WATER ARE AVAILABLE AT:
* TREASURY - CENTRAL COLLECTION CENTRE;
* YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY;
* MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN CENTRAL? AND
* SHAU KEI WAN MARINE OFFICE.
THE PRICE WILL BE S2.ll PER CUBIC METRE.
-----o------
/66........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
66
D3 COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS STREET LIGHT PROBLEM * * * * *
MEMBERS Or THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF STREET LIGHTS IN SQUATTER AREAS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) 'AFTERNOON.
THE SUBJECT IS RAISED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WHO PROPOSED TO TAKE OVER ALL EXISTING PUBLIC STREET LIGHTS INSTALLED BY DISTRICT BOARDS IN SQUATTER AREAS FOR SUBSEQUENT MAINTENANCE AND PAYMENT OF ELECTRICITY COST.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS WAYS TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE GREENERY OF THE DISTRICT AND THE PROBLEM OF VANDALISM TO THE FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE BOARD AT THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT DAVIS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 14TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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PRESS BRIEFING * * *
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, DR STEPHAN TANG LUNG-WAI, WILL BRIEF THE PRESS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON MATTERS WHICH WERE DISCUSSED AT A COMMITTEE MEETING HELD YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
THE BRIEFING WILL BE HELD AT 11.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR, TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152-172 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
NTT TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986 - 67 -
DETAILS OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME
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A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE HELD AT 12.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF THE UNITED CENTRE RESTAURANT, ADMIRALTY, QUEENSWAY.
ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ELIZABETH TSE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHUNG-YING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN WESTERN
*****
TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION ON BELCHER’S STREET, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WESTERN DISTRICT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 12) FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS:
* NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN EMERGENCY VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF SMITHFIELD BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 41A AND ITS JUNCTION WITH BELCHER’S STREET.
* TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM SMITHFIELD SOUTH OF BELCHER’S STREET WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING LEFT INTO BELCHER’S STREET. GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 12, 13 AND 23 ON THIS SECTION OF SMITHFIELD WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO BELCHER’S STREET, WHILE OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO POKFIELD ROAD AND POK FU LAM ROAD.
* GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 12 ON ITS JOURNEY TO KWUN LUNG LAU WILL HAVE TO USE BELCHER’S STREET AND SMITHFIELD, OMITTING CADOGAN STREET AND CATCHICK STREET.
* GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 13 ON ITS JOURNEY TO SAI YING PUN WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA CATCHICK STREET, SANDS STREET, BELCHER’S STREET WESTBOUND AND SMITHFIELD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTE I NG.
/’ GREEN MINIBUS.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
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* GREEN minibus ROUTE 23 ON ITS JOURNEY TO POK FU LAM WILL BE DIVERTED TO CATCHICK STREET, SANDS STREET, BELCHER’S STREET WESTBOUND AND SMITHFIELD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTE I NG.
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IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 A(m ON SATURDAY FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS:
* HAU WO STREET WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND, WHILE THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HAU WO STREET WILL BE MADE A PEAK HOUR (7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY. BESIDES, METERED PARKING SPACES ON HAU WO STREET WILL ALSO BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
* THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (PLB) STAND ON SMITHFIELD, OPPOSITE THE KENNEDY TOWN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL WILL BE RESITED TO HAU WO STREET NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH DAVIS STREET, WHILE THE PLB STAND ON SMITHFIELD NORTH OF BELCHER’S STREET WILL BE RESITED TO THE SECTION OF SMITHFIELD BETWEEN FORBES STREET AND BELCHER’S STREET.
* THE SECTION OF SMITHFIELD BETWEEN HAU WO STREET AND BELCHER’S STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO HAU WO STREET AND DAVIS STREET TO REJOIN BELCHER’S STREET.
VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 10 METRES IN LENGTH ON WESTBOUND BELCHER’S STREET WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT INTO SMITHFIELD.
X PLB’S WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF CADOGAN STREET BETWEEN BELCHER’S STREET AND CATCHICK STREET, AND THE SECTION OF CATCHICK STREET BETWEEN CADOGAN STREET AND SMITHFIELD 24 HOURS DAILY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SAME ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE A 24-HOUR DAILY PLB URBAN CLEARWAY.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN EASTERN DISTRICT * * K *
THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARwAY RESTR I CT I uh ON THE SECTION OF MARBLE ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 42 METRES EAST CF ITS JUNCTION WITH KAtf! HONG STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRto WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 11).
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY, THE aESTBOUND TRAM TRACK ON KING’S ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAIKOO SHING ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A TRAM-ONLY LANE 24 HOURS DAILY. THE MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 198’6
69
PL3 RESTRICTION IN ABERDEEN * X * *
SAI ON STREET BETWEEN
THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF _
CHENGTU ROAD AND TUNG SING ROAD, EXCEPT THE GREEN MINIBUS ST^D WILL BE MADE A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PUBLIC LIGHT*BUSES FROM 13 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 12).
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY, NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUS WILL BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CABLE TV PROPOSAL GETS APPROVAL ............................... 1
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR NORTH AMERICA ............................. 2
HOSPITAL, CLINIC FEES TO BE REVISED............................ 3
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE PLANNED ........................... 4
HK-EEC TALKS CONTINUE NEXT ’WEEK............................... 5
DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR TRADE RETURNS ........................... 6
CONTRACTORS, WORKERS URGED TO OBSERVE SAFETY RULES ............ 7
TENANT’S SOUGHT FOR TWO SITES ................................. 8
CHINESE-STYLE GARDEN FOR FANLING .............................. 9
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT GOOD HEALTH .............................. 9
CENTRAL-WESTERN PROGRAMME OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES ANNOUNCED ....... 10
COMMITTEE REACHES OUT TO YOUTH ORGANISATIONS .................. 11
OPEN DAY TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH ............................. 12
SUMMER YOUTH FUN BEGINS WITH CARNIVAL ......................... 13
SEED PLANTING STARTS TSUIN WAN PROGRAMME ...................... 13
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP STARTS SATURDAY .............................. 14
KOWLOON CITY YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS SUNDAY .................... 15
DESIGN WORK BY STUDENTS ON DISPLAY ............................ 17
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENTS................ 17
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGE IN CAINE ROAD ........................ 18
MOUNT PAi^KER ROAD PLB RESTRICT ION ........................... 18
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
1
CABLE TV PROPOSAL GETS APPROVAL * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COl/NC IL HAS ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE A CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR JAMES SO, SAID THAT AS A FIRST STEP PROSPECTIVE CABLE TELEVISION DEVELOPERS WOULD BE INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR PROPOSALS TO THE BRANCH FOR CONSIDERATION.
APPLICATIONS WOULD BE INVITED WITHIN A MONTH, HE SAID.
♦ SUCH AN EXERCISE WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO GAUGE BUSINESS INTEREST IN CABLE TELEVISION AND TO BETTER IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES WHICH COULD BE APPLIED,+ HE SAID.
MR SO EXPLAINED THAT THE DECISION TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF CABLE TELEVISION WAS BASED ON INITIAL FINDINGS WHICH SHOWED THAT SUCH A SERVICE WOULD BE TECHNICALLY AND FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE.
-•-INDEED, THE INSTALLATION OF CABLE TELEVISION IN HONG KONG MAY BE EASIER THAN ELSEWHERE IN VIEW OF THE TERRITORY’S HIGH POPULATION DENSITY AND THE EXISTENCE OF SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUITABLE FOR CABLE TELEVISION.+
+FROM THE AUDIENCE’S POINT OF VIEW, THE ADDITION OF CABLE TELEVISION TO HONG KONG’S BROADCASTING SERVICES WOULD PROVIDE A WIDER CHOICE OF PROGRAMMES WHILE MINORITY VIEWING INTERESTS WOULD BE BETTER CATERED p0R,+ HE NOTED.
MR SO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ALSO ENDORSED THE VALUE OF CONDUCTING A PILOT SCHEME FOR CABLE TELEVISION IN THAT IT WOULD ENABLE THE MARKET TO BE TESTED, WOULD PROVIDE AN INDICATION OF CABLE TELEVISION’S LIKELY EFFECT UPON THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE SAME TIME WOULD ALLOW POSSIBLE TECHNOLOGIES TO BE EVALUATED.
HE RECALLED THAT EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY (TELCO) HAD SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO ESTABLISH A CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE, TO BE PRECEDED BY A PILOT SCHEME IN TAI KOO SHING.
+ SINCE THEN A NUMBER OF-OTHER COMPANIES AND CONSORTIA HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN DEVELOPING CABLE TELEVISION IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
/HR SO .......
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THURSDAY, JULI 10, 1986
2
’■‘R SO SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONDUCT DISCUSSIONS WITH TELCO AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED COMPANIES IN ORDER TO ASCERTAIN HOW PILOT SCHEMES CiAlLD PROCEED.
HE STRESSED THAT THESE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE CONDUCTED ON A NO-COMMITMENT BASIS, MAKING CLEAR THAT THERE COULD BE NO GUARANTEE THAT A FRANCHISE WOULD BE AWARDED TO THE COMPANY ON COMPLETION OF THE PILOT SCHEME.
THE OUTCOME OF NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE REPORTED BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID.
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GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR NORTH AMERICA * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT TODAY WITH A HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION ON A 13-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT, SIR EDwARD SAID DURING HIS TRIP HE WOULD PRESENT A POSITIVE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS +A GOOD PLACE IN WHICH TO DO BUSINESS AND IN WHICH TO INVEbT+, AND WOULD STRESS THE IMPORTANCE WHICH HONG KONG ATTACHED TO THE PR INC IPLE OF FREE TRADE.
+THIS IS, I’M SURE, GOING TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT AND PLEASANT TRIP. THIS IS A TIME WHEN OUR ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA AND VERY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD SAID HE WOULD ALSO EMPHASISE THE EXCELLENCE OF HONG KONG’S COMMUNICATIONS, AS EVIDENCED BY CATHAY PACIFIC S INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO SAN FRANCISCO WHICH HE TOOK THIS MORNING.
HE SAID HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD VERY MUCH TO THE VISIT TO EXPO FOR THE HONG KONG DAY, WHERE HE WOULD MEET A LARGE NUMoER OF CANADIANS AS WELL AS PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG, WHO WOULD BE CELEBRATING WITH THEM.
SIR EDWARD, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY Y0UD5, WAS SEEN OFF BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE'EXECUT IVE COUNCIL, SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERV ICE’S, '.MR JOHN CHAN,
ALSO* ON BOARD WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF"'THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BANK, SIR MICHAEL SANDBERG, AND CPA CHAIRMAN,’ MR MICHAEL MILES.
SIR DAV ID wILL BE ACTING CF SIR EDWARD FROM HONG KONG.
GOVERNOR DURING THE ABSENCE
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THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
5
HOSPITAL, CLINIC FEES TO BE REVISED *****
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT CHARGES AT ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WILL BE INCREASED BY NINE PER CENT FROM AUGUST 1.
THE FEE REVISION IS AN ANNUAL ROUTINE EXERCISE AND FOR THIS YEAR IT HAD BEEN DECIDED TO APPLY A CALCULATED AVERAGE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN COSTS ACROSS THE BOARD SINCE THE LAST REVIEW.
FOR HOSPITALS, THE DAILY RATE IN GENERAL WARDS WILL BE 320, AN INCREASE OF $2.
I'
FOR SPECIAL ASIAN DIET THE NEW RATE WILL BE $40 AND FOR EUROPEAN DIET $60. THE EXISTING RATES ARE $36 AND $54.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GENERAL WARD WAS HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY GOVERNMENT AS THE DAILY CHARGE PER BED COVERED THE COST OF FOOD, DRUGS, LABORATORY TESTS, SURGERY AND OTHER TREATMENTS.
AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT WAS SPENDING ABOUT $800 TO MAINTAIN ONE HOSPITAL BED EACH DAY.
IN CASES OF GENUINE HARDSHIP, CHARGES COULD BE WAIVED PARTIALLY CR IN FULL.
FOR FIRST AND SECOND CLASS PATIENTS, DAILY CHARGES WOULD GO UP FROM $750 TO $820 AND FROM $500 TO $545.
CHARGES FOR SPECIAL CLASS BEDS AT TSAN YUK HOSPITAL WOULD BE REVISED FROM $335 TO $365 DAILY.
PATIENTS IN FIRST AND SECOND CLASS WARDS OF THE TWO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS - CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL AND KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL - WOULD HAVE TO PAY NEW FEES OF $260 AND $175.
IN ADDITION, PATIENTS IN SPECIAL WARDS AND PRIVATE WARDS WOULD EE REQUIRED TO PAY EXTRA FOR MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS, SURGERY AND SPECIAL LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS.
FOR OUTPATIENTS, CONSULTATION FEES PER VISIT WOULD GO UP FROM $9 TO $10 FOR GENERAL CLINICS AND $12 TO $13 FOR SPECIALIST CLINICS.
FEES FOR INJECTIONS AND DRESSINGS WOULD REMAIN AT $3.
FOR METHADONE CLINICS AND FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS, FEES REMAN AT $1.
/THE CHARGE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
THE CHARGE FOR COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE WOULD ALSO REMAIN AT $18.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE FEE REVISION WOULD BRING AN ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF ABOUT $13 MILLION A YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT EVEN WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEv. CHARGES, MEDICAL SERVICES WOULD STILL BE HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY Trie GOVERNMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSIDER THE POLICY ON THE STRUCTURE CF HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES AND CHARGES AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN CONSULTANCY REPORT ON DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS.
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MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE PLANNED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO SET UP 15 CHILD CARE CENTRES EVERY YEAR TO PROVIDE 1 500 PLACES IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRESENT DEVELOPMENT PLANS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO GRADUATES OF A CHILD CARE COURSE AT LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, MRS DOE POINTED OUT THAT THESE PLANS AIMED AT MEETING THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES RESULTING FROM A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING MOTHERS.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE MORE THAN 26 000 PLACES IN 257 CENTRES OFFERING RESIDENTIAL AND DAY CARE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX. THERE ARE ALSO 2 197 TRAINED CHILD CARE WORKERS, WHICH REPRESENTS 88 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF 2 499 CHILD CARE WORKERS IN THE FIELD.
MRS DOE NOTED THAT THE INSTITUTE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TRAINING CHILD CARE WORKERS, AND IT WAS CONSTANTLY IMPROVING THE CURRICULUM TO MEET CURRENT NEEDS.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN VIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENTS IN SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES AND INTEGRATED PROGRAMMES, THE INSTITUTE WAS STRENGTHENING ITS CURRICULUM FOR THE CARE OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
THE HEAD OF THE INSTITUTE’S GENERAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.Y. NG, SAID COURSES FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS WERE BEING EXPANDED. •
/UNDER A .......
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
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UNDER A TRANSFER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE CERTIFICATE COURSE ON CHILD CARE WORK NOW BEING RUN BY THE POLYTECHNIC WOULD BE TAKEN OVER BY THE INSTITUTE IN SEPTEMBER.
+ THE INSTITUTE WILL TAKE OVER THE TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE ON CHILD CARE WORK WHICH CATERS FOR IN-SERVICE WORKERS IN CHILD CARE CENTRES,* MR NG SAID.
THE TRANSFER WILL BE COMPLETED WITH THE OPERATION OF A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME CERTIFICATE COURSE ON CHILD CARE WORK AT LEE WAI LEE IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
INCLUDING THE TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME CERTIFICATE COURSE ON CARE OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN NOW OFFERED, LEE WAI LEE BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 160 PLACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN CHILD CARE SERVICES.
THE MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO THE COURSE ON CARE OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IS COMPLETION OF FORM 3. APPLICANTS MUST BE AGED 16 OR OVER.
FOR THE COURSE ON CHILD CARE WORK, THE MINIMUM ENTRY QUALIFICATION IS FIVE SUBJECTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION WITH GRADE E,OR ABOVE INCLUDING CHINESE LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B).
+THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE POST-FORM 3 CHILD CARE COURSE IS OVERWHELMING WITH ABOUT 25 APPLICANTS COMPETING FOR ONE PLACE SINCE THE COURSE STARTED IN NOVEMBER 1980,+ MR NG SAID.
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HK-EEC TALKS CONTINUE NEXT WEEK * * * *
THE FIRST FORMAL ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC) ON A BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT TO SUCCEED THE CURRENT AGREEMENT WHICH EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31, 1986 TOOK PLACE IN BRUSSELS FROM JULY 7 TO 9.
THE HONG KONG TEAM WAS LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, NR HAMISH MACLEOD. THE EEC TEAM WAS LED BY MR JEAN-PIERRE LENG, THE EEC’S CHIEF TEXTILES NEGOTIATOR.
AT THE END OF THE TALKS, A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG NEGOTIATING TEAM IN BRUSSELS ANNOUNCED THAT A SECOND ROUND WOULD BEGIN ON JULY 17, ALSO IN BRUSSELS.
/COMMENTING ON .......
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
6 -
COMMENTING ON THE TALKS, HE SAID THAT WHILE SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, MUCH REMAINED TO BE DONE. THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONDUCTED IN FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE, AND THERE WAS A PRELIMINARY DISCUSS ION-OF POSSIBLE MODEST IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AGREEMENT.
HOWEVER, THE TALKS WERE SLOWED AND COMPLICATED BY EEC PROPOSALS TO ALTER THE PRODUCT COVERAGE OF A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES, MAINLY IN ORDER TO ANTICIPATE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HARMON HEU SYSTEM (A NEW STANDARD CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN WHICH HONG KONG WILL ALSO BE TAKING PART, PLANNED TO TAKE EFFECT IN 1988).
BOTH SIDES AGREED TO WORK TOGETHER AT THE TECHNICAL LEVEL BETWEEN ROUNDS TO ACHIEVE AN AGREED BASIS OF CALCULATION FOR THE PROPOSED CATEGORY CHANGES. THIS WOULD THEN PROVIDE A SOUND BASIS ON WHICH TO EVALUATE THE EEC’S OFFER, WHICH HONG KONG MADE CLEAR DID NOT MEET HONG KONG’S REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS, PARTICULARLY BEARING IN MIND HONG KONG’S OPEN MARKET AND ITS DECLINING SHARE IN THE EEC MARKET.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL REMAIN IN BRUSSELS BETWEEN THE TWO ROUNDS. AS THE EEC’S PROPOSALS SUCH AS THOSE ON RE-CATEGORISATION ARE COMPLEX AND COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S TRADE, THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD (TEXTAB) WILL JOIN THE DELEGATION IN BRUSSELS.
THIS WOULD FACILITATE CONSULTATIONS, AND ENABLE THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON THE SPOT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF TEXTAB, MR E.P. HO, WILL ARRIVE IN BRUSSELS ON JULY 16.
IT IS NOT YET CLEAR WHETHER IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO FINISH THE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE TIME AVAILABLE, PROBABLY ONLY JULY 17 TO 19, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTINUING THE ROUND IN AUGUST-SEPTEMBER HAS BEEN LEFT OPEN, TO BE RE-ASSESSED IN THE LIGHT OF PROGRESS.
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DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR TRADE RETURNS
X K M M
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF SHIPMENT RETURNS FROM EXPORTERS FOR QUOTA AND ENTITLEMENT ALLOCATION FOR GARMENTS (INCLUDING SWEATERS) OF SILK BLEND AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRE HAS BEEN EXTENDED FROM JULY 12 TO JULY 16.
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ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXTENSION WAS TO GIVE EXPORTERS MORE TIME TO PREPARE THEIR RETURNS.
/THE SPOKESMAN
THUBSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
7
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF QUOTA ALLOCATION FOR NEW RESTRAINTS, THE 1986 AND 1987 .QUOTA AND ENTITLEMENT ALLOCATION FOR GARMENTS OF SILK BLEND AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRE, SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC LIMIT OR EXPORT AUTHORISATION, WOULD BE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF SHIPMENTS MADE DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 21, 1985 TO FEBRUARY 20, 1986.
♦EXPORTERS ARE ACCORDINGLY INVITED TO SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT RETURNS SHOWING THEIR COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF SHIPMENTS EFFECTED DURING THE PERIOD TOGETHER WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO PROVE SHIPMENT DATES, THAT IS SHIPMENT INVOICES, PACKING LISTS AND BILLS OF LADING AND SO ON.
+IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EXPORTERS TO PROVE THEIR SHIPMENT DATES WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION IN THIS REGARD MAY RESULT IN DELAY OF THEIR QUOTA ALLOCATIONS,* HE SAID. _ ___ _
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CONTRACTORS, WORKERS URGED
TO OBSERVE SAFETY RULES X X
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS OF THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH WORKING IN CAISSONS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ACCIDENTS OFTEN OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS BEING TAKEN AGAINST THE PRESENCE OF NOXIOUS FUMES OR OXYGEN DEFICIENCY IN THE AIR INSIDE CAISSONS.
THIS WARNING FOLLOWED AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THREE WORKERS WERE KILLED IN A CAISSON ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE.
♦ALTHOUGH THERE ARE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE SAFETY PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN WORKING IN A CONFINED SPACE SUCH AS A CAISSON, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANAGEMENT, THE SUPERVISORS AS WELL AS THE WORKERS THEMSELVES TO OBSERVE THESE PROCEDURES AND TO MAINTAIN A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADVISED THE MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORS TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS BEFORE ALLOWING A WORKER TO ENTER AND WORK IN A CAISSON:
X TAKE EFFECTIVE STEPS TO PREVENT ANY INGRESS TO THE CAISSON OF DANGEROUS FUMES’
X REMOVE FROM THE CAISSON ANY SLUDGE OR OTHER DEPOSIT LIABLE TO GIVE OFF DANGEROUS FUMES 5
/* TEST FOB........
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
8
* TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF DANGEROUS FUMES-, AND
* VENTILATE THE CAISSON AND PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FRESH AIR FOR RESPIRATION.
AS FOR WORKERS, THEY MUST HAVE THE AUTHORISATION OF THE CONTRACTORS-PROPRIETORS BEFORE ENTERING ANY CAISSON. HE MUST ALSO 'WEAR AN APPROVED BREATHING APPARATUS AND A SAFETY BELT WITH A ROPE SECURELY ATTACHED TO IT. THE FREE END OF THE ROPE SHOULD BE HELD BY ANOTHER PERSON OUTSIDE THE CAISSON WHO IS CAPABLE OF CALLING FOR ASSISTANCE RAPIDLY IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID EQUIPMENT AND TRAINED PERSONNEL SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE FOR RESCUE PURPOSES AT ALL TIMES WHEN A PERSON IS INSIDE A CAISSON.
+THE EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE SHOULD INCLUDE ADDITIONAL SETS OF BREATHING APPARATUS, LIFELINES AND REVIVING APPARATUS AND OXYGEN,+ HE SAID.
+THE PROVISION OF A PORTABLE EMERGENCY ALARM WITHIN REACH OF THE PERSON ATTENDING THE LIFELINE IS ALSO RECOMMENDED.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CONFINED SPACES) REGULATIONS LAY DOWN THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS TO GUARD AGAINST HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH CONFINED SPACES.
CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS ARE URGED TO OBSERVE THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES ANY OF THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50 000 ON CONVICTION.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT IS CONTAINED IN TWO BOOKLETS PUBLISHED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, +A GUIDE TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CONFINED SPACES) REGULATIONS-*-AmD +SAFETY GUIDE TO WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES-*-, AVAILABLE FREE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S BRANCH OFFICES.
- - c - -
TENANTS SOUGHT FOR TWO SITES * * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR SHORT TERM TENANCIES ON IWO SITES AT CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION AND TSUEN WAN.
THE SITE ON THE RECLAMATION, OFF FAT TSEUNG STREET, MEASURES ABOUT 7 500 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PARKING AReA FOR TRUCKS EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES.
THE TENANCY FOR THIS SITE IS TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY THEREAFTER.
/THE CLOSING
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
THE- CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS . NOON ON JULY 25. ♦
THE OTHER LOT, AT SAI LAU KOK ROAD, MEASURES ABOUT 1 650 ■jUARE METRES. IT IS FOtf A CONTRACTOR’S DEPOT OFFICE AND FOR TOR ING GOODS, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR 18 MONTHS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY
thereafter, the closing date for this tender is noon on august i.
-------0 --------
CH inese-style garden for fanling
* * *
A major recreation area with a ch inese-style garden and an ornamental lake is to be built on a 1.5-HECTARE site to the EAST OF CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING, AT A COST OF SA.3 MILLION.
THE NINE-MONTH CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO LEE YICK KEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THERE WILL BE THREE PAVILIONS, REST GARDENS, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS, ARBOURS, BENCHES AND PLANTERS.
THE SITE WILL BE INTENSIVELY LANDSCAPED AND PLANTED WITH SHRUBS, TREES AND FLOWERS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT HAS STARTED.
-----0------
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT GOOD HEALTH
* * * *
THE FIFTH YOUNG HEALTH LEADERS TRAINING COURSE ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL START NEXT MONDAY (JULY 14).
PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S TRAINING EVENT WILL BE 253 UPPER FORM STUDENT^ FROM 38 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN.
THE YOUNG HEALTH LEADERS TRAINING COURSE IS DESIGNED TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE, SO THAT THEY CAN HELP TO PROPAGATE THE HEALTH MESSAGE AMONG FELLOW STUDENTS AND FRIENDS AS PEER COUNSELLORS, AS WELL AS TO INFLUENCE PARENTS AND RELATIVES.
/THE TRAILING .......
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
10 -
THE TRAINING COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRE.
THE WEEK-LONG PROGRAMME INCLUDES SEMINARS ON HEALTH EOUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL CHANGE DURING PUBERTY, S-X EDUCATION, IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION AND EXERCISE AND THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION.
GROUP DISCUSSIONS, PRACTICAL TRAINING AND VISITS TO MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS WILL BE ARRANGED. OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE FILM, VIDEO AND SLIDE SHOWS.
SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE YOUNG HEALTH LEADERS TRAINING COURSE PROGRAMME IN 1983, MORE THAN 518 SECONDARY STUDENTS HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE ANNUAL EVENT.
ON COMPLETING THE PROGRAMME, THESE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN FULFILLING THEIR DUTIES AS YOUNG HEALTH LEADERS, ENGAGING IN VARIOUS HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS ASSISTING IN THE PRODUCTION OF HEALTH EDUCATION MATERIALS AND TAKING PART IN HEALTH EXHIBITION AND CARNIVALS.
-----o------
CENTRAL-WESTERN PROGRAMME OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES ANNOUNCED
******
MORE THAN 500 ITEMS OF RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED AT A COST OF MORE THAN 3500 000 FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
ABOUT 60 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL TAKE PART IN THESE ACTIVITIES INVOLVING NEARLY 200 VENUES IN THE DISTRICT AN^ IN OTHER DISTRICTS.
DETAILS OF THE ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) WERE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHUNG-YING.
A TWO-HOUR VARIETY SHOW AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL ON SUNDAY (JULY 13) WILL LAUNCH THIS YEAR’S SYP IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
THE SHOW WILL START AT 2 PM AND FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY ARTISTES AND DISC-JOCKEYS FROM RADIO STATIONS, BRASS BAND MUSIC, LION DANCE, SINGING, DANCING AND STALL GAMES.
MR WOMG SAID THE TWO-MONTH-LONG PROGRAMME WOULD PROVIDE HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT, AS WELL AS FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
/OF THE
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
OF TME 5550 000 TO 3E SPENT ON THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME, 3190 000'WAS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WHILE SOME $160 000 CAME FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS.
MR WONG SAID THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS, AND THE MORE THAN 60 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME.
COPIES OF A BOOKLET CONTAINING THE TIME-TABLE AND DETAILS OF THE NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND OFFICE., OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICES.
OFFICIATING AT SUNDAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHUNG-YING, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SYP OPENING CEREMONY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR YAU YUK-TAK, AND 11 VICE-CHAIRMEN Or THE SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT.
- 0 - -
COMMITTEE REACHES OUT TO YOUTH ORGANISATIONS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH VISITED TWO ORGANISATIONS TODAY (THURSDAY) TO GAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON YOUTH WORK.
LED BY CHAIRMAN, MRS ROSANNA TAM, UNOFFICIAL AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE FIRST ARRIVED AT THE CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE AT 2.30 PM.
THEY WERE MET BY THE CO-ORDINATOR OF GROUP AND COMMUNITY, MRS TERESA LAM, WHO BRIEFED THEM ON THE WORK AND FUNCTION OF THE CENTRE, IN PARTICULAR, THE WORK OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE.
DURING THE VISIT, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ALSO EXCHANGED VIEWS ON YOUTH WORK WITH CENTRE STAFF.
/THE PARTY
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
12
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN POKFULAM WHERE THEY SAW RECREATIONAL AND TRAINING FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE CENTRE FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF SIMILAR PROGRAMMES LAUNCHED BY THE COMMITTEE TO REACH OUT TO RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS.
IN THE COMING THREE MONTHS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL VISIT A NUMBER OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES, THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE LAI KING CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL, AND THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP.
THE VISITS WILL PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH INVALUABLE INFORMATION ON YOUTH WORK AND ASSIST THEM IN STUDYING THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY AND IN PROMOTING YOUTH ACTIVITIES.
------0 - - - -
OPEN DAY TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH *****
TUEN MUN RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO SEE THREE REHABILITATION SERVICE UNITS IN THE DISTRICT AND DEVELOP A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE EX-MENTALLY ILL.
AN OPEN DAY, ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN AD HOC COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH, WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JULY 12) AT THE NEW LIFE FARM, THE TUEN MUN HOSTEL AND THE TUEN MUN SOCIAL CLUB FROM 10 AM TO 4.30 PM.
THE NEW LIFE FARM IS AN AGRICULTURE WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL F0» THE EX-MENTALLY ILL WHILE THE OTHERS ARE A HALF-WAY HOUSE AND A SOCIAL CENTRE, ALSO FOR THE EX-MENTALLY ILL.
THE OPEN DAY IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF A FOUR-MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN MAY BY THE COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO EDUCATE RESIDENTS ON THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH.
THE AD HOC COMMITTEE COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND WELFARE AGENCIES.
TO DATE. A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS, TALKS AND SEMINARS
HAVE BEEN HELD IN THE DISTRICT WITH THEMES VARYING FROM +HELPING THE EX-MENTALLY ILL TO INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY* TO + THE SOCIAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO MENTAL ILLNESS*.
-----0------
/1J........
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
SUMMER YOUTH FUN BEG I NS "*WI TH CARNIVAL * * *
ABOUT 2 '33 YOUNG RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TREATED TO A FREE CARNIVAL IN THE TUEN M'JN TOWN PARK THIS SATURDAY (JULY 12) TJ USHER IN THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE 12 GAMES STALLS SET UP BY THE SCOUTS AND GUIDES IN THE DISTRICT TO PROMOTE THE THEME OF THE PROGRAMME - +CARE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, GET TO KNOW IT BETTER+.
AN OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE'"CARN IVAL BEGINS.
THE OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE CHA-I RMAN OF THE PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR SO SIU-SHING? ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDWARD YAU AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT.
MORE THAN 400 SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED BY 28 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE ACTIVITIES ARE FUNDED WITH A DONATION OF <5160 000 BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND AN ALLOCATION OF $70 003 BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CARNIVAL AND THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 3.30 PM IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN PARK ON SATURDAY.
-------0----------
SEED PLANTING STARTS TSUEN WAN PROGRAMME
* X *
ABOUT 500 STUDENTS IN TSUEN WAN WILL TAKE PART IN A SEED PLANTING AND ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT EXERCISE AT TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK ON SATURDAY (JULY 12) TO LAUNCH THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHAU HO«-CnEN, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ANGUS' MIU, AND'THE COUNTRY PARKS MANAGEMENT OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, NR YEUNG KA-KU I, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
/MORE THAN .......
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
i’-'ORE THAN 170 ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CAMPING, EXCURSIONS, GAMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, a ILL BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT DURING SUMMER.
BESIDES SUPPORTING THE CENTRAL THEME OF +CARE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY GET TO KNO* IT BETTER*, THE ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO EE GEAnc TO THE DISTRICT'S OBJECTIVES OF DEVELOPING TSUEN WAN AND NURTU,-. I vo THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
AS PART OF THE OPENING CEREMONY T? LAUNCH THE PROGRAMME,_ A CARNIVAL WILL EE HELD IN THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND ON SAiJRu.aY AFTERNOON, FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM.
THE CARNIVAL vV ILL FEATURE GAMES STALLS, A FLOWER DISPLAY AND MURAL PAINTING BY STUDENTS.
THE PAINTINGS WILL LATER EE DISPLAYED IN AND AROUND THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PAR* AT 9.30 AM ON SATURDAY AND THE CARNIVAL TO BE HELD FROM 2 PM AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
A COACH TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK wIlL LEAVE THE CARPARK OF THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE AT TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN AT 9 AM.
0 - -
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP STARTS SATURDAY * * * * *
THE 1936 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WILL AGAIN BE HELD THIS YEAR AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG FROM JULY 12 TO 27.
ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, THE CAMP HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1980 PROVIDING INTENSIVE TRAINING TO YOUNG MUSICIANS IN A SUMMER CAMP ATMOSPHERE ; DEVELOPING AND ENHANCING THEIR MUSICAL CAPABILITIES; AND FOSTERING INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MUSIC.
/THE CAMP
THURSDAY. JULY 10, 1986
THE. CAMP WILL BE OPENED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ANO EXECUTIVE COUNCILS, MR ALLEN LEE, ON SUNDAY (JULY 13) AT 10 AM.
OVER 200 YOUNG MUSICIANS INCLUDING 13 FROM OVERSEAS WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE CAMP WHICH COMPRISES A CHINESE ORCHESTRA, A STRING ORCHESTRA AND A SYMPHONIC BAND.
AN MSB SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DURING THE TWO-WEEK CAMP, YOUNG CAMPERS WILL RECEIVE INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE FROM GUEST MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, JAPAN, KOREA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM AS WEI... AS FROM LOCAL MUSICIANS,
THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE A VARIETY OF TRAINING BY TAKING TART IN ORCHESTRAL AND SECTIONAL REHEARSALS, MASTER CLASSES AND DEMONSTRATION CONCERTS.
IN ADDITION, A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE ARRANGED TO PROVIDE A BALANCED PROGRAMME FCR CAMPERS.
THE CAMP, SITUATED HAS BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE
IN A SCENIC FIVE-HECTARE AREA OF SA I KUNG, THIRD YEAR RUNNING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1986 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE FROM OUTSIDE THE YMCA, HANKOW ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, BY 8.30 AM ON SUNDAY.
-------o ---------
KOWLOON CITY YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS SUNDAY । * K
A CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AND A CARNIVAL WILL START THIS YEAR’S KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT THE KO SHAN ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH ON SUNDAY (JULY 13).
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTED.
WITH $229 000 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN AELE TO ORGANISE 231 ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
/ABOUT 10 000
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986
- 16 -
ABOUT 10 000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE HELD UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS ♦CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY, GETTING TO KNOw IT BETTER*.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, YOUNG PEOPLE CAN SHARPEN THEIR CIVIC AWARENESS, wIDEN THEIR HORIZONS AND DEVELOP THEIR CONFIDENCE, THUS PREPARING THEMSELVES TO BECOME A GOOD CITIZEN IN THE COMMUNITY.
THESE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE CAMPAIGNS, OUTINGS, VISITS TO NEEDY PEOPLE, SEMINARS, GAMES, SPORTS, PERFORMANCES AND TRA IN ING COURSES.
A PAMPHLET LISTING DETAILED INFORMATION OF THE ACTIVITIES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE IN KAU PUI LUNG ROAD AND ITS TWO SUB-OFFICES IN BULKERLEY STREET AND HO MAN TIN ESTATE.
THE HIGHLIGHT IN SUNDAY’S OPENING CEREMONY wILL BE A 20-METRE BY 23-METRE CHESS MAT WHICH CONTAINS 71 SQUARES AND 20 OF THEM ARE THE DOS AND DON’TS THAT A GOOD CITIZEN SHOULD OBSERVE.
THE CHESS MAT GAME, +CIVIC EDUCATION RACING TRACK*, IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR CIVIC DUTIES.
OTHER PROGRAMMES ON THE DAY INCLUDE 40 DISPLAY BOARDS, SEVEN GAMES STALLS AND AN EIGHT-METRE-TALL INFLATABLE ELEPHANT, ALL DESIGNED TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION.
FREE COUPONS FOR THE GAME STALLS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS TWO SUB-OFFICES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SUNDAY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM, KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG, DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR NG KAI-KIN, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR WU SHING-SHUEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AND THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT 4.30 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE KO SHAN ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH, TO KWA WAN.
------0-------
/17
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1986
17
DESIGN WORK BY STUDENTS ON DISPLAY
X X X X *
OVER 503 DESIGN PROJECTS MADE BY GRADUATES OF THE DESIGN DEPARTMENT OF THE LEE WA I LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE 1986 DESIGN EXHIBITION.
AN ARRAY OF STUDENTS’ PROJECTS RANGING FROM GRAPHIC DESIGN, PRODUCT DESIGN, JEWELLERY DESIGN, INTERIOR DESIGN TO WINDOW DISPLAY WILL BE ON EXHIBITION.
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT 6 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, AND MR LEE WAI-LEE, AN INDUSTRIALIST WHO HAS DONATED TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT KOWLOON TONG.
THE EXHIBITION AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOw BLOCK, CITY HALL, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAY (JULY 12) FROM 9.30 AM TO 7 PM AND ON SUNDAY (JULY 13) FROM 9.30 AM TO 6 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE 1986 DESIGN EXHIBITION AT 6 PM TOMORROW AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL. . . . -v -
— - -------* —-
-------0---------
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENTS
*****
tup PNVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD SiLL MEE? ¥oMORRoi (FRIDAY) TO CONSIDER PROPOSED SQUATTER ?RE$ IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DECIDE ON THE PRIORITY FOR THE PROVISION OF MORE HYGIENE FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
atued items TH RF DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A IMPROVEMENT TO A DRINAGE CHANNEL IN PING CHE, TA KWU LING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT cwHiTTEE^eTureo? the north district tomorrow at 2 TO PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTKICI uri-ict, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT.
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/18...........................................
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1936
18
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGE IN CAINE ROAD
* X X * it
TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY CF CAINE ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 34 AND 48 AND BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 102 AND 126 WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY Id).
WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.
THE MEASURE
DURING SECTIONS OF TRAFF IC.
THE CLOSURE, THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THESE TWO CAINE ROAD wILL BE CONVERTED TO ONE LANE TWO-WAY
DRIVERS ON BONHAM ROAD HEADING FOR CENTRAL SHOULD USE SEYMOUR ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD. ___
-----0------
MOUNT PARKER ROAD PLB RESTRICTION X X X X
THE SECTION OF MOUNT PARKER ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 17 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 12).
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY, NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUS WILL BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR RECEIVES KEY TO SAN FRANCISCO .......... 1
SHIPPING REPORT FOR 1985 RELEASED ............... 2
QUOTA TRANSFER RULES TEMPORARILY RELAXED ........ 4
NEW CHAIRMAN, MEi.BERS FOxi EPCOM................ 4
FINAL PHASE OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR PLANNED .. 5
CODE FOR eRIVaTE HOKcS FOR ELDERLY TO ENSURE
STANDARDS ..................................... 6
FORD LOOKS OVER POST OFFICE OPERATIONS .......... 7
CYC TO SHOW THE FLaG AT EXPO..................... 8
NEW MEMBER APPOINTED TO TUEN MUN DB ............. 9
ADDITIONAL DEGREE COURSES INTROUDUCED ........... 9
PRESSING NEED FOR CIVIC EDUCATION................ 10
MANAGEMENT CONTROL OF UNION BANK ................ 11
FURTHER action of finance firm .................. 12
MORAL EDUCATION A RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL......... 12
VARIETY oHOW TO LAUNCH SHAM SHUI PO SYP.......... 1$
TaX RELIEF FOR DONATIONS......................... 14
RIGHT-TURN BAN IN SHA TIN STREET ................ 14
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
1
GOVERNOR RECEIVES KEY TO SAN FRANCISCO *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WAS PRESENTED WITH THE KEY TO SAN, FRANCISCO TWO HOURS AFTER HIS ARRIVAL FROM HONG KONG ON CATHAY PACIFIC’S INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO THE CITY.
PRESENTING THE KEY, MAYOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN DECLARED THE START OF HONG KONG WEEK AND DREW ATTENTION TO THE MANY CLOSE LINKS BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ECONOMICALLY EXPANDING
PACIFIC RIM.
WHILE NOTING SAN FRANCISCO’S HEALTHY EMPLOYMENT RATE, SHE SAID THE STRENGTH OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WAS REFLECTED IN ITS VIRTUAL FULL EMPLOYMENT.
SHE LOOKED FORWARD TO DEVELOPING EVEN WIDER TRADE TIES IN THE FUTURE.
IN THANKING THE MAYOR FOR HER WARM WELCOME, SIR EDWARD ALSO TALKED OF THE INCREASING BUSINESS, COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL TIES WHICH ENRICHED EACH CITY’S ECONOMIES AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS.
+THE WATERS OF THE PACIFIC, AND THE AIRSPACE ABOVE IT, SERVE NOT TO DIVIDE US, BUT TO PROVIDE BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN US,+ HE SAID.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY IN THE MAYOR’S OFFICE AT CITY HALL WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF CATHAY PACIFIC, MR MICHAEL MILES, WHO PRESENTED A TICKET TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION, MR BRAYTON WILBUR, AS SPONSORSHIP OF THE ORCHESTRA’S 1988 TOUR OF SIX CITIES IN THE FAR EAST, INCLUDING HONG KONG.
LATER ATTENDED A LUNCH HOSTED BY PRESENTED HIM WITH A REDWOOD THE SHORES OF THE BAY.
LION DANCE AND MUSIC PLAYED BY FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
THE INAUGURAL FLIGHT WERE MR AND SIR MICHAEL SANDBERG DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL,
SIR EDWARD AND LADY YOUDE MR WILBUR AND MAYOR FEINSTEIN WHO MODEL OF A HARBOUR SEAL COMMON TO
GUESTS WERE ENTERTAINED BY A THE HONG KONG POLICE BAND AND SAN
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR ON
MRS MILES, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG BANK AND LADY SANDBERG, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TRADE
MISS LYDIA DUNN.
HONG KONG WEEK, WHICH WILL BE LAUNCHED IN UNION SQUARE BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE MAYOR THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING, IS BEING CO-SPONSORED BY CATHAY PACIFIC, THE HONGKONG BANK, THE TDC AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, OF WHICH MR MILES IS ALSO CHAIRMAN.
----- . 0-------- -
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
2
SHIPPING REPORT FOR 1985 RELEASED
*****
LAST YEAR, 13 076 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 76.6 MILLION NRT (NET REGISTERED TONS) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT IN NUMBER AND OF 11 PER CENT IN CAPACITY OVPR 1984 ACCORDING TO THE 1985 ANNUAL REPORT ON + HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS* PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DURING THE YEAR, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM SAMPLED MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT. WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+676), DRY BULK CARRIERS (+218), ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF VESSELS (+163) AND SEMI-CONTAINER VESSELS (+114), WHILE THE NUMBER OF OIL TANKERS DECLINED (-97).
INCREASES IN NUMBER WERE NOTED FOR SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+473), PANAMA (+436), THE PHILIPPINES (+130) AND TAIWAN (+85); BUT A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SINGAPOREAN SHIPS (-72). THE NUMBER OF SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10 000 DWT INCREASED (+1 070).
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 13 047 OUTGOING SHIPS, WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 76.6 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1 331 (OR 11 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 11 PER CENT IN CAPACITY OVER 1984. THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED IN HONG KONG ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM SAMPLED MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 13 PER CENT. ABOUT 67 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 86 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE REPRESENTED IMPORTS AND 14 PER CENT TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 57 PER CENT WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING RE-EXPORTS) AND 43 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE JAPAN (18 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (15 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (11 PER CENT), CHINA (10 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (10 PER CENT), WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE U.S. (20 PER CENT), CHINA (19 PER CENT), TAIWAN (13 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (6 PER CENT).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN THE U.S. (29 PER CENT) AND CHINA (26 PER CENT); AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN CHINA (24 PER CENT) AND THE U.S. (14 PER CENT).
/COMPARING .......
If If
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
3
COMPARING 1985 WITH 1984, INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR IMPORTS FROM CANADA (+94 PER CENT)iffTHE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA ( + 56 PER CENT) AND SOUTH KOREA (^-53 PER CENT)-< BUT A DECLINE WAS RECORDED FOR IMPORTS FROM CHINA (-17 PER CENT).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 9 PER CENT. AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORTS OF INORGANIC CHEMICALS (+96 PER CENT), LOGS AND TIMBER (+43 PER CENT), COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (+36 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (+25 PER CENT) AND CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKER (+23 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE NOTED FOR THE IMPORTS OF'CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (-8 PER CENT) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AMP RELATED MATERIALS (-8 PER CENT).
”1
DURING 1985, THE TONNAGE OF TOTAL SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 7vPER CENT. INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED fOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (+83 PER CENT), MACAU (+27 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+7 PER C?ENT)» BUT DECREASES WERE NOTED FOR EXPORTS TO INDONESIA (-32 PER CENT) AND AUSTRALIA (-19 PER CENT).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, INCREASES WERE NOTED FOR EXPORTS OF INORGANIC CHEMICALS (+212 PER CENT), GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER, MATER IALS, N.E.S. (+78 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (+37 PER CENT) AND CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKERS (+26 PER CENT). HOWEVER, THE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS DECLINED (-21 PER CENT).
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPOWNERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING THE STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR 1935 ARE CONTAINED IN THE +HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS* REPORT FO» 1985, ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT S19 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, AT 5-452701 AND 5-455422.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
/4
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
4
QUOTA TRANSFER RULES TEMPORARILY RELAXED
*****
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A TEMPORARY RELAXATION OF QUOTA TRANSFER RULES WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THE DEPARTMENT FEELS THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MODIFIED AND EXTENDED U.S.-HK TEXTILE AGREEMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF A TEXTILE YEAR MAY PRESENT ADJUSTMENT DIFFICULTIES TO THE TRADE.
TO FACILITATE THE SETTLING DOWN PROCESS THE DEPARTMENT, ON THE ADVICE OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, HAS INTRODUCED THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY MEASURES FOR APPLICATION IN 1986 ONLY:
* IN RESPECT OF NEW NON-MFA QUOTA CATEGORIES FOR THE U.S. MARKET, TO PLACE A LIMIT OF 50 PER CENT ON TEMPORARY TRANSFERS ON A CATEGORY BASIS » AND
* IN RESPECT OF MFA QUOTA CATEGORIES, TO RELAX THAT PART OF EXISTING RULES REGARDING THE LIMIT OF TEMPORARY TRANSFERS BY REVISING THE EXISTING 35 PER CENT TO 50 PER CENT.
WHILE THE RELAXATION OF THE TEMPORARY TRANSFER LIMIT IS PRIMARILY RELEVANT TO THE U.S. MARKET, THE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO APPLY IT TO ALL MARKETS, IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE UNIFORMITY OF QUOTA TRANSFER RULES.
ALL OTHER PARTS Of THE QUOTA TRANSFER RULES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY IN FORCE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AND CONTINUE IN FORCE.
THESE TEMPORARY MEASURES ARE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE REVIEW OF QUOTA TRANSFER RULES WHICH, AS HAS ALREADY BEEN ANNOUNCED BY THf DEPARTMENT, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1986 TO DETERMINE WHETHER EXISTING RULES SHOULD CONTINUE, OR BE REVISED, IN 1987 ONWARDS.
A NOTICE TO EXPORTERS WILL BE ISSUED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO EXPLAIN THE TEMPORARY MEASURES IN GREATER DETAIL TO THE TRADJL.
NEW CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS FOR EPCOM
*****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED DR DAVID J. JOHNS AS CHAIRMAN AND 15 OTHER PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AS MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
DR JOHNS, DIRECTOR OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, TAKES OVER FROM MR H.M.G. FORSGATE AS CHAIRMAN OF EPCOM.
HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE SINCE JULY 1, 1984 AND IS A member OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
/IN ANNOUNCING
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
- 5 -
IN ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENT OF DR JOHNS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR N.C.L. SHIPMAN, PRAISED MR FORSGATE FOR HIS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN HONG KONG. MR FORSGATE HAD SERVED ON EPCOM AND ITS FORERUNNERS SINCE 1974 AND HAD BEEN EPCOM’S CHAIRMAN SINCE 1981.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS DR HENRIETTA IP AND DR DANIEL TSE, WHO HAVE BEEN SERVING ON THE COMMITTEE, WERE JOINED BY THEIR LEGCO COUNTERPARTS, MR H.K. CHENG AND PROFESSOR C.K. POON, FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
OTHER MEMBERS WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE ARE PROFESSOR BRIAN MORTON OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR S.L. WAN OF THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION, DR K.W. FUNG, SAFETY OFFICER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND DR ALBERT C. P. CHEUNG, WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER.
THREE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED ON THE NOMINATION OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION. THEY ARE MR S.H. SUNG, DR PHILIP LAI AND MR STAN H.Y. FUNG RESPECTIVELY.
FOUR NEW MEMBERS JOINING EPCOM ARE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER AND URBAN COUNCILLOR DR RONALD LEUNG, REGIONAL COUNCILLOR ER H.T. PANG, SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR MR K.w LAU, AND A CONSULTING ENGINEER, MR ANTHONY VAIL.
THE SECRETARY OF EPCOM IS THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (POLLUTION). GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN PERMANENT ATTENDANCE AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETINGS ARE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
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FINAL PHASE OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR PLANNED
******
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO GO AHEAD WITH BUILDING PART OF THE FINAL SECTION OF THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR ON HONG KONG ISLAND. .
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR ON AN 800—METRE-LONG SECTION OF DUAL, TWO-LANE DISTRIBUTOR ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL BETWEEN PAK CHAI WAN AND THE INTERCHANGE AT WING TAI ROAD.
THE 'STRETCH OF ROAD WOULD EVENTUALLY JOIN UP WITH FURTHER SECTIONS OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR RUNNING WESTWARDS TO SHAU KEI WAN AND EASTWARDS TO CHAI WAN. THESE ARE EITHER UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR WORK IS DUE TO START ON THEM EARLY NEXT YEAR.
/BESIDES THE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
6
^STALLED ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE WORK WOULD TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
SITE FORMATION WORK IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISLAND EASTERN
AGO.
THE THIRD AND FINAL STAGE IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN THE LATE 1980'S.
OBJECTIONS TO THE LATEST PROPOSED PROJECT SHOULD BE SENT
TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY SEPTEMBER 9^
-------0---------
CODE FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR ELDERLY TO ENSURE STANDARDS * * * * *
A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) AT A MEETING THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE AIM OF THE CODE IS TO PROVIDE OPERATORS OF THESE HOMES WITH SOME GUIDANCE ON THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE.
THE MEETING WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT THE CODE OF PRACTICE MUST BE PRACTICABLE, AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE PROVISIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF RESIDENTS.
THE COMMITTEE FELT THE CODE OF PRACTICE ISSUED FOR VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WOULD BE A GOOD FIRST STEP IN SECURING ADEQUATE STANDARDS OF CARE. A REVIEW WOULD BE CARRIED OUT AFTER A YEAR TO DETERMINE WHETHER STRONGER MEASURES ARE REQUIRED.
THE CODE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH AT A LATER DATE, AND COPIES WILL BE SENT TO ALL IDENTIFIED OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
STAFF FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE WITH THEIR LIAISON VISITS TO THE HOMES AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN TQ THE OPERATORS THE DETAILS OF THE CODE.
THE SWAC ALSO ACCEPTED A PROPOSAL TO RECOVER SURPLUSES ACCUMULATED IN WELFARE AGENCIES’ SUBVENTION RESERVE ACCOUNTS UP TO AND INCLUDING 1984-85 WHICH AMOUNTED TO OVER $38 MILLION.
/SWAC CONLIDBHED .......
FHIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
SWAC CONSIDERED THAT THIS SUM SHALL BE SPENT ON IMPROVING CURRENT STANDARDS OF SERVICES, BUT IN VIEW OF THE RECURRENT IMPLICATIONS ON THE ONE-LINE VOTE, EXPENDITURE SHOULD BE SPREAD OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
THE MEETING ALSO DECIDED TO FORM A SUB-COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE PRIORITIES IN ALLOCATING THE FUNDS.
THE SUBVENTIONS AND LOTTERIES FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE CONSULTED ON INDIVIDUAL ALLOCATIONS TO AGENCIES.
SWAC ALSO CONSIDERED THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE SOCIAL WORKERS GENERAL UNION OVER THE EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS OF SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES. THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT ESTIMATED DEMAND IN 1986-87 IS LIKELY TO BE 200 AGAINST AN ESTIMATED SUPPLY OF 14-3, AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THOSE GRADUATES WHO JOINED OTHER PROFESSIONS, AND WASTAGE FIGURES.
ON THIS BASIS, SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES SHOULD HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT IN THE PROFESSION. THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER APPOINTMENTS TO SUITABLE SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.
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FORD LOOKS OVER POST OFFICE OPERATIONS * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR DAVID FORD, VISITED THE POST OFFICE THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING TO HAVE A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND TALK TO ITS STAFF.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR HUGH ARDLEY, MR FOkj FIRST TOURED THE GENERAL POST OFFICE COUNTERS AND THE PHILATELIC CENTRE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE.
THE NEW PHILATELIC CENTRE, LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE WITH ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY FACILITIES, WAS OPENED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE TO PHILATELISTS.
SINCE THE OPENING OF THE CENTRE, ITS PHILATELIC SALES HAVE GONE UP BY 100 PER CENT TO AN AVERAGE OF $10 000 A DAY.
MR FORD THEN CROSSED THE HARBOUR TO THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE AT HUNG HOM, THE LARGEST MAIL HANDLING OFFICE IN HONG KONG.
.vlTH A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 13 660 SQUARE METRES, THE CENTRE HANDLES ALL MAIL ITEMS POSTED IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, OUTWARD AIR AND SURFACE MAIL, AND INCOMING AND OUTGOING SURFACE PARCELS.
0
iitlilAl, vUl,I 11, 1^86
8
17 SrAFF OF OVER 750 AND HANDLES ABOUT 600 000 POSTED
ITEN a E*' > . Y.
•••■ then returned to the general post office for a meeting ■ITh REPR-5ENTATIVES FROM SEVEN STAFF UNIONS OF THE POST OFFICE.
BEr -• .INDING UP HIS VISIT, MR FORD TOURED THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS i--••■-■OH AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, WHERE HE SAW THE FREQUENCY ALLOCAT I COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TELEVISION MONITORING EQUIPMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN DURING THE VISIT WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK LATER TODAY.
-------0---------
CYC TO SHOW THE FLAG AT EXPO
******
TEN OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) MEMBERS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) ASKED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT AND WORK OF THE CYC SCHEME ON BEHALF OF THEIR 170 000 FELLOW MEMBERS WHEN THEY VISIT THE EXPO ’86 IN VANCOUVER.
MR LEUNG WAS SPEAKING AFTER PRESENTING A FLAG TO THE LEADER OF THE CYC DELEGATION AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.
THE TEAM, COMPRISING FIVE GIRLS AND FIVE BOYS, WILL LEAVE FOR CANADA ON SUNDAY (JULY 13) TO TAKE PART IN THE HONG KONG DAY CELEBRATIONS AT EXPO ON JULY 18. THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL BE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THESE CELEBRATIONS.
MR LEUNG TOLD MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION THEY SHOULD TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN THEIR GENERAL OUTLOOK AND TO LEARN FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVICE THAT WAS UNDERTAKEN IN CANADA.
ON THEIR RETURN, THEY SHOULD SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR FELLOW MEMBERS.
THE TOUR WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CYC MERIT AWARD SCHEME WHICH AiMS AT BUILDING UP A STRONG COMMUNITY SPIRIT THROUGH THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION WERE SELECTED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY SERVICE THIS YEAR.
/ThjsY ..............
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
THEY ARE: LEUNG YUN-PONG OF BUDDHIST SIN TAK COLLEGE IN KWAI CHUNG, WONG MAN-CHING OF NT HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, LAU LAI-LIN OF HO TUNG TECHNICAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS IN WAN CHAI, CHAN FUNG OF TSUEN WAN PUBLIC HO CHUEN YIU NEMORIAL COLLEGE, LEE TSUI-CHU OF LOK SIN TONG WONG CHUNG MING SECONDARY SCHOOL IN WONG TAI SIN, CHAN WAI-LIN OF LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL IN YAU MA TEI, LAM YIU-CHUNG OF CARMEL PAK U SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TAI PO, YU YEE-WAH OF HONG KONG TRUE LIGHT COLLEGE IN CENTRAL, TAM KAI-HUNG OF ST JOSEPH’S ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL IN KWUN TONG, AND HO WAI-YIP OF SUNG TSUN MIDDLE SCHOOL IN SAI KUNG.
A CYC ASSISTANT INSPECTOR IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, W PAUL CHAN, WILL ACCOMPANY THE DELEGATION.
------0--------
NEW MEMBER APPOINTED TO TUEN MUN DB
*****
A LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER, MR WONG SHU, HAS BEEN APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 1986 TO MARCH 31, 1983, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR WONG AGED 51, FILLS THE SEAT MADE VACANT BY THE RESIGNATION FROM THE BOARD OF APPOINTED MEMBER MR YAU HON-TIM.
AN ENTREPRENEUR IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN TUEN MUN, MR WONG IS A FOUNDER MEMBER OF BOTH THE TUEN MUN FENCING ASSOCIATION AND THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR. HE IS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE PROMOTION
OF SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE SINCE 1980 AND IS AT PRESENT VICE-CHAIRMAN OF YAN 01 TONG BOARD OF DIRECTORS. _ ____
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ADDITIONAL DEGREE COURSES INTRODUCED
******
HONG KONG STUDENTS STARTING THEIR DEGREE STUDIES IN THE 1986-87 ACADEMIC YEAR WOULD HAVE MORE COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY). '
HE IS REFERRING TO THE RECENT APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR-INCOUNCIL FOR THE FOLLOWING DEGREE COURSES TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR:
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
10
INSTITUTION
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC
CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG
HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE
DEGREE COURSE
BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN BUSINESS STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN BUSINESS STUDIES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE/ BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) IN COMBINED SCIENCES AND BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
FOR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN BUSINESS STUDIES DEGREE COURSE IS AN ADDITION TO THE 11 DEGREE PROGRAMMES THE INSTITUTION IS OFFERING. AS FOR THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG AND FOR THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THEY WILL BE OFFERING COURSES AT THE DEGREE LEVEL.
THE BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONS) IN BUSINESS STUDIES DEGREE COURSE AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WILL BE A THREE-YEAR FULL TIME COURSE. THE ONE AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG WILL BE OFFERED BOTH AS A THREE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE AND AS A SIX-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING COURSE.
THE BACHELOR OF SC IENCE/BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) IN COMBINED SCIENCES AND THE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK WILL BOTH BE OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE AS THREE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSES.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF DEGREE COURSES AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE THERE WILL BE FIVE DEGREE AWARDING INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG.
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PRESSING NEED FOR CIVIC EDUCATION * * * * *
THERE IS A PRESSING NEED FOR PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION aMOac YOUNGSTERS IN HONG KONG SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A DEEPER UNDERSTAND I.. OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND DEVOTE THEMSELVES TO SERVING IT, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SECOND GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE SAI KUNG CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, MR HO SAID HONG KONG WAS NOw AT A STAGE OF POLITICAL REFORM.
♦THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION CAN ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE IX HONG KCNG TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF CIVIC RIGHTS AND
?-ONS IE IL ITIES.+
/HE SAID THE ........
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
11
HE SAID THE SAI KUNG CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL HAD DONE A LOT IN CULTIVATING STUDENTS’ CIVIC AWARENESS AND SOCIAL CONCERNS.
+ IT HAS DECIDED TO SET UP A CIVIC EDUCATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO HELP PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG STUDENTS.
+APART FROM THIS, THE SCHOOL ALSO ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS KINDS OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND COMPETITIONS SO THAT THEY CAN DEVELOP A GOOD HALIT IN LIFE AND NOT GO ASTRAY EASILY,* HE SAID.
THE SAI KUNG CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, COMPLETED IN SEPTE.-.^i 1984, COMBINES EIGHT RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SAI KUNG AND IS T..£ FIRST GOVERNMENT-AIDED CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILT IN THE RURAL AREAS OF HONG KONG.
THE SCHOOL AIMS TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT AND BETTER FACILITIES FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS LIVING IN THE AREAS.
+HOWEVER, AS A PIONEER SCHOOL OF ITS KIND, IT STILL HAS TO FACE AND OVERCOME A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES,* MR HO SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 300 STUDENTS STUDYING IN THE SCHL -. THE EXAMINATION RESULTS LAST YEAR *ERE SATISFACTORY .v I TH 65 ?ER C- T CF STUDENTS ALLOCATED FORM ONE PLACES IN GOVERNMENT-AIDED SCHOOLS.
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MANGAGEMENT CONTROL OF UNION BANK *****
FOLLOWING THE ACQUISITION OF A MAJORITY INTERST IN THE UNION BANK OF HONG KONG LIMITED (UNION BANK) BY MODERN CONCEPTS LIMITED, IN WHICH CHINA MERCHANTS STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY LIMITED HAS A 68 PER CENT INTEREST AND SEARCH INTERNATIONAL LIMITED A 32 PER CENT INTEREST, AND THE APPOINTMENT BY MODERN CONCEPTS LIMITED OF NEW DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OF UNION BANK, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS OF THE OPINION THAT IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR JARDINE FLEMING AND COMPANY LIMITED (JARDINE FLEMING) TO REMAIN IN CONTROL OF AND CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF UNION BANK.
ACCORDINGLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS PURSUANT TO SECTION 17(1) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE RETURNED THE MANAGEMENT CONTROL OF UNION BANK TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH EFFECT FROM SUNDAY (JULY) 13.
SINCE THE ACQUISITION OF A MAJORITY INTEREST BY MODERN CONCEPTS LIMITED, THE BANK’S LIQUIDITY HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED. SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL LINES OF CREDIT HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE AVAILABLE BY THE BANK OF CHINA AND OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BANKS.
/ACCORDINGLY,
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
12
accordingly, the commissioner of BANKING IS SATISFIED that tup LIMP OF CREDIT FROM THE EXCHANGE FUND OF THE HONG KONG GjVERNMENT WHICH WAS UTILISED ONLY ON THE FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER THE TAKEOVER OF THE MANAGEMENT BY JARDINE FLEMING IN MARCH THIS YEAR, IS NO LONGER NECESSARY AND ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD ALSO BE WITHDRAWN WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 13.
THF COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAS EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO JARDINE FLEMING FOR ITS SERVICES FROM MARCH 27, 19G6 WHEN IT ASSUMED CONTROL OF UNION BANK UNDER HIS DIRECTION.___________________
0
FURTHER ACTION ON FINANCE FIRM
* * * *
THE REGISTRATION OF THAI MERCANTILE DEVELOPMENT FINANCE LIMITED WAS SUSPENDED ON JUNE 26, 1986. THERE IS NOW NO AUTHORISED SIGNATORY LEFT IN HONG KONG TO MANAGE THE COMPANY. THE NEw CHIEF EXECUTIVE HAS NOT TURNED UP TO THE OFFICE AS PROMISED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD ALREADY APPOINTED MR Y.K. CHOI TO INSPECT THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY UNDER SECTION 38(2) OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
ON RECEIPT OF HIS REPORT AND AS A MEASURE TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS OF THE COMPANY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS PETITIONED TO THE HIGH COURT FOR THE WINDING UP OF THE THAI MERCANTILE DEVELOPMENT FINANCE LIMITED. THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WAS APPOINTED AS THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR TODAY.
THE PETITION FOR THE WINDING UP OF THAI MERCANTILE DEVELOPMENT FINANCE LIMITED WILL BE HEARD ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1986.
ANY QUERIES REGARDING THE POSITION OF THAI MERCANTILE DEVELOPMENT FINANCE LIMITED SHOULD BE MADE TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT 11TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, £6 QUEENSWAY CENTRAL, AT 5-8622448.
- - - - 0------
MORAL EDUCATION A RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL
*****
MORAL EDUCATION IS EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR SCHOOLS TO PLAY A ROLE IN PROMOTING IT IN CLASSROOM, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF POOL TO MIDDLE SCHOOL, HELD AT BAPTIST CHURCH, MR LEUNG SAID GOOD PERSONAL CONDUCT WAS ONE OF THE VITAL FACTORS IN BUILDING A MEANINGFUL LIFE, A HARMONIOUS AND HAPPY FAMILY AND A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE SOCIETY.
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR LEUNG ADVISED THE GRADUATES TO MAKE USE OF EVERY PRACTICAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE AND THE RIGHT SETS OF VALUES.
MR LEUNG ALSO SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPARED NO EFFORT TO PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
INCENTIVE AND ASSISTANCE HAD BEEN GIVEN TO SCHOOLS DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE ASSISTANCE INCLUDED PUBLICATION OF GENERAL GUIDELINES ON MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND SETTING UP A RELIGIOUS AND ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION IN THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TO CO-ORDINATE MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
ON CURRICULUM, MR LEUNG SAID THREE SEPERATE ISSUES OF MORAL EDUCATION REFERENCE MATERIALS WERE PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS.
■ THE FOURTH AND FIFTH ISSUES OF THE MATERIALS WOULD BE AVAILABLE SOME TIME IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER, HE ADDED.
TO PROMOTE TEACHING STANDARD, SEMINARS AND COURSES ON MORAL EDUCATION, RUN BY THE UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, 'WERE ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS FROM TIME TO TIME, MR LEUNG SAID.
IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF MORAL EDUCATION TEACHING AIDS AND MORAL EDUCATION VISUAL PROJECTS PROVIDED BY VARIOUS SCHOOLS WERE NOW Ow DISPLAY AT THE RELIGIOUS AND ETHICAL EDUCATION RESOURCES CENTRE FOR EASY REFERENCE FOR TEACHERS.
MR LEUNG ALSO SAID THE RELIGI WOULD HOLD AN EXHIBITION ON MORAL GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL HALL, IN 18.
OUS AND ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION EDUCATION AT HO MAN TIN
PERTH STREET, BETWEEN JULY 16 AND
THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION WOULD BE THE +THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD CITIZEN+. SCHOOL CHILDREN AND TEACHERS WERE WELCOME TO VISIT IT.
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VARIETY SHOW TO LAUNCH SHAM SHU I PO SYP
*****
OPEN
WHICH WILL
THE 1986 SHAM SHU I PO SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME „__rrT ON SUNDAY (JULY 13) WITH A VARIETY SHOW AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND, WILL FEATURE POP SINGERS, ACROBATICS, SCHOOL BaND AND DANCING PERFORMANCES.
TMF DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME THIS YEAR INCLUDED 21J ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY 49 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AT $195 OOO DONmi--BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
/THE OPENING .......
14
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986
THE OPENING CEREMONY w ILL BE OFFICIATED BY SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT CFFICPR MR SYLVESTER TSE, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHENG PO-HOwG, DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR FAN KAM-PING, DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PANG KIU-SAN, DI STR I CT SOCIAL WELFARE OCF ICER MISS CHAN JOY-YIN, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, a •’F/lIU CHO-TIM,’aND RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, MR YIP SHcK-KOoia.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE O°ENING CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT 4 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
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TAX RELIEF FOR DONATIONS
* * * *
THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE PROVIDES, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS TAX RELIEF TO PERSONS WHO DONATE MONEY TO ANY PUBLIC CHARITABLE INSTITUTION OR TRUST WHICH IS EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE ORDINANCE.
A REVISED LIST OF CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS AND TRUSTS WHICH HAVE AS AT MAY 81, BEEN RECOGNISED AS EXEMPT FROM TAX UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, IS INCLUDED IN A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW LIST SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS ONES.
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RIGHT-TURN BAN IN SHA TIN STREET X X X X X X
FROM 2 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 14), VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON THE ESTATE ROAD IN SHA KOK ESTATE IN SHA TIN WILL BE PROHIBITED FRO-; TURNING RIGHT ON TO WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA KOK STREET.
THE MOVE IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LAUNCHES HK WEEK IN SAN FRANCISCO .................. 1
ISSUE OF EXPORT LICENCES BEING RESUMED....................... 2
MARCH EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL STATISTICS OUT ......... 2
LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF TAXIS ANNOUNCED...................... 7
TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPROVES LPG TANKS ...................... 8
1986 FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED ON MONDAY.......... 9
CENTRAL-WESTERN SUMMER ACTIVITIES BEGIN TOMORROW ............ 10
SUMMER ACTIVITIES START IN MONG KOK TONIGHT ................. 10
LOCAL GROUPS GAN HELP PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION ............... 11
PAPERS SOUGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON LANGUAGE.......... 11
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON JULY 18 ................... 12
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION ......................... 13
MUSICIANS ARRIVE FOR TWO-WEEK CAMP .......................... 14
YOUNG REPORTER SCHEME FOR WAN CHAI YOUTHS ................... 14
SEMINAR ON CAREERS IN FREIGHT INDUSTRY....................... 14
ROAD SECTION IN SAI KUNG TO BE WIDENED ...................... 15
RESTRICTED ZONES DESIGNATED ................................. 15
PAK SHA WAN CAR PARK SUSPENDED .............................. 16
NO FLUSHING WATER............................................ 16
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1936
1
GOVERNOR LAUNCHES HK WEEK IN SAN FRANCISCO *****
HONG KONG ARRIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO WITH A BANG ON FRIDAY (SATURDAY, HK TIME) AS THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LAUNCHED A HONG KONG FESTIVAL IN THE CITY’S FAMED UNION SQUARE.
THE BANG CAME FROM A BURST OF FIRECRACKERS LINING A SQUARE PACKED WITH LOCALS AND HOLIDAY-MAKERS GETTING A TASTE OF HONG KONG ATMOSPHERE FROM THE SPECIALLY ERECTED STALLS.
IN A SHORT SPEECH BEFORE SETTING OFF THE FIREWORKS, SIR EDWARD REFERRED TO THE UNIQUE BLEND OF EAST AND WEST COMMON TO BOTH HONG KONG AND SAN FRANCISCO AS WELL AS THE MANY COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL TIES WHICH CONTINUE TO GROW.
THE TWO-DAY FESTIVAL FEATURES THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND, CHINESE FAN DANCERS, LION DANCERS AND A WIDE VARIETY OF ARTS AND CRAFT DEMONSTRATORS.
CHIEF SPONSOR OF THE EVENT IS CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS WHICH BROUGHT THE GOVERNOR TO SAN FRANCISCO ON THURSDAY ON ITS INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO THE CITY.
THE FESTIVAL IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF HONG KONG WEEK PROCLAIMED BY THE CITY’S MAYOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN WHEN SHE WELCOMED SIR EDWARD ON HIS ARRIVAL.
ONE OF THE CITY’S PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT STORES I. MAGNIN IS ALSO RUNNING A SPECIAL PROMOTION OF HONG KONG GOODS AND ON FRIDAY FELD A GALA FASHION SHOW SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
TOP MODELS FROM HONG KONG, THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE DISPLAYED THE LATEST FASHION PRODUCED AND DESIGNED IN HONG KONG BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF LEADING LOCAL PERSONALITIES WITH SIR EDWARD AND LADY YOUDE AND MAYOR FEINSTEIN AS GUESTS OF HONOUR. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN, WHO IS IN THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICIAL PARTY, INTRODUCED THE PROGRAMME.
IN THE AFTERNOON, LADY YOUDE PAID A VISIT TO ONE OF SAN FRANCISCO’S MOST IMPORTANT LANDMARKS TO THE CHINESE COMMUNITY - THE CHINESE HOSPITAL LOCATED IN CHINA TOWN.
ORIGINALLY OPENED AS THE TUNG WAH DISPENSARY IN 1900, THE HOSPITAL HAS HAD A LONG CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG IN BOTH ITS MANAGEMENT BOARD AND IN ITS STAFF.
ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF ITS PATIENTS ARE CHINESE AND MOST OF THEM ARE RECENT IMMIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG.
AFTER TOURING THE HOSPITAL, LADY YOUDE SAID SHE WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE HIGH STANDARD OF THE FACILITIES.
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/2........
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1936
2
ISSUE OF EXPORT LICENCES BEING RESUMED
* * * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THE DEPARTMENT WILL RESUME THE ISSUE OF LICENCES UNDER THE US$250 ARRANGEMENT FOR SHIPMENTS OF COMMERCIAL SAMPLES CF SILK BLEND AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRE TEXTILE PRODUCTS.
SUCH SAMPLES MUST, HOWEVER, BE MARKED OR LABELLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS. THE DEPARTMENT WILL DETAIL THESE REQUIREMENTS IN A SEPARATE NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE TRADE WHO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT THE U.S.A. SECTION OF THE TEXTILE CONTROLS BRANCH OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR CLARIFICATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, APPLICATIONS FOR EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS TO SHIP NON-APPAREL PRODUCTS OF SILK BLEND AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRE WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM THE TRADE. SUCH APPLICATIONS WILL BE ISSUED UNDER THE USUAL CONDITIONS OF THE EXPORT AUTHORISATION SYSTEM.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ALSO REMINDED EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD EARLIER IN THE WEEK ISSUED NOTICES TO EXPORTERS ANNOUNCING OPERATION OF THE 1986 SPECIAL FREE QUOTA SCHEME FOR EXPORT AUTHORISATION CATEGORIES AND INVITING SHIPMENT RETURNS FROM EXPORTERS FOR ALLOCATION OF QUOTA ENTITLEMENTS FOR SILK BLEND AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRE PRODUCTS.
EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS ON THE MAILING LIST BUT WHO HAVE STILL NOT RECEIVED THESE NOTICES ARE REQUESTED TO CALL AT THE DEPARTMENT TO GET COPIES.
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MARCH EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL STATISTICS OUT *******
THERE WERE 841 500 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN MARCH 1986, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 3.0 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH MARCH 1985, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 595 300 IN MARCH 1986, WAS 3.8 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1985.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 185 700, WAS ALSO UP BY 8.2 PER CENT.
BUT EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES DROPPED BY 2.5 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MARCH 1985, DUE MAINLY TO THE COMPLETION OF THE MAJOR PART OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE.
/A DKPARThBNT .......
Saturday, july 12, 1986
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT STATISTICS FOR SELECTED '/JOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN MARCH 1986 WERE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED EVERY jL'ARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR- THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR- AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR MARCH 1986 IN THESE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS BY COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1985 AND DECEMBER 1985, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAF 1 85 DEC : 85 MAF 1 86 MAR 86 ON MAR 85 MAR 86 ON DEC 85
MANUFACTURING 867 900 847 600 841 500 -3.0 -0.7
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY) 67 700 66 300 66 000 -2.5 -0.4
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 573 400 600 400 595 300 +3.8 -0.9
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 171 600 180 900 185 700 +8.2 +2.7
X BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
COMPARING MARCH 1986 WITH DECEMBER 1985, EMPLOYMENT IN Trit MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR DECREASED BY 0.7 AND 0.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/OK THE OTHER
Saturday, july 12, 1986
Cl' THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 2.7 PER CENT. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED BY 0.4 PER CENT.
THE SURVEY ALSO PROVIDES VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS, OTHER THAN FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION. THE OVERALL FIGURES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1985 AND DECEMBER 1985, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY NUMBER OF REPORTED PERCENTAGE CHANGE*
VACANCIES IN 86
MAR 85 DEC 85 MAR MAR 86 ON MAR 85 MAR 86 ON DEC 85
MANUFACTURING 29 010 15 080 25 880 -10.8 +71.6
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 7 710 5 530 8 110 + 5.2 +46.8
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 2 900 2 350 3 050 + 5.2 +29.8
* BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES
RELATIVE TO MARCH 1985, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 10.8 PER CENT. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES INCREASED BY 5.2 PER CENT FOR BOTH THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1985, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES INCREASED BY 71.6 PER CENT, 46.8 PER CENT AND 29.8 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR- THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, RESPECTIVELY. THE INCREASE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS PARTICULARLY RAPID.
/ALSO AViilLAbLL
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1986
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR" THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR" AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 1ST QTR. 1985 1ST QTR. 1986 1ST uTR. 1986 UN 1ST QTR. 1965
HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTUR ING 7 899 8 369 + 6.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 5 912 6 713 + 13.5
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 2 752 3 216 + 16.9
X EASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 6.0 PER CENT, 13.5 PER CENT AND 16.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1936.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN MARCH 1985 AND MARCH 1986, 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 INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. THESE TWO INDICES FOR MARCH 1985 AND MARCH 1986 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW:
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED
(JUNE 1980 - 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR MAR 86
SECTORS OF THE ON
ECONOMY . MAR 85 MAR 86 MAR 85
MANUFACTURING 181.0 203.6 +12.5
WHOLESALE
SATURDAY, jjULY 12, 1986
6
ViHJLtSALE -N- RETAIL, IMPORT AM EXPORT IF .ES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 187.6 201.8 + 7.6
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 185.9 195.7 + 5.3
REAL PAYROLL PER (JUNE INDEX OF PERSON ENGAGED 1980 - 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 85 MAR 86 MAR 86 ON MAR 85
MANUFACTURING 115.1 126.9 +10.3
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 119.3 125.8 + 5.4
FINANCING, INSURANCE, 118.2 122.0 + 3.2
REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
BETWEEN MARCH 1985 AND MARCH 1986, INCREASES OF 12.5 PER CENT, 7 6 PER CENT AND 5.3 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INucX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR- THt WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS rt..v HOTELS SECTOR- AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THz CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WERE 10.3 PER CENT, 5.4 PER CENT AND 3.2 PER CENT.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE FOUND IN THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, MARCH 1986, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT HK$11 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, AND AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUo AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 1904, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1936
7
LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF TAXIS ANNOUNCED * * * *
LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF THE THREE TYPES OF TAXIS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN DECIDED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AND THE FIGURES WOULD BE REVIEWED EVERY TWO YEARS.
ANNOUNCING THIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT BRANCH SAID THAT THE PRESENT MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUE OF NEW LICENCES FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND LANTAU TAXIS WOULD CONTINUE FOR TwO YEARS UNTIL JULY 1988 WHILE NEW LICENCES FOR URBAN AREA TAXIS WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO 200 PER YEAR FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THIS WILL BRING THE NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH MAY BE REGISTERED AS TAXIS TO 14 400 IN THE URBAN AREAS WHILE THE RESPECTIVE FIGURES FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON LANTAU WILL REMAIN AT 2 638 AND 40.
EXPLAINING THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE DECISION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW LIMITS WERE IMPOSED AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE FINDINGS BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP SET UP IN DECEMBER 1985 TO CONDUCT A REVIEW ON THE CURRENT LIMITS ON TAXIS.
+RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE LIMITS ON TAXI NUMBERS WERE MADE IN REGARD TO THE LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICE, THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TAXI TRADE AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS,* HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE TAXI NUMBERS WERE ADEQUATE TO PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE WORKING GROUP FOUND A SLIGHT DETERIORATION IN THE HEADWAY OF VACANT TAXIS IN KOWLOON FROM 1.8 MINUTES IN 1983 TO 2.4 MINUTES IN 1986 WHILE TAXI AVAILABILITY ON HONG KONG ISLAND IMPROVED FROM 3.7 MINUTES IN 1983 TO 2.2 MINUTES IN 1986. THIS IMPROVEMENT MAY HOWEVER BE RELATED TO THE OPENING OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE.
THE TAXI AVAILABILITY SITUATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES REMAINED MORE OR LESS THE SAME WHILE VACANT TAXI HEADWAY ON LANTAU IMPROVED FROM 41 MINUTES IN 1984 TO 38 MINUTES IN 1985.
AS FOR THE UTILISATION RATE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PROPORTION OF OCCUPIED TAXIS IN THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD IMPROVED SLIGHTLY OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS WHILE THAT OF LANTAU TAXIS HAD DECREASED SINCE 1984.
CONCERNING THE PROFITABILITY OF TAXI OPERATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF URBAN AREA TAXIS HAD IMPROVED SI NCc. 1983 BUT THAT OF NEW TERRITORIES AND LANTAU TAXIS WAS NOT SATISFACTORY.
WITH REGARD TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAXIS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THE 1984 ANNUAL TRAFFIC CENSUS INDICATED THAT TAXIS WERE THE SECOND MAJOR ROAD USER AFTER PRIVATE CARS DURING PEAK HOURS AND THE MAJOR ROAD USER DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS.
/THE rAJT........
SATURDaY, JULY 12, 1986
8
Trit FACT THAT TAXIS ARE A POPULAR MODE OF TRANSPORT WAS ALSO BORNE OUT BY STATISTICS COMPILED IN 1985 WHICH REVEALED THAT TAXIS CARRYING 1.155 MILLION PASSENGERS PER DAY, HAD A BIGGER MARKET SHARE THAN SOME MASS TRANSPORT CARRIERS.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ABOVE SURVEY FINDINGS, THE WORKING GROUP FELT THAT THERE WAS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ANY OF THE THREE TYPES OF TAXIS AS THERE ARE GENERALLY SUFFICIENT TAXIS ON THE ROAD AND TAXIS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE DOMINANT ROAD USER ON CONGESTED ROADS, HE SAID.
+THERE IS DEFINITELY NO JUSTIFICATION FOR RAISING THE NUMBERS CF NEW TERRITORIES AND LANTAU TAXIS IN THE SHORT TERM IN VIEW OF TAXI AVAILABILITY AND THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE OPERATIONS.
♦AFTER CONSIDERING THE SITUATION IN THE URBAN AREA WHICH HAS AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR TAXIS, THE WORKING GROUP, ON BALANCE, DEEMED IT PRUDENT TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT MODEST RATE OF ISSUING 200 LICENCES EACH YEAR FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS WHICH REPRESENTS ONLY AN ANNUAL INCREASE OF 1.4 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL URBAN TAXI FLEET,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE OVERALL SIZE OF THE TAXI FLEET WOULD BE REVIEWED EVERY TWO YEARS.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO WIDE CONSULTATIONS INVOLVING THE DISTRICT BOARDS, TAXI ASSOCIATIONS AND THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE VIEWS FOR AND AGAINST A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUE OF URBAN TAXI LICENCES WHICH WERE EVENLY DIVIDED AMONG THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS, THE OUTCOME OF THE CONSULTATIONS WAS GENERALLY FAVOURABLE.
THE NEW LIMITS WERE SET OUT IN THE TAXIS (LIMITATION ON NUMBER) NOTICE 1986 GAZETTED YESTERDAY.
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TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPROVES LPG TANKS * * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AT ITS MEETING ON FRIDAY FURTHER ^!^R^LAPPL,CATI0N FR0M CHINA RESOURCES PETROLEUM AND CHEMICALS £0MPANY LIMITED (CRC) WHICH LAST YEAR APPLIED TO n?.NSIcn£L ,QUEF IED PETROLEUM GAS STORAGE TANKS AT ITS OIL TERM INAL^ON TSING Yl ISLAND.
THE BOARD DECIDED, AFTER TAKING EXPERT ADVICE AS WELL AS
FACT0RS VERY CAREFULLY INTO CONSIDERATION, THAT THE CRC APPLICATION SHOULD BE APPROVED.
,CATI0N SITE IS NEARLY TWO KILOMETRES DISTANT FROM TrioinneREST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND IS SEPARATED FROM IT BY A RIDGE WHICH FORMS A NATURAL PHYSICAL BARRIER.
A BO/lAL
SaTUHDaY, JULY 12, 1986
A BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID THE APPLICANTS HAD EMPLOYED A FIRM CF DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND MEMBERS WERE SATISFIED WITH THEIR ASSESSMENT REPORT, AS WERE THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, THE GAS SAFETY OFFICER AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT A PETITION BY A LOCAL CONCERN GROUP TO THE UMELCO OFFICE IN RESPECT OF HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIES WHICH MAY BE LOCATED ON TSING Yl ISLAND WAS AWAITING A REPLY.
HE SAID THE BOARD HAD ADVISED THAT THE REPLY, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE MATERIAL ON THE CRC APPLICATION, SHOULD ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
AFTER THE HOUR-LONG DISCUSSION, THE MEMBERS CONCLUDED THAT IHERE SHOULD BE NO OBJECTION TO THE CRC APPLICATION ON SAFETY GROUNDS AS THE RISK WAS NEGLIGIBLE, BEING 0.035 TO A MILLION.
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1986 FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED ON MONDAY
XXX
THIS YEAR’S MONTH-LONG FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN WILL BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ON MONDAY (JULY 14) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MISS CECILIA YEUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN.
THE TERRITORY-WIDE HEALTH EDUCATION FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TWO COUNCILS AND THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, AND THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN IS +HONG KONG FOOD LAWS AND MANAGEMENT OF FOOD PREMISES.*
IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER EDUCATE PEOPLE IN THE FOOD TRADE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD SAFETY, A SERIES OF 30 FOOD HYGIENE SEMINARS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT 18 CONVENIENTLY LOCATED CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. SOME 15 000 INVITATION LETTERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO LICENSEES OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE SEMINARS WILL COVER SUCH TOPICS AS THE OBJECTIVES CF FOOD LAWS, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOOD LAWS AND THE FOOD TRADE, THE LAWS THAT GOVERN AND REGULATE THE OPERATION CF FOOD BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG, POSSIBLE STEPS TO BE TAKEN TO AVOID CONTRAVENTION OF FOOD LAWS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATING FOOD LAWS.
/TliEox, SBNINaRS.............
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1986
10
THESE SEMINARS WILL ALSO FEATURE SLIDE AND FILM PRESENTATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1986 FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD AT 11 A.M. ON MONDAY (JULY 14) AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE. COVERAGE IS INVITED.
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CENTRAL-WESTERN SUMMER ACTIVITIES BEGIN TOMORROW
* * * * *
THE 1986 CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED WITH A VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL.
THE SHOW WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY ARTISTES AND DISC-JO^KEYS FROM RADIO STATIONS, BRASS BAND MUSIC, LIONS DANCE, STALL GAMES, SINGING AND DANCING.
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHUNG-YING, AND THE 12 VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE COMMITTEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW AT 2 PM AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL.
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SUMMER ACTIVITIES START IN MONG KOK TONIGHT * * * *
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN TODAY (SATURDAY) WITH A VARIETY SHOW AT MACPHERSON INDOOR STADIUM.
MORE THAN 1 200 RESIDENTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED TO AN EVENING CF PERFORMANCES BY SINGER ALBERT AU, THE BMX BICYCLE FREE STYLt TEAM, THE BRASS BAND OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHIU CHOW SCHOOL, THE HONG KONG CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG JUDO KAN AND A CHINESE FOLK DANCE GROUP.
/THE MONG WK ........
.Saturday, july 12, 1986
-1-1
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHO* CHUN-FAI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO BE HELD TODAY AT 8 STADIUM, YIM PO FONG STREET.
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LOCAL GROUPS CAN HELP PROMOTE CIVIC * * * * *
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT PM IN MACPHERSON INDOOR
EDUCATION
WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED UPON LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TU JOIN HANDS WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAJOR PUBLICITY
CAMPAIGNS THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT SCOUTS ASSOCIATION THIS EVENING, MR GARCIA PRAISED THE CIVIC MINDEDNESS OF THE MEMBERS AND THANKED THEM FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
HE SAID THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE WOULD BEGIN A SERIES OF CIVIC EDUCATION PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH.
+APART FROM AROUSING THEIR CIVIC AWARENESS, IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, THE RESIDENTS WOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES,* HE SAID.
+AN ORIENTEERING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD IN LATE JULY, AN EXHIBITION IN SEPTEMBER AND A VARIETY SHOW IN DECEMBER. ALL THiloc, TOGETHER WITH OTHER FUNCTIONS, WILL CENTRE ON CIVIC EDUCATION.*
MR GARCIA SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT THE SCOUTS ALSO JOIN WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN PROMOTING CIVIC
ASSOCIATION wOULD EDUCATION.
_______0----------
PAPERS SOUGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON LANGUAGE * * * *
LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO WISH TO SUBMIT ABSTRACTS FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOPS AT THE SECOND INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE) INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ARE REMINDED THAT JULY 31 IS THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION AND RECEIPT OF PAPERS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD FROM DECEMBER 15 AND 17 AT THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
/THi. OBJhJTIVi.S
Saturday, july 12, 198'
-12
THE OBJECTIVES OE THE SEMINAR ARE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHER TRAINERS. LANGUAGE TEACHERS, RESEARCHERS AND LANGUAGE ADMINISTRATORS TO EXAMINE AND REDEFINE THE PURPOSES OF CONTINUING LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION, IDENTIFY PROBLEMS IN CONTINUING LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION AND CONSIDER WAYS OF SOLVING OR ALLEVIATING SUCH PROBLEMS.
TH* POSSIBILITIES OF IMPLEMENTING DIFFERENT MODELS AND APPROACHES IN DIFFERENT SOCIAL SETTINGS wILL ALSO BE EXPLORED.
SPEAKERS IN THE PLENARY SESSION WILL INCLUDE PROFESSOR HENRY v.lDDOwSON, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON' PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER BRUMFIT OF THe DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON, AND PROFESSOR CHRISTINA BRATT-PAULSTON OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH.
THE SEMINAR THEME IS +RE-EXPLOR I NG CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS*.
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SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON JULY 18
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO MAKE THEIR APPLICATIONS WITHOUT DELAY.
+ONLY ONE WEEK IS LEFT FOR APPLICATIONS FOR TEWP FFTTDUCATIC>. SUBSIDIES BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE OF JULY 18. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON. AND FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES LIAISON OFFICES.
THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AIM AT HELPING PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES OR THEIR RELATED TRADES ON COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES, AND THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS DEPENDANTS OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES WHO WISH TO PURSUE FURTHER TRAINING.
MEANWHILE, APPLICATIONS ARE ALSO OPEN TO STUDENTS IN FORM 4 TO 7 WHO ARE CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO COMPLETE THz I SECONDARY SCHOOLING AS A PREREQUISITE FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION. APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE ON AUGUST 15.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE FUNDS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES CAN EE MADE ON 3-7332227.
0
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1986
- 13 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION
* * * *
THIRTY-TWO SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $305 500, 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 DH333 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $100 000.
ANOTHER NUMBER DJ168 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $25 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000 FOR DJ511, DJ3345 AND DJ2316.
THE SPECIAL PRICES: . REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING
3 DJ511 1 000 5 DJ172 4 000 $ DJ240 2 000 DJ6623 4 500
DD391 2 000 DJ8777 9 000 DJ2316 1 000 DJ310 3 000
DJ9888 9 000 BK7 15 000 DJ233 7 500 DH1661 5 000
DJ168 25 000 CC75 15 000 DJ3668 2 000 DJ654 1 500
DJ400 5 000 DJ180 6 000 DH6618 3 000 DJ3345 1 000
DJI 283 2 000 DJ316 3 000 DJ2628 10 000 AL131 5 000
DJ932 4 000 DJ391 2 000 3601 10 000 DJ162 18 000
DH333 100 000 DJI288 4 000 DH7 18 000 DJ8288 8 000
THREE NUMERS, DJ8798, CA 9 000, DJ 7 700, WERE WITHDRAWN.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITH 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 106TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $38 326 532.
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1986*
14
MUSICIANS ARRIVE FOR TWO-WEEK CAMP * * * *
EIGHT MUSICIANS — THREE FROM CHINA, TWO FROM JAPAN, TWO FROM KOREA AND ONE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM — HAVE ARRIVED AS GUEST CONDUCTORS AND INSTRUCTORS AT THE 1986 HONG KONG YOUTH MJSIC CAMP.
THEY ARE MR ZHANG ZHI-LIANG, MR HOU SHENG-HU AND MS WEI V.E I FROM CHINA- MR MITSUO NONAMI AND MR TAKAFUMI KOMATSU FROM JAPAN- MR NA DUK-SUNG AND MS KIM NAM-YUN FROM KOREA- AND MR DAVID STONE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.
DURING THE TWO-WEEK CAMP BEGINNING AT THE PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG TOMORROW, MR STONE WILL BE THE WESTERN STRING CONDUCTOR AND MR NONAMI, THE WESTERN WIND CONDUCTOR.
AN OPENING CEREMONY THAT WAS DUE TO BE HELD TOMORROW HAS BEEN CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE WET WEATHER.
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YOUNG REPORTER^SCHEM^ £OR WAN CHAI YOUTHS
YOUTHS IN WAN CHAI INTERESTED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND JOURNALISM ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A YOUNG REPORTER SCHEME.
THE SCHEME, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE METHODIST CENTRE, IS ONE OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES.
THE SCHEME, TO BE IN LATE JULY AND LAST FOR A MONTH, CONSIST OF TALKS ON JOURNALISM, VISITS TO GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINE ESTABLISHMENTS AND A TWO-DAY CIVIC EDUCATION TRAINING CAMP.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT AND BECOME MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AT 201 HENNESSY ROAD, AND THE METHODIST CENTRE AT 22 HENNESSY ROAD. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-742281 OR 5-272249.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS JULY 17.
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SEMINAR ON CAREERS IN FREIGHT INDUSTRY * * * *
CAREERS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON CAREERS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TRANSPORT AND PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT AND PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON JULY 19, FROM 10 AM TO NOON AT THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, 702 LAI CHI KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.
/IT WILL ........
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1986
15
IT WILL INCLUDE TALKS BY FREIGHT TRANSPORT EXPERTS ON VARIOUS TOPICS SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT AND CAREERS PROSPECTS IN SHIPPING AND CARGO HANDLING TERMINALS COMPANIES, FORWARDING AGENCY AND 1WAREHOUS I NG AND DISTRIBUTION FIRMS. THERE WILL ALSO BE A SLIDE SHOW AND A QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD.
ADMISSION TO THE SEMINAR IS FREE. INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD MAKE RESERVATIONS BEFORE JULY 14 BY CALLING 5-8932341, EXT. 258.
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ROAD SECTION IN SAI KUNG TO BE WIDENED
*****
ABOUT 200 METRES OF PO TUNG ROAD IN SAI KUNG TOWN IS TO BE WIDENED AND FURTHER REALIGNED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
THE PROPOSAL INVOLVES A SECTION BETWEEN ONE END OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND THE BUS TERMINUS IN THE TOWN.
IT IS TO BE WIDENED FROM SIX METRES TO 10.3 METRES TO ALLOW FOR RIGHT TURNING INTO THE CAR PARK IN THE AREA AND FOR ACCESS TO MAN NIN STREET.
THE EXISTING ZEBRA CROSSING WILL BE REPLACED BY PUSH-BUTTON TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND AN ADDITIONAL REFUGE ISLAND CROSSING WILL BE PROVIDED.
APART FROM WIDENING THE ROAD, THE SCHEME WILL ALSO INVOLVE IMPROVING ACCESS TO TAN CHEUNG VILLAGE. TOGETHER WITH WIDENED FOOTPATHS, THE ACCESS ROAD WILL CONNECT WITH A FUTURE IMPROVED OPEN-AIR CAR PARK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID THE SECTION OF PO TUNG ROAD NEEDED TO BE WIDENED TO COPE WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN SAI KUNG TOWN, PARTICULARLY AT WEEKENDS AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
HE SAID A FURTHER INCREASE IN TRAFFIC THROUGH SAI KUNG WAS EXPECTED WHEN THE ROAD LINK BETWEEN MA ON SHAN AND NAI CHUNG WAS OPENED IN MID-1988.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY SEPTEMBER 9.
-------0 - -
RESTRICTED ZONES DESIGNATED X X X X X '
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 15), A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN TO KWA WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM.TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
THEY ARE: MAIDSTONE ROAD BETWEEN LOK SriAN ROAD AND KIANG SU STREET- KIANG SU STREET BETWEEN MAIDSTONE ROAD AND KAU PUI LUNG ROAD- AND KAU PU I LUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND B ~.-<EEN A POINT ABOUT 27 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHI KI-.NG STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION W ' KIANG SU STREET.
SATURDAY, JULY 12TTJ85
16
NO PLB’S WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PLB RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY ON KAU PUI LUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 1^ METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KIANG SU STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 110 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LOK SHAN ROAD WILL BE RESCINDED.
THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WILL TAKE EFFECT AT THE SAME TIME:
X AIRPORT DRIVE 1 FROM A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES TO A POINT ABOUT 227 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH OLYMPIC AVENUE WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
* IN MA TAU WAI, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MA TAU KOK ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MA TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
X WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN DERBY ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 75 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION wITH LANCASHIRE ROAD WILL BE MADE A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA, NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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PAK SHA WAN CAR PARK SUSPENDED
* * *
THE PAK SHA WAN CAR PARK IN SAI KUNG, NORTH OF THE JUNCTION CF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE PAK SHA WAN FERRY PIER, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 15) TO 6 PM ON JULY 28.
DURING THIS TIME, CANTONESE OPERA IN CELEBRATION OF THE KWUN YAM FESTIVAL WILL BE PERFORMED THERE.
-------0---------
NO FLUSHING WATER
* * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 3 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 15) FOR MA INS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY WO Yl HOP ROAD ANU INCLUDE LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE AND SHEK LEI ESTAT-.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JULY 1J, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RESULTS OF JSEa TO BE RELEASED ON TUESDAY ....... 1
NEW HONG KONG EXHIBITION IN LONDON............... 2
TRaDE DECLARATION FORMS BEING REVISED ........... J
EXHIBITION ON MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS ........ 4
CENTRAL aND WESTERN FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER ........ 4
NEWS TRANSLATION COURSE FOR JOURNALISTS ......... 5
ILLEGAL SHRINES TO BE CLEaRED ................... 6
USD'S "TREE DOCTORS" PLAY THEIR PART ............ 6
KaI T-JC AErOBRIDGEs TO BE RjlPLaCED............. 7
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 1986
1
RESULTS OF JSEA TO BE RELEASED ON TUESDAY ******
THE RESULTS OF THIS YEAR’S JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA) WILL BE RELEASED ON TUESDAY (JULY 15). A TOTAL OF 74 621 PUPILS ENTERED FOR THE JSEA SYSTEM THIS YEAR.
SOME 2 726 PUPILS ACCEPTED PLACES ON FULL TIME CRAFT COURSES IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES WHILE THE OTHER 1 470 OPTED OUT DURING THE YEAR.
OF THE OTHER 70 425 PARTICIPATING PUPILS, 74.88 PER CENT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SUBSIDISED FORM 4 AND MIDDLE 4 PLACES, A EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
AMONG THOSE PUPILS ALLOCATED SUBSIDISED FORM 4 AND MIDDLE 4 PLACES, MORE THAN 85.63 PER CENT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED BACK TO THEIR OWN ’FEEDER’ SCHOOLS.
A TOTAL OF 87.07 PER CENT OF PUPILS WERE ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS OF THEIR FIRST CHOICES (86.5 PER CENT IN 1985 AND 84.6 PER CENT IN 1984) WHILE A TOTAL OF 98.57 PER CENT WERE ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS WITHIN THEIR CHOICES (97.9 PER CENT IN 1985 AND 97.3 IN 1984).
REGISTRATION OF FEEDER PUPILS (I.E. PUPILS ALLOCATED PLACES IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS) WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY (JULY 15). PUPILS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD LEAVE THEIR REGISTRATION FORMS WITH THE SCHOOL OFFICE.
PUPILS WHO HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO OTHER SCHOOLS SHOULD REPORT FOR REGISTRATION ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 16. WHEN REPORTING FOR REGISTRATION, PUPILS SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING : (A) PUPIL IDENTIFICATION FORM- (B) REGISTRATION FORM- (C) INDIVIDUAL RESULT SLIP- (D) PUPIL’S HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD- AND (E) TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS AND A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF MONEY UP TO ABOUT ONE MONTH’S SCHOOL FEE WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE SCHOOL FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSES.
PUPILS WHO HAVE ACCEPTED A PLACE OFFERED BY INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES SHOULD REPORT FOR REGISTRATION ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 16), FRIDAY (JULY 18) AND THURSDAY (JULY 31) RESPECTIVELY.
IF A PUPIL IS UNABLE TO COLLECT HIS ALLOCATION RESULT OR GO FOR REGISTRATION ON JULY 15 OR JULY 16, THE PARENT OR PARENTS SHOULD AUTHORISE, IN WRITING, A REPRESENTATIVE TO COLLECT THE RESULT OR REPORT TO THE SCHOOL FOR REGISTRATION ON HIS BEHALF. THE LETTER OF AUTHORISATION MUST HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL. IT SHOULD BE PRODUCED AT THE TIME OF COLLECTION OR REGISTRATION BY THE APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE.
/IN REGISTERING .......
SUNDAY, JULY 1J, 1986
2
IN REGISTERING WITH A SCHOOL, A PUPIL MUST SURRENDER HIS REGISTRATION FORM TO THE SCHOOL. IN THE EVENT OF A SUBSEQUENT TRANSFER, THE PUPIL MUST RETRIEVE HIS REGISTRATION FORM FROM THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL WHICH WILL THEN CANCEL HIS REGISTRATION IN THAT SCHOOL.
+SCHOOLS MAY NOT ADMIT ANY PUPIL WITHOUT HIS REGISTRATION FORM.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PUPILS WHO HAVE MOVED TO ANOTHER DISTRICT AND WISH TO TRANSFER TO A SCHOOL NEARER TO HIS NEW RESIDENCE AFTER ALLOCATION MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM WHICH IS AVAILABLE FROM THE SCHOOL IN WHICH HE COMPLETED HIS FORM/MIDDLE 3. THE COMPLETED FORM MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL FOR ONWARD TRANSMISSION TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY (JULY 18), BY 5 PM AND ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE.
PUPILS REALLOCATED TO OTHER SCHOOLS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON JULY 21. REGISTRATION OF TRANSFERRED PUPILS WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 23).
PUPILS WHO ARE NOT ALLOCATED A SUBSIDISED FORM/MIDDLE 4 PLACE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INFORMATION SHEET OUTLINING THE ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM. THE SHEET CONTAINS ADDRESSES AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FROM WHICH PUPILS MAY OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION. PAMPHLETS ON COURSES OFFERED BY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES AND INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES WILL ALSO BE ISSUED TO EACH PUPIL NOT ALLOCATED A SUBSIDISED F/M 4 PLACE.
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION INTO GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY CLASSES WILL CLOSE ON THURSDAY (JULY 17). APPLICANTS MUST CALL IN PERSON AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY. (TELi 5-8392309), BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR JSEA RESULT SLIPS AND A PHOTOCOPY OF THE SLIP FOR RETENTION PURPOSE.
ALL ENQUIRIES CONCERNING ALLOCATION RESULTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON 5-8919099. ___
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NEW HONG KONG EXHIBITION IN LONDON *****
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR TIMOTHY RENTON, WILL OPEN THE NEW HONG KONG EXHIBITION AT THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE IN LONDON ON JULY 16 (WEDNESDAY).
THE EXHIBITION WILL HIGHLIGHT CONTEMPORARY HONG KONG AND DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE SINO—BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY. IT COVERS EVERY ASPECT OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL LIFE, USING EYE-CATCHING PHOTOGRAPHS, GRAPHICS AND MODELS.
/A MULTI-IMAGE .......
SUNDAY,, JULY 15, 1986
A MULTI-IMAGE SLIDE TECHNIQUE AUDIO-VISUAL SHOW WITH SIX PROJECTORS OPERATING AT THE SAME TIME WILL ALSO FORM PART OF THE EXHIBITION.
GUESTS AT THE OPENING, WHO WILL INCLUDE MP’S., PEERS, CIVIC DIGNITARIES, LEADING BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS AND MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN THE U.K., WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR COLVYN HAYE.
THEY WILL BE ENTERTAINED TO PERFORMANCES OF TRADITIONAL
CHINESE DANCES BY THE HONG KONG WHO HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY INVITE" RECEPTION WHICH WILL BE HELD TO PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE + P ICKING AND +SWORD DANCE+.
SCHOOLS’ CHINESE DANCE TEAM TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENING MARK THE OPENING. THEIR HERBS+ +WATER FAIRIES+, +SPRING+
THE EXHIBITION WILL ILLUSTRATE HONG KONG’S ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE E-FORTS THAT ARE BEING MADE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
THE MAIN THRUST OF THE EXHIBITION, INCLUDING THE AUDIO-VISUAL SHOW, IS TO HIGHLIGHT ITS LIFE-STYLE, THE VIBRANCY OF THE TERRITORY AND ITS ECONOMIC SUCCESSES.
THE NEW HONG KONG EXHIBITION REPLACES THE LAST ONE WHICH HAD BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 1982. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 500 000 PEOPLE VISIT THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE EVERY YEAR.
TRADE DECLARATION FORMS BEING REVISED
*****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND EXPORT DECLARATION FORMS NEXT YEAR.
IS TO INTRODUCE NEW IMPORT
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1987, THE EXISTING IMPORT DECLARATION FORM 1 (JED 50) EXPORT/RE-EXPORT DECLARATION FORM 2 (CED 51) AND EXPORT DECLARATION FORM 3 (CED 52) WILL BE REVISED.
THE EXPORT DECLARATION FORM 3 FOR THE EXPORT OF HONG KONG-MADE CLOTHING (INCLUDING FOOTWEAR ITEMS) IS TO BE REPLACED BY THE EXPORT DECLARATION FORM 2A. FOR THE EXPORT AND RE-EXPORT OF ITEMS OTHER THAN HONG KONG-MADE CLOTHING, THE REVISED EXPORT/RE-EXPORT DECLARATION FORM 2 WILL HAVE TO BE USED.
THE IMPORT DECLARATION FORM 1, CURRENTLY USED FOR THE IMPORT ALL ITEMS, WILL BE REVISED AND ITS USE WILL BE LIMITED TO THE I -'PORT OF ALL GOODS OTHER THAN FOOD ITEMS AS FROM JANUARY 1, 1987 WHEN A NEW IMPORT DECLARATION FORM - FORM 1A - WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE IMPORT OF FOOD ITEMS.
/IN VIEW OF .......
SUNDAY, JULY 1J, 1986
IN VIEW OF THE ADVISED TO RUN DOWN THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IMPENDING CHANGES, IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS ARE THEIR STOCK OF THE EXISTING DECLARATION FORMS,
UNDER THE LAW, IMPORT -------------
WITHIN
. IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS ARE REQUIRED TO OR EXPORT DECLARATIONS WITH THE CUSTOMS IN SPECIFIED 14 DAYS AFTER THE IMPORT OR EXPORT OF THE GOODS.
LODGE
FORMS
0
EXHIBITION ON MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS
X X X * X
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS ENTITLED +THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD CITIZEN* WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION WHICH STARTS ON 'WEDNESDAY (JULY 16) AT THE HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL 8 PERTH STREET.
THE OPENING HOURS OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE FROM 10.30 AM TO 4.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 16) AND FROM 9 AM TO 4.30 PM ON THE OTHER TWO DAYS.
IT IS AIMED AT FAMILIARISING TEACHERS WITH APPROACHES TO USE AND MATERIALS FOR MORAL EDUCATION AND TO HEIGHTEN THEIR AWARENESS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CIVIC EDUCATION AND MORAL EDUCATION.
THE EXHIBITION IS A JOINT VENTURE OF 16 SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION. THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE ICAC AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO AMONG PARTICIPANTS OF THE EXHIBITION.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR SO FAI-CHO, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING ON WEDNESDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION AT THE HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL HALL, PERTH STREET, AT 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY.
CENTRAL AND WESTERN FESTIVAL
X X X X X
IN NOVEMBER
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ^GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE NOW WORKING OUT THE EVENTS, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
+A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FEATURING CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, ARTS SPORTS, SOCIAL SERVICES AND EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED IN THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF NOVEMBER,* HE SAID.
/MR Wi WAS........
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 1986
MR LAM WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME THIS AFTERNOON AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT.
HE HOPED THAT THROUGH THE ORGANISING OF THE FESTIVAL EVENTS, LOCAL RESIDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO GET TO KNOW THEIR DISTRICT BETTER AND ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING.
ON THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, MR LAM SAID THAT MOST OF THE 500 ACTIVITIES UNDER THE PROGRAMME HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO INCORPORATE THE CENTRAL THEME OF +CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY, GET TO KNOW IT BETTER*, APART FROM THE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASPECTS.
OVER $550 000 IS TO BE SPENT ON THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMMES, WITH 3190 000 BEING SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND $160 000 COMING FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG- CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHUNG-YING- CHAIRMAN OF THE SYP OPENING CEREMONY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR YAU YUK-TAK- AND ELEVEN MEMBERS OF THE SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
-------0---------- .1
NEWS TRANSLATION COURSE FOR JOURNALISTS *****
WORKING JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR A COURSE ON NEWS TRANSLATION ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AND THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE FOUR-WEEK COURSE IS ONE OF A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES DESIGNED TO RAISE STANDARD OF WORKING JOURNALISTS. THE COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE MORNINGS OF MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS, STARTING FROM AUGUST 11.
THE COURSE FEE IS $1 000, BUT PARTICIPANTS PAY ONLY $150 WITH THE BALANCE BEING BORNE BY THE COUNCIL. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS JULY 28.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE COURSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE TRAINING BOARD, MR FRANK NG, ON 5-89323*1, EXT. 283.
-------0----------
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 193*
6
ILLEGAL SHRINES TO BE CLEARED
*****
TWO ILLEGAL SHRINES AT LEE ON ROAD IN KWUN TONG, WHICH HAVE BEEN THC SUBJECT OF COMPLAINTS FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS, WILL BE CLEARED SHORTLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE TWO SHRINES WITH TABLETS WERE NOT ONLY CAUSING OBSTRUCTION TO PEDESTRIANS BUT WERE ALSO CREATING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND FIRE HAZARDS.
+THEY ARE BUILT ILLEGALLY AT TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS AT LEE ON ROAD FACING THE SHUN TIN BUS TERMINUS AND THE SHUN ON RESTAURANT.*
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE IN LAW TO BUILD ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON CROWN LAND AND APPEALED TO RESIDENTS NOT TO RE-ESTABLISH SIMILAR SHRINES IN THE AREA.
THE CLEARANCE OPERATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT JOINTLY BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
------------- ------------------
USD’S + TREE DOCTORS* PLAY THEIR PART
* * * *
APART FROM ITS EXTENSIVE TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME, THE URBAN COUNCIL PAYS EQUAL ATTENTION TO TREE CONSERVANCY IN THE URBAN AREA AS ANOTHER ASPECT OF ITS EFFORTS IN GREENING OUR CITY.
+THE COUNCIL FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT A GOOD TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME MUST BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVANCY SCHEME,* SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.
THIS CONSERVANCY SCHEME IS CARRIED OUT BY THE USD’S TREE SECTIONS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HARBOUR.
+A TOTAL OF 6 144 TREES WERE PLANTED AND 181 TRANSPLANTED BY THE TWO SECTIONS IN 1985/86,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
+TRANSPLANTING OPERATIONS ARE CARRIED OUT WHEREVER IT IS POSSIBLE TO SAVE TREES THAT MUST MAKE WAY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAYS, BUILDINGS AND OTHER COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
+HOWEVER, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SAVE ALL TREES BY TRANSPLANTING AS THIS DEPENDS ON THE CONDITION OF THE TREE IN QUESTION AND ITS SUITABILITY FOR TRANSPLANTING.*
THE THEE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 1986
- 7 -
THE TREE SECTIONS ALSO TAKE CARE OF THE HEALTH OF TREES IN ALL URBAN COUNCIL PARKS, OPEN SPACES, STADIA, GOVERNMENT COMPOUNDS, ROADSIDES AND WITHIN FIVE METRES OF HIGHWAY KERBS.
♦PRUNING AND TRIMMING ARE CARRIED OUT REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT TREES CAN GROW HEALTHILY AND BECOME LESS VULNERABLE TO STRONG WINDS AND RAINSTORMS,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
♦DEAD BRANCHES ARE CUT, TREE HOLES ARE MENDED AND DISEASES ARE TREATED WITH CHEMICALS AND INSECTICIDES.*
MEANWHILE, EVEN THE DEAD BRANCHES ARE PUT TO GOOD USE — THANKS TO TWO RECENTLY PURCHASED WOOD-CHIPPING MACHINES.
THESE CONVERT BRANCHES INTO WOOD CHIPS AND THE END
PRODUCT IS USED AS MULCH FOR FLOWER BEDS AND AS MATTING IN CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS.
--------C--------
KAI TAK AEROBRIDGES TO BE REPLACED * * * *
THE FIXED AND MOVING AEROBRIDGES AT THREE PARKING BAYS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ARE TO BE REPLACED.
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO REMOVE THE EXISTING MODELS AND SUPPLY AND INSTALL NEW ONES.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL SUPPLY THE AEROBRIDGES FOR BAYS NOS. 6, 7 AND 8.
THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 16 AEROBRIDGES IN USE AT THE AIRPORT, LINKING AIRCRAFT WITH THE TERMINAL BUILDING, BUT ONLY SIX NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEIR MANUFACTURER HAS CEASED PRODUCTION.
THE REPLACEMENT WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF 1988.
TENDERS HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON OCTOBER 3.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOINT LIaISON GROUP TO MEET IN LONDON.............. 1
GOVERNOR TO OPEN NEW OFFICE IN SaN FRaNCISCO .... 2
MAY EXTERNAL TRaDE oTaTISTICS RELEASED ............ 2
MARCH WAGE INDEXES PUBLISHED....................... m
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT SUMMER DISEASES .............. 14
INTRODUCTION OF USEFUL TECHNOLOGY THE AIM ....... 15
NEW DISTRICT OFFICERS IN SHA TIN, TaI PO.......... 16
USE OF ASBESTOS COMao UNDER CONTROL SOON ......... 16
TRaDE "SWING SCHEME" IN OPERATION................. 18
question on daya bay at board meeting ............ 19
WATjlR storage FIGURE............................. 19
accreditation for laboratory ..................... 19
FOCUS GN ROAD SAFETY FOR THa ELDaRLY ............. 20
QUARRY BAY ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED ....... 21
ROAD WORKS, SITE FORMATION IN KWaI CHUNG ......... 21
RESTRICTED ZONE IN TUEN MUN....................... 22
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
1
JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO MEET IN LONDON * * * *
THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL TAKE PLACE IN LONDON BETWEEN JULY 22 AND 25.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, DR DAVID WILSON. THE OTHER MEMBERS ON THE BRITISH SIDE WILL BE MR ERIC HO (SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, HONG KONG), ^R JOHN BOYD (POLITICAL ADVISER, HONG KONG), MR PETER THOMSON (COUNSELLOR, BRITISH EMBASSY, PEKING) AND MR CHRISTOPHER HUM (HEAD OF HONG KONG DEPARTMENT, FCO).
IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE FOLLOWING EXPERTS FROM HONG KONG WOULD
ALSO BE ATTENDING:
MR D,R. FORD SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE
MR F. BURROWS LAW OFFICER (SPECIAL DUTIES)
MR A.J. DARTER DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION
MR P.Y.Y. CHAN DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MR R.C. WILSON PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES)
MRS . R. IP PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
MR A.R. CLARK PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES
MR K. SHIPLEY PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (STAFF PLANNING)
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE ARRANGED FOR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE DEPARTURE OF *R JOHN ON THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE JLG, AND OTHER EXPERTS ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 16).
MEDIA
BOYD, MEMBER
PROM HONG KONG
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM AT 9.30 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
2
GOVERNOR TO OPEN NEW OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO *****
THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TOMORROW (JULY 15). THE OFFICE WILL INCORPORATE THE EXISTING SAN FRANCISCO INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICE WHICH HAS MOVED TO THE NEW PREMISES.
THE OFFICE WILL BE HEADED BY MR BILLY LAM, AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B, WHO HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A COURSE AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY. AS DIRECTOR, HONG KONG ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SAN FRANCISCO, MR LAM WILL BE SUPPORTED BY A SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, A PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER AND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT AND HIS STAFF.
THE ADDRESS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICE IS 180 SUTTER STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA94104, U.S.A.
THE PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIRECTOR AND HIS STAFF IS TO WORK WITH THE OTHER HONG KONG OFFICES AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, IN ESTABLISHING AND DEVELOPING CONTACTS AND IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON HONG KONG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS BEING DONE TO CREATE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE ITS ECONOMIC AND OTHER INTERESTS IN THE AREA.
_ --------0---------
MAY EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED TRADE VALUE STATISTICS FOR MAY 1986. TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO MAY 1986, VALUED AT $196 761 MILLION, INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT TO $52 828 MILLION WHILE RE-EXPORTS DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT TO $43 434 MILLION, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, THE TRADE VALUE INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT TO $100 499 MILLION.
ALL TRADE STATISTICS PRESENTED ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON. A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR MAY 1986 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY AUGUST.
/THE CHANGES
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
- 5 -
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1-
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1986 WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S. INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT. ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $620 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF (BY $397 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $208 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $241 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $59 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO CHINA DECREASED IN VALUE, PARTICULARLY OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $811 MILLION OR 92 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $490 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $201 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT). HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES (BY $337 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT) AND MANUFACTURES OF METAL (BY $62 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $423 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $169 MILLION OR 171 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $78 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY 567 MILLION OR 87 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TEXTILES (BY $5 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $336 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT) AND TEXTILES (BY $6'7 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT). AS FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS (BY $74 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $63 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT).
/HC WEV ER, ......
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY 3173 MILLION OR 92 PER CENT) AND FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS, PLASTIC MATERIALS, CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $36 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT).
CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2.
CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
DEMAND FOR GOODS IMPORTED FROM CHINA INCREASED IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1986 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES (BY $1 973 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY 31 816 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT) AS WELL AS MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES. TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY 3652 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY 3411 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT) AS WELL AS NON-FERROUS METALS (BY 3132 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT).
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES, INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES (BY 51 351 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT) ; TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY 3984 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT) AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $772 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES (BY 3465 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $311 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S. WERE REGISTERED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $305 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT) ; ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $289 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $146 MILLION OR 87 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN AIR CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $552 MILLION OR 447 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $125 MILLION OR 143 PER CENT).
/DECREASES IN
MONDAY, JULY 14,1986
- 5 -
DECREASES IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY 36O'3 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT) AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $245 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT). AS FOR IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $458 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $247 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF TEXTILES (BY $374 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT) AND FOR IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $94 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1986 WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA DECREASED BY 31 PER CENT. ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2 052 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 424 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT) AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1 367 MILLION OR 79 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $259 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT) AS WELL AS LEATHER, LEATHER MANUFACTURES AND DRESSED FURSKINS (BY $205 MILLION OR 188 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S. WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $1 071 MILLION OR 76 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $346 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $139 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER,
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
6
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $88 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $38 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN WERE RECORDED IN NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $83 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT)? MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS (BY $61 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $50 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $224 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT) AS WELL AS NON-FERROUS METALS (BY $136 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $243 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT) AS WELL AS DYEING. TANNING AND COLOURING MATERIALS (BY $40 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT). RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA OF TEXTILES INCREASED (BY $293 MILLION OR 97 PER CENT), AS DID ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $162 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN OF FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY 373 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT) AND FOR RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA OF COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, SPICES AND MANUFACTURES THEREOF (BY $40 MILLION OR 76 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE MAY 1986 ISSUE OF THE + HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY* WILL BE ON SALE NEXT WEEK AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $5 PER COPY. A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, + HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN MAY 1986 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY AUGUST AT 313.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON REGULAR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS AND ON TRADE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL: 5-214375) AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL: 5-444436).
/TAbLi 1 ......
T$b1T * - 7 '.•.me‘tic exports MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986 by ten major markets
Major Market Jan-May 1986 (HKD Mn.) Jan-May 1985 (HKD Mn ) Increase (HKD Mn.) Percentage Increase ( % )
U.S.A 22,463 21,031 1,432 7
China 5,946 6,722 -777 -12
F.R. of Germany 3,658 2,915 743 25
U.K 3,393 3,187 206 6
J span 1,936 1,698 U. w i 14
Canada 1,748 1,505 24 7 16
Australia 1,210 1,304 -94 -7
Singapore 1,020 934 86 9
Inn: - 38
Netner anus 890 «09 81 10
Tatie 2- Domestic exports by major commodity Kvlsion
Commodity division Jan-May 1936 (HKD Mn.) Jan-May 1985 (HKD Mn.) Increase (HKD Mn.) Percentage Increase ( % )
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 17,703 16,144 1,559 10
Miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly baby-carriages ,toys,games and sporting goods) 8,304 7,353 952 13
Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goQds, watches and clocks 4,628 3,798 830 22
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof * 3,997 4.348 -351 -8
Textile yarn,fabrics, made-up articles and related products 3,647 2,980 666 22
Telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment 3,557 3,705 -148 -4
/Table 5 ••••••
t
8
Table 3; Import, from 1 niajor suppliers
Major Supplier Jan-May 1986 (HKD Mn.) Jan-May 1985 (HKD Mn.) Increase ercentage Increase
(HKD Mn.) ( )
China 28,028 21,166 6,862 32
Japan 21,179 23,067 -1,888 -8
U.S.A. f 8,926 9,184 -258 -3
Taiwan 8,386 8,847 46.1 -5
Singapore 4.336 4,843 -507 -10
U.K. 3,648 3,281 367 11
Republic of Korea 3,626 3,807 -180 - K,
F.R. of Germany 2.984 2,636 248 13
Switzerland 1,985 1,278 707 55
Italy 1,578 1,370 208 15
Table 4: Imports by major commod ity division M
Jan-May Jan-May Increase Pe re-nt. age
Commodity 1986 1985 Increase
division (HKD Mn.) (HKD Mn ) HKD Mn.) ( % )
Textile yarn,fabrics, made-up articles and related products 15,700 12,557 3,1-1; 25
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof 8,140 3,801 -661 - o
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 6,519 4.486 2,034 45 •»
Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks 6,011 4,842 1,168 24
Miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly baby carriages,toys,games and sporting goods) 4,868 4,058 811 20 I
Telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment 4,46- 5,869 .• -1,4: 0 -24 1 *
—. - — — — - — — — 1:— - /Table 5
Table 5 Re-exports 9 by ten major markets
Major Market Jan'-May 1986 (HKD Mn. j Jan-May 1985 (HKD Mn.) Increase Percentage Increase
(HKD Mn.) ( % )
China 14,359 20,747 -6.388 -31
U.S.A. 7,298 5.549 1,750 32
Japan 2,353 2.271 82 4
Taiwan 2,318 1 881 437 23
Republic ?f Korea 2,122 1,455 666 46
Singapore 2,051 1,638 4 13 25
Macau 1,033 1,180 147 -12
Saudi Arabia 924 546 378 69
Indonesia 891 1,321 -430 -33
F.R. of Germany 845 471 374 79
Table 6: Re-expcrts by major commodity division Jan-May Jan-May increase Percentage
Commodity division 198b 1985 Increase (HKD Mn.) (HKD Mn. » ‘HKD Mn.) ( % )
Textile yarn,fabrics, made-up articles and related products
1,105 18
Articlee of apparel and clothing accessories
1,439 51
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof 3,488 4 492 -1,005 -22
Miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly baby carriages,toys,games and sporting goods) 3,071 2.562 509 20
Telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment 2,040 3,670 -1,630 -44
Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks
-10
10
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
10
MARCH WAGE INDEXES PUBLISHED * * *
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR MARCH 1986, AT 131.6, INCREASED BY 5.4 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1985 AND BY 2 3 PER^CCNT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1935, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) 3* THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE MARCH 1986 AND MARCH 1985 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THp NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 5.3 PER CENT? FOR THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL, IMPORTEXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 3.2 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 9.6 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 7.4 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 4.3 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE MARCH 1986 AND DECEMBER 1985 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 2.4 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL, IMPORTEXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 1.2 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 4.2 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 3.4 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.0 PER CENT.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1985 TO MARCH 1986 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 132.6 IN MARCH 1986, WAS 3.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1985 AND 1.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1985.
FROM MARCH 1985 TO MARCH 1986, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 3.2 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALERETAIL, IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 1.3 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 7.5 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 5.2 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.3 PER CENT.
COMPARING MARCH 1986 WITH DECEMBER 1985, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.5 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL, IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 0.2 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 3.1 PER CENT; AND FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.3 PER CENT! WHILE THAT FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1985 TO MARCH 1986 FOR THE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
/THLoE NOMINAL........
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
11
THFSE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEV OF *oGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EACH QIJARTPR BY TH= DEPARTMENT, COVERING BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLFSALF-RETAIL, IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH INDEXES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OR 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 THC NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF WAGES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE.
IN ADDITION, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES THAT ARE PAID LESS FREQUENTLY THAN MONTHLY, ARE CONVERTED TO AN EQUIVALENT MONTHLY RATE WHEN COMPILING THE WAGE RATE INDEXES.
TOTAL PAYROLL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS. APART FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASH RECEIPTS, IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, MARCH 1986 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
/TILL VOL. 11
HONDaY, JULY 12, 1986
12
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DET. I LED OCCUPAT?ONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN EARLY AUGUST 1986.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION AT TELEPHONE 5-455774 OR 5-416062.
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR. lq85 JUN. 1985 SEPT. 1985 DEC. 1985 MAR. 1986
MANUFACTURING 124.6 126.7 127.5 128.1 131.2
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/ EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 120.2 120.0 120.8 122.6 124.1
TRANSPORT SERVICES 138.4 142.5 145.4 145.6 151.7
BUSINESS SERVICES 126.1 129.9 130.3 131.0 135.4
PERSONAL SERVICES 120.6 122.4 124.6 124.5 125.8
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 124.9 126.7 127.8 128.6 131.6
TABLE 2: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MANUFACTURING SECTOR MAJOR INDUSTR IES IN THE
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 » 100)
INDUSTRY MAR. 1985 JUN. 1985 SEPT. 1985 DEC. 1985 MAR. 1986
GARMENTS 119.*=> 120.6 120.6 121.0 122.9
GLOVES 133.9 135.7 138.3 138.9 140.8
/HANDBAGS .......
MONDAY, CUES 14, 1986
- 1$ -
HAND'4 AGS 119.0 121.4 123.0 124.2 124.9
COTTON ?l •.•'!! NG/WEAVING 125.5 128.4 128.8 129.6 135.5
KNITTING 126.7 130.1 129.9 130.8 134.2
BLEACHING AND DYEING 126.3 132.0 133.1 134.0 139.1
PRINTING 126.1 132.0 133.4 133.3 135.7
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 125.6 128.0 127.7 127.9 132.2
METAL PRODUCTS 125.8 128.3 130.1 130.5 135.3
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 135.0 136.0 137.3 136.5 143.3
ELECTRONICS 127.7 130.0 132.1 132.8 136.2
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 130.3 132.6 134.6 134.7 141.8
MANUFACTURING 124.6 126.7 127.5 128.1 131.2
TABLE 3: REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 - 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR. 1985 JUN. 1985 SEPT. 198^ DEC. 1985 T MAR. 1986
•
MANUFACTURING 99.1 100.4 i 99.1' 100.? 10?.3
WHOLESALE/RETA1L, IMPORT/ 95.5 95.1 J 9319 96.5 96.7
EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS
AND HOTELS *
TRANSPORT SERVICES 110.0 112.9 113.1 114.6 118.2
BUSINESS SERVICES 100.3 103.0 101.4 103.1 105.5
PERSONAL SERVICES 95.9 97.0 96.9 98.1 98.1
ALL SECTORS ABOVE
99.3 100.4 99.4 101.3 102.6
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
14
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT SUMMER DISEASES
*****
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CHOLERA AND OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES, SUCH AS TYPHOID AND DYSENTERY, DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT VIRAL HEPATITIS AND FOOD POISONING WERE ALSO COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE WARM WEATHER.
FOR INSTANCE, THE NUMBER OF FOOD POISONING CASES HAD BEEN ON THE INCREASE. DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 64 CASES WAS REPORTED COMPARED WITH 34 CASES IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
TURNING TO CHOLERA CASES IN HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN THREE SUCH CASES REPORTED SO FAR THIS YEAR AND TWO OF THEM WERE IMPORTED CASES.
HE REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE DISEASE.
+PEOPLE TRAVELLING IN SUMMER SEASON TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES WHERE CHOLERA IS ENDEMIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE IN THE SELECTION OF FOOD AND DRINKS,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THAT ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE NOTIFIABLE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES HAD REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL OVER THE PAST YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTINUING WITH ITS HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
HE STRESSED THAT THE MOST RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PREVENTION WAS TO OBSERVE PERSONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD HYGIENE.
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE SUMMER MONTHS, PEOPLE TENDED TO BE LESS CAREFUL IN THE CHOICE OF FOOD, HE SAID.
AS MOST GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES WERE TRANSMITTED THROUGH CONTAMINATED FOOD AND DRINK, PEOPLE SHOULD BE SPECIALLY CAREFUL IN THEIR EATING HABITS.
ALL TYPES OF FOOD SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY COOKED AND SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UNCOVERED IF NOT TAKEN IMMEDIATELY.
WATER DIRECTLY FROM THE MAINS WAS PURE AND SAFE FOR DRINKING, BUT WATER FROM TANKS MIGHT BE CONTAMINATED AND SHOULD BE BOILED BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
+ WATE.R FROM STREAMS AND WELLS IS ALSO NOT SUITABLE FOR DRINKING,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
0 -
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
15
INTRODUCTION OF USEFUL TECHNOLOGY THE AIM * * * *
THE AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT IN BRINGING OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO INVEST IN MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG IS TO SEEK THE INTRODUCTION OF USEFUL TECHNOLOGY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR A.G. EASON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE VICTORIAN ROTARY CLUB, MR EASON SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S RESOURCES FOR THAT PURPOSE WERE FIVE OVERSEAS OFFICES - IN SAN FRANCISCO, NEW YORK, TOKYO, STUTIGART AND LONDON - MATCHED AND SUPPORTED BY THP ONE STOP UNIT IN HONG KONG.
+AT PRESENT, WORLD WIDE, WE HAVE ON OUR BOOKS OVER 530 ACTIVE PROJECTS, WHICH WE ARE PURSUING, AND 23 PROMISING PROJECTS, WHICH WE THINK ARE LIKELY TO PROCEED WITHIN A YEAR OR SO.
♦THERE ARE ALSO 19 COMMITTED PROJECTS, WHICH WILL INVOLVE TOTAL INVESTMENT AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $900 MILLION AND THE PROSPECT OF ABOUT 1 000 NEW JOBS.
♦THE YEARS 1983, 1984 AND 1985 PRODUCED RESPECTIVELY 7, 10 AND 18 COMPLETED PROJECTS, INVOLVING ABOUT $12 MILLION, $40 MILLION AND $286 MILLION’S WORTH OF INVESTMENT AND THE CREATION OF 310, 350 AND 730 JOBS.
♦PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT ALL THESE QUANTITIVE MEASURES WILL BE EXCEEDED IN 1986.
♦INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOME 600 MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG INVOLVING OVERSEAS INVESTMENT, INDICATES THAT THEY ARE SPREAD ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS FROM ELECTRONICS, ELECTRICAL GOODS, NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES, CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, GARMENTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING, WATCHES AND CLOCKS.
♦TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS ARE, THEREFORE, INEVITABLY AMONGST THIS RANGE AND THE EXPECTATION IS THAT KNOWLEDGE OF THEM WILL BE DISSEMINATED TO LOCALLY EMPLOYED MANAGERS, TECHNICIANS AND OPERATIVES, AS WELL AS TO LOCAL CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS OF PARTS, COMPONENTS AND SERVICES.*
COMMENTING ON THE RECENT CALL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BANK AND ALONG TERM, LOW INTEREST LOAN SCHEME FOR INDUSTRY, MR EASON SAID THE ISSUE GAVE RISE TO MANY QUESTIONS TO WHICH THERE WERE STILL NO CONVINCING ANSWERS.
HE SAID THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND ITS THREE MAIN COMMITTEES, LEADING MANUFACTURERS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE BODIES COULD COMMUNICATE THEIR IDEAS DIRECTLY TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR INDUSTRIAL POLICIES IN GOVERNMENT.
/♦A OBTAIN
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
16
+ A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF COMMON GROUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THOSE IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WHO FROM TIME TO TIME EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS,+ HE ADDED.
HE AGREED THAT THE BUSINESSMAN SHOULD PROVIDE THE INITIATIVE, THE ENTERPRISE AND THE INVESTMENT, WHILE THE GOVERNMENT SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT THE ENVIRONMENT, THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE SUPPORTING FACILITIES AND SERVICES WERE SUCH AS TO ENCOURAGE THE BUSINESSMAN IN HIS CNDEAVOURS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TEXT OF MR EASON’S SPEECH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION LATER TODAY AT THE GIS PRESS BOXES.
------0--------
NEW DISTRICT OFFICERS IN SHA TIN, TAI PO
*****
NEW DISTRICT OFFICERS AND TAI PO THIS MONTH.
ARE TAKING UP THEIR POSTS IN SHA TIN
MR LEO KWAN WING-WAH, A FORMER PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE HOUSING BRANCH, TODAY (MONDAY) TOOK OVER AS SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER FROM MR W.K. LAM.
MR JOHN BURRETT, A FORMER ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE FINANCE BRANCH, WILL TAKE OVER AS TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER NEXT MONDAY (JULY 21) FROM MR THOMAS CHAN.
-------0---------
USE OF ASBESTOS COMES UNDER CONTROL SOON i X I-k X
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ASBESTOS) SPECIAL REGULATIONS 1986 GOVERNING THE USE OF ASBESTOS IN INDUSTRY WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1.
AFTER THAT DATE, THE USE OF THE TWO MOST HARMFUL KINDS OF ASBESTOS, CROCIDOLITE (BLUE ASBESTOS) AND AMOS ITF (BROWN ASBESTOS) WILL BE PROHIBITED. SPRAYING OF MATERIALS CONTAINING ASBESTOS OF ANY KIND IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES WILL ALSO NOT BE ALLOWED.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY.
THE NEW REGULATIONS AIM AT PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF WORKERS CARRYING OUT ASBESTOS PROCESSES IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
/+THEk->E PROCESSES.............
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
17
*T-ROCESSES VAY GIVE RISE TO SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS IF ADEQUATE P’-CAUTIONARY MEASURES ARE NOT TAKEN,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦WORKERS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO PROLONGED INHALATION OF ASBCSTO< FIBRES COULD CONTRACT ASBESTOSIS WHICH IS A DISEASE OF PROGRESSIVE FIBROSIS OF THE LUNGS, WITH INCREASING RESPIRATORY DISABILITY,* HE ADDED.
THE LAW ALSO PROHIBITS THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN ANY PROCESSES INVOLVING ASBESTOS AND REQUIRES WORKERS TO BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED BEFORE BEING ENGAGED IN AN ASBESTOS PROCESS AND BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER.
AS FOR THE USE OF ASBESTOS OTHER THAN CROCIDOLITE AND AMOSITE, PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE REQUIRED BY THE NEW REGULATIONS TO:
* GIVE NOT LESS THAN 28 DAYS’ NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IF THEY INTEND TO USE SUCH PROCESS AFTER AUGUST 1: AND IN THE CASE OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN CARRYING OUT SUCH PROCESS AT PRESENT, INFORM THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER AUGUST 15
* USE EFFICIENT EXHAUST EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT ENTRY OF ASBESTOS DUST INTO THE AIR ;
* ENSURE ALL WORKERS ARE PROVIDED WITH, AND USE, APPROVED RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING;
¥ KEEP THE PLANT AND PREMISES CLEAN AND FREE OF ASBESTOS DUST ; AND
* ENSURE THAT LOOSE ASBESTOS OR ASBESTOS WASTE IS HANDLED IN A CLOSED RECEPTACLE WHICH MUST BEAR A WARNING NOTICE.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT BREACH OF ANY OF THE REGULATIONS WILL BE AN OFFENCE AND THE OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO FINES VARYING FROM 310 000 TO 330 000, DEPENDING ON THE GRAVITY OF THE OFFENCES.
TO ASSIST PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS IN COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THESE REGULATIONS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A CODE OF PRACTICE ON CONTROL OF ASBESTOS AT WORK WHICH IS AVAILABLE FREE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S BRANCH OFFICES.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE USE AND CONTROL OF ASBESTORS MAY BE MADE TO THE DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
/18
MONDAY, JULY 14, i486
18
TRADE +SWING SCHEME+ I'. OPERATION K * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE OPERATION OF 1986 SWING SCHEME I PHASE III STAGE II FOR EXPORT OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO THE UNITED STATES WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 21, 1986.
UNDER THIS SCHEME, COMPANIES MAY APPLY FOR A SWING INCREASE IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES PROVIDED THAT THEY SURRENDER AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF QUOTA FROM ANOTHER CATEGORY WITHIN THE SAME GROUP.
CATEGORY
QUANTITY
GROUP I
315 1 479 000 SYD
317 10 038 000 SYD
319 10 684 000 SYD
369(1) 84 000 LB
604 98 000 LB
605(1) 32 000 LB
GROUP II
331 347 (FROM 348 ONLY) 25 (1 089
348 (FROM 347 ONLY) (379
3591 :d 37
3591 :2) 373
359(3) 857
631 25
633/634 33
633/634(FR0M 635 ONLY) (37
635 67
635(FR0M 633/634 ONLY) (112
637 11
647 13
652 1 107
659i tl) 120
6591 (2) 28
OOO 000
000 000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
D PR DOZ) DOZ) LB LB LB D PR DOZ DOZ) DOZ DOZ) DOZ DOZ DOZ LB LB
ALL APPLICATIONS UNDER THE TOGETHER ON A DAY-BY-DAY BASIS.
SCHEME WILL BE CONSIDERED
FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE SCHEME CAN BE OBTAINED FROM MR T.M. LEE, INDUSTRY OFFICER, ON 3-7222387.
/19........
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
- 19 -
QUESTION ON DAYA BAY AT BOARD MEETING * * * * *
A n,JESTION ON THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WILL BE RAISED AT TOMORROW’S (TUESDAY) SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.
OTHER QUESTIONS INCLUDE ILLEGAL HAWKING IN HOUSING ESTATES ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS, THE FEASIBILITY OF OPENING WATER CATCHMENTS TO ALLOW WATER FLOW INTO SHING MUN RIVER, AND LEGISLATION GOVERNING MANAGEMENT COMPANIES AND DEVELOPERS.
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE BOARD WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION. THERE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSIONS ON THE PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 0.39 AM TOMORROW IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF THE KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
-------0----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 61.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 357.477 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 352.818 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 60.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
_ _ - - 0 - - - -
ACCREDITATION
A A Jl
FOR LABORATORY * *
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY HAS BEEN RECENTLY ACCREDITED BY THE BRITISH CALIBRATION SERVICE (BCS) FOR A RANGE OF ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) AND DRIVE CURRENT (DC) AND FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENTS.
TO MARK THE EVENT, A BCS PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON JULY 16 (WEDNESDAY) AT THE CALIBRATION LABORATORY, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, TIAN AN CENTRE, SIXTH FLOOR, WAN CHAI, AT 11 AM.
THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR R.E. HOLLOWAY, WILL PRESENT THE CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION TO THE LABORATORY, ON BEHALF OF THE UK LABORATORY ACCREDITATION ORGANISATION (NAMAS).
/THE d'-IRECTGH............
A y
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, WILL RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATE ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
_ _ _ _ 0 - - - -
FOCUS ON ROAD SAFETY FOR THE ELDERLY * * * *
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE ORGANISATION OF A ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE THE ELDERLY ON ROAD SAFETY.
THE CAMPAIGN IS BEING PROPOSED IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN CASUALTIES REPORTED IN MONG KOK LAST YEAR. STATISTICS INDICATED THAT THE ROAD ACCIDENT RATE IN MONG KOK WAS VERY HIGH FOR ALL AGE GROUPS, PARTICULARLY THE ELDERLY.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE LAUNCHING OF A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE 'MEET THE PUBLIC’ SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE BOARD.
THPY WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO VARIOUS LOCAL BODIES FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
/2T
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
QUARRY BAY ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO 3E CLOSED * * ¥■ *
TWO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IM QUARRY BAY ARE TO BE CLOSED SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED.
THEY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHIN THE STAIRCASE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF A BUILDING ADJACENT TO 41 TONG CHONG STREET, AND AT THE SIDE LANE.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY FIRST ISSUED AN ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE MORE THAN 15 MONTHS AGO REQUESTING DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES, BUT THIS WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER AT VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 12 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (MONDAY).
THE STRUCTURES HAVE TO BE CLOSED IN ADVANCE SO THAT THEY CAN Bc DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO OCCUPIERS OF THE buildIng OR TO THE PUBLIC.
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE A CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
ROAD WORKS, SITE FORMATION IN KWAI CHUNG
* * * *
ROAD WORKS AND SITE FORMATION ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT IN KWAI CHUNG AS PART OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE AREA.
A BRIDGE, ABOUT 90 METRES IN LENGTH, WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OVER TSUEN WAN ROAD LINKING WING KEI ROAD AND KWAI FUK ROAD. A NUMBER OF ROADS CONNECTING THE BRIDGE AT BOTH ENDS WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
THE ROAD SYSTEM WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE AREAS, INCLUDING INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND A FUTURE CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION.
A 200-METRE SECTION OF KWAI FUK ROAD WILL BE WIDENED FROM 10.3 METRES TO 15 METRES.
ABOUT ONE HECTARE OF LAND WILL BE FORMED AT WING KEI ROAD, OF WHICH HALF WILL BE FOR INDUSTRIAL USE AND THE REST FOR LOCAL OPEN SPACE, A COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND A REFUSE COLLECTION CENTRE.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH WILL START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
/22
MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
RFSTRICTED ZONE IN T'JEN MUN * * *
TO
TSI NG
NO VEHICLES WILL SE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
- 0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES . BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
• • • • • CONTENTS Page NO.
GOVERNOR SPEAKS OUT FOR FREE TRADE................. 1
SIR EDWARD REITERATES TRADE CONCERN ............... 3
27 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEaK ON DaYA BAY................ 4
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW ................ 5
UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION STaBLE IN MARCH-MaY ........ 6
SASI LEAVES FOR VANCOUVER.......................... 7
TRAM DxsPOT RELOCATION PLaN ENDORSED............... 8
TaC TO REVIEW TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM ............... 9
SHARP RISE IN ROAD ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE ELDERLY 10
MEET THE MaDIA ................................... 12
FOUR NEW MEMBERS ON TRADE ADVISORY BOuRD ......... 13
SPECIAL EXPO STAMPS OUT ON FRIDAY................. 13
CASH AID FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ............ 14
REVIEW ARTICLE ON HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE PUBLISHED 14 FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED ..... 15 COMM. TTEE TO CONSIDER NULLAH POLLUTION........... 16
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TO BE DISCUSSED ................ 16
HALF OF JUNE'S RAIN FALLS IN TWO DAYS ............ 17
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN LEI YUE MUN ROAD .............. 19
/TEMPORARY
- 2 -
TEMPORARY ROaD CLObURE IN NORTH POINT ............... 20
INTERRUPTION TO WATER SUPPLY ........................ 21
LOWER SHING MUN ROAD BEING IMPROVED ................. 2^
parking meters for luen wo market ................... 21
• «•
partial closure of new CLiAR water bay road ......... 22
1
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS OUT FOR FREE TRADE
*****
IT IS NOT IN THE WIDER OR LONG TERM INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES ITSELF THAT THOSE LIKE HONG KONG, WHO ADVOCATE AND PRACTISE SCRUPULOUSLY THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE TRADE, SHOULD SUFFER BECAUSE OTHERS DO NOT DO SO, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID IN SAN FRANCISCO.
SPEAKING TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ON MONDAY (TUESDAY, HK TIME), SIR EDWARD SAID, +TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN WOULD BE TO DAMAGE THE CREDIBILITY OF THE CALLS FOR FREER TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES WHICH THE UNITED STATES SEEKS SO ACTIVELY TO PROMOTE.+
HE NOTED THAT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG DID NOT DEPEND ONLY ON BRITAIN AND CHINA, OR ON HONG KONG’S OWN EFFORTS, BUT DEPENDED VERY MUCH ON WORLD TRADE AND THUS ON THE HEALTH OF THE WORLD ECONOMY.
+THAT IS WHY WE ARE SO SERIOUSLY CONCERNED WITH PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT WHEREVER IT APPEARS IN THE WORLD, AND PARTICULARLY WITH SUCH SENTIMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE PRESENT TIME.+
HE SAID, +WE FULLY RECOGNISE THAT THE PROBLEMS OF WORLD TRADE ARE NOT FOR THE UNITED STATES ALONE, AND THAT OTHER ADVANCED COUNTRIES OF THE PACIFIC SHOULD PLAY THEIR PART IN FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH GENERATE THAT SENTIMENT.
+WE FERVENTLY HOPE FOR A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH EXIST BETWEEN THE ECONOMIC GIANTS. BUT WE ALSO ASK THAT WE WHO OFFER A FREE AND OPEN MARKET TO ALL SHOULD NOT SUFFER BECAUSE OF THOSE PROBLEMS.+
THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBED HONG KONG’S EMERGENCE AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING TRADING ECONOMIES, NOW RANKING 13TH, AHEAD OF DOZENS OF ECONOMIES WITH POPULATIONS MUCH LARGER THAN THE TERRITORY’S 5-1/2 MILLION.
HE SAID: +THE LARGEST ELEMENT IN OUR ECONOMY IS STILL OUR LIGHT MANUFACTURING SECTOR. BUT HONG KONG HAS TAKEN FULL ADVANTAGE OF ITS POSITION, AND ITS FINE NATURAL HARBOUR — OUR ONLY NATURAL RESOURCE — TO BECOME A MAJOR COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE IN EAST ASIA, AND MORE RECENTLY A MAJOR FINANCIAL AND BANKING CENTRE.+
HONG KONG WAS THEREFORE AN ECONOMY OF SOME IMPORTANCE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
+OUR MAIN TRADING PARTNERS ARE, LIKE US, LOCATED ON THE PACIFIC RIM, THE THREE BIGGEST ARE THE UNITED STATES, CHINA AND JAPAN.
+WE HAVE VALUABLE TRADING LINKS WITH OUR OTHER PACIFIC NEIGHBOURS SUCH AS CANADA, AUSTRALIA, KOREA AND TAIWAN.
/+ EUROPE TOO .......
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
2
+EUROPE TOO IS IMPORTANT, BUT BY FAR THE GREATER PART OF OUR TRADE — OVER 80 PER CENT — IS WITH PACIFIC COUNTRIES, NONE MORE SO THAN THE UNITED STATES — OUR LARGEST MARKET AND OUR THIRD LARGEST SUPPLIER,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD ALSO GAVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE ARRANGEMENTS AGREED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND THE NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES ON QUESTIONS CONCERNING HONG KONG’S TRANSITION TO A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
AFTER 1997 INVESTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROTECTED BY LAW, AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO REPATRIATE THEIR PROFITS IF THEY WISHED, HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD REFERRED TO THE AGREEMENT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BECOME A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, WHICH SHOULD REMAIN SO AFTER 1997.
HE SAID, +THIS WAS A VITAL MATTER FOR US, WITH OUR HEAVY DEPENDENCE ON TRADE, AND THE OUTCOME WAS A BOOST TO CONFIDENCE.* +ECONOMICALLY IT IS STRONGLY IN CHINA’S OWN INTEREST THAT HONG KONG SHOULD REMAIN STABLE AND PROSPEROUS AFTER 1997.+
THIS WAS BECAUSE HONG KONG WOULD BECOME MORE VALUABLE TO CHINA AS IT PROCEEDED WITH ITS MODERNISATION PROGRAMME, HE SAID.
HONG KONG WAS RAPIDLY ADOPTING MORE AND MORE TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, SIR EDWARD WENT ON.
+WE HAVE A HIGHLY EFFICIENT MANUFACTURING SECTOR; A FINANCIAL CENTRE IN REAL TIME TOUCH WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD THROUGH ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED SATELLITE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AVAILABLE; ONE OF THE WORLD’S TECHNICALLY MOST EFFICIENT CONTAINER TERMINALS’ SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST MODERN HIGH-TECH BUILDINGS! A FULLY COMPUTERISED AND ACTIVE STOCK EXCHANGE, AND SO ON.*
SUMMING UP, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION HAD GIVEN HONG KONG A GOOD BASIS ON WHICH TO BUILD, AND THE PEOPLE WERE DETERMINED TO MAKE IT WORK. THE TERRITORY HAD AN EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT, A STABLE SOCIETY, AND A HARD WORKING AND ENTERPRISING POPULATION. THESE QUALITIES HAD BROUGHT HONG KONG A LONG WAY IN A SHORT TIME SO THAT IT HAD BECOME ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT TRADING CITIES. +WE INTEND TO DO OUR UTMOST TO ENSURE THAT IT STAYS THAT WAY,* HE ADDED.
/THE GOVEENOH
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
THE GOVERNOR SPOKE AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE HONG KONG BAY AREA ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH — ENTITLED HONG KONG AND THE U.S. - TRADE PARTNERS IN THE PACIFIC -- WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE LATER.
-------0----------
SIR EDWARD REITERATES TRADE CONCERN * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, REITERATED HIS CONCERN OVER TRADE PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT IN THE UNITED STATES WHEN HE ANSWERED QUESTIONS FOLLOWING HIS ADDRESS TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN SAN FRANCISCO ON MONDAY (TUESDAY, HK TIME).
+WE UNDERSTAND TRADE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD,* HE TOLD A QUESTIONER. +SO WE ARE REALLY PREACHING THE DOCTRINE OF SAYING THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHY PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT GROWS. BUT THE ANSWER TO IT IS NOT TO APPLY PROTECTIONIST MEASURES TO THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY FREE TRADERS IN GOODS AND SERVICES.*
HE EMPHASISED AGAIN THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT EXPORTER TO THE UNITED STATES BUT ALSO A GREAT IMPORTER FROM IT.
SIR EDWARD WAS ALSO QUESTIONED REGARDING THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
ASKED WHETHER THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF CHINA ’SCALING DOWN’ HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL AND BANKING CENTRE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE DID NOT SEE WHAT INTEREST CHINA WOULD HAVE IN DOING THAT.
+INDEED I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THINGS ABOUT THE WHOLE NEGOTIATIONS IN WHICH I WAS INVOLVED WAS IN THE CHINESE CONCERN WITH ALL THINGS WHICH WOULD MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AND OUR FINANCIAL CENTRE.
+AND HONG KONG AS A BANKING CENTRE DOES MAKE A VERY GOOD CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY,* THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT PROVIDED THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR SHOULD CONTINUE AND BE FREELY CONVERTIBLE AFTER 1997.
/ASKED ABOUT .......
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
4
ASKED ABOUT HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ FREEDOM TO TRAVEL IN FUTURE, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THE AGREEMENT DID SAY THAT THEY COULD TRAVEL FREELY USING DOCUMENTS WHICH MIGHT BE PASSPORTS ISSUED BY THE CHINESE TO THEIR CHINESE NATIONALS OR THOSE ISSUED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS.
THE LATTER PASSPORTS WOULD HAVE AN ENDORSEMENT WHICH MADE CLEAR THE HOLDERS HAD THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
+WE ARE NOW SORTING OUT THE DETAILS, THIS WITH THE CHINESE, AND WE WOULD EXPECT IN 1987 TO START ISSUING THESE NEW PASSPORTS AND MAKING REPRESENTATIONS AROUND THE WORLD BECAUSE WE REALISE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL ON THEM SHOULD STILL HAVE FREE ACCESS TO OTHER COUNTRIES,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT PROGRESS IN DRAFTING THE BASIC LAW, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE CONTENTS WERE BEING DISCUSSED BY THE APPROPRIATE PARTIES IN THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE AND THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
+WE WOULD EXPECT THE FIRST DRAFT TO APPEAR IN 1988 OR THEREABOUTS. THAT IS LARGELY A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT RATHER THAN US.+
CONCERNING HONG KONG’S LEGAL SYSTEM, WHICH WAS THE COMMON LAW LEGAL SYSTEM, SIR EDWARD SAID IT WOULD INDEED CONTINUE.
BEYOND PERHAPS ONE OR TWO CHANGES, HE EXPECTED ALL THE BUSINESS LAWS AND THE LAWS WHICH CONTINUED THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS AND OBLIGATIONS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE AS THEY WERE NOW.
-------0---------
27 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON DAYA BAY *****
TWENTY-SEVEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE MATTER OF + HONG KONG AND THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT* IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THEIR FIRST AND SECOND READING AT THE MEETING. THEY AREs THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1985-86) BILL 1986, THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1986, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
BILLS DUE FOR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING INCLUDE THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE THEFT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL 1986.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, WILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON A 'REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE FINAL QUARTER OF 1985-86 PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE: SECTION 8’.
IN ADDITION, A STATEMENT ON THE REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE FUTURE OF THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND WILL BE MADE BY THE HON K.C. CHAN.
OTHER MAIN BUSINESS INCLUDES SIX QUESTIONS FROM UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND A MOTION ON THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW * * * *
THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE LAST WEDNESDAY WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE AGENDA WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
* THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF IMPLEMENTING A VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, A NETWORK OF RADAR STATIONS SET UP AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS TO COVER MARINE TRAFFIC LANES;
X AN INCREASE IN PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR THE AUXILIARY FORCES OTHER THAN THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE ;
* A SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION TO MEET INCREASED EXPENDITURE ARISING FROM COURT COSTS AWARDED AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT;
* SUPLEMENTARY GRANTS FOR THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNICS AND THE BAPTIST COLLEGE TO ENABLE THE INSTITUTIONS TO AWARD SALARY INCREASES TO STAFF FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE NON-DI RECTORATE PAY SCALES;
* A CAPITAL GRANT FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TO THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND TO EQUIP A CENTRALISED BRAILLE PRODUCTION CENTRE AND THE EXTENSION OF THE AMBIT OF HEAD 41 EDUCATION SUBVENTIONS SUBHEAD 489 TO INCLUDE A SUBVENTION TO THE SOCIETY TO OPERATE THE CENTRE; AND
* NEW COMITMENTS TOTALLING $5 858 000 TO MEET THE COST OF FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING THE PROPOSED JEWELLERY INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE AND ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TRAINING CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, AND TO ACCEPT THE RECURRENT FINANCIAL IMPLICATION ARISING FROM THE OPENING OF THE TWO CENTRES.
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/6........
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
6
UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION STABLE IN MARCH-MAY
*****
THE UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION REMAINED STABLE WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION DETERIORATED SLIGHTLY IN THE QUARTER MARCH-MAY 1986, COMPARED WITH THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1986, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS POINTED OUT THAT THE DEFINITIONS OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT HAVE BEEN MODIFIED SINCE JANUARY 1985 TO CONFORM WITH THE LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO).
UNDER THE NEW DEFINITIONS, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH-MAY 1986 WAS 3.0 PER CENT, WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1986. THE RATE FOR MARCH-MAY 1985 WAS 3.1 PER CENT. THE DECREASE OF 0.1 PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER MARCH-MAY 1986 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 80 300, COMPARED WITH 79 900 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1986 AND 80 800 FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
UNDER THE NEW DEFINITIONS, THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH-MAY 1936 WAS 2.4 PER CENT, WHICH COMPARES WITH THE RATE OF 2.0 PER CENT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1986. THE RATE FOR MARCH-MAY 1985 WAS 1.3 PER CENT. THE INCREASES OF 0.4 PERCENTAGE POINT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND OF 1.1 PERCENTAGE POINT COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT - THAT IS, THE INCREASES ARE GREATER THAN MIGHT BE EXPECTED TO ARISE FROM SAMPLING ERROR.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR THE QUARTER MARCH-MAY 1986 WAS 64 200, COMPARED WITH 53 900 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 1986 AND 34 600 FOR MARCH-MAY 1985. CONSISTENT WITH THE LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ILO, PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE EFFECT OF THE MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION ON THE ESTIMATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT IS MARGINAL, ITS EFFECT ON THE ESTIMATE OF UNDEREMPLOYMENT IS QUITE CONSIDERABLE. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES UNDER THE OLD AND THE NEW DEFINITIONS IS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FACT THAT PERSONS WORKING LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK FOR ECONOMIC REASONS WHO WERE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK BUT WERE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL WORK ARE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED UNDER THE NEW DEFINITIONS BUT NOT UNDER THE OLD DEFINITIONS.
/COMMENTING .......
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATION IN THE FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF MANUAL EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION FROM SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES FOR THE LATEST MONTH, PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY. THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST TREND IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION. THE PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) FOR APRIL-JUNE 1986 WAS 3.0 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.9 PER CENT. (THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH-MAY 1986 WAS 2.9 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 53 000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUT IONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG. PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED. IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 1986 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND SEPTEMBER 20.
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' SASI LEAVES FOR VANCOUVER
* * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR JAMeI SO, LEFT FOR VANCOUVER THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING TO ATTEND THE +HONG KONG DAY+ AT EXPO ’86 ON FRIDAY (JULY 18).
MR SO WHO IS ALSO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE HONG KONG PAVILION, WILL JOIN THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, IN VANCOUVER.
ON FRIDAY EVENING, MR SO WILL ACCOMPANY THE GOVERNOR TO A HONG KONG DAY EVENING GALA PERFORMANCE BY TVB AND ATV ARTISTES.
DURING HIS EIGHT-DAY STAY IN VANCOUVER, MR SO WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING TRADE AND BUSINESS PEOPLE.
AFTER HIS VISIT, MR SO WILL GO ON LEAVE, AND RETURN TO HONG KONG AT THE END OF AUGUST.
/8........
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
8
TRAM DEPOT RELOCATION PLAN ENDORSED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PLAN BY HONGKONG TRAMWAYS LIMITED (HKT) TO RELOCATE ITS DEPOT FACILITIES FROM SHARP STREET EAST, WAN CHAI, TO TWO NEW SITES AT SAI YING PUN AND SAI WAN HO.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC WILL STAND TO BENEFIT FROM THE DEPOT RELOCATION PLAN AS HKT HAD UNDERTAKEN NOT TO INCREASE FARES BEFORE THE END OF 1988 IF COSTS RISE AT THE AVERAGE PREDICTED INFLATION RATE OF SIX PER CENT.
WITHOUT THE RELOCATION PLAN, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT TRAM FARES WILL HAVE TO GO UP BY 20 CENTS IN 1988 IN VIEW OF INCREASING OPERATING COSTS. THE RELOCATION OF DEPOT FACILITIES WILL HELP HKT SAVE 7.5 PER CENT OF ITS OPERATING COSTS, OR $3.5 MILLION A YEAR, THUS DEFERRING THE NEED FOR A FARE INCREASE BY ANOTHER YEAR.
COSTS ARE SAVED MAINLY THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF UNECONOMIC TRIPS FROM AND TO THE SHARP STREET EAST DEPOT, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAMWAY, BEFORE AND AFTER THE SCHEDULED HOURS OF OPERATION.
AT PRESENT, TRIPS BY EARLY MORNING AND LATE NIGHT TRAMS LEAVING AND RETURNING TO THE DEPOT ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT OF THE TOTAL DAILY MILEAGE COVERAGE BY TRAMS.
THIS PROBLEM OF WASTE MILEAGE WILL BE OVERCOME WHEN THE DEPOT FACILITIES ARE MOVED TO SAI YING PUN AND SAI WAN HO, WHICH ARE NEARER TO BOTH ENDS OF THE TRAMWAY. REDUCED TRACK WEAR AND FEWER OVERTIME PAYMENTS WILL ALSO HELP CUT COSTS.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ALSO NOTED THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF LOW TRAM FARES WILL STRENGTHEN THE VIABILITY OF THE TRAMWAY AND THAT THE ABILITY OF THE TRAMWAY TO WITHSTAND COMPETITION FROM THE MTR ISLAND LINE EMPHASISES THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEAP FARES TO A SHORT-HAUL MODE OF TRANSPORT.
MOREOVER, THE SHARP STREET EAST DEPOT IS LOCATED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND THE NOISE CAUSED BY OVERNIGHT MAINTENANCE AND THE MOVEMENT OF EMPTY TRAMS LATE AT NIGHT AND EARLY IN THE MORNING IN AND OUT OF THE DEPOT HAS LONG BEEN A NUISANCE TO NEARBY RESIDENTS.
AT THE SAI YING PUN AND SAI WAN HO SITES, THE PROBLEM OF NOISE NUISANCE SHOULD BE MINIMAL AS BOTH ARE SHIELDED FROM RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS BY EITHER HIGHWAY VIADUCTS OR OTHER BUILDINGS. THE TENANCY AGREEMENTS WILL ALSO CARRY RESTRICTIONS ON MAXIMUM NOISE LEVELS AT THE DEPOT BOUNDARIES.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE ELIMINATION OF EARLY AND LATE TRAM MOVEMENTS FROM AND TO SHARP STREET EAST WILL HAVE A BENEFICIAL IMPACT THROUGHOUT THE TRAMWAY CORRIDOR, WHERE SOME 300 000 PEOPLE LIVE WITHIN EARSHOT OF THE LINE.
/HU SAID THE ........
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO SET UP AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL DEPOT RELOCATION WORKING GROUP TO ENSURE THAT ANY ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY THE NEW DEPOTS WILL BE KEPT TO THE MINIMUM. THE WORKING GROUP WILL REPORT REGULARLY TO DISTRICT BOARDS AS WELL AS THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE DEPOT RELOCATION PLAN IS UNLIKELY TO GENERATE ANY SERIOUS TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, NOR WILL IT TAKE AWAY POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE FOR RESIDENTS IN SAI YING PUN AND SAI WAN HO. MODIFICATIONS TO TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT TO FORESTALL ANY ADVERSE EFFECT ON GENERAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE AREA OF THE NEW DEPOTS.
THE SAI YING PUN DEPOT SITE, SITUATED ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION NEAR THE WHITTY STREET TRAM TERMINUS, OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 1.28 HECTARES WHILE THE 0.7 HECTARE SAI WAN HO SITE IS LOCATED BENEATH THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR VIADUCT CLOSE TO THE JUNCTION OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HOI FOO STREET.
THE TWO DEPOT SITES WILL BE GRANTED TO HKT INITIALLY ON SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF NO MORE THAN FIVE YEARS, THUS ALLOWING THE GOVERNMENT TO MODIFY THE LEASE CONDITIONS, IF NEEDED, BEFORE RENEWING THE LEASES.
THE TRAM DEPOT RELOCATION PLAN WAS DISCUSSED AND ENDORSED EARLIER BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE WAN CHAI, EASTERN AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARDS.
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TAC TO REVIEW TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM
* * * * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) IS TO SET UP A SUB-COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE EXISTING TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM AND ADVISE ON A LONG-TERM POLICY ON TAXIS.
AT THEIR MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY), MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AGREED THAT THE SUB-COMMITTEE SHOULD COMPRISE TAC MEMBERS, W JACKIE CHAN CHAI-KEUNG (CHAIRMAN), DR CONRAD LAM KUl-SHING, W LEUNG CHI-KEUNG, DR STEPHEN TANG LUNG-WAI AND MR STEPHEN CHENG wUl-YAU, WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM Th£ TRANSPORT BRANCH AND ONE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THIS POLICY REVIEW WILL COVER A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING THE ROLE OF TAXIS IN THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM, THE USAGE OF TAXIS, THE ORGANISATION AND FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TAXI TRADE, THE GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF TAXI SERVICES, FARES POLICY, LICENCE ISSUING SYSTEM, THE CLASSIFICATION OF TAXIS AS WELL AS THE NEW TERRITORIES TAXI BOUNDARIES.
/AFTER STUDYING .......
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
10
AFTER STUDYING A PAPER ON THE HISTORY OF TAXI LICENSING, NEMBERS CONSIDERED THAT WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION WILL PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE WITH PAST STUDIES ON THE TAXI TRADE, THE SUB-COMMITTEE MAY, SUBJECT TO RESOURCES AVAILABLE, ASK FOR FURTHER SURVEYS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE WOULD START EXAMINING THE SITUATION CONCERNING TAXIS AND THEN GIVE GUIDELINES AS TO THE WAY THEY WOULD LIKE THE REVIEW TO BE CONDUCTED.
ALSO AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS FURTHER CONSIDERED THE REPORT ON THE +STUDY OF CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES* (CHAPTS) WHICH EXPLORES HOW CROSS HARBOUR BUS AND FERRY SERVICES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED BEFORE AND AFTER THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSS ING.
THEY ENDORSED THE +CHAPTS+ RECOMMENDATION THAT CROSS HARBOUR BUSES SHOULD ADOPT A GRADUAL AND LIMITED EXPANSION PROGRAMME AND THAT A NUMBER OF NEW RAIL AND FERRY FEEDER SERVICES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
MEMBERS AGREED TO KEEP THE TRAVELLING COST TO THE PUBLIC AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AND TO GIVE DUE WEIGHT TO CONSUMER CONVENIENCE WITHIN THE GENERAL POLICY FRAMEWORK.
THEY ALSO ENDORSED THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY’S CROSS HARBOUR NETWORK SHOULD BE RATIONALISED WHILE NO CHANGES TO THE STAR FERRY NETWORK WERE REQUIRED.
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SHARP RISE IN ROAD ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE ELDERLY
*****
IN 1985, THERE WAS A SHARP RISE OF 31 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES IN THE 60 AND OVER AGE GROUP.
DESPITE THIS, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE OVERALL NUMBER OF ROAD ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES OF 1.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1984.
THESE STATISTICS ARE CONTAINED IN THE 1986 EDITION OF GOVERNMENT’S ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY PAPER WHICH HAS JUST BEEN ISSUED BY THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL.
THE PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY PAPER IS TO REVIEW PROGRESS IN
THE VARIOUS FIELDS OF ROAD SAFETY ENDEAVOUR, IDENTIFY AREAS REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION AND CO-ORDINATE STRATEGY PROPOSALS AND MAINTAIN A CHECKLIST OF CURRENT AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES.
THE PAPER NOTES THAT PEDESTRIANS ACCOUNTED FOR 71.2 PER CENT
OF THOSE KILLED AND 33.6 PER CENT OF THOSE INJURED AND CONTINUED TO BE THE ROAD-USER GROUP MOST AT RISK.
/ELABORATING .......
JULY 1p, 1986
11
ELABORATING ON THE INCREASE OF FATALITIES INVOLVING OLD PEOPLE, IT SAYS, +THIS TREND WAS IDENTIFIED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL HAS IN HAND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE OUR OLDER CITIZENS AND TO ALERT OTHER ROAD USERS TO THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS.*
THE PAPER POINTS OUT THAT SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION IN AUGUST 1984, THE POLICE WITH THEIR PRINCIPAL CONSIDERATION OF ACCIDENT PREVENTION, HAVE GIVEN PRIORITY TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF PEDESTRIAN, SPEEDING AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE OFFENCES.
+POLICE PROSECUTION ACTION IN THESE AREAS ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY DURING 1985. PEDESTRIAN OFFENCE SUMMONSES INCREASED BY 84 PER CENT, SPEEDING OFFENCE PROSECUTIONS (INCLUDING FIXED PENALTY TICKETS, ARRESTS AND SUMMONSES) ROSE BY 87.8 PER CENT AND DEFECTIVE VEHICLE REPORTS INCREASED BY 29.7 PER CENT,* IT SAYS.
ACCORDING TO THE PAPER, THE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE HAD AN INVALUABLE DETERRENT EFFECT AND THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL FULLY SUPPORTS CURRENT PROPOSALS TO INTRODUCE A GRADED ALLOCATION OF POINTS IN RESPECT OF SPEEDING OFFENCES.
+ WITH THE OPENING UP OF HIGH CAPACITY ROADS, IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT BECAUSE FEW HONG KONG DRIVERS HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE ON SUCH ROADS BEFORE, THERE IS A WIDESPREAD TENDENCY TO DRIVE AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS WITH LITTLE OR NO LANE DISCIPLINE,* IT ADDED.
THE PAPER THEREFORE STRESSES THAT ENFORCEMENT ACTION MUST BE MAINTAINED TO ENSURE THAT THE LIMITS IMPOSED ARE NOT IGNORED AND DRIVING HABITS IMPROVE.
THE REPORT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT WITH THE CONTINUED DECREASE IN THE NUMBERS OF DRIVER FATALITIES AND SERIOUS INJURIES COMPARED TO THE NUMBERS IN THE SAME PERIOD IN PAST YEARS BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEAT BELT LEGISLATION, FRONT SEAT BELTS DO SAVE LIVES AND LESSEN THE SEVERITY OF INJURY.
THE PAPER REVEALS THAT A ROAD AND SUPPLEMENT THE PRESENT HIGHWAY INTRODUCED BY 1987.
USERS CODE, WHICH WILL REPLACE CODE, IS NOW SCHEDULED TO BE
+APART FROM INFORMING ROAD USERS OF SAFETY METHODS, IT IS ALSO INTENDED FOR USE BY ROAD SAFETY TRAINING OFFICERS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS AS A RESOURCE BOOK FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE,* IT EXPLAINS.
THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION PROGRAMME SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF ALL INSPECTIONS AND TO WIDEN THE RANGE OF VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THEM.
/ A I'lAJ OR..................
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
12
A MAJOR AIM IN 1986 WILL BE DEVELOPMENT OF A FULLY COMPUTERISED VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE TO CATER FOR 3IGGER THROUGHPUT IN INSPECTING GOODS VEHICLES. THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS ACTIVELY PURSUING THE BUILDING OF A FULLY COMPUTERISED VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE.
+WHEN COMPLETED, IT WILL CENTRALISE MOST OF THE ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION, WORK AND, FURTHERMORE, IT WILL ENABLE THE POLICY OF ANNUAL INSPECTION OF ALL GOODS VEHICLES TO BE ACHIEVED,* THE PAPER SAYS.
THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL WAS SET UP IN 1983 TO REPLACE THE STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD SAFETY, CHANGING FROM BEING MAINLY A CO-ORDINATOR OF EXECUTIVE ACTION INTO A BODY WHICH ALSO DEVELOPS PROPOSALS TO PREVENT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND PROVIDES ADVICE ON POLICIES TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
APART FROM CO-ORDINATING THE WORK OF THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE COUNCIL CONTINUES TO SEEK TO HARNESS COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND BY MEANS OF CAMPAIGNS, MEDIA PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION TO SPREAD THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE AND RAISE THE COMMUNITY’S LEVEL OF ROAD SAFETY CONSC IOUSNESS.
THE COUNCIL IS CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, OPERATIONS, AND HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRANSPORT BRANCH AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION; THE TRAFFIC WING OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE; TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, INFORMATION SERVICES AND ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS; BRITISH FORCES, HONG KONG; THE HONG KONG ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED MOTORISTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY PAPER ISSUED BY THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
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MEET THE MEDIA * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSEPH LEI, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (JULY 17) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
- 15 -
FOUR NEW MEMBERS ON TRADE ADVISORY BOARD -X-X-X-X-X
FOUR NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD WHICH HELD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR THE JULY 1986 TO JUNE 1987 YEAR TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE FOUR ARE MR T.H. BARMA, MR FRED K.T. CHIN, MR JACK SO AND DR KENNETH K.K. WANG.
TEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO SERVED ON THE BOARD LAST YEAR HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED FOR ANOTHER YEAR. THEY ARE MR WILLIAM TURNBULL, MR PAUL T.S. YIN, MR ALEXANDER S.K. AU, mr WARRENT W.L. HUI, MR KENNETH TING, MR GARY N. HARILELA, MR RAY MAN LEUNG, MRS ELEANOR C.M. LING, MR HO SAI-CHU AND MR THOMAS CLYDESDALE.
RETIRING FROM THE BOARD ARE MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG, MR S.H. SUNG AND MR ALAN S.S. CHUANG.
+1 WOULD LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THESE RETIRING MEMBERS FOR THE INVALUABLE SERVICE WHICH THEY HAVE GIVEN TO THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE BOARD,* SAID THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR S.A. WEBB-JOHNSON.
THE BOARD ADVISES THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY ON MATTERS AFFECTING HONG KONG’S TRADE - OTHER THAN IN TEXTILES AND GARMENTS WHERE ADVICE IS GIVEN BY THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.
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SPECIAL EXPO STAMPS OUT ON FRIDAY * * * * *
THE POST OFFICE WILL ISSUE A SET OF FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS ON FRIDAY (JULY 18) TO MARK HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 1986 WORLD EXPOSITION IN VANCOUVER.
THE NEW STAMPS WILL BE IN DENOMINATIONS OF 50 CENTS, $1.30, $1.70 AND $5.
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO COPE WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS EXPECTED ON FRIDAY, ADDITIONAL COUNTERS WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND THE BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HENNESSY ROAD, MORRISON HILL, NORTH POINT, QUEEN’S ROAD AND SHEUNG WAN POST OFFICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL COUNTERS AT KOWLOON CENTRAL, CHEUNG SHA WAN, GILLIES AVENUE, KOWLOON CITY, KWUN TONG, MONG KOK, SHAM SHU I PO, TSIM SHA TSUI AND TSUEN WAN POST OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID EXTRA STAFF WOULD BE DEPLOYED AT MOST POST OFFICES WHENEVER NECESSARY ON FRIDAY BUT QUEUES WERE NEVERTHELESS EXPECTED.
+MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD EXERCISE TOLERANCE AND, IF POSSIBLE, TAKE CARE OF THEIR NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS BEFORE OR AFTER THE DATE OF THE SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE,* HE SAID.
-14
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
- 14 -
CASH AID FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT GRANTED «4 140 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TODAY (TUESDAY) TO THREE OF THE 12 PEOPLE INJURED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN NORTH POINT ON TUESDAY LAST WEEK.
THE THREE WERE GRANTED PAYMENTS RANGING FROM $690 TO $1 840.
THE ACCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED NEAR THE JUNCTION OF KING’S ROAD AND SHELL STREET, INVOLVED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS AND A DOUBLE-DECKER BUS. SEVEN MEN AND FIVE WOMEN WERE INJURED.
FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, STAFF OF THE TAVA SECTION VISITED THE INJURED PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL OR CONTACTED THOSE DISCHARGED BY TELEPHONE TO OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
AT PRESENT, THE TAVA SECTION IS AWAITING FOR A REPLY FROM TWO OTHER VICTIMS. THE OTHER SEVEN WERE NOT QUALIFIED AS THEY HAD NOT BEEN IN HOSPITAL FOR THE MINIMUM PERIOD OF THREE DAYS.
THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDES QUICK FINANCIAL HELP TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS, REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.
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REVIEW ARTICLE ON HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE PUBLISHED
*****
THE MAY ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ENTITLED +RESULTS OF THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES+.
A HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BETWEEN OCTOBER 1984 AND SEPTEMBER 1985 TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE AVERAGE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG.
BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY, THE WEIGHTS FOR COMPILING THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES WERE DERIVED AND THE NEW INDEXES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR.
THE SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE GIVES THE SUMMARY FINDINGS OF THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AS WELL AS THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES.
/IT ALSO .......
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
- 15 -
IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE CHANGES IN THE HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS BETWEEN 1984/85 AND 1979/80 WHEN A SIMILAR HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY WAS LAST CONDUCTED IN HONG KONG.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE, AT $28 PER COPY, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER, 19/F., KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING. 317 DE$_VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED
*****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO CONSIDER SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
THESE INCLUDE CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES TO BE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS? THE DISTRICT PARTICIPATION IN THE HONG KONG DANCE FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY; SHOPPING DISCOUNT FORTNIGHT FOR THE ELDERLY AND A CHILDREN’S MUSIC CAMP.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS SUBSIDIES PROVIDED FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS ORGANISED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY BODIES IN THE DISTRICT.
A REPORT COMPILED BY THE CONCERN GROUP ON THE BOUGHT PLACES SCHEME IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ CONSIDERATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD TO KWA WAN.
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/16........
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER NULLAH POLLUTION
*****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE POLLUTION OF TUEN MUN NULLAH AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORT CONTAINS DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEGREE OF POLLUTION OF THE NULLAH AS MONITORED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT THE SOURCES OF POLLUTION IDENTIFIED AND THE PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT PROPOSED BY THE DISTRICT’S WORKING GROUP ON WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT.
APART FROM SEVERE FAECAL POLLUTION FROM HUMAN AND ANIMAL WASTE, THE TUEN MUN NULLAH ALSO SUFFERED FROM SEVERE INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION AS INDICATED BY THE HIGH LEVEL OF TOXICANTS SUCH AS CADMIUM, LEAD, ZINC FROM NEARBY FACTORIES.
AT TOMORROW’S MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTPATH AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE DRAINAGE AT TIN SUM IN HUNG SHU I KIU AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TO BE DISCUSSED
*****
A REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF TSUEN WAN WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES OF THE SCHEME INCLUDE JOINT EVENTS WITH THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO TACKLE YOUTH PROBLEMS AND TO ORGANISE OUTINGS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN SO THEY CAN APPRECIATE THE NATURAL ASPECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF RURAL AREAS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A SERIES OF PROPOSED PROGRAMMES ON COMMUNITY INFORMATION ACTIVITIES.
/THE MEETING .......
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
- 17 -
THE MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTISTOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MEETING.
Y -------0---------
HALF OF JUNE’S RAIN FALLS IN TWO DAYS *****
RAINFALL IN TWO SEPARATE DAYS IN JUNE ACCOUNTED FOR 58 PER CENT OF THE MONTH’S TOTAL, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE TWO DAYS WERE JUNE 6, WHEN A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE PASSED RAPIDLY THROUGH HONG KONG, AND JUNE 25 WHEN A DISTURBANCE IN THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON AFFECTED THE TERRITORY.
HOWEVER, ON THE WHOLE, JUNE WAS A NORMAL MONTH IN RESPECT OF TEMPERATURE, CLOUDINESS AND PRECIPITATION. THE TOTAL RA I NFALL OF 415.9 MM RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WAS NEAR THE MONTH’S
NORMAL OF 431.8 MM.
FROM JUNE 1 TO 3, THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY FINE AND HOT APART FROM SOME LOCALISED HEAVY SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
ON JUNE 4, A PERTURBED SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW GAVE RISE TO WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, PARTICULARLY IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE WEATHER IMPROVED DURING THE FOLLOWING DAY.
A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE THEN DEVELOPED CLOSE TO THE NORTH OF HONG KONG EARLY ON JUNE 6 AND MOVED RAPIDLY SOUTHWARDS THROUGH THE TERRITORY. INTENSE RAIN FELL FROM 9 AM TO 10 AM AND AMOUNTED TO 73.9 MM.
THE KOWLOON PENINSULA, NORTH POINT AND CLEAR WATER BAY WERE THE WETTEST AREAS AND THE TOTAL RAINFALL DURING THE DAY EXCEEDED 150 MM.
ON JUNE 7, MINOR FLOODINGS IN WESTERN DISTRICT AND A MUDSLIP IN NGAU CHI WAN WERE REPORTED.
THE PROXIMITY OF THE TROUGH CAUSED RAINY AND COOLER WEATHER TO CONTINUE IN HONG KONG FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
/THE WEATHER
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
18
THE WEATHER WAS FINE FROM JUNE 9 TO 11. THE TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE REMAINED WELL SOUTH OF HONG KONG.
ON JUNE 12, THE TROUGH RETURNED FROM THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND BROUGHT SCATTERED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUED INTO JUNE 13 AND CAUSED A MINOR MUDSLIP IN KWUN TONG. AS THE TROUGH CONTINUED TO MOVE NORTHWARDS AWAY FROM HONG KONG, THE WEATHER BECAME SUNNY AND HOT BETWEEN JUNE 14 AND 16.
DURING THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 17 TO 23, THE WEATHER WAS CHARACTERISED BY INTERMITTENT SHOWERS AND SUNNY PERIODS.
ON JUNE 24, AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WHICH HAD BEEN LINGERING OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA MOVED SHARPLY NORTHWARDS TOWARDS HONG KONG.
THE LOW PRESSURE AREA INTENSIFED MARKEDLY EARLY ON JUNE 25 AS IT MOVED CLOSER AND A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR OCCURRED IN THE EVENING. ABOUT 50 TO 100 MM OF RAINFALL WERE RECORDED IN MOST PARTS OF THE TERRITORY AND MINOR FLOODING WAS REPORTED IN TAI PO.
DURING THIS PERIOD, OCCASIONAL STRONG GUSTS BLEW DOWN TREES AND OVERTURNED A SAMPAN. THE ADVERSE WEATHER ALSO AFFECTED FERRY SERVICES TO ZHAOQING.
IN HONG KONG, UNSETTLED CONDITIONS LASTED UNTIL JUNE 27.
FINE AND HOT WEATHER MADE A WELCOME RETURN FROM JUNE 28 TO 30 AND THE MONTH ENDED WITH THE TEMPERATURE RISING TO 32.9 DEGREES CELSIUS IN THE AFTERNOON OF JUNE 30.
TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES DEVELOPED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH.
NANCY DEVELOPED AS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION ABOUT 1 080 KM EAST OF MANILA ON JUNE 21 AND MOVED NORTHWESTWARDS. IT PASSED ABOUT 180 KM TO THE NORTHEAST OF LUZON AND INTENSIFIED INTO A TYPHOON ABOUT 90 KM SOUTHEAST OF BATAN ON JUNE 23. IT SKIRTED THE EASTERN COAST OF TAIWAN AND PASSED CLOSE TO TAIPEI EARLY ON JUNE 24.
NANCY RECURVED NORTHEASTWARDS DURING THE DAY AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 60 KM PER HOUR THAT NIGHT. IT CROSSED THE SOUTHERN COAST OF KOREA ABOUT 290 KM SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SEOUL IN THE MORNING OF JUNE 25 AND BECAME AN EXTRATROPICAL DEPRESSION OVER THE SEA OF JAPAN ABOUT 310 KM NORTHWEST OF OSAKA ON THE SAME DAY.
OWEN FORMED ABOUT 1 330 KM EAST OF MANILA ON JUNE 28, AND MOVED GENERALLY NORTHWESTWARDS ABOUT 14 KM PER HOUR AND BECAME A TROPICAL STORM EARLY ON JUNE 29.
/AT THE END .......
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
- 19 -
AT THE END OF THE MONTH, OWEN RECURVED NORTH-NORTHEASTWARDS OVER THE OCEAN ABOUT 740 KM SOUTH OF OKINAWA.
DURING THE MONTH, THREE AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JUNE 3, 4, 6, 7, 13, 17, 18 AND 26. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JUNE 6 AND 25, AND THE LANDSLIP WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON JUNE 6 AND 7.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
SUMMER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 25 JUNE 5.30 PM 26 JUNE 5.00 AM THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
SUNSHINE 174.0 HOURS - 14.8 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
RAINFALL 415.9 MM - 15.9 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 75 PER CENT - NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY 83 PER CENT - 1 PER CENT LOWER THAN
NORMAL
MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 30.3 DEGREES C • 0.1 DEGREE C BELOW NORMAL
MEAN TEMPERATURE 28.0 DEGREES C - 0.3 DEGREE C ABOVE
NORMAL
MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 26.2 DEGREES C - 0.6 DEGREE C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 24.8 DEGREES C - 0.3 DEGREE ABOVE
NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 136.0 MM - 13.1 MM BELOW NORMAL
«------0----------
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN LEI YUE MUN ROAD
* * * *
THE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED ON LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND IN CONNECTION WITH THE EMERGENCY ROAD REPAIR WORKS WILL CONTINUE FOR ABOUT THREE MORE WEEKS.
THE DETAILS ARE:
ROAD CLOSURE
LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND, BETWEEN CHA KWO LING ROAD AND THE VEHICULAR UNDERPASS UNDERNEATH KWUN TONG ROAD AND HIP WO STREET JUNCTION, IS CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
/BANNING OF .......
TUESDAY, uULY 15, 1986
- 20 -
BANNING OF TURNING MOVEMENTS
THE RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT FROM TSUI PING ROAD SOUTHBOUND ON TO LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND, AND THE LEFT TURN MOVEMENT FROM CHA KWO LING ROAD NORTHBOUND ON TO LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND ARE BANNED.
TRAFFIC DIVERSION
GENERAL TRAFFIC FROM YAU TONG AND LAM TIN HEADING FOR KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE IS DIVERTED TO USE KAI TIN ROAD, JUNK BAY ROAD AND SAU MAU PING ROAD.
BUS ROUTE DIVERSION
KMB ROUTES 14, 14X, 15, 15X AND 16 ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO NGAU TAU KOK, ROUTES 14A, 14C AND 15C ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO YAN 01 COURT BUS TERMINUS, AND ROUTE 15M ON ITS JOURNEY TO KWUN TONG MTR STATION ARE ALL DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA LEI YUE MUN ROAD, CHA KWO LING ROAD, WAI YIP STREET, HOI YUEN ROAD AND KWUN TONG ROAD BEFORE REJOINING NORMAL ROUTINGS.
KMB ROUTES 14B, 15A AND 15B ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO KWUN TONG FERRY BUS TERMINUS ARE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA LEI YUE MUN ROAD, CHA KWO LING ROAD AND WAI YIP STREET BEFORE REJOINING NORMAL ROUTINGS.
KMB ROUTES 11B, 11C AND 13B ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO NGAU TAU KOK ARE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA TSUI PING ROAD, HIP WO STREET AND KWUN TONG ROAD BEFORE REJOINING NORMAL ROUTINGS.
KMB ROUTE 70X ON ITS JOURNEY TO KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE IS DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA TSUI PING ROAD, HIP WO STREET AND TUNG YAN STREET BEFORE REJOINING NORMAL ROUTINGS.
-------0---------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN NORTH POINT *****
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE, THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN TIN CHIU STREET AND HEALTHY STREET WEST WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON JULY 18 (FRIDAY), JULY 21 AND AUGUST 1.
DURING THE CLOSURE, AFFECTED FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TIN CHIU STREET, JAVA ROAD AND MAN HONG STREET BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTING.
--------0----------
/21
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
21
INTERRUPTION TO WATER SUPPLY ¥ * * * *
poccu WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN FANLING WILL BE TURNED ?ROM 9 AH TO 6 PH ON THURSDAY (JULY 17) TO FACILITATE FRESH WATER PIPE CONNECTION WORK.
tup qii<;PFNFION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES ALONG SHA TAU KOK ROAD IeTW^N m! MEI SI TO SHA TAU KOK MARKET, INCLUDING THE ARP A BOUNDED BY TUNG SHAN HA TSUEN, LENG TSAI TSUEN, ON □ TSUEN, SHA TAU KOK MARKET AND YIM LIU HA TSUEN.
--------o----------
LOWER SHING MUN ROAD BEING IMPROVED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING S4.5 MILLION TO IMPROVE LOWER SHING MUN ROAD IN SHA TIN TO COPE WITH INCREASING VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
THE RECENTLY AWARDED CONTRACT INVOLVES RECONSTRUCTION OF LOWER SHING MUN ROAD BETWEEN THE TAI PO ROAD JUNCTION AND THE ENTRANCE TO SHA TIN CREMATORIUM.
IT INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF THREE ADJOINING MINOR ROADS AND THREE SMALL OPEN-AIR CAR PARKS TO SERVE TAI WAI VILLAGE AND THE FUTURE FU SHAN PUBLIC MORTUARY. IT WILL ALSO SERVE THE PO LEUNG KUK HOME FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS.
IN ADDITION, THE CONTRACTOR, HENRYVICY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED, WILL RECONSTRUCT THE CARRIAGEWAY AND PROVIDE A FOOTPATH, RETAINING WALLS, EARTHWORK AND DRAINAGE FOR THE EXISTING LOWER SHING MUN ROAD AS WELL AS FOR THE ACCESS ROADS AND CAR PARKS.
THE WORK WILL TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------0---------
PARKING METERS FOR LUEN WO MARKET
*****
EIGHTY-FIVE PARKING METERS IN LUEN WO MARKET, FANLING WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL FROM FRIDAY (JULY 18) TO REGULATE THE UTI LI SAT I OF ON-STREET PARKING SPACES IN THE AREA.
ON
THE METERS. WHICH ARE LOCATED IN LUEN WO ROAD, WO FUNG STREET, LUEN FAT STREET AND LUEN CHEONG STREET, ARE THE FIRST BATCH OF TWO-HOUR PRIVATE CAR PARKING METERS PROVIDED IN LUEN WO MARKET.
THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE METERS WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE PARKING FEE WILL BE $1 FOR 30 MINUTES.
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/22
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1986
22
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD *****
BE IMPLEMENTED IN NEW
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL __
CLPAR WATER BAY ROAD TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE SOUTH ON CHOI WAN ESTATE.
FROM 1 30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 18), NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND FUNG SHING STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM CHOI HUNG HEADING FOR NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD EASTBOUND ARE ADVISED TO USE CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND FUNG SHING STREET.
FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON JULY 19 AND 20, NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
MOTORISTS FROM SHUN TIN AND SHUN LEE HEADING FOR CHOI HUNG ARE ADVISED TO USE EITHER OF THESE TWO ROUTES : SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD, SAN SHUN STREET, NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD-OR LEE ON ROAD, NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.
TRAFFIC FROM SAI KUNG HEADING FOR CHOI HUNG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUEOBY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
CONTENTS . PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
SAFETY ASPECTS OF DAYA.BAY PLaNT FULLY CONSIDERED ............. 1
MEMBERS CALL FOR DEFERMENT OF N-PLANT CONTRACT SIGNING .... 4
STRONG OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT VITAL ........................... 7
PUBLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN MORE INFORMATION ....................... 8
NEED TO PROMOTE EDUCATION ON NUCLEAR ENERGY STRESSED .......... 9
"RELAY WORRIES TO CHINA THROUGH JLG" ......................... 10
INDEPENDENT NUCLEAR INSPECTORATE PROPOSED .................... 11
CHINA SHOULD CONSIDER HK RESIDENTS' CONCERN .................. 1J
"POSTPONE N-PLANT CONTRACT SIGNING" .......................... 14
CALL TO DEFER DAYA BAY PROJECT ............................... 15
PUBLIC SHOULD LOOK AT ISSUE OBJECTIVELY ...................... 16
"VERBAL ASSURANCES NOT GOOD ENOUGH" .......................... 17
SIGNING SHOULD BE DEFERRED ................................... 18
EXERCISE POWERS TO OBTaIN N-PLANT INFORMATION ................ 18
PARTIES CONCERNED SHOULD BE OPEN-MINDED ...................... 20
N-PROJECI'S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ... 21
"DEFER DaYA BAY CONTRACT SIGNING" ............................ 22
"SHELVE N-PROJECT FOR THE TIME BEING" ........................ 2?
MORE DATA REQUIRED BEFORE MAKING DECISION .................... 24
HK PEOPLE HAVE RIGHT TO EXPRESS FEARS ........................ 25
DOUBTS Cast ON ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS of PROJECT ............. 26
/CALL TO........
- 2 -
CALL TO FREEZE HK'S PARTICIPATION IN DAYA BaY .................. 27
JUKE PUBLIC N-PLaNT STUDY REPORTS .............................. 28
DAYA BaY PROJECT SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED ........................ 29
CAIN APPROACH TO DaYA BaY ISSUE ADVOCATED....................... 31
B.1 LANCING BENEFITS aGaINST prob.^bilities .................... 32
NEW HARBOUR CROSSING AT NO COST TO PUBLIC PURSE ................ 33
THEFT LAW TO BE TIGHTENED ...................................... 35
BILL:TO STOP UNSCRUPULOUS DEBTORS SUPPORTED .................... 35
FINaL ACCOUNTS SHOW .\DDITION.vL &265-7M SURPLUS ............... 37
BID TO TIGHTEN CONTROL ON S.JUE OF POISONS ..................... 38
REASONS FOR LRT MEASURES EXPLAINED .............................. ^9 ■
TOUGHER LAWS PROPOSED ON FIRE S.JETY ........................... ^2
FINaL CJURTER SUMM .RY PROVISION EXPLAINED ..................... Mt
WaR MEMORIAL FUND .iSSIST.-NCEja.SED ON NEED................
UNIFORM DESCRIPTIONS OF SPEEDING OFFENCES ...................... ^5
VIEWS ON B/NKING CREDIT INFORMATION BUREAU SOUGHT........... ^5
POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO. RELY ON OWN JUDGMENT ..............
LITTLE DEMAND FOR HELICOPTER SITES IN NT ....................... ^7
PRIVATE TUTORL.iL CLASSES NOT .. BIG PROBLEM ................... MJ
RENT OF ERP COMMERCES TEN.JiTS FROZEN ......................... *+9
EFFORTS TO TACKLE RED TIDES CONTINUING ........................ 50
THREE BILLS PaSSED ....................................... 51
HK GOOD Market FOR U,S. GOODS - SIR EDWaRD ...................... 52
GOVERNOR OPENS NEW U.S. OFFICE................................... 55
ACTING GOVERNOR TO VISIT CENTRE .J1D WESTERN .................... 55
SINO-BRITISH LaND COMMISSION MEETING ............................ 56
SUB-COMMITTEE TO STUDY PLASTICS REPORT SET UP ................... 56
C.EIBRaTION LaBOR.TORY GETS a BOOST ............................. 57
TUEN MUN LANDSCaPING PROJECT ^WARDED ............................ 58
MUSSEL CULTURE RESEARCH PROVES SUCCESSFUL ....................... 59
ENVIRONMENT; J, CLE..N-UP PLANNED IN KOWLOON CITY ............... 59
/INDUSTRY ....
5
INDUSTRY ,iND COMMERCE COMMITTEE MEETING ....................... 60
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUS SHELTERS .............................. 61
eastern db to discuss nuclear pl^nt project .................... 61
RESTRICTED ZONES IN ChUSEWaY BAY, CENTR-du...................... 62
TEMPORARY PROHIBITED ZONE IN CENTRAL ........................... 6j
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN YUEN LONG .............................. 6j5
MAN K.J*i TO ROAD TRAFFIC CHANGE................................ 6?
NO FLUSHING WATER ............................................ 63
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
1
SAFETY ASPECTS OF DAYA BAY PLANT FULLY CONSIDERED
*****
QUESTIONS OF SAFETY AND DESIGN WERE GIVEN FULL AND APPROPRIATE CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE IT DECIDED THERE WAS NO OBJECTION TO LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN WINDING UP THE DAYA BAY ADJOURNMENT DEBATE, MR JACOBS SAID THE EVENTS AT CHERNOBYL IN APRIL HAD HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT ON THE ATTITUDE OF PEOPLE TOWARDS THE USE OF NUCLEAR POWER FOR CIVIL PURPOSES.
♦ THE DILEMMA IN HONG KONG IS PARTICULARLY COMPLEX FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS,* HE SAID.
FIRST, THE PROPOSED POWER STATION AT DAYA BAY WAS NOT BEING BUILT IN HONG KONG.
SECOND, CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY HAD CONTRACTED TO BUY ELECTRICITY GENERATED AT DAYA BAY, WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND AGREEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THIRD, AT THE TIME THE JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED THERE WAS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF ITS IMPORTANCE, AND IN MOST QUARTERS SUPPORT FOR THIS TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED.
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD AND COULD NOT DO BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY THE DECISION TO BUILD THIS POWER STATION WAS NOT ONE FOR HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE DAYA BAY PROJECT ORIGINATED IN A JOINT FEASIBILITY STUDY CARRIED OUT BY THE GUANGDONG POWER COMPANY AND CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY.
WHEN THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WAS PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNMENT IT WAS CLEAR THAT A VERY THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE PROJECT INCLUDING THE SUITABILITY OF VARIOUS SITES HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT.
DAYA BAY WAS CHOSEN ONLY AFTER A CLOSE AND DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE GEOLOGICAL, SEISMIC AND METEROLOGI CAL ASPECTS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT.
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT MUCH HAD BEEN SAID REGARDING THE CLOSENESS OF DAYA BAY TO HONG KONG.
+IN ACCEPTING THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND ULTIMATELY IN AGREEING TO THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT CO. ENTERING INTO THE JOINT VENTURE, WE TOOK ACCOUNT OF INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS IN RELATION TO THE DISTANCE BETWEEN A POWER STATION AND LARGE CENTRES OF POPULATION.
/+JOFLt-zutLD ........
WEDNbiiDAY, JULY 16, 1986-
2
♦COMPARED WITH MANY POWER STATIONS, DAYA BAY IS NOT CLOSE TO HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
MR JACOBS MOVED ON TO SAY THAT THE INVOLVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT FLOWED FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE SCHEME OF CONTROL.
THE SCHEME REQUIRED CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY AND ITS ASSOCIATES TO SUBMIT A FINANCING PLAN FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHENEVER MAJOR PROPOSALS FOR MAJOR ADDITIONS TO THE COMPANY’S SYSTEMS HAD BEEN FINALISED.
♦THUS, STRICTLY SPEAKING, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ONLY NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE BEEN FORMALLY CONSULTED WHEN THE DAYA BAY PROJECT WAS WELL ADVANCED,+ HE SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE COMPANY NEEDED AN ASSURANCE THAT A FINANCING PLAN SUBMITTED IN THE FUTURE SHOWING PURCHASES OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE PLANT WOULD NOT BE DENIED APPROVAL. THEREFORE THE CONCLUSION WAS REACHED IN THE FEASIBILITY STUDY THAT BOTH THE GUANGDONG POWER COMPANY AND CHINA LIGHT SHOULD RECOMMEND TO THEIR RESPECTIVE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES THAT THE JOINT VENTURE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
+THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIME CONCERN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SCHEME OF CONTROL IS, OF COURSE, TO ENSURE THAT CONSUMERS GET A FAIR DEAL,+ MR JACOBS SAID.
BUT IN THE DAYA BAY PROJECT, ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WAS THE SAFETY OF THE PLANT BOTH IN CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION, HE SAID.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY HAD EXPLAINED THAT THE DESIGN BASIS FOR FRENCH POWER STATIONS, TO WHICH THE DAYA BAY PLANT WOULD BE VERY SIMILAR, WAS THAT NO EVACUATION MUST BE NECESSARY 10 KILOMETRES OUTSIDE THE PLANT EVEN IN THE EVENT OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
THE ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY AND THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY ALSO REQUIRED THAT THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS WOULD GOVERN THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, ERECTION, AND COMMISSIONING AND OPERATION OF THE DAYA BAY PLANT.
AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE ADVICE RECEIVED FROM CONSULTANTS IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE PROJECT WOULD PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS AND FURTHERMORE THAT ON TECHNICAL GROUNDS THE STABILITY AND RELIABILITY OF HONG KONG’S OWN POWER SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
+S0 WITH THE BENEFIT OF ENTIRELY INDEPENDENT ADVICE AND AFTER V CONSULTING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WE INFORMED CHINA LIGHT AND POWER OF THE GOVERNMENT’S WILLINGNESS, IN PRINCIPLE, TO ENDORSE AN OFFTAKE AGREEMENT,* MR JACOBS SAID.
/Iii> oAID THxj .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
- 5 -
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED AT ALL TIMES THE IMPORTANCE AND COMPLEXITY OF THIS PROJECT. + AND SO BETWEEN THE FEASIBILITY STUDY IN 1980 AND THE FORMATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE IN 1935, WE SUBJECTED THE PROJECT TO A LONG DETAILED EXAMINATION TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE SAFETY, FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS.*
COMMENTING ON THE SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WITHDRAW ITS AGREEMENT TO THE PROJECT, HE SAID THIS WAS A BINDING COMMERCIAL AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO IN GOOD FAITH AND SIMPLY COULD NOT BE WITHDRAWN.
+THE CREDIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT AND INDEED OF HONG KONG ITSELF WOULD BE SEVERELY DAMAGED WITH THE MOST SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IN SO FAR AS OUR COMMERCIAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE CONCERNED,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC CONCERN, THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING ACTION.
+WE HAVE BEEN TAKING ACTIVE STEPS TO ENCOURAGE ALL THOSE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT TO GIVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE REGARDING THE BUILDING AND OPERATION OF THE STATION.
+THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS IN CLOSE AND REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THROUGH THEM WITH THE FRENCH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS, ABOUT THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION LEADING TO REASSURANCE,* HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES WAS CURRENTLY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH VARIOUS AUTHORITIES.
ON THE PROVISION OF A CONTINGENCY PLAN, MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN MID-1985, LONG BEFORE CHERNOBYL, THE GOVERNMENT ENGAGED THE SERVICES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY AT HARWELL TO UNDERTAKE FIVE STUDIES COVERING THE BACKGROUND RADIATION MONITORING PROGRAMME, RISK ASSESSMENT, PUBLIC REACTION AND EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATE CONTINGENCY PLANNING.
+IT IS ENVISAGED THAT ALL THE CONSULTANTS’ STUDIES WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-1987 AND THE INTENTION IS TO PUBLISH REPORTS FROM THE CONSULTANTS IN DUE COURSE,* HE SAID.
AS ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS IN RELATION TO THIS PROJECT WERE UNLIKELY TO BE IN PLACE BEFORE OCTOBER THIS YEAR, MR JACOBS SAID THAT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS COULD COMPLETE THEIR VISITS AND CONSIDERATION OF THEIR FINDINGS WELL BEFORE THE RELEVANT DATE.
+IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE SEEMS NO NEED TO SUGGEST THAT THE SIGNING OF CONTRACTS BE DELAYED.*
REFERRING TO REMARKS BY SOME MEMBERS CONCERNING THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PARTIES TO THE JOINT VENTURE ENVISAGED THAT GENERAL ELECTRIC SHOULD BECOME INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT.
/jUj'I'HOUGii ..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986-
ALTHOUGH IT WAS ALWAYS ACCEPTED THAT THERE WOULD BE NEGOTIATIONS WITH GENERAL ELECTRIC, IT WAS RECOGNISED THAT ANY AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO WITH THAT COMPANY WOULD HAVE TO 3E ON COMPETITIVE TERMS. HAD GENERAL ELECTRIC NOT BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, BOTH IN PRICE AND SPECIFICATIONS, THEN THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE LOOKED ELSEWHERE.
ON COMMENTS THAT SUFFICIENT INFORMATION WAS NOT BEING PROVIDED TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, MR JACOBS SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ENCOURAGING AND URGING THOSE WHO WERE DIRECTLY INVOLVED TO SPEAK TO COUNCILLORS.
+WE DO FEEL THAT DIRECT INFORMATION WILL BE THE MOST HELPFUL TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, BUT CERTAINLY THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT SHIRKING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES,* HE SAID.
A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMATION HAD BEEN GIVEN AT MEETINGS AND BRIEFINGS, HE SAID.
-------0 - - - -
MEMBERS CALL FOR DEFERMENT OF N-PLANT CONTRACT SIGNING
*****
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STRONGLY CALLED FOR A DEFERMENT OF THE SIGNING OF CONTRACTS FOR THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PROJECT UNTIL THEY HAD EXAMINED ALL THE FACTS AND FORMULATED THEIR ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
TWO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DELEGATIONS ARE TO LEAVE EARLY NEXT MONTH ON FACT-FINDING MISSIONS TO THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE TO ASSESS OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS IN SIMILAR PLANTS AND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM, AS WELL AS CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR DENSELY POPULATED AREAS WITHIN 50 KILOMETRES OF SUCH PLANTS.
IN TODAY’S ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON + HONG KONG AND THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT*, 27 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SPOKE ON VARIOUS ASPECTS.
LEADING THE DEBATE, THE HON MARIA TAM URGED THAT NO CONTRACT BE SIGNED BEFORE THE DELEGATIONS HAD RETURNED, REPORTED TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND FORMULATED THEIR VIEWS +0R ELSE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADVISED ON THIS ISSUE*.
COUNCILLORS MUST BE GIVEN TIME TO FIND THE BEST OPTION, SHE SAID, NOTING THAT THE MAIN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY, GEC AND FRAMATONE WOULD BE SIGNED IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.
/PUNY ^UrbTlOKJ .......
.•.EDHisioDAY, JULY 16, 1986
many QUESTIONS NEEDED TO BE ANSWERED, SHE SAID, AND CONFLICTING INFORMATION PRESENTED BY THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY AND ANTI-NUCLEAR GROUPS VERIFIED BEFORE A MAJORITY DECISION COULD BE TAKEN.
MISS TAM DISMISSED CRITICISM AGAINST THE FACT-FINDING MISSIONS, SAYING THAT TO LOOK AT THIS AS A PURELY POLITICAL ISSUE WAS A NARROW POINT OF VIEW.
+WE MUST FIRST VERIFY THE FACTS PUT BEFORE US AND THEN MAKE JUDGEMENTS ON IT, AND IF WE SHOULD FIND THE SAFETY AND CONTINGENCY MEASURES UNSATISFACTORY, WE SHALL SAY SO,+ SHE SAID.
THE TASK OF COUNCILLORS, SHE STRESSED, WAS TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT WHAT WAS THE BEST OPTION AVAILABLE TO US THAT WILL BEST SAFEGUARD THE INTEREST OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE, + OR ELSE WE ARE NO MORE CONTRIBUTORY THAN PRESSURE GROUPS+.
MISS TAM SAID AT PRESENT THERE WAS NO CONSENSUS ON WHAT WAS THE BEST OPTION.
SOME THOUGHT THAT NUCLEAR PLANTS OF THE DAYA BAY TYPE ARE INTRINSICALLY SAFE BUT HAD DOUBTS ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY OF A CHINESE TEAM OF EXPERTS AND ENGINEERS- SOME ADVOCATED TURNING DAYA BAY INTO A COAL-FIXED PLANT- SOME BELIEVED EDUCATION PROGRAMMES MAY HELP LEAD TO ACCEPTANCE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY- SOME BELIEVE NUCLEAR ENERGY PROVIDED NO SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS BUT THE RISK, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, WAS NOT WORTH TAKING- WHILE SOME BELIEVED, FOR GOOD REASONS, THE PLANS SHOULD BE SCRAPPED ALTOGETHER.
+ WE MUST EXAMINE THESE DECISION ON WHICH IS REALLY
OPTIONS BEFORE COMING TO A MAJORITY THE BEST ONE,+ MISS TAM SAID.
CITING SOME PLUS FACTORS OF THE PROJECT, MISS TAM SAID: +l TRUST THAT IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO AND DURING THE SINO-3RITISH NEGOTIATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, THE FACT THAT THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY IS INVESTING U.S. $400 MILLION ON THIS PROJECT HELPED TO MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF FOREIGN INVESTORS IN HONG KONG+.
THE FRENCH PLANTS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A GOOD TRACK RECORD OF BEING SAFE, AND THERE WAS ALSO A NEED TO DIVERSIFY THE SOURCE OF FULL SUPPLY TO HONG KONG WHICH IS VULNERABLE TO THE COST OF TOTALLY IMPORTED COAL AND OIL.
SHE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT PARTICIPATION BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER ENSURED THAT A HONG KONG’ COMPANY MAY HAVE A SAY IN THE CONTROL OF THE PLANT AND ON MATTERS OF SAFETY.
+S0 LET US NOT FORGET THAT IN THOSE DIFFICULT AND UNCERTAIN YEARS THE DAYA BAY SITE ON THE MAP WAS MARKED WITH A PLUS SIGN RATHER THAN A MINUS SIGN, AND FOR GOOD REASONS,+ SHE SAID.
/biix, HOTxJ).............
WEDNESDAY, uULY 16, 1986
6
SHE NOTED THAT IN YEARS PAST THE DAYA BAY PROJECT HAD A LOW PROFILE, BUT THE PICTURE HAD CHANGED AND WE NEEDED TO REASSESS THE SITUATION.
MISS TAM NOTED THAT MANY QUESTIONS HAD BEEN RAISED DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS ON THE SAFETY OF THE DAYA BAY PLANT, THE EVACUATION OF HONG KONG IN THE EVENT OF A MISHAP, THE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY OF CHINESE EXPERTS AND ENGINEERS, THE RISK OF HUMAN ERROR, THE ADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR GENERATED ELECTRICITY AS AGAINST COAL-FIRED PLANTS, AS WELL AS THE ECONOMICS OF NUCLEAR PLANT POWER.
+THESE QUESTIONS ARE IMPORTANT AND MUST BE ANSWERED*.
TO HELP FIND ANSWERS, THE UMELCO PUBLIC WHICH SHE IS CONVENOR, MET JVC ENGINEERS AND REPRESENTATIVES. THE PANEL ALSO MET WITH MR HELD AN OPEN MEETING WITH JVC ENGINEERS.
UTILITIES PANEL, OF CHINA LIGHT AND POWER WALTER PATTERSON AND
THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PASSED BETWEEN THE PANEL AND THE JVC, THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE LIST OF CONTRACTS TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN JVC AND THE FRENCH AMD OTHER MANUFACTURERS AND CONTRACTORS, ARE PUBLISHED TODAY FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.
MISS TAM SAID THE NUCLEAR OPTION FOR BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA COULD NOT BE RULED OUT FOREVER.
+MANY OF US WHO TRAVEL INTO CHINA KNOW THAT WITHOUT A SUBSTANTIAL AND CONSTANT SUPPLY OF ENERGY, HER MODERNISATION WILL NOT GET OFF THE GROUND.
+ON THE OTHER HAND, HONG KONG HAS TO IMPORT ALL HER FUEL SUPPLIES AND REMAINS EXPOSED TO THE EVENTUALLY RISING COSTS OF FOSSIL FUEL,* SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT NUCLEAR POWER TODAY ACCOUNTED FOR 30 PER CENT OF ENERGY GENERATED IN JAPAN WHICH SUFFERED THE TRAUMA OF NAGASAKE AND HIROSHIMA IN 1945, AND WAS PLANNING TO RAISE THIS TO 45 PER CENT.
LIKE HONG KONG, JAPAN IS ALSO VULNERABLE TO THE FLUCTUATION OF IMPORTED FUEL PRICES, SHE ADDED.
MISS TAM OBSERVED THAT MANY LOCAL UNIVERSITY AND VISITING NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS BELIEVE THAT NUCLEAR ENERGY IS INTRINSICALLY SAFE, BUT THEY WERE ALSO AWARE HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE GENERALLY NOT READY TO ACCEPT THIS SO SOON AFTER CHERNOBYL.
SHE SAID SHE HOPED, HOWEVER, THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO WELL INFORMED DEBATE ON THE ISSUE.
_ _ _ _ 0---------------
n ...
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
- 7 -
STRONG OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT VITAL
*****
THE HONG KONG PARTNERS IN THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PROJECT, HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY (HKNIC), SHOULD RETAIN A FRONT ROLE IN THE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE PLANT THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE SPAN, THE HON S.L. CHEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY HKNIC WOULD RETAIN SOME MEASURE OF INFLUENCE OVER THE POST-COMMISSI ON I NG ACTIVITIES DURING THE FIRST TEN YEARS, WAS NOT ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY, HE SAID IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE.
MR CHEN SAID HE HAD NO CONSTRUCTION ASPECTS OF THE ♦REASONABLE AND TECHNICALLY
WORRIES ABOUT THE DESIGN AND POWER PLANT, WHICH HE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE*.
+MY REAL CONCERN IS IN THE POST-COMMISSIONING MANAGEMENT OF THE PLANT, THAT IS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE,* HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE THREE MILE ISLAND INVESTIGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES HAD REVEALED SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES IN OPERATIONAL SAFETY.
+1 WOULD FEEL HAPPIER IF HKNIC, BEING A PARTNER OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY, WERE TO PLAY A FRONT ROLE IN THE ON-GOING DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE POWER PLANT.
♦THE PRESENT TEN-YEAR ARRANGEMENT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER THE ENTIRE LIFE PERIOD OF THE PLANT,* HE SAID.
THIS, HE ADDED, WOULD ENSURE CONTINUED INJECTION OF EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE FROM OUTSIDE, WHICH WAS IMPORTANT AS DAYA BAY WOULD BE THE FIRST COMMERCIAL REACTOR TO BE OPERATING IN CHINA.
UNDER THE JOINT VENTURE ARRANGEMENTS, STAFF WHO WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE DAYA BAY PLANT WOULD RECEIVE INTENSIVE TRAINING IN FRANCE, HE NOTED.
THESE TRAINED PERSONNEL WOULD OPERATE THE PLANT FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS UNDER A STATION MANAGER CHOSEN BY HKNIC. HE WOULD BE ASSISTED BY A DEPUTY FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITY WHO, AT THE END OF THE FIRST FIVE YEARS, WOULD BECOME THE MANAGER OF THE PLANT.
MR CHEN SAID HE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE AN INDEPENDENT BODY SET UP TO MONITOR THE PLANT’S PERFORMANCE, ESPECIALLY OPERATIONAL SAFETY, AS WAS THE CASE IN OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES EMPLOYING NUCLEAR ENERGY.
HE SUGGESTED AN AUTHORITATIVE BODY, LIKE THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, SHOULD BE ENGAGED TO ACT AS AN INDEPENDENT MONITOR FOR TEN YEARS SO AS TO ENABLE AN UNBIASED RECORD ON OPERATIONAL SAFETY TO BE ESTABLISHED.
/SUCH RECORDS, ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986 .
8
SUCH RECORDS, HE SAID, COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN ORDER TO INSTILL PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.
MR CHEN SAID THAT FURTHER DOWN THE STATION MANAGEMENT LINE THE IMPORTANT EXECUTIVE POSITION OF +REACTOR PHYSICIST-*- OUGHT TO BE EMPHASISED.
+3EING THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE REACTOR, HE MUST HAVE UNCOMPROMISED AUTHORITY TO SHUT DOWN THE PLANT WHEN HE SEES AN IMMINENT DANGER IN THE REACTOR OPERATION AND HIS DECISION SHOULD NOT BE OVERRIDDEN BY OTHER SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS.*
THIS, HE SAID, WOULD HELP ELIMINATE ERRONEOUS OR UNTIMELY DECISIONS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
MR CHEN CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT WHILE THE DANGER OF A DAYA BAY NUCLEAR FALL-OUT ON HONG KONG WAS FULLY APPRECIATED +WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF A POLITICAL FALL-OUT FROM DAYA BAY WHICH COULD BE JUST AS DAMAGING.*
-------(j---------
PUBLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN MORE INFORMATION * * * * *
HONG KONG PEOPLE’S FEAR AND UNEASINESS OVER THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PLANT AROSE MAINLY FROM A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROJECT, THE HON WONG PO-YAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+ IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO CONVEY FACTUAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER TO THEM,* HE SAID DURING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT.
MR WONG SAID THAT SINCE AN ATOMIC BOMB COULD FLATTEN A CITY, PEOPLE ASSUMED THAT A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WOULD HAVE AN EQUALLY DREADFUL DESTRUCTIVE POWER IF IT SHOULD +EXPLODE+.
+HOWEVER, IF THEY KNOW THAT THE URANIUM 235 ABLE TO INCUR NUCLEAR FISSION FOR THE ATOMIC BOMB IS OF A VERY HIGH CONCENTRATION, AND THE CONCENTRATION OF THE U-235 USED IN A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AS FUEL IS ONLY 3 PER CENT UP TO 7 PER CENT AND WILL NOT ’EXPLODE’, THEIR FEAR SHOULD VANISH,* HE SAID.
+OF COURSE, LEAKING OF RADIOACTIVITY IS A POSSIBILITY, BUT THERE ARE MEANS OF PREVENTION,* HE ADDED.
THEREFORE, MR WONG SAID, HONG KONG PEOPLE NEEDED A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACTS OF NUCLEAR POWER, AND IT SHOULD BE DEMANDED THAT THE DAYA BAY POWER PLANT MUST HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY SYSTEM.
/♦THIS Io........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
+THIS <S A RESPONSIBILITY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT AVOID,* HE SAID.
HE DESCRIBED THE ACTION TAKEN TO SEND DELEGATIONS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TO EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES AS +REALISTIC AND RESPONSIBLE*, AND HOPED THE PUBLIC WOULD VIEW THEIR REPORT WITH AN OBJECTIVE AND UNBIASED ATTITUDE.
+HONG KONG IS A CITY WITH A REASONABLY HIGH LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT AND MATURITY IN CULTURE AND EDUCATION.
+WITH THEIR INTELLIGENCE AND EAGERNESS TO LEARN, THE PUBLIC HAVE A STRONG POWER OF OBSERVATION SCIENTIFICALLY, AND THE ABILITY TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, AS A STUDENT OF NATURAL SCIENCE AND AN INDUSTRIALIST, MR WONG PERSONALLY CONSIDERED THAT NUCLEAR SCIENCE WAS ONE OF MANKIND’S GREATEST SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE 2OTH CENTURY AND THAT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS REPRESENTED AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS IN APPLYING NUCLEAR POWER TO PEACEFUL USES.
HE SAID THAT UP TO THE END OF 1985 THERE WERE 536 NUCLEAR POWER UNITS IN THE WORLD WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 413 281 MEGAWATTS. ANOTHER 116 WERE PLANNED.
-------0----------
NEED TO PROMOTE EDUCATION ON NUCLEAR ENERGY STRESSED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROMOTE EDUCATION ON NUCLEAR POWER AND IMPLEMENT PROPOSALS BY THE UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY TO ALLEVIATE THE WORRIES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE OVER THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE DAYA BAY POWER PLANT, THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DAYA BAY ISSUE, MR YEUNG ALSO SUGGESTED CHINA TO PROMPTLY ANNOUNCE IN DETAIL THE SAFETY REGULATIONS FORMULATED, IN ADDITION TO HER ASSURANCE OF IMPLEMENTING THE POLICY OF ’SAFETY FIRST, QUALITY FIRST’.
CHINA MIGHT SEND NUCLEAR EXPERTS TO HONG KONG TO HOLD EXHIBITIONS ON THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE POWER PLANT, HE SAID.
MR YEUNG CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO KEEP CALM AND TO PLACE THEIR HOPES ON THE LEGCO FACT-FINDING DELEGATIONS TO THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, WHICH WOULD COLLECT INFORMATION ON SAFETY MEASURES AND CONTINGENCY PLANS OF NUCLEAR PLANTS THERE.
+IT IS HOPED THAT AFTER GOING THROUGH AN OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT, THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE USEFUL TO ALL PARTIES CONCERNED IN MAKING A WISE DECISION,* HE SAID.
/MR YEUNG........
WED1JE8DAY, JULY 16, 1986'
10
MR YEUNG ALSO STRESSED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SAFETY PLANNING AND MAINTENANCE, ADDING THAT THE TRAINING OF CHINESE TECHNICIANS TO MANAGE THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AND THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF THE PLANT WERE EQUALLY IMPORTANT.
♦ALTHOUGH IT IS UP TO CHINA TO DECIDE WHETHER THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SHOULD 3E BUILT, SHE SHOULD TAKE AN OBJECTIVE APPROACH IN UNDERSTANDING THE REASONS OF OBJECTION PUT UP BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
-----Q---------
’RELAY WORRIES TO * *
CHINA THROUGH JLG’ * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RELAY LOCAL PEOPLE’S WORRIES AND DOUBTS ON THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES THROUGH THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, THE HON RITA FAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DAYA BAY PROJECT, SHE SAID SHE HOPED THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WOULD UNDERSTAND THE FEELINGS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF MEASURES WHICH WOULD ALLAY THEIR CONCERN.
TO THIS END, MRS FAN SUGGESTED THAT APPROPRIATE SPECIALISTS LIVING IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE ALLOWED, IN AN INDEPENDENT CAPACITY, TO TAKE PART IN MONITORING THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE NUCLEAR PLANT.
SHE SAID THAT MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG STILL HAD RESERVATIONS AS TO THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE WITHIN CHINA.
♦ALTHOUGH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY (HKNIC) HAVE ASSURED US THAT THE COMPANY WILL, DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF OPERATION, EMPLOY BELGIAN SPECIALISTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCED IN MANAGING NUCLEAR PLANTS TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PLANT, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE STILL DOUBTFUL.+
THIS IS BECAUSE EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT SOME FOREIGN MANAGEMENT STAFF WORKING IN CHINA HAD ENCOUNTERED LIMITATIONS IN DISCHARGING THEIR DUTY.
THEREFORE, MRS FAN SAID, THE CONCERN FELT BY HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THIS RESPECT WAS NOT UNFOUNDED.
MRS FAN CRITICISED THOSE WHO WERE CHARACTERISING THE PLANT AS AN OGRE THAT WAS THREATENING TO OVERWHELM HONG KONG.
/3HK 6AID «.«••••
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
11
SHE SAID SHE DID NOT THINK IT WAS OBJECTIVE AND REASONABLE TO AGGRAVATE THE CONCERN OF LOCAL PEOPLE IN SUCH A WAY BEFORE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION HAD BEEN PROVIDED.
FURTHERMORE, SHE QUESTIONED IF IT WAS PROPER FOR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TO ENCOURAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS TO SUPPORT SIGNATURE CAMPAIGNS OPPOSING the PLANT.
PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS WERE AT ONLY AN EARLY STAGE OF LEARNING, AND HOW COULD THEY HAVE ANY PROPER KNOWLEDGE ABOUT A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, SHE ASKED.
SHE DOUBTED IF THERE WAS ANY MEANING IN SECURING THEIR SIGNATURES IN SUCH A WAY.
HOWEVER, SHE PRAISED SOME LOCAL NEWSPAPERS FOR PRODUCING FEATURE ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO THEIR NEWS COVERAGE ON DAYA BAY. SHE DESCRIBED IT AS AN UNBIASED AND OBJECTIVE MANNER OF PRESENTING INFORMATION ON THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT.
+THIS IS THE GENUINE WAY TO HELP THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM, I HOPE THE PRESS WILL CONTINUE THEIR WORK IN THIS RESPECT, SO AS TO PREVENT THE PUBLIC FROM BEING INFLUENCED BY BIASED INFORMATION AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO ANALYSE AND JUDGE THIS MATTER WITH A RATIONAL AND COOL ATTITUDE,* SHE SAID.
MRS FAN SUPPORTED THE LEGCO FACT-FINDING VISITS TO THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, AND SAID THE REPORT OF THE DELEGATIONS SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC.
IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, SHE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD FORWARD THE REPORT TO THE CHINESE AND BRITISH AUTHORITIES.
INDEPENDENT NUCLEAR INSPECTORATE PROPOSED * * * * *
AN INDEPENDENT NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS INSPECTORATE HAS BEEN SUGGESTED TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE SPAN.
MAKING THE SUGGESTION, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SAID TODAY PERMANENT ON-GOING SUPERVISION AND MONITORING WAS VITAL DESPITE THE INTENSIVE TRAINING TO BE GIVEN TO OPERATING STAFF AND THE CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT OF THE FRENCH FRAMATONE COMPANY IN THE OPERATION OF THE PLANT DURING THE FIRST 10 YEARS.
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT IN THE C0UNCIL> MR CHENG ALSO STRESSED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY HAD A DUTY TO ALLAY THE UNDERSTANDABLE FEARS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS, AND CALLED FOR THE PUBLIC RELEASE OFs
/• THE FEASIBILITY ........
WEDNisSDAY, JULY 16, 1986
* THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT REPORT COMPILED BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY AND THE GUANGDONG POWER COMPANY;
* THE REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT PREPARED BY BURNS AND ROE ;
¥ THE HARWELL REPORT ON THE ASSESSMENT STUDY OF THE PROBABILITY OF ACCIDENTS AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG ;
¥ THE HARWELL REPORT ON THE DESIGN OF AN OUTLINE CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR HONG KONG; AND
¥ THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND INITIAL SAFETY ANALYSIS REPORT PREPARED BY THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY.
MR CHENG SAID THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD APPRECIATE THAT THE FEAR AND ANXIETY OF THE PUBLIC OVER THE DAYA BAY PROJECT HAD FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY +AND THEIR VIEWS SHOULD NOT BE LIGHTLY DISMISSED*.
HE NOTED THAT, UNLIKE THE DAYA BAY CASE, IT WAS NORMAL PRACTICE IN OTHER COUNTRIES FOR A SAFETY ASSESSMENT REPORT TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOLLOWED BY A PUBLIC HEARING THROUGH THE LICENSING PROCEDURE.
+l THEREFORE CONSIDER IT LOGICAL FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO BE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAFETY ASPECT TO WHICH THEY HAVE THE RIGHT IN VIEW OF THE CLOSENESS OF THE INSTALLATION,* HE SAID.
AS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, MR CHENG FULLY APPRECIATED THAT A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WAS AN EXTREMELY COMPLEX INSTALLATION INVOLVING MULTI-DISCIPLINES OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGNED TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARD.
NONETHELESS, HE BELIEVED THAT EVENTS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN COULD WELL HAPPEN IN A PLANT SUCH AS WHAT OCCURRED IN THE ACCIDENT AT THREE MILE ISLAND TMI-2 WHICH WAS A TYPE OF REACTOR SIMILAR TO THAT INTENDED FOR DAYA BAY.
+IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO INCORPORATE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS IN THE DESIGN AND SPECIAL PROCEDURES IN THE OPERATION + HE SAID. ’
HE ADDED THAT SCIENTIFIC OR TECHNICAL JUSTIFICATION HAD YET TO BE GIVEN THAT THE DAYA BAY PLANT DESIGN WOULD NOT REQUIRE EVACUATION BEYOND A 1O-KILOMETRE RADIUS OF THE PLANT IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
0
/15
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
15
CHINA SHOULD CONSIDER HK RESIDENTS’ CONCERN
* * * X
HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ DEEP CONCERN AND FEARS OVER THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PROJECT HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY WEIGHED AND ASSESSED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+ THE MAGNITUDE OF THE POLITICAL RISKS WILL NEED CAREFUL EXAMINATION,* HE SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT.
THE QUESTIONS FACING CHINA, HE SAID, WAS WHETHER OR NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE SIGNING OF THE CONTRACTS FOR THE PROJECT AND TO WHAT EXTENT SUCH A DECISION WOULD BE LINKED WITH THE POST-1997 STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL CONFIDENCE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
HE ARGUED THAT THE IMPENDING SIGNING OF THE VARIOUS CONTRACTS WOULD HAVE GENERATED OVERWHELMINGLY MUCH MORE SUPPORT THAN OPPOSITION IN HONG KONG, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT.
BECAUSE OF CHERNOBYL, THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE CONCERN AND STRONG DISSIDENCE AT THE PROSPECTS OF HAVING A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AT DAYA BAY, HE SAID.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID A GREAT MANY RESIDENTS WERE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF THE PROJECT — EVEN THOUGH IN TERMS OF PUBLIC FINANCE THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR.
WHAT MANY RESIDENTS WERE SAYING, HE SAID, WAS THAT NO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WAS AS YET FAIL-SAFE, WHETHER IT WAS OF THE CHERNOBYL RBMIC TYPE OR THE FRENCH PWR TYPE WHICH HAD BEEN SELECTED FOR DAYA BAY.
+THE WIDESPREAD FEAR OF NUCLEAR RADIATION FALL-OUT IN CASE OF ANY NUCLEAR POWER ACCIDENT WITH ATTENDANT GENETIC CONSEQUENCES TO HUMAN LIFE IS TODAY VERY MUCH A FACT OF LIFE IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
+ THE POLITICAL FACTOR OF POST-1997 HONG KONG MAY WELL BE COMPOUNDED BY THE POSSIBILITY OF THE NUCLEAR RADIATION FACTOR,* HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS BEEN SEEKING TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE DAYA BAY PROJECT, AND HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE COUNCIL’S DECISION TO SEND TWO FACT-FINDING DELEGATIONS OVERSEAS WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.
-------0---------
/14........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
14
’POSTPONE N-PLANT CONTRACT SIGNING’
*****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT TO POSTPONE THE SIGNING OF CONTRACTS SO AS TO GIVE HONG KONG PEOPLE MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT, HE SAID LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WOULD MAKE PUBLIC ALL INFORMATION GATHERED DURING THEIR IMPENDING FACT-FINDING MISSION OVERSEAS TO ASSESS OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS IN SIMILAR PLANTS, AS WELL AS ASSOCIATED RISKS AND SAFETY AND CONTINGENCY MEASURES.
DR CHIU DID NOT RULE OUT A VISIT TO BEIJING AT A LATER STAGE, AND URGED THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. AND THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT CO. TO INFLUENCE THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE CO. TO POSTPONE THE SIGNING OF CONTRACTS FOR THE TIME BEING.
IF THE FACTS OBTAINED REVEAL THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT 50 KILOMETRES AWAY FROM DENSELY POPULATED HONG KONG MAY ENDANGER OUR LIVES, HE SAID, + WE WILL WORK TOGETHER TO REACH SOME PROPER DECISIONS AND FORMULATE STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH THE DAYA BAY ISSUE FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR COMMUNITY*.
+IF NECESSARY, A TRIP TO BEIJING WILL BE CONSIDERED TO ENABLE US TO REFLECT OUR WORRIES AND STRONG FEELINGS TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND TO APPEAL TO THEM TO RECONSIDER THEIR PLANS IN THE LIGHT OF THE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
DR CHIU SAID THAT EVEN IF THE COLLECTED FACTS INDICATED THAT THE PLANT WAS NOT AS UNDESIRABLE AS CONSIDERED TO BE, +WE STILL LTRGE CHINA TO ENSURE THAT THE DAYA BAY PLANT IS UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARD AND THAT THE MAINTENANCE AND CONTINGENCY BE OVERSEEN AND CLOSELY MONITORED BY A JOINT COMMITTEE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS.*
EARLIER, DR CHIU NOTED THAT LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT HAD CREATED FEAR AND WORRY IN HONG KONG.
+THIS ISSUE HAS DEVELOPED FROM AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUE TO A POLITICAL ISSUE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A CONFIDENCE CRISIS,* HE SAID.
+WE HAVE BEEN TRYING VERY HARD TO SECURE THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THIS TERRITORY, BUT WORRIES ABOUT THE DAYA BAY PLANT .WILL OFFSET ALL OUR EFFORTS.
+THIS IS TOO HIGH A PRICE TO PAY,* HE SAID.
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/15........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
- 15 -
CALL TO DEFER DAYA BAY PROJECT * * * * *
THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PLANT PROJECT SHOULD BE DEFERRED FOR A YEAR OR TWO TO GIVE HONG KONG PEOPLE A CHANCE TO COOL OFF, THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBAT- ?’ the ISSUE, MR CHUNG SAID DURING THE SUGGESTED INTERIM PERIOD, CAREFUL DELIBERATION COULD BE MADE.
+ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ACCEDE TO PUBLIC REQUESTS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON THE NUCLEAR PLANT ISSUE.
+RELIABLE AND PRACTICAL CONTINGENCY AND EVACUATION PLANS SHOULD ALSO BE DRAWN UP.
+WHEN THE PUBLIC HAS LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE SUBJECT, THEIR FEARS TOWARDS NUCLEAR ENERGY WOULD BE REDUCED,* HE SAID.
MR CHUNG SAID IT WAS EVIDENT THAT UNLESS CHINA GAVE UP ITS MULTI-MILL I ON-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE PROJECT VOLUNTARILY OR MOVED THE PLANT TO A FURTHER SITE, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE TO PERSUADE CHINA TO CHANGE ITS MIND.
HE WAS OF THE OPINION THAT THE FERVENT ANTI-NUCLEAR SENTIMENTS IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE HANDLED CAREFULLY BY BOTH CHINA AND HONG KONG.
MR CHUNG LISTED SIX POINTS FOR GOVERNMENT’S SERIOUS CONSIDERATION!
* GIVE SPECIFIC EXPLANATION ON EFFECTIVE PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST POSSIBLE HAZARDS WHICH A NUCLEAR PLANT MIGHT HAVE ON HONG KONG;
* PREPARE AN ADEQUATE CONTINGENCY PLAN IF THERE WAS A NUCLEAR CATASTROPHE;
* CALCULATE THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF A NUCLEAR PLANT IN RELATION TO ITS SETBACKS;
* URGE BRITAIN AND CHINA TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE TOGETHER AND FORMULATE REMEDIAL POLICIES;
* CONSIDER INVITING THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY TO MONITOR THE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT STANDARDS AS WELL AS THE PERFORMANCE OF STAFF OF THE PLANT SO THAT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING SAFETY WOULD BE REDUCED*
/• ENABLE BETTER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16,
16
* ENABLE BETTER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF NUCLEAR ENERGY AND SENSIBLE JUDGEMENT ON THE PROS AND CONS OF THE EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR PLANTS.
WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL DATA TO BACK SUCH ARGUMENTS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAD FAILED TO SEE THE ISSUE IN PERSPECTIVE.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, MR CHUNG SAID HE STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF SETTING UP FACT-FINDING DELEGATIONS BY MEMBERS TO VISIT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED THESE DELEGATIONS WOULD OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ON SAFETY STANDARDS AND THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR PLANTS.
-------0---------
PUBLIC SHOULD LOOK AT ISSUE OBJECTIVELY *****
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD LOOK AT THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR P0WS3 PLANT ISSUE +OBJECTIVELY AND WITHOUT PANIC,* THE HON HO SAI-CHU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MUCH OF THE STRONG FEELING GENERATED HAD BEEN EMOTIVE AND WITHOUT PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS INVOLVED. HE SAID IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT.
+BLIND OPPOSITION TO NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR THE SAKE OF OPPOSITION IS WRONG AS SCIENCE HAS TO MOVE FORWARD IF IT IS TO BE OF ANY BENEFIT TO MANKIND, ESPECIALLY A PROJECT THAT WILL ON COMPLETION BRING IMMENSE ADVANTAGE TO THE SURROUNDING REGION AND ASSIST CHINA’S MODERNISATION WHICH WILL INEVITABLY BENEFIT HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
MR HO AGREED THAT MORE INFORMATION AND FACTS WERE NEEDED FROM THE BEST EXPERTS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY BEFORE IT COULD BE DECIDED WHETHER IT WAS IN FACT SAFE TO PROCEED WITH THE DAYA BAY PROJECT, THOUGH THIS WAS A DECISION WITHIN THE SOLE DISCRETION AND JURISDICTION OF CHINA.
+NEVERTHELESS, I STRONGLY URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO SEEK AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION SO THAT ALL MAY UNDERSTAND WHAT ACTUALLY IS INVOLVED AND BE ABLE TO ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OF A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE FROM A HIGHLY POPULATED AREA SUCH AS HONG KONG.+ SAID MR HO. ’
HE ADDED: +AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, CHINA IS SYMPATHETIC TO OUR ANXIETY INSOFAR AS DAYA BAY IS CONCERNED, BUT THE REASONS FOR OPPOSING THE PROJECT MUST BE REASONABLE AND RATIONAL.*
/MR HO mAZL ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
MR HO SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE WERE ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CHERNOBYL PLANT AND THE PROPOSED DAYA BAY PLANT AND THAT THE WEAKNESSES AT CHERNOBYL HAD PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE DISASTER THERE.
THIS CONCLUSION, HE ADDED, WAS SUPPORTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY WHICH STATED THAT 'FROM THE INFORMATION RECEIVED ON THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT |T DOES NOT APPEAR THAT NEW PHYSICAL PHENOMENA IMPORTANT TO SAFETY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THAT WOULD REQUIRE ACTION ON OTHER TYPES “ --------- ’
OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT’.
’VERBAL ASSURANCES NOT GOOD ENOUGH’
*****
VERBAL ASSURANCES ON THE SAFETY OF THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PLANT WILL NOT DISPEL THE PUBLIC’S WORRIES, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SO FAR, ASSURANCES GIVEN ON SAFETY MEASURES OF THE POWER PLANT WERE BASED ON SAFETY PLANS WHICH HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN FORMULATED YET, HE SAID IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HARWELL CONSULTANTANCY REPORT THAT WAS STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS AND MAKING TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS WOULD NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL JULY NEXT YEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT BY THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY COULD NOT BE RELEASED BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
+UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, HOW CAN THE AUTHORITIES STILL GUARANTEE SAFETY WITH FULL CONFIDENCE?* HE ASKED.
WHAT WORRIED PEOPLE MOST WERE HUMAN ERRORS, HE SAID.
NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS WERE SO FRIGHTENING NOT JUST BECAUSE OF DEATH AND INJURY BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE LONG LASTING DAMAGE DONE BY RADIATION.
REFERRING TO ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS IN BUILDING THE PLANT, MR HUI SAID IN VIEW OF CURRENT DECREASING WORLD OIL PRICES, THE VALUE OF NUCLEAR PLANTS IN PROVIDING CHEAP ELECTRICITY WAS RELATIVELY REDUCED.
/♦hCRECViJi, ........
w
ww.-i
SfiDAY, JULY 16, 1986
18
+HDREOVER, WE MUST NOTE THAT THE PUBLIC DO NOT SEEM TO APPRECIATE THE OFFER OF CHEAP ELECTRICITY CHARGES. WHAT THEY EMPHASISE TIME AND AGAIN IS ’SAFETY’,* HE SAID.
MR HUI HOPED THAT BOTH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS AS WELL AS CONCERNED ORGANISATIONS WOULD STUDY THE REPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FACT-FINDING DELEGATIONS AND MAKE PRUDENT DECISIONS — EVEN IF IT MEANT SHELVING THE DAYA BAY PROJECT.
---0----------
SIGNING SHOULD BE DEFERRED *****
DR THE HON CONRAD LAM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE DAYA BAY PROJECT SHOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL THE RESULTS OF THE LEGCO FACT-FINDING TRIPS ON NUCLEAR SAFETY ARE MADE PUBLIC.
♦IF SUBSEQUENTLY THE GENERAL OPINION IS STILL AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NUCLEAR PLANT AT DAYA BAY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WITHDRAW THE APPROVAL FOR CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY TO BUY ELECTRICITY FROM CHINA,* HE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DAYA BAY PROJECT.
IT SHOULD ALSO REFUSE TO ACT AS A GENERATOR FOR LOANS SECURED BY THE POWER COMPANY AND CANCEL THE LICENCE GRANTED TO THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY, HE ADDED.
WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED, HE SAID.
DR LAM ALSO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN CLEARLY TO THE PUBLIC ALL PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE CAUSED BY THE PROJECT. HE MENTIONED MATTERS SUCH AS SAFETY, HEALTH, MONITORING OF THE PLANT, ELECTRICITY CHARGES, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, INSURANCE AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN RELATION TO ANY ACCIDENTS AT THE PLANT AND WHETHER NUCLEAR POWER WAS THE BEST SOURCE OF ENERGY FOR HONG
-------0---------
EXERCISE POWERS TO OBTAIN N-PLANT INFORMATION *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS BEEN CALLED ON TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER ITS NEWLY ACQUIRED POWERS UNDER SECTION 9 OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) ORDINANCE TO COMPEL THE PRODUCTION OF ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ON THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE HON MARTIN LEE DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR LEE POINTED .......
fiLk*
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
- 19 -
MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION BEFORE ANYONE COULD BEGIN TO LOOK AT ANY PROBLEM IN DEPTH. BUT HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT SUCH INFORMATION WAS STILL DENIED TO THE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC.
HE CLAIMED THAT ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION WERE KEPT UNDER A SOLID CONTAINMENT AND SAID IF THIS CONTAINMENT OF SECRECY WAS NOT LIFTED, HE FELT MEMBERS SHOULD EXERCISE THEIR POWERS UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) ORDINANCE TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION.
MR LEE SAID THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE COULD ONLY LOOK AT THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR COMMON SENSE IN THE ABSENCE OF RELEVANT INFORMATION.
HE SAID THE PUBLIC KNEW THERE WAS NO 100 PER CENT SAFE NUCLEAR PLANT IN THE WORLD AND THAT ACCIDENTS COULD NOT BE RULED OUT IN ANY NUCLEAR PLANT, EITHER DUE TO DESIGN, OR LACK OF MANAGEMENT, OR BOTH.
THE PUBLIC KNEW THERE WAS NO EVACUATION PLAN PROVIDED FOR HONG KONG BY CHINA AND THAT IN CASE OF ANY MAJOR MISHAP, BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY OF THE PLANT TO HONG KONG, THERE WAS SIMPLY NO POSSIBLE ESCAPE FOR THEM, HE ADDED.
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, MR LEE QUESTIONED WHETHER ANYONE COULD REALLY BLAME THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR FEARING AS THEY DID, AND WHETHER THEY WERE BEING IRRATIONAL OR HYSTERICAL.
HE AGREED TO THE COMMENT THAT THE WHOLE QUESTION HAD TURNED INTO A POLITICAL ONE AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE AN UNDOUBTED BEARING ON THE CONFIDENCE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE LEADERS OF CHINA.
HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT IT WAS NO LONGER RELEVANT TO CONSIDER WHETHER SOME PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO TURN THIS ISSUE TO THEIR POLITICAL ADVANTAGE BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO ALL BY NOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE DID HAVE A GENUINE FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES, AND THAT THEY HAD NO POLITICAL AMBITION WHATSOEVER.
+THEIR FEARS DEMAND RECOGNITION BY BOTH THE CHINESE AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS,* HE STRESSED.
MR LEE ALSO PUT FORWARD HIS OWN SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING THE DAYA BAY PROJECT.
WE MUST NOT RUSH AHEAD WHEN THE WHOLE NUCLEAR WORLD HAS HALTED, HE SAID.
HE THEN ASKED THE RELEVANT PARTIES CONCERNED NOT TO PRETEND THAT THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITIES TO HONG KONG PEOPLE OVER THE PROJECT WHEN THEY HAD TAKEN A DIRECT OR INDIRECT PART IN IT.
/HE POINTED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
20
THE
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE IN CHINA’S INTEREST TO RE-ASSESS THE ECONOMICAL VIABILITY OF THE SCHEME IN THE LIGHT OF TREMENDOUS FALL IN THE COST OF COAL AND NATURAL GAS.
THE
OUR
CONCERNING THE LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM CHERNOBYL H- QUOTED ShSCET! +THE QUESTI0N ’S WHETHER WE UNDERSTAND
REACTORS WELL ENOUGH.+
HE REITERATED THAT IT WOULD BE WISE TO WAIT, SAYING THAT AS MANY DESIGN CHANGES HAD BEEN MADE TO NUCLEAR REACTORS AS A RESULT OF THE THREE MILE ISLAND ACCIDENT, NO DOUBT EVEN MORE DESIGN CHANGES WOULD IN THE NEAR FUTURE BE MADE AS A RESULT OF CHERNOBYL.
+THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE FACTOR IN THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ’ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS’ POLICY IS THE CONFIDENCE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE THAT THERE IS A FUTURE FOR THEM AFTER 1997- AND THAT CONFIDENCE IS BEING SHAKEN TO ITS VERY FOUNDATION BY THE THOUGHT THAT A NUCLEAR PLANT MAY SOON BF OPERATING SO CLOSE TO THEM, WITHOUT AN ESCAPE ROUTE IN CASE OF A MAJOR MISHAP,+ MR LEE WARNED.
------0-------
PARTIES CONCERNED SHOULD BE OPEN-MINDED
*****
FOR THE SAKE OF THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, THE HON LIU LIT-FOR ASKED ALL PARTIES CONCERNED WITH THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT TO BE OPEN-MINDED IN HANDLING THE ISSUE RATHER THAN MAKING ARBITRARY DECISIONS AND TAKING PREEMPTORY ACTIONS.
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE ISSUE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR LIU SAID NUCLEAR POWER WAS A SENSITIVE ISSUE IN MANY PLACES AND OVERREACTION BY THE PUBLIC WAS THEREFORE UNAVOIDABLE.
HE SAID HE HOPED THAT CHINA, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY LIMITED WOULD TAKE AN ENLIGHTENED AND OPEN APPROACH TOWARDS SUCH OVERREACTION, MAKING FULL USE OF VARIOUS CHANNELS TO COLLECT VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC AND RESPOND REALISTICALLY AND SPECIFICALLY.
BESIDES, HE CALLED ON THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS WITH ALL PEOPLE SO AS TO ALLOW BOTH PARTIES TO EXCHANGE VIEWS, AND THAT MISUNDERSTANDING WOULD NOT BE DEEPENED.
/MH LIU SUGGESTED ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
21
MR LIU SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO CONDUCT A STUDY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED ON THE SETTING UP OF A COMMITTEE OR AN AD HOC GROUP TO PROVIDE A BRIDGE FOR EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE OF PUBLIC OPINION AND INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED BY DOING SO A UNANIMOUS VIEW WHICH WAS COMPREHENSIVE AND PRACTICAL COULD BE ARRIVED AT AFTER COMPLETE INFORMATION ON THE WHOLE ISSUE WAS MADE CLEAR TO ALL.
IN HANDLING THE WHOLE ISSUE, MR LIU ADVISED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD ADOPT AN OBJECTIVE APPROACH IN ORDER TO RESPOND AND MAKE A DECISION REASONABLY FROM A SCIENTIFIC POINT OF VIEW.
HE SAIDs +WE SHOULD NOT HAVE OVERDUE FEARS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE RECENT CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT AND OBJECT STRONGLY TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT.+
TURNING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, HE SAID THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY SHOULD SPARE NO EFFORT IN PUBLICISING AND EXPLAINING HONESTLY AND CLEARLY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THEIR MANAGEMENT SKILLS WHICH WERE THE FOCUS OF WORRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO TAKE CORRESPONDING MEASURES WITH REGARD TO EDUCATION ON NUCLEAR POWER SO THAT THE PUBLIC MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE FACILITIES, MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY INVOLVED IN NUCLEAR-GENERATED ELECTRICITY.
MR LIU SAID HE STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT THIS WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY ASSIST IN RESOLVING THE WHOLE ISSUE.
FINALLY, HE SAID HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE REMEDIAL ACTIONS TO RELIEVE THE PUBLIC OF THEIR WORRIES AND FEAR.
--------------------------0--------- N-PROJECT’S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED K K K X X
IN WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS OF THE PROPOSED DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT, HONG KONG SHOULD UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES NEGLECT OR DENY ITS POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO ITS PROSPERITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DAYA BAY ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, MR NGAI SAID HE STILL HAD CERTAIN RESERVATIONS REGARDING A SERIES OF PROBLEMS ON THE PROJECT.
/♦THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
22 ' .
+THC REASON IS THAT THE GUARANTEE HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN OBTAIN IN REGARD TO THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THE PROJECT REMAINS TOO INCOMPREHENSIVE, OBSCURE AND UNCONVINCING TO PUT OUR MIND AT EASE,* HE SAID.
THEREFORE. HE FULLY SUPPORTED THE COUNCIL’S DECISION TO SEND FACT-FINDING DELEGATIONS TO OVERSEAS TO SEARCH FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DATA ON THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF NUCLEAR POWER.
+THE CORRECT APPROACH TO THE NUCLEAR POWER ISSUE SHOULD BE RATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC, AND PROBLEMS SHOULD BE ANALYSED OBJECTIVELY AND CALMLY. OTHERWISE, IT MIGHT BECOME EITHER TOO ONE-SIDED OR MEOTIONAL.
+WE SHOULD ALSO AVOID BEING BLIND FOLLOWERS OF WHAT MOST PEOPLE SAY OR THINK, OR POLITICAL TOOLS FOR CONJURING UP A SITUATION WHERE ’THOSE WHO DON’T CONFORM ARE NOT CARING FOR THE PEOPLE’,* HE SAID.
MR NGAI NOTED THAT THE WORRY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ON THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT WAS NOT WITHOUT BASIS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, OWING TO THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM.
THEREFORE, HE MADE THREE SUGGESTIONS:
X THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RELEASE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THE FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT AND RELEVANT INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT;
* A CAMPAIGN ON +UNDERSTANDING NUCLEAR POWER* SHOULD BE LAUNCHED URGENTLY, USING A MORE EASILY COMPREHENSIBLE LANGUAGE, TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC SO AS TO ALLEVIATE THEIR FEAR; AND
* A ROUND-TABLE COMMITTEE COMPRISING CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES, AND NUCLEAR EXPERTS, SHOULD BE FORMED TO DRAW UP CONTINGENCY MEASURES.
_________ __________0 - - - - ____
’DEFER DAYA BAY CONTRACT SIGNING’ * * * *
THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI SUPPORTED CALLS IN TMF lenici jtiue
/+THXS \JOUiJ JIIj •••••••
WEDNL6DAY, uULY '16, "1986
- 25 -
+THIS COUNCIL MAY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION BEFORE IT CAN EVALUATE THE WHOLE ISSUE AND DRAW A CONCLUSION ON IT, + HE SAID.
MR PANG SAID GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE GREAT CARE TO UNDERSTAND THE FEELING AGAINST NUCLEAR POWER AMONG THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
THE ISSUE WOULD INEVITABLY AFFECT THE MAINTENANCE OF CONFIDENCE AMONG RESIDENTS, AS WELL AS THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG’S SOCIETY, HE ADDED.
-------0 _ _ - -
+SHELVE N-PROJECT FOR THE TIME BEING*
*****
THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT SHOULD BE SHELVED FOR THE TIME BEING, THE HON POON CHI-FAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT, MR POON SAID THAT IF THE WORKS COULD COMMENCE UNTIL AFTER THE FACTS ABOUT THE ISSUE WERE CLEAR AND THE PUBLIC'S FAITH RESTORED, HONG KONG PEOPLE COULD BE RELIEVED OF THEIR WORRIES.
IN ADDITION, ANY POSSIBLE ALTERATION OF THE SAFETY FACILITIcb WHICH HAD TO BE MADE AFTER THE WORKS HAD COMMENCED COULD BE AVOIDED, SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE VIEWS GIVEN BY SOME PEOPLE OF AUTHORITY IN THE PAST MONTHS, MR POON SAID THESE VIEWS WERE FAR FROM UNANIMOUS AND SOME OF THE ASSURANCES THEY MADE WERE LACKING SUFFICIENT DATA SUPPORT.
HENCE, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DECIDE WHO WAS IN THE RIGHT AT THIS STAGE, HE SAID.
+1*AM OF THE OPINION THAT THE COMPANY CONCERNED SHOULD PROMPTLY PROVIDE RELEVANT DATA TO SUPPORT ITS SAFETY GUARANTEE TO AVOID THE PUBLIC WORRIES FROM BURSTING BEYOND BOUNDS.
+ IT IS ONLY BY PROVIDING SCIENTIFIC PROOF SHOULD DOUBTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE BE REMOVED,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HE SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF INVITING PROFESSIONALS FROM LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS TO ATTEND EXPLANATORY SESSIONS ON THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE NUCLEAR PLANT AND TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANIES CONCERNED.
/MR POON JkLLLD .......
UEDNEbDAY, JULY 16, 1986
24
MR POON CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO COLLECT MORE UNBIASED VIEWS AND TO HIRE NUCLEAR EXPERTS TO OBJECTIVELY ANALYSE THE SITUATION AND SUBMIT A PERTINENT REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
HE BELIEVED SUCH A- REPORT WOULD BE MORE ASSURING AND CONVINCING THAN EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED EITHER BY THE NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY OR ANTI-NUCLEAR ORGANISATIONS.
MORE DATA REQUIRED BEFORE MAKING DECISION
*****
PROFESSOR THE HON C.K. POON SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE WOULD REQUIRE MORE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL DATA BEFORE HE COULD DECIDE ON WHETHER THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WAS SAFE FOR HONG KONG OR NOT.
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PROF POON REFERRED TO THE REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT AT THE THREE MILE ISLAND PLANT IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH HIGHLIGHTED THE HUMAN FACTOR.
HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD FROM MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR PLANT JOINT VENTURE COMPANY THAT THE DAYA BAY PLANT DESIGN HAD TAKEN ACCOUNT OF HUMAN ERROR IN ADDITION TO EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION.
IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE IN THE ’INTERFACE’ BETWEEN OPERATOR AND MACHINE, AS WELL AS IN THE PROCEDURES FOR OPERATING THE PLANT AND IN TRAINING OPERATORS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, DETAILS OF HOW THE INTERFACE FUNCTIONED SO THAT IT INCORPORATED HUAMN ERROR WERE STILL UNAVAILABLE FROM THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY.
PROF POON SAID THE JOINT VENTURE HAD GIVEN AN ASSURANCE THAT THE PLANT PROTECTION AGAINST SERIOUS ACCIDENTS,
COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES WAS DESIGNED WITH EXTENSIVE INCLUDING A CORE MELTDOWN.
BUT HE WAS NOT SATISFIED AS UP TO NOW THERE WERE NO FACTS OR FIGURES TO SUPPORT THIS ASSURANCE, AND THUS THERE WERE QUESTIONS THAT REMAINED TO BE ANSWERED.
+ONLY WITH MORE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL DATA CAN I COMMIT MYSELF TO PRONOUNCING WHETHER HONG KONG IS SAFE, OR OTHERWISE + HE S AI D. 9
PROF POON BELIEVED THAT THE GENERAL CONCERN OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AROSE FROM A VAGUE CONCEPT THAT THE TERRITORY WOULD BECOME A +DEAD CITY+ IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AT DAYA BAY
/DATA froj-.......
WEDNEHDaY, uULY 16, 1986
DATA FROM TECHNICAL ANALYSIS WAS REQUIRED BEFORE THIS MISAPPREHENSION COULD BE RECTIFIED.
HE SUGGESTED THAT A COMPARISON OF SUCH DATA WITH DATA FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION WOULD SHOW WHETHER HONG KONG WAS SAFE OR UNSAFE, AND WHETHER HONG KONG WOULD BECOME A + DEAD CITY+ OVERNIGHT.
PROF POON REMINDED THE COUNCIL OF THE NEED TO DEVELOP NEW ENERGY SOURCES BECAUSE OF THE DEPLETION OF SOURCES OF FOSSIL FUEL IN FUTURE.
♦IF OBJECTIVE, ANALYTICAL RESULTS PROVE NUCLEAR ENERGY TO BE SUFFICIENTLY SAFE, SHOULD IT BE OBJECTED TO ON EMOTIONAL GROUNDS?* HE ASKED.
HE ALSO ASKED WHETHER IT WOULD BE MORE ADVISABLE TO DEPEND ON A WELL-TESTED DESIGN OR TO DEPEND ON A TOTALLY NEW, UNTESTED APPROACH IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT NEW NUCLEAR POWER DESIGNS WERE BEING DRAWN UP.
-------0--------
HK PEOPLE HAVE RIGHT TO EXPRESS FEARS
*****
HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR FEARS AND ANXIETIES OVER THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, THE HON SZETO WAH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE OBLIGED TO REFLECT THESE REAL FEARS AND ANXIETIES, HE SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON HONG KONG AND THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT.
MR SZETO EMPHASISED THAT NO ONE COULD OFFER A 100 PER CENT GUARANTEE THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE AN ACCIDENT WAS SOMETHING UNEXPECTED AND HUMAN FACTORS COULD BE A CAUSE OF ACCIDENT AT ANY TIME.
+ WE COULD ACCEPT OR TOLERATE AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING ONE, SEVERAL, A FEW DOZEN, A FEW HUNDRED, OR EVEN A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE.
+BUT FOR AN IRREPARABLE AND DESTRUCTIVE DISASTER INVOLVING A FEW MILLION PEOPLE FOR GENERATIONS, NOBODY IS QUALIFIED TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THE RISK OF SUCH AN ACCIDENT, OR TO SAY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING ACCEPTABLE AND TOLERABLE,* HE SAID.
MR SZETO SAID HONG KONG HAD ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE INTERNATIONAL CITY AND CONFIDENCE WAS RECOVERING AND THE TERRITORY LOOKED FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS.
BUT ALL THESE WOULD BE SHAKEN BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, OR EVEN DISAPPEAR IN A FLASH IF HONG KONG WERE POLLUTED BY RADIATION, HE WARNED.
_ _ _ _ o--------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
26
DOUBTS CAST ON ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF PROJECT
X * * * *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON RICHARD LAI TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXPRESSED HIS RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE POSITIVE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE ISSUE, MR LAI SAID IF IT COULD NOT BE ASCERTAINED THAT NUCLEAR POWER WAS A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE OPTION TO HANDLE HONG KONG’S ELECTRICITY DEMAND IN THE 199OS, THERE WAS NO REASON WHY HONG KONG SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE DAYA BAY PROJECT AT ALL.
ACCORDING TO DR LAI’S CALCULATIONS, THE OVERALL SAVINGS IN THE ELECTRICITY BILL EXPECTED FROM PURCHASING POWER FROM THE DAYA BAY PLANT WOULD ONLY BE ABOUT 12 PER CENT.
HE ADDED THAT THE FIGURE WOULD BE EVEN SMALLER IF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COST OF NUCLEAR AND COAL-FIRE GENERATED POWER WAS SMALLER THAN 50 PER CENT, OR IF THE PLANT WAS WORKING UNDER CAPACITY, OR IF THE TOTAL ELECTRICITY DEMAND WAS GREATER THAN EXPECTED.
+DOES THAT AMOUNT OF SAVING 4L0NE JUSTIFY OUR CONSENT?* HE ASKED.
DR LAI WAS ALSO NOT SATISFIED THAT THERE WAS ONLY A SIX-YEAR GUARANTEE THAT THE COST OF ELECTRICITY TO BE PURCHASED FROM THE DAYA BAY PLANT WOULD BE NO HIGHER THAN THAT OP COAL-FIRED ELECTRICITY.
+AFTER THE SIX YEARS PERIOD, ANY PRICE INCREASE DUE TO ESCALATION OF COSTS FORESEEN AND UNEXPECTED WILL BE TRANSLATED INTO HIGHER ELECTRICITY COSTS, PERHAPS HIGHER THAN THAT OF CONVENTIONALLY GENERATED POWER,* HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG CONSUMERS WOULD HAVE NO PROTECTION AGAINST SUCH INCREASES BECAUSE BY THEN HONG KONG WOULD NOT HAVE ANY READILY AVAILABLE ENERGY OPTION BUT TO PURCHASE DEARER ELECTRICITY FROM THE DAYA BAY PLANT SINCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE CONVENTIONAL PLANTS WOULD HAVE BEEN SHELVED IN FAVOUR OF THE NUCLEAR STATION.
+AND IF NUCLEAR GENERATED ELECTRICITY IS SO CERTAIN A CHEAPER OPTION, WHY WILL THE GUARANTEE ONLY LAST SIX YEARS AND NOT THE ENTIRE 20 YEARS OF THE JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT?* HE ARGUED.
/BESIDES, .........
WEDIJi^DAY, JULY 16, 1986
BESIDES, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLANT WOULD NOT BRING ANY ECONOMIC WINDFALL TO HONG KONG BECAUSE HONG KONG WOULD NOT DEVELOP A NUCLEAR INDUSTRY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE DAYA BAY PLANT WAS BUILT OR NOT, HE SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DR LAI POINTED OUT THAT THERE MIGHT WELL BE ADVERSE RAMIFICATIONS IF THE PLANT WAS BUILT.
HE WARNED THAT THE PLANT WOULD BE A FERTILE GROUND FOR BREEDING MALICIOUS RUMOURS.
* BECAUSE HONG KONG IS VULNERABLE TO RUMOURS, THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG WILL BE UNDERMINED IF THERE IS ANY NEWS, GENUINE OR NOT, OF A MALFUNCTION OF THE PLANT CIRCULATING IN HONG KONG.
+THE EROSION OF CONFIDENCE 0^ INVESTORS IN HONG KONG BECAUSE OF FEAR OF A NUCLEAR ACCIDENT IS SOMETHING WE CANNOT OBJECTIVELY ASSESS BUT WHICH WE SHOULD NOT DISCOUNT,* HE SAID.
DR LAI SAID HIS OFFICE CARRIED OUT A SURVEY WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS IN HIS CONSTITUENCY AND FOUND THAT 30 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS EITHER WANTED TO HAVE FURTHER CONSULTATION BEFORE THE PLANT WAS BUILT (40 PER CENT) OR TO HAVE THE PLANT SCRAPPED ALTOGETHER (40 PER CENT).
JNuY 20 PER CENT AGREED THAT THE PROJECT SHOULD PROCEED AS PLANNED, HE ADDED.
DR LAI BELIEVED THE SURVEY DID PROVIDE A GLIMPSE OF HOW PEOPLE FELT ABOUT THE PROPOSAL AND HE REMINDED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT MORE THAN 350 000 PEOPLE HAD SIGNED A PETITION CALLING FOR A HALT TO THE PROJECT.
THEREFORE, HE CALLED FOR A POSTPONEMENT OF THE SIGNING OF THE MAJOR CONTRACT SO THAT MORE CONSULTATION, DELIBERATION AND INVESTIGATION COULD BE DONE IN ORDER TO COME TO A PRUDENT AND JUDICIOUS DECISION ACCEPTABLE TO ALL.
CALL TO FREEZE HK’S PARTICIPATION IN DAYA BAY * * * * *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON ROSANNA TAM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER FREEZING HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT AND CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WHOLE ISSUE.
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT. SHE SAID ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROJECT SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC FOR DISCUSSION.
EMPHASISING THE NEED TO CONDUCT A REVIEW ON THE ISSU^ SHP SAID TWO FACTORS MERITED DETAILED CONSIDERATION: ’
/• WHETHER .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
28
* WHETHER BUYING NUCLEAR POWER WAS IN LINE WITH THE LONG-TERM DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY AND THE LONG-TERM ENERGY POLICY; AND
* THE SOCIAL COST FOR HONG KONG TO TAKE PART IN THE PROJECT.
NEITHER BLIND OPPOSITION TO NEW TECHNOLOGY NOR MERE ACCEPTANCE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY SUPERSTITlOUSLY WERE THE PROPER ATTITUDES TO TACKLE THE CONTROVERSIES, SHE SAID, ADDING THAT WHAT HONG KONG SHOULD DO AT PRESENT WAS TO ESTIMATE OUR DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY FROM NOW TO THE 199OS AND THEN RIGHT INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
+AFTER CAREFULLY SETTING A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM ENERGY POLICY, WE SHOULD THEN ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF THE DAYA BAY PROJECT AND THE ROLE PLAYED BY NUCLEAR POWER IN OUR ENERGY POLICY,* SHE SAID.
THESE INFORMATION SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC AS FAR AS POSSIBLE SO THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE COULD PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSIONS, MRS TAM ADDED.
ON THE SOCIAL COST TO BE BORNE THE HONG KONG IN TAKING PART IN THE PROJECT, MRS TAM SAID APART FROM THE VISIBLE COST OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, A STRONG PHOBIA HAD GRADUALLY BEEN FORMED WHICH COULD NOT BE DISPELLED IN A SHORT PERIOD BY MEANS OF EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY.
IN ADDITION, BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE DAYA BAY PLANT TO HONG KONG, THE LACK OF AN ABSOLUTE SAFETY PLAN WOULD POSE SERIOUS THREATS TO THE LIVES AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENTS, SHE SAID.
+POLITICALLY, HONG KONG IS GOING THROUGH A SENSITIVE TRANSITION PERIOD, SO WE MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY,* SHE STRESSED.
-------0--------
MAKE PUBLIC N-PLANT STUDY REPORTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE PUBLIC ALL COMPLETED STUDY REPORTS ON THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR PLANT SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN HAVE A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROJECT.
THE CALL WAS MADE BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TAM SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD COMMISSIONED UK CONSULTANTS TO CONDUCT SEVERAL STUDIES ON THE NUCLEAR PROJECT WHICH INCLUDED A RADIATION MONITORING PROGRAMME, AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBABILITY OF ACCIDENTS AT THE POWER STATION AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG THE DESIGN OF A CONTINGENCY PLAN, TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, AND A PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME.
/THE xjTUDILo .....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
- 29 -
THE STUDIES ON A RADIATION MONITORING PROGRAMME AND A PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME HAD BEEN COMPLETE? B'JT THE TWO OTHER MORE CRUCIAL STUDIES WERE YET TO BE CONCLUDED, HE SAID.
♦GOVERNMENT SHOULD ASK THE CONSULTANTS TO EXPEDITE THE STUDIES AND SHOULD MAKE PUBLIC THE COMPLETED REPORTS,+ HE URGED.
IN ADDITION, MR TAM NOTED THAT THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY WERE CONDUCTING SEVERAL STUDIES AND ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO APPROACH THE PARTIES CONCERNED TO RELEASE THE STUDY REPORTS.
THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY’S REPORTS INCLUDED A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE DAYA BAY PROJECT, A PRELIMINARY SAFETY ANALYSIS REPORT, AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, HE SAID.
MR TAM FELT THAT THE PREREQUISITE FOR COMING TO A CONCLUSIVE OPINION WAS TO CONDUCT RATIONAL DISCUSSION BASED ON ADEQUATE INFORMATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF APPREHENSION AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC WERE THE LACK OF PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT.
♦WHEN GOVERNMENT GAVE ITS APPROVAL IN 1983 FOR CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT, NO ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO EXPLAIN THE MATTER TO THE PUBLIC, SUCH AS GOVERNMENT DELIBERATIONS ON THE ECONOMIC AND SAFETY IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT.
♦FURTHERMORE, THERE WAS NO ACTIVE CONSULTATION TO COLLECT PUBLIC OPINIONS,+ MR TAM SAID.
DAYA BAY PROJECT SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED
* * * * *
THE HON ANDREW WONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) LIKENED THE DECISION HONG KONG HAD TO MAKE ON THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT TO AN IGNORANT MAN HAVING TO DECIDE ON WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR HE HAD TO CONSULT WHEN HE FELL SICK.
MR WONG WAS SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DAYA BAY ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
AS THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY WOULD FORMALLY SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FRENCH NUCLEAR POWER MANUFACTURER FRAMATOME IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER, HE SAID HE BELIEVED IT WAS HIGH TIME FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO MAKE A DECISION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY HAD SUFFICIENT DATA.
/ Oli •••••••
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986.
- JO -
BASED ON THE SAME ANALOGY, MR WONG SAID WHETHER A PERSON WAS SICK WAS SIMILAR TO WHETHER THE POWER SUPPLY IN HONG KONG WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET DEMAND IN THE EARLY 1990S.
HE SAID HE BASICALLY ACCEPTED THE CONCLUSION BY CHINA LIGHT AND THE GOVERNMENT THAT POWER SUPPLY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MEET SUCH A DEMAND.
♦BUT HOW DO WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT POWER SUPPLY? BUY OR GENERATE ELECTRICITY? IF BUYING ELECTRICITY WHETHER TO BUY NUCLEAR GENERATED ELECTRICITY OR COAL-FIRED OR OIL-FIRED ELECTRICITY?* MR WONG ASKED.
THIS WAS JUST LIKE DECIDING ON WHETHER TO UNDERGO AN OPERATION OR TO TAKE MEDICINE, HE SAID.
BASED ON COMMON SENSE ECONOMICS, MR WONG EXPRESSED DOUBTS THAT THE COST OF NUCLEAR POWER WOULD BE CHEAPER THAN THAT OF COAL-FIRED ELECTRICITY.
AS TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR BUYING ELECTRICITY, HE SAID HE WAS RATHER PUZZLED BY THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND RAISED THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
* WHAT WOULD THE PROFIT BE?
* WAS THE FORMULAE FOR CALCULATING THE NOMINAL PRICE OF COAL-FIRED ELECTRICITY LOGICAL? AND
* WOULD THE PRICE OF NUCLEAR GENERATED ELECTRICITY BE ARBITRARILY FIXED BY THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY WHOSE MAJOR SHAREHOLDER WAS GUANGDONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY?
AS TO THE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY TO BE PURCHASED, MR WONG QUESTIONED WHETHER HONG KONG WAS REQUIRED TO BUY 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OUTPUT UNDER THE CONTRACT OR ONLY 25 PER CENT WHICH IT HAD ORIGINALLY UNDERTAKEN TO BUY PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 45 PER CENT TO BE PURCHASED FROM GUANGDONG.
THERE WAS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO, HE SAID.
FINALLY, MR WONG CALLED ON CHINA TO DEVELOP ITS POTENTIAL ON COAL-FIRED ELECTRICITY AS THIS WOULD MEET THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD SET UP A STANDING COMMITTEE TO MONITOR, WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY, THE PROBLEMS AND POLICIES RELATING TO POWER SUPPLY THROUGH PUBLIC MEETINGS AND OPEN HEARINGS.
SINCE THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE WOULD BE A FORMAL MONITORING BODY, MEMBERS SHOULD NOT INCLUDE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, HE ADDED.
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/31 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
31
CALM APPROACH TO DAYA BAY X X * X *
ISSUE ADVOCATED
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD KEEP CALM OVER THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ISSUE.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY DR THE HON DANIEL TSE DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT IN the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
JUDGING FROM THE PRESENT TREND, DR TSE BELIEVED THE ISSUE HAD ALREADY CHANGED FROM CONSIDERATIONS OF TECHNOLOG I CAL SAFETY AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS TO A POLITICAL MOVEMENT AGAINST NUCLEAR POWER.
HE FELT THAT IT WAS THE DUTY OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS
TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE SITUATION AND RELEVANT INFORMATION AND THEN REPORT AND ANALYSE WITH A CALM AND CANDID APPROACH SO THAT THE PUBLIC COULD CALM DOWN AND RESPOND TO THE MATTER IN A REASONABLE WAY.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE SERIOUS STUDIES INTO THE TESTS AND DATA WITH WHICH THE MANUFACTURER PROVED THAT HIS PRODUCT WOULD MEET THE STANDARDS SET BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
WE MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED WOULD GUARANTEE THAT ALL CONSTRUCTION WORK OF THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AND ITS SUBSEQUENT MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING SYSTEM WOULD FULFIL THE REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN THE PLANT’S PERMIT AT ANY ONE TIME.
DR TSE SAID IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD GREATER WORRIES OVER THE RISK FACTOR OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AFTER THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO COMPARE THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WITH THE ONE IN CHERNOBYL BECAUSE THE FORMER WOULD ADOPT A DESIGN WHICH HAD BEEN INTERNATIONALLY USED ON AN EXTENSIVE BASIS, WHILE THE LATTER HAD USED THE MOST OUT-DATED EQUIPMENT IN USSR AND ITS SAFETY STANDARDS AND OPERATION WERE SELDOM REVEALED TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
DR TSE ALSO EXPRESSED HIS WELCOME TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S DECISION TO SEND TWO FACT-FINDING DELEGATIONS TO EUROPE AND USA IN AUGUST.
IN ORDER TO SET THE PUBLIC’S MINDS AT EASE AND TO BOOST THEIR CONFIDENCE, HE CALLED ON THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO DELAY THE SIGNING OF ANY CONTRACT THAT WOULD LEAVE HONG KONG PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY CHOICE BEFORE THE DELEGATIONS COMPLETED THEIR INVESTIGATION REPORT.
/32........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986-
- 52 -
BALANCING BENEFITS AGAINST PROBABILITIES *****
IN SPITE OF THE APPEARANCE OF A TENABLE ECONOMIC ARGUMENT FOR THE PROPOSED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT, PEOPLE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT THE LOGIC OF DECISION THEORY DEMANDS WEIGHTING THE BENEFITS OF A PROJECT AGAINST ITS PROBABILITIES OF OCCURRENCE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE ITS EXPECTED VALUE.
THE HON KIM CHAM MADE THIS OBSERVATION DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DAYA BAY PLANT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE BASIC PROBLEM IN APPLYING SUCH ANALYSIS FOR DECISION MAKING WAS THAT THE COST OF A NUCLEAR DISASTER WOULD HAVE EFFECTIVELY NULLIFIED ALL OF ITS ECONOMIC BENEFITS.
♦WHILE WE ARE READY TO PLEDGE OUR FAITH IN THE COMPETENCE OF THE SCIENTISTS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SAFETY MEASURES AND THE LOW PROBABILITY OF A DISASTER, WE MUST RECOGNISE THAT THE DETERMINING CRITERION OF THE PROJECT ENDEAVOUR IS ITS SAFETY OUTLOOK.
♦ THIS LATTER ATTRIBUTE, IF ERODED OR THREATENED, COULD HAVE WIPED OUT WHATEVER ECONOMIC WORTH THAT MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE PROJECT,+ DR CHAM SAID.
TO THIS END, HE SAID THAT SENDING A DELEGATION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TO EXAMINE THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF NUCLEAR PLANTS IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA WAS CLEARLY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
MR CHAM SAID SEVERAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS WOULD ACCRUE FROM THE PROJECT.
♦ACCORDING TO THE LATEST FINANCIAL CALCULATIONS, IT IS PROBABLE BY 1996 ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY NUCLEAR POWER WILL COST 24 PER CENT LESS TO PRODUCE THAN BY WAY OF COAL FIRE, GIVEN SOME ASSUMPTION OF INFLATION IN COAL PRICES.
♦ANOTHER ATTRACTION OF THE PROJECT IS THE ABILITY OF CHINA TO OBTAIN LOWER COST OF EXPORT FINANCING,* HE SAID.
CURRENTLY, EXPORT CREDIT TO FACILITATE PLANT PROCUREMENT BY CHINA COULD BE MADE AT THE CREDIT COST OF 7.4 PER CENT INTEREST RATE PER ANNUM, WHILE THE COMPARABLE COSTS FOR HONG KONG WOULD BE HIGHER AT 8.75 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
MR CHAM NOTED THAT UNDER THE CONTRACT, ELECTRICITY TO BE BOUGHT FROM THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY COULD NOT EXCEED THE. COST OF COAL-BURNT ELECTRICITY FOR THE FIRST SIX YEARS THAT THE NUCLEAR PLANT OPERATED.
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/» ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
55 -
NEW HARBOUR CROSSING AT NO COST TO PUBLIC PURSE * * * * *
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A USEFUL NEW TRANSPORT FACILITY AT VIRTUALLY NO COST TO THE PUBLIC PURSE WHEN THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IS CONSTRUCTED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON S.L. CHEN DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHEN SAID THE FINANCING OF THE TUNNEL CONSTITUTED THE LARGEST FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN ANY ONGOING CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT IN HONG KONG AT PRESENT.
+THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE TUNNEL ARE POSITIVE AND PROMISING! THEY SHOW CONFIDENCE BOTH IN THE ENTERPRISE ITSELF AND IN HONG KONG.
+THE EQUITY/COST RATIO IS REASONABLY HIGH AND THE PROJECT DOES NOT RELY ON LAND OR PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT FOR FINANCING.* HE SAID.
MR CHEN ADDED THAT THE NEW TUNNEL WOULD RELIEVE HEAVY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE EXISTING ROAD AND RAIL LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, PROVIDING A MORE BALANCED TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT.
IT WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE NEW AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT IN CHA KWO LING AND, WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL TO SHA TIN IN 1992, WOULD DRAW EVEN MORE VEHICLES AWAY FROM THE CROWDED ROADS OF CENTRAL KOWLOON.
♦THE TOLL FOR PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS WHEN IT OPENS IN 1989 WILL BE ONLY $10 AND THERE WILL BE NO PASSAGE TAX FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS,+ HE SAID.
ANOTHER MEMBER, THE HON KIM CHAM, SAID THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BILL LAY IN THE ILLUSTRATED EFFICACY OF MOBILISING FREE ENTERPRISE RESOURCES TO HELP FINANCE AND CONSTRUCT PUBLIC PROJECTS.
♦IF DELAYS IN THE PROJECT IN SIGHT RESULT IN ESCALATING COSTS AND FALL-BEHIND OF COMMISSIONING DATES, BOTH EVENTS WILL CERTAINLY BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE COMPANY’S INTEREST AND IN TURN TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST,* HE WARNED.
MR CHAM THEREFORE ADVISED THAT IT WAS IN THE INTEREST OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS PROJECT TO STRIVE TO ACHIEVE EFFICIENCY, OVERCOME DELAYS AND MINIMISE BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE.
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
3^
ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN POINTED OUT THAT THE TOLLS SCHEDULE OF THE TUNNEL COULD ONLY BE VARIED BY AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL, SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION PROCEDURES IF FOUND NECESSARY.
THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC INTERESTS WERE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED, HE SAID.
+l EXPECT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL CAREFULLY ENFORCE AND MONITOR ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS LAID DOWN IN THE BILL,* HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG-LEEN THEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT URBAN EXPANSION AT BOTH ENDS OF THE TUNNEL WOULD +IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF URBAN LIVING ENVIRONMENT, RATHER THAN CAUSING NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DUE TO SHORT-SIGHTED PLANNING STANDARDS AND SHORT-TERM BENEFITS ARISING FROM CUTTING THE WRONG CORNERS.*
MEANWHILE, THE HON POON CH I-FAI URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF A COMPOSITE INTERCHANGE ROAD NETWORK IN EAST KOWLOON AND TO CONSTRUCT AN ELEVATED ROAD ON THE WATERFRONT OF KWUN TONG TO MEET TRAFFIC DEMAND AFTER THE OPENING OF THE NEW TUNNEL.
+THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ALSO MAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR PUBLIC VEHICLES TO USE THE TUNNEL SO AS TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AND TO MAKE FULL USE OF IT,+ HE ADDED.
THANKING THE FOUR MEMBERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, SAID A JOINT TRAFFIC STUDY HELD IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY WAS PRESENTLY UNDERWAY TO DETERMINE THE TRAFFIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FOR EAST KOWLOON.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR GREWAL SAID FROM THE TIME SERIOUS CONSIDERATION BEGAN TO BE GIVEN TO THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IT WAS CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PROJECT COULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ADD TO CONGESTION IN EAST KOWLOON, OTHERWISE IT WOULD DEFEAT THE OBJECT OF THE EXERCISE.
+IT IS THE INTENTION THAT ON THE BASIS OF THE STUDY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE PLANNED AND CONSTRUCTED.*
IF NECESSARY, A KWUN TONG BYPASS WOULD BE INCLUDED SO THAT NOT ONLY CONGESTION IN THE AREA WAS NOT INCREASED BUT AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT IN TRAFFIC FLOWS WOULD BE ACHIEVED, HE SAID.
+THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WILL BE ACCESSIBLE TO BUSES AND THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES ARE NOW CONSIDERING EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ROUTES IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLANS,* HE ADDED.
/35 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
- 55 -
THEFT LAW TO BE TIGHTENED X * * * *
THE THEFT ORDINANCE WILL BE TGHTENED AGAINST THEFT IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, THE HON PETER C. WONG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE THEFT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WOULD REMOVE LOOPHOLES IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE.
+ THE MAIN THRUST OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS IS TO TIGHTEN THE LAW AGAINST FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINING CREDIT FACILITIES FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,* HE EXPLAINED.
HE SAID A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAD EXAMINED THE BILL IN GREAT DETAIL AND FOUND THAT THE KEY CLAUSE IN THE BILL HAD CAST THE NET TOO WIDE.
ACCORDINGLY, AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAUSE WOULD BE MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL BY ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON MARIA TAM SO THAT THE AMENDED CLAUSE +WILL ONLY APPLY TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AS WAS THE INTENTION*, MR WONG ADDED.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, THANKED MR WONG FOR HIS SUPPORT FOR THE BILL AND SAID THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY MISS TAM DID NOT ALTER THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE ORIGINAL BILL.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS DEFINE +BANK+ AND +DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY* BY CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE NEW BANKING ORDINANCE 1986 WHICH HAD NOT YET COMMENCED.
HE HOWEVER NOTED THAT THE DELAYED COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILL WOULD BE QUITE SHORT AS THE BANKING ORDINANCE 1986 WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMMENCED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
+WITH THESE AMENDMENTS, I REMAIN SURE THAT THIS BILL WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST FORMS OF FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY THAT ARE A RECURRING THREAT TO THE INTEGRITY OF ORDINARY BUSINESS LIFE IN HONG KONG,* MR THOMAS SAID.
BILL TO STOP UNSCRUPULOUS DEBTORS SUPPORTED * * * *
THE
HON WONG PO-YAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SUPPORTED AN AMENDMENT ^JHAT ^LLRREVENT UNSCRUPULOUS DEBTORS FROM TAKING ADVANTAGE 2£™E 1$ P£R CENT DIVIDEND PROVISION IN THE EXISTING BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE SO THAT THEY COULD EVADE BANKRUPTCY ACTION.
nui AT THE reSUMED DEBATE ON THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT)
BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR WONG SAID THE AMENDMENT p^ti^I^ TAR?Y AS THE INCIDENTS OF DEBTORS OPPOSING BANKRUPTCY OVFRTTMFSp?QTA™hYic?oFOR ANNULMENT HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO BUILD UP wen I nt r AO I I Wv Yt An o •
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
36 -
+IT IS obviously inequitable that a debtor whose assets stood AT Si.49 MILLION SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO OPPOSE A BANKRUPTCY PETITION ON THE GROUND THAT HIS ASSETS WERE INADEQUATE, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, TO MEET THE MINIMUM 15 PER CENT DIVIDEND OF HIS TOTAL DEBT OF $10 MILLION,* HE SAID.
IT WAS ALL THE MORE UNJUST THAT HIS CREDITORS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE ONEROUS TASK BY LAW OF TRYING TO PROVE THE DEBTOR’S TRUE FINANCIAL SITUATION, MR WONG ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO CONSIDER NOT SIMPLY THE AMOUNT OF THE DEBTOR’S ASSETS, BUT ALSO THE BROADER QUESTION OF OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE SUCH AS COMMERCIAL MORALITY, ILLEGAL DEALINGS OR FAULTS OR EVEN CRIMINAL OPERATIONS.
MR WONG BELIEVED THAT MANY A CREDITOR WOULD BE PREPARED TO PUT UP WITH A SMALLER DIVIDEND IF THE DEBTORS’ MALPRACTICES WERE PUBLICISED IN COURT, ADDING THAT THIS WOULD HELP TO STOP THE UNSCRUPULOUS FROM INDULGING IN SUCH PRACTICES.
+ IN THE LONG RUN, IT HELPS TO BUILD A MORE HEALTHY TRADING SECTOR IN HONG KONG AND ENHANCES ITS REPUTATION AS A WORLD COMMERCIAL CENTRE,* HE SAID.
ON THE DISCRETIONARY POWER OF THE COURT TO RESCIND A RECEIVING ORDER ON APPLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, MR WONG SAID IT WAS THE VIEW OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE BILL THAT THE DRAFTED CLAUSE SHOULD EXPRESSLY STATE THAT THE COURT MUST ALSO BE SATISFIED THAT IT WAS DESIRABLE IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE FOR THE RECEIVING ORDER TO BE RESCINDED.
MR WONG LATER MOVED AN AMENDMENT TO THIS EFFECT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL SO AS TO ENSURE THAT REGARD WOULD BE PAID NOT SIMPLY TO THE AMOUNT OF THE DEBTOR’S ASSETS BUT TO THE BROADER QUESTION OF ALL OTHER ClRCUMSTANCES.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID MR WONG’S AMENDMENT SERVED TO PUT THE MATTER BEYOND DOUBT.
THUS THE COURT, IN DECIDING TO RESCIND A RECEIVING ORDER OR TO ANNUL AN ADJUDICATION OF BANKRUPTCY UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 33(1A), SHOULD CONSIDER ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE CASE.
+THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE NEED TO MEET THE BROADER OBJECTIVES OF BANKRUPTCY LAW, WHICH I MENTIONED WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL EARLIER THIS MONTH,* HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS THANKED MR WONG FOR HIS COGENT REMARKS IN SUPPORT OF THE MEASURE AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP WHO STUDIED THE BILL.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
PINAL ACCOUNTS SHOW ADDITIONAL 5265.7M SURPLUS
*****
THE FINAL BUDGET SURPLUS FOR FISCAL 1985-86, AT 51 442.7 MILLION, WAS 5265.7 MILLION ABOVE THE ESTIMATED $1 177 MILLION MENTIONED IN SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE’S CONCLUDING SPEECH IN THE BUDGET DEBATE LAST APRIL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ACCOUNTS FINALISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1985-86 SHOWED THAT THE ACTUAL REVENUE AMOUNTED TO 341 240.9 MILLION AND TOTAL EXPENDITURE TO 539 798.2 MILLION.
+ AS MEMBERS WILL RECOLLECT, THE DEFICIT OR IGINI ALLY ENVISAGED IN THE 1985 BUDGET WAS 3960.3 MILLION,+ MR JACOBS SAID.
HOWEVER, THE EXPENDITURE CHARGED TO 54 HEADS WAS IN EXCESS OF THE SUM APPROPRIATED FOR THOSE HEADS BY THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1985, HE SAID.
THIS WAS BECAUSE SUFFICIENT OFFSETTING FOUND WITHIN THE HEADS CONCERNED.
SAVINGS COULD NOT BE
+ IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 9 OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, THIS EXCESS HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1985-86) BILL 1986 NOW BEFORE MEMBERS.*
+ THE BILL SEEKS TO GIVE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED IN RESPECT OF PARTICULAR HEADS OF EXPENDITURE BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER POWERS DELEGATED BY IT, HE SAID.
THE TOTAL NET SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF THE 54 HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WAS S3 098.6 MILLION.
THIS EXCESS WAS LARGELY ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE 1985 SALARIES REVISION FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (5939.7 MILLION) AND GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS (5450.4 MILLION) AND FOR THE PAYMENT OF PERSONNEL RELATED ALLOWANCES (5160.1 MILLION).
ANOTHER MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PAYMENT TO THE MASS TRANSIT FUND TO ENABLE THE FIRST EQUITY INJECTION TO BE MADE DURING THE 1985-86 FINANCIAL YEAR (51 500 MILLION), HE SAID.
+SAVINGS MADE IN OTHER SUBHEADS ARE DUE TO CONTINUED TIGHT CONTROL OVER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO RESTRAINT,* MR JACOBS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/?8 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
- 38
BID TO TIGHTEN CONTROL ON SALE OF POISONS
*****
A PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IS TO TIGHTEN CONTROL ON THE SALE OF POISONS AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AT RETAIL OUTLETS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR SHIPMAN SAID THE BILL MADE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE PHARMACY AND POINSONS ORDINANCE, SOME OF WHICH WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY AND ANCILLARY MATTERS, WHOSE REPORT WAS PUBLISHED IN 1984.
+ALL OF THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD,+ HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN SAID: +THE ORDINANCE ALREADY PROHIBITS LISTED SELLERS OF POISONS, WHICH IS THE CATEGORY OF MEDICINE DEALERS WHO DO NOT ENGAGE REGISTERED PHARMACISTS, FROM SELLING ANY OF THE POTENT POISONS IN PART I OF THE POISONS LIST.
+THEY ARE NOT HOWEVER SPECIFICALLY DEBARRED FROM DISPENSING PRESCRIPTIONS.
+THIS SITUATION IS CONFUSING TO THE PUBLIC WHO CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO KNOW WHETHER A PRESCRIPTION CONTAINS A PART I POISON AND CANNOT THEREFORE LEGALLY BE DISPENSED BY A LISTED SELLER.+
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE WORKING PARTY’S ADVICE THAT PRESCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE DISPENSED ONLY BY QUALIFIED PHARMACISTS ENGAGED BY AUTHORISED SELLERS OF POISONS OR IN OTHER APPROVED OUTLETS.
♦CLAUSE 2 (B) OF THE BILL THEREFORE CLARIFIES THE DEFINITION OF DISPENSING TO INCLUDE THE SUPPLY OF MEDICINE OR POISON ON A PRESCRIPTION ISSUED BY A DOCTOR, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THAT MEDICINE IS IN PART I OF THE POISONS LIST OR NOT.+
DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS PROHIBITING DISPENSING BY LISTED SELLERS OF POISONS WOULD BE PROVIDED BY WAY OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, HE SAID.
♦ THE DEFINITION OF ’SELL’ IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE DOES NOT INLDUDE SUPPLY WITHOUT PAYMENT AND TECHNICALLY IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR UNAUTHORISED PERSONS TO CIRCUMVENT CONTROL BY OFFERING POISONS AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS UNDER THE GUISE OF FREE SUPPLY,+ HE SAID.
+CLAUSE 2(C) IS INTENDED TO REMOVE THIS LOOPHOLE,+ HE ADDED.
CLAUSE 5 PROVIDED FOR TIGHTER CONTROL ON THE REGISTRATION OF PREMISES OF AUTHORISED SELLERS, WHO WERE THE CATEGORY OF RETAIL OUTLET THAT MIGHT SELL PART I POISONS, PROVIDED THAT THEY ENGAGED A REGISTERED PHARMACIST FOR THIS PURPOSE.
/♦UNDjiK THE..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
39 -
+UNDER THE PRESENT TERMS OF THE ORDINANCE THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD HAS NO POWER TO REJECT A CORRECTLY SUBMITTED APPLICATION FOR THE REGISTRATION OF PREMISES, AND THE APPLICANT AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES AN AUTHORISED SELLER OF POISONS ONCE HIS PREMISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED.
♦ALTHOUGH THE BOARD MAY DE-REGISTER THE PREMISES CONCERNED WHEN AN AUTHORISED SELLER IS FOUND GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE, IT CANNOT REFUSE TO REGISTER THE SAME PREMISES AGAIN IF THE OPERATOR APPLIES UNDER A NEW NAME.+
MR SHIPMAN TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT CLAUSE 5 WOULD EMPOWER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD TO GRANT OR REJECT AN APPLICATION, OR TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON REGISTRATION, HAVING REGARD TO THE PERSONAL SUITABILITY OF THE AUTHORISED SELLER AND THE SUITABILITY OF THE PREMISES FOR THE RETAIL SALE OF POISONS.
CLAUSE 9 ENABLED REGULATIONS TO BE MADE PROVIDING FOR MORE DETAILED PROCEDURES TO BE PRESCRIBED AND CLAUSE 10 PROVIDED FOR APPLICANTS AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE BOARD ON THESE MATTERS TO APPEAL TO THE PHARMACY AND POISONS APPEAL TRIBUNAL, HE SAID.
TO FACILITATE EASY IDENTIFICATION BY THE PUBLIC, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SAID CLAUSES 6 AND 9 PROVIDED THAT AUTHORISED SELLERS OF POISONS SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO DISPLAY AT REGISTERED PREMISES A PRESCRIBED LOGO, WHICH NON-AUTHORISED PERSONS WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM DISPLAYING.
♦ IN ADDITION TO THESE PROPOSALS TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY, THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS A NUMBER OF OTHER AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PROFESSIONS,* HE SAID.
♦ CLAUSES 3 AND 4 REVISE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD AND THE COMMITTEE OF EXAMINERS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MEDICAL FACULTY IN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
♦ CLAUSE 7 REMOVES AN UNNECESSARY PROVISION DESIGNED TO RESTRICT COMPETITION AMONG LISTED SELLERS OF POISONS.
♦ CLAUSE 8 EXEMPTS DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND VETERINARY SURGEONS FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN SEPARATE RECORDS ON THE SUPPLY OF MEDICINES PROVIDED THAT THE DETAILS OF SUCH SUPPLIES ARE ENTERED INTO CLINICAL RECORD CARDS KEPT FOR THEIR PATIENTS.
♦ CLAUSE 11 WIDENS THE POWER OF FORFEITURE BY THE MAGISTRATE TO INCLUDE ANY PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT WITH RESPECT TO WHICH AN OFFENCE HAS BEEN COMMITTED.*
AT PRESENT THE POWER WAS APPLICABLE ONLY TO PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS CONTAINING POISONS, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0---------
/40........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
REASONS FOR LRT MEASURES EXPLAINED * * * * *
THERE ARE TWO MAIN REASONS WHY IT IS UNDESIRABLE TO ALLOW DIRECTLY COMPETING BUS SERVICES TO OPERATE IN THE +TRANSIT SERVICE AREA* OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM IN THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THP HON HARNAM GREWAL, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, WHICH PROVIDES A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE KCR CORPORATION TO BUILD AND OPERATE THE LRT, HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN CRITICISM THAT THE PROPOSED MEASURES FOR AN INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM WOULD AMOUNT TO GRANTING A MONOPOLY TO THE CORPORATION IN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE LRT WOULD NOT BE PLACED IN A MONOPOLY SITUATION: EXTERNAL KOWLOON MOTOR BUS SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL COACHES, RED AND GREEN MINIBUSES AND TAXIS WOULD ALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE REGION.
EXPLAINING THE TWO MAIN REASONS WHY COMPETING BUS SERVICES SHOULD NOT OPERATE IN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA, MR GREWAL SA I Ds +RIRSTLY, UNLIKE THE MTR WHICH IS AN ADDITIONAL MODE SERVING EXISTING URBAN CORRIDORS OF HIGH PASSENGER DEMAND, THE LRT IS TO BE BUILT AS THE PRIME PEOPLE-MOVER IN THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN, WHICH IS THE SAME SIZE OF KOWLOON, AND THE NORTHWEST WHERE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT INTERNAL DEMAND TO SUPPORT MORE THAN ONE MAJOR MODE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
+SECONDLY, THE LRT IS INTENDED TO BE A NEW FORM OF TRANSPORT IN PLACE OF A SYSTEM THA~ RELIES HEAVILY ON BUSES. IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT IS PROPOSED IS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTERNAL FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE BY THE LRT.+
THE LRT SYSTEM WITH ITS FEEDER ROUTES WOULD PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE AND CONVENIENT SERVICE WITH SUFFICIENT CAPACITY TO COPE WITH TRAFFIC DEMAND WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
HENCE THERE WOULD BE A CONTINUING ROLE FOR BUSES ON FEEDER ROUTES AS WELL AS EXTERNAL SERVICES, AND IN THIS REGARD THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WELCOME CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE KCRC AND KMB ON THE PROVISION OF FEEDER SERVICES WITHIN THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK SET OUT IN THE BILL. THE ACTUAL DETAILS AS TO HOW THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED WOULD BE A MATTER FOR DISCUSSION AND NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE TWO.
♦THE LRT WILL BE THE FIRST PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODE OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, ONE THAT WILL PROVIDE A MODERN, AIR-CONDITIONED, COMFORTABLE, CONVENIENT AND EFFICIENT FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT REASONABLE COST FOR RESIDENTS OF THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES,* HE POINTED OUT.
/TiH G.ILUaL •••••••
LoDxiY t JULY 16, "1986
41
MR GREWAL OUTLINED THE BACKGROUND CONCERNING THE LRT SYSTEM + IN VIEW OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN ENGENDERED.*
IN PLANNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES, CAREFUL THOUGHT WAS GIVEN AS TO THE BEST FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR THE REGION. THE NEW TOWN WAS PLANNED FROM THE OUTSET WITH AN +EXCLUSIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT RIGHT OF WAY* SEGREGATED FROM THE ORDINARY ROAD NETWORK.
A DETAILED EVALUATION OF THE RESPECTIVE MERITS AND DEMERITS OF BUSES, LRT AND OTHER MODES WAS CARRIED OUT TO DETERMINE WHICH WOULD BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF THE AREA.
+ THE LRT WAS FINALLY CHOSEN BECAUSE IT BLENDS THE MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND COMFORT OF THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY WITH THE CONVENIENCE AND EASY ACCESSIBILITY OF THE TRAM AND BECAUSE IT IS FAST AND RELIABLE WITHOUT THE SMOKE, NOISE AND CONGESTION WHICH ARE ALL TOO FAMILIAR IN MANY PARTS OF HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
MR GREWAL NOTED THAT THE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM WITH ITS SUPPORTING FEEDER BUS SERVICES IN A DEDICATED TRANSIT SERVICE AREA WAS EXPLAINED TO AND DISCUSSED WITH THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS TWO YEARS AGO AND RECEIVED THEIR SUPPORT.
IT WAS ON THIS BASIS AND WITH THIS COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAT THE KCRC UNDERTOOK TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE THE LRT SYSTEM, THE FIRST PHASE OF WHICH WAS DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-1988.
THUS, THE LRT HAD BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES. WITH A CARRYING CAPACITY CAPABLE OF MEETING DEMAND WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, IT WAS AN INVESTMENT NOT ONLY FOR THE PRESENT BUT THE LONG-TERM FUTURE AS WELL. IT WAS IN ESSENCE A VISIBLE FORM OF GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTHWEST.
MR GREWAL ALSO EXPLAINED THE CONCEPT OF THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA, WHICH WAS INTENDED TO COVER THE WHOLE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT AND THAT PART OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT WEST OF THE EASTERN END OF YUEN LONG TOWN.
WITHIN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA, PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE FULLY INTEGRATED, WITH THE LRT FUNCTIONING AS THE BACKBONE AND OTHER MODES PLAYING A COMPLEMENTARY ROLE.
+1 AM AWARE THAT CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED IN SOME QUARTERS THAT AS THE LRT WILL BE THE ONLY MASS CARRIER IN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA, PEOPLE WILL BE LEFT WITH NO CHOICE IF KCRC WERE TO CHARGE VERY HIGH FARES ON ITS SYSTEM. THIS CONCERN THOUGH UNDERSTANDABLE IS UNFOUNDED,* HE SAID.
/THi. KJxiU HaD
WEDK^GDaY, JULY 16, 1986' ’
THE KCRC HAD STATED PUBLICLY THAT IT WOULD ADOPT A REALISTIC PARE POLICY AND THAT FARE LEVELS WOULD BE KEPT REASONABLE.
THE CORPORATION WAS NOT A PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANY WHICH HAD TO MAXIMISE PROFIT FOR ITS SHAREHOLDERS. IT WAS WHOLLY FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE BOARD COMPRISED MEMBERS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TH- REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARDS WHO WERE THERE TO REPRESENT THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
♦THERE WILL IN EFFECT BE A THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF MONITORING LRT FARES AND SERVICE : THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES OF THE TWO DISTRICT BOARDS, THE KCRC BOARD ITSELF WITH ITS PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES AND FINALLY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WHO IS EMPOWERED UNDER SECTION 6 OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE TO GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE CORPORATION IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST,+ HE SAID.
THIS THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF MONITORING WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST WAS WELL DEFENDED AND SAFEGUARDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - - - 0------
TOUGHER LAWS PROPOSED ON FIRE SAFETY
*****
PROPOSALS IN THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) AT ENABLING THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES TO DEAL MORE
HAZARDS THAT HAVE RECURRED- DETERRING PEOPLE FROM CREATING ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARDS AND INCREASING THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF RELEVANT LEGISLATION.
BILL
1986 AIM
EFFECTIVELY
THIS WAS SAID BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS T0DAY WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND Nt AD I No Ur THE B I LL,
..IUiru+!nnin°uLrSI?^,CANT 0F THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE THOSE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO ALLOW A FI RE HAZARD ^^A??OLREADY BEEN THE SUBJECT 0F A ’FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT t2I £nOOT2nnECUR WITHIN 12 MONTHS OR TO LEAVE OBSTRUCTIONS IN ,™E E°R*'D0RS« STAIRCASES AND OTHER COMMON AREAS OF A BUILDING WHICH FORM PART OF THE MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM IT OR TO LOCK ANY ^ANB °F ESCAPE SUCH THAT IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE WITHOUT THE USE OF A KEY.+ HE SAID.
♦MEMBERS MAY THINK THAT ANYONE TO COMMIT SUCH OFFENCC STIFF PENALTIES FOR THEM,+ HE
IT WOULD BE HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE FOR S. SO IT IS RIGHT TO PROPOSE FAIRLY ADDED.
/IC? w'AS HOPhL......
wBDIUoD^Y, vULY 16, 1966
IT WAS HOPED THAT THE PENALTIES NOW PROPOSED WOULD PROVIDE A SUITABLE DETERRENT, AND THAT STANDARDS OF FIRE SAFETY, PARTICULARLY IN M'JLT I -STOREY BUILDINGS, WOULD RISE.
MR THOMAS NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FOR SOME TIME BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGERS OF F|RE HAZARDS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, PARTICULARLY OBSTRUCTIONS TO ESCAPE ROUTES. SUCH HAZARDS ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN THE BUILDINGS. THEY ALSO IMPEDED FIREMEN IN THEIR ACCESS TO FIRES.
+AT PRESENT, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES LACKS THE POWER REQUIRED TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM EFFECTIVELY. ALL HE CAN DO IS TO ISSUE ABATEMENT NOTICES REQUIRING FIRE HAZARDS TO BE REMOVED WITHIN A GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME. ONLY WHEN AN ABATEMENT NOTICE HAS BEEN IGNORED IS AN OFFENCE COMMITTED,* HE SAID.
+ THIS STATE OF THE LAW PROVIDES NO REAL INCENTIVE TO KEEP COMMON AREAS FREE FROM HAZARDS. BECAUSE THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE OFFENCE MANY WILL TAKE A RISK AND DELIBERATELY BLOCK ESCAPE ROUTES IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY CANNOT BE PUNISHED UNTIL AFTER A NOTICE HAS BEEN SERVED AND THES HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO REMOVE THE OBSTRUCTION - AT LEAST FOR A TIME, BECAUSE IF LATER THE ESCAPE ROUTE IS FOUND AGAIN TO BE BLOCKED, THE DIRECTOR MUST FIRST SERVE ANOTHER ABATEMENT NOTICE AND SO IT MAY GO ON.+
MR THOMAS NOTED THAT THE FIRE AT THE BLUE BOX FACTORY BUILDING IN ABERDEEN IN 1984 RENEWED PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT STORAGE OF GOODS IN ESCAPE ROUTES WITHIN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
THAT FIRE BURNED FOR THREE DAYS, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY FIREMEN IN WORKING THEIR WAY INTO THE BUILDING.
IN RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC CONCERN, THE ADMINISTRATION EXAMINED THE EXISTING LEGISLATION TO DETERMINE WHAT CHANGES WERE REQUIRED TO CREATE APPROPRIATE DETERRENTS FOR MALPRACTICES.
♦THE RESULT IS THE BILL BEFORE THE COUNCIL TODAY,* MR THOMAS SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN CONSIDERING THESE AMENDMENTS, THE ADM INSTRATI ON TOOK ACCOUNT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF STORAGE SPACE IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS TO SEE WHETHER THIS WAS A CONTINUING CONSTRAINT ON THE ABILITY TO STORE GOODS SAFELY. THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT LACK OF STORAGE SPACE WAS NO LONGER THE PROBLEM IT ONCE HAD BEEN.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BOTH IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE AMENDMENTS. ALL HAD SUPPORTED THE SPIRIT OF THE PROPOSALS AND HAD SO FAR RAISED NO OBJECTIONS TO THEM.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/ 44
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986’
44
FINAL QUARTER
SUMMARY PROVISION EXPLAINED * * *
THF NET SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1985-86 WAS 3250.7 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE SUMMARY OF THE PROVISION FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION, MR JACOBS SAID OF THE 31 903.7 MILLION APPROVED SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION 31 383.4 MILLION AROSE FROM THE 1985 CIVIL SERVICE AND SUBVENTED*SECTOR PAY ADJUSTMENTS.
OF THE AMOUNT OF 31 903.7 MILLION, 31 653 MILLION WAS OFFSET BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME HEADS OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS VOTES, HE SAID.
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT ITEMS IN the SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
THE LATTER HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(8) (A) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, HE SAID. _
WAR MEMORIAL FUND ASSISTANCE BASED ON NEED
******
THE SELECT THAT ASSISTANCE
THE HON
MR
WHEN HE
COMMITTEE ON THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND HAS RECOMMENDED FROM THE FUND SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE BASED ON NEED CHAN KAM-CHUEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
CHAN WAS SPEAKING AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE TABLED THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE
THATSG;?DI^EM5AAr;ELRE05o?E^O^^DNEB?EfHSE4R^pLE¥c?r. c“’ffiE
Mf^^SSD°yf^CTE‘NCE T° ™E
•♦'SUCH ASSISTANCE SHOULD, WE BELIEVE, BE PROVIDED TO ENSURE A REASONABLE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR THE BENEFICIARY WHO SHOULD BE RELIEVED FROM THE BURDEN OF FEAR FOR HIS MAINTENANCE AND LIVELIHOOD nt SAID. 9
H°WEVER. HE NOTED THAT THERE MIGHT NOW BE ONLY SOME 20 LOCAL AND SOME 100 OVERSEAS APPLICANTS YET TO APPLY.
« CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE MADE
A RECOMMENDATION IN JULY LAST YEAR, AFTER CONDUCTING A REVIEW OF PROCEDURES, POR THE FUND TO BECOME A COMPENSATION FUND FOR WAR RELATED DEATH OR DISABLILITY, WHICH WOULD FURTHER HAVE INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS NEEDED TO BE VOTED AND WAS AT VARIANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR.
/Hi« <>4112 DHL................
4^
HE SAID THE SELECT COMMITTEE ACCEPTED THAT THE FUND COMMITTEE HAD ACTED PROPERLY IN TAKING THE MEASURES TO RELAX THE CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD OF GRANTS AS THIS WAS ON THE INITIATIVE AND FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOVERNMENT.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SELECT COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER. ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE WERE FIRSTLY TO CONSIDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FUTURE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND, AND SECONDLY TO REPORT ON THE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN WITH A VIEW TO IMPLEMENTING THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.
LASTLY, ON BEHALF OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE, MR CHAN r^orT4ov EXPRESSED APPRECIATION OF THE CO-OPERATION GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRISONERS OF WAR AND VETERANS ASSOCIATIONS.
------o-------
UNIFORM DESCRIPTIONS OF SPEEDING OFFENCES
*****
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE REGARDING SPEEDING OFFENCES WAS APPROVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
™E RESOLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, SAID THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED SO THAT ITS DESCRIPTIONS OF SPEEDING OFFENCES WERE THE SAME AS THOSE IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS AMENDED ON JULY 9.
THE AMENDMENTS IN THIS RESOLUTION WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON JULY 28, THE SAME EFFECTIVE DATE AS THAT OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1986,+ HE SAID.
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VIEWS ON BANKING CREDIT INFORMATION BUREAU SOUGHT *****
A rrJ^^THETIC CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE sett i wr no ne
CAin TLMeYI«G T0 A QUESTION BY THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN MP
HAV£ '° TA’E ^?r9s
/HE EAID HE
WEDUr^DAY, JULY 16, 1986
46 -
he'said he had recently received a similar proposal from the
HONG KONG FOREIGN BANK REPRESENTATIVES ASSOCIATION.
+ A CREDIT INFORMATION BUREAU IS AN INTERESTING ^EA BUT ESSENTIALLY ONE FOR THE BANKING COMMUNITY, AT LEAST IN THE FIRST INSTANCE,+ HE NOTED.
+l HAVE ACCORDINGLY ASKED THE ASSOCIATION TO TAKE THE MATTER UP WITH THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS. THEY HAVE NOW DONE SO,+ HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS SAID HE COULD CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHY BANKS WOULD WANT MORE INFORMATION ON BORROWERS IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE LATTER’S CREDIT-WORTHINESS WITH MORE PRECISION.
DUTY TO MAINTAIN
+THERE ARE, HOWEVER, OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: HOW WOULD BORROWERS LIKE THE IDEA OF THEIR BANKERS SHARING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMAT ON ON THEM? WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS ON A BANKER’S DUTY TO MAINTAIN SECRECY ABOUT HIS CUSTOMER’S AFFAIRS?*
+NOT ALL BORROWERS ARE UNSCRUPULOUS,* HE ADDED.
-----0--------
POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO RELY ON OWN JUDGEMENT
*****
IT IS RARELY POSSIBLE FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO KNOW IN ADVANCE THAT A MOTORIST IS ABOUT TO COMMIT A TRAFFIC OFFENCE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QEUSTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, MR THOMAS SAID THAT IN THIS RESPECT MOTORISTS WERE LESS THAN HELPFUL.
+EVENTS USUALLY TAKE PLACE SO RAPIDLY THAT A POLICE OFFICER IS UNABLE TO PREVENT AN OFFENCE OCCURRING WITHOUT ENDANGERING HIS OWN LIFE OR THOSE OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC,* HE SAID.
+HE THUS IS USUALLY LEFT WITH THE DISCRETION AND THE DECISION AS TO WHETHER AND, IF SO, HOW TO ENFORCE THE LAW.*
MR LAU HAD ASKED WHETHER POLICE OFFICERS PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY TO STOP OR CORRECT MOTORISTS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY COMMITTED A TRAFFIC OFFENCE, OR SHOULD THE OFFICER SIMPLY WAIT FOR A DRIVER TO COMMIT AN OFFENCE AND THEN TAKE ACTION.
MR THOMAS EXPLAINED THAT UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE CAP. 232, THE DUTIES OF THE POLICE FORCE WERE TO TAKE LAWFUL MEASURES FOR PRESERVING THE PUBLIC PEACE; PREVENTING AND DETECTING CRIMES AND OFFENCES-. PREVENTING INJURY TO LIFE AND PROPERTY; APPREHENDING ALL PERSONS WHOM IT WAS LAWFUL TO APPREHEND AND FOR WHOSE APPREHENSION SUFFICIENT GROUNDS EXISTED; AND CONTROLLING TRAFFIC AND PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES AND REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS.
WEDNESDAY, tfULY 16 > 1986
+ WHAT CAN AND SHOULD BE DONE BY A POLICE OFFICER CARRYING OUT THOSE DUTIES MUST DEPEND ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH PARTICULAR CASE WHETHER IT IS A TRAFFIC MATTER OR SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS,* HE SAID.
WHEN A POLICE OFFICER SAW A PERSON WHO ACTED AS IF HE WAS ABOUT TO COMMIT AN OFFENCE, HE COULD TRY TO PREVENT IT.
+ BUT HE CAN ONLY DO SO IF HE HAS THE TIME AND RESOURCES WITH WHICH TO ACT, IF HE IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO DO SO EFFECTIVELY, IF THE PERSON’S ACTION IS SUFFICIENTLY UNEQUIVOCAL TO PERMIT OF NO INNOCENT EXPLANATION, AND IF PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT ENDANGERED.+
MR THOMAS SAID THAT IN MANY CASES A POLICE OFFICER WOULD BE UNABLE TO PREVENT THE OFFENCE OCCURRING, AND WOULD BE LEFT TO TAKE ACTION ONLY AFTER THE EVENT.
+WHETHER OR NOT HE THEN DECIDES TO TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION IS A MATTER FOR THE INDIVIDUAL JUDGEMENT OF EACH POLICE OFFICER,* HE ADDED.
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LITTLE DEMAND FOR HELICOPTER SITES IN NT *****
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DOMESTIC HELIPAD NETWORK, A NUMBER OF SUITABLE SITES IN MAJOR TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON DAVID LI, MR JACOBS SAID: +SO FAR THERE APPEARS TO BE LITTLE COMMERCIAL DEMAND, AND TO DATE NO ONE HAS EXPRESSED ANY DESIRE TO ACQUIRE AND DEVELOP ANY OF THE SITES.*
WITH REGARD TO COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER OPERATIONS AT KAI TAK, HE SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO GIVE PRIORITY TO THE MOVEMENTS OF AN INCREASING NUMBER OF FIXED-WING COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT USING THE SINGLE RUNWAY AT THE AIRPORT.
+AND THE VALUABLE GROUND SPACE AND EXISTING FACILITIES ARE BEST RESERVED FOR AIRCRAFT PROVIDING INTERNATIONAL, FIXED-WING SERVICES,* HE SAID.
+THESE SERVICES ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.*
MR JACOBS SAID A POSSIBLE SITE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATl-ONAL HELIPORT ADJACENT TO THE SHA TIN-ME ISHA FERRY TERMINAL WAS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION.
HE SAID: +SHOULD IT PROVE SUITABLE, AND SHOULD THE NECESSARY FACILITIES BE PROVIDED BY A DEVELOPER, INTERNATIONAL SERVICES COULD BE OPERATED TO AND FROM IT, SUBJECT, OF COURSE, TO ALL THE USUAL ARRANGEMENTS AND AUTHORISATIONS REQUIRED FOR SUCH SERVICES.*
/48
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
* X *
PRIVATE TUTORIAL CLASSES NOT A BIG PROBLEM
TUP PROBLEMS ARISING PROM THE OPERATION OF PRIVATE TUTORIAL CLASS'S HAVE NOT REACHED AN EXTENT WHICH JUSTIFIES ANY CHANGE IN THP EDUCATION ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG, MR LEUNG SAID THE PROBLEMS COULD BE MORE APPROPRIATELY DEALT WITH BY MAKING THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF WHAT COULD BE PROPERLY EXPECTED FROM PRIVATE TUTORIAL CLASSES AND OF THE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BOTH FROM THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
HE NOTED THAT ALL REGISTERED SCHOOLS, INCLUDING PRIVATE TUTORIAL CLASSES WHICH FELL WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE WERE SUPERVISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THROUGH REGULAR INSPECTIONS.
THIS INCLUDED THE INVESTIGATION OF ANY COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AND REMEDIAL ACTION REQUIRED, HE SAID.
DEFINING A SCHOOL IN THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE, MR LEUNG SAID THAT IT WAS + AN INSTITUTION, ORGANISATION OR ESTABLISHMENT WHICH PROVIDES EDUCATION FOR 20 OR MORE PERSONS DURING ANY ONE DAY, WHETHER OR NOT AT THE SAME TIME.+
HE POINTED OUT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SUPERVISION BY AMENDING THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE SO THAT REGISTRATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE WAS REQUIRED FOR INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR A SMALLER NUMBER OF PERSONS.
+T0 DO SO, HOWEVER, WOULD RESULT IN A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN THE SUPERVISORY COMMITMENTS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WITH THE CONSEQUENTIAL NEED FOR INCREASED STAFFING RESOURCES.
+BEFORE SUCH A STEP IS TAKEN ’HE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE CONVINCED THAT THE EXISTING PROBLEMS JUSTIFIED SUCH INCREASED EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, OR THAT THE PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE RESOLVED BY OTHER MEANS,+ MR LEUNG SAID.
/49
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
49
RENT OF ERP COMMERCIAL TENANTS FROZEN
*****
THE RENTS OF ALL SHOPS IN THE 26 BLOCKS AFFECTED BY THE EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ARE NOW FROZEN AND ARE BEING REASSESSED ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON JOHN TODD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW WONG ON RENT DETERMINATION AND REVIEW FOR PUBLIC HOUSING COMMERCIAL TENANTS AFFECTED BY THE ERP, MR TODD SAID: +THE RENTS OF ALL SHOPS IN THE 26 BLOCKS CONCERNED WERE FROZEN ON ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PROGRAMME ON NOVEMBER 21, 1985.
+SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, THE RENTS OF THESE SHOPS ARE BEING REASSESSED ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN MARKET VALUE ARISING FROM FACTORS SUCH AS THE REDUCTION OF THE RESIDENT POPULATION.*
THE FIRST RENT REVIEW IN APRIL 1986 RESULTED IN THE RENTS OF 16 TENANCIES IN KWAI FONG ESTATE BEING REDUCED BY EIGHT TO 45 PER CENT.
MR TODD ADDED THAT FOR SHOPS IN THE VICINITY OF THE ERP BLOCKS, THEIR RENTS ARE REASSESSED ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL REASSESSMENT OF RENTS ON RENEWAL OF TENANCY.
+THEY WILL BE REDUCED IF THE REASSESSMENT INDICATES THAT THE RENTS BEING PAID ARE ABOVE THE REASSESSED MARKET RENT.*
ON MEASURES THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD TAKEN OR WOULD TAKE TO DETERMINE AND REVIEW THE RENTALS OF SHOP TENANTS FACING STRONG COMPETITION FROM THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN ADJACENT COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES, MR TODD SAID IT WAS THE AUTHORITY’S POLICY TO LET ITS COMMERCIAL PREMISES ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS.
+TENANCIES ARE NORMALLY RENEWED ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE TENANCY AGREEMENT AND RENTS ARE REASSESSED AT THE SAME TIME.
+THESE REASSESSMENTS WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF ALL FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT THE BUSINESS POTENTIAL OF THE PREMISES, INCLUDING COMPETITION FROM SHOPS IN THE VICINITY,* MR TODD EXPLAINED.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
- 50 -
EFFORTS TO TACKLE RED TIDES CONTINUING
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE WITH ITS CONTROL PROGRAMME FOR MINIMISING THE HARM DONE BY RED TIDES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR SHIPMAN SAID A WATER SAMPLING PROGRAMME WAS CONDUCTED IN TOLO HARBOUR AND SOME OTHER INNER BAYS EVERY TWO WEEKS AND THIS COULD GIVE EARLY DETECTION OF RED TIDE CAUSATIVE ORGANISMS.
HE SAID THAT ROUTINE TOXICITY TESTING OF SHELLFISH FROM THE MARKET AND IN MARINE HABITATS WAS ALSO CARRIED OUT.
HE ADDED: +THERE ARE ALSO STANDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR FISHERMEN AND THE STAFF OF DEPARTMENTS WHICH ARE ACTIVE IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT TO REPORT SIGHTINGS OF RED TIDES TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
+ MARICULTURI STS MAY THEN BE ASSISTED IN THE TEMPORARY RELOCATION OF THEIR FISH RAFTS TO UNAFFECTED WATERS AND ADVISED ON OTHER REMEDIAL MEASURES.*
MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT WHENEVER A RED TIDE WHICH WAS SUSPECTED TO BE TOXIC AFFECTED ANY AREA OF FISH OR SHELLFISH FARMING, FARMERS WERE WARNED NOT TO SELL THEIR PRODUCE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION PENDING TESTS.
+ IF THE TESTS SHOW THAT THE FISH OR SHELLFISH ARE NOT FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, THEY ARE DESTROYED,* HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN NOTED THAT THESE STANDING ARRANGEMENTS WERE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT SEAFOOD WHICH WAS RENDERED UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF RED TIDES DID NOT REACH THE MARKETS.
IN THE EVENT OF RED TIDE OUTBREAKS IN BEACH WATERS, WARNING SIGNS WERE ERECTED TO ALERT THE PUBLIC, HE SAID.
IN THE LONGER TERM SOLUTION, MR SHIPMAN SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT POLLUTION BY NUTRIENTS SHOULD BE REDUCED SINCE THIS WAS THE ONLY ONE OF THE KNOWN CAUSATIVE FACTORS OF RED TIDES WHICH WAS AMENABLE TO CONTROL.
PRESENT MEASURES FOR THE REMOVAL OF NUTRIENTS IN SEWAGE EFFLUENTS TOGETHER WITH PROPOSED CONTROLS ON THE DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTES WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO ACHIEVE THIS REDUCTION, HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN NOTED THAT RED TIDES WERE A RARE OCCURRENCE IN TOLO HARBOUR IN THE 197OS, BUT THE FREQUENCY HAD INCREASED MARKEDLY "SINCE THEN.
/A TOTAL OF .......
WEDNEoD^Y, J'JLY 16, 1986
A TOTAL OF 11 OCCURRENCES WERE REPORTED IN THAT AREA BETWEEN 1980 AND 1982, 11 IN 1983, 15 IN 1984 AND 16 IN 1985, WHILE 14 OCCURRENCES IN THE HARBOUR HAD BEEN RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN RECENT YEARS, RED TIDE AFFECTED AREAS HAD BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AND A GREATER VARIETY OF THE CAUSATIVE ORGANISMS, CALLED DINOFLAGELLATES, HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT RED TIDE WAS WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON USUALLY OBSERVED IN COASTAL WATERS, AND STUDIES INTERNATIONALLY HAD NOT YET CONCLUSIVELY ESTABLISHED THE CAUSES OR RED TIDE.
HOWEVER, IT WAS CLEAR THAT POLLUTION WAS A FACTOR WHICH MADE THE OCCURRENCE OF RED TIDE MORE LIKELY, HE NOTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF THE RED TIDES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH FISHKILLS AND AFFECTED THE VIABILITY OF MARICULTURE ZONES.
+THEY MAY ALSO CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC HEALTH RISK, PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE INGESTION OF SEAFOOD CONTAMINATED BY TOXIC DINOFLAGELLATES,* HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN HOWEVER NOTED THAT THE PRESENCE IN SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF TOXIC SPECIES OF DINOFLAGELLATES HAD BEEN CONFIRMED IN ONLY ONE OF THE RECORDED INCIDENTS OF RED TIDE IN HONG KONG IN OCTOBER 1983.
SOME SHELLFISH CONTAMINATED BY TOXIC DINOFLAGELLATES WERE ALSO FOUND IN TOLO HARBOUR IN MARCH 1984, HE SAID.
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THREE BILLS PASSED * * * * *
THREE BILLS — THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 THE [8EET (AucoPMoaILBILL 1986 AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL 1986 — WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)
°Zu!R^LS™~ THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1985-86) g , (_[_ 1986> THE
BlLL 1986 AND
BILL 1986, THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3 KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
— WERE READ A
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO JULY 23.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
/52........
■EDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
HK GOOD *'ARKET FOR U.S. GOODS - SIR EDWARD
* * * *
HONG KONG PROVIDES A GOOD MARKET FOR AMERICAN PRODUCTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YO’JDE, TOLD AN AUDIENCE IN SEATTLE ON WEDNESDAY (THURSDAY, HK TIME), AND STRESSED THAT +WE PRACTICE FREE TRADE AND OPEN OUR MARKETS TO ALL+.
+ ON A PER CAPITA BASIS, WE IMPORT FROM THE U.S. FAR MORE THAN THE U.S. IMPORTS FROM US. ON THE SAME PER CAPITA BASIS, WE IMPORT OVER THREE TIMES MORE FROM YOU THAN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE E.E.C. AND JAPAN.*
SIR EDWARD WAS ADDRESSING A LUNCH CO-HOSTED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL, ON 'UNITED STATES/HONG KONG TRADE RELATIONS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT*.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS A LEADING MARKET FOR U.S. EXPORTS OF SUCH ITEMS AS WASHINGTON APPLES AND CHERRIES AND CALIFORNIAN ORANGES. OTHER MAJOR IMPORTS OF AMERICAN GOODS INCLUDED INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, TEXTILE YARNS AND COTTON.
SIR EDWARD ALSO POINTED TO THE AIRCRAFT THAT CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS BOUGHT FROM THE SEATTLE-BASED BOEING COMPANY.
HE SAID: +DURING THE SIX YEAR PERIOD FROM 1979 TO 1985, CATHAY PACIFIC HAS INVESTED MORE THAN U.S. 3635 MILLION IN BOEING AIRCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT.
*LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT SIX YEARS, IT HAS ALREADY PLACED FIRM ORDERS FOR FOUR BOEING 747’S AND IS CONSIDERING PURCHASING MORE.
+IT MAY WELL ILLUSTRATE THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE IF I SAY THAT IT TAKES A LOT OF KNITTED SWEATERS TO PAY FOR A SINGLE 747.+
SIR EDWARD ADDED: +WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER EXPANSION OF THIS TRADE WHICH WOULD BENEFIT BOTH THE HONG KONG AND UNITED STATES CONSUMERS.*
HE EXPLAINED HOW HONG KONG DEPENDED ON TRADE. IN 1985, TOTAL TRADE AMOUNTED TO US$60 BILLION: ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS WERE SOLD OVERSEAS, WITH 44 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BEING SOLD IN THE U.S. MARKET.
THE GOVERNOR SAID TARIFF OR NON-TARIFF BARRIERS WERE NOT FOUND IN HONG KONG BECAUSE OF THE ADOPTION OF FREE TRADE AND OPEN MARKET POLICIES.
IN THIS RESPECT, IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH THE GROWTH OF PROTECTIONISM IN ITS MAJOR MARKETS.
/ON Tiix. OTHER
UhDliLbDxY, uILlY 16, 1986
ON THE OTHER HAND, HONG KONG CULLY UNDERSTOOD WHY THE UNITED STATES WAS CONCERNED WITH ITS TRADE DEFICIT, AND WITH THE FACT THAT NOT ALL ITS TRADE PARTNERS OPENED UP THEIR MARKETS TO AMERICAN GOODS AND SERVICES, AND THAT SOME MIGHT ADOPT UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES.
+ BUT THESE DO NOT JUSTIFY TAKING PROTECTIONIST MEASURES AGAINST IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG. INDEED WE BELIEVE THESE MEASURES AND PROPOSALS WORK AGAINST THE INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN SEEKING FREE ACCESS FOR U.S. GOODS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD,+ HE SAID.
+WE ARE HEARTENED TO KNOW THAT THESE VIEWS ARE SHARED HERE IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. WE WELCOMED THE EFFORTS OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN CAMPAIGNING AGAINST PROTECTIONIST POLICIES LAST YEAR,* HE ADDED.
SIR EDWARD SAID HONG KONG HAD ACQUIESCED IN THE RECENT UNITED STATES-HONG KONG TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS BECAUSE ’WE UNDERSTAND YOUR DIFFICULTIES WITH THE STRONG PROTECTIONIST FEELING IN THE UNITED STATES’.
HOWEVER, IT WAS PARTICULARLY UNFAIR TO APPLY FURTHER RESTRICTIONS TO A TERRITORY WHICH WAS A FIRM BELIEVER AND A REAL PRACTITIONER OF FREE TRADE.
SIR EDWARD SAID HONG KONG WAS A READY PARTNER FOR THE UNITED STATES IN PROMOTING ITS EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO OVERSEAS MARKETS. HE WENT ON TO DESCRIBE THE ACTIVE ROLE PLAYED BY AMERICAN INVESTORS IN VARIOUS SECTORS IN HONG KONG AND SAID THERE WAS POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER GROWTH.
+ IN THE MAUFACTURING SECTOR, HONG KONG OFFERS AN IDEAL OFF-SHORE MANUFACTURING BASE FOR AMERICAN COMPANIES TO HELP KEEP THEIR PRODUCTS COMPETITIVE IN WORLD MARKETS,* HE SAID.
+WE CAN PROVIDE EFFICIENT COMMUNICATIONS AND A GOOD ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE, AN INDUSTRIOUS AND ADAPTABLE WORKFORCE, A LOW TAX REGIME AND A WELL ESTABLISHED LEGAL SYSTEM. HONG KONG THUS OFFERS AN EXCELLENT ENVIRONMENT FOR THE OVERSEAS INVESTOR.*
THIS WAS ESPECIALLY SO NOW THAT THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE WAS IN PLACE, ENSURING A CONTINUATION OF THOSE ELEMENTS WHICH WERE ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG’S SUCCESS.
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP SET UP UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION HAD PROVED A USEFUL FORUM IN WHICH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS COULD WORK ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT.
A NOTABLE EXAMPLE WAS THE DECISION MADE IN APRIL THIS YEAR THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BECOME THE 91ST CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE.
wiiDNi«i>DAY, JULY 16, 1986
IT WAS A HAPPY COINCIDENCE THAT GATT BECAME EFFECTIVE AT A TIME WHEN BRING HELD ON THE LAUNCHING OF A NEW TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
THE NEW STATUS IN THE DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WERE ROUND OF MULTILATERAL
NOTING THAT HONG KONG HAD A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN
THE ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED, SIR EDWARD SAID: +WE WOULD SUPPORT ANY INITIATIVES WHICH WOULD FURTHER LIBERALISE WORLD TRADE AND STRENGTHEN THE WORLD TRADING REGIME BASED ON THE FUNDAMENTAL NON-DISCRI MINATORY PRINCIPLES OF THE GATT.+
SIR EDWARD ALSO REFERRED TO THE OPENING UP OF CHINA’S ECONOMY, AND SAID A NEW DIMENSION HAD BEEN ADDED TO HONG KONG’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES IT COULD OFFER TO THE UNITED STATES. CHINA WAS NOW THE TERRITORY’S SECOND LARGEST TRADE PARTNER, HE POINTED OUT.
THE TERRITORY’S WELL-DEVELOPED INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ITS FINANCIAL AND OTHER SERVICES HAD MUCH TO OFFER IN RELATION TO CHINA’S MODERNISATION EFFORTS.
+THE EXTENSIVE BUSINESS CONTACTS WHICH HONG KONG HAS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD AND THE BILINGUAL NATURE OF LIFE IN HONG KONG, WITH BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH USED EXTENSIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY. CAN BE OF DIRECT BENEFIT BOTH TO CHINA IN HER drive to exRand trade and investment and to foreign companies SEEKING A ROLE IN THAT EXPANSION,* HE SAID.
SUMMING UP, THE GOVERNOR SAID: +LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT ALTHOUGH WE HAVE OUR PROBLEMS OVER PRODUCTS SUCH AS TEXTILES, OUR TRADE RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STAGES ARE GOOD. WE VALUE THE MARKET YOU PROVIDE, THE GOODS YOU SEND US, THE CONFIDENCE WHICH YOUR BUSINESSMEN HAVE SHOWN IN US BY INVESTING IN OUR MANUFACTURING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTORS, AND the STRONG SUPPORT WHICH YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN TO THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WHICH MAPS OUT OUR FUTURE.
*WE SHARE YOUR BELIEF IN OPEN MARKETS AND FREE COMPETITION. < HOPE THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL UPHOLD THESE PRINCIPLES, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT 3F ITS TRADE PARTNERS WHO PRACTISE THEM. WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EXPANSION OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN WONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES.♦
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
GOVERNOR OPENS NEW U.S. OFFICE
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIP EDWARD YOUDE, ON TUESDAY (WEDNESDAY, HK TIME) OFFICIALLY OPENED HONG KONG’S LATEST OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF SAN FRANCISCO’S FINANCIAL DISTRICT.
MORE THAN A HUNDRED GUESTS ATTENDED THE FUNCTION, MANY OF THEM HAVING CLOSE TIES WITH THE TERRITORY. LOCAL DIGNITARIES INCLUDED SAN FRANCISCO’S PRESIDENT OF THE SOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MR JOHN MOLINARI, AND THE CITY’S DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL, MR CYRIL MAGNIN.
IN INTRODUCING THE GOVERNOR, THE HEAD OF HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN THE UNITED STATES — INCLUDING NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON -- MR BILL DORWARD, SAID PLANS TO EXPAND THE TERRITORY’S OFFICIAL PRESENCE TO THE WEST COAST HAD BEEN IN HAND FOR SOME TIME.
THIS, HE SAID, WAS IN +RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PART OF THE WORLD TO HONG KONG IN SO MANY WAYS -- COMMERCIALLY, INDUSTRIALLY, FINANCIALLY AND SOCIALLY.*
HEADING THE OFFICE AS DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG ECONOMIC AFFAIRS IS MR BILLY LAM, WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED THE PRESTIGIOUS SLOAN PROGRAMME AT CALIFORNIA’S STANFORD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.
THE NEW OFFICE ALSO ACCOMMODATES HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICE, WHICH IS HEADED BY MR ROBERT ASHWORTH AS PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT.
MR LAM SEES HIS ROLE AS A LINCHPIN IN FURTHERING HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING PACIFIC RIM.
+ BUT WE’RE NOT JUST OUT TO SELL HONG KONG’S GOODS,* HE SAID. +WE ALSO WANT AMERICANS TO APPRECIATE THAT HONG KONG IS A MAJOR MARKET FOR U.S. GOODS AND, WITH OUR FUTURE ASSURED IN THE SI NOBRITISH AGREEMENT, THAT IT IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT PLACE IN WHICH TO INVEST.*
------0--------
ACTING GOVERNOR TO VISIT CENTRAL AND WESTERN
*****
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL VISIT CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO SEE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
SIR DAVID WILL BE GIVEN A PANORAMIC VIEW OF WESTERN FROM A VANTAGE .POINT AND WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION PROJECT.
/HE wILL AL60 ........
WEDNESDAY, DULY 16, 1986
HE WILL ALSO LOOK AT WORKS ON THE UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD SCHEME IN CENTRAL.
SIR DAVID WILL 3E ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H. .CHAU, AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, mr LAM KAM-KWONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TRANSPORT HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE ACTING GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN. THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 2.IB PM TOMORROW AT THE CAR PARK OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), FROM WHERE THREE GOVERNMENT VEHICLES WILL TAKE THEM TO THE TSUNG SAU LANE WEST SITTING-OUT AREA IN SHEUNG WAN. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-------0---------
SI NO-BRITISH LAND commission MEETING *****
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S TENTH MEETING WILL BE HELD ON JULY 21, 1986. THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS THE AVERAGE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION FOR THE 1986-87 FINANCIAL YEAR.
- 0 -
SUB-COMM.ITTEE TO STUDY PLASTICS REPORT SET UP * * * *
A NEW SUB-COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET JP TO CONSIDER A CONSULTANT’S REPORT ON HONG KONG’S PLASTICS CONVERSION INDUSTRY, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED today ''WEDNESDAY).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PLASTICS SUB-COMM IITTEE, CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, IS MADE UP MAINLY OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE RELEVANT FIELDS.
THEY ARE MISS LILY CHIANG, MR DAVID C. DASILVA, MR M.K. LEE,, MR MARTIN TANG, MR DENNIS TING, MR DAKCHIS'ON C.L. YIU AND MR EDMUND ^S-. YOUNG.
ALSO SERVING ON THE SUB-COMm|TTEE ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AS ‘WELL AS TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCHES.
yTiw GHOL’l
WEDNESDAY, J ULY 16, 1986
57
i£ GROUP WAS SET UP TO STUDY IN GREATER DETAIL PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT ON HONG KONG’S PLASTICS CONVERSION INDUSTRY PUBLISHED LAST MONTH.
THE 31.8 MILLION STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT AS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF MARKET RESEARCH AND TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MAJOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
IT WAS UNDERTAKEN BY THE AMERICAN CONSULTANCY FIRM SRI INTERNATIONAL, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE:
* TO CONSIDER WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT ANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PLASTICS REPORT CAN BE SUPPORTED ;
* IN RESPECT OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAN BE SUPPORTED TO CONSIDER IN WHAT MANNER AND OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME THEY SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED ;
* TO ESTABLISH ORDERS OF COST INVOLVED; AND
* TO REPORT BACK TO THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
THE GROUP IS DUE TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
- - - - O---------
CALIBRATION LABORATORY GETS A BOOST
* X * X X
THE GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY NOW PROVIDES AN ACCREDITED CALIBRATION SERVICE WHICH CAN ISSUE WIDELY AND ALMOST INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED CERTIFICATES FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANUFACTURERS, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT WHICH A BRITISH CALIBRATION SERVICE ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATE WAS PRESENTED TO THE LABORATORY, MR YEUNG SAID THE LABORATORY WAS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE FAR EAST.
+THE EFFECT OF BCS ACCREDITATION OF OUR LABORATORY FOR A WIDE RANGE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC CALIBRATION SERVICES WILL SERVE AS A POWERFUL ATTRACTION FOR OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS 'OF HIGH ECHELON MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT TO USE HONG KONG AS AN OFFSHORE MANUFACTURING AND EXPORT BASE,* HE SAID.
/♦IF PiiuKju .......
WEDN^DaY, JULY 16, 1986
+ IF THESE INVESTMENT PROJECTS MATERIALISE, OUR LABORATORY WILL HAVE SERVED THE DUAL PURPOSE OF ATTRACTING TO HONG KONG POWERFUL SUPPORT FOR ITS ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.*
MR YEUNG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE PROCESS OF BCS ACCREDITATION WOULD GO BEYOND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC CALIBRATION SERVICES AS THE LABORATORY WAS STILL EXPANDING ITS CAPABILITIES.
+EQUIPMENT IS CURRENTLY BEING PROCURED TO ENABLE THE LABORATORY TO PROVIDE MEASUREMENT STANDARDS IN MASS, LENGTH AND FORCE,* HE NOTED.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER IN HONG KONG, MR R.E. HOLLOWAY, PRESENTED THE CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION TO THE LABORATORY ON BEHALF OF THE UK LABORATORY ACCREDITATION ORGANISATION (NAMAS), WHILE MR YEUNG RECEIVED IT ON BEHALF OF THE LABORATORY.
TUEN MUN LANDSCAPING PROJECT AWARDED
*****
A 825.F MILLION CONTRACT to BEAUTIFY TUEN MUN NEW TOWN HAS BEFN AWARDED TO ASIA LANDSCAPING LIMITED FOR HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING OF CENTRAL ROAD RESERVES, VERGES AND ROADSIDE OPEN SPACES ON TUEN MUN, WONG CHU, PUI TO, TSI NG WUN, CASTLE PEAK AND LUNG MUN ROADS.
TREES AND SHRUBS WILL BE PLANTED ON EMBANKMENTS AND ALONG ROADS TO SCREEN THEM FROM ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
SHADED SITTING-OUT AREAS AND LANDSCAPED FOOTWAYS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT.
THE OPEN SPACE AND AMENITY AREAS ADJACENT TO YAN Ol TONG CIRCUIT AND THE NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND CAR PARK AT KAI FAT PATH BENEATH PUI TO ROAD FLYOVER ACROSS TUEN MUN ROAD ARE TO BE LANDSCAPED.
NEW RAISED PLANTERS WILL BE ADDED AND THE EXISTING DEACON CHIU PARK ON PUI TO ROAD WILL BE REFURBISHED.
THE CONTRACTOR ALSO HAS TO PAVE AN AREA FOR INFORMAL GAMES UNDER THE ELEVATED PORTION OF WONG CHU ROAD FRONTING ON TING ESTATE.
/TH is x'xiCv isJ J •••••••
UED1> EiiDAY , J ULY 16, 1986
53
THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED IN THREE STAGES WITH THE AREA AT KAI FAT PATH BEING GIVEN PRIORITY FOR COMPLETION IN NOVEMBER AS A RESULT OF REQUESTS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD TO COMPLETE THE CAR PARK AND SCREEN THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WITHOUT DELAY.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLANTERS AND PAVING ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN SAM SHING HUI AND THE OLD DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING AND AT PUI TO ROAD AND YAN Ol TONG CIRCUIT IS ALSO SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY MARCH NEXT YEAR.
THE WHOLE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED IN 17 MONTHS.
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MUSSEL CULTURE RESEARCH PROVES SUCCESSFUL
* X * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON FAN MUSSEL CULTURE AND SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPED MEW CULTURE METHODS WHICH HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE ABLE TO REDUCE MORTALITY AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE TAKEN TO SEE THE EXPERIMENTAL WORK AT THE DEPARTMENT’S KAT 0 FISHERIES RESEARCH SUB-STATION ON FRIDAY (JULY 18) MORNING. THEY WILL BE BRIEFED BY SENIOR FISHERIES RESEARCH OFFICER, DR RUDOLF WU, AND FISH CULTURE RESEARCH OFFICER, MR T.K. MOK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 9 AM FOR WONG SHEK PIER FROM WHERE A LAUNCH WILL TAKE THEM TO KAT 0.
THE MEDIA PARTY WILL BE LIMITED TO 30, AND REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO CALL THE AFD INFORMATION UNIT AT 3-7332176 FOR ALLOTMENT OF SPACE, WHICH WILL BE DONE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
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ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP PLANNED IN KOWLOON CITY
X * * X
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR 1986-87.
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE PROVISION OF AMENITY FACILITIES IN MODEL VILLAGE, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CLEARANCES, CLEANING UP REAR LANES, INSTALLATION OF A NEW DISTRICT BOARD NOTICEBOARD AT FAT KWONG STREET, REPAIR OF DISTRICT BOARD INSTALLATIONS, AND PROVISION OF GUARD RAILS AT NAVIGATION BEACON HILL FOR MORNING WALKERS.
/Thjj .....
WEDNESDAY, uULY 16, 1986 -
60
THE BUDGET FOR THESE PROJECTS AMOUNTS TO ABOUT $350 000.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARF INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD FNVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW |!!IhE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG
ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
_ _ _ - 0 - - - -INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE MEETING *****
THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO CONSIDER WAYS TO LIAISE WITH THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS IN THE DISTRICT.
APART FROM LIAISON MATTERS, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRAMME AND BUDGET PRESENTED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROBLEMS.
SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES WOULD BE HELD TO PROVIDE VENUES FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS AND BUSINESSMEN TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR THE WORKING POPULATION WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING THE INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT OF THESE PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
THE MEETING OF THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
IT WILL BE HELD AT 2.^0 PM IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
/61 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
61
COMMITTEE TO DI SC.SS BUS SHELTERS * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRA'. AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME FOR BUS SHELTERS IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF OPERATION OF PARKING METERS TO SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE MAINTENANCE WORK OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ORDINARY FERRY SAILINGS BY HOVERFERRY ON THE CENTRAL TO TSUEN WAN FERRY ROUTE AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 14TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD CENTRAL.
EASTERN DB TO DISCUSS NUCLEAR PLANT PROUECT
*****
__ TH- EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS TH- daya pay miicicao AFTERNOONNT PR°JECT AT ITS REGULAR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY)
I Q i\ n sz vz R| e
SOME BOARD MEMBERS HAVE BEEN TOLD BY RFSIDENTS Thfy aoc CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY ASPECTS OF SUCH A PLANT.
RELEVANT MT HORmEs!^ ™‘T ™EV'E"S BE REFLECTED TO THE
62
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE OPTIONS CONCERNING A HAULAGE ROUTE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS EXCAVATED MATERIAL ARISING FROM SITE FORMATION WORK AT SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILLS (EAST).
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
RESTRICTED ZONES IN CAUSEWAY BAY, CENTRAL * * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 18), THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE ON NORTHBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH GREAT GEORGE STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 75 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE LIFTED.
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 19), TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES. THESE SECTIONS ARE;
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND BETWEEN POTTINGER STREET AND QUEEN VICTORIA STREET. THE MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO FACILITATE UTILITY DIVERSION WORKS IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL FROM A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH JUBILEE STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WING KUT STREET. THE MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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/65 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986
63
TEMPORARY PROHIBITED ZONE IN CENTRAL
*****
TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORK NO VEH ’Cl-E £X REDING 5^5 ®OSS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF GAGE STREET, BETWEEN LYNDHURST TERRACE AND ABERDEEN STREET FROM 7 AM ON (SATURDAY) TO 11 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE MEASURE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AGAIN BETWEEN 7 AM ON (SATURDAY) AND 11 PM THE NEXT EVENING.
TONNEo CENTRAL, JULY 19
JULY 26
_ - - - 0 - - - -
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN YUEN LONG *****
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 18), THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE IN FORCE FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM DAILY OUTSIDE HOUSE NO. 202 WESTBOUND ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG), WILL BE EXTENDED WESTWARD FOR ABOUT 40 METRES.
NO PLB’S WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
MAN KAM TO ROAD TRAFFIC CHANGE
*****
FROM 10.30 AM ON FRIDAY (JULV 19), THE NEWLY-CONSTRUCTED SECTION OF MAN KAM TO ROAD BETWEEN LIN MA HANG ROAD AND THE MAN KAM TO BORDER CHECKPOINT WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC, ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
THE EXISTING SECTION OF THE ROAD WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL IMPROVE THE MOVEMENT OF CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC.
_______0---------
NO FLUSHING WATER * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM EACH DAY FROM FRIDAY (JULY 18)' TO TUESDAY (JULY 22) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, GASCOIGNE ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, ARGYLE STREET, YIM PO FONG STREET, SAI YEE STREET, BOUNDARY STREET AND THE SEAFRONT.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR EDWARD EXPLAINS U.S. BUSINESS INVOLVFI'IENT .... 1
SIR DaVID: SINCERE rXPRESoION OF VIEWS ON DaYA BAY ............................................. 5
SIR DaVID SEES CENTRAL aND WESTERN DEVELOPMENT ... 4
MINISTER OPENS NEW HONG KONG EXHIBITION .......... 5
FISH FARMERS WARNED AGaINST UNLICENSED MARINE CULTURE ......................................... 6
PROVISIONAL results of RESTAURANT SURVEY RELEASED 7
HEADMASTERS TO PROMOTE CIVIC aWaRENeSS ........... 9
survey to begin on sai kung youth needs .......... 9
DATES CLOSING FOR ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS ....... 10
DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE VISITS Tr-T.A..... 11
NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL FOR KOWLOON HOSPITAL ..... 12
FIGHT CRIME AND CARE FOR SOCIETY SCHEME ......... 12
AG TO INSPECT PASSING-OUT PARADE ................ 1J
WATER TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH CERFMONY............... 1?
MORE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO GO ................... 14
JOB PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR YOUTHS ................ 14
LaI CHI KOK BRIDGE UP-RAMP CLOSED................ 15
WONG TAI SIN ROjiD PaRTIALLY CLOSED.............. 15
HORNSEY ROAD CLOSURE............................. 16
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
1
SIP EDWARD EXPLAINS U.S. BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT ******
THE REASON WHY THERE ARE MORE AMERICANS THAN BRITONS LIVING IN HONG KONG STEMS FROM U.S. BUSINESSMEN’S APPRECIATION OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY IN HONG KONG AND ITS POSITION AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID IN SEATTLE TODAY (THURSDAY, HK TIME).
ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOLLOWING HIS ADDRESS TO A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE STATE OF WASHINGTON COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL, SIR EDWARD ALSO NOTED THE ENORMOUS MARKET THE UNITED STATES HAD TO OFFER AND THE EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS IN HONG KONG, AS WELL AS ITS STABLE ECONOMY AND LOW TAX RATES.
WHILE BRITAIN HAD IN RECENT YEARS BEEN DEVELOPING CLOSER TIES WITH EUROPE, THERE WAS STILL +QUITE A RESPECTABLE BRITISH BUSINESS COMMUNITY*, PARTICULARLY IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTORS AND IN LONG ESTABLISHED TRADING COMPANIES.
ASKED WHETHER HE THOUGHT OVERSEAS INVESTORS HAD CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997, SIR EDWARD CITED THE RECENT DEAL TO BUILD A SECOND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL +TOTALLY FINANCED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WITHOUT A PENNY OF GOVERNMENT MONEY GOING INTO IT.*
HE SAID THAT WAS PROOF ENOUGH THAT SOME INVESTORS BELIEVE THERE IS MONEY TO BE MADE IN LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD WAS ALSO ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE MOVE TOWARDS MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES. HAVING EXPLAINED THE BACKGROUND TO THE TERRITORY’S ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES HE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT ANY CHANGES BE GRADUAL AND WELL CONSIDERED.
♦HONG KONG HAS NEVER BEEN DIVIDED BY POLITICAL PARTIES,* HE SAID, NOTING THAT ITS SUCCESS STEMMED FROM THE APPRECIATION OF ITS SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MEANT DISCUSSION ON WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WHICH BROUGHT CONSENSUS.
SINCE HONG KONG WAS COMPLETELY RELIANT ON THE SUCCESS OF ITS ECONOMY, +THE GREAT OBJECTIVES MUST ALWAYS BE TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY WHICH UNDERLIES THE PROSPERITY,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
HE SAID THERE WAS MUCH DEBATE ON HOW FAR AND HOW QUICKLY THE MOVE TOWARDS MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GO, AND DECISIONS ON THE NEXT MOVE WOULD BE CONSIDERED NEXT YEAR.
BUT HE NOTED THAT FOR MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, MATTERS RELATING T.O THE ECONOMY WERE OF HIGHER PRIORITY THAN POLITICS.
/hJSKKD wHY .........
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
2
ASKED WHY HONG KONG ACQUIESCED TO THE RECENT U.S. DEMAND THAT BROUGHT TIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG TEXTILE IMPORTS, SIR EDWARD SAID: +BECAUSE YOU ARE BIGGER THAN WE ARE.+
HE SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE REALISTS AND VALUED THE AMERICAN MARKET.
♦ WE WERE DISAPPOINTED WHEN WE HAD TO RENEGOTIATE,* HE SAID, + BUT WE RECOGNISE THE CLIMATE OF OPINION.*
♦SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO ACCEPT LESS THAN OUR HIGHER PRINCIPLES.*
EARLIER, SIR EDWARD TOLD REPORTERS HE FEELS THE HONG KONG MISSION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CREATING A POSITIVE IMAGE OF THE TERRITORY DURING ITS VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS WHILE FLYING FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO SEATTLE, SIR EDWARD POINTED OUT THAT BESIDES HIS PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS HE HAD SINCE ARRIVAL BEEN MEETING PRIVATELY MANY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, MAINLY BUSINESSMEN.
AT THESE MEETINGS HE HAD BEEN ABLE TO REINFORCE HIS MESSAGE AS WELL AS EXPLAIN HONG KONG’S POLICIES AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TERRITORY.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SPOKE WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF BUSINESS LEADERS, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST COAST, AT A BREAKFAST ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG BAY AREA ASSOCIATION IN SAN FRANCISCO.
THEY WERE INTERESTED IN TRADING WITH HONG KONG AND SOME DID HAVE INTERESTS IN THE TERRITORY, AND +l WAS ABLE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED TO THE REPORTERS THAT THERE WERE THREE MAIN OBJECTIVES IN VISITING SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE AND VANCOUVER.
THE FIRST WAS TO AROUSE AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG AS A TOURISM DESTINATION AND AS A PLACE IN WHICH TO DO BUSINESS.
THE SECOND WAS TO DELIVER A POSITIVE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE PLACE OFFERING NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO BUSINESSMEN.
THE THIRD WAS TO EMPHASISE HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A TERRITORY WHICH BELIEVED IN FREE TRADE.
♦ IT’S VERY EASY FOR HONG KONG TO GET LUMPED TOGETHER WITH COUNTRIES WHICH ARE NOT AS FREE IN TRADING PRACTICES AS WE ARE,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
/♦AND .E........
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
+AND WE WANTED TO GIVE THOSE FRIENDS OF OURS WHO DO RECOGNISE HONG KONG DOES NOT HAVE TRADE BARRIERS ... TO GIVE THEM SOME AMMUNITION WITH WHICH TO ARGUE THAT IT IS NOT RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST HONG KONG BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TRADE BARRIERS.+
HE THOUGHT THAT SO FAR MEMBERS OF THE MISSION HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING THESE OBJECTIVES, AND ADDED, +THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN THE EATING AND WE SHALL SEE WHAT IMPACT WE’VE HAD IN THE MONTHS TO COME.+
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID HE THOUGHT THE CONCEPT OF GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND QUASI PUBLIC BODIES TAKING PART IN JOINT PROMOTION OF TRADE AND TOURISM WAS VERY VALUABLE IN PROMOTING HONG KONG.
AFTER THE SHORT VISIT TO SEATTLE, SIR EDWARD AND HIS PARTY FLEW TO VANCOUVER IN CANADA WHERE ON FRIDAY (SATURDAY, HK TIME) THE GOVERNOR WILL VISIT EXPO ’86 FOR ’HONG KONG DAY’.
FROM CANADA, THE GOVERNOR WILL RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES FOR THE FINAL STOP OF HIS NORTH AMERICA TOUR, CHICAGO.
-------0----------
SIR DAVID: SINCERE EXPRESSION OF VIEWS ON DAYA BAY K K K * K K
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY (THURSDAY) STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPRESSING HONG KONG’S CONCERNS ON THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER STATION TO THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING IT, +SO THAT THOSE CONCERNS CAN BE PROPERLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE DECISIONS AND THE BUILDING OF THE PLANT.+
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TOURING CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, SIR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THE POWER STATION DID NOT REST WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YESTERDAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON DAYA BAY, HE NOTED THAT IT SHOWED HONG KONG PEOPLE’S GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THE POWER PLANT.
DESCRIBING IT AS + A VERY GOOD DEBATE*, SIR DAVID SAID: +PEOPLE SPOKE VERY SINCERELY ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS AND THERE WAS A WIDE RANGE OF OPINION EXPRESSED ABOUT THE PLANT. SO, I THINK IT WAS A DEBATE WHICH WAS FULL OF MEANING.*
COMMENTING ON CLAIMS THAT DAYA BAY HAD BEEN TURNED INTO A POLITICAL ISSUE, HE SAID: +WELL, I THINK WHERE YOU GET A DIFFERING EXPRESSION OF OPINION AND PEOPLE TAKING A DIFFERENT VIEW FROM OTHER PEOPLE, YOU COULD SAY THAT THAT WAS AN EXPRESSION OF POLITICAL 'OPINION.
/+BUT I .......
THURSDAY, JULY 1?, 1986
4
♦ BUT I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT YESTERDAY’S DEBATE WAS THAT ALL THE MEMBERS SPOKE VERY SINCERELY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THEIR HEARTS ABOUT WHAT THEY PERSONALLY ARE FEELING ABOUT THE PLANT.
+WHAT YOU HAVE IN LEGCO IS VERY MUCH WHAT YOU HAVE AS A REFLECTION OF THE DIFFERING VIEWS IN THE COMMUNITY REALLY. AND THE DEBATE IN LEGCO WAS A REFLECTION OF THE DIFFERING VIEWS THAT ARE HELD IN THE COMMUNITY.
+ l WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED IF ALL 27 SPEECHES HAD BEEN EXACTLY THE SAME,* HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL AREAS IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS SEEKING INFORMATION.
+THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE GOING OVERSEAS TO SEEK INFORMATION THEMSELVES.
♦ AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HIMSELF IN HIS SPEECH (AT LEGCO YESTERDAY) ALSO SAID THAT WE WERE HOPING VERY MUCH THAT THE FEASIBILITY STUDIES, OR PARTS OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDIES, COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO SEE SO THAT THEY COULD SEE WHAT HAD GONE ON BEFORE THE DECISION WAS TAKEN TO BUILD THE PLANT.+
ASKED WHETHER HONG KONG COULD WITHDRAW FROM THE OFFTAKE AGREEMENT, SIR DAVID SAID* +WELL, WE DO HAVE A COMMITMENT TO THAT AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY WITHDRAWAL, EVEN ANY SUGGESTION OF WITHDRAWAL, WOULD BE MOST SERIOUS INDEED.*
HE DISAGREED WITH A SUGGESTION THAT THE COMMITMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE.
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SIR DAVID SEES CENTRAL AND WESTERN DEVELOPMENT ******
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, VISITED CENTRAL AND WESTERN THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS AND FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H. CHAU, AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTIRCT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, SIR DAVID FIRST WENT TO THE UPPER FLOORS OF THE HONG KONG PLAZA IN WESTERN FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE NEW WESTERN RECLAMATION WHICH WILL ADD 30 HECTARES OF LAND TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
SIR DAVID LEARNED THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE LAND IS RESERVED FOR THE NEW WESTERN WHOLESALE MARKET WHICH WILL REPLACE THE CONGESTED WHOLESALE MARKETS IN KENNEDY TOWN.
/THE REST........
THURoDitY, J ULY 17, 1986
“ 5 ' _______________________________
THEREST WILL BE EARMARKED FOR GOVERNMENT-1NSTI TUT ION-COMMUNITY PURPOSES AND OPEN SPACE USES AS WELL AS FOR FACILITIES WHICH HAD BEEN DISPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RECLAMATION, SUCH AS GODOWNS AND CARGO-HANDLING AREAS.
SIR DAVID THEN VISITED A NUMBER OF SHOPS IN +NAM PAK HONG+ IN SHEUNG WAN.
NAM PAK HONG IS THE EARLIEST THRIVING BUSINESS CENTRE FOUNDED SOON AFTER HONG KONG WAS OPENED AS A PORT IN 1842. IT INCLUDES A CLUSTER OF SHOPS ALONG A FEW NARROW STREETS IN THE AREA NOW OCCUPIED BY BONHAM STRANDS EAST AND WEST AND WING LOK STREET.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR ALSO WENT TO THE TSUNG SAU LANE WEST SITTING-OUT AREA, WHICH WAS BUILT BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE CROWDED RESIDENTIAL AREA.
SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED ON THE URBAN RENEWAL PILOT SCHEME IN THE DISTRICT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED AREAS OF HONG KONG BY PROVIDING LARGER SITES, THROUGH ACQUISITION OF PROPERTIES, FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
SIR DAVID THEN WALKED ALONG HOLLYWOOD ROAD, BRIDGES STREET AND LADDER STREET WHERE HE SAW SOME OF THE OLD BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT LIKE THE Y.M.C.A. AND MAN MO TEMPLE.
LATER, AT THE PODIUM OF THE SHUN TAK CENTRE, WHICH HOUSES THE NEW MACAU FERRY TERMINAL, SIR DAVID LEARNED ABOUT THE RELOCATION OF THE +POOR MEN’S NIGHT CLUB+ SITE NEXT WEEK, AND THE SCHEME TO UPGRADE CONNAUGHT ROAD.
AT THE END OF HIS TOUR, SIR DAVID ALSO MET MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT AN INFORMAL GATHERING.
--------0----------
MINISTER OPENS NEW HONG KONG EXHIBITION
******
THE FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TERRITORY, MR TIMOTHY RENTON, DECLARED OPEN THE NEW HONG KONG EXHIBITION AT THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE IN LONDON THIS MORNING (HONG KONG TIME).
ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, THE MINISTER WAS THEN SHOWN AROUND THE EXHIBITION BY HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR COLVYN HAYE, AND MRS HAYE.
MR RENTON SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE EXHIBITS, WHICH COVER ASPECTS OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL LIFE WITH THE USE OF EYE-CATCHING PHOTOGRAPHS, GRAPHICS AND MODELS.
/THE MULTI- .......
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
6
THE MULTI-IMAGE SLIDE TECHNIQUE AUDIO VISUAL SHOW WHICH HIGHLIGHTS CONTEMPORARY HONG KONG, ITS VIBRANCY AND ECONOMIC SUCCESSES, PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED THE MINISTER AND OTHER GUESTS.
EARLIER, MR AND MRS HAYE WELCOMED MORE THAN 300 SPECIALLY INVITED GUESTS TO THE RECEPTION THAT WAS HELD AT THE INSTITUTE TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE NEW HONG KONG EXHIBITION.
AFTER VIEWING THE 620 SQ. FT. EXHIBITION THE GUESTS, WHO INCLUDED AMONG THEM MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, PEERS, CIVIC DIGNITARIES, LEADING BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS, SENIOR WHITEHALL OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN THF UK WERE ENTERTAINED TO PERFORMANCES OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE DANCES BY THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS’ CHINESE DANCE TEAM.
THF DANCERS WHO WERE SPECIALLY INVITED TO PERFORM AT THE OPENING CAPTIVATED GUESTS WITH THEIR RENDITION OF +PICKING HERBS*, ♦WATER FAIRIES-*, +SPRING+ AND +SWORD DANCE+.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE EXHIBITION, WHICH ILLUSTRATES HONG KONG’S ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE EFFORTS THAT ARE BEING MADE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, WILL BE VIEWED BY A MAJORITY OF THE 500 000 PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE EVERY YEAR.
THE NEW EXHIBITION REPLACES ONE WHICH HAD BEEN IN PLACE AT THE INSTITUTE SINCE 1982.
— __-_o - - - -
FISH FARMERS WARNED AGAINST UNLICENSED MARINE CULTURE
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) WARNED FISH FARMERS THAT THEY FACE HEAVY PENALTIES IF THEY ENGAGE IN MARINE FISH CULTURE WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE.
THE WARNING FOLLOWED SIX COURT CASES, HEARD EARLIER THIS WEEK AT WESTERN MAGISTRACY, INVOLVING MAR ICULTURI STS IN LO TIK WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE.
FOUR OF THE SIX FISH FARMERS WERE FINED $4 000 EACH FOR ENGAGING IN MARICULTURE ACTIVITIES WITHOUT A LICENCE WHILE THE REMAINING TWO WERE FINED $2 500 EACH FOR ILLEGALLY EXPANDING THEIR OPERATIONS WITHOUT A LICENCE.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE IN LAW TO PRACTISE MARINE FISH CULTURE WITHOUT A LICENCE WITHIN A FISH CULTURE ZONE. IT IS ALSO AN OFFENCE TO ENGAGE IN FISH CULTURE OUTSIDE A FISH CULTURE ZONE.
+BESIDES, SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES CAUSE OBSTRUCTION WITHIN FISH CULTURE ZONES AND BLOCK NAVIGATION FAIRWAYS.
+UNDER THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE, OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20 000 PLUS ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT UPON CONVICTION,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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H.........
rnuKaurtr, jvlt it,
- 7 -
-ROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RESTAURANT SURVEY RELEASED *****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1986, ESTIMATED AT $4 875 MILLION, WAS 6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1985, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 3 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1986 WAS S2 058 MILLION, WHICH WAS 4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1985.
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, FAST FOOD SHOPS RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE (17 PER CENT) IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1985, FOLLOWED BY OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES (COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY ETC.) (13 PER CENT), NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (7 PER CENT), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (5 PER CENT) AND BARS (5 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS, OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND BARS WENT UP BY 14 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT, 4 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1986 WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1985, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FELL BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME, AND THE VALUE OF RESTAURANT PURCHASES DROPPED BY 4 PER CENT. TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOR BOTH NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE TERMS BUT DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. WHILE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME, THOSE OF BARS FELL BY 11 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
(TWO TABLES HAVE BEEN SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK AND ALSO BOXED FOR COLLECTION.)
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1985, AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1986.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1982 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF THE FIRST QUARTER 1986 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE FIRST AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1985 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1986 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT Si PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 3-7216024).
/Table 1 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
8
[*A si--* 1 ; TOTAL xul^iALAANT R^CEIP'IS aND rUhCHASES
Total restaurant receipts (in HK5 million)
Total restaurant purchases (in HK5 million)
4th qtr. 1985 (Revised figures)
4 993
2 148
1st qtr. 1986 (Provisional figures)
4 875
2 058
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT
_____________RECEIPTS FOR 4TH ^UARTER 1985 AND 1ST RASTER 1986
(Quarterly average of 1982 « 100)
Type of restaurant Index 4th quarter 1985 1st quarter 1986 1st qtr. 1986 compared with Uth qtr. 1985 1st qtr. 1986 compared with 1st qtr. 1985
(Revised (Provi- Points a Points
figures) sional
Chinese restaurants Value 133 129 - 4 - 3 + 6 * 5
Volume 112 108 - 4 - 4 ♦ 2 * 2
Non-Chinese restaurants Value 127 127 • • * 9 * 7
Volume 104 103 - 1 - 1 ♦ 4 ♦ 4
Fast food shops Value 154 157 ♦ 3 * 2 +23 ♦ 17
Volume 127 129 ♦ 2 ♦ 1 +16 ♦14
Bars Value 129 115 -14 -11 + 5 * 5
Volume 104 93 -11 -11 ♦ 1 * 1
Other eating and Value 121 121 • • ♦14 ♦13
drinking places Volume 99 98 - 1 - 1 ♦ 7 ♦ 8
Entire restaurant Value 133 130 3 - 2 ♦ 8 ♦ 6
sector Volume 111 108 - 3 - 3 ♦ 4 ♦ 3
Notes : 1. Figures denoting changes are ierived from unrounded figures.
2. • denotes change of less than 0.5*
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
- 9 -
HEADMASTERS TO PROMOTE CIVIC AWARENESS K * * *
THE NORTH DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADMASTERS’ CONFERENCE WILL GEAR ITS EFFORTS THIS YEAR TO PROMOTING CIVIC AWARENESS AND HELPING STUDENTS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR DISTRICT.
CHAIRMAN OF THE CONFERENCE, MR POON HUEN-WAI, WHO WAS RE-APPOINTED FOR THE CURRENT SESSION, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE CULTIVATION OF CIVIC AWARENESS AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION WAS A GRADUAL PROCESS AND THE SCHOOL WAS THE BEST PLACE TO START.
IN LINE WITH THE DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN NOW IN PROGRESS, ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR WILL FOCUS ON ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO BE MORE AWARE OF THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
THESE ACTIVITIES, FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, INCLUDE A SEMINAR ON EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, TALKS ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, VISITS TO GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPING AREAS IN THE DISTRICT, A SERVICE PROJECT FOR THE ELDERLY AS WELL AS AN ESSAY COMPETITION, AND AN EXHIBITION AND GAMES DAY AT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS.
IN ADDITION, A TWO-DAY JOINT SCHOOL STUDY CAMP FOCUSSING ON THE THEME 'GET TO KNOW NORTH DISTRICT’ WILL BE HELD IN DECEMBER.
THE NORTH DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADMASTERS’ CONFERENCE WAS FORMED IN 1984 AND COMPRISES MEMBERS FROM EIGHT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT. ITS MAIN AIMS ARE TO STRENGTHEN LINKS AMONG HEADMASTERS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND TO DISCUSS EDUCATION ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE DISTRICT.
ACTIVITIES ORGANISED LAST YEAR INCLUDED VISITS BY STUDENTS TO DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS, OTHER COMMUNITY VISITS, A JOINT SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY P-ROJECT, AND GAMES DAYS AT SCHOOLS.
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SURVEY TO BEGIN ON SAI KUNG YOUTH NEEDS it £ rs x
A SURVEY ON YOUTH COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND RELATED PROBLEMS IN SAI KUNG WILL BE CARRIED OUT NEXT WEEK TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE LEISURE LIFE OF LOCAL YOUTHS AND THEIR NEED FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
THE SIX-WEEK SURVEY WILL START ON SUNDAY (JULY 20).
ABOUT 300 FAMILIES LIVING IN PLACES BETWEEN NAM WAI AND TAI MONG TSAI AND SAI KUNG ISLANDS WILL BE SELECTED AT RANDOM FOR THE SURVEY.
/A WORKING
THURSDAY, JULY 1?, 1986
10
A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HAS BEEN FORMED TO DEAL WITH THE SURVEY WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
♦ THE AIM OF THE SURVEY IS TO FIND OUT WHETHER EXISTING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ARE ADEQUATE AND ACCEPTABLE TO LOCAL YOUTHS.
+BESIDES, IT ALSO AIMS AT ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS AND CONCERN TOWARDS THE NEED OF LOCAL YOUTHS IN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
+ANOTHER OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY IS TO ASSESS LOCAL YOUTHS’ FUTURE NEEDS IN THIS AREA AND TO PUT FORTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REFERENCE OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN PLANNING AND PROVISION OF VARIOUS SERVICES,* HE SAID.
THE SURVEY, COSTING 1516 200 IS SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
LETTERS CONTAINING THE DATE AND TIME OF INTERVIEW TOGETHER WITH THE NAMES AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS OF INTERVIEWERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO EACH FAMILY SELECTED FOR THE SURVEY. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ON 3-638344- OR THE SAI KUNG DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION ON 3-2811279.
AFTER THE SURVEY, DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH, ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION ON THE EXISTING SERVICES AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL YOUTH ACTIVITIES WILL BE CARRIED OUT AND A REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE PUBLISHED AT THE END OF OCTOBER.
DATES CLOSING FOR ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS
*****
TO COLLECT STATISTICS ON THE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC SECTORS IN HONG KONG, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS ECONOMIC SURVEYS EACH YEAR ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION; WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS; BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS? TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES; AND STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES.
SUCH ECONOMIC DATA ARE NEEDED FOR ASSESSING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC SECTORS TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.-
RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS ARE ALSO USEFUL TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
/yjEliTIONHAlHES........
THUHbDAY, JULY 1?, 1986
11
GUE ’IONNAIRES WERE SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL IN APRIL AND MAY TO ABO' I 700 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH HAD BEEN SAMPLED FOR THE SURVEYS. THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES WITHOUT DELAY. RESPONDENTS WHO FAIL TO DO SO MAY BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE.
CENSUS OFFICERS ARE VISITING THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED TO ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION RELATING TO INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.
THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATIONS WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF RETURNS. ESTABLISHMENTS THEREFORE NEED NOT WAIT FOR THEIR AUDITED ACCOUNTS BEFORE COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND THAT ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED.
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DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE VISITS TELA
X * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY TO SEE ITS OPERATIONS.
THE VISIT IS PART OF AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES INVOLVED IN PREVENTING AND FIGHTING CRIMES.
ACCOMPANIED BY ACTING WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, AND THE COMMITTEE’S DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN CHUN-FAT, MEMBERS WERE FIRST MET BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND LICENSING, MR HAROLD KWOK WAI-HONG.
THEY WERE BRIEFED BY CHIEF ENTERTAINMENT STANDARDS CONTROL OFFICER (FILM), MR PIERRE LEBRUN, ON THE WORK OF THE PANEL OF FILM CENSORS AND HOW CENSORSHIP STANDARDS WERE DRAWN.
MEMBERS ALSO LEARNED ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE TELEVISION UNIT WHICH-WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING PROGRAMMES AND ADVERTISING OF TELEVISION STATIONS.
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/12........
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL FOR KOWLOON HOSPITAL
*****
THF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A 330.1 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL AND QUARTERS AT KOWLOON HOSPITAL.
WORK ON THE SIX-STOREY BUILDING WILL START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
THE TRAINING SCHOOL WILL BE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, WHILE THE KITCHEN, DINING AND COMMUNAL FACILITIES WILL BE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, AND QUARTERS ON THE OTHER FOUR FLOORS.
FIGHT
CRIME AND CARE FOR SOCIETY SCHEME
*****
A SUMMER YOUTH SCHEME WHICH ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIGHT CRIME AND TO CARE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT.
THE SCHEME, +FIGHT CRIME AND CARE FOR SOCIETY ’86+, WILL ALSO HELP PROMOTE CIVIC AWARENESS AND PROVIDE MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE LIONS AND LIONESS CLUBS OF BRAEMAR HILL, AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT JUNIOR POLICE CALL, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
ONE OF THE MAIN EVENTS OF THE SCHEME IS A COMPREHENSIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE FOR YOUTHS WHICH CONSISTS OF SEMINARS ON LEADERSHIP TRAINING, FIGHT CRIME KNOWLEDGE, OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES, CAMPING AND INTERVIEWS.
A SERIES OF OTHER ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED, INCLUDING ESSAY COMPETITION, DEBATE QUIZ, ORIENTEERING, BROADCAST DRAMA COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION.
A FIGHT CRIME CAMP FEATURING TELEMATCH, LECTURE, GROUP DISCUSSION AND PRIZE PRESENTATION WILL ALSO BE HELD ON AUGUST 12 TO 14 AT WU KAI SHA.
A DETAILED REPORT OF THE +FIGHT CRIME AND CARE FOR SOCIETY ’86+ SCHEME WILL BE PUBLISHED AT THE END OF AUGUST TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE ACTIVITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED.
0
/"15
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1936
15
AG TO INSPECT PASSING-OUT PARADE
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY ON SATURDAY (JULY 19) MORNING.
HE WILL ADDRESS THE PARADE AND PRESENT SILVER WHISTLES TO THE TWO BEST RECRUITS.
ON PARADE WILL BE FOUR OFFICERS AND 84 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE DEPARTMENT’S BASIC TRAINING COURSE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PASSING-OUT PARADE WHICH WILL START AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 19) AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT 47 TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY.
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE FROM GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, BY 8.45 AM.
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WATER TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH CEREMONY * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SAI O-PAK KONG WATER TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH CEREMONY AT SAI 0 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE 5.3-KILOMETRE TUNNEL FORMS PART OF AN AQUEDUCT SYSTEM BEING BUILT TO INCREASE WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH CEREMONY. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE LEAVING FROM THE MURRAY BUILDING CARPARK, GARDEN ROAD, BY 12.45 PM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY MALE REPORTERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE TUNNEL FOR THE BREAKTHROUGH CEREMONY.
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AFTER THE CEREMONY.
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/14 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
14
MORE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO GO * * * * *
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE MAIN ROOF OF NOS. 5, 7, 9, 11 AND 23, LEE GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, ARE TO BE CLOSED.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY DECIDED ON THIS SO THAT THE STRUCTURES CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT ENDANGERING OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
IT WILL APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 10 AND POSTED NOTICES OF INTENTION TO DO SO ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE AUTHORITY PREVIOUSLY ISSUED DEMOLITION ORDERS, BUT THESE HAVE BEEN IGNORED.
DEMOLITION WILL START AS SOON AS THE COURT ISSUES THE CLOSURE ORDER.
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JOB PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR YOUTHS
X X X X *
THE APPRENTICE PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS HELPED ABOUT 1 200 YOUNG PEOPLE LAST YEAR TO BE TRAINED AS APPRENTICES IN INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS.
+THE UNIT CONTINUES TO ASSIST FORM 3 AND FORM 5 SCHOOL LEAVERS TO FIND SUITABLE TRAINING PLACES AND TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS SET UP PROPER TRAINING SCHEMES AND RECRUIT APPRENTICES OR TRAINEES THIS YEAR,+ A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID.
AN APPRENTICESHIP LASTS THREE TO FOUR YEARS AND CONSISTS OF PLANNED ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND COMPLEMENTARY EDUCATION AT A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
FORM 3 GRADUATES MAY JOIN CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES WHILE FORM 5 GRADUATES WITH GRADE E OR ABOVE IN FOUR RELEVANT SUBJECTS IN THE HKCE EXAMINATION MAY JOIN TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES.
A VARIETY OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN MAJOR INDUSTRIES SUCH AS AUTOMOBILE, BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, CLOTHING, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS, JEWELLERY, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, PLASTICS, PRINTING, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP-REPAIR AND TEXTILE.
TRAINEESHIP SCHEMES IN THE FIELDS OF INSURANCE AND ACCOUNTANCY CONSISTING OF PRACTICAL ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND COMPLEMENTARY EDUCATION AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES HAVE ALSO BEEN INTRODUCED.
/+SJHOOL LhjWhHb .......
THURSDAY, JULY 1?, 1986
♦SCHOOL LEAVERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE COUNCIL TO FIND TRAINING PLACES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SCHEMES, CONTACT THE PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE COUNCIL AT 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, VAN CHAI, OR TELEPHONE 5-8932341 EXT 293.
LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE UP-RAMP CLOSED * * * * *
THE WESTERN UP-RAMP LEADING TO LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 6 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 20) TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON WESTBOUND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG SHOULD PROCEED TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE.
TRAFFIC FROM PO LUN STREET AND BROADWAY IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DIVERTED TO CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD LAI CHI KOK ROAD, CHEUNG MOU STREET, CHEUNG SHUN STREET, CHEUNG LAI STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, THE FLYOVER, KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE.
EXISTING BUS STOPS ON THE UNNAMED ROAD OUTSIDE THE GOOD WORLD RESTAURANT IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN FOR WESTBOUND BUSES WILL BE SUSPENDED. A TEMPORARY BUS STOP WILL BE PROVIDED NEAR THE UP-RAMP LEADING TO THE LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE.
THE UP-RAMP WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 6 AM ON JULY 21 AFTER THE RESURFACING WORK IS COMPLETED.
WONG TAI SIN ROAD PARTIALLY CLOSED * * * *
WONG TAI SIN ROAD, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 18).
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR CHUK YUEN ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE SLIP ROAD LINKING ROAD Al AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD; ROAD Al AND ROAD A.
MOTORISTS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR THE TSZ WAN SHAN AREA WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE SLIP ROAD LINKING MA CHAI HANG ROAD ROUNDABOUNT AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, MA CHAI HANG ROAD, WONG TAI SIN ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD.
/16
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1986
16
THE SECTION OF ROAD WILL BE CLOSED WEEKS TO FACILITATE
HORNSEY ROAD CLOSURE
* * *
HORNSEY ROAD BETWEEN CONDUIT ROAD AND OLD PEAK TO TRAFFIC WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT FOR ABOUT TWO EMERGENCY SLOPE REPAIR WORK.
METERED PARKING SPACES ON HORNSEY ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DURING THE CLOSURE.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXPO A PLATFORM TO SHOW OUR ACHIEVEMENTS .................... 1
GROWTH SEEN IN CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE .................... 5
TUNNELLERS MEET IN MIDDLE OF MA ON SIUN ..................... 5
BILL REPEALS INSURERS' LIABILITY FOR HOSPITAL EXPENSES ...... 6
AMENDED SPEEDING LAW TaKES EFFECT ON JULY 28 ................ 7
VILLABE VEHICLES REGULATIONS PUBLISHED ...................... 8
U.S. MAKES FOURTH EA CALL.................................... 9
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED ..................................... 9
REGISTRATION REVOKED ....................................... 10
1984 INDUSTRIAL SURVEY REPORT OUT .......................... 10
65 PASS FINAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION ....................... 11
INTELPOST NETWORK EXTENDED TO PEKING, SHANGHAI ............. 11
REMINDER TO PARENTS OVER GRaNT APPLICATION ................. 12
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COURSES ....... 12
PART-TIME LECTURERS COURSE OFFERED ......................... 15
CARNIVAL FUN FOR SHA TAU KOK RESIDENTS ..................... 15
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICE MOVING ........................ 11*
KOWLOON CITY PROVIDES CIVIC EDUCATION WITH SUMMER FUN ...... 14
YAU MA TEI YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS TOMORROW ................. 15
TELEGAME TO PROMOTE CIVIC EEUCATION ........................ 16
DETAILS ON MARINE TRAFFIC SAFETY ........................... 16
/OPEN ...
2
OPEN DAY AT MUSIC CAMP .......................................... 17
7. AK KUNG STREET, KWAI CHUNG ROAD CLOSURE....................... 1?
LEFT-TURN BAN IN KOWLOON CITY ................................... 18
CLOSURE I . AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE RAMPS ............................ 18
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
1
EXPO A PLATFORM TO SHOW OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
*****
EXPO '86 PROVIDES HONG KONG WITH A PLATFORM TO SHOW ITSELF TO THE REST OF THE WORLD AS A VIABLE AND VIGOROUS CITY WITH WIDE INTERNATIONAL TRADING CONNECTIONS, AS A MAJOR MANUFACTURING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE, AND AS A REGIONAL CENTRE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT, ALL WITH A FUTURE SECURED WELL INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT CENTURY.
THIS WAS THE MESSAGE CONVEYED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, IN AN ADDRESS IN VANCOUVER TO THE VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE, THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ON THURSDAY (FRIDAY, HK TIME).
IN HIS SPEECH ENTITLED ’HONG KONG GROWS CLOSER’, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT PROVINCE WERE NOT TIED SOLELY TO TRADE
AND CANADA: THE RELATIONSHIP LINKS WITH BRITISH COLUMBIA OR ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS,
SAYING: +OUR FRIENDSHIP GOES DEEPER THAN THAT. WE ENJOY STRONG CULTURAL LINKS AS WELL. THERE ARE MANY IN VANCOUVER’S CHINESE COMMUNITY WHOSE HOMES WERE ORIGINALLY IN HONG KONG, AND MANY OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG CITIZENS HAVE BENEFITTED FROM BEING EDUCATED
HERE, AND ELSEWHERE IN CANADA.+
SIR EDWARD SAID THERE WERE THREE REASONS FOR HONG KONG TO TAKE PART IN EXPO ’86. FIRST, THE THEMES OF THE EXPOSITION -COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION - WERE TWO OF THE PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS ACCOUNTING FOR HONG KONG’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCE. SECOND, VANCOUVER AND HONG KONG HAD A COMMON INTEREST IN THE FAST DEVELOPING PACIFIC RIM. THIRD, THE TIME COINCIDED WITH THE RENEWAL OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG.
HE DESCRIBED THE DESIGN OF THE HONG KONG PAVILION AS AN IMAGINATIVE SYMBOL OF THE QUALITIES AND FEATURES WHICH MADE HONG KONG UNIQUE.
A MODERN STRUCTURE SURROUNDED BY TRADITIONAL BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING, THE PAVILION’S MODERNITY WAS REMINISCENT OF THE SKYLINE OF MODERN HONG KONG WHILE THE BAMBOO RECALLED THE STRENGTH AND VERSATILITY OF THE POPULATION.
+THE COMBINATION OF THE TWO IS ALSO SYMBOLIC OF HONG KONG AS A PLACE WHERE EAST AND WEST HAVE MET IN HARMONY TO THE COMMON BENEFIT OF BOTH,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT HONG KONG WAS A CITY ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, ON WHICH ITS ECONOMY DEPENDED.
BASICALLY A PLACE VERY LIMITED IN NATURAL RESOURCES, THE TERRITORY HAD BUILT UP AN ECONOMY WELL DIVERSIFIED WITH MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES, ADVANCED AND EFFICIENT COMMUNICATIONS, ANLi WORLD CLASS FINANCIAL SERVICES.
/♦HONG KONG
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
2 -
+ HONG KONG IS THE WORLD’S 15TH LARGEST EXPORTING ECONOMY AND 1'6TH LARGEST IN TERMS OF IMPORTS. IN TERMS OF TOTAL TRADE WE.ARE THE WORLD’S 13TH LARGEST TRADER. FEW OTHER ECONOMIES CAN RIVAL US IN THIS HIGH DEGREE OF RELIANCE ON EXTERNAL TRADE,* HE SAID.
TURNING TO TRADE POLICY, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT HONG KONG BELIEVED IN, AND PRACTISED, FREE TRADE.
+THIS POLICY HAS SERVED HONG KONG WELL. IT HAS GENERATED A RISING STANDARD OF LIVING FOR OUR POPULATION,* HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO INCREASING COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, RISING PRODUCTION AND LABOUR COSTS, AND AN EXPANDING POPULATION WITH RISING EXPECTATIONS, THERE HAD BEEN A SHIFT INTO HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS.
+THE RESULTING INCREASE IN VALUE-ADDED IN OUR PRODUCTS HAS ENABLED US TO ACHIEVE BETTER ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF OUR WORKERS THROUGH RISING REAL WAGES, IMPROVED CONDITIONS OF WORK, AND BETTER HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES,♦ HE POINTED OUT.
SIR EDWARD ALSO MENTIONED THE BLOSSOMING OF CULTURAL LIFE IN HONG KONG. +TODAY, HONG KONG IS PERHAPS UNRIVALLED IN ASIA FOR THE EXUBERANCE AND VARIETY OF ITS CULTURAL SCENE OR FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR ARTISTIC TALENTS,* HE NOTED.
IN THE ARTS FESTIVAL, THE ASIAN ARTS FESTIVAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, HONG KONG PLAYED HOST TO SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST CREATIVE PERFORMERS, MUSICIANS AND DIRECTORS.
+WITH SUCH A VIBRANT CULTURAL SCENE, HONG KONG HAS BECOME FAR MORE THAN SIMPLY A PLACE TO DO BUSINESS. IT IS AN ENRICHING AND EXCITING CITY TO LIVE IN.*
SIR EDWARD THEN REFERRED TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WHICH, HE SAID, HAD REMOVED MUCH OF THE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE ESSENCE OF THE AGREEMENT WAS THAT HONG KONG WOULD AFTER 1997 CONTINUE TO FUNCTION MUCH AS IT DID TODAY.
IT PROVIDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE ITS OWN EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL POWER; THAT THE LAWS AND LEGAL SYSTEM SHOULD REMAIN 5 THAT THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS WOULD CONTINUE; THAT RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS WOULD BE MAINTAINED; THAT PRIVATE PROPERTY AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT WOULD BE PROTECTED BY LAW; AND THAT HONG KONG’S FREE PORT, FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKETS, THE FREE FLOW OF CAPITAL AND THE FREELY CONVERTIBLE HONG KONG DOLLAR WOULD ALL CONTINUE.
/♦IN SHORT
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
. ।u cuaot THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF LIFE IN HONG KONG w ILL DOMAIN iiNirwANfFD AS wILL THE FREE MARKET ENVIRONMENT WHICH HAS LED TO HONG KONG’S GROWTH AS A TRADING POWER AND AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
ONE ELEMENT IN THE CONTINUING EFFORT TO ENSURE TH£T HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN A LEADING PARTICIPANT IN WORLD ™ADEWASTHEAGtjEEMENT that HONG KONG SHOULD NOW BECOME A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY IU Se gfSeral agreeS oh tariffs and trade and should remain so AFTER 1997.
im rowri us ION SIR EDWARD SAID THAT HE HOPED HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN EXPO '86 WOULD BE SEEN AS A SIGN OF CONFIDENCE Kd is A sXl OF A CITY WHICH COMBINED THE MODERN AND THE TRADITIONAL.
+OUR PARTICIPATION SYMBOLISES ALSO THE DYNAMIC ROLE WHICH WE THINK THAT HONG KONG CAN PLAY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REG ION,+ HE ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS IN VANCOUVER WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE LATER.
------o-------
GROWTH SEEN IN CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE * * * *
EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION BY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS WILL INCREASE THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING TO CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS AT A DINNER TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF THE PATRON SAINT OF BUILDERS LU PAN, MR CHAN SAID EXPENDITURE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, INCLUDING THE MTRC AND KCRC, WAS ESTIMATED TO INCREASE BY THREE PER CENT COMPARED WITH A DECLINE IN 1985.
HE NOTED THAT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH WAS TO BE SIX PER CENT THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH A DECREASE OF ONE PER CENT THE YEAR BEFORE.
MR CHAN SAID TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF BUILDING PLANS, FOR WHICH CONSENT TO START WORK WAS GIVEN, INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN 1985.
/EMPHASISING
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
EMPHASISING GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, MR CHAN SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO WORKS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS PROJECTS ESTIMATED TO COST MORE THAN $4.8 BILLION WERE SELECTED TO BEGIN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT OVER THE VALUE OF PROJECTS APPROVED FOR 1985-86.
+SIGNIF ICANT AMONG THESE PROJECTS IS THE MAJOR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD,+ HE SAID.
♦OTHER HIGHWAY PROJECTS STILL IN PROGRESS INCLUDE THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK ROAD, ROUTE 5 FROM SHA TIN TO TSUEN WAN AND COMPLETION OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORR IDOR.
♦MAJOR BUILDING PROJECTS IN PROGRESS INCLUDE THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL COMPLEX, TUEN MUN HOSPITAL COMPLEX, WHICH INCIDENTALLY IS THE LARGEST UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE WORLD, AND SHAU KEI WAN HOSPITAL.
♦AMONG NEW BUILDINGS PLANNED TO COMMENCE DURING THIS FINANCIAL YEAR IS THE 49-STOREY GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING ON WAN CHAI RECLAMATION.
♦THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE ON NEW WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS TO COMMENCE THIS FINANCIAL YEAR IS $670 MILLION, OF WHICH $155 MILLION IS FOR WORKS IN THE NEW TOWNS.
♦A NEW TREATMENT WORKS BEING PLANNED FOR AU TAU, AND ESTIMATED TO COST $150 MILLION, WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT AT TIN SHU I WAI AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT.
♦PROPOSED WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING INCLUDE THE LAYING OF 2 000 METRES OF SUBMARINE PIPELINE FROM CHA KWO LING TO QUARRY BAY AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $150 MILLION.
♦ IN THE NEW TOWNS THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE WITH PROJECTS SELECTED TO COMMENCE THIS FINANCIAL YEAR ESTIMATED TO COST $2 300 MILLION. NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THIS AMOUNT WILL BE INCREASED TO $2 500 MILLION,+ HE SAID.
TURNING TO CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY, MR CHAN SAID IT WAS STILL DISTURBING TO SEE THAT THE GENERAL LEVEL OF ACCIDENTS REMAINED UNACCEPTABLY HIGH.
/HOWEVER,
FRIDAY, JULI 18, 1986
- 5 -
HOwEVER, HE SAID, IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT THE OVERALL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS HAD FALLEN SLIGHTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR DESPITE AN INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY.
IT WAS PLEASING TO SEE THE INDUSTRY TAKING POSITIVE STEPS AIMED AT WORKER SAFETY, WITH THE GRADUATION OF THE FIRST BATCH OF 52 STUDENTS FROM THE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY OFFICER COURSE RUN BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY LAST YEAR, HE ADDED.
+ONGOING COURSES WILL ENSURE A STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN SAFETY STANDARDS AND THIS WILL BE REINFORCED BY LEGISLATION, SOON TO BE INTRODUCED, WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF A SAFETY OFFICER IN FIRMS EMPLOYING MORE THAN 200 WORKERS,+ W CHAN SAID.
------0-------
TUNNELLERS MEET IN MIDDLE OF MA ON SHAN *****
AFTER 21 MONTHS BORING THROUGH MA ON SHAN FROM DIFFERENT FACES, TWO TEAMS OF TUNNELLERS FINALLY MET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOUNTAIN TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGE TO CLEAR AWAY THE LAST ROCK SEPARATING THE TWO TEAMS WAS FIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN.
THE TUNNEL IS THE LONGEST OF ITS TYPE TO HAVE BEEN DRIVEN IN HONG KONG, THE FACES AT SA I 0 AND PAK KONG BEING 5.3 KILOMETRES APART.
IT FORMS PART OF AN ELABORATE AQUEDUCT SYSTEM BEING BUILT
TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF WATER FROM CHINA VIA PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR, A PUMPING STATION NEARING COMPLETION ON HARBOUR ISLAND AND A SUBMARINE PIPELINE BEING LAID ACROSS TOLO CHANNEL.
THIS WILL BE JOINED TO THE MA ON SHAN TUNNEL, AT THE END OF WHICH A TREATMENT WORKS IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WITH A DAILY CAPACITY OF 728 000 CUBIC METRES TO SUPPLY THE SAI KUNG AREA, JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND EASTERN KOWLOON.
ULTIMATELY, WATER WILL ALSO BE SUPPLIED TO THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND VIA A SUBMARINE MAIN ACROSS THE HARBOUR.
DURING CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL, WHICH WILL BE FITTED WITH THREE-METRE-DIAMETER PIPES, MORE THAN 55 000 CUBIC METRES CF ROCK WERE BLASTED AND EXCAVATED.
A WATER
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
6
A WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ENGINEER SAID THE TUNNEL HAD ADVANCED AT A RATE OF 87 METRES PER WEEK FROM EACH FACE, A RECORD FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID WORK WILL START SOON ON THE PERMANENT LINING OF THE TUNNEL AND THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE $57 MILLION TUNNEL WAS PAUL Y CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. WORK ON THE PROJECT STARTED IN OCTOBER 1984, AND WAS SUPERVISED ON BEHALF OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT BY CONSULTING ENGINEERS BINNIE AND PARTNERS.
------0-------
BILL REPEALS INSURERS’ LIABILITY FOR HOSPITAL EXPENSES ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO LAW WHICH ENABLES PUBLIC HOSPITALS COMPANIES EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE VICTIMS.
REPEAL A PROVISION IN THE EXISTING TO RECOVER FROM INSURANCE TREATMENT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 30.
THE BILL SEEKS TO REPEAL SECTION 8 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH DEALS WITH THE LIABILITY OF INSURERS TO PAY HOSPITAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN RELATION TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
THE MAIN REASON FOR THE REPEAL IS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFICULTIES IN ENFORCING THE EXISTING PROVISION BECAUSE AN INSURANCE COMPANY IS NOT OBLIGED TO SETTLE A CLAIM FOR HOSPITAL EXPENSES UNLESS IT HAS MADE SOME OTHER PAYMENT UNDER THE THIRD PARTY RISKS POLICY CONCERNED.
ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT ACCIDENT VICTIMS ARE NOT INCLINED TO SEEK COMPENSATION FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES.
RECOVERY DIFFICULTIES HAVE RESULTED IN NO ACTION BEING TAKEN UNDER THE EXISTING LAW SINCE 1981 AS THE REVENUE PRODUCED WAS LESS THAN THE AMOUNT NEEDED TO ADMINISTER THE SCHEME.
IT IS ALSO CONSIDERED UNFAIR TO SINGLE OUT MOTOR INSURERS TO MEET HOSPITAL COSTS IN TREATING TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS WHILE THE TREATMENT OF OTHER CATEGORIES OF ACCIDENT VICTIMS ENTAILS NO SUCH LIABILITY.
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/7
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
7
AMENDED SPEEDING LAW TAKES EFFECT ON JULY 28
*****
AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC LAWS ON SPEEDING OFFENCES WHICH WERE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 9 WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 28. A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
FROM THAT DATE, AN ESCALATING DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM WILL APPLY TO SPEEDING OFFENCES, AND A DRIVER WILL INCUR MORE POINTS THE GREATER THE MARGIN BY WHICH HE EXCEEDS THE SPEED LIMIT.
+UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POI NTS)(AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1986, A DRIVER WILL INCUR THREE POINTS FOR EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY MORE THAN 15 KILOMETRES PER HOUR, FIVE POINTS FOR EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY MORE THAN 30 KILOMETRES PER HOUR AND EIGHT POINTS FOR EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY 45 KILOMETRES PER HOUR,* A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE FIXED PENALTY FOR SPEEDING WILL, HOWEVER, REMAIN AT $200 IRRESPECTIVE OF THE EXCESSIVE SPEED MARGIN,* HE EXPLAINED.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ANYONE WHO HAS ACCUMULATED 15 OR MORE POINTS IN TWO YEARS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING OR OBTAINING A DRIVING LICENCE.
A DRIVER WHO HAS INCURRED EIGHT DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS OR MORE WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT OF HIS RECORD OF POINTS AND THE CONSEQUENCES.
UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM, A DRIVER CAUGHT EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY 15 KILOMETRES PER HOUR INCURS THREE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS AND HE IS NOT NOTIFIED OF HIS RECORD OF POINTS UNTIL HE HAS ACCUMULATED 10 POINTS.
A LEAFLET ON THE NEW DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL LICENSING OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND AT CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ENQUIRY COUNTERS.
ALSO GAZETTED TODAY IS THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1986 WHICH REPEALS MANDATORY DISQUALIFICATION FOR SPEEDING OFFENCES AND MANDATORY RETESTS AFTER DISQUALIFICATION.
NEVERTHELESS, THE COURT WILL RETAIN DISCRETIONARY POWER TO DISQUALIFY ANY DRIVER CONVICTED OF SPEEDING AND TO ORDER A RETEST FOLLOWING DISQUALIFICATION IF IT DOUBTS THE COMPETENCE OF THE CONVICTED DRIVER.
+THE EFFECT OF THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS IS THAT DISQUALIFICATION FOR SPEEDING WILL NOW NORMALLY BE APPLIED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) ORDINANCE, PERMITTING THE USE OF THE FIXED PENALTY SYSTEM IN ALMOST ALL BUT THE MORE SERIOUS CASES WHILE MANDATORY RETESTS WILL CEASE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT IN CASE OF VERY SERIOUS SPEEDING, THE SUMMONS PROCEDURE UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED.
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/8......
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
8
VILLAGE VEHICLES REGULATIONS PUBLISHED * * * X
REGULATIONS FOR THE SETTING UP OF A PERMIT SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE SAFETY AND NOISE ASPECTS OF VILLAGE VEHICLES WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (VILLAGE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS 1986, AN APPLICANT FOR A VILLAGE VEHICLE PERMIT MUST CERTIFY THAT THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED LIMITS AS TO THE LENGTH AND WIDTH- IS EQUIPPED WITH ADEQUATE BRAKES, HORN AND ENGINE SILENCER, AND IS SO CONSTRUCTED AS TO SAFELY CARRY ANY REASONABLE LOAD.
A VALID THIRD PARTY INSURANCE POLICY FOR THE VEHICLE MUST ALSO BE PRODUCED ON APPLICATION.
THE FEE FOR A PERMIT IS $50 FOR BOTH PEDESTRIAN-CONTROLLED AND DRIVER-OPERATED VILLAGE VEHICLES. THE PERMIT WILL BE VALID FOR 12 MONTHS.
A PERMIT MAY BE ISSUED SUBJECT TO VARIOUS CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE ROADS ON WHICH AND THE TIMES AND DAYS DURING WHICH A VEHICLE MAY BE DRIVEN, AND THE SIZE OF LOADS THAT MAY BE CARRIED.
THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS TO REQUIRE THE DRIVER OF A VILLAGE VEHICLE TO CARRY THE PERMIT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, AND TO PRODUCE IT FOR INSPECTION.
AN OWNER MUST PRODUCE THE PERMIT FOR THE VHEICLE FOR INSPECTION WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AFTER BEING REQUIRED TO DO SO.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO STIPULATE THAT NO PERSON MAY USE A VILLAGE VEHICLE ON A ROAD WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT OR IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE PERMIT CONDITIONS. NOR MAY A VEHICLE BE USED TO CARRY EXCESSIVE OR LONG LOADS, OR TO CARRY PASSENGERS.
MATERIAL ALTERATION TO THE EQUIPMENT OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE MUST NOT BE MADE WITHOUT THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT’S PERMISSION ONCE A PERMIT IS ISSUED.
A VEHICLE MUST NOT BE DRIVEN BY A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND MUST CARRY LIGHTED LAMPS AT THE FRONT AND REAR IF IT IS DRIVEN AFTER DARK.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1986 AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (VILLAGE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS 1986 WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON FEBRUARY 2, 1987. THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS FROM NOVEMBER 3, 1986. ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE LICENSING OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING FURTHER DETAILS OF APPLICATION FOR PERMITS CAN BE MADE AT 5-263707 OR 5-262982.
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
- 9 -
U.S. MAKES FOURTH EA CALL
*****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS MADE AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION (EA) CALL ON CATEGORY 611 (FABRICS, MAN-MADE FIBRE, SPUN CELLULOSIC, NOT KNIT).
THIS IS THE FOURTH EA CALL MADE BY THE UNITED STATES THIS YEAR.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HONG KONG-UNITED STATES BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUSPENDED ISSUE OF FURTHER EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE CATEGORY WITH EFFECT FROM 3 PM YESTERDAY PENDING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO APPROVE AND ISSUE EXPORT LICENCES FOR THIS CATEGORY AGAINST VALID EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS APPROVED PRIOR_JO THE SUSPENSION.
------0-------
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED * * *
THE BANKING LICENCE OF CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS BANK LIMITED (Cl BL) HAS BEEN REVOKED ON THE GROUND THAT IT HAS CEASED TO TRANSACT BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG. A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL MAY REVOKE A BANKING LICENCE IF HE IS SATISFIED THAT THE HOLDER OF THE LICENCE HAS CEASED TO TRANSACT BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
+ IN THE CASE OF Cl BL, THE REVOCATION WAS REQUIRED AS ITS BUSINESS, INCLUDING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, HAD BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO,+ HE SAID.
THE CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO WAS RECENTLY GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
AT THE END OF JUNE 1986, THERE WERE 151 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG.
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/10........
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
10 -
REGISTRATION REVOKED
XXX
THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 14(2) OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
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1984 INDUSTRIAL SURVEY REPORT OUT
M K K K
A STATISTICAL REPORT, WHICH PRESENTS THE MAJOR FINDINGS FROM A SURVEY CONDUCTED FROM APRIL 1985 TO EARLY 1986 HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERED ESSENTIALLY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING, AND IN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER WERE ALSO COVERED.
PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS IN THE SAME SERIES INCLUDE THE REPORT ON THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1973 AND REPORTS ON ANNUAL SURVEYS FROM 1976 TO 1983.
THE 1984 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION CONTAINS STATISTICS SHOWING THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.
BESIDES BEING USED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR POLICY MAKING, THE STATISTICS ARE USED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
THEY CAN BE USED FOR ASSESSING INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE, IDENTIFYING STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND DRAWING INTER-INDUSTRY COMPARISONS.
THE REPORT IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, AT S12.5O PER COPY.
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/11
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
65 PASS FINAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION *****
I irFNTIATF COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOiiNrFD TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT 65 OUT OF 179 CANDIDATES HAD PASSED THE FINAL PART OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS.
tuic pyamINATION HELD FROM JULY 8 TO 10, WAS AN ORAL ONE TO TEST THE ABILITY OF CANDIDATES TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS.
riNDIDATES WERE EXAMINED BY TWO PANELS OF EXAMINERS IN EACH of the ¥Eree"disciplines - medicine, surgery, and obstetrics and GYNAECOLOGY.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN 18-MONTH PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING IN HOSPITALS APPROVED BY THE MEDICAL COUNCIL STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.
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INTELPOST NETWORK EXTENDED TO PEKING, SHANGHAI *****
THE INTELPOST (INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONIC POST) NETWORK WILL BE EXTENDED TO PEKING AND SHANGHAI FROM NEXT MONDAY (JULY 21), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
INTELPOST ITEMS FOR THESE TWO PLACES POSTED BEFORE 1 PM AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE ADDRESSEE THE SAME DAY. ITEMS POSTED AFTER 1 PM WILL BE DELIVERED THE NEXT DAY, A SPOKESMAN SA ID.
CHARGES FOR THE SERVICE TO PEKING AND SHANGHAI WILL BEs
FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 SHEET OF PAPER $44
FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIDE SENT TO THE SAME $30
ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME
THE EXISTING INTELPOST NETWORK FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA COVERS CANTON AND SHENZHEN. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO USE THE SERVICE CAN HAND IN THEIR DOCUMENTS AT ONE OF THE 23 ACCEPTANCE OFFICES.
THOSE HAVING FACSIMILE MACHINES IN THEIR OFFICES CAN TRANSMIT THEIR ITEMS DIRECT TO THE INTELPOST TERMINAL IN THE GENERAL POST CFFICE FOR RE-TRANSMISSION OVERSEAS.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTELPOST MANAGER ON 5-2671148.
— o -
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
- 12 -
REMINDER TO PARENTS OVER GRANT APPLICATION
*****
THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON STUDENT FINANCE TODAY REMINDED PARENTS NOT TO MAKE FALSE DECLARATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID A PARENT WAS RECENTLY FINED $50 000 AT THE SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACY ON FIVE COUNTS OF +MAKI NG A FALSE DECLARATION* IN SUPPORT OF HIS CHILDREN’S APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDY IN A TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN THE 1983-84 AND 1984-85 ACADEMIC YEARS.
THE DECLARANT WAS ALSO ASKED BY THE COMMITTEE TO REFUND THE FULL ASSISTANCE OF $33 130 HIS CHILDREN RECEIVED DURING THE TWO ACADEMIC YEARS.
------o-------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COURSES * * *
THE SEVEN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES UNDER THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ARE INVITING FORM 3 AND FORM 5 LEAVERS TO APPLY FOR ENTRY INTO FULL-TIME. PART-TIME DAY RELEASE AND BLOCK-RELEASE COURSE BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER.
MORE THAN 180 TECHNICAN AND CRAFT COURSES WILL BE OFFERED IN THE 1986-87 ACADEMIC YEAR AT THE MORRISON HILL, KWAI CHUNG. STcal’LEE M ,33’ TUEN MUN AND SH‘ TIN
WITH THE OPENING OF TWO NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN THIS YEAR, NEW COURSES ARE BEING OPERATED MEET THE NEED F0R M0RE TRAINED PERSONNEL IN THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND SERVICES SECTORS.
THE NEW COURSES INCLUDE MARKETING AND PURCHASING, RETAIL SUPERVISION, DESIGN IN PACKAGING AND ADVERTISING, CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, DISPENSING STUDIES, DATA PROCESSING AND OFFICE PRACTICE. KNITWEAR PROCESSING AND MERCHANDISING, BASIC HAIRDRESSING.
THE COURSES ARE GROUPED UNDER 15 FIELDS OF STUDYi HOTELKEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, PRINTING, TEXTILE INDUSTRIES, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, MARINE AND FABRICATION, DESIGN, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING, APPLIED SCIENCE AND COMPUTING STUDIES.
/APPLICATION
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
15
APPLICATION FORMS AND A GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES (EXCEPT THE SHA JIN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES) AND DISTRICT OFFICES. ^HOSE FOR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE AND BLOCK-RELEASE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE OFF ICES OF THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT.
APPLICANTS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEY SATISFY THE MINIMUN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. APPL.CANTS
AND BLOCK-RELEASE COURSES
CLOSING DATE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS MONDAY, AUGUST 18.
-----0------
PART-TIME LECTURERS COURSE OFFERED
*****
THE HONG KONu TECHNICAL TcACHcRo’ qJi-lxqc IS INVITINu APPLICATIONS FROM PRACTISING OR INTENDING PART-TIME TEACHERS AND LECTURERS FOR A ONE-YEAR EVENING COURSE IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE COURSE PROVIDES A STUDY OF THE PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF TEACHING. APART FROM THEORETICAL STUDIES, EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON PRACTICAL TEACHING.
AS THE COURSE IS AIMED AT RAISING THE GENERAL STANDARD OF PART-TIME TEACHING, APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL OR ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND A GOOD COMMAND OF WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASSES TWO EVENINGS PER WEEK FOR 30 WEEKS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY). APPLICANTS SHOULD RETURN COMPLETED FORMS TO THE COLLEGE BEFORE SATURDAY (JULY 26).
-----0------
CARNIVAL FUN FOR SHA TAU KOK RESIDENTS
*****
MORE THAN 1 000 RESIDENTS IN SHA TAU KOK ENJOYED AN AFTERNOON CF FUN TAKING PART IN A CARNIVAL HELD AT THE SHA TAU KOK PLAYGROUND TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CARNIVAL, FEATURING CAMEL AND DONKEY RIDES, GURKHA BAND PERFORMANCE AND GAMES STALLS CARRYING THE CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGE, WAS PART OF THE NORTH DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME LAUNCHED THIS MONTH.
/OFFICIATING .......
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 19&6
14
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL WERE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER TAM, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TAU KOK RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU YAM-MAN.
APART FROM THE CARNIVAL, A DAY TOUR TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, FILM SHOWS AND A TELEMATCH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ON KAT 0 ISLAND, TAM SHU I HANG AND YIM LIU HA VILLAGES WOULD ALSO BE ORGANISED IN THE SYP BY STUDENTS FROM THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, MR TAM SAID.
THESE ACTIVITIES WERE INITIATED UNDER THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S SUMMER STUDENT PROJECT TO PROVIDE MORE ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUTHS IN THE REMOTE PARTS OF THE DISTRICT, HE ADDED.
_----0-----
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICE MOVING
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (HONG KONG) DIVISION AND BUS ENGINEERING DIVISION, CURRENTLY LOCATED AT HENNESSY CENTRE IN CAUSEWAY BAY, WILL BE OPERATING FROM NEW PREMISES AT THE QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES (QGO) FROM MONDAY , (JULY 21).
j,
THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (HONG KONG) DIVISION WILL BE ACCOMMODATED ON THE 29TH FLOOR OF QGO HIGH BLOCK WHILE THE BUS ENGINEERING DIVISION WILL BE ON THE 27TH FLOOR. TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THE DIVISIONS ARE 5-8623190 AND 5-8623243 RESPECTIVELY.
------o--------
KOWLOON CITY PROVIDES CIVIC EDUCATION WITH SUMMER FUN * * * *
KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY AN AFTERNOON OF FUN AND LEARN MORE ABOUT CIVIC EDUCATION TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WHEN THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENS WITH A CARNIVAL AND A CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AT ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE A 20-METRE BY 23-MET#€ CHESS MAT GAME, +CIVIC EDUCATION RACING TRACK+, WHICH CONTAINS!
71 SQUARES - 20 OF THEM - THE DO’S AND DON’TS THAT A GOOD CITItSNS SHOULD OBSERVE.
/BESIDES
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
15 -
BESIDES VARIOUS GAMES THERE WILL ALSO BE 40 DISPLAY BOARDS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM t KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR NG KAI-KIN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR WU SHING-SHUEN.
LOCAL BODIES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE ORGANISED 231 ACTIVITIES FOR OVER 10 000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT DURING SUMMER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AND THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT 4.30 PM TOMORROW AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND, KOWLOON CITY.
YAU MA
THE TOMORROW PLAZA.
YAU MA TEI (SATURDAY)
-----o------
TEI YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS TOMORROW
*****
DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL START
WITH A VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD
THE SHOW ORGANISED BY LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WILL FEATURE FOLK SONGS, BALLET, CHINESE DANCE AND MARTIAL ARTS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN MR YIP WAH- YAU MA TEI ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY HO AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR SO CHUNG-PING, MR CHAN WAI-WANG* MR DAVID KWAN AND MRS ENA CHAN.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, BOOKLETS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC FROM A BUS DRIVING AROUND THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA.
-------0
/16
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
- 16 -
TELEGAME TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION * * * *
A TELEGAME MATCH SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG RESIDENTS OF WONG TAI SIN WILfjBE HELD ON SUNDAY (JULY 20) IN MORSE PARK.
THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE AREA COMMITTEES OF TUNG TAU, LOK FU AND WANG TAU HOM, AND CO-ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE +WEST SUB-DISTRICT TELEGAME MAT(fc+, AS IT IS CALLED, WILL FEATURE FIVE GAMES DESIGNED ON THE THEME OF CIVIC EDUCATION PLAYED BY PARTICIPANTS OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS.
EACH OF THE THREE AREA COMMITTEES WILL SEND A TEAM OF PLAYERS AND CHEER-LEADERS TO TAKE PART IN THE CONTEST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE TELEGAME MATCH WOULD ENABLE RESIDENTS TO ENHANCE THEIR CIVIC AWARENESS THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE GAMES.
OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER OF WONG TAI SIN, MR NG HON-WAH, THE WONG TAMSIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHENG TAK-KIN, THE DISTRICT’S RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MISS NG WAI-YEE, AND THREE AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN, MRS PAULINE NG, MR FUNG KWONG-CHUNG AND MR WONG KAN-FONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS: w
- V
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN WEST SUB-DISTRICT TELEGAME MATCH BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 5.30 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE NO. 1 HARD SURFACED SOCCER PITCH IN MORSE PARK.
------0-------
DETAILS ON MARINE TRAFFIC SAFETY * * * *
DETAILS OF SAFETY MEASURES TO BE DEPLOYED IN THE VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 21).
THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE MARlTrt DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE VESSEL TRAFFIC IN THE HARBOUR.
/SPEAKING
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
- 17 -
SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR DAVID HUNT, AND ACTING SENIOR MARINE OFFICER OF THE VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROJECT SECTION, MR CHAN SHU-HOI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
-----0------
OPEN DAY AT MUSIC CAMP
*****
THE OPEN DAY OF THE 1986 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY (JULY 20) BETWEEN 2.15 PM AND 5.30 PM AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG.
PARENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO VISIT THEIR CHILDREN AFTER ONE WEEK’S CAMPING AND SEE THEM TRAINING UNDER THE BATONS OF WELL-KNOWN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INSTRUCTORS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPEN DAY. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE LEAVING FROM THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER (NEXT TO THE STAR FERRY) BY 12.40 PM.
- - - - 0 ----
PAK KUNG STREET, KWAI CHUNG ROAD CLOSURE * * * *
PAK KUNG STREET IN HUNG HOM, AT ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT THREE AND A HALF MONTHS STARTING 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 21).
THE ARRANGEMENT IS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EASTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF CHATHAM ROAD NORTH BETWEEN SAN WAI STREET AND HOK YUEN STREET.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON SOUTHBOUND CHATHAM ROAD NORTH HEADING FOR PAK KUNG STREET EASTBOUND SHOULD USE SAN WAI STREET AND GILLIES AVENUE.
/MEANWHILE,.......
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1986
- 18
MEANWHILE, TRAFFIC LANES OF THE KOWLOON-SOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN TSUEN WAN ROAD AND PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL INTERCHANGE WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM JULY 21 FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS TO FACILITATE RESURFACING WORKS.
TRAFFIC ON KWAI CHUNG ROAD HEADING FOR KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED TO LAI KING HILL ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
-----0------
l_r=-T-TURN BAN IN KOWLOON CITY * * * * *
THF LEFT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM NGA TSIN WAI ROAD EASTBOUND TO INVERNESS ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED TO ALL VEHICLES FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 21).
THIS IS TO FACILITATE RECONSTRUCTION WORKS ON THE CARRIAGEWAY AT THE JUNCTION OF NGA TSIN WAI ROAD AND INVERNESS ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY.
MOTORISTS ON NGA TSIN WAI ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR INVERNESS ROAD SHOULD USE GRAMPIAN ROAD AND DUMBARTON ROAD.
-----0-----
CLOSURE OF AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE RAMPS
*****
TWO APPROACH RAMPS OF AP LEI CHAU TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING
BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO WORKS.
THESE ARE:
* THE SOUTHERN UP-RAMPS LEADING FROM THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD TO AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED DAILY FROM 11 PM TO 5 AM THE NEXT DAY ON JULY 20 (SUNDAY), JULY 21 AND JULY 24. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE THE NORTHERN APPROACH UP-RAMP VIA THE ABERDEEN TOWN CENTRE.
* THE NORTHERN DOWN-RAMP LEADING FROM AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE TO THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED DAILY BETWEEN 11 PM AND 5 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON JULY 22, JULY 23 AND JULY 25. VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA THE SOUTHERN APPROACH DOWN-RAMP AND THE ABERDEEN TOWN CENTRE.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SaTURDaY, JULY 19, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR EDWaRD OPENS HONG KONG DaY AT EXPO.......... 1
FIRjoT SET OF HK LA Wb LOCaLISaD ............... 5
REPORT OBSCENE PUBLICATIONS CaLL TO THE PUBLIC . 3
EEC, HK END SECOND ROUND TEXTILE T..T.KS........ 4
AG PRaISES SUCCESSFUL WORK BY DEPaRTMaNT....... 5
CENTRES HELPING TO DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS 6 NEW I.D. CaRD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN 1921-1925 6
CaRNIV.JL STaRT TO SYP IN KOWLOON CITY ......... 8
CaLL TO JOIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRaMME............. 9
SUPPORT FOR CIVIC EDUCaTION URGED .............. 9
FURTHER JURY LIST TO BE POSTED.................. It
CLOSURE OF ROaD IN KWUN TONG PROPOSED........... 1t
DETAILS OF EjlSTERN FIGHT CRIME CjiMPaIGN....... 11
COURSE ON FOREIGN BXCH.xNGE OFFERED ............ 11
VOLUNTEERS TRAINING SCHEME OFFaRaD.............. 12
CONTRaCT SIGNING CEREMONY ...................... 1}
OFFICE ASSISTANT HONOURED ...................... 1J
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF RO.xDS IN CENTRaL.......... 13
SPEED LIMIT CHaNGE, RESTRICTED ZONE............. 14
SPECIAL SERVICE ON SHa TIN-TaI PO BUS ROUTE .... 15
FIRING PRACTICE ................................ 15
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
1
SIR EDWARD OPENS HONG KONG DAY AT EXPO
HONG KONG’S PRESENCE AT EXPO ’86 WILL SERVE TO DRAW HONG KONG AND CANADA CLOSER TOGETHER, FULFILLING THE EXPO THEME OF A WORLD IN COMMUNICATION AND A WORLD IN TOUCH, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID IN VANCOUVER TODAY (HONG KONG TIME).
SIR EDWARD WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF HONG KONG DAY AT EXPO AFTER SPEECHES BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EXPO ORGANISERS AND THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS A FEDERAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, MISS MARY COLLINS.
+EXPO ’86 PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT PLATFORM FOR HONG KONG TO SHOW ITSELF TO THE REST OF THE WORLD AS A VIABLE AND PROSPEROUS TERRITORY, AND AS A REGIONAL CENTRE FOR COMMUNICATION, FINANCE, TRANSPORT AND TRADE IN THE FAR EAST, WITH A FUTURE FIRMLY SECURED INTO THE NEXT CENTURY,* SIR EDWARD TOLD THE GATHERING AT EXPO’S PLAZA OF NATIONS.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS CERTAIN THAT HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EXPOSITION WOULD ESPECIALLY STRENGTHEN THE COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VANCOUVER THAT ENRICH BOTH THEIR ECONOMIES AND THE LIVES OF THEIR CITIZENS.
THESE TIES WERE STRONG, SIR EDWARD SAID. BOTH CITIES PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMY OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AND BOTH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO - AND BENEFITED FROM - THE REGION’S SWIFT PROGRESS.
+THE TRADE BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG HAS BROUGHT US CLOSER STILL, AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, OUR TWO CITIES ENJOY STRONG CULTURAL AND PERSONAL TIES, WITH SO MANY OF VANCOUVER’S CHINESE COMMUNITY ORIGINATING FROM HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
SIR EDWRAD SPOKE AT THE END OF A COLOURFUL 2O-MINUTE CEREMONY, WHICH INCLUDED THE CEREMONIAL RAISING OF THE HONG KONG AND CANADIAN FLAGS, AND THE PLAYING OF THE TWO NATIONAL ANTHEMS BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND, WHICH WAS RESPLENDENT IN ITS FULL DRESS UNIFORM.
EARLIER, SIR EDWARD TOURED THE HONG KONG PAVILION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EXPO SITE, BEFORE TRAVELLING TO THE PLAZA OF NATIONS BY SPECIAL VIP BOAT. ALONG THE WAY, HE WAS GIVEN A TOUR OF THE EXPO SITE, WHICH IS BUILT ON THE BANKS OF VANCOUVER’S FALSE CREEK.
HE WAS GREETED AT THE PLAZA OF NATIONS BY THE EXPO COMMISSIONER, MR PATRICK REID, AND WAS ENTERTAINED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE 3AND AND A FAN DANCE TROUPE BEFORE THE OPENING CEREMONY GOT UNDER WAY.
/aMONG Thh .......
oaTURDaY, JULY 19, 1986
2
AMONG THE CROWD OF MORE THAN 4 OOO THAT EDGED CLOSER TO THE VIEWING STAND TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR SPEAK WERE MANY FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
THE YOUNGER AUDIENCE GAVE A FINE WELCOME TO SINGER FRANCES YIP WHO SOON GOT THE CROWD CLAPPING AND TAPPING TO THE UP-BEAT MUSIC. SHE ALTERNATED HER SONGS IN BOTH CANTONESE AND ENGLISH TO THE DELIGHT OF ALL.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR EDWARD TOURED THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PAVILION AND ATTENDED A LUNCH HOSTED BY COMMISSIONER REID.
AS THE CROWDS DISPERSED AFTER THE ENTERTAINING SHOW, MANY BEGAN HEADING FOR THE MARINE PLAZA, JUST OUTSIDE THE HONG KONG PAVILION, TO GET A GOOD VIEW OF THE DRAGON BOAT RACES.
SIR EDWARD, WHO ALSO TURNED UP AFTER LUNCH, APPEARED TO BE ENJOYING HIMSELF. BOTH HE AND LADY YOUDE APPLAUDED AND CHEERED WHEN THE FINISHING LINE WAS CROSSED BY THE MANY BOATS THAT TOOK PART IN THE RACES.
WINNER OF THE FIRST HEAT WAS ALBERTA PROVINCE FOR THE HONG KONG PAVILION CUP, WHILE YELLOW SUBMARINE WON THE HONG KONG DAY CUP.
THE HONG KONG CUP, WON BY THE FALSE CREEK RACING ROWING CLUB IN THE JUNE INTERNATIONAL RACES, WAS ALSO PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
UP UNTIL FRIDAY NEARLY 600 000 VISITORS HAVE SEEN THE NINE-MINUTE SHOW IN THE HONG KONG PAVILION WHICH DEPICTS NEARLY EVERY ASPECT OF HONG KONG LIFE.
THE FIVE PUPILS FROM ST. CATHERINE’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, WHO HAD WON A POSTCARD DESIGN COMPETITION IN HONG KONG, WERE STILL DRAWING CROWDS WITH THEIR ON-THE-SPOT SKETCHING AS WAS CARTOONIST 3ILL YIM.
A DAZZLING VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES ENDED THE COLOURFUL EVENING GALA AT THE XEROX INTERNATIONAL THEATRE.
STARS FROM TVB, ATV AND RTHK PUT ON AN ONE-HOUR SHOW IN THE THEATRE WHICH WAS PACKED SOLID WITH MORE THAN 1 500 SEATED IN THE AUDIENCE.
HOWEVER, OUTSIDE THE THEATRE ON THE SURROUNDING GROUNDS AND ANY AVAILABLE HIGH SPOTS, AN ESTIMATED FOUR THOUSAND PEOPLE CRANED THEIR NECKS TO GET A LOOK AT THEIR FAVOURITE STARS. THE AUDIENCE WAS PREDOMINANTLY CHINESE AND THEY HOWLED WITH DELIGHT AT EVERY SONG AND JOKE PASSED ON THE STAGE.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE SEEMED MORE RELAXED AND ENJOYED THE EVENING. THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND AND ITS PIPERS WERE ALSO A FAVOURITE.
EXPO OFFICIALS SAID THAT THE HONG KONG DAY SHOW HAD DRAWN ONE OF THE LARGEST CROWDS EVER.
-------0---------
/3........
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
5
FIRST SET OF HK LAWS LOCALISED
*****
THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF UK ORDERS WHICH WILL GIVE THE HONG KONG LEGISLATURE THE POWER TO REPEAL OR AMEND UK LAWS WHICH RELATE TO HONG KONG LAW WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 6, 1986.
THE HONG KONG (LEGISLATIVE POWERS) ORDER 1986 WAS LAID BEFORE THP BRITISH PARLIAMENT ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 16) UNDER THE HONG KONG ACT 1985 TO ASSIST IN THE PROCESS OF LOCALISING THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
AS A RESULT OF THIS ORDER, THE FIRST SET OF LAWS TO BE +LOCALISED+ ARE THOSE RELATING TO CIVIL AVIATION, MERCHANT SHIPPING AND ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THERE WERE SOME 120 UK LAWS WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE ENACTED LOCALLY AS LAWS OF HONG KONG BEFORE JULY 1, 1997 WHEN BRITAIN WOULD NO LONGER HAVE SOVERIGNTY OVER HONG KONG.
OTHER UK ACTS WHICH COULD SOON FOLLOW INCLUDE THOSE RELATING TO COPYRIGHT, EXTRADITION AND THE JUDICIARY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE ORDER MEANS THAT THE LOCAL LEGISLATURE WOULD IN FUTURE BE ABLE TO AMEND OR REPEAL SUCH LAWS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE UK.
--------0-----------
REPORT OBSCENE PUBLICATIONS CALL TO THE PUBLIC
*****
THE NEWSPAPER REGISTRATION UNIT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ALERT THE UNIT OR TO REPORT TO THE POLICE OF ANY OBSCENE PUBLICATIONS THEY FIND AVAILABLE PUBLICLY.
APART FROM THE REGISTRATION OF NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS, THE UNIT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING PUBLICATIONS WHICH MAY CONTRAVENE THE PROVISIONS OF THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ORDINANCE.
IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, IT HAD RECOMMENDED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR PROSECUTING THE PUBLISHERS AND VENDORS OF 83 PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS AND SEXUAL COMIC MAGAZINES.
FOLLOWING LEGAL ADVICE, THE POLICE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED THE PUBLISHER OF ONE LOCAL MAGAZINE AND THE VENDOR OF 53 JAPANESE COMIC MAGAZINES UNDER THIS ORDINANCE.
/Thx, PUBLISHED.......
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
THE PUBLISHER OF THE LOCAL MAGAZINE WAS CONVICTED AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY ON MARCH 20, 1986 AND FINED $10 000.
AS REGARDS SEXUAL COMIC BOOKS, THE STORE MANAGER OF THE BOOK SECTION IN A JAPANESE DEPARTMENT STORE WAS FINED $17 000 AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY ON JULY 16, 1986 AFTER HE PLEADED GUILTY TO CHARGES OF PUBLISHING AND POSSESSION OF OBSCENE ARTICLES FOR GAIN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNIT SAID THE SECOND PROSECUTION WAS INITIATED ON REFERRAL FROM A PUBLIC COMPLAINT TO UMELCO THAT THESE SEXUAL COMIC BOOKS WERE DISPLAYED PUBLICLY FOR SALE INSIDE THE BOOK SECTION OF THE STORE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE STORE HAD BEEN WARNED BY THE UNIT IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR TO REMOVE THE PORNOGRAPHIC COMIC BOOKS. HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT INSPECTIONS REVEALED THAT THE STORE HAD IGNORED THE WARNING.
IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS, THE UNIT ALSO ISSUED EIGHT WARNING LETTERS TO THE MANAGING DIRECTORS OF THREE BOOK STORES AND TO THE PUBLISHERS OF TWO LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND THREE MAGAZINES FOR PUBLISHING OFFENSIVE ARTICLES.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY UNDER THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ORDINANCE IS A FINE OF $100 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE YEARS.
-------0---------
EEC, HK END SECOND ROUND TEXTILE TALKS X X X X X X
THE SECOND ROUND OF BI-LATERAL TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE EEC AND HONG KONG ENDED ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON (JULY 19) WITHOUT ANY CONCLUSION.
THE TALKS, WHICH BEGAN IN BRUSSELS ON THURSDAY JULY 17, WILL RESUME AT A DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
COMMENTING ON THE TALKS, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHO LED THE HONG KONG NEGOTIATING TEAM, SAID THAT THE TALKS HAD COVERED ALL THE MAIN ISSUES, AND HAD INCLUDED FORMAL PROPOSALS BY EACH SIDE.
+THE GAP BETWEEN THE SIDES IS QUITE WIDE- WE ARE FRANKLY SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED THAT TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN NO DISCERNABLE RECOGNITION OF HONG KONG’S OPEN MARKET, BUT BOTH SIDES HAD BEEN MAKING GENUINE EFFORTS TO BRIDGE THE GAP, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO RENEWING THOSE EFFORTS IN A MONTH OR TWO.+
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY THE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LIKELY EFFECTS OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HARMONISED SYSTEM.
/♦WHILST wE .......
UaTURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
THE THE
+WHILST WE HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS IN NARROWING DOWN PROBLEM AREAS, THERE REMAINS SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS BOTH IN AREA OF A FEW OF THE CATAGORIES AFFECTED BY RE-CATAGORI SAT I ON, AND IN RELATION TO PRODUCTS AFFECTED BY CHANGES OF DEFINITIONS, VF SHALL BP LOOKING INTO THESE PROBLEMS IN MORE DETAIL BACK IN HONG KONG. WE SHALL ALSO BE ASSESSING IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD THE POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS IN OTHER MARKETS.*
THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD, CHAIRED BY MR E.P. HO, ADVISED THE HONG KONG TEAM THROUGHOUT THE SECOND ROUND. MR HO COMMENTED THAT THE LACK OF PROGRESS WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING BUT NOT ENTIRELY UNEXPECTED.
+THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE HARMONISED SYSTEM ARE COMPLICATED AND IMPORTANT, AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF OUR INDUSTRIAL ADVISERS ON THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD IN THIS SENSITIVE AREA WAS PARTICULARLY USEFUL. THE PRESENCE OF THE BOARD IN BRUSSELS ALSO ENABLED THE HONG KONG LINE TO BE REFINED DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS IN RESPONSE TO DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY OCCURRED.*
------0--------
AG PRAISES SUCCESSFUL WORK BY DEPARTMENT
******
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, TODAY (SATURDAY) PRAISED THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR UNDERSTANDING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF INCARCERATION AND NOT MAKING PRISON LIFE HUMILIATING.
SPEAKING AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY, MR THOMAS SAID AN OFFENDER WAS PUNISHED FOR THE CRIME HE HAD COMMITTED BY BEING SENT TO PRISON, AND +HE IS NOT SENT TO PRISON FOR FURTHER PUNISHMENT*.
♦SO FAR AS IS PRACTICABLE, A PRISONER IS ENTITLED TO ENJOY HIS SELF-RESPECT, HIS PERSONAL DIGNITY, AND HIS HUMAN RIGHTS NO LESS THAN THOSE WHO WALK FREELY.*
MR THOMAS SAID AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK WAS +TO TRAIN PRISONERS TO LIVE POSITIVELY AND WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY SO THAT THEY WILL BE, ON RELEASE, USEFUL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.*
+ AS THE NAME OF YOUR DEPARTMENT SHOWS, THE EMPHASIS IS ON ’CORRECTING’ OR REHABILITATING CONVICTED PRISONERS RATHER THAN MERELY PUNISHING THEM,* HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS SUCCESSFUL, HE ADDED, IN MAKING LIFE IN PRISON +BEARABLE+ AND +NOT A DEGRADING OR HUMILIATING EXPERIENCE*.
+ IT IS THIS SIDE OF YOUR WORK, AS MUCH AS YOUR EXPERTISE IN MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE IN THE PRISONS, THAT MAKES THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG RESPECTED AND ADMIRED BY PENAL ADMINISTRATORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.*
MR THOMAS THEN INSPECTED THE PARADE OF FOUR OFFICERS AND 84 ASSISTANT OFFICERS. THE TWO BEST RECRUITS, MISS CHAN YUK-LIN AND MR MA SIU-CHUNG, ALSO RECEIVED SILVER WHISTLES DURING THE CEREMONY.
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
6
CENTRES HELPING TO DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS ACTIVELY PROMOTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRES, AND AT PRESENT THERE ARE 143 YOUTH CENTRES AND 154 CHILDREN’S CENTRES IN HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE DEDICATION SERVICE AND SUMMER PROGRAMME OPENING OF THE LUTHERAN SUN CHUI YOUTH CENTRE IN SHA TIN, SHE SAID YOUTH CENTRES HELPED YOUNG PEOPLE FACE THE CHALLENGES OF GROWING UP AND DEVELOP INTO MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
+THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS INTEREST GROUPS, TRAINING IN SOCIAL SKILLS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES GROUPS,+ MRS CHAN SAID.
THE SUN CHUI YOUTH CENTRE, WITH AN ATTACHED STUDY-READING ROOM, HAS BEEN FITTED OUT AND FURNISHED WITH AN ALLOCATION OF MORE THAN $600 OOO FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND.
IN RESPONSE TO THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, THE CENTRE HAD ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES BASED ON THE THEME +1 LOVE SHA TIN.+
MRS CHAN PRAISED THE HONG KONG LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROMOTING SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG THROUGH A MULT I-SERVICE COMMUNITY CENTRE, THREE CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRE, TWO REHABILITATION CENTRES, FIVE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK.
------0-------
NEW I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN 1921-1925
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1921 AND 1925 TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS BEFORE AUGUST 2.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UP TO JULY 17, THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 71 566 APPLICATIONS.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 29 734 MORE APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED IN THE REMAINING 11 WORKING DAYS.
+T0 AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, WOMEN IN THIS TARGET GROUP SHOULD COME EARLY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/APPLICANTS .......
SATURDAY, vL'LY 19, 1986
APPLICANTS ARE ALSO WELCOMED TO USE THE PHONE-IN SERVICE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND BETWEEN 9 AM AND NOON ON SATURDAY.
+APPLICANTS HAVE TO PROVIDE PERSONAL PARTICULARS SUCH AS NAME, I.D. CARD NUMBER AND YEAR OF BIRTH TO COMPLETE THE BOOKING PROCEDURE,+ HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED APPLICANTS WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY GIVING THEIR EXACT ADDRESSES VERBALLY TO HAVE THEM WRITTEN OUT BEFORE THEIR VISITS.
THE ADDRESSES OF THE ISSUE OFFICES AND THEIR TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR BOOKING APPOINTMENTS ARE:
HONG KONG
EAST KOWLOON
: BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. 5-747070
: AMOY GARDEN PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU 3-7553679 TAU KOK ROAD.
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND 3-7232442
FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND 0-4981259
FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
SHA TIN : SHATIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG 0-6059108
POK STREET.
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP 0-793291
YICK ROAD.
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 0-4580862
CHI LOK FA YUEN.
SHEUNG SHU I
TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 0-927155
SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REITERATED THAT NO AMNESTY WILL BE GRANTED TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. +ONCE DETECTED, THEY WILL BE REPATRIATED IMMEDIATELY.+
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
8 -
CARNIVAL START TO SYP IN KOWLOON CITY * * * *
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN KOWLOON CITY STARTED TODAY (SATURDAY) WITH A CARNIVAL AND A CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
THE OPENING WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
MORE THAN 230 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS, WITH $229 000 ALLOCATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ABOUT 10 000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THESE ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE HELD UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
THE ACTIVITIES, CENTRED ON THE THEME OF +CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY, GETTING TO KNOW IT BETTER*, WILL INCLUDE CAMPINGS, OUTINGS, VISITS TO NEEDY PEOPLE, SEMINARS, GAMES, SPORTS, PERFORMANCES AND TRAINING COURSES.
A PAMPHLET WITH DETAILED INFORMATION OF THE ACTIVITIES IS OBTAINABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE IN KAU PUI LUNG ROAD AND ITS TWO SUB-OFFICES IN BULKERLEY STREET AND HO MAN TIN ESTATE.
HIGHLIGHT OF TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WAS A 20-METRE BY 23-METRE CHESS MAT WHICH CONTAINED 71 SQUARES.
THE GAME, ENTITLED +CIVIC EDUCATION RACING TRACK*, WAS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEIR CIVIC DUTIES.
THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION, ON THE OTHER HAND, FEATURED 40 DISPLAY BOARDS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS AND STATISTICS INTRODUCING THE HISTORY OF KOWLOON CITY, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS EIGHT CONSTITUENCIES, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM, KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FUNG, DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR NG KAI-KIN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR WU SHING-SHUEN.
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/'9 ..........
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
9
CALL TO JOIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME
*****
YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT WERE URGED TO PARTICIPATE MORE ACTIVELY IN THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, YAU MA TEI ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY HO, SAID MORE THAN 130 ACTIVITIES, INCORPORATING THE CENTRAL THEME OF +CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND GETTING TO KNOW IT BETTER*, HAD BEEN ORGANISED BY 19 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS.
THESE INCLUDED SEMINARS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMPS, CARNIVALS, EXCURSIONS AND EDUCATION VISITS.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES PARTICIPANTS CAN DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL, ENHANCE THEIR CIVIC AWARENESS AND BROADEN THEIR OUTLOOK IN LIFE,* MISS HO SAID.
THE ENTIRE PROGRAMME COST $163 □□□, WITH $133 000 BEING DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE BALANCE MET BY DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING WERE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR SO CHUNG-PING, MR CHAN WAI-WANG, MR DAVID KWAN AND MRS ENA CHAN.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING FOLK SONGS, CHINESE DANCE AND MARTIAL ARTS WAS STAGED BY LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
BOOKLETS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE. COPIES WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC EARLIER IN THE DAY DURING A BUS PARADE AROUND THE DISTRICT.
--------0----------
SUPPORT FOR CIVIC EDUCATION URGED
*****
THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING AN INDIVIDUAL’S AWARENESS OF HIS CIVIC RIGHTS AND DUTIES AS WELL AS A SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY^.
IT WOULD ALSO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DISTRICT AFFAIRS, AND HONG KONG’S POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME 1986, MR HO SAID THAT AS TIME WAS THE ESSENCE IN DEVELOPING A GOOD FUTURE FOR HONG KONG, THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION HAD BECOME A MATTER OF URGENCY.
/HE POINTED .......
SATURDAY, JULY 1% 1986
10
H- POINTED OUT THAT THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME — ’CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY, GET TO KNOW IT BETTER’ --WAS A CONTINUATION OF LAST YEAR’S PROGRAMME AND THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR 1985.
+THE OBJECTIVE OF ORGANISING THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WAS TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF TAKING PART IN MEANINGFUL RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, SO THAT THROUGH SUCH ACTIVITIES THEIR CIVIC AWARENESS AND SOCIAL CONCERN WOULD BE ENHANCED,* HE SAID.
+WHETHER HONG KONG CAN MAINTAIN ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STABILITY WILL DEPEND LARGELY ON THE POTENTIAL, ABILITY AND WHOLE-HEARTED CONTRIBUTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
+1 HOPE LOCAL YOUNGSTERS WILL MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.
MR HO ALSO URGED SAI KUNG RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION IN THE DISTRICT WHICH WOULD BE LAUNCHED LATER THIS YEAR.
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FURTHER JURY LIST TO BE POSTED
* * * * *
A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING AT NO. 38, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG ON JULY 23, THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR JULIAN BETTS, ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THIS LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS, WHEN 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.
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CLOSURE OF ROAD IN KWUN TONG PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE THREE PARTS OF KAI LIM ROAD IN KWUN TONG TO FACILITATE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF KWUN TONG (TSUI PING ROAD) ESTATE.
THE THREE PARTS FACE BLOCKS 11, 13, 15, 16 AND ESTATE AND ALSO KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND.
THE CLOSURE IS REQUIRED SO THAT NEW BLOCKS AND SHOPPING CENTRE, WHICH FORM PHASES IV, V AND VII OF REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, CAN BE CONSTRUCTED.
18 TO 24 OF THE
A COMMERCIAL THE
/THEY LILL
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
11
THEY WILL ALSO FACILITATE BUILDING OF ROUNDABOUTS. EMERGENCY ACCESSES, FOOTBRIDGES, TAXI AND MAXI-CAB LAYBYS AS WELL AS WIDER PAVEMENTS.
WHEN THE REDEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED THE CLOSED SECTIONS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE ROAD SYSTEM WITHIN THE ESTATE.
MEANWHILE THE WESTERN PORTION OF KAI LIM ROAD NEXT TO KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND FROM ITS JUNCTION OF TSUI PING ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TEMPORARILY FOR DECKING OF THE NULLAH ALONG KAI LIM ROAD.
IT WILL BE REOPENED IN 1988 WHEN DECKING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
OBJECTIONS TO THE CLOSURE SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY SEPTEMBER 16.
-------0---------
DETAILS OF EASTERN FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN
*****
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (JULY 21) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE 1986-87 EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
IT WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE FIRST UNOFFICIAL MEMBER TO BE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG SAU-CHI.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHOW FUNG-CHEUNG? EASTERN DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR J.L. PETTENGELL; POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER (EASTERN), MR JOHN HUNG AND THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LIONS AND LIONESS CLUBS OF BRAEMAR HILL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE AT 11 AM ON MONDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR AT 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
------0---------
COURSE ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE OFFERED
*****
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S BANKING TRAINING BOARD IS OFFERING A COURSE ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOR JUNIOR AND MIDDLE LEVEL BANKING OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE, TREASURY AND BILLS. T
THE COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, IS ONE OF THE COUNCIL’S SUBSIDISED PROGRAMMES AIMED AT INTRODUCING TO PARTICIPANTS BASIC CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKETS.
/THROUGH .......
SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1986
12
THROUGH LECTURES, PRACTICAL EXERCISES AND CALCULATIONS, PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN THE VARIOUS KINDS OF EXCHANGE RATES, FACTORS INFLUENCING RATES, FOREIGN EXCHANGE ARBITRATION, OPERATION AND SO ON.
COMPRISING SEVEN SESSIONS THE COURSE WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS BETWEEN 7.15 PM AND 9.45 PM STARTING AUGUST 27.
COURSE FEE IS $530 BUT THE COUNCIL WILL REIMBURSE HALF THE FEE TO THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS AND WITH AN ATTENDANCE RATE OF NOT LESS THAN 80 PER CENT. THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IS ENGLISH AND CANTONESE.
THE CLASS IS LIMITED TO 30 AND DEADLINE FOR ENROLMENT IS JULY 31. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF THE BANKING TRAINING BOARD ON 5-8932341 EXT. 255.
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VOLUNTEERS TRAINING SCHEME OFFERED
******
A SPECIAL TRAINING PROGRAMME IS BEING ORGANISED FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.
THE VOLUNTEERS TRAINING SCHEME, ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP ON COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION EDUCATION OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, AIMS TO PROMOTE THE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PARTICIPANTS AND TO TRAIN MORE COMMUNITY WORKERS.
THE PROGRAMME, CONSISTING OF SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND A SLIDESHOW, WILL HELP PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF REHAB I LI TANTS AND THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY WORKERS.
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 5, 7, 10 AND 14 AT THE POK HONG COMMUNITY HALL.
APPLICATION FORMS AND DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE IN SHA TIN OR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AT LEVELS 3 AND 6 OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION OR COMMUNITY HALLS IN THE DISTRICT.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE AT 0-6048078 OR 0-6053302.
bATURDAY, JULY 19, 1986
CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY * * * *
A CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAM KAM ROAD FLYOVER, SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO BLEND WITH THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT OF TAI PO, WILL BE SIGNED ON MONDAY (JULY 21).
THE $61.5 MILLION CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO KUMAGAI GUM I (HONG KONG) LIMITED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
THE 75O-METRE-LONG FLYOVER WILL BE A DUAL, TWO-LANE ELEVATED STRUCTURE BRIDGING ROUNDABOUTS AT THE JUNCTIONS WITH LAM KAM ROAD AND HONG LOK YUEN ACCESS ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONTRACT-SIGNING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF EMPIRE CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, AT 10 AM ON MONDAY.
OFFICE ASSISTANT HONOURED X £ £ £ X
AN OFFICE ASSISTANT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL BY THE QUEEN ON HIS RETIREMENT FOR 35 YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE.
MR HO WAI, AGED 59, WAS ATTACHED TO THE HOI PA STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT LATE LAST MONTH.
MR HO FIRST JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS A COOLIE IN THE GRANTHAM TRAINING COLLEGE IN SEPTEMBER 1950. HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF OFFICE ATTENDANT IN 1960 AND REGRADED AS AN OFFICE ASSISTANT IN 1976.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ROADS IN CENTRAL
******
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY FROM 9 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY ON JULY 22 (TUESDAY), 23 AND 24 FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
THE TWO ROADS ARE:
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM UPPER ALBERT ROAD TO GARDEN ROAD! AND
* THE SECTION OF UPPER ALBERT ROAD BETWEEN THE SLIP ROAD AND LOWER ALBERT ROAD. HOWEVER, VEHICLES TO AND FROM GOVERNMENT HOUSE DO NOT HAVE TO OBSERVE THE CLOSURE ON THIS ROAD SECTION.
/AFFKCTFJ)
bATURDnY, JULY 19, 1986
14
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO ARBUTHNOT ROAD, WYNDHAM STREET AND LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
CMB ROUTE 23B ON ITS JOURNEY TO CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE DIVERTED TO ARBUTHNOT ROAD, WYNDHAM STREET, LOWER ALBERT ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET TO REJOIN CHATER ROAD, WHILE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 31 ON ITS JOURNEY TO CAUSEWAY BAY WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA CAINE ROAD, ARBUTHNOT ROAD, WYNDHAM STREET, LOWER ALBERT ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTE I NG.
IN ADDITION, METERED PARKING SPACES ON UPPER ALBERT ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON JULY 22 TO 6 AM ON JULY 25.
MEANWHILE, FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON JULY 25, 27 AND 28, THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM KENNEDY ROAD TO GARDEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE FLYOVER LINKING KENNEDY ROAD AND UPPER ALBERT ROAD, UPPER ALBERT ROAD, GLENEALY AND LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM GARDEN ROAD TO UPPER ALBERT ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 9 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING ON JULY 25, 27 AND 28.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA GARDEN ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE AND THE FLYOVER LINKING COTTON TREE DRIVE AND UPPER ALBERT ROAD.
AS FOR GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 1 ON ITS JOURNEY TO CENTRAL, THEY WILL BE DIVERTED TO GARDEN ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE AND UPPER ALBERT ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTE ING.
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SPEED LIMIT CHANGE, RESTRICTED ZONE X X X # X
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 22), THE SPEED LIMIT ON EASTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT 260 METRES WEST OF ITS WESTERN JUNCTION WITH LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 600 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL REVERT TO 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FROM 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
AT THE SAME TIME, TUNG CHAU WEST STREET IN CHEUNG SHA BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
WAN,
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
/15.........
SATURDaY, JULY 19, 1986
SPECIAL SERVICE ON SHA TIN-TAI PO BUS ROUTE
*******
A SPECIAL BUS SERVICE KMB ROUTE 72S WILL BE OPERATING BETWEEN SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TSUNG TSAI YUEN IN TAI PO PROW 6.30 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 21) UNTIL NORMAL BUS SERVICES ON TAI PO ROAD (TAI PO KAU SECTION) RESUMES.
THE SPECIAL CIRCULAR ROUTE WILL DEPART FROM THE TERMINUS IN SHA TIN CENTRAL AND WILL OPERATE VIA SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, WANG POK STREET, YUEN WO ROAD, SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD (SHA TIN SECTION). THE SINGLE JOURNEY FARE IS $1.30.
FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE ONLY DURING PEAK HOURS (6.30 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7.30 PM) AT 30-MINUTE INTERVALS BUT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BUSES WILL RUN BETWEEN 9 AM AND 7 PM.
AT PRESENT, BUS SERVICES ALONG TAI PO ROAD (TAI PO KAU SECTION) HAVE BEEN DIVERTED TO THE TOLO HIGHWAY AS A RESULT OF A LANDSLIP FOLLOWING TYPHOON PEGGY ON JULY 11.
- 0 - -
FIRING PRACTICE X X K X
cioimc PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGEFFROM 8 AM ON THURSDAY (JULY 24) TO 2 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDaY, JULY 20, 1986
CONTENTS PaGE NO
MAY ORDEHb-ON-H.xND, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES OUT ................................................. 1
NEW CULTURAL CENTRE TO SERVh YaU MA TEI.............. 4
YOUTH MUSIC CaMP HOLDS OPEN DaY...................... 5
jlNOTHER NT CIRCULAR RO.J) SECTION TO BE BUILT .... 6
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TEaCHER training ........... 7
TUEN MUN DB TO DISCUSS LRT SYSTEM.................... 8
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHUIE . 9
TEACHERS TO DISCUSS CaREERS EDUCaTION ............... 9
PLaNS TO BOOST WATER SUPPLY TO Ma UaN............... 10
TENDERS INVITED FOR TUEN MUN HaINLaYING WORK .... 1*
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 1936 1
MAY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES OUT ******
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) IN THE 200 LARGEST FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED IN MAY COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
APPRECIABLE INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS WERE REPORTED BY THE WEARING APPAREL AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES WHILST THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED NO CHANGE. IN CONTRAST, THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES RECORDED SOME DECLINES IN THE VOLUME OF ORDERS.
AN INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE WITH THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASES BEING REPORTED BY MANUFACTURERS IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED NETAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, DUE TO THE RECRUITMENT OF SUMMER WORKERS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY REPORTED NO CHANGE IN THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THERE WAS A GENERAL INCREASE IN THE PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS SOME FIRMS REVISED THE SALARIES OF THEIR EMPLOYEES IN MAY. IN ADDITION, SOME FIRMS REPORTED THAT MORE OVERTIME PAYMENTS WERE MADE.
THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY RECORDED A DECREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS BECAUSE LOWER WAGES WERE PAID TO SUMMER WORKERS. INCREASES IN BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE ALSO REPORTED BY FIRMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR.
HOWEVER, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE SERVICES SECTORS DECREASED DUE TO THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND GRATUITIES IN APRIL. ON THE OTHER HAND, BANKS REPORTED SLIGHT INCREASES BECAUSE OF SALARY ADJUSTMENTS IN MAY.
A SLIGHT DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED WAS RECORDED IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR AS SOME OPERATIVES WERE LA ID-OFF AFTER THE COMPLETION OF SOME PROJECTS. A STABLE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT SITUATION WAS REPORTED BY THE SERVICES SECTORS.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE TABLES BELOW.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1983.
/aS THE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 1986
2
AS THE sample was not drawn on a random basis, the department CAUTIONED THAT RESULTS ON MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD GIVE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY, IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR MAY 1986 IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, AT >1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 3-7212854.
(A) ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTUR ING INDUSTRIES
(% CHANGE OVER THE
PRECED ING MONTH) ORDERS-ON-HAND ( IN TERMS OF
INDUSTRY MAR. 1986 APR. 1986 MAY 1986 MONTHS) FOR MAY 1986
WEAR ING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR 3 3 3 4.88
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL 1 -1 -3 2.38
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4 1 -4 3.92
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4 4 3 3.74
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 3 2 * 5.30
OTHERS * -1 * 4.39
ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES 2 2 1 4.48
/(B) il-g-LOYTiBBT ...........
SUNDAY, vULY 20, 1986
- 3 -
(B) EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED PER CAPITA EARNINGS PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOh MAY 1936 HKS
(96 CHANGE । OVER THE PREC EDING APR. 1986 MONTH) MAY 1986
MAR. 1986 APR. 1986
MAY 1986 MAR. 1986
MANUFACTURING * * 2 m I 1 1 i 1 2 3 265
FOOD AND DRINKS * -1 1 2 6 2 3 922
WEAR ING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR -2 -1 1 1 1 4 2 771
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL * * * -2 -3 5 3 406
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2 * 8 -7 -2 -3 2 930
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 1 1 4 -23 1 3 2 876
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS * 1 2 -4 3 1 3 022
OTHERS * -1 1 -9 5 1 4 553
CONSTRUCTION* ** -1 1 -1 -18 4 2 4 791
aw
SERV ICES * * * -2 4 -3 5 722
BANKS * * * 3 2 5 361
HOTELS * -1 -1 -7 17 -14 3 909
PUBLIC UTILITIES * * * -1 8 -5 5 603
OTHERS * 1 1 -3 -3 -1 7 126
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5#
** PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY- SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS NOT INCLUDED.
/4
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 19db
_ 4 -
NEw CULTURAL CENTRE TO SERVE YAU MA TEI
* * * *
A NEw ACTIVITY CENTRE DEVOTED TO THE PROMOTION OF ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN SET UP IN YAU MA TEI DISTRICT.
RUN BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION, IT IS LOCATED IN A FORMER FIRE STATION AT 33 SAL ISBURY ROAD.
YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, SAID THE OPENING OF THE CENTRE BROUGHT TO FRUITION THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE ASSOCIATION, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
THE SITE WAS LEASED, HE ADDED, TO THE ASSOCIATION BY GOVERNMENT AT A NOMINAL RENT AND THE EXPENSES FOR DECORATION AND FURNISHING WERE PARTLY MET BY AN ALLOCATION OF $117 400 FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD $40 000 FROM THE CHINESE CHARITIES FUND AND THE REST BY THE ASSOC IATION.
THE CENTRE STARTED OPERATION THIS MONTH AND HAS BEEN OFFERING DIFFERENT INTEREST GROUPS AND TRAINING COURSES INCLUDING PUTONGHUA, CHINESE PAINTING, CALLIGRAPHY, CHILDREN HANDICRAFT AND DANCING.
MR CHENG SAID THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION WAS A NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATION ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
+FEES FOR THE COURSES ARE NOMINAL, PROVIDING ECONOMIC AND MUCH-NEEDED LEISURE ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE LIVING OR WORKING IN THE DISTR ICT,+ MR CHENG SAID.
BESIDES ORGANISING COURSES, THE CENTRE ALSO OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS MURAL PAINTING, LUNCH-TIME CONCERTS AND EXHIBITIONS.
+IN FACT, $55 000 FROM DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR,* HE ADDED.
PROGRAMMES PLANNED INCLUDE DRAMA PERFORMANCES, A CARNIVAL, CANTONESE OPERA, CHINESE MUSIC CONCERT AND A GATHERING FOR LOCAL CHINESE PAINTERS AND CALL IGRAPHISTS.
+THE ASSOCIATION ALSO PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING YOUNG TALENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL IN DANCING, DRAMa AND SINGING,* MR CHENG SAID.
/A DaIJCE..........
UUJDaY, JULY 20, 1986
5
A DANCE GROUP, A DRAMA GROUP AND A CHOIR HAVE BEEN FORMED BY THE ASSOCIATION AND MEMBERS, COMPRISING MOSTLY RESIDENTS, aRE CHOSEN AT AN OPEN AUDITION.
BESIDES UNDERGOING WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING COURSES, THE THREE GROUPS ALSO STAGE PERFORMANCES, ADDING MUCH COLOUR AND VITALITY TO THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY, MR CHENG SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR YANG TSE-KIANG, SAID THE ASSOCIATION ALSO PLANNED TO DEVELOP THE NEW CENTRE AS A DISTRICT THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AND AN EXHIBITION GROUND FOR VARIOUS DISCIPLINES OF THE ART.
- - - - 0------------
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP HOLDS OPEN DAY
******
AN OPEN DAY WAS HELD AT THE HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP IN SAI KUNG TODAY (SUNDAY) SO THAT PARENTS COULD VISIT THEIR CHILDREN AND SEE WHAT PROGRESS THEY HAVE MADE.
THE CHILDREN BEGAN THEIR TRAINING AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP LAST SUNDAY.
A LARGE NUMBER OF PARENTS AND FRIENDS WERE ABLE TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES HOW THE MORE THAN 239 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE PROGRESSED AFTER A WEEK OF INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING IN A HOLIDAY ENVIRONMENT.
REHEARSALS AND MASTER CLASSES ARE TAKING PLACE UNDER THE TUITION OF OVERSEAS CONDUCTORS AND INSTRUCTORS.
EIGHT VISITING MUSICIANS -- THREE FROM CHINA, TWO FROM JAPAN, TWO FROM KOREA AND ONE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM — ARE ATTENDING THE CAMP WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
THE TWO-WEEK CAMP HAS BEEN HELD YEARLY SINCE 1980 TO GIVE PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING AND AT THE SAME TIME BENEFIT FROM TUITION BY EXPERTS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH YOUNG OVERSEAS MUSICIANS.
NINE YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM OVERSEAS — SIX GIRLS FROM KOREA AND THREE BOYS FROM SINGAPORE — ARE TAKING PART THIS YEAR.
BESIDES MUSIC TRAINING, A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IS ARRANGED TO PROVIDE A BALANCED PROGRAMME FOR THE CAMPERS.
A CONCERT BY THE CAMP’S STRING ORCHESTRA WILL BE HELD IN SAI KUNG TOWN HALL ON FRIDAY, JULY 25, STARTING AT 8 PM. A FINALE CONCERT WILL BE HELD IN THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL ON SATURDAY, JULY 26, ALSO AT 8 PM.
-------O---------
/6........
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 1986
6
ANOTHER NT CIRCULAR ROAD SECTION TO BE BUILT * * * * *
A 7^0-METRE-LONG CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE CONSTRUCTED FROM SHcUNG SAN wAI TO YAU MEI SAN TSUEN IN YUEN LONG AS PART OF THE NEw TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD PROJECT.
THE NEW ROAD IS PART OF THE THIRD PHASE OF A PROJECT TO IMPROVE A 12-KILOMETRE-LONG SECTION OF THE CIRCULAR ROAD RUNNING FROM AU TAU TO FAN KAM ROAD, VIA MAI PO, SAN TIN AND KW'U TUNG.
IT WILL BE A DUAL, THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, WITHOUT FRONTAGE ACCESS.
SERVICE ROADS TO CATER FOR LOCAL TRAFFIC WILL BE LINKED TO THE TRUNK ROAD AT FAIRVIEW PARK BY A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGE.
THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE ONE OF THE SERVICE ROADS TO MAINTAIN TRAFFIC FLOW DURING CONSTRUCTION.
A FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE BUILT NEAR SHEUNG CHUK YUEN TO ENABLE PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS IN SAFETY.
DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING WORKS AND ALTERATIONS OF SERVICES AND UTILITIES WILL ALSO BE PART OF THE PROJECT.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FROM AU TAU TO FAN KAM ROAD STARTED IN APRIL 1984, AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
IT COVERS A DISTANCE OF 4.5 KILOMETRES FROM PAK SHEK AU TO FAN KAM ROAD AND COSTS ABOUT $100 MILLION.
THE SECOND PHASE COVERS 2.5 KILOMETRES FROM MAI PO TO PAK SHEK AU. WORK STARTED LAST DECEMBER AND IS TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-1988.
THE COST OF THE PROJECT IS ABOUT $260 MILLION.
OBJECTION TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY SEPTEMBER 16.
--------0------------
/7........
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 1986
- 7 -
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TEACHER TRAINING ******
APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO FULL-TIME INITIAL COURSES OF TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ARE INVITED FROM STUDENTS WISHING TO ENTER THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
STUDENTS WITH CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO THE THREE-YEAR COURSE AND THOSE WITH ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS MAY APPLY FOR THE TWO-YEAR COURSE.
BOTH THE TWO-YEAR AND THREE-YEAR COURSES RUN BY THE GRANTHAM, NORTHCOTE AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGES OF EDUCATION PREPARE STUDENTS TO TEACH GENERAL SUBJECTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND TO TEACH TWO ELECTIVE SUBJECTS UP TO FORM 3 LEVEL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE THREE-YEAR COURSE OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE PREPARES STUDENTS TO TEACH EITHER DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY OR COMMERCE AND ONE OTHER ELECTIVE SUBJECT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF EITHER COURSE, A STUDENT WILL EE AWARDED A TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE COURSES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION -- GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN GASCOIGNE ROAD, YAU MA TEI, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN SASSOON ROAD, POK FU LAM, SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN CALDECOTT ROAD, PIPER’S HILL, KOWLOON, AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
FORMS ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS, THIRD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, AND AT ITS KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE AT KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 405 NATHAN ROAD, SEVENTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI.
INTENDING APPLICATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT SCHOOL BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR, ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL HEAD.
APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ALREADY LEFT SCHOOL MUST PRESENT THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM IN PERSON AT EITHER THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE OR GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AS INDICATED IN THE APPLICATION FORMS.
THE DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS THURSDAY, AUGUST 14.
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 1936
8
TUEN MUN DB TO DISCUSS LRT SYSTEM * * * * *
TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS VUILL AIR THEIR VIEWS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSED LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AT THEIR BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY (JULY 22).
THE DISCUSSION WOULD SERVE AS A ROUND-UP TO A SERIES OF CONSULTATIONS CARRIED OUT RECENTLY IN THE DISTRICT. THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR DAVID LAN, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
SO FAR, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD HAD HELD A WORKING GROUP MEETING AND A JOINT MEETING WITH THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE UMELCO STANDING PANEL ON TRANSPORT TO DISCUSS THE LRT PROPOSAL.
IN ORDER TO CONSULT RESIDENTS AT LARGE, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE HAD ALSO ARRANGED A BRIEFING ON THE SUBJECT LAST MONDAY WHERE THE DISTRICT’S MAC’S MEMBERS WERE GIVEN A COMPREHENSIVE PRESENTATION BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KCRC AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON THE PROJECT.
THE BRIEFING WAS TO SUPPLEMENT THE CURRENT CONSULTATION EFFORT BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE. THE DISTRICT OFFICER HAD ALSO SENT AN OPEN LETTER TO ABOUT 500 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH, EXPLAINING THE RATIONALE OF THE LRT SYSTEM.
AT TUESDAY’S DB MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CONSTRUCTION OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AT DAYA BAY WITH REGARD TO SAFETY MEASURES.
ALSO INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE DELAY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TUEN MUN TOWN HALL AS A RESULT OF THE DEFUNCT CONTRACTOR I THE POLLUTION OF NEW AND OLD CAFETERIA BEACHES, AND OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED RESITING OF SAW MILLS IN AREA 18 TO AREA 40.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 1986
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME
******
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE FEASIBILITY OF THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME IN HAIPHONG ROAD AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE SCHEME, AIMED AT EASING HEAVY PEDESTRIAN AND ROAD TRAFFIC IN THE AREA, INVOLVES THE WIDENING OF PAVEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD AND A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF METERED PARKING SPACES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN AIMED AT ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ROAD SAFETY AND REDUCING TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT PLANS IN THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT, REVIEW ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS AND AN ANALYSIS ON TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
-------0----------
TEACHERS TO DISCUSS CAREERS EDUCATION
* * * *
ABOUT 100 TEACHERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE EIGHTH SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION TO BE HELD AT THE INSTITUTE OF CHINESE STUDIES, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 23).
THE ONE-DAY EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
THE SEMINAR THEME IS ’INTEGRATION OF YOUNG SCHOOL LEAVERS INTO THE WORLD OF WORK’.
TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO CAREERS EDUCATION, ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS OF NEw RECRUITS AS PERCEIVED BY PERSONNEL MANAGERS, CAREERS SERVICES IN BRITAIN, AND CAREERS GUIDANCE - ITS METHODS AND STRATEGIES.
/THE UEMINAK........
JUNDaY, vULY 20, 1986
'10
THE SEMINAR WILL BE OPENED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, PR J.C.A. HAMMOND, AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH STARTS AT 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY AT THE INSTITUTE OF CHINESE STUDIES, CHINESE UNIVERSITY, SHA TIN.
-------0---------
PLANS TO BOOST WATER SUPPLY TO MA WAN
* * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO LAY A SUBMARINE WATER MAIN WITHIN 18 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN SHAM TSENG IN TSUEN WAN AND THE EASTERN END OF MA WAN ISLAND.
THE 200-MILLIMETRE DIAMETER MAIN wILL BE 1.3 KILOMETRES LONG.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED WORK HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY SEPTEMBER 17.
-------0----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR TUEN MUN MA INLAY ING WORK *****
TENDERS ARE BEING CALLED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FOR LAYING 2.7 KILOMETRES OF FRESH AND SALT WATER MAINS ALONG SEVERAL ROADS BEING BUILT NEXT TO TAI HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN.
THE MAINS, RANGING FROM 100 TO 450 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER, WILL SUPPLY WATER TO LEUNG TIN ESTATE, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED IN 12 MONTHS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SEES SCOPE FOR EXPANSION OF TRADE WITH U.S.......... 1
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING......................... 3
HONG KONG DAY BREAKS RECORDS AT EXPO ........................ 4
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR LAM KAM ROAD FLYOVER..................... 4
EASTERN FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ON YOUTH............... 5
ORDINANCE ENSURES PROPER APPRENTICE TRAINING................. 6
JOBS FOUND FOR REDUNDANT TEACHERS ........................... 7
MENTAL HEALTH FACT SHEETS PUBLISHED.......................... 8
REPORT ON SPORTS SCHEME TO BE DISCUSSED...................... 9
DETAILS OF LAUNCH TRIP ...................................... 10
TEMPORARY CLERKS REQUIRED.................................... 10
ONE-WAY ONLY CN HOMANTIN SLIP-ROAD .......................... 11
TAI PO WATER CUT............................................. 11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE......................................... 11
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1996
1 -
GOVERNOR SEES SCOPE FOR EXPANSION OF TRADE WITH U.S.
******
HONG KONG IS A COMPLETELY OPEN MARKET FOR GOODS AND SERVICES FROM THE UNITED STATES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID IN CHICAGO ON MONDAY (TUESDAY, HK TIME) WHEN EMPHASISING THAT SCOPE EXISTS FOR GREAT EXPANSION OF HK-U.S. TWO-WAY TRADE.
HOWEVER, ON THE FINAL STOP OF HIS FOUR-CITY VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA, SIR EDWARD ONCE AGAIN POINTED TO THE SIGNS OF PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH COULD FRUSTRATE THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL TRADE GROWTH.
THIS SENTIMENT CAUSED MUCH CONCERN IN HONG KONG, HE SAID IN A LUNCHEON ADDRESS TO THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF ’HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES: FREE TRADE AND HONG KONG’S FUTURE’.
THE GOVERNOR TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT MANY U.S. COMPANIES ALREADY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG’S OPEN MARKET FOR AMERICAN GOODS AND SERVICES.
♦FROM ALL THESE ACTIVITIES, PROFITS CAN BE REMITTED FREELY BACK TO BASE, DIMINISHED BY A FAR LOWER RATE OF TAX THAN YOU FACE AT HOME,+ HE POINTED OUT.
THE TERRITORY PROVIDED AN IDEAL OFFSHORE MANUFACTURING BASE FOR AMERICAN COMPANIES. +MANY SUCH COMPANIES ARE ALSO MAKING MONEY IN THE HONG KONG SERVICES SECTOR -- IN CONSULTANCY, ACCOUNTANCY, INSURANCE, SHIPPING AND ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF FINANCIAL SERVICES: NINETEEN BANKS ARE REPRESENTED IN HONG KONG.+
SIR EDWARD SAID THERE REMAINED MUCH SCOPE FOR GROWTH IN THESE AREAS, AND COMMENTED, +WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT A NUMBER OF MID-WESTERN STATES, INCLUDING ILLINOIS, HAVE ALREADY OPENED REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN HONG KONG.+
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT THE OPENING OF CHINA’S ECONOMY HAD ADDED A NEW DIMENSION TO THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT HONG KONG OFFERED TO AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN. +WE ARE AND WILL REMAIN A SOUND AND ATTRACTIVE BASE FOR THOSE DOING BUSINESS WITH CHINA.+
SIR EDWARD THEN SAID: +WE ARE ON YOUR SIDE IN ADVOCATING LIBERALISATION IN TRADE AND SERVICES. WE ALREADY PRACTISE WHAT YOU SEEK. IT WOULD SURELY BE WRONG, NOT TO SAY UNJUST, TO PREJUDICE THE UNITED STATES’ OWN OBJECTIVES BY IMPOSING FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON A LEADING FREE TRADE ECONOMY LIKE OURS, IN AN AREA OF SUCH VITAL IMPORTANCE TO THE UNITED STATES.+
IN SPEAKING AGAINST TRADE PROTECTIONISM, THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG FULLY UNDERSTOOD WHY THE UNITED STATES WAS CONCERNED WITH ITS TRADE DEFICIT, AND THE FACT THAT NOT ALL OF ITS TRADE PARTNERS OPENED UP THEIR MARKETS TO AMERICAN GOODS AND SERVICES.
/BUT NO-ONE.......
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
2
BUT NO-ONE FACED ANY PROBLEM OF TRADE BARRIERS IN DOING BUSINESS WITH HONG KONG, WHICH NOT ONLY PREACHED BUT WHOLEHEARTEDLY PRACTISED THE DISCIPLINES OF FREE TRADE AND THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON' TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT).
HONG KONG DID NOT SUBSIDISE ITS INDUSTRIES OR PLACE QUOTAS ON IMPORTED PRODUCTS AND THIS OPEN APPROACH WAS THE FOUNDATION OF ITS SUCCESS. IT SOUGHT CONSTANTLY TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF ITS WORKERS, THE EDUCATIONAL AND MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR ITS POPULATION AND THE MUNICIPAL FACILITIES.
+THERE CAN THEREFORE BE NO CLAIM OF UNFAIR JUSTIFICATION FOR TAKING PROTECTIONIST MEASURES SIR EDWARD SAID.
COMPETITION AS AGAINST HONG KONG,*
THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED THAT HONG KONG, COMPRISING ABOUT 400 SQUARE MILES, HAD SUCCESSFULLY CAPITALISED ON ITS CONVENIENT LOCATION, ITS HARBOUR, AND THE TALENTS OF ITS PEOPLE TO BECOME NUMBER THIRTEEN IN THE WORLD LIST OF TRADING COUNTRIES AND TERR ITORIES.
♦EAST AND WEST MEET IN HONG KONG, IN A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP. THIS IS ONE OF HONG KONG’S MAIN ATTRACTIONS TO WESTERN BUSINESSMEN DOING BUSINESS IN THE FAR EAST,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD GAVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS + A UNIQUE AND IMAGINATIVE SETTLEMENT OF A UNIQUE PROBLEM* WITH ITS POLICY OF +ONE COUNTRY-TWO SYSTEMS*.
+SPECIAL CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DO BUSINESS JUST AS IT DOES TODAY, AND THAT FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN SHOULD CONTINUE TO FIND HONG KONG AN ATTRACTIVE, PROFITABLE AND SECURE PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE, WORK AND INVEST, AND WITH WHICH TO TRADE,* HE SAID.
+THIS IS SECURED BY PROVISIONS THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A FREE PORT, A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY AND AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE. ITS MARKETS FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE, GOLD, SECURITIES AND FUTURES WILL CONTINUE.
+THE FREE FLOW OF CAPITAL WILL CONTINUE, WITH NO FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTROLS, AND THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WILL CONTINUE TO BE FREELY CONVERTIBLE.*
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE AGREEMENT DID MUCH TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE AND WHAT HAD BEEN ACHIEVED SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING.
HE REFERRED PARTICULARLY TO THE AGREEMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BECOME A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT.
THIS WAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG’S TRADING POSITION, HE SAID.
/+BUT HCNG........
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
+BUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY DEPENDS ON MORE THAN THE ARRANGEMENTS I HAVE DESCRIBED.
+OF OVERRIDING IMPORTANCE IS OUR ABILITY TO INCREASE AND EXTEND OUR TRADE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, AND PARTICULARLY WITH OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN 1985, OVER 44 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS WENT TO THE UNITED STATES AND. IN TURN, THE UNITED STATES WAS THE TERRITORY’S THIRD LARGEST SOURCE
CF IMPORTS.
IN CONCLUSION, SIR EDWARD SAID, + HONG KONG IS WORKING HARD TO ASSURE ITS FUTURE ON THE BASIS OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT.
+WE HOPE THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE TO ESPOUSE THE CAUSE OF FREER TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES WITH THOSE, LIKE HONG KONG, WHO GENUINELY PRACTISE IT.
+WE ALSO HOPE FOR YOUR CONTINUED UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT IN ASSURING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG WHICH IS SO MUCH IN THE INTEREST, NOT ONLY OF HONG KONG ITSELF AND OF BRITAIN AND CHINA, BUT ALSO OF THE WIDER WORLD.*
-----0------
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING *****
THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HELD ITS TENTH MEETING TODAY (JULY 21). THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE AVERAGE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION FOR THE 1986-87 FINANCIAL YEAR IS HKtl 490 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE TWO SIDES EXCHANGED FURTHER VIEWS ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXTENSION OF NT LEASES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH 2 OF ANNEX I I I TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, AND DECIDED THAT DISCUSSION SHOULD CONTINUE AT THE COMMISSION’S NEXT MEETING.
--------o - -
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
HONG KONG DAY BREAKS RECORDS AT EXPO
******
ATTENDANCE AT THE HONG KONG DAY CELEBRATIONS ON FRIDAY (JULY 1R) BROKE ALL RECORDS FOR ADMISSION TO THE GROUNDS OF THE EXPO ’86 SITE IN VANCOUVER.
EXPO AUTHORITIES HAVE REVEALED THAT 175 OOO PEOPLE VISITED THE GROUNDS LAST FRIDAY, COMPARED WITH A HIGH OF 150 000 FOR ANY PREVIOUS DAY.
ONE OFFICIAL SAID, +1 HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT SINCE EXPO BEGAN.+
THE CROWDS ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY FOR HONG KONG DAY, HELD IN THE PLAZA OF THE NATIONS, NUMBERED SOME 10 000, COMPARED WITH ATTENDANCES OF 1 000 TO 2 000 AT THE NATIONAL DAY CEREMONIES OF MOST OTHER PAVILIONS SO FAR.
AN OFFICIAL OF THE HONG KONG PAVILION SAID THAT 9 800 VISITORS HAD PASSED THROUGH THE PAVILION THAT DAY, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MAXIMUM FIGURE OF 9 000.
THE BIGGEST DRAW OF THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WAS A SPECIAL GALA CONCERT STAGED IN THE XEROX INTERNATIONAL THEATRE ON FRIDAY EVENING. ALTHOUGH THE SHOW WAS NOT DUE TO START TILL 10 PM, A QUEUE BEGAN TO FORM AT 10 AM WHICH, BY 4 PM HAD SWELLED TO OVER 1 000.
THE QUEUE CONTINUED TO BUILD, DESPITE THE FACT THAT XEROX INTERNATIONAL THEATRE COULD HOLD A MAXIMUM OF 1 500.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT, AT ONE STAGE OF THE EVENING, SOME 5 000 PEOPLE WERE WAITING FOR ADMISSION. EIGHT TELEVISION MONITORS MOUNTED OUTSIDE THE THEATRE ENABLED THESE CROWDS TO SEE SOMETHING OF THE PROGRAMME INSIDE. _________
- - 0 - -
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR LAM KAM ROAD FLYOVER
*****
A CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAM KAM ROAD FLYOVER, SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO BLEND WITH THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT IN TAI PO, WAS SIGNED THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
THE 75O-METRE-LONG ELEVATED ROAD PROJECT, WHICH IS THE LAST TO BE BUILT FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM, WAS SIGNED BY ACTING DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR K.K. TANG, AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CONTRACTORS, KUMAGAI GUM I (HK) LIMITED.
/cosrmG »6i.s
MCtTDAY, JULY 21, 19B6
5
COSTING $61.5 MILLION, THE FLYOVER WILL BE A DUAL, TWO-LANE ELEVATED STRUCTURE TO BRIDGE THE TRUNK ROAD OVER ROUNDABOUTS AT ITS JUNCTIONS WITH LAM KAM ROAD AND HONG LOK YUEN ACCESS ROAD.
THE FLYOVER WILL HAVE SMOOTH, ROUND PARAPET BEAMS TO MINIMISE OBTRUSIVE VISUAL EFFECTS THROWN BY THE CONCRETE STRUCTURE ONTO THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT.
CONCRETE SUPPORTS FOR THE FLYOVER WILL ALSO BE CAREFULLY SHAPED TO BLEND WITH THE SURROUNDINGS.
IN ADDITION TO THE CARRIAGEWAY AND THE CENTRAL BARRIER DIVIDING TRAFFIC FLOWING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, AN EXTRA ONE-METRE-WIDE HARD SHOULDER WILL BE PROVIDED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD SO THAT BROKEN-DOWN VEHICLES WILL NOT BLOCK A WHOLE LANE.
SODIUM STREET LIGHTS, ANTI-SKID FRICTION COURSE, REFLECTIVE ROAD STUDS AND THERMOPLASTIC ROAD MARKINGS WILL BE FURNISHED. EMERGENCY TELEPHONES CONNECTED TO POLICE CONTROL ROOMS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED.
WORK ON THE FLYOVER WILL START SOON AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1988 DURING WHICH THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER LINK --A DUAL, TWO-LANE VEHICULAR ROAD -- WILL ALSO BE COMPLETED.
COMPLETION OF THESE TWO MAJOR PROJECTS IS EXPECTED TO EASE TRAFFIC ON THE TRUNK ROAD WHICH IS CURRENTLY ATTRACTING A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF VEHICLES.
THE SHA TIN TO FANLING SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM WAS OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, IN SEPTEMBER 1985.
-----o------
EASTERN FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ON YOUTH
*****
THE OBJECTIVE OF STOPPING CRIME CAN BE BETTER ACHIEVED BY ORGAINSING MORE HEALTHY ACTIVITIES TO DIVERT YOUNG PEOPLE’S EMOTIONS AND BY IMPOSING HEAVIER PUNISHMENT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG SAU-CHI, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE 1986-87 EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, MR LEUNG SAID THIS-TWO-PRONGED ATTACK WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN A SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG’S WHERE SOCIAL VALUES AND NORMS WERE CHANGING RAPIDLY.
/♦THIS YEAJi'S...........
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
6
♦THIS YEAR’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN AIMS TO PROVIDE HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS AND STUDENTS SO THAT THEIR THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIOUR WILL BE GUIDED ON THE RIGHT TRACK,+ HE SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHOW FUNG-CHEUNG, SAID THE FOCUS OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN WAS ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND HOME SECURITY.
+THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS CO-ORGANISED A ’FIGHT CRIME AND CARE FOR SOCIETY’ SCHEME WITH THE LIONS AND LIONESS CLUBS OF BRAEMAR HILL TO FOSTER A HEALTHY OUTLOOK AMONG YOUNGSTERS,+ HE SAID.
♦TRAINING COURSES ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT FOR WATCHMEN WILL ALSO BE HELD WHILE A SEMINAR ON HOME SECURITY FOR HOUSEWIVES WILL BE HELD IN MID-AUGUST.+
MR CHOW SAID THAT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE WORK OF THE POLICE, A SERIES OF VISITS TO POLICE UNITS WOULD BE ORGANISED.
THE CAMPAIGN WOULD CONCLUDE WITH A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN VICTORIA PARK IN DECEMBER, HE ADDED.
ALSO ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER FOR EASTERN, MR J.L. PETTENGELL’ EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BOWEN LEUNG} POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER (EASTERN), MR JOHN HUNG; CHAIRMAN OF LIONESS CLUB OF BRAEMAR HILL, MADAM LEE SAU-MAN, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LIONS CLUB OF BRAEMAR HILL.
-----0------
ORDINANCE ENSURES PROPER APPRENTICE TRAINING
*****
ORGANISED TRAINING THROUGH APPRENTICESHIP SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING A CAREER IN 42 DESIGNATED TRADES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS IN SUCH TRADES WERE REMINDED THAT UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE THEY SHOULD DRAW UP AN APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACT WHEN ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 19 AND HAVE IT REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
CONTRACTS FOR APPRENTICES ABOVE 19 YEARS OF AGE OR IN NON-DESIGNATED TRADES CAN ALSO BE REGISTERED VOLUNTARILY.
/THE SPOKESMAN........
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
- 7 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ORDINANCE AIMED TO REGULATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF APPRENTICES IN SUCH TRADES AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT THE INDUSTRY HAD A SUPPLY OF SKILLED MANPOWER NEEDED FOR DEVELOPMENT.
AN APPRENTICESHIP INCLUDED THREE TO FOUR YEARS ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND A PART-TIME DAY RELEASE STUDY PROGRAMME AT A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OR THE POLYTECHNIC.
INSPECTORS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S APPRENTICESHIP SECTION WOULD PAY REGULAR VISITS TO REGISTERED APPRENTICES TO SUPERVISE THEIR TRAINING AND TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN DEALING WITH PROBLEMS ARISING FROM SUCH TRAINING.
THERE ARE, AT PRESENT, 8 WO REGISTERED APPRENTICES UNDER TRAINING IN INDUSTRIES.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE ORDINANCE AND OF THE SCHEME ITSELF CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE FIVE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION - HONG KONG (5-8932341 EXT. 351), TO KWA WAN (3-7151603), TSIM SHA TSUI (3-667612), TSUEN WAN (0-297908) AND KWUN TONG (3-491225).
-----0------
JOBS FOUND FOR REDUNDANT TEACHERS X * * *
ALL 476 REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHO REGISTERED WITH THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN PLACED IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
+THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO SCHOOL AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND COOPERATION IN ACCEPTING REDUNDANT TEACHERS REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT,+ HE SAID.
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1975 TO ASSIST REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS SEEKING ALTERNATIVE JOBS AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN THE POPULATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE OR BECAUSE OF A POPULATION SHIFT FROM URBAN AREAS TO NEW TOWNS.
MORE THAN 4 570 TEACHERS HAVE BEEN HELPED BY THE DEPARTMENT BETWEEN 1975 AND THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
WRITTEN ADVICE WILL BE SENT TO ALL AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS INFORMING "THEM THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER INTO EMPLOYMENT WITH NEW TEACHERS FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
8
MENTAL HEALTH FACT SHEETS PUBLISHED ******
A SERIES OF EIGHT FACT SHEETS EXPLAINING THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MENTAL ILLNESS WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN REHABILITATION (COMPERE) SAID THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC BE PROPERLY INFORMED OF THE FACTS ON MENTAL ILLNESS, PARTICULARLY THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL WORKS, AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
THE SERIES OF FACT SHEETS, PRODUCED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, AIMS TO PROVIDE TWO ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION : FACT SHEETS 1 TO 4 GIVEN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF SOME COMMON MENTAL ILLNESSES” FACT SHEETS 5 TO 8 COVER VARIOUS SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PERSONS WITH EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS.
THE SERIES COMPRISES THE FOLLOWING FACT SHEETS :
FACT SHEET NO. TITLE
1 MENTAL ILLNESS
2 SCHIZOPHRENIA
3 NEUROSIS
4 DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
5 SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY-ILL
AND EX-MENTAL PATIENTS
6 IN-PATIENT PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
7 OUT-PATIENT PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
8 HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR RECOVERED
MENTAL PATIENTS
A TOTAL OF 30 000 SETS OF FACT SHEETS (OR 240 000 INDIVIDUAL SHEETS -- 160 000 IN CHINESE AND 80 000 IN ENGLISH) HAVE BEEN PRINTED AND WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
* CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT!
* DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT;
/* DISTRICT OFFICES........
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
- 9 -
* DISTRICT OFFICES OF CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION?
* MARKETING SECTION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT?
AND
M VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN REHABILITATION SERVICES
FOR THE MENTALLY-ILL.
AND ONE FOR
THE SERIES OF MENTAL HEALTH FACT SHEET, COMPILED BY COMPERE DESIGNED BY THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SERVES AS FORM OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN THE REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED.
OTHER PUBLICITY MATERIALS INCLUDE A BOOKLET ON MENTAL HEALTH TELEVISION AND RADIO API’S (ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST), TV SLIDES, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS.
-------o-----------
REPORT ON SPORTS SCHEME TO BE DISCUSSED
*****
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE SPORTS NURTURE SCHEME IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TABLED FOR CONSIDERATION BY MEMBERS WHEN THE RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEETS TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE SCHEME AIMS AT HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP A SYSTEMATIC AND CONSISTENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SPORTS, AND TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECI ATE SELECTED SPORTS THROUGH BASIC TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO RUN SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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/10 .......
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
10 -
DETAILS OF LAUNCH TRIP * * * *
RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG IS ORGANISING A LAUNCH TRIP AS PART OF A CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. DETAILS OF THE EVENT, CALLED +A DAY WITH THE COUNCILLORS+, WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 2.15 PM AT THE LOBBY OF BROADCASTING HOUSE.
ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF CHEUNG MAN-YEE, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, MR LEE YU-TAI AND MRS PAULINE NG, CHAIRMAN
BROADCASTING, MISS
DR CHIU HIN-KWONG, I... — .... ......
OF THE OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS ASSOCIATION
DR LAM KUI-CHUEN
CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD REGIONAL COUNCIL,
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE
, MRS PEGGY LAM MR MA WING-HEI.
AND
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
--------- 0 -------
TEMPORARY CLERKS REQUIRED
* * * *
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING TEMPORARY CLERKS FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SERVICE SAID THE STAFF WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WORK AT THE HENNESSY CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BETWEEN AUGUST 18 AND MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE ACQUIRED AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS AT GRADE E IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) CHINESE LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICS.
THE JOB, WHICH OFFERS A DAILY WAGE OF $110, IS OPEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.
z
THOSE INTERESTED MAY APPROACH ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-276022, 3-666615, 3-695525, 3-265123 AND 0-420154.
/11 ........
MONDAY, JULY 21, 1986
ONE-WAY ONLY ON HOMANTIN SLIP-ROAD
* * X *
THE SLIP ROAD LINKING PUI CHING ROAD IN HOMANTIN AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND WITH ACCESS ONLY FROM PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD STARTING 11 AM ON THURSDAY (JULY 24).
THIS IS PART OF THE TRAFFIC DIVERSION SCHEME IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER.
- - 0 - -
TAI PO WATER CUT * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 24) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY PLOVER COVE ROAD, PO YICK STREET, TSI NG YUEN STREET, KWONG FUK ROAD AND TUNG CHEONG STREET, INCLUDING LUK HEUNG LANE, ON FU ROAD, PO HEUNG STREET, TUNG MAU SQUARE, TUNG SAU SQUARE AND TUNG FAT SQUARE.
- 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 62.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 366.749 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 355.115 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 60.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK DOLLAR LINK TO U.S. CURRENCY SECURE — GOVERNOR 1
'WEDDING GUT FOR PRINCE ANDREW 2
12 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK IN LEGCO DEBATE ON LAW TRANSLATION 2
YAXLEY RETURNING j
MEET THE MEDIA j
APPROVAL SOUGHT FOR STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME FUNDING J
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC aRR-LNGEMENT FOR DISCUSSION 7
DIAMOND HILL BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS 7
OPENING OF CAREERS EDUCATION SEMINAR 8
SAI KUNG SWIMMING GALA SET FOR SUNDAY 8
HILLIER STREET SECTION TO REOPEN 9
TAI KOK TSUI, TaI PO TRAFFIC CHANGES 9
SHEK WU HUI PROHIBITED ZONE LIFTED 10
BUS-ONLY LkNE RESTRICTION TEMPORARILY LIFTED 10
NO FLUSHING WATER
10
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
1
HK DOLLAR LINK TO U.S. CURRENCY SECURE -- GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, HAS GIVEN AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN A FIRM ASSURANCE THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR’S LINK TO THE U.S. CURRENCY IS SECURE.
ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOLLOWING AN ADDRESS TO THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS ON THE LAST LEG OF HIS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR, SIR EDWARD SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO PRESSURE TO REVALUE THE HONG KONG DOLLAR UPWARDS, BECAUSE PEOPLE WANTED THE LINK MAINTAINED.
+IT HAS GIVEN OUR BUSINESSMEN AN ELEMENT OF STABILITY IN THEIR CALCULATIONS,* HE SAID, NOTING THIS WAS HIGHLY VALUABLE FOR TRADE.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG WAS A MULTILATERAL TRADER AND WITH AN AMERICAN POPULATION 50 TIMES THAT OF HONG KONG, THERE COULD BE NO PROSPECT OF A BALANCE OF TRADE IN ABSOLUTE TERMS.
WHAT HONG KONG SOUGHT, HE SAID, WAS +BILATERAL NO BARRIERS*. WITH HONG KONG GIVING U.S. COMPANIES FREE ACCESS +WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FREER ACCESS FOR OUR GOODS* TO THE U.S., HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF SAFEGUARDS FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE AGAINST ANY CHANGES IN PEKING POLICIES, SIR EDWARD NOTED HOW THE TERRITORY HAD EXISTED AND PROSPERED THROUGH ALMOST 40 YEARS OF ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC, AND HAD GROWN IN VALUE TO THE MAINLAND.
HE SAID THE CHINESE AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS HAD INVESTED A GREAT DEAL OF NATIONAL PRESTIGE IN THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND CHINA WAS +VERY COMMITTED TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG*.
SIR EDWARD SAID HE BELIEVED CHINA WAS NOW SET ON A COURSE OF MODERNISATION AND OPENING TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD. WHILE THIS POLICY MIGHT HAVE ITS UPS AND DOWNS, HE THOUGHT THIS WAS +A NATIONAL POLICY AND NOT ONLY THE POLICY OF ONE OR TWO LEADERS*.
ASKED WHETHER THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT MIGHT SET SOME PRECEDENT FOR A SIMILAR ACCORD WITH TAIWAN, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WOULD GIVE ANOTHER DIMENSION TO ENSURE THE AGREEMENT BE SEEN TO WORK.
SIR EDWARD ALSO GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT HONG KONG’S JUDICIAL SYSTEM WOULD REMAIN ESSENTIALLY THE SAME, PROVIDING CONFIDENCE NOT ONLY WITHIN HONG KONG BUT ALSO INTERNATIONALLY WITH PEOPLE WHO HAD DEALINGS WITH THE TERRITORY.
ASKED TO GIVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG A MESSAGE FROM THEIR LEADER ON HOW TO FACE THE FUTURE, HE SAID: +G0 ON DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW.*
- - - - 0 ----
/2 .......
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986 2
WEDDING GIFT FOR PRINCE ANDREW
X * X *
THE GOVERNOR HAS CONVEYED TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE ANDREW THE CONGRATULATIONS AND WARM GOOD WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BETROTHAL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE WEDDING PRESENT WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL SEND TO PRINCE ANDREW WILL BE A HAND MADE CARPET OF 100 PER CENT WOOL BY A LOCAL MANUFACTURER.
THE CARPET, IN PINK, GREEN, BROWN AND BEIGE WITH OVERALL AND BORDER DESIGN, WOULD BE CRATED AND SHIPPED TO ENGLAND ON THE ROYAL YACHT AFTER HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S VISIT IN OCTOBER.
PROTOCOL OFFICER, MR PETER HARVEY, SAID THAT IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR HONG KONG TO GIVE AN OFFICIAL WEDDING PRESENT FOR A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.
+WE LEARNED FROM BUCKINGHAM PALACE THAT PRINCE ANDREW WOULD WELCOME A CARPET AND WE THEN SENT CATALOGUES WITH DESIGN TO THE PALACE FOR A SELECTION TO BE MADE,* HE SAID.
THE CARPET WHICH PRINCE ANDREW HAS CHOSEN MEASURES 15 FEET BY 12 FEET AND IS NOT REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY AS THEIR NEW HOME IS NOT READY YET.
------o ------
12 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK IN LEGCO DEBATE ON LAW TRANSLATION
* X X * *
TWELVE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE MATTER OF +LAWS IN CHINESE* IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
BILLS DUE FOR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING INCLUDE THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986 AND THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
IN ADDITION, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILL, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (DECLARATION OF SHAW COLLEGE) BILL 1986, WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AT THE MEETING.
A STATEMENT ON THE 1985 ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL BE MADE BY THE HON S.L. CHEN.
OTHER BUSINESS INCLUDES 12 QUESTIONS FROM UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND A MOTION ON THE TRAMWAY ORDINANCE.
-----o--------
/3......
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
- 5 -
YAXLEY RETURNING * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR JOHN YAXLEY, IS DUE TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 6.10 PM ON FLIGHT BR382 AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 10 DAYS IN THE U.K. AND FRANCE SPEAKING TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES ABOUT NUCLEAR POWER INSTALLATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER HIS RETURN.
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA COVERING THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL AT 5 PM . GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----o-------
MEET THE MEDIA X i X
THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR CHAMSON CHAU, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (JULY 24) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
-----0------
APPROVAL SOUGHT FOR STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME FUNDING
X X X X X X X
MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO APPROVE THE PERCENTAGE OF FARE INCOME TO BE USED FOR CALCULATING PAYMENTS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1986 TO AUGUST 31, 1987.
THEY WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE 1986-37 ACADEMIC YEAR OF GRANT PAYMENTS TOTALLING 3239.13 MILLION.
/THE STUDENT .......
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
4
TH_- c’urr ' TRAVEL SCHEME, INTRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1981, ALLOWS FULL-TIME STUDENTS AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 25 TO TRAVEL AT CONCESSIONARY FARES ON ALL MAJOR FORMS OF FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE MTR AND THE KCR.
THE SCHEME IS FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT PAYING TO EACH PARTICIPATING OPERATOR AN ANNUAL GRANT CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO A SIMPLE FIXED PERCENTAGE OF EACH OPERATOR’S TOTAL FARE INCOME. THE PERCENTAGE IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY.
THF PRESENT PROPOSED SUM HAS BEEN CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO FORECASTS OF TRANSPORT OPERATOR’S FARE INCOME AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THAT ALL TRAVEL ON SUNDAYS AND DURING THE PERIODS DECEMBER 25 TO JANUARY 1 INCLUSIVE AND JULY 16 TO AUGUST 31 INCLUSIVE SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE SCHEME.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE A NEW COMMITMENT OF $23 OOI 000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLIGHT INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM INSTALLED AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
APPROVAL WILL BE SOUGHT FOR A SUM OF $19 707 000 FOR THE PROVISION OF FOUR VERY HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO SERVICES AND ONE ENHANCED MEDIUM FREQUENCY RADIO SERVICE TO ENABLE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TO IMPROVE ITS RADIO SERVICES.
AN INCREASE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT CEILING FOR THE CREATION OF POSTS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW TEXTILES AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION ARE :
* AN INCREASE IN THE BASIC RATE OF THE REMOTE STATIONS ALLOWANCE FOR SINGLE AND MARRIED OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WORKING AND LIVING ON OUTLYING ISLANDS ;
* AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF THE ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE TO OFFICERS IN RECEIPT OF REMOTE STATIONS ALLOWANCE FOR EACH CHILD ATTENDING SCHOOL IN THE URBAN AREA;
* AN INCREASE IN THE REMOTE STATIONS ALLOWANCE FOR OFFICERS WORKING AND LIVING AT CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF ALLOWANCE FOR EACH CHILD ATTENDING SCHOOL IN THE URBAN AREA ;
* TO ACCEPT THE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FOR THE ABOVE INCREASES;
* APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL TEACHERS FOR SPLIT CLASS TEACHING OF COMPUTER STUDIES, ART AND DESIGN AND MUSIC IN SENIOR SECONDARY SECTIONS OF PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOLS;
/APPROVAL .......
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
5 -
X APPROVAL OF AN INCREASE IN COMMITMENT OF $12 716 OOO FOR THE STAFF-STUDENT CENTRE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG;
* A REVISION OF THE RATE OF PAY FOR SUPPLY TEACHERS EMPLOYED AT SKILLS CENTRES FOR THE DISABLED AND THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY FOR FUTURE REVISIONS OF THE RATE OF PAY TO THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY. 1
* A COMMITMENT OF Si 429 000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A COMPUTERISED QUANTITY SURVEYING SYSTEM WITH 17 WORK STATIONS FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT,
* AN EXTENSION OF THE SCOPE OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH GRADUATE TRAINING SCHEME TO INCLUDE TWO NEW STREAMS OF BUILDING SURVEYING AND MAINTENANCE SURVEYING AND AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES THAT MAY BE ENGAGED UNDER THE SCHEME »
* ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUBVENTING THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON FULL DEVELOPMENT IN 1988-89;
* CREATION OF TWO CAPITAL ACCOUNT SUBHEADS +GRANT TO THE URBAN COUNCIL* AND +GRANT TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL* WITH COMMITMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION TO MEET THE COST OF THE PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR NON-DI RECTORATE CIVIL SERVANTS;
* A COMMITMENT OF $3 906 000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF VIDEO POST PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT FOR RTHK AND THE PLACING OF AN ORDER WITH CABLE AND WIRELESS (HK) LTD FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT;
* A SCHEME TO GRANT LOANS TO MEMBERS OF CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETIES AND UNDER LESSEES OF GOVERNMENT-BUILT HOUSING SCHEMES WHO ARE OBLIGED TO INCUR CERTAIN EXPENDITURE AS A RESULT OF THE DISSOLUTION AGAINST THEIR WILL OF THE SOCIETY OR A SCHEME TO WHICH THEY BELONG, AND A PROJECT ESTIMATE OF $60 MILLION FOR THIS PURPOSE-;
* A REVISED DELEGATION OF FINANCIAL POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIONS 8 AND 38 OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE,
X REVISED LIMITS FOR THE PROVISION OF HOTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR ELIGIBLE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES;
X TO ACCEPT A MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF $16 331 MILLION BY 1990-91 FOR THE PROVISION OF DEFAULT GUARANTEES IN RESPECT OF MORTGAGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR FLATS BUILT UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME ,
/TO NOTE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
6
X TO NOTE THAT BY MARCH 31, 1986 A TOTAL OF $595 625 HAD BEEN PAID FROM THE HOME OWNERSHIP FUND TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN RESPECT OF 38 CLAIMS MADE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE DEED OF GUARANTEE GOVERNING THE MORTGAGE ARRANGEMENTS.
* ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM CHANGES IN CERTAIN RULES FOR THE CALCULATION OF ANNUAL DISPOSABLE INCOME OF UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE JOINT FUNDING SCHEME;
* A NEW CAPITAL ACCOUNT OF $31.1 MILLION TOWARDS CONSTRUCTING A 3OO-BED INFIRMARY AND CONVALESCENT HOME IN SHA TIN.
A CAPITAL GRANT FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TOWARDS THE PROPOSED PROJECT AND TO NOTE THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATION OF OPERATING THE PROPOSED HOME.
* A NEW SUBHEAD +CHUK LAM MING TONG LIMITED* UNDER HEAD 341 GRANTS WITH A CAPITAL GRANT FOR CONSTRUCTING A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME AT SANDY BAY, HONG KONG ;
* CAPITAL GRANTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TO THE HEEP HONG SOCIETY FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN FOR ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE AT CHUN SHEK ESTATE, SHA TIN, AND TO THE HONG KONG YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION FOR ESTABLISHING A CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRE IN KENNEDY TOWN.
* TO APPROVE IN PRINCIPLE PURCHASE OF THE EXISTING HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AT PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND MA TAU KOK ROAD, TO APPROVE A LOAN TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AT FAT KWONG STREET, HO MAN TIN, AND TO NOTE THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL PAY AN ESTIMATED PREMIUM OF $51.5 MILLION IN RESPECT OF THE FAT KWONG STREET SITE ;
* A COMMITMENT OF $3 312 900 FOR A SOCIAL WORK PRE-GRADUATE TRAINEE SCHEME.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE.
0 -------
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
- 7 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT FOR DISCUSSION
* * * *
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER A PROPOSED TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT TO FACILITATE THE REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING SEWERS IN LUEN WO HUI AT ITS REGULAR MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE ARRANGEMENT IS AIMED AT MINIMISING DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC FLOW DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD WHICH WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL MID 1989.
IT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY PARKING AREA, SUSPENSION OF ALL ROAD SITE PARKING SPACES AND THE RELOCATION OF TAXI, PUBLIC LIGHT BUS AND MAXICAB STANDS IN THE AREA.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER SUGGESTIONS BY ITS MEMBERS ON HOW TO IMPROVE BUS SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE REORGANISATION OF TERMINATING FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES IN SHEK WU HU I-A PROPOSED ZEBRA CROSSING BETWEEN CHOI YUEN ESTATE AND YUK PO COURT- PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES IN FRONT OF THE FANLING KCR STATION AND A PASSING BAY AT SHA TAU KOK ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
-----o------
DIAMOND HILL BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS
* * X *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED A BUILDING AT 6 MAN YUEN ROAD, TAI HOM VILLAGE IN DIAMOND HILL TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING, WHICH WAS BUILT WITH A REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR AND ROOF ON LOAD-BEARING STONE WALLS, HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION SINCE 1972.
/THE REINFORCED
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
8 -
THE REINFORCED CONCRETE ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING, PARTICULARLY THE ROOF BEAMS, ROOF SLAB AND THE CANOPY OVER THE FIRST FLOOR BALCONY, HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE GENERALLY IN A DETERIORATED CONDITION DISPLAYING EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF STEEL BARS, CRACKED BEAMS AND SPALLED CONCRETE.
IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THE BUILDING.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 22 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY (TUESDAY).
-----o------
OPENING OF CAREERS EDUCATION SEMINAR
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.C.A. HAMMOND, AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TIMG, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE EIGHTH SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION AT THE INSTITUTE OF CHINESE STUDIES, CHINESE UNIVERSITY IN SHA TIN AT 10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
ABOUT 100 CAREERS TEACHERS WILL PARTICIPATE AT THE SEMINAR WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
-----o------
SAI KUNG SWIMMING GALA SET FOR SUNDAY
* * * * *
THE 1986 SAI KUNG, HANG HAU AND RENNIE’S MILL SWIMMING GALA WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY (JULY 27).
THE SWIMMING GALA, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR JULY 13, WAS POSTPONED BECAUSE OF TYPHOON PEGGY.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE SAI KUNG SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AT TUI MIN HOI.
THE FIRST EVENT WILL START AT 2 PM AND ALL EVENTS WILL END BY ABOUT 5 PM.
/THE MEN'S........
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1986
9
THE MEN’S DIVISION IS DIVIDE INTO FOUR GROUPS AND THE WOMEN’S INTO THREE, ALL ACCORDING TO AGE.
ABOUT 150 PEOPLE WILL TAKE PART, WITH MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THEM BEING SAI KUNG STUDENTS.
u/iNNFRS WHO ARE SAI KUNG RESIDENTS WILL REPRESENT THE DISTRICT IN THE NEW^TERMTOR IES DISTRICTS SWIMM!NG COMPETITION.
TUC AdQldTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND LI, AND THE CHAIRMAN OFSTHE SAI KUNG DISTRICT COMMITTEE, MR WAN YUET-KAU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING.
- 0 ----------
iILLIER STREET SECTION TO REOPEN
*****
UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE MTR CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN SHEUNG WAN, THE SECTION OF HILLIER STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL RE-OPEN TO SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 25).
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN HILLIER STREET AND MAN WA LANE WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY, NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
-----0-------
TAI KOK TSUI, TAI PO TRAFFIC CHANGES
*****
KOK CHEUNG STREET IN TAI KOK TSUI BETWEEN LI TAK STREET AND CHUNG WUI STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO'T)NE-WAY SOUTHBOUND STARTING 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 25) TO IMPROVE VR-AFFIC CIRCULATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI PO ROAD (YUEN CHAU TSAI), FROM A POINT ABOUT 98 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KWONG WANG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES EAST OF THE JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
- 0 -
/10........
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1936
w
SHEK WU HUI PROHIBITED ZONE LIFTED X > K 4
THE EXISTIN IXI SHEK WU HUI, TREATMENT PLANT,
SECTION OF SAN FUNG AVENUE AND THE SHEUNG SHU I SEWAGE AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 25).
G PROHIBITED ZONE IN "HE BETWEEN LUNG SUM AVENUE
WILL BE LIFTED FROM 13
-------0 -
BU^-ONLY LANE RESTRICTION TEMPORARILY LIFTED * * * *
THE BUS-ONLY LANE ON THE SECTION OF CANAL ROAD EAST BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LEIGHTON ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE TEMPORARILY LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 25).
THE MEASURE WILL BE IN CORCE FOR ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
------0-------
NO FLUSHING WATER
* * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF "OR 48 HOURS BETWEEN 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 25) TO 15 AM ON SUNDAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY PEDDER STREET, WYNDHAM STREET, GLENEALY, CAINE ROAD, PO YAN STREET, POSSESSION STREET, MORRISON STREET, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND THE SEAFRONT.
EARLIER ON THE SAME DAY, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TO KWA WAN AND ALL PREMISES IN HUMG HOM WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES BOUNDED BY MA TAU WAI ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD AND SAN SHAN ROAD, INCLUDING SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD, MA HANG CHUNG ROAD, HUNG KWONG STREET AND WING YIU STREET.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: BILINGUAL LAWS PROGRAMME SEP FOR NEXT SESSION................. 1
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER FOR LAW TRANSLATION RECOMMENDED...... 3
COMPREHENSIVE POLICY SHOULD BE ADOPTED ...................... 5
LAWS SHOULD USE TRADITIONAL CHINESE CHARACTERS............... 6
LEGAL SYSTEM SHOULD BECOME FULLY BILINGUAL .................. 7
COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE FINAL SAY ON INTERPRETATION.............. 8
'INCORPORATE CHINESE CONCEPTS IN HK LAWS' .................. 10
INFORMAL CONSULTATION WITH CHINA +M0RE PRACTICAL*- ......... 11
LAWS SHOULD ADOPT COMMONLY USED TERMS ...................... 13
HARMONISATION WITH CHINA IN LANGUAGE +UNNECESSARY+ ......... 14
PAPER FAILS TO ADDRESS SOME PROBLEMS........................ 15
GOVERNMENT LEAD TO PROMOTE CHINESE LANGUAGE URGED ........ 17
VIOLENCE AGAINST ELDERLY REQUIRES SEPARATE CONSIDERATION . 18
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL PASSED............................... 19
DAYA BAY FEASIBILITY STUDY BEING MADE AVAILABLE............. 22
COMPUTERISED LAND RECORDS SYSTEM WELCOMED .................. 22
RELOCATING TRAM DEPOT 'WILL IMPROVE EFFICIENCY' ............ 23
CORRUPTION REPORTS HIGHEST IN TEN YEARS .................... 24
NEW COLLEGE TO BE SET UP AT CHINESE UNIVERSITY ............. 25
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE IN FINDING INDUSTRIAL LAND............. 26
IMPROVEMENT WILL BE SOUGHT IN FAMILY CASEWORK STAFFING ... 27
TYPES OF ROAD MARKINGS EXPLAINED ........................... 28
RADIATION LEVEL WITHIN INTERNATIONAL SAFETY LIMIT .......... 29
/CO-OPERATION TO .......
CO-OPSBATION TO SOLVE TYPHOON TRAFFIC URGED ................. 30
INCINERATORS TO BE PHASED OUT ............................... 31
DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL REMOVAL ALLOWANCES EXPLAINED......... 32
LITTLE RISK OF UNFIT FISH REACHING MARKET ................... 33
■■ OVERCHARGING BY TAXI DRIVERS 'NOT WIDESPREAD' .............. 34
PLANS TO CURB INDISCRIMINATE ANIMAL WASTE DISPOSAL' ....... 35
CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT DUE ON COMPLAINTS SYSTEM............... 37
DIFFICULT TO DETER ARRIVAL OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES......... 37
TWO BILLS PASSED .. ......................................... 38
MEETING HELD ON TRAN SPORT ARRANGSMil’TS DURING TYPHOONS..... 39
GOVERNOR WRAPS'UP VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA ....................... 40
YAXLEY EXPLAINS EUROPEAN N-PLANT VISITS ........................ 40
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE.............................. 41
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT ARTS .................. 44
CAREERS EDUCATION GIVEN MORE .EIGHT ............................ 45
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY BUILDING POLICY ................. 47
BRIEFING BY NEW CHAIRMAN ....................................... 47
BELCHER'S STREET RESTRICTED ZONE................................ 48
PLB RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHEUNG SHUI, FAN LING .................. 48
x t •• 1 • •• * • • • J*
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
BILINGUAL LAWS PROGRAMME SET FOR NEXT SESSION
*****
AFTER CONSIDERING THE COMMENTS RECEIVED THE REVISED PROPOSALS ON LAWS IN CHINESE WILL BE REFERRED TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE CHINESE LAWS PROGRAMME WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY IN THE NEXT SESSION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+1 HOPE TO SEE THE FIRST AUTHENTIC CHINESE TEXT IN THIS COUNCIL BY THE END OF THE YEAR,+ HE SAID.
WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LAWS IN CHINESE, MR THOMAS SAID THAT ALTHOUGH MANY OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN THE PAPER ALLOWED FOR NO SIMPLE ANSWERS, AND MEMBERS HAD DIFFERENT VIEWS ON HOW INDIVIDUAL PROPOSALS SHOULD PROCEED IT WAS CLEAR THAT MEMBERS WERE IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE HISTORIC PROJECT TO PRODUCE BILINGUAL LEGISLATION FOR HONG KONG WHICH THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL APPROVED JUST ONE YEAR AGO.
+THE COMMENTS MADE BY MEMBERS THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE OF GREAT VALUE IN ASSISTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO DETERMINE THE BEST WAY FORWARD,+ HE SAID.
MR THOMAS SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE BILINGUAL LAWS PROGRAMME WAS TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF HONG KONG’S STATUTORY LAW WAS PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE AND THAT BOTH TEXTS WERE EQUALLY AUTHENTIC.
+AUTHENTIClTY HAS TWO ASPECTS,+ HE SAID, +FIRSTLY IT MEANS THAT AS A MATTER OF LAW, BOTH TEXTS CAN BE CONSIDERED BY THE COURTS IN ASCERTAINING THE LAW.+
+SECONDLY IT MEANS THAT THE TWO TEXTS MUST BE EQUALLY GOOD.
+EXPERIENCE IN CANADA, WHERE ALL FEDERAL LAWS ARE IN BILINGUAL FORM, SHOWS THAT THE COURTS ARE RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT A TEXT AS AUTHENTIC, WHATEVER THE LAW MAY SAY, IF IT READS LIKE A MERE TRANSLATION OF ANOTHER TEXT,+ MR THOMAS SAID.
THE AIM WAS, THERFORE, TO HAVE A SYSTEM OF PARALLEL DRAFTING WHERE COUNSEL DRAFTING THE ENGLISH TEXT WORKS ALONGSIDE COUNSEL DRAFTING THE CHINESE TEXT WITH FULL DISCUSSION BETWEEN THEM AT EVERY STAGE, HE SAID.
NOTING THAT COMMENTS ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER FROM ALL THE MAIN INTEREST GROUPS HAD BEEK EXTREMELY FAVOURABLE, MR THOMAS SAID THE PARTICULAR ISSUES RAISED WERE MANY AND HIS CHAMBER WAS STILL ANALYSING THEM.
/A MAJOR .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
2
A MAJOR ISSUE THAT EMERGED WAS THE BEST WAY OF DEALING WITH TRANSLATIONS OF EXISTING LAWS - BY INVOLVING A COMMISSIONER OR A BILINGUAL LAWS ADVISORY COMMITTEE OR SOME OTHER BODY.
+TIME HAS NOW ELAPSED SINCE THE WORKING PARTY ORIGINALLY CONSIDERED THIS MATTER. THE CHINESE LANGUAGE UNIT IS NOW OPERATING,* HE SAID.
MR THOMAS NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE RAISED THE QUESTION OF THE DESIRABILITY AND PRACTICABILITY OF LIAISON WITH EXPERTS IN CHINA ON THE TERMINOLOGY OF HONG KONG’S LAWS.
+THEY POINT TO THE DIFFERENT BASIS OF OUR TWO LEGAL SYSTEMS AND THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S TECHNICAL TERMS DIFFER FROM THOSE IN USE ON THE MAINLAND,* HE SAID.
+l DO NOT THINK ANYONE NEED BE WORRIED ABOUT THE PROPOSALS OF THE WORKING PARTY HERE.
+WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LEGAL TERMINOLOGY IN CHINA SO THAT WE MAY MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION IN CHOOSING TERMS FOR USE IN HONG KONG, TERMS THAT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD BY HONG KONG PEOPLE,* MR THOMAS SAID.
THERE WERE ALSO MANY DIFFERENT PREFERENCES FOR THE ORDER OF PRIORITIES FOR PRODUCING BILINGUAL TEXTS, HE ADDED.
MR THOMAS SAID HE HAD THE SAME VIEW WITH THAT OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL - THAT THE FIRST PRIORITY HAD TO BE CURRENT LAW.
+IT REFLECTS THAT FACT, IF NOTHING ELSE, THAT THE BUSINESS OF THIS COUNCIL IS CONDUCTED IN BOTH LANGUAGES,* HE SAID.
+AS FOR LATER PRIORITIES, THE IMPORTANT THING NOW IS TO DECIDE WHO IS TO DECIDE THESE, NOT TO REACH THE DECISION. WE ARE GIVING THIS MORE THOUGHT,* HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE CALL BY MEMBERS FOR A GLOSSARY, MR THOMAS SAID THE DRAFTING OF CHINESE TEXT OF THE LAWS WOULD CREATE ITS OWN GLOSSARY AS A BY-PRODUCT.
HE ADDED THAT TO UNDERTAKE THE PRODUCTION OF A GLOSSARY FOR PUBLICATION WHICH WENT FURTHER THAN THE DRAFTING NEEDS OF HIS CHAMBERS WOULD DIVERT RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE WORK OF DRAFTING
MR THOMAS SAID THE KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAMME LAY WITH THE BILINGUAL DRAFTSMEN.
+DRAFTING IS A SKILL WHICH IS ACQUIRED MORE BY PRACTICE THAN BY INSTRUCTION - FOR THE ABILITY TO CREATE FROM DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS A COHERENT AND PRACTICAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK CANNOT BE READILY TAUGHT IN THE LAW SCHOOLS,* HE SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
3 -
HE SAID THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO EXPAND THE DRAFTING DIVISION WHICH WAS A SMALL UNIT, BUT +WE MUST BE CERTAIN THAT THE MACHINE WE HAVE CREATED IS RUNNING PROPERLY BEFORE WE MOVE INTO TOP GEAR+.
+THE CHINESE LANGUAGE SCHEME MAY APPEAR DAUNTING BECAUSE OF THE SHEER NUMBER OF ORDINANCES IN ENGLISH,+ MR THOMAS SAID, +BUT WE ARE NOT DISHEARTENED WITH SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.+
NOTING THAT MASTER XUAN ZANG OF THE TANG DYNASTY HAD TRANSLATED 72 SCRIPTURES WHICH CONTAINED 1 335 VOLUMES AND OVER 13 MILLION CHARACTERS, MR THOMAS SAID THE DIFFICULTIES OF TRANSLATING INDIAN SCRIPTURES INTO CHINESE MUST HAVE BEEN NO LESS DAUNTING THAN TRANSLATING HONG KONG ORDINANCES.
+WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ONCE, CAN BE DONE AGAIN. AND WE DO NOT STAND ALONE, AS MASTER XUAN ZANG DID, FOR WE HAVE THE RESOURCES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG BEHIND US,+ HE SAID.
-----0------
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER FOR LAW TRANSLATION RECOMMENDED * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON LAWS IN CHINESE HAS RECOMMENDED THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL COMMISSIONER TO ASSUME OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRANSLATING LAWS INTO CHINESE, THE HON F.K. HU SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LEADING THE COUNCIL’S ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER AS CONVENER OF THE GROUP, MR HU SAID THE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS FELT THAT A SPECIAL COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRANSLATION WORK IN ADDITION TO A COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS.
MEMBERS ALSO FELT THAT A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SET UP TO MONITOR THE STANDARDS OF THE TRANSLATION PROJECT.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT MEMBERS WERE DIVIDED ON THE DETAILED STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS.
MR HU GAVE DETAILED SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PROCEDURE OF THE TRANSLATION WORK, SAYING THAT TRANSLATIONS SHOULD BE PRODUCED BY THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND SENT TO THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER FOR SCRUTINY AND AMENDMENT WHERE NECESSARY.
/he said .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 4
HE SAID THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD FORM PART OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS AND WORK TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY TRANSLATION WORK.
HE SUGGESTED THAT A BILINGUAL LAW ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL FIELDS SHOULD BE SET UP TO GIVE ADVICE ON LEGAL, TECHNICAL AND TRANSLATION MATTERS.
IT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION BY THE COMMISSIONER AND ADVISE THE GOVERNOR THROUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE PUBLICATION OF AUTHENTIC TRANSLATIONS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN SCRUTINISED AND ENDORSED BY THE COMMISSIONER, HE ADDED.
MR HU ALSO FELT THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ACCORDED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN MONITORING THE STANDARD OF THE AUTHENTIC VERSIONS ALTHOUGH COUNCILLORS SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN SCRUTINISING THE TRANSLATION IN DETAIL.
MR HU SAID IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT A PERSON OF A RIGHT CALIBRE TO FILL THE POST OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONER, BUT STRESSED THAT SETTING UP THE OFFICE WOULD BE A TANGIBLE SIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO ACCORD HIGH PRIORITY TO BILINGUAL LEGISLATION.
REFERRING TO THE DISCUSSION PAPER AS A WHOLE, MR HU REPORTED THAT THE AD HOC GROUP AGREED TO A NUMBER OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS BUT HAD SOME COMMENTS ON OTHERS.
THE GROUP SUGGESTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD WORK OUT A SET OF CRITERIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO DECIDE WHICH ORDINANCES FELL INTO THE +ARCHAIC+ TYPE.
ON THE RECOMMENDATION FOR CONSULTATION WITH PERSONS AND BODIES IN CHINA TO ENSURE HARMONISATION OF THE LANGUAGE USED IN HONG KONG STATUTES WITH THAT OF CHINA, MR HU SAID THE GROUP WAS WORRIED THAT MISCONCEPTIONS COULD EASILY ARISE, GIVEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO LEGAL SYSTEMS.
THE GROUP FELT THAT STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE TERMINOLOGY OF THE CHINESE LEGAL SYSTEM WITHOUT GIVING DUE CONSIDERATION TO LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
IF DIFFERENCES OF INTERPRETATION ARISE FROM THIS ATTEMPT, THE LANGUAGE COMMONLY USED AND UNDERSTOOD BY HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD BE ADOPTED, HE SAID.
THE GROUP ALSO CONSIDERED THAT PRIORITIES IN MAKING LAWS BILINGUAL SHOULD BE MORE FLEXIBLE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE GOVERNMENT, AND THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PREPARATION AND UPDATING OF THE GLOSSARY OF TERMS SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED.
/IT HEC01&LMDKD........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
IT RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, AND NOT THE GOVERNOR, SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO DECIDE WHICH BILL WAS SO URGENT AS TO WARRANT ENACTMENT IN ONE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ONLY.
THE GROUP CONSIDERED THAT SETTING UP THE BILINGUAL LAW ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHOULD BE COVERED BY STATUTE SO THAT THERE WOULD BE STATUTORY CONTROL ON ITS COMPOSITION AND THIS WOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT THE POLICY ON BILINGUAL LEGISLATION POLICY COULD BE SUSTAINED.
IT ALSO AGREED THAT A SELECT COMMITTEE, SERVING FOR A FULL LEGCO SESSION, SHOULD BE FORMED TO ENSURE CONTINUITY AND UNIFORMITY.
ON THE PRINTING FORMAT FOR THE LEGISLATION, THE GROUP SUGGESTED THAT THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE TEXT OF THE SAME SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE PLACED ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER, ON FACING PAGES.
- - 0 - -
COMPREHENSIVE POLICY SHOULD BE ADOPTED KO * K
AN OVERALL POLICY IS NEEDED IN IMPLEMENTING THE BASIC POLICY OF DEVELOPING CHINESE AS A LANGUAGE OF THE LAW, THE HON PETER C WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ULTIMATE AIM, AS FAR AS EVIDENCE WAS CONCERNED, MUST BE TO USE CHINESE IN ALL LOCAL COURTS, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, ENGLISH MUST REMAIN THE MEDIUM OF EXPRESSION IN LEGAL SUBMISSIONS, HE ADDED, SINCE IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TRANSLATE THE COMMON LAW OR HONG KONG LAW REPORTS INTO CHINESE.
MR WONG WAS SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE LAWS IN CHINESE.
+IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, WHERE THE LEGAL SYSTEMS ARE DERIVED FROM AND BASED ON THE COMMON LAW, BUT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE POPULATIONS DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH AS THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE, ENGLISH IS STILL MAINTAINED AS ONE OF THE LANGUAGES OF THE LAW,+ HE SAID.
HONG KONG COULD NOT MAKE ITSELF AN EXCEPTION, AND IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT ENGLISH MUST BE USED FREELY IN THE COURTS IF THE EXISTING LEGAL SYSTEM WAS TO BE MAINTAINED.
/MH WCNG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1966
6
MR WONG SAID IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO RESORT TO PRECEDENTS FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS WHICH WOULD CONTINUE TO FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF HONG KONG’S LEGAL SYSTEM.
IN HIS VIEW, THE ADVANTAGES INCLUDED:
* THE PARTICIPATION OF ENGLISH SPEAKING LAWYERS AND JUDGES IN THE LEGAL PROCESS, AND THUS CONTINUING THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM!
* THE PRESERVATION AND STRENGTHENING OF HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTREl AND
* THE CONTINUED CONFIDENCE OF FOREIGN INVESTORS IN A LEGAL SYSTEM IN WHICH A LANGUAGE MORE READILY COMPREHENSIBLE TO THEM WAS USED.
MR WONG SAID ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION IN CASES OF DISAGREEMENT AS TO WHICH LANGUAGE SHOULD BE USED WAS TO GIVE THE PRESIDING JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE THE DISCRETION TO DECIDE WHETHER CHINESE OR ENGLISH SHOULD BE THE MEDIUM IN ANY GIVEN CASE.
NOTING THAT THE TASK OF TRANSLATING LAWS INTO CHINESE WOULD DRAW HEAVILY ON THE RESOURCES OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, HE SAID CAREFUL PLANNING AND SELECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION WERE VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE EXERCISE.
♦TO LOCALISE OUR LEGISLATION AND MAKING IT LESS DEPENDENT ON THE ENGLISH SYSTEM, CAN ONLY BE BENEFICIAL TO OUR CONTINUED PROSPERITY AND THE EFFECTIVE EXERCISE OF OUR HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY, WHICH WE NOW ENJOY AND WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY,+ HE SAID. ’
MR WONG SAID HE REMAINED OF THE VIEW THAT ENGLISH SHOULD BE ACCORDED LEGAL STATUS EVEN AFTER 1997.
-----0-----
LAWS SHOULD USE TRADITIONAL CHINESE CHARACTERS * * * X *
Tur , TR^,TI0NAL CHINESE CHARACTERS WHICH ARE UNDERSTOOD BY THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD BE USED IN PRODUCING LAWS IN CHINESE, THE HON K.C. CHAN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
POSE Rr^f2%^T^* sfSmF?EDT?HlSE^U?21RAC?ERSMW0jLDMR ™f^E™?NTBtlsIN^¥HeV0CAL PE0PLE BUT ALS° 70 OVERSE4S
/HE SUGGESTED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1J66
- 7 -
HE SUGGESTED THAT CANTONESE COLLOQUIAL TERMS SHOULD NOT BE BARRED COMPLETELY FROM TRANSLATIONS, STRESSING THAT THE CANTONESE DIALECT WAS THE SPOKEN CHINESE USED TOGETHER WITH ENGLISH IN LOCAL COURTS.
+CANTONESE DIALECT IS A LIVING DIALECT AND IT HAS ABSORBED QUITE A LOT OF FOREIGN TERMS WHICH ARE EASILY UNDERSTOOD,+ HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO KEEP MATTERS CONCERNING THE LAW AND THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM DIFFERENT FROM THOSE IN CHINA IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE AND PROSPERITY IN THE TERRITORY.
--------o----------
LEGAL SYSTEM SHOULD BECOME FULLY BILINGUAL * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE POSITIVE STEPS TO ENCOURAGE THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMPLETELY BILINGUAL LEGAL SYSTEM, THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON LAWS IN CHINESE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOTING THAT LEGISLATION IN CHINESE WAS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF A BILINGUAL LEGAL SYSTEM, MR CHEUNG SAID ITS INTRODUCTION SHOULD BE CO-ORDINATED SO THAT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND THE PRIVATE LEGAL PRACTICE COULD FUNCTION IN BOTH CHINESE ANE ENGLISH.
IN OTHER WORDS, HE EXPLAINED, IT WAS NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE TRIALS IN CHINESE AND LEGAL PRACTITIONERS WOULD HAVE TO PRODUCE LEGAL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS IN CHINESE.
HE SAID THAT IN THIS RESPECT TRAINING REMAINED A MATTER OF CONCERN, AND IT WAS NOW TIME TO REVIEW THE OVERALL MANPOWER REQUIREMENT TO AVOID DELAYS IN ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES.
MR CHEUNG EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF BILINGUAL LEGISLATION TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE, SAYING THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THE SPIRIT AND PRACTICES OF THE COMMON LAW SYSTEM WOULD BE PRESERVED.
+1 BELIEVE THAT BY SETTING UP A BILINGUAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND THROUGH PROMULGATING IT BY THE MOTHER LANGUAGE, OUR CITIZENS WILL UNDERSTAND BETTER THE AMBIT OF THE LAW AND THEIR OBSERVATION AND RESPECT FOR THE LAW WILL BE FURTHER IMPROVED, THUS CONTRIBUTING GREATLY TO THE STABILITY OF OUR SOCIETY,* HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DISCUSSION PAPER DID NOT HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHEN A COMPLETE SET OF CHINESE STATUTE LAW WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
/+ONLY WITH ......
♦ONLY WITH A TIME TABLE COULD WE APPROPRIATELY ALLOCATE 1 RESOURCES FOR AND TO EFFECTIVELY SUPERVISE THE PROGRESS OF THIS MAMMOTH WORK,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THE WORK ON A BILINGUAL LEGAL SYSTEM SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE 1997.
+1 THEREFORE SUGGEST THAT TRANSLATION WORK SHOULD BE COMPLETED BETWEEN 1992 AND 1994, ALLOWING THREE TO FIVE YEARS BEFORE 1997 FOR THE SYSTEM TO BE PRACTISED AND TESTED,+ HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG ADDED THAT THE QUALITY OF TRANSLATION SHOULD NOT BE LOWERED AT THE EXPENSE OF SPEED.
IN PARTICULAR, THE SPIRIT OF THE COMMON LAW AND ITS FLEXIBLE APPLICATION MUST BE PRESERVED, HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG ALSO CALLED FOR A RECONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSAL THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR ITS COMMITTEES SHOULD NOT VET THE TRANSLATED LAW.
+THE FUTURE CHINESE VERSION OF THE LEGISLATION SHOULD ENJOY EQUAL STATUS AND HAVE SAME LEGAL EFFECTS AS THE ENGLISH TEXT.
+1 CONSIDER THAT THE ENACTMENT OF LAW IS THE PREROGATIVE OF THE LEGISLATURE.
+BEING ITSELF A LEGISLATIVE BODY, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD UNDERTAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF VETTING THE CHINESE TRANSLATED VERSION OF THE LEG ISLATION,+ HE SAID.
-----o-----
COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE FINAL SAY ON INTERPRETATION *****
INTERPRETATION OF THE LAWS MUST FIRST BE STUDIED AND APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THEY BECOME EFFECTIVE THE HON MARIA TAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY). tfftCTIVE,
An B0TH BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LEGCO
AD HOC GROUP’S LEGAL SUB-GROUP THAT EXAMINED THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE LAWS IN CHINESE, SHE ADDED.
AND Th!'™0NST^ 'NCLUI>ED HISS T4M’ ™E H°N MARTIH
/speaking duhing
wxsywgK'
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 9 -
SPEAKING DURING THE COUNCIL’S ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER, MISS TAM SAID THE BAR ASSOCIATION DISAGREED WITH ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING PARTY. THIS ALLOWED THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO PRESCRIBE THAT AN EXPRESSION IN CHINESE SHOULD BE DEEMED TO HEAR THE SAME MEANING AS AN EXPRESSION IN THE CORRESPONDING ENGLISH TEXT AND VICE VERSA.
THE ASSOCIATION FELT THAT THE USE OF EXECUTIVE POWER TO MAKE LAWS HAD TO BE AVOIDED, AND THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE A FINAL SAY ON THE INTERPRETATION OF THE LAWS, SHE SAID.
MISS TAM SAID THE LEGAL SUB-GROUP HAD CAREFULLY STUDIED THE PROPOSED PROVISIONS AND SUGGESTED THAT THAT PARTICULAR RECOMMENDATION BE IMPLEMENTED UNDER ORDER IN THE GAZETTE.
♦THEREFORE, LIKE THE OTHER SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, IT IS WITHIN THE POWER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,* SHE EXPLAINED.
MISS TAM ALSO COMMENTED ON ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION, WHICH PROPOSED THAT IN DRAFTING AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW OF EVIDENCE THE JUDICIARY SHOULD BE CONSULTED ON HOW TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE EQUAL STATUS OF BOTH LANGUAGES IN COURT.
SHE SAID THE LEGAL SUB-GROUP’S VIEW WAS THAT IF PROBLEMS OF TEXTUAL INTERPRETATION AROSE FROM EVIDENCE PRODUCED IN COURT, THEN EXPERT EVIDENCE SHOULD BE CALLED BY THE PROSECUTION OR THE DEFENCE, OR BY THE JUDGE.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT WITH THE HONG KONG (LEGISLATIVE POWER) ORDER COMING INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 6, LAWS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM WHICH HAD LONG BEEN APPLIED TO HONG KONG WOULD THEN BE LOCALISED AND BECOME THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
+IT IS IN FACT A GREAT DIFFICULTY THAT THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG REMAINS UNCHANGED DESPITE THE CHANGES IN ITS LANGUAGE MEDIUM,* SHE SAID.
THEREFORE, SHE HOPED THAT THOSE WHO PURSUED THE LEGAL FIELD COULD SPARE SOME OF THEIR BUSY TIME TO MAKE MORE COMMENTS AND LEND A HAND IN THE WORK ON THE LAWS IN CHINESE SO THAT SUCH A GREAT TASK COULD BE ACCOMPLI SHED.
MISS TAM POINTED OUT THAT A SENTENCE STATED IN ANNEX I TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, WHICH READ +IN ADDITION TO CHINESE, ENGLISH MAY ALSO BE USED IN ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT AND IN THE COURTS IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION*, HAD GIVEN RISE TO DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS.
HOWEVER, SHE CONSIDERED THE INTERPRETATION +ONE MAY OF COURSE USE CHINESE, YET TO USE ENGLISH IS NOT IMPROPER* TO BE MORE PRAGMATIC.
/♦SUCH AN.......
- 10 -
♦ SUCH AN INTERPRETATION WOULD MAKE CHINESE MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG, AND THERE MIGHT EVEN BE A DAY WHEN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE PLAYED A PREDOMINANT PART.* SHE SAID. *
+BUT WE DO NOT HAVE TO RUSH AND COMMIT OURSELVES BY HAVING THE EVOLUTION COMPLETED WITHIN THE PERIOD OF 10 YEARS AND 11 MONTHS + SHE ADDED. ’
-----0------
’INCORPORATE CHINESE CONCEPTS IN HK LAWS’
IT IS NECESSARY TO INCORPORATE CHINESE CONCEPTS INTO THE EXISTING LAWS AS HONG KONG IS MAINLY A CHINESE SOCIETY, THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE LAWS IN CHINESE.
THE LAWS OF HONG KONG SHOULD THEREFORE BE REFORMED ALONG THIS LINE, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THERE MUST BE A CHINESE VERSION IN ORDER TO HIGHLIGHT CHINESE CONCEPTS.
MR YEUNG OBSERVED THAT IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WOULD BE USED IN ITS LEGISLATION AND JUDICIAL PROCESS IN ORDER TO MEET THE ACTUAL DEMAND OF HONG KONG.
+T0 USE CHINESE IN THESE MEANS AS SOON AND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IS A MUST, BECAUSE THIS IS IN THE INTEREST OF BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA,* HE STRESSED.
MR YEUNG ADDED THAT MORE CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE CUSTOMS AND HABITS OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE WHEN AMENDING OR ENACTING LAWS WITH A VIEW TO MEETING FUTURE DEMANDS.
ONE OF THE WAYS TO ENSURE THAT THE LANGUAGE USED IN THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WOULD, AS FAR AS IT IS PRACTICABLE TO GO IN LINE WITH THAT USED IN OTHER PARTS OF CHINA, WAS TO BUILD UP CONNECTIONS WITH RELEVANT CHINESE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS AND CONSULT THEIR VIEWS, HE SUGGESTED.
+WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE COULD PUT OUR LEGAL LANGUAGE IN LINE WITH THAT USED IN CHINA, IT WOULD HELP IMPROVE THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IN THE ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND LEGAL FIELDS,* HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE LAW REFORM MOVEMENT, MR YEUNG SAID THE OUTDATED LAWS SHOULD BE REPEALED WHILE THOSE REQUIRING AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE AMENDED INTO BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
/he said .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 11 -
HE SAID THE TASKS OF DRAFTING BILLS BILINGUALLY AND TRANSLATING EXISTING ORDINANCES INTO CHINESE WERE OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE, BUT HE SAID HE REGRETTED THAT NO SPECIFIC TIMETABLE FOR THE BILINGUAL LAWS PROJECT HAD BEEN STATED IN THE DISCUSSION PAPER.
♦THIS NOT ONLY FAILS TO MEET THE PUBLIC’S PRESSING DEMAND FOR EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILINGUAL LAWS SYSTEM, BUT ALSO REFLECTS THAT BOTH THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ARE EXTREMELY SHORT OF TRANSLATION TALENTS,+ MR YEUNG SAID.
HE THEREFORE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO ENSURE THE PROGRESS WOULD NOT BE SLOWED DOWN, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE TRAINING OF CHINESE LEGAL TALENTS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED IN POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.
+IN THE MEANTIME, IN ORDER TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF MANPOWER SHORTAGE AND EXPEDITE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT, GOVERNMENT CAN CONSIDER TAKING MEASURES IN CO-OPERATION WITH PROFESSIONAL LEGAL GROUPS WITH A VIEW TO ATTRACTING MORE LAWYERS TO SPECIFICALLY TAKE PART IN THE TASK,+ MR YEUNG SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER EMPLOYING FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG EXPERIENCED CHINESE LEGAL EXPERTS AND SCHOLARS TO ASSIST IN THE DRAFTING WORK BY OFFERING THEM LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS, HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCALISATION OF MAGISTRATES, NOTING THAT THERE MUST BE SUFFICIENT LOCAL JUDICIAL PERSONNEL WELL-VERSED IN CHINESE TO IMPLEMENT THE BILINGUAL LAWS.
+IN FUTURE THE COURTS SHOULD ALSO ADOPT THE BILINGUAL SYSTEM PROGRESSIVELY,+ HE SAID.
-----o-----
fNFORMAL CONSULTATION WITH CHINA +MORE PRACTICAL+ *****
INFORMAL RATHER THAN FORMAL CONSULTATION WITH CHINA ON THE LAWS IN CHINESE FOR HONG KONG WOULD BE A MORE PRACTICAL APPROACH AT THE PRESENT STAGE, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE LAWS IN CHINESE, MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED THAT CHINA WAS CURRENTLY SEEKING TO MODERNISE AND UP-DATE HER LEGAL SYSTEM AND STATUTES.
+WHAT INPUT HONG KONG GAINS FROM CHINA MUST DEPEND ENTIRELY UPON HONG KONG’S NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, AND HONG KONG’S OWN LEGAL SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
/a HONG.......
** . isausuii mi 2# tjM
- 12 -
A HONG KONG GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS, HE ADDED, WOULD BE AN INVALUABLE AID IN PROMOTING CLOSER EXCHANGES ON THE LEGAL SYSTEMS OF CHINA AND HONG KONG.
MR CHEONG-LEEN ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THERE SHOULD BE A COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS WITH LEGAL AND LANGUAGE BACKGROUND TO ADVISE A SPECIAL COMMISSIONER IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS WHO WOULD CO-ORDINATE THE ENTIRE TRANSLATION PROGRAMME OF THE LAWS IN CHINESE.
+IN ADDITION, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MAY SEE POINT TO APPROVE A COMMITTEE TO GENERALLY MONITOR AND KEEP AN OVERSIGHT OF THE PROGRESS MADE,* HE SUGGESTED.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT IT WAS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE HARMONISATION OF STYLES BETWEEN THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSIONS, ESPECIALLY AS REGARDED TERMINOLOGY AND FORMULATION.
WHILE AGREEING WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CHINESE TEXT SHOULD BE IN GOOD, MODERN AND EDUCATED CHINESE, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID SIMILAR REQUIREMENT SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO THE ENGLISH TEXT.
+IT IS VERY DESIRABLE TOO THAT ALL IMPORTANT STATUTES EXISTING IN 'ARCHAIC ENGLISH’ SHOULD BE RE-DRAFTED IN GOOD, MODERN, EDUCATED ENGLISH WITH AN AUTHENTIC CHINESE VERSION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,* HE ADDED.
AS TO THE ACTUAL DRAFTING OF NEW BILLS, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE FAVOURED THE PARALLEL APPROACH WHEREBY BOTH AN +ANGLOPHONE+ LAW DRAFTSMAN AND A +SINOPHONE+ LAW DRAFTSMAN WOULD WORK TOGETHER ON THE DRAFTING OF EACH BILL.
+THIS APPROACH WOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH VERSIONS WOULD BE REASONABLY COMPATIBLE AND AUTHENTIC, AND CONFORMING AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE INTENTION OF THE LEGISLATURE,* HE SAID.
FINALLY, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT IF THE RULE OF LAW IN HONG KONG WAS TO BE PRESERVED AND STRENGTHENED AND HONG KONG’S COMMON LAW LINK WITH THE REST OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD BE MAINTAINED, THE INDEPENDENCE AND INTEGRITY OF THE HONG KONG JUDICIARY MUST BE UPHELD.
+AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND THE RULE OF LAW WILL GIVE HONG KONG PEOPLE PROTECTION AGAINST THEIR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS BEING ERODED, AND AGAINST THE EXECUTIVE FROM MAKING UNWARRANTED ENCROACHMENTS ON SUCH RIGHTS,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT A BILINGUAL SYSTEM OF LAWS FOR HONG KONG +WILL GIVE US A UNIQUE STATUS IN THE HISTORY OF CHINESE CIVILISATION WHEREBY HONG KONG WILL BECOME EVEN MORE OF A CULTURAL BRIDGE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD IN PARTICULAR.*
MR CHEONG-LEEN ADDED THAT CHINA WOULD HAVE MUCH TO GAIN FROM A STABLE PROSPEROUS AND PROGRESSIVE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AFTER 1997 AS LONG AS SHE KEPT HER OPEN POLICY TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
------o-------
/13.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 13 -
LAWS SHOULD ADOPT COMMONLY USED TERMS
* M * * X
THE CHINESE TEXT OF HONG KONG LAWS SHOULD ADOPT COMMONLY USED TERMS TO WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE ACCUSTOMED.
THIS WAS STATED BY DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG DURING THE DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE LAWS IN CHINESE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR CHIU EXPLAINED THAT SUCH TERMS COULD ACCURATELY EXPRESS LEGAL CONCEPTS WITH WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE FAMILIAR.
HE SAID THIS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE RECOMMENDATION MADE IN THE DISCUSSION PAPER THAT THE CHINESE TEXT WOULD BE WRITTEN IN +GOOD, MODERN AND EDUCATED CHINESE*.
DR CHIU SAID THAT SETTING UP A BILINGUAL LAWS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN APPOINTING A COMMISSIONER OR SETTING UP A STANDING COMMITTEE WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE JOB.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH WOULD COMPRISE EXPERTS IN VARIOUS RELEVANT FIELDS, MIGHT ALSO OFFER ADVICE ON PRIORITY IN REGARD TO +TRANSLATING EXISTING ORDINANCES ON A SELECTIVE BASIS*.
COMMENTING ON THE PRIORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE BILINGUAL LAWS PROJECT, DR CHIU AGREED THAT THE BILINGUAL DRAFTING OF PRINCIPAL ORDINANCES SHOULD BE FIRST PRIORITY, BUT HE SUGGESTED THAT THE THIRD PRIORITY, TRANSLATING EXISTING ORDINANCES ON A SELECTIVE BASIS, SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO SECOND PRIORITY.
+ALL EXISTING LAWS WHICH ATTRACT PUBLIC ATTENTION AND ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO THE DAILY LIVES OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN TRANSLATION,* HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN ORDER TO MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND GET ACCUSTOMED TO THE USE OF THE AUTHENTIC CHINESE VERSION, DR CHIU SUGGESTED THAT THE COURTS WHEN GIVING VERDICTS SHOULD REFER TO THE AUTHENTIC CHINESE VERSION AS AND WHEN NECESSARY.
IN REGARD TO THE PRINTING FORMAT OF THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH TEXTS OF THE LAWS, HE SAID THE IDEAL WAY WAS TO ADOPT THE FACING PAGE METHOD SO THAT THE READERS MIGHT SEE BOTH VERSIONS AT A GLANCE.
HE ALSO PROPOSED THAT CORRESPONDING PARAGRAPH NUMBERS SHOULD BE ADDED IN THE MARGIN OF BOTH THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH TEXTS.
/+BY DOING .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1966
- 14 -
+ BY DOING SO, NOT ONLY CAN THE EQUAL STATUS GIVEN TO THE AUTHENTIC CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSIONS BE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED, THE BILINGUAL LAWS PROJECT CAN ALSO BE AFFIRMED BECAUSE GREATER EMPHASIS IS NOT GIVEN TO EITHER LANGUAGE,* HE SAID.
FINALLY, DR CHIU SAID IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SOCIAL JUSTICE WOULD BE UPHELD AND STABILITY AND PROSPERITY MAINTAINED, THERE WAS A PRESSING NEED FOR SPEEDY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILINGUAL LAWS PROJECT IN ORDER TO PRODUCE A COMPLETE SET OF LAWS FOR HONG KONG.
------o-------
HARMONISATION WITH CHINA IN LANGUAGE +UNNECESSARY+ * * * * *
IT IS BOTH UNDESIRABLE AND UNNECESSARY THAT THE LANGUAGE USED IN HONG KONG STATUTES SHOULD HARMONISE WITH THOSE OF CHINA. THE HON LEE YU-TAI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE CHINESE, MR LEE SAID HE DISAGREED WITH
DISCUSSION PAPER ON LAWS IN
_ - . ... THE RECOMMENDATION IN THE
PAPER THAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CONSULT WITH PERSONS AND BODIES IN CHINA TO ENSURE HARMONISATION OF THE LANGUAGE USED IN HONG KONG STATUTES WITH THOSE OF CHINA.
+THE CHINESE LANGUAGE SPOKEN AND WRITTEN BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS MUCH RICHER IN CONTENT AND MORE DIVERSIFIED IN USAGE,* SAID MR LEE, POINTING OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO THE REST OF THE WORLD AND ITS EXTERNAL CONTACTS HAD BROUGHT IT AHEAD OF CHINA IN MANY RESPECTS.
+IT IS THEREFORE UNWISE TO FOREGO A RICHER AND MORE DIVERSIFIED MEDIUM OF EXPRESSION IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE HARMONISATION,* HE STRESSED.
MR LEE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE LAWS IN HONG KONG REPRESENTED M0ST D|STINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS WHICH SHOULD BE PRESERVED.
+AS THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG WILL REMAIN SEPARATE
™om that of CH,NA’ difference must be allowed to exist between
°F ™E TW° PLACES» BOTH >N SPIRIT AND IN SUBSTANCE,* nt q A I U ,
™llul^JHLREC0MMENDATI0N T0 SET UP A BILINGUAL LAW ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSISTING MAINLY OF LEGAL AND LANGUAGE EXPERTS, Tu.TETUrU!^STED THAT LAY memBERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED TO ENSURE THAT THE CHINESE TEXT WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE•
/HE ALSO .......
WEENESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SHOULD SET UP A FACULTY OF LAW TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO FILL THE GAP IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE JUDICIARY VACATED BY EXPATRIATES AS 1997 DREW NEARER.
HE SAID HE FELT THAT LOCALISATION SHOULD NOT PROCEED TOO QUICKLY BEFORE LOCAL INSTITUTIONS COULD PRODUCE LAWYERS IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS.
+IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE THAT THE HIGH CALIBRE OF THE JUDICIARY MUST BE UPHELD, EVEN IF IT MEANS LOCALISATION HAS TO BE SLOWED DOWN,+ HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROVISION OF SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION SERVICE, NOTING THAT THE SALARIES OF SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETERS HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SERVICE IN 1971 DESPITE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE DEMAND ON THEIR WORK, BOTH IN QUANTITY AND IN COMPLEXITY.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT BILINGUAL LEGISLATION WOULD FURTHER INCREASE THE IMPORTANCE AND THE DEMAND FOR SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COUNCILS, AND URGED THAT THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE VARIOUS GRADES OF SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETERS BE REVIEWED.
+1 DOUBT IF THE PRESENT COMPENSATION PACKAGE AND CAREER STRUCTURE WILL ATTRACT AND RETAIN PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT CALIBRE IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS,+ HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
PAPER FAILS TO ADDRESS SOME PROBLEMS * * * * *
THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE LAWS IN CHINESE HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS BASED ON THE COMMON LAW SYSTEM, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE PAPER, MR TAI SAID THAT MUCH OF THE EXISTING LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG WAS GUIDED BY COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES WHICH WERE BASED ON ESTABLISHED CUSTOMS AND LEGAL PRECEDENTS OF OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS.
MANY OF THE COMMON LAW RULES WERE UNWRITTEN AND YET WERE WELL UNDERSTOOD BY LOCAL LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, HE NOTED.
/+TO MAKE
F.'j WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, VjM
- 16 -
+T0 MAKE LAWS IN HONG KONG IN CHINESE IS NOT MERELY TO HAVE AN AUTHENTIC VERSION OF THE LEGISLATION IN CHINESE! IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE CONCEPTS OF LAW IN CHINESE AS WELL,* HE SAID.
REFERRING TO LAW REPORT PRECEDENTS AND COURT RULES AND PRACTICE, MR TAI SAID ALL THESE FORMED AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THEREIN LAY PROBLEMS WHICH THE DISCUSSION PAPER FAILED TO ADDRESS, DUE TO THE LIMITED SCOPE OF THE STUDY.
MR TAI SAID THE OTHER POINT WHICH THE PAPER FAILED TO CONSIDER WAS THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
POINTING OUT THAT LOCAL LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND JUDGES HAD ALL BEEN TRAINED TO PRACTISE LAW IN ENGLISH, HE SAID THE MERE FACT THAT MANY OF THEM DID SPEAK CHINESE DID NOT RENDER THEM EFFECTIVE LEGAL PRACTITlONERS IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE.
+THEREFORE, WE MUST ALSO DIRECT OUR ATTENTION TO WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE BILINGUAL LEGAL EDUCATION AND A BILINGUAL JUDICIARY, AND THE TIME FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION,* HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT WHILE CHINESE WOULD ULTIMATELY BECOME THE OFFICIAL JUDICIAL LANGUAGE IN HONG KONG, PREPARATION FOR ITS REALISATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE PROPOSED BILINGUAL LAWS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
MR TAI SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON SPEEDING UP THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING BILINGUAL LAWS.
HE BELIEVED THAT TO MAKE LAWS GOVERNING HONG KONG IN CHINESE WOULD NOT ONLY LOWER THE INSTANCES OF INJUSTICE RESULTING FROM IGNORANCE OF EXISTING LAWS BECAUSE OF LANGUAGE PROBLEM, BUT WOULD ALSO FACILITATE THE PRACTICAL DISSEMINATION OF LEGAL KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE PUBLIC.
HE ADDED THAT THE POLICY ALSO DEMONSTRATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS RESOLUTE IN PREPARING FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 AS THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION STATED THAT + IN ADDITION TO CHINESE, ENGLISH MAY ALSO BE USED IN ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT AND IN THE COURTS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION*.
/17........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 17 -
GOVERNMENT LEAD TO PROMOTE CHINESE LANGUAGE URGED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS OBLIGED TO SET AN EXAMPLE TO PROMOTE AND ENHANCE THE SOCIAL STATUS OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE, THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
GIVING AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS COULD BE DONE, HE SAID IT SHOULD REVIEW THE CRITERIA OF CIVIL SERVICE RECRUITMENT, AND ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE MOTHER TONGUE.
+ONLY THEN CAN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THE STATUTE LAW BE ACCEPTED AS OF EQUAL STATUS BY THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID. ’
MR TAM WAS SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON LAWS IN CHINESE.
WHETHER OR NOT THE OBJECT OF EQUALITY IN THE USE OF BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES COULD BE ACHIEVED WAS A QUESTION OF SOCIAL CONCEPT, APART FROM THE QUESTION OF LEGAL STATUS, HE SAID.
+IF THE SOCIAL CONCEPT DOES NOT CHANGE FROM ’PUTTING MORE WEIGHT ON ENGLISH THAN CHINESE’ TO ’PAYING EQUAL ATTENTION TO BOTH LANGUAGES’ IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR BOTH VERSIONS OF THE STATUTE LAW TO BE ACCEPTED EQUALLY,* HE SAID.
+THE LAWS WRITTEN IN CHINESE IN THE FUTURE AFTER USING MUCH OF OUR RESOURCES MAY WELL BE SHELVED IN THE LOFTY ATTIC.*
MR TAM SAID THE DISCUSSION PAPER SUGGESTED THAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CONSULT INDIVIDUALS AND BODIES CONCERNED IN CHINA TO ENSURE THE LANGUAGE USED IN THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WAS CONSISTENT WITH THAT USED IN CHINA.
*THIS SUGGESTION IS BENFICIAL TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’, BUT ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE ASPECT OF TERMINOLOGY SO THAT THE LEGAL TERMS CAN BE EASILY MADE OUT AND CONFORM TO THE GENERAL PRACTICE AND UNDERSTANDING IN HONG KONG,* HE NOTED.
MR TAM ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PUBLICISE ALL INFORMATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILINGUAL LAWS PROJECT, SO THAT THE PUBLIC COULD ANALYSE AND DISCUSS THE MATTER IN MORE DETAILS.
MR TAM POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST ALL LAWS IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN ENACTED IN ENGLISH, AND THE PUBLIC HAD FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND.
+HENCE, TO LEGISLATE IN CHINESE AND TO TRANSLATE INTO CHINESE THE EXISTING STATUTE LAW WOULD HELP THE PUBLIC TO COMPREHEND THE LAW, AND KNOW A PERSON’S RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, AND WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT STEP FOR HONG KONG BECOMING A DEMOCRATIC AND LEGAL SOCIETY,* HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 18 -
VIOLENCE AGAINST ELDERLY REQUIRES SEPARATE CONSIDERATION M X M * *
PROTECTION OF THE ELDERLY
FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RAISES A NUMBER OF NEW ISSUES WHICH REQUIRE SEPARATE CONSIDERATION OUTSIDE THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ASKED TO LOOK INTO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO THE ELDERLY AND TO REPORT ON THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION, MR THOMAS SAID IN WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE BILL.
THIS WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP WHICH SCRUTINISED THE BILL.
HE WAS GLAD THAT THE MEMBERS AGREED THAT THIS QUESTION SHOULD NOT BECOME CONFUSED WITH THE KNOWN AND PRESSING PROBLEM OF BATTERED SPOUSES AND BATTERED CHILDREN, NOR SHOULD IT DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS THAT HAD BEEN CAREFULLY TAILORED TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
+WHILE I SYMPATHISE WITH THE CONCERN, I AM AFRAID THE SOLUTION IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS ADDING THE ELDERLY TO THIS BILL,* HE SAID.
AMONG THE POINTS HE SAID REQUIRED SEPARATE CONSIDERATION WERE DID THE PRESENT LAW FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION, SHOULD THE RELIEF EXTEND TO VIOLENCE COMMITTED BY ANYONE OR ONLY BY RELATIVES, AND HOW OLD MUST A PERSON BE TO BE ENTITLED TO PROTECTION.
MR THOMAS PAID TRIBUTE TO DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP AND HER COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR WORK IN SCRUTINISING THE BILL, SAYINGi
+AS DR IP QUITE RIGHTLY POINTED OUT, THIS IS A NEW PIECE OF LEGISLATION EMBODYING A NEW CONCEPT IN HONG KONG. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CLOSELY MONITOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND WILL WELCOME ALL COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS AND OTHERS IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE.
IN PASSING THIS BILL INTO LAW, MEMBERS WERE PROVIDING A NEW REMEDY TO ALL VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR WHICH THERE WAS CLEAR SUPPORT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
IN RESPONSE TO CONCERN EXPRESSED BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM ON THE AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL AID, MR THOMAS SAID HE HAD BEEN ASSURED BY THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT THAT ALL APPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL AID FROM VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WOULD BE HANDLED SYMPATHETICALLY AND WOULD BE GIVEN URGENT ATTENTION WHENEVER AN EMERGENCY APPEARED TO BE DEVELOPING.
/+AN EJERGSHCY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 19 -
+AN EMERGENCY LEGAL AID CERTIFICATE CAN BE GRANTED THE SAME DAY AND CERTAINLY WITHIN 24 HOURS,+ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO COUNSELLING, MR THOMAS SAID THE GOVERNMENT , RECOGNISED THE VALUE OF THIS IN APPROPRIATE CASES. +BUT, WHERE THERE IS BITTER CONFLICT BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE LEADING TO VIOLENCE, COUNSELLING IS UNLIKELY TO BE HELPFUL BEFORE THERE HAS BEEN SOME COOLING-OFF PERIOD,+ HE SAID.
-----0-----
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL PASSED KX X *
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986, WHICH MAKES IT EASIER FOR BATTERED SPOUSES TO OBTAIN PROTECTION THROUGH THE COURTS, WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT OFFERS IMMEDIATE REMEDY TO A WIFE OR HUSBAND WHO NEEDS IMMEDIATE BUT TEMPORARY RELIEF FROM THE VIOLENT ACT OF THE OTHER BY EXCLUDING THE CULPRIT FROM THE MATRIMONIAL HOME FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS.
THE COUPLE CAN THEN SORT OUT THEIR MATRIMONIAL DISPUTES RATIONALLY OR ONE OF THEM COULD BEGIN MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS SO THAT THE FULL REMEDIES UNDER THE MATRIMONIAL COURSES ORDINANCE BECOME AVAILABLE TO THE VICTIM.
FIVE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS SPOKE DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOW-UP COUNSELLING IN SUCH CASES AND THE NEED FOR SIMILAR PROTECTIVE MEASURES AGAINST ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY.
DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE BILL, SAID THE GROUP HAD DECIDED TO ACCEPT THE MEASURE AFTER A SERIES OF CLARIFICATIONS HAD BEEN MADE.
THESE INCLUDED:
X THAT PROTECTION TO SPOUSES WOULD INCLUDE ’COHABITEES’ AND THE COURTS SHOULD DECIDE WHETHER THE RELATIONSHIP WAS PERMANENT OR NOT:
X THAT A SPOUSE SUBJECT TO AN EXCLUSION ORDER AND REFUSING TO PAY RENT MAY BE HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT:
X THAT AN INJUNCTION COULD BE OBTAINED FROM A HIGH COURT JUDGE IN CASES OF URGENCY OR FROM THE DISTRICT COURT, EVEN ON A SUNDAY, AND THAT LEGAL AID COULD BE OBTAINED WITHIN 24 HOURS! AND
/♦ that the .......
* THAT THE DETAILS OF AN ORDER WITH THE POWER OF ARREST WOULD BE DESCRIBED IN THE INJUNCTION PAPER, A COPY OF WHICH WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DISTRICT POLICE STATION SO THAT POLICE OFFICERS WOULD BE CLEAR AS TO THE SCOPE OF THEIR POWER
DR IP SAID THE GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT WHERE THE INJUNCTION WAS ATTACHED TO A POWER OF ARREST OR AN EXCLUSION ORDER, THE ALLEGED CULPRIT SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD BY THE COURT, AND THE JUDGE MIGHT ADVISE THE CULPRIT TO VOLUNTARILY ACCEPT COUNSELLING.
+WE HOPE THAT GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE DOCTORS CAN SPEEDILY PROVIDE THE NECESSARY EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE APPLICANT IN AN URGENT HEARING,+ SHE SAID.
AS THE ORDINANCE WAS A NEW CONCEPT IN HONG KONG, DR IP URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR ITS EFFECT FOR THREE YEARS AND REVIEW THE SPEED WITH WHICH VICTIMS OBTAINED RELIEF, AND POSSIBLE PROBLEMS IN EXECUTING THE POWER OF ARREST.
THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID MANY CASES OF SPOUSE BATTERING WERE NOT REPORTED AND HE NOTED THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY’S CLIENTS WHO WERE ABUSED DID NOT APPROACH THE POLICE FOR HELP.
HE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE SETTING UP OF DISTRICT-BASED FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COMMITTEES, WITH MORE CITIZEN INPUT, WHICH COULD ACT AS DOMESTIC MEDIATION COMMITTEES.
♦THE ADMINISTRATION COULD EXPLORE THE IDEA OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES TAKING A MORE ACTIVE INTEREST IN PROMOTING RECONCILIATION IN FAMILY DISPUTE CASES,+ HE ADDED.
IT WOULD ALSO BE WORTHWHILE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO ANALYSE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPOUSE BATTERING CASES, HE SAID, SO AS TO ADOPT A PARTICULAR APPROACH IN SEEKING OUT GROUPS WHO COULD BENEFIT THROUGH SOME FORM OF GROUP COUNSELLING OR CIVIC EDUCATION AGAINST SPOUSE BATTERING.
STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF COUNSELLING IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID, CASEWORK COUNSELLING NOT ONLY HEALED THE WOUND DURING THE COOLING OFF PERIOD, BUT ALSO WAS CONDUCIVE TO REACHING A HAPPY AND SATISFACTORY SOLUTION FOR ALL CONCERNED.
+IN VIEW OF THE FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES ENVISAGED IN PROVIDING A MANDATORY SERVICE, FOLLOW UP COUNSELLING WORK WHICH MANY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE READY TO OFFER, SHOULD BE CLEARLY MADE KNOWN TO THOSE WHO MAY OPT TO SEEK THIS SERVICE VOLUNTARILY,* HE SAID.
/MR RUI .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1?86
- 21
MR HUI ALSO URGED THAT DRAFTING OF SEPARATE LEGISLATION BE SPEEDED UP TO COVER THE GROWING ABUSE OF ELDERLY PERSONS.
HE ALSO POINTED TO THE NEED FOR QUICK, EFFICIENT LEGAL AID FOR THOSE IN DIRE NEED OF ASSISTANCE AND SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PUBLICISE URGENTLY THE LOCATIONS OF LEGAL AID OFFICES WHERE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COULD SEEK HELP.
THE HON LEE YU-TAI BELIEVED THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WAS A SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT COULD NOT BE TACKLED BY LEGISLATION ALONE.
+YOUNG COUPLES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO LIVE WITH THEIR PARENTS OR PARENTS-IN-LAW SO THAT MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY MAY SHARE THE HOUSEHOLD CHORES TOGETHER AND THE BURDEN ON THE YOUNG COUPLES WOULD BE REDUCED,+ HE SAID.
♦PARENTS MAY ACT AS A BUFFER,+ HE SAID. +THEY MAY BE HELPFUL IN SOLVING SOME OF THE FAMILY PROBLEMS.+
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT FAMILY EDUCATION SHOULD BE PROMOTED EXTENSIVELY AND COUNSELLING SERVICES BE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES WITH PROBLEMS.
THE HON ROSANNA TAM SAID EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE SINCE THE GOAL WAS TO PROVIDE SWIFT ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT SHOULD DRAW UP SPECIFIC RULES, SO THAT OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE COULD CLEARLY JUDGE THE URGENCY OF EACH CASE AND ALLOW NEEDY VICTIMS TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
MRS TAM ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE PROCEDURES FOR AN APPLICANT TO PROVE BODILY HARM BE SIMPLIFIED SO THAT A WARRANT OF ARREST COULD BE ISSUED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, PROTECTING THE APPLICANT FROM FURTHER SUFFERING.
SHE SAID THE THREE TYPES OF COURT ORDERS MUST CARRY SUFFICIENT LEGAL SANCTION SO AS TO DETER THE RECIPIENT FROM CONTRAVENING THEIR REQUIREMENTS AND TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF THE VIOLENCE.
-----0------
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986 - 22 -
DAYA BAY FEASIBILITY STUDY BEING MADE AVAILABLE * * * * *
■ < ... v ■*>•’ ’’/'1
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE REGARDED IT AS IMPORTANT THAT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE THE FEASIBILITY STUDY DEALING WITH SITE SELECTION, EQUIPMENT STUDY AND SYSTEM DESIGN OF THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WELL BEFORE THE PROJECTED OVERSEAS FACT-FINDING MISSIONS.
MR JACOBS SAID HE HAD APPROACHED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT THE FEASIBILITY STUDY BE DISTRIBUTED TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
+1 AM PLEASED TO INFORM MEMBERS THIS AFTERNOON THAT I HAVE NOW HEARD FROM LORD KADOORIE, THE CHAIRMAN OF CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, THAT VICE-MINISTER ZHOU PING OF THE MINISTRY OF NUCLEAR INDUSTRY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA HAS AGREED WITH THE PROPOSAL,* HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THIS AGREEMENT WAS SUBJECT TO DISCUSSIONS AS TO THE EXACT MECHANICS OF DISTRIBUTION TAKING PLACE BETWEEN THE CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY.
+1 HOPE TO SEE THE ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS,* HE ADDED.
-----o------
COMPUTERISED LAND RECORDS SYSTEM WELCOMED
*****
GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO COMPUTERISE THE STORAGE OF LAND REGISTRATION RECORDS WAS WELCOMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE HON HO SAI-CHU WHO URGED THAT IT BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HO SAID THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO INTRODUCE A MORE EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE SYSTEM OF LAND REGISTRATION TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING VOLUME OF DATA STORED AT THE LAND OFFICE WHICH WAS IN LINE WITH THE RECOVERY IN THE PROPERTY MARKET.
I.un £JE SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED to know that the planned computerised LAND RECORDS SYSTEM WOULD SIMPLIFY SEARCH PROCEDURES AND REDUCE THE TIME REQUIRED FOR MAKING A LAND SEARCH, THEREBY OFFERING BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
/+IN ADDITION, .......
L
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 23 -
+ IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT WILL INCREASE COST-EFFECTIVENESS BY ACHIEVING SAVING ON MANPOWER AND STORAGE SPACE,+ MR HO SAID.
THE COMPUTERISED LAND RECORDS SYSTEM WOULD ALSO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE REGISTRAR GENERAL TO TAKE CHARGE OF ALL LAND RECORDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, HE ADDED.
THANKING MR HO FOR HIS SUPPORT OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THE EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPUTERISATION PROGRAMME.
-----0------
RELOCATING TRAM DEPOT ’WILL IMPROVE EFFICIENCY’
******
THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF TRAM DEPOT FACILITIES WOULD BENEFIT THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC BY IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE TRAMWAY AND MAINTAINING TRAM FARES AT THE PRESENT LEVEL UNTIL THE END OF 1988, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING A RESOLUTION UNDER SECTION 3(4) OF THE TRAMWAY ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 107) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR GREWAL SAID ON JULY 15 THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD APPROVED AN APPLICATION FOR RELOCATION BY THE HONGKONG TRAMWAYS LIMITED.
THE COMPANY PROPOSED TO RELOCATE ITS DEPOT FACILITIES BY CLOSING ITS EXISTING DEPOT AT SHARP STREET AND REPLACING IT WITH TWO NEW DEPOTS, AT SAI YING PUN AND SAI WAN HO.
MR GREWAL SAID THE SHARP STREET DEPOT WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAMWAY. THE NEED FOR TRAMS TO LEAVE AND RETURN TO THE CENTRALLY LOCATED DEPOT BEFORE AND AFTER THE SCHEDULED HOURS CREATED WASTE MILEAGE ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT OF THE TOTAL DAILY MILEAGE COVERED BY TRAMS.
+RELOCATING THE DEPOT FACILITIES TO BOTH ENDS OF THE TRAMWAY WOULD ELIMINATE SUCH UNECONOMIC TRAM MILEAGE AND REDUCE THE OPERATING COST OF THE TRAMWAY,+ HE SAID.
THE HONGKONG TRAMWAY LIMITED HAD STATED PUBLICLY IT WOULD NOT INCREASE TRAM FARES UNTIL THE END OF 1988 IF THE RELOCATION PROPOSAL GAINED APPROVAL, HE ADDED.
MR GREWAL ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE SHARP STREET DEPOT WAS LOCATED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND THE INEVITABLE NOISE CAUSED BY OVERNIGHT MAINTENANCE AND THE MOVEMENT OF EMPTY TRAMS LATE AT NIGHT AND EARLY IN THE MORNING IN AND OUT OF THE DEPOT HAD FOR MANY YEARS BEEN A SOURCE OF COMPLAINT BY NEIGHBOURS.
+FROM AN URBAN PLANNING STANDPOINT RELOCATING THE DEPOT TO NON-RESIDENTIAL AREAS WOULD BE LOGICAL AND WOULD ELIMINATE THE PRESENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS,* HE SAID.
------0-------
/24......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
24
CORRUPTION REPORTS HIGHEST IN TEN YEARS * * * X *
A RECORD NUMBER OF CORRUPTION REPORTS WAS RECEIVED BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION IN 1985, THE HON S.L. CHEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE ICAC ANNUAL REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEN SAID THE COMMISSION RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 2 550 CORRUPTION REPORTS LAST YEAR, THE HIGHEST ANNUAL TOTAL SINCE 1975.
HE NOTED THAT 1 009 OF THESE REPORTS WERE AGAINST THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THIS WAS ALSO THE HIGHEST OF SUCH REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE ICAC.
FOR NON-CORRUPTION COMPLAINTS, MR CHEN REPORTED A 25 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE FIGURE FOR 1984, REVERSING THE DOWNWARD TREND OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
MR CHEN SAID THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN AT FULL STRETCH DURING THE YEAR TO DEAL WITH LARGE-SCALE CORRUPTION-RELATED COMMERCIAL FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS. SPECIAL TASK FORCES HAD TO BE FORMED TO HANDLE THESE LENGTHY AND COMPLICATED CASES, RESULTING IN A STRAIN ON OTHER AREAS OF OPERATIONS.
THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, HE ADDED, HAD CONTINUED ITS WORK IN BRINGING THE ANTI-CORRUPT I ON MESSAGE TO ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
+ A SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TOWARDS YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR OF 1985, RANGING FROM LIAISON WITH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN PROMOTING SOCIAL MORALITY, TO THE LAUNCHING OF SPECIAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMMES.*
IN THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION FIELD, MR CHEN SAID MORE CORRUPTION PREVENTION GROUPS HAD BEEN FORMED WITHIN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 31.
HE SAID A MILESTONE IN THE WORK OF THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION DEPARTMENT WAS REACHED IN 1985 WHEN THE ONE THOUSANDTH ASSIGNMENT REPORT WAS CONSIDERED ON NOVEMBER 7 BY THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE ADVISORY SERVICES GROUP WAS FORMED IN APRIL LAST YEAR TO ADVISE THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON CORRUPTION PREVENTION.
+WITH THE EXPANSION OF THIS KIND OF SERVICE, IT CAN BE SEEN THAT THE ICAC PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON PRIVATE COMPANIES UNDERSTANDING THE LAW AND REGULATING THEMSELVES ACCORDINGLY,* HE SAID.
/MR CH3i .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 25 -
MR CHEN ALSO REFERRED TO A 1984 MASS SURVEY REPORT PUBLISHED IN 1985, WHICH SHOWED A HIGH LEVEL OF COMMUNITY CONFIDENCE IN THE COMMISSION AND A HEALTHY TREND IN PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS CORRUPTION.
FEWER PEOPLE NOW REGARD CORRUPTION AS THE MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEM IT ONCE WAS, HE NOTED.
MR CHEN SAID THE REPORT SHOWED THE WORK OF THE ICAC HAD CONTINUED TO GAIN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND ANNOUNCED THAT THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CORRUPTION AND ECONOMIC CRIME AGAINST GOVERNMENT WOULD BE HOSTED BY THE ICAC IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF 1987.
--------0 ----------
NEW COLLEGE TO BE SET UP AT CHINESE UNIVERSITY
*****
A BILL TO GIVE LEGAL EFFECT TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FOURTH COLLEGE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ENTITLED THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (DECLARATION OF SHAW COLLEGE) BILL 1986, IT PROVIDED FOR A SCHEDULE GOVERNING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NEW COLLEGE, THE HON S.L. CHEN SAID.
SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR CHEN POINTED OUT THAT EXISTING FACILITIES AT CHUNG CHI, NEW ASIA AND THE UNITED COLLEGES OF THE UNIVERSITY HAD LONG REACHED MAXIMUM UTILISATION LEVELS.
+IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR AN EXPANSION OF COLLEGIATE FACILITIES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT THE UNIVERSITY.
+THE TIME HAS COME, THEREFORE, FOR CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FOURTH COLLEGE ALONG MUCH THE SAME LINES AS THE THREE EXISTING ONES+, HE SAID.
MR CHEN NOTED THAT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ORDINANCE 1976 PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW COLLEGES BY ORDINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.
TO ESTABLISH SHAW COLLEGE AS A COLLEGE OF THE UNIVERSITY, THE COUNCIL HAD ACCORDINGLY PASSED A SPECIAL RESOLUTION, AND A BILL WAS NOW PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION, HE SAID.
THERE WAS ALSO A CONSEQUENT NEED TO MAKE MINOR AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
/on the .......
WKWBSDAY, JULY 23,
26 -
ON THE FUNDING OF SHAW COLLEGE, MR CHEN SAID SIR RUN RUN
SHAW HAD MADE A GENEROUS DONATION OF $100 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-STOREY HOSTEL FOR 1 200 STUDENTS WITH VARIOUS AMENITIES, AS WELL AS OFFICES AND QUARTERS FOR COLLEGE STAFF. '
+IN RECOGNITION OF SIR RUN RUN’S LONG-TIME CONTRIBUTION
TO EDUCATION, THE UNIVERSITY HAS DECIDED TO NAME THE NEW COLLEGE SHAW COLLEGE, AND HAS INVITED SIR RUN RUN TO BECOME ITS PATRON,* HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0 ---------
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE IN FINDING INDUSTRIAL LAND *****
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE WILLING TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS IN THE DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY IN FINDING SUITABLE LAND AND SOLVING THEIR OTHER PROBLEMS IF THEY WERE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO BUILD AND OPERATE COMMUNAL POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITIES.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON STEUART WEBB-JOHNSON, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT.
MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID SOME FACTORIES WITH WASTE DISPOSAL PROBLEMS HAD IN FACT BEEN ASSISTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID ADVISE AND ASSIST MANUFACTURERS LOOKING FOR SITES EITHER FOR SALE BY AUCTION OR FOR GRANT UNDER THE SPECIAL INDUSTRIES POLICY IF THEY QUALIFIED THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR MORE SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY.
+ANOTHER OPTION IS TO INTRODUCE THE MANUFACTURER TO THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION FOR THE CORPORATION TO CONSIDER WHETHER HE QUALIFIES FOR THE OFFER OF A SITE IN ONE OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES*.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCOMMODATING SUCH FACTORIES IN THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES HAD IN FACT BEEN EXAMINED, AS A RESULT OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN A REPORT BY THE SHIRLEY INSTITUTE IN 1982.
+HOWEVER, THE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH DEMANDS OF THIS INDUSTRY ON THE WATER SUPPLY AND THE SPECIAL NEEDS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL WOULD HAVE REQUIRED HEAVY EXPENDITURE ON ADDITIONAL INSTALLATIONS,* HE SAID.
+AND AS A RESULT NO APPLICATION WAS MADE FOR LAND IN THE ESTATE.*
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/2? .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
27
IMPROVEMENT WILL BE SOUGHT IN FAMILY CASEWORK STAFFING K K X K X
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WILL BE SEEKING FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANNING SCALE FOR THE FAMILY CASEWORK SERVICE. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR SHIPMAN SAID: +THERE IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE MUCH SCOPE FOR ADDITIONAL INTERNAL RE-DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF WITHIN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO THE BENEFIT OF THE FAMILY CASEWORK SERVICE, HAVING REGARD TO THE STAFFING NEEDS OF THE OTHER SERVICES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES, AND ANY ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE FAMILY CASEWORK MANNING SCALE MUST DEPEND ON THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL POSTS.+
HE SAID FAMILY CASEWORK WAS CONDUCTED THROUGH A NETWORK OF 22 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND A FURTHER 26 SUCH CENTRES RUN BY EIGHT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
AT PRESENT THERE WERE 209 CASEWORKERS IN THE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRES HANDLING A TOTAL OF 21 747 CASES, THUS GIVING AN AVERAGE CASELOAD OF 104.
IN THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES’ CENTRES, THERE WERE 90 CASEWORKERS HANDLING 7 668 CASES, GIVING AN AVERAGE CASELOAD OF 85.
THE OVERALL AVERAGE WAS 98 CASES PER CASEWORKER.
+IN ADDITION, STAFF AT THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER RANK SUPERVISE THE CASEWORKERS,* MR SHIPMAN SAID.
THESE STATISTICS REPRESENTED AN IMPROVEMENT UPON THE POSITION RECORDED AT MARCH 31 LAST YEAR, WHEN FAMILY CASEWORKERS IN THE DEPARTMENT HAD AN AVERAGE OF 121 CASES AND THOSE IN THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAD AN AVERAGE OF 84 CASES AND THE OVERALL AVERAGE WAS 109 CASES.
HE SAID THE IMPROVEMENT WAS ACHIEVED DESPITE A TOTAL INCREASE OF OVER 800 CASES.
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/28........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 19
28
TYPES OF ROAD MARKINGS EXPLAINED * * UK K
ROAD MARKINGS CAN ONLY BE INDICATIVE OF THE TYPE OF STOPPING RESTRICTION IN FORCE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG, MR GREWAL SAID TWO TYPES OF +YELLOW LINE+ ROAD MARKINGS WERE PROVIDED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS.
+A 'DOUBLE YELLOW LINE’ IS USED TO INDICATE THAT STOPPING OF MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES IS NOT PERMITTED AT ANY.. TIME,+ HE SAID, +WHILE A ’SINGLE YELLOW LINE’ INDICATES THAT STOPPING OF SUCH VEHICLES IS PROHIBITED FOR A PERIOD OR PERIODS OF LESS THAN 24 HOURS IN ANY DAY.+
MR GREWAL POINTED OUT THAT AS A RESULT OF A REVIEW OF THE ROAD MARKING SYSTEM FOR RESTRICTED ZONES, IT WAS THE INTENTION THAT THE FOLLOWING ’YELLOW LINE’ MARKINGS BE PROVIDED!
* A DOUBLE CONTINUOUS YELLOW LINE TO INDICATE NO STOPPING AT ANY TIME J
* A SINGLE CONTINUOUS YELLOW LINE TO INDICATE NO STOPPING DURING PEAK PERIODS, E.G. 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM|
* A DOUBLE YELLOW LINE, COMPRISING ONE CONTINUOUS LINE AND ONE BROKEN LINE, TO INDICATE NO STOPPING FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD BUT LESS THAN 24 HOURS IN ANY DAY, E.G. 7 AM - 7 PM.
+AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE THREE STANDARD RESTRICTION PERIODS (THAT IS, AT ANY TIME! 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM> AND 7 AM TO 7 PM) WILL BE ADHERED TO.
+HOWEVER, IN SOME AREAS, IT IS NECESSARY TO ADOPT DIFFERENT RESTRICTION PERIODS IN ORDER TO SUIT PARTICULAR ClRCUMSTANCES,+ HE SAID.
THERE WOULD STILL BE A NEED TO PROVIDE TIME PLATES FOR EXACT INFORMATION ON THE RESTRICTION PERIODS, HE CONCLUDED.
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/29........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
29
RADIATION LEVEL WITHIN INTERNATIONAL SAFETY LIMIT ******
AFTER THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR PLANT ACCIDENT, SAMPLES OF IMPORTED FOOD TO HONG KONG WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN LEVELS OF RADIATION PER KILOGRAM WELL WITHIN THE STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL SAFETY LIMIT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT SAFETY LEVELS HAD BEEN SET BY THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC) ON MAY 31, 1986, AND HAD BEEN ADOPTED AS THE STANDARDS IN THE MONITORING OF IMPORTED FOOD IN HONG KONG.
EXPLAINING GOVERNMENT MEASURES, MR SHIPMAN SAID ACTIONS WERE TAKEN BY THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING FIRST REPORTS ON THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT AT THE END OF APRIL THIS YEAR.
FOOD COMMODITIES FLOWN IN FROM EUROPE AS WELL AS OTHER NEARBY COUNTRIES WERE SAMPLED FOR DETECTION OF RADIO-ACTIVE CONTAMINATION, HE SAID, ADDING THAT PLANS WERE DRAWN UP TO SAMPLE COMMODITIES SHIPPED IN FROM EUROPE, AS WELL AS THOSE IMPORTED FROM CHINA. AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
+FOOD COMMODITIES IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG PRIOR TO THE REACTOR ACCIDENT WERE SAMPLED FOR DETERMINATION OF THEIR BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS SO THAT THESE COULD BE COMPARED WITH THE LEVELS IN FOOD IMPORTED THEREAFTER.+
MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT THE LOCAL CONSULATES OF 10 WESTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ACCIDENT WERE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY DETAILS OF MEASURES TAKEN BY THEIR COUNTRIES TO PREVENT THE EXPORT OF THOSE FOOD COMMODITIES AT RISK OF CONTAMINATION.
THE UK MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOODS, MEANWHILE. WAS APPROACHED FOR ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING SIMILAR DETAILS FROM POLAND AND HUNGARY, WHICH WERE THE MAIN EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES EXPORTING TO HONG KONG.
+SUBSEQUENT REPLIES FROM THE CONSULS-GENERAL CONCERNED, AS WELL AS FROM POLAND AND HUNGARY THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE. FISHERIES AND FOODS, ASSURED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THAT STRINGENT MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN IN THESE COUNTRIES TO ENSURE THAT FOOD COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO HONG KONG WERE RADIATION FREE.+ MR SHIPMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE GRANTING OF PERMISSION FOR THE IMPORTATION OF FOOD FROM ALL EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES WAS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
HOWEVER, AFTER THE EEC HAD ENACTED REGULATIONS STIPULATING THE LEVELS OF RADIATION PERMITTED IN CERTAIN FOODS, PERMISSION WAS GRANTED FOR THE IMPORTATION OF FOOD FROM EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES, BUT CERTIFICATES WERE REQUIRED TO THE EFFECT THAT THE LEVEL OF RADIATION OF EACH CONSIGNMENT COMPLIED WITH THAT SET OUT BY THE EEC COUNTRIES, HE SAID.
- 0
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1988
- 30 -
CO-OPERATION TO SOLVE TYPHOON TRAFFIC URGED
*****
THE CO-OPERATION OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WOULD BE REQUIRED IN HELPING TO SOLVE THE STRAIN ON THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM DURING A TYPHOON, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEE YU-TAI, MR LIAO SAID IT WAS NOT THE TIMING OF HOISTING OR ANNOUNCING THE NO 8 SIGNAL BUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT AS SUCH THAT CAUSED THE STRAIN TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM WHEN EVERYONE RUSHED HOME AT THE SAME TIME.
MR LIAO SAID CO-OPERATION WOULD BE REQUIRED SO THAT DISPERSAL OF STAFF COULD BE MORE EVENLY SPREAD OUT, BEARING IN MIND THAT NORMALLY THERE WERE AT LEAST SIX TO 12 HOURS BEFORE GALE OR STORM FORCE WINDS AFFECTED THE TERRITORY.
THE GOVERNMENT AS THE EMPLOYER OF THE LARGEST WORKFORCE WILL BE LOOKING INTO THE MATTER, HE ADDED.
MR LIAO SAID THE HOISTING OF THE NO 8 SIGNAL MEANT THAT GALE STORM FORCE WINDS WITH SPEEDS OF 63 TO 117 KILOMETRES PER HOUR WERE EXPECTED IN HONG KONG AND WAS AIMED TO GIVE ADVANCE WARNING OF THE ONSET OF GALES.
+THE WARNING, WHICH ENABLES EVERYONE ESPECIALLY THOSE AT SEA TO TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS, MUST HAVE REGARD TO THE TIME WHEN THE RELEVANT WEATHER DATA AND THEIR ASSESSMENTS BECOME AVAILABLE.
+GIVEN THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOUR OF TYPHOONS, PREMATURE HOISTING OF A SIGNAL WOULD LEAD TO UNNECESSARY DISRUPTION WHILE DELAY MAY ENDANGER LIVES,* HE SAID.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT SINCE MAJOR CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO PUBLIC SAFETY, IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE OR EVEN DANGEROUS IF THE HOISTING OF THE NO 8 SIGNAL WERE TO BE RESTRICTED ONLY TO CERTAIN HOURS OF THE DAY OR NIGHT.
+FURTHERMORE, THERE WILL BE OCCASIONS, AS IN THE PAST, WHEN INCOMING OBSERVATIONAL INFORMATION RECEIVED ON THE TYPHOON INDICATES IMMINENT DANGER THEREBY WARRANTING THE IMMEDIATE HOISTING OF THE SIGNAL,* HE ADDED.
MR LIAO SAID THAT DURING THE APPROACH OF A TYPHOON, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WAS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO ENABLE THEM TO PLAN FOR THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMMUTERS AND, IF NECESSARY, MAKE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE THE SUSPENSION OR RESUMPTION OF SERVICES.
/THE DIRECTOR........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
31
Tur ™E P'RECT0R 0F education who had the discretion to announce THE CLOSING OF SCHOOLS AHEAD OF THE HOISTING OF THE NO 8 SIGNAL, »nS. ^5° GIVEN ADVANCE NOTICE OF DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS, MR LIAO SAID. 1
„?E GA,P THE DlRECTOR TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION FACTORS SUCH AS THE SAFETY OF PUPILS, TRANSPORT PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL PROGRAMMES, WHEN DECIDING ON THE SUSPENSION OF CLASSES.
+BECAUSE THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS THE SAFETY OF PUPILS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WHENEVER POSSIBLE ANNOUNCES THE CLOSING OF SCHOOLS EITHER AT 6.15 AM OR AT 11 AM TO INFORM PUPILS ATTENDING THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON SESSIONS BEFORE THEY LEAVE HOME,* MR LIAO ADDED.
*
--------o ---------
INCINERATORS TO BE PHASED OUT * * * *
PLANS ARE IN HAND FOR HAVING MUNICIPAL WASTE DISPOSED OF AT NEW LANDFILL SITES, OR CONTROLLED TIPS, INSTEAD OF THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR STATION BY 1991-92, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LIU LIT-FOR, MR SHIPMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG-TERM STRATEGY WAS TO MAKE GREATER USE OF THE SANITARY LANDFILL METHOD FOR DISPOSAL OF MUNICIPAL WASTE.
+THIS WILL ENABLE KENNEDY TOWN AND OTHER INCINERATORS TO BE PHASED OUT,* MR SHIPMAN SAID.
+IN THE MEANTIME, THE WASTE DISPOSAL CAPACITY PROVIDED BY THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR STATION IS INDISPENSABLE, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING STEPS TO MAKE THE STATION ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE, AS FAR AS IS PRACTICABLE,* HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE WHOLE STATION WOULD HAVE BEEN FITTED WITH ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS, WHICH WOULD GREATLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE CHIMNEY EMISSIONS BY REMOVING MOST OF THEIR DUST PARTICLES AND GRIT CONTENT.
MOST INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL WASTES AND ALL TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS WASTES WERE NOT ACCEPTED FOR DISPOSAL IN THE INCINERATOR TO ENSURE THAT NO HARMFUL QUANTITIES OF TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS GAS WERE GENERATED.
/+RANDOM MONITORING........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2J, 1966
- 32 -
♦RANDOM MONITORING OF THE STACK EMISSION HAS SHOWN THAT THE GASEOUS EMISSIONS AT KENNEDY TOWN ARE NOT A CAUSE FOR ALARM,* HE SAID.
+FROM NOVEMBER THIS YEAR, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL START A REGULAR MONITORING PROGRAMME OF THE CHIMNEY EMISSIONS AT KENNEDY TOWN AND THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE MAINTAINED UNTIL THE INCINERATOR IS CLOSED DOWN,* MR SHIPMAN ADDED.
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DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL REMOVAL ALLOWANCES EXPLAINED. H X K O
A PAPER IS BEING PREPARED FOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION ON WHETHER THE APPLICATION OF TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS ON REMOVAL ALLOWANCES FOR DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE CHANGED, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON JOHN TODD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR TODD SAID THE REASON FOR THE DIFFERENT TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS AROSE FROM THE DIFFERENT RATIONALE BEHIND THESE TWO TYPES OF ALLOWANCES.
DOMESTIC TENANTS, HE SAID, +ARE MOVING FROM THEIR FLAT TO ANOTHER AND IN DOING SO HAVE TO INCUR REMOVAL EXPENSES AND HAVE TO FIT OUT THEIR NEW FLATS.*
THEIR ALLOWANCE WAS BASED ON THESE COSTS AND WHEN REVISED, CURRENT COSTS WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
♦THE NEW RATES ARE PAID TO ALL TENANTS AFFECTED AFTER THE DATE OF REVISION,* HE SAID.
COMMERCIAL TENANTS, CONDITIONS PROVIDED FOR TERMINATION OF TENANCY BY GIVING THREE MONTHS NOTICE BY EITHER PARTY.
+THERE IS NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR ANY COMPENSATION TO BE PAID,* MR TODD SAID.
BUT IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS COMMERCIAL TENANTS TO RE-ESTABLISH THEIR BUSINESS IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S COMMERCIAL PREMISES ELSEWHERE, THE AUTHORITY RECOGNISED THE DISTRURBANCE CAUSED AND, +PAYS AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AS A FORM OF COMPENSATION FOR MONETARY LOSS,* HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1?86
- 33 -
THIS ALLOWANCE, MR TODD EXPLAINED, WAS BASED MAINLY ON LOSS OF BUSINESS, COSTS OF REMOVAL AND THE COSTS OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS.
AS THE ALLOWANCE WAS BASED ON PAST EARNINGS AS WELL AS CURRENT FIGURES, HE EXPLAINED THAT IT APPLIED TO ALL COMMERCIAL TENANTS AFFECTED BY A SPECIFIC PHASE OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
-------Q - - - -
LITTLE RISK OF UNFIT FISH REACHING MARKET * * * *
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HAS A SAMPLING SCHEDULE FOR FISH IN RETAIL OUTLETS AS WELL AS IN RESTAURANTS, AND THE PUBLIC CAN BE ASSURED THAT THERE IS LITTLE RISK OF FISH UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION REACHING THE MARKET, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON RICHARD LAI, MR SHIPMAN SAID FISHERMEN WERE ALSO REMINDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PERIODICALLY NOT TO USE TOXIC SUBSTANCES TO CATCH FISH.
MR LAI HAD ASKED ABOUT THE MEASURES TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF FISHERMEN DOSING THEIR CATCHES OF FISH WITH CYANIDE IN ORDER TO CATCH THEM ALIVE.
MR SHIPMAN SAID HE WAS TOLD BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT THAT THEY HAD NOT SO FAR APPREHENDED A FISHERMAN IN POSSESSION OF CYANIDE.
AS FAR AS THE DEPARTMENT WAS AWARE, HE ADDED, THE PRACTICE DESCRIBED IN PART OF MR LAI’S QUESTION WAS NOT WIDESPREAD IN HONG KONG WATERS.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE FISHERIES PROTECTION ORDINANCE PROHIBITED THE USE OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES LISTED IN ITS SCHEDULE FOR FISHING ACTIVITIES BUT THE SCHEDULE DID NOT INCLUDE CYANIDE.
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE QUESTION OF ITS INCLUSION, TOGETHER WITH VARIOUS OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE SAME ORDINANCE, WAS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH.
IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, IF A FISHERMAN WERE APPREHENDED IN POSSESSION OF CYANIDE, ACTION COULD PROBABLY BE TAKEN UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE.
MR SHIPMAN SAID HE WAS TOLD THAT ONLY FISH WHICH HAD RECEIVED SMALL DOSES OF CYANIDE WOULD REMAIN ALIVE AND, ACCORDING TO RESEARCH BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, MOST OF THE SMALL AMOUNTS OF INORGANIC CYANIDE PRESENT IN FOODS WERE DESTROYED BY THE PROCESS OF COOKING.
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/34........
WEDNESDAY, JULY
OVERCHARGING BY TAXI DRIVERS ’NOT WIDESPREAD’ KOO
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF OVERCHARGING BY TAXI DRIVERS DOES NOT SEEM TO CALL FOR ANY EXCEPTIONAL MEASURES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN, MR GREWAL SAID THE PROBLEM OF OVERCHARGING WAS BEING TACKLED IN THREE WAYS.
FIRSTLY, THE POLICE INVESTIGATED CASES OF OVERCHARGING AND TOOK ENFORCEMENT ACTION WHEN A CASE WAS SUBSTANTIATED.
SECONDLY, AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS WERE IN HAND WHICH WOULD REQUIRE TAXI OPERATORS TO DISPLAY INSIDE TAXIS CLEAR SIGNS WHICH INDICATED FARE RATES IN HONG KONG DOLLARS AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT.
+THIS MEASURE IS EXPECTED TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY NOVEMBER 1986,+ HE SAID.
THIRDLY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ISSUED REGULAR WARNINGS TO TAXI OPERATOR ASSOCIATION AT ITS REGULAR CONFERENCES WITH THEM WITH A VIEW TO APPEALING TO THEIR MEMBERS TO WARN THEIR DRIVERS NOT TO ENGAGE IN ANY TYPE OF MALPRACTICE, INCLUDING OVERCHARGING.
IN ADDITION, MR GREWAL SAID, +THE GENERAL PROBLEM OF TAXI MALPRACTICES WILL BE EXAMINED BY THE SUB-COMMITTEE WHICH HAS BEEN RECENTLY SET UP BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF TAXI POLICY AND OPERATIONS.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT OVERCHARGING OF TAXI FARES WAS AN OFFENCE UNDER REGULATION 47(2) OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS WHICH CARRIED A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A FINE OF >3 OOO AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THIS REGULATION WAS IN FORCE AT ALL TIMES AND UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER A TYPHOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED.
MR GREWAL SA I Ds +TAXI DRIVERS WHO ATTEMPT TO CHARGE PASSENGERS EXCESSIVE FARES DURING TYPHOONS, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME, RENDER THEMSELVES LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.*
HOWEVER, HE SAID, DURING THE APPROACH OF A TYPHOON, POLICE OFFICERS HAD TO CONCENTRATE ON THE CONTROL AND DIRECTION OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND THE REGULATION OF PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS WHICH, AT SUCH TIMES, WERE INEVITABLY ABNORMAL.
/as weather .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 35 -
AS WEATHER CONDITIONS DETERIORATED, POLICE ACTIVITY WAS CENTRED UPON PROTECTING LIFE AND PROPERTY AND POLICE OFFICERS’ ATTENTION HAD, BY NECESSITY, TO BE DIRECTED AWAY FROM RELATIVELY MINOR INFRINGEMENTS OF THE LAW.
+THIS PUTS AN ONUS ON THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CASES OF OVERCHARGING TO THE POLICE SO THAT AN INVESTIGATION MAY BE CONDUCTED,* HE SAID.
+ IF A COMPLAINT IS SUBSTANTIATED, PROSECUTION ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.*
MR GREWAL SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE MALPRACTICE WAS WIDESPREAD.
IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THERE HAD BEEN ONLY 163 REPORTED CASES OF OVERCHARGING, AND THIS INCLUDED OVERCHARGING DURING TYPHOONS AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT DECREASING FROM 80 IN 1982-83 TO 34 IN 1984-35.
HE SAID: POLICE.*
+0F THIS TOTAL, 71 CASES WERE PROSECUTED BY THE
--------o ----------
PLANS TO CURB INDISCRIMINATE ANIMAL WASTE DISPOSAL * * * * *
PROPOSALS TO CONTROL THE INDISCRIMINATE DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTES, WHICH WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT CAUSE OF POLLUTION, WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, MR SHIPMAN SAID THIS WAS PART OF THE ACTION IN HAND TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF POLLUTED WATERCOURSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BY TACKLING THE PROBLEM AT SOURCE.
OTHER CONTROLS, INCLUDING SEVERAL PROJECTS FOR THE INTERCEPTION OF POLLUTED SURFACE WATER DRAINS AND THE DIVERSION OF THEIR CONTENTS INTO FOUL SEWERS, HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN WHILE OTHERS WERE BEING PLANNED, HE SAID.
+HOWEVER, STEPPED-UP ENFORCEMENT OF STATUTORY DRAINAGE PROVISIONS WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
+A CONCERTED PROGRAMME OF ACTION, BASED ON PRIORITIES, IS NOW BEING DEVELOPED SO THAT THESE RESOURCES CAN BE FULLY JUSTIFIED AND SUBSEQUENTLY DEPLOYED IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER,* HE SAID.
/Ma SHIPMAN........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 36 -
MR SHIPMAN NOTED THAT DESPITE THE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL INFRASTRUCTURE, NULLAHS AND OTHER WATERCOURSES CONTINUED TO BE POLLUTED BY DOMESTIC SEWAGE FROM UNSEWERED RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND BY INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES, MANY OF WHICH DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
+IN PARALLEL WITH NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS, THERE ARE SCHEMES TO EXTEND THE SEWERAGE NETWORK INTO RURAL AREAS,+ HE SAID.
+IN AREAS WITHOUT MUCH DRAINAGE, SEPTIC TANKS AND SMALL TREATMENT WORKS ARE REQUIRED IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
+IN ADDITION, THE DRAINAGE IN A NUMBER OF RURAL COMMUNITIES IS BEING EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO INSTALLING COMMUNAL SYSTEMS,* HE ADDED.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATION WHICH PROVIDED CONTROLS ON NEW POLLUTING INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS AND LIMITED THE INCREASE IN DISCHARGES FROM EXISTING ONES, WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE IN 1987 SO THAT INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION IN THAT AREA COULD BE CONTAINED IN THE SHORTTERM AND IMPROVED IN THE LONGER TERM.
AND TO IMPROVE CO-ORDINATION AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, MR SHIPMAN SAID DISTRICT WORKING GROUPS ON WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT WERE ESTABLISHED IN LATE 1983 THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DISTRICT LANDS OFFICERS.
+THESE GROUPS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN IDENTIFYING SOURCES OF POLLUTION, COORDINATING LOCAL ACTION TO CONTROL THE POLLUTION OF RIVERS AND NULLAHS AND PRODUCING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR WATERCOURSES,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THE NEW CONTROLS ON THE DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTE WOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE YUEN LONG TOWN AREA IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROGRAMME.
+DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL SEWAGE FROM THE SEWERED AREA OF THE TOWN DRAINS TO A SCREENING PLANT AND THE NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, WHICH WERE COMMISSIONED IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR, ENSURE THAT THESE WASTES ARE NOW GIVEN BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT BEFORE THE EFFLUENT IS DISCHARGED INTO THE LOWER STRETCHES OF THE NULLAH.*
HE SAID ACTION TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF UNAUTHORISED CONNECTION WOULD BE TAKEN IN YUEN LONG AS PART OF THE CONCERTED PROGRAMME WHICH HE HAD MENTIONED.
+MEANWHILE, THE ANNUAL DESILTING OPERATION IN THE NULLAH PROVIDES SOME TEMPORARY ABATEMENT OF THE FOUL ODOURS,* AND +MEASURES TO INTERCEPT THE DRY-WEATHER FLOW OR CONFINE IT TO A RESTRICTED CHANNEL ARE NOT PRACTICABLE IN THE YUEN LONG NULLAH BECAUSE OF ITS SHALLOW GRADIENT AND THE INFLUENCE OF TIDES*.
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/37........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
37
CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT DUE ON COMPLAINTS SYSTEM
*****
PUBLIC VIEWS WOULD BE INVITED ON THE CHANNELS FOR THE REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES AND COMPLAINTS IN CONNECTION WITH MALPRACTICES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANY PLAN TO APPOINT A ^COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATION* TO ASSIST THE UMELCO OFFICE IN DEALING WITH SUCH COMPLA NTS SIR DAVID SAID A REVIEW HAD BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND UMELCO HAD ALSO REVIEWED THESE MATTERS LAST YEAR.
A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WAS BEING FINALISED AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, TO INVITE THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC, HE SAID.
+THE PUBLIC RESPONSE WILL ASSIST GOVERNMENT IN FORMULATING SUCH PROPOSALS AS MAY APPEAR NECESSARY FOR IMPROVING OR ADDING THE PRESENT CHANNELS AND REMEDIES,* SIR DAVID SAID.
-------o----------
DIFFICULT TO DETER ARRIVAL OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
*****
THERE WAS LITTLE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT COULD DO TO DETER VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM COMING TO HONG KONG OTHER THAN TO MAINTAIN THE CLOSED CAMP POLICY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON RITA FAN, HE SAID THAT ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS THERE WOULD BE NO QUESTION OF TURNING THEM AWAY.
REGARDING THE HUGE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES THAT ARRIVED IN HONG KONG SO FAR THIS YEAR, MR THOMAS SAID A TOTAL OF 1 204 REFUGEES HAD ARRIVED BY MID-JULY, MORE THAN THE WHOLE OF LAST YEAR.
+WHEN THEY ARE INTERVIEWED ON ARRIVAL, THEY ARE ASKED WHY THEY LEFT VIETNAM TO COME TO HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
/+THIS YEAH, ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
+THIS YEAR, MOST OF THEM CLAIMED THEY WERE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THE POOR STATE OF THE ECONOMY, PARTICULARLY IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE NORTH.+
MR THOMAS SAID THAT ACCORDING TO ASSESSMENT THERE WERE OTHER FACTORS AT WORK SUCH AS RUMOURS THAT THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO INTRODUCE STRICTER MEASURES TO CONTROL ILLEGAL DEPARTURES, RUMOURS THAT HARSH ECONOMIC MEASURES SUCH AS AN INCREASED LEVY ON EACH HARVEST AND DEVALUATION OF THE CURRENCY WOULD BE INTRODUCED, AND THE FACT THAT OCEAN-GOING BOATS IN SHORT SUPPLY WHICH ENCOURAGED COASTAL NAVIGATION FROM THE NORTH OF VIETNAM TO THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
+AS I STATED IN THIS COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR ON JANUARY 8, INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF ARRIVALS WHO ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES TO VIETNAM IS A VIABLE OPTION, AS FAR AS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED, PROVIDED THAT GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM WOULD ACCEPT THEM AND PROVIDED WE COULD BE SATISFIED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE TREATED INHUMANELY ON THEIR RETURN.+
MR THOMAS ADDED THAT HONG KONG WAS STILL PURSUING THIS POSSIBILITY WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT.
-----o------
TWO BILLS PASSED * * *
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986 AND THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILL, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (DECLARATION OF SHAW COLLEGE) BILL 1986 WAS INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO JULY 30.
--------0 ----------
/39........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 198€
- 39 -
MEETING HELD ON TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS DURING TYPHOONS
*****
REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MAJOR TRANSPORT OPERATORS MET THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON TO REVIEW OPERATING PROCEDURES DURING THE APPROACH OF TYPHOONS AND TO INVESTIGATE MEASURES THAT MIGHT ALLEVIATE THE INTENSE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WHEN THE NO. 8 STORM SIGNAL IS HOISTED.
THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF RAIL, BUS AND FERRY OPERATORS AND OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE POLICE AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RICHARD MEAKIN, CHAIRED THE MEETING.
IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT WITH INCREASING CONCENTRATION OF HIGH-DENSITY OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN CENTRAL, WAN CHAI AND CAUSEWAY BAY, THE CONGESTION RESULTING FROM THE MASS EVACUATION OF WORK PLACES THAT COULD FOLLOW THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 8 SIGNAL WAS LIKELY TO GET WORSE IN FUTURE.
IT WAS AGREED THAT CLOSER LIAISON SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE MAJOR TRANSPORT OPERATORS SO THAT THEY WERE KEPT INFORMED OF THE PROBABILITY OF THE NO. 8 SIGNAL BEING HOISTED.
+THE MOVE WILL HELP TRANSPORT OPERATORS LAY ON ADDITIONAL CAPACITY FOR THE MAIN AREAS OF DEMAND,+ MR MEAKIN EXPLAINED.
MEANWHILE, THE LAND-BASED TRANSPORT OPERATORS GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES BUS SERVICES WOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR THREE HOURS AND RAIL SERVICES FOR SIX HOURS AFTER THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 8 SIGNAL.
HOWEVER, THE VULNERABILITY OF FERRY SERVICES TO CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS WOULD MEAN THAT SERVICES COULD BE WITHDRAWN AT SHORT NOTICE.
+IT IS HOPED THAT WITH THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS’ ASSURANCE OF AVAILABLE TRANSPORT CAPACITY, PEOPLE WOULD SPREAD OUT THEIR JOURNEYS HOME,+ MR MEAKIN SAID.
SINCE THE NO. 8 SIGNAL WAS INTENDED TO GIVE SIX TO 12 HOURS ADVANCE NOTICE OF GALE FORCE WINDS, HE HOPED THAT EMPLOYERS WOULD ARRANGE A STAGGERED AND ORDERLY DEPARTURE FOR THEIR STAFF TO HELP RELIEVE THE RUSH FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEN THE SIGNAL WENT UP.
-----0------
/40........
40
GOVERNOR WRAPS UP VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT CHICAGO ON TUESDAY NIGHT (WEDNESDAY, HK TIME) AT THE END OF HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA.
SIR EDWARD, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY YOUDE, WAS FLYING TO LONDON WHERE HE WILL BEGIN HIS ANNUAL LEAVE.
HE IS DUE TO RETURN TO HONG KONG IN A MONTH’S TIME.
- - 0 - -
YAXLEY EXPLAINS EUROPEAN N-PLANT VISITS * * * *
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR JOHN YAXLEY, AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
AS YOU KNOW THE MAIN PURPOSE OF MY VISIT TO EUROPE WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR DEALING WITH INCIDENTS AT NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS, IN PARTICULAR THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY THE PLANT OPERATORS AND BY THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES IN THE AREA IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING THESE STATIONS.
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, I VISITED MOST OF THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES CONCERNED WITH THE CIVIL NUCLEAR PROGRAMME INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, THE NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS INSPECTORATE, THE NATIONAL RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION BOARD, THE CENTRAL ELECTRICITY GENERATING BOARD AND THE UK ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY.
I ALSO MET TWO LOCAL AUTHORITY EMERGENCY PLANNING OFFICERS IN MANCHESTER AND PRESTON AND HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH POLICE, AMBULANCE AND FIRE SERVICES. ON EACH OCCASION I EXPLORED WITH THEM THEIR ROLE IN THE EVENT OF A NUCLEAR INCIDENT.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS A TWO-DAY EXERCISE OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AT THE HEYSHAM NO. 2 STATION IN LANCASHIRE. I SPENT OVER 12 HOURS AT THIS STATION AS AN OBSERVER AND TOOK PART IN THE SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS OF THE EXERCISE.
IN FRANCE I SPENT 10 HOURS AT THE GRAVELINES NUCLEAR POWER STATION WHICH IS SITUATED BETWEEN DUNKIRK AND CALAIS. THIS STATION HAS SIX REACTORS AND IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD. THE FIFTH AND SIXTH UNITS WHICH WERE COMMISSIONED LAST YEAR ARE THE SAME DESIGN AS THOSE FOR DAYA BAY.
/I HAD
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 41 -
I HAD A SERIES OF MOST USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS AT ELECTRI CITE DE FRANCE WHO ARE THE OPERATORS OF THE PLANT AND WHO ARE PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND OTHER SERVICES TO THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY IN SHENZHEN. AS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THE TALKS CENTRED AROUND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DESIGN SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PLANNING, BOTH ON AND OFF SITE.
AS YOU WILL APPRECIATE, AND AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE I LEFT, I HAVE NOT COME BACK WITH A DETAILED PLAN FOR DEALING IN HONG KONG WITH THE EFFECTS OF AN INCIDENT AT DAYA BAY. I HAVE, HOWEVER, COLLECTED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION WHICH WILL, FOLLOWING FURTHER ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION WITH OUR CONSULTANTS, ENABLE US TO DEVELOP SUITABLE PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS PART OF ITS OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CIVIL CONTINGENCY PLANNING.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE
*****
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JUNE 1986, AT $12 546 MILLION, GREW BY 14.5 PER CENT OR $1 590 MILLION COMPARED WITH JUNE 1985, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 15.1 PER CENT OR $1 257 MILLION TO $9 598 MILLION, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $22 144 MILLION, WAS 14.8 PER CENT OR $2 847 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1985.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 15.6 PER CENT OR $3 078 MILLION OVER JUNE 1985 TO REACH $22 836 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW AT A FASTER RATE THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE GAP (THAT IS THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS) OF 3.0 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN JUNE 1986, COMPARED WITH 2.3 PER CENT IN JUNE 1985.
PUTTING THE MONTH’S TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1986 WAS $118 407 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $65 374 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $53 033 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1985, THE VALUES OF TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $5 357 MILLION OR 4.7 PER CENT, OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $4 966 MILLION OR 8.2 PER CENT, AND OF RE-EXPORTS BY $391 MILLION OR 0.7 PER CENT. OVER THIS PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $10 563 MILLION OR 9.4 PER CENT, TO $123 335 MILLION.
/AS THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
AS THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW AT A FASTER RATE THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE GAP OF 4.0 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1986, COMPARED WITH A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS, EQUIVALENT TO 0.2 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1985.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DECLINE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS (YEAR-ON-YEAR) EXPERIENCED DURING MOST OF 1985 WAS ARRESTED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE RECOVERY HAS GATHERED MOMENTUM SINCE MARCH 1986.
THE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST MOST MAJOR CURRENCIES OTHER THAN THE US DOLLAR WAS AMONGST THE MAIN CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT, AFTER DECLINING IN THE FIRST QUARTER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS RECORDED POSITIVE GROWTH AGAIN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE 1986:
MERCHANDISE:
DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $12 546 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS : $9 598 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $22 144 MILLION
IMPORTS : $22 836 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : $692 MILLION (IN DEFICIT)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS APR 86 TO JUN 86 HK$ MN. APR 85 TO JUN 85 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 36 228 31 432 4 796 15.3
RE-EXPORTS 29 028 27 169 1 859 6.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 65 256 58 601 6 655 11.4
IMPORTS 67 663 58 772 8 891 15.1
TRADE BALANCE -2 407 -171 -2 236
/same month.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 43 -
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR JUNE 1986 HKS MN. JUNE 1985 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 12 546 10 956 1 590 14.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (56.7%) (56.8%)
RE-EXPORTS 9 598 8 341 1 257 15.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 22 144 19 297 2 847 14.8
IMPORTS 22 836 19 758 3 073 15.6
TRADE BALANCE -692 -461 -231
JUNE MAY INCREASE
1986 1986
LAST MONTH HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
— ———————
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 12 546 12 334 212 1.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (56.7%) (55.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 9 598 9 869 -271 -2.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 22 144 22 203 -59 -0.3
IMPORTS 22 836 22 350 486 2.2
TRADE BALANCE -692 -147 -545
JAN-JUN JAN-JUN INCREASE
1986 1985
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
— ———————
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 65 374 60 408 4 966 8.2
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (55.2%) (53.4%)
RE-EXPORTS 53 033 52 642 391 0.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 118 407 113 050 5 357 4.7
IMPORTS 123 335 112 772 10 563 9.4
TRADE BALANCE -4 928 278 -5 206
/LAST.12 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
LAST 12 MONTHS JUL 85 TO JUN 86 HK3 MN. JUL 84 TO JUN 85 HKS MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 134 848 135 703 -855 -0.6
RE-EXPORTS 105 661 98 916 6 745 6.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 240 509 234 619 5 890 2.5
IMPORTS 241 982 230 588 11 394 4.9
TRADE BALANCE -1 473 4 031 -5 504
0
BUSINESS COMMUNITY ENCOURAGED ***** TO SUPPORT ARTS
PLANS ARE BEING LAID FOR ESTABLISHING AN ARTS SPONSORSHIP AWARD BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, AIMED AT ENCOURAGING BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR ALEX WU, IN A SPEECH TO THE 1986 WORLD CONFERENCE ON ARTS, POLITICS AND BUSINESS CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN VANCOUVER, CANADA.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE FOUR-DAY CONFERENCE, ON THE VALUE OF THE ARTS FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE, MR WU SAID THAT SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS PROVIDED A PRESTIGIOUS METHOD OF PROMOTING A COMPANY’S PRODUCTS AND ITS CORPORATE IMAGE.
+IT IS ALSO AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF TARGETTING PUBLICITY AT A SPECIFIC MARKET SECTOR,+ HE SAID.
MR WU SAID THAT SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS AN EXTENSION OF A COMPANY’S MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITIES, AND AS A CRUCIAL PART OF THAT EFFORT.
+IT IS ENCOURAGING INDEED TO SEE THAT, BOTH IN THE BUSINESS AND ARTS COMMUNITIES, THERE IS A GROWING RECOGNITION OF THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS.+ HE SAID, THOUGH +A GREAT DEAL MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.+
HE TOLD THE CONFERENCE THAT THE BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS WAS FORMULATING PROPOSALS TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP AND TO ASSIST LOCAL PERFORMING GROUPS IN RAISING ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
- 45 -
AMONG THESE PROPOSALS WERE THE PUBLICATION OF A SPONSORSHIP BROCHURE PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO PERFORMING GROUPS AND THE SETTING UP OF AN ARTS AWARD TO RECOGNISE MERITORIOUS SPONSORS.
MR WU, A BUSINESSMAN HIMSELF, NOTED: +BUSINESSES WILL INCREASINGLY FIND SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS A WORTHY INVESTMENT, NOT ONLY IN STIMULATING AND PROMOTING THE ARTS AS AN EXPRESSION OF THE PEOPLE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IN THE MARKETING OF THE COMPANIES’ OWN PRODUCTS AND THE PROMOTION OF THEIR CORPORATE IMAGES.*
--------o----------
CAREERS EDUCATION GIVEN MORE WEIGHT
* * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE NEED PROPER GUIDANCE TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THEIR FUTURE CAREERS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.C.A. HAMMOND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS IS BECAUSE THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT IS NOT AS SIMPLE AND SECLUDED AS THE SITUATION IN SCHOOLS, HE ADDED.
MR HAMMOND WAS SPEAKING AT THE EIGHTH SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
HE TOLD 1OO CAREERS TEACHERS AND SPECIALISTS FROM RELATED FIELDS THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, IN PLANNING ITS CAREERS ACTIVITIES, WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MEET THE EVERGROWING AND CHANGING DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
TO SMOOTH THE TRANSITION OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SCHOOLS TO THE WORLD OF WORK, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) HAD BEEN PAYING MUCH ATTENTION TO CAREERS INFORMATION BUILDING THROUGH THE PRODUCTION OF PAMPHLETS AND AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS.
+BESIDES PUBLISHING CAREERS PAMPHLETS, WE ARE NOW COMPILING OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION SHEETS ON 207 JOBS,* HE SAID.
+THESE SHEETS SUMMARISE SOME BASIC INFORMATION ON A VARIETY OF JOBS, INCLUDING WORK DESCRIPTIONS, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
+THEY SHOULD BE VERY USEFUL TO PROSPECTIVE SCHOOL LEAVERS WHEN THEY ARE ABOUT TO CHOOSE THEIR CAREERS.*
/SO FAR, ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
46
SO FAR, 149 JOB-SHEETS IN ENGLISH AND 70 IN CHINESE HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE.
AS FOR AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS, THE YEAS HAS PRODUCED 35 SOUND-ON-SLIDE PRESENTATIONS, 50 VIDEO-CASSETTE TAPE RECORDINGS ON DIFFERENT JOBS AND 261 CASSETTE RECORDINGS ON SPECIALIST TALKS BY EXPERTS IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF WORK.
IT ALSO OPERATES, ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS, A SERVICE WHEREBY NINE SETS OF SLIDE PRESENTATIONS, MAINLY ON BASIC CAREERS INFORMATION AND FURTHER STUDIES, ARE AVAILABLE FOR SHORT-TERM LOAN BY SCHOOLS. ALL THESE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE OR PUBLIC VIEWING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S THREE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES.
MR HAMMOND PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CAREERS TEACHERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN GUIDING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CHOICE OF THEIR CAREERS.
+AS CAREERS EDUCATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN MORE WEIGHT, CAREERS TEACHERS WILL BE PLAYING AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT ROLE.+ HE SAID. +THROUGH YOUR DAILY CONTACTS WITH YOUR STUDENTS, YOU ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO ADVISE US OF THEIR NEEDS.+
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, STRESSED THE VALUE OF THE TRIPARTITE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
HE SAID THAT FOR MANY YEARS THE THREE PARTIES HAD BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION AND DISSEMINATION OF CAREERS INFORMATION AND RESOURCE MATERIALS TO STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, CONVENTIONS, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS.
+TOGETHER I THINK WE ARE DOING MUCH TO PROVIDE A VITAL SERVICE IN CAREERS EDUCATION AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOLS,+ HE NOTED.
MR LI ALSO REVEALED THAT IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CAREERS EDUCATION, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD PROVIDE ALL STANDARD-SIZED GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH A FIFTH ADDITIONAL TEACHER FROM SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
PART OF THE WORK OF THESE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS WOULD INVOLVE PUPIL COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE, INCLUDING CAREERS ADVICE, HE ADDED.
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/47........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986
47
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY BUILDING POLICY * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES AND STRATEGIES ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WILL ALSO REVIEW THE FORM OF ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE YEAR PLAN FOR THE COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS WHETHER BOARD FUNDED ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT TO SHOW THE BOARD’S SUPPORT TO THE ANTI-SMOKING PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD ON THE UTH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIERS ROAD, CENTRAL.
- 0 - -
BRIEFING BY NEW CHAIRMAN
*****
THE NEWLY-APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. MR CHENG HON-KWAN, WILL MEET THE MEDIA TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 2.30 PM FOR A BRIEFING ON VARIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED DURING THE COMMITTEE’S LATEST MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE BRIEFING AT ROOM 150 OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING).
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 19
BELCHER’S STREET RESTRICTED ZONE * * * * *
TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCT ION WORK, THE EXISTING PEAK-HOUR (7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM) DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE SECTION OF BELCHER’S STREET BETWEEN DAVIS STREET AND NORTH STREET WILL BE EXTENDED TO OPERATE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 26).
THE MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
- 0 - -
PLB RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHEUNG SHU I, FANLING
*****
SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN SHEUNG SHU I AND FANLING WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 25).
THEY ARE THE ACCESS ROAD FROM JOCKEY CLUB ROAD IN SHEUNG SHU I TO SHEUNG SHU I TSUENl THE ACCESS ROAD FROM ON KU I STREET IN FANLING TO SHUNG HIM TONG I AND THE ACCESS ROAD FROM SHA TAU KOK ROAD IN FANLING TO SHEUNG HIM TONG.
NO PLB’S WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PROHIBITED ZONES.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
COOTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR DAVID VISITS CHILD ASoEsSMENT CENTRE ...... 1
BAN ON SMOKELESS TOBaCCO PROPOSED ............. 2
PROVISIONAL BOaRD EON LDC TO BE APPOINTED ..... J
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JUNE................ 6
PANEL KNITTERS REMINDED OF REGISTRATION CONDITIONS 8 FIRST ASBESTOSIS VICTIM COMPENSATED ............... 9
SEMINAR ON CRIME PREVENTION FOR MONG KOK ...... 10
details of building management team............ -10
DISCUSSION ON JMPeOYMENT SURVEY REPORT ......... 11
MURAL PAINTING FOR CHEUNG CHAU PLaYGROUND ...... 11
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES FOR FANLING, SHEUNG
SHOT .......................................... 12
TEMjORARY CLOSURE ON KING'S ROAD ............... 1J
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
1
SIR DAVID VISITS CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE * H * *
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE ARRAN STREET CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE IN KOWLOON TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE SPECIAL SERVICES PROVIDED THERE.
HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR RUDY KHOO, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR (HEALTH SERVICES AND PLANNING), DR S.H. LEE, the REGIONAL DIRECTOR (KOWLOON), DR LAWRENCE LAI, AND THE CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN IN CHARGE, DR LILLIAN KO.
THE SERVICES AND FACILITIES OF THE ASSESSMENT CENTRE WERE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED TO SIR DAVID AT A SLIDE PRESENTATION.
THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING COMPRISES TWO CLINICS - THE CHILD ASSESSMENT CLINIC AND THE HEARING AID CLINIC.
THE CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE, WHICH WAS SET UP IN 1077, HELPS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISABLED CHILDREN BY DETECTING AND STUDYING THEIR PROBLEMS AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE AGE AND DETERMINING THE BEST WAYS TO HELP THEM.
THE HEARING AID CLINIC, WHILE BEING A PART OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY STRUCTURE FOR CHILD ASSESSMENT, ALSO PROVIDES HEARING ASSESSMENT AND AID TO ADULTS WITH PARTIAL HEARING IMPAIRMENT.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT CHILDREN ATTENDING THE ASSESSMENT CLINIC ARE REFERRED EITHER BY DOCTORS OR PSYCHOLOGISTS. THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS TO THE CLINIC WAS 1 142 IN 1985 COMPARED WITH 107 CASES IN 1978 WHEN THE CLINIC BEGAN OPERATION.
INITIALLY, CASES ARE SCREENED BY AN ASSESSMENT TEAM COMPRISING A DOCTOR, A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND A MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER. HOWEVER, CASES REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT OR TREATMENT, NAMELY SPEECH THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSIOTHERAPY, VISUAL AND HEARING ASSISTANCE, WILL BE REFERRED TO STAFF OF THE RESPECTIVE DISCIPLINES STATIONED IN THE CENTRE.
AFTER ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT, THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN WILL BE RECOMMENDED TO AN APPROPRIATE SPECIAL SCHOOL ACCORDING TO ABILITY.
AS WELL AS VISITING THE AUDIOMETRY ROOM FOR ASSESSING CHILDREN WITH HEARING PROBLEMS AND THE OBSERVATION ROOM, THE ACTING GOVERNOR ALSO TOURED THE TOY LIBRARY WHICH FORMS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE ASSESSMENT SERVICE.
THE LIBRARY WAS SET UP IN 1982 WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING THE MAXIMUM DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIFIC PROBLEMS THROUGH THE PROVISION OF THERAPEUTIC, EDUCATIONAL AND STIMULATING TOYS.
/CHILDREN
THJHUDaY, JULY 24, 1966
2
CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEVS ARE TAUGHT TO PLAY WITH TOYS CATEGORISED FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES. THEY ARE THEN ALLOWED TO TAKE THE TOYS HOME FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS DURING WHICH TIME PARENTS ARE ASKED TO MONITOR THE CHILDREN’S PROGRESS.
BEFORE ENDING HIS TOUR, SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED ON THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME OF THE CHILD ASSESSMENT SERVICE.
PLANNING IS UNDERWAY FOR ESTABLISHING SIX ADDITIONAL CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY IN THE NEXT POUR YEARS.
BAN ON SMOKELESS TOBACCO PROPOSED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARING LEGISLATION AIMED AT BANNING THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF ORALLY-TAKEN SMOKELESS TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
THIS WILL BE DONE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE WHICH EMPOWERS THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS TO PROHIBIT OR REGULATE THE IMPORTATION OF ANY FOOD OR DRUG WHICH HE CONSIDERS TO BE PREJUDICIAL TO PUBLIC HEALTH. THE ORDINANCE WILL BE AMENDED TO ENABLE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE TO BAN THE SALE OR MANUFACTURE OF SUCH PRODUCTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE BAN WOULD RELATE TO +MOI ST TOBACCO* WHICH IS CHEWED OR SUCKED. THE BAN WOULD NOT INCLUDE ANY FORM OF SMOKING TOBACCO SUCH AS CIGARETTES, CIGARS OR PIPE TOBACCO, OR OTHER TYPES OF TRADITIONAL TOBACCO PRODUCTS, SUCH AS SNUFF.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ORALLY-TAKEN SMOKELESS TOBACCO PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN MARKETED IN RECENT YEARS IN THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES AND HAVE FOUND CONSIDERABLE APPEAL AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE. HOWEVER, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES OVERSEAS HAVE DEMONSTRATED A STRONG ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE TAKING OF SMOKELESS TOBACCO AND THE INCIDENCE OF ORAL CANCER.
THE CANCER USUALLY DEVELOPS AT THE SITE MOST OFTEN IN CONTACT WITH THE TOBACCO AND CAN DEVELOP WITHIN FIVE YEARS, MUCH SOONER THAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LUNG CANCER FROM CIGARETTE SMOKING.
/HE jJJDED...........
TaU.YbDAY, DULY 2-, 1?86
H- ADDED THAT THE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE THc HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF USING SMOKELESS TOBACCO HAD, AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL DATA, ''INCLUDED THAT THE ORAL USE OF SMOKELESS TOBACCO REPRESENTED A Significant health risk; that it was not a safe substitute for SMOKING CIGARETTES; AND THAT IT COULD CAUSE CANCER AND a NUMBER OF ORAL DISEASES AND COULD ALSO LEAD TO NICOTINE ADDICTION AND DEPENDENCE.
IN RECENT CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION CONFIRMED THAT SMOKELESS TOBACCO LEADS TO CANCER OF THE MOUTH AND UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT.
+IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT, AS A PREVENTIVE measure, A BAN ON THESE PRODUCTS BE IMPOSED BEFORE THEY ARE INTRODUCED INTO HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
-------0----------
PROVISIONAL BOARD FOR LDC TO BE APPOINTED
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO APPOINT A PROVISIONAL BOARD FOk The LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) AND DRAFTING INSTRUCT l ->\o FOR THE CORPORATION’S ORDINANCE ARE AT AN ADVANCED STAuE PREPARATION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MR CHENG HON-KWAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE, MR CHENG SAID FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE LDC WOULD BE RELEASED IN DUE COURSE.
MR CHENG THEN TURNED TO THE SUBJECT OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING wORKS (UBw), WHICH HAD EARLIER CAUSED SOME CONTROVERSY WHEN A PROPOSAL WAS MADE REQUIRING THE OwNER OF A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Tu EMPLOY A COMPETENT PERSON TO CERTIFY ANNUALLY THAT HE HAD INSPECTE-THE EXTERNAL AND COMMON PARTS OF THE PROPERTY AND THAT NO ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS HAD BEEN MADE.
HE SAID THIS DID NOT RECEIVE A FAVOURABLE REACTION FROM THE PUBLIC, AND ARISING FROM THIS, ANOTHER LOOK HAD BEEN TAKEN aT THE ISSUE AND VARIOUS PROPOSALS MADE.
MR CHENG POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT POLICY ON UBW DATES BACK TO 1975 AND IT WAS NO* CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO ADJUST IT SO THAT IT RECOGNISED RESOURCE LIMITATIONS: ITS PRINCIPLE WOULD BE EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC; IT CONTAINED CLEAR GUIDELINES WHICH COULD BE PRACTICALLY IMPLEMENTED; AND ITS ENFORCEMENT WAS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
4
UNDER THE PROPOSED POLICY, WHICH WILL NOW GO TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS FOR FURTHER CONSULTATION, COMPLAINT CASES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO HIGH AND LOWER PRIORITY.
+A KEY PART OF THE PROPOSAL IS THAT IMMEDIATE DEMOLITION UNITS BE ESTABLISHED TO TAKE PROMPT ACT ION,+ HE SAID.
+SECTION 24 OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WOULD BE AMENDED TO GIVE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ADDITIONAL POWER TO DEMOLISH, REMOVt OR ALTER UBW WITHOUT FIRST SERVING AN ORDER IN WRITING ON AN OFFENDER.
+IN PRACTICE ONE OR TWO DAYS’ NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN BEFORE DEMOLITION IS ACTUALLY CARRIED OUT. CERTAIN OTHER LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO PROPOSED,+ HE SAID.
ON THE STATE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET, MR CHENG SAID THERE WAS A STRONG RECOVERY IN 1985 AND THE MARKET APPEARED TO HAVE ENTERED A PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1986.
PRICES AND RENTALS FOR MOST CATEGORIES OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY HAD GENERALLY STABILISED, WITH SOME DECREASES RECORDED FOR LARGER FLATS. THE DEMAND FOR SHOPPING SPACE, PARTICULARLY IN Pnl.x LOCATIONS, HAD HELD FIRM, ABSORBING AN EARLIER OVER-SUPPLY SITUATU...
THE MARKET IN OFFICE ACCOMMODATION HAD REMAINED STRONG, PARTICULARLY FOR HIGH QUALITY OFFICES IN PRIME LOCATIONS, AND THIS COULD BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL LATE 1987 BECAUSE Or A TEMPORARY SHORTFALL IN PROVISION OF NEW SPACE.
FACTORY SPACE wAS STILL READILY AVAILABLE, AND MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO MEET DEMAND - THUS, INDUSTRIAL SALE AND RENTAL LEVELS REMAINED FAIRLY STATIC.
WITH REGARD TO LAND, HE SAID, SALES THROUGHOUT THE FIRST HALF CF THE YEAR HAD GENERATED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION, ACHIEVING REASONABLE BUT NOT EXCESSIVE PRICES.
ON THE CONTINUING WORK ON THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (TDS), WHICH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ORIGINALLY ENDORSED TwO YEARS AGO, MR CHENG SAID IT HAD BECOME NECESSARY TO UPDATE THE EARLIER RESULTS IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
+| AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE RESULTS OF THE WORK CARRIED OUT IN THE LATEST STUDY HAVE CONFIRMED THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE STRATEGIC GROWTH AREAS REMAIN ALDRICH BAY RECLAMATION, HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION, WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, CENTRAL-WAN CHAI RECLAMATION, GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION AND POK FU LAM, DESPITE THOSE CHANGES IN THE PLANNING DATA.
<»
/4T1UCH wCxiK •••••••
THUHbftaY, JULY 24, 1986
- 5 -
♦MUCH qORK OF COURSE REMAINS TO BE DONE TO ASSESS FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPMENT OF THESE AREAS, INCLUDING TIMING AND EFFECT ON ENVIRONMENT. THIS WORK IS ON-GOING AND THE RESULTS WILL BE REGULARLY REVIEWED,* MR CHENG SAID.
+A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF ALDRICH BAY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND DETAILED ENGINEERING DESIGN IS PROCEEDING; THE ENGINEERING STUDY (F HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION HAS ALSO BEEN COMPLETED.
♦THE FEASIBILITY STUDIES OF OTHER STRATEGIC GROWTH AREAS ARE CONTINUING ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE AND WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1988. THE RESULTS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE CONTINUING TDS STUDIES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE,* HE ADDED.
MR CHENG THEN SPOKE ABOUT THE PORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY WHICH WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED.
HE SAID IT CONCLUDED THAT THERE wERE ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER EXPANSION OF PORT FACILITIES TO MEET BOTH THE LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM REQUIREMENTS UP TO AND BEYOND 2001.
REFERRING TO THE STUDY BY THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT INTO THE IMPACT OF CHINA’S NEW DEVELOPMENT AREAS (NDA’S) ON HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL LAND REQUIREMENT, MR CHENG SAID THIS WAS REQUESTED BY HIS PREDECESSOR, THE OBJECTIVES OF WHICH WERE TO IDENTIFY THE NATURE AND EXTENT CF THE IMPACT OF CHINA AND IN PARTICULAR HER NDA’S ON INDUSTRIAL LAND REQUIREMENT IN HONG KONG AND TO ASSESS THEIR POSSIBLE IMPACT IN SHORT, MEDIUM AND LONG TERMS.
+THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INTERESTING FINDINGS IN THE STUDY, THE MAIN ONE BEING THAT HONG KONG AND CHINA ARE HORE LIKELY TO HAVE A COMPLEMENTARY RATHER THAN AN COMPETITIVE RtLATIONSHIP FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE,* HE SAID.
MR CHENG POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE OPENING UP OF CHINA FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN 1979 SOME LOCAL MANUFACTURERS HAD DEVELOPED COMPLEMENTARY RELATIONS WITH CHINA’S NDA’S, SHIFTING PART OF THc MANUFACTURING PROCESS TO THE NDA’S.
+WE MUST ALSO REMEMBER CHINA IS A MARKET FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS AND THE REPORT SAYS THAT EXPANDED CHINA MARKET HAS STIMULATED MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION IN HONG KONG.
+THERE IS ALSO A POSITIVE IMPACT OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL LAND REQUIREMENT ARISING FROM THE MORE ACTIVE ROLE CHINA IS TAKING IN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.*
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
6
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JUNE ******
THE NEW CPI(A) AND NEW CPI(B) (OCTOBER 84-SEPTEMBER 85 = 100) FOR JJNE 1986 WERE 103.8 AND 104.1 RESPECTIVELY, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
COMPARED WITH MAY 1986 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE NEW CP I(A) INCREASED BY 0.9 PER CENT AND THE NEW CPI(B), BY 0.7 PER CENT.
THE 1979-80-BASED CP I (A) AND CP 1(B) FOR JUNE 1986 WERE 164.3 AND 165.7 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 2.8 PER CENT AND 3 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER JUNE 1985. COMPARED WITH MAY 1986, CPI(A) INCREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT AND CPI(B), BY 0.6 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CP I (A) AND AVERAGE CP 1(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JUNE 1986, AT 161.8 AND 162.6 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 2.8 PER CENT AND 3.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JUNE 1985.
PRICE MOVEMENTS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE BASED ON THE NEW CPI SERIES.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 1986, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED NEW CPI(A) AND NEW CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.4 PER CENT PER MONTH.
DURING JUNE, FOOD PRICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND LIVE POULTRY, INCREASED. PRIVATE DWELLING RENTALS AND RETAIL PRICES OF CIGARETTES ALSO WENT UP. TRANSPORT CHARGES ALSO INCREASED, REFLECTING THE FULL EFFECT OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY FARE REVISION EFFECTIVE FROM MAY 23, 1986. ON THE OTHER HAND, CHARGES POR TOWNGAS AND ELECTRICITY AND RETAIL PRICES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DECREASED.
THE NEW CPI(A) AND THE NEW CPl(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984-85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE NEW CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN 32 000 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE NEW CP 1(B) BETWEEN -$6 500 AND 39 999 A MONTH.
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
- 7 -
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR JUNE 1986 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1986, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE - 100)
NEW CPI(C) NEW CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR JUN. 86 96 CHANGE OVER MAY 86 INDEX FOR JUN. 86 % CHANGE OVER MAY 86
FOODSTUFFS 102.1 + 1.8 102.3 + 1.6
HOUSING 104.6 +0.3 104.1 +0.3 *
FUEL AND LIGHT 89.4 -3.7 89.8 -3.8
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 110.3 + 1.7 110.0 + 1.7
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 108.3 -0.2 109.3 -0.2
DURABLE GOODS 105.7 +0.2 105.0 +0.2
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 103.5 +0.3 104.2 +0.3
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 106.7 +0.5 105.9 +0.6
SERVICES 103.7 +0.1 108.3 +0.1
ALL ITEMS 103.8 +0.9 104.1 +0.7
INCREASED BY (B) MAINLY
FOODSTUFFS
THE INDEX FOR
......... .... MAY 1986,
1.8 PER CENT IN NEW QPI(A) AND 1.6 PER CENT IN NEW CPI
DUE TO THE INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE POULTRY, SALT-WATER FISH AND FRcSH FRU T. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
COMPARED
WITH
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY 3.7 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(A) AND 3.8 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(B) DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF KEROSENE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS AS WELL AS DOWNWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENTS FOR TOWNGAS AND ELECTRICITY.
/THL IND-bX
THUiiUBAY, JULY 24, 1986
8
TH- INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 1.7 PER CENT IN BOTH NEW CPI (A) AND NEW CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(A) AND Q.6 PER CENT IN NEW CP I(B), REFLECTING THE FULL EFFECT OF THE MTR FARE REVISION EFFECTIVE FROM MAY 23, 1986.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS OF THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
(FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TO TWO DECIMAL PLACES).
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR JUNE 1986, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT 53 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1904, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BASKERVILLE HOUSE, DUDDELL STREET, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 3-7216512.
-------C----------
PANEL KNITTERS REMINDED OF REGISTRATION CONDITIONS' * * 4 * *•
APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF HONG KONG ORIGIN FOR KNITWEAR, FOR WHICH + KNIT TO SHAPE* PANELS ARE DECLARED TO HAVE BEEN KNITTED IN HONG KONG, SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE FROM AUGUST 1 TO SHOW THAT THE PANELS HAVE BEEN KNITTED BY FACTORIES REGISTERED WITH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED FACTORIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN REGISTERED THAT THEY SHOULD FULFIL THE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED AS CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION. THEY SHOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO FULFIL THEM FOR AS LONG AS THEY REMAIN REGISTERED.
IF A REGISTERED FACTORY DID NOT FULFIL ANY SUCH REQUIREMENT IT MIGHT LOSE ITS ELIGIBILITY TO DECLARE ITSELF AS A PANEL-KNITTER IN APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF HONG KONG ORIGIN FOR KNITWEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT MIGHT BE STRUCK OFF THE DEPARTMENT’S REGISTER OF PANELKNITTING FACTORIES AND OTHER, MORE SERIOUS, ACTION MIGHT BE TAKEN, HE ADDED.
FURTHER DETAILS ON THE PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION MIGHT BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AT 3-7222472 OR 3-7222473.
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
9
FIRST ASBESTOSIS VICTIM COMPENSATED * * * * *
A 69-YEAR-OLD WORKER WHO WAS SUFFERING FROM ASBESTOSIS HAS BEEN GRANTED 383 OOO FROM THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND.
HE IS THE FIRST ASBESTOSIS VICTIM TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FROM THE FUND SINCE IT BEGAN OPERATION IN 1931, A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE WORKER RETIRED FOUR YEARS AGO AFTER HAVING SERVED IN THE SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIRING INDUSTRY FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS.
HE WAS CERTIFIED BY THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS MEDICAL BOARD IN MAY THIS YEAR TO HAVE SUFFERED FROM ASBESTOSIS WHICH IS A DISEASE OF PROGRESSIVE FIBROSIS OF THE LUNGS, WITH INCREASING RESPIRATORY DISABILITY.
+UNDER THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON DIAGNOSED TO BE SUFFERING FROM PNEUMOCONIOSIS INCLUDING SILICOSIS AND ASBESTOSIS, ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1981 WOULD BE QUALIFIED FOR COMPENSATION, SUBJECT TO A RESIDENCE QUALIFICATION OF FIVE YEARS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR PERMANENT TOTAL INCAPACITY IS $341 000 AND THAT FOR DEATH IS $299 000.+
SO FAR, $78 MILLION HAS BEEN PAID OUT TO 1 407 SILICOTIC PERSONS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT SILICOSIS AND ASBESTOSIS ARE THE ONLY TWO PNEUMOCON IOTIC DISEASES OF KNOWN CONCERN IN HONG KONG AND ARE COVERED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
SILICOSIS IS MAINLY FOUND IN WORKERS IN QUARRIES, MINING, TUNNELLING, CONSTRUCTION AND MASONRY WORK, WHILE ASBESTOSIS IS USUALLY FOUND IN WORKERS IN AN INDUSTRY OR PROCESS IN WHICH ASBESTOS IS USED FOR INSULATION OR FIREPROOFING PURPOSES.
HE URGED WORKERS WHO SUSPECTED THEMSELVES TO BE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE TO APPROACH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION UNIT FOR ASSISTANCE.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COMPENSATION SCHEME SHOULD BE MADE TO THE UNIT ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES OR AT TELEPHONES 3-687668 AND 3-7213744.
/10........
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
SEMINAR ON CRIME PREVENTION FOR MONG KOK
*****
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING FOR SOME 200 MONG KOK RESIDENTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON CRIME PREVENTION.
UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS ROSANNA TAM, WILL SPEAK ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF YOUTHS AND TRIAD SOCIETY.
+THE ANNUAL SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND TO TEACH THEM WAYS TO COMBAT CRIME,+ CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR JACOB CHAN, SAID.
A POLICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU WILL ALSO SPEAK ON HOME SECURITY AND THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CRIME PREVENTION SEMINAR TOMORROW AT 8 PM ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, FORTUNE RESTAURANT, 607 NATHAN ROAD.
DETAILS OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAM * * * *
A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM HAS BEEN SET UP IN MONG KOK TO GIVE ADVICE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT.
A PRESS BRIEFING WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF ITS WORK AND PLANS TO TACKLE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG, AND HOUSING MANAGER OF THE TEAM, MR CHONG SZE-CHIU, WILL ATTEND THE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS BRIEFING.
0
/1-1
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
11
DISCUSSION ON EMPLOYMENT SURVEY REPORT *****
A REPORT ON AN EMPLOYMENT SURVEY IN NORTH DISTRICT WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION AT THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED IN VAY WITH DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, WAS AIMED AT ESTABLISHING THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN NORTH DISTRICT.
RESULTS OF THE FINDINGS ■••ILL SE’/E AS A REFERENCE FOR THE BOARD AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO MAP OUT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE HONG KONG QUALITY-MARK SCHEME BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, MR RAYMOND POON AND MISS SANDIE YAN.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF HOLDING JOINT FUNCTIONS WITH THE FEDERATION TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE AN INTRODUCTION ON THE ORGANISATION STRUCTURE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND A PROPOSAL TO UTILISE VACANT LAND IN NORTH DISTRICT FOR AGRICULTURE PURPOSES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW AT 2.30 PM AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
MURAL PAINTING FOR CHEUNG CHAU PLAYGROUND
*****
A SERIES OF CARTOON CHARACTERS AND PLANTS WILL BE PAINTED ON THE WALLS OF A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AT TUNG WAN IN CHEUNG CHAU DURING A MURAL PAINTING SESSION TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A TOTAL OF 45 AMATEUR ARTISTS, AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 25, HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER ON THE DESIGNS AND SKETCHING OF THE PROJECT.
ABOUT 30 OF THEM RECENTLY ATTENDED A THREE-DAY CAMP TO LEARN MURAL PAINTING SKILLS AND PREPARE FOR THE PROJECT.
/THE x-aINTINO........
THUI-USDaY , JULY 24, 1986
12
THE PAINTING COVERS A NUMBER OF AREAS, MEASURING ABOUT
60 SQUARE METRES, AND INCLUDES THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE WALLS qp THE PLAYGROUND AS WELL AS SOME OF THE CHILDREN’S PLAYING
FACILITIES.
THE WALL FACING TUNG WAN WILL DEPICT CARTOON CHARACTERS BASKING IN THE SUN WHILE THE INSIDE PAINTINGS WILL FEATURE TROPICAL PLANTS. ON THE PLAYING FACILITIES VARIOUS CARTOON CHARACTERS AND ROBOTS WILL BE PAINTED.
THE MURAL PAINTING PROJECT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE ON CHEUNG CHAU AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ANDREW PYNE, CHAIRMAN OF THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE, MR FUNG PAK-TAI, AND CARITAS SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISOR, MISS CHU MUI-WAH, WILL VISIT THE PAINTERS TOMORROW AT 10.30 AM AT TUNG WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MURAL PAINTING SESSION. ----------------------------C----------
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES FOR FANLING, SHEUNG SHU I * * * * *
TWO NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM FRIDAY (JULY 25) TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI.
THE NEW ROUTES ARE ROUTE 11 PLYING BETWEEN CHOI YUEN (CHOI YUEN ROAD) AND SHEUNG SHUI TSUEN, AND CIRCULAR ROUTE 12K OPERATING FROM FANLING KCR STATION TO LUNG YEUK TAU.
ROUTE 11 WILL OPERATE FROM 6 AM TO 10 PM AT A FREQUENCY OF 15 MINUTES WHILE ROUTE 12K WILL OPERATE FROM 6 AM TO 7 PM AT • 10-MINUTE INTERVALS.
THE FARES ARE $1.50 FOR ROUTE 11 AND $1 FOR ROUTE 12K.
--------0----------
/13 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1986
TEMPORARY CLOSURE ON KING’S ROAD
*****
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE, THE SECTION OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN KAM HONG STREET AND HEALTHY STREET WEST WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY (JULY 26) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL
APPLY:
* EASTBOUND FRANCHISED BUSES ON KING’S ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHU KUK STREET, JAVA ROAD AND MAN HONG STREET BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTE I NG.
* WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON KING’S ROAD WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA HEALTHY STREET WEST, TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD AND SHU KUK STREET BEFORE REJOINING KING’S ROAD.
* TRAM SERVICES BETWEEN NORTH POINT AND SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED AND ALL EASTBOUND TRAMS SCHEDULED TO OPERATE TO SHAU KEI WAN WILL TERMINATE AT NORTH POINT.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JLG HOLDS FOURTH MEETING ........................ 1
STUDY TO START ON BEACH WATER POLLUTION AND HEALTH .......................................... 2
AG OFF TO HARARE FOR CONFERENCE................. 5
PROPOSALS SOUGHT FOR CABLE TELEVISION ESTABLISHMENT ................................... 5
CHANGES TO TWO OUTLINE ZONING PLANS ............. 4
REVISED SPEEDING RULES IN FORCE ON MONDAY ....... 5
GRADUATING FIREMEN TOLD TO DO THEIR BEST....... 6
PASSING-OUT PARADE .............................. 6
OLD HAKKa HOUSE DECLARED HISTORICAL BUILDING ... 7
ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENT .......... 8
FIRST PSPS SITE IN JUNK BAY OFFERED FOR SALE ... 8
BUILDING MANAGJiMcNT TEjJ'i FORMED IN MONG KOK .... 9
ROADWORKS PLANNED AT TIN SHUI WAI .............. 1*
MONTHLY TICKETS INTRODUCED ON MORE FERRY SERVICES 11
THRKr. MORE POST OFFICES JOIN INTELPOST NETWORK . 11
DISTRICT AFFAIRS TO BE DISCUbbAD aT SEMIN AR .... 12
SENIOR OFFICIALS VISIT MUSIC CAMP .............. 13
ANOTHER LAUNCH TOUR ORGANISED .................. 14
PART-TIME LIFE GUARDS SOUGHT ................... 14
NEW I.D. C-aRDS FOR WOMEN BORN 1916-1920 ....... 15
CIVIC EDUCATION ORIENTEERING COMPETITION ....... 16
CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ... 1?
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN MID-LEVELS ........ 17
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
1
JLG HOLDS FOURTH MEETING * * * *
THE FOLLOWING PRESS COMMUNIQUE WAS ISSUED BY THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AT 4 PM LONDON TIME TODAY (FRIDAY)s
+ THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS FOURTH MEETING IN LONDON FROM 22 TO 25 JULY 1986. THE MEETING DEALT WITH A FULL AGENDA AND ACHIEVED POSITIVE RESULTS. THE TWO SIDES EXPRESSED SATISFACTION AT THE WORK DONE AT EXPERT LEVEL SINCE THE THIRD MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
THE GROUP ENDORSED WORK DONE SINCE THE THIRD MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON THE FUTURE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER AND AGREED ON THE PRINCIPLES FOR ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
THE GROUP CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS. THE TWO SIDES AGREED ON THE TERMS OF THE RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT TO BE ENTERED IN THE NEW CERTIFICATE CF IDENTITY. THEY RECALLED THEIR AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE REACHED AT THE THIRD MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP THAT 'CERTIFICATES CF IDENTITY ISSUED IN HONG KONG BEFORE 1 JULY 1997 WILL, AS FROM THAT DATE, CONTINUE TO BE USED, AS A TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT’, AND AGREED THAT CERTIFICATES ISSUED BETWEEN 1 JULY 1987 AND 30 JUNE 1997 WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE A 10 YEAR VALIDITY. THE TWO SIDES AGREED ON THE DESIGN OF THE FUTURE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD. THEY ALSO EXCHANGED VIEWS ON LEGISLATIVE ASPECTS OF THE RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT.
THE GROUP AGREED DETAILED WORKING RULES FOR ITS STANDING SUB-GROUP OF EXPERTS ON INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. IT AGREED THAT THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHOULD MAINTAIN ITS OWN SEPARATE POSTAL ADMINISTRATION AND THAT ITS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD PARTICIPATE AS MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE DELEGATION IN MEETINGS OF THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION. IT ALSO AGREED THAT THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE ITS OWN METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE AND SHOULD REMAIN A MEMBER OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION. CONSULTATION WILL CONTINUE ON PRACTICAL STEPS TO THIS END.
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE GROUP HELD A USEFUL DISCUSSION ON CIVIL SERVICE MATTERS INCLUDING FUTURE PENSION ARRANGEMENTS.
THE TWO SIDES NOTED WITH SATISFACTION HONG KONG’S NEW STATUS IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, ACHIEVED FOLLOWING AGREEMENT AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
THE GROUP HELD A USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION ON AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS, AND REACHED A COMMON VIEW.
THE GROUP DECIDED THAT ITS NEXT MEETING WOULD TAKE PLACE IN BEIJING FROM 25 TO 28 NOVEMBER 1986.+
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/2........
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
2
STUDY TO START ON BEACH WATER POLLUTION AND HEALTH K * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD), IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, IS UNDERTAKING A PILOT STUDY ON THE POSSIBILITY OF A LINK BETWEEN SWIMMING AT POPULAR BEACHES AND DISEASE OR SICKNESS THIS SUMMER.
IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT SUCH AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG, AS WELL AS IN ASIA. THE METHODOLOGY RECOMMENDED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION WILL GENERALLY BE FOLLOWED IN CONDUCTING THE STUDY.
THE MAJOR PURPOSE OF THE WHOLE INVESTIGATION IS TO HELP IN SETTING HEALTH-RELATED WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR THE BEACHES OF HONG KONG IN THE LIGHT OF LOCAL CONDITIONS? ASSESSING THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE WATER QUALITY OF POPULAR BATHING BEACHES; AND PROVIDING SOUNDER DESIGN CRITERIA AND JUSTIFICATION FOR IMPLEMENTING MAJOR POLLUTION CONTROL PROJECTS AT BATHING BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EMPHASISED THAT THIS IS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE AND THERE IS AT PRESENT NO HIGH RISK OF CONTRACTING AILMENTS.
THE PROJECT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THREE PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE WILL BEGIN THIS WEEKEND AT REPULSE BAY BEACH AND STANLEY MAIN BEACH.
DURING MID-AUGUST TO EARLY SEPTEMBER, THE SURVEY WILL BE EXTENDED TO TWO OTHER BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES — LIDO BEACH AND OLD CAFETERIA BEACH. ALL STUDIES WILL BE DONE AT WEEKENDS.
THE BEACHES HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BECAUSE OF THEIR POPULARITY AND NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE OF ANY PROBLEM.
STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WILL BE RECRUITED TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AT THESE BATHING BEACHES. THEY WILL ALSO CONTACT THE RESPONDENTS WITHIN 24 HOURS, AND ABOUT ONE WEEK AFTERWARDS.
THE BEACH-GOERS WILL BE ASKED WHETHER THEY HAVE DEVELOPED ANY SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESSES AFTER VISITING THE BEACHES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THOUSANDS OF SWIMMERS AND NON-SWIMMERS AT THE FOUR BEACHES WILL BE INTERVIEWED IN THE FIRST PHASE THIS SUMMER.
IN PARALLEL WITH BEACH INTERVIEWS, SCIENTISTS IN THE EPD WILL INTENSIVELY MONITOR THE WATER QUALITY AT THE FOUR BEACHES DURING THE WEEKENDS ON WHICH STUDIES ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT.
/WATEri SAMPLING ......
FRIDAY, vULY 25, 1986
3
WATER SAMPLING WILL BE UNDERTAKEN AT TWO-HOURLY INTERVALS AND SEVERAL GROUPS OF BACTERIA IN THE BEACH WATER WILL BE TESTED. THE PURPOSE IS TO LOOK INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEVELS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AND DISEASE IN SWIMMERS.
THE EPD SPOKESMAN REQUESTED THAT BEACH-GOERS CO-OPERATE WITH THE INTERVIEWERS CONNECTED WITH THIS STUDY, WHO WILL BEAR SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION. IF THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY ENQUIRIES, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE COMMUNITY MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AT 5-8199280) OR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (AT 3-7216526).
---------------0--------- AG OFF TO HARARE FOR CONFERENCE *****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, WILL LEAVE FOR HARARE ZIMBABWE, TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO ATTEND THE COMMONWEALTH LAW MINISTERS CONFERENCE.
THIS CONFERENCE, WHICH IS HELD EVERY THREE YEARS, WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF TOPICS INCLUDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ENHANCED MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE EXTRADITION OF OFFENDERS.
THE CONFERENCE WILL LAST FOR ONE WEEK AND THEREAFTER MR THOMAS WILL GO ON LEAVE FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS.
MR JEREMY MATHEWS WILL ACT AS ATTORNEY GENERAL FROM TOMORROW UNTIL AUGUST 1 AND MR JIM FINDLAY FROM AUGUST 2 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15.
------0---------
PROPOSALS SOUGHT FOR CABLE TELEVISION ESTABLISHMENT
*****
G0VERNMENT HAS INVITED INTERESTED PARTIES TO SUBMIT ™2EOSALS F0R THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CABLE TELEVISION IN HONG KUNG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT FOLLOWING AREGENT EXECUT|VE COUNCIL DECISION THAT CABLE TELEVISION SHOULD IN PRINCIPLE, BE INTRODUCED LOCALLY, A NUMBER OF COMPANIES HAVE ’ SHOWN AN INTEREST IN PROVIDING SUCH A SERVICE. HAVE
+AS THIS IS NOT A FORMAL TENDERING EXERCISE FOR TERRITORY-WIDE OR REGIONAL NETWORKS, POTENTIAL CABLE PROVIDERS MAY ALSO vcapY cA?nL0T SCHEME IN SPECIFIC AREAS FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YtAn,+ HE SA ID.
*A F0RMAL TENDER FOR a CABLE TELEVISION LICENCE MAY BE HELD SUBSEQUENT TO RECEIVING INITIAL PROPOSALS,* HE ADDED.
/HE SaID
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
4
HE SAID THAT THE EXERCISE WILL ENABLE THE ADMINISTRATION TO GAUGE MORE ACCURATELY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY'S INTEREST IN THE PROPOSAL AND TO ASSESS BETTER HOW THE SERVICE MAY BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG.
+THESE PROPOSALS WHICH ARE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INCLUDE THE COMPANY STRUCTURE, THE TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE USED, THE FINANCING AND OPERATION OF THE SERVICE AND THE PROGRAMMING DETAILS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30. 1986. THOSE INTERESTED MAY ALSO APPLY TO THE SAME ADDRESS FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO DRAW UP THE PROPOSALS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE GUIDANCE NOTE ON INVITATION TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN CABLE TELEVISION, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WILL BE BOXED LATER TODAY.
——-----0--------
CHANGES TO TWO OUTLINE ZONING PLANS
******
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE NORTH POINT AND QUARRY BAY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS.
A MAJOR CHANGE IS THE ZONING OF MORE THAN SIX HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND IN QUARRY BAY FOR OPEN SPACE USE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID AN AREA PREVIOUSLY PART OF THE NORTH POINT OUTLINE ZONE HAD BEEN MERGED WITH THE QUARRY BAY OUTLINE ZONE.
THE AFFECTED LAND IS PART OF QUARRY BAY RECLAMATION, THE AREAS AROUND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY QUARRY BAY STATION AND PART OF TAI KOO VALLEY.
OTHER CHANGES INCLUDE:
* LAND USE ZONING FOR AN AREA OF RECLAIMED LAND EAST OF KING’S ROAD AND SOUTH OF HOI YU STREET IS REVISED ;
* ALIGNMENT OF THE PROPOSED EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING LANDFALL, INCLUDING THE ACCESS ROADS AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, IS INCORPORATED;
* SWAPPING OF A GOVERNMENT-INSTITUTION-COMMUNITY (GIC) SITE WITH AN OPEN SPACE AREA ON SAI WAN HO RECLAMATION; AND
REZONING .......
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
* REZONING OF A SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF BRAEMAR HILL ROAD AND TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID 7.3 HECTARES OF THE 25 HECTARES OF QUARRY BAY RECLAMATION AFFECTED BY THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROPOSAL HAD BEEN RESERVED FOR GIC, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND CARGO HANDLING.
HE SAID 10.6 HECTARES HAD BEEN RESERVED FOR A MAJOR ROAD NETWORK AND THE REST FOR OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL USES.
+DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING SOME SITES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS,+ HE SAID.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE AMENDMENTS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD BY AUGUST 14.
REVISED SPEEDING RULES IN FORCE ON MONDAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT A REVISED DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM WILL APPLY TO SPEEDING OFFENCES FROM MONDAY (JULY 28).
+UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, THE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS INCURRED BY A SPEEDING DRIVER WILL BE BASED ON THE MARGIN BY WHICH HE EXCEEDS THE SPEED LIMIT,+ A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
+A DRIVER WILL INCUR THREE POINTS FOR EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY MORE THAN 15 KILOMETRES PER HOUR, FIVE POINTS FOR EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY MORE THAN 30 KILOMETRES PER HOUR AND EIGHT POINTS FOR EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY 45 KILOMETRES PER HOUR,+ HE SAID.
THE FIXED PENALTY FOR SPEEDING WILL, HOWEVER, REMAIN AT $200 IRRESPECTIVE OF THE MARGIN OF EXCESSIVE SPEED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ANYONE WHO HAS ACCUMLATED 15 OR MORE POINTS IN TWO YEARS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING OR OBTAINING A DRIVING LICENCE.
A DRIVER WHO HAS INCURRED EIGHT DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS OR MORE WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT OF HIS RECORD OF POINTS AND THE CONSEQUENCES.
A LEAFLET ON THE NEW DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL LICENSING OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND AT CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ENQUIRY COUNTERS.
/ALSO FROM .......
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
6
ALSO FROM MONDAY, PROVISIONS IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE STIPULATING MANDATORY DISQUALIFICATION FOR SPEEDING OFFENCES AND MANDATORY RETESTS AFTER DISQUALIFICATION WILL BE REPEALED.
THE COURT WILL, HOWEVER, RETAIN DISCRETIONARY POWER TO DISQUALIFY AND DRIVER CONVICTED OF SPEEDING AND TO ORDER A RETEST FOLLOWING DISQUALIFICATION SHOULD IT DOUBT THE COMPETENCE OF THE CONVICTED DRIVER.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT WHILE SPEEDING WILL NOW NORMALLY BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY SYSTEM, THE SUMMONS PROCEDURE UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED IN SERIOUS SPEEDING CASES.
GRADUATING FIREMEN TOLD TO DO THEIR BEST
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, TODAY (FRIDAY) TOLD A GROUP OF RECRUIT FIREMEN TO DO THEIR BEST AND TO BE ON THE ALERT TO GIVE A HELPING HAND.
SPEAKING AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG, MR CHAN SAID A FIREMAN’S DUTY WHICH WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY MONETARY REWARD, WAS TO SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY IN A FIRE OR DURING OTHER CALAMITIES.
GRADUATES WERE ALSO REMINDED TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF PERSONAL FITNESS, TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST FIRE-FIGHTING TECHNIQUES AND TO HAVE CONTINUOUS TRAINING ON THE USE OF HIGHLY-SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT.
+HONG KONG RELIES GREATLY ON THE HARD WORK, DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND THE ESPRIT DE CORPS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR ITS PART IN ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY,+ HE SAID.
MR CHAN THEN INSPECTED A PARADE OF 14 OFFICERS AND 101 FIREMEN, AND PRESENTED THE BEST RECRUIT AWARD TO FIREMAN CHEUNG KWOK-MAN.
-------0 - - -
PASSING-OUT PARADE
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF THE HONG KONG REGIMENT, THE VOLUNTEERS, AT 10.30 AM THIS SUNDAY (JULY 27) AT THE REGIMENT HEADQUARTERS, NO. 1, SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
_ _ _ _ o-------------
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
- 7 -
OLD HAKKA HOUSE DECLARED HISTORICAL BUILDING ***** X
AN OLD HOUSE BUILT AT HOI PA VILLAGE IN TSUEN WAN 82 YEARS AGO HAS BEEN DECLARED A HISTORICAL BUILDING UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENT ORDINANCE.
A NOTICE THAT THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE DECLARATION ON GROUNDS OF THE BUILDING’S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ACCORDING TO RECORDS, HOI PA VILLAGE ORGINALLY COMPRISED ABOUT 15 HAKKA CLANS WHO SETTLED IN TSUEN WAN DURING THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES.
THE OLD HOUSE ITSELF WAS BUILT IN 1904 BY A MR YAU YUEN-CHEUNG (1865-1937), A BUSINESSMAN AND VILLAGE SCHOLAR WHO WAS BORN AND EDUCATED IN TSUEN WAN.
MR YAU’S LARGE COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS ACCUMULATED DURING HIS RESIDENCE IN TSUEN WAN REFLECTS VILLAGE LIFE OF THE PERIOD. THE COLLECTION WAS DONATED TO THE GOVERNMENT IN 1982.
BUILT OF TRADITIONAL GREEN BRICKS, THE HOUSE COMPRISES TWO HALLS WITH A SMALL COURTYARD IN FRONT. THE HOUSE IS HANDSOMELY DECORATED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENT OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SAID THAT ALTHOUGH BUILT IN THE TRADITIONAL HAKKA STYLE, THE HOUSE NONETHELESS DIFFERS IN FORM FROM THE MAJORITY OF HAKKA RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THAT IT IS A FREESTANDING STRUCTURE.
♦ THE OLD HOUSE IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE VILLAGE ARCHITECTURE AND IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND FOR WHICH DECLARATION HAS BEEN APPROVED,* HE ADDED.
MOST OF HOI PA VILLAGE HAS NOW BEEN ZONED AND RESUMED AS DISTRICT OPEN SPACE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA SURROUNDING THE OLD HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO START IN DUE COURSE.
ON THE ADVICE OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, THE OLD HOUSE WILL BE RESTORED AT A COST OF $300 000. IT WILL THEN BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND WILL PROVIDE A STRIKING CONTRAST BETWEEN THE OLD STYLE OF LIFE IN TSUEN WAN AND THE NEW.
__ _ _ o---------
/8........
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
8
ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENT
*****
KIHG-YUK K'£"E
IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR YUEN AN ARCHITECT EXPERIENCED IN THE RESTORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD SINCE ITS INCEPTION.
ALSO APPOINTED TO THE BOARD IS MRS SALLY RODWELL, A QUALIFIED ARCHAEOLOGIST. A REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM Tift URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS AND THE COMMISSIONER OF RECREATION AND CULTURE ALSO JOIN THE BOARD.
THE NEW APPOINTMENTS TAKE EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1, 1986, THE DATE THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1986 COMES INTO EFFECT.
THE ORDINANCE REMOVES THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES SHOULD BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD AND ALSO REMOVES THE LIMITATION ON MEMBERSHIP.
WHILE NO LONGER HAVING A SEAT ON THE BOARD, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES WILL REMAIN AS THE ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY.
--------0-----------
FIRST PSPS SITE IN JUNK BAY OFFERED FOR SALE * * * *
THE FIRST PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME DEVELOPMENT SITE IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN IS BEING PUT UP FOR SALE BY TENDER BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE SITE, MEASURING 2.3 HECTARES, IS TO THE NORTH OF THE EASTERN END OF PO LAM ROAD.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO PROVIDE 1 800 TO 1 900 RESIDENTIAL UNITS, RANGING BETWEEN 38 SQUARE METRES AND 55 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, TO ACCOMMODATE 6 800 PEOPLE.
ON COMPLETION, THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 140 500 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC GROSS FLOOR AREA AND 2 380 SQUARE METRES OF SPACE FOR COMMERCIAL USE.
A KINDERGARTEN OF 860 SQUARE METRES WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.
DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 5.
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
- 9 -
BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAM FORMED IN MONG KOK
******
A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM HAS BEEN FORMED IN MONG KOK TO GIVE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE TEAM COMPRISES A HOUSING MANAGER, AN ASSISTANT HOUSING MANAGER AND TWO HOUSING ASSISTANTS, SECONDED FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG, SAID THE TEAM WOULD WORK IN CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT BODIES TO GIVE ADVICE AND ASSIST THEM ON HOW TO TACKLE BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
+ IT WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CO-ORDINATING LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A CONCENTRATED AND EFFECTIVE APPROACH ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT,+ SHE SAID.
THE TEAM WOULD LOOK INTO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT SUCH AS ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS AND STRUCTURES, HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS, MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNAL AREAS AND FACILITIES, SECURITY MEASURES AND UNLAWFUL USES OF PREMISES.
+AS THERE ARE SOME 1 800 PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, THE TEAM IS EXPECTED TO CONCENTRATE INITIALLY ON THOSE PREMISES WHICH ARE CONSIDERED TO REQUIRE URGENT IMPROVEMENT,* MRS FUNG SAID.
MONG KOK IS THE THIRD DISTRICT, FOLLOWING YAU MA TEI AND EASTERN, TO HAVE A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM TO ADVISE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT MATTERS.
+THE DETERIORATION OF BUILDING CONDITONS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE MAIN SUBJECTS OF PUBLIC CONCERN AND COMPLAINTS IN THE DISTRICT,* SHE SAID.
A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT (PILOT SCHEME) WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED LAST YEAR UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD TO EXAMINE BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND SECURITY MATTERS.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE GROUP CONDUCTED A CASE STUDY OF A 20-YEAR-OLD MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN TAI KOK TSUI FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
/THE GHOUF
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
10
THP GROUP NOTED THAT AMONG ALL THE PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS in THE DISTRICT, ABOUT 200 REQUIRED ATTENTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH OF A VISIT TO A REAR LANE IN THE DISTRICT BY TEAM MEMBERS WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK LATER.
-------0----------
ROADWORKS PLANNED AT TIN SHUI WAI
* X M * *
MOST OF THE ROADS, TRACKS, FOOTPATHS AND BRIDGES IN TIN SHUI WAI, WHERE THE NEXT GENERATION NEW TOWN IS BEING BUILT, ARE TO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
THE AFFECTED ACCESSES ARE WITHIN AN AREA BOUNDED BY MONG TSENG TSUEN AND KIU TAU WAI TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH, AND HA MEI SUN TSUEN AND SHA KONG WAI TO THE EAST AND WEST.
THEIR DEMOLITION WILL ENABLE THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT LAND FORMATION AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID DEEP BAY ROAD, PING HA ROAD, AN ACCESS ROAD FROM PING HA ROAD TO SHEUNG CHEUNG WAI, AND CERTAIN ROADS ON THE BOUNDARY OF THE WORKS AREA WILL NOT BE CLOSED.
NEW ROADS AND FOOTPATHS WILL BE BUILT TO REPLACE THE ACCESSES TO AREAS AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE. THE PROPOSED NEW ROAD WORKS INCLUDE BUILDING OF:
* A SIX-METRE-WIDE, TWO-LANE SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY WITH A SECTION OF 1.6-METRE-WIDE FOOTPATH WEST OF NG UK TSUEN;
M TWO SECTIONS OF TRACKS, OPEN TO VEHICLES, NORTHEAST OF SHA KONG WAI ) AND
* A 1.5-METRE-WIDE FOOTPATH AND THREE-METRE-WIDE TRACK WEST OF MONG TSENG TSUEN NEAR DEEP BAY ROAD.
OTHER WORKS INVOLVE THE TEMPORARY DIVERSION OF DEEP BAY ROAD WEST OF MONG TSENG TSUEN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BOX CULVERT, AND TEMPORARY DIVERSION OF A SECTION OF AN ACCESS TRACK SOUTH OF THE VILLAGE FOR BUILDING OF AN UNDERGROUND PIPELINE,
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY SEPTEMBER 23.
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
11
MONTHLY TICKETS INTRODUCED ON MORE FERRY SERVICES * * * * *
THE USE OF MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE EXTENDED TO TWO MORE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (HYF) CROSS-HARBOUR PASSENGER SERVICES FROM AUGUST 1.
FROM THE SAME DATE, FREIGHT CHARGES ON SERVICES TO OUTLYING ISLANDS WILL BE BASED ON EITHER THE WEIGHT OR THE VOLUME OF THE GOODS CARRIED BY PASSENGERS.
THE RELEVANT AMENDMENTS TO THE FERRY SERVICES (HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY, LI Ml TED)(DETERMINAT I ON OF FARES) ORDER WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE MONTHLY TICKET SYSTEM HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THE SAI WAN HO TO KWUN TONG AND THE SAI WAN HO TO SAM KA TSUEN SERVICES. THE TICKETS WILL COST $70 EACH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS BELIEVED THE MONTHLY TICKET PLAN WOULD BE WELCOMED BY REGULAR COMMUTERS ON THE TWO ROUTES, WHICH HAVE ADULT ORDINARY CLASS FARES OF $1.70.
HOLDERS OF HYF MONTHLY TICKETS ON CROSS-HARBOUR PASSENGER ROUTES ARE ENTITLED TO TRAVEL ORDINARY CLASS TWICE A DAY THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.
REFERRING TO THE CALCULATION OF FREIGHT CHARGES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AT PRESENT BOTH WEIGHT AND VOLUMETRIC MEASUREMENTS ARE USED IN DETERMINING THE MAXIMUM CHARGES ON MOST HYF SERVICES.
HOWEVER, FOR SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND OUTLYING DISTRICTS, THE INTER-ISLAND SERVICE AND THE TOLO HARBOUR SERVICE, FREIGHT CHARGES ARE CALCULATED ONLY ON THE BASIS OF +FREIGHT PER 50 KG+ WITHOUT ANY REFERENCE TO FREIGHT SIZE.
FROM AUGUST 1, FREIGHT CHARGES FOR THESE ROUTES WILL BE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF +FREIGHT PER 50 KG OR 0.10 CUBIC METRE+.
+THE MEASURE IS TO FACILITATE THE CALCULATION OF CHARGES FOR BULKY FREIGHT,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
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THREE MORE POST OFFICES JOIN INTELPOST NETWORK * * * *
THREE MORE POST OFFICES WILL ACCEPT INTELPOST FROM MONDAY (JULY 28), A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS WILL BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INTELPOST ACCEPTANCE OFFICES IN HONG KONG TO 26.
/THE ADDITIONAL .......
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
12
tuc AnniTiONAL ACCEPTANCE POINTS ARE KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, AND MA TAU WAI AND SHAM SHU I PO POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON.
+THE INTELPOST SERVICE OFFERS HIGH-SPEED FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND 38 OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS AND IS EXPANDING ITS NETWORK,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE ESSENCE OF INTELPOST IS RELIABILITY AND SPEED PROVIDING DELIVERY AT OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS WITHIN HOURS RATHER THAN DAYS USING CONVENTIONAL MEANS OF MESSAGE TRANSMISSION.+
THOSE HAVING FACSIMILE MACHINES IN THEIR OFFICES CAN, BY ARRANGEMENT TRANSMIT ITEMS DIRECT TO THE POST OFFICE INTELPOST TERMINAL IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE FOR ONWARD TRANSMISSION OVERSEAS AT NO EXTRA COST.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTELPOST MANAGER ON 5-2671148.
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DISTRICT AFFAIRS TO BE DISCUSSED AT SEMINAR *****
THE POKFULAM AREA COMMITTEE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL HOLD A SEMINAR FOR RESIDENT ORGANISATIONS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE AREA COMMITTEE, THE MEETING IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF SEMINARS ORGANISED FOR THE DISTRICT’S SIX CONSTITUENCIES.
+IT IS PLANNED THAT SIMILAR MEETINGS AND SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN THE COMING MONTHS IN ABERDEEN, AP LEI CHAU, STANLEY, SHEK 0, TIN WAN, SHEK PAI WAN, WAH FU, WONG CHUK HANG AND BAYS,* A SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+A SEMINAR BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND THE AREA COMMITTEES WILL BE HELD EARLY NEXT YEAR TO WRAP UP THE WHOLE EXERCISE OF STRENGTHENING TIES AMONG THE BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND RESIDENT BODIES,* HE ADDED.
TOMORROW’S SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE SHOWING A VIDEO ON + THE NEW FACES OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT*, WHICH DEALS WITH THE DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT AND THE DISTRICT BOARD’S WORK. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING MATTERS.
ABOUT 50 REPRESENTATIVES FROM POKFULAM’S MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND RESIDENT ASSOCIATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
/SOUTHhHN
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SIMON LORD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL ALSO BE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE POKFULAM AREA COMMITTEE SEMINAR WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS STARTING 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE SCHOOL HALL OF THE YU CHUN KEUNG NO. 2 MEMORIAL COLLEGE, CHI FU CLOSE, POK FU LAM.
-------0-----------
SENIOR OFFICIALS VISIT MUSIC CAMP
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES.
AND HIS DESIGNATED SUCCESSOR, MR A.K. CHUI, VISITED THE 1986 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP BEING HELD AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG.
THEY WERE INTRODUCED TO EIGHT VISITING GUEST MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, JAPAN, KOREA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM AS WELL AS NINE CAMPERS FROM KOREA AND SINGAPORE.
MR BARNES AND MR CHUI WERE BRIEFED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR. MRS DORIS HO, ON PROGRESS MADE DURING THE TWO-WEEK CAMP WHICH IS DUE TO END ON SUNDAY (JULY 27).
IN THE EVENING, MR BARNES AND MR CHUI ATTENDED A COMBINED YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND CONCERT GIVEN BY OVER 203 YOUNG MUSICIANS AT THE CAMP’S AMPHITHEATRE.
TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE CAMP, A CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL TOMORROW (SATURDAY), BEGINNING AT 8 PM.
-------0---------
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
ANOTHER LAUNCH TOUR ORGANISED * * * * *
THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG ORGANISED +A DAY WITH THE COUNCILLORS+ LAUNCH TOUR WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY (JULY 27) FROM 10 AM TO 3.30 PM AT VICTORIA HARBOUR.
THE TOUR, PART OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE. MEMBERS OF UMELCO, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND CHAIRMEN OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN THE TOUR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE TOUR. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD CONTACT MISS MAYELLA CHEUNG OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT OF RTHK AT 3-385816 BEFORE NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ASSEMBLE AT THE WAN CHAI FERRY PIER WEST WING AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY WHERE BOARDING PASS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
-------0---------
PART-TIME LIFE GUARDS SOUGHT
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING PART-TIME LIFE GUARDS FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO MAN GAZETTED BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS IN THE URBAN AREAS.
APPLICANTS, PREFERABLY AGED 35 OR UNDER, SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST PRIMARY 6 EDUCATION AND HOLD A BRONZE MEDALLION CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY AND A VALID FIRST-AID CERTIFICATE.
THE JOB IS OPEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN AND OFFERS A MONTHLY SALARLY OF $3 360 OR A DAILY WAGE OF $135.
THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD APPROACH ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-270622, 3-666615, 3-695525, 3-265123 AND 0-420154.
-------0---------
/15........
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
15
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN 1916-1920
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WOMEN BORN IN 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919 AND 1920 WILL HAVE TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS BETWEEN AUGUST 4 AND AUGUST 30.
APPLICANTS CAN BRING ALONG THEIR OLD CARDS AND CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES WHICH ARE OPEN DAILY FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE ADDRESSES OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY GARDEN PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
SHA TIN : SHATIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK
STREET.
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
SHEUNG SHU I : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS APPLICANTS IN THE LATEST PHASE ARE BETWEEN 66 AND 70 YEARS OLD, SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE IN POOR HEALTH, AND IT COULD CAUSE THEM A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP AND INCONVENIENCE TO GO TO THE ISSUE OFFICES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE THEREFORE REMINDED THAT UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS, THOSE WHO ARE AGED, BLIND OR INFIRMED, AND WHO CAN SATISFY THE COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION THAT THEIR PERSONAL ATTENDANCE FOR REGISTRATION WOULD INJURE THEIR HEALTH OR THE HEALTH OF OTHERS, ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER OR APPLY FOR THE ISSUE OF AN IDENTITY CARD.
+IN SUCH CASES,+ HE SAID, +THEY MAY APPLY IN WRITING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION TO BE ISSUED TO THEM.+
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY FOR SUCH A CERTIFICATE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 3-7333111.
/APPLICANTS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
APPLICANTS WERE ALSO REMINDED TO ASCERTAIN THEIR YEARS OF BIRTH BEFORE VISITING AN ISSUE OFFICE.
+IF IN DOUBT, THEY SHOULD BRING SUCH AS PASSPORTS OR CERTIFICATES OF
ALONG TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IDENTITY,* HE SAID.
♦THOSE WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY IN GIVING THEIR EXACT ADDRESSES^VERBALLY SHOULD ARRANGE TO HAVE THEM WRITTEN OUT BEFOREHAND,* HE ADDED.
CIVIC EDUCATION ORIENTEERING COMPETITION
******
AN ORIENTEERING COMPETITION INCORPORATING THE MESSAGE OF CIVIC EDUCATION WILL BE HELD BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG ORIENTEERING CLUB AT THE WAN CHAI GAP PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (JULY 27).
PARTICIPANTS, DIVIDED INTO TEAMS, WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH VAPS AND COMPASSES TO COMPETE ALONG A COURSE AROUND BLACK’S LINK AND MIDDLE GAP ROAD.
EIGHT CHECK POINTS WILL BE SET UP ALONG THE 4 5OO-METRE ROUTE AND PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS REALTING TO THE THEME OF CIVIC EDUCATION BEFORE THEY CAN PROCEED TO THE NEXT CHECK POINT.
THE COMPETITION WILL BEGIN AT 8.30 AM AND THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 11.30 AM IN THE ST. JAMES PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 110 KENNEDY ROAD.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR KEVIN MAK, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, A MEMBER OF COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MR MAK HOI-WAH, PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG ORIENTEERING CLUB, MR LEE MAN-WAI, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, MR LO KAM-WAH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ORIENTEERING COMPETITION ON SUNDAY AT 8.30 AM AT WAN CHAI GAP PLAYGROUND, COOMBE ROAD, AND THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT 11.30 AM IN ST. JAMES PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 110 KENNEDY ROAD.
_ -----o - - - -
/17........
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1986
17
CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT * * * * *
MORE THAN 500 STUDENTS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN A CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION AT THE ABERDEEN TECHNICAL SCHOOL ON SUNDAY (JULY 27).
THE COMPETITION, AIMED AT PROMOTING THE ARTS OF CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AMONG RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS, IS OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING OR STUDYING IN THE DISTRICT.
IT IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, AND ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE.
THE COMPETITION WILL CONSIST OF JUNIOR AND SENIOR SECTIONS IN BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENT GROUPS. EACH SECTION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO DIFFERENT STYLES OF CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, SUCH AS BRUSH WRITING AND PEN WRITING.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES WILL INCLUDE WELL-KNOWN CALL I GRAPH I STS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFF ICE.
RESULTS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE ANNOUNCED EARLY NEXT MONTH AND WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE ABERDEEN CIVIC CENTRE BETWEEN AUGUST 2? AND 26.
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN MID-LEVELS
*****
TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CAINE ROAD, THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE MID-LEVELS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 28):
* TRAFFIC FROM CASTLE ROAD TO CAINE ROAD WILL BE BANNED, WHILE THE SECTION OF CASTLE ROAD BETWEEN KOM TONG HALL AND CAINE ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY FOR ACCESS VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS ONLY. THESE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS.
* THE SECTION OF CASTLE ROAD BETWEEN SEYMOUR ROAD AND KOM TONG HALL WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY FOR ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS. DURING THAT PERIOD, CMB ROUTE 13 ON ITS JOURNEYS TO STAR FERRY WILL BE DIVERTED TO ROBINSON ROAD, GARDEN ROAD, UPPER ALBERT ROAD AND ARBUTHNOT ROAD BEFORE RESUMING THE NORMAL ROUTE ING. AS FOR CMB ROUTE 23B ON ITS JOURNEYS TO CAUSEWAY BAY, IT WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA ROBINSON ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTE ING.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL; 5-233191
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
32 CAUGHT IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION RAIDS ...................... 1
SPIRIT OF YIN NGAI MOVEMENT PRaISED ..................•........... 2
WASTE THAT POSES PROBLEM FOR LIFE, ENVIRONMENT ................... 3
DB MEMBERS LEAVE ON STUDY TOUR ................................... 5
ROAD SAFETY QUIZ ORGANISED FOR THE ELDERLY ....................... 6
LAN KWAI FONG SITTING-OUT AREA TO BE REDEVELOPED ................. 7
PROCESSING OF EXPORT APPLICATIONS COMPLETED ...................... 7
CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGN FOR N.T. LAUNCHING .......................... 8
UC PLAYGROUNDS KEEP UP WITH LATEST TREND ......................... 9
CHI MA WAN-CHEUNG CHAU MAIN LhYING PLANNED ....................... 9
FIRING PRACTICE IN AUGUST ....................................... 10
T,EARNER DRIVER PROHIBITED ZONE, RE-ROUTEING .................... 10
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI
11
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
1
32 CAUGHT IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION RAIDS ******
THE DRAGNET ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HIDING IN HONG KONG WAS FURTHER TIGHTENED THIS WEEK AS THE POLICE AND THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS STEPPED UP OPERATIONS TO FERRET THEM OUT.
THE BLITZ, PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF 32 PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF LIVING UNDERGROUND.
ALL THE ARRESTED PERSONS HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
♦THIS WEEK’S OPERATION SHOULD MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE IN OUR IMMIGRATION POLICY,+ HE SAID.
+THERE IS NO PLACE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN HONG KONG. WHENEVER AND WHEREVER THEY ARE FOUND, THEY WILL BE SENT BACK.+
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO SLACKENING IN THE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
+A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDER,+ HE SAID.
DURING THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OPERATION, POLICE INCREASED THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPECT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THEY ARRESTED 32 SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. ANOTHER 93 PEOPLE WERE SUMMONSED OR CHARGED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY, AND A FURTHER 34 WERE WARNED IN RESPECT OF THIS OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1 OOO.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 5 749 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY BE WORKING IN THEM, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFILLED THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
/A TOTAL .........
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
2
A TOTAL OF 9 819 EMPLOYEES WERE CHECKED AND FIVE PERSONS IN FIVE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND WITHOUT PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY. THEY HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
ANOTHER 47 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE KEEPING EITHER NO RECORD OR IMPROPER RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $50 000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO A YEAR IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
-----o-----
SPIRIT OF YIN NGAI MOVEMENT PRAISED
*****
THE ACTING GOVERNOR’S WIFE, LADY AKERS-JONES, PRAISED THE YIN NGAI SOCIETIES’ SPIRIT OF +SELF-HELP AND CO-OPERATI0N+ DURING HER VISIT TO THE YIN NGAI CENTRAL COUNCIL (YNCC) HEADQUARTERS IN SHAM SHU I PO TODAY (SATURDAY).
+IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING THAT SINCE THE YIN NGAI MOVEMENT STARTED IN 1981, IT HAD EXTENDED FROM THE NEW TOWNS TO THE URBAN AREAS,+ SHE SAID.
LADY AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE 30 YIN NGAI SOCIETIES WITH MORE THAN 4 400 MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE FIRST YIN NGAI SOCIETY WAS FORMED IN 1981 WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING WOMEN’S WELFARE AND ENCOURAGING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
THE YIN NGAI SOCIETIES ARE NON-PROFIT-MAKING ASSOCIATIONS WHICH PROVIDE AVENUES FOR HOUSEWIVES TO GET TOGETHER, EXCHANGE VIEWS IN HOUSECRAFT, HELP ONE ANOTHER AND MAKE BETTER USE OF THEIR SPARE TIME.
THE WORD + YIN+ REPRESENTS THE VIRTUE OF WOMEN AND +NGAI+ DENOTES DRIVE AND DETERMINATION TO FACE CHALLENGE.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE YNCC HEADQUARTERS THIS AFTERNOON, LADY AKERS-JONES WAS MET BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE YNCC, AND DISTRICT YIN NGAI SOCIETIES CHAIRWOMEN.
/SHE WAS .......
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
SHE WAS TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE PREMISES OF THE HEADQUARTERS WHICH INCLUDE A CONFERENCE ROOM AND A REFERENCE LIBRARY.
THE YIN NGAI CENTRAL COUNCIL WAS FORMED IN 1985 TO PROVIDE BETTER CO-ORDINATION FOR YIN NGAI SOCEITIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND TO MAINTAIN THEIR SOLIDARITY AS THE ORGANISATION GROWS.
APART FROM PROVIDING A VENUE FOR MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, THE CENTRAL COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS SERVE AS COMMUNICATION POINT FOR YIN NGAI SOCIETIES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
DURING THE TOUR, LADY AKERS-JONES WAS TOLD THAT THE CENTRAL COUNCIL HAD ORGANISED A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES FOR MEMBERS IN THE PAST YEAR.
THESE INCLUDED A STUDY TOUR TO SINGAPORE, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, SEMINARS ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, GATHERINGS, CAMPS AND HEALTHY CHILDREN COMPETITIONS.
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WASTE THAT POSES PROBLEM FOR LIFE, ENVIRONMENT ******
A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANT POSES NO MORE DANGER TO HUMAN LIFE THAN AN ORDINARY FACTORY, BUT, WITHOUT IT, LIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT COULD BE AT RISK, ACCORDING TO ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR MIKE STOKOE.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 40 003 TONNES OF CHEMICAL WASTE ARE PRODUCED EVERY YEAR BY THE VARIOUS TYPES OF FACTORIES OPERATING IN HONG KONG. AS THERE IS AT PRESENT NO PROPER FACILITY FOR TREATING CHEMICAL WASTE, MOST OF THE WASTE MATERIAL IS SIMPLY POURED INTO DRAINS OR FLUSHED AWAY.
MUCH OF THE WASTE IS PRODUCED BY FACTORIES IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TSING Yl AND KWUN TONG. THE POLLUTING EFFECT OF THE UNCONTROLLED DISCHARGES IS EVIDENT IN THE NULLAHS AND COASTAL WATERS IN THOSE AREAS.
THE UNTREATED WASTE PRODUCTS ARE HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT, AND SOME OF THEM ARE EVEN HAZARDOUS TO HUMAN LIFE, MR STOKOE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOLVENT WASTE, WHICH RESULTS FROM PROCESSES ADOPTED IN ELECTRONICS AND METAL FACTORIES, IS INFLAMMABLE -- AND DANGEROUS IF DISPOSED OF IMPROPERLY.
/OTHEB EXAMPLES
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
OTHER EXAMPLES ARE OILY WASTE FROM SHIPYARDS, WHICH WILL POLLUTE THE SEA, AND AQUEOUS WASTE PRODUCED BY TEXTILES AND ELECTROPLATING FACTORIES, WHICH IS TOXIC AND, BY ITS VERY NATURE, WILL EVEN STOP OPERATION OF A GOVERNMENT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
♦UNCONTROLLED DISPOSAL CAN COST LIFE,+ MR STOKOE SAID.
♦A TECHNICIAN WORKING IN A MANHOLE DIED AFTER HOT CORROSIVE WASTE DISCHARGED FROM AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SCALDED HIM.+
THE SHING MUN RIVER FLOWING THROUGH SHA TIN AFFORDS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF POLLUTION BY UNTREATED CHEMICAL WASTE FROM FACTORIES, DESPITE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
MR STOKOE POINTED OUT THAT MANY INDUSTRIES HAVE INCREASED THE USE OF CHEMICALS IN THE RAW MATERIAL FOR THEIR VARIED PROCESSES.
THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM OF DEALING WITH CHEMICAL WASTE LIES IN ESTABLISHING A PROPER TREATMENT PLANT, IN MR STOKOE’S VIEW.
IN FACT, SUCH A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANT HAS BEEN PROPOSED BY HIS DEPARTMENT, AND THIS PROPOSAL IS BEING CONSIDERED WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT.
MR STOKOE SAID ESTABLISHING THIS TYPE OF SPECIALISED FACILITY HAS IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG QUITE APART FROM A POSITIVE IMPROVEMENT IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
♦ HONG KONG DEPENDS HEAVILY ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT. MANY COMPANIES IN THE ELECTRONIC AND HIGH-TECHNOLOGY AREAS WHICH HAVE PLANNED TO SET UP BRANCHES IN HONG KONG HAVE EXPRESSED THE NEED FOR WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
♦INCORPORATION OF A TREATMENT PLANT AS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD ENHANCE THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG AS A PLACE FOR INVESTMENT,* HE SAID.
JAPAN AND TAIWAN HAVE ALREADY SET UP SUCH PLANTS, HE ADDED.
MR STOKOE CITED ANOTHER FACTOR THAT COULD MAKE THE PLANT NECESSARY, SAYING THAT AS A SIGNATORY OF THE LONDON CONVENTION ON MARINE POLLUTION (MARPOL), HONG KONG WOULD NEED TO HAVE ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR COLLECTING AND DISPOSING OF OILY WASTE.
THE UNITED STATES, HE SAID, HAS ALREADY MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WILL HOLD UP SHIPS AND CARGOES THAT COME FROM A COUNTRY OR TERRITORY WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE MARPOL.
/♦HONG KONG'S .......
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
- 5 -
♦ HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS A LEADING PORT OF REGISTRY AND ONE OF THE BUSIEST TRANSHIPMENT PORTS IN THE WORLD WILL BE DAMAGED IF A SHIP FROM HONG KONG IS HELD UP, QUITE APART FROM THE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES.*
DESCRIBING THE PROPOSED PLANT, MR STOKOE SAID IT WOULD BE AN INTEGRATED FACILITY EQUIPPED WITH VARIOUS TREATMENT UNITS.
IT WOULD TREAT AQUEOUS WASTE, SUCH AS BY NEUTRALISING ACIDS AND ALKALIS, AND REMOVE TOXIC METAL FROM THE SOLUTION AS SLUDGE.
IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE HIGH TEMPERATURE INCINERATION OF ORGANIC WASTE SUCH AS PAINT AND PESTICIDE MATERIAL, TREATMENT OF OILY WASTE TO RECOVER THE OIL AND AN OPTIONAL SOLVENT RECOVERY PROCESS TO REGENERATE SPENT SOLVENT.
THE END PRODUCT OF THE TREATED WASTE WOULD SIMPLY BE WATER VAPOUR AND CARBON DIOXIDE, BOTH NORMAL COMPONENTS OF THE ATMOSPHERE.
MR STOKOE SAID THE SAFETY RECORD OF THESE PLANTS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD WAS GOOD AND THERE HAD BEEN NO INCIDENTS RESULTING IN RISKS EXTENDING OUTSIDE THEIR BOUNDARIES.
♦WITHIN THE PLANT, AS WITH ALL INDUSTRIAL INSTALLATIONS, RISK EXISTS BUT APPROPRIATE CONTROL AND SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE DETAILED DESIGN AND OPERATION.+
SHOULD THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED, IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE PLANT WOULD BE MANAGED AND OPERATED BY A FIRM THAT WAS EXPERIENCED IN WASTE DISPOSAL. THE FIRM WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO TRAIN LOCAL PEOPLE IN MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE.
THE PLANT WOULD RECEIVE CHEMICAL WASTE TRANSPORTED BY LAND OR SEA.
THE VEHICLES OR BARGES CARRYING THE WASTE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH STRINGENT LICENCE CONDITIONS.
-------0---------
DB MEMBERS LEAVE ON STUDY TOUR
* * -X X-
TEN EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS LEFT HONG KONG TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR A NINE-DAY STUDY TOUR OF SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA.
THE PARTY, LED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SAN, AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BOWEN LEUNG, WILL VISIT SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO SEE THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF WORK IN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
/DURING THEIR .......
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
DURING THEIR STAY IN SINGAPORE, MEMBERS WILL CALL ON THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION AND MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY CENTRES.
WHILE IN KUALA LUMPUR THEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS, CLEANLINESS AND RUBBISH DISPOSAL, AND TRAFFIC MATTERS BY THE LOCAL HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.
THE PARTY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON AUGUST 3 (SUNDAY).
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ROAD SAFETY QUIZ ORGANISED FOR THE ELDERLY
******
A TERRITORY-WIDE ROAD SAFETY QUIZ WILL BE HELD IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG THE ELDERLY.
THE COMPETITION, CALLED THE +ROAD SAFETY QUIZ FOR THE ELDERLY+, IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY): +IN VIEW OF THE SHARP INCREASE IN 1985 OF THE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES AMONG THOSE AGED 60 AND OVER, THIS YEAR’S ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN HAS INCLUDED ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS AS ONE OF THE PRIME TARGETS.+
+THE COMPETITION AIMS AT REMINDING THE ELDERLY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY, TO EDUCATE THEM ON ROAD SAFETY ASPECTS, AND TO ALERT OTHER ROAD USERS TO THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY ELDERLY PEDESTRI ANS,+ HE ADDED.
ALL ELDERLY SERVICE ORGANISATIONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION. EACH ORGANISATION MAY BE REPRESENTED BY ONE TEAM WITH THREE MEMBERS AGED 60 OR OVER.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS SHOULD CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE REGIONAL ROAD SAFETY OFFICERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE BEFORE JULY 31 FOR ENROLMENT.
PRELIMINARY COMPETITIONS FOLLOWED BY SEMI-FINALS WILL TAKE PLACE IN AUGUST WITHIN THE REGIONS OF HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
PARTS OF THESE EVENTS WILL BE BROADCAST BY RTHK RADIO 1 IN ITS MORNING PROGRAMME +FOR SENIOR CITIZENS* ON FOUR CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS FROM AUGUST 31.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIONAL ROAD SAFETY OFFICERS AT 5-262413 (HK ISLAND), 3-7122492 (KOWLOON) AND 0-6581267 (NT) OR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AT 5-282124, EXT. 43.
0 -
/?
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
7
LAN KWAI FONG SITTING-OUT AREA TO BE REDEVELOPED * * * * *
THE FIRST PERMANENT OFF-STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN CENTRAL IS TO BE BUILT AT LAN KWAI FONG TO REPLACE THE ON-STREET ONE AT THE JUNCTION OF D’AGUI LAR STREET AND WELLINGTON STREET.
THE WORK IS PART OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE 430-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT PRESENT OCCUPIED BY PUBLIC TOILETS AND A SITTING-OUT AREA BUILT 25 YEARS AGO.
THE REDEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL START IN SEPTEMBER, WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STOREY BUILDING, WITH PUBLIC TOILETS AND A STORE ROOM AT BASEMENT LEVEL AND THE OFF-STREET COLLECTION POINT AT GROUND LEVEL.
A TURNTABLE WILL BE INSTALLED INSIDE THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT TO ENABLE LANDING AND TURNING OF REFUSE VEHICLES.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT IS A SITTING-OUT AREA OUTSIDE THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, PROVIDED WITH TIMBER ARBOURS, PLANTERS AND BENCHES.
THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CHINESE-STYLE OPEN SPACE AROUND TIN HAU TEMPLE AT TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
FACILITIES, SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO BLEND WITH THE EXISTENCE OF THE TEMPLE, WILL INCLUDE SITTING SPACES, A CHINESE PAVILION, A CASCADE, WOODEN ARBOURS, PLANTING AREAS AND TOILETS.
WORK WILL START IN NOVEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN NINE MONTHS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTING TENDERS FOR BOTH PROJECTS IS NOON ON AUGUST 15.
- 0 -
PROCESSING OF EXPORT APPLICATIONS COMPLETED
*****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED UNDER THE 1986 SPECIAL FREE QUOTA SCHEME FOR EXPORT AUTHORISATION CATEGORIES.
THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ISSUED A NOTICE TO EXPORTERS WHICH SETS OUT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ALLOCATION OF QUOTAS.
/EXPORTERS WITH
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
8 -
EXPORTERS WITH FURTHER QUERIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN CONTACT THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S U.S.A. BRANCH FOR INFORMATIONS
* MR D.H.K. CHAN ON COTTON AND WOOL GARMENTS AT 3-7222366
X MR H.F. CHAN ON MAN-MADE FIBRE GARMENTS AT 3-7222356
* MR W.Y. LEUNG ON SILK AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRE PRODUCTS AT 3-7222364
* MISS A.S.H. KWAN ON NON-GARMENT PRODUCTS AT 3-7222578
---------o --------
CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGN FOR N.T. LAUNCHING
******
THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS WILL BE LAUNCHING THEIR FIRST +CLEAN BEACH+ CAMPAIGN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROGRAMME BEGINS WITH A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT UC-RC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR CARLOS CHEUNG.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SINGERS SANDY LAM AND OTHERS PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT ON RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AS PART OF THEIR INFORMATION '86 SERIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FUNCTION AT 2 PM AT CAFETERIA (OLD) BEACH IN TUEN MUN. A VAN (RC4634) FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE DEPARTING BY 12.30 PM FROM KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
- - 0
/9........
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
9
US PLAYGROUNDS KEEP UP WITH LATEST TREND * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY ALLOCATED $1.3 MILLION FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE LATEST PLAY EQUIPMENT TO BE INSTALLED AT ITS MANY CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS IN THE URBAN AREA.
+A TOTAL OF 91 PIECES OF PLAY EQUIPMENT WILL BE PURCHASED FROM THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES,+ SAID THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, MR SAMUEL WONG, TODAY.
+THE EQUIPMENT, WHICH INCLUDES NINE CLIMBERS, 34 ROCKERS, 18 SLIDES, FIVE SWINGS, 20 ROTATORS AND FIVE MULTI-PLAY ITEMS, IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG EARLY NEXT YEAR.
+THE ITEMS WILL BE INSTALLED AT 53 OF THE COUNCIL’S PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS AND WILL REPLACE THE WORN-OUT AND OLD-FASHIONED EQUIPMENT,* HE SAID.
THE LAST STOCK OF THE COUNCIL’S REPLACEMENT PLAY EQUIPMENT, BOUGHT AT A COST OF $1.1 MILLION IN 1983, HAD BECOME ALMOST EXHAUSTED AND IT WAS TIME TO TOP UP THE COUNCIL’S STOCK OF MODERN PLAY EQUIPMENT, MR WONG ADDED.
CHI MA WAN-CHEUNG CHAU MAIN LAYING PLANNED * * * * *
GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO LAY A SUBMARINE WATER MAIN WITHIN 22 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN CHI MA WAN ON LANTAU AND THE NORTH-WESTERN END OF CHEUNG CHAU.
THE MAIN, 600 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER AND 1 150 METRES LONG, WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED FRESH WATER TRANSFER FACILITIES BETWEEN CHAI MA WAN AND CHEUNG CHAU.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED WORK HAS BEEN DESCRIBED UNDER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED (RECLAMATION) ORDINANCE IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
WRITTEN OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY SEPTEMBER 24.
- - c -
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1986
10
FIRING PRACTICE IN AUGUST
*****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 11 DAYS IN AUGUST.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE:
DATE TIME
AUGUST 1 (FRIDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 6 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 7 (THURSDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 9 (SATURDAY) 8 AM - 4.30 PM
AUGUST 12 (TUESDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 13 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM
AUGUST 14 (THURSDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 15 (FRIDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 16 (SATURDAY) 2 PM - 5 PM
AUGUST 18 (MONDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 29 (FRIDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM
-----o ------
LEARNER DRIVER PROHIBITED ZONE, RE-ROUTE ING
******
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 29), HO TUNG ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED A PROHIBITED ZONE FOR LEARNER DRIVERS.
ALL LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE ROAD.
/WITH EFFECT ..
SATURDAY, JULY. 26, 1986
£ $
WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME, TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHEK KIP MEI WILL BE RE-ROUTED. LUNG CHU STREET BETWEEN TAI HANG TUNG ROAD AND TO YUEN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY NORTHWEST. BOUND.
TO YUEN STREET BETWEEN LUNG CHU STREET AND TAI HANG TUNG ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY SOUTHWEST BOUND.
MOTORISTS ON TAI HANG TUNG ROAD HEADING FOR LUNG CHU STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA TO YUEN STREET.
- 0 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI X K K * *
THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HARBOUR ROAD BETWEEN FLEMING ROAD AND TONNOCHY ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM ON JULY 29 (TUESDAY) AND 30 TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON FLEMING ROAD HEADING FOR HARBOUR ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO HARBOUR DRIVE.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL' 5-233191
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIMS OF CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN EXPALINED ...... 1
DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION FOR YUEN LONG............ 2
IMPORTANCE OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY FOR PARENTS . ~ STRESSED ........................................ 2
LIAO PRAISES HARD WORK OF JUNIOR CORPS .......... 3
SCOUTING SERVICE EXTENDED TO JUNK BAY............ 4
RED VANS KEEP RURAL AREAS IN TOUCH .............. 4
SAI KUNG OPENING UP WITH NEW LINK................ 6
MEDIA PRODUCTION SERVICES UNIT TEMPORARILY CLOSED 7
GUZHENG CLASS OPEN TO KWUN TONG RESIDENTS ....... 8
CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL, SHA TIN ROADS ...... 8
METERED CAR PARK FOR TUEN MUN.................... 9
TaI PO WATER MAIN TO BE RELINED ................. 9
NO FLUSHING WaTaR IN TUEN MUN.................... 10
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 1986
-1
AIMS OF CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN EXPLAINED
*****
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ARE TO HEIGHTEN THE PUBLIC’S CIVIC AWARENESS, IDENTIFY THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY, AND EDUCATE THEM IN THE RIGHTS THEY ENJOY SO THAT THEY MIGHT CONTRIBUTE MORE FULLY TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR KEVIN MAK SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE WAN CHAI CIVIC ORIENTEERING COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG ORIENTEERING CLUB, HE SAID TO FURTHER THESE AIMS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET UP A CENTRAL COMMITTEE TO CO-ORDINATE CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
♦ IN ORGANISING VARIOUS CIVIC EDUCATION PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES WE HAVE TO BEAR IN MIND THE NEEDS 0^ DIFFERENTS TARGET GROUPS, FOR EXAMPLE, STUDENTS, YOUNG WORKERS AND THE ELDERLY WHO MAKE UP THE SPECTRUM OF OUR COMMUNITY,+ HE SAID.
+TODAY’S CIVIC ORIENTEERING COMPETITION MARKS A GOOD START AND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE 'EDUCATION THROUGH RECREATION’ BY MAKING USE OF A HEALTHY AND UNIQUE TYPE OF OUTDOOR SPORT TO SPREAD CIVIC AWARENESS AMONG THE COMPETITORS.*
ABOUT 100 PARTICIPANTS TOOK PART IN TODAY’S COMPETITION. THERE WERE ALSO SIX TEAMS COMPRISING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE PARTICIPANTS WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A 4 500-METRE LOOP ALONG BLACK’S LINK AND MIDDLE GAP ROAD USING MAPS AND COMPASSES. THEY ALSO HAD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION AT THE EIGHT CHECK-POINTS ALONG THE ROUTE.
MR MAK SAID HE HOPED THE PARTICIPANTS HAD LEARNT FROM THE SPIRIT OF ORIENTEERING TO MARCH FORWARD, STRIVE FOR GREATER SUCCESS, AND MAKE HONG KONG AN EVEN BETTER SOCIETY IN WHICH TO LIVE.
APART FROM TODAY’S COMPETITION, WAN CHAI DISTRICT WOULD ALSO HOLD A SERIES OF CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR SUCH AS THE +YOUNG REPORTERS SCHEME* AND +CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION*.
/MR MuK .......
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 1986
2
promote
IN THE DISTRICT A SUCCESS.
ALSO OPP l CI AT I NG AT TODAY • S PR IZE-0I VI N«ES|"™VTXI^oS ITTEE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER ^RCIA, E pRES|DENT 0F THE ON PROMOTION OF CIV C EDUCATION, MR MAK CHAIRMAN
L?|SgU?6mm7tt1I of THE WAN CHA! DISTRICT
BOARD, MR LO KAM-WAH.
THE COMPETITION WAS SPONSORED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG
KONG INDUSTRIES.
--------0----------
DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION FOR YUEN LONG * * * * *
A THREE-STOREY DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION IS TO BE BUILT AT YUEN LONG SO THAT THE GROWING NEW TOWN AND THE NORTH-WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES CAN BE PROVIDED WITH ADEQUATE FIRE-FIGHTING COVER.
THE NEW STRUCTURE, TO BE BUILT ON A 5 037-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT FUNG CHEUNG ROAD, WILL CONSIST OF APPLIANCE ROOMS, DUTY AND SERVICES ROOMS, BARRACKS, A CANTEEN, A KITCHEN AND RECREATION ROOMS.
ALSO INCLUDED IS A DRILL YARD, A DRILL TOWER AND A SEWAGE RESCUE TUNNEL UNDER THE DRILL YARD.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES A STANDARD AMBULANCE DEPOT AND A RESCUE TRAINING CENTRE TO BE BUILT ON THE SAME SITE.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WORK ON WHICH WILL START IN NOVEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY MAY 1988.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 15.
-------0---------
IMPORTANCE OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY FOR PARENTS STRESSED *****
PARENTS NEED TO GET WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN TO ENABLE THEM TO DISCHARGE PARENTAL DUTIES SATISFACTORILY, A MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR JACOB CHAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR CHAN, WHO IS ALSO SOCIAL SERVICE CO-ORDINATOR OF THE HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES CENTRE, WAS SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE CHILD PSYCHOLOGY CERTIFICATE COURSE.
/riij liO-PiuiJ •••••••
JUIWaY, cULY 27, 1986
<- 'JTED THAT PEOPLE DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY ACQUIRE THE SKILLS TO BRING UP CHILDREN AFTER THEY BECAME PARENTS.
+ '-'A\Y PARENTS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY,* HE SAID. + AS A RESULT THEY CANNOT ACHI EV' •.'HAT THEY HAD INTENDED FOR THEIR CHILDREN.*
♦THE LACK OF FAMILY EDUCATION ALSO INDUCES CHILDREN TO DEVELOP EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR.
+WE HOPE THE PSYCHOLOGY COURSE CAN PROVIDE PARENTS WITH THE BASIC SKILLS AND METHODS, AND THE WISDOM AND GUIDANCE TO BRING UP THEIR CHILDREN IN A MORE FLEXIBLE WAY,* MR CHAN SAID.
THE CHILD PSYCHOLOGY CERTIFICATE COURSE WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK BRANCH OF THE YIN NGA I SOCIETY AND THE HONG
KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES CENTRE.
SOME 150 RESIDENTS ATTENDED THE COURSE WHICH WAS CONDUCTED IN SIX SESSIONS BY EXPERIENCED SOCIAL WORKERS.
MR CHAN SAID BECAUSE OF THE POPULARITY OF THE COURSE, OTHER PSYCHOLOGY COURSES WERE BEING CONSIDERED ON VARIOUS TOPICS THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO FOSTERING A MORE HARMONIOUS COMMUNITY.
ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EARNEST CHEUNG, ALSO OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S GRADUATION CEREMONY.
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LIAO PRAISES HARD WORK OF JUNIOR CORPS * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, TODAY (SUNDAY) PRAISED YOUNG CORPS MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN ACHIEVING A HIGH STANDARD DURING THEIR TRAINING.
SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF THE JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS, MR LIAO SAID THAT IN THEIR TRAINING EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-RELIANCE, COMMUNITY SPIRIT, LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER.
♦THESE QUALITIES ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH DISCIPLINED TRAINING ON THE ONE HAND AND PARTICIPATION IN A NUMBER OF SERVICES WHICH HAVE AN ELEMENT OF FUN ON THE OTHER,* HE SAID.
+THE EXPERIENCE AND CHALLENGE THAT YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS MUST HAVE INCULCATED A SENSE OF BELONGING TO A NEW FAMILY, THAT IS, THE REGIMENT,* MR LIAO TOLD THE CORPS MEMBERS.
+THE SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT MUST BE QUITE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR OTHER PURSUITS. BOTH THE TRAINING STAFF OF THE REGIMENT AND YOU HAVE READILY GIVEN UP YOUR SPARE TIME TO COME AND TRAIN AT WEEKENDS AND IN THE EVENINGS,* HE NOTED.
HE SAID AS CORPS MEMBERS THE NEW VOLUNTEERS SHOULD POSSESS THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRENGTH TO TAKE ON NEW COMMITMENTS AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY.
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 1986
SCOUTING SERVICE EXTENDED TO JUNK BAY ******
THE EXTENSION OF SERVICES TO JUNK BAY BY THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG WOULD BE HIGHLY BENEFICIAL TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TOWN, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SINCE THE COMPOSITION OF POPULATION IN NEW TOWNS WAS MAINLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION, IT WAS THEREFORE HIGHLY IMPORTANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS KINDS OF SCOUTS ACTIVITIES SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN TO .ADAPT TO A NEW ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE 1OTH INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG (SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU BRANCH), MR HO SAID THE PROVISION OF SCOUTS ACTIVITIES IN JUNK BAY.WOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THEIR LE.ISURE TIME AND CREATE A SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS THE.COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVED. , . __
THE POPULATION OF JUNK BAY WOULD INCREASE TO ABOUT 25 OOO WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, THE PO LAM ESTATE, WAS COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR, HE SAID.
MR HO ALSO PRAISED THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION FOR ITS GOOD WORK IN PROVIDING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS.
♦ BY TAKING PART IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AND OTHER SERVICES, YOUNG PEOPLE MAY KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SOCIETY AND THEN S|HOW THEIR CONCERN FOR IT. BESIDES, THEY MAY ALSO FULFILL THEIR , RESPONSIBILITIES AS GOOD CITIZENS.
+THE PROVISION OF ACTIVITIES BY THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OR HONG KONG IS A GREAT FORCE IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION IN HONG KONG,* MR HO SAID.
-------0--------- s
RED VANS KEEP RURAL AREAS IN TOUCH X k jt it ji
RUNNING ON FIXED ROUTES FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY ALONG MAIN ROADS AND NARROW LANES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE THREE RED VANS MARKED +MOBILE POST OFFICE*.
THEY ARE + POST OFFICES ON WHEELS* OFFERING A CONVENIENT SERVICE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF RURAL COMMUNITIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE, MR PATRICK LIN, SAID THE VANS ARE USED TO SUPPLEMENT SERVICES PROVIDED BY PERMANENT POST OFFICES IN THE REGION.
/EXCx»UDIl<G •••••••
SUNDAY, JULY 2?, 1986
EXCLUDING THOSE ON OUTLYING ISLANDS AND THE THREE MOBILE POST OFFICES, THERE ARE AT PRESENT 28 POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE THREE MOBILE POST OFFICES PROVIDE ONLY GENERAL COUNTER SERVICES, SUCH AS SELLING STAMPS, AND ACCEPTING ORDINARY, EXPRESS AND REGISTERED MAIL AS WELL AS PARCELS.
TH- VEHICLES ARE SPECIALLY MODIFIED FOR THIS PURPOSE: A SLOT ON ONE SIDE SERVES AS A POSTING BOX AND A METAL PANEL, SCREWED DOWN WHEN THE VAN IS ON THE ROAD, OPENS OUT TO FORM A WRITING SHELF AT STOP POINTS.
THE USE OF MOBILE POST OFFICES IS THE MOST ECONOMICAL AND EFFICIENT MEANS OF PROVIDING POSTAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS LIVING IN REMOTE AND SMALL COMMUNITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR LIN POINTED OUT THAT IN DETERMINING WHETHER A POST OFFICE SHOULD BE PROVIDED, TWO CONDITIONS HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED.
FIRSTLY, IN RURAL AREAS A POST OFFICE IS NORMALLY NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A RADIUS OF 3.2 KILOMETRES OF ANOTHER.
THE SECOND CONDITION IS THAT THE POPULATION SERVED BY THE POST OFFICE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 30 000.
AS THE POST OFFICE HAS ALWAYS ENDEAVOURED TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE, AND, IN VIEW OF THE MANY SMALL ISOLATED COMMUNITIES WHERE THE SETTING UP OF A POST OFFICE IS NOT JUSTIFIED, THE PROVISION OF MOBILE POSTAL SERVICE OFFERS A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION.
+SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT BRINGS THE POSTAL SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS’ DOOR-STEP,+ MR LIN SAID.
AS FOR THE RECURRENT COST OF RUNNING A MOBILE POST OFFICE, HE ESTIMATED IT TO BE AROUND $15 000 A YEAR, COVERING FUEL COSTS AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES.
+0F COURSE, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SALARY FOR THE TWO-MEMBER TEAM WHICH, COMPRISING A POSTMASTER AND A POSTMAN-DRIVER, IS THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR RUNNING A POST OFFICE, WHETHER PERMANENT OR MOBILE,* HE ADDED.
MAINTENANCE OF THE VANS IS HANDLED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND, ON AVERAGE, THE COST IS AROUND $7 000 A YEAR. FUEL CONSUMPTION PER VEHICLE ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT $8 000 YEARLY.
THE THREE VEHICLES RUN ON SEPARATE ROUTES CAREFULLY PLANNED TO COVER AS MANY POINTS OF CALL AS POSSIBLE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM.
/Tiii. KIxtbT..............
SUNDAY, JULY 27* 1986 6
THE -IRST MOBILE POST OFFICE SERVICE, COMMISSIONED IN 1960, NOW COMBS THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, WITH THE VAN COVERING ABOUT 120 KILOMETRES DAILY. ITS STOPS INCLUDE PING SHAN, HUNG SH'J I KIU, SIU HONG COURT, SHAN KING ESTATE AND A NUMBER OF CALL POINTS IN THE TUEN MUN AREA.
THE SECOND MOBILE POST OFFICE CAME INTO OPERATION TWO YEARS LATER, AND THE VAN NOW TRAVELS ABOUT 100 KILOMETRES DAILY, CALLING AT 15 ISOLATED COMMUNITIES IN SAI KUNG.
THE THIRD ONE WAS PUT INTO SERVICE IN NOVEMBER 1982, AND COVERS THE SHA TIN AND TAI PO AREAS. THOUGH HAVING THE SHORTEST ROUTE (ABOUT 90 KILOMETRES) AND THE LEAST CALL POINTS (11), IT DOES THE MOST BUSINESS, SERVING AN AVERAGE OF 100 ’CLIENTS’ DAILY. THIS IS BECAUSE SHA TIN’S CITY ONE HOUSING COMPLEX AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG LIE WITHIN ITS DOMAIN.
MR LIN SAID THE ITINERARY OF EACH VEHICLE IS KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW. CALL POINTS MAY BE CREATED OR DELETED, AND THE DURATION OF STAY AT A PARTICULAR PLACE CHANGED, IN RESPONSE TO DEMAND.
THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE MOBILE POST OFFICES IS PUBLICISED IN THE VARIOUS LOCALITIES.
+THANKS TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND ALSO THE VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, NOTICES ANNOUNCING THE LOCATION AND THE TIME OF CALLS ARE PUT UP IN THE HOUSING ESTATES, THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT CONSPICUOUS SPOTS IN THE VILLAGES,* HE SAID.
A SIGN POST IS ALSO ERECTED AT EACH CALL POINT.
_ _ _ - o--------
SAI KUNG OPENING UP WITH NEW LINK
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO OPEN FURTHER REMOTE AREAS OF SAI KUNG FOR RECREATION BY EXTENDING SAI SHA ROAD WESTWARDS.
ALSO PLANNED AS PART OF THE PROJECT IS A +SPUR+ TO LOK WO SHA BEACH WHERE CAR AND COACH PARKING SPACES WILL BE PROVIDED.
EVENTUALLY, THE PLAN IS TO EXTEND THE LINK ROAD BEYOND LOK WO SHA TO MA ON SHAN WHERE A NEW TOWN IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWN AND THOSE OF SHA TIN WOULD THEN HAVE ACCESS TO COUNTRY PARKS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA.
AS A FIRST STEP, ABOUT 1.5 KILOMETRES OF STANDARD TWO-LANE SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG THE ALIGNMENT OF AN EXISTING TRACK BETWEEN NAI CHUNG AND LOK WO SHA VILLAGE.
oUIiDAI, JULY 27, 1956
7
IT WILL BP 7.B METRES WIDE 7O-KILOMETRES-PER-HOUR DRIVING. OF NEXT YEAR.
AND SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR WORK WILL START IN THE MIDDLE
THE EXISTING NAI CHUNG CAR A BUS TERMINAL, A MAX I CAB STAND
PARK WOULD BE ENLARGED TO ACCOMMODATE AND COACH AND CAR PARKING SPACES.
INCLUDED WOULD BE CONSTRUCTION OF A CYCLE TRACK AND FOOTPATH FROM NAI CHUNG TO LOK WO SHA AND ALONG THE ACCESS ROAD TO LOK WO SHA BEACH, AS WELL AS CYCLE PARKS NEAR THE BEACH AND ADJACENT TO THE CAR PARK AT NAI CHUNG.
A SECTION OF SAI SHA ROAD IN PRONT OF NAI CHUNG CAR PARK WILL BE WIDENED TO PROVIDE AN EXTRA LANE FOR TURNING RIGHT INTO THE CAR PARK.
PUBLIC TOILETS AND A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT NAI CHUNG CAR PARK WOULD BE DEMOLISHED AND REBUILT TO CATER FOR THE INCREASED NUMBER OF VISITORS EXPECTED TO VISIT THE AREA WHEN ROADWORKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF 1988.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE ASSOCIATED ROAD, DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING WORKS.
SOME AGRICULTURAL LAND WOULD NEED TO BE RESUMED.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE WORK, VEHICULAR ACCESSES TO A NUMBER OF NEARBY VILLAGES AND TO THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL WOULD NEtD TO Bc CLOSED, BUT ALTERNATIVE ACCESSES WOULD BE PROVIDED.
AT THE SAME TIME, ACCESS TO PARTS OF ROADS WITHIN THE WORKS AREA WILL BE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED WHILt THE ROAD |$ BEING BUILT, BUT TEMPORARY ACCESSES WILL BE PROVIDED SO THAT MINIMUM INCONVENIENCE IS CAUSED TO THE PUBLIC.
DETAILS ABOUT THE PROJECT, OBJECTIONS TO WHICH MUST REACH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY SEPTEMBER 23, ARE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
MEDIA PRODUCTION SERVICES UNIT TEMPORARILY CLOSED X X X X X
THE MEDIA PRODUCTION WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY OVERHAULING OF EQUIPMENT I
SERVICES UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (AUGUST 1) TO AUGUST 17 FOR TH-
N THE UNIT.
LOCATED UNIT IS OPEN TEACHERS FOR
AT 182 CANTON ROAD, FIRST FLOOR SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, EXCEPT PUBLIC THE PRODUCTION OF TEACHING AIDS.
TSIM SHA TSUI, THE HOLIDAYS, TO ALL
OPENING
BETWEEN 1.30
R°URS IHE UNIT ARE BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12.30 PM AND hours *rE exrlSre" to 57™” "0!’“4Y T0 SUN0AY- FRID4Y 0PE“ING
oUJD^Y, uULY <;/, 1986
8
TEACHERS SHOULD EITHER BRING THEIR OWN CONSUMABLE MATERIALS OR OBTAIN RELEVANT CONSUMABLE MATERIALS FROM A SUPPLIER AT THE UNIT FOR PRODUCING THEIR OWN TEACHING AIDS.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS TELEPHONE 3-660881 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
— — - -U — — - —
GUZHENG CLASS OPEN TO KWUN TONG RESIDENTS * * * * *
KWUN TONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A GUZHENG TRAINING COURSE TO BE HELD IN AUGUST.
THE TRAINING COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, IS SPONSORFD BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
IT WILL COMPRISE 24 SESSIONS, SPREAD OVER SIX MONTHS, WITH THE FIRST SESSION TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 9 AND WEEKLY SESSIONS ON SATURDAY NIGHTS THEREAFTER.
A FEE OF $240 PER PERSON WILL BE CHARGED AND ENROLMENT IS LIMITED TO 36. APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 50 AND MUST BE EITHER LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, ROOM 309, KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TUNG YAN STREET. FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED ON B-416'’15.
-------0 - _ - -
CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL, SHA TIN ROADS ******
LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AT THE END OF THIS MONTH SO THAT A TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGE OVER LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD CAN BE DEMOLISHED.
FROM 12.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON UULY 30 AND JULY 31, LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD BETWEEN HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD; AND SHA TIN ROAD BETWEEN LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND SHA TIN WAI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. THE SAME ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED AGAIN FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON AUGUST 1.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
* TRAFFIC FROM LION ROCK TUNNEL TO SHA TIN WILL BE DIVERTED TO HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AT WORLDWIDE GARDEN;
BUNDAY, JULY 27, 1986
VEHICLES TRAVELLING FROM HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT TO LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD (SHA TIN BOUND) AT WORLDWIDE GARDEN;
> NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND CHE KUNG MIU ROAD;
* VEHICLES TRAVELLING TO KOWLOON VIA THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ;
*
VEHICLES HEADING FROM SHA TIN ROAD TO THE LION ROCK
TUNNEL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHA TIN WAI ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD, CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD; AND
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER SHA TIN ROAD (KOWLOON BOUND) AT THE PRINCE 0^ WALES HOSPITAL.
--------0----------
METERED CAR PARK FOR TUEN MUN * * * * *
A NEW CAR PARK WHICH IS SITUATED IN YAN CHING CIRCUIT, TUEN MUN, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 30).
THE CAR PARK WILL PROVIDE 112 METERED PARKING SPACES FOR PRIVATE CARS.
THE METERS WILL OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO 3 PM EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE FEE WILL BE Si FOR 30 MINUTES.
-------0----------
TAI PO WATER MAIN TO BE RELINED
X X X X X
ABOUT 2 500 METRES OF UPHILL WATER MAIN FROM TAI PO TAU TO TAU PASS WILL BE RELINED TO IMPROVE CARRIAGEWAY CAPACITY.
THE EXISTING BITUMEN INTERNAL LINING ALONG THE 1 350-MILLI METRE DIAMETER FRESH WATER MAIN WILL BE REMOVED WHILE AN EPOXY COATING IS APPLIED. , •
i ‘ i
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS J NV ITI NG TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH WILL START IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 29.
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/10........
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 1986
10
NO FLUSHING WATER IN TUEN MUN * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 17 HOURS FROM 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 30) TO 2 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THIS IS TO FACILITATE MAINS WORK IN THE DISTRICT.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, JULY 28, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EPCOM MEETS UNDER NEW CHAIRMAN .................................. 1
DAYA BAY FEASIBILITY STUDY RECEIVED ............................. 2
U.S. MAKES FIFTH EA CALL ........................................ 2
CHILDREN ASPIRIN WITHDRAWN FROM MARKET .......................... 3
DB MEMBERS VISIT URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE .................. 4
STREET CLEAN-UP IN WAN CHAI .................................... 1+
MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION .......................................... 5
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES ........... 5
SYMPOSIUM ON LABOUR RELATIONS IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY ........... 6
YOUTH ORCHESTRAS JOIN FOR CONCERT ............................... 6
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................ 7
POLICE STATION BEING RENOVATED .................................. 7
CABLE TO BE LAID AT DEEP WATER BAY .............................. 8
TEMPORARY MEASURES IN TSUEN WAN ROAD ............................ 8
TAI PO WATER CUT ................................................ 9
MONDAY, JULY 28, 1986
1
EPCOM MEETS UNDER NEW CHAIRMAN
* M * * *
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM), MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME UNDER THE NEW CHAIRMAN, DR DAVID J. JOHNS, TODAY (MONDAY) SET THE PRIORITIES FOR WORK IN THE POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAMME FOR THE COMING YEAR.
THEY NOTED A WORK PROGRAMME COVERING A RANGE OF SUBJECTS IN THE FIELDS OF AIR, NOISE, WATER AND SOLID WASTE POLLUTION.
PRIORITIES IN THE AREA OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL INCLUDE A REVIEW OF THE WATER QUALITY IN TOLO HARBOUR AND THE DRAWING UP OF AN APPROPRIATE ACTION PLAN IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDINGS CF THE REVIEW- A REVIEW OF POLLUTED NULLAHS AND DEVELOPMENT CF A COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROPER DISPOSAL CF SEWAGE.
IN WASTE MANAGEMENT, CONTROL OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY ANIMAL WASTES IS HIGH ON THE LIST, FOLLOWED BY PROPOSED MEASURES TO CONTROL TOXIC, HAZARDOUS AND DIFFICULT WASTES, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN OVERALL REFUSE DISPOSAL STRATEGY.
AIR QUALITY PRIORITIES INCLUDE CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY ON PROPOSED CONTROL OF SPECIFIED PROCESSES UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND SUBSEQUENT IMPLEMENTATION; THE DECLARATION OF AIR CONTROL ZONES AND AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES; AND CONTROL OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE AND VEHICULAR EMISSIONS.
REGARDING NOISE POLLUTION, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TODAY EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS ON THE DRAFT NOISE CONTROL BILL WHICH DEALS WITH NOISE FROM DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PREMISES, PUBLIC PLACES AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES. THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OF NOISE POLLUTION AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF EXISTING CONTROLS.
MEMBERS OF EPCOM WILL DECIDE AT THE NEXT MEETING WHETHER TO RECOMMEND PUBLICATION OF THE DRAFT BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION PRIOR TO ITS FORMAL SUBMISSION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MEMBERS ALSO STUDIED A PROGRESS REPORT PREPARED BY THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING PARTY ON FLOATING REFUSE.
MONDAY, JULY 28, 1986
2
DAYA BAY FEASIBILITY STUDY RECEIVED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TODAY RECEIVED FROM THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY COPIES OF THE DAYA BAY FEASIBILITY STUDY DEALING WITH SITE SELECTION, EQUIPMENT STUDY AND SYSTEM DESIGNS.
THESE HAVE BEEN PASSED ON TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEDNESDAY (JULY 23).
THE DAYA BAY FEASIBILITY STUDY WAS JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE GUANGDONG POWER COMPANY AND THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY. THE SECTIONS DEALING WITH SITE SELECTION, EQUIPMENT STUDY AND SYSTEM DESIGNS HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS A RESULT OF AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN LORD KADOORIE, CHAIRMAN OF CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY AHD VICE MINISTER ZHOU PING OF THE MINISTRY OF NUCLEAR INDUSTRY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
A NOTE BY THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER JOINT VENTURE COMPANY WHICH IS ATTACHED TO EACH SET OF THE REPORTS EXPLAINS THAT CERTAIN PARTS WHICH CONTAIN MATERIAL OF A COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE NATURE OR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC CONSIDERS TO BE CONFIDENTIAL TO THE STATE FOR STRATEGIC REASONS HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
-------o -
U.S. MAKES FIFTH EA CALL
*****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS MADE AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION (EA) CALL ON CATEGORY 314 (BROADCLOTH) AND PART OF CATEGORY 320
(POPLIN N.E.S.).
THIS IS THE FIFTH EA CALL MADE BY THE U.S. SO FAR THIS YEAR.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HONG KONG-U.S. BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUSPENDED ISSUE OF FURTHER EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE CATEGORIES WITH EFFECT FROM, 3 PM LAST FRIDAY (JULY 25) PENDING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO APPROVE AND ISSUE EXPORT LICENCES FOR THE CATEGORIES AGAINST VALID EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS APPROVED PRIOR TO THE SUSPENSION.
0 -
/3........
MONDAY, JULY 28, 1986
5
CHILDREN ASPIRIN WITHDRAWN FROM MARKET
* * * *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) FORMALLY REQUESTED IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF ASPIRIN PRODUCTS TO WITHDRAW VOLUNTARILY CHILDREN ASPIRIN PRODUCTS FROM THE LOCAL MARKET.
THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED THE CALL AFTER IT HAD DECIDED TO ENDORSE THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE PHARMACEUTICALS REGISTRATION COMMITTEE OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD WHICH HELD A MEETING RECENTLY TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE ON ASPIRIN.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN CONFLICTING REPORTS FROM OVERSEAS COUNTRIES INDICATING A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN THE REYE’S SYNDROME AND ASPIRIN USED BY CHILDREN.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD WRITTEN TO THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY OF MEDICINE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO SEEK MORE INFORMATION ON THE ISSUE.
AS A RESULT, A DECISION wAS MADE TO INFORM IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF ASPIRIN TO WITHDRAW CHILDREN ASPIRIN PRODUCTS FROM SALE VOLUNTARILY, HE SAID.
IN A LETTER SENT OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT, IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT AVAILABLE EVIDENCE INDICATED A POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE REYE’S SYNDROME AND ASPIRIN INGESTION AND IT MAY BE A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR TO THE CAUSATION OF THE DISEASE IN SOME CH ILDREN.
SINCE THERE IS EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR FEVER IN CHILDREN, ASPIRIN SHOULD NO LONGER BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS EXCEPT ON MEDICAL ADVICE.
TO ENSURE THE SAFE USE OF ASPIRIN PREPARATIONS, THE IMPORTER^ AND MANUFACTURERS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON PRECAUTIONS IN TAKING ASPIRIN, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, EITHER ON THE LABEL OR IN A LEAFLET ATTACHED TO THE PRODUCT.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THE ADVICE THAT CHILDREN UNDER 12 SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ASPIRIN EXCEPT ON MEDICAL ADVICE AND THE NED IC INE SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AT HOME.
C --------
MONDAY, JULY 28, 1936
DB MEMBERS VISIT URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE * * * * *
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (UADO) OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND SAW SOME OF ITS PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANIED BY STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, MEMBERS WENT TO THE UADO AT AUSTIN ROAD WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE CHIEF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICER (KOWLOON CITY), DR LAI HON-WAH, ON THE WORK AND ORGANISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THEY ALSO HELD DISCUSSIONS ON VARIOUS PROJECTS WHICH WERE BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE DISTRICT.
AFTER THE BRIEFING, THE PARTY TOURED SITES AT THE CARPENTER ROAD PROJECT IN KOWLOON CITY AND THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
THE CARPENTER ROAD PROJECT INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN URBAN COUNCIL PLAYGROUND AND THE WIDENING OF THE ROAD TO EASE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
TODAY’S VISIT IS PART OF AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME ARRANGED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO ENABLE BOARD MEMBERS TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE OPERATION OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
- - 0 -
STREET CLEAN-UP IN WAN CHAI
*****
A STREET CLEANING OPERATION HAS BEEN MOUNTED ALONG THE SECTION CF JOHNSTON ROAD AND O’BRIEN ROAD ADJACENT TO THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND IN WAN CHAI.
THE OPERATION WAS CO-ORDINATED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND CARRIED OUT BY STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE POLICE.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID A TOTAL OF 12 LORRY-LOADS CF JUNK AND REFUSE WERE REMOVED IN THIS AND OTHER CLEAN-UPS AT THE SAME SECTION EARLIER IN THE MONTH.
+ IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH SUCH OPERATIONS RESIDENTS WILL BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE IN KEEPING THE STREETS CLEAN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CONTINUOUS EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO MAINTAIN THE CLEANLINESS OF THE STREETS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT SO AS TO MAKE WAN CHAI A BETTER AND CLEANER PLACE TO LIVE IN, HE ADDED.
- 0 -
MONDAY, JULY 28, 199'
5
MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION
*****
A 'MEET-THE-MEDIA’ SESSION TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF TOURS ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO SINGAPORE AND JAPAN WILL BE HELD AT THE MUSIC OFFICE HEADQUARTERS ON THE 11TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 3 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE. MEMBERS BE PRESENT FOR INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS.
YOU ARE INVITED TO OF THE TOUR GROUP WILL
-------0 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
A REPORT COMPILED BY A WORKING GROUP FORMED LAST YEAR TO DETERMINE THE DEMAND FOR MEDICAL SERVICES BY OLDER RESIDENTS WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION. MEMBERS WILL AIR THEIR VIEWS ON THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A HEALTH CARE SCHEME AND A MEDICAL TREATMENT PRIORITY SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF SPECIALIST AND NIGHT-TIME OUT-PATIENT CONSULTATION SERVICES AS WELL AS THE PROBLEM OF ABUSE OF ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE APPLICATIONS FROM FIRE WATCH TEAMS FOR FUNDS FOR REPLENISHMENT OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT3 PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES FACILITIES IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE- THE SPREAD OF NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND A REVIEW OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW BEGINNING AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
------o-------
/6......
MONDAY, JULY 28, 1906
6
SYMPOSIUM ON LABOUR RELATIONS IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
*****
Tri? LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING A SYMPOSIUM ON LABOUR RELATIONS IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY. IT WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9.
THE SYMPOSIUM WILL ENABLE EMPLOYERS, MANAGERS AND TRADE UNIONISTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON ENLIGHTENED MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE AND TO DISCUSS WAYS OF IMPROVING LABOUR RELATIONS.
PROFESSIONALS IN THE INDUSTRY AND OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL GIVE TALKS ON PROBLEMS CONFRONTING ELECTRONICS WORKERS, DEVELOPMENT TRENDS, LABOUR RELATIONS AND PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES.
THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND MAY ENROL WITH THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL. THE DEADLINE IS AUGUST 29.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM 5-8523511.
-----o------
YOUTH ORCHESTRAS JOIN FOR CONCERT
*****
THE RENOWNED WASHINGTON D.C. YOUTH ORCHESTRA a ILL JOIN THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN PRESENTING A CONCERT ON AUGUST 30 AT 8 PM AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
THE 90-MEMBER AMERICAN ORCHESTRA HAS BEEN THE RECIPIENT CF NUMEROUS AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES AT FESTIVALS AND MUSIC CONVENTIONS.
IN AUGUST, THE ORCHESTRA WILL BE ON A TOUR OF CHINA, JAPAN AND HONG KONG AND WILL GIVE NINE CONCERTS DURING THEIR ASIa.m VlolT.
IN HONG KONG, THE TWO ORCHESTRAS WILL TREAT THE AUDIENCE TO A PROGRAMME WHICH INCLUDES SUCH POPULAR PIECES AS BRAHMS’ TRAGIC OVERTURE, OP. 18, BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONY NO. 5 IN C MINOR, OP. 67 AND TCHAIKOVSKY’S 1812 OVERTURE, OP. 49.
TICKETS AT §5 EACH ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICES OF THE CITY HALL, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, SPACE MUSEUM, HONG KONG COLISxJ=i AND TOM LEE MUSIC COMPANY (CAUSEWAY BAY, CAMERON LANE, TAIKOO SHI IS CITY PLAZA AND MAN YEE BUILDING BRANCHES).
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON 5-283257.
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/7........
MONDAY, JULY 23, 1966
7
WATER STORAGE F IGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 63.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 370.521 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 353.500 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 60.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
-------0----------
POLICE STATION BEING RENOVATED * * * *
THE OLD SHEK KIP MEI POLICE STATION AT TAI HANG SAI STREET IS TO BE RENOVATED, BRINGING ITS FACILITIES INTO LINE WITH THOSE OF OTHER DIVISIONAL POLICE STATIONS.
THE THREE-STOREY STATION WAS BUILT AROUND 20 YEARS AGO, AND THE STANDARD OF EXISTING FACILITIES IS CONSIDERED OUTDATED IN THE FACE OF PRESENT POLICING REQUIREMENTS.
THE RENOVATION WORK WILL PROVIDE FOR BETTER USE OF THE BUILDING’S SPACE. IT INVOLVES IMPROVEMENT TO THE REPORT ROOM, CELLS, CID OFFICES, BARRACKS AND LAUNDRY.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE NOW BEING INVITED.
DURING THE RENOVATION WORK, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED BY JUNE NEXT YEAR, THE POLICE STATION WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.
THE STATION HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXPANDED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE-STOREY ANNEXE WHICH WAS OPENED IN APRIL.
THE ANNEXE, BUILT AT A COST OF $3.7 MILLION, PROVIDES A FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 1 500 SQUARE METRES FOR DINING AND RECREATION, LIVING QUARTERS AND CHANGING FACILITIES.
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/8........
MONDAY, JULY 28, 1986
8
CABLE TO BE LAID AT DEEP WATER BAY * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PERMIT HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY TO LAY SECTIONS OF A 132-KILOVOLT CABLE WITHIN TWO AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT DEEP WATER BAY.
THIS IS PART OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE NEW CABLE ROUTE TO LINK WONG CHUK HANG ZONE SUBSTATION TO THE PROPOSED CHUNG HOM KOK ZONE SUBSTATION. THE CABLE IS TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR POWER IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
A TOTAL OF 1 290 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED WILL BE AFFECTED IN TWO AREAS NORTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST OF THE BAY.
THE CABLE WILL REST IN AN ELEVATED REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE IN THE NORTHWEST. IN THE SOUTHEAST IT WILL BE PLACED IN A COVERED TROUGH TO BE INCORPORATED INTO EXISTING PAVED AREAS NEAR THE BEACH.
WORK ON THE SOUTHEASTERN SIDE OF THE BAY IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED BY JUNE NEXT YEAR, WHILE WORK ON THE NORTHWEST SECTOR SHOULD ALSO START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
PLANS CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY OFFICE, OR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE. OBJECTIONS TO THE PROJECT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY SEPTEMBER 24.
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TEMPORARY MEASURES IN TSUEN WAN ROAD
*****
THE KERBSIDE LANE OF THE KOWLOON BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TSUEN WAN ROAD, BETWEEN THE SLIP ROAD FROM TEXACO ROAD AND THE SLIP ROAD TO KWAI TSI NG ROUNDABOUT, WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 1) FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
THIS MEASURE WILL FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF KWAI CHUNG
PARK
DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL VEHICLES ON THIS SECTION OF TSUEN WAN ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SLIP ROAD TO KWAI TSI NG ROUNDABOUT ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO KWAI CHUNG OR TSI NG Yl.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM TSUEN WAN ROAD TO KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl ARE ADVISED TO MAKE A DIVERSION VIA THE SLIP ROAD TO TEXACO ROAD, THE TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT, THE SLIP ROAD TO TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSUEN WAN ROAD AND THE SLIP ROAD TO KWAI TSING ROUNDABOUT.
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/9
MONDAY, JULY 28, 1.986
TAI PO WATER CUT * * *
FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PQ WILL 3E SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 31) FOR CONNECTION WORK.
ALL PREMISES ALONG TAI PO ROAD FROM HA WONG Yl AU TO ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME WILL BE AFFECTED, INCLUDING WONG Yl AU, MEI WOON: SAN TSUEN, STRAFORD HOUSE, YIN TZE LANE, LUNG TUK, TAI HAUG*, TAI PO KAU, TAI PO KAU SAN WAI AND-LOOlKOUT>LANE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HARWELL CONSULTANCY COVERS FOUR MAIN AREAS ................... 1
MORE PRE-SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE HANDICAPPED ................... 2
USE OF ASBESTOS COULD BE COSTLY .............................. 5
BUSY DAY FOR MEMBERS AT FINAL LEGCO SESSION .................. 5
MFA TALKS ENTER FINAL STAGE .................................. *+
MEET THE MEDIA ............................................... 5
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ........................ 5
HAWKER INFORMATION TO BE COMPUTERISED ........................ 6
TRAVELLERS REMINDED OF ANIMAL, PLANT BAN ..................... 6
DOGS ON FISHING BOATS TO BE INOCULATED........................ 7
YOUTH MUSIC GROUPS TO VISIT SINGAPORE, JAPAN ................. 8
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM WALES BEGIN EXCHANGE VISIT ................. 9
TAI PO YOUNGSTERS TO PaD-T JOO-METRE MURAL ................... 10
IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES TRAINING OFFERED ........................ 10
PROUD MOMENT FOR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES ...................... 11
MORE ROADS TO BE BUILT IN SHEK WU HUI ........................ 12
ALUMINIUM CURTAIN WALLING FOR MARKET COMPLEX ................. 12
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1936
1
HARWELL CONSULTANCY COVERS FOUR MAIN AREAS * * * *
FOLLOWING RECENT PRESS REPORTS ON THE CONSULTANCY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE UK ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY (HARWELL) FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT TODAY ISSUED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN ORDER TO CLARIFY THE PRESENT POSITION REGARDING THE CONSULTANCY.
THE CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH HARWELL COVERS FOUR MAIN AREAS - BACKGROUND RADIATION MONITORING, PUBLIC EDUCATION, ACCIDENT ASSESSMENT AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING. THE BACKGROUND RADIATION REPORT HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND IS BEING IMPLEMENTED. THE SECOND REPORT (ON PUBLIC EDUCATION) IS BEING CONSIDERED. BOTH HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE UMELCO PANEL ON PUBLIC UTIL ITIES.
A PRELIMINARY ACCIDENT ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN DRAWN UP BY HARWELL MAINLY ON THE BASIS OF SAFETY STUDIES MADE FOR REACTORS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD. IT HAS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE FEATURES OF THE DAYA BAY POWER STATION.
IT IS NOW THE INTENTION THAT HARWELL SHOULD TAKE THIS PRELIMINARY STUDY A STAGE FURTHER BY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE PRESSURISED WATER REACTORS TO BE BUILT AT DAYA BAY AND OTHER SITE-SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS E.G. METEOROLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHY.
DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAW THE CONSULTANTS AND ASKED THEM TO DRAW UP EXPANDED TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR STAGE II OF THE ACCIDENT ASSESSMENT STUDY SO THAT IT WOULD BE SITE AND PLANT SPECIFIC.
THIS IS NOW UNDERWAY AND A TEAM OF OFFICIALS WILL BE TRAVELLING TO HARWELL SHORTLY TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF THE EXPANDED CONSULTANCY. THE REPORT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
HARWELL HAS RECENTLY PROVIDED A PRELIMINARY REPORT INDICATING THE PRINCIPLES SURROUNDING CONTINGENCY PLANNING. IT WILL NOW BE NECESSARY TO DETERMINE THE NATURE OF POSSIBLE CONTINGENCIES AND TO CONSIDER THE PLANNING NECESSARY TO SUPPORT hEASURES NEEDED TO MEET THESE CONTINGENCIES.
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TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
2
MORE PRE-SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE HANDICAPPED ******
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN OF PRE-SCHOOL AGE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT SPEECH DAY OF SCHOOLS OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AT THE CITY HALL, SHE SAID: ♦BY THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR WE SHALL HAVE AN INCREASE OF 65 SUBVENTED EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE PLACES. 120 SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE PLACES AND 30 INTEGRATED CHILD CARE CENTRE PLACES.
IN 1987-88 THERE WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL 180 EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE PLACES, 144 SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE PLACES AND 33 TO 60 INTEGRATED CHILD CARE CENTRE PLACES.
+1 REALISE THAT MANY OF OUR FACILITIES ARE INADEQUATE TO MEET DEMAND BUT WE ARE MAKING STEADY PROGRESS AND I AM SURE THAT SOME HELP CAN BE ARRANGED EVEN THOUGH IT MAY NOT BE IDEAL,+ SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN URGED PARENTS TO MAKE FULL USE OF EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEIR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND TO ENLIST THE HELP OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN CARING FOR THEM.
SOCIAL WORKERS COULD HELP TO EASE THE BURDEN OF PARENTS BY BEING PRESENT AT THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS AND HELPING PARENTS TO INTERPRET AND DISCUSS THE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS IN TERMS OF THE CHILD’S fCEDS AND FUTURE CARE.
THEY COULD ALSO HELP INFORM PARENTS OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEIR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND ASSIST THEM IN OBTAINING FINANCIAL HELP AND THE NECESSARY PLACEMENTS AND SERVICES.
MRS CHAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS AWARE OF THE CURRENT LACK CF RESPITE FACILITIES WHICH COULD PROVIDE PARENTS WITH A SHORT REST FROM THEIR CARING RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT THERE WERE PLANS TO INTRODUCE A PILOT SCHEME FOR SUCH SERVICES NEXT YEAR IN A NEW DEPARTMENTAL FACILITY FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
SINCE RESOURCES WERE LIMITED, THE PILOT SCHEME WOULD AIM AT PROVIDING APPROPRIATE CARE FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIALLY DESIGNED TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.
+T0 BE TRUE TO ITS NAME, THE PERIOD OF STAY WILL HAVE TO BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN TWO WEEKS, AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE ABOUT 100 MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS IN A YEAR.
+THIS IS A MODEST BEGINNING BUT IT WILL ALLOW US TO GAUGE DEMAND FOR SUCH A SERVICE AND TO IDENTIFY ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES,* SHE SAID.
IN THE LONGER RUN, SHE ADDED, IT WAS HOPED THAT RESOURCES WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RELIEF TO ALL FAMILIES WITH MENTALLY HANDICAPPED MEMBERS.
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TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
USE OF ASBESTOS COULD BE COSTLY
*****
PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE ADVISED THAT REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF ASBESTOS IN INDUSTRY WILL BE ENFORCED FROM FRIDAY (AUGUST 1).
UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ASBESTOS) SPECIAL REGULATIONS 1986, CROCIDOLITE (BLUE ASBESTOS), AMOSITE (BROWN ASBESTOS) AND SPRAYING OF MATERIALS CONTAINING ASBESTOS OF ANY KIND IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES WILL BE BANNED FROM THAT DATE.
PROPRIETORS WISHING TO USE ASBESTOS OTHER THAN CROCIDOLITE AND AMOSITE SHOULD GIVE NOT LESS THAN 28 DAYS’ NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR. THOSE ALREADY CARRYING OUT SUCH PROCESSES SHOULD INFORM THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IN WRITING WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER AUGUST 1.
THE LAW FURTHER PROHIBITS THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN ANY PROCESSES INVOLVING ASBESTOS AND REQUIRES WORKERS TO BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED BEFORE BEING ENGAGED IN AN ASBESTOS PROCESS AND BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BREACH OF ANY OF THE REGULATIONS WILL BE AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO FINES VARYING FROM T1O □□□ TO $30 003 DEPENDING ON THE GRAVITY 0^ THE OFFENCE.
-------o --------
BUSY DAY FOR MEMBERS AT FINAL LEGCO SESSION *****
ELEVEN BILLS, ONE MOTION AND 17 QUESTIONS ARE AMONG ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE FINAL MEETING OF THE 1985-86 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WILL BE INTRODUCED AND GIVEN A SECOND READING.
DEBATE WILL RESUME ON 10 BILLS. THEY AREs
* SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1985-86) BILL 1986
* BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986
* FOREIGN MARRIAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986
* LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986
/• FIRE EERVICES ......
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
4
* FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1986
* REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986
* KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986
* PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985
* PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, AND
* CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (DECLARATION OF SHAW COLLEGE) BILL 1986.
THREE STATEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE AT THE MEETING. ONE WILL BE BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, ON THE CASE OF KWOK AH-NUI. THE OTHERS WILL BE BY THE HON PETER C. WONG ON THE REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE PROSECUTION AND TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME AND BY THE HON K.C. CHAN ON THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND BOARD’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1985-86.
QUESTIONS RAISED WILL DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS AS DOMESTIC INSECTICIDES, FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, HOSPITAL SERVICES, LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR DIFFERENT PARTIES IN LANDED PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS, AND THE USE OF CHILDREN’S ASPIRIN.
-------o ---------
MFA TALKS ENTER FINAL STAGE
*****
THE CURRENT NEGOTIATION IN GENEVA ON THE FUTURE OF THE MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) WHICH EXPIRES ON JULY 31 IS IN ITS FINAL PHASE.
+MEMBERS OF THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) HAVE HAD INTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS OVER THE PAST WEEK ON THEIR RESPECTIVE CONCERNS AND REQUIREMENTS IN THE NEW PROTOCOL,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
♦THERE ARE, HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCES STILL TO BE BRIDGED BEFORE THE PRECISE LANGUAGE OF A NEW PROTOCOL OF EXTENSION CAN BE HAMMERED OUT, + HE ADDED.
THE NEGOTIATION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED SOMETIME ON JULY 31.
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/5.......
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
5
MEET THE MEDIA * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (JULY 31) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS
CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
* * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE wILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JULY 31) TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN TOKwAWAN.
THE SUBJECT WILL BE RAISED BY A MEMBER *HO HAS STATED THaT TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE AREA NEED TO BE EXAMINED TO IMPROVE TRAFF IC CONDITIONS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL REQUESTING THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO CONSIDER THE RELOCATION OF A BUS STOP AT FAT KWONG STREET FOR THE CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY OF RESIDENTS IN A NEARBY TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.15 PM ON THURSDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TOKWAWAN.
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/6........
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
6 -
HAWKER INFORMATION TO BE COMPUTERISED **■**•»**
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS STARTED PREPARATORY WORK ON A 55.6 MILLION PROJECT TO COMPUTERISE HAWKER LICENSING INFORMATION.
♦ THE COMPUTERISED HAWKER LICENCE RECORDS SYSTEM WILL ENABLE MORE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND ACCURATE HANDLING OF THE RECORDS OF SOME 26 OOO LICENSED HAWKERS AND 18 000 HAWKER SITES WHICH ARE AT PRESENT MAINTAINED MANUALLY BY THE HAWKER RECORDS OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT,+ SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.
♦ THIS IS A TIMELY PROJECT, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE CURRENT REVIEW OF HAWKER POLICIES BY THE COUNCIL’S WORKING PARTY.+
THE CENTRAL OPERATION UNIT WILL BE LOCATED AT THE LOCKHART ROAD URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX TO BE OPENED LATER THIS YEAR WHEN AN ON-LINE DATA-BASE SYSTEM WILL BE DEVELOPED AND A DATA-BASE ON HAWKER LICENCE RECORDS FOR THE URBAN AREA WILL BE SET UP.
COMPUTER TERMINALS WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE USD HEADQUARTERS, THE TWO HAWKER RECORDS OFFICES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HARBOUR AND 11 DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
+THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 2 100 USD STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTROL OF SOME 40 000 LICENSED AND UNLICENSED HAWKERS IN THE URBAN AREA. IN 1984/85, THE COUNCIL INCURRED A DEFICIT OF 5107.5 MILLION IN HAWKER MANAGEMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE COMPUTERISATION PROJECT, TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN MID-1987, WILL DO MUCH TO MAKE HAWKER MANAGEMENT MORE EFFECTIVE WHILE SAVING EXPENDITURE IN THE LONG TERM,+ HE ADDED.
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TRAVELLERS REMINDED OF ANIMAL, PLANT BAN
*****
PEOPLE MAKING TRIPS ABROAD DURING SUMMER HAVE BEEN REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BRING BACK ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS OR PLANTS.
THE IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES OR THEIR PARTS AND DERIVATIVES IS STRICTLY RESTRICTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
/ANYONE WHO........
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
- 7 -
ANYONE WHO BRINGS IN AN ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE Ph (UK AUTHORISATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
♦ LAST YEAR, 302 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR BRINGING INTO HONG KONG ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS INCLUDING LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS AS WELL AS MEAT AND SKIN. THERE HAVE BEEN 104 CASES SO FAR THIS YEAR.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE LAw PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 FOR THE FIRST CFFENCE AND 510 000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEAT OFFENCE. IN ADDITION, THE SPECIES INVOLVED WOULD BE FORFEITED.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS WRITTEN TO TRAVEL AGENCIES, AIRLINES AND SHIPPING COMPANIES, REQUESTING THEIR ASSISTANCE IN SPREADING ITS IMESSAGE TO TRAVELLERS.
+POSTERS AND ADVISORY LEAFLETS HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO THEM FOR DISPLAY AT THEIR PREMISES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----o-----
DOGS ON FISHING BOATS TO BE INOCULATED
***** 4
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL EXTEND ITS ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE NEXT MONTH TO COVER FISHING VESSELS.
SPECIAL EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO INOCULATE DOGS ON BOARD VESSELS ABERDEEN, SHAU KEI WAN, CHEUNG CHAU, SAI KUNG, CASTLE PEAK BAY, SHA TAU KOK AND SAM MUN TSAI. BOAT-TO-BOAT VISITS WILL BE MADE BETWEEN AUGUST 4 AND 14, FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM.
AN INOCULATION DRIVE WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT IN RURAL VILLAGES IN TAI PO AND AT FISH CULTURE ZONES IN SAI KUNG.
THE TAI PO VILLAGES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE INOCULATION TEAMS WILL VISIT INCLUDE HA TEI HA, WONG YUE TAN, TING KOK, FUNG YUEN, HA HANG, SHA LO TUNG LEE, SHA LO TUNG CHEUNG AND PING SHAN CHAI.
+APART FROM THESE RURAL VILLAGES, THE MOBILE TEAMS WILL CALL ON MARICULTURE RAFTS IN THE FISH CULTURE ZONES OF PO TOI 0 AND TIN HA WAN,+ A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
DOG OWNERS IN THE VILLAGES, FISH CULTURE ZONES AND FISHING PORTS HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE FULL USE OF THE MOBILE SERVICE TO HAVE THEIR PETS INOCULATED AND LICENSED.
+THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT ANY PERSON KEEPING A DOG OVER FIVE MONTHS’ OLD WITHOUT A LICENCE WOULD BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT ON CONVICTION,+ THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
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/8......
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
8
YOUTH MUSIC GROUPS TO VISIT SINGAPORE, JAPAN
******
THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND THE HONG KONG YOUiH SYMPHONIC BAND, BOTH MANAGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, WILL BEGIN OVERSEAS TOURS THIS WEEK.
THE 55-MEMBER SYMPHONIC BAND WILL DEPART FOR JAPAN ON FRIDmY (AUGUST 1) FOR A 12-DAY VISIT AND THE 75-MEMBER CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL LEAVE FOR SINGAPORE ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 2) FOR A WEEK’S VISIT.
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS DORIS HO, ASSISTED BY SIX OFFICIALS, WILL LEAD THE YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA TO SINGAPORE.
THE ASSISTANT MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR (PROFESSIONAL), MR THOMAS WANG, WILL BE IN CHARGE OF THE YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND’S VISIT TO JAPAN. HE WILL BE ASSISTED BY FIVE OFFICIALS.
THE ORCHESTRA AND BAND MEMBERS, AGED TEN TO 25, WERE SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 300 APPLICANTS THROUGH OPEN AUDITIONS. THEY ALSO RECEIVED INTENSIVE TRAINING FROM VISITING CONDUCTORS AND INSTRUCTORS WHO TOOK PART IN THE 1986 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WHICH ENDED LAST SUNDAY.
UNDERLINING THE PURPOSE AND VALUE OF THE OVERSEAS TOURS, MRS HO SAID THEY FORMED AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME RUN BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AS WELL AS BEING MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS.
THE TOURS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO PERFORM BEFORE OVERSEAS AUDIENCES AND TO RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL-LEVEL TUITION.
MRS HO NOTED THAT THE MUSIC OFFICE HAD PREVIOUSLY ARRANGED VISITS TO AUSTRALIA, CHINA, JAPAN, EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST AND Trit UNITED KINGDOM.
THE YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A PUBLIC PERFORMANCc AT THE VICTORIA CONCERT HALL ON AUGUST 5 AND WILL ALSO PLAY AT THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE AND AT SCHOOLS.
THE ITINERARY WILL INCLUDE A SERIES OF MUSICAL EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES WITH PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR CHINESE MUSIC GROUPS, INCLUDING THE SINGAPORE BROADCASTING CORPORATION CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND THE PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION CHINESE ORCHESTRA.
MEMBERS OF THE ORCHESTRA WILL MAKE VISITS TO VARIOUS CULTURAL ORGAN ISATIONS.
THE REPERTOIRE OF THE ORCHESTRA WILL INCLUDE TRADITIONAL AND MODERN WORKS FOR ORCHESTRA, ENSEMBLE, SOLI AND SOLO PERFORMANCES. THE GROUP WILL RETURN ON AUGUST 8.
/IN JAPAN, ........
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
- 9 -
IN JAPAN, THE YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND WILL FIRST JOIN THE NARASHINO YOUTH CAMP AT FUJI-YOSHIDA, AND THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES AT TOKYO, MATSUMOTO, TOYAMA, NAGOYA, HAMAMATSU AND CHIBA.
THE BAND WILL RETURN ON AUGUST 12.
■_-----------------------c --------------------------------
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM WALES BEGIN EXCHANGE VISIT * * * * *
SIX YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SOUTH GLAMORGAN IN WALES WERE RECEIVED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES, AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THE TWO WOMEN AND FOUR MEN, AGED BETWEEN 19 AND 24, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY AND WILL STAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS UNDER A COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
DURING THE HOUR-LONG MEETING, DR HAYES BRIEFED THE GROUP ON THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
THE GROUP THEN VISITED SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND WERE BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN BY AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JEREMY CROFT, BEFORE TOURING THE NEW TOWN
PLAZA AND NEAREY AREAS.
SINCE P77, HONG KONG HAS BEEN ALTERNATING WITH SOUTH GLAMORGAN IN ACTING AS HOST TO SIX YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE PRIMARY AIM OF THE PROGRAMME IS TO FOSTER UNDERSTANDING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES.
WHILE HERE, THE VISITORS WILL RENEW THEIR ACQUAINTANCE WITH SIX YOUNG PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG WHO WENT TO BRITAIN LAST YEAR UNDER THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
THEY WILL CALL ON VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN THE COMING WEEKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SOCIAL, CULTURAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
THEY WILL ALSO LOOK OVER MODERN SPORTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, THE COLISEUM AND THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
_ _ - - 0
/1O........
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
1C
TAI PO YOUNGSTERS TO PAINT 3OO-METRE MURAL
*****
A MURAL FEATURING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF TAI PO WILL BE PAINTED ON A 3OO-METRE HOARDING NEAR KWONG FUK ESTATE BY 300 YOUNGSTERS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
THE YOUNGSTERS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER ON DESIGNS AND SKETCHES FOR THE PROJECT.
THE PAINTING ON THE HOARDING, ALONG THE CYCLE TRACK SOUTH CF KWONG FUK ESTATE, WILL DEPICT PAT SIN RANGE, LAM TSUEN RIVER, THE OLD TAI PO MARKET RAILWAY STATION, AND OTHER DISTRICT LANDMARKS.
THE PROJECT IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND A PAINT MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WILL BE HELD AT THE CYCLE TRACK OUTSIDE WANG FUK COURT, KWONG FUK ESTATE, AT 11 AM TOMORROW. OFFICIATING WILL BE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANN ISA WONG- CHAIRMAN OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, NR HO YUNG-SANG- AND DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH-EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR H.K. CHAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MURAL PAINTING PROJECT IN TAI PO.
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IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES TRAINING OFFERED * * * *
STAFF IN THE IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR A COURSE ON THE BASIC PROCEDURES AND TERMINOLOGY OF THE TRADES TO BE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL AND IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE 15-HOUR COURSE, DUE TO START FROM AUGUST 11 TO SEPTEMBER 2, CONSISTS OF SIX LECTURES ON TERMINOLOGY IN IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, CIF CALCULATION, IMPORT AND EXPORT PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION, EXPORT FINANCE AND INSURANCE.
/venue OF.........
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
11
VENUE OF THE MEETINGS IS ON THE 13TH FLOOR, WING LUNG BANK BUILDING, 45 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL.
COURSE FEE IS $450. HOWEVER WITH SUBSIDY FROM THE COUNCIL, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REIMBURSED HALF THE AMOUNT IF THEY COMPLETE THE COURSE WITH AN ATTENDANCE RATE OF NOT LESS THAN 80 PER CENT AND PASS THE FINAL EXAMINATION.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSE CAN BE MADE ON 5-8932341 EXT. 261, 3-7808251 OR 5-236376.
------0-------
PROUD MOMENT FOR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES
*****
TWO TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT RECENTLY CAPTURED THE FIRST PRIZE IN A + BEST AUTOMOTIVE PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD+ COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG CENTRE OF THE INSTITUTES OF THE MOTOR INDUSTRY AND ROAD TRANSPORT ENGINEERS.
LUNG PUI-WAH AND HO YUEN-CHUNG, BOTH AGED 22, WON FIRST PRIZE IN THE TECHNICIAN CLASS OF THE COMPETITION WITH THEIR JOINT PROJECT ON +FUEL ECONOMISER IN LOW TO MEDIUM ENGINE CAPACITY VEHICLES*.
+I’M REALLY SURPRISED THAT OUR PROJECT WON THE FIRST PRIZE AND OF COURSE WE’RE DELIGHTED. IT GOES TO SHOW THE JUDGES’ APPRECIATION THAT OUR THEORIES ARE INDEED PRACTICABLE,* HO SAID.
AN EQUALLY JUBILANT LUNG EXPLAINED THAT THEY CHOSE THE SUBJECT BECAUSE FUEL ECONOMISER HAD ALWAYS BEEN A PROMINENT FEATURE IN THE DESIGN OF HIGH ENGINE CAPACITY CARS, BUT NOT SO WITH SMALLER VEHICLES. +IT IS AN AREA WORTHY OF EXPLORATION,* HE SAID.
AS FIRST PRIZE WINNERS, HO AND LUNG RECEIVED $3 000 IN CASH AND WERE ALSO PRESENTED LETTERS OF CONGRATULATIONS BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
THE WINNERS ARE AMONG FOUR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES IN THEIR FINAL YEAR OF TRAINING UNDER A FOUR-YEAR MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING APPRENTICESHIP ADMINISTERED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
TRAINING INCLUDES THEORETICAL STUDIES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH ATTACHMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION.
A TOTAL OF 15 TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES ARE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING TRAINING UNDER THE SCHEME.
HO AND LUNG, NOW ATTACHED TO THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE, WILL FORMALLY JOIN THE DEPARTMENT AS VEHICLE TESTERS IN EARLY SEPTEMBER ON COMPLETION OF THEIR APPRENTICESHIP.
- 0 -
/12
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1986
12
MORE ROADS TO BE BUILT IN SHEK WU HUI * * * *
MORE ROADS AND DRAINS ARE TO BE BUILT IN SHEK WU HUI TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FANLING NEW TOWN.
ABOUT ONE KILOMETRE OF DISTRIBUTOR ROAD WILL BE PROVIDED TO LINK UP WITH FANLING BYPASS, WHILE TWO KILOMETRES OF INTERNAL ROAD WILL BE BUILT IN KAI LENG AND NG UK TSUEN.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT ARE A BUS TERMINUS, TWO CARPARKS, THREE PEDESTRIAN-CYCLIST SUBWAYS AND ASSOCIATED LANDSCAPING WORKS.
THE ROADWORKS WILL PROVIDE PROPER VEHICULAR ACCESS AND STORM WATER AND SEWER DRAINAGE TO A PROPOSED PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL FLATS AND LAND FOR EVENTUAL GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATIONAL USE IN THE AREA.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH WILL START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DEADLINE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 22.
ALUMINIUM CURTAIN WALLING FOR MARKET COMPLEX
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF ALUMINIUM CURTAIN WALLING ON A MARKET COMPLEX BEING BUILT AT THE JUNCTION OF MONG KOK ROAD AND FA YUEN STREET.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1987.
THE 15-STOREY COMPLEX IS TAKING SHAPE ON A 1 600-SQUARE-METRE SITE WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BY A HAWKER BAZAAR. THE COST IS $30.8 MILLION.
THREE FLOORS OF THE COMPLEX WILL BE FOR MARKET STALLS AND ONE FOR COOKED FOOD STALLS. OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE OFFICES, A LIBRARY, SQUASH COURTS, GAMES ROOMS AND A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS HALL.
BUILDING OF THE COMPLEX BEGAN LAST DECEMBER AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
BREADTH AND STRENGTH ADDED TO PROCESSES OF LAW, GOVERNMENT . 1
MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE AMEN EMEN T FOR NEW SESSION...... 2
COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME SELECT COMMITTEE’S REPORT TABLED .. 5
INSOLVENCY FUND REPORT TABLED IN LEGCO................... 9
DB COMMITTEE PUTS FOCUS ON CIVIC EDUCATION .............. 10
NO INTENTION TO EXTEND LRT TRANSIT SERVICE AREA ......... 11
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT NOT A MONOPOLY........................ 13
NO ROOM FOR POLITICS IN RUNNING A RAILWAY ............... 14
20-YEAR LIMIT TO LRT SERVICE AREA FRANCHISE SUPPORTED.... 16
BILL GIVES RISE TO ’CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS* ........ 16
BODY TO MONITOR LRT SERVICES ADVOCATED................... 18
CALL FOR EFFECTIVE LRT MONITORING MECHANISM ............. 19
REVOCATION BY LEGISLATION SETS ’DANGEROUS PRECEDENT’ .... 20
SPENT CONVICTIONS: MOVE TO ASSIST SMIGRaNTS.............. 21
TRUE SPIRIT OF SPENT CONVICTION SCH1ME SUPPORTED ........ 23
USE OF SPENT CONVICTIONS CAREFULLY STUDIED .............. 25
CHEONG-LEEN ABSTAINS FROM VOTING ........................ 26
CALL TO REVIEW REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS LAW........... 27
/LEGAL.........
2
LEGAL DIFFICULTIES FOUND IN REHABILITATION BILL............. 28
ANTI-CORRUPTION REVIEW PLANNED ON FIRE SERVICES PROCEDURES 29
DISCRETION MUST BE USED WISELY ............................ 31
AMENDMENTS AIMED AT THE IRRESPONSIBLE....................... 31
+PR4iCTICitL PROBLEMS* IN FIRE SERVICES LEGISLATION........ 32
LOOPHOLES IN LAW PLUGGED.................................... 33
TIME TO ISSUE SIMPLE PaMPHLET ON FIRE PREVENTION............ 33
FIRE SAFETY CAMPAIGN ADVOCATED ............................. 34
SELLERS TO BE PROHIBITED FROM DISPENSING PRESCRIPTIONS ... 35
LAW TO CONTROL SALE OF DRUGS WELCOMED....................... 36
HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ESSENTIA ....................... 38
NEW DRUGS LAW CAUSES INCONVENIENCE TO PUBLIC ............... 39
EXPERIENCE MAKES UPDATING OF MTR BY-LhWS NECESSARY......... 39
AMENDMENTS TO INSURE ‘MODERN’ PEAK TRAM .................... 40
HOSPITAL EXPENSES: BILL REMOVES ONUS ON MOTOR VEHICLE INSURERS ................................................... 42
POWER TO VARY FEES.......................................... 43
FOURTH COLLEGE aT CU WELCOME DEVELOPMENT ................... 43
PRAISE FOR RETIRING OFFICIALS............................... 44
OUTGOING SECRETARIES PRAISED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS ........... 44
TEN BILLS PASSED ........................................... 45
REINFORCED SAFETY LEGISLATION SET FOR NEXT SESSION......... 46
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED TO RULES FOR SOLICITORS ................ 4?
EARLY STEPS TjJCEN TO PREVENT SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS............. 48
FINiiNCING OF SAFETY COUNCIL UNDER STUDY ................... 49
^VOIDING ATTACK SITUATIONS THE BEST ANTI-RAPE MEASURE .... 50
DRAFT BILL PREPARED FOR CURBING PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS ... 52
COMPLEX ISSUES ARISE FROM NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS................. 52
CONTROLS ON DOMESTIC INSECTICIDES PLANNED .................. 53
/CENTRES .......
3
CENTRES HELPING EX-MENTAL PATIENTS RE-INTEGRATE ............. 5^
TYPHOON MEASURES ARRANGED WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS . 55
BAN CM CHILDREN’S ASPIRIN 'UNNECESSARY' ..................... 56
HOSPIT.J. TEACHING FACILITIES ADEQUATE FOR FaCULTY........... 57
DB'S HAVE APPROPRIATE URBAN MANAGEMENT ROLE ................. 37
PSYCHOLOGISTS ^TTaCHED TO FaMILY SERVICE CENTRES ............ 58
NON-HK RESIDENTS NEED TO PaY FULL HOSPITAL COSTS............. 59
IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED IN OUTREACH SOCLAL WORK ................ 60
STEPS TAKEN TO IMPROVE LANGUAGE LEARNING .................... 60
FEES REVISED FOR IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SERVICES .............. 62
FOURTH CHOLERA CASE CONFIRMED ................................. 6j
FOUR KOWLOON SITES TO LET ..................................... 64
RESTRICTED TRaFFIC ZONES IN .^BERDEEN ......................... 65
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN FANLING ..................... 65
RESTRICTED ZONE IN TSUEN WAN .................................. 66
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
1
3READTH AND STRENGTH ADDED TO PROCESSES OF LAW, GOVERNMENT
*****
THE DIVERSITY OF VIEWS FREELY EXPRESSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER ADD BREADTH AND STRENGTH TO THE PROCESSES OF LAW MAKING AND OF GOVERNMENT, THE ACTING GOVERNOR, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID AT THE CLOSING OF THE 1985-86 SESSION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+THIS UNITY OUT OF DIVERSITY ENABLES US TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEMS WHICH GENERALLY COMMAND A CONSENSUS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY,* SIR DAVID SAID.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE THE LAST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION WAS A MOMENTOUS ONE WITH HISTORIC MEETINGS WHICH DEBATED THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE VERY FUTURE OF HONG KONG, THE PRESENT SESSION HAD BEEN DISTINGUISHED IN OTHER WAYS.
+THE RANGE OF BUSINESS AND THE THOROUGHNESS WITH WHICH MATTERS HAVE BEEN STUDIED AND DEBATED HAVE PROVEN HOW, WITHOUT GREAT DRAMA AND WITH DIGNITY, THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN BE AND ARE REPRESENTED IN THIS CHAMBER AND THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL.
♦MOST OF OUR BUSINESS IS QUIETLY CONDUCTED, AIMING AT EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY,* HE SAID.
+THE RESILIENCE AND HEALTH OF OUR ECONOMY AND ITS POWERS OF RECUPERATION REFLECT THIS BASIC APPROACH OF PRUDENCE, COMMON SENSE AND CONSENSUS, OF TAKING OPPORTUNITIES WHEN THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES AND WORKING FOR THE GENERAL GOOD OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE,* HE ADDED.
COMMENTING ON THE MOVE FROM THE OLD COUNCIL CHAMBER INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICT OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID IT HAD NARROWED THE PHYSICAL GAP BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY, SYMBOLISING THE INCREASING TEMPO OF BUSINESS OF THE NEW COUNCIL.
THE MIXTURE OF MEMBERS ELECTED AND APPOINTED HAD ALSO FOCUSSED THE ATTENTION OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ON THE COUNCIL AND ITS PROCEEDINGS.
RECALLING THE WORK OF THE CURRENT SESSION, SIR DAVID SAID THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR INCLUDED THE DETERMINED EFFORTS OF MEMBERS TO PUT THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG TO HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT IN REGARD TO THE DRAFT HONG KONG-BRITISH NATIONALITY ORDER 1986.
A MATTER OF CURRENT MAJOR IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD BEEN THEIR CONCERN FOR THE NUCLEAR POWER STATION AT DAYA BAY, HE SAID.
/+TWO IMPORTANT .......
+TWO IMPORTANT SELECT COMMITTEES HAVE SAT DURING THE YEAR WITH THEIR MEETINGS LARGELY HELD IN PUBLIC. THIS IN ITSELF WAS AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS A MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT.+
THIS WAS ALSO THE FIRST FULL YEAR IN WHICH MEETINGS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HAD BEEN HELD IN PUBLIC, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAXPAYERS TO SEE HOW THEIR MONEY WAS BEING SPENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID CONCLUDED BY THANKING MEMBERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL IN THIS SESSION.
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MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR NEW SESSION
*****
AN AMENDMENT BILL TO THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE HAS ALREADY BEEN DRAFTED AND IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY IN THE NEXT SESSION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS MAKING A STATEMENT ON THE KWOK AH-NUI CASE FOLLOWING THE UMELCO PANEL’S EXAMINATION OF THE REPORTS BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.
+THE UMELCO PANEL HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE SHOULD BE REVIEWED.
+A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THIS ORDINANCE, INCLUDING THE APPEAL AND RELEASE PROCEDURES, HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR SOME TIME NOW, AND CONSULTATIONS WITH RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS ON A SET OF DETAILED PROPOSALS ARE NOW IN PROGRESS,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR SHIPMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES HAD REVIEWED THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUDING THE ADMISSION OF MADAM WONG YUEN-SIU TO HOSPITAL AND WAS SATISFIED THAT ACTION WAS PROPERLY TAKEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAD ALSO ADVISED THAT THE CORRECT PROCEDURES HAD BEEN FOLLOWED AND THAT MADAM WONG’S ADMISSION TO AND TREATMENT IN KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL ARE STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW, HE ADDED.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT MADAM WONG WAS MADE AWARE OF HER RIGHTS AND OF THE AVENUES OF APPEAL IN RESPECT OF HER ADMISSION TO KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL AND OVER THE TAKING OF HER CHILD INTO CARE.
/IN CONNECTION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 19^6
IN CONNECTION WITH THE BREAK-IN, MR SHIPMAN SAID THE UMELCO PANEL CONSIDERED THAT MORE INTENSIVE WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN PRIOR TO THE BREAK-IN, BUT THAT A SHORTAGE OF STAFF AND RESOURCES PREVENTED THE NECESSARY TIME FROM BEING DEVOTED TO THE CASE.
+THIS CONCLUSION GENERALLY ACCORDS WITH THE VIEW TAKEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HER OWN REPORT.
+THE DIRECTOR HAS NOW SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANNING SCALE AT THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES,+ HE SAID.
+l WELCOME THE PANEL’S SUPPORT FOR A REVIEW OF THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE, AND WILL GIVE FURTHER THOUGHT ON HOW THIS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN.
+THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE CONSULTED ON OUR PROPOSALS IN DUE COURSE.
+WHILE I ACCEPT THE PANEL’S OBSERVATION ON THE NEED FOR CHECKS AND BALANCES, IT WOULD APPEAR ALSO FROM THIS CASE THAT THE GROUNDS WHICH PERMIT A SOCIAL WORKER TO INTERVENE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILD MAY BE TOO NARROWLY DEFINED.
♦ THE PANEL HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT YOUNG CHILDREN BEING LEFT ALONE AT HOME. ALL ASPECTS OF THIS PROBLEM WILL BE EXAMINED, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT SHOULD BECOME A GROUND FOR THE DIRECTOR TO EXERCISE HER POWERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE,* HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE UMELCO PANEL HAD CONSIDERED THAT THE BREAK-IN MIGHT BE NECESSARY IN THOSE ClRSUMSTANCES.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAD ADVISED THAT THE STEPS TAKEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND HER STAFF WERE TAKEN LAWFULLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
AS FOR THE EFFECT WHICH THE BREAK-IN HAD, HE SAID, THE PANEL BELIEVED THAT IT WAS NOT A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO MADAM WONG’S ILLNESS, BUT THE PANEL HAD OBSERVED THAT THE FORCIBLE ENTRY HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE STRESS ON MADAM WONG.
+l ACCEPT THIS OBSERVATION AS FAIR, BUT WOULD SIMPLY ADD THAT THE PRESSURES AROSE ALSO FROM THE PUBLICITY WHICH THE CASE WAS ATTRACTING AND FROM THE CROWD OF REPORTERS AND NEIGHBOURS OUTSIDE HER DOOR.
/+HAVING CONCLUDED
MbUnuxuAY, JULY JO, 19&6’
♦HAVING CONCLUDED THAT THE CHILD MIGHT BE IN PHYSICAL DANGER, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THE SOCIAL WORKERS TO HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM THE SCENE, WITHOUT TAKING THE DECISIVE ACTION THAT WOULD ENABLE BOTH THE MOTHER AND THE CHILD TO RECEIVE THE TREATMENT AND THE CARE THAT THEY NEEDED,+ HE SAID.
FOR THE FUTURE, MR SHIPMAN SAID, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE HAD PROPOSED THAT AN AMENDMENT SHOULD BE MADE TO THE ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE DIRECTOR OR A DULY AUTHORISED OFFICER TO APPLY FOR A SEARCH WARRANT FROM A MAGISTRATE BEFORE THE POWER IN SECTION 44(1) TO ENTER PREMISES COULD BE EXERCISED.
+A PROVISION OF THIS KIND WOULD HELP TO ALLAY ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL CONCERNS EXPRESSED ABOUT THE PRESENT CASE, AND I AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE UMELCO PANEL HAS AGREED THAT IT MERITS SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, TOGETHER WITH OTHER MEASURES.*
AS A SAFEGUARD FOR FUTURE CASES, MR SHIPMAN SAID THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE HAD PROPOSED THAT A PROVISION SHOULD BE INSERTED TO REQUIRE A CHILD’S PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO BE GIVEN ADVANCE NOTICE OF A COURT HEARING AND TO BE PERMITTED TO ADDRESS THE COURT.
+IN PRACTICE THIS IS INVARIABLY DONE IF THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN IS KNOWN, BUT A STATUTORY PROVISION OF THIS KIND WOULD BE SEEN TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. THE UMELCO PANEL ALSO FEEL THAT THIS PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.*
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE REVIEWS CONDUCTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND ACCEPTED THE CONCLUSIONS WHICH THEY HAD REACHED.
+OUR SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH COMPETENT AND DEDICATED SERVICE, DESPITE HAVING A HEAVY CASE-LOAD.
+ THEY OFTEN HAVE TO TAKE DIFFI CULT DECI SIONS, AS IN THE PRESENT CASE. NOR ARE THEY ALWAYS IN A POSITION TO DEFEND THEIR ACTIONS PUBLICLY, BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY.
+1 BELIEVE THAT THE DIRECTOR AND HER STAFF DESERVE OUR TRUST IN THEIR INTEGRITY AND OUR RESPECT FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT,* HE SAID.
ON THE PRESENT CONDITION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF AH-NUI AND MADAM WONG, MR SHIPMAN SAID A CASE CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONALS CONCERNED WITH THEIR TREATMENT AND CARE WAS HELD ON JULY 18.
HE SAID THE CASE CONFERENCE FOUND THAT MADAM WONG WAS NOT YET CONSIDERED TO BE WELL ENOUGH TO LOOK AFTER THE CHILD ON HER OWN.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 5 -
HE SAID THE CHILD WAS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS AT THE CHUK YUEN RECEPTION CENTRE AND WAS CATCHING UP IN HER INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. HER MOTHER WAS VISITING HER REGULARLY.
+| AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT A DELEGATION PROM THE UMELCO PANEL WHO OBSERVED MADAM WONG AND AH-NUI WERE SATISFIED THAT THEY ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF WELL.
+l CAN ASSURE THIS COUNCIL THAT MOTHER AND CHILD WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE STANDARD OF CARE FOR AS LONG AS THIS IS NECESSARY,+ HE ADDED.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE CASE CONFERENCE RECOMMENDED THAT MOTHER AND CHILD SHOULD BE PLACED TOGETHER IN A SHELTERED AND SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT THAT WOULD FACILITATE MADAM WONG’S REHABILITATION AND DEVELOP HER SELF-CARE OUTSIDE HOSPITAL BEFORE SHE TURNED TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.
THE LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE WAS TO REUNITE THE MOTHER AND CHILD AND TO HELP THEM TO REINTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN SAID HE FULLY ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDATION BY THE UMELCO PANEL THAT THE CHANCES OF MOTHER AND CHILD RE-INTEGRATING INTO THE COMMUNITY AND LEADING A NORMAL LIFE WOULD BE GREATLY ENHANCED IF THEY WERE NOT SUBJECTED TO FURTHER PRESSURE OF CONTINUOUS PUBLICITY ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL LIFE.
--------O----------
COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME SELECT COMMITTEE’S REPORT TABLED * * * * *
THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME HAS RECOMMENDED FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN THE PROSECUTION AND TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES SO THAT FRAUDSTERS CAN MORE READILY BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
THE HON PETER C. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE PROSECUTION AND TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES, TABLED THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WONG NOTED THAT PUBLIC CONCERN THAT EXISTING PROCEDURES, DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH ORDINARY CRIMINAL CASES, WERE INADEQUATE FOR COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES HAD LED TO THE PUBLICATION IN 1985 OF THE TRIAL OF COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL.
/THE BILL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1906 •
6 -
TH*7 BILL PROVIDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL MODE OF TRIAL FOR COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES. THE COMMON J'JRY IN THESE CASES WAS TO BE REPLACED BY A TRIBUNAL CONSISTING OF A JUDGE AND THREE COMMERCIAL ADJUDICATORS.
THE 11 MEMBER SELECT COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED IN NOVEMBER 1985 TO STUDY THE REPORT OF THE FIRST SELECT COMMITTEE AS WELL AS POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE PROCEDURES BEFORE AND DURING THE TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES, MR WONG SAID.
THE COMMITTEE HAD CONCLUDED THAT A TRIBUNAL CONSISTING OF A JUDGE AND THREE COMMERCIAL ADJUDICATORS DID NOT COMMAND THE +NECESSARY BROAD SUPPORT PUBLIC CONFIDENCE+.
THE COMMITTEE HAD THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THE RETENTION OF THE JURY FOR THE TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES.
THE COMMITTEE ARGUED, IN CHAPTER 7 OF ITS REPORT, THAT TRIAL BY JURY IN SUCH CASES WAS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT WHICH SHOULD NOT BE TAMPERED WITH LIGHTLY.
+WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THE HIGH EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF HONG KONG JURORS ENABLE THEM TO ASSIMILATE AND UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULT AND TECHNICAL ISSUES IN A COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME TRIAL,* MR WONG SAID.
THE COMMITTEE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THE GREATEST SCOPE FOR SAVINGS IN PUBLIC TIME AND MONEY IN RELATION TO COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES LAY IN THE INVESTIGATION AND PRE-TRIAL STAGES.
IN CHAPTER 2 OF ITS REPORT, THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE INVESTIGATION OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES WAS BEING CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY BY THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU AND THE ICAC.
THE COMMITTEE, HOWEVER, RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THE POSSIBILITY OF GRANTING TO THE POLICE POWERS TO ORDER THE PRODUCTION OF COMPANY BOOKS AND RECORDS.
THESE POWERS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE NOW EXERCISED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER SECTION 152A OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
TO IMPROVE CO-OPERATION ON EACH CASE, THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE LEADING PROSECUTING COUNSEL SHOULD BE NOMINATED THE +CASE CONTROLLER* AT AN EARLY STAGE.
MR WONG SAID THAT A KEY RECOMMENDATION IN THE REPORT (CHAPTER 3) WAS THE ABOLITION OF FULL COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS IN COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES.
/THE COMMITTEE
WEHiESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 7 -
THE COMMITTEE ARGUED THAT THE PRESENT COMMITTAL SYSTEM WAS NOT AN APPROPRIATE SCREENING MECHANISM AND THAT THE LENGTH AND COST OF FULL COMMITTALS WERE NOT JUSTIFIED.
THE COMMITTEE RECOGNISED THE NEED TO PROVIDE A SIMPLE SAFEGUARD FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL CASE WHERE THERE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PUT AN ACCUSED ON TRIAL.
IT RECOMMENDED THAT THE ACCUSED SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO APPLY TO A HIGH COURT JUDGE FOR A DISCHARGE ON THE GROUNDS OF NO PR I MA FACIE CASE TO ANSWER. A DISCHARGE GRANTED WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO ACQUITTAL AT TRIAL.
MR WONG EXPLAINED THAT CHAPTER 4 OF THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT EFFECTIVE PRE-TRIAL PROCEDURES BE LAID DOWN IN LEGISLATION FOR COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES.
IN THE VIEW OF THE COMMITTEE, THESE PROCEDURES WOULD REDUCE THE DOCUMENTATION AT TRIAL AND SIMPLIFY THE ISSUES FOR THE JURY.
IN PARTICULAR, THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROSECUTION SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO PROVIDE A DETAILED OUTLINE OF ITS CASE TO THE DEFENCE AT AN EARLY STAGE, ALONG WITH CONCISE SUMMARIES OF ALL DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE. ONCE SUBMITTED, THE PROSECUTION COULD ONLY DEPART FROM ITS CASE STATEMENT UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
THEREAFTER, THE DEFENCE WOULD BE OBLIGED TO PROVIDE A DEFENCE OUTLINE TO THE PROSECUTION AND THE TRIAL JUDGE, SETTING OUT ITS MAIN LINES OF DEFENCE, MR WONG SAID.
UNDER THE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSALS, THE PROSECUTION WOULD BE OBLIGED TO SERVE NOTICES ON THE DEFENCE TO ADMIT FACTS AND DOCUMENTS AND THE DEFENCE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RESPOND, SO THAT MATTERS IN DISPUTE AT TRIAL COULD BE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM.
THE DEFENCE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SUPPLY THE PROSECUTION WITH ANY DOCUMENTARY EXHIBITS AND EXPERTS’ REPORTS UPON WHICH IT INTENDS TO RELY AT TRIAL.
THE DEFENCE WOULD ALSO BE OBLIGED TO RAISE ANY POINTS OF LAW AT THE PREPARATORY HEARING. THE PREPARATORY HEARING WOULD TAKE PLACE WELL IN ADVANCE OF TRIAL AND BE SUPERVISED FROM THE OUTSET BY THE TRIAL JUDGE.
IF THE NEW PRE-TRIAL PROCEDURES WERE NOT COMPLIED WITH BY THE PROSECUTION OR DEFENCE, THE TRIAL JUDGE WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO IMPOSE COSTS.
/FOLLOWING FROM
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 19»6
8
FOLLOWING FROM THE CHANGES IN PRE-TRIAL PROCEDURES, TH- COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE REPORT THAT ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION BE PROVIDED TO THE JURY CASE STATEMENT, SUMMARIES OF EVIDENCE, EXPERTS’ REPORTS, A GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS, OPENING AND CLOSING SPEECHES OF COUNSEL.
THE JUDGE WOULD ALSO, UNDER THESE PROPOSALS, HAVE THE DISCRETION TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE JURY TRANSCRIPTS OF THE EVIDENCE OR HIS SUMMING UP.
THF COMMITTEE ALSO URGED THAT GREATER USE BE MADE OF MODERN VISUAL AIDS, SUCH AS OVERHEAD PROJECTORS, IN PRESENTING EVIDENCE TO THE JURY.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS A RECOMMENDATION FOR MORE ADVANCED TRAINING IN ACCOUNTING FOR MEMBERS OF THE BAR AND FOR INCREASED USE TO BE MADE OF ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHER SPECIALISTS BY THE DEFENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTED THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NOVEMBER 20, 1985 TO EXAMINE THE REPORT OF THE PREVIOUS SELECT COMMITTEE TABLED ON AUGUST 7, 1985 AND TO CONSIDER FURTHER AND REPORT ON THE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE PROSECUTION AND TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES, INCLUDING CHANGES IN THE PROCEDURES BEFORE AND DURING TRIAL AND MODE OF TRIAL.
THE MEMBERS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ARE:-
THE HON PETER C. WONG, CHAIRMAN,
THE HON PIERS JACOBS,
THE HON J.J. SWAINE,
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG KAM-CHUEN,
THE HON RITA FAN HSU LA I-TA I,
THE HON PETER POON WING-CHEUNG,
THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM,
THE HON HO SAI-CHU,
THE HON RICHARD LAI SUNG-LUNG,
/THE HON .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, ">986
THE HON MARTIN LEE CHU-MING,
THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT,
MR JACOBS REPLACED THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON MAY 31, 1986.
A COMPLETE LIST OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE BOXED AT G.I.S. THIS EVENING.
- 0 - -
INSOLVENCY FUND REPORT TABLED IN LEGCO
*****
MORE PROMPT PAYMENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE IF DETAILED, UPDATED WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT RECORDS HAD BEEN KEPT BY INSOLVENT EMPLOYERS AND MADE READILY AVAILABLE FOR VERIFICATION BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON K.C. CHAN WHEN HE TABLED THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND BOARD FOR 1985-86 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NEVERTHELESS, MR CHAN STATED THAT DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, ABOUT 41 PER CENT OF THE 5 890 APPLICANTS RECEIVED PAYMENT WITHIN TWO MONTHS AND ANOTHER 40 PER CENT WITHIN TWO TO THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF WINDING-UP OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION.
HE SAID APPLICANTS, IN THE EVENT OF INSOLVENCY OF THEIR EMPLOYERS, WERE GUARANTEED THE MAXIMUM PREFERENTIAL PAYMENT OF $8 000 UNDER THE COMPANIES AND BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCES.
♦ UPON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT FROM THE FUND, THE APPLICANTS TRANSFERRED THEIR RIGHTS TO PREFERENTIAL PAYMENT TO THE EXTENT CF THAT AMOUNT TO THE FUND BOARD WHICH INITIATED ACTION TO RECOVER PAYMENT BY FILING PROOF OF DEBT WITH THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER OR PRIVATE RECEIVERS AS APPROPRIATE,* HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID DURING THE YEAR, THERE WERE 8 159 APPLICATIONS WITH WAGE CLAIMS OF $23.6 MILLION FROM EMPLOYEES OF 321 APPARENT INSOLVENCY CASES. AMONG THEM, 5 890 APPLICATIONS WERE APPROVED WITH EX-GRATIA PAYMENT TOTALLING $13.5 MILLION.
ON THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE FUND, HE NOTED A SURPLUS OF $39.5 MILLION COMPRISING $16.5 MILLION AS INCOME PRIOR TO APRIL 19, 1985 AND $23 MILLION AS SURPLUS FROM 1985-86.
/♦THE SUBSTANTIAL
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
♦THE SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS IN THE FUND’S FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASE OF LEVY INCOME DUE TO AN INCREASE CF BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW LEVEL CF WAGE CLAIMS,+ HE EXPLAINED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE SOUND POSITION OF THE FUND HAD PROVIDED THE BASIS FOR GIVING EMPLOYEES WIDER PROTECTION WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF LEVY IN THE COMING YEAR.
MR CHAN THEN THANKED THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT FOR THE COLLECTION OF LEVY, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR VERIFICATION OF APPLICATIONS, AND THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE FOR THEIR ADVICE.
HE ALSO THANKED THE UMELCO AND ITS MANPOWER PANEL, AND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO MATTERS RELATING TO THE SUPERVISION FEE CHARGED AGAINST THE INCOME OF THE FUND.
- - 0 -
DB COMMITTEE PUTS FOCUS ON CIVIC EDUCATION * X * * *
MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AT THE COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE REVIEW OF THE PILOT SCHEME ON THE +TALKS ON CIVIC EDUCATION* PROJECT.
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE REPORTS ON THE +PARTIClPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BY ELDERLY PEOPLE* PROJECT, +FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION* PROJECT AND THE +HEALTH EDUCATION* PROJECT.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- 0 -
♦
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
11
\0 INTENTION TO EXTEND LRT TRANSIT SERVICE AREA * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY HAS NO INTENTION OF EXTENDING THE NORTHWEST TRANSIT SERVICE AREA DESIGNATED FOR THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM TO COVER OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
MR GREWAL WAS REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHEN WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE THANKED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS -- IN PARTICULAR THE HON HU FA-KUANG AND MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP -- FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO LIMIT THE PROTECTIVE MEASURES FOR THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM TO 20 YEARS WITH PROVISION FOR FURTHER EXTENSION BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR GREWAL SAID THE SYSTEM MUST BE GIVEN A REASONABLE PERIOD TO ESTABLISH ITS VIABILITY BEFORE THE PROTECTIVE MEASURES WERE REVIEWED.
HE SAID AS PHASE ONE OF THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT OPERATE UNTIL 1988 AND OTHER PHASES WERE STILL UNDER PLANNING, THE FULL LRT SYSTEM MIGHT IN FACT ENJOY RATHER LESS THAN 20 YEARS’ PROTECTION UNLESS THE PERIOD WAS EXTENDED PROPRTIONATELY TO COVER LATER PHASES OF THE SYSTEM BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+THIS POINT WILL NEED TO BE BORNE IN MIND IN ANY FUTURE REVIEW OF THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA,+ HE SAID.
MR GREWAL AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE IF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY COULD REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) TO OPERATE LRT FEEDER BUS SERVICES IN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA ON A CONTRACTUAL BASIS.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT THE PROVISION WHICH EMPOWERED THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO AMEND, WITH OR WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE GRANTEE, A FRANCHISE UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE WAS A PREREQUISITE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA.
HE ADDED THAT THE BILL PROVIDED FOR COMPENSATION TO BE PAID,ON A FULL AND FAIR BASIS SHOULD SUCH AN AMENDMENT RESULT IN PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE TO THE GRANTEE CONCERNED.
/MR GREWAL ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
12
MR GREWAL WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ALLOW FRANCHISED EXTERNAL BUSES TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA IN CASE OF EMERGENCY WERE FULLY ACCEPTED.
MR GREWAL SAID HE WELCOMED THE DECISION OF THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS TO FORM A JOINT COMMITTEE UNDER THEIR AUSPICES TO MONITOR LRT SERVICE AND FARES, IN THE CONTEXT THAT THE SYSTEM’S FARE STRATEGY WAS TO ENCOURAGE MAXIMUM PATRONAGE WITH REALISTIC AND REASONABLE FARES.
+l SEE THE FORMATION OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE AS FURTHER REINFORCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF MONITORING WHICH I MENTIONED IN INTRODUCING THE BILL INTO THIS COUNCIL, AND MR LAU HAS MY ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL RECEIVE POSITIVE SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AND THE KCRC IN CARRYING OUT ITS TASK,+ HE SAID.
AS TO THE SUGGESTION FOR APPOINTING ONE MEMBER EACH FROM THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS TO THE KCRC BOARD, MR GREWAL SAID THAT GIVEN THE BOARD’S EXISTING MEMBERSHIP AND THE PRESENT MONITORING SYSTEM, HE CONSIDERED THE PUBLIC INTEREST AS +MORE THAN ADEQUATELY SAFEGUARDED*.
REFERRING TO ASSOCIATED FACILITIES FOR THE SYSTEM, MR GREWAL SAID ADEQUATE CROSSING FACILITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORK ON PHASE ONE.
HE SAID THE PROBLEM OF NOISE NUISANCE WOULD NOT ARISE AS THERE WERE NO PLANS FOR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE DONE AT NIGHT AND THE CONTRACT FOR PHASE ONE MADE NO PROVISION FOR NIGHT WORK.
HE ALSO SAID THE PROBLEM OF COMPENSATION FOR BUSINESS LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO LRT WORKS WAS UNDERSTANDABLE AND WAS BEING ADDRESSED BY THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LRT SYSTEM, MR GREWAL SAID EXTENSIONS TO SAM SHING HUI AND THE BUILT-UP AREAS EAST OF THE NULLAH WOULD FORM PART OF THE PHASE TWO DEVELOPMENT EXPECTED TO OPERATE IN THE EARLY 1990’S.
ON A FUTURE LINK TO THE URBAN AREA, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE KCRC WERE CURRENTLY CONDUCTING FEASIBILITY STUDIES WHICH WERE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1986 OR EARLY 1987.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
13
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT NOT A MONOPOLY * X * * * *
THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS A MONOPOLY AS OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORT WOULD STILL BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE WITHIN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA (TSA).
THE HON F.K. HU TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 HAD REACHED CONSENSUS ON THIS POINT.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL, AS THE CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP, MR HU ALSO LISTED OUT A NUMBER OF OTHER POINTS THAT THE GROUP HAD AGREED ON:
* THE GROUP SUPPORTED KCRC’S ZONAL INTEGRATED FARE SYSTEM AND WOULD ENCOURAGE KMB TO NEGOTIATE WITH KCRC ON THE PROVISION OF FEEDER BUS SERVICES;
X THE GROUP WAS SATISFIED WITH KCRC’S EXPLANATION AND ASSURANCE THAT SHORT TRIP FARES WOULD BE MORE OR LESS THE SAME AS FOR BUSES WHILE MEDIAN TRIP FARES WOULD BE 2Q OR 30 CENTS MORE THAN FOR BUSES ; AND
* THE EXISTENCE OF THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF MONITORING LRT FARES WOULD ENSURE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR RESIDENTS.
I
MR HU SAID MEMBERS WOULD MOVE THREE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL IN THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
FIRSTLY, THE GROUP CONSIDERED THAT A TIME LIMIT OF 20 YEARS SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON THE GRANT OF EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO KCRC FOR OPERATING FEEDER BUS SERVICES IN THE TSA.
SECONDLY, THE GROUP NOTED THE PUBLIC CONCERN ON POSSIBLE OPEN-ENDED EXPANSION OF THE TSA AND WANTED A CLEAR STATEMENT THAT VARIATIONS TO TSA BOUNDARIES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE WOULD BE SUBJECTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S SUPERVISION.
THIRDLY, THE GROUP CONSIDERED THAT THE BILL SHOULD PROVIDE THAT PASSENGERS WHO HAD BOARDED AN EXTERNAL BUS IN THE TSA SHOULD, IN AN EMERGENCY, BE ALLOWED TO ALIGHT IN THE SERVICE AREA.
ELABORATING ON THIS, MR HU SAID THE GROUP WAS IN FAVOUR OF THE WORDING +WITH REASONABLE CAUSE+, INSTEAD OF +IN AN EMERGENCY*. HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS WORRIED THAT SUCH WORDING MIGHT CREATE TOO MANY LOOPHOLES.
• 4
/THEREFORE, .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
14
THEREFORE, THE WORDING + IN AN EMERGENCY* WAS ACCEPTED BY THE GROUP WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT SHOULD EXPERIENCE SHOW SUCH PROVISION UNABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC IN SPECIAL ClRCUMSTANCES, THEN THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONSIDER A SUITABLE AMENDMENT, MR HU EXPLAINED.
MR HU SAID THE UMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL HAD STARTED TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE OF THE LRT AND THE PROPOSED TSA IN THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES AS EARLY AS JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE PANEL HAD MET THE ADMINISTRATION AND ALSO RECEIVED PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS FROM A NUMBER OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, FORMED AFTER THE GAZETTING OF THE BILL ON JULY 4, VISITED TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG TO INSPECT THE SITE AND HAD A JOINT MEETING WITH TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS TO HEAR THE PEOPLE’S CONCERN.
THE GROUP HAD MET OFFICIALS OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WHICH OBJECTED STRONGLY TO THE TSA AND HAD DECLINED TO WORK WITH THE KCRC AS ITS SUBCONTRACTOR IN THE PROVISION OF FEEDER BUS SERVICES WITHIN THE SERVICE AREA.
IN ADDITION, IT HAD A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH THE KCRC AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO OBTAIN FURTHER CLARIFICATION OF THE INTEGRAL SYSTEM PROPOSED AND THE INTEGRATED FARE SYSTEM.
-------0----------
NO ROOM FOR POLITICS IN RUNNING A RAILWAY
X X * X *
RUNNING A BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY A RAILWAY CORPORATION, IS NOT A POLITICAL OR POWER-SEIZING GAME, THE HON K.C. CHAN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN WAS SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, DEALING WITH THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM.
AFTER DECLARING HIS INTEREST AS A MEMBER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) BOARD, HE SAID THE KCRC WAS ONE OF THOSE FORTUNATE RAILWAYS WHICH HAD A LOYAL STAFF, UNDER ABLE MANAGEMENT, AND A WELL-BALANCED BOARD.
/+THS PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
♦THE PRESENT BOARD CONSISTS OF SOME OF THE BEST BUSINESS LEADERS WITH TWO GOVERNMENT MEMBERS LOOKING AFTER TRANSPORT AND FINANCIAL POLICIES AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
+IF ONE CANNOT TRUST THESE PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZENS WITHOUT FINANCIAL INTEREST CONTRIBUTING THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE TO PROVIDE GOOD SERVICE AT REASONABLE FARES, THEN PRESSURE GROUP MEMBERS OUTSIDE THE BOARD WILL NOT TRUST PRESSURE GROUP MEMBERS INSIDE THE BOARD,+ HE SAID.
HE CALLED ON PEOPLE TO LEAVE POLITICS ASIDE BEFORE ENTERING A BUSINESS BOARDROOM IF THEY WISHED THE CORPORATION NOT TO MAKE A LOSS AND HAVE TO RESORT TO INCREASING FARES OR DIP INTO PUBLIC COFFERS.
IN RESPONSE TO THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS’ PRESSURE GROUP DEMANDS FOR LARGE KCRC BOARD MEMBERSHIP, MR CHAN SAID: + THIS WOULD BE AN INSULT TO THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THOSE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE ALSO IN THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND HEUNG YEE KUK.+
MR CHAN SAID THE PRESSURE ♦MONOPOLY* AND +HIGHER FARES*.
GROUP HAD BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT
FIRSTLY, THE SO-CALLED +FRANCHISE+ INVOLVED NO PAYMENT OF ROYALTIES. MR CHAN SAID HE FAILED TO SEE WHERE THE WORD +MONOPOLY+ FITTED IN.
AS FOR FARES, IF THESE WERE ON AVERAGE COMPETITIVE WITH BUS FARES MR CHAN BELIEVED THAT PASSENGERS WOULD ENJOY THE ADDITIONAL COMFORT OF AIR CONDITIONING AND WOULD NOT OBJECT TO THE FARE STRUCTURE.
REFERRING TO THE SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED, HE SAID THAT FOR MANY YEARS THE KCRC HAD A GOOD TRACK-RECORD OF PROVIDING REASONABLE FARES AND EFFICIENT SERVICE.
HE REITERATED THAT A CONVENIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM WOULD HELP TO OPEN UP THE WHOLE OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
LASTLY, HE SAID THE LIMITATION OF 20 YEARS ON THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA WOULD MAKE THE LRT’S LATER EXTENSION MORE DIFFICULT TO FINANCE WITH FEWER YEARS IN WHICH TO RECOVER ITS CAPITAL SPENDING.
-----0------
/16........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
16
90-YEAR LIMIT TO LRT SERVICE AREA FRANCHISE SUPPORTED
*****
THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SUPPORTED THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO RESTRICT TO 20 YEARS THE FRANCHISE IN RELATION TO THE TRANSIT SERVICES AREA OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT), AND THAT THE SITUATION WOULD BE REVIEWED AFTERWARDS.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEONG-LEEN EMPHASISED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO +OPEN-ENDED+ EXPANSION OF THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA, AND ANY FUTURE VARIATIONS SHOULD BE STRICTLY FOR OPERATIONAL PURPOSES.
HE SAID HE ACCEPTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE COMPETITION OF VARIOUS FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, BUT CONFORMING TO THE ZONAL, INTEGRATED FARE SYSTEM OF THE LRT, WITHIN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA.
AS TO THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA MR CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE THE FEEDER BUS SYSTEM TO GIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE TO RESIDENTS.
NOTING THAT THERE WOULD BE A THREE-TIER SYSTEM TO MONITOR LRT FARES, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD ALSO BE MONITORING PROGRESS ON THE LRT SYSTEM IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC INTEREST THROUGH ITS APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE.
-------o----------
BILL GIVES RISE TO ’CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS’
*****
CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS HAVE ARISEN FROM THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MEASURE.
MR TAI WAS REFERRING TO A STATEMENT MADE BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) IN RESPONSE TO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP WHICH STUDIED THE BILL.
/THE AMENDMENTS
WETNESQAY, JULY JO, 1986
THE AMENDMENTS HAD RESULTED FROM CAREFUL SCRUTINY FOLLOWING EXPRESSIONS OF PUBLIC CONCERN, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, IT WAS UNDERSTOOD THE KCRC HAD TOLD THE ADMINISTRATION IT WAS RECONSIDERING THE VIABILITY OF FUTURE PLANS TO EXTEND THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, AS WELL AS INDICATING IT WOULD CLAIM COMPENSATION, IN THE LIGHT OF THE LIMITATION THE AMENDMENTS WOULD IMPOSE ON ITS FRANCHISE.
HE FELT THAT THE KCRC STATEMENT IT WOULD RECONSIDER ALL FUTURE EXPANSION PROGRAMMES IN VIEW OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AMOUNTED TO INTIMIDATION OF COUNCILLORS.
MR TAI FELT THAT ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL ASPECT ARISING OUT OF SUCH A STATEMENT WAS WHETHER THE AMENDMENTS WERE MADE WITHIN THE POWER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
♦ IF THE BILL REQUIRES THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGCO, THEN KCRC SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY AGREEMENT MADE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND KCRC WOULD BE A CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT AND IT WOULD BE CONDITIONAL UPON APPROVAL BY THE LEGCO THROUGH PROPER LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE,♦ HE SAID.
MR TAI ALSO REFERRED TO CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS ABOUT THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT.
HE SAID THE PUBLIC WAS WORRIED THAT THE POWER THE KCRC WOULD ENJOY THROUGH LEGISLATION WOULD RESULT IN LOWER QUALITY OF SERVICE AND HIGHER FARES.
THE TWO DISTRICT BOARDS HAD AGREED TO SET UP A JOINT MONITORING BODY TO MONITOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AND ITS FEEDER BUSES.
IN ADDITION, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CLARIFY QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPENSATION FOR PEOPLE WHOSE BUSINESSES WERE AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SYSTEM AND RELATED ROADWORKS.
MR TAI ADDED THAT BETTER MONITORING OF THE KCRC MANAGEMENT WAS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS AND WELL-BEING OF THE PUBLIC WERE WELL PROTECTED.
- - - - 0 ----------
/18........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
18
BODY TO MONITOR LRT SERVICES ADVOCATED
* * * * *
THERE WAS A GENUINE NEED FOR A BODY TO BE SET UP TO MONITOR THE SERVICES OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) FROM THE CONSUMER POINT OF VIEW, THE HON LAU WONG-FAT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, MR LAU PROPOSED THAT THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD TAKE ON THIS MONITORING ROLE.
HE SAID AGREEMENT HAD ALREADY BEEN REACHED BY THE TWO DISTRICT BOARDS TOWARDS SETTING UP AN ORGANISATION WHICH WOULD OPERATE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE BOARDS JOINTLY WITH A VIEW TO EFFECTIVELY MONITORING LRT SERVICES AND FARES.
+| WOULD LIKE TO BE ASSURED THAT THIS BODY, WHEN SET UP, WILL BE POSITIVELY SUPPORTED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED,+ HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE FUTURE TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT WITHIN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA (TSA), MR LAU SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE LRT WOULD PROVIDE A SUPERIOR LEVEL OF SERVICE TO RESIDENTS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WERE STILL SOME REMOTE AREAS WHICH WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE LRT.
MR LAU SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE KCRC SHOULD PROVIDE . ADEQUATE FEEDER SERVICE TO THESE AREAS BUT IT SHOULD EVENTUALLY EXTEND THE LRT TO THESE VERY IMPORTANT CENTRES OF POPULATION.
TURNING TO THE OPERATION OF TRANSPORT SERVICES IN THE TSA, MR LAU SAID THE SYSTEM CARRIED WITH IT MANY ADVANTAGES.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE KCRC SHOULD BE GIVEN A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME TO OPERATE THE TSA, AND THAT THE PERIOD SHOULD NOT BE TOO SHORT, BEARING IN MIND THAT THE LRT WAS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.
+1 WILL, THEREFORE, MOVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE BILL, AT COMMITTEE STAGE, THAT THE KCRC BE GIVEN A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS TO OPERATE THE TSA,+ HE SAID.
LASTLY, MR LAU URGED THAT AN LRT LINK TO TSUEN WAN BE CONSTRUCTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
+WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF POPULATION IN TUEN MUN, PRESSURE IS BUILDING UP ON THE TRANSPORT SERVICES BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND THE METROPOLITAN AREA,* HE SAID.
------o-------
/19........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
19
CALL FOR EFFECTIVE LRT MONITORING MECHANISM
X * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE UMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL SHOULD KEEP THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION AND THE CONDITIONS OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) AREA UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW TO ENSURE THE MONITORING SYSTEM WAS EFFECTIVE, THE HON LEE YU-TAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE ALSO SAID THAT A DEPUTATION FROM 14 TUEN MUN CIVIC BODIES AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WARD OFFICES HAD CALLED FOR THE FORMATION OF AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY MONITORING BODY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THAT THE SETTING UP OF SUCH A BODY IMMEDIATELY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE AS THE BILL WAS GOING TO BE ENACTED TODAY.
HOWEVER, MR LEE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE UMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL SHOULD PLAY THE MONITORING ROLE.
+THE KCRC HAS BEEN GRANTED 20 YEARS OF FRANCHISED SERVICE IN THE AREA AND ITS OPERATION WILL BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT RESIDENTS RECOGNISED THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION AND HAD CONFIDENCE IN IT, BUT THEY MIGHT HAVE WORRIES OVER THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATION AFTER 1997;
+IT IS THEREFORE NOT SURPRISING THAT RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN ARE ASKING FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN EFFECTIVE MONITORING MECHANISM BY THE GOVERNMENT NOW SO THAT THEIR WORRIES OVER THE EFFICIENCY OF THE FUTURE ADMINISTRATION MAY BE REMOVED,* MR LEE SAID.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION PUT FORWARD BY RESIDENTS WHICH MR LEE AGREED UPON WAS TO PLACE THE LRT SERVICE SCHEDULES UNDER THE CONTROL AND APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
HE NOTED THAT THE SCHEDULES OF THE TWO BUS COMPANIES WERE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT BUT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SERVICES WERE NOT GOVERNED BY SUCH PROVISIONS.
HE SAID REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CIVIC BODIES IN TUEN MUN AREA CONSIDERED SUCH EXEMPTION ACCEPTABLE ONLY FOR MTR AND KCR ROUTES SINCE THERE WAS COMPETITION FROM OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT ALONG THE VICINITY OF THESE ROUTES.
/SINCE THERE
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 20 -
SINCE THERE WAS PRACTICALLY NO COMPETITIVE MEANS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THE LRT AREA, ITS SERVICE SCHEDULES SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, OR ELSE THERE WOULD BE A TOTAL ABSENCE OF A REGULATING MECHANISM.
MR LEE QUOTED THE RESIDENTS AS SUGGESTING THAT IT WOULD BE EVEN MORE DESIRABLE IF THE DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE THE APPROVAL.
TURNING TO THE PROBLEM OF NOISE, MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL PROVIDED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LRT PROJECT WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RELEVANT ORDINANCE CONCERNING NOISE ABATEMENT.
+IN VIEW OF THIS, THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED SHOULD RELEASE THE ASSESSMENT REPORT ON THE CONSTRUCTION WORK AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT SO THAT RESIDENTS IN THE VICINITY WOULD HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL EXTENT OF NOISE POLLUTION AND THAT UNDUE WORRIES WOULD NOT BE ROUSED,* HE SAID.
LASTLY, HE URGED AUTHORITIES TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO ROAD SAFETY AND BUILD MORE FOOTBRIDGES AND SUBWAYS TO MINIMISE THE OCCURRENCE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN AREAS WHICH THE LRT ROUTES PASSED THROUGH.
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REVOCATION BY LEGISLATION SETS 'DANGEROUS PRECEDENT’ M * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS SETTING A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT BY BILATERALLY AMENDING THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BY*AY OF LEGISLATION, THE HON RICHARD LAI TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
RAILWAYEC0RP0RAT'l0NG(AMENDMENT)DBIiLLA1986ll MRELA°^SA^D THET°N ^VOCATION OF KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY*S PR IV JLEGESJO, RUN^
INTERNAL ROUTES IN THE LIGHT
MIGHT DAMAGE THE CREDIBILITY
RAIL TRANSIT SERVICE AREA (TSA)
IT MIGHT ALSO UNDERMINE IE ADDED.
OF THE GOVERNMENT.
CONFIDENCE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY,
HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY, UNEQUIVOCALLY CLEAR THAT SUCH A MEASURE WOULD NOT BE REGULARLY EMPL6YED FOR THE SAKE OF EXPEDIENCE.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 19d»
- 21
ON T £ QUESTION OF FARES AND QUALITY OF SERVICE, MR LAI ACCEPT^ "HE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION’S SUBMISSION THAT SINCE IT WAS A NON-PROFIT-MAKING CROWN CORPORATION WITH PUBLIC INTEREST AT HEART, FARES AND SERVICES WOULD BE SET AT A REASONABLE LEVEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER, HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOWER-INCOME TRAVELLERS.
♦SINCE THERE WILL NOT BE A CHEAPER MODE OF INTERNAL TRANSPORT, AT LEAST FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, LOWER-INCOME TRAVELLERS WILL NO DOUBT BE AFFECTED.
♦AND IT IS THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO CAN ILL AFFORD ANY ADDITIONAL CHARGES, WHO ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE COMFORT FOR SAVING, THAT WILL BE HARD HIT,* MR LAI SAID.
+IN THIS RESPECT, I URGE THE GOVERNMENT OR THE KCRC TO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF DEVISING SOME KIND OF SUBSIDY SCHEME TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EXTRA FINANCIAL BURDEN IMPOSED ON THIS GROUP CF PEOPLE.+
REFERRING TO SUPERVISION OF THE OPERATION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM, MR LAI BELIEVED THAT SUFFICIENT MONITORING APPARATUS WOULD BE SET UP. BUT HE EMPHASISED THAT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND RESIDENTS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ADJUSTMENT OF FARE LEVELS.
MR LAI SAID THAT OVERALL HE SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF A LRT SYSTEM OPERATING IN THE TUEN MUN-YUEN LONG AREA, AND HE WAS PARTICULARLY HEARTENED THAT MEMBERS HAD BEEN ABLE TO PROCURE A 20-YEAR TIME LIMIT ON THE TSA.
+l THINK THIS PROVISION DID MUCH TO ALLAY THE PUBLIC’S FEAR OF A MONOPOLY GRANTED INDEFINITELY TO THE KCRC,+ HE SAID.
SPENT CONVICTIONS: MOVE TO ASSIST EMIGRANTS *****
IN AN ATTEMPT TO ASSIST THOSE WITH A SPENT CONVICTION WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REVEAL THEIR RECORD TO AN OVERSEAS AUTHORITY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS AT PRESENT EXPLORING WITH THE COMMISSIONER CF POLICE THE POSSIBILITY OF INCORPORATING IN THE POLICE LETTER WHICH INDICATES AN EMIGRANT’S RECORD A STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT +THIS CONVICTION IS REGARDED AS SPENT IN HONG KONG BY VIRTUE OF SECTION 2(1) OF THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS CRD INANCE + .
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986.
/♦THIS WOULD ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 22 -
♦THIS WOULD MAKE CLEAR TO OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES THAT THE CONVICTION, IN QUESTION SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A MINOR ONE,* HE SAID.
THANKING MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FOR THEIR THOUGHTFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS ON THE BILL, MR MATHEWS WELCOMED A SUGGESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM THAT TRIAD RELATED CFFENCES BE EXCLUDED FROM THE REHABILITATION SCHEME, THOUGH ADDING THAT THIS ASPECT OF THE BILL WOULD NEED TO BE RE-EXAMINED IN THE LIGHT OF ANY MEASURES FOLLOWING DISCUSSION ON THE PAPER ON +OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM*.
HE ALSO WELCOMED AN AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE HON MARIA TAM, REMOVING AN UNNCESSARY PARAGRAPH FROM ONE CLAUSE.
MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT THE BILL HAD ALREADY EXCLUDED FROM THE SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO A PERSON’S SUITABILITY TO BE GRANTED, OR TO CONTINUE TO HOLD, ANY LICENCE, PERMIT OR DISPENSATION, OR TO BE REGISTERED, OR CONTINUE TO BE REGISTERED UNDER ANY LAW.
HOWEVER, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, WHICH REFERRED TO THE +AUTHORI SAT ION* OF INSURERS RATHER THAN LICENSING OR REGISTRATION, AN AMENDMENT WAS NECESSARY TO PLACE THESE PROCEEDINGS OUTSIDE THE SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME, HE SAID.
AGAIN CONSIDERING THE POWERS OF INTERVENTION CONFERRED ON THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY UNDER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, AN AMENDMENT WAS PROPOSED TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACCOUNT CF A SPENT CONVICTION IN ASSESSING WHETHER A DIRECTOR OR CONTROLLER WAS A FIT AND PROPER PERSONS TO HOLD A SPECIFIC POSITION.
CONCERNING THE SCHEDULE OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS ALSO PROPOSED TWO AMENDMENTS.
THE FIRST WAS TO MAKE POINT 31 ON THE MASTER PAY SCALE THE CUT-OFF POINT FOR EXCLUSION FROM THE SCHEME, IT BEING THE FIRST POINT AT WHICH ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS WERE RECRUITED AND THE TOP POINT ON THE SALARY SCALE OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS II.
ON THIS ISSUE, HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT IF IN FUTURE ANY RE-NUMBERING OF THE SCALE WAS ENVISAGED WHICH WOULD AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME, UMELCO’S VIEWS WOULD FIRST BE SOUGHT.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT WAS TO INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO MEMBERS CF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MEANING THAT MEMBERS OF ALL THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES WERE NOW EXCLUDED FROM THE SCHEME.
/IN VIEW
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 23 -
IN VIEW OF THE CONCERN ON THE DIFFICULTIES WHICH MIGHT EE CAUSf’S THE BILL FOR THOSE WHO SOUGHT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO A SPENT CONVICTION IN SUBSEQUENT CIVIL PROCEEDINGS, MR MATHEWS SAID THE RIGHT RESPONSE WAS FOR THE PLAINTIFF TO OMIT REFERENCE TO THE SPENT CONVICTION IN THE INITIAL PLEADINGS BUT TO ASK LEAVE OF THE COURT TO AMEND THE STATEMENT OF CLAIM AT A LATER STAGE ON THE GROUNDS THAT JUSTICE COULD NOT BE DONE EXCEPT BY THE ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE OF THE CONVICTION.
+THE SPIRIT OF THIS LEGISLATION WILL BE PRESERVED IF IT IS LEFT TO THE COURT'S DISCRETION TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT EVIDENCE CF A PARTICULAR CONVICTION SHOULD BE ADMITTED,* HE SAID.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT ALL ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENCES SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE AMBIT OF THE SCHEME, MR MATHEWS SAID THE INTENTION WAS THAT ALL MINOR OFFENCES, OTHER THAN THOSE WHICH WERE TRIAD RELATED, SHOULD FALL WITHIN THE SCHEME.
FINALLY, RESPONDING TO THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN*S CONCERN ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE AS PROPOSED BY THE BILL, HE SAID THE ONLY CHANGE EFFECTED WOULD BE THAT THE MAGISTRATE MUST PROCEED TO, AND RECORD, A CONVICTION BEFORE SENTENCING, AND THAT A CONVICTION PREVIOUSLY +NON-RECORDED+ WOULD NEVERTHELESS HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED BY THE POLICE TO A WOULD-BE EMIGRANT SEEKING A CERTIFICATE OF NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION.
+THE FACT THAT THE OFFENCE IS MINOR OR TECHNICAL CAN ADEQUATELY BE REFLECTED BY THE MAGISTRATE IN IMPOSING A LESSER SENTENCE,* HE SAID.
IN CONCLUDING, MR MATHEWS SAID THE SCHEME PROPOSED IN THIS BILL WAS A MODEST ONE BUT IT WAS A WORTHWHILE MEASURE WHICH PROVIDED A BASIC FOR AN EXPANDED SCHEME AT A LATER DATE IF THOUGHT DESIRABLE.
-------o -
TRUE SPIRIT OF SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME SUPPORTED
M # * * *
THE CONSEQUENCES OF A MINOR OFFENCE SHOULD NOT CRIPPLE A PERSON FOR LIFE AND THAT A PERSON’S EFFORTS TO BECOME STRAIGHT SHOULD NOT BE RUINED BY UNWARRANTED DISCLOSURE OF PREV IOUS CONVICT ION, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AFTER ALL, HE ADDED, THE OFFENDER HAD ALREADY PAID HIS PRICE IN THE PUNITIVE SENSE.
/MR HUI
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
24
MR HUI WAS SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986 WHICH PROPOSED A SCHEME TO ENABLE PERSONS CONVICTED OF A MINOR OFFENCE TO TREAT THE CONVICTION AS SPENT FOLLOWING THREE YEARS WITHOUT A FURTHER CONVICTION.
HE THEREFORE DESCRIBED THE BILL OF HAVING CAPTURED THE TRUE SPIRIT OF REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS.
HE SAID MEMBERS OF A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE BILL HAD CAREFULLY LOOKED INTO VARIOUS ISSUES INVOLVED AND WERE ON THE WHOLE IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH ITS PROVISIONS.
HOWEVER, MEMBERS BELIEVED THAT THE NET OF THE SCHEME WAS TOO LIMITED BY ONLY COVERING CONVICTIONS OF FINES AND IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE PERSONS AWARDED LIGHT PRISON SENTENCES, HE SAID.
+LEGAL PROTECTION GIVEN TO OFFENDERS OF SHORT-TERM IMPRISONMENT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS, WHICH FALLS IN LINE WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1974, WOULD ENABLE MORE FIRST OFFENDERS TO LIVE DOWN THEIR CONVICTIONS,* MR HUI SAID.
FURTHERMORE, THE SPECIFICATION OF CERTAIN PROFESSIONS WHICH WERE EXCEPTIONS TO THE SCHEME WAS ALSO SUBJECT TO ARGUMENT AND REQUIRED RE-CONSIDERATION BY THE ADMINISTRATION, HE ADDED.
ON THE ISSUING OF CERTIFICATE OF NO CONVICTION, MR HUI SAID HONG KONG SHOULD FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF UNITED KINGDOM WHERE IT WAS A GENERAL OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO DISCLOSE A CONVICTION OF A +REHABILITATION PERSON* TO ANOTHER PERSON.
+WHILE THE POLICE COULD RETAIN THE OFFICIAL RECORD, THE PRACTICE OF WITHHOLDING SPENT CONVICTION WOULD ENSURE UNIFORMITY AND CONSISTENCY AMONG ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE ENFORCEMENT CF A NEW LEGISLATION,* HE SAID.
MR HUI SAID HE HOPED THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD TAKE THIS POINT INTO SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WHEN IT REVIEWED THE BILL IN FUTURE.
-------o
/25........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
- 25 -
JSE 0r 3P- ,T CONVICTIONS CAREFULLY STUDIED * * * * *
A PROVISION CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO USE "ONVICTION RECORDS IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WAS EXAMINED IN DETAIL BY THE AD HOC GROUP WHICH SCRUTINISED THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986, THE HON MARIA TAM TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL STIPULATES THAT IF IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO REVEAL THE PAST CONVICTIONS OF THE ACCUSED OR A WITNESS IN THE COURSE OF A HEARING, THE PARTY WHO WISHES TO USE THE RECORD WOULD HAVE TO APPLY TO THE COURT FOR PERMISSION AND THE JUDGE WOULD DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT APPROVAL SHOULD BE GRANTED TO REVEAL +SPENT+ CONVICTIONS.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MISS TAM CAID THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAD DISCUSSED THIS POINT IN DETAIL WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
THE INTENTION WAS TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS COULD, AS IN THE PAST, INSERT IN THE STATEMENT OF CLAIM THAT THE DEFENDANTS IN QUESTION WERE PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED OF ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENCES IN THE SAME INCIDENT FOR WHICH THEY CLAIMED DAMAGES THROUGH CIVIL PROCEEDINGS.
SHC SAID SOME MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP REQUESTED THAT THE DISCLOSURE OF SUCH CONVICTIONS IN THE STATEMENT OF CLAIM SHOULD BE ALLOWED AS EXCEPTIONS.
HOWEVER, AFTER DISCUSSING THE MATTER AT TWO SEPARATE MEETINGS, MOST MEMBERS AGREED THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF BARRING THE DISCLOSURE OF +SPENT+ CONVICTIONS AND RESTRICTING THE USE OF SUCH RECORDS WAS RIGHT, SHE SAID.
+OTHERWISE, WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERY INDIVIDUAL CASE TO ESTABLISH ALL POSSIBLE EXCEPTIONS AND, BY DOING SO, THE EFFICIENCY OF THE BILL WOULD BE HAMPERED AND ITS SPIRIT WOULD BE LOST.+ SHE EXPLAINED.
REGARDING APPLICATIONS FOR EMIGRATION TO OTHER COUNTRIES, MISS TAM EXPLAINED THAT RECORDS OF +SPENT+ CONVICTIONS HAD TO BE REPORTED SINCE THE ORDINANCE COULD NOT BE USED TO CHEAT OVtRSEAS IMMIGRATION OFFICES.
/HOWEVER, .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
26
HOWEVER, SHE SUGGESTED THAT AN APPLICANT COULD EXPLAIN IN WRITING THAT THE CONVICTION WAS A +SPENT+ ONE AND COULD NOT BE USED IN LOCAL COURTS UNDER NORMAL ClRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVE THAT THE CONVICTION WAS NOT A SERIOUS ONE SO AS TO REDUCE ITS EFFECTS ON THE APPLICATION.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL OVERALL, MISS TAM AGREED THAT ITS PROVISIONS WERE FAR MORE STRINGENT THAN SIMILAR LEGISLATION ELSEWHERE, AND SHE SUPPORTED THE SUGGESTION THAT A REVIEW SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT ONE OR TWO YEARS AFTER ITS ENACTMENT.
SHE FURTHER WARNED YOUNG PEOPLE NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE +SPENT+ CONVICTION SCHEME AS THE PAST CONVICTION RECORDS WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE REPORTED WHEN THEY SOUGHT APPOINTMENTS IN GOOD POSITIONS OR WHEN THEY APPLIED FOR EMIGRATION IN FUTURE.
+ THE BILL ONLY AIMS TO HELP THOSE OFFENDERS WHO WANT TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF AND REHABILITATE THEMSELVES IN TIME,* SHE STRESSED.
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CHEONG-LEEN ABSTAINS FROM VOTING * * * * *
THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ALTHOUGH HE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE SCHEME INCORPORATED IN IT.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT THE SCHEME BROUGHT HONG KONG AS A MODERN INTERNATIONAL CITY, INTO LINE WITH OTHER PROGRESSIVE TERRITORIES TO ENCOURAGE OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF MINOR CRIMES TO REFORM THEMSELVES ON A PERMANENT BASIS.
HOWEVER, HE OBJECTED TO CLAUSE 7 OF THE BILL WHICH .PROPOSED TO AMEND SECTION 36 (1) OF THE MAGISTRATE ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE THE MAGISTRATE TO PROCEED TO CONVICTION IN EVERY CASE.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT CASES HAD OCCURRED IN THE PAST IN WHICH THE MAGISTRATE MIGHT BE SATISFIED THAT AN OFFENCE HAD TECHNICALLY BEEN COMMITTED BUT THAT THE PROSECUTION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT.
IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE +NO CONVICTION RECORDED* PROVISION PROVIDED A USEFUL PROCEDURE, HE SAID.
/IT WOULD
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 27 -
IT Z.OULD be more reasonable and humane to keep the relevant SECTION INTACT, HE SAID, AND AMEND THE LAW IF NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THAT THE I-ACT OF SUCH A DISCHARGE IN THE PAST COULD BE BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF A COURT ON A SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION IN THE CASE OF PERSISTENT PETTY OFFENDERS.
MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED THAT SECTION 36 (1) HAD BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR A LONG TIME AND QUESTIONED WHY THE JUDICIARY HAD AGREED TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
BY RETAINING THE SECTION, HE SAID, THE MAGISTRATE WOULD BE EVEN BETTER EQUIPPED TO SHIELD ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC FROM BEING TAKEN INTO COURT EITHER BY THE POLICE OR BY A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT FOR WHAT WOULD SEEM TO THE MAGISTRATE AN ABUSE OF POWER.
MR CHEONG-LEEN EXPLAINED THAT HE ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON
THE BILL BECAUSE HE CONSIDERED THAT CLAUSE 7 REDUCED THE CAPACITY CF THE INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY FROM BETTER OR MORE FULLY PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AGAINST POSSIBLE PETTY BUREAUCRATIC OR OVER-ZEALOUS HARRASSMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE.
-----o------
CALL TO REVIEW REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS LAW * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER REVIEWING THE REHABILITATION CF OFFENDERS LEGISLATION FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME AFTER ITS ENACTMENT TO SEE WHETHER IT SHOULD BE FURTHER RELAXED.
THE SUGGESTION CAME FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1936 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOTING THAT THE BILL WAS WORTHY OF SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, MRS TAM POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS TOO CONSERVATIVE TO LIMIT OFFENDERS COVERED BY THE BILL ONLY TO THOSE WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WHO HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN A PRISON SENTENCE OR A FINE EXCEEDING $5 000.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER, IF THE BILL WAS PASSED, CONDUCTING A REVIEW AFTER A CERTAIN PERIOD TO EXAMINE WHETHER IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW FURTHER RELAXATIONS.
MRS TAM SAID SHE ALSO FELT THAT THE MINOR NATURE OF SOME TRIAD-RELATED OFFENCES WAS IN LINE WITH THE STIPULATED REQUIREMENTS CF THE BILL AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE REHABILITATION SCHEME.
/♦IN PRINCIPLE,
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 28 -
+IN PRINCIPLE, IF IT COULD BE PROVED THAT CERTAIN TRIAD AMBERS TRULY WANT TO RENOUNCE THEIR TRIAD AFFILI AT ION AND IF THE MINOR NATURE OF THEIR FIRST OFFENCE COULD BE COVERED BY THE STIPULATIONS OF THE BILL, THEN THEY SHOULD ALSO BE ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSION UNDER THE REHABILITATION SCHEME,+ SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, MRS TAM SAID SHE AGREED THAT AT THE PRESENT MOMENT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE THOSE WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF TRIAD-RELATED OFFENCES IN THE SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME AS AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATION COULD BE MADE WHEN THE RENUNCIATION SCHEME PROPOSED BY THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON OPTIONS TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM WAS IMPLEMENTED.
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LEGAL DIFFICULTIES FOUND IN REHABILITATION BILL *****
THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986 CONTAINS LEGAL DIFFICULTIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH IN RUNNING DOWN CASES OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
REFERRING TO SECTION 2 OF THE BILL ON NON-ADMISSI BlLITY OF EVIDENCE IN CIVIL PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DRIVER WHO HaD BEEN COMMITTED OF A TRAFFIC OFFENCE WHICH RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, MR TAI SAID IT WOULD SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE PLAINTIFF IN PROVING HIS CASE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR A HEARING OF A NORMAL RUNNING DOWN CASE TO TAKE PLACE THREE OR MORE YEARS AFTER THE DEFENDANT HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF A DRIVING OFFENCE IN A MAGISTRATES’ COURT.
+ THE NON-ADMISSI BlLITY OF A CRIMINAL RECORD WOULD CAUSE PROCEDURAL DIFFICULTIES FOR LEGAL PRACTITIONERS DESPITE THE FACT THAT SECTION 3(2)(D) PROVIDES ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE RELATING TO LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WHERE THE TRIBUNAL IS SATISFIED THAT JUSTICE CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT THE DISCLOSURE OF THE SPENT CONVICTION,+ HE SAID.
MR TAI SAID HE FELT THIS WOULD PUT THE PLAINTIFF IN A DISADVANTAGED POSITION BECAUSE THE LEGAL PRACTITIONER HAD TO BEAR THE COSTS FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL RECORD.
/+IT ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 29 -
+|T 'SO BARS OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EARLY SETTLEMENT IN RESPECT OF LIABILITY, THUS INCURRING ADDITIONAL COSTS,* HE ADDED.
MR TAI ALSO NOTED THAT DIFFICULTIES MIGHT ARISE IN CASES OF PERSONAL INJURIES CAUSING DEATH WHEN THE PROBATE MIGHT BE GRANTED TO THE A ■ INISTRATOR AFTER A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME, SOMETIMES ONE TO TWO YEARS.
IN 1 '■! CONNECTION, HE SAID THE LEGAL PRACTITIONER WOULD Br FACED WITH THE DIFFICULTY OF OBTAINING THE RELEVANT CRIMINAL RECORD IN TIME FROM THE MAGISTRATE.
+IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN THE BILL, THE CONVICTION WILL BE SPENT AND IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY EVIDENCE OF THE CONVICTION RECORD, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR THE PLAINTIFF TO PROVE HIS CASE AND INJUSTICE WILL THEREFORE ARISE,* HE SAID.
-------0 ---------
ANTI-CORRUPTION REVIEW PLANNED ON FIRE SERVICES PROCEDURES * * ¥■ ¥■
FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1986, PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO REDUCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE REVIEW HAD BEEN AGREED BETWEEN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
MR MATHEWS THANKED MEMBERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
HE SAID THERE WAS CONSTANT LIAISON BETWEEN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION DIVISION OF THE ICAC, ADDING THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A CONTINUING REVIEW OF ALL ASPECTS OF FIRE PROTECTION WORK THAT MIGHT GIVE RISE TO CORRUPTION OPPORTUNITIES.
ON DIFFICULTIES THAT MIGHT BE CREATED BY THE PROPOSED ORAL COMPLAINT SYSTEM, MR MATHEWS SAID ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES TO MAKE AN ORAL COMPLAINT TO A COURT FOLLOWING THE CONVICTION OF A PERSON FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE, IT WOULD BE UP TO THE COURT TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT A FIRE HAZARD ORDER WAS APPROPRIATE.
/+NO DOUBT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
+ N0 DOUBT WHEN MAKING THAT DECISION THE COURT WILL HAVE REGARD TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN PARTICULAR WHETHER A FIRE HAZARD ORDER IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED FROM THE RISK OF F|RE,+ HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS ALSO SAID HE WISHED TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE FIRE HAZARD ORDER REPRESENTED ANOTHER WARNING.
HE SAID: +MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT IS SIMPLY THE MEANS BY WHICH THE COURT ORDERS A PERSON TO DO WHAT THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES HAS ALREADY TOLD HIM TO DO (IN A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE) BUT WHICH HE HAS NOT DONE.
+NO OFFENCE IS COMMITTED UNLESS THE PERSON IN QUESTION FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.+
MR MATHEWS STRESSED THAT AS UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS A FIRE HAZARD ORDER WOULD NO LONGER INCLUDE AN ORDER FOR CLOSURE, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE COURT TO ISSUE AN ORDER FOR CLOSURE ON AN ORAL COMPLAINT BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A CONVICTION FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE.
THE PROCEDURE FOR ISSUING A CLOSING ORDER WAS GOVERNED BY A SEPARATE PROVISION IN THE BILL WHICH REQUIRED 24 HOURS’ NOTICE IN WRITING OF THE INTENTION OF THE DIRECTOR TO APPLY FOR SUCH AN ORDER.
TURNING TO CONCERN THAT THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT MAY MAKE ARBITRARY ENFORCEMENT DECISIONS, OR THAT THERE MAY BE ABUSE OF POWER, MR MATHEWS ASSURED MEMBERS THAT ONCE A SUMMONS WAS ISSUED, +WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON IS FOUND GUILTY, AND WHAT, IF ANY, PENALTY SHOULD BE IMPOSED, WOULD BE MATTERS TO BE DECIDED BY THE COURT, NOT THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT+.
MR MATHEWS SAID PUBLICITY FOR THE AMENDMENTS WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP, WHICH WAS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF PRODUCING PAMPHLETS OUTLINING THE NEW LAW.
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/31
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
31
DISCRETION MUST BE USED WISELY
THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1986, IF ENACTED, WOULD PROVIDE THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES CONSIDERABLE DISCRETION IN ENFORCEMENT, THE HON S.L. CHEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE OFFICERS ENTRUSTED WITH THIS POWER WOULD USE IT WISELY AND THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY ABUSE OF IT.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR CHEN SAID WITH THIS OBSERVATION HE SUPPORTED THE MEASURE.
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AMENDMENTS AIMED AT THE IRRESPONSIBLE * * * * *
THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO 3) BILL 1986 WILL ONLY BE USED TO DETER THE IRRESPONSIBLE AND WILL NOT HAMPER NORMAL INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS, THE HON WONG PO-YAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL.
MR WONG SAID THAT THOUGH THE PROPOSED PENALTIES OF THE BILL MIGHT BE CONSIDERED BY OWNERS OF SOME SMALL-SIZED FACTORIES TO BE RATHER SEVERE, STATISTICS SHOWED THAT OUTBREAKS OF FIRE CONTINUED TO POSE A CONSTANT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY.
HE SAID THAT CURRENT STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WERE NOT ACHIEVING THE DESIRED RESULTS AND A MORE EFFECTIVE DETERRENT WAS REQUIRED.
+IT IS A HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE ACT FOR ANYONE TO COMMIT SUCH OFFENCES — OBSTRUCTING OR LOCKING THE MEANS OF ESCAPE — AND TO EXPOSE THOSE LIVING OR WORKING IN THE MULTI-STOREYED RESIDENTIAL OR INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS TO FIRE HAZARDS,* HE SAID.
MR WONG URGED INDUSTRIALISTS TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF FIRE AND TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE, ENSURING THAT OFFENCES AGAINST THE REGULATIONS WERE NOT COMMITTED.
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/32........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
- 32 -
♦PRACTICAL PROBLEMS* IN FIRE SERVICES LEGISLATION *****
INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING MORE EFFECTIVE PREVENTIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST FIRE HAZARDS BUT HAS IDENTIFIED SOME PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE SERVICES LEGISLATION, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1986, MR CHEONG SAID THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THERE WERE SOME PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTATION WHICH WOULD NEED FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN REFINEMENT BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT TEMPORARY OBSTRUCTION OF CORRIDORS AND LIFT LOBBIES BY GOODS DURING THEIR COURSE OF MOVEMENT SHOULD BE DISTINGUISHED FROM OBSTRUCTION TO ESCAPE ROUTES BY GOODS IN STORAGE. ENFORCEMENT SHOULD AIM AT THE LATTER BUT NOT THE FORMER.
REFERRING TO COMMON AREAS IN MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP BUILDINGS, HE SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING A CERTAIN OBSTRUCTION.
HE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE POSSIBLE VICTIMISATION OF PARTIES WHO WERE NOT THE OWNER OR OWNERS OF GOODS CAUSING THE OBSTRUCTION AND URGED THAT ENFORCEMENT STAFF SHOULD TAKE CARE TO ESTABLISH THE REAL CULPRIT AND AVOID THE TEMPTATION OF MAKING ARBITRARY ENFORCEMENT DECISIONS.
FINALLY, MR CHEONG NOTED THAT THERE MIGHT BE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF COURT CASES RESULTING FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT PROSECUTION AGAINST OBSTRUCTION AND BLOCKAGE OF ESCAPE ROUTES.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SHOULD ESTABLISH PROCEDURES WHEREBY AGGRIEVED PARTIES COULD MAKE AN APPEAL BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT APPLIED FOR A COURT ORDER, SO AS TO MINIMISE THE EXPENSE INCURRED BY COURT PROCEEDINGS.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
- 33 -
LOOPHOLES IN LAW PLUGGED
*****
THERE ARE MANY LOOPHOLES IN EXISTING LEGISLATION ON OBSTRUCTION OF FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES AND THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1986 WILL PLUG THEM, THE HON JACKIE CHAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL, MR CHAN NOTED THAT UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE THOSE WHO WERE CONNECTED WITH AN OBSTRUCTION OFFENCE WOULD FIRST BE WARNED BY A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE, REQUIRING THEM TO COMPLY WITH IT WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD.
THOSE WHO WERE SELFISH AND LACKED PUBLIC SPIRIT WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOOPHOLES AND STORE GOODS AND VARIOUS OBJECTS ALONG FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES AND ONLY CLEAR THEM FOR INSPECTION WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE NOTICE.
MR CHAN SAID THE ITEMS WOULD BE PUT BACK AGAIN ONCE AN INSPECTION WAS CARRIED OUT AND THIS EXPLAINED WHY THE ORDINANCE WHICH HAD BEEN IN FORCE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS WAS NOT VERY EFFECTIVE.
HE SAID THE PROVISION IN THE BILL MAKING IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON ON WHOM A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE HAD BEEN SERVED TO ALLOW THE FIRE HAZARD TO RECUR WITHIN A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR WAS THE RIGHT REMEDY.
MR CHAN ALSO AGREED THAT THE HEAVIER PENALTIES PROPOSED WOULD PROVIDE A MUCH STRONGER DETERRENT.
HOWEVER, HE REMINDED THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NEED TO CARRY OUT COMPREHENSIVE PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ON THE AMENDED LEGISLATION SO THAT IT WOULD BE MADE KNOWN TO ALL, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
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TIME TO ISSUE SIMPLE PAMPHLET ON FIRE PREVENTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PREPARE AN UP-TO-DATE PAMPHLET EXPLAINING IN SIMPLE TERMS THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF FIRE PREVENTION, AND THE PENALTIES FOR COMMITTING OFFENCES, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1986, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF MANY MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, HONG KONG WAS A RELATIVELY SAFE CITY KNOWN INTERNATIONALLY FOR HAVING UP-TO-DATE FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT, WELL-TRAINED AND DISCIPLINED PERSONNEL AND AN EXCELLENT FIRE PREVENTION SERVICE.
/HE WELCOMED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
HE WELCOMED THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WHICH WOULD REDUCE EVEN MORE THE RISKS AND DANGERS OF FIRE OCCURRING IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS. THESE MEASURES SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
IN PARTICULAR, MR CHEONG-LEEN FELT THAT THE PRACTICES OF LOCKING UP FIRE EXITS AND OBSTRUCTING ROUTES OF FIRE ESCAPES WITHIN A BUILDING SHOULD BE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED, AND HE SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL THAT THESE PRACTICES BE MADE ILLEGAL.
-----o------
FIRE SAFETY CAMPAIGN ADVOCATED
* * X * *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SHOULD LAUNCH A COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE FIRE SAFETY, ESPECIALLY IN FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, AS A FOLLOW-UP TO PASSING OF THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1986, HON NGAI SHIU-KIT SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR NGAI SAID THE TOUGHER PENALTIES PROPOSED WOULD DETER RECKLESS PEOPLE FROM ALLOWING DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARDS TO EXIST IN BUILDINGS.
BUT TOUGHER LEGISLATION ALONE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH FIRE HAZARDS, WHICH HAD BECOME A CHRONIC PROBLEM.
+IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE AMONG THE PUBLIC THROUGH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION,* HE STRESSED.
MR NGAI SAID SOME AREAS OF THE BILL REQUIRED SPECIAL ATTENTION.
NOTING THAT THE BILL EXTENDED THE DEFINITION OF THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE HAZARDS TO INCLUDE THE OWNER, TENANT, OCCUPIER OR PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE PREMISES, HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS QUITE COMMON FOR THE OWNER OF A FLAT NOT TO RESIDE OR OPERATE A BUSINESS THERE, AND HENCE WOULD HARDLY KNEW OF FIRE HAZARDS CREATED BY THE OCCUPIERS OR TENANTS.
+IT WILL BE UNFAIR TO HOLD HIM SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OFFENCES HE IS NOT EVEN AWARE 0F,+ MR NGAI SAID.
HE URGED THAT FIRE SERVICES STAFF SHOULD EXERCISE DUE DISCRETION WHEN REQUIRING ANY PERSON TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE DEALING WITH THE REAL CULPRIT.
/REGARDING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 35 -
REGARDING THE AMENDMENT WHICH MAKES IT AN OFFENCE TO LEAVE OBSTRUCTIONS IN OR LOCK THE MEANS OF ESCAPE, MR NGAI SAID A CERTAIN DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN MINOR CASES WHERE REMEDIAL ACTIONS COULD BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY IN THE PRESENCE OF FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU OFFICERS, SUCH AS THE REMOVAL OF ONE OR TWO EASILY MOVABLE OBJECTS FROM THE CORRIDOR.
+IT SHOULD ALSO BE MENTIONED THAT IN CASES WHERE NO FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES ARE SERVED UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE AND PRACTICE, PROSECUTION ACTION SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AFTER THIS AMENDMENT IS PASSED INTO LAW,+ HE ADDED.
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SELLERS TO BE PROHIBITED FROM DISPENSING PRESCRIPTIONS
*****
THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WOULD ENABLE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD TO PROHIBIT LISTED SELLERS OF POISONS FROM DISPENSING PRESCRIPTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SHIPMAN THANKED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP FOR HAVING SCRUTINISED THE BILL AND THEIR SUPPORT OF IT.
TURNING TO DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG’S SUGGESTION THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLAN AND ORGANISE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES TO CONVEY BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, MR SHIPMAN SAID HE COULD ASSURE DR CHIU THAT THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WOULD CONTINUE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS.
MR SHIPMAN ADDED THAT THE NEED FOR AN EFFECTIVE MONITORING SYSTEM WAS + ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL MATTERS OF CONCERN+ TO THE WORKING PARTY ON THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY AND ANCILLARY MATTERS.
+SINCE THEN THE STAFF OF THE FORENSIC PHARMACY SECTION IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN GREATLY INCREASED AND THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS CONCERNING RETAIL PREMISES UNDER THE ORDINANCE HAS RISEN FROM 29 IN 1980 TO 96 IN 1985,+ HE SAID.
/TURNING TO
'tiEDNESDKL, JULY JO, 1986
TURNING TO THE POINT RAISED BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP THAT THERE WERE 79 CONVICTIONS OF LISTED SELLERS IN 1985 FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION AND SALE OF PART I POISONS, MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT THIS NIGHT INDICATE THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AT PRESENT DEBARRED FROM DISPENSING PRESCRIPTION THERE WAS A TEMPTATION NOT TO CONFINE THEIR ACTIVITIES TO THE SAFER SUBSTANCES IN PART II OF THE POISONS LIST BUT TO DEAL ALSO IN PART I POISONS.
+IN PRACTICE, MOST PATIENTS RECEIVE THEIR MEDICINE DIRECTLY FROM HOSPITALS, CLINICS AND PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITlONERS’ SURGERIES, IN ADDITION TO THE 169 AUTHORISED SELLERS,+ HE SAID.
+THERE IS THUS AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF OUTLETS ALREADY. IT IS THEREFORE EXPECTED THAT ANY INCONVENIENCE RESULTING FROM THIS PROVISION WOULD BE MINIMAL,* HE ADDED.
MR SHIPMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE INTENTION OF THE EXISTING PROVISION WAS TO PREVENT A REGISTERED PHARMACIST FROM WORKING FOR MORE THAN ONE AUTHORISED SELLER.
IN ADDITION, EACH AUTHORISED SELLER WAS REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THE HOURS DURING WHICH A REGISTERED PHARMACIST WAS IN ATTENDANCE SO AS TO ENABLE CUSTOMERS TO CALL IN AT THE RIGHT TIME, HE ADDED.
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LAW TO CONTROL SALE OF DRUGS WELCOMED X X X X *
THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, WHICH SERVES TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER THE SALE OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS FOR THE SAFETY AND BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC WAS PASSED INTO LAW TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL AS CONVENOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP WHICH STUDIED THE BILL, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY THE MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PROFESSION.
SHE EXPLAINED IN DETAIL THE CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS THAT EXISTED IN LEGISLATION BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION.
SHE SAID LISTED SELLERS HAD BEEN MAKING USE OF THE LOOPHOLES AND THIS HAD BEEN DEMONSTRATED FROM THE BREAKDOWN OF STATISTICS ON THE PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION.
/The four .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
- 37 -
THE FOUR AMENDMENTS INTRODUCED BY THE BILL WERE!
* TO FORBID LISTED SELLERS OF POISON TO DISPENSE DOCTOR’S PRESCRIPTION ALTOGETHER SO AS TO REDUCE SUCH PROVEN TEMPTATION TO SELL DRUGS ON THE POISONS LIST ILLEGALLY AND TO PLUG ANY LOOPHOLES TO THE SAME EFFECT?
K TO IDENTIFY FOR THE PUBLIC +AUTHORISED SELLERS* WHICH ENGAGED PHARMACISTS AND COULD BE BY LAW DISPENSE ANY DRUGS PRESCRIBED BY DOCTORS, BY ALLOWING SUCH SELLERS TO DISPLY A SPECIFIC LOGO;
* TO WIDEN THE POWER OF FORFEITURE TO INCLUDE UNREGISTERED PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS NOT CONTAINING POISONS- AND
M TO ALLOW THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD TO REJECT APPLICATIONS OR LICENCE IF THE SUITABILITY OF THE PERSONS AND PREMISES WERE OPEN TO QUESTION FROM PREVIOUS CONVICTION OR FOR OTHER REASONS, WHILE LEAVING THE UNSCRUPULUOUS PHARMACISTS WHO HAD COMMITTED OFFENCES SUBJECT TO INTERNAL DISCIPLINE BY THE BOARD.
DR IP SAID THAT, AFTER THOROUGH DISCUSSION, THE AD HOC GROUP WAS SATISIFIED WITH THE REPLIES FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ON POSSIBLE CRITICISMS ON THE BILL, OR THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF BUSINESS OF LISTED SELLERS WHEN THE PUBLIC WOULD IN FUTURE TURN TO AUTHORISED SELLERS TO DISPENSE THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS.
IN ADDITION, SHE SAID SHE AGREED WITH THE ESSENCE OF THE BILL THAT IN TIGHTENING CONTROL ON THE SALES OF DRUGS, THE PUBLIC WERE ENCOURAGED TO PURCHASE DRUGS FROM AUTHORISED SELLERS WHO ENGAGED PHARMACISTS.
+THE TRAINING AND PROFESSIONALISM OF PHARMACISTS IS A GUARANTEE THAT PRESCRIPTIONS DISPENSED WOULD BE ACCURATE AND SAFE INSOFAR AS THE TYPE, BRAND, DOSAGE AND LIFE OF THE DRUGS ARE CONCERNED.
+THEIR EXPERT ADVICE WOULD BE INVALUABLE TO THOSE WHO INCLINE TOWARDS SELF-MEDICATION AND RISK THEIR HEALTH,* SHE SAID.
DR IP ALSO STATED THAT SHE TOOK THE BILL AS ONE OF THE MANY TO COME AIMED AT IMPROVING CONSUMER PROTECTIONS THROUGH LEGISLATION.
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/38........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
58
HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ESSENTIAL
* * * *
HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR CONVEYING THE BASIC BUT ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE ON PHARMACY AND POISONS SHOULD BE PLANNED AND ORGANISED TO HELP THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROPER USE OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.
THIS WAS SUGGESTED BY DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE PHARMACY AMD POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
USING STATUTORY LOGO FOR AUTHORISED SELLERS OF POISONS WAS A DEVICE FOR PUBLIC INTERESTS, HE SAID, BUT THE PURPOSE WOULD NEVER BE FULFILLED UNLESS THE GENERAL PUBLIC WERE EQUIPPED WITH BASIC MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE.
+IT IS NOT UNCOMMON THAT MANY PEOPLE STILL HAVE DIFFICULTY IN DISTINGUISHING ’LISTED’ AND ’AUTHORISED’ SELLERS OF POISONS AS WELL AS ’PART I’ AND 'PART II’ POISONS ETC,+ DR CHIU SAID.
HE THEREFORE CALLED ON THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT TO ORGANISE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES TO ENHANCE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PUBLIC ON THE PROPER USE OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.
DR CHIU ALSO SAID THAT PERFECT ORDINANCES WOULD NOT BE ANYTHING BUT COSMETICS IF AN EFFECTIVE MONITOR SYSTEM WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
DESCRIBING THE BILL AS A TIMELY MOVE TO TIGHTEN THE CONTROL OF SALE OF POISONS AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, HE SAID IT WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT AT A TIME WHEN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF THE POPULATION, FOR VARIOUS REASONS, TENDED TO UNDERTAKE SELF-MEDICATION FOR MINOR HEALTH PROBLEMS.
THE BILL, IF ENDORSED, WOULD PROHIBIT LISTED SELLERS OF POISONS FROM DISPENSING PRESCRIPTION AND DETER PEOPLE WITHOUT PROPER PHARMACOLOGICAL TRAINING TO DISPENSE, DR CHIU SAID.
AS TO THE PROVISION OF THE BILL WHICH EMPOWERED THE PHARMACY AND POSIONS BOARD TO REJECT APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION, DR CHIU SAID THIS WOULD NOT ONLY ENABLE THE BOARD TO USE ITS DISCRETION AND FLEXIBILITY IN SCREENING APPLICATIONS BUT ALSO ENABLE IT TO DISQUALIFY THOSE DE-REGISTERED SELLERS WHO RE-APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION UNDER A NEW NAME.
+FURTHERMORE, THE SUGGESTED AMENDMENT CONDITIONALLY EXEMPTING REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF RECORDING THE SUPPLY AND DISPENSING OF MEDICINES IN A SEPARATE BOOK WILL BE WARMLY WELCOMED BY PRACTISING MEDICAL PERSONNEL BECAUSE IT ELIMINATES THE DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS IN KEEPING RECORDS,+ HE SAID.
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/59........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
39
NEW DRUGS LAW CAUSES INCONVENIENCE TO PUBLIC
*****
THE PASSAGE 0- THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 MIGHT CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC, DR THE HON CONRAD LAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL, HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE ADVANTAGES OF THE BILL TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE OUT-WEIGHED ANY DISADVANTAGES, IT MIGHT CREATE A FALSE IMPRESSION ON THE PUBLIC.
♦THE BILL MAY GIVE RISE TO AN EMBARRASSMENT TO DOCTORS IN THAT WHILE A LISTED SELLER OF POISON CANNOT DISPENSE A NON-POISON MEDICINE BY PRESCRIPTION, IT MAY SELL THE SAME MEDICINE TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION.
+THIS MAY CREATE A FALSE IMPRESSION TO THE PUBLIC THAT IT MAY BE MORE CONVENIENT TO DO WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION,+ HE SAID.
MOREOVER, DR LAM SAID, THERE WERE AT PRESENT ONLY 569 REGISTERED PHARMACIST IN HONG KONG, AND URGED THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF REGISTERED PHARMACISTS, AFTER THE LAW WAS ENACTED..
+AFTER THE PASSING OF THE BILL, ONLY 167 STORES, AS AUTHORISED SELLER OF POISONS, WILL BE ABLE TO SELL PART I POISON IN THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG.
♦WHILE AN AUTHORISED SELLER OF POISONS IS REQUIRED ONLY TO ENGAGE A REGISTERED PHARMACIST TO CONDUCT THE DISPENSING OF MEDICINES FOR TWO-THIRDS OF THE TIME DURING WHICH THE SELLER OPENS FOR BUSINESS, THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE MEDICINE THEY NEED FROM AN AUTHORISED SELLER OF POISONS FOR ONE-THIRD OF THE SELLERS’ OPENING TIME.+ HE SAID.
- 0 -
EXPERIENCE MAKES UPDATING OF MTR BY-LAWS NECESSARY *****
REVISION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY BY-LAWS IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AS A RESULT (F EXPERIENCE GAINED IN OPERATING THE RAILWAY SINCE IT OPENED IN 1979, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THAT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY BY-LAWS 1986 BE APPROVED, MR GREWAL SAID THE BY-LAWS INVOLVED GENERAL UPDATING AND REFINEMENT, THOUGH THE REVISION OF PART III WAS INTENDED PARTICULARLY TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF FARE EVASION.
/HE WAS
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
LO
HE WAS REFERRING TO THE PART WHICH RELATED TO FARES AND TICKETS AND THE CONDITIONS ON WHICH TICKETS WERE ISSUED.
HE SAID: +BY-LAW 15 PROVIDES THAT A PERSON ABOVE THE AGE CF THREE YEARS IS LIABLE TO THE PAYMENT OF A SURCHARGE IF HE IS FOUND, WITHIN THE PAID AREA OF THE RAILWAY, WITHOUT A TICKET, WITH A TICKET IMPROPERLY DAMAGED, ALTERED OR INTERFERED WITH, WITH A TICKET THAT HAS EXPIERED, OR WITH A CH ILD/STUDENT TICKET WHEN HE IS NOT ENTITLED TO ONE.+
MR GREWAL OUTLINED THE OTHER PARTS OF THE REVISED BY-LAWS MADE BY THE CORPORATION ON JULY 15.
UNDER PART I WHICH PROVIDED DEFINITIONS, THE MAXIMUM SURCHARGE PAYABLE BY A PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF FARE EVASION WAS 33 TIMES THE MAXIMUM ADULT SINGLE FARE AT THE TIME THE SURCHARGE WAS TO BE PAID, HE SAID.
PART II DEALT WITH ADMISSION OF PERSONS TO RAILWAY PREMISES AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY ON THE PREMISES.
PART IV SET OUT RULES OF CONDUCT FOR PERSONS ON RAILWAY PREMISES, WITH BY-LAW 27(B) PROHIBITING THE CONSUMPTION OF FOOD OR BEVERAGES WITHIN A TRAIN OR THE PAID AREA OF THE RAILWAY.
PART V PROHIBITED HAWKING, LOITERING, BILL POSTING AND SIMILAR ACTIVITIES ON RAILWAY PREMISES WHILE PART VI PROVIDED FOR THE REMOVAL AND DETENTION OF VEHICLES LEFT WITHOUT PERMISSION ON RAILWAY PREMISES AND FOR THE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC ON THE PREMISES.
PART VII OF THE BY-LAWS PROHIBITED THE UNAUTHORISED POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS GOODS ON RAILWAY PREMISES AND PART VIII PROVIDED FOR THE RETURN OR DISPOSAL OF LOST PROPERTY.
LASTLY, PART IX EMPOWERED RAILWAY OFFICIALS TO REQUIRE PROOF CF IDENTITY FROM A PERSON SUSPECTED OF CONTRAVENING THE BY-LAWS, AND FURTHER PROVIDED FOR OFFENCES AND PENALTIES, MR GREWAL SAID.
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AMENDMENTS TO ENSURE ’MODERN’ PEAK TRAM * * * * *
thf FURTHER AMENDMENTS PROPOSED TO THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) bill ISls wISe desTISed tJ ensure that the peak tramway company KId UNDERTAKE TO MODERN! SEI THE^RAHWAY IF IT WAS TO ENJOY THE di put TO OPFRATE IT FOR A FULL 20-YEAR TERM, THE SEUKEI AKT run TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR GREWAL WAS MOVING AMENDMENTS TO THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 BEFORE ITS SECOND READING.
/+AS MY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
41
+AS MY PREDECESSOR STATED IN THIS COUNCIL WHEN HE INTRODUCED THE BILL ON DECEMBER 4 LAST, THE PACKAGE OF MEASURES CONTAINED IN THE BILL SERVES TO REFLECT THE STATUS OF THE PEAK TRAM AS A RECREATIONAL FACILITY AND TO STREAMLINE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR IT TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS A COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKING.
+RESUMPTION OF THE SECOND READING DEBATE WAS DEFERRED PENDING THE CONCLUSION OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PEAK TRAMWAY COMPANY ON THE PROVISION OF A FIRM COMMITMENT BY THE LATTER TO MODERNISE THE TRAMWAY IN RETURN FOR THE RIGHT TO OPERATE IT FOR 20 YEARS.
+THESE DISCUSSIONS HAVE NOW BEEN CONCLUDED SATISFACTORILY WITH THE PROPOSED GRANT OF A 20-YEAR RIGHT TO BE MADE IN TWO STAGES,* MR GREWAL SAID.
HE SAID THE AMENDMENT MOVED EFFECT TO THIS APPROACH.
TO CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL GAVE
UNDER THE REVISED APPROACH, THE PEAK TRAM COMPANY WOULD BE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO OPERATE THE TRAMWAY FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1984 UPON THE PAYMENT TO GOVERNMENT OF A NON-REFUNDABLE PREMIUM OF $2.79 MILLION WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE, MR GREWAL SAID.
THE PREMIUM COMPRISES A SUM OF $2.6 MILLION EARLIER AGREED UPON FOR A 20-YEAR RIGHT TO OPERATE THE TRAMWAY AND A FURTHER SUM OF $190 000 BEING INTEREST WHICH HAD ACCRUED SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL INTO THE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER 1985, HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO GRANT A FURTHER PERIOD OF 10 YEARS UPON THE COMPANY SATISFYING HIM WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE AMENDING ORDINANCE OF ITS COMMITMENT TO CARRY OUT APPROVED WORKS FOR THE MODERNISATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE TRAMWAY AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT.
NO FURTHER PREMIUM WOULD BE PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF THIS SECOND 10-YEAR PERIOD, HE ADDED.
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/42........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1936
^2
HOSPITAL EXPENSES: BILL REMOVES ONUS ON MOTOR VEHICLE INSURERS * X X *
THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR SINGLING OUT MOTOR INSURANCE COMPANIES BY REQUIRING THEM TO MEET HOSPITAL COSTS INCURRED IN TREATING TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SHIPMAN WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY R ISKS)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986. THE BILL WOULD REPEAL A PROVISION OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE REQUIRING INSURANCE COMPANIES WHENEVER THEY MAKE ANY PAYMENT UNDER A MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE POLICY TO PAY ALSO THE EXPENSES REASONABLY INCURRED BY NON-PROFIT-MAKING HOSPITALS IN TREATING PEOPLE INJURED BY THE INSURED VEHICLE.
HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1951, ARRANGEMENTS TO RECOVER HOSPITAL EXPENSES FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES WERE NOT INSTITUTED UNTIL 1978. HOWEVER, A REVIEW IN 1981 ESTABLISHED THAT THE RECOVERY RATE HAD BEEN VERY LOW AND THAT THE REVENUE RAISED FROM THE SCHEME HAD NOT MET THE COST OF ADMINISTRATION. THE SCHEME WAS THEREFORE SUSPENDED IN SEPTEMBER 1981.
+IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE SCHEME WOULD CONTINUE TO FACE ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES IF IT WERE REVIVED. THERE ARE, MOREOVER, DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER IT IS APPROPRIATE TO LEVY A CHARGE OF THIS KIND,+ HE SAID.
GENERAL WARDS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS WERE OPEN TO ALL WHO REQUIRED TREATMENT, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE CAUSE OF THEIR INJURY AND NO ATTEMPT HAD EVER BEEN MADE TO RECOVER HOSPITAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN TREATING OTHER TYPES OF VICTIM.
THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, DID NOT REQUIRE THE INSURER TO MEET THE COSTS INCURRED BY PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN TREATING INJURED EMPLOYEES. NEITHER WERE SUCH EXPENSES RECOVERED IN ASSAULT AND BATTERY CASES.
DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.
-------o----------
A3.....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 193'
- -
POWER TO VARY FEES * * *
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, PROPOSED THE ADDITION OF A NEW CLAUSE, 5A, TO THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE FOREIGN MARRIAGES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 AND THE LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, MR MATHEWS SAID THE PURPOSE OF THIS NEW CLAUSE WAS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR FUTURE CHANGES IN FEES TO BE MADE BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+GIVEN THAT NONE OF THE FEES IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE IS ABOVE $70, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE FULL LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS NEEDED FOR THEIR VARIATION,* HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS ALSO PROPOSED SIMILAR AMENDMENTS TO THE FOREIGN MARRIAGES (AMENDMENT) BILL AND THE LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL.
-------o----------
FOURTH COLLEGE AT CU WELCOME DEVELOPMENT
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION WELCOMES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FOURTH COLLEGE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (DECLARATION OF SHAW COLLEGE) BILL 1986.
BESIDES COMPLEMENTING THE THREE EXISTING CONSTITUENT COLLEGES AS THE STUDENT POPULATION OF THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUED TO GROW, SHAW COLLEGE WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A BASIS FOR THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT CF THE UNIVERSITY AND CONTRIBUTE TO MEETING THE DEMAND FOR ADDITIONAL PLACES, HE SAID.
+SIR RUN RUN SHAW, WHOSE GENEROUS DONATION MAKES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS NEW COLLEGE POSSIBLE, CAN RIGHTLY BE PROUD CF HIS CONTRIBUTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE.*
0 -
/LA
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
- 44 -
PRAISE FOR RETIRING OFFICIALS * * * * *
TWO OFFICIAL MEMBERS RETIRING FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ’./PRE PRAISED FOR THEIR WORK BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, IN A VALEDICTORY SPEECH TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, WERE TAKING PART IN A COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE LAST TIME.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT MR CHAN HAD JOINED THE COUNCIL IN 1983 BUT BEFORE THAT HE HAD SERVED FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS IN VARIOUS OFFICES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
HE HAD TAKEN PART IN THE GREAT CHANGES OF THE PAST THREE DECADES WHICH HAD TRANSFORMED HONG KONG INTO A THRIVING METROPOLIS.
+MR CHAN LEAVES THIS COUNCIL KNOWING THAT THE MAJOR REORGANISATION 0^ THE LAND AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS IS NOW IN PLACE,* SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID COMMENTED THAT MR HENDERSON HAD SERVED THE GOVERNMENT FOR MORE THAN 24 YEARS AND THE COUNCIL FOR EIGHT YEARS, AND HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN ENGINEERING OF ANOTHER KIND - SOCIAL ENGINEERING.
HE HAD WORKED IN MANY BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, BUT FOR MUCH OF THE LAST 13 YEARS HE HAD BEEN PURSUING ADMINISTRATIVE AND STATUTORY MEASURES WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN A PROFOUND EFFECT UPON THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE WORKFORCE.
HIS CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER HAD BEEN NO LESS SIGNIFICANT.
SIR DAVID ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO MR HENDERSON’S EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE DISABLED.
-----o------
OUTGOING SECRETARIES PRAISED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
*****
TRIBUTE WAS PAID TODAV (WEDNESDAY) BY THE HON S.L. CHEN TO THE' <'ONTR | BUT I ON AND SERVICE OF TWO OUTGOING MEMBERS, THE IfcrFTARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON CHAN NAI-KEONG, AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON.
iki uic uAicnirTORY SPEECH ON BEHALF OF OTHER COUNCILLORS, CHEN JIaI S^PL^ED An’.NPORTANT ROLE IN LAYING THE
GROUNDWORK ON WHICH HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY WAS BASED.
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
NOTING THAT HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED WITHOUT CAREFUL LONG-TERM PLANNING, MR CHEN SAID THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH HAD COMPILED +AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT PROVIDING A PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR GROWTH WHICH WOULD TAKE US INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND*.
+THE LEADERSHIP PROVIDED BY MR CHAN IN THIS COMPLEX AND CAREFUL EXERCISE HAS BEEN MOST VALUABLE,* HE ADDED.
MR CHEN ALSO PRAISED MR HENDERSON FOR HIS DEDICATION IN THE MANY ASPECTS OF LABOUR LEGISLATION SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT AS COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
MR HENDERSON’S GOOD WORK IN THIS AREA, HE SAID, WAS EVIDENT AGAIN DURING HIS TENURE AS SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MAKING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO LEGISLATION ON EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED.
FINALLY, MR CHEN SAID THE TWO MEMBERS WERE EACH GOING THEIR SEPARATE WAYS AFTER LEAVING THIS COUNCIL AND WISHED THEM EVERY SUCCESS.
- 0 -
TEN BILLS PASSED * * * *
NINE BILLS AND ONE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILL WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE NINE PASSED BILLS WERE: THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1985-86) BILL 1986, THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1936, THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS BILL 1986, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILL WAS THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (DECLARATION OF SHAW COLLEGE) BILL 1986.
ONE BILL, THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, WAS INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME. DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1936
46
REINFORCED SAFETY LEGISLATION SET FOR NEXT SESSION * * * *
NEW LEGISLATION TO REINFORCE THE EXISTING SAFETY LEGISLATION BY THE ENACTMENT OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS) REGULATIONS 1986, WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY IN THE NEXT SESSION FOR APPROVAL.
THE REGULATIONS, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE CONTRACTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO EMPLOY SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS, SHOULD RESULT IN IMPROVED SAFETY PLANNING AND A SAFER SYSTEM OF WORK ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WOULD ALSO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE ACCIDENTS OF THIS KIND, HE ADDED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, MR HENDERSON SAID THERE WAS ALREADY SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO LAY DOWN SAFETY STANDARDS FOR WORKERS EMPLOYED IN CAISSON WORK.
♦THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CONFINED SPACES) REGULATION REQUIRE A CONTRACTOR EITHER TO ENSURE THAT A CAISSON IS FREE OF DANGEROUS .FUMES OR, WHERE THIS IS NOT DONE OR CANNOT BE DONE, NOT TO PERMIT A WORKER TO ENTER THE CAISSON WITHOUT ADEQUATE BREATHING APPARATUS,* HE SAID.
+THE WORKER MUST ALSO BE ROPED TO ENABLE HIM TO BE PULLED TO SAFETY, IF NECESSARY, AND REVIVAL APPARATUS MUST BE ON HAND.*
MR HENDERSON SAID LEGISLATION WAS OF COURSE NOT ADEQUATE BY ITSELF TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS UNLESS ITS PURPOSE WAS UNDERSTOOD AND ITS PROVISIONS WERE ENFORCED.
+THE GOVERNMENT HAS THEREFORE PLACED GREAT EMPHASIS ON CONSTRUCTION SAFETY IN ITS ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AND IN ITS PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.*
HE SAID IN MARCH THIS YEAR, THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT A SPECIAL INSPECTION PROGRAMME CF 35 CONSTRUCTION SITES WITH POOR RECORDS OF SAFETY IN ADDITION TO ITS NORMAL INSPECTION PROGRAMMES.
BREACHES OF VARIOUS REGULATIONS WERE FOUND AND 32 PROSECUTIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT AGAINST CONTRACTORS CONCERNED.
/+IN MAY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
4?
+/ MAY 1936, THE CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SUF-COMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ESTABLISHED A WORKING PARTY ON SAFETY AND HEALTH IN CAISSON WORK WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, TO STUDY IN DETAIL THE SAFETY HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH CAISSON WORK AND TO CONSIDER WHETHER THERE IS SCOPE FOR FURTHER SAFETY MEASURES,+ MR HENDERSON SAID.
+THIS TRIPARTITE APPROACH IS, I THINK, A PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE WAY OF DEALING WITH SAFETY PROBLEMS OF THIS KIND, WHICH CONCERN GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, AND SHOULD DO MUCH TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM.+
AS FAR AS PUBLICITY WAS CONCERNED, HE SAID, INCREASED EMPHASIS HAD BEEN GIVEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JULY TO MEDIA PUBLICITY ON SAFETY IN CAISSON WORK, INCLUDING PRESS RELEASES, RADIO INTERVIEWS AND TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS.
CONCERNING THE ACCIDENT ON JULY 5 IN WHICH THREE WORKERS TRAGICALLY DIED WHILE CARRYING OUT CAISSON WORK, MR HENDERSON SAID, THE INVESTIGATION HAD NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEIR DEATHS HAD NOT YET DEFINITELY BEEN ESTABLISHED.
+THE FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION WILL HOWEVER BE CAREFULLY STUDIED WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE IN CASE THERE ARE NEW LESSONS TO BE LEARNED.*
+AS THIS WAS A FATAL ACCIDENT, AN INQUEST WILL ALSO BE FELD IN DUE COURSE.*
-------0----------
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED TO RULES FOR SOLICITORS
*****
THE COUNCIL OF THE LAW SOCIETY HAS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLICITORS’ PRACTICE RULES TO PROVIDE FOR SEPARATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN CONVEYANCING TRANSACTIONS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE DRAFT AMENDING RULES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE FOR HIS APPROVAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE.
/IN REPLY
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
IN RFPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM, MR MATHEWS SAID THE RULES, WHEN MADE, WOULD PROVIDE THAT A SOLICITOR, OR TWO OR MORE SOLICITORS PRACTISING IN PARTNERSHIP OR ASSOCIATION, SHOULD NOT ACT FOR BOTH THE VENDOR AND PURCHASER ON A SALE OR disposition OF LAND FOR VALUE.
HE ADDED: +THE RULES CONTAIN CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS. THESE ARE: TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN DEFINED ASSOCIATED PARTIES WHERE THE PRICE OF THE LAND DOES NOT EXCEED S25O 000 AND NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS APPARENT- FIRST SALE AND PURCHASE OF UNITS IN UNCOMPLETED OR COMPLETED DEVELOPMENTS’ MORTGAGES OF LAND’ AND LEASES OF
LAND.*
MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT THE RULES ALSO PROVIDED THAT WHERE PARTIES TO A CONVEYANCING TRANSACTION WERE SEPARATELY REPRESENTED, EACH PARTY SHOULD PAY HIS OWN SOLICITOR’S COSTS AND A SOLICITOR ACTING FOR ONE PARTY SHOULD NOT CHARGE OR RECOVER HIS COSTS FROM ANY OTHER PARTY.
EARLY STEPS TAKEN TO PREVENT SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS * * * * *
THE MAIN THRUST OF EFFORTS TO PREVENT SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE LIES IN EARLY DETECTION AND PROVISION OF APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE TREATMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+T0 THIS END, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS A COMBINED SCREENING PROGRAMME ANNUALLY AMONG PRIMARY ONE PUPILS TO DETECT ANY VISUAL, HEARING OR SPEECH IMPEDIMENTS,* MR SHIPMAN SAID IN REPLY TO THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
+STUDENTS WHO ARE FOUND TO HAVE VISUAL DEFECTS ARE REFERRED TO SPECIALIST CLINICS FOR ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIAL ACTION.*
MR SHIPMAN EXPLAINED THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WORE SPECTACLES BECAUSE MYOPIA AMONG ASIANS WAS STRONGLY HEREDITARY AND GENETIC IN ORIGIN, AND THIS HIGH PERCENTAGE APPLIED NOT ONLY TO HONG KONG BUT ALSO TO JAPAN, CHINA AND SINGAPORE.
HE SAID OUT OF 86 400 PRIMARY ONE PUPILS WHO WERE SCREENED IN 1934-85 TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE EYESIGHT PROBLEMS, 6 300 WERE REFERRED TO SPECIALIST CLINICS.
/health education
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- ^9
HEALTH EDUCATION ON GENERAL EYE CARE WAS CARRIED OUT ON A REGULAR -ASIS IN SCHOOLS, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
IN ADDITION, MR SHIPMAN SAID, THE HEALTH EDUCATION SYLLABUS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS INCLUDED A STUDY OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE EYES AND THEIR CARE.
+PUPILS ARE MADE AWARE OF SUITABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS FOR WORK, OF THE SUITABLE DISTANCE OF TEXTBOOKS FROM THE EYES, AND OF PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN WATCHING TELEVISION.+
HE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION HAD ISSUED A CIRCULAR TO HEADS OF SCHOOLS IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR WHICH PROVIDED DETAILED ADVICE ON WAYS OF ENSURING THAT PUPILS WERE NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY UNDUE EYESTRAIN.
+THIS CIRCULAR STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER LIGHTING BOTH IN SCHOOL AND AT HOME AND GIVES ADVICE ON THE TYPE AND SIZE OF PRINT TO BE USED IN TEXTBOOKS, ON THE PREVENTION OF EYE ACCIDENTS AND ON PERSONAL HYGIENE.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE LIGHT IN SCHOOLS AND THE USE OF TEXTBOOKS WITH PRINT OF A SUITABLE TYPE AND SIZE WERE ALSO STIPULATED IN THE EDUCATION REGULATIONS.
- 0 ---------
FINANCING OF SAFETY COUNCIL UNDER STUDY
* * * *
METHODS FOR COLLECTING A LEVY FOR FINANCING AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL ARE BEING EXPLORED BY THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION SET UP UNDER THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN, WHO HAD ASKED ABOUT PROGRESS MADE IN ESTABLISHING SUCH A COUNCIL.
MR HENDERSON SAID THAT WHEN THE METHOD OF COLLECTING THE PROPOSED LEVY AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES WERE RESOLVED, HE EXPECTED THAT THE COMMITTEE WOULD PRESENT ITS VIEWS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR, WHO WOULD CONSULT THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS BEFORE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION.
/HE EAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 50 -
HE SAID A WORKING PARTY SET UP BY THE COMMITTEE HAD SUBMITTED ITS REPORT IN JULY LAST YEAR, AND PROPOSED THAT A STATUTORY OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL BE FORMED. IT WOULD COMPRISE REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND A NUMBER OF PUBLIC OFFICERS.
IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD PROVIDE SERVICES AT A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL TO BOTH THE INDUSTRIAL AND NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTORS’ AND DEVELOP A FULL RANGE OF ACTIVITIES IN TRAINING AND EDUCATION, PROMOTION, INFORMATION AND CONSULTANCY IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY AN EXECUTIVE ARM HEADED BY AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND THAT IT SHOULD BE FINANCED BY A LEVY.
THE COMMITTEE HAD ENDORSED THE WORKING PARTY’S RECOMMENDATIONS IN GENERAL TERMS IN OCTOBER, AND MADE A NUMBER OF SUGGESTIONS, ONE OF WHICH CONCERNED THE FINANCING OF THE COUNCIL.
+MEMBERS AGREED THAT SINCE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WERE EMPLOYMENT-RELATED, THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE FINANCED BY A LEVY ON EMPLOYERS,* HE SAID.
--------0 ---------
AVOIDING ATTACK SITUATIONS THE BEST ANTI-RAPE MEASURE
*****
THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURE IN COMBATING THE CRIME OF RAPE AND INDECENT ASSAULT RESTS WITH POTENTIAL VICTIMS IN AVOIDING SITUATIONS WHERE ATTACKS ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN, MR MATHEWS SAID THE POLICE WOULD CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE REPORTED ASSAULTS WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING THE PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PARENTS MUST HAVE A ROLE HERE, IN ENDEAVOURING TO INSTIL IN CHILDREN AN APPRECIATION OF THE DANGERS.
/+A MORE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 51 -
+A MORE ENLIGHTENED VIEW OF HUMAN SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS PROPERLY EXPRESSED BY PARENTS AND TEACHERS MIGHT ALSO HELP TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF THESE CRIMES AND THIS IS SOMETHING THE GOVERNMENT w ILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS,+ HE SAID.
+ONE OPTION WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE TO US IS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES,* HE ADDED.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR RAPE WAS LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND THAT FOR INDECENT ASSAULT WAS ALREADY FIVE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT, HE SAID.
+ IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO MAKE EITHER OF THESE PENALTIES MORE SEVERE.*
MR MATHEWS SAID THE NUMBER OF RAPE CASES OF UNDER 16 YEARS OLD IN 1984 WAS 22, IN 1985 IT WAS 25 AND FROM JANUARY TO JUNE THIS YEAR WAS 20, WHILE THAT OF INDECENT ASSAULT WAS 277, 307 AND 156 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS.
HE SAID THAT STATISTICS SHOWED THAT THIS TYPE OF CRIME WAS RUNNING AT A STABLE LEVEL.
ONE WORRYING ASPECT, HE SAID, WAS THAT THE NUMBER OF RAPES OF UNDER 16-YEAR-OLDS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, AT 3.1 PER 100 000, WAS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN IT WAS IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS 1.7 PER 100 000.
THE FIGURE FOR THE CURRENT YEAR WAS NEARLY AS HIGH AS FOR EACH OF THE PREVIOUS THREE FULL YEARS, HE SAID.
+WE HAVE NO REASON TO SUPPOSE THIS INDICATES THE START OF A SIGNIFICANT TREND BUT WE WILL BE WATCHING THE SITUATION CLOSELY.*
MR MATHEWS SAID THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE CRIME OF RAPE BEING CONTAINED IN HONG KONG BUT AS FAR AS COULD BE ASCERTAINED FROM INTER-CITY AND INTER-COUNTRY COMPARISONS, IT WAS BEING CONTAINED AT A RELATIVELY LOW LEVEL.
THE DETECTION RATE ALSO COMPARED NOT UNFAVOURABLY WITH THAT IN OTHER CITIES, HE SAID.
IN 1984, THE DETECTION RATES IN CASES OF FORCIBLE RAPE WAS 52.9 PER CENT IN HONG KONG, 81.1 PER CENT IN TOKYO, 54.2 IN LONDON AND 14.0 IN KUALA LUMPUR.
MR MATHEWS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT FOR TECHNICAL REASONS, HONG KONG’S STATISTICS TENDED TO UNDERSTATE THE DETECTION RATES.
-----0------
/52........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
52
DRAFT BILL PREPARED FOR CURBING PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS
*****
PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN DRAFT LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN CONTROLS OVER PORNOGRAPHIC ARTICLES ENVISAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JUDICIAL PROCESS WITH COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR LIAO SAID: +UPON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE OF MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN THE CONTROLS OVER PORNOGRAPHIC ARTICLES IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS COMPLETED DRAFTING WORK ON A NEW BILL.+
+THE NEXT STEP IS TO FURTHER CONSULT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE AND, SUBJECT TO ITS ADVICE, A DRAFT BILL WILL BE PUBLISHED.+
+ THE PROPOSALS ENVISAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JUDICIAL PROCESS, INVOLVING LAY PERSONS, TO CLASSIFY INTO CATEGORIES ARTICLES SUBMITTED.+
MR LIAO NOTED THAT BOTH THE PUBLISHER AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A SPEEDY CLASSIFICATION WITH THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATING IN THE SIFTING PROCESS.
+THESE MEASURES SHOULD MEET MUCH OF THE COMMUNITY’S CONCERN THAT THERE SHOULD BE CONTROL OF THE PUBLICATION OF PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS,+ HE SA ID.
+DETAILS OF THE DRAFT LEGISLATION MUST, HOWEVER, AWAIT THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.+
-----0------
COMPLEX ISSUES ARISE FROM NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS
*****
BEFORE FROM
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NEED A GREAT DEAL MORE INFORMATION COMING TO ANY FIRM CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING QUESTIONS ARISING THE INCREASING TREND IN NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS AGAINST PROFESS IQNALS. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI, MR MATHEWS SAID THE ISSUES WERE COMPLEX AND IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO EXAMINE THE POSITION OF THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONS SEPARATELY.
/MR L£E........
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
VQ _EE HAD ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER REVIEWING POLICY SO AS TO ALLOW PROFESSIONALS IN HONG KONG TO PRACTISE IN THE FORM OF INCORPORATIONS WITH LIMITED LIABILITY.
+THERE IS VERY LITTLE I CAN USEFULLY SAY IN RESPONSE TO LEE’S QUESTION, EXCEPT PERHAPS TO ISSUE A NOTE OF WARNING,* MR MATHEWS SAID.
+THE PROBLEMS IS NOT ONE WHICH AFFECTS HONG KONG ALONE. IT IS VERY MUCH AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM.*
+SO FAR AS I AM AWARE, NO OTHER MAJOR COMMON LAW JURISDICTION -THAT IS, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, HAS YET FOUND AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION.*
MR MATHEWS SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A JOINT SUBMISSION ON THE MATTER FROM AN AD HOC COMMITTEE REPRESENTING VARIOUS PROFESSIONS, INCLUDING ACCOUNTANTS AND LAWYERS.
THE COMMITTEE HAD DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT NEGLIGENCE ACTIONS HAD, IN RECENT YEARS, INCREASED BOTH IN NUMBER AND VALUE. AS A RESULT, SOME PROFESSIONS WERE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE AT REASONABLE COST.
+l EXPECT TO MEET THE COMMITTEE VERY SHORTLY TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM,* HE ADDED.
- 0 - -
CONTROLS ON DOMESTIC INSECTICIDES PLANNED
*****
NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR CONTROLS ON DOMESTIC INSECTICIDES IS BEING PREPARED, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REGULATIONS WOULD ALSO BE PROPOSED SHORTLY TO CONTROL THE DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE, INCLUDING WASTE INSECTICIDES SUCH AS DAMAGED OR REDUNDANT STOCK, HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THERE WAS NEED FOR CONTROLS TO BE INTRODUCED IN THIS AREA.
/+THERE IS
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- JL -
+THERE IS AT PRESENT NO LEGISLATION WHICH DEALS SPECIFICALLY WITH DOMESTIC INSECTICIDES,* HE SAID.
+HOWEVER, THE INGREDIENTS OF SOME SUCH INSECTICIDES ARE INCLUDED IN THE POISONS LIST MADE UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE AND IN THESE CASES THE PESTICIDES ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROLS IN RESPECT OF STORAGE, TRANSPORT, SALE, LABELLING AND BOTTLING.*
HE SAID THAT DOMESTIC INSECTICIDES COMPRISED DIVERSE GROUPS
OF COMPOUND OF VARYING DEGREES OF TOXICITY, AND THE TOXICITY OF AN INSECTICIDE VARIED WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INGREDIENTS, THEIR RESPECTIVE CONCENTRATION IN THE PRODUCT, THE MODE OF APPLICATION AND THE ACTUAL QUANTITY USED.
+IN GENERAL, IF DOMESTIC INSECTICIDES ARE USED PROPERLY THE HEALTH RISK SHOULD BE NEGLIGIBLE. HOWEVER, IMPROPER OR INDISCRIMINATE USE MAY LEAD TO HARMFUL EFFECTS,* HE SAID.
+THE NORMAL USE OF DOMESTIC INSECTICIDES IS UNLIKELY TO LEAD TO CONTAMINATION OF THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT.*
+HOWEVER, INDISCRIMINATE DISPOSAL OF LARGE QUANTITIES COULD LEAD TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION.*
0 --------
CENTRES HELPING EX-MENTAL PATIENTS RE-INTEGRATE
*****
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IN ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY THERAPEUTIC CENTRES IS TO HELP EX-MENTAL PATIENTS TO RE-INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON LIU LIT-FOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HENDERSON SAID SINCE THE CENTRES THEMSELVES WERE RESIDENTIAL THEY HAD TO BE CLOSE TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
HE SAID THE IDENTIFICATION OF SITES FOR THE CENTRES HAD TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION SEVERAL FACTORS.
+FIRSTLY, THE SITE HAS TO BE IN A LOCATION ADJACENT TO AN ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL AREA. THIS IS NECESSARY TO SERVE THE PURPOSES OF RE-INTEGRATION AND THERAPY THROUGH CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
+SECONDLY, WE NEED SITES WHICH ARE READILY AVAILABLE BECAUSE CF THE URGENT DEMANDS FOR THE SERVICE.
/+THIRDLY, .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 55 -
♦THIRDLY, THE SITE SHOULD BE CLOSE TO A PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE OR CLINIC WHICH CAN PROVIDE SUPPORTING SERVICES.*
LASTLY, THE BUILDING ON THE SITE HAD TO BE EITHER PURPOSE-BUILT OR AN EXISTING INDEPENDENT BUILDING WHICH COULD BE CONVERTED EASILY INTO SUITABLE HOSTEL-TYPE ACCOMMODATION WHICH ALLOWED EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION WHILE THE CLIENT UNDERWENT HIS OWN INDIVIDUAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES, HE ADDED.
MR HENDERSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TWO COMMUNITY THERAPEUTIC CENTRES UNDER PLANNING, ONE IN KENNEDY TOWN AND THE OTHER IN KWAI CHUNG, AND THESE WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE ESTIMATED DEMAND FOR THE SERVICE.
+BOTH OF THESE CENTRES WILL BE INDEPENDENT BLOCKS SEPARATED BY A ROAD FROM OTHER RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION,* HE SAID.
MR HENDERSON STRESSED THAT CLIENTS OF THE CENTRES MUST BE STABLE BEFORE THEY WERE DISCHARGED, ON PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, FROM MENTAL HOSPITALS INTO THE CENTRES, AND THEY WOULD BE UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION AND CARE AS PREPARATION FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING AND REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY.
+SO WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEIR PRESENCE SHOULD HAVE AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON NEARBY RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.
-----o------
TYPHOON MEASURES ARRANGED WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS
*****
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS WHEREBY BUSES WILL CONTINUE TO RUN FOR AT LEAST THREE HOURS AND TRAINS FOR AT LEAST SIX HOURS AFTER TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8 IS HOISTED, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG, MR GREWAL SAID THAT SUCH SERVICE EXTENSIONS, WHICH WERE PART OF THE MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS DURING TYPHOONS, WOULD NOT APPLY TO FERRY SERVICES, NOR IF NO. 9 OR A HIGHER SIGNAL WAS HOISTED.
MR GREWAL SAID DIRECT COMMUNICATION LINKS WOULD BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS ONCE TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 3 WAS UP, AND THE LATTER WOULD BE POSTED AT REGULAR INTERVALS ON THE POSSIBILITY OF TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8 BEING HOISTED.
/♦WITH THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 56 -
+WITH THE BENEFIT OF SUCH ADVICE THE OPERATORS WILL BE BETTER PLACED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CARRYING CAPACITY IN AREAS WHERE MAJOR DEMAND CAN BE EXPECTED, THUS IN THE CASE OF THE MTRC INCREASING STATION THROUGHPUT AND REDUCING THE NEED TO REGULATE ADMISSION OF INTENDING PASSENGERS THROUGH PERIODIC CLOSURE OF STATION ENTRANCES,+ HE SAID.
MR GREWAL RECALLED THAT WITHIN THE FIRST 30 MINUTES OF SIGNAL NO 8 BEING HOISTED DURING TYPHOON PEGGY, SOME MTR STATIONS WERE SUBJECTED TO DEMAND FROM INTENDING PASSENGERS WHICH WOULD NORMALLY BE HANDLED OVER A PERIOD OF TWO HOURS OR MORE.
0
*
KM**
BAN ON CHILDREN’S ASPIRIN ’UNNECESSARY’
THE PHARMACEUTICAL REGISTRATION COMMITTEE HAD CONSIDERED THAT A BAN ON CHILDREN’S ASPIRIN WOULD BE UNNECESSARY AS NO DEFINITE LINK BETWEEN THE DRUG AND REYE’S SYNDROME HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED UP TO THE PRESENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOv. IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SHIPMAN SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE EVIDENCE AND REPORTS FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN ITS DELIBERATIONS.
+l AM NOT AWARE OF ANY COUNTRY WHICH HAS BANNED THE SALE OF JUNIOR ASPIRIN PRODUCTS AND, MOREOVER, ASPIRIN REMAINS A SUITABLE DRUG FOR ADULTS,+ HE SAID.
THERE WERE NO CHILDREN’S DEATHS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE USE OF ASP IT IN, HE ADDED.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE PHARMACEUTICAL REGISTRATION COMMITTEE, HAVING RECEIVED RESULTS OF A STUDY WHICH LED TO VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL OF THE DRUG IN UK, HAD DECIDED ON JULY 16 THAT WHILE THE CAUSES OF REYE’S SYNDROME WERE NOT CLEARLY DEFINED, ASPIRIN MIGHT BE A CONTRIBUTORY CAUSE OF THE DISEASE IN SOME CHILDREN.
THIS CONCLUSION, ALONG WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO REQUEST THE VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL OF THE DRUG FROM THE MARKET, WERE ACCEPTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.
/THE MEDICAL
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 5? -
TrE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IN ANNOUNCING THE WITHDRAWAL REQUEST ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTAINERS OF ALL ASPIRIN feoDUCTS SHOULD BE LABELLED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WITH A WARN ING THAT THESE PRODUCTS SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS EXCEPT ON MEDICAL ADVICE, AND ON OTHER PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN.
INFORMATION ABOUT A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN REYE’S SYNDROME AND THE USE OF ASPIRIN BY CHILDREN WAS GIVEN IN A WORLD HEALTH SgANISATION NOTIFICATION IN LATE 1985, AFTER WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN MONITORING REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND REVIEW THE NEED FOR FURTHER MEASURES IN SIX MONTHS’ TIME.
-------o----------
HOSPITAL TEACHING FACILITIES ADEQUATE FOR FACULTY
X X X * *
THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL ARE ADEQUATE TO MEET THE TEACHING NEEDS OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE FACULTY WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED, AT THE HOSPITAL PLANNING STAGE, IN IDENTIFYING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUIPMENT, STAFFING AND OTHER FACILITIES REQUIRED FOR TEACHING PURPOSES.
MR SHIPMAN SAID A JOINT LIAISON COMMITTEE COMPRISING SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE FACULTY, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1985, WOULD ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR TEACHING PURPOSES WERE MAINTAINED.
-------o---------
DB’S HAVE APPROPRIATE URBAN MANAGEMENT ROLE
X X X X
THE PRESENT ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN URBAN MANAGEMENT IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE HAVING REGARD TO THEIR ADVISORY FUNCTION IN MANAGING DISTRICT AFFAIRS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
♦ THE ROLE IS ESSENTIALLY INDIRECT AND CONFINED TO TENDERING ADVICE, BUT THIS MATTER WILL BE KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW SO AS TO IDENTIFY FURTHER SCOPE FOR INVOLVING THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN URBAN MANAGEMENT,+ MR LIAO TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/IN A........
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION SY THE HON LIU LIT-FOR, MR LIAO SAID THE URBAN MANAGEMENT ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS HAD REEN EXERCISED THROUGH THE ADVICE THEY GAVE TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR GENERAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROCESS OF DECISION-MAKING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
+IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES AND PROPOSED PROJECTS AFFECTING THE DISTRICTS ARE NORMALLY SUBMITTED TO THE BOARDS FOR ADVICE AND COMMENT,* HE SAID.
+THESE INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR NEW TOWNS, SOCIAL SERVICE AND EDUCATION FACILITIES, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES, CLEARANCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND THE BUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.*
ONE MORE RECENT DEVELOPMENT HAD BEEN TRE ACTIVE ROLE PLAYED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN IDENTIFYING TARGET BUILDINGS FOR THE PROVISION OF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE BY THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAMS WHICH WERE NOW IN OPERATION IN FOUR DISTRICTS, MR LIAO SAID.
+l AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE MEW TERRITORIES HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SELECT MEMBERS TO SIT ON THE DISTRICT COMMITTEES SET UP UNDER THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND ARE ABLE TO PLAY A GREATER PART IN DECISIONS REGARDING THE PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.*
+IT IS, HOWEVER, TOO EARLY TO ASSESS HOW SUCCESSFUL THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE, BUT THE FACT THAT THE DISTRICT COMMITTEES ARE CHAIRED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS’ REPRESENTATIVES ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IS AN ENCOURAGING START,*
-----o------
PSYCHOLOGISTS ATTACHED TO FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES
*****
ATTACHED TO SOME FAMILY SERVICE
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE
CENTRES AND THEY ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE REHABILITATION, ELDERLY AND CHILD CARE COUNSELLING SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR SHIPMAN SAID THE ROLE AND DEMAND FOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS TO SUPPORT COUNSELLING SERVICES WAS IDENTIFIED IN 1984, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A WORKING GROUP WITH MEMBERSHIP FROM BOTH THc GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR.
/THE WORKING .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 59 -
THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED A PLANNING RATIO OF ONE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST TO 1 356 COUNSELLING CASES, AND THIS WAS ENDORSED BY THE 1985 FIVE YEAR PLAN REVIEW AS AN INTERIM TARGET,
ON THE BASIS OF CURRENT CASELOAD IT wOULD BE NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS FROM TEN TO 21 IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE INTERIM TARGET, HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN ADDED THAT IN RECOGNITION OF THE SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED PERSONS AND THE LIMITED OUTPUT OF NEW GRADUATES, THE 1985 REVIEW ACCEPTED THAT ACHIEVEMENT OF THE INTERIM TARGET WOULD HAVE TO BE PHASED.
+FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO CREATE FIVE ADDITIONAL POSTS IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR,* HE SAID.
♦THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE SEEKING TO INCREASE ITS OWN ESTABLISHMENT IN THIS AREA IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.*
-------g --------
NON-HK RESIDENTS NEED TO PAY FULL HOSPITAL COSTS * * * *
VISITORS AND NON-HONG KONG RESIDENTS USING GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL SERVICES ARE ACCOMMODATED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN PRIVATE WARDS, WHERE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THE FULL COST OF TREATMENT AND ACCOMMODATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT THOSE ADMITTED TO PUBLIC WARDS PAID ONLY THE STANDARD FEE OF S18 WHICH WOULD, HOWEVER, BECOME 520 WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR.
HE SAID A SEPARATE FEE-CHARGING SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC WARDS WAS BEING CONSIDERED FOR NON-RESIDENTS WHO EITHER CAME TO HONG KONG FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OR WERE REFERRED BY HONG KONG DOCTORS FOR TREATMENT IN A PUBLIC HOSPITAL.
BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT +GENUINE EMERGENCY CASES AND PERSONS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, WHICH HAS A RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT WITH HONG KONG, WOULD CONTINUE TO BE TREATED ON THE SAME BASIS AS LOCAL RESIDENTS*.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT A SPECIAL SURVEY SHOWED THAT 1 151 NON-RESIDENTS USED GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL SERVICES BETWEEN AUGUST 16 AND NOVEMBER 30 IN 1985, WITH 957 OF THEM BEING ADMITTED THROUGH THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
+THE CRITERIA USED FOR DISTINGUISHING RESIDENTS FROM NON-RESIDENTS IS POSSESSION OF A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD,* HE SAID.
------0-------
I /6.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
60 -
IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED IN OUTREACH SOCIAL WORK *****
PROPOSALS ARE BEING PREPARED FOR IMPROVING AND DEVELOPING THE OUTREACH ING SOCIAL WORK SERVICE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM, NR SHIPMAN SAID THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1985 THE CENTRE FOR HONG KONG STUDIES AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG COMPLETE A STUDY THAT EVALUATED THE PROGRAMME AND RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS IN ITS METHODS AND ADMINISTRATION.
♦THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS DISCUSSED THE REPORT WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND IS NOW PREPARING A SERIES OF PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING AND DEVELOPING
THE SERVICE,* HE SAID.
♦THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE SOUGHT ON THESE PROPOSALS IN DUE COURSE. ♦
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE OUTREACH ING SOCIAL WORK SERVICE WAS STARTED IN 1979 WITH 18 TEN-MAN TEAMS.
♦IN 1981, IN THE COURSE OF A REVIEW OF PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, IT WAS NOTED THAT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN RECRUITING TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, THESE TEAMS WERE OPERATING CONSISTENTLY AT WELL BELOW THEIR ESTABLISHED MANNING LEVELS.+
THE REVIEW RECOMMENDED THAT NO FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE SERVICE SHOULD BE CONTEMPLATED UNTIL 80 PER CENT OF THE EXISTING POSTS HAD BEEN FILLED BY STAFF OF AN APPROPRIATE RANK.
SINCE THEN THE AVERAGE STRENGTH OF THESE TEAMS HAD IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY AND IN MARCH THIS YEAR 89 PER CENT OF THE POSTS HAD BEEN FILLED, MR SHIPMAN SAID.
------o--------
STEPS TAKEN TO IMPROVE LANGUAGE LEARNING
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED ADDITIONAL MEASURES PROPOSED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION TO IMPROVE LANGUAGE LEARNING AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN 1988, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG, MR HENDERSON SAID THESE MEASURES INCLUDED PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH, WITH FACILITIES FOR SMALL-GROUP TEACHING; A SECOND WIRE-FREE LOOP INDUCTION SYSTEM; AND A +ONE-OFF+ LIBRARY GRANT FOR ADDITIONAL READING MATERIALS IN ENGLISH AND OTHER TEACHING AIDS.
/OTHER MEASURES .......
whurhSDAY, JULY JO, 1986
61
0T _/S E, WERE RECRUITMENT OF EXPATRIATE LECTURERS IN ENGI IS FOR THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IM '.DUCATI ON.
IN ADDI.ION, SCHOOLS WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH ATTAINMENT TESTS IN ENGLISH AMD CHINESE TO HELP THEM GROUP THEIR SECONDARY 1 PUPILS. -SUCH GROUPING SHOULD FACILITATE MORE EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING,* HE SAID.
Hf ADDED: +A SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC-SECTOR SCHOOLS TO E,:'L EXPATRIATE TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION AN” .CHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY BEING CONSULTED ON THIS SCHEME.*
PROF POON HAD ASKED WHAT MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN TO HELP STUDENTS TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THEIR STANDARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT IN ENGLISH.
MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, IN ITS FIRST REPORT WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 1984, HAD ENDORSED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1980 PACKAGE OF MEASURES FOR IMPROVING CHINESE AND ENGLISH IN SCHOOLS.
THE MEASURES RELATING TO ENGLISH INCLUDED REVISING THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL ENGLISH SYLLABUSES AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL TEACHERS TO ALL PUBLIC-SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR REMEDIAL ENGLISH TEACHING.
FURTHER MEASURES COVERED EQUIPPING PUBLIC-SECTOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH WIRE-FREE LOOP INDUCTION SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO LISTEN TO WELL-SPOKEN ENGLISH AND TO IMPROVE THEIR LISTENING SKILLS, AND STRENGTHENING IN-SERVICE LANGUAGE TEACHERS EDUCATION THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION.
THESE MEASURES HAD ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED, THOUGH THE REVISION OF ENGLISH SYLLABUSES WAS BEING CONDUCTED IN PHASES AND WAS NOT YET COMPLETE.
MR HENDERSON SAID PRIMARY SCHOOL SYLLABUSES HAD ALREADY BEEN REVISED, WHILE REVISION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL SYLLABUSES WAS BEING CARRIED OUT, STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER, IN THREE STAGES, AND WOULD BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 1988.
HE ADDED THAT THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD CONDUCT INSPECTIONS ON A REGULAR BASIS TO MONITOR THE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT USE OF THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
+IT WILL ALSO ISSUE GUIDELINES ON SMALL-GROUP TEACHING, ORGANISE REFRESHER COURSES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH, AND REVIEW THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SYLLABUSES WHICH WILL BE, IF NECESSARY, REVISED IN THE LIGHT OF DEVELOPMENTS RELATING TO THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.*
THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION ORGANISED FULL-TIME REFRESHER COURSES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND THESE WERE TO BE EXPANDED FROM SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1986
62
FEES REVISED FOR IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SERVICES * * * *
FURTHER TO THE PACKAGE OF NEW IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FEES INTRODUCED ON JUNE 21 THIS YEAR, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED INCREASES IN FEES CHARGED FOR A NUMBER CF OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW FEES ARE THOSE CHARGED UNDER THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE ORDINANCE AND THE LEGITIMACY ORDINANCE. fHEY WILL BE INCREASED FROM FRIDAY (AUGUST 1).
THE OLD FEES WILL BE CHARGED FOR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BEFORE THIS DATE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IT IS WELL ESTABLISHED POLICY TO AIM AT RECOVERING COSTS OF SERVICES PROVIDED AND, AT THE SAME TIME, TO ENSURE THAT THE LEVELS OF THE FEES AND CHARGES ARE UP TO DATE.
+THE INCREASE ARE THE OUTCOME OF A NORMAL ADJUSTMENT EXERCISE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INCREASED OPERATING COSTS. THE NEW FEES ARE STILL BELOW THE COST OF PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES,* FE ADDED.
THE REVISED FEES ARE OLD FEES ($) NEW FEES ($)
POST REGISTRATION OF BIRTH (AFTER 42 DAYS) WITHIN 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF BIRTH 10 12
POST REGISTRATION OF BIRTH AFTER 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF BIRTH 60 70
A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF ADDITION OR ALTERATION OF NAME OF CHILD 10 12
ADDITION OR ALTERATION OF NAME OF CHILD AFTER 42 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE BIRTH 40 45
A CERTIFICATED COPY OF AN ENTRY IN THE REGISTER FOR A LOCAL APPLICANT 10 12
A CERTIFICATED COPY OF AN ENTRY IN THE REGISTER SENT OVERSEAS ( 20* * TOGETHER POSTAGE 25* WITH AIRMAIL CHARGE )
/A PARTICULAR ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
- 63
A PARTICULAR SEARCH FOR THE BIRTHS AND 10 12
DEATHS RECORDS
A GENERAL SEARCH FOR THE BIRTHS AND 60 70
DEATHS RECORDS
CORRECTION OF ERROR OF FACT OF SUBSTANCE 40 45
IN REGISTERS OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS
GOVERNOR’S LICENCE UNDER S. 6 OF THE 60 70
FOREIGN MARRIAGE ORDINANCE
RE-REGISTRATION OF BIRTH IF INFORMATION 30 35
NOT FURNISHED WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME
A CERTIFIED COPY OF AN ENTRY OF THE 10 12
BIRTH OF A LEGITIMATED PERSON
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE FEES FOR THE SERVICES FOR THE LATE-REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, THE SEARCH OF RECORDS, THE ALTERATION OF ENTRIES IN REGISTERS OR THE ISSUE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF SUCH ENTRIES WILL BE INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT TO 25 PER CENT.
THE FEES FOR RE-REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS AND THE ISSUE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF ENTRIES OF THE BIRTH OF LEGITIMATED PERSONS UNDER THE LEGITIMACY ORDINANCE WILL BE INCREASED IN ORDER TO BRING THEM MORE OR LESS IN LINE WITH THE LEVEL OF FEES CHARGED FOR SIMILAR SERVICES UNDER THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION ORD INANCE.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 3-7333111.
FOURTH CHOLERA CASE CONFIRMED
*****
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CONFIRMED THAT A 49-YEAR-OLD MAN IS SUFFERING FROM CHOLERA, THE FOURTH CASE REPORTED SO FAR THIS YEAR. THE FIRST CASE WAS CONFIRMED ON MAY 22.
THE MAN, A JAPANESE WHO LIVES IN TSIM SHA TSUI, DEVELOPED DIARRHOEA ON JULY 25. HE ATTENDED THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ON JULY 26 WHEN HE WAS ADMITTED. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL ON JULY 29.
\
/THE DOCTOR .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
THE DOCTOR DEALING WITH THE CASE DESCRIBED THE MAN’S CONDITION AS SATISFACTORY.
SINCE THE PATIENT HAD NOT TRAVELLED ABROAD RECENTLY, THE CASE WAS CLASSIFIED AS LOCAL.
HEALTH OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT HAVE VISITED AND DISINFECTED THE MAN’S APARTMENT.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SINCE THERE HAD BEEN SO FAR NO SECONDARY CASE, THERE WAS NO NEED TO DECLARE HONG KONG AS A CHOLERA-INFECTED AREA.
HE SAID CHOLERA WAS ENDEMIC IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES, THEREFORE THE DISEASE MIGHT OCCUR IN THE TERRITORY FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE STRICT PERSONAL HYGIENE AND TO BE CAREFUL IN THE CONSUMPTION OF FOOD AND DRINKS AT HOME AND WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD TO AVOID THE DISEASE.
-------0 ---------
FOUR KOWLOON SITES TO LET *****
FOUR SITES IN KOWLOON ARE BEING OFFERED FOR RENT ON SHORT-TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
TWO OF THE LOTS, AT LAM HING STREET AND WANG TAI ROAD, KOWLOON BAY, MEASURE ABOUT 960 AND 1 160 SQUARE METRES.
BOTH ARE FOR VEHICLE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AND THEIR INITIAL TENANCIES ARE FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS. ■
THE OTHER TWO ARE ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER AT CHA KWO LING ROAD AND WILL BE USED FOR STORAGE AND CARGO HANDLING.
TENANCIES ON THE TWO SITES, BOTH OF WHICH MEASURE ABOUT 1 720 SQUARE METRES, ARE FOR ONE YEAR INITIALLY, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS ON ALL FOUR SITES IS NOON ON AUGUST 15.
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/65........
WEDNESDAY, JULY JO, 1986
RESTRICTED TRAFFIC ZONES IN ABERDEEN
*****
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 1), THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN ABERDEEN WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONESi
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUNG MAN STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG SING ROAD.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUNG MAN STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG SING ROAD.
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TUNG SING ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TSUNG MAN STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TUNG SING ROAD BETWEEN TSUNG MAN STREET AND ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY, THE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES ON THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF TSUNG MAN STREET WILL BE LIFTED:
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD AND TUNG SING ROAD.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD AND TUNG SING ROAD.
- - 0 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN FANLING * * *
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN FANLING FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO FACILITATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORK.
THE TWO-WAY ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD AND ROAD 2614 IN ON LOK TSUEN WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND. MEANWHILE, TRAFFIC FROM TAI PO ROAD TO RAOD 2614 WILL BE DIVERTED TO ROAD L8.
- - 0 -
'66
WEDNESDAY, JULY 33, 193
66
RESTRICTED ZONE IN TSUEN WAN
*****
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 5), A SECTION OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWAN MUN HAU STREET IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
THE SECTION RUNS FROM THE STREET’S JUNCTION WITH TAK WAH STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME REPORT WELCOMED...................... 1
FINAL REGISTER OF LEGCO ELECTORS OUT TOMORROW ................ 2
RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS FOR MAY RELEASED.................. 3
BAN ON IMPORTS OF GOLD COINS FROM SOUTH AFRICA ............... 7
DECISIONS ON AIR LICENCES ANNOUNCED .......................... 8
TEXTILE INDUSTRY MAKES GAINS IN FINISHING .................... 8
BANNED HORMONES IN FOOD: PENALTIES SPELT OUT ................. 9
ISLAND COUNTRY PARKS PERMANENTLY DESIGNATED .................. 10
YAN 01 TONG PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES ................... 11
NEW LANDLORD AND TENANT ORDINANCE IN OPERATION ............... 11
DB MEMBERS VISIT CONTAINER TERMINAL........................... 12
NEW DO GETTING TO KNOW TAI PO ................................ 15
SECOND LITTERBUG BLITZ ON THE WAY ............................ 13
DETAILS OF SPORTS SCHEME ..................................... 14
OFFICES ON THE MOVE .......................................... 14
PROHIBITED ZONE IN MOUNT DAVIS ROAD........................... 1U
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE INTRODUCED ........................... 15
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE........................................ 15
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986 1
COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME REPORT WELCOMED
*****
A LEGfL DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) WELCOMED THE REPORT ON THE PROSECUTION AND TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES COMPLETED BY A LEGCO SELECT COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF PETER C. WONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS APPRECIATIVE OF THE CAREFUL EXAMINATION WHICH THE LEGCO GROUP HAD GIVEN TO TH IS IMPORTANT AREA OF THE LAW.
COMMERCIAL CRIME WAS A MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN IN HONG KONG, BOTH IN TERMS OF THE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CASES INVOLVED.
IT WAS APPROPRIATE THAT THE PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PROSECUTION AND TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT CF SUCH THOROUGH SCRUTINY.
’THE REPORT WOULD NEED TO BE STUDIED IN DETAIL BEFORE A COMPREHFiSIVE RESPONSE COULD BE GIVEN BUT IN THE MEANTIME THE LEGAL L‘ APTMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENDED THE PROPOSAL TO DISPENSE WITH COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS IN COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES.
HE WAS ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD AGREED WITH THE APPROACH ADOPTED IN THE RCSK ILL REPORT IN ENGLAND IMPOSING A REQUIREMENT ON THE DEFENCE TO OUTLINE THE NATURE CF THEIR CAFF AT THE PREPARATORY STAGE.
THIS WAS A REFORM WHICH HAD BEEN STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN HIS EVIDENCE TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN PRAISED THE COMMITTEE FOR RECOGNISING THE MERITS OF THIS PROPOSAL.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT FAVOURED THE RETENTION OF JURY TRIALS IN COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD ADVOCATED SUCH AN APPROACH BOTH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IN HIS EVIDENCE TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE WHEN HE SAID +IT WOULD IN MY JUDGMENT BE FRAUGHT WITH DANGER TO INTRODUCE A MODE OF TRIAL THAT DID NOT COMMAND BROAD SUPPORT. IT IS NO LONGER A QUESTION OF WHETHER THE BILL’S PROPOSALS ARE GOOD ONES OR THE BEST OF THE ALTERNATIVES, IT IS A QUESTION OF WHETHER THEY WOULD GENERALLY BE REGARDED AS A BASIS FOR A FAIR TRIAL IF THEY WERE PASSED INTO LAW+.
THE SELECT COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION ON THIS WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE WHOLE OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE’S REPORT WOULD HAVE TO BE STUDIED IN DETAIL. IT WOULD BE FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO DECIDE WHETHER TO WITHDRAW THE TRIAL OF COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL AND PROCEED WITH A NEW BILL OR TO AMEND THE BILL AT PRESENT BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
------0 ------ /2.......................
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986
2
FINAL REGISTER OF LEGCO ELECTORS OUT TOMORROW
*****
A FINAL REGISTER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORS, 1986 WILL BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION OF THE. GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
PARTICULARS OF 5 137 CORPORATE ELECTORS AND 37 727 INDIVIDUAL ELECTORS ARE LISTED IN THE REGISTER WHICH WILL REMAIN IN FORCE FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
+WHILE AMENDMENTS CAN STILL BE MADE, THERE WILL NOT BE ANY ADDITIONS TO THE REGISTER DURING THIS PERIOD. ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF ELECTORS OR CHANGE OF AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES OF CORPORATE ELECTORS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE REGISTRATION OFFICER AT HARBOUR CENTRE, TENTH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NAMES OF 501 NEW ELECTORS WERE ADDED THIS YEAR WHILE 4 715 NAMES WERE OMITTED FROM THE 1985 REGISTER. THE OMISSIONS WERE MAINLY INDIVIDUALS WHO FAILED TO REGISTER ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL DURING LAST YEAR’S REGISTRATION EXERCISE.
A COMPARISON OF THE 1985 AND 1986 REGISTERS IS AS FOLLOWS:
FINAL PROVISIONAL F INAL
REGISTER REGISTER REGISTER
1985 1986 1986
TOTAL NO. OF ELECTORS IN THE 12 ELECTORAL
COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES 433 435 436
TOTAL NO. OF CORPORATE ELECTORS IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES 5 130 5 090 5 137
TOTAL NO. OF INDIVIDUAL ELECTORS IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES 41 515 37 244 37 291
TOTAL 47 078 42 769 42 864
ELIGIBLE PERSONS WHO ARE NOT YET ON THE LEGCO ELECTORS REGISTER SHOULD FIRST APPLY FOR REGISTRATION AS AN ELECTOR FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS BETWEEN AUGUST 15 AND SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR.
THEN THEY CAN APPLY FOR ENROLMENT AS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORS IN APRIL 1987. APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION DURING THE RESPECTIVE PERIODS.
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986
5
RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS FOR MAY RELEASED
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN MAY 1986, PROVISIONALLY ESTIMATED, AT 35 745 MILLION, WAS 3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MAY 1985 WHICH : IR VOLUME REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH MAY 1985, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED I :ODUCTS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME, FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT UP BY 5 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
FUELS DROPPED BY 15 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF +OTHER CONSUMER GOODS* ROSE BY 3 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT RECORDED ALMOST NO CHANGE IN VOLUME WHILE THOSE OF CONSUMER DURABLES SHOWED DECREASES OF 1 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT IN VALUE AND VOLUME RESPECTIVELY.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, THE SALES VALUE OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHILE THAT OF CONSUMER DURABLES, OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, DECREASED SLIGHTLY. BOTH SHOWED A MODERATE DECREASE IN SALES VOLUME.
DEPAFNT STORES RECORDED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN SALES VALUE BUT A SLIGHT DROP IN SALES VOLUME WHILE SUPERMARKETS EXPERIENCED SLIGHT FALLS IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
COMPARING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD MARCH-MAY 1986 WITH THE SAME PERIOD 12, MONTHS PREVIOUSLY, TOTAL RETAIL SALES RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 3 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT A NEGLIGIBLE CHANGE IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS REGISTERED INCREASES OF 15 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES AND OF +OTHER CONSUMER GOODS* WENT UP BY 2 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE BUT FELL BY 5 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME.
FUELS SHOWED A DECREASE OF 9 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT ALMOST NO CHANGE IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS RECORDED A MODERATE INCREASE IN VALUE BUT A MODERATE DROP IN VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS EXPERIENCED MODERATE INCREASES IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES, OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS RECORDED ALMOST NO CHANGE IN SALES VALUE WHILE DEPARTMENT STORES HAD A SLIGHT INCREASE IN SALES VALUE. HOWEVER, THEY BOTH EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT DECREASE IN SALES VOLUME.
/WHOi COMPARED
THURSDAY, JULY >1, 1986
WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR MAY 1986 ROSE BY 3 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS. RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND VOLUME. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WERE 5 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT.
+OTHER CONSUMER GOODS* WENT UP BY 3 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME WHILE FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOL IC DRINKS AND TOBACCO RECORDED NEGLIGIBLE CHANGES IN SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FUELS FELL BY 3 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT ROSE BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES, OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, SHOWED MODERATE INCREASES IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS SHOWED A MODERATE INCREASE IN SALES VALUE AND A SLIGHT INCREASE IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS HAD SLIGHT INCREASES IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME WHILE DEPARTMENT STORES HAD ALMOST NO CHANGE IN EITHER.
TWO TABLES AND TWO GRAPHS WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK AND ALSO BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR APRIL 1986 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR MAY 1986.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN APRIL 1986 AND MAY 1986 A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES IN 1980 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF MAY 1986 RESULTS WITH THOSE OF APRIL 1986 ANi> WITH THOSE OF MAY 1985 AND COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD MARCH-MAY 1986 WITH THOSE IN THE SAME PERIOD 12 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY ARE ALSO GIVEN.
GRAPHS 1 AND 2 DEPICT RESPECTIVELY THE MOVEMENTS OF THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES, INCLUDING THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED INDEXES AND TRENDS, FROM JANUARY 1983 TO APRIL 1986.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE MAY 1986 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 3-7216024.
/TABLE 1 : .......
THURSDAY, JULY J1, 1986
5
TABLE 1 » TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for May 1986 (Provisional Figure) • HKI5 745 million for April 1986 (Revised Figure) ■ HK$5 578 aillicn
TABLE 2 : ;aLU£ AND VOLUME INDLAE& OF RETAIL SALES FOR APRIL AND MAT 1986_____________________
(Monthly average of 1980 • 100)
Iteo Index of Retail 3 alee April 1986 May 1986 May 1986 com ya red with April 1986 May 1986 compared with May 1985 March - May 86 compared with March - May 85
(Revised figuxes) (Provisional figures) Points A Points * Pointe
(A) fUs ALL ki.TA'-. JRA-jEB Value 164 169 4 5 + % ♦ 5 ♦ 3 ♦ 5 ♦ 3
Volume 110 115 ♦ 3 ♦ 3 • • • •
(B) BY MAJO\
Foodstuffs, de hoi 1c drinks and tobacco Value Volume l84 120 18** i?0 • • • • ♦ 9 ♦ 6 ♦ 5 ♦ 5 ♦ 7 ♦ 5 ♦ 4 ♦ 4
Fuels Value 175 169 .6 - 3 -30 -15 -18 - 9
Volume 124 127 ♦ 2 - 1 • • •
Clothing, footwear and allied products Value Volume 225 1*0 238 135 ♦12 * 5 ♦ 4 ♦ ♦ Rj ♦ 18 ♦ 9 ♦29 ♦ 9 ♦15 ♦ 7
Consumer durables Value 152 165 ♦11 ♦ 7 - 2 - 1 ♦ 3 ♦ 2
Volume 104 110 ♦ 6 ♦ 6 -11 - 9 - 5 - 5
Other consu". -r goods Value Volume 148 102 152 104 ♦ 5 ♦ 3 ♦ 5 • • ♦ 4 - 1 ♦ 3 - 1
(C) BY SELECTED TRADES
Supermarkets Value 509 325 ♦ 16 ♦ 5 - 4 - 1 ♦20 ♦ 6
Volume 185 193 ♦ 8 ♦ 4 - 5 - 2 ♦ 10 ♦ 5
Motor vehicles and parts Value Volume ft & 106 54 ♦ 8 ♦ 2 ♦ 8 ♦ 5 ♦ 5 - 6 ♦ 5 - 9 ♦ 6 - 3 ♦ 7 - 6
Consumer durables, other than motor Value 189 202 ♦1? ♦ 7 - 7 - 3 • •
vehicles and parts Volume 14Q 149 ♦ 9 ♦ 6 -14 - 9 - 7 - 4
Department stores Value 147 147 • • ♦ 1 ♦ 1 ♦ 4 ♦ 3
Volume 101 101 I • • - 3 - 2 - 1 - 1
Notes J 1, "Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco" includes "supermarkets".
2. "Consumer durables" includes "motor vehicles and parts".
J. "Other consumer goods" includes "dspartment stores".
Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
5. * denotes change of less than 0.5.
/GRAPH 1 .........
THURSDAY, JULY J1, 190b
Value index
Graph 1: Value Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Value index
Volume index
Graph 2: Volume Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Volume index
Notes: (1) Monthy average of 1980 - 100
(2) The seasonally adjusted value and volume indexes and Henderson trends are compiled using the X-11 variant seasonal adjustment program of the U S. Bureau of the Census.
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986
7
BAN ON IMPORTS OF GOLD COINS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
*****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL DECIDED EARLIER THIS *EEK TO BAN IMPORTS OF GOLD COINS MINTED IN SOUTH AFRICA AND CONSIGNED TO HONG KONG FROM THAT COUNTRY WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 8 THIS YEAR.
EXPLAINING THE IMPORT PROHIBITION (SOUTH AFRICA) REGULATIONS 1086, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BAN HAD BEEN IMPOSED AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF ALL RELEVANT FACTORS APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG IN THIS REGARD, INCLUDING SIMILAR ACTIONS TAKEN BY OTHER COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY THE COMMONWEALTH AND LESS DEVELOPED COUNTR IES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BAN WOULD APPLY TO ALL GOLD COINS MINTED IN SOUTH AFRICA, INCLUDING KRUGERRANDS AND THE NEW PROTEA COINS, AND IMPORTED TO HONG KONG FROM THAT COUNTRY.
LOCAL DEALINGS IN KRUGERRANDS AND OTHER GOLD COINS MINTED IN SOUTH AFRICA AND IMPORTS OF SUCH COINS FROM THIRD COUNTRIES WOULD NOT, HOWEVER, BE AFFECTED.
THE IMPORT PROHIBITION (SOUTH AFRICA) REGULATIONS CONTAIN PROVISIONS FOR THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE TO GRANT A LICENCE FOR THE IMPORT OF SUCH GOLD COINS FROM SOUTH AFRICA IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS FOR THOSE WHICH ARE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY TO HONG KONG BEFORE AUGUST 8.
ANYONE WHO CONTRAVENES THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A FINE CF $500 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT BOTH THE VALUE AND MARKET SHARE CF SOUTH AFRICA’S GOLD COINS IN HONG KONG’S IMPORTS HAD DECREASED DRASTICALLY SINCE 1985.
IN 1984, $1 112 MILLION WORTH OF GOLD COINS, OR 93 PER CENT OF SUCH IMPORTS INTO HONG KONG, WERE FROM SOUTH AFRICA. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES DROPPED TO $447 MILLION AND 55 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN 1985.
THERE HAS BEEN NO RECORDS OF IMPORTS OF GOLD COINS FROM SOUTH AFRICA IN RECENT MONTHS.
-----o------
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1936
8
DECISIONS ON AIR LICENCES ANNOUNCED * * * * *
THE AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS DECISIONS ON THE THREE LICENCE APPLICATIONS BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND THE ONE BY HONG KONG DRAGON AIRLINES WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT OF A PUBLIC INQUIRY STARTING ON JUNE 30.
CATHAY PACIFIC HAS BEEN GRANTED LICENCES TO SERVE AMSTERDAM AND MANCHESTER. DRAGONAIR’S APPLICATION FOR LICENCES TO OPERATE A SERVICE TO LONDON AND ANOTHER TO MANCHESTER AND AMSTERDAM, IN BOTH CASES VIA NEW DELHI OR SHARJAH, HAS BEEN REFUSED.
- 0 -
TEXTILE INDUSTRY MAKES GAINS IN FINISHING *****
THC TEXTILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO BE A MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR IN HONG KONG AND PROVIDE RELIABLE AND ESSENTIAL SUPPORT TO THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY, DESPITE THE DECLINE OF ITS WEAVING AND SPINNING BRANCHES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
AS A RESULT OF THE DECLINE OF THE TWO BRANCHES CAUSED BY SLUGGISH BUSINESS, PROTECTIONISM AND STRONG COMPETITION, THE TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY DROPPED BY 4 000 FROM 54 000 IN 1983 TO 50 000 IN 1985, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD LAST SEPTEMBER.
HOWEVER, EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINISHING BRANCH OF THE INDUSTRY HAD GROWN FROM 16 000 TO 18 000. THIS REPRESENTED AN ANNUAL INCREASE OF 6.8 PER CENT, A BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BOARD NOTED IN ITS SURVEY REPORT THAT THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR DYED YARNS AND FINISHED FABRICS FROM THE LOCAL CLOTHING INDUSTRY AND FROM CHINA HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWTH OF MANPOWER IN THE FINISHING BRANCH.
THE BOARD CONSIDERED THAT THE FINISHING BRANCH, TOGETHER WITH THE KNITTING BRANCH, WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
IN VIEW OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES, THE BOARD STRESSED THAT THE INDUSTRY MUST INVEST IN MODERN PLANT AND MACHINERY TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY SO AS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
/+CONCOMITANT
THURSDAY, JULY J1, 1986
- 9 -
♦CONCOMITANT WITH THIS, THE INDUSTRY NEEDS INCREASINGLY BETTER TRAINED TECHNICAL MANPOWER,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BOARD FORECAST THAT THE INDUSTRY WOULD NEED TO TRAIN AT LEAST 20 TECHNOLOGISTS, 110 TECHNICIANS AND 390 CRAFTSMEN ANNUALLY FROM 1986 TO 1991 TO COPE BOTH WITH MANPOWER WASTAGE AND WITH GROWTH.
THF SURVEY REPORT ALSO CONTAINS MANY OTHER MANPOWER STATISTICS ON THE INDUSTRY. IT IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT S24 A COPY. ;
-----0------
BANNED HORMONES
IN FOOD; PENALTIES SPELT OUT * * * * *
ANY PERSON SELLING FISH, MEAT OR POULTRY (INCLUDING LIVE POULTRY) CONTAINING ANY OF THE BANNED SYNTHETIC HORMONES WILL BE LIABLE TO A FI NE OF $10 030 AND TO IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS UNDER THE HARMFUL SUBSTANCES IN FOOD (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1986, WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
THE NEW REGULATIONS, TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), ARE DESIGNED FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH. THEY WILL ENSURE THAT ANYONE SELLING FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION WILL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY AS TO THE HEALTH ASPECTS 0^ THE FOOD SOLD.
THE REGULATIONS MAKE IT AN OFFENCE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE TO SELL, CONSIGN OR DELIVER FOR SALE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, ANY FISH, MEAT OR POULTRY (INCLUDING LIVE POULTRY) WHICH CONTAINS SPECIFIED SYNTHETIC HORMONES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT RETAILERS SHOULD INSIST ON WARRANTIES WHEN THEY BUY POULTRY FROM WHOLESALERS OR PRODUCERS.
♦ IF THIS OCCURS THROUGHOUT THE NETWORK OF SUPPLY, NOT ONLY WILL CONTAMINATED POULTRY BECOME LESS MARKETABLE, BUT HONEST HOLDERS OF WARRANTIES WILL HAVE A DEFENCE UNDER SECTION 71 OF THE ORDINANCE,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT UNDER THE REVISED REGULATIONS, MANY RETAILERS AND WHOLESALERS WILL WISH TO ASK THEIR SUPPLIERS OR IMPORTERS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH WRITTERN CERTIFICATIONS TO THE EFFEFT THAT EACH CONSIGNMENT OF LIVE POULTRY OR POULTRY MEAT IS FREE FROM HORMONE RESIDUES.
THE THREE MONTHS PERIOD BEFORE THE REGULATIONS COME INTO EFFECT IS INTENDED TO ALLOW THE TRADE SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.
------0-------
/10......
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1936
10
ISLAND COUNTRY PARKS PERMANENTLY DESIGNATED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE LIFTING OF THE ScVEN-YEAR LIMITATION OF THE DESIGNATION OF THE POK FU LAM, SHEK 6 AND QUARRY BAY EXTENSION OF TAI TAM COUNTRY PARKS, THREE OF THE FIVE COUNTRY PARKS ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE DECISION WAS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS WEEK FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE PRESENT POSITION OF THE THREE COUNTRY PARKS.
AMONG THE LAST PARKS PUT FORWARD FOR DESIGNATION UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME, THE THREE wERE FIRST DESIGNATED IN SEPTEMBER 1979 FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT WHEN THEIR DESIGNATION WAS CONSIDERED IN 1979, PREPARATION OF A DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE TERRITORY WAS STILL AT AN EARLY STAGE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAD NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED IN DETAIL.
+THE REASONS FOR THE SEVEN-YEAR DESIGNATION WERE BECAUSE THERE WAS CONCERN THAT THESE PARKS, BEING NEAR TO BUILT-UP AREAS, WOULD UNDULY CONSTRAIN RESIDENTIAL, HIGHWAY AND OTHER URBAN RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SINCE THEIR DESIGNATION IN 1979, THE THREE COUNTRY PARKS HAVE BEEN WELL UTILISED BY THE PUBLIC AND DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES HAS GONE AHEAD, PARTICULARLY IN THE QUARRY BAY EXTENSION OF THE TAI TAM COUNTRY PARK, WHERE THE PARK IS CLOSE TO SUBSTANTIAL EXISTING AND FUTURE RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE POK FU LAM COUNTRY PARK HAD BEEN AT A SLIGHTLY LOWER LEVEL IN VIEW OF ITS JOINT STATUS AS COUNTRY PARK AND SPECIAL NATURE CONSERVATION AREA.
THE SHEK 0 COUNTRY PARK IS THE LEAST DEVELOPED OF THE THREE IN RECREATIONAL TERM AND REMAINS AN UNSPOILT SCENIC AREA OF NATURE CONSERVATION INTEREST.
+WITH THE GROWTH IN POPULATION IN THE EASTERN PARTS CF THE ISLAND, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE SHEK 0 COUNTRY PARK WILL ALSO COME IN FOR HEAVIER RECREATIONAL USE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN REVIEWING THE DESIGNATION OF THE THREE COUNTRY PARKS, ALL INTERESTED DEPARTMENTS WHO HAVE BEEN CONSULTED HAVE ADVISED THAT THE TIME LIMITATION SHOULD BE LIFTED AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE PERMANENTLY DESIGNATED AS COUNTRY PARKS, HE ADDED.
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THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986
11
YAN 01 TONG PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES, TODAY (THURSDAY) PRAISED THE YAN 01 TONG, A CHARITABLE ORGANISATION, FOR ITS PERSERVERANCE IN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN.
♦ALBEIT THE CHANGES IN SOCIETY WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, THE YAN 01 TONG WITH ITS LONG TRADITION, WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES IN THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL CARE AND READINESS TO HELP,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE SEVENTH TERM OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE YAN 01 TONG BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DR HAYES SAID THAT WITH CHANGING TIMES AND THE EVOLUTION OF INDUSTRIAL NEW TOWNS SOME TRADITIONAL LOCAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE DISAPPEARED.
+IT WAS INDEED A MIRACLE THAT THE YAN 01 TONG, AS ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONS, SURVIVED AND HAD EMERGED AS A MODEL FOR SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS OF ITS TIME TO FOLLOW,+ HE ADDED.
THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE HEALTHY ORGANISATIONAL SET-UP AND THE FAR-SIGHTEDNESS OF YAN 01 TONG’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH ENABLED THE INSTITUTION TO DEVELOP AND EXPAND ITS SERVICES TO COPE WITH URBANISATION AND INDUSTRIALISATION OF THE NEW TOWNS.
+OVER THE YEARS, THE YAN 01 TONG HAD CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES SUCH AS MEDICAL CARE, EDUCATIONAL AND WELFARE SERVICES, AND RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES,* DR HAYES SAID.
+THE TONG OPERATES CLINICS, KINDERGARTENS, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND VARIOUS OTHER FACILITIES IN THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN,+ HE ADDED.
DR HAYES NOTED THAT FUTURE PLANS OF THE TONG INCLUDE EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND YOUNG CHILDREN.
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NEW LANDLORD AND TENANT ORDINANCE IN OPERATION
*****
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOL I DAT I ON)(AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1986, GAZETTED ON JULY 4, COMES INTO OPERATION TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
HOWEVER, THE PROVISION UNDER PART II RELATING TO THE RAISING OF THE MINIMUM RENT FROM 55 PER CENT TO 60 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT IN THE RENT INCREASE SYSTEM WILL NOT BECOME OPERATIVE UNTIL DECEMBER 19.
/A SPOKESMAN
THURSDAY, JULY J1, 1986
12
A SPOKESMAN OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE VAIN AMENDMENT TO TAKE EFFECT IS THE RAISING OF THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES FROM 27 TO 30 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT.
THERE ARE ALSO SOME TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS UNDER PARTS III AND VI TO UPDATE THE MONETARY LIMITS IN THE EXISTING SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR RECOVERY OF SMALL PREMISES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
EXPLANATORY PAMPHLETS ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED. THESE ARE NOW AVAILABLE, FREE OF CHARGE, FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, 17TH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, OR DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ANYONE HAVING ENQUIRIES ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE CAN OBTAIN ASSISTANCE FROM RENT OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT (TEL: 5-7957888) OR STAFF OF DISTRICT OFFICES.
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DB MEMBERS VISIT CONTAINER TERMINAL X X X X *
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE MODERN TERMINALS LIMITED (MTL) CONTAINER FACILITY IN KWAI CHUNG TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ITS OPERATIONS.
THE VISIT WAS PART OF A CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE WORK AND OPERATIONS OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT AGENCIES.
LED BY KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, THE PARTY WAS MET BY THE MTL OPERATIONS MANAGER, MR C.Y. HO, WHO GAVE AN AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION ON CONTAINER OPERATIONS.
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE MTL, MR MARK LEESE, ALSO BRIEFED MEMBERS ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL.
AFTER THE BRIEFINGS, THE PARTY TOURED THE TERMINAL CONTROL TOWER, THE CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION OPERATION AND THE TERMINAL MAINTENANCE FACILITIES.
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/U.....
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986
13
NEW DO GETTING TO KNOW TAI PO * * * *
NEWLY-APPOINTED TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT, HAS BEGUN A SERIES OF FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DISTRICT, AND TODAY (THURSDAY) HE VISITED TWO RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE MAN MO TEMPLE.
MR BURRETT FIRST VISITED THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG, AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE COMMITTEE’S WORK.
HE THEN CALLED ON THE TSAT YEUK RURAL COMMITTEE WHOSE TEMPORARY OFFICE IS SITUATED IN THE MAN MO TEMPLE. AFTER A MEETING WITH COMMITTEE MEMBERS, MR BURRETT LOOKED THROUGH THE TEMPLE.
MR BURRETT HAS ALREADY BEEN TO LAM TSUEN RIVER, ISLAND HOUSE, VARIOUS COMMUNITY CENTRES AND VILLAGES.
HE WILL BE VISITING THE TAI PO MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION, THE SAI KUNG NORTH RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE TAI PO FRATERNAL SOCIETIES ASSOCIATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
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SECOND LITTERBUG BLITZ ON THE WAY * * * *
A FOLLOW-UP PROSECUTION SWEEP OF FIVE URBAN COUNCIL BEACHES WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY (AUGUST 2).
URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE LOOKING FOR LITTERBUGS ON DEEP WATER BAY, REPULSE BAY, SHEK 0, STANLEY AND BIG WAVE BAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ACTION ON DEEP WATER BAY WHERE URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR JOSEPH CHAN, WILL BE OVERSEEING THE OPERATION BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
TRANSPORT TO THE BEACH, A VAN UC18, WILL BE LEAVING FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT EDINBURGH PLACE BY 1 PM.
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THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986
14
DETAILS OF SPORTS SCHEME
* * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO ANNOUNCE details' OF THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS NUTURE SCHEME.
IT WILL BE HELD AT NOON IN THE MAXIM’S CHINESE RESTAURANT AT LUK YUEN SUN CHUEN (MTR STATION) IN TSUEN WAN.
THE SPORTS SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COACHES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SPORTS NUTURE SCHEME WILL ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
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OFFICES ON THE MOVE * * * *
THE HEADQUARTERS AND HONG KONG OFFICE OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT WHICH IS AT PRESENT LOCATED AT SINCERE BUILDING, WILL BE MOVING TO THE QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 2) AND SUNDAY.
THE FOUR DIVISIONS OF THE HONG KONG OFFICE - THE APPLICATION AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION DIVISION, THE GENERAL AND MATRIMONIAL LITIGATION DIVISION, THE PERSONAL INJURIES LITIGATION DIVISION AND THE CRIMINAL LITIGATION DIVISION -WILL BE OCCUPYING THE 24TH, 25TH, 26TH AND 27TH FLOOR IN THE NEW BUILDING.
FOR ENQUIRIES, TELEPHONE 5-8623O3O.
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PROHIBITED ZONE IN MOUNT DAVIS ROAD * * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 2), NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF MOUNT DAVIS ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH VICTORIA ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION 24 HOURS DAILY.
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/15........
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1986
15
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE INTRODUCED
*****
A NEW GREEN MINIBUS CIRCULAR ROUTE, NO. 52, PLYING BETWEEN CHUK YUEN ESTATE IN WONG TAI SIN AND SAN PO KONG WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SERVICE IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE PASSENGER DEMAND FROM CHUK YUEN ESTATE AND TO PROVIDE A CONVENIENT LINK BETWEEN THE ESTATE AND THE INDUSTRIAL AREA IN SAN PO KONG.
THE ROUTE WILL OPERATE FROM 7 AM TO 10 PM AT AN EIGHT-MINUTE INTERVAL. THE FARE WILL BE Si.5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
*****
TUNG CHAU STREET IN TAI KOK TSUI, BETWEEN PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND WALNUT STREET, WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM FROM AUGUST 2 (SATURDAY) TO AUGUST 5 TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORK ALONG TUNG CHAU STREET.
MOTORISTS ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST HEADING FOR TUNG CHAU STREET NORTHBOUND ARE ADVISED TO USE SYCAMORE STREET AND TAI KOK TSUI ROAD.
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