DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VOLUNTEERS GET READY TO HELP PROBATIONERS ................... 1
SCHOOL CHILDREN HELP WITH ELECT ICN MESSAGE.................. 2
SHEUNG SHUT ANCESTRAL HALL RE-OPENS.......................... 3
HRB REPORT CONSULTATION 'HIGHLY SATISFACTORY' ............... 3
NOTED CHINA ARCHAEOLOGIST VISITS YUNG LONG SITE.............. 4
DOG INOCULATION BROUGHT TO VILLAGES ......................... 4
MACS URGED TO TAKE PART IN QUIZ ............................. 5
Variety shot to boost elections ............................. 6
PUBLIC FORUM FOR KHUN TONG CANDIDATES ....................... 6
PROMOTING ELECTIONS .........................................
Candidates to meet public ...................................
TAI PO SET FOR ANTI-NaRCOTICS DISPLAY ....................... 8
NE,7 SECURITY 3UND BRIDGE FOR TIN SHUT ..AI ................. 9
LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR .VAN CHAI YOUTHS ........................ 10
LECTURERS SOUGHT FOR NIGHT COURSES .......................... 10
GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TO LET .................................. 11
KIOSK OPERATOR NEEDED........................................ 11
YUEN LONG BOaRD TO MEET .....................................
CLEANSING SCHEME TO BE DISCUSSED............................. 13
CHILDREN'S PARTY............................................. 14
FUN DaY FOR FAMILIES ........................................ 14
PLB CLEARWAY HOURS SHORTENED ................................ 15
ROAD CLOSURE AT TAI KOK TSUI ................................ 15
FIRING PRACTICE.............................................. 16
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986 ,
1
VOLUNTEERS GET READY TO HELP PROBATIONERS
*****
THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE LATTER PART OF THIS VEAR, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR CF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), <RS EVELYN DOE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS, MRS DOE SAID OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT wERE WORKING HARD IN PREPARATION FOR THE PILOT SCHEME.
COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS ARE INTENDED TO BE USED AS AN OPTION FOR THE COURTS TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN TYPE OF OFFENDERS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE RECEIVED CUSTODIAL SENTENCES.
n COUNTING ON THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS, MRS DOE THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED IN REHABILITATING PROBATIONERS COULD BE VERY REWARDING WHEN THERE WAS POSITIVE
RESPONSE TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
THE VOLUNTEERS HAD AN IMPACT ON THE PROBATIONERS THAT WOULD =AVE THE WAY FOR CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR AND ATTITUDE AND ENABLE THEM TO STAY AWAY FROM CRIME, SHE SAID.
TwENTY-FOUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WERE TODAY PRESENTED w I TH CERTIFICATES OR SOUVENIRS FOR HELPING 4N REHABILITATING OFFENDERS UNDER THE SCHEME.
NINETEEN VOLUNTEERS HAD COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH SERVICE TO EEFRIEND, TEACH, GUIDE AND HELP THOSE UNDER PROBATION, AND TEN HAD SERVED MORE THAN ONCE.
_SPEAKING OF THE DEPARTMENT’S OwN EFFORTS IN HELPING
SAID THAT DEPARTMENTAL PROBATION OFFICERS WERE ^RENTLY ^LP,NG 3 469'PROBATIONERS WHO REMAINED AT HOME WITH THclR OwN FAMILIES TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR NORMAL WORK OR
EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS.
♦FOR THOSE PROBATIONERS WHO FEEL THEY HAVE A NEED AND ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS, WE WILL ARRANGE TO MATCH ONE FOR EACH OF THEM,+ MRS DOE SAID.
SHE ALSO SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SERVICE TO COURTS.
THOSr CONDEMNED TO DEATH OR WHO WERE PETITIONING TO THE GOVERNMENT
FOR CLEMENCY.
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/2........
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
2
SCHOOL CHILDREN HELP WITH ELECTION MESSAGE * * * *
MORE THAN 100 003 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN KwUN TONG HAVE BEEN ENLISTED TO CARRY THE ELECTION MESSAGE TO THEIR HOMES.
THE MESSAGE WILL BE IN THE FORM OF LETTER FROM KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, TO THE PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
IN THE LETTER CALLING ON PARENTS TO VOTE ON MARCH 6, MR MAK ALSO STRESSES THE IMPORTANT ROLE THE URBAN COUNCIL PLAYS IN PROVIDING SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS.
IN ANOTHER LETTER TO MORE THAN 6 000 FACTORY-OWNERS IN THE DISTRICT, MR MAK URGES THEM TO ENCOURAGE WORKERS, AND GIVE THEM TIME OFF IF NECESSARY, TO VOTE.
♦THE VOTING PROCESS IS VERY SIMPLE AND WILL NOT TAKE MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES, BUT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND FAR-REACHI NG,+ HE SAYS.
„ THE LETTERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL
a^dHO?omme$ceSOaNssoc?a^on.AND THE H0NG K0NG KWUN T0NG ,ndustries
UC ELECTION,
LOCAL PEOPLE OF THE
IN ANOTHER EFFORT TO REMIND
J^EUNTING MEASURING 15 METRES BY SEVEN METRES AND CONTAIN INC EJECTION MESSAGES, HAS BEEN PUT UP OUTSIDE THE LOCAL D STRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET. DISTRICT
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ALSO POSTED ELECTION PLATFORMS OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES IN THE KWUN TONG WEST AND EAST CONSTITUENCIES ON THE 14 DISPLAY BOARDS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
THE DISPLAYS INCLUDE INFORMATION ON THE CONSTITUENCY’S POLLING STATIONS AND POLLING TIME.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD ALLOCATED MORE THAN $100 000 FOR ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE UC ELECTION.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
3
SHEUNG SHU I ANCESTRAL HALL RE-OPENS * *
THE MAN SHEK TONG ANCESTRAL HALL IN SHEUNG SHU I WAS TODAY (SATURDAY) RE-OPENED BY LADY YOUDl, WIFE OF iHE GOVERNOR, ArTtK 15 MONTHS OF RENOVATION wORk.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING. LADV YOUDE SAID THE RESTORATION OF THE LIU MAN SHEK TONG WAS AN IMPORTANT EVENT, NO। ONLV -C- ^THt LIU CLAN AND NORTH DISTRICT, BUT ALSO FOR EVERYONE INTERtiTED IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORY AND CULiURE Or iHE Nt* TERRITORIES.
+IN A CHANGING NORTH DISTRICT, WHERE THE EMPHASIS IS VERY MUCH ON NEW BUILDINGS AND DEVELOPMENT, lT IS ENCOURAGING TO ScE THIS FINE OLD MAN SHEK TONG RESTORED.
+IN THE FUTURE I HOPE THAT AS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE CAN VISIT THE MAN SHEK TONG SO THAT THEY MAY LEARN MORt ABOUT THE RICH TRADITIONS OF THIS AREA,+ SHE SAID.
MAN SHEK TONG, BUILT IN 1751 AND DECLARED AS AN HISTORI CAL MONUMENT IN 1984, IS THE ANCESTRAL HALL (CHI-TONG) OF THE LIU CLAN WHICH IS ONE OF THE FIVE LARGEST CLANS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
0
ERB REPORT CONSULTATION 'HIGHLY SATISFACTORY’ * * *
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, NR PFTFR TSAO SAID TODAY THAT THE PUBLIC RESPONSE tO THE~ BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT HAD BEEN HIGHLY SATISFACTORY.
OVER 700 SUBMISSIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED DUR I NG THE PER _ OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH CLOSED YESTERDAY (fR'DAY). OF THto-ABOUT 600 CAME FROM INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, aHILE TH_ rcST WERE FROM ORGANSATIONS, INTEREST GROUPS, COMMERCIAL COMPANIES ETC.
MR TSAO SAID THAT THE PROPOSAL TO BAN TOBACCO ADVERTISING, AND THE PROPOSAL TO GIVE RTHK A PRIME TIME SLOT ON THE TWO CHINESE “channels, had attracted the greatest public response.
THE NEXT STEP wOULD EE TO ANALYSE THE SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED, AFTER WHICH SOME FORM OF REPORT ON THE FINDINGS WOULD PROBABLY PE PRODUCED, SAID MR TSAO.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
4
NOTED CHINA ARCHAEOLOGIST VISITS YUNG LONG SITE *****
A DISTINGUISHED ARCHAEOLOGIST FROM THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, REKING, VISITED THE GOVERNMENT-COMMISSIONED ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION AT YUNG LONG TODAY.
PROFESSOR AN ZHI-MIN, AN EXPERT ON NEOLITHIC CULTURE IN CHINA, HAD BEEN INVITED BY THE EXCAVATION’S DIRECTOR MR BRIAN PEACOCK, TO VISIT THE SITE FOR AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE PROJECT.
PROFESSOR AN WAS BRIEFED AT THE SITE BY MR PEACOCK ON THE NATURE OF THE SITE, THE PROGRESS OF THE EXCAVATION AND THE ARTEFACTS UNCOVERED. HE ALSO MET VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING THE FULL-TIME EXCAVATION TEAM.
THE EXCAVATION IS SCHEDULED TO LAST UNTIL THE END OF MARCH. TwO MONTHS WILL THEN BE REQUIRED FOR POST-EXCAVATION RESEARCH, AND EVALUATION OF THE INFORMATION RETRIEVED FROM THE SITE.
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DOG INOCULATION BROUGHT TO VILLAGES *****
THE GOVERNMENT’S ON-GOING CAMPAIGN TO INOCULATE DOGS AGAINST RABIES WILL BE CARRIED OUT THIS MONTH IN YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE DISTRICT INOCULATION DRIVE IS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF DOG OWNERS WHO CAN NOW HAVE THEIR PETS INOCULATED WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE GOVERNMENT KENNELS.
THE DEPARTMENT’S MQBILE INOCULATION TEAMS WILL VISIT VILLAGES IN YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN FROM MARCH 3 TO 27 AND FROM MARCH 1 TO 15 RESPECTIVELY.
THE YUEN LONG VILLAGES INCLUDE SAN wAI TSUEN, SAN SANG TSUEN, SIK KONG TSUEN, SIK KONG WAI, HA TSUEN MARKET, SAN UK TSUEN, LEI UK TSUEN, TIN SAM TSUEN, LAW UK TSUEN, TUNG TAU TSUEN, HANG MEI TSUEN, CHEUNG KONG WAI, FUNG KONG TSUEN, SHEUNG PAK NAI AND HA PAK NA I.
THE VILLAGES IN SHA TIN ARE SAN TIN TSUEN, KAK TIN TSUEN, SHEUNG KENG HAU, HA KENG HAU, TIN SUM TSUEN, PAK TIN TSUEN, TUNG LO wAN, MO FAN TSUEN, TO FING SHAN, TO FUNG SHAN, SHEUNG WO CHE, HA wO CHE, FO TAN, FO TAN COTTAGE AREA, HO LEK PUI, MAN HANG, WONG CHUK YEUNG AND WO LIU HANG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT + DOG OWNERS IN THOSE VILLAGES SHOULD HAKE FULL USE OF THE SERVICE AND THAT LICENCES WOULD BE ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE AFTER THE INOCULATIONS.
/INOCULATION WAS........
<
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
INOCULATION wAS GOOD FOR THREE YEARS, HE SAID.
ALL DOGS OVER FIVE MONTHS’ OLD .<>• E REQUIRED TO BE INOCULATED AND LICENSED UNDER THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE. ANY DOG OWNER wHw FAILED TO OBSERVE THE LAw 'WOULD BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION, AND A MAXIMUM FINE OF §5 090 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INOCULATION DRIVE COULD BE MADt BY TELEPHONING THE SHEK w'U HUI GOVERNMENT KENNELS AT 0-902291 uR THE SHA TIN GOVERNMENT KENNELS AT 9-612191.
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MACS URGED TO TAKE PART IN QUIZ XX***
MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A QUIZ ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
A SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE QUIZ ALSO AIMS AT STRENGTHENING THE PEOPLE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT OFF ICE.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO ALL 168 MACS IN THE SIX AREAS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
THE 10 ENTRIES WITH THE HIGHEST SCORE WILL BE AWARDED MEDALS AND STATIONRY COUPONS, AND THE AREA WITH THE HIGHEST AVERAGE SCORE WILL BE AWARDED THE AREA TROPHY.
COPIES OF THE QUIZ HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE MACS AND THOSE wHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEM MAY CONTACT MISS JUDY KWOK OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON 5-540271.
THE ENTRIES SHOULD REACH THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT NO. 7-11, NAM NING STREET, 2/F., MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE ON OR tEFORE MARCH 8, 1986.
RESULTS OF THE QUIZ WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MID-MARCH AND AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEES SEMINAR ON MARCH 23.
FURTHERMORE, TO HELP YOUNGSTERS BETTER UNDERSTAND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE (ABERDEEN) WILL JOINTLY ORGANISE AN AUDIO-VISUAL SHOW ON MARCH 2 AND A CHILDREN’S FUN DAY ON MARCH 8. t
THE SALVATION ARMY WAH FU COMMUNITY CENTRE IS STAGING A MOBILE EXHIBITION ON THE TOPIC UNTIL MARCH 3, TOURING AP LEI CHAU ESTATE, wONG CHUK HANG ESTATE, ABERDEEN CENTRE, SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE, TIN vAN ESTATE AND WAH FU ESTATE.
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
- 6 -
VARIETY SHOW TO BOOST ELECTIONS
*****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ORGANISE A TOURING VARIETY SHOW TO CANVASS MORE ELECTORS FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 6.
THE ONE-HOUR SHOW BY TELEVISION PERFORMERS WILL FIRST BE STAGED AT 11.30 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT PAK TEI SQUARE ON CHEUNG CHAU. THEN AT 3 PM THE SHOW WILL MOVE TO TA I 0 TOWN HALL AT SHEtx TSAI PO ON LANTAU.
THE PERFORMERS WILL BRING HOME TO THE AUDIENCE THE MESSAGE ■ABOUT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOTE.
THERE ARE ABOUT 20 400 REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT INCLUDING 10 200 FROM CHEUNG CHAU AND 2 600 FROM TAI 0 AND TUNG CHUNG.
THE FOUR CANDIDATES STANDING FOR ELECTIONS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT CONSTITUENCY ARE MR SO YIU-KWAN, MR YIU KAI-HUNG, *R KWONG PING-YAU AND MR CHU CHEONG-HAY.
THE VARIETY SHOW IS A PART OF THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION LAUNCHED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE. OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TWO CANDIDATE FORUMS, PUTTING UP BANNERS, DISTRIBUTING SOUVENIRS AND BROADCASTING ELECTION MESSAGES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOw ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 11.30 AM ON CHEUNG CHAU AND 3 PM AT TAI 0 ON LANTAU.
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PUBLIC FORUM FOR KWUN TONG CANDIDATES
* * * *
I
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC FORUM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO INTRODUCE THE TWO CANDIDATES STANDING FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN THE KWUN TONG EAST CONSTITUENCY.
MR LAM CHAK-PIU AND MR TSOI LOK-KEUNG WILL PRESENT THEIR ELECTION PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
WITH AN ELECTORATE OF 99 202 VOTERS, KWUN TONG EAST IS THE LARGEST CONSTITUENCY IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
/THE CQKSTITUEKCY........
SATURDAY, MAitCH 1T?oo
THE CONSTITUENCY CONSISTS OF SEVEN hREAs, INCLUDING TSUI PING, SHUN LEE AND SHUN ON, SAU MAU PING NORTH, SAU MAU PING SOUTH, LAM TIN NORTH, LAM TIN SOUTH, AND YAU TONG AND SZE SHAN.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, R STANLEY YING, Vm ILL BE THE MODERATOR AT TOMORROW'S PUBLIC FORUM.
RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND TnE FORUM TO BE HELD AT L.3O PM IN THE TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND. IN CASE OF BAD wEATHER, THE VENUE WILL BE CHANGED TO THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, ALSO IN TSUI PING ROAD.
MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE PUBLIC FORUM FOR ixwUN TONG WEST CONSTITUENCY HELD LAST SUNDAY.
THE FORUMS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AS PART OF THE PROMOTION DRIVE ON THE COMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
WTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PUBLIC FORUM FOR KwUN TONG EAST CONSTITUENCY HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN TSUI PING ROAD “LAYGROUND. IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER, THE VENUE wILL BE Changed to kwun tong community centre in tsui ping road.
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PROMOTING ELECTIONS * * *
FIVE CARTOON CHARACTERS TO PROMOTE THE MARCH 6 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL TOUR THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT ON AN OPEN-TOP BUG TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THEY WILL STOP AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS ON THE ELECTIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES INTERESTED IN COVERING THE PARADE •'AY ASSEMBLE AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN OUTSIDE SOUTHSEA PLAZA AT TSIM gHA TSUI EAST AT 1.30 PM.
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;-T'JRDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
- 8 -
CANDIDATES TO MEET PUBLIC
H K X k
THE TwO CANDIDATES COMPETING FOR THE «-.N CHAI CONSTITUENCY IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS a ILL MEET THE PUBLIC IN AN CPE FORUM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
MP HILTON CHEONG-LEE’; AND DR ALBERT CHEUNG CHI-PIU wiLL ATTEND THE FORUM AT 2 30 PM If THE LADY TRENCH AUDITORIUM <r ™EkE OF SiNDSOR SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING IN HENNESSY ROAD.
THEY WILL EXPLAIN THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
tup fhriim IS ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTR IC i OrFICE ____
TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC AND REGISTERED ELECTORS TO UNDERSTAND THE CANDIDATES BETTER.
?TE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FORUM.
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TAI PO SET FOR ANT I-NARCOTICS DISPLAY * * * * *
AN EXHIBITION WILL BE LAUNCHED IN TAI PO lOMORROW TO PUBLICISE THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUGS.
THERE WILL BE AN OPENING CEREMONY AT 11 AM IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
(SUNDAY)
TAI PO
CENTRE
ON MArTh 8 AND
AND THE TAI YUEN COMMUNITY HALL ON MARCH 15 AND 16.
TMF FXHIBITION wILL TELL ABOUT THE ORIGIN AND TYPES OF DRUGS, THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND ANT I-NARCOTICS OPERATIONS, AND ACTUAL DRUGS AND PARAPHERNALIA FOR DRUG TAKING WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED.
WINNING ENTRIES OF A RECENT ESSAY COMPETITION ON THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUGS WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED.
THE EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO ANT I-NARCOTICS WORKING GROUP AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
/tai po
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
9
-j MMb sss;.::s1
NORTH RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAM PAK-PINu WILL OFFICIATE A. THE OPENING CEREMONY.
TOTE TO EDITORS:
PO COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 11 AM
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE TA I PO ANT I-NARCOTKS EXHIBITION IN THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 11 « TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
- 0
NEW SECURITY BUND *
BRIDGE FOR TIN SHU I WAI * * * *
A NEW SECURITY BUND BRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT OUTSIDE THE TIN SHU I WAI BUND AS PART OF THE PROPOSED DRAINAGc SYSTEM FOR THE TIN SHU I WAI DEVELOPMENT.
COLLECTED
it ic: INTFNDFD THAT ALL MAJOR STREAMS wILL EE ALONG THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT ZONE AND DRAINED THROUGH A TEMPORARY CHANNEL TO THE SEA.
THE TEMPORARY CHANNEL WILL RUN UNDERNEATH THE NEW bRIDbt WHICH WILL HAVE A FOUR-METRE WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH A 1 Z M.T„_ « ,i?EBrrSDT^. %iesx:e" ce
THF PLAN INCLUDES THE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING SECURITY bund Jridge and a section of the bund, and the demolition of THE BUND OF A POND NEAR THE EXISTING BRIDbE.
A NEW EMBANKMENT WILL ALSO BE BUILT TO FORM THE NORTH BANK OF THE OPENING OF THE PROPOSED TEMPORARY CHANNEL.
DURING CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC WILL USE THE EXISTING BUND ER IDGE.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE APRIL 29, 1986.
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/1O
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 19 ■ o
10 -
LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR wAN CHAI YOUTHS *****
ABOUT 120 YOUTHS LIVING OR STUDYING IN WAN CHAI TODAY (SATURDAY) TOOK PART IN A TWO-DAY YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP ON LANTAU ISUnS ORGANISED BY THE CONCERN FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES WORKING GROUP CF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
thF YOUTHS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 20, LEARNED ABOU > J?Ac■ LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND CIVIC EDUCATION, AND ALSO TOOK PART ia RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
THE AIM OF THE CAMP WAS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR >uUlHS t- DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, AND TO ^UL .IV.- • -I'SENSE OF BELONG ING TO THE DISTR.CT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE EXPLAINED.
THE CAMP SPONSORED BY THE a/AN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, ^AS JOI-'Hu COGANISED JItS THE DISTRICT OFFICE, ST JAMES’ SETTLEMENT, METHODIC CENTRE AND BAPTIST 01 KWAN SOCIAL SERVICt.
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LECTURERS SOUGHT FOR NIGHT COURSES
* * * *
THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING LECTURERS FOR PART-TIME EVENING COURSES FOR THE SESSION STARTING SEPTEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID APPLICANTS FOR TEACHING POSTS IN THE COURSES OF THE EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES, TEACHER’S COURSES, ENGLISH COURSE, SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES (GENERAL BACKGROUND) SHOULD BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS.
POSSESSION OF A DIPLOMA OR A CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION, OR ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN TEACHER EDUCATION, WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
APPLICANTS FOR TEACHING POSTS IN DRESSMAKING, SEWING AND KNITTING, COOKERY AND WOODWORK OF THE ADULT EDUCATION COURSES (PRACTICAL BACKGROUND) SHOULD BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS WITH SPECIAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE.
APPLICANTS FOR POSTS OF HOBBY INSTRUCTORS IN SINGING, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PLAYING AND CONDUCTING, SOCIAL DANCE, AEROBIC DANCE, PAINTING, HAIR-STYLING, JAPANESE, PUTONGHUA AND HANDICRAFTS IN THE ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES SHOULD BE AT LEAST FORM 5 GRADUATES OR EQUIVALENT, WITH SPECIAL SKILLS IN THE SUBJEC" OR HOBBY.
/pHioain will ......
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 19Sc
11
COMMUNITY WORKERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
application for!JS AkE obtainable hj^ .h^ ADOLTJDUCAT^ONs
KI %r^PLETEB FORMS SHOULD
REACH THE SECTION BEFORE MARCH
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GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TO LET *****
A -R
the LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE 67-SQUARE-METRE PREMISES IS FOR NON-INDUSTR>AL
, BUT
EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS Io
NOTICE A»D_CONDITIONS
THE TENDER FORM, NOTICE AND LUiwf
FROM THE PROPERTY/fl^^^^inT^FLOOR 405 KOwLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, JO-
NOON ON MARCH 21.
NATHAN ROAD,
KOWLOON.
THE PREMISES WILL BE OPEN FOR VIEWING FROM 10.30 AH TO 12 NOON ON MARCH 3 AND 10.
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KIOSK OPERATOR NEEDED
M * i
THF REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS <NV I TING TENDERS F^R THE oJeWION OF A REFRESHMENT KIOSK IN THE KWOK SHU I ROAD PARK IN KWAI CHUNG.
LOCATED ON A 3.^“HECTARE SITE dOUNDED BY ^OK SHU I ROAD, CASTLEPEAK ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD, THE PARK IS TO BE DEVELC Eb IN TWO PHASES.
reEN RS
AN RSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FACILITIES ALSO INCLUDE AN ENTRAN
SreII!'sSJS-COVER plants.
/PURPOSE-BUILT ACCESS
SAruauiY, march 1, 1986
AND SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOILET ’’HE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
^URPOSE-BUILT ACCESS RAM5;, FACILITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE • _, Or I CL L' -3 A SKATING RINK, COURTS FOR BALL GAMES AND CILDRE.’S PLAY ARE-3, IS NOU IN FULL D,. ING AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.
PERSONS WHO WISH TO OPERATE THE REFRESH ENT KIOSK IN PHASE ;..E SHOULD OBTAIN A TENDER FORM FROM THE ESD’S KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE NINTH FLOOR, K«A I HING GOVERNMENT OFFICE, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, K.sAI CHUNG.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE DEPOSITED I NT THE TENDEh BOX aT THE RSD HEADQUARTERS ON THIRD FLOOR, S* IRE AND MACLAINE HOUSt, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, BEFORE 9 AM ON APRIL 4.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE GRANTED A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT FROM JUNE 1.
ENQUIRERS MAY TELEPHONE 0-247231 FOR FURTHER DETAILS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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YUEN LONG BOARD TO MEET
*****
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ?. MONDAY (MARCH 3) FOR MEMBERS TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF WORK BEFORE THE FINANCIAL YEAR CLOSES.
APART FROM THE ADJOURNED ITEMS OF THE PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS DEALING WITH MEASURES TO MEET THE SHORTFALL OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.
THE DISCUSSION ON SCHOOL PLACES wILL BE BASED ON A PAPER PREPARED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSING A PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO RELIEVE A PROJECTED SHORTAGE OF FORM 1 PLACES IN THE TWO DISTRICTS FOR NEXT SIX YEARS.
THE TWO DISTRICTS ARE REGARDED AS ONE REGION FOR THE PURPOSE CF SCHOOL PLACE ALLOCATION AND YUEN LONG, LIKE TUEN MUN, IS EXPECTED TO EXPERIENCE TREMENDOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN THE 1990’S WHICH WOULD RESULT IN SPECIAL POPULATION BUILD-UP.
AS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD PROPOSAL, MEMBERS WILL BE INVITED TO ENDORSE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF ROAD BETWEEN FAIRVIEW PARK AND MAI PO ON AN EARTH EMBANKMENT.
THIS SECTION FORMS PART OF PHASE I I I OF THE AU TAU FAN KAM ROAD PORTION OF THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE NTCR, WHICH RUNS FROM AU TAU TO NORTH TAI PO VIA MAI PO, SAN TIN, KWU TUNG AND FANLING.
/THE PHASE.......
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
- 13 -
THE PHASE III PROJECT wAS ORIGINALLY PRESENTED TO THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD IN AUGUST 1982, BUT BECAUSE OF OBJECTIONS ABOUT \CISE NUISANCE FROb RESIDENTS OF HOUSES CLOSE TO THE ROUTE ALIGNMENT AT CHUK YUEN, A SECTION OF THE ROAD AT THAT LOCATION WAS OMITTED FROM THE SCHEME.
THE REALIGNMENT OF THE RELEVANT SECTION OF THE ROUTE HAS SINCE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND IT IS NOW PROPOSED THAT THE ROAD EE LOCATED FURTHER AWAY FROM THE RO* OF HOUSES.
AT THE SPECIAL MEETING, THERE *ILL ALSO BE AN ELECTION AMONG BOARD MEMBERS FOR A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL. THE TWO CANDIDATES ARE DR TANG SHIU-TONG AND MR TANG NAI-MAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (MARCH 3) ON 13TH FLOOR YUEN LONG DB CHAMBERS, TAI KIU ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILd’inG, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL COMMENCE AT 9.30 AM wlTH THE ELECTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
-----0------
CLEANSING SCHEME TO BE DISCUSSED
*****
A PROPOSAL FOR A SELF-CLEANSING SCHEME WILL BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S KEEP HK CLEAN COMMITTEE’S NEXT OPEN bEETING ON MONDAY (MARCH 3) WHICH BEGINS AT'5.00 PM, AT ROOM 2, 4TH FLOOR, UC CHAMBERS AT EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR WALTER SULKE, WILL DISCUSS THE VIABILITY OF TURNING OVER THE CLEANSING SERVICES IN A SOUTHERN DISTRICT VILLAGE CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY UC TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE.
I
OTHER PAPERS TO BE DISCUSSED WILL INCLUDE THE PROGRESS REPORT ON KEEP HK CLEAN CAMPAIGN’S LATEST ACTIVITIES AND THE CONTINUATION OF THE COMPUTER-BASED LITTER OFFENCES RECORD SYSTEM. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
------o--------
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
U
CHILDREN’S PARTY
* * *
tuc watfr SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT wILL BE HOLDING ITS 24TH AHNUAlLuXJJ Ne? YEAR CHILDREN’S RUN FAIR AT THE WAN VAN COLLEGE, WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON, BETWEEN 12.30 PM AND 3.45 PM TOMORRO (SUNDAY).
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR TOM TOMLINSON, WILL ■OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES A LION DANCE, ACROBATIC AND CARTOON SHONS SONGS ATO DASs, COMPETITIVE EVENTS AND A VARIETY OF GAMES STALLS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
------o-------
FUN DAY FOR FAMILIES * * *
OVER 1 800 FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE HAVING A DAY OF FUN AT THE ANNUAL FAMILY DAY TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE EYE-DOTTING OF A
THE ANNUAL EVENT WILL BEGIN WITH LION BY THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR ROY KILVERT, FOLLOWED BY A LION DANCE PERFORMED BY THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL
SERVICES STAFF.
APART FROM GAMES AND COMPETITIONS, THERE WILL BE A POLICE DOG DEMONSTRATION, A MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOW, AND A DISPLAY OF FIREARMS AND A FIRE ENGINE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ANNUAL FAMILY DAY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 1 PM TO 4.30 PM AT THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT COMPOUND AT 12 OIL STREET, NORTH POINT.
/15
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
15
PLB CLEARwAY HOURS SHORTENED * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT PROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 4), THE EXISTING 24-HOUR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTIONS ON THREE ROAD SECTIONS IN WAN CHAI WILL EE CUT SHORT.
DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE SECTION OF SHARP STREET WEST BETWEEN MORRISON HILL ROAD AND BOWRINGTON ROAD AND ON THE SECTION OF BOWRINGTON ROAD BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND SHARP STREET WEST wILL BE IN FORCE ONLY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
* THE RESTRICTION ON THE SECTION OF CROSS LANE BETWEEN BULLOCK LANE AND HEARD STREET WILL BE CUT DOWN TO BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUS WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS.
-----o------
ROAD CLOSURE AT TAI KOK TSUI
TUNG CHAU STREET BETWEEN WALNUT STREET AND MAPLE STREET wILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 12 MIDNIGHT ON TUESDAY (MARCH 4) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ALONG TUNG CHAU STREET HEADING FOR TAI KOK TSUI ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WALNUT STREET AND FUK TSUN STREET.
-------o - -
/16........
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1986
16
F IR ING PRACTICE
* * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 18 DAYS THIS MONTH.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE:
DATE TIME
'''ARCH 4 (TUESDAY) 8 AM - 6 PM
MARCH 5 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 11.59 PM
MARCH 6 (THURSDAY) 12.01 AM - 10 PM
MARCH 7 (FRIDAY) 12 NOON - 4 PM
MARCH 8 (SATURDAY) 8 AM - 6 PM
-ARCH 10 (MONDAY) 5.30 AM - 11.30 PM
•ARCH 11 (TUESDAY) 5.30 AM - 11.30 PM
MARCH 12 (WEDNESDAY) 5.30 AM - 11.30 PM
MARCH 13 (THURSDAY) 5.30 AM - 11.30 PM
MARCH 14 (FRIDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM
MARCH 18 .(TUESDAY) ' . 8 AM - 4 PM
MARCH 19 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM
MARCH 20 (THURSDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM
MARCH 21 (FRIDAY) 8 AM - 1 PM
MARCH 24 (MONDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM
MARCH 25 (TUESDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 27 (THURSDAY) 8 AM - 4 PM.
3
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 1?86
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IS A 'TRIPARTITE AFFAIR' ..................
MORE RECREATION FACILITIES AT TAI PO .......................... 2
AIR FORCE VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT .................................
IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOn ON GaSCOIGHE ROAD....................... 3
SiUM TSPNG DEVELOPMENT TO BE DISCUSSED ........................ 4
TECHNICAL teachers' course offered ..........................
MUoICaL treat for residents ................................... 5
500 000 CHILDREN FOR 'OPERATION POSTCaRD' ...................
STUDENT 'CLEAN HK' POSTERS GO ON DISPLaY.....................
ELECTRICITY CaBLE aCROSS DEEP BAY ...........................
TEMPORARY LIFEGUARDS NEEDED.................................... 7
board to discuss area Layout plan ...........................
LaDY youde TO OPPN FLOWER SHOU ..............................
OFFICE MOVING................................................
fire safety inspection ......................................
WATER CUT ...................................................
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 1986
1
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IS A 'TRIPARTITE AFFAIR’
*****
THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IS A TRIPARTITE AFFAIR INVOLVING THE GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AND EACH OF THEM HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.
THIS WAS STATED SY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, AT THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMTTEE RECENTLY.
+FOR THIS REASON, THE INDUSTRY-BASED SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEES ARF FORMED WITH A TRIPARTITE COMPOSITION SO THAT ALL CONCERNED PARTIES MAY CO-OPERATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE OF WORK SAFETY,+ HE SAID.
THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE IS THE SIXTH FORMED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION (CISAP), FOLLOWING THOSE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPREPAIRING INDUSTRY, THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY AND THE METALWARE INDUSTRY.
MR CHEN, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF CISAP, SAID MEMBERS OF THE SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEES INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS FROM EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ORGANISATIONS.
HE SAID THE SUB-COMMITTEES HAD PERFORMED VERY WELL IN IMPROVING SAFETY AT WORK IN THE RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES.
+THEIR ACTIVITIES INCLUDED, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PREPARATION OF CODES OF PRACTICE FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES AND THE ORGANISING OF SAFETY SEMINARS AND COMPETITIONS.+
MR CHEN SAID THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN HONG KONG AND EMPLOYED ABOUT 900 000 PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, BECAUSE' OF ITS HIGH TECHNOLOGY CONTENT AND THE USE OF A WIDE RANGE OF CHEMICALS, WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY WERE SUBJECT TO HEALTH HAZARDS ARISING FROM IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE SUBSTANCES.
IN 1984, HE SAID, 1 134 ACCIDENTS IN THE INDUSTRY HAD BEEN REPORTED AND IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1985, THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS WAS ABOUT 700.
MR CHEN SAID THE NEW SUB-COMMITTEE’S MAIN TASKS WERE TO PRODUCE A CODE OF SAFE PRACTICES FOR THE INDUSTRY AND TO PROMOTE SAFETY AT WORK THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS.
+AS WITH OTHER SUB-COMMITTEES, IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THROUGH THC EFFORTS OF THE MEMBERS AND THEIR PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND ADVICE, THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE WOULD HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN THE INDUSTRY,* HE ADDED.
-------0 ---------
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 1986
2
MORE RECREATION FACILITIES AT TAI PO * * * * *
TAI PO RESIDENTS WILL HAVE MORE RECREATION FACILITIES AS A NEW SCHEME FOR LAND FORMATION GETS UNDER WAY IN THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR TAI PO NEW TOWN.
PLANS ARE READY FOR BUILDING A SPACIOUS SEA-FRONT PROMENADE BY THE SIDE OF A PROPOSED WATERFRONT PARK.
THE PROMENADE, 700 METRES LONG AND 10 METRES WIDE, WILL BE ON TOP OF THE SEAWALL ON LAND TO BE RECLAIMED NEAR THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
IT WILL BE PROVIDED WITH SEATING BAYS, SHADED STRUCTURES AND LANDSCAPE PLANTINGS.
A TOTAL OF 19 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE FORMED SOUTHWEST OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FOR THE WATERFRONT PARK ADJOINING THE PROMENADE.
ANOTHER 2.7 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE FORMED ADJACENT TO YUEN CHAU TSAI WHICH WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE.
WORK WILL START IN MAY THIS YEAR AND THE WHOLE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED IN THREE YEARS.
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS TAI PO ROAD SOUTH OF THE KWONG FUK ESTATE WHICH IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN THE AUTUMN OF NEXT YEAR.
CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS CONNECTING TING KOK ROAD IN THE NORTH WITH THE SHA TIN-TAI PO COASTAL ROAD AT THE ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE IN THE SOUTH WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE AUTUMN OF 1988.
MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA ARE THE PROJECT ENGINEERS WHO WILL SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
------0-------
AIR FORCE VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
***•■**
THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN AVIATION TO BE TRAINED AS OPERATIONS CONTROLLERS AND CREWMEN.
THE RECRUITS WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO TRAINING ON THURSDAY EVENINGS AND AT WEEKENDS.
/AFTER THE .......
SUNDAY, MUCH 2, 1986
AFTER THE TRAINING, RECRUITS FOR OPERATIONS CONTROLLER WILL MAN THE OPERATIONS DESK AT THE FORCE’S HEADQUARTERS AT WEEKENDS, LIAISING WITH AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT AND GROUND AGENCIES.
CREWMAN RECRUITS WILL SERVE ON THE FLEET OF FIXED AND ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT.
A RHKAAF SPOKESMAN SAID THAT VOLUNTEERS WOULD BE CAREFULLY SELECTED. ONE OF THE PRIME CONSIDERATIONS WAS WHETHER THEY COULD PUT IN THE NECESSARY TRAINING TIME TO ATTAIN THE HIGH STANDARD OF PROFICIENCY REQUIRED FOR THE DUTIES.
BASICALLY HE SAID, ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 30 MEd’iCALLY FIT, AND HAVE FIVE SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE(SYLLABUS B) AT GRADE E OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
HOWEVER, A HIGHER PROFICIENCY IN SPOKEN AND WRITTEN ENGLISH IS REQUIRED OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO APPLY TO BE OPERATIONS CONTROLLERS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AT GRADE C, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CANDIDATES FOR CREWMEN MUST BE YOUNG MEN WITH NORMAL EYESIGHT WITHOUT THE a7d OF SPECTACLES. A GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF FIRST AID, SOME MECHANICAL OR TECHNICAL APTITUDE, AND A STRONG SWIMMING CAPABILITY WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE.
APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT PERSONAL DETAILS AND PHOTOGRAPHS iO THE COMMANDING OFFICER, ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AIRPORT TUNNEL EAST EXIT, KOWLOON.
0
IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW ON GASCOIGNE ROAD * * * *
THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE EXTENDED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD AND THE HUNG HOM INTERCHANGE.
THE FLYOVER EXTENSION WILL SPAN THE BUSY JUNCTION AT WYLIE ROAD THUS AVOIDING THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS.
THE PROJECT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY, INCLUDES THE DEMOLITION OF 210 METRES OF THE EASTERN END OF THE EXISTING GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 450-METRE FLYOVER BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH.
THIS WILL BE CONNCECTED WITH THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE EXISTING FLYOVER.
IN ADDITION GASCOIGNE ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD AND HUNG HOM INTERCHANGE WILL BE WIDENED AND IMPROVED.
/ALSO INCLUDED
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 1986
4 -
M eg INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME IS THE EXTENSION OF THE pcnpcTRifN SUBWAY IN CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CONSTRUCT ION OF A BOX ’-.’,1 r,A7T TQ 9PpLACc THC OPEN NULLAH IN GASCOIGNE ROAD, CONSTRUCTION -“rI’LnING WALLS IN GASCOIGNE AID CHATHAM ROADS AND DEMOLITION OF THE KCR BRIDGE NEAR THE CHATHAM ROAD FLYOVeR.
ANY PERSONS WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOU-D WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE APrIl 29.
-----0------
SHAM TSENG DEVELOPMENT TO BE DISCUSSED
* * * * *
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS ADDITIONAL STUDIES ON DEVELOPMENTS IN SHAM TSENG AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY (MARCH 4).
THE PAPER TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE tojEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, WILL ENTAIL FURTHER "'•'TENDING THE SHAM TSENG DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO PROVIDE ATIrt., ACCOMMODATION FOR 40 000 MORE PEOPLE BRINGING THE TOTAL POPULATION gr THE PROPOSED AREA TO ABOUT 100 000 PEOPLE.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON A LAYOUT PLAN OF WO Yl HOP VILLAGE FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VILLAGE.
OTHER LOCAL ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE A REPORT ON LAW AND ORDER IN TSUEN WAN IN 1935, AND THE DELINEATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN RELATION TO DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES.
INFORMATION PAPERS COMMUNITY HALLS-CENTRES
ON PLANNED WELFARE PROJECTS AND ON IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY, IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, AT 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN.
- - - - 0-------------
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 1936
TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE OFFERED * * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE I < INDUSTRIAL ’ORK TO ENROL IN A ONE-YEAR, FULL-TIME COURSE AT THE HONG TEACHERS’ COLLEGE STARTING SEPTEMBER.
ARE INVITED
KONG TECHNICAL
THE COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH YEARS OF GOOD EXPERIENCE IN RELATED FIELDS AMD AN INTEREST IN TAKING UP ’"E'CHING AS A PROFESSION.
GRANTS BETWEFN 31 650 AND 32 500 A MONTH WILL BE AWARDEE TO STUDENTS ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF RELEVANT POST-QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A HIGHER DIPLOMA ^.^INARY DIPLOMA, OR HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR EQUIVALENT AWARDED BY A TECHNICAL COLLEG-, tu; POLYTECHNIC TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR AN EQUIVALENT EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED FORMS TO THE COLLEGE BEFORE MARCH 17.
MUSICAL TREAT * *
FOR RESIDENTS * * *
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT IN A CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE ON MARCH 8 (SATURDAY).
THE SHOW, STARTING AT 8 PM, IS ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SHOW WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY BOTH VETERAN ARTISTS AND AMATEUR LOCAL GROUPS FROM SCHOOLS, RESIDENT BODIES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES CHINESE DANCES BY STUDENTS FROM ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE (STANLEY) AND SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, CANTONESE OPERA BY THE ABERDEEN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE, AND FOLKSONGS BY YU CHUN KEUNG MEMORIAL COLLEGE NO. 2 AND THE MA HANG VILLAGE A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE.
/a CHOBDS........
SUNDAY, MARCH ’, 1^86
6
A CHORI)0 TROUPE FORMED BY MUSICIANS, DANCERS AND VOCALISTS
-QOM VARIOUS ACADEMIES OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 'N C HIN A WILL PJT
ON°A HALF-HOUR SEGMENT 0^ CHINESE -OLKSONGS AND CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL
performances.
AVAIL
-REE TICKETS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS ARE NOW ABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN
CENTRE WAH FU AND STANLEY, THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION AT
ABERDEEN
HALL AND I CHAK
HOUSE. AP LEI CHAU ESTATE.
- - 0 -----------
500 000 CHILDREN FOR ’OPERATION POSTCARD’ * * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER GENERAL FOR HONG KONG AT rXPO ’86, MR PETER TSAO WILL LAUNCH ONE OF THE WORLD’S BIGGEST EVER ♦PEN FRIEND+ OPERATIONS ON TUESDAY (MARCH 4) AFTERNOON.
THIS AMBITIOUS ’OPERATION POSTCARD’ EXERCISE IS DESIGNED TO ATTRACT AT LEAST 500 000 ENTRIES IN EITHER ART OR WRITTEN TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE HONG KONG PAVILION IN VANCOUVER, CANADA THROUGHOUT THE EXPOSITION PERIOD WHICH WILL LAST FROM ■AY 2 TO OCTOBER 13.
MOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 4).
-----o------
STUDENT ’CLEAN HK ’ POSTERS GO ON DISPLAY
*****
A COLOURFUL DISPLAY OF STUDENT ARTWORK DONE IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE ON EXHIBIT IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL FOR ONE DAY - WEDNESDAY (MARCH 5).
THE EXHIBITION WILL PRESENT THE BEST OF THE WORK OF THE NEARLY 2 000 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS WHO DESIGNED POSTERS ON THE THEME: ’EVERYBODY LOVES A CLEAN HONG KONG’.
/SUBSTANTIAL PHIZES .......
SUND1Y, MARCH 2, 1986
- 7 -
SUBSTANTIAL PRIZES ''ILL BE GIVE'1! TO ^HE OUTSTANDING DESIGNERS P BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SECTIONS IN A CEREMONY TO BE HELD THE SAME ’AY.
'•R WALTER SULKE CHAIRMAN OF THE -RBAN COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG OLEA committee will officiate r — -pe-onv which begins at
? PM.
tup EXHIBITION HALL HOWEVER. .ILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EROM io’AM UNTIL 5 PM FOR THOSE WHO MAY WISH TO VIEW THE DISPLAY.
ELECTRICITY CABLE ACROSS DEEP BAY * * * * *
PERMISSION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO CHINA >_IGHT AND POWER TO LAY A SUBMARINE ELECTRICITY CABLE ACROSS DEEP BAY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL POWER TO SHEKOU.
THE WORKS WILL CONSIST OF EXCAVATING A TRENCH OF ABOUT TWO •ETRES IN WIDTH AND DEPTH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE SCHEME COULD SUBMIT WRITTEN CLAIMS ’0 THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN ONE YEAR.
0 --------
TEMPORARY LIFEGUARDS NEEDED
*****
THE- REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT LIFEGUARDS FOR DUTY AT VARIOUS PUBLIC IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
THE TEMPORARY LIFEGUARDS WILL BE CONTRACT BASIS AT A MONTHLY SALARY OF BASIS AT 3121, AN RSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
IS RECRUITING TEMPORARY SWIMMING POOLS AND BEACHES
EMPLOYED ON SHORT-TERM 33 055, OR ON DAY-TO-DAY
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS AT LEAST THE BRONZE MEDAL AWARDED BY THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY, BE UNDER 35 AND HAVE STRONG PHYSIQUE AND NORMAL EYE-SIGHT.
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN T0 THOSE WHO HAVE QUALIFICATION AND ACTUAL EXPERIENCE.
HIGHER LIFE SAVING
INTERESTED PERSONS MAY APPLY THROUGH THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
- - 0
/8........
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 1986
8
*
BOARD TO DISCUSS AREA LAYOUT PLAN K X X * >
MEET ON TUESDAY (MARCHAL)
TUEN - in new town development office.
'HE
STATE, PROJECT
r-sww
.AND A PRIVATE HOUSING SCHEME.
tMW OF
EXPENDITURE FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
vah adc uci rOMF to PQVPR THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING
GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD.
0
lady youde to open flower show
X X X
. „;:e s■,K".’i8:K:.'i;”fs«?s,"5A=s”« FANLING PLAYGROUND ON SATURDAY (MARvH 8).
DETAILS Of THE THREE-DAY SHOW WILL ’EPm'o»MUyP(N*«CH 7) SY ?^cSAIRUNof THE SHOW'S"oRGAN^S^YG COMMITTEE, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG, AND FLOWER EXPERTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
CoNFE;?uNcriTTi^/?Rt^N?Mi^«N?r^D!£Hs^^L?N^^.?^xupNrs
- 0
/?
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 1986
- $ -
OFF ICE OV I NG * M *
THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND S.H.LAR^I - -- T DEPARTMENT’S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ITS 3^1^- jA-r avENUE,
HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS, ,5™ FLOOR, 37 H SA > CAUSEWAY BAY, ON SATURDAY ( 4AR<,H 8).
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR ENQUIRIES ARE 5-8392570 AND
5-3? ?"71.
--------- 0
FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION * * * *
a m i nt + BPOT CHECK* INSPECTION OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS ... BE 21rRIED OUT BY OPERATIONAL BREMEN AND -IRE PROTECTION tFKERS TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO CHE0E IF THE ^EANS OF ESCAPE ARE '-REE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS AND FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS A..E PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
NOTE. TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 0.30 AM TOMORROW (MONDAY). MEDIA T THE SAI WAN HO FIRE STATION AT 0.15 AM WHEN THEY WILL BE BRIEFED OPERATION.
OPERATION WHICH WILL START AT REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE 20 WAI HANG STREET BEFORE ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE
-----0------
. WATER CUT * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY T0 CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL RE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 5) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE ON THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF PUI TO ROAD, INCLUDING SAN HOP LANE, TIN HAU ROAD, SAN ON STREET, HUNG CHEUNG ROAD, HING WONG STREET, SAN LIK STREET, SAN PING CIRCUIT, TUEN MUN KAU HUI AND TSING SHAN TSUEN IN AREA 12.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
ARTS FESTIVAL FIRMLY ESTABLISHED - GOVERNOR ..................... 1
HECTIC YEAR AHEAD FOR HK'S INTERNATIONAL TRADE................... 1
1985 EXPORTS STATISTICS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN RELEASED ........... 2
CHARITIES GET I9M FROM HO TUNG FUND.............................. 6
MEDIA SUPPORT MOUNTS FOR MARCH 6 ELECTIONS ...................... 7
PUBLICITY CONTINUES ON UC ELECTIONS............................. 9
PRESS CONFERENCE ON ELECTIONS ................................... 9
ELECTION BUS ................................................... 10
EPA GETS NE,.; COMPUTERISED CHEMICAL DATABANK................... 10
ROLE OF PRIVaTE NURSERIES LAUDED................................ 11
ADMISSION OP J® TO PRIMARY 2-6 IN G0VERHJ.2KT SCHOOLS........... 12
FIRST DB TO DISCUSS BILLIARD SALOON ISSUE ...................... 13
SH2NZH3J RIVER IMPROVEMENT PROPOSED ............................ 14
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLEARED ............................... 14
KrtAI CHUNG 7/ATER CUT ......................................... 14
DETAILS ON TRADE REPORT ........................................ 15
KOT TONG, YUEN LONG ROaD CLOSURE................................ 15
7 AT ER STORAGE FIGURE.......................................... 15
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
1
ARTS FESTIVAL FIRMLY ESTABLISHED - GOVERNOR X * X X
THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL HAD FIRMLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF IN THE WORLD AND HAD CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE CULTURAL LIFE OF HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS EVENING.
IT HAD ALSO BEEN A STIMULUS TO THE +REMARKABLE FLOWERING OF ARTISTIC TALENT WHICH HAD BEEN SO EVIDENT OVER THE PAST DECADE* IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE CELEBRATION DINNER FOR THIS YEAR’S ARTS FESTIVAL, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT IT WAS + NO SMALL ACHIEVEMENT+ FOR THE ARTS FESTIVAL TO BE MOVING INTO ITS FIFTEENTH YEAR.
THE FESTIVAL SUCCEEDED BECAUSE IT HAD WIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THE GOVERNOR SAID, THANKING IN PARTICULAR THE FESTIVAL CHAIRMAN, SIR RUN RUN SHAW FOR ALL THAT HE HAD DONE FOR THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.
+WITHOUT HIS DEDICATED LEADERSHIP, THE ARTS FESTIVAL WOULD NEVER HAVE ACHIEVED ITS PRESENT STATUS IN SO SHORT A TIME. ALL OF US IN HONG KONG ARE GRATEFUL TO HIM,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
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HECTIC YEAR AHEAD FOR HK’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE * * * *
THE YEAR 1986 WILL BE A HECTIC ONE FOR HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES AND GARMENTS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR STEUART WEBB-JOHNSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL SPRING DINNER OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS, MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID THE MAIN CONCERN FOR HONG KONG IN 1986 WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE PROBLEM OF PROTECTIONISM IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS.
+SUCH DEVELOPMENTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNITED STATES, POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO HONG KONG’S TRADING PROSPECTS, PARTICULARLY ON THE TEXTILE FRONT.
+MORE SPECIFICALLY, PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENTS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS ARISING FROM THE EXPIRY OF THE CURRENT MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT AT THE END OF JULY.*
MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENTS ALL OVER THE WORLD - BOTH IN DEVELOPING AND DEVELOPED COUNTRIES - WERE STILL CONSIDERING THE POSITION THEY WOULD TAKE IN REGARD TO THE FUTURE OF THE MFA, THERE WERE CLEAR SIGNS THAT THE U.S., HONG KONG’S BIGGEST MARKET FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, WOULD ADOPT A HARDLINE POSITION TO THE DETRIMENT OF MAJOR TEXTILE AND GARMENT SUPPLIERS LIKE HONG KONG.
/ON HONG ......
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
2
ON HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENTS WITH VARIOUS '"OUNTRIES MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID THE ONE WITH THE EEC WOULD EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND HONG KONG WOULD BE NEGOTIATING WITH THE EEC SHORTLY IN THIS REGARD.
+ALSO AT THE REQUEST OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, WE SHALL SHORTLY BE MEETING WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO ENTER INTO DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES.*
INTERNALLY, MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID 1986 SAW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED QUOTA TRANSFER RULES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO HELP MOVE QUOTAS FROM SPECULATORS TO GENUINE USERS.
HE NOTED THAT CONCERN HAD BEEN EXPRESSED IN SOME QUARTERS THAT SINCE THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN JANUARY, THE NEW RULES WERE MAKING QUOTAS SCARCE AND WERE HURTING SMALL COMPANIES WHICH WERE FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN QUOTAS THROUGH TRANSFERS.
MR WEBB-JOHNSON SAID IT WAS STILL FAR TOO EARLY TO COME TO ANY CONCLUSION ON THE NEW RULES.
+THE REVISED RULES HAD BEEN DRAWN UP IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TRADE AFTER MONTHS OF CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND DETAIL DISCUSSIONS, AND IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED IF WE DO NOT ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME FOR THE NEW SYSTEM TO PROVE ITSELF. IN THE MEANTIME, THE GOVERNMENT IS CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION,* HE ADDED.
- 0 - -
1985 EXPORTS STATISTICS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN RELEASED *****
THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT • INDUSTRY GROUPS IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF 1985 DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE WEARING APPAREL, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, TEXTILES, PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, AND BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS.
TOGETHER THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 84 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC MERCHANDISE EXPORTS.
THE INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN ABSOLUTE VALUE OVER 1984 WERE NON-ELECTRI CAL MACHINERY (+$1 026 MILLION), PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (+$436 MILLION), TOBACCO (+S384 MILLION), PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (+$212 MILLION), FOOTWEAR (+$147 MILLION), AND ELECTRICITY (+$131 MILL ION).
/Di RELATIVE
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
- 3 -
IN RELATIVE TERMS, INDUSTRIES * I TH THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASES OVER 1984 wERE TOBACCO (+74 PER CENT), BEVERAGES (+57 PER CENT), NON-ELECTRICAL MACHINERY (+53 PER CENT), ELECTRICITY (+42 PER CENT), AND FOOTWEAR (+28 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER 198^ ..ERE RECORDED FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (-$5 664 MILLION OR -17 PER CENT), ■.EARING APPAREL (-$1 695 MILLION OR -5 PER CENT), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$1 482 MILLION OR -13 PER CENT), TEXTILES (-$1 343 MILLION OR -5 PER CENT), BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (-$659 MILLION OR -13 PER CENT), AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (-92 MILLION OR -16 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE DECREASES WERE ALSO OBSERVED IN AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION (-50 PER CENT), MINING AND QUARRYING (-25 PER CENT) AND RUBBER PRODUCTS (-17 PER CENT).
THESE ARE SOME OF THE STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CENSUo AMD STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR 1985.
THIS SERIES IS DERIVED BY REGROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE PRESENT EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
um..oTn^ACLASSIFICAT,0N 0F MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS BY
,G IN IS struCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS ACnviT}p?N?^ cT|NrA?D 'ND^RIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC /.CT! VI TIES (I.S.I.C.), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S. I.T C ) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
WHEN REFERRING TO THESE RE-CLASSIFIED FIGURES, A POINT CF CAUTION IS RELEVANT. CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS MAY REQUI SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES FOR THEIR PRODUCTION.
IN SUCH CASES, THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH AN ITEM IS FINALLY PRODUCED IS NOT REALLY THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE VALUE. NEVERTHELESS, STATISTICALLY, THE OVERALL VALUE OF THE ITEM IS WHOLLY ALLOCATED TO THAT INDUSTRY.
APAR?“1!fy’lWUS?R?3^^C;j|O5l„g(/TJ"CHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO
CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES.
/FUHTHEfi DETAILS..........
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
- 4 -
FURTHER DETAILS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS FOR •ERCHANDISE RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY EE SEEN IN T’- TAELE BELOw wHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RcSEaKU., SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 3-7224504;. TAELE ON THESE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLU-. IN THE REPORT +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1Q85+.
VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR MERCHANDISE, RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR 1984 AND 1985
(VALUES IN HIG MILLION)
INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN OF THE COMMODITIES EXPORTED MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS
1984 1985 VALUE CHANGE CH Ah
AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND FISHING
AGRICULTURAL, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION 12 6 -6 - 50
FORESTRY AND LOGGING 0. 007 — -□.□07 -!□□
OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING 241 243 2 1
MN I NG AND QUARRYING 4 3 -1 - 25
MANUFACTURING
FOOD 1 219 1 189 -30 - 2
BEVERAGES 137 215 78 57
TOBACCO 522 907 384 74
TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 25 281 23 938 -1 343 - 5
..EARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR 31 663 29 968 -1 695 - 5
LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS 488 468 -20 - 4
FOOTGEAR 522 669 147 .23
/WOOD AND .......
MONDAY, Man-
- 5 -
.'a'j AMD CORK PRODUCTS, 77° 752 “ 1 f
-UR'.ITUrE AND F IXTURES c.
PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND 2 144 2 356 212 1 )
PUBLISHING
CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 1 433 1 35) -83 -
RUBBER PRODUCTS 230 166 -34 - If
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 11 819 10 337 -1 482 “ 1 _
non-metallic mineral PRODUCTS 565 474 -92 - 1(
BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL 6 577 5 918 -659 - 10
PRODUCTS
MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL 1 q32 2 958 1 326 53
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 33 421 27 757 -5 664 - 17
TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 149 146 -3 — £
PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL equipment 10 571 11 008 436 4
OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 7 881 8 556 678
ELECTRICITY MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 312 443 131 42
(E.G. DEVELOPED PHOTOGRAPHIC _ 1 n - 16
PLATES AND FILM, ANTIQUES, o4 54
AND WORKS OF ART)
TOTAL 137 q36 129 1 882 -8 055 —
INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES OF A COLUMN YAY NOT ADD UP EXACTLY TO THE CORRESPONDING TOTAL DUE TO ROUNDING.
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 198£
6
CHARITIES GET 39M FROM HO * * * *
GRANTS OF MORE THAN i>9 MILL I ,’N wERE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND TO 80 IN HONG KONG.
TUNG FUND
MADE recently from THE CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY MR NIGEL SHIPMAN, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE Co?t.!ITT-x RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNOR ON THE ALLOCATION OF TrE FUUMo.
THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND IS ONE OF THE L.G-.GES1 CHARITABLE TRUSTS IN HONG KONG. IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY A BEQUEST OF 500 000 BY THE LATE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG IN 1956, AND IS ADMINISTERED BY HONGKONG BANK TRUSTEE LTD.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT MAJOR GRANTS THIS YEAR INCLUDED SI 263 080 TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION RECEIVED $687 880, FOR USE BY THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM FOR PURCHASE OF HOSPITAL BEDS, AND BY THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL FOR PURCHASE OF AN X-RAY UNIT.
THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL RECEIVED $527 000, AND THE PO LEUNG KUK WAS GIVEN $436 000.
A SUM OF $395 550 WAS GIVEN TO PROVIDE MILK FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN 58 SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND TO ALLOW THEM TO GO ON OUTINGS AND EDUCATIONAL VISITS. ANOTHER 3316 200 WAS TO SUBSIDISE THE HANDICAPPED AND UNDERPRIVILEGED SCHOOL CHILDREN TO ATTEND OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL CAMPS.
CARITAS, HONG KONG, WAS GIVEN $390 600, LARGELY FOR PURCHASE OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE AND FOR ITS CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, KINDERGARTENS AND CLINICS.
A GRANT OF $337 000 WAS GIVEN TO THE SAMARITAN FUND FOR PURCHASE OF WHEELCHAIRS AND MEDICAL DRESSINGS AND CONSUMABLES.
THE HEEP HONG SOCIETY FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WAS GRANTED $300 000 FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF ITS PAK TIN FIRST HELP UNIT, AND THE NAM LONG HOSPITAL WAS GRANTED $298 000 FOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON ITS FRESH WATER AND FLUSH WATER SUPPLIES.
OTHER GRANTS WERE AS FOLLOWS:
* $281 840 TO THE HONG KONG RED CROSS:
* $245 300 TO THE SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL FOR A TRAINING ROOM FOR OBSERVATION AND TREATMENT OF PUPILS WITH BEHAVIOURAL AND SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS:
/♦ |225 000 TO.........
MONDAY, M/UGH 3, 1986
- 7 -
* 5225 000 TO THE MA WAN RURAL COMMITTEE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STOREY OLD PEOPLE’S CENTRE I
* $202 320 TO HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE MAINLY FOR ITS +INFANT STIMULATION AND PARENT EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING PROJECT*;
* $200 400 TO THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL, AND $158 030 TO THE POK 01 HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT?
* $200 000 TO ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME FOR FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR CHILDREN’S COTTAGES;
4 $196 900 TO OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL FOR AN-OPERATING TABLE AND AN AUTOMATIC CELL WASHER;
* $196 400 TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISABLED CHILDREN FOR REPLACEMENT OF AN AUTOCLAVE AND THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM AT THE DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL;
4 <182 880 TO SIK SIK YUEN TO CIT OUT A SOCIAL CLUB FOR THE ELDERLY IN CHAK ON ESTATE;
r 180 000 TO THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR RUNNING ITS REFUGE FOR ABUSED WOMEN, AND
4 <150 000 TO THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
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MEDIA SUPPORT MOUNTS FOR MARCH 6 ELECTIONS
*****
IN SUPPORT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 6, POPULAR TELEVISION PERSONALITIES AND RADIO D I SC-JOChEYo WILL PARTICIPATE IN DISTRIBUTING HANDBILLS AND DELIVERING ELECTION MESSAGES TO THE PUBLIC IN THE URBAN AND NON-URBAN AREAS DURING THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, PETER TSAO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE LAUNCHING OF A BUS TOUR SPONSORED BY THE ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED IN EDINBURGH PLACE AT 12.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
/+MIS3 A3XA .......
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
- 8
♦MISS ASIA PACIFIC (HK) +, EVA LAI, ND +MISS PEaCE+, JACLYN CH .ILL JOIN THE 12 SEMI-FINALISTS OF THE + HONL KONG NEW IDOL CHALLENja -=86+ TO URGE REGISTERED ELECTORS TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY (MARCH 6) ..HILE TOURING THROUGHOUT CENTRAL AND CAUSE..AY BAY.
□ !xJ
PROMOTION EFFORTS W ILL CONTINUE ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 5) v.HcK THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICE^, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WILL_ OFFICIATE AT BOTH AN URBAN AND A NON-URBAN AREA EVENT TO C ' RADIO ARTISTES AND DISC-JOCKEYS SUPPORT FOR THEIR ELECTION PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
MR BARNES WILL FIRST ATTEND A PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT T.-E TAI PO HONGKONG RAILWAY MUSEUM AT 11.25 AM BEFORE RADIO TELLY'310 . HONG KONG DISC-JOCKEYS SET OUT TO DISTRIBUTE HANDBILLS TO RESIDENTS IX TAI PO AND SHA TIN, CALLING ON REGISTERED ELECTORS TO SUPPORT T _ REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION.
MR BARNES WILL THEN ATTEND A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT THE SHARP STREET TRAM DEPOT IN WAN CHAI AT 12.30 PM TO LAUNCH A SPECIAL ANTIQUE TRAM TOUR SPONSORED BY HONG KONG COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CO. LTD.
OFFICE WORKERS AND RESIDENTS OF WAN CHAI, CENTRAL AND WESTERN, AND NORTH POINT DISTRICTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE COMMERCIAL RADIO jISC-JOCKEYS AND OTHER PERSONALITIES RIDING ON THE COLOURFULLY DECORATED TRAM DURING THE LUNCH TIME PERIOD.
THE JOURNEY, WHICH WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE AT CERTAIN INTERVALS, IS TO ENCOURAGE REGISTERED ELECTORS TO VOTE ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6).
HELIUM-INFLATED BLIMPS CARRYING ELECTION BANNERS WILL BE FLOWN r'VEP THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDENS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND THE YUEN WO PLAYGROUND ALONG THE SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND IN STATUE SQUARE, CENTRAL, ON WEDNESDAY TO HELP IN THE PUBLICITY.
BROADCASTING VANS WILL BE TOURING VARIOUS DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO DISSEMINATE ELECTION MESSAGES.
THE REMAINING +COUNTDOWN+ API’S (ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC INTEREST) WILL BE SCREENED AND BROADCAST ON TELEVISION AND RADIO IN THE DAYS LEADING TO MARCH 6.
AS A FURTHER REMINDER TO REGISTERED ELECTORS, DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENTS WILL APPEAR IN MAJOR ENGLISH AND CHINESE NEWSPAPERS ON MARCH 5 AND 6.
- 0
/9........
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
- 9 -
PUBLICITY CONTINUES ON UC ELECTIONS * * * *
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, AND HIS STAFF WILL CONTINUE THEIR PUBLICITY EFFORTS ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 5) ANl> THURSDAY TO APPEAL TO ELIGIBLE ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR VOTco IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 6.
ON WEDNESDAY, AN OPEN-TOP PUBLICITY BUS FEATURING AL ION D; WILL TOUR MAJOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, BUSY STREETS, APKc . L COMMERCIAL AND SHOPPING CENTRES AND PROMINENT AREAS.
MR JONES WILL PERFORM THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY OUTSIDE THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE BEFORE THE PUBLICITY BUS STARTS THt TOUR.
ON ELECTION DAY (MARCH 6), A STREeT PERFORMANCE +GO TIM TIM ON STILTS+ BY THE FRINGE CLUB WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 1.30 PM AND 2.30 PM OUTSIDE THE 01 MAN ESTATE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.
MESSAGES AND MUSIC URGING REGISTERED ELECTORS TO VOTE WILL BE BROADCAST BY THE PUBLICITY BUS AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES WHILE PUBLICITY MATERIALS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PASSERS-BY THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEYo.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LION DANCE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY AT 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY OUTSIDE THE KOWLOON CITY OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.
-----o------
PRESS CONFERENCE ON ELECTIONS # * # *
A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE FORTHCOMING URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 6, WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION,
FR DONALD LIAO.
IT WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, 12TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, HARBOUR CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI.
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (ELECTORAL SERVICES), MR LEE LAP-SUN, AND A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR C.M. LEUNG.
/THE CHIEF .......
MONDAY, MABCH 3, 1986
10 -
THC CHIEF INFORMATION 0FF4CER OF THE S -aND PUBLICITY DIVISION OF CNTA, MRS BETTY SHUM, WILL ?E IA ABOUT PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COVERAGE OF HP vuiinG AND VISliS
OR ELECTION DAY.
-TTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
-----o-----
ELECTION BUS * * *
THE
-F PETER
SECfEYARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, TSAfi WILL OFFICIALLY LAUNCH A SPECIAL ELcCT ION BUS IN EDINBURGH PLACE AT 12.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO PROMOTE THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
ctPONRORFD BY ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED, THE OPEN-TOP BUS WILL T'UR THE CENTRAL AND CAUSEWAY BAY DISTRICTS DURING LUNCH TIME, CALLING ON REGISTERED ELECTORS TO VOTE ON MARCH 6.
.M i cc ASIA PACIFIC (HK) + . EVA LAI AND +,,!33 . JACLYN
CHD X JOIN THE 12 SEMI-FINAL I STS OF THE + HONG KONG NEW IDOL CHALLENGE 1986+ IN DELIVERING THE ELECTION MESSAGE TO PASSERS-BY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
------o-------
EPA GETS NEW COMPUTERISED CHEMICAL DATABANK * * * M
CHEMICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION.
OHFMDATA DEVELOPED BY HARWELL LABORATORY IN BRIITAIN IS A COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE OF INFORMATION 0 CHEMICALS A..D ^HtH . PRODUCTS.
IT CURRENTLY CONTAINS STORED IN A MICROCOMPUTER,
INFORMATION ON OVER 43 DOO CHEMICALS, AND. IS UPDATED EVERY SIX MONTHS.
/INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES
MONDAY, MAfiCH 3, 1966
11
INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES ' THE \t>.- . ■< 3E INSTANTLY
ACCESSIBLE BY CHF" IC- LYcN SEARCHES
FOR INCOMPLETE NAME- . ■ •
THE LISTING FOR EACH CHEMICAL INCLUDES ITS HAZARDOUS PROPERTIES, PERSON.'- _ -.CAUTIONS,
FIRE CONTROL AND DECONT • ...
THE CHEMDATA SYSTEM IS BEING USEE ”Y THE ERA AS A SCREENING TOOL TO PROVIDE BAS I Is F''' ” ; " i - .. 71 ; . A[ Yi?:‘ . <
DISPOSAL OF INDUSTRIAL ?.AST7-Z.
SEARCHES FOR ANY SPECIAL INFORMATION CAN r.E CAr.lt. A ' LESS THAN 15 SECONDS AND HARD COPY CAN BE READILY OBTAINc... .
CONSEQUENTLY, QUICK RESPONSE TO ANY REQUEST FOR ADVICE . EMERGENCY SERVICES CAN EE PROVIDED IK THE EVENT OF AN INCIDENT WHERE HAZARDOUS WASTES ARE INVOLVED OR WHERE A CHEMICAL HAZARD MAY EXIST.
ROLE OF PRIVATE NURSERIES LAUDED W * * *
PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTRES PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HONG
KONG AND THERE ARE AT PRESENT 84 SUCH CEN"RtS r-'lKL" ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN WEST KOWLOON, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID T:r (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE JINGLE BELL NURSERY IN SHA TIN, MRS CHAN SAID THAT THE 84 PRIVATE CENTRES COMPRISED 28 FULL-DAY CENTRES, 16 HALF-DAY IF "<ES 'ND 24 -.A* -v /p- for
3 544 CHILDREN BETWEIZ.i -E AGES OF TWO A' i FIX.
IN ADDITION THERE .WERE 16 NURSERIES CARING FOR OVER 630 CHILDREN UP TO I ' OF SIX.
•♦•ALTOGETHER THESE PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTRES PROVIDE
9 178 PLACES, OR ............ 7 ALL SUCH Tl - ’ •' : 1 ; -";r
CLEARLY PLAY A VER;' IL\. I ... I : AD.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 255 AIDED, NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTRES 1 ■■ ' • 7'''■■'1 ~ ~00 FLADES.
ACCORDING TO EXISTING POLICY, ONE AIDED CHILD CARE CENTRE WITH A CAPACITY OF 100 PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR EVERY 20 000 PEOPLE.
+THE GOVERNME ' 'RAGES THE Z _ ’T' G UP OF PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTRE; ■' ' ~ 'AKE UP FOR
SHORTFALLS IN SUCH
/+TH3RE IS........
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1?86
- 12 -
+THERE IS LIKELY TO BE 15
WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 1 500
NEW CHILD CAR" CENTRES EACH YEAR PLACES,+ YRS CHAN SAID.
THE CHILD CARE CENTRE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE 0^ THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS AT PRESENT PROCESS IMG APPLICATIONS OF FOUR PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTRES WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO COME INTO OPERATION NEXT YEAR.
---.0------
ADMISSION OPEN TO PRIMARY 2-6 IN GOVERNMENT oCrlOOLS * * * *
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO PRIMARY 2 TO PRIMARY 6 H' GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR THE 1986-87 SCHOOL Y-AR IS OPEN.
CHILDREN AGED SIX YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS AND ABOVE ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR MAY APPLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE PRIMARY 2 TO PRIMARY 6 CLASSES, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARENTS SHOULD MAKE DIRECT ENQUIRIES WITH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO FIND OUT ABOUT VACANCIES AT ANY LEVEL.
SUCH VACANCIES WILL ALSO BE CLEARLY INDICATED IN A NOTICE -’UT UP AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, THE SPOKESMAN SA ID.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH VACANCIES FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 7) TO MARCH 14 EXCLUDING GENERAL HOLIDAYS.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS. SELECTION OF PRIMARY 2 TO 6 PUPILS WILL BE MADE ON MARCH 21.
CHILDREN WILL NORMALLY BE ADMITTED TO SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT THEY RESIDE AND CARE WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN FROM THE SAME FAMILY ARE NOT SEPARATED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, PARENTS OR GUARDIANS ARE REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING ALL PARTICULARS IN THE APPLICATION FORM.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE FREE AND NO ENTRANCE FEE IS CHARGED FOR ADMISSION TO ANY GOVERNMENT SCHOOL.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED PARENTS AND GUARDIANS THAT CHILDREN BETWEEN SIX AND 12 YEARS OLD NOT IN SCHOOL SHOULD APPLY FOR ADMISSION.
- 0
/13
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
- 13 -
FIRST DB TO DISCUSS BILLIARD SALOON ISSUE * H W *
WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) A PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE A SUPPLEMENTARY SITE FOR THE EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND THE CONTROL CF BILLIARD SALOONS.
SIX HOUSING BLOCKS IN WONG TAI SIN ARE AFFECTED IN THE EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT PROPOSAL WILL PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AREA IN CPU* YUEN ESTATE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR PLANNING OFFICER, MISS MARY SEDDON, AND SENIOR ARCHITECT, MR ANDREW SIU, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSAL.
%
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS AND PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS. THE WONG TAI SIN DB WILL EE THE FIRST DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (HEADQUARTERS) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR PATRICK HASE, WILL BE PRESENT TO LISTEN TO MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (POLLUTION) OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH. MR IAN HOWARD, AND SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WASTE MANAGEMENT), MR ROBERT JORDAN. THEY WILL BRIEF MEMBERS AND SEEK THEIR VIEWS ON THE CONTROL OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY ANIMAL WASTE.
IN THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PRIVATE CAR INSPECTION SCHEME.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME 1985-86 TO 1989-90; A REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION CF THE GREEN PAPER ON HOUSING SUBSIDY TO TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING, AN INFORMATION PAPER ON ROAD OPENINGS, A FINANCI AL REVIEW OF THE wONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, AND THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW AT 2.30 PM AT THE FUNG MING HALL, WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
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/14
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 19M
14
SHENZHEN RIVER IMPROVEMENT PROPOSED * * * *
TWO SECTIONS OF THE SHENZHEN RIVER NEAR LOK MA CHAU AND LIU POK ARE TO BE IMPROVED TO PREVENT FLOODINGS.
THE SCHEME INVOLVES REALIGNING, WIDENING AND DEEPENING THE RIVER.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS IS A JOINT HONG KONG-SHENZHEN PROJECT WHICH WAS AGREED UPON AND SIGNED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND AUTHORITIES IN SHENZHEN IN APRIL 1982.
THE EXTENT OF AREA AFFECTED — ABOUT 33 HECTARES OF THE RIVER — IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FR IDAY, HE SAID.
THOSE AFFECTED BY THE PLAN COULD SUBMIT WRITTEN CLAIMS TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN ONE YEAR.
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLEARED * * * *
A TOTAL OF 18 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE CLEARED AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THE OPERATION IS BEING CO-ORDINATED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE CLEARANCE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 9.15 AM AT THE JUNCTION OF KANSU STREET AND FERRY STREET.
- - 0 - -
KwAI CHUNG WATER CUT * * X
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL. Be TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE ON KWAI HEI STREET FROM UNDER BRIDGx CF TSUEN WAN BYPASS TO WING SHUN STREET, INCLUDING WING KEI ROAD, WING CHONG STREET, WING LAP STREET AND wI NG HAU STREET.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1986
- 15 -
DETAILS ON TRADE REPORT * * *
THE LEGAL SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE TRADE FACILITATION COUNT!' . CHAIRED BY MR DENIS CHANG, WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO fal'.'c DETAILS OF ITS RECENTLY-COMPLETED REPORT ON THE ELECTRONIC TRANSFER OF DATA IN RELATION TO THE TRADE DOCUMENTATION PROCi. l\ tS G IS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSF IE'... . SE,
CENTRAL, AT 5 PM TODAY (MONDAY).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
------o-------
KWUN TONG, YUEN LONG ROAD CLOSURE
*****
A SECTION OF THE UNNAMED ROAD LINKING SAU MAU PING ROAD AND PO LAM ROAD IN KWUN TONG, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SAU MAU PING POAD TO A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL 3E CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION IN SAU MAU PING ROAD.
VEHICLES ON SAU MAU PING ROAD HEADING FOR THE UNNAMED ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO PO LAM ROAD.
.-z
MEANWHILE, FROM 7 AM TO 11 PM ON THE SAME DAY, ON SHUN STREET IN YUEN LONG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION TO BE HELD AT THE YUEN LONG LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 59.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 346.378 MILLION CUBIC
METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 395.3^7 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 67.5 PER CENT CF CAPACITY.
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT NONA SPRING DINNER..................... 1
THIRD MEETING OF JLG TO START MARCH 11 ......................
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ...................................
UNIQUE 'PEN FRIEND' OPERATIC® LAUNCHED FOR EXPO '86.......... 4
MARCH 6 ELECTION A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD ................. 5
PRERR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTION DAY.......................... 7
MEDIA HELP IN ELECTIONS NOTED................................ 11
ACTIVITIES IN KjUN TONG TO REMIND VOTERS .................... 12
JACOBS ON FACT-FINDING TOUR.................................. 13
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT PUBLISHED .......................... 14
REAPPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED..................................... 14
UEii mSBER APPOINTED TO TUEN MUN ............................ 15
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FIX 'OPEN DAYS' ........................ 15
FREE STUDENT CONCERTS AT COLISEUM............................
SHAM SHUT PO ENVIRONMENT TO BE IMPROVED ..................... 17
DISTRICT COMMITTEE TO MEET .................................. 17
MEET-THE-MEDIA .............................................. 18
PARKING METERS FOR KWAI CHUNG................................ 18
TUEN NON, KWAI CHUNG TRAFFIC CHANGES......................... 18
VEHICULAR UNDERPASS Di HUNG HOM CLOSED ...................... 19
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT NCNA SPRING DINNER * * *
DIRECTOR XU, MRS XU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I SHOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL MY COLLEAGUES HERE THIS EVENING FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME AND FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY AND WISH YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE YEAR AHEAD. THE OX AND THE TIGER HAVE DIFFERENT QUALITIES. BOTH, I AM SURE, WILL PROVE TO BRING GOOD FORTUNE TO HONG KONG.
IN THE YEAR THAT HAS PASSED SINCE YOU LAST INVITED US TO CELEBRATE SPRING FESTIVAL WITH YOU, MUCH HAS HAPPENED TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN qS. THE FIRST STEPS ALONG THE ROAD OF IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION HAVE BEEN TAKEN. WE CAN BE WELL SATISFIED WITH WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BOTH IN THE LAND COMMISSION AND IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. WE WERE GREATLY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO WELCOME STATE COUNCILLOR JI PENGFEI TO HONG KONG AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER CHINESE VISITORS INCLUDING MR LU PING AND HIS COLLEAGUES.
>EAR. ' THEREF2l"R?0UBT“sSLBElJfwTJl!LC?2^‘TI0N THE C0MING .......................................................................
IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION.
NEXT WEEK THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL MEET IN HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME. LIKE YOU I LOOK FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL MEETING. w£ ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO THE VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO CHINA AND HONG KONG, AND I AM SURE THAT THE VISIT OF GENERAL SECRETARY HU TO BRITAIN WILL BE WELCOMED THERE.
I SHOULD NOW LIKE TO PROPOSE A TOAST TO THE HEALTH OF DIRECTOR XU AND MRS XUj TO THE HEALTH OF ALL YOUR COLLEAGUES FERE THIS EVENING, TO THE CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, AND TO OUR CONTINUING CO-OPERATION IN THE YEAR AHEAD.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
- 2 -
THIRD MEETING OF JLG TO START MARCH 11 *****
THE THIRD MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG BETWEEN MARCH 11 AND 14. MEETINGS WILL BE IN THE VENUE IN VICTORIA BARRACKS CURRENTLY USED FOR LAND COMMISSION MEETINGS.
THE BRITISH TEAM FOR THE MEETING WILL, AS USUAL, BE LED BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, DR DAVID WILSON, AND WILL INCLUDE ERIC HO, MR JOHN BOYD, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY AND MR PETER THOMSON.
EXPERTS ASSISTING THE BRITISH TEAM WHO WILL ALSO ATTEND THE NEETING ARE MR C. HUM (HEAD OF H.K. DEPARTMENT DESIGNATE, FCO), F. BURROWS (LAW OFFICER, SPECIAL DUTIES), MR A. CARTER (DIRECiOR OF IMMIGRATION), MR P. CHAN (DIRECTOR OF MARINE), MR G. HIGGINSON (DEPUTY SECRETARY, ECONOMIC SERVICES) AND MR R. WILSON (PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY, GENERAL DUTIES).
A SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE TWO UK-BASED MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH SIDE, DR WILSON AND MR GALSWORTHY, AND THE PEKING-BASED MEMBER, MR THOMSON, WOULD ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6) FOR CONSULTATIONS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DR WILSON AND MR GALSWORTHY WILL BE ARRIVING BY FLIGHT ER 382, ETA 6.15 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6) AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THEIR ARRIVAL.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM ON THAT DAY AT 5.25 PM.
DETAILS OF OTHER PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR COVERING THE JLG I'-EETINGS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL EXAMINE IN PUBLIC THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1986-87 AT FOUR SPECIAL MEETINGS ON MARCH 5, 7, 10 AND 11.
EACH MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
/COPIES OF .......
TUESDAY, MAECH 4, 1986
COPIES OF THE WRITTEN REPLIES PROVIDED BY CONTROLLING OFFICERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHORTLY BEFORE EACH MEETING.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING WILL BE BOXED IN RELATION TO THE MEETINGS:
TUESDAY, MARCH 4
1. COPIES OF ORAL QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 5).
2. COPIES OF QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 5). WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
1. COPIES OF WRITTEN REPLIES FOR THE DAY. THURSDAY, MARCH 6
1. COPIES OF ORAL QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED ON FRIDAY (MARCH 7).
2. COPIES OF QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY ON FRIDAY (MARCH 7). FR IDAY, MARCH 7
1. COPIES OF WRITTEN REPLIES FOR THE DAY-.
2. COPIES OF ORAL QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED ON MONDAY (MARCH 10).
3. COPIES OF QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY ON MONDAY (MARCH 10). MONDAY, MARCH 10
1. COPIES OF WRITTEN REPLIES FOR THE DAY.
2. COPIES OF ORAL QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED ON TUESDAY (MARCH 11).
3. COPIES OF QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY ON TUESDAY (MARCH 11). TUESDAY, MARCH 11
1. COPIES OF WRITTEN REPLIES FOR THE DAY.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
UNIQUE 'PEN FRIEND’ OPERATION LAUNCHED FOR EXPO ’86
******
VISITORS TO THE HONG KONG PAVILION AT EXPO '86 TO BE HELD IN VANCOUVER, CANADA, FROM MAY 2 TO OCTOBER 13 WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PERSONALISED, HAND DRAWN POSTCARDS WITH THE MESSAGE +HONG KONG IN TOUCH WITH THE WORLD*.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR HONG KONG AT THE EXPOSITION, MR PETER TSAO, WHEN HE LAUNCHED WHAT IS BELIEVED THt WORLD,S BIGGEST EVER ’PEN FRIEND’ OPERATIONS.
BE ONE
TO
WITH ITS TARGET OF AT LEAST 500 000 PERSONALISED MESSAGES IN EITHER ART OR WRITTEN FORM, MR TSAO ADDED THAT THIS MIGHT ALSO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST +PERSON TO PERSON* GOODWILL GESTURES THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN.
MR TSAO SAID THAT THE POSTCARD THEME FITTED IN LITERALLY WITH THAT OF THE EXPOSITION WHICH IS +WORLD IN MOTION, WORLD IN TOUCH*.
AND THOSE WISHING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE DELIVERY SERVICE TO GET ’IN TOUCH’ WITH MORE THAN ONE OVERSEAS PEN FRIEND WILL BE GIVEN AS MANY CARDS AS THEY FEEL CAPABLE OF CONTRIBUTING.
THE MESSAGE CAN TAKE MANY FORMS — A WRITTEN TEXT, EITHER IN ENGLISH OR CHINESE, A POEM OR A SKETCH.
+ALL WE ASK IS THAT IT CONVEYS A HONG KONG FLAVOUR, SO THAT THE RECIPIENT WILL DETECT SOMETHING OF THE PRIDE WE TAKE IN THIS UNIQUE AND VIGOROUS COMMUNITY.*
HOWEVER, MR TSAO ADDED, +FOR OBVIOUS REASONS WE WOULD NOT WISH THE MESSAGE TO BE OF A COMMERCIAL OR POLTICAL NATURE.*
MR TSAO THEN REVEALED THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY SUCCEEDED IN INVOLVING A LARGE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN A COMPETITION RELATING TO THIS EXERCISE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE INTER-SCHOOL CONTEST IS MARCH 26, JUST BEFORE THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.
A TEAM FROM THE WINNING SCHOOL, COMPRISING FIVE STUDENTS AND AN ACCOMPANYING TEACHER, WILL BE FLOWN TO VANCOUVER FOR A GUIDED TOUR OF THE EXPOSITION. AND IN THIS CONNECTION, MR TSAO SAID: +WE CERTAINLY HOPE TO HAVE THE TEAM PRESENT IN THE HONG KONG PAVILION FOR OUR HONG KONG DAY ON JULY 18.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT EXPO ’86 IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT AN ESTIMATED 14 MILLION VISITORS FROM 50 NATIONS.
/+EACH CARD........
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
5
♦EACH CARD WILL REACH OUT AND PERHAPS TOUCH — IN THE EMOTIVE SENSE — SOMEONE ABROAD WHO, IN OUR INCREASINGLY AUTOMATED AND DEPERSONALISED WORLD, WILL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO BE THE RECIPIENT OF SUCH A HIGHLY PERSONALISED GESTURE.*
POSTCARDS FOR ’PEN FRIENDS’ ARE FREELY AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES HEADQUARTERS, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD, CENTRAL) AT ITS CO-ORD I N*T I i>;G CENTRE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND -LOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.
- - - - 0 ------------
MARCH 6 ELECTION A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD *****
THE FORTHCOMING URBAN COUNCIL AND - FOR THE FIRST TIME -REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6), MARK ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY.
THERE ARE 39 CANDIDATES VYING FOR THE 15 SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND 40 CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE 12 SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE ELECTIONS, MR LIAO SAID: +A VOTE FOR AN URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCILLOR REPRESENTS TRUE PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC LIFE.
+ELECTIONS AND THE CONCEPT OF ELECTIONS HAVE BECOME A FAMILIAR PROCESS FOR THE PUBLIC TO GET SOMEONE OF THEIR CHOICE INTO VARIOUS LEVELS OF ADMINISTRATION.
+THEY ALSO FORM A VITAL PART OF CIVIC EDUCATION WHICH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY.*
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT WHILE ELECTIONS WERE NOTHING NEW TO THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH ITS LONG HISTORY, THURSDAY’S ELECTIONS IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WERE A BRAND NEW EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS.
+FOR THE FIRST TIME, RESIDENTS OF THE GROWING NEW TOWNS AND RURAL AREAS WILL HAv£ A SAY IN CHOOSING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE NEW COUNCIL WHICH WILL LOOK AFTER THEIR WELFARE IN PUBLIC HEALTH, RECREATION FACILITIES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.
+UNLIKE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS CONTROL THEIR OWN BUDGETS IN THE PROVISION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS CLEANING THE STREETS, PROVIDING RECREATION AND AMENITIES, CONTROLLING HAWKERS AND LICENSING VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENT,* HE ADDED.
/THS HOLE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 4. 1986
6
THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL NEED NO
T|R??ACJl?n As THE RESULTS 0F ITS WORK ARE a VISIBLE REMINDER, rn L I AO SA ID.
IN ADDITION TO CARRYING O,UT DAILY ROUTINES TO KEEP THE Jf,?AN AREA^ CLEAN AND HEALTHY THE URBAN COUNCIL CONTRIBUTED MJCH TO THE CULTURAL AND SPORES DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
+FOR MANY YEARS NOW, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HaVc BEEN PROVIDING SIMILAR SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS. BUT THE CREATION OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO DIRECTLY PARTICIPATE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES,+ MR LIAO SAID.
+WITH THE SHIFT AND INCREASE OF POPULATION IN THE NEW TOWNS, THE STANDARDS, AND SCALES OF SUCH SERVICES SHOULD BE RAISED ACCORDINGLY,* HE SAID.
+WHILE THE SETTING UP OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO PEOPLE LIVING IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS IN TERMS OF SERVICES AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, IT ALSO HELPS IMPROVE THE STRUCTURE OF ADMINISTRATION IN THE TERRITORY,* HE ADDED.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT PUBLICITY MOUNTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ELECTIONS AND THE WORK OF THE TWO COUNCILS WERE MATCHED BY THE CANDIDATES’ OWN EFFORTS IN CANVASSING VOTES.
+IN THIS RESPECT, THE MEDIA HAS ALSO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE BY PROVIDING THE ELECTORS AND PUBLIC ALIKE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE ELECTIONS, THE CANDIDATES AND THE TWO COUNCILS,* HE SAID.
+WE HAVE NOW REACHED THE STAGE FOR A LAST PUSH, AND I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE MEDIA WILL STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS IN ENCOURAGING ALL ELECTORS TO VOTE ON THURSDAY,* HE ADDED.
MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION REGISTERED ELECTORS EXCLUDING THOSE IN THE TWO UNCONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES, ONE EACH IN THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, SHOULD EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS TO VOTE, SAID MR LIAO.
+ALL THOSE WHO HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE PREVIOUS URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS, ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE THIS TIME,* HE SAID.
+NOW THAT 79 CIVIC-MINDED PEOPLE HAVE PLEDGED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY ON THE TWO COUNCILS, IT IS UP TO THE COMMUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR INTEREST, FAITH AND SUPPORT BY CASTING THEIR VOTES ON THURSDAY, MARCH 6,+ SAID MR LIAO.
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/7 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTION DAY
*****
THE NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE PRESS COVERAGE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6).
A PRESS CENTRE AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS WILL BE OPEN TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FROM 7.30 AM UNTIL ALL VOTES ARE COUNTED.
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO ENABLE PRESS COVERAGE OF VOTING BY A NUMBER OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CELEBRITIES IN KOWLOON, HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DETAILS OF THE VARIOUS ARRANGEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. THE PRESS CENTRE, LOCATED ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE AT 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, WILL OPEN FROM 7.30 AM ON THURSDAY UNTIL THE ELECTIONS AND THE COUNTING OF VOTES ARE OVER. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION SUCH AS THE HOURLY VOTER TURNOUT IN ALL DISTRICTS AND THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS. ALL TELEPHONE PRESS ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE ELECTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO INFORMATION OFFICERS ON DUTY AT THE CENTRE AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS: 3-7244174} 3-7244184} 3-7244189 AND 3-7244244.
2. FIGURES OF VOTER TURNOUT WILL BE TELEPHONED TO THE PRESS CENTRE AT REGULAR INTERVALS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE FIGURES WILL BE COLLATED AND PASSED TO GIS FOR ISSUE OVER THE TELEPRINTER AND FACSIMILE SERVICES. THE COUNTING OF VOTES WILL BEGIN SHORTLY AFTER 10.30 PM, AND SIMILARLY THE RESULTS WILL BE PASSED TO GIS FOR RELEASE AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE.
3. PRESS MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS INSIDE A POLLING STATION, OR TO ENTER IT OTHER THAN AS A REGISTERED VOTER OR ELECTION OFFICIAL. HOWEVER, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER VOTING AND VISITS BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CELEBRITIES FROM OUTSIDE POLLING STATION.
(I) IN KOWLOON, A PRESS VEHICLE WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 7 AM FOR THREE POLLING STATIONS. THE FIRST STOP WILL BE AT THE NEW METHOD COLLEGE POLLING STATION WHERE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL CAST HIS VOTE. OTHER CELEBRITIES WILL INCLUDE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, AND MOVIE STAR JACKIE CHAN.
/THE TOUH .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1936
8 -
THE TOUR WILL END AT ABOUT 11.30 AM WHEN THE PRESS COACH RETURNS TO TSIM SHA TSUI.
ANOTHER PRESS COACH WILL ALSO LEAVE AT 7 AM FROM THE SAME PIER FOR FOUR POLLING STATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHERE THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR IAN MACPHERSON, THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, PROFESSOR MA LIN; WILL BE CASTING THEIR VOTES.
THE PRESS TOUR WILL INCLUDE A POLLING STATION IN TSUEN WAN WHICH WILL BE VISITED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO.
THE TOUR WILL END AT ABOUT 11 AM WHEN THE PRESS COACH RETURNS TO TSIM SHA TSUI IN KOWLOON.
(Ill) A THIRD COACH WILL LEAVE THE C.G.O. CARPARK AT 7 AM FOR FOUR POLLING STATIONS ON HONG KONG SIDE WHERE A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CELEBRITIES WILL CAST THEIR VOTES. THE TOUR WILL END AT ABOUT 11.30 AM.
THOSE WHO WILL BE CASTING THEIR VOTES ON HONG KONG SIDE INCLUDE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN, THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR ALAN SCOTT, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES.
(IV) IN THE AFTERNOON, A PRESS TOUR WILL BE ARRANGED STARTING AT 12.45 PM FROM KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TO COVER VISITS TO POLLING STATIONS BY THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, AND THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO. ANOTHER COACH WILL LEAVE THE SAME PIER AT 2 PM TO COVER THE VISIT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TO A POLLING STATION IN YUEN LONG. INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND AT THE ABOVE MENTIONED POLLING STATIONS TO ASSIST PRESS MEMBERS COVERING THE VOTING.
/4. VOTE COUNTING.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
- 9 -
4. VOTE COUNTING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 19 CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AFTER 10.30 PM WHERE ALL THE POLLING STATIONS WILL CLOSE. ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS TO TAKE PICTURES OF OPENING OF BALLOT BOXES AT THREE COUNTING CENTRES IN KOWLOON CITY, EASTERN DISTRICT AND SHA TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DETAILS OF THE TIME AND VENUES OF PRESS VISITS TO THE POLLING STATIONS WHERE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CELEBRITIES WILL BE CASTING THEIR VOTES ARE AS FOLLOW:
KOWLOON (THE PRESS VEHICLES WILL LEAVE AT 7 AM SHARP FROM THE
------- KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER)
ARRIVE
(A) 7.30 AM SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, NEW METHOD COLLEGE, 219 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON CITY.
(B) 8.55 AM SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, CHENG CHEK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL OF SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU DISTRICT, HIRAM’S HIGHWAY, SAI KUNG.
(C) 11 AM MOVIE STAR, MR JACKIE CHAN, ST MARY CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, 158-162 AUSTIN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
NEW TERRITORIES (THE PRESS COACH WILL ALSO LEAVE AT 7 AM --------------- SHARP FROM KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER)
ARRIVE
(A) 8.15 AM CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, KWONG FUK COMMUNITY HALL, KWONG FUK ESTATE, TAI PO.
(B) 8.40 AM SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR IAN MACPHERSON, KWONG FUK COMMUNITY HALL, KWONG FUK ESTATE, TAI PO.
(C) 9.10 AM PROFESSOR MA LIN OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CENTRE, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
(D) 10.15 AM VISIT TO POLLING STATION AT PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
10 -
HONG KONG (PRESS VEHICLES WILL LEAVE THE C.G.O. CARPARK AT ---------- 7 AM SHARP)
ARRIVE
(A) 7.30 AM
REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES, THE HERMITAGE, 75 MACDONNELL ROAD, MID-LEVELS.
8.30 AM DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR ALAN SCOTT, SECRETARY TO FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SECRETARY
Q AM FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, GERMAN SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, 11 GUILDFORD ROAD, THE PEAK.
(C) 9.30 AM
(D) 10.30 AM TO
11 AM
SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN, RHENISH MISSION SCHOOL, 86A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG.
SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, AND REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, LINGNAN COLLEGE, AUDITORIUM, 15 STUBBS ROAD, MID-LEVELS.
AFTERNOON (A PRESS VEHICLE WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER --------- AT 12.45 PM SHARP)
ARRIVE
(A) 1 30 PM VISIT BY THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES,
MR GRAHAM BARNES, YENCHI NG COLLEGE, LILY HOUSE, SO UK ESTATE, SHAM SHU I PO.
(B) 2 40 PM VISIT BY THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SHEK LEI ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, SHEK LEI ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG.
(r) 4 45 PM VISIT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TO ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
(ANOTHER PRESS VEHICLE 2 PM SHARP)
WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT
(D) 3.40 PM
VISIT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES TO YUEN LONG TOWN HALL.
/counting centkes
TUESDAY, MAKCH 4, 1986
COUNTING CENTRES
ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE rOR PRESS MEMBERS TO VISIT THREE COUNTING STATIONS AT ABOUT 11 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REMINDED THAT THEY WILL HAVEJ OBTAIN SPECIAL FORMS THROUGH INFORMATION OFFICERS OF CNTA BEEJRE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE COUNTING CENTRES.
PRESS MEMBERS WISHING TO VISIT COUNTING CENTRES IN THE irRAN DISTRICT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 10.30 PM EITHER OUTSIDE THE EASTERN DISTRICT CENTRE AT THE HONG KONG CHINESE WOMEN’S CLUB COLl- r. A^ 2-B TAI CHEONG STREET, QUARRY BAY, OR THE KOWLOON CITY CEN AT THE KO SHA THEATRE, KO SHAN ROAD, HUNG HOM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO VISIT THE SHA TIN COUNTING CENTRE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 10 PM WHERE A PRESS VEHICLE WILL TAKE THEM TO THE KIANGSU CHEKIANG COLLEcc IN
IN
WO CHE ESTATE.
MEDIA HELP IN ELECTIONS NOTED
*****
THE MEDIA WERE HELPING GREATLY IN PUBLICISING THE MARCH 6 REGIONAL COUNCIL AND URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS, AND IT WAS THE KIND OF SUPPORT THAT WOULD SPUR THE HONG KONG ELECTORATE TO VOTE.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY IN EDINBURGH PLACE.
THE CEREMONY WAS TO SEND OFF ASIA TELEVISION ARTISTES ON A BUS TOUR AROUND CENTRAL AND CAUSEWAY BAY, APPEALING TO REGISTERED VOTERS TO SUPPORT THE ELECTIONS.
AT THE CEREMONY, ATV’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR DEACON CHIU RECEIVED FROM MR TSAO A SOUVENIR IN RECOGNITION OF ATV’S SUPPORT IN PUBLICISING THE ELECTIONS.
WITH ’MISS ASIA PACIFIC - HK’, EVA LAI AND 'MISS PEACE’ JACLYN CHU, AND 12 FINALISTS OF ATV NEW IDOL CHALLENGE 1986 SINGING CONTEST ON BOARD, THE COLOURFULLY DECORATED OPEN-TOP BUS, DISPLAYING ELECTION BANNERS, MADE STOPS IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL AND CAUSEWAY BAY WHERE MISS ASIA PACIFIC DELIVERED AN ELECTION APPEAL MESSAGE TO PASSERS-BY.
AS THE BUS DROVE THROUGH THE STREETS OF CENTRAL AND CAUSEWAY BAY, THE SINGING CONTEST FINALISTS SANG THE SONG +A VOTE IS A VOICE*.
THE ATV BUS TOUR WAS PART OF THE ^COUNTDOWN* PUBLICITY PROGRAMME FOR THE ELECTIONS ON MARCH 6.
------0-------
/12......
TUESDAY, MARCH U, 1966
12
ACTIVITIES IN KWUN TONG TO REMIND VOTERS *****
D£AMAS’ SILK-RIBBON FLOWERS, BROADCASTING VANS, Af. oTICKERS ALL FORM PART OF EFFORTS BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT O'- I KO REMIND RESIDENTS TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6)
glEATRE, A D I STR I CT^OARD-SPONSORED GROUP^A DRESSED-uNhN ■ t 'D
THE 2O-MINUTE DRAMA WILL BE STAGED AT FOUR BUSY VENUES OF THE TWO CONSTITUENCIES, KWUN TONG WEST AND EAST, ON POLLING DAY.
ON A QUIETER NOTE, SOME ELDERLY VOLUNTEERS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE ARE NOW BUSY PRODUCING BAUHINIAS, THE LOGO CF THE URBAN COUNCIL, FROM SILK RIBBONS FOR PRESENTATION TO VOTERS ON THURSDAY.
KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK WILL BE OUTSIDE THE
ALLING r?T,0N ,N THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF PING SHEK ESTATE TO PRESENT THE BAUHINIAS TO THOSE WHO HAVE POLLED AS A TOKEN OF THANKS FOR THEIR SUPPORT TO THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION.
SIX VANS WILL ALSO BE TOURING THE DISTRICT ON POLLING DAY TO BROADCAST ELECTION APPEALS TO VOTERS.
APART FROM CANTONESE, THE APPEAL WILL BE IN ENGLISH, PUTONGHUA, AND CHIU CHOW, HAKKA, SHUN TAK AND SHANGHAI DIALECTS TO CATER TO RESIDENTS SPEAKING DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.
TWO 16-METRE-LONG BUNTINGS WILL BE DISPLAYED OUTSIDE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING TO REMIND PASSERS-BY OF POLLING DAY.
MEANWHILE, 100 000 STICKERS WITH THE +VOTE NOW+ APPEAL WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED ON MARCH 6.
THERE ARE 182 848 VOTERS IN KWUN TONGJ AND THE 30 POLLING STATIONS IN THE DISTRICT wILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE STREET DRAMA AND THE BAUHINIA-PRESENTATION ACTIVITIES ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6).
THE SCHEDULE OF THE STREET DRAMA IS AS FOLLOWS:
/TIME .......
TUSSJMY, MARCH 4, 1986
- 13 -
TIKE VENUE
11 AM OPEN AREA ADJACENT TO THE BUS TERMINUS IN SHUN LEE ESTATE
5 PM MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE^ BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET
7 PM OPEN AREA OPPOSITE TO THE NO. 8 PLAYGROUND IN LOaih NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE
8 30 PM NO. 9 PLAYGROUND IN YAU TONG ESTATE (ADJACENT TO BLOCK 26)
THE BAUHINIA PRESENTATION BY MR MAK */ILL BE HELD AT 9.45 AM OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF PING SHEK ESTATE.
--------o--------
JACOBS ON FACT-FINDING TOUR
*****
FINANCIAL SECRETARY, DESIGNATE, MR PIERS JACOBS, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING FOR A FACT-FINDING TOUR OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA.
WHILE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, HE WILL MEET OFFICIALS FROM THE BANK OF ENGLAND, VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES.
HE WILL ALSO VISIT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN BRUSSELS, GENEVA NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON, WHERE HE WILL MEET OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS LEADERS.
MR JACOBS WILL SUCCEED SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN JUNE.
- 0 -
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
14 -
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT PUBLISHED
*****
A REPORT INTO THE ACCIDENT TO A PITTS SPECIAL AIRCRAFT WHICH CRASHED IN PORT SHELTER ON MAY 5, 1984, CAUSING THE DEATH OF THE PILOT, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE AIRCRAFT, WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY).
DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED CONDUCTING AEROBATIC MANOEUVRES OVER THE SEA. AFTER CARRYING OUT A VERTICAL CLIMB TO A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 500 FEET THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DIVE FROM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER BEFORE HITTING THE WATER.
THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT COULD NOT BE POSITIVELY DETERMINED.
THE REPORT STATED THAT A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR WAS THE PILOT’S COMMENCING A VERTICAL MANOEUVRE AT A HEIGHT WHICH ALLOWED INADEQUATE MARGIN FOR ERROR.
IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT ENGINE FAILURE AND MISJUDGEMENT WERE ALSO CONTRIBUTORY BUT THIS COULD NOT BE POSITIVELY ESTABLISHED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT S15 EACH.
-----0------
REAPPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
*****
THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
MISS THERESE CHAN HUNG-CHUN, MR STANLEY G. ELLIOTT AND NR VINCENT KO HON-CHIU HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED FROM MARCH 1, 1986. NRS ALICE LAM’S REAPPOINTMENT WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM MARCH 10, 1986.
THEY WILL SERVE ON THE STANDING COMMISSION FOR ANOTHER TWO-YEAR TERM.
-----0------
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
15
NEW MEMBER APPOINTED TO TUEN MUN DB * * * * *
MR HENRY CHAN TIN-SANG HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS A r,EMBER OF Tnt TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR CHAN’S TERM OF APPOINTMENT WH-L BE FOR TWO YEARS, FROM APRIL 1 1986 TO MARCH 31, 1988. HE WILL FILL THE SEAT LEFi VACANT
FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION FROM THE BOARD OF APPOINTED DB MEMBER FR CHAN YAT-SUN.
MR CHAN. AGED 34, IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EAST ASIA TEXTILES LTD. HE IS PRESENTLY A CO-OPTED MEMBER OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE, AND THE CHAIRMAN CF YAN 01 TONG BOARD OF DIRECTORS (1985-1986).
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FIX ’OPEN DAYS’
*****
THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES COUNCIL WILL BE HOLDING THEIR OPEN
OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING DAYS OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THIS YEAR’S OPEN DAYS IS A SMALLSIZED EXHIBITION OF THE NEW SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, WHICH WILL BE OPERATIONAL BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY (MARCH 7) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
THE FASHION SHOW '86, ORGANISED BY STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE INSTITUTE’S CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 PM.
THE OPEN DAYS OF LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ARE SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY (MARCH 7) FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM AND ON SATURDAY
(MARCH 8) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
THE KWAI CHUNG AND HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY (MARCH 14), FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM AND 10.30 AM TO 5.30 PM RESPECTIVELY.
THERE WILL BE DISPLAY OF STUDENTS’ WORK, EQUIPMENT AND TEACHING RESOURCES IN WORKSHOPS AND LABORATORIES.
/THE OPEN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1986
- 16 -
THE OPEN DAYS OF MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL BE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 15) FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON AND ON MONDAY (MARCH 17) FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM. IN ADDITION TO THE EXHIBITION ON THE NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION CF CIVIC EDUCATION WHICH WILL BE OF INTEREST TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS AS WELL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO
FRIDAY(MARCH 7) IN THE
AT 25 HIU MING STREET, KWUN TONG
COVER THE FASHION HALL OF KWUN TONG
SHOW '86 AT 3.30 PM, TECHNICAL INSTITUTE,
FREE STUDENT CONCERTS AT COLISEUM
*****
TWO STUDENT CONCERTS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUNICIPAL hv'?esabran,ch’s "u.s'c office and the hong kong philharmonic ORCHESTRA WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 27 AT 2 PM AND 3.45 PM AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM, WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF ABOUT 10 000, HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE VENUE FOR A STUDENT CONCERT.
UNDER THE BATON OF DIRECTOR JOHN LAU, THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA WILL TREAT THE AUDIENCE TO A PROGRAMME COMPRISING CARNIVAL OVERTURE BY DVORAK, SYMPHONY NO. 2 IN D MAJOR (LAST MOVEMENT) BY BRAHMS, FINLANDIA BY SIBELIUS AND 1812 OVERTURE BY TCHAIKOVSKY.
ALL SECONDARY STUDENTS AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 18 ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONCERT, ADMISSION TO WHICH IS FREE ON A FiRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
INTERESTED SCHOOLS SHOULD CONTACT THE MUSIC OFFICE FOR GROUP BOOKINGS BEFORE MARCH 11. FOR ENQUIRIES, CALL 5-283257.
--------0----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1-86
17
SHAM SHU I PO ENVIRONMENT TO BE IMPROVED *****
THE ENVIRONMENT IN SHAM SHU I PO, ONE OF DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG, IS TO BE IMPROVED.
THE MOST CROWDED
PLANS ARE IN HAND TO PROVIDE PASSIVE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON THE ENTIRE STRETCH OF THE NAM CHEONG STREET NULLAH DECK, PRESENTLY OCCUPIED BY ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
THERE WILL BE SITTING-OUT AREAS, RECREATION FACILITIES AND ALSO FLOWER BEDS ALONG THE PERIPHERY TO BEAUTIFY THE AREA.
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
-----o------
DISTRICT COMMITTEE TO MEET
*****
THE MANAGEMENT OF TWO RECENTLY COMPLETED RECREATION FACILITIES WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) CF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO EXAMINE A SCHEDULE OF CULTURAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES PLANNED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR RESIDENTS IN YUEN LONG DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR„ 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
------0-------
/18 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 19t>6
- 18 -
MEET-THE-MEDIA * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE MR ' W,LL
NFFT THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS Kes. CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
o --------
PARKING METERS FOR KWAI CHUNG X X X X
THIRTY-FIVE NEWLY-INSTALLED PARKING METERS ON SHEK YAM ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE OPERATING FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 6), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE METERS ARE FOR TWO HOURS AND FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, BUSES, MOTOR-CYCLES AND BICYCLES.
THE METERS OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, AT Si FOR 30 MINUTES.
- - - - 0 -----------
TUEN MUN, KWAI CHUNG TRAFFIC CHANGES * * X *
SLIP ROAD B, WHICH CONNECTS WONG CHU ROAD WESTBOUND WITH TSING WUN ROAD NORTHBOUND IN TUEN MUN, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6) FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION OF LIGHTING AT THE JUNCTION OF WONG CHU ROAD AND TSING WUN ROAD.
VEHICLES, INCLUDING KMB ROUTE NO. 57M, WILL BE DIVERTED TO LUNG MUN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 380 METRES SOUTH OF THE ABOVE JUNCTION WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A U-TURN AND TRAVEL NORTH TO TSING WUN ROAD.
/MEANWHILE, fBOM.........
TUESDAY, MAHCH 4, 1986
- 19 -
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 7, LEI IN KWAI CHUNG FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WO Yl ABOUT 260 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION A 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
SHU ROAD EASTBOUND HOP ROAD TO A POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME, LEI SHU ROAD WESTBOUND F-.JM Yl HOP ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES Webi WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUb
ITS JUNCTION WITH WO CF THE SAME JUNCTION RESTRICTED ZONE FROM
MIDNIGHT DAILY
7 AM TO
NO PLBS WILL BE RESTRICTED AREA.
ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN T.'E
- - - - 0 -----------
VEHICULAR UNDERPASS IN HUNG HOM CLOSED
*****
THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM NORTHBOUND CHATHAM ROAD NORTH TO SOUTHBOUND GILLIES AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 6) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK.
MOTORISTS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL PROCEEDING TO HUNG HOM SHOULD USE THE FOLLOWING ROUTES:
* CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD, CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE, OR '
* GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
+TAKE OFF FEW MINUTES TO VOTEt-, PEOPLE URGED................ 1
BRIEFINGS ON VOTER TURNOUT .................................. 2
VALIDATION SYSTEM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PLANNED — GOVERNOR . . 3
ELECTORS GET FINAL CALL TO VOTE TOMORROW .................... 5
JANUARY MONETARY STATISTICS RELEASED ........................ 6
BANK NOT FOR SALE............................................ 10
TENANCIES SOUGHT FOR NT SITES ............................... 10
BOARD MEMBERS TO DISCUSS HAWKER POLICIES .................... 11
DANCING LION KELPS TO PROMOTE EL ECTIONS..................... 11
STUDENT POSTER DESIGNERS COLLECT PRIZES ..................... 12
KWAI CHUNG RESTRICTED ZONES, ROAD CLOSURE.................... 13
FERRY FARES REVISED.......................................... 13
HECTIC BIDDING FOR UC FLOWER SHO,/ .......................... 14
DR DENNY HUANG PRAISED FOR + INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION* TO COUNCIL WORK ................................................ 14
ANOTHER TENNIS COURT OPINING IN YUEN LONG.................... 15
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN CENTRAL ........................... 15
SPEED LIMIT
15
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
1
♦TAKE OFF FEW MINUTES TO VOTE*, PEOPLE URGED *****
VOTING IN TOMORROWS (THURSDAY) URBAN COUNCIL^ND REG RRTHcIpAL^AsIiSTAKT^SGCRETARY (ELECTORAL SERVICES), MR LEE LAP-SUN SAID TODAY.
open
congtTWS^^^
™ In H^bIIn DECLARED AS ELECTED
BECAUSE THEIR NOMINATIONS WERE UNCONTeSTED,
more than 1.3 "Luliun higistireo elsctohs.^xcluoinGoThose in THE TWO UNCONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES, wIL
THE BALLOT PAPER.
SAID MR LEE.
RePo^VYHMolK™^ SWT*
FRESH BALLOT PAPER,* HE SAID.
POUND BY OATH TO MAINTAIN SECRECY.
VHTINC IS BY SECRET BALLOT, AND BY LAW, ELECTORS SHOULD NOT TELL ANYONE FOR WHOM THEY HAVE VOTED, MR LEE SAI .
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
2
BRIEFINGS ON VOTER TURNOUT * * * * *
opriii ar RRIPPINGS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ON VOTER TURNOUT IN TOMORROW’ S (J5eRr?MipFU^A?HE°i2THLFLOORROF ' rniiNrii Pl POTIONS AT THE CNTA PRESS CENTRE ON THE 12TH t-LOUK Ur WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE AT 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
A BRIEFING ON THE MORNING VOTER TURNOUT WILL BE GIVEN AT 12 NOON BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H. CHAU.
A PROGRESS REPORT WILL BE MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, AT ABOUT 5.30 PM.
AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE, MR LIAO WILL GIVE A FINAL BRIEFING AT ABOUT 11.30 PM, ON THE VOTER TURNOUT.
P4R1 IPR IN THE AFTERNOON, THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR ALAr SCOTT, WILL VISIT VARIOUS POLL INGSTATIONS. HE WILL BE *CCOMPAhHED BY PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (ELECTORAL SERVICES), MR LEE L«P SUN.
mr srnTT WILL ARRIVE BY HELICOPTER ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLANJ AT ABOUT l.sSJJ ATO MILL VISIT THE POLLING STATION AT THE CHEUNG CHAU KWOK MAN SCHOOL IN KWOK MAN ROAD.
*T arout 9 30 PM HE WILL VISIT THE POLL ING STATION Ai • Ht •1ATTE0 RICCI COLLEGE, SAI YING PUN BRANCH, 103 THIRD STREET, SAI YING PUN ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE PRESS BRIEFINGS AT THE PRESS CENTRE AND TO COVER MR SCOTT’S VISITS.
------0----------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
- 3 -
VAi IDATION SYSTEM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PLANNED -- GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING SETTING UP A PROVISIONAL LOCAL VALIDATION BODY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS WILL SOON BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+THIS BODY WILL BE CHARGED WITH THE TASK OF ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM OF VALIDATION WHICH IS BEST SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG AND WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT THE COURSES OFFERED BY OUR LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ATTAIN AND MAINTAIN HIGH AND INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE 3OTH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, SIR EDWARD SAID THE SETTING UP OF A VALIDATION BODY WAS ONE OF THE TWO PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO ‘••OVE CLOSER TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
THE OTHER, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD APPROVED GRANTS AMOUNTING TO $45 MILLION TO THE FIVE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES DURING THE NEXT TRIENNIUM, HE SAID.
+IMPROVEMENTS IN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WILL NOT ONLY BE OF BENEFIT ACADEMICALLY- THEY WILL ALSO HELP TO ENABLE US IN FUTURE TO OBTAIN LOCALLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS FOR OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS,* HE ADDED.
FURTHER INVESTMENT IN THIS AREA WOULD BE NEEDED WHEN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD SAID HONG KONG HAD ACHIEVED GREAT PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION -- FROM ONE UNIVERSITY IN THE 195O’S TO THE PRESENT FIVE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE WHICH AWARDED DEGREES OR WHICH WOULD DO SO IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
AT THE PRESENT RATE OF EXPANSION, HE SAID, THE FIVE INSTITUTIONS WOULD PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FIRST YEAR DEGREE PLACES FOR ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT OF THE MEAN OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP BY 1994-95.
♦ALTHOUGH THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REST ON OUR LAURELS,* HE SAID.
IF HONG KONG WAS TO MAINTAIN ITS ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING, FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CENTRE, IT HAD TO HAVE A SUFFICIENTLY LARGE POOL OF HIGHLY TRAINED PEOPLE WHO WERE INNOVATIVE, WHO COULD ADAPT TO CHANGES IN THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE NECESSARY LEADERSHIP IN THE FACE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH THE FUTURE HELD, Ht NOTED.
/sia sdvahd .......
WEDNESDAY, MABCH 5. 1986
- 4 -
SIR EDWARD SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO INCREASE FURTHER THE LEVEL OF PROVISION OF DEGREE PLACES IN THE 1990’S THROUGH THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A THIRD UNIVERSITY.
DESPITE THESE EFFORTS, SIR EDWARD SAID, THE NUMBER AND QUALITY OF THE STUDENTS WERE SUCH THAT HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE TO RELY IN PART ON OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS TO SATISFY ITS DEMAND FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
+THE CONTINUATION OF THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OVERSEAS ACADEMIC COMMUNITY IS OF CONSIDERABLE BENEFIT TO HONG KONG AS IT PROVIDES HONG KONG WITH A VALUABLE AND UP-TO-DATE SOURCE OF ADVANCED EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE AND CREATES A HEALTHY INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK WHICH IS VERY ESSENTIAL IN A SOCIETY SUCH AS OURS,+ HE SAID.
+BUT OUR MAIN EFFORT MUST STILL BE CONCENTRATED AT HOME AND THE MEASURES I HAVE DESCRIBED WILL ENABLE HONG KONG TO MOVE CLOSER TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN HIGHER EDUCATION,+ HE STRESSED.
SIR EDWARD SAID HE WAS SURE THE BAPTIST COLLEGE WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
DURING THE PAST THREE DECADES, THE COLLEGE HAD GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE FIVE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
WHEN THE COLLEGE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1956 IT HAD ONLY 152 STUDENTS AND USED THE PUI CHING MIDDLE SCHOOL AS A TEMPORARY CAMPUS, AND TODAY, IT HAD OVER 2 000 STUDENTS AND A PERMANENT CAMPUS.
SIR EDWARD NOTED THAT WORK HAD BEGUN ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THESE FACILITIES AND THE COLLEGE WOULD ALSO BE OFFERING DEGREE COURSES IN SOME SUBJECTS THIS YEAR.
+THIS REPRESENTS A MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST COLLEGE,+ HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR THEN WISHED THE COLLEGE EVERY SUCCESS IN ITS FUTURE ENDEAVOURS.
-----0------
/5........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH *5, 1986
5 -
ELECTORS GET FINAL CALL TO VOTE TOMORROW * * * * *
ThE +COUNTDOWN PUBLICITY* FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ENDED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN DISC JOCKEYS OF UOTH RADIO STATIONS TOOK PART IN PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN NON-URBAN AND URBAN DISTRICTS.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE HONG KONG RAILWAY MUSEUM IN TAI PO THIS MORNING, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICE;, RR GRAHAM BARNES, THANKED RTHK DISC-JOCKEYS FOR THEIR ACTIVE SUPPORT, AND URGED REGISTERED ELECTORS LIVING IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS TO VOTE TOMORROW (MARCH 6).
MR BARNES SAID THAT THE ELECTION WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT FOR RESIDENTS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF THEIR OWN CHOICE TO REPRESENT THEM IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
+THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN IMPROV I iw THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS,* HE ADDED.
FOURTEEN RTHK DISC JOCaEYS, WEARING SASHES WITH THE MESSAGE +VOTE MARCH 6+, DELIVERED VOTING MESSAGES AND GAVE OUT HANDBILL; TO RESIDENTS IN TAI PO.
A KOWLOON-CANTON RAILwAY TRAIN THEN TOOK THEM TO SHA TIN FOR APPEALING TO RESIDENTS THERE.
A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT THE SHARP STREET EAST TRAF DEPOT IN WAN CHAI STARTED AN ANTIQUE TRAM TOUR AROUND HONG KONG ISLAND BY COMMERCIAL RADIO DISC JOCKEYS IN THE AFTERNOON.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR BARNES MADE A SIMILAR APPEAL TO REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE URBAN AREAS, SAYING THAT THE URBAN COUNCI HAD CONTRIBUTED TREMENDOUSLY IN BUILDING A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY.
+IT IS NOW UP TO THOSE SAME RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. THE URBAN COUNCIL PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES WHICH INCLUDE THE BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE OF PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, STADIUMS, SWIMMING POOLS AND LIBRARIES? THE ORGAN ISA I I .-CF VARIOUS CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES? STREET CLEANING, PEST CONTROL AND MAINTAINING STANDARDS OF FOOD HYGIENE,* HE ADDED.
MR BARNES ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MEDIA FOR THEIR POSITIVE SUPPORT OF THE ELECTIONS AND SAID THAT THE TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS HAVE HELPED ENORMOUSLY BY SPONSORING EVENTS SUCH AS THE ANTIQUE TRAM TOUR TO BRING THE +VOTE TOMORROW* MESSAGE TO ELECTOR...
/RIDING OB .......
ODNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
RIDING ON THE ANTIQUE TRAM DECORATED WITH BANNERS CARRYING ELECTION SLOGANS, COMMERCIAL RADIO DISC JOCKEYS, BACKED BY CHEERLEADERS FROM NEW METHOD COLLEGE, APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC ALONG THE WAY.
PART OF THE TRAM RIDE WAS BROADCAST LIVE AT INTERVALS DURING THE LUNCH TIME PERIOD.
REGISTERED VOTERS ARE REMINDED THAT POLLING STATIONS WILL Be OPEN TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FROM 7.30 AM UNTIL 10.30 PM.
-----0------
JANUARY MONETARY STATISTICS RELEASED
*****
BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW RAPIDLY IN JANUARY, ACCORDING TO MONETARY STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY. THE GROWTH RATE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS REMAINED HIGHER THAN THAT OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.
THERE WAS A LARGE, SEASONAL INCREASE IN THE PUBLIC’S HOLDINGS CF NOTES AND COINS, AHEAD OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS INCREASED, WITH THE TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY INCREASING MORE RAPIDLY THAN THE CORRESPONDING HONG KONG DOLLAR COMPONENTS.
LOANS AND ADVANCES INCREASED MODESTLY IN JANUARY. LOANS TO -INANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG FELL MARGINALLY, AFTER HAVING INCREASED FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS 5 OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG RECORDED A MODERATE INCREASE.
DEPOSITS
IN JANUARY, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED FURTHER, BY 3 0 PER CENT, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.2 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1085. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 4.6 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS THE GROWTH RATE WAS 12.6 PER CENT. THE SIGNIFICANT GROwTH IN JANUARY REFLECTED IN HART THE CREDITING OF LUNAR NEW YEAR BONUSES.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREw RAPIDLY, BY 3.7 3ER CENT, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 3.0 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW 0.8 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS THE GROwTH RATE WAS 43.1 PER CENT.
/FOREIGN JURR3JCY........
WEDNESDAY, 14ABCH 5, 19&6
- 7 -
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS ALSO INCREASED, BY 4.6 PER CENT, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 2.0 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 3.2 PER CENT, AND BY 5.0 PER CENT IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY; ADJUSTED FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW SLIGHTLY SLOWER, BY 3.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY, THEIR GROWTH IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY BEING 9.9 PER CENT.
DEPOSITS (ALL CURRENCIES) WITH BANKS INCREASED BY 3.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985; TOTAL DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW BY 3.5 PER CENT AFTER HAVING INCREASED BY 2.2 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY, THE GROWTH OF TOTAL DEPOSITS WITH BANKS WAS 7.6 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WAS 5.8 PER CENT; OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THE RESPECT IVE’ GROWTH RATES WERE 25.9 PER CENT AND 24.4 PER CENT.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS INCREASED. BECAUSE OF THE SEASONAL INCREASE IN THE PUBLIC’S HOLDINGS OF NOTES AND COINS AHEAD OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, HKSM1 (THE NARROWEST DEFINITION) ROSE RAPIDLY BY 4.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 1.2 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985.
HK$M2 AND HK$M3 BOTH ROSE BY 3.3 PER CENT; THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN DECEMBER 1985 WERE 1.5 PER CENT AND 1.4 PER CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY, HKSM1 GREW BY 6.3 PER CENT, HK*M2 BY 5.8 PER CENT, AND HK&M3 BY 5.4 PER CENT; OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 24.8 PER CENT, 14.8 PER CENT AND 15.1 PER CENT.
MARGINALLY DEP03ITS» HK5M2 AND HKJM3 GREW
AKblNALLY FASTER, AT 3.4 PER CENT AND 3 5 PER CENT pf^pppt i vpi v IN JANUARY. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY,THE CORRESPOND ING
GROWTH RATES WERE 6.1 PER CENT
AND 5.7 PER CENT.
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL JANUARY. TOTAL Ml GREW BY 4.8
DEFINITIONS ROSE FURTHER IN
---- . - PER CENT, AFTER AN INCREASE CF 0.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985. TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3
GREW BY 3.5 PER CENT AND 3.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY; THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN DECEMBER 1985 WERE 2.2 PER
CENT AND 2.3 PER CENT.
/IN THB........
WBOSESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
8
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 6.1 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 7.9 PER CENT, AND TOTAL M3 BY 7.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY; OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THE GROWTH RATES FOR TOTAL Ml wAS 24.1 PER CENT, WHILE TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3 WERE BOTH 26.1 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES GREW BY 1.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY, AGAINST A DECREASE CF 1.4 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY THESE GREW BY 1.7 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS BY 5.6 PER CENT.
LOANS DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS CONTINUED TO GROW, BY 0.7 PER CENT, IN JANUARY, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985.
LOANS DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES GREW BY 1 8 PER IN JANUARY, AGAINST A FALL OF 3.0 PER CENT IN DECEMBER THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY, THE FORMER GREW BY
2.5 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER GREW BY 0.9 PER CENT.
WITHIN THE TOTAL, LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG FELL BY 0.4 PER CENT AFTER AN INCREASE OF 2.0 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY, THESE LOANS AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS, THEY GREW BY
GREW BY 1.7 PER CENT 1.1 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 1.0 PER CENT IN JANUARY, FOLLOWING A FALL OF 1.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO JANUARY, THEY GREW BY 1.8 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS BY 6.5 PER CENT.
LIQUIDITY RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS ROSE TO 51.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY FROM 50.7 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985. THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AS DEFINED IN S. 24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE) FELL TO 44.5 PER CENT IN JANUARY FROM 45.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1985.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
at . , JHE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED flcJ&prJS ?U^°F ^ENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING cX IES INCREASED BY 1 TO 36. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WAS UNCHANGED AT 278. REGISTERED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
- 9 -
Money Supply
Hl - HK$ currency
Foreign Total
M2 - HK$
Foreign currency
Total
M3 - HKj
Foreign currency
Total
1 i.CR'jARY STA'l IS!'ICS - JANUARY 198b (HK$mn) Jan 1985
Jan 1936 Dec 1985 Earlier months
(Z change to January 1986) Oct 1985
43,721 41,806 (+ 4.6%) 41,139 (+ 6.3%) 35,042 (4-24.8%)
3 722 3,460 (+ 7.6Z) 3,584 (+ 3.9%) 3,202 (+16.2%)
47,442 45,266 (+ 4.8Z) 44,723 (+ 6.1%) 38,244 (+24.1%)
200,986 194,641 (+ 3.3Z) 190,041 (+ 5.8%) 175,067 (+14.8%)
202,913 195,597 (+ 3.7%) 184,375 (+10.1%) 145,323 (+39.6%)
403^900 390,239 (+ 3.5%) 374,416 (+ 7.9%) 320,390 (+26.1%)
241,030 233,230 (+ 3.3%) 228,582 (+ 5.4%) 209,367 (+15.1%)
251,318 242,730 (+ 3.5%) 228,828 (+ 9.8%) 180,981 (+38.9%)
492,349 475,960 (+ 3.4%) 457,411 (+ 7.6%) 390,348 (+26.1%)
Deposits 28,409 (+ 2.4%) 98,765 (+ 1.8%) 240,050 (+ 4.1%) Al 744 (+ 3.5%) 28,533 (+ 1.9%) 97,942 (+ 2.7%) 226,053 (+10.5%) 80,002 (+ 5.8%) 208,895 (+ 4.6%) 24,762 (+17.4%) 84,076 (+19.6%) 192,460 (+29.8%) 68,028 (+24.4%) 194,067 (+12.6%) 175,259 (+40.1%) 369,326 (+25.7%)
Demand deposits Savings deposits Time deposits with banks Time deposits with dtcs Ml HKj deposits Ml foreign currency deposits Total 29,078 100,574 249,818 84,626 218,548 245,548 464,096
212,132 (+ 236,837 (+ 448,968 (+ 3.0%) 3.7%) 3.4%)
223,636 432,531 (4- 9.8%) ( + 7.3%)
Loans and advances To finance Hong Kong's visible 30,744 30,855 (- 0.4%) 30,227 (+ 1.7%) 30,423 (4- 1.1%)
trade To finance merchandising trade 4,24b 3,738 (+13.6%) 4,728 (-10.2%) 3,892 (+ 9.1%)
not touching Hong Kong Other loans for use in Hong Kong Other loans for use outside Hong 237,228 150,476 234,943 146,319 ( + ( + 1.0%) 2.8%) 233,125 149,446 (+ 1.8%) (+ 0.7%) 222,664 143,411 (+ 6.5%) (-»- 4.9%)
Kong Other loans where the place of use 22,781 24,109 (- 5.5%) 20,682 (+10.1%) 21,268 (+ 7.1%)
is not known All loans in HK$ All loans In foreign currencies Total 224,49b 220,980 445,476 222,929 217,035 439,964 (4-(f (+ 0.7%) 1.8%) 1.3%) 219,090 219,117 438,207 (+ 2.5%) (+ 0.9%) (+ 1.7%) 207,200 214,459 421,659 (4- 8.3%) (4- 3.0%) (4- 5.6%)
0 - /10 .. » • • • •
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, lq36
10 -
BANK NOT FOR SALE * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT SELL THE HANG LUNG BANK FOR THE TIME k I NG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE DECISION HAD BEEN ARRIVED AT ro^^s?NSTisrNr§FMOTRHr^^A?F1N^Nr^^sBAENKPORT^JSEsFuEB^iTeB REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT IN DECEMBER 1965.
+OIIR AIM IS TO MAXIMISE THE RETURN ON SALE OF THE BANK. THE DECISION NOT TO SELL FOR THE TIME BEING IS PURELY A COMMERCIAL JUDGEMENT,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
REGARDING THE TOTAL COST OF RESCUING HANG LUNG BANK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WOULD ONLY BE KNOWN AFTER ITS SALE.
--------o----------
TENANCIES SOUGHT FOR NT SITES X X X X X
, THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS TO LET BY TENDER THREE PLOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ONE IS A 5'230-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD NEXT TO THE MAGISTRACY IN FANLING.
IT IS TO BE LET FOR A NON-RENEWABLE TERM OF TWO YEARS STARTING APRIL 15, 1986.
UNDER THE TENANCY AGREEMENT, THE SITE CAN BE USED EITHER AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK FOR PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT VANS, LORRIES AND COACHES? AN OPEN STORAGE GROUND FOR NEWLY IMPORTED UNLICENSED PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT VANS, LORRIES, COACHES, AND WHEELED AND TRACKED CONTRACTOR’S PLANT OR A NURSERY FOR PLANTS AND TREES OR A COMBINATION OF ALL THREE.
ANOTHER SITE IS AT THE JUNCTION OF KIN FAT STREET AND HO TIN STREET IN TUEN MUN AND MEASURES 2 300 SQUARE METRES.
IT CAN BE USED FOR ANY OPEN STORAGE PURPOSES EXCEPT THE STORAGE OF CONTAINERS.
MEASURING 1 612 SQUARE METRES, THE THIRD SITE IS AT FUNG KONG TSUEN IN YUEN LONG WHICH CAN BE USED FOR A PRIVATE OR COMMERCIAL GARDEN AND NURSERY.
THE TENANCIES FOR THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG SITES ARE FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SENT IN BY NOON ON MARCH 21.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
11
BOARD MEMBERS TO DISCUSS HAwKER POLICIES
*****
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS -ILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON HAwKER AND MARKET POLICIES AT A SPECIAL MEETING ON FRIDAY (MARCH 7).
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON HAWKER AND RELATED POLICIES, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN, MRS ELSIE TU WILL BRIEF BOARD MEMBERS ON THE DOCUMENT.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, AND TWO ASSISTANT DIRECTORS, MR OWEN BROADLEY AND MR T.K. CHOY WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO ANSWER MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO REVIcW THE EXISTING REHOUSING POLICY FOR FIRE VICTIMS OF URBAN SQUATTER AREAS, AND CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CHU KOO TSAI VILLAGE FIRE VICTIMS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 39 TONKIN STREET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
DANCING LION HELPS TO PROMOTE ELECTIONS
*****
A SPECIALLY-DECORATED ELECTION PUBLICITY BUS CARRYING A DANCING LION ABOARD TOURED THE KOWLOON CITY wEST CONSTITUENCY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPEALING TO PEOPLE TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN TOMORROW’S ELECTIONS.
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, DOTTED THE EYES OF THE LION AT A BRIEF CEREMONY OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN KAU PUI LUNG ROAD THIS MORNING AND THEN, TO THE SOUND OF DRUMS AND GONGS, THE LION PERFORMED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE BUSY DISTRICT.
/THE PUBLICITY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
12 -
the publicity bus amtanother TJC ^CLBS.JROADCASTI^ « |£e ' ™A?P?ROHStSeDD I ICE « ILL DI STR I BUTE PUBL IC ITY
materials to passers-by.
,N HIS LAST MINUTE APPEAL ID, ;TEN POLLING.
STATIONS IN THE KOWLOON Cl IY -u-T CO^^HUE T|ME To VOTE
oTtSeKaYW Sr FpSm SoSk SrVn5eN OUT SHOPPING OR DINING AT restaurants.
♦VOTING TAKES ONLY A FEW HI NOTES BUT H IS A YE»n •ON^CA., ^'In^coFnc^.n^s CONT I nuous^good^work POP the people CF HONG KONG ,+ MR JONES ADDED.
-------O’- - - -
STUDENT POSTER DESIGNERS COLLECT PRIZES * * * * *
DESIGN COMPETITION.
S8»;yss ess mw* HALL EXHIBITION HALL.
mr Qin KF ALSO PRESENTED A $500 TOKEN TO LEE MAN-HO, AGED 10,
,NA
CF KING’S COLLEGE WITH $400 BOOK FOKEN.
WINNING $300 AND $200 IN BOOK " SECOND AND
oci7CQ IN TMF PRIMARY SECTION - WERE CHtUK YtUN T« Jr PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NG KWONG-YU OF CHEUNG CHAU KWOK MAN iki AnriTinM MERIT PRIZES ALSO IN THE FORM OF BOOK wERE AWARDED TO 20 SECONDARY AND 20 PRIMARY STUDENTS.
THIRD KWI WA SCHOOL.
TOKENS
URBAN
THE POSTER
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR SULKE SAID THAT THE rniiKirn WAS PLANNING TO ORGANISE MORE ACTIVITIES LIKE rnMOFTiT^N BECAUSE ONLY BY PARTICIPATING IN A CAMPAIGN WOULD K PE^E FEL ThS? THEY HAD A DIRECT STAKE IN THE CAMPAIGN’S
SUCCESS.
CLEAN HONG KONG* POSTER DESIGN
ANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, EDUCATION
THE ^EVERYBODY LOVES A
^™Bi0TNA^SiN?i?^n?SGsEpvicEs DFPARTMEHT.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1936 . I
- 13 -
KWAI CHUNG RESTRICTED ZONES, ROAD CLOSURE * * * * *
A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITION ZONES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 7).
THESE ARE:
THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM LEI SHU ROAD EASTBOUND TO BLOCK 13 OF LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE?
* THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM LEI SHU ROAD WESTBOUND TO BLOCK 1 OF LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE J AND
* LEI SHU ROAD NORTH OF SHU ROAD WESTBOUND TO
NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUS WILL WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM LEI BLOCK 1 OF LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE.
BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS
MEANWHILE, FROM MARCH 8 TO APRIL 8, LAI KING HILL ROAD BETwEEI, LAI KING TERRACE AND PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL QUARTER WILL BE CONVERTED TO ONE-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE DRAINAGt CONNECTION WORKS.
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL ARE ADVISED TO USE KWAI CHUNG ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL INTERCHANGE AND LAI KING HILL ROAD.
--------o----------
FERRY FARES REVISED * * * *
FROM SATURDAY (MARCH 8), THE MAXIMUM FARES FOR THE LICENSED FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN SAM KA TSUEN AND LEI *UE MUN (ACROSS TSAU WAN) WILL BE INCREASED FROM 40 CENTS TO 60 CENTS FOR ADULTS AND FROM 20 CENTS TO 30 CENTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER
12 YEARS OLD.
-------0 ---------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
- 14 -
hectic bidding for uc flower show
* * *
bidding was hectic in today’s auction of 29 commercial FLOwEF STALLS TO BE OPERATED AT NEXT WEEK’S URBAN COUNCIL
SHOW AT THE CITY HALL, AND ALL 31 DS WERE «ELL ABOVE THE UPSET PR ICES.
THE HIGHEST BID FOR ONE OF THE EIGHT STALLS OF 18 SQUARt METRES EACH (UPSET PRICE $1 600) WAS $6 490, WHILE THE _CWEST BID WAS $2 600.
r0R 21 OTHER STALLS MEASURING NINE SQUARE METRES EACH (UPSET PRICE $800), BIDS RANGED FROM $3 500 TO $2 030.
THE 29 COMMERCIAL STALLS WILL BE SELLING PLANTS, FLOWERS AND HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS AT THE FLOWER SHOW FROM MARCH 14 TO 16.
_ _ 0 -----------
DR DENNY HUANG PRAISED FOR +INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION* TO COUNCIL WORK *****
LONG-SERVING URBAN COUNCILLOR DR DENNY HUANG TODAY CHAIRED HIS LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE — AND RECEIVED FROM FELLOW MEMBERS MD THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES A HEARTY VOTE OF THANKS FOR HIS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE’S WORK UNDER HIS STEWARDSHIP FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS.
DR HUANG HAS DECIDED TO STAND DOWN FROM THE COUNCIL, AND, AS ONE COUNCILLOR SAID TODAY, +G0 INTO A WELL-EARNED AND HONOURABLE RETIREMENT.*
ADDED THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR A.K. CHUls +0N BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT MAY I THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPORTANT WORK OF THIS SELECT COMMITTEE.*
-----------------------. 0 -----------------------------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1986
- 15 -
ANOTHER TENNIS COURT OPENING IN YUEN LONG * * * * *
TENNIS ENTHUSIASTS GO FOR THEIR GAMES WITH (MARCH 7).
IN YUEN LONG WILL HAVE ANOTHER PLACE TO THE OPENING OF A NEW COURT ON FRIDAY
KNOWN AS THE SAI CHING STREET TENNIS COURT, IT WILL BE OPEN 70 THE PUBLIC FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM DAILY.
THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO BOOK THE COURT ARE ADVISED -------------------------FROM THE RSD’S YUEN LONG DI STRICT_
TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FORM FROM THE RSD’S YUEN LONG UlblKiLi OFFICE SECOND FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KIU S^ARE, YUEN LONG- THE TAI KIU MARKET SQUASH COURT OR THE SIR DENYS ROBERTS
SQUASH COURT.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CALL 0-753445.
-----o------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN CENTRAL
*****
THE SECTION OF CLEVERLY STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL ■\D DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 7).
DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL EASTBOUND BUSES AND VEHICLES OVER 5 TONNES GROSS ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL HEADING FOR DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA GILMAN STREET, WHILE OTHER VEHICLES RUNNING IN THE SAME DIRECTION WILL HAVc TO USE •■AN WA LANE.
-------0 ----------
SPEED LIMIT * * * *
A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR WILL BE IMPOSE!
10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 7), ON THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROA.' FROM THE 19-1/3 MILE MILESTONE EAST OF TUEN MUN ROAD TO THE 2J-MILE MILESTONE SOUTH OF PUI TC ROAD.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JLG AN EFFECTIVE ORGAN OF LIAISON - WILSON .................... 1
MODIFIED U.S. CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE................................ 2
POPULATION BY-CENSUS STARTS TOMORROW........................... 3
FORUM ON SIXTH FORM EDUCATION ................................. 4
TELFORD GARDENS ACCESS ROADS CLOSED ........................... 4
NEW YEAR PARTIES FOR ELDERLY .................................. 5
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC CHANGES....................................... 5
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1986
1 -
JLG AN EFFECTIVE ORGAN OF LIAISON - WILSON * * * *
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAS NOW ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A VERY EFFECTIVE ORGAN OF LIAISON, AND THE NEXT MEETING IS EXPECTED TO BE A FRUITFUL AND USEFUL ONE, THE LEADER OF THE BRITISH TEAM ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, DR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS ARRIVAL FROM LONDON. DR WILSON SAID THERE WAS A GOOD DEAL OF PRACTICAL WORK TO GET THROUGH AT THE NEXT MEETING.
♦THE PRACTICE WE WILL FOLLOW WILL BE THE SAME AS BEFORE - THAT IS THAT YOU WON’T, I AM AFRAID, BE GETTING DETAILS OF WHAT WE HAVc DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETINGS, BUT WE WILL BE ISSUING A COMMUNIQUE AT THE END OF THE MEETING,* HE SAID.
HE SAID HE HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG TOGETHER WITH MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY TO MEET UP WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH SIDE ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
♦ WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MEETINGS FIRST OF ALL WITH THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND WITH MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT,+ HE SAID.
♦ AND THEN THE THIRD MEETING OF THE JLG ITSELF STARTS NEXT WEEK, NEXT TUESDAY AND GOES THROUGH TILL FRIDAY OF NEXT WEEK.*
ASKED WHETHER AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE WORDING FOR THE BN(O) PASSPORT COULD BE EXPECTED AFTER THE MEETING, DR WILSON SAID ♦I HOPE YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SOMETHING PRACTICAL IN THE COMMUNI QUE.+
♦ WE DID MAKE PROGRESS ON THAT AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE JLG. BUT I CAN’T AT THIS STAGE ANTICIPATE EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO COME OUT IN THE COMMUNI QUE. + c'
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION AS TO WHY POLITICAL REFORMS WOULD NOT BE DISCUSSED THIS TIME, DR WILSON SAID HE COULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO COMMENT ON WHAT WAS OR WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
♦ I HAVE SEEN A GOOD DEAL OF SPECULATION IN SOME PARTS OF THE PRESS IN HONG KONG. I AM NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON WHAT BITS ARE ACCURATE OR INACCURATE.
♦ I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO SEE INSPIRED GUESSWORK FROM CONSTRUCTIVE JOURNALISTS,* HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER THE NEXT JLG MEETING WOULD BE THE LAST ONE FOR MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY, DR WILSON SAID, +l THINK IT WILL BE THE LAST MEETING, SADLY, FOR MR GALSWORTHY.*
/♦HB IS........
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1986
2
+HE IS GOING ON TO ANOTHER VERY INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT JOE. HIS PLACE WILL BE TAKEN BY MR HUM WHO IS GOING TO JOIN US FOR'TH IS MEETING.
♦ HE IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH HONG KONG AND ALSO WITH THE °EKING SIDE OF THINGS, AND HE WILL BE TAKING OVER AS THE HEAD OF TH-HONG KONG DEPARTMENT FROM MR GALSWORTHY,* HE SAID.
MEETING DR WILSON AND MR GALSWORTHY AT THE AIRPORT WERE THE S£CRCTARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, MR PETER WILLIAMS, THE POLITICAL SviSER, MR JOHN BOYD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES,
MR JOHN CHAN.
-----o------
MODIFIED U.S. CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE * * * *
THE U.S. CUSTOMS HAS ISSUED A MODIFIED DIRECTIVE ON FEBRUa«Y_.-? TO REPLACE THE ONE ISSUED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, A TRADE DEPARTME i SPOKESMAN SAID.
ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTIVE, WHICH WILL STILL TAKE EFFECT ON MARCH 9, 1<*86, ITS PURPOSE IS TO ESTABLISH REVISED ENTRY PROCEDURE FOR COMMERCIAL SHIPMENTS OF TEXTILES AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DIRECTIVE, WHICH IS A VERY TECHNICAL DOCUMENT, IS DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET. ITS MAIN FEATURES ARE:
(A) IT APPEARS THAT TEXTILE SHIPMENTS FROM HONG KONG, APART FROM SOME EXCEPTIONS NOTED BELOW WILL REQUIRE FORMAL ENTRY, WHICH INCLUDES ENTRY UNDER THE IMMEDIATE DELIVERY RELEASE PROCEDURE. THIS PROCEDURE ALLOWS FOR SHIPMENTS TO BE RELEASED AFTER FILING OF CERTAIN PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTATION, AND THE FULL DOCUMENTATION AND DUTIES WILL NEED TO BE FILED AND PAID ABOUT TEN DAYS THEREAFTER.
(B) COMMERCIAL SAMPLES, PROPERLY MARKED, AND VALUED AT U.S. $250 OR LESS, CAN CONTINUE TO BE ENTERED AS IN THE PAST UNDER THE SIMPLE INFORMAL ENTRY PROCEDURE. THE DIRECTIVE SPECIFIES MEANS OF MARKING SAMPLES, BY INDELIBLE STAMPS OR BY LABELS ACCORDING TO THE SAMPLE TYPE.
(C) PERSONAL SHIPMENTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW REQUIREMENT, REGARDLESS OF VALUE, WHEN ACCOMPANYING THE TRAVELLER. LIKEWISE, BONA FIDE GIFTS, SENT EITHER BY MAIL OR BY FREIGHT, WILL ALSO NOT BE AFFECTED.
(D) UNACCOMPANIED PERSONAL SHIPMENTS WILL REQUIRE FORMAL ENTRY, ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS THAT THEY MAY BE RELEASED UNDE . IMMEDIATE DELIVERY PROCEDURE.
/the spokesman ........
THURSDAY, MARCH b, 1966
- 3 -
THE spokesman however stressed that the exact meaning of the MODIFIED DIRECTIVE IS NOT CLEAR, AND THAT EXPORTERS SHOULD SEEK CLARIFICATION IF IN DOUBT FROM THEIR CUSTOMS BROKERS OR FROM U.S. CUSTOMS.
HE ADDED THAT THE DIRECTIVE REPRESENTS INTERNAL U.S. CUSTOMS PROCEDURES ONLY, AND ALL HONG KONG EXPORT AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR TEXTILE AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED A COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR ABOUT THE MODIFIED DIRECTIVE.
-----o------
POPULATION BY-CENSUS STARTS TOMORROW
******
ENUMERATION OF HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED FOR THE POPULATION BY-CENSUS WILL START TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
HELD MID-WAY BETWEEN TWO FULL CENSUSES, THIS TEN-DAY POPULATION BY-CENSUS AIMS TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA ON THE POPULATION FOR PLANNING AND ANALYSIS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID, ♦ABOUT 230 000 HOUSEHOLDS HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY RANDOM SAMPLING FOR THE 1986 BY-CENSUS.+
♦BY NOW, ALL PARTICIPATING HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND LETTER INFORMING THEM CF THE NAME AND CENSUS OFFICER CERTIFICATE NUMBER OF THE ENUMERATOR WHO WILL VISIT THEM.+
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED HOUSEHOLDERS TO ASK THE ENUMERATORS TO PRODUCE THEIR CENSUS OFFICER CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY FOR INSPECTION BEFORE ADMITTING THEM INTO THE HOUSE.
HE URGED ALL SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS TO SUPPORT THE CENSUS BY PROVIDING FULL AND ACCURATE INFORMATION.
HE ALSO ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT ALL INFORMATION OBTAINED WOULD BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.
-------o ----------
THURSDAY, MARCH 1986 ip .
FORUM ON SIXTH FORM EDUCATION X * * * *
EDUCATIONISTS AND TEACHERS FROM ABOUT 70 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL GATHER THIS SUNDAY (MARCH 9) FOR A FORUM ON SIXTH FORM EDUCATION.
THE FORUM STARTS THE THIRD PHASE, +MATRICULATI ON SCHOLARSHIPS*, OF the HONG KONG YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS PROJECT ORGANISED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
ENTITLED +FORM SIX EDUCATION - VHERE IS THE PROBLEM?* THE FORUM WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM, DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING, WAN CHA I.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE M= YEUNG PO-KWAN, EDUCATION COMMISSION MEMBERS DR CHENG SHIU—CHI\SENIOR LECTURER OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG: mr CHENG KAI-MING, SENIOR LECTURER AT TH-UNIVERSITY OF HONG K'"'.'- : mr T^AN-KWAN, PRESIDENT OF HONG K0*'r PRIVATE SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION : -!R LUKE YIP, PRESIDENT 0P HON' -'O'-;
SUBSIDISED SECONDARY SCHOOL- COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FORUM.
-----o--------
TELFORD GARDENS ACCESS ROADS CLOSED M M * * *
TONG, TO ON SUNDAY
THE ACCESS ROADS LEADING FROM «AI YIP STREET, KWUN TELFORD GARDENS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT (MARCH 9) FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS BY THE
TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
KME ROUTE 5D AND OTHER VEHICLES HEADING FOR TELFORD GARDENS FROM. WAI YIP STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO SIU YIP STREET AND THE ACCESS ROAD OF TAI YIP STREET.
THURSDAY, MARCH it, l’x
NEw YEAR PARTIES FOR ELDERLY
******
MORE THAN 1 500 ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT, ALL AGED OVER 65, WILL BE TREATED TO TWO NEW YEAR BANQUETS ON MARCH 11 AND 13. ■ '«
THE FIRST RECEPTION WILL BE HELD IN SHEUNG SHU I TO ENTERThI.’. RESIDENTS FROM SHEUNG SHU I AND SHA TAU KOK, WHILE THE OTHER, AT FANLING, WILL BE FOR THOSE FROM FANLING AND TA KWU LING.
AT BOTH FUNCTIONS,. THE ELDERLY WILL RECEIVE GIFTS AND WILL BE ENTERTAINED WITH TRADITIONAL CANTONESE SONGS. GOLD MEDALS WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO THE 20 OLDEST PERSONS.
SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE FEASTS ARE ORGANIocD BY THE NORTH DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ELDERLY ACTIVITIES WHICH HAS ALSO ARRANGED A FREE TRIP TO THE OCEAN PARK FOR 150 LOCAL SENIOR RESIDENTS TOMORROW (MARCH 7).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TWO PARTIES FOR THE ELDERLY 3” MARCH 11 AT 4 PM AT MOON NIN WAH RESTAURANT ON SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHU I, AND ON MARCH 13 AT 4 PM AT CHOI WAH PALACE RESTAURANT IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING.
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC CHANGES XXX
TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF DUCT NETWORK FOR THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM, TRAFFIC ON A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN WAN CHa I WILL BE RE-ROUTED OR DIVERTED FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 9) FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
THESE ARE:
* THE SECTION OF SHARP STREET EAST BETWEEN CANAL ROAD EAST AND MATHESON STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
* THE SECTION OF MATHESON STREET BETWEEN SHARP STREET EAST AND YIU WA STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
/• THE SECTION
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1986
6
•> the SECTION OF YIU WA STREET BETWEEN MATHESON STREET AND CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
* WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON HENNESSY ROAD, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES USING THE BUS-ONLY LANE UNDER THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVc.r\ AND VEHICLES FOR LOCAL ACCESS, WILL BE BANNED FROM TURN INS ON TO CANAL ROAD EAST.
* SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES ON CANAL ROAD EAST, EXCEPT TRAMS, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHARP STREET EAST, MATHESON STREET, YIU WA STREET TO REJOIN CANAL ROAD EAST.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ENGINEERS THANKED FOR CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG .............. 1
BANKING BILL PUBLISHED ....................................... 2
CHINESE JLG TEaM DUE SUNDAY .................................. 6
DECEMBER RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS OUT ..................... 7
STOCK EXCHANGE DAY - APRIL 2 ................................. 11
REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE PROPERTIES PROPOSED .................. 11
ZONING PLAN TO INCLUDE RECLAIMED HUNG HOM LAND ............... 12
DISPLAY PROFESSIONALISM CALL TO GRADUATING FIREMEN ........... 13
AMBULANCEMEN GET INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES ..................... 14
CONTRACTORS SOUGHT FOR CHIMNEY WORK .......................... 14
TEMPORARY DRAINAGE CHANNEL PLANNED ........................... 15
PRINTING INDUSTRY MANPOWER BEING SURVEYED .................... 15
REPRESENTATIVE TO BE ELECTED AT DB MEETING ................... 16
ANNUAL EXHUMATIONS DUE ....................................... 16
SEMINAR STAGED FOR WOMEN IN WAN CHAI ......................... 17
CHILDREN INVITED TO SHOW DRAWING SKILLS ...................... 18
YOUTH MUSIC FINALS TO BE HELD ................................ 19
DETAILS OF NORTH DISTRICT EUN DAY............................. 19
CHARITY WALK CHEQUE PRESENTATION ............................. 20
YUEN LONG, SHEUNG SHU I TRAFFIC CHANGES
20
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
1
ENGINEERS THANKED FOR CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG M M * * *
THE CONTRIBUTION THAT THE PROFESSIONS MADE TO THE FABRIC CF SOCIETY OF HONG KONG WAS BEYOND QUESTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TONIGHT.
AND IT WAS BECAUSE OF THIS CONTRIBUTION THAT 12 DIRECTLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF KEY PROFESSIONS HAD TAKEN THEIR SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE 11TH ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SIR DAVID NOTED THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROFESSION, AND SAID THAT IT WAS REASSURING TO EVERYONE IN HONG KONG THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT SEEING DRAMATIC EVIDENCE OF CONTINUING PROGRESS.
♦THE ENGINEERING PROJECTS OF RECENT YEAR, TO WHICH YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART, HAVE CAPTURED THE ENVY AND ADMIRATION OF THE WORLD. ENVY THAT WE HAVE HAD THE ECONOMIC STRENGTH AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO EMBARK UPON AND COMPLETE THESE PROJECTS; AND ADMIRATION THAT, DESPITE ALL THE PROBLEM CF AN UNCOMPROMISING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH SO MANY PEOPLE ARE CROWDED TOGETHER, WE HAVE SURMOUNTED THESE PROBLEMS AND THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.
♦OUR THANKS TONIGHT, THEN, GO TO YOU, THE ENGINEERS OF HONG KONG.+ SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID DESCRIBED SOME OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG IN THE 11 YEARS SINCE THE INSTITUTION WAS FORMED IN 1975, AND SAID THAT THEY HAD BEEN + YEAR OF CHANGE AND IMPROVEMENT, BUT NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF CONCRETE AND STEEL --HONG KONG IS NOW CLEANER AND GREENER.+
AND THERE HAD ALSO BEEN GROWTH IN THE STRENGTH OF LOCAL PROFESSIONALS -- LAWYERS, ARCHITECTS, DOCTORS, DENTISTS, SURVEYORS, ENGINEERS, ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHERS.
♦THIS TOO GIVES HONG KONG GREAT INTERNAL STRENGTH AND SELF RELIANCE, AND IT IS AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF STRENGTH THAT MANY OF OUR PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED EITHER INITIAL OR FURTHER TRAINING IN OTHER COUNTRIES,* SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE ENGINEERS NOW +STAND AT A MID-POINT BETWEEN THE 11 YEARS SINCE YOUR INSTITUTION WAS FORMED AND LOOK FORWARD THROUGH THE NEXT 11 VEARS AND SURVEY THE WORK THAT LIES AHEAD TO TURN THE BLACK AND WHITE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF HONG KONG PROVIDED IN IT INTO A REALITY.*
/SIR DAVID .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
2
SIR DAVID ALSO TOLD THEMi
+THE BLUE PRINT BACKED BY GUARANTEES IS THERE, THE PEOPLE ARE HERE.
♦WE HAVE ALL THE SKILLS AT OUR COMMAND. WE MUST HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE CAN COMPLETE THE TASK, JUST AS WE HAVt TACKLED AND SURMOUNTED SO MANY PROBLEMS IN THE PAST, WITH IMAGINATION, VISION, DETERMINATION AND PRACTICAL GOOD SENSE.+
HE WAS CONFIDENT OF THEIR CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY, SIR DAVID CONCLUDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
THE TEXT OF SIR DAVID’S SPEECH HAS BEEN BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
- 0 ---------
BANKING BILL PUBLISHED * * *
A BILL WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO IMPROVE PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
THE BANKING BILL 1986, RECENTLY ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), WILL, AFTER IT HAS TAKEN THE USUAL LEGISLATIVE COURSE, REPLACE THE PRESENT BANKING ORDINANCE AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
IT WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DATE TO BE FIXED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT DATES FOR DIFFERENT PROVISIONS.
THE BILL IS THE END PRODUCT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S REVIEW OF PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION AND EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY OVER THE PAST YEAR. IT PROVIDES A UNIFIED APPROACH, AND A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS REPRESENT NEW DEPARTURES, IN SUPERVISING BANKS AND DEPOSiT-TAKI NG COMPANIES - REFERRED TO AS +AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS* IN THE BILL. HOWEVER, MANY PROVISIONS CF THE BILL ARE CARRIED OVER FROM THE CORRESPONDING ONES IN THE TWO PRESENT ORDINANCES.
THE MAIN NEW PROVISIONS, OR SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO EXISTING PROVISIONS, RELATE TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS: THE COMMISSIONER’S ROLE, AUDIT, REGULATION OF OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, RESTRICTION ON LOANS, CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO, AND LIQUIDITY RATIO.
/THE COMMISSIONER'S........
FRIDAY, MARCH ?, 1986
THE COMMISSIONER’S ROLE
THE BILL SPELLS OUT EXPLICITLY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S FUNCTIONS, WHICH ARE PRINCIPALLY TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL STABILITY AND EFFECTIVE WORKING OF THE BANKING SYSTEM. HE IS RESPONSIBLE -AMONG OTHER DUTIES - FOR SUPERVISING COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, ENSURING THAT AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ARE OPERATED IN A RESPONSIBLE, HONEST AND BUSINESS-LIKE MANNER, AND PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING PROPER STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES AMONGST THESE INSTITUTIONS.
THE COMMISSIONER’S DUTIES REFLECT A DIFFERENT EMPHASIS IN THE NEW APPROACH TO PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION - ONE THAT RELIES MORE ON HIS DISCRETION AND QUALITATIVE JUDGEMENT THAN PREVIOUSLY. SAFEGUARD ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE BILL BY WAY OF APPEALS TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
ALSO COUNTERBALANCING THE COMMISSIONER’S EXPANDED ROLE ARE THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. HE IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON THE WORKING OF THE BILL AND THE ACTIVITIES OF HIS OFFICE DURING THE YEAR. THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MAY PUBLISH THE REPORT.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNOR HAS THE POWER TO REQUEST A REPORT FROM THE COMMISSIONER AT ANY TIME.
AUDIT
THE BILL EXTENDS THE AUDIT REQUIREMENTS PRESENTLY APPLICABLE TO BANKS TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES- IN PARTICULAR, THE COMMISSIONER WILL HAVE THE POWER TO APPOINT A SECOND AUDITOR FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
TRIPARTITE MEETINGS ARE PROVIDED FOR BETWEEN THE BOARD OF AN INSTITUTION, ITS AUDITORS AND THE COMMISSIONER WHERE THE AFFAI .< OF THE INSTITUTION WARRANT SUCH A MEETING, AND A MEETING BETWEEN ANY TWO PARTIES CAN PROCEED NOTWITHSTANDING NON-ATTENDANCE BY Tn.. THIRD.
THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER TO DEAL WITH WEAKNESSES OR MISCONDUCT IN AUDITS, BY REFERRING TO THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS ANY CASES CF NEGLIGENCE OR SERIOUS MISCONDUCT BY THE AUDITORS OF AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION.
REGULATION OF OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
THE BILL GIVES THE COMMISSIONER POWER OF CONTROL OVER SUBSTANTIAL OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG.
/AFTER COMNJJiCiy.ENT ..........
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1?fe6
AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILL, ANY PERSON WHO, INDIVIDUALLY CR IN CONCERT WITH OTHERS, ACQUIRES SHARES WHICH BRING HIS HOLDING TO 10 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SHARES OF THE LOCAL INSTITUTION WILL NEED THE COMMISSIONER’S APPROVAL BEFORE HE IS ABLE TO EXERCISE HIS VOTING RIGHTS IN THOSE ACQUIRED SHARES.
AS A SANCTION TO SUPPORT THIS REQUIREMENT, ALL RESOLUTIONS OF THE INSTITUTION MADE IN RELIANCE UPON THE UNAPPROVED VOTING SHARES WHICH COULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN MADE WILL BE VOID, BUT THE RIGHT OF THIRD PARTIES DEALING WITH THE INSTITUTION IN GOOD FAITH WILL BE PROTECTED.
THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES THAT, AFTER COMMENCEMENT, ALL APPOINTMENTS TO DIRECTOR AND COMPANY SECRETARY POSTS OF A LOCAL INSTITUTION BE SUBJECT TO THE COMMISSIONER’S PRIOR APPROVAL.
THE COMMISSIONER’S CONTROL ALSO EXTENDS TO THE +CONTROLLEP+ -A PERSON (INCLUDING A BODY CORPORATE) IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHOS-DIRECTIONS OR INSTRUCTIONS THE DIRECTORS OF AN INSTITUTION OR ITS HOLDING COMPANY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO ACT? OR A PERSON WHO CONTROLS MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES OF THAT INSTITUTION OR OF ITS HOLDING COMPANY. ANY CONTROLLER WILL HAVE TO SEEK THE COMMISSIONER’S APPROVAL BEFORE CONTINUING TO GIVE DIRECTIONS OR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE INSTITUTION.
RESTRICTION ON LOANS
THE BILL PLACES NEW RESTRICTIONS - IN ADDITION TO THOSE IN THE PRESENT ORDINANCES - ON LOANS BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS. IT REQUIRES THAT AN INSTITUTION SHALL NOT, EXCEPT WITH THE COMMISSIONER’S APPROVAL, GRANT ANY ADVANCE, LOAN OR CREDIT FACILITY AGAINST THE SECURITY OF THE SHARES OF ITS HOLDING COMPANY (IF ANY) OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OF THE INSTITUTION OR SUCH HOLDING COMPANY.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE COMMISSIONER MAY, BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE, ISSUE DIRECTIONS TO AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS NOT TO ENGAGE IN SPECIFIED BUSINESS PRACTICES WHICH, IN THE COMMISSIONER’ OPINION, WILL OR MAY CAUSE THE SOUNDNESS OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION TO BE DEPENDENT UPON THE SOUNDNESS OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF A SINGLE PARTY.
/CAPITAL 10 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
- 5 -
CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO
THE BILL INTRODUCES A NEW RATIO, A CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO, TO APPLY TO ALL BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG. ALTHOUGH THE EXISTING LEGISLATION PRESCRIBES MINIMUM CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES, SUCH REQUIREMENTS BEAR NO RELATIONSHIP TO THE AMOUNT AND RISKINESS OF THE ASSETS THEY SUPPORT. THE NEW RATIO IS DESIGNED TO REMEDY THAT DEFICIENCY.
THE CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO HAS BEEN SET AT 5 PER CENT, BUT THE COMMISSIONER HAS THE POWER TO INCREASE THE RATIO FOR PARTICULAR INSTITUTIONS TO NOT MORE THAN 8 PER CENT IN THE CASE CF BANKS AND TO NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT IN THE CASE OF DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES. THE METHOD OF CALCULATION OF THE RATIO, TOGETHER WITH THE CAPITAL BASE AND THE RISK ASSETS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THAT CALCULATION, ARE CONTAINED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE TO THE BILL.
A CONTRAVENTION OF THE RATIO IS NOT IN ITSELF AN OFFENCE, BUT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO FAIL TO REPORT THE CONTRAVENTION TO THE COMMISSIONER, OR TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE INSTITUTION TO COMPLY WITH THE RATIO.
THIS NEW REQUIREMENT ON CAPITAL ADEQUACY WILL NOT APPLY TO HONG KONG BRANCHES OF FOREIGN INSTITUTIONS BECAUSE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ACCEPTED INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, SUPERVISION OF A DEPOSITTAKING INSTITUTION’S CAPITAL ADEQUACY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUTHORITIES IN THE PLACE WHERE THE INSTITUTION IS INCORPORATED.
SINCE THESE PROVISIONS PLACE A SUBSTANTIAL NEW REQUIREMENT ON THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED, IT IS PROPOSED THAT A LONG TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF, SAY, TWO YEARS WOULD BE ALLOWED.
LIQUIDITY RATIO
THE BILL INTRODUCES NEW AND SIMPLIFIED LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS TO REPLACE THOSE IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION. IT REQUIRES AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS TO MAINTAIN LIQUID ASSETS FOR ALL LIABILITIES MATURING OR CALLABLE WITHIN ONE MONTH, AT A RATIO CF NOT LESS THAN 25 PER CENT IN ANY CALENDAR MONTH. THE COMMISSIONER MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENT ON ANY INSTITUTION AS NECESSARY.
' THE METHOD OF CALCULATION OF THE RATIO, TOGETHER WITH THE LIABILITIES AND ASSETS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FOR THE PURPOSES CF THAT CALCULATION, ARE CONTAINED IN THE FOURTH SCHEDULE TO THE BILL.
/THE SANCTIONS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 19&6
THE SANCTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THIS REQUIREMENT LARGELY PARALLEL THOSE IN THE'CASE OF THE CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO, IN THAT A CONTRAVENTION OF THE RATIO IS NOT IN ITSELF AN OFFENCt, BUT FAILURE TO REPORT THE CONTRAVENTION, OR TO CARRY OUT REMEDIAL ACTION REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER, IS AN OFFENCE.
TIMING
THE BILL WILL MARCH 19, WHEN THE
BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL .'A FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON IT BEFORE DEBATE IS ADJOURNED. A REASONABLY LONG PERIOD
THE SECOND READING----AA,„
WOULD BE ALLOWED FOR DETAILED SCRUTINY OF THE BILL AND
REPRESENTATION BY INTERESTED PARTIES, BEFORE RESUMPTION OF THc
DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL IN MAY.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE BILL MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO, AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, 8 JACKSON ROAD, HONG KONG, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, AT ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 24TH FLOOR, HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG.
- 0-----------
CHINESE JLG TEAM DUE SUNDAY * * *
IN
THE CHINESE TEAM OF THE
HONG KONG BY FLIGHT CA 101
JO
I NT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE ARRIVING ETA 10.20 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 9).
THE SENIOR REPRESENTATI WILSON, WILL MEET THE GROUP
VE OF THE BRITISH TEAM, AT THE AIRPORT.
DR DAVID
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ARRIVAL Or THE CH INES-
MED IA TEAM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIPPOR PRcSo ROOM BEFORE 9.30 AM ON SUNDAY.
/7 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1936
7
DECEMBER RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS OUT
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1985, ESTIMATED AT S6 478 MILLION, WAS 5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1984, AND THE VOLUME WAS 3 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH SALES IN DECEMBER 1984, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT UP BY 4 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
+OTHER CONSUMER GOODS* INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. FUELS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT SHOWED NO CHANGE IN SALES VOLUME. ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS, MOTOR VEHICLES AND CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES ROSE MODERATELY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS. DEPARTMENT STORES HAD A SLIGHT INCREASE IN SALES VALUE BUT NO CHANGE IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1985 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1984, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES WENT UP BY 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO RECORDED INCREASES OF 2 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FUELS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. +OTHER CONSUMER GOODS* SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT NO CHANGE IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKET, MOTOR VEHICLES AND DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED MODERATELY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES HAD SLIGHT INCREASES IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
/WHEN COMPARED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
I
I
WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1985, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR DECEMBER 1985 INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS RECORDED INCREASES OF 20 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 21 PER CENT IN VOLUME. OTHER CONSUMER GOODS+ WENT UP BY 14 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 8 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS. FUELS AND CONSUMER DURABLES EACH HAD SLIGHT INCREASES OF 2 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE Substantially and those of supermarkets increased moderately in both 'VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES HAD SLIGHT INCREASES IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. ON THE OTHER HAND, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES REMAINED UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT DROPPED SLIGHTLY IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL SALES FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER 1985 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1985.
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 DECEMBER 1985 RESULTS WITH THOSE OF NOVEMBER 1985 AND DECEMBER 1984 AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1985 WITH THOSE IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1984 ARE ALSO GIVEN. GRAPHS 1 AND 2 DEPICT THE INDEX MOVEMENTS OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES FROM JANUARY 1933 TO'NOVEMBER 1985.
* ' ■ \
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE DECEMBER 1985 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL NO.: 3-7216024).
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
• •. J; ji.;<: ••• ■
- 9 -
Table 1 ; total retail sms r
Total Retail Sales for December 1985 (Provisional Figure) • EKf6 478 Billion for November 19©5 (Revised Figure) • EK|$ 857 Billion
r /v
TABLE 2 1 VALUE A5D V0IW5 INDEXES CF ’CT?AIL SAI S3
_____________FCR NOVEMBER AMD DECEMBEB 19^5____________ (Monthly average of 1?8C • 100)
Tten index of Retail Sales Noveteber 1985 December 1985 December 1985 cospared with November 1985 December 1985 coopered with Oct. - Dec. 1985 compared with
Deoembe r 1984 Cct. - Dec. 1984
(Revised (Provie- Points * Points < Points t
figures) ional
figures)
FCA ALL xglAll TRADES • 1
Value 172 191 ♦ 18 4 11 ♦ 10 ♦ 5 4 7 4
Volune 118 130 ♦ 12 -10 ♦ 4 4 3 4 2 4 2
2. .. .'JU'^a TRADE .jRwUI'S
“-odst-fft, alcoholic V slue 166 179 ♦ 13 +3 a ? 4 4 4 4 ♦ 2
drimts ar.d tobacco Volume 109 117 ♦ 8 *8 4 4 ♦ 3 • 2 4 2
Fuels Value 138 192 ♦ 4 *2 ♦ 2 4 1 4 3 4 2
Volume 121 124 ♦ 3 4 2 • • 4 1 1
.'let hi ng, fsctwoar Value 239 288 4 48 ♦ 20 ♦ 37 ♦ 15 4 32 14
ir.d allied products Volume 140 171 ♦ 3C *21 4 14 ♦ 9 4 10 4 •»
Value 19Q ♦ 4 * 2 ♦ 11 ♦ 7 4 3 4 5
Volume 113 115 ♦ 2 ♦ ' 2 * 5 ♦ 5 *5 ♦ 4
Clher consumer geode Value 170 194 ♦ 24 ♦ 14 4 6 4 3 4 4 4 2
Volume 120 137 ♦ 17 *14 ♦ 2 4 1 • •
ts; d? Sr..-■ T.’iZ PBALiL’
Supermarkets Value 300 349 ♦ 49 *16 ♦ 47 4 16 4 39 14
Volume 181 210 ♦ 2? *16 ♦ 23 4 12 4 19 11
lie tor vehicles Value 86 86 • • 4 8 4 10 4 8 4 10
Volume 50 49 - 1 - 2 4 3 4 6 43 6
Consumer durables other Value 2W 209 ♦ 6 r 3 4 13 4 6 4 e 4
than actor vehicles Volume 157 160 4 3 4 2 4 7 4 5 4 6 4 4
Departs*:, t storee • alue 190 246 4 57 ♦ 30 4 4 4 2 4 14 4 *»
Volume IM .40 .30 e • 4« 4 4
Notsu 1 1. “Foodstuffey alcoholic drinks and tobacco” include# " supermarkets''.
2. "wdnsuaer durables' includes "dotor vehiolea’’.
. -the? consume.- goods” includes "department stores”.
4. r-.gures denoting changes are derived from tc.e unrounded index figures. * leno tea no change.
/Graph 1
Value index
190 !
180
170
120
100 -
Mar 83
Volume index
180i—■■■
160
140
130
120
110
100
- io -
Graph 1: Value Indexes of Total Retail Sales
mi'UAT, MAKVI1 17VO
Value index
180
- 130
Value index
Seasonally adjusted value index Trend
Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun 64 85 86
Graph 2: Volume Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Volume index
■■■■—S180
Volume index
Seasonally adjusted volume index Trend
120
-poo
1 ! ! I ! I I I ! I | -J-------------------L
Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun
83 84 85 66
'/Notes: (1) Monthy average Of 1980 = 100
(2) The seasonally adjusted value and volume indexes and Henderson trends are compiled using theX-11 /arianl seasonal adjustment program of the U.S Bureau of the Census
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1935
11
STOCK EXCHANGE DAY - APRIL 2 * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS APPOINTED APRIL 2, 1986 AS THE DAY ON AND AFTER WHICH THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LIMITED SHALL HAVE THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A STOCK MARKET IN HONG KONG, THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING, MR DEREK MURPHY, ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (APPOINTED DAY) NOTICE 1986 IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
UNDER SECTION 30 OF THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION ORDINANCE, THE EXISTING EXCHANGES ARE REQUIRED TO COMMENCE VOLUNTARY WINDING UP WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE +APPOINTED DAY*.
THE LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY COME INK OPERATION ON THE SAME DAY ARE PART I I I OF THE SECURITIES (AMENDi'.i . u ORDINANCE 1985 (ORD. NO. 58 OF 1985), THE SECURITIES (SPEC IF I CAT I. CF APPROVED ASSETS, LIQUID ASSETS AND RANKING LIABILITIES) NOTICE 1986 (LN 7 OF 1986) AND THE SECURITIES (ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1986 (L.N. 38 OF 1986), WHICH ARE PRINCIPALLY CONCERNED WITH FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DEALERS.
FROM APRIL 2, A REGISTERED DEALER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AND AT ALL TIMES MAINTAIN IN HIS BUSINESS AS A DEALER A +NET CAPITAL*, THE AMOUNT OF WHICH WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER THE DEALER IS AN INDIVIDUAL (SI MILLION) OR A BODY CORPORATE ($5 MILLION).
ADDITIONALLY, EACH REGISTERED DEALER IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A LIQUIDITY MARGIN OF NOT LESS THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE MINIMUM NET CAPITAL REQUIREMENT APPLICABLE.
-------C----------
REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE PROPERTIES PROPOSED
X X * *
A BILL EMPOWERING THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE TRUSTEE OF THE MAN MO TEMPLE FUND, TO REDEVELOP PROPERTIES UNDER THE FUND WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID SOME OF THE EXISTING PROPERTIES OF THE FUND WERE IN A DILAPIDATED STATE AND WERE EXTREMELY UNDER-UTILISED.
+T0 IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREAS WHERE THE PROPERTIES ARE SITUATED AND TO MAXIMISE THEIR DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL, THE GROUP PROPOSES TO REDEVELOP PROPERTIES,* HE SAID.
/THE PROPOSED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
12 -
PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME, COVERING AN AREA OF
1 120 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISES A 31-STOREY RESIDENTIAL TOWER SHOPS AND PARKING SPACES AT THE GROUND FLOOR LEVEL AND A DAY-CARE ^ENTR£S FOR THE ELDERLY AND COMMERCIAL UNITS IN THE LOWER GROUND FLoSrs
UNDER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL, THE GROUP WOULD ALSO Bc RESE!fEL0PMENTR^0j4?NDS °N BEHALF °F ™E MAN M° TEMPLE E°R THE
- - 0------------
ZONING PLAN TO INCLUDE RECLAIMED HUNG HOM LAND * * * * *
ALMOST 40 HECTARES OF LAND TO BE RECLAIMED AT HUNG HOM BAY IS TO BE INCORPORATED IN THE HUNG HOM OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD EXPLAINED TODAY THAT THE MAJOR AMENDMENT WAS TO BRING UNDER STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROL THE FUTURE USE OF THE LAND TO BE RECLAIMED AT HUNG HOM BAY.
THE PROPOSED HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION THAT WOULD PRODUCE
39 HECTARES OF LAND WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TWO PHASES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. PHASE 1 COMPRISING ABOUT 15 HECTARES OF LAND WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION’S FREIGHT HANDLING FACILITIES. RECLAMATION WORK WOULD START LATER THIS YEAR.
♦THE KCRC’S CONSULTANT IS STUDYING THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE RECLAMATION AREA, PART OF WHICH IS INTENDED TO REDRESS THE EXISTING SHORTAGE OF GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE IN HUNG HOM, INCLUDING ANY FUTURE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS,* HE SAID.
+IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TRAFFIC NETWORK AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING THE PROPOSED HUNG HOM BYPASS COULD ALSO BE UNDERTAKEN,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE RECLAIMED AREA WOULD HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL IK THE FORM OF A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN.
COMMUNITY
9™ER AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN INVOLVE REZONING OF THE TAI WAN wAocciWc^t 1 COMPLEX TO GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY
ZotMEek»C/ THE ACTUAL USE OF THE SITE- THE INCLUSION OF A SMALL OPEN SPACE NORTH OF CHEONG WAN ROAD FOR A ROAD PROJECT IN CONNECTION WITH THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN GILLIES AVENUE, AND INCORPORATING THE PROPOSED ELEVATED ROAD AT MAN YUE STREET.
/ANY PERSON ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY WRITE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE MARCH 27, 1986.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD. HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTIONS AT 382 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY, AND $60 FOR A COLOURED COPY.
-------0---------
DISPLAY
PROFESSIONALISM CALL TO GRADUATING FIREMEN * M * *
CRAniJATFS OF THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL WERE ASKED \ TODAY (FRIDAY) TO DISPLAY PROFESSIONALISM AND TO GUARD THE GOOD ■ REPUTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT CEREMONY OF SIX OFFICERS AND L FIREMEN THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF HONG KONG COMMAND, MR BRIAll FENDER SAID THAT +THE REPUTATION OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES IS HIGH AND ITS PROFESSIONALISM RESPECTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
+IT IS BY THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH STANDARDS THAT WE ARE BEST ABLE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+
MR FENDER POINTED OUT THAT A FIREMAN'S WORK WAS HARD AND DANGEROUS AT TIMES BUT THEY WERE COMPENSATED BY CAMARADERIE FOSTERED IN THE FIELD OF ACTION.
♦IT IS A VERY REWARDING PROFESSION, FOR THERE IS NOTHING IN L1FE MORE SATISFY ING THAN BE J" MIS! "
NEED AND WHEN THEY ARE UNABLE
MR FENDER LATER REVIEWED TROPHIES TO MR LEUNG WAI-HUNG GRADUATES.
A PARADE OF 89 RECRUITS AND PRESENTED AND MR NG CHAU-HUNG, THE TWO TOP
/1L .......
14
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
AMBULANCEMEN GET
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES
XXX*
THIRTY AMBULANCE OFFICERS
..... TODAY RECEIVED AMBULANCE AID
INSTRUCTORS CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE UK NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE, AFTER COMPLETING TWO WEEKS’ TRAINING IN HONG KONG.
THE COURSE, COMMISSIONED LOCALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WAS AIMED AT TEACHING AMBULANCE CFFICERS TO PREPARE TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR AMBULANCEMEN. IT WAS DIRECTED BY MR ROBERT LEA, MEMBER OF THE UK NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE TRAINING AUTHORITY, ON SECONDMENT TO HONG KONG. MR LEA HAD SERVED AS REGIONAL TRAINING OFFICER WITH WEST YORKSHIRE REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR 35 YEARS.
THE COURSE HAD PREVIOUSLY TO BE TAKEN IN THE UK.
AT TODAY’S PRESENTATION, MR LEA SAID THAT THE AMBULANCE SERVICES AND TRAINING IN HONG KONG WERE BOTH OF HIGH STANDARD, AND MOST TRAINEES HAD PASSED THE COURSE TESTS +WITH FLYING COLOURS.+
THE ACTING CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR PANG TAK-SAM, WHO PRESENTED THE CERTIFICATES, COMMENDED THE GRADUATES FOR THEIR GOOD WORK.
-----o------
CONTRACTORS SOUGHT FOR CHIMNEY WORK
XXX
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FROM CONTRACTORS FOR INCLUSION IN A LIST OF SPECIALISTS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING SERVICES FOR CONCRETE CHIMNEY REPAIR AND DEMOLITION WORK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS COMPILING THE LIST, SAID CONTRACTORS WITH COMPETENCE IN THE TWO FIELDS SHOULD ALSO SUBMIT DETAILS OF THEIR RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.
REPLIES SHOULD BE SENT TO GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE SURVEYOR, 34TH FLOOR, SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORc. MARCH 27. «
------C-------
/15........
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
15
TEMPORARY DRAINAGE CHANNEL PLANNED
*****
THE FORESHORE AND SEABED OUTSIDE THE TIN SHU I WAI BUND IS TO BE DREDGED TO FORM A TEMPORARY DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND DREDGED MATER I WILL BE USED TO FILL IN DISUSED PONDS IN THE AREA.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY’1987 AND BE COMPLETED THREE YEARS LATER.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE, AND ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BEFORE MAY 6.
PRINTING INDUSTRY MANPOWER BEING SURVEYED
„ * *,*
»
» •
A SURVEY WILL BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN MARCH 11 AND 19 COLLECT INFORMATION ON MANPOWER AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS PRINTING INDUSTRY.
TO
OF THE
IT WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOAh. CF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, WITH THE HELP OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD, MR ALEX WU, URGED
EMPLOYERS COVERED IN THE SURVEY TO COOPERATE BECAUSE THE INFORMATI). COLLECTED WOULD BE OF IMPORTANCE FOR FORMULATING TRAINING PLANS FOR THE INDUSTRY.
MR WU STRESSED ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM CF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
QUESTIONNARIES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL ESTABLISHMENTS COVERED IN THE SURVEY.
DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD, OFFICERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CALL AT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO b€LP EMPLOYERS COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
c
/16........
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
16
REPRESENTATIVE TO BE ELECTED AT DB MEETING
* * * *
KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ELECT A BOARD MEMBER TO REPRESENT THEM ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AT THEIR MEETING ON MONDAY (MARCH 10).
BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE DRAFT DISTRICT BOARD BUDGET AND STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTtES FOR 1986-87. THEY WILL ALSO REVIEW THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE SETTING UP OF A HALF-WAY HOUSE IN THE SHEK LEI ESTATE EXTENSION, SUPPLEMENTARY SITES FOR THE EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, CONTROL OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY ANIMAL WASTES AND THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY HALLS IN THE DISTRICT.
LOCAL ISSUES TO BE RAISED INCLUDE AIR POLLUTION, SERVICE^ FOR CHILDREN, SAFETY ASPECTS OF RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS AT SHEK LEI HANG VILLAGE, REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SOME TENANTS IN KWAI FONG AND THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, K*AI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING (NEXT TO KWAI HING MTR STATION), 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
-----o------
ANNUAL EXHUMATIONS DUE
X * * *
ALL HUMAN REMAINS BURIED IN THE GRAVES OF FOUR PUBLIC CEMETERIES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS IN 1979 ARE NOW DUE FOR EXHUMATION, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
A TOTAL OF 11 116 GRAVES AT THE CHEUNG CHAU CEMETERY, SANDY RIDGE CEMETERY. SANDY RIDGE URN CEMETERY AND WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS YEAR’S EXHUMATIONS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO REMOVE AND DISPOSE OF HUMAN REMAINS FROM THE FOUR PUBLIC CEMETERIES IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
/THE ANNUAL........
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 19^6
- 17 -
THE ANNUAL RECOVERY OF GRAVE SPACES FROM PUBLIC CEMETERIES_FJR RE-USE IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH "HE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICE^ ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS BURIED IN THESE GRAVES ARE ADVISED TO PROCEED WITH THE EXHUMATION BEFORE MAY 5.
THEY SHOULD APPLY FOR EXHUMATION PERMITS AT THE RSD’S CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA OFFICE AT 6 CHEONG HANG ROAD, HUNG HOM, KOWLOON.
THE EXHUMED REMAINS CAN BE RE-BURIED IN THE URN SECTION OF PUBLIC CEMETERIES, OR AFTER CREMATION, THE ASHES MAY BE DEPOSITED AT A GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE COLUMBARIUM OR KEPT AT HOME.
REMAINS NOT REMOVED AFTER THE EXPIRY DATE WILL BE EXHUMED AND CREMATED AT THE SANDY RIDGE URN CEMETERY OR OTHER PUBLIC URN CEMETERY, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-------0 --------
' SEMWAR STAGED FOR WOMEN* IN *AN CHAI * * * *
ABOUT 100 WOMEN FROM VARIOUS LOCAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT WILL ATTEND A SEMINAR ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP FOR THE CONCERN OF PORNOGRAPHIC ACTIVITIES IN WAN CHAI.
GUEST SPEAKER WILL BE DR LAM MAN-PING, A LECTURER AT THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. SHE WILL SPEAK ON CHILD PSYCHOLOGY WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO READING HABITS AND THE INFLUENCE OF PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS. THE TALK WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AN OPEN DISCUSSION.
THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT AROUSING PARTICIPANTS’ AWARENESS OK THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN o PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE RUBY RESTAURANT IN CAUSEWAY BAY AT 4 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER "HE EVENT.
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
- 18 -
CHILDREN INVITED TO SHOW DRAWING SKILLS M * * *
CHILDREN IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN ARE INVITED TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR TALENT AT AN OPEN AIR DRAWING COMPETITION TO BE HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON SUNDAY (MARCH 9) AFTERNOON.
WITH THE THEME OF +KNOWING OUR CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DI STR ICTASSOCATIONFOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), AND IS ASSISTED BY SPOTLIGHT CHILDREN’S EDUCATION CENTRE WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN ART AND CULTURE.
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN BANK AND THE TOM LEE MUS
THE EVENT IS ALSO SPONSORED BY DISTRICT BOARD, THE LIU CHONG HING COMPANY LIMITED.
IC
IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS WITH THE JUNIOR CLASS FOR CHILDREN AGED FOUR TO NINE AND A HIGHER CLASS FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN TEN AND 15. •
CHILDREN TAKING PART SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR WATER COLOUR OR CRAYON AND ARRIVE AT THE REGISTRATION BOOTH AT THE PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT BEFORE 1 PM.
PAPER WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE SPOT AND PARTICIPANTS MUST FINISH THEIR DRAWING BEFORE 4 PM. AN ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME wILL EE STAGED FOR CHILDREN AFTER THE COMPETITION.
OFFICIATING AT THE PR IZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN. MR VINCENT KO; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, PR LIU LIT-FOR i THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MR WU CHOR-NAM; AND THE MANAGER OF THE SPOTLIGHT CHILDREN’S EDUCATION CENTRE, MISS SHELLEY YEUNG.
NOTE TO ED I TORS t
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHILDREN DRAWING COMPETITION.
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
19
YOUTH MUSIC FINALS TO BE HELD
* * * *
THE CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSIC FINALS OF THE 1986 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS’ AWARDS WILL TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 15 AND 16 AT 8 PM AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE, ARTS CENTRE.
THE PRELIMINARIES AND THE SEMI-FINALS WERE HELD IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AND IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
THE MAIN AIMS OF THE AWARDS ARE TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF COMPOSING AND PERFORMING SERIOUS MUSIC AMONG YOUNG AMATEUR MUSICIANS AND TO PROMOTE MUSIC APPRECIATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID TODAY THE CONTEST PROVIDES +AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG AMATEUR MUSICIANS TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND TALENTS THROUGH OPEN COMPETITION.
THE EVENT HAD UNCOVERED A NUMBER OF YOUNG MUSICIANS AND COMPOSERS OVER THE YEARS.
THE COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG HAS DONATED CASH PRIZES TOTALLING $40 000 FOR THE WINNERS OF THE AWARDS. THE WINNER IN EACH OF THE FOUR CATEGORIES WILL RECEIVE $6 000 WHILE THE FIRST RUNNER UP WILL GET $3 000 AND THE SECOND $1 ODO.
THE COMPOSITIONS AND PERFORMANCES OF THE FINALISTS WILL BE JUDGED BY A PANEL OF MUSICIANS.
TICKETS FOR THE FINALS AT $10 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE (5-283257) AND THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE (3-7226240).
------o-------
DETAILS OF NORTH DISTRICT FUN DAY * * * * *
THE FIRST NORTH DISTRICT BOARD FUN DAY TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 16.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG KAN-KWAI, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG, WILL ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 11 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 10) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, FANLING ROUNDABOUT, FANLING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
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/20........
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986
?0
CHARITY WALK CHEQUE PRESENTATION
*****
HELPING HAND, A LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANISATION WHICH RUNS NINE HOMES FOR THE AGED, TODAY (.FRIDAY) RECEIVED A CHEQUE FOR $32 000 AS DONATION RAISED DURING A RECENT ARMY CHARITY WALK.
CALLED +EXERCISE TRA IL*ALkER + , THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE QUEEN’S GURKHA SIGNALS AND wAS HELD IN NOVEMBER ALONG THE RUGGED 100-KILOMETRE MACLEHOSE TRAIL.
A TOTAL OF $98 121.50 WAS RAISED IN THE SPONSORED WALK BY 53 TEAMS FROM VARIOUS SERVICE UNITS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
OF THE TOTAL, MORE THAN $40 000 WAS COLLECTED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WHICH WAS THE MOST SPONSORED TEAM.
--------0-----------
-.r YUEN LONG, SHEUNG SHU I TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
A MINI-ROUNDABOUT AT THE JUNCTION OF FAIRVIEW PARK BOULEVARD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN YUEN LONG WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 11 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 10) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, THE SPEED LIMIT OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FAIRVIEW PARK BOULEVARD TO A POINT ABOUT 680 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE REDUCED FROM THE EXISTING 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
MEANWHILE, BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 4 AM ON MONDAY, CASTLE PEAK ROAD WEST OF LOK MA CHAU ROAD IN YUEN LONG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD PROJECT.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE FAN KAM ROAD AND KAM TIN ROAD FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I AND YUEN LONG.
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS IN JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, SHEUNG SHU I, A SECTION OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD BETWEEN SAN FUNG AVENUE AND FUNG KAI SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 13 FOR FOUR MONTHS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO A NEW ROAD PARALLEL TO THE CLOSED SECTION OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.
- - c - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1986 contents PAGE NO.
OVERALL VOTER TURNOUT ‘VERY SATISFACTORY’ - LIaO................ 1
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES................................... 2
♦ELECTIONS HAVE DIRECT BEARING ON PEOPLE’S LIVES*- ............. 3
rHK PEOPLE REALISING THEY HAVE A VOICE1 ........................ 4
VOTER TURNOUT EXPECTED TO PICK UP - CS.......................... 4
SIR DAVID OPTIMISTIC ABOUT VOTER TURNOUT ....................... 5
FINE DAY SHOULD HELP TURNOUT - LIAO............................. 6
’MORNING VOTER TURNOUT SATISFACTORY’ ........................... 7
LIAO EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH TURNOUT........................ 7
DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS POLLING STATIONS
8
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1936
OVERALL VOTER TURNOUT ’VERY SATISFACTORY’ - LIAO
*****
THE OVERALL TURNOUT OF 362 725 VOTERS, OR 27 PER CENT Or THE TOTAL ELECTORATE, AT YESTERDAY’S URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL -LECTIONS WAS DESCRIBED AS + VERY SAT ISFACTORY+ BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE PRESS CENTRE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS LATE LAST (THURSDAY) NIGHT, MR LIAO SAID ONE MUST CONSIDER THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST ELECTION FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THAT THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES *AS MUCH LESS THAN THAT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS LAST YEAh.
THERE WERE 79 CANDIDATES TAKING PART IN YESTERDAY’S ELECTION^ AS COMPARED WITH 501 IN LAST YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, NOTED.
HE SAID THE RESULTS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGING AS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF 218 837 VOTES, OR 23.2 PER CENT, HAD ALMOST DOUBLED THE FIGURE OF 127 303 IN
1983.
THIS WAS A REMARKABLE INCREASE ALTHOUGH IT ONLY REPRESENTED A SMALL RISE IN PERCENTAGE POINT AS COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR’S 22.4 PER CENT.
AS REGARDS THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR LIAO SAID THE 35.9 PER CENT TURNOUT WAS ALMOST AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS OF 37.5 PER CENT.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE LARGER TURNOUT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ■F. LIAO SAID THE TREND SHOWED THAT THE RESPONSE IN THE NEw TERRITORIES WAS MORE ENTHUSIASTIC WHEN COMPARED WITH THE URBAN AREAS.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE +EVERYBODY KNO«S EVERYONE ELSE MUCH BETTER+ IN THE RURAL AREAS AND IN THE NEW TOWNS WHILE IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN THE URBAN AREAS, THE CHANCE OF GETTING TO KNOW ONE’S NEIGHBOUR WAS MUCH LESS.
0 --------
2
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES * X * *
URBAN COUNCIL NAME INCUMBENT
SEX UC/DB MEMBER (E/A)
CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHOW WAI-KEUNG M DB MEMBER (E)
WAN CHAI HILTON CHEONG-LEEN M UC MEMBER (E)
NORTH POINT MAN SAI-CHEONG M —
SHAU KEI WAN CHEUNG WAI-PI NG F —
SOUTHERN CHAN YUEK-SUT M UC MEMBER (E)
KOWLOON CITY 'WEST CHAN CHI-KWAN, PETER M UC MEMBER (E)
KOWLOON CITY PAO PING-WING EAST (UNCONTESTED) M UC MEMBER (E)
KWUN TONG WEST ELSIE TU F UC MEMBER (E)
KWUN TONG EAST LAM CHAK-PIU M UC MEMBER (E)
MONG KOK CHAN KWOK-MING M DB MEMBER (E)
SHAM SHUI PO EAST. FUNG KIN-KEE M UC MEMBER (E)
SHAM SHUI PO WEST LEE CHIK-YUET V M UC MEMBER (E)
'WONG TAI SIN SOUTH FOK PUI-YEE F —
'WONG TAI SIN NORTH YEUNG LAI-YIN, CECILIA F UC MEMBER (E)
YAU MA TEI KWAN LIM-HO M UC MEMBER (E)
REGIONAL COUNCIL
ISLANDS KWONG PING-YAU M —
NORTH TANG KWOK-YUNG M DB MEMBER (E)
/SAI KUNG.........
- 3 -
SAI KUNG WONG SHU 1-SANG —
SHA TIN EAST CHEUNG CHI-YUEN M DB MEMBER (E)
SHA TIN WEST LAU KONG-WAH M DB MEMBER (E)
TAI PO LAI KAM-CHEUNG, MICHAEL M DB MEMBER (A)
TSUEN WAN CHAN WAI-YIP, ALBERT M DB MEMBER (E)
TUEN MUN EAST TSANG KWONG-YUEN M —
TJEN MUN WEST NG MING-YUM M DB MEMBER (E)
YUEN LONG TANG KAM-FAT M —
KWAI CHUNG EAST LEE WING-TAT M DB MEMBER (E)
KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING Yl (UNCONTESTED) WONG MAN-TAI, JAMES M —
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-•-ELECTIONS HAVE DIRECT BEARING ON
*****
PEOPLE’S LIVES*
THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS GIVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE AT THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT ^HICH HAS A VERY DIRECT BEARING ON PEOPLE’S LIVES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS EVENING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE CHARITY BALL OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSpM^LS, SIR EDwARD SAID: + A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPlc HAVE TURNED OUT, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT, AND THERE HAS BEEN A AIDE RANGE OF CANDIDATES, AND THE VOTING PROCESS HAS BEEN FAIR AND ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT. AND I THINK ALL IN ALL THAT MEANS A VERY SATISFACTORY RESULT.*
ASKED WHETHER HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE 24 PER CENT TURNOUT RATE UP TILL 9.30 PM, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT RATHER THAN GETTING FIXcD ON PERCENTAGES, +WE GOT TO LOOK AT THE SITUATION AS A WHOLE*.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION WHETHER THE REACTION BY VOTERS TODAY BACKED THE CALL FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS, SIR EDWARD SAID WE MUST TAKE EACH SET OF ELECTIONS AS THEY CAME.
+THIS IS FOR A PARTICULAR LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT. BUT I THINK IT HAS UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN A SUCCESSFUL ELECTION DAY,* HE SAID.
---------o ----------
4
’HK PEOPLE REALISING THEY HAVE A VOICE’ * * * *
THE LARGE NUMBER OF VOTERS WHO TURNED UP IN TODAY’S ELECTIONS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASING INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN GOVERNMENT MATTERS, REALISING THAT THEY HAD A VOICE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SA Iu TH Io (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS WHEN TOURING THE PRESS CENTRE IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE SLOGAN FOR LAST YEAR’S ELECTIONS WAS +A VOICE IS A VOTE+.
+1 THINK THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE REALISING THAT THEY DO HAVE A VOICE,+ HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ELECTIONS HAD BEEN GOING ON BETTER THAN ONP WOULD HAVE EXPECTED, NOTING THAT ONE SHOULD NOT LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE OF VOTER TURNOUT, BUT THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAME OUT AND VOTED TODAY.
HE RECALLED THAT ONLY ABOUT 8 QOO VOTERS CAST THEIR VOTES DURING THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. BUT SO FAR, ,vlTH ABOUT TWO HOURS BEFORE POLLING CLOSED, MORE THAN 200 000 PEOPLE HAD CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN TODAY’S ELECTIONS.
+S0 THIS IS A TREMENDOUS CHANGE FROM THE PATTERN OF THE PAST, AND THAT IS, I THINK, WHAT ONE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT RATHER THAN THE PERCENTAGE,+ HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN VERY KEEN INTEREST IN SOME DISTRICTS AMONG THE VOTERS, NOTING THAT MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE VOTERS IN THESE AREAS HAD COME OUT TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.
AS FLECTIONS WERE COMPARATIVELY NEW IN HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID SO FAR HE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS.
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VOTER TURNOUT EXPECTED TO PICK UP - CS XXX
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THE VOTER TURNOUT SO FAR IN TODAY’S URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAD BEEN EXTREMELY ENCOURAGING AND THAT HE HOPED ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE ELECTORATE WOULD CAST THEIR VOTES AT THE END OF THE DAY.
+1 AM SURE THE TURNOUT LATER THIS EVENING WHEN PEOPLE GET HOME FROM WORK WILL BE VERY GOOD,+ HE SAID.
/+! HOPS.......
5
+i HOPS THAT WHEN ELECTORS HAVE HAD TIME TO SETTLE DOWN AFTER #ORK AND WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR DINNER, THEY WILL COME OUT IN NUMBERS TO VOTE,+ HE ADDED.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS DURING VISITS TO POLLING STATIONS IN YUEN LONG AND NORTH POINT, SIR DAVID SAID THE TURNOUT AT THE POLLS SHOWED AN INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROCESSES OF DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S SYSTEM.
+ TO AN EXTENT, I THINK IT WILL AFFECT HOW WE THINK AND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE,* HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT TWICE AS MANY PEOPLE HAD VOTED IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS THIS TIME THAN IN THE 1983 ELECTIONS.
♦ THIS MEANS THAT MORE POEPLE ARE INTERESTED IN THESE ELECTIONS THIS TIME THAN THE LAST TIME,* HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO COMMENDED VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, THE CANDIDATES AND THE MEDIA FOR THE TREMENDOUS EFFORTS IN PUBLICISING THE ELECTIONS.
- - 0 ------------
SIR DAVID OPTIMISTIC ABOUT VOTER TURNOUT # k *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY EXPRESSED OPTIMISM ABOUT THE VOTER TURNOUT IN THE FIRST EVER REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION.
CASTING HIS BALLOT IN THE KWONG FUK COMMUNITY HALL POLLING STATION IN TAI PO, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS AND THAT THERE WAS A GROWING AWARENESS AMONG THE PEOPLE THAT THEY COULD DO THEIR PART BY CASTING THEIR VOTES.
+THE NEW TERRITORIES IS A VERY FAST-GROWING REGION, AND ITS URBAN CENTRES NEED THE ADVICE OF THE CITIZENS IN THEIR MANAGEMENT.
+SHA TIN HAS NEARLY 300 000 PEOPLE AND TUEN MUN HAS 250 000 PEOPLE, AND WE REALLY NEED THE ADVICE AND SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE IN RUNNING THOSE LARGE AREAS,* SIR DAVID SAID.
+IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN THE RUNNING OF THEIR COMMUNITY, AND I HOPE THERE WOULD BE A GOOD TURNOUT TODAY,* HE ADDED.
6
FINE DAY SHOULD HELP TURNOUT - LIAO * * * *
The SECRETARY for DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, THIS MORNING EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE VOTER TURNOUT IN TODAY S URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WOULD BE AT LEAST AS
GOOD aS IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS.
HE MADE THE COMMENT AFTER CASTING THE FIRST BALLOT IN THE NEW METHOD COLLEGE POLLING STATION IN KOWLOON CITY, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE.
+THE WEATHER IS FINE TODAY AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE VOTER TURNOUT THIS TIME WILL BE AT LEAST AS GOOD AS IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS AS PREPARATION WORK WAS DONE PROPERLY AND ADEQUATELY. I WOULD LIKE TO URGE ALL REGISTERED VOTERS TO CAST THEIR VOTES,♦ HE SAID.
ASKED HOW HE CHOSE THE PERSON HE VOTED FOR, MR LIAO SAID: +|T’S NOT AN EASY DECISION AS ALL FOUR CANDIDATES ARE VERY ACTIVE in their election campaigns and keen to serve the community, but, OF COURSE I CHOSE THE ONE WHOM IN MY OPINION WOULD BE BEST SUITED TO WORK FOR THE INTEREST OF MY DISTRICT.*
HE ADDED THAT HE HAD READ ALL THE PLATFORMS OF THE CANDIDATES HE RECEIVED THROUGH THE POST AS WELL AS THOSE PUBLISHED IN t HE PRESS.
THE 27 SEATS - 15 COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
IN
A TOTAL OF 79 CANDIDATES ARE CONTESTING THE URBAN COUNCIL AND 12 IN THE REGIONAL
THERP ARE TWO UNCONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES, ONE IN KOWLOON CITY EAST WON BY MR PAO PING-WING, AND ANOTHER IN KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING Yl, »*ON BY MR WONG MAN-TAI.
there are more than 1.34 million eligible voters in both the URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
The 302 POLLING STATIONS IN THE 19 DISTRICTS OPENED Al 7.30 AM AND WILL REMAIN OPEN TILL 10.30 PM.
- 0 - -
)
7
’MORNING VOTER TURNOUT SATISFACTORY’ * * * *
THE MORNING VOTER TURNOUT IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAD BEEN SATISFACTORY, SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THAT COMPARED TO THE 1983 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS, IN THE FIRST FIVE HOURS OF VOTING THE NUMBER OF ELECTORS TURNING UP AT THE POLLS HAD DOUBLED.
♦ THIS IS INDEED ENCOURAGING AND I HOPE MORE ELECTORS WILL VOTE LATER IN THE DAY,+ HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THAT UP TILL 12.30 PM, A TOTAL OF 85 223 ELECTORS HAD CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
+THIS REPRESENTED 6.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING, MR CHAU SAID THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT RATE TERRITORY-WIDE WAS IN KWUN TONG WEST, WHcRE 5 449 VOTERS, OR 6.5 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT’S ELECTORATE, CAST THEIR BALLOTS. IT WAS ALSO THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT IN THE URBAN AREAS.
THE HIGHEST TURNOUT RATE IN PERCENTAGE TERMS WAS IN THE jLANDS DISTRICT WHICH WAS 17.2 PER CENT.
FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL, 47 533 VOTERS CAST THEJR BALLOTS, REPRESENTING A TURNOUT RATE OF FIVE PER CENT
REGIONAL
•INE PER
COUNCIL AREA, 37 690 ELECTORS VOTED, CENT OF THE REGION’S ELECTORATE.
WHILE IN THE REPRESENTING
- - 0 - -
LIAO EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH * * * * *
TURNOUT
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, EXPRESSED SATISFACTION OVER THE VOTER TURNOUT 11 HOURS INTO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
MR LIAO SAID THAT AT 6.30 PM, THE VOTER TURNOUT WAS 11.7 PER CENT IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION, COMPARED TO 10 PER CENT AT THE SAME TIME IN 1983. WHILE IN ABSOLUTE NUMBERS, IT WAS UP FROM 57 126 TO 113 296 VOTES CAST.
/THS TOTAL
8
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION IN 1983 WAS 568 OOO, COMPARED TO 944 844 AT PRESENT.
+AS FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THERE’S NO BASIS FOR COMPARISON SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME. BUT COMPARED TO THE VOTER TURNOUT IN THE CURRENT URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION, IT IS CONSISTENTLY BETTErt IN PERCENTAGE TERMS,+ HE ADDED.
MR LIAO CAUTIONED AGAINST MAKING A DEFINITE FORECAST OF THE ULTIMATE NUMBER OF VOTERS CASTING THEIR BALLOTS, SAYING THAT VOTING TRENDS IN RECENT YEARS SHOWED MANY WOULD TURN UP TO CAST THEIR VOTES AFTER WORK AND DINNER.
-----0------•
DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS POLLING STATIONS * * * * *
THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR ALAN SCOTT, TODAY VISITED ONE OF THE OUTLYING POLLING STATIONS TO SEE HOW VOTING ACTIVITIES WERE BEING CONDUCTED IN THE FIRST-EVER ELECTION TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
ARRIVING BY HELICOPTER AT CHEUNG CHAU SHORTLY AFTER NOON, NR SCOTT SPOKE TO THE CANDIDATES, VOTERS AND POLLING STAFF AT THE POLLING STATION AT KWOK MAN SCHOOL.
MR SCOTT TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO URGE ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS ON CHEUNG CHAU AND ELSEWHERE IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE BEST PERSON TO SERVE THEM ON THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL.
LATER IN THE DAY, MR SCOTT WILL TOUR POLLING STATIONS IN KOWLOON CITY AND SHA TIN BEFORE MAKING HIS LAST STOP AT A STATION IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT AROUND 9.30 PM.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
Saturday, march 8, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO HOST DINNER FOR JLG TEAMS........................ 1
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF 1985 EXTERNAL TRADE............... 1
PEKING MEETING OF TEXTILE EXPORTERS STDS .................... 6
MORE SERVICE CENTRES PLANNED FOR NT ELDERLY.................. 7
RETRAINING COURSE FOR PRIMARY TEaCHERS OFFERED .............. 8
FLOWER SHOW DRAWS CROWDS .................................... 9
SHA TAU KOK ROAD SECTION TO BE WIDENED ...................... 10
WIDENING OF WAN CHAI FLYOVER PROPOSED ....................... 10
WOMEN URGED TO GET NEW I.D. CARDS ........................... 11
LOCAL PROMOTED TO CHIEF FIRE OFFICER......................... 12
PUBLIC URGED TO PREVENT HILL FIRES .......................... 13
DISTRICT BOARD TO HOLD SPRING RECEPTION ..................... 13
SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETS MONDAY......................... 14
FRESH WATER MAINS WORK....................................... 14
TRAFFIC CHANGES AND RESTRICTED ZONES ........................ 15
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
1
GOVERNOR TO HOST DINNER FOR JLG TEAMS *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL HOST A DINNER PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON MONDAY (MARCH 10) FOR MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE TEAMS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
THE THIRD JLG MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO FORMER INFANTS SCHOOL PREMISES AT VICTORIA MARCH 11 TO 14.
TAKE PLACE AT BARRACKS FROM
THE
NOTE TO EDITORS!
ARRANGEMENT WILL CF THE MEMBERS OF THE ANNOUNCED LATER.
BE MADE FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE BRITISH AND CHINESE TEAMS. DETAILS
ARRIVAL WILL BE
- - 0
PRICE VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF 1935 EXTERNAL TRADE
*****
STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY ^5 PER CENT IN 1985 AS COMPARED WITH 1984, WHILE THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT. THERE WAS THUS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 6 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS
IN 1983.
IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED UNCHANGED WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1 PER CENT, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT.
PRICES OF IMPORTS, HOWEVER, FELL 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) ROSE 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 SPEC IFI CATION PRICE INDEXES ARE COMPILED. THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM TRADE VALUES BY DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1985 WITH DECEMBER 1984, BOTH THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS AND IMPORTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT. WITHIN TOTAL EXPORTS, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ALSO EACH INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT.
/OVER THE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS DROPPED BY 3 PER CEN" -ND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, cQ THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT. PRICES OF IMPORTS DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS RY COMMODITY GROUP FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1OR5 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1984 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS SEEN FROM 'ABLE 1, DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES FOR ABOUT HALF OF THE COMMODITY GROUPS LISTED THEREIN DROPPED IN 1985 AS COMPARED WITH 1984. THESE INCLUDED WETAL ORES AND SCRAP (-16 PER CENT)J WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-8 PER CENT)* DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-3 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-5 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-5 PER CENT); AND FOOTWEAR (-5 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+5 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES ( + 5 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+'3 PER CENT) AS WELL AS CLOTHING ( + 2 PER CENT).
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS DROPPED ;N 1P35 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1384, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS <-25 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-25 CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-25 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-13 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TEXTILE •ADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-11 PER CENT). NEVERTHELESS, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR WATCHES r n CLOCKS (+14 PER CENT) AND FOOTWEAR (+3 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS ’Y END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1985 AS '.•'SPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1984 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORT PRICES OF SOME END-USE CATEGORIES DECREASED IN 1985 AS COMPARED WITH 1984, RANGING FROM A PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO 7 PER CFNT FOR FOODSTUFFS. THE IMPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS AND CONSUMER GOODS REMAINED UNCHANGED OVER THIS PERIOD.
IMPORTS OF MANY MAJOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED IN VOLUME TERMS |\ 193A COMPARED WITH 1984. SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR LIVE POULTRY; TEA AND COFFEE; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS, JTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR; FRUIT AS WELL AS MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR SUGAR AND LIVE PIGS.
/GVEh. THE .........
SAfUajDAY, MAflCH 8, 1986
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MANY CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; TOBACCO MANUFACTURES 1 CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY; PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE IN 1985 COMPARED WITH 1934, INCLUDING WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; BASE METALS, EXCLUDING IRON AND STEEL; SILK FABRICS; WATCH AND CLOCK MOVEMENTS, CASES AND PARTS AS WELL AS SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES* RAW COTTON; LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS AS WELL AS THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL •'I CROC I RCUITS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS FELL BY 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN 1985 S COMPARED WITH 1984.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITIES INCREASED IN 1935 OVER 1984, THE SUBSTANTIAL ONES 'El.NG INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY OTHER THAN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY! TEXTILE MACHINERY; TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS WELL AS CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY. HOWEVER, DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS NOTED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY COR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1985 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1984 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN 1985 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1984, RANGING FROM 19 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 34 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 19 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE DECEMBER 1985 ISSUE OF THE + HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*, AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON MARCH 10, 1986 AT HKS2 PER COPY.
/TABLE 1 ; .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 198$
f
. 4 - t
TABLE 1 * CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
C COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING 1985 WITH 1984 COMPARING DECEMBER 1985 WITH DECEMBER 1984
VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % 94 %
CLOTHING - 4 + 2 - 6 +16 - 5 +21
TEXTILE FABRICS - 8 - 5 - 4 +27 - 8 +38
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -16 + 2 -18 +20 - 4 +26
TEXTILE MADE-UPS - 6 AND RELATED ARTICLES + 5 -11 - 1 - 2 + 1
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -29 - 5 -25 -20 -12 -10
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS -24 * -25 -30 + 7 -35
FOOTWEAR - 1 - 5 + 3 +16 - 1 + 18
METAL MANUFACTURES - 6 + 3 - 9 + 7 - 5 +12
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -21 -16 - 6 -30 -12 -21
WATCHES AND CLOCKS + 4 - 8 +14 + 18 - 6 +25
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -21 + 5 -25 - 9 + 1 -10
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -13 - 8 - 5 - 9 -11 + 2
ALL COMMODITIES - 6 * - 5 + 4 - 3 + 7
/TABLE 2 I
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
TABLE 2 : CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING 1985 WITH 1984 COMPARING DECEMBER 1985 WITH DECEMBER 1984
VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
* % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS * - 7 + 8 + 8 - 7 +16
CONSUMER GOODS + 14 X + 14 +14 + 3 + 11
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES - 2 - 4 + 2 + 11 - 5 + 16
FUELS -12 - 6 - 6 - 8 - 8 X
CAPITAL GOODS + 11 * + 11 -17 + 7 -22
ALL COMMODITIES + 4 - 3 + 6 + 6 - 1 + 7
TABLE 3 : CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING DECEMBER 1985
COMPARING 1985 WITH 1984 WITH DECEMBER 1984
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS + 19 * +19 +36 * +36
CONSUMER GOODS +25 ♦ 1 + 24 + 8 + 1 + 7
RAW MATERIALS AND +23 * +23 + 12 - 5 + 18
SEMI-MANUFACTURES
FUELS -15 + 5 -19 +10 + 1 + 9
CAPITAL GOODS +38 + 3 +34 -19 + 2 -21
ALL COMMODITIES +26 + 1 + 25 + 5 - 2 + 7 "
* INSIGNIFICANT, 1 .E. LESS THAN 0.5%
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/6........
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
o
PEKING MEETING OF "EXTILE EXPORTERS ENDS W K
th? FIVE-DAY MEETING OF 23 DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, EXPORTERS jc TEXTILES AND CLOTHING I PEKING ENDED "ODAY (SAiURDAYj.
THP MEETING STARTING MARCH A WAS TO ASSESS THE DEVELOPMENT IN WORLD TRADE IM TEXTILES AN." CLOSING AND THE PERSPECTIVES AND PROSPECTS "OP NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF THE MFA.
THE "'ETING WAS INAUGURATED BY MR ZHENG TUOBIN, MINISTER OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
AT -H£ MEETING, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES emphasised that the multilateral commitments by the developed GOUNTRIPS INCLUDING THOSE UNDERTAKEN BY GATT MINISTERS IN 1982, REQUIRED SUBSTANTIAL LIBERALISATION OF RESTRAINT ON DEVELOPING COUNTRIES’ -XPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AND THE PHASING OUT PF THE RESTRICTIVE AND DISCRIMINATORY REGIME GOVERNING THEIR EXPORTS OF THESE PRODUCTS TO THE DEVELOPED MARKETS.
IT WAS NOTED THAT THE GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES WERE CURRENTLY CNGAGFD IN PREPARING FOR A NEW PROGRAMME OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH A VIEW TO LIBERALISING ALL SECTORS OF INTERNATIONAL -RADE AND STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM. IN THIS CONTEXT ’HEY EMPHASISED THAT THE PRESENT TRADE REGIME IN TEXTILES -•10 TO =- LIBERALISED BOTH IN THE REMOVAL OF RESTRAINTS AN? ■ BE PHASED OUT OVER AN AGREED TIME FRAME UNDER STRENGTHENED GATT DISCIPLINE.
IT WAS AGREED THAT MODALITIES FOR THESE OBJECTIVES WILL CONSIST OF PROGRESSIVELY HIGHER GROWTH RATES, NON-DISCR I MlNATORY TREATMENT FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, REDUCTION OF RESTRAINTS AND COVERAGE, REMOVAL OF AMBIGUITIES, EFFECTIVE SURVEILLANCE, PREF-RENTIAU TREATMENT FOR SMALL SUPPLIERS, NEW ENTRANTS, COTTON AND WOOL BASED EXPORTERS, AND MOST FAVOURABLE TREATMENT FOR THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE TRADE INTEREST OF ESTABLISHED DEVELOPING SUPPLIERS AND A PHASE OUT SYSTEM.
IT WAS NOTED THAT DESPITE POSITIVE TRENDS IN KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS, SOME IMPORTING COUNTRIES WERE BOTH AT MULTILATERAL AND BILATERAL LEVELS PRESSING THROUGH NUMEROUS DEVICES FOR A CONTINUATION OF RESTRICTIVE RATHER THAN A LIBERALISED REGIME TOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES’ EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, r WAS AGREED THAT SUCH ATTEMPTS BE UNITEDLY RESISTED. IT WAS FURTHER AGREED THAT ANY MODALITIES FOR LIBERALISATION AND PHASE Oi - SYSTEM SHOULD ENSURE EQUITY, NON-DISCRIMINATION, NON-RECI PROC ITY ND OTHER CLEARLY LIBERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.
/TiU Ch./SLOPING.........
SATURDAY, marc;. 8, '986
7 -
T“- DEVELOPING COUNTRIES REACHED UNDERSTANDING O’. THE VAIN -. = m=\r$ FOR NEGOTIATIONS IN THE PROCESS TAKING PLACE I'. LENEK --TWEEN NOW AND T.HE END OF JULY. THEY RESOLVED TO CONTINUE TO -A?TICIPATE IN THAT PROCESS ON a UNIFIED DAS IS.
■’R SHEN JUEREN, HEAD OF THE CHINESE DELEGATION A D ASSISTAN’ ll.'ISTER, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND 'PADS,
■AS EL’CTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING AND AMBASSADOR F. JARAM|l_j,
•■'•3ASSADO’ OF COLOMBIA AND HEAD OF THE DELEGA'IO'.’ -ROM GOLOMB k,
AS ELE"’ED AS VICE-CHAIRMAN 0* THE MEETING. DEVELC* NG COUNTRIES, -/PORTERS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING ACCEPTED THE INVITATION OF
■ - GOVERNMENT OF TURKEY '0 HOST THE NEXT MEE’ING IN STANBUL.
COMMENTING FROM =EKING AS THE MEETING OF 23 DEVELOPING TEXT IL- -XPORTERS DREW TO A CLOSE, THE DIRECTOR OF T. -DE, ■‘P HAMISH MACLEOD DESCRIBED THE MEETING AS +A SIGNIFICANT STEP .-.•.A-v !'■' UNITING DEVELOPING TEXT.LE EXPORTERS 0'1 A -ANGE OF SPECIFIC ND CONCRETE ISSUES DISCUSSED IN PREPARATION FOR THE EXT, MORE INTENSIVE PHASE OF NEGOTIATIONS IN GENEVA ON THE FUTURE OF THE MFA+.
•'R •'ACLEOD EXPLAINED THAT THE TIME FOR GENERAL STATEMENTS I'-' aS NOW PAST AND THAT THE AIM OF THE MEETING -A? PRIMARIL" •EEV ’j ,'RRIVE AT A CONVERGENCE OF VIEWS ON ABOUT A DOZEN THE Ev ISSUES .'HI CH VOULD HAVE TO BE RESOLVED IN STRIVING TO ACHIEVE •-TER AND FAIRER REGIME FOR THE TEXTILES TRADE. THESE ISSUES I'.CLjDE" 3ETTE* GROWTH AND FLEXIBILITY, EFFECTIVE SURVEILLANCE, MOVAL OF AMBIGUITIES AND BETTER TREATMENT FOR SMALL SUPPLIERS .-ND NEW ENTRANTS.
--------o ----------
MORE SERVICE CENTRES PLANNED FOR NT ELDERLY *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO SET UP MORE MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO COPE WITH DEMAND, MR ALFRED CHUI, REGIONAL OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SNEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SALVATION ARMY’S TAI PO MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, MR CHUI POINTED 0UT THAT THE NEW CENTRES WOULD BE LOCATED IN TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN AND THE NORTHERN DISTRICT.
THE TAI PO MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERL., SUBVENTc., BY THE GOVERNMENT, CAME INTO SERVICE IN JULY LAS’ YE , AND HAl OVER 630 MEMBERS.
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
8
ELDERLY AGED OVER 60 IS AGAINST 610 000 IN 1985
VENUE FOR THE ELDERLY AND
MR CHUI EXPECTED THAT DEMAND FOR MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES WOULD BE MET BY THE BEGINNING OF THE
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF THE EXPECTED TO REACH 740 000 BY 1990 AS AND 480 OCX) IN 1980.
MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES PROVIDE A
CFFER A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE TO THE AGED INCLUDING HOME HELP, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING, LAUNDRY, GROUP ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNIiY SERVICES.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 10 MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES TERR|TORY-WIDEr FOUR OF THEM IN THE NT - YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, KWAI CHUNG AND TAI PO. MR CHUI SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S CoNG-TERM TARGET WAS TO PROVIDE ONE MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN EACH ADMINISTRATIVE DISJBJCT, AND IN THE CASE OF DENSELY POPULATED DISTRICTS, ONE CENTRE FOR EVERY 250 000 POPULATION.
HE SAID THAL-JHE- GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY AND THAT IT WAS EXISTING GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROVIDETSERVICES TO THOSE AGED 60 AND ABOVE TO ENSURE THAT THEIR DAILY NECESSITIES ARE MET. TURNING TO THE OVERALL SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY, MR CHUI SAID, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PROVIDE VARIOUS TYPES OF SERVICES ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, COMMUNITY SERVICES, RECREATION AND LEISURE, AND HOME HELP.
-----0------
RETRAINING COURSE FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS OFFERED MMX
PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS ARE ASKED TO NOMINATE STAFF TO ATTEND RETRAINING COURSES FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS TO BE RUN BY THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE FOR EDUCATION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.
THE FOUR IDENTICAL, EIGHT-WEEK COURSES AIM TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH MODERN METHODS AND APPROACHES IN PRIMARY TEACHING, NEW CONCEPTS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, AND TO PROMOTE FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF THE USE OF RESOURCES.
THE MAIN EMPHASIS'OF EACH COURSE IS ON PRACTICAL ASPECTS, DESIGNED TO HELP TEACHERS IMPLEMENT THE ACTIVITY APPROACH AND DEVELOP MODERN METHODS IN PROGRAMMED LEARNING, TEAM TEACHING, REMEDIAL TEACHING AND MIXED ABILITY GROUPING.
/THE PROGRAMME.......
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
THE PROGRAMME WILL LARGELY CONSIST OF WORKSHOPS. SEMINARS AND TUTORIALS. THERE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN CLASSROOM SITUATION, SESSIONS TO CONSTRUCT AND DESIGN TEACHING AIDS AND VISITS TO VARIOUS TEACHING CENTRES AND SCHOOLS WHICH PRACTISE THE ACTIVITY APPROACH.
THE FREE COURSE, WHICH KEEPS IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION IN THE 1981 WHITE PA^ER ON PRIMARY EDUCATION AND PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES, WILL BE OFFERED TO TEACHERS WITH AT LEAST FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RELEASED FROM NORMAL SCHOOL DUTIES TO ATTEND THE COURSE ON A FULL-TIME BASIS.
NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION CFFICER (FURTHER EDUCATION), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS SECOND FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE APRIL 6.
0 - - - -
FLOWER SHOW DRAWS CROWDS * * * *
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TURNED OUT TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE FANLING PLAYGROUND TO SEE THE 1OTH NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER SHOW, WHICH HAD JUST BEEN OPENED BY LADY YOUDE.
ATTRACTIONS IN THE SHOW INCLUDE SOME NEW SPECIES OF ROSES FROM SHEKOU CULTIVATED BY DESCENDENTS OF A ROYAL GARDENER IN THE CHING DYNASTY, FRESH FLOWERS FLOWN IN FROM HOLLAND, AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED STATES SINGAPORE AND THE PHILIPPINES, JAPANESE GARDENING SCULPTURE^, AND A GIANT CHINESE BONSAI, +SHEUNG-SEE+.
FLOWERS AND PLANTS ON DISPLAY WERE DIVIDED INTO SEVEN CATEGORIES; CUT FLOWERS, SCENTED CUT FLOWERS, POT PLANTS, MINIATURE POT PLANTS, AFRICAN VIOLETS, ORCHIDS AND BONSAI- TYPE PLANTS.
INDIVIDUAL FLOWER EXPERTS AND FLORAL ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE KADOORIE EXPERIMENTAL AND EXTENSION FARM AND THE IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL HONG KONG CHAPTER PROVIDED SOME NON-COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS.
THE SHOW IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM UNTIL MONDAY (MARCH 10). ADMISSION IS $2 PER PERSON.
0 -
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
10
SHA TAU KOK ROAD SECTION TO BE WIDENED X * * *
ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT IN SHA TAU KOK TOWN TO AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS
ROADWORKS
PROVIDE TRAFFIC
IN THE AREA.
FOR
KOK
THR WORKS WHICH ARE PART OF IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES
THE BORDER TOWNSHIP, INVOLVES WIDENING A SECTION OF SHA TAU ROAD.
THE PROPOSED SCHEME AFFECTS THE SHEK CHUNG AU SECTION OF THE ROAD WHICH IS 500 METRES LONG. IT WILL BE WIDENED lO 7.3 METRES FROM ITS PRESENT SIX METRES.
OTHER WORKS INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 700 METFES OF DISTRIBUTOR ROADS, PERMANENT PARKING FACILITIES IN THE
DISTRIBUTOR ROADS, PcRMANtNi favilihcq
PURAL PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND WEST OF LIN MA HANG.
FOOTPATHS ALONGSIDE THE NEW ROADS TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED
DRAINAGE WORKS.
DURING CONSTRUCTION, STARTING AND ROADS WILL BE MAINTAINED TO MIN
IN AUGUST, TEMPORARY FOOTPATHS IMISE INCONVENIENCE.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MAY 6.
-----o------
WIDENING OF WAN CHAI FLYOVER PROPOSED * * * *
THE SOUTHERN END OF FLEMING ROAD FLYOVER, BETWEEN JAFFE ROaD AND LOCKHART ROAD, IS TO BE WIDENED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL SOUTHBOUND EXIT LANE AND TO ALLOW A GREATER VOLUME 0- TRAFFIC TO FLOW THROUGH THE JUNCTION OF FLEMING ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF FLEMING ROAD SOUTHBOUND, --ETWEEN JAFFE ROAD AND THE SOUTHERN END OF THE FLYOVER . ILL cE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANISED.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE WAN CHAI SHORT-TERM TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION.
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSAL.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD *RITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MAY 6.
0 --------
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
11
WOMEN URGED TO GET NEW I.D. CARDS
*****
WOMEN BORN IN 1935, 1936, 1937 AND 1938 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW I. D. CARDS BETWEEN MARCH 10 AND APRIL 12.
DURING THE FIVE-WEEK PERIOD, APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR OLD CARDS AND CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I. D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES.
THEY CAN ALSO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO MAKE 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.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID, +T0 COMPLETE THE BOOKING PROCEDURE, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS TO PROVIDE PERSONAL PARTICULARS SUCH AS NAME, I. D. CARD NUMBER AND YEAR OF BIRTH.+
THE ADDRESSES OF THE ISSUE OFFICES AND THEIR TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR BOOKING APPOINTMENTS ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY GARDEN PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 3-7553679
77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3-7232442
SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND 0-4981259
FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
SHA TIN : SHA TIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 0-6059108
2-16 WANG POK STREET.
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 0-793291
31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND 0-862562
FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
SHEUNG SHU I : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 0-927155
82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND THE EASTER AND CHING MING HOLIDAYS.
+THOSE WHO WANT TO ALTER THEIR LAST NAMES AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE IN MARITAL STATUS SHOULD BRING ALONG RELEVANT DOCUMENTS SUCH AS MARRIAGE OR DIVORCE CERTIFICATES TO SUPPORT THEIR CASES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/TO ?mCILE?AT£.......
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
12 -
TO FACILITATE THOSE WHO LIVE OR WORK IN OUTLYING DISTRICTS, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL OPERATE AN I. D. CARD REPLACEMENT VISITING SERVICE ON CHEUNG CHAU AND LAMMA ISLANDS, AND IN MUI WO, TAI 0 AND SAI KUNG FROM MARCH 24 TO APRIL 12.
♦THE SERVICE WILL HANDLE APPLICATIONS FROM WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1935 AND 1938, AND ANY LATE COMERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE VISITING SERVICE WILL OPERATE FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM AND 2 PM TO 4 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
MARCH 24 - APRIL 4 MUI WO COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE
MARCH 24 - APRIL 12 SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE
APRIL 7 - APRIL 12 NORTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE
TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE
-----0------
LOCAL PROMOTED TO CHIEF FIRE OFFICER
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR ROBERT HOLMES, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A THIRD LOCAL OFFICER HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO CHIEF FIRE OFFICER.
HE IS MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, WHO HAS TAKEN OVER AS HEAD OF THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS COMMAND FROM MR JOHN BREDBURY, WHO WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE KOWLOON FIRE COMMAND.
MR LAM, 48, HAS WORKED IN DIFFERENT UNITS DURING HIS LONG CAREER. HE JOINED THE FIRE SERVICES AS A SUB-OFFICER IN 1958 AND WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER IN 1983.
ONE OF MR LAM’S UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES WAS THE RESCUE OF 13 MEN TRAPPED IN THE BURNING ENGINE ROOM ON BOARD M.V. HONG KONG FIR IN AUGUST I960. HE WAS AWARDED THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION FOR HIS COURAGE AND SELFLESS SERVICE.
MR HOLMES ALSO ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTION OF MR RAYMOND BRIAN JOHNSTON TO DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER.
MR JOHNSTON IS THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES FIRE COMMAND.
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
13
PUBLIC URGED TO PREVENT HILL FIRES * M M * M
THE PUBLIC IS REMINDED TO EXERCISE EXTRA CARE WHEN VISITING THE COUNTRYSIDE SO AS TO PREVENT HILL FIRES.
THE FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR THE DEPA*™£NT DEALT WITH 1 286 HILL FIRES OUTSIDE PLANTATION AREAS COMPARED TO 417 OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
AND DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH ALREADY SOME 200 HILL FIRES HAD OCCURRED, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE EXCEPTIONAL DRY WEATHER THIS SPRING WAS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE BIG INCREASE AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD ADOPT EVERY POSSIBLE PREVENTION MEASURE TO STOP THt UPWARD TREND.
♦THEY SHOULD NOT BURN RUBBISH IN OPEN SPACES OR LEAVE ANY FIRE UNATTENDED, BE IT IN A STOVE OR CONTAINER.
+THEY SHOULD AS A HABIT EXTINGUISH ALL FIRES AND MAKE A REPORT WHEN THEY SEE ONE,+ HE SAID.
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DISTRICT BOARD TO HOLD SPRING RECEPTION * * * * *
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPRING RECEPTION FOR ABOUT 500 GUESTS TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
DURING THE OCCASION, TEN MEMBERS OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION AND SERVICE TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN WONG TAI SIN.
WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICHOLAS YEK, WILL ATTEND THE RECEPTION WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM AT TIN FOOK CHINESE RESTAURANT AT LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS*
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE RECEPTION ON SUNDAY AT 2.30 PM AT TIN FOOK CHINESE RESTAURANT AT LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, JUNCTION ROAD.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
- 14 -
SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETS MONDAY
IXI
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (MARCH 10) TO REVIEW THE +MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME* AND TO DISCUSS THE NAMING OF THREE ROADS IN HANG HAU.
PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS*
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
----o------
FRESH WATER MAINS WORK *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL Be TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 11) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY NAM CHEONG STREET, TAI PO ROAD. POPLAR STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, INCLUDING UN CHAU STREET, FUK WING STREET, FUK WA STREET, SHEK KIP MEI STREET, WONG CHUK STREET AND MAPLE STREET.
BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12 NOON FRESH WATER SUPPLY , 22-80 SOUTH WALL ROAD AND 40-50 NGA TSI is WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR REPAIR WORK.
EARLIER ON TUESDAY, TO 31-91 TAK KU LING ROAD WAI ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY
PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL EXPERIENCE WEAK WATER PRESSURE DURING THE SUSPENSION PERIOD.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
15
TRAFFIC CHANGES AND RESTRICTED ZONES * * * *
A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHAM SHU I PO FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 11) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
THE DETAILS ARE I
M YU CHAU WEST STREET BETWEEN WING HONG STREET AND KING LAM STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY northbound;
* KING LAM STREET BETWEEN YU CHAU WEST STREET AND TAI NAN WEST STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY westbound;
M CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD AND TUNG CHAU WEST STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND;
M YEE KUK STREET BETWEEN WING HONG STREET AND KING LAM STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND-;
M THE LEFT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD SOUTHBOUND ONTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND; AND FROM TUNG CHAU WEST STREET SOUTHBOUND ONTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED;
* VEHICLES. INCLUDING KMB ROUTE NO. 31B. FROM BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, TUNG CHAU WEST STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND; AND
* TUNG CHAU WEST STREET FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD; AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG CHAU WEST STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY. NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS IN THE AREA.
WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME, TWO OTHER TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TAI WAN ROAD, HUNG HOM, TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH - SOUTH DUAL CARRIAGEWAY AND DYER AVENUE OVERBRIDGE:
* TAI WAN ROAD BETWEEN POWER STATION AND BLOCK 1, HUNG HOM ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC; AND
* TAI WAN ROAD BETWEEN MA TAU WAI ROAD AND BLOCK 1 WILL BE CONVERTED TO A TWO-WAY CUL-DE-SAC.
/TO FACILITATE
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
- 16
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD, A SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN CHAU TAU AND PAK SHEK AU WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO A NEWLY-CONSTRUCTED SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD PARALLEL TO THE CLOSED SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 11 TO MARCH 21. THE EXISTING TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ift TSING HOI CIRCUIT, TUEN MUN, WILL &E CONVERTED INTO ONE-WAY ANT -CLOCKWISE TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF WATERMAINS AT TCE NORTHERN JUNCTION OF TSING HOI CIRCUIT WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
MEANWHILE, THE UNNAMED ROAD WEST OF KO SHAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A LEARNER DRIVER PROHIBITED ZONE FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 11.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUEEN'S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE.............................. 1
CALL TO LIFT JAN ON PHOTOGRAPHS IN PROSPECTUS ................ 1
IMPACT OF MTR ISLAND LINE ANALYSED ........................... 4
ASBESTOS CONTROLS COMING INTO FORCE IN AUGUST................. 6
47 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY ........................ 7
COURSES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ............................ 8
700 PEOPLE ATTEND CHILDREN'S CHORUS .......................... 9
INTERCHANGE TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW .......................... 9
KWUN TONG, KOWLOON CITY TRAFFIC CHANGES
10
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1936
1
QUEEN'S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE
******
♦WITH THE APPROACH OF MY 6OTH BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR, I HAVE BEEN REFLECTING ON THE CHANGES WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE COMMONWEALTH 34 YEARS IN WHICH I HAVE BEEN ITS HEAD.
DURING THE
♦ I HAVE NOW VISITED ALL THE INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND I HAVE WATCHED AND WELCOMED ITS GROWTH INTO A GROUP (F 49 NATIONS SPREAD OVER EVERY CONTINENT AND OCEAN AND CONTAINING A QUARTER OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION.
♦ EACH COUNTRY CHOOSES TO BELONG, BECAUSE IT BELIEVES THAT THE COMMONWEALTH HAS A VALUABLE PART TO PLAY JN THE WORLD. THE IMPORTANCE OF ITS ROLE WAS CLEARLY SHOWN AT THE SUCCESSFUL HEADS CF GOVERNMENT MEETING LAST YEAR AT NASSAU.
♦ MY THOUGHTS ARE OFTEN WITH THE MILLIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP MORE THAN HALF THE COMMONWEALTH, ESPECIALLY ON THIS COMMONWEALTH DAY. THEY DESERVE ALL THE HELP AND ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES WE CAN GIVE THEM.
♦I HAVE A MESSAGE FOR THEM, AND IT IS THIS. I HAVE SEEN EVERYWHERE THE EAGERNESS AND SENSE OF ADVENTURE YOU ALL SHARc. I HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY YOUR COURAGE AND YOUR SYMPATHY FOR THOSE IN NEED, AND BY YOUR CAPACITY FOR FRIENDSHIP. I ASK YOU NOW TO TAKE EVERY CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES, AND TO MEET THEM AND HELP THEM WHENEVcR YOU CAN.
♦TOGETHER YOU CAN NOT ONLY STRENGTHEN THE SPIRIT OF THE COMMONWEALTH ITSELF, BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTE, BY SHOWING GOODWILL, TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING, TO THE EASING OF WORLD TENSIONS WHICH THREATEN ALL PEOPLES. BETWEEN US WE CAN HELP TO ENSURE THAT WE MAY OVERCOME HARDSHIP AND POVERTY AND LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE AND FREEDOM.*
- 0 -
CALL TO LIFT BAN ON PHOTOGRAPHS IN PROSPECTUS ******
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM HAS RECOMMENDED TO REPEAL THE RULE WHICH PROHIBITS THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN A PROSPECTUS OF A HONG KONG REGISTERED COMPANY.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT THE POWERS OF INSPECTORS APPOINTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO INVESTIGATE COMPANIES, SHOULD BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH THE BRITISH PROVISIONS.
/THESE RSCOMMOiDATIONS
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
2
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS NOW UNDER STUDY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT ARE COVERED IN THE SECOND REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE PUBLISHED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR JUSTICE CONS, EXPLAINED THAT, SINCE 1972 A PROSPECTUS ISSUED BY A HONG KONG REGISTERED COMPANY COULD NOT CONTAIN ANY PHOTOGRAPHS OR ILLUSTRATIONS.
THIS RULE WAS INTRODUCED IN THAT YEAR TO DEAL WITH CASES INVOLVING MISLEADING PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS PUBLISHED IN COMPANIES’ PROSPECTUSES ISSUED DURING THE STOCK MARKET BOOM IN 1971-72 AND EARLIER.
HAVING TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION VIEWS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG AND A NUMBER OF UNDERWRITING INSTITUTIONS, THE STANDING COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED THAT THE INCLUSION OF GRAPHS, PHOTOGRAPHS ETC IN PROSPECTUSES CAN SOMETIMES MAKE THEM MORE COMPREHENSIBLE, PARTICULARLY WHEN A COMPANY IS INVOLVED IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.
♦THE STANDING COMMITTEE THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS BE REPEALED AS REQUESTED BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR THAT THE REGISTRAR CF COMPANIES WILL STILL HAVE POWER TO REFUSE TO REGISTER A PROSPECTUS IF IT CONTAINS PHOTOGRAPHS OR ILLUSTRATIONS WHICH ARE MISLEADING,* MR JUSTICE CONS SAID.
WITH REGARD TO INSPECTORS APPOINTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO INVESTIGATE COMPANIES, UNDER THE PRESENT PROVISIONS IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, ALL DIRECTORS AND OTHER OFFICERS AND AGENTS OF A COMPANY UNDER INVESTIGATION HAVE A DUTY TO PRODUCE THE COMPANY’S BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS TO THE INSPECTOR.
THE INSPECTOR ALSO HAS POWER TO EXAMINE ON OATH THE DIRECTORS, AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY AND TO APPLY TO THE COURT FOR EXAMINATION ANY OTHER PERSON ON OATH WHERE HE THINKS THIS IS NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE INVESTIGATION.
♦THE STANDING COMMITTEE RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS TO THE EFFECT THAT THESE POWERS ARE INSUFFICIENT IN CASES WHERE THE BOOKS AND PAPERS OF A COMPANY ARE SCATTERED AMONG VARIOUS THIRD PARTIES WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF A COMPANY AND SOME OF THESE REFUSE TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE INSPECTOR.
♦IN SUCH CASES, THE INSPECTOR HAS TO GO TO COURT FOR EXAMINATION OF THE THIRD PARTIES AND THIS CAN CAUSE DELAYS WHICH MAY BE SERIOUS IN URGENT CASES,♦ MR JUSTICE CONS SAID.
IN BRITAIN, THE SITUATION IS DIFFERENT WHERE AN INSPECTOR HAS POWER TO REQUIRE ANYONE WHOM HE CONSIDERS MAY POSSESS INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY'S AFFAIRS TO PRODUCE ANY OF THE COMPANY’S BOOKS OR DOCUMENTS IN HIS POSSESSION AND TO EXAM I Nt ANYONE ON OATH WHOM HE CONSIDERS MAY POSSESS INFORMATION CONCERN I Ho THE COMPANY’S AFFAIRS.
/AN INSPECTOR........
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
3
AN INSPECTOR ALSO HAS POWER TO REQUIRE ANY DIRECTOR TO PRODUCE 1MCUMENTS RELATING TO BANK ACCOUNTS WHICH CONTAIN SUMS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUT WERE NOT. DISCLOSED IN THE COMPANY’S ACCOUNT^ CR WHICH ARE CONNECTED WITH TH^ DIRECTOR’S MISCONDUCT TOWARDS THx COMPANY.
♦THE STANDING COMMITTEE AGREED THAT THE EXISTING POWERS IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ARE INSUFFICIENT AND HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT THEY BE AMENDED TO BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH THE BRITISH PROVISIONS,* MR JUSTICE CONS SAID.
THE REPORT WHICH HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RECENTLY ALSO LISTED VARIOUS SUBJECTS WHICH WERE STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE AT THE END, OF LAST YEAR.
THESE SUBJECTS INCLUDED POSSIBLE REVISION OF THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ON PROHIBITION OF PROVISION CFFNANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY A COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF ITS OwN SHARES WHETHER A COMPANY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BUY ITS OWN SHARES’AND WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE STATUTORY PROVISIONS ON WHAT PROFITS CAN I BE DISTRIBUTED BY A COMPANY TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE AT ITS MEETINGS IN 1985 ALSO CONSIDERED THE SUBJECT OF DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHAREHOLDINGS. AN INTERIM REPORT ON TH IS WAS PUBLISHED FOR COMMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1985 AND THE COMMITTEE’S FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE DEALT WITH SEPARATELY BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
ANYONE INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A COPY OF THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE S COMPANY LAW REFORM, REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, CENTRAL SvERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG.
COMMENTS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE APRIL 14.
NOTE TO ED I TORSi
THE SECOND REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM IN ENGLISH IS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS DUTY OFFICER.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
4
IMPACT OF MTR ISLAND LINE ANALYSED * * * * *
THE NUMBER OF DAILY PASSENGERS ON BUSES DROPPED BY AN OVERALL AVERAGE OF 14 PER CENT AND ON CROSS-HARBOUR FERRIES BY SEVEN PER CENT BETWEEN JUNE AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR COMPARED WITH MARCH FIGURES.
THIS WAS REVEALED IN THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S SUMMARY REPORT ON THE IMPACT OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE ON OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES.
IN MARCH TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE ISLAND LINE, DAILY PATRONAGE ON BUSES WAS 1 275 600 PASSENGERS AND ON CROSSHARBOUR FERRIES 310 300 PASSENGERS.
TRAMS HOWEVER. SUFFERED VIRTUALLY NO PASSENGER LOSS. BETWEEN JUNE AND DECEMBER, THE OVERALL AVERAGE DECREASE WAS 0.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MARCH WHEN THEY WERE CARRYING 335 400 PASSENGERS DAILY.
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, MTR, KCR AND GREEN MINIBUSES SHOWED HEALTHY GAINS IN PATRONAGE.
MTR GAINED 25 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MARCH WHEN IT WAS CARRYING 1 111 600 PASSENGERS DAILY- KCR PASSENGER VOLUME ROSE BY 12 PER CENT- AND GREEN MINIBUS PATRONAGE INCREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT.
THE HARDEST HIT WAS CMB CORR I DOR EXPRESS SERVICES, WHICH imci HDF ft MITES SUCH AS NO. 10A. 10B. 20. 21. 22. 80 AND 81M. EETWEEN JUNE AND DECEMBER, THE AVERAGE f’ASS^NGElS VOLUME ON THES-ROUTES WAS 44 PER CENT BELOW THE MARCH FIGURES. NEXT CAME CMB SERVICES VIA THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, WHICH REGISTERED AN AVERAGE DECREASE OF 30 PER CENT.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, CORRIDOR URBAN BUS SERVICES, SUCH AS ROUTES NO 2, 16 AND 82 WHICH RUN PARALLEL TO THE ISLAND LINE REPORTED AN AVERAGE PASSENGER LOSS OF 14 PER CENT WHILE ROUTES WHICH ARE ONLY PARTLY PARALLEL WITH THE MTR EXTENSION, SUCH AS NO. 5, 10, 24 AND 81, SUFFERED AN AVERAGE DECLINE OF 11 PER CENT.
AS FOR CMB AND KMB CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICES, THE AVERAGE DECREASE IN PASSENGER VOLUME WAS 17 PER CENT. IN AUGUST, PATRONAGE PLUNGED TO A RECORD LOW OF 22 PER CENT BELOW THE MARCH FIGURES BUT IT GRADUALLY ROSE BACK TO JUST 12 PER CENT BELOW THE MARCH VOLUME IN DECEMBER.
THE ONLY BUS SERVICES WHICH REGISTERED A PASSENGER GROWTH WERE CMB’S FEEDER ROUTES TO MTR STATIONS. AN AVERAGE INCREASE CF 19 PER CENT WAS ACHIEVED DURING THE SEVEN MONTHS UNDER REVIEW.
/CROSS-HARBOUR
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
5 -
CROSS-HARBOUR FERRY SERVICES OPERATED BY HYF AND STAR FERRY REPORTED AN AVERAGE PASSENGER LOSS OF NINE PER CENT AND THREE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIGURES IN MARCH.
THE THREE HARDEST HIT ROUTES WERE HYF’S NORTH POINT-HUNG HOM, SAI WAN HO-KOWLOON CITY AND SAI WAN HO-KWUN TONG SERVICES. IN DECEMBER, PATRONAGE ON THESE THREE ROUTES WERE 25 PER CENT TO 39 PER CENT DOWN ON THE MARCH VOLUME.
IN SEPTEMBER, PATRONAGE ON HYF’S CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICES HIT A RECORD LOW SINCE THE OPENING OF THE ISLAND LINE, DROPPING TO 12 PER CENT DOWN ON THE MARCH VOLUME.
AN UPWARD TREND THEN FOLLOWED, PUSHING THE FIGURE TO JUST SEVEN PER CENT BELOW THE MARCH VOLUME IN NOVEMBER. PATRONAGE HOWEVER DROPPED AGAIN IN DECEMBER TO 10 PER CENT DOWN ON THE MARCH AVERAGE.
THE STAR FERRY ALSO SAW ITS WORST MONTH IN SEPTEMBER, WITH THE PASSENGER VOLUME DROPPING TO NINE PER CENT BELOW THE MARCH LEVEL. HOWEVER PATRONAGE HAD RISEN STEADILY SINCE THEN. IN DECEMBER, A THREE PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE MARCH VOLUME WAS RECORDED.
THE RATE OF PASSENGER DECREASE FOR TRAMS WAS HIGHEST IN JUNE WHEN PATRONAGE DROPPED TO SIX PER CENT BELOW THE MARCH AVERAGE. HOWEVER, IN JULY AND THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF 1985, RIDERSHIP ON TRAMS WAS HIGHER THAN THE MARCH FIGURES.
THE ONLY MONTH IN WHICH GREEN MINIBUSES ON HONG KONG ISLAND SUFFERED A LOSS OF PASSENGERS WAS JUNE. PATRONAGE THEN GREW STEADILY AND IN THE LAST QUARTER, THE GROWTH LEVELLED OFF AT AROUND 14 PER CENT UP ON THE MARCH VOLUME.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH TRANSPORT PATTERNS ON HONG KONG ISLAND SEEMED TO HAVE SETTLED DOWN BY THE END OF 1985, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE GENERAL TRANSPORT SITUATION, ESPECIALLY AFTER MAY WHEN THE ISLAND LINE IS EXTENDED TO SHEUNG WAN.
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/6........
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
- 6 -
ASBESTOS CONTROLS COMING INTO FORCE IN AUGUST ******
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AIMED AT CONTROLLING THE USE OF ASBESTOo IN INDUSTRY WILL COME INTO OPERATION IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE MEASURES, SET OUT IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ASBESTOS) SPECIAL REGULATIONS 1986, WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH.
+THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE NEW REGULATIONS IS TO PROTECT WORKERS EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN PROCESSES INVOLVING THE USE OF ASBESTOS IN VIEW OF THE ASSOCIATED SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARDS,+ MR YIP SAID.
♦WORKERS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO PROLONGED INHALATION OF ASBESTOS DUST IN CONTAMINATED ENVIRONMENT OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WOULD CONTRACT ASBESTOSIS AND MESOTHELIOMA.+
HE SAID THE NEW REGULATIONS WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF CROCIDOLITE (BLUE ASBESTOS) AND AMOSITE (BROWN ASBESTOS) AND SPRAYING OF MATERIALS CONTAINING ASBESTOS.
PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS USING ASBESTOS PROCESSES, ON THE OTHER HAND, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO GIVE NOT LESS THAN 28 DAYS’ WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OF AN INTENTION TO USE SUCH PROCESS AND TO USE EXHAUST VENTILATION EQUIPMENT OR, WHERE THAT IS IMPRACTICABLE, ENSURE THAT ALL WORKERS ARE PROVIDED WITH. AND USE, APPROVED RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.
THEY MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT THE PLANT AND PREMISES ARE KEPT CLEAN AND FREE OF ASBESTOS DUST AND THAT LOOSE ASBESTOS OR ASBESTOS WASTE IS RECEIVED, DESPATCHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN A CLOSED RECEPTACLE WHICH MUST BEAR A WARNING NOTICE.
♦THE REGULATIONS ALSO PROHIBIT THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN ANY PROCESS INVOLVING ASBESTOS AND REQUIRE THAT WORKERS MUST BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED BEFORE BEING ENGAGED IN AN ASBESTOS PROCESS AND BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER,+ HE ADDED.
MR YIP SAID THE NEW REGULATIONS WOULD COME INTO OPERATION O' AUGUST 1 BECAUSE MANY PROPRIETORS WOULD NEED TIME TO INSTALL EXHAUST VENTILATION SYSTEMS OR ACQUIRE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS.
♦BREACH OF THE REGULATIONS THEREAFTER WILL BE AN OFFENCE ANj BE LIABLE TO FINES VARYING FROM $10 003 TO $30 000, DEPENDING ON THE GRAVITY OF THE OFFENCES,♦ HE SAID.
/MR YIP
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, '>°86
MR YIP SAID THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CARRYING OUT, FREE OF CHARGE, SAFETY TRAINING COURSES ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS ON A YEAR ROUND BASIS AND AMONG THESE TWO COURSES ON ASBESTOS HAZARDS WOULD BE OFFERED IN MARCH AND JUNE THIS YEAR.
FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS INTERESTED IN THE COURSES MAY CONTACT THE CENTRE AT HARBOUR BUILDING, 13TH FLOOR, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG. (TEL. 5-8523563).
47 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED 47 BUILDING PLANS IN JANUARY 1986, 10 MORE THAN FOR DECEMBER 1985.
THEY INCLUDED A 462-R00M HOTEL AT MODY ROAD? A 32-STOREY APARTMENT BLOCK AT KOTEWALL ROAD? A 15-STOREY CARPARK-COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT SHU I CHE KWUN STREET IN YUEN LONG? A PETROL FILLING STATION AT CONTAINER PORT ROAD, KWAI CHUNG? AN EXTENSION TO THE MARINE SCIENCE LABORATORY AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ; AND AN ELECTRICITY STATION AT JUNK BAY.
OF THE PLANS APPROVED, 16 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 10 IN KOWLOON AND 21 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DURING THE MONTH, CONSENT WAS ALSO GIVEN FOR WORK TO START ON 59 PROJECTS - 13 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 11 IN KOWLOON AND 35 IN THE hEW TERRITORIES.
THESE INCLUDED A HOTEL AND APARTMENT-COMMERCIAL BLOCK AT THE JUNCTION OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST? A SHOP-CFFICE BUILDING AT WAI CHING STREET; A TEMPLE BUILDING IN TUEN MUN A CHAPEL AT LUNG TSAI TSUEN ROAD, CHEUNG CHAU? AND A FACTORY AT THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
THE OFFICE ALSO ISSUED 43 OCCUPATION PERMITS FOR NEWLY-COMPLETED BUILDINGS DURING THE MONTH.
THEY INCLUDED A COMMUNITY CENTRE AT CHUNG HAU STREET; A PETPOL FILLING STATION AT KOWLOON BAY; A SCHOOL EXTENSION AT KUNG LOK ROAD A FOOTBRIDGE AT SHA TIN; AND A TRAINING CENTRE IN TAI PO FOR THE KNTALLY HANDICAPPED.
/THr. TOTAL...........
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
- 8 -
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF NEWLY-COMPLETED BUILDINGS WAS 139 164.3 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 67 858.8 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC ANv THE REST FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF THESE BUILDINGS WAS ABOUT $489.6 MILLION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 11 DEMOLITION ORDEfco IN RESPECT OF 26 BUILDINGS.
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COURSES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE RUNNING TWO MORE 12-WEEK. PART-TIME. IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES FOR SERVING PERMITTED AND REGISTERED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE FIRST COURSE WILL START IN SEPTEMBER, AND THE OTHER IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED.
THE COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND TWO THREE-HOUR SESSIONS A WEEK.
THE COURSE IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SERVING KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WITH THE BASIC TRAINING FOR IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF THE Ik TEACHING. PARTICIPANTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE WILL BE DESIGNATED +QUALIFIED ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.*
THE COURSE WILL DEAL WITH THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, AS WELL AS A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THEIR LEARNING AND BEHAVIOUR WHICH ARE OF SIGNIFICANCE TO CLASSROOM PRACTICE.
EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON THE CONTENTS OF KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION, INCLUDING THE GENERAL ORGANISATION OF TIME-TABLE AND ACTIVITIES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, THIRD FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY AND THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE AT KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FIFTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, YAUMATI.
APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED FORMS TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR, KINDERGARTEN SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH PLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE APRIL 19.
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A ......
SUNDAY, MARCH % 1 •-
9
700 PEOPLE ATTEND CHILDREN’S CHORUS * * * * *
ABOUT 700 PEOPLE WERE TREATED TO A DELIGHTFUL PERFORMANCc xiY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHORUS AT THE MARYKNOLL CONVENT SCHOOL AT ITS THIRD ANNUAL CONCERT THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOaju.
THE CHORUS’S 63 MEMBERS, AGED BETWEEN NINE AND 14, PERFORM;^ 16 PIECES OF MUSIC INCLUDING A SPECIALLY-COMPOSED +KOWLOON CITY SONG,+ FOLK SONGS, CHOIRS, CLASSICAL AND POP MUSIC.
THE CHILDREN’S CHORUS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982 WITH SUPPORT FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTS .Tj AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.
ITS AIM IS TO PROMOTE CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN MUSIC AND TO __ RAISE THE STANDARD OF MUSIC THROUGH PARTICIPATION AND PERFORMANCE.
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG, OFFICIATE AT TODAY’S CEREMONY.
-------o ----------
INTERCHANGE TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW * * * * *
A THREE-LEVEL INTERCHANGE WILL BE BUILT AT THE CASTLE PEAROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD INTERSECTION IN KWAI CHUNG TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
THE WORK INVOLVES BUILDING TWO TWIN-LANE FLYOVERS, ONE RUNNING ALONG THE LINE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN AN EAST-WEST DIRECTION, AND THE OTHER RUNNING NORTH-SOUTH FROM KWAI CHUNG ROAD TO CHEUNG WING ROAD.
ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE GROUND LEVEL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE JUNCTION TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FOOTBRIDGE COMPLEX WITH AN ELEVATED WALKWAY ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY UNDER CASTLE PEAK ROAD CONNECTING YIU WING LANE.
SECTIONS OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CHEUNG WING ROAD IN THE SAME VICINITY WILL BE WIDENED WITH ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS INSTALLED. DURING CONSTRUCTION THE WIDTH OF THESE ROADS MAY HAVE TO BE REDUCED TEMPORARILY, BUT TRAFFIC WILL STILL BE ABLE TO USE THEM.
OTHER WORK INVOLVES CLOSING A SECTION OF KWONG FAI CIRCUIT FOR IT TO BE RECONSTRUCTED. AND SOME SIGNS AND OTHER STRUCTURES WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORK HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND POSTED ON THE SITE.
WRITTEN OBJECTIONS MUST REACH THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MAY 6, 1986.
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/10.......
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
10
KWUN TONG, KOWLOON CITY TRAFFIC CHANGES
* * * *
THE RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM KAI TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND IN KWUN TONG ONTO JUNK BAY ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 12) FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATt bEwER CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
VEHICLES ON KAI TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR JUNK BAY ROA-EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO JUNK BAY ROAD WESTBOUND, LEI YUc j-il ROAD WESTBOUND, KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND, KWUN TONG ROAD, HOI YUc . ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND.
WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME, THE CUL-DE-SAC SECTION OF KOWLOON CITY ROAD WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SZE CHUEN STREET WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE TO REGULATE TRAFFIC FLOW.
- - C -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT DINNER FOR JLG TEAMS ............... 1
SENIOR GOVERNMENT POSTINGS ANNOUNCED...................... 2
CENTRAL WATER MAUI DIVERTED FOR UNDERPASS................. 3
MANPOWER BOOST SEEN FOR BANKING INDUSTRY ................. 4
MEDICAL STAFF AWARDED LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES .......... 5
REFRESHER COURSE IN ENGLISH FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS ......... 6
FUN DAY FOR NORTH DISTRICT RESIDENTS ..................... 6
RECORD ATTENDANCE EXPECTED aT PHIS YEAR'S FLOWER SHOW... 7
SELECT COiailTTEE TO MEET ................................ 8
ROaD CLOSURE IN IUEN LUN ................................. 8
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC CHANGES.................................. 9
TSIM SHA TSUI WATER CUT .................................. 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ..................................... 9
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1986
1
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT DINNER FOR JLG TEAMS *****
EVEN I NGi
♦AMBASSADOR KE, DR WILSON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
♦FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME AMBASSADOR KE ZAISHUO AND HIS FELLOW CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. WE ALSO WELCOM-BR WILSON AND HIS BRITISH COLLEAGUES FROM LONDON AND PEKING.
♦nunFR THE JOINT DECLARATION THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAS IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES. TO CARRY THEM ^SUCCESSFULLY WILL CALL FOR JOINT EFFORTS AND A GREAT DEAL OF SERIOUS WORK.
THF KFY ORGAN OF LIAISON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IS DEALING WITH MAJOR ISSUES WHICH WILL AFFECT THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY THE PROSPECTS FOR OUR BUSINESSMEN AND THE INDIVIDUAL LIVES OF THE PE6PLE.
♦THIS MEETING IS OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE FOR HONG KONG.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAS MET HERE tJf PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE WATCHING IT CLOSELY. GOOD WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE IN THE PEKING AND LONDON MEETINGS.
♦YOUR AGENDA IS A FULL AND IMPORTANT ONE AND I AM SURE THAT BOTH SIDES IN THE LIAISON GROUP WILL TACKLE IT WITH SERIOUS PURPOSE. WE THUS LOOK FORWARD TO SIMILARLY SUCCESSFUL RESUL FROM THIS MEETING HERE.
.iu abb it Iam AMBASSADOR KE. WE HOPE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY CF SHOWING YOU AND'YOUR COLLEAGUES SOMETHING OF HONG KONG^ HONG KONG HAS MADE REMARKABLE PROGRESS OVER THE LAST DECADE AND THERE IS MUCH TO SEE.
♦WITH THOSE REMARKS I WOULD ASK ALL PRESENT TO RAISE THEIR Q iSSFS TO THE HEALTH OF AMBASSADOR KE AND DR WILSON, TO THEIR COLLEAGUES FROM THE CHINESE AND BRITISH TEAMS AND TO THE CONTINUED PROGRESS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.*
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/2
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1996
2
SENIOR GOVERNMENT POSTINGS ANNOUNCED
*****
THE SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES), MR PETER WILLIAMS, WILL LEAVE THE SERVICE ON COMPLETION OF HIS CONTRACT AT THE END of 1986, IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY. MR WILLIAMS WILL HAVE BEEN IN POST FOR
IN POST FOR
ABOUT TWO YEARS.
THE NEW SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES) WILL BE MR WHO IS CURRENTLY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND MR WIGGHAM WILL LEAVE HIS PRESENT POST IN MAY 1986 INITIALLY UNDERTAKE LANGUAGE STUDIES.
BARRIE WIGGHap.
KOWLOON). AND WILL
AFTER A PERIOD OF LEAVE HE IS TO BE SECONDED TO HM DIPLOMATIC SERVICE FOR A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT AS COUNSELLOR AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING BETWEEN JULY AND OCTOBER, BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG TO TAKE OVER FROM MR WILLIAMS. '
MR CHAU TAK-HAY, PRESENTLY DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KON AND KOWLOON), WILL TAKE OVER FROM MR WIGGHAM AND BECOME RtGIONAu SECRETARY IN MAY.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS FOLLOW :
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
MR PETER WILLIAMS, CBE
AGED 59. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1953 AS A CADET OFFICER CLASS II AND ROSE THROUGH A SERIES OF PROMOTIONS TO THE RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN AUGUST 1975. HE RETIRED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1978. DURING 1979~AND 1980 HE SERVED AS SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND WAS THEN COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION FROM 1980 TO THE END OF 1984. HE WAS RE-APPOINTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN JANUARY 1985 AND SINCE THEN HAS BEEN THE SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES).
M? BARRIE WIGGHAM, JP
AGED 49. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN SEPTEMBER 1961 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN SEPTEMBER 1985. HE HAS SERVED IN A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES INCLUDING THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE THEN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE ECONOMIC BRANCH AND THE FINANCE BRANCH. MORE RECENTLY. HE wAo DEPUTY SECRETARY, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FROM 1974 TO 1976, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION BRANCH FROM 1976 TO 1979 AND COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE FROM 1979 TO 1983. HE HAS BEEN IN HIS PRESENT POST OF REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) SINCE SEPTEMBER 1983.
/MH CHAU TAK-HAY, JP ........
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1986
W CHAU TAK-HAY, JP
AGED A3. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JULY 1967. HE HAS SERVE-FOR THE MAJORITY OF HIS CAREER IN THE FORMER COMMERCE AND INudo.-', AND TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENTS, WHERE HE BECAME A _ DEPUTY COMMISSIONER IN JULY 1979. HE TRANSFERRED AS AN ADMINISTr* I . OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN JULY 1982 WHILE POSTED TO GENEVA AS COUNSELLOR (HONG KONG AFFAIRS). FOLLOWING HIS RETURN FROM GENEVm IN 1984 HE SERVED FIRST AS DEPUTY SECRETARY (HEALTH AND WELFARE) AND SINCE NOVEMBER 1985 HAS BEEN DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY ( HONS
KONG AND KOWLOON).
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CENTRAL WATER MAIN DIVERTED FOR UNDERPASS * * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN WORK ON THE DIVERS 10 CF A MAJOR 42-INCH FRESH WATER MAIN ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD EASTBOUKJ NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT PLACE AND PEDDER STREET.
THE DIVERSION IS TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNDERPASS LATER THIS YEAR.
THE UNDERPASS WILL CARRY TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD UNDER THE JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT PLACE AND PEDDER STREET SO AS TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
THE DIVERSION WORKS WILL INVOLVE TO 2-METRE-WIDE TRENCH FOR THE LAYING CLOSING OF ONE TRAFFIC LANE IN STAGES ROAD EASTBOUND AND CONNAUGHT PLACE.
THE PHASING OF WORK, EXPECTED TO IS TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC.
THE EXCAVATION OF A 1.5“METRt OF THE NEW PIPELINE, AND The ALONG SECTIONS OF CONNAUGHT
TAKE THREE TO FOUR MONTHS,
FURTHER EXCAVATION WORKS FOR DIVERSION OF AIR CONDITIONING MAINS SERVING ADJACENT BUILDINGS AND FOR LAYING OF TELEPHONE CABLEo WILL FOLLOW THE WATER MAIN DIVERSION.
- - 0 ------------
MONDAY, MARCH 1'3,
- 4 -
MANPOWER BOOST SEEN FOR BANKING INDUSTRY *****
THE BANKING INDUSTRY IS EXPECTED TO EMPLOY MORE PEOPLE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUK . IL SAID TODAY.
THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY PUBLISHtD BY THE COUNCIL’S BANKING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD WHICH SHOWED THaT MANPOWER IN THE INDUSTRY ROSE FROM 53 200 IN 1982 TO 55 600 IN 1984.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO 1989 THE ANNUAL GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF BANK EMPLOYEES WOULD BE ABOUT TWO PER CENT WHILE THE GROWTH RATE FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WOULD BE 3.4 PER CENT.
DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN 1982 AND 1984, THE NUMBER OF BAtUo INCREASED FROM 132 TO 139, AND THE NUMBER OF BRANCHES WENT UP FROr. 1 346 TO 1 547, AN INCREASE OF 15 PER CENT.
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, THE ONLY SECTOR IN THE INDUSTRY aHICH SHOWED A DECLINE WAS REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, wITH A MANPOWER DROP OF 32 PER CENT FROM 5 300 TO 3 600.
THE BOARD ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE FACT THAT DURING THE PERIOj A LARGE NUMBER OF MAJOR REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES CHANGEJ THEIR STATUS TO LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ALSO SHOWED THAT SMALL BANKS IN HONG KONG WERE NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH TRAINING FOR THEIR STAFF, EVEN THOUGH THE ARRANGING OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING WAS NOT BEYOND THEIR ABILITY.
THE SURVEY FOUND THAT LARGER BANKS DID MORE OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING THAN OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MEDIUM-SIZED BANKs PROVIDED MORE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.
THE SURVEY ESTIMATED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5 500 EMPLOYEES IN BANKING INDUSTRIES TO BE GIVEN OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING EACH YEAR.
THE BANKING TRAINING BOARD HAS THEREFORE PROPOSED THE SETTING UP OF A TRAINING CENTRE TO OFFER OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING. THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL FjR CONSIDERATION.
THE REPORT, CONTAINING DETAILED MANPOWER STATISTICS AND TRAISil’l REQUIREMENTS OF THE HONG KONG BANKING INDUSTRY, IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE AT $25 A COPY.
0 --------
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1986
- 5 -
MEDICAL STAFF AWARDED LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES * * * * *
A TOTAL OF 383 MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING DOCTORS, NURSES, PARA-MEDICAL STAFF, WORKMEN, DRIVERS, •.ARD ATTENDANTS, AMAHS AND DARKROOM TECHNICIANS, WERE PRESENTED ,!TH LONG SERVICE MERIT CERTIFICATES TODAY (MONDAY).
LAUNCHED FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR, THE LONG SERVICE "CRIT CERTIFICATE SCHEME WILL BE OPERATED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS 3Y THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR.
THP DEPARTMENT HAS A STAFF OF 25 000 SERVING IN 85 DIFFERENT GRADES. THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED FOR 30 YEARS OR MORE AND HAVE PERFORMED THEIR DUTIES SATISFACTORILY WITHIN AT LEAST THE PAST 13 YEARS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARD.
TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE SCHEME, A PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL ASSEMBLY HALL THIS AFTERNOON.
PRAISING THE RECIPIENTS, DR THONG, WHO MADE THE PRESENTATION, SAID THE DEPARTMENT NOW PROVIDED A COMPREHENSIVE AND INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT COULD BE REFLECTED BY COMMONLY USED INDICATORS O’7 THE HEALTH OF A COMMUNITY.
HE SAID DURING THE PAST 30 YEARS, THE CRUDE DEATH RATE HAD 'SOPPED FROM. 7.4 TO 4.7 PER THOUSAND POPULATION AND THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE HAD IMPROVED SUBSTANTIALLY FROM 60.9 TO 7.6 PER THOUSAND LIVE BIRTHS. AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY WAS NOW 73 FOR •'ALES AND 79 FOR FEMALES.
DR THONG SAID THAT COMPARED TO THE EARLY 1950’S, THERE WAS AN EIGHT-FOLD INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS AND A TENFOLD INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS TREATED.
+IN A HIGHLY MATERIALISTIC SOCIETY AND AMID EVER RISING COSTS, WE TEND TO ALL WHO SEEK OUR HELP, EVEN TO THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE NOMINAL CHARGES LEVIED.
♦ZIN SHORT, PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE NOW HEALTHIER AND ENJOY ’EDICAL CARE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD.
♦THESE GRATIFYING RESULTS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT,* DR THONG SAID.
0
/6........
MONDAY, MARCH IQ, 1986
- 6
REFRESHER COURSE IN ENGLISH FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED THE BRITISH COUNCIL TO RUN A SER IES OF REFRESHER COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN.
THE COURSES ARE AIMED AT ORIENTATING TEACHERS TO THE REVISED PRIMARY ENGLISH SYLLABUS AND TO INTRODUCE TEACHERS TO A RANGE OF SmSuNICATIVE TEACHING TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS TO IMPROVE FLUENCY AND ACCURACY IN SPOKEN ENGLISH AMONG TEACHERS.
THE 9Q-HOUR COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE BRI TISH COUNCIL AT HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, BETWEEN APRIL 14 AND JULY 4, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO FURTHER IMPROVE PARTICIPANTS’ PROFICIENCY IN ORAL ENGLISH, TEACHERS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE REFRESHER COURSE MAY ENROL (FREE OF CHARGE ) FOR A TERM OF ABOUT THREE MONTHS IN ENGLISH CLASSES AT THE BRITISH COUNCIL.
GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE THEIR TEACHERS TO THE COURSE ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT APPLICATION^ ™ THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (ENGLISH), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE MARCH 21.
FUN DAY FOR NORTH DISTRICT RESIDENTS
*****
THE FIRST NORTH DISTRICT BOARD FUN DAY, FEATURING 12 ITEMS OF ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES, WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 16 (SUNDAY).
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A PERFORMANCE BY THE GURKHA MARCHING BAND, A. FANCY CAR PARADE, CAMEL RIDES, BUS TOURS ROUND THE DISTRICT, AEROBICS DEMONSTRATION AND A POP CONCERT.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY), DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG, SAID THE EVENT WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING FUN -OR ALL AGE GROUPS, PROMOTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AMONG RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, AND ENHANCING A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TAKING PART INCLUDE THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF THE CHOI YUEN AND CHEUNG WAH ESTATES, THE LUEN WO AND THE SHEK WU CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, THE NORTH DISTRICT MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE NORTH DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND THE NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
/TT5 SZERSTaRY .......
r
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1986
- 7 -
, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL THE POP CONCERT ON THAT
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION O-HCIATE AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY PRIOR TO
DAY.
ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS ARE FREE. TICKETS FOR SOME FUN DAY’S PROGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BAS IS AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, AND THE FOUR LOCAL RURAL
COMMITTEES.
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RECORD ATTENDANCE EXPECTED AT THIS YEAR’S FLOWER SHOW * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 14) TO SUNDAY IS EXPECTED TO DRAW A RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS.
♦wEATHER PERMITTING, WE THINK THIS YEAR, OUR 19TH SHOW, WILL BREAK ALL ATTENDANCE RECORDS,♦ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL TODAY.
♦LAST YEAR’S FLOWER SHOW ATTRACTED MORE THAN 34 000 VISITORS.
♦ONE OF THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS THIS YEAR IS A FLORAL ARRANGEMENT COMPETITION IN WHICH WESTERN, ORIENTAL AND OTHER SCHOOLS OF FLOWER ARRANGERS WILL VIE FOR TOP AWARDS.*
FROM MARCH 14 TO 16
GARDEN, PART OF EDINBURGH PLACE LINKING THE HIGH AND LOW BLOCKS TURNED INTO A SEA OF COLOUR AND
THE EXHIBITION HALL, MEMORIAL
AND ALSO THE COVERED WALKWAY OF THE CITY HALL WILL BE FRAGRANCE DURING THE SHOW.
LADY JACKIE BREMRIDGE WILL 2.30 P.M. ON FRIDAY.
OFFICIALLY OPEN THE SHOW AT
---------- 0
/8........
1
I
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1986
- 8 -
SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE i°NAL REGIONAL COUNCIL w/ILL BE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS PROPOSALS TO SEND TWO REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS TO ATTEND SPECIALISED TRAINING COURSES OVERSEAS, AND FOR ANOTHER TO ATTEND AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE CREMATION SOCIETY OF GREAT
BRITAIN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENTOFFICE BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR,
AT THE
174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
- - - - 0 -----
ROAD CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN
*****
THE SLIP ROAD B CONNECTING WONG CHU ROAD WESTBOUND WITH TSING /UN ROAD NORTHBOUND IN TUEN MUN WILL NOW BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM '3 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 17) INSTEAD OF ON MARCH 6 AS EARLIER ANNOUNCED.
THE ROAD CLOSURE, WHICH WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS, IS TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION OF LIGHTING AT THE JUNCTION OF WONG CHU ROAD WITH TSING WUN ROAD.
VEHICLES, INCLUDING KMB ROUTE 57M, WILL BE DIVERTED TO LUNG MUN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 380 METRES SOUTH OF THE ABOVE JUNCTION WHERE THEY CAN U-TURN AND TRAVEL NORTH TO TSING WUN ROAD.
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MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1936
- 9 -
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
TO FACILITATE DRAIN LAYING WORK, TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WAN CHAI WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 13 (THURSDAY) TO 4 PM ON MARCH 27«
M ANTON STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND AND VEHICLES MAY USE ANTON STREET TO GO FROM JOHNSTON ROAD TO EASTBOUND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
M LANDALE STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND AND VEHICLES MAY TRAVEL FROM EASTBOUND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST TO WESTBOUND JOHNSTON ROAD VIA LANDALE STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PARKING SPACES ON ANTON STREET AND LANDALc STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
- - 0--------------
TSIM SHA TSUI WATER CUT
XXX
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 13) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, PEKING ROAD CANTON ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD, INCLUDING HANKOW ROAD, ASHLEY ROAD, MIDDLE ROAD AND NEW WORLD CENTRE AND HOTEL.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE K K * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 56.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 332.894 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 383.989 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 65.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PAY CLAIM FROM NON-DIRECTORATE STAFF...................... 1
NINE BILLS, 18 QUESTIONS FOR LEGCO ....................... 2
ADDITIONAL FUNDS SOUGHT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES ..... 3
LUNCH PARTY FOR CHINESE JLG TEAM ..................-...... 4
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT 1986 ON SALE ..................... 5
CHEONG-LEEN TO STEP DOWN AFTER FIVE YEARS................. 6
SERVICES FOR ELDEliY TO CONTINUE GROWING.................. 7
LEARNING MORE ABOUT METRICATION OF WEATHER SERVICES....... 10
CITRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY UNE PLACES................... 10
LOOK-AND-LEARN VISIT TO TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.......... 11
CLEARANCE OPERATION IN CAUSEWAY BaY ...................... 13
kowloon Railway station podium to be extended ............ 13
IMPROVEMENT TO PENG CHAU WATER SUPPLY ................... 14
APPROVAL GIVEN FOR OVERSEAS TRAINING ..................... 14
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CaR NUMBERS ON SATURDAY................ 15
TIN HaU TEMPLE GARDEN TO OPEN ............................ 16
OPENING HOURS OF STUDY ROOMS EXTENDED .................... 16
BOaRD MEMBERS IN CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE.................. 17
NT BATHING SHEDS FOR LEASE................................ 18
QUIZ COMPETITION FOR FIREMEN ............................. 18
MEET THE MEDIA ........................................... 19
PROHIBITED ZONE AND PARKING SPACE SUSPENSION ............. 19
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
1
PAY CLAIM FROM NON-DI RECTORATE STAFF
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) ITS DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THE SPECIAL PAY ADJUSTMENT OF 2.7 PER CENT WITH RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1986 TO ALL NON-DIRECTORATE STAFF.
A REQUEST FOR THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT THIS SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT, INVOLVING $122 MILLION FOR THE REST OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, WILL BE PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 26. REVISED SALARIES WILL BE PAID AT THE END OF APRIL.
COMMENTING ON THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR DAVID FORD, SAID, +THE REACTIONS OF THE THREE CENTRAL CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS AS WELL AS THE REQUEST MADE BY THE 17-MEMBER DELEGATION OF THE JOINT CONFERENCE OF CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS YESTERDAY WERE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNORIN-COUNCIL TODAY.
+NO NEW FACTS WERE PRODUCED BY THE STAFF WHICH WOULD JUSTIFY A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT TO THE OFFER MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT ON FEBRUARY 4. IT WAS THEREFORE DECIDED THAT THE AWARD OF 2.7 PER CENT BACKDATED TO JANUARY 1 SHOULD NOT BE VARIED.
+1 MUST STRESS AGAIN THAT THIS IS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE PAY LEVEL SURVEY FOR NON-DIRECTORATE STAFF IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
+IN REACHING THIS DECISION THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN FULL ACCOUNT OF THE REPORT BY THE STANDING COMMISSION, STAFF REACTIONS AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST AS A WHOLE.+
MR FORD RECALLED THAT THE FINDINGS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE LAST DECEMBER CONCLUDED THAT CIVIL SERVICE NON-DIRECTORATE SALARIES HAD LAGGED SLIGHTLY BEHIND THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT THE NON-DIRECTORATE LEVEL.
THE ESTIMATED DIFFERENCES WERE 2.7 PER CENT FOR THE UPPER PAY BAND, 0.36 PER CENT FOR THE MIDDLE PAY BAND AND 0.32 PER CENT FOR THE LOWER PAY BAND.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE STANDING COMMISSION’S ADVICE AND HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE STAFF REACTIONS, THE GOVERNMENT MADE AN OFFER OF A TWO PER CENT ACROSS THE BOARD ADJUSTMENT WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1986. THIS WAS A PACKAGE SIX TIMES BETTER THAN THE STANDING COMMISSION’S FINDINGS IN TERMS OF VALUE TO OVER 94 PER CENT OF STAFF.
/Di THE.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 19&6
2 -
IN THE LIGHT OF FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY STAFF, THE GOVERNMENT RECONSIDERED THE POSITION AND MADE A FINAL OFFER OF 2.7 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1986.
♦ THIS PACKAGE IS FAIR AND REASONABLE AS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE PAY LEVEL SURVEY FOR NON-DI RECTORATE STAFF,+ MR FORD ADDED.
+IT IS EIGHT TIMES BETTER THAN THE STANDING COMMISSION’S FINDINGS FOR THE MAJORITY OF STAFF, AND IS A GENUINE EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO REACH A COMPROMISE ON THIS ISSUE.
+IN TERMS OF COST IT REPRESENTS ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF $485 MILLION IN A FULL FINANCIAL YEAR. SINCE THE FINDINGS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION WERE SUBMITTED, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TWICE RESPONDED TO STAFF REPRESENTATIONS.
+ANY FURTHER INCREASED OFFER NOW WOULD BE A MAJOR AND UNACCEPTABLE DEPARTURE FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION’S FINDINGS AND COULD JEOPARDISE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PAY ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM WHICH HAVE SERVED STAFF AND MANAGEMENT WELL OVER THE YEARS.
MEANWHILE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN INDICATED THAT PROCEDURES FOR THE ANNUAL PAY ADJUSTMENT EXERCISE TAKING EFFECT ON APRIL 1 WILL COMMENCE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE RECENT FINDINGS OF THE PAY TREND SURVEY OF PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES, WHICH ARE IN THE RANGE OF SIX TO SEVEN PER CENT, WILL FORM THE BASIS FOR THE ANNUAL PAY AWARD DUE ON APRIL 1 AND REVISED SALARIES CALCULATED ON A LARGER BASE BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL PAY ADJUSTMENT ON JANUARY 1 WILL BE PAID IN MAY.
NINE BILLS, 18 QUESTIONS FOR LEGCO * * * *
MATTERrFORlcbN§IDERATyN,BYSTHEDL^%UTlvE%OUNCILSoMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
OF THE NINE BILLS, THE FOLLOWING FOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT!
* DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986;
M INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986;
* SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 19861 AND
* THEFT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
/DEBATE WILL
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
- 3 -
DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE FOLLOWING FIVE BILLS PRIOR TO COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READINGS:
* INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986;
* REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 ;
* URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986;
* PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986; AND
* HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE BILL 1986.
TWO MOTIONS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED. ONE, SEEKING AUTHORITY FOR AN ADVANCE OF A SUM MONEY FROM GENERAL REVENUE FOR EXPENDITURE FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, WILL BE MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
THE OTHER, SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (REGISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1986, MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, WILL BE MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE TWO STATEMENTS MADE BY UNOFFICIAL f-EMBERS — ONE BY THE HON S.L. CHEN, ON THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG REPORT WITH FINANCIAL REPORT - JANUARY 1984 - JUNE 1985, AND THE OTHER BY THE HON WONG PO-YAN, ON THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE - ANNUAL REPORT 1984-85 WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1985.
BOTH DOCUMENTS WILL BE TABLED.
-----0-----
ADDITIONAL FUNDS SOUGHT FOR MM*
SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO APPROVE A SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $5 910 000 TO MEET INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES.
IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE CASELOAD FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE STOOD AT 228 695 AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE CASES AT 47 620, COMPARED WITH 216 067 CASES OF OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND 4 224 DISABILITY ALLOWANCE CASES IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
THE LATEST REQUEST WILL BRING THE PROVISION OF $906 600 000 TO $912 510 000 TO MEET THE INCREASED EXPENDITURE.
/ANOTHER REQUEST .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
ANOTHER REQUEST FOR APPROVAL BEFORE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE A PROPOSAL TO ENABLE ALL CIVIL SERVANTS ENTITLED TO NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS TO RETAIN SUCH QUARTERS DURING THEIR OVERSEAS LEAVE. THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $2.8 MILLION IN ANNUALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, TO BE OFFSET BY ANNUAL SAVINGS CF $3.7 MILLION IN HOTEL BILLS AND HOTEL SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE.
OTHER SUMS SOUGHT AREi
* $24 472 000 TO REIMBURSE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY THE AUTHORITY ON GOVERNMENT-FUNDED ACTIVITIES DURING 1984-85;
* $1 896 000 AS SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE !
* $6 630 000 AS SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE POST OFFICE 5
* $1 923 000 TO MEET THE SHORTFALL IN SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES FOR SECONDED STAFF AND DIRECTLY-ENGAGED STAFF 5
* $100 000 000 FOR A ONE-OFF GRANT TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL;
* $210 000 000 FOR THE CREATION OF A NEW CAPITAL ACCOUNT SUBHEAD PAYMENT IN RESPECT OF TREGUNTER/QUEEN’S GARDENS JUDGEMENT’.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS CF THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE REORGANISATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.
------0-------
LUNCH PARTY FOR CHINESE JLG TEAM *****
SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH TEAM OF THE JOINT WOUP DR DAVID WILSON, WILL HOST A LUNCH PARTY FOR MEMBERS CHINESE TEAM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 13).
THE PARTY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HONG KONG ROOM OF THE HOTEL AT 1.15 PM AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM WILL ATTEND.
LIAISON OF THE
HILTON ALSO
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A FIVE-MINUTE PHOTO CALL WILL BE ARRANGED FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THE LUNCH PARTY BEGINS.
/MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
- 5 -
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATED TO COVER THIS FUNCTION ARE REQUIRED TO SEND IN THEIR NAMES AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS TO THE DUTY OFFICER OF 6 IS BEFORE NOON TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
EDITORS SHOULD NOTE THAT THEIR REPRESENTATIVE NOMINATED MUST BE THE ONE ACTUALLY COVERING THE EVENT. THE NAME AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBER OF EACH MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE CHECKED BEFORE THE FUNCTION, AND ANYONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE PARTICULAR FUNCTION WILL NOT BE GIVEN ACCESS TO OFFICIAL MEDIA POSITION.
LAPEL BADGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON THE SPOT AGAINST PRODUCTION OF BEARER'S PROOF OF IDENTITY AND AUTHORISATION FROM THE MEDIA ORGANISATION CONCERNED.
YOU ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THIS FUNCTION WILL BE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH SECURITY CHECKS.
ACCREDITED PRESS MEMBERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE HONG KONG ROOM, HILTON HOTEL, AT 12.30 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 13) WHEN THEY WILL BE ESCORTED TO PRESS POSITION BY GIS OFFICERS.
-----0------
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT 1986 ON SALE *****
ooau THE OFFICIAL YEARBOOK OF HONG KONG WHICH tcdo T^n A RECORD OF ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND EVENTS IN THF HR?n?1RLIN 1985' 15 N0W AVAILABLE. FULL OF FACTS AND FIGURES IT IS ALSO LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED. rAuis and FIGURES,
THE NEW-LOOK YEARBOOK, WITH A LAMINATED HARD-BACK COVER I <4 AVAILABLE IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH EDITIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE. GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL LEADING BOOKSHOPS, AND DISTRICT OFFICES. THE PRICE REMAINS AT S32. LtAD,NG
HONG KONG 1986 HAS 283 PAGES OF TEXT AS WELL AS A WIDE-RANGING SERIES OF APPENDICES PROVIDING USEFUL STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
THE FIRST OF THE 22 CHAPTERS PUTS INTO PERSPECTIVE THE KEY POSITION THAT HONG KONG HAS ATTAINED AS A LEADING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE. THIS CHAPTER ALSO EXAMINES THE VARIOUS FACTORS THAT HAVE MADE THIS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY THE PROVISION OF EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS WHICH ENABLE THE TERRITORY TO KEEP IN INSTANT TOUCH WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD. IT DESCRIBES VIVIDLY HOW HONG KONG HAS PROVED WRONG THE EARLY BRITISH OFFICIAL WHO MAINTAINED THAT A SHILLING SPENT ON HONG KONG WAS A SHILLING WASTED.
/OTHER CHAPTERS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
6 -
OTHER CHAPTERS PROVIDE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF PROGRESS IN SUCH FIELDS AS EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, HOUSING, TRANSPORT, INDUSTRY, AND PUBLIC ORDER.
THE SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE 10 SECTIONS OF COLOUR PICTURES RANGE FROM DEVELOPMENTS IN TRANSPORT TO THE WATCHES AND CLOCKS INDUSTRY, IN WHICH HONG KONG LEADS THE WORLD IN EXPORTS. ONE SECTION ILLUSTRATES HOW STATUE SQUARE HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS, AND ANOTHER IS DEVOTED TO FLOWERS.
THE YEARBOOK IS PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, ASSISTED BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH, AND IS PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PR INTER.
-------o----------
CHEONG-LEEN TO STEP DOWN X X X X X
AFTER FIVE YEARS X
MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TODAY ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AFTER FIVE YEARS IN THE TOP POST.
IN A STATEMENT AT THE COUNCIL’S MONTHLY MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE WOULD, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COUNCIL AS A BACK-BENCHER AFTER HAVING BEEN RE-ELECTED LAST THURSDAY FOR ANOTHER THREE-YEAR TERM.
MR CHEONG-LEEN, WHO HAS BEEN AN ELECTED URBAN COUNCILLOR SINCE 1957, SAIDi +ALREADY ONE YEAR AGO I HAD INTIMATED TO A FEW SENIOR COLLEAGUES THAT I WAS CONSIDERING NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION AS CUC IN 1986. THIS VIEW WAS FURTHER REINFORCED WHEN I WAS ELECTED LATER IN THE YEAR TO LEGCO THROUGH THE URBCO ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
♦I HAVE ENJOYED EVERY DAY OF MY FIVE YEARS AS CUC. IN MY FIRST YEAR OF OFFICE URBCO'S BUDGET FOR 1981 YEAR WAS 9919.8 MILLION WITH CAPITAL WORKS STANDING AT #145.8 MILLION. FOR THIS YEAR, COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1986, COUNCIL’S BUDGET WILL BE #2 059.6 MILLION, WITH AN ESTIMATED SURPLUS OF #26.0 MILLION, AND CAPITAL WORKS STANDING AT #302.9 MILLION. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN COUNCIL’S HISTORY THAT OUR BUDGET WILL EXCEED #2 BILLION.
♦THE INCREASE IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND CAPITAL WORK FIGURES BETWEEN 1981 AND 1986 REPRESENT AN INCREASE OF 124% AND 108% RESPECTIVELY.
/+WE CAN
FUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
+WE CAN FURTHERMORE LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMPLETION BY THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS OF THE CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI, THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND ALSO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KOWLOON BARRACKS AREA WITH THE HELP OF THE JOCKEY CLUB. WE HAVE ALSO ABSORBED MUCH OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FORMER RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT SINCE LAST YEAR.
♦ I SHALL VERY MUCH MISS MY TENURE AS CUC, BUT NEVERTHELESS I SHALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN IN THIS COUNCIL FOR ANOTHER FEW YEARS AND TO GIVE MY SUPPORT AS A BACK-BENCHER TO WHOEVER IS ELECTED AS MY SUCCESSOR IN JUST A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW.*
ON BEHALF OF ALL COUNCILLORS, MR CHEONG-LEEN BADE FAREWELL TO FIVE OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS — MR BROOK EERNACCHI, DR DENNY HUANG, MR EDMUND CHOW, MISS MARIA TAM AND MR AUGUSTINE CHUNG, AND PAID TRIBUTE TO THEIR LONG, LOYAL AND DEDICATED SERVICE.
MR CHEONG-LEEN ALSO EXTENDED A HEARTY WELCOME TO THE FIVE NEW COUNCILLORS WHOSE TERMS WILL BEGIN ON APRIL 1, MR CHAN KWOK-MING, MS CHEUNG WAI-PING, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG, MS FOK PUI-YEE AND MR MAN SAI-CHEONG. HE HOPED THAT THEY WOULD JOIN HANDS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS IN PERFORMING COUNCIL WORK AND SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
o -
SERVICES FOR ELDERLY TO CONTINUE GROWING * * * *
IN THE FACE OF A GROWING ELDERLY POPULATION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN GREATER EMPHASIS IN RECENT YEARS TO DEVELOP A WIDE RANGE CF SERVICES FOR OLD PEOPLE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, r«S ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF NEW TERRITORIES, SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PEOPLE AGED 60 AND OVER IN 1984 WAS 594 800, AND THAT THIS WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 688 800 BY 1988 AND 737 100 BY 1990.
WHILE LISTING THE VARIOUS FORMS OF ASSISTANCE FOR THE AGED, SHE NOTED THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENCOURAGE THE ELDERLY TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH ELDERLY MEMBERS AT HOME.
IN FINANCIAL TERMS, A SINGLE ELDERLY PERSON WITHOUT ANY MEANS CF SUPPORT COULD RECEIVE A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $1 041 IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PER MONTH COMPRISING $510 FOR THE BASIC RATE, »276 FOR RENT AND $255 FOR OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT.
/+SIXTY-THREE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
- 8
♦ SIXTY-THREE PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CASELOAD CF ABOUT 62 OOO ARE OLD PEOPLE,* MRS CHAN SAID.
ELDERLY PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 70 ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AN OLD AGE ALLOWANCE OF $255 WHICH IS NON-MEANS-TESTED, AND AT PRESENT 86 PER CENT OF THE ELIGIBLE AGE GROUP ARE RECEIVING THIS ALLOWANCE.
♦ IN 1986-87, WE EXPECT 236 400 RECIPIENTS AND TOTAL PAYMENT OF $676.4 MILLION FOR THE YEAR,* MRS CHAN SAID.
OLD PEOPLE STAYING AT HOME COULD RECEIVE GOVERNMENT OR SUBVENTED ASSISTANCE IN THE FORMS OF FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICE, ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING HOME HELP AND DAY-CARE SERVICES.
HOME HELP INCLUDED SERVICES SUCH AS MEAL DELIVERY, PERSONAL HYGIENE, HOUSEHOLD WORK AND ESCORTING.
DAY-CARE SERVICES CONSISTED OF THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL CENTRES, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES AND DAY-CARE CENTRES IN THE fE IGHBOURHOOD OR IN THE DISTRICT WHERE THE ELDERLY PERSON LIVED.
FURTHER ASSISTANCE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO COULD TAKE CARE CF THEMSELVES INCLUDED PRIORITY SCHEME FOR ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS, SINGLETON UNITS AND SHARED FLATS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING.
♦ UNDER THE PRIORITY SCHEME FOR ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS FOR APPLICANTS WITH ELDERLY MEMBERS, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT GIVES FIRST CONSIDERATION TO PUBLIC HOUSING APPLICANTS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AGED 60 AND OVER.
♦THESE FAMILIES ARE USUALLY ALLOCATED PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS A YEAR AHEAD OF OTHER APPLICANTS,+ MRS CHAN SAID.
ALTHOUGH FAMILIES WERE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE CARE OF ELDERLY NEMBERS, MRS CHAN SAID IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT THERE WERE OLD PEOPLE WHO FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL OR OTHER REASONS COULD NOT CONTINUE TO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR ON THEIR OWN, AND WERE IN NEED OF ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WELFARE AGENCIES.
RESIDENTIAL SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY COULD BE CLASSIFIED INTO SHELTERED HOUSING, HOSTEL, HOME FOR THE AGED, AND CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES.
THERE WERE TWO SHELTERED HOUSING SCHEMES RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN SHA TIN AND WAN CHAI, AND TWO SCHEMES RUN BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY AT CHO YIU CHUEN AND JAT MIN CHUEN.
/IN JULY ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
9
IN JULY 1985 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY DECIDED THAT THE HOUSING -------------------------------- ------------ ------- UN|T |N
DEPARTMENT WOULD RESERVE PREMISES FOR A SHELTERED HOUSING EVERY NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WITH OVER 3 OOO FLATS.
EACH UNIT WOULD HAVE A CAPACITY OF 100 TO 150 PLACES THE FIRST OF THESE UNITS WAS SCHEDULED TO BE AVAILABLE IN 1986-87 FINANCIAL YEAR, MRS CHAN SAID.
AND
THE
HOSTELS CATERED TO THE ELDERLY IN NEED OF SUPPORT, SECURITY AND SOME SUPERVISION, AND USUALLY PROVIDED A SELF-CARE SECTION AND A MEAL SECTION FOR RESIDENTS WHO COULD NOT COPE WITH COOKING.
ELDERLY PEOPLE IN NEED OF A GREATER DEGREE OF CARE COULD BE ADMITTED TO HOMES FOR THE AGED, CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES OR INFIRMARIES.
AT PRESENT ALL CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES WERE PURPOSE-BUILT, BUT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS NOW OFFERING PREMISES IN NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES FOR HOMES FOR THE AGED, EACH ATTACHED WITH
A CARE AND ATTENTION UNIT.
♦THE FIRST OF THESE HOMES AND EXPECTED TO BEGIN OPERATION IN THE MRS CHAN SAID.
ALL SUCH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
CARE AND ATTENTION UNITS IS FINANCIAL YEAR OF 1987-88,+
WERE FEE-CHARGING THOUGH ON
* ^*yiLY SUBSIDISED BASIS, SO THAT NO ELDERLY PEOPLE WOULD BE BARRED FROM ADMISSION ON FINANCIAL GROUNDS.
GIVEN A GROWING ELDERLY POPULATION, IT WAS NOT DIFFICULT TO APPRECIATE WHY IN RECENT YEARS SO MUCH EMPHASIS HAD BEEN GIVEN TO DEVELOPING THIS WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND OPTIONS FOR OLD PEOPLE, SHE SAID.
♦THIS EMPHASIS WILL CONTINUE BUT IT CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED THAT THE OLD AMONG US IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT FAMILIES AND SOCIETY AT LARGE MUST SHARE.
♦GOVERNMENT ALONE CANNOT HOPE TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE,♦ SHE ADDED.
- C -
/10
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
10
LEARNING MORE ABOUT METRICATION OF WEATHER SERVICES * * * *
FURTHER PUBLICITY ON THE USE OF METRIC UNITS FOR THE PUBLIC WEATHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL START TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY). A SERIES OF SPECIALLY PREPARED ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST (API) ON THE USE OF METRIC UNITS IN THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SERVICE WILL BE BROADCAST BY TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS.
THE FIRST TWO IN THE API SERIES WILL INTRODUCE THE METRIC UNITS OF DISTANCE AND SPEED OF MOVEMENT OF TROPICAL CYCLONE SYSTEMS. KILOMETRES (KM) WILL BE USED IN TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING BULLETINS IN RELATING THE DISTANCE OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE TO A PLACE AND KILOMETRES PER HOUR (KM/H) TO INDICATE THE SPEED OF MOVEMENT CF TROPICAL CYCLONE.
THE STAND BY SIGNAL NO. 1, FOR EXAMPLE, MEANS A TROPICAL CYCLONE IS CENTRED WITHIN 800 KILOMETRES OF HONG KONG AND MAY LATER AFFECT US. AS A RULE OF THUMB, A TROPICAL CYCLONE TRAVELLING AT 30 KM/H IS A FAST MOVING TROPICAL CYCLONE WHILE A MOVEMENT SPEED OF 10 KM/H WOULD IMPLY A SLOWING MOVING TROPICAL CYCLONE.
THE THIRD API INTRODUCES THE CLASSIFICATION OF WIND SPEEDS IN KILOMETRES PER HOUR. LIGHT WINDS ARE 2 TO 12 KM/H, MODERATE 13 TO 30 KM/H, FRESH 31 TO 40 KM/H AND STRONG 41 TO 62 KM/H.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID THAT PUBLICITY ON THE METRICATION OF THE PUBLIC WEATHER SERVICES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNINGS WAS LAUNCHED AT THIS TIME CF THE YEAR TO FAMILIARISE THE PUBLIC WITH THE USE OF METRIC UNITS IN TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING BULLETINS BEFORE THE APPROACH CF THE TYPHOON SEASON.
LEAFLETS CONTAINING INFORMATION ON THE METRIC UNITS USED ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY OR ANY DISTRICT OFFICE.
-----c----------
CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES * * * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT CHILDREN WHO FAILED TO SECURE A DISCRETIONARY PRIMARY ONE PLACE AT PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY APPLIED LAST SEPTEMBER WILL BE CENTRALLY ALLOCATED A PLACE IN A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL.
PARENTS OF THESE CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT ON HOW TO COLLECT FROM SPECIFIED CENTRES A +CHOICE OF SCHOOLS* PRO-FORMA BETWEEN SUNDAY (MARCH 16) AND NEXT WEDNESDAY (MARCH 19) FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM.
/PARENTS WILL
'HJESIMV, MARCH 11. 1986
11
PARENTS WILL ALSO RECEIVE FOR THEIR INFORMATION A LIST OF ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS LOCATED IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SAME CENTRE WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARENTS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE LETTER BY SUNDAY (MARCH 16) SHOULD CONTACT THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT ON 5-724383 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
DUE TO THE UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC SECTOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS, PARENTS SHOULD NOTE THAT A NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PLACES HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED PLACES FROM SCHOOLS IN NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS TO MAKE GOOD THE SHORTFALL.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN ASSURED THAT WHEREVER POSSIBLE CHILDREN WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO A SCHOOL NEAR THEIR HOME.
THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION IS SOLELY BASED ON PARENTS’ CHOICES WITH NO REFERENCE TO THE POINTS SYSTEM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A RANDOMISATION METHOD WILL BE USED TO ENSURE FAIRNESS TO ALL APPLICANTS WHEN A SCHOOL IS OVERSUBSCRIBED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARENTS WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVED HOUSE OR ARE ABOUT TO MOVE TO ANOTHER DISTRICT ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT INFORMED SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO ALLOCATE A PLACE TO THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR NEW HOME DISTRICT.
RESULTS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PLACES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN JUNE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----c ----
LOOK-AND-LEARN VISIT TO TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
******
MEMBERS OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AS PART OF THE COMMITTEE’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO PROMOTE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR TAI CHIN-WAH SAID, +wE ARE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT ANd SUCCESS OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AS WE ALSO HAVE AN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN YUEN LONG, OFFERING THE SAME FACILITIES AN., SAME INCENTIVES FOR INVESTMENT.
/+WE ANTICIPATE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
12 -
+WE ANTICIPATE THAT AS THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE REACHEd ITS FULL CAPACITY LATER THIS YEAR, THE INDUSTRIAL LAND AVAILABLE IN THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WILL QUICKLY BE TAKEN UP,+ HE SAID.
♦OUR VISIT TODAY, APART FROM ENABLING US TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH OFFICIALS OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CORPORATION, ALSO ALLOWS OUR MEMBERS TO STUDY ON-THE-SPOT THE SUCCESS OF OUR COUNTERPART. THIS WILL HELP US FORMULATE OUR FUTURE STRATEGY IN ENCOURAGING INDUSTRIALISTS TO ESTABLISH A BASE IN YUEN LONG.
♦IT IS ENCOURAGING TO LEARN FROM THE CORPORATION THAT THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES FROM BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INDUSTRIALISTS ABOUT THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE HAS BEEN PICKING UP.+
MR TAI WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH SO MANY MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS COMING UP IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WOULD SOON BECOME A POPULAR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT HEADLAND.
CITING EXAMPLES, HE SAID THE MOST PROMISING DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM WHICH WOULD GREATLY IMPROVE THE TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN YUEN LONG
AND TUEN MUN.
THE OTHER LARGE PROJECT WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF HONG KONG’ THIRD CROSS-BORDER HIGHWAY AT LOK MA CHAU WHICH WOULD LINK UP WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, PROVIDING A FAST ACCtbo TO CHINA UPON ITS COMPLETION IN 1988.
♦THE IMPROVED COMMUNICATION NETWORK WILL GREATLY ENHANCE YUEN LONG’S STRATEGIC POSITION AS A COMMERCIAL CENTRE OR SERVICE SUPPORT BASE FOR ESTABLISHING BORDER TRADE OPERATIONS.+
MOREOVER, THESE MAJOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS ARE BEING MATCHED BY NEW HOUSING PLANS.
THE LONG PING ESTATE WHICH IS VIRTUALLY NEXT TO THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IS NEARING COMPLETION. THE FIRST INTAKE OF POPULATION WILL COMMENCE IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS AND BY 1987, IT WILL HOUSE 40 000 PEOPLE. IN THE 1990’S, COUPLED WITH THE POPULATION OF THE TIN SHU I WAI NEW TOWN, YUEN LONG WILL HAVE AN AMPLE SUPPLY INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE.
DURING TODAY’S VISIT, BOARD MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY THE CORPORATION’S MANAGER, MR FRANCIS LEUNG, AFTER WHICH THEY TOURED A FACTORY IN THE ESTATE WHICH MANUFACTURES ALUMINIUM BEVERAGE CANS, AND THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
0--------
/1J.......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
13
CLEARANCE OPERATION IN CAUSEWAY BAY X * * M
FORTY-TWO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT THE REAR LANE OF 36-66 JARDINE’S BAZAAR IN CAUSEWAY BAY ARE BEING REMOVED IN A CLEARANCE OPERATION WHICH BEGAN TODAY (TUESDAY).
TWENTY-EIGHT OF THE STRUCTURES WERE USED FOR STORAGE, WHILE 12 WERE DOMESTIC UNITS AND TWO FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
OF THE 31 PEOPLE AFFECTED, 12 WERE RE-HOUSED EITHER IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, WHILE 19 PEOPLE WERE FOUND TO BE INELIGIBLE FOR RE-HOUSING.
TODAY’S OPERATION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE, IS ONE OF A SERIES OF CLEARANCE EXERCISES CARRIED OUT IN THE DISTRICT TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN A FEW DAYS’ TIME.
KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION PODIUM TO BE EXTENDED * * * *
WORK ON EXTENDING THE EXISTING PODIUM AT KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION WILL START BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH.
A 149.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WAS RECENTLY AWARDED BY THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. WORK WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A STEEL AND CONCRETE POD I UM WITH ASSOCIATED ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORK.
ON COMPLETION IN APRIL 1988, THE AREA OF THE PODIUM WILL BE INCREASED BY ONE HECTARE TO ABOUT 6.5 HECTARES.
THIS IS THE FINAL STAGE OF A DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AREA TO THE PODIUM TO ENHANCE TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE FACILITIES AT THE STATION.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PLAN, WHICH INCLUDED CONSTRUCTING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE EXTENSION AND RELAYING 1 600 METRES OF TRACK AT THE STATION’S GOODS YARD, WAS COMPLETED EARLY THIS YEAR.
0 -
fl
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 198-6
14 _
IMPROVEMENT TO PENG CHAU WATER SUPPLY
*****
A LARGER PIPELINE WILL BE LAID TO IMPROVE THE SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO PENG CHAU ISLAND.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF A 1 7OO-METRE SUBMARINE PIPE CONNECTING THE JUNCTION CHAMBER OFF SUNSHINE ISLAND TO PENG CHAU.
THE PIPE WHICH WILL BE 300 MM IN DIAMETER IS TO REPLACE THE PRESENT ONE WHICH IS TOO SMALL TO CATER FOR GROWING DEMAND.
WHEN WORK STARTS IN JULY, THE ISLAND’S POPULATION WILL RECEIVE WATER FROM SILVERMINE BAY THROUGH ANOTHER SUBMARINE PIPELINE.
THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN NINE MONTHS.
-------c ----------
APPROVAL GIVEN FOR OVERSEAS TRAINING * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) GAVE APPROVAL FOR TWO SERVING OFFICERS TO ATTEND SPECIALIST COURSES ON PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES OVERSEAS IN 1986-67.
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD PROPOSED SENDING AN ASSISTANT PEST CONTROL OFFICER TO ATTEND A 13-WEEK ATTACHMENT TRAINING WITH THE CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL IN THE UNITED STATES AND A HEALTH INSPECTORATE OFFICER TO ATTEND THE DIPLOMA COURSE IN HEALTH EDUCATION AT THE LEEDS POLYTECHNIC IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SPEAKING AT THE COMMITTEE MEETING, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING SCHOOL, MR ALBERT WONG, SAID ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ATTACHMENT TRAINING WITH THE CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL IS TO GIVE THE OFFICER THE NECESSARY EXPOSURE TO VARIOUS RELEVANT DISCIPLINES, PARTICULARLY IN RESEARCH TECHNIQUE AND ORGANISATION OF OPERATIONAL STRATEGY.
♦THE PURPOSE OF THE DIPLOMA COURSE IN HEALTH EDUCATION AT THE LEEDS POLYTECHNIC,♦ HE ADDED, *IS TO BUILD UP A NUCLEUS OF STAFF WITH SPECIALISED KNOWLEDGE IN HEALTH EDUCATION TO TAKE UP THE SPECIALIST RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION OF THE RSD.+
/THE COMMITTEE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
- 15 -
THE COMMITTEE ALSO GAVE ITS CONSENT TO SENDING A DEPARTMENTAL CFFICER TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CREMATION SOCIETY CF GREAT BRITAIN TO BE HELD AT TORQUAY, DEVON, FROM JULY 8 TO 10.
♦AS THE RSD HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DISPOSAL OF THE DEAD IN THE TERRITORY AND FOR PROMOTING CREMATION, IT WILL BENEFIT BY SENDING A DELEGATE TO THE CONFERENCE,♦ THE RSD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE), MR LI TIN-MING, SAID.
0 --------
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ON SATURDAY *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY ( MARCH 15) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL BIDDING. THEY OF 35 SPECIAL CAR ARE 1 NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
DG 882 DH1338 AZ5188 DH6686 DH3288
DH 336 DH2118 DG7832 BE 897 DH 590
DG8676 AW 36 AL1300 625 DH 880
BK 4 DH3228 DH 3 AF6126 CF2323
DH1222 DH8798 CC3882 DH2270 DJ8876
DH2373 CT2000 BL 278 CF8668 AZ 21
DF 3 DH 328 BC 43 DH 128 DJ1396
BIDDERS
MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING AND A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT "THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN
12 MONTHS OF AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 103RD ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
-----0------
/16.......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
16
TIN HAU TEMPLE GARDEN TO OPEN * * * *
RESIDENTS IN TSUEN WAN WILL HAVE ANOTHER RECREATION FACILITY TO ENJOY WITH THE OPENING OF THE TSUEN WAN TIN HAU TEMPLE GARDEN TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 4 PM AT WAI TSUEN ROAD, (NEAR LUK YEUNG SUN CHUEN AND THE JUNCTION OF MIU KONG STREET) TO MARK ITS OPENING.
AMONG THOSE PRESENT WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHAN LAU-FONG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
- 0-----------
OPENING HOURS OF STUDY ROOMS EXTENDED *****
THE STUDY ROOMS OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL EXTEND OPENING HOURS BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND JUNE 30 TO FACILITATE STUDENTS PREPARING FOR EXAMINATIONS.
ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY SPOKESMAN SAID.
ARE REGISTERED MEMBERS OF THESE LIBRARIES TO USE THE STUDY ROOMS, A DEPARTMENT
THE STUDY ROOMS WILL OPEN ON A TRl-SESSIONAL BASIS, 7 30 AM TO 1.30 PM- 1.45 PM TO 4.15 PM AND 4.30 PM TO 8. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK INCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
FROM
30 PM
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM SOUTH KWAI CHUNG, NORTH KWAI CHUNG, TSUEN WAN, YUEN LONG AND SAI KUNG PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THE THREE-MONTH OPENING PERIOD WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE PHASES - APRIL 1 TO MAY 10, MAY 11 TO MAY 31 AND JUNE 1 TO JUNE 30.
THOSE WISHING TO APPLY FOR THE FIRST TWO PHASES SHOULD RETURN THEIR APPLICATIONS BEFORE SATURDAY (MARCH 15) WHILE THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING THE THIRD PHASE IS MAY 17.
/APPLICATION OF .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986
17 -
APPLICATION OF SEATS WILL BE DECIDED BY BALLOT IF APPLICATIONS EXCEED THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE LIBRARY.
NAMES OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARDS OF THE FIVE LIBRARIES A WEEK AFTER THE CLOSING DATES. ADMISSION CARDS WILL BE ISSUED TO THEM LATER.
-----0------
BOARD MEMBERS IN CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE * * * * *
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CF VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS THURSDAY (MARCH 13) EVENING.
MEMBERS WILL MEET REPRESENTATIVES AT A CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE ON
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES WILL ACTIVITIES HALL
RURAL COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID ATTEND THE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN THE CULTURAL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 8 PM.
IT IS PART OF A SERIES OF SUCH MEETINGS ORGANISED BY THE tOARD WITH DIFFERENT SECTORS OF RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO STRENGTHEN MUTUAL COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING.
THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, WILL REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES.
u*veeTH,E, REGI0NAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. DR JAMES TWO^F’MAVPLAcITeTcnT^eC0NFERENCE AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES THOSE HAVE ASSISTED THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT BOARD
TO IN
CRGANISING ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
AND
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE
THE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES AT 8 PM ON THURSDAY AT THE TSUEN
WAN TOWN HALL.
- C ----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1936
18
NT BATHING SHEDS FOR LEASE * * * * *
NINE BATHING SHEDS ALONG THE WESTERN COAST OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR LEASE FROM APRIL 21 TO MARCH 31, 1988.
SEVEN SHEDS ARE AT APPROACH BEACH, ONE IS AT LIDO BEACH AND THE OTHER AT OLD CAFETERIA BEACH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THEY WILL BE LEASED BY PUBLIC BALLOT IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE RSD’S TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 10 AM ON APRIL 11.
THE ANNUAL PERMIT FEE FOR THE SHEDS RANGES FROM $2 500 TO $3 000. ONLY REGISTERED COMPANIES, CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART IN THE BALLOT.
APPLICATION FORMS, AT $50 EACH, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) UNTIL MARCH 26 AT THE ACCOUNTS OFFICE OF THE RSD, 5TH FLOOR, GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 136-138 AUSTIN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED EITHER IN PERSON OR BY POST TO THE RSD’S TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, FAR EAST BANK BUILDING, 135 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, BEFORE 1 PM ON APRIL 8 (TUESDAY). LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ENQUIRERS MAY CALL 0-444281 EXT. 431 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
- 0 - -
QUIZ COMPETITION FOR FIREMEN
*****
THE HONG KONG COMMAND OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) HELD A QUIZ COMPETITION TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND COMMON SENSE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE COMMAND.
FOUR DIVISIONS, INCLUDING EAST, WEST, CENTRAL AND OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND MARINE COMPETED IN THE ANNUAL EVENT, HELD FOR THE SECOND TIMES SINCE LAST YEAR.
CENTRAL SCORED THE HIGHEST MARK AND TOOK THE WINNERS’ TROPHY. THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF HONG KONG COMMAND, MR BRIAN FENDER, PRESENTED PRIZES AFTER THE COMPETITION AT HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION, WHICH wAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, NR ROBERT HOLMES, AND SENIOR FIRE OFFICERS.
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1936
19
MEET THE MEDIA * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING, MR A.R.B. -.'ILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (MARCH 13) AT 2.30 PM PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE
KITCHELL, IN THE GIS , CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
------0 -------
PROHIBITED ZONE AND PARKING SPACE SUSPENSION * * * * *
VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS, ’ I ILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE
CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS. =XCEPT THOSE FOR LOCAL ACCESS, SUM FOR ABOUT FIVE
WEEKS.
MEANWHILE. FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 14) TO MIg^GHT OF MARCH no rAD DADWIKIR ^PAPFS NO 5 6 AND 7 AT THE MUKKAT DAnnAur\s> _
MftK WILL BE SUSPENDED TO*FAC ILI TATE DRAINAGE DIVERSION WORKS THERt.
-------0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES ‘ BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
REVENUE BILL A SANE, MODERATE COMPROMISE — SIR JOHN....... 1
TAX BILL DEMONSTRATES SUCCESS OF CONSULTATION ............... 2
BILL MAKES FRAUDS FROM BANKS CRIMINAL........................ 5
HIGHER MAXIMUM PENALTY SOUGHT FOR FRAUDULENT OFFENCES .... 6
CHANGES TO TREATiiNT OF ADDICTS PROPOSED .................... 7
MOVE TO UPHOVE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL JURISDICTION ........... 9
CHINESE NAME OF COUNCIL TO BE CHANGED....................... 10
OIL POWERS FOR USE ONLY IN ♦EXTREME CRISIS*- ............... 12
SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTRE PLAN NEARLY READY.................. 13
EMPLOYEE MEDICAL BENEFITS TO BE REVIEWED ................... 14
RECRUITMENT OF QUALIFIED LAWYERS NOT A PROBLEM.............. 15
POLLUTION CONTROL EFFORT TO AFFECT ALL ..................... 16
WORKERS PROTECTED BY RADIATION REGULATIONS ................. 17
ASBESTOS RISK FROM COMPLETED BUILDINGS LOW ................. 18
RESTRICTIONS AGAINST FREE MARKET NOT PART OF POLICY....... 19
WAYS STUDIED TO DEAL WITH FALSE BURGLAR ALARMS ............. 20
VICE PREMISES PROPOSED SCHEME BEING RE-EXAMINED............. 21
ACTION BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT......... 22
WIDER PUBLIC ROLE IN ADVISORY BODIES POSSIBLE............... 23
LYRICS WERE NOT OBJECTIONABLE, LEGCO TOLD................... 24
CONTENTS OF NEWSPAPER ADS MONITORED DAILY................... 24
EVENTS ORGANISED FOR WORLD HEALTH DAY....................... 25
RATS PROBLEM IN PUBLIC ESTATES WILL REDUCE.................. 26
SPECIAL FEATURES IN LIGHT RalL FOR DISABLED................. 27
/HIGHER PENALTIES.......
HIGHER PENALTIES FOR LaTE TRADE DECLARATIONS ............... 28
T'./O DEGREE COURSES VALIDATED FOR BAPTIST COLLEGE.......... 28
CITY POLYTECHNIC TO FURTHER ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY......... 29
PLACES SET FOR CU MEDICaL INTERNS .......................... 31
FUNDS APPROVED FOR GOVT SERVICES ........................... 31
FIVE BILLS PASSED ......................................... 31-
GOOD MANAGEMENT HELPS AVOID LaBOUR DISPUTES.................... 32
FEATURES OF EEC MANDATE FOR TALKS SEI' OUT..................... 33
DATE SET FOR HK-U.S. TEXTILE TaLKS ............................ 33
TSUEN WAN TIN HAU TEMPLE GARDEN OPENS ......................... 34
CALL TO APPLY EARLY- -FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS .................... 35
NEW COMPANY TO SERVE INDUSTRY.................................. 35
DB TO DISCUSS BILLIARD SALOONS CONTROL ........................ 36
PENG CHAU BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES DECLARED DANGEROUS............. 36
ROOFTOP STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED ............................... 37
SPORTS SCHEME FOR SaI KUNG REMOTE VILLAGES .................... 37
AWARDS FOR POSTER DESIGN’WINNERS............................... 38
SEMINAR CN SECURITY IN INDUSTRIAL BUIIDE1GS ................... 38
REVIED OF YOUTH YEAR .......................................... 39
PRESS CONFERENCE ON TV QUIZ ................................... 40
TV PROGRAMME ON KWAI. CHUNG-, ’ TSING YI ...................... 40
eastern district bcard to meet ................................ 41
TUEN MUN, MONG KOK TRAFFIC CHaNGES ............................ 42
BUS-LANE IN CINTRaL. SUSPENDED................................. 42
TUrN MUN 'WATER CUT .......................................... 42
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
REVENUE BILL A SANE, MODERATE COMPROMISE — SIR JOHN
******
THE FINAL OUTCOME FROM CONSULTATIONS ON THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WAS + A SANE AND MODERATE COMPROMISE THAT SERVES THE INTERESTS OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING JUST BEFORE MOVING SOME AMENDMENTS AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL, SIR JOHN EXTENDED HIS GRATITUDE TO THE HON PETER POON AND THE HON RITA FAN ON THEIR SPEECHES ON THE BILL AND TO THE UMELCO COMMITTEE IN GENERAL FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTIVE AND PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO THE BILL.
THE BILL, HE SAID, HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO THE CLOSEST EXAMINATION SINCE IT WAS PUBLISHED IN JULY LAST YEAR, AND SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED IN RESPONSE TO MANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO UMELCO AND THE ADMINISTRATION BY THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY.
+ THIS HAS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS AND THE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE PLAYING IN EXAMINING NEW LEGISLATION,* SIR JOHN SAID.
HE AGREED THAT THE BILL REPRESENTED +A REASONABLE BALANCE* BETWEEN THE NEED ON THE ONE HAND TO INCREASE THE POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE TO COMBAT TAX AVOIDANCE AND ON THE OTHER TO ENSURE THAT THERE WERE SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF TAXPAYERS.
SIR JOHN SAID THAT THE COMMISSIONER WOULD BE ISSUING PRACTICE NOTES COVERING THE NEW LEGISLATION +HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE END OF APRIL,* DESIGNED TO REFLECT THE LAW BOTH IN LETTER AND SPIRIT.
HE ALSO CONFIRMED THAT SECTIONS 61A AND B WOULD ONLY BE USED TO STRIKE DOWN BLATANT AND CONTRIVED SCHEMES WHERE THERE WAS +A CLEAR AND DOMINANT TAX AVOIDANCE PURPOSE.*
+IT IS NOT THE INTENTION TO USE THE LAW TO PENALISE GENUINE COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS,* HE SAID.
REFERRING TO COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS HE PROPOSED, SIR JOHN SAID THEY WERE RELATIVELY MINOR AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 16(2)(F) AND COMPRISED THREE REFINEMENTS TO THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH INTEREST PAID BY CORPORATIONS WOULD BE DEDUCTIBLE FOR PROFITS TAX PURPOSES.
THE MOST IMPORTANT, HE SAID, WAS AMENDMENT TO SECTION 16(2)(F) (III).
/THIS, HE .........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
2
THIS, HE SAID, WOULD EXTEND DEDUCTIBILITY TO INTEREST PAID WHERE THE MONEY BORROWED ORIGINATED IN THE ISSUE BY AN ASSOCIATED CORPORATION OF MARKETABLE, THOUGH UNLISTED, +COMMERCIAL PAPER.*
+THIS IS THE LOGICAL REFINEMENT TO THE EXTENSION TO SECTION 16(2) PROPOSED IN THE BILL AND SHOULD HELP FOSTER HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE,* SIR JOHN SAID.
OTHER REFINEMENTS WERE MINOR CHANGES TO ENSURE THAT THE SECTION COULD APPLY TO ISSUES BY CORPORATIONS WHOSE ORDINARY BUSINESS WAS NOT THE RAISING OF FUNDS, AND TO TREAT EQUALLY ISSUES WHICH WERE MARKETABLE IN APPROVED FINANCIAL CENTRES WITH THOSE WHICH WERE MARKETABLE IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR THE UMELCO SUPPORT, SIR JOHN SAID* +BOTH THEY AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE ARE WISE ENOUGH NOT TO BE UNDULY PERTURBED BY THE SNARLING OF VARIOUS VESTED INTERESTS AS THEY PROWL THROUGH THE JUNGLES OF OUR TAX LAW,* SIR JOHN SAID.
---------o ----------
TAX BILL DEMONSTRATES SUCCESS OF CONSULTATION ******
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WAS DESCRIBED AS A DEMONSTRATION OF SUCCESSFUL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE HON PETER POON SAID THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE UMELCO AD HOC INLAND REVENUE REVIEW PANEL AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH REPRESENTATIONS HAD RESULTED IN A PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH HE FELT WAS BOTH +ACCEPTABLE AND SUITABLE TO HONG KONG*.
+THE NEW LEGISLATION WILL GO A LONG WAY TO REDUCE TAX AVOIDANCE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH HAVE HITHERTO BEEN CONSIDERABLE UNDER OUR SIMPLE TAX LAW,* HE SAID.
MR POON SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE BILL IN ITS PRESENT FORM WOULD BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THREE MAIN OBJECTIVES.
+FIRSTLY, IT IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE AND CONFORMS WITH HONG KONG’S TAX PHILOSOPHY.
+SECONDLY, IT GIVES THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE ADEQUATE POWER TO TACKLE TAX-AVOIDANCE SCHEMES OR TRANSACTIONS.
/♦LASTLY, BUT .......
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 12, 1986
♦LASTLY, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, IT CONTAINS SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSE OF POWER BY THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT,+ HE SAID.
MR POON SAID IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WOULD EXERCISE HIS POWER UNDER SUCH ANT I-AVOI DANCE LEGISLATION MAINLY AGAINST BLATANT TAX-AVOIDANCE SCHEMES OR CONTRIVED TRANSACTIONS.
THE NEW SECTIONS 61A AND 61B WERE BOTH SUBJECT TO THE OVERRIDING REQUIREMENT THAT THE ’SOLE AND DOMINANT MOTIVE’ WAS TAX-AVOIDANCE AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT AFFECT GENUINE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS OR TRANSACTIONS NOT ENTERED INTO PRINCIPALLY WITH TAX AVOIDANCE MOTIVE, OR PROPER DEDUCTIONS OR ALLOWANCES UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, HE NOTED.
AS FAR AS LEASING WAS CONCERNED, HE SAID THE NEW SECTION 39E WOULD ONLY AFFECT THE TWO TYPES OF TAX-BASED LEASING MENTIONED THEREIN. WHICH IF UNABATED, WOULD CONTINUE TO RESULT IN HUGE TAX DEFERRAL AND POSSIBLY IN SOME CASES EVENTUAL LOSS OF REVENUE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
+ | HAVE BEEN ASSURED BY THE COMMISSIONER THAT IF THE BILL IS PASSED, THE ANT I-AVOI DANCE PROVISION WOULD BE USED WITH PROPER DISCRETION AND ONLY WHEN IT IS REALLY NECESSARY.
+ | BELIEVE THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF SUCH PROVISIONS IS OF GREAT VALUE IN PROTECTING OUR TAX REVENUE.
♦THERE SHOULD BE NO FEAR THAT WE WILL CREATE A TAX MONSTER. OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE MUCH MORE DRASTIC AND COMPLICATED ANT I-AVOI DANCE LEGISLATION,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THE PRACTICE NOTES ON THE NEW LEGISLATION CONTAINING GENERAL GUIDELINES INCLUDING TAX CLEARANCE PROCEDURES SHOULD BE ISSUED BY THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR POON RECALLED THAT THE BILL WAS PUBLISHED IN DRAFT FORM IN JULY 1985 AND AN UMELCO AD HOC INLAND REVENUE REVIEW PANEL WAS FORMED SOON AFTER TO STUDY THE BILL AND TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIONS.
THE GROUP RECEIVED OVER 40 REPRESENTATIONS AND HELD MEETINGS WITH INTERESTED PARTIES AND THE ADMINISTRATION RESULTING IN THE GROUP MAKING A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DRAFT BILL.
PRACTICALLY ALL THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
THE BILL IN ITS PRESENT FORM WAS PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 17, 1986 AND A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP WITH MR POON AS THE CONVENER WAS FORMED TO STUDY IT.
/EIGHT REPRESENTATIONS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAHCH 12, 1986
4
EIGHT REPRESENTATIONS HAD SINCE BEEN RECEIVED AND THE GROUP HAD CAREFULLY STUDIED ALL THE SUGGESTIONS MADE AND HAD HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
APART FROM THE MINOR AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL ON DEDUCTIONS ALLOWED IN RESPECT OF INTEREST ON DEBENTURES OF SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS, MR POON SAID IT WAS FELT THAT THERE WERE NO NEW EVIDENCE OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH WOULD JUSTIFY FURTHER AMENDMENTS.
ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION, THE HON RITA FAN SAID SHE BELIEVED THE BILL WAS NEEDED FOR HONG KONG.
SHE COMPLIMENTED THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY "OR THE LEVEL OF UNDERSTAND-! NG'‘AND CO-OPERATION THEY ACHIEVED IN THE FORMULATION OF THIS BILL.
HOWEVER, SHE NOTED THAT THOUGH THE OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL WAS ELL SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITY,, THERE WERE STILL CONCERNS AMONG THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT SECTION 61A AND B MIGHT BE APPLIED IN .. ^UCH A BANNER THAT GENUINE COMMERCIALJTRANSACT IONS COULD BE CAUGHT, THUS RESULTING IN COMPLICATIONS AND UNFORESEEN LIABILITIES.^
SHE SAID IT WOULD EASE PEOPLE’S DOUBT IF THE ADMINISTRATION
AS ABLE TO'XONFI RM THAT GENUINE INTRA-GROUP REGROUPINGS OR T" -COMPANY TRANSFER OF PROFIT WOULD NOT BE CAUGHT BY THESE ■ECTIONS UNLESS THERE WAS A CLEAR TAX' AVOIDANCE PURPOSE.
SHE PpftNTED OUT THAT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION ■£ ''ADE WAS IN THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S PRACTICE NOTES.
THE PRACTICE NOTES WERE ACCORDED A HIGH STATUS BY THE PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND WERE CONSIDERED TO THE RULES OF THE GAME, MRS FAN OBSERVED.
+ 1- THE RULES ARE NOT CLEAR, OR THE RULES ARE NOT SEEN AS FAIR ,\D EQUITABLE, THEN THE PRUDENT BUSINESSMEN SIMPLY WILL NOT PLAY THE GAME.
+ON THE OTHER HAND, IF THE RULES ARE PERCEIVED TO REFLECT TJ- AC7JAL LAW, BOTH IN LETTER AND IN SPIRIT, THEN THE CONFIDENCE THE BUSINESSMEN WILL BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED BOTH LOCALLY AND I. TERNAT I ORALLY,* SHE'SAID.
+ IF T'HE BUSINESS COMMUNITY PERCEIVES AND ACCEPTS THESE NOTES IS REASONABLE, EQUITABLE- AND CLEAR, THEN ANY LINGERING DOUBTS ABOUT T-iE INTENTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION FOR ENACTING THESE ANTI-TAX-hVOIDANCE LEGISLATION CAN BE EFFECTIVELY REMOVED,+ SHE ADDED.
------------C'-----------------
/5........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1936
5
BILL MAKES FRAUDS FROM BANKS CRIMINAL *****
TO BRING THE
NEW PROVISIONS CREDIT BY DECEPTION WITHIN THE AMBIT OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY OF OBTAINING FROM BANKS OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES CLEARLY THE CRIMINAL LAW WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE THEFT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE ATTOR’!'-> GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID THAT IN THE COURSE OF PROSECUT IN& COMMERCIAL CRIMES, HIS CHAMBERS HAD ENCOUNTERED D4FFICU’ TIES UNDER THE EXISTING LAW IN DEALING WITH CERTAIN FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS CARRIED OUT FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING CREDIT FROM BANKS OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
HE GAVE A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF A PERSON DISHONESTLY AND BY TECEPTION INDUCING A BANK TO LEND HIM SOME MONEY. THE PROCEEDS CF THE LOAN ARE’TRANSFERRED TO AN ACCOUNT IN HIS NAME IN THAT BANK « DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY. THE PERSON THEN DISBURSES THE AMOUNT OF THE LOAN FROM HIS ACCOUNT.
+IN ITS PRESENT FORM, OUR VIEW IS THAT THE THEFT ORDINANCE DOES NOT CLEARLY FAKE SUCH FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY ILLEGAL,+ HE SAID.
MR THOMAS SAID IT WAS, OF COURSE, AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 17 CF THE THEFT ORDINANCE TO OBTAIN DISh6nESTLY PROPERTY BELONGING TO ANOTHER BY DECEPTION.
+BUT IN MY EXAMPLE, THE SUM WHICH FORMS THE LOAN OBTAINED FRAUDULENTLY IS CREATED AT THE MOMENT WHEN THE BANK OR DEPOSIT-TAK ING COMPANY AND THE FRAUDULENT BORROWER COME TO AN AGREEMENT. S IT IS NOT THOUGHT APPROPRIATE TO CHARGE AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 17.
♦ALTHOUGH IT IS ALSO AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 18 OF THE THEFT ORDINANCE TO OBTAI’ DISHONESTLY AN OVERDRAFT BY DECEPTION, THE BETTER VIEW IS THAT THE NEW LOAN, IN MY EXAMPLE, DOES NOT FALL To EE DEALT WITH AS AN OVERDRAFT.
♦NOR ARE ANY OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE THEFT ORDINANCE, SUCH AS THE OFFENCE OF OBTAINING SERVICES BY DECEPTION, PROCURING THE EXECUTION OF A VALUABLE SECURITY BY DECEPTION 6r FURNISHING FALSE INFORMATION; THOUGHT TO FIT THE KIND OF TRANSACTION IN MY EXAMPLE,* HE SAID.
THE BEST COURSE THEREFORE, MR THOMAS SAID, WAS TO ENACT NEW PROVISIONS TO MAKE THESE AND SIMILAR ACTIVITIES CRIMINAL, AS THEY SHOULD BE.
♦CLAUSE 2 OF THIS BILL MAKES IT AN OFFENCE TO OBTAIN BY DECEPTION CREDIT FROM BANKS OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES. CLAUSE 3 OF THE Blf CREATES A NEW OFFENCE FOR A PERSON DISHONESTLY TO PROCURE B* DECEPTION THE MAKING OF AN ENTRY IN THE RECORD OF A BANK OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY,* HE SAID.
/MR THOMAS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
6 -
MR THOMAS SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN IN THE BILL TO PERMIT HIGHER LEVELS OF PENALTY FOR CERTAIN OFFENCES IN THs EXISTING THEFT ORDINANCE.
THESE INCLUDE i FALSE ACCOUNTING, MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS E< COMPANY DIRECTORS AND SUPPRESSION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS.
♦IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE EXISTING MAXIMUM PENALTY OF SEVEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR THESE OFFENCES BE INCREASED TO 10 YEARS TO REFLECT THE TRUE SERIOUSNESS OF THESE OFFENCES,* HE SAID.
EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG SHOWED THAT THE COMPLEXITY AND SCALE OF THE FRAUDS INVOLVED IN SUCH OFFENCES OFTEN WARRANTED A HIGHEF PENALTY THAN WAS PRESENTLY PRESCRIBED.
+THE PROPOSALS WILL PUT THE MAXIMUM LEVEL FOR THESE OFFENCES ON A PAR WITH OTHER OFFENCES OF A SIMILAR NATURE IN THE ORDINANCE,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THE LAW SOCIETY, THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LA* FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE BILL.
THE LAW SOCIETY SUPPORTED THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED, WHILE TuC BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW FACULTY OFFERED A NUMBER OF DETAILED BAR ASSUUIAMUN RAD s (fjCE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, HE
COMMENTS ON SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
HIGHER MAXIMUM PENALTY *
SOUGHT FOR FRAUDULENT OFFENCES * * * * X
A BILL SEEKING TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IMPOSED ON A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF THE OFFENCE OF CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD FROM SEVEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT TO 14 YEARS WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1996, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID THE REASON FOR THE PROPOSAL WAS THAT A MAXIMUM OF SEVEN YEARS WAS CLEARLY OUT OF LINE WITH THE PENALTIES PRESCRIBED IN OTHER ORDINANCES FOR COMPARABLE OFFENCES INVOLVING FRAUD.
+FOR INSTANCE,* HE SAID, +UNDER THE CRIMES ORDINANCE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR MAKING A FALSE ENTRY IN A BANK BOOK WITH INTENT TO DEFRAUD IS LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR FORGING A VALUABLE SECURITY IS 14 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
/♦THE OFFENCE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 7 -
+THE OFFENCE OF HANDLING STOLEN GOODS UNDER THE THEFT ORDINANCE, WHICH COULD INCLUDE MONEY OBTAINED BY DECEPTION, HAS A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 14 YEARS.*
THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR OTHER FRAUDULENT OFFENCES UNDER THE THEFT ORDINANCE SUCH AS OBTAINING PROPERTY BY DECEPTION WERE GENERALLY IN THE REGION OF 10 YEARS, MR THOMAS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AS CONSPIRACIES TO DEFRAUD OFTEN INVOLVED THE COMMISSION OF SEVERAL SUCH FRAUDULENT OFFENCES, A HIGHER PENALTY WAS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE.
+INDEED, IN A RECENT CASE OF CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD WHICH INVOLVED IN EXCESS OF $30 MILLION, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WAS IMPOSED AND THE JUDGE CRITICISED THE FACT THAT THE POWER OF THE COURTS WAS LIMITED TO A SEVEN-YEAR TERM OF IMPRISONMENT,* HE NOTED.
MR THOMAS SAID THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND HAD NOT OBJECTED TO THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT CONCERN HAD BEEN EXPRESSED BY SOM" MEMBERS OF THE BAR THAT THIS PROPOSAL MIGHT ENCOURAGE THE GREATER USE OF THIS OFFENCE BY PROSECUTORS WITH THE CONSEQUENT RISK THAT CONSPIRATORS MIGHT RECEIVE HIGHER SENTENCES THAN THEY DESERVED.
MR THOMAS ASSURED THAT THE PROSECUTORS WOULD CONTINUE TO ADVISE THAT THE MOST APPROPRIATE OFFENCES SHOULD BE CHARGED.
+ANYHOW, THE COURTS SHOULD IN EVERY CASE IMPOSE THE SENTENCE WHICH THEY THINK TO BE APPROPRIATE TO THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, SUBJECT ONLY TO THE MAXIMUM,* HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0-----
CHANGES TO TREATMENT OF ADDICTS PROPOSED * * * * *
CHANGES TO THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS WERE CONTAINED IN A BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID THE BILL WAS BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF A WORKING GROUP APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN 1984 TO REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES ORDINANCE AND ASSOCIATED TREATMENT PROGRAMMEo FOR DRUG ADDICTS.
/he said
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
8
HE SAID THE FIRST PROPOSAL IN THE BILL WAS TO REDUCE THE MINIMUM DETENTION PERIOD OF A PERSON DETAINED IN AN ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE FROM FOUR MONTHS TO TWO MONTHS.
EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT MANY DRUG ADDICTS RESPONDED RAPIDLY TO TREATMENT AND DID NOT NEED TO BE DETAINED FOR AS LONG AS FOUR MONTHS, HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE SECOND PROPOSAL, MR THOMAS SAID THAT AT PRESE?i THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT IF A PERSON IS SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING TWO YEARS WHEN HE IS ALREADY THE SUBJECT OF A SUPERVISION ORDER, OR RECALL ORDER, MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, OR A DETENTION ORDER, THAT ORDER IS SUSPENDED FOR THE DURATION OF THE PERIOD OF IMPRISONMENT BUT AGAIN TAKES EFFECT WHEN THAT PERIOD EXPIRES.
THE BILL SOUGHT TO REDUCE THE MAXIMUM PERIOD OF IMPRISONMENT FROM TWO YEARS TO NINE MONTHS.
MR THOMAS SAID THIS AMENDMENT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY BECAUSE AN ADDICT WHO SERVED A PRISON SENTENCE OF LONGER THAN ABOUT NINE MONTHS TENDED TO BECOME STIGMATISED AS A PRISONER.
♦HE TENDS TO BE LESS WILLING TO CO-OPERATE DURING AFTER-CARE, AND FURTHER DETENTION IN A DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE PRODUCE LITTLE IN THE WAY OF IMPROVED BEHAVIOUR.
♦RETURNING SUCH A PERSON TO A TREATMENT CENTRE, OR TO SUPERVISION, AFTER NINE MONTHS OR MORE OF IMPRISONMENT IS GENERALL FOUND TO BE UNPRODUCTIVE,* HE SAID.
THE THIRD PROPOSAL SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT A PERSON RELEASED FROM A TREATMENT CENTRE BUT SUBSEQUENTLY RECALLED WOULD IN MOST CASES HAVE THE BENEFIT OF FURTHER SUPERVISION WHEN RELEASED THE SECOND TIME.
MR THOMAS SAID THERE WAS NO PROVISION AT PRESENT FOR A PERSON RELEASED FROM RECALL TO BE PROVIDED WITH FURTHER SUPERVISION AND SO A PERSON WAS DEPRIVED OF SUPERVISION AT THE TIME WHEN HE WAo POSSIBLY MOST IN NEED OF IT.
FINALLY, IF A PERSON WHO WAS THE SUBJECT OF A SUPERVISION ORDER WAS BROUGHT BEFORE A COURT ON A CRIMINAL MATTER AND PLACED ON PROBATION, THE LAW AT PRESENT PROVIDED FOR DUAL SUPERVISION, BY BOTH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND THE DIRECT^ CF SOCIAL WELFARE.
+THIS IS CLEARLY AN UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION OF EFFORT AND A WASTE OF RESOURCES. SO THE BILL PROVIDES THAT IN SUCH CASES THE SUPERVISION ORDER MADE UNDER THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES ORDINANCE WILL LAPSE.*
MR THOMAS TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THESE WERE ALL VALUABLE CHANGES TO THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS AND DESERVED SUPPORT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0 -
/9........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 193*
9
MOVE TO IMPROVE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL JURISDICTION * * * * *
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE JURISDICTION OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL AND TO AMEND THE TIME LIMITS FOR HEARING A CLAIM WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE JURISDICTION OF THE TRIBUNAL BE INCREASED FROM $5 000 TO $8 000 TO MAKE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE TRIBUNAL’S SERVICES MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE.
♦ THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY HAVE AGREED THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN INCREASE IN THE TRIBUNAL’S JURISDICTION,* l£ SAID.
MR THOMAS SAID THE EXISTING LIMIT OF $5 000 HAD APPLIED SINCE FEBRUARY 1982 AND THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAD SEEN SOME CHANGE IN THE VALUE OF MONEY.
♦ AND MEANWHILE THE JURISDICTION OF THE DISTRICT COUR’, ..H-E'.E CLAIMS IN EXCESS OF $5 000 HAVE TO BE LODGED, HAS INCREASED FRO* $40 000 TO $60 000.+
AS REGARDS THE TIME LIMITS, MR THOMAS SAID THE LAW AT PRESENT REQUIRED THAT A DATE FOR THE HEARING OF A CLAIM SHOULD BE FIXED NOT EARLIER THAN 10 DAYS NOR LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE FILING CF THE CLAIM, UNLESS THE PARTIES OTHERWISE AGREED.
HE SAID THAT IN PRACTICE SUCH AGREEMENT WAS SELDOM REACHED AND IT HAD BEEN POINTED OUT BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICE, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THAT TOURISTS WHO CAME TO HONG KONG FOR SHORT V IoIT_ SHOULD HAVE SOME MEANS OF OBTAINING QUICK REDRESS AGAINST MALPRACTICES BY UNSCRUPULOUS RETAILERS.
♦SUCH A BE ABRIDGED. HEARD BEFORE
RETAILER IS NOT LIKELY TO AGREE THAT THE 10 DAYS SHOULD CONSEQUENTLY, THE TOURIST WILL NOT HAVE HIS CLAI' HE LEAVES HONG KONG.
♦THE REMOVAL OF THE 10-DAY LIMIT WILL ALLOW CLAIMS TO BE HEARD QUICKLY WHEN THAT IS APPROPRIATE, AS IN THE CASE OF A TOURIST’S COMPLAINT,* HE SAID.
MR THOMAS ADDED THAT THE WORKLOAD OF THE TRIBUNAL WAS SUC •• THAT IT HAD DIFFICULTY IN ALWAYS MEETING TO 60-DAY LIMIT FOR T-’E HEAR ING OF A CLAIM.
♦IT IS PROPOSED, THEREFORE, THAT THIS LIMIT BE EXTENDED TO 90 DAYS, WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE BOTH THE EXISTING WORKLOAD AND THE INCREASE IN WORKLOAD, ANTICIPATED FROM THE INCREASE IN JURISDICTION.
/+OJJ THE ..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1966
10 -
♦ON THE OTHER HAND, THE 90-DAY TIME LIMIT WILL ENSURE THAT CLAIMS ARE HEARD WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME.+
MR THOMAS SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL INCLUDING THE PROVISION FOR DEPUTY ADJUDICATORS TO EE APPOINTED.
♦THE BILL IS A USEFUL MEASURE TO UPDATE AND IMPROVE THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY A TRIBUNAL THAT HAS EARNED ITS PLACE IN OUR SYSTEM FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE,* HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
CHINESE NAME OF COUNCIL TO BE CHANGED M * * * *
THE CHINESE NAME OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE CHANGED TO GIVE A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF ITS NATURE OF WORK AND TO AVOID UNNECESSARY CONFUSION WITH THE CHINESE NAME OF DISTRICT BOARDS, THE HON CHE'ING YAN-LUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, MR CHEUNG SAID IN THE 11 MONTHS SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MANY PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS, COULD NOT CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE WORK AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COUNCIL AND SOME NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGERS EVEN MIXED UP ITS WORK WITH THAT OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
♦ALL THESE ARE DUE TO THE CLOSE RESEMBLANCE OF THE CHINESE NAME OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO THAT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID IF THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE TWO BODIES SHOULD LEAD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC’S MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL, THE DISCHARGING OF ITS DUTIES WOULD DEFINITELY BE HAMPERED TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.
MR CHEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WAS MAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE SAID THE NEW CHINESE TITLE WOULD ACCURATELY REFLECT THE CLOSE RESEMBLANCE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL IN THE NATURE AND PROVINCE OF THEIR WORK.
♦THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE GREATELY TO HELPING THOSE PEOPLE WHOM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL SERVE - THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THE NT -TO UNDERSTAND THE COUNCIL’S WORK AND ITS SERVICES,+ HE SAID.
/FURTHERMORE, .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
11
FURTHERMORE, the NEW CHINESE TITLE WOULD HELP THE GROUP OP NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS WHO WOULD 3E JOINING THE COUNCIL IN APRIL TO UNDERSTAND CLEARlY THE OBJECTS OF THE COUNCIL’S SERVICE AND THE NATURE OF ITS WORK IN ORDER TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES AS MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG ADDED.
LASTLY, MR CHEUNG SAID THAT SINCE THE CHANGE OF THE CHINESE TITLE COULD BETTER REFLECT THE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN ITS NATURE OF WORK AND THAT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO TO PROVIDE SATISFACTORY SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, SAYING THAT SINCE THE SETTING UP OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD MET INFORMALLY ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST FALLING WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOTH COUNCILS.
HE SAID THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL WHICH WOULD FORMALLY SET UP THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FROM APRIL 1 SHOULD ENABLE MEMBERS OF BOTH COUNCILS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR RELATIONSHIP EVEN FURTHER AND TO CO-ORDINATE ACTIVITIES ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS.
ALSO PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WAS THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID IT WOULD ENABLE THE URBAN COUNCIL IN FUTURE TO ORGANISE OR SPONSOR CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE AND OTHER VENUES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE FOUR MILLION RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE URBAN AREA.
IT WOULD ALSO ENABLE THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL TO JOINTLY CO-OPERATE IN SPONSORING SPORTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMES, EITHER IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OR THE URBAN AREA, AND ALSO IN BUILDING AND OPERATING FACILITIES SUCH AS A STAFF TRAINING CENTRE.
♦ARRANGEMENTS SUCH AS THESE PROVIDED UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE ARE VERY DESIRABLE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND OTHER MUNICIPAL SERVICES FOR THE HONG KONG PUBLIC, BEARING IN MIND THE NEED TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE,+ MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO SUPPORT OR SPONSOR WORTHWHILE CULTURAL OR SPORTS PROJECTS INVOLVING LOCAL PARTICIPANTS WHO MIGHT HAVE TO PERFORM OUTSIDE OF HONG KONG.
/THANKING MR........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
12 -
THANKING MR CHEUNG AND MR CHEONG-LEEN FOR THEIR SUPPORT ON THE BILLS. THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO SAID HE AGREED THAT THE NEW CHINESE NAME OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD REFLECT MORE ACCURATELY THE NATURE AND THE SCOPE OF WORK OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
+l ALSO AGREE THAT THE CONSTANT EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AMONGST MEMBERS OF BOTH THE REGIONAL AND URBAN COUNCILS ON MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST FALLING WITHIN BOTH COUNCILS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IS INDEED IN THE BEST PUBLIC INTEREST,* HE SAID.
-------0 ---------
OIL POWERS FOR USE ONLY IN +EXTREME CRISIS* K X # * K
THE GOVERNMENT HAD CERTAIN POWERS IN RELATION TO OIL SUPPLY AND PRICE, BUT HAD NEVER USED THEM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID TODAY.
AND HE DID NOT ENVISAGE THE POWERS BEING USED, +EXCEPT IN TIMES OF EXTREME CRISIS,* HE SAID.
HAVING SAID THAT, HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE WAS NOT SURPRISED AT THE GENERAL UNHAPPINESS THAT DEVELOPED OVER THE OIL COMPANIES’ GYRATING PRICING POLICIES IN THE 48 HOURS AFTER THE BUDGET SPEECH.
+AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR PUBLIC RELATIONS,* SIR JOHN SAID, ADDINGi
+NO DOUBT A FURTHER DECREASE IN PRICES IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WILL ASSIST.*
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON RITA FAN CONCERNING OIL PRICES, SIR JOHN SAID ALSO THAT IT WAS NOT GOVERNMENT POLICY +TO SEEK TO INFLUENCE THE LEVEL OF OIL PRICES OR INDEED ANY OTHER COMMODITY.*
BUT THE GOVERNMENT DID HAVE POWERS IN RELATION TO OIL SUPPLY UNDER THE OIL (CONSERVATION AND CONTROL) ORDINANCE (CAP. 264) INTRODUCED AT THE TIME OF THE 1979 WORLD-WIDE OIL SHORTAGE.
THE ORDINANCE ENABLED THE DIRECTOR OF OIL SUPPLIES, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, TO CONTROL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE SUPPLY AND USE OF OIL AND ALSO TO REGULATE THE PRICE AT WHICH OIL MIGHT BE SOLD. BUT THE POWERS WERE FOR USE ONLY IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID.
/THE MAJOR ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 15 -
THE MAJOR OIL SUPPLIERS IN HONG KONG, IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET, SET THE PRICES OF OIL PRODUCTS BASED ON COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT SUCH FACTORS AS THE IMPORT PRICE, COST OF OPERATION AND, OF COURSE, PROFIT, HE SAID.
+IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE IN THE WORKINGS OF THE FREE MARKET ECONOMY, OR FORMALLY TO COMMENT ON THE REASONS FOR OIL PRICE FLUCTUATIONS.
+NATURALLY WE ENCOURAGE COMPETITION WHICH IS THE PROPER ENEMY OF MONOPOL IES.+ SIR JOHN SAID.
-------o----------
SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTRE PLAN NEARLY READY
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE CONSULTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ABOUT SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTRE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID TODAY.
STUDY OF THIS PROPOSAL BY THE MARINE COURT OF INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE OSPREY HAD BEEN PROTRACTED BECAUSE OF THE MANY ISSUES INVOLVED AND BECAUSE THE FINDINGS OF THE RECONVENED COURT OF INQUIRY, WHICH MIGHT TOUCH ON THE QUESTION, WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE, MR THOMAS SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN, MR THOMAS SAID: ♦IT IS TRUE THAT CONSIDERATION OF THIS IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATION HAS TAKEN LONGER THAN THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE LIKED. BUT WE ARE NEARLY THERE.+
HE EXPLAINED THAT FOLLOWING PUBLICATION OF THE COURT’S REPORT IN JULY 1984, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY PROMPTLY ESTABLISHED A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE RECOMMENDATIONS. THE WORKING GROUP COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, THE ROYAL NAVY, THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AND THE MARINE POLICE.
THE WORKING GROUP, HE SAID, HAD SINCE ENDORSED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COURT RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.
-----o------
/14........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
14
EMPLOYEE MEDICAL BENEFITS TO BE REVIEWED * K H * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WOULD CONDUCT A REVIEW INTO THE SCOPE OF AND THE FORM IN WHICH EMPLOYEE MEDICAL BENEFITS WERE CURRENTLY BEING PROVIDED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WHEN THAT REVIEW HAD BEEN COMPLETED, CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN WHETHER TO RECOMMEND THAT THE LAW BE AMENDED TO EXEMPT ALL SUCH BENEFITS FROM SALARIES TAX, HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN, SIR JOHN SAID THAT SO FAR AS MONEY DEVOTED TO THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL BENEFITS WAS CONCERNED, A CASE COULD BE MADE FOR EXCLUDING SUCH BENEFITS FROM THE CHARGE TO TAX.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT TO SELECT NOW ONE TYPE OF BENEFIT FOR EXEMPTION, SUCH AS MEDICAL BENEFITS, WOULD CREATE A DIFFERENCE IN TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW BETWEEN AN EMPLOYEE WHO WAS PROVIDED WITH SUCH A TAX-FREE BENEFIT AND ANOTHER WHO WAS NOT BUT WHO RECEIVED SOME OTHER BENEFIT OF EQUAL VALUE AND WAS CHARGED TO TAX ON ITS VALUE.
SIR JOHN SAID THAT IN PRINCIPLE AN EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE LIABLE TO SALARIES TAX NOT ONLY ON HIS MONTHLY CASH REMUNERATION BUT ALSO ON ANY FRINGE BENEFITS HE RECEIVED FROM HIS EMPLOYER.
HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES IN ATTEMPTING TO PUT A VALUE ON EVERY BENEFIT RECEIVED BY EMPLOYEES WOULD FAR OUTWEIGH THE EXTRA BENEFIT TO BE OBTAINED FROM ASSESSING SUCH BENEFITS TO TAX, HE SAID.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THE GOVERNMENT HAD FOR MANY YEARS FOLLOWED THE PRINCIPLE ESTABLISHED IN THE UK OF TAXING ONLY THOSE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS WHICH WERE RECEIVED IN OR WERE CONVERTIBLE INTO CASH, HE SAID.
♦THIS POLICY IS APPLICABLE TO MEDICAL BENEFITS PROVIDED TO EMPLOYEES BY THEIR EMPLOYER,+ HE SAID.
SIR JOHN SAID THAT WHERE THOSE MEDICAL SERVICES WERE PAID FOR DIRECTLY BY THE EMPLOYER NO LIABILITY TO SALARIES TAX WOULD ARISE. THIS BENEFIT WAS ONE WHICH WAS NOT CONVERTIBLE INTO CASH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID, WHERE AN EMPLOYER GAVE A CASH REIMBURSEMENT TO HIS EMPLOYEE FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES ALREADY PAID OR WHERE AN EMPLOYER DISCHARGED A LIABILITY FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE EMPLOYEE THIS WAS REGARDED AS A BENEFIT RECEIVED IN OR CONVERTIBLE INTO CASH WHICH WAS CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX IN THE HANDS OF THE EMPLOYEE.
/ON THE.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
ON THE PASSAGE AND BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES WHICH HAD BEEN EXCLUDES FROM THE CHARGE TO SALARIES TAX SINCE 1947, SIR JOHN SAID THE REASON FOR THIS EXCLUSION, WHEN FIRST INTRODUCED, APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN TO ASSIST HONG KONG BUSINESSES TO OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS LIKELY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE OVERSEAS STAFF NECESSARY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BUSINESS METHODS AND TECHNIQUES.
HE NOTED THAT IN RECENT TIMES THERE HAD BEEN A GROWING TENDENCY FOR LOCALLY RECRUITED STAFF TO BE ALSO GIVEN PASSAGE ALLOWANCES TO TAKE LEAVE OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
IN HONG KONG THE IN THE OVERALL SALARY SIR JOHN SAID THAT HE SITUATION.
INCLUSION OF A TAX-FREE PASSAGE ALLOWANCE PACKAGE HAD BECOME SO WELL ESTABLISHED THAT WAS MOST HESITANT TO DISTURB THE EXISTING
-----o-----
RECRUITMENT OF QUALIFIED LAWYERS NOT A PROBLEM
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO DIFFICULTY AT THE MOMENT IN RECRUITING QUALIFIED LAWYERS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING A QUESTION BY DR THE HON DANIEL TSE, MR HENDERSON SAID HOWEVER THE FINANCIAL REWARDS OF PRIVATE PRACTICE WERE TOO ATTRACTIVE TO RETAIN THEIR SERVICES IN MANY CASES ONCE THEY HAD BEEN TRAINED AND HAD ACQUIRED GREATER EXPERIENCE.
HE NOTED THAT THE DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED BY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AS MENTIONED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN HIS SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR RELATED TO THE RETENTION OF LOCAL LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY HAD ACQUIRED THE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY FOR SENIOR POSITIONS AND, AT THE SAME TIME, KEEPING EXPERIENCED EXPATRIATE LAWYERS UNTIL THIS STAGE WAS REACHED.
NEVERTHELESS, MR HENDERSON SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION TRIED TO KEEP THE DEMANfi FOR LAWYERS UNDER REVIEW +IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE PRODUCE SUFFICIENT TRAINED LAWYERS TO MEET OUR NEEDS+.
IN THE LIGHT OF SUCH REVIEWS THE GOVERNMENT HAD ASKED THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASED INTAKE OF LAW STUDENTS OVER AND ABOVE ITS NORMAL EXPANSION TARGET TO ACHIEVE AN EXPANSION TO 150 PLACES PER ANNUM IN THE CURRENT 1985-88 TRIENNIUM, HE SAID.
THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG HAD HOWEVER DECIDED THAT IT COULD NOT ACHIEVE THIS WITHIN THE PERIOD IN VIEW OF THE LIMITATION OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THIS TRIENNIUM, MR HENDERSON SAID, ADDING THAT THE UNIVERSITY’S PROJECTIONS FOR THE 1988-91 TRIENNIUM WOULD NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR.
/HOWEVER, HE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 16 -
HOWEVER. HE SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGAIN ASKED THE UNIVERSITY O^ HONG KO^IG THAT THE ANNUAL INTAKE OF THE LAW FACULTY BE EXPANDED TO 150 DURING THE 1988-91 TRI ENN I UM AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED FOR THE PRESENT TRIENNIUM.
♦WHETHER OR NOT FURTHER INCREASES ARE WARRANTED WILL DEPEND ON THE DEMAND FOR LAWYERS IN THE 1990S AND THAT WILL BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS,* MR HENDERSON SAID.
-----o------
POLLUTION CONTROL EFFORT TO AFFECT ALL
*****
THE PROPOSED NEW MEASURES FOR THE CONTROL OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY ANIMAL WASTE WILL BE APPLIED TO THE WHOLE TERRITORY IN THREE PHASES OVER NINE YEARS AND EVENTUALLY ALL OF THE 9 100 LIVESTOCK KEEPERS WILL BE AFFECTED, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, MR CHAMBERS SAID IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL WASTE BY LIVESTOCK FARMERS HAD ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM.
IN ITS ATTEMPT TO COMBAT POLLUTION CAUSED BY ANIMAL WASTE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD EMBARKED ON A NUMBER OF PILOT SCHEMES TO SEE HOW THE COLLECTION SERVICES COULD BE IMPROVED, HE SAID.
♦PILOT SCHEMES AT FANLING AND HUNG SHUI KIU WERE INITIATED BY THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1978 AND 1982 RESPECTIVELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF OBTAINING PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION ON COSTINGS FOR FUTURE PLANNING,+ MR CHAMBERS SAID.
♦THESE EXPERIMENTS SHOWED THAT COLLECTION OF ANIMAL WASTE BY CONTRACTORS IS WORKABLE BUT TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE ITS IMPLEMENTATION WOULD REQUIRE THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF LIVESTOCK FARMERS.
♦TERRITORY-WIDE PROVISION OF COLLECTION SERVICES WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY NOT BE AN ECONOMIC PROPOSITION. THE TWO PILOT SCHEMES HAVE BEEN TERMINATED,+ HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT ANOTHER PILOT SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1982 AT PAT HEUNG BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE PROGRAMME UNDER THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
♦THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME WAS TO PROVIDE RAW ANIMAL MANURE AS INPUT TO THE NGAU TAM MEI COMPOSTING PLANT IN AN EFFORT TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF RECYCLING ANIMAL MANURE,♦ HE SAID.
/♦THE SCHEME .......
WETNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 17 -
+THE SCHEME IS STILL IN OPERATION BECAUSE OF ITS SPECIAL NATURE- THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN EITHER THE SCALE OR COVERAGE OF THE COLLECTION SERVICES,* HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID DETAILS OF THE LIVESTOCK POPULATION WERE NOT GATHERED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND SO YEAR ON YEAR STATISTICS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
HE SAID ACCORDING TO THE LAST COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF LIVESTOCK FARMS CARRIED OUT IN 1979, THERE WERE 1 360 FARMS REARING 6.7 MILLIONS OF CHICKENS AND 4 200 FARMS REARING 554 950 PIGS.
+PARTIAL SURVEYS, INFORMED GUESSWORK AND REFERENCE TO DATA ON LOCAL PRODUCTION SUGGEST THAT THE POPULATION IS DIMINISHING AND THAT, CERTAINLY IN THE CASE OF PIGS, THE CURRENT POPULATION IS LESS THAN IT WAS IN 1979,+ MR CHAMBERS SAID.
-------o ---------
WORKERS PROTECTED BY RADIATION REGULATIONS
*****
WORKERS HANDLING RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES BEING MOVED WITHIN HONG KONG WERE PROTECTED BY REGULATIONS PROVIDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE AMOUNT OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES HAD TO BE WITHIN ACCEPTABLE SAFETY LIMITS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON. JOHN CHAMBERS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY DR. THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT IN ADDITION, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY REGULATIONS SET DOWN STANDARDS OF SAFETY WHICH PROVIDED AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF CONTROL OF RADIATION HAZARDS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, TRANSPORT WORKERS, PROPERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES.
+THESE REGULATIONS,* HE SAID, +RELATE TO THE TRANSPORT OF REDIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES BY LAND, SEA AND AIR. THEY ARE APPLIED INTERNATIONALLY AND EXPORTERS MUST COMPLY WITH THEM BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO EXPORT RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES. THESE SAFEGUARDS PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PROTECTION TO LOCAL WORKERS HANDLING RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ON ARRIVAL.*
OUTLINING EXISTING HONG KONG CONTROL ON RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES, HE SAID THAT AN IMPORTER HAD FIRST TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FROM THE RADIATION BOARD WHICH CONTAINED CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO BE MONITORED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS NECESSARY.
/WITH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 18 -
WITH THE RADIATION BOARD LICENCE, THE IMPORTER HAD THEN TO APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE FOR AN IMPORT LICENCE UNDER THE IMPORT (RADIATION) (PROHIBITION) REGULATIONS.
HAD
BUT BEFORE ISSUING THE LICENCE, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE IMPORTER WAS A LICENSED COMPANY APPROVED BY THE RADIATION BOARD TO DEAL WITH RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES.
IN ADDITION, AN IMPORTER HAD ALSO TO OBTAIN A SPECIAL REMOVAL PERMIT FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
BOTH THE IMPORT LICENCE AND THE REMOVAL PERMIT HAD TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT BEFORE SHIPMENT WAS RELEASED.
THE SAME CONTROLS APPLIED FOR TRANSHIPMENT, HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO ANOTHER QUESTION, HE SAID THAT THE NUMBERS OF SHIPMENTS INVOLVING IMPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS INTO HONG KONG DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS WERE: 565 IN 1985, ■’519 IN 1984 AND 582 IN 1983.
--------o----------
ASBESTOS RISK FROM *
COMPLETED BUILDINGS LOW * * * *
THE HEALTH RISK FROM COMPLETED BUILDINGS CONTAINING ASBESTOS-RELATED PRODUCTS IS VERY LOW, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HO SAI-CHU, MR CHAN SAID THAT DESPITE THE LOW RISK ASBESTOS-RELATED MATERIALS WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE LIST OF PERMITTED MATERIALS UNDER THE BUILDING REGULATIONS.
♦UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, IN COMPLETED BUILDINGS WHICH CONTAIN ASBESTOS-RELATED PRODUCTS, THE HEALTH RISK IS VERY LOW,+ HE SAID.
♦FOR EXAMPLE, IN HONG KONG, THE HIGHEST RECORDED LEVELS SO FAR ARE THREE NANOGRAMS PER CUBIC METRE OF AIR WHICH IS WELL WITHIN THE SAFE LEVELS OF 7 000 NANOGRAMS PER CUBIC METRE AS LAID DOWN IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE ISSUED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. (A NANOGRAM IS A BILLIONTH OF A GRAM.)
♦THIS IS NOT TO SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS IN ANY WAY COMPLACENT ABOUT THE SITUATION. THE USE OF LOOSE, FRIABLE ASBESTOS BUILDING PRODUCTS SUCH AS SPRAYED ACOUSTIC PLASTER OR THERMAL LAGGING IS NOT NOW ALLOWED IN GOVERNMENT BUILDING CONTRACTS,* HE ADDED.
/LAST YEAR, .......
WEENESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 19 -
LAST YEAR, A PRACTICE NOTE WAS ISSUED TO AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS STRONGLY WARNING THEM AGAINST THE USE OF ASBESTOS MATERIALS IN NEW BUILDINGS, AND RECOMMENDING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR THE SAFETY OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
THE NEW REGULATIONS BAN THE USE IN ANY FORM OF THE MORE HARMFUL BLUE AND BROWN ASBESTOS AND TOTALLY PROHIBIT THE SPRAYING OF SUBSTANCES CONTAINING ASBESTOS, MR CHAN SAID.
+FURTHERMORE, AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDING REGULATIONS ARE IN HAND TO EXCLUDE THE USE OF ALL ASBESTOS RELATED MATERIALS FROM PERMITTED MATERIALS UNDER THE REGULATIONS. THESE ARE EXPECTED TO COME INTO EFFECT BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.+
THE GREATEST POTENTIAL DANGER FROM ASBESTOS, ACCORDING TO MR CHAN, WAS TO WORKERS INVOLVED IN MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION PROCESSES.
IN SUCH OPERATIONS, WHEN THE MATERIAL WAS SUBJECT TO PULVERISATION, HIGH IMPACT, OR WHEN IT WAS WORKED IN A LOOSE STATE, ASBESTOS FIBRES COULD BE FREELY RELEASED INTO THE AIR IN LARGE AMOUNTS.
HE SAID THE NEW FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ASBESTOS) SPECIAL REGULATIONS 1996 WOULD SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF WORKERS JNDER THESE CONDITIONS.
- 0 -
RESTRICTIONS AGAINST FREE * * *
MARKET NOT PART OF POLICY * *
RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD WORK AGAINST THE PRINCIPLE.OF A FREE MARKET OR WOULD HINDER THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG AS AN '^J^R^J'0NAL F INANCI AL CENTRE WOULD NEVER BE PART ^GOVERNMENT S LONG TERM POLICY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGt, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI, SIR JOHN SAID THAT THE SECURITIES COMMISSION WAS VERY CONSCIOUS THAT THE UNIFICATION OF THE FOUR EXCHANGES, THE MOVE TO A NEW TRADING FLOOR, THE INTRODUCTION OF A DIFFERENT TRADING SYSTEM AND THE ADDED DIMENSION OF INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF BANKS, HAD GIVEN RISE TO GENUINE FEARS AND CONCERN BY SECTORS OF THE STOCK-BROKING INDUsTkY.
UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID, THE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAD ACCEPTED AS A TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT, THE LIMITED TRADING RESTRICTIONS’FOR NEW ENTRANTS ' THE MARKET PLACE TO ALLOW BREATH I No SPACE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ALREADY IN THE MARKET TO ADJUST TO THE NEW REGIME.
/SIR JOHN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 20 -
-ip JOHN SAID HE ENVISAGED THESE RESTRICTIONS BEING REMOVED 18 MONTHS AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF TRADING ON THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE UNLESS UPON REVIEW BY THE COMMISSION, IT CONSIDERED THAT THERE *ERE COMPELLING REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO.
♦THE SECURITIES COMMISSION AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT A FREE AND OPEN STOCK MARKET MUST BE OUR ULTIMATE GOAL,* HE ADDED.
WAYS STUDIED TO DEAL WITH FALSE BURGLAR ALARMS ******
THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING INTO WAYS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE FALSE SOUNDING OF BURGLAR ALARMS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG CONCERNING +THE FREQUENT FALSE SOUNDING OF BURGLAR ALARMS AT NIGHT IN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN AREAS, WHICH DISTURBED THE PEACE OF NEIGHBOURING RESIDENTS.+
+THE GOVERNMENT FULLY APPRECIATES THAT BURGLAR ALARMS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS NOISE NUISANCE. FALSE ALARMS ARE ALSO A SERIOUS WASTE OF POLICE MANPOWER,* MR THOMAS SAID.
OPTIONS BEING EXAMINED TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, MR THOMAS SAID, WERE:
X INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO ENABLE THE COURTS TO FINE THE OCCUPIER OF PREMISES FOR EACH FALSE ALARM,
* A BAN ON AUDIBLE ALARMS ALTOGETHER ON PREMISES WHICH INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION,
* EMPOWERING THE POLICE TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF FALSE ALARMS, TO INSPECT ALARM SYSTEMS AND TO ORDER IMPROVEMENTS,
* REGULATION OF THE DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION OF AUDIBLE ALARM SYSTEMS, AND
* REQUIRING ALARM SYSTEMS TO BE FITTED WITH AN AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF MECHANISM TO OPERATE AFTER A FIXED PERIOD.
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WOULD SOON BE ASKED TO CONSIDER THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ALL THESE OPTIONS.
ON ANOTHER POINT RAISED BY MR TAM, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT NO STATISTICS WERE AVAILABLE ON THE FALSE SOUNDING OF AUDIBLE ALARMS AT NIGHT.
/AS FOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
A3 FOR RESPONSE, POLICE WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE PREMISES AN ALARM WAS SOUNDED. IN FALSE ALARMS AND WHEN PREMISES /ERE LOCKED, THE POLICE WAITED UNTIL THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE THE PREMISES COULD 3E FOUND TO SWITCH OFF THE ALARM.
THE
UNFORTUNATELY, HE SAID, IT COULD PERSON, PARTICULARLY AT NIGHT, HE
TAKE SOME TIME TO FIND SAID.
------0 ------
VICE PREMISES PROPOSED SCHEME BEING RE-EXAMINED X X * * *
THE
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RE-EXAMINING A PROPOSED SCHEME ON CONTROL OF VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHEMENTS WITH THE AIM y PROVIDING A QUICK, SIMPLE AND CHEAP METHOD TO ENABLE PEOPLE OST DIRECTLY AFFECTED TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLd THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JACKIE CHAN, MR THOMAS SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD FOR SOME TIME BEEN STUDYING THE BEST ■EANS OF PROVIDING SOLUTIONS TO THE REAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THc CTIVITIES OF PROSTITUTES IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
MR THOMAS SAID HE RECOGNISED THAT ORDINARY DECENT RESIDENTS J'JLD BE SERIOUSLY ANNOYED AND GRAVELY EMBARRASSED BY VICE ACTIVITIES ON THEIR STAIRCASES AND NEAR THEIR HOMES.
+TO MEET THESE CONCERNS, THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN JUNE ENDORSED A PROPOSAL BY A WORKING GROUP ON VICE-ASSOCIATED .ESTABLISHMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE TO INTRODUCE A SCHEME ENABLING THE MAGISTRATES’ COURTS TO CLOSE DOWN PREMISES WHICH CAUSE A NUISANCE OF THIS KIND FOR, SAY, SIX MONTHS,+ HE SAID.
MR THOMAS NOTED THAT THE POWER WOULD ONLY BE EXERCISED lr A COMPLAINT wAS MADE TO THE COURT BY A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS OR BY RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OR OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS.
MR THOMAS SAID DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES wHO HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE SCHEME HAD SUPPORTED IT |M PRINCIPLE BUT RAISED A NUMBER OF MATTERS WHICH NEEDED FURTHER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED THE ELUSIVE NATURE OF SOME NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH PROSTITUTION- THE DIFFICULTIES OF SUBSTANTIATING COMPLAINTS- THE NEED TO STRIKE A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN THE SUPPRESSION OF A NUISANCE AND THE LOSS THAT MAY FALL UPON THOSE HAVING A LEGAL INTEREST IN THE PREMISES- AND THE rACT THAT FEAR CF RETALIATION MAY DETER SOME PEOPLE FROM MAKING USE OF THE LEGISLATION.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
22
’HE GOVERNMENT HAD'BEEK RE-EXAMINING THE PROPOSED SCHEME T-- LIGHT OF THE SUGGESTIONS AND aORKING OUT THE DETAILS OF T’.E SCHEME COULD EE IMPLEMENTED EFFECTIVELY, MR THOMAS SAID.
+ ’IIR.JFCT TO SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION OF THE OUTSTANDING
INI STRATI VE AND TECHNICAL LEGAL D IFF I CULT IES, THE GOVERNMENT .TENDS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,* Ht ADb^-.
ACTION BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT
******
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING ACTION ON THREE INTER-RELATED
-RONTS TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN,
■'R LIAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS WORKING ON THREE FRONTS WHICH INVOLVED DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE, AND ASSISTANCE TO MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS.
HE SAID THAT FROM EARLY THIS YEAR, ALL DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT RELATING TO NEW NON-INDUSTRI AL LEASEHOLD GRANTS •’QU I RED TO CONTAIN A NUMBER OF STANDARD CLAUSES AIMED AT IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMON AREAS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
+ WORK IS IN HAND TO AMEND THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE TO MAKE THE FORMATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS EASIER AND TO SET OUT CERTAIN MANAGEMENT STANDARDS AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES TO BE OBSERVED BY THE CORPORATION’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE,* HE ADDED.
+IN ADDITION, THOUGHT IS BEING GIVEN TO WAYS BY WHICH TENANTS’ PARTICIPATION IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS MAY 3E INCREASED.*
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT AS A RESULT OF EFFORTS BY DISTRICT OFFICES, AN AVERAGE OF SOME 200 OWNERS' CORPORATIONS AND 60 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES HAD BEEN FORMED IN PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS ANNUALLY, OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
ON ASSISTANCE TO MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS, HE SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT IN 1985 OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS IN EASTERN AND YAU MA TEI DISTRICTS HAD PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS.
+THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE 61 BUILDINGS WHICH HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE TEAMS’ ASSISTANCE.
+PLANS AR—. •••
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 23 -
+PLANS ARE IN HAND TO SET UP TWO MORE TEAMS IN 1986-87, ONE OF WHICH WILL WORK ON MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
+WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THESE MEASURES WILL RESULT IN CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS,+ MR LIAO SAID.
-----o------
WIDER PUBLIC ROLE IN ADVISORY BODIES POSSIBLE *****
POSSIBLE WIDER PUBLIC REPRESENTATION, AND TRIMMED OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES WERE AMONG PROPOSALS IN THE SEPTEMBER 1985 REVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ADVISORY NETWORK, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY.
THE REVIEW, CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT EVERY TWO YEARS, EXAMINED THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, COMPOSITION AND REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE 370 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, HE SAID.
THIS WAS TO PROVIDE AN INFLOW OF NEW IDEAS, AN ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION OF INTERESTS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND A MORE EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF WORK AMONG THOSE APPOINTED TO THE BODIES, HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS ROSANNA TAM, SIR DAVID ALSO SAID A FURTHER MEASURE PROPOSED, FOLLOWING THE EXPANSION IN SIZE AND THE CHANGED COMPOSITION OF LEGCO, WAS TO STRENGTHEN THE LINKS BETWEEN BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND THE COUNCIL.
+WHEN THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF A COMMITTEE EXPIRES, THE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN TO INTRODUCE CHANGES TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES WHICH I HAVE JUST MENTIONED,* HE SAID.
0 --------
/24........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
24
LYRICS WERE NOT OBJECTIONABLE, LEGCO TOLD * * * * *
LEGAL ADVICE ON THE LYRICS OF ONE LOCAL ALBUM INDICATED THAT THE LYRICS DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE CURRENT OBJECTIONABLE STANDARDS AS LAID DOWN BY THE COURTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI CONCERNING GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS INDECENT LYRICS IN POPULAR SONGS REGULARLY AIRED ON TELEVISION AND RADIO. SIR DAVID SAID THAT l£ WAS AWARE OF PRESS STATEMENTS THAT THE LYRICS OF A FEW LOCAL POPULAR SONGS WERE +OF DUBIOUS PROPRIETY.+
BY LAW, HE SAID, THE BROADCASTING OF INDECENT LYRICS WAS AN OFFENCE, IN THE SAME WAY AS WAS THE PUBLICATION OF AN INDECENT ARTICLE.
AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, HAD ISSUED CODES OF PRACTICE WHICH MAKE SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO PROGRAMME STANDARDS AND PROHIBIT THE BROADCAST CF ANY MATTER, INCLUDING LYRICS, CONSIDERED OBSCENE, VULGAR, INDECENT OR PROFANE.
IN PARTICULAR, THE COMMISSIONER REQUIRED HIGHER STANDARDS IN RESPECT OF PROGRAMMES WHICH MIGHT REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS.
TO DATE, THE COMMISSIONER HAD BEEN SATISFIED THAT THE LYRICS WHICH HAD DRAWN ADVERSE PUBLIC COMMENT HAD NOT BREACHED THE CODE CF PRACTICE, SIR DAVID SAID.
------o-------
CONTENTS OF NEWSPAPER ADS MONITORED DAILY *****
THE CONTENTS OF NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS, INCLUDING ADVERTISEMENTS, WERE MONITORED DAILY TO ENSURE THAT THEY DID NOT CONTAIN MATTER OF AN INDECENT, OBSCENE OR REVOLTING NATURE WHICH COULD BE PROSECUTABLE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG, SIR DAVID SAID THAT NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS WERE CONTROLLED BY SECTION 3(1) OF THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 150.
/HE SAID........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 25 -
HE SAID THAT OF 65 REGISTERED NEWSPAPERS IN HONG KONG, FIVE REGULARLY PUBLISHED ADVERTISEMENTS ON VIDEO TAPES.
♦ THE ADVERTISEMENTS NORMALLY CARRY NO MORE THAN THE TITLES OF THE TAPES FOR RENTAL OR TEST VIEWING, WHICH IN THEMSELVES ARE NOT PROSECUTABLE,+ SIR DAVID SAID.
IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, TWO NEWSPAPER EDITORS WERE VERBALLY WARNED ABOUT THE CONTENT OF SUCH ADVERTISEMENTS, RESULTING IN SOME IMPROVEMENT, HE ADDED.
-----------q,-------------
EVENTS ORGANISED FOR WORLD HEALTH DAY *****
THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ADOPTED THE WORLD HEALTH DAY THEME - 'HEALTHY LIVING: EVERYONE A WINNER’ FOR ITS MAJOR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN 1986, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ON GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO COMMEMORATE WORLD HEALTH DAY ON APRIL 7, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE CAMPAIGN WOULD EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND PROMOTE THE ADOPTION OF SENSIBLE PATTERNS OF LIFE TO ATTAIN HEALTH.
HE SAID WORLD HEALTH DAY MARKED THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION IN 1948.
+SINCE 1950, A PUBLIC HEALTH THEME WITH AN APPROPRIATE SLOGAN HAS BEEN CHOSEN EACH YEAR FOR WORLD HEALTH DAY AND MEMBER STATES AND TERRITORIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ORGANISE /------
EVENTS RELATED
TO THE THEME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR,* HE SAID
THE EVENTS TO BE ORGANISED IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR INCLUDED A SLOGAN COMPETITION, A HEALTH CARNIVAL, DISTRICT EXHIBITIONS AND AUDIO-VISUAL SHOWS AT HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRES.
POSTERS AND LEAFLETS WOULD ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED AND THERE WOULD EE MEDIA PUBLICITY, HE ADDED.
-----o------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
26
RATS PROBLEM IN PUBLIC ESTATES WILL REDUCE *****
HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF REGULARLY CONDUCT EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS ON THE PROPER DISPOSAL OF FOOD WASTE AND REFUSE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON FRED PANG YUK-LING, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, M? PANG SAID THAT AS RATS WERE ATTRACTED TO WHERE FOOD WAS EASILY AVAILABLE, COOKED FOOD CENTRES IN PUBLIC ESTATES WERE REGULARLY INSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT OPERATORS KEPT THEIR PREMISES IN A HYGIENIC CONDITION AND THE COMMON AREAS OF THESE CENTRES WERE ALSO CLEANSED THOROUGHLY EVERY DAY BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
MR PANG SAID THAT WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF TENANTS, THE ASSISTANCE OF THE PEST CONTROL ADVISORY SECTION OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE CONTINUING EFFORTS OF HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF, THE PROBLEM OF RATS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WILL GRADUALLY REDUCE.
+IN ITS EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE INFESTATION OF RATS, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT LIAISES CLOSELY WITH THE PEST CONTROL ADVISORY SECTION.OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WHICH ASSISTS IN OFFERING ADVICE AND CO-OPERATION TO THE DEPARTMENT,+ MR PANG EXPLAINED.
AS PLANTED AREAS TEND TO PROVIDE HIDING PLACES FOR RATS, MR ?ANG SAID THESE AREAS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERE REGULARLY CLEARED AND TRIMMED, HOLES IN OPEN GROUNDS SEALED OR SCREENED, AND CHEMICAL FERTILISERS USED.
♦FURTHERMORE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING SUGGESTIONS BY THE PEST CONTROL ADVISORY SECTION ON THE DESIGN OF FL WER BEDS AND LANDSCAPED AREAS TO FURTHER INHIBIT THEIR USE BY RATS,* HE ADDED.
---------o - - - -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1936
- 27 -
SPECIAL FEATURES IN LIGHT RAIL FOR DISABLED ******
SPECIAL FACILITIES WERE DESIGNED IN THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT _ LRT — SYSTEM FOR THE DISABLED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AMONG THEM WERE RAMPS FOR ACCESS AT ALL LRT STOPS, A LEVEL PLATFORM SO THAT PASSENGERS NEED NOT CLIMB UP OR DOWN WHEN BOARDING OR ALIGHTING FROM THE VEHICLES, SPACE IN EACH VEHICLE FOR A WHEELCHAIR PASSENGER, AND A PUBLIC ADDRESS FACILITIES AT ALL STOPS.
AND AS A SAFETY MEASURE FOR THE BLIND, THE TEXTURE 0^ THE PLATFORM EDGE OF THE LRT WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE PLATFORM SURFACE, HE SAID.
ANSWERING QUESTIONS BY THE HON POON CH I-FA I, HE SAID THAT AVAILABLE FIGURES SHOWED THERE WERE 3 200 BLIND AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSONS LIVING IN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN, BUT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DISABLED PERSONS USING THE LRT COULD BE HIGHER IF VISITORS WERE INCLUDED FROM OTHER AREAS.
AS FOR THE REHABILITATION BUS SERVICES OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, HE SAID THE SOCIETY DID NOT KEEP A RECORD OF WAITING TIME FOR INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS.
THE +REHABUS+ FLEET, HE SAID, HAD 21 VEHICLES RUNNING 19 ROUTES, WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 228, WHICH MATCHED THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED PASSENGERS.
THERE WAS A WAITING LIST OF ABOUT 60 FOR THE SERVICE.
TWO MORE BUSES WERE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE LATER THIS YEAR, BUT THOUGH THIS WOULD HELP TO MEET THE DEMAND, IN CASES WHERE ROUTES WERE OVERSUBSCRIBED OR WHERE NEW ROUTES WERE OPENED, IT WAS DOUBTFUL WHETHER DEMAND COULD BE COMPLETELY MET. THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE SOME PERSONS WHOSE REQUIREMENTS COULD NOT BE CATERED FOR BY THE SYSTEM.
+WE ARE THEREFORE EXAMINING ALTERNATIVES FOR THOSE WHOSE NEEDS CANNOT BE MET BY THESE ARRANGEMENTS,* HE SAID.
-----o------
/28........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
28
HIGHER PENALTIES FOR LATE TRADE DECLARATIONS
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A MOTION TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR LATE DECLARATIONS UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS AND TO RAISE THE MINIMUM CHARGE FOR THE AD VALOREM LEVY TO RECOVER THE COST OF COLLECTION.
IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E.P. HO, SAID THE EXISTING PENALTIES FOR LATE DECLARATIONS WERE SET IN 1976 AND SINCE THEN THE PERCENTAGE OF LATE DECLARATIONS HAD ALMOST DOUBLED.
HE SAID THIS ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE ACCURACY OF HONG KONG’S I EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS AND IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY TO DEPLOY CONSIDERABLE STAFF RESOURCES TO DEMAND LODGEMENT AND TAKE FOLLOW-UP ACTION.
♦SIMILARLY, THE PRESENT MINIMUM CHARGE OF $2 FOR DECLARATION NOT EXCEEDING $4 OOO, WHICH WAS SET IN 1966, WOULD NEED TO Lc REVISED TO COVER THE COLLECTION COST WHICH IS NOW ESTIMATED AT $4.78 PER DECLARATION.
♦THE PROPOSED REVISION WILL ONLY AFFECT DECLARATIONS OF -VALUE BELOW $10 000 AS THE BASIC RATE OF THE AD VALOREM LEVY AT 50 CENTS PER $1 003 VALUE ABOVE THE MINIMUM WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED,+ MR HO SAID.
- 0 - -
TWO DEGREE COURSES VALIDATED FOR BAPTIST COLLEGE
*****
ACADEMIC
VALIDATED
WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE UK COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL AWARDS (CNAA), THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE WILL START TWO DEGREE COURSES THIS YEAR, THE HON WONG PO-YAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT 1984-85 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR WONG SAID THAT THE CNAA HAD RECOMMENDED TO THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) THAT THE DEGREE COURSES OF COMBINE SCIENCES AND SOCIAL WORK HAD BEEN VALIDATED AND COULD START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
MR WONG SAID HE ANTICIPATED THAT MORE DEGREE COURSES WOULD BE SUCCESSFULLY VALIDATED IN THE NEXT AND COMING YEARS.
HE NOTED THAT 1984-85 WAS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE COLLEGE’S HISTORY A FULL YEAR UNDER UPGC FUNDING AND THEN OUTLINED A NUMBER OF POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS ACHIEVED.
/FOR THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 29 -
FOR THE APPROVED CAMPUS REDEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN WHICH WOULD ADD FIVE NEW BUILDINGS, FUNDING HAD BEEN RECEIVED FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PLANS FOR THE FIRST THREE BUILDINGS TO BE USED FOR STUDENT AMENITIES, THE COMMUNICATION COURSE AND INDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES.
MEANWHILE, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC STAFF HAD IMPROVED QUANTITATIVELY AND QUALITATIVELY, HE SAID.
+THE NEWLY-CREATED SENIOR POSITIONS OF THE TWO VICE-PRESIDENTS AND FOUR FULL-TIME FACULTY DEANS WERE FILLED, AND THE NUMBER OF SENIOR ACADEMIC POSTS WAS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT DESPITE THE ZERO GROWTH,+ HE ADDED.
MR WONG ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE STOCK OF TEACHING AND RESEARCH EQUIPMENT HAD INCREASED, PARTICULARLY IN THE SCIENCE COURSES AND IN COMPUTING WHILE SERVICES OF THE LIBRARY HAD BEEN EXPANDED.
HE SAID THAT THE COLLEGE LIBRARY HAD RECEIVED A COLLECTION OF ID DOO ADDITIONAL BOOKS AND 200 NEW TITLES IN PERIODICALS AND HAD ACQUIRED A COMPUTERISED LIBRARY AUTOMATION SYSTEM.
+IN ADDITION TO THE FULL-TIME ACADEMIC COURSES, THE COLLEGE’j DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION HAS CONTINUED TO GROW IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY DEMANDS FOR OPEN EDUCATION,+ HE ADDED.
AS A MEMBER OF BOTH THE COLLEGE’S BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND ITS COUNCIL, MR WONG SAID THAT THE COUNCIL WAS PLEASED WITH THE GOOD PROGRESS WHICH HAD BEEN MADE, AND ABOVE ALL, WAS SATISFIED THAT AN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WAS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE COLLEGE WERE SPENT IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAYS.
-----0------
CITY POLYTECHNIC TO FURTHER ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY X * * X K
THE CITY POLYTECHNIC WAS FULLY CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH IN A NEW HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION, IF ACADEMIC CREDIBILITY WAS TO BE ESTABLISHED AND ACADEMIC STAFF OF THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRE ATTRACTED, THE HON S.L. CHEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHEN WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN HE TABLED THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AND ITS 1984-85 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
+ALREADY A SOLID RESEARCH BASE IS BEING DEVELOPED WITH THE ALLOCATION OF $1 MILLION BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, AND THE LINKS BEING FORGED WITH INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS ARE PRODUCING EXTERNALLY-FUNDED RESEARCH INITIATIVES INCLUDING ONE GRANT OF 4500 000,+ HE SAID.
/ACADEMIC CREDIBILITY .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
ACADEMIC CREDIBILITY WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED BY GAINING RECOGNITION AND ACCEPTANCE BY OTHER INSTITUTIONS, PARTICULARLY THOSE OUTSIDE HONG KONG IN THE WIDER INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC COMMUNITY, HE ADDED.
MR CHEN NOTED THAT LINKS WITH INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WERE DEVELOPING RAPIDLY, AND CONTACTS WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE PEOPLES’ REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WHICH WERE ESTABLISHED AS EARLY AS 1983 HAD SINCE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
HE PAID AN ESPECIAL TRIBUTE TO HIS PREDECESSOR SIR S.Y. CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE SECOND POLYTECHNIC, AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE FIRST CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 1984.
MR CHEN POINTED OUT THAT THE SPEED AT WHICH THE CITY POLYTECHNIC WAS ESTABLISHED WAS TRULY REMARKABLE AND PROBABLY UNIQUE IN THE HISTORY OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
IT TOOK ONLY TWO YEARS AND THREE MONTHS FROM THE APPOINTMENT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE TO THE ENROLMENT OF THE NEW POLYTECHNIC’S FIRST STUDENTS, HE SAID.
MR CHEN ATTRIBUTED THE TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENT TO THE SHEER DRIVING FORCE OF SIR S.Y. COUPLED WITH HIS FIRM LEADERSHIP AND COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TASK IN HAND, HIS ENTHUSIASM AND SENSITIVITY.
HE ADDED THAT IT COULD BE FAIRLY SAID THAT THE EFFORTS OF SIR S.Y. AND HIS PLANNING COMMITTEE HAD ENABLED HONG KONG TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO RECEIVE THE ADVANCED TECHNICAL EDUCATION WHICH WOULD BE VITAL TO THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR CHEN GAVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC SINCE ITS FOUNDATION ON JANUARY 1, 1984, AND POINTED OUT THAT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PERMANENT CAMPUS IN KOWLOON TONG WOULD PROVIDE THE IMPETUS FOR A FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL EXPANSION TO 8 OOO FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS BY 1990-91.
DURING THE FIRST ACADEMIC YEAR, EIGHT COURSES WERE OFFERED AND THEY WERE ALL PLANNED IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH EXTERNAL ADVISORS AND DESIGNED TO MEET THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.
NOTING THE HIGH DEMAND FOR THE COURSES OFFERED, MR CHEN SAID THE TREND HAD CONTINUED INTO THE CURRENT SESSION WITH AN APPLICATION-TO-PLACE RATIO OF ALMOST 13 TO 1 IN SOME COURSES.
+THE LEVEL OF COURSES WAS EXTENDED THIS YEAR TO INCLUDE A POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA, AND THE POLYTECHNIC HAS HIGH HOPES OF EXTENDING THIS FURTHER NEXT OCTOBER WHEN IT EXPECTS TO OFFER ITS FIRST DEGREE COURSES.
♦IN KEEPING WITH THE ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE, THESE COURSES HAVE A FEATURE UNIQUE IN HONG KONG IN THAT THEY ARE BASED ON THE MODULAR STRUCTURE WHICH ENABLE BOTH THE FULLTIME AND PART-TIME COURSES TO HAVE SIMILAR COURSES CONTENTS AND LEAD TO THE SAME AWARDS,* HE SAID.
------o ------ /31 ........................
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1936
- 31 -
PLACES SET FOR CU MEDICAL INTERNS
*****
THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT INTERN POSTS TO ABSORB MEDICAL STUDENTS FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, GRADUATING THIS SUMMER IN THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT UNDER SECTION 9 OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG HAD THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE INTERN POSTS FOR MEDICAL GRADUATE* UNDERGOING THE REQUIRED ONE YEAR RESIDENCY TRAINING, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
THE UNIVERSITIES WERE ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION OF INTERNSHIP TRAINING.
ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSPECTION, OF HOSPITALS APPROVED FOR THE PURPOSco
0 -
FUNDS APPROVED FOR GOVT SERVICES
■****•*•
A MOTION BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SEEKING FUNDS ON ACCOUNT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY ON EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR ON APRIL 1 AND THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
-------0 - - - -
FIVE BILLS PASSED * * *
FIVE BILLS - THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986. TnE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 AND THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE BILL 1986 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
FOUR OTHER BILLS - THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 AND THE THEFT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 - WERE READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO MARCH 19.
------0--------
/32.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 52 -
GOOD MANAGEMENT HELPS AVOID LABOUR DISPUTES *****
MANY INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF MANAGEMENT HAD TAKEN THE APPROPRIATE MEASURES BEFORE THE PROBLEMS AROSE, A SENIOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, MR CHOW TUNG-SHAN, WHO HEADS THE LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION, SAID INDUSTRIAL CONFLICTS WERE OFTEN THE RESULT OF BAD MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND THE WAYS IN WHICH MANAGEMENT STAFF ENFORCED THESE POLICIES.
MR CHOW WAS SPEAKING AT A CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ORGANISED FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO HAD SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE TRAINING COURSES ON LABOUR RELATIONS RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT
♦ A COMPANY POLICY WHICH TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION THE INTERESTS OF BOTH MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES IS LESS LIKELY TO GIVE RISE TO DISAGREEMENTS AND CONFLICTS,* HE SAID.
♦ LIKEWISE, MANAGEMENT POLICIES WHICH ARE FORMULATED WITH INPUTS FROM WORKERS WILL BE MORE PRACTICABLE AND MORE READILY ACCEPTED BY THE EMPLOYEES.+
MR CHOW SAID MANAGEMENT STAFF SHOULD BE TRAINED IN LABOUR RELATIONS AND MUST SEEK TO AVOID UNNECESSARY CONFRONTATIONS WITH THE WORKERS.
HE ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SCHEMES AND URGED THAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD PLAN TO SET UP THEIR OWN COMPANY PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES.
♦ THESE BENEFIT SCHEMES ARE VITAL NOT ONLY FOR THE EMPLOYEES, BUT ALSO FOR THE COMPANY AS THEY WILL INDUCE LOYALTY FROM WORKERS AND CUT DOWN LABOUR TURNOVER RATE,* HE ADDED.
THE CERTIFICATE COURSES ON LABOUR RELATIONS, HELD FROM OCTOBER 1985 TO JANUARY 1986, WERE RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT AND WERE DESIGNED FOR EMPLOYERS, MANAGEMENT STAFF, TRADE UNION OFFICIALS AND INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES.
THE COURSES COVERED THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.
A TOTAL OF 151 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE COURSES AND 142 OF THEM WERE AWARDED CERTIFICATES.
MR CHAN SAID THE COURSES WERE WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES AND THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN SIMILAR COURSES.
------o-------
/53........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- 53 -
FEATURES OF EEC MANDATE FOR TALKS SET OUT * * * * *
REFERRING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF AN AGREED MANDATE YESTERDAY FOR THE RENEGOTIATION OF THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRAvc, EEC, MR JOSEPH WONG, SAID THAT THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE EEC MANDATE INCLUDE:
* REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS (WHICH DOES NOT AFFECT HONG KONG);
* MAINTAINING EXISTING PRODUCT COVERAGE?
* USING 1986 QUOTA LEVELS AS A BASIS FOR CALCULATING THE NEW QUOTA LEVELS;
* NO CUTBACKS IN QUOTAS;
* REDUCTION IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF QUOTA RESTRICTIONS IN RESPECT OF ALL SUPPLIERS BY 25 PER CENT (DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS VARY BETWEEN SUPPLIERS) ;
* GROWTH RATE FOR SO-CALLED DOMINANT SUPPLIERS (HONG KONG, MACAU, SOUTH KOREA. TAIWAN) IN SENSITIVE CATEGORIES OF BETWEEN 0 - 1 PER CENT (4-6 PER CENT FOR OTHER SUPPLIERS);
* AUTOMATIC TRANSFER OF QUOTAS BETWEEN REGIONS UP TO A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE (2 - 12 PER CENT OVER 4 YEARS).
THE CURRENT HK-EEC TEXTILES AGREEMENT WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR A SUCCESSOR AGREEMtNT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
-----o------
DATE SET FOR HK-U.S. TEXTILE TALKS *****
BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES ON THE TERRITORY’S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE U.S. WILL START ON MARCH 19, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
'HE SAID IT WAS NOT CLEAR AT THIS STAGE HOW LONG THE DISCUSSIONS WOULD LAST BUT IF NECESSARY, THEY COULD BE EXTENDED TO RUN THROUGH MARCH 20 AND MARCH 21.
/THE DIRECTOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
- y* -
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL LEAD THE HONG KONG TEAM WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE (MULTILATERAL AND NORTH AMERICA), MR PAUL WONG, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE (NORTH AMERICA), MR ROBERT FOOTMAN.
THE U.S. TEAM WILL BE LED BY AMBASSADOR CHARLES CARLISLE, THE CHIEF TEXTILES NEGOTIATOR IN ‘THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE’S OFFICE. IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES CF THE U.S. STATE, COMMERCE AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS.
THE TALKS ARE BEING HELD IN RESPONSE TO A U.S. REQUEST FOR BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH HONG KONG. THE REQUEST WAS MADE LAST MONTH BY AMBASSADOR CARLISLE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, DURING HIS VISIT TO WASHINGTON.
THE EXISTING HONG KONG-U.S. BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL THE END OF 1987.
-----0------
TSUEN WAN TIN HAU TEMPLE GARDEN OPENS * * * * *
RESIDENTS IN TSUEN WAN WILL HAVE ONE MORE PLACE TO SPEND THEIR LEISURE FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE 7 OOO-SQUARE METRE TSUEN WAN TIN HAU TEMPLE GARDEN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE GARDEN, THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID THE GARDEN CONTAINED A MULTI-GAMES PITCH, LANDSCAPED AREAS, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA, AN AMPHITHEATRE AND A SERVICE BUILDING.
PARKLIGHTS AND FLOODLIGHTS ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO ENABLE THE FACILITIES TO BE USED IN THE EVENING.
HE SAID THE PROJECT BUILT AT A COST OF ABOUT $3.8 MILLION, WAS PART OF A CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE MORE AND BETTER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE POPULATION OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
OTHERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHAN LAU-FONG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN ? THE DISTRICT COMISSIONER (TSUEN WAN), MR S. J. CHAN; THE PROJECT MANAGER (TSUEN WAN), ER E. G. PRYOR, AND THE PROJECT ARCHITECT, MR SUNNY YEUNG.
C --------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1936
35
CALL TO APPLY
EARLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
*****
THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED THAT THEY DOCUMENTS NOW IF THEY WISH TO TRAVEL HOLIDAYS.
SHOULD APPLY FOR TRAVEL
ABROAD DURING THE EASTER
,„A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG KONG GREATLY INCREASED DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, AND IT WAS EBBE!JTiAL IHAT APPLICATIONS FOR PASSPORTS OR CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY BE MADE EARLY TO AVOID LAST MINUTE RUSH.
IC *BmT/.*2^ALLY«TAKES 10 W0RK,NG DAYS TO ISSUE SUCH DOCUMENTS It MADE IN THE HEADQUARTERS BUT LONGER IF MADE AT BRANCH OFFICES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ARE
♦RE-ENTRY PERMIT AND DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKELY IF THERE MANY APPLICANTS COMING AT THE SAME TIME.
THE
APPLY,Ne EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF DEPARTMENT BUT ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEPT ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY,* HE ADDED
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 3-7333111.
0 - -
NEW COMPANY TO SERVE INDUSTRY * * * *
A GOVERNMENT-ASSISTED COMPANY TO PROVIDE HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WITH A PRODUCT DESIGN, INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENE6 BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO AT 11 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 17).
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW COMPANY — HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY LIMITED - WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE COMPANY’S FR^’SES AT R00M 1007’ WEST WINS’ 10TH FLOOR, TSIM SHA TSUI CENTRE, 66 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
eee-.II W,LL BE FOLLOWED BY A TEA RECEPTION AND A MEET-THE-MEDIA THE PANEL T0 ANSWER QUESTIONS WILL BE THE DIRECTOR
CF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ** CHRISTOPHER CHENG; THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL FARR, AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MR DOUGLAS TOMKIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. ----------------------------0--------
/36........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1936
- J6 -
DB TO DISCUSS BILLIARD SALOONS CONTROL * * * * *
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS AN URBAN COUNCILCONSULTATIVEDOCUMENTO^ CONTROLS ON PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS AND PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS.
assistant director of the urban services department,
DR PATRICK HASE, WILL BE PRESENT TO LISTEN TO MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A REPORT PREPARED BY A WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE BOARD TO LOOK INTO THE URBAN COUNCIL S PROPOSED HAWKER AND MARKET POLICIES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE ^PROPOSAL TO FORMULATE REGULATIONS TO MONITOR OIL PRICES, AND PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S THREE COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
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PENG CHAU BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES DECLARED DANGEROUS *****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DECLARED THE REMAINING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES AT 105 AND 105D WING ON STREET ON PENG CHAU ISLAND TO BE DANGEROUS OR LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR NUMEROUS BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES ON THE LOT WERE CLOSED ON JANUARY 30, 1936 UNDER AN EMERGENCY ORDER FOLLOWING A FIRE THREE DAYS EARLIER.
OTHER BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES ON THE LOT, ALL SINGLE OR TWO STOREYS IN HEIGHT, WERE NOT AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE ORDER. HOWEVER FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THEY WERE EITHER IN AN ADVANCED STATE OF DILAPIDATION OR IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR.
SOME OF THE ROOF COVERINGS HAD BEEN BLOWN AWAY IN NUMEROUS PLACES AND THERE WERE PARTIAL COLLAPSES OF ROOFS IN SOME OF THEM.
/SOME GABLE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
37
SOME GABLE WALLS SHOWED MOVEMENT CRACKS AND OTHER WALLS SHOWED VERY WEAK BLOCKWORK.
IN ADDITION, A FEW REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS AND LINTOLS WERE VERY DETERIORATED WHILE LARGE PIECES OF SPALLED CONCRETE AND INFILLING BRICKWORK HAD FALLEN OFF IN A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS.
+WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TWO BUILDINGS NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE WHICH WERE CONSIDERED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS, ALL THE REMAINING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE DANGEROUS. IT IS THEREFORE NECSEEARY TO CLOSE AND TO DEMOLISH THEM ALL IN ONE OPERATION,* HE SAID.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL 16, 1986 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS TODAY.
-----o------
ROOFTOP STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF FIVE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE ROOFTOP OF A SIX-STOREY BUILDING AT 13-19 KAM FONG STREET, MONG KOK, SO THAT THEY CAN BE REMOVED.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL 30, 1986, WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS FOLLOWS THE OWNERS FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JANUARY 1985 TO DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURES.
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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SPORTS SCHEME FOR SAI KUNG REMOTE VILLAGES * * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED A SPORTS SCHEME TO ENABLE YOUNGSTERS IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN SAI KUNG TO TAKE PART IN RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE RSD’S DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER (SAI KUNG) MR CHARLES CHU, AT A MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL
COUNCIL.
/UNDER THE ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
38
UNDER THE REMOTE VILLAGE SPORTS SCHEME, 10 TO 12 SUCH EVENTS adc EACH YEAR AT PLAYGROUNDS OR OPEN SPACES CLOSE iO
w VILLAGES? t«EY ARE JeSIGNED FOR 80 TO 100 YOUNGSTERS AT A TIME.
md run qaid A TOTAL OF 36 NEW PROJECTS WOULD BE ORGANISED BY THE RSD FOR THE WHOLE OF SAI KUNG FROM APRIL TO JUNE. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO ATTRACT SOME 2 150 PARTICIPANTS.
nN ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE. THE RSD’S DISTRICT HYGIENE <aiPER INTENDENT (SAI KUNG). MR LAI MAN-HANG, TOLD THE COMMITTEE thatwo Bn Talari IS® were engaged in anti-n.ai.ar ia work IN THE DISTRICT.
♦THEIR WORK INCLUDES MAKING WEEKLY VISITS TO ALL POSSIBLE MOSQUITO BREEDING PLACES, SUCH AS ALONG STREAMS, ABANDONED PADDY-FIELDS AND CULTIVATION PLOTS AND IN VILLAGES,* MR LAI SAID.
-------n---------
AWARDS FOR POSTER DESIGN WINNERS
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS DESIGN COMPETITION.
MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DEPARTMENTAL COURTESY POSTER
THE COMPETITION IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE COURTESY OF FRONTLINE STAFF IN THE DELIVERY OF SERVICto TO THE PUBLIC.
GROUP WINNERS ARE MRS KWONG FUNG YIN-HA, MR LAU WING-KEUNG AND MR LEUNG KA-LOK.
-----o------
SEMINAR ON SECURITY IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS *****
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT STAFF OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN TSUEN WAN WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT SECURITY AT A SEMINAR ON FRIDAY (MARCH 14).
OFFICERS FROM THE POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF PARTICIPANTS ON SECURITY MATTERS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AT THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 8 PM.
/FACTORY OWNERS .......
WEDNLCDAY, KARCH
IN THE DISTRICT HAVE ALSO SEEN ORGANISED RY THE TSUEN 'VAN DI STR I
FACTORY OWNERS AND WORKERS INVITED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR,
FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
THERE WILL BE A DISPLAY OF SECURITY EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT 8 PM O’ FRIDAY IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
------0-------
REVIEW Oc YOUTH YEAR * * * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AT 4 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO REVIEW THE INTERNATIONAL YOUT YEAR.
IT WILL BE CHAIRED BY MRS SELINA CHOW, CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL. CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (CCCIYY). OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CCCIYY WHO WILL BE PRESENT ARE MR J.P. LEE, MR HOWARD YOUNG, MRS ROSANNA TAM AND MRS PAMELA CHAN.
THE PANELISTS WILL SPEAK ON THE WORK OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUB-COMMITTEES AND WILL INTRODUCE TWO MAJOR PUBLICATIONS COMPILED BY THE CCCIYY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
---------o -
/Ac........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, l?3o 40 -
PRESS CONFERENCE ON TV QUIZ
*****
DETAILS OF A WEEKLY TELEVISION QUIZ PROGRAMME WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), l*R GREGORY LEUNG AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PROGRAMME, AIMED AT PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE AMONG STUDENTS, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL 345 AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
STARTING LATER THIS WEEK, THE 13-EPISODE PROGRAMME WILL BE SCREENED ON BOTH ATV AND TVB CHINESE CHANNELS.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT NOON AT THE LOBBY OF THE BROADCASTING HOUSE, 30 BROADCAST DRIVE.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM ROTARY INTERNATIONAL 345, DR JOSEPH WONG, AND THE HEAD OF GENERAL PROGRAMME SECTION OF RTHK, MR JOHNNY MING.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
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* * * * *
TV PROGRAMME ON KWAI CHUNG, TSI NG Yl
A SPECIAL TELEVISION PROGRAMME FEATURING THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT WILL BE SHWON ON THE CHINESE CHANNEL OF ATV AT 9.35 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 15).
THE PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD AND ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED.
APART FROM SONGS AND DANCES, THE SHOW WILL INTRODUCE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE DISTRICT, THE MONUMENTS, TRADITIONAL VILLAGES, AND RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME.
/THE PROGRAMME .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
41
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE RECORDED AT THE JU CHING CHU COLLEGE IN TAI PAK TIN STREET ON FRIDAY (MARCH 14) AT 8.30 PM. FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE HELD AT 8 PM. IT WILL BE OFFICIATED BY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (TSUEN WAN), MR CHAN SUI-JEUNG.
•/
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE RECORD I NG CF THE PROGRAMME.
- - o -
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET * * * *
<
A PROPOSAL TO RESUME TWO DISTRICT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
PRIVATE STREETS IN THE EASTERN THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD/ z
DURING THE MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMER, CF A $2.5 MILLION PROJECT FOR THE WIDENING OF SHAU KEI WAf&f-IA IN STREET EAST AT THE SECTION BETWEEN KAM WA STREET AND MIU TUNG STREET FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE TRAFFIC REQUIREMENTS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE AN INFORMATION PAPER ON URBAN COUNCIL INDOOR LEISURE FACILITIES PLANNED FOR EASTERN DISTRICT AND THE BOARD’S FINANCIAL REPORT.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR. 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1986
^2
TUEN MUN, MONG KOK TRAFFIC CHANGES *****
THE SPEED LIMIT ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TUEN MUN, FROM A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUEN SHING STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 175 METRES SOUTH OF ITS SOUTHERN JUNCTION WITH TSI NG HOI CIRCUIT, WILL BE REDUCED FROM THE EXISTING 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 14).
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 15), YIM PO FONG STREET SOUTHBOUND IN MONG KOK, BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH ARGYLE STREET AND A POINT 130 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
-------o - - - -
BUS-LANE IN CENTRAL SUSPENDED * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 14), THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY BUS ONLY LANE RESTRICTION ON THE EASTBOUND KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL FROM A POINT ABOUT 46 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HARBOUR VIEW STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 188 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE LIFTED FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
-----o------
TUEN MUN WATER CUT * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 1 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 15) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY TSI NG WAN ROAD AND LUNG MUN ROAD, FROM PUI TO ROAD TO LUNG KWU TAN, INCLUDING LUNG KWU TAN, TAP SHEK KOK, SIU LANG SHU I, MONG HAU SHEK, SHEK KOK TSUI, PAK KOK, SHAN SHEK WAN AND TSI NG SHAN TSUEN.
SIU HONG COURT, BUTTERFLY ESTATE, PAK KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, WU KING ESTATE, MELODY GARDEN, SIU HEI COURT AND CASTLE PEAK BOYS’S HOME ARE ALSO AFFECTED.
------c ------ •/
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
CONTENTS PaGE HO.
DErmmuTiai'i to press ahead in education — os ................... 1
CIVIL SERVANTS URGED TO ACT IN PUBLIC INTEREST .................. 2
sir David visits rhkaaf headquarters ............................ 3
JLG ON FAMILIARISATION TOUR ..................................... 4
CIVIL SERVANTS URGED TO ACT RESPONSIBLY.......................... 5
JANUARY EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED ...................... 6
REPAIR CORK TO IMPROVE CHIW3Y EMISSIONS ........................ 13
new penalties for late trade declarations in force tomorrow . 14
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEaR REPORTS PUBLISHED...................... 15
PUBLIC REMINDED TO GET LICENCE FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES......... 16
NEW BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM FOR KAI TAK ........................ 17
STORAGE SITE FOR LEa.SE......................................... 17
BOARD TO DISCUSS URBAN COUNCIL DOCUM3JTS........................ 18
BILLIARD SALOON CONTROL TO BE DISCUSSED ........................ 18
SEMINAR ON TEACHING OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES ....................... 19
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL FOR K.<AI CHUNG............................ 20
GAS SAFETY EXHIBITION FOR MEI FOO SUH CHUEN .................... 20
SENIOR MANAGERS TaKE PART IN ACTION LEARNING................... -24
TEMPORARY STaFF REQUIRED FOR SURVEY .......................... 22
asphalt batching plant opening.................................. 22
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL' .......;........ 23
ROAD CLOSED FOR REPaIR WORKS'............................;.;. 25
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI ................................. ; ; 25
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1966
1
DETERMINATION TO PRESS AHEAD IN EDUCATION — CS
*****
THERE IS A DETERMINATION TO PRESS AHEAD IN EDUCATION, IN COMMON wITH THE THRUST OF OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING CEREMONY OF THE HO TIM BUILDING AT CHINESE UNIVERSITY, SIR DAVID SAID IN HIGHER EDUCATION, A TARGET HAD BEEN SET TO PROVIDE FIRST YEAR DEGREE PLACES FOR ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT OF ELIGIBLE YOUNG PEOPLE BY THE MIDDLE OF THE 199J’S.
AT THE PRESENT RATE OF GROWTH, HE SAID, THE NUMBER OF FIRST YEAR FIPST DEGREE PLACES AT THE END OF THIS DECADE WOULD ALMOST DOUBLE THE PRESENT NUMBER OF 3 700.
+BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH AND A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO BUILD A THIRD UNIVERSITY WITH AN EMPHASIS ON TECHNOLOGICAL TRAINING TO PROVIDE AN ESSENTIAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO KEEP HONG KONG ABREAST CF ADVANCES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, + SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, HE SAID, HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID THE UNIVERSITY WAS MADE UP OF MANY PARTS AND IT DREW ITS STRENGTH FROM THE COLLEGIATE SYSTEM, ITS TOTAL STRENGTH BEING GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS.
HE SAID THERE WAS UNITY IN DIVERSITY: THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WAS IN ALL SENSES A UNIVERSITY AND GRADUALLY WITH THE ADDITION OF EACH NEW FACILITY THE UNIVERSITY GREW IN STATURE.
IN THE LAST TWO DECADES, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS HAD INCREASED FROM 2 000 IN THE MID-60’S TO SOME 7 000 TODAY.
+DURING THESE YEARS YOU HAVE ADDED THE NEW MEDICAL FACULTY AND PLANS ARE UNDERLAY TO EXPAND ENGINEERING STUDIES AND TO ESTABLISH A FOURTH COLLEGE IN THE NEXT TwO YEARS,* HE SAID.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HO TIM BUILDING, HE SAID, WAS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF THE
UNIVERSITY.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG HAD NO NATURAL RESOURCES, SIR DAVID SAID ITS STRENGTH LAY IN THE QUALITY OF ITS PEOPLE.
+IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TAUGHT BY TEACHERS wHC ARE NOT ONLY PROFESSIONALLY COMPETENT BUT WHO ARE DEVOTED TO THc TEACHING PROFESSION,* HE SAID.
/THE HO ......
THURSDAY, march 13, 1986
2
Tri? HO TIM BUILDING, WHICH wOULD BRING THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION CF ThE CHINESE UNIVERSITY UNDER ONE ROOF, wAS THEREFORE OF IMMENSE IMPORTANCE FOR THE CONTRIBUTION IT ..OULD MAKE TO THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION WHICH HONG KONG YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD RECEIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DONOR OF THE BUILDING AND TO THE BOA-_ OF CHUNG CHI COLLEGE AND WISHED THE UNIVERSITY EVERY SUCCESS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
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CIVIL SERVANTS URGED TO ACT IN PUBLIC INTEREST
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY (THURSDAY) HOPED THAT NON-DI RECTORATE CIVIL SERVANTS WOULD ACT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN THEIR PURSUIT FOR A HIGHER PAY INCREASE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY FOR THE HO TIM BUILDING AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ON THE ISSUE HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED FOLLOWING THE MEETING AND DISCUSSION CF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON TUESDAY.
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARED FOR ANY POSSIBLE ACTIONS TAKEN BY SOME CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS, SIR DAVID SAID HE DID NOT WISH TO SPECULATE ON EVENTS WHICH HAD NOT TAKEN PLACE.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED A +D | V IDE AND CONQUER* TACTIC BY STATING THAT CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS WOULD BE HAPPY WITH THE 2.7 PER CENT INCREASE, FE SAID THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AND INDIVIDUAL UNIONS MUST MAKE UP THEIR OWN DECISION THEMSELVES ABOUT THIS.
+THE DECISION RESTS WITH THEM. THERE’S NO QUESTION OF DIVIDE AND RULE OR DIVIDE AND CONQUER,* SIR DAVID NOTED.
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
3
SIR DAVID VISITS RHKAAF HEADQUARTERS
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, HELICOPTER AT HMS TAMAR TAK AIRPORT FOR A VISIT AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, BOARDED A .
THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON AND FLEW TO KAI TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG
ACCOMPANIED BY THE
COMMANDING OFFICER, WING COMMANDER ALISTAIR ASPREY, SIR DAVID TOURED THE HANGAR AND WORKSHOPS AND INSPECTED THE RHKAAF’S FLEET OF FOUR FIXED WING AIRCRAFT AND THREE DAUPHIN
HEL ICOPTERS.
HE ALSO VISITED THE OPERATIONS CENTRE AND LEARNED THAT THE RHKAAF, ESTABLISHED IN 1949, EVOLVED FROM A CONVENTIONAL AUX LI ARY AIR FORCE ADMINISTERED BY THE ROYAL AIR FORCE TO A FULLY INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT WITH DIVERSE ROLES. "WtrtiwtNI
LAST YEAR, THE FORCE CARRIED OUT 360 EMERGENCY MISSIONS INCLUDING SEARCH AND RESCUE, CASUALTY EVACUATION, AND AIRBORNE FIRE-FIGHTING. OTHER REGULAR ACTIVITIES OF THE FORCE INCLUDE AERIAL SURVEY AND COMMUNICATION FLIGHTS.
APART FROM FLYING COMMITMENTS, THE FORCE PROVIDES FLYING AND OTHER SPECIALISED TRAINING FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICERS OF THE THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT.
SIR DAVID THEN TOURED THE TRAINING CENTRE FOR A VIDEO AND PICTORIAL PRESENTATION OF THE RANGE OF THE FORCE FLYING AND OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
BEFORE LEAVING, SIR DAVID HAD AN INFORMAL MEETING AND DISCUSSION WITH THE STAFF.
-----0------
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
4
JLG ON FAMILIARISATION TOUR * * * *
THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL MAKE A FAMILIARISATION TOUR OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL AND SHA TIN NEW TOWN ON SATURDAY (MARCH 15).
THE GROUP WILL START WITH A BOAT TRIP TO KWAI CHUNG, LEAVING QUEEN’S PIER AT 9 AM. THEY WILL CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY BY CAR TO THE LION’S PAVILION IN SHA TIN FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE FAST DEVELOPING NEW TOWN. THE GROUP WILL ROUND OFF THEIR TOUR BY TAKING A WALKABOUT IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S LUNG HANG ESTATE IN TAI WAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE PRESS TO COVER THE GROUP’S VISIT TO SHA TIN.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATED TO COVER THIS EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO SEND IN THEIR NAMES AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS TO THE DUTY OFFICER OF GIS BEFORE NOON TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
EDITORS SHOULD NOTE THAT THEIR REPRESENTATIVE NOMINATED MUST BE THE ONE ACTUALLY COVERING THE EVENT. THE NAME AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBER OF EACH MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE CHECKED BEFORE THE VISIT;. LAPEL BADGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON THE SPOT UPON PRODUCTION OF PROOb CF IDENTITY AND AUTHORISATION FROM THE MEDIA ORGANISATION CONCERNED.
YOU ARE ADVISED THAT ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THIS FUNCTION WILL BE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH SECURITY CHECKS.
ACCREDITED PRESS MEMBERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE CAR PARK, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 15) WHEN THEY WILL BE TAKEN BY COACH TO SHA TIN.
THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY TO THE LION’S PAVILION ARE REQUESTED TO BE IN POSITION AT 11 AM.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
5
CIVIL SERVANTS URGED TO ACT RESPONSIBLY * * * * *
CIVIL SERVANTS WERE URGED TODAY (THURSDAY) TO ANALYSE THE ISSUE OF SPECIAL PAY AWARD COOLLY AND OBJECTIVELY AND TO ACT RESPONSIBLY WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN MIND TO AVOID DISRUPTION CF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR DOMINIC WONG, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON MEETING CF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION ON THE PAY POLICY AND PAY ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.
+1 SINCERELY HOPE THAT GOOD SENSE WILL PREVAIL,* HE SAID.
MR WONG REITERATED THAT THE OFFER OF 2.7 PER CENT SPECIAL PAY ADJUSTMENT BACKDATED TO JANUARY 1, WAS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE PAY LEVEL SURVEY FOR NON-DIRECTORATE STAFF.
IN REACHING THIS DECISION, MR WONG STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TWICE RESPONDED TO STAFF REPRESENTATIONS AND MADE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE FINDINGS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
+THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THIS OFFER TO BE FAIR AND REASONABLE,* MR WONG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS EIGHT TIMES BETTER THAN THE STANDING COMMISSION’S FINDINGS FOR THE MAJORITY OF STAFF AND THEREFORE NOT AN UNGENEROUS OFFER.
+IT wAS A GENUINE EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO REACH A COMPROMISE ON THIS ISSUE,* HE SAID.
+THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO TAKEN FULL ACCOUNT OF STAFF REACTIONS AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST AS A WHOLE.
+ANY FURTHER INCREASED OFFER NOT SUPPORTED BY NEW FACTS WOULD BE A MAJOR AND UNACCEPTABLE DEPARTURE FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION’S FINDINGS AND COULD JEOPARDISE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PAY ADJUSTMENTS SYSTEM WHICH HAVE SERVED STAFF AND MANAGEMENT WELL OVER THE YEARS,* MR WONG ADDED.
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/6 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 198b
6
JANUARY EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED H H #
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY 1986, VALUED AT $37 899 MILLION, WAS 3 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO TRADE VALUE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 6 PER CENT TO $10 530 MILLION WHILE RE-EXPORTS DECREASED dY 4 PER CENT TO $8 563 MILLION, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, THE VALUE DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT. IMPORTS DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT TO $18 806 MILLION.
COMMENTING ON THESE COMPARATIVE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TRADE STATISTICS FOR THE BEGINNING MONTH OF A YEAR ARE USUALLY DISTORTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS. THE DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1986 WAS INFLUENCED BY THE RUSH SHIPMENTS BY MANUFACTURERS TOWARDS THE END OF 1985, TO FULFIL HIGHER QUOTA UTILISATION RATES FOR RESTRAINED TEXTILE ITEMS AND TO SECURE PAYMENTS BEFORE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WHICH FELL IN EARLY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR. AS REGARDS IMPORTS, THE DECLINE WAS ATTRIBUTED IN PART TO REDUCED IMPORTS OF FUELS.
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS PRESENTED HEREIN ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON. A SEPARATE ANALYSIS ON THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY 1986 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY APRIL.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR MARKETS aRE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY 1986 WITH JANUARY 1985, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT. ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $161 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $126 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $31 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $34 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT) AS WELL AS MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF; JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS) (BY $34 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT).
/MOST COMiODITIES........
PHUESDAY, MABCH 13, 1?86
7
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO CHINA DECREASED IN VALUE PARTICULARLY OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $196 MILLION OR 92 PER CENT)j TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $109 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $46 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT). HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES (BY $46 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $29 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $23 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY jlo MILLION OR 129 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $8 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR FETALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $13 MILLION OR 90 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TEXTILES (BY $8 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE RECORDED IN METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $35 MILLION CR 82 PER CENT) AND CLOTHING (BY $35 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT). HOWEVER, AN INCREASE WAS REGISTERED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY $10 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT).
AS FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY. GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS AS WELL AS BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) (BY $31 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT) AS .vELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $8 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT).
HOwEVER, A DECREASE WAS REGISTERED FOR ESSENTIAL OILS AND PERFUME MATERIALS? TOILET, POLISHING AND CLEANSING PREPARATIONS (BY -6 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
DEMAND FOR GOODS IMPORTED FROM CHINA INCREASED IN JANUARY 1986 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $317 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT)? TEXTILES (BY $241 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT) AS WELL AS MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS AS WELL AS OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES)(BY $110 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $107 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $58 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT).
/AS FOE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
8 -
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES) (BY $231 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $201 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT) AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $135 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (BY »153 MILLION OR 751 PER CENT) AS WELL AS GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $83 MILLION OR 68 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S. WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $130 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT);'OFF ICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $121 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $63 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT). HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $38 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT) AS WELL AS CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $34 MILLION OR 357 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $103 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT) AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $56 MILLION OR 79 PER CENT).
IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT FROM SINGAPORE ALSO FELL (BY ;267 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT AND $115 MILLION OR 83 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY). HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF TEXTILES (BY $53 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT), AND IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF ORGANIC CHEMICALS (BY $22 MILLION CR 785 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR IN TABLE 5.
MARKETS ARE SHOWN
COMPARING JANUARY 1986 WITH THE SAME MONTH 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 $385 MILLION OR 68 PER CENT); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $365 MILLION OR 84 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $229 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN LEATHER, LEATHER MANUFACTURES AND DRESSED FURSKINS (BY $40 MILLION OR 170 PER CENT) AS WELL AS MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $31 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT).
is
THVBSJMY, M1HCH 13, 1986
- 9 -
INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S. WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (EY $209 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT)} MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS AS WELL AS JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS) (BY $42 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ESSENTIAL OILS AND PERFUME MATERIALS} TOILET, POLISHING AND CLEANSING PREPARATIONS (BY $24 MILLION OR 1 449 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR MEDICINAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS (BY $10 MILLION OR 75 PER CENT) AS WELL AS CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $8 MILLION CR 37 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $93 MILLION CR 88 PER CENT)} VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $16 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT) AS WELL AS NON-FERROUS METALS (BY $13 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT). HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $33 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (NOT INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES) (BY $24 MILLION OR 3 221 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $32 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT) AS WELL AS NON-FERROUS METALS (BY $20 MILLION OR 92 PER CENT). RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE OF MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF AS WELL AS OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES) INCREASED (BY $33 MILLION OR 312 PER CENT), AS DID COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, SPICES, AND MANUFACTURES THEREOF (BY $8 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN CF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $7 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT), AND FOR RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $15 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE JANUARY 1986 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY* WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND THE THIRD WEEK OF THIS MONTH 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 JANUARY 1986 WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY APRIL AT $13.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON REGULAR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS AND ON TRADE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. : 5-214375) AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. : 5-444436).
/10........
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
10
Table 1 : Domestic exports by ten major markets
Major market U.S.A. Jan. 1986 ($ Mn) Jan. 1985 (S Mn) Increased)/ Decrease(-) ($ Mn) Percentage change (Z)
4,538 4,769 - 231 - 5
China 1,162 1,410 - 248 -18
E.R. of Germany 765 726 + 39 + 5
U.K. 689 749 - 61 - 8
Japan 361 330 + 31 + 9
Canada 355 349 + 7 + 2
Australia 281 340 - 59 -17
Singapore ' 199 223 - 24 -11
France 180 132 + 48 +36
Netherlands 175 204 - 28 -14
Table 2 : Domestic exports by major commodity division
Commodity Jan. 1986 ($ Mn) Jan. 1985 (? Mn) Increase(+)/ Decrease(-) ($ Mn) __ Percentage change (%)
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 3,819 4,132 - 313 - 8
iscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods) 1,602 1,487 + 115 + 8
Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks 812 752 + 60 + 8
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof 746 977 - 231 -24
Telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment * 670 809 - 138 -17
Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products h35
647 - 12 - 2
/Table 3 : .......
1 '
THUftSDIY, MARCH 13, 1986
- 11 -
Table 3 : Imports from ten major sources
Major source China Jan. 1986 ($ Mn) Jan. 1985 ($ Mn) Increase(+)/ Decrease(-) ($ Mn) Percentage change (X)
5,892 4,840 +1 ,052 +22
Japan 3,726 4,094 — 368 - 9
I.S.A. 1,553 2,050 - 497 -24
Taiwan 1,533 1,623 - 90 - 6
Singapore 902 1,266 - 364 -29
Republic of Korea 630 673 • 44 - 6
F.R. of Germany 586 511 + 75 + 15
U.K. 584 747 — 163 -22
Switzerland 344 195 + 149 +77
, France 255 311 — 56 -18
Table 4 : Imports by major commodity division
। Commodity division Jan. 1986 ($ Mn) Jan. 1985 ($ Mn) Increase(+)/ Decrease(-) ($ Mn) Percentage change
Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products 2,874 2,522 + 352 +14
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof 1,313 1,728 — 415 -24
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 1,305 983 + 322 +33
Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks 1,095 926 + 169 + 18
Miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods) 849 785 + 64 + 8
Non-metallic mineral manufactures 828 687 + 142 +21
/Table 5 ;
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
12 -
Table 5 : Re-exports by ten major markets
Major market China Jan. 1986 ($ Mn) Jan. 1985 ($ Mn) Increase(+)/ Decrease(-) ($ Mn) Percentage change (Z)
2,776 4,038 -1 ,263 -31
U.S.A. 1,502 1,202 + 300 +25
Japan 503 527 — 24 - 5
Taiwan 452 348 + 104 +30
Singapore 435 366 + 69 + 19
Republic of Korea 369 302 + 67 +22
Macau 200 255 — 55 -21
Philippines 196 147 + 49 +33
F.R. of Germany 175 111 + 64 +58
Indonesia 159 215 - 56 -26
Table 6 : Re-exports by major commodity division
Commodity division Jan. 1986 ($ Mn) Jan. 1985 ($ Mn) Increase (+)/ Decreased-) ($ Mn) Percentage change w
Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles and related products 1,361 1,215 + 146 + 12
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 892 618 + 273 +44
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof 636 822 -* 187 -23
Miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods) 567 521 + 46 + 9
Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies, optical goods, watches and clocks 380 450 — 69 -15
Telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment 371 712 341 -48
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
13
REPAIR WORK TO IMPROVE CHIMNEY EMISSIONS
*****
THE QUALITY OF CHIMNEY EMISSIONS FROM THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATORS WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED LATER THIS YEAR WHEN REPAIR WORK AND INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
THE ENTIRE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR STATION WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, WHEN THE CURRENT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS COMPLETED.
+THIS EQUIPMENT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE CHIMNEY EMISSIONS BY REMOVING MOST OF THE DUST AND GRIT CONTENT,+ THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (POLLUTION), MR IAN HOWARD SAID TODAY.
THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, HE SAID, HAD CARRIED OUT A REVIEW RECENTLY AT THE REQUEST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, TO ASSESS THE SCOPE OF REPAIRS NEEDED FOR THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR STATION AND TO CONSIDER CLOSING THE STATION AT AN EARLY DATE.
+THE INTENTION IS TO MOVE AWAY FROM INCINERATION AND TO MAKE GREATER USE OF SANITARY LANDFILL METHODS FOR THE DISPOSAL CF MUNICIPAL WASTES,* MR HOWARD SAID.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHANGEOVER COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO COMMISSION NEW LANDFILL SITES AND BUILD URBAN TRANSFER LOADING STATIONS BEFORE THE INCINERATORS COULD BE PHASED OUT.
+CONSULTANTS ARE NOW WORKING ON PLANS FOR A TRANSFER STATION IN KOWLOON AND THE PLANNING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE KENNEDY TOWN PLANT IS BEING STEPPED UP,+ HE SAID.
THE PROBLEM ON HONG KONG ISLAND, HE SAID, WAS THAT IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS TO DESIGN, LOCATE, BUILD AND COMMISSION ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES FOR HANDLING REFUSE.
HOWEVER, TEMPORARY REPAIRS WOULD NOT LAST MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS.
AS THE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE WAS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE WHICH SHOULD NOT BE INTERRUPTED, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO CARRY OUT EXTENSIVE REPAIRS WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE CHIMNEYS TO LAST /.ELL BEYOND THE PLANNED DATE FOR CLOSURE OF THE INCINERATORS.
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
14
NEW PENALTIES FOR LATE TRADE DECLARATIONS
*****
IN FORCE TOMORROW
PENALTIES FOR LATE IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS AND THE MINIMUM CHARGE FOR THE AD VALOREM WILL BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (REGISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1986 TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW, PROVIDES FOR THE FOLLOWING REVISIONS IN PENALTIES:
TOTAL VALUE OF ARTICLES SPECIFIED IN DECLARATION
LATE LODGEMENT UP TO ONE MONTH AND 14 DAYS
LATE LODGEMENT UP TO TWO MONTHS AND 14 DAYS
NOT EXCEEDING
$20 000
EXCEEDING $20 000
$20 (FROM $10)
$40 (FROM $20)
$40 (FROM $20)
$80 (FROM $40)
NO CHANGE IS PROPOSED FOR THE PENALTIES FOR LATE LODGEMENT EEYOND TWO MONTHS AND 14 DAYS, AS THE CURRENT RATES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ADEQUATE.
ACCORDINGLY THE AMENDED REGULATIONS ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE REVISION OF MINIMUM AD VALOREM CHARGE PER DECLARATION TO $5 FOR DECLARATIONS RELATING TO ARTICLES OF A VALUE NOT EXCEEDING $10 000.
HOWEVER THE BASIC RATE OF 50 CENTS PER $1 000 VALUE ABOVE THE MINIMUM WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE PRESENT MINIMUM CHARGE IS $2 FOR DECLARATIONS NOT EXCEEDING $4 000.
MEANWHILE, THE CHARGE OF $2 WHICH APPLIED CF FOOD ITEMS IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR VALUE WILL ALSO WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW.
TO AN IMPORT SHIPMENT BE INCREASED TO $5,
------- o - -------
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 193F
15
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR REPORTS PUBLISHED *****
HONG KONG’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (IYY) WERE SUMMED UP IN TWO SEPARATE REPORTS RELEASED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE TWO REPORTS GAVE A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE EVENTS ORGANISED IN THE PAST YEAR BY THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (CCCIYY) AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND THE CONFERENCE ON YOUTH POLICIES IN PERSPECTIVE.
ADDRESSING THE CONFERENCE ON THE REVIEW-OF THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, THE CHAIRMAN OF CCCIYY, MRS SELINA CHOW, EXPRESSED HER APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO HAD HELPED IN PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
FIVE LARGE-SCALE EVENTS ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS WERE ORGANISED, WITH THE AIM OF BRINGING OUT THE THEME OF IYY: PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE.
EXPENDITURE FOR THESE EVENTS WERE IN THE REGION OF $1.5 MILLION. HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL COST WAS UNDER $250 000, AS THE REMAINDER OF THE COST WERE MET BY SPONSORSHIP FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
REPORTING ON THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE, MRS ROSANNA TAM, SAID EVENTS INCLUDED AN OPENING CEREMONY WHICH ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, A CONFERENCE ON +YOUTH POLICIES IN PERSPECTIVE* TO PROBE INTO THE SERVICES AND POLICIES FOR YOUTH; A +CIVIC DAY FOR YOUTH* TO PROMOTE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS1 AND A +PEACE RALLY* AND +PEACE HI-TOUCH EXHIBITION* TO PROMOTE PEACE.
IN A SEPARATE REPORT, THE GIST OF BOTH STAGES OF THE CONFERENCE ON *YOUTH POLICIES IN PERSPECTIVE*, TOGETHER WITH THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS WERE COMPILED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
THE PRIME RECOMMENDATION WAS TO SET UP A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AFFAIRS TO EXAMINE EXISTING YOUTH POLICIES AND PROVISIONS FOR YOUTH, AS WELL AS THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF YOUTH, WITH A VIEW TO FORMULATING AN INTEGRATED YOUTH POLICY.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIAISON SUB-COMMITTEE, MRS PAMELA CHAN, POINTED OUT THAT APART FROM THE EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE CCCIYY, A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ALSO HELPED SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
STATISTICS COMPILED FROM QUESTIONNAIRES SENT OUT EARLIER BY THE LIAISON SUB-COMMITTEE SHOWED THAT SOME 200 ORGANISATIONS CONTRIBUTED IN ORGANISING MORE THAN 4 300 EVENTS OF DIFFERENT NATURE, WHICH WERE PARTICIPATED BY MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE.
/a TOTAL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
- 16 -
A TOTAL OF 10 000 COPIES OF THE TWO REPORTS WILL BE TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS l€D I A.
DISTRIBUTED AND THE
ALSO TAKING PART IN TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE CHAIRMAN, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SUB-COMMITTEE, MR J.P. LEE, AND CHAIRMAN, PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE, MR HOWARD
YOUNG.
----o------
PUBLIC REMINDED TO GET LICENCE FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC IN POSSESSION OF CERTAIN ENDANGERED SPECIES CF ANIMALS AND PLANTS TO OBTAIN A VALID LICENCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE MARCH 20.
THESE SPECIES, LISTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION CF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) ORDER 1985, INCLUDE OWLS. FLAMINGOS, WHALES, DOLPHINS, PORPOISES, RORQUALS, BLACK CORALS, PARROTS AND RELATED BIRDS EXCEPT BUDGERIGARS, COCKATIELS AND ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS.
THEY ALSO INCLUDE THE WHOLE, PARTS AND DERIVATIVES OF THESE ANIMALS AS WELL AS SIX SPECIES OF PITCHER PLANT.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DECEMBER 1985 AMENDMENT ORDER WAS TO AFFECT LICENSING CONTROL ON THESE ENDANGERED SPECIES IN LINE WITH THE UPDATED LIST OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).
♦ THE AMENDMENT ORDER REQUIRES OWNERS OF THE NEWLY SCHEDULED SPECIES ACQUIRED BEFORE DECEMBER 20, 1985 TO APPLY AND OBTAIN A POSSESSION LICENCE FROM THIS DEPARTMENT BEFORE MARCH 20,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THE AMENDMENT ORDER PROVIDED FOR AN EXEMPTION IN RESPECT OF PARROTS KEPT IN HONG KONG AS PETS BUT THE EXEMPTION DID NOT APPLY TO BIRD TRADERS AND ANYONE WHO POSSESSED PARROTS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
THE SPOKESMAN CAUTIONED THAT POSSESSION OF SCHEDULED SPEClEo OR THEIR PARTS AND DERIVATIVES WITHOUT A LICENCE WAS AN OFFENCE.
+APART FROM FORFEITURE OF THE SPECIES, OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 FOR A FIRST OFFENCE, AND $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE,+ HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR POSSESSION LICENCES IN RESPECT OF THE LISTED SPECIES COULD BE MADE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S FAUNA CONSERVATION SECTION ON 3-7332123. _________
--------q ----------
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
17
NEW BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM FOR KAI TAK * * * *
A SOPHISTICATED BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM WILL SOON BE INSTALLED AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT UNDER A CONTRACT AWARDED RECENTLY.
THE CONTRACT IS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED DEPARTURE HANDLING SYSTEM, TWO CONVEYORS FOR ARRIVAL BAGGAGE HANDLING AND AN OUTSIZE BAGGAGE HOIST.
THE EQUIPMENT WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE EXTENDED SECTION OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING BUILT UNDER STAGE 5 OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THE CONTRACT, VALUED AT $47 MILLION, WAS AWARDED BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO JEBSON AND CO. LTD., HONG KONG.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN 30 MONTHS.
------o-------
STORAGE SITE FOR LEASE * * * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF A SITE AT ON MUK STREET IN SHA TIN.
MEASURING ABOUT 1 660 SQUARE METRES, THE USE OF THE SITE BY THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER IS LIMITED TO THE STORAGE OF GOODS AND VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS.
TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS WHICH WILL BE RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 27.
THE TENDER FORM, NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND THE TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON OR THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN.
----o------
/18........
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
18
BOARD TO DISCUSS URBAN COUNCIL DOCUMENTS *****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS TWO URBAN COUNCIL CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENTS.
MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS AND PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS, AS WELL AS HAWKER AND MARKET POLICIES.
URBAN COUNCILLORS MRS ELSIE TU AND MR TONG KAM-BIU- ASSISTANT DIRECTORS OF URBAN SERVICES, MR OWEN BROADLEY AND DR PATRICK HASE, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SPECIAL MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, NO. 7-11 NAM NING STREET, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
-.--0-----
BILLIARD SALOON CONTROL TO BE DISCUSSED *****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AN URBAN COUNCIL CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON THE POLICY OF CONTROLLING BILLIARD SALOONS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED RECENTLY BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THERE ARE 31 LICENSED PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS IN HONG KONG AT PRESENT WHILE PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS HAVE MUSHROOMED TO 130 IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT SOME OF THESE CLUBS ARE OPERATING AS DE FACTO PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS UNDER THE GUISE OF PRIVATE CLUBS AND NOT SUBJECT TO LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.
/AT THE .......
THURSDAY, MARGc 13, 198c,
- 19 -
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE DRAFT 1986-37 YEAR PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE AND DISCUSS PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 39 TONKIN STREET.
-----o------
SEMINAR ON TEACHING OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES
*****
MORE THAN 160 SECONDARY TEACHERS WILL ATTEND A SEMINAR ?'< SATURDAY (MARCH 15) ON THE TEACHING OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES EXAMINATION SYLLABUS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE ONE-DAY SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT ROAD IN KOWLOON AND IS JOINTLY ORGANISED EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AND THE RELIGIOUS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
WAH YAN COLLEGE, WATtfcLJ BY THE HONG KONG AND ETHICAL EDUCATION
TEACHERS WITH THE DIFFERENT
THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT ACQUAINTING
APPROACHES IN TEACHING THE SYLLABUS TO FORM 4 TO 5 AND MIDDLE 4 TO 5 AND WITH THE METHODS USED TO APPLY THE SUBJECT TO THE DAILY
LIFE SITUATION OF PUPILS.
IT IS ALSO AIMED AT HEIGHTENING THE AWARENESS OF TEACHERS TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE CHAIRMAN OF CERTIFICATION OF EDUCAITION RELIGIOUS STUDIES SUBJECT COMMITTEE, HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY, MR MICHAEL YEUNG, WILL MAKE THE OPENING ADDRESS TO THE GATHERING.
/20 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
20
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL FOR KWAI CHUNG *****
A CARNIVAL AND VARIETY SHOW TO PUBLICISE FLIGHT CRIME MESSAGES WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MARCH 16) FOR 2 000 RESIDENTS IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE, IT WILL TAKE PLACE HING FONG ROAD.
KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND RECREATION AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTSGROUND IN
AT THE CARNIVAL FROM 2.30 PM TO 4 PM THERE WILL BE 20 SPECIALLY DESIGNED GAMES STALLS WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN HAVE FUN AND KNOW VARIOUS WAYS OF PREVENTING CRIME.
DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO TUNG-CHING, MEMBER,
MR CHENG WING—CHUN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PATRICK LAU, AND district Commander’(kwai chung), mr d.g. chall’is, will officiate AT THE 2.30 PM OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL.
DURING THE CEREMONY WINNERS OF THE RECENTLY HELD DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME SLOGAN COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE PRIZES.
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 7.30 PM TO 10 PM AT THE SAME VENUE. ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO ED I TORSt
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTSGROUND.
-----o------
GAS SAFETY EXHIBITION FOR MEI FOO SUN CHUEN * * * *
RESIDENTS OF MEI FOO SUN CHUEN WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GAS SAFETY WITH A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION BEING HELD THIS SATURDAY, (2.30 PM TO 6 PM) AND ON SUNDAY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM.
TO BE HELD AT THE ESTATE’S ROLLER-SKATING RINK, THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ESTATE MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, MOBILE OIL HONG KONG LTD AND THE GAS ADVISER’S OFFICE OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
/+WE UNDERSTAND .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
- 21 -
+WE UNDERSTAND THAT CERTAIN HOUSEHOLDS IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN
SAID.
- - 0 - -
SENIOR MANAGERS
TAKE PART IN ACTION LEARNING * * * * *
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF CF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS
AND HIGH
THE MANAGEMENT development centre (mdc) rnuttPlL 16 SENIOR MANAGERS FROM THE !!^elBgener^™anageSeLntTp?oISamF„eRtodaAyR(t2ursSay)KNSIV’
;i
,ves“ol M »ECOr“oN IN HONG KONG.
^KJ^of^TrSN^^TroN^lA^N^rSrsC^^SN^^^^C^^NSI^Ti^USH
TO JUNE 27. _
- 0 -
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
22
TEMPORARY STAFF REQUIRED FOR SURVEY *****
SAID THE STAFF WOULD BE REQU I REJ TO COLLECT COMPLETED SURVEY 7.
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING TEMPORARY STAFF FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SERVICE TO VISIT BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS RETURNS BETWEEN APRIL 21 AND MAY
APPLICANTS, PREFERABLY AGED 25 OR UNDER, SHOULD BE FORM 5 GRADUATES WITH FIVE PASSES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, INCLUDING CHINESE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
THE JOB, WHICH OFFERS A DAILY WAGE OF $121, IS OPEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.
THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD APPROACH ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. ENQUIRIES CA. BE MADE AT 3-666615, 3-6^5525, 3-265123, 0-420154 OR 5-270622.
-----0------
ASPHALT BATCHING PLANT OPENING
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF AN ASPHALT BATCHING PLANT AT TURRET HILL QUARRY IN SHA TIN WAI ROAD, SHA TIN, AT 11.30 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
--------o
/23.......
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1.9'6
23
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS wILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEW TERR I TOR IES FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL STARTING SUNDAY (MARCH 16).
ROAD CLOSURE
* BETWEEN 4 AM AND 8 PM ON MARCH 16, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, APRIL 5, 6, 13 AND 20, WO HOP SHEK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO PRIVATE CARS AND COACHES (INCLUDING VEHICLES ACCOMPANYING HEARSES) EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES, HEARSES, FRANCHISED BUSES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND TAXIS CARRYING PASSENGERS.
M
*
BETWEEN 7 AM AND 6 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, THE SLIP ROAD AT WO HOP SHEK CONNECTION FROM TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) TO WO HOP SHEK ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT KMB BUSES, EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND HEARSES.
AT THE SAME TIME, FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD (LEADING FROM TAI PO ROAD TO PAK FUK TSUEN) WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT KMB BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES, EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND RESIDENTS FOR LOCAL ACCESS. THE FANLING KCR STATION FORECOURT AT ITS ACCESS FROM ROAD D5 WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT KMB BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM ON MARCH 29. 30, 31, APRIL 5 AND 6, LO WAI ROAD BETWEEN LO WAI BU& TERMINUS AND YUEN YUEN HOK YUEN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES. DURING THE CLOSURE, THE LO WAI TERMINAL POINT FOR NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 81 AND 81M WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE LO WAI BUS TERMINUS.
* THE NEW ACCESS ROAD TO TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AT THE END OF WING SHUN STREET, KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON MARCH 29 TO 31 AND ON APRIL 5, 6 AND 13. THE JUNCTION OF WING SHUN STREET, KWAI HEI STREET AND KWAI YUE STREET WILL ALSO BE CLOSED. GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE OLD ACCESS ROAD FROM TEXACO ROAD TO TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AS THE ACCESS ROAD HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A CONSTRUCTION SITE AND IS NOT SAFE FOR PUBLIC USE.
/PUBLIC TRANSPORT .......
'THURSDAY, MAHCH 13, 1986
- 24 -
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES
* ON MARCH 28 TO 31 AND APRIL 5, 6 AND 13, KCR WILL STRENGTHEN ITS SERVICES. TRAIN SERVICES WILL OPERATc FROM FANLING AT -IVE-MINUTE INTERVAL FROM ABOUT 7 AM TO 9 AM AND FROM 5 PM TO 6 PM; AND AT 7.5 MINUTES FREQUENCY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM.
*
*
*
*
*
ON MARCH 16, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, APRIL 5, 6 AND 13 AND ^3, A SPECIAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE ROUTE 70R WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN FANLING KCR STATION AND WO HOP SHEK AT ABOUT THREE-MINUTE INTERVAL.
ANOTHER SPECIAL BUS SERVICE ROUTE 70S WILL OPERATE EET/.EE JORDAN ROAD FERRY BUS TERMINUS AND WO HOP SHEK VIA TOLu HIGHWAY AT SIX-MINUTE INTERVAL ON MARCH 16, 23, 30, aP- II. 5, 6, 13 AND 20.
KMB ROUTES 69, 70 AND 73 WILL ALSO STEP UP SERVICES.
GRAVE-SWEEPERS WISHING TO GO TO SANDY RIDGE CAN TAKE THE REGULAR BUS SERVICE ROUTE 73K PLYING BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND SAN UK LING OR THE TRAIN SERVICE TO Lu WU.
PLBS AND TAXIS CARRYING PASSENGERS WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS AND WAITING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
PARKING FACILITIES
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEN GOING TO THE CEMETERIES AS THERE WILL BE NO PARK I NG FAC IL I i I c IN THE VICINITY OF WO HOP SHEK WHILE PARKING SPACES IN SHEUNG bHUI FANLING (ON LOK TSUEN) AND AROUND TSUEN WAN CEMETERY ARE EXTREMc-r
LIMITED.
IN ADDITION, PRIVATE CARS, PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES AND PRIVATE COACHES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN ONE ~ KILOMETRE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE JUNCTION BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD FAI SERVICE ROAD (WEST) AND WO HOP SHEK ROAD.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM THE SOUTH WISHING TO VISIT WO HOP SHEK SHOULD USE TAI PO ROAD TAI WO SERVICE ROAD (WEST) AT HONG LOK YUEN.
GRAVE-SWEEPERS FROM FANLING KCR STATION WISHING TO GO TO WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY ON FOOT SHOULD FOLLOW THE PEDESTR I AN ROUTz. FROM FANLING KCR STATION, FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD, FANLING _ ROUNDABOUT, TAI PO ROAD, wO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE AND WO HOP
ROAD.
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1936
- 25 -
ROAD CLOSED FOR REPAIR WORKS X X X X
NUMEROUS TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED IL LA SALLE ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST TC FACILITATE EMERGENCY RE AIR WORKS AS A RESULT OF WATERNAILS BURST AT THE JUNCTION OF LA SALLE ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD RCAL WEST.
THESE ARE:
X LA SALLE ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST IS CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC.
X VEHICLES FROM BOUNDARY STREET EASTBOUND ARE PROHIBITS-FROM TURNING ONTO LA SALLE ROAD SOUTHBOUND! WHILE VEHICLES FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WESTBOUND ARE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING ONTO LA SALLE ROAD NORTHBOUND.
X SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN LA SALLE ROAD HEADING FOR PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST IS DIVERTED TO BOUNDARY STREET AND THE KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE; AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC IN PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST HEADING FOR LA SALLE ROAD IS DIVERTED TO EMBANKMENT ROAD AND BOUNDARY STREET.
X KMh BUS ROUTE 208 TRAVELLING IN LA SALLE ROAD ON ITS JOURNEY TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST IS DIVERTED TO LANCASHIRE ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD BEFORE REJOINING NORMAL ROUTE INGS.
THE ABOVE MEASURES WILL CONTINUE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
-----o------
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI X X X X X
TO FACILITATE CABLE LAYING WORK, THE SECTION OF LI CHIT STREET BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED T0 TRAFFIC BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 16).
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON JOHNSTON ROAD HEADING FOR EASTBOUND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL HAVE TO USE ANTON STREET.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOINT LIAISON GROUP COMMUNIQUE............................... 1
GLAD PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERED — SIR DAVID ................. 2
PROPER PRODUCT-CONSUMER SAFETY BALANCE BEING CONSIDERED ..... 3
EXCELLENT ENVIRONMENT CREATED FOR TSING YI RESIDENTS ........ 4
RIGHT BALANCE SEEN IN BUS CONTROL SCHEME .................... 5
LIST OF LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS PUBLISHED .................... 7
COMPENSATION RATES FOR LAND INCREASED ....................... 8
NEW STOCK EXCHANGE SECTION 26 STaRTS APRIL 2 ................ 8
WAN CHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN TO BE AMENDED .................. 9
•ASPHALT PUNT OPENING AN IMPORTANT EVENT' ................... 10
HK COMMISSIONER AT EXPO 86 .................................. 11
SPECIAL STAMPS TO HONOUR QUEEN'S 60TH BIRTHDAY .............. 12
CALL TO STEP UP HELP TO STREET SLEEPERS ..................... 12
MORE NURSERIES PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN ......................... 13
AREAS TO PROMOTE MANAGEMENT TRAINING IDENTIFIED ............. 14
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION FOR TUEN MUN ..................... 14
TRAFFIC CHANGES ............................................. 15
TUEN MUN WATER CUT .......................................... 15
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
1
JOINT LIAISON GROUP COMMUNIQUE *****
THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS THIRD MEETING IN HONG KONG FROM MARCH 11 TO 14, 1986.
THE MEETING REVIEWED WITH SATISFACTION THE WORK OF THE GROUP IN ITS FIRST YEAR. THE TWO SIDES CONTINUED, IN A SPIRIT OF FRIENDLY COOPERATION, DISCUSSION IN DEPTH ON THE RELEVANT ISSUES AND ACHIEVED POSITIVE RESULTS.
THE GROUP FURTHER DISCUSSED MEANS TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED PARTICIPATION OF HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE AS WELL AS ARRANGEMENTS RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES, AND REACHED AN IDENTITY OF VIEWS ON HOW THIS QUESTION WILL BE SOLVED AND THE STEPS TOWARDS ITS SOLUTION. THE TWO SIDES THAT CONCRETE MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN IN THIS RESPECT.
AGREED
THE GROUP CONTINUED DETAILED DISCUSSIONS ON TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND RELATED MATTERS: THEY REACHED AGREEMENT ON THE TERMS OF A RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT. THE TWO SIDES CONFIRMED THAT IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED IN HONG KONG BEFORE JULY 1, 1997 WILL, AS FROM THAT DATE, CONTINUE TO BE USED UNTIL THEY ARE REPLACED BY IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BY THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT. THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY ISSUED IN HONG KONG BEFORE JULY 1, 1997 WILL, AS FROM THAT DATE, CONTINUE TO BE USED, AS A TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON RELEVANT DETAILS.
THE GROUP FURTHER DISCUSSED THE QUESTION OF INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AFFECTING HONG KONG AND DECIDED TO SET UP A STANDING SUB-GROUP OF EXPERTS, WITH ITS PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG, TO ASSIST IN THE RELATED WORK.
THE TWO SIDES ALSO HAD A PRELIMINARY EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
THE GROUP DECIDED THAT THE NEXT MEETING WOULD TAKE PLACE IN LONDON FROM JULY 22 TO 25, 1986.
- c------------
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
2
GLAD PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERED — SIR DAVID * * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THAT HE wAS PLEASED THAT CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS NOT TO TAKE ANY INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN THEIR PURSUIT OF INCREASE.
TODAY (FRi JAy ■ HAD DECIDED A HIGHER °ay
COUNC IL ’ o
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE CONSUMER
PRODUCT SAFETY EXHIBITION AT NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN, SIR DAVIj SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST wAS CONSIDERED
+1 AM VERY PLEASED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG «ILL NOT BE INCONVENIENCED BY THIS DISPUTE ABOUT PAY THAT WE’RE STILL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS WITH THEM IN A SENSIBLE WAY, AND THAT THE PUBLIC OF HONG KONG ARE NOT INVOLVED,+ HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THOSE CONCERNED WOULD MAKE THEIR REPRESENTATIONS IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY BUT ONE WHICH DID NOT AFFECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
HE ADDED THAT THE IMPORTANT THING NOw wAS THAT LATER THIS YEAR THERE WOULD BE A PAY LEVEL SURVEY WHICH WOULD GO INTO THE QUESTION CF COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS AND SET THE LEVELS IN AN AUTHORITATIVE WAY.
+1 THINK REALLY NOW WHAT WE MUST LOOK TO IS THE RESULT OF ThAT PAY LEVEL SURVEY,* HE NOTED.
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD TURNED DOWN THE UNIONS’S DEMANDS BECAUSE IT KNEW AT THE BEGINNING THAT CERTAIN UNIONS WERE AGAINST +CONFRONTATION+, SIR DAVID SAID BOTH SIDES HAD BEEN TALKING TO EACH OTHER FOR MANY WEEKS NOW, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN PUTTING OVER ITS CASE.
+THE UNIONS OF COURSE HAD BEEN MAKING THEIR CASE. SO THERE’S BEEN NO QUESTION OF COLLUSION.*
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, HAVING LISTENED TO THE VARIOUS ARGUMENTS OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, MADE UP ITS MIND AT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON TUESDAY.
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/3........
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1P86
- 3 -
PROPER PRODUCT-CONSUMER SAFETY BALANCE BEING CONSIDERED ******
CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO INTRODUCING LEGISLATION RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR ELECTRICAL FITTINGS, APPLIANCES AND DEVICES SO THAT A PROPER BALANCE 'IS STRUCK BETWEEN CONSUMER SAFETY ON THE ONE HAND AND THE AVOIDANCE OF UNDUE INTERFERENCE wI TH TRADE AND INDUSTRY ON THE OTHER. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S PRODUCT SAFETY EXHIBITION AT NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN, SIR DAVID SAID THAT MANUFACTURERS OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PRODUCTS WERE SAFE.
MOREOVER THE REPUTATION THAT OUR PRODUCTS WERE SAFE AND RELIABLE HAD AN IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP TO THEIR MARKETABILITY BOTH HERE AND OVERSEAS, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD, THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF PRODUCT TESTING, INVESTIGATION OF INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINTS AND AN AWARENESS OF CONSUMER NEEDS, TAKEN THE LEaD IN EFFORTS TO ENSURE PRODUCT SAFETY AND PROTECT CONSUMER INTERESTS, AND TO PROVIDE ACCURATE UP-TO-DATE ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC, TO MANUFACTURERS, RETAILERS AND GOVERNMENT.
♦NOW IN ITS TWELFTH YEAR,* HE ADDED, +THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN INCREASING CONSUMERS’ AWARENESS OF THEIR RIGHTS AND THE REDRESS AVAILABLE TO THEM.*
REGULAR PRESS CONFERENCES AND PUBLICATION OF THE MAGAZINE +CHOICE+ WERE VITAL PART OF THE PROCESS OF ENABLING CONSUMERS TO MAKE INFORMED PURCHASING DECISIONS, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT A MAJOR ELEMENT OF THE SAFETY EXHIBITION WAS CONCERNED WITH DANGERS AND HAZARDS IN HOME.
THIS WOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF MAJOR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS LATER THIS YEAR, HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD 12 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT BEHIND IT, HE WISHED ITS MEMBERS EVERY SUCCESS IN THEIR WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY.
------- o -------
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
- 4 -
EXCELLENT ENVIRONMENT CREATED FOR TSI NG Yl RESIDENTS ******
ENGINEERING AND BUILDING PROJECTS UNDERWAY ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND WILL HELP CREATE AN EXCELLENT LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR RESIDENTS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO NUMBER MORE THAN 200 000 BY THE 5tE 1?9O{S, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A PO LEUNG KUK KINDERGARTEN IN CHEUNG HONG ESTATE ON TSI NG Yl, DR HAYES SAID DEVELOPMENT ON THE ISLAND HAD PROGRESSED VERY RABIDLY WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE CHEUNG CHING ESTATE IN 1977.
SINCE THEN, TSI NG Yl’S POPULATION HAD RISEN FROM 3 4 50 IN 1971 AND 42 500 IN 1981, TO ABOUT 80 000 TODAY.
♦WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW TSI NG Yl ESTATE (PHASE I) AND CHEUNG HONG ESTATE (PHASE V), THE POPULATION WILL PASS THE 100 000 MARK BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR,+ DR HAYES SAID.
VARIOUS AMENITIES AND FACILITIES ACCOMPANY THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, AND OTHER MIXED DEVELOPMENT, HE ADDED.
♦A NEW TOWN CENTRE WILl PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT FOR RECREATION AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES BY THE EARLY 9O’S.
♦BASED ON A SERIES OF COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PLAZAS, THIS CENTRE WILL PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH TRAFFIC-FREE SHOPPING.
♦OTHER AMENITIES WILL INCLUDE A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, A GAMES HALL, COOKED FOOD CENTRES AND AN URBAN CLINIC.
♦THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN ALSO INCORPORATES A WATERFRONT PROMENADE, WITH FOUNTAINS, POOLS AND LOOKOUT POINTS.+
FOR THE MORE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, DR HAYES ADDED, THERE WOULD BE PLENTY OF OPEN SPACE AND SPORTS FACILITIES.
ON TSING Yl’S TRAFFIC, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SECOND LINK TO THE MAINLAND, KNOWN AS THE NORTH BRIDGE, WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND SHOULD BE READY IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
♦AT THE SAME TIME, WORK IS WELL ADVANCED ON THE THROUGH EXTENSION OF THE TSING Yl ROAD.
♦AT PRESENT THIS IS A LONG CUL-DE-SAC, LEADING TO THE SHIPYARDS ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE ISLAND.
♦ON COMPLETION OF THE EXTENSION PROJECT, THE ROAD WILL CUT THROUGH THE HILLS TO CHEUNG HONG ESTATE, IN THE NORTHEAST, IMPROVING ACCESS TO ALL PARTS OF TSING Yl PARTICULARLY FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, AND HELPING TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOWS THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND.+
/TURNING TO
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
- 5 -
TURNING TO EDUCATION, DR HAYES NOTED THAT THE PLANS ALSO INCLUDED AMPLE PROVISION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, TO l*EET THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING POPULATION.
HE PARTICULARLY THANKED THE PO LEUNG KUK WHICH HAD LONG ASSOCIATION WITH THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME ON THE ISLAND.
♦AN EDUCATED COMMUNITY IS A MUST FOR MODERN HONG KONG.
BY CONCENTRATING ITS EFFORTS ON EDUCATION AND BY PLACING ITS EXPERIENCE AND PRESTIGE AT THE SERVICE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THE PO LEUNG KUK IS RENDERING A GREAT SERVICE TO TSING Yl NEW TOWN,* HE SAID.
------0 ------
RIGHT BALANCE SEEN IN BUS CONTROL SCHEME * * * * *
THE SCHEME OF CONTROL GOVERNING FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES STRUCK THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTEREST OF BUS COMMUTERS AND THAT OF THE FIRMS’ SHAREHOLDERS, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING THE LIONS CLUB OF BRAEMAR HILL, MR SO SAID THE SCHEME OF CONTROL NOT ONLY ENSURED THAT COMMUTERS PAID A REASONABLE FARE COMMENSURATE WITH THE STANDARD OF BUS SERVICES PROVIDED BUT ALSO PROTECTED THE INVESTMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS BY GUARANTEEING A FAIR RETURN.
HE BELIEVED PUBLIC CRITICISMS AGAINST FARE RISE APPLICATIONS BY THE BUS COMPANIES STEMMED FROM A GENERAL LACK OF UNDERSTAND l^o CF THE WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT REGULATED THE OPERATION AND FINANCES OF THE BUS FIRMS THROUGH THE SCHEME OF CONTROL.
THE SCHEME OF CONTROL, HE EXPLAINED, WAS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES. THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT WERE SET OUT IN THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE AND FURTHER AMPLIFIED IN THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO THE BUS COMPANIES IN 1975.
♦AS SUCH, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT CANNOT BE UNILATERALLY ALTERED BUT THEY ARE SUBJECT TO PERIODIC REVIE* BY THE GOVERNMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BUS COMPANIES,* MR SO SAID.
UNDER THE SCHEME OF CONTROL, THE PROFITS OF EACH BUS COMPANY WERE LIMITED TO A FIXED PERCENTAGE OF ITS AVERAGE NET FIXED ASocT CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF ITS INVESTMENT ON LAND, BUILDINGS, BUSES, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, STORES AND SPARE PARTS AND A JY OTHER EXPENSES USED IN THE OPERATION OF BUS SERVICES UNDER THE FRANCHISE. DEPRECIATION wAS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
/THE PROFIT........
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986 '
6
THE PROFIT OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY IS RESTRICTED TO 16 PER CENT AND THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY TO 15 PER CENT.
MR SO SAID THAT THE PERCENTAGES ADOPTED WERE DEEMED REASONABLE, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT THIS LEVEL OF RETURN WAS FIXED, WHETHER IN GOOD YEARS OR BAD, AND THAT LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY HAD TO BE ENJOYED BY THE COMPANIES BEFORE SHAREHOLDERS COULD BE ENCOURAGED TO INVEST FURTHER IN BUS OPERATIONS.
WHEN A BUS COMPANY MADE A BIGGER PROFIT THAN ALLOWED, THE SURPLUS WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A DEVELOPMENT FUND. IN A LEAN YEAR WHEN PROFITS WERE LOWER THAN ALLOWED, THE BUS COMPANY COULD DRAW FROM THIS FUND TO BRING ITS PROFITS UP TO PERMITTED LEVEL.
THE DEVELOPMENT FUND DID NOT FORM PART OF THE SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND AND COULD ONLY BE USED FOR OPERATING BUS SERVICES. INDEED, NO BUS FARE INCREASE WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL THIS FUND HAD BEEN EXHAUSTED, MR SO SAID.
THE BUS COMPANIES’ ACCOUNTS WERE SUBJECT TO CLOSE EXAMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL MONITORING UNIT. MOREOVER, THE TWO GOVERNMENT OFFICERS APPOINTED TO SIT ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EACH BUS COMPANY WOULD SEE TO IT THAT AN EFFICIENT AND PROPER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED.
TO CHECK AGAINST POSSIBLE, DELIBERATE ATTEMPTS BY THE BUS COMPANIES TO OVER-INVEST TO BOOST THEIR PROFITS IN REAL TERMS, A MONITORING SYSTEM SPELT OUT IN THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE REQUIRED EACH FRANCHISED BUS OPERATOR TO DRAW UP A FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN BY JUNE OF EACH YEAR FOR GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, NR SO SAID.
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN FEATURED A ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND AN ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF BUSES REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT IT , PROGRAMMES FOR SCRAPPING AND PURCHASING BUSES, DEPOT FACILITIES AND BUS MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS A FORECAST OF THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS IN IMPLEMENTING THESE PROGRAMMES.
THIS PLAN ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE BUS COMPANIES EXPAND OR ADJUST THEIR LEVEL OF SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHANGING TRAVEL PATTERNS AND DEMAND AND THAT THEIR BUS FLEETS ^ET MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY STANDARDS.
+IT ALSO ENSURES THAT ANY ADJUSTMENT OF FARES NECESSITATED BY IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICE IS GRADUAL AND NOT DRAMATIC,+ MR SO SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE PRESENT MONITORING SYSTEM ALREADY PROVIDED NEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC wITH A PART TO PLAY. THIS WAS BECAUSE THE ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WHICH HAD GREAT IMPLICATIONS ON THE BUS COMPANIES’ FINANCES, WERE FINALISED ONLY AFTER CONSULTATIONS WITH DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR VIEWS HAD BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
/MB SO .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
MR SO SAID THE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE FINANCES OF A BUS COMPANY WHICH APPLIED FOR A FARE RISE WAS UNDERSTANDABLE, BUT THIS COULD NOT BE MET BECAUSE OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE WHICH GUARD AGAINST INSIDER
TRADING.
+BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE COMPANIES’ FINANCES ARE SUBJECT TO VERY CLOSE SCRUTINY BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BEFORE ANY APPLICaTIC FOR FARE RISE IS APPROVED,♦ HE EMPHASISED.
MR SO SAID THAT BETTER STANDARDS OF SERVICE FROM THE BUS COMPANIES +WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE AN IMPLICATION ON FARES.+ AND HOPED THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT BEGRUDGE THE COMPANIES’ REQUEST FOR FARE INCREASES FROM TIME TO TIME, SO LONG AS SUCH REQUEST WAS
REASONABLE.
+IT IS A FACT OF LIFE THAT WE ONLY GET WHAT WE ARE TO PAY FOR.+ HE SAID.
PREPARlv
-----0------
LIST OF LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS PUBLISHED
*****
THE NAMES AND LICENCE NUMBERS OF ALL TRAVEL AGENTS WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED LICENCES IN FEBRUARY 1986 SINCE THE TRAVEL AGENTb ORDINANCE 1985 CAME INTO EFFECT ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTl TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS GAZETTED, 292 APPLIED FOR LICENCES AS INDIVIDUALS OR IN PARTNERSHIP AND 607 AS BODY CORPORATE.
+THE VALIDITY OF THE LICENCE PERIOD VARIES BETWEEN SIX MONTHo AND 12 MONTHS,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
♦THE PERIODS OF LICENCES HAVE BEEN STAGGERED TO AVOID THE NEED TO RENEW ALL LICENCES AT THE SAME TIME AND TO REDUCE CONGESTION IN THE PROCESSING OF RENEWAL WHEN CURRENT LICENCES ARE DUE TO EXPIRE.+
THE GAZETTED LIST CAN BE USED AS A GENERAL REFERENCE BY -’E Fc OF THE TRADE, ADVERTISING AGENCIES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC .»I oI TO CHECK WHETHER A TRAVEL AGENT THEY ARE DEALING WITH HAS BEE". LAWFULLY REGISTERED TO CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF PROVIDING +OUT-BOUND+ TRAVEL SERVICES, HE SAID.
/A VERY .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF TRAVEL AGENTS WHO OBTAINED LICENCES AFTER FEBRUARY 28, 1986 HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN TIME ON THE GAZETTED LIST BUT THEIR STATUS AS A LICENSEE CAN BE READILY VER IF IED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ALL LICENSEES WERE DUTY-BOUND TO DISPLAY THEIR LICENCES CONSPICUOUSLY IN THEIR OFFICES AND TO JJOTE THEIR LICENCE NUMBERS IN ANY ADVERTISEMENT, RECEIPTS, BROCHURES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THEM.
A SUPPLEMENTARY LIST WILL BE GAZETTED AFTER JULY THIS YEAR FOR NEW LICENCES ISSUED OR LICENCES RENEWED SINCE FEBRUARY 1986, AS PROVIDED UNDER THE TRAVEL AGENTS REGULATION^.
COMPENSATION RATES FOR LAND INCREASED
*****
EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION RATES FOR RESUMPTION OF LAND IN THE Nt* TOWN AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES wILL BE INCREASED TO $51.6 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND AND $93.6 FOR BUILDING LAND ON APRIL 1.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THESE RATES REPRESENTS » AVERAGE 9.5 PER CENT INCREASE ON THE EXISTING RATES, AND WERE SIMILAR TO THE EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION RATE LEVELS APPLICABLE I APRIL 1983.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ANNOUNCED THE NEW CURRENCY VALUES OF NE* TERRITORIES LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS A/B) THAT wOUL. COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1.
THE VALUES REPRESENT AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 4.5 PER CENT OVE-JFCSCNT VALUES, DEPENDING ON ThE YEAR OF ISSUE.
NEW STOCK EXCHANGE SECTION 26 STARTS APRIL 2
******
A NOTICE BRINGING INTO OPERATION SECTION 9 OF THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 2, HAS BEEN PUBLISHFD IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
SECTION 9, INTRODUCING A NEW SECTION 26, DEALS WITH DEEDS OF TRUST AND SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS.
/FROM THAT
FRIDAY, MARCH 1U, 1986
- 9 -
FROM THAT DATE, ALL DEEDS OF TRUST, WHETHER ENTERED INTO BEFORE OR AFTER THE APPOINTED DAY, WILL BE VOID.
THE NEW SECTION 26 READS:
+ ANY AGREEMENT .............. WHICH HAS THE EFFECT OF
MAKING A MEMBER OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANY SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL OR DIRECTION OF ANOTHER, WHETHER AS THE AGENT, TRUSTEE OR NOMINEE OF THAT OTHER OR OTHERWISE HOWSOEVER SHALL BE VOID AND WITHOUT EFFECT.+
THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL NOT, HOWEVER, BE AFFECTED SY THE NEW SECTION 26:
(A) ANY DEALING PARTNERSHIP FOR DEALING IN SECURITIES’
(B) ANY MANDATE FROM A CLIENT TO THE MEMBER OF THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE TO DEAL;
(C) ANY AGENCY AGREEMENT WITH FOREIGN STOCKBROKERS AND
(D) OTHER TRANSACTIONS IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF STOCKBROKING BUSINESS.
0 --------
WAN CHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN TO BE AMENDED ******
THE WAN CHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IS TO BE AMENDED TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE EXPECTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SHARP STREET TH AM DEPOT.
ANNOUNCING THE CHANGE TODAY (FRIDAY). A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD EXPLAINED THAT THE DEPOT SITE HAD BEEN REDESIGNATED AS A ’COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AREA’.
THIS AMENDMENT WAS TO ALLOW THE BOARD TO ASSESS THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL ON THIS SITE, THROUGH THE SUBMISSION OF A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN, HE SAID.
+THE BOARD HAS RECENTLY CONSIDERED THE PROPOSED RELOCATION CF THE TRAM DEPOT TO THE WESTERN RECLAMATION AND SHAU KEI WAN RECLAMATION. THE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE, COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WHEN THE REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL FOR THE DEPOT IS RECEIVED,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE AMiKDED
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
10
THE AMENDED PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE WANI CHA I DI STR I CT CFFICP 201 HENNESSY ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG? THE PUBLIC SlQUIFY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT °FFKES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND THE TOWN PLANNING DIV ISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE AMENDMENT SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE APRIL 3, 1986.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR THE KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE AT 382 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR COLOURED ONE.
-----0------
’ASPHALT PLANT OPENING AN IMPORTANT EVENT’
******
THE INSTALLATION OF HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTION FACILITY AT HONG KONG’S LATEST ASPHALT PLANT WAS A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT EVENT FOR THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, NR NICKY CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE PLANT IN SHA TIN, MR CHAN SAID THAT IT WAS NOT ONLY THE LARGEST PRODUCTION PLANT IN ASIA, BUT IT ALSO INCORPORATED THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN QUALITY ASSURANCE AND POLLUTION CONTROL.
HE SAID IT WAS A MATTER OF RECORD THAT THE OPERATORS OF THE PLANT, ANDERSON ASPHALT LIMITED, HAD ALREADY CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S HIGHWAY NETWORKS.
+WE, IN GOVERNMENT, ALSO SHARE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THE CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
+THIS IS REFLECTED IN OUR COMMITMENT TO SUCH TRANSPORT PROJECTS AS THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, ROUTE FIVE CONNECTING SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN, ROUTE SEVEN FROM KENNEDY TOWN TO ABERDEEN, THE UPGRADING OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND THE WATERFRONT ROAD FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO CENTRAL.+
MR CHAN THEN CONGRATULATED ALL THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLANT.
-----o-----
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
11
HK COMMISSIONER AT EXPO 86
* X X
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, NR PETER TSAO, ARRIVED IN VANCOUVER YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) TO ATTEND THE COMMISSIONERS GENERAL MEETING OF EXPO 86.
MR TSAO, COMMISSIONER OF THE HONG KONG PAVILION, WILL MEET NEXT WEEK WITH MORE THAN 50 REPRESENTATIVES FROM COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TO DISCUSS THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EXPOSITION, wHICH WILL OPEN IN 50 DAYS.
HE TOLD THE PRESS AT VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THAT THE FIRST THING HE WOULD DO AFTER 11 HOURS OF FLIGHT WAS TO VISIT THE HONG KONG PAVILION.
+OUR AIM IS TO SHOW THE WORLD THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY CF HONG KONG AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE,+ HE SAID.
+WE ARE GOING TO PRESENT IT IN A 9-MINUTE MULTI-VISION SLIDE SHOW, WITH LIVE PERFORMANCES BY HONG KONG DANCERS.
♦THE WHOLE PROJECT COSTS HK$15 MILLION (C$2.7 MILLION) AND I AM VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN SEEING THE PROGRESS OF OUR PAVILION,* HE ADDED.
TO ADD A HUMAN TOUCH TO THE PAVILION, MR TSAO SAID, 500 000 CARDS w I TH SIGNATURES AND CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESSES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG PAVILION VISITORS DURING THE EXPO PERIOD.
+WE HOPE PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD CAN MAKE FRIENDS WITH HONG KONG,* HE ADDED.
MR TSAO SAID THE HONG KONG PAVILION HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS.
MR TSAO THEN WENT TO THE EXPO SITE WITH THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CF THE HONG KONG PAVILION, MR EDWARD HUNG, WHO HAS BEEN STATIONED IN VANCOUVER FOR FIVE MONTHS TO OVERSEE THE PREPARATION WORK.
+IT’S TAKING SHAPE AND I AM HAPPY TO SEE EVERYTHING IS BEING DONE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE,* SAID MR TSAO DURING HIS HALF-AN-HOUR TOUR OF THE HONG KONG PAVILION.
THE HONG KONG PAVILION CONSISTS OF A 200-SEAT THEATRE WITH BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING ON THE EXTERIOR.
ALL CONSTRUCTION WORK INSIDE THE PAVILION HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
AFTER TOURING THE PAVILION, MR TSAO WENT TO SEE THE EXHIBITS AT THE LAND PLAZA, INCLUDING A HONG KONG TRAM.
-----o------
/12........
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
12 -
SPECIAL STAMPS TO HONOUR QUEEN’S
******
6OTH BIRTHDAY
A SET OF FIVE SPECIAL STAMPS ON APRIL 21 IN HONOUR OF THE 6OTH
WILL BE ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE BIRTHDAY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II.
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SET IS PART SERIES ISSUED IN CONJUNCTION WITH 22 OTHER POSTAL
OF AN OMNIBUS ADMINISTRATIONS.
THE FIVE STAMPS TO BE ISSUED ARE:
50 CENTS
SI
SI. 30
$1.70
$5
— PRINCESS ELIZABETH ARRIVING AT THE WEDDING OF MISS CELIA BOWES-LYON IN 1931.
— ATTENDING THE SERVICE OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER AT WINDSOR CASTLE IN 1977.
— A PICTURE OF THE QUEEN TAKEN DURING HER VISIT TO HONG KONG IN 1975. THE BACKGROUND SHOWS A FLOATING RESTAURANT FROM WHICH THE QUEEN WATCHED A WATERBORNE PROCESSION.
— A NORMAN PARKINSON PHOTOGRAPH OF THE QUEEN TAKEN IN 1980 FOR THE QUEEN MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY AT THE ROYAL LODGE WINDSOR.
— A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE QUEEN VISITING THE CROWN AGENTS HEAD OFFICE IN LONDON IN 1983 TO CELEBRATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CROWN AGENTS.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY BRITISH DESIGNER TONY THEOBALD AND WERE PRINTED IN THE U.K. BY HARRISON AND SONS LIMITED.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 50 CENTS EACH WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM APRIL 7, THE POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID
HE ADDED THAT FURTHER DETAILS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
- - 0 ----------
CALL TO STEP UP HELP TO STREET SLEEPERS
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (FRIDAY) APPEALED TO WELFARE AGENCIES TO STEP UP ASSISTANCE TO STREET SLEEPERS WHO WERE MENTALLY ILL OR DRUG-ADDICTED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CABLE AND WIRELESS-CARI TAS TEMPORARY SHELTER ON CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, SHE SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT, AND SOMETIMES EVEN IMPOSSIBLE, FOR SOCIAL WORKERS TO GET THROUGH TO THIS CATEGORY OF STREET SLEEPERS.
/+! WOULD .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
+l WOULD LIKE TO APPEAL TO AGENCIES IN THIS AREA OP SOCIAL WORK TO CONSIDER HOW BEST TO HELP THIS GROUP,+ MRS CHAN SAID.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS AWARE OF MORE THAN 1 OOO STREET SLEEPERS IN HONG KONG, NEARLY ALL OF THEM MALE, SHE ADDED.
SOME SLEEP OUT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO AND HAVE NO INTEREST IN MOVING INTO PUBLIC HOUSING? OTHERS MAY BE TEMPORARILY HOMELESS DUE TO FAMILY DISPUTES? OR BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM PRISON OR DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL AND HAVE NO ONE TO CARE FOR THEM.
+IT IS THIS LAST CATEGORY WHICH IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE, FOR THEY ARE OFTEN IN NEED OF COUNSELLING AS WELL AS A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS, SO THAT THEY MAY BE RE-INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY.
+CASEWORKERS FROM MY DEPARTMENT AND THOSE FROM THE WELFARE SECTOR HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL TO HELP THESE PEOPLE IN THE PAST AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO S0,+ SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN THANKED THE CABLE AND WIRELESS FOR PERMITTING CARITAS HONG KONG TO USE THE PREMISES IN CLEARWATER BAY AS A TEMPORARY SHELTER, AS WELL AS PROVIDING FUNDS FOR ITS BUILDING AND ELECTRICAL WORK.
-----o------
MORE NURSERIES PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN M X M * *•
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO SET UP FIVE MORE NURSERIES IN TUEN MUN IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ BUTTERFLY DAY NURSERY IN TUEN MUN, MRS DOE POINTED OUT THAT THESE NURSERIES WOULD PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 500 PLACES TO COPE WITH THE DEMANDS OF WORKING PARENTS.
THE BUTTERFLY DAY NURSERY, WITH A CAPACITY OF 200 PLACES, IS THE NINTH NURSERY OPERATED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 14 SUBVERTED NURSERIES, TWO PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTRES AND ONE SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE IN TUEN MUN PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 2 900 PLACES.
MRS DOE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE NURSERIES FOR YOUNG COUPLES WHO HAVE TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN FOR WORK.
-----o------
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986-
1A
AREAS TO PROMOTE MANAGEMENT TRAINING IDENTIFIED * * X *
SOME EDUCATION COOPERATE
50 REPRESENTATIVES FROM 18 MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL BODIES, AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS AGREED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF MANAGEMENT
TRAINING IN HONG KONG.
AT THE ANNUAL COORDINATION CONFERENCE ON MANAGEMENT TRAINING, ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY TRAINING (CMST) OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, PARTICIPANTS ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF OBTAINING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER o ACTIVITIES, OF IDENTIFYING AREAS OF COOPERATION AND OF EXCHANGING VIEWS ON T?IE DEVELOPMENT OF MANAGEMENT TRAINING FACILITIES.
OUTLINING THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN IN THE CONFERENCE, CHAIRMAN CF CMST, MR PETER BARRETT, SAID THE AREAS FOR COOPERATION INCLUDED THE FORMATION OF MANAGEMENT RESEARCH GROUPS, WAYS TO DEVELOP MANAGEMENT TEACHERS AND TRAINERS, EXCHANGE OF RESEARCH AND COURSE INFORMATION AND CREATION OF A MANAGEMENT TEACHER AND TRAINER RESOURCE DATA BASE.
-------o---------
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION FOR TUEN MUN
*****
THE LAST IN THIS YEAR’S SERIES OF NINE FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS WILL BE HELD AT TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND FROM NOON TO 3 PM THIS SUNDAY (MARCH 16).
ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING ®OUP, THE EXHIBITIONS BEGAN LAST NOVEMBER WHEN DRY WEATHER WAS APPROACHING. THEY WERE STAGED TO REMIND RESIDENTS IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS OF THE HIGH FIRE RISKS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
+ THE EXHIBITIONS HAVE BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC, AND HAVE DRIVEN HOME TO MANY THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN THAT CARELESSNESS CAUSES FIRE,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID.
VISITORS TO THE TUEN MUN EXHIBITION WILL SEE DISPLAY PANELS PREPARED BY THE FIRE SERVICES AND AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENTS ON THE CAUSES OF BOTH HOUSEHOLD AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRES AND THE MEANS OF PREVENTION. THERE WILL ALSO BE FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES? AND AMBULANCES ON SHOW.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL BE GIVEN A BOOKLET ON FIRE PREVENTION IN THE HOME, BOOKMARKS AND CALENDAR CARDS.
0 --------
/15........
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1986
- 15 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES * * *
THE SECTION OF ROAD D4, SHEUNG SHUI, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD L6 TO A POINT OF ABOUT 150 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY, STARTING FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 17).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM EASTERN ROAD IN KOwLOON CITY TO THE EMERGENCY GATE OF THE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE APRON OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE MADE A 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
MEANWHILE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN KWU TUNG AND PAK SHEK- AU WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM THE SAME TIME FOR ABOUT TwO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO A NEWLY-CONSTRUCTED SECTION CF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, PARALLEL TO THE CLOSED SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
- - 0 -
TUEN MUN WATER CUT * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF ^ROM 10 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 17) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM PUI TO ROAD TO TAI LAM CHUNG, INCLUDING SAM SHING ESTATE, DRAGON INN, AREA 20, KADOORIE BEACH, TSING YUNG STREET, CAFETERIA BEACH, GORDON HARD CAMP, PEROWNE CAMP AND SO KWUN WAT.
PEARL ISLAND, SIU SHAU TSUEN, SIU LAM, TAI LAM MARINE POLICE BASE, TAI LAM CHUNG TSUEN AND TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, MaRCH 15, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JLG TEAMS GET TO KNOW HK BETTER ............................... 1
MORE COMPLAINTS AGAINST PUBLIC TRANSPORT RECEIVED ............. 2
JOBLESS RATE STABLE ...........................................
IMPORTERS REMINDED OF CHANGES FROM APRIL 1 .................... 6
'WILSON LEAVING TOMORROW ...................................... 7
CAR NUMBER SALES ADD 3337 OOO FOR CHARITY ..................... 8
PROPERTY OWNERS URGED TO REPORT ADDRESS CHANGE ................ 8
GRADUATES INVITED TO APPLY FOR TRAINING ....................... 9
WORK ON IMPROVING ROUTE TWISK PROPOSED ........................ 10
BOARD MEMBERS PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL AREA ......................... 11
BUS TERMINUS PLANNED FOR LAI TAK TSUEN ........................ 11
MURAL DESIGN, PaINTING COMPETITION ORGANISED .................. 12
TECHNOLOGY ACCESS UNIT OPENING ................................ 12
OUTDOOR CAMPS FOR 11 000 CHILDREN ............................. 13
VISIT TO TREE NURSERY ......................................... 13
RESTRICTED ZONES IN HO MAN TIN .........................-...... 13
PLB RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ....................................... 11*
RIGHT TURN ALLOWED ............................................ 1^
SHAM SHUI PO WATER CUT ........................................ 1^
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1936
1
JLG TEAMS GET TO KNOW HK BETTER * * * *
IT WAS A MEETING OF A DIFFERENT KIND FOR MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE TEAMS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WHEN THEY GOT TOGETHER EARLY THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A FAMILIARISATION TOUR OF HONG KONG.
WITH THE THIRD ROUND OF TALKS BEHIND THEM, LEADER OF THE BRITISH SIDE, DR DAVID WILSON, AND THE CHINESE TEAM LEADER, NR KE ZAISHUO, WERE IN A RELAXED MOOD WHEN THEY MET AT QUEEN’S PIER FOR THE START OF THEIR TOUR.
BOARDING THE LADY MAUR I NE AND THE TIN HAU, THE FIRST STOP FOR THE VISITORS AFTER A LEISURELY CRUISE WAS THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL.
MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE CHAIRMAN OF MODERN TERMINALS LIMITED, NR D.A. GLEDHILL, AND ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR J.M.E. LEESE, MEMBERS OF BOTH SIDES SHOWED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST WHEN THEY WERE SHOWN FACILITIES AT THE TERMINAL, WHICH IS THE THIRD BUSIEST IN THE WORLD.
FROM KWAI CHUNG THE GROUP BOARDED COACHES FOR SHA TIN TO LOOK AT THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS OF ONE OF HONG KONG’S NEW TOWNS.
FOLLOWING A SHORT BRIEFING BY ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, SHA TIN, MR NG YAN-CHUNG, THE PARTY PROCEEDED TO THE LION’S PAVILION FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE NEW TOWN, WHICH IS HOME TO MORE THAN 350 000 PEOPLE.
THE VISITORS WERE TOLD THAT ON FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN - WHICH INCLUDES MA ON SHAN - THE POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE 800 000 MARK BY THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT DECADE.
WITH ABOUT 65 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, IT WAS ONLY NATURAL THAT THEY VISITED LUNG HANG ESTATE.
THEY WERE TOLD BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (REGIONAL MANAGEMENT), MR CHAN PAK, WHO MET THEM THAT LUNG HANG ESTATE PROVIDED 4 367 RENTAL AND 1 424 HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS FOR ABOUT 30 000 PEOPLE.
FOLLOWING A TOUR OF THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, MEMBERS OF BOTH SIDES VISITED ONE OF THE FLATS AND CHATTED WITH THE OCCUPANTS.
THE PARTY THEN MOVED TO THE NEW TOWN PLAZA FOR LUNCH AND TO WATCH THE COLOURFUL MUSIC FOUNTAIN.
DR WILSON, MR KE AND FOUR MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE TEAM THEN JOINED THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, FOR A HELICOPTER TOUR OF THE TERRITORY.
------o-------
/2
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1986
2
MORE COMPLAINTS AGAINST PUBLIC TRANSPORT RECEIVED ******
MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUS SERVICES, GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES AND ROAD CONGESTION WERE RECEIVED IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1985, ACCORDING TO THE QUARTERLY REPORT NO. 1 OF 1985-86 RELEASED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE REPORT, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1985 RECORDED A TOTAL OF 1 482 COMPLAINTS - 254 CASES OR 21 PER CENT MORE THAN THE 1 228 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1984.
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE TCU, MR STEPHEN PANG, SAID THOUGH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE QUARTER WAS NEARLY THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS QUARTER’S TOTAL OF 1 486, COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUS SERVICES, GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES AND ROAD CONGESTION SHOWED AN INCREASE. THERE WERE, HOWEVER, FEWER COMPLAINTS ABOUT PARKING FACILITIES AND ILLEGAL PARKING.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE STILL PREDOMINANT, ACCOUNTING FOR 678 CASES OR MORE THAN TWO-FIFTHS CF ALL THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE QUARTER - NEARLY 70 PER CENT y THESE CASES WERE CONCERNED WITH BUS SERVICES WHILE ONE-HALF OF THE REMAINING CASES WERE RELATED TO GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES.
ALTOGETHER THERE wERE 470 COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUS SERVICES ..ITH INADEQUATE SERVICES AND STANDARD OF SERVICE BEING THE MAIN SUBJECTS.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUATE BUS SERVICES FOR HONG KONG ISLAND .‘.ENT UP FROM 42 IN THE LAST QUARTER TO 56. HALF OF THEM WERE RECEIVED FROM RESIDENTS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
THERE WAS LITTLE VARIATION IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUATE BUS SERVICES FOR KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A HUNDRED AND TWENTY WERE RECEIVED WHILE 114 WERE RECORDED IN THE LAST QUARTER AND 123 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS CF SHA TIN WERE STILL THE MOST NUMEROUS. THEY MADE UP 30 PER CENT OF THE 120 CASES.
+INADEQUATE BUS SERVICES MAINLY RELATED TO SERVICES ABOVE THE LEVEL OF PROVISION OR OUTSIDE THE ROUTE NETWORK AGREED WITH THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES. COMPLAINTS ON THESE SUBJECTS WERE TAKEN UP WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OR THE TRANSPORT BRANCH,+ rF PANG SAID.
THE STANDARD COMPANIES WAS THE
OF SERVICE OF THE TWO MAJOR FRANCHISED BUS SUBJECT OF 235 COMPLAINTS.
/COMPLAINTS CONCERNING.......
SATUBOAI, MARCH 15, 1986
- 3 -
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE STANDARD OF SERVICE OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (KME) CAME TO 94. THIS WAS NEARLY THE SAME AS THE TOTAL OF 91 COMPLAINTS IN THE LAST QUARTER. BUT COMPARED «I TH THE 52 COMPLAINTS IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR, IT REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 42 CASES.
THE RISE IN COMPLAINTS INVOLVING KMB SINCE THE LAST QUARTER OF 1984 WAS DUE TO MORE CASES ABOUT BUS CAPTAINS (FROM 14 TO 39), BUSES NOT KEEPING TO SCHEDULE (FROM 24 TO 28) AND CONDITIONS OF BUSES (FROM 5 TO 11).
+ELEVEN OF THE 94 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING KMB WERE STILL BEING LOOKED INTO BY THE COMPANY. THE OTHER 83 CASES HAD BEEN INVESTIGATED AND 53 WERE FOUND SUBSTANTIATED,* HE SAID.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) TOTALLED 141, AN INCREASE OF 15 OVER THE LAST QUARTER AND 35 MORE THAN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THERE WERE INCREASED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF CMB BUSES - THE NUMBER WENT UP FROM 12 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND 20 IN THE LAST QUARTER TO 60. ON THE OTHER -AND, COMPLAINTS ABOUT CMB BUSES NOT KEEPING TO SCHEDULED FREQUENCY SHOWED A DROP. TWENTY-NINE CASES WERE RECORDED AGAINST 40 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND 45 IN THE LAST jUARTER.
ON THE 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF CMB BUSES. THE AREAS OF CONCERN WERE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER (ONE BUS), MINOR REPAIR TO SEATS AND WINDOWS (EIGHT BUSES) AND BRAKE SQUEALS (51 BUSES). BUT ONLY 22 COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND SUBSTANTIATED.
MR PANG SAID THAT THE 60 BUSES UNDER COMPLAINT WERE CHECKED PROMPTLY BY CMB. THE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER AS FOUND SUBSTANTIATED. SO WERE SIX OF THE EIGHT COMPL
I NTS ABOUT MINOR REPAIR AND 15 OF THE 51 COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKE SQUEALS.
+ALL FAULTS HAD BEEN RECTIFIED AND CMB ADVISED THAT NONE OF THE SUBSTANTIATED CASES ABOUT BRAKE SQUEALS HAD ANY SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. IT SHOULD ALSO BE MENTIONED THAT OF THE 141 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE QUARTER CONCERNING CMB, LESS THAN 53 PER CENT WERE FOUND SUBSTANTIATED,* HE SAID.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES CONTINUED TO INCREASE. THE NUMBER WENT UP FROM 88 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND 94 IN THE LAST QUARTER TO 113.
THE MAIN AREAS OF COMPLAINTS WERE CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE CF DRIVERS (33 CASES). IRREGULAR SERVICE (22 CASES) AND NON-ADHERENCi TO ROUTE ING (17 CASES).
/ABOUT ONE-FIFTH....
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1986
ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE DIRECTED AGAlNbT TWO .OUTESs NT ROUTE 10 BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND RENNIE’S MILL (10 CAoEb) i\'D NT ROUTE 62K BETWEEN SHA TIN KCR STATION AND SHAT IN LODGc
(13 CASES).
ON COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION, TCU RECORDED 293 CASES wHICH ACCOUNTED FOR ONE-FIFTH OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE QUARTER.
♦COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION IN THE URBAN AKtAS CONTINUED TO INCREASE FROM 142 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND 236 IN THE LAST QUARTER TO 237.
♦BUT SIMILAR COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE NEW TERRITORIES INCREASED SLIGHTLY FROM 41 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS,
TO 53 AND SHOWED A DROP WHEN COMPARED TO THE LAS 1 QUARTER s
YEAR
MR PANG SAID.
(123 (102 WERE
THE MAIN SUBJECTS WERE OBSTRUCTION CAUSED BY VEHICLES CASES) AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS CASES). OF THE 120 CASES ABOUT VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION, 65 DIRECTED AGAINST PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
TWPRF WFRE FEWER COMPLAINTS ABOUT PARKING FACILITIES - 68 IN THE^QUARTER AND 103 IN THE LAST QUARTER. COMPLAINTS ILLEGAL PARKING ALSO DECREASED FROM 72 IN THE LAST QUARTER
SASES
*30UT
TO 47.
-----0------
JOBLESS RATE STABLE
******
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION REMAINED STABLE IN THE QUARTER NOVEMBER 1985-JANUARY 1986 COMPARED WITH THE QUARTER ENDING OCTOBER 1985, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1985-JANUARY 1986 WAS 3.1 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH THE RATE OF '.4 PER CENT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING OCTOBER 1985 AND THE JJARTER ENDING JANUARY 1985.
♦THE DECREASES OF 3.3 PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PREVIOUS BARTER AND THE SAME QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1985 WERE BOTH STATISTICALLY NOT SI GN IFI CANT,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SA ID.
- /THE NUMBER.......
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 19&6
- 5 -
THE NUMBER OF THE UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1986 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 83 800, COMPARED WITH 88 500 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING OCTOBER 1985 AND 90 600 FOR THE SAME QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1985.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1985-JANUARY 1986 WAS
1.2 PER CENT, THE SAME AS THAT F0& THE QUARTER ENDING OCTOBER 1985. THE RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1984-JANUARY 1985 WAS ONE PER CENT. THE INCREASE OF 0.2 PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THAT QUARTER WAS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1986 WAS 32 000, COMPARED WITH 31 900 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING OCTOBER 1985 AND 27 100 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JANUARY 1985.
CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE SEEKlixb MORE WORK OR WERE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED MORE WORK WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES WHICH HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED FOR THE VARIATION IN FIRST-TIME JOB SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
HE 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 MOVING 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 DECEMBER 1985-FEBRUARY 1986 WAS 3.1 PER CENT, AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.1 PER CENT. THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1985-JANUARY 1986 WAS 3.2 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY (GHS) CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 14 000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 52 000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LA^D-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG-
/PERSONAL AND
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1986
6
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.
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER POINTE?) OUT THAT TO CONFORM TO THE LATEST STANDARDS RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO, THE GHS DEFINITIONS OF "►UNEMPLOYMENT-*- AND +UNDEREMPLOYMENT+ HAVE BEEN MODIFIED SINCE JANUARY 1985. HOWEVER, A COMPLETE CONVERSION WOULD ONLY BE INTRODUCED IN MAY 1986 WHEN A SUFFICIENTLY LONG SERIES OF THE STATISTICS UNDER THE NEW DEFINITIONS WAS AVAILABLE. USING THE NEW DEFINITIONS THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1985-JANUARY 1986 WAS THREE PER CENT, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.5 PER CENT.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING December 1985 should be available from the government publications CENTRE LATER THIS MONTH.
-------o---------
IMPORTERS REMINDED OF CHANGES FROM APRIL 1
X X X X *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED IMPORTERS CF CHANGES TO THE PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATIONS OF LICENCES FOR TEXTILE AND GARMENT IMPORTS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WOULD BE A MORE VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL TEXTILES COMING INTO THE TERRITORY CARRY IMPORT LICENCES.
SECONDLY, ADDITIONAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE NEEDED FOR IMPORTS OF GARMENTS, GARMENT PARTS AND CERTAIN KNITTED FABRICS, HE ADDED.
FROM APRIL 1, THE REQUIREMENT THAT IMPORTS OF TEXTILES MUST BE BROUGHT IN UNDER VALID IMPORT LICENCES ISSUED BEFORE THE ARRIVAL CF THE GOODS WOULD BE ENFORCED MORE STRICTLY AND THE ISSUE OF LICENCES AFTER THE IMPORT OF GOODS WOULD BE MADE ONLY IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES. THERE WOULD ALSO BE NO INSTANT LICENSING SERVICE FOR LATE APPLICANTS.
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WOULD STEP UP ACTION TO ENSURE THAT PRIOR LICENSING REQUIREMENTS WERE COMPLIED WITH. SPOT CHECKS ON CARGOES WOULD BE INTENSIFIED AND IMPORTERS AND CARRIERS WERE REMINDED THAT IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY LICENCES COULD BE SEIZED WITH PROSECUTIONS FOLLOWING.
/SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1986
7
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WOULD APPLY TO COVER THE SHIPMENT OF COMMERCIAL SAMPLES OF NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.
AS TO THE SECOND CHANGE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FROM APRIL 1, IMPORTERS OF GARMENTS, GARMENT PARTS AND CERTAIN KNITTED FABRICS NOT SHIPPED IN BOLT WOULD HAVE TO DECLARE THE INTENDED USE OF EACH CONSIGNMENT AND TO INDICATE THE WAY IN WHICH IT WAS TO BE EITHER USED LOCALLY OR THE COUNTRY TO WHICH IT IS INTENDED TO RE-EXPORT.
IN ADDITION, IMPORTERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FULL PARTICULARS OF THE GARMENT PARTS AND KNITTED FABRIC NOT SHIPPED IN BOLT. THE DECLARED IMPORTER SHOULD ALSO FURNISH INFORMATION, INCLUDING DOCUMENTS, IF ASKED, RELATING TO IMPORT LICENCES.
PROVISION OF FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION ON A LICENCE APPLICATION COULD RESULT IN A FINE OF UP TO $500 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS. IN ADDITION, ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION TO DENY IMPORT LICENSING FACILITIES TO AN OFFENDER COULD BE TAKEN BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
+CIRCULARS GIVING FULL DETAILS OF THE CHANGES HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED LAST JANUARY,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----0------
WILSON LEAVING TOMORROW * * X
1 .*.JmE^1°VEPRESENTATIVE 0F THE BRITISH TEAM OF THE JOINT (sJioA?) ?? CX “1° ETO W15?"’ WILL LEAVE H0NG K0NG TOMORRO“
NOTE TO EDITORSi
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE COVERAGE CF HIS DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE A'RP0*J ™ESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 9.25 AM. GIS OFFICERS WILL Abb IoIt
- - 0-----------
/8........
0
SATURDAY, VARCH 15, 1986
C.C NUMBER SALES ADD $337 000 FOR CHARITY
******
THIRTY-FOL- SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD ?Y AUCTION THI CORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $337 000, 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 DF 3 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $45 003.
THE NUMBER DH3 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF SAO 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS SI 000 EACH FOR DG8676, DH2373, AZ5188 AND DH2270.
THE OTHER S°ECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PR ICES:
DG 882 7 000 CT2000 6 000 AF6126 3 s 000
DH 336 5 003 DH 328 28 000 CF8668 9 000
DH1222 4 ODO DG7832 3 033 DH 128 10 030
DH1338 4 000 AL1303 7 OJO DH3288 13 000
DH2118 4 003 CC3882 5 003 DH 590 4 000
AW 36 31 000 BL 278 8 000 DH 889 8 000
DH3228 10 000 BC 43 8 000 CF2323 10 000
DH8798 2 000 DH6686 4 003 DJ8876 2 000
BE 897 5 000 AZ 21 11 I 000 DJ1396 2 000
625 35 000
A NUMBER, BK4, WAS WITHDRAWN.
THE NUMBERS WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE SALE.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 103RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY TO $37 177 232.
-------c-------
PROPERTY OWNERS URGED TO REPORT ADDRESS CHANGE
*****
ALL OWNERS OR JOINT OWNERS OF PROPERTY IN HONG KONG CHARGEABLE TO PROPER-' TAX ARE REQUIRcm TO INFORM THc COMMISSIONER OF L.LAnD REVENUE WHENEVER THEY CHANGE THEIR ADDRESS OR CEASE TO EE THE Owner or part—owner.
ACCORDING TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, THERE ARE OVER 800 000 T <ERS OR PART-OWNERS OF PROPERTY IN HONG KONG.
/+rfriERx.' THE ................
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1986
- 9 -
+WHERE THE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH IS CHARGEABLE TO PROPERTY TAX, IS CHANGED WHETHER BY SALE OR TRANSFER, THE VENDOR OR THE TRANSFEROR MUST NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING WITHIN ONE MONTH OF THE SALE OR TRANSFER,+ A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
+AS THERE ARE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CHANGING THEIR HOMES IN THE PRESENT ACTIVE PROPERTY MARKET, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OWNERS TO INFORM ANY CHANGE OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP OR ADDRESS,+ HE ADDtD.
-----0------
GRADUATES INVITED TO APPLY FOR TRAINING
* * * *
GRADUATES IN ENGINEERING, GEOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURE ARE BEING SOUGHT FOR TRAINING VACANCIES WITH THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS.
INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD IN JUNE FOR POSTS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE FILLED IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. STUDENTS WHO ARE DUE TO TAKE THEIR FINAL EXAMINATIONS THIS SUMMER CAN ALSO APPLY.
THE EXERCISE WILL ALSO RECRUIT A NUMBER OF CIVIL ENGINEERING GRADUATES FOR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTABLE DEGREES FROM A HONG KONG OR UNITED KINGDOM UNIVERSITY OR TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTION.
IN THE BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE QUALIFICATION IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (WITH AT LEAST SECOND CLASS HONOURS), MECHANICAL OR BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERING, WHICH SATISFY THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE IEE, I MECH E OR CIBSE.
CIVIL ENGINEERING APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE QUALIFICATIONS WHICH TOGETHER WITH THEIR GCE RESULTS OR HONG KONG EQUIVALENTS, REACH THE DESIRED LEVEL FOR MICE UNDER THE CHILVER SCHEME OF TRAINING.
APPLICANTS IN ELECTRICAL-MECHANICAL, ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING SHOULD BE ABLE TO SATISFY THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
ARCHITECTS SHOULD HAVE QUALIFICATIONS GIVING THEM EXEMPTION FROM THE HKIA OR RIBA PART TWO EXAMINATION.
THOSE APPLYING FOR THE QUANTITY SURVEYING DISCIPLINE SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE RICS FINAL EXAMINATION OR HAVE PASSED THAT EXAMINATION FOLLOWING A FULL-TIME COURSE AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
/APPLICANTS WHO .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1986
10
THE
SCHEME
APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR TRAINING UNDER VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ENGINEERING GRADUATE TRAINING WILL HOWEVER NOT BE CONSIDERED, NOR WILL ANY WHO ARE CURRENTLY TRAINING UNDER AN AGREEMENT WITH CORPORATE MEMBERS OF THE ICE.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES OR FROM THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THEY SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY APRIL 18, TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF QUALIFICATIONS, TO THE SECRETARY, BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 11 TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY, ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, NINTH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON? THE SECRETARY, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 98, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, HONG KONG OR THE SECRETARY, TERRITORY DEVELOPMtNT DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH FLOOR, TIAN AN BUILDING, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG, DEPENDING ON THE DISCIPLINE INVOLVED.
CANDIDATES WHO ARE NOT INVITED FOR INTERVIEW BY JULY 1 SHOULD ASSUME THEIR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL.
- - 0 -
WORK ON IMPROVING ROUTE TWISK PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE SHARP BEND ON ROUTE TWISK NEAR MILESTONE 11, FOR SAFER DRIVING.
THE WORK WILL INVOLVE REALIGNMENT OF ABOUT 160 METRES OF THE ROAD AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BOX CULVERT.
DRAINAGE AND SLOPE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT THE SAME TIME.
THE AREA THROUGH WHICH THE PRESENT BEND RUNS WILL BE CLOSED PERMANENTLY FOR PASSIVE RECREATIONAL USE.
FOR THIS PROJECT, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO RESUME SOME PADDY LAND ALONG THE EDGE OF THE PROPOSED NEW WORKS.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THIS AND HAS RAISED NO OBJECTION.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY OBJECTION SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE MAY 13.
------0-------
/11 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1986
11
BOARD MEMBERS PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL AREA
*****
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND ITS COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE WILL VISIT SEVERAL FACTORIES IN ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, ON TUESDAY (MARCH 18) AS PART OF A PUBLICITY PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE THE INDUSTRIAL AREA.
AFTER THE TRIP, THE ON LOK TSUEN PROMOTION WORKING GROUP, WHICH IS FORMED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE, WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT ONE OF THE FACTORIES, THE KWONG WAH LOCK MANUFACTORY LIMITED.
ON LOK TSUEN WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED AS A TEMPORARY INDUSTRIAL AREA AND COMPRISED MAINLY AGRICULTURAL LAND WITH INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS OPERATING ON THE BASIS OF SHORT TERM
WAIVERS.
IN 1978, THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME COMMITRc APPROVED A LAYOUT PLAN TO DEVELOP THE AREA AS A PERMANENT INDUSTRIAL AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TOUR AND THE PRESS CONFERENCE. A GOVERNMENT VAN WILL LEAVE THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT AT 2.15 PM.
-----o------
BUS TERMINUS PLANNED FOR LAI TAK TSUEN
*****
A BUS TERMINUS IS PLANNED FOR LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH YEE KING ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY TO PROVIDE PROPER TERMINAL AND ADEQUATE TURNING FACILITIES FOR BUSES.
AT PRESENT, BUSES HAVE TO MAKE THREE-POINT TURNS ON-STREET AT THE END OF LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD.
THE PROPOSED TERMINUS WILL CONSIST OF A PLATFORM AND TWO BUS BAYS TOTALLING ABOUT 50 METRES.
THE PROJECT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE EXTENDING THE ROAD BY 12 METROS, ASSOCIATED ROAD MODIFICATION, DRAINAGE AND SLOPE WORKS.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE. OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT MUST BE SENT 1'1 WRITING TO SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MAY 13.
-----o------
/12........
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1986
12
MURAL DESIGN, PAINTING COMPETITION ORGANISED *****
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING AN INTER-SCHOOL MURAL DESIGN AND PAINTING COMPETITION TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE SHA TIN CENTRAL LIBRARY IN OCTOBER.
THE COMPETITION, OPEN TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT, IS AIMED AT STIMULATING INTEREST IN PAINTING AND PROMOTING GROUP CREATIVITY AMONG CHILDREN, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE THEME OF THE CONTEST WILL BE ’JOY OF READING’ AND ALL ENTRIES MUST BE DRAWN ON A3-SI ZE DRAWING PAPER (297 MM X 420 MM).
THE ENTRIES WILL BE SELECTED BY A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING WELL-KNOWN ARTISTES, MR KAN TAI-KEUNG, MR MICHAEL LAI AND MR RAYMONO WONG.
COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES AND BOOK AND STATIONERY COUPONS WILL BE AWARDED TO THREE WINNING SCHOOLS.
STUDENTS FROM THE WINNING SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED TO DO A GROUP PAINTING ON A WALL MEASURING 2.6 METRES BY 4.3 METRES AT THE JUNIOR LIBRARY OF THE SHA TIN CENTRAL LIBRARY.
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED TO ANY OF THE RSD PUBLIC LIBRARIES BY MAY 15, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----o------
TECHNOLOGY ACCESS UNIT OPENING * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OPEN THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY ACCESS
OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, WILL OFFICIALLY INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY’S NEW CLOTHING UNIT ON TUESDAY (MARCH 18) AT 3 PM.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE
BAY TRAINING CENTRE AT 63
THERE WILL BE A TOUR AND A TEA RECEPTION AFTER
AT THE TRAINING AUTHORITY’S KOWLOON TAI YIP STREET, KOWLOON BAY.
OF THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY ACCESS UNIT THE OPENING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
--------o -
/13 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1^36
- 13 -
OUTDOOR CAMPS FOR 11 000 CHILDREN * * * *
MORE THAN 11 000 CHILDREN FROM SPECIAL SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PAkT IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMPS THIS YEAR.
THE CAMPS HAVE BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY A $316 200 GRANT FROM THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND, AND WILL BE RUN BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CHANCE TO LEARN SCHOOL SUBJECTS UNDER A CAMPING SITUATION.
-----o------
VISIT TO TREE NURSERY * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS ARRANGED A PRESS VISIT TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TAI LUNG TREE NURSERY, WHICH lb PRODUCING 800 000 SEEDLINGS THIS YEAR FOR PLANTING.
THE VISIT AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 17) WILL BE PRECEDED BY A BRIEFING BY CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR MARTIN LEUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER TO ATTEND.
TRANSPORT FOR THE MEDIA WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON BY 1.45 PM.
------0-------
RESTRICTED ZONES IN HO MAN TIN * * * *
A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS AT THE JUNCTION OF WYLIE ROAD, HO MAN TIN AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICT^ ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY STARTING AT 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 18).
THEY AREs
fc THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WYLIE ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
/• THS SLIP
SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1966
M THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WYLIE ROAD TO THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD? AND
M THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD TO THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WYLIE ROAD.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-------o - - - -
PLB RESTRICTIONS LIFTED * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 17). THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHAI WAN ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.
THIS SECTION IS BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH WAN TSUI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF ITS WESTERN JUNCTION WITH WAN TSUI ROAD.
MEANWHILE. THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF JAVA ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HEALTHY STREET EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 65 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL ALSO BE LIFTED FROM 10 Ar. ON TUESDAY (MARCH 18).
- C -
RIGHT TURN ALLOWED * * * *
NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ON TO TURN RIGHT ON TO TUNG LO TUESDAY (MARCH 18).
EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD WILL BE WAN ROAD EASTBOUND FROM 10 AM
ALLOWED ON
- - 0 -
SHAM SHU I PO WATER CUT M * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO .ILL EE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 18) TO 6 AM THE FOLLC., H; DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, WONG CHUK STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET AND POPLAR STREET, INCLUDING MAPLE STREET, KI LUNG STREET, APLIU STREET AND TAI NAN STREET.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BRITISH SIDE SATISFIED WITH JLG DISCUSSIONS ................. 1
DESIGN AID FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRY............................ 1
FEBRUARY WAS COLDER, WETTER THAN USUAL ...................... 3
IMPORTANCE OF MACHINE GUARDING STRESSED ..................... 5
NW NAME FOR SAME WORK ...........................*........... 6
EXPANSION OF POLICE DRIVING SCHOOL PROPOSED.........*........ 7
JETTY TO BE BUILT NEAR TUEN MUN ............................. 8
ENTRIES STILL INVITED FOR A..ARD SCHEME...................... 9
WORLD SCHOOL CHILDREN'S ART EXHIBITION ...................... 10
ATHLETIC SCHEME ENDS IN SPOxiTS MEET ........................ 10
GUIDE FOR MOTORISTS AVAILABLE................................ 11
FUN DAY IN FANLING FOR HUNDREDS ............................. 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES .................... 12
CHORAL SPEAKING SEMINaR FOR TEACHERS ........................ 12
ROAD CLOSURE IN SHaU KEI WAN ................................ 12
SEMINAR GN PUBLIC HOUSING RENT POLICY ....................... 13
SOCIAL SERVICES TO BE DISCUSSED ............................. 13
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1986
1 -
BRITISH SIDE SATISFIED WITH JLG DISCUSSIONS ******
THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IS CERTAINLY VERY SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS ACHIEVED IN THE LATEST ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS, HEAD OF THE BRITISH TEAM, DR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE LEAVING HONG KONG, DR WILSON SAID THEY HAD HAD +A VERY USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE* WEEK OF WORK IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
+1 HOPE THAT IN THE NEXT JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING IN LONDON, WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESSES ACHIEVED SO FAR AND ON THE CO-OPERATIVE ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH WE HAVE BEEN CARRYING OUT OUR DISCUSSIONS.
♦AS FOR MYSELF, I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK TO HONG KONG
ON THE WAY THROUGH TO THE MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IN PEKING LATER IN THE YEAR. SEE YOU ALL AGAIN EITHER THERE OR IN LONDON IN JULY,* HE SAID.
DR WILSON WAS SEEN OFF BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR JOHN BOYD, THE SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES), MR PETER WILLIAMS, AND THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MR JOHN CHAN.
DESIGN AID FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRY *****
A GOVERNMENT-BACKED COMPANY SET UP TO PROVIDE AN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND PRODUCT INNOVATION SERVICE TO HONG KONG INDUSTRY WILL BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE +HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY LTD (HKDIC)* WHICH IS CHARGED WITH THE TWIN MISSION OF INJECTING GREATER ORIGINALITY INTO THE DESIGN OF LOCAL PRODUCTS, AND ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS.
A PRIME AIM OF THE NON-PROFIT-DISTRIBUTING COMPANY IS TO
ADD IMPETUS TO HONG KONG’S EFFORTS TO PROJECT A CLEARLY IDENTIFIABLE IMAGE IN ITS PRODUCTS AND TO ACT AS A CATALYST IN THE MOVE TOWARDS THE MANUFACTURE OF HIGHER QUALITY, UPMARKET GOODS.
STAFFED BY A TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL DESIGNERS UNDER THE COMPANY’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MR DOUGLAS TOMKIN, THE HKDIC PLANS TO ADOPT A TWO-PRONGED APPROACH TO ITS TASK IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION.
/initially, it .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1?5o
2
INITIALLY, IT WILL SEEK TO BUILD UP A DATA BASE TO KEEP ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS OF NEW PRODUCTS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE COMPANY WILL CARRY OUT ASSESSMENTS OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF LOCALLY MANUFACTURED GOODS IN TERMS OF THEIR POTENTIAL FOR DESIGN AND INNOVATION. PROPOSALS WILL THEN BE PREPARED AND PRESENTED TO MANUFACTURERS FOR CONSIDERATION.
AS A PARALLEL EXERCISE, HKDIC WILL PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURERS FOR SPECIFIC INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
THE COMPANY, WHICH WILL OPERATE AS A BUSINESS BY CHARGING MARKET RATES FOR ITS SERVICES, IS GOVERNED BY AN EIGHT-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INDUSTRIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, TECHNICAL AND ACADEMIC SECTORS. ITS CHAIRMAN, MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG, IS A MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND A LEADING INDUSTRIALIST. THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, IS THE SOLE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD.
ENCOURAGING HONG KONG INDUSTRY TO GIVE GREATER EMPHASIS TO PRODUCING ORIGINAL, WELL-DESIGNED PRODUCTS HAS LONG BEEN A GOVERNMENT POLICY. HOWEVER, SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FACTORIES, WHICH MAKE UP THE BACKBONE OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY, GENERALLY LACK THE IN-HOUSE CAPABILITIES FOR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT. AS A RESULT, MANY MANUFACTURERS TEND TO GIVE ONLY LOW PRIORITY TO THE CONCEPT OF PRODUCT DESIGN AND INNOVATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, WITH HONG KONG CAUGHT BETWEEN THE PINCER OF RISING PROTECTIONISM IN SOME OF ITS MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS AND INCREASINGLY FIERCE COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WITH CHEAPER LABOUR, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED THAT INDUSTRY MUST STEP UP EFFORTS TO MOVE TOWARDS HIGHER QUALITY GOODS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD APPROVED IN MARCH LAST YEAR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCT DESIGN, INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICE TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS, PARTICULARLY SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FACTORIES.
IN A MOVE THAT UNDERSCORES GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING A SOLID INFRASTRUCTURE FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRY, IT HAS EARMARKED $9.2 MILLION TO THE HKDIC. THIS COMPRISES A SUBVENTION OF $8 MILLION TO COVER THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF THE COMPANY’S OPERATIONS AND AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN OF $1.2 MILLION TO BE TAKEN OUT IN THE FOURTH YEAR.
THE COMPANY IS EXPECTED TO BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT IN ITS FIFTH YEAR OF OPERATION.
- 0
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1986
- 3 -
FEBRUARY WAS COLDER, WETTER THAN USUAL * * * * *
FEBRUARY THIS YEAR WAS COLDER AND WETTER THAN USUAL, WITH THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 14.7 DEGREES CELSIUS BEING 1.2 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL AND THE TOTAL RAINFALL OF 68.8 MILLIMETRES BEING 64 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTED TODAY.
APART FROM SOME SUNNY INTERVALS, WEATHER ON THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH WAS CLOUDY.
A SURGE OF WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED ON FEBRUARY 3 BRINGING STRONG EASTERLY WINDS OFFSHORE OVERNIGHT AND EARLY ON FEBRUARY 5. OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN OCCURRED FROM FEBRUARY 3 TO 7.
THE INTENSE WINTER MONSOON PERSISTED OVER SOUTH CHINA, RESULTING IN COLDER AND DRIER WEATHER IN HONG KONG DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM FEBRUARY 8 TO 11. HOWEVER, WEATHER WAS MILDER AND SUNNY DURING THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
A MOIST SOUTHEASTERLY AIRSTREAM AFFECTED HONG KONG OVERNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 13 CAUSING WIDESPREAD FOG.
VISIBILITIES OF 100 METRES AND 300 METRES WERE RECORDED AT WAGLAN ISLAND AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 14 WHEN AIR AND SEA TRAFFIC WAS DISRUPTED.
TEMPERATURE ON THAT DAY ROSE TO 22.8 DEGREES CELSIUS IN THE AFTERNOON, THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH.
WARM AND HUMID WEATHER WITH MORNING COASTAL FOG WAS AGAIN EXPERIENCED ON FEBRUARY 15.
A SURGE OF WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED LATER DURING THE DAY BRINGING STRONG EASTERLY WINDS OFFSHORE, COOLER AND OVERCAST WEATHER AND SOME RAIN.
THE COOL AND RAINY WEATHER PERSISTED UNTIL FEBRUARY 20. HOWEVER, A SURGE OF DRY WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED LATE ON FEBRUARY 20 AND THE WEATHER BECAME FINE AND SUNNY DURING THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
WEATHER WAS MAINLY CLOUDY WITH PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN FROM FEBRUARY 23 TO 28.
A VERY INTENSE SURGE OF WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED ON FEBRUARY 27 MORNING. THE TEMPERATURE CONTINUED TO FALL AND STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS WERE EXPERIENCED OFFSHORE ON THE AFTERNOON OF FEBRUARY 28.
THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 7.6 DEGREES CELSIUS ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 28, THE LOWEST OF THE MONTH.
/THERE WAS........
SUNDAY, MjUCH'1o, l>ou
THERE WAS ONLY ONE TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH.
JUDY DEVELOPED AS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION ABOUT 790 KILOMETRES SOUTHEAST OF YAP ON FEBRUARY 1 AND MOVED NORTHWESTWARDS.
IT RECURVED ABOUT 850 KILOMETRES WEST-NORTHWEST OF YAP ON FEBRUARY 3 EVENING AND INTENSIFIED INTO A TYPHOON THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT WAS CENTRED ABOUT 980 KILOMETRES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF THE ISLAND.
JUDY FINALLY DISSIPATED ABOUT 670 KILOMETRES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF GUAM ON FEBRUARY 6.
DURING THE MONTH THREE AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER.
A THUNDERSTORM WARNING WAS ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 18.
THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 2, 8 TO 11 21 AND 22 WHILE THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON’FEBRUARY 1, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13 AND 22 TO 26.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM
SIGNAL
DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING
DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEB 3 11 PM FEB 4 8.45 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEB 5 3.15 AM FEB 5 10.30 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEB 15 4.30 PM FEB 17 4.30 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEB 27 11.20 AM FEB 27 11.10 PM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEB 28 3.35 PM MAR 2 11 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
SUNSHINE
RAINFALL
94.1 HOURS - 14.6 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
68.8 MM = 26.9 MM ABOVE NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 78 % • 7 % MORE THAN NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY 76 % = 2 % LOWER THAN NORMAL
MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 16.9 DEG. C. - 1.9 DEG. C. BELOW NORMAL
/mean temperature........
5
MEAN TEMPERATURE 14.7
rEAN MIMINUM TEMPERATURE 13.0
MEAN DEW POINT 10.3
TOTAL EVAPORATION
DEG. C. - 1.2 DEG. C. BELOW NORMAL
DEG. C. - 0.7 DEG. C. BELOW NORMAL
DEG. C. - 1.4 DEG. C. BELOW NORMAL
62.3 MM - 20.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 22.8 DEG. C. WAS RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 14.
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 7.6 DEG. C. WAS RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 28.
-----o------
IMPORTANCE OF MACHINE GUARDING STRESSED * * * *
FACTORY PROPRIETORS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SAFE GUARDING TO THE DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY OR PLANT IN THEIR FACTORIES.
CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID THAT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, EMPLOYERS MUST PROVIDE EFFECTIVE GUARDS TO DANGEROUS PARTS OF EVERY PIECE OF MACHINERY OR PLANT THAT IS DRIVEN BY MECHANICAL POWER.
HE WAS COMMENTING ON A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE PROPRIETOR OF A METALWARE FACTORY IN KWAI CHUNG WAS FINED $10 000 FOR INEFFECTIVE GUARDING OF A POWER PRESS.
EMPLOYERS WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS ARE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30 000.
HE SAID THE REGULATIONS ALSO LAY DOWN OBLIGATIONS ON MACHINE OPERATORS TO MAKE USE OF THE GUARDS PROVIDED FOR THEIR SAFETY.
MR YIP STRESSED THAT NO WORKERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE A MACHINE WITHOUT ADEQUATE INSTRUCTION AND THEY SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE ANY GUARDS.
IN THE REGULATIONS, HE ADDED, DIFFERENT GROUPS OF DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY ARE DEFINED AND GUARDING METHODS DESCRIBED.
+EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE DOUBTS CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF GUARDS FOR THEIR MACHINERY, OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REGULATIONS CAN CONTACT THE BRANCH OFFICE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE IN THEIR DISTRICT FOR ADVICE,+ HE SAID.
0
/6
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1986
- 6 -
NEW NAME FOR SAME WORK
* * * *
THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE HIVED OFF FROM APRIL 1 TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, AS PART OF REORGANISATION PLANS FOR POLLUTION CONTROL.
THE DIVISION WILL BE RE-NAMED +AIR CONTROL GROUP* UNDER THE NEW DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO MAJOR CHANGE IN THE STATUTORY FUNCTION OF THIS GROUP.
THE AUTHORITY UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE GROUP WILL ACT AS THE EXECUTIVE ARM FOR THE DIRECTOR IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
FROM APRIL 1, THE AIR CONTROL GROUP WILL OPERATE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT'S THREE SUB-OFFICES IN THE YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, ROOM 918, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON, TELEPHONE 3-304416* THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9TH FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, TELEPHONE 3-7332286; AND THE EX-LICENSING OFFICE BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 21 PUI CHING ROAD, KOWLOON, TELEPHONE 3-7117672.
ANY ENQUIRIES ON THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIR POLLUTION NUISANCE, MAY BE MADE TO THE AIR CONTROL GROUP.
BILINGUAL COPIES OF THE EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS ON THE ORDINANCE AND THE REGULATIONS, ARE AVAILABLE FREE FROM THE THREE OFFICES OF THE AIR CONTROL GROUP.
THE GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FURNACES, OVENS AND CHIMNEYS) (INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION) REGULATIONS.
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE GROUP’S HEADQUARTERS AT YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING.
-----o------
/7
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1936
7
EXPANSION OF POLICE DRIVING SCHOOL PROPOSED X * X
EXPANSION IS ON THE CARDS FOR THE POLICE DRIVING SCHOOL IN A BID TO BOOST TRAINING FACILITIES FOR FORCE DRIVERS, INCREASE PROFESSIONALISM, AND MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS.
IF THE GO-AHEAD SIGNAL IS GIVEN, IT WILL MEAN MORE AND EETTER-TRAINED STAFF FOR THE PDS, ENABLING IT TO RUN MORE TRAINING COURSES AND INTRODUCE NEW REFRESHER COURSES.
AS PART OF THE EXPANSION, IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED THAT THE POST OF HEAD OF THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE.
’’THE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN RECENTLY APPROVED, IN PRINCIPLE, BY THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND A FINAL DEC IS ION IS LIKELY TO BE MADE SOON,” SAID THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF PDS, CHIEF INSPECTOR JIM LANGTON.
MR LANGTON SAID THE EXPANSION WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSUMED BY THE SCHOOL AS A RESULT OF RAPID GROWTH BY THE FORCE.
SITUATED ON THE SPACIOUS SITE FORMERLY OCCUPIED BY THE ROYaL AIR FORCE CAMP AT KAI TAK, THE PDS IS THE TRAINING BASE FOR ALL DRIVERS OF THE FORCE FLEET OF 1 860 VEHICLES.
IT RUNS A VARIETY OF DRIVER-TRAINING COURSES FOR FORCE NEMBERS, COVERING MOTORCYCLES, SALOON CARS, LANDROVERS, TRANSIT PATROL CARS AND HEAVY VEHICLES SUCH AS LORRIES AND COMMAND UNITS. SPECIAL TRAINING IN DRIVING TOW TRUCKS AND SARACENS IS ALSO PROVIDED.
IN ADDITION, THE PDS ORGANISES TRAINING COURSES FOR OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE GURKHA REGIMENTS AND THE ARMY.
”IN THE PAST 10 MONTHS, WE HAVE TRAINED 838 DRIVERS FOR THE FORCE IN 378 COURSES WHILE, IN 1984/85, A TOTAL OF 446 COURSES WERE RUN AND 1 311 DRIVERS WERE TRAINED,” SAID MR LANGTON.
’’THIS IS A HEAVY SCHEDULE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CONSTRAINED MANPOWER IN THE PDS,” HE REMARKED.
THE SCHOOL HAS 40 INSTRUCTORS IN CHARGE OF TRAINING COURSES (EACH RUNNING FROM FOUR TO 12 WEEKS), THREE DRIVING EXAMINERS AND ONE ASSISTANT EXAMINER.
/' 'HIGH ON
SUNDAY, MABCH 16, 1986
8
’’HIGH ON OUR EXPANSION LIST IS THE ADDITION OF 12 INSTRUCTORS, ONE EXAMINER AND A NEW POST OF SUPERVISOR TO TAKE CARE OF TRAINING MATTERS,” SAID THE PDS CHIEF.
HE SAID THE NEW POSTS WOULD BE FILLED BY FORCE MEMBERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED AN ADVANCED COURSE IN PDS.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A POLICE OFFICER WISHING TO BE TRAINED AS DRIVER ARE THAT HE MUST HAVE AT LEAST TWO YEARS' SERVICE WITH THE FORCE* SHOULD BE AGED UNDER 35r BE MEDICALLY FIT WITH GOOD EYESIGHT AND HAS A GOOD DISCIPLINARY RECORD.
TRAINEES FIRST ATTEND THE BASIC DRIVING COURSE, WHICH RUNS FOR FOUR WEEKS FOR HOLDERS OF CIVILIAN LICENCES, AND EIGHT FOR THOSE WITH NO DRIVING EXPERIENCE. WOMAN OFFICERS TAKE 12 WEEKS’ TRAINING.
AFTER PASSING THE BASIC TRAINING COURSE, TRAINEES ARE RECALLED TO THE PDS AROUND 18 MONTHS’ LATER FOR A FOUR-WEEK CONTINUATION COURSE WHICH INVOLVES TRAINING IN MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES.
THEY THEN RETURN TO THE PDS AFTER A FURTHER 18 MONTHS TO ATTEND A FOUR-WEEK REFRESHER COURSE, DURING WHICH THE BEST DRIVERS ARE SELECTED FOR A SIX-WEEK ADVANCED COURSE.
UPON COMPLETING THE COURSES, REGULAR FORCE DRIVERS GO TO FORMATIONS UNDER DIVISIONAL OR DISTRICT COMMANDERS WHILE ADVANCED DRIVERS GO TO EMERGENCY UNITS OR 999 DUTIES, POSSIBLY INVOLVING HIGH-SPEED DRIVING IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE VEHICLES.
MOTORCYCLISTS TAKE A STANDARD FOUR-WEEK COURSE AND ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A TWO-WEEK REMEDIAL COURSE IF THEY FAIL THE DRIVING TEST.
UNDER PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, ADVANCED FORCE DRIVERS ARE RE-TESTED ANNUALLY AND REGULAR AND NON-REGULAR DRIVERS HAVE TO ATTEND, AND PASS, A REFRESHER COURSE EVERY FIVE YEARS.
--------o----------
JETTY TO BE BUILT NEAR TUEN MUN
* * * H
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD A JETTY AT YUNG LONG IN TUFN MUN FOR BARGES TO LOAD FILL MATERIAL FROM A NEARBY BORROW AREA.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE DREDGING AND 1.45 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED. AN BE BUILT FROM THE JETTY TO THE BORROW AREA EXISTING TRACK.
RECLAMATION OF ABOUT ACCESS ROAD WILL ALSO ALONG THE PATH OF AN
/THE SCHEME .......
SUNIUY, KIRCH 16, 1966
- 9 -
THE SCHEME WILL ENABLE FILL MATERIAL TO BE TAKEN FROM YUNG LONG TO RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE. ONCE WORK IN THE BORROW AREA IS FINISHED, IN THE EARLY 1990’S, THE JETTY WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND THE AREA LANDSCAPED.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROJECT SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BEFORE MAY 13.
-----0------
ENTRIES STILL INVITED FOR AWARD SCHEME
******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD IS INVITING LOCAL RESIDENTS, SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, RESIDENTS ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT’S SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD SCHEME.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD MAKE THEIR NOMINATION BY APRIL 15. FORMS WERE STILL OBTAINABLE FROM THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ENQUIRIES COULD BE MADE TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON 5-540271.
+IT IS HOPED THAT BY GIVING DUE RECOGNITION TO THOSE WHO HAVE RENDERED COMMENDABLE VOLUNTARY SERVICES, MORE PEOPLE WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO BECOME INVOLVED IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
THE SCHEME, ENTERING ITS FOURTH YEAR, IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES — PRIMARY SCHOOL SECTION, SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION, WORKING PEOPLE SECTION AND THE NON-WORKING PEOPLE SECTION.
NOMINEES MUST EITHER LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT. NOMINEES IN THE NON-WORKING PEOPLE SECTION CAN BE HOUSEWIVES OR RETIRED PERSONS.
THEY SHOULD HAVE RENDERED VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY, DISABLED, YOUTH OR CHILDREN, OR HAVE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATIONS, NON-PROFIT MAKING WELFARE BODIES, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ICAC.
AN ADJUDICATING PANEL APPOINTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXAMINE ALL NOMINATIONS AND SELECT THE FINALISTS FOR INTERVIEWS IN MAY. ALL FINALISTS WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION AND SOUVENIRS, WHILE THE WINNERS OF EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED BOOK COUPONS.
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/10........
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1986
10
WORLD SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION
*****
PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE INVITED TO TAKE COMPETITION WHICH OFFERS A FREE TRIP TO SEOUL TO GAMES TO THE WINNERS.
PART IN AN ART SEE THE ASIAN
SEOUL ASIAN
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE
GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE KOREAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE. WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE WORLD SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION WHICH IS AN EXPANDED VERSION OF THE 28TH WORLD SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION (SEOUL) 1986.
CHILDREN AGED SIX TO 12 ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION AND ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE INSPECTOR (ART AND CRAFT), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, FOURTH FLOOR, NORTH POINT, BEFORE
APRIL 18.
ALL DRAWINGS, PAINTINGS, PRINTMAKING, COLLAGE OR ANY OTHER TWO-DIMENSIONAL WORK WITH THE MAXIMUM SIZE OF 400 MM BY 500 MM ON THE THEME OF SPORTS IN SEOUL WILL BE ACCEPTED.
THERE WILL BE SEVEN SPECIAL AWARDS. WINNERS WILL BE INVITED, EACH WITH AN ADULT COMPANION, TO A 10-DAY ALL-EXPENSE-PAID STAY IN SEOUL TO SEE THE ASIAN GAMES.
OTHER AWARDS WILL INCLUDE MEDALS AND CERTIFICATES OF MERIT.
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ATHLETIC SCHEME ENDS IN SPORTS MEET
* * * *
A TERRITORY-WIDE SPORT DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR YOUTHS ENDED WITH AN ATHLETIC MEET AT WANCHAI SPORTS GROUND TODAY (SUNDAY).
CO-ORDINATED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE DIVISION OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT PROMOTING GENERAL INTEREST IN THE SPORT AS WELL AS DISCOVERING TALENTS AT A YOUNG AGE.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP WAS PART OF THE FIVE-STAR ATHLETIC AWARD SCHEME, CO-ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SAID HE BELIEVED THE SCHEME WAS TRAINING MORE OUTSTANDING SPORTSMEN AND SPORTSWOMEN WHO WOULD WIN HONOUR FOR HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE.
MORE THAN 800 ATHLETES, SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 1 800 PARTICIPANTS IN DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEETS, TOOK PART IN TODAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP AND THOSE WHO SHOWED PROMISE WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE NATIONAL SQUAD FOR ADVANCED TRAINING.
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/11 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1986
- 11 -
GUIDE FOR MOTORISTS AVAILABLE * X *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED A BILINGUAL PAMPHLET ON THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS TO HELP MOTORISTS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE LAW.
ENTITLED +KNOW YOUR ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION - A GUIDE FOR MOTORISTS+, THE PAMPHLET CAN BE OBTAINED FREE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES, PUBLIC ENQUIRIES COUNTERS OF DISTRICT OFFICES AND POST OFFICES.
SERVING AS A SIMPLE AND QUICK GUIDE FOR MOTORISTS, THE THREE-PAGE PAMPHLET SUMMARISES THE IMPORTANT POINTS OF THE REGULATIONS AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, COVERING ASPECTS SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND USE OF VEHICLES, CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, SPEED LIMITS, PARKING, VEHICLE LICENSING, MOTORCYCLE DRIVING TEST AND THE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, IMPLEMENTED FROM AUGUST 25, 1984, HAS SET NEW RULES FOR GENERAL MOTORISTS.
FUN DAY IN FANLING FOR HUNDREDS * * * *
THERE WAS FUN FOR ALL AT THE GRAND OPENING OF THE FIRST NORTH DISTRICT BOARD FUN DAY AT THE FANLING PLAYGROUND TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE FULL-DAY PROGRAMME BEGAN WITH A FANCY CAR PARADE AND A PERFORMANCE BY THE GURKHA MARCHING BAND, FOLLOWED BY BUS TOURS ROUND THE DISTRICT, A PUPPET SHOW AND A POP CONCERT.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDED CAMEL RIDES, AEROBICISE DEMONSTRATION AND A PAINTING CONTEST.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY IN THE EVENING OF THE POP CONCERT, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID THAT TODAY’S FUN DAY OFFERED A RICH VARIETY OF EVENTS THAT BROUGHT MUCH FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT TO RESIDENTS AND BOARD MEMBERS.
♦THE SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE FUN DAY WAS THAT ALL BOARD MEMBERS WERE PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN PREPARING, PLANNING AND ORGANISING THE ACTIVITIES WHICH COULD BOOST THE LINK BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG, AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON.
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/12........
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1986
r,
TENDERS INVITED FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROVISION OF MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR WATER SPORTS EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES AT THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE IN TAI PO AND THE CHONG HING WATER SPORTS CENTRE IN SAI KUNG.
THE CONTRACT WILL BE FOR ONE YEAR FROM MAY 1.
TENDER FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE PROM THE RSD’S SUPPLIES SECTION AT LEVEL 3, KWAI CHUNG DEPOT, SAN KWAI STREET, KWAI CHUNG.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE PUT IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE RSD HEADQUARTERS, THIRD FLOOR, SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, BEFORE 9 AM ON APRIL 4.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-240319 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
- - 0 -
CHORAL SPEAKING SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS
*****
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A SEMINAR ON CHORAL SPEAKING FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON MARCH 26.
THE SEMINAR IS OPEN TO THOSE WHO TEACH ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AND WILL BE HELD AT THE TEACHING CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD.
, SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG, BY MARCH 20.
- 0 - -
ROAD CLOSURE IN SHAU KEI WAN * * * *
THE SECTION OF SUN SING STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND NAM ON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON 'WEDNESDAY (MARCH 19) FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1986
13
SEMINAR ON PUBLIC HOUSING RENT POLICY * * * * *
RENT POLICY, ORGANISED BY THE THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl PM TOMORROW (MONDAY), AT THE
A SEMINAR ON PUBLIC HOUSING HOUSING POLICY STUDY COMMITTEE OF DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE HELD AT 8 KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL.
MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND A
MR CHAN YING-LUN, GENERAL SECRETARY OF COUNCIL ON PUBLIC HOUSING POLICY, MR FUNG KONG UNIVERSITY LECTURER, DR FONG KWOK-
HOUSING AUTHORITY, HONG KONG PEOPLE’S KIN-KEE AND A HONG
WING WILL SPEAK AT THE SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR.
------o-------
SOCIAL SERVICES TO BE DISCUSSED
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS AT A CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 3 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 18) AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN YUEN-SUM WILL REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSION ON +SOCIAL SERVICES IN TSUEN WAN 1986 AND POLICY+.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE AT 3 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 18) IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1987 REVIEW TO DH>2ND ON WHITE PAPER......................... 1
FUNDING EMPHASIS SHIFT NEEDED FOR SPORTS GR0»7TH - OS........ 1
PRODUCT INNOVATION SERVICE LAUNCHED ......................... 3
PREVENTIVE MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST SMUGGLING BY SEA........... 4
DATE FOR EIGHTH MEETING...................................... 6
COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING .......... 6
DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COJMUNITY ACTIVITIES................ 7
NSh ROADS PROPOSED TO SERVE TSEUNG KWAN 0 VILLAGE............ 8
NEW FOOTBRIDGES FOR WAN CHaI, KOWLOON BaY ................... 8
FURTHER SITE FORMATION, ROaDWORKS FOR TSING YI .............. 9
ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND...................... 9
YOUNG MUSICIANS PRESENTED AWARDS............................. 10
CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES STARTS ...................... 12
MEET THE MEDIA............................................... 12
REMINDER ON OBJECTIONS ...................................... 13
SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET .................................... 13
COMMAND COURSE FOR FIRE-FIGHTERS ............................ 14
BOARD TO DISCUSS DRAFT BUDGET ............................... 14
KWUN 'TONG SCHEME TO PROMOTE AURAL HEALTH.................... 15
PARKING METERS AND TRaFFIC CHANGES .......................... 15
WATER CUTS IN TWO AREAS ..................................... 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURE......................................... 1$
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
1
1987 REVIEW TO DEPEND ON WHITE PAPER * * * * *
THE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW OF POLITICAL REFORMS IN 1987 WILL FOLLOW ON FROM THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE WORKING OF THE SYSTEM AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, SIR DAVID SAID THE REVIEW WOULD BE DONE IN THE WAY THAT REVIEWS HAD BEEN DONE IN THE PAST.
+WE WILL PUBLISH A GREEN PAPER AND THEN A WHITE PAPER, I SUPPOSE,* HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON REPORTS THAT THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS HAD NOT GIVEN ENOUGH SUPPORT TO THE RECENT URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, SIR DAVID SAID THE RECENT ELECTIONS WERE REGIONAL ELECTIONS, NOT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+SO THEY DID CARRY A DIFFERENT COMPLEXION,* HE SAID.
+THE ANALYSIS OF THE PEOPLE THAT STOOD FOR ELECTIONS AND WERE ELECTED IS WELL KNOWN TO EVERYONE,* HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS SUGGESTIONS FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID WE MUST WAIT UNTIL THE 1987 REVIEW.
+AND THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS REALLY ONLY BEEN IN OPERATION NOW FOR A FEW MONTHS. I THINK WE MUST GIVE IT A BIT OF TIME YET.*
ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF AN OMBUDSMAN SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS HOPED TO PUBLISH A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE ISSUE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.
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FUNDING EMPHASIS SHIFT NEEDED FOR SPORTS GROWTH - CS *****
THE PRESENT STATE OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG CALLS FOR SOME SHIFT IN FUNDING EMPHASIS AWAY FROM COMPETITIVE EVENTS, TOWARDS THE MORE FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SPORTING LUNCHEON CLUB OF JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE. SIR DAVID SAID THAT OUR SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN HAD BEEN PERFORMING WELL, BUT ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT HAD NOT KEPT PACE WITH ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT.
MONDAY, iuARCN
HE HOPED THAT THROUGH THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT AND THE TWO REGIONAL COUNCILS, GREATER °RIORITY WOULD BE GIVE.. BOTH TO ORGANISATION AND TO TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
WITH GREATER EMPHASIS ON PROVIDING FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, THE GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORT *OULD EE STRENGTHENED BY A NEW BREED OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ADM INISTRATORS, WHO WOULD PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE, NOT ONLY SPORTING EXCELLENCE BUT ACCESS FOR EVERYONE TO OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND SKILLS, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE AIM IS TO DEVELOP A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HONG KONG, NOT A FORCING GROUND FOR SPORT IN ISOLATION, BUT SPORT AS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF EDUCATION IN THE TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD - A DRAWING OUT OF THE SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL AND PHYSICAL QUALITIES OF EACH INDIVIDUAL.
TO ACHIEVE THIS BALANCE. HE SAID, +WE AS A COMMUNITY MUST BE PREPARED TO INVEST IN SPORT FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.+
+PAST INVESTMENT HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO PRODUCE DIVIDENDS, AS ATHLETES, TRAINED IN EARLIER DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES, HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE NATIONAL SQUADS, AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY REPRESENTED HONG KONG IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES.+
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE STRATEGY FOR THE DAST DECADE HAD BEEN BASED ON ENCOURAGEMENT OF SPORTS AND RECREATION AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL-YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES, WHERE IT WAS HOPED TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP TALENT FOR THE FUTURE; AND A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO THE TRAINING OF THE BEST ATHLETES, WHO WOULD BE GIVEN MORE OPPORTUNITIES BY TRAINING UNDER THE BEST COACHES TO RAISE THEIR STANDARDS THROUGH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPETITION.
ON PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN IMPROVING SPORTS AND RECREATION, SIR DAVID SAID THAT A WORKING GROUP OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT HAD PRODUCED A REPORT IN EARLY 1983. THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED WERE; A NEED FOR IMPROVED PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATION UNCERTAINTY OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES: DIFFICULTY IN MAKING MAXIMUM USE OF SCHOOL SPORTS VENUES; SHORTAGE OF COACHES; AND SOCIAL DISINCENTIVES TO PARTICIPATION IN SERIOUS SPORTS.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE LAST PROBLEM WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO DEFINE AND TO OVERCOME. +THESE SOCIAL ATTITUDES ARE COMPLEX IN ORIGIN AND ARE NOT EASILY UPROOTED. PRESSURE OF PEOPLE, INSECURITY, SOCIAL MOBILITY, LACK OF RESOURCES, AND AN EMPHASIS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ARE ALL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS,+ HE SAID.
BUT THE OTHER PROBLEMS WERE CAPABLE OF MORE SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS HE SAID, ADDING THAT POSITIVE STEPS TO COMBAT THEM - BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES -WERE RECOMMENDED.
PILOT SCHEMES WERE LAUNCHED, AND, IN 1985-86 ALONE, MORE THAN 10 DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING SCHEMES HAD BEEN RUN IN WHICH 15 000 YOUNG PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM AGED EIGHT TO 18, HAD BENEFITTED.
/SEI DAVID........
MONDAY, MABCH 17, 1986
SIR DAVID SAID THAT MUCH HAD BEEN ACHIEVED, BUT MORE NEE’ TO BE DONE BEFORE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY T ■£ .T|F ' AND DEVELOP THEIR SPORTING ABILITIES AND TO EXPERIENCE THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING AND THE FELLOWSHIP WHICH FLOWED FROM PARTICIPATION IN SPORT.
+TO DO THIS, HOWEVER, WE WILL HAVE TO MAINTAIN OUR EFFORT TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND OUR FACILITIES IN A STEADY, IMAGINATIVE AND SENSIBLE WAY, HAVING REGARD TO WHAT IS BEST FOR HONG KONG AND MAKING THE BEST USE OF WHAT WE HAVE GOT,* HE SAID.
+l AM SURE THAT THERE WILL BE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING CF THE PART THAT RECREATION AND SPORT HAS TO PLAY IN BOTH THE LIFE F ..c COMMUNITY AND OF THE INDIVIDUAL,-*- HE ADDED.
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PRODUCT INNOVATION SERVICE LAUNCHED *****
HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY (HKDIC) IS CHARGED WITH THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF STIMULATING LOCAL INTEREST IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND ENCOURAGING PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE COMPANY’S OPENING, MR HO SAID THAT IN THE WAKE OF INCREASING COMPETITION IN WORLD MARKETS OVER BOTH PRICE AND PERFORMANCE, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS NEEDED TO CONSIDER NOT ONLY A REDUCTION IN PRODUCTION COSTS BUT ALSO TO IMPROVE QUALIT'.
THE CHAIRMQN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, NR CHRISTOPHER CHENG, SAID: +THE TIME HAS COME FOR US TO STAR PROMOTING A MORE CLEARLY IDENTIFIABLE HONG KONG IMAGE IN OUr PRODUCTS.
+LOCAL MANUFACTURERS MUST MOVE AWAY FROM COPYING DESIGNS HOWEVER LUCRATIVE AND CONVENIENT THAT MAY BE. THEY MUST AIM TO CREATE MORE AND COPY LESS.
+IT IS WITH THE OBJECT OF PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF THE LOCAL PRODUCTS THAT HONG KONG DESIG.* INNOVATION COMPANY LIMITED IS FORMED.*
A GOVERNMENT ASSISTED COMPANY, HKDIC IS INTENDED TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR HONG KONG IN THE MOVE TOWARDS THE MANUFACTURE OF HIGH QUALITY GOODS BY PROVIDING RESEARCH AND DESIGN AT MARKET RATES.
INITIALLY, THE COMPANY WOULD FOCUS ON ASSESSING CATEGORIES CF LOCAL PRODUCTS IN TERMS OF THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INNOVATION AND DESIGN.
MONDAY, 1UBCH 17, 1986
- 4 -
PROPOSALS WOULD THEN BE PREPARED FOR CONSIDERATION BY MANUFACTURERS. SPECIFIC CONSULTANCIES FOR INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS WOULD ALSO BE UNDERTAKEN.
THE COMPANY WOULD PRIMARILY TARGET ITS SERVICE TOWARDS HONG KONG’S SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED MANUFACTURERS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEIR OWN DESIGN FACILITIES BUT HAVE GOOD POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OR WHO HAVE TO GO OUT OF HONG KONG FOR THEIR DESIGN NEEDS.
IT WOULD SEEK TO ATTRACT CLIENTS IN A POSITION TO DEVELOP RELIABLE PRODUCTS OF GOOD QUALITY.
A LEADING INDUSTRIALIST AND A MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, MR CHENG IS JOINED BY THE HEAD OF SWIRE SCHOOL OF DESIGN AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MR MICHAEL FARR, WHO IS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL, MR HERBERT WONG; THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, MR S.K. CHAN; THE MANAGING DIRECTOR CF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS LIMITED, MR CHEN YEE MAU; THE CENTRAL MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER OF MOTOROLA SEMICONDUCTORS (HK) LIMITED, MR ANTHONY KWOK; AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE COMPANY, MR DOUGLAS TOMKIN.
THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO HKDIC AMOUNTS TO $9.2 MILLION COMPRISING A SUBVENTION OF $8 MILLION TO COVER THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF THE COMPANY’S OPERATION AND AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN OF $1.2 MILLION TO BE TAKEN OUT IN THE FOURTH YEAR. THE COMPANY IS EXPECTED TO BE FINANCIALLY SELF-SUPPORTING IN ITS FIFTH YEAR OF OPERATION.
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PREVENTIVE MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST SMUGGLING BY SEA *****
CUSTOMS OFFICERS ARE ALWAYS ANXIOUS AND PREPARED TO HELP FACILITATE LAWFUL SHIPPING AND TRADE, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR S.B. LEE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, MR LEE EXPLAINED THE ROLE OF THE ANTI-SMUGGLI NG AND SEA CARGO EXAMINATION DIVISIONS'OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IN THE PREVENTION OF SMUGGLING.
HE SAID THE DUTIES OF THE ANT I-SMUGGLI NG DIVISION WERE TO BOARD, GUARD AND SEARCH CONVENTIONAL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS IN VICTORIA HARBOUR FOR DETECTION OF NARCOTICS, FIREARMS, DUTIABLE COMMODITIES OR OTHER PROHIBITED GOODS.
/'BECAUSE 0? ......
'BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S FREE PORT STATUS AND TRE LARGE . • , CF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING PORT EVERY DAY, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE' FOR US TO SEARCH EVERY ONE OF THEM’, HE NOTED.
HE SAID THE TASK OF SELECTING A VESSEL FOR RUMMAGING WAS -4 FACILITATED BY A FILING SYSTEM FOR EACH OCEAN-GOING VESSEL THAT CALLED AT HONG KONG, INCORPORATING ALL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ITS ITINERARY, COMPOSITION OF ITS CREW AND ANY RECORD OF INVOLVEMENT IN SMUGGLING. THE DEPARTMENT HAD FILES ON OVER 12 OOO SHIPS.
’IN OUR SELECTION OF VESSELS FOR RUMMAGING, TOr PRIORITY IS -a GIVEN TO THOSE ARRIVING FROM ’SUSPECT PORTS’ (EG. BANGKOK, CALCUTTA, RANGOON ETC.) WHERE DRUGS ARE PRODUCED’, HE SAID.
DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY OF STAFF, MR LEE SAID, VESSELS' -v FROM OTHER PORTS, TERMED AS ’NON-SUSPECT’, WERE ALSO SELECTED FOR SEARCH TO DETER AND COUNTERACT DIVERSIONARY TACTICS WHICH MIGHT BE ADOPTED BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
’OUR SHIP RUMMAGERS ARE ALSO DEPLOYED TO SEARCH TRADING VESSELS ARRIVING FROM CHINA AND MACAU TO PREVENT THE SMUGGLING OF DUTIABLE GOODS AND OTHER CONTRABAND.
’IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 1 138 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FROM ’SUSPECT •‘‘ORTS’, 231 FROM ’NON-SUSPECT PORTS’ AND 274 MACAU TRADING VESSELS wERE SEARCHED BY OFFICERS OF THE ANTI-SMUGGLING DIVISION’.
MR LEE DESCRIBED THE SEARCH OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS AS THOROUGH ...,L EXHAUSTIVE, REQUIRING THE USE AT TIMES OF SPECIAL EQUIPMENT ?JCb AS BREATHING APPARATUS, SAFETY BELTS AND AIR BLOWERS.
’IN SOME CASES, EVEN THE HULL, BALLAST AND WATER TANKS ARE INSPECTED BY OUR DIVERS TO LOOK FOR PLACES AND ’HIDES’ WHERE CONTRABAND MAY BE CONCEALED’.
REFERRING TO THE EXAMINATION OF CARGO - AN IMPORTANT PREVENTIVE WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE SEA CARGO EXAMINATION DIVISION, MR LEE SAID CFPiCERS’ ATTENTION WAS LIKEWISE DRAWN TO CARGO THAT ORIGINATED FROM COUNTRIES WHERE NARCOTICS DRUGS WERE PRODUCED OR TRANSHIPPED, wHILE THEY AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINED REGULAR CHECKS ON CARGO IMPORTED FROM NON-SUSPECT PORTS.
'IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 12 893 CONSIGNMENTS FROM 'SUSPECT PORTS’ AND 2 820 FROM 'NON-SUSPECT PORTS’ WERE SELECTED FOR EXAMINATION.
'IT NECESSITATES THE SCRUTINY OF IMPORT CARGO MANIFESTS AGAINST RELEVANT SHIPPING DOCUMENTS AND OUR OWN 'IMPORTERS LIST’ COMPILED BY THE CARGO DATA UNIT OF THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU.
'THIS 'IMPORTERS LIST’ PROVIDES OUR FIELD OFFICERS WITH UP-TO-DATE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ALL REGISTERED IMPORTER FIRMS IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE CLASSIFIED INTO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES,’
SAID.
/MR LEE .......
MCKD1Y, MUCH 17, 1986.
6 -
MR LEE SAID IN CASES WHERE THE AVAILABLE SHIPPING INFORMATION WAS INADEQUATE TO VERIFY THE TRUE IDENTITY OF AN IMPORTER, A NOTICE WOULD BE SERVED TO PROHIBIT THE RELEASE OF THE CONSIGNMENT BEFORE CUSTOMS DECIDED WHETHER THE CONSIGNMENT WAS TO BE EXAMINED.
EXPLAINING THE CARE WHICH OFFICERS TAKE IN CARRYING OUT CARGO EXAMINATION DUTIES, MR LEE SAID: ’OUR OFFICERS HAVE TO OPEN ALL THE OUTER AND INNER WRAPPINGS AND TO REPACK ALL THE PACKAGES EXAMINED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE IMPORTERS OR INDEPENDENT WITNESSES. AND FOR VALUABLE GOODS SUCH AS JADE STONES, ANTIQUES OR CANNED FOOD-STUFF, X-RAY EQUIPMENT WOULD BE USED TO AVOID CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE GOODS’.
HE STRESSED THAT THE JOB OF THE CARGO EXAMINER, LIKE THAT OF THE SHIP RUMMAGER, WAS BOTH STRENUOUS AND UNPLEASANT - SOME TIMES.-, HAVING TO WORK IN POORLY VENTILATED CARGO HOLDS, A DIMLY-LIT ' GODOWN OR FREEZING COLD STORAGE.
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DATE FOR EIGHTH MEETING
* * *
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SI NO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S EIGHTH MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 21, 1986.
0 --------
COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING * * *
THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES, CHAIRED BY MR PETER C. WONG, WILL MEET WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IN A PUBLIC SESSION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 5 PM.
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR JAMES FINDLAY, AND TWO CROWN PROSECUTORS FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, MR DANIEL MARASH, AND JOHN SULAN, WILL PRESENT WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS CONCERNING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROSECUTION OF COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES AND A COMMENTARY IN A HONG KONG CONTEXT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FRAUD TRIALS (ROSKILL) COMMITTEE, AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS MEMBERS MAY HAVE.
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY.
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/7........
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
7
DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES *****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD ALLOCATED $520 000 TO SUBSIDISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS ORGANISED BY THE BOARD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE SUBSIDY, ADMINISTERED UNDER THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, AIMED AT PROMOTING RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND, THROUGH THEIR INVOLVEMENT, FOSTERING A BETTER SENSE OF BELONGING. IT REPRESENTED NEARLY HALF OF_THE_ TOTAL FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE BOARD AND AMOUNTED TO
A FOUR PER CENT
INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S SPENDING.
THE COMMITTEE RECEIVED AROUND 90 APPLICATIONS FROM ORGANISATIONS REQUESTING SPONSORSHIP AND MORE THAN 80 WERE APPROVED. THESE INCLUDED 40 PROJECTS ORGANISED TO STRENGTHEN THE BOARD’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SIX AREA COMMITTEES, RESIDENTS* ASSOCIATIONS, MJTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, AND ALSO TO ENCOURAGE BETTER COHESION AMONG RESIDENTS.
IN ADDITION, THE BOARD SPONSORED 43 CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY SUCH GROUPS AS THE YIN NGA I SOCIETY, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CULTURAL RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND YOUTH CENTRES.
THESE CATERED TO ALL AGE GROUPS, AND INCLUDED INTEREST CLASSES, SELF-DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, SEMINARS, SPORTS TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS, MUSICAL AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, PICNICS AND FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO INITIATED PROJECTS TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. FOR INSTANCE, THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN HELPED TO PUBLICISE CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES CF CITIZENS, WHILE THE COMMUNITY IN PERSPECTIVE PROJECT INVESTIGATED THE EFFECTS OF BILLIARD SALOONS, VIDEO GAMES CENTRES AND CERTAIN SIGNBOARDS ON YOUNG PEOPLE AND OTHER RESIDENTS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE BOARD HELPED TO PROMOTE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS SUCH AS CRIME PREVENTION AND ROAD SAFETY AND ALSO ORGANISED ACTIVITIES FOR THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AND THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
+THE BOARD HAS FOUND THAT THE SUBSIDY CAN EFFECTIVELY ENCOURAGE LOCAL GROUPS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES TO BOOST RESIDENT^ PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT IN DISTRICT MATTERS,* A DISTRICT
BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID.
/8........
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
NEW ROADS PROPOSED TO SERVE TSEUNG KWAN 0 VILLAGE * * * *
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD SEVERAL ROADS NEAR TSEUNG KWAN 0 VILLAGE AT JUNK BAY TO PROVIDE IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE VILLAGE AND NEARBY DEVELOPMENTS.
SOME OF THE NEW ROADS WILL REPLACE A TEMPORARY SECTION OF
-O LAM ROAD EXTENSION TO THE JUNK BAY RECLAMATION.
THE REST OF THE NEW ROADS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING NARROW ACCESS ROAD TO THE VILLAGE AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO A VILLAGE EXPANSION AREA AND A NEARBY TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
THE WORKS, PART OF THE CONTINUING JUNK BAY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WILL INCLUDE ANCILLARY WORKS SUCH AS A SUBWAY, FOOTPATHS, CYCLETRACKS, CARPARKS, A CYCLEPARK AND AMENITY AREAS.
SOME EXISTING FOOTPATHS AND ROADS WILL BE CLOSED AND REPLACED BY PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ONES.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, TEMPORARY FOOTPATHS AND ROADS WILL BE MAINTAINED TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND IT IN WRITING IT THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MAY 13.
- - 0 -
NEW FOOTBRIDGES FOR WAN CHAI, KOWLOON BAY *****
TWO COVERED FOOTBRIDGES ARE TO BE BUILT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TC THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION AND TO DEVELOPMENTS IN KOWLOON BAY.
THE FOOTBRIDGE IN WAN CHAI WILL CROSS GLOUCESTER ROAD FROM THE WEST SIDE OF STEWART ROAD TO HARBOUR DRIVE NEAR CAUSEWAY CENTRE.
IT WILL HAVE AN UP ESCALATOR AND DONW STAIRCASE AT STEWART ROAD. THERE WILL BE DIRECT LINK INTO CAUSEWAY CENTRE AND A STAIRCASE TO THE GROUND FLOOR AT HARBOUR DRIVE.
THE 55-METRE-LONG FOOTBRIDGE IS EXPECTED TO EASE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ON THE ALREADY HEAVILY USED TONNOCHY ROAD FOOTBRIDGE.
THE KOWLOON BAY FOOTBRIDGE WILL CROSS WANG CHIU ROAD NEAR THE EXISTING FLYOVER TO THE WAI YIP STREET INTERCHANGE. THE 31-METRE-LONG FOOTBRIDGE WILL HAVE SPIRAL RAMPS AT BOTH ENDS.
OBJECTIONS TO BOTH FOOTBRIDGES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MAY 13.
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
9
FURTHER SITE FORMATION, ROADWORKS FOR TSING Yl
*****
SITE FORMATION AND ROADWORKS ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE NORTH-EASTERN TIP OF TSING Yl ISLAND AS PART OF THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
THE MAIN PART OF THE WORKS WILL COMPRISE THE FILLING IN OF PART OF TSING Yl BAY ALONG THE SEAFRONT OF THE EXISTING OLD TOwN. MATERIAL FOR THE PROJECT WILL BE TAKEN FROM A BORROW AREA ALONG TSING Yl ROAD. THE BORROW AREA WILL BE LANDSCAPED LATER.
THE LAND PRODUCED WILL BE FOR COMMERCIAL - RESIDENTIAL USE AMD FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES WHICH WILL FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FUTURE TSING Yl TOWN CENTRE.
IK ADDITION, 900 METRES OF CARRIAGEWAYS ALONG THE EXISTING -EAFRONT AREA WILL BE BUILT TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND SERVICES TO THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES UNDER CONSTRUCTION IK NORTH TSING Yl.
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
0
ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND * * * *
MORE THAN 1 700 TEACHING STAFF, FIELD WORKERS, ORGANISERS AND VOLUNTARY HELPERS OF ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES wlLL BE TAKING PART IN THE 1986 ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD THIS WEEKEND.
ORGANISED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN TOwN HALL ON SATURDAY (MARCH 22) AND THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY.
THE CONFERENCE, ON THE THEME +CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH CONTINUING EDUCATION+, WILL PROVIDE A FORUM FOR PARTICIPANTS TO KEEP UP WITH THE TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT, TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND DISCUSS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH CONTINUING EDUCATION.
/SEMICH ASSISTANT .......
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
10 -
SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT), MR JOHN WINFIELD, AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER EDUCATION), MR ROBERT LO, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION CHAIRED BY THE PRINCIPAL OF SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, DR KONG YUN-FUN.
ON SUNDAY, DISCUSSION WILL CONTINUE AT THE SCHOOL HALL OF TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL. SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE THE DISTRICT OFFICER (TSUEN WAN), MR ANGUS MIU. HE WILL TALK ABOUT -►CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES*.
iOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE 1986 AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 9.30 AM ON SATURDAY.
--------o - - - -
YOUNG MUSICIANS PRESENTED AWARDS * * * *
THE 1986 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS’ AWARDS ENDED YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) AFTER TWO NIGHTS OF COMPETITION AND ONCE AGAIN A FEW TALENTED MUSICIANS AND COMPOSERS OF SERIOUS MUSIC WERE UNCOVERED.
THE CHINESE MUSIC FINAL ON SATURDAY, AND THE WESTERN MUSIC FINAL LAST NIGHT AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE SAW YOUNG AMATEUR MUSICIANS AT THEIR BEST PLAYING TUNES WHICH THEY ALSO COMPOSED.
WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY OF THE TWO SECTIONS RECEIVED CASH AWARDS OF $6 000 WHILE THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP EACH RECEIVED S3 000 AND Si 000.
THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR CLIVE OXLEY! THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (RADIO), i'F SIMON LUN; THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR WILLIE YEUNG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE SOCIETY, MR DOMING LAM.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, SAID THE AWARDS OFFERED POSITIVE STIMULUS TO YOUNG COMPOSERS AND PERFORMERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR SKILLS.
+AND WHILE THE ORGANISERS ARE KEEN TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THESE OPPORTUNITIES AND INCENTIVES, IT IS UP TO OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO FACE UP TO THE CHALLENGE AND WORK AT SHARPENING THEIR SKILLS, BE IT IN COMPOSING OR PERFORMANCE,* HE ADDED.
/FULL RESULTS .......
MONDAY, MARCH 17.
11
FULL RESULTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
COMPOSITION (CHINESE MUSIC)
1. BLOSSOM IN SPRING WAS A DREAM BY WOO MAN-POR
2. A DREAM OF FANTASY BY DAI PO-CHU
3. GOODBYE, MR UNFORTUNE BY TAM SIU-WAI ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (CHINESE MUSIC)
1.
2.
3.
RAINBOW BY LO LEUNG-FAI AND FOLK DANCE BY LAW WAI-LUN (PERFORMERS: TSANG MAN-FAI, LAM KING-TIM, LIANG WAI-MAN, LI YING-WAI, SIU MAN-CHING, TSE LAI-CHUN, HUEN YUK-PUI, CHAN SHUK-HAR, CHIN KWOK-WAI, HSIN HSIAO-LING, WONG CHI-CHUNG AND PANG YUI—SING)
THE DRUNKEN TAI BAI BY LAW WING-FAI AND THE THREE VARIATIONS (PERFORMERS: TSUI YING-FAI LOO SZE-WANG.
LOO SZE-YUEN, LEE WAI, LEUNG FOR-SING AND LI KAM-SUI)
DUCKS QUACKING BY MUSICA ANTIQUA XIANNESSIS AND FLYING DRAGON AND JUMPING TIGER BY LI MIN-XIONG (PERFORMERS: CHIN KWOK-WAI, TANG WING-HUNG, DOH PO-WAN, WONG DICK-BONG WONG KING-LUN, LAM CHIK-TUNG, KAM SHUI-WING, CHAU CHIN-TUNG)
COMPOSITION (WESTERN MUSIC)
1. STRING TRIO BY WILMAN TANG
2. HSIAO QUINTET BY TIM FUK-WING
3 SONATA FOR WOODWIND QUARTET BY VERONICA LO AND MINATINA BY TSANG WING-YAN
ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (WESTERN MUSIC)
1.
2.
3.
THREE SONGS OF INNOCENCE BY ARNOLD COOKE AND DER HIRT AUF DEM FELSEN, OP. 129(D965) (PERFORMERS: CHAN TAK-YIN, KWOK YIN-FUNG AND REGINA YUNG)
PIANO QUINTET IN C MINOR OP. 1 FINALE : ALLEGRO ANIMATO BY ERNST DOHNANYI AND PIANO QUINTET IN A MAJOR, OP. 81 FIRST MOVEMENT : ALLEGRO MA NONTANTO BY ANTONO ANTONIN DVORAK (PERFORMERS : LO OI-YEE, MA MAN-PUN, CH IM YIK-MING, LAU WAI-WAN AND MA WAI-KWAN)
DESIGNS FOR BRASS BY VACLAV NELHYBEL AND TWO BRASS CATS BY CHRIS HAZELL (PERFORMERS : CHIU KAI-KEUNG, CHONG PAK-FU, LI SIU-CHUNG, PANG YUK-YIN, LEE SIU-LAM, LEUNG TIM-SI NG, CHEN HO-YIN, LO HAU-MAN, SHIU HANG-FAT, LEE KWOK-KI, PANG TAK-MING, PAK WING-FAI AND MAK TAK-KIN)
-----o------
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
12
CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES STARTS * * * *
ABOUT 10 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND OVERSIZED CANOPIES IN HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN WERE TORN DOWN TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE START OF A THREE-DAY OPERATION TO CLEAR 30 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND EIGHT CANOPIES IN 17 REAR LANES IN THE AREAS.
THE STRUCTURES, BOUNDED BY CHI KIANG STREET, KO SHAN ROAD, PAK KUNG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD, INCLUDED 15 FOR STORAGE AND THREE FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, WHILE OTHERS WERE STALLS, KITCHENS AND SHOP EXTENSIONS.
SOME OF THE STRUCTURES HAD BEEN DEMOLISHED BY THE OWNERS BEFORE THE CLEARANCE UNDER THE ADVICE OF STAFF OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE OPERATION WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CLEARANCE SINCE 1984 TO CLEAR ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN ALL REAR LANES IN KOWLOON CITY.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE OPERATION TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY AND GOOD ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
+SUCH OPERATIONS HAVE TO BE CARRIED OUT REGULARLY TO MAKE SORE THAT REAR LANES ARE NOT OBSTRUCTED BY ILLEGAL STRUCTURES,* l£ ADDED.
CO-ORDINATED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, THE OPERATION WAS JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HIGHWAYS OFFICE AND THE POLICE.
- 0 - -
MEET THE MEDIA
HMM
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, WILL MEET THE MEDIA TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 3 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
------- o --------
/13........
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1966
- 13 -
REMINDER ON OBJECTIONS
XXX
the ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT OBJECTIONS TO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY APRIL 29.
THE PROJECT, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD AND THE HUNG HOM INTERCHANGE, WILL START IN MAY 1987.
IT INVOLVES THE DEMOLITION OF 210 METRES OF THE EASTERN END OF THE EXISTING FLYOVER AND the CONSTRUCTION of a NEW 450-METRE FLYOVER BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH TOGETHER WITH OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.
SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET * * *
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS, AMONG OTHER SUBJECTS, THE ORGANISATION OF A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION TO PROMOTE LIBRARY SERVICES AND THE PAYMENT CF AN HONORARIUM TO LIFEGUARDS WHO PROVIDE SERVICES AT SWIMMING POOLS AND BEACHES IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE USE OF CIVIC CENTRES MANAGED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE INTRODUCTION OF REVISED SERVICE HOURS OF LIFEGUARDS WORKING AT BATHING BEACHES IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA, THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE RSD IN THE 29TH FESTIVAL OF SPORT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SAM TUNG UK MUSEUM.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT CFFICE BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
------o-------
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
- 14 -
COMMAND COURSE FOR FIRE-FIGHTERS
*****
THE c IRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) INTRODUCED A FIRE CF^IC”R'COMMAND COURSE AIMED AT FURTHER IMPROVING THE OVERALL COMMAND COMPETENCE OF FIRE-FIGHTERS IN VIEW OF BOTH THE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY NOW EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT.
THE THREE-WEEK COURSE IS A PILOT SCHEME ARISING FROM MONTHS t- PLANNING AND RESEARCH, SAID THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FIRE -RVICES MR JOHN MARCH, WHEN HE OPENED THE COURSE AT THE HARBOUR -JAD F7RE STATION. CONTINUATION COURSES ARE PLANNED.
THE COURSE IS HIGHLY INTEGRATED AND INVOLVES EXERCISES, ^OJ=CTS SEMINARS, AND PRESENTATIONS. IT COVERS COMMAND AND ANAGEMENT SKILLS, THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS AND PROBLEMS OF THE FIRE -ERV ICES IN HONG KONG, TACTICAL AND LOGISTICS DEPLOYMENT, FIRE /ESTIGATION, STRESS MANAGEMENT AND INSTRUCTION METHODS.
- -EFTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, THE GAS ADVISER’S -ICE AND THE POLICE HAVE BEEN INVITED TO GIVE LECTURES ON -'RENSIC SCIENCE, EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF A GAS -KAGE AND NEGOTIATING SKILLS, RESPECTIVELY.
-----o------
BOARD TO DISCUSS DRAFT BUDGET
*****
SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE BOARD’S DRAFT LuDGET FOR 1986-87 AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION CF BOARD COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR.
QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME AND TO AIR POLLUTION IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE RAISED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON COMMUNITY LIAISON WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE SHA TIN OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
.NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING T0 BE HELD AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW. IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1986
- 15 -
KWUN TONG SCHEME TO PROMOTE AURAL HEALTH
*****
FACTORY WORKERS AND THE ELDERLY IN KWUN TONG WILL BENEFIT FROM AN AURAL HEALTH SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED IN THE DISTRICT FROM MARCH 22.
LASTING UNTIL SEPTEMBER IT WILL PROVIDE FREE AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING SERVICE.
KWUN TONG IS THE FIRST DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT SUCH A SCHEME. IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE.
DETAILS OF THE SCHEME WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 2 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, THE CHAIRMAN OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAM HANG-FAI, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR LI WAH-MING, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, bfi STANLEY YING, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE, MR PETER LOO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
-----o------
PARKING METERS AND TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
EIGHT MORE PARKING METERS FOR PRIVATE CARS AT KIU LOK SQUARE IN YUEN LONG WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL FROM 8 AM TOMORROW (MARCH 13) TO REGULATE THE USE OF ON-STREET PARKING SPACES IN THE AREA.
THE METERS WILL OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE PARKING FEE WILL BE 81 FOR 30 MINUTES.
/meanwhile, raoM........
JOUUY, MUCH 17. 1986
- 16
MEANwHILE, FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 20), THE LEFT
TURN MOVEMENT FROM SAN LAU STREET TO CHATHAM ROAD NORTH SOUTHBOUND
*ILL BE =,ROHIBITED TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIANS CROSSING CHATHAM ROAD NORTH.
MOTORISTS ON MA TAU wAI ROAD nEADING FOR CHATHAM ROAD NORTH SOUTHBOUND VIA SAN LAU STREET SHOULD USE GILLIES AVENUE AND HOK YUEN STREET.
WATER CUTS IN TkO AREAS
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 =M ON THURSDAY .MARCH 20) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES *RE BOUNDED BY BOUNDARY STREET, LaI CHI KOK ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD R0A1, Ta I '0 ROAD AND NATHAN ROA_, INCLINING YU CHAU STREET, KI uUNG STREET, TAI NAN STREET, A-LE STREET, POPLAR STREET, CEDAR STREET AND PORTLAND STREET.
SArLlgR THE SAME DAY, FRESH ..ATER SUPPL* TO ALL PREM I Sc.-&AI hs ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND wILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 10 <
-V.i 5 MAINS rtOrK ,
"FECTED l 5 POUND TaBL^i 3T4GE^ 2 Ayl. , vl
। •El CARE CARE VILLAGE, TUNG K..JN SAN TSUS
v-v JF TAI EK HAU, SAI r.AN RO^ , lJT ;0. .l.'
“’’•E-ou £ xjAY A'.L C*".£w - CriAU ELECTRIC . AT IQ--’.
STORAGE *!l>UF. _ - r *
" ---2 I HJNo ON’.- ’ .. J 1 J mT . <. r »
T^k -.r ?£* CENT Or CAPACITY Ch j . AX.»C
’*«•’ .mST YEAF. * .
--..IC ETRES OF kaTEF., ' .£
[Typographical errors in the original document]
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
NE.7 TECHNOLOGY VITAL FOR CLOTHING INDUSTRY ................ 1
FIVE PER CENT RISE IN WATER CHARGES......................... 2
NEW TOLL BOOTES AT LION ROCK TUNNEL ........................ 3
INDUSTRIAL AREA HAS GOOD POTENTIAL ......................... 4
NEW COUNCILLORS TOLD OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES ............. 4
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR COWUl'ITY PROJECT GRANTS.............. 5
R3D CONTRIBUTING TO 29TH FESTIVAL OF SPORT ................. 6
SAI YING PUN BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ................... 7
DRAINAGE WORK AT CLEVERLY STREET UNDERWAY................... 7
SUBMARINE PIPELINE ACROSS RaMBLER CHANNEL .................. 8
FREE AUDIO TESTS FOR ELDERLY, rfORKERS ..................
PHILHARMONIC TO PERFORM IN KwaI CHUNG....................... 9
REFUGEES TO STAGE VARIETY SHO............................
VISIT TO ACTIVITY CENTRE................................... 10
BRIEFING ON FANLING DEVELOPMENT ........................... 10
TSING YI PUBLIC LIBRARY TO 0P3< ........................... 11
BOARD TO DISCUSS HAWKER ISSUE.............................. 11
NORTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE TO MEET .......................... 12
ROAD CLOSURE, RESTRICTED ZONE.............................. 12
CENTRAL, SOUTHERN TRAFFIC CHANGES.......................... 13
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1986
1
NEW TECHNOLOGY VITAL -OR CLOTHING INDUSTRY * X * *
THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY WILL BE ABLE TO SURMOUNT THE MANY OBSTACLES WHICH IT WILL HAVE TO FACE IN MAINTAINING ITS HIGH PATTERN OF GROWTH ONLY BY KEEPING UP WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY ACCESS UNIT OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY IN KOWLOON BAY.
MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE OBSTACLES INCLUDED STIFF COMPETITION FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES, AND THE EVER-PRESENT DANGEi OF MORE STRINGENT TRADE BARRIERS BEING SET UP AGAINST HONG KONG’j EXPORTS.
+THE PRODUCT IVITV OF THE WORKFORCE IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY HAS BEEN IMPROVED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF AUTOMATIC MACHINES AND COMPUTER-AIDED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS,* HE SAID.
+MORE AND MORE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW CONVINCED THAT COMPUT-. -AIDED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES CAN GIVE THEM A MORE COMPETITIVE EDGE.*
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE PAST DECADE HAD BEEN A PERICI CF SUSTAINED GROWTH FOR THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY, DESPITE INCREASES PROTECTIONIST MEASURES IN OUR MAJOR MARKETS AND INCREASING COMPETITION FROM OTHER ECONOMIES.
♦BETWEEN 1976 AND 1985, THE NUMBER OF GARMENT FACTORIES INCREASED FROM 8 600 TO 10 300, EMPLOYMENT HAS RISEN FROM 284 000 TO 293 000 AND THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF GARMENT^ WENT UP FROM $14 BILLION TO $45 BILLION.*
HE ATTRIBUTED THE SUCCESS TO THE READINESS OF MANUFACTURERS TO INVEST IN NEW MACHINERY TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SKILLED AND INDUSTRIOUS WORKERS TO OPERATE THEM.
+IT IS THIS COMBINATION OF A SKILLED AND INDUSTRIOUS WORKFORCE OPERATING MODERN PRODUCTION FACILITIES WHICH HAS ENABLED THE INDUSTRY TO SUPPLY OVERSEAS MARKETS, WITH THEIR RAPIDLY CHANGING FASHION TRENDS, WITH A DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY FEW OF OUR COMPETITORS COULD MATCH.
+THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY HAS PLAYED a >.aJvi ROLE IN THE TRAINING OF THESE WORKERS,* HE ADDED.
/MH YEUNG........
TUESDAY, MAxiCH 18, 1?o6
2
MR YEUNG SAID THE NEW CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY ACCESS UNIT OF THE AUTHORITY WOULD HELP THE INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN ITS POSITION AT THE TOP OF THE MANUFACTURERS’ LEAGUE, WITH MUTUAL BENEFIT T BOTH MACHINERY SUPPLIERS, GARMENT MANUFACTURERS AND WORKERS.
+THE LATEST MACHINERY AVAILABLE WILL BE ON SHOW HERE SO THAT TRAINEES CAN BE GIVEN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN OPERATING IT, AND SO THAT MANUFACTURERS WILL BE ABLE TO TEST EQUIPMENT IN OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS BEFORE COMMITTING THEMSELVES TO BUYING IT. SUPPLIERS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS CENTRE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR MACHINES TO CUSTOMERS.*
-----0------
FIVE PER CENT RISE IN WATER CHARGES
* * *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AVERAGE INCREASES OF FIVE PER CENT IN WATER CHARGES FROM APRIL 1.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INCREASES WERE THE RESULT THE ANNUAL REVIEW AND WERE IN LINE WITH THE POLICY OF REGULAR, MODEST RISES, RATHER THAN HAVING LARGE INCREASES AT INFREQUENT INTERVALS.
HE SAID THE SMALL INCREASE APPROVED KEPT THE LEVEL OF WATER CHARGES THE SAME IN REAL TERMS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THERE WOULD BE ONLY A SLIGHT EFFECT ON CONSUMERS. ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WOULD CONTINUE TO PAY NOTHING FOR THEIR WATER WHILE A FURTHER 70 PEP CENT WOULD PAY LESS THAN 50 CENTS A WEEK EXTRA.
SEVEN PER CENT WOULD PAY MORE THAN 50 CENTS, WHILE ONLY THREE PER CENT WOULD BE PAYING MORE THAN AN ADDITIONAL *1 A wEEK.
AMONG TRADE CONSUMERS 65 PER CENT WOULD PAY LESS THAN 53 CENTS A WEEK EXTRA, 12 PER CENT WOULD PAY BETWEEN 53 CENTS AND A DOLLAR A WEEK EXTRA AND A FURTHER 21 PER CENT WOULD HAVE THEIR CHARGES INCREASED BY BETWEEN $1 AND $15 A WEEK.
AS IN PREVIOUS INCREASES THE NEW HIGHER RATES WOULD APPLY ONLY TO CONSUMPTION AFTER APRIL 1, 1986, AND WOULD BE REFLECTED IN WATER BILLS ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1, 1086.
1
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
•< ’OLL BOOTHS AT LION ROCK TUNNEL ¥ ¥ ¥
THREE NEW TOLL BOOTHS AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL COME I NT"1 OPERATION FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 20), INCREASING ’HE TOL-BOOTH CAPACITY BY ABOUT 30 PER CENT.
THE ADDITIONAL BOOTHS, ALL SITUATED AT THE KOWLOON-BOUND, NEAR SIDE LANE OF THE TUNNEL, ARE EXPECTED TO BE LARGELY USED BY BUSES AND HEAVY VEHICLES.
AT PRESENT, NINE TOLL BOOTHS ARE OPERATING A’ THE TUNNEL CATERING FOR 10 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND EACH BOOTH CAN HANDLE 465 VEHICLES PER HOUR. TWO OF THESE BOOTHS ARE SET ASIDE FOR ’EXACT TOLLS’ AND CAN HANDLE ABOUT *80 VEHICLES PER HOUR.
IN EARLY MARCH, THE AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC AT the TUNNEL VAS 7C 000 VEHICLES.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT VAS EXPECTED THAT TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE TUNNEL AREA WOULD EASE FURTHER WHEN IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO TAI PO ROAD, LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAn AND WATERLOO ROAD WERE COMPLETED.
TO COPE WITH THE OPENING Or THE NEW FACILITIES, THE EXISTING KOWLOON-BOUND BUS STOP IN THE TUNNEL AREA WILL BE RELOCATED TO A POSITION ADJACENT TO THE NEW BOOTHS.
KMB ROUTES MO. 70, 70M, 723, 74A, 80, 81M, 85A, 87 AND 39A WILL NO LONGER USE THE STOPS IN FRONT OF THE TOLL PLAZA ON BOTH THEIR KOWLOON-BOUND AND SHAT IN-BOUND JOURNEYS, BECAUSE OF SPACE LIMITATIONS.
HOWEVER, -I VE SERVICES, INCLUDING KMB ROUTES NO. 32M, 8*, 37A, AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE 170 WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE TWO STOPS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT THE ARRANGEMENTS TO CAUSE COMMUTERS UNDUE INCONVENIENCE BECAUSE THE TWO STOPS WERE MAINLY USED AS AN INTERCHANGE POINT FOR OTHER SERVICES. +BUS COMMUTERS CAN ALWAYS CHANGE ROUTES AT ALTERNATIVE BUS STOPS IN SHA TIN 0» IN THE KOWLOON URBAN AREA,+ HE SAID.
0
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1936
- 4 -
INDUSTRIAL AREA HAS GOOD POTENTIAL
*****
ON LOK TSUEN IN FANLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A POPULAR I’DUSTRIAL AREA, MR ANTHONY YUEN, CONVENOR OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WORKING GROUP ON ON LOK TSUEN DEVELOPMENT, SAID TODAY C’UESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR YUEN NOTED THAT ON LOK TSUEN IS LOCATED NEAR THE FANLING RAILWAY STATION WITH EASY ACCESS -ROM THE NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM.
IN 1978, THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEGUN TO DEVELOP ON LOK TSUEN INTO AN INDUSTRIAL AREA WITH A BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOADING AND UNLOADING AREAS. >
FACTORIES COULD TAP THE LARGE WORKFORCE NOW EXISTING IN PANLING NEW TOWN, HE SAID, NOTING THAT A RECENT SURVEY SHOWED THAT ABOUT 83 PER CENT OF THE WORKING POPULATION IN THE NEW .OWN AT PRESENT WORKED OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT. MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE MOVING IN AS ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERc DtVEuOPED.
+THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC LINKS, BOTH OF WHICH ARE IN PROGRESS, ARE EXPECTED TO ENCOURAGE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH DISTRICT,+ MR YUEN SAID.
ON LOK TSUEN HAS-ABOUT 15 HECTARES OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL^ PURPOSES AND THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 130 FACTORIES OPERATING IN TH-. AREA.
BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE, MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE, ACCOMPANIED BY OFFICIALS FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, VISITED SEVERAL -ACTORIES IN ON LOK TSUEN.
------o--------
NEW COUNCILLORS TOLD OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES
KAK
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S CONSTANT GOALu IS TO ♦UPGRADE AND IMPROVE SERVICES WHEREVER POSSIBLE -- AND WHENEVER ECONOMICALLY POSSIBLE.*
THIS WAS SAID TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, NR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, WHEN GIVING A BRIEFING TO HONG KONG’S FIVE NEWEST URBAN COUNCILLORS ON HOW THE COUNCIL’S +WORKING ARM,+ THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CARRIES OUT ITS MANIFOLD TASKS IN SERVICING HONG KONG.
/also TAKING........
JiSDxY, MAxtUS 1c, 19tt>
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE TOP-LEVEL BRIEFING SESSION wERt ME A.L. PURVES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF ADMINISTRATION, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, "HE DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN CHARGE Or ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION, AND MRS HELEN YU, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT.
LATER THE NEW COUNCILLORS TOOK PART IN AN ENTHUSIASTIC QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION WITH MEMBERS Oc THE DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTORATE.
THE FIVE NEW COUNCILLORS, ELECTED ON MARCH 6, WILL TAKE UP THEIR SEATS FROM A°RIL 1. THEY ARE MISSES CHEUNG WAI-PING AND FOK PUI-YEE, AND MESSRS CHAN KWOK-MING, CHOW wAI-KEUNG AND MAN SA I-CHEONG.
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT GRANTS
*****
YOUTH GROUPS PLANNING INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE P'.OJEUT^ CAN APPLY FOR GRANTS UNDER THE +OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEr ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE SCHEME OFFERS YOUTHS THE CHANCE TO BROADEN THEIR KNOWLT AND EXPERIENCE, TO ACHIEVE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PEOPLE . THE COMMUNITY, AND TO BE ABLE TO ATTAIN THE NECESSARY SAT ISFACT I , . FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
IT ALSO ENABLES YOUNG PEOPLE TO REALISE THEIR PLANNED PROJEV. WHICH ARE CONDUCIVE TO THEIR PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.
MAXIMUM SUBSIDY FOR AN APPROVED PROJECT IS $4 500.
ON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT ITo MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT TO COMPETE FOR THE HONG KONG + BEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME AWARD*.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S J > L WORK OFFICES (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY).
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS AND DETAILED PROJECT PROPOSALS SHOULD. REACH THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICES BEFORE MAY 15.
ALL PROJECTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30.
EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVE.m MEI-oc.Ru AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25, AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A oCHOOL, Yj.Ti AGENCY OR BUSINESS ORGANISATION.
/030UP3 WITHOUT
TUESDAY, iiAKCE 18, 1?Fc
6 -
GROUPS aITHOUT SPONSORS MAY ALSO APPLY wI TH THE APPROVAL The SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) O'7 THEIR DI-TR!?. .
S '-’3 SME NT CRITERIA a ILL INC UDE THE EXTENT OF YOUTr I — A^D SEVELOPMENT, THE EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT, RE AS I.
--- s., 3Tf AND OPT I h.U> USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATE..
CUPTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME SHOULD BE MADE ;S’’-|'T SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH aND COMMUNITY).
RSD CONTRIBUTING TO 2$TH FESTIVAL OF SPORT
******
TH- pcgionAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ORGANISING 1.A —,mBFt|T|Vp SPORTS EVENTS IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA -ROM v,ar-H TO AS ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE 29TH FESTIVAL OR S°ORT.
- the PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL’S RECREATION ANn CL’-"7 --cEL“*~t COMMITTEE meeting, THE BSD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (LEISURE SERVICES) MR DAVID WEEKS, SAID A COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAMME , ORGAN I^EO’CACH YEAR IN MARCH IN RESPONSE TO THE ANNUAL EVEN WHICH IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG.
+ THE SPORTS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE RSD IN ALL ' I DISTRICTS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA ARE EXPECTED TO 'T^RA” SOME 2 000 PARTICIPANTS,* '-’R WEEKS SAID.
TH- COMMITTEE ALSO ENDORSED AT THE MEETING A PROPOSAL T0 HOLD A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION TO PROMOTE LIBRARY USAGE.
MR WEEKS SAID THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD IN JUNE TO AROUSE ~OMMUNItY AWARENESS OF THE WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES RUN BY THF RSD AND TO PROMOTE AN INTEREST IN CREATlv ART AND DESIGN. ENTRIES WILL BE INVITED FROM APRIL 14.
MR WEEKS SAID THAT A REVIEW OF THE ATTENDANCE PATTER AT PUBLIC BEACHES IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT tq SEE WHETHER ANY REVISION OF SERVICE HOURS IS NECESSARY.
+ THE REVIEW SHOWS THAT SOME BEACHES HAVE GAINED IN POPULAR I Tv DURING RECENT YEARS AND AN EXTENSION OF SERVICE HOURS OF LIFEGUARDS IS REQUIRED AT WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DURING THE PEAK SWIMMING SEASON,* he SAID.
+HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE LOW ATTENDANCE RATE AT PAK SHA CHAU AND CAMPER’S BEACHES IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT, IT IS CONSIDERED TH/.T THESE SHOULD ONLY BE MANNED ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC • HOLIDAYS BETWEEN JUNE AND AUGUST.+
NOTICES WOULD BE PUT UP TO INFORM BATHERS OF THE SERVICE HOURS OF LIFEGUARDS AND TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC AGAINST SWIMMING WHEN NO LIFEGUARDS WERE ON DUTY.
/7 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1996
7
SAI YING PUN BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 15 SAM TO LANE IN SAI YING PUN TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THE TWO-STOREYED BUILDING, WHICH HAD A REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR AND ROOF OF LOADING BEARING BRICK WALLS, HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION SINCE 1968.
+THE REINFORCED CONCRETE ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING SHOW SIGNS OF ADVANCED DETERIORATION AND THERE ARE BULGES AT TWO LOCATIONS ON THE PARTY WALL BETWEEN 13 AND 15 SAM TO LANE.
+THE BULGE AT THE MIDDLE OF THE WALL IS CONSIDERED TO BE NEW AND IS REFLECTED BY A FRESH CRACK BETWEEN THE SOFFIT OF THE STAIRHOOD AND THE PARTY WALL. IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING.*
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL 15, 1986 WAS POSTED TODAY.
DRAINAGE WORK AT CLEVERLY STREET UNDERWAY *****
WORK HAS STARTED ON REPLACING THE MAIN DRAIN UNDER CLEVERLY STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
THE 2.1-METRE DIAMETER DRAIN, COSTING $1.1 MILLION, IS PART CF A $25 MILLION SCHEME TO RECONSTRUCT DES VOEUX ROAD BETWEEN WING WO STREET AND MORRISON STREET.
THE WHOLE SCHEME HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND IS DESIGNED TO RAISE THE ROADS IN THE AREA BY HALF A METRE TO REDUCE FLOODING.
THE SINGLE TRAM TRACKS ALONG CLEVERLY STREET AND MORRISON STREET WILL ALSO BE REPLACED WITH DOUBLE TRACKS.
WORK ON THE DRAIN WAS TO HAVE STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR BUT WAS DEFERRED UNTIL AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR TO MINIMISE THE EFFECT ON BUSINESSES IN CLEVERLY STREET.
BECAUSE OF THE WORKS, CLEVERLY STREET IS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR SIX MONTHS, BUT PEDESTRIANS WILL STILL BE ABLE TO USE IT.
TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 19. r
- 6 -
SUBMARINE PIPELINE ACROSS RAMBLER CHANNEL
*****
ABOUT 600 METRES OF SUBMARINE PIPELINE IS TO BE LAID ACRObo RAMBLER CHANNEL TO IMPROVE THE TRANSFER OF FRESH WATER FROM YAU KOM TAU TO TSI NG Yl NORTH.
THE 700-MILLI METRE DIAMETER PIPELINE WILL BE BURIED IN THE SEABED OF RAMBLER CHANNEL.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE, AND THOSE WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS SHOULD THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BEFORE MAY 13.
LATEST
WRITE TO
-----o------
FREE AUDIO TESTS FOR ELDERLY, WORKERS
* * * *
FACTORY WORKERS AND THE ELDERLY IN KWUN TONG WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FREE AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING SERVICE FROM THIS SATURDAY (MARCH 22).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON, CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR LI WAH-MING, SAID: +APART FROM THE SCREENING SERVICE, THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR AWARENESS OF AURAL HEALTH DURING THE SIX-MONTH AURAL HEALTH SCHEME IN KWUN TONG.+
THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A TOURING EXHIBITION, A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION, A SONG AND LYRIC WRITING CONTEST, AND A LARGE-SCALE CARNIVAL ON AURAL HEALTH.
♦AS REGARDS THE AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING SERVICE, AN APPLICATION FORM WILL BE SENT TO LOCAL FACTORIES AND ELDERLY INSTITUTIONS, AND ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR THE SCREENING VAN TO SERVE THE APPLICANT ORGANISATION ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS,+ NR LI SAID.
THE VAN WOULD ALSO BE STATIONED OUTSIDE THE TSUEN YIP STREET PLAYGROUND EVERY THURSDAY TO CATER TO INDIVIDUAL WORKERS OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREA.
THE SCHEME, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AMONG ALL DISTRICTS, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE.
/with a .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1S, 19&6
WITH A SPONSORSHIP OF ABOUT $70 000 FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE SCHEME WILL BE LAUNCHED THIS SATURDAY IN THE TSUEN YIP STREET PLAYGROUND.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STANLEY YINGJ AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE, MR PETER LOO.
PHILHARMONIC TO PERFORM IN KWAI CHUNG K * *
ABOUT 1 000 RESIDENTS IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TREATED TO AN EVENING OF FREE ENTERTAINMENT BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA ON SATURDAY (MARCH 22).
THE CONCERT, SPONSORED BY THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl DISTRICT BOARD, WILL TAKE PLACE AT 7.30 PM IN THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE IN HING SHING ROAD.
PROGRAMMES FOR THE EVENING INCLUDE MOZART’S OVERTURE +THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO+, ELGAR’S SERENADE FOR STRINGS, DITTERSDORF’3 DOUBLE BASS CONCERTO IN E MAJOR, TCHAIKOVSKY’S +ROMEO AND JULIET+ FANTASY OVERTURE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO PIECES OF CHINESE MUSIC - OVERTURE ♦SPRING FESTIVAL+ BY LI HUAN ZHI, DANCE OF THE YAO PEOPLE BY MAO YUEN.
ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE FREE CONCERT ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
REFUGEES TO STAGE VARIETY SHOW X X X
THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT CAPE COLLINSON CLOSED CENTRE WILL STAGE THEIR LAST VARIETY SHOW THERE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE CAMP IS TO BE CLOSED DOWN IN MID-APR1L, AND ITS 300 REFUGEES WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE BOWRING CLOSED CENTRE DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
/THE REFUGEES
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1986
THE REFUGEES WISH TO USE THE OCCASION TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED FOR THEM AND HELPED THEM.
THE SHOW WILL FEATURE VIETNAMESE CULTURAL DANCES, FOLK SONG AND COMEDIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, 32, Ol KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, BY 1.30 PM.
- 0 -
VISIT TO ACTIVITY CENTRE # IU *
A PRESS VISIT TO THE WONG TAI SIN WORK ACTIVITY CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ARRANGED ON THURSDAY (MARCH 20).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE VISIT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CGO CARPARK WHERE TWO VANS WILL LEAVE FOR THE ACTIVITY CENTRE AT 1.45 PM SHARP. THOSE WISHING TO GO ON THEIR OWN SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 104 CHING TAK STREET AT 2.30 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL ASSIST.
- - 0
BRIEFING ON FANLING DEVELOPMENT *****
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON FANLING NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AT A SPECIAL MEETING ON FRIDAY (MARCH 21).
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE COMPOSITION CF THE DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 21) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, FANLING ROUNDABOUT.
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1986
11
TSING Yl PUBLIC LIBRARY TO OPEN * * * *
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT COMMITTEE CF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR LAM KIN-MING, WILL OPEN THE NEW TSING Yl PUBLIC LIBRARY CJ FRIDAY (MARCH 21).
IT WILL BE THE FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY ON THE ISLAND AND THE 17TH STATIC LIBRARY UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ALSO PRESENT IN THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THc RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL
COUNCIL, DR HO MAN-WUI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSING Yl PUBLIC LIBRARY ON FRIDAY AT 11.30 AM. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER BY 10.30 AM.
-----o------
BOARD TO DISCUSS HAWKER ISSUE * * *
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 20) TO DISCUSS THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON HAWKER AND MARKET POLICIES.
AFTER A BRIEFING IN JANUARY BY MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WORKING PARTY. BOARD MEMBERS CONSULTED THEIR RESPECTIVE AREA SmMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN ORDER TO COLLECT VIEWS AND COMMENTS ON THE REPORT.
BASED ON THE OPINIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SET OUT IN THE DOCUMENT ON FUTURE HAWKER MANAGEMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 20) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1P8-;
12 -
NORTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE TO MEET * * * *
THE ROLE OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN CLEANSING RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT WILL BE AMONG TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE CF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DECIDE ON THE NAMING OF A NEW PLAYGROUND AND LOOK INTO THE CULTURAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DISTRICT BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.33 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN wAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
- - - - 0 -----
aOA. CLOSURE, RESTRICTED ZONE
X A ..
TUNG CHAU STREET BETWEEN WALNUT STREET AND MAPLE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY (MARCH 21) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON TUNG CHAU STREET HEADING FOR TAI KOK TSUI ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO WALNUT STREET AND FUK TSUN STREET.
FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, THE TUEN MUN CENTRAL BUS STATION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY PROHIBITED ZONE.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE TERMINUS.
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1986
- 13 -
CENTRAL, SOUTHERN TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 21).
THESE ARE:
* FROM 10 AM, THE SECTION OF GILMAN STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE MADE A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT A MONTH. NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP IN THE RESTRICTED ZONE FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
* THE EXIT RAMP FROM COTTON TREE DRIVE FLYOVER TO QUEENSWAY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM FROM FRIDAY TO MONDAY (MARCH 24) FOR ROAD WORKS ON QUEENSWAY. VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO COTTON TREE DRIVE, THE LOOP ROAD ADJACENT TO ST. JOHN’S BUILDING AND GARDEN ROAD.
* TO FACILITATE A FUN FAIR OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, THE CUL-DE-SAC END OF SOUTH BAY CLOSE LEADING TO THE SWIMMING POOL OF THE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 3 PM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 4.30 PM THE NEXT DAY (MARCH 22).
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD- HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
CONTaiTS PAGE NO,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: UK GOVT RECOGNISES FEELING. ON BN(O) ISSUE....................... 1
PROGRESS REPORT OfJ. NATIONALITY ISSUE SOUGHT ................ 1
DECISIONS IN SIX. MONTHS ON BRB PROPOSALS .................... 2
UNOFFICIALS REACH CONSENSUS ON EIGHT PRINCIPLES............... 5
BAN ON ADVERTISING. BY. FISCaL MEASURES PROPOSED.............. 8
SOME BASIC. ISSUES NEED EXAMINING............................. 9
PHASED TOBACCO aD.BaN URGED ................................. 11
GOVERNMENT URGED TO RIGHT . OLD JRO1IGS IN TELEVISION...... 12
PHASED-OUT TOTAL BAN CN TOBACCO ADS URGED.................... 14
+PUBLIC STATION - THE.MOST CONVENIENT AND EFFECTIVE MEDIUMh ..................................................... 15
UPGC A GUIDE FOR FINANCING................................... 16
CALL TO FACILITATE RECEPTION OF SATELLITE BROADCASTS....... 17
PUBLIC BROADCASTER SUITS PRESENT NEEDS ...................... 18
GREATER RANGE FROM NSV ELECTRONIC MEDIA...................... 19
PUBLIC FUNDS SHOULD SUPPORT BROADCASTER...................... 20
TOBACCO AD BAN JUST A TRADE RESTRICTION ..................... 22
+RTHK SHOULD BE TOTALLY INDEPENDENT-*- ...................... 23
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS SHOULD NOT BE CONFINED ................ 24
DIRECT SUBVENTION NEEDED FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTER.............. 26
PROGRAMMING PROPOSALS SHOULD GET PRIORITY.................... 27
+TAKING PRIME TIME NOT PRACTICABLE*- ........................ 28
SUPPORT' FOR TOTAL ADVERTISING BAN .......................... 30
CALL FOR' OVERALL ANTI-SMOKING POLICY ....................... 31
NSV TV LICENCE SHOULD COVER 15 YEARS ........................ 32
HARM SEEN IN TOTaL BaN....................................... 34
PROPOSALS HINDE®'FINANCIAL VIABILITY ........................ 35
/CaLL TO .......
CALL TO STOP MONOPOLISATION 0? ELECi'XQl^IC MEDIA............ 39
NEED seen to close loopholes................................. 40
CONCERN FOB PROSPECTS of RTHK STAFF.......................... 41
QUALITY OF PROGRAMMES SHOULD SATISFY PUBLIC NEEDS......... 42
MOVE TO PROMOTE BANKING STABILITY, PROTECT DEPOSITORS .... 43
REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE PROPERTIES PROPOSED ................. 46
VARIOUS FACTORS IN FIXING FARE LEVELS .................... 47•
MORE SOCIaL CENTRES -FOR ELDERLY............................. 48
'231 KIDNEY MACHINES BY 1991' ............................... 49
STEPS TAKEN TO REMOVE DISQUALIFICATION RULE.................. 50
STAFFING OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPT EXPLAINED....... 51
FINDINGS BY CONSULTANTS NOT BINDING......................... 51
COMPARABLE STANDARD USED TO ASSESS OVERSEAS DEGREES ......... 52
NO LIMIT SET FOR TAXI LICENCE OWNERSHIP ..................... 53
PUBLIC UTILITY MONITORING COSTS ............................. 53
MINIMUM GOVT ROLE IN UTILITY FIRM MANAGEMENT ................ 54
.JJTI-SMOKING MEASURES SUCCESSFUL ........................... 56
COMPULSORY EDUCATION' POLICY CLOSELY MONITORED .............. 57
REASONS FOR HIGH AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY IN HK............... 58
RETENTION OF DESALTING PLANT UP FOR REVIEW .................. 59
HONG KONG BUILDING FOR' THE FUTURE............................. 60
CLOSE WATCH ON' LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME.................... 61
VITAL ROLE PLaYED IN FIGHTING RIVER POLLUTION ................. 62
REGISTRATION SUSPENDED ........................................ 63
31 TO RECEIVE GRADUATION CERTIFICATES ......................... 64
REFUGEES SAY' GOODBYE TO CAPE COLLINSON ....................... 65
CAMPAIOJ TO KEEP MUI WO RIVER CLEAN ........................... 65
PARTY FOR NW REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS.......................... 66
BILLIARD SALOON CONTROLS TO BE DISCUSSED ...................... 66
CHILDREN'S CHOIR TO STAGE FREE CONCERT ........................ 6?
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ONLY'........................................ 68
MEET THE MEDIA..............................................
PROVISIONAL REGIONAL‘COUNCIL TO MEET ........................ 68
DETAILS OF TREE-PLANTING PROGRAMME............................. 69
DRY TAPS FOR TUSN MUN, TSUEN WAN .............................. 69
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS ................................... 70
MONG KOK‘RESTRICTED DONE....................................... 70
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
1
UK GOVT RECOGNISES FEELING ON BN(O) ISSUE *****
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE STRENGTH OF FEELING ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE IN HONG KONG AND IT IS GIVING THE MATTER PRIORITY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A STATEMENT BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THESE QUESTIONS WERE HOWEVER COMPLEX, AND IT WAS RIGHT THAT THEY SHOULD RECEIVE FULL AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY HAD BEEN TO GIVE A FULL OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
ONCE LAID, THE DRAFT HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER WOULD HAVE TO BE DEBATED BY BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AND THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE CONCERNED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE MATTER, HE SAID.
+1 KNOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT HOPE TO REACH DECISIONS SHORTLY, BUT I CANNOT SAY AT THIS STAGE WHETHER THIS WILL BE BEFORE EASTER,+ SIR DAVID SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID SAID THAT HE WOULD CERTAINLY CONVEY THE COUNCIL’S VIEW TO THE UK GOVERNMENT.
-----0------
PROGRESS REPORT ON NATIONALITY ISSUE SOUGHT
* * * *
SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, TODAY CALLED FOR A RESPONSE TO HONG KONG’S REQUESTS ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE BEFORE THE DRAFT HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER IS LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT.
+WE EXPECT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER THAT RESPONSE AND COMMENT UPON IT BEFORE PARLIAMENT IS INVITED TO ASSENT TO THE ORDER,* SHE STRESSED.
IN A STATEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS DUNN NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE TERMS OF THE ENDORSEMENT IN THE PASSPORT WOULD BE, AND THE ETHNIC MINORITIES AND EX-SERVICEMEN WAITED TO SEE THEIR REQUESTS HAD FALLEN ON DEAF EARS.
MISS DUNN URGED THE GOVERNOR TO CONVEY TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THE COUNCIL’S INCREASING APPREHENSION ABOUT THE PASSAGE OF TIME.
ZSHX NOTED.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
2
SHE NOTED THAT IT WAS NOW TEN WEEKS SINCE THE COUNCIL UNITED BEHIND A MOTION DRAWING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S ATTENTION TO THE DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE EROSION OF THE RIGHTS OF HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS.
ALTHOUGH THE CHIEF SECRETARY PROMISED ON JANAURY 15 TO INFORM THE COUNCIL AS SOON AS THE BRITISH RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED, NOTHING MORE HAD BEEN SAID.
♦ NO ONE SHOULD THINK THAT THE STRENGTH OF HONG KONG’S FEELINGS ON THIS MATTER ARE ANY LESS TODAY THAN THEY WERE TEN WEEKS AGO,+ SHE SAID.
+THE CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MUST NOT BE IGNORED.
+THE WISHES OF THIS COUNCIL MUST BE ADDRESSED.+
MISS DUNN SAID THE COUNCIL WAS GRATEFUL TO THE
GOVERNOR FOR HAVING CONVEYED THE STRENGTH OF HONG KONG’S FEELINGS TO THE BRITISH GOVERNENT AND FOR SENDING A TEAM OF OFFICIALS TO LONDON LAST MONTH TO PROVIDE THE FACTS AND FIGURES NEEDED BY THOSE WHO ADVISE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
SHE AND HER COLLEAGUES HAD ALSO BEEN GRATIFIED BY THE EXTENT CF THE SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM FRIENDS OF HONG KONG IN WESTMINSTER, INCLUDING THOSE WHO SPOKE IN THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ON HONG KONG’S BEHALF.
♦WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE EVIDENCE OF THEIR CONTINUING GOOD WILL,+ SHE SAID.
ONLY LAST WEEK, SHE ADDED, SHE HAD RECEIVED A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. HE HAD ALSO ASKED THE BISHOP OF BIRMINGHAM TO WRITE TO THE HOME SECRETARY TO EXPRESS +HIS CONCERN ABOUT THIS SERIOUS MATTER+.
-----0------
DECISIONS IN SIX MONTHS ON BRB PROPOSALS * * * * *
DECISIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE REACHED ON THE PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD DURING THE COURSE OF THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE, SIR DAVID SAID A PAPER WOULD BE PUBLISHED, FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SETTING OUT THE BACKGROUND AND THE RATIONALE FOR THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED AMD THE DECISIONS TAKEN.
/♦WHATEVER DECISIONS ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
3 -
+WHATEVER DECISIONS ARE MADE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF BROADCASTING, THEY MUST BE BASED ON COMMON SENSE AND SOUND JUDGEMENT, AND ABOVE ALL THEY MUST BE MADE IN THE WIDER PUBLIC INTEREST,* HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT FEW REPORTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE HAD AROUSED SUCH DEBATE AND DIVERSITY OF OPINION AND PUBLIC INTEREST AS THE REPORT OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD.
HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED OVER 800 SUBMISSIONS AND THAT THE REPORT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED BY ALMOST ALL DISTRICT BOARDS AND HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF INTENSE ATTENTION IN THE PRESS.
+A REPORT IS NOW BEING WRITTEN SUMMARISING AND ANALYSING ALL THE VIEWS RECEIVED DURING THE PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION, AND THIS REPORT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC SHORTLY,* HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES WHICH HAD BEEN SPELT OUT BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI CONSTITUTED AN IMPORTANT SUMMARY OF THE MAIN THEMES WHICH HAD EMERGED FROM THIS PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
HE ADDED THAT MEMBERS HAD RIGHTLY POINTED OUT THAT LICENCE TO BROADCAST WAS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER KINDS OF COMMERCIAL LICENCE AND ENTERPRISE! IT WAS SUBJECT NOT ONLY TO NORMAL COMMERCIAL IMPERATIVES BUT PLACED ON THE LICENSEES, THE OPERATORS, A HEAVY PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY.
THEY WERE FRANCHISED TO USE A PUBLIC ASSET WHICH, HE SAID, ALTHOUGH INVISIBLE, REACHED INTO EVERY HOUSE- THEY HAD A SOLEMN DUTY TO EXERCISE THIS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
+AND, BECAUSE IT IS A PUBLIC TRUST, BECAUSE OF ITS ALL PERVADING NATURE, THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY PLACE HAS WITH JUSTIFICATION TO APPLY TO THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY SENSIBLE RESTRAINTS AND A GREATER DEGREE OF REGULATION AND SUPERVISION THAN WOULD BE APPLICABLE TO OTHER COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES OPERATING IN AN ENTIRELY FREE MARKET,* SIR DAVID SAID.
THIS WAS THE BACKGROUND AGAINST WHICH THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD’S PROPOSALS HAD TO BE JUDGED, HE ADDED.
THE PROPOSALS INCLUDED THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC BROADCASTER W+TH GUARANTEED ACCESS TO TELEVISION PRIME T1ME1 MEASURES AIMED AT RESTORING A MORE COMPETITIVE SITUATION! ESTABLISHMENT OF A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY! AND THAT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER, OR RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, SHOULD COME UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF A BOARD OF GOVERNORS.
THE REPORT ALSO DEALT WITH THE ISSUES OF CABLE TELEVISION AND SATELLITE BROADCASTS, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT.
+IT IS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE THAT AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT TO OPERATE A CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE TO ONE OF OUR LARGE RESIDENTIAL ESTATES,* HE SAID.
/IT WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 4 -
IT WAS ASSERTED THAT A CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE COULD OFFER THE PURCHASER A GREATER CHOICE OF PROGRAMMES THAN PROVIDED OVER THE AIR, HE SAID.
-♦-THIS WILL REQUIRE CAREFUL EVALUATION BECAUSE, IF IT PROVED POPULAR, IT WOULD CLEARLY HAVE A FAR-REACHING EFFECT UPON THE EXISTING TELEVISION BROADCAST STATIONS,* HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT DR CHAM HAD DRAWN ATTENTION TO SATELLITE BROADCAST RECEPTION SYSTEMS AND TO RECENT IMPROVEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY.
IT MIGHT BE, HE ADDED, WITH THE HIGH-DENSITY, HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND THE PREVALENT USE OF COMMUNAL AERIALS IN THESE HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS, THAT ECONOMIES OF SCALE WOULD MAKE THESE SYSTEMS MORE VIABLE IN HONG KONG.
+IT WILL, THEREFORE, BE ESSENTIAL TO REAPPRAISE THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT ON CABLEVISION AND SATELLITE BROADCASTING IN THE LIGHT OF THESE FRESH DEVELOPMENTS,* HE SAID.
NOTING THAT SOME OF THE BOARD’S PROPOSALS HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A VIGOROUS PUBLIC DEBATE, SIR DAVID SAID, +THE OBJECTIVE NOW IS TO SEE BEYOND THE CONTROVERSIES, TO AVOID BEING SWAYED BY EMOTION AND TENDENTIOUS ARGUMENTS, AND TO TAKE A COOL LOOK AT THE REAL ISSUES IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT SOLUTIONS WHICH WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE PUBLIC AND, VIEWED DISPASSIONATELY, ACCEPTED BY THE PRIVATE INTERESTS INVOLVED.*
HE SAID THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE BOARD, THE VIEWS OF MEMBERS EXPRESSED TODAY, OTHER REPRESENTATIONS THAT HAD BEEN MADE AND THE NEED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE IMPLICATIONS OF CABLEVISION AND SATELLITE BROADCASTING HAD ALL TO BE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY THE GOVERNMENT.
SIR DAVID SAID, +CONCLUSIONS MUST BE REACHED IN THE LIGHT OF THE ADVICE RcCEIVED AND THESE CONCLUSIONS MUST BE PUBLICLY EXPLAINED.
+WHATEVER DECISIONS ARE TAKEN, THEY MUST BE TAKEN IN WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING THE INDUSTRY, OF FOSTERING ITS GROWTH AND ITS COMPETITIVENESS, ITS SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, ITS CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE, TO ENJOYMENT, TO INFORMATION AND ITS SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE.*
SIR DAVID THANKED MEMBERS WHO FORMED AN AD-HOC GROUP TO STUDY THE REPORT, ADDING THAT THEIR OBSERVATIONS AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE AN INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION.
HE ALSO THANKED THE HON MR JUSTICE POWER AND THE MEMBERS OF THE REVIEW BOARD FOR THEIR AWARENESS OF THE HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY PLACED UPON THEM AND FOR PROVIDING SUCH A COMPREHENSIVE AND THOUGHTPROVOKING DOCUMENT.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1936
5
UNOFFICIALS REACH CONSENSUS ON EIGHT PRINCIPLES
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE REPORT OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD HAS REACHED UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS ON EIGHT PRINCIPLES WHICH HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY ALL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI TOLD THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR HO, CONVENER OF THE GROUP, WAS LEADING OFF THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BOARD’S REPORT.
ELABORATING ON THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES, DR HO SAID THAT FIRST THE GOVERNMENT HAD A DUTY TO PRESCRIBE BROAD GUIDELINES ON THE STANDARDS AND TYPES OF PROGRAMMES APPROPRIATE FOR THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY AND THAT THE INDUSTRY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO SOME FORM OF REGULATION AND MONITORING IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.
♦SECOND, THE AIRWAVES ARE THE LIMITED PROPERTY OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THEREFOR^, NOT ONLY DOES THE RIGHT TO BROADCAST MUST BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY, PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE USE OF THE AIRWAVES,* HE SAID.
THIRD, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST WATCH DEVELOPMENTS, SUCH AS CABLE TELEVISION AND DIRECT SATELLITE TRANSMISSION^, ESPECIALLY AS THEY APPLY TO HONG KONG.
FOURTH, FAIR AND HEALTHY COMPETITION WOULD ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMES AND WOULD BENEFIT BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE INDUSTRY.
FIFTH. THE RIGHT TO BROADCAST SHOULD BE LIMITED, FOR THE PURPOSES 0^ THIS REVIEW, TO COMMERCIAL LICENSEES AND A PUBLIC BROADCASTER.
SIXTH, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REGULATE AND MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY AND THIS SHOULD BE ENTRUSTED TO A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
♦THE AUTHORITY SHOULD, HAVING REGARD TO THE PREVAILING STANDARD OF PUBL C DECENCY ENSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE, COMPREHENSIVE AND BALANCED SERVICE WHICH’IS RESPONSIVE TO THE DIVERSE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, IS PROVIDED,+ DR HO SAID.
HE ADDED THAT PUBLIC HEARINGS SHOULD BE HELD BEFORE PERMISSION WAS GIVEN TO BROADCAST AT WHICH THE PERFORMANCE OF EXISTING LICENSEES, THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER, AND POTENTIAL APPLICANTS, WAS
EXAMINED.
SHOULD ENSURE ITS PROGRAMMING INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL ALL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS PROGRAMMES.
SEVENTH, THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY WAS BALANCED IN CONTENT, ENTERTAINING, AND AT THE SAME TIME SHOULD CONFORM TO FOR THE PRODUCTION AND TRANSMISSION OF
/eighth, there ........
WEBJESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
6
EIGHTH, THERE SHOULD BE A REPORT TO A BOARD OF GOVERNORS CAREFULLY SELECTED MEMBERS.
PUBLIC BROADCASTER WHICH SHOULD APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH
IT SHOULD HAVE EDITORIAL AUTONOMY AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SUPPORT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER WITH PUBLIC FUNDS, DR HO NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WERE ALSO UNANIMOUS IN THEIR SUPPORT FOR UPHOLDING THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICY THOUGH THEY HAD DIFFERENT VIEWS ON HOW AND AT WHAT PACE THIS POLICY SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.
DR HO THEN EXPRESSED HIS PERSONAL VIEWS ON THE ROLE OF RTHK AND THE LICENCE PERIOD FOR THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A SIGNIFICANT ROLE OF RTHK IN FUTURE WAS TO ENSURE A BALANCED TELEVISION PROGRAMMING OF ENTERTAINMENT, INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.
+TO THIS END, I PROPOSE THAT RTHK SHOULD PRODUCE MORE PUBLIC AFFAIRS, EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES AND SECURE AN EXTENDED ACCESS to THE AIRTIME OF THE COMMERCIAL TELEVISION LICENSEES FOR THEIR SCREENING THROUGH PROVISIONS IN THE FUTURE BROADCASTING ORDINANCE, SPECIFICATIONS IN THE NEW LICENSING CONDITIONS AND MUTUAL CONSULTATIONS,♦ HE SAID.
A MORE FLEXIBLE USE OF AIR-TIME ON WEEKDAYS AND WEEKENDS IN PREFERENCE TO THE SERVICE SHARING OPTION AND WEEKEND OPTION PERMITTED THE SCREENING OF A GREATER VARIETY OF RTHK PROGRAMMES, It SUGGESTED.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMERCIAL TELEVISION LICENSEES AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT RTHK ALREADY HAD 14 HOURS PER WEEK ON THE FOUR CHANNELS WITH ABOUT A QUARTER WITHIN PRIME TIME ON WEEKDAYS AND WEEKENDS, HE SAID.
DR HO SAID HE WAS SATISFIED THAT RTHK DID ENJOY EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE AS REFLECTED BY FINDINGS OF THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY AUDIENCE SURVEY BUT HE CAUTIONED THAT RELIANCE ON ADVERTISING REVENUE WOULD INEVITABLY SUBJECT EDITORIAL INDEPENENCE TO COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS.
HE THEREFORE AGREED THAT A BOARD OF GOVERNORS BE SET UP, COMPOSED OF A CROSS-SECTION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS IN DIVERSIFIED FIELDS, MEDIA EXPERTS AND TWO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, AND CHAIRED BY AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER TO ENSURE THAT RTHK WOULD REMAIN AN AUTONOMOUS ORGANISATION, INSULATED AGAINST EXTERNAL PRESSURES AND RESTRAINTS.
/♦IN ADDITION.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
7 -
♦ IN ADDITION, RTHK SHOULD BE FINANCED BY PUBLIC FUNDS THROUGH LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES, AND BY A COMBINATION OF INCOMES, SUCH AS CHARGES FROM THE COMMERCIAL TELEVISION LICENSEES FOR RELEASE OF ITS PRODUCTIONS AND COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING,* HE SAID.
HE SOUNDED A NOTE OF WARNING AGAINST THE ARGUMENT THAT RTHK EE DISESTABLISHED FROM THE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY AS THE MOST DESIRABLE MEANS OF ACQUIRING INDEPENDENCE.
♦ HIVING-OFF IS LIKELY TO BE PERCEIVED BY THE PUBLIC AS A DELIBERATE GOVERNMENT MOVE TO RELINQUISH MORE AND MORE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS IN THE SENSITIVE TRANSITION PERIOD, THUS CAUSING UNNECESSARY EROSION OF CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT,* HE WARNED.
DR HO ALSO WARNED THAT DISESTABLISHMENT, IF NOT HANDLED JUDICIOUSLY, WOULD CREATE DISSATISFACTION AMONG SOME SEGMENTS OF THE STAFF AND HENCE WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR MORALE AND LOYALTY.
TURNING TO THE LICENCE PERIOD FOR THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY, DR HO WAS OF THE VIEW THAT IT SHOULD BE FOR 15 YEARS RATHER THAN EIGHT YEARS AS PROPOSED BY THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD.
HE NOTED THAT THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY REQUIRED HEAVY CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN FACILITIES, TECHNOLOGICAL INSTALLATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCES AND PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT.
HE BELIEVED A LONG-TERM LICENCE WOULD INDUCE THE LICENSEES TO ACQUIRE TOP-RATED PROGRAMME RIGHTS AND MAKE LONG-TERM PLANS TO TRAIN PRODUCERS, ARTISTS AND SCRIPT WRITERS WHO WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN PRODUCING QUALITY PROGRAMMES.
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY WOULD ALSO BE BOOSTED, l€ SAID.
HE SAID THAT AN EIGHT-YEAR LICENCE MIGHT DETER A LICENSEE FROM INJECTING SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS TO IMPROVE THE TELEVISION STATION’S CAPABILITY, THUS PERPETUATING THE CURRENT STATE OF LOPSIDED DOMINANCE PREVAILING IN THE INDUSTRY.
♦ THIS WILL WORK AGAINST THE IDEAL OF FAIR COMPETITION WHICH THE BRB REPORT WOULD LIKE TO REALISE,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AT REGULAR INTERVALS, REINFORCED BY THE POWER TO IMPOSE NEW LICENSING CONDITIONS, WERE EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSE OF A LONG LICENCE PERIOD AND THAT THERE WERE ALREADY OTHER EXAMPLES OF THE GOVERNMENT GRANTING LICENCES TO OPERATORS OF SOME IMPORTANT PROJECTS BEYOND 1997.
-----o-----
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
8
BAN ON ADVERTISING BY FISCAL MEASURES PROPOSED
*****
TOBACCO AND CIGARETTE ADVERTISING SHOULD BE BANNED BY FISCAL MEASURES INSTEAD OF FORCED PROHIBITION. THE HON S.L. CHEN SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, MR CHEN SAID HE DID NOT AGREE WITH THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATION THAT TOBACCO AND CIGARETTE ADVERTISING IN THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA SHOULD BE TOTALLY BANNED.
+IF A HEALTH HAZARD IS THE SOLE REASON FOR BANNING ADVERTISING IN THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT BANNING SHOULD BE TOTAL. IN OTHER WORD, THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT FOR THIS PURPOSE; OTHER FORMS OF MEDIA SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AT THE SAME TIME,* HE SAID.
IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICY, MR CHEN PROPOSED A MIDDLE COURSE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM - THAT ALL TOBACCO AND CIGARETTE ADVERTISING SHOULD BE BANNED BY FISCAL MEASURES, SUCH AS THE IMPOSITION OF A TAX ON ADVERTISING.
HE SAID THE TAX SHOULD BE INCREASED PROGRESSIVELY FROM YEAR TO YEAR, SO THAT THE COST OF ADVERTISING WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME SO PROHIBITIVE AS TO DISCOURAGE ADVERTISING ALTOGETHER.
MR CHEN BELIEVED THERE WAS A NEED TO REVIEW THE EXISTING CONTROL AND MONITORING FUNCTIONS OF ADVERTISING IN THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA.
HE SAID UNDER THE PRESENT REGULATION ONLY A CERTAIN PORTION OF BROADCASTING TIME WAS PERMITTED TO BE USED FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES.
+AS A RESULT, THE BROADCASTER MAY LENGTHEN THE BROADCASTING TIME QUITE UNNECESSARILY SIMPLY AS A MEANS TO GAIN THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE ADVERTISING TIME,* HE EXPLAINED.
HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS WOULD RESULT IN MOST OF THE ADVERTISING TIME BEING CRAMPED INTO THE SO-CALLED PRIME TIME WITH THE RESULT THAT ADVERTISEMENTS OCCUPIED A LARGE PROPORTION OF THIS TIME.
+1 THEREFORE SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE EXISTING REGULATIONS TO STIPULATE CLEARLY THE PERMISSIBLE ADVERTISING TIME,* HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC BROADCASTER, MR CHEN SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT A TOTALLY INDEPENDENT ORGANISATION WOULD BE A FINANCIALLY VIABLE PROPOSITION IN PRESENT ClRCUMSTANCES.
/+GOVEHNMHNT SHOULD........
ISMI4SDAY, MABCS 19, 1986
- 9 -
♦GOVERNMENT SHOULD THEREFORE CONTINUE TO GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BUT APPROPRIATE STEPS MUST BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE ITS EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE,* HE SAID.
HE SAID HE COULD NOT SHARE THE VIEW THAT RTHK SHOULD BE DISESTABLISHED IN ORDER TO ENSURE MAXIMUM EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE.
+TO DISESTABLISH RTHK WOULD BE A VERY COSTLY EXERCISE AND UNLESS THERE IS A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE STAFF, MERELY TO DISESTABLISH WOULD NOT FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF COMPLETE EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE,* MR CHEN CONCLUDED.
- o
SOME BASIC ISSUES * * *
THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD
NEED EXAMINING *
REPORT DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE NEED FOR A CONTINUED VIABLE
ADDRESSED IN SUFFICIENT DETAIL THE ---- ... ---
TELEVISION INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
(WEDNESDAY).
MR CHEONG SAID THE REPORT DID NOT INCLUDE1 EXAM I NATION OF THE DEGREE OF CONTRIBUTION, OR OTHERWISE, THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY CURRENTLY MIGHT HAVE ON OUR SOCIETY OR SOME BASIC QUESTIONS THE ANSWERS OF WHICH WERE FUNDAMENTAL AND CRUCIAL TO THE FORMULATION OF NEW POLICIES.
+THE BOARD SEEMS TO HAVE TAKEN FOR GRANTED THAT THERE WILL IN FUTURE BE A VIABLE TELEVISION INDUSTRY AND THEREFORE DOES NOT-SEEM TO HAVE EXAMINED IN SUFFICIENT DEPTH THE ADVERSE IMPACT, OR OTHERWISE, THEIR VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS MIGHT HAVE ON THE CONTINUED ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF THE INDUSTRY,* HE SAID.
MR CHEONG POINTED OUT THAT WATCHING TELEVISION HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT PART OF PEOPLE’S LIFE OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS AND ACTED AS A BALANCE TO THE DAILY PRESSURES OF SOCIETY.
HE SAID THIS HAD IN TURN CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE GENERAL STABILITY OF SOCIETY, AND HE URGED THAT ANY POLICIES. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WHICH WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF DAMAGING THE VIABILITY OF THE FUTURE TELEVISION INDUSTRY, MUST BE APPROACHED WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
+1 PLEAD THEREFORE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHOULD SERIOUSLY TAKE THIS ASPECT INTO CONSIDERATION IN THEIR FUTURE DELIBERATIONS,* HE SAID.
/TUBMIBG TO........
WKDNBSDAY, MAfiCH 19, 1986
10 -
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF THE NEED FOR A PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE, MR CHEONG NOTED THERE HAD BEEN CONCERN OVER THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES SCREENED BY THE TWO COMMERCIAL STATIONS AND HE AGREED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO ENSURE A PROPER BALANCE OF PROGRAMMES.
HE ALSO SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE THE VIEW THAT THE PUBLIC EROADCASTER BE GIVEN AUTONOMOUS EDITORIAL CONTROL.
+YET I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THE PROBLEMS AND THE DETAILS OF HOW THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE WOULD BE MANAGED, CONTROLLED AND FINANCED SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY PROFESSIONALS IN THE TRADE RATHER THAN IMPOSED UPON BY NON-PRACTITIONERS,* HE SAID.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT AFTER SEEKING ADVICE FROM SOME PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRY, HIS INITIAL CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE PARTICULAR ARRANGEMENT RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD MIGHT NOT BE PRACTICAL TO ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED, INCLUDING THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER ITSELF.
HE FELT THAT THE ARRANGEMENT MIGHT HAVE THEORETICAL MERITS YET FALL SHORT IN PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS. HE CALLED ON THE ADMINISTRATION TO WORK OUT OTHER FORMULAE TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE.
♦IN WORKING OUT POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE FORMULAE, IT IS MY EARNEST HOPE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD APPROACH THE PROBLEMS PRINCIPALLY FROM A PRAGMATIC ANGLE, TAKING INTO FULL ACCOUNT ALL THE OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES AS WELL AS THE QUESTION OF THE CONTINUED VIABILITY OF THE FUTURE TELEVISION INDUSTRY,* HE STRESSED.
MR CHEONG THEN DISCUSSED THE PROPOSED BANNING OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION.
+IT IS MY CONSIDERED VIEW THAT SUCH A STEP IS FAR TOO DRASTIC AND THE JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE DRASTIC STEP HAVE NOT BEEN CLEARLY ESTABLISHED,* HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SURVEYS TAKEN IN WESTERN COUNTRIES HAD INDICATED CLEARLY THAT BANNING OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION HAD NOT REALLY ACHIEVED THE INTENDED RESULT.
+IN MY VIEW, WE SHOULD NOT TAKE ANY ACTION FOR EMOTIONAL REASONS KNOWING FULL WELL THAT THE PROPOSALS, EVEN IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD NOT CONCLUSIVELY AND DECISIVELY ACHIEVE THE DECLARED OBJECTIVE,* HE SAID.
/11 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
11
PHASED TOBACCO AD BAN URGED *****
TOBACCO ADVERTISING SHOULD BE PROHIBITED IN PHASES AS A MEANS OF REDUCING THE TIME DURING WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED TO SUCH ADVERTISEMENTS, THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD’S REPORT, MR CHEUNG SUGGESTED THAT THAT PRESENT BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING BETWEEN 4.30 AM-6.30 PM BE EXTENDED TO 8.30 PM, AND THEN TO 11.30 PM.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT AT THE SAME TIME THE STYLE OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS SHOULD BE CONTROLLED IN ORDER TO AVOID THE IMPLANTING OF ANY SENSUOUS OR ILLUSIONARY IMAGES ABOUT SMOKING.
+THIS METHOD WOULD REDUCE THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF ADVERTISEMENTS AND IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW BREATHING SPACE FOR THE TELEVISION STATIONS AND ADVERTISING AGENTS TO FINANCIALLY ADJUST BEFORE TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS ARE COMPLETELY BANNED,+ HE SAID.
+CONCURRENTLY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FURTHER STRENGTHEN PUBLICITY ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING AS A MEANS TO IMPLEMENT THE ANTI-SMOKING POLICY,* HE ADDED.
ON OTHER ASPECTS OF THE REPORT, MR CHEUNG SAID HE DID NOT SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE PROPOSED PUBLIC BROADCASTER BE ALLOCATED THE 7 PM- 8 PM TIME SLOT OF THE COMMERCIAL TELEVISION STATIONS.
HE SAID THE RE-ALLOCATION OF THE TIME SLOT DID NOT GUARANTEE A SELF-SUFFICIENT PUBLIC BROADCASTER, YET IT WOULD HAVE A TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL EFFECT ON THE COMMERCIAL STATIONS.
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSAL MIGHT RESULT IN A LOWERING OF PROGRAMME STANDARDS OF THE COMMERCIAL STATIONS BECAUSE OF A REDUCTION IN INCOME.
THEREFORE MR CHEUNG SUPPORTED THE WEEKEND OPTION, WHICH WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD, AS A REASONABLE SOLUTION, BECAUSE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WAS ALREADY TAKING A SIZEABLE PORTION OF THE WEEKEND AIR-TIME.
THE WEEKEND OPTION WOULD ACCOMMODATE THE DESIRE TO HAVE A BETTER PROGRAMME CHOICE WITHOUT AFFECTING THE COMMERCIAL STATIONS TOO SERIOUSLY, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
12 -
GOVERNMENT URGED TO RIGHT OLD WRONGS IN TELEVISION
******
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RIGHT ITS HISTORICAL WRONGS IN FAILING TO REGULATE THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY FOR TRANSMISSION OF EQUAL QUALITY AND COVERAGE BY BOTH LICENSEES, THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, MRS CHOW HAD FIRST DECLARED AN INTEREST AS PROGRAMME CONSULTANT TO THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY WHICH WAS SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION TO THE GOVERNMENT TO OPERATE A CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
SHE SAID SHE FULLY SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE NEW TELEVISION LICENSEES SHOULD MAKE PROVISIONS FOR THE SHARING OF A COMMON ANTENNA ON A SINGLE TOWER BY ALL TELEVISION COMPANIES.
HOWEVER, THIS ARRANGEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A REALLOCATION OF FREQUENCY, SHE OBSERVED.
+GOVERNMENT MUST SEEK TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT TRANSMISSION SO AS TO STIMULATE AND FACILITATE FAIR COMPETITION, FROM WHICH BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE INDUSTRY CAN ONLY BENEFIT,♦ SHE SAID.
REFERRING TO PRE-BROADCAST CENSORSHIP, A PRESENT PRACTICE WHICH SHE CONSIDERED AS ANOTHER OLD WRONG, MRS CHOW ADVOCATED THAT IT SHOULD BE SUBSTITUTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OR THE FUTURE REGULATING AUTHORITY BY SELF DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
+THE INDUSTRY, NEEDLESS TO SAY, MUST TAKE IT ON TO ITSELF TO ABIDE BY STANDARDS LAID DOWN IN THE BROADCASTING ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL BE SAFEGUARDED AND ENFORCED BY THE REGULATING INDUSTRY,* SHE ADDED. SHE STRESSED THAT SHE WAS NOT IN ANY WAY PROPOSING A RELAXATION OF EXISTING STANDARDS.
ON THE RECOMMENDED RETENTION OF TWO ENGLISH CHANNELS, SHE SAID IT WAS REGRETTABLE THAT THE BOARD HAD NOT RECOMMENDED A MORE ECONOMICAL AND EFFECTIVE USE OF AVAILABLE CHANNELS BY RESTRUCTURING EXISTING ENGLISH CHANNELS.
+THE BOLD MOVE OF THE REDUCTION OF ONE ENGLISH CHANNEL CAN MEAN CONSIDERABLE SAVINGS IN THE PROCUREMENT OF IMPORTED PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS THE ELIMINATION OF WASTAGE WHICH RESULTS FROM OFTEN IDENTICAL PROGRAMME SCHEDULE OF THE TWO COMPETING CHANNELS.
+MEANWHILE THAT CHANNEL VACATED CAN BE USED FOR MINORITY PROGRAMMING IN CHINESE,* SHE SUGGESTED.
MRS CHOW SAID SHE ENTIRELY AGREED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT RTHK SHOULD BECOME AN AUTONOMOUS ORGANISATION WITH ITS OWN BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND STAFF, SEPARATE FROM AND INDEPENDENT OF GOVERNMENT AND THE CIVIL SERVICE.
/IT SHOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, MAUCH 19, 1986
- 13 -
IT SHOULD BE SUBVENTED BY GOVERNMENT WITH THE SAME RULES FOR SPONSORSHIP THAT PRESENTLY APPLIED, WHICH MEANT THERE SHOULD BE NO SALE OF COMMERCIAL SPOTS BUT ONLY INSTITUTIONAL SPONSORSHIP, SHE SAID.
ON THE AIR-TIME FOR THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER, MRS CHOW SAID SHE DID NOT SUPPORT THE SEVEN TO EIGHT WEEKDAY STRIP NOR THE WEEKEND OPTION.
+ THE FORMER AUDIENCE MIX PLACES LIMITATION ON THE PROGRAMME TYPE OF PUBLIC SERVICE PRODUCTION WHILE THE LATTER REQUIRES RTHK TO ESTABLISH ITSELF AS A WEEKEND STATION, WHICH IS NOT A ROLE IT HAS HITHERTO ASSUMED,* SHE SAID.
SHE QUERIED WHETHER THERE WAS A NEED OR CALL FOR A PUBLIC SERVICE STATION AT ALL.
+ IN MY VIEW PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMMES INSPIRED AND INITIATED BY FACTORS OTHER THAN COMMERCIAL PROFITS SERVE A MUCH MORE VALUABLE PURPOSE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE OF EXISTING COMMERCIAL SERVICES, PROVIDED THEY ARE GIVEN THE PROFESSIONAL RESPECT THEY DESERVE AND THE TIME SLOTS THEY BELONG TO IN THESE SCHEDULES,* SHE SAID.
+THIS WOULD MEAN OF COURSE THAT THE AUTHORITY WHICH IS LUMBERED WITH THE TASK OF ENFORCING THE NEW LICENSING CONDITIONS, MUST BE GIVEN THE POWERS, BY LEGISLATION, AND MUST HAVE THE GUMPTION TO USE THOSE POWERS, EVEN IF IT MEANS STANDING UP TO PERSUASIVE LOBBYING OR FIERCE OPPOSITION BY THE COMMERCIAL COMPANIES, WHEN IT IS SATISFIED THAT PUBLIC INTEREST IS BEING SERVED,* SHE STRESSED.
ON THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, MRS CHOW SAID IT WAS +A DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT ON PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS*.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID IT WAS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT PROFESSIONALS WERE INCLUDED IN THE AUTHORITY SO THAT THE INDUSTRY WOULD NOT BE REGULATED ENTIRELY BY PEOPLE WHO COULD ONLY ASSESS POINTS PUT FORWARD BY THE INDUSTRY AS OUTSIDERS AND ON A THEORETICAL LEVEL, WITH NEITHER THE INSIGHT NOR THE PRACTICAL UNDERSTANDING SO VERY NECESSARY AS THE BASIS OF JUDGEMENT.
LASTLY, MRS CHOW SAID SHE DID NOT SEE THE NEED FOR A COMPLAINTS TRIBUNAL.
WHILE ACCEPTING THAT THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR COMMUNITY INPUT IN THE ASSESSMENT OF WHETHER STANDARDS HAD BEEN BREACHED BY THE INDUSTRY, MRS CHOW BELIEVED THIS COULD BE EASILY ENSURED BY THE APPOINTMENT OF ASSESSORS TO ASSIST JUDGES WHEN BROADCASTERS WERE TAKEN TO COURT, WITHOUT THE SETTING UP OF YET FURTHER MACHINERY OUTSIDE THE EXISTING JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 14 -
PHASED-OUT TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADS URGED * * * *
THE TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD (BRB) REPORT, SHOULD BE APPLIED EQUALLY TO ALL MEDIA OF ADVERTISING, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID TODAY.
EXPRESSING HER DETERMINED ATTITUDE TOWARDS BANNING CIGARETTE ADVERTISING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BRB REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR IP CALLED FOR THE TOTAL BAN TO BE PHASED OUT OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.
+IN VIEW OF THE INFILTRATION OF ADVERTISING, THE BAN OUGHT TO BE TOTAL. IT SHOULD BE APPLIED EQUALLY TO ALL MEDIA OF ADVERTISING AND NOT BROADCASTING ALONE AND SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN A GRADUAL AND CO-ORDINATED FASHION,+ SHE SAID.
DR IP SAID SHE WAS NOT SUGGESTING THAT THE TOTAL BAN SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT WHEN THE NEW LICENCES COMMENCE IN 1989.
POINTING OUT THAT MANY OF THE ADVERTISING AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH INTERDICTION, DR IP PROPOSED: +TO ALLOW THESE ORGANISATIONS TO ADJUST TO A DIFFERENT MODE OF BUSINESS, THE BAN SHOULD BE PHASED OUT WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING A TOTAL BAN, SAY, IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME, AS THIS PERIOD SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TO CANVASS NEW BUSINESS.*
SHE SAID IT WAS WRONG TO THINK THAT ADVERTISING WAS THE SOLE CAUSE OF SMOKING BUT A MORE IMPORTANT CAUSE WAS A PSYCHOSOCIAL ONE.
THEREFORE, SHE SAID, IT WAS MORE POSITIVE AND SENSIBLE TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE LIVING IN HONG KONG LESS STRESSFUL.
+TOO RADICAL AND ABRUPT CHANGES IN OUR WAYS OF LIFE IS IN ITSELF A STRESS,* SHE SAID.
DR IP SAID SHE ALSO BELIEVED THAT A TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING COULD FOSTER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD HEEDED AND RESPONSIVELY ORGANISED THE ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN, WHICH WAS COMPREHENSIVE AND OF AN APPROPRIATE SCALE.
HOWEVER, IT WAS AN ONEROUS TASK TO COMPETE WITH THE EFFECTIVE AND ENTERTAINING TOBACCO ADVERTISING WHICH WAS BEING CONDUCTED ON AN ENORMOUS SCALE.
/+IT IS........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 15 -
♦ IT IS FRUSTRATING THAT THE DETERRENT MESSAGE ARE UNDULY UNDERMINED 3Y THE LURING EFFECT OF SUCH ADVERTISING.
♦ IN FACT, IT IS AN OUTRIGHT WASTE OF PUBLIC MONEY TO TAX PROFITS ARISING FROM TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND TO SPEND IT ON THE ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN SUBSEQUENTLY,+ SHE SAID.
DR IP REITERATED THAT IT WAS NOT FAIR TO SAY THAT A TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING WAS A CONFLICT WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
♦ IN FACT. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSAL IS TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO BE FREE FROM LURING AND TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GOOD HEALTH AND CIGARETTES CONSCIOUSLY YET FREELY,+ SHE SAID.
♦ P'JBLIC STATION - THE MOST CONVENIENT AND EFFECTIVE MEDIUM* * * * * *
AN INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING STATION AS PROPOSED BY THE_ SRO'■’'CASTI NG REVIEW BOARD IS THE ANSWER TO A CONSISTENTLY NEUTRAL, ACCURATE MEDIUM, THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
^PEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE 3RB REPORT, 5 CHAN SAID THE STATION WOULD ALSO MAKE UP FOR THE L II "AT I ONS A[_ OTATI0NS AS IT WOULD HAVE THE SOLE OBJECTIVE OF S'.^VITG'thE PUBLIC INTEREST AND NOTHING ELSE.
HE HAD GREAT EXPECTATIONS THAT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATION .JUL' DELIVER "HE GOODS.
I’ WOULD. UNDER THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS CONSISTIN' OF -’EMBERS 0? - - PUBLIC PRODUCE PROGRAMMES THAT PRESENT TO VIEWERS ALL faCTs'aND ARGUMENTS WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, MR CHAN SAID.
♦PARTICULARLY ON PUBLIC ISSUES WHEN THE PUBLIC NEED THE FULL FACTS BEFORE THEY CAN ARRIVE AT THEIR OWN INFORMED CONCLUSIONS,* HE ADDED.
it$ performance would also stimulate the commercial stations
TO ACHIEVE EVEN GREATER STANDARDS Oc EXCELLENCE, HE SAIn.
IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATION TO cULrlL ITS ROLE. ITS PROGRAMMES MUST COINCIDE ITH THE OF--.O-- LEISURE HOURS OF MOST PEOPLE SO AS TO GIVE IT A WIDE AND SUBSTANTIAL AUDIENCE, mR CHAN CONCLUDED.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
16
UPGC A GUIDE FOR FINANCING * * * *
THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF A PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD COME MAINLY FROM TAXPAYERS AND PERHAPS PARTLY FROM SPONSORS, THE HON RITA FAN SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS FAN PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER THE METHOD OF FINANCING HIGHER EDUCATION AS A REFERENCE, AND SUBSIDISE THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER THROUGH AN ORGANISATION SIMILAR TO THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE.
+IT IS FORESEEABLE THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF APPROPRIATION WILL, IN THE NEAR FUTURE, EXCEED THE CURRENT EXPENDITURE OF RTHK. BUT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXPLORE MEANS TO BOOST PUBLIC REVENUE, E.G. BY LEVYING A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF ROYALTY, SO AS TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE.*
MRS FAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE REORGANISATION OF RTHK INTO A PUBLIC BROADCASTER HAD ALREADY RECEIVED MAJORITY SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC, THE QUESTION OF HOW TO INCREASE THE TELEVISION AIR-TIME CF THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER HAD AROUSED MUCH DISPUTE.
IN PRINCIPLE, SHE THOUGHT THE AIR-TIME OF THE CHINESE CHANNELS OVER THE WEEKEND COULD BE ALLOCATED TO THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER. COMMERCIAL LICENSEES COULD NEGOTIATE WITH THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER FOR AN EXCHANGE OF AIR-TIME AND SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT WOULD OFFER A FAIRLY HIGH DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY AND, IF SUITABLY APPLIED, WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO BOTH SIDES.
REGARDING THE NEW LICENCE PERIOD, MRS FAN PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER EXTENDING THE VALIDITY OF THE LICENCE PERIOD TO 12 YEARS SO AS TO ATTRACT TENDERERS OF GOOD QUALITY.
+SOME PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE DOUBTS ON THE FEASIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE LICENCE PERIOD BEYOND 1997 AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT.
+BUT I THINK THAT BY DOING SO, THE PUBLIC WOULD GAIN GREATER CONFIDENCE IN THE SMOOTH TRANSITION OF GOVERNMENT IN 1997, BECAUSE THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF MAINTAINING THE 'STATUS QUO’,* SHE SAID.
ON THE PROPOSAL TO BAN TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS, MRS FAN SAID THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM LAY IN THE PUBLIC’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS SMOKING. SHE FELT THAT ALTHOUGH MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT SMOKING SHOULD NOT BE ENCOURAGED, OPINION HAD NOT REACHED THE STAGE THAT SMOKING SHOULD BE BANNED.
/+FROM THE........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 17 -
+FROM THE COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW, ONCE COMMERCIAL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS ARE DEPRIVED OF THEIR REVENUE FROM TOBACCO ADVERTISING, THEIR PRODUCTIONS WILL INEVITABLY BE AFFECTED,+ SHE SAID.
IN SUM, MRS FAN PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHnili n rr>MQinp& BANNING TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS ON TELEVISION BETWEEN 4.30 PM AND 11 PM« LEVYING HEAVIER TAXES ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND USING THE AND^MAkiwr TnDArrnS* THE HARMFULNESS OF SMOKING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND MAKING TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS SUBJECT TO CENSORSHIP.
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CALL TO FACILITATE RECEPTION OF SATELLITE BROADCASTS * X * *
LEGISLATORS HAVE THE TASK OF FACILITATING THE RECEPTION, FOR THE ORDINARY HOUSEHOLD IN HONG KONG, OF SATELLITE TELEVISION BROADCASTS ACROSS A TRANSNATIONAL OR PERHAPS GLOBAL SPECTRUM, DR THE HON KIM CHAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, DR CHAM SAID SUCH AN ACHIEVEMENT WOULD HELP SERVE TO KEEP HONG KONG ABREAST OF THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND VINDICATE ITS IMAGE AS AN OPEN, MODERN AND AFFLUENT URBAN CENTRE IN THE ASIAN PACIFIC REGION.
♦MOREOVER, IT WILL ENABLE OUR CITIZENS TO BROADEN THEIR CONTACTS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, IN GAINING ACCESS TO FIRSTHAND AND UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT FASHIONS, CONSUMER TASTES AS WELL AS POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND OTHER NEWS ON CURRENT AFFAIRS,* HE SAID.
DR CHAM NOTED THAT SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN RECEPTION TECHNOLOGY SINCE THE MID-70S HAD PERMITTED THE DIRECT RECEPTION IN HONG KONG OF BROADCAST TELEVISION PROGRAMMES FROM SATELLITES.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, SUCH AS IN THE UNITED STATES AND SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, RESTRICTIONS ON USING AERIALS HAD BEEN LIFTED, RESULTING IN THE LIBERALISATION OF PRIVATE RECEPTION.
DR CHAM FELT THAT THE TIME WAS THEREFORE OPPORTUNE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW EXISTING RESTRICTIONS WHICH MIGHT LIMIT THE APPLICATION OF THIS TECHNOLOGY FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL IN HONG KONG.
HE OBSERVED THAT DOMESTIC RECEPTION OF THESE BROADCAST SIGNALS BY INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS WAS NOT ILLEGAL AT PRESENT.
/♦HOWEVER, THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 18 -
+HOWEVER, THE RELAYING AND DISTRIBUTING OF THESE PROGRAMMES VIA COMMUNAL ANTENNAE WHICH ARE COMMON TO MOST RECIPIENT HOUSEHOLDS LOCATED IN APARTMENT BLOCKS IN HONG KONG MAY ENCOUNTER LEGALISTIC OBSTACLES OF FRANCHISED TELECOMMUNICATIONS,* HE SAID.
DR CHAM ARGUED THAT AS OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION LIVED IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, IT WAS UNREALISTIC TO PERMIT INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS TO RECEIVE SATELLITE TELEVISION BROADCASTS WHILE DEPRIVING THEM OF THE USE OF COMMUNAL ANTENNAE.
+SETTING ASIDE LEGALISTIC ARGUMENTS, WE MUST MAKE
CLEAR OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLE OF MAINTAINING
HONG KONG AS AN OPEN-INFORMATION CITY, WITH OUR CITIZENS FREE TO RECEIVE SATELLITE TELECASTS JUST LIKE SHORT-WAVE RADIO BROADCASTS,* HE SAID.
------o ------
PUBLIC BROADCASTER SUITS PRESENT NEEDS
*****
THE RECOMMENDATION THAT RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BE DISESTABLISHED FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND BECOME A PUBLIC BROADCASTER FALLS WHOLLY IN LINE WITH THE PRESENT NEEDS OF Song KONG, THE HON JACKIE CHAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG IS UNDERGOING A STAGE OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN ITS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE.
+IT IS NECESSARY FOR A PUBLIC BROADCASTER WITH FREE EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE TO BE SET UP TO SERVE THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC WITHOUT COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATION AND GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION,* HE STRESSED.
HOWEVER, MR CHAN DISAGREED WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER TO USE THE PRIME TIME OF COMMERCIAL BROADCASTERS, AND TO BE FINANCED BY THE SHARING OF ADVERTISING REVENUE.
+THIS IS TOTALLY UNFAIR AND SOMEWHAT BARBARIAN,* HE SAID.
WITH A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN REVENUE, COMMERCIAL BROADCASTERS WOULD BE FORCED TO LOWER THEIR PRODUCTION QUALITY OR EVEN WIND UP THEIR BUSINESS, HE SAID.
EVENTUALLY, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD SUFFER A LOSS AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF BROADCASTING WOULD BE LEFT UP IN THE AIR, MR CHAN NOTED.
/THEREFORE, HE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 19 -
THEREFORE, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE ISSUES WHEN MAKING DECISIONS SO THAT ITS POLICIES WOULD NOT LEAVE A BAD IMPRESSION IN THE PUBLIC MIND.
+SINCE THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER IS SUPPORTED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IT SHOULD BE FINANCED BY GOVERNMENT WHICH ACTS ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC,+ MR CHAN SAID.
AS REGARDS AIR-TIME FOR THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER, HE SAID INITIALLY THE BROADCASTER WOULD HAVE TO RELY ON COMMERCIAL STATIONS TO BROADCAST ITS PROGRAMMES, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE ITS OWN FREQUENCIES IN THE LONG TERM.
IN VIEW OF THE TIME CONSTRAINT, HE SAID IT WAS NOT LIKELY FOR THE NEW FREQUENCIES TO BE ESTABLISHED IN 1988.
HOWEVER, MR CHAN HOPED THAT WITHIN THE FIVE YEARS AFTER 1988, THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER WOULD BE ABLE TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WITH ITS OWN FREQUENCIES.
-------o----------
GREATER RANGE FROM NEW ELECTRONIC MEDIA *****
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WELCOMED ANY FORM OF NEW ELECTRONIC MEDIA INCLUDING CABLE, MICROWAVE AS WELL AS DIRECT SATELLITE BROADCASTING WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A GREATER RANGE OF INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING PROGRAMMES.
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SA ID IT WAS ENCOURAGI NG TO NOTE THAT TENDERS WOULD BE INVITED FOR CABLE TELEVISION 18 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRY OF THE PRESENT TELEVISION LICENCES ON DECEMBER 1, 1988.
+NOT ONLY THAT CABLE TELEVISION IS ANTICIPATED TO CONVEY A NUMBER OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES WITH BETTER TECHNICAL QUALITY, THE POTENTIAL OF ITS SYSTEMS MAY ALSO BRING ABOUT FUTURE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT INTO A WIDE RANGE OF NON-PROGRAMMING INTERACTIVE SERVICES,* HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, MR CHENG AGREED THAT THE PROGRAMMING SHOULD BE OF HIGH QUALITY AND SUBJECT TO THE SAME CENSORSHIP CONTROL AS OFF-AIR BROADCASTING.
+1 ENDORSE THE VIEW THAT NO ADVERTISING SHOULD BE ALLOWED RUT HAVE MY RESERVATION ON THE RECOMMENDATION THAT A CABLE TELEVISION OPERATORSHOULD NOT BE REQURIED TO PAY A ROYALTY,+ HE SAID.
/AS TECHNOLOGY........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
20 -
AS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED FURTHER, MR CHENG SAID, IT WOULD ALMOST BE CERTAIN THAT HONG KONG AS A RENOWNED CITY OF FREE ENTERPRISE WOULD SEE THE FEASIBILITY OF CONTINUING TECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS IN BROADCASTING INCLUDING RECEPTION OF DIRECT SATELLITE TRANSMISSIONS AND MICROWAVE TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
+IT IS THEREFORE IMPRORTANT FOR GOVERNMENT TO GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO ITS FUTURE POLICIES WITH REGARD TO THEIR SERVICES AND CONTROL,* HE SAID.
MR CHENG ALSO ENDORSED THE POSTMASTER GENERAL’S PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE EXISTING VHF/FM TRANSMISSION SERVICES AND THEIR COVERAGE.
+SIMILARLY, I SUPPORT THE VIEWS THAT THE TELEVISION BROADCASTERS SHOULD USE A COMMON BUILDING, A COMMON POWER SUPPLY AND A COMMON ANTENNA TOWER AT EACH OF THE PRIME HILL-TOPS SO THAT COVERAGE CAN BE SATISFACTORILY ACHIEVED AND VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL,* HE SAID.
THIS PROVISION WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY SERVE THE PURPOSE OF ERADICATING THE EXISTING UNFAIR SITUATION WHICH WORKED AGAINST THE INTERESTS OF BROADCASTERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, MR CHENG ADDED.
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PUBLIC FUNDS SHOULD SUPPORT BROADCASTER
*****
THE SETTING UP OF A PUBLIC BROADCASTER AS PROPOSED BY
THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE REPORT, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD BE FORMED AS AN INDEPENDENT CORPORATION WITH AN INDEPENDENT BOARD APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
tpi cv?!1a2TELIH£L™LPUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD ABSORB RADIO P7LEVIS ION HONG KONG AND SAID HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF THE EVENTUAL E RTHK, BUT FELT IT SHOULD BE DONE IN TWO STAGES
WITH THE SECOND STAGE TAKING PLACE PERHAPS WITHIN THREE YEARS AFTER
THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER WAS SET UP.
+l AM NOT AT ALL CONVINCED THAT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER COULD BE COMMERCIALLY VIABLE,* MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT IT SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY PUBLIC FUNDS THROUGH AN ANNUAL GRANT PROVIDED FOR BY LEGISLATION, AND BY ALLOWING THE BROADCASTER TO SEEK ADVERTISING REVENUE, AS WELL AS CORPORATE OR OTHER TYPES OF SPONSORSHIP.
/MH CHEONG-LEEN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAUCH 19, 1986
21
MR CHEONG-LEEN ALSO CALLED FOR A MORE SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE IN TELEVISION TIME BY THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER BY EXTENDING THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS BY SEVERAL MORE HOURS PER WEEK ON ALL EXISTING CHANNELS, WITH A REASONABLE AND SPECIFIED PERCENTAGE OF PRIME TIME.
HE STRESSED THAT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY A POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE AS A TWO-WAY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE, WITH A GOOD MIXTURE OF ENTERTAINING, ENLIGHTENING, CULTURE AND CIVIC ORIENTED PROGRAMMES.
HE ALSO SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATION ON ESTABLISHING A CHILDREN’S TELEVISION FOUNDATION WHICH HE SAID WOULD PROMOTE A WIDER VARIETY AND BETTER QUALITY OF CHILDREN’S TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.
MR CHEONG-LEEN ALSO BACKED THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WITH ALL MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
HE ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE THE SUGGESTION THAT A RADIO TELEVISION TRIBUNAL BE ESTABLISHED, BUT SAID THAT ITS PROCEDURES SHOULD BE CAREFULLY WORKED OUT TO AVOID HEARINGS IN PUBLIC BECOMING DESTRUCTIVE OR UNPRODUCTIVE IN NATURE.
ON TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL ADVERTISING, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE
DID NOT ACCEPT THE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION THAT THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL BAN ON ALL FORMS OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO BY 1989.
♦GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON DISCOURAGING THE PUBLIC FROM SMOKING SHOULD PROCEED ON A BROAD FRONT, COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF THE MEDIA.+ HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO ALLOW CIGARETTE ADVERTISING ON THE CONDITION THAT TELEVISION TIME ON THE GOVERNMENT’S WARNING ON SMOKING SHOULD BE IN THE RATIO OF 1:2, THAT IS, ONE SECOND OF WARNING FOR EACH TWO SECONDS OF ADVERTISING, AND THE TOTAL COST OF THE ADVERTISING TIME SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY THE ADVERTISER.
HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT THE HOURS DURING WHICH CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS COULD BE SCREENED SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND TIGHTENED, AND CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A WORKING PARTY TO WORK OUT A PHASED BAN AIMED AT EVENTUAL ABOLITION OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISING IN ALL PARTS OF THE MEDIA.
LASTLY, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO EXTEND THE EXISTING PARTIAL BAN ON ALCOHOL ADVERTISING FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
22
TOBACCO AD BAN JUST A TRADE RESTRICTION
X * * *
THE RECOMMENDED BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENT SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS AN INFRINGEMENT OF LIBERTY BUT AS A TRADE RESTRICTION ON A DANGEROUS AND ADDICTIVE CONSUMER PRODUCT, DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MEDICAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, DR CHIU SAID HE SPOKE FOR A NUMBER OF MEDICAL BODIES AND INDIVIDUALS AND THEY WERE IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TOBACCO.
HE SAID THEY HAD FOUND IT NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE A TOTAL BAN ON THE ADVERTISEMENTS OF ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS NOT ONLY ON THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA BUT ALSO ON ALL MEDIA FOR THE HEALTH OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
DR CHIU SAID IT WAS MOST UNFORTUNATE THE BAN HAD BEEN LINKED WITH -REEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
HE SAID HE CONSIDERED THE BAN WAS JUST ANOTHER MEASURE TO COORDINATE WITH GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICY AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH AN INTERFERENCE OF LIBERTY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT COUNTRIES WITH THE GREATEST FREEDOM TO EXPRESS ONE’S FEELINGS, SUCH AS THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND WEST GERMANY, HAD BANNED TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS FOR 23 YEARS.
AS FOR THE ARGUMENT THAT TOBACCO WAS A LEGAL PRODUCT AND THAT ANY ACTION TO ELIMINATE ITS ADVERTISEMENT WAS NOT RECOMMENDABLE, DR CHIU SAID THAT CERTAIN LEGAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, SUCH AS PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS, MATCH-MAKI NG AGENCIES, FORTUNE-TELLERS, UNDERTAKERS AND EVEN DOCTORS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ADVERTISE ON TELEVISION.
STRESSING THAT TOTAL BAN OF TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENT WAS ALREADY A UNIVERSAL TREND, HE SAID THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BRB WAS HEADING FOR THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO FULFIL ITS RESPONSIBILITIES OF SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF ITS PEOPLE.
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/23 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IQ, 1986
- 25 -
+ RTHK SHOULD BE TOTALLY INDEPENDENT* * * * *
NOT ONLY SHOULD RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK) BE INDEPENDENT BUT IT SHOULD BE SEEN BY THE PUBLIC THAT IT COULD REALLY KEEP THE INITIATIVE IN ITS OWN HANDS, THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD (BRB) REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHUNG SAID UPON RTHK’S INDEPENDENCE, THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY FOR DECISION-MAKING IN IT SHOULD REST WITH A STATUTORY CORPORATION.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS SHOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE GREAT MAJORITY OF ITS MEMBERS BEING UNOFFICIALS.
THE BOARD SHOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO WORK OUT THE PA. AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF ITS STAFF WHO WOULD THEN MO LONGER BE CIVIL SERVANTS.
CONCERNING THE AIRTIME FOR THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER, MR CHUNG THOUGHT THE WEEKEND OPTION WAS THE MOST DESIRABLE.
HE SAID: + IN COMPARISON WITH THE OPTION OF SHARING THE PRESENT SERVICES WITH THE LICENSEES AT THE PRIME TIME PERIODS OF ” TO 8 PM THROUGHOUT THE WEEK (SERVICE SHARING OPTION), THE WEEKEND OPTION WILL 3E ABLE TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER WITH A MORE SEPARATE ENTITY OF ITS OWN.
♦PEOPLE CAN EASILY IDENTIFY THOSE PROGRAMMES WHICH A PRODUCED BY THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER, THUS AVOIDING THE PRESENT SITUATION WHERE SOME RTHK PROGRAMMES ARE CON-USED WITH PROGRAMMES PRODUCED BY THE COMMERCIAL LICENSEES.
+IT WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE PROGRAMMES WITH SOME CONTINUITY, THUS ACHIEVING THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING THE AUDIENCES WITH A BALANCED OUTPUT OF PROGRAMMES - ENTERTAINMENT AS WELL AS INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.*
MR CHUNG HOPED THAT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE IN THE FIELD OF OPEN EDUCATION OR, '■IRE SPECIFICALLY, IN THE PROVISION OF OPEN EDUCATION COURSES.
AS REGARDS THE FINANCIAL SOURCES OF THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER, HE SAID THAT IT SHOULD BE BORNE BY THE GOVERNMENT BUT SPONSORING OF PROGRAMMES BY ADVERTISING COULD BE ALLOWED SO AS TO OF-SET SOME OF THE EXPENSES.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
24
TURNING TO TOBACCO ADVERTISING, MR CHUNG BELIEVED IT SERVED NO USEFUL PURPOSE JUST TO EXTEND THE HOURS OF PARTIAL BAN A LITTLE LONGER.
+THE ISSUE ON PROHIBITION OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING CANNOT BE LINKED UP WITH THE POLICY OF FREE ENTERPRISE OR LAISSEZ-FAIRE. AS SMOKING IS HAZARDOUS TO ONE’S HEALTH, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE "EASURES TO FORE-STALL THE PROMOTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND CURB THE TENDENCY OF THE PUBLIC TO SMOKE SO AS TO PROTECT PEOPLE’S HEALTH.
+THEREFORE, I GIVE MY SUPPORT TO A TOTAL BAN OF TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS ON RADIO AND TELEVISION.+ HE SAID.
-------0----------
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS SHOULD NOT BE CONFINED * * * *
THE RECOMMENDATION THAT BROADCAST LICENSEES SHOULD BE CONFINED AS TO CORPORATE STRUCTURE AND THAT THEY MUST OPERATE SOLELY AS BROADCASTERS MET WITH OBJECTION FROM THE HON THOMAS CLYDESDALE.
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD (BRB) REPORT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID HE COULD NOT SEE WHY LICENSEES COULD NOT OPERATE WITHIN A BUSINESS SPECTRUM WHICH PERMITTED DIVERSE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH BROADCASTING.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE EXISTING TELEVISION ORDINANCE CLEARLY PERMITTED A LICENSEE TO CARRY ON SUCH FORMS OF BUSINESS AS MAY BE DIRECTLY CONNECTED OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF A TELEVISION BROADCASTING SERVICE.
+THERE ARE MANY ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES WHICH CAN ADD TO THE COMMERCIAL AND COMPETITIVE STRENGTH OF ANY LICENSEE, FOR EXAMPLE, DISTRIBUTION OF A PROGRAMME MAGAZINE, TECHNICAL SERVICES OF USE TO THE STATION AND TO OTHERS, AND SO ON.
+IN SHORT, THE SAME COMMERCIAL REASONS THAT APPLY TO THE LOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF A BASIC SOURCE OF BUSINESS SHOULD EE ALLOWED TO APPLY TO BROADCASTING LICENSEES,* HE SAID.
MR CLYDESDALE WARNED THAT CONFINING LICENSEES UNDULY COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE ECONOMICS OF THEIR BUSINESS THUS REDUCING COMPETITIVE CAPABILITY AND SCOPE FOR NE* INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADING.
♦THE MAIN CRITERION MUST SURELY BE THAT THE LICENSEE AT ALL TIMES MAINTAINS THE STANDARD OF SERVICE WHICH HIS LICENCE REQUIRES,* HE SAID.
/Grt .OYALTY.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
- 25 -
ON ROYALTY PAYMENTS, HE BELIEVED THEY SHOULD BE ASSESSED PRIMARILY ON A LICENSEE’S ABILITY TO PAY - THAT WAS TO SAY ON THE NET PROFITS ARISING FROM THE OPERATION OF THE BROADCASTING SERVICE AND DIRECTLY CONNECTED OR ASSOCIATED BUSINESS.
HE SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT TO PRODUCE ACCURATE ACCOUNTS REFLECTING THE PROFITS THUS DERIVED.
HE ADDED THAT CORPORATE STRUCTURE WAS NOT RELEVANT TO THIS SITUATION AS IT WAS NOT BEYOND THE COMPETENCE OF ACCOUNTANTS TO PRODUCE THE NECESSARY ACCOUNTS BE THEY IN RESPECT OF A SOLE CORPORATE ENTITY OR A CONSOLIDATED GROUP OF COMPANIES.
+THE PRESENT PRINCIPLE OF ASSESSING ROYALTIES SHOULD CONTINUE WITH MORE CONTROL OVER THE DETERMINATION OF PROFITS ARISING FROM THE OPERATION OF THE LICENCE.
+THE FEE SHOULD PERHAPS BE DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS: FIRSTLY A FLAT FEE FOR THE USE OF THE AIRWAVES WHICH BELONG TO THE PUBLIC, AND SECONDLY, ROYALTIES ON PROFITS,* HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PROPOSAL FOR A PUBLIC BROADCASTER, CLYDESDALE BELIEVED THAT RTHK SHOULD BECOME THE LEGALLY ESTABLISHED PUBLIC BROADCASTER AS PROPOSED BY THE BRB AND BE GIVEN THE DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE SUGGESTED.
HE SAID ITS FUNDING SHOULD COME FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW IT TO EXPAND BOTH THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF ITS PRODUCTIONS.
HE SUGGESTED THAT ACCESS TO BROADCASTING TIME FOR THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD BE SECURED THROUGH LICENCE CONDITIONS AND THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO JUSTIFY EXPENDITURE AND THE CONTINUANCE OF PUBLIC FUNDING THROUGH REGULAR REVIEWS OF PERFORMANCE.
SUCH REVIEWS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT PERIODICALLY BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, HE ADDED.
ON THE PROPOSED TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, HE SAID HE AGREED THAT MOUNTING CONCERN OVER THE DANGERS OF SMOKING WAS REAL AND SERIOUS, BUT HE COULD NOT ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL THAT ADVERTISING ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM RADIO AND TELEVISION.
+WHILE THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO DERIVE SUBSTANTIAL REVENUE FROM THE IMPORT AND MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS, I CANNOT IN ALL CONSCIENCE AGREE TO REMOVE THE RIGHT CF THE INDUSTRY TO PROMOTE THE SALE OF ITS PRODUCTS,* HE SAID.
MR CLYDESDALE SAID HE DID NOT SMOKE PERSONALLY AND IN FACT DETESTED THE HABIT AND THAT HIS OBJECTION TO THIS PROPOSAL WAS BASED ON COMMON SENSE AND PRINCIPLE.
/LASTLY, HE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 26 -
LASTLY, HE SAID HE AGREED WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THERE SHOULD BE CABLE TELEVISION AND THE SOONER THE BETTER.
♦THIS SHOULD NOT PERMIT ADVERTISING, SHOULD BE FUNDED BY SUBSCRIPTION BUT MIGHT INCLUDE TIME FOR RTHK PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMMES, IF THAT IS TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE,* HE SUGGESTED.
-------o ---------
DIRECT SUBVENTION NEEDED FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTER
*****
SUBSTANTIAL SUBVENTION
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE DIRECT AND .-riw-
TO A PUBLIC BROADCASTER, THE HON HO SAI-CHU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVt COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT.
MR HO SAID HE SUPPORTED THE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION THAT RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BE DEVELOPED INTO AN INDEPENDENT BROADCASTER SO THAT IT MIGHT BE SEEN TO BE FREE FROM GOVERNMENTAL CONTROL IN ORDER TO ENSURE MAXIMUM NEUTRALITY AND OBJECTIVITY IN ITS REPORTING.
HOWEVER. HE WAS NOT IN FAVOUR OF IT BEING ALLOWED TO SELL ADVERTISING DURING ANY OF THE TIME SLOTS WHICH MIGHT BE ALLOCATED TO IT AND THE PROCEEDS BEING USED TO FINANCE ITS OPERATIONS.
HE SAID THIS MIGHT SUBJECT THE RTHK PROGRAMMES TO PREVAILING DEMANDS IN THE ADVERTISING MARKET AND LEAVE THE PUBLIC WITH LITTLE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE PROGRAMMING OF THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER AND THAT OF THE COMMERCIAL STATIONS.
HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE,AS FAR AS FINANCING WAS CONCERNED, BUT TO CONTINUE WITH DIRECT AND SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION OF THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER.
MR HO ADDED THAT HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF RESERVING CERTAIN TIME SLOTS ON A DAILY BASIS FOR THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER RATHER THAN Trie USE OF A SINGLE BUT SPECIFIED +PRIME TIME* SLOT.
HE SAID HIS SUGGESTION WOULD PROVIDE THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND WOULD NOT IMPOSE AN ARTIFICIAL RESTRICTION ON THE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES TO BE BROADCAST.
FURTHERMORE, HE NOTED THAT THE SOLE USE OF THE PRESENT PRIME TIME, NAMELY BETWEEN 7 PM AND 8 PM, MIGHT BE SUBJECT TO CHANGES IN THE VIEWING HABITS OF THE AUDIENCE.
o -------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
27
PROGRAMMING PROPOSALS SHOULD GET PRIORITY * * * K
THE PROGRAMMING RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD SHOULD BE ADOPTED AS A PRIORITY, IRRESPECTIVE OF FINANCIAL COMMITMENT, IN THE LIGHT OF THE POPULATION’S LONG-TERM NEEDS FOR HIGH QUALITY TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMES, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BOARD’S REPORT, MR HUI SAID HE BELIEVED THAT BROADCASTING STATICS, BE THEY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, WERE ENTRUSTED WITH THE RESP ABILITY TO INFORM AND TO EDUCATE AND NOT JUST TO ENTERTAIN.
HOWEVER, PROGRAMMES GEARED TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SOCIETY, AND AROUSING PUBLIC INTEREST IN VARIOUS FIELDS WERE STILL SADLY LACKING IN HONG KONG.
MR HUI SAID HONG KONG VIEWERS NEEDED A BALANCED MIX OF CULTURAL, ARTISTIC AND PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAMMES INCLUDING ANALYTICAL NEWS REPORTING, EVENTS OF LOCAL INTEREST AND EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION.
+FROM THE SOCIAL WORK POINT OF VIEW, TELEVISION PROGRAMMES SHOULD PROVIDE CIVIC EDUCATION FOR YOUTH, PROMOTE PROPER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, ENHANCE FAMILY TIES, AND SHOULD AVOID OVER-DRAMATISATION OF REAL LIFE SITUATIONS.
+THEY SHOULD ALSO CATER FOR THE HEALTH, LEISURE, SOCIAL AND EDUCATION NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, CREATING A HEALTHY SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT TELEVISION PROGRAMMES SHOULD ALSO GUIDE THE PUBLIC TOWARDS POSITIVE ACCEPTANCE OF DISABLED PEOPLE AND, IN THIS RESPECT, THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION REITERATED ITS BELIEF IN THE VALUE OF USING CAPTIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AS WELL AS IN THE INCLUSION OF DISABLED PEOPLE IN PROGRAMME PRODUCTION.
+WE FURTHER ADVOCATE THE EXTENSION OF FAMILY VIEWING TIME TO 9.30 PM AND THE PRODUCTION OF MORE LOCAL CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME WHICH ARE INNOVATIVE, EDUCATIONAL AND CONDUCIVE TO THE HEALTHY SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL GROWTH OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION,* MR HUI SAID.
APART FROM SUPPORTING THE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING THE SETTING UP OF A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND A TRIBUNAL FOR POLICY FORMULATION AND MONITORING PURPOSES, HE SAID THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION ALSO PROPOSED A DEMERIT SYSTEM THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE SUSPENSION OF OPERATION.
/+FURTHERM0R2, .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 28 -
♦FURTHERMORE, WE SUGGEST THAT STRICT STANDARDS BE ENFORCED, INCLUDING THE CENSORSHIP OF PROGRAMME CONTENT THAT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE DISABLED- THAT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE BE REPRESENTED ON ADVISORY GROUPS FOR TELEVISION PROGRAMMING-AND THAT OPINION SURVEYS AND DATA ANALYSES BY EXPERTS BE CONDUCTED REGULARLY FOR CONTROL PURPOSE,+ MR HUI ADDED.
TURNING TO THE FINANCING OF AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC BROADCASTER, MR HUI SAID THE STATION SHOULD BE FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE, IN THE SAME WAY THAT OTHER PUBLIC BODIES ACQUIRED ADMINISTRATIVE INDEPENDENCE.
+IN ASSESSING THE FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO LOCAL BROADCASTING INDUSTRY, IT IS ELIEVED THAT A PARTIALLY GOVERNMENT-FINANCED PUBLIC BROADCASTER CAN BRING ABOUT IMPETUS FOR FREEDOM, COMPETITION AND PROGRESS IN THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY,* HE SAID.
ON ADVERTISING OF TOBACCO AND ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS, MR HUI SAID THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION SAW NO REASON WHY CIGARETTE SMOKING, ALREADY PROVEN TO BE THE CAUSE OF FATAL DISEASES, SHOULD BE GIVEN ACCESS TO PUBLICITY ON THE ALL-POWERFUL ELECTRONIC MEDIA.
SPEAKING OF THE REPORT GENERALLY, MR HUI SAID HE SAW A RAY OF HOPE FOR REFORM AND PROGRESS IN BROADCASTING THAT WAS LONG OVERDUE.
♦ LET US HOPE THAT WHEN CUDGELS ARE BURIED, ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN ON THE MORE CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS AND PROPOSALS.
+THAT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, GOVERNMENT COMES UP WITH COMPROMISES WHICH MORE OR LESS MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO FOR COST CONSIDERATIONS WOULD BE THE LAST THING WE WANT TO SEE,+ HE CONCLUDED.
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+TAKING PRIME *
TIME NOT PRACTICABLE* X * * *
THE HON RICHARD LAI TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BECOMING INDEPENDENT AND HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER FUNDING THE RECURRENT EXPENSES OF THE STATION DIRECTLY FROM ROYALTY PAYMENTS MADE BY RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING COMPANIES.
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, MR LAI SAID IT WAS NOT PRACTICABLE FOR RTHK TO TAKE THE 7PM-8PM PRIME TIME PERIOD FROM THE PRIVATE BROADCASTERS FOR SHOWING COMMERCIALS TO OFFSET ITS EXPENDITURE.
/MR LAI
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 29 -
MR LAI WENT ON: +THE SOCIAL EVIL OF ’PROGRAMME COMMERCIALISATION’ PRODUCED BY COMMERCIAL TELEVISION BROADCASTERS COULD WELL BE RECTIFIED BY THEIR PROVISION OF SOME NON-COMMERCI AL PROGRAMMES.
+IT IS THEREFORE FAIR AND REASONABLE FOR THEM TO FUND FROM THEIR ROYALTY PAYMENTS THE PRODUCTION OF NON-COMMERCI AL PROGRAMMES BY RTHK.+
MR LAI SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT FUNDING AUTHORITY TO SUBSIDISE RTHK ANNUALLY ACCORDING TO ITS NEEDS.
SHOULD ITS INCOME FROM ADVERTISING AND GRANTS FROM ROYALTY PAYMENTS BE INSUFFICIENT TO DEFRAY EXPENSES, THE FUNDING AUTHORITY COULD SUPPLY THE DIFFERENCE AND ENSURE STABLE AND SUFFICIENT INCOME, HE SAID.
REGARDING THE LEVYING OF ROYALTIES,DR LAI SAID HE SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT.
HE SAID THAT BASING ROYALTIES ON TURNOVER WOULD ON THE ONE HAND INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CUTTING DOWN PROFITS IN ORDER TO AVOID TAX WITH THE HELP OF ACCOUNTING METHODS BY THE LICENSEES, AND WOULD ON THE OTHER HAND AVOID THE SITUATION WHERE A BADLY-OPERATED OR UNPROFITABLE LICENSEE COULD BE EXEMPTED FROM ROYALTY PAYMENTS.
HE SUGGESTED THAT ROYALTIES SHOULD BE PAID ACCORDING TO A SLIDING SCALE, WHICH WOULD BE FAIRER.
TURNING TO THE AIR-TIME ALLOCATED TO RTHK PROGRAMMES, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING TWO METHODS:
(1) RTHK SHOULD MAKE USE OF, OR MAKE MORE USE OF, IN A MORE FLEXIBLE MANNER THE BROADCASTING TIME OF THE OTHER TWO BROADCASTERS;
(2) IT SHOULD BE MADE A CONDITION OF THE RENEWAL OF LICENCES THAT MORE AIR-TIME SHOULD BE DESIGNATED OR A SPECIFIC PERIOD OF AIR-TIME SHOULD BE SET ASIDE FOR EDUCATIONAL OR INFORMATION PROGRAMMES.
ON THE QUESTION OF BANNING TOBACCO COMMERCIALS, MR LAI SAID HE HAD RESERVATIONS AS THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATION SEEMED TO BE TOO STRICT AND ALSO UNFAIR TO THE COMPANIES THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED.
♦ THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT ON THE ONE HAND ALLOW TOBACCO TO BE SOLD IN THE SHOPS AND ON THE OTHER HAND DEPRIVE THE DISTRIBUTORS OF THE RIGHT OF PROMOTION.
, 9
/•►THOUGH VARIOUS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
+THOUGH VARIOUS MEDICAL RESEARCHES HAVE SHOWN THAT SMOKING IS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH, UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT CHOOSES TO LEGISLATE TO BAN THE SALE OF TOBACCO, SUCH A LOPSIDED APPROACH WILL COME TO NOTHING,* HE SAID.
MR LAI BELIEVED THAT THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SMOKING SHOULD CONTINUE, BUT SHOULD BE TAKEN STEP BY STEP, AND THESE SHOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED WITH UNDUE HASTE.
+HIGH-HANDED MEASURES MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE. THE
GOVERNMENT SHOULD ATTEMPT TO RESTRICT FURTHER THE HOURS OF RELAYING TOBACCO COMMERCIALS SO THAT THEY ARE NOT BROADCAST DURING CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES OR DURING PRIME TIME.
+BANNING IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. AS TO RADICAL MEASURES, WE HAVE TO START OFF WITH HEALTH EDUCATION AND REINFORCE THE MEASURE BY PUBLICISING MEDICAL EVIDENCE WHICH PROVES THAT SMOKING IS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH, SO THAT THE INTENTION OF BANNING TOBACCO COMMERCIALS IS THOROUGHLY FULFILLED,* HE SAID.
------o-------
SUPPORT FOR TOTAL ADVERTISING BAN
* * * *
SUPPORT FOR A TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING ON RADIO AND TELEVISION WAS VOICED BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR LAM SAID THAT ADVERTISEMENTS GLORIFYING SMOKING WOULD ONLY INSTIL MISCONCEIVED AND DISTORTED MESSAGES IN THE AUDIENCE, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
HE SAID SUCH ADVERTISEMENTS ALSO GAVE RISE TO AN IMPRESSION THAT SMOKING WAS SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE.
+THIS RUNS COUNTER TO THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT IN PROMOTING THE ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN,* HE SAID.
+0N THE OTHER HAND, IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, IT WILL MAKE THE PUBLIC QUESTION THE SINCERITY OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PROMOTING THE ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN.*
ON OTHER ISSUES, DR LAM FELT THAT IT WOULD BE AGAINST THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR A MONOPOLY SITUATION TO EXIST IN THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY.
/HE SUPPORTED .......
rfEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
HE SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATIC THAT RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BE DISESTABLISHED FROM THE GOVERNMEhT AND THAT IT BE GIVEN ADEQUATE FUNDING SO THAT IT COULD PROVIDE MORE BALANCED PROGRAMMES.
DR LAM ALSO BACKED THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON SETTING UP A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND A RADIO AND TELEVISION COMPLAINTS TRIBUNAL IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A PROPER COMPLAINT CHANNEL FOR THOSE WHOSE TELEVISION INTERVIEWS HAD BEEN MISQUOTED OR ERRONEOUSLY INTERPRETED OUT OF CONTEXT BY THE STATIONS.
-----o------
CALL FOR OVERALL ANTI-SMOKING POLICY *****
A CALL WAS MADE BY THE HON MARTIN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE AN OVERALL ANTI-SMOKING POLICY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, MR LEE SAID SUCH A POLICY SHOULD INCLUDE RAISING THE TAX ON TOBACCO, PROHIBITION OF THE SALE OF CIGARETTES TO PERSONS UNDER 18, AND A TOTAL BAN ON ANY FORM OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION WAS BUT A SIDE ISSUE RAISED IN THE REPORT BUT IT HAD NOW BECOME ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL.
HE SAID THERE COULD BE NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER THAT SMOKING WAS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH AND THIS WAS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT FIRMLY BELIEVED IN.
HE ALSO SAID HE HAD NO HESITATION IN ACCCEPTING THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND REJECTING THOSE OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.
ON THE ARGUMENTS RAISED BY THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY, MR LEE SAID NONE OF THEM WAS NEW, ALTHOUGH MANY IN HONG KONG HAD HEARD THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME.
+THEY HAVE BEEN PRACTISED ON OVER 60 GOVERNMENTS IN COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
+ WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE, PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IN CANADA, EVERY GOVERNMENT WHICH HAD STUDIED THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE DECIDED TO BAN TOBACCO ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION, AND NONE OF THESE GOVERNMENTS HAS EVER REVERSED ITS DECISION,* HE SAID.
♦AND THE QUALITY OF THEIR TELEVISION PROGRAMME HAS NOT SUFFERED EITHER,* HE ADDED.
/4-AS TO.............
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 32 -
+AS TO FREEDOM, THE PEOPLE OF USA, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, UK AND THE OTHER COUNTRIES ALL BELIEVE IN FREEDOM AS MUCH AS WE DO= AND THE BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING DOES NOT WORRY THEM.
+WHY SHOULD THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAS A VERY GOOD REPUTATION IN PROTECTING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN HEALTH AND OTHER MATTERS, GO AGAINST THIS WORLD TREND7+ MR LEE ASKED.
HE SAID PEOPLE SHOULD NOT FEAR THAT ANY COMMERCIAL TELEVISION STATION WOULD BE CLOSED DOWN BECAUSE OF SUCH A BAN SINCE THERE HAD NOT BEEN SUCH PRECEDENT IN THE WORLD.
HE QUOTED THE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH OF THE EDITORIAL OF THE TIMES ON NOVEMBER 28, 1985, WHICH SAID: +IN THE FACE OF THE OVERWHELMING MEDICAL EVIDENCE ON THE DANGER OF SMOKING, IT IS NO LONGER ENOUGH JUST TO SAY THAT SMOKING IS DECLINING AND CAN BE LEFT TO DIE OUT AT ITS OWN RATE. IT IS THE INDUSTRY THAT SHOULD BE DYING MORE QUICKLY, NOT ITS CUSTOMERS.+
ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, MR LEE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE WEEKEND OPTION AND THE DISESTABLISHMENT OF ITS STAFF.
AS FOR THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE OF THE COMMERCIAL LICENSEES, HE SAID HE AGREED WITH THE BOARD’S INTERPRETATION OF AND PROPOSAL ON SECTION 10 OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE BUT HE SAW A DIFFICULTY.
+| UNDERSTAND THAT BEFORE HK-TVB LTD WENT PUBLIC, THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN CONSULTED BEFOREHAND AND HAD GIVEN ITS IMPLICIT APPROVAL TO THE PROPOSED CORPORATE STRUCTURE WHICH WAS IN FACT ADOPTED.
+IT DOES SEEM TO ME RATHER HARSH NOW TO REQUIRE THIS LICENSEE TO UNDERGO A METAMORPHOSIS BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A NEW LICENCE,+ HE SAID.
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NEW TV LICENCE SHOULD COVER 15 YEARS * * * *
THE NEW TELEVISION LICENCE PERIODS SHOULD CONTINUE TO COVER A 15-YEAR PERIOD TO LAST BEYOND 1997 UPON RENEWAL SO THAT PUBLIC CONFIDENCE ON THE FREEOM OF SPEECH COULD BE FOSTERED, THE HON LEE YU-TAI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, MR LEE SAID THE VALUE OF HONG KONG DEPENDED VERY MUCH ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ECONOMY WHICH WAS SUSTAINED BY PUBLIC CONFIDENCE THE KEY TO THE WHOLE QUESTION.
/HE SAID .......
WEIMESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
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HE SAID THE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION TO REDUCE THE LICENCE PERIOD TO LAST FOR EIGHT YEARS MIGHT DETER NEW COMPANIES FROM BIDDING FOR THE LICENCE.
+ AS THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD EVERY FOUR YEARS, WE SHOULD NOT NEED TO WORRY THAT A LONGER LICENCE PERIOD WOULD NECESSARILY ALLOW THE TELEVISION STATIONS TO GO ON IN THE SAME SLOPPY RUT WITHOUT MAKING EFFORTS FOR IMPROVEMENT,* HE SAID.
HE FELT THAT THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A RADIO AND TELEVISION COMPLAINTS TRIBUNAL SHOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED.
+THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG HAS ITS FOUNDATION ON A SOUND AND COMPREHENSIVE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL TRIBUNAL MIGHT, I AM AFRAID, WEAKEN THE INDEPENDENT STATUS OF THE JUDICIARY, WASTE FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES AND EVEN DO HARM TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE,* HE SAID.
MR LEE ALSO FELT THAT SOME RECOMMENDATIONS DIRECTED AGAINST A CERTAIN TELEVISION COMPANY WHICH HAD BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY SUCCESSFUL WERE SLIGHTLY SUBJECTIVE AND SOMETIMES ARBITRARY.
AS THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD OPINED THAT THE PROGRAMMES CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY THE TWO COMMERCIAL TELEVISION STATIONS WERE FAR FROM COMPREHENSIVE, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD REQUIRE THEM TO BROADCAST A CERTAIN NUMBER OF INFORMATIVE, CURRENT AFFAIR, EDUCATIONAL OR CULTURAL PROGRAMMES IN SPECIFIED HOURS, HE SAID.
MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT MOST PEOPLE WELCOMED THE PROPOSAL FOR THE SETTING UP OF A PUBLIC BROADCASTER, BUT DIVERSE VIEWS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF ALLOCATING TO IT THE HOUR FROM 7 PM TO 8 PM ON EACH OF THE TWO CHINESE CHANNELS.
STILL OTHERS THOUGHT THAT IN THE LONG RUN, WE SHOULD NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTING UP A FIFTH TELEVISION BROADCASTING CHANNEL, HE SAID.
+ADD1TIONAL BROADCASTING SERVICES WILL HELP MUCH IN THE PROMOTION OF MASS MEDIA EDUCATION AND OPEN EDUCATION SHOULD THE ADMINISTRATION DECIDE TO GO AHEAD ALONG THESE LINES,* ME LEE NOTED.
HE SAID RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE A HIGHER DEGREE OF EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE UPON ITS CONVERSION INTO AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC BROADCASTER, BUT IT SHOULD BE RESTRUCTURED AS A NON-PROFIT-MAKING BODY AND CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO SUBSIDISE PART OF ITS RECURRENT COST WITH PUBLIC FUND.
AFTER ITS DISESTABLISHMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT, RTHK SHOULD RETAIN THE SERVICE OF ITS EXPATRIATE STAFF WITH APPROPRIATE TERMS OF SERVICE SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMMES, HE ADDED.
/MR LEE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
54
MR LEE HOPED THAT CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO TAK|^G A-GRADUAL APPROACH TOWARDS THE BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING SO THAT THE COMMERCIAL TELEVISION LICENSEES WOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OTHER SOURCES OF ADVERTISING REVENUES TO OFFSET SUCH
TO LOOK LOSSES.
HE ALSO BELEIVED THAT IT.WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE MEDICAL SOCIETY TO GIVE THE HEALTH WARNING ADVICE AGAINST CIGARETTE SMOKING.
--------o ---------
HARM SEEN IN TOTAL BAN MM*
OBJECTION TO A TOTAL BAN ON CIGARETTE ADVERTISING AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT WAS EXPRESSED BY THE HON LIU LIT-FOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). BUT HE ACCEPTED THE VIEW THAT ADVERTISING TIME SHOULD BE RESTRICTED.
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE REPORT, MR LIU SAID HE DID NOT AGREE TO A TOTAL BAN BECAUSE HE CONSIDERED THAT BROADCASTING OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS WAS EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIES AND INVOLVED LAWFUL BUSINESS COMPETITION AND AFFECTED THE SPIRIT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF A FREE ECONOMY.
HE SAID THAT IN PROPOSING A BAN ON CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS AND AN EXTENSION OF THE TIME LIMIT DURING WHICH ALCOHOL ADVERTISEMENTS WERE BANNED. THE BOARD DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE EXTENSIVELY DISCUSSED THE RELEVANT CRITERIA. SUCH AS WHETHER ALL THOSE WHICH WENT AGAINST PREVAILING MORAL CONCEPTS OR MISLED THE AUDIENCE SHOULD BE BANNED.
♦EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE OVERWHELMING SUCCESS WHICH HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED IN ITS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS . DURING THE PAST DECADES IS MAINLY A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FREE TRADE POLICY AND THE RESPECT GIVEN TO INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISING SPIRIT AND THE FREEDOM OF ENTERPRISE.
+ YET THE BOARD*3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING STATIONS TO ALLOCATE PRIME TIME AND REVENUE TO THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER, TO BE FORBIDDEN DI VERSIFICATION AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BAN TOTALLY TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS ARE BOUND TO INTERVENE IN THE OPERATION OF ENTERPRISES AND HINDER THE NATURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY,♦ HE SAID.
MR LIU FELT THAT tT WAS MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY TO BE ABLE TO TRANSMIT INFORMATION FREELY AND TO PROTECT THE FREE CHOICE OF VIEWERS AND LISTENERS AND CONSUMERS. f
i
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 35 -
HE SAID IT WAS ONLY NATURAL THAT ADVERTISING OF UNLAWFUL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SHOULD NOT BE BROADCAST, BUT THOSE WHICH WERE LAWFUL SHOULD BE GIVEN THE CHANCE OF BEING AIRED.
+NONETHELESS, APART FROM STRENGTHENING THE WARNING THAT SMOKING IS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH, THE BROADCASTING TIME OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS SHOULD BE SO RESTRICTED THAT IT WILL NOT FALL INTO THE PERIOD DURING WHICH MOST YOUNGSTERS ARE VIEWING/LISTEN I NG TO THE PROGRAMMES,+ HE SAID.
MR LIU STRESSED THAT SINCE HONG KONG WAS AN IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION CENTRE, TO MAINTAIN FREE TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION WOULD BE HIGHLY BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS AS WELL AS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
+l DO NOT WISH TO SEE THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD’S RECOMMENDATIONS AFFECT INFORMATION AND ADVERTISING FREEDOM IN HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.
PROPOSALS HINDER FINANCIAL VIABILITY
* * * *
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER TODAY (WEDNESDAY) QUERIED WHY THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT CONSIDERED THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING SOME CONTROL, ALONG THE LINES OF THE SCHEMES OF CONTROL WHICH EXISTED FOR SOME OF THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES, OVER THE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES OF TELEVISION LICENSEES.
INSTEAD, A SLEDGEHAMMER APPROACH WAS BEING ADOPTED, THE HON l£LMUT SOHMEN SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OTHER FRANCHISED ENTERPRISES IN HONG KONG SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL OR SUPERVISION WERE GENERALLY PERMITTED TO ENGAGE IN OTHER CORPORATE ACTIVITIES.
HE SAID THE BOARD’S PROPOSALS ON CORPORATE STRUCTURE SEEMED TO BE INFLUENCED TOO MUCH BY THE RELATIVE MARKET SHARES OF THE TWO TELEVISION LICENSEES AND DISREGARDED THE REAL COMMERCIAL AND MANAGERIAL REASONS FOR THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS.
♦ THE REPORT PROPOSES SOLUTIONS WHICH WOULD MEAN RESTRAINTS ON LEGITIMATE CORPORATE ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE UP TO NOW BEEN ACCEPTED, IF NOT ENCOURAGED, AND WHICH ARE NOT UNCOMMON IN OTHER COUNTRIES,* HE SAID.
/BY FORCING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- J6 -
BY FORCING DISINVESTMENT AND PROHIBITING DIVERSIFICATION, THE PROPOSALS WOULD PREVENT LICENSEES FROM STRENGTHENING THEIR FINANCIAL VIABILITY UNDER THE PRETEXT OF A NEED TO SAFEGUARD COMPETITION IN A PUBLICLY-SENSITIVE INDUSTRY, HE ADDED.
MR SOHMEN BELIEVED THERE WAS A GOOD CASE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPOSE A FIXED ANNUAL ROYALTY PAYMENT PAYABLE ON EVERY LICENCE ANNIVERSARY DATE BY THE COMMERCIAL LICENSEES FOR THEIR USE OF THE AIRWAVES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR FINANCIAL RESULTS.
+THIS SHOULD BE SUPPLEMENTED BY AN ADDITIONAL LEVY ON PROFITS FROM BROADCASTING ACTIVITIES PROPER, BASED ON AUDITED ACCOUNTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE LICENSING AUTHORITY.
+IT SHOULD TAKE THE FORM OF A PERCENTAGE FIGURE APPLIED ON A DECREASING SCALE ON NET PROFITS ABOVE A CERTAIN MINIMUM RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS, SAY EIGHT PER CENT, SO AS TO ENCOURAGE THE LICENSEES TO PRODUCE PROFITS WITHOUT PENALISING THEM FOR COMMERCIAL SUCCESS.
+ IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT REFLECT GOOD BUSINESS SENSE FOR THE BOARD TO RECOMMEND ROYALTY PAYMENTS BASED ON TURNOVER (I.E. ANNUAL GROSS RECEIPTS) OF BOTH THE TELEVISION AND RADIO LICENSEES SINCE TURNOVER IS NEVER A SATISFACTORY MEASURE OF THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF ANY ENTERPRISE, AND WOULD ALSO TEND TO INHIBIT LICENSEES FROM MAKING THE NEW INVESTMENTS WHICH MAY BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO IMPROVE THEIR PROGRAMMING AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS,* MR SOHMEN SAID.
BECAUSE OF ITS SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL IMPACT, MR SOHMEN SAID TELEVISION BROADCASTING DID REQUIRE SPECIAL CONTROL.
+BUT THESE CONTROLS SHOULD BE DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO ENSURE PROGRAMMING QUALITY WHICH CAN CONSISTENTLY SATISFY THE VARIED NEEDS OF A MULTINATIONAL AND MULTILINGUAL COMMUNITY, BUT SHOULD FALL SHORT OF INTERVENTION IN LEGITIMATE COMMERCIAL AND CORPORATE ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY THE BROADCASTERS,* HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE LICENSING PROCESS WAS ITSELF A CONTROL NECHANISM.
A REDUCTION IN THE LICENCE PERIODS FROM 15 TO, SAY, ID YEARS, COUPLED WITH MID-TERM REVIEWS, WOULD PROVIDE RELATIVELY FREQUENT REVIEW OPPORTUNITIES OF THEIR OVERALL POSITION AND BEHAVIOUR, MR SOHMEN SAID.
HE WAS NOT CONVINCED THAT PUBLIC HEARINGS EITHER AT THE MID-TERM OF LICENCE EXPIRY DATES WOULD BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL, AS TOO LARGE A NUMBER OF ESSENTIALLY SUBJECTIVE VIEWS COULD CLOUD ISSUES AND MAKE DECISIONS MORE DIFFICULT.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 37 -
+ IF A PHILOSOPHY WAS ACCEPTED THAT LICENCES COULD GENERALLY BE RENEWED ON EXPIRY UNLESS LICENSEES HAD CONSISTENTLY OR FUNDAMENTALLY VIOLATED THE LICENCE CONDITIONS, OR A NUMBER OF APPLICANTS WERE VYING FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF LICENCES, ONLY THEN SHOULD PUBLIC HEARINGS BE HELD TO DECIDE ON LICENCE REVOCATION OR THE AWARD OF LICENCES TO NEWCOMERS,+ HE SUGGESTED.
HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF THE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENACT A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE BROADCASTING ORDINANCE AND TO ESTABLISH A BROADCASTING TRIBUNAL.
HOWEVER, HE WAS HESITANT TO ENDORSE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPLAINTS TRIBUNAL WITH JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS, SAYING THAT THESE SHOULD BETTER BE LEFT TO THE COURTS.
+l WOULD STRONGLY ARGUE THAT LICENCE CONDITIONS SHOULD BE TIGHTLY DRAFTED AND ROBUSTLY ENFORCED, AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS BE INCREASED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD.
+CLARITY SHOULD ALSO BE SOUGHT WITH REGARD TO PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE OF THE LICENSEES, ON WHICH I WOULD ADVOCATE A LIBERAL RATHER THAN AN INTERVENTIONIST APPROACH, AND AS REGARDS THE FORMULATION OF PROGRAMME STANDARDS,* HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC BROADCASTER OUT OF RTHK BY THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY CORPORATION, W SOHMEN NOTED THAT THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE AND JUSTIFIABLE SUPPORT FOR SUCH A PROPOSAL.
HE SAID A PUBLIC BROADCASTER COULD INDEED HELP TO IMPROVE WHAT WAS CALLED +TELEVISION LITERACY* AND BETTER ASSIST IN CIVIC EDUCATION, AND WOULD ALSO INTRODUCE AN ADDITIONAL COMPETITIVE ELEMENT.
GIVEN ITS RATHER MORE CIRCUMSCRIBED SCOPE FOR PROGRAMMING, NR SOHMEN BELIEVED THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER WOULD CLEARLY NEED SPECIAL FINANCIAL TREATMENT.
+THIS SHOULD CONSIST OF AN EXEMPTION FROM ANY ROYALTY PAYMENTS, THE LIBERTY AS ENDORSED BY THE BRB, TO RAISE INCOME FROM ADVERTISING, AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES TO FINANCE ANY SHORTFALLS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURE,* HE SAID.
ON THE ALLOCATION OF REGULAR PRIME VIEWING TIME TO GUARANTEE THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER BETTER AUDIENCES AND ADVERTISING SUCCESS, t*R SOHMEN SAID IT WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE OVERALL INTENTION TO CREATE MORE PROGRAMME VARIETY, AND CAST IMMEDIATE DOUBT ON THE ABILITY OF THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER TO HOLD ITS OWN AGAINST THE COMMERCIAL LICENSEES.
/HE AGREED .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- J8 -
HE AGREED THAT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO AIR-TIME BUT THIS SHOULD BE SPREAD EVENLY DURING BROADCASTING HOURS TO PROVIDE A REAL CHOICE TO THE VIEWING PUBLIC AND FAIR TREATMENT TO ALL LICENSEES.
+THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD IN ALL REGULATORY MATTERS BE TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE OTHER LICENSEES.
+l AM CONVINCED THAT EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE FROM GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE CAN BE SAFEGUARDED BY APPROPRIATE ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS,* HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF BANNING TOBACCO ADVERTISING, MR SOHMEN SAID THIS WAS A DIFFICULT MATTER SO LONG AS TOBACCO PRODUCTS WERE LEGALLY SOLD AND PERMITTED TO BE ADVERTISED IN OTHER MEDIA AND IN OTHER FORMS.
♦ ONE CANNOT MAKE A VERY CONVINCING CASE THAT TOBACCO ADVERTISING SHOULD BE BANNED FROM TELEVISION, HOWEVER MUCH ONE IS CONVINCED OF OR WISHES TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT’S VALID POLICY TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING ON HEALTH GROUNDS,* HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ANT I-SMOKING LOBBY SHOULD GET THEIR VIEWS ACROSS BY USING THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY AS AN ADVERTISING MEDIUM FOR THEIR OWN MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS.
♦ ANOTHER SOLUTION IS PERHAPS TO STATUTORILY REQUIRE A LARGER SCREEN AREA, SAY 40 PER CENT, TO BE BLOCKED OFF IN EACH COMMERCIAL FOR THE HEALTH WARNING.
♦ IN THE LATTER CASE TOBACCO ADVERTISING WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY PARTIALLY FOR THE ANTI-SMOKING EFFORT WITHOUT BEING COMPLETELY DENIED ACCESS TO THE MARKET AND WITHOUT DEPRIVING LICENSEES OF SUBSTANTIAL REVENUE,+ HE SAID.
EARLIER, MR SOHMEN PRAISED THE COUNCIL’S AD HOC GROUP ON THE REPORT FOR ACHIEVING A HIGH DEGREE OF CONSENSUS AT LEAST ON THE PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG. HE ALSO COMMENTED THAT THE REPORT SUFFERED FROM TRYING TO ACHIEVE TOO MANY AND OFTEN CONTRADICTORY OBJECTIVES.
-----0------
/39........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH I?, iwl
40
NEED SEEN TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REAFFIRM THE SPIRIT OF SECTION 10
OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE FOR THE SAKE OF THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE HON MRS ROSANNA TAM SAID DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+SECTION 10 OF THE CURRENT TV ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT TELEVISION LICENSEES SHALL BE PERMITTED ONLY TO PROVIDE BROADCASTING SERVICES AND OTHER BUSINESSES THAT ARE CONNECTED OR ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
+THE SPIRIT BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION IS TO ENSURE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE TELEVISION BROADCASTING INDUSTRY, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO POLITICAL INFLUENCE OR THE MANIPULATION OF FINANCIAL CONGLOMERATES, AND AT THE SAME TIME ALLOWING ALL LICENSEES TO COMPLETE ON EQUAL FOOTING,* SHE SAID.
UNFORTUNATELY, FOR VARIOUS REASONS, THERE WAS TODAY IN THE INDUSTRY A VIOLATION OF THE SPIRIT OF SECTION 10, SHE SAID.
+THE EMERGENCE OF JOINT VENTURE CONGLOMERATES NOT ONLY DOES INJUSTICE TO OTHER TELEVISION LICENSEES, BUT ALSO BRINGS ABOUT UNFAIR COMPETITION TO OTHER COMPANIES IN THE JOINT VENTURE BUSINESS,* MRS TAM SAID.
SHE SAID THAT APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE LEGISLATION TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT WHEN NEW LICENCES WERE ISSUED NO PRETENTIOUS OR FICTITIOUS JOINT VENTRUE COMPANIES OR OTHER FORMS OF BUSINESS NOT CONNECTED WITH BROADCASTING WOULD BE ALLOWED TO DEVELOP AND TO MONOPOLISE THE INDUSTRY.
IN ANTICIPATION OF FUTURE BROADCASTING NEEDS, MRS TAM AGREED THAT THERE WOULD BE AN UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND FOR INFORMATIVE PROGRAMMES.
SHE ALSO SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATION TO DISESTABLISH RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, WHICH HAD AMPLE EXPERIENCE IN MAKING PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAMMES, FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO BECOME THE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC BROADCASTER.
MRS TAM HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER ALLOCATING WEEKENDS AND SUNDAYS TO THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER.
+THIS WILL NOT ONLY ENSURE THAT IT WILL HAVE AN IDEAL AND SUITABLE TIME TO PUT ITS PROGRAMMES ON THE AIR, BUT WILL ALSO HELP TO ESTABLISH IN THE MINDS OF THE PUBLIC A SHARP AND DISTINCT IMAGE.
+LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE EFFECTIVE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATION CAN SURVIVE AND THRIVE,* SHE SAID.
- 0 - -
/M .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
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CONCERN FOR PROSPECTS OF RTHK STAFF
*****
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE CAREER PROSPECTS OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG STAFF, WHO WOULD BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE STATION AS PROPOSED IN THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT.
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE OF THE REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR TAM ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO FIRST CONSULT RTHK’S STAFF UNION BEFORE DECIDING ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATION.
IN HANDLING THE RE-ORGANISATION OF RTHK, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENSURE THAT IT COULD SURVIVE FINANCIALLY AFTER ITS INDEPENDENCE.
HE ADDED THAT THE EXISTING LEVEL OF PAY, BENEFITS AND JOB SECURITY ENJOYED BY RTHK STAFF SHOULD NOT BE LOWERED, AND THAT THOSE STAFF ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE STATION SHOULD BE GIVEN A REASONABLE COMPENSATION AND EARLY RETIREMENT GRATUITY.
MR TAM DISAGREED WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD BE SELF-FINANCING THROUGH ADVERTISING REVENUE AND SPONSORSHIP, SAYING THAT SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT WOULD AFFECT FINANCIAL STABILITY AND BROADCASTING INDENPENDENCE.
+IN MY OPINION, PUBLIC BROADCASTING IS A KIND OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHOULDER PART OF OR EVEN THE ENTIRE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID IT WAS WORTH CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF FINANCING THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER BY APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE ROYALTY OBTAINED FROM COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING LICENCEES.
REFERRING TO OTHER ASPECTS OF THE REPORT, MR TAM SUPPORTED THE VIEW THAT THE AIRWAVES WERE THE PROPERTY OF THE COMMUNITY, AND, WHEN RENEWING LICENCES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE THE POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY TO REALLOCATE THE USE OF THESE AIRWAVES IN THE WIDER INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE AGREED THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST REGULATE AND MONITOR THE USE OF AIRWAVES, AND THAT THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATION FOR RE-ORGANISING RTHK INTO AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC BROADCASTER HAVING A BETTER, MORE STABLE AND LONGER AIR-TIME WAS IN LI NE WITH PUBLIC NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS.
/MR TAM .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 42 -
MR TAM SUPPORTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND A RADIO AND TELEVISION COMPLAINTS TRIBUNAL TO FACILITATE MORE EFFECTIVE MONITORING OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY. HE LIKEWISE SUPPORTED THE PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN THE SUPERVISORY POWER OF THE EXISTING TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD AND TO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE GRANTING, OR MID-TERM REVIEW, OF LICENCES.
+IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO FULLY UTILISE THEIR MONITORING POWER, THE GOVERNMENT MUST STEP UP PUBLICITY ON THE CURRENT AND FUTURE MONITORING SYSTEM AND EDUCA THE CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHT TO MONITOR,* HE ADDED.
------o------
QUALITY OF PROGRAMMES SHOULD SATISFY PUBLIC NEEDS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ENSURING THAT THE CONTENTS AND QUALITY OF BROADCAST PROGRAMMES SATISFY PUBLIC NEEDS WHEN IT ALLOCATE THE RIGHT TO USE A SPECIFIED FREQUENCY TO PRIVATE BODIES. DR THE HON DANIEL TSE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, DR TSE SAID THE MOST APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE WAY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCHARGE THIS RESPONSIBILITY WAS BY IMPLEMENTING SIMPLE GUIDING LEGISLATION AS WELL AS A POWERFUL MONITORING SYSTEM TO ENSURE FAIR, REASONABLE AND ADEQUATE COMPETITION WITHIN THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY AND ALL BROADCAST ING-ASSOCIATED BUS I NESSES.
AS TO THE MODE OF OPERATION, ENTERPRISE STRUCTURE AND SCOPE CF BUSINESS, DR TSE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE CONSISTENT IN ITS LAISSEZ-FAIRE POLICY AND AVOID IMPOSING PASSIVE RESTRICTIONS ON THE LICENSEES.
TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC RECEIVED AN ADEQUATE AND OBJECTIVE SERVICE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE TAX ON PROFITS OF COMMERCIAL BROADCASTERS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED BUSINESS TO SET UP AND SUPPORT A PUBLIC BROADCASTER WHICH WAS NOT A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, HE SUGGESTED.
+BUT IN ORDER TO UPHOLD THE PRINCIPLE OF REASONABLE AND FAIR COMPETITION, THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHOULD NOT ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE CF MONOPOLISING A SPECIFIED PRIME TIME AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE A GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WORKING CAPITAL OF THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER AND THE COMMERCIAL LICENSEES,* DR TSE SAID.
/he also .......
WEDNESDAY, MAECH 19, 1986
- 43 -
HE ALSO NOTED THE POPULARITY OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING BY SATELLITE IN ADVANCED COUNTRIES AND THE OBVIOUS TREND OF A REVIVAL IN CABLE BROADCASTING ON A LOCALISED LEVEL.
♦ALTHOUGH THESE TWO TYPES OF BROADCASTING HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED IN HONG KONG, THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND THE SOCIAL IMPACT WHICH THEY MAY BRING ABOUT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED.
♦HENCE, IT IS NOT TOO EARLY FOR US TO MENTION THIS TODAY AS AN AIDE-MEMOIRE,+ DR TSE SAID.
-------- o --------
MOVE TO PROMOTE BANKING STABILITY, PROTECT DEPOSITORS * * * * *
A BILL AIMED AT PROVIDING A MEASURE OF PROTECTION TO DEPOSIT AND PROMOTING THE GENERAL STABILITY AND EFFECTIVE WORKING OF THE BANKING SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BANKING BILL 1986, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID THE BILL, WHEN ENACTED, WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING BANKING AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THE MAIN NEW PROPOSALS IN THE BILL RELATED TO SIX AREAS, NAMELY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S ROLE, AUDIT, OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, RESTRICTION ON LOANS, CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO, AND LIQUIDITY RATIO.
NOTING THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WAS RESPONSIBLE, AMONG OTHER DUTIES, FOR ENSURING THAT AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS WERE OPERATED IN A RESPONSIBLE, HONEST AND BUSINESS-LIKE MANNER, SIR JOHN SAID HE WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE PROPER STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICE AMONG THESE INSTITUTIONS.
THE BILL THESE FUNCTIONS
♦IT IS NECESSARY TO SPELL OUT IN _
OF THE COMMISSIONER IN ORDER TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT HIS ROLc Io GREATER THAN MERELY ONE OF CHECKING THAT THE INSTITUTIONS COMPLY
WITH THE VARIOUS TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS,+ HE SAID.
♦THIS REFLECTS A DIFFERENT AND UP-TO-DATE EMPHASIS IN THE APPROACH TO PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION - ONE THAT IS MORE FLEXIBLE AND RELIES MORE ON THE COMMISSIONER’S DISCRETION AND QUALITATIVE JUDGMENT THAN PREVIOUSLY.+
/NOTHING THAT........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 44 -
NOTING THAT SOME FACILE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE BILL SINCE IT WAS GAZETTED HAD FOCUSED ON THE COMMISSIONER’S POWERS, SIR JOHN SAID THE EXISTING LEGISLATION ALREADY GAVE VERY WIDE POWERS OF DISCRETION TO THE COMMISSIONER.
+IT COULD NOT BE OTHERWISE IF HE IS TO CARRY OUT EFFECTIVELY HIS SUPERVISORY DUTIES.
♦THESE POWERS ARE IN LINE WITH, INDEED ARE MODEST COMPARED WITH, THOSE WHICH APPLY IN OTHER MAJOR BANKING CENTRES,+ HE SAID.
SIR JOHN ADDED THAT SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSES IN THE COMMISSIONER’S EXERCISE OF HIS DISCRETION WERE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE BILL - BY WAY OF APPEALS TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OR TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD PROVIDE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL, WHO MIGHT PUBLISH THE REPORT, IN PART OR IN WHOLE, HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF AUDIT, SIR JOHN SAID THERE WAS A COMMON APPRECIATION OF THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF THE AUDITOR AND SUPERVISOR, AND HOW THESE SEPARATE ROLES CAME TOGETHER TO ENABLE PROBLEMS TO BE DETECTED BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE.
+TO THIS END, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR ANY OF THE THREE PARTIES -MANAGEMENT, COMMISSIONER, AUDITOR - TO CALL A TRIPARTITE MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO THE INSTITUTION, AND FOR THE MEETING TO BE HELD NOTWITHSTANDING NON-ATTENDANCE BY ANY ONE OF THE THREE PARTIES,+ HE SAID.
TO DEAL WITH WEAKNESSES IN AUDIT, SIR JOHN SAID, THE COMMISSIONER MIGHT IN FUTURE REFER TO THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE CF THE SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS ANY CASES OF NEGLIGENCE OR SERIOUS MISCONDUCT BY THE AUDITOR - SOMETHING HE COULD NOT DO AT PRESENT.
ACCORDING TO THE BILL, THE AUDIT REQUIREMENTS PRESENTLY APPLICABLE ONLY TO BANKS WOULD BE EXTENDED TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES. THE COMMISSIONER WOULD ALSO HAVE THE POWER TO APPOINT A SECOND AUDITOR FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
TWO PROPOSALS WERE MADE RELATING TO THE CONTROL ON OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF BANKS AND DTCS INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG.
FIRSTLY, AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILL, ANY PERSON WHO, INDIVIDUALLY OR IN CONCERT WITH OTHERS, ACQUIRED SHARES WHICH BROUGHT HIS HOLDING TO 10 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SHARES CF THE INSTITUTION, WOULD NEED THE COMMISSIONER’S APPROVAL BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO EXERCISE HIS VOTING RIGHTS IN THOSE ACQUIRED SHARES.
/SECONDLY, AFTER ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19. 1986
- 45 -
SECONDLY, AFTER COMMENCEMENT, ALL APPOINTMENTS TO DIRECTOR AND COMPANY SECRETARY POSTS OF A LOCAL INSTITUTION WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE COMMISSIONER’S PRIOR APPROVAL.
SIR JOHN SAID THE COMMISSIONER'S CONTROL ALSO EXTENDED TO THE -►CONTROLLER-*- - DEFINED AS ONE WHO CONTROLLED MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES OF THAT INSTITUTION OR OF ITS HOLDING COMPANY.
RELATING TO THE RESTRICTION ON LOANS, HE SAID THE BILL PROVIDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER MIGHT ISSUE DIRECTIONS TO AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS NOT TO ENGAGE IN SPECIFIE BUSINESS PRACTICES WHICH, IN HIS OPINION, MIGHT CAUSE THE SOUNDNESS OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION TO BE DEPENDENT UPON THE SOUNDNESS OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF A SINGLE PARTY.
THE BILL ALSO REQUIRED THAT AN INSTITUTION SHOULD NOT, EXCEPT WITH THE COMMISSIONER’S APPROVAL, GIVE CREDIT AGAINST THE SECURITY OF THE SHARES OF ITS RELATED COMPANIES - THAT IS, ANY SUBSIDIARY CF THAT INSTITUTION, THE HOLDING COMPANY OF THAT INSTITUTION, OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OF SUCH HOLDING COMPANY.
SUCH MEASURES WOULD COVER BOTH BANKS AND DTCS INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG AND OTHER FOREIGN COMPANIES, SIR JOHN SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO, SIR JOHN SAID ONE OBVIOUS COMMON FEATURE OF THE BANKS THAT HAD HAD TO BE TAKEN OVER BY GOVERNMENT WAS INSOLVENCY.
+IN OTHER WORDS, THEIR CAPITAL AND RESERVES WERE GROSSLY INADEQUATE TO MEET THE LOSSES ARISING FROM BAD DEBTS.+
IN VIEW OF THIS, SIR JOHN SAID, THE BILL INTRODUCED A NEW RATIOO THE CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO, TO APPLY TO ALL BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE CONCEPT OF A CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO WAS WIDELY ACCEPTED INTERNATIONALLY, BUT THERE WAS NO UNIFORM STANDARD.
♦THE BILL SETS A MINIMUM RATIO OF FIVE PER CENT, BUT THE COMMISSIONER HAS THE POWER TO INCREASE THE RATIO FOR PARTICULAR INSTITUTIONS TO NOT MORE THAN EIGHT PER CENT IN THE CASE OF BANKS, AND 10 PER CENT IN THE CASE OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
+THIS DISCRETIONARY REQUIREMENT IS TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY DUE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES AS THE QUALITY AND NATURE OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTION’S ASSET PORTFOLIOS,+ SIR JOHN SAID.
SINCE THE CAPITAL TO RiSK ASSETS RATIO WAS NEW, AND WOULD PLACE SUBSTANTIAL REQUIREMENT ON SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED, HE ENVISAGED THAT A REASONABLY LONG PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO YEARS WOULD BE ALLOWED BEFORE BRINGING IT INTO EFFECT.
/CBS THE..............
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1900
- 46 -
SIR JOHN SAID THE BILL REPLACE THE PRESENT ONES.
ON THE AREA RELATING TO LIQUIDITY, INTRODUCED NEW LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS TO
♦THESE WILL PUT AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS IN A BETTER POSITION TO MEET LIABILITIES SUCH AS CUSTOMERS AND INTERBANK DEPOSITS AS THEY FALL DUE,+ HE SAID.
AS ALMOST ALL BODIES CONCERNED HAD EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF ALLOWING TIME FOR CAREFUL SCRUTINY OF THE DRAFTING OF THE BILL WHEN PUBLISHED, SIR JOHN PROPOSED TO ALLOW A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS FOR DETAILED EXAMINATION AND REPRESENTATION BY INTERESTED BODIES, BEFORE RESUMPTION OF THE DEBATE ON THE BILL.
--------0 --------
REDEVELOPMENT OF TEMPLE PROPERTIES PROPOSED * * * * *
A BILL TO ENABLE THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS TO REDEVELOP THE MAN MO TEMPLE PROPERTIES, AND TO IMPROVE THE RANGE OF CHARITABLE SERVICES WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MAN MO TEMPLE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID THE MAN MO TEMPLE ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND DISCIPLINE OF THE TEMPLE AND THE MAN MO TEMPLE FUND BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
♦ THE OBJECTS OF THE FUND, AS SPELT OUT BY THE ORDINANCE, INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANY PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE FUND AND THE USE OF THE FUND FOR EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
♦ UNDER THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS ORDINANCE, THE GROUP IS EMPOWERED TO MANAGE THE FUND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE MAN MO TEMPLE ORDINANCE.
+THIS IN EFFECT TURNS THE GROUP INTO A TRUSTEE OF THE FUND,+ MR LIAO SAID.
THE NEW BILL INTRODUCES THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO ENABLE THE GROUP TO REDEVELOP AND MORTGAGE ANY PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE FUND, HE SAID.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THE EXISTING PROPERTIES OF THE FUND WERE IN DISREPAIR AND WERE EXTREMELY UNDER-UTILISED.
♦ TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREAS WHERE THE PROPERTIES ARE SITUATED AND TO MAXIMISE THEIR DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL, THE GROUP PROPOSES TO REDEVELOP CERTAIN PROPERTIES IN SHEUNG WAN,+ HE SAID.
/♦THE FUND........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 47 -
+ THE FUND IS, HOWEVER, INSUFFICIENT TO COVER THE COST OF THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE GROUP PROPOSES TO RAISE THE NECESSARY FUNDS BY COMMERCIAL BORROWING WITH THE CREATION OF MORTGAGES AS SECURITY,+ HE ADDED.
ON REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECT, IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE FUND WOULD BE BOOSTED BY AN ADDITIONAL NET INCOME OF ABOUT $7 MILLION PER ANNUM, MR LIAO SAID.
♦ THIS WILL ENABLE THE GROUP TO IMPROVE THE RANGE OF CHARITABLE SERVICES FINANCED BY THE FUND,+ HE SAID.
UNDER THE BILL, A NEW SECTION HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO PERMIT THE GROUP, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR, TO ACQUIRE, DISPOSE OF AND MORTGAGE ANY PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE FUND, MR LIAO SAID.
+ 1 NCI DENTAL POWERS SUCH AS THE ENGAGEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL OR EXPERT PERSONS ARE ALSO INCLUDED,* HE ADDED.
------o-------
VARIOUS FACTORS IN FIXING FARE LEVELS
*****
A REDUCTION IN OVERALL REVENUE AS A RESULT OF DECLINING PATRONAGE WOULD BE ONLY ONE OF THE FACTORS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN DETERMINING APPROPRIATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE LEVELS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON IAN MACPHERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI, MR MACPHERSON SAID FACTORS OTHER THAN PATRONAGE AND REVENUE INCLUDED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, OPERATING COSTS INCLUDING WAGES, GENERAL INFLATION, EXCHANGE AND INTEREST RATES AND LEVELS OF SERVICE.
+FARES CHARGED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS ARE SET AT A LEVEL WHICH WILL GENERATE SUFFICIENT INCOME OVERALL TO COVER OPERATING COSTS AND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE A REASONABLE RETURN ON INVESTMENT,* MR MACPHERSON SAID.
HE SAID THE OPENING OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE ON MAY 30 LAST YEAR HAD RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN MTR PATRONAGE, LARGELY AT THE EXPENSE OF FRANCHISED BUSES, FERRIES AND MINIBUSES.
+BY DECEMBER 1985, MTR PASSENGER VOLUME HAD INCREASED BY
26 PER CENT OVER PRE-ISLAND LINE LEVELS FROM 1.1 MILLION TO
1. 4 MILLION PASSENGERS PER DAY, AND BUS AND FERRY PATRONAGE HAD CONSEQUENTIALLY DECREASED BY 11 PER CENT AND FIVE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY,* HE SAID.
/THE HARDEST .......
WEDNBSDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
THE HARDEST HIT WAS THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WHICH SUFFERED A LOSS OF SOME 107 000 PASSENGERS hER DAY OR ALMOST 11 PER CENT CF ITS TOTAL DAILY PATRONAGE, HE SAID.
♦THIS HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN REDUCTIONS IN SERVICE LEVELS ON THOSE ROUTES WHICH PARALLEL THE MTR ISLAND LINE,-*- HE ADDED.
-----0------
MORE SOCIAL CENTRES FOR ELDERLY * * *
SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY HAVE INCREASED FROM 45 TO 130 IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FROM FIVE TO 13, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+SEVEN ADDITIONAL SOCIAL CENTRES AND TWO MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES ARE PLANNED TO BE OPENED DURING THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR,* HE SAID.
ANSWERING A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT ON SHORTFALLS IN THE NUMBERS OF SOCIAL AND MULT I-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, CHAMBERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND STEPS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE TAKEN TO REMEDY IT.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, +THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF SUBVENTION HAS HINDERED THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROVISION CF THESE SERVICES.+
UNDER THE PRESENT SUBVENTION ARRANGEMENTS, AGENCIES OPERATING THESE CENTRES WERE EXPECTED TO MAKE A PERCENTAGE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS RUNNING COSTS.
♦DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY APPEAL RELATING TO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES FROM ANY OF THE 40 AGENCIES WHICH OPERATE THESE CENTRES, AND ALL THE PROJECTS BEING PLANNED HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN UP BY INTERESTED WELFARE AGENCIES,* HE SAID.
♦GIVEN THE NEED TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR WELFARE SERVICES AS A WHOLE, I SEE NO CASE FOR CHANGING THE PRESENT SUBVENTION ARRANGEMENTS.*
-----o------
/49........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
49
’231 KIDNEY MACHINES BY 1991’ * * *
WITH THE COMPLETION OF VARIOUS HOSPITAL AND CLINIC PROJECTS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THE NUMBER OF KIDNEY MACHINES WOULD BE INCREASED TO 231 BY 1991, COMPARED WITH 95 KIDNEY MACHINES AT PRESENT IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR CHAMBERS SAID IT WAS INTENDED TO INTRODUCE A FULL GOVERNMENT-OPERATED CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (CAPD) SCHEME FOR 150 PATIENTS IN 1986-87.
THE SCHEME, ESTIMATED TO COST $10 MILLION, WOULD BE EVALUATED AND THE ADVICE OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WOULD BE SOUGHT ON WHETHER IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED, HE SAID.
CAPD TREATMENT WAS NOW PROVIDED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AS A NON-STANDARD SERVICE AND PATIENTS MET THE COST OF CERTAIN ITEMS USED IN THEIR TREATMENT, HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE SELECTION CRITERIA ON WHETHER PATIENTS SHOULD BE ADMITTED TO THE RENAL DIALYSIS PROGRAMME IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR HAD BEEN DEVISED TO ENSURE THAT TREATMENT WAS GIVEN TO THOSE MOST LIKELY TO BENEFIT - FROM A MEDICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW.
THE CRITERIA HAD RECENTLY BEEN REVISED BY THE CENTRAL RENAL COMMITTEE WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1985 FOLLOWING ADVICE BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IN ORDER TO CO-ORDINATE THE PROGRAMME FOR RENAL FAILURE TREATMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, ME SAID.
+T0 BE ADMITTED TO THE RENAL DIALYSIS PROGRAMME A PATIENT SHOULD PREFERABLY BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 55 AND SHOULD NOT BE SUFFERING FROM UNRELATED DISEASES WITH A POOR PROGNOSIS OR SEVERE PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESSES.
+HE SHOULD HAVE GOOD FAMILY SUPPORT, BE ABLE TO CO-OPERATE WITH RENAL CARE STAFF AND HAVE GOOD MOTIVATION.
♦THE QUALITY OF THE PATIENT’S LIFE BEFORE THE ONSET OF ENDSTAGE RENAL FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD AND HE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY INTELLIGENT TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE CF HIS ILLNESS AND THE INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO HIS TREATMENT,+ l£ SAID.
PRIORITY WAS GIVEN TO THOSE PATIENTS WHO HAD UNSUCCESSFULLY UNDERGONE A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OPERATION OR WHO WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO REMAIN ON CAPD TREATMENT, HE ADDED.
/H£ SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 198b
HE SAID THE FINAL DECISION, HOWEVER, RESTED WITH THE ATTENDING DOCTOR WHO WEIGHED UP THE VARIOUS FACTORS AND DETERMINED THE MOST APPROPRIATE COURSE OF TREATMENT FOR HIS PATIENT.
MR CHAMBERS SAID ABOUT 180-200 NEW PATIENTS COULD HAVE DERIVED BENEFIT FROM DIALYSIS TREATMENT IN EACH OF THE PAST THREE YEARS.
IN 1983, 1984 AND 1985, HE SAID, 254, 358 AND 450 PATIENTS RESPECTIVELY WERE ON DIALYSIS TREATMENT. DURING THE SAME THREE-YEAR PERIOD, A TOTAL OF 79 KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS WERE PERFORMED. THE COST OF RENAL DIALYSIS TO THE GOVERNMENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WAS ABOUT $58 MILLION, HE SAID.
- - - - 0 -----------
STEPS TAKEN TO REMOVE DISQUALIFICATION RULE *****
THE PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE PROVISION FOR THE MANDATORY DRIVING DISQUALIFICATION WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON IAN MACPHERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RICHARD LAI ABOUT GOVERNMENT’S PROGRESS TO REMOVE THE MANDATORY DRIVING DISQUALIFICATION PROVISION, MR MACPHERSON SAID THE PROPOSAL, WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WOULD BE SUBMITTtU WITH THE NECESSARY AMENDMENT IN APRIL, AND THEN TO INTRODUCE li INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR MACPHERSON ALSO SAID THE PROSECUTIONS UNDER SECTION 41(1) OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WERE STILL BEING INSTITUTED.
+IN CASES OF EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY MORE THAN 30 KPH, IT IS POLICE POLICY TO PROSECUTE UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE RATHER THAN ISSUING A FIXED PENALTY TICKET,+ HE EXPLAINED.
-----o------
/51 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 21 -
STAFFING OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPT EXPLAINED
* X * * *
VACANT SENIOR POSTS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL BE FILLED BY THE TRANSFER OF STAFF FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND THE PROMOTION OF JUNIOR OFFICERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO FILL VACANCIES AT SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER LEVEL BY RECRUITING LOCAL PEOPLE IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT MORE VIGOROUSLY THE LOCALISATION POLICY.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE POSTS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (TO BE ESTABLISHED ON APRIL 1) WOULD BE PARTLY FILLED BY OFFICERS IN THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND PARTLY BY THE TRANSFER OF STAFF FROM THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE RATIONALISATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ORGANISATION FOR POLLUTION CONTROL.
HE SAID MOST OF THOSE TO BE TRANSFERRED WERE LIKELY TO BE LOCAL OFFICERS.
♦ IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING POLICY,* HE CONTINUED, +THE REMAINING VACANCIES IN THE SENIOR RANKS WOULD BE FILLED BY THE PROMOTION ON THE BASIS OF MERIT OF SUITABLE AND QUALIFIED OFFICERS IN THE LOWER RANK, VIRTUALLY ALL OF WHOM ARE LOCAL OFF ICERS.+
HE SAID DIRECT APPOINTMENT TO THESE VACANCIES WOULD BE MADE ONLY WHEN NO SERVING OFFICERS WERE SUITABLE FOR PROMOTION.
♦WHERE IT WAS NECESSARY TO RESORT TO DIRECT APPOINTMENT BY WAY OF OPEN RECRUITMENT. PREFERENCE WOULD BE GIVEN TO LOCAL CANDIDATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT’S LOCALISATION POLICY, WHICH PROVIDES THAT APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEAS CANDIDATES CAN ONLY BE CONSIDERED WHEN SUITABLE AND QUALIFIED LOCAL CANDIDATES ARE NOT AVAILABLE,♦ HE SAID.
--------o----------
FINDINGS BY CONSULTANTS NOT BINDING
X X * *
RECOMMENDATIONS BY CONSULTANTS MAY BE TURNED DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT IF THEY RESULT IN UNFAVOURABLE PUBLIC REACTION, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FA I, MR CHAN SAID CONSULTANTS RARELY MADE IMPRACTICABLE SUGGESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE NOT FEASIBLE.
/■►CONSULTANTS ARE
WEDNESDAY, MAKCH 19, 1986
- 52 -
.sultants are competent and expert personnel WHO are CHOS-N AFTER going through a careful selection procedure and ARE <_iKELY TO PROPOSE IMPRACTICAL SOLUTIONS,* HE SAID.
-"HEY ARE USUALLY APPOINTED UNDER WELL DEFINED TERMS OF REFERENCE WITH A DETAILED BRIEF TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND Trit EACKGROUND OF THE CASE THEY ARE EMPLOYED TO DEAL WITH.
+IN ADDITION, THEIR WORK IS REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT REGULAR STAGES THROUGHOUT THE CONSULTANCY,* HE ADDED.
-'OWEVER, "HAN SAID, Tut GOVERNMENT WAS NOT BOUND TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OR FINDINGS OF ANY CONSULTANT.
+THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DECIDES NOT TO ACCEPT SOME OR ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS PUT TO IT.
+THE REASONS ARE VARIOUS AND INCLUDE SITUATIONS SUCH AS "HE E"E=GENCE OF NEw FACTORS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE
' C"> TANTS’S REPORT, UNFAVOURABLE RESPONSES FROM THE PUBLIC DURING THE CONSULTATION STAGE, OR THE LEVEL OF COSTS CANNOT ,-rr~ ACCOMMODATED WITHIN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO GOVERNMENT TORGuGrt REVENUE.*
HR CHAN REVEALED THAT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS THE uO.E NME.vT HAD PAID $1 495 MILLION IN FEES TO CONSULTANTS J *-ilCH si 408 MILLION WAS PAID TO THOSE COMMISSIONED BY Tr LANDS AND wORKS GROUP.
-----o-------
COMPARABLE STANDARD USED TO ASSESS OVERSEAS DEGREES
*****
tmf 'AIN CONSIDERATION IN THE RECOGNITION OF OVERSEAS DEGREES FOR THE PURPOSE OF APPOINTING CIVIL SERVANTS IS WHETHER THEY ARE H COMPARABLE STANDARD AND STANDING TO HONu KONG DEGr.tES, THE ~HIEF SECRETARY THE HON SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOLD .HE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
*N0 DISTINCTION IS MADE BETWEEN COMMONWEALTH AND .'ION-COMMONWEALTH DEGREES,* HE NOTED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON L]U LIT-FOR, Sin D- ID AID l-PANEL OF ADVISORS COMPRISING rEPRESENTATIVEb FROM inc TWO LOCAL UNIVERSITIES, THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHOR ITY; tDUC^T luN APARTMENT AND EDUCATION AND MANPOwER BRANCH HAD BEtN_A. Iy TO rROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THE DETAILED CRITERIA TO BE U^cD >N -SSt SING OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS AND TO CONSIDER APPtALb ■GaInST DECISIONS WHEN NECESSARY.
+THE ADVICE INSTITUTIONS, AS •L.G 50UGH . , + HE
FROM 'OVFRSEAS PROFESSIONAL ASSOC I AT I wELL AS ESTABLISHED EDUCATIONAL AUTnURI ADDED.
IES
- v
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1936
- 53 -
NO LIMIT SET FOR TAXI LICENCE OWNERSHIP
*****
THERE IS NO UPPER LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF TAXI LICENCES WHICH MAY BE ACQUIRED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR A COMPANY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON IAN MACPHERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON S.L. CHEN, MR MACPHERSON SAID TAXI LICENCES DID CHANGE HANDS AND SPECULATION COULD NOT BE RULED OUT SO LONG AS THERE WAS A LIMIT ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TAX IS.
♦BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THIS EXISTS ON A SCALE THAT WOULD WARRANT INTERFERENCE WITH MARKET FORCES OR WHICH WOULD JUSTIFY THE EXTENSIVE ENFORCEMENT EFFORT THAT wOULD BE REQUIRED TO BACK UP AN EFFECTIVE LIMITATION ON THE NUMBERS OF LICENCES ALLOCATED BY TENDER,* HE SAID.
MR MACPHERSON RECALLED THAT WHEN THE TENDERING SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED IN 1964, THERE HAD BEEN A POLICY TO RESTRICT THE NUMBER OF LICENCES ALLOCATED TO ANY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY TO ONE HUNDRED AT A TIME. THE IDEA WAS TO PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF MONOPOLY.
♦HOWEVER,* HE SAID, +THIS POLICY WAS ABANDONED IN 1966 WHEN IT BECAME CLEAR THAT NO SINGLE COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL WAS IN ANY WAY DOMINATING OR SEEKING TO DOMINATE THE TRADE.*
+THE POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED AS AT PRESENT SOME 9$ PER CENT OF THE WHOLE TAXI FLEET IS OWNED BY INDIVIDUAL OWNER/DRI VERS, THE REMAINING FIVE PER CENT OR 740 LICENCES BEING DISTRIEUTtD AMONG 46 COMPANIES.* HE SAID.
--------q--------
PUBLIC UTILITY MONITORING COSTS * * * *
THE COSTS INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN MONITORING PULuIC UTILITY COMPANIES TAKE THE FORM OF STAFF COSTS AND CONSULTANCY STUDIES COMMISSIONED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN, SIR JOHN SAID EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY THE TwO CONSULTANCIES COMMISSIONED DURING THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD 1981-82 TO 1985-86 FOR THE MONITOR I .L CF THE TWO POWER COMPANIES WAS $6.29 MILLION.
/HE said........
WEDNESDAY, MAUCH 19, 1986
54 -
HE SAID THE FINANCIAL MONITORING UNIT (FMU) OF THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, STAFFED BY A NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS -AND SUPPORTING STAFF, HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MONITORING THE .FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES.
TOTAL STAFF COSTS DURING THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD 1981-82 TO 1985-86 AMOUNTED TO $8.32 MILLION.
IN ADDITION TO THE FMU, HE SAID, STAFF OF THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, THE POST OFFICE (FOR THE TELEPHONE COMPANY), ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (FOR THE ELECTRICITY COMPANIES) AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT (FOR THE TRANSPORT COMPANIES) WERE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THE OPERATIONS OF UTILITY COMPANIES.
♦HOWEVER, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY THE MONITORING COSTS ALONE AS THESE STAFF ARE ALSO ENGAGED IN OTHER ACTIVITIES,+ HE SAID.
SIR JOHN SAID NOT ALL PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES WERE SUBJECT TO FORMAL SCHEMES OF CONTROL BUT THE DEGREE OF EXAMINATION OR ANALYSIS NECESSARY, FOR EXAMPLE TO ASSESS AN APPLICATION FOR A REVIEW OF CHARGES, WAS VERY MUCH THE SAME.
-----o-----
MINIMUM GOVT ROLE IN UTILITY FIRM MANAGEMENT
*****
THF GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES SHOULD BtKuPT TO A^MINIMUM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGt, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, SIR JOHN SAID IT WAS THE JOB OF THE COMPANIES' MANAGEMENT TO MANAGE.
HOWEVER HE POINTED OUT THAT STEPS WERE CONTINUALLY TAKEN TO ENHANCE AND STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT W..EN NECESSARY.
♦FOR EXAMPLE IN ACCORDANCE wI TH THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE CONSULTANTS ERNST AND WHINNEY WE ARE REVIEWING THE MONITOR IN, arrangements in respect of the electricity companies,♦ he said.
SIR JOHN ALSO POINTED OUT THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TRANSPORT COMPANIES.
/Di RESPiCT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 55 -
IN RESPECT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN MONITORING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES, SIR JOHN SAID THE PRESENT FORMAL ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ACTED ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC WERE ADEQUATE AND APPROPRIATE.
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS ALSO HEAVILY INVOLVED, RE SAID.
+HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT IS ACUTELY CONSCIOUS THAT MEMBERS CF THIS COUNCIL HAVE SHOWN, ON BEHALF OF THE PU? IC, AN INCREASING DESIRE TO BE MORE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THIS M. I TOR I NG PROCESS,+ SIR JOHN SAID.
+IT WAS IN THIS SPIRIT, THEREFORE, THAT UMELCO ESTABLISHED THE PANELS ON PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORT.+
SIR JOHN POINTED OUT THAT THE BASIS OF CALCULATING PERMITTcd RETURN AND THE PERCENTAGE OF SUCH RETURN WERE NEGOTIATED WITH TH^ COMPANIES WHEN THE SCHEMES OF CONTROL WERE AGREED.
HE SAID ALL ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF CALCULATION WOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL NEXT REVIEWED THE SCHEMua CF CONTROL, BUT ADDED THAT +AT PRESENT THE SCHEMES SEEM WELL DESIGNED+.
SIR JOHN SAID THAT IN EXAMINING THE FINANCIAL FORECASTS OF THE COMPANIES AND IN PARTICULAR THE FINANCING PLANS SUBMITTED BY THE ELECTRICITY COMPANIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEMES OF CONTROL THE RATIO BETWEEN SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS AND EXTERNAL BORROWINGS WOULD BE ONE OF THE MANY COMPONENTS TO BE EXAMINED.
HE ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS INTENT ON SECURING SOUND PERFORMANCE BY THOSE UTILITIES WHICH HAD A QUASI-MONOPOLY POSITION AND WHICH WAS THEREFORE NOT OPEN TO THE FULL WINDS OF COMPETITION.
+IT IS EASY TO CRITICISE, BUT WE HAVE CHEAP AND EFFICIENT BUo COMPANIES. OUR ELECTRICITY ON A NON-SUBSIDISED BASIS IS THE CHEAPEST IN ASIA. DESPITE INFLATION PRICES HAVE BEEN UNCHANGED FOR FOUR YEARS. THIS MEANS A DECREASE IN REAL TERMS OF ABOUT 3D PER CENT,+ HE SAID.
+NO SCHEME OF CONTROL WILL SERVE
THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT DOES HEAVY CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
NOT ENCOURAGE THE NECESSARY CONTINUED ____
PROFITS ARE THUS ESSENTIAL. THEY MAY LOOK LARGE TO THE INEXPERIENCED EYE BECAUSE IN MANY CASES THEY REFLECT A REASONABLE RETURN ON THE VAST INVESTMENTS MADE BY THE SHAREHOLDERS,+ HE ADDED.
0 -
/56 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 193C
ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES SUCCESSFUL * * * * *
OPINION POLLS LEND WEIGHT TO THE VIEW THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, 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 THESE OPINION POLLS INDICATED THAT BETWEEN 1981 AND 1983 THE COMMUNITY HAD BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING.
MR CHAMBERS SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY THE EFFECT ANTI-SMOKING PUBLICITY HAD HAD ON SMOKING HABITS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, NOT LEAST BECAUSE DURING THIS PERIOD THE TAX ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PURSUED A MORE VIGOROUS ANTI-SMOKING PUBLICITY STRATEGY AND HAD ALSO, THROUGH THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS, MONITORED TRENDS IN CIGARETTE SMOKING SINCE 1982, WHEN THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED.
+THE FINDINGS OF THESE SURVEYS INDICATE THAT BETWEEN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1982 AND MARCH 1983 THERE WAS A FALL OF 11 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF SMOKERS AND THAT A FURTHER FALL OF FIVE PER CENT TOOK PLACE BETWEEN MARCH 1983 AND JULY 1984,+ l*R CHAMBERS SAID.
ANOTHER SURVEY ON SMOKING PATTERNS WOULD BE CONDUCTED LATER THIS YEAR, HE ADDED. .
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO MONITORED TOBACCO SMOKING TRENDS BY REFERENCE TO ANNUAL STATISTICS ON THE QUANTITY OF IMPORTED TOBACCO PRODUCTS ON WHICH DUTY WAS PAID.
+THESE STATISTICS SHOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT FALL IN THE IMPORT OF SUCH TOBACCO PRODUCTS SINCE 1982,+ HE SAID.
-----0------
/57........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IQ, n36
- 57 -
COMPULSORY EDUCATION POLICY CLOSELY MONITORED ******
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NINE-YEAR FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION POLICY IS CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN IN THIS AGE GROUP WILL ATTEND SCHOOL, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HO RITA FAN, MR HENDERSON SAID A MORE COMPREHENSIVE, COMPUTER।jED PUPIL RECORD SYSTEM WAS BEING CONSIDERED TO HELP IDENTIFY PUPILS NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL, WHILE THE STUDENT GUIDANCE SECTION WAS BEING STRENGTHENED TO FURTHER IMPROVE AND SPEED THE HANDLING OF NON-ATTENDANCE CASES.
AT PRESENT, MR HENDERSON SAID, SCHOOLS WERE REQUIRED TO REPORT ALL NEW PUPILS ADMITTED AND ALL PUPILS WHO CEASED TO ATTEND WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE FOR MORE THAN 14 DAYS.
THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES OF NON-ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL BY CHILDREN BETWEEN 12 AND 14 YEARS OF AGE DURING THE SCHOOL YtARo 1983-85 WAS 8 430, COMPRISING 3 165 IN 1983-84, 3 485 IN 1984-85 AND 1 780 IN 1985-JANUARY 86, HE POINTED OUT.
+IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE FIGURE RELATE TO THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF NON-ATTENDANCE RATHER THAN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN INVOLVED, SO THAT A DEGREE OF DOUBLE-COUNTING IS POSSIBLE,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID REPORTED CASES COULD BE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE GROUPS: THOSE REQUIRING NO FURTHER ACTION BECAUSE THE CHILDREN INVOLVED HAD EMIGRATED OR WERE ADMITTED TO OTHER SCHOOLS; THOSE WHO RETURNED TO SCHOOL AFTER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE; AND THOSE WHO MIGHT BE CLASSIFIED AS DROPOUTS.
THOSE DROPPING OUT OF THE COMPULSORY EDUCATION SYSTEM WERE A RELATIVELY SMALL ELEMENT IN THE TOTAL, ACCOUNTING FOR SOME SEVEN TO EIGHT PER CENT OF CASES OVER THE PAST TWO ACADEMIC YEARS, MR HENDERSON EXPLAINED.
AND LACK OF MOTIVATION, HE SAID, WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FACTOR FOR SCHOOL DROPOUTS.
TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, GUIDANCE OFFICERS CONTACTED THE FAM IL I co CF THESE PUPILS TO ASCERTAIN THE REASON FOR NON-ATTENDANCE AND TO EXPLAIN THEIR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY, MR HENDERSON SAID.
CASES ARISING FROM FAMILY OR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS WERE REFERRED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WHILE CASES WHICH RESULTED FROM LEARNING DIFFICULTY WERE REFERRED TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION CF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR REMEDIAL ASSISTANCE, HE ADDED.
/+WBERE NON-ATTENDANCE.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 58 -
+WHERE NON-ATTENDANCE IS THE RESULT OF PARENTAL HOSTILITY On INDIFFERENCE, VERBAL OR WRITTEN WARNINGS MAY BE REQUIRED AND - Ir NECESSARY - AN ATTENDANCE ORDER WILL BE SERVED,+ HE SAID.
ON AVERAGE, ONE OR TWO SUCH ORDERS WERE SERVED EACH YEAR, HE ADDED.
+IN GENERAL, HOWEVER, PARENTS CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND IN SUCH CASES GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING EFFORTS CONTINUE UNTIL THE CHILD EITHER SUBSEQUENTLY RESUMES ATTENDANCE CR REACHES SCHOOL-LEAVING AGE,+ MR HENDERSON SAID.
HE SAID CONTINUING EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO ENSURE THAT LEARNING WAS AN INTERESTING AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE. THESE INCLUDED:
* PROVISION OF A BROADER AND MORE RELEVANT CURRICULUM WITH INCLUSION OF MORE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL SUBJECTS;
* IMPROVEMENT OF TEACHING METHODS;
* PROVISION OF BETTER AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS AND BETTER EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMME;
* STRENGTHENING OF REMEDIAL TEACHING, GUIDANCE AND COULSlLl 11._, AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL TEACHERS; AND
* ENHANCEMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL AND RESOURCE SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS THROUGH TRAINING COURSES AND TEACHING AND TEACHERS’ CENTRES.
IN ADDITION, WHILE THE NORMAL PROCESS OF CURRICULUM REVIEW AND REFORM WOULD CONTINUE, THE POSSIBILITIES WERE BEING EXPLORED CF DEVELOPING A SPECIAL AND MORE PRACTICALLY-ORIENTED CURRICULUM FOR CHILDREN WITH INSUFFICIENT MOTIVATION TO BENEFIT FROM THE MORE STANDARD SCHOOL CURRICULUM, MR HENDERSON SAID.
-----o------
REASONS FOR HIGH AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY IN HK
*****
A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION ARE AMONG FACTORS WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS SAID TODAY.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE LATEST GOVERNMENT STATISTICS SHOwED THAT THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY IN HONG KONG WAS 73.2 YEARS FOR NEN AND 79.0 YEARS FOR WOMEN.
/these figures .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 59 -
CALL TO STOP MONOPOLISATION OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA * * * *
THE VITALITY OF OUR SOCIETY LIES IN FREE COMPETITION, WHICH MUST BE SAFEGUARDED, YET MONOPOLISATION ALREADY APPEARED IN THE FIELD OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA AND THIS IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING EXTENDED TO OTHER AREAS BY MEANS OF ITS POWERFUL INFLUENCE, THE HON SZETO WAH SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, MR SZETO SAID THIS SITUATION MUST BE CHANGED, IN PART TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC MEDIA SO AS TO ENABLE IT TO BETTER DISCHARGE ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC.
HE SAID THE AIRWAVES MUST BE WELL UTILISED TO SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
MR SZETO SAID THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA CONSTITUTED A MOST POWERFUL MEANS OF PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION, AND IT MUST THEREFORE ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE SOCIAL PROGRESS.
+IN ORDER THAT THE BABY CONFRONTING THE GIANT COULD STAND FIRM AND EVENTUALLY BECOME A COUNTERACT!NG AND BALANCING FORCE, AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC BROADCASTER HAS TO BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE PART OF THE PRIME TIME FOR THIS BROADCASTER SO AS TO ENSURE THAT IT HAS A FIRM FINANCIAL BASE,+ HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT SECTION 10(A) OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE (CAP 52) MUST BE STRICTLY ENFORCED AND SPECIAL ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO A RECENT JUDGEMENT MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT.
+ONLY THEN COULD THE UNDESIRABLE EXPANSION OF MONOPOLISATION BE RESTRAINED,+ HE SAID.
MR SZETO NOTED THAT AIRWAVES AND PRIME TIME PERIODS WERE ALL PUBLIC RESOURCES.
+TAKING BACK PART OF THESE AT THE END OF THE LICENCE PERIOD AND GIVING THEM TO AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC BROADCASTER, WHICH IS MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BEST COMMUNITY INTERESTS, IS SIMPLY RETURNING PUBLIC RESOURCES TO THE PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
+IT WILL HELP TO PROMOTE FREE COMPETITION AND ENABLE THE MASS MEDIA TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC,* HE ADDED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT +WHAT CONTRAVENES THE MODUS OPERAND! OF A CAPITALIST ECONOMY IS MONOPOLISATION.+
+ANTI-TRUST LAWS HAVE LONG EXISTED IN WELL-DEVELOPED CAPITALIST SOCIETIES TO RESTRICT MONOPOLISATION AND TO SAFEGUARD FREE COMPETITION.*
HE ADDED: +RECENTLY, THE UNBALANCED REPORTS BY THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA ON THE REPORT HAVE CREATED WORRIES THAT SUCH MONOPOLISATION IS ALREADY THREATENING NEWS FREEDOM.*
------o-------
/uo......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 59 -
THESE FIGURES WERE HIGH COMPARED WITH MANY COUNTRIES, ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD.
ELABORATING ON THE FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY, HE SAID THE COMMUNITY WAS PROVIDED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WHICH WERE AVAILABLE AT NOMINAL COST.
♦IN PARTICULAR, THE EXTENSIVE PACKAGE OF PREVENTIVE CARE SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH SUCH CHANNELS AS CLINICS, THE PORT FEALTH SERVICE AND THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE HAVE ENSURED THAT PUBLIC HEALTH HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AT A HIGH LEVE , HE SAID.
+ INCREASED PROSPERITY IN RECENT YEARS LEADING TO AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION OF OUR COMMUNITY HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY IN HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.
-----o------
RETENTION OF DESALTING PLANT UP FOR REVIEW * * * *
REVIEW THE QUESTION OF RETAINING ITS AT LOK ON PAI, CASTLE PEAK, THE SECRETARY HON NICKY CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SEAWATER DESALTING PLANT FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)
THE REVIEW WOULD TAKE PLACE TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
MR CHAN WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, WHO HAD ASKED WHETHER IT WAS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE DESALTING PLANT AT AN ANNUAL MAINTENANCE COST OF $4.3 MILLION WHEN $1.75 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT IN THE 12-YEAR PERIOD UP TO 1995 TO BRING IN WATER FROM CHINA.
+FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE IT IS STILL CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO RETAIN THE DESALTING PLANT AS A STANDBY RESERVE BECAUSE THE TRANSFER SYSTEMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER ARE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THERE ARE TECHNICAL LIMITATIONS IN OBTAINING ANY EXTRA SUPPLIES IN EXCESS OF THE AGREED QUANTITIES SHOULD THE NEED ARISE,+ MR CHAN SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT WHEN WORKS ON THE CHINESE SIDE WERE COMPLETED AND RECEPTION AND DELIVERY FACILITIES IN HONG KONG WERE SUFFICIENT, THERE WOULD BE SPARE CAPACITY TO DRAW EXTRA WATER FROM CHINA OVER THE AGREED QUANTITIES IF REQUIRED.
IT WAS THEREFORE INTENDED TO EXAMINE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR THE QUESTION OF RETENTION OF THE DESALTER IN RELATION TO THE FACILITY TO OBTAIN EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FROM CHINA.
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/60 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
60
HONG KONG BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
* * * *
THE RATIFICATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WAS IN MANY WAYS A NEW BEGINNING AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HONG KONG IS BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, WHO IS NOW ON A VISIT TO VANCOUVER TO ATTEND MEETINGS OF COMMISSIONERS GENERAL OF COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN EXPO’ 86.
+THE OLD UNCERTAINTIES HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND INTEREST HAS TURNED TO THE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS OF HOW THE AGREED TRANSITION CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED,+ MR TSAO TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE VANCOUVER BOARD Oc TRADE AND THE HONG KONG/CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF THE DISCUSSION CURRENTLY FOCUSSED ON HOW HONG KONG WOULD DEVELOP FROM ITS TRADITIONAL COLONIAL STYLE OF GOVERNMENT INTO THE GOVERNMENT WHICH WOULD ADMINISTER THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION IN 11 YEARS’ TIME.
+THIS IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO PRECEDENTS TO GUIDE US. AND ALL OF US ARE AWARE OF THE DANGER INHERENT IN ATTEMPTING TO IMPORT OR GRAFT ON TO THE EXISTING STRUCTURE SOME SOLUTION TRIED OR TESTED ELSEWHERE BUT NOT NECESSARILY SUITED TO THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG,+ MR TSAO SAID.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD ALREADY MADE A START TO BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE, CITING AS EXAMPLES THE NEW-LOOK LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES, AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND THE LAND COMMISSION.
ON THE ECONOMY, MR TSAO SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN FORTUNATE BECAUSE IT WAS ABLE TO FACE THE LAST THREE DIFFICULT YEARS WITH EXTRAORDINARY RESILIENCE.
+OUR BUDGET IS ONCE AGAIN IN BALANCE - SOMETHING WE HAVE ALWAYS HELD TO BE SACRED. WE ARE CONCERNED OF COURSE ABOUT PROTECTIONIST TENDENCIES IN OUR MAJOR MARKETS, BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT BOTH THAT GOOD SENSE WILL PREVAIL AND THAT OUR OWN ENTREPRENEURS WILL LIVE UP TO THEIR REPUTATION FOR MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY SMALL OPPORTUNITY.
+THE RE-EMERGENCE OF OUR TRADITIONAL ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS BENEFIT.
♦THERE ARE MANY PLUS POINTS. THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO INVEST HEAVILY IN THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT SO VITAL TO OUR FUTURE. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AS AN INDICATION OF RENEWED CONFIDENCE IS THE DETERMINATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, WHICH IN HONG KONG, AS YOU KNOW, ARE LARGELY PRIVATE SECTOR CONCERNS,+ MR TSAO SAID.
/MR TSAO .........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 61 -
MR TSAO POINTED OUT ONE OF HONG KONG’S POWER COMPANIES HAD JOINED ITS COUNTERPART IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NUCLEAR PLANT TO PROVIDE POWER FOR CONSUMERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER, WORK ON A HK'$2 BILLION EXPANSION TO A CONTAINER PORT BEGAN IN 1985 AND INVESTORS FROM JAPAN, CHINA AND GREAT BRITAIN WOULD BEGIN WORK THIS YEAR TO BUILD A SECOND HARBOUR CROSSING.
+ROAD AND RAIL LINKS WITH CHINA ARE ALSO BEING IMPROVED, FURTHER CEMENTING THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WHICH WE ENJOY WITH NEIGHBOURING GUANGDONG,+ MR TSAO SAID.
OUTLINING VARIOUS FACETS WHICH HAVE CONTRIE "ED TO HONG KONG’S MIRACULOUS SUCCESS, MR TSAO SAID ONE OF The REASONS HONG KONG WAS GOING TO EXPO’ 86 WAS TO GIVE ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED A TASTE OF ITS EXTRAORDINARY DYNAMISM AND DIVERSITY.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HONG KONG/CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND ITS COUNTERPART IN HONG KONG, THE CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN BOOSTING THE LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA AND THE HELP GIVEN TO HONG KONG IN RAISING FUNDS FOR EXPO’ 86.
-------0----------
CLOSE WATCH ON LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON THE EFFECTS OF THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME ON WORKERS’ EMPLOYMENT AND ITS FINANCIAL IMPACT ON EMPLOYERS, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF SHATIN, HE SAID REACTIONS FROM VARIOUS QUARTERS WOULD BE MONITORED FOR AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE SCHEME AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
MR CHAN SAID THE LEGISLATION HAD COME INTO OPERATION FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AND THE SITUATION SO FAR HAD BEEN SATISFACTORY.
+THE SCHEME HAS ALREADY BENEFITED SOME WORKERS WHO WERE NOT UNDER ANY PROTECTION BEFORE- THEY INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE NEARING THEIR RETIREMENT AGE AND THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED FOR THE SAME EMPLOYERS FOR A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF YEARS.*
HOWEVER, MR CHAN SAID, THAT SINCE THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PROVISIONS DID NOT APPLY TO RESIGNATIONS AND DISCIPLINARY DISMISSALS, AGED WORKERS WHO RESIGNED FOR HEALTH REASONS WERE NOT PROTECTED.
+THIS IS NOT A SATISFACTORY SITUATION WE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE AND WE ARE NOW STUDYING WHETHER WE SHOULD EXTEND THE PROTECTION TO COVER RESIGNATION FOR HEALTH REASONS, AND HOW THIS COULD BE DONE.*
/M.H CHAN ...........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
62
MR CHAN SAID THAT IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS SINCE THE SCHEME '//ENT INTO OPERATION, THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE (LRS) HAD RECEIVED MORE THAN 70 ’COMPLAINTS FROM WORKERS CONCERNING LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
♦HOWEVER, THIS FIGURE REPRESENTS ONLY TWO PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINT CASES RECEIVED BY THE LRS DURING THE TWO MONTHS.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT FEW EMPLOYERS WOULD DISMISS A HARD-WORKING AND LOYAL EMPLOYEE JUST TO GET AROUND THEIR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
♦FROM OUR EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING LABOUR DISPUTES, EMPLOYERS TENDED TO DISMISS WORKERS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT MAINLY BASED ON THE WORKERS’ CAPABILITIES AND VERY FEW DID IT JUST FOR THE ONE REASON THAT THE WORKERS ARE GETTING OLD.+
HOWEVER, MR CHAN STRESSED THAT WORKERS WHO WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REASONS FOR THEIR DISMISSAL COULD ALWAYS SEEK HELP FROM THE LRS AND EMPLOYERS WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IF THE REASONS FOR DISMISSAL WERE NOT JUSTIFIED.
HE SAID UNDER THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT LEGISLATION, EMPLOYERS 'WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A +FUTURE LIABILITY* TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE LAW, THE AMOUNT OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT COULD BE REDUCED BY THE PART OF PROVIDENT FUND CONTRIBUTED BY THE EMPLOYER, WHICH IS ALSO EXEMPT FROM TAXATION IN ANY RETIREMENT OR PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES APPROVED BY THE
COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE.
-----o------
VITAL ROLE PLAYED IN FIGHTING RIVER POLLUTION
* * * X
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN HELPING TO MINIMISE THE POLLUTION OF RIVERS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, THE DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (NORTH), MR UN WAI-KWOK, SAID AT A MEETING OF THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE TOLD THE MEETING THAT DUE TO THE DECLINE OF AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS IN THE LATE 195O’S, MANY FARMERS IN THE DISTRICT HAD SWITCHED TO ANIMAL REARING.
ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGE WHICH HAD TAKEN PLACE IS THE GROWTH OF LIGHT INDUSTRIAL FACTORIES.
+ IN THE ABSENCE OF A PURPOSE-DESIGNED DRAINAGE SYSTEM, A LOT OF ANIMAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FINDS ITS WAYS INTO THE STREAMS AND RIVERS,* HE SAID.
/+IN ADDITION, ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
- 63 -
+IN ADDITION, THE INCREASES IN POPULATION AND GENERAL PROSPERITY in these areas generate a corresponding rise IN THE YIELD OF BOTH SOLID AND LIQUID DOMESTIC AND HUMAN WASTE, PART Or WHICH IS DIRECTLY DISCHARGED INTO THE NATURAL WATER COURSES WITHOUT PROPER TREATMENT.
+THESE HAVE RESULTED IN HEAVY POLLUTION OF THE STREAMS AND RI VERS.+
TO MINIMISE THE SOURCES OF RIVER POLLUTION, MR UN SAID THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED A REGULAR MANUAL VILLAGE CLEANSING SERVICE IN 23 VILLAGES ALONG THE BANKS OF THE BEAS AND INDUS RISERS TO PREVENT INDISCRIMINATE DUMPING OF REFUSE.
TO ENSURE PROPER DISPOSAL OF HUMAN WASTE FROM THOSE LIVING IN VILLAGE HOUSES NOT PROVIDED WITH WATER-BORNE SANITATION, 35 AQUA-PRIVY TYPE PUBLIC TOILETS WERE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT AT SUITABLE LOCATIONS IN THE RIVER BASINS.
ON LEISURE SERVICES, THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT A TOTAL OF 131 RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES WOULD BE ORGANISED BY THE RSD IN NORTH DISTRICT FROM APRIL TO JUNE.
AMONG THESE, 17 WERE FOR WATER SPORTS TO BE HELD AT THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE AND 69 DANCE AND FITNESS PROJECTS AT THE CHEUNG WAH SPORTS CENTRE.
THERE WERE ALSO COMPETITIONS IN BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL AND FOOTBALL, WITH THE WINNING TEAMS TO TAKE PART IN THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SPORTS PROGRAMME TO BE HELD ON JUNE 14.
-------o----------
REGISTRATION SUSPENDED * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS TODAY SUSPENDED THE REGISTRATION OF BONSUN FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY IS BEING CARRIED ON IN A MANNER DETRIMENTAL TO THE INTERESTS OF ITS DEPOSITORS AND THAT THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 24A OF THE DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
-------o ---------
/64........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
64
31 TO RECEIVE GRADUATION CERTIFICATES * * * *
THIRTY-ONE PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART IN A DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION TRAINING SCHEME IN KWAI CHUNG WILL RECEIVE THEIR GRADUATION CERTIFICATES THIS SATURDAY (MARCH 22).
THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 6.30 PM IN THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN WO YI HOP ROAD.
THE TRAINING SCHEME, ORGANISED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION TRAINING SCHEME AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, WAS HELD BETWEEN OCTOBER AND FEBRUARY.
PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED TRAINING SESSIONS INCLUDING LECTURES, BRIEFINGS, MOCK DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS, ACTUAL BOARD MEETINGS, AND VISITED THE UMELCO OFFICE. THEY ALSO HELD DISCUSSIONS, GROUP WORKS AND CARRIED OUT RESEARCH PROJECTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, PARTICIPANTS GAINED A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF THE OPERATION AND WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ON THE DISTR ICT.
+THEY NOW HAVE A GREATER AWARENESS OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND HAVE SHOWN A DEEP CONCERN FOR DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT AND AFFAIRS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (KWAI CHUNG), MR PATRICK LAU= DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO TUNG-CHING- BOARD MEMBERS MR YAU HON-KEE AND MR LEE WING-TAT WILL ATTEND THE CEREMONY AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO GRADUATES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION TRAINING SCHEME GRADUATION CEREMONY ON SATURDAY AT 6.30 PM AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN WO YI HOP ROAD.
-------0 - -
/65........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
65
REFUGEES SAY GOODBYE TO CAPE COLLINSON * * * *
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT THE CAPE COLLINSON CLOSED CENTRE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STAGED A VARIETY SHOW TO BID FAREWELL TO THE CAMP WHICH WILL BE CLOSED DOWN IN MID-APRIL.
THE OCCASION WAS ALSO TAKEN BY THE REFUGEES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO HAVE CARED FOR THEM AND HELPED THEM OVER THE YEARS AT THE CLOSED CAMP, WHICH WAS DESCRIBED BY THE REFUGEES AS THEIR +CAPE OF GOOD HOPE*.
THE GUESTS AT THE SHOW INCLUDED THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF WORLD RELIEF AND OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE SHOW FEATURED VIETNAMESE CULTURAL DANCES, FOLK SONGS AND COMEDIES. THE FINALE WAS A SONG SUNG BY ALL THE 325 REFUGEES AND THE GUESTS.
CAPE COLLINSON CLOSED CENTRE IS THE SMALLEST CLOSED CENTRE MANAGED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. IT OPENED IN JULY 1983, WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR 600 REFUGEES.
THE REFUGEES AT CAPE COLLINSON WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE BOWRING CLOSED CENTRE IN PHASES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THE BOWRING CAMP, WHICH HAS A CAPACITY OF 1 400, NOW HOUSES ABOUT 850 REFUGEES.
+IT SHOULD BE EMPHASISED THAT THE EXISTING CLOSED CENTRE POLICY REMAINS IN FORCE, AND ANY VIETNAMESE REFUGEES COMING TO HONG KONG IN FUTURE WILL STILL BE DETAINED AT CLOSED CENTRES,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
-----o------
CAMPAIGN TO KEEP MUI *0 RIVER CLEAN * * * X
LAUNCHED A CLEAN RIVER AND VISITORS TO MAINTAIN
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE HAS CAMPAIGN IN MUI WO TO URGE ISLANDERS ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS IN THE AREA
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE A QUIZ COMPETITION TO Bt HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY). MESSAGES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
A HUNDRED STUDENTS FROM THE MUI WO SCHOOL WILL BE MOBILISED TO DISTRIBUTE QUIZ QUESTIONNAIRES TO VILLAGES IN THE AREA.
/SOUVENIRS .......
/
WEDNESDAY, MAriCH 19, 1986
- 66 -
SOUVENIRS SUCH AS T-SHIRTS, KEY-RINGS AND PENS WILL BE GIVEN TO PARTICIPANTS WITH THE CORRECT ANSWERS. CLEAN RIVER SLOGANS HAVE BEEN PRINTED ON THE SOUVENIRS TO PROMOTE ANTI-POLLUTION MESSAGES.
THE QUESTIONNAIRES AND SOUVENIRS WILL ALSO THE TWO COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICES AT MUI
BE AVAILABLE AT WO AND CHEUNG CHAU.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR LOCAL STUDENTS AND THE SETTING UP LOCATIONS.
INCLUDE A DRAWING COMPETITION OF BANNERS AT PROMINENT
A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW BEFORE THE STUDENTS SET OFF ON THEIR PUBLICITY TOUR.
PARTY FOR NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL WERE HONOURED AT A RECEPTION GIVEN BY THE CHAIRMAN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PROVIS IONA! REGIONAL COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE RECEPTION, THE CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, SAID:+THIS OCCASION PROVIDES A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAINTAIN A CLOSE CONTACT WITH STAFF OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL BECOME THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF THE COUNCIL AFTER APRIL 1.+
HE ALSO CALLED ON HIS COLLEAGUES TO WORK TOGETHER SO THAT THE NEW COUNCIL CAN DISCHARGE ITS FUNCTIONS EFFICIENTLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS.
AMONG THOSE PRESENT WERE THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND? THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF OF THE RSD.
-----o------
BILLIARD SALOON CONTROLS TO BE DISCUSSED
*****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE CONSULTATION PAPER ON THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC SALOONS AND PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR PATRICK HASE, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO EXPLAIN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PAPER.
/MEMBER rfILL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1?86
- 67 -
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PkuJcCTS FOR 1986-87 PROPOSED BY THE AREA COMMITTEES AND THE PROPOSED LOCATIONS OF ADDITIONAL ON-STREET DISTRICT NOTICE BOARDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 14TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- C
CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO STAGE FREE CONCERT * * * *
RESIDENTS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE TREATED TO A FREE CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR AT THE COMMUNITY HALL OF THE CARITAS CENTRE IN CAINE ROAD ON SATURDAY (MARCH 22).
ENTITLED +THE SOUND OF PEACE IN HONG KONG+, THE TWO-HOUR EVENING CONCERT IS BEING PRESENTED TO COINCIDE WITH THE THEME CF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PEACE.
NUMBERS BY THE 120-MEMBER CHOIR INCLUDE WELL-KNOWN CHINESE FOLK SONGS, CHINESE AND WESTERN CLASSIC SONGS, DANCING, INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCES AND AN OPERA SHOW.
THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE MID LEVELS (WESTERN) AREA COMMITTEE, AND IS SPONSORED BY THE MOUNT CAMERON LIONS CLUB.
FREE TICKETS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS SUB-OFFICES, THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE 01 MAN ESTATE HALL IN HO MAN TIN.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONCERT WILL BE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS WINDY KWOK THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE MID LEVELS (WESTERN) AREA COMMITTEE, MR YUEN BUN-KEUNG AND MR LEUNG CHUNG-BOR A COMMITTEE MEMBER, MRS YIP WAI CHEE-SHU I AND THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE MOUNT CAMERON LIONS CLUB, MR TSE KAI-HO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR CONCERT AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY AT THE CARITAS COMMUNITY HALL, CAINE ROAD.
------o-------
/68......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
68
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ONLY * * *
THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERIES ON GOOD FRIDAY (MARCH 28), BUT THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY (MARCH 29) AND MONDAY (MARCH 31), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
AND ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY, 40 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON, AND TSUEN WING STREET, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON. —"
DETAILS OF POST OFFICES WHICH WILL OPEN DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAY PERIOD CAN BE OBTAINED FROM A LOCAL POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU AT 5-231071.
-----0------
MEET THE MEDIA * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, NR HAROLD KWOK WILL MEET THE MEDIA TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUS-
CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORSt
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
-----o------
PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TO MEET
* * *
PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FIRST CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE AMONG SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TOMORROW MORNING (THURSDAY).
OTHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED WILL INCLUDE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL 1986-87 DRAFT ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE AND THE DELEGATION OF EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
/THE MEETING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986
69
THE MEETING WILL START AT 9.30 AM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
-----o------
DETAILS OF TREE-PLANTING PROGRAMME * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A MAJOR PROGRAMME LATER THIS MONTH FOR THE PUBLIC TO PLANT TREES IN COUNTRY PARKS, ESPECIALLY PLANTATION AREAS RECENTLY DEVASTATED BY FIRE.
DETAILS OF THE TREE-PLANTING PROGRAMME WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE TAI PO -SHEK 0 BALLROOM OF SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 3 PM.
PRESIDING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR K.C. IU.
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE MR PAUL WONG, CONTROLLER (PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS) OF TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED, THE CO-ORGANISER OF THE TREE PLANTING PROJECT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
-------0---------
DRY TAPS FOR TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TURNED OFF FROM 1 PM ON DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN SATURDAY (MARCH 22) TO 8 AM
MUN WILL BE THE FOLLOwI NS
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY TSING WUN TO ROAD TO LUNG KWU TAN AND LUNG MUN ROAD, INCLUDING LUNG TAN TAP SHEK KOK, SIU LANG SHU I, MONG HAU SHEK, SHEK KOK PAk’kOK, SHAN SHEK WAN AND TSING SHAN TSUEN.
ROAD FROM PUl
KWU TSUI,
/SIU SHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1°86
70
SIU SHAN COURT, BUTTERFLY ESTATE, PAK KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, WU KING ESTATE, MELODY GARDEN, SIU HEI COURT AND CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
ON THE SAME DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY TEXACO ROAD, YEUNG UK ROAD, TAI HO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, INCLUDING SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE.
----0^----
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 22), A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN ADMIRALTY WILL BE MADE 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
THESE ARE:
M THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF RODNEY STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HARCOURT ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION ;
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HARCOURT ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAMAR STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAMAR STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HARCOURT ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WOULD BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
-------0---------
MONG KOK RESTRICTED ZONE * * * *
YIM PO FONG STREET NORTHBOUND IN MONG KOK BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND PAK PO STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 22).
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TALKS ON TEXTILE EXPORTS END .................................... 1
MANUFACTURING ORDERS-ON-HAND REMAIN STABLE ...................... 1
BARNES PRAISES PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL ..................... 4
PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED FOR TREE PLANTING ......................... 7
BOARD TO DISCUSS HAWKER ISSUE.................................. 8
BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS .................................... 9
DB MEMBERS VISIT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CENTRE ....................... 9
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN SUNDAY ........................... 10
BOARD MEMBERS TO VISIT CHINESE UNIVERSITY ...................... 10
FESTIVAL TO IMPROVE LABOUR RELATIONS ........................... 11
COURSE FOR BANKING SECTOR TRAINERS ............................. 12
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY REPORT OUT ............................ 13
ADVANCE PAYMENT OF WELFARE ALLOWANCES .......................... 15
LEASE-SIGNING CEREMONY FOR HOSTEL .............................. 15
ONE PRICE FOR ALL AEROGRAMMES .................................. 14
FINALS OF DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST ............................. 14
FHAB CONCERT 86 ON SUNDAY ...................................... 15
PRESENTATION AT PaRADE ......................................... 15
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1°8-1
1
TALKS ON TEXTILE EXPORTS END *****
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN THIS EVENING (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE CURRENT TALKS WITH THE USA ON HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS HAD ENDED.
THE TALKS BEGAN ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, THE U.S. TEAM BEING LED BY AMBASSADOR CHARLES CARLISLE, AND THE HK TEAM BY HAMISH MACLEOD, DIRECTOR OF TRADE.
COMMENTING ON THE TALKS, THE SPOKESMAN SAP- THAT THE U-S. SIDE HAD EXPLAINED THE PROBLEMS AS THEY SAW THE.' POSED BY MPORTS CF MFA AND NON-MFA PRODUCTS, AND HAD PROPOSED A MORE RESTRICTIVE REGIME BASED OVERALL ON 1985 TRADE LEVELS.
IN RESPONSE, THE HK SIDE HAD QUERIED THE RATIONALE FOR SELECTING HK FOR SPECIALLY RESTRICTIVE TREATMENT, HAVING REGARD TO THE FACT THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, HK’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE INCREAbe IN THE U.S.’S MFA IMPORTS OVER THE PERIOD 1981-85 WAS ONLY FOUn PER CENT. MOREOVER, 95 PER CENT OF HK’S MFA APPAREL EXPORTS Tu THE USA WERE ALREADY UNDER SPECIFIC QUOTA LIMITS WITH VERY L . GROWTH RATES AVERAGING ABOUT ONE PER CENT. IT WAS ALSO MADt CLEAR THAT SUCH A REGIME WOULD BE IMCOMPATIBLE WITH THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERALISATION IN TEXT II LES BE I NG SOUGHT IN THE ('■FA NEGOTIATIONS. AND INDEED WITH THE AIMS OF THE PROPOSED NEW GATT ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTI AT IONS. JOR WAS IT COMPATIBLE WITH THE 1982-87 BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HK AND THE U.S.
BOTH SIDES HAD ALSO INDICATED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE A DIALOGUE ON HOW THE MFA NEGOTIATION AND ANY ASbOCIATtD BILATERAL PROBLEMS COULD BE BROUGHT TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION.
- - 0 - -
MANUFACTURING ORDERS-ON-HAND REMAIN STABLE ******
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) IKI THE 200 LARGEST FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN SnIaRY 1986 REMAINED STABLE COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONtH SdLg9?0 TEHEAREsElSTSt0F a SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY? BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE WEARING APPAREL AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES RECORDED SOME INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS, WHEREAS THE TEXTILES AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES SHOWED A bLIGHT DECLINE. OTHER INDUSTRIES REPORTED NO CHANGE.
/A STABLE
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
2
A STABLE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION WAS ALSO RECORDED FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE. WHILE A MILD INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, DECREASES IN EMPLOYMENT WERE REPORTED BY SOME FIRMS IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY MAINLY DUE TO THE DEPARTURE OF CASUAL WORKERS. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED FOR ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES MAINLY DUE TO DOUBLE PAX^AND YEAR-END BONUSES.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR DECLINED SLIGHTLY AS SOME EMPLOYEES WERE LAID OFF. A SLIGHT DECREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS ALSO RECORDED FOR THE SERVICES SECTORS.
INCREASES IN PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE REPORTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION AND MOST SERVICES SECTORS. HOWEVER, ONLY THE BANKING SECTOR REPORTED DECLINES BECAUSE MOST OF THE BANKS SURVEYED HAD ALREADY DISTRIBUTED THEIR ANNUAL BONUS AND DOUBLE PAY IN DECEMBER 1985.
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 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 JANUARY 1986 IS NOW 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 $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 3-7212854.
/(A) ORDERS-ON-HAND ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
(A) ORDERS-ON-HAND I N MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY (% CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH) ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) FOR JANUARY 1986
NOV. 1985 DEC. 1985 JAN. 1986
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR -2 2 1 4.46
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL * 3 -1 2.43
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -2 2 2 3.88
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS * * -1 3.13
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -1 1 * 4.88
OTHERS * * * 4.39
ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES -1 1 * 4.19
■■ » — —
(B) EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES PER CAPITA SURVEYED EARNINGS PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR JANUARY 1986 HK$
(% CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH)
NOV. 1985 DEC. 1985 JAN. 1986 NOV. 1985 DEC. 1985 JAN. 1986
MANUFACTURING -1 -1 * 1 8 39 4 643
—————————— — — — —
FOOD AND DRINKS -1 * * -4 13 49 6 131
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR * * -2 * 8 30 3 680
/TEXTILES, EXCEPT ........
THURSDAY, MAUCH 20, 1986
TEXTILES, EXCEPT «EAR ING APPAREL *
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -3 -1
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS *
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS * -2
OTHERS -2 *
CONSTRUCTION* ** -2 *
—
SERV ICES * *
BANKS * *
HOTELS 1 *
PUBLIC UTILITIES * *
OTHERS K *
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5 PER
** PERSONS ENGAGED COVER EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY
# 1 14 42 5 134
* -5 6 72 A- 731
* 6 1 22 3 883
1 2 6 46 4 489
* 5 5 30 5 919
-1 1 4 17 5 399
-1 -2 37 20 8 799
*71-7 7 850
- 3 43 99 9 982
- 6 19 38 8 943
- 1 36 3 9 157
SITE WORKERS
CENT
COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY;
SUB-CONTRACTORS NOT INCLUDED.
------c-------
BARNES PRAISES PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL ******
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, TODAY PRAISED THE WORK OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WHOSE TERM WILL END ON MARCH 31 AFTER A YEAR OF OPERATION TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE FULL REGIONAL COUNCIL.
SPEAKING AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL, MR BARNES SAID ITS ACHIEVEMENTS WERE DUE IN NO SMALL PART TO TH" LEADERSHIP OF ITS CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND ALS'D THE INDUSTRY, ENTHUSIASM AND INTELLIGENCE OF ITS MEMBERS.
/+TH2SE JURE........
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
- 5 - •
+THESE were the achievements which we had hoped for in establishing the provisional regional COUNCIL, AND I HAVE NO HESITATION IN SAYING THAT OUR HOPES HAVE BEEN AMPLY JUSTIFIED IN THE RESULTS,* MR BARNES SAID.
+IT IS CERTAINLY A GOOD AUGURY FOR THE FUTURE -- EVERYBODY MUST REALISE THAT THE ASSUMPTION OF FINANCIAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL IN THE COMING YEAR WILL BE A VERY BIG STEP.*
MR BARNES FELT SURE THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD FIND THE ADDED RESPONSIBILITY SATISFYING AND REWARDING, BUT THE SHEER WEIGHT OF BUSINESS WOULD ALSO IMPOSE CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS ON THEM.
+ IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO CONDUCT BUSINESS EFFICIENTLY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY, AS NO ONE WILL THANK THE COUNCIL FOR DELAYS IN DELIVERY,* HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID IT MADE SENSE FOR THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TO INITIATE PROPOSALS FOR DISTRICT COMMITTEES BASED ON THE DIFFERENT TOWNS AND AREAS AND TO INCLUDE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHERS IN THE MEMBERSHIP.
HE HOPED THAT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD BE ABLE TO DEVELOP A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN CENTRALISED AND LOCAL DECISION-MAKING SO AS TO GIVE THESE COMMITTEES A REAL MEANING AND SOME AUTHORITY WITHIN THE DISTRICTS.
+THIS IS NOT EASY, BUT I FEEL SURE THAT THE EARLIER IT IS STARTED, THE EASIER IT WILL BE, AS CENTRALISED DECISION-MAKING IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO FRAGMENT, AND I FEEL THAT THE POLITICAL SUCCESS AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL TO A LARGE MEASURE DEPEND ON THE SUCCESS OR OTHERWISE OF ITS COMMITTEES,* MR BARNES SAID.
EARLIER, THE CAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, SAID THE COUNCIL HAD IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS VETTED 120 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND INITIATED NUMEROUS IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS, AND THERE WERE ALSO VISITS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
+ALL THESE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS A SOUND FOUNDATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL,* HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG COMMENDED MR TANG NAI-MAN, THE OUTGOING YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR HIS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION.
/AT THE .......
THURSDAY, MaWCF. 20,
196c
IT THE MEETING, THE SENIOR TREASURY ACCOUNTANT OF THE <E^r :< SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR! MARIA VIP, PRESENTED THE REVl ~~ ’EGIONAL COUNCIL DRAFT ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1986-87.
SHE SAID TOTAL REVENUE ACCRUING TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN 1986-87 WAS NOW ESTIMATED AT 31 004.4 MILLION, WHICH WAS 31.4 VILLI ON MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.
+THE MORE SIGNIFICANT OF THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT THIS ARE THE ADDITIONAL RENTAL INCOME OF $1,187 MILLION WHICH WILL BE DERIVED FROM THE RECENT RENEWAL OF TENANCIES FOR THE SAN HUI MARKET AND THE LETTING OUT OF THE NEW MUI WO FERRY CONCOURSE COOKED FOOD CENTRE,+ MRS YIP SAID.
MRS YIP SAID EXPENDITURE WAS NOW ESTIMATED AT $853.6 MILLION, OR >5.8 MILLION LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.
+THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THE CHANGES THAT HAS BROUGHT ABOUT THIS IS A DECREASE OF $4,479 MILLION IN SALARIES, ON-COSTS AND ALLOWANCES,+ SHE SAID.
THE DRAFT ESTIMATES HAVE TO BE RATIFIED BY THE REGIONAL | COUNCIL, ON ITS ESTABLISHMENT ON APRIL 1, BEFORE BEING SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR.
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS AGREED TO INVITE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO DELEGATE CERTAIN OF ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS TO OFFICERS OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SO THAT DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS MAY CONTINUE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL.
THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (HEADQUARTERS), -R GEOFFREY ORR, SAID THAT ON APRIL 1, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD ASSUME A RANGE OF EXECUTIVE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS PREVIOUSLY VESTED IN THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT REGULATIONS.
+AS THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL NEED TO EXERCISE MANY OF THESE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS THROUGH PUBLIC OFFICERS, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO MAKE DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY,* MR ORR SAID.
MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AT ITS FIRST MEETING ON APRIL 1. THE FORMAL APPROVAL OF MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE SOUGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION IS HELD.
A REPORT ON THE WORKINGS OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, PREPARED COR SUBMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR, WAS ALSO DISCUSSED AT TODAY’S VESTING.
- - C
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1986
7
PIJPLIC SUPPORT NEEDED -OR TREE PLANTING ******
’ “ PUBLIC WAS URGED TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN A MAJOR PROGRAMME ORGA.ISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND cI SHER IES DEPARTMENT TO REPLANT TREES IN SHING MUN, TAI MO SHAN AND OTHER COUNTRY PARKS RECENTLY DEVASTATED BY EIRE.
IN MAKING THE APPEAL AT A PRESS-CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARIS) "R K.C. IU, SAID: +ALTHOUGH THE THREAT HAS NOW DIMINISHED, ••if HAV^ TO WORK VERY HARD THIS YEAR TO REPLANT TREES TO MAKE UP FOR THE SEVERE LOSSES.
+THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT’S TREE NURSERIES ARE PRODUCING SOME 830 003 TREE SEEDLINGS AND ABOUT HALF WILL BE PLANTED IN COUNTRY PARKS.+
THE MAJORITY OF THE SPECIES TO BE PLANTED WOULD BE HARDY BROAD-LEA- TREES, SPECIALLY CHOSEN FOR THEIR ABILITY TO SURVIVE FIRE DAMAGE, HE ADDED.
'•'ANY Oc THE SCEDLINGS WOULD BE PLANTED IN THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME STARTING NEXT WEDNESDAY (MARCH 26).
DURING THE OCCASION, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF TELEVISION BROADCASTS I IMITED, MR ROBERT CHAN, AND ABOUT 1 500 STUDENTS AND YOUTHS, WOULD PLANT THE FIRST TREES IN TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK TO START THIS YEAR’S TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES.
+ TRFE PLANTING DAYS FOR THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THE EASTFR HOLIDAYS BETWEEN MARCH 28 AND 31, CHING MING FESTIVAL DAY ON APRIL 5 AND EVERY SUNDAY IN APRIL,+ MR IU SAID.
TREE SEEDLINGS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FREE FOR PLANTING AT SIX DESIGNATED SITES IN COUNTRY PARKS — POKFULAM, QUARRY BAY, PAK TAM CHUNG, MUI WO, TWISK AND CHUEN LUNG BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4 PM ON THESE TREE PLANTING DAYS.
department staff would be on duty to provide interested public
WITH TREE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REQUIRED.
+THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ORGANISED THE FIRST TREE PLANTING SCHEME IN 1957. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THE PROJECT HAS PROVED VERY POPULAR,* MR IU SAID.
+LAST YEAR, 6 700 PARTICIPANTS PLANTED SOME 7 003 TREES AND IT IS HOPED THAT THIS YEAR EVEN MORE PEOPLE WILL JOIN US IN THIS WORTHWHILE EVENT.*
/HE
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
8 -
HE ADDED THAT APART FROM INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ARRANGEMENTS HAD ALSO BEEN MADE FOR OVER 3 030 STUDENTS AND YOUTHS TO TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAMME IN GROUPS.
OTH-R ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION TRAINING AND EDUCATION SECTION AT 3-7332121 FOR REGISTRATION.
THIS YEAR’S TREE PLANTING SCHEME IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED.
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BOARD TO DISCUSS HAWKER ISSUE
* * * *
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF AN OPINION SURVEY BASED ON THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON HAWKER AND MARKET POLICIES.
A WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD AT THE END OF LAST YEAR TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF THE PAPER AND TO COLLECT RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE PROPOSALS.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL TABLE A REPORT COMPRISING VIEWS ASCERTAINED FROM A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY COVERING ABOUT 700 RESIDENTS DISCUSSIONS IN AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND A SEMINAR WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THREE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S WORKING PARTY ON HAWKER POLICIES, MRS ELSIE TU, MR WALTER SULKE AND MR TONG KAM-BIU, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS AND PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A DISCUSSION ON THE CHAIRMANSHIP AND THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR BOARD COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW AT 2.30 PM AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
w ■
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
9
BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED THE BUILDINGS AT 462 AND 464 RECLAMATION STREET TO BE DANGEROUS AND THOSE AT 454 TO 460 RECLAMATION STREET TO BE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE BLOCKS IN DANGEROUS CONDITION ARE THREE-STOREYED PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WITH TIMBER MAIN FLOORS AND ROOFS AND REINFORCED CONCRETE VERANDAHS AND KITCHEN FLOORS LOAD BEARING BRICK WALLS. THEY HAVE BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION SINCE 1970.
THE FRONT VERANDAH BEAMS OF ALL THE BUILDINGS HAVE SHOWN SIGNS OF GENERAL CONCRETE DETERIORATION, INSTANCES OF PATCHING UP WORK AND NEW FRACTURES. THE FRONT MAIN ARCHES ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF CRACKING AT THE CENTRES. THE TIMBER FLOOR AND ROOF JOISTS WERE NOTED TO BE GENERALLY DECAYED AND SPLIT AT A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS.
FURTHERMORE, NEW MOVEMENT WAS RECENTLY FOUND AT THE PARTY WALL BETWEEN NOS. 462 AND 464 AND THE VERANDAHS OF NOS. 462 AND 464. THIS INDICATES THAT 462 AND 464 ARE BREAKING AT THE PARTY WALL AND THAT THE VERANDAHS ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE MAIN BUILDINGS. THEREFORE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH 462 AND 464.
THE BLOCKS AT NOS. 454 TO 460 WHICH ARE OF SIMILAR CONSTRUCTION AND IN A SIMILAR CONDITION, ARE CONSIDERED TO BE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS AS THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO WITHSTAND THE EFFECT OF THE DEMOLITION OF 462 AND 464. ACCORDINGLY, 454 TO 460 ARE TO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED IN ONE OPERATION.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL 17, 1986 WERE POSTED TODAY.
- 0 -
DB MEMBERS VISIT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CENTRE
******
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS VISITED THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE THIS AFTERNOON (THURSDAY) TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
THE VISIT WAS PART OF A PROGRAMME ARRANGED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO FAMILIARISE BOARD MEMBERS WITH THE OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/ACCOMPANIED BY
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
10 -
ACCOMPANIED BY STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE BOARD’S CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG, AND BOARD MEMBERS WENT TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT HARBOUR BUILDING IN CENTRAL, WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, ON THE ORGANISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE FUNCTIONS OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE.
THEY THEN TOURED THE CENTRE WHERE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY CODES ILLUSTRATED IN PICTURES WERE DISPLAYED. THEY WERE ALSO SHOWN SLIDE AND FILM SHOWS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
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GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN SUNDAY
X * X * it
THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAY (MARCH 23) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM TO ENABLE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN BLOOM.
THE OPEN DAY HAS BEEN HELD ANNUALLY SINCE 1968.
VISITORS ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE AND LEAVE BY THE SIDE GATES SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY THE FLOWERS WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.
THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT ONLY THE GARDENS WILL BE OPEN AND THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER THE HOUSE ITSELF.
SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.
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BOARD MEMBERS TO VISIT CHINESE UNIVERSITY X * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARDS WILL VISIT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO SEE VARIOUS FACILITIES AND THE INSTITUTION’S OPERATIONS.
THE VISIT, INITIATED BY A WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH THE PROPOSED THIRD UNIVERSITY IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES, IS TO ENABLE BOARD MEMBERS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PLANNING AND DESIGN OF A UNIVERSITY.
/AFTER TOURING .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
11
AFTER TOURING THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, THE PARTY WILL D,SCUSS WITH THe.MA^EMejTJHe^lSTRAnVEOTRAT.ON
ALSO AND
OTHER ESSENTIAL FACTORS
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO 5797, WILL LEAVE THE NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD THE CHINESE UN I VERS I
AM AT
TO
COVER THE VISIT. A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING
AT 12.45 PM TOMORROW TO TAKE PRESS MEMBERS TY.
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FESTIVAL TO IMPROVE LABOUR RELATIONS ******
THE THREE-WEEK-LONG WONG TAI SIN LABOUR FESTIVAL ’86 WILL BE LAUNCHED ON SUNDAY (MARCH 23) WITH A CARNIVAL AT THE MORSE PARK FOOTBALL PITCH.
THERE WILL BE GAME STALLS, AN EXHIBITION ON JOB SECURITY, DISPLAY OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS, FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR PART ICI PANTS, A TOY CORNER FOR CHILDREN, AND PERFORMANCES BY SINGING ARTISTS AND BANDS.
THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10.30 AM WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL CHENG 5 DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICHOLAS YEK ; REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON), MR LOK MAN PAN ; AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR KWAN PUI.
COUPONS FOR THE GAME STALLS ARE AVAILABLE FREE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO WORKERS AND RESIDENTS AT THE FOUR BRANCHES OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE LABOUR FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE SAN PO KONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE, THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT INDUSTRIAL YOUTH ACTIVITIES COUNCIL AND SIX VOLUNTARY AGENCIES UNDER THE WONG TAI SIN LABOUR GROUPS ASSOCIATION.
THE FESTIVAL IS TO PROVIDE WORKERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE DISTRICT WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
/IT IS
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
12 -
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE FESTIVAL, THEY CAN HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND SHOW CONCERN FOR EACH OTHER THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN BUILDING A GOOD COMMUNITY, CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LI YUK-WA, SAID.
OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE A MURAL PAINTING FUN DAY, A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION, BEER-DRINKING CONTEST, A SEMINAR, TRAINING COURSES AND A TELEMATCH.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A SINGING CONTEST FOR RESIDENTS AND WORKERS AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 25. THE FINALS WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 13 AS THE CLOSING EVENT OF THE LABOUR FESTIVAL.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONTEST CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES. INTERESTED PARTIES CAN ALSO CALL 3-7553568 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LABOUR FESTIVAL CARNIVAL AND OPENING CEREMONY AT 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY AT THE MORSE PARK FOOTBALL PITCH.
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COURSE FOR BANKING SECTOR TRAINERS ******
TRAINERS IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR A COURSE ON INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUE, WHICH IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AND THE BANKING TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE FOUR-DAY COURSE FROM APRIL 29 WILL BE HELD AT THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT WAN CHAI. IT WILL COVER THE ANALYSIS OF TARGET AUDIENCE, FORMATION OF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES, DESIGNING CONTENTS, SELECTION OF VISUAL AIDS, VALIDATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAINING AND SUGGESTION OF SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS.
TRAINING OFFICERS WHO MISSED THE SAME COURSE IN JANUARY SHOULD ENROL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THE CLASS IS LIMITED TO 16 PERSONS ONLY.
COURSE FEE IS «370 AND DEADLINE FOR ENROLMENT IS APRIL 15. FURTHER ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE SECRETARY OF BANKING TRAINING BOARD, MR S.M. WOO AT 5-8932341 EXT. 255.
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/v>......
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
13
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY REPORT OUT
*****
THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1985 IS AVAILABLE AND CONTAINS STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE QUARTER.
IT ALSO CONTAINS DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, INCLUDING THEIR AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STAT' >, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, MONTHLY EMPLOYMl ,T EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AT $8 PER COPY.
- - - - 0 ----------
ADVANCE PAYMENT OF WELFARE ALLOWANCES
*****
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE EARLIER TO PERSONS WHOSE PAYMENT DATES FALL DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT PERSONS DUE TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS ON MARCH 28, 29, 30 AND 31 MAY CASH THEIR COUPONS ON MARCH 24, 25, 26 AND 27 RESPECTIVELY OR LATER AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES OR TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
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LEASE-SIGNING CEREMONY FOR HOSTEL
X X * X
A LEASE-SIGNING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR THE SETTING UP OF A HOSTEL FOR SINGLE ELDERLY MEN IN SHAM SHU I PO.
CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT ASSISTANCE SCHEME, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK, WHO IS THE SPONSOR OF THE PREM ISES, WILL SI GN A THREE-YEAR LEASE WITH THE SALVATION ARMY, WHICH WILL MANAGE THE HOSTEL.
/SHAM SHUT ••••■••
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
14
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, WILL ALSO AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE AT
ATTEND THE LEASE-SIGNING CEREMONY ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE CHEUNG 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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ONE PRICE FOR ALL AEROGRAMMES * * *
THE PRICE OF THE BAUHIN IA PICTORIAL AEROGRAMME WILL BE REVISED FROM Si.40 TO Si.30 WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 14, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
+CUSTOMERS CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN THE PLAIN BLUE AEROGRAMME AND THE PICTORIAL VERSION AT THE SAME PRICE,* THE POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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FINALS OF DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST M X X * *
THE FINALS OF THE FOURTH CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 30 AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL, STARTING AT 8 PM.
THE CONTEST, AIMED AT PROMOTING INTEREST IN SINGING AND DISCOVERING SINGING TALENT IN THE DISTRICT, IS BEING JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN).
THIS YEAR THE CONTEST HAS THREE CATEGORIES-CLASSI CAL MUSIC (SOLO SINGING), POP MUSIC/FOLK SONG (SOLO SINGING) AND POP MUSIC/ FOLK SONG (GROUP SINGING).
MORE THAN 200 PARTICIPANTS COMPETED IN THE PRELIMINARIES HELD ON FEBRUARY 27 AND MARCH 1 AND 2. FIFTEEN FINALISTS WERE SELECTED.
A PRIZE OF $1 000 WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNER IN EACH CATEGORY WHILE THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL RECEIVE $503 AND $300 RESPECTIVELY.
/THE FINALS ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1986
THE FINALS WILL FEATURE GUEST PERFORMANCES BY VOCALIST MISS ESTHER FUNG, AND ZEODA, A POP GROUP.
FREE ADMISSION COUPONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND AT ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM 5-283257.
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PHAB CONCERT 86 ON SUNDAY
* * * *
THE NEWLY-FORMED CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE OF THE HONG KONG PHAB (PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE BODIED) ASSOCIATION WILL BE HOLDING THE PHAB CONCERT 86 AT KO SHAN THEATRE ON SUNDAY (MARCH 23) AT 7.30 PM.
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL BE SENDING 16 MEMBERS OF ITS HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM IN THE CONCERT PROGRAMME WHICH WILL INCLUDE THREE POPULAR CHINESE PIECES : KUNG-WU (BOW DANCE), WU-SHU (CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS) AND A CHENG SOLO, FANG CHIH MANG.
A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY IT HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE PROMOTION OF MUSIC TRAINING AMONG THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND RECENTLY ASSISTED IN THE TRAINING OF THE NEW PHai ASSOCIATION ENSEMBLE.
TICKETS AT $2 AND S3 ARE AVAILABLE. FOR ENQUIRIES CALL 5-514161.
--------c ---------
PRESENTATION AT PARADE
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, 11 । pop cc mt THF 'I AST AND SECOND CLASPS TO COLONIAL PR ISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 22 STAFF MEMBERS AT A PARADE IN STANLEY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE PARADE AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN THE PASSING-OUT OF 30 RECRUIT
TUNG TAU WAN OFFICERS.
ROAD, WILL ALSO MARK
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR MEDIa
YOU ARE INVITED REPRESENTATIVES WILL 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN
TO COVER THE EVENT. TRANSPORT
LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT
CHAI, BY 3 PM.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE no.
+FIRST-HAND LOOK AT DEVELOPMENTS IN PEARL RIVER AREA+ ........ 1
OS ON PRIVATE VISIT TO CHINESE CITIES ........................ 2
SPORTS IMPORTANT IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ........................ 2
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION ................................. 3
+NEW HORIZON FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE* ................ 3
BILL PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY FOR COMPENSATION ................... 5
FRANCHISE OF LrtNTAO BLS FIRM EXTENDED ....................... 6
IMPROVED EDUCATION FOR YOUNG INMATES ......................... 6
MORE CHANGES AT CNTa ANNOUNCED ............................... 8
GOVT TO BUY FEWER FORM 1 PLACES .............................. 8
TSIM SHA TSUI DRAFT PWI AMENDED .............................. 9
HOSTEL PILOT SCHEME BEGINS ................................... 10
FREE AURAL TESTS STrRT TOMORROW .............................. 11
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED ................................... 12
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS ....................... 12
NEW RECLAMATION FOR PUMPHOUSE, PROMENADE ..................... 13
WEST GERMAN TRADE OFFICIAL TOURS MAIN TONG ................... 14
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD REPORTS ON YEAR'S WORK ............... 14
FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY mT TSING YI OPENS ....................... 15
ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE 1986 .............................. 16
BILLIARD EST/iBLISHMENT ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED ................ 17
CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR IN TUEN MUN .......................... 17
SEMINAR ON MATERNITY LEAVE ................................... 18
VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY FOR THE ELDERLY ........................ 18
CERTIFICATE FOR LABORATORY ................................... 19
ROUNDABOUT, SLIP ROAD OPEN TO TRAFFIC ........................ 19
WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY .................................... 20
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
1
♦FIRST-HAND LOOK AT DEVELOPMENTS IN PEARL RIVER AREA+
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HIS TRIP TO THE PEARL RIVER AREA IN CHINA WAS TO SEE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS ROADS AND BRIDGES WHICH ALL HAD A BEARING ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATE COUNCIL BUILDING BEFORE ATTENDING A LUNCHEON PARTY WITH UMELCO MEMbciiS, SIR DAVID SAID, +1 ALWAYS LIKE TO SEE THINGS FOR MYSELF SO I AM OVER TO GET FIRST-HAND IMPRESSIONS.*
HE SAID IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR SINCE HE LAST VISITED SHENZHEN AND +IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SEE HOW THE ROADS AND BRIDGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE COMING ON+.
ASKED WHETHER THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, SIR DAVID SAID HIS OBJECTIVE WAS TO GO OVER TO HAVE A LOOK AT ROADS, BRIDGES AND DRAINS.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DEBATE ON NATIONALITY ORDER NOT GOING TO BE HELD BEFORE EASTER, HE SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING THE MATTER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.
♦I HAVE NOTHING REALLY TO ADD TO THE STATEMENT WHICH I MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,+ HE ADDED.
WHEN ASKED FOR HIS REACTION TO SOME COUNCILLORS’ DISAPPOINTMENT WITH HIS STATEMENT IN THE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD NOTHING MORE TO SAY AND THE MATTER WAS NOW WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID TOLD REPORTERS AT THE HONG KONG-MACAU FERRY TERMINAL BEFORE LEAVING THAT HE WAS INTERESTED IN ROADS AND BRIDGES BECAUSE THEY WERE IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES IN HONG KONG, SUCH AS CROSS-BORDER BRIDGES AND THE CONTAINER PORT AND THINGS LIKE THE DOUBLE-TRACKING OF THE RAILWAY.
♦ALL THESE ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG AND । FELT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I SHOULD KNOW THE STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS BEEN REACHED,♦ HE SAID.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1336
2
CS ON PRIVATE VISIT TO CHINESE CITIES * * * * *
THE CHIEF- SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL BE LEAVING HONG KONG THIS (CRIDAY) AFTERNOON FOR A PRIVATE VISIT TO ZHUHAI, GUANGZHOU AND SHENZHEN.
SIR DAVID wILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN AND AROUND THE CHINESE CITIES, WHICH WILL BE RELEVANT TO HONG KONG’S OWN DEVELOPMENT OF INFR/STRUCUTRAL SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC
SIR DAVID WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY AKERb-JONES. THEY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (MARCH 23) EVENING.
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SPORTS IMPORTANT IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
*****
AS A COMMUNITY, IT MUST BE OUR CONCERN THAT WE HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HONG KONG, THAT WE DEVELOP NOT ONLY THE INTELLECTUAL TALENTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BUT ALSO THEIR PHYSICAL wELL-BEING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE FINALS OF THE 1985-86 INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS, SIR DAVID SAID IN RECENT YEARS HONG KONG HAD DEVOTED MORE OF ITS RESOURCES TO THE PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND SPORTS.
+ IN 1985-86 MORE THAN 10 SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING SCHEMES BENEFITED 15 000 YOUNG PEOPLE AND THOSE WITH TALENT ARE SELECTED TO UNDERGO MORE SYSTEMATIC AND EXPERT TRAINING BY COACHES FROM THE SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS OR AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE,+ SIR DAVID SAID.
+THEY WILL ALSO BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO RAISE THEIR STANDARDS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION,* HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID PRAISED THE HONG KONG SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE OVER MANY YEARS IN PROMOTING SPORT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
+ IT IS GRATIFYING TO KNOW THAT OVER 70 000 STUDENTS FROM 650 SCHOOLS ARE TAKING PART IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION,* HE SAID.
SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED THE ASSOCIATION AND ALL THOSE WHO HAD WORKED HARD TO MAKE THE INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS A SUCCESS.
TODAY’S EVENTS MARKED THE END OF THE 15-DAY COMPETITION IN WHICH 12 500 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
5
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION * * * * *
THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION wAS HELD ON MARCH 21, 1986. HAVING REGARD TO HONG KONG S______
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS, AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A STABLE PROPER i'/ MARKET THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR THE 1986-87 FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD AMOUNT TO 55 HECTARcS. THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES ABOUT 21 HECTARES FOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS: ABOUT 15 CTARES cad HGMF OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES» AND ABOUT 1° HECTARES FOR COMMUNITY, INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS AND OTHER USES, INCLUDING 3.5 HECTARES FOR THE PROVISION OF BA«K UP FACILITIES FOR THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT.
♦NEW HORIZON FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE* * * * * *
A NEw HORIZON HAS EMERGED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO STUDENTS OF THE HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE, MR LIAO NOTED THAT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE WERE TAKING AN INCREASINGLY ACTIVE INTEREST IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
+THROUGH JOINING MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, THEY CAN INFLUENCE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEIR IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT.
+THE DISTRICT BOARDS PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION IN MATTERS OF A WIDER CONCERN AND ALSO PROVIDE AN ACCESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,* HE SAID.
MR LIAO SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT IN THE 1985 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, 56 PER CENT OF THE ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS WERE AGED BETWEEN 21 AND 40, COMPARED WITH 34 PER CENT IN 1982.
FOR THE 1986 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION, 47 PER CENT OF THE ELECTED COUNCILLORS WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 40, COMPARED WITH 33 PER CENT IN 1933, WHILE IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION, 75 PER CENT OF THOSE ELECTED WERE UNDER 40 YEARS OLD, MR LIAO SAID.
+THE FOUNDING OF THE HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS COULD HELP IN CULTIVATING AND DEVELOPING THE POTENTIALS OF OUR YOUTH,* HE SAID.
/'.‘.s LIAC......................
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE FIVc MILLION HARD-WORKING AND RESOURCEFUL PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 30.
+THE FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG HINGES ON THE EFFORTS AND HARD WORK OF OUR YOUTH TODAY,* HE SAID.
+WE, AS PARENTS, TEACHERS, EMPLOYERS, OR THOC' WORKING IN COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND VERNMENT ARE CONCERNED TO TRAIN AND DEVELOP YOUNG POEPLE THROUGn ALL SORTS OF ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMPS, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS,* HE ADDED.
+BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE ALSO LEARN A LOT FROM YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES AND SHARE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES WITH THEM.
+VERY OFTEN, IT IS THE CROSS-FERTILISATION OF EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS,* MR LIAO SAID.
+YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IS NOT A ONE-WAY TRAFFIC TYPE OF BUSINESS, IT INVOLVES PARTICIPATION BY ALL,* HE ADDED.
GOVERNMENT EFFORTS IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ARE AIMED AT FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING, MUTUAL CARE AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AMONG RESIDENTS’ AND TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG AS A COHESIVE AND HARMONIOUS SOCIETY.
+THESE OBJECTIVES ARE PROMOTED THROUGH THE PROVISION OF PURPOSE-BUILT FACILITIES SUCH AS COMMUNITY CENTRES FOR GROUP AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, FORMATION OF RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS, AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON MATTERS WHICH AFFECT THEIR DAILY LIFE,* SAID MR LIAO.
+THROUGH THE PROCESS OF COMMUNITY BUILDING AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BECOME MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE, WHOSE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS ALSO BECOME BETTER UNDERSTOOD BY THE GOVERNMENT,* HE SAID.
+WHILE IT IS NOT CONSIDERED PRACTICABLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMME TO SINGLE OUT YOUNG PEOPLE FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT, THE SETTING UP OF YOUTH CENTRES, THE LAUNCHING CF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE SCHEME ARE NONETHELESS RECOGNITION OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE,* HE ADDED.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO SINGLE BRANCH OR DEPARTMENT TO CATER EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE NEEDS OF YOUTH, BEARING IN MIND THE SPREAD OF SERVICES TO BE CATERED FOR BY VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, THE WELL-BEING OF YOUNG PEOPLE REMAINED AN AREA OF PRIME CONCERN FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
/+HAVING .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
- 5 -
+HAVING REGARD TO THE RAPID EXPANSION OF YOUTH SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES IN RECENT YEARS AND THE SIZE OF THE YOUTH POPULATION AND ITS CONTRIBUTORY ROLE IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SET UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE, A CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH,+ HE SAID.
THE COMMITTEE WOULD COLLATE INFORMATION AND CONDUCT RESEARCH ON THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND PROMOTE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND WIDEN THE CHANNELS C- YOUTH PARTICIPATION, MR LIAO SAID.
MR LIAO REITERATED THAT TO CULTIVATE SUCCESSFULLY A GENERATION CF WELL-EDUCATED, WELL-MOTIVATED, AND CIVIC-MINDED YOUNG POEPLE, IT MUST BE A COLLECTIVE EFFORT BY ALL CONCERNED.
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BILL PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY FOR COMPENSATION *****
THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE GREATER FLEXIBILITY FOR THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO THE DEPENDANTS OF A PNEUMOCON IOTIC WORKER WHO DIES FROM A CAUSE OTHER THAN PNEUMOCONIOSIS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, COMPENSATION WOULD BE MADE TO THE DEPENDANTS OF A DECEASED PNEUMOCONIOTIC WORKER, PROVIDED THAT A CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN ISSUED BY THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS MEDICAL BOARD BEFORE HIS DEATH.
IN CASES, HOWEVER, WHERE A WORKER DIED BEFORE AN ASSESSMENT WAS MADE BY THE MEDICAL BOARD, OR WHEN HIS DEATH OCCURRED BETWEEN THE DATE OF DIAGNOSIS OF THE DISEASE AND THE DATE OF ISSUE OF THE CERTIFICATE, THE DEPENDANTS COULD NOT RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION.
THE BILL SEEKS TO MADE COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO THE DEPENDANTS WHETHER OR NOT THE DECEASED HAD SUBMITTED HIMSELF TO THE BOARD AND GOT A CERTIFICATE BEFORE HIS DEATH, PROVIDED THAT MEDICAL EVIDENCE WAS AVAILABLE BEFORE DEATH TO ENABLE HIS DEGREE OF INCAPACITY AS A RESULT OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS TO BE ASSESSED BY THE MEDICAL BOARD.
HOWEVER, DEPENDANTS WHO WISHED TO CLAIM COMPENSATION MUST NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OF THE DEATH.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, IF ENACTED, WOULD APPLY WHERE THE DEATH OCCURRED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1981.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING ON APRIL 9.
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/6......
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
6
FRANCHISE OF LANTAO BUS FIRM EXTENDED * * * * *
THE FRANCHISE OF THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY, DUE TO EXPIRE ON MARCH 31, 1989, HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS TO MARCH 31, 1991.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE EXTENSION, INTENDED TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO MAKE FORWARD PLANNING OF ITS SERVICES, WAS GRANTED AFTER A CAREFUL APPRAISAL OF ITS PERFORMANCE.
HE SAID THAT SINCE THE LAST EXTENSION OF ITS FRANCHISE IN DECEMBER 1983, THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY HAD COMPLIED SATISFACTORILY WITH THE OVERALL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND THE AGREED ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
+MOREOVER, THE COMPANY HAS PROVED ITSELF CAPABLE OF ARRANGING FLEXIBLE FLEET DEPLOYMENT TO MEET THE PEAK AND VARIABLE RECREATIONAL TRAVEL DEMAND,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE COMPANY HAS RESPONDED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S RECOMMENDATION TO INTRODUCE ONE-MAN OPERATION OF BUSES, AS A MEANS OF INCREASING COST-EFFECTIVENESS. THIS HAS NOW BEEN INTRODUCED ON MOST OF ITS ROUTES, RESULTING IN CONSIDERABLE SAVINGS.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S ADVICE, THE COMPANY HAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN TO FURTHER IMPROVE ITS BUS
MAINTENANCE FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRAL MAINTENANCE DEPOT AT MUI WO.
IMPROVED EDUCATION FOR YOUNG INMATES
*****
YOUNG INMATES HAVE EVERY IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE IN
OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP ACADEMICALLY AND MORE WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES TRAINING CENTRES.
SPEAKING AT A PARADE OF CORRECTIONAL STAFF TODAY (FRIDAY), THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, SAID: +A BOLD STEP HAS BEEN TAKEN TO REVAMP THE GENERAL EDUCATION FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.+
A NEW SYLLABUS AND CONTENTS FOR VARIOUS ACADEMIC SUBJECTS ARE BEING PREPARED, WITH THE HELP OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT TO CATER FOR THOSE PURSUING VOCATIONAL TRAINING, MR CHAN SAID.
IT WOULD INCREASE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACCREDITATION WHILE ACQUIRING A SKILL, HE SAID.
/+THOSE WHO
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1-)t6
+THOSE WHO AIM FOR THE NORMAL SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS ARE GIVEN EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT AND HELP TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL,+ MR CHAN SAID. +HOPEFULLY, WE WILL SEE MORE ACADEMIC HONOURS IN THE COMING YEAR.+
AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 900 PERSONS OUT OF ABOUT 1 300 YOUNG INMATES UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE ARE TAKING VARIOUS GENERAL EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL COURSES.
IN ADDITION, MR CHAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PLANS TO INTRODUCE SCOUTING ACTIVITY IN THE TRAINING CENTRES AS A +WORTHWHILE+ SUPPLEMENT.
SEVEN CONTINGENTS, COMPRISING 204 OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING 30 RECRUITS WHO COMPLETED THEIR SIX-MONTH BASIC TRAINING. TOOK PART IN THE PARADE AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
THE PARADE, COMMANDED BY SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT LAM WAH-PAK, WAS IN HONOUR OF 22 VETERANS WHO WERE AWARDED CLASPS TO THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL.
WHILE PAYING TRIBUTE TO THEM FOR THEIR +MANY YEARS OF LOYALTY AND DEDICATION TO THEIR WORK*, MR CHAN SAID THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT +HAVE WORKED IN CLOSER COOPERATION THAN EVER BEFORE TO MAINTAIN ORDER WITHIN PENAL INSTITUTIONS, THUS CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TOWARDS THE STABILITY CF THE TERRITORY.*
MR CHAN TOLD OFFICERS ON PARADE THAT THEIR JOB HAD BECOME MORE DEMANDING.
+THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS OTHER INDETERMINATE SENTENCES TO 248 TODAY,* HE SAID.
SERVING LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND HAS RISEN FROM 146 FIVE YEARS AGO
THERE WERE ANOTHER 1 425 SERVING SENTENCES OF SIX YEARS AND OVER, 60 PER CENT OF WHOM ARE FOR VIOLENT OFFENCES.
MR CHAN SAID THAT ABOUT $126 MILLION IN COMMERCIAL VALUE OF GOODS AND SERVICES WERE PROVIDED LAST YEAR T ROUGH THE CONTINUING EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES WHICH EFFECTIVELY EMPLOYED ABOUT 6 500 INMATES.
+IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS WILL INCREASE TO ABOUT $136 MILLION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR,* MR CHAN SAID.
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/6........
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1936
8
MORE CHANGES AT CNTA ANNOUNCED *****
THE PRESENT KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, WILL BECOME DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 21, IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT WAS EARLIER ANNOUNCED THAT THE CURRENT DRS (HK AND K), T.H. CHAU, WILL TAKE OVER FROM MR BARRIE WIGGHAM AS REGIONAL SECRETARY.
MR WIGGHAM WILL LEAVE HIS POST ON APRIL 21 AND UNDERTAKE LANGUAGE STUDIES BEFORE BEING SECONDED TO THE BRITISH EMBASSY AT PEKING AS A COUNSELLOR. HE WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TO TAKE UP THE POST OF SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES IN LATE 1986.
MR MAK, AGED 47, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1963 AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER II. HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN 1981.
MR MAK HAD SERVED IN SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BEFORE HE JOINED THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AS KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER IN MARCH 1983.
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GOVT TO BUY FEWER FORM 1 PLACES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CEASE TO BUY FORM 1 PLACES FROM 16 PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM SEPTEMBER 1987 WHEN MORE PLACES IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS ARE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME.
THE DECISION IS IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT APPROVED POLICY ANNOUNCED IN 1978 ON THE PROVISION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES AND WAS MORE RECENTLY ENDORSED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS REPORT NO. 1 PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 1984.
A START TO PHASE OUT SOME OF THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WAS MADE IN MARCH LAST YEAR WHEN 17 SCHOOLS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE DECISION THAT FORM 1 PLACES WOULD NO LONGER BE BOUGHT FROM THEM AS FROM SEPTEMBER 1986.
IN LINE WITH THE PREVIOUS PRACTICE, ALL SCHOOLS AFFECTED ARE BEING GIVEN AN ADVANCE NOTICE OF 18 MONTHS.
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/9 .......
FR IDAY, MARCH 21, 1 ■> V
9
TSIM SHA TSUI DRAFT PLAN AMENDED
* * * * *
THE SITE RESERVED FOR THE MUSEUMS OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY HAS BEEN INCREASED AND DESIGNATED AS BEING FOR +MUSEUMS+ ON THE TO* ■. PLAN FOR TSIM SHA TSUI.
A TOwN PLANNING BOARD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ORIGINAL SITE OF '’.24 HECTARES HAD BEEN ENLARGED BY 1.5 HECTARES TO ALLO* MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE DESIGN OF THE WHOLE COMPLEX.
HE SAID THE INTENTION WAS TO MAINTAIN A CONTINUOUS LINK OF OPEN SPACE ALONG THE CHATHAM ROAD CORRIDOR FOR PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT.
DETAILED PROPOSALS ON THE SITE SUCH AS THE AREA AND DISPOSITION OF OPEN SPACE WOULD HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO Tut BOARD FOR APPROVAL IN THE FORM OF A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN.
OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN INVOLVE INCORPORATING THE STA! FERRY AND TWO OTHER PIERS ON THE WEST INTO THE PLANNING SCHEME AREA= CHANGING THE ANNOTATION OF PRIVATE SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB TO SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB; REZONING PART OF GRANVILLc ROAD EAST OF CHATHAM ROAD TO OPEN SPACE TO REFLECT THE ACTUAL USE OF THE SITTING-OUT AREA AND INCLUDING PART OF A SERVICE ROAD AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST FOR A COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE AMENDED OUTLINE ZONING PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AND THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE, 40 CARNARVON ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, TSIM SHA TSUI, AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER AT THE WEST WING ENTRANCE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
ANYONE AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT MAY SUBMIT THEIR OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE APRIL 10, 1986.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, hONG KONG, AND KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION AT 382 NATHAN ROAD AT .$10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND *60 FOR A COLOURED COPY.
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/1C .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
10
HOSTEL PILOT SCHEME BEGINS
*****
ELDERLY BACHELORS LIVING IN CRAMPED BED-SPACE APARTMENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL SOON FIND BETTER ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE AT A WELL-MANAGED NON-PROFIT-MAKING HOSTEL.
THE SALVATION ARMY KEE ON HOSTEL, ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF 250 KI LUNG STREET, CAN COMFORTABLY ACCOMMODATE 16 PEOPLE, AT A NOMINAL RENT.
THE HOSTEL IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND THE SALVATION ARMY.
AT A LEASE-SIGNING CEREMONY THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHEME, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK, WHO SPONSORED THE PREMISES, HANDED OVER THE TENANCY AGREEMENT TO THE SALVATION ARMY.
THE ARMY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOSTEL, WHICH HAS A THREE-YEAR LEASE.
EACH TENANT WILL HAVE TO PAY A MONTHLY RENT OF ONLY $267.
MR TAI SAID THE AIM OF SETTING UP THE HOSTEL WAS TO PROVIDE INTERIM ACCOMMODATION, RECREATIONAL, RELIGIOUS AND COUNSELLING SERVICES TO SINGLE ELDERLY MEN PENDING THEIR ADMISSION TO HOMES FOR THE AGED OR TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT ABOUT 700 RESIDENTS LIVING IN 21 PRIVATELY-RUN BED-SPACE APARTMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO.
MR TAI SAID THE HOSTEL WAS BEING ESTABLISHED ON A PILOT BASIS. SIMILAR HOSTELS WOULD BE DEVELOPED IF THE SCHEME PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
DETAILS OF THE HOSTEL AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND SUB-OFFICES AS WELL AS AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT ASSISTANCE SCHEME, FORMERLY NAMED THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND SQUATTERS ASSISTANCE SCHEME, IS A LOCAL ORGANISATION FORMED BY 14 COMMUNITY LEADERS IN 1984 TO OFFtn FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR AND THE UNDERPRIVILEGED IN THE DISTR ICT.
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, IS THE HONORARY ADVISER TO THE SCHEME.
THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SCHEME HAS SO FAR GRANTED ABOUT $55 000 TO RESIDENTS FOR VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, COMMUNITY BUILDING AND EMERGENCY RELIEF ACTIVITIES.
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
11
FREE AURAL TESTS START TOMORROW * * * * *
A SIXTH-MONTH AURAL HEALTH SCHEME WILL BEGIN IN KWUN TONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO PROVIDE A FREE AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING SERVICE FOR WORKERS AND ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT TSUN YIP STREET PLAYGROUND, A MOBILE AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING VAN WILL START SERVINb THE FIRST BATCH OF PEOPLE WHICH WILL INCLUDE 20 WORKERS AND 10 ELDERLY RESIDENTS.
INSTRUMENTS TO PROTECT HEARING WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED AT THE PLAYGROUND.
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING FREE HEARING TESTS TO LOCAL FACTORY WORKERS AND THE ELDERLY, THE SCHEME WILL ALSO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AURAL PROBLEMS THROUGH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A MOBILE EXHIBITION, A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION AND A SONG AND LYRIC WRITING CONTEST.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL
AREA COMMITTEE.
OFFICIATING AT TOMORROW’S OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, MR SIMON LEE; THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR LI WAH-MING ; THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE, MR PETER LOO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SCHEME AT 12.30 PM TOMORROW AT THE TSUN YIP STREET PLAYGROUND IN THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA (NEAR THE TSUN YIP STREET COOKED FOOD BAZAAR).
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FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
12
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED
******
THREE ILLEGAL DOMESTIC STRUCTURES ALONG YUE LEI STREET AND AT THE REAR LANE OF SHEK PAI WAN ROAD IN TIN WAN WERE PULLED DOWN THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING IN A CLEARANCE OPERATION.
THE OPERATION IS PART OF AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT. THREE FAMILIES WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE WERE REHOUSED EITHER IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE IN YUE LEI STREET AND SHEK PAI wAN ROAD STARTED IN JANUARY AND WAS CARRIED OUT IN STAGES FOR THE HOUSING AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS TO ASSESS AND FINALISE REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE AFFECTED.
THE ENTIRE EXERCISE INVOLVED 11 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, NINE FOR DOMESTIC AND TWO FOR STORAGE PURPOSES.
OF THE 11 FAMILIES AFFECTED, FOUR WERE REHOUSED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND TWO IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
A FAMILY OF SIX AND THREE SINGLETONS WHO WERE ELIGIBLE FOR REHOUSING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD TURNED DOWN THE OFFER OF ACCOMMODATION IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
THE REMAINING CASE, INVOLVING A SINGLETON, WAS AWAITING INVESTIGATION BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ON ELIGIBILITY FOR REHOUSING.
TODAY’S OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE YUE LEI STREET CLEARANCE, MOST ILLEGAL BACK LANE AND PAVEMENT STRUCTURES IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT, EXCEPT THOSE IN STANLEY AND SHEK 0, WOULD HAVE BEEN CLEARED.
-----0 -------
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS
*****
LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS CAN NOW APPLY FOR OVERSEA^ SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOrs THE YEAR 1986-87.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC FUND SAID TODAY THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE INTENDED FOR EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN ADVANCED INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC STUDIES OR BALLET AT OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS.
/The scholarships .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
- 13 -
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL COVER TUITION FEES AND INCLUDE A TECHNICAL ALLOWANCE. A SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE MAY ALSO BE GRANTED ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL NEED.
CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR ADVANCED INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC STUDIES SHOULD NOT BE OVER THE AGE OF 23 ON SEPTEMBER 1, AND SHOULD HAVE ALREADY STUDIED MUSIC UP TO THE STANDARD OF THE DIPLOMA GRANTED BY THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC OR EQUIVALENT.’
AS FOR THE BALLET SCHOLARSHIPS, CANDIDATES SHOULD BE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD ON SEPTEMBER 1, AND SHOULD HAVE ALREADY STUDIED BALLET UP TO THE STANDARD OF THE DIPLOMA GRANTED BY TF-. HONG KONG ACADEMY OF BALLET OR EQUIVALENT.
IN ADDITION, ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN NOW BE OBTAINED FROM:
* HONG KONG JQCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT, 11TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG 5 AND
* MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE (ADDRESSES ARE OBTAINABLE ON 5-458791 EXT. 25)
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BY THE APPLICANTS IN PERSON TO THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT. THE CLOSING DATE IS APRIL 2.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM 5-458791 EXT. 25.
-----o------
NEW RECLAMATION FOR PUMPHOUSE, PROMENADE *****
AN AREA OF ABOUT 2 700 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED OPPOSITE THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE AT THE WAN CHAI WATERFRONT IS TO BE RECLAIMED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEAFRONT PEDESTRIAN PROMENADE AND A SEAWATER PUMPHOUSE.
THE RECLAIMED AREA IS TO BE LEASED TO THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, OWNERS OF THE EXHIBITION CENTRE.
RECLAMATION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE, AND ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BY MAY 13.
-------o----------
/1U .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
1A
WEST GERMAN TRADE OFFICIAL TOURS KWUN TONG
*****
A SENIOR TRADE OFFICIAL FROM WEST GERMANY THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING GAINED FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ABOUT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN KWUN TONG DURING A TOUR OF THE DISTRICT.
THE HEAD OF THE MARKET INFORMATION DIVISION OF WEST GERMANY’S FOREIGN TRADE INFORMATION OFFICE, MR EDGAR ANDRA , WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STANLEY YING, AND OTHER DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF DURING HIS TOUR.
MR ANDRACK FIRST VISITED THE RECENTLY-OPENED KWUN TONG OFFICE OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL.
AT A KNITWEAR FACTORY AND AN ELECTRONICS FACTORY MR ANDRACK WAS TOLD THAT TEXTILES AND ELECTRONICS WERE THE LARGEST INDUSTRIES IN THE DISTRICT WITH MORE THAN 1 OOO FACTORIES IN PRODUCTION.
THE PARTY ALSO INSPECTED THE WESTERN EXTENSION OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREA - THE 221 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED INDUSTRIAL LAND IN KOWLOON BAY.
MR ANDRACK ALSO MET LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, AND TALKED ABOUT DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
-----0------
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD REPORTS ON YEAR’S WORK ******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL REPORT ON ITS FIRST YEAR OF WORK FOR THE 1985-1988 TERM AT A SEMINAR FOR THE DISTRICT’S SIX AREA COMMITTEES ON SUNDAY (MARCH 23).
JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE THREE-HOUR SEMINAR WILL START AT 2.15 PM IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE ABERDEEN URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX.
ABOUT 150 PEOPLE FROM THE AREA COMMITTEES OF POK FU LAM, WAH FU, ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU, TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN, WONG CHUK HANG AND BAYS, AND STANLEY AND SHEK 0 WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
/THE CHAIRMEN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
- 15 -
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS FIVE COMMITTEES ,'JLL REPORT ON PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST YEAR, AS WELL AS ON PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
THE CHAIRMEN ARE MR JASPER LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MISS YEUNG CHUI-CHUN (WORKS PROJECTS), MISS MAR YUET-HAR (ENVIRONMENT), MR RAYMOND KWOK (TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT), MR MAN HON-MING (COMMUNITY BUILDING) AND MR KO TAM-KAN (SOCIAL SERVICES).
A SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID SUNDAY’S SEMINAR * AS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING TIES AND COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE AREA COMMITTEES.
+THROUGH OPEN DISCUSSIONS, AREA COMMITTEES WiuL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THE BOARD, WHILE THE DISTRICT BOARD COULD OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS ON DISTRICT AND TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES,* HE SAID.
THE MEETING IS A SEQUEL TO A SERIES OF SIX SEMINARS HELD BY THE AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS, FROM JULY TO DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
+IT IS HOPED THAT SEMINARS OF THIS NATURE WOULD STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE THREE-TIER CONSULTATIVE SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES AND RESIDENTS ORGANISATIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ANNUAL REPORT AND SEMINAR WITH AREA COMMITTEES ON SUNDAY (MARCH 23) AT 2.15 PM IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL, 5/F, ABERDEEN URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX, NO. 203 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD. THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR.
- - 0------------
FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY AT TSI NG Yl OPENS
*****
THE FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY ON TSING Yl ISLAND, *1™ AN INITIAL STOCK OF 13 000 VOLUMES, WAS OPENED TODAY (FRIDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR LAM KIN-MING, SAID THE LIBRARY WOULD PROVIDE BOOK LENDING SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN, A QUICK REFERENCE AND READERS’ ENQUIRY SERVICE, A NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICALS SERVICE AND AN AUDIO CASSETTE LENDING SERVICE.
/•♦-THERE WILL...........
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
- 16 -
♦THERE WILL ALSO BE A WIDE RANGE OF EXTENSION ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SUBJECT TALKS, STORY HOURS, BOOK EXHIBITIONS AND VISITS FOR SCHOOL PARTIES AND ORGANISED GROUPS,+ MR LAM SAID.
THE LIBRARY WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 6 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. IT WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAYS.
THE TSING Yl PUBLIC LIBRARY IS THE 17TH STATIC LIBRARY UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH ALSO RUNS TWO MOBILE LIBRARIES.
MR LAM PAID TRIBUTE TO STAFF OF AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR THE LIBRARY.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE OPENING OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT REGIONAL COUNCIL, DR HO MAN-WUI, AND SERVICES, MR TONY HAMMOND.
THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE IN SETTING UP
CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL
-----o------
ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE 1986 *****
THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT), MR JOHN WINFIELD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1986 ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 9.30 AM.
THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE IS +CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH CONTINUING EDUCATION+.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.
--------0 -
/17........
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
17
BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENT ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED CONTROL OF BILLIARD CLUBS AND PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS AT A MEETING ON MONDAY. (MARCH 24).
ALSO TO BE DISCUSSED ARE RECOMMENDATION TO ALLOCATE §133 333 TO BUILD A VAN TRACK AND A STRETCH OF FOOTPATH AT CHING UK CHUEN IN SO KWUN WAT, AND REPAIRS TO BARBECUE PITS AND SEATING IN OLD CAFETERIA BEACH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD.
-----0------
CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR IN TUEN MUN
*****
ABOUT 100 TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, MUTUAL AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN TAKE PART IN A CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR TOMORROW MORNING.
AID COMMITTEE TUEN MUN WILL (SATURDAY)
THE SEMINAR IS SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, AND ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND SIX VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
GUEST SPEAKERS WILL BE DR FUNG YI-WAN, A LECTURER AT THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG-MISS WU KIT-YING, CO-ORDINATOR FOR GROUP AND COMMUNITY SERVICES CF THE SALVATION ARMY- AND TWO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, NR SIT HO-YIN AND MR NG WAI-CHO.
THEY WILL GIVE TALKS ON THE ROLES OF SCHOOLS, SOCIAL WORKERS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE DISTRICT BOARD IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, AND THESE TALKS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS.
FRIDAY, March 21, 1986
- 18 -
THE SEMINAR, AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE PROMOTION CF CIVIC EDUCATION, WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM AT THE ON TING/YAU 01 COMMUNITY CENTRE IN ON TING ESTATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR.
SEMINAR ON MATERNITY LEAVE
*****
A SEMINAR ON MATERNITY LEAVE, ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 23) AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN WO Yl HOP ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE MR CHU PING-IM, A SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER, MR SIMON TSANG, OF THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ASSOCIATION CF HONG KONG, A MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER, MISS SO CHI-KIN, DR PETER LO AND MADAM LI FUNG-YING OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ELECTRONIC
INDUSTRY WORKERS’ UNION.
THE SEMINAR IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR.
-----0----------
VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY FOR THE ELDERLY
* * * *
ABOUT 100 ELDERLY COUPLES AGED OVER 55 WILL TAKE PART IN A +ROMANTIC+ SOCIAL GATHERING AT LINGNAN MIDDLE SCHOOL TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE +VALENTINE’S DAY FOR THE ELDERLY+ IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CONCERN FOR THE AGED WORKING GROUP OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE. ITS AIM IS TO PROMOTE HAPPY MARRIED LIFE AMONG ELDERLY COUPLES.
/THE PA’OGrin.'-ME .
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1986
- 19 -
THE PROGRAMME CONSISTS OF A TALENT SHOW, DANCING, SINGING AND GAMES FOLLOWED BY +CANDLE-LIGH'+ DINNER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT TO BE HELD TOMORROW AT LINGNAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, 15 STUBBS ROAD, STARTING AT 3.30 PM.
CERTIFICATE FOR LABORATORY * * * *
YEUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF
MR K.Y.
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. --------- . - • -
THE INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT BOARD OF THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) DR. JOSHUA WONG, WILL PRESENT A CERTIFICATE TO THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, THE F IRt>T LABORATORY TO BE ACCREDITED UNDER THE SCHEME.
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 25) AT THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY AT OIL STREET, NORTH rjl.,r HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
ROUNDABOUT, SLIP ROAD OPEN TO TRAFFIC * * * * *
THE MINI ROUNDABOUT AT THE JUNCTION OF MA CHAI HANG ROAD AND FUNG MO STREET IN WONG Al SIN WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 24).
THE SLIP ROAD A LEADING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO THE ROUNDABOUT WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC AT THE SAME TIME TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW THERE.
/20........
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 198b
20
WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY
* * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY wILL BE TURNED OFF BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 24) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE 27-123 AND 92-140 BLUE POOL ROAD, BRIAR AVENUE, GREEN LANE, HOLLY ROAD AND BROOM ROAD.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INDUSTRIAL NOISE IMPACT UNDER STUDY.......................... 1
EMPLOYMENT OF MENTALLY DISABLED URGED........................ 2
FIRST TEACHERS CENTRE TO BE SET UP .......................... 3
CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH CONTINUING EDUCATION ................ 4
TAP SHEK KOK SEABED LEASED TO POWER STATIONS ................ 5
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER SHING MUN RIVER....................... 6
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR PLEASURE HIRE BOATS ...................... 6
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT QUIZ WINNERS ANNOUNCED ............ 7
HORTICULTURE LESSON FOR YOUNGSTERS .......................... 7
VISITING SERVICE FOR NEW I.D. CARDS ......................... 8
AN AIR OF ROMANCE FOR THE ELDERLY............................ 9
PASSING-OUT PARADE FOR 168 RECRUITS ......................... 9
NEW ADDRESS FOR SWD DISTRICT OFFICE.......................... 1°
ROAD CLOSED, RESTRICTED ZONE LIFTED ......................... 10
CLOSURE OF I3C SLIP ROADS.................................... 11
TSUJN WAN WATER CUT ......................................... 11
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1936
1
INDUSTRIAL NOISE IMPACT UNDER STUDY
*****
THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL NOISE ON LOCAL FACTORY WORKERS WILL BE STUDIED LATER THIS YEAR, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SIX-MONTH +AURAL HEALTH SCHEME IN KWUN TONG+, MR MAK SAID: +AS THE SCHEME WILL PROVIDE FREE AUDIO TESTS TO WORKERS, THE RESULTS WILL BE USEFUL DATA ON THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL NOISE ON THEIR HEARING.
+THE TEST RESULTS AND RELEVANT INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO THE CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC FOR ANALYSIS WHEN THE SCHEME ENDS IN SEPTEMBER.+
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE, THE SCHEME ALSO PROVIDES AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE SENT TO ALL LOCAL FACTORIES AND ELDERLY INSTITUTIONS AND A MOBILE AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING VAN WILL BE IN SERVICE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
THE VAN WILL ALSO BE STATIONED, EVERY THURSDAY FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, OUTSIDE THE TSUEN YIP STREET PLAYGROUND TO SERVE INDIVIDUALS.
+1 HOPE WORKERS AND THE ELDERLY, THE TWO GROUPS MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEARING IMPAIRMENT, WILL MAKE FULL USE OF THE SERVICE, AND CHECK THEIR HEARING BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.+ MR MAK CONTINUED.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO INCLUDE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A TOURING EXHIBITION, A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION, A SONG AND LYRIC WRITING CONTEST, AND A FUN DAY TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ CONCERN FOR AURAL HEALTH.
ANOTHER OFFICIATING GUEST, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE, MR PETER LOO, WAS THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE HEARING TEST OF THE SCHEME.
MR LOO, WHO IS 79-YEAR-OLD, HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
AMONG THE FIRST TO TEST THEIR HEARING ALSO WERE 20 WORKERS AND 10 SENIOR RESIDENTS FROM LOCAL FACTORIES AND AN ELDERLY HOSTEL.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, MR SIMON LEE » THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI ; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR LI WAH-MING.
0
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
- 2 -
EMPLOYMENT OF MENTALLY DISABLED URGED
*****
ALTHOUGH MANY PEOPLE HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE WORKING ABILITIES OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THEY ARE A SOURCc CF RELIABLE WORKERS, A LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE, JOHN SUNG, SAID THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WORKERS WERE, IN MOST CASES, +LOYAL, DILIGENT, FRIENDLY AND CO-OPERATIVE*.
+ALTHOUGH THE IMPAIRMENT OF THEIR INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES CANNOT EE CURED, THEIR DEGREES ARE VARIED AND CAN BE REDUCED BY APPROPRIATt EDUCATION, TRAINING AND GUIDANCE,* HE TOLD A SEMINAR ON +EMPLOYMENT CF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED* ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL CF SOCIAL SERVICE.
MR SUNG SAID THAT SINCE THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE BEGAN WORK FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN AUGUST 1984, A TOTAL OF 188 NENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS HAD REGISTERED FOR EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.
OF THESE, 111 HAD BEEN PLACED IN EMPLOYMENT WHILE NINE OFFERS CF EMPLOYMENT WERE DECLINED BY JOB-SEEKERS, MAINLY FOR LACK OF CONFIDENCE, HE SAID.
MR SUNG SAID WHILE MOST OF THEM WERE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, SOME WERE ALSO ENGAGED IN THE SERVICE SECTOR AND BY THE GOVERNMENT.
+NO MARKED DIFFERENCE IS FOUND BETWEEN THE WAGE LEVEL OFFERED TO MENTALLY HANDICAPPED JOB-SEEKERS AND THAT OF INDUSTRY’S AVERAGE FOR THE NORMAL WORKERS,* HE ADDED.
MR SUNG SAID PLACEMENT OFFICERS ASSISTING MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CLIENTS OFTEN HAD TO ASSESS THEIR ABILITIES BY QUESTIONING, OBSERVING AND WITH THE USE OF ASSESSMENT TOOLS BEFORE A PLACEMENT PLAN COULD BE DRAWN UP.
THEY WERE THEN GIVEN BRIEFINGS ON JOB MARKET AND MOCK INTERVIEWS TO PREPARE THEM FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT. +MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE ARE OBSERVED IN CLIENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE A GUIDANCE PROGRAMME,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EVERY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CANDIDATE WAS ACCOMPANIED TO SELECTION INTERVIEWS BY A PLACEMENT OFFICER WHO, BESIDES PLAYING A SUPPORTIVE ROLE, HAD A CHANCE TO IDENTIFY THE CLIENT’S STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS IN AN ACTUAL INTERVIEW.
ONCE A CANDIDATE WAS EMPLOYED, THE OFFICER WOULD CONDUCT A FOLLOW-UP SERVICE FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS AFTER PLACEMENT.
/+SOME MENTALLY........
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
- 3 -
♦SOME MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CLIENTS HAVE A TENDENCY TO DEPEND ICAVILY ON OTHERS AND WOULD BECOME EASILY DISTRESSED,* MR SUNb SnlD. ♦A PLACEMENT OFFICER’S VISIT AT THE PLACE OF WORK GIVE THEM SUPPORT.+
ON THE EMPLOYERS’ SIDE, HE SAID, THE MAJORITY WERE SCEPTICAL ABOUT THE WORKING ABILITIES OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND WERE RESERVED ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTIVITY.
EXCEPT FOR A SMALL PROPORTION, MOST VACANCIES WERE CANVASSED FROM EMPLOYERS AS A RESULT OF PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS OF THE PLACEMENT OFFICERS.
+IT IS TRUE THAT EMPLOYING THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IS NOT CHARITY,* MR SUNG SAID. +WHAT THEY NEED IS A FAIR CHANCE.*
MR SUNG URGED EMPLOYERS WHO HAD OPENINGS THAT MIGHT BE SUITABLE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED TO CONTACT THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE AT 5-296672 OR 0-4988444.
-----0-----
FIRST TEACHERS CENTRE TO BE SET UP
* * K X
THE FIRST TEACHERS CENTRE WILL BE SET UP EARLY NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR TEACHERS TO EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE SECOND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CF THE UNION OF HEADS OF AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF HONG KONG, PR LEUNG SAID THE CENTRE TO BE LOCATED AT PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, WOULD ALSO PROVIDE TEACHING AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE MATERIALS TO TEACHERS.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TEACHERS’ CENTRE WOULD GIVE IMPETUS TO FURTHER IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PRIMARY EDUCATION, HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY IMPLEMENTED A NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND ALLOCATED SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PRIMARY EDUCATION.
CITING THE CLASS LIBRARY SCHEME AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THE SCHEME WAS FULLY IMPLEMENTED AT ALL LEVELS OF PUBLIC SECTOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. IT AIMED AT ENHANCING CHILDREN’S READING ABILITY AND TO ENABLE THEM TO ACQUIRE MORE KNOWLEDGE OUTSIDE TEXTBOOKS.
REMEDIAL TEACHING WAS PROVIDED AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO ENABLE PUPILS TO CATCH UP WITH THOSE SUBJECTS WHICH THEY FAILED TO PERFORM WELL, HE CONTINUED.
/IN ADDITICN.........
4
IN ADDITION, PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN REDUCING THE SIZE OF A PRIMARY CLASS TO 43 PUPILS. TEACHERS COULD THUS DEVOTE MORc TIME TO INDIVIDUAL PUPILS.
THE ACTIVITY APPROACH IN TEACHING HAD PROVED TO BE POPULAw, AND WOULD BE EXTENDED, MR LEUNG SAID.
ON THE TEACHING OF PUTONGHUA IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, MR LEUNG o.a I. THE DEPARTMENT WOULD INCLUDE PUTONGHUA AS AN OPTIONAL SUBJECT h THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULAR IN SEPTEMBER.
HE ALSO GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS WOULD EE BUILT TO KEEP PACE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS AND I ND IV I: DISTRICTS AFTER THE TARGETS SET TO PROVIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES WERE FULLY MET.
- 0 -
CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH CONTINUING EDUCATION * * * * *
CONTINUING EDUCATION HAS A DIRECT BEARING UPON CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE TWO TYPES OF EDUCATION AIMED AT EFFECTING LIFE-LONG CHANGES IN ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR IN THE LEARNERS’ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMUNITY, THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT), MR JOHN WINFIELD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, MR WINFIELD SAID THE ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES OF THF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN MAKING COMMENDABLE EFFORTS FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS TO EFFECT SUCH CHANGES.
+THESE CENTRES HAVE NOW BECOME NOT MERELY VENUES FOR SKILL ORIENTATED EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES BUT ALSO NURTURING GROUNDS FOR CIVIC AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP,* MR WINFIELD SAID.
THERE WAS A MIXTURE OF ADULT AND CIVIC EDUCATION IN THESE CENTRES DUE IN THE LARGE MEASURE TO THE COURSES OF TRAINING WHICH WERE PROVIDED EACH YEAR FOR ALL VOLUNTARY HELPERS AND ASSISTANT ORGANISERS.
MR WINFIELD POINTED OUT THAT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAD RESPONDED TO THE CALL FOR MORE CIVIC EDUCATION TO BE PROVIDED FOR ADULTS SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE 1934 WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
IN THE CURRENT YEAR, 26 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE ORGANISING ADULT EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN WHICH THERE WAS A STRONG CIVIC EDUCATION ELEMENT, HE SAID.
/+THE EDUCATION
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
- 5 -
+THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS THESE ACTIVITIES BY MEANS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE ADULT EDUCATION SUBVENTION SCHEME,+ HE ADDED.
NOTING THE TASK OF MOTIVATING ADULTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY AREA OF ADULT EDUCATION WAS A CHALLENGE, MR WINFIELD SAID IT WAS DEFINITELY MORE SO WITH CIVIC EDUCATION.
TO MEET THE CHALLENGE AND TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH CONTINUING EDUCATION, HE SAID MUCH INGENUITY, ENERGY AND DEDICATION WAS REQUIRED OF ALL PROGRAMME PLANNERS AND FIELD WORKERS.
ABOUT 1 100 TEACHING STAFF, FIELD WORKERS, ORGANISERS AND VOLUNTARY HELPERS OF ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ATTENDED TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY, PANEL DISCUSSION AND COURSE SEMINARS.
ALSO TAKING PART AT THE CEREMONY WAS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER EDUCATION), MR ROBERT LO.
THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (FURTHER EDUCATION), MR MAN TZE-FONG, TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF LONG SERVICE TO 120 TEACHING STAFF AND FIELD WORKERS IN RECOGNITION OF thE?R 10 TO 30 YEARS OF VALUABLE SERVICE TO ADULT EDUCATION.
THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ON THE THEME OF ’CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH CONTINUING EDUCATION’ WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW AT THE SCHOOL HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.
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TAP SHEK KOK SEABED LEASED TO POWER STATIONS
*****
TWO SUBMERGED COOLING WATER OUTFALLS FOR THE CASTLE PEAK A AND B POWER STATIONS ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON AREAS TO BE LEASED ON THE FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TAP SHEK KOK IN TUEN MUN.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO LEASE TWO AREAS, ONE OF 4 100 SQUARE METRES AND THE OTHER OF 3 800 SQUARE METRES, TO THE KOWLOON ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY LIMITED.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED LEASE SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BY MAY 20.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
0 -
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
6
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER SHING MUN RIVER
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULT I-SPAN PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE SHING MUN RIVER AND A FOOTBRIDGE LINKING SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA AND SHA TIN CULTURAL COMPLEX.
LANDSCAPING OF OPEN SPACE NEAR TSANG TAI UK, AROUND THE SHA TIN CULTURAL COMPLEX AND NEARBY AREAS TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED FOOTPATH, CYCLETRACK AND DRAINAGE WORKS ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME WHICH IS PART OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT
OF THE NEW TOWN.
CONSTRUCTION OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS AND CAR THE VILLAGE RESITE AREAS OF SHA TIN WAI AND FUI YIU HA ARE INVOLVED.
WORK ON THE PACKAGE AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS
OF PROJECTS IS EXPECTED TO START TO COMPLETE.
PARKS ALSO
IN
IN JUNE
-----0------
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR PLEASURE HIRE BOATS * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROVISION OF PLEASURE BOATS FOR HIRE AT THE SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN.
THE BOAT KIOSK IS INSIDE THE SHING MUN RIVER PROMENADE
REST GARDENS WHICH HAVE BECOME A MAJOR LEISURE SPOT FOR RESIDENTS SINCE ITS OPENING LAST YEAR.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE REQUIRED BY CONTRACT TO PROVIDE 50 TO 70 BOATS FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR FOR TWO YEARS.
TENDER FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE RSD’S SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE ON LEVEL 4, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE PUT IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE RSD HEADQUARTERS, THIRD FLOOR, SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, BEFORE 9 AM ON APRIL 18.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 0-6065720.
/7 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
7
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT QUIZ WINNERS ANNOUNCED
******
THE ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU AREA HAS COME FIRST IN A QUIZ ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE TO ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
THE COMPETITION WAS OPEN TO ALL 168 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE SIX AREAS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT. BESIDE ENCOURAGING RESIDENT BODIES TO GIVE MORE THOUGHT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE QUIZ ALSO SERVED TO STRENGTHEN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD RECEIVED ENCOURAGING RESPONSE FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND THE ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU AREA, WHICH WILL BE AWARDED THE AREA TROPHY FOR ATTAINING THE HIGHEST AVERAGE SCORE.
TEN MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WITH HIGH SCORES WILL ALSO BE AWARDED MEDALS AND STATIONARY COUPONS. THESE ARE THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF WAH CHING HOUSE IN WAH FU ESTATE, LEI FUK HOUSE IN AP LFI CHAU ESTATE, BLOCKS 5 AND 9 OF WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE, BLOCKS 1, 5 AND 11 OF TIN WAN ESTATE, BLOCKS 1 AND 3 OF SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE AND KONG HING COURT OF ABERDEEN CENTRE.
A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 4.30 PM AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SEMINAR IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL, FIFTH FLOOR, ABERDEEN MARKET COMPLEX.
0 --------
HORTICULTURE LESSON FOR YOUNGSTERS
*****
ABOUT 20 ENVIRONMENT-CONSCIOUS YOUNGSTERS LEARNED A USEFUL LESSON IN HORTICULTURE TODAY (SATURDAY) DURING A VISIT TO A NURSERY AT TSO KUNG TAM IN TSUEN WAN.
THE VISIT, ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING THE YOUNGER GENERATION WITH BASIC KNOWLEDGE IN HORTICULTURE AS WELL AS AT AROUSING THEIR INTEREST IN CARING FOR PLANTS.
THE YOUNGSTERS CAME FROM THE LEI MUK SHUE CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE. THEY WERE SHOWN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF GROWING PLANTS, INCLUDING SEED SOWING, FERTILISING, WATERING, PRUNING AND CUTTING.
THEY WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE NURSERY LAST YEAR PRODUCED MORE THAN 100 000 SEEDLINGS OF TREES, SHRUBS, PALMS, BAMBOOS, CREEPERS AND GROUND COVER WHICH WERE EVENTUALLY PLANTED THROUGHOUT THE THE NON-URBAN AREAS TO BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT.
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/8........
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
8
VISITING SERVICE FOR NEW I.D. CARDS * X * * *
A SPECIAL VISITING SERVICE TO ASSIST IN THE APPLICATION OF NEW I.D. CARDS WILL BE PROVIDED ON CHEUNG CHAU, LAMMA ISLANDS, AND IN MUI WO, TAI 0 AND SAI KUNG FROM MONDAY (MARCH 24) TO APRIL 12.
THIS WILL BE THE SIXTH ROUND OF VISITING SERVICE INTRODUCED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF the REPLACEMENT I.D. CARD SCHEME TO FACILITATE THOSE WHO WORK OR LIVE IN THESE AREAS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID, +VISITING TEAMS WILL HANDLE APPLICATIONS FROM WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1935 AND 1938.+
HE ALSO URGED THOSE WHO HAD MISSED THEIR TURNS IN PREVIOUS PHASES TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THE NEW I.D. CARD.
THE VISITING SERVICE WILL OPERATE MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM AND 2 PM TO 4 PM, ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
MARCH 24 - APRIL 4 MUI WO COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE GRAND VIEW MANSION, GROUND FLOOR, SHOP D, SOUTH LANTAU ROAD, MUI WO.
CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE 2, CHURCH ROAD, CHEUNG CHAU.
MARCH 24 - APRIL 12 SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICE GROUND FLOOR, SAI KUNG.
APRIL 7 - APRIL 12 NORTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE YUNG SHU WAN MAIN STREET, NORTH LAMMA.
TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE 29 MARKET STREET, TAI 0.
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/9 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
AN AIR OF ROMANCE FOR THE ELDERLY
*****
ABOUT 100 ELDERLY COUPLES FROM WAN CHAI SPENT A MEMORABLE AND HAPPY DAY (SATURDAY) AT THE +VALENTINE’S DAY FOR THE ELDERLY+ HELD AT LINGNAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, NOTED THAT THE EVENT WAS BOTH ROMANTIC AND INNOVATIVE.
+IT WOULD BE REFRESHING FOR SENIOR COUPLES TO RECALL SWEET MEMORIES OF FALLING IN LOVE AND TO CHERISH SUCH FEELINGS THROUGH A LIFETIME,+ HE SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONCERN FOR THE AGED WORKING GROUP OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, MS ANNA TANG, SAID THE AIM OF TODAY’S FUNCTION WAS TO PROMOTE HAPPINESS AMONG ELDERLY COUPLES AND SHE ALSO CALLED ON YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHOW RESPECT TO OLDER FOLK.
THE PROGRAMME CENTRED ON THE THEME OF LOVE AND ROMANCE. THERE WERE VARIOUS GAMES STALLS AND THE COUPLES ALSO ENJOYED DANCING AND SINGING, AND THE EVENT CLOSED WITH A +CANDLE-LIGHT+ DINNER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT.
THIS EVENT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
- 0 -
PASSING-OUT PARADE FOR 168 RECRUITS
*****
THIRTY-FIVE ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND 133 IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS WHO HAD COMPLETED INDUCTION TRAINING TOOK PART IN A PASSING-OUT PARADE TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR J.M. MURPHIE, TOLD THE NEW RECRUITS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SERVICE AND REMINDED THEM OF THEIR OBLIGATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
HE SAID THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE WAS FOUNDED IN 1961 AND HAD ESTABLISHED TRADITIONS AND BUILT UP A REPUTATION FOR DEDICATION AND EFFICIENCY.
THE TRAINING PROGRAMME, ORGANISED BY THE TRAINING SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT, COVERED IMMIGRATION LAWS AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, BEST RECRUIT SHIELDS WERE ALSO PRESENTED TO AN OFFICER FROM EACH OF THE NINE SQUADS ON PARADE.
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
NLW ADDRESS FOR SWD DISTRICT OFFICE
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, TOGETHER WITH FOUR SERVICE UNITS, WILL MOVE TO NEW OFFICES AT SHOP NO.3, JUNIPER MANSIONS, WHAMPOA GARDEN, GROUND FLOOR, PHASE 1, HUNG HOM, TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE FOUR SERVICE UNITS ARE THE TO KWA WAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE, THE TO KWA WAN SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, THE KOWLOON CITY YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE AND THE KOWLOON CITY REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY OFFICE.
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THE NEW OFFICES ARE:
SWD KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE: 3-650183
TO KWA WAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE: 3-650404
TO KWA WAN SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT: 3-650163
KOWLOON CITY YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE: 3-650431
KOWLOON CITY REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY OFFICE: 3-650511
THE NEW OFFICES WILL BE OPERATIONAL AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON MONDAY (MARCH 24).
- 0 -
ROAD CLOSED, RESTRICTED ZONE LIFTED
*****
THE NEW TERRITORIES-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TSUEN WAN ROAD, BETWEEN KWAI TSI NG ROUNDABOUT AND THE ROUNDABOUT IN TEXACO ROAD, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 25) TO 5.30 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGN.
THE SAME MEASURE WILL BE REPEATED FROM MARCH 26 TO 5.30 AM THE NEXT DAY.
TRAFFIC ON TSUEN WAN ROAD FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE DIVERTED TO KWAI TSING ROUNDABOUT, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, TEXACO ROAD AND THE ROUNDABOUT BENEATH TSUEN WAN ROAD BEFORE REJOINING TSUEN WAN ROAD.
MEANWHILE, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 7 PM RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HONG NING ROAD IN KWUN TONG, FROM A POINT ABOUT 160 METRES NORTH OF THE NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH KUNG LOK ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 410 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 25.
- 0 -
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1986
11
CLOSURE OF I EC SLIP ROADS K * * *
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS, THE FOLLOWING SLIP ROADS OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:
M THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR TO CHAI WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 10.4-5 AM AND 4 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 25). EASTBOUND VEHICLES HEADING FOR CHAI WAN WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SHAU KEI WAN, NAM ON LANE, SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD.
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM CHAI WAN ROAD TO THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 26). WESTBOUND VEHICLES HEADING FOR THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA CHAI WAN ROAD, ALDRICH STREET, PO MAN STREET, MONG LUNG STREET AND THE UNNAMED LINK ROADS LEADING TO THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
* FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 27), THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM SHAU KEI WAN TO THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WILL BE CLOSED. WESTBOUND VEHICLES HEADING FOR THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WILL HAVE TO USE SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, TAI HONG STREET AND THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM SAI WAN HO TO THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
-----0------
TSUEN WAN WATER CUT * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 25) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY TAI HO ROAD, SHA TSUI ROAD, LUEN YAN STREET AND YEUNG UK ROAD, INCLUDING SAI LAU STREET, SAN TSUEN STREET, HO PUI STREET, WO TIK STREET, TAI UK STREET, CHUEN LUNG STREET, Yl PEI SQUARE, CHUNG ON STREET, SAM PEI SQUARE AND HAM TIN STREET.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FT RE VICTIMS URGED TO VaCaTE COMMUNITY CENTRE............ 1
IMPORT REQUIREMENT TO BE VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED ............. 2
HK'S LABOUR RELATIONS COMPARES ./ELL WITH OTHERS.......... 3
ILLEGAL BACKLaNE STRUCTURES CLEARED ...................... 4
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD REPORTS ON ITS WORK............... 4
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS MATRICULATION COURSE ........... 6
MONG KOK LANDMARK TO BE OPINED TOMORROW .................. 7
NEW FACILITIES FOR SPORT AND RECREATION ...............
NO MORE DEADLINES FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS ............
FLYOVER PROJECT AT AIRPORT .............................. 10
SITE BEING DEVELOPED AS OPIN SPACE.....................
HOLIDAY OPINING HOURS OF LIBRARIES ...................... 11
TUEN MUN WATER CUT ....................................
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1
1 -
FIRE VICTIMS URGED TO VACATE COMMUNITY CENTRE
* * * *
SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO VICTIMS OF THE CHU KOO TSAI VILLAGE FIRE, CURRENTLY STAYING IN THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE, TO MOVE OUT OF THE CENTRE.
♦SPEEDY AND APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST FIRE VICTIMS IN MOVING TO THEIR NEV HOMES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,♦ HE SAID.
MR TSE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE WAS TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR RESIDENTS TO ORGANISE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS, AND USED AS A TEMPORARY SHELTER ONLY IN CASES OF EMERGENCIES.
THE FIRE VICTIMS WERE GIVEN SHELTER AT THE CENTRE SHORTLY AFTER THE JANUARY 27 FIRE AND HAVE STAYED THERE EVER SINCE. AS A RESULT, THE NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE CENTRE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.
♦THE DAILY GATHERINGS OF THE ELDERLY HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED, AND MANY INTEREST GROUPS AND TRAINING CLASSES HAVE TO BE CONDUCTS^ ELSEWHERE. THE STUDY ROOM, THE ACTIVITY ROOM AND THE NURSERY ON THE TOP FLOOR ARE ALSO SUFFERING VARIOUS DEGREES OF DISTURBANCES AND INCONVENIENCE,+ MR TSE SAID.
♦ THE CONTINUED OCCUPATION OF THE CENTRE BY FIRE VICTIMS .’.ILL NOT ONLY DEPRIVE OTHER PEOPLE OF THEIR RIGHTS TO USE THE CENTRE, BUT ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR OWN HEALTH AND FAMILY LIFE.+
MR TSE WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE OBSTRUCTIONS AND HIGH FIRE RISKS POSED BY FLIMSY STRUCTURES AND BED SPACES ERECTED BY THE SETTLERS AROUND THE OPEN CORRIDORS AND STAIRCASES WITH COMBUSTIBLES LIKE BAMBOO POLES, BLANKETS AND CLOTH.
HE ALSO WARNED THEM THAT NO COOKING WAS ALLOWED WITHIN THE CENTRE. +THE SETTLERS SHOULD BEST KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION BEING THEMSELVES VICTIMS OF FIRE.+ HE SAID.
MEALS PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE WOULD BE DISCONTINUED TOMORROW (MONDAY). DUR I \G THE PAST SEVEN WEEKS, ABOUT 800 LUNCHES AND DINNERS A DAY HAVl BEEN PROVIDED TO THE VICTIMS.
♦IT WILL BE UNFAIR TO OTHER DISASTER VICTIMS AND THE COMMUNITY IF MEAL SUPPLIES ARE FURTHER EXTENDED,♦ MR TSE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE CIVIL AID SERVICES DUTY TEAMS WERE ALSO ON DUTY IN THE CENTRE AS AN EMERGENCY SERVICE AND THIS COULD NOT Be MAINTAINED FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD.
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/2 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 190c
2
IMPORT REQUIREMENT TO BE VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED ******
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL, FROM APRIL 1, VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE THE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL TEXTILE AND GARMENT IMPORTS INTO HONG KONG CARRY IMPORT LICENCES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ohIj.
UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, IMPORTS OF TEXTILES MUST BE BROUGHT IN UNDER VALID IMPORT LICENCES ISSUED BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE GOODS. THIS REQUIREMENT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1980 BUT THERE IS A TENDENCY THAT IMPORTERS TAKE OUT IMPORT LICENCES FOR TEXTILES AFTER THE GOODS HAVE ACTUALLY ARRIVED IN HONG KONG. +THIS PRACTICE MUST STOP+, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
FROM ARP IL 1, THE RULES WILL BE ENFORCED MORE STRICTLY AND THE ISSUE OF LICENCES AFTER THE IMPORT OF GOODS WILL BE MADE ONLV IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES. THERE WILL ALSO BE NO INSTANT LICENSING SERVICE FOR LATE APPLICANTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SPOT CHECKS ON CARGOES, PARTICULARLY CARGOES IMPORTED BY SEA, WILL BE INTENSIFIED AND IMPORTERS AND CARRIERS ARE REMINDED THAT IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY LICENCES CAN BE SEIZED WITH PROSECUTIONS RESULTING.
TRANSPORTATION, SHIPPING AND AIRLINE COMPANIES SHOULD NOT RELEASE ANY TEXTILE GOODS INTO THE TERRITORY WITHOUT THE PRODUCTION CF A VALID TEXTILE IMPORT LICENCE. THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO PRESENT THE RELEVANT IMPORT LICENCE TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TOGETHER WITH THE RELEVANT CARGO MANIFEST.
THE LAW PROVIDES HEAVY PENALTIES UP TO A FINE OF $500 0'33 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR FOR PARTIES WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL APPLY TO COVER THE SHIPMENT OF COMMERCIAL SAMPLES OF NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.
ALSO FROM APRIL 1, IMPORTERS OF GARMENTS, GARMENT PARTS AND CERTAIN KNITTED FABRICS NOT SHIPPED IN BOLT WILL HAVE TO DECLARE THE INTENDED USE OF EACH CONSIGNMENT AND TO INDICATE THE WAY IN WHICH IT IS TO BE EITHER USED LOCALLY OR THE COUNTRY TO WHICH IT IS INTENDED TO RE-EXPORT. IN ADDITION, IMPORTERS WILL BE REQUIRE TO PROVIDE FULL PARTICULARS OF THE GARMENT PARTS AND KNITTED FABRIC NOT SHIPPED IN BOLT.
THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO FACILITATE PHYSICAL CHECKS TO BE CARRIED OUT BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS TO VERIFY THE ACCURACY CF DECLARATIONS MADE ON IMPORT LICENCES. THE DECLARED IMPORTER MUST ALSO FURNISH INFORMATION, INCLUDING DOCUMENTS, IF ASKED, RELATING TO IMPORT LICENCES.
PROVISION OF FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION ON A LICENCE APPLICATION CAN RESULT IN A FINE UP TO 3500 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS. IN ADDITION, ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION TO DENY IMPORT LICENSING FACILITIES TO AN OFFENDER CAN BE TAKEN BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
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/3........
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1°86
- 3 -
HK’S LABOUR RELATIONS COMPARES WELL WITH OTHERS *****
LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG COMPARES MOST FAVOURABLY a iTH OTHER INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES IN THE wORLD, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONS FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF WONG TAI SIN LABOUR FESTIVAL ’8 b, CHEN SAID THE HARMONIOUS INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS HERE WAS ONE OF THE MAJO- FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY AND EXPORT GROWTH.
LAST YEAR, HE SAID, THERE WERE ONLY THREE WORK STOPPAGES RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF 1 160 WORKING DAYS - THE LOWEST ON RECORD.
MR CHEN SAID WHILE STATISTICS ON OTHER COUNTRIES WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, A COMPARISON OF THE FIGURES FQr 1983 WOULD BE QUITE REVEALING.
♦IN THAT YEAR, THE NUMBER OF DAYS LOST FOR EVERY 10 003 'WORKING DAYS .sAS 0.03 IN HONG KONG, COMPARED WITH 0.28 IN JA.-A = WHILE IN BRITAIN AND IN THE UNITED STATES, THE NUMBER OF DAYa LJa. WAS 4.51 AND 5.02 RESPECT IVELY.+
HE ADDED THAT IN 1985, THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE HANDLED 155 INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES AND HELPED SETTLED 17 92" CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT.
AS A RESULT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CONCILIATION EFFORTS, *57.41 MILLION WAS PAID OUT TO 21 090 WORKERS.
LAST YEAR, THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE ALSO CONDUCTED
MORE THAN 410 000 CONSULTATIONS ON PROBLEMS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, AN INCREASE OF 4.6 PER CENT OVER 1984.
MR CHEN SAID THAT FOR YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO RELATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD A MORE HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIP IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT HAD CONDUCTED A CONTINUOUS AND SYSTEMATIC PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, ORGANISED A SERIES OF SEMINARS, LECTURES, EXHIBITIONS AND TRAINING COURSE, AND PRODUCED A NUMBER OF BOOKLETS TO HELP BOTH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS.
MR CHEN SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE WONG TAI SIN LABOUR FESTIVAL WOULD MAKE MORE PEOPLE REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND UNDERSTAND BETTER THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE LEGISLATION.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 23, V?cC
4
ILLEGAL BACKLANE STRUCTURES CLEARED
*****
A SIX-DAY OPERATION TO CLEAR BACKLANE OF NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WAS
60 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN THE COMPLETED TODAY (SUNDAY).
_ THE SECRETARY OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT HUNG, SAID RESIDENTS OF NEARBY BUILDINGS HAD WRITTEN ’
BY OCCUPANTSNOFAqTRnrTHD!:QNVJcDcMENTAL AND N0ISE NU,SANCE CAUSED BY OCCUPANTS OF STRUCTURES, ESPECIALLY THE COOKED FOOD OPERATORS.
+THE STRUCTURES ALSO BLOCKED THE ACCESS TO A GAS MAIN OF THE AREA AND THE COMMITTEE DECIDED TO CLEAR THE BACKLANE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
ABOUT 18 OF THE STRUCTURES WERE USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, MOSTLY COOKED FOOD STALLS, WHILE THE REST WERE DOMESTIC UNITS.
.. FOR 27 CLEAREES WHO WERE INELIGIBLE FOR RE-HOUSING
*ERE ^-settled to either PuaIC ' HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
cO“ORDINATED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, 2^L£V.E^ANCE WAS PART 0F THE maoor environmental IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, ENTITLED +OPERATION FAR FLING+ WHICH STARTED IN 1983 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
SO FAR, OPERATION FAR FLING HAD CLEARED ABOUT 450 ILLEGAL BACKLANE STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG.
-----0------
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD REPORTS ON ITS WORK HI
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD HAD DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES AS WELL AS DISTRICT PROBLEMS IN NO FEWER THAN 10 MEETINGS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE 1985-88 SESSION, BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR JASPER LAM, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
+DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS WERE ALSO EFFECTIVELY SPENT ON ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE GENERAL WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.
REPORTING ON THE WORK OF THE BOARD AT A SEMINAR WITH THE DISTRICT’S SIX AREA COMMITTEES, MR LAM SAID THE $1.42 MILLION ALLOCATED TO THE BOARD HAD BEEN SPENT ON NUMEROUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS MONITORED BY ITS COMMUNITY BUILDING, SOCIAL SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEES.
/♦SEVEN REGULAR .......
SUNDAY, MAUCH 23, 1986
- 5 -
+SEVEN REGULAR MEETINGS AND THREE SPECIAL MEETINGS WERE HELD IN THE PAST YEAR TO DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICAL ISSUES INCLUDING THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM, THE 1985 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL, HOUSING SUBSIDY TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS, HAWKER AND MARKET POLICIES, THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS AND PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS, THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, AND THE CONTROL OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY ANIMAL WASTES,+ HE SAID.
+LOCAL ISSUES WHICH AROUSED THE BOARD’S CONCERN INCLUDED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE AND SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE, THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME IN SOUTHERN DI SR I CT, THE LACK OF CROSo HARBOUR BUS ROUTES, THE DESIGN OF THE DOWN RAMF F A FLYOVER AND A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
+ IT ALSO INVOLVED THE PROVISION OF A STANDARD PRIMARY SCHOOL IN TIN WAN AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN AP LEI CHAU, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS IN ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU,* HE ADDED.
MR LAM SAID THE BOARD HAD ADOPTED AN OPEN AND PRAGMATIC ATTITUDE WHEN DISCUSSING AND HANDLING PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRICT. RESIDENTS’ VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS WERE HEEDED AND WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, VARIOUS PROBLEMS WERE DEALT WITH SWIFTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
+TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH RESIDENTS AND TO COLLECT AND ASSESS PUBLIC VIEWS ON VARIOUS ISSUES, A REPORT WAS SENT TO THE AREA COMMITTEES AFTER EACH BOARD MEETING,* MR LAM SAID.
+FURTHERMORE, THE BOARD HANDLED 80 CASES DURING THE ’MEET-THE-PUBLIC’ SESSIONS AND RECEIVED 97 POSTGRAMMES UNDER THE ’MY SUGGESTIONS TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’ SCHEME DURING THE PAST 11 MONTHS.
+MOST OF THEM INVOLVED TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENT, HOUSING, AND LAW AND ORDER MATTERS, AND MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE CASES WERE SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED.* HE ADDED.
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO PROMOTE BETTER RELATIONSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING WITH LOCAL BODIES. ABOUT 150 PEOPLE FORM THE DISTRICT’S SIX AREA COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TOOK PART IN THE SEMINAR.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDIE CHAN, SAID GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WOULD STAND TO BENEFIT FROM PUBLIC VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS REFLECTED THROUGH THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ORGANISATION.
+THIS THREE-TIER CONSULTATIVE STRUCTURE OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CAN FULLY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF VARIOUS SECTORS, THUS ENABLING THE AUTHORITIES TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF RESIDENTS’ NEEDS WHEN CARRYING OUT ITS POLICIES,* HE SAID.
/+THE SOUTHERN .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 2J, 1986
6
+THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS BECOME MORE REPRESENTATIVE AND MORE EFFECTIVE IN REFLECTING LOCAL OPINIONS. FROM LAST YEAR THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS INCREASED FROM SIX TO 11, AND THE CHAIRMAN WAS ELECTED FROM AMONG MEMBERS THEMSELVES, THUS PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BOARD AND RESIDENTS,* HE ADDED.
MR CHAN NOTED THAT IN THE PAST YEAR, THE BOARD HAD LOOKED INTO A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT AS WELL AS MINOR ISSUES AND HAD C0>c UP WITH CONSTRUCTIVE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE THE LIVcLIHOv-/ CF RESIDENTS.
+THE BOARD HAD ORGANISED AND SPONSORED A Wl- VARIETY OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES *ND PROJECTS, SUQH AS FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS AWARD SCHEMES, AND A SURVEY ON THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ CIVIC AWARENESS AND SENSE OF BELONGING,* HE SAID.
+STREET LIGHTS WERE INSTALLED AND ACCESS AND AMENITY PROJECT^ WERE CARRIED OUT IN SQUATTER AREAS,* HE SAID.
+ON TRANSPORT MATTERS, THE OPENING OF THE ROAD THROUGH ABERDEEN LAST OCTOBER AND THE COMING INTO SERVICE OF THE NO. 107 CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTE NEXT MONTH WILL BRING MUCH CONVENIENCE, ij LOCAL PEOPLE,* HE ADDED.
-----0------
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS MATRICULATION COURSE
*****
A NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BEING OFFERED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO FORM 5 STUDENTS TO ATTEND A TWO-YEAR MATR ICUL AT I) >1 COURSE AT THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES IN BRITAIN, CANADA, UNITED STATES AND ITALY.
COMPLETION OF THE COURSE WILL LEAD TO THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE WHICH IS RECOGNISED FOR UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE IN HONG KONG AND MOST COUNTRIES INCLUDING BRITAIN AND CANADA.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS, TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH EDUCATION, ARE FOR ATLANTIC COLLEGE IN BRITAIN, PEARSON COLLEGE IN CANADA, AMERICAN WEST COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES AND ADRIATIC COLLEGE IN ITALY WHICH CONSTITUTE THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGE.
EACH SCHOLARSHIP WILL COVER PART OF THE TUITION AND BOARDING FEES DURING THE TWO YEARS.
IT WILL NOT BE ADEQUATE TO COVER OTHER EXPENSES SUCH AS AIR FARES TO AND FROM COLLEGE, MAINTENANCE DURING LONG VACATIONS AND PERSONAL EXPENSE.
/APPLICANTS SHOULD .......
SUNDAY, MAfiCH 23, 1986
APPLICANTS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO MEET SUCH EXPENSES.
APPLICANTS MUST BE BETWEEN 16 AND 18 OF AGE BY SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR AND IN POSSESSION OF A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION WITH AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS AT GRADE C OR ABOVE INCLUDING GOOD RESULTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE OR GCE EQUIVALENT.
STUDENTS WHO CONSIDER THAT THEY STAND A GOOD CHANCE OF OBTAINING SIMILAR RESULTS IN THE 1986 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION MAY ALSO APPLY.
APPLICATION FORMS, AVAILABLE AT THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AMD SCHOLARSHIP SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, 33-37 HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, MUST BE RETURNED THROUGH SCHOOL HEADS BY APRIL 11.
----0-----
MONG KOK LANDMARK TO BE OPENED TOMORROW
*****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD LANDMARK, WHICH BEARS THE DISTRICT BOARD LOGO ON A SIX-METRE TALL CIRCULAR COLUMN, WILL BE OPENED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, TOMORROW (MONDAY).
BUILT ON A LARGE LANDSCAPED TRAFFIC ISLAND AT THE INTERSECTION CF LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD,IT IS FLANKED BY FLOWER BEDS AND PLANTERS.
THE DISTRICT BOARD LOGO HAS BEEN AFFIXED TO THE COLUMN ON FOUR SIDES NEAR THE TOP AND CAN BE SEEN FROM A DISTANCE. THE COLUMN IS COATED WITH BEIGE COLOURED MARBLE SLATS WHILE THE LOGOS ARE MADE OF REDDISH BROWN MARBLE.
+THE LANDMARK IS A SYMBOL TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL RESIDENTS’ IDENTITY WITH THE DISTRICT AND TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF BELONGING IN THE COMMUNITY,* A SPOKESMAN FOR DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT SAID.
THE PROJECT COSTS 3132 000 WITH 350 000 SPONSORED BY THE_ HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND 382 030 ALLOCATED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
/ALSO OFFICIATING .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1986
8
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAlJ THE DISTRICT MANAGER MONGKOK OF THE. HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, MR C.L.F. BAMFORD; CHAIRMAN OF THE LANDMARK OPENING CEREMONY SUBCOMMITTEE, MR YIP KAM-CHIU, AND CHAIRMAN OF ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, MR CLEMtisT TAO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD LANDMARK TOMORROW AT 10.45 AM ON THE TRAFFIC ISLAND AT THE INTERSECTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD (FACING EMPRESS THEATRE).
------o-------
NEW FACILITIES FOR SPORT AND RECREATION * * *
SEVERAL NEW PROJECTS HAVE JUST BEEN APPROVED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL TO UPGRADE SPORT AND RECREATION FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.
THESE INCLUDE AN INDOOR GAMES HALL TO BE BUILT IN FAT KWONG STREET, HO MAN TIN, A SECOND INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR CHA) WAN AND A $7.7 MILLION PROJECT TO PROVIDE AN OVERDUE •♦GREEN LUNG+ IN CAINE LANE IN THE MID-LEVELS.
THE INDOOR GAMES HALL WILL BE BUILT ON TOP OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN FAT KWONG STREET, AND WILL FEATURE COMPREHENSIVE SPORT AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES INCLUDING A GAMES AREA, THREE SQUASH COURTS, A DANCE STUDIO, A FITNESS ROOM AND CHANGEROOMS, TOILETS AND A FRIST-AID ROOM.
+AT LEAST ONE LIFT WILL EXCLUSIVELY SERVE THE GAMES HALL,+ SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.
THE PROJECT IS A +MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE+ BETWEEN MUCH-NEEDED URBAN COUNCIL AND HOUSING AUTHORITY FACILITIES.
THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN ANXIOUS FOR SOME TIME TO SECURE A SITE FOR AN INDOOR GAMES HALL IN THE BURGEONING DISTRICT, WHERE MANY THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES LIVE IN LATE-GENERATION HOUSING ESTATES.
AT THE SAME TIME THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS HAVING TO MOVE OUT OF ITS OVERCROWDED OLD HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AND INTO CUSTOM-BUILT ACCOMMODATION FOR ITS ENLARGED HEADQUARTERS STAFF.
/+WE HAV3.......
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1986
+WE HAVE PUT OUR NEEDS INTO THE ONE PACKAGE, AND WILL TAKE THE TOP TWO FLOORS OF THE NEW BUILDING,’ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE SECOND INDOOR GAMES HALL WILL BE BUILT ON TOP OF THE YUE WAN MARKET/CARPARK BUILDING AT CHAI WAN.
♦THE $31.6 MILLION PROJECT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION IN THE DISTRICT.
♦WHEN THIS BUILDING WAS DESIGNED A SPECIAL LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY WAS ADDED SO THAT THE ROOF COULD BE USE? FOR OTHER PURPOSES,* SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.
THE GAMES HALL WILL BE EASILY CONVERTIBLE FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF SPORTS INCLUDING HANDBALL, BASKETBALL, _ljnrc VOLLEY-BALL AND BADMINTON. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE THREE SQUASH COURTS, A DANCING ROOM AND A FITNESS TRAINING ROOM, ALL OF WHICH WILL BE AIR-CONDITIONED.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR WITH COMPLETION SET FOR 1988.
MEANWHILE, A 3 320 SQUARE-METRE SITE IN CAINE LANE WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN IMAGINATIVE +GREEN LUNG+ IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AREA.
+THE CENTREPIECE WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN WITH WATER FEATURES AND PAVILIONS, AND THE REST OF THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A LARGE CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA, SITTING-OUT AREAS, AND TOILETS.
♦ THIS WILL PROVIDE THE AREA WITH A MUCH-NEEDED ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL AREA, AND IS SURE TO BE VERY WELL USED BY THE MANY FAMILIES IN THE AREA,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE GO-AHEAD FOR BOTH PROJECTS WAS GIVEN AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL’S STANDING COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
- - 0 - -
NO MORE DEADLINES FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS
*****
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS DONE AWAY WITH DEADLINES FOR ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SECRETARIAT SAID.
+LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FOR THE 1986-87 FINANCIAL YEAR,* HE SAID.
/+DJ THE.........
SUNDAY, MABCH 23, 1986
10
♦ IN THE PAST, APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS WERE INVITED ONLY TWICE A YEAR - IN MARCH AND AUGUST.
♦ HOWEVER, THIS HAD PROVED IMPRACTICAL AS SOME WORTHWHILE PROJECTS COULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE APPLICANTS WERE UNABLE TO MEET THE DEADLINES,* HE ADDED.
TO ALLOW THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD TO HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS, ADVANCE NOTICE OF AT LEAST TWO MONTHS SHOULD BE GIVEN BEFORE THE PROJECT STARTED, HE SAID.
EACH APPLICATION WOULD BE SCREENED BY A VETTING COMMITTEE, WHICH WOULD THEN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 880-886 KING’S ROAD, THE CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-OFFICE AT 9-11 WING HING STREET, THE SHAU KEI WAN SUB-OFFICE AT 243 WAN ROAD, AND THE CHAI WAN SUB-OFFICE AT BLOCK 2,
KEI WAH
SHAU HING
ESTATE.
-----0------
FLYOVER PROJECT AT AIRPORT * * * *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD A 5.5-METRE WIDE FLYOVER TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW PASSENGER DEPARTURE PODIUM FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD NORTHBOUND.
WORK ON THE SINGLE-LANE FLYOVER WILL START IN DECEMBER AND IS DUE FOR COMPLETION AT THE SAME TIME AS THE DEPARTURE PODIUM IS READY IN FEBRUARY 1988.
THERE ARE ALSO PLANS FOR ANOTHER SINGLE-LANE FLYOVER TO PROVIDE AN EXIT FROM THE EXISTING CAR PARK ON TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD NORTHBOUND, BUT NO STARTING DATE FOR THIS FLYOVER HAS BEEN FIXED.
BESIDES PROVIDING BETTER ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT THE TWO FLYOVERS WILL IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AT THE JUNCTION OF SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD AND THE KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT.
BOTH THE KOWLOON CITY AND wONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE ENDORSED THE PROJECT.
A PLAN OF THE PROJECT CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, KOWLOON.
OBJECTIONS TO THE SCHEME SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MAY 20.
0
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1986
- 11 -
SITE BEING DEVELOPED AS OPEN SPACE X * * *
A SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF ON LOK ROAD AND TAI CHEUNG STREET IN YUEN LONG IS TO BE DEVELOPED INTO LOCAL OPEN SPACE.
OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 8OO SQUARE METRES, THE PROPOSED OPEN SPACE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CONCRETE PAVING, TIMBER ARBOURS, WOODEN SEATS, TREE PITS AND FLORAL POTS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES THE PROVISION OF PLUMBING AND A DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER.
------o-------
HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS OF LIBRARIES * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ITS PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL BE OPEN AT CERTAIN TIMES DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.
ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES, EXCEPT THE SOUTH LAMMA LIBRARY AND THE TWO MOBILE LIBRARIES, WILL BE OPEN IN THE MORNING ON BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (MARCH 29-30).
ON MONDAY (MARCH 31), THE LIBRARIES AT CHEUNG CHAU, FANLING, MUI WO, SAI KUNG, SHEUNG SHU I, SOUTH KWAI CHUNG, TAI PO, TSI NG Yl AND TUEN MUN (TAI HING) WILL OPEN ONLY IN THE MORNING WHILE THOSE AT PENG CHAU, NORTH KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN, SOUTH LAMMA, TAI 0, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN (YAU 01), YUEN LONG AND THE TWO MOBILE LIBRARIES WILL BE CLOSED.
ALL LIBRARIES WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY (MARCH 28).
------0-------
TUEN MUN WATER CUT
* * * M
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED CFF FROM 7 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 26) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY SHEK PAI TAU ROAD, TSUN WEN ROAD, ROAD LD2 AND ROAD LD3, INCLUDING TAI HING ESTATE, CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, SIU HANG TSUEN, KWONG SHAN TSUEN, PO TONG HA TSUEN, LEUNG TIN TSUEN, TZE TIN TSUEN, SIU HONG COURT, KI LUN WAI, SAN HING TSUEN, SHUN FUNG WAI, FUK HANG TSUEN AND FU TEI SHEUNG TSUEN.
FU TEI CHUNG TSUEN, SAN WAI TSAI, LAM TEI TAI STREET, NAI WAI AND FU TEI WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
- - - 0 - - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LESS TUBERCULOSIS CaSES LAST YEAR ............................ 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY .......................... 2
DIVERSIFIED WELFARE SERVICES FOR SHA TIN ..................... 5
EXCELLENT RESPONSE TO +OPERATION PEN-FRIENIH ................. 5
LANDMARK TO STRENGTHEN MONG KOK IDENTITY OPENED .............. 6
WORKING GROUP TOURS PRIVATE STREETS .......................... 7
WINNING FESTIVE PHOTOGRAPHS ON DISPLAY ....................... 8
TONNOCHY ROAD FLYOVER TO BE BUILT ............................ 9
DREDGING WORK AT CASTLE PEAK BAY ............................. 9
PRESS CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL SERVICES ......................... "IO
TRAFFIC WORKING GROUP TO MEET ................................ 10
DISTRICT COMMITTEE TO MEET WEDNESDAY ......................... 11
RE-OPENING OF TAI HaNG ROAD .................................. 11
t •
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL ................................... 12
KWUN TONG WATER CUT .......................................... 12
PLB RESTRICTED ZONES IN YUEN LONG ............................ 1J
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 1?
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1986
1
LESS TUBERCULOSIS CASES LAST YEAR * * * * *
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW NOTIFICATIONS AND DEATHS FROM TUBERCULOSIS HAD DROPPED IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION, DR THONG SAID THAT, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, NEW NOTIFICATIONS OF THE DISEASE HAD DECREASED FROM 7 843 IN 1984 TO 7 545 IN 1985 AND THE NOTIFICATION RATE FROM 146.2 TO 139.1 PER 100 000 POPULATION.
DEATHS FROM TUBERCULOSIS ALSO DROPPED FROM 420 IN 1984 TO 409 IN 1985 AND THE DEATH RATE FROM 7.8 TO 7.5 PER 100 000 POPULATION.
DR THONG, WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, SAID THAT THE INCREASED NOTIFICATIONS IN 1984 HAD PROBABLY ALERTED THE POPULATION TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THEIR GENERAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC HYGIENE.
THE CONTROL AND TREATMENT PROGRAMME FOR TUBERCULOSIS HAD CONTINUED TO BE MAINTAINED AND IMPROVED, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO STATISTICS ON CANCER, DR THONG REPORTED THAT THERE WERE 1 593 DEATHS FROM LUNG CANCER IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1985, COMPARED WITH 1 589 DEATHS IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1984.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE IT WAS A LITTLE COMFORTING TO SEE THAT DEATHS FROM CANCER DID NOT CONTINUE TO RISE, IT WOULD NOT BE WISE TO DRAW ANY CONCLUSION AT THIS STAGE.
HE HOPED THAT WITH ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES SUSTAINED, THE EFFECT WOULD BE REFLECTED BY DECLINING DEATHS IN THE FUTURE.
ON CARDIAC SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL, DR THONG SAID IT HAD EXPANDED AGAIN LAST YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 565 OPEN HEART OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT AND THE SUCCESS RATE WAS VERY HIGH. THERE WERE ALSO REFERRAL CASES COMING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
IN ADDITION, TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WERE ARRANGED IN THE CARDIAC CENTRE.
ON THE ASSOCIATION’S NEW PROJECT, DR THONG SAID THAT REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL WAS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AS PLANNED.
SITE FORMATION WORK WAS COMPLETED IN MID-OCTOBER 1985 AND THE $9.98 MILLION FOUNDATION WORK HAD STARTED IN NOVEMBER.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE HOSPITAL BUILDING AND THE STAFF QUARTERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR.
DR THONG SAID HE EXPECTED THE NEW HOSPITAL TO BE COMPLETED IN 1989.
- • 0
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1>B6
2
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY
******
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 3.2 PER CENT AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) BY 3.6 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1936 COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1985, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) FOR FEBRUARY 1986 WERE 162.9 AND 163.7 RESPECTIVELY. COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1986 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, CPI(A) INCREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT AND CPI(B), BY 1.2 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CP I (A) AND AVERAGE CP 1(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1936, AT 160.5 AND 161.0 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 3.1 PER CENT AND 3.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1985.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 1986, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.2 PER CENT PER MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP 1(B), AT 0.3 PER CENT PER MONTH.
DURING FEBRUARY, FOOD PRICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND LIVE POULTRY, WERE HIGHER. PRIVATE DWELLING RENTALS AND CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT AND HAIRDRESSING ALSO WENT UP. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR WERE LOWER.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(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 1979/80 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN 81 000 AND 83 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME, AND THE CP 1(B), BETWEEN $3 500 AND 56 499 A MONTH.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1986 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PR ICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1986 AND FEBRUARY 1985, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
/(OCTOBER 1979 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1986
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE = 130)
CPI(A) CP 1(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR FEB 86 % CHANGE OVER JAN 86 % CHANGE OVER FEB 85 INDEX FOR FEB 86 i CHANGE OVER JAN 86 i CHANGE OVER FEB B5
FOODSTUFFS 157.6 + 2.2 + 1.3 158.9 + 2.0 + 1.6
HOUSING 157.8 +□.2 +3.0 157.5 +0.5 +3.0
FUEL AND LIGHT 145.2 -0.2 -1.1 145.5 -0.2 -0.3
ALCOHOLIC 234.5 DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) +0.0* + 12.0 225.1 + 11.7
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 168.9 -1.0 +4.7 171.0 -1.1 +5.6
DURABLE GOODS 125.3 +0.1 +1.2 130.1 — + 1.5
MISCELLANEOUS 153.1 GOODS +0.7 +1.8 151.3 +0.8 + 3.5
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 186.5 +0.4 + 6.5 187.6 +3.3 +6.3
SERVICES 198.5 + 2.6 +8.8 192.6 +2.5 +7.9
ALL ITEMS 162.9 + 1.3 +3.2 163.7 + 1.2 +3.6
X LESS THAN 0.05 PER CENT
FOR FOODSTUFFS
THE INDEX
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1986,
INCREASED BY 2.2 PER CENT IN CP I(A) AND TWO PER CENT IN CP I (3}. THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE POULTRY, PORK AND SALT-WATER FISH"'AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, AND '^^AVERAGE f«f?tSOF°R MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS I NS I GN IcI CANT.
/The index ........
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1986
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING ROSE BY 0.2 PER CENT IN CP I(A) AND 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE DWELLINGS.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DECREASED BY ONE PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND 1.1 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF MEN’S AND WOMEN’S OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF "IGHER PRICES OF JEWELLERY AS WELL AS HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH FLOWERS AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES WENT UP BY 0.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND 0.3 PER CENT IN CP I(B) DUE TO HIGHER PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ROSE BY 2.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND 2.5 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING, PACKAGE TOURS AND CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS 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 FEBRUARY 1986, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3 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.
-----0------
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1986
5
DIVERSIFIED WELFARE SERVICES FOR SHA TIN * K * *
WELFARE SERVICE IN SHA TIN WILL ACHIEVE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND WELFARE AGENCIES, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT OPENING OF THE SHA KOK DAY NURSERY AND THE SUN CHUI DAY NURSERY OPERATED BY THE NEW KOWLOON WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION IN SHA TIN, SHE SAID EIGHT SUBVENTED NURSERIES WERE EXPECTED TO OPEN IN THE AREA DURING THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
+THESE NEW NURSERIES WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 850 PLACES TO MEET THE DEMAND OF RESIDENTS,* SHE SAID.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 12 SUBVENTED NURSERIES IN SHA TIN PROVIDING 1 320 PLACES.
ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, MRS CHAN SAID IT WAS PLANNED TO OPEN 15 CHILDREN’S CENTRES AND 14 YOUTH CENTRES IN SHA TIN IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
TWELVE HOMES, HOSTELS AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WERE ALSO PLANNED IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO SUPPLEMENT THE 12 EXISTING INSTITUTIONS SERVING THE AGED IN THE AREA.
+THIRTEEN REHABILITATION CENTRES OF ALL KINDS ARE ALSO PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS,* MRS CHAN SAID.
- - o - -
EXCELLENT RESPONSE TO +OPERATION PEN-FRIEND* * * * * *
THE ORGANISERS OF +OPERATION POSTCARD* - THE PEN-FRIEND EXERCISE TARGETTED AT THE ESTIMATED 14 EXPECTED TO VISIT EXPO ’86 IN CANADA - SAID TODAY IT WAS PROVING TO BE A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.
+S0 MUCH SO THAT A FURTHER 500 000 POSTCARDS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS*, THE ORGANISERS SAID.
WORLD’S BIGGEST MILLION PEOPLE (MONDAY) THAT
WILL BE MADE A SPOKESMAN FOR
AS AN INDICATION OF THE EXCELLENT RESPONSE, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UP TO LAST SATURDAY (MARCH 22) WELL IN EXCESS OF 540 000 CARDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN COLLECTED BY 463 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.
/AS THE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1986
6
AS THE INTER-SCHOOL CONTEST DRAWS TO A CLOSE AT 5 PM THIS WEDNESDAY (MARCH 26), HE REMINDED HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT THE COMPLETED CARDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE WINNING SCHOOL WILL BE ABLE TO SEND A TEAM, COMPRISING FIVE STUDENTS AND A TEACHER, TO TOUR THE EXPOSITION DURING THc SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN JULY.
THE RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN EQUALLY ENCOURAGING WITH OVER 100 000 CARDS ALREADY COLLECTED FROM THE TWO DISPENSING BOOTHS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES HEADQUARTERS AT BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, AND AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE.
HE ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT THESE CARDS WILL BE AVAILABLE RIGHT UP TO THE FINAL DAYS OF THE EXPOSITION WHICH WILL BE HELD IN VANCOUVER, CANADA, FROM MAY 2 TO OCTOBER 13.
MESSAGES ON THE BLANK SIDE OF THE CARD CAN TAKE MANY FORMS. IT CAN BE A SKETCH, A WRITTEN TEXT OR A POEM.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL ALSO BE A FREE DELIVERY SERVICE.^ COMPLETED CARDS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DISPENSING BOOTHS Ao THEY ALSO SERVE AS COLLECTION BOXES.
0 -
LANDMARK TO STRENGTHEN MONG KOK IDENTITY OPENED
******
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO TODAY (MONDAY), OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SIX-METRE TALL DISTRICT LANDMARK OF THf MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, SAID THE LANDMARK WOULD HELP FOSTER A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY AND ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO MONG KOK.
HE SAID IT SYMBOLISED THE UNITY OF BOARD MEMBERS, STRIVING FOR A CONTINUAL AIM TO BETTER ‘HE WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE LANDMARK IS A CIRCULAR COLUMN COATED WITH MARBLE SLATS AND CARRIES THE DISTRICT BOARD LOGO ON FOUR SIDES. IT STANDS ON A TRAFFIC ISLAND AT THE INTERSECTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD.
DISCLOSING PLANS FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, MR CHOW SAID THE BOARD WOULD CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE DISTRICT. IT WOULD CLOSELY MONITOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS’ RESPONSIBLE FOR DISMANTLING ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN BACKLANES, AND WOULD URGE THEM TO CLEAR RUBBISH ON CANOPIES AND LIGHT WELLS.
/+T0 FOLLOW ........
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 19ft
+T0 FOLLOW UP ON THE SURVEY OF PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS, THE BOARD WOULD ORGANISE A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES, IN COLLABORATION WITH VARIOUS INTEREST AND WELFARE GROUPS IN THE DISTRICT, WITH THE AIM OF INSTILLING THE CORRECT CONCEPT OF HEALTHY LIFE,* MR CHOW SAI!'
THE LANDMARK PROJECT COSTS $132 000 WITH $50 000 SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND $82 000 ALLOCATED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT MANAGER MONGKOK OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, MR C.L.F. BAMFORD; CHAIRMAN OF THE LANDMARK OPF-'ING CEREMONY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR YIP KAM-CHIU, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, MR CLEMENT TAO.
-------0--------
WORKING GROUP TOURS * * *
PRIVATE STREET’S * ¥
MEMBERS OF A WORKING GROUP ON PRIVATE STREETS OF THE Ku»vLOO.« CITY DISTRICT BOARD TOURED TO KWA WAN TODAY (MONDAY) TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS THERE.
LED BY THE ASSISTANT KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TOMMY YUEN, AND THE WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN, MR TANG TAI-CHUEN, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, THE GROUP VISITED FOUR PRIVATE STREETS WHICH WERE RESUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1984 AS WELL AS OTHER PRIVATE STREETS IN THE AREA.
THE FOUR STREETS THAT THE GOVERNMENT RESUMED IN 1984 UNDER A PILOT SCHEME TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ARE: SHIM LUEN STREET. YIN ON STREET, TSUN FAT STREET AND HOK LING STREET. ABOUT $1 MILLION WAS SPENT TO REPAIR ROAD SURFACES AND OTHER UTILITIES.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESUME ANOTHER FOUR PRIVATE STREETS IN TO KWA WAN IN THE 1986-87 RESUMPTION PROGRAMME. DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION WILL BE GAZETTED SHORTLY.
THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 44 PRIVATE STREETS IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT INCLUDING FOUR THAT WERE RESUMED AND FOUR OTHERS THAT WILL BE RESUMED IN THE NEXT PROGRAMME.
IN VIEW OF SATISFACTORY RESULTS OF THE PILOT SCHEME AND DEEP CONCERN BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, THE WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED LAST MONTH AND ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE: »
/X TO MONITOR ........
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1?86
*
*
*
8 -
TO MONITOR AND EVALUATE THE PILOT SCHEME OF PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS;
TO SUGGEST POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AFTER THE 1986-87 PROGRAMME;
TH CONSIDER WAYS OF ASSISTING RESIDENTS OF THE PRIVATE STREETS WHICH ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE 1986-87 PROGRa- :
AND
*
TO SUGGEST PRIORITIES REGARDING THE RESUMPTION OF THE
Jemainin! private streets in the
KOWLOON CITY DI STR ICT.
-------0----------
WINNING FESTIVE PHOTOGRAPHS ON DISPLAY
******
COLOURFUL CHRISTMAS AND CHINESE NEW YEAR LIGHTINGS CAPTURED IN PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION THIS WEDNESDAY (MARCH 26).
MORE THAN 30 PHOTOGRAPHS DEPICTING THE DEVELOPMENT, HISTORICAL LEGENDS AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERIES OF SHA TIN WILL ALSO BE EXHIBITED FOR 22 DAYS UNTIL APRIL 15.
THE EXHIBITS WILL MOVE TO THE LUNG HANG ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM APRIL 2 TO 8 AND THE SHA KOK COMMUNITY HALL FROM APRIL 9 TO 15.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS MEASURING 16 BY 20 INCHES ARE THE WINNING ENTRIES OF THE RECENT PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PARTICIPANTS ARE RESIDENTS EITHER WORKING OR STUDYING IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT. THE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE SPECIALLY SELECTED BY A GROUP OF EXPERTS AND MEMBERS OF THE FESTIVE LIGHTINGS COMMITTEE.
-------0 - -
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1936
- 9 -
TONNOCHY ROAD FLYOVER TO BE BUILT * * * *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A SERIES OF ROADWORKS IN WAN CHAI TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS.
THIS INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TONNOCHY ROAD FLYOVER, THE WIDENING OF THE FLEMING ROAD FLYOVER AND THC CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEWART ROAD AND TONNOCHY ROAD NORTH FOO.□RIDGES.
THE TONNOCHY ROAD FLYOVER WILL PROVIDE DIRECT VEHICULAR ACCESS FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND ON TO TONNOCHY ROAD WHILE THE WIDENING OF THE FLEMING ROAD FLYOVER WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL LANE AT THE NORTH END OF THE ELEVATED ROAD.
THE STEWART ROAD FOOTBRIDGE IS AN ADDITIONAL FACILITY FOR CROSSING GLOUCESTER ROAD TO REACH THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION WHILE THE OTHER FOOTBRIDGE IS FOR ACCESS TO TONNOCHY ROAD.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND TAKE 13 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o------
DREDGING WORK AT CASTLE PEAK BAY * M * *
AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED COVERING 566 HECTARES AT CASTLE PEAK BAY IN TUEN MUN IS TO BE DREDGED TO ALLOW THE PASSAGE OF SUPER BULK COAL CARRIERS OF UP TO 120 000 DEADWEIGHT TONNES.
CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED WILL CARRY OUT THE DREDGING WORKS IN MAY, AND ON COMPLETION IN ABOUT A YEAR’S TIME LARGER COAL-CARRYING VESSELS WILL BE ABLE TO REACH ITS CASTLE PEAK POWER STATION JETTY. “
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE. TH.OSE WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF- LANDS BY MAY 20.
-------0 -
/1C........
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1’36
10
PRESS CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL SERVICES
*****
* pocee CONFERENCE TO RELEASE A GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED CONSTANT'S REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 3 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
TMF CONFERENCE WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALiH AND WELFARE MR JOHN CHAMBERS, THE DIRECTOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH cprvicfc; DR K L THONG AND THE PROJECT DIRL.OR OF THE CONSULTING TEAM, W.D SCOTT AND CO PTY LTD, DR RICHARD FREYER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE THE REPORT, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH ADVANCE READING ONLY.
PRESS CONFERENCE. COPIES OF WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 2 PM FOR
-----o------
TRAFFIC WORKING GROUP TO MEET
*****
THE NEW TERRITORIES LION ROCK TUNNEL TRAFFIC (TUESDAY) AT 2.30 PM.
EAST INTERDISTRICT WORKING GROUP ON THE PROBLEM WILL HOLD A MEETING TOMORROW
THEY WILL DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORT ON VARIOUS PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF' THE LION ROCK TUNNEL SUCH AS THE PRE-PAID TUNNEL TICKET SCHEME, TRAFFIC FLOW ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND AUTO-TOLL AT TUNNEL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING ON THE SI'XTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AT THE KCR HOUSE.
-------o--------
/11 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1986
11
DISTRICT COMMITTEE TO MEET WEDNESDAY * * * *
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL HOLD ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 26) MORNINb.
TOPICS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ROLE OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN STREAM AND NULLAH CLEANSING IN THE DISTRICT AND THE PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TUEN MUN SWIMMING POOL.
THE OPEN MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, AT 9.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
------o -------
RE-OPENING OF TAI HANG ROAD *****
THE SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN BLUE POOL ROAD AND THE STUBBS ROAD ROUNDABOUT WHICH HAD BEEN CLOSED TO WEST-BOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE RE-OPEN FROM NOON TOMORROW (MARCH 25) TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FOR VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS.
THE RE-OPENING IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE PART OF THE ROAD REPAIR WORKS THERE HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE WEIGHT RESTRICTION ON THIS ROAD SECTION WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL THE FULL WIDTH OF THE CARRIAGEWAY IS RE-OPEN ON COMPLETION OF THE ROAD WORKS.
/12 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1936
12
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL
*****
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE MADE 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 27):
* QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL FROM A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ICE HOUSE STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION?
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ICE HOUSE STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 165 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION?
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ICE HOUSE STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 85 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* DUDDELL STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
- - 0 -
KWUN TONG WATER CUT * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF BETWEEN 9 AM AND 7 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 27) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE HIP WO STREET BETWEEN HIU KWONG STREET AND SAU MAU PING ROAD, HIU KWONG STREET, KUNG LOK ROAD, HONG NING ROAD, HONG LEE ROAD AND NEW PO LAM ROAD.
LAM TIN ESTATE, SAU MAU PING ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT, CHOI WAN ESTATE, SHUN LEE TSUEN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
/13 ..
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1986
- 13 -
PLB RESTRICTED ZONCS IN YUEN LONG * r *
A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR DAILY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 27).
THESE ARE:
# PING HA ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KIU TAU WAI 5
* THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KIU TAU WAI, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PING HA ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 309 mftRES WEST Oc THE SAME junction;
* PING HA ROAD NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KIU TAU WAI ?
* THE ACCESS ROADS LEADING FROM PING HA ROAD TO HANG TAU, HANG MEI TSUEN, AND TONG FONG TSUEN; AND
* THE LOOP ROAD FROM ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM PING HA ROAD TO KIU TAU WAI, TO ABOUT 26 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- - 0 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 52.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 306.881 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 359.875 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 61.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
Tuesday, march 25, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AG STRESSES MERITS OF COMMON LAW ................................. 1
REPORT CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY .................. 5
REVISED FARE SCALE FOR CMB ..................................... 8
CMB'S OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN MAINTENANCE ASSESSED ............... 10
PLANS FOR NEW HK OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO ........................ 12
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL SURVEY STARTS .................. 14
RABIES CASE CONFIRMED ........................................... 15
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ......................................
42 TO SPEAK AT RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE ............................ 16
REVISED aRRANGEMBUTS FOR WELFARE SUBVENTIONS .................... 17
CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION PRESENTED .......................... 18
APLIU STREET BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ........................ 19
CLOSURE OF ILLEGaL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES............................ 20
wan chai Banquet for elderly, handicapped ....................... 20
OVERSEAS TRAINING CHANCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIAN ..................... 21
NEW DISTRICT YOUTH CHOIR FORMED .................................. 21
FREE CONCERTS BY AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR ..................... 22
LAUNCHING OF TREE PLANTING SCHEME ............................... 23
ROUTE FIVE CONTRACT SIGNING ....................................... 23
DETAILS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ........................... 24
CENTRAL, WESTERN TRAFFIC CHANGES .................................. 24
TUEN MUN TRAFFIC CHilNGES ......................................... 25
KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN TRAFFIC CHANGES .............................. 25
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
1
AG STRESSES MERITS OF COMMON LAW
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, TODAY STRESSED THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE COMMON LAW SYSTEM HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AND BUILT UPON BY THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING BANQUET OF A SYMPOSIUM ON CHINESE AND EUROPEAN CONCEPTS OF LAW, MR THOMAS SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE RIGHT TO ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO THOSE PARTS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WHICH PRESERVE THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE COMMON LAW.
HE SAID: +IN THE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY YEARS DURING WHICH THIS TERRITORY HAS BEEN GOVERNED BY BRITAIN, THE COMMON LAW TRADITION HAS TAKEN ROOT AND FLOURISHED HERE. AT FIRST, WHEN HONG KONG WAS LITTLE MORE THAN A TRADING POST, THOSE WHO DID BUSINESS HERE BECAME FAMILIAR WITH THOSE AREAS OF MERCANTILE LAW WHICH HAD THEIR GOLDEN AGE IN ENGLAND IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
+IN THAT PERIOD, THE ENGLISH COURTS AND JURISTS DEVELOPED AND REFINED PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE LAWS OF TRADE, BANKING, INSURANCE AND SHIPPING WHICH TO THIS DAY UNDERPIN NEARLY ALL THE WORLD’S TRADE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF BRITAIN’S FORMER IMPERIAL INFLUENCE. AND DURING THE LAST FORTY YEARS, DURING WHICH HONG KONG HAS GROWN FROM A WAR STRICKEN AREA WITH A POPULATION OF 630 000 TO AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE WITH A SUBSTANTIAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND A POPULATION OF 5-1/2 MILLION, ITS EXTRAORDINARY RECORD OF SUCCESS CAN IN THE SAME WAY BE ATTRIBUTED IN PART TO ITS LAWS AND ITS LEGAL SYSTEM.
+CAPITALISM IS NOT JUST AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM: IT IS BOUND UP WITH CONCEPTS OF LAW WHICH ARE ENTRENCHED IN THE TRADITION OF THE COMMON LAW, ITS EMPHASIS UPON INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL LIBERTY AND FREEDOM, ITS ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL CORPORATE PERSONALITY WHEREBY INVESTMENT IS ENCOURAGED BY LIMITING THE RISK OF PERSONAL LOSS, ITS PROVISION FOR READY ACCESS TO COURTS OF LAW AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION SO THAT REMEDIES TO ENFORCE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS ARE READILY AVAILABLE.
+ALL THESE FEATURES OF THE COMMON LAW SYSTEM PROVIDED FERTILE GROUND FOR THE ENERGY, INVENTIVENESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE WHO SETTLED IN HONG KONG.
+THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG IS FOUNDED UPON THE VALUES ENSHRINED IN THE COMMON LAW, UPON FREE ENTERPRISE AND FREE TRADE AND UPON THE FREEDOM OF INDIVIDUALS TO MOVE ABOUT, TO TRAVEL AND TO CHOOSE THEIR OCCUPATION AND HOW BEST TO DEVELOP THEIR INDIVIDUAL TALENTS.
/+AN1- THE
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986'
2
+ AND THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LIFE OF ITS PEOPLE IS FOUNDED UPON FREEDOM ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMON LAW, INCLUDING PERSONAL FREEDOM, FREEDOM OF BELIEF, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.+
MR THOMAS STRESSED THAT ONE FACET OF THE COMMON LAW’S ACCEPTANCE IN HONG KONG IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW CONCEPT. IT ENCOMPASSES THESE POINTS:-
* OFFICIALS CAN ONLY ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH LEGAL POWERS - OR ELSE THEY CAN BE SUED FOR DAMAGE.
* JUDGES INTERPRET THE LAW TO PREVENT ABUSE OF POWER BY OFFICIALS.
* THE CRIMINAL LAW IS REPLETE WITH NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS FOR THE ACCUSED.
* PEOPLE ARE EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW AND ALL ARE SUBJECT TO IT. SO LONG AS THEY DO NOT BREAK THE LAW, PEOPLE MAY CAMPAIGN TO HAVE UNPOPULAR LAWS OR POLICIES CHANGED.
* THE DEEPLY ENGRAINED COMMON LAW PHILOSOPHY OF LEGISLATORS, PUBLIC SERVANTS AND DRAFTSMEN AND COMMENTATORS IN THE COMMUNITY IS A DEFENCE AGAINST WHATEVER MIGHT BE DONE BY AN INSENSITIVE LEGISLATURE.
MR THOMAS ALSO SAID THAT WHILE IT WAS TRUE THAT A MODERN DEVELOPED ECONOMY REQUIRED THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION OF MANY STATUTES, STATUTE LAW WAS NOT REPLACING THE COMMON LAW. DESPITE THE 26 VOLUMES OF HONG KONG ORDINANCES, IT IS THE MANY VOLUMES OF REPORTED CASES FROM MANY COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS WHICH SUPPLY THE UNDERLYING CONCEPTS AND LEGAL PRINCIPLES WHICH PERVADE THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WENT ON TO REVIEW MATTERS FLOWING FROM THE JOINT DECLARATION AND STRESSED:-
* THE BASIC LAW, A LAW OF CHINA UNDER THE CHINESE CONSTITUTION, WILL UNDERPIN THE SYSTEM IN PLACE OF THE LETTERS PATENT AND THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS. WHEN ENACTED, THERE WILL HAVE TO BE CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGES WHICH WILL REMOVE UNITED KINGDOM REFERENCES BUT WILL PRESERVE THE STRENGTHS OF THE COMMON LAW SYSTEM.
* STATUTES IN CHINESE LANGUAGE AS WELL AS ENGLISH ARE NOW A POLITICAL NECESSITY.
/• PREFERABLY
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
- 5 -
* PREFERABLY WELL BEFORE 1997 A FINAL COURT OF APPEAL SHOULD BE SET UP IN HONG KONG REPLACING APPEALS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL.
* IN AREAS OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, IT MAY BE DESIRABLE TO CODIFY THE COMMON LAW. IN DOING THIS WE SHOULD LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE LAWS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS INCLUDING THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
* THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION AND A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997, HAS TO IDENTIFY HOW HONG KONG CAN CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ESSENTIAL TO TRADE AND THE ECONOMY AND THIS INVOLVES THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ULTIMATELY A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF CONSEQUENTIAL LEGAL WORK.
0
REPORT CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ******
THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO TAKE CHARGE OF ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS IS AMONG RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN A REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE REPORT IS THE RESULT OF A ID-MONTH REVIEW COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN FEBRUARY 1985.
MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE, STAFFING AND INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WERE MADE BY THE AUSTRALIAN CONSULTANCY FIRM, W.D. SCOTT AND CO PTY LTD, WHICH UNDERTOOK THE TASK.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DURING THE REVIEW, THE CONSULTANTS WERE GUIDED BY A STEERING COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND COMPRISING BOTH OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
THEY ALSO MADE CONTACT WITH A WHOLE RANGE OF INDIVIDUALS, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, AND STAFF ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD BEFORE SUBMITTING THEIR FINAL REPORT IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
4
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD RECENTLY DIRECTED THAT THE REPORT SHOULD BE PUBLISHED AS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT.
THE REPORT, A BULKY DOCUMENT, IS SUMMARISED IN THE EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW IN THE FIRST 11 PAGES. THE SUCCEEDING CHAPTERS THEN ADDRESS THE TERMS OF REFERENCE BEFORE CONCLUDING WITH A SUMMARY CF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE CONSULTANTS NOTED IN THE REPORT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE AND THAT THE RESULTS IN TERMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAVE BEEN IMPRESSIVE.
HOWEVER, THEIR EXAMINATION HAS REVEALED SOME CRITICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE AND STRONG PRESSURES FOR CHANGE. THESE IMPLICATIONS INCLUDE THE INCREASING COST OF PROVIDING HOSPITAL MEDICAL SERVICES, RISING COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS, GROWING CONCERN AMONG THE SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS OVER STAFF FRINGE BENEFITS AND OVER THE GENERAL LOWER OVERALL LEVEL OF FUNDING WHEN COMPARED WITH GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, PROBLEMS ARISING FROM DIFFICULTIES IN IDENTIFYING EXPENDITURE PRIORITIES AND WEAKNESSES IN THE REGIONALISATION STRUCTURE.
THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT AREx
(A) AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, LARGELY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, SHOULD BE SET UP WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS (I.E. THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS). (PAGE 5-14)
(B) EVENTUALLY ALL AUTHORITY STAFF SHOULD WORK UNDER COMMON TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE. (PAGE 5-17)
(C) SEVEN REGIONS (EVENTUALLY NINE) SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR MEDICAL SERVICES AND EACH REGION SHOULD HAVE A LOCAL BOARD OF MANAGEMENT. (PAGE 5-22)
(D) THERE SHOULD BE A CHIEF EXECUTIVE WITH OVERALL AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF EACH MAJOR HOSPITAL. THE CONSULTANTS CONSIDERED THAT, AT LEAST INITIALLY, CHIEF EXECUTIVES WOULD BE MEDICALLY QUALIFIED. IN EACH HOSPITAL A CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, A CHIEF NURSING OFFICER AND A CHIEF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR WOULD REPORT TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE. (PAGE 6-37)
(E) THE NUMBER OF BEDS MANAGED BY ONE CONSULTANT SHOULD BE REDUCED TO BETWEEN 60 AND 80 IN MOST NORMAL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL WARDS. (PAGE 6-38)
/(F) THERE ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
5 -
(F) THERE SHOULD BE AN IMPROVED NURSING STRUCTURE, wI TH ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES BEING PLACED ON NURSING STAFF WITH BETTER ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. (PAGES 6-42 AND 6-43)
(G) THE CHIEF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD BE GIVEN AN ENHANCED ROLE IN HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION. (PAGES 6-44 AND 6-46)
(H) ALL STAFF, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES, SHOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE HOSPITAL, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE REGIONAL BOARD OF MANAGEMENT. (PAGE 6-46)
(I) TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING, ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION BEDS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED ADJACENT TO ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS FOR WHICH PATIENTS WOULD NOT REQUIRE FORMAL ADMISSION? BETTER SUPPORT SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS? THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER SYSTEM OF ALLOCATING PATIENTS TO UNITS WITHIN THE HOSPITAL; AND GREATER USE MADE OF TRANSFERS FROM ACUTE TO CONVALESCENT WARDS. (PAGES 7-11 TO 7-14)
(J) TO IMPROVE THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT, STAFF ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS SHOULD BE MADE CLEARER, THERE SHOULD BE MORE FLEXIBLE STAFFING AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES DESIGNED TO MAKE BETTER USE OF SKILLED AND QUALIFIED STAFF, IMPROVED PROCEDURES FOR INTERSTAFF COMMUNICATION AND IMPROVED TEACHING AND RESEARCH FACILITIES. (PAGES 8-11 TO 8-20)
(K) OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTRACT EMPLOYMENT AND/OR SESSIONAL ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO SELECTED SENIOR CLINICIANS, AS WELL AS LIMITED RIGHTS OF PRIVATE PRACTICE FOR SPECIALIST DOCTORS IN THE NEW AUTHORITY. (PAGES 9-1$ AND 9-20)
(L) THERE SHOULD BE EXTENDED ARRANGEMENTS FOR IDENTIFYING THE AREAS OF MAJOR COST AND FOR DEMONSTRATING THAT VALUE HAS BEEN RECEIVED FOR MONEY SPENT. (PAGES 10-14 TO 10-16)
(M) THE BASIS ON WHICH THE STANDARD BED DAY CHARGE IS CALCULATED SHOULD BE CHANGED FROM THE EXISTING NOTIONAL FOOD COSTS TO A BROADER BASE, AND OTHER CHARGES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES. (PAGE 11-15)
(N) THERE SHOULD BE PILOT SCHEMES TO INTRODUCE A NEW CLASS OF HOSPITAL BED WHICH WOULD BE OF A HIGHER STANDARD THAN A THIRD-CLASS BED BUT LESS COSTLY THAN THE PRESENT FIRST AND SECOND-CLASS BEDS A SURVEY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO ESTABLISH THE POTENTIAL MARKET FOR THIS TYPE OF HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. (PAGE 11-23)
/(O) IF THE .........
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
- 6 -
CHAPTER 5 OF THE REPORT SETS OUT THE COST IMPLICATIONS OF THE -----rtul-o Tuc c-iost Flvfr YEARS. THE CONSULTANTS
insncn j vr i,,_
RECOMMENDATIONS OVER THE FIRST FIVE YEARS.
ESTIMATED THAT THESE WOULD EE IN THE ORDER OF:
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
SETTING UP COSTS
STAFF COSTS
UPGRADING FACILITIES
ONCE OFF (5 YRS)
2OOM
45OM
3OOM
95OM
RECURRENT (PER ANNUM)
1OOM
3OM
13OM
REDUCED COSTS
BETTER USAGE OF FACILITIES
REDUCED BUILDINGS 400 M
. REDUCED STAFF COST 200M 60M
IMPROVED EFFICIENCY 360M 120M
96OM 180M
THE CONSULTANTS HAVE THUS CONCLUDED THAT FIVE YEARS AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW AUTHORITY THE COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. IN ARRIVING AT THIS CONCLUSION A NUMBER OF MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS WERE MADE AND THESE WILL BE CLOSELY EXAMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT DURING ITS DETAILED CONSIDERATION OF THE REPORT.
/THE SPOKESMAN
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS TOO EARLY TO COMMENT ON THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS, MANY CF WHICH WERE COUCHED IN BROAD TERMS. IT WOULD ONLY BE POSSIBLE TO ARRIVE AT ACCURATE COSTINGS, WHICH WOULD BE ESSENTIAL, WHEN DECISIONS HAD BEEN MADE ON HOW PRECISELY THE RECOMMENDATIONS MIGHT BE IMPLEMENTED. HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THE CONSULTANTS’ FIGURES DID NOT INCLUDE ADDITIONAL STAFF AND OTHER COSTS THAT WOULD BE INCURRED IN IMPLEMENTING A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS- ON THE OTHER HAND, NEITHER HAD THEY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ANY INCREASED REVENUE FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PROPOSED NEW AND INCREASED CHARGES OR SAVINGS FROM IMPROVEMENTS TO COST CONTROL PROCEDURES.
THERE WERE OBVIOUS DIFFICULTIES IN ARRIVING AT ANY ACCURATE ESTIMATE OF THE LIKELY SAVINGS TO BE DERIVED FROM THE AUTHORITY STRUCTURE. FURTHERMORE, IT APPEARED THAT VERY CONSIDERABLE UP-FRONT COSTS WOULD HAVE TO BE INCURRED BEFORE ANY SAVINGS COULD BE MADE, AND THIS IN TURN SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT SAVINGS OF THE ORDER INDICATED BY THE CONSULTANTS WOULD ARISE WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THE AUTHORITY’S ESTABLISHMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THE REPORT. THE LAST DECADE HAD SEEN AN ENORMOUS EXPANSION OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND THIS EXPANSION WOULD CONTINUE IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
RAPID EXPANSION OF ANY SYSTEM WAS LIKELY TO CREATE ORGANISATIONAL PROBLEMS AND IT WAS AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO CONDUCT THE REVIEW. IN PARTICULAR IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT GREATER VALUE FOR MONEY COULD BE OBTAINED WITH BETTER INTEGRATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND A MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE IN ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
THE CONSULTANTS HAD MADE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE AND THESE CONSTITUTED A FIRM BASE ON WHICH TO FORMULATE PLANS FOR THE REORGANISATION OF THE HOSPITAL STRUCTURE. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT YET IN A POSITION TO ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION IN THE REPORT. IT WAS NECESSARY FIRST TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC AND IN PARTICULAR THOSE INVOLVED IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS. THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A STATUTORY AUTHORITY WITH OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOSPITALS WOULD HAVE AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S MEDICAL SERVICES AND WOULD HAVE TO BE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL WITH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICtS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, INCLUDING STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND THE BOARDS CF MANAGEMENT OF SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN RELATION TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH TOUCHED ON THE INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
- 8 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT COPIES OF THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THE FULL REPORT WOULD BE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED TO ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED NEDICAL SECTORS. ALL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE REPORT.
COPIES OF THE EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW HAD BEEN PRINTED AS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT AND WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH DISTRICT OFFICES AND OTHER CHANNELS. THE PUBLIC WOULD BE INVITED TO CONVEY THEIR COMMENTS ON THE REPORT TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE BEFORE THE END OF AUGUST.
-------o --------
REVISED FARE SCALE FOR CMB * * * * *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A REVISED FARE SCALE FOR THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY TO TAKE EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1986. CMB’S LAST GENERAL FARE INCREASE WAS IN JANUARY 1984.
IN MONEY TERMS, 14.4 PER CENT OF THE PASSENGERS WILL HAVE TO PAY 10 CENTS MORE PER TRIP, 61.7 PER CENT 20 CENTS MORE, 17.3 PER CENT 40 CENTS MORE, 3.8 PER CENT 50 CENTS MORE AND 0.3 PER CENT WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL FARE OF 80 CENTS. SOME 2.5 PER CENT OF PASSENGERS ARE UNAFFECTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO PAY EXISTING FARES.
FARES ON CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTES OPERATED JOINTLY BY CMB AND KOWLOON MOTOR BUS GENERALLY REMAIN UNCHANGED. HOWEVER, THE +AFTER TUNNEL+ SECTION FARES OF THESE SERVICES HAVE BEEN INCREASED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE OVERALL FARE INCREASE APPROVED WAS LESS THAN HAD BEEN REQUESTED BY CMB AND TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE ADVICE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE RECENT AND PROJECTED REDUCTIONS IN THE COST OF FUEL OIL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA WHICH HAD BEEN SUBMITTED BY CMB IN SUPPORT OF ITS APPLICATION FOR A FARE INCREASE HAD BEEN GIVEN VERY CLOSE SCRUTINY BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE GOVERNMENT.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE STANDARD OF CMB’S SERVICES, PARTICULARLY OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS WHEN THE COMPANY’S PERFORMANCE HAD BEEN CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE REVISED FARE SCALE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON MARCH 27 (THURSDAY).
/THE EXISTING .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
9 -
THE EXISTING AND REVISED FARE SCALES OF CMB ARE AS FOLLOWS:
GROUP OF ROUTES JOURNEY DISTANCE NOT EXCEEDING: KM
I II III URBAN URBAN EXPRESS SUBURBAN 10 16 7 10 14 4 R
IV ( SUBURBAN EXPRESS VIA ABERDEEN TUNNEL) J 8 13 20 6 11 1 £
V SUBURBAN RECREATION ID 21 8 16
VI EXPRESS COACH 10 13 17
VI I CROSS-HARBOUR (A) URBAN 24
(B) SUBURBAN AND EXPRESS (NEW ROUTE GROUP) 24
(C) RECREATION AND ALL-NIGHT SERVICES 14 22
(D) NEW TERRITORIES 20
48
REVISED FARE
EXISTING SCALE EFFECTIVE
FARE SCALE 1 APRIL 1986
800 $1.00
SI.00 $1.20
SI.00 $1.20
SI. 30 $1.50
$1.50 $1.70
800 $1.00
$1.00 $1.20
$1.30 $1.50
$1.60 $2.00
$2.50 $3.00
$1.30 $1.50
$1.70 $2.10
$2.50 $3.00
$3.00 $3.50
$1.70 $2.20
$2.70 $3.50
$2.00 $2.50
$3.00 S3.6O
$4.00 $4.80
$2.50 $2.50
($1.00 ($1.20
ON LEAVING ON LEAVING
CROSS HARBOUR CROSS HARBOUR
TUNNEL) TUNNEL)
—' $3.00
$4.00 $4.00
$4.50 $4.50
($1.80 ($2.00
ON LEAVING ON LEAVING
CROSS HARBOUR CROSS HARBOUR
TUNNEL) TUNNEL)
$4.00 $4.00
$5.00 $5.00
$7.00 $7.00
/ROUTE 170
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
10
ROUTE 170 DIRECTION : TO WAH FU - AFTER LION ROCK TUNNEL - AFTER CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL - AFTER ABERDEEN TUNNEL $4.00 $2.00 $1.20 $4.00 $2.70 $1.20
DIRECTION : TO SHA TIN - AFTER ABERDEEN TUNNEL - AFTER CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL - AFTER KOWLOON TONG (SUFFOLK ROAD) $4.00 $2.20 $1.40 $4.00 $2.20 $1.40
(E) SHA TIN RACECOURSE RECREATION 30 $12.00 ($4.00 ON LEAVING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL) $12.00 ($4.00 ON LEAVING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL)
VI 1 1 ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR EXPRESS 11 16 $1.80 $2.20 $1.80 $2.20
c - — — —
CMB’S OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN MAINTENANCE ASSESSED * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC), AT ITS MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY) CONSIDERED THE TENTH PROGRESS REPORT AND THE FINAL ASSESSMENT OF CMB’S PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP OF THE TAC ON CMB MAINTENANCE.
MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO TAC SINCE JUNE LAST YEAR TO INFORM MEMBERS OF CMB’S PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT.
IN OCTOBER 1985, TAG MEMBERS ADVISED THAT CMB’S PERFORMANCE SHOULD BE MONITORED FOR ANOTHER FIVE MONTHS.
IN THIS FINAL ASSESSMENT, MEMBERS NOTED THAT CMB HAD IMPLEMENTED MOST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT.
THE REPORT SHOWED THAT THE BUS COMPANY HAD MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN UPGRADING ITS MAINTENANCE STANDARDS AND IN IMPROVING THE ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF ITS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
/IN TERMS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
IN TERMS OF FACILITIES, CMB HAD PURCHASED NEW EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE OF BUSES. FACILITIES AT EXISTING DEPOTS IN WONG CHUK HANG, CHAI WAN, NORTH POINT AND JAVA ROAD HAD BEEN UPGRADED WHILE A NEW MULTI-STOREY DEPOT HAD OPENED IN WONG CHUK HANG.
WITH REGARD TO WORKING PROCEDURES, CMB HAD STREAMLINED ITS SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES TO ENABLE EARLY DETECTION OF FAULTS ON BUSES AND PROMPT RECTIFICATION OF THESE FAULTS.
BUSES WERE NOW SERVICED AT REGULAR INTERVALS OF NO MORE THAN 30 DAYS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CUALI CONTROL SECTION HAD HELPED ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY OF SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE WORK DONE ON BUSES WERE UP TO STANDARD.
IN THE FIELD OF STAFF TRAINING, CMB HAD UPGRADED AND INCREASED THE THROUGHPUT OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR ITS WORKFORCE AT ALL LEVELS. THE BUS COMPANY’S TRAINING SCHOOL AT CHAI WAN DEPOT HAD BEEN EXPANDED AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES HAD BEEN ARRANGED WITH INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE INSTITUTE OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS TO HELP CMB STAFF OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
THE SAFETY STANDARD OF CMB BUSES HAD IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR AND WAS NOW MAINTAINED AT A LEVEL OF BELOW 0.5 SAFETY DEFECT PER BUS SPOT CHECKED. BREAKDOWN TOWED-IN CASES HAD ALSO DROPPED BY NEARLY HALF FROM 12.5 IN JANUARY 1985 TO 6.4 CASES LAST DECEMBER.
AS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CMB’S ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT WERE OBVIOUS, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ENGINEERING MANAGER IN MID-JANUARY THIS YEAR. YET IT WOULD BE SOME TIME BEFORE THE FULL IMPACT OF HIS APPOINTMENT WAS FELT AND BEFORE CMB COULD FULLY IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE ORGANISATION AND METHOD CONSULTANT REPORT WHICH PROVIDED THE FRAMEWORK FOR STREAMLINING AND RESTRUCTURING THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT’S MANAGEMENT.
MOREOVER, THERE WERE INDICATIONS TEAT CMB’S SENIOR MANAGEMENT WAS BECOMING MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S SUGGESTIONS. THE COMPANY’S LIAISON WITH THE DEPARTMENT AT BOTH THE PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL LEVELS WAS ALSO GETTING CLOSER AND MORE CONSTRUCTIVE.
WHILE CMB’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAD PAID MORE ATTENTION ON MANAGEMENT ISSUES, THE FLOW OF INFORMATION FROM SENIOR MANAGEMENT UPWARD TO THE BOARD AND DOWNWARD TO MIDDLE MANAGEMENT STAFF HAD BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE.
THE TAC NOTED THAT THESE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BRING LONGTERM BENEFITS AND WAS HAPPY TO SEE WILLINGNESS ON THE PART OF CMB TO SUSTAIN THE IMPROVEMENT ACHIEVED.
/AT TODAY'S .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS WERE ALSO INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
IN A PROGRESS REPORT PRESENTED TO THE TAC, IT WAS RECAPPED THAT CONTRACT FOR PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT, MADE UP OF 22.5 KILOME CF TRACK, WAS AWARDED IN AUGUST 1985.
WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED ON THE GROUND AND THE SYSTEM IS SCHEDULED TO START OPERATION IN AUGUST 1988.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT SINCE THE SECOND PHASE OF THE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO TIE IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TIN SHU I WAI, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION WAS PLANNING TO APPOINT CONSULTANTS TO STUDY THE PROGRAMME SHORTLY.
IN VIEW OF PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE LINKING UP OF THE LRT WITH TSUEN WAN, THE CORPORATION WILL ASK THE CONSULTANTS TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE LRT TO THE METROPOLITAN AREA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
- 0 -
PLANS FOR NEW HK OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO
*****
A PROPOSAL TO STRENGTHEN HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO COUNTER THE RECENT GROWTH IN PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENTS WILL BE PUT BEFORE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE PLAN INCLUDES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, AND THE PROVISION OF AN ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE OFFICER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN WASHINGTON.
SAN FRANCISCO HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE LOCATION FOR THE NEW OFFICE BECAUSE IT IS THE ACCEPTED COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE FOR THE UNITED STATES’ TWO-WAY TRADE WITH THE PACIFIC RIM, HAS A RANGE OF WELL ESTABLISHED COMMERCIAL AND TRADE ORGANISATIONS, AND IS GENERALLY MORE INTERNATIONALLY ORIENTED BECAUSE OF ITS TRADITIONALLY STRONGER TIES WITH THE PACIFIC RIM.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OFFICE THERE WILL ENABLE A FULLER AND BETTER REPRESENTATION OF HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN THE UN ITED STATES.
THE NEW OFFICE, IF APPROVED, WILL BE HEADED BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C, WHO WILL BE SUPPORTED BY A SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND A PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER.
/FOR THE
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
- 13 -
FOR THE EXISTING HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, THE PLAN PROVIDES FOR AN ADDITIC'AL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C TO TAKE ON MAJOR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS SUBJECTS SUCH AS THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN REGULATIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HONG KONG’S COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH CANADA,
THE ADDITIONAL POST WILL ENABLE THE EXISTING COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON TO CONCENTRATE ON INCREASING LOBBYING ACTIVITIES AND LIAISON WITH UNITED STATES OFFICIALS TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S TRADING INTERESTS.
IF THE PLAN CAN BE IMPLEMENTED BY JULY 1 THIS YEAR, IT ..'ILL COST *5 214 OOO IN 1986-87, AND 36 231 000 ANNUALLY THEREAFTER.
ALSO TO BE PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TOMORROW WILL BE A PROPOSAL FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT A SPECIAL PAY ADJUSTMENT OF ABOUT 2.7 PER CENT FOR ALL NON-DI RECTORATE CIVIL SERVANTS WITH RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL AT THE SAME TIME BE INVITED TO APPROVE A SIMILAR ADJUSTMENT TO SCALES AND RATES FOR EMPLOYEES OF SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS THAT ARE NORMALLY ADJUSTED IN LINE WITH CIVIL SERVICE PAY.
THE COST OF THESE PROPOSALS IS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE REGION OF $460 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR. AS 15 MONTHS’ PAYMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED IN 1986-87, INCLUDING RETROSPECTIVE PAYMENTS FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY TO MARCH 1986, THE ACTUAL COST FOR THE 86-87 FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE UP TO ABOUT S565 MILLION.
THIS PACKAGE OFFER IS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF A PAY LEVEL SURVEY OF COMPARABLE NON-DI RECTORATE JOBS WITHIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED AT TOMORROW’S MEETIMG ARE:
M SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR SPECIAL LEGAL EXPENSES FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, AND FOR CABLE AND WIRELESS SERVICES FOR RTHK ;
* A REVISED SCALE OF FEES PAYABLE TO EXAMINERS APPOINTED BY THE AUTHORISED PERSONS’ AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEER’S REGISTRATION COMMITTEE;
X REVISED BASIC RATES OF PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCES;
* ANTICIPATED COSTS OF FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING;
* AN APPLICATION FOR THE WRITE-OFF OF FEES FOR THE STORAGE IN POLICE ARMOURIES OF CERTAIN PRIVATE ARMS AND AMMUNITION
FUNDS FOR........
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 19&6
14
*
*
*
FUNDS FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME?
A PROPOSED GRANT FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TO THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED FOR ESTABLISHING A SHELTERED WORKSHOP IN TAI POI AND
AN EXTENSION OF THE AMBIT TO COVER ANY NET OBLIGATIONS OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG THAT MAY ARISE FROM AN INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENT IN RESPECT OF A SUM OF _ <130 MILLION WHICH IS HALF OF A COMh SIAL LOAN FOR THE PURCHASE OF ITS TEMPORARY PREMISES AT .GYLE CENTRE.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE AGENDA FOR TOMORROW’S MEETING, WHICH WILL BE HELD AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
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EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL SURVEY STARTS *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED THE MARCH 1986 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1986.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY AND RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG.
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 80 000 ESTABLISHMENTS DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING? MANUFACTURING ELECTRICITY AND GAS), WITH FULL ENUMERATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES). ;
INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON MARCH 27, 1986 WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENT.
/SOME 10 000 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
- 15 -
SOME 10 000 ESTABLISHMENTS ARE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF JANUARY-MARCH 1936.
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE MAJOR KIND OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1986.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON M>- TH 5 , 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
RESPONDENTS WITH DIFFICULTY COMPLETING THE FORMS. SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS (PRINTED AT THE BACK OF THE QUESTIONNAIRES) 1 5-436551, 5-444301, 5-455661 AND 5-455668.
AS FOR THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THIS DEPARTMENT DURING JANUARY - MARCH 1986, THEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE. FIELD OFFICERS OF THIS DEPARTMENT EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL CALL ON THESE 4 ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, TYPES OF OWNERSHIP, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS COMMENCED. IN CASE OF ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING
THESE FIELD VISITS, CONTACT THE 5-444364.
DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AT
RABIES CASE CONFIRMED
* X X X *
A 68-YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO DIED IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL YESTERDAY HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS A CASE OF RABIES, A MEDICAL AND b£ALTH DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE CASE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN IMPORTED CASE SINCE THE DECEASED, MAN KAR-SHEUNG, A RESIDENT IN YUEN LONG, HAD SUSTAINED A DOG BITE ON HER LEFT HAND ABOUT A MONTH AGO DURING A VISIT TO CHINA, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AFTER HER RETURN TO HONG KONG ON MARCH 11, SHE BEGAN TO SUFFER FROM FEVER, VOMITING AND WEAKNESS IN HER LEFT UPPER LIMB. SHE WAS TREATED BY A PRIVATE DOCTOR TWICE BUT SHOWED NO IMPROVEMENT.
ON MARCH 19, SHE WAS ADMITTED TO POK 01 HOSPITAL. ON MARCH 21, AS HER CONDITION WAS DETERIORATING, SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AS A CASE OF SUSPECTED RABIES AND DIED THREE DAYS LATER.
/A POST .......
TUESDAY, MAHCH 25 , 1986
16
A POST MORTEM CONFIRMED THAT TrtE PATIENT HAD DIED FROM RABIES.
MEANWHILE, STAFF FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH TRYING TO CONTACT HER FAMILY MEMBERS TO GIVE THEM AND APPROPRIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT IF NECESSARY.
DEPARTMENT ARE HEALTH COUNSELED^
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED
*■
THE ADVICE OF
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASStD ON OCTOBER 12, 1984 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE
ON LEUNG KAM-WAH IMPRISONMENT.
IT WAS ALSO DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON LUK SIU-KEUNG ON MAY 26, 1982 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO 10 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
LEUNG WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF MADAM TANG SO-FOON ON NOVEMBER 19, 1983, WHILE LUK WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER CF MR HO SIU-KEI ON JANUARY 22, 1981.
0--------
42 TO SPEAK AT RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE X 3t 3t fr it
DEBATE ON THE 1986-87 BUDGET WILL RESUME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW' (WEDNESDAY) AND CONTINUE ON THURSDAY, WHEN 42 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE SPEAKING OVER THE TWO DAYS.
A MOTION WILL ALSO BE DEALT WITH.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE FOR THE TRANSFER FROM APRIL 1, OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONS EXERCISABLE BY A NUMBER OF OFFICERS, FOLLOWING THE RE-ORGANISATION NECESSARY WITH THE SET-UP OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON THE SAME DATE.
/VN0FF1CIALS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1?86
- 17 -
UNOFFICIALS SPEAKING TOMORROW WILL BE THE HON LYDIA DUNN, THE HON WONG PO-YAN, THE HON ALLEN LEE, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, THE HON PETER POON, THE HON KIM CHAM, THE HON JACKIE CHAN, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, THE HON DAVID LI KWOK-PO, THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT, THE HON POON CH I-FAI, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE HON THOMAS CLYDESDALE, THE HON RICHARD LAI, THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG, THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN, THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, THE HON PETER C. WONG, THE HON YEUNG PO—KWAN AND THE HON MARTIN LEE.
SPEAKING ON THURSDAY WILL BE DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, THE HON RITA FAN, THE HON PAULINE NG, THE HON SZETO WAH, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE CH I-WAI, THE HON MARIA TAM, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, THE HON F.K. HU, THE HON S.L. CHEN, THE HON SELINA CHOW, THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, THE HON LIU LIT-FOR, THE HON ROSANNA TAM, THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, THE HON K.C. CHAN AND THE HON LEE YU-TAI.
-------o----------
REVISED ARRANGEMENTS FOR WELFARE SUBVENTIONS *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) ENDORSED AT A MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY) A PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE ALLOCATION OF SUBVENTION TO SERVICES ON STANDARD COST SYSTEM IN ORDER TO REDUCE FURTHER ACCUMULATION OF SURPLUSES.
THIS IS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING A REVIEW OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE STANDARD COST APPROACH AND CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
UNDER THE REVISED SYSTEM, PROVISIONS FOR PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS WILL STILL BE ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF MID-POINT SALARIES OF A NOTIONAL STAFF ESTABLISHMENT, BUT THE ALLOCATION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO +UNCONDITIONAL+ AND +CONDITIONAL+ PORTIONS.
THE +UNCONDITIONAL+ PORTION WILL BE RELEASED AUTOMATICALLY ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, AND IF THIS IS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET A SERVICE UNIT’S ACTUAL REQUIREMENTS IN 1986-87, FURTHER RELEASES WILL BE MADE FROM THE ♦CONDITIONAL* PORTION UPON APPLICATION.
THE SUBVERTED WELFARE SECTO” WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE REVISED ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH THE HONG XONfi COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
THE MEETING ALSO ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO RE-INSTATE THE STANDARD 'COST SYSTEM FOR OUTREACH I NG SOCIAL WORK.
’■•"J
/AT PRESENT .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 2$, ’986
18 -
AT PRESENT THE STANDARD COST Si "EM IS IMPLEMENTED IN SEVEN SERVICES, NAMELY SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, FAMILY CASEWORK, SMALL GROUP HOMES, FOSTER CARE, NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND POOL BUS FOR THE ELDERLY.
IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT SURPLUSES ACCUMULATED IN AGENCIES’ ACCOUNTS IN 1983-84 AND 1984-85 wERE ESTIMATED TO BE $17.5 MILLION, SWAC ENDORSED A PROPOSAL THAT SUCH SURPLUSES SHOULD BE RECOVERED FROM AGENCIES’ RESERVE ACCOUNTS AS SOON AS THEY CAN BE IDENTIFIED.
THE RECOVERED FUNDS WOULD BE SPENT ON APPROVED SOCIAL .vEl’ARE PURPOSES.
THE MEETING AlSO ADVISED THAT THE INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE (ISS) BE UPGRADED FROM CATEGORY II TO CATEGORY I. SUBVENTION WILL BE PROVIDED TO MEET 100 PER CENT OF THE RECOGNISED COSTS.
IN 1984-85 THE NUMBER OF *ARDS OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ADOPTED OVERSEAS WAS 54, FOR WHOM LOCAL ADOPTION COULD NOT BE ARRANGED.
------C-------
3=rTIFICATF of accreditation presented
* 4 4 4 4
AS CONSUMERS BECOME MORE QUALITY-CONSCIOUS AND MORE READY TO TAKE ACTION FOR PRODUCT LIABILITY AGAINST DEFICIENT GOODS,
TO MOVE UP-MARKET IS INEVITABLE, THE DIRECTOR Oc INDUSTRY, YE'JNG, SAID TODAY CTUESDAY).
A TREND MR K.Y.
MR YEUNG MADE THIS REMARK AT A CEREMONY WHEN A CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION -A PRESENTED TO "HE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY — THE FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE CERTIFICATE UNDER THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDIT’"10'; SCHEME (HOKLAS).
HE SAI" INCREASING EMPHASIS WAS NOW' BEING PLACED ON QUALITY AND ON TECHNICAL E/CELLENC WITHIN MANY INDUSTRIES.
+THE LAS" DECADE HAS WITNESSED THE EMERGENCE OF QUALITY CERTIFICATION SERVICES A»;n FOLLOWING THIS INTERNATIONAL TREND, "HE HONG KONG LA-'RATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED I' MAY 1985.
+HOKLAS CONFERS GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION ON COMPETENT LABORATORIES AND AIMS AT UPGRADING Tu" OU-'!.'"Y OF THEIR TESTING SERVICES,+ HE SAID.
+ A.S HOKLAS IS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED PRODUCT'S TFCT"D RY HOKLAS-ACCREDITED LABORATORIES WILL GENERATE "ONE I D? NCE> pt THEY HAVE BEEN TESTED t- | ’ T^NATI 0NALLY TRACEABLE STANDARDS
/♦SIKC.. .UR ...
TUESDAY, MAHCH 25, 1986
d89‘ HO RAH ,YAQ23UT- 19
♦SINCE OUR ECONOMIC LIVELIHOOD IS DEPAENBEN'T ON EXPORT EARNINGS, WE HAVE QUITE NATURALLY GIVEN PRIORITY TO THOSE TESTING SERVICES WHICH SUPPORT MANUFACTURING EXPORTERS.+
MR,YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY WAS A CASE IN’POINT, AS MUCH OF ITS WORK WAS IN SUPPORT OF A LARGE VARIETY OF FOOD AND OTHER PRODUCTS MUCH OF WHICH WAS EXPORTED. .
+ I-N TIME, HOKLAS WILL ALSO CONSIDER SERVING THE NON-EXPORT ' ORIENTED SECTOR OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES,* HE ADDED, 33huTDU i
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST. N.S, LEE,
ALSO STRONGLY RECOMMENDED HOKLAS TO OTHER LA >dRAT;MANAGERS.
+WE HAVE BENEFITTED IN NO SMALL MEASURE FROM THE MANY EXCHANGES OF EXPERIENCE AND IDEAS ON LABORATORY MANAGEMENT OCCASIONED THROUGHOUT THE EXERCISE,* SAID MR LEE.
: R3(J"<
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APLIU STREET BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS X X * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED THE BUILDING AT NO. 171 APLIU STREET TO BE DANGEROUS AND THAT AT NO. 169 LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS. ■ ■ ।■ AH
A O2P.A DWO3IAX CAOR JAWAD UHA . -.i.iA?
INjA STATEMENT THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID Thg¥"WERE THREE-STOREYED PRE-WAR BU1LDINGS5WTH REINFORCED CONCRETE-FLOORS AND ROOFS ON BRICK-AND-STONE RUBBLE LOAD BEARING WALLS. 311 :
TuCt>cTH^^A^ED/LASTERING REVEALED VERY WEAK CEMENT MORTAR JOINTS. Iao?v u^M1^2NAL CRACK« SJX T0 SEVEN MILLIMETRES WIDE, AT THE PAR™ .t*- BETWEEN NOS. 169 AND 171 AND THERE WERE SEVERAL CRACKS ON THE VERANDAH FLOORS AT FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS.
j i
nr TuIHF/rbiu«?uL^DlLAP,DATED STATE 0F THE BUILDING AND THE BREAKING FR0M THE MA,N BUILDING GAVE SUFFICIENT
JUSTIFICATION FOR CLOSING AND DECLARING NO. 171 AS BEING DANGEROUS.
J^n.,0T^ER BUILDtNG, WHICH IS Of,SIM I LAR CONSTRUCTION AND CONDITION IS UNLIKELY TO WITHSTAND THE EFFECT OF DEMOLITION OF ' !*?• Hl*. THEREF°RE IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS AND HAD TO BE CLOSED AND WITH NO. 171.
DEMOLISHED IN ONE OPERATION
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL
FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN KOWLOON 22 WERE POSTED"TODAY.
/20........
2C TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF A NUMBER CF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING AT 224-238 JAFFE ROAD, WAN CHAI, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED.
THIS FOLLOWS THE OWNERS FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN DECEMBER 1984 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE VICTORIA DI SR ICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON MAY 20 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
-----o------
WAN CHAI BANQUET FOR ELDERLY, HANDICAPPED *****
MORE THAN 200 ELDERLY RESIDENTS AND HANDICAPPED PEOPLE OF WAN CHAI ATTENDED A BANQUET THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING ORGANISED BY THE HAPPY VALLEY AND CANAL ROAD KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.
SPEAKING AT THE BANQUET, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA. SAID THE ELDERLY AND THE HANDICAPPED COULD MAKE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY THE SAME WAY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DO.
HE PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR SHOWING ITS CONCERN FOR THE WAN CHAI COMMUNITY AND HELPING TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT.
WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR LEE KON, WHO IS ALSO A PRESIDENT OF THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION SAID THE ASSOCIATION’S AIM WAS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY WERE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLIES AND THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED.
THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE BANQUET WERE ENTERTAINED WITH CANTONESE OPERATIC SINGING.
-------o----------
/21 ....‘"4
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
21
OVERSEAS TRAINING CHANCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIAN *****
A TALENTED YOUNG STRING INSTRUMENTALIST WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO RECEIVE INTENSIVE TRAINING IN SYMPHONIC MUSIC BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN THE 1986 NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD IN INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN, THE UNITED STATES, FROM JUNE 22 TO AUGUST 18.
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH IS INVITING MUSICIANS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 18 (BY JUNE 22, 1986) TO APPLY FOR THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE OVERSEAS TRAINING.
A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICANTS MUST HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS, AND HAD ATTAINED GRADE VIII (PRACTICAL) IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT.
PREFERENCE WOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE AND APPLICANTS WOULD ALSO HAVE TO PASS AN AUDITION BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TOWARDS THE END OF APRIL.
THE MUSIC OFFICE WOULD PROVIDE THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WITH ROUND TRIP PASSAGE AND INSURANCE FOR HIS OR HER MUSICAL INSTRUMENT WITH FUNDS FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND.
FEES FOR THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP WOULD BE MET BY THE CAMP ORGANISER, BUT THE CANDIDATE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR HIS OR HER PERSONAL INSURANCE ABROAD, AND TO PLACE A SUM OF U.S. $190 IN THE CANDIDATE’S PERSONAL ACCOUNT WITH THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO MEET PERSONAL EXPENSES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE, LEVEL 4, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, BY APRIL 15.
THE FINAL DECISION RESTS WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE.
-----o------
NEW DISTRICT YOUTH CHOIR FORMED * * * *
A YOUTH CHOIR WILL BE INAUGURATED IN SHAM SHU I PO NEXT MONTH TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN FORMAL TRAINING IN CHORAL MUSIC.
AT A CEREMONY THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON, MR TONG KWOK-WAH OF THE CHINESE TEMPLE COMMITTEE, THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITY FUND, HANDED A CHEQUE FOR $25 000 TO MR KWOK CHEONG, CHAR IMAN OF THE SHAM SHU I PO ARTS ASSOCIATION, AS SPONSORSHIP
FOR THE CHOIR.
/FORMED UNDER .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 2?, 1986
22
FORMED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ARTS ASSOCIATION, THE YOUTH CHOIR AIMS AT FOSTERING A MUSICAL INTEREST AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, DEVELOPING SINGING POTENTIAL AND OFFERING THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM PUBLICLY.
MR KWOK SAID THE IDEA OF A YOUTH CHOIR STEMMED FROM THE SUCCESS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
+SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1981, THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS IN THE DISTRICT. IN VIEW OF THIS, THE ASSOCIATION SUGGESTED ORGANISING A YOUTH CHOIR TO INCLUDE A WIDER AGE GROUP,+ MR KWOK SAID.
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED OVER 16, WHO LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN SHAM SHUI PO CAN APPLY TO JOIN THE CHOIR. THE ENTRANCE FEE IS $30, WITH A MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION OF $20.
UPON ENROLMENT, CHOIR MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE WEEKLY TWO HOURS OF VOCAL TRAINING AT 7.30 PM ON FRIDAYS AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
DR LI CHAU-YUAN, A LOCAL COMPOSER AND A LECTURER AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HAS BEEN APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF THE CHOIR AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRQINING AND CONDUCTING THE SINGERS.
APPLICATION FROMS FOR THE YOUTH CHOIR ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND SUB-OFFICES, AND THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION AT S14 AT LAI FU HOUSE IN LAI KOK ESTATE.
-----o-----
FREE CONCERTS BY AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR
*****
THE KENAI CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT CHOIR FROM ALASKA APBH G4VAlunR^ 52cCt*TS IN THE TSUEN WAN T0WN HALL AT 8 PM 0N APRIL 7 AND IN THE TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE AT 7.30 PM THE FOLLOWING
DAY.
SECOND-PRIZE WINNER AT THE TULIP TIME INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN HOLLAND IN 1980, THE CHOIR WILL SING HANDEL’S ■♦MESSIAH+, MOZART’S +REQUIEM MASS+ AND A NUMBER OF AMERICAN FOLK SONGS.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE TWO VENUES ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
THE CONCERTS ARE BEING PRESENTED BY THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL.
o---------
/23........
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
23
LAUNCHING OF TREE PLANTING SCHEME
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DR. LAWRENCE LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPEN IHG CEREMONY W5U OJ™N ITYJREt
PLANTING SCHEME IN TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY (WEDNESDAY).
DR. LEE WILL THEN LEAD A PARTY OF 1 500 STUDENTS AND YOUTHS TO PLANT THE
DISTINGUK D GUESTS AND FIRST TREE-.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT CFFICES, 393, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, BY 9.40 AM.
- 0 -----------
ROUTE FIVE CONTRACT SIGNING *****
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON THE 21ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AT 11 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 27) TO ANNOUNCE THE CONTRACT SIGNING FOR ROUTE FIVE LINKING SHA TIN TO TSUEN WAN.
THIS IS A MAJOR TUNNELLING AND HIGHWAYS PROJECT THAT WILL REDUCE TRAVELLING TIME BETWEEN THE TWO NEW TOWNS.
THE CONTRACT WILL BE SIGNED BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAYS ENGINEER, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTORS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
TUESDAY, M.'PCH 25, 1986
24
DETAILS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, WILL ANNOUNCE DETAILS CF THE FORMATION OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, AT 11 AM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
0 -------
CENTRAL, WESTERN TRAFFIC CHANGES *****
A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS:
* FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 28), VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS ON QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER MORRISON STREET FOR ABOUT FOUR DAYS. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND JERVOIS STREET TO REJOIN MORRISON STREET.
* THE SLIP ROAD FROM COTTON TREE DRIVE TO GARDEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 27) AND 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO KENNEDY ROAD TO REJOIN GARDEN ROAD. THE MEASURE WILL BE REPEATED DAILY FROM 7 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON MARCH 28 AND MARCH 30.
* VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS ON GARDEN ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING LOWER ALBERT ROAD BETWEEN 10 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 31) AND 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA UPPER ALBERT ROAD, ARBUTHNOT ROAD AND WYNDHAM STREET TO REJOIN LOWER ALBERT ROAD. THE RESTRICTION WILL BE IN FORCE AGAIN DAILY BETWEEN 10 PM AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON APRIL 1 AND APRIL 2.
* THE SLIP ROAD FROM GARDEN ROAD TO COTTON TREE DRIVE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 8 PM ON APRIL 3 AND 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO USE THE SLIP ROAD ADJOINING THE PEAK TRAM TERMINUS TO REJOIN COTTON TREE DRIVE.
/IN ADDITION.........
TUESDAY, MaRCE ^5, 1986
IN ADDITION, FROM 9 AM Om FRIDAY (MARCH 28) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY, EDINBURGH Fu-ACE NORTH BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC I? CONNECTION WITH THE EASTER FAIR ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ROUND TABLES IN HONG KONG.
FROM 7 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 28), THE WESTBOUND KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 57 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MORRISON STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 110 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TU STOP WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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TUEN MUN TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * * *
YAN 01 TONG STREET IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CONVERTED FROM THE EXISTING ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY ANTl-CLOCKWISE FROM 11 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 27) FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF BOTH CARRIAGEWAYS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN ROAD DI AND ROAD 4B.
THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND IN YAN 01 TONG STREET WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE SIDE STREET OPPOSITE TO THE EXISTING STAND.
------o-------
KWUN TONG, TSUEN /AN TRAFFIC CHANGES O * * H
A SECT.ON OF THE UNNAMED ROAD LINKING HOW MING STREET AND HOI BUN ROAD IN KWUN TONG, FROM A POINT ABOUT 68 METRES WEST OF ?TS JUNCTION WITH HOW MING STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 138 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, IS NOW CLOSED TO TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY ROAD REPAIR WORKS.
THE OTHER SECTIONS OF THE U'/NAMED ROAD ARE REROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
THE MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.
IN ANOTHER ARRANGEMENT, THE KOWLOON-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TSUEN WAN ROAD, BETWEEN THE ROUNDABOUT AT TEXACO HOAD AND KWAI ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 12.15 AM TO 5 AM ON MARCH 28’AND 29 TO FACILITATE THE RELOCATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGN.
TRAFFIC ON TSUEN WAN ROAD HEADING FOR KOWLOON AND KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ROUNDABOUT AT TEXACO ROAD, TEXACO ROAD, TEXACO ROAD INTERCHANGE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL; 5-233191
WEB/ESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
CONTENTS ' ' PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
MARKETABILITY OF EXCHANGE FUND'S ASSETS QUESTIONED........ 1
ADDITIONAL' RESOURCES NEEDED FOR MANUFACTURING ........... 4
CALL TO 'INTERVENE POSITIVELY' ........................... 6
ECONOMIC GROWTH MUST BE FIRST PRIORITY ................... 8
SENSIBLE'BUDGETARY PHILOSOPHY'AND GUTfffi.tNRS ........... 10
PRIVATISATION AS A TEST OF EFFICIENCY..................... 11
'HELP INDUSTRIES DEVELOP HI-TECH' ........................ 13
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF CONTRACTORS NEEDED............ 14
RESEARCH ON LOW ECONOMIC GRO,/TH RATE NECESSARY........... 15
UNFAIR TO SINGLE OUT FINaNCIaL SECTOR .................... 17
call to eliminate trade Barniers ......................... 19
TIME FOR APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE........................... 20
SLOW INVESTMENT RaTE a MATTER OF CONCERN ................. 21
RIPE TIME FOR DETAILED ECONOMIC STUDY..................... 23
INDUSTRY MIST BE GIVEN FULL RECOGNITION .................. 25
SUPPORT FOR EMPHaSIS ON THRIFTINESS ...................... 27
LONG-TERM PLaN COULD ENSURE CONTINUED PROSPERITY.......... 28
BETTER ASSESSMENT OF LONG-TERM EFFECTS ................... 30
PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME ADVOCATED........................... 32
UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT POLICY ON IMPORTED LABOUR............. 34
BUDGET REASSURES PUBLIC CONFIDENCE........................ 36
KA UAH BANK DEAL SETS 'DANGEROUS PRECEDENT' .............. 37
POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITIES CHANGED .................... 40
NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR HK'S URBAN AREAS ...................... 41
LANDS AND WORKS GROUP RE-ORGANISATION APPROVED............... 43
HOSPITAL, CLINIC CHARGES OF TUNG NAH GROUP .................. 45
/HOW TO ......
HOW TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE EDGE ............................... 46
SAM KA TSUPN ILLEGAL FISH MARKET CLEARED ....................... 47
MAJOR TREE PLANTING SCHEME LAUNCHED ............................ 48
SPECIAL TEAMS TO CLEAR RUBBISH ................................. 49
TWO PARKING SITES TO LET........................................ 50
CLINIC" SERVICES FOR HOLIDAY PERIOD ............................ 50
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TAXI REVIEW ............................. 51
DETAILS ON LAND SALE PROGRAMME.................................. 51
MEET THE MEDIA. ................................................ 52
CHING MING TRAFFIC PLAN FOR HK ISLAND .......................... 52
CENTRAL TRAFFIC CHANGES ,....................................... 54
.... i.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1936
1
MARKETABILITY OF EXCHANGE FUND’S ASSETS QUESTIONED
* * * *
THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, TODAY QUESTIONED WHETHER THE EXCHANGE FUND’S ASSETS WERE STILL OF GOOD MARKETABILITY AND SOUGHT MORE INFORMATION ON THE POSITION.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, SHE SAID THAT WHEREAS THE FUND’S ASSETS WERE APPARENTLY ALMOST ENTIRELY IN THE FORM OF BANK DEPOSITS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS OF GOOD MARKETABILITY IN 1983, IT NOW HOLDS THE GOVERNMENT’S SHARES IN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, THE HONG KONG BUILDING AND LOAN AGENCY AND HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINAL.
+ITS COMMITMENT TO TWO INSOLVENT BANKS IS ... SIGNIFICANTLY LESS IF AT ALL MARKETABLE,* SHE SAID.
SHE SAID IT WAS STRETCHING IT A BIT TO USE THE FUND TO BAIL OUT DEPOSITORS IN CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EVEN IF IT COULD EE ARGUED THAT THEIR COLLAPSE MIGHT HAVE TEMPORARILY AFFECTED THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE CURRENCY.
+WE MUST ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CONSIDERING THE EXCHANGE FUND THAT 14 BILLION DOLLARS OF ITS ASSETS ARE IN FACT THE MAJOR PORTION, 90 PER CENT AS AT MARCH 31, 1985, OF THE GENERAL REVENUE BALANCE, THAT IS TO SAY, THE GOVERNMENT’S LIQUID RESERVES,* SHE SAID.
♦UNLESS THE EXCHANGE FUND HAS EASILY REALISABLE ASSETS WORTH 14 BILLION DOLLARS, THE GOVERNMENT’S ’FREE FISCAL RESERVES ARE NOT ACTUALLY AVAILABLE TO MEET UNFORESEEN BUDGETARY DEFICIT^,* SHE WARNED.
EARLIER, MISS DUNN WELCOMED THE FACT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD ACCEPTED THREE FUNDAMENTAL POINTS WHICH SHE HAD CALLED FOR LAST YEAR. THEY WERE THE NEED TO SET THE BUDGET IN THE CONTEXT OF A LONGER TERM FORECAST; THE NEED TO BASE BUDGETARY STRATEGY ON REVENUE RATHER THAN EXPENDITURE; AND THE NEED TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE BETWEEN REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.
THE NEW FORECAST PROVIDED A USEFUL INDICATOR OF A LONGER TERM TREND, SHE SAID, BUT IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT INDICATES THAT THE TREND IN RESPECT OF INFLATION, PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE AND THE STATE OF OUR RESERVES REQUIRES CAREFUL EXAMINATION AND DEBATE.
MISS DUNN SAID ALTHOUGH IT WAS WISE AT THIS STAGE TO ASSUME A RELATIVELY LOW RATE OF GDP GROWTH AND PRICE INFLATION OF FIVE PER CENT, THE INFLATION RATE HAD TO BE BROUGHT DOWN FURTHER. THE GOVERNMENT COULD INFLUENCE IT BY REDUCING THE GROWTH RATE (F CONSOLIDATED EXPENDITURE.
/SHE tAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
2
SHE SAID THAT WE OUGHT TO BE CONCERNED TO SEE THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE HAD STARTED CLIMBING AGAIN SINCE 1984-85 AND THAT THE FORECAST RISE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR 1986 AT 5 PER CENT WAS HIGHER THAN THE INCREASE IN 1985.
+THE LATTER IS ALSO HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FORECAST FOR THE OECD, WHICH INCLUDES ALL OUR MAJOR MARKETS EXCEPT CHINA, AND, IN PARTICULAR. IT IS HIGHER THAN THE FORECAST FOR OUR PRINCIPAL MARKET FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
+WHEN THE US STILL TAKES, AS IT DID IN 1985, 44 PER CENT BY VALUE OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, WE CANNOT BE COMPLACENT ABOUT AN INFLATION FORECAST IN HONG KONG OF 5 PER CENT, WHEN AMERICA’S IS ONLY 3. • PER CENT,+ SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE SPECIFIC BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS OF THE FORECAST, SHE SUGGESTED THE GUIDELINES SHOULD BE NOT TO LET THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE EXCEED THAT OF GDP AND THAT WE MUST GO FOR BUDGET SURPLUSES IF WE ARE TO HAVE ADEQUATE RESERVES. IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO HAVE A CASH FLOW BALANCE, SHE STRESSED.
+IF WE ARE TO ADD TO HONG KONG’S RESERVES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR REAL VALUE, THAT OPERATING SURPLUS MUST BE BIG ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE AN OVERALL CASH FLOW SURPLUS SINCE CAPITAL REVENUE IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
+ALTERNATIVELY. WE WOULD HAVE TO SCALE DOWN OUR FORECAST OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE,+ SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, SHE NOTED THAT THE FIVE-YEAR FORECAST ANTICIPATED THAT WE WOULD FAIL TO ACHIEVE THIS AS THE CONSOLIDATED EXPENDITURE WAS FORECAST TO RISE BY 42 PER CENT DURING THE PERIOD WHILE THE RESERVE BALANCES BY 2.28 PER CENT ONLY.
IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE CURRENT FIVE-YEAR FORECAST INDICATED THAT THE TREND IN RESPECT OF INFLATION, PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE AND THE STATE OF OUR RESERVES REQUIRED CAREFUL EXAMINATION AND DEBATE, MISS DUNN SAID.
ON THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR, MISS DUNN REITERATED HER CONCERN ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE GDP AND THE NEED FOR A MORE ACCURATE DEFINITION OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
SHE MAINTAINED THAT IT WAS NOT JUST AN ARID STATISTICAL RELATIONSHIP BUT WAS FUNDAMENTAL FOR THE HEALTHY GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY.
+IF THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS ALLOWED TO PRE-EMPT A GROWING SHARE OF THE ECONOMY, THIS MEANS THAT RESOURCES OF ALL KINDS ARE BEING DRAWN AWAY FROM THE WEALTH-CREATING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
/♦AND IT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 3 -
+AND IT IS THAT ON WHICH OUR PROSPERITY, AND HENCE OUR ABILITY TO FINANCE THE PUBLIC SECTOR, DEPENDS,* SHE SAID.
MISS DUNN AGAIN QUERIED GOVERNMENT’S DEFINITION OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE.
SHE SAID IT WAS +CLEARLY MISLEADING* AND +ABSURD+ TO SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD +ONLY AN EQUITY POSITION* IN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION WHEN IT WAS THE SOLE SHAREHOLDER AND GUARANTOR OF LOANS.
IT WAS EQUALLY MISLEADING TO SAY THAT SUCH A CORPORATION WAS PART OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SHE ADDED.
POINTING OUT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD DEFENDED THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED EXCLUSION OF THE MTRC AND THE KCR FROM THE SCOPE OF CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE, SHE SAID WE MUST NOT PRETEND ANY LONGER THAT CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE MEASURES THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
SHE NOTED THAT BOTH THE NATIONAL ACCOUNTS AND THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT DEFINITIONS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WERE USED.
SHE SAID THE IMPORTANT THING WAS THAT THE TWO DIFFERENT METHODS OF CALCULATING THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR DID NOT hERELY PRODUCE DIFFERENT RESULTS BUT THAT THEIR RESULTS WERE MOVING FURTHER APART.
+ACCORDING TO ONE METHOD, THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR HAS BEEN GROWING VERY SLIGHTLY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1984 WHILE THE OTHER METHOD HAS IT SHRINKING, AND A LITTLE FASTER.
+WE SHOULD HAVE ONE CLEAR, COMPREHENSIVE AND DEFENSIBLE DEFINITION OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR, NOT TWO DEFINITIONS, BOTH OF WHICH ARE MANIFESTLY UNSATISFACTORY,* SHE STRESSED.
IN CONCLUSION, MISS DUNN SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD SEE HIS GREATEST REWARD FOR HIS FIVE YEARS HARD LABOUR IN THE FACT THAT, BARRING UNFORESEEN DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT JUNE, HE WOULD LEAVE HONG KONG WITH A SOUND AND STILL GROWING ECONOMY, WITH A POPULATION WHOSE PROSPERITY WOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE AND WITH THE PUBLIC FINANCES BACK ON AN EVEN KEEL.
+IN SHORT, HE WILL LEAVE A HONG KONG THAT CAN STILL FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE,* SHE SAID.
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/4........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1936
it
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NEEDED FOR MANUFACTURING
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY TO FACILITATE ITS CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT, THE HON WONG PO-YAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
Sf FAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR WONG SAID THAT IN FUTURE DGETS THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD, IN ADDITION TO BEING RECEPTIVE TO THE ASPIRATIONS OF VARIOUS SECTORS, ACTIVELY CONSIDER PROVIDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
HE SAID MANUFACTURING WAS NOW IN A RATHER CRITICAL POSITION AND IT COULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AS IT HAD DONE OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTION POLICY, BECAUSE THE ECONOMIC SCENE HAD CHANGED RAPIDLY.
THE CHANGES INCLUDED THE EMERGENCE OF STRONG COMPETITORS AND THE SPREAD OF PROTECTIONISM. IN ADDITION, THE STANDARD OF LIVING IN HONG KONG HAD IMPROVED.
MR WONG NOTED THAT ACCORDING TO A SURVEY COVERING 1977-1983, PRODUCTION COSTS IN HONG KONG HAD INCREASED BY OVER 4.4 PER 6ENT AS A RESULT OF LABOUR LEGISLATION ENACTED DURING THAT PERIOD.
+THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SEE TO IT THAT THE INDUSTRY GETS THE NEEDED NOURISHMENT AND SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE FOR A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR ITS EXISTENCE AND GROWTH, PARTICULARLY THE MEDIUM AND SMALL SIZED ESTABLISHMENTS,* HE SAID.
MR WONG DESCRIBED THE RECENT ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO PROMOTE PRODUCT DESIGN AS AN ENCOURAGING START.
AS A FURTHER INCENTIVE TO INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET THE DEPRECIATION RATE FOR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT, PLANT AND MACHINERY OTHER THAN THAT ON LEASE TERMS AT 100 PER CENT FOR THE FIRST YEAR ALONE.
INDUSTRIES WOULD ALSO BENEFIT IF THE GOVERNMENT TOOK POSITIVE STEPS TO ASSIST THEM IN DEVELOPING HIGH TECHNOLOGY.
TURNING TO MONETARY ISSUES, MR WONG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER IN-DEPTH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE US DOLLAR LINK.
HE SAID HE COULD NOT AGREE THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LINK SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED AS THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG NOW WAS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM OCTOBER 17, 1983, WHEN THE LINK WAS ESTABLISHED.
/+IT HAS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 5 -
+IT HAS SERVED HONG KONG WELL SO FAR, BUT NOT NECESSARILY FOREVER,+ HE SAID, AND WENT ON TO GIVE A NUMBER OF REASONS.
AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND GIVEN THE EXPERIENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS SINCE, MANY PEOPLE HAD REGAINED THEIR CONFIDENCE.
SECOND, HE SAID, THE US DOLLAR HAD FOR VARIOUS REASONS DEPRECIATED CONSIDERABLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS AGAINST MAJOR CURRENCIES, DRAGGING DOWN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
♦I AM CONVINCED THAT WE SHOULD NOT FOLLOW THE US DOLLAR ANY FURTHER, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FUNDAMENTAL FACT THAT THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE UNITED STATES IN MANY ASPECTS,+ HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO NOTED THAT THE NORMAL BENEFIT OF EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS BEING ENHANCED BY A WEAKER CURRENCY COULD NOT BE REALISED IN FULL BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES WAS HONG KONG’S LARGEST EXPORT MARKET.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, THE ARTIFICIAL WEAKNESS OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MIGHT HAVE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DECISIONS BY FOREIGN COMPANIES ON WHETHER TO INVEST IN HONG KONG AND IT WOULD ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
TO LET THE DOLLAR FLOAT AGAIN MIGHT RESULT IN SOME INITIAL SPECULATION, BUT HE WAS SURE THAT MARKET FORCES WOULD SOON FIND A REASONABLE LEVEL FOR THE CURRENCY AND THE ECONOMY WOULD THEN DEVELOP NORMALLY.
REFERRING TO PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, MR WONG BELIEVED THERE WAS A NEED TO CONTAIN ITS GROWTH.
♦BY SETTING THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GROWTH AT 75 PER CENT CF THE GDP GROWTH, THE RESULTANT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GROWTH RATE SHOULD BE ABOUT 8.2 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS, A MORE COMFORTABLE FIGURE IN CONSIDERING OUR LONG-TERM INTEREST,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO CONSIDERED THAT THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AT BETWEEN TWO AND TWO AND A HALF PER CENT AS SUGGESTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY COULD BE FURTHER CONSTRAINED IF A MORE RESTRICTIVE CRITERION WAS APPLIED, CONFINING STAFF INCREASES TO ONLY THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
COMMENTING ON THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE, MR WONG SAID THE NED I UM-RANGE FORECAST WAS A USEFUL PLANNING TOOL INSOFAR AS IT PROVIDED INDICATORS FOR FUTURE BUDGETS.
HOWEVER, IT WAS FELT THAT THE FORECAST OF A FOUR PER CENT GROWTH RATE IN RE-EXPORTS MIGHT BE A LITTLE CONSERVATIVE IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUING GROWTH IN THE CHINA MARKET, HE SAID.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2b, 1936
6
CALL TO ’INTERVENE POSITIVELY’ * * * X
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP USING THE TERM +POSITIVE NONINTERVENT ION+, THE HON ALLEN LEE SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
MR LEE SAID IT OCCURRED TO HIM THAT ANY GOVERNMENT MUST INTERVENE FOR POLITICAL, SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC REASONS AND HE CITED EXAMPLES HAPPENING IN HONG KONG IN THE BANKING SECTOR, SUCH AS THE ACQUISITION OF THE HANG LUNG BANK AND THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK, AND MORE RECENTLY IN THE CASE OF KA WAH BANK.
+1 CANNOT IMAGINE USING ANY OTHER TERM BUT INTERVENTION DIRECTLY AND TOTALLY,+ HE SAID.
+1 AM NOT AGAINST THESE INTERVENTIONS,* MR LEE SAID, +1 HAVE MY DOUBTS IN THE WAY THESE MATTERS ARE HANDLED, AND I AM AGAINST GOVERNMENT USING ’POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTION’ TO SHRUG OFF ITS OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.*
MR LEE QUESTIONED HOW MUCH THE GOVERNMENT HAD SPENT IN TERMS OF MONEY AND MANPOWER ON INDUSTRY AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
+1 AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR ECONOMY. THEREFORE, I URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE POSITIVELY IN OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,* HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD SHOULD HAVE AN UNOFFICIAL CHAIRMAN TO LOOK INTO A WIDE SCOPE OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE LONG TERM.
+IT IS ONLY THROUGH THIS TYPE OF ACTION THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK INTO THE 199OS AND CONTINUE TO COMPETE WITH OUR MAJOR COMPETITORS IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD,* HE SAID.
+ALLOW ME TO PLEAD THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE A HEART BIG ENOUGH TO REMEDY THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST THUS ENABLING US TO HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO LOOK FORWARD TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE,* HE SAID.
MR LEE ALSO SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED TO NOTICE THAT PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION IN OVERSEAS OFFICES WERE SO FEW.
+WE MUST STRENGTHEN OUR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACTIVITIES, STRESSING THE NEED TO UPGRADE OUR PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER,* HE EMPHASISED.
HE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MONEY WISELY IN THESE AREAS WHICH REPRESENTED A LONG-TERM FUTURE FOR HONG KONG.
AR LEE.........
iEOraSD^-- 4h3CH 1ft
MR LEE SAID HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF THE SUGGESTION THAT A RESEARCH COUNCIL BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG.
HE ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A WORKING PARTY ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITIES AMD POLYTECHNICS.
HE SAID PEOPLE IN INDUSTRIAL AND ACADEMIC CIRCLES WERE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO SEE THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS ONE CF THE FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES IN THE WORLD AND OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IN THE FUTURE.
REGARDING THE TRADING POSITION OF HONG KONG, MR LEE COMMENDEu THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING AND ENHANCING HONG KONG’S TRADE AROUND THE WORLD.
ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WAS THE 16TH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY IN THE WORLD, HE HASTENED TO SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT CUT THE RE-EXPORT TRADE LEVY FROM THE COUNCIL.
HE ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF STEPPING UP TRADE PROMOTION ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN PROTECTIONIST PRESSURE WAS GROWING AROUND THE WORLD.
+1 AM IMPRESSED WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMEm COUNCIL PARTICULARLY WHEN WE SHOW THE WORLD WHAT HONG KONG HAo TO OFFER TO OUR TRADING PARTNERS.
+THE COUNCIL MUST BE GIVEN ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY IN THE PROMOTION OF OUR TRADE,+ HE SAID.
EARLIER, MR LEE PAJD TRIBUTE TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR MAKING A QUICK AND SOUND DECISION IN 1983 TO PEG THE HONG KONG DOLLAR TO THE US DOLLAR IN THE FACE OF A CRIolS IN THE
MONEY MARKET.
HE NOTED THAT THE JOB OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS NOT EASY IN RECENT YEARS AND HE SAID SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE HAD INDEED SERVED HONG KONG WELL BY PRODUCING A BALANCED BUDGET WITH A SMALL SURPLUS AFTER THREE YEARS OF HEFTY DEFICITS.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1936
8
ECONOMIC GROWTH MUST BE FIRST PRIORITY * * * *
HONG KONG MUST ALWAYS STRIVE FIRST TO MAINTAIN PROGRESS IN ITS ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE FOR THIS IS THE ONLY SOLID FOUNDATION UPON WHICH OUR FUTURE IS BASED, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, FE SAID CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS MIGHT BE VERY DEAR AND EXCITING TO SOME PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BUT IN THEMSELVES WERE NO PANACEA FOR PROBLEMS AND CERTAINLY NO GUARANTEE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
♦WHATEVER THE ADMINISTRATION MAY DECIDE IN FUTURE WITH RESPECT TO OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS, IT MUST NEVER ALLOW SUCH REFORMS TO PLACE AT RISK OUR ECONOMY AND PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH,+ F€ SAID.
HE WORNED THAT TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD SPELL THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR ALL IN HONG KONG.
ACCORDINGLY HE REAFFIRMED HIS TOTAL SUPPORT TO THE PRUDENT AND FRUGAL APPROACH ADVOCATED AND ADOPTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES.
HE SAID PUBLIC SECTOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE MUST CONTINUE TO BE KEPT UNDER TIGHT CONTROL AND FISCAL RESERVES SHOULD, FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, CONSCIOUSLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY STRIVE TO INCREASE HONG KONG’S SURPLUSES WITH A VIEW TO RESTORING FISCAL RESERVES TO A LEVEL NOT LESS THAN $10 BILLION, WHICH WOULD BE 25 PER CENT OF PROJECTED RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN THE YEAR 1989-90.
ON THE ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1986, HE SAID HE AGREED WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THAT GROWTH THIS YEAR WOULD BE EXPORT-LED. HOWEVER, HE SAID HE WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE DOUBLE DIGIT EXPORT GROWTH IN 1986 IF THE CURRENT ORDER TREND CONTINUED INTO THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR.
HE NOTED THAT THE CONTINUED VIABILITY OF THE MANUFACTURING-FOR-EXPORT SECTOR MUST BE ENCOURAGED AT ALL TIMES, ADDING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OUGHT TO DO MUCH MORE IN PROVIDING THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FOR THE TRADING AND INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
ON A MICRO-LEVEL, MR CHEONG SAID HE SUPPORTED THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE THAT ALL MAJOR CHARGES AND TAX RATES SHOULD BE KEPT UP TO DATE AND THAT THEIR YIELD SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN REAL TERMS.
GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE CLEAR TO OUR CITIZENS THAT ALL THE SERVICES RENDERED COST MONEY AND THAT MONEY HAD TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE, HE SAID.
/+THE GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 9 -
♦THE GOVERNMENT IS RIGHT TO ADOPT A POLICY OF CASTING A SAFETY NET TO OFFER HELP TO THOSE WHO ARE IN THE GREATEST NEED BUT THE GOVERNMENT CERTAINLY MUST NOT ASSUME THE SUICIDAL ROLE OF BEING THE ULTIMATE PROVIDER TO OUR CITIZENS FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE,+ HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG ALSO VOICED HIS GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE POLICY OF NON-INTERVENTION ISM, STRESSING THAT WE MUST NOT SEEK ARTIFICIALLY TO IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES THROUGH SUBSIDIES.
NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RECOGNISE CONSCIOUSLY THE NEED TO HAVE A HEALTHY INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID HE SAW THE NEED TO ASSESS THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT ON THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES OF VARIOUS LABOUR, EMPLOYMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SOCIAL LEGISLATION, AND ALSO FOR THE FINDINGS OF THIS ASSESSMENT TO BE MADE PUBLIC WHEN AVAILABLE.
IT IS BECAUSE AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CUMULATIVE COST OF ALL SUCH LEGISLATIONS ON MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WOULD HELF TO ESTABLISH A CLEARER BASE FOR DECIDING WHETHER THE COST Of-ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION COULD BE SUSTAINED BY THE MANUFACTURING COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
FINALLY, MR CHEONG POINTED OUT THE TIME MIGHT HAVE COME FOR RE-APPRAISAL OF OUR STRATEGY FOR DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY.
HE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER SETTING UP IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME A HIGH-POWERED COMMITTEE, CHAIRED EITHER BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OR THE HON SIR S.Y. CHUNG, TO TAKE UP THIS TASK.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE SHOULD REVIEW AND ASSESS IN DEPTH THE DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION IN 19795 THE EFFECTS OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT ON OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN PARTICULAR- AND THE ACTIONS NEEDED TO ENHANCE THE PROSPECT OF HONG KONG’S FURTHER ECONOMIC GRIWTH.
/1O........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1956
10
SENSIBLE BUDGETARY PHILOSOPHY AND GUIDELINES
*******
THE BUDGETARY PHILOSOPHY AND GUIDELINES, WHICH ARE BASED ON THE PARAMOUNT OBJECTIVE OF MAINTAINING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, ARE EXTREMELY SENSIBLE, THE HON PETER POON SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING HONG KONG HAD ATTRACTIVE TO
BE MAINTAINED.
DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR POON NOTED THAT AS TO DEPEND EXTIRELY ON EXTERNAL TRADE, AN ENVIRONMENT ENTREPRENEURS AND CONDUCIVE TO ECONOMIC GROWTH MUST
+THIS INCLUDES EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT AND SERVICES, STABLE CURRENCY, LOW TAXATION AND FREEDOM FROM UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION,* HE SAID.
COHPLAECEHSI^NDTH^Al"$NNECl^<RSfSCfiREeT^L¥;SJHAT HOT BE
MR POON DESCRIBED THE FIVE-YEAR MEDIUM RANGE FINANCIAL FORECAST AS TIMELY, SAYING LOCAL AND OVERSEAS BUSINESSMEN NEEDED TO HAVE SOME INDICATIONS OF FUTURE E COW IC TRENDS FOR THEIR OWN CORPORATE PLANNING.
CONCERNING THE ASSUMPTION THERE WOULD BE A 4.5 PER CENT GROWTH IN THE GDP, WHICH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE CONSERVATIVE, HE SAID HONG KONG ALREADY HAD QUITE A DEVELOPED ECONOMY AND CONTINUING HIGH GROWTH RATES ON THE PREVIOUS SCALE SHOULD NOT ALWAYS BE EXPECTED.
HE ALSO SAID HONG KONG HAD TO BE FRUGAL AND BUILD UP COMFORTABLE RESERVES IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT UNPREDICTABLE ECONOMIC CLIMATE.
MR POON SAID REVENUE SHOULD BE HELPED BY THE EXPECTED IMPROVEMENT IN EXPORT PERFORMANCE.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE RECENTLY ENACTED SHOULD PREVENT ANY LARGE-SCALE LOSS OF REVENUE THROUGH SUCH MEANS AS TAX-BASED LEASING AND BLATANT TAX-AVOIDANCE SCHEMES.
+THE PROPOSED REPEAL OF THE SECTIONS OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1984 RELATING TO OFFSHORE INTEREST EARNED BY PERSONS OR COMPANIES CARRYING ON BUSINESS IN HONG KONG WILL ALLEVIATE THE CONCERNS OF MANY THAT SUCH LEGISLATION HAS CREATED UNCERTAINTY OVER HONG KONG’S LONG-ESTABLISHED 'TERRITORIAL-SOURCE’ TAX CONCEPT,* MR POON SAID.
ON PUBLIC SECTOR EXPEND I TURE-, MR.vJKJttN .-AU VACATED THAT VALUE-FOR-MONEY STUDIES BE INTENSIFIED.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
11
HE ALSO SAID THERE SHOULD BE A PERIODIC REALISTIC REVIEa
OF CIVIL SERVICE EMOLUMENTS AT BOTH DIRECTORATE AND NON-DIRECTORATz SCALE.
+l SIMPLY WISH TO SEE FACTS AND FIGURES TO SHOW WHETHER OUR LOYAL CIVIL SERVICE IS FAIRLY AND PROPERLY REMUNERATED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF HONG KONG.+ HE SAIL.
SUCH INFORMATION WOULD CLARIFY ANY MISUNDERSTANDING OVER THE PRESENT CIVIL SERVICE PAY STRUCTURE AND ASSIST IN SETTLING ANY GRIEVANCES OR INEQUITIES, MR POON ADDED.
MR POON ALSO REFERRED TO LEGISLATION INTRODUCED DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE AND ITS PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
♦THE AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE REQUIRING DISCLOSURE OF LOANS TO DIRECTORS HAVE UNCOVERED MANY INHERENT PROBLEM AREAS WHICH, IF ALLOWED TO CONTINUE, WILL oERIOUsLY DAMAGE HONG KONG’S REPUTATION.
+THE AMENDMENTS TO THE SECURITIES AND COMMODITY TRADING ORDINANCES ALSO UPDATE THE MUCH NEEDED ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO CONTROL SUCH SECTORS,+ HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED NEW BANKING BILL WOULD BE ANOTHER BIG STEP IN THIS DIRECTION, MR POON ADDED.
+THE SOPHISTICATION OF BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY IN THE FINANCIAL. SERVICES SECTOR, IS DEVELOPING SO FAST THAT THE RELEVANT LeGloLATIJ. MUST ENDEAVOUR TO KEEP PACE WITH IT,+ HE STRESSED.
LASTLY, MR POON PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR HAVING STEELED HONG KONG THROUGH TURBULENT WATERS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SAYING THAT HIS PROPOSALS WERE SOUND AND IT WOULD BE WISE TO ADHERE TO THEM.
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PRIVATISATION AS A TEST OF EFFICIENCY
******
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE PREPARED TO DIVEST ITSELF OF ANY ACTIVITIES WHICH THE PRIVATE SECTOR COULD OFFER AT A LOWER COST, DR THE HON KIM CHAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, DR CHAM SAID IT WAS IMPERATIVE. THE PUBLIC SECTOR SHOULD NOT BECOME INFLATED TO SUCH AN UNWARRANTED PROPORTION AS TO BECOME VULNERABLE TO THE ILLS OF +BIG GOVERNMENTS* THAT HAD PLAGUED A NUMBER OF WESTERN INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIES.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 19^6
12 -
+IT IS ALSO CLEAR THAT OUR FISCAL POLICY SHOULD ADDRESS ITSELF TO THE STRATEGY OF FOSTERING THE CAPABILITIES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND NOT TO CONTAIN OR CURB, IN A RATHER MECHANICAL MANNER, THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR,* HE SAID.
HE MAINTAINED THAT GOVERNMENT SERVICES MUST BE PROVIDED CHEAPLY, OR , MORE PRECISELY, AT COMPETITIVE RATES WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT ALL TIMES.
+TO PUT GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY TO THE TEST, INTERNATIONAL INTEREST HAS BEEN FOCUSSED ON PRIVATISATION,* HE SAID.
DR CHAM PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BEGIN THE SAME PROCESS BY DIVESTING ITSELF OF ANY ACTIVITIES WHICH THE PRIVATE SECTOR COULD OFFER AT A LOWER COST.
+EVEN IF THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENT WANTS TO MAINTAIN EXISTING SERVICE IT MUST FIRST BE SUBJECTED TO A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS AGAINST PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.
♦ THIS PROCESS, WHICH I WOULD CALL 'PRIVATISATION SCREENING’, WILL PROVIDE A CONSTANT CHECK ON THE DANGEROUS BREEDING OF INERTIm, RED TAPE AND LETHARGY WITHIN OUR GOVERNMENT MACHINERY,* HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT BY INSTILLING THE ELEMENT OF +PRI VAT I SAT I Oil SCREENING* AS THE PRINCIPAL IMPERATIVE, GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES COULD CLEARLY BE VITALISED IN BOTH QUALITY AND QUANTITY.
AS PROFIT-ORIENTED ENTREPRENEURS AND MANAGERS WERE ALWAYS MOTIVATED TO PERFORM BETTER, THEY WOULD RESPOND TO TENDERS COMPETITIVELY, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE TENDERING PROCESS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY EFFICACIOUS MEASURES OF CONTROL IN THAT A REGULATORY MECHANISM HAD TO BE DEVISED TO SAFEGUARD THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF SERVICES UNDER PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, QUALITY HAD TO BE MONITORED, PRICING HAD TO BE COMPETITIVE AND THE CONTINUITY OF SERVICE HAD TO BE GUARANTEED.
DR CHAM SUGGESTED THAT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE MANAGEMENT WAS A PROSPECTIVE AREA TO WHICH THE PRIVATISATION SCREENING PROGRAMME COULD BE PROFITABLY AND IMAGINATIVELY APPLIED.
SUCH A SCHEME, HE SAID WOULD NOT ONLY HELP TO REDUCE COSTS BUT ALSO INVITE THE INVOLVEMENT OF RESIDENTS IN FOSTERING THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING AND PARTICIPATION.
HE EXPECTED THERE WOULD BE STRONG OPPOSITION TO SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR CERTAIN SERVICES TO BE SUBJECT TO PRJ VAT I SAT I ON SCREENING BUT HE BELIEVE THE COUNCIL SHOULD RESOLVt TO ADHERE TO THIS AS A PR INCIPLE.
/1J .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
13
'HELP INDUSTRIES DEVELOP HI-TECH’ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ASSIST AND ENCOURAGE INDUSTRIALISTS TO DEVELOP HIGH TECHNOLOGY SO AS TO IMPROVE LOCAL EXPORT PRODUCTS, THE HON JACKIE CHAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, M? CHAN POINTED OUT THAT AS HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WAS ALWAYS VULNERABLE TO EXTERNAL FACTORS AND ITS PRODUCTION FACILITIES REMAINED TRADITIONAL WITH THE WORKFORCE BEING PAID HIGHER THAN ITS COUNTERPARTS, THE EXPORT OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS WAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DUTY-BOUND TO HELP I NDUSTR.I AL I STS PROMOTE THEIR INDUSTRIES AND REGRETTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN THE PAST NEGLECTED THE IMPORTANCE OF ENHANCING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BY ADOPTING AN UNDULY RESERVED ATTITUDE.
+IT IS MY SUBMISSION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE AN ABOUT-TURN IN ITS POLICY AND ACT WITHOUT DELAY BUT WITH FLEXIBILITY TO PREVENT THE SITUATION FROM FURTHER DETERIORATING.*
MR CHAN SAID THE TIME HAD COME FOR GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST AND ENCOURAGE INDUSTRIALISTS IN DEVELOPING HIGH TECHNOLOGY WHICH WAS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO IMPROVE EXPORT PRODUCTS.
HE SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF WAYS THROUGH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT COULD ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING THE OPENING UP OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, RELAXATION OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS, ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTORIES, AND GRANTING INTERESTED INDUSTRIALISTS SPECIAL CONCESSIONS IN DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES.
MR CHAN ALSO SUGGESTED THE SETTING UP OF A +HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND PROMOTION RESEARCH CENTRE* TO STUDY PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNIQUES IN ADVANCED COUNTRIES.
THE CENTRE SHOULD ALSO GATHER INFORMATION ON THE NEW TREND CF PRODUCTS MOST SOUGHT AFTER BY OVERSEAS MARKETS, ASSIST MANUFACTURERS IN THE USE OF SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY, IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND FOSTER DIVERSIFICATION AND PUBLICITY, HE SAID.
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT IN PERFORMING THE ABOVE ROLES, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE INDIRECTLY ASSISTING INDUSTRY AND NOT DIRECTLY INTERFERING WITH INDUSTRY.
ON THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE ALLOWANCES FOR SALARY TAX, HE SAID THE PROPOSED INCREASES WERE TOO MEAN AND WERE OF LITTLE HELP IN ALLEVIATING THE PUBLIC’S BURDEN.
+1 HOPE THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD RECONSIDER IT WITH A VIEW TO RAISING THE LEVEL OF THE INCREASES,* HE SAID.
/HE SUGGESTED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
14
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE REDUCTION IN REVENUE RESULTING FROM THE INCREASE COULD BE REMEDIED BY RAISING THE BETTING TAX RATES.
MR CHAN SAID HE WELCOMED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL FORECAST FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, SAYING IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD A LONG-TERM PLAN.
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COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF CONTRACTORS NEEDED * * * X
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN TODAY • (WEDNESDAY) CALLED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF CONTRACTORS TENDERING FOR MAJOR PUBLIC BUiLD-ING PROJECTS.
+NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE WAY CONTRACTORS’ CAPACITIES ARE ASSESSED BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO TENDER FOR SUCH PROJECTS,* MR CHENG SAID DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL.
+IT IS ALSO HIGH TIME TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE WAY IN WHICH TENDERS THEMSELVES ARE ASSESSED.*
HE REFERRED TO A RECENT REPORT THAT A BUILDING CONTRACTOR ENGAGED ON THREE PUBLIC HOUSING CONTRACTS HAD DISAPPEARED, LEAVING BEHIND UNFINISHED CONTRACTS.
+APART FROM THE IMPACT ON MORE THAN A THOUSAND WORKERS WHO FIND THEMSELVES SUDDENLY OUT OF A JOB, THE COST IS LIKELY TO BE CONSIDERABLE,* SAID MR CHENG, ADDING THAT RE-TENDERING MIGHT BE NECESSARY.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE PRESCRIBED MINIMUM LEVELS (IN TERMS OF ASSETS, EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES) FOR CONTRACTORS SEEKING ADMISSION TO THE RECOGNISED CATEGORIES OF TENDERERS- AND IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT THE LOWEST BID SHOULD NORMALLY BE ACCEPTED.
MR CHENG SAID THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH. +QUANTI TAT IVE COMPLIANCE WITH TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS IS NEVER ENOUGH ON ITS OWN. QUALITATIVE JUDGEMENT IS NEEDED ALSO,* HE STRESSED.
HE SAID A CONTRACTOR’S CAPACITY TO TENDER FOR A MAJOR PUBLIC PROJECT MUST BE JUDGED COMPREHENSIVELY AND THAT, IF NECESSARY, HIS CAPACITY AND FITNESS TO HANDLE MORE THAN ONE SUCH CONTRACT SIMULTANEOUSLY MUST BE JUDGED ALIKE.
+ACCEPTANCE OF THE LOWEST TENDER MUST NOT ALWAYS COME TO BE REGARDED AS A SACRED PRINCIPLE,* HE SAID.
/COMMENTING ON ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 15 -
COMMENTING ON A PERCEPTIBLE INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN 1986-87 MENTIONED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR CHENG SAID HE AGREED THAT NEW PROJECTS SUCH AS THE ADDITIONAL CONTAINER TERMINALS, THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE ROUTE 5 HIGHWAY AND THE TUEN MUN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM DID GIVE SOME PROMISE OF A NEW IMPETUS IN THE INDUSTRY.
HOWEVER, HE BELIEVED THAT QUANTITATIVE GROWTH, JUST LIKE QUANTITATIVE COMPLIANCE WITH TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS, WAS NOT ENOUGH ON ITS OWN.
+FOR GROWTH TO BE REAL, THERE HAS TO BE IMPROVED QUALITY TO MAKE IT SO.
♦QUALITY IS PARAMOUNT? AND IT FOLLOWS THAT A REAL EFFORT TO IMPROVE OUR TRAINING RESOURCES AND METHODS IS VITALLY NECESSARY, PARTICULARLY DURING THE PROCESS OF LOCALISATION,* HE SAID.
MR CHENG SAID TRAINING MUST COVER ALL SECTORS OF INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT, AND AT ALL LEVELS? AND THE AIM MUST BE TO FILL ALL RANKS WITH ELITE WORKERS WHO WERE ENCOURAGED TO WORK SKILFULLY, CREATIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
♦MOST IMPORTANT, WORK ASSIGNMENTS AND POSTINGS SHOULD BE THOUGHTFULLY MANAGED, SO AS TO FOSTER THE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERT I oc. THAT TRANSLATE TRAINING INTO REAL PRODUCTIVITY,* HE SAID.
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RESEARCH ON LOW ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE NECESSARY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD, IN THE YEARS TO COME, CONDUCT ANALYSIS AND STUDIES INTO THE REASONS FOR THE LOW GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY AND WORK OUT CORRESPONDING MEASURES TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE HON LAU WONG-FAT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, M? LAU SAID THE INVESTMENT DESIRE AND CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS SHOULD BE ENHANCED AT THE SAME TIME.
+THE ENTREPRENEURS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR OLD FACTORIES AND PLANTS AND ALSO TO BRING IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
+THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO REVIEW ITS TAXATION SYSTEM AS WELL AS OTHER ECONOMIC AND LABOUR POLICIES WITH A VIEW TO INDIRECTLY ASSISTING IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS CF LOCAL INDUSTRY,* MR LAU SAID.
IT WAS HOPED, HE ADDED, THAT THE CURRENT ADVERSE SITUATION CF ECONOMIC LOW GROWTH COULD BE BROUGHT AROUND.
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 19%
- 16 -
NOTING THAT THE GDP HAD SIGNIFICANTLY BEEN REDUCED SINCE LAST YEAR AND FIGURES AS INDICATED IN THE FIVE-YEAR FORECAST, MR LAU SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMY HAD GONE INTO A STAGE OF LOW ECONOMIC GROWTH.
GOVERNMENT’S REVENUE WOULD DEFINITELY BE AFFECTED UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND IF THE VARIOUS ITEMS OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WERE TO BE MAINTAINED AND CONTINUED, +WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT HAS ADEQUATE SOURCES OF REVENUE BEFORE A BALANCE ON THE TWO ENDS CAN BE ACHIEVED,* HE STRESSED.
MR LAU OBSERVED THAT FUTURE PUBLIC REVENUE WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO RELY ON EXPORT OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS.
HE SAID HE DOUBTED WHETHER THE GROWTH RATE OF 4.5 PER CENT COULD BE ATTAINED IN VIEW OF THE- ECONOMIC PROTECTIONISM OF THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, THE CONSTRAINT POLICY IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE OF CHINA, INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RECESSION AND A GROWING SENSE OF SUSPICION ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE OUTLOOK AMONG LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS AND INVESTORS.
ON DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR LAU SAID THE SUCCESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS EASILY RECOGNISABLE AND THIS HAD GREATLY ELEVATED THE QUALITY CF LIFE OF NEW TOWN RESIDENTS.
+HOWEVER, IT IS A PITY THAT THERE ARE STILL MANY DISTRICTS AND VILLAGES OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THAT ARE UNABLE TO ENJOY THOSE ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS BROUGHT ABOUT BY NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT,* HE SAID.
LOOKING AT THE PROVISION SET ASIDE FOR MINOR VILLAGE WORKS BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, MR LAU SAID THERE WAS NO INCREASE IN THE PROVISION WHATSOEVER EXCEPT TO COVER INFLATION.
IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE DWELLING IN THESE AREAS, HE CONSIDERED THERE WAS THE NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY THE PROVISION FOR LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS.
+IN THE LONG TERM, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS TO CONDUCT FULL INVESTIGATIONS AND STUDIES IN ORDER TO FORMULATE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE BY STAGES THE FACILITIES OF VILLAGES AND DISTRICTS LYING OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF NEW TOWNS SO -AS TO BRING THEM UP TO THE PRESENT LEVEL OF OUR COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
FINALLY, MR LAU SAID HE REGRETTED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY PRIOR NOTIFICATION ABOUT THE KA WAH BANK INCIDENT AND CONSIDERED THAT THERE WERE DEFECTS ON THE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION CONCERNING THE PROCEDURAL ARRANGEMENTS IN HANDLING THE MATTER REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER INTENTION IT HAD.
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 17 -
UNFAIR TO SINGLE OUT FINANCIAL SECTOR * X * *
THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY QUESTIONS THE UNDERLYING RATIONALE CF PERIODIC INCREASES IN LICENCE FEES FOR-BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, THE HON DAVID K.P. LI SAID DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
COMMENTING ON THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE, MR LI SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THAT A SMALL SURPLUS WOULD BE ACHIEVED THIS FISCAL YEAR AND THE NEXT AFTER THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF DEFICITS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID HE COULD NOT HONESTLY SAY THE 20 PER CENT INCREASE IN BANK LICENCE FEES AND THE 13 PER CENT INCREASE IN DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES’ LICENCE FEES WERE UNIVERSALLY WELCOMED BY THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THAT WITH 149 BANKS AND 310 DTCS COMPETING FIERCELY FOR BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, THE FINANCIAL BUSINESS WAS MUCH MORE OPEN TO OUTSIDE COMPETITION AND YET IT ALONE ENJOYED THE +DUBIOUS HONOUR OF REGULAR AND INCREASING PAYMENTS TO THE EXCHEQUER.+
♦IT SEEMS LESS THAN FAIR TO SINGLE OUT THE FINANCIAL SECTOR FOR SUCH ROYALTY-LOADED PAYMENT,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR LI SAID THE FINANCIAL SECTOR WARMLY WELCOMED THE ABOLITION OF STAMP DUTY ON HONG KONG BEARER INSTRUMENTS IN RESPECT OF LOAN CAPITAL, AND THE REPEAL OF PROFITS TAX ON INTEREST INCOME EARNED ON OFFSHORE DEPOSITS.
HE SAID BOTH HAD IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG’S FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
HE OBSERVED THAT HONG KONG’S CAPITAL MARKET HAD LONG EXHIBITED A LOPSIDED DEVELOPMENT, WITH THE BOND MARKET SEGMENT VIRTUALLY DORMANT COMPARED WITH ITS EQUITY COUNTERPART.
+HOPEFULLY THE ABOLITION OF THIS STAMP DUTY WILL ENCOURAGE THE ISSUE AND TRADING OF CORPORATE DEBT INSTRUMENTS IN HONG KONG AND RAISE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAPITAL MARKET TO A LEVEL MORE IN KEEPING WITH OUR STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE,* HE SAID.
MR LI ALSO NOTED THAT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG HAD MADE RELATIVELY LITTLE USE OF THE CAPITAL MARKET FOR RAISING LONG-TERM CAPITAL BUT HAD RELIED PRINCIPALLY ON BANK CREDIT INSTEAD.
HE COMMENTED THAT THE INABILITY OF THE CAPITAL MARKET TO FULFIL ITS CAPITAL-RAISING FUNCTION HAD UNFAVOURABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LIQUIDITY AND SAFETY OF THE BANKING INDUSTRY, A SITUATION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT SEEM TO SUFFICIENTLY APPRECIATE.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 18 -
HE SAID CAREFUL AND CLOSE CO-OPERATION AMONG ALL PARTIES CONCERNED WAS REQUIRED TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
ON THE REPEAL OF THE TAX ON INTEREST INCOME EARNED FROM OFFSHORE DEPOSITS, MR LI SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S DECISION WAS TO BE HIGHLY COMMENDED.
HE SAID THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY HELD THAT THE TAX VIOLATED THE +TERRITORIAL SOURCE+ PRINCIPLE ON WHICH HONG KONG’S TAX SYSTEM WAS BASED.
MR LI THEN TURNED TO OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR WHICH IN THIS VIEW CAUSED CONCERN AND REQUIRED COMMENT.
HE NOTED THAT IN THE PAST DECADE, THE MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES OF THE WORLD, INCLUDING HONG KONG, HAD BEEN FLOODED WITH FINANCIAL INNOVATIONS OF ALL KINDS.
ONE OF THEM, MR LI SAID, WAS +SECURITISATION+ WHICH WAS THE GRANTING OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN THE FORM OF MARKETABLE SECURITIES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE IMPORTANT CONSEQUENCE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT WAS THAT THE TRADITIONAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LOANS AND SECURITIES HAD BECOME MUCH MORE BLURRED.
+THE IMPLICATION FOR PRUDENTIAL REGULATION IS THAT THERE IS NO LONGER ANY CLEAR-CUT DEMARCATION BETWEEN THE JURISDICTIONS CF THE BANKING COMMISSION AND THE SECURITIES COMMISSION,* HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THERE SHOULD BE GREATER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES FOR SUPERVISORY AND MONITORING PURPOSES, W LI SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT EVEN BE WORTHWHILE TO STUDY THE CASE OF MERGING THE TWO TO FORM A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY UNDER THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS.
MR LI SAID ANOTHER RECENT DEVELOPMENT REQUIRING COMMENT WAS THE SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY COMPONENTS IN THE MONETARY AGGREGATES.
HE OBSERVED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STEADY EROSION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR COMPONENT OF THE MONEY SUPPLY, WHICH WAS NOT GOOD FOR MONETARY STABILITY.
HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MEASURES THAT COULD BE ADOPTED TO PREVENT THE FURTHER EROSION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSIT BASE AND STRESSED THIS WAS AN ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND CAREFULLY STUDIED.
LASTLY, MR LI PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S ACHIEVEMENT^, SAYING HE HAD PRESIDED WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY OVER HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM DURING ONE OF THE MOST TRYING AND STORMY PERIODS IN ITS HISTORY.
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/19........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
19
CALL TO ELIMINATE TRADE BARRIERS
* * * *
A CONCERTED EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO ELIMINATE TRADE BARRIERS AND TO PROMOTE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1986, MR NGAI SAID DUE TO THE ENDLESS VARIETY OF TRADING RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY EXPORT MARKETS, HONG KONG WAS OFTEN PLACED IN A DEFENSIVE POSITION.
+PROTECTI ON ISM, WHETHER VIEWED IN THE LONG-TERM OR SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE, IS IN FACT A SELF-DESTRUCTIVE ECONOMIC POLICY,+ HE SAID.
+THOSE WHO ADVOCATE TRADE RESTRICTIONS AND CARE FOR IMMEDIATE BENEFITS HAVE IGNORED COMPLETELY THE RIGHT OF FREE CHOICE BY LOCAL IMPORTERS, RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS.
+THEREFORE, IT WILL SURELY ENCOUNTER AN OPPOSING FORCE, AND HONG KONG SHOULD TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MANIPULATE SUCH A FORCE TO FIGHT PROTECTIONISM,+ HE ADDED.
IN FACT, MR NGAI SAID, EVERY ENTREPRENEUR HAD THE DUTY TO MAKE FULL USE OF EVERY CHANCE TO ENHANCE THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF THE DOMESTIC EXPORT INDUSTRY BY PARTICIPATING IN ALL KINDS OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES, BE THEY LONG-TERM OR SHORT-TERM, EVERYWHERE AND ON ALL OCCASIONS, SO AS TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S IMAGE IN THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEw SITUATION AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE SI NO-BRITISH DECLARATION.
MR NGAI SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES TO SET UP STANDING LOBBYING GROUPS THROUGH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT OR OVERSEAS OFFICES.
IF NECESSARY, HE SAID, THESE GROUPS COULD STATION IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR EXPORT COUNTRIES AND THE RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS COULD KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH AND LOBBY LOCAL PEOPLE OPPOSED TO TRADE BARRIER POLICIES, INCLUDING IMPORTERS, WHOLESALERS, MEMBERS OF THE CONSUMER BODIES AND THE LEGISLATURE, IN STOP THE ONGOING EXPANSION OF TRADE BARRIER MOVEMENT.
ORDER TO
HE ALSO FELT IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE AND ACCEPTABLE IF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED MORE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES TO CARRY OUT THESE UNDERTAKINGS.
IN ORDER TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY LEVEL CF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, MR NGAI SUGGESTED THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SHOULD STEP UP ITS EFFORTS TO ATTRACT OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT BY ORGANISING MORE SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS AND OVERSEAS VISITS.
HE SAID HE REGRETTED THAT THE.FUND ALLOCATED IN THIS DIRECTION MIGHT NOT BE SUFFICIENT AND HAD NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION A LARGE-SCALE PROMOTION PROGRAMME.
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/20......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
20 -
TIME FOR APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW ITS PRESENT POLICY ON NON-INTERVENTION IN TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON POON CHI-TAI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
MR POON SAID HONG KONG NOW FACED WORLD-WIDE TRADE PROTECTIONISM, GLOBAL DEPRESSION, A LACK OF BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN LONG-TERM INVESTMENT AND A DRASTIC DECREASE IN IOTUSFRIaL INVESTMENTS, ALL RESULTING IN INCREASED PRODUCTION,COSTS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID, CHINA HAD STRENGTHENED
CONTROL OF ITS FOREIGN EXCHANGE, REGULATION Or ITS BALANCE OF TRADt AND HAD BEEN ENGAGED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS IN INTRODUCING
MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST ITS COMPETITIVENESS.
+TOGETHER WITH LOWER SALARY LEVELS IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WHOSE GOVERNMENTS HAVE ASSISTED IN THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIES, WE CANNOT HELP WORRYING THAT IF HONG KONG DID NOT HAVE fHE BENEFIT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT CAN WE SURVIVE ALONE?* HE ASKED.
REFERRING TO RECENT CRISES IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY, MR POON SAID THESE HAD DEMONSTRATED THAT IF INDUSTRY LOST ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE I T WOULD BE D IFF I CULT, FOR THE GQVERNMENT_.TO ,REWU1L-ALC!OE*_.
+IF GOVERNMENT COULD EXEMPT PROFIT TAX ON OFFSHORE INTEREST AND STAMP DUTIES TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, TAKE UNPRECEDENTED ACTION TO TAKE OVER THE HANG LUNG, OVERSEAS TRUST AND HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANKS, AND USE THE EXCHANGE FUND TO GUARANTEE THE BAD DEBTS OF KA WAH BANK, I FAIL TO SEE WHY GOVERNMENT CANNOT ACCORD APPROPRIATE AND LIMITED ASSISTANCE TO THE INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES,* HE JAID.
+T0 SUM UP, THE ’NON-INTERVENTION’ POLICY ON INDUSTRY ADOPTED BY GOVERNMENT DEFINITELY WARRANTS A REVIEW,* HE STRESSED.
ON STRENGTHENING MONETARY SUPERVISION, MR POON SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET UP AN EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF MONETARY SUPERVISION AS A MATTER OF URGENCY.
HE WELCOMED RECENT MEASURES PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT. BUT SAID IF THE MINIMUM CAPITAL TO RISK ASSETS RATIO
IN THE NEW BANKING BILL WAS TO BE ENFORCED STRICTLY IT WOULD INCREASE PRESSURE ON SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BANKS AND FINANCE COMPANIES WHICH HAD RELATIVELY WEAK CAPITAL-RAISING POWER.
THEREFORE CALLED FOR CAREFUL ATTENTION TO BE PAID TO THIS AREA.
ON TAXATION, MR POON SAID THE INCREASE IN THE PERSONAL TAX ALLOWANCE, EASING THE BURDEN ON MIDDLE AND LOWER INCOME GROUPS, WAS TO BE WELCOMED.
/HOWEVER, HE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 21 -
HOWEVER HE FELT THAT IT WAS UNFAIR TO THOSE WHO HAD TO ERING UP CHILDREN THAT THERE WAS NO INCREASE IN THE CHILD ALLOWANCE.
AND
USE
THE
FOR
HE SUGGESTED THAT WHEN THE ECONOMY IMPROVED, PERSONAL CHILD ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED.
MR POON ALSO SAID THAT WITH THE APPROACH OF 1997. THE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE WOULD GROW WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, PACE OF LOCALISATION IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD ACCELERATE.
HE THEREFORE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTH! I ITS PLANS TRAINING LOCAL CIVIL SERVANTS.
FINALLY MR POON SAID CONTROL OF CIVIL SERVIC GROWTH
SHOULD NOT L£AD TO AN OVER-RELIANCE ON THE SERVICE OF CONSULTANT FIRMS. OTHERWISE, THE POLICY OF CONTROLLING CIVIL SER’. ICE GROWTH uniil D NOT ONLY BECOME MEANINGLESS, BUT WOULD ALSO REDUCE THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL ENGINEERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS, AND INCREASE THE COST OF GOVERNMENT PROJECTS, HE. SAID.
HE URGED THAT WHILE BRINGING THE GROWTH OF CIVIL
SERVICE UNDER CONTROL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SHOULD PROVIDED WITH ADEQUATE STAFF TO STUDY, PLAN AND SUPERVISE Pl- '.IC PROJECTS INTERNALLY.
MR POON ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW AND RECTIFY WHAT HE TERMED THE PRESENT POOR CO-ORDINATION AND MISUNDERSTANDING AMONG SOME GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH HAD LED TO UNNECESSARY WASTAGE.
- - 0 - -
SLOW INVESTMENT RATE A MATTER OF CONCERN ******
A MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF HONG KONG IS THE RELATIVELY SLOW INVESTMENT RATE BY LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS IN NEW PLANT EQU PMENT ESPECIALLY RELATING TO THE EXPORT FIELD THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID AT THE DEBATE ON THE BUDGET TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT FACTORIES WERE APPARENTLY STEPPING UP THEIR PRODUCTIVITY ON EXISTING EQUIPMENT OR REPLACING OLD WITH NEW EQUIPMENT ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY WITHOUT WANTING TO INVEST FOR LONG-TERM GROWTH BY WAY OF NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
+GOVERNMENT SHOULD THEREFORE AGAIN REVIEW THE CURRENT LEVEL CF INCENTIVES FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS TO BE WILLING TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM CAPITAL INVESTMENT,* HE URGED.
WHETHER THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY WAY OF MORE SUBSTANTIAL DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE FOR THE MORE SIZABLE INVESTMENT WOULD BE A MATTER FOR MORE DETAILED STUDY BY THE ADMINISTRATION, HE SAID.
/MB CHEONG-LEEN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
22
MR CHEONG-LEEN ADDED THAT WHAT COULD ALSO BE REVIEWED WAS WHETHER THE COST OF LAND WAS AN INHIBITING FACTOR FOR LOCAL INVESTORS FOR LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN INDUSTRY.
NOTING THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BANKING BILL MIGHT MEAN LESS FLEXIBILITY FOR MEDIUM-SIZE BANKS TO ASSIST SMALL FACTORIES, HE CALLED ON GOVERNMENT TC LOOK AT THE FEASIBILITY OF SOME FORM OF LONG-TERM CREDIT INSTITUTION WITH PARTICIPATION BY INTERESTED BANKS AND BACKING BY GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE l*ED I UM-TERM OR LONG-TERM VENTURE CAPITAL TO INDUSTRIALISTS FOR PLANT EXPANSION OR NEW TYPES OF INDUSTRY.
ON PUBLIC HOUSING, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE CONSIDERED THAT THE TIME HAD COME TO REVIEW THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD BE MOVING IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS.
+A CONSCIOUS DECISION SHOULD NOW BE TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO AIM FOR AT LEAST 50 PER CENT OF ALL NEW PUBLIC HOUSING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE PARTLY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT HOME OWNERSHIP AND MORE UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME OVER THE NEXT FIVE OP SIX YEARS, AND FOR THE PROPORTION OF HOME OWNERSHIP COMPARED TO RENTAL ACCOMMODATION TO INCREASE TO 70 PER CENT TEN YEARS FROM NOW,+ HE SAID.
HE ALSO CONSIDERED THAT MANAGEMENT SHOULD NOT BE THE PERMANENT RESPONSIBILITY OF HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF, BUT SHOULD BE TAKEN OVER BY THE HOME OWNERS THEMSELVES WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF POSSESSION CF THEIR HOMES.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT A JOINT STUDY GROUP BE SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO EXAMINE WHETHER AN ESTATE TOWN COUNCIL TYPE OF ORGANISATION WITH DEFINED MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES COULD BE TRIED OUT IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THAT WITHIN FIVE OR SIX YEARS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WITH ITS CURRENT $34 000 MILLION ASSET BASE SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH CASH FLOW SO THAT THE ENORMOUS PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME COULD BE SELF-SUSTAINING, PROVIDING LANDWOULD BE MADE FREELY AVAILABLE AND THERE WOULD BE MORE EMPHASIS ON EXPANDING THE HOME OWNERSHIP SECTOR IN THE COMING YEARS.
MR CHEONG-LEEN THEN TURNED TO THE NEED FOR EXPANDING THE ♦VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES GROUP+ SYSTEM TO SCRUTINISE THE WORK CF MAJOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE THEM MORE EFFICIENT AND COST CONSCIOUS.
+WITH THE NEW LOOK OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE TREND TOWARDS A MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD NOW HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO EXPAND THIS APPROACH TO ALL OTHER MAJOR DEPARTMENTS APART FROM THE EXISTING FIVE DEPARTMENTS,+ HE SAID
MR CHEONG-LEEN FINALLY URGED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO CONSIDER REDUCING THE TAX ON SOFT DRINKS WHICH WAS IMPOSED LAST YEAR AND TO MAKE UP FOR WHATEVER. WOULD BE LOST IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR BY RAISING THE DUTY ON LIQUOR AND CIGARETTES.
- C -
/23
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1936
23
RIPE TIME FOR DETAILED ECONOMIC STUDY * * * *
IT IS NOW TIME FOR A DETAILED ECONOMIC STUDY TO BE COMMISSIONED TO EXAMINE THE TRENDS OF ECONOMIC, TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG DURING THE LAST SEVEN YEARS AND TO CONSIDER THE LIKELY TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS.
THIS CALL CAME FROM THE HON THOMAS CLYDESDALE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1986 DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SUCH A STUDY WOULD ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT FORWARD PLANNING AND AID PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTORS TO REACH SENSIBLE DECISIONS, X SAID.
IT MIGHT ALSO INDICATE AREAS FOR NEW PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, HE ADDED.
INITIATIVES IN BOTH THE
MR CLYDESDALE SAID: +A STUDY OF THIS NATURE COULD REQUIRE CONSIDERABLE FUNDING AND MIGHT INVOLVE INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL CRGANISATIONS WORKING WITH OUR OWN INSTITUTIONS AND ABOVE ALL OUR OWN BUSINESS PEOPLE.
+IT WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY ECONOMIC IN CHARACTER BUT WOULD OF COURSE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL
- - - - ----- the NeXT DECADE. +
CHANGES WHICH WILL AFFECT US DURING
BUT, SPENT.
HE STRESSED THAT IT COULD BE TIME AND MONEY VERY WELL
HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WAS
MR CLYDESDALE POINTED OUT THAT -----
UNDERGOING SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE, PARTLY RESULTING FROM FUNDAMENTAL ’ ---- DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS AND
SHIFTS IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC POLICIES PARTLY THROUGH THE NATURAL RESPONSE CF CHANGING EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES.
OF BUSINESSMEN TO THE STIMULUS
+WE ARE AWARE OF SOME OF THESE CHANGES IN THE MACRO-ECONOMIC SENSE AND WE CAN ANTICIPATE OTHERS BY EXAMINING TRENDS AND POSSIBILITIES.
+HOWEVER, IT IS INCREASINGLY NECESSARY FOR US IN FUTURE TO THINK FURTHER AHEAD THAN EVER BEFORE GIVEN THE VERY LARGE STAKES INVOLVED AND THE NEED TO USE OUR RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY,* HE SAID.
HE REFERRED TO THE 1979 REPORT ON INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION WHICH PROVIDED A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES AND NEEDS OF AN INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY POISED FOR FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH, AND SAID IT HAD SINCE GREATLY BENEFITTED HONG KONG INDUSTRY AND THE ECONOMY.
/FOB THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
24
FOR THE GOOD OF HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE, MR CLYDESDALE SUGGESTED POSITIVE ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO INVIGORATE ^E ECONOMY BY A WELL CONSIDERED PROGRAMME OF TAX CUTS.
He SAID IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CONTINUED ENCOURAfiFMFNT tuc BJSINESS SECTOR TO INVEST, EXPAND, INNOVATE AND EMPLOY H^G KONP COULD BEGIN BY REMOVING THE ILLOGICAL SURCHARGE OF 1 5 PER Cf£? APPLYING TO CORPORATIONS, THUS TAXING THEIR PROFITS AT THE STANDARD RATE OF 17 PER CENT INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT 11 5 PER CENT
wn IS WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE ENGINE OF THE ECONOMY
CLEAR THAT THE LEVEL OF BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
WILL DETERMINE OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC VIABILITY.
+A DEMONSTRATION OF HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT TO THE MAINTENANCE CF SIMPLE AND LOW TAXES ON BUSINESS AND PEOPLE WOULD ACT AS A MOST EFFECTIVE STIMULANT TO INVESTMENT AND AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE RETENTION OF BUSINESS CONFIDENCE, ON WHICH THE ENTIRE ECONOMY DEPENDS,* HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COST OF THAT PROPOSAL, BASED ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S RECENT ASSESSMENT, WOULD AT A GUESS PROBABLY BE ABOUT $300 MILLION A YEAR, LIKELY TO BE WELL WITHIN HONG KONG’S CAPABILITY DURING THE NEXT ONE OR TWO YEARS, AND IT COULD WELL *COST+ NOTHING IN THE LONGER TERM.
MR CLYDESDALE FURTHER SUGGESTED THE OPPORTUNITY BE TAKEN TO REMOVE THE TAXES APPLIED LAST YEAR ON COSMETICS AND SOFT DRINKS, WHICH HE TERMED AS +DI SCR IMINATORY AND HOPEFULLY TEMPORARY TAXES*.
+THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES WOULD BE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO AS WE ALL KNOW USUALLY COME FIRST,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO ASKED THAT A MORE GENEROUS ALLOCATION OF FUNDS BE MADE TOWARDS THE WORK OF ORGANISATIONS WHICH SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
HE SAID THOSE ORGANISATIONS INCLUDED THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TRADE FACILITATION COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG STANDARDS AND TESTING CENTRE, WHICH PROVIDED AN INCREASINGLY ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO HONG KONG’S COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS, A SERVICE WHICH TRADE AND INDUSTRY COULD NOT PROVIDE FOR ITSELF.
+AS WE MOVE UP THE TECHNOLOGICAL LADDER AND AS OUR ECONOMY BECOMES MORE AND MORE SOPHISTICATED WE MUST EXPECT TO SPEND MORE ON THE SYSTEMS WHICH PROVIDE THE STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE REQUIRED,* HE ADDED.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
INDUSTRY MUST BE GIVEN FULL RECOGNITION * * *
THE BUDGET SHOULD TAKE INTO FULL ACCOUNT HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE TERRITORY’S SOCIOECONOMY, THE HON RICHARD LAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR LAI SAID THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR STILL EMPLOYED ABOUT ONE MILLION °EOPLE, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY CONTRIBUTING UP TO 40 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP).
HE SAID THAT UNLESS INDUSTRY HAD SUFFICIENT COMPETITIVE POWER TO SHARE OVERSEAS MARKETS, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BOTH TO COPE WITH THE CONTINUOUSLY GROWING LABOUR FORCE AND TO MAINTAIN THE VALUE OF THE CURRENCY.
+MOREOVER, HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED,+ HE SAID.
MR LAI SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD NOT MENTIONED HOW THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ASSIST IN PROMOTING EXPORTS, BUT INSTEAD HAD EMPHASISED THE MAINTENANCE OF A +NON-INTERVENTION+ POLICY AND OPTIMISTICALLY FORECAST A GROWTH IN EXPORT TRADE AND IN THE ECONOMY.
+ HONG KONG’S EXPORT OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS IS BESET WITH VARIOUS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PROBLEMS. I CANNOT SEE WHAT GROUNDS THERE ARE FOR OPTIMISTIC FORECASTS,* HE SAID.
MR LAI SAID IT WAS NOW HIGH TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS +NON-INTERVENTION+ POLICY.
A + NON-1NTERVENTI ON* POLICY DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT ASSIST OR SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY, HE SAID.
♦THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LEND A HELPING HAND TO INDUSTRY IN ORDER TO ENSURE A STEADY DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCI O-ECONOMY, AND IT SHOULD PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE MORE INFLUENTIAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES,* HE SAID.
+IF THE GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AND COME TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS FACING INDUSTRY, THEN PROPER ASSISTANCE CAN BE PROVIDED TO STRENGTHEN ITS COMPETITIVE POWER,* HE ADDED.
MR LAI NOTED THAT IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE COMPETITIVE POWER OF LOCAL INDUSTRY, THE GOVERNMENT COULD ASSIST BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES USING CENTRALISED RESOURCES THROUGH THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, WITH THE AID OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.
/+TEE GOVERNMENT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 26 -
♦THE GOVERNMENT CAN ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO PROCEED WITH RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT. THEN BY USING THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT WE CAN GUIDE INVESTORS INTO DEVELOPING NEW INDUSTR THAT HAVE POTENTIAL,* HE SAID.
IES
HE ALSO HOPED THAT THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WOULD STRENGTHEN ITS CO—OPERATION WITH THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, SUCH AS ARRANGING FOR STAFF OF THE TWO COUNCILS TO MEET MORE REGULARLY TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND INFORMATION.
TURNING TO THE PROSPECTS FOR THE ECONOMY IN 1986, MR LAI HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE 4.5 PER CENT GDP GROWTH RATE PREDICTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
HE SAID: + THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IS LINKED TO THE US DOLLAR, AND ANY FALL IN THE VALUE OF THE US DOLLAR WOULD MEAN AN INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF RAW MATERIALS WE HAVE TO IMPORT.
+ THUS HONG
KONG MAY NOT
NECESSARILY BENEFIT FROM THE
FALL IN VALUE OF THE US DOLLAR. BESIDES, FLUCTUATION OF THE WORLD MONETARY SYSTEM BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE FALL IN OIL PRICES MAY WELL AFFECT HONG KONG, WHILE PROTECTIONISM WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS.*
+HOW MUCH CHINA’S CONTROL OF THE USE OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES WILL AFFECT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IS INCREASI.ELY DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE,* HE ADDED.
ON THE SUBJECT OF REVENUE, MR LAI SAID THE DECLINE IN THE REVENUE FROM LAND SALES WOULD CONTINUE, AND UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES HE PROPOSED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE TAXATION SYSTEM, FOR EXAMPLE BY USING PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS AND SENSIBILITY TO ARRIVE AT A RATIO BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES.
+THESE WILL SERVE AS GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC REVENUE BEFORE 1997,+ HE POINTED OUT.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RECONSIDER ABOLISHING THE INDIRECT TAX ON +NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES*, THE CONSUMERS OF WHICH, AFTER ALL, WERE MOSTLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAD NO EARNING POWER.
+THE REVENUE LOST CAN BE MADE UP BY INCREASING INDIRECT TAXES ON NON-ESSENTIAL LUXURY COMMODITIES,* HE SAID.
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
27
SUPPORT FOR EMPHASIS ON THRIFT I NESS *****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VOICED SUPPORT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S EMPHASIS ON +THRIFTINESS+ BUT OBSERVED THAT QUITE A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS WERE WASTING PUBLIC FUNDS.
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, F£ CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE $7 463 003 REQUIRED BY THE MED'CAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN THE YEAR 1986-87 ON PAYMENT OF TRAVELLING EXPENSES TO ITS STAFF, AN INCREASE OF 18.5 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE INCREASE, MR PANG SAID, HAD BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAYMENT CF HOME TO OFFICE TRAVELLING EXPENSES TO STAFF OF THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL IN SHA TIN, AND HE NOTED THAT THE HOSPITAL WAS PROVIDED ftI TH STAFF QUARTERS BUT NO REASON BEEN GIVEN WHY IT WAS NOT FULLY UTILISED.
MR PANG ALSO ASKED WHY THERE WAS A NEED TO EMPLOY CONSULTANT FIRMS FROM OUTSIDE TO CONDUCT RESEARCHES OR STUDIES.
HE SAID HE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT MUCH EXPENDITURE IN THIS AREA COULD BE SAVED IF DEPARTMENTS WOULD CEASE TO EMPLOY OUTSIDE FIRMS, ADDING THAT THE FINDINGS WOULD BE MUCH MORE PRAGMATIC IF STUDIES WERE CONDUCTED IN-HOUSE.
HOWEVER, MR PANG EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN LIMITED TO 0.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE DESPITE THE INCREASE IN DEMANDS FOR ITS WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS.
+THIS HAS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF WORK REQUIRED, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, WHERE APPROPRIATE PREVENTIVE MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN AND MORE FREQUENT INSPECTIONS MUST BE MADE,+ HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTORY INSPECTORS THEREFORE SHOULD NOT REMAIN FROZEN ALL THE TIME, HE STRESSED.
MR PANG SAID HE WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO GROWTH IN THE REAL WAGE OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING WORKERS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
TURNING TO REVENUE PROPOSALS, HE COMMENTED THAT HUSBANDS AND WIVES SHOULD BE SEPARATELY ASSESSED FOR SALARIES TAX.
HE FURTHER PROPOSED THAT THE TAX ON NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS SHOULD BE EITHER RESCINDED OR REDUCED SINCE CONSUMERS OF SUCH DRINKS WERE NORMALLY FROM THE LOWER CLASS AND STUDENTS.
/AS FOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 28 -
AS FOR HIGH INCOME EARNERS OR ORGANISATIONS WITH ENORMOUS PROFITS, HE SAID HE BELIEVED CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO RAISING THE AMOUNT OF TAX PAID BY THEM AS APPROPRIATE.
ON THE KA WAH BANK INCIDENT, HE SAID HE COULD NOT AGREE WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY 0!. USING THE EXCHANGE FUND AS A GUARANTEE.
LONG-TERM PLAN COULD ENSURE CONTINUED PROSPERITY * X X * *
HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE A LONG-TERM PLAN TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN ITS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE, PROF. POON SAID GOVERNMENT’S NON-INTERVENTION IN INDUSTRY POLICY SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A VEIL FOR INACTION OR ACTIONS DEVOID OF PRAGMATISM.
GOVERNMENT MUST ADOPT A MORE POSITIVE ROLE IN TRADE AND INDUSTRY BY CLEARLY DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN NON-INTERVENTION AND CONSTRUCTIVE PARTICIPATION, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY ASIAN GOVERNMENTS WERE DEVOTING EVER INCREASING EFFORTS TO HELPING THEIR INDUSTRIES ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE TIDE OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTIONISM EVER SURGING ON THE OTHER, HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS IN OVERSEAS MARKETS WOULD BE DIMINISHING, IF GOVERNMENT PERSISTED IN UPHOLDING ITS NONINTERVENTION POLICY.
PROF. POON URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INVEST IN SETTING UP FACILITIES THAT WOULD ACTIVELY AID INDUSTRY.
HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL’S FEAT TREATMENT UNIT, IN WHICH THE INITIAL SUM INVESTED WAS ABOUT $1 MILLION.
BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF MANUFACTURERS USING THE SERVICE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS, THE INCOME FROM FEES CHARGED BY THE UNIT NOW ALMOST BALANCED THE OPERATIONAL COSTS, HE SAID.
♦THE UNIT HAS DEMONSTRATED CONVINCINGLY HOW AN INITIAL INVESTMENT BY GOVERNMENT ON A USEFUL FACILITY OF THIS KIND CAN GO A LONG WAY IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
+ IT WAS NOT A MERE TRANSFER OF TAXPAYERS’ MONEY TO ASSIST AN INDUSTRY. REVENUE GENERATED INCLUDES DIRECT INCOME FROM USERS’ FEES AND INDIRECT INCOME FROM TAXES THROUGH INCREASED INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENTS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES,* HE SAID.
/Di THE.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
29
IN THE SAME WAY, PROF. POON SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT SET UP A STERILISATION PLANT, WHICH MIGHT COST ABOUT $8 MILLION.
HE SAID THE FACILITY WOULD STIMULATE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STERILISED MEDICAL PLASTICS FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION OR FOR EXPORT AND ALSO PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN RECURRENT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE IN THE LONG RUN.
IN ADDITION, THE FACILITY COULD BE EXPANDED TO ENABLE THE FOOD INDUSTRY TO USE IT FOR KEEPING FRESH FOOD PRODUCTS IMPORTED FROM CHINA FOR RE-EXPORT, HE ADDED.
♦THERE HAVE BEEN POSITIVE INDICATIONS FROM OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS THAT THEY WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITY IF THERE IS ONE IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
PROF. POON ALSO REITERATED HIS EARLIER SUGGESTION TO GOVERNMENT FOR ESTABLISHING A TRADE AND INDUSTRY COMMISSION TO ENSURE BETTER CO-ORDINATION AND PROVIDE IMPETUS TO THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR TO ACQUIRE NEW TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE.
HE SAID THE COMMISSION MUST HAVE A CO-ORDINATING AND COMPREHENSIVE ROLE IN THE AREA OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND FOR FORMULATING LONG-TERM PLANS FOR THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
THE COMMISSION SHOULD COMPRISE MAINLY UNOFFICIALS, WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE INDUSTRIALISTS, MANUFACTURERS AND ACADEMICS- AND THE CHAIRMAN SHOULD BE AN UNOFFICIAL, HE SAID.
+THIS KIND OF COMPOSITION WOULD ENSURE THAT THE COMMISSION COULD OPERATE SMOOTHLY AND FLEXIBLY AND WOULD LOOK OBJECTIVELY AT GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES WHICH AFFECT TRADE AND INDUSTRY,* HE NOTED.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE COMMISSION MIGHT SET UP A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COUNCIL TO PROMOTE THE USE OF HI-TECH IN LOCAL INDUSTRIES, THEREBY SECURING THE ROLE OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY AND TRADE IN THE 199OS.
+THE ISSUES OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND HI-TECH DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE. THE SHAPE OF OUR FUTURE WILL DEPEND ON THE RESULTS OF OUR EFFORTS PLUS GOVERNMENT’S WILLINGNESS TO UNDERTAKE RESPONSIBILITIES,* HE SAID.
-------o ----------
/3O........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
3C
BETTER ASSESSMENT OF LONG-TERM EFFECTS *****
THE INCLUSION IN THE BUDGET FOR THE FIRST TIME OF A FED I UM-TERM FORECAST FOR GOVERNMENT FINANCES WAS WELCOMED BY THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR SOHMEN SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING AN ACCURATE GUIDE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, THE FORECAST WOULD ALSO HELP THE DEBATE ON THE VALIDITY OF THE GENERAL ECONOMIC AND SPECIFIC BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS MADE AND PRODUCE A BETTER ASSESSMENT OF THE POSSIBLE LONGER-TERM EFFECTS OF CURRENT ACTIONS.
HE BELIEVED THAT IMPROVEMENT AS WELL AS CONSTANT CORRECTIONS AND REFINEMENTS TO THE FORECAST WOULD, OVER TIME, ENHANCE ITS VALUE AS A FINANCIAL PLANNING INSTRUMENT.
MR SOHMEN DESCRIBED AS MOST REASSURING THE EXISTENCE OF SUBSTANTIAL FISCAL RESERVES BECAUSE HONG KONG WAS DEPENDENT ON WHAT HAPPENED IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD, AND ALWAYS EXPOSED TO SUDDEN AND UNFORESEEN ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SHOCKS BEYOND ITS CONTROL, AS WELL AS TO THE OCCASIONAL ATTACK OF NERVES AT HOME.
+ATTACKS ON THE POLICY OF ACCUMLATING SUCH SURPLUSES AS REFLECTING ’HAMSTER TENDENCIES’, AND CAPABLE OF ADVERSELY AFFECTING OVERALL ECONOMIC GROWTH OR THE EXPANSION OF SOCIAL PROGRAMMES ARE IN MY VIEW SHORTSIGHTED, AS ARE COMPLAINTS THAT THE TRANSFER OF SURPLUSES FROM GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO THE VARIOUS FUND ACCOUNTS WILL MAKE IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY ACTUAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE,* HE SAID.
THOUGH THE LATTER WAS OBJECTIVELY TRUE, HE SAID IT SEEMED IMMATURE TO DOWNGRADE THE SUBSTANTIVE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THESE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SAKE ONLY OF BETTER APPEARANCES OR EASIER COMPREHENSION.
THE SAME APPLIED TO CRITICISMS THAT EFFORTS TO REDUCE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, WHICH HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN PARTICULAR IN ACHIEVING THE ZERO-GROWTH TARGETS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT AND IN REDUCTIONS IN DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSES, SHOULD BE SUSPECT BECAUSE THEY RESULTED IN A BUILD-UP OF SUCH SURPLUSES, HE ADDED.
+THE MAINTENANCE OF BALANCED BUDGETS OVER THE LONGER TERM, DESPITE THE INEVITABLE CYCLICAL FLUCTUATION IN REVENUE, ALSO ASSURES A FUTURE ABILITY TO HOLD OVERALL TAXATION AT CURRENT LEVELS AND MAKES THE CREATION OF SUCH SURPLUSES IN THE SHORT TERM MORE DESIRABLE,* HE SAID.
MR SOHMEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE CONTINUING CONSIDERATION TO MAKING THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR SMALLER, AND TO TRANSFER ANY FUNCTIONS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHEREVER POSSIBILITIES EXISTED TO DO THIS.
/COMMENTING ON .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
31
COMMENTING ON PUBLIC HOUSING, MR SOHMEN SAID IT WAS WORTH CONSIDERING THE IDEA THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOW ALSO ALLOW THOSE TENANTS INVOLVED IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S RENTAL PROGRAMME TO PURCHASE THEIR FLATS, WHILE PUTTING ALL NEW PUBLIC HOUSING INTO THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
NOTING THE CONSIDERABLE DEBATE THAT HAD ARISEN ON PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON HOUSING SUBSIDIES TO TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING, HE BELIEVED THE FOREGOING ALTERNATIVE MIGHT PROVE MORE ACCEPTABLE TO MANY OF THE 2.7 MILLION PEOPLE NOW ACCOMMODATED IN PUBLIC HOUSING, AND WOULD ADD FURTHER TO SOCIAL STABILITY AND THE POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG BY THIS PART OF THE POPULATION.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE, MR SOHMEN SAID IMPROVEMENTS HERE SHOULD INVOLVE PHYSICAL FACILITIES AS WELL AS HUMAN RESOURCES. +THE PROVISION OF THE BEST POSSIBLE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, INVOLVING BOTH SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS, AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS, IS REQUIRED MOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION CF THE SERVICE SECTOR TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, BUT ALSO IN VIEW CF THE TOUGHER COMPETITION WE FACE FROM ABROAD IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES*, HE SAID.
THE PRESENCE OF BETTER EDUCATED AND BETTER SKILLED MANPOWER WAS BECOMING YEARLY MORE ESSENTIAL FOR THE TERRITORY’S CONTINUED SUCCESS AS AN EXPORT-DEPENDENT ECONOMY, HE SAID.
HONG KONG MUST STRIVE TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST SUFFICIENT THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EXPERTISE TO HOLD ITS PLACE AGAINST COMPETITION, OR BE ABLE TO QUICKLY STEP INTO THE SHOES OF THE MORE ADVANCED COUNTRIES ’SHOULD THEY DECIDE TO MOVE UP THE ESCALATOR CF MANUFACTURING SOPHISTICATION’.
+QUITE OBVIOUSLY THE POTENTIAL FOR HONG KONG IN HELPING TO NEET THE NEEDS OF CHINA IN THAT COUNTRY’S QUEST FOR MODERNISATION WILL ALSO DEPEND LARGELY ON OUR ONGOING ABILITY TO FIELD TRAINED PERSONNEL,* HE SAID.
IN CONNECTION WITH MANPOWER, MR SOHMEN VOICED WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS THE CONTINUING CONCERN FELT BY MANY BUSINESSMEN ABOUT CIVIL SERVICE EMOLUMENTS MOVING AHEAD OF WAGES AND SALARIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
HE SAID THAT PAY LEVELS IN SMALLER LOCAL MANUFACTURING FIRMS OFTEN COMPARED UNFAVOURABLY, EVEN FOR UNIVERSITY GRADUATES, WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
+WHILE WE HAVE PRACTICALLY FULL EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG, IN ITSELF OF COURSE A HEALTHY SIGN, AND SEE A SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED RATE OF INFLATION, WE MUST BE PARTICULARLY ATTUNED TO THE RISKS ARISING FROM THE POSSIBLE SEESAW EFFECTS OF THE CALLS FOR PAY PARITY,* HE SAID.
/MH SOHMEN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 32 -
MR SOHMEN APPLAUDED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EFFORTS TO HELP POLISH HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE, INCLUDING THE REPEAL OF THE 1984 AMENDMENTS REGARDING PROFITS TAX ON INTEREST EARNED ON OFFSHORE DEPOSITS, THE WAIVER OF THE ONE PER CENT STAMP DUTY CHARGE ON HONG KONG BEARER INSTRUMENT RELATING TO LOAN CAPITAL AND THE RECENT INTRODUCTION OF THE BANKING BILL.
ON THE FORECASTS FOR THE GDP, DOMESTIC EXPORT AND RE-EXPORT GROWTH FIGURES, HE SAID HONG KONG MUST NOT BECOME COMPLACENT OVER THE MORE ENCOURAGING GDP GROWTH ESTIMATE BASED ON GREATER COMPETITIVENESS ARISING MAINLY FROM THE RELATIVE WEAKNESS CF THE CURRENCY.
THE VOLATILITY OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARK.TS HAD TO BE ACCEPTED AS A FACT OF MODERN LIFE, AND ANY APPRECIABLE RETURN IN THE STRENGTH OF THE US DOLLAR, WHICH COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME AS A POSSIBLE RESULT OF UNFORESEEN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, COULD VERY QUICKLY ALTER THE PICTURE AND PUT MORE STEAM BEHIND PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES IN THE UNITED STATES, OUR MAJOR MARKET.
+DIFFICULT INTERNATIONAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS STILL LIE AHEAD CF US IN 1986, AND WHILE ANXIETIES ABOUT THEM WERE TEMPERED SLIGHTLY BY THE RELIEF THAT THE TERRITORY WILL NOW BE ALLOWED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF GATT, WE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR ALL EVENTUALITIES AND MAKE DEDICATED EFFORTS TO RETAIN OR REGAIN OUR SHARE OF EXPORT MARKETS BY INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE MARKETING ACTION ON ALL FRONTS, AND IN NEW ARENAS AS WELL,* HE SAID.
MR SOHMEN COMMENTED THAT THE BUDGET HAD AGAIN DEMONSTRATED THE RESILIENCE OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC SYSTEM IN THE FACE OF AN UNEXPECTEDLY POORER SHOWING AND ’WE MUST ENDEAVOUR TO KEEP THE SYSTEM STRONG EVEN AS, OR PARTICULARLY WHEN WE HAVE TO IMPROVE THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.’
-----C------
PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME ADVOCATED
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INITIATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME AND THE PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG SAID DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION TO IMPLEMENT A PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME OF A 'PROMOTIVE’ AND ’COMPULSORY’ NATURE MIGHT PROBABLY CONSTITUTE AN IMTERIM GOAL IN IMPLEMENTING A TERRITORY-WIDE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME.
HE EXPLAINED THAT A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND HAD MANY ADVANTAGES.
/+IT IS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 33 -
+IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE AND STABLE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM WHICH CARRIES NO RISKS WHEN INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISES WIND UP- AND WORKERS CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE SECURITY WHEN CHANGING TO ANOTHER JOB,+ HE SAID.
MR TAM SAID THAT OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE AGED OVER 60, SOME 40 000 RELIED ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SOME 220 000 RECEIVED AN OLD AGE ALLOWANCE.
IT WAS PREDICTED THAT BY THE YEAR 2000 AS MANY AS 900 000 PEOPLE, OR ABOUT 14 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION, WOULD BE AGED OVER 60, HE SAID.
+WE CANNOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY,+ HE STRESSED.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID 80 PER CENT OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD BE SPENT ON THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND AS MANY AS 63 PER CENT OF THE CASES RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INVOLVED OLD PEOPLE.
MR TAM POINTED OUT THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE RETIREMENT SECURITY SYSTEM, THE GOVERNMENT WAS SHOULDERING AN INCREASINGLY HEAVY FINANCIAL BURDEN IN LOOKING AFTER THE ELDERLY.
THEREFORE, HE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE ACTION NOW, OTHERWISE TAXES OR FEES WOULD HAVE TO BE INCREASED ON A LARGE SCALE IN ORDER TO PAY FOR FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS IN SOCIAL SECURITY.
+THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME WILL ENABLE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO JOINTLY SHARE THE BURDEN OF FINANCING THE LIVELIHOOD OF EMPLOYEES AFTER RETIREMENT.
+THE EMPLOYEE’S INCOME WILL THUS BE REDISTRIBUTED AT VARIOUS STAGES OF HIS LIFE AND IT WILL GIVE THE EMPLOYEE A STRONGER SENSE
CF BELONGING,+ HE SAID.
ON THE SUBJECT OF PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, MR TAM SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HELP INDUSTRY BY PROVIDING A BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE COVERING IMPORTANT ELEMENTS: EXPERTISE, TECHNOLOGY AND CAPITAL.
HE BELIEVED THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD MOBILISE MORE RESOURCES FOR STUDY AND FOR LAUNCHING PROGRAMMES IN THESE THREE AREAS, IT WOULD CERTAINLY BENEFIT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND THUS THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
MR TAM NOTED THAT INDUSTRY AT PRESENT FACED KEEN COMPETITION AND IMMENSE PRESSURE FROM NEIGHBOURING REGIONS, AND HE DOUBTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF NON-INTERVENTION IN INDUSTRY WAS STILL APPROPRIATE.
/♦THIS APPROACH .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
& -
THE BUT
HAD
THE
+THIS APPROACH MAY HAVE SUITED HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT IN pls? WHEN ITS INDUSTRY WAS IN ITS DEVELOPING STAGE,* HE SAID. HE QUESTIONED WHETHER THIS POLICY WAS VALID NOW.
TURNING TO TAXATION, MR TAM SAID 'NRECENT YEARS INCREASES CONCENTRATED ON INDIRECT TAXES, WHICH WERE IN FACT SHARED BY GENERAL PUBLIC.
+HFMCF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STUDY IN MORE DETAIL THE PROPORTION BE tWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION,* HE SAID.
ON CONCESSIONS, MR TAM SAID THE INCREASE IN[ P^RSONAL TAX ALLOWANCES WAS ONLY SUFFICIENT TO MAKE UP FOR INFLATION, AND WAGE-EARNERS DID NOT ENJOY MUCH REAL BENEFIT.
THEREFORE HE SUGGESTED THAT WHEN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION PERMITTED FURTHER CONCESSIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT POLICY ON * * * *
IMPORTED LABOUR
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUPPORTED HONG KONG’S LONG STANDING IMMIGRATION POLICY ON "^HE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR. THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE POLICY WAS BASED ON THE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE THAT HONG KONG LABOUR SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO COMPETITION FROM IMPORTED LABOUR.
THE POLICY PROVIDED THAT AN APPLICANT SHOULD POSSESS A SPECIAL SKILL, KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE OF VALUE TO AND NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG OR MUST EE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY, HE EXPLAINED.
WHILE APPRECIATING THAT THE ADMISSION OF FILIPINO MAIDS MAY NOT BE IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATED POLICY, MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE UMELCO SECURITY PANEL HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE POLICY BE REVIEWED AGAIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THIS WAS TO ENSURE THAT A REASONABLE BALANCE WAS MAINTAINED BETWEEN ADHERING TO THE STATED POLICY ON THE ONE HAND AND EXERCISING DISCRETION IN FAVOUR OF FLEXIBILITY AND EXPEDIENCY ON THE OTHER, HE SAID.
THE PANEL ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT EFFORTS BE DIRECTED TOWARDS REDUCING OR MINIMISING THE IMPACT OR PROBLEMS, IF ANY, CREATED BY THE PRESENCE OF SOME 25 000 FILIPINO MAIDS HERE, HE ADDED.
/MR WONG ........
WEDNTLDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 35 -
MR WONG IS THE CONVENER OF BOTH THE UMELCO SECURITY PANEL AND THE LEGCO INTERNAL WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE ESTIMATES FOR SECURITY SERVICES.
TURNING TO IMPROVEMENTS IN IMMIGRATION FACILITIES AT BORDER CROSSING POINTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, MR WONG SAID A NEW PERMANENT TERMINAL WOULD OPEN AT LO WU IN JANUARY 1987, 207 NEW POSTS IN IMMIGRATION CONTROL WERE PROPOSED FOR 19. 6-87, AND A l£W COMPUTER SYSTEM WOULD BE INTRODUCED LATER IN 1987.
MR WONG NOTED THAT EXPENDITURE ON IMMIGRATION CONTROL FOR 1986-87 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $73 MILLION OR 42 PER >■••NT MORE THAN THE APPROVED EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 1985-86.
♦ THE PRINCIPLE OF RECOVERING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS IS WELL ESTABLISHED IN THE CHARGING OF FEES FOR LICENCES, PASSPORTS, EXAMINATIONS, AND OTHER SERVICES.
+IT IS NOT REVENUE-RAISING FOR ITS OWN SAKE, BUT A MEANS OF ENSURING THAT AT LEAST SOME OF THE COSTS OF ADMINISTERING SERVICES ARE MET BY THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO USE THEM, AND NOT LY THE GENERAL TAXPAYER.
+THERE IS I BELIEVE. EVERY JUSTIFICATION FOR EXTENDING THIS PRINCIPLE TO OUR IMMIGRATION FACILITIES, AND I RECOMMEND THAT THE GOVERNMENT GIVE THE PROPOSAL SERIOUS CONSIDERATION,* MR WONG SAID.
ON THE SUBJECT OF LEGAL AID, MR WONG SAID HE AGREED WITH THE HON MARTIN LEE THAT THE TIME HAD COME FOR IT TO BE INDEPENDENTLY ADMINISTERED BY THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
MR WONG NOTED THAT THE DRAFT ESTIMATES SHOWED ENORMOUS INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE ON LEGAL AND IMM!GRATION S^I'>ES, AND SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE ON ALMOST ALL OTHER SECURITY SERVICES.
+THEIR AIM IS TO FOSTER A SAFE AND PEACEFUL SOCIETY, TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT AND BRING THE GUILTY TO JUSTICE.
♦ STABILITY IS ONE OF THE TWIN PILLARS SUPPORTING HONG KONG NOW AND IN THE YEARS TO COME, AND WITHOUT IT PROSPER I iY CANNOT EXIST,+ HE SAID.
♦ THE NEED FOR SPENDING MORE ON SECURITY SERVICES IS WELL RECOGNISED BUT AS WITH EVERY OTHER SERVICE, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP THE EXPENDITURE WITHIN REASONABLE LIMITS,* HE CAUTIONED.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH. MR WONG PRAISED THE RETIRING FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR HIS +TOUGH CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED*.
♦IT IS TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S CREDIT THAT HE HAS BEEN APLE TO ENFORCE THE 'ZERO GROWTH’ POLICY DURING HIS TERM OF OFFICE Sd IT IS MAINLY DUE TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS POLICY THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTAIN THE RAPID EXPANSION 0F$URpUBLIC EXPENDITURE, THEREBY OBVIATING THE NEED TO RESORT TO SIZEABLE INCREASES IN TAXATION,+ HE ADDED.
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/36
MARCH
26, 1986
* WEDNESDAY, -
budget reassures public confidence
* * * *
THAT WAS
HOPED WHICH
ACCORDANCE
THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE IN YEARS TO COME HONG KONG'S BASIC FINANCIAL POLICY, CURRENTLY TAKING THE RIGHT PATH, MIGHT BE MODIFIED IN W^TH SOCIAL CHANGES AND NEEDS OF THE TIMES IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN
ITS Fl-NANCE.
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, NR YEUNG DESCRIBED THE BUDGET AS BALANCED CnNS-RVATIVE.
■►NONETHELESS, IT HAS ACHIEVED THE EFFECT OF REA' ■ I To rUBLIC CONFIDENCE,* HE SAID.
+ALTHOUGH THE BUDGET APPEARS TO BE LACKING IN PROGRESSIVENESS AND ORIGINALITY, IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE ^HAT GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY KEP T UNDER CONTROL AND THAT THE DEFICIT HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A SURPLUS,* HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID IT TOOK STAMINA, CONFIDENCE, COURAGE, WILLPOWER AND A SPIRIT OF PRAGMATISM TO OVERCOME FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
HE OBSERVED THAT A STRONG AND WEALTHY GOVERNMENT REFLECTED SOCIAL PROSPERITY WHILE STABILITY DEPENDED ON GOOD LAW AND ORDER.
■ .NOTING THAT A MAJOR TA§K. WA$ TO COMBAT CRIME AND MAINTAIN T ^XPEND?TUREE0ft SECUR I TY ' SER^CES^ND IC ATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ATTACHED IMPORTANCE TO IT.
CONCERNING THE INCREASING NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS PASSING THROUGH THE VARIOUS CHECKPOINTS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, MR YEUNG
** SAID ADEQUATE MANPOWER SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN. ORDER JO MAKE FULL ' USE OF THE FACILITIES AND ALSO TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF TRAVELLERS.
+FURTHERMORE, GOVERNMENT MAY CONSIDER COLLECTING FEES FROM k. ALL TRAVELLERS TO RECOVER ALL OR PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION COSTS ‘ IN PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES,* HE SUGGESTED.
MR YEUNG ALSO COMMENTED ON THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE AND SAID HE WAS GLAD TO LEARN THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT THE FORCE’S TEMPORARY HEADQUARTERS AND TRAINING CENTRE, AT PRESENT SITUATED AT KOWLOON BAY, SHOULD BE . MADE PERMANENT PREMISES.
ON THE QUESTION OF LOCALISING THE JUDICIARY, MR YEUNG SAID THE JUDICIARY, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT AND REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT ALL REQUIRED ADDITIONAL STAFF. +DUE TO THE . relatively high income in the private sector, Chinese lawyers are ’ RELUCTANT TO JOIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, THUS LOCALISATION OF THE •JUDICIARY IS HINDERED SERIOUSLY,* HE SAID.
/+BESIDES,
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 37 -
♦BESIDES, WITH MORE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS BEING SET UP It. HONG KONG, THERE IS A GREAT DEMAND FOR LOCALLY TRAINED COUNSEL, WHICH MAKES IT EVEN HARDER FOR GOVERNMENT TO RECRUIT LOCAL LAWYERS.*
IN ORDER NOT TO HINDER LOCALISATION, THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT CONSIDER, PARTICULARLY, THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND FACTOR WHILE DECIDING THE SALARY LEVELS OF CIVIL SERVANTS. + IT SHOULD INCREASE THE SALARY OF LOCAL COUNSEL TO SUCH A LEVEL THAT THEY FIND IT ATTRACTIVE ENOUGH TO JOIN THE CIVIL SERVICE,* HE SAID.
•►MOREOVER, GOVERNMENT MAY CONSIDER THE IDEA OF DISESTABLISHING THE LEGAL AID SERVICE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE STRUCTURE AND TRANSFERRING IT TO THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG SO THAT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN THIS AREA CAN BE REDUCED.*
TURNING TO BILINGUALISM, MR YEUNG SAID THE PROGRAMME TO TRANSLATE ALL LAWS INTO CHINESE HAD REVEALED THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSLATORS. ADEQUATE RESOURCES SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO SPEED UP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BILINGUALISM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
FINALLY, MR YEUNG SAID SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CIVIC EDUCATION AND POINTED OUT THAT THE TARGET TO LOWER THE PROPORTION OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS TO STUDENTS FROM ONE TO 4 OOO TO ONE TO 2 000 WAS STILL UNATTAINED ALTHOUGH IT WAS PROPOSED FOUR YEARS AGO.
+l EARNESTLY HOPE THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD PLACE EMPHASIS ON THIS SERVICE WHICH HELPS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION AND EASE THE YOUTH PROBLEM,* HE SAID.
C
KA WAH BANK DEAL SETS ’DANGEROUS PRECEDENT’
* * * X
THE ADMINISTRATION’S HANDLING OF THE KA WAH BANK MATTER IS A VERY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR SIDESTEPPING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SCRUTINISE ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR LEE SAID HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE APPROPRIATION BILL UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT HAD SUPPLIED TO THE COUNCIL ALL THE MATERIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE KA WAH BANK DEAL.
HE SAID IT APPEARED THAT S600 MILLION OR MORE MIGHT HAVE TO EE PAID OUT FROM THE EXCHANGE FUND IN DISCHARGE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OBLIGATION WITH THE CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRUST AND INVESTMENT CORPORATION AS THE GUARANTOR OF THE MANY CREDITORS OF THE BANK.
/+! AM .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
+l AM CONCERNED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE SEEN FIT TO INCUR A LIABILITY OF SUCH A MAGNITUDE WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THIS COUNCIL,* MR LEE SAID, STRESSING THAT HE WAS NOT ASKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXCHANGE FUND.
HE CALLED FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S REPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
* WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT?
X IS THERE ANY BETTER ALTERNATIVE OPEN TO THE ADMINISTRATION IN DEALING WITH THIS MATTER?
M WHY WAS THIS MATTER NOT REFERRED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, OR INDEED THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AS IN THE CASE OF THE HANG LUNG BANK AND THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK?
# WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY IN RELATION TO OTHER BANKS IN FUTURE WHICH MAY FIND THEMSELVES IN A SIMILAR SITUATION?
MR LEE SAID THAT UNTIL ANSWERS WERE PROVIDED TO THESE QUESTIONS, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO JUDGE WHETHER THE AGREEMENT WAS REALLY IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG PEOPLE FOR WHOM THE COUNCILLORS WERE RESPONSIBLE.
HE FURTHER FELT THAT THIS RAISED A CONSTITUTIONAL POINT OF FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE AS TO THE POWERS OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE HAD SOUGHT TO EXERCISE THOSE POWERS.
EARLIER, MR LEE COMMENTED ON THE LOCALISATION OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE RECENT CIVIL SERVICE PAY RISE.
HE NOTED THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WAS VERY SHORT OF LOCAL LAWYERS BUT DISPUTED THE ADMINISTRATION’S EXPLANATION THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE MORE LUCRATIVE NATURE OF THE PRIVATE PRACTICE.
HE BELIEVED THE REAL REASONS ACCOUNTING FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S FAILURE TO ATTRACT LOCAL PERSONS WERE THAT TOP POSTS HAD BEEN DENIED TO THE LOCALS AND THAT MORE FAVOURABLE TERMS HAD BEEN OFFERED TO EXPATRIATES. HE THEREFORE CALLED FOR EQUAL TERMS
WITHOUT DELAY.
TURNING TO THE JUDICIARY, MR LEE SAID HE APPRECIATED THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION IN ATTRACTING LAWYERS OF GOOD STANDING TO JOIN.
HE SAID ONE OF THE REASONS WAS THAT LOCAL JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN THEIR TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND HE SAID THIS WAS CLEARLY WRONG.
/HE POINTED .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- 59 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT FOR YEARS THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAD ADVOCATED SEPARATING THE JUDICIARY FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE SO AS TO ENHANCE ITS INDEPENDENCE IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC.
+SUCH A MOVE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN BETTER TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO ATTRACT GOOD LAWYERS TO JOIN THE JUDICIARY,* HE SAID.
AS FOR THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, MR LEE SAID ONLY 14 OUT OF THE 43 LAWYERS WERE LOCAL OFFICERS AND HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO EMPLOY SO MANY EXPATRIATES IN THIS DEPARTMENT, PARTICULARLY BEARING IN MIND THE NATURE OF THE WORK INVOLVED.
HE THEREFORE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT WITHOUT ANY DELAY A FULL REVIEW OF THESE THREE DEPARTMENTS SO AS TO COME UP WITH POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EXPATRIATE OFFICERS IN THEM.
MR LEE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT LEGAL AID SHOULD NO LONGER BE ADMINISTERED AS A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, SAYING THE TIME HAD COME FOR IT TO BE ADMINISTERED WITH PUBLIC FUNDS INDEPENDENTLY BY THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
MR LEE EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE THREE MAIN REASONS FOR DOING SO.
+THE MAIN ONE IS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF LEGAL AID WILL NOT ONLY BE INDEPENDENT, BUT wILL ALSO BE PERCEIVED TO BE SO,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD ALSO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN UNSCRUPULOUS GOVERNMENT STOPPING ACCESS TO THE COURTS BY CITIZENS WHO HAD A LEGITIMATE GRIEVANCE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OR USING THE DISTRIBUTION OF LEGAL AID WORK AS A LEVERAGE ON THE PROFESSION.
SECONDLY, HE FELT ADMINISTRATION OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LEAD TO A MORE EFFICIENT USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
LASTLY, HE SAID THERE HAD FOR SOME TIME BEEN DISQUIET IN THE PROFESSION THAT THE DISTRIBUTION OF WORK WAS NOT EQUITABLE AND HE BELIEVED AN INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE ABLE TO TACKLE THE MATTER MORE SATISFACTORILY.
REGARDING INCREASES IN CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES, MR LEE COMMENTED THAT IT WAS UNWISE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEAL WITH THE MATTER IN TWO STAGES.
HE ALSO FELT THAT THE NON-DI RECTORATE SECTOR HAD MADE OUT A STRONG CASE THAT IT WAS NO LONGER BEING PROPERLY REPRESENTED BY THE PEOPLE RECOGNISED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
/+THIS must .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- UO
+THIS MUST BE REVIEWED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT AN EQUITABLE SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND,+ HE SAID.
FINALLY, MR LEE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS TAKING AN UNNECESSARILY FIRM STAND ON THE 2.7 PER CENT INCREASE NOW OFFERED TO THE NON-DIRECTORATE SECTOR, BY REFUSING TO BACKDATE IT TO AUGUST 1, 1985, THE SAME DATE THAT THE PAY INCREASE FOR THE DIRECTORATE SECTOR TOOK EFFECT.
-------0---------
POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITIES CHANGED * * * *
A RESOLUTION TO EFFECT A CHANGE OF POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITIES WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS SAID IT FOLLOWS THE DECISION BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR TO CENTRALISE AND RATIONALISE THE GOVERNMENT’S ORGANISATION FOR POLLUTION CONTROL, WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ASSUMING AN EXECUTIVE AND OPERATIONAL ROLE IN POLLUTION CONTROL FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THE AGENCY IS BEING UPGRADED TO A GROUP III DEPARTMENT TO BE RETITLED THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE HEADED BY A DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THE STATUTORY FUNCTIONS OF THE CONTROL AUTHORITIES UNDER THE MAIN POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW DEPARTMENT.
MR CHAMBERS SA IDs +IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL’S DECISION, THIS RESOLUTION SEEKS TO EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF THE POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITIES UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE AND THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
+THUS, AS REGARDS THE FORMER ORDINANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL BECOME THE WASTE DISPOSAL AUTHORITY IN PLACE OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
+SIMILARLY, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL REPLACE THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AS THE AUTHORITY UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE FOR DISCHARGES INTO DRAINS AND SEWERS IN A WATER CONTROL ZONE.
+ HE WILL ALSO BE THE AUTHORITY UNDER THE SAME LEGISLATION FOR THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE, IN PLACE OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES*.
- o -
/41 ... •
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1936
41
NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR HK’S URBAN AREAS * * * * *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD TO A SCHEME THAT COULD MEAN A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR THE TERRITORY’S RUN-DOWN URBAN AREAS.
A LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS TO BE SET UP WHICH IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING PRIVATE ENTERPRISE TO REDEVELOP OLD URBAN AREAS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PRESERVING THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
ALTHOUGH SOME OF THESE INNER CITY AREAS ARE POTENTIALLY AMONG THE MOST VALUABLE PIECES OF REAL ESTATE ON EARTH, REDEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN SLOWING DOWN AT THE RATE OF 10 PER CENT A YEAR.
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) IS SEEN AS THE BEST WAY OF REVERSING THAT TREND WITH MINIMUM COST TO THE GOVERNMENT AND MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, EXPLAINED: +THE FUNCTION CF THE CORPORATION WILL BE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION OF SUITABLE AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF PLANNING BRIEFS FOR THOSE AREAS.
+IT WILL ACQUIRE LAND OR PROPERTY THROUGH NEGOTIATION WITH THE OWNERS AND WILL, WHERE NECESSARY, SEEK THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSISTANCE TO RESUME MINORITY INTERESTS.
+ONCE THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN HAS BEEN AGREED AND THE ACQUISITION NEGOTIATED THE LDC WILL SET UP A SUBSIDIARY COMPANY TO DEVELOP THE AREA. THIS SUBSIDIARY COMPANY WILL RAISE ITS OWN FINANCE FROM PRIVATE SOURCES, WILL UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENT AND DISPOSE OF THE PROPERTY ONCE DEVELOPMENT IS COMPLETED.+
THE LDC IS ALSO SEEN AS THE BEST ANSWER TO THE DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS BESETTING THE URBAN AREAS WITH THEIR CROWDED TENEMENTS AND NARROW STREETS.
ALTHOUGH THEY ARE POTENTIALLY VALUABLE SITES SEVERAL PROBLEMS HAVE DETERRED WOULD-BE DEVELOPERS FROM MOVING IN.
THE FIRST IS THAT-OF ASSEMBLING A LARGE ENOUGH SITE TO MAKE REBUILDING WORTHWHILE. MANY OF THE PROPERTIES HAVE A MULTITUDE OF OWNERS, SOME OF WHOM ARE NO LONGER LIVING IN HONG KONG.
WHERE OWNERS ARE STILL LIVING IN THE PREMISES THEY ARE RELUCTANT TO MOVE. THEY HAVE BUSINESS AND SOCIAL TIES IN THE AREA AND THEIR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
THERE IS A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED IN ONE SPOT FOR YEARS DO NOT WANT TO MOVE TO A NEW HOUSING ESTATE MILES AWAY.
/EVEN WHERE........
WEDNESDAY, MAJRCH 26, 1986
42 -
<»aOc!t!N «t!£RLTHE MAJ0RITY OF OWNERS ARE WILLING TO SELL THEIR PR£PERTY> ONE OR TWO REFUSING TO SELL CAN CAUSE SUCH DELAYS IN m?ES? PR0SPECTIVE DEVELOPERS LOOK ELSEWHERE TO
IINVuOl Intin riUNtr,
THE RESULT HAS BEEN THAT SITES THAT HAVE BEEN REDEVELOPED IN INNER URBAN AREAS HAVE BEEN SMALL, RESULTING IN PIECEMEAL PENCIL DEVELOPMENT. '
AT THE SAME TIME DEVELOPERS HAVE SHOWN NO INTEREST IN PROVIDING COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE NEW BUILDINGS OR IMPROVING ROAD ACCESS IN THE AREAS AS THESE ARE NOT PROFITABLE.
THE CONCEPT OF THE LDC IS TO HELP OVERCOME THE DEVELOPER’S .PROBLEMS WHILE MAKING SURE RESIDENTS OF THE AREAS GET A FAIR DEAL AND ARE NOT FORCED TO MOVE.
DETAILS OF AREAS TO BE REDEVELOPED WILL BE PUBLISHED AND THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED SCHEMES.
ONCE APPROVAL IS GIVEN FOR A PROJECT THE LDC WILL BE ASSISTED IN RESUMPTION BY THE GOVERNMENT - THAT IS, IF THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS AGREE TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY THAT OF THE MINORITY CAN BE ACQUIRED UNDER COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDERS.
TO ENSURE FAIRNESS, OWNERS RELUCTANT TO SELL WILL HAVE A RIGHT OF APPEAL IF THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE PRICE OFFERED.
ARMED WITH THESE POWERS THE LDC CAN ASSEMBLE MUCH LARGER SITES, MAKING REDEVELOPMENT A MUCH MORE WORTHWHILE PROPOSITION.
BUT PROPERTY OWNERS WILL NOT JUST BE BOUGHT OUT, THEY WILL BE OFFERED A SHARE OF PROFITS OF THE SUBSIDIARY COMPANY SET UP TO REDEVELOP THEIR AREA AND OWNER OCCUPIERS WILL HAVE PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS TO BUY APARTMENTS IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
+THESE PROVISIONS WILL, I BELIEVE, MEET THE NEED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF OWNERS AND TENANTS AND TO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE PLANNING PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE NOT OVERLOOKED,* MR TODD SAID.
+AT THE SAME TIME THE RETENTION OF COMPULSORY POWERS OF ACQUISITION SHOULD HELP TO SPEED UP DEVELOPMENT IN THE SELECTED AREAS, WHILE THE OFFER OF PARTICIPATION SHOULD REDUCE THE NEED TO USE THESE POWERS EXTENSIVELY.*
BUT THE ../HOLE THINKING BEHIND THE LDC IS TO FNCHIIPAof do iw.. i— WPR™cSATOlfHEApRMESS.BEDE''EL°PME"T *ND T° EN3URE ‘ C
and forIrecurrentIexpensesEJillLcomeSfrom a^overnment’loan^apter THAT THE LDC WILL BE EXPECTED TO RA ISE FUNDS IN THE MApt?? E PRIVATE SOURCES TO FINANCE PARTICULAR PROJECTS T FR°M
/THE GOVERNMENT’S .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION WILL BE LIMITED TO PAYING FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES NEEDED IN THE PROJECTS.
+TO ESTABLISH THE LDC ON A SOUND FINANCIAL BASIS IT WILL BE NECESSARY INITIALLY FOR THE LDC TO UNDERTAKE PROJECTS WHICH ARt POTENTIALLY PROFITABLE. HOWEVER, IN THE LONGER TERM, PROFITS MADE BY THE LDC WILL BE USED TO FUND PROJECTS WHICH WERE NON-PROFITABLt BUT DESIRABLE IN TERMS OF URBAN REDEVELOPMENT,+ MR TODD SAID.
STATUTORY BODIES SUCH AS THE LDC ARE NOT A NEW CONCEPT IN HONG KONG. TWO VERY SUCCESSFUL RECENT EXAMPLES ARE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION WHICH OPERATE ON A PURELY BUSINESS BASIS.
THE LDC WILL BE SIMILAR IN STRUCTURE TO THESE WITH A NONGOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN AND A MAJORITY OF NON-GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON THE BOARD.
ONCE SET UP IT IS HOPED THAT THE LDC CAN MAKE AN EARLY START DEFINING THOSE AREAS WHERE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE A TOP PRIORITY.
--------c--------
LANDS AND WORKS GROUP RE-ORGANISATION APPROVED X X X * X *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING APPROVED THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT SOMETIME IN APRIL.
THE CHANGES AREt
* THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL BE AMALGAMATED WITH THE LANDS DEPARTMENT TO FORM A NEW BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT I
X THE REMAINING ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE IN THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT TO BE KNOWN AS THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ;
K THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL CEASE TO EXIST; AND
K THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT’S LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH WILL BE AMALGAMATED WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO FORM THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE RE-ORGANISATION.
/♦THE KE-03aANIbATI0N
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986 .
44 -
♦THE RE-ORGANISATION IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO RATIONALISE THE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENTS, TO ACHIEVE A BETTER WORKLOAD BALANCE AND TO RESPOND BETTER TO DISTRICT NEEDS,+ THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS SAID.
+FOR INSTANCE, NOW THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS IS WELL ON TRACK MORE EMPHASIS IN THE FUTURE WILL BE GIVEN TO THE URBAN AND HARBOUR AREAS. FOR THAT REASON THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION ARE BEING COMBINED TO FORM THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.+
THE NEW BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL BE A COMBINATION CF THE PRESENT BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE EXISTING LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE FOUR MAIN OFFICES. THE FIRST, TOWN PLANNING, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORMATION OF PLANNING POLICIES, PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES AND PREPARATION OF PLANS AND STUDIES.
THE LANDS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE WILL DISPOSE OF, ACQUIRE AND RESUME LAND AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTATE MANAGEMENT, LEASE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND CONTROL AND VALUATION.
CONTROL OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WHILE SURVEYING, MAPPING AND DRAWING OFFICE SERVICES WILL COME UNDER THE SURVEY OFFICE.
THE NEW ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, MINOR ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO GOVERNMENT AND URBAN COUNCIL BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.
IT WILL ALSO MONITOR AND ADVISE ON ALL GOVERNMENT SUBVERTED PROJECTS, UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE PROJECTS AND JOINT VENTURE BUILDINGS.
IN ADDITION TO MONITORING COMPLETION OF THE NEW TOWN PROGRAMME, THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING, PROGRAMMING, CO-ORDINATING AND MONITORING DEVELOPMENT IN THE URBAN AREA.
IT WILL ALSO ACT AS A LINK BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRICT BOARDS.
+THE SETTING UP OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL FACILITATE DEPLOYMENT CF PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND POOLING OF RESOURCES.
/+IT WILL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- A? -
+IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO INTRODUCE TO URBAN AREAS THE PROCEDURES WHICH HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS FOR THE NEW TOWNS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR RE-ORGANISATION OF THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS SINCE IT WAS FORMED FROM THE PREVIOUS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN APRIL 1982.
AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE RE-ORGANISATION, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO MAKING THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT INTO A SEPARATE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT. THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WOULD THEN BE TRANSFORMED INTO A CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THIS WILL BE MADE LATER.
-------- _ o---------
HOSPITAL, CLINIC CHARGES OF TUNG WAH GROUP *******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A DECISION HAD BEEN REACHED WITH REGARD TO THE FREE MEDICAL POLICY OF THE TONG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
DURING 1985-86 THE TUNG WAH BOARD OF DIRECTORS INTRODUCED FEES IN RESPECT OF AN ADDITIONAL 1 157 THIRD-CLASS HOSPITAL BEDS. APPROXIMATELY 1 600 BEDS IN THE GROUP’S HOSPITALS REMAIN FREE.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS AN INTERIM ARRANGEMENT, THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE CONCESSION MADE BY THE GROUP, BUT IT WAS INTENDED TO EXPLORE THE POSS IB IL ITV a I TH FUTURE BOARDS OF TUNG WAH OF FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FREE BEDS AND OF CHARGES BEING INTRODUCED FOR OUT-PATIENT SERVICES.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION TO THE GROUP WOULD BE ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE INCREASED REVENUE ARISING FRO!-. THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF FREE BEDS AND THE INCREASES IN CHARGES FOR PRIVATE BEDS, WHICH WERE ALSO INTRODUCED IN THE COURSE OF 1985-86.
------c----------
A6.....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1966'
46
HOW TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE EDGE * M *
HONG KONG’S CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS MUST CONTINUE TO SEEK TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS, IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCTION AND MARKETING TECHNIQUES AND INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY IF THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE STEPS ARE NECESSARY IN VIEW OF RISING COSTS, GROWING THREATS OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES FROM OUR MAJOR MARKETS AND INCREASING COMPETITION FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY FAIR, MR HO SAID THE SUCCESS OF THE INDUSTRY REFLECTED THE ENTERPRISE OF MANUFACTURERS, THE INGENUITY OF DESIGNERS AND THE SKILL AND DILIGENCE OF THE WORKFORCE.
FOR ITS PART, MR HO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE AND EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN WHICH INDUSTRY COULD PROSPER AND GROW.
+ON THE ADVICE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY BE COMMISSIONING A TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKETING RESEARCH STUDY ON THE NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF HOnG KONG’S TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY.
+THE STUDY WILL SEEK TO IDENTIFY THE MARKET AND PRODUCT POTENTIAL OF THE INDUSTRY AND ITS FINDINGS SHOULD GREATLY ASSIST APPRAISAL OF POSSIBLE FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY AND THE FORMULATION OF PLANS FOR IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT,* HE SAID.
MR HO ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WHICH ORGANISED THE FAIR.
+IN RECENT YEARS, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAS EVOLVED FROM AN ORGANISATION PROVIDING TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY TO ONE WHICH PLAYS AN INCREASINGLY ACTIVE ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT FACILITIES TO INDUSTRY.
+THE FAIR TODAY, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT EVENT FOR THE CLOTHING SECTOR AND AN EXAMPLE OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL’S EFFORTS IN ASSISTING HONG KONG INDUSTRIES TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, WILL PROVIDE A CONVENIENT FORUM FOR GARMENT MANUFACTURERS FROM HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE TO MEET WITH INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIERS OF INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT, MATERIAL AND SERVICES.
+THE WIDE VARIETY OF EXHIBITS ON DISPLAY SHOULD ENABLE THE ENTERPRISING MANUFACTURER TO SEE THE LATEST IN CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY, MACHINERY, MATERIALS AND ACCESSORIES AND TO REALISE WHAT BENEFITS THESE CAN BRING TO THEIR OPERATIONS,* HE SAID.
A? ....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1966
- A? -
SAM KA TSUEN ILLEGAL FISH MARKET CLEARED *****
A NUMBER OF STRUCTURES USED FOR ILLEGAL FISH TRADING ACTIVITIES AT SAM KA TSUEN IN KWUN TONG WERE CLEARED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A JOINT OPERATION.
CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, W KEVIN MAK, SAID THAT SINCE LAST OCTOBER, THE DMC HAD DISCUSSED WAYS TO ERADICATE ILLEGAL OFF-LOADING AND WHOLESALE OF FRESH MARINE FISH IN THE AREA.
+AS A FIRST STEP, THE POLICE HAVE BEEN TAKING ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL TRADING ACTIVITIES FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR,+ HE ADDED.
TODAY’S CLEARANCE SAW THE DMC’S RESOLVE TO GET RID OF THE ILLEGAL FISH MARKET ONCE AND FOR ALL, MR MAK SAID.
SITUATED OPPOSITE THE SAM KA TSUEN FERRY PIER, THE STRUCTURES HAD BEEN USED AS AN ILLEGAL MARKET SINCE MID-1970’S.
TH OPERATION WOULD ALSO INVOLVE PULLING DOWN THE PLATFORMS ON WHICH THE STRUCTURES WERE BUILT.
+THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT FISH WHOLESALE MARKET UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WILL START SOON AT NEARBY TUNG YUEN STREET AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR,+ MR MAK SAID.
THE MONTH-LONG OPERATION WOULD ALSO INVOLVE CLEARING ABOUT 53 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE EMBANKMENT OF SHUNG SHUN STREET NEXT TO THE ILLEGAL FISH MARKET.
CO-ORDINATED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND SUPPORTED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, THE OPERATION WAS PART OF A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME ENTITLED +OPERATION FAR FLING+.
IT WAS ALSO THE LAST OPERATION IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
-----o------
/48........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1936
- U8 -
MAJOR TREE PLANTING SCHEME LAUNCHED * * * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PLACES MUCH IMPORTANCE IN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC TO BE MORE CAREFUL MORE THOUGHTFUL AND MORE CIVIC-MINDED WHEN VISITING COUNTRY PARKS, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
+ONLY WITH FULL PUBLIC SUPPORT, CAN WE HOPE TO PREVENT FURTHER FIRE DAMAGES TO OUR VALUABLE PLANTATIONS,* HE SAID.
DR LEE WAS SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING OF THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME TOGETHER WITH A PARTY OF DISi INGUISHED GUESTS, AND 1 500 STUDENTS AND YOUTHS AT A FIRE-DEVASTATED SITE INSIDE
TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE SCHEME IS A SERIES OF TREE-PLANTING DAYS ORGANISED FOR THE PUBLIC DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS AND ON CHING MING FESTIVAL DAY AND EVERY SUNDAY IN APRIL WHEN SEEDLINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE FOR PLANTING AT SIX DESIGNATED COUNTRY PARKS.
THESE SITES ARE NEAR THE TWISK MANAGEMENT CENTRE IN TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK? CHUEN LUNG IN TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK 5 PAK TAM CHUNG IN SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK; MUI WO NEAR THE FERRY PlcR; POKFULAM COUNTRY PARK NEAR CHI FU FA YUEN; AND AT A PICNIC SI Tc. NEAR MO .H BUTLER INSIDE QUARRY BAY COUNTRY PARK.
DR LEE SAID THIS YEAR’S EVENT WAS OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE AS A SERIOUS FIRE IN THE SHING MUN AND TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARKS IN EARLY JANUARY DAMAGED A LARGE NUMBER OF TREES.
+THE NEED TO RESTOCK OUR PLANTATION HAS NOW BECOME AN IMMINENT TASK AND THIS IS THE MOST APPROPRIAi, I ME FOR US TO REPLANT TREES IN THE BURNT AREAS TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOSSES,* HE SAID.
AFTER PLANTING, DR LEE ADDED, THE TREES MUST BE WELL LOOKED AFTER.
+IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT EVERY YEAR, THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO TAKE PART IN A WIDE VARIETY OF COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT WORK,* HE SAID.
DR LEE NOTED THAT TEN SCHOOLS HAD JOINED THE +SCHOOL FOREST PROJECT* ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT. AMONG THEM SIX HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED THEIR +FOREST PLOTS* FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.
HE RECALLED THAT THE FIRST COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY HIS DEPARTMENT DATED BAU: < 195/ AND IN RECENT YEaRs HAD BECOME A WIDELY ACCEPTED ANNUAL ENT FOR THE PUBLIC.
+IN 1982, 1 700 PEOPLE TOOK PART IK PLANTING 3 500 TREES AND LAST YEAR, OVER 6 700 PARTICIPANTS "L .TED SOME 7 000 TREES.
/+! LOOK ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
49
+l LOOK FORWARD TO MORE PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZENS JOINING OUR PROGRAMME IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS,* DR LEE SAID.
DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM ON TREE PLANTING DAYS IN THE DESIGNATED COUNTRY PARKS TO PROVIDE THOSE INTERESTED WITH SEEDLINGS AND TOOLS AND TO ASSIST THEM IN PLANTING TREES.
TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS JOINTLY OFFICIATED BY GENERAL MANAGER OF TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED, MR ROBERT CHAN; MISS HONG KONG 1985, MISS TSE NING; CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR CARLOS CHEUNG? AND ACTING CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE, |VR WILLIAM WAN.
THE 1986 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME IS CO-ORGANISED BY TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED.
-------o -
SPECIAL TEAMS TO CLEAR RUBBISH * * * *
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS DEPLOYED A WORK FORCE CF 63 PERSONS, IN NINE SPECIAL TEAMS, TO UNDERTAKE DAILY CLEARANCE CF RUBBISH FROM THE BANKS OF 46 WATERCOURSES IN THE TUEN MUN DISTR ICT.
SPEAKING AT A MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE RSD’S DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (TUEN MUN), MR FU KAM-HUNG, SAID THIS WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL ACTION PLAN TO DEAL WITH RIVER POLLUTION.
MR FU SAID THE DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDED A REGULAR CLEANSING SERVICE IN ALL VILLAGES ALONG RIVERS IN THE DISTRICT TO PREVENT INDISCRIMINATE DUMPING OF REFUSE.
+AND TO ENSURE PROPER DISPOSAL OF HUMAN WASTE FROM THOSE LIVING IN Vli-LAGE HOUSES NOT PROVIDED WITH WATER-BORNE SANITATION, 46 AQUA-PPiVY TYPE PUBLIC TOILETS ARE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED BY THE RSD AT SUITABLE LOCATIONS IN THE RIVER BASINS,* HE ADDED.
REFERRING TO THE PROVISION OF LEISURE SERVICES, THE RSD’S DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER (TUEN MUN), MR JIMMY CHOW, SAID A TOTAL CF 14C RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR SOME 6 400 PARTICIPANTS BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE SWIMMING, TAI CHI AND FITNESS CLASSES, AEROBIC DANCE AND OTHER COURSES.
MR CHOW SAID THE TUEN MUN SWIMMING POOL PROJECT WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN IN TWO PHASES.
/♦FOUR SQUASH .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986'
+FOUR SQUASH COURTS IN PHASE I WERE COMPLETED AND OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR WHILE OTHER FACILITIES IN THE SAME PHASE, INCLUDING ONE MAIN POOL, ONE CHILDREN’S POOL, ONE PADDLING POOL AND CHANGING ROOMS AND TOILETS FOR SWIMMERS, ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1989-90,+ HE SAID.
WORK ON PHASE II, CONSISTING OF A SECONDARY POOL, A TRAINING POOL, TWO TEACHING POOLS AND A DIVING POOL, WOULD BEGIN IN 1987-88 AND BE COMPLETED IN 1989-90.
THE MEETING WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE RSD WOULD ORGANISE A SPECIAL PUBLIC FUN GALA AT THE TUEN MUN TOWN PARK ON APRIL 6. THE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW AT THE AMPHITHEATRE, TRADITIONAL CHINESE ART AND CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS, AND GAMES STALLS. BETWEEN 15 000 AND 20 000 RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART.
- 0 -
TWO PARKING SITES TO LET * * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS TO LET BY TENDER TWO SITES IN SHA TIN l€W TOWN FOR USE AS FEE-PAYING VEHICLE PARKS.
ONE OF THE SITES, MEASURING 4 494 SQUARE METRES AT CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THE PARKING OF PRIVATE CARS ONLY.
THE OTHER SITE OF 1 294 SQUARE METRES AT ON LAI STREET CAN BE USED FOR BOTH PRIVATE CARS OR ARTICULATED VEHICLES.
TENANCIES FOR THE SITES ARE FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON APRIL 11.
-----o------
CLINIC SERVICES FOR HOLIDAY PERIOD
* > * *
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAY PERIOD FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 28) TO MONDAY (MARCH 31) BETWEEN 9 AM TO 1 PM.
THE EIGHT CLINICS ARE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND! KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON, LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
51
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TAXI REVIEW * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A REVIEW ON THE ADEQUACY CF TAXI SERVICES AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE TAXI (LIMITATION ON NUMBER) NOTICE IS DUE TO EXPIRE ON JULY 17, 1986 WHEN A NEW ORDER ON TAXI NUMBERS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE.
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP UNDER THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN SET UP TO REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF TAXI SERVICES AND TO COLLECT VIEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY BEFORE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THROUGH THE TRAFFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT STUDIES AND A SITUATION REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CMB ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
THEY WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE RECONSTRUCTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, THE UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD SCHEME, AND THE PROPOSED RE-ARRANGEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO TIE IN WITH THE OPENING OF THE MTR EXTENSION TO SHEUNG WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 14TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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DETAILS ON LAND SALE PROGRAMME *****
GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR BOB POPE, WILL BE PROVIDING THE LAND SALE PROGRAMME FOR 1986-87, WHICH WAS^AGREED
TO BY THE LAND COMMISSION LAST WEEK, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
, B1!LBR,EF,NG WILL BE HELD ,N THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF
THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, 21ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. ------------------------------Q_------
/52 ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
52
MEET THE MEDIA * * *
LAWRENCE LEE, THE GIS PRESS
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR WILL MEET THE MEDIA TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 4 PM IN CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO ED I TORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
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CHING MING TRAFFIC PLAN FOR HK ISLAND
* * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.
THE MEASURE, WHICH WILL BE IN FORCE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY ON MARCH 29 (SATURDAY), MARCH 30 (SUNDAY), APRIL 5 (CHING MING), APRIL 6 (SUNDAY) AND APRIL 13 (SUNDAY) UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, ARE:
CHAI WAN:
M CAPE COLLINSON ROAD EAST OF LIN SHING ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE AND CREMATORIUM FROM CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BE RESTRICTED TO HEARSES AND VEHICLES CARRYING PASSENGERS TO SERVICES AT THE CREMATORIUM.
K THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO CHAI WAN CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
* CAPE COLLINSON ROAD MAY BE CLOSED WITHOUT NOTICE, DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
* CAPE COLLINSON ROAD BETWEEN LIN SHING ROAD AND SHEK 0 ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
/• LIN SHING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
53
H LIN SHING ROAD BETWEEN WAN TSUI ROAD AND CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
* WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE.
* NO PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED ALONG CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD, WAH HA STREET AND THE SECTION OF SHEK 0 ROAD BETWEEN CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE AND TAI TAM ROAD. VEHICLES PARKED ILLEGALLY WILL BE TOWED AWAY BY THE POLICE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
POK FU LAMi
* CONSORT RISE WILL BECOME ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM VICTORIA ROAD TO BISNEY ROAD.
ABERDEENi
* PEEL RISE NEAR ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY AND THE SLIP ROAD FROM SHEK PAI WAN ROAD TO ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICESt
* CMB WILL OPERATE ADDITIONAL SERVICES ON APRIL 5 AND 6. ROUTE NO. 57 FROM CENTRAL BUS STATION TO CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY (CIRCULAR) WILL RUN FROM 7 AM TO 5.52 PM AT A FREQUENCY OF SEVEN TO EIGHT MINUTES.
ROUTE NO. 89 BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN BUS TERMINUS TO CHAI WAN CEMETERY VIA CHAI WAN MTR STATION (CIRCULAR) WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 6 PM AT A FREQUENCY OF FIVE MINUTES. SPECIAL SHORT WORKING TRIPS WILL BE OPERATED FROM CHAI WAN MTR STATION IF NECESSARY.
M ON APRIL 5 AND 6, THE FIRST BUS STOP ON WAN TSUI ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHAI WAN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED EXCEPT FOR ROUTE NO. 89. A TEMPORARY BUS STOP WILL BE SET UP ON CHAI WAN ROAD EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HONG MAN STREET FOR ALL EASTBOUND BUSES.
H CMB ROUTES NO. 80. 81, 81M, 82, 83, 84, 780 AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE NO. 106, AND GREEN MINIBUSES ON ROUTES NO. 16M AND 18M WILL BE DIVERTED AS A RESULT OF THE ROAD CLOSURE AND CHANGED ROUTE MEASURES IN CHAI WAN.
CONGESTION IS EXPECTED ON APPROACH ROADS TO CEMETERIES AND MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THESE AREAS IF POSSIBLE.
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/54......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986
- & -
CENTRAL TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS, A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 28). DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWSi
K VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS ON WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT INTO GILMAN STREET FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL.VI WING WO STREET TO REJOIN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
* THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY • URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING WO STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE EXTENDED TO BECOME A 24—HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK.
* THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON THE SECTION OF POTTINGER STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY EXTENDED TO OPERATE 24 HOURS A DAY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP IN THE RESTRICTED ZONE FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
o -------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, MaRCK 27, 1986
CONTOIS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS CATT. FOR ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO IMPROVE KINDERGARTENS ......... 1
CLOSE COORDINATION OF CIVIC EDUCATION NEEDED .............. 3
SEPARATE COLLEGE NEEDED FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ......... 4
GOVT URGED TO SET UP CURRICULUM COUNCIL ................... 5
INDEPENDENT COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ADVOCATED ............... 7
CALL TO REVAMP MEDICAL FINANCING POLICIES ................. 9
DIVERT RESOURCES TO MEET NEW MEDICAL NEEDS ................ 10
INSUFFICIENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL FUNDING .................. 14
BROADEN SOURCES OF INCOME TO IMPROVE SERVICES ............. 16
+MORE SERVICES NEEDED IN NORTHWEST N.T.+ .................. 17
RECYCLE HOUSING FUNDS INTO OTHER aREAS .................... 19
MAJOR REVIEW OF HOUSING POLICIES NEEDED ................... 21
MORE GOVERNMENT-PRIVATE SECTOR CO-OPERATION URGED ......... 22
SOCIAL WELFARE SHOULD HAVE HIGHER PRIORITY ................ 24
AMBIGUITY SEEN IN SOCIAL WELFARE........................... 25
PRIORITY URGED FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ’WELFARE .......... 29
WET,TARE FUND ALLOCATION GUIDELINES NEEDED ................ 31
SPEND MORE TO BUILD A STRONGER INFRASTRUCTURE ............. 33
TIME FOR ANOTHER TAXATION POLICY REVIEW ................... 35
UNION BANK OF HONG KONG LIMITED .............................. 37
52 SITES EARMARKED FOK APRIL-SEPTiMBER SALE .................. 38
FS GETS (EPORT ON INSIDER DEALINGS............................ 39
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY............... 40
WORK TO START ON SHA TTN-TSUE^ WAN LINK TUNNEL ............... 43
KMB FRANCHISE FURTHER EXTENDED....................•........... 44
TERM OF OFFICE ENDS .......... ......................... 44
/FEES ........
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FESS REVISED TOR RSD RECREATION FACILITIES..................... 45
HOVERFERRY SERVICE IN, PASSENGER FEHR:. ROUTE CUT ............. 46
REGISTRATION REVOKED ....................................... 4?
SHAM SHUT PO CLEARANCE OPERATION ENDS......................... 4?
SIX COM4ITTEE CHAXRW3: ELECTED ............................. 48
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IM CENTRAL ...................... 48
ROAD CLOSURE IN NORTH POINT ................................. 49
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
1
CALL FOR ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO IMPROVE KINDERGARTENS
*****
GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER INTRODUCING A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME IN ORDER TO IMPROVE KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR HO SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENTS HAD TAKEN PLACE IN THE QUALITY OF KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION BUT NOTED THAT THESE STILL FELL SHORT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WHITS PAPER ON PRIMARY EDUCATION AND PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES IN 1981 AND OF THE EXPECTATIONS OF EDUCATORS.
+AS I SEE IT, THE CARDINAL IMPEDIMENT TO THE KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION IS A DESPAIRING LACK OF TRAINED TEACHERS,+ HE SAID.
DR HO CITED THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY IN 1983 ON THE TRAINING AND SALARIES OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WHICH REVEALED THAT SOME 80 PER CENT DID NOT HAVE ANY FORM OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING WHILE 88 PER CENT HAD A MONTHLY SALARY LESS THAN HALF CF THOSE OF CERTIFIED TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
+IT IS LARGELY DUE TO THESE GLOOMY PROSPECTS OF THE KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION AS A PROFESSION THAT INTELLIGENT AND DEDICATED PERSONS ARE NOT ATTRACTED TO THIS SECTOR OF EDUCATION,+ HE SAID.
+FURTHERMORE, EVEN WHEN PRE-SERVICE OR IN-SERVICE TRAINING IS AVAILABLE, YOUNG PEOPLE OF POTENTIAL ARE RELUCTANT TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THESE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES,* HE ADDED.
DR HO POINTED OUT THAT VARIOUS BODIES CONCERNED WITH PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION HAD BEEN VOCAL IN URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A REASONABLE SALARY SCALE COMMENSURATE TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
NOTING THAT ANY INCREASE IN TEACHERS’ SALARIES WOULD INFLATE THE OPERATIONAL COST AND THEREFORE WOULD BE PASSED ONTO THE PARENTS BY CORRESPONDING FEE INCREASE, DR HO SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER A FINANCIAL SCHEME TO TOP UP THE SALARIES OF QUALIFIED TEACHERS IN NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTENS. M
+THE EFFECT IS TO UPLIFT THEIR SALARIES TO THE LEVEL ENJOYED BY THOSE CIVIL SERVANTS WITH COMPARABLE ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, WITHOUT INCREASING THE BURDEN OF PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN PUPILS,* HE EXPLAINED.
/AS A .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
2
AS A MATTER OF FACT, DR HO SAID, THIS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAD BEEN PROPOSED BY SOME ASSOCIATIONS OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS AS THE MOST PRACTICABLE AND IMMEDIATE MEANS TO BRING ABOUT A QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENT TO KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION.
+FURTHERMORE, THIS SCHEME, IF IMPLEMENTED, WILL MAKE A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN BRINGING KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION WITHIN THE AIDED SECTOR, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PANEL OF VISITORS,* HE ADDED.
AS FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION, DR HO RECALLED THAT IN THE LAST BUDGET DEBATE, HE HAD PROPOSED A BACHELOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE COURSE IN PRIMARY EDUCATION TO TRAIN TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS FOR LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ROLES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
HE ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER TO REVIEW THE POSITION OF THE PROPOSAL HAVING REGARD TO ITS EARLY IMPLEMENTATION, IF POSSIBLE, IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR.
ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, HE SAID GOVERNMENT HAD APPARENTLY RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE, AND HAD PROMISED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO EXPAND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSPECTORATE.
HOWEVER, THIS POLICY HAD NOT BEEN FOLLOWED THROUGH, HE OBSERVED.
DR HO NOTED THAT IN RECENT YEARS THE WORKLOAD OF THE INSPECTORATE HAD INCREASED MANIFOLD AS A RESULT OF MORE SAFETY LEGISLATION AND MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING SAFETY REGULATIONS BEING ENACTED, BUT STAFFING IN THE INSPECTORATE HAD BEEN ON THE DECLINE DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
A PLAN IN 1978 TO GET THE STRENGTH OF THE INSPECTORATE UP TO 250 IN 1984 WAS SUSPENDED IN 1982, RESULTING IN THE ESTABLISHMENT STANDING AT AROUND 200, HE ADDED.
+WITH THESE TIGHT MANPOWER RESOURCES, IT IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPECT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE TO UPHOLD THEIR STANDARD OF SERVICE AND TO PERFORM THEIR ENFORCEMENT DUTIES TO A LEVEL OF SATISFACTION,* HE SAID.
+NOW WITH OUR BUDGETARY CONDITIONS IMPROVING AND THE CIVIL SERVICE RECRUITMENT RELAXED, I URGE THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLACE TOP PRIORITY ON REINSTATING THE EXPANSION PLAN OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE, AND MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE ORIGINAL TARGET OF 250 INSPECTORS IN THE NEAREST FUTURE,* DR HO SAID.
+WE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GENERATES IMMEDIATE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DIVIDENDS NOT ONLY FOR THE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUT ALSO FOR THE EMPLOYERS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE,* HE ADDED.
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/3........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1936
- 3 -
CLOSE COORDINATION OF CIVIC EDUCATION NEEDED
*****
THE HON RITA FAN TODAY (THURSDAY) EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR EFFICIENT COORDINATION AND A SYSTEMATIC STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION.
+IT MUST BE APPRECIATED THAT CIVIC EDUCATION IS NOT JUST A TOPICAL SUBJECT, BUT RATHER A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT WHICH SHOULD BE PROPERLY COORDINATED, REVIEWED, IMPROVED AND PERSISTENTLY IMPLEMENTED,* SHE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MRS FAN NOTED THAT MUCH HAD HAPPENED SINCE SHE CALLED FOR A REALISTIC AND PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN OCTOBER 1984, AND THE TIME HAD COME TO TAKE STOCK OF THE SITUATION, CONSOLIDATE THE IDEAS AND WORK OUT A WELL-PLANNED STRATEGY FOR ITS FUTURE PROMOTION.
MRS FAN SAID SHE WELCOMED THE ALLOCATION OF SOME $2.8 MILLION TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS FOR PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION, BUT STRESSED THE NEED FOR CLOSE COORDINATION TO MAXIMISE EFFECT IVENESS WITHOUT DUPLICATION OF EFFORT AND WASTAGE OF RESOURCES.
MRS FAN SUPPORTED CALLS BY THE HON PETER C. WONG AND THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN YESTERDAY FOR CHARGING APPROPRIATE FEES AT BORDER POINTS, A SUGGESTION SHE HAD MADE AT LAST YEAR’S BUDGET DEBATE.
+1 SEE NO REASON WHY PASSENGERS LEAVING HONG KONG THROUGH MAN KAM TO, SHA TAU KOK AND LO WU SHOULD ENJOY SPECIAL PRIVILEGES,* SHE SAID, NOTING THAT PASSENGERS USING THE AIRPORT AND MACAU FERRY TERMINAL HAD TO PAY $120 AND $15 RESPECTIVELY.
SHE NOTED THAT 207 NEW POSTS WERE BEING ESTABLISHED FOR IMMIGRATION CONTROL ACTIVITIES COSTING $33.7 MILLION AND SOME CF THESE POSTS WERE FOR MANNING THE NEW LO WU TERMINAL TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE SHA TAU KOK CONTROL POINT AND THE MAN KAM TO EXTENSION TERMINAL.
+THE GOVERNMENT’S ESTABLISHED POLICY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO RECOVER PART OR ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF PROVIDING SIMILAR SERVICES, SUCH AS ISSUING PASSPORTS,* SHE SAID.
MRS FAN SAID SHE WELCOMED THE PROPOSED REVIEW OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT CHARGES DURING THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, BUT STRESSED THAT IT SHOULD INCLUDE CHARGES AT THE BORDER CONTROL POINTS.
SHE ALSO URGED THAT THE CHARGES BE PUT AT A REALISTIC LEVcL TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND RELATED EXPENSES INVOLVED.
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A ...
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 19de
4
SEPARATE COLLEGE NEEDED FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS * * * *
A SEPARATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION FOR TRAINING KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS IS REQUIRED IN HONG KONG, THE HON MRS PAULINE NG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, NRS NG SUGGESTED THAT A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE PRE-SERVICE TRAINING FOR PROSPECTIVE KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
AS FOR SERVING TEACHERS, SHE SAID THAT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WERE FAR FROM ADEQUATE AND CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ORGANISE MORE PART-TIME COURSES.
MRS NG POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WERE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE ANY FORMAL TRAINING AND THE PART-TIME IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD AN ANNUAL INTAKE OF ONLY 600.
+THREE-TO-FIVE YEAR OLDS ARE AT A VERY IMPRESSIONABLE AGE AND THEY DO LEARN A LOT IN THEIR PRE-SCHOOL YEARS.
+IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE DEDICATED AND PROPERLY TRAINED TEACHERS IN KINDERGARTENS.
+1 PROPOSE THAT TRAINING FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS SHOULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED. MORE FUNDS SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR TRAINING PRE-PRIMARY TEACHERS,+ SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PROMOTION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, MRS NG SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER GIVING A RENT ALLOWANCE TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST, THEM TO SET UP OFFICES IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS.
SHE BELIEVED THAT A LIAISON OFFICE IN THE FIELD COULD GREATLY IMPROVE THE WORK OF A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER.
+WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ARE PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN ACTING AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE AND IN SECURING REDRESS FOR t-EMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST DECISIONS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
+D(STRICT BOARD MEMBERS NEED AN OFFICE TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTo FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND TO GATHER PUBLIC VIEWS,+ SHE SAIj.
HOWEVER, SOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN AN OFFICE BECAUSE OF HIGH RENTS CHARGED FOR COMMERCIAL PREMISES IN SOME AREAS.
/hEF£3itl;;G to..........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1^,6
- 5 -
REFERRING TO THE RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS MRS NG SAID THESE COULD BE MADE MORE FLEXIBLE AND PROJECT^ WHICH’WOULD INCUR ONLY LIMITED RECURRENT EXPENDITURE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE UNDERTAKEN.
SHE POINTED OUT THE LIMIT ON MAXIMUM EXPENDITURE ON EACH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT WAS $300 000, BUT FUNDS COULD NOT BE USED TO COVER RECURRENT EXPENSES, NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE PROJECTS MIGHT BE.
+AS A RESULT OF THIS RULE, A DISTRICT BOARD COULD NOT UNDERTAa SOME WORTHWHILE PROJECTS, SUCH AS SQUATTER AREA PATH LIGHTING PROJECTS, BECAUSE THESE PROJECTS WOULD ENTAIL SOME RECURRENT EXPENDITURES,* SHE SAID.
SINCE DISTRICT BOARDS HAD MATURED CONSIDERABLY, MRS NG BELIEVED THESE RESTRICTIONS SHOULD NOW BE LIFTED.
GOVT URGED TO SET UP CURRICULUM COUNCIL * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT AND WELL-ORGANISED BODY TO REFORM THE CURRICULUM TO KEEP IT IN LINE WITH IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
THIS SUGGESTION WAS MADE BY THE HON SZETO WAH WHEN SPEAKING AT THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID THE EXPANSION OF EDUCATION IN TERMS OF NUMBER OF SCHOOL PLACES HAD ALREADY ATTAINED A CERTAIN TARGET AND INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION TO IMPROVE QUALITY COULD ALSO BE GRADUALLY INCREASED, BUT AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, WHICH WAS CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, HAD BEEN OVERLOOKED.
+JUDGING FROM THE PRESENT BUDGET AND THOSE IN THE PAST, WE CAN SEE THAT LITTLE IMPORTANCE HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT,* HE SAID.
MR SZETO OBSERVED THAT THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS AND THE CURRICULUM WERE THE TWO MOST CRUCIAL ELEMENTS IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
HE DESCRIBED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEACHERS AND THE CURRICULUM AS ONE BETWEEN A COOK AND HIS COOKING MATERIALS, SAYING A COOK WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PRODUCE A GOOD MEAL DESPITE HIS SKILL IN COOKING IF THERE WERE NO RICE.
/+IN PARTICULAR.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 6
+IN PARTICULAR, IF WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR NINE-YEAR FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION, WE MUST CONTINUALLY DEVELOP A CURRICULUM WHICH IS COMPREHENSIVE, CAPABLE OF SHAKING OFF THE HEREDITARY EFFECTS OF THE OLD ’ELITIST’ EDUCATION POLICY, TOTALLY STUDENT-ORIENTED, CAPABLE OF SUITING STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT LEARNING ABILITY AND APTITUDE, ABLE TO KEEP IN LINE WITH HONG KONG’S SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND FLEXIBLE,+ HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT WORK WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE RESULTS OF THE PROGRAMME OF SECONDING SERVING TEACHERS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE TASK WERE NOT SATISFACTORY.
THERE WAS STILL A SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER, AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS HAD NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL, HE ADDED.
+IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT FULL-SCALE AND EFFECTIVE REFORMS
IN CURRICULUM, SO AS TO FIT IN WITH OTHER MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PRESENT CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNDER THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CAN NO LONGER SERVE ITS FUNCTION,+ HE SAID.
THEREFORE, HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT AND WELL-ORGANISED BODY - THE CURRICULUM COUNCIL.
MR SZETO WAH SAID THE MAJOR TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD INCLUDE DESIGNING THE CURRICULA OF VARIOUS ACADEMIC AND ARTS SUBJECTS OF ALL LEVELS! EXAMINING AND APPROVING TEXTBOOKS; EVALUATING PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS; STUDYING WAYS TO IMPROVE THE curriculum; giving advice on the implementation of curriculum; COORDINATING THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES; ACTIVELY PROVIDING EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR CIVIC EDUCATION; MORAL EDUCATION AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDING TRAINING FOR TEACHERS.
AS TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE CURRICULUM COUNCIL, IT SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT IN ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE, BUT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN POLICY MATTERS, HE SAID.
IN HIS VIEW, THE COUNCIL SHOULD ALSO HAVE AT LEAST THREE SUBSIDIARY ORGANISATIONS, NAMELY A RESEARCH CENTRE, EXPERIMENTAL SCHOOLS AND A TEACHERS’ CENTRE.
IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL SHOULD ESTABLISH LINKS WITH THE EXISTING ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTRE, AUDIO-VISUAL AID CENTRE AND THE EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION, HE SAID.
IT SHOULD ALSO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH VARIOUS SCHOOLS TO HELP IMPLEMENTING THE TRIAL AND EVALUATION OR CURRICULUM, HE ADDED.
+IF SUCH A CURRICULUM COUNCIL WAS ESTABLISHED, IT WOULD BE OF GREAT HELP IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG+, MR SZETO SAID.
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/7........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 7 -
INDEPENDENT COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ADVOCATED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN MAKING PLANS FOR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, WHICH PROVIDE TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS, TO BECOME INDEPENDENT ORGANISATIONS HAVING A HIGH ACADEMIC STATUS.
THIS WAS ADVOCATED BY DR THE HON DANIEL TSE DURING THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
DR TSE SAID! + THIS VIEW MIGHT HOWEVER BE REGARDED AS TOO DRASTIC, BUT AS A COMPROMISE, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS PREPARING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW COLLEGE OF EDUCATION FOR TRAINING TECHNICAL SCHOOL TEACHERS.
+1 SUGGEST, AS AN EXPERIMENT, THAT THE PROPOSED NEW COLLEGE OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE INTEGRATED INTO THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, TO SEE IF WE COULD DEVELOP SOME NEW TALENTS MORE SUITABLE TO THE PREVAILING DIVERSIFIED AND INDEPENDENT EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT.*
HE ADDED THAT THE IDEA HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THE PERSONAL APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, FROM AN EDUCATIONAL POINT OF VIEW.
+SHOULD THE INTEGRATION BRING ABOUT SOME SAVINGS IN RESOURCES, THIS WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL GAIN,* HE SAID.
DR TSE SAID THAT THE QUALIFICATION OF TEACHERS WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION AS A WHOLE . AND IT WAS AN AREA THAT REQUIRED SPECIAL ATTENTION.
THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT THAT TEACHERS WERE PROVIDED BY COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ADMINISTERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD POSSIBLY BEEN ACCEPTED IN THE PAST.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT OWING TO GROWING NEEDS AND PROGRESS IN EDUCATION, BRITAIN HZ ABANDONED THE POLICY OF HAVING ALL TEACHERS TRAINED DIRECTLi BY THE GOVERNMENT AND HAD INTEGRATED PROGRESSIVELY THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION INTO POLYTECHNICS, UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SO THAT TEACHER TRAINING BECAME PART OF THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OF PUBLIC TERTIARY EDUCATION.
/THIS ARRANGaXENT
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 8
THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD NOT ONLY ENABLE THE TEACHERS IN FUTURE TO OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY THROUGH EXPOSURE IN A WIDER PERSPECTIVE, IT WOULD ALSO BE A TIMELY CHANGE GIVEN THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG IN THE MID-1980S, HE SAID.
DR TSE SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT HONG KONG’S EDUCATION SYSTEM HAD TAKEN CARE OF NEEDS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND IN DIFFERENT AREAS, RANGING FROM KINDERGARTENS TO UNIVERSITIES, AND FROM SPECIAL EDUCATION TO ADULT EDUCATION.
HOWEVER, HE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY A CLEAR ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE THAT COULD CONVINCE HIM THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY AND OBJECTIVES HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN A SYSTEMATIC AND EFFICIENT MANNER.
DR TSE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT OVERLOOKED THAT ASPECT, AND THAT IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IT HAD MADE CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO ATTAIN ITS GOAL, SUCH AS THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
+ALL THESE ARE GOOD INDICATIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE EVERY EFFORT IN IMPROVING AND CO-ORDINATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION.
+HOWEVER, JUDGING FROM OTHER OBSERVATIONS, SUCH ARRANGEMENTS DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE ACHIEVED THE INTENDED OBJECTIVES. TAKE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AS AN EXAMPLE, WE ARE STILL FACING A RATHER COMPLICATED SITUATION,* HE SAID.
DR TSE SAID THAT WITH THE VARYING RESPONSIBLE PARTIES, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS, STATUTORY BODIES AND NON-STATUTORY BODIES, A LACK OF CO-ORDINATION COULD BE FOUND IN THE ALLOCATION OF MANPOWER, STANDARD OF SUPPLIES, FORMULATION OF CURRICULA AND THE DOVETAILING OF DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.
HOWEVER, HE WAS PLEASED THAT SINCE 1981 THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC HAD GRADUALLY TRANSFERRED THE MAJORITY OF ITS DIPLOMA AND CERTIFICATE COURSES IN THIS FIELD TO THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES THROUGH A LIAISON COMMITTEE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE POLYTECHNIC.
0--------
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
9
CALL TO REVAMP MEDICAL FINANCING POLICIES *****
FUNDS PROVIDED FOR MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR UNLIKELY TO BE SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN THE PRESENT SCALE OF EXPANSION UNLESS FIRM AND QUICK DECISIONS ARE MADE ON REVAMPING POLICIES ON HOW TO FINANCE MEDICAL SERVICES, AND HOSPITAL SERVICES IN PARTICULAR, THE HON MISS MARIA TAM SAID IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
CONVENER OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH INTERNAL WORKING GROUP ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES, MISS TAM SAID ALL FIVE MEMBERS IN HER GROUP SUPPORTED THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY THAT PEOPLE WHO COULD AFFORJ IT SHOULD PAY MORE FOR MEDICAL SERVICES AND THOSE WHO COULD NOT SHOULD BE GIVEN RELIEF.
SUMMARISING THE GENERAL AREAS THAT CAUSED CONCERN TO THE WORKING GROUP, SHE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE THE MOST OF EXISTING RESOURCES.
SERVICES IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS COULD BE UPGRADED, AND THE BED OCCUPANCY RATE INCREASED, AS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED AT POK 01 HOSPITAL BY AN INTERDISCIPLINARY REDISTRIBUTION OF BEDS, INCREASING ADMISSION THROUGH ESTABLISHING SPECIALTY UNITS AND STREAMLINING REFERRAL SYSTEMS. A SIMILAR APPROACH HAD BEEN ADOPTED AT KWONG WAH HOSPITAL AND FURTHER POSSIBILITIES SHOULD BE EXPLORED IN OTHER SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
MISS TAM ALSO CALLED ON GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE JOINT ACTION TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS THAT HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
JOINT EFFORTS COULD BE MADE ON THE ISSUE OF OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS, THE NEED TO MAKE BETTER USE OF CONVALESCENT BEDS IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, AND IN THE CARE OF ELDERLY PATIENTS.
MISS TAM SAID THE SOONER HONG KONG COULD ADOPT AN AMBULATORY CARE POLICY THE BETTER IT COULD MAXIMISE ON THE USE OF HOSPITAL CARE.
SHE NOTED THAT IN SOME OVERSEAS COUNTRIES PATIENTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO LEAVE HOSPITALS AND CONVALESCENT HOMES ONCE THEY WERE FIT TO DO SO, AND WERE SUBSEQUENTLY VISITED BY COMMUNITY NURSES WHILE CONVALESCING AT HOME.
A
NURSE CENTRES
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO INCREASE LOCAL COMMUNITY GEnTnZS, A GOVERNMENT NURSE COULD AT PRESENT ONLY VISIT As AVERAGE OF TH^EE PATIENTS PER DAY, WHILE HER COUNTERPART IN THE HOSPITAL WAS ABLE TO VISIT, STATISTICALLY, ABOUT
UNITED CHRISTIAN
7.5 PATIENTS PER DAY.
/+WE MUST .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
10 -
+WE MUST THEREFORE FINE-TUNE THE LOGISTICS AND SUPERVISION CF COMMUNITY NURSING TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE EFFICIENT,* SHE SAID.
ON IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT ON THE DELIVERY OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, MISS TAM SAID SHE BELIEVED THAT EACH OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE ASSESSED ON ITS MERITS.
+THE QUESTION WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD AN INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SHOULD NOT BE A STUMBLING BLOCK TO BETTER HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION OR MORE EQUITABLE COST RECOVERY,* SHE SAID.
+l HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE WANT OUR EXPANDED HOSPITAL SERVICES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS WELL OFF, BUT WE CAN ONLY DO SO IF OUR CHARGES ARE PUT ON A BROADER BASE AND OUR SLICE OF THE BUDGETARY CAKE IS SHARED WISELY AMONG THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED,* SHE ADDED.
-------o - - - -
DIVERT RESOURCES TO MEET NEW MEDICAL NEEDS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY URGED TO REVIEW EXISTING SOCIAL SERVICES AND SPENDING ON THEM, CUTTING THOSE WHICH NO LONGER SERVE ACUTE NEEDS BECAUSE OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, AND DIVERTING OUR SCARCE RESOURCES TO MEET NEWLY EMERGED NEEDS.
THE CALL CAME FROM DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG SHOULD NOT EXPAND WITHOUT LIMIT TO ADMINISTER FREE SERVICES TO THE DEMANDING AND EVER GROWING NEEDS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO CONTRIBUTE.
+THERE IS A LOT TO BE SAID ABOUT STREAMLINING OUR SERVICES WITH THE VIEW TO IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY, BUT THERE IS NO REASON WHY, WHEN DOING SO, OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD FEEL HESITANT TO GENTLY INTRODUCE SOME CHARGES,* SHE SAID.
DR IP SAID SHE FOUND THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT COMMENDABLE AS IT HAD RIGHTLY PLACED EMPHASIS ON THE HANDICAPPED AND ON THE AGED.
SHE SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT THIS YEAR’S PROVISION
FOR THE HANDICAPPED HAD INCREASED BY 4.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1985-86 AND THE LONG AWAITED INCREASE OF SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND WORK ACTIVITY CENTRE PLACES WOULD NOW TAKE PLACE.
SHE HOPED THAT THE TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME FOR PEOPLE USING WHEELCHAIRS WOULD BE REALISED SOON.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
11
AS FOR THE AGED, SHE WELCOMED THE SURVEY TO BE CARRIED OUT JOINTLY BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS TO REAPPRAISE THE SITUATION CONCERNING CARE OF THE ELDERLY.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF THE COUNCIL COULD BE GIVEN UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROGRESS AND RESULT OF THE SURVEY AND BE INFORMED OF WHAT CO-ORDINATED ACTION THE TWO DEPARTMENTS WERE TAKING IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.
REFERRING TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, SHE SAID SHE HAD MISGIVINGS IN SIX AREAS.
ON WHAT SHE CONSIDERED +INEFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT*, DR IP CITED AS EXAMPLES HOSPITAL OVERCROWDING AND THE APPARENT NEED FOR MORE BEDS.
SHE SUGGESTED QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ASKED AS TO WHETHER PATIENTS BEING ADMITTED REALLY REQUIRED THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, WERE THEY BEING ADMITTED TO THE RIGHT WARDS, AND HOW LONG SHOULD THEY STAY IN HOSPITAL.
+THE DEPARTMENT MUST LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM POSITIVLY AND OBJECTIVELY AS A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS BETTER MANAGEMENT,* SHE SAID.
DR IP SAID THE IMPROVED PROVISION OF COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE, CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES, AND MEDICAL INFIRMARIES FOR THE AGED WOULD RELEASE 2 500 ACUTE BEDS NOW OCCUPIED BY ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH NO FURTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS WHICH REQUIRED HOSPITAL ATTENTION.
SHE PROPOSED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD FOLLOW THE MORE ADVANCED COUNTRIES IN INTRODUCING AMBULATORY CARE.
•V.
RATHER THAN REPEATING THE MISTAKE OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN BUILDING MORE HOSPITALS, SHE BELIEVED HONG KONG SHOULD TIGHTEN ITS CRITERIA FOR HOSPITAL ADMISSION/STAY AND AIM AT EARLY DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITAL.
+THIS TREND IS NOT ONLY FINANCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS, BUT HEALTHIER PHYSICALLY, AS IT REDUCES THE CHANCE OF HOSPITAL CROSS-INFECTION, AND ALSO HEALTHIER PSYCHOLOGICALLY, WHEN THE ILL, PARTICULARLY THE CHRONICALLY ILL, RECOVER AMONG THEIR LOVED ONES AT HOME IN A PERSONAL ENVIRONMENT,* SHE SAID.
ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS, DR IP COMMENTED THAT SOME EXISTING SERVICES MIGHT BE REDUNDANT OR HAVE ONLY A MARGINAL VALUE WHEREAS IN OTHER AREAS DEFICIENCIES WERE NOT BEING MET. SHE CITED THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE AS AN EXAMPLE OF A SCHEME THE NEED FOR WHICH HAD DECLINED.
/SHE SAID .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 12 -
SHE SAID THERE WAS A DIMINISHING NEED FOR THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME AS ALMOST EVERY DISTRICT HAD OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH HAD IMPROVED.
FURTHERMORE, THE PARTICIPATION RATE WAS LOW, WITH ONLY 40 PER CENT OF ELIGIBLE CHILDREN TAKING PART, AND EVEN THE GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED THAT 'DOUBLE SUBVENTION’ EXISTED.
DR IP FELT THAT TAXPAYERS’ MONEY WOULD BE BETTER SPENT ON SAY, A DENTAL SERVICE FOR THE AGED.
SHE SAID DENTAL PROBLEMS CREATED HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR THE AGED WHEN THEY WERE NOT FIT TO EARN ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR PRIVATE SERVICES AND SERVICES WOULD NOT BE OFFERED TO THEM BY GOVERNMENT DENTAL CLINICS UNLESS THEY WERE OR HAD BEEN CIVIL SERVANTS.
SHE ENVISAGED SUCH A SERVICE AS A PREVENTIVE SCHEME UNDER THE BUDGET’S MEDICAL PROVISION BUT EMPHASISED THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD IT BE SEEN AS THE BEGINNING OF A FREE DENTAL SERVICE FOR ALL.
DEALING WITH COST-EFFECTIVENESS, DR IP SAID THE CRUX OF THE MATTER WAS THAT ALTHOUGH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AGREED TO THE EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPORTANCE OF A STANDARDISED COST SYSTEM, THE SUPPORTING DATA COULD NOT BE PRODUCED UNTIL THE LEDGER ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (LAFIS) PHASE II WAS AVAILABLE AND THERE WAS NO TIME-TABLE IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE FURTHER EXTENSION OF LAFIS.
+IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PRESENT NON-SYSTEMATIC APPROACH OF COST COMPARISON WOULD LEAD TO UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS AND CONCEALMENT OF COST-INEFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS OPERATIONS.
+T0 SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF TAXPAYERS, THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD ACCORD TOP PRIORITY TO WORK OUT A STANDARDISED COST SYSTEM AND TO CONDUCT VALUE-FOR-MONEY STUDIES ON VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND OPERATIONS,+ SHE SAID.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT SPEED UP THE INTRODUCTION OF LAFIS PHASE I I.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE FREE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR ALL, DR IP REITERATED THAT FREE SOCIAL SERVICES SHOULD BE
PROVIDED TO THE DISABLED, THE AGED, CHILDREN AND THE VERY POOR,
BUT NOT TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, AND MEDICAL SERVICES LIKEWISE SHOULD NOT BE WHOLLY FREE FOR THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD THEM.
THOUGH SHE HAD RESERVATIONS ON THE COMPUTATION OF THE
+AVERAGE COST+, SHE FULLY SUPPORTED THE MOVE TO INCREASE CHARGES
FOR FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BEDS TO RECOVER PART OF OPERATIONAL COSTS, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE INCREASE SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO THIRD CLASS BEDS.
/SHE BELIEVED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 19^6
- 15 -
SHE BELIEVED IT WAS NOT UNREASONABLE TO RECOVER AROUND 10 PER CENT OF THE OPERATIONAL COST FROM BED CHARGES AS THOSE WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THE CHARGE COULD ALWAYS SEEK EXEMPTION FROM THE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER AND THOSE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WOULD BE EXEMPTED AUTOMATICALLY.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT SPECIAL SERVICES COULD BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC AT COST WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING A MORE DYNAMIC SERVICE WITHOUT INCURRING EXTRA COSTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
APART FROM LEVYING CHARGES, SHE SAID SAVINGS COULD BE MADE BY BETTER UTILISATION OF EXISTING SERVICES, SUCH AS BY DEPLOYING CLINIC DOCTORS TO MAN EVENING CLINICS THROUGH RESCHEDULING OF THEIR WORKING HOURS RATHER THAN PAYING OTHER DOCTORS TO WORK OVERTIME.
DR IP ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE SOME INCENTIVES SUCH AS TAX DEDUCTION BENEFITS, TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE OUT MEDICAL INSURANCE.
SHE SAID A FRUSTRATING SITUATION HAD APPEARED IN THAT PATIENTS TENDED TO ECONOMISE ON THE TREATMENT THEY SOUGHT, TO THEIR DETRIMENT, BECAUSE OF THE RISING COST OF TREATMENT IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND OF MEDICATION.
+WHEN THE AVERAGE MAN IN THE STREET HAS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A COMPLETELY FREE MEDICAL SERVICE OF A LOWER STANDARD, AND A PARTIALLY PAID ONE OF HIGHER STANDARD, HE WOULD OPT FOR BETTER QUALITY,+ SHE SAID.
♦RESOURCES FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF OUR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES MUST COME PARTLY FROM THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH MEDICAL INSURANCE.
♦THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THROUGH WHICH THE MEDICAL PROFESSION CAN, WITHIN AN IMPROVED MEDICAL FRAMEWORK AND INFRASTRUCTURE, OFFER THE BEST TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE ILL, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THEY ARE RICH OR POOR,+ SHE SAID.
ON THE CONSULTANCY REPORT ON THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS, DR IP URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE PRIORITY TO RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH COVERED AREAS WHERE CHANGES WERE LONG OVERDUE. THESE ENCOMPASSED MANY OF THE MATTERS SHE HAD MENTIONED.
♦IN THE MEANTIME, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD LOOK POSITIVELY INTO THE PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, ITS IMPLICATIONS, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES, WITH THE VIEW TO IMPLEMENTING THEM,+ SHE SAID.
--------C ---------
/14........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1?3<
INSUFFICIENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL FUNDING * * * *
THOUGH THE BUDGET HAS ALLOCATED $4.3 BILLION FOR MEDICAL SERVICES, THIS IS ONLY AN INCREASE OF 0.2 PER CENT ON THE 1985-86 FUNDING AND CAN HARDLY COVER THE NORMAL INFLATION RATE, DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE BUDGET DEBATE, DR CHIU SAID THIS SMALL INCREASE MEANT THAT DIFFICULTIES WERE ENVISAGED EVEN IN MAINTAINING EXISTING SERVICES, NOT TO MENTION THE PROVISION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY OF CARE, EXPANSION OF SERVICE OR UPGRADING OF MEDICAL FACILITIES.
HOWEVER, HE COMMENTED THAT THE JUST RELEASED AUSTRALIAN CONSULTANTS’ REPORT ON THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS WAS EXPECTED TO HAVE AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MEDICAL SERVICES.
DR CHIU SAID THE BACKBONE OF THE REPORT WAS APPARENTLY THE PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH WOULD AIM AT ENSURING EFFECTIVE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT, EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF SERVICE AND BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.
REFERRING TO THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THERE BE SEVEN REGIONS, WITH COMMUNITY INPUT IN THE INITIAL STAGE, AND NINc LATER, HE SAID THE MERIT OF THIS PROPOSAL LAY IN BETTER HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT AT REGIONAL LEVEL.
BUT HE SAID THE REPORT’S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE ROLE OF EXISTING BOARDS OF DIRECTORS IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RECOMMENDED REGIONAL BOARDS WOULD INVITE FUTURE DISPUTES.
ON THE RECOMMENDED PILOT SCHEME TO INTRODUCE B CLASS BEDS TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF MIDDLE-INCOME PEOPLE, DR CHIU FEARED THAT ANY ATTEMPT TO PLACE B CLASS BEDS IN THE EXISTING PUBLIC HOSPITALS MIGHT CREATE ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES, REDUCE THE PROVISION OF C CLASS BEDS AND EXACERBATE OVERCROWDING IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
+1 CONSIDER IT MORE WORKABLE IF THE PILOT SCHEME BE BUILT IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR NEW HOSPITALS OR NEW EXTENSIONS,* HE SAID.
DR CHIU NOTED THAT ONE MAJOR SUGGESTION CONCERNED INTEGRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, WITH THE DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT BY AN INDEPENDENT STAFF ADVISORY COMMISSION.
/TURNING TO........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 15 -
TURNING TO THE VARIOUS METHODS OF DEVELOPING RESOURCES AS FORMULATED BY THE CONSULTANTS, DR CHIU CONSIDERED THAT THE SUGGESTED $12 FEE FOR ATTENDING AN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY UNIT WAS A USEFUL MEASURE TO AVOID ABUSE OF THE SERVICE.
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THE NEED TO UPHOLD THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY.
DR CHIU OBSERVED THAT THE REPORT HAD OMITTED A VERY IMPORTANT AREA THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE.
♦ AS PRIMARY CARE IS THE BASIC MEDICAL SERVICE, THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE IT PLAYS SHOULD NEVER BE OVERLOOKED, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IS EXPANDING HOSPITAL SERVICES,+ HE SAID.
HE FELT THAT THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ACCEPTABLE ONLY ON CONDITION THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RETAIN THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROVISION OF EXTRA FUNDS CAUSED BY CHANGES AND THAT THE ANNUAL MEDICAL EXPENDITURE WOULD NOT BE LESS THAN THE PRESENT LEVEL.
DR CHIU SUGGESTED A NUMBER OF INTERIM MEASURES TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES AS IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE REPORT. HIS SUGGESTIONS WERE:
* TO MAKE BETTER USE OF VACANT BEDS IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS FOR CONVALESCENT CASES REFERRED FROM THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR;
* TO DISTRIBUTE MORE BEDS TO THE OVERSUBSCRIBED ORTHOPAEDIC, MEDICAL, SURGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS;
X TO EXPEDITE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INFIRMARY BEDS SO AS TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN ON GENERAL WARDS- AND
* TO FURTHER EXPAND THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE, ESPECIALLY THE COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSING SERVICE, TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR AFTER-CARE SERVICE FOR THE MENTALLY-ILL.
FINALLY, DR CHIU QUESTIONED THE FUNDING OF THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL, NOTING THAT THIS HAD BECOME A TOPICAL ISSUE EVER SINCE THE MATTER OF A SUPPLEMENTARY ALLOCATION FOR THE HOSPITAL WAS RAISED AT A FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING.
HE HAD DISCOVERED THAT THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF THE HOSPITAL WAS NOT SEPARATELY IDENTIFIABLE IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES BECAUSE IT WAS SUBSUMED WITHIN THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT.
/HE WONDERED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
16 -
HE WONDERED HOW MUCH OF THE $1.5 BILLION IN DEFENCE COSTS WOULD BE SET ASIDE FOR THE HOSPITAL AND SAID THE FIGURE WAS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN ASSESSING COST EFFECTIVENESS.
+IF SUCH NEEDED INFORMATION IS NOT MADE AVAILABLE TO US, MAY WE BE ADVISED HOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SOUND DECISIONS IN VETTING THE BUDGET PROPOSALS WHEN THE TIME COMES?* DR CHIU ASKED.
-----0-----
BROADEN SOURCES OF INCOME TO IMPROVE SERVICES
* * * *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR THE HON CONRAD LAM TODAY (THURSDAY) SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER WAYS TO IMPROVE NED I CAL AND HEALTH SERVICES BY MEANS OF BROADENING SOURCES OF REVENUE AND CURTAILING EXPENDITURE.
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL, DR LAM QUOTED FIGURES SHOWING THAT PUBLIC DEMANDS FOR MEDICAL AND HtALTn SERVICES WERE EVER INCREASING, BOTH IN TERMS OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY.
THEREFORE, HE SAID, GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN THIS AREA WOULD LIKEWISE BE RISING EACH YEAR.
DR LAM WARNED THAT A PROBLEM OF UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES MIGHT ARISE IF THERE WAS ANY MISHANDLING OF THE SITUATION.
EMPHASISING THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUBSIDISED MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE NEEDY, DR LAM MADE THREE SUGGESTIONS TO BROADEN SOURCES OF REVENUES.
FIRSTLY, HE SAID, A FEE SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY HOSPITAL ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS.
+PATIENTS WHO GO TO CASUALTY WARDS ARE THOSE REQUIRING EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT. THEY DO NOT GO THERE FOR FREE SERVICE BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. THUS THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE GENEROUS AT THE TAXPAYERS’ EXPENSE,* HE SAID.
SECONDLY, HE SAID THE COST OF PROVIDING A BED IN A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL RANGED FROM A FEW HUNDRED TO OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS PER DAY, BUT PATIENTS HAD ONLY TO PAY $15 PER DAY. THEREFORE, HE BELIEVED THAT AN UPWARD ADJUSTMENT OF FEES TO AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL WAS ACCEPTABLE.
/THIRDLY, HE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 2?, 1966
- 17 -
THIRDLY, HE SAID IN THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE THE ACTUAL COST PER VISIT WAS $190 BUT THE PATIENT WAS CHARGED ONLY 815. THIS WAS VERY CHEAP.
ON WAYS TO CURTAIL EXPENDITURE, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND ALSO POLICIES REGARDING THEIR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
HE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER WHETHER IT WOULD BE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO PRIVATISE THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE.
DR LAM ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE BE PRIVATISED AND THAT A MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME BE PROMOTED IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE PUBLIC’S RELIANCE ON SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
LASTLY, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STUDY THE DEFECTS IN THE ORGANISATION, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WITH A VIEW TO RECTIFYING THEM AND THUS IMPROVE OVERALL EFFICIENCY.
-------0---------
♦MORE SERVICES NEEDED IN NORTHWEST N.T.+
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER A CHANGE OF EMPHASIS ON BUDGETARY POLICY WITH REGARD TO NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH IS RELATIVELY ISOLATED FROM THE REST OF THE TERRITORY.
THIS WAS SUGGESTED BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1986.
MR TAI POINTED OUT THAT THE LARGE SHIFT OF POPULATION TO ■fUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG REQUIRED CAREFUL AND FAR-SIGHTED TOWN PLANNING, SUPPORTED BY PROPER MEDICAL, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
ON MEDICAL SERVICES, MR TAI NOTED THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THE STANDARD OF SUBVENTED HOSPITALS HAD BEEN LAGGING BEHIND GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
HE SAID THE SITUATION WAS PARTICULARLY SERIOUS IN WEST NEW TERRITORIES WHERE THERE WAS AN INCREASING NEED FOR MEDICAL FACILITIES.
+IF THE SCOPE AND STANDARD OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR IS IMPROVED, THESE HOSPITALS CAN RELIEVE THE PRESSURE BEING FACED BY GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS,* HE SAID.
A.R TAI ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1 86
- 18 -
MR TAI SAID THAT A LOT OF BEDS IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WERE BEING OCCUPIED BY ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD REALLY BE ACCOMMODATED IN INFIRMARIES OR CONVALESCENT HOMES.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT HOSPITALS WITH A LOW OCCUPANCY RATE, OR THOSE FREQUENTLY USED BY ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO REQUIRED MINIMUM MEDICAL CARE, BE CONVERTED INTO INFIRMARIES OR CONVALESCENT HOMES TO ENSURE THAT BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY WAS BEING SPENT ON MEDICAL SERVICES.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR TAI FOCUSSED ON THE SERIOUS SHORTFALL CF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
HE SAID THIS WAS THE BACKLASH RESULTING FROM INADEQUATE CONSIDERATION IN TOWN PLANNING AND AN OVER-CAUTIOUS BUDGETARY CONTROL AT THE INITIAL PLANNING STAGE.
NOTING THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD PROPOSED HALF-HEARTED MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION, HE SAID THIS CREATED ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES AND LOWERED THE STANDARD CF EDUCATION OF SCHOOLS IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
+l WOULD THEREFORE CALL FOR ADDITIONAL PROVISION TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO EXPAND THOSE SCHOOLS SITUATED IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WHICH HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF EXPANSION AND IN PARTICULAR, MORE SCHOOL PLACES BE BOUGHT FROM PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE AREA,+ HE SAID.
MR TAI FINALLY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE A LONG-TERM POLICY IN RESPECT OF BETTER USE OF AVAILABLE LAND SO AS TO EXPAND THE INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL IN THE TERRITORY.
HE SAID HE FELT THERE WAS A GENUINE NEED FOR MORE FUNDS TO INITIATE A MORE DRASTIC RURAL LAND POLICY.
WITH REGARD TO THE QUESTION CONCERNING THE KA WAH BANK, MR TAI ECHOED HIS SUPPORT TO THE POINTS RAISED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE AND SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE SOME INDICATIONS OF THE EXTENT OF ITS COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF THE RECENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE PARTIES CONCERNED.
/19........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1°36
19
RECYCLE HOUSING FUNDS INTO OTHER AREAS * * >
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CAN FURTHER ENHANCE ITS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME WITH THE ULTIMATE AIM OF BECOMING SELF-SUPPORTING, THE HON F.K. HU SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY)
SPEAKING DURING THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE, MR HU NOTED THAT THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN 198F-87 MIGHT REACH 43 PER CENT OF TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON RENTAL HOUSING ESTATES, AND THE TREND INDICATED THAT IT COULD CONTRIBUTE EVEN MORE IN FUTURE.
HE ADDED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD AIM TO BE COMPLETELY SELF-SUPPORTING IN, SAY, FIVE YEARS’ TIME WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN ITS LONG-TERM BUILDING PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING ITS REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
+THE PUBLIC FUNDS HITHERTO SPENT ON HOUSING CAN THEN BE USED TO FINANCE OTHER URGENTLY NEEDED ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES,+ HE SAID.
AS CONVENER OF THE COUNCIL’S INTERNAL WORKING GROUP EXAMINING THE DRAFT ESTIMATES ON SOCIAL WELFARE, MR HU SAID HIS VIEW WAS SHARED BY OTHER GROUP MEMBERS.
TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL, HE SUGGESTED THAT FIRSTLY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER TRANSFERRING THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
AS THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME INVOLVED A LESSER SUBSIDY THAN RENTAL HOUSING, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD BENEFIT FINANCIALLY THROUGH THIS TRANSFER, HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, HE BELIEVED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY COULD BE PROVIDED WITH THE FLEXIBILITY OF CONVERTING SOME RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS TO THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
MR HU’S SECOND SUGGESTION WAS FOR ARRANGEMENTS TO BE MADE WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO DEVELOP SITES AT THEIR EXPENSE, WITH THE DEVELOPERS RETAINING THE COMMERCIAL PREMISES AND SOME RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS FOR THEIR DISPOSAL AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BEING HANDED BACK AN AGREED NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS TO BE USED EITHER AS RENTAL HOUSING OR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME BLOCKS.
THIS SO-CALLED +MODIFIED PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME* COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPEED AND EFFICIENCY OF PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, AND EXPEDITE THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, HE SAID.
/MR HU ........
THURSDAY, MARC.-. 27, 19c6
20
MR HU SAID RENT INCREASES FOR DOMESTIC PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS MUST BE CARRIED OUT GRADUALLY, REASONABLY AND WITHIN THE MEANS OF TENANTS.
HE ALSO ADVOCATED A REDUCTION COULD AFFORD TO PAY, AND FOR UNITS
IN THE SUBSIDY FOR THOSE WHO TO BE SOLD TO EXISTING TENANTS.
MR HU NOTED THAT, FOR TENANTS BUYING THEIR OWN UNITS, THERE COULD BE MANY PROBLEMS RELATING TO THIS PROPOSAL AND HE SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO SELLING THOSE BLOCKS WHICH HAD BEEN DEVELOPED OR PERHAPS REDEVELOPED WITH ACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENT-' AND LIVING CONDITIONS PROVIDED THAT MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS COULD BE RESOLVED.
+THERE CAN BE MANY OTHER ALTERNATIVES WORTH CONSIDERING AND A COMBINATION OF VARIOUS OPTIONS WHICH I HAVE JUST MENTIONED, CAN ACHIEVE THE GOAL,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE FULLY ENDORSED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REMARKS THAT HE KNEW OF NO COMPARABLE HOUSING PROGRAMME ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
TURNING TO SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, MR HU COMMENTED THAT ALTHOUGH SOCIAL WELFLARE SUBVENTIONS HAD BEEN BUDGETTED TO INCREASE BY 13.6 PER CENT, FROM U21 MILLION TO 3478 MILLION, IT SEEMED THAT THE AMOUNT STILL FELL SHORT OF WHAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MEET THE PLANNED PROVISIONS IN THE FIVE YEAR PLAN.
HE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT A MORE POSITIVE SUBVENTION POLICY AND TO INITIATE ACTION WHENEVER NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PLANNED PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR VARIOUS SERVICES.
MR HU NOTED THAT IN THE SUBVENTED WELFARE SECTOR, SOME AGENCIES IN CATEGORY II WERE PROVIDING IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY SERVICES BUT MIGHT BE ONLY RECEIVING LUMP SUM GRANTS WHICH APPEARED TO BE DETERMINED ARBITRARILY OR TOTALLY AT THE GOVERNMENT’S DISCRETION.
+IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SHOULD THOROUGHLY REVIEW THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF SUBVENTION TO SEE IF IT IS ADEQUATELY MEETING THE FINANCIAL NEED OF THE AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE PROVIDING CATEGORY II SERVICES,* HE SAID.
ON STAFFING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR HU SAID HE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUE THE UNDESIRABLE PRACTICE OF RECRUITING UNIVERSITY GRADUATES WITHOUT FORMAL SOCIAL WORK TRAINING INTO the RANK OF ASSISTANT SOCIAL WORK OFFICER AS THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF SOCIAL WORK POSTS TO ACCOMMODATE SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES FRO'' UNIVERSITIES LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
/IN DOING ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 19^6
- 21 -
IN DOING SO, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SAVE MONEY ON THE SUBSEQUENT TRAINING OF RECRUITS.
+SECONDLY, TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS BY VIRTUE OF THEIR TRAINING AND FIELD WORK PRACTICE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AS SOON AS THEY ARE ENGAGED, SO THAT THEY ARE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO RENDER TIMELY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
0 - - - -
MAJOR REVIEW OF HOUSING POLICIES NEEDED
*****
THE HON S.L. CHEN TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED FOR A MAJOR REVIE.. OF EXISTING HOUSING POLICIES TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE FINANCIAL CAKE IS CORRECTLY AND FAIRLY DIVIDED TO SATISFY HONG KONG’S MANY PRESSING NEEDS.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHEN RAISED DOUBTS OVER THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HOUSING PROGRAMME AND WHETHER IT WAS FULFILLING ITS ORIGINAL AIM OF HELPING THOSE IN GENUINE NEED.
SO FAR, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT SEEM ABLE OR ILL li-.G TO GRASP THE NETTLE AND COME UP WITH A POSITIVE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF WELL-OFF TENANTS OCCUPYING HEAVILY SUBSIDISED HOUSING ACCOMMODATION.
UNTIL THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED, HE SAID, QUESTIONS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ASKED WHETHER THE HOUSING SCHEME WAS FULFILLING ITS OBJtCTIVE OF HELPING THE GENUINELY NEEDY.
♦ON A BROADER FRONT, PEOPLE MIGHT EVEN DOUBT THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON A SCALE ..HICn MAY HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIABLE IN THE PAST, BUT NOT NECESSARILY APPLICABLE NOWADAYS, ESPECIALLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING PER CAPITA INCOME WHICH HONG KONG HAS BEEN ABLc TO ACHIEVE OVER THE YEARS,* HE SAID.
MR CHEN QUERIED WHY LAND VALUES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE COjT OF THE HOUSING PROGRAMME, SAYING THAT THIS DID NOT MAKE COMMERCIAL SENSE.
IN HIS VIEW, THE TRUE COST OF THE HOUSING PROGRAMME MUST COVER THREE PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS - CADITAL EXPENDITURE ON BUILDINu CONSTRUCTION, THE VALUE OF THE LAND, AND ADMINISTRATION OVERHEADS.
/WITHJ.T r.ESE.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
22
WITHOUT THESE, HE SAID, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ASSESS THE SIZE OF THE SUBSIDY WHICH HONG KONG TAXPAYERS HAVE BEEN FINANCING OVER THE YEARS, OR WHETHER THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN OR ARE BEING CARRIED OUT COST-EFFECTIVELY AND COMPETITIVELY SO AS TO ENSURE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY.
MR CHEN WARNED THAT HONG KONG’S HEALTHIER FINANCIAL POSITION TODAY SHOULD BE NO CAUSE FOR OVER OPTIMISM OR COMPLACENCY.
+OUR VIABILITY DEPENDS ON OUR BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR WHAT WE WANT WITHOUT RESORTING TO DEBT. IN SHORT, WE MUST EARN BEFORE WE SPEND, AND SPEND WISELY,+ HE SAID.
------0-------
MORE GOVERNMENT-PRIVATE SECTOR CO-OPERATION URGED ******
THE HON SELINA CHOW TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED ON GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP A MORE OPEN ATTITUDE TOWARDS CO-OPERATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MRS CHOW CITED HER EXPERIENCE WITH THE ORGANISATION AND CO-ORDINATION OF LAST YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR ACTIVITIES TO DEMONSTRATE THE EXTRA VALUE THAT COULD BE DERIVED FROM POOLING OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC RESOURCES.
+WHEN WE REFER TO OPEN GOVERNMENT IN FUTURE, I HOPE IT WILL BE MORE THAN A REFERENCE TO THE PUBLIC RELATIONS ASPECT OF OUR ADMINISTRATION.
+l HOPE IT WILL ALSO SIGNIFY THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE OPEN ATTITUDE TOWARDS CO-OPERATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR,+ SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT SUCH AN ATTITUDE MIGHT EXIST IN A SMALL NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS BUT WAS BY NO MEANS WIDESPREAD AND SHE BELIEVED IT WOULD BE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ADVANTAGE THAT IT WAS ACTIVELY DEVELOPED AND PROMOTED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
ASSOCIATING HERSELF WITH DR THE HON KIM CHAM’S VIEWS ON PRIVATISATION, SHE SAID AFTER A NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL TRIALS, THE TIME WAS RIPE FOR AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD EXERCISE TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE INCLUSIONS.
HOWEVER, SHE CAUTIONED AGAINST THE HON POON CHI-FAI’S PROPOSAL TO GOVERNMENT!SE MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS, NOTING THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE A HIGH TENDENCY OF SLIPPAGE WITH JOBS UNDERTAKEN BY GOVERNMENT ENGINEERS.
/EARLIER, MRS ........
EARLIER, MRS CHOW COMMENTED THAT WE MIGHT 3E IN DANGER OF HAVING +TOO much GOVERNMENT* IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
WE MUST NOW TAKE STOCK AND PONDER AS TO HOW WE SHOULD CONTINUE, SHE SAID.
IN THE AREA OF PUBLIC HOUSING, SHE SAID QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ASKED WHETHER WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BUILD SO MANY RENTAL UNITS AND SO LITTLE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME UNITS' WHETHER THE RATIO SHOULD BE ADJUSTED AND WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE FURTHER PROMOTION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTI ClPATION SCHEME.
+PERHAPS THE TIME HAS ALSO COME TO EXAMINE AFRESH, WHETHER PUBLIC HOUSING GENERALLY SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE SOCIAL WELFARE, OR WHETHER IN THE HONG KONG OF TODAY, THIS IS A PAGE OF HISTORY BEST LEFT IN THE PAST,* SHE SAID.
ON EDUCATION, MRS CHOW SAID THERE SHOULD BE A LOOK AT THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE AIDED SECTOR AND FOR SOCIAL WELFARE, THE ROLE OF SUBVENTED AGENCIES.
APART FROM THE PRIVATISATION OF SERVICES, MRS CHOW SAID SHE BELIEVED GOVERNMENT SHOULD RE-THINK ITS PRESENT POLICY REGARDING THE ORGANISATION AND CONTRIBUTION OF IDEAS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
AT PRESENT, SHE SAID, WHEN AN INNOVATIVE IDEA WAS PROPOSED TO GOVERNMENT AND WAS FOUND TO BE FEASIBLE, THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE ORIGINATOR OF THE IDEA WAS PROTECTED. THE NORMAL PROCEDURE WAS THAT THE IDEA WAS RELEASED FOR PUBLIC TENDER.
+THIS MOVE AIMS NO DOUBT TO OBVIATE THE ACCUSATION OF FAVOURITISM.
+BUT IN PROTECTING ITSELF THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ONLY DOING AN INJUSTICE TO THE INVENTOR OF THE IDEA, BUT ALSO DETERS OTHERS FROM PUTTING THEIR IDEAS FORWARD, THEREBY DEPRIVING THE COMMUNITY OF THE BENEFITS OF BRILLIANT IDEA,* SHE SAID.
MRS CHOW THEN VOICED HER SUPPORT FOR THE LIFTING OF DUTIES ON COSMETICS AND NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS ONCE WE COULD AFFORD TO DO SO.
/2A .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
24
SOCIAL WELFARE SHOULD HAVE HIGHER PRIORITY * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) QUESTIONED AS TO WHAT PRIORITY IT ATTACHES TO SOCIAL WELFARE IN RELATION TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES INCLUDING MEDICAL AND HEALTH, EDUCATION AND
HOUSING.
THE HON CHAN YING-LUN RAISED THIS ISSUE DURING THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THAT ON THE GROUNDS OF HUMAN INVESTMENT AND COMPASSION, THERE WAS A STRONG CASE FOR GIVING SOCIAL WELFARE THE SAME DEGREc. CF PRIORITY AS OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMMES.
THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT WAS RIGHTLY ON COURSE IN TACKLING SHORTFALLS IN MEDICAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC HOUSING, HE SAID HE COULD NOT SEE FULLY ANY GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT IN SOCIAL WELFARE. +THIS IS UNFAIR TO SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES,+ HE STRESSED.
MR CHAN SAID HE HAD HEARD OF ABUSES IN THE USE OF OTHER SOCIaL SERVICES BUT NOT THE SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMME.
+WHO WOULD WANT A HANDOUT FROM GOVERNMENT, WHO WOULD NEED OL. PEOPLE’S HOMES, WHO WOULD NEED SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, WHEN THEY COULD HELP THEMSELVES?* HE ASKED.
+THIS IS WHERE I DO NOT SEE THE LOGIC.
+WHEREAS SOCIAL WELFARE CANNOT EVEN TAKE CARE OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES, MEDICAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC HOUSING ARE ON THE OTHER HAND NOT ONLY HELPING PEOPLE WHO HAVE THc NEED BUT ALSO HELPING THOSE WHO WOULD NOT REALLY NEED GOVERNMENT o HELP.
+ARE WE TRYING TO MAKE MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HOUSING A WELFARE AT THE EXPENSE OF SOCIAL WELFARE?* MR CHAN ASKED.
MR CHAN WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SHORTFALL IN SERVICES PROVIDED FOR OFFENDERS, THE ELDERLY, YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE DISABLED.
CITING STATISTICS ON THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE PROSECUTED FOR SHOPLIFTING, MEMBERSHIP OF AN UNLAWFUL SOCIETY, AND BURGLARY, HE SAID THEY INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM RELATING TO YOUNG PEOPLE WAS GROWING THOUGH THEY DID NOT SHOW HOW LARGE AND HOW WORRYING THE PROBLEM WAS.
/KE SAID .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 19&6
25
HE SAID GANG ACTIVITY AND DELINQUENT AND UNRULY BEHAVIOUR AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE A CAUSE FOR GROWING GOVERNMENT CONCERN. TO ILLUSTRATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM, HE SAID, AT RECENT MEETINGS OF THE SHAU KEI WAN HILLSIDE AREA COMMITTEE A MAJOR ISSUE WAS THE INCREASING PRESENCE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF GANGS AND YOUNG DRUG ADDICTS.
AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE AWARE THAT IT WAS A COMPLEX oOCI AL AND HUMAN ISSUE AND POLICE ACTION WAS NOT REALLY A CONSTRUCTIVE REMEDY. BUT MR CHAN SAID THEY HAD TO PRESS THE POLICE REPRESENTATIVE TO DO SOMETHING AS THEY DID NOT HAVE AN OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAM IN THE AREA AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE HAD BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE COMMITTEE SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR.
HE EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THERE WAS NO REAL GROWTH IN THE PROVISION OF PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE NUMBER OF OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS STOOD STILL AT ONLY 18 AND THE RATIO OF STUDENTS TO SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS REMAI IE J AT 4 OOO TO ONE.
♦ IF THE PLANNED PROVISION AS SET OUT IN THE FIVE YEAR REVIx.. OF SOCIAL SERVICE MEANS ANYTHING AT ALL, THE CURRENT PROVISION MEANS A SHORTFALL OF 50 PER CENT.
+T0 ME AS A LAYMAN, I WOULD INTERPRET IT THAT GOVERNMENT 13 ONLY DEALING WITH HALF OF THE PROBLEM WHILE LEAVING THE OTHER HALF ASIDE,+ HE SAID.
♦ THIS AND OTHER SHORTFALLS ARE VERY UNSATISFACTORY,* HE COMMENTED, POINTING OUT THAT THERE WAS A SHORTFALL OF ABOUT 83 SJCIal CENTRES AND 14 MULT I-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, AS WELL AS A SHORTFALL IN SHELTERED WORKSHOP PLACES.
------0-------
AMBIGUITY SEEN * X
IN SOCIAL WELFARE X * *
ALWAYS
SOCIAL WELFARE IS CONCERNED, THERE HAS ALWAYS REGARDING PUBLIC POLICY AND FUNDING PRIORITIES AS WELL AS CAUTION IN SETTING OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL COMMITMENT, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
AS FAR
AS
BEEN AMBIGUITY
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR HUI CONCEDED THAT THE ALLOCATION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE HAD RISEN FROM 4.2 PER CENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN 1981-82 TO 5.8 PER CENT IN 1986-87. HOWEVER 59.4 PER CENT OF THE ALLOCATION WOULD BE ABSORBED BY THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES SCHEMES WHILE ONLY 17.1 PER CENT WENT TOWARDS SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTIONS FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
/THE PERCENTAGE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
26
THE PERCENTAGE OF THE INCREASE IN SUBVENTIONS FOR SOCAIL WELFARE WAS ALSO SMALLER WHEN COMPARED WITH THOSE FOR EDUCATION AND MEDICAL AND HEALTH.
+IT IS SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE THAT IN THE ON-GOING FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT, THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT - THE SAME KIND OF COMMITMENT MADE TO THE PROVISION CF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PLACES, AND THE BUILDING OF PUBLIC HOUSING UN ITS,+ MR HUI OBSERVED.
HE SAID THAT DESPITE THE TIME AND EFFORT DEVOTED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO THE FIVE YEAR PLAN ANNUAL REVIEW EXERCISE, ALMOST ALL CATEGORIES CF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES WERE SHOWING SHORTFALLS.
+INADEQUATE RESOURCES TOGETHER WITH THE LACK OF PROVISIONS IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICES HAVE GIVEN RISE TO GROWING FRUSTRATION AMONG VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, * HE SAID.
MR HUI COMMENTED THAT MANY OF THE PROBLEMS CONFRONTING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AROSE FROM THE SYSTEM OF SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION.
WHILE THE STANDARD COST SYSTEM INTRODUCED IN 1983 WAS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE LUMP SUM DISCRETIONARY GRANTS, IT STILL HAD OVER-RIDING OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS, HE SAID.
+THE CRITERIA BY WHICH SERVICES ARE PLACED INTO CATEGORY I (100 PER CENT SUBVENTED) AND CATEGORY II (PARTIALLY SUBVENTED) SERVICES, AND THE BASIS AND METHODS BY WHICH STANDARD COSTS ARE CALCULATED HAVE CAUSED MUCH DISSATISFACTION AMONG VOLUNTARY AGENCIES,* HE SAID.
OTHER PROBLEMS HAD STEMMED FROM THE STRINGENT CONTROL THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT EXERCISED OVER THE ACCOUNTS CF AGENCIES.
+FURTHERMORE, THE ’NO TOPPING UP’ POLICY UNDER THE NEW SUBVENTION SYSTEM MEANS THAT GOVERNMENT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGES SURPLUSES, LEAVING THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO HANDLE THEIR DEF IC ITS.
+ANY SAVINGS ACCRUED MUST BE KEPT IN A SEPARATE RESERVE ACCOUNT, BUT IN MOST CASES VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN THE APPROVAL TO MAKE FULL USE OF AVAILABLE FUNDS FOR CARRYING OUT SERVICE PROGRAMMES,* HE SAID.
/HR HUI .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1^86
- 27 -
MR HUI SAID THE CLAW-BACK OF INTEREST FROM UNUSED SUBVENTION NOT ONLY STRIPPED OFF THE CUSHIONING EFFECT, CREATED A POSSIBLE CASH FLOW PROBLEMS FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, BUT ALSO VIOLATED THE PRINCIPLE OF THE NEW SUBVENTION SYSTEM FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO EXERCISE FLEXIBILITY AND TO USE THEIR INCOME MORE PRODUCTIVELY.
+LASTL'-', SINCE PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS FOR CATEGORY II SERVICES ARE NOT FUL.Y SUBVENTED, AGENCIES PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO "ER IODIC HARASSMENT OF HAVING TO DESPERATELY COPE WITH SALAR ' ADJUSTMENTS FOR THEIR STAFF,* HE SAID.
LOOKING AT SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. MR HUI SAID HE BELIEVED THAT A GOVE;NMENT COMMITMENT WAS FUNDAMENTAL TO SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
+ | BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE A FIRM MOVE TO SPELL OUT IN DETAIL ITS FIVE YEAR FORECASTS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES SUPPORTED BY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES.
+ IT IS ALSO HIGH TIME FOR GOVERNMENT’S EQUIVOCAL STAND ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES TO BE REPLACED BY DEFINITE ENDORSEMENT CF MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE PROJECTS AWAITING PUBLIC FUNDINGS,* HE SAID.
MR HUI SUGGESTED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD WORK OUT BASIC COSTS FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, WITH THERE BEING CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE LATTER IN SETTING PRIORITIES, FORMULATING POLICIES AND MOBILISING RESOURCES.
IN .'ARTICULAR, HE SAID, THE INTELLIGENT USE OF AN IDENT'.’ltD SURPLUS TOTALLING 531.* MILLION IN VOLUNTARY AGENCY RESERVE ACCOUNTS OUGHT TO BE ACTIVELY PURSUED SO THAT THE SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF FUNDS FOR CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION AND SALARY ADJUSTMENT WOULD BE EASED.
MR HUI ALSO SAID HE BELIEVED THAT SOCIAL WELFARE DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND HAD DROPPED FROM 5.75 PER CENT OF TOTAL PROCEEDS IN 1983 TO 1.5 PER CENT IN 1985, AND URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE STEPS TO SEE THAT THIS SITUATION WAS RECTIFIED.
HE ALSO ASKED WHETHER IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT 50 PER CENT CF THE FUND ALLOCATION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE BE USE FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE IN GOVERNMENT APPROVED PROJECTS FOR WHICH NO PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE IN SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTIONS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID THE TIME REQUIRED FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND SHOULD BE REDUCED, PROCEDURES SHOULD BE STREAMLINED AND MORE MANPOWER DtPLOYED Tv HANDLE APPLICATIONS SO THAT SUBVENTION aOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE MORE SPEEDILY.
/TURNING TO
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
TURNING TO JOCKEY CLUE SUPPORT, HE NOTED THAT OF THE
S2O1 MILLION IN DONATIONS MADE BY THE CLUB LAST YEAR, ONLY 17 PER CENT WAS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES.
HE COMMENTED THAT THE JOCKEY CLUB CHARITIES COMPANY DID NOT HAVE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES ON DONATIONS BUT ONLY CONSIDERED REQUESTS IN RESPECT OF PROJECTS THAT HAD TO BE CLEARED WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
+IT WOULD SEEM TIMELY FOR A DIALOGUE TO BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE JOCKEY CLUB ON NON-SUBVENTED PROJECTS THAT URGENTLY REQUIRE COMMUNITY FUNDING.
+ IT IS ALSO NECESSARY FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO MAKE KNOWim COMMUNITY AND SERVICES NEEDS TO THE JOCKEY CLUB IN THE HOPE THAT A CHANGE MAY BE EFFECTED IN OUR SOCIAL WELFARE FUNDING PATTERN,+ HE SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, MR HUI SAID SOCIAL WELFARE MUST BE LOOKED UPON AS SOCIAL INVESTMENT FOR THE aHOLE COMM
+IT WOULD SEEM TIMELY FOR A DIALOGUE TO BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE JOCKEY CLUE ON NON-iUBVENTED PROJECTS THAT URGENTLY REQUIRE COMMUNITY FUNDING.
+l* IS ALSO NECESSARY FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO MAKE KNOWN COMMON IT। AND SERVICES NEEDS TO THE JOCKEY CLUB IN THE HOPE THAT A CHANGE MAY BE EFFECTED IN OUR SOCIAL WELFARE FUNDING PATTERN,* HE SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, MR HUI SAID SOCIAL WELFARE MUST BE LOOKED UPON AS SOCIAL INVESTMENT FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
THIS NECESSITATED A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE FROM ONE OF INCREASING CONTROL OF THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO ONE OF ENLIGHTENED PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AGENCIES, HE SAID.
+ONLY WHEN THE TWO PARTIES JOIN HANDS TO EXPLORE NEW SOURCES OF FUNDING AND TO IMPROVE THE ALLOCATION MECHANISM WOULD
WE BE SANGUINE ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT I . HONG KONG.+
-----0------
/29........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
29
PRIORITY URGED FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE
******
WHEN DRAFTING THE BUDGET ESTIMATES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE PRIORITY TO EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, THE HON LIU LIT-FOR SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LIU SAID HE WARMLY WELCOMED THE FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL SUM ALLOCATED TO EDUCATION ITEMS.
HE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INDICATED IN THE MEDIUM-RANGE FORECAST THAT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S SUGGESTIONS, WHICH HAD BEEN ACCEPTED, WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY DUE ATTENTION TO THE FURTHER SUGGESTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION AND TO GIVE PROPER CONSIDERATION TO THE ALLOCATION OF MORE RESOURCES.
MR LIU NEXT COMMENTED ON A LONG PENDING QUESTION AS SUGGESTED IN THE NO 1 REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, THAT OF OFFERING A BACHELOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE COURSE TO HEADMASTERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
+EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE QUALITY OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IS NO LESS THAN THAT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION,* MR LIU SAID.
+THEREFORE, IT IS MOST URGENT TO TRAIN ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND CAPABLE LEADERS TO LEAD PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
+1 HOPE THAT THIS LONG-AWAITED AND MODEST SUGGESTION WILL BE APPROVED AND IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR TO ANSWER THE DEMAND,* HE SAID.
TURNING TO SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, MR LIU NOTED THAT THE SERVICE HAD BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY THE EDUCATION SECTOR AND RESULTS SO FAR WERE QUITE GOOD.
HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE RESULT OF SURVEYS AND OTHER RESEARCH, THE PRESENT SERVICE WAS UNABLE TO MEET THE DEMAND.
MR LIU HOPED THAT THIS MEANINGFUL SERVICE WOULD BE REVIEWED AND STRENTHENED AT AN OPPORTUNE TIME SO THAT THE QUALITY OF LOCAL EDUCATION WOULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED.
REGARDING SOCIAL WELFARE, HE DOUBTED IF THE SO-CALLED STANDARD COST COULD BE APPLIED TO ALL SERVICES BECAUSE BY CLASSIFYING SERVICES INTO CATEGORY I AND CATEGORY II THE AUTHORITIES HAD TO MAKE AN OBJECTIVE JUDGEMENT.
/+I jNDERSTAND .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 19&6
+l UNDERSTAND THAT THE SO-CALLED CATEGORY I SERVICES ARE THOSE WHICH BELONG TO THE BASIC NEEDS TYPE WHILE OTHERS ARE GROUPED UNDER CATEGORY I I.
♦DESPITE THIS, THE SCOPE OF INDIVIDUAL SERVICES MAY BE VASTLY DIFFERENT ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF THE SERVICE.
♦CERTAIN SERVICES MAY HAVE THEIR OWN MERITS BUT SINCE THEIR USEFULNESS HAS NOT YET BEEN CONFIRMED, THEY MAY BE GIVEN A COMPARATIVELY LOW PRIORITY IN RESPECT OF FUNDING,+ HE SAID.
THERFORE, HE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH A BETTER OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE AND TO UTILISE SURPLUSES TO DEVELOP NEW SERVICES AS WELL AS TO ENHANCE CATEGORY II SERVICES.
REFERRING TO SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, MR LIU SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT 750 ADDITIONAL PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN ELDERLY HOSTELS/HOMES.
HOWEVER, HE REGRETTED THAT THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES WOULD REMAIN AT 1 37F.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS FOR ELDERLY PERSONS HAD STAYED AT 539 SINCE 1984-35.
MR LIU HOPED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD, IN THE CURRENT REVIEW OF THE ACCOMMODATION POLICY RELATING TO SOCIAL WELFARE AND COVERING ACCOMMODATION FOR THE ELDERLY, CONSIDER THE ABOVE POINTS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HE ALSO HOPED THAT THE AUTHORITIES WOULD FURTHER REVIEW THE DEMAND FOR SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN AS TO WHETHER THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD SET UP MORE SOCIAL CENTRES OR MAKE BETTER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THESE CENTRES TO BE RUN BY SUBVENTED INSTITUTIONS.
MR LIU REITERATED HIS BELIEF THAT PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE BUDGET ESTIMATES AS THESE SERVICES WERE IMPORTANT TO COMMUNITY WELFARE AS A WHOLE.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DELEGATE rULL FLEXIBILITY AND DECISION-MAKING POWER TO THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES PROVIDED THAT THIS WAS IM LINE WITH CURRENT POLICIES, SO THAT MORE AND BETTER SERVICES COULD BE PROVIDED TO MEET SOCIAL NEEDS.
HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT ADMINISTRATION-RELATED UNITS SHOULD BE ENTRUSTED WITH THE RIGHT TO USE FUNDS SO THAT THEY MAY PROVIDE QUICK AND EFFICIENT SERVICES.
/31 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
31
WELFARE FUND ALLOCATION GUIDELINES NEEDED
******
THE HON ROSANNA TAM TODAY (THURSDY) CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT’S +SHORTSIGHTEDNESS+ FOR NOT CONDUCTING AN OVERALL AND INDEPTH REVIEW ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES DURING THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, SHE SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF THE ABSENCE OF GUIDELINES GOVERNING THE PRIORITY OF ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO WELFARE SERVICES, EXISTING RESOURCES HAD NOT BEEN FULLY UTILISED.
THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL PROVISION FOR WELFARE SERVICES WAS MAINLY SPENT ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PROJECTS AND THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING SERVICES, WITH LITTLE IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO IMPROVING EXISTING SERVICES, SHE SAID.
THUS THE RESULTS OBTAINED OFTEN RAN COUNTER TO THE AIMS OF PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES.
CITING THE CASE OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK AS AN EXAMPLE, SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE TO CUT THE RATIO OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER TO STUDENTS FROM 1 s 4 OOO TO 1 : 2 000. HOWEVER, NO ACTION HAD BEEN FORTHCOMING.
SHE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO START AN OVERALL REVIEW ON VARIOUS POLICY OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN THE 1979 WHITE PAPER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING THEM IN LINE WITH THE PRESENT NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
+MORE IMPORTANT, A SET OF CRITERIA GOVERNING THE PRIORITY FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDING FOR WELFARE SERVICES MUST BE SET UP TO ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY OF SERVICES RENDERED ARE MAINTAINED AT A CERTAIN LEVEL,+ SHE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE CONSULTATION STRUCTURE FOR SOCIAL SERVICE POLICIES, MRS TAM URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO RESUME ITS FORMER ROLE AND TO MAKE IT RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMULATING A SET OF CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING THE PRIORITIES IN ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR WELFARE SERVICES.
SHE DESCRIBED THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO REDUCE THE COMMITTEE’S POWERS FROM THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR AS +UNREASONABLE+ AND HAD THE UNDESIRABLE EFFECT OF ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELFARE SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY.
AT LEAST, SHE SAID, IT SHOULD DECIDE ON THE PRIORITIES OF CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PROJECTS. EXPANSION OF EXISTING SERVICES, IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING SERVI-c.
/Hrs tam ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 32 -
MRS TAM ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE PRESENT SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION SYSTEM WHICH HAD GIVEN RISE TO MANY PROBLEMS
THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
THE MOST SERIOUS ONE WAS THAT THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FELL BELOW GOVERNMENT’S ORIGINAL ESTIMATION.
+THIS SITUATION HAS ARISEN BECAUSE THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TOO OPTIMISTIC IN FORECASTING THE PROGRESS OF NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
+ONLY WHEN CONSTRUCTION HAS STARTED DOES IT REALISE THAT THE PROJECT FALLS FAR BEHIND SCHEDULE.
♦OWING TO DELAYS, SURPLUSES IN EXPENDITURE RESULTED,* SHE SAID.
+ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES LACK STAFF TO PLAN FOR NEW PROJECTS. THIS IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR SLOW PROGRESS IN CONSTRUCTION AND SURPLUSES IN EXPENDITURES,* SHE SAID.
ANOTHER PROBLEM ARISING FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE NEW SUBVENTION SYSTEM WAS THAT LARGE AMOUNT OF SURPLUSES ALSO ACCRUED IN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES’ ACCOUNTS.
SHE REVEALED THAT FROM 1982-83 TO THE PRESENT TIME, THE SURPLUSES ACCUMULATED TOTALLED $31 MILLION.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT THIS SURPLUS WAS DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S EMPLOYMENT OF THE MID-POINT SALARY VALUE TO ESTIMATE PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS.
MRS TAM URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SQUARELY FACE THESE PROBLEMS AND DEAL WITH THEM.
+FIRSTLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SUPERVISE CLOSELY THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PROJECTS, INCLUDING THOSE JOINTLY BUILT BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT SO THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BE COMPLETED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE.
+SECONDLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROMPTLY DEVISE A PROPER METHOD TO CLAW BACK THE ACCUMULATED SURPLUSES IN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES’ ACCOUNT.
+THIRDLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO THINK OF FEASIBLE MEASURES TO SYSTEMATICALLY CLAW BACK SURPLUSES THAT WILL LIKELY BE ACCRUED IN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES’ ACCOUNTS AND USE THEM TO CARRY OUT THE MUCH NEEDED SOCIAL WELAFRE SERVICES,* SHE SAID.
/MRS TAM ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 33 -
MRS TAM SAID SHE BELIEVED IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD ADOPT PROPER MEASURES TO SOLVE THESE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, THE EXISTING STANDARD COST SUBVENTION SYSTEM SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE EMPLOYED.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD APPLY THE STANDARD COST CALCULATION METHOD TO MORE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
+BECAUSE THE EXISTING SYSTEM NOT ONLY GIVES VOLUNTARY AGENCIES A CERTAIN DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY AND FREEDOM IN DEPLOYING THEIR RESOURCES, AT THE SAME TIME IT ALSO ENSURES THAT THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED STANDARD AND OBJECTIVES.
♦THIS FUNDAMENTAL SPIRIT SHOULD BE AFFIRMED,* SHE SAID.
-----o------
SPEND MORE TO BUILD A STRONGER INFRASTRUCTURE ******
THE.HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE TIME IS RIPE FOR HONG KONG TO COMMIT ITSELF TOWARDS MORE SPENDING, PARTICULARLY TOWARDS BUILDING A STRONGER INFRASTRUCTURE.
SPEAKING DURING THE TWO-DAY BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHEUNG SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THERE WOULD BE A HEALTHY ECONOMIC SITUATION FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE 'BEARING STEADY INCOME TO THE PUBLIC PURSE’. WITH A REASONABLY BRIGHT FUTURE, THE TERRITORY SHOULD NOW LOOK AT THE STAKE IT HAD IN HAND.
THERE WAS A BALANCE OF $15.6 BILLION IN THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO COVER CONTINGENT LIABILITIES BUT WHAT WAS REALLY AT RISK SEEMED TO BE ONLY $7.5 BILLION.
IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A TOTAL BALANCE OF $10 BILLION, IN THE VARIOUS FUNDS - CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE, DEVELOPMENT LOAN, HOME OWNERSHIP, LOTTERIES, MASS TRANSIT AND STUDENT LOAN.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO INJECT LESS INTO THE FUNDS IN THE FUTURE TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING LEVELS OF ACTIVITY AS SOME OF THEM WERE, OR WERE BEGINNING TO BE, SELF-REVOLVING.
IN BUILDING A STRONGER INFRASTRUCTURE, HE SAID THE LIST OF PROJECTS IN THE CAPITAL WORKS AND OTHER PROGRAMMES OF ACTIVITY SHOULD BE GIVEN CAREFUL SCRUTINY. AMONG VARIOUS ITEMS THERE WAS SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT IN COMMUNICATIONS, TRANSPORT, PUBLIC SAFETY, LAW AND ORDER, ENGINEERING, THE ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION. BUT HE SAID THE BUILDING OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES PERHAPS DESERVED HIGHER PRIORITY AND MORE ATTENTION.
/Mr CHEUNG .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
MR CHEUNG FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD VIGOROUSLY PURSUE THE POLICY OF PROVIDING ITS OWN OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AS THE CAPITAL OUTLAY WOULD BE RECOVERED. IN A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME.
H WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BRINGING FORWARD BY ONE OR TWO YEARS THE TARGET OF PROVIDING 70 GER CENT OF OUR OFFICE SPACE,* HE SAID. II
+PERHAPS WE SHOULD BE EVEN MORE AMBITIOUS, AS IN THE CASE OF GOVERNMENT QUARTERS, TO PURCHASE SOME OFFICES WE ARE NOW RENTING AS A FURTHER MEANS OF CUTTING DOWN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE,* HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG ALSO SAID HE FELT UNEASY ABOUT THE LACK OF DEVELOPMENT AND PROVISION OF SOME BASIC FACILITIES IN THE OLDER PARTS OF HONG KONG, IN PARTICULAR WESTERN DISTRICT.
THERE WERE PLANS TO IMPROVE THE AREA AS A WHOLE BUT PROGRESS WAS FAR FROM SATISFACTORY, HE SAID.
+CERTAINLY WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE PLANS FOR THIS DISTRICT ONCE AGAIN AND, IN PARTICULAR, TO RESITE THE VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET, THE POULTRY AND FRUIT LAANS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BY UTILISING BALANCES IN THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.*
HE ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE ABLE TO EMBARK ON A MORE AMBITIOUS HOUSING PROGRAMME NOW THAT THE INFLUX OF REFUGEES WAS UNDER CONTROL AND THERE WAS A DECLINE IN THE PROLIFERATION OF SQUATTERS ON HILLSIDES.
HE OBSERVED THAT THE HOUSING POLICY HAD BEEN QUANTITY-ORIENTED AND SAID WE MUST NOT BE COMPLACENT WITH WHAT HAD BEEN ACHIEVED.
MR CHEUNG SAID REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS MUST BE SPEEDED UP IN ORDER TO EASE QUICKLY OVER CROWDING IN SOME ESTATES.
+LET US NOT BE CONTENT WITH MAINTAINING STABILITY. LET US TAKE ONE MORE BRAVE BUT SURE STEP WHICH WILL BRING FURTHER PROSPERITY,* HE CONCLUDED.
-----o------
/35........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 35 -
TIME FOR ANOTHER TAXATION POLICY REVIEW
* * * *
THE TIME HAS COME FOR A FOURTH REVIEW OF THE TAXATION POLICY WITH THE AIM OF FORMULATING A LONG-TERM POLICY COVERING THE ENTIRE TRANSITION PERIOD UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND.
THIS SUGGESTION WAS MADE BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
HE SAID IT DID NOT WORRY HIM THAT INDIRECT TAX WAS CHARGED INDISCRIMINATELY ON THE WEALTHY AND THE LESS WELL-OFF, WITHOUT PERFORMING THE FUNCTION OF RE-DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH.
+IF IT IS LEGITIMATE WEALTH EARNED THROUGH SOUND DECISIONS AND DILIGENCE, THE EARNER SHOULD NOT BE PENALISED BY HEAVY TAXATION, THIS IS THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF A FREE ENTERPRISE SOCIETY, IN WHICH FORM HONG KONG SHALL REMAIN AFTER 1997,+ HE SAID.
IN CASES OF EASY MONEY BEING GAINED BY A LUCKY FEW, HE ARGUED THAT EARNERS WOULD VERY LIKELY INDULGE IN CARE-FREE SPENDING AND END UP CONTRIBUTING GREAT AMOUNTS TO THE GOVERNMENT REVENUE THROUGH INDIRECT TAX.
HE SAID HE AGREED THAT PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS BALANCING THE PROPORTION OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES DESERVED SUPPORT BUT FELT THAT THE CHOICE OF ITEMS SUBJECT TO INDIRECT TAXATION SEEMED TO BE DETERMINED BY REVENUE CONSIDERATIONS ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT SOME SECTORS MIGHT FEEL VICTIMISED.
CITING SOFT DRINKS, MOTOR CARS AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS AS EXAMPLES, HE RECOMMENDED THAT THE POLICY OF INDIRECT TAX BE REVIEWED SO AS TO ACHIEVE A FAIR DISTRIBUTION ACROSS INDUSTRIES AND PRODUCT ITEMS.
MR LEE THEN PROPOSED THAT THE EXISTING ANOMALY OF DOUBLE TAXATION WHEREBY A BUSINESS TRANSACTION WAS TAXED BOTH IN CHINA AND IN HONG KONG, SHOULD BE RECTIFIED AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA TRADE.
+THE AMOUNT OF TAX PAYABLE TO CHINA SHOULD, AT LEAST, BE REGARDED AS AN EXPENSE ITEM, WHICH WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM GROSS PROFIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAX ASSESSMENT IN HONG KONG.+
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE INCOMING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD RESOLVE THE IMPORTANT ISSUE OF SEPARATE TAX ASSESSMENT OF MARRIED COUPLES IN VIEW OF CHANGED SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
/FURTHERMORE, MR .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1?86
- J6 -
FURTHERMORE, MR LEE SAID, HE FELT THAT AS A SURCHARGE WAS IMPOSED ON OVERDUE TAX, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY INTEREST TO TAXPAYERS ON REFUNDS WHICH WERE NOT MADE WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD.
COMMENTING ON THE SERVICES OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, MR LEE SAID THEY SHOULD KEEP PACE WITH GROWING SOPHISTICATION CF THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
+FOR INSTANCE, AN ADVANCE CLEARANCE SCHEME SHOULD BE PROVIDED, WHEREBY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES MAY PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS CF LARGESCALE TRANSACTIONS TO SEEK CLARIFICATION ON TAX CALCULATIONS AND THE GENERAL ANTI-AVOIDANCE SECTION (S. 61A),+ FE SAID.
THE ADVICE SO RECEIVED WOULD LEAD TO WELL-INFORMED BUSINESS DECISION, MAKING HONG KONG COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES PROVIDING THIS SERVICE SUCH AS AUSTRALIA AND THE U.S., HE ADDED.
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT THE STAFF OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED AND ADEQUATE TRAINING OFFERED.
TURNING TO REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, HE NOTED THAT A REVIEW WAS SCHEDULED FOR 1987 BUT THE COLLECTION OF PUBLIC OPINION AND PREPARATORY WORK NEEDED TO BE CARRIED OUT IN 1986.
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID HE HOPED SOME NEW POSTS
IN THE CIVIL SERVICE COULD BE USED TO IMPROVE SECRETARIAL SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD A DISTINCTIVE ROLE TO PLAY AND DIRECT CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WAS NECESSARY.
+THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN ASSISTANCE IN THE OPERATION OF OFFICES FOR MEETING THE PUBLIC AND I HOPE A DECISION WILL SOON BE MADE ON THIS SUBJECT,+ HE SAID.
ON EDUCATION, MR LEE SAID HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT CF ALLOCATION BUT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES AND THE NEED FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.
HE LISTED THE QUALITY OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION, EXAMINATION PRESSURE AND THE LACK OF SECOND CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES AS SOME CF THE PROBLEMS WHICH DESERVED ATTENTION.
-------0----------
/37 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 37 -
UNION BANK OF HONG KONG LIMITED * * * *
EXERCISING HIS POWERS UNDER SECTION 13(1) (III) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAS DIRECTED JARDINE FLEMING AND COMPANY LIMITED TO ASSUME CONTROL AND CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF UNION BANK OF HONG KONG LIMITED.
THIS ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN IN VIEW OF THE PROLONGED ABSENCE SINCE SEPTEMBER, 1985, FROM HONG KONG OF THE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MR OEN YIN-CHOY. MR OEN’S ABSENCE
HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DECISION OF A NUMBER OF DIRECTORS TO RESIGN.
SOME OTHER DIRECTORS WISHED TO RESIGN BUT WHEN REQUESTED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO REMAIN IN OFFICE IN THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS AGREED TO DO SO.
THE COMMISSIONER HAS ALSO HAD REGARD TO THE LIQUIDITY OF THE BANK WHICH HAS DETERIORATED FROM VERY HIGH LEVELS IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR. MORE VIGOROUS ACTION IS NEEDED TO RECOVER THE BANK’S LOANS THAN HAS BEEN POSSIBLE IN THE ABSENCE CF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
THE COMMISSIONER HAS REQUESTED JARDINE FLEMING IN ITS CONTROL OF THE BANK TO ATTACH PRIORITY TO THE RESTORATION OF LIQUIDITY BY THE RECOVERY OF LOANS. UNTIL THAT IS ACHIEVED THE EXCHANGE FUND OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS MAKING AVAILABLE A LINE OF CREDIT SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE THAT THE CLAIMS OF ALL DEPOSITORS AND OTHER CREDITORS CAN BE MET IN FULL ON TIME. THIS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO UNION FINANCE LIMITED, THE BANK’S WHOLLY OWNED REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING SUBSIDIARY. THIS LINE OF CREDIT IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE ON NORMAL COMMERCIAL TERMS. THE COMMISSIONER IS SATISFIED THAT THE BANK HAS SUFFICIENT ASSETS TO ENABLE THE FULL REPAYMENT IN DUE COURSE OF THIS LINE EVEN IF FULLY DRAWN.
THE BANK WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPEN AND TO OPERATE NORMALLY WHILE UNDER THE COMMISSIONER’S DIRECTION. THE DIRECTORS WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD OFFICE, BUT WILL HAVE NO EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE BANK. THIS WILL REST WITH JARDINE FLEMING AND COMPANY LIMITED WHO WILL HAVE BEEN DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO MANAGE THE BANK FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS DEPOSITORS AND OTHER CREDITORS, WHOSE INTERESTS ARE PARAMOUNT AND ARE FULLY PROTECTED BE THESE ARRANGEMENTS. THE COMMISSIONER HAS, HOWEVER, REQUESTED JARDINE FLEMING TO ADVISE THE BOARD OF SERIOUS PROPOSALS WHICH MAY BE MADE FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF A NEW INVESTOR.
THE COMMISSIONER HAS INFORMED THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF HIS ACTION AND HAS RECOMMENDED THE SUSPENSION OF TRADING IN THE BANK’S SHARES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CONTROL OF ITS BUSINESS IS RESTORED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
ENQUIRIES ON THIS NOTICE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE COMMISSIONER, TEL. NO. 5-8622671. THE OFFICE WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR ENQUIRIES ON FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 28.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1936
58
52 SITES EARMARKED FOR APRIL-SEPTEMBER SALE * * * *
FOLLOWING THE RECENT LAND COMMISSION AGREEMENT TO THE DISPOSAL OF 55 HECTARES OF LAND IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IT WOULD BE OFFERING 52 SITES IN THE URBAN AREA AND NEW TERRITORIES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION AND TENDER.
OF THESE SITES 47 WILL BE GRANTED FOR THE FULL LEASE TERM TO 2 047 AND FIVE SITES FOR SPECIALISED USES WILL BE FOR SHORTER LEASES RANGING FROM SEVEN TO 10 YEARS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR BOB POPE, SAID THAT THE PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME OF LAND SALES BY AUCTION AND TENDER COMPRISED A TOTAL OF 27 HECTARES.
THE FIRST SALE WILL BE A PRIME SITE OF 1.6 HECTARES AT VICTORIA BARRACKS ADJOINING THE SITE SOLD LAST YEAR TO SWIRE PROPERTIES FOR $703 MILLION.
ANOTHER VALUABLE SITE TO BE SOLD LATER IN THE YEAR WILL BE ONE AT TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD COMPRISING 1.5 HECTARES WITH A RESIDENTIAL PLOT RATIO OF FIVE.
IN THE NEW TOWNS A NUMBER OF SITES WILL BE OFFERED INCLUDING A HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SITE AT TSUEN WAN, A COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL SITE AT FANLING ADJOINING THE KCRC STATION AND ONE IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF TAI PO WHICH WILL CONTAIN A REQUIREMENT FOR THE PURCHASER TO CONSTRUCT AT GOVERNMENT’S EXPENSE A PUBLIC MARKET AND LIBRARY.
A NUMBER OF SITES WILL ALSO BE OFFERED IN YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN AND SAI KUNG.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE FOUR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME SITES SITUATED AT CHUK YUEN, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN AND JUNK BAY TOTALLING ABOUT 8.68 HECTARES.
ON THE INDUSTRIAL SIDE, SIX LOTS WILL BE OFFERED INCLUDING TWO AT ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, AND A SITE FOR MARINE WORKSHOP AT THEN MUN.
MR POPE SAID THAT 4.3 HECTARES OF LAND FOR COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL USE AND 8.7 HECTARES OF HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL HOUSING SITES WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE DURING THE YEAR.
HE SAID THAT THE SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE LETTER B TENDER SYSTEM WHICH WILL HELP TO REMOVE THE OUTSTANDING LETTER B COMMITMENT WHICH CURRENTLY STANDS AT ABOUT 20 MILLION SQUARE FEET.
/HR POPE ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- 59 -
MR POPE STRESSED THAT THE SALES PROGRAMME WAS PROVISIONAL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND THAT FURTHER DETAILS AND DATES WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND MAJOR NEWSPAPERS IN THE USUAL WAY.
COPIES OF THE TENTATIVE LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1 UNTIL SEPTEMBER ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, MURRAY BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR AT ANY DISTRICT LAND OFFICES.
-----o------
FS GETS REPORT ON INSIDER DEALINGS * * * *
THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL INQUIRING INTO DEALINGS IN THE SHARES OF INTERNATIONAL CITY HOLDINGS LTD HAS SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT THAT THERE WILL BE A DELAY FOR A FEW WEEKS. HE INDICATED THAT THE DELAY WILL ARISE AS A CONSEQUENCE CF THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRE THE TRIBUNAL TO GIVE ANY PERSONS SUSPECTED OF BEING CULPABLE INSIDER DEALERS, BUT WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND NOT TO BE CULPABLE, THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT WHETHER OR NOT THEY WISH TO BE NAMED IN THE REPORT.
+IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED FIRST,* HE SAID. +THE CHINESE VERSION WILL BE PUBLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UPON COMPLETION OF TRANSLATION.*
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BECAUSE THE TRIBUNAL’S PROCEEDINGS WERE JUDICIAL ITS MEMBERS HAD INDICATED THAT THEY WILL MAKE NO PUBLIC STATEMENT RELATING TO THE TRIBUNAL’S PROCEEDINGS OR THE REPORT.
THE TRIBUNAL COMMENCED IN NOVEMBER 1984 ITS INQUIRY INTO POSSIBLE CULPABLE INSIDER DEALING IN RELATION TO THE ORDINARY SHARES OF INTERNATIONAL CITY HOLDINGS LTD AND RELATED COMPANIES BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1984 AND JUNE 30, 1984.
------e--------
/40........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
40
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY * * * *
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1986, AT $8 347 MILLION, WAS 11 PER CENT OR $1 033 MILLION LOWER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH L&ST YEAR, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS, AT $6 876 MILLION, WAS EIGHT PER CENT OR $561 MILLION LOWER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND
STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE CF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $15 223 MILLION, WAS NINE PER CENT OR $1 594 MILLION LOWER THAN A YEAR EARLIER. MEANWHILE, THE VALUE CF IMPORTS GREW BY 13 PER CENT OR $2 017 MILLION TO $16 983 MILLION.
IN CONSEQUENCE, A VISIBLE TRADE GAP (THAT IS, THE PROPORTION CF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS) CF 10.4 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1986, COMPARED WITH A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS IN FEBRUARY 1985 WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO 12.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
PUTTING THE MONTH’S TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1986 WAS $232 527 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $128 212 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $104 315 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1985, THE VALUES CF TOTAL EXPORTS AND OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY ONE PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL BY NINE PER CENT.
OVER THIS PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY THREE PER CENT TO $233 124 MILLION. THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT THUS RECORDED A DEFICIT OF $597 MILLION, OR A TRADE GAP OF 0.3 PER CENT. THIS WAS IN CONTRAST TO THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD WHEN THERE WAS A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $2 892 MILLION, WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO 1.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BECAUSE TRADE STATISTICS FOR THE BEGINNING MONTHS OF A YEAR ARE USUALLY DISTORTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, IT IS MORE USEFUL TO CONSIDER FIGURES FOR DECEMBER, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TOGETHER.
ON THIS BASIS, THE VALUES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1986 WERE FOUR PER CENT AND TWO PER CENT RESPECTIVELY LOWER THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHILE THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY FIVE PER CENT.
/THE SPOKESMAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
41
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE DECLINE (YEAR-ON-YEAR) IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1986 WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE DIFFERENT TIMING OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, RESULTING IN A SMALLER NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR COMPARED
WITH A YEAR AGO.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1986:
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $ 8 347 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE ■ • S 6 876 MILLION
COMPARATIVE FIGURES $15 223 $16 983 $ 1 760 (IN DEFI MILLION MILLION MILLION CIT)
LATEST 3 MONTHS DECEMBER 1985 TO FEBRUARY 1986 DECEMBER 1984 TO FEBRUARY 1985 INCREASE OR DECREASE
DOMESTIC EXPORTS $ MN. 31 202 $ 32 MN. 419 $ -1 MN. 217 % -3.8
RE-EXPORTS 24 904 25 415 — 511 -2.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 56 106 57 834 -1 728 -3.3
IMPORTS 57 969 55 014 +2 955 +5.4
TRADE BALANCE - 1 863 + 2 820 -4 683
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR FEBRUARY 1986 FEBRUARY 1985 INCREASE OR DECREASE
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) $ MN. 8 347 i (54.8%) $ MN. 9 380 (55.8%) $ -1 MN. 033 % -11. 3
RE-EXPORTS 6 876 7 437 — 561 - 7. 5
TOTAL EXPORTS 15 223 16 817 -1 594 - 9. 5
IMPORTS 16 983 14 966 +2 017 + 13. 5
TRADE BALANCE - 1 760 ♦ 1 851 -3 611
/LAST MONTH
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 19&6
42 -
LAST MONTH FEBRUARY 1986 JANUARY 1986 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 8 347 10 530 -2 183 -20.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (54.8%) (55.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 6 876 8 563 -1 687 -19.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 15 223 19 093 -3 870 -20.3
IMPORTS 16 983 18 806 -1 823 - 9.7
TRADE BALANCE - 1 760 + 287 -2 047
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN.-FEBRUARY 1986 JAN.-FEBRUARY 1985 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. 5 MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 18 877 20 546 -1 669 -3.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (55.0%) (55.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 15 439 16 395 - 956 -5.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 34 316 36 941 -2 625 -7.1
IMPORTS 35 789 34 085 +1 704 +5.3
TRADE BALANCE - 1 473 + 2 856 -4 329
MARCH 1985 MARCH 1984
TO TO INCREASE OR
LAST 12 MONTHS FEBRUARY 1986 FEBRUARY 1985 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 128 212 140 869 -12 657 - 9.3
RE-EXPORTS 104 315 88 831 +15 484 +17.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 232 527 229 700 + 2 827 + 1.2
IMPORTS 233 124 226 808 + 6 316 + 2.8
TRADE BALANCE 597 + 2 892 - 3 489
-----0------
A3.....
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
- A? -
WORK TO START ON SHA TIN-TSUEN WAN LINK TUNNEL * * * * * *
A $452 MILLION CONTRACT SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) WILL HELP CUT DRIVING TIME BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN TO 10 MINUTES AND REDUCE CONGESTION IN THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
THE CONTRACT, FOR DUAL TWO-LANE HIGHWAY TUNNELS UNDER SMUGGLERS RIDGE AND NEEDLE HILL, WAS SIGNED FOR THE GOVERNMENT BY PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAYS ENGINEER, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF A JOINT VENTURE COMPANY COMPRISING GAMMON (HK) LTD, DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS AND SKANSKA AB.
THE CONTRACT IS FOR THE CENTRAL, 3.5-KILOMETRE SHING MUN SECTION OF THE SEVEN-KILOMETRE ROUTE FIVE CORRIDOR WHICH WILL LINK THE TWO TOWNS. IT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 43 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
BESIDES THE TWIN TWO-LANE TUNNELS WHICH WILL BE 2.6 KILOMETRES LONG, IT INCLUDES A PAIR OF BRIDGES ACROSS THE HEADWATERS OF THE LOWER SHING MUN RESERVOIR AND A BRIDGE OVER THE DIVERSION OF SHING MUN ROAD.
A TOLL PLAZA WITH 13 TOLL LANES AND AN ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL BUILDING WILL BE BUILT AT TSUEN WAN NEAR WO Yl HOP VILLAGE.
IN KEEPING WITH COMMON ENGINEERING PRACTICE AND TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM USE OF EXPENSIVE PLANT AND OTHER RESOURCES, TUNNELLING WORK IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE 24 HOURS A DAY, BUT THIS WILL NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE PUBLIC AS THE SITES ARE NOT NEAR ANY BUILT-UP AREAS.
LATER THIS YEAR FIVE OTHER CONTRACTS TOTALLING ABOUT $110 MILLION WILL BE LET FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE TUNNELS.
THE DESIGN FOR THE TWO ASSOCIATED ROAD CONNECTION PROJECTS IN SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN IS UNDERWAY AND CONSTRUCTION ON THESE HAS BEEN PROGRAMMED TO START NEXT YEAR SO THAT THE WHOLE ROUTE FIVE WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE SAME TIME BEFORE THE END OF 1989.
THE SHING MUN SECTION OF ROUTE FIVE HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY MOTT, HAY AND ANDERSON FAR EAST CONSULTING ENGINEERS ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE SAME FIRM WILL SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION.
- 0 -
/i+U...........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
44
KMB FRANCHISE FURTHER EXTENDED
* * * *
THE FRANCHISE OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAS BEEN FURTHER EXTENDED BY TWO YEARS TO AUGUST 31, 1995.
THIS FOLLOWS A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION TO AUGUST 31, 1993 APPROVED LAST MONTH BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS LATEST EXTENSION VIRTUALLY RESTORES KMB’S FRANCHISE TO ITS ORIGINAL TEN-YEAR DURATION.
+WHEN THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1975, PROVISION WAS MADE FOR EXTENSIONS OF FRANCHISE OF UP TO TWO YEARS TO BE PERIODICALLY GRANTED SO AS TO ENABLE THE FRANCHISE PERIOD TO BE TOPPED UP FROM TIME TO TIME, PROVIDED THE COMPANY PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY,* HE SAID.
+THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT KMB HAS SHOWN A STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN ITS PERFORMANCE SINCE THE BUS REVIEW IN AUGUST 1982.
+THIS TOPPING UP OF THE FRANCHISE PERIOD TO PROVIDE KMB WITH THE CONTINUITY TO UNDERTAKE THE LONG-TERM PLANNING AND INVESTMENT TO MEET FUTURE HE ADDED.
TEN YEARS WILL
NECESSARY
TRANSPORT NEEDS,*
-------0 -
TERM OF OFFICE ENDS * * *
WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BY THE FULL REGIONAL COUNCIL ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE REPRESENTATIVE ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY WILL ALSO END, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
AN ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 5 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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A5.....
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, l‘>36
- 45 -
FEES REVISED FOR RSD RECREATION FACILITIES M H
CHARGES FOR HIRING CERTAIN RECREATION FACILITIES UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE INCREASED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
AFFECTED ARE CLUBS, ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER USERS EXCEPT SCHOOLS FOR WHICH THE EFFECTIVE DATE IS APRIL 1, 1986.
THE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS (NEW TERRITORIES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1986 AND THE PLEASURE GROUNDS (NEW TERRITORIES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1986, GIVING EFFECT TO THE REVISION OF CHARGES WERE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INCREASES WERE AIMED AT MEETING RISING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS AND MAINTAINING A SATISFACTORY SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
HE ADDED THAT THE INCREASES WOULD ONLY BRING CHARGES IN LINE WITH THOSE IN THE URBAN AREA.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE REVISED CHARGES, wHICH WERE ENDORSED BY THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, WOULD STILL CONTAIN A SUBSTANTIAL ELEMENT OF SUBSIDY - 79.6 PER CENT FOR SWIMMING POOLS, 62 PER CENT FOR TENNIS COURTS, 51 PER CENT FOR SQUASH COURTS AND 81.9 PER CENT FOR INDOOR GAMES HALLS.
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW FEES, HOURLY CHARGES ARE $20 FOR A BASKETBALL-COURT-SIZE INDOOR GAMES HALL, $14 FOR A BADMINTON COURT, 84 FOR A TABLE TENNIS TABLE, $25 FOR THE USE CF PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, AND $20 FOR AN ACTIVITY ROOM (100 SQUARE METRES AND ABOVE).
SHOULD AIR CONDITIONING BE USED, A $6 SURCHARGE PER HOUR PER ROOM IS LEVIED.
EXCEPT FOR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, SCHOOLS USING INDOOR GAMES HALLS ON WEEKDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM AND ON SATURDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM DURING THE MONTHS OF SEPTEMBER TO JULY WILL BE CHARGED AT A REDUCED RATE OF 50 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL FEE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
REVISED FEES FOR A TENNIS COURT WITH AND WITHOUT FLOODLIGHTING ARE 830 AND $15 RESPECT IVELY.
FOR SQUASH COURTS, THE REVISED FEES ARE $8 PER COURT WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING FOR EACH HALF-HOUR AND $12 PER COURT WITH AIR-CONDITIONING FOR EACH HALF-HOUR.
THE NEW ADMISSION FEES FOR SWIMMING POOLS ARE $6 PER ADULT AND $3 PER CHILD.
- - 0 -----------
/46........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1936
- 46 -
HOVERFERRY SERVICE IN, PASSENGER FERRY ROUTE CUT
******
THE PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN CHAI WAN AND KWUN TONG, OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (HYF), ILL EE WITHDRAWN FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 1) WHILE A NEW HOVERFERRY SERVICE BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND CENTRAL WILL BE LAUNCHED THE SAME DAY.
THE CANCELLATION OF THE CHAI WAN TO KWUN TONG SERVICE WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUOUS DECLINE IN PATRONAGE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT FOR COMMUTERS.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN DISCUSSED BY THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES OF THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS.
MOREOVER, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT NOW REQUIRES THE CHAI wAL FERRY PIER SITE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREA.
PASSENGERS USING THE SERVICE MAY EITHER SWITCH TO THE SAI WAN HO TO KWUN TONG FERRY SERVICE OR TO THE MTR WHICH PROVIDES A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES.
CHAI WAN AND SAI WAN HO IS CONNECTED BY CMB ROUTES 82A, WHICH RUNS BETWEEN ON YIP STREET IN CHAI WAN AND YAU MAN STREtT IN QUARRY BAY, AND 83, WHICH LINKS CHAI WAN EAST WITH TAI KOO SHING, AS WELL AS THE MTR.
THE CHAI WAN TO KWUN TONG FERRY ROUTE, INTRODUCED IN LATE 1981 AS A TEMPORARY SERVICE, HAS SUFFERED A CONTINUOUS DROP IN PASSENGERS SINCE THE END OF 1982. THE SITUATION WAS AGGRAVATED BY THE OPENING OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE LAST MAY.
BY JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE AVERAGE DAILY PATRONAGE WAS 3 122, A DECREASE OF 53 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PEAK PATRONAGE FIGURES RECORDED IN OCTOBER 1982.
A SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST SEPTEMBER ALSO SHOWED THAT THE ROUTE’S AVERAGE OCCUPANCY RATE WAS ONLY ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF VESSEL CAPACITY.
MEANWHILE, THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST TO CENTRAL HOVERFERRY SERVICE, TO OPERATE BETWEEN 7.35 AM AND 6.25 PM DAILY, WILL HAVE A FREQUENCY CF 20 MINUTES.
A FARE OF $4 WILL BE CHARGED, WITH NO CONCESSION TO CHILDREN CR STUDENT TRAVEL CARD HOLDERS. HOWEVER, DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS ON MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, THE FARE CHARGED WILL BE $2, AND ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THE FARE FOR STUDENTS OR CHILDREN IS ALSO $2.
------o-------
/4?........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1936
- A? -
REGISTRATION REVOKED * * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF TOKYO LEASING (HONGKONG) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 14(2) OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE. THE COMPANY HAS NOT TAKEN ANY PUBLIC DEPOSIT DURING THE PAST SIX
MONTHS.
SHAM SHUI PO CLEARANCE OPERATION ENDS * * * *
MORE THAN 70 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT REAR LANES, PAVEMENTS AND ROADSIDES OF SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT WERE CLEARED IN A FOUR-DaY OPERATION WHICH ENDED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE CLEARANCE WAS THE FIRST MAJOR EXERCISE LAUNCHED IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR AND WAS JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, LANDS DEPARTMENT, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
TWENTY-FIVE FAMILIES COMPRISING 67 PERSONS AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE HAVE BEEN REHOUSED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ACCORDING TO THEIR ELIGIBILITIES WHILE 19 SHOPS HAVE RECEIVED EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, SCATTERED AROUND FOUR LOCATIONS IN WING LUNG STREET, KOM TSUN STREET, MEI LAI ROAD AND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, WERE USED EITHER FOR STORAGE, WORKSHOPS, KITCHENS OR TEMPORARY HOMES. THEY HAVE CAUSED NUMEROUS ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE., AND OBSTRUCTED PUBLIC ACCESS.
ABOUT 10 MAKESHIFT STRUCTURES AT THE HILLSIDE OF MEI LAI ROAD WERE OCCUPIED AS FOOD PREPARATION CENTRES SUPPLYING DIFFERENT TYPES OF UNHYGIENIC COOKED FOOD TO ILLEGAL HAWKERS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
AFTER THE CLEARANCE, THE VACANT SITES WILL BE REPAVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND RESTORED TO THOROUGHFARES OR DEVELOPED INTO AMENITIES AREAS.
------0 -
/48.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, <4
- 48 -
SIX COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN ELECTED * * * *
S IX CHAIRMEN
THE STARTING
THE SERVE:
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) ELECiED OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES UNDER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARu.
NEW CHAIRMEN WILL SERVE THE SIX COMMITTEES FOR T*O YEARS APRIL 1.
FOLLOWING ARE THE NEW CHAIRMEN AND THE COMMITTEES TH-Y
M MR KAN CHUNG-NIN, DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE;
M DR FANNY CHEUNG, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ;
# MR CHAN KAM-CHEUNG, HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE;
# MR WONG WANG-FAT, FINANCE COMMITTEE;
* MR CHOY KAN-TUI, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE; AND
H MR WONG PO-MING, CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE.
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN CENTRAL * * * * *
CERTAIN ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS DAILY WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. THESE ARE:
* QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL FROM A POINT 60 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ICE HOUSE STREET TO A POINT 40 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ICE HOUSE STREET FROM A POINT 165 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT 40 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ICE HOUSE STREET FROM A POINT 85 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT 40 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* DUDDELL STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
/WITHIN THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
49
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES IS ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS.
HOWEVER, APPLICATIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR URBAN CLEARWAY EXEMPTION PERMITS FROM DRIVERS WITH A DEMONSTRABLE NEED TO GAIN ACCESS TO PREMISES AFFECTED BY THESE RESTRICTIONS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING PURPOSES, EXCEPT DURING THE PEAK PERIODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM.
THESE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT THE SIXTH FLOOR OF GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO TRANSPORT OFFICER MR SIMON CHEUNG ON 5-756541, EXTENSION 228.
--------0----------
ROAD CLOSURE IN NORTH POINT X * * * *
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE, THE EASTBOUNu CARRIAGEWAY ON KING’S ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NORTH POINT ROAj TO A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION AND THE SECTION CF NORTH VIEW STREET BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND FORT STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 30).
DURING THE CLOSURE, EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON KING’S ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO NORTH POINT ROAD, JAVA ROAD, TONG SHU I ROAD AND KING’S ROAD, WHILE NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ON FORTRESS HILL ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT TO KING’S ROAD.
THE SECTION OF CHEUNG HONG STREET BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND FORT STREET, AND THE SECTION OF FORT STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG HONG STREET AND NORTH VIEW STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DRUG SITUATION HAS STABILISED .................................. 1
TEXTILE INTRY PROCEDURE TO U.S. REVISED ....................... 2
NEX7 COMMUNITY HALL IN TUSH MUN OPINING......................... 2
CHILDREN'S CHOIR SEEKING NEff MEMBERS .......................... 3
ANNUAL CONCERT BY YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ..................... 4
LIFE SAVING SERVICE RESUMES APRIL 1 ............................ 4
COMPUTER CONTROL TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR ORGhNISED................... 5
INAUGURAL MEETING OP REGIONAL COUNCIL .......................... 5
LOWER ALBERT ROAD WEIGHT BAN ................................... 6
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1986
1 -
DRUG SITUATION HAS STABILISED *****
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE OF ONE PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS OF ALL AGES NEWLY REPORTED TO THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE (CRDA) IN 1985 COMPARED WITH 1984, THE OVERALL POSITION REPRESENTED A SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENT ON THE FIGURES FOR 1983.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED AT THE 59TH MEETING OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) HELD THIS WEEK.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GORDON MORTIMER, POINTED OUT AT THE MEETING THAT IN 1984 THERE HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF 13.3 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE CRDA COMPARED WITH 1983.
DURING 1985, A TOTAL OF 470 KILOGRAMS OF ILLICIT OPIATES, MAINLY NO. 3 HEROIN AND HEROIN BASE, AND A TOTAL OF 166 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS AND CANNABIS RESIN WERE SEIZED BY POLICE AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS.
IT WAS REPORTED TO THE MEETING THAT SINCE 1982 THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE AND KNOWN ADDICTS HAD REMAINED STABLE AT ABOUT 0.8 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION OVER THE AGE OF 11.
REGARDING PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS AS WELL AS OTHER ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY DURING 1985. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST FOR TELEVISION WERE SCREENED AND SUPPORTING POSTERS WERE RELEASED DURING THE YEAR.
THE PUBLICITY STRATEGY FOR 1986 WILL COVER THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES WHICH ARE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE MORE ADDICTS TO VOLUNTEER FOR TREATMENT.
PREVENTIVE EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK, WILL REMAIN THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF ACAN.
REPORTING ON HIS ATTENDANCE AT A MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS, MR MORTIMER SAID THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RESOLUTION OF THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY, A WORLD CONFERENCE AT THE MINISTERIAL LEVEL IS DUE TO BE HELD IN VIENNA IN JUNE 1987. IT WILL BE THE AIM OF THE CONFERENCE TO HEIGHTEN AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE AND TO SHOW THAT THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO COMBAT THE DRUG MENACE. ” ‘ "
THAT THE CONFERENCE SHOULD ADOPT A BROAD PROGRAMME WHICH SHOULD BE FOLLOWED AT NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND
IT IS INTENDED
OF ACTIVITIES INTERNATIONAL
LEVELS.
-----o------
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1986
TEXTILE ENTRY PROCEDURE TO U.S. REVISED
*****
CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS SENT BY POST TO THE UNITED STATES ARE NOW EXEMPTED FROM THE FORMAL ENTRY PROCEDURE, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ACCORDING TO A REVISED CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES RECENTLY, THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE FORMAL ENTRY PROCEDURE:
(1) BONA FIDE GIFTS OF VALUE BELOW US$50
(2) COMMERCIAL SAMPLES VALUED AT US$250 OR LESS PROVIDED THEY ARE INDELIBLY STAMPED WITH THE WORD ’SAMPLE’
+HOWEVER+ , THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +FOR ARTICLES WHICH ARE INCAPABLE OF BEING MARKED, A FABRIC LABEL, NOT SMALLER THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF INCHES BY HALF INCH CONTAINING THE WORDS +SAMPLE — NOT TO BE SOLD* MUST BE CONSPICUOUSLY AND PERMANENTLY AFFIXED TO THE ARTICLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABEL.+
+THE INVOICE FOR THE COMMERCIAL SAMPLE SHOULD ALSO CONTAIN A STATEMENT 'MARKED SAMPLE -- NOT FOR RESALE’,* HE ADDED.
CUSTOMERS SEEKING FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FORMAL ENTRY PROCEDURE IN THE UNITED STATES SHOULD APPROACH THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE IN HONG KONG.
- 0 -
NEW COMMUNITY HALL IN TUEN MUN OPENING *****
A NEW COMMUNITY HALL, LOCATED IN SHAN KING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN, WILL BE OPEN TO LOCAL RESIDENTS FROM APRIL 1.
THE SHAN KING COMMUNITY HALL, MANAGED BY TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL SERVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 36 000 IN THE VICINITY.
+COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR HIRE AT THE HALL INCLUDE A MULTIPURPOSE HALL, CHANGING ROOMS AND A CONFERENCE ROOM,* A TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND SCHOOLS WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITIES SHOULD SEND IN THEIR APPLICATION FORMS, WHICH ARE OBTAINBALE FROM THE BOOKING COUNTER AT THE COMMUNITY HALL,* HE ADDED.
/on the
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1986
ON THE OTHER HAND, NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC INTEREST FOR YOUTHS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS, CAN ONLY APPLY FOR EXEMPTION OR REDUCTION RATES.
THE OPENING HOURS OF THE SHAN KING COMMUNITY HALL ARE FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAYS. THE CENTRE WILL BE CLOSED ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ENQUIRIES ON BOOKING FACILITIES IN THE NEW HALL CAN BE MADE ON 0-840301.
AT PRESENT,TUEN MUN DISTRICT HAS THREE COMMUNITY HALL AND CENTRES, WHICH ARE THE TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL IN TAI HING ESTATE, BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN BUTTERFLY ESTATE, AND THE ON TING/YAU 01 COMMUNITY CENTRE IN ON TING ESTATE.
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CHILDREN’S CHOIR SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
*****
THE SHAM SHU I PO CHILDREN’S CHOIR IS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS TO JOIN ITS TRAINING AND PERFORMING PROGRAMMES.
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 12, WHO LIVE OR STUDY IN SHAM SHU I PO CAN APPLY TO BE A CHOIR MEMBER. APPLICATION FORMS AND OTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND SUB-OFFICES AND AT THE PREMISES OF THE SHAM SHU I PO ARTS ASSOCIATION AT S14 LAI FU HOUSE IN LAI KOK ESTATE.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE END OF APRIL FOR NEW APPLICANTS.
CHOIR MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE VOCAL TRAINING BY ,„couftnu PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS FOR TWO HOURS EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE BUDDHIST TAI HUNG COLLEGE. ENTRANCE FEE IS $120 AND THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION IS $80.
THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR IS PART OF THE DISTRICT-BASED RECREATIONAL AND ART PROGRAMME INITIATED BY THE SHAM SHU I PO ARTS ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 125 CHOIR MEMBERS COMPRISING A SENIOR AND A JUNIOR SECTION.
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1982, THE CHOIR HAD ORGANISED FOUR SUCCESSFUL CONCERTS AND MADE FREQUENT APPEARANCE ON TELEVISION AND LOCAL STAGE PERFORMANCES.
APART FROM TRAINING SESSIONS, MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE CHOIR’S GATHERINGS, OUTINGS AND OPEN COMPETITIONS, AS WELL AS ATTEND OTHER CONCERTS IN GROUPS.
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/4........
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1986
_ 4 _
ANNUAL CONCERT BY YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
*****
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL STAGE ITS ANNUAL CONCERT ON APRIL 6 AT 8 PM AT THE CITY HALL, CONCERT HALL.
UNDER GUEST CONDUCTOR MR JOHN LAU, THE ORCHESTRA WILL TREAT THE AUDIENCE TO A PROGRAMME WHICH INCLUDES TRAGIC OVERTURE, OP. 18 BY BRAHMS, SYMPHONY NO. 4 BY BEETHOVEN AND ’FAUST’ BALLET MUSIC BY GOUNOD.
TO ADD VARIETY TO THE PROGRAMME, THE CONCERT WILL ALSO FEATURE GUEST PERFORMANCES BY THE STOWMARKET SCHOOLS CONCERT BAND FROM ENGLAND, WHICH IS VISITING HONG KONG FROM APRIL 2 TO 11.
SINCE ITS FOUNDATION IN 1961, THE BAND HAS ESTABLISHED A NAME FOR ITSELF THROUGH ITS WIDE-RANGING PROGRAMME OF CLASSICAL AND POPULAR MUSIC FOR BRASS, RECEIVING COMPLIMENTS ON ITS EXCELLENCE OF PERFORMANCE AND PROFESSIONALISM.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE CONCERT WILL BE TCHAIKOVSKY’S 1812 OVERTURE, OP. 49 PERFORMED JOINTLY BY THE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE STOWMARKET BAND.
TICKETS AT $5 EACH ARE AVAILABLE AT URBAN COUNCIL COMPUTERISED TICKETING COUNTERS AT CITY HALL, HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM, HONG KONG COLISEUM AND QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
FOR ENQUIRIES CALL 5-731777.
LIFE SAVING SERVICE RESUMES APRIL 1
*****
LIFE-SAVING AND FIRST-AID SERVICES AT 24 GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS WILL RESUME ON TUESDAY (APRIL 1).
LIFEGUARDS WILL BE ON DUTY AT THE BEACHES FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM DAILY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE BEACHES ARE APPROACH BEACH, TING KAU BEACH, LIDO BEACH, CASAM BEACH, GEMINI BEACH AND HOI MEI BEACH IN TSUEN WANs NEW AND OLD CAFETERIA BEACHES AND KADOORIE BEACH IN TUEN MUN? FIRST AND SECOND BEACHES OF CLEAR WATER BAY, HAP MUN BEACH, KIU TSUI BEACH, SILVERSTRAND BEACH AND TRIO BEACH IN SAI KUNG? UPPER AND LOWER CHEUNG SHA BEACHES, PUI 0 BEACH AND SILVERMINE BAY BEACH ON LANTAU ISLAND, HUNG SHING YEH BEACH AND LO SO SHING BEACH ON LAMMA ISLAND? TUNG WAN BEACH AND KWUN YAM WAN BEACH ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND AND TUNG WAN BEACH ON MA WAN ISLAND.
/AT PAK........
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1986
- 5 -
AT PAK SHA CHAU AND CAMPER’S BEACHES IN SAI KUNG, LIFEGUARD SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ONLY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE WATER AT THE CASTLE PEAK BEACH, ANGLERS' BEACH AND BUTTERFLY BEACH AS WATER AT THE THREE BEACHES IS UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
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COMPUTER CONTROL TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR ORGANISED ******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS WILL JOINTLY ORGANISE A SEMINAR ON COMPUTER CONTROL TECHNOLOGY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEXT MONTH (APRIL).
THE SEMINAR IS TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH BASIC CONCEPTS OF COMPUTER CONTROL TECHNOLOGY AND EXPERIENCES IN DEVELOPING HARDWARE AND SOFEWARE FOR COMPUTER-CONTROLLED DEVICES.
A LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES IN EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR C.T. LEUNG, WILL SPEAK AT THE SEMINAR AT THE LECTURE THEATRE OF JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE (TSUEN WAN) AT 1-11, ON CHIT STREET, KWAI CHUNG, ON APRIL 26.
SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR SHOULD SEND APPLICATIONS TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (COMPUTER EDUCATION), ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE APRIL 19.
-----o------
INAUGURAL MEETING OF REGIONAL COUNCIL *****
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL HOLD ITS INAUGURAL MEETING ON APRIL 1 (TUESDAY).
BEFORE THE AGENDA IS DEALT WITH, THE COUNCIL WILL ELECT A CHAIRMAN AND A VICE CHAIRMAN IN A BALLOT TO BE CONDUCTED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
AMONG TOPICS ON THE AGENDA ARE THE STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEES, THE DELEGATION OF EXECUTIVE AUTHOR ITY TO THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND THE TIMETABLE AND PROCEDURE FOR ELECTING THE COUNCIL’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
/OTHEH SUBJECTS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1986
6 -
OTHER SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE FINANCE BY-LAWS, LIQUOR LICENSING POLICY AND PROCEDURES WITHIN THE COUNCIL’S JURISDICTION, DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1986-87 AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A COUNCIL SECRETARY.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TSUEN WAN MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING. SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED.
-----0------
LOWER ALBERT ROAD WEIGHT BAN
* * *
VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS ON GARDEN ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING LOWER ALBERT ROAD, DAILY BETWEEN 10 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING ON MARCH 31 (MONDAY), APRIL 1 AND APRIL 2.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TOO MORE VEHICLE SURRENDER CJITRES TO OPEN ..................... 1
HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME MORTGAGE FINANCE ACTIVE................... 2
SAFETY HINTS ON OPERATING SKIP HOIST ........................... 3
ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ............................... 4
ID CARD REMINDER FOR -/OMEN BORN 1935-1938 ...................
,VATER SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED ............
REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE FOR TEACHERS ......................... 7
SCHEME ON TUTORIAL CLASSES TO BE LAUNCHED....................... 7
DETAILS OF SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE...........................
TUNNEL CLOSURE AND ROAD RE-OPENING............................
SHAM SHUI PO RESTRICTION LUTED
9
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
1
TWO MORE VEHICLE SURRENDER CENTRES TO OPEN * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN TWO MORE TEMPORARY VEHICLE SURRENDER CENTRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES NEXT MONTH TO BETTER SERVE CAR OWNERS WHO WANT TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNROADWORTHY VEHICLES.
THE NEW CENTRES ARE AT MEI WAN STREET IN TSUEN WAN AND WONG CHUK YEUNG STREET IN PAT TSZ WO IN SHA TIN’S FO TAN AREA. THE TSUEN WAN CENTRE HAS A CAPACITY FOR 100 VEHICLES WHILE THE FO TAN CENTRE CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 200 VEHICLES.
THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT VEHICLE SURRENDER CENTRE AT CHI KIANG STREET, TO KWA WAN, CAN TAKE IN 400 VEHICLES.
DUE TO STAFF CONSTRAINTS, HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT CANNOT KEEP THE THREE CENTRES OPEN EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK. FROM APRIL 1, THE CENTRES WILL OPEN ON A ROTATION BASIS FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE TO KWA WAN CENTRE WILL OPERATE ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS, THE TSUEN WAN CENTRE ON WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS AND THE SHA TIN CENTRE ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS.
ON WEEKDAYS, THE OPERATION HOURS WILL BE FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM AND 2 PM TO 4.30 PM WHILE ON SATURDAY, THE SHA TIN CENTRE WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 10 AM AND 11.30 AM.
VEHICLE OWNERS WHO SURRENDER THEIR CARS TO THE TSUEN WAN CENTRE CAN LEAVE THE AREA BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT ALONG SAI LAU KOK ROAD, INCLUDING KMB ROUTES 30, 39A, 39M, 59M, 60M, 66M AND 68M AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 95, 95M AND 96M. THE CENTRE IS ALSO WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION.
TIN CENTRE CAN USE KMB ROUTES ROAD AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE . THEY CAN ALSO BOARD KCR TRAINS
CAR OWNERS LEAVING THE SHA 81K AND 70M RUNNING ALONG SUI WO 60K PLYING ALONG KWEI TEI STREET
AT THE FO TAN STATION.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED CAR OWNERS TO BRING ALONG WITH THEM THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WHEN SURRENDERING THEIR VEHICLES AT THE CENTRES:
* A COMPLETED +APPLICATION TO SCRAP AND CANCEL THE REGISTRATION OF A VEHICLE*. THIS FORM CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE CENTRES OR AT ANY LICENSING OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT:
* THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT; AND
/* THE IDHJTITY........
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
2
M THE IDENTITY CARD OR PASSPORT IN THE CASE OF A PRIVATE OWNER, OR A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IF THE VEHICLE OWNER IS A LIMITED COMPANY.
THE CENTRES WILL THEN ARRANGE FOR THE CRUSHING AND DEREGISTRATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE IS FREE.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CENTRES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8933111.
--------0-----------
HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME MORTGAGE FINANCE ACTIVE K X K X *
ABOUT 48 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE ACTIVELY PROVIDING MORTGAGE FINANCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME IN 1986.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE RESPONSE OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TOWARDS THIS YEAR’S MORTGAGE FINANCE EXERCISE WAS EXCELLENT.
THEIR COMMITMENT OF FUNDS WELL EXCEEDED THE ESTIMATED MORTGAGE FINANCE REQUIREMENT OF $2.4 BILLION, FOR SOME 11,000 FLATS TO BE SOLD THIS YEAR UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS).
+THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS’ FAVOURABLE RESPONSE REFLECTS THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS WORTHY SCHEME AND THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE DOMESTIC PROPERTY MARKET,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
BY THE END OF 1985, A TOTAL OF SOME 60 000 FLATS HAD BEEN SOLD UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES.
HOS AND PSPS FLAT PURCHASERS WHO REQUIRE MORTGAGE FINANCE CAN APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR ASSISTANCE.
A COMPLETE LIST OF THE PARTICIPATING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IS AVAILABLE AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE, THIRD FLOOR, LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, JUNCTION ROAD, KOWLOON.
- 0 ----------
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
3
SAFETY HINTS ON OPERATING SKIP HOIST
******
CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS ARE URGED TO OBSERVE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS WHEN OPERATING SKIP HOISTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HOISTS COULD BE PREVENTED IF EFFECTIVE SAFETY MEASURES WERE ARRANGED AND ADEQUATELY MAINTAINED.
HE WAS COMMENTING ON TWO RECENT ACCIDENTS IN WHICH TWO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WERE KILLED DUE TO MISUNDERSTOOD SIGNALS INVOLVING THE OPERATION OF SKIP HOISTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE HOIST WAS BASICALLY SAFE, CERTAIN FACTORS COULD RENDER THE EQUIPMENT LETHAL.
♦ THE MOST COMMON ONES ARE UNRELIABLE SIGNALLING SYSTEM AND HUMAN ERROR,+ HE SAID.
+MOST SKIP HOISTS ARE OPERATED BY WINCHES WHICH ARE LOCATED AT GROUND LEVEL OF THE STRUCTURE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
+THE WINCH OPERATORS MAY NOT HAVE DIRECT EYE CONTACT WITH THE HOIST THROUGHOUT ITS TRAVEL AND HAVE TO RELY ON A SIGNALLING SYSTEM SO THAT HE IS ABLE TO STOP THE SKIP OF THE HOIST AT THE DESIRED LEVEL,+ HE ADDED.
FAILURE TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE SIGNALLING SYSTEM WOULD NOT ONLY ENDANGER THE SAFETY OF THOSE WORKING ON THE HOIST PLATFORM BUT WAS ALSO AN OFFENCE IN LAW, HE POINTED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, CONTRACTORS WERE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SIGNALLING ARRANGEMENTS AND THOSE WHO FAILED TO OBSERVE THE REQUIREMENT WERE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30 000.
CONTRACTORS AND HOIST OPERATORS WITH QUERIES ABOUT THE SIGNALLING ARRANGEMENT MAY CONTACT THE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE FOR ADVICE.
-----o------
/4........
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
- 4 -
ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
******
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO LAUNCH AN ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA NEXT MONTH.
THE CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NUISANCE POSED BY MOSQUITOES IN SUMMER, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
PUBLICITY MATERIALS, INCLUDING POSTERS AND LEAFLETS ON ERADICATING MOSQUITOES, WILL BE SENT TO BUILDING CONTRACTORS, THE MANAGEMENTS OF LARGE HOUSING ESTATES AND VARIOUS PUBLIC BODIES.
THE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE CAN BE SUMMARISED IN THE SLOGAN ■♦MOSQUITOES BREED ONLY IN STAGNANT WATER+, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SPECIFICALLY, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
* KEEP ALL CONTAINERS AWAY FROM OPEN SPACES TO PREVENT THEM FROM ACCUMULATING WATER WHEN LEFT UNATTENDED?
* KEEP WATER STORAGE TANKS COVERED AND TURN OTHER LARGE UNUSED RECEPTACLES UPSIDE DOWN IF THEY CANNOT BE MOVED INDOORS j
* ENSURE THAT DRAINAGE IS IN ORDER SO AS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FLOODING; AND
* RENEW WATER IN VASES AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND SEE THAT NO WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE TRAYS OF FLOWER POTS.
LATER IN THE MONTH, FIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE RSD WILL MOUNT DISTRICT-WIDE ANTI-MOSQUITO OPERATIONS LASTING FROM ABOUT ID DAYS TO THREE WEEKS.
TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TUEN MUN WILL LEAD OFF THEIR CAMPAIGNS ON APRIL 7 AND OPERATIONS AT TAI PO AND SHA TIN WILL START ON APR IL 21.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, STAFF OF THE PEST CONTROL SECTIONS WILL CHECK AND IDENTIFY ALL POTENTIAL MOSQUITO BREEDING PLACES AND ELIMINATE THEM BY LARVICIDAL OIL.
THEY WILL ISSUE WARNING LETTERS TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE WHERE BREEDING PLACES ARE FOUND IN BUILDING SITES AND DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT UNDER THE PROVISIONS CF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ALLOW MOSQUITOES TO BREED ON PREMISES AND OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000.
NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS WHO ENCOUNTER ANY MOSQUITO NUISANCE SHOULD CONTACT THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE RSD FOR ASSISTANCE.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
ID CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN 1935-1938 K M * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1935, 1936, 1937 AND 1938 TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS BEFORE APRIL 12, 1986.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID, + UP TO MARCH 26, THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 72 099 APPLI CAT IONS.+
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 25 301 PEOPLE IN THE AGE GROUP HAVE NOT YET APPLIED.
+THEY ARE ADVISED TO COME NOW WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE ARE ONLY 10 WORKING DAYS LEFT BECAUSE OF THE EASTER AND CHING MING HOLIDAYS,* HE SAID.
APPLICANTS CAN MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE 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.
+T0 COMPLETE THE BOOKING PROCEDURE, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS TO PROVIDE PERSONAL PARTICULARS SUCH AS NAME, I.D. CARD NUMBER AND YEAR OF BIRTH,+ HE ADDED.
THE ADDRESSES OF THE ISSUE OFFICES AND THEIR TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR BOOKING APPOINTMENTS ARE s
HONG KONG s BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, 5-747070 WAN CHAI.
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY GARDEN PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 3-7553679 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3-7232442 SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 0-4981259 GROUND FLOOR, 29~37 TSUEN FU STREET.
SHA TIN s SHA TIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 0-6059108
2-16 WANG POK STREET.
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 0-793291
31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 0-862562
GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
SHEUNG SHU I : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 0-927155 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
/these offices .......
Saturday, march 29, 1986
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM EVERYDAY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
+APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS WHEN TMEY CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES, AND THOSE WHO WANT TO ALTER THEIR LAST NAMES AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE IN MARITAL STATUS SHOULD BRING ALONG RELEVANT DOCUMENTS SUCH AS MARRIAGE OR DIVORCE CERTIFICATES AS WELL,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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WATER SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED
******
TALENTED YOUNG ARTISTS WISHING TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR CREATIVITY AND ORIGINALITY MAY NOW DO SO BY JOINING THE WATER SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION 1986.
+THE EVENT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF WATER SAFETY, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AGED UNDER 21,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL TODAY.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB, THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SENIOR SECTION FOR THE AGE GROUP OF 14 TO 21, AND JUNIOR SECTION FOR CHILDREN AGED UNDER 14.
+ALL DESIGNS MUST PROMOTE THE THEME OF WATER SAFETY,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
+PARTICI PANTS ARE REMINDED THAT AS THE WINNING DESIGN WILL BE REPRODUCED AS A POSTER, THE SIZE OF THEIR WORKS SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 20 CM X 30 CM.
♦WINNERS OF THE SENIOR SECTION WILL BE AWARDED CASH PRIZES OF $300 TO SI 000. THERE ARE ALSO FOUR CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $200 EACH.
+JUNIOR SECTION WINNERS WILL GET CASH PRIZES RANGING FROM $300 TO $500 AND CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $200 EACH.+
THE BEST DESIGN WILL BE USED FOR NEXT YEAR’S WATER SAFETY POSTER AND BE DISPLAYED ALL OVER THE TERRITORY.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT BEFORE JULY 26 TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, 12/F, ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
7
REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE FOR TEACHERS
*****
THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WILL HOLD ANOTHER REFRESHER COURSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN SEPTEMBER AND APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT ARE NOW OPEN.
THE REFRESHER COURSE WILL BE OPEN TO GRADUATE AND NON-GRADUATE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WITH FIVE YEARS TEACHING EXPERIENCE.
THE COURSE IS TO ACQUAINT SERVING TEACHERS WITH CONTEMPORARY PETHODS AND APPROACHES TO TEACHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TO PROMOTE FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF THE USE OF RESOURCES AND NEW CONCEPTS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
THE FREE COURSE WILL BE SUBJECT BASED AND OPERATED ON A BLOCK-RELEASE BASIS OVER SEVEN CONSECUTIVE WEEKS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER
15 THIS YEAR AND JUNE 26 NEXT YEAR.
THE SUBJECTS INCLUDE ENGLISH I AND II, STUDENT COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE, MATHS I AND II, SCIENCE, CHINESE I AND II, HISTORY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND ART AND DESIGN.
SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE THEIR TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSE SHOULD SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (FURTHER EDUCATION), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, SECOND FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, BEFORE APRIL 18.
-----0------
SCHEME ON TUTORIAL CLASSES TO BE LAUNCHED * * * *
AN EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME WILL BE LAUNCHED IN TUEN MUN ON TUESDAY (APRIL 1) TO ALLOW MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC) IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TO USE THEIR OFFICE PREMISES FOR TUTORIAL CLASSES.
TUEN MUN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE DECIDED TO PUT THE SCHEME ON A 12-MONTH TRIAL PERIOD AFTER CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN SUPPORT OF A REQUEST BY
SOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE AIM OF THE AND FURTHER PROMOTE COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN
SCHEME IS TO ENABLE MAC’S TO DEVELOP SELF-HELP COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE DISTRICT, A SAID.
UNDER THE EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME, MAC’S CAN RUN TUTORIAL CLASSES ON A NON-PROFIT MAKING BASIS IN THEIR OFFICE PREMISES IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RULES LAID DOWN.
/apart from .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
- 8
APART FROM GOVERNING THE SIZE AND SUBJECTS TAUGHT IN THESE CLASSES, THE RULES SPECIFY THAT THE ENROLMENT OF STUDENTS MUST BE STRICTLY VOLUNTARY, AND WRITTEN CONSENT FROM PARENTS SHOULD ALSO
BE OBTAINED.
+UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE MAC’S+,
THESE CLASSES INTERFERE WITH THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----0------
DETAILS OF SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE
TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE 1986 SHA TIN
DRAGON BOAT RACE WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (APRIL 1) AT 3 PM IN ’ SIXTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE. ’
THE
THE DRAGON BOAT RACE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA BOAT RACE COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND SPONSORED THE DISTRICT BOARD.
tim C0NFERENCE WILL BE ATTENDED BY CHAIRMAN OF
TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE MR ROGER LAU ohaipmam nr
TIN
BY
THE THE
SHA SHA
NOTE TO ED I TORSt
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY (APRIL 1) AT 3 PM IN THE SIXTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE.
-----0-------
TUNNEL CLOSURE AND ROAD RE-OPENING * X * *
TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF EQUIPMENT, THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 1) AND WEDNESDAY (APRIL 2).
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES TRAVELLING BETWEEN WAN CHAI AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT MAY USE STUBBS ROAD, WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD AND NAM FUNG ROAD OR REPULSE BAY ROAD.
IN ADDITION, FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY, THE ACCESS ROAD FROM WAN CHAI FERRY PIER TO FLEMING ROAD, PREVIOUSLY CLOSED FOR RECONSTRUCTION WORK, WILL RE-OPEN TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TRAFFIC.
- 0 --------
13.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986
- 9 -
SHAM SHU I PO RESTRICTION LIFTED *****
THE EXISTING 7 AM TO W AM h^JUNCTIOn'Ut^SHUN NING
HING WAH STREET, SHAM SHU! PO, KTWEEN S JU JUNCTION
°ZS™SDAY (APRIL 1).
W I L— Le XzL. L- I
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE) NO.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLANS FOR MONG KOK....................... 1
SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET LEGAL OFFICERS ....................... 2
TEMPORARY STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN TU3N MUN ................... 2
NEW URBCO CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN TO BE ELECTED ............... 3
BRIEFING ON NAH CHEONG STREET CLEARANCE........................ 4
MUSIC SEMINAR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ................... 5
FOUR SWIMMING POOLS TO RE-OPEN ................................ 5
TRANSPORT COMPLEX CARPARK OPENING.............................. 6
TO KWA WAN, LONG TAI SIN TRAFFIC CHANGES ...................... 6
SHEUNG WAN WATER CUT .......................................... 7
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 1986
1
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLANS FOR MONG KOK * * * *
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD HAS DRAWN UP A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OUTLINING THE DISTRICT’S MAJOR PROJECTS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
FOLLOWING RECENT DISCUSSIONS, BOARD MEMBERS AGREED TO EMBARK ON A SERIES OF PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
OVER THE YEARS THE DISTRICT LACKED A COMPREHENSIVE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AND SITES WERE NOT SYSTEMATICALLY DEVELOPED. THE BOARD FOUND THAT THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES WAS PARTICULARLY INADEQUATE TO MEET DEMANDS.
BOARD MEMBERS LEARNED THAT AN INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR MONG KOK WAS BEING DRAFTED AND THEY HOPED PART OF THE PLAN COULD BE MADE KNOWN TO THE BOARD BEFORE ITS RELEASE, SO THAT A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP COULD BE SET UP TO STUDY THE PLAN AND TO GATHER RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ABOUT VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS.
MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT HAD LONG BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT AND THE BOARD LOOKED FORWARD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM. MEANWHILE, THE BOARD’S MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT (PILOT SCHEME) WORKING GROUP WOULD CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THE UPGRADING OF THE STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE IN SOME PROBLEMATIC PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
IN THE COMING YEAR, THE BOARD WOULD RESPOND TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CALL TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION UNDER A SCHEME BEING CO-ORDINATED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MEMBERS WOULD CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE LINKS WITH THE PUBLIC AND RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND THE OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS. THROUGH THEIR COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE GRASSROOT BODIES, BOARD MEMBERS COULD EXPLAIN THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE STRUCTURE OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION TO THE PUBLIC, AND AT THE SAME TIME EDUCATE RESIDENTS ON THEIR CIVIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
TO FOLLOW UP ON THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY ON THE EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHIC PUBLICATIONS ON YOUNG PEOPLE, THE BOARD WOULD CONTINUE TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED IN THE SURVEY REPORT.
ON PREVENTION, THE BOARD WOULD LAUNCH A LARGE-SCALE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL INTERESTED BODIES. THE BOARD WOULD ORGANISE SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS TO IMPART A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS SEX EDUCATION.
THE BOARD WOULD ALSO CARRY OUT REGULAR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND CONTINUE THE SCHEME OF SUBSIDISING LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS TO ORGANISE WHOLESOME ACTIVITIES SO THAT MORE RESIDENTS COULD BENEFIT.
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/2
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 1986
SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET LEGAL OFFICERS
******
THE SELFCT COMMITTEE ON COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES CHAIRED BY MR PETER C. WONG WILL MEET AGAIN WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IN A PUBLIC SESSION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON TUESDAY, APRIL 1 AT 3 PM.
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR JAMES FINDLAY, AND TWO CROWN PROSECUTORS FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, MR DANIEL MARASH AND MR JOHN SULAN, WILL CONTINUE THEIR SUBMISSION CONCERNING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROSECUTION OF COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES AND A COMMENTARY IN A HONG KONG CONTEXT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FRAUD TRIALS (ROSKILL) COMMITTEE, AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS MEMBERS MAY HAVE.
THE CHAIRMAN SAID HE ALSO WELCOMES WRITTEN EVIDENCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE NOT ONLY FROM THOSE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO PREVIOUSLY ASSISTED THE FIRST SELECT COMMITTEE FROM MAY TO AUGUST LAST YEAR BUT ALSO FROM ANY OTHERS WHO ARE WILLING TO HELP. AN INVITATION SEEKING OPINIONS HAS ALREADY BEEN SENT TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND VARIOUS COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE SESSION FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY.
- 0 -
TEMPORARY STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN TUEN MUN * * *
STUDENTS IN TUEN MUN CAN USE THE CONFERENCE ROOMS IN THE COMMUNITY HALL AND CENTRES AS STUDY ROOMS ON CERTAIN DAYS OF THE WEEK DURING THE MORNING HOURS TO PREPARE FOR THEIR EXAMINATIONS, A TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE HALL AND CENTRES ARE THE TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL, THE YAU OI-ON TING COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE SHAN KING COMMUNITY HALL, WHICH ARE ALL MANAGED BY CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE CONFERENCE ROOMS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS FROM APRIL 1 (TUESDAY) UNTIL THE END OF JUNE.
/as examination
SUNDAY, MAUCH 30, 1986
AS EXAMINATION PERIODS DRAW NEAR, THE COMMUNITY HALL/CENTRES* MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES FOUND IT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY STUDY ROOMS SO'THAT STUDENTS WILL HAVE A QUIET ENVIRONMENT TO REVISE THEIR WORK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THEIR OPENING DATES AND HOURS:
CENTRE/HALL DAY TIME
TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL MONDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY 9 AM TO 1 PM
YAU OI/ON TING COMMUNITY CENTRE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY 9 AM TO 1 PM
BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY 9 AM TO 1 PM
SHAN KING COMMUNITY HALL MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY 9 AM TO 1 PM
-----0------
NEW URBCO CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN TO BE ELECTED
*****
THE NEW CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE ELECTED AT A CLOSED-DOOR SESSION OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL ON TUESDAY (APRIL 1).
ALSO TO BE ELECTED ARE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE COUNCIL’S 13 SELECT COMMITTEES.
FOLLOWING THE ELECTION, THE NEW COUNCIL CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN WILL MEET THE MEDIA AT 10.30 A.M. ON TUESDAY IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, FOURTH FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBER.
-----o-----
/4........
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 1986
- 4 -
BRIEFING ON NAM CHEONG STREET CLEARANCE
*****
A LARGE-SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE EXERCISE WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN SHAM SHU I PO IN MAY TO REMOVE 221 COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC STRUCTURES ERECTED ABOVE THE NAM CHEONG STREET NULLAH.
THE SITE, STRETCHING ALONG THE MIDDLE OF THE NAM CHEONG STREET CARRIAGEWAY, WAS INITIALLY DESIGNATED AS A TEMPORARY BAZAAR IN 1961 TO ACCOMMODATE HAWKER STALLS MEASURING 3 FEET BY 4 FEET.
HOWEVER, THE STALLS HAVE BEEN SUBSEQUENTLY DEVELOPED INTO COMPLEXED STRUCTURES, IN VIOLATION OF LICENSING STIPULATIONS AND POSED A WIDE RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND FIRE HAZARDS.
THEY HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF REPEATED COMPLAINTS BY RESIDENTS AND THE ISSUE WAS DISCUSSED AT VARIOUS MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, WHICH AGREED THAT ALL THE STRUCTURES SHOULD BE DEMOLISHED.
AT A RECENT DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING, IT WAS RESOLVED THAT THE SITE SHOULD BE CLEARED WITHIN 1986 AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AGREED TO DEVELOP THE SITE INTO AN AMENITY AREA.
A BRIEFING WILL BE HELD AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON TUESDAY (APRIL 1) TO ANNOUNCE OPERATIONAL DETAILS AND REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE SPEAKERS ON THE PANEL.
THE BRIEFING WILL ALSO BE ATTENDED BY LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NAM CHEONG STREET HAWKERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE BRIEFING AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 39 TONKIN STREET.
-----0------
/5........
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 1986
- 5 -
MUSIC SEMINAR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS * * * *
TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON EVALUATION TECHNIQUES AND THEIR APPLICATION TO THE MUSIC CURRICULUM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MAY 3.
ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS MUSIC AND SPEECH ASSOCIATION OFFICE AT 54 JAFFEE ROAD, FOURTH FLOOR, KAM CHUNG BUILDING, WAN CHAI.
THE SEMINAR IS TO INTRODUCE DIFFERENT EVALUATION TECHNIQUES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ASSESSING MUSIC ACHIEVEMENTS.
THERE WILL BE TALKS ON STANDARDISED AND TEACHER-DESIGNED TESTS ON THE SUBJECT. WAYS TO INTERPRETS TEST RESULTS WILL BE EXPLORED.
SECONDARY SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHERS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINAR SHOULD SEND APPLICATIONS TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (MUSIC), MUSIC SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, BEFORE APRIL 21.
- - 0 ----------
FOUR SWIMMING POOLS TO RE-OPEN
* * * *
FOUR PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA WILL BE RE-OPENED ON TUESDAY (APRIL 1).
THEY ARE THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL, TUEN MUN YAN 01 TONG SWIMMING POOL, YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.
THERE WILL BE FIVE SESSIONS DAILY FROM 7 AM TO 9.15 AM, 9.45 AM TO NOON, 1 PM TO 4 PM, 4.30 PM TO 6.45 PM AND 7.45 PM TO 10 PM.
THE KWAI SHING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS FOR REPAIR WORK.
MEANWHILE, THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL, WHICH HAS BEEN OPENED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER SEASON, WILL BE CLOSED FROM APRIL 1 FOR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE.
- - 0 - -
/6........
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 1986
6
TRANSPORT COMPLEX CARPARK OPENING
*****
THE MULTI-STOREY CARPARK INSIDE THE TSUEN WAN TRANSPORT COMPLEX WILL BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC USE FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 1).
THE CARPARK, WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 1 000 VEHICLES, IS THE 11TH GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CARPARK MANAGED BY WILSON PARKING (HONG KONG) PTY. LIMITED.
PARKING FEES WILL BE $4 PER HOUR BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM AND $3 PER HOUR BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM. MONTHLY PASSES WILL BE SOLD AT $550 EACH.
THE TSUEN WAN TRANSPORT COMPLEX NOW SERVES AS AN INTER-CHANGE FOR 15 BUS AND FOUR GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES. IT ALSO HOUSES PIER FACILITIES FOR FERRIES OPERATING BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND TSI NG Yl AND HOVERCRAFTS LINKING TSUEN WAN WITH CENTRAL.
TO KWA WAN, WONG TAI SIN TRAFFIC CHANGES * * * *
A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN, FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 2) TO FACILITATE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS OPERATION AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
THESE ARE :
* A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND WILL BE PROVIDED ON KAU PUI LUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND, BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 27 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHI KIANG STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KIANG SU STREET. MEANWHILE, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PLB RESTRICTED ZONE AT THE SAME LOCATION WILL BE LIFTED.
* VEHICLES AT THE JUNCTION OF KAU PUI LUNG ROAD AND CHI KIANG STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM MAKING U-TURNS FROM KAU PUI LUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND TO ITS NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY.
WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING SLIP ROAD A LEADING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY TO FUNG MO INTERCHANGE IN WONG TAI SIN.
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 1986
7
SHEUNG WAN WATER CUT
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 2) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY SHING WONG STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD, LADDER STREET AND CIRCULAR PATHWAY, INCLUDING 270-276 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND 1-2 TSUI ON LANE.
-------o----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1986
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PLANNING COMMITTEE SOON FOR THIRD UNIVERSITY................... 1
3IG BOOST IN RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN K.<UN TONG ............ 2
NE..' URBAN COUNCIL SPORTS CENTRE IN NORTH POINT .............. 3
BULK AIRMAIL SERVICE TO START ................................. 4
ONE Ma.IL DELIVERY ON CHING MING............................... 5
WORK OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ON DISPLAY....................... 5
NEW STOCK OF EPA REVIEW ON SALE................................ 5
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR PLEASURE HIRE BOATS......................... 6
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER .................................... 6
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CPI FOR 1985 ............................. 7
MOKE TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH URBTIX.......................... 7
NEW PHONE NUMBER FOR IRD ...................................
YAU YAT TSUEN WATER CUT ....................................... 8
Monday, march 31, H36
- 1 -
PLANNING COMMITTEE SOON FOR THIRD UNIVERSITY * * * * *
HONG KONG’S THIRD UNIVERSITY, WITH A CAPACITY OF 7 OOO PLACES AND ROOM FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT UP TO 10 000 PLACES, IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE ITS FIRST INTAKE OF STUDENTS IN THE 1994-97 TRI ENN I UM, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
A PLANNING COMMITTEE WOULD SOON BE APPOINTED TO WORK OUT IN DETAIL THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY.
IT WAS INTENDED TO HAVE A LOCAL PERSONALITY AS CHAIRMAN CF THE COMMITTEE, A SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AS THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, AND MEMBERSHIP WOULD INCLUDE LOCAL LAY bEMBERS, OVERSEAS ACADEMICS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EXISTING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
TO HELP THE COMMITTEE HAVE UP-TO-DATE KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL GRADUATES, THE LOCAL LAY MEMBERS WOULD BE DRAWN MAINLY FROM INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE. IT WAS ALSO HOPED TO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES OF UMELCO.
+THE OVERSEAS ACADEMICS WILL CONTRIBUTE EXPERIENCE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, AND WILL REPRESENT THE INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION IN HIGHER EDUCATION,+ HE SAID.
+THE PRESENCE OF OVERSEAS ACADEMICS WILL HELP TO ENSURE THE INTERNATIONAL STATUS OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW UNIVERSITY WOULD BE A GROUPING CF PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS EMPHASISING SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS STUDIES.
SEVERAL POSSIBLE SITES WERE BEING CONSIDERED, AND A DECISION WOULD BE MADE BY THE PLANNING COMMITTEE. HOWEVER, THE UNIVERSITY SHOULD HAVE EASY ACCESS TO THE METROPOLITAN AREA TO FACILITATE CLOSE CO-ORDINATION WITH BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND THE GENERAL COMMUNITY.
THE SITE SHOULD ALSO BE LARGE ENOUGH EXPANSION IN THE LONG TERM.
TO ALLOW FOR FURTHER
PRESENT FORECASTS INDICATED CATER FOR SOME 5 000 STUDENTS BY 7 000 STUDENTS BY THE END OF THE
THAT THE NEW UNIVERSITY WOULD 1996-97, EXPANDING TO SOME CENTURY.
SEVERAL BROAD POLICY GUIDELINES HAD BEEN LAID FOR THE NE.. UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING :
* IT SHOULD VALIDATE ITS DEGREE COURSES INTERNALLY;
* IF IT WAS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN STAGES, THE STAGING SHOULD NOT EXTEND OVER TOO LONG A PERIOD; AND
/♦ STAFF HECHUITM3JT........
, inAxtlJrt 31, 1986
2
* STAFF RECRUITMENT WOULD GIVE PREFERENCE TO LOCAL CANDIDATES, BUT WOULD INCLUDE AN OVERSEAS ELEMENT.
HE SAID THE NEW UNIVERSITY HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE IM I VERS ITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE. THEr,EDUCATION COMMISSION ALSO SUPPORTED THE SCHEME, AND THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-YEAR FIRST-DEGREE PLACES IT WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE.
AS THE COSTS OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY DEPENDED ON MANY VARIABLE AND UNKNOWN FACTORS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO QUOTE A FIGURE AT THIS STAGE.
♦ COSTS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE BEFORE THE ACADEMIC PROFILE THE TYPE AND MIX OF COURSES, THE LOCATION AND THE RATE OF GROWTH TO FULL DEVELOPMENT HAVE BEEN DETERMINED.*
SIMILARLY, HE SAID, RECURRENT COSTS WERE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FORECAST ACCURATELY, ESPECIALLY AS RECURRENT COSTS IN A NEW INSTITUTION WERE EXPECTED TO BE MUCH HIGHER THAN THOSE IN ESTABLISHED, MATURE INSTITUTIONS.
THE NAMES OF THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE WOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN A FEW MONTHS TIME.
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BIG BOOST IN RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN KWUN TONG ******
RESIDENTS IN KWUN TONG WILL HAVE MORE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES TO ENJOY ON COMPLETION OF SEVERAL MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR URBAN COUNCIL PROJECTS THERE.
♦ THE FIRST TO COME ON STREAM WILL BE THE HIU KWONG STREET PLAYGROUND AND INDOOR GAMES HALL SCHEDULED TO OPEN SOON,* SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.
THE $19.5 MILLION PROJECT INCLUDES AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, A REST GARDEN AND A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA.
+THE TWO-STOREY INDOOR GAMES HALL HAS SUCH MODERN FACILITIES AS A 1 400 SQUARE-METRE BALL GAMES ARENA WITH A SPECTATOR STAND TO ACCOMMODATE 700 PEOPLE,* HE SAID.
+THE ARENA IS SUITABLE FOR BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON OR GYMNASTICS.
+IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE THREE FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH COURTS WITH PUBLIC GALLERIES, AND TWO TRAINING ROOMS SUITABLE FOR CONFERENCES, GAMES OR YOGA PRACTICE PURPOSES.
+T0 ENABLE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE TO GET TO THE INDOOR GAMES HALL, A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED LIFT IS BEING PROVIDED.*
/the spokesman ........
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1986
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANOTHER MULT I-MILLI ON-DOLLAR PROJECT NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION WAS THE KOWLOON BAY SPORTS COMPLEX COVERING A TOTAL AREA OF 5.7 HECTARES.
ON ITS COMPLETION BY EARLY 1987, HE SAID, KWUN TONG WOULD HAVE THE FIRST SPORTS COMPLEX OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD IN KOWLOON.
+THE 350 MILLION PROJECT WILL HAVE SUCH FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES AS A FULL-SIZE 100 X 64 METRE GRASSED INFIELD FOOTBALL PITCH, AN EIGHT-LANE 400 METRE ALL-WEATHER RUNNING TRACK AND FACILITIES FOR TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS, AS WELL AS A SPECTATOR STAND TO ACCOMMODATE 1 500 PEOPLE,* HE SAID.
♦ SINCE IT WILL SERVE AS A REGIONAL SPORTS CENTRE FOR KOWLOON EAST, FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND OTHER NATIONAL SPORTS BODIES WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.
+HOWEVER, WHEN NOT BEING USED FOR ORGANISED SPORTS MEETS THE SPORTS COMPLEX WILL BE OPENED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR JOGGING.
+OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, ONE HARD-SURFACED MINI-SOCCER PITCH, TWO BASKETBALL-CUM-VOLLEYBALL COURTS, A LANDSCAPED GARDEN AND A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND.*
ALSO IN THE PIPELINE FOR KWUN TONG WAS THE S3.8 MILLION KWUN TONG FERRY PIER SQUARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION EARLY NEXT YEAR.
+CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND THE PROJECT WILL COMPRISE A POND, A CASCADE, A CHINESE PAVILION, ARBOURS AND A LANDSCAPED SITTING-OUT AREA FOR PASSIVE RECREATIONAL PURPOSES,* HE ADDED.
- 0 -
NEW URBAN COUNCIL SPORTS CENTRE IN NORTH POINT ******
THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE FORMER PRINTING DEPARTMENT BUILDING IN JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT, HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO AN URBAN COUNCIL SPORES CENTRE AND WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE NEW CENTRE WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB SPORTS CENTRE IN SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY WHICH WILL BE CLOSED DOWN AS FROM TOMORROW AND HANDED BACK TO THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL CLUB.
/♦ALL ACTIVITIES .......
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1986
+ALL ACTIVITIES FORMERLY SCHEDULED AT THE HAPPY VALLEY CENTRE WILL BE HELD IN THE NEW VENUE AT JAVA ROAD,+ SAID COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.
THE JAVA ROAD TEMPORARY SPORTS CENTRE WILL OCCUPY A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 201 SQUARE METRES AND BE MAINLY DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS - ONE WITH 16 FITNESS STATIONS FOR BODY BUILDING. AND THE OTHER SECTION MAINLY FOR AEROBICS, YOGA AND DANCE CLASSES.
+ALL CLASSES WILL BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
♦ THE CENTRE WILL ALSO SERVE IN FUTURE AS THE MAIN VENUE ON HONG KONG ISLAND FOR FITNESS CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT,+ HE ADDED.
THE CENTRE WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 A.M. TO 10 P.M. DAILY. ENQUIRIES CONCERNING PROGRAMMES CAN BE MADE AT 5-632853.
--------o-----------
BULK AIRMAIL SERVICE TO START * * * *
A BULK AIRMAIL SERVICE WILL BE INTRODUCED TOMORROW (APRIL 1), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
+THE SERVICE, WHICH IS ON A TRIAL BASIS FOR ONE YEAR, WILL BE OPEN TO CUSTOMERS WHO POST MORE THAN 500 KG OF AIRMAIL IN ANY PERIOD OF SEVEN DAYS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+CUSTOMERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRE-SORT THEIR MAIL AND POST IT AT THE AIRMAIL CENTRE AT KAI TAK AIRPORT,+ HE SAID.
POSTAGE WILL BE CHARGED ON A PER KG BASIS AS FOLLOWS:
LETTERS/CARDS SECOND CLASS MAIL
S/KG S/KG
ZONE 1 68 50
ZONE 2 80 72
FULL DETAILS OF THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SENIOR CONTROLLER OF POSTS ON 5-2671103.
0 --------
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1986
- 5 -
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON CHING MING * * * *
THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON CHING MING FESTIVAL (SATURDAY, APRIL 5), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
FORTY POST OFFICES, WHICH WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON THAT DAY, INCLUDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON, AND TSUEN WING STREET, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DETAILS OF THE OTHER POST OFFICES WHI CH WILL BE OPEN CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU AT TEL.s 5-231071.
-----o------
WORK OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ON DISPLAY
AN EXHIBITION OF WORK PRODUCED BY TRAINEES OF THE TWO-YEAR PART-TIME IN-SERVICE COURSE FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 2) AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ANNEXE AT ARGYLE CENTRE, PHASE ONE, 688 NATHAN ROAD, 20TH FLOOR, MONG KOK.
PROJECT WORK ON +G01 NG ABOUT+, +OUR FOOD+, +OUR CLOTHING+ AND +PEOPLE WHO HELP US+ AS WELL AS COURSE WORK OF THE TRAINEES WILL BE ON DISPLAY FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM.
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NEW STOCK OF EPA REVIEW ON SALE * * *
A NEW STOCK OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S ANNUAL REVIEW, +ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1985+, WILL BE ON SALE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $18 A COPY.
THE REVIEW, WHICH WAS SOLD OUT RECENTLY, HAS BEEN COMPILED BY THE EPA IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN POLLUTION CONTROL.
IT COVERS ALL ASPECTS OF AIR AND WATER POLLUTION. NOISE, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT.
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/6........
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1986
6
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR PLEASURE HIRE BOATS * * *
THE
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROVISION OF PLEASURE BOATS FOR HI
IS INVITING TENDERS FOR RE AT THE CASTLE PEAK BEACH
IN TUEN MUN.
LOCATED AT 19-1/2 MILESTONE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THE BEACH IS A FAVOURITE SPOT WITH TOURISTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ABOUT 53 BOATS FROM JUNE 18 THIS YEAR ON A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT.
TENDER FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE RSD HEADQUARTERS, THIRD FLOOR, SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, OR THE RSD’S TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAd, TUEN MUN.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE PUT IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE RSD HEADQUARTERS BEFORE 9 AM ON APRIL 25.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS TELEPHONE 3-689479 OR 0-4513093.
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STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER
* X * X
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, CHING MING FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON APRIL 5, IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $9 500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY-OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY-TO-DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS TO 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1986
- 7 -
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CPI FOR 1985 ******
AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR 1985 WAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. TH 16 REPORT GIVES A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE MOVEMENT OF CONSUMER PRICES AND DETAILED ANALYSES OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES DURING 1985.
INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ARE FOUR CHARTS AND FIVE TABLES SHOWING MOVEMENTS OF BOTH CP I(A) AND CP 1(B) BY SECTION AND GROUP OF COMMODITY/SERVICE AS WELL AS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE OVERALL CHANGE IN THE INDEXES.
THE REPORT IS ON SALE, AT $7 A COPY, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1904, 19TH FLOOR, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE REPORT CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT >7216512.
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MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH URBTIX
*****.
TICKETS FOR MOST REGIONAL COUNCIL CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EIGHT URBAN VENUES THROUGH THE URBAN COUNCIL S WILL Bt AVAILABLE _____ -URBT|x) FQR A yR | £[_ PER|0D OF SIX
COMPUTERISED TICKETING SYSTEM MONTHS STARTING FROM TOMORROW
APRIL 1).
THE EIGHT VENUES ARE THE CITY HALL, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, SPACE MUSEUM, HONG KONG COLISEUM AND TOM LEE MUSIC COMPANY S FOUR BRANCHES AT CAMERON LANE, HENNESSY ROAD, CITY PLAZA AND MAN YEE BUILDING IN CENTRAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TICKET BUYERS CAN PATRONISE ANY OF THESE VENUES OR DIAL 5-739595 FOR TICKET RESERVATION UP TO ONE DAY BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE.
THE TRIAL SCHEME IS AIMED AT MAKING TICKETS FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS MORE READILY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE ONLY IN THE COUNCIL’S TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL, TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE AND LUT SAU HALL, YUEN LONG.
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/8
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1986
8
NEW PHONE NUMBER FOR I RD * * *
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER DEPARTMENT AT
.. TO 5-894.... THE
WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (APRIL 1), CF THE MAIN EXCHANGE OF THE INLAND REVENUE WINDSOR HOUSE WILL BE CHANGED FROM 5-7959. LAST FOUR DIGITS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE NUMBER 5-8941111 WHILE 5-8945099.
OF THE MAIN EXTENSION TO THE ENQUIRY COUNTER WILL
ALL SECTIONS WILL BECOME BECOME 5-8945098 OR
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YAU YAT TSUEN WATER CUT * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN YAU YAT TSUEN WILL BE STOPPED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 3) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY BOUNDARY STREET, TAI HANG TUNG ROAD, TAT CHEE AVENUE, FA PO STREET. BEGONIA ROAD, CASSIA ROAD AND MAGNOLIA ROAD, INCLUDING MARIGOLD ROAD, OSMANTHUS ROAD, DIANTHUS ROAD, PEONY ROAD, WISTARIA ROAD, VERBENA ROAD AND TSEUK KIU STREET.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 7 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 3) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY THE WHOLE AREA FROM FU TEI TO SAM SHING ESTATE, INCLUDING SIU HONG COURT, SIU ON COURT, TAI HING ESTATE, SAN FAT ESTATE, ON TING ESTATE, YAU 01 ESTATE, SHAN KING ESTATE, BUTTERFLY ESTATE, WU KING ESTATE, htLODY GARDEN, SIU SHAN COURT, PAK KOK AND WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, TUEN MUN CLINIC, YAU 01 POLYCLINIC, YAN 01 TONG CIRCUIT, AREAS 4B, 10, 9, 12, 19, 26, 36, 37A, 37B, CHI LOK GARDEN, WALDORF GARDEN AND TUEN MUN INDUSTRIAL AREA WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
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