DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE- COUNCIL MEETING :
MENTAL HEALTH-LAW UPDATED TO. MEET. CHANGING ATTITUDE.....
INSOLVENCY- FUND PROTECTION EXPANDED .......................... 5
CAUTION IN MaNAGEI'IENT OF FUND URGED.......................... 7
EXTENSION PROVIDES FAIRER PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES ............ 8
IMPROVEMENT- OF BENEFITS SHOULD BE PRUDENT .................... 9
CAUTION URGED ON INSOLVENCY FUND.............................. 11
CO-ORDINaTED EFFORTS IN HELPING .STREET-SLEEPERS.............. 12
STREET SLEEPING -PROBLEM BEING TACKLED........................ 1^
LEGCO GROUP FINDS SIX AREAS OF CONCERN FOR THE HOMELESS . 16
PROBLEM .OE’ STREET SLEEPERS CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS .. 20
COMMITTEE-TO-HELP STREET SLEEPERS WELCOMED.................... 22
FIRM COMMITMENT URGED TO TACKLE PROBLEMS OF HOMELESS .... 23
BANKING LaW- IMPROVEMENTS SOUGHT ............................. 25
LAW aGA-INST UNAUTHORISED DTCS ADEQUATE....................... 27
THIRD UNIVERSITY A MaSSIVE- VOTE CONFIDENCE................... 28
THIRD UNIVERSITY • BILL SUPPORTED............................. 29
PILOT PLAN UNDER WAY TO COMPUTERISE HOSPITAL INFORMATION 31
WELFaRE SERVICES INCLUDED IN ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT ............ 32
/IMPROVEMENTS TO........
mpRova-ians to Handljig of child abuse cases sought .... 33
MATERNITY LEAVE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPROVED ................. 35
LIFTS BILL TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY ......................... 36
JiENDMENTS TO LIFTS L»W TIMELY ........................• • 57
FUEL ASH LAGOONS POSE NO HEALTH RISK ........................ 38
REVIEW OF VISUAL .iRTS DEVELOPMENT .......................... 39
INFORMATION OU PROPOSED SHENZHEN aIRPORT SOUGHT ......... 40
CARPaRK BOMB .JI ISOLATED C..SE.............................. 40
TaXI POLICY UNDER REVIEW .................................... 41
LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF LICJ1S3D TAXIS EXTENDED ............. 42
DRIVING WITHOUT V.J.ID LICENCES ON THE RISE ................. 43
ENFORCEMENT KEY TO CONTROL OV£?OX>.J)ED LORRIES ............. 44
ELEVEN BILLS PASSED ...............................-......... 45
CALL TO WORK HARD ON THE FUTURE ................................ 46
SIND-BRITISH’JOINT LL.ISON GROOT1 SEVENTH MEETING .............. 4?
GOVERNOR'S VIoIT TO THE UNITED STATES .......................... 48
STUDENT LOaN FUNDS OFFERED FOR 1987/88 ......................... 48
EXHIBITIONS ON VOCATIONAL TR.INII G ............................ 49
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY UNDERWAY .............................. 50
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME.............. 50
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BC.JJD TO MEET TOMORROW .................... 51
TRAFFIC ARRaNGFMZNTS IN TUEN MUN ............................... 52
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SiSUNG SHUI AND TaI PO
52
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
MENTAL HEALTH LAW UPDATED TO MEET CHANGING ATTITUDE ♦ ♦ ♦ » I
THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 IS TO IMPROV* AND EXPAND THE PROVISIONS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE WHICH GOVERNS THE RECEPTION, DETENTION AND DISCHARGE OF MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED THAT MANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE HAD BECOME INADEQUATE AS A RESULT OF CHANGES IN REHABILITATION CONCEP'I \ND SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE MENTALLY ILL AND THE I Y HANDICAPPED.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLYTK HAD TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE DUTY’ OF THE STATE TO TAKE A» TION IN CERTAIN CASES TO DETAIN AND TREAT MENTALLY ILL PERSONS, BOTH 1 KEIR OWN INTERESTS AND IN THOSE OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, AND '} EED TO PROTECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THOSE SUBJECT TO THESE POWERS.
"THERE HAS BEEN AN UNFORTUNATE TENDENCY FOR PUBLIC DI Si I SION AND MEDIA COMMENT ON THIS BILL TO CONCENTRATE ON ONE OR TWO ( ITS PROVISIONS WHICH MAY APPEAR TO INFRINGE THE CIVIL LIBERT-^S OF MENTALLY DISORDERED PEOPLE, WHILE IGNORING THE MANY SAFEGUARDS < dCH ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE LEGISLATION.”
HE ADDED THAT THE BILL WAS THE OUTCOME OF A (OMPREHF? S1VE REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH I EGAN IN LATE 1983 FOLLOW!NG THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE WORKING GROUP ON EX-MENTAL PATIENTS SI Ch A HISTORY OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AND ASSESSED DISPOSITION TO VIOLENCE
HE
ORDINANCE
SAID THE PRINCIPAL DEFECTS OF LAY IN FIVE MAIN AREAS:
THE EXISTING MENTAL
HEALTH
THE ABSENCE OF A MANDATORY-ASSESSMENT BEFORE A PATIENT HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION;
REQUIREMENT FOR
WAS DETAINED IN
MEDICAL MENIAL
THE LACK OF PROVISION FOR DISORDERED ADULTS;
GUARDIANSHIP OF
MENTALLY
THE ABSENCE OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR OF MENTAL PATIENTS;
THE
CONDITIONAL
DISCHARGE
♦
♦
♦
A
A
THE ABSENCE OF A CHANNEL FOR APPEAL NON-OFFENDER PATIENTS; AND
AGAINST DETENTION B\
♦ THE LACK OF CLEAR LEGAL AUTHORITY TO HELP SUSPECTED MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS WHO WERE IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF CARE AND CONTROL.
/MR CHAMBERS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 198?
2
MR CHAMBERS SAID CLAUSE 2(B) DELETED THE EXISTING DEFINITION OF "MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSONS" AND REPLACED IT WITH A DEFINITI OF "MENTAL DISORDER" WHICH INCLUDED 'PSYCHOPATHIC DISORDER’.
THE BILL ALSO MADE IT CLEAR THAT NO PERSON MIGHT BE DEALT ■ ITH UNDER THE ORDINANCE AS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER ONLY BY '.EASON OF PROMISCUITY OR OTHER IMMORAL CONDUCT, SEXUAL DEVIANCY, OR DEPENDENCE ON ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
TO ENSURE THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS OF PATIENTS’ MENTAL CONDITIONS, CLAUSE 2(C) STIPULATED THAT OF THE TWO MEDICAL OPINIONS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT AN APPLICATION FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE INITIAL OBSERVATION PERIOD OF 7 DAYS, FOR COMPULSORY DETENTION IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL BEYOND THAT PERIOD OR PLACING A MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSON UNDER GUARDIANSHIP, ONE MUST BE GIVEN BY A DOCTOR WHO HAD HAD S A. EXPERIENCE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISORDER.
CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL PROPOSED THAT ORDERS FOR THE ADM. SION OF PATIENTS INTO MENTAL HOSPITALS FOR OBSERVATION FOR A PENOT EXCEEDING SEVEN DAYS, SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE MADE BY A DISTRICT J ’GF, A MAGISTRATE OR A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AS AT PRESENT.
BUT THAT SUCH APPLICATIONS IN FUTURE WOULD HAVE TO BE FOL <DF.D ON THE WRITTEN OPINION OF A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER WHO MUST BE SATISFIED THAT THE ADMISSION WAS JUSTIFIED BY THE NATURE’ AND DEGREE OF THE MENTAL DISORDER AND WAS NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PATIENT’S HEALTH OR SAFETY OR FOR THE PROTECTION OF OTHER PERSONS.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED THAT WHERE AN APPLICATION FOR A DETENTION ORDER WAS MADE BY A DOCTOR OR SOCIAL WORKER, THE APPLICANT SHOULD TAKE ALL PRACTICAL STEPS T< INFORM A RELATIVE OF THE PERSC TO BE DETAINED, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
CLAUSE 6 INTRODUCED A NEW PROVISION TO ENABLE A MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED OR MENTALLY-ILL PERSON ABOVE THE AGE OF 18 TO BE PLACED UNDER THE GUARDIANSHIP EITHER OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE OR OF ANOTHER PERSON ACCEPTABLE TO THE DIRECTOR.
AN APPLICATION FOR GUARDIANSHIP MIGHT BE MADE TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE BY A RELATIVE, A DOCTOR, OR A PUBLIC OFFICER IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, HE ADDED.
ALSO, IT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A STATEMENT FROM TWO DOCTORS THAT THE PERSON CONCERNED WAS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER AND THAT IT WAS NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF HIS WELFARE OR FOR THE PROTECTION OF OTHERS THAT A GUARDIAN SHOULD BE APPOINTED.
MR CHAMBERS SAIT) THE GUARDIAN WOULD HAVE POWER TO APPOINT A PLACE OF RESIDENCE FOR THE PERSON UNDER GUARDIANSHIP, AND TO REQUIRE ACCESS TO IT TO BE GIVEN TO DOCTORS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER SPECIFIED PERSONS, AND TO REQUIRE THE PERSON UNDER GUARDIANSHIP TO ATTEND AT SPECIFIED PLACES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, TRAINING, EDUCATION OR OCCUPATION.
/PROVISION WAS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 198?
PROVISION WAS ALSO MADE FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSFER OF GUARDIANSHIP TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IF THE GUARDIA! DIED OR RELINQUISHED HIS FUNCTION, AND FOR THE TRANSFER OF GUARD’AkSHIP FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER UPON APPLICATION TO A DISTRICT JUDGE HE ADDED.
TO ENSURE THAT GUARDIANSHIP WAS SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW ALL GUARDIANSHIP ARRANGEMENTS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CEASE TWO YEARS AFTER THEIR COMMENCEMENT UNLESS THEY WERE RENEWED BY A FURTHER APPLI aTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
MR CHAMBERS SAID CLAUSE 7 SET OUT THE GROUNDS ON ’ CH * PATIENT IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL MIGHT BE DETAINED FOR TREATMENT ’OND THE INITIAL PERIOD OF DETENTION FOR OBSERVATION.
TWO DOCTORS MUST CERTIFY THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR -JE i ALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PATIENT OR FOR THE PROTECTION OF OTHER FEO’’. THAT HE SHOULD RECEIVE THIS TREATMENT AND THAT IT COULD NOT PE IDED
UNLESS HE WAS DETAINED UNDER THIS SECTION; AND THIS CERTIFI -1UST
BE COUNTERSIGNED BY A DISTRICT JUDGE.
CLAUSE 13 EMPOWERED THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT, IN CASE. HERE A MENTAL PATIENT HAD A MEDICAL HISTORY OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE OR DISPOSITION TO COMMIT SUCH VIOLENCE, TO DISCHARGE HIM FROM HOSPITAL SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT TO RESIDE IN A SPECIFIED PLACE, TO ATTEND FOR OUT-PATIENT MEDICAL TREATMENT fO TAKE PRESCRIBED MEDICINE, OR TO BE SUPERVISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
HE SAID PATIENTS WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH ANY SUCH CONDI»IONS MIGHT BE RECALLED TO THE HOSPITAL.
SUBJECT TO THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR AND ON THE ADVICE OF A DOCTOR, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES COULD SIMILARLY AUTHORISE CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE FOR OFFENDER PATIENTS DETAINED LN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE, HE ADDED.
CLAUSE 17 OF THE BILL PROVIDED THAT WHERE AN OFFENDER PATIENT HAD BEEN DETAINED IN A PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE UNDER A SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT FOR A FIXED TERM OR A HOSPITAL ORDER AUTHORISING DETENTION FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD, AND HIS MENTAL STATE WAS SUCH THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE DISCHARGED AT THE END ( F THE TERN OF THE SENTENCE OR PERIOD OF THE HOSPITAL ORDER, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES MIGHT APPLY TO THE COURT FOR A HOSPITAL ORDER AUTHORISING FURTHER DETENTION.
SUCH APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY MEDICAL OPINION AND JUSTIFIED BY THE NATURE AND DEGREE OF THE MENTAL DISORDER OF THE PATIENT CONCERNED AND THE NEED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.
/CLAUSE 20
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
CLAUSE 20 OF THE BILL ENABLED THE GOVERNOR TO ORDER THE TRANSFER OF A PATIENT DETAINED UNDER A HOSPITAL ORDER FROM A PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH IT WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL FOR A PATIENT TO BE HELD IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL RATHER THAN IN A PRISON ENVIRONMENT, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
CLAUSE 22 OF THE BILL PROVIDED FOR A NEW PART IV A OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH ESTABLISHED A IENTAL HEALTH RE\IEW TRIBUNAL TO REPLACE THE EXISTING HOSPITAL ORDER APPEAL TRIBUNAL, WHICH ONLY DEALT WITH PETITIONS SUBMITTED BY OFFENDER PATIENTS.
HE SAID THE NEW TRIBUNAL WOULD BE CHAIRED BY A PERSON WITH SUITABLE LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND WOULD CONSIST OF MEMBERS DRAWN FROM THE MEDICAL, SOCIAL WORK AND OTHER PROFESSIONS. IT WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO REVIEW THE CASES OF PATIENTS LIABLE TO DETENTION, PERMITTED TO BE ABSENT FOR A TRIAL PERIOD, CONDITIONALLY DISCHARGED, OR ADMITTED TO GUARDIANSHIP.
IN ADDITION, THE BILL STIPULATED THAT IF A PATIENT OR HIS RELATIVE DID NOT EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE TRIBUNAL FOR HIS CASE TO BE REVIEWED WITHIN 12 MONTHS AFTER THE RIGHT FIRST BECAME AVAILABLE, THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT, OR THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AS APPROPRIATE, MUST REFER THF PATIENT’S CASE TO THE TRIBUNAL FOR AUTOMATIC REVIEW.
MR CHAMBERS SAID CLAUSE 2G INTRODUCED A NEW PROVISION WHICH REQUIRED THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT OF EVERY MENTAL HOSPITAL OR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PSYCHIATRIC CENTRI. TO TAKE SUCH STEPS AS WERE PRACTICABLE TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PATIENT BEING DETAINED, AND ALSO ONE OF HIS RELATIVES, WAS INFORMED OF THE PATIENT’S RIGHTS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
CLAUSE 28 PROVIDED THAT A MAGISTRATE MIGHT GRANT A WARRANT AUTHORISING A POLICE OFFICER OR OTHER AUTHORISED PERSONS TO ENTER ANY PRIVATE PREMISES IN THE PRESENCE F XN APPROVED SOCIAL WORKER OR COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSE, IF THERE WAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A PERSON LIABLE TO BE TAKEN OR RETAKEN UNDER THE ORDINANCE OR A PERSON SUSPECTED TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER WAS TO BE FOUND THERE, HE SAID.
CLAUSE 28 ALSO EMPOWERED A POLICE OFFICER TO TAKE INTO CUSTODY A SUSPECTED MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSON, AND TO REMOVE HIM FORTHWITH TO THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF A GENERAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE MIGHT BE DETAINED FOR UP TO 24 HOURS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENABLING HIM TO BE EXAMINED BY A DOCTOR AND OF MAKING THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIS TREATMENT AND CARE.
FOR THIS POWER TO BE EXERCISED, THE SUSPECTED MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSON MUST APPEAR TO THE POLICE OFFICER TO BE IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF CARE AND CONTROL AND THE POLICE OFFICER MUST CONSIDER THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO TAKE ACTION IN THE INTERESTS OF THAT PERSON OR FOR THE PROTECTION OF OTHER PERSONS, NR CHAMBERS SAID.
/MR CHAMBERS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1,1987
- 5 -
MR CHAMBERS SAID THERE HAD BEEN EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WITH THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL BODIES, THE UNIVERSITIES, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
HE URGED COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CONSIDER THE BILL AS A WHOLE.
"A GREAT DEAL OF CAREFUL TU M’GHT AND DISCUSSION HAD GONE INTO IT, AND IN THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW IT REPRESENTS A BALANCED SET OF PROVISIONS FOR DEALING WITH THIS VERY DIFFICULT AREA OF OUR HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES.”
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0-------
INSOLVENCY FUND PROTECTION EXPANDED t ♦ * ♦ I
THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 REPRESENT A VERY IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THE PROTECTION WHICH THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND WILL GIVE TO WORKERS AFFI TED BY THE INSOLVENCY OF THEIR EMPLOYERS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHELANGELO PAGLIARI, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL, MR PAGLIARI SAID THE PRINCIPLE HAD BEEN ACCEPTED THAT WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE COVERAGE OF THE FUND.
"BY INCLUDING SEVEN DAVS’ WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, THE LIABILITIES ON THE FUND HAVE BEEN INCREASED BY 30 PER (ENT,”
"THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL BURDEN WHICH THE FUND APPEARS NOW TO BE ROBUST ENOUGH TO ASSUME."
COMMENTING ON THE MOTION PROPOSED BY MR SZETO WAH, MR PAGLIARI SAID IT WAS BASED ON TWO PROPOSITIONS.
"FIRSTLY THAT THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND HAS GROWN FROM $39.5 MILLION AT THE END OF ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, TO $68.1 MILLION AT THE END OF ITS SECOND YEAR AND IS PROJECTED TO GROW TO $83.1 MILLION AT THE END OF THE PRESENT SEAR DESPITE THE EXTENSION OF ITS COVERAGE TO INCLUDE ONE WEEK’S WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE.
/’’IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
"IT IS FELT THAT THE FUND CAN WELL AFFORD TO BE MORE GENEROUS BY EXTENDING Till- PROTECTION OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE TO ONE MONTH’S WAGES INSTEAD OF THE PROPOSED ONE VEER'S WAGES.
THE SECOND PROPOSITION IS THAT, AS THE ARREARS OF WAGES (FOUR MONTHS’ WAGES OR $8,000) THE LIMITS SET FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER COMPANIES ORDINANCES SO TOO THE LIMIT OF COVERAGE
FUND'S COVERAGE OF IS CONSISTENT WITH THE BANKRUPTCY AND FOR WAGES IN LIEU
OF NOTICE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS LAID DOWN FOR A PREFERRED CREDITOR IN THE EVENT OF AN EMPLOYER'S BANKRUPTCY," HE SAID.
AS FOR THE FIRST PROPOSITION, MR PAGLIARI SAID HE COULD SEE THE FORCE OF THE ARGUMENT THAT AS THE FUND’S RESERVES WERE INCREASING, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXTEND THE PROTECTION IT GAVE TO THE WORKERS TO AREAS NOT PRESENTLY COVERED. HE ADDED THE FIGURES QUOTED AS THE SIZE OF THE FUND WERE SLIGHTLY OVERSTATED AS THEY WERE BASED ON AN ASSESSED SURPLUS OF THE FUND’S OPERATION WITHOUT THE FINAL ACCOUNTS.
HE SAID WAGES ROSE EVERY YEAR AND THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS WHICH NEEDED TO BE AVAILABLE TO MEET THE SAME NUMBER OF CLAIMS WENT UP EVERY YEAR.
"THIS TREND WILL INEVITABLY CONTINUE XND WILL BE EXACERBATED WITH EVERY ADDITION TO THE FUND’S (OVERAGE," HE EXPLAINED.
"I NOTE THAT MR TAM YIU-CHUNG CONSIDERS THAT WE ARE WORRYING UNDULY ABOUT A POSSIBLE DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR PAGLIARI SAID ECONOMIC BOOMS WOULD NOT CONTINUE FOREVER, BUT THE NEED TO PROTECT WORKERS' I -.GES FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR EMPLOYERS’ INSOLVENCIES WOULD CONTINUE FOREVER.
"IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL, AS I SAID WHEN I INTRODUCED THIS BILL, THAT THE FUND BUILDS UP A SOUND RESERVE DURING THE ECONOMY'S GOOD YEARS, SO THAT IT CAN PROTECT WORKERS’ INTERESTS WHEN TIMES ARE HARD," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE SECOND PROPOSITION, HE SAID IT WAS BASED ON A FALSE PREMISE THAT THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND WAS SET UP TO CATER FOR EVERY OBLIGATION WHICH AN INSOLVENT EMPLOYER MIGHT HAVE TO HIS EMPLOYEES.
MR PAGLIARI SAID IT HAD NEVER BEEN THE INTENTION THAT THE FUND SHOULD PAY WORKERS, IN FULL, ALL THAT MIGHT BE DUE TO THEM ON THE INSOLVENCY OF THEIR EMPLOYERS.
"THE FUND IS INTENDED TO BE A SAFETY NET: TO ENSURE THAT NO EMPLOYEE SUFFERS HARDSHIP WHILE WAITING FOR THE COURTS TO DETERMINE HIS SHARE OF THE PROCEEDS OF HIS EMPLOYER’S WINDING-UP AND FOR THE RECEIVER TO REALISE THE ASSETS."
/IN THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 7 -
i
IN THE CASE OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, MR PAGLIARI SAID SOME WORKERS WERE CONTRACTUALLY ENTITLED TO A LONGER PERIOD OF NOTICE WHI! . THE VAST MAJORITY OF LOWER-PAID WORKERS WERE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO SEVEN DAYS’ NOTICE AND COULD STAND AS PREFERRED CREDITORS FOR ONLY THAT AMOUNT.
HE SAID THOSE LOWER PAID WORKERS WOULD BE COVERED IN FULL BY THE PROPOSAL IN THE PRESENT BILL.
"THE FORTUNATE MINORITY WHO ARE CONTRACTUALLY ENTITLED TO MORE, AND WHO TEND TO BE THE BETTER-PAID EMPLOYEES, WILL RECEIVE THE SAME COVERAGE FROM THE FUND AND WILL STAND AS PREFERRED CREDITORS FOR THE BALANCE.
"I CAN SEE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THE FUND BEING REQUIRE;* TO DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN ONE WORKER AND ANOTHER WHICH WOULD BL THE INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF MR SZETO’S AMENDMENT,"
-------0---------
CAUTION IN MANAGEMENT OF FUND URGED * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SPOKE AGAINST A MOTION BY THE HON SZETO WAH WHICH SOUGHT TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND FROM SEVEN DAYS’ PAYMENT IN LIEU OF NOTICE TO 30 DAYS.
’’ALTHOUGH I RECOGNISE THAT EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL HAS THE RIGHT TO PROPOSE ANA MOTIONS OR AMENDMENTS, YET, IF THIS AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED TODAY, I FEAR IT WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE AN UNSETTLING EFFECT ON THE WELL TRIED WA^ THROUGH WHICH MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WOULD MONITOR, DEVELOP AND REFINE, THROUGH GENERAL CONSENSUS, GOVERNMENT POLICY PROPOSALS,’’ HE SAID.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE BELIEVED THAT THE AMENDMENT, IF ADOPTED, RAN THE RISK OF CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS A FASTER PACE OF DEPLETION OF THE FUND.
"WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROTECT AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE PROMPT RELIEF TO OUR WORKFORCE, AGAINST THE UNFORTUNATE SITUATION WHEREBY THEY MAY BE OWED WAGES BY INSOLVENT ESTABLISHMENTS,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THE LOGIC IN SUPPORT OF EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE FUND, WHICH WAS THAT THE FUND WAS NOW IN GOOD SHAPE, WAS QUESTIONABLE.
"WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE FUND WERE NOT IN GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE TO-DATE?” HE QUESTIONED.
/HE ALSO
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1t 198?
HE ALSO DISAGREED WITH THE ARGUMENT THAT THE AMENDMENT WAS HARMLESS BECAUSE THE $2,000 CEILING WAS ALREADY IN PLACE.
HE SAID THIS ONLY HELD TRUE IF EVERY WORKER SEEKING RELIEF THROUGH THIS FUND WERE ENTITLED TO THE MAXIMUM. IF THE MAJORITY OF THE ENTITLEMENT DID NOT LIMIT THE MAXIMUM CEILING THEN EXPANDING SEVEN DAYS IN LIEU OF NOTICE TO 30 DAVS WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE THE EFFECT OF MAKING MORE PAYOUTS FROM THE FUND THEREBY MAKING A DEEPER । DENT INTO THE FUND’S RESOURCES.
HE ADDED THAT THE FUND’S EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAD BEEN GAINED WITHIN A PERIOD WHERE THE LOCAL ECONOMIC CLIMATE HAD BEEN VERY HEALTHY. GIVEN AN EXTERNALLY ORIENTED ECONOMY, HONG KONG MUfcT ALWAYS RECOGNISE THAT IN FUTURE THERE MIGHT BE A POSSIBLE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. THAT WAS WHEN THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THE FUND WOULD BE MOST NEEDED TO BE UPKEPT.
"WE MUST ALWAYS BE CAUTIOUS AND ALERT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS FOR THE PUBLIC AND J CERTAINLY DO NOT BELIEVE WE SHOULD SPEND JUST BECAUSE THERE IS MONEY IN THE BANK," HE CONCLUDED.
-----0 -
EXTENSION PROVIDES FAIRER PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ I
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON TAN YIU-CHUNG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SUPPORTED THE HON SZETO WAH’S MOTION WHICH SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND TO COVER ONE MONTH’S WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE.
MR TAM SAID THAT THE MAXIMUM LIMIT OF SEVEN DAYS’ WAGES OR $2,000 IN LIEU OF NOTICE PAYABLE FROM THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE PREFERENTIAL PAYMENT OF UP TO ONE MONTH’S WAGES OR $2,000 PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE COMPANIES' ORDINANCE.
HE ADDED THAT IN NEARLY 40 PER CENT OF THE CLAIMS RECEIVED BY THE FUND IN 1985/86, THE PERIOD OF NOTICE REQUIRED WAS LONGER THAN’ SEVEN DAYS. AS THIS WAS A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER, THE ADOPTION OF A MINIMUM OF SEVEN DAYS’ NOTICE FOR THE PAYMENT OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE IN ALL CASES WOULD THEREFORE BE UNFAIR TO ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF CLAIMANTS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT IF ALL PAYMENTS WERE BASED ON SEVEN DAYS’ NOTICE, IT WOULD AVOID THE UNNECESSARY TROUBLE OF VERIFYING THE AGREED ONE MONTH’S NOTICE IN ORDINARY VERBAL CONTRACTS.
1
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 198?
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONLY THOSE CASES CLAIMING ONE MONTH’S WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE WOULD NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. MOREOVER, IT WOULD NOT BE EASY FOR CLAIMANTS TO HOODWINK THE GOVERNMENT EVEN IF THEY HAD THE INTENTION. IT WOULD BE AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF THE FUND IF THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO MINIMISE ITS PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES JUST FOR THF SAKE OF SOME SMALL GAINS IN ADMINISTRATIVE CONVENIENCE.
MR TAM DID NOT AGREE WITH THE VIEW THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO TAKI A CAUTIOUS APPROACH TOWARDS ESTIMATES OF THE FUND’S INCOME AND EXPENDITURE BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY IN FUTURE.
HE NOTED THAT IF CLAIMS FOR ONE MONTH’S WAGES WERE TO BE ACCEPTED, ANNUAL PAYMENTS WERE ESTIMATED TO COST $12.8 M'LLiON, WHEREAS IF THE SEVEN DAYS’ LIMIT WAS ADOPTED, THE COST WOULD Bl $8.4 MILLION. THE DIFFERENCE WAS $4.4 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTS ONLY LIVE PER CENT OF THE ACCUMULATED SURPLUS OF THE FUND.
IF THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL OF OMELCO MEMBERS AND THE WORKERS AND EXEMPTS IT FROM THE PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES, THE FUND SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AN ANNUAL SURPLUS EVEN IF THE FORMER LIMIT WAS ADOPTED. IT WAS THEREFORE DIFFICULT TO APPRECIATE THE ANXIETY FELT BY THE GOVERNMENT, HE ADDED.
HE ALSO SAID LABOUR REPRESENTATIVES HAD EXPRESSED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF PROTECTION OF THE FUND TO COVER WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE AND SETTING THE LIMIT AT ONE MONTH'S WAGES AND $2,000. "FOR THE ABOVE REASONS, I CONSIDER THAT SUCH AN EXTENSION WAS IN FACT ALREADY A VERY CAUTIOUS FIRST STEP AND SHOULD PROVIDE A FAIRER PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES," HE SAID.
-------------------o-------- IMPROVEMENT OF BENEFITS SHOULD BE PRUDENT * * » * »
IMPROVEMENT OF BENEFITS SHOULD BE MADE STEP BY STEP AND AFFORDABLE BY TAKING THE FUTURE INTO ACCOUNT, THE HON CHAN KAN-CHUEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AGAINST A MOTION TO MOVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG MUST HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL RESERVE TO COPE WITH THE LEAN YEAR AND DID THE BEST IT COULD.
HE SAID THAT AS A SIGNATORY OF THE REPORT ON THE WORKING GROUP ON PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY WORKERS OF COMPANIES IN RECEIVERSHIP OF JUNE 1983, HE SUGGESTED THAT A LEVY OF $100 PER ANNUM PER BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
/HE WAS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
10 -
HE WAS GLAD THAT THE GOOD EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVES VOLUNTARILY ACCEPTED THIS IN GOOD FAITH, BEARING IN MIND THAT THEY DID NOT OWE THF WORKERS A CENT IN WAGES OF COMPANIES IN RECEIVERSHIP.
HOWEVER, HE SAID EMPLOYERS OUTSIDE THE MEETING BELIEVED THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE THIN END OF THE WEDGE AND THE LEVY MIGHT BE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY TO MEET MORE AND MORE DEMANDS FROM EMPLOYEES AND TO COVER OTHER ITEMS BESIDES WAGES.
MR CHAN SAID THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND HAD EXTENDED COVERAGE TO THE 1 3TH MONTH WAGES (I.E., THE CHINESE NEW YEAR BONUS) AND” NOU WE ARE DEBATING ON THE COVERAGE OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE (WILON). THE BONE OF CONTENTION WAS 7 DAYS WAGES OR ONE MONTH, HE SAID.
"AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FUND BOARD, I WILL STAND BY THE MAJORITY VIEW OF THE BOARD, I.E., 7 DAYS WILON SHOULD BE COVERED BUT WITHOUT INCREASE IN LEVY FOR THE COMING YEAR.”
MR CHAN SAID THE SURPLUS OF THE FUND WAS MADE UP OF SIX MONTHS RESERVE COLLECTED BEFORE DATE OF OPERATION OF THE FUND AND THE 1985/86 AND 1986/87 SURPLUSES WHICH STOOD AT A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $68.2 MILLION.
HE SAID THE AVERAGE CLAIM PAID TN 1985/6 WAS $2,292.02 AND IN 1986/7 IT HAI) GONE UP BY SOME 12.6 PER CENT DUE TO INFLATION ETC. TO $2,580.42.
'DISREGARDING THE 7 DAYS WILON PAYMENT AND NEXT YEAR'S INFLATION FACTOR, $68.2 MILLION MA^ BE SUFFICIENT FOR 26,439 PERSONS WHO MAY LOSE THEIR JOBS.”
”1F WE OPEN THE FLOOD GATE LIKE THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND AND TRAVEL AGENTS FUND AND MAKE THF PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND INSOLVENT, THEN AS FUND ADMINISTRATORS, OUR IMPRUDENCE WILL BE DOING INJUSTICE TO THESE 26,439 PERSONS AND THEY WILL HAVE THE FEELING OF THE DOOR OF RELIEF SLAM SHUT IN THEIR FACE,” MR (HAN SAID.
- - 0-----------
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
11
CAUTION URGED ON INSOLVENCY FUND ♦ ♦ t *
AN\ ESTIMATES OF BOTH INCOME
AND EXPENDITURE OF THE
PROTECTION
OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND MIST BE TREATED WITH ALTHOUGH ITS FINANCIAL POSITION IS HEALTHY DURING ITS OPERATION, THE HON HO SAI-CHU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE (WEDNESDAY).
SOME CAUTION, TWO YEARS OF COUNCIL TODAY
SPEAKING AGAINST THE PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY THE HON SZETO WAI! AT COMMITTEE STAGE TO EXTEND THE FUND TO COVER ONE MONTH’S WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, MR HO SAID THIS WAS IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED EXPERIENCE TO DATE OF THE OPERATION OF THE FUND AND THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE RESERVE MIGHT BE ACCUMULATED TO MEET OTHER POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS IN ITS SCOPE AND ANY UNFORESEEN DEMANDS ON THE FUND’S RESOURCES IN THE FUTURE.
HE ALSO SAID THE PROVISION FOR A LIMIT OF SEVEN DAYS KAGES WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE MINIMUM PERIOD OF NOTICE AS STIPULATED IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THAT WAS ALREADY APPLICABLE TO MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF THE WORKERS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE MAJORITY OF THE EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD WERE IN FAVOUR OF EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF THE FUND TO COVER SEVEN DAYS’ WAGES IN LUIE OF NOTICE, THEY WERE NOT IN FAVOUR OF ANY FURTHER EXTENSION ON THE GROUND THAT THIS WENT BEYOND THE INTENTION OF THE ORIGINAL PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH LIMITED ANY EX-GRATIA PAYMENT TO AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO FOUR MONTHS’ WAGES OR $8,000, WHICHEVER WAS THE LESSER.
“I WISH TO STRESS THAT IT NEVER WAS THE INTENTION THAT WORKERS BE PAID TN FULL OUT OF THE FUND ALL THAT MAY BE DUE TO THEM ON THE INSOLVENCY OF THEIR EMPLOYERS.”
"AT ANY RATE, AS THE MATTER IS TO BE SUBJECT TO A REVIEW IN A YEAR’S TIME, 1 FEEL WE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL THEN TO SEE WHETHER A FURTHER EXTENSION IS JUSTIFIED,” HE ADDED.
-------0 - -
/12
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
12
CO-ORDINATED EFFORTS IN HELPING STREET-SLEEPERS
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THERE ARE A GREAT MANY REASONS FOR STREET-SLEEPING AND WHAT IS REQUIRED IS A PERSONALISED APPROACH TO INDIVIDUAL STREET SLEEPERS TO FIND OUT WHAT ARE THEIR PROBLEMS AND TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND HELP TO SOLVE THEM.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
NR CHAMBERS SAID THIS TYPE OF SERVICE WAS PROVIDED BY THE STAFF OF THE 23 FAMILY SERVICE ( ENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH WERE LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
HE ADDED THAT SINCE MAY THIS YEAR, SPECIAL OUTREACHING TEAMS IN FOUR REGIONS HAD BEEN FORMED TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT CASES.
THE TASK OF THESE SOCIAL WORKERS WAS TO MAKE CONTACT WITH STREET SLEEPERS AND TO BEFRIEND THEM, TO PROVIDE THEM WITH BLANKETS AND OTHER BASIC ITEMS, TO HELP THEM WITH APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND FOR IDENTITY CARDS, AND TO REFER THEM FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND WELFARE SERVICES WHERE THESE WERE REQUIRED, HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS ASSURED THAT THE RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT STOOD BEHIND THESE TEAMS.
HE SAID FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS BEING PROVIDED TO STREET SLEEPERS FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM.
OF THE 1333 STREET SLEEPERS IDENTIFIED IN THE 1986 SURVEY, 769 HAI BEEN PROVIDED WITH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $4.7 MILLION A YEAR.
EIGHTY-FOUR OF THESE STREET SLEEPERS ALSO RECEIVED SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES TOTALLING $400,000 YEAR, WHILE 205 OF THEM NOW RECEIVED RENTAL ALLOWANCES AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $615,000 A YEAR; THIS GROUP OF COURSE WERE NO LONGER STREET SLEEPERS, HE SAID. DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THEREFORE YMOUNTEl) TO NEARLY $6 MILLION ANNUALLY, HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PLANNING TO SET UP ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASTS A DAY RELIEF CENTRE IN KOWLOON TO HELP THOSE SUFFERING FROM ILL HEALTH OR DISABILITY AND THOSE WHO APPEARED TO HAVE MENTAL PROBLEMS.
THE NEW CENTRE, TO BE OPERATED BY A VOLUNTARY AGENCY, WOULD PROVIDE FOOD AND CLOTHING, AND PERSONAL CARE SUCH AS BATHS AND HAIR CUTS; ITS STAFF WOULD LIAISE WITH CL INK'S AND HOSPITALS TO ARRANGE MEDIC AL TREATMENT AND WITH WELFARE AGAN( IES FOR ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER LONGER TERM XRRANGEMENTS.
/MR CHAMBERS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 13 -
MR CHAMBERS AGREED THAT EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO PERSUADE STREET SLEEPERS TO USE THESE FACILITIES, BIT HE DID NOT THINK THAT A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT WOULD BE ACCEPTVBLE, EXCEPT POSSIBLY INCASES WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED POSED A DANGER EITHER TO HIMSELF OR TO OTHERS.
MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PLAYED A MOST USEFUL ROLE IN HELPING STREET SLEEPERS, PROVIDING NEARLY 1,000 TEMPORARY SHELTER PLACES.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO INTENDED TO INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY IN HELPING THE HOMELESS. ASSISTANCE FROM DISTRICT BOARDS AND YOUTH GROUPS WOULD BE ENLISTED.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS IN HONG KONG WAS QUITE COMPLEX AND CUT ACROSS THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES.
“IT SEEMED TO ME TO BE APPROPRIATE IN THIS YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS TO SET UP A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE VARIOUS POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES AND TO CO-ORDINATE ACTION TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS”, HE SAID.
THIS INTER-DEPARTMENTAL GROUP, CONVENED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WOULD ALSO BE LIAISING CLOSELY WITH DISTRICT BOARDS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SO THAT A CO-ORDINATING COMMUNITY EFFORT COULD BE MOBILISED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS ASSURED THAT MEMBERS’ COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS IN TODAY’S DEBATE WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE NUMBER OF STREET SLEEPERS IN RECENT YEARS HAD BEEN FAIRLY STABLE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.
A SURVEY CONDUCTED IN MARCH THIS YEAR IDENTIFIED 1,319 STREET SLEEPERS, COMPARED WITH 1,333 IN 1986.
MOST STREET SLEEPERS WERE FOUND IN THE OLDER URBAN SUCH AS YAU MA TEI, MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON CITY, SIN, CENTRAL AND WESTERN AND WANCHAI.
TOTAL OF
DISTRICTS
WONG TAI
MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT IN THIS YEAR’S SURVEY, 34 PER CENT APPEARED TO BE IN NORMAL HEALTH, 30 PER (ENT WERE DRUG ADDICTS, 12 PER CENT APPEARED TO SUFFER FROM SOME DEGREE OF MENTAL ILLNESS OR HANDICAP, 10 PER CENT FROM PHYSICAL AILMENTS AND EIGHT PER CENT WERE ALCOHOLICS.
SOME SAID THAT THEY SLEPT IN THE STREET BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD THE HIGH RENTS CHARGED FOR ACCOMMODATION, BUT OTHERS, MAINLY THE YOUNGER, ABLE-BODIED STREET-SLEEPERS, DID SO APPARENTLY BECAUSE THEY FOUND IT CONVENIENT TO STAY CLOSE TO THEIR WORK, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
/IT HAD .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 14 -
IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE LEGISLATION TO PREVENT STREET SLEEPING WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE AUTHORITIES TO REMO\! THESE VAGRANTS EROM THE STREETS, RUT MR CHAMBERS DOUBTED WHETHER SUCH A PROPOSAL. WOULD RECEIVE MUCH PUBLIC SUPPORT IN A FREE AND OPEN-SOCIETY SUCH AS HONG KONG.
MR ( HAMBERS SAID STREET SLEEPING WAS NOT A STRAIGHTFORWARD ISSUE WHICH COULD BE DEALT WITH BY A SINGLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, OR EVEN A SINGLE POLICY.
"STREET SLEEPING IS A PROBLEM WHICH HAS A VERY LONG HISTORY IN HONG KONG, AND I DOUBT WHETHER WF. SHALL EVER SUCCEED IN ELIMINATING IT COMPLETELY," HE SAID.
"BUT I THINK IT IS TRUE TO SAY THAT IN THIS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS WE ARE MAKING A MORE CONCERTED EFFORT TO HELP THESE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE THAN HAS BEEN THE CASE IN THE PAST.
"SOME STREET SLEEPERS MAY REJECT OUR OFFERS OF HELP, BUT I THINK THAT OUR AIM SHOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL THOSE WHO NEED IT AND ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT IT." HE SAID.
-----0----------
STREET SLEEPING PROBLEM BEING TACKLED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
GOVERNMENT EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO WORK OUT A CO-ORDINATED ENDEAVOUR TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS, MR LIAO SAID FAVOURABLE TREATMENT FOR STREET SLEEPERS MIGHT HAVE THE EFFECT OF ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO TAKE TO THE STREETS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN URBAN HOUSING.
’’LIKE MOST PEOPLE SEEKING HOUSING, STREET SLEEPERS WOULD PREFER TO BE REHOUSED IN THE URBAN AREAS. HOWEVER, THIS IS DIFFICULT TO JUSTIFY PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF ABLE-BODIED SINGLETONS, WHEN MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES IN SQUATTER FIRES HAVE TO MOVE TO THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT ACCOMMODATION IN THE URBAN AREA IS LIMITED," MR LIAO SAID.
ABLE-BODIED STREET SLEEPERS, SOME OF WHOM MIGHT ALREADY HAVE PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION, WERE LIKELY TO BE SLEEPING ON THE STREET BECAUSE THEY HAD JOBS NEARBY OR WERE LOOKING FOR WORK IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD, WHILE THOSE WHO WERE DOWN-AND-OUT WITHOUT A PLACE TO LIVE OR THOSE WHO APPEARED TO BE MENTALLY ILL WERE OFFERED TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION IN SHELTERS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, HE ADDED.
/•’THERE ARE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 15 -
"THERE ARE ABOUT 1,000 SUCH PLACES TO WHICH STREET-SLEEPERS MAY BE REFERRED. THOSE SEEKING ACCOMMODATION, INCLUDING SINGETONS, MAY ALSO BE HELPED UNDER THE COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING PROGRAMME IN WHICH 900 FLATS ARE RESERVED EACH YEAR BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR ALLOCATION ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT NEARLY 45 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY’S POPULATION LIVED IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF THIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT.
"OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING A PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS AND INADEQUATELY HOUSED, ARE PROVIDED WITH PROPER HOUSING AT AN AFFORDABLE RENT OR PRICE," MR LIAO SAID.
"THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGHT THE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS TO APPLICANTS ON THE WAITING LIST, CLEARANCE AND REHOUSING FOR SQUATTERS, REDEVELOPMENT OF OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, PROVISION OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND SALE OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS," HE ADDED.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE 430,000 LAND SQUATTERS LIVING IN THE TERRITORY, OF WHOM 150,000 ARE IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 280,000 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES," HE SAID.
"OF THE URBAN SQUATTERS, 32,000 ARE LIVING ON DANGEROUS SLOPES," HE ADDED.
MR LIAO SAID GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN REHOUSING SQUATTERS AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF ABOUT 35,000. OF THIS, 11,000 WERE BEING CLEARED FROM DANGEROUS SLOPES AND AT THIS RATE ALL SQUATTERS IN THIS CATEGORY SHOULD BE REHOUSED BY 1991.
"IT IS PLANNED THAT THE REMAINING URBAN SQUATTERS WOULD BE REHOUSED BY THE MID-1990S," HE SAID.
THERE WERE ABOUT 7,000 MARINE SQUATTERS LIVING WITHIN VARIOUS TYPHOON SHELTERS, AND OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, MORE THAN HALF OF THEM WOULD BE REHOUSED BY DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCES, WHILE THE REMAINDER WOULD BE REHOUSED THROUGH NON-DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCES BY THE MID-1990S, MR LIAO SAID.
LIVING CONDITIONS FOR SQUATTERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE ON THE WHOLE BETTER AND MANY OF THE STRUCTURES WERE BUILT OF MORE SUBSTANTIAL MATERIALS WITH ONLY A FEW SITUATED ON HILLSIDES.
THE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED WERE MAINLY IN THE PROVISIONS OF BASIC FACILITIES AND THESE WERE BEING PROVIDED UNDER VARIOUS PROGRAMMES, MR LIAO SAID.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 16 -
HE SAID GOOD GOOD PROGRESS WAS ALSO BEING MADE IN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF MARKS ONE AND TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WITH THE PROGRAMME DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN 1990. DETAILED PLANS WERE BEING WORKED OUT TO REDEVELOP MARKS THREE TO SIX ESTATES AND FORMER GOVERNMENT LOW COST HOUSING ESTATES STARTING IN MID-1990S.
A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1984 SHOWED THAT THERE WERE 3,900 PEOPLE LIVING TN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS CAGED MEN, AND OF THESE 75 PER CENT WERE UNDER 60 YEARS OLD, MR LIAO SAID.
"IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT A NUMBER OF BEDSPACE LODGERS ALREADY HAVE ADEQUATE HOUSING OUTSIDE THE URBAN AREAS, AND THEY RENT BED SPACES IN CERTAIN URBAN DISTRICTS IN ORDER TO BE CLOSE TO THEIR PLACES OF WORK," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THESE PEOPLE WERE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING THROUGH THE WAITING LIST AND FOR THOSE WHO, FOR VARIOUS REASONS WERE IN PARTICULAR NEED, COULD BE REFERRED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR URGENT REHOUSING ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS.
THERE WERE OTHER TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE SUCH AS SHARED ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, MR LIAO SAID.
A HOUSING DEPARTMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST YEAR SHOWED THAT 86 PER CENT OF THE 1,322 SINGLE PERSONS REHOUSED ON A SHARED FLAT BASIS SAID THEY WERE LIVING TOGETHER HARMONIOUSLY, WHILE EIGHT PER CENT SAID THERE WERE OCCASIONAL DISPUTES AND SIX PER CENT SAID DISPUTES WERE FREQUENT, HE ADDED.
"AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLIC HOUSING, ELDERLY BEDSPACE LODGERS CAN ALSO APPLY FOR PLACES IN HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY OR OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES," MR LIAO SAID.
--------0----------
LEGCO GROUP FINDS SIX AREAS OF CONCERN FOR THE HOMELESS *****
THE LEGCO AI) HOC GROUP TO PREPARE FOR THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS HAS IDENTIFIED SIX AREAS OF CONCERN CONVENOR OF THE GROUP, THE HON MRS PAULINE NG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNICL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THEY ARE NAMELY, STREET SLEEPERS, PEOPLE LIVING IN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, RUN-AWAY OR ABUSED CHILDREN NEEDING SHELTER, BOAT PEOPLE, SQUATTERS LIVING ON DANGEROUS eLOPES AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA TENANTS AWAITING PERMANENT HOUSING," SHE SAID.
/MRS NG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 198?
17
MRS NG SAID THAT IN SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS TO THESE SIX CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE, THE GROUP WAS AWARE THAT THERE WERE VARIETIES OF BACKGROUND FOR THESE GROUPS AND THE PUBLIC ATTITUDE TO THEM ALSO VARY.
"ONE MAY LOOK WITH ABHORENCE THE SHABBY SOLILOQUY ING STREET SLEEPERS IN THE CENTRAL, BUT BE MOVED AT THE PLIGHT OF THE DYING OLD MAN IN COLD WEATHER FROM NEWSPAPER READING, AND PROBABLY INFURIATED TO SEE SOME ABLE-BODIED STREET SLEEPERS FIGHTING FOR PRIORITIES IN URBAN GOVERNMENT HOUSING.
"IT SHOULD BE ACCEPTED THAT BOTH ASSISTANCE AND DETERRENCE ARE NECESSARY TO DISSUADE PEOPLE FROM STREET SLEEPING.
"IT IS THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE TWO THAT DIFFERENT VIEWS MIGHT BE HEARD AND J HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED AND ESTABLISH A SYMPATHETIC AS WELL AS MORE CLEARCUT POLICY TO THIS DESTITUTE GROUP OF PEOPLE TN OUR SOCIETY."
ON STREET SLEEPERS, MRS NG SAID IT WAS NOT A WELCOMING SIGN TO SEE INCREASING NUMBER OF STREET-SLEEPERS FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, FROM 971 IN 1984 TO 1,333 IN 1986 AND THE NUMBER HAD ONLY STEADIED AT 1,319 THIS YEAR.
"INDEED MEMBERS OF THIS OUNCIL HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS ON STREET-SLEEPERS ALMOST EVERY YEAR. THIS PERENNIAL PROBLEM CONCERNS SEVERAL ASPECTS.
"ON THE ONE HAND, STREET-SLEEPERS MIGHT POSE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND CONSTITUTE NUISANCE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY ARE THE MOST DESTITUTE GROUP IN THE SOCIETY DEPRIVED OF HUMAN DIGNITY, AND WANTING ASSISTANCE, BOTH WELFARE OR HOUSING."
SHE SAID THE BASIC SOLUTION FOR THE STREET-SLEEPERS WAS TO PROVIDE SHELTERS AND THE FOUR SHELTERS FOR STREET-SLEEPERS HAD PROVIDED MEANINGFUL SERVICE.
SHE SAID THE 1986 SURVEY IN STUDYING THE STREET-SLEEPERS’ GENERAL AWARENESS OF SUCH SHELTERS AND THEIR USAGE HOWEVER, REFLECTED THAT A LOT MORE WAS TO BE DESIRED.
SHE SAID 74.8 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDED STREET-SLEEPERS HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE SHELTER FOR STREET-SLEEPERS, 8.7 PER CENT DID NOT KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE SHELTER FOR THE STREET-SLEEPERS AND ONLY 8.5 PER CENT KNEW OF THE SHELTER FOR THE STREET-SLEEPERS.
OF THE VARIOUS REASONS GIVEN BY THE RESPONDENTS OF NOT GOING TO THE SHELTER FOR STREET-SLEEPERS, SOME QUOTED SHORT OPENING HOURS, TOO CROWDED, OR TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE PRESENT LOCATION OF STAY.
"THESE POINT TO THE FA'T THAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE IN FACT POSSIBLE AND NECESSARY TO ENCOURAGE MORE STREET-SLEEPERS To MAKI USE OF THE SHELTERS AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED THERE," MRS NG SAID.
/"FIRSTLY, MORE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 18 -
"FIRSTLY, MORE SUCH SHELTERS IS DESIRED. THEY SHOULD BE LOCATED IN THE MORE ACCESSIBLE PLACES FOR THE STREET-SLEFPERS.
"SECONDLY, ADEQUATE MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES MUST BE GIVEN TO THESE SHELTERS TO PROVIDE SUCH IMPORTANT COUNSELLING SERVICE Id ENABLE THE STREET-SLEEPER RESTORE A NORMAL LIFE XND HIS DEEMED I > T CUT *1’V 11
MRS NG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SO FAR DIRECTED ITS EFFORTS TO IDENTIFYING AND EVEN REACHING OUT TO THE STREET-SLEEPERS TO OFFER SUCH WELFARE ASSISTANCE WHICH WERE NO MORE THAN WHAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM OFFERED, E.G. OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE COMPASSIONATE HOUSING, OR SPECIAL NEED ALLOWANCE, SO LONG AS THEY SATISFIED THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
"IT IS
GOOD TO SEE
GOVERNMENT HAS BEGUN TO
PROVIDING MORE OF SUCH SHELTERS. THIS IS IN THE RIGHT THE POLICY SHOULD NOT BE MERE PROVISION OF A PLACE TO STREET-SLEEPERS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THERE SHOULD
PAY
ATTENTION DIRECTION. SLEEP FOR
TO
BUT THE
SERVICES TO REST OF THE
BE
ENABLE THEM A FULL RECOVERY READY TO INTEGRATE
COMMUNITY. FOLLOW-UP
WORK IS IMPORTANT."
COUNSELLING
WITH THE
MRS NG ALSO SAID THAT ALTHOUGH SHE AGREED THAT HOUSING PRIORITIES SHOULD NOT BE UPSET Tn MAKE ROOM FOR THE ABLE-BODIED STREET-SLEEPERS, SHE WOULD NOT ENDORSE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHUT ITS DOOR TO THOSE DESTITUTE STREET-SLEEPERS WHO WERE IN NEED OF SHELTERS.
SHE SAID ACCORDING TO THE 1986 SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, 4 7 PER CENT OF THE STREET-SLEEPERS WERE ABLE-BODIED. BUT THE REST MIGHT STILL BE NEEDING SHELTERS.
"WHILE SOME MIGHT REQUIRE SPECIAL INSTITUTES LIKE HAIF-WAY HOUSES, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN I’O OFFERING SOME FORM OF GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION FOR TH) NEEDY OTHERS SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP UPON DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITALS OR STREET-SLEEPER SHELTERS.
' AS AT APRIL 1986, 205 \PPLICATIONS FOR ACCOMMODATION FROM THESE STREET-SLEEPERS WERE STILL IN PROCESS OR PENDING ACTION. SHOULD THEY BE SUCCESSFUL, THIS WOULD HELP REDUCING THE NUMBER OF STREET-SLEEPERS."
MRS NG SUGGESTED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO JOINTLY SERIOUSLY CONSIDER OPTIONS TO ACCOMMODATE THESE STREET-SLEEPERS.
"PERHAPS, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, HOUSING DEPARTMENT II GUT RELAX THE AGE CRITERIA FOR COMPASSIONATE HOUSING FOR THE ILL OR EX-MENTALLY ILL STREET-SLEEPERS,"
HOWEVER, MRS NG ALSO SAID THAT THE AD HOC GROUP WAS AWARE THAT THERE MIGHT BF CERTAIN GROUP OF STREET SLEEPERS WHO PREFERRED STRFFT SLEEPING.
/’’IN THIS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 19 -
"IN THIS REGARD, SOME MEMBERS EELT MORE EDUCATIONAL MI- : i ; I S SHOULD BE LAUNCHED TO DISAPPROVE STREET-SLEEPING. 1 DO CONCUR THAT LEGISLATION AGAINST STREET-SLEEPING MIGHT BE A BIT HARSH.
"BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS GOOD DISTRICT EFFORTS TO DETER STREET-SLEEPING, E.G. CONDUCT JOINT CLEARANCE OPERATIONS TO CLEAR THE STREET-SLEEPERS BLACKSPOTS. SUCH EFFORTS ARE COMMENDABLE AND BETTER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS IS DESIRED."
AS FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, MRS NG SAID THE SITUATION OF A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CRAMMED IN AN APARTMENT GAVE NOT ONLY UNSATISFACTORY LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE RESIDENTS BUT ALSO PROBLEMS LIKE FIRE RISK OR NUISANCE TO OTHER NEIGHBOUR.
BUT THE MAIN CRUX OF THE PROBLEM IS THE FACT THAT THESE APARTMENTS ARE PRIVATE BUILDINGS AND PRESENTLY NO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT WAS WILLING TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY.
"I SUGGEST DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO SIT TOGETHER AND TO FIGURE OUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AND SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM," SHE SAID.
ON THE RUN-AWAY OR ABUSED CHILDREN NEEDING SHELTER, THE GROUP ENQUIRED THE ADMINISTRATION AS T' WHETHER ANY PROBLEM EXISTED IN PROVIDING SHELTER FOR THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE.
"WE ARE PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE PROBLEM OF RUN-AWAY OR ABUSED CHILDREN IS CONSTANTLY MONITORED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT CONSIDERED SERIOUS."
SHE NOTED THAT ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 32,000 SQUATTERS LIVING ON DANGEROUS SLOPES.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLAN TO RE-HOUSE ALL THESE SQUATTERS BY 1989/90 AND TO CLEAR ALL OTHER URBAN SQUATTERS BY 1994.
"THIS SHOULD BE WELCOMED AND I HOPE THERE SHOULD BE NO DELA1 IN RE-HOUSING THIS VULNERABLE GROUP ANY MORE.
"I AM ALSO GLAD THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED THE EXTENSION OF THE SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME FOR TWO MORE YEARS. SUCH PROGRAMME ARE MUCH WELCOMED BY SQUATTERS IN BRINGING IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR LIVING."
ON THE BOAT PEOPLE , MRS NG NOTED THERE WERE ABOUT 6,500 BOAT PEOPLE IN TOTAL.
"IT IS NOTED THAT PLANS FOR RE-HOUSING THE BOAT PEOPLE IN SHAUKEIWAN, AP LEI CHAU AND SAI KUNG ARE AT HAND FOR THE EARLY 1990S BY THE LATEST AND THE REMAINING BY MID 1990S. I HOPE THERE WOULD NOT BE DELAYS IN ALL THESE PLANS."
FINALLY, ON THE THA TENANTS WHICH TOTALLED AT 120,000 PEOPLE, IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THESE "TEMPORARY" ACCOMMODATIONS WOULD REMAIN A FEATURE OF HOUSING IN HONG KONG FOR A RATHER LONG TIME.
/"HENCE, WE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 198?
- 20 -
"HENCE, WE ARE TOLD THAT THE MORE RECENTLY BUILT THA ARE WITH IMPROVED FACILITIES LIKE SHOPS AND THAT ALL THAS ARE PROVIDED WITH INDEPENDENT WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES.”
IN HER CONCLUSION, MRS NG SAID THAT IN PREPARING FOR THE DEBATE, THE GROUP WAS SATISFIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD INDEED TAKEN GOOD INITIAL STEPS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF THE STREET SLEEPERS AND ALSO PLANNED FOR OTHER GROUPS OF THE HOMELESS.
"CERTAINLY THERE ARE ALWAYS ROOMS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT. THE SETTING UP OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET-SLEEPERS AND THE PROPOSAL TO RUN TWO DAY-RELIEF CUM TEMPORARY SHELTERS ARE ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF GOVERNMENT TAKING ON THE ISSUE.
"I HOPE THE COMMITTEE WOULD CONTINUE THE WORK UNTIL THE COMMUNITY IS SATISFIED THAT THE PROBLEM OF STREET-SLEEPERS HAS BEEN REASONABLY CONTAINED.” SHE SAID.
---------------------------0------- PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS *****
THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS CALLS FOR THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF AN OVERALL, LONG TERM POLICY INVOLVING THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE COMMUNITY, THE HON DAVID K.P. LI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS, MR LI SAID THAT AS A COMMUNITY HONG KONG COULD NOT REMAIN INDIFFERENT TO THE PLIGHT OF STREET SLEEPERS.
"AN EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IS NEEDED, AND THE PUBLIC MUST BE URGED TO SOUND THE ALERT TO CASES OF STREET SLEEPING."
MR LJ SAID THERE WERE POSSIBLY 3,000 STREET SLEEPERS LIVING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG, AND HONG KONG AS A COMMUNITY CONDONED THIS GROWING HUMAN DESPAIR AND HUMILIATION THROUGH TOTALLY INADEQUATE ASSISTANCE TO THEM.
"STREET SLEEPERS ’LIVE’ BY ROADSIDES, UNDER FLYOVERS, IN PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS, BY STAIRCASES, EVEN IN PUBLIC LAVATORIES. THEY ARE PREDOMINANTLY MEN, WHOSE AVERAGE AGE IS 49 YEARS. MOST HAVE NO FAMILY IN HONG KONG.
"WHILE SOME ARE TN REASONABLY GOOD HEALTH, MANY ARE DRUG ADDICTS, MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY ILL, ALCOHOLICS, SENILE, AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED. SOME ARE EMPLOYED. MOST ARE NOT.
/’’ALL HAVE..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
21
“ALL HAVE PROBLEMS WHICH HONG KONG COULD SOLVE IN THE IMMEDIATE TERN, THROUGH THE PROVISION OF HOUSING, MEDICAL CARE, PSYCHIATRIC CARE, COUNSELLING, FINANCIAL AID, AND JOBS. WE HAVE THE MEANS. WE LACK THE RESOLVE.”
MR LI SAID THAT ACCORDING TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S 1986 ANNUAL REVIEW, PEOPLE BECAME STREET SLEEPERS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD HIGH RENTS, QUARREL WITH THEIR FAMILIES, OR WERE EVICTED BY THEIR LANDLORDS.
’’AMAZINGLY, ONE OF THE REASONS LISTED IN THE REVIEW IS THAT STREET SLEEPERS ’LIKED TO SLEEP IN THE STREET’.” HE ASKED HOW A DEPARTMENT WHICH PROFESSED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING TO STREET SLEEPERS COULD ACCEPT SUCH A REASON, APPARENTLY WITHOUT QUESTION.
”TO ME THE CONTINUED INCLUSION OF THIS REASON CASTS DOUBT ON THE VALIDITY OF THE REVIEW, AND ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE MENTALITY OF STREET SLEEPERS, AND ULTIMATELY TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS. MOREOVER, IT IS CONTRARY TO OTHER FINDINGS.”
MR LI SAID THAT FOR INSTANCE, OVER HALF OF 239 STREET SLEEPERS INTERVIEWED IN SHAN SHU1 PO IN JANUARY FOR A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, WISHED TO HAVE PERMANENT HOUSING AND NONE SAID THEY LIKED BEING STREET SLEEPERS.
’’MAY I RECOMMEND THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT REVIEW THEIR ’REVIEW’ METHODS AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY," HE SAID.
MR LI ALSO SAID THAT IN THE 1986 REVIEW, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TOLD OF PASSING OUT NOTIFICATION CHITS TO 197 ’’MORE VULNERABLE” STREET SLEEPERS WHO WERE LIKELY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR WELFARE SERVICES.
"THROUGH THIS DISTRIBUTION OF CHITS, THEY AIMED TO INDUCE SOME STREET SLEEPERS TO APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE, MAINLY THOSE OVER 60, WHO WERE DISABLED, IN ILL HEALTH, DRUG ADDICTED AND EARNING LESS THAN $2,000 A MONTH.”
HE SAID THE REVIEW REPORTED THAT ONLY 19 STREET SLEEPERS, OR LESS THAN 10 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO RECEIVED CHITS, TURNED UP FOR ASSISTANCE.
"DISTRIBUTING CHITS IS NOT SOCIAL WELFARE. IT IS MISPLACED BUREAUCRACY. IT IS THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THAT MUST GO TO THE STREET SLEEPERS, INITIATE CONTACT AND FOLLOW THROUGH. NOT VICE VERSA.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAD BETTER CLIMB DOWN FROM THEIR IVORY TOWER, REMOVE THEIR ROSE-TINTED GLASSES, AND CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE TO SUIT THE REAL WORLD," HE SAID.
/MR LI .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 22 -
MR LI SAID THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ALONE.
HE SAID THAT FOR INSTANCE THE 1985 ANNUAL REVIEW SUGGESTED THAT FOR STREET SLEEPERS WHO COULD NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT DUE TO "FINANCIAL OR MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES" MIGHT SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE.
HOWEVER, MR LI SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAD TOLD HIM THAT THEY DID NOT EXTEND THE SERVICE TO STREET SLEEPERS BECAUSE THEY WERE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"IT SEEMS THE GOVERNMENT NFED TO FOSTER BETTER COOPERATION AND AWARENESS AMONG THEIR OWN DEPARTMENTS," HE SAID.
MR LI ALSO SAID THE VOLUNTARY WORKERS, SUCH AS THE STREET SLEEPERS SHELTER SOCIETY, AND THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH SERVICE ORGANISATION’S "YOUTH WITH A MISSION", WERE DOING AN EXEMPLARY JOB DESPITE LIMITED FUNDS.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES HAD CONCLUDED THAT NO SINGLE AGENCY WAS PROPERLY EMPOWERED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS EITHER AT POLICY OR FIELDWORK LEVEL.
-------0----------
COMMITTEE TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS WELCOMED
*****
THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WELCOMED A MOVE BY HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO SET UP A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO STEP UP SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS.
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS, MR CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE COMMITTEE SHOULD CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF PROVIDING TWO DAY RELIEF CUM TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR STREET SLEEPERS, AS WELL AS SOME BASIC CLEANING UP SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH LONG HAIRS.
HE SAID THE NUB OF THE PROBLEM WAS TO WHAT EXTENT THE PROCEDURE SHOULD BECOME MANDATORY IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC INTEREST AND HAVING REGARD TO STANDARD OF PUBLIC HYGIENE AND MORALITY, WITHOUT GROSS INFRINGEMENT ON THE RIGHTS AND PERSONAL NEEDS OF THE STREET SLEEPERS WITH THEIR VERY PERSONAL AND INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROCEDURES WOULD HAVE To BE CAREFULLY DRAWN UP, PUBLICISED AND ACCEPTED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC BEFORE ENFORCEMENT.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
25 -
HE SAID HIS OWN VIEW WAS THAT PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DEVISED FOR LONG-HAIRED AND FILTHY STREET-SLEEPERS TO BE CLEANED UP AT REGULAR INTERVALS BUT THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE FORCIBLY KEPT OFF THE STREETS AGAINST THEIR WILL UNLESS THEY WERE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, DRUG RELATED PROBLEMS, ALCOHOLISM, OR IN A MANNER WHICH WOULD MAKE THEM A DANGER TO PUBLIC ORDER.
COMMENTING ON THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF STREET SLEEPERS 1986 PREPARED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH LISTED OUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STREET SLEEPERS, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID SPECIAL APPROACHES WOULD HAVE TO BE THOUGHT UP AND SPECIAL FORMS OF ASSISTANCE FOR THEM WOULD HAVE TO BE IMPROVED UPON WITH THE EVENTUAL AIM OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION OFF THE STREETS FOR CATEGORIES SUCH AS THE DRUG ADDICTS, THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS OR ALCOHOLISM, OR ILL HEALTH, THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED, OR THE BLIND.
HE ALSO ASKED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO MAKE AVAILABLE AN ADDITIONAL QUOTA IF NEEDED TO RESETTLE STREET SLEEPERS OFF THE STREETS, AS NEARLY HALF OF THEM SURVEYED CLAIMED THAT THEY WERE FORCED TO BE STREET SLEEPERS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD THE HIGH RENT.
MR CHEONG-LEEN TOLD GOVERNMENT THAT WHEREEVER POSSIBLE THE PROGRAMMES TO BE IMPLEMENTED TO RESOLVE THE MULTIFARIOUS PROBLEMS OF STREET-SLEEPERS SHOULD BE FARMED OUT AMONG VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WHICH WHERE NORMALLY CAPABLE OF GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS.
HE ADDED THAT ANOTHER AREA WHERE THE SPECIALISED AND CO-ORDINATED RESOURCES OF GOVERNMENT, SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS, WOULD HAVE TO COME INTO FULL PLAY WAS THOSE STREET-SLEEPERS WITH PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS AND VIOLENT TENDENCIES WHO REQUIRED REGULAR MEDICAL SUPERVISION.
--------0----------
FIRM COMMITMENT URGED TO TACKLE PROBLEMS OF HOMELESS
*****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER THE HON HUI YIN-FAT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID FIRM COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY TO TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS ON ALL FRONTS WAS NEEDED TO ERADICATE THIS SOCIAL ILL THAT TARNISHED HONG KONG’S IMAGE.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS, MR HUI SAID THAT AT THE MOMENT, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE DEALING WITH THE MANY AND VARIED PROBLEMS OF STREET SLEEPERS BY TAKING A PIECEMEAL, REMEDIAL APPROACH.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 24 -
HE SAID THAT BEHIND THE LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WAS AN INDIFFERENT OFFICIAL ATTITUDE REFLECTED IN THE SETTING UP OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET SLEEPERS LAST MONTH --- 10 YEARS AFTER THE RECOMMENDATION WAS FIRST MADE IN 1977 .
HE SAID THERE ALSO SEEMED TO BE AN UNDER-ESTIMATION BY GOVERNMENT OF THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM, WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FIGURES FAILING TO TALLY WITH THOSE PRODUCED BY THE STREET SLEEPER ACTION COMMITTEE AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD SURVEY RESEARCH.
' "GOVERNMENT'S APATHY IS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE TENDENCY OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO PASS THE BUCK TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE POLICE REFUSING TO PICK UP STREET SLEEPERS WHO CAUSE NO DISTURBANCE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC,” HE SAID,
HE SAID THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, UNDERSTAFFED WITH ONLY EIGHT SOCIAL WORKERS MANNING ITS OUTREACH TEAM, FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO COPE, WHILE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WITH LIMITED RESOURCES WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST.
HE ADDED THAT IN VIEW OF THE NATURE AND COMPLEXITY OF THEIR PROBLEMS, COORDINATION OF EXISTING SOCIAL SERVICES WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO UPROOT THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPING. THE PROBLEM MUST BE LOOKED AT IN ITS ENTIRETY AND TACKLED BY A SPECIAL TASK FORCE WITH CONCENTRATED EFFORTS AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
”TO BEGIN WITH. MULTI-PURPOSE ACCOMMODATIONS MUST BE DESIGNED AND MADE AVAILABLE --- INCLUDING COMPASSIONATE HOUSING FOR SINGLETON STREET SLEEPERS HANDLED BY A SPECIAL HOUSING DEPARTMENT UNIT; HOSTELS AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN INNER URBAN AREAS RUN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES; AND SHARED APARTMENTS OR RENTED BEDSPACES IN PRIVATE HOUSING FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD THE RENT,” HE SAID.
OTHER SERXICE URGENTLY REQUIRED INCLUDED INTENSIFICATION OF MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES PROVIDED SPECIFICALLY FOR STREET SLEEPERS; EXPANSION OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S AFTER-CARE SERVICE, HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR MENTALLY ILL STREET SLEEPERS AND STREET SLEEPER SHELTERS AND HOSTELS; INCREASED EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR STREET SLEEPERS; AS WELL AS SPECIAL SUPPORT GIVEN TO STREET SLEEPES WITHOUT IDENTITY CARDS.
MR HUI STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE BE GIVEN THE ROLE OF MONITORING ACTION PLANS FOR CONTAINING THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS TO BE DRAWN UP BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"ONLY WHEN THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE CAN ENSURE THAT THE ENTIRE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY IS WORKING SMOOTHLY TO PROVIDE BACK-UP SERVICES TO ACCOMMODATION PROVISIONS FOR STREET SLEEPERS CAN WE BE SANGUINE ABOUT A CONCRETE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IN HAND," HE SAID.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 198?
HE ALSO FULLY SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATION TO REINFORCE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S OUTREACHING SERVICE TEAM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CONCRETE ASSISTANCE TO STREET SLEEPERS. THE SCOPE OF WORK OF THE ' OUTREACHING TEAM SHOULD EXPAND FROM PROVIDING BASIC COUNSELLING AND REFERRAL SERVICES, TO INTENSIVE CARE PROVIDED THROUGH EXISTING AND NEW CHANNELS ACCEPTABLE TO STREET SLEEPERS.
HE ADDED THAT EFFORTS MADE BY DISTRICT BOARDS IN DISTRICTS OF HIGH INCIDENCE OF STREET SLEEPERS, BY THE POLICE IN IDENTIFYING STREET SLEEPERS DURING THEIR NORMAL PATROLS, AND BY THE MASS MEDIA IN INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ISSUES SURROUNDING STREET SLEEPERS TOGETHER CONSTITUTE A POSITIVE APPROACH TOWARDS SOLVING THE STREET SLEEPER PROBLEM.
-------o---------
BANKING LAW IMPROVEMENTS SOUGHT
* i » » »
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE WORKING OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION LAST SEPTEMBER, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR NENDICK NOTED THAT THE BANKING ORDINANCE HAD BEEN OPERATING SMOOTHLY SINCE IT CAME INTO OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. "BUT EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT AMENDMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SOME PROVISIONS TO IMPROVE THEIR WORKING,CLARIFY THEIR MEANING, REMOVE DOUBTS ON INTERPRETATION, OR IN SOME CASES, CORRECT MINOR DRAFTING ERRORS," HE ADDED.
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE, "DEPOSIT" WAS DEFINED TO INCLUDE DEBENTURES AND OTHER SECURITIES, IN RESPECT OF WHICH A PROSPECTUS HAD BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, WHERE THESE WERE ISSUED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, I.E., BANKS OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
"THIS MEANS THAT THESE ISSUES ARE REGULATED IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER DEPOSIT-TAKING BY AUTHORISED JNSITUTIONS; IN PARTICULAR, THE REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES CANNOT ISSUE SUCH SECURITIES IN DENOMINATIONS OF LESS THAN HKS100.000 OR THE EQUIVALENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY.
"REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO US THAT THIS IS AN IMPEDIMENT TO THE ACCESS BY REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO SOME INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS WHERE BONDS ARE OFTEN ISSUED IN DENOMINATIONS AS LOW AS 5,000 US DOLLARS TO PROMOTE MARKETABILITY," HE SAID.
/IT WAS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 26 -
IT WAS PROPOSED, THEREFORE, THAT THE DEFINITION OF "DEPOSIT" WOULD EXCLUDE THE ISSUE OF SUCH SECURITIES BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS. THIS WOULD IN EFFECT TREAT AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER COMPANIES AND REVERT TO THE POSITION UNDER THE PREVIOUS DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
THE NEXT AMENDMENT CONCERNS THE TRANSFER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING LICENCES. MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT RECENTLY A LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY WHICH HAD BEEN OPERATING IN HONG KONG FOR A LONG TIME BUT WAS INCORPORATED IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS SOUGHT TO TRANSFER ITS LICENCE TO ITS U.K. PARENT BANK.
"THIS TRANSFER WOULD HAVE BEEN WELCOMED FROM A SUPERVISORY POINT OF VIEW BUT COULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT AS THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE WAS NOT A REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY,” HE ADDED.
TO ALLOW FOR SUCH TRANSFERS, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT AN APPLICATION FOR THE TRANSFER OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING LICENCE MAY ALSO BE MADE BY A PERSON OTHER THAN A REGISTERED-TAKING COMPANY.
"ANY SUCH TRANSFER WOULD STILL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND ALL OTHER PROVISIONS WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY," HE STRESSED.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THREE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS CONCERNING THE SALE OR DISPOSAL OF BUSINESS AND RECONSTRUCTION OF CAPITAL.
FIRST, IN THE CASE OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WOULD SUFFICE SINCE HE IS THE REGISTRATION AUTHORITY FOR THESE INSTITUTIONS.
SECOND, TO CLARIFY THE AMBIT OF THIS SUBSECTION, ONLY THE SALE OR DISPOSAL OF AN INSTITUTION’S BANKING OR DEPOSIT-TAKING BUSINESS, FOR WHICH DEFINITIONS ARE PROVIDED IN THE ORDINANCE, WOULD REQUIRE PRIOR APPROVAL; THE SALE OR DISPOSAL OF OTHER THAN THIS CORE BUSINESS WOULD ONLY NEED TO BE ADVISED TO THE COMMISSIONER.
THIRD, ONLY CAPITAL REDUCTIONS WOULD REQUIRE PRIOR APPROVAL; OTHER CAPITAL RECONSTRUCTIONS WOULD ONLY NEED TO BE ADVISED TO THE COMMISSIONER.
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT THE AMENDMENTS AIMED TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY PROCEDURES IN ADMINISTERING THE ORDINANCE.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT REFERRED TO THE PROVISIONS IN THE BANKING ORDINANCE WHICH RESTRICTED THE GRANTING OF UNSECURED ADVANCES OR OTHER FACILITIES BY AN UNAUTHORISED INSTITUTION TO ANY NON-LISTED COMPANY IN WHICH ANY DIRECTOR OF THE AUTHORISED INSTITUTION WAS ALSO A DIRECTOR.
/MR NENDICK .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 27 -
MR NENDICK SAI I THAT IN CERTAIN CASES THE PROVISIONS COULD WORK AGAINST THE BEST INTERESTS OF AN INSTITUTION AND ITS SUPERVISION BY ITS OWN BOARD. IT WAS THEREFORE CONSIDERED THAT THESE PROVISIONS SHOULD BE MODIFIED, PARTICULARLY AS THE COMMISSIONER HAD OTHER POWERS TO DEAL WITH IMPRUDENT LENDING TO CONNECTED COMPANIES.
ACCORDINGLY, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE COMMISSIONER BE GIVEN DISCRETIONARY POWERS TO EXEMPT FACILITIES GIVEN BY SPECIFIC AUTHORISED INSITUTIONS TO SPECIFIC CONNECTED COMPANIES FROM THE LIMITS UNDER THESE SECTIONS; AND THE COMMISSIONER MIGHT ATTACH CONDITIONS TO SUCH EXEMPTIONS.
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDED ONE WHICH REQUIRED THAT CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF LOCALLY INCORPORATED INSTITUTIONS, IN ADDITION TO DIRECTORS, BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING BEFORE THEY WERE APPOINTED.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT AIMED TO REMOVE DOUBTS AS TO WHETHER SOME NORMAL FINANCIAL SERVICES OFFERED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS MIGHT TECHNICALLY BREACH THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND THEY FULLY SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------o----------
LAW AGAINST UNAUTHORISED DTCS ADEQUATE
*****
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTING AN UNAUTHORISED DEPOSIT-TAKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG IS REMOTE AND STRENGTHENING THE LAW IN THIS AREA UNNECESSARY, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM, MR NENDICK SAID ADVERTISING WAS NECESSARY IN SUCH BUSINESS, AND ANY FORM OF PUBLICITY INVOLVED WOULD BE LIKELY AND PROMPTLY BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING.
REFERRING TO THE RECENT CASE IN WHICH A WRIT WAS FILED IN THE HIGH COURT AGAINST A COMPANY AUTHORISED AS A BANK IN VANUATU SEEKING THE RECOVERY OF FUNDS ALLEGEDLY DEPOSITED WITH THAT COMPANY, HE SAID INSTANCES OF THIS SORT WERE RARE.
"NO OTHER CASE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS," HE SAID.
/MR NENDICK
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
28 -
MR NENDICK SAID THE COMPANY IN QUESTION HAD NOT BEEN AUTHORISED TO TAKE DEPOSITS IN HONG KONG UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
MR NENDICK ALSO SAID ACCORDING TO THE VANUATU AUTHORITIES, THE COMPANY HAD HAD ITS BANKING LICENCE REVOKED AND WAS NOW IN THE COURSE OF LIQUIDATION.
"MOREOVER, NO OTHER DEPOSITOR HAS COME FORWARD IN THIS CASE TO REPORT THAT THE VANUATU COMPANY HAD TAKEN FURTHER DEPOSITS ILLEGALLY, DESPITE THE WIDE PUBLICITY WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE, THE MAXIMUM SANCTION AGAINST ILLEGALLY CARRYING ON BANKING OR DEPOSIT-TAKING BUSINESS WAS $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE YEARS.
-------0---------
THIRD UNIVERSITY A MASSIVE VOTE CONFIDENCE *****
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REPRESENTS A MASSIVE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHELANGELO PAGLIARI, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE UNIVERSITY WAS BROUGHT TO LIFE TODAY WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BILL 1987 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR PAGLIARI SAID THAT THE ONLY NATURAL RESOURCE IN HONG KONG WAS PEOPLE, AND HONG KONG WAS EXPLOITING THE RESOURCE" BY DEVELOPING THE POTENTIAL OF OUR PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, PREPARING THEM TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE LIFE OF THIS VIBRANT COMMUNITY."
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT EDUCATION ACCOUNTED FOR THE LARGEST SLICE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPENDITURE AND IT WAS RIGHT AND PROPER THAT IT SHOULD.
"ITS SEEMS INEVITABLE THAT THE SHARE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WHICH GOES TO EDUCATION WILL INCREASE AS MORE STUDENTS AT A HIGHER LEVEL TO MASTER THE INCREASINGLY COMPLEX SUBJECTS WHICH WILL BE NECESSARY IF OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS IS TO CONTINUE AND INDEED IMPROVE IN THE HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED WORLD IN WHICH WE PLAY AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANTPART,"HE ADDED.
MR PAGLIARI ALSO NOTED THAT THE HIGH COST OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REFLECTED THE HIGH TECHNOLOGY WHICH THAT INSTITUTION WOULD BRING TO THE EDUCATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL LIFE OF HONG KONG AND SAID IT REPRESENTED A MASSIVE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 29 -
THIRD UNIVERSITY BILL SUPPORTED ♦ * * *
THREE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BILL 1987.
SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE HON ALLEN LEE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
HE PRAISED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE THIRD UNIVERSITY, WHICH PLACED EMPHASIS ON THE FIELD OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS STUDIES, AND SAID THIS WAS THE TYPE OF COMMITMENT THAT ENSURED HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
HE SAID: "THE CONTINUED PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY DEPENDS GREATLY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR HUMAN RESOURCES.
"IT IS THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT WHICH BOOSTS MY CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG."
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HONG KONG WILL BECOME A STRIKING INTERNATIONAL CITY TN THIS PART OF THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
MR LEE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY’S PLANNING COMMITTEE AND IN PARTICULAR ITS CHAIRMAN, THE HON SIR S.Y. CHUNG, WHO HAD WORKED SO HARD AND WITH LIGHTENING SPEEDS TOWARDS THE SETTING UP OF THE UNIVERSITY.
HE SAID THEIR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE APPRECIATED AND PUT ON RECORD.
ECHOING MR LEE’S REMARKS, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY’S PLANNING COMMITTEE, SAID THE TREMENDOUS COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT, FOR THE FUTURE GOOD OF HONG KONG, MUST BE APPRECIATED BY ALL IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID OF LATE, IT WAS ALL TOO OFTEN FASHIONABLE FOR SOME COMMENTATORS TO LABEL THE GOVERNMENT AS A LAME DUCK GOVERNMENT ACCORDING TO THEIR WHIMSIES AND POSSIBLY THEIR OWN PERCEIVED POLITICAL FORTUNES.
"I CERTAINLY PRAY AND HOPE THAT SUCH COMMENTATORS CAN OBJECTIVELY REFLECT UPON THE WISDOM OF THIS GOVERNMENT IN CONSCIOUSLY AND POSITIVELY COMMITTING SO MANY RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S FUTURE NEEDS," HE SAID.
"FAR FROM BEING A LAME DUCK GOVERNMENT, THIS GOVERNMENT, WHICH PLANS SO FAR IN ADVANCE AND CARES SO MUCH ABOUT OUR FUTURE, IS A GOOD, RESPONSIVE AS WELL AS A RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT," HE NOTED.
/MR CHEONG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
MR CHEONG ALSO SAID THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE THIRD UNIVERSITY WAS TIMELY. ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING, HONG KONG HAD DEVELOPED AND EVOLVED TO A LEVEL WHERE, IF IT WAS TO MOVE FURTHER FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE, A CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF WELL TRAINED SPECIALIST GRADUATES WOULD BE ESSENTIAL, HE SAID.
ANOTHER COUNCILLOR, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, WHO IS THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY’S PLANNING COMMITTEE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE BILL ACCURATELY REFLECTED THE DESIRE OF THE COMMITTEE TO CREATE A MODERN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY WHICH ON THE ONE HAND HAD THE NECESSARY AUTONOMY AND FREEDOM TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, AND ON THE OTHER WOULD BE EFFICIENTLY OPERATED TO GIVE THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY INVESTED.
ON THE NEED FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY, MR CHENG SAID THIS REQUIRED THE DETERMINATION AND INITIATIVES FROM BOTH THE INDUSTRIALISTS AND THE UNIVERSITY AUTHORITIES AND ACADEMIC STAFF.
HE SAID IT WAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE THAT HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. ALTHOUGH IT WAS DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY WITH PRECISION THE NEEDS OF THE MARKETPLACE FOR TRAINED DEGREE LEVEL PERSONNEL, IT WAS THE PLANNING COMMITTEE’S CONSTANT CONCERN TO DEVELOP AND REFINE AN ACADEMIC PROFILE FOR THE UNIVERSITY, WHICH WOULD MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ECONOMY AS WELL AS THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE STUDENTS.
MR CHENG SAID THOUGH THE MAIN THRUST OF THE UNIVERSITY’S WORK WOULD BE AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL, IT WAS THE PLANNING COMMITTEE’S FIRM WISH TO SEE A HIGH PROPORTION OF THE UNIVERSITY’S RESOURCES EVENTUALLY DEVOTED TO POSTGRADUATE WORK.
HOWEVER, HE THOUGHT IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT IN THE INTEREST OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COMMUNITY, GREATER EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON RESEARCH.
"ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE THAT AT THIS STAGE OF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE RESEARCH SHOULD BE DIRECTED IN THE MAIN TOWARDS COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION IN THE INTERESTS OF OUR ECONOMY; IN OTHER WORDS WE SHOULD BE ADVOCATING APPLIED RATHER THAN PURE RESEARCH," HE ADDED.
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/51
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 31 -
PILOT PLAN UNDER WAY TO COMPUTERISE HOSPITAL INFORMATION » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO EXTEND THE PILOT HOSPITAL COMPUTERISED INFORMATION SYSTEM IN THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL TO ALL GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS IF IT IS FOUND PRACTICABLE AFTER EVALUATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE PILOT SYSTEM WAS INTENDED TO COVER THE FOLLOWING KEY AREAS:
(A) IN-PATIENT ADMISSION, DISCHARGE, AND TRANSFER SYSTEM, INCLUDING:
* DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ON PATIENTS (INCLUDING ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY PATIENTS) AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE PATIENT RECORD;
♦ RECORDS OF ALL ADMISSIONS, DISCHARGES AND TRANSFERS;
* DAILY AND ON-DEMAND OPERATIONAL REPORTS, E.G. BED STATE REPORT, WARD SHIFT ENQUIRY REPORT;
(B) OUT-PATIENT REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULING SYSTEM, INCLUDING:
♦ OUT-PATIENT APPOINTMENT, REGISTRATION AND ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES;
* IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY LABORATORY TESTS;
* FOLLOW UP ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF PATIENTS AT SPECIALIST CLINICS.
(C) LABORATORY INFORMATION SYSTEM, INCLUDING:
* AN ENQUIRY CAPABILITY AT WARD NURSING STATIONS;
♦ CUMULATIVE AND INDIVIDUAL TEST RESULT REPORTS FOR EACH PATIENT;
(D) NURSING WARD-LABORATORY ORDER AND RESULT REPORTING SYSTEM, INCLUDING:
♦ AUTOMATION OF LABORATORY TEST ORDERING PROCEDURES;
♦ CHECKING ON DEMAND, STATUS OF ORDERS (TEST ORDERED, SPECIMENS OBTAINED, TESTS PERFORMED, RESULTS REPORTED);
♦ IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY RESULTS.
/••THE ESTIMATED.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 32 -
’’THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS IS $38.5 MILLION,” MR CHAMBERS SAID.
”A DRAFT FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM IS NOW BEING PREPARED AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
’’THIS PILOT HOSPITAL INFORMATION SYSTEM WILL BE MONITORED AND EVALUATED AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KEY AREAS MENTIONED ABOVE.
”IF IT IS FOUND PRACTICABLE, IT IS THE INTENTION TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO ALL GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS IN FUTURE.
’’THE TIMING WILL DEPEND UPON THE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION OF THE PILOT SCHEME AS WELL AS THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES, HE ADDED.
-------0 -
WELFARE SERVICES INCLUDED IN ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT t » * ♦
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS DRAWING UP A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF MARKS III-VI PUBLIC ESTATES AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS BEING CONSULTED ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR WELFARE FACILITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PROJECTED TARGET POPULATION AND THE ESTIMATED DEMAND FOR THE VARIOUS SERVICES.
HE SAID IT WOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE PLANNING STANDARDS LAID DOWN IN THE FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT AND THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN IN DECIDING ON THE FACILITIES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW ESTATES.
”IN ORDER TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION DURING THE REDEVELOPMENT PERIOD, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL AS FAR AS POSSIBLE MAKE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS TO CATER FOR SERVICES AFFECTED BY THE DEMOLITION OF EXISTING CENTRES,” MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
HE SAID THE REDEVELOPMENT WOULD START IN 1989/90 AND IT WOULD PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVING THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES IN THESE AREAS.
’’THE EVENTUAL OUTCOME SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED SERVICES, IN TERMS OF BOTH QUANTITY AND QUALITY IN THE REDEVELOPED ESTATES,” HE SAID.
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/33........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 33 -
IMPROVEMENTS TO HANDLING OF
* * *
CHILD ABUSE CASES SOUGHT * «
THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING CHILD ABUSE CASES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE UOLNCIL TODA'i (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WERE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING GROUP SET UP LAST YEAR TO REVIEW THE PROTECTION OF WOMRil AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE.
"ITS FOCUS HAS SHIFTED OVER THE YEARS FROM THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS FROM PROSTITUTION AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION TO THE PROTECTION OF JUVENILES AND CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT," HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE BILL WOULD AMEND FOUR SPECIFIC PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE.
THE FIRST OF THESE WAS CONTAINED IN SECTION 34(1) UNDER WHICH A CHILD MUST BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE JUVENILE COURT BEFORE A DECISION WAS MADE ON WHETHER HE WAS IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION, HE SAID.
"THIS REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPEAR TO SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE IF THE CHILD IS TOO YOUNG EITHER TO EXPRESS A VIEW OR FOR HIS VIEWS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE COURT. IT CAN ALSO BE A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FOR A VERY YOUNG CHILD IF THE CASE IS CONTESTED," HE SAID.
"IT IS PROPOSED THAT ONLY CHILDREN AGED SEVEN OR ABOVE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT.”
"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT AT THAT AGE A CHILD IS OLD ENOUGH TO BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD IN CARE PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF HIS OWN WELL BEING."
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE COURT WOULD HAVE THE DISCRETION TO REQUIRE A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF SEVEN TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT IF NECESSARY. IN ANY CASE, THE COURT WAS REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE CHILD’S PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE CARE PROCEEDINGS.
HE SAID THE SECOND AND THIRD AMENDMENTS WOULD ENABLE CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION TO RECEIVE PROMPT MEDICAL TREATMENT.
HE SAID UNDER SECTION 34A OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, THE JUVENILE COURT WAS EMPOWERED TO INCLUDE IN SUPERVISION ORDERS SUCH REQUIREMENTS AS IT CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN RESPECT OF MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE MENTAL CONDITION, BUT NOT THE PHYSICAL CONDITION, OF A CHILD UNDER SUPERVISION.
/"THIS HAS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- J4 -
"THIS HAS CAUSED DIFFICULTIES ESPECIALLY WHEN UNCO-OPE 1ATIVE PARENTS HAVE REFUSED TO GIVE CONSENT FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT OR EVEN TO UNDERGO MEDICAL EXAMINATION TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES," HE SAID.
"IT HAS ALSO PROVED DIFFICULT IN SOME CASES TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY PARENTAL CONSENT FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. WITHOUT SUCH CONSENT, A SUPERVISED CHILD OR JUVENILE MAY BE DEPRIVED OF NECESSARY TREATMENT," HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL AMENDED SECTION 34A OF THE ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE JUVENILE COURT TO INCLUDE IN SUPERVISION ORDERS REQUIREMENTS AS TO MEDICAL TREATMENT, INCLUDING SURGICAL OPERATIONS, FOR BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITION OF CHILDREN UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
MR CHAMBERS ADDED THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO PROVISION FOR THE CHILD TO BE TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A CHILD WAS SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN ABUSED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT OR EXAMINATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER HE HAD SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WHEN PARENTAL CONSENT COULD NOT BE OBTAINED.
"THE CHILD CAN ONLY BE TAKEN TO A "PLACE OF REFUGE" IN THE FIRST INSTANCE UNDER SECTION 31F(1), AND THEN TRANSFERRED TO A HOSPITAL UNDER SECTION 34E(5>,” HE SAID.
"THIS PROCEDURE IS CUMBERSOME AND MAY NOT BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD IF URGENT MEDICAL CARE IS NECESSARY."
"CLAUSE 5 AMENDS SECTION 34E(1) TO PROVIDE FOR A CHILD OR JUVENILE IN NEED OF MEDICAL TREATMENT TO BE REMOVED DIRECTLY TO AND DETAINED IN A HOSPITAL WHEN NECESSARY," HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE FOURTH AMENDMENT RELATED TO THE POWER OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO ENTER PREMISES BY FORCE AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 44(1) OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THE PUBLIC DISQUIET LAST YEAR OVER THE KWOK AH-NUI CASE, AND AFTER CONSIDERING THE PROVISION IN THE ENGLISH LAW WHICH REQUIRES A WARRANT TO BE ISSUED BY A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE BEFORE DOMESTIC PREMISES CAN BE ENTERED BY FORCE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE DIRECTOR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A WARRANT FROM A MAGISTRATE, JUVENILE COURT OR DISTRICT COURT BEFORE AUTHORISED OFFICERS ENTER ANY PREMISES BY FORCE IN PURSUANCE OF THEIR DUTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE BAR ASSOCIATION, AS WELL AS THE FAMILY LAW ASSOCIATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
/35
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 35 -MATERNITY I.EAVI* ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPROVED *****
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 PROVIDES A BALANCED PACKAGE OF MEASURES WHICH WOULD BENEFIT BOTH EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHELANGELO PAGLIARI, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR PAGLIARI SAID THAT IN RETURN FOR GREATER PROTECTION AGAINST UNFAIR DISMISSAL, A PREGNANT EMPLOYEE WOULD GIVE GREATER NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE, AND, IN RETURN FOR KEEPING HER JOB OPEN UNTIL SHE WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK, THE BILL PROVIDED THE EMPLOYER WITH GREATER ASSURANCES THAT THE EMPLOYEE WOULD DO SO.
HE SAID THAT THE RIGHT OF A FEMALE EMPLOYEE TO UNPAID MATERNITY LEAVE WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1970 TOGETHER WITH MEASURES TO PROTECT HER FROM DISMISSAL ONCE SHE HAI) GIVEN X STIPULATED PERIOD OF NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TYKE MATERNITY LEAVE.
"THIS RIGHT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED IN 19H1 BY THE INTRODUCTION OF TEN WEEKS’ PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR FORTY WEEKS OR MORE AND BY THE EXTENSION OF THE PERIOD OF NOTICE FROM 8 WEEKS IO 12," HE ADDED.
THE LEGAL POSITION REMAINED THAI A PREGNANT EMPLOYEE MIGHT NOT HAVE HER EMPLOYMENT I'ERMINXTFI FROM THE DATE ON WHICH SHE GAVE NOTICE OF HER INTENTION To TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE UNT1I THE DATE ON WHICH SHE WAS DUE TO RETURN TO WORK ON THE EXPIRY OF HER MATERNITY LEAVE.
"HOWVER, UNDER THE LAW AS IT NOW STANDS, THE EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO GIVE THIS NOTICE WITHIN TWELVE WEEKS OF THE EXPECTED DATE OF HER CONFINEMENT AND MANY OF OUR SLIGHTLY-BUILT LOCAL YOUNG LADIES DISPLAY DISTINCT EVIDENCE OF THEIR CONDITION AT X MUCH EARLIER TIME," HE SAID.
"THIS HAS GIVEN RISE TO XLLEGATIONS BY LABOUR GROUPS THAT UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS HAVE DISMISSED PREGNANT EMPLOYEES BEFORE THEY FALL WITHIN THE TWELVE WEEK PERIOD AND THERE XPPEARS TO BE SOME EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THESE ALLEGATIONS," HI ADDED,.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS BILL ENHANCED THE PROTECTION ALREADY PROVIDED IN EXISTING LEGISLATION BY REMOVING REFERENCE TO A PERIOD OF TWELVE WEEKS' NOTICE PRIOR TO CONFINEMENT XND BY STIPULATING THAT \N EMPLOYEE MIGHT GIVI* NOTIC! OF HEP INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE AT ANY TIME AFTER HER PREGNANCY II\D BEEN CERTIFIED.
"SHE WILL THUS BE PROTECTED FROM DISMISSAL THROUGHOUT HER PREGNANCY PROVIDED SHE OBTAINS THE NECESSARY CERTIFICATE AND PRESENTS IT TO HER EMPLOYER. THIS SHOULD ALSO GIVE THE EMPLOYER A LONGER PERIOD OF NOTICE TO ENABLE HIM TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO (OVER THE ABSENCE OF A PREGNANT EMPLOYEE," HF SAID.
/THE BILL
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 198?
- 36 -
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHOSE PREGNANCY HAD CEASED OTHER THAN BY REASON OF CONFINEMENT SHOULD GIVE NOTICE IO lib.v EMPLOYER OF THE CHANGE IN HER CONDITION AS SOON AS WAS RESONABLY PRACTICABLE.
"THIS PROVISION WILL ENSURE THAT AN EMPLOYER IS MADE AWARE OF ANY CHANGE IN AN EMPLOYEE’S INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE AND THUS ENABLE THE EMPLOYER TO UPDATE HIS STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS, HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL FURTHER PROVIDED THAT AN EMPLOYEE MIGHT NOT USE ANY PART OF HER MATERNITY LEAVE AS A NOTICE PERIOD PRIOR TO LEAVING HER EMPLOYER.
"THIS PROVISION IS THOSE WHO ARE OBLIGED TO POSSIBILITY OF A PREGNANT HER EMPLOYMENT DURING HER EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY HER
DESIGNED TO PROTECT EMPLOYERS, PARTICULARLY PROVIDE PAID MATERNITY LEAVE, FROM THE
EMPLOYEE GIVING NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF MATERNITY LEAVE AND MAKING HER RESIGNATION MATERNITY LEAVE EXPIRES," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0 ---------
LIFTS BILL TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY *****
ENACTMENT OF THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL WILL LEAD TO IMPROVED PROCEDURES AND HIGHER STANDARDS IN THE EXAMINATION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS WHICH IN TURN WILL IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE BILL DURING SECOND READING, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, PRAISED MR F.K. HU AND MR U.K. CHENG FOR STUDYING THE BILL AND FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF IT.
HE NOTED MR HU’S CONCERN THAT REGISTERED LIFT CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS WHEN WORKING ON GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY LIFTS WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
"IN COMMENTING ON THIS I WOULD POINT OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE SITUATION FOR GOVERNMENT SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE ORDINANCE IN 1960, AND THAT IT IS CONSISTENT WITH A SIMILAR EXEMPTION FROM THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE," MR BARNES SAID.
PROCEDURES WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT WERE SUCH THAT LIFT WORKS WERE DONE TO HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS BY REGISTERED LIFT CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GOVERNMENT ENGINEERS, AND THAT DURING THIS PERIOD ACC1 1 "
VERY FEW AND MINOR.
/THE SAME
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 37 -
THE SAME PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS APPLIED TO HOUSING AUTHORITY LIFTS, ALTHOUGH PREVIOUSLY THEY WERE EXEMPT FROM THE ORDINANCE.
’’WITH THIS SAID, I APPRECIATE THAT MR HU’S IS A WIDER AND MORE GENERAL CONCERN AND I AM PREPARED TO UNDERTAKE A REVIEW OF THIS AND OTHER BUILDING SAFETY LEGISLATION TO SEE WHETHER SUCH LEGISLATION SHOULD APPLY TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR,” HE SAID.
”ON WHETHER OR NOT THE PROPOSED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFT AND ESCALATOR ENGINEERS SHOULD BE APPLIED TO EXISTING PERSONS ON THE REGISTER, I CAN CONFIRM THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN.
’’THE REQUIREMENTS WILL ONLY BE APPLIED TO NEW APPLICANTS.
’’EVEN IF THIS WERE NOT THE CASE I WOULD NOT SEE THIS AS A MAJOR PROBLEM, SINCE AS I MENTIONED WHEN INTRODUCING THE BILL TO THIS COUNCIL THE REQUIREMENTS PROPOSED FOR INCORPORATION IN THE ORDINANCE ARE ONLY THOSE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES HAS BEEN APPLYING IN PAST YEARS IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS DISCRETION.
”1 AGREE WITH MR HU’S FINAL POINT ON THE NEED TO PUBLICISE THE NEW RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS OF NON-INDUSTRI AL SERVICE LIFTS AND WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIS TO BE DONE,” MR BARNES SAID.
------0 -------
AMENDMENTS TO LIFTS LAW TIMELY ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE HON F. K. HU SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE WERE TIMELY IN ENSURING HIGHER STANDARD AND BETTER PROTECTION OF SAFETY FOR THE PUBLIC.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, MR HU SAID THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1960 AND REQUIRED TO BE UPDATED AND IMPROVED.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WOULD NOT APPLY TO LIFTS AND ESCALATORS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, AND QUERIED WHETHER THE ORDINANCE AND INDEED OTHER BUILDINGS ORDINANCE RELATED LEGISLATION SHOULD APPLY ONLY TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE AN UNDERTAKING TO REVIEW THIS COMPLICATED ISSUE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- ?8 -
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR APPLICANTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REGISTERS OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS ENGINEERS, MR HU SUGGESTED THAT THE PROPOSED REQUIREMENT WOULD APPLY ONLY TO NEW APPLICANTS BUT NOT TO THOSE ENGINEERS ALREADY IN THE REGISTERS.
HE SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS AT PRESENT A SHORTAGE OF REGISTERED ENGINEERS TO DEAL WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF LIFT AND ESCALATOR INSTALLATIONS IN OPERATION.
MR HU ALSO SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT APPROPRIATE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO REMIND THE OWNERS OF SERVICE LIFTS, WHICH WERE NOT SUPPLIED AND MAINTAINED BY REGISTERED LIFT CONTRACTORS, OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THESE LIFTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISION OF THE BUILDING (LIFTS) REGULATIONS.
-------0---------
FUEL ASH LAGOONS POSE NO HEALTH RISK *****
AFTER CAREFUL STUDY OF CURRENT SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE ON THE PROPOSED PULVERISED FUEL ASH LAGOONS AT TSANG TSUI, THE FORMER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CONCLUDED THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A HEALTH RISK FROM RADIOLOGICAL SOURCES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG KWONG, MR CHAMBERS SAID THIS ASPECT WAS THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN FURTHER STUDY.
IN 1984, THE GOVERNMENT ASKED THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSED PULVERISED FUEL ASH LAGOONS AT TSANG TSUI,"
"THIS STUDY WAS BASED ON TERMS OF REFERENCE PREPARED BY THE THEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY," HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE POSSIBILITY OF RADIOLOGICAL IMPACT ON LOCAL VILLAGERS AND SITE WORKERS HAD BEEN CONSIDERED IN PREPARING THESE TERMS OF REFERENCE.
PUMPING OF PFA INTO THE LAGOONS BEGAN ON JUNE 12 AND THE POWER COMPANY WAS MONITERTNG RADIOACTIVITY LEVELS AT THE SITE AND THE LEVELS RECORDED SO FAR GAVE NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN, HE SAID.
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/39 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
39
REVIEW OF VISUAL ARTS DEVELOPMENT
t * » «
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP TO REVIEW GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING ACTIVITIES AND TO FORMULATE A CO-ORDINATED APPROACH FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL ARTS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE DESIRABILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN ACADEMY FOR THE VISUAL ARTS WILL BE EXAMINED IN THE COURSE OF THE WORKING GROUP’S STUDY," MR LIAO ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ON THE PROMOTION OF VISUAL ARTS, MR LIAO SAID GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT IN PROMOTING THIS CONCENTRATED ON THE SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND THE PROVISION OF EXHIBITION FACILITIES.
"APART FROM PROVIDING VISUAL ARTS TRAINING IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO DEVELOP A SECONDARY SCHOOL, FUNDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, IN SHA TIN FOR STUDENTS SHOWING TALENTS IN SPORTS OR VISUAL ARTS," HE SAID.
EXHIBITION HALLS AND GALLERIES ARE PROVIDED IN ALL THE MAJOR CIVIC CENTRES OPERATED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
MR LIAO NOTED THAT ADDITIONAL EXHIBITION FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE MUSEUM OF ART WHICH FORMS PHASE THREE OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 1990.
"THE URBAN COUNCIL ALSO PLANS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EXHIBITION HALLS AND VISUAL ARTS STUDIOS IN ITS COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRES.
"A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE PROVISION OF A CERAMICS, PRINT AND SCULPTURE CENTRE WITHIN THE VICTORIA BARRACKS REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME IS BEING UNDERTAKEN," HE SAID.
BOTH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL REGULARLY ARRANGE VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITIONS AND ORGANISE LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS AND ARTS AND CRAFT SESSIONS, MR LIAO NOTED.
"THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE AND THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE SOCIETY ALSO ORGANISE EXHIBITIONS AND CLASSES, AND MAKE AVAILABLE THEIR FACILITIES FOR USE BY LOCAL ARTISTS," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, MANY INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND PRIVATE TEACHERS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE TRAINING OF STUDENTS AND PROMOTION OF VISUAL ARTS ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
- 0 ---------
/4O........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
40
INFORMATION ON PROPOSED SHENZHEN AIRPORT SOUGHT
*****
ON THE PROPOSED NEW THE ACTING FINANCIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE GOVERNMENT WAS SEEKING INFORMATION SHENZHEN AIRPORT THROUGH APPROPRIATE CHANNELS, SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE
TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT, MR NENDICK SAID THAT ONLY WHEN THE GOVERNMENT HAD SUCH INFORMATION WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO ASSESS THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG AND TO CONSIDER WHAT MEASURES WERE NECESSARY TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS.
-----0----------
CARPARK BOMB AN ISOLATED CASE
*****
THE GOOD DETERRENT TO THE RECENT BOMB EXPLOSION IN THE YAU MA TEI CARPARK IS TO ARREST, TO CONVICT AND TO PUNISH THOSE RESPONSIBLE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY’ THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR JEAFFRESON SAID INVESTIGATIONS INTO THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT WERE CONTINUING.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE POLICE HAD TIGHTENED SECURITY IN SOME OF THEIR PREMISES BUT CONSIDERED STRINGENT SECURITY MEASURES IN ALL TO BE UNNECESSARY.
"SUCH MEASURES WOULD INCONVENIENCE THE MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO REQUIRE ACCESS TO THE PREMISES EVERY DAY."
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WAS SATISFIED THAT HE HAD ADEQUATE MANPOWER AND RESOURCES FOR THE ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES HE FELT NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE, HE ADDED.
MOREOVER, MR JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE PUBLIC LIFT LOBBY ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR WHERE WERE THE OFFICES OF THE POLICE REGIONAL CRIME UNIT, KOWLOON.
"THE PREMISES WERE UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME."
"THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE EXPLOSION WAS ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN ISOLATED INCIDENT," HE STRESSED.
----o------- A1 .....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
41
TAXI POLICY UNDER REVIEW *****
THE OVERALL TAXI POLICY IS NOW BEING EXAMINED BY THE TAXI REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE QUESTION OF THE LIMIT ON TAXI NUMBERS WAS ALSO BEING EXAMINED BY THE SUB-COMMITTEE.
HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF TAXIS THAT MAY BE REGISTER . IS DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON THE BASIS OF THE ADVICE OBTAINED FROM THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
COMMENTING ON THE CRITERIA USED IN DECIDING THE TAXI NUMBERS,MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION ALWAYS TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF TAXI SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE INTEREST OF THE TRADERS AND THE BROADER ASPECT OF ROAD USE.
“THESE INTERESTS ARE INTER-RELATED, AND HAVE TO BE BALANCED IN CONSIDERING A DECISION ON TAXI NUMBERS,” MR LEUNG EMPHASISED.
“TO FACILITATE THE CONSIDERATION OF THE ISSUE, ANNUAL SURVEYS WERE CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO MEASURE THE LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICE AND TO ASSESS THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TAXI TRADE,” MR LEUNG SAID.
“THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES, WHICH IS ASSESSED IN TERMS OF SAFETY STANDARDS, THE DEGREE OF COMFORT AND THE CONDUCT OF TAXI DRIVERS, AND HAD TAKEN VARIOUS STEPS TO IMPROVE IT,“ MR LEUNG ADDED.
SOME OF THESE STEPS INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT THAT OVER TWO-YEAR OLD TAXIS MUST UNDERGO ANNUAL VEHICLE EXAMINATION BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT BEFORE RELICENSING. FURTHERMORE, ALL TAXIS UPON FIRST REGISTRATION MUST BE NEW.
IN GENERAL, MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE QUALITY OF VEHICLES USED AS TAXIS IN HONG KONG WAS RELATIVELY HIGH, AS SHOWN BY THE AGE OF THE FLEET, THEIR STATE OF MAINTENANCE AND THE FEW PUBLIC COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF THE VEHICLES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CONDUCT OF TAXI DRIVERS RECEIVED BY THE TCU HAD INCREASED RECENTLY, PARTLY AS A RESULT OF THE DISPLAY OF THE TCU'S COMPLAINT HOTLINE IN TAXIS.
/MR LEUNG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 42
MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS P LUDED REFUSING OR NEGLECTING TO ACCEPT A HIRE, ILLEGAL CHARGE OF TAXI FARES AND THE POOR MANNERS OF THE DRIVERS. ENFORCEMENT ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE POLICE AGAINST DRIVERS WHERE COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND TO BE JUSTIFIED.
IN ADDITION, BOTH THE URBAN AND THE NEW TERRITORIES TAXI ASSOCIATIONS HAD BEEN URGED TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICE AND TO MANAGE THEIR DRIVERS MORE EFFECTIVELY, HE ADDED.
OTHER MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE CONDUCT OF TAXI DRIVERS INCLUDED:
(A) THE DISPLAY OF AN IMPROVE FARE PLATE IN THE TAX FOR THE INFORMATION OF PASSENGERS. THIS FARE PLATE ALSO SHOWS THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE TCU TO ENCOURAGE USE OF THE COMPLAINT FACILITIES; AND
(B) THE PUBLICATION OF AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET ON TAXI SERVICES. IT IS PLANNED TO ISSUE THESE PAMPHLETS IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES FOR THE REFERENCE AND GUIDANCE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE TAXI DRIVERS.
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LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF LICENSED TAXIS EXTENDED » » * » »
A MOTION TO EXTEND THE LICENSED TAXIS UP TO JULY 7, 1988 TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, (WEDNESDAY).
PERIOD OF LIMITING WAS MOVED BY THE AT THE LEGISLATIVE
THE NUMBER OF SECRETARY FOR COUNCIL TODAY
"THE EFFECT VEHICLES WHICH MAY 14,400 IN THE CASE
OF THIS EXTENSION BE REGISTERED AND
IS THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER
nr .»».» An., n. • LICENSED AS TAXIS WILL REMAIN mnnnvm URBAN AREA TAXIS, 2,638 IN THF CASE HF
TERRITORIES TAXIS AND 40 IN THE CASE OF LANTAU TAXIS, AS ORDERED THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ON JULY 8, 1986," MR LEUNG EXPLAINED.
OF AT NEW
BY
T1, n. THE PERI0D LIMITING THE NUMBER OF LICENSED TAXIS IS SPEfTFlpn IN SECTION 23(3) OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
-------0---------
A3.....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- -
DRIVING WITHOUT VALID LICENCES ON THE RISE * * ♦ ♦ »
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FINED FOR DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT A VALID DRIVING LICENCE INCREASED TO 6,431 LAST YEAR, 16.5 PER CENT MORE THAN 1985 AND 46.7 PER CENT MORE THAN 1984.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE OFFENCES IN 1986 WERE DEALT WITH BY THE ISSUE OF A FIXED PENALTY TICKET OF $140 WHILE THE REMAINDER WERE PROSECUTED AND THE MAXIMUM FINE IMPOSED WAS $3,000.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER A DRIVER’S INSURANCE COVER IS INVALIDATED UPON THE EXPIRY OF HIS DRIVING LICENCE, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO GENERALISE SINCE THIS DEPENDED UPON THE PROVISIONS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE POLICY.
BUT HE SAID THAT A COMMON PROVISION IN INSURANCE POLICIES ISSUED IN HONG KONG WAS THAT THE POLICIES PROVIDED COVER FOR ANY PERSON WHO HELD OR HAD HELD A DRIVING LICENCE, PROVIDED THAT THIS PERSON HAD NOT BEEN DISQUALIFIED TO DRIVE THE MOTOR VEHICLE BY ORDER OF A COURT OF LAW.
"IN TWO LOCAL CASES, THE COURTS HELD THAT SUCH POLICIES WERE NOT INVALIDATED SOLELY BECAUSE THE DRIVER’S DRIVING LICENCE HAD EXPIRED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND THEREFORE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WHO HAD ISSUED THE POLICIES WERE NOT RELIEVED FROM THE LIABILITY TO INDEMNIFY THE INJURED PARTIES," MR LEUNG SAID.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS, UNDER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MOTOR INSURERS’ BUREAU OF HONG KONG, THE BUREAU UNDERTOOK TO PAY OR CAUSE TO BE PAID ANY OUTSTANDING AWARD OF THE COURTS IN CASES WHERE AN INSURANCE POLICY WAS INVALIDATED BY THE EXPIRY OF THE CONCERNED DRIVER’S DRIVING LICENCE, HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG ALSO SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL TO REMIND ALL MOTORISTS BY LETTER OF THE EXPIRY DATE OF THEIR LICENCES BUT IT WAS FOUND TO BE A VERY COSTLY EXERCISE THAT WOULD NOT BENEFIT THE MAJORITY OF ACTIVE DRIVERS WHO USUALLY RENEWED THEIR LICENCE ON TIME.
UNDER THE EXISTING REGULATIONS, DRIVING LICENCE HOLDERS MAY RENEW THEIR LICENCES WITHIN THREE YEARS AFTER EXPIRY WITHOUT THE NEED TO TAKE A DRIVING TEST. IN PRACTICE MANY OF THE INACTIVE DRIVERS TEND TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES ONLY JUST BEFORE THE STATUTORY PERIOD EXPIRES.
"TO SEND REMINDERS TO THIS GROUP OF LICENCE HOLDERS WOULD NOT THEREFORE SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE," HE SAID.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 198?
44
ON THE SUGGESTION TO ALLOW DRIVERS TO HAVE A CHOICE OF THE DATE OF RENEWAL OF THEIR LICENCES, THE REGULATIONS ALREADY ALLOW SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THAT A LICENCE MAY BE RENEWED AT ANY TIME UP TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE ITS EXPIRY.
"FOR THOSE DRIVER WHO USE THE PROVISION IN THE REGULATIONS TO ALLOW THEIR LICENCES TO LAPSE AND PLAN TO RENEW THEM WITHIN THREE YEARS AFTER THE EXPIRY DATE, EVEN MORE FLEXIBILITY IS ALLOWED. IN EFFECT, THEY MAY RENEW THEIR LICENCES ON ANY WORKING DAY OF THE YEAR THAT SUITS THEM," HE SAID.
-------o----------
ENFORCEMENT KEY TO CONTROL OVERLOADED LORRIES *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON .MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE LAW TO CONTROL THE SIZE OF THE BUCKETS OF TIPPER TRUCKS BUT WAS CONSIDERING THE INSTALLATION OF ROADSIDE WEIGHBRIDGES TO STRENGTHEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POLICE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AGAINST OVERLOADING OF SUCH VEHICLES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG,MR LEUNG SAID THAT LAST YEAR 15,439 PROSECUTIONS WERE INSTITUTED FOR SUCH OFFENCES.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS ONLY SPECIFY THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED DIMENSIONS OF VEHICLES AND THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED WEIGHT WHICH NAY BE CARRIED.
AS THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC REGULATION GOVERNING THE EXTENSION OF THE BUCKETS OF TIPPER TRUCKS, AND GOODS VEHICLES LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD WERE NOT YET SUBJECT OF ANNUAL INSPECTION, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO VERIFY THE EXTENT OF THE PRACTICE OF ENLARGING THE BUCKETS OF TIPPER TRUCKS AND ITS EFFECTS ON OVERLOADING, MR LEUNG ADDED.
HE SAID THAT THE SIZE OF THE BUCKET WAS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR WHICH DETERMINED THE WEIGHT OF THE TIPPER TRUCKS. THE TYPE AND DENSITY OF THE MATERIALS CARRIED BY THE VEHICLES COULD SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE WEIGHT OF THE LOAD.
MR LEUNG, HOWEVER, EMPHASISED THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO TACKLE OVERLOADING BY TIPPER TRUCKS, AND GOODS VEHICLES IN GENERAL, WAS BY ENFORCEMENT.
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A5.....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
_ 45 -
ELEVEN BILLS PASSED » t t
ELEVEN BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE : COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1987, BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1987, PILOTAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, SUPERVISION ORDERS (RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS) BILL 1987, KOWLOON -CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE A?(D TECHNOLOGY BILL 1987 AND PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
FOUR OTHER BILLS WERE READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED. THESE BILLS WERE - BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 AND EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
A MOTION SEEKING TO EXTEND THE PERIOD TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF TAXIS TO JULY 7, 1988 WAS ALSO PASSED.
A6.....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 46 -
CALL TO WORK HARD ON THE FUTURE *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID HE HAD GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN THE COMING DECADE.
"IF ALL OF US CONCERNED WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE REALLY WORK OUT IN PRACTICE, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THAT CAN BE DONE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM REPORTED THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING AFTER TOURING THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT _ HONG KONG NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE IN WAN CHAI TO SEE FOR HIMSELF ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE START OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE Nr' 1 IDENTITY CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME.
’’THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, A LOT OF PRACTICAL WORK, LIKE THE THINGS THAT I HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS MORNING,” HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A NEW I.D. CARD AND FOUND THAT THE SYSTEM WORKED ’’VERY EFFICIENTLY AND EXTREMELY RAPIDLY”.
’’IT’S A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT TO PRODUCE NEW IDENTITY CARDS WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO BE USED RIGHT BEYOND 1997. AND IT WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO HAVE, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT, WHICH MEANS THAT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WITH THAT SAME RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT, AND THOSE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ALSO CAN GO BEYOND 1997,” HE SAID.
ASKED IF THE NEW IDENTITY CARD WOULD HELP PREVENT THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEING GIVEN TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND HAVING AN EFFICIENT IDENTITY CARD WAS A VERY GOOD CHECK AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
COMMENTING ON THE RECENT INFLUX OF Il’S INTO THE TERRITORY, HE POINTED OUT THAT VERY VIGOROUS MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND THE SITUATION HAD BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.
’’BUT IT IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM. WE HAVE TO REMAIN VERY VIGILANT BOTH ON THE BORDER, MARINE POLICE AND IN CHECKING AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BEING IN HONG KONG AND SENDING THEM BACK WHEN WE FIND THEM,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THE TERRITORY SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR CHEAP WAGE RATES. HE SAID THAT REGULAR CHECKINGS WERE DONE BY THE POLICE TO CAPTURE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/’’IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
47
"IT IS A VERY EFFICIENT OPERATION, VERY FEW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS GET THROUGH THE BORDER OR THE MARINE POLICE. NEARLY ALL OF THOSE WHO DO GET THROUGH ARE THEN PICKED UP AND SENT BACK," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ADDED THAT HONG KONG HAD VERY CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES OVER THE II SITUATION THROUGH THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER, SIR DAVID EARLIER SAW YOUNG MEN BORN IN 1967 AND 1968 WAITING THEIR TURN TO BE PROCESSED FOR THE TWO TYPES OF NEW CARDS TO BE RE-ISSUED.
HE LEARNED THAT THE FOUR-AND-A-HALF-YEAR EXERCISE WOULD COST ABOUT $563.1 MILLION AND ABOUT 4.8 MILLION CARDS WOULD BE REPLACED.
MR CARTER INFORMED HIM THAT THE TWO TYPES OF NEW CARDS WOULD BE THE HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD, WHICH STATES THAT THE HOLDER HAS THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, AND THE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD WHICH DOES NOT STATE THAT RIGHT.
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SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP SEVENTH MEETING
*****
THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL TAKE PLACE IN LONDON FROM JULY 7 TO 10.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LEI) BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, MR ROBIN MCLAREN (ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE (ASIA), FCO). THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE MR DONALD LIAO (SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, HONG KONG), MR DICK CLIFT (POLITICAL ADVISER,HONG KONG), MR PETER THOMSON (COUNSELLOR, BRITISH EMBASSY, PEKING)AND MR CHRISTOPHER HUM (HEAD OF HONG KONG DEPARTMENT, FCO).
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/48
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
- 48 -
GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES ♦ t t * »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, IS PLANNING TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES IN MID-OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
THIS WILL BE SIR DAVID’S FIRST VISIT TO THE U.S. SINCE TAKING OFFICE. WHILE DETAILS OF HIS PROGRAMME HAVE NOT YET BEEN FINALISED, IT IS INTENDED THAT HE WILL VISIT BOTH WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK AND POSSIBLY ONE OTHER CITY.
DURING THE VISIT, HE WILL MEET U.S. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND CALL ON SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION.
HE WILL ALSO TAKE ON A NUMBER OF SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS.
SIR DAVID WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THIS VISIT BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD AND BY HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE.
COMMENTING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE EARLY VISIT REFLECTED THE IMPORTANCE HONG KONG ATTACHED TO MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONS WITH A MAJOR TRADING PARTNER AND INVESTOR IN HONG KONG.
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STUDENT LOAN FUNDS OFFERED FOR 1987/88 * * * * *
STUDENTS OF POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THEIR STUDIES IN THE FORTHCOMING ACADEMIC YEAR (1987/88) MAY OBTAIN INTEREST-FREE LOANS FROM THE HONG KONG ROTARY CLUB STUDENTS’ LOAN FUND AND THE STANDARD/SING TAO FAT CHOY DRIVE STUDENTS’ LOAN FUND.
A SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A MAXIMUM LOAN OF $2,050 AND A POST-SECONDARY STUDENT FOR $2,970 PER ANNUM.
APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WILL BE CONSIDERED BY A JOINT COMMITTEE FOR BOTH LOAN FUNDS AND PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WHO ARE APPROACHING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
LOANS ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON A YEARLY BASIS. NEW APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR LOANS AND PRESENT RECIPIENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR FURTHER LOANS IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR MUST COMPLETE A PRESCRIBED FORM.
/APPLICANTS WHO
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1t 1987
- 49 -
APPLICANTS WHO INTEND TO ENTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY TO THE DEAN OF STUDENTS AND THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STUDENT AFFAIRS OF THE UNIVERSITIES RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE WHO WISH TO ENTER THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY TO THE STUDENT WELFARE OFFICER AND STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICER OF THE POLYTECHNICS RESPECTIVELY.
STUDENTS WISHING TO ENTER THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE SHOULD APPLY TO THE STUDENT FINANCIAL AID OFFICE OF THE COLLEGE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION TO ALL THESE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WILL BE OCTOBER 16.
APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO ENTER OTHER POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE ADVISED TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FORM FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY. COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE OFFICE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 7.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR LOANS FROM EITHER LOAN FUNDS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER INTO A FORMAL UNDERTAKING TO REPAY THEIR LOANS BY INSTALMENTS OF AT LEAST 10 PER CENT OF THEIR MONTHLY SALARY FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
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EXHIBITIONS ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BE HOLDING THREE EXHIBITIONS OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS TO ENCOURAGE SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS TO RECEIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING BEFORE JOINING INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE.
THE EXHIBITIONS WILL FEATURE COURSES PROVIDED AT THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND 14 INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES OPERATED BY THE COUNCIL.
THE FIRST EXHIBITION, AT NAM FUNG CENTRE, TSUEN WAN, WILL BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO JULY 6. THE SECOND EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE MTR MONG KOK STATION FROM JULY 9 TO 13.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE NEW TOWER PLAZA, THE LAST EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE PLAZA'S FOOTBRIDGE GALLERY, SHA TIN FROM JULY 16 TO 20.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE AN HOUR-LONG VARIETY SHOW AT THE ATRIUM PLAZA OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN AT 3 PM ON JULY 18.
CAREERS MASTERS, PARENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO THE EXHIBITIONS WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 6.00 PM.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987
50 -
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY UNDERWAY * ♦ * ♦ *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IN JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1987.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION. IN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD; HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT; SICK LEAVF AND MATERNITY LEAVE PATTERN OF EMPLOYEES AND USE OF TAXIS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHS OF JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1987.
SOME 5,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO, WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING AN IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
------0-------
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS AND SEEK MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME IN KOWLOON CITY AREA.
THE SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED FOLLOWING THE COMPETITION OF THE CARPENTER ROAD WIDENING PROJECT IN MAY NEXT YEAR. THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN NGA TSIN WAI ROAD AND IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITY ON THIS ROAD.
/IN THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1t 198?
- 51 -
IN THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS WHETHER IT IS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROPOSALS BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO INSTALL TRAFFIC FACILITIES IN HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, AND KOWLOON TONG AREAS TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOO; CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
-----0------
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET TOMORROW ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE 15TH KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS A REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF RE-HOUSING FOR AN EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, THE ’’MEET THE PUBLIC” SCHEME AND APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS AMBULANCE SERVICES, WATER SUPPLY AT TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, THE NUMBER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ON TSING YI, RENTAL POLICY OF AND THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY AND HOW IT IS BEING MONITORED, AND THE OPERATION OF COMMUNITY HALLS AND CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 15TH KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT 166-174, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
- - 0 ----------
/52........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987*
- 52 “
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TUEN MUN
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TUEN MUN FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 31 FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
THE RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT FROM PUI TO ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO TIN HAU ROAD WILL BE BANNED. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DIVERT VIA KIN TAI STREET, KIN WING STREET AND TSUN WEN ROAD TO TIN HAU ROAD.
MEANWHILE, THE RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT FROM PUI TO ROAD WESTBOUND TO TSUN WEN ROAD WILL BE BANNED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCH BUSES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES. MOTORISTS HEADING FOR TSUN WEN ROAD ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE VIA TIN HAU ROAD SOUTHBOUND, HUNG CHEUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND, SAN ON STREET, HUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND AND TIN HAU ROAD NORTHBOUND.
-----0-----
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHEUNG SHUI AND TAI PO
*****
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 3), THE SECTION OF ROAD L9 BETWEEN ROAD D7 AND ROAD D3, SHEUNG SHUI, WILL BE MADE A 24-HOUR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITED ZONE DAILY.
NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PROHIBITED AREA.
WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME, THE LOOP ROAD LEADING FROM TAI PO ROAD (YUEN CHAU TSAI) WESTBOUND TO KWONG WANG STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR GOODS AND PASSENGERS.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO*
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY 1987 PUBLISHED ..................... 1
ROOM FOR HK-KOREA TRADE GROWTH ................................. 4
TENDERS INVITED FOR TAXI LICENCES .............................. 5
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS CSD INSTITUTIONS ........................ 5
NT LOT TO LET BY TENDER......................................... 6
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOUSING STRATEGY........................... 6
CULTURE COMMITTEE TO MEET....................................... 7
EXHIBITION OF PRIMARY STUDENTS’ CREATIVE WORK .................. 8
PERFORMANCES TO LAUNCH SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME................... 8
OPENING CEREMONY OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME...................... 9
VARIETY SHOW TO LAUNCH TAI PO SYP .............................. 9
SUMMER ACTIVITIES START IN MONG KOK.......................... 10
INVITATION FOR SHA TIN SWIMMING GALA .......................... 10
INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR CHAI WAN ................................ 11
EDP CENTRE HOLDS CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ............ 11
SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST TO BE WIDENED.................... 12
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY 1987 PUBLISHED
*****
THE SLOWDOWN IN GROWTH IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WHIC1 BEGAN IN APRIL CONTINUED IN MAY, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED Bl THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH TODAY (THURSDAY).
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ALSO GREW SLOWER IN MAY THAN IN PREVIOUS MONTHS.
GROWTH IN HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY SLOWED DOWN IN MAY. HK$M2 AND HK$M3, THE BROADER DEFINITIONS OF THE MONEY SUPPLY, BOTH REGISTERED A SMALL INCREASE WHILE HK$M1 SHOWED A SLIGHT DECLINE
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-7 KING COMPANIES CONTINUED TO INCREASE. GROWTH IN OTHER LOANS FOR US IN HONG KONG WAS SLOWER IN MAY AFTER THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN APRIL. LOANS TO FINANCE HONG KONG’S VISIBLE TRADE, ON THE OTHER HAND, GREW FASTER IN MAY.
DEPOSITS
IN MAY, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEMAND DEPOSITS FELL BY 4.4 PER CENT AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS ALSO DECREASED BY 1.8 PER CENT. TIME DEPOSITS, HOWEVER, INCREASED BY 3.2 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 0.2 PER CENT IN MAY AFTER INCREASES OF 2.4 PER CENT IN MARCH AND 0.7 PER CENT IN APRIL. OVER THE YEAR (I.E, FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING MAY), TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 20.4 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW SLOWER IN MAY, BY 1.8 PER CENT AFTER THE RAPID INCREASE OF 3.7 PER CENT IN APRIL. OVER THE YEAR, THESE DEPOSITS GREW BY 38.3 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 4.2 PER CENT IN MAY. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 0.6 PER CENT IN MAY WHILE ADJUSTED FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 1.6 PER CENT.
DEPOSITS (ALL CURRENCIES) WITH BANKS INCREASED BY 1.1 PER CENT IN MAY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY, THE FORMER GREW BY 6.7 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER BY 1.5 PER CENT.
/MONEY SUPPLY
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
2 -
MONEY SUPPLY
HONG KONG DOLLAR Ml FELL BY 0.9 PER CENT IN MAY, BEING INFLUENCED BY THE FALL IN DEMAND DEPOSITS. HK$M2 AND HK$M3 RECORDED INCREASES OF 0.6 PER CENT AND 0.5 PFR CENT RESPECTIVELY. THESE GROWTH RATES WERE LOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 2.3 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT IN MARCH, AND THE 0.9 PER CENT AND 0.8 PER CENT IN APRIL. OVER THE YEAR, HK$M1 GREW BY 29.5 PER CENT WHILE HK$M2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 27.5 PER CENT AND 21.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY Ml FELL BY 0.8 PER CENT IN MAY AFTEi AN INCREASE OF 3.8 PER CENT IN APRIL. TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3, ON THE OTHER HAND, BOTH GREW BY 1.3 PER CENT IN MAY AFTER AN INCREAS' OF 2.4 PER CENT AND 2.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN APRIL. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 2.6 PER CENT WHILE TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3 INCREASED BY 6.7 PER CENT AND 6.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES CONTINUED TO GROW IN MAY, BY 2.8 PER CENT AFTER INCREASES OF 4.1 PER CENT IN MARCH AND 2.3 PER CENT IN APRIL. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 23.1 PER CENT. OF THE TOTAL, LOANS DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 2.2 PER CENT IN MAY WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES INCREASED BY 3.3 PER CENT.
WITHIN THE TOTAL, LOANS TO FINANCE THE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG ROSE BY 1.7 PER CENT AFTER THE SLOW INCREASE OF 0.4 PER CENT IN APRIL; OVER THE YEAR THESE LOANS GREW BY 21.4 PER CENT. GROWTH IN OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG SLOWED DOWN IN MAY,INCREASING BY 1.8 PER CENT AFTER INCREASES OF 2.8 PER CENT IN MARCH AND 3.2 PER CENT IN APRIL. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 26.3 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 151 WHILE THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 35 AND 248 RESPECTIVELY.
/Monetary statistics
3
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
MONETARY STATISTICS - MAY 1987
(HK$mn)
May 1987 Earlier months (% change to May 1987)
————————
Money Supply Apr 1987 Feb 1987 May 1986
Ml - HK$ 54,813 55,319 ( -0.9 %) 54,473 ( 0.6 %) 1 42,341 ( 29.5 X)
Foreign currency 6,282 Total 61,094 6,293 61,612 ( -0.2 %) 5,046 ( 24.5 %) ( -0.8 %) 59,519 ( 2.6 %) । 3,820 ( 64.5 X) 1 46,161 ( 32.3 X)
M2 - HK$ 261,080 259,603 ( 0.6 %) 251,490 ( 3.8 %) ■204,831 ( 27.5 X)
Foreign currency 320,953 Total 582,033 314,984 574,587 ( 1.9 %) 294,225 ( 9.1 %) ( 1.3 %) 545,714 ( 6.7 %) 226,471 ( 41.7 %) 431,301 ( 34.9 X)
M3 - HK$ 291,736 290,150 ( 0.5 %) 282,105 ( 3.4 %) -&4-G ,£73 X 21.4 %)
Foreign currency 350,407 Total 642,143 343,964 634,115 ( 1.9 X) 323,041 ( -8.5 ( 1.3 %) 605,145 ( 6.1 254,575 ( 37.6 %) 494,848 ( 29.8 %)
Notes and coins in circulation 24,514 23,739 ( 3.3 %) 23,914 ( 2.5 %) 20.073 ( 22.1 %)
of which held by public 21,720 20,705 ( 4.9 %) 20,998 ( 3.4 17,534 ( 23.9 %)
Deposits
Demand deposits Savings deposits Time deposits with banks Time deposits with dtcs All HK$ deposits All foreign currency deposits Total Loans and advances 39,374 141,199 370,553 56,239 262,569 344,795 607,365 40,907 140,858 363,340 55,681 262,167 338,618 600,785 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( -3.7 %) 0.2 X) 2.0 X) 1.0 X) 0.2 X) 38,521 136,541 341,407 55,432 254,208 317,693 571,901 ( ( ( ( ( ( 2-2 X) 3.4 8.5 X) 1.5 X) 3.3 X) 8.5 X) 2:8,627 103,156 275,791 59,856 218^168 249,262 467,429 < < ( < ( ( ( 37.5 X) 36.9 X) 34.4 %) -6.0 X) 20.4 X) 38.3 X) 29.9 X)
1.8 1.1 X) X)
6.2 X)
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 40,176 39,515 ( 1.7 X) 36,228 ( ID.9 X) 33,107 ( 21.4 X)
To finance merchandising trade 5,634 4,563 ( 23.5 X) 4,558 ( 23.6 X) 4,842 ( 16.4 %)
not touching H.K.
Other loans for use in H.K. 308,186 302,643 ( 1.8 X) 285,110 ( 8.1 %) 244,021 ( 26.3 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 182,363 177,205 ( 2.9 %) 165,597 ( 10.1 X) 158,942 ( 14.7 X)
Other loans where the place of 37,101 34,065 ( 8.9 X) 32,250 ( 15.0 X) 25,049 ( 48.1 X)
use is not known
All loans in HK$ 284,174 277.950 ( 2.2 263,659 ( 7.8 X) 231,054 ( 23.0 X)
All loans in foreign currencies 289,285 280,042 ( 3.3 260,084 ( 11.2 X) 234,908 ( 23.1 X)
Total 573,460 557,992 ( 2.8 X) 523,743 ( 9.5 X) 465,962 ( 23.1 X)
-------0 -
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
- *+ -
ROOM FOR HK-KOREA TRADE GROWTH * * * * t
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFF AND TRADE (GATT) -- NON-DISCRIMINATORY APPLICATION OF MOST FAVOURED NATION TREATMENT TO ALL CONTRACTING PARTIES —REMAINS THE CORNERSTONE OF HONG KONG’S CONDUCT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD SAID THIS IN A SEMINAR IN SEOUL TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID AS HONG KONG BELIEVED IN AND PRACTISED FREE TRADE, IT NATURALLY SUPPORTED THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, WITH THE AIMS OF ACHIEVING TRADE LIBERALISATION, IMPROVED MARKET ACCESS AND STRENGTHENED DISCIPLINE IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.
IT ALSO VALUES CO-OPERATION WITH KOREA IN THE MULTI-FIBRE AGREEMENT AND GATT, WHILST LOOKING TO OTHER LIKE-MINDED TRADING PARTIES TO WORK TOWARDS LIBERALISATION OF TRADE.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT ONE POSSIBLE AND MUTUALLY ADVANTAGEOUS WAY TO HELP LESSEN THE THREAT OF PROTECTIONISM IS TO INCREASE TWO-WAY TRADE THROUGH MARKET OPENING.
IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO LOOK AT POSSIBLE WAYS TO HELP EASE DOMESTIC ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES FACING TRADING PARTIES AND OTHER DIFFICULTIES WHICH ARE FUELLING PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENTS.
HE SAW PARTICULAR DANGERS IN U.S. TRADE LEGISLATION WHICH SEEKS TO REDUCE THE COUNTRY’S TRADE DEFICIT.
THE U.S. IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY LINKED TO ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION THROUGH TRADE AND IN 1986, 36 PER CENT OF ITS TRADE WAS WITH ASIA AS COMPARED WITH ONLY 26 PER CENT WITH EUROPE.
ANOTHER NOTABLE RECENT CHANGE IN HONG KONG’S TRADING PATTERN, SAID MR MACLEOD, HAS BEEN THAT CHINA HAS OVERTAKEN U.S. AS HONG KONG’S NO. 1 TRADING PARTNER, WITH THEIR TWO-WAY TRADE HAVING INCREASED 12 TIMES BETWEEN 1978-86.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT BOTH KOREA AND HONG KONG HAVE HAD AN EXCELLENT RECORD OF GROWTH IN TRADE IN RECENT YEARS, BEING THE 12TH AND 13TH LARGEST TRADING COUNTRY/TERRITORY IN THE WORLD RESPECTIVELY.
THERE IS ROOM FOR THE HONG KONG/KOREA BILATERAL TRADE TO GROW, WHICH MAY HELP REDUCE PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
/5
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
'x. .4
5 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR TAXI LICENCES *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR 100 URBAN TAXI LICENCES.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID TENDER FORMS FOR THE NEW LICENCES WILL BE AVAILABLE TOMORROW FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION AT ROOMS 906-909, HUTCHISON HOUSE, 10 HARCOURT ROAD, CENTRAL, OR FROM THE SECTION’S KOWLOON OFFICES AT 9TH FLOOR, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 56 DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK.
TENDERERS MUST DEPOSIT $25,000 WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR EACH URBAN TAXI LICENCE THEY SEEK. ONE TENDER FORM MAY BE SUBMITTED FOR ANY NUMBER OF TAXI LICENCES NOT EXCEEDING 100.
A PUBLIC BALLOT MAY BE HELD TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS WHICH OFFER THE SAME UNIT PREMIUM.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH ORIGINAL DEPOSIT RECEIPTS, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE IN SEALED ENVELOPES, ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON JULY 17.
-------0----------
CHIEF SECRETARY *
VISITS CSD INSTITUTIONS * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, VISITED THE TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (TLCI) AND TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN (TLCW) RUN BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY (THURSDAY) TO ACQUIRE FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, MR FORD STARTED WITH TLCI WHERE HE SAW INMATES ENGAGED IN VARIOUS TRADES, INCLUDING KERBSTONE MAKING, CARPENTRY, METAL WORK, RATTAN WORK, LAUNDRY, GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND DOMESTIC SERVICES.
HE LEARNT THAT INMATES THERE ALSO TOOK PART IN THE COMMUNITY PROJECTS SUCH AS ROAD BUILDING, GRASS CUTTING AND CLEANSING SERVICES FOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
/THE CHIEF .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO TOOK A LOOK AT TLCI’S HOSPITAL AND A DORMITORY BEFORE PROCEEDING TO TLCW.
AT TLCW, MR FORD TOURED THE VISITING ROOM, REMAND SECTION, INDUCTION UNIT, LIBRARY AND DINING FACILITIES FOR INMATES. HE ALSO VISITED THE LAUNDRY SECTION, THE HAIR SALOON, TAILORING AND GARMENT MAKING WORKSHOPS WHICH ARE PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS.
- - 0 -
NT LOT TO LET BY TENDER ♦ * * ♦ ♦
TENDERS FOR THE LETTING OF A 764 SQUARE METRE LOT AT AREA 52 IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN ARE INVITED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
TENANCY TERMS WOULD BE FOR ONE-AND-A-HALF YEARS, RENEWABLE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS THEREAFTER.
THE LOT MAY BE USED ONLY FOR THE STORAGE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS, VEHICLES, CHATTELS, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS OR FOR THE LOADING, UNLOADING AND STORAGE OF CONTAINERS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS JULY 17
- - 0 -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOUSING STRATEGY ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ( I- THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY AND THE FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS MATTERS CONCERNING THE CLEARANCE OF THE HING WAH STREET NULLAH DECK.
/OTHER ITEMS
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 198?
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO "FAMILIES WITH ELDERLY PERSONS PRIORITY SCHEME"; AND THE PROPOSED BEAUTIFICATION OF THE OPEN SPACE AT THE JUNCTION OF SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET NORTH AND SAI YEUNG CHOI LANE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, 39 TONKIN STREET, 2ND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
-----0------
CULTURE COMMITTEE TO MEET
*****
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS BY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING INDIVIDUAL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY FOUR PROGRESS REPORTS ON REGIONAL COUNCIL’S CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES; EXTENSIONS TO YEUN LONG PUBLIC LIBRARY; ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORED CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CULTURE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) WHICH BEGINS AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
-------0----------
/8........
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
- 8 -
EXHIBITION OF PRIMARY STUDENTS’ CREATIVE WORK *****
AN EXHIBITION OF PRIMARY STUDENTS’ CREATIVE WORK WILL BE HELD AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE BETWEEN JULY 13 (MONDAY) AND AUGUST 15.
STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO PAY A VISIT TO THE EXHIBITION AT 4, PAK FUK ROAD, FOURTH AND FIFTH FLOORS, NORTH POINT, FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.
SCHOOLS PLANNING GROUP VISITS ARE REQUESTED TO NOTIFY THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE BY TELEPHONE AND THE DUTY OFFICER OF THE ART AND CRAFT SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CAN BE CONTACTED ON 5-621967 OR 5-636756 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-----0------
PERFORMANCES TO LAUNCH SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME
*****
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1987 SHAM SHUI PO SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED ON SUNDAY (JULY 5) WITH A VARIETY SHOW AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES BY VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS WILL START AT 3.30 PM, WHILE THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 4.30 PM FOLLOWED BY THE VARIETY SHOW.
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN CHENG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PAANG KUI-SAN; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MISS CHAN JOY-YIN; SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MR LIU ( HO-TIM; AND DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, MR YIP SHEK-KONG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
WITH SPONSORSHIP OF $227,000 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND $30,000 FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, 57 EVENTS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR YOUTH IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
0--------
/9........
[Typographical errors in the original document]
THURSDAY, JULY 2
1987
OPENING CEREMONY OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME * * t ♦ *
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1987 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
WILL
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR T.H WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
CHAU
AFTER THE CEREMONY, THERE WILL BE A SWINGING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
SUMMER CONCERT
SERVICES, RADIO
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS RECEPTION DESK
PRESS
THE
Q.E. STADIUM BEFORE 7.15 PM.
AT
THE MAIN
REPRESENTATIVES
ENTRANCE
OF
VARIETY SHOW TO LAUNCH TAI
PO
SYP
TAI
THE
ABOUT 1,000 STUDENTS FROM 17 PRIMARY
PO WILL BE TREATED TO A VARIETY SHOW DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ON
AND SECONDARY
WHICH MARKS’* THE SATURDAY (JUkX Jt
SCHOOLS OPENING
IN
OF
THE VARIETY SHOW TO BE STAGED IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET WILL BEGIN AT 10.30
THE TAI
AM.
AYGROUND
AT
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCES BY
THE
GURKHA FIELD FORCE, SINGING, DANCING, ACROBATICS, BMX CYCLING SKILLS GYMNASTIC AND TAEKWONDO DEMONSTRATIONS.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO SHARE THE FUN.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM; TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER,
MR JOHN BURRETT; CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR HO YUNG-SANG, AND LEADERS.
SUMMER YOUTH
OTHER LOCAL
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF
THE TAI
DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT 10.30 AM ON SATURDAY IN THE TAI PLAYGROUND AT HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, TAI PO MARKET.
PO PO
*
9
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/10
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
- 10 -
SUMMER ACTIVITIES START IN MONG KOK » » » » »
A FOLK DANCE FUN DAY FOR MORE THAN 500 YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JULY 4) TO LAUNCH THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS ROSANNA TAM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE CHAN HINO SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE.
THE PROGRAMME, WHICH LASTS UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST, WILL PROVIDE 72 WHOLESOME AND MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO BE HELD AT 9.15 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 4) AT CHAN HINO SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE, 45 FUK TSUEN STREET, TAI KOK TSUI.
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INVITATION FOR SHA TIN SWIMMING GAL/X ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SWIMMERS ARE BEING INVITED TO VIE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES IN THE SIXTH SHA TIN DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA TO BE HELD IN THE JOCKEY CLUB SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, SHA TIN, ON JULY 26 (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AND CO-ORDINATED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
A TOTAL OF 300 PARTICIPANTS, WHO EITHER LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN SHA TIN, ARE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS EVENTS DIVIDED ACCORDING TO THE SWIMMING STYLE, \GE AND SEX. ENTRIES FOR ALL EVENTS ARE FREE.
WINNERS MAY BE (HOSEN TO REPRESENT SHA TIN AT THE THIRD NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA TO BE HELD LATER THIS YEAR.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION OFFICt. ON G/l, SHOU CHUEN HOUSE, LEK YUEN ESTATE; THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE ON 6/F, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION; AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICE ON 4/F OF THE KCR HOUSE.
Fl RTHER DETAILS t AN BE OBTAINED ON 0-6989750 AND 0-615657.
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/11 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
11
INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR CHAT WAN t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
WORK ON BUILDING THE FIRST INDOOR GAMES HALL IN CHAI WAN AT A COST OF $21.1 MILLION HAS STARTED.
COMPRISING THREE BASKETBALL COURTS, IT WILL BE BUILT ON TOP OF AN EXISTING CARPARK BETWEEN YEE SHING AND YEE FUNG STREETS.
ADJACENT TO THE CARPARK WILL BE A THREE-STOREY ANNEX BUILDING LINKING WITH THE INDOOR GAMES HALL ON THE THIRD FLOOR.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE ANNEX WILL INCLUDE THREE SQUASH COURTS, A LIGHT FRESHMENT RESTAURANT, DANCING, FITNESS TRAINING AND CHANGING ROOMS AND TOILETS.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT, WHICH WAS AWARDED RECENTLY BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE COMPLETED LN 15 MONTHS.
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EDP CENTRE HOLDS CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY * ♦ I ♦ ♦
THE ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TRAINING CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL KILL HOLD ITS FIRST CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TOMORROW.
A TOTAL OF 18 UNIVERSITY GRADUATES PLANNING A CAREER IN THE COMPUTER PROFESSION HAVE COMPLETED THE 14-WEEK BASIC EDP TRAINING COURSE, WHICH PROVIDES WORK-RELATED TRAINING FOR THEM.
OPERATED SINCE FEBRUARY, THE CENTRE HAS AN OBJECTIVE TO UPGRADE SKILLS OF SERVING COMPUTER PERSONNEL AND TO PROVIDE BASIC TRAINING FOR NEW ENTRANTS To THE PROFESSION.
THE PRESENTATION ( EREMONY WILL BE OFFICIATED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL, Mb’ HORACE KNIGHT AND MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TRAINING, MR PETER FRANKOUSKI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO \TTEND THE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ON FRIDAY (JULY 3) AT I PM AT THE CENTER Al 804-Bl 2 WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG. AFTER THE CEREMONY, THERE WILL BE A GUIDED TOUR OF THE CENTRE.
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/12........
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1987
- 12 -
SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST TO BE WIDENED *****
VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE IMPROVED ALONG SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST AND THE FLOODING PROBLEM IN THE AREA SOLVED UPON COMPLETION OF A ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WHICH BEGAN YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THE $2.5 MILLION PROJECT, WHICH WAS DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, A SECTION OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST BETWEEN THE JUNCTIONS OF KAM WA AND MIU TUNG STREETS WILL BE WIDENED TO 7.3 METRES.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES RAISING THE LEVEL OF THE EXISTING ROAD AND LAYING NEW STORMWATER DRAINS AND A SEWERAGE SYSTEM TO REMOVE THE PROBLEM OF PERSISTENT FLOODING, PROJECT ENGINEER, MR K.C. CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE 250-METRE SECTION OF THE ROAD, NOW COVERED WITH BITUMINOUS MATERIAL, WOULD BE PAVED OVER WITH CONCRETE.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO WING MOU CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED. IT WILL TAKE 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MARGINAL RISE IN NEW ENTRIES TO DRUGS REGISTRY .............. 1
FIREMAN'S JOB ONE OF MIXED ELEMENTS: OS...................... 2
FIRE SERVICES EXPANSION WELL AHEAD .......................... 3
APRIL RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS PUBLISHED ................. 3
CALL ON YOUTH TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY ........................ 8
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO OFFER SIXTH FORM COURSES IN 1991 ••• 9
BILL TO CONTROL BUILDING MATERIALS AND ACTIVITIES GAZETTED .. 10
BASIC EDP TRAINING FOR NE,7 ENTRANTS........................ 10
SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT INSPECTED ........................... 12
LONG SERVICE BADGES FDR 70 P0STM5N ......................... 12
YOUTH CULTURAL aND aRTS CONTEST EXHIBITION ................. 13
REMINDER TO PAY RATES....................................... 14
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PIONEER SET FOR COMEBaCK.................. 15
SINGING CONTEST TO DISCOVER TALENTS......................... 16
SUMMER YOUTH FUN STaRTS SATURDAY............................ 16
ANTI-NARCOTICS BEu-CH CONCERT ON SUNDAY .................... 17
YAU MA TEI SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME......................... 18
WAN CH.il SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENS WITH * C.JINIVaL.... 18
SPORTS CARNIVaL AT YUEN LONG STADIUM........................ 19
KWAI TSING SYP BEGINS TOMORROW.............................. 20
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS VISIT THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.......... 21
PRESS CONFERENCE TO RELEASE SURVEY FINDINGS ................ 21
SPEEDPOST SERVICES ......................................... 22
SITE OFFERED FOR LETTERS A/B HOLDERS ......................... 2 3
TWO LOTS OFFERED FOR SALE..................................... 2 3
DTO LICENCE REVOKED......................................... 24
TSUEN WAN WATER CUT ........................................ 24
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
1
MARGINAL RISE IN NEW ENTRIES TO DRUGS REGISTRY
*****
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A MARGINAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE (CRDA) IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987 .
AT THE 64TH MEETING OF THE ACAN TODAY (FRIDAY), MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE NUMBER OF PERSONS OF ALL AGES NEWLY REPORTED TO CRDA IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 1987, AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR, HAD INCREASED BY 3.6 PER CENT FROM 694 TO 719. THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ALSO INCREASED BY 30.7 PER CENT, FROM 199 TO 260.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, SAID THIS LARGE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE INCREASE IN REPORTS BY OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS, REFLECTING A LARGER NUMBER OF USERS OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS RATHER THAN AN INCREASE IN HEROIN USERS.
I
ALTHOUGH THE DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE CRDA WHICH BEGAN IN 1984 DID NOT CONTINUE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987, MR MULLOY SAID IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO DRAW ANY FIRM CONCLUSIONS FROM ONE QUARTER’S FIGURES.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMISSIONER ALSO REPORTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR ALL DRUG OFFENCES HAD DECREASED BY 7.8 PER CENT FROM 3,059 TO 2,820 AND PROSECUTIONS OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 21 ALSO DECREASED BY 26.1 PER CENT, FROM 272 TO 201, NEVERTHELESS THE NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR MAJOR DRUG OFFENCES INCREASED BY 13.6 PER CENT FROM 1,238 TO 1,406.
MR MULLOY SAID THAT DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987, A TOTAL OF 122 KILOGRAMS OF ILLICIT OPIATES, MAINLY NUMBER 3 HEROIN, 331 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS AND CANNABIS RESIN AND 1,950 MANDRAX TABLETS HAD BEEN SEIZED BY POLICE AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS.
ON PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, HE NOTED THAT THE PUBLICITY STRATEGY FOR 1987 WOULD CONTINUE TO AIM AT STOPPING YOUNGSTERS FROM STARTING DRUGS AND TO WAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF OUR MOST SERIOUS DRUG PROBLEM - THE ABUSE OF HEROIN.
"HOWEVER, PUBLICITY AIMED AT PREVENTING YOUNGSTERS FROM TAKING MANDRAX AND CANNABIS WILL BE INTENSIFIED," HE SAID.
PUBLICITY FOR 1987 WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON AN UNDIMINISHED SCALE THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, THROUGH POSTERS AND OTHER PUBLICITY AND THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS AND SCHOOL TALKS AND ACTIVITIES.
/REPORTING ON........
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
2
REPORTING ON HIS ATTENDANCE TOGETHER WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN, PROFESSOR GERALD CHOA, AT THE RECENT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING (ICDAIT), IN VIENNA BETWEEN JUNE 17 AND 26, MR MULLOY SAID HONG KONG’S REMARKABLE WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN CURBING THE DRUG PROBLEM HAD BEEN ACCORDED EXTENSIVE RECOGNITION AT THE WORLD’S FIRST MINISTERIAL-LEVEL CONFERENCE.
HE FURTHER NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS AHEAD OF MANY OTHER COUNTRIES AND WAS AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
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FIREMAN’S JOB ONE OF MIXED ELEMENTS: CS
*****
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY RECRUIT FIREMEN WERE TOLD THAT THEIR WORK COULD ENTAIL DANGER AND FRUSTRATION WHEN THEY PARTICIPATED IN A PASSING OUT PARADE HELD AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, WHO TOOK THE SALUTE AT THE PARADE, SAID THAT A FIREMAN’S JOB WAS NOT ALWAYS A GLAMOROUS ONE.
"WHEN THE FLAMES AND EXCITEMENT HAVE DIED DOWN AND THE SIGHTSEERS HAVE GONE HOME TO THEIR BEDS YOU WILL OFTEN HAVE TO REMAIN ALL NIGHT LONG IN THE DARK AND WET CONFINES OF A GUTTED BUILDING, SOAKED TO THE SKIN, OFTEN HUNGRY UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT YOU WILL BE RELIEVED OR YOUR JOB IS COMPLETED," HE SAID.
MR FORD ALSO SAID THAT WHILE A FIREMAN’S LIFE COULD INDEED BE EXCITING AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS, THERE WERE ALSO SOME OTHER ELEMENTS THEY WOULD HAVE TO COPE WITH.
FOR INSTANCE, FIREMEN COULD SOMETIMES BE CRITICISED, OFTEN UNFAIRLY, BY THOSE WHO DID NOT APPRECIATE THAT THEIR BEST EFFORTS COULD NOT ALWAYS BE SUCCESSFUL.
AS FIREMEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO WORK LONG HOURS, OFTEN WHEN OTHER PEOPLE WERE ENJOYING HOLIDAY PERIODS, AND SOMETIMES ALSO HAVE TO DEAL WITH TRAGIC INCIDENTS.
IN SPITE OF THESE DIFFICULTIES, MR FORD SAID, "YOU WILL SOON COME TO REALISE THAT NO ONE ELSE IS EQUIPPED, OR COMPETENT, TO DO YOUR JOB."
"THE PUBLIC WILL CALL UPON YOUR SERVICES AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY OR NIGHT IN ALL KINDS OF ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, IN THE FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS YOU AND ONLY YOU THAT THEY CAN TURN TO FOR HELP.”
AFTER REVIEWING THE PARADE, MR FORD PRESENTED THE AWARD FOR THE BEST RECRUIT TO FIREMAN TONG TAK-YAN.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 3 -
FIRE SERVICES EXPANSION WELL AHEAD
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT PLANS FOR FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE FIRE SERVICES WERE GOING AHEAD QUITE FAST -- FIVE NEW FIRE STATIONS WERE TO BE BUILT THIS YEAR TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE NEW TOWNS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG, MR FORD SAID THAT OVERSEAS TRAINING FOR FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS, TO BUILD UP THEIR STRENGTH AND EXPERIENCE, WOULD CONTINUE.
"I THINK, ALL IN ALL, WE ARE EXTREMELY LUCKY WITH THE QUALITY OF THE FIRE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
ASKED IF HE WAS REFERRING TO THE MEDIA WHEN HE SAID IN HIS SPEECH THAT SOMETIMES FIREMEN WERE UNFAIRLY CRITICISED BY PEOPLE WHO DID NOT APPRECIATE THEIR WORK, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THAT WAS NOT WHAT HE MEANT.
"I THINK THE POINT OF ISSUE HERE IS THAT SOMETIMES THE DIFFICULTIES THAT FIREMEN OPERATE UNDER ARE NOT WELL UNDERSTOOD BY THE COMMUNITY.
"THEY ARE SOMETIMES EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE MIRACLES WHERE MIRACLES ARE NOT QUITE POSSIBLE, AND I THINK FROM WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN TODAY, THE EFFORTS THEY DO PUT IN ARE REALLY TREMENDOUS," HE SAID.
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APRIL RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS PUBLISHED
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN APRIL 1987, ESTIMATED AT $6,326 MILLION, WAS 13 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN APRIL 1986 WHILST THEIR VOLUME WAS 7 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986, RETAIL SALES OF "CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS” AND "CONSUMER DURABLES" INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME. "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" WENT UP BY 13 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR "FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO" WERE 10 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT.
/FUELS INCREASED .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
FUELS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE VERY SUBSTANTIALLY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
SALES BY SUPERMARKETS RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN VALUE AND A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN VOLUME. DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED CONSIDERABLY IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS REGISTERED MODERATE INCREASES IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS FEBRUARY TO APRIL 1987 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES AND "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VALUE WHILE THEIR INCREASES IN SALES VOLUME WERE BOTH 8 PER CENT. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
FUELS DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT WENT UP BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE VERY SUBSTANTIALLY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
DEPARTMENT STORES EXPERIENCED A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN SALES VALUE AND A MODERATE INCREASE IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS INCREASED CONSIDERABLY IN SALES VALUE AND MODERATELY IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS RECORDED A MODERATE INCREASE IN SALES VALUE AND A SLIGHT INCREASE IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR APRIL 1987 DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND HAD ALMOST NO CHANGE IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 1 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
FUELS WENT DOWN BY 3 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME WHILE "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" DECREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED CONSIDERABLY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
DEPARTMENT STORES REGISTERED A SLIGHT RISE IN SALES VALUE BUT A SLIGHT DROP IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS AND SUPERMARKETS RECORDED MODERATE DECREASES IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
/TABLE 1 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR MARCH 1987 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR APRIL 1987.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES IN MARCH 1987 AND APRIL 1987 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF APRIL 1987 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR MARCH 1987 AND WITH THOSE FOR APRIL 1986 AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE THREE MONTHS FEBRUARY TO APRIL 1987 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
GRAPHS 1 AND 2 DEPICT, RESPECTIVELY, THE MOVEMENTS OF THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO APRIL 1987 AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED INDICES AND TRENDS FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO MARCH 1987.
A REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE APRIL 1987 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234941.
/6 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 198?
- 6 -
TABLE 1 i TOTAL RETAIL 8AI2B
Total Retail Sales for April 19$7 (Provisional Figure) • HX16 326 million for March 198? (Revised Figure) ■ HK16 548 Billion
TABUS 2 i VALUE AID VDLDME INDEXES CT RETAIL SALES _____________FOR MARCH AMD APRIL ______________________ (Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 - 100)
Item Index of Retail Sales March 1987 April 1987 April 1987 compared with March 1987 April 1987 compared with April 1986 Feb. - Apr. 1987 compared with Feb. - Apr. 1986
(Revised (Provie- Pointe Points % Point!
figures) ional figures)
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES Value 116 113 - 4 - 3 4 13 4 13 4 11 4 11
Volume 109 104 - 5 - 5 4 7 4 7 ♦ 6 4 6
(B) BY MAJOR TRADE GRC'JPS
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 113 114 4 2 4 2 4 10 4 10 4 6 4 6
drinks and tobacco Volume 110 no • • ♦ 5 4 5 4 3 4 3
Fuels Value 97 94 - 3 - 3 4 2 4 2 - 3 - 3
Volume 108 104 - 4 - 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Clothing, footwear and allied products Value 126 133 ♦ 7 4 5 4 22 4 20 4 7 4 7
Volume 116 117 4 1 4 1 4 14 4 14 4 1 4 1
Consumer durables Value 117 119 ♦ 2 4 1 4 18 4 18 4 16 4 16
Volume 104 105 4 1 4 1 4 11 4 11 4 7 4 8
Other consumer goods Value 119 108 - 11 - 10 4 13 4 13 4 15 4 15
Volume 108 97 - 12 * it 4 6 4 6 4 8 4 8
(c) BY SELECTED TRADES
Supermarkets Value 127 122 - 5 - 4 4 22 4 21 4 11 4 10
Volume 121 U5 - 6 - 5 4 17 4 17 4 7 4 6
Motor vehicles and Value 149 166 4 17 4 12 4 54 4 48 4 41 4 39
parts Volume 120 133 4 13 4 11 4 35 4 36 4 24 4 25
Consumer durables Value 107 104 - 3 - 3 4 7 4 7 4 8 4 8
other than motor vehicles and parts Volume 99 96 - 3 - 3 4 3 4 3 4 2 4 2
Department stores Value 103 104 4 1 4 1 4 16 4 18 4 10 4 11
Volume 94 92 - 2 - 2 4 10 4 13 4 4 4 5
Rotes t 1. "Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobaooo" includes "supermarkets”.
2. "Consumer durables" includes "motor vehicles and parts".
3. "Other consumer goods” includes "department stores".
4. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
5. • denotes change of less than 0.5»
/7............
1
Value index
7 FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
Graph 1: Value Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Value index
Graph 2: Volume Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Notes: (1) Monthly average of Oct 84 - Sept. 85 = 100
(2) The seasonally adjusted value and volume indexes and Henderson trends are compiled using the X-11 variant seasonal adjustment program of the U S Bureau of the Census.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 8 -
CALL ON YOUTH TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY
*****
THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) ADOPTS THE THEME OF 'SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMM'A.TY’ WHICH IS A CONTINUITY OF LAST YEAR’S CENTRAL THEME OF ’CARE F R THE COMMUNITY, GET TO KNOW IT BETTER’, SAID THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR T.H. CHAU, THIS EVENING (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1987 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM THIS EVENING, MR CHA' SAID THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ON ONE HAND OFFERED AMPLE HEALTHY RECREATIONAL, SPORTIVE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO JOIN IN FUN AND RELAX, AND ON THE OTHER HAND, YOUTH SHOULD ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND TO BE MADE AWARE OF THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES.
"A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR YOUTH IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL IN PREPARING THEM TO BE USEFUL ASSETS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MORE THAN 10,000 ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD ATTRACTING OVER ONE MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE THIS YEAR.
MR CHAU EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THE PROGRAMME CAME UNDER THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND ITS SYP COMMITTEE.
"I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE THAT WITH INPUTS FROM THESE COMMITTEES, THE SPIRIT OF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE FURTHER ENHANCED," HE SAID.
"THE SUCCESS OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME DEPENDS TO A LARGE EXTENT ON THE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, DISTRICT BOARDS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND YOUTH. THE JOCKEY CLUB, IN PARTICULAR, HAS PROVIDED UNFAILING SUPPORT FOR THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN THE LAST 18 YEARS," HE ADDED.
"THIS YEAR, THE CLUB HAS AGAIN MADE A GENEROUS DONATION OF $6.5 MILLION TOWARDS THE TOTAL PROGRAMME COST OF ABOUT $15 MILLION," HE ADDED.
VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED, INCLUDING MUSIC CAMP, FAMILY CAMPS, VOLUNTARY WORKERS TRAINING CAMPS AND FIRST AID CAMPS, TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE. AT THE SAME TIME, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE GUIDED TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CARNIVALS AND SPORTS DAY FOR THE ELDERLY TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS YEAR’S THEME.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE SYP HAS A THEME SONG WHICH IS BEING BROADCAST BY TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS.
/the INFCHNATION........
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 9 -
THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENT IN PUBLIC INTEREST (API) BASED ON THE THEME SONG.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE POPULARITY OF THIS SONG, THE MESSAGE OF ’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY’ CAN BE CARRIED ACROSS LOUD AND WIDE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND URBAN COUNCIL.
BOTH THE VARIETY SHOW AND THE OPENING CEREMONY HAD BEEN RECORDED AND WILL BE BROADCAST ON TVB-JADE ON SUNDAY, JULY 19.
-----0-----
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO OFFER SIXTH FORM COURSES IN 1991
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WILL START OFFERING SIXTH FORM COURSES COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 1991, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF BISHOP HALL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL TODAY, MR LI SAID THE PLAN WOULD OFFER FORM 5 GRADUATES OF PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE SIXTH FORM STUDIES IN THE SAME SCHOOLS. THIS WOULD ALSO PROVIDE THEM A CHANNEL TO ENTER EITHER A UNIVERSITY OR A POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION OR TO OBTAIN OTHER EXIT QUALIFICATIONS SO THAT THEY COULD START A CAREER WITH A SPECIAL TECHNIQUE OR KNOWLEDGE.
MR LI SAID THE PLAN TO OPERATE SIXTH FORM IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WAS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN REPORT NO.2 OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION. TO IMPLEMENT THIS RECOMMENDATION, TWO WORKING PARTIES HAD BEEN SET UP TO CO-ORDINATE CLASS RESTRUCTURING AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT WORK IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS. IT WAS EXPECTED A NEW ESTABLISHMENT SYSTEM AND A NEW CLASS STRUCTURE WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN ALL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER 1989.
’'THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, IS ALSO WORKING TOWARDS THE GOAL OF STRENGTHENING THE LINK BETWEEN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PLANS WITH A VIEW TO SHORTENING THE DURATION OF APPRENTICESHIP OR TECHNICAL COURSES," MR LI SAID.
"PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION HAS NOW BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. IT PROVIDES PRACTICAL INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF HONG KONG’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY," MR LI SAID.
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FRIDAY, JULY 39 198?
SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE CENTRE AFTERNOON, MR FRANKOWSKI SAID: "EMPLOYERS ARE RELUCTANT TO TAKE I NEW EDP RECRUITS BECAUSE MOST EMPLOYERS CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND THRE3 TO SIX YEARS TO TURN THEM INTO EXPERIENCED STAFF, OR ALLOW THEM TO LEISURELY GAIN THEIR EXPERIENCE ON THE JOB. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO 13 PRODUCTIVE IMMEDIATELY."
THE RAPIDLY INCREASING USE OF COMPUTER IN ALL SECTORS OF TUB ECONOMY HAS SPURRED HIGH DEMAND FOR TRAINED EDP PERSONNEL IN HONG KONG. THE TIGHT LABOUR MARKET FOR EXPERIENCED STAFF HAS BEEN FURTHER AGGRAVATED AS A RESULT OF BRAIN DRAIN OF THIS TYPE OF TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, HE ADDED.
ALSO PRESIDING AT THE CEREMONY, THE COUNCIL’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR HORACE KNIGHT, SAID THAT OTHER THAN THE PROVISION OF TRAINING FOR FRESH GRADUATES TO EQUIP THEM TO BECOME USEFUL EDP PROFESSIONALS, ANOTHER AIM OF THE CENTRE IS TO PROVIDE SHORT UPDATING AND UPGRADING COURSES FOR ALL LEVELS OF PRACTISING EDP PERSONNEL INCLUDING EDP MANAGERS, SYSTEM ANALYSTS, PROGRAMMERS AND OPERATORS TO ENABLE THEM TO KEEP ABREAST WITH THE PHENOMENAL PACE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE TECHNOLOGY.
ALTHOUGH THE CENTRE HAS STARTED OPERATIONAL FOR FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS, THE FEEDBACK FROM BOTH EMPLOYERS AND POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS INDICATES QUITE CLEARLY THAT THE CENTRE IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, MR KNIGHT SAID.
"BOTH THE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNMENT REGARD THE CENTRE AS A WISE INVESTMENT AND A TANGIBLE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS ENSURING THE CONTINUING COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY," MR KNIGHT SAID.
EIGHTEEN PARTICIPANTS OF THE 14-WEEK "BASIC EDP TRAINING COURSE FOR GRADUATES" WERE PRESENTED COMPLETION CERTIFICATES AT THE CEREMONY.
A TOTAL OF 330 PERSONS FROM 170 ORGANISATIONS HAVE ALREADY ATTENDED VARIOUS FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES OFFERED BY THE CENTRE. IT IS TARGETED TO PROVIDE BASIC TRAINING TO 120 FRESH GRADUATES AND UPGRADING TRAINING TO ANOTHER 1,000 EDP EMPLOYEES ANNUALLY.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 12 -
SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT INSPECTED » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE LARGEST PRIMARY SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT IN THE TERRITORY.
ARRIVING AT THE KWUN TONG SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT AT KING YIP STREET, MR GREWAL WAS MET BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, DR K.F. NIP, AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CESD).
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF THE PLANT, WHICH WAS DESIGNED AND HAD ITS CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE PLANT CURRENTLY SCREENS AN AVERAGE OF 340,000 CUBIC METRES OF SEWAGE FLOW EACH DAY, ALTHOUGH IT HAS A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF ABOUT THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT. THE CATCHMENT AREA IT SERVES COVERS 120 HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND AND ONE MILLION RESIDENTS.
MR GREWAL LATER VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE WORK OF ITS GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE, WHICH DEALS WITH PLANNING AND DESIGN, AND THE WORK OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, WHICH LOOKS AFTER PORT WORKS AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT.
HE ALSO HELD INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH SATFF REPRESENTATIVES OF CESD.
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LONG SERVICE BADGES FOR 70 POSTMEN
» » » » »
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR H.G. ARDLEY, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED LONG SERVICE BADGES TO 70 POSTMEN IN A CEREMONY HELD AT TSI POST OFFICE TRAINING CENTRE.
ALL THE 70 POSTMEN HAVE EACH SERVED IN THE POST OFFICE FOR OVER 20 YEARS. THE LONG SERVICE BADGES WERE PRESENTED TO THEM AS A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION FOR THEIR LONG AND LOYAL SERVICE.
- 0 ----------
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 13 -
YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS CONTEST EXHIBITION
* » « « *
MORE THAN 450 WINNING ENTRIES OF THE 12TH HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS WILL BE ON DISPLAY TOMORROW (SATURDAY; AND SUNDAY (JULY 5) IN THE EXHIBITION HALL OF CITY HALL, LOW BLOCK, CENTRAL.
THE EXHIBITS FEATURE WINNING ENTRIES OF VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF THE COMPETITION, SUCH AS CHINESE AND WESTERN PAINTINGS, POSTERS, CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, ESSAY WRITING, TRANSLATIONS, CREATIVE STORY WRITING AND SLOGAN DESIGN.
THREE VIDEOS FEATURING NEWS AND ACADAMIC QUIZ, DEBATE AND CHINESE SPEECH PRESENTATION WILL ALSO BE SHOWN AT THE EXHIBITION HALL.
THERE WILL BE DEMONSTRATIONS BY RENOWNED ARTISTS AND CALLIGRAPHISTS ON BOTH DAYS. ADMISSION IS FREE AND THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE EXHIBITION.
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR FRANKIE LUI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE EXHIBITION OPENING CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW.
ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE ANNUAL EVENT ATTRACTED MORE THAN 8,000 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF THE COMPETITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK OF CITY HALL, CENTRAL.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 14 -
REMINDER TO PAY RATES
* » »
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT RATES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON JULY 31, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
LATE PAYMENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE AND A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT ON ACCOUNTS STILL OUTSTANDING SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
HE SAID RATEPAYERS SHOULD HAVE BY NOW RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES. THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES SHOULD APPLY FOR A COPY AT THE RATES SECTION OF THE TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG; THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE); OR THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DID NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT RATES MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE DUE DATE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
RATEPAYERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THE AMOUNT PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE THE DUE DATE IS INDICATED ON THE DEMAND NOTE BY AN ARROW-HEAD IN THE ’’TOTAL AMOUNT DUE" BOX.
HE ADDED THAT RATES WERE PAYABLE ON VACANT PREMISES BUT WERE REFUNDABLE UNDER CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE NO REFUND IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, UNLESS IT WAS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT RATEPAYERS WHO HAD SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING "PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY AUTOPAY" WAS SHOWN IN THE NOTE.
IN THIS CASE THEIR PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON JULY 31, 1987.
IN THIS CONNECTION, RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR ACCOUNTS CONTAINED THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
TO AVOID QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
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/15........
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 15 -
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PIONEER SET FOR COMEBACK * » * ♦ ♦
THE POPULAR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PIONEER DOCUMENTARY-DRAMA SERIES WHICH MADE ITS DEBUT LAST YEAR, IS MAKING A COMEBACK NEXT WEEK.
IT IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED AS PART OF THE 1987/88 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
THE PROGRAMME WHICH RECEIVED VERY HIGH RATING LAST YEAR, WILL BE SCREENED ON TVB JADE "ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT’* EVERY MONDAY STARTING FROM MONDAY (JULY 6), TO BE FOLLOWED BY A SHORT QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION ON MATTERS RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
THE NEW SERIES CONTAINS EIGHT EPISODES FEATURING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY THROUGH EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT.
THE FIRST EPISODE WILL HIGHLIGHT THE AREAS OF RISK IN THE WORKING WORLD FOR SUMMER JOB SEEKERS. TOPICS TO BE FEATURED IN OTHER EPISODES INCLUDE WORKING AT HEIGHT, CONSTRUCTION WORK, SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES, FIRE PREVENTION IN FACTORIES, WORKING IN CONFINED SPACE, HEARING CONSERVATION, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
"MOST OF THE STORYLINES ARE BASED ON ACCIDENTS THAT OCCURED IN THE PAST," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THIS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME, WE CAN CREATE A CONSTANT SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE PUBLIC, EDUCATE EMPLOYEES TO WORK SAFELY, AND REMIND EMPLOYERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR WORKERS," HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE TWO ARTISTES WHO PLAY LEADING ROLES IN THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POINEER SERIES, MR LAU TAN AND MR CHING SZE-CHUN, PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS THIS MORNING.
THEY WERE SHOWN AROUND AND BRIEFED BY THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, ON THE WORK OF THE CENTRE WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, OFFERED 358 SAFETY TRAINING COURSES TO MORE THAN 10,700 PEOPLE LAST YEAR.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
SINGING CONTEST TO DISCOVER TALENTS » ♦ * ♦ ♦
AMATEUR SINGERS AND POTENTIAL SONG-WRITERS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE ’MID-SUMMER’S NIGHT SINGING CONTEST’ ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE CONTEST IS AIMED AT DISCOVERING TALENT AND TO ENHANCE GENERAL SINGING STANDARDS.
IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR SECTIONS: SOLO AND GROUP SINGING, SONG OR LYRIC COMPOSITION AND POP MUSIC BAND PERFORMANCE.
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 30 ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
THE PROJECT IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 1 AND 2. THE SEMI-FINALS AND FINALS WILL BE HELD IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AT WESTERN STREET AND THE HONG KONG CARITAS AT CAINE ROAD ON AUGUST 16 AND 23 RESPECTIVELY.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND PRIZES. ALL SEMI-FINALISTS WILL BE GIVEN SOUVENIRS.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JULY 24. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, HONG KONG CARITAS AT CAINE ROAD OR SHEK TONG TSUI CARITAS CENTRE. THE ENTRY FEE IS $10 EXCEPT FOR BANDS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PAY $25.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523462 OR 5-8523108
- - 0 - -
SUMMER YOUTH FUN STARTS SATURDAY *****
SUMMER YOUTH FUN WILL START IN KWUN TONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WHEN THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG OFFICIALLY INAUGURATES THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
AS A PRELUDE TO THE GRAND OPENING, A BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED BUS WILL TOUR THE DISTRICT IN THE MORNING TO ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
/IN the
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 198?
IN THE AFTERNOON, SOME 600 YOUTHS WILL GATHER IN THE KWUN TONG SWIMMING POOL IN TSUI PING ROAD TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWUN TONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE OPENING, A WATER CARNIVAL FEATURING WATER SAFETY AND LIFE-SAVING DEMONSTRATIONS, ACQUATIC GAMES AND FREE SWIMMING SESSIONS WILL BE HELD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 2 PM AT THE KWUN TONG SWIMMING POOL, TSUI PING ROAD. INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS IRENE LAU WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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ANTI-NARCOTICS BEACH
* * *
CONCERT ON SUNDAY * *
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS AS WELL AS BEACH-GOERS WILL BE TREATED TO AN AFTERNOON OF FUN AND MUSIC AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS BEACH CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE MACDONALD’S RESTAURANT AT REPULSE BAY BEACH AT 12.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 5) .
THE CONCERT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR TO KEEP AWAY FROM DRUGS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTHY PURSUITS.
THE TWO-HOUR-LONG CONCERT, WHICH MARKS THE OPENING OF THIS YEAR’S SOUTHERN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN, WILL BE PRODUCED AND BROADCAST LIVE BY COMMERCIAL RADIO 2.
GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDE THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN), MR SIMON LORD AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHERN DFCC, MR KAN MAN-LEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SENT REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
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/IB........
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 18 -
YAU MA TEI SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME * * * * *
MORE THAN 100 RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN YAU MA TEI DISTRICT THIS SUMMER.
THE ACTIVITIES, TO BE HELD FROM JULY 12 TO SEPTEMBER 12, ARE ORGANISED BY 14 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND CO-ORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
CENTRED ON THE THEME OF ’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY’, THE PROGRAMME COVERS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, TRAINING COURSES, EXHIBITIONS, CARNIVALS, FILM SHOWS AND VARIETY SHOWS.
THE PROGRAMME COSTS $190,000, WITH $155,400 DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, $30,000 FROM DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND THE REMAINDER BY PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP.
BOOKLETS WITH DETAILS OF THE ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD AND TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT 40 CARNARVON ROAD. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-695259.
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WAN CHAI SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENS WITH A CARNIVAL *****
A CARNIVAL THAT PROMISES TO BE FULL OF FUN AND ACTION WILL BE HELD IN THE LOCKHART ROAD PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN WAN CHAI THIS YEAR.
YOUNGSTERS FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT WILL PERFORM SINGING, FOLK DANCES, BALLET, CANTONESE OPERA, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PLAYING, AND OTHER INTERESTING SHOWS DURING THE CARNIVAL.
GAME STALLS WILL BE SET UP AT THE VENUE AND A COMPETITION WILL BE HELD FOR THE BEST DESIGNED UNITS.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BE PRECEDED BY A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG HO-YIN, AND ATTENDED BY WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE, MR LEE SHUNG-TAK.
/THE SUI.MEH ..........
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 19 -
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL RUN FROM EARLY JULY TO MID-AUGUST. MORE THAN 100 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PLANNED DURING THE PERIOD AND ABOUT 40,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO LOCKHART ROAD PLAYGROUND. BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
COVER THE OPENING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BE HELD AT 2 PM TOMORROW (JULY 4) IN THE INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS ELLEN CHAU WILL
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SPORTS CARNIVAL AT YUEN LONG STADIUM * * ♦ ♦ ♦
AN ACTION-PACKED SPORTS CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE YUEN LONG STADIUM TO LAUNCH THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT 1987 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
MORE THAN 2,000 YOUTHS WILL TAKE PART IN THE CARNIVAL WHICH FEATURES JUDO DEMONSTRATION, TRAMPOLINE, MINI TENNIS AND VARIOUS OTHER SPORTS.
VARIOUS RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN YUEN LONG TOWN AS WELL AS IN THE RURAL AREAS DURING THE TWO-MONTH LONG PROGRAMME WITH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS STUDY CAMPS, PICNICS, VISITS. CONCERTS, MOVIES, SPORTS AND FUN FAIRS.
ABOUT HALF OF THE DISTRICT’S 149 ACTIVITIES WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $130,000 FOR THE YUEN LONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, AND THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD HAS CONTRIBUTED $30,000 FOR THE SPORTS CARNIVAL. THE REST OF THE EXPENDITURE ARE SHARED BY SOME 26 PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS.
/THE THEME ......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
20
THE THEME FOR THE 1987 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY". IT AIMS AT PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENRICH THEMSELVES DURING THE SUMMER VACATION THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN MEANINGFUL SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN WONG CHI-KONG; AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI KUEN WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE YUEN LONG STADIUM, TAI YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE SPORTS CARNIVAL. INFORMATION OFFICER, MRS BRENDA RUMJAHN WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
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KWAI TSING SYP BEGINS TOMORROW *****
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT 1987 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR PETER NG; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI AND REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR CHARLES LEUNG SZE-HUNG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO TUNG-CHING AND CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHENG WING-CHUN.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE SEVEN AREAS IN THE DISTRICTS WHICH INCLUDE AEROBIC AND CLASSICAL DANCING, TAE KUAN DAO, BAND PERFORMANCES, AND GROUP SINGING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SYP OPENING CEREMONY AND THE SUBSEQUENT ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 5.00 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND (NEAR KWAI FONG MTR STATION). INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS DIANA KAM WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
21 -
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS VISIT THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
*****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT REHABILITATIVE SERVICES PROMOTING COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) ORGANISED A TOUR FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO VISIT MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WORKING OR LIVING IN THE DISTRICT.
TAKING PART IN THE VISIT WERE MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, YIN NGAI SOCIETIES AND THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
AREA COMMITTEES, DISTRICT BOARD’S
MORE THAN 30 REPRESENTATIVES FROM THESE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS JOINED THE VISIT TO LEARN ABOUT THE WAY OF LIVING OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AT THE SHEK YAM PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE HOSTEL, THEIR EDUCATION PROGRAMME AT THE SAM SHUI NATIVES ASSOCIATION THIRD SCHOOL AND THEIR WORK IN THE KWAI HING WORKSHOP.
AND
MENTAL HEALTH
TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON
REHABILITATION SERVICES, THE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES PROMOTING COMMITTEE WILL ORGANISE AN ESSAY COMPETITION IN THE NEW SCHOOL TERM, A CHARITY WALK IN NOVEMBER AND FUN FAIR IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
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PRESS CONFERENCE TO RELEASE SURVEY FINDINGS
*****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (JULY 6) TO ANNOUNCE THE FINDINGS OF A SECOND SURVEY ON THE FEE REDUCTION SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED IN THE DISTRICT WITH ABOUT 500 OLD PEOPLE TO FIND OUT THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF AND INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME.
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEME IN JUNE 1985, ABOUT 4,300 ENTITLEMENT CARDS WERE ISSUED TO PEOPLE AGED OVER 60, REPRESENTING ABOUT SEVEN PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ELDERLY POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT.
THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER WAYS TO IMPROVE THE SCEHEME AND TO INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION RATE BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THIS AND A PREVIOUS SURVEY.
AT PRESENT, THE SCHEME OFFERED FEE REDUCTION TO THE ELDERLY BY PARTICIPATING DOCTORS, DENTISTS, DISPENSARIES, LABORATORIES AND MAXI-CABS.
/chairing the .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 198?
22
CHAIRING THE CONFERENCE WILL BE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL CHENG; CONVENOR OF THE SURVEY WORKING GROUP, MICHAEL LEE; AND THE SENIOR STATISTICIAN OF THE CITY AND TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR DOMINIC CHEUNG.
MR NEW
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR HON-WAH; CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, MR YUK-WAH; AND MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP, MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM MISS MARGARET HONG.
NG
LI
AND
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JULY 6) AT 3 PM AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, AT 4/F., SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG.
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SPEEDPOST SERVICES * * * * *
THE MAXIMUM LIMITS OF WEIGHT AND SIZE FOR SPEEDPOST ITEMS TO BAHRAIN AND THAILAND WILL BE INCREASED FROM MONDAY (JULY 6), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR A SPEEDPOST ITEMS WILL BE INCREASED TO 20 KILOGRAMS AND THE MAXIMUM SIZE EXTENDED TO 1.5 METRES IN LENGTH AND 3 METRES FOR THE LENGTH AND GIRTH COMBINED.
"SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES, MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS AND A FREE PICK-UP SERVICE IS AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8471108.
- - 0 -
/23........
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 23 -
SITE OFFERED FOR LETTERS A/B HOLDRES *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A SITE AT TURN MUN TO REGISTERED LETTERS A/B HOLDRES.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 19,460 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT AREA 39 IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND THE FOOTHILLS OPPOSITE CHI LOK FA YUEN, AND IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 38,530 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1991 .
APPLICANTS CAN SUBMIT EITHER A "VINTAGE" TENDER OR A "MONETISED LETER B” TENDER CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO A LIST OF CURRENCY VALUES PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON MARCH 20, 1987. "VINTAGE" TENDERS WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOON ON JULY 31.
--------o - - - -
TWO LOTS OFFERED FOR SALE
* * « »
A RESIDENTIAL SITE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND AN INDUSTRIAL SITE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE TO BE AUCTIONED ON JULY 27.
THE RESIDENTIAL SITE IS AT TAI HANG DRIVE, NEAR THE TIGER BALM GARDEN, AND MEASURES ABOUT 1 568 SQUARE METRES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE PURCHASER WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE AT LEAST 4,700 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1991.
THE NEW TERRITORIES SITE, AT ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, BUT EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 2,841 SQUARE METRES ON THE 947-SQUARE-METRE SITE BY SEPTEMBER 30, 1990.
THE AUCTION, TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
- - 0 - -
/24.......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1987
- 24 -
DTC LICENCE REVOKED t * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF KING FOOK FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE 1986.
-------0----------
TSUEN WAN WATER CUT * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF ON SUNDAY (JULY 5) FROM 9 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM CHAI WAN KOK STREET TO TING KAU, INCLUDING KONG NAM INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AND SHUN KEI FACTORY ESTATE.
-----0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
SATURDAYt JULY 4t 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
<985 A GOOD YEAR FOR HOTEL BUSINESS......................... 1
NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR US BOUND SHIPMENTS ................... 4
FOOD HYGIENE HOTLINE SET UP................................. 5
CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO PROSPER..................... 6
WORK ON FIRST LONG STAY CARE HOME STARTS.................... 8
NEW CHILDREN CENTRE FOR SHA TIN OPENS........................... 9
AUDIOLOGICAL SERVICES EXPANDED................................. 10
NEED FOR WHOLESOME RECREATION FOR YOUTHS STRESSED.............. 11
COURSE ON HELPING PUPILS WITH PROBLEMS......................... 12
KWUN TONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BEGINS........................ 12
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN WAN CHAI.................... 1}
KWAI TSING RESIDENTS TO SHARE SUMMER FUN....................... 14
CAMP TO TRAIN YOUTHS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES ................... 15
PRESS CONFERENCE ON BUILDING M^NAGHdTNT CAMPAIGN............... 16
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON CITY TO STAY.................. 17
TUNG CHOI STREET CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ............................ 17
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
1
1985 A GOOD YEAR FOR HOTEL BUSINESS *****
HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES RECORDED IN 1985 THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE, AT 12 PER CENT OVER 1984, IN SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1985 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND 102,919 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES WERE IN OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1985, WITH 617,250 PERSONS ENGAGED. WHEN COMPARED WITH 1984, THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS AND OF PERSONS ENGAGED INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
IN 1985, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $501,776 MILLION OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS; AND SPENT $25,601 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, $47,994 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES AND $406,881 MILLION ON PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE. WHEN COMPARED WITH 1984, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT, WHILE COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES AND PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE WENT UP BY 12 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED, REPRESENTING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG, GREW SLIGHTLY BY 1 PER CENT TO $50,836 MILLION IN 1985, FROM $50,506 MILLION IN 1984.
ANALYSED BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT IN 1985, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE RECORDED THE LARGEST SHARE OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AT $319,765 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT OF THE SECTOR TOTAL. RETAIL TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 15 PER CENT, WHILE WHOLESALE TRADE TOOK UP 11 PER CENT, RESTAURANTS 4 PER CENT AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES 1 PER CENT.
IN 1985, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE ALSO ACCOUNTED FOR THE LARGEST SHARE (56 PER CENT) OF TOTAL VALUE ADDED IN THE SECTOR. THE REMAINING CONTRIBUTION WAS ACCOUNTED FOR BY RETAIL TRADE (17 PER CENT), RESTAURANTS (14 PER CENT), WHOLESALE TRADE (7 PER CENT) AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (G PER CENT).
/WHEN COMPARED
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
2
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1984, HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES HAD THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS (+12 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE (+9 PER CENT), RESTAURANTS (+8 PER CENT), RETAIL TRADE (+4 PER CENT) AND WHOLESALE TRADE (+1 PER CENT).
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE WAS AGAIN RECORDED FOR HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (+16 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY RESTAURANTS (+10 PER CENT), RETAIL TRADE (+4 PER CENT) AND WHOLESALE TRADE (+3 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, A DECREASE WAS REGISTERED FOR THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE (-4 PER CENT).
THE 1985 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADE AND SERVICE SECTOR AND UPDATING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
DATA COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDED TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE, STOCKS, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH ANALYTICAL TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUP/ACTIVITY AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED "1985 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS".
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE IN JULY 1987 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19/F., WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234942.
/Comparison of
3
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
Comparison of Selected Principal Statistics for all establishments in the Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels Sector between 1984 and 1985
Activity Number of establishments Number of persons engaged Number of employees Compensation of employees Operating expenses Purchases of goods for sale Changes in stocks Sales and other receipts Value added
$ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn.
Wholesale trade 1984 12 605 57 775 43 214 1 712 2 772 46 522 332 52 330 3 517
1985 13 446 61 149 46 179 1 938 3 072 46 723 379 52 996 3 623
X change +7 < +6 +7 +13 +11 9 +14 +1 +3
Recall trade 1984 48 608 164 008 107 016 4 351 7 712 55 469 1 025 70 558 8 543
1985 48 030 168 496 109 609 4 683 8 170 57 285 1 044 73 131 8 880
X change -1 +3 +2 +8 +6 +3 +2 +4 +4
Import/export trade 1984 30 939 187 802 166 259 10 431 26 409 269 309 3 065 321 133 29 482
1985 33 881 205 780 183 169 11 856 29 771 293 767 1 282 349 765 28 308
X change +10 +10 +10 +14 +13 +9 -58 +9 -4
Restaurants 1984 6 828 156 452 148 123 5 193 4 781 7 971 -42 19 014 6 312
1985 6 620 157 453 150 270 5 887 5 100 8 592 5 20 585 6 946
X change -3 +1 +1 +13 +7 48 -111 +8 +10
Hotels/boarding houses 1984 846 23 948 23 377 1 076 1 733 483 • -1 4 735 2 652
1985 942 24 372 23 690 1 238 1 881 514 3 5 299 3 079
X change +11 +2 +1 +15 +9 +6 -435 +12 +16
Total 1984 99 825 589 986 487 990 22 763 43 407 379 753 4 379 467 770 50 506
1985 102 919 617 250 512 917 25 601 47 994 406 881 2 712 501 776 50 836
X change +3 +5 +5 +12 +11 +7 -38 +7 +1
Notes : 1. Individual items may not add up to total due to rounding.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
3. # denotes less than 0.5X in magnitude.
4. Value added la a measure of the contribution of an economic sector Co Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product. The definition can be found in the "1985 Survey of Wholesale and Retail Trades, Restaurants and Hotels" report.
-------0----------
A....
SATURDAY, JULY *<■, 1987
NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR US BOUND
*****
SHIPMENTS
THAT A EXPORT AGREED EFFECT
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE NEW ARRANGEMENT UNDER THE OF PERSONAL SHIPMENTS AND BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE ON JANUARY 1, 1988.
(SATURDAY) COVERING HAD BEEN
WILL TAKE
DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY HK/USA TEXTILES AGREEMENT MARKED COMMERCIAL SAMPLES USA. THE NEW ARRANGEMENT
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT:
(A)
(I)
ALL TEXTILES AND APPAREL PRODUCTS, FIDE GIFTS VALUED AT US$50 OR LESS SUITS UNDER (B) BELOW, EXPORTED TO PERSONAL USE OF THE IMPORTER AND REGARDLESS OF VALUE; AND
INCLUDING BONA , BUT EXCLUDING THE USA FOR THE NOT FOR RESALE,
(II)
FXPORTS TO THE USA OF PROPERLY MARKED SAMPLE SHIPMENTS VALUED AT US$250 OR LESS;
COMMERCIAL
SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO QUOTA OR EXPORT AUTHORISATION.
(B)
FXPORTS OF WOOL, MAN-MADE FIBRE AND SILK BL,^ND VEGETABLE FIBRES SUITS TO THE USA, REGARDLESS MUST IN FUTURE BE SHIPPED CATEGORY HAS BEEN CREATED AND ADDITIONAL QUOTA HAS BEEN
UNDER FOR
QUOTA. A
AND OF NEW
MADE-TO-MEASURE
OTHER VALUE QUOTA SUITS
PROVIDED TO HONG KONG
FOR
(C)
SUCH EXPORTS.
PERSONAL SHIPMENTS OF SUITS ACCOMPANYING THE TRAVELLER THE USA, REGARDLES OF VALUE, SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT QUOTA OR EXPORT AUTHORISATION.
TO TO
THE
TRATH7 DEPARTMENT WILL SOON ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE CONTROL
WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE.
- - 0 - -
/5
SATURDAY, JULY <t, 1987
- 5 -
FOOD HYGIENE HOTLINE SET UP *****
RESIDENTS ARE URGED TODAY (SATURDAY) TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST FOOD POISONING AMD VARIOUS DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH UNCLEAN FOOD IN THE SUMMER SEASON.
TO FACILITATE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD HYGIENE, THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HAS SET UP A 24-HOUR TELEPHONE HOTLINE WHICH WILL OPERATE UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR OF THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, MR WONG LUP-GAY, CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TODAY (SATURDAY) TO MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE PREVENTION OF FOOD-BORNE DISEASES.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY DIAL 5-8916443 TO LISTEN TO A RECORDED MESSAGE CONTAINING GENERAL ADVICE IN CANTONESE. THEY ARE THEN GIVEN 30 SECONDS TO MAKE ENQUIRIES. STAFF OF THE UNIT WILL CALL BACK AND ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," MR WONG SAID.
TO ASSIST ENGLISH SPEAKERS, HE SAID THAT A MESSAGE IN ENGLISH HAD BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE RECORDING TO DIRECT THEM TO MAKE ENQUIRIES AT ANOTHER NUMBER DURING OFFICE HOURS.
MR WONG RECOMMENDED THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING POINTS WHILE EATING, PREPARING AND STORING FOOD:
» DO NOT PATRONISE UNLICENSED COOKED FOOD HAWKERS BECAUSE THE PLACE AND WAYS IN WHICH THEY PREPARE THEIR FOOD ARE USUALLY NOT HYGIENIC;
* USE REFRIGERATORS PROPERLY AND STORE RAW AND COOKED FOOD SEPARATELY;
* COOK FOOD THOROUGHLY AND CONSUME WHILE STILL HOT, LEFTOVERS SHOULD ALSO BE REHEATED THOROUGHLY;
* COVER CUTS AND SORES WITH WATERPROOF DRESSINGS BEFORE COOKING AND EATING;
* KEEP CLEAN PERSONAL HABITS AND WASH HANDS ALWAYS BEFORE PREPARING FOOD; AND
* MAINTAIN A CLEAN KITCHEN.
-----0------
/6.......
SATURDAY, JULY k, 198?
6
CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO PROSPER
* * « » »
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS AND OFFICIALS OF LOCAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG IN THE PAST YEAR.
REVIEWING LOCAL CO-OPERATIVE ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST YEAR AT THE 65TH INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE DAY CELEBRATION DINNER IN HIS CAPACITY AS REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, DR LEE SAID THAT THE BUSINESS OF MOST SOCIETIES CONTINUED TO PROSPER.
"VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES CONTINUED TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE MARKETING OF VEGETABLES. LOCAL PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLES IN 1986 AMOUNTED TO 158,500 TONNES. OF THE 65,600 TONNES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED MARKETED THROUGH THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION, ABOUT HALF WERE HANDLED BY THESE SOCIETIES," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE ANCILLARY SERVICES OF THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES SUCH AS THE CO-OPERATIVE SALE OF ROTARY CULTIVATORS, PLASTIC BASKETS AND GOOD QUALITY PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES AT RESASONABLE PRICES PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND TO THE BENEFIT OF MEMBERS.
IN THE PAST YEAR, HE SAID, THE FEDERATION PROVIDED ADDITIONAL SERVICES, INCLUDING THE CO-OPERATIVE PURCHASE AND SALE OF QUALITY VEGETABLE SEEDS PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
DR LEE SAID THAT THE FEDERATION ALSO TOOK AN ACTIVE PART IN THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
"IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION AND THE FEDERATION SPONSORED A GROUP OF 15 VEGETABLE FARMERS TO VISIT AUSTRALIA TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF VEGETABLE CULTIVATION AND MARKETING AND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION WITH THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS," HE SAID.
/ON PIG
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 198?
ON PIG FARMING DR LEE SAID THAT THE FEDERATION OF PIG RAISING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES CONTINUED TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE.
"THROUGH THE IMPORT OF QUALITY PEDIGREE PIGS FROM OVERSEAS, THE ORGANISATION OF MONTHLY TECHNICAL SEMINARS, AND THE PRODUCTION OF QUARTERLY TECHNICAL NEWSLETTERS FOR FREE ISSUE TO ITS MEMBERS, THE FEDERATION MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE UPGRADING OF THE LOCAL BREEDING STOCK, AND ENHANCING THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION CONCERNING MODERN PIG PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES," HE SAID.
DR LEE ALSO SPOKE OF THE ROLE PLAYED BY FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN THE EXTENSION OF AGRICULTURAL CREDIT.
"DURING THE PAST YEAR, ABOUT 25 PER CENT OF THE $14.2 MILLION LOANED TO FARMERS FROM VARIOUS LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT WERE CHANNELLED THROUGH THESE SOCIETIES.
"AT THE SAME TIME, $170,000 WERE ISSUED FROM THE SOCIETIES’ OWN REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS TO THEIR MEMBERS TO MEET A WIDE RANGE OF FARM CREDIT NEEDS," HE SAID.
IN THE FISHERIES SECTOR, DR LEE CONTINUED, FISHERMEN CO-OPERATIVES CONTINUED TO DO WELL WITH A TOTAL SURPLUS OF SOME $200,000 REGISTERED IN THE PAST YEAR AND THE CUMULATIVE REVOLVING LOAN FUND CAPITAL SAVED BY MEMBERS STOOD AT $6.56 MILLION.
DURING THE PAST YEAR, SOME $10 MILLION WERE LOANED TO FISHERMEN FROM FISHERMEN’S SOCIETIES’ OWN LOAN FUNDS AND FROM THE DEPARTMENTAL LOAN FUNDS FOR PRODUCTIVE PURPOSES SUCH AS BUILDING NEW VESSELS, PURCHASING FISHING GEAR AND EQUIPMENT AND REPAIRING ENGINES AND HULLS.
TO KEEP LOCAL FISHERMEN ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN FISHING TECHNOLOGY, THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION LAST YEAR ORGANISED AND SPONSORED 10 CHAMPION OR LEADING FISHERMEN ON AN EIGHT-DAY STUDY TOUR TO JAPAN.
I
/REGARDING URBAN .........
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
- 8 ~
REGARDING URBAN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, DR LEE SAID SEVEN OF THESE SOCIETIES APPLIED FOR VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO PERMIT CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETIES TO TRANSFER LEGAL TITLE TO FLATS TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.
"OTHER SOCIETIES ARE NOW ACTIVELY CONSIDERING THE PROPOSAL," HE ADDED.
DR LEE SAID THAT THE BUSINESS OF THE URBAN CONSUMERS' SOCIETIES CONTINUED TO BE STEADY LAST YEAR WITH SLIGHT INCREASES IN TOTAL SALES TURNOVER AND GROSS TRADING SURPLUS.
-------o ---------
WORK ON FIRST LONG STAY CARE HOME *****
STARTS
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR ARE PLANNING TO BUILD THREE LONG STAY CARE HOMES IN THE COMING FIVE YEARS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST SUCH INSTITUTION AT TUEN MUN, HE SAID THERE WOULD BE 200 PLACES IN EACH HOME, WHICH MEANT THE TOTAL DEMAND COULD BE MET IN FIVE YEARS.
ACCORDING TO THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN, THERE IS NEED FOR ONE SUCH PLACE PER 10,000 POPULATION, GIVING AN ESTIMATED DEMAND OF 600 PLACES IN THE ENTIRE TERRITORY. THE OTHER TWO HOMES WILL BE IN SHAM SHUI PO AND WONG CHUK HANG.
MR LAW SAID LONG STAY CARE HOME WAS A NEW SERVICE TO CATER FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF A PARTICULAR GROUP OF MENTAL PATIENTS.
"THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER EX-MENTAL PATIENTS IN THAT THEY STILL NEED CONTINUOUS NURSING CARE, AND THAT THEY CANNOT DISCHARGED BECAUSE OF THEIR LACK OF ABILITY TO COPE WITH DAILY LIFE BY THEMSELVES AS A RESULT OF LENGTHY HOSPITALISATION THOUGH THEIR CONDITIONS ARE UNDER CONTROL AND THEIR MENTAL STATE IS STABLE.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ALSO LACK THE NECESSARY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO LOOK AFTER THEM AT HOME.
/"LONG STAY
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
- 9 -
"LONG STAY CARE HOMES CAN REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SUCH PATIENTS BEING STRANDED IN HOSPITALS," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO NURSING CARE PROVIDED BY NURSES, THERE WOULD BE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN THESE HOMES TO RENDER THE NECESSARY SERVICES, MR LAW SAID.
"THESE SERVICES AIM TO PROVIDE THE RESIDENTS WITH PROPER PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CARE, TO ENABLE THEM TO LEARN ABOUT THE WAYS AND SKILLS TO COPE WITH DAILY LIFE AS WELL AS TO REINSTATE THEIR CONFIDENCE AND ABILITY IN INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP," HE EXPLAINED.
THE TUEN MUN HOME WILL BE OPERATED BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION. THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS ABOUT $19 MILLION, OF WHICH $13.5 MILLION COMES FROM THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
MR LAW PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE OPERATION OF A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES INCLUDING HALF-WAY HOUSES, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, SOCIAL CENTRES AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
------0 ------
NEW CHILDREN CENTRE FOR SHA TIN OPENS
» » » * »
IN ADDITION GET ALONG WITH AND UNDERSTAND ONESELF,
TO PARENTAL CARE, CHILDREN NEED TO TO SHOW CONCERN FOR OTHER PEOPLE
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE,
LEARN HOW TO
AS WELL AS TO
MRS ELIZABETH
WONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE MEI
THE ROYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION IN SHA TIN "THROUGH THE ORGANISATION OF MEANINGFUL SOC*£L CENTRES CAN HELP MEMBERS AND SOCIALISATION SKILLS, OF INDEPENDENT THINKING
LAM CHILDREN CENTRE OF
ACTIVITIES, CHILDREN CHARACTER, POTENTIAL
CONFIDENCE AND ABILITY
BECOME RESPONSIBLE AND USEFUL CITIZENS.
, MRS WONG SAID:
AND RECREATIONAL
TO DEVELOP THEIR
BUILD UP THEIR
AND EVENTUALLY TO
MRS WONG ALSO STRESSED THE NEED FOR PARENTS HOME AND TO INSTILL HOME SAFETY KNOWLEDGE TO THEIR
TO PROVIDE A CHILDREN.
SAFE
TURNING TO WELFARE FACILITIES IN THE NEW TOWNS, SHE SAID WERE BEING EXPANDED TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND AND CHILDREN AND CENTRES WERE AN IMPORTANT ITEM.
THEY YOUTH
/SHE NOTED
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
SHE NOTED THAT THERE WERE SOME 350,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN SHA TIN AND THE WELFARE UNITS INCLUDED EIGHT CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, THREE YOUTH CENTRES, FOUR CHILDREN CENTRES, SEVEN SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, FIVE HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY, 14 NURSERIES AND THREE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.
MRS WONG ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO CHILD WELFARE SINCE 1936 AND FOR HAVING EXPANDED ITS CLIENTELE TO INCLUDE YOUTHS AND FAMILIES.
- 0 -
AUDIOLOGICAL SERVICES EXPANDED » * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS EXPANDING ITS EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THE DEAF TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR SUCH SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE MONG KOK LUTHERAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, MR LI SAID AUDIOLOGISTS OF THE DEPARTMENT VISITED SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AT REGULAR INTERVALS TO ASSESS AND DIAGNOSE STUDENTS SUSPECTED TO HAVE HEARING IMPEDIMENT. THEY WOULD ALSO ADVISE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS ON THE USE OF HEARING AIDS.
THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN ITS MANPOWER TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTION OF EAR-MOULD SERVICES, MR LI SAID.
’’EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR DEAF STUDENTS WILL CERTAINLY BE FURTHER DEVELOPED THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT," SAID MR LI.
- - 0 - -
/11
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
11
NEED FOR WHOLESOME RECREATION FOR YOUTHS STRESSED *****
MORE THAN 500 YOUTHS FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAD A MORNING OF FUN TODAY (SATURDAY) IN A FOLK DANCE GATHERING AT THE CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE TO LAUNCH THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS ROSANNA TAM, SAID SUMMER ACTIVITIES WOULD HELP PARTICIPANTS FOSTER STRONG CHARACTER AND CULTIVATE LEADERSHIP IN ORDER TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE CHALLENGES OF A COSMOPOLITAN CITY.
SHE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING WHOLESOME CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO HELP STRIKE A GOOD BALANCE AGAINST A MATERIALISTIC SOCIETY.
SHE NOTED THAT THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THIS DISTRICT WERE IN LINE WITH THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WHICH HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED TO SHARE THE FUN AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING, CHAIRMAN OF THE PROGRAMME’S CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR JACOB CHAN URGED YOUTHS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THEM WITH RECREATION AND TO HELP THEM BECOME INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 72 EVENTS ORGANISED BY SOME 20 LOCAL COMMUNITY BODIES FOR MORE THAN 40,000 YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT.
APART FROM SPORTS AND GAMES, TRAINING COURSES AND SEMINARS, THERE ARE ALSO ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO SERVE THE NEEDY PEOPLE, SUCH AS SCHOOL DROPOUTS, MENTALLY UNBALANCED PEOPLE AND DISABLED CHILDREN.
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OPENING CEREMONY SUB-COMMITTEE, MRS GRACE TAM ALSO OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S CEREMONY.
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/12
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
12 -
COURSE ON HELPING PUPILS WITH PROBLEMS *****
TO HELP PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS UNDERSTAND PUPILS’ PROBLEMS IN THE CLASSROOM AND TO LEARN VARIUOS WAYS OF HANDLING SUCH PROBLEMS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS TO ORGANISE A COURSE NEXT MONTH.
THE THREE-DAY COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE LECTURE THEATRE OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT GASCOIGNE ROAD, YAU MA TEI, BETWEEN JULY 20 AND 22.
IT WILL PROVIDE THE PARTICIPANTS WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. TEACHERS HAVING SUCH PUPILS IN THEIR CLASSES WILL FIND THE COURSE PARTICULARLY USEFUL.
TALKS WILL BE GIVEN DURING THE COURSE ON HELPING PUPILS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIOUR, HEARING, VISION AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS, STUDENTS GUIDANCE SERVICES, PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, INTENSIVE REMEDIAL SERVICES, AUD1OLOGICAL SERVICES, PERIPATETIC ADVISORY SERVICE, SPEECH THERAPY SERVICE, SCREENING SERVICE AND RESOURCE HELP SERVICE FOR PUPILS.
A VISIT WILL BE ORGANISED TO THE PERTH STREET SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE ON THE THIRD DAY OF THE COURSE.
SCHOOL HEADS ARE ADVISED TO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COURSE AND APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, SECOND FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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KWUN TONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BEGINS *****
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, PAUL LEUNG, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO COME EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REXIEW DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
MR AND
OF
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT THE POINTED OUT THAT YOUNGSTERS
CEREMONY OF
KWUN TONG COULD MAKE
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SWIMMING POOL, MR LEUNG
AN
TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY BY
GETTING
IMPORTANT ACTIVELY
CONTRIBUTION
INVOLVED IN
COMMUNITY BUILDING AFFAIRS.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GREEN PAPER SET OUT OPTIONS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
/’♦YOUNG PEOPLE
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
- 13 -
"YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO SEND THEIR COMMENTS TO THE SURVEY OFFICE DIRECT OR THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30," HE SAID.
"THOSE WHO CAN ONLY EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS ORALLY MAY STILL MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF WHO WILL TRANSCRIBE THEM AND PASS THEM ON TO THE SURVEY OFFICE," HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG ALSO URGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO SUPPORT THE VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN WHICH WOULD BE LAUNCHED FROM AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER.
AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MISS YUENG KAM-CHUN, COMMENDED THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR CONCERTED EFFORT IN ORGANISING MEANINGFUL SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
TO MARK THIS AFTERNOON’S GRAND OPENING, A WATER CARNIVAL FEATURING WATER-SAFETY AND LIFE-SAVING DEMONSTRATION, AQUATIC GAMES AND FREE-SWIMMING SESSIONS WAS HELD.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN: DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; LEGCO MEMBER, MR POON CHI-FAI AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE.
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SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN WAN CHAI
*****
THE WAN CHAI SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WAS LAUNCHED THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY-CUM-CARNIVAL WHICH FEATURED EXCITING PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL YOUNGSTERS AND A FUN FAIR.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY AT THE LOCKHART ROAD PLAYGROUND, CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG HO-YIN, SAID HE HOPED THIS YEAR’S THEME OF ’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY’ WOULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL YOUTHS IN THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED.
/MORE THAN
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
14
MORE THAN 140 EVENTS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED AND WILL RUN FROM JULY TO MID-AUGUST. EIGHTEEN LOCAL GROUPS, INCLUDING YOUTH CENTRES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, PRIVATE ASSOCIATIONS AND RELIGIOUS BODIES HAVE TAKEN PART IN PLANNING AND ARRANGING VARIOUS PROJECTS.
ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THE SUMMER RANGE FROM OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CAMPING, PICNICS, LAUNCHES, FISHING, VISITS TO MACAU AND CHINA, BALL GAMES, DANCES, TO MORE INTELLECTUALLY ORIENTED PROJECTS LIKE SEMINARS, QUIZZES, EXHIBITIONS, VOLUNTARY WORKERS’ TRAINING CLASSES, WRITING AND DRAWING COMPETITIONS. NOVEL ITEMS LIKE AB-CATCHING CAMPS, SURVIVAL TRAINING COURSE, LEADERSHIP TRAINING . .0 A CARNIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 30,000 TO 40,000 PEOPLE WILL TAKE ’ART IN THE PROGRAMME.
FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT IS CONTRIBUTED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WHICH HAS ALLOCATED $120,400 TO WAN CHAI. THE REST COMES 'POM PRIVATE DONATIONS WHICH AMOUNT TO $31,000 AND A SUBSIDY FROM THE ; CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
ALSO AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, MR LEE SHUNG-TAK.
-------o ---------
KWAI TSING RESIDENTS TO SHARE SUMMER FUN *****
MORE THAN 80,000 RESIDENTS OF .'-'.HARE THE FUN AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY SOME 480 ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS OF THE vAS LAUNCHED TODAY (SATURDAY).
KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI CAN THIS SUMMER BY PARTICIPATING IN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WHICH
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR PETER NG ND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI OFFICIALLY OPENED THE PROGRAMME AT A ' TONY IN THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND.
MR CHAN SAID MEMBERS OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE STARTED ANNING THE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES EARLY IN FEBRUARY AND WORKED OUT A EHENS IVE PROGRAMME BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE.
/THE $400,000
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
- 15 -
THE $400,000 PROGRAMME, SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE DISTRICT BOARD, WILL COVER NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES THAT INCLUDE COMMUNITY SERVICE, RECREATIONAL, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND FACT-FINDING EVENTS.
MR CHAN SAID THE RESPONSE TO THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WAS VERY ENCOURAGING. THE NUMBER OF LOCAL BODIES APPLYING FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT FROM 35 LAST YEAR TO 53 THIS YEAR.
RESIDENTS WOULD HAVE THE CHOICE OF PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES OF THEIR OWN INTEREST, HE ADDED.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVEN AREAS IN THE DISTRICT JOINTLY PRODUCED A VARIETY SHOW. PROGRAMMES OF THE SHOW INCLUDED AEROBIC AND CLASSICAL DANCING, TAE KUA DAO AND BAND PERFORMANCES, AND GROUP SINGING.
OTHER GUESTS AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW WERE THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR CARLOS LEUNG SZE-HUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO TUNG-CHING AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE, MR CHENG WING-CHUN.
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CAMP TO TRAIN YOUTHS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES t t » ♦ *
MORE THAN 60 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT ARE SPENDING THIS WEEKEND IN A LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TO FURTHER EQUIP THEMSELVES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
THE CAMP, WHICH IS PART OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME, IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE VOLUNTEERS TAKING PART IN THE CAMP ARE MEMBERS OF VARIOUS YOUTH SERVICES GROUPS AND LEADERS OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL IN THE DISTRICT.
AN ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AIM OF THE CAMP TS TO PROVIDE POTENTIAL LEADERS WITH PROPER TRAINING SO THAT THEY CAN SERVE THE COMMUNITY BETTER.
/’’TALKS WILL..........
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
’’TALKS WILL BE GIVEN ON TOPICS LIKE BASIC QUALITIES OF A LEADER, TECHNIQUES TO CHAIR MEETINGS, HUMAN RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND HOW TO LEAD GROUP GAMES," HE SAID.
THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME WOULD FOCUS ON HELPING ISLANDERS TO KNOW, TO SHOW CONCERN AND TO SERVE THE DISTRICT BETTER, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
PRESS CONFERENCE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT CAMPAIGN t * t * t
A LARGE-SCALE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE NEXT SATURDAY (JULY 11).
DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 6) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
SPEAKING AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN WAI-WANG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED.
- - 0 - -
/17
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1987
- 17 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN ♦ ♦ »
KOWLOON CITY TO STAY * ♦
THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IMPLEMENTED IN KOWLOON CITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROAD WORK AT THE JUNCTION OF CARPENTER ROAD AND SOUTH WALL ROAD WILL CONTINUE FOR ABOUT SIX MORE WEEKS.
THE SECTION OF CARPENTER ROAD BETWEEN LUNG KONG ROAD AND TAK KU LING ROAD WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, WHILE SOUTH WALL ROAD BETWEEN CARPENTER ROAD AND NGA TSIN WAI ROAD WILL REMAIN A TWO-WAY CUL-DE-SAC WITH ACCESS ONLY FROM NGAI TSIN WAI ROAD.
MOTORISTS ON CARPENTER ROAD HEADING FOR SOUTH WALL ROAD WILL CONTINUE TO BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG KONG ROAD AND NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, WHILE THOSE HEADING FOR LOK SIN ROAD VIA LUNG KONG ROAD, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD AND TAK KU LING ROAD.
-------G----------
TUNG CHOI STREET CLOSED TO TRAFFIC t ♦ * ♦ ♦
TUNG CHOI STREET BETWEEN MONG KOK ROAD AND FIFE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 7) AND JULY 8 FOR THE DELIVERY OF ESCALATORS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE TURNING MOVEMENTS FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS OF MONG KOK ROAD ON TO TUNG CHOI STREET WILL BE BANNED.
TRAFFIC ON BOTH DIRECTIONS OF MONG KOK ROAD HEADING FOR ARGYLE STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FAKE IDENTITY CARD WON'T HELP .................................. 1
PUBLIC URGED NOT TO ABUSE DRUGS ................................ 2
SCOUTING ACTIVITIES IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS NEED DEVELOPING ... 3
JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS ................................. 3
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR CENTRAL aND WESTERN DISTRICT ........ 4
WORKING GROUP SET UP ON GREEN P.J>ER............................ 6
INFORMATION DAY FOR MANUFACTURERS .............................. 6
DB TO DISCUSS BUILDING MANAGEMENT .............................. 7
COMPUTER COURSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS .................. 8
ANOTHER PARK FOR TSUEN W.kN RESIDENTS .......................... 8
COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND OPEN SPaCE FOR KWal CHUNG ............... 9
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN SHANTUNG STREET ......................... 9
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
1 -
FAKE IDENTITY CARD WON’T HELP *****
AH TANG, A 24-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM DONGGUAN, THOUGHT HIS LUCK WOULD TURN BETTER IN MARCH LAST YEAR WHEN HE ILLEGALLY ENTERED HONG KONG -- HIS SECOND ATTEMPT WITHIN .ilGHT MONTHS.
BUT HIS WISHFUL THINKING ONLY LED HIM TO ANOTHER PRISON TERM HERE, ALSO FOR USING AN IDENTITY CARD THAT HE BOUGHT IN CHINA.
HE HAD BEEN LIVING A DUBIOUS LIFE FOR THREE DAYS TRYING TO FIND A JOB AFTER HAVING SNEAKED ACROSS THE BORDER.
ARMED WITH THE IDENTITY CARD THAT BELONGED TO SOMEBODY ELSE, HE WENT THROUGH THREE DAYS OF ANXIETY HUNTING FOR A JOB.
AND WHILE HE WAS CONTEMPLATING HIS FUTURE ON A STREET IN NGAU TAU KOK, AN ALERT POLICEMAN SPOTTED HIM AND ASKED FOR HIS PROOF OF IDENTITY.
IT SOON TURNED OUT THAT AH TANG WAS IN POSSESSION OF AN IDENTITY CARD BEARING A NAME OTHER THAN HIS OWN.
AS A RESULT, HE ENDED UP IN COURT AND WAS SENT TO JAIL FOR 14 MONTHS FOR USING AN IDENTITY CARD RELATING TO ANOTHER PERSON. HE ADMITTED HAVING BOUGHT THE DOCUMENT FROM A MAN IN CANTON.
IT WAS REVEALED THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY SERVED A THREE-MONTH SENTENCE IN HONG KONG IN AUGUST 1985 WHEN HE WAS ALSO CAUGHT FOR USING AN IDENTITY CARD WHICH HE BOUGHT IN CHINA.
AH TANG WAS SENT BACK TO CHINA IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AFTER HAVING SERVED HIS SECOND PRISON SENTENCE.
HIS EXPERIENCE TYPIFIES UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS BY PEOPLE WHO TRY TO SNEAK INTO HONG KONG ILLEGALLY, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY TRY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY WARNED THAT SECURITY FORCES AT THE BORDER WERE KEEPING THEIR EVER-VIGILANT EYE ON ILLEGALS TRYING TO COME ACROSS.
"THEY ARE AMPLY AUGMENTED BY OTHER SECURITY FORCES, INCLUDING POLICEMEN, WHO DO THEIR BEAT IN URBAN AREA,” HE SAID.
"THE CASE OF AH TANG IS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF THE ALERTNESS OF THE CONCERNED AGENCIES WHO ARE DETERMINED TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"EVEN IF AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MANAGED TO ENTER, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO FIND JOBS, AS WAS THE CASE FOR AH TANG."
---O -
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
- 2 -
PUBLIC URGED NOT TO ABUSE DRUGS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, NOT TO ABUSE DRUGS.
MAKING THE APPEAL AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS BEACH CONCERT AT REPULSE BAY, MR MULLOY NOTED THAT MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ABUSED PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS BECAUSE OF CURIOSITY AND PEER GROUP PRESSURE.
ON HONG KONG’S DRUG SITUATION, MR MULLOY REVEALED THAT THE PROBLEM OF HEROIN ABUSE HAD BEEN CONTAINED AS A RESULT OF A CONTINUED AND CONCERTED EFFORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT.
IN VIEW OF THE RECENT UPSURGING TREND OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE, MR MULLOY SAID THIS YEAR’S PUBLICITY WAS TARGETTED AT AROUSING THE PUBLIC TO BE ON THE ALERT AGAINST THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF ABUSING PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES.
THE COMMISSIONER CALLED UPON PARENTS TO EXERCISE ON THEIR CHILDREN PROPER CARE WHICH PROVED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DEFENCE IN PREVENTING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM GOING ASTRAY.
THE CONCERT WHICH ALSO MARKED THE OPENING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT IT WAS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE BEACH CONCERT, ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES COULD BE DISSEMINATED TO THE PUBLIC ESPECIALLY THOSE YOUTHS WHO WERE MOST VULNERABLE TO DRUG ABUSE.
IN ADDITION TO THE SOUTHERN AND TUEN MUN DISTRICTS, DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGNS WILL BE LAUNCHED IN SHAM SHUT PO AND YAU MA TEI DISTRICTS LATER THIS YEAR.
OBJECTIVES OF DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG COMPAIGNS ARE NOT ONLY TO CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE DRUG MENACE, BUT ALSO TO HELP PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAD A MEANINGFUL LIFE FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS.
TODAY’S TWO-HOUR LONG CONCERT, BROADCAST LIVE BY COMMERCIAL RADIO 2, ATTRACTED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BEACH-GOERS WHO SHARED AN AFTERNOON OF MUSIC WHILST BASKING IN THE SUNSHINE.
ALSO PRESENT WERE MR SIMON LORD, DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN) AND MR KAN MAN-LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHERN DFCC.
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/3.......
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
- 5 -
SCOUTING ACTIVITIES IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS NEED DEVELOPING * * * * »
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, TODAY (SUNDAY) EXPRESSED HIS HOPE TO FURTHER DEVELOP SCOUTING ACTIVITIES IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
OFFICIATING AT THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY CAMP OF THE 221ST HONG KONG SCOUT GROUP HELD AT TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, MR CHAN SAID SCOUTING ACTIVITIES WOULD HELP YOUNG INMATES TO CULTIVATE GOOD MANNERS AND BEHAVIOUR AND BECOME RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE 221ST HONG KONG SCOUT GROUP WAS SET UP LAST YEAR BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE GROUP NOW HAS 120 MEMBERS, ALL BEING TRAINING CENTRE BOYS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 21.
IN THE PAST YEAR, THE INMATES SCOUTS HAD TAKEN PART IN VARIOUS SCOUTING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING COMMUNITY SERVICES, BADGE TRAINING PROGRAMMES, OUTDOOR FUNCTIONS AND ALSO THE GRAND JUBILEE CAMP FOR SCOUTS.
AT THE CEREMONY, THE COMMISSIONER PRAISED THE INMATES FOR THEIR PAST REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO CONTINUE LEARNING FROM OTHER SCOUT GROUPS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR SKILLS AND PROMOTING SCOUTING SPIRIT.
MR CHAN THANKED THE GROUP PRESIDENT, MR LAU HON-WAH, AND THE CHAIRMAN, MR HERMAN HUI, FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT TO THE SCOUT GROUP.
AT PRESENT, THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS A BOY SCOUT GROUP AND A RANGER GUIDE UNIT.
0--------
JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS *****
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RECEIVED MORE THAN 6,300 SUMMER JOB VACANCIES FROM EMPLOYERS BETWEEN MAY AND JUNE THIS YEAR.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD IT HAS FOUND JOBS FOR 1,302 SUMMER JOB-SEEKERS. OF THESE, HALF WERE OFFERED JOBS SUCH AS ASSEMBLERS, PACKERS AND LABOURERS IN FACTORIES. THE REST WERE PLACED IN CLERICAL JOBS AS WELL AS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR.
/A DEPARTMENT .......
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID SCHOOL LEAVERS AND STUDENTS LOOKING FOR SUMMER JOBS COULD CONTACT LES FOR ASSISTANCE.
THE LES WHICH OPERATES FROM 15 OFFICES IN MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY., PROVIDES A FREE PLACEMENT SERVICE HELPING EMPLOYERS TO RECRUIT SUITABLE STAFF AND JOB-SEEKERS TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT.
JOB-SEEKERS CAN REGISTER WITH THE OFFICES NEAREST TO THEIR HOMES WHILE EMPLOYERS CAN CONTACT THE OFFICES TELEPHONE OR IN PERSON TO GIVE PARTICULARS OF THE VACANT POSTS, SUCH AS TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND THE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED.
VACANCIES ARE DISPLAYED AT ALL OFFICES OF THE LES WHERE JOB-SEEKERS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN PRELIMINARY SELECTION.
SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL ALSO BE SELECTED FROM REGISTERED CANDIDATES FOR INTRODUCTION TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID OTHER VACANCIES, RANGING FROM ENGINEERS TO ACOUNTANTS, WERE ALSO AVAILABLE.
THOSE WHO POSSESS POST-SECONDARY OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS MAY APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WHICH OPERATES FROM TWO OFFICES -- ONE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE OTHER IN KOWLOON.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LES OR AT TELEPHONES 5-270622, 3-666615, 3-695525, 3-265123 AND 0-4920154.
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SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ♦ * * *
MORE THAN 30,000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR'S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) AND SPEND THEIR SUMMER VACATION IN WHOLESOME AND MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES.
SOME 500 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR YOUTHS BETWEEN 6 AND 25, FROM JULY 12 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 13.
’’THE PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND INTEREST, TO PROMOTE SOCIAL AWARENESS AND TO ENHANCE THEIR SOCIAL EXPERIENCE," CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT'S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR YAU YUK-TAK SAID.
/” APART FROM .......
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
5 -
" APART FROM HAVING FUN, PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO SHOW THEIR CONCERN FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN OUR SOCIETY," HE ADDED.
THIS YEAR’S SYP WILL FEATURE A NUMBER OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMMES AND SPECIAL PROJECTS TO PROMOTE GOOD INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONS AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTHS AND TO AROUSE THEIR INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL SYSTEM.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE, VISITS, SPORTS TRAINING, DRAWING CLASSES, DANCING, PAPERCLAY ART, HAIRDRESSING AND SKIN CARE, CAMPS, EXPEDITIONS, PICNICS AND CARNIVALS.
CO-ORDINATED BY THE COMMITTEE AND JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE, THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, I.C.A.C., VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AREA COMMITTEES, KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, THE PROGRAMME WILL COST ABOUT $800,000, WITH $222,000 DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE PROGRAMME WILL OPEN WITH A FREE VARIETY SHOW AND A CARNIVAL AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT AT 2.30 PM ON JULY 12 (SUNDAY). CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG WILL OFFICIATE.
PAMPHLETS CONTAINING DETAILS OF SYP AND FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE SHOW AND CARNIVAL ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN C.G.O. AND KENNEDY TOWN, OR THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AT THE WESTERN STREET.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523002 OR 5-8171843.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND CARNIVAL OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROMGRAMME TO BE HELD ON JULY 12 (SUNDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT. INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS VALENTINA CHAN WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
0 -------
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
6
WORKING GROUP SET UP ON GREEN PAPER *****
A WORKING GROUP ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SET UP UNDER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE DOCUMENT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR PAUL YIN, SAID THE GROUP ALSO AIMED AT HELPING RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND THE CONTENTS OF THE GREEN PAPER.
THE WORKING GROUP BY THE ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS A BUS PARADE, PAMPHLETS,
A SUM OF $20,000 WAS ALLOCATED TO DISTRICT BOARD TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDING PROMOTIONAL WORKS DURING AUGUST,
BANNERS AND EXHIBITION.
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD ALSO SET ASIDE $36,000 FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN 12 CONSTITUENCIES TO ORGANISE RELATED ACTIVITIES.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO APPLY FOR DB FUNDS ACTIVITIES SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE EASTERN BOARD SECRETARIAT BEFORE AUGUST 27.
FOR SUCH DISTRICT
--------0 ---------
INFORMATION DAV FOR MANUFACTURERS
*****
AN INFORMATION DAY TO PROVIDE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WITH INFORMATION ON SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE EXPORT BUSINESS WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JULY 9).
ORGANISED BY THE SAN PO KONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE FUNCTION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND IN PARTICULAR PEOPLE TN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, FREE OF CHARGE.
GUEST SPEAKERS FROM THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCI I. AND THE EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION WILL BE INVITED TO SPEAK.
THEY WILL TALK ON WAYS TO SOLVE THE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF COMPANIES, WAYS TO DEVELOP OVERSEAS MARKETS AND HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST EXPORT CREDIT RISK.
/THE FUNCTION .......
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
THE FUNCTION WILL BE HELI) FROM 5.15 PM TO 8 PM AT THE FUNG MING HALL OF THE WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
THOSE WHO WISH TO ATTEND MAY CALL MISS TERESA LAW OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 3-222261 OR MR EDDIE SIU OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AT 3-412314 FOR ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE INFORMATION DAY TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JULY 9) AT 5.15 PM AT THE FUNG MING HALL OF WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
------0-------
DB TO DISCUSS BUILDING MANAGEMENT » » » « «
MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXPRESS THF1R VIEWS ON THE CONSULTATION PAPER ON MANAGEMENT IN PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AT THEIR MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JULY 7>.
, I1T ,,,THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HK&K) OF CNTA. MR FRANKIE LUI, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE SUBJECT.
THnQK. ™E TSUEN WAN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND TAnFpn°F THE C0MMITTEES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ALSO BE 1 AoLillD •
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE MEE I ING WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE cTnovS1 ™E REGI°NAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR OF TSUEN WAN STATION MULTISTOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
-----0-------
/8........
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
- 8 -
COMPUTER COURSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS * * * *
THE SECOND INTENSIVE COMPUTER PROGRAMMING COURSE DESIGNED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO HAVE NO PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE IN COMPUTERS WILL BE JOINTLY HELD BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE THIS MONTH.
THE FIVE-DAY COURSE WILL COVER ELEMENTARY OPERATIONS, ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS, BRANCHING AND LOOPING, SUBSCRIPTS AND ARRAYS, AND CHARACTER STRING MANIPULATION IN BASIC PROGRAMMING. NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED.
PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL SESSIONS AND COMPLETE PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENTS AT LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG, BETWEEN JULY 13 AND 17.
A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED BY THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TO PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE FULFILLED THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS.
-------0 -
ANOTHER PARK FOR TSL'EN WAN RESIDENTS ♦ t t * *
A CHINESE-STYLE PARK IS TO RE BUILT AT TAK WAR STREET, TSUEN WAN, TO SERVE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA.
THE SITE IS OF ABOUT 6,400 SQUARE METRES.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTWAYS, PONDS, ROCK FEATURES, PUBLIC TOILETS, AND A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND EQUIPMENT.
ARBOURS, PAVILION SEATING, TOGETHER WITH THE PERIPHERAL WALLING AND FENCING, AND AN ENTRANCE TOWER GATE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES RENOVATION OF AN EXISTING TWO-STOREY VILLAGE-TYPE BUILDING, TO BE USED AS A SERVICE BUILDING BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TN THE FUTURE, AND LANDSCAPING WORKS.
WORK ON THE PARK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS WHICH SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON JULY 24.
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1987
- 9 -
COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND OPEN SPACE FOR KWAI CHUNG
*****
A 12-STALL COOKED FOOD CENTRE IS BEING BUILT ON A 10,490-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF KWAI SHUN AND KWAI TAK STREETS IN KWAI CHUNG.
AN OPEN SPACE WITH A MINI-SOCCER PITCH, ROLLER SKATING RINK AND SITTING-OUT AREA IS ALSO BEING BUILT NEARBY.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT KWAI TAK STREET.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
A CONTRACT WORTH $252,840 HAS BEEN AWARDED TO WESTCO AIR CONDITIONING LIMITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO VENTILATE THE COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.
-----0 ---------
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN SHANTUNG STREET
THE SECTION OF SHANTUNG STREET PORTLAND STREET, MONG KOK WILL BE MADE A
BETWEEN
ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY FROM
PUBLIC LIGHT
NATHAN ROAD AND BUS RESTRICTED
10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 8)
NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP RESTRICTED AREA.
FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THE
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVadlNTS OF aPRIL EXTERNAL TRADE...... 1
LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PROVISIONS IMPROVED ............... 6
EPCOM WDORSES AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS CHANGES ... 7
58 RECEIVE DEA GOLD AWARDS ............................. 8
TILTING BUILDING DECLARED DaNGEROUS .................... 9
JUNE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES aND PAYROLL UNDER WAY . 10
NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD TO BE BEAUTIFIED.......... 11
TWO MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR TUEN MUN ................ 11
PROMOTING BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN YaU MA TEI ............ 12
KWAI TSING DB STRENGTHENS MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME........ 13
DISTRICT BOARD CONDUCTS SURVEY ON GREEN PAPER .......... 1U
GREEN PAPER ON DB AGEND« ............................... 15
COMMUNITY PROJECT ON EFFECTS OF VICE-ESTaBLISHMM'ITS.... 16
KOWLOON CITY EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY ............. 17
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS EUDE^UACY OF SCHOOL PLACES......... 17
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SURVEY ............................ 18
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT EXHIBITION ................. 19
YUEN LONG WATER CUT .................................... 19
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................. 19
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
1
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF APRIL EXTERNAL TRADE *****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 27 PER CENT AND 49 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY' IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1987 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT INDICATE,
HENCE, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 36 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS.
IMPORTS INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT TN VOLUME TERMS. ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, SO THAT THE PRICES OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT.
PRICES OF IMPORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, ROSE BY 4 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
COMPARING APRIL 1987 WITH APRIL 1986, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT AND 48 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HENCE, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 34 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT. ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT RE-EXPORT PRICES ROSE BY 1 PER CENT WHILE IMPORT PRICES ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDICES ARE COMPILED. THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM TRADE VALUES BY DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1987 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1986, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT, GIVING AN INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 24 PER CENT. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT. IMPORT PRICES ROSE BY 5 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR APRIL 1987 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
/AS CAN
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE I, PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN APRIL 1987 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986. THESE INCLUDED CLOTHING (>8 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+6 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+5 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+5 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+3 PER CENT) AS WELL AS FOOTWEAR (+1 PER CENT). DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS PRICES WERE, HOWEVER, RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-3 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-1 PER CENT) AS WELL AS METAL MANUFACTURES (-1 PER CENT).
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN APRIL 1987 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986, INCLUDING METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+88 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+66 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+65 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+32 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+25 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+21 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+13 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+12 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+9 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+6 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+1 PER CENT). HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED FOR TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-4 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR APRIL 1987 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES ROSE IN APRIL 1987 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986, RANGING FROM 2 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 9 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT.
MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED IN VOLUME TERMS IN APRIL 1987 COMPARED WITH APR!). 1986. SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; RICE; FRUIT; AS WELL AS MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; WHEAT AND FLOUR; AS WELL AS MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AS WELL AS FOOTWEAR. HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
/THE IMPORT .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 198?
- 3
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE IN APRIL 1987 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986. THE MAJOR INCREASE'. WERE RECORDED IN MAN-MADE FIBRES; WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS; PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS, CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS AS WELL AS WOVEN COTTON FABRICS. DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE MAINLY NOTED FOR CuAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, ETC . EXCEPT GLASS; AS WELL AS WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN APRIL 1987 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITIES INCREASED IN APRIL 1987 WHEN COMPARED WITH APRI1. 1986, THE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; TEXTILE MACHINERY; OFFICE MACHINES AS WELI. AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY. A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATGEGORY FOR APRIL 1987 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986 ARE SHOWN TN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN APRIL 1987 WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1986, RANGING FROM 17 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS TO 65 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 19 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE APRIL 1987 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND 1OTH JULY 1987 AT HKS2.50 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG ON 5-214375 AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDICES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8231918.
/TABLE 1s
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING JAN-APR 1987 WITH JAN-APR 1986 COMPARING APRIL 198: WITH APRIL 1986
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING 21 8 13 21 8 12
TEXTILE FABRICS 76 4 70 74 5 66
TEXTILE YARN AND
THREAD 60 3 55 75 6 65
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED
ARTICLES 15 5 9 10 4 6
RADIOS OF ALL
KINDS 46 -1 47 36 3 32
ELECTRONIC
COMPONENTS 2 -6 8 1 -1 1
FOOTWEAR 12 3 9 23 1 21
METAL MANUFACTURES 31 1 30 25 -1 25
METAL ORES AND
SCRAP 22 -4 27 83 -3 88
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 15 3 12 10 ♦ 9
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND
SIMILAR ARTICLES 5 3 2 -1 4 -4
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL
APPLIANCES 24 4 20 19 5 13
ALL COMMODITIES 31 3 27 28 4 24
NOTES FOR TABLES 1 TO 3: * INSIGNIFICANT, I PERCENTAGE CHANGES . E. LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT ARE CALCULATED FROM TRADE INDICES TAKEN TO
MORE DECIMAL PLACES THAN THOSE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE ’’HONG
KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS'* . I’HEY MAY THEREFORE DIFFER FROM THE
PERCENTAGE CHANGES TO THE COMPUTED FROM THE PUBLISHED FIGURES.
/TABLE 2: ......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
5
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING JAN-APR 1987 WITH JAN-APR 1986 COMPARING APRIL 1987 WITH APRIL 1986
VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
% %
FOODSTUFFS 12 1 11 14 2 12
CONSUMER GOODS 48 6 40 45 4 39
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 46 3 42 38 3 34
FUELS -17 -21 5 -9 -3 -6
CAPITAL GOODS 36 9 25 33 9 23
ALL COMMODITIES 39 4 35 36 4 31
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING JAN-APR WITH JAN-APR 1987 1986 COMPARING APRIL WITH APRIL 1987 1986
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 15 -1 17 28 -2 30
CONSUMER GOODS 69 3 64 69 2 65
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 47 1 45 49 ♦ 48
FUELS 38 -12 57 -10 11 -19
CAPITAL GOODS 34 1 32 15 -1 17
ALL COMMODITIES 51 2 49 49 1 48
-------o----------
/6.......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 6
LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PROVISIONS IMPROVED * * * * *
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) TODAY (MONDAY) ENDORSED A NUMBER OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PROVISIONS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE DURING ITS MEETING.
USEFUL VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED BY EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MEETING.
AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS, MEMBERS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER RESIGNATIONS ON GROUNDS OF ILLNESS AND OLD AGE. AS REGARDS DETAILS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK TO CARRY OUT FURTHER STUDIES.
THE BOARD ALSO SUPPORTED PROPOSALS THAT PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DEPENDANTS OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO DIED IN SERVICE, AND THAT FOR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PURPOSES, AN EMPLOYEE WHOSE RE-EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT SHOULD BE REGARDED AS SEPARATE FROM HIS PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT.
IN ADDITION, IT AGREED THAT A PROVISION, SIMILAR TO THE SEVERANCE PAY PROVISION, SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO COVER NON-MANUAL WORKERS WHOSE WAGES WERE BELOW THE WAGE CEILING, I.E. $11,500 A MONTH, WITHIN THE 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO DISMISSAL.
ON THE QUESTION OF QUALIFYING PERIOD OF SERVICE REQUIRED AND THE AMOUNT OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT FOR WORKERS BELOW THE AGE OF 45, MEMBERS HAD EXPRESSED DIFFERENT VIEWS. IT WAS RESOLVED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD FURTHER CONSULT THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND LAB MEMBERS WITH A VIEW TO FINDING A CONSENSUS OPINION.
AT THE MEETING, THE BOARD ALSO ENDORSED PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY ORDINANCE TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO MAKE EX-GRATIA PAYMENT TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS UNABLE TO PRESENT A BANKRUPTCY PETITION AGAINST HIS INSOLVENT EMPLOYER SOLELY BECAUSE THE DEBT DOES NOT EXCEED $5,000.
THEY FURTHER AGREED TO INCREASE THE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE AS FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH WAGE INCREASES.
TODAY’S MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN.
O -
/7
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 7 -
EPCOM ENDORSES AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS CHANGES
* * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) AT ITS MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) ENDORSED THE DRAFT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FURNACES, OVENS AND CHIMNEYS) (INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) REGULATION 1987.
THE AMENDMENTS SEEK TO RECTIFY AN INADEQUACY IN THE EXISTING REGULATIONS DISCOVERED DURING AN APPEAL BY EIGHT FACTORY OWNERS WHO HAD BEEN REFUSED PERMISSION UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE TO INSTALL CHIMNEYS AT TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS, THE AUTHORITY (DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION) IS EMPOWERED TO REJECT AN APPLICATION INVOLVING THE INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION OF A FURNANCE, CHIMNEY OR OVEN IF IN HIS OPINION THE RELEVANT PLANT CANNOT BE OPERATED WITHOUT:
A) CAUSING OR CONTRIBUTING TO AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE; OR
B) EMITTING EXCESSIVE AIR POLLUTANTS BY REASON OF UNSUITABLE DESIGN, DEFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION OR MAINTENANCE, EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR OR THE USE OF UNSUITABLE FUEL OR OTHER MATERIALS; OR
C) CONTRAVENING THE ORDINANCE
PROPOSED MINOR AMENDMENTS TO OTHER AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS WERE ALSO ENDORSED. THESE AMENDMENTS RELATE PRIMARILY TO METRICATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED BY EPD STAFF ON THE CURRENT PROCEDURES WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT FOR HANDLING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (EIA) FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PRQJECTS.
DETAILS OF EIAS FOR THE PROPOSED TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT AND FOR THE TAI PO GAS PRODUCTION PLANT WERE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS TO ILLUSTRATE THE PROCEDURES.
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 8
58 RECEIVE DEA GOLD AWARDS « * » *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVIT) WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) PRESENTED AWARD CERTIFICATES TO 58 WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S GOLD AWARD AT A CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
THE RECIPIENTS INCLUDED STUDENTS, CLERKS, TECHNICIANS, TEACHERS AND WORKERS.
THEY CAME FROM 12 OPERATING AUTHORITIES WHICH PARTICIPATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE SCHEME FOUNDED AND SPONSORED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.
THE AWARD SCHEME IS A LEISURE-TIME ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 25.
ALL THE RECIPIENTS HAD SATISFACTORILY UNDERTAKEN ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDED 'SERVICE’, 'EXPEDITIONS’, 'SKILLS’, 'PHYSICAL RECREATION’ AND A 'RESIDENTIAL PROJECT’.
UNDER 'SERVICE’ CATEGORY, ABOUT 38 PER CENT OF THE RECIPIENTS TOOK PART IN GENERAL SERVICES SUCH AS YOUTH SERVICE, SERVICES FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY, WHILE 33 PER CENT OF THE RECIPIENTS PARTICIPATED TN THE AWARD SCHEME OR OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AS HELPERS OF LEADERS.
ALL RECIPIENTS TOOK PART IN LAND EXPEDITIONS WHICH INCLUDED STUDY ON THE YOUTH HOSTELS IN HONG KONG, EXPLORATIONS ON CAMP SITES, TEMPLE FACILITIES, WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND DEVELOPMENT OF VILLAGES ON LANTAU, AND THE STUDY OF ROAD SIGNS IN TAI MO SHAN.
THE 58 WINNERS ALSO TOOK PART TN ONE OF 28 DIFFERENT SKILLS. THE MOST POPULAR CHOICES BEING PHOTOGRAPHY, THE SECOND CHOICES WERE PIANO PLAYING,MANDARIN AND CANOE BUILDING. OTHER INTERESTS IN THIS SECTION INCLUDED MUSIC, ART, CRAFTS, AND RECREATION.
FOR 'PHYSICAL RECREATION’, MOST RECIPIENTS TOOK PART IN A PHYSICAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST WHILE OTHERS PARTICIPATED IN CANOEING, TAEKWONDO OR TAI CHI.
IN THE 'RESIDENTIAL PROJECT’ CATEGORY, ABOUT 26 PER CENT OF THE RECIPIENTS PARTICIPATED IN FORESTRY WORK CAMP. SOME TOOK PART IN OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL CAMP, OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL TRAINING COURSE AND SCOUT CAMP.
SIR DWID ALSO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO THREE PEOPLE WHO HAD MADE A NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE AWARD SCHEME IN PAST YEARS.
/9........
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 9 -
TILTING BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS t * * * t
A BUILDING IN TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON, WHICH IS TILTING WAS DECLARED DANGEROUS TODAY (MONDAY).
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE CONDITION OF THE FIVE-STOREY, POST-WAR BUILDING AT 40A - 42B WAS
IDENTIFIED IN FEBRUARY BY STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE DURING A PLANNED SURVEY TO SEEK OUT DANGEROUS BUILDINGS.
HE SAID THIS WAS A PAIR OF REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMED STRUCTURES WITH BRICK IN-FILLED PANEL WALLS SERVED BY COMMON STAIRCASES, ONE AT THE FRONT AND ANOTHER AT THE REAR.
“THE BUILDING IS IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DETERIORATION,” HE SAID.
"IT IS TILTING TOWARDS TONKIN STREET BY ABOUT 225 MILLIMETRES."
SEVERAL VERTICAL CRACKS HAD APPEARED ON THE BALCONY WALLS AT VARIOUS FLOOR LEVELS AND AT THE CORNER OF SHUN NING ROAD AND TONKIN STREET, HE SAID.
THE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE REAR OPEN STAIRCASE WERE SERIOUSLY CRACKED AND SPALLED WITH LARGE AREAS OF DETERIORATED CONCRETE READILY REMOVABLE DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT.
HE SAID INSIDE THE BUILDING THE REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS AND CEILINGS OF THE MAIN BUILDING WERE GENERALLY CRACKED AND SPALLED.
SOME AREAS OF THE CONCRETE STRUCTURE WHICH HAD UNDERGONE REPAIR HAD OPENED UP RECENTLY.
SEVERAL DIAGONAL CRACKS WERE ALSO NOTED IN THE INSIDE FACE OF THE EXTERNAL WALLS AND INTERNAL PARTITION WALLS.
"ALTHOUGH NOTICES TO QUIT UNDER THE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN PUT UP BY THE LANDLORDS ON THE PREMISES, PRESUMABLY HEADING FOR RE-DEVELOPMENT, IT IS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE TENANTS WILL MOVE OUT," THE PGBS SAID.
"AS THERE IS A RISK OF PARTIAL COLLAPSE AT THE REAR BEFORE VACANT POSSESSION CAN BE OBTAINED UNDER THE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS ORDINANCE IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THE BUILDING UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE."
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 31 WERE POSTED TODAY.
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/1O........
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 10 -
JUNE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL UNDER WAY
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE JUNE 1987 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 165,000 ESTABLISHMENTS. THEY ARE RANDOMLY DRAWN FROM THOSE IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES), AND THEY COVER ALL THOSE IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS).
QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED BY THE SURVEY AT THE END OF JUNE. REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL MAIL ENQUIRY.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON JUNE 30, 1987 FOR EACH ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THES: 165,000 ESTABLISHMENTS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF APRIL - JUNE 1987.
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR ARE REQUESTED TO FURTHER PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE MAJOR KIND OF ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1987.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON 5-8235076.
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/11
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD TO BE BEAUTIFIED *****
A SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD BETWEEN PAR SHEK AU AND FAN KAM ROAD S TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY LANDSCAPED IN SEPTEMBER.
THE NEW ROAD WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC THREE MONTHS AGO.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.
BOTH SIDES OF THE THREE-KILOMETRE ROAD, AS WELL AS THE CENTRAL RESERVATION, WILL BE PLANTED WITH TREES SO THAT THE ROAD BLENDS WITH ITS RURAL SETTING.
THERE WILL BE A TWO-YEAR ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD TO ENSURE PROPER GROWTH OF PLANTS AND TREES AFTER PLANTING.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE LIST OF APPROVED SUPPLIERS OF MATERIALS AND SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS FOR LANDSCAPING - GENERAL LANDSCAPE WORKS (GROUP II> WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER AND THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMI3SIO' IS JULY 24.
- - 0 -
TWO MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR TUEN MUN *****
TWO MORE SECONDARY' SCHOOLS WITH A TOTAL OF 48 CLASSROOMS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR TUEN MUN TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERI ICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $3 MILLION PILING CONTRACT FOR THE TWO SCHOOLS SITUATED ON AN 8,400-SQUARE-METRE RECLAIMED SITE NEAR BUTTERFLY ESTATE.
PILING WORK ON THE CONTRACT HAS JUST STARTED AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN FOUR MONTHS.
WORK ON BUILDING THE SUPERSTRUCTURES WILL THEN BEGIN UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT AND THE SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO BE READY BY MID-1989.
EACH WILL HAVE ONE BLOCK FOR 24 CLASSROOMS AND ANOTHER FOR SPECIAL ROOMS, PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.
AN ASSEMBLY HALL, COVERED PLAYGROUND AND STAFF QUARTERS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED LN BOTH mHOOLS.
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/12
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 12 -
PROMOTING BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN YAU MA TEI * * * * «
A LARGE-SCALE CAMPAIGN TO BOOST PUBLIC AWARENESS OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE THIS SATURDAY (JULY 11).
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY), CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN WAI-WANG SAID: "THE PUBLICITY DRIVE AIMS AT ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF AND PARTICIPATION IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT."
A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT TARGET GROUPS, HE SAID.
THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN WITH A TWO-WEEK EXHIBITION FEATURING GENERAL INFORMATION ON BUILDINGS, COMMON PROBLEMS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
"THE EXHIBITION WILL PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH AN OVERALL PICTURE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT THROUGH A SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS, ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS," MR CHAN SAID.
IT WILL BE STAGED AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE FROM JULY 11 TO 17 AND AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM JULY 19 TO 26.
FOR. THE DISTRICT'S AREA COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, SEMINARS WILL BE HELD FOR THEM TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND DIFFICULTIES IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
"REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ATTEND SEMINARS ON JULY 28 AND AUGUST 1 TO ENHANCE TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION WITH THE RESIDENTS," MR CHAN SAID.
TOPICS INCLUDE FIRE REGULATIONS, MANAGEMENT PROCESS IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAMPAIGN, WOULD BE A SYMPOSIUM WITH PARTICIPANTS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, BUILDING MANAGEMENT, AND ACADEMIC FIELDS, MR CHAN SAID.
THE DAY-LONG SYMPOSIUM ON AUGUST 8 WILL ALLOW PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD TO SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT, WITH THE VIEW OF HELPING TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL STANDARD OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT, HE SAID.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, THE COMMITTEE WILL PUBLISH 3,000 HANDBOOKS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO CARETAKERS AND ANOTHER 1,500 FOR MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 1,300 PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, 70 PER CENT OF WHICH WERE BUILT BEFORE 1965.
"PROPER BUILDING MANAGEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN KEEPING THESE AGEING BUILDINGS IN GOOD SHAPE," HE SAID.
MR CHENG HOPED THAT RESIDENTS COULD BE MOTIVATED TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMPAIGN.
TO ENSURE A BETTER FLOW OF IDEAS OF PROMOTING BUILDING MANAGEMENT, HE SAID, PROFESSIONALS AND RESIDENTS WERE INVITED TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE TO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
THEY INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG INSTITUE OF SURVEYORS, INSTITUTE OF HOUSING, HONG KONG HOUSING AFFAIRS ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, AREA COMMITTEES, AND PRIVATE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES AS WELL AS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
TO SUPPORT THE DRIVE, THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $95,000 IN SPONSORING THE FOUR-WEEK CAMPAIGN, MR CHENG SAID.
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KWAI TSING DB STRENGTHENS MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME * » » ♦ »
THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI DISTRICT BOARD HAS ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO STRENGTHEN ITS "MEMBERS INTERVIEW WITH THE PUBLIC SCHEME" BY ADOPTING A NEW APPOINTMENT SYSTEM.
UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TOOK TURNS TO MEET THE PUBLIC ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS AND SATURDAY MORNINGS WEEKLY.
UNDER THE NEW SETUP, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI RESIDENTS CAN REQUEST FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER ON ANY WORKING DAY.
/CHE DISTRICT
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1?87
14
THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER ON DUTY ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERVIEWS ARRANGED BETWEEN MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY WHILE THE ONE ON SATURDAY WILL MEET THE PUBLIC BETWEEN THURSDAY AND SATURDAY.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, PUT INTO PRACTICE THIS MONTH WILL SHORTEN THE WAITING TIME.
RESIDENTS WISHING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT CAN CALL THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AT 0-257223. THE SECRETARIAT WILL ARRANGE A TIME CONVENIENT TO BOTH THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER AND THE RESIDENT.
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DISTRICT BOARD CONDUCTS SURVEY ON GREEN PAPER
*****
BEGUN AN
PAPER ON
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS
SURVEY TO COLLECT RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT FOR SUBMISSION
OPINION
1987 TO
THE SURVEY OFFICE.
THE SURVEY, COSTING ABOUT $80,000, WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 20.
"RESIDENTS SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE OPINION AND ARE REQUESTED TO RENDER THEIR CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT, A DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BOARD SENT LETTERS OF NOTIFICATION TO HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED BY A RANDOM SAMPLING METHOD THROUGH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
INTERVIEWERS BEARING CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE
VISIT HOME AND IN CASE OF DOUBT, RESIDENTS MAY CALL THE DISTRICT BOARD ON 5-8523475 (FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 PM ON SATURDAYS) OR THE POLICE STATIONS IN THE DISTRICI ON 5-488231 OR 5-252345 TO CONFIRM THE IDENTITY OF INTERVIEWERS.
0
/15
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
GREEN PAPER ON DB AGENDA
t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
A MONITOR OF THE SURVEY OFFICE, MR ANDREW SO AND THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE SURVEY OFFICE, MR MARTIN WHITE WILL BE PRESENT TO LISTEN TO MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR NICHOLAS YEK, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE DOCUMENT AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO FORM A WORKING GROUP ON TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT, INVOLVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3.9 KILOMETRE TUNNEL ROAD LINKING DIAMOND HILL IN THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT WITH SIU LEK YUEN IN SHA TIN, WILL COMMENCE IN 1988.
SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, MR J.A. O’DELL AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SQUATTER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT) OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR LAU PO-CHI WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
THE FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO ED1OTRS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE FUNG MING HALL OF THE WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
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/16........
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
16
COMMUNITY PROJECT ON EFFECTS OF VICE-ESTABLISHMENTS
*****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE WORK PLAN FOR A COMMUNITY PROJECT TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF VICE-ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE FAMILY LIFE OF RESIDENTS.
THE PROJECT, ENTITLED THE ’’COMMUNITY IN PERSPECTIVE" IS THE THIRD ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
A WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN FORMED TO RECRUIT VOLUNTARY WORKERS TO GATHER DATA, CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS, AS WELL AS ORGANISING A PUBLIC FORUM TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT’S FINDINGS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF SPONSORING A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SCHEME ON STREET SLEEPERS WHICH WILL PROVIDE FUNDS FOR YOUTH GROUPS TO ORGANISE PROJECTS IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED OF THE PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE EXHIBITIONS ON CIVIC RIGHTS AND DUTIES SEMINARS, VISITS TO GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, ESSAY CONTESTS, QUIZ, AND FAMILY CAMPING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMITTEE MEETING TO HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
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/17........
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 17 -
KOWLOON CITY EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY * » * * »
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WILL JOINTLY ORGANISE AN EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT BETWEEN JULY 19 AND AUGUST 2.
THE TWO-WEEK CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE FREE EYE CHECK-UPS, PROVISION OF FREE SPECTACLES FOR THOSE IN NEED, ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE ELDERLY PEOPLE’S AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE-CARE, AND EDUCATING THEM ON THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EYE-CARE.
A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 8) IN THE PATIO PRIVATE ROOM, FOURTH FLOOR, NEW WORLD HOTEL, 22 SALISBURY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MRS THERESA LAU PO WING-KAM; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TANG PO-HONG, WILL SPEAK AT THE CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY PRESS CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 8).
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS INADEQUACY OF SCHOOL PLACES ♦ » » » «
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE INADEQUACY OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN NORTH DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL AIR THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSAL BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO INTRODUCE A NEW CLASS STRUCTURE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF HOLDING A NORTH DISTRICT INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE COMPETITION AS WELL AS ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE KWU TUNG VILLAGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
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/18........
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 18 -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SURVEY » » » » «
YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL SURVEY IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED BY STUDENT WORKERS DURING THE SUMMER VACATION. INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL ENABLE THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO EVALUATE THE EXISTING AND FUTURE STANDARDS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS.
AFTER THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL VISIT AN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN YUEN LONG. THEY WILL ALSO TOUR A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT, A JAPANESE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE PILES AND A LOCAL COMPANY THAT MAKES FERRITE PRODUCTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 9 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BORAD, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE MEETING WILL BE ADJOURNED AT 9.45 AM AND FOLLOWED BY THE GUIDED TOUR TO YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE UNTIL 12.30 PM.
A COACH HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR BOTH THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND THE PRESS.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AND THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE VISIT. INFORMATION OFFICER, MRS BRENDA RUMJAHN WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
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/19
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1987
- 19 -
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT EXHIBITION ♦ * * * ♦
A COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT' EXHIBITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEUNG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE BETWEEN THURSDAY (JULY 9) AND SATURDAY (JULY 11).
THE EXHIBITION WILL CONSIST OF A NUMBER OF WINNING AND OTHER COMMENDABLE ENTRIES TO THE COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION HELD EARLY THIS YEAR.
STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION AT THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI, BETWEEN 9 AM TO 4.30 PM ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AND BETWEEN 9 AM AND 11 AM ON SATURDAY.
-----o------
YUEN LONG WATER CUT
* * ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YUEN LONG WILL BE TURNED OFF ON THURSDAY (JULY 9) FROM 9 PM TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT TAI TONG ROAD, TAI KEI LENG, FRASER VILLAGE, SHAM CHUNG, SHUNG CHING SAN TSUEN, SHUI TSIU LO WAI, SHUI TSIU SAN TSUEN, HUNG TSO TIN, NAM HANG, TAI TONG AND WONG NAI TUN.
-----0------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ ♦ »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 63.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 370.757 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 323.040 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER REPRESENTING 55.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSULTANTS TO BE ENGaGED ON TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT . 1
IMPROVEMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES PROPOSED ... 1
LEGCO TO SCRUTINISE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.............. 6
GOVERNOR TO VISIT NORTH DISTRICT ........................... 6
CHIEF SECRETARY TO OPEN COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE ........ 7
39.4 MILLION SOUND SYSTDi FOR CULTURAL CENTRE .............. 8
JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ......... 8
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUILDING MANAGEMENT ................... 9
CONNAUGHT RO„D IMPROVEMENT WORKS ........................... 10
SURVEY ON RECREATION NEEDS ................................. 10
SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO MEET .......................... 11
DONATION TO SWD PROGRAMMES ................................. 11
CERTIFICATE COURSES ON LABOUR RELATIONS .................... 12
DTC LICENCES REVOKED ....................................... 12
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN NORTH POINT ............................. 12
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1987
CONSULTANTS TO BE ENGAGED ON TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT ♦ * » ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO ENGAGE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS TO STUDY TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT AND CABLE TELEVISION IN HONG KONG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE DECISION FOR A FULL CONSULTANCY STUDY WAS MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AFTER IT CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SETTING UP A SECOND PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.
"IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT A CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK WOULD ALSO BE CAPABLE OF CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS, ANY DECISION TO PROVIDE A SEPARATE NETWORK IS A COMPLEX MATTER WITH FAR REACHING RAMIFICATIONS.
"IT IS NECESSARY THAT FULL AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO ALL RELEVANT FACTORS. THESE INCLUDE HONG KONG’S NEED FOR AN EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE, THE BENEFITS OF COMPETITION, POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON CONSUMERS AND DISRUPTION TO THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS CRUCIAL TO ENSURE THAT THE TERRITORY WOULD HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES AND THE ENGAGEMENT OF CONSULTANTS WOULD GIVE TECHNICAL ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE ISSUES INVOLVED. CONSULTANTS WOULD ALSO BE BENEFICIAL IN GIVING AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH WOULD CONTINUE TO LOOK INTO THE BROADCASTING POLICY AREAS RELATED TO CABLE TELEVISION SUCH AS PROGRAMME QUALITY AND FEES AND CHARGES.
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IMPROVEMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES PROPOSED
*****
THE EXISTING RANGE OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES IS BROADLY SATISFACTORY BUT THE DEPTH AND QUALITY OF SERVICES SHOULD BE IMPROVED, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON DEVELOPMENT OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY IMPROVING STAFF QUALITY THROUGH MORE INTENSIVE TRAINING AND REDUCING CASELOADS TO MANAGEABLE LEVELS BY QUICKLY WORKING TOWARDS A MORE SATISFACTORY STAFFING LEVEL FOR FRONT-LINE RESIDENTIAL WORKERS.
/THE WORKING
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1987
2
THE WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN LATE 1985 TO ADVISE ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE FAMILY.
LED BY MR LACHLAN MACQUARRIE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP COMPRISED SOCIAL WORKERS INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF CHILD CARE SERVICES, PROFESSIONALS IN RELATED DISCIPLINES SUCH AS PAEDIATRICS AND PSYCHIATRY AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
IN ITS REPORT, THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDS THAT AGENCIES OPERATING RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD, IN CONCERT WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, REVIEW THEIR ADMISSION CRITERIA WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT NO CHILD IS DENIED ACCESS TO THE SERVICES WHICH WOULD BEST SUIT HIS NEEDS.IT ALSO OBSERVES THAT HEAVY WORKLOADS, HIGH STAFF TURNOVER, FREQUENT STAFF POSTINGS AND LACK OF SPECIALISATION ARE CONTRIBUTING TO CO-ORDINATION PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE REFERRING ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR WORK WITH THE FAMILY AND THE SERVICE ORGANISATION CARING FOR THE CHILD.
"WHILE GENERALISATION IS DESIRABLE AT RECRUITMENT LEVELS FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT REASONS, THERE SHOULD BE A TREND TOWARDS SPECIALISATION AT SUPERVISORY LEVELS WHERE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO RECOGNISE AND HANDLE DIFFICULT CASES IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT,” IT NOTES.
AS REGARDS THE PRINCIPLES WHICH SHOULD SERVE AS A BASIS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE FAMILY AND RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES, THE WORKING GROUP NOTES THAT THE FIRST OBJECTIVE IS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE AND DESIRABLE FOR THE CHILD TO REMAIN WITH HIS OWN FAMILY.
THE SECOND PRINCIPLE IS THAT A FAMILY SETTING MEETS THE NEEDS OF A CHILD IN CARE BETTER THAN AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING AND PARTICULARLY SO FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN.
IT ALSO OBSERVES THAT IN AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING, SMALLER RESIDENTIAL UNITS ARE PREFERABLE TO LARGER ONES; AND A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME OF PLANNING AND REGULAR ASSESSMENT FOR THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD IS ESSENTIAL FROM PRE-PLACEMENT TO AFTERCARE.
OTHER CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT ARE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS:
/FAMILY SUPPORT .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7< 1987
FAMILY SUPPORT
* CASELOADS IN THE FAMILY CASEWORK SERVICE SHOULD BE REDUCED TO THE TARGET LEVEL AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE AND THERE SHOULD BE GREATER EMPHASIS ON TRAINING IN CRISIS INTERVENTION.
♦ AS AN ADDITIONAL MEANS OF REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN TAKEN INTO RESIDENTIAL CARE, THE HOME HELP SERVICE SHOULD BE DEVELOPED FURTHER TO ASSIST A PARENT CARING FOR CHILDREN ALONE OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD.
» EXPANSION OF DAY CARE SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS A SHORTAGE SHOU..? BE ENCOURAGED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
FOSTER CARE
* FOSTER CARE IS PREFERABLE TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE AS A
PLACEMENT CHOICE FOR MOST CH 7LDREN REQUIRING RESIDENTIAL
CARE, INCLUDING MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN. HOWEVER, AS THE EXISTING SERVICE IS NOT FULLY UTILISED AND THE INCIDENCE OF BREAKDOWNS IS ABOUT 20 PER CENT, EXPANSION OF THE FOSTER CARE SERVICE OR MOVEMENT AWAY FROM
INSTITUTIONAL CARE TOWARDS FOSTER CARE MUST BE WELL PLANNED, GRADUAL AND CLOSELY SUPERVISED. WITH THIS IN MIND,
RECRUITMENT OF FOSTER PARENTS SHOULD BE INCREASED GRADUALLY.
* THE FOCUS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ON EXPANDING THE SERVICE FOR NORMAL AND MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
SMALL GROUP HOMES
* SMALL GROUP HOMES MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE ABOVE THE AGE OF FOUR AND REQUIRE AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF CARE OUTSIDE THEIR OWN FAMILY MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS. THE NUMBER OF THESE HOMES SHOULD BE INCREASED TO CATER FOR CHILDREN REQUIRING RESIDENTIAL CARE MAINLY FOP SOCAIL OR FAMILY REASONS.
* AGENCIES OPERATING RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP SMALL GROUP HOMES AS SATELLITES TO THE PARENT INSTITUTION TO FACILITATE THE GRADUAL MOVEMENT OF CHILDREN FROM CARE IN AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING TO CARE IN A FAMILY SETTING.
/CHILDREN NEEDING
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 198?
CHILDREN NEEDING TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL CARE
» INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING PLACES FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS DO NOT MEET THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF A YOUNG CHILD AS WELL AS FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOMES.
* ADDITIONAL RESOURCES SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO AFTERCARE, WHICH SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DISCHARGING INSTITUTION FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS TER WHICH THE FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE SHOULD TAKE OVER.
CHILDREN NEEDING RESIDENTIAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOCIAL FAMILY PROBLFV"
t CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE LONGER TERT CARE FOR SOCIAL OR FAMILY REASONS BUT WHO DO NOT REQUIRE THE TREAT: .. FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN AN INSTITUTION SHOULD PREFERABLY BE PLACED ELSEWHERE, SUCH AS IN FOSTER HOMES OR SMALL GROUP HOMES.
CHILDREN NEEDING RESIDENTIAL CARE BECAUSE OF BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS
* RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS ADMIT A WIDE RANGE OF CHILDRE' AND DO NOT, ON THE WHOLE, MEET THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WHO NEED SUCH CARE AND FACILITIES.
» PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH MILD BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS IN FOSTER CARE OR SMALL GROUP HOME CARI SHOULD BE TRIED EXPERIMENTALLY WITH A VIEW TO THESE FORMS OF CARE GRADUALLY BECOMING AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF CARE FOR SUCH CHILDREN.
» RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD CATER MOSTLY FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS AND HAVE ACCESS TO MORE SUPPORT FROM CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, PSYCHIATRISTS AND OTHER SPECIALISTS TO ENABLE THEM TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVELY THE INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT THESE CHILDREN REQUIRE.
» RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND BE SUBVENTED ACCORDINGLY, WITH MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOL SECTIONS REMAINING UNDER THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
* ALTHOUGH THERE IS A HALF-WAY HOUSE SERVICE FOR OLDER BOYS DISCHARGED FROM INSTITUTIONS WHO MAY HAVE NO IMMEDIATE FAMILY TO WHOM THEY CAN RETURN, THERE IS NO EQUIVALENT SERVICE FOR OLDER GIRLS. THE EXISTING GIRLS’ HOSTELS AND SMALL GROUP HOMES CAN SERVE THIS PURPOSE.
/PLACEMENT PLANNING.......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1987
5 -
PLACEMENT PLANNING AND TEAMWORK
t EVERY CHILD ADMITTED TO RESIDENTIAL CARE SHOULD HAVE A PLACEMENT PLAN DEVELOPED TO MEET HIS PARTICULAR NEEDS AND THIS SHOULD BE REVIEWED REGULARLY.
* THE CONCEPT OF A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING AND CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AS A MEANS TO IMPROVING TEAMWORK AT FRONT-LINE LEVEL, ADVISING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALIST SERVICES AND PROVIDING A SOURCE OF INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPERTISE ASSIST FIELD WORKERS WITH ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL DIFFICULT CASES SHOULD BE FURTHER EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO IMPLEMENTING MACHINERY TO ACHIEVING THESE OBJECTIVES.
* AS A GENERAL RULE, THE SAME CASEWORKER, USUALLY PHE REFERRING SOCIAL WORKER OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTME OR THE VOLUNTARY AGENCY, SHOULD LOOK AFTER BOTH FAMILY AND CHILD.
STAFF TRAINING
» FRONT-LINE WORKERS AND THEIR SUPERVISORS ALIKE, INCLUDING THOSE IN RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE INSTITUTIONS, SHOULD BE BETTER TRAINED TO HANDLE DIFFICULT CASES SO THAT THEY KNOW WHEN AND HOW TO SEEK ADVICE FROM OTHER PROFESSIONAL SOURCES.
THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDS THAT FURTHER RESEARCH SHOULD 3E CONDUCTED INTO WHY CHILDREN NEED RESIDENTIAL CARE, WHAT EFFECTS TIME IN INSTITUTIONAL CARE HAVE ON CHILDREN AND WHAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET THEM BACK INTO FAMILY CARE.
IF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ACCEPTED, THE WORKING GROUP PROPOSES THAT A STEERING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR SHOULD BE FORMED TO OVERSEE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE GROUP’S REPORT WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON JULY 13 (MONDAY).
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TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1987
LEGCO TO SCRUTINISE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY * » ♦ ♦ ♦
SIXTEEN MEMBERS WILL SPEAK DURING AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON ’’LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY" IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, WILL ANSWER THE POINTS RAISED. 10 BILLS AND EIGHT QUESTIONS ARE AMONG OTHER MATTERS ON THE AGENDA.
THREE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE: HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH BILL 1987, BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, PRISONERS (RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION) BILL 1987.
SEVEN BILLS ARE DUE FOR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING. THEY ARE: BROADCASTING AUTHORITY BILL 1987, PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES BILL 1987 AND EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
DURING THE MEETING, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, WILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON "VIETNAMESE REFUGEES HONG KONG".
IN ADDITION, SEVEN MOTIONS WILL BE MOVED INCLUDING A MEMBER’S MOTION BY MR MARTIN LEE ON THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1987.
-------0----------
GOVERNOR TO VISIT NORTH DISTRICT ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT NORTH DISTRICT ON THURSDAY (JULY 9) AFTERNOON TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISTICS IN THE DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, THE GOVERNOR WILL VISIT THE LIU MAN SHEK TONG, SHEUNG SHUI VILLAGE AND SHEK WU HUI IN SHEUNG SHUI.
/HE WILL
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 198?
HE WILL ALSO VISIT THE FANLING GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL . THE CHEUNG WAH PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE BEFORE ATTENDING A RECEPTI' . WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT THE CHEUNG WAH SPORTS CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS FACILITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO NORTH DISTRICT ON THURSDAY. GOVERNMENT VEHICLES WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 1.30 PM SHARP.
-------0--------
CHIEF SECRETARY TO OPEN COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE * * » * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, WILL OPEN THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE THE THIRD PURPOSE-BUILT VISITOR CENTRE IN HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARKS SYSTEM - ON THURSDAY (JULY 9).
JOINING MR FORD AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI; AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO THE NEARBY SHING MUN ARBORETUM, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WHERE OVEF 1,900 TREE AND SHRUB SPECIMENS, INCLUDING LOCAL RARE AND PROTECTED PLANTS. CAN BE FOUND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE CEREMONY ND THE VISIT.
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE ~ AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393, CANTON AD KOWLOON AT 1.45 PM.
AS PUBLIC VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE IS RESTRICTED, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING ARRANGE FOR THEIR OWN TRANSPORT SHOULD CONTACT THE AFD INFORMATION UNIT AT 3-7332176 BEFORE 5 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FOR THE NECESSARY' PERMITS. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
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/8........
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1987
8
$9.4 MILLION SOUND SYSTEM FOR CULTURAL CENTRE * t ♦ *
AT TSIM SOUND AND OR CIVIC
THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION SHA TSUI IS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH THE MOST SOPHISTICATED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM EVER INSTALLED IN A LOCAL TOWN HALL
CENTRE.
A CONTRACT WORTH $9.4 MILLION WAS SIGNED RECENTLY BETWEEN ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND PHILIPS HONG LTD. FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE SYSTEM. WORK EXPECTED TO START LATER THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED NEXT MAY.
PROJECT ENGINEER FOR EMSD, MR DEREK LEE, SAID WILL SUPERVISE INSTALLATION OF THE SYSTEM IN THE THEATRE, CONCERT HALL AND STUDIO THEATRE.
THE DEPARTMENT
CENTRE’S GRAND
’’THE SOUND SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE SUITABLY AMPLIFIED SPEECH MUSIC FOR THE BENEFIT OF AUDIENCES DURING LIVE PERFORMANCES.
THE
KONG
IS
AND
PROVIDED WILL
INCLUDE TAPES,
’’OTHER SYSTEM FACILITIES THAT WILL BE
THF CAPABILITIES TO PLAYBACK PROGRAMME MATERIAL FROM DISCS
TO RECORD EVENTS FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES, TO DUB FROM DISC TO TAPE AND FROM TAPE TO TAPE, TO PERMIT OPERATORS AND ARTISTS TO COMMUNICATE ^ND TO MAKE AVAILABLE MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION, MR LEE SAID.
OR
THE CENTRE ITSELF, WHICH WILL BE OPERATED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL COST AN ESTIMATED $513 MILLION UPO COMPLETION IN LATE 1988.
-----o-----
JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION
*****
A TOTAL OF 1,016 GRADUATES OF THE GRANTHAM, NORTHCOTE AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WILL RECEIVE THEIR TEACHER CERTIFICATES AT A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE SHATIN TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY (JULY 9) AFTERNOON.
AMONG THE GRADUATES, 365 HAVE COMPLETED THE FULL-TIME TWO-YEAR COURSE, 479 COMPLETED THE FULL-TIME THREE-YEAR COURSE AND 88 COMPLETED THE ADVANCED COURSE OF TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION. IN ADDITION, 12 HAVE COMPLETED THE FULL-TIME ONE-YEAR COURSE, 43 COMPLETED THE FULL-TIME THREE-YEAR COURSE AND 29 COMPLETED THE ADVANCED COURSE OF TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
/LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 198?
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, WILL ADDRESS THE GRADUATES WHILE MRS CHAN WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES AT THE CEREMONY.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL CHAIR THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT AT SHATIN TOWN HALL, SHATIN, ON THURSDAY (JULY 9) AT 3.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUILDING MANAGEMENT * * t * »
A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON PROPOSED MEASURES TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 9).
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR FRANKIE LUI, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NEW DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE URBAN COUNCIL’S FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT AND CONSIDER VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO REVIEW DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR PART OF KENNEDY TOWN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 9) AT THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, 14/F., HARBOUR BUILDING, ;38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
/1O
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1987
10 -
CONNAUGHT ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS
* i * *
A ROAD WORKS SCHEME TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE RECENTLY.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY, REALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY AND CONVERSION OF IT TO WESTBOUND.
HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT ENGINEER, MR G.S. BELL, SAID THE PROJECT WOULD LINK UP THE RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AT WILMER STREET. IT WOULD ENABLE EAST-WEST, TWO-WAY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
OTHER IMPORTANT ANCILLARY WORKS UNDER THE SCHEME WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FOOTWAYS AND ENLARGEMENT OF EXISTING FOOTWAYS, PROVISION OF CENTRAL DIVIDERS AND SEGREGATION ISLANDS, AND PROVISION OF A SIDE ROAD FOR LOCAL TRAFFIC SOUTH OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1.
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SURVEY ON RECREATION NEEDS » » »
MEMBERS OF THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE SURVEY FINDINGS ON RESIDENTS’ DEMAND FOR ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNITY HALLS AND CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORT, SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, COVERS VIEWS AND OPINIONS FROM RESIDENTS ON RECREATION, CULTURAL AND SPORTS CLASSES HELD IN THE FOUR COMMUNITY HALLS AND CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE AN INFORMATION PAPER ON ANTI-CORRUPTION AND LIAISON ACTIVITIES OF THE ICAC OFFICE IN TUEN MUN.
APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO HOLD ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD. THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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/11
TUESDAY, JULY 7,
1987
SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO MEET ♦ » » ♦
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS BY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES FROM OC” OBER TO DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROGRESS REPORT ON DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORED SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 3 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
- 0 -
DONATION TO SWD PROGRAMMES * * t * t
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RECEIVED A DONATION OF $80,000 FROM THE HONG KONG SHUMEI CHURCH OF DIVINE GUIDANCE.
THE DONATION WILL BE USED FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRALISED YOUTH PROGRAMME TO BE LAUNCHED IN AUGUST WHEN SOME 960 YOUTH VOLUNTEERS WILL VISIT MORE THAN 5,400 SINGLETON ELDERLY IN TERRITORY TO BRING THEM THE MESSAGE OF CONCERN AND RESPECT. MONEY WILL ALSO BE USED FOR PROGRAMMES FOR STREET SLEEPERS BY THE SWD’S REGIONAL OUTREACH1NG TEAMS IN THE COMING MONTHS.
AT THE CHEQUE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT IN WELFARE SERVICES AND PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ORGANISATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION.
- - O -
/12
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1987
CERTIFICATE COURSES ON LABOUR RELATIONS t * » * t
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL JOIN HANDS WITH 'THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES IN ORGANISING A CERTIFICATE COURSE ON LABOUR RELATIONS AND LABOUR LEGISLATION NEXT MONTH.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT SIMILAR COURSES ARE ORGANISED BY THE TWO ORGANISATIONS TO PROMOTE LABOUR RELATIONS AND FACILITATE UNDERSTANDING OF LABOUR LEGISLATION AMONG EMPLOYERS AND MANAGEMENT OR SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
THE COURSE WILL COMPRISE NINE EVENING SESSIONS. TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE LAW OF CONTRACT, EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG, CONCILIATION AND DISPUTE HANDLING, WORK OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS, AND GRIEVANCES AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES.
ENROLMENT FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, 4TH FLOOR, HANKOW CENTRE, KOWLOON AND AT THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AT 3-7230818, EXT. 38.
- - 0 - -
DTC LICENCES REVOKED * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATIONS OF LLOYDS ASIA LIMITED AND NATIONAL MUTUAL RBC (ASIA) LIMITED AS DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAVE BEEN REVOKED TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THEIR REQUESTS UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE 1986.
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN NORTH POINT
t » * t ft
ALL VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN NORTH POINT ROAD AND SHU KUK STREET, WHILE THE SECTION OF NORTH POINT ROAD BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND JAVA ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 11 METRES IN LENGTH FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 10).
THE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS FOR ROAD
WORKS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-2331S1 ..
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
' CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
NEED TO SAFEGUARD-COMMON GOOD STRESSED.................... 1
FILM REGULATIONS BALANCE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS WITH COMMUNITY INTERESTS.........uu...................................... 3
POLITICAL FILM CENSORSHIP INFRINGES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION,- LEE ................................ 5
NEED TO RETAIN POLITICAL CENSORSHIP CLAUSE ............... 9
hk must Maintain cordial relationship with others ....... 10
POLITICAL CENSORSHIP WILL BE VIEWED WITH SUSPICION..... 11
4......
MOTION WILL LEAD HK TO OPEN CONFRONTATION ............... 12
MAINTENANCE- OF- GOOD RELATIONS WITH CHINA IMPORTANT... 14
VR RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES "SYMPATHETIC" TO HK ........... 15
HOUSING STRATEGY ENSURES ADEQUATE SUPPLY AT AFFORDABLE COST .................................................... 17
LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY 'TIMELY' ................... 21
HOUSING STRATEGY OBJECTIVE COMMENDED .................... 25
NEED TO MONITOR IMPLICATIONS OF HOUSING POLICY .......... 25
HK SHOULD BE PROUD OF ITS PUBLIC HOUSING ................ 27
SHORTFALLS IN HOUSING STRaTEGY -IDENTIFIED .............. 29
PRIORITY FOR WAITING LIST APPLICANTS .................... 52
IMPROVEMENTS,TO LOnN SCHEME PROPOSED..................... 53
NO PROSECUTION-aGAINST-MAGAZINE AND NEWSPAPER INTENDED .. 5^
MORE STRINGENT MEASURES TO CURB EMPLOYMENT OF Il'S..... 55
/UNIVERSITIES FREE ......
UNIVERSITIES FREE TO DECIDE OWN CURRICULA.................... 35
GOVERNMENT PROVIDES REQUISITE FACILITIES FOR TOURISM .... 37
NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICES SYSTEM WORKS WELL.................. 38
PROTECTION OF WORKERS IN RELOCATION OF WORK PLaCE ADEQUATE ................................................ 39
FLEXIBILITY NEEDED IN DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS....... 39
MAJOR-COURTESY C^iPaIGN BEING CONSIDERED .................... 40
RENTS TO BE DECONTROLLED IN FOUR YEARS ...................... 41
FUEL DUTY REFUND TO KCRC FOR BUS OPERATIONS ................ 42
FORMS USED IN MnGISTR..TES COURTS UPDATED.................... 43
MOTION FOR SPECIE. TELEPHONE SERVICES PASSED................. 43
NEV/ FEES INTRODUCED FOR BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS ............. 44
NEW FEES FOR WINDING UP. OF COMPANY /iPPROVED................ 45
RIGHTS OF INNOCENT THIRD PARTIES PROTECTED................... 46
EFFORTS AGAINST CORRUPTION BOOSTED....................... 47
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO INCLUDE CROSS-SECTION OF COMMUNITY' ......... .’.V.................................... 49
COUNCILLORS. WELCOME BROADCASTING AUTHORITY BILL............. 50
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY BILL SUPPORTED ...................... 51
PUBLICITY PLANNED FOR WEIGHTS .JW MEASURES BILL ............. 52
GREATER PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS . ...................... 53
WEIGHTS BILL BAS PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS....... 56
GOVERNMENT URGED TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON WEIGHTS BILL....... 58
WIDE PUBLICITY FOR NEV/ BILL .-JWOCATED................ . 59
NEW CHILD .iBUSE PROTECTION MEASURES TO BE MONITORED.....- 59
SOCIAL WORKERS WELCOME BILL ON CHILD ,-lBUSE................. 60
TWO SCHEMES EDR RELEASE ON PAROLE PROPOSED .................. 61
BILL TO UPDATE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE .......................... 63
.xNTJ-SMOKING COUNCIL A FOCaL POINT FOR ACTION .............. 6p
SEVEN BILLS PASSED......................................... 66
CALL TO COMBAT PROTECTIONIST PRESSURE............................ 67
EYE CARE FOR. THE ELDERLY. IN, KOWLOON CITY ..................... 67
SSPA RESULTS TO BE RELEASED FRIDAY............................... 68
EXPANSION OF MARINE POLICE FLEET UNDER WaY ...................... 70
CHILDREN’S CHOIR QUESTS’ FOR NEW'TALENT ......................... 72
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MONG KOK, TA I PO.................... . 73
RESTRICTED ZONES IN TSING YI ROUNDABOUT, KWaI CHUNG.......... 73
PLB RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHEUNG SHU I ,JW TAI PO.................. 74
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
1
NEED TO SAFEGUARD COMMON GOOD STRESSED » » * » »
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND THAT ANY EXCEPTION TO THAT PRINCIPLE MUST BE PROVEN TO BE FOR THE OVERALL BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHEN THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE NEED FOR FILM CENSORSHIP, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE ADDED THAT IF ANY RESTRICTION WAS TO BE IMPOSED, IT MUST BE THE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO SAFEGUARD THE COMMON GOOD.
MR FORD WAS SPEAKING AGAINST A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE TO DELETE A CLAUSE OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1987.
HE SAID THE AIM OF REGULATION 3A(VII) WAS TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG BY PREVENTING IT FROM BEING USED AS A PROPAGANDA BASE AGAINST OTHER TERRITORIES.
IN CONSIDERING THE MOTION, HE SAID SERIOUS THOUGHTS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THREE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS - THE NEED TO PRESERVE INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS; THE IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG'S ECONOMY OF MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONS WITH ITS TRADING PARTNERS AND THE PARTICULAR POLITICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG.
"AS IN SO MANY CASES THE JUDGEMENT ON HOW TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE VARIOUS PRINCIPLES IS A DIFFICULT ONE TO MAKE," MR FORD NOTED.
WHETHER THERE WAS A NEED TO HAVE ANY CENSORSHIP BASED ON REGULATION 3A(VII), HE SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD INDICATED THAT HONG KONG, IN COMMON WITH MOST OTHER TERRITORIES, HAD A NATURAL DESIRE TO LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS AND TO DIMINISH THE SCOPE FOR ANY HOSTILITY OR INTERNATIONAL RECRIMINATIONS.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN THE VIEW THAT BECAUSE HONG KONG’S WHOLE ECONOMY AND LIVELIHOOD OF ITS PEOPLE WAS UNIQUELY DEPENDENT UPON ITS ABILITY TO TRADE, THE TERRITORY’S RELATIONS WITH ITS TRADING PARTNERS MUST NOT BE PUT AT RISK.
"FOR BOTH THESE REASONS WE DO NOT SEE WHY WF. SHOULD RISK DAMAGE TO HONG KONG'S RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES BY ALLOWING IT TO BF. USED AS A PLACE WHERE POLITICAL FILMS, CRITICAL OF EITHER OUR NEIGHBOURS OR OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS, SHOULD BE SHOWN," MR FORD ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT THE DECISIONS OF NOT TO SHOW SUCH FILMS WERE MADE ON THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN INITIATIVE, BASED ON JUDGEMENT OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE FILM CAUSING OFFENCE TO OTHER TERRITORIES.
MR FORD POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE PAST 14 YEARS ABOUT 10,000 FILMS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED FOR CENSORSHIP.
"A TOTAL OF 15 FILMS, ONLY ONE OR TWO A YEAR, FROM NINE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HAVE DEEN BANNED."
/HE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
2
HE ADDED NOT AIL THE FILMS BANNED WERE CRITICAL OF CHINA. FOUR WERE CRITICAL OF THE U.S., ONE OF FRANCE AND ONE OF SOUTH KOREA, HE SAID.
"FOR ALL Till, VI ARS THAT HONG KONG HAS HAD THIS REGULATION THE AUTHORITIES HAVE EXERCISED IT SPARINGLY," HE STRESSED.
MR FORD BELIEVED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG EXPECTED DIFFERENT STANDARDS TO BE APPLIED TO THE CENSORSHIP OF FILMS THAN WAS APPLIED TO THE PRINT MEDIA.
HE SAID THE IMPACT OF FILMS WAS MORE IMMEDIATE AND MORE VIVID AND BECAUSE THEY WERE SHOWN TO LARGE AUDIENCES GATHERED TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE, THE REACTIONS THAT COULD BE PROVOKED BY THEM COULD BE QUITE DRAMATIC.
"WHAT SEEMS TO BE CLEAR FROM ALL THE MANY SURVEYS THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN IN THIS HELD IS THAT THE STANDARDS THE CENSORS HAVE APPLIED IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN BROADLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG’S PEOPLE," MR FORD SAID.
NOTING THAT HO’ G KONG HAD HAD THIS REGULATION FOR SOME 14 YEARS AND HAD NEVER SEEN THE NEED TO EXTEND IT TO THE PRINT MEDIA, MR FORD SAID THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THF VIEW SHOULD BE CHANGED.
HE SAID THE F . I FUSION OF THESE REGULATIONS WAS ON A STRICTLY TEMPORARY BASTS. IN I ONSIDERING THE NEW FILM CENSORSHIP BILL THE PRINCIPLE THAT ONIA THF MINIMUM OF RESTRICTIONS ON THE FREEDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE IMPOSED HAD AGAIN BEEN APPLIED.
MR FORD SA!)' "HE NEW BILL, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN APRIL FOR PUBLIC INFORM.ATIO AND COMMENT, WOULD FURTHER LIMIT THE POWERS OF THE CENSORS. "HOUR THE BILL THE COMPOSITION OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP APPEAL BOARD WILL BE CHANGED SUBSTANTIALLY," HE SAID.
"THIS WILL ENABLE GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE CENSORSHIP PROCESS AMD WILL INDEED PLACE THE FINAL DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A FILM IS SHOWN IN THE HANDS OF A MAJORITY OF UNOFFICIALS RATHER THAN \ MAJORITY OF OFFICIALS AS AT PRESENT," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE BILL WAS INTENDED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE IN THE NEXT SESSION SUBJECT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S APPROVAL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1987 TABLED BEFORE THE COUNCIL WERE DESIGNED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PUTTING BEYOND DOUBT THE LEGAL BASIS OF THE CURRENT FILM CENSORSHIP PRACTICES.
"AS SUCH THEY DO NO MORE THAN PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK TO ENABLE THE EXISTING CENSORS IIP PRACTICES TO BE CONTINUED."
"THE MAKING OF THESE REGULATIONS IS WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE NEW FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1987. THESE REGULATIONS WILL BE REVOKED WHEN NEW PERMANENT LEGISLATION IS IN PLACE," MR FORD ADDED.
0
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
3
FILM REGULATIONS BALANCE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS WITH COMMUNITY INTERESTS
* * * * *
THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS ON THE ONE HAND AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC ORDER, SECURITY AND THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY ON THE OTHER. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID IT WAS THE APPROACH OF THESE REGULATIONS WHICH GAVE TO A CENSOR A DISCRETION. FOR HE MIGHT NOT DISAPPROVE A FILM FOR EXHIBITION UNLESS IN HIS CONSIDERED OPINION THERE WAS A LIKELIHOOD THAT ITS SHOWING IN A PUBLIC PLACE WOULD DAMAGE GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES.
IN RESPONSE TO THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD BY THE HON MARTIN LEE THAT THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS WOULD BREACH ARTICLE 19 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, MR THOMAS SAID THE QUESTION OF THE DEBATE WAS WHETHER THE PROPOSED POWER TO RESTRICT THE EXHIBITION OF FILMS COULD FAIRLY BE REGARDED AS FALLING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RESTRICTIONS PERMITTED BY ARTICLE 19.
’’THE RIGHTS IN ARTICLE 19, THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS VIEWS AND THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE THEM, IN THE FORM OF FILMS OR OTHERWISE, CAN NEVER BE ABSOLUTE OR UNLIMITED.
’’THEY ARE ORDINARILY RESTRICTED BY LAW IN A VARIETY OF WAYS THAT ARE FREELY ACCEPTED: FOR EXAMPLE TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS. OR TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
’’SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE
CLEARLY CONTEMPLATED BY ARTICLE 19.”
REFERRING TO THE THREE CRITERIA LAID DOWN IN ARTICLE 19 FOR THE RESTRICTIONS IT PERMITTED MR THOMAS SAID THE FIRST ONE — THAT THEY MUST BE PROVIDED BY LAW — WAS CLEARLY SATISFIED.
”WE ARE DEBATING A RESTRICTION WHICH WILL HAVE EFFECT UNDER REGULATIONS THAT MAY HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW.” HE EXPLAINED.
THE SECOND CRITERION WAS THAT THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED MUST SERVE THE PURPOSES MENTIONED IN ARTICLE 19, WHICH INCLUDED RESPECT OF THE RIGHTS OR REPUTATIONS OF OTHERS AND PROTECTION OF NATIONAL SECURITY OR OF PUBLIC ORDER, OTHERWISE INTERPRETED AS ORDRE PUBLIC.
”IT IS THE CONSIDERED VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION, BASED ON THE ADVICE WE HAVE RECEIVED THAT IF THE CENSOR WERE TO BAN A FILM THAT THE CENSOR THOUGHT LIKELY TO DAMAGE GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES, AND THEREFORE WARRANTED RESTRICTION, HIS DECISION WOULD FALL WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THOSE PURPOSES,”
/HR THOMAS........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
4
MR THOMAS STRESSED THAT XT WAS NOT THESE REGULATIONS OR THE PROSPECTIVE BILL THAT COULD BE CALLED INTO QUESTION AS BREACHES OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW.
"A BREACH COULD ONLY ARISE WHEN SOMEONE IS DENIED THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS VIEWS OR THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE VIEWS," HE CONTINUED.
"AND WHETHER AT THAT POINT THE CENSOR’S DECISION WOULD VIOLATE THE UNITED KINGDOM'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW, WILL NATURALLY DEPEND UPON THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THAT CASE.
"ALL ONE CAN SAY, AT THIS STAGE IS THAT A CENSOR WHO CONSCIENTIOUSLY DECIDED THAT A FILM OR A PARTICULAR SERIES OF FILMS COULD NOT BE SHOWN WITHOUT DAMAGING GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES WOULD BE ACTING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RESTRICTIONS PERMITTED BY THE COVENANT."
ON THE THIRD CRITERION IN THE COVENANT -- THAT THE RESTRICTIONS MUST BE NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSE THAT WERE PERMITTED, MR THOMAS SAID CONCEPTS SUCH AS THE NEEDS OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC POLICY VARIED FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND FROM COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY.
"AND SO WITH THE CONSEQUENT NECESSITY FOR RESTRICTIONS UPON THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL," HE SAID.
"IT HAS BEEN RECOGNISED THAT A CONTRACTING STATE HAS A MARGIN OF APPRECIATION AS TO WHETHER IT IS NECESSARY TO APPLY AN AUTHORISED RESTRICTION, AND IF IT IS, HOW FAR IT NEEDS TO GO TO REFLECT ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE NEED.”
MR THOMAS SAID THE FACT THAT HONG KONG PROVIDED THIS FORM OF CENSORSHIP FOR THE EXHIBITION OF FILMS ONLY WOULD NOT UNDERMINE THE CASE THAT THIS RESTRICTION WAS IN CONFORMITY WITH ARTICLE 19.
"THAT IS HONG KONG'S APPRECIATION OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS TERRITORY."
MR THOMAS ALSO REMARKED THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT UNIQUE IN SEEKING TO USE POWERS OF CENSORSHIP TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO ITS RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES, AND SO FAR AS RESEARCHES WENT NO ONE HAD PREVIOUSLY SOUGHT TO MAKE THE CASE THAT ARTICLE 19 WOULD BE INFRINGED BY CENSORSHIP FOR SUCH A PURPOSE.
"GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN TERRITORIES IS THE FUNDAMENTAL BASIS OF ALL INTERNATIONAL LAW." HE SAID.
"I SHOULD DOUBT WHETHER THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RIGHT OF FILM-MAKERS TO EXPRESS IDEAS WAS INTENDED TO BE CARRIED SO FAR AS TO ENABLE THOSE GOOD RELATIONS TO BE UNDERMINED BY MEANS OF POLITICAL PROPAGANDA THAT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE OFFENCE IN OVERSEAS TERRITORIES."
- o -
/5
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
5
POLITICAL FILM CENSORSHIP INFRINGES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, LEE » » » » »
AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE TO AMEND THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1987 MADE UNDER THE PLACES OF PUBLIC EN1ERTAINMEN ORDINANCE.
THE MOTION SOUGHT TO DELETE REGULATION 3A(VII), SO AS TO REVOKE THE POWER OF THE CENSOR TO REFUSE TO APPROVE THE EXHIBITION OF A FILM WHEN HE IS OF THE OPINION THAT THE SHOWING OF THE FILM IN A PUBLIC PLACE "WOULD DAMAGE GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES'.
MR LEE EXPLAINED WHY HE CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY TO MOVE THIS MOTION TO DELETE WHAT HAD BEEN CALLED AN INTERIM MEASURE WHILE THE FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1987 WAS STILL BEING CONSIDERED BY THE PUBLIC.
"FIRST, THIS IS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE AS IT CONCERNS A FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM, NAMELY, THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. I THEREFORE FEEL THAT THE LOSS OF SUCH A FREEDOM EVEN FOR ONE DAY IS ONE DAY FOO MANY," HE SAID.
SECONDLY, MR LEE SAID HE HAD INDICATED EARLIER TO THE ADMINISTRATION THAT HE WOULD BF WILLING TO ACCEPT A COMPROMISE AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, THAT WAS IF THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD AGREE 10 RESTRICT THF GOOD RELATIONS CLAUSE TO THE THREE EXCEPTIONS ALLOWED FOR IN ARTICLE 19 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AND RELIED UPON BY THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE IN JUSTIFYING THE EXISTENCE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROVISION.
MR LEE’S PROPOSAL WAS TO ADD A PROVISO TO WHICH READ:
"PROVIDED THAT THE CENSOR SHALL NOT BAN A
THEREOF UNLESS HE IS SATISFIED THAT THE
REGULATION 3A(VIII
FILM OR
FILM OR
ANY PART
ANY PART
THEREOF:
INFRINGES THE RIGHTS OR REPUTATIONS OF OTHERS INCLUDING PUBLIC FIGURES IN OTHER COUNTRIES; OR
(11) THREATENS OR IS LIKELY TO THREATEN THE TERRITORIAL SECURITY OF HONG KONG".
"THIS AMENDMENT WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF TWO OF THE THREE CRITERIA GIVEN BY THF FCO.
"AS FOR THE THIRD CRITERION, PROTECTION OF PUBLIC ORDER, IT IS SEPARATELY DEALT WITH UNDER PARAGRAPH (VIII) OF REGULATION 3A , IS: 'ENCOURAGE PUBLIC DISORDER'".
MR LEE SAID THAT THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION HAD TOLD THF AD HOC GROUP THAT SUCH AN AMENDMENT WOULD BF. UNACCEPTABLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE IT WOULD MEAN THAT THE BANNING OF SUCH A FILM WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT TO DEFEND IN A COURI OF LAW IN HONG KONG; AND MORE IMPORTANTLY BECAUSE THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD NOT LIKE ITS POWER OF CENSORSHIP TO BE LIMITED TO THE VERY NARROW AREAS SET OUT IN HIS PROVISO.
/"HE MAINTAINED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
6
"HE MAINTAINED THAT BOTH POINTS WERE BAD," HE SAID. "THE FIRST POINT IS A THOROUGHLY BAD ONE, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THE RULE OF LAW, AND IF APOWER IS WRONGLY EXERCISED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, THEN IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT SUCH AN ABUSE OF POWER BE PUT RIGHT BY JUDICIAL REVIEW.
TO ILLUSTRATE HIS SECOND POINT MR LEE SAID: "SUPPOSE 1 NEED $3 FROM A FRIEND IN ORDER TO BUY A MTR TICKET AND I SAY TO HIM: 'MAY I HAVE YOUR WALLET SO THAT I CAN HAVE $3 TO BUY MYSELF A TICKET?’ BUT I MUST SAY THAT ONCE I HAVE YOUR WALLET, I WILL TAKE MORE THAN $3.
"WILL MY FRIEND IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCE LET ME HAVE HIS WALLET?" HE ASKED.
MR LEE SAID: "THIS COUNCIL IS BEING ASKED TO ALLOW THE POWER GIVEN TO THE CENSOR TO CONTINUE ON THE BASIS THAT IT CAN BE JUSTIFIED UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE SAID COVENANT IN ONLY THREE AREAS, AND YET THIS COUNCIL IS TOLD THAT ONCE THE POWER IS LEFT INTACT, IT WILL BE APPLIED TO OTHER AREAS NOT MENTIONED IN ARTICLE 19.
"IS THE ADMINISTRATION NOT INSULTING THE INTELLIGENCE OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL?"
MR LEE SAID HIS THIRD REASON FOR MOVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE INTERIM MEASURES WAS DUE TO THE ADMINISTRATION’S FAILURE TO SHOW THAT THE RESTRICTION WAS NECESSARY, PRINCIPALLY BECAUSE OF THE UNLAWFUL EXERCISE BY THE CENSOR OF A POWER WHICH WAS NEVER GIVEN TO HIM FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
"DURING THIS PERIOD, MANY FILMS HAD BEEN BANNED ON POLITICAL GROUNDS, WITH THE RESULT THAT THE PUBLIC CANNOT JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT EFFECT THESE FILMS WOULD HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITY.
"IF MY MOTION IS CARRIED, THEN AT LEAST UNTIL THE FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1987 IS PRESENTED TO THIS COUNCIL IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME, THERE WILL BE NO POLITICAL CENSORSHIP OF FILMS IN HONG KONG.
"THE PUBLIC CAN THEN JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER WE NEED A SIMILAR PROVISION IN THE BILL, NAMELY, TO BAN A FILM IP’ IT IS ’SERIOUSLY PREJUDICIAL TO GOOD RELATIONS TO TERRITORIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG’.
"BUT IF MY MOTION IS DEFEATED TODAY, WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHETHER THERE IS A REAL NECESSITY FOR IT."
MR LEE SAID HE DID NOT SEE ANY DANGER IN SUSPENDING SUCH A POWER FOR SUCH A SHORT TIME.
ON THE POLITICAL CENSORSHIP OF FILMS, MR LEE SAID AS HONG KONG WAS MOVING TOWARDS 1997, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT ANY LEGISLATION WHICH HAD A LIKELY EFFECT OF INFRINGING ANY OF THEIR FREEDOMS.
/"WE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
"WE ARE TODAY CONCERNED WITH A FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM, THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, WHICH HAS BEEN ENSHRINED IN ARTICLE 19 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS."
"AS WE ALL KNOW, THIS INTERNATIONAL COVENANT HAS BEEN ENSHRINED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND NO DOUBT IT WILL ALSO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE BASIC LAW."
MR LEE SAID FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION APPLIED NOT ONLY TO INFORMATION OR IDEAS THAT WERE FAVOURABLY RECEIVED OR REGARDED AS INOFFENSIVE OR AS A MATTER OF INDIFFERENCE, BUT ALSO TO THOSE THAT OFFEND, SHOCK OR DISTURB.
"SUCH ARE THE DEMANDS OF THAT PLURALISM, TOLERANCE AND BROADMINDEDNESS WITHOUT WHICH THERE IS NO TRUE FREE SOCIETY."
MR LEE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER WHETHER POLITICAL CENSORSHIP OF FILMS WAS REALLY NEEDED TODAY AND, IF ALLOWED, WHAT SAFEGUARD COULD THERE BE THAT IT WOULD NOT IN THE FUTURE BE EXTENDED TO COVER TELEVISION, THE THEATRE AS WELL AS THE PRINTED MEDIA?
"IF ONE FREEDOM IS LOST TODAY, NO OTHER FREEDOM IS SAFE IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
MR LEE ALSO REFERRED TO A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST PUBLISHED TODAY BY DR. JAYAWICKRAMA, A LAW LECTURER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, IN WHICH HE NOTED THAT SRI LANKA HAD PROGRESSED BEYOND THE STAGE OF POLITICAL CENSORSHIP OF FILMS.
MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT DR. JAYAWICKRAMA WAS THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL OF SRI LANKA IN 1970; AND THE PERMANENT SECRETARY TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE IN SRI LANKA FROM 1970-1977.
"PLEASE LET US TAKE HEED AND LEARN FROM THE EXAMPLE OF SRI LANKA," MR LEE SAID.
ON THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF THE GOOD RELATIONS CLAUSE WITH ARTICLE 19 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, MR LEE SAID: "IT IS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO SHOW THAT THE GOOD RELATIONS CLAUSE IS NECESSARY BEFORE IT CAN BE ALLOWED TO EXIST AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER THE SAID ARTICLE 19” .
"IN THIS CONTEXT, THE WORD 'NECESSARY’ DOES NOT MEAN 'USEFUL’, 'REASONABLE’ OR 'DESIRABLE’. THE LEADING CASES IN THIS RESPECT ALL SHOW THAT NO MATTER HOW USEFUL, REASONABLE OR DESIRABLE A PARTICULAR RESTRICTION IS IN THE VIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT CONCERNED, IT WILL BE CONSIDERED TO BE AN INFRINGEMENT OF THE SAID ARTICLE 19 UNLESS IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT THERE IS ’A PRESSING SOCIAL NEED’ FOR IT.
/"FURTHER, THE........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 8
’’FURTHER, THE LEADING CASES DEMONSTRATE THAT THE REASONS GIVEN TO JUSTIFY A RESTRICTION MUST BE ’RELEVANT AND SUFFICIENT’.
MR LEE SAID THAT UP TO NOW, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT GIVEN GOOD OR SUFFICIENT REASON AS TO THE NECESSITY OF SUCH A PROVISION, NAMELY,THAT THERE WAS A PRESSING SOCIAL NEED FOR IT.
MR LEE SAID IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG WAS IN A VERY UNIQUE POSITION FOR ITS PROXIMITY TO CHINA AS WELL AS TAIWAN AND THAT IF THERE WAS NO POLITICAL CENSORSHIP OF FILMS, THEN A NUMBER OF POLITICAL FILMS WOULD BE PRODUCED, NOT FOR THE PURPOSES OF PROFIT, BUT FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADVANCING THE POLITICAL OBJECTS OF A PARTICULAR GOVERNMENT, THUS CAUSING INSTABILITY TO HONG KONG.
WHILE SUCH A SCENARIO WAS POSSIBLE, MR LEE WAS NOT CONVINCED THAT IT WAS LIKELY. "IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY CONCRETE EVIDENCE PRODUCED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, THE SUGGESTION IS MERE SPECULTATIVE, AND IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT FULFIL THE TEST LAID DOWN BY THE AUTHORITIES, NAMELY, THAT THE REASONS MUST BE RELEVANT AND SUFFICIENT."
MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE ENTIRELY FREE TO GO OR NOT TO GO TO A PARTICULAR CINEMA AND WATCH A PARTICULAR POLITICAL FILM, AND MOST PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT POLITICAL FILMS WOULD NOT ATTRACT A LARGE AUDIENCE. "IS IT, THEREFORE, CONCEIVABLE THAT THE EXHIBITION OF ONE OR MORE POLITICAL FILMS WILL REALLY BRING ABOUT INSTABILITY IN HONG KONG?"
MR LEE SAID THAT TWO NIGHTS AGO, MORE THAN 10 MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WERE GIVEN A PRIVATE SHOWING OF ’’THE COLDEST WINTER IN PEKING" AND ’’IF I WERE FOR REAL" - TWO FILMS PRODUCED IN TAIWAN - BOTH OF WHICH USED LIFE WITHIN THE PRC AS THEIR SETTING.
"HAVING SEEN THEM, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY HAVE BEEN BANNED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANY OF US LEAVING THE SHAW STUDIO BORE ANY FEELING OF ANIMOSITY TOWARDS THE PRC, THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY, OR THE PEOPLE OF CHINA. I COMPLETELY FAIL TO SEE HOW EACH OF THESE TWO FILMS CAN BE SAID TO DAMAGE THE GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE PRC."
MR LEE NOTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SOUGHT TO JUSTIFY THIS PROVISION BY RELYING ON A LEGAL OPINION GIVEN BY A LEGAL ADVISER OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE. "I MUST SOUND A WORD OF WARNING HERE BECAUSE THE TRACK RECORD OF THE UK GOVERNMENT ITSELF BEFORE THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS NOT VERY REASSURING IN THAT SINCE 1967, OF A TOTAL OF 27 CASES SUBMITTED TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY THE EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN AGAINST THE UK GOVERNMENT IN 14 OF THEM WHILE SIX ARE STILL PENDING.
"IN RELATION TO THE TWO FILMS WHICH WE SAW, NEITHER CONSTITUTED AN ATTACK ON THE REPUTATIONS OF ’PUBLIC FIGURES’ IN THE PRC AS THE PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS WERE ALL FICTIONAL. NOR DO THEY EXPOSE HONG KONG ’TO EITHER EXTERNAL OR EXTERNALLY-INSPIRED THREAT’ FROM THE PRC . ”
/Mr lee
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
MR LEE ADDED IT COULD NOT BE ARGUED THAT THE EXHIBITION OF EITHER OF THESE FILMS "COULD LEAD TO PUBLIC DISTURBANCES OR PUBLIC DISQUIET LEADING TO DISAFFECTION ON THE PART OF LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICIALS".
MR LEE SAID: "WE HAVE ONLY SEEN TWO OF THESE 11 BANNED FILMS. BUT SINCE WE SAW THE WORST TWO, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THERE WOULD BE EVEN LESS EXCUSE IN BANNING THE OTHER NINE."
MR LEE SAID THE ISSUE BEFORE THE COUNCIL TODAY CONCERNED A WIDE PRINCIPLE, THE PRE-PUBLICATION CENSORSHIP OF FILMS. "BEFORE THIS COUNCIL VOTES ON THE MOTION IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK OURSELVES THESE QUESTIONS: WHERE ARE WE GOING FROM HERE? ARE WE GOING FORWARD TOWARDS A GOVERNMENT WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY? OR ARE WE ENTERING AN ERA WHEN A NOD OR A SHAKE OF THE HEAD FROM SOMEONE IN THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY WILL DECIDE WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MAY OR MAY NOT SEE?
"FURTHER, ONCE WE ALLOW PRE-PUBLICATION CENSORSHIP IN FILMS, THERE IS NO WAY TO ARREST THE TIDE OF POLITICAL CENSORSHIP FROM OVERFLOWING TO THE THEATRE, TO TELEVISION AND TO THE PRINTED MEDIA.
"WE HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED IN SRI LANKA. LET US STOP IT FROM HAPPENING IN HONG KONG," MR LEE ADDED.
------0 -------
NEED TO RETAIN POLITICAL CENSORSHIP CLAUSE
♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT TN THE INTEREST OF THE POLITICAL SECURITY AND WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG, THERE WAS NEED TO RETAIN THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1987 WITHOUT DELETION OF REGULATION 3A (VII).
THE REGULATION CONCERNED TOUCHED ON THE CENSORSHIP PRINCIPLE RELATING TO DAMAGE TO GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID: "THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT OF THIS REGULATION BY WAY OF A GUIDELINE FOR OVER 13 YEARS ALREADY, AND IT HAS NOT DONE DAMAGE TO HONG KONG’S POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL OR CULTURAL VIABILITY, NOR VIOLATED INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES, AS FAR AS I CAN ASCERTAIN."
HOWEVER, HE AGREED THAT AS HONG KONG MOVED FORWARD TOWARDS 1997, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS COULD MONITOR THE MANNER OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE REGULATION.
"IF AT ANY TIME THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD SEEM TO BE ACTING EXCESSIVELY OR UNREASONABLY IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS REGULATION, THUS CAUSING MUCH PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE VIOLATION OF CIVIL LIBERTIES, ESPECIALLY FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION, THE LEGISLATURE BY MAJORITY VOTE CAN AT ANY TIME RESCIND REGULATION 3A (VII)," HE ADDED.
------0-------- /1O..................
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
10 -
HK MUST MAINTAIN CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS
» ♦ » * *
GIVEN ITS EXTREME VULNERABILITY TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCES, HONG KONG MUST MAINTAIN A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER TERRITORIES OR COUNTRIES IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN ITS ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STABILITY, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI TOLDTHE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE HON MARTIN LEE’S MOTION ON FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1987, DR HO SAID THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION WAS NOT AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT.
”IT IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AND MUST HAVE PROPER REGARD TO PUBLIC INTEREST,” HE SAID.
DR HO SAID THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE "GOOD RELATIONS" CLAUSE OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS CONTRAVENED THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS WAS BEST ASSESSED BY REFERENCE TO THE LEGAL OPINION OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, BECAUSE THE UNITED KINGDOM BEING A SIGNATORY OF THE COVENANT, WOULD HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO DEFEND ANY ALLEGATION OF BREACH.
"THE OPINION OF FCO IS THAT THE ’GOOD RELATIONS’ CLAUSE IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH, OR IN VIOLATION OF, THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT."
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT COMPARABLE PROVISIONS ON FILM CENSORSHIP ON "GOOD RELATIONS" GROUNDS EXISTED IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH WERE PARTY TO THE COVENANT.
DR HO SAID THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HAD RULED IN PREVIOUS DECIDED CASES THAT A STATE WAS ENTITLED TO A "MARGIN OF APPRECIATION" AND WAS PERMITTED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN DETERMINING WHAT WAS NECESSARY FOR ACHIEVING THE GOALS OF "PUBLIC ORDER", "NATIONAL SECURITY" OR "RESPECT OF THE RIGHTS OR REPUTATION OF OTHERS", SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 19(3) OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT.
HE ALSO ADDED THAT UNDER HONG KONG LAW, BANNING A FILM FOR EXHIBITION IN A CINEMA WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN ITS BAN ON TELEVISION.
"IN VIEW OF THE PERVASIVE INFLUENCE OF TELEVISION, THE ABSENCE OF CENSORING RESTRICTIONS ON ’GOOD RELATIONS’ GROUNDS IN THE PRESS AND IN OTHER FORMS OF MEDIA SHOULD NOT LEAD TO THE ARGUMENT AGAINST SIMILAR RESTRICTIONS ON FILMS AND TELEVISION, AS IMPLIED BY MR ERIC BARENDT, ON WHOSE OPINION MR MARTIN LEE IN PART RELIED WHEN MOVING HIS RESOLUTION IN THIS COUNCIL," DR HO SAID.
"IN MY VIEW, ONCE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR IS SATISFIED THAT A CERTAIN PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS NECESSARY FOR ATTAINING SPECIFIED SOCIAL GOALS AND IS NOT INCOMPATIBLE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL COVENANT, HE SHOULD TAKE A DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO ENACT THE LAW ON THE BASIS OF THE GREATEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.
ON THESE GROUNDS, DR HO SAID, HE OPPOSED THE RESOLUTION MOVED BY MR LEE.
0
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
POLITICAL CENSORSHIP WILL BE VIEWED WITH SUSPICION
» » t ♦ t
ANY STEP WHICH MOVES TOWARDS "POLITICAL CENSORSHIP", WHETHER REAL OR IMAGINARY, WILL BE VIEWED WITH SUSPICION BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY AT THIS SENSITIVE TIME, THE HON DESMOND LEE YU-TAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE ON FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS, MR LEE SAID, "WE WANT CREATIVE WORK WHICH IS FREELY EXPRESSED AND WHICH IS NOT INHIBITED BY EXCESSIVE RESTRICTIONS.”
MR LEE SAID SOME PEOPLE WERE MINDFUL ABOUT POSSIBLE REACTIONS FROM CHINA.
"I ACCEPT THAT WE SHOULD IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING WITH THE MAINLAND. BUT WE MUST PRESENT THE TRUE POSITION OF HONG KONG TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE HONG KONG PEOPLE AND HOW WE OPERATE THE PLACE."
HE SAID IT WAS WRONG TO ANTICIPATE WHAT THE CHINESE LEADERS WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE AND HEAR AND THEN DO AND SAY THINGS TO PLEASE THEM.
"SUCH ACTION IS 'MEASURING A GENTLEMEN'S STOMACH WITH A SMALL MAN'S HEART'. CHINESE LEADERS HAVE REPEATEDLY STATED THAT PEOPLE CAN CRITICISE THE COMMUNIST PARTY.
"WHY SHOULD WE NOT BE FORTHCOMING WITH HONEST VIEWS AND PRESENT THE TRUTH TO THESE LEADERS? WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO EXERCISE SELF CENSORSHIP?"
MR LEE SAID HE WOULD PREFER TO SEE AN ABSENCE OF ADVANCE CENSORSHIP OF PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER FORMS OF EXPRESSION INCLUDING MOVIE FILMS.
"ANY FORM OF CONTROL SHOULD BE EXERCISED THROUGH PUNITIVE MEASURES WHICH ARE IMPOSED BY LAW AFTER THE EVENT.
"IN ORDER TO OBVIATE THE RISK OF BEING PUNISHED, THE PUBLISHER OR PRODUCER MAY, IF HE SO WISHES. SUBMIT THE PUBLICATION OR PRODUCTION FOR ADVANCE SCRUTINY OR CLASSIFICATION ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. ’’
HE SAID THIS PRINCIPLE WAS USED IN THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLE ORDINANCE AND SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THE LEGISLATION ON FILM CENSORSHIP.
MR LEE SAID THE PRESENT REGULATIONS WERE INTENDED AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE AND THE BILL FOR FILM CENSORSHIP WAS STILL IN ITS CONSULTATION PERIOD.
/’’THIS IS..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
12 -
"THIS IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY OUT WHETHER OR NOT DELETION OF THE SO-CALLED ’POLITICAL CENSORSHIP’ WOULD CAUSE ANY HARM TO EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF HONG KONG.
"IF THINGS RUN OUT OF CONTROL, THIS KIND OF CENSORSHIP CAN BE CONSIDERED FOR RE-INSTATEMENT IN THE MAIN LEGISLATION. OTHERWISE, THE BILL SHOULD BE AMENDED TO EXCLUDE ’POLITICAL CENSORSHIP’."
I WOULD CONSIDER CONTRAVENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND UNNECESSARY RESTRICTION OF FREEDOM NOT MERELY AS UNDESIRABLE AT THIS TIME BUT AS A BACKWARD STEP IN HUMAN CIVILISATION.
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MOTION WILL LEAD HK TO OPEN CONFRONTATION
*****
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE MOTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE ON FILM CENSORSHIP, IF ADOPTED, WOULD RUN A GREAT RISK OF LEADING HONG KONG DOWN A PATH OF OPEN CONFRONTATION, WHICH WAS CERTAINLY NOT CONDUCIVE TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AGAINST THE MOTION, MR CHEONG SAID WHAT SEEMED TO BE A REFINEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES HAD SOMEHOW BEEN CLEVERLY USED BY SOME AS A TOOL IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CONTINUOUSLY SOW SEEDS OF DISTRUST OF THE ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG.
"IN THE MIDST OF THE NEWSWORTH FUROR THAT HAS BEEN CREATED, THE FACT THAT THE OLD REGULATIONS AND THE GUIDELINES HAD BEEN IN SMOOTH OPERATION FOR OVER 13 YEARS HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED," HE SAID.
MORE IMPORTANT, THE IRONIC PART WAS THAT THOSE WHO VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATION CONCERNING DAMAGING THE GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES HAD CONVENIENTLY OVERLOOKED THE FACT THAT THERE WAS APPARENTLY NO SERIOUS COMPLAINTS LODGED AGAINST THE ACTUAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE OLD REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, HE SAID.
"IN FACT, ALL AVAILABLE EVIDENCE POINTS TO THE FACT THAT HARDLY ANYONE IN HONG KONG HAD COMPLAINED IN THE PAST 13 YEARS ABOUT THE REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES HAVING THE EFFECT OF SUPPRESSING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/MS CHEONG .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
MR CHEONG NOTED THAT SOME HAD REASONED THAT THEY COULD MOST PROBABLY TRUST THE ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE BRITISH FLAG BUT THEY DID HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION AFTER 1997 FOR IT WAS FEARED THAT IT COULD THEN INDISCRIMINATELY APPLY SUCH CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS TO SUPPRESS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID IT WAS PERHAPS U ID RSTANDABLE OR EVEN NATURAL FOR SOME PEOPLE TO HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE SITUATION AFTER 1997.
"HOWEVER, IT WILL BE DISASTROUS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IF WE WERE TO TAKE ON EVERY ISSUE ONLY WITH THE ATTITUDE OF UNMOVABLE DISTRUST WHILST SHUNTING OFF THE VALUE OF OBJECTIVE PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY FILM CLASSIFICATION AND CENSORSHIP DID NOT COME TO THE DECISION LIGHTLY IN RECOMMENDING THE INTERIM MEASURES TO THE COUNCIL. IT HAD DONE SO AFTER A LOT OF WORK, DELIBERATION AS WELL AS THOUGHT BY MEMBERS.
HE SAID WHAT WAS IMPORTANT WAS THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE A CONSENSUS OF UNDERSTANDING REACHED AT LEAST AMONGST THE MAJORITY OF NON-LAWYER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
THE CONSENSUS WAS THAT THE TWO SEEMINGLY DIFFERENT LEGAL OPINIONS, ONE BY THE FCO AND THF OTHER BY THE HON MARTIN LEE'S CONSULTANT, REPRESENTED DIFFERENT ANGLES OF EMPHASIS AND DIFFERENT APPROACHES IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE NEW REGULATIONS VIS A VIS THE VIOLATION OR OTHERWISE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT. NO CLEAR CUT CASE HAD BEEN OR COULD BE ESTABLISHED BEYOND DOUBT AS TO WHICH APPROACH WAS THE ONLY RIGHT APPROACH, HE NOTED.
"UNDER THAT CIRCUMSTANCES, IN HAVING TO EXERCISE JUDGEMENT ON THIS ISSUE, WE CAN ONLY BE GUIDED BY OUR OWN PERCEPTION OF WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE INTERIM MEASURES OR INDEED THE NEW REGULATIONS, IF ADOPTED, WOULD CONTRAVENE THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT SEEMED TO HIM TO BE NO MORE THAN A TOOL DEPLOYED TO CONSOLIDATE OR PERHAPS EVEN TO PROPAGATE ONE’S OWN DISTRUST OF THE POST-1997 ADMINISTRATION.
HE SAID THIS APPROACH WAS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG. TOO DEEP-SEATED A DISTRUST COULD EASILY LEAD TO UNWARRANTED IMAGINATIONS AND SUSPICIONS WHICH IN TURN WOULD CREATE UNNECESSARY BARRIERS TO SMOOTH SOLUTIONS OF ANY FUTURE DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE SOVEREIGN STATE.
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/1*........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
14
MAINTENANCE OF GOOD RELATIONS WITH CHINA IMPORTANT ♦ * * * ♦
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN SAW TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT WHEN CONSIDERING FILM CENSORSHIP, THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, ESPECIALLY DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE CHANGE IN SOVEREIGNTY, WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SOHMEN SAID HE OPPOSED THE MOTION ON FILM CENSORSHIP TABLED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE.
HE ADDED THAT HE DID SO WITH SOME RELUCTANCE AND HE WAS UNEASY ABOUT CENSORSHIP FOR POLITICAL MOTIVE SINCE THE JUDGEMENTS WHICH HAD TO BE MADE BY THE CENSOR WERE MORE DIFFICULT AND MORE PRONE TO ABUSE THAN, FOR EXAMPLE, RESTRAINTS IMPOSED ON THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH FOR MORAL REASONS.
"MR MARTIN LEE MUST BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THIS ISSUE; I MUST FRANKLY CONFESS THAT IF THIS WAS TOTALLY NEW LEGISLATION WE WERE CONSIDERING - RATHER THAN A QUESTION OF LEGITIMISING, AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, A PRACTICE THAT HAS BEEN GOING FOR SOME TIME - I WOULD IN ALL LIKELIHOOD VOTE AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH NEW PROVISIONS,” HE SAID.
THIS OF COURSE DID NOT MEAN THAT MR LEE’S ARGUMENTS WERE CORRECT OR FULLY VALID, MR SOHMEN ADDED. HE SAID MR LEE AND THE UK LAWYER WHO GAVE MR LEE LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS HAD APPROACHED THE ISSUE IN TOO LEGALISTIC A FASHION, IN THAT THEY ONLY FOCUSED ON THE FORMAT AND NOT ON THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT NEEDED TO BE THE LIMITS OF PERMISSIBLE CENSORSHIP.
THIS WAS NOT A MATTER OF FORMALISTIC LEGAL INTERPRETATION BUT CLEARLY REQUIRED A POLITICAL EVALUATION AS TO WHETHER THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION WERE SUFFICIENTLY AND JUSTIFIABLY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE FACTORS GOVERNING A PARTICULAR SITUATION BOTH AS TO TIME AND PLACE, HE SAID.
’’EVEN MORE SIMPLISTICALLY PUT, THE COVENANT HAS DRAWN US A SQUARE WHICH CAN BE LEFT ENTIRELY BLANK OR WHICH WE CAN FILL IN WITH AS MANY COLOURS WE CHOOSE, ALL THE WHILE ACCEPTING THE FACT THAT THE BORDERS OF THE SQUARE ONLY DETERMINE THE LIMITS OF THE PAINTED AREA BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE CHOICE OF COLOURS,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG WAS IN A RATHER PECULIAR SITUATION, CLAIMING AN ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE COUNTRY TO WHICH ETHNICALLY AND GEOGRAPHICALLY THE TERRITORY WAS VERY CLOSE, AND OF WHICH IT LEGALLY SOON WOULD BE AN INTEGRAL PART. THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD RELATIONS WITH CHINA WAS THEREFORE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE.
/"A CHANGE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
"A CHANGE AWAY FROM ESTABLISHED PRACTICES, IN PARTICULAR WHEN THESE DO TOUCH VERY DIRECTLY ON NATIONAL POLITICAL SENSIBILITIES ELSEWHERE, IN ITSELF MIGHT BE SEEN AS A DELIBERATE ACT INTENDED TO BE PREJUDICIAL TO GOOD RELATIONS, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE NEED FOR CHANGE IS IMPOSED FROM THE OUTSIDE, IS JUSTIFIED AS A LOGICAL RESULT OF INTERVENING DEVELOPMENTS AND NEW CIRCUMSTANCES, OR WHICH HAS NO INHERENT HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES," HE SAID.
MR SOHMEN SAID: "AFTER ALL, IN THIS CONTEXT WE ARE DEALING NOT ONLY WITH THE DOMESTIC PERCEPTION OF WHAT EXPRESSIONS ARE OBVIOUSLY, OR POSSIBLY, PREJUDICIAL OR NOT PREJUDICIAL BUT HAVE TO FACE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE INTERPRETATION - OR MISINTERPRETATION - PUT UPON THEM EXTERNALLY COULD GIVE RISE TO UNWANTED FRICTION.
"WE SHOULD OF COURSE BEAR IN MIND THAT THE REACTIONS, IN CHINA, TO COMMENT FROM ABROAD HAVE OF LATE BECOME LESS DEFENSIVE, AND THAT THE COUNTRY’S OPEN-DOOR POLICIES HAVE LED NOT ONLY TO GREATER CONFIDENCE AT HOME BUT ALSO TO A BETTER RECOGNITION OF THE EXISTENCE OF MANY DIFFERENT VIEWS AND APPROACHES AND A BELIEF IN THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF CRITICISM TN OTHER PLACE."
HOWEVER, IN THE ABSENCE OF CLEAR SIGNALS TO THE EFFECT THAT TOLERANCE WAS UNLIMITED, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS COMMENT FROM HONG KONG, IT WOULD NOT APPEAR TO BE IN HONG KONG’S BEST INTERESTS TO PROVOCATIVELY TEST THE BOUNDARIES OF SUCH ACCEPTANCE OR CHANGE IN ATTITUDES, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
VR RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES "SYMPATHETIC" TO HK
» * * * »
BOTH THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAVE MADE VIGOROUS EFFORTS TO PERSUADE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT MORE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES -- PARTICULARLY THE LONG-STAYERS — FROM HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS FIRST SIX-MONTH VIETNAMESE REFUGEES PROGRESS REPORT TO THE COUNCIL, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD ASKED THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) TO MAKE PARALLEL APPROACHES TO RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO LOBBY FOR ADDITIONAL RESETTLEMENT PLACES FOR HONG KONG’S REFUGEES.
"THE UNHCR HAVE AGREED TO TREAT LONG-STAYERS IN HONG KONG AS A PRIORITY IN THEIR RESETTLEMENT EFFORTS," HE SAID.
/IN HONG KONG,
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 16 -
IN HONG KONG, MR JEAFFRESON HAD DISCUSSED THE REFUGEE PROBLEM WITH THE CONSULS-GENERAL AND COMMISSIONERS OF 17 RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES.
"ALL THEIR INITIAL RESPONSES HAVE BEEN SYMPATHETIC AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO PASS ON OUR PLEAS TO THEIR GOVERNMENTS TO CONSIDER," HE SAID.
THE LOBBYING EXERCISE FOLLOWED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S ANNOUNCEMENT IN MAY TO ACCEPT A FURTHER 468 REFUGEE FROM HONG KONG UNDER THE RELAXED FAMILY REUNION CRITERIA, AT AN OFFTAKE RATE OF ABOUT 20 PER MONTH.
"PROCESSING OF THESE CASES HAS STARTED AND WE EXPECT THAT THE FIRST GROUP WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR RESETTLEMENT IN THE UK LATER THIS MONTH," MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
HE SAID IN THE FIRST FIVE-MONTHS OF THIS YEAR ARRIVALS WERE 28 PER CENT DOWN ON ARRIVALS IN THE SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR.
"BUT A SUDDEN INCREASE IN JUNE, A TOTAL OF 405 COMPARED WITH 191 IN JUNE LAST YEAR, NOW MEANS THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ARRIVALS SO ■'FAR THIS YEAR, AT 976, EXCEEDS LAST YEAR’S FIGURE FOR THE SAME PERIOD BY 4," HE SAID.
SO FAR THIS YEAR, 1,309 REFUGEES HAD BEEN RESETTLED, COMPARED WITH 2,372 FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
"IF THE PRESENT TRENDS CONTINUE, WE ESTIMATE THAT THERE WILL BE AROUND 2,200 ARRIVALS AND ROUGHLY THE SAME NUMBER OF DEPARTURES FOR THE FULL YEAR," MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
ADDING IN BIRTHS, HE EXPECTED THE TOTAL REFUGEE POPULATION, NOW AT 7,852, TO INCREASE TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
OF THOSE WHO WERE LEFT, ABOUT 4,600 HAD BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR THREE YEARS AND AROUND 3,200 FOR AS LONG AS FIVE YEARS, HE ADDED.
ON THE REASON FOR THE LOWER RATE OF RESETTLEMENT, MR JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED THAT FEWER REFUGEES SEEMED TO MEET THE CRITERIA SET BY THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES, SUCH AS CLOSE FAMILY CONNECTIONS.
"A SECOND REASON IS THAT MANY OF THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES ARE HAVING QUITE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH REFUGEES AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD, AND ARE HAVING TO LIMIT THE NUMBERS THEY CAN TAKE FROM HONG KONG," ADDING THAT A THIRD REASON BEING THE RELUCTANCE OF SOME COUNTRIES TO TAKE NORTHERNERS.
ABOUT 76 PER CENT OF THE ARRIVALS SO FAR THIS YEAR WERE FROM NORTH VIETNAM, HE ADDED.
"WHATEVER MIGHT BE DONE IN THE SHORT-TERM TO IMPROVE THE PROSPECTS OF RESETTLEMENT AND TO LIGHTEN THE BURDEN ON OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE ALL HERE IN FULL AGREEMENT THAT THERE HAS TO BE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION," MR JEAFFRESON CONTINUED.
/"AND WE ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 17 -
’’AND WE ARE ALL AGREED THAT THE ONLY VIABLE ONE IS TO REPATRIATE ALL WHO CANNOT ESTABLISH THAT THEY ARE GENUINE REFUGEES, PROVIDED WE CAN BE SATISFIED THEY WILL NOT BE TREATED INHUMANELY.
"IN THIS CONTEXT WE ARE ONLY TOO CONSCIOUS OF THE WAY WE HAVE TO TREAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA."
QUOTING AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE HOME OFFICE WHICH STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF CONCERTED INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO FIND A DURABLE SOLUTION, MR JEAFFRESON SAID: "HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT IS DOING ALL IT CAN TO HELP HONG KONG IN THIS RESPECT".
HE REITERATED THAT THE SEARCH FOR A DURABLE SOLUTION WOULD BE A SLOW AND DIFFICULT PROCESS.
"GIVEN THAT, AS A PLACE OF FIRST ASYLUM, HONG KONG HAS TO ACCEPT ALL WHO ARRIVE ILLEGALLY FROM VIETNAM, WE ARE CONTINUING TO REMIND LONDON OF THE CONSIDERABLE CONCERN IN HONG KONG AT THE DIFFICULTIES WE ARE HAVING IN GETTING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES RESETTLED AND OF THE WIDE SUPPORT AMONG MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND IN THE COMMUNITY BOTH FOR A GREATER DEGREE OF RESETTLEMENT IN THE SHORT-TERM AND FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION INVOLVING REPATRIATION OF THOSE WHO CAN NOT BE RESETTLED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT IN FACT REFUGEES," HE ADDED.
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HOUSING STRATEGY ENSURES ADEQUATE SUPPLY AT AFFORDABLE COST * * * * *
THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY DOES NOT DEPART FROM THE EXISTING POLICY WHICH AIMS TO ENSURE A SUPPLY OF ADEQUATE HOUSING AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE OR RENT FOR ALL HOUSEHOLDS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR FORD SAID THAT RATHER THE STRATEGY EXTENDED AND REINFORCED THIS POLICY SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE PROVIDED NOT ONLY WITH ADEQUATE HOUSING, BUT ALSO WITH A CHOICE OF EITHER RENTING OR PURCHASING THEIR HOME, MR FORD ADDED.
HE SAID IT AIMED TO ENSURE THAT THE BEST USE WAS MADE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR RESOURCES AND PROGRESSIVELY TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF THE OLDER HOUSING STOCK.
WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, MR FORD SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL WITH SO MUCH PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS,INTEREST GROUPS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO HAD SHOWN SO MUCH INTEREST IN THE SCHEME AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WHO HAD HELPED TO CRYSTALLISE THE MANY POINTS MADE IN PUBLIC DEBATE OF THE STRATEGY.
/HE NOTED
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 18 -
HE NOTED THAT THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY HAD THREE MAIN STRANDS, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE, WHICH DEALT WITH THE BALANCE BETWEEN HOME OWNERSHIP AND PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING HAD PERHAPS ATTRACTED LEAST ATTENTION IN PUBLIC DEBATE.
HE SAID RECENT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME SALES HAD SHOWN A STRONG DEMAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP AND IT WAS CLEARLY DESIRABLE NOT ONLY TO PLAN TO SATISFY THIS DEMAND BUT TO GIVE DUE PRIORITY TO THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING.
MR FORD SAID THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE PUBLIC RENTAL TENANTS WHO PREFERRED HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS BUT THEIR CHANCES OF OBTAINING SUCH FLATS UNDER THE PRESENT POLICY WAS VERY SMALL AND MOST HAD TO MOVE INTO PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING.
’’UNDER THE NEW STRATEGY, IT IS INTENDED TO GAUGE THE PREFERENCE OF PROSPECTIVE TENANTS BEFORE THEY ARE REHOUSED AND TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT BALANCE OF HOME OWNERSHIP AND PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING UNITS TO MATCH THEIR DEMAND.
’’PROSPECTIVE TENANTS OF RENTED HOUSING WILL THEREFORE NOT BE COMPETING IN BALLOTING EXERCISES AND THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS IN BALLOTING BY OTHER APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES WILL BE IMPROVED.”
HE POINTED OUT THAT SOME CRITICS OF THE STRATEGY HAD SEEN THESE PROPOSALS AS SHIFTING THE BASIS OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME FROM RENTAL TO PURCHASE. ” THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT THE NEEDS OF THE LOWER INCOME GROUPS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY WILL BE NEGLECTED. BUT THESE CRITICS HAVE FAILED TO GRASP THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLE OF THE NEW STRATEGY WHICH IS TO MAKE HOUSING PROVISION DEMAND LED.”
HE ADDED THAT PRESENT INDICATIONS AND PROJECTIONS SHOWED AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR HOME PURCHASE BUT IF THIS TREND SHOULD BE REVERSED. THE BALANCE OF THE PROGRAMME COULD READILY BE CHANGED TO MEET AN INCREASED PROPORTION OF RENTAL DEMAND.
THIS FLEXIBILITY, WHICH WAS INHERENT IN A DEMAND LED STRATEGY, SHOULD ALSO ALLAY THE FEARS OF THOSE WHO SAW THE PROJECTIONS AS BEING TOO OPTIMISTIC OR OVER-EMPHASISING PEOPLE’S ABILITY TO AFFORD HOME PURCHASE, HE SAID.
’’THE SECOND AIM OF THE STRATEGY IS TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF A HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME TO SUPPLEMENT THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES.
’’UNDER THESE SCHEMES THE CHOICE OF LOCATION, SIZE AND LAYOUT OF FLATS IS LIMITED AND THESE SCHEMES DO NOT MAKE FULL USE OF THE FINANCIAL AND LAND RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND OF THE EXPERTISE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
/’’THE HOME
WEDNKSPA , JULY 8, 1987
- 19 -
"THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME, WHICH WILL OFFER A LOAN AT NIL INTEREST TO MEET PART OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF A FLAT OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, IS INTENDED TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS," MR FORD SAID.
HE SAID THIS PART OF THE STRATEGY HAD CAUSED THE MOST PUBLIC COMMENT, WHICH SOME HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A SCHEME WOULD INFLATE FLAT PRICES, ND MUCH HAD BEEN MADF OF THE SIZE OF THE LOAN WHICH MANY HAD DESCRIIT AS INADEQUATE.
. OTHERS SUGGESTED THAT THE Ch>ICE OF FLATS SHOULD BE INCREASED BY ALLOWING THOSE TAKING THE LOAN TO BUY SECOND-HAND FLATS. IT HAD ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE SCH'Mf SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHERS THAN PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS AND CLEAREES.
IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT EASY TO BE SURE OF STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE IN A NEW SCHEME OF THIS NATURE AND THE COMMENTS WHICH ’AD BEEN MADE WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL IN FINALISING THE DETAILS OF THE SCHEME.
ADJUSTMENTS COULD BE MADE AS EXPERIENCE WAS GAINED OF HE WORKING OF THE SCHEME. MR FORD SAID.
"THE THIRD ASPECT OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY IS THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. THE PRESENT REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS RESTRICTED TO NON-SELF-CONTAINED BLOCKS. THE NEW STRATEGY EXTENDS THIS TO OTHER OLDER BLOCKS WHERE CONDITIONS WILL NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH RISING HOUSING STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS," HE ADDED.
HE SAID HE KNEW THAT SOME CONCERN HAD BEEN EXPRESSED ON THREE ASPECTS OF THIS PROPOSAL. THE FIRST WAS THAT AN ENLARGED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE WAITING LIST. AS MOST OF THE REDEVELOPMENT WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE SECOND PART OF THE 1990'S BY WHICH TIME OUTSTANDING DEMAND SHOULD BE LARGELY MET THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.
THE SECOND CONCERN WAS THAT THOSE NOW LIVING IN THESE ESTATES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE TO OTHER AREAS. THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WOULD BE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION WAS PROVIDED IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA, WITH A MIXTURE OF HOME OWNERSHIP AND RENTAL FLATS TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT.
MR FORD ASSURED THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME WAS NOT SOME DEVIOUS DEVICE DESIGNED TO ENABLE GOVERNMENT TO ACQUIRE DESIRABLE URBAN SITES FOR SALE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS SOME CRITICS HAD SUGGESTED.
THE LAST POINT WAS THE CONCERN THAT THOSE AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE RENTS IN THE NEW ESTATES. EXPERIENCE OF PRESENT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SUGGESTED THAT THIS WAS UNLIKELY TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE NEED TO RETAIN SOME CHEAPER FLATS MUSI BE INCORPORATED INTO THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO ENSURE THAT THE OVERRIDING CRITERION THAT HOUSING SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES WAS MAINTAINED.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 20
HE SAID THAT INEVITABLY RESOURCES WERE LIMITED AND HONG KONG MUST WORK ON A SYSTEM OF PRIORITIES, GIVING HELP WHERE IT WAS MOST NEEDED.
"DESPITE THE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS WHICH HAS BEEN MADE IN HOUSING IN HONG KONG WE STILL H.W ’ OUTSTANDING DEMAND FROM OUR PRESENT TARGET GROUPS, AND UNTIL THIS IS MET, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO JUSTIFY EXPANDING," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT ONE SUGGESTION WHICH HAD BEEN MADE WAS THAT
GOVERNMENT SHOULD HELP BY OFFERING TAX RELIEF TO HOME BUYERS.
"THIS REPRESENTS INDEED A RADICAL DEPARTURE FROM OUR Ff'.ESENT TAX POLICY AND SUGGESTS A SYSTEM WHICH HAS HAD WIDE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES. IT, THEREFORE, MERITS A VERY THOROUGH EXAMINATION IN A WIDER CONTEXT THAN THAT OF HOUSING BEFORE ANY FIRM VIEW CAN BE TAKEN.
"THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS THAT WE SHOULD SPEED UP THE PROGRAMME BY INCREASING PRODUCTION.
"THIS IS OF COURSE AN IDEAL SOLUTION BUT HOW ARE WE TO ACHIEVE IT? THERE ARE SIGNS THAT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, OF WHICH HOUSING IS ONLY A PART, IS FULLY STRETCHED.
"NO DOUBT WITH IMPROVED METHODS AND IMPROVED TRAINING THE CAPACITY OF THE INDUSTRY WILL INCREASE IN THE FUTURE. BUT THIS EXPANSION WILL TAKE TIME AND I THINK IT IS WISE TO BASE THE STRATEGY ON WHAT IS A VERY HIGH FIGURE, 70,000 TO 75,000 FLATS A YEAR. WE KNOW THIS TO BE ATTAINABLE AND I THINK WE ARE WISE TO COUNT ON THIS RATHER THAN ON SOME FUTURE INCREASE WHICH MAY NOT BE ACHIEVED," HE ADDED.
IN DEALING WITH THE POINT PUBLICLY EXPRESSED THAT GOVERNMENT WAS REDUCING ITS COMMITMENT TO HOUSING, HE STRESSED THAT THE NEW STRATEGY, FAR FROM REDUCING THE COMMITMENT. INDEED EXTENDED IT.
IT PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAR OUTSTANDING DEMAND FOR HOUSING, AND VERY IMPORTANTLY TO DO SO IN ACCORDANCE WITH PEOPLE’S PREFERENCES.
MOREOVER, THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF SOME 125,000 FAMILIES IN OLDER PUBLIC RENTAL ESTATES WOULD BE IMPROVED THROUGH REDEVELOPMENT.
"THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY CANNOT BE MORE THAN A FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH DETAILED PROGRAMMES CAN BE PLANNED.
"IMPLEMENTATION MUST BE DYNAMIC AND THE SUBJECT OF CONSTANT REVIEW. IT WILL REQUIRE A SOPHISTICATED PLANNING SYSTEM, SENSITIVE TO CHANGING DEMAND AND ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY TO SUCH CHANGES.
"I AM SURE THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE GOVERNMENT CAN MEET THESE CHALLENGES AND THAT THE STRATEGY CAN PROVIDE A SOUND FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO PLAN OUR FUTURE HOUSING PROGRAMMES," HE ADDED.
0
/21........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 21
LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY ’TIMELY’ * ♦ * ♦ *
CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP TO PREPARE FOR THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID ALL MEMBERS OF THE GROUP AGREED THAT THE STRATEGY WAS TIMELY AND NECESS* FOR ADJUSTING THE FOCUS ON THE WAY AHEAD.
SHE ADDED THAT MEMBERS ACCEPTED THERE WAS A GROWING DEMAND FOR HOME PURCHASE, AND THEY ALSO AGREED THAT SUCH DEMAND SHOULD BE MET AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
MRS CHOW WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.
’’HOWEVER THE QUESTION IS RAISED AS TO HOW THE NEED FOR ALL TYPES OF HOUSING IS TO BE SATISFIED, WHETHER THIS IS INDEED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES, OR WHETHER THIS DOES NOT IN FACT REPRESENT A SHIFT IN ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES,” SHE SAID.
SHE SAID MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP SHARED THE QUERY RAISED BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HOW THIS RECOGNITION OF ASPIRATION FOR HOME PURCHASE WOULD AFFECT THE RATIO BETWEEN PUBLIC RENTED HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES, AND WHETHER THE FLEXIBILITY TO DETERMINE THE RATIO ACCORDING TO DEMAND WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ELIGIBLE RENTAL APPLICANTS AND TENANTS WHO WERE UNDOUBTEDLY THOSE MOST IN NEED OF HELP.
SHE SAID MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WERE GENERALLY CONCERNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY POLICY STATEMENT HAD NOT DEMONSTRATED IN ANY WAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING PRIORITY ATTENTION TO THE EXTREMELY LONG PUBLIC HOUSING WAITING LIST.
’’WHILE ENDORSING THE AIM TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITION OF THOSE ALREADY RESIDING IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING SECTOR, WE QUESTION THE RANKING OF THIS PRIORITY OVER THE RELIEF OF THE WAITING LIST,” SHE SAID.
SHE SAID A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS AGREED WITH THE NEW CONCEPT OF SUPPLEMENTING PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION BY TAPPING PRIVATE SECTOR RESOURCES THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME, WHILE A MINORITY OF MEMBERS ECHO THE OBJECTION RAISED BY SOME INTEREST GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY BASED MAINLY ON TWO GROUNDS.
FIRST, THEY REGARDED THIS PROPOSAL AS A FORM OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY TO BOOST PROFITS OF PROPERTY DEVELOPERS. IT MIGHT PRODUCE THE UNDERS1RABLE EFFECT OF INFLATING THE PROPERTY MARKET AS WELL AS THE ECONOMY.
’’THEY ARE PARTICULARLY WORRIED THAT EVEN THOSE WHO COULD NOT AFFORD IT WOULD BE TEMPTED TO PURCHASE AND THIS WOULD LEAD TO HARDSHIP AND OTHER SOCIAL PROBLEMS,” SHE SAID.
/THE MAJORITY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
22
THE MAJORITY ON THE AD HOC GROUP, HOWEVER, CONCLUDED THAT EVERYTHING CONSIDERED, ESPECIALLY TAKING THE MACRO VIEW ON HOUSING, THE SCHEME WAS WORTH SUPPORTING, AND THE DECISION TO BUY SHOULD REST WITH THE APPLICANT. IT WAS ALSO AGREED THAT THE SCHEME SHOULD BE MADE AS ATTRACTIVE AS POSSIBLE SO AS TO ACHIEVE ITS SUPPLEMENTARY FUNCTION.
SHE ADDED THAT THE GROUP REMAINED UNCERTAIN AS TO HOW FAR THIS PROPOSAL AND THE PROPOSAL TO INTERCHANGE PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP UNITS WOULD SUCCEED IN NETTING MORE VACANT RENTAL FLATS FOR THE MORE NEEDY, GIVEN TL'E CONSIDERABLE WASTAGE NECESSARY IN TERMS OF WAITING TIME DURING WHICH RECOVERED UNITS HAD TO REMAIN VACANT PRIOR TO REDEVELOPMENT.
SHE SAID MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP WERE SENSITIVE TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS’ QUERY OVER THE PATTERN AND SCALE OF BOTH DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL RENT INCREASE IN PUBLIC HOUSING IN FUTURE. IT WAS EVIDENT TO MEMBERS ALSO THAT WITH THIS LONG TERM STRATEGY, THERE WAS A PHASING OUT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE FUNCTION IN HOUSING.
WITH NEW ESTATES COMING ON STREAM AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD ONES, RENT LEVELS MIGHT BE BEYOND THE REACH OF AN INCREASING NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE TENANTS. GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPELL OUT CLEARLY MEASURES IT WOULD ADOPT TO ASSIST THIS NEEDY MINORITY, SHE SAID.
APART FROM EXPRESSING THE AD HOC GROUP’S VIEWS, MRS CHOW ALSO MADE KNOWN HER OWN VIEWS ON THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS IN NO POSITION TO ARGUE THAT THERE WAS ANY INCREASE IN ITS COMMITMENT TO HOUSING UNDER THE REVISED STRATEGY. THE CONTRARY WAS IN FACT TRUE. ELIGIBLE TENANTS WERE BEING ASSISTED TO INCREASE THEIR COMMITMENT TO HOUSING.
"IN SPITE OF THIS I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS NEW DIRECTION, AS I AM CONVINCED THAT WE ARE A VERY DIFFERENT COMMUNITY FROM WHAT WE WERE WHEN THE EXISTING HOUSING PROGRAMME STARTED IN THE EARLY 70’S, AND NOT ONLY OUR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS BUT THE ENTIRE HONG KONG HAS BENEFITED FROM IT ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY," SHE SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT NOW WAS DEFINITELY THE TIME TO READJUST THE BURDENS OF RESPONSIBILITY ACCORDIN',; TO AFFORDABILITY AND NEED. IT WAS THE ONLY FAIR THING TO DO.
SHE SAID HER SUPPORT OF THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME WAS NOT TOTALLY UNQUALIFIED. THE REASON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WAS CONSIDERED PREFERABLE OVER PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS WAS THAT RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, THE QUALITY AND VALUE OF THE FORMER WERE PERCEIVED TO BE BETTER.
/SHE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 23 -
SHE SAID THE ELEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY IN THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME AS WELL AS THE NEED TO ENSURE ITS ATTRACTION AND SUCCESS MUST SURELY DEMAND THAT MINIMUM STANDARDS SHOULD BE MET BEFORE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS CAN QUALIFY FOR THE SCHEME. BY PROMOTING SUCH STANDARDS, ALL HOME PURCHASERS, SUBSIDISED OR NOT, WOULD BE GUARANTEED THE CONSUMER PROTECTION THEY DESERVE BUT WAS PRESENTLY NOT AVAILABLE.
"THE WAITING LIST IS STILL DISAPPOINTINGLY LONG, AND TO AIM TO SATISFY ALL APPLICANTS UNDER THIS CATEGORY IN NINE TO 10 YEARS, WHILE CLEARANCES WITH NO INCOME ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND SITTING TENANTS ARE GIVEN PRIORITY OF REHOUSING, IS CLEARLY UNJUST," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE SANDWICH CLASS, SHE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO COME UP WITH A FORM OF ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS TAX RELIEF OR LOW INTEREST FIRST INSTALMENTS, FOR FAMILIES WHOSE INCOME FELL IMMEDIATE OUTSIDE THE WAITING LIST INCOME LIMIT TO BUY THEIR HOME.
-------0---------
HOUSING STRATEGY OBJECTIVE COMMENDED
*****
THE SPIRIT OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY IS COMMENDABLE BECAUSE IT HAS A CLEAR OBJECTIVE AND PAYS EQUAL ATTENTION TO QUALITY AS WELL AS QUANTITY OF HOUSING, THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG SAID THE STRATEGY NOT ONLY CONCERNED THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING, BUT ALSO REALISED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EFFECTIVE UTILISATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR RESOURCES AND THE CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE TWO SECTORS.
MR CHEUNG SAID IT WAS A GOOD AND PRACTICAL MEANS TO INTRODUCE A FLEXIBILITY TO THE PRODUCTION OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING.
"LOOKING AT THE RECENT ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSES FROM THE SITTING TENANTS AND PROSPECTIVE TENANTS TO THE SALE OF HOS FLATS AND THE RELATIVELY LOW SUCCESS RATE, IT CAN BE DISCERNED THAT THE DEMAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS CANNOT BE MET,” HE SAID.
"IF WE CAN ASSESS THE PREFERENCES OF THE PROSPECTIVE TENANTS AND THOSE AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT ON THE TYPES OF HOUSING WHICH THEY REALLY WANT AND USE SUCH INDICATION TO ADJUST FLEXIBLY THE CONSTRUCTION RATIO BETWEEN HOS AND PRH, THOSE CONCERNED SHOULD FIND THIS METHOD A MORE SATISFACTORY AND PRACTICAL ONE.
/"AT THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 24
"AT THE SAME TIME, IF MORE SITTING TENANTS CAN MOVE TO HOS ACCORDING TO THEIR WISHES, MORE PUBLIC RENTAL UNITS CAN THEN BE RELEASED AND BE RE-ALLOCATED TO THE MORE NEEDY.”
IN THIS WAY, MR CHEUNG SAID, THE HOUSING SUBSIDY WHICH THE TENANTS ARE RECEIVING WILL BE MORE RELATED TO THEIR NEEDS AND THE PUBLIC RESOURCES WHICH ARE ALLOCATED FOR HOUSING PURPOSES COULD BE BETTER UTILISED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PART OF THE HOUSING STRATEGY WAS THE INTRODUCAT1 ON OF THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME.
"THIS SCHEME, IN MY VIEW, IS AN INNOVATIVE IDEA AND THE CRUX OF THE PROPOSAL IS THAT AN ADDITIONAL OPTION FOR ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE IS PROVIDED IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME,” HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG SAID SINGE THE SCHEME WAS A PURELY VOLUNTARY ONE, IT HAD NOT AFFECTED THE RIGHTS OF ANY PERSON AND THIS WAS A VERY IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE.
"THEREFORE, THE CHOICE IS REALLY LEFT FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE. THEY CAN DECIDE ON WHETHER TO APPLY OR NOT AFTER CONSIDERING THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, NEEDS AND PREFERENCES OF THEIR FAMILIES."
HOWEVER, HE SAID NO MENTION HAD BEEN MADE TO THE DETAILS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME TN THE POLICY STATEMENT.
’DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS ON THE SCHEME AND I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY DUE CONSIDERATION TO THESE COMMENTS IN DRAWING UP THE PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
“IN PARTICULAR, GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER SLIGHTLY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE LOAN AND EXTENDING THE ELIGIBILITY TO THE WAITING LIST APPLICANTS.”
MR CHEUNG SAID AN IMPORTANT ASSUMPTION OF THE STRATEGY WAS THAT MORE SITTING TENANTS AND THOSE AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT WOULD OPT FOR HOME PURCHASE IF THEY WERF GIVEN THE OPTION.
“HOWEVER, ONCE THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENTS’ DEMAND FOR HOME PURCHASE THEREBY INEVITABLY AFFECT THE STRATEGY.
“THEREFORE, WE SHOULD NOTE THAT IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSALS OF THE STRATEGY EFFECTIVELY, CAREFUL PLANNING, CLOSE CO-ORDINATION AMONGST ALL PARTIES CONCERNED AND EFFECTIVE MONITORING ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT QUICK RESPONSES CAN BE MADE TO ANY CHANGES IN THE OBJECTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
/r'NO MATTER.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 25 -
"NO MATTER WHEN WE ARE PLANNING ON THE REDEVELOPMENT, DECIDING ON THE NUMBER OF HOS AND PRH FLATS EVERY YEAR, DEVISING AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT FOR THE LOAN AND QUOTA, OR MONITORING THE TREND AND FLUCTUTATIONS IN THE PROPERTY MARKET AND FLAT PRICES, WE NEED AN EFFECTIVE CO-ORDINATION SYSTEM."
MR CHEUNG SAID ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION MIGHT BE TO DESIGN A BLOCK-TYPE WHICH COULD, BY SLIGHT ADOPTION IN A SHORT TIME, MADE THE BLOCKS SUITABLE FOR HOS OR PRH PURPOSES TO MEET THE CHANGING DEMAND.
HE ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT CONSTANT REVIEWS ON THE ASSUMPTIONS IN BACKING UP THE STRATEGY, CONSIDER VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONALS AND STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING PLANNING MECHANISM.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY AND ALL PROPOSALS ON REDEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION AND THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE AUTHORITY FOR CONSIDERATION AND COMMENTS BEFORE THEY WERE PUT INTO PRACTICE.
--------0 -
NEED TO MONITOR IMPLICATIONS OF HOUSING POLICY t * * * ♦
iirvu ruwNr MON-KWAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT
SATISFY ALL IDENTIFIED DEMANDS AT AN EARLIER DATE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ^TENDED^POLICY, IT WAS NECESSARY FOR GOVERNMENT, IN COLLABORATION tpattons
>PRIVATE SECTOR ^NITOB CWSBLV ITS 1HPLICAT1OJS
ON PROPORTION OF HOUSING MIX, PRIVATE HOUSING MAREE
OF SUPPLY TO MEET DEMAND.
MR CHENG WAS SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT TERM HOUSING STRATEGY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE NEW HOUSING POLICY SEE A GRADUAL REDUCTION AND EVENTUAL REMOVAL OF SUBSIDY," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON LONG
WE WOULD LIKE TO
ALL ELEMENTS OF
PROPERTY PRICES
"GOVERNMENT has the responsibility to stabilise 1 he MARKET AND ENSURE A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF FLATS AT AFFORDABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MEET THE HOUSING POLICE OBJECTIVES, HE ADDED.
CHfeNG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 26 -
MR CHENG SAID HE HAD CONSULTED MEMBERS OF HIS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, IN PARTICULAR THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS AND ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (HONG KONG BRANCH) JOINT WORKING PARTY, AND HAD RECEIVED ADVICE FROM INTERESTED GROUPS ON THE MAIN CHANGES DEVISED IN THE AMENDED STRATEGY.
WHILE REDEVELOPMENT WAS NECESSARY OF THE OLDER ESTATES TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT AND LIVING STANDARDS WITH A BETTER BALANCE IN THE HOUSING MIX, GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENSURE THAT SUCH REDEVELOPMENT WOULD INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FLATS TO ACCOMMODATE A GREAT DEAL MORE HOUSEHOLDS BEARING IN MIND THAT THE DEMAND FOR HOUSING REMAINED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL, MR CHENG SAID.
IN PLANNING ANY REDEVELOPMENT, HE ADDED, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN NOT TO PROVIDE TOO MANY VARIED SIZES OF UNIT SOME OF WHICH HAD PROVED TO BE UNSUITABLE FOR AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD NEED IN RECENT REDEVELOPMENT.
"PAST EXPERIENCE HAS ALERTED THAT IN FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT SHOULD ASSURE QUALITY NOT ONLY IN DESIGN BUT ALSO IN CONSTRUCTION TO AVOID SUCH DEFICIENCIES THAT WOULD REQUIRE YET ANOTHER REDEVELOPMENT AFTER A RELATIVELY SHORT LIFESPAN," HE SAID.
MR CHENG SAID HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF THE INTRODUCTION OF A HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME. HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE SCHEME NOW PROPOSED BY GOVERNMENT WAS NOT AT ALL ATTRACTIVE TO ASSIST MANY POTENTIAL FAMILIES IN OVERCOMING THE PROBLEM OF INITIAL FINANCING.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT THE MAXIMUM LOAN OF $50,000 BE SUITABLY INCREASED AND THAT THE LIMIT OF 10 PER CENT OF THE FLAT PRICE BE DELETED.
FURTHERMORE, MR CHENG DESCRIBED AS MOST UNFAIR A PROPOSAL THAT THE VENDOR WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE GOVERNMENT AN AMOUNT ALLOWED FOR PROFIT TAKEN AT RESALE OF FLATS AS A DISINCENTIVE TO SPECULATION.
HE SAID THE PROPOSAL SHOULD NOT BE APPLICABLE AFTER A TIME LIMIT, SAY A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS, AFTER WHICH IN HIS OPINION, ANY RESALE WOULD BE VERY UNLIKELY TO BE SPECULATIVE.
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 27 -
HK SHOULD BE PROUD OF ITS PUBLIC HOUSING
*****
IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT NOT TO EXPRESS GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOUSING POLICY WHEN A TOTAL OF 2.4 MILLION PEOPLE - OR 45 PER CENT OF OUR POPULATION ARE LIVING IN ACCOMMODATION UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THERE WOULD ALSO BE HALF A MILLION PEOPLE SCHEDULED TO BE ACCOMMODATED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY BY THE END OF THIS DECADE AND LARGE PRODUCTION PROGRAMMES WOULD CONTINUE INTO THE 1990'S AS WELL.
"THIS IS A RECORD WHICH WE IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE PROUD OF," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE AGREED THAT TOP PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING FOR ALL QUALIFYING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN NEED OF SUCH HOUSING.
"THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S POLICY STATEMENT STATES THAT OUTSTANDING DEMAND FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING FROM CLEARANCE, REDEVELOPMENT OF NON-SELF-CONTAINED PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING FLATS, AND FROM THE WAITING LIST WILL HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY MET BY 1996 OR 1997.
"I AM PREPARED TO ACCEPT SUCH ESTIMATE PROVIDED THAT THE BOUSING AUTHORITY REVIEWS THE SITUATION ON AN ANNUAL ROLL-FORWARD BASIS, WITH A CAREFUL MONITORING OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR FROM YEAR TO YEAR IN THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF HOUSING TO ENSURE THERE IS GOOD CO-ORDINATION ALL ROUND.”
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE MAIN THRUST WOULD HAVE TO REMAIN WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SINCE THE (OST OF LAND WAS FREE.
"THE STRESS SHOULD BE IMPROVED QUALITY, MORE UNITS, GOOD TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SUPPORTED THE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS PROPOSED IN THE STRATEGY PAPER ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT PRIORITY BE GIVEN TO REDEVELOPING THOSE ESTATES WHICH COULD BE MORE FULLY DEVELOPED AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION FOR AN INCREASED NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
"ANOTHER CATEGORY WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD BE GIVEN GREATER PRIORITY IS THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, WHICH INTERLOCKS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
"I WOULD URGE THAT THIS SCHEME BE REVIEWED REGULXRLY TO ENSURE THAT EXPANSION CAN MEET THE DEMAND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE AND BUILD UP \ SOLID SENSE OF COMMITMENT AND OF IDENTITY TO HONG KONG."
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 198?
- 28 -
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE AMOUNT COULD BE INCREASED TO 15 PER CENT INTEREST FREE ON THE FLAT PRICE.
”I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SCHEME WILL START WITH AN INITIAL QUOTA OF 2,000 LOANS IN ORDER TO ALLOW PRIVATE DEVELOPERS SUFFICIENT TIME TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTION.
HE URGED THAT THE SCHEME BE EXTENDED IN DUE COURSE TO WAITING LIST APPLICANTS AS WELL AS TO SANDWICH CLASS FAMILIES WHOSE INCOME WERE JUST ABOVE THE ACCEPTED LIMITS.
’IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE MORE HOME OWNERSHIP, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD BE URGED TO GRANT TAX EXEMPTION TO PERMANENT KONG KONG RESIDENTS ON THEIR ANNUAL MORTGAGE PAYMENTS.”
MR CHEONG-LEEN ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE STANDARDS FOR HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME ACCOMMODATION WERE COMPARABLE TO WHAT WERE ACCEPTED UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
HE FURTHER PROPOSED THAT WITH THE SETTING UP OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN THE URBAN AREA, A COMPARATIVELY LIMITED NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS BE BUILT EITHER BY THE HOUSING SOCIETY OR EVEN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AT A LATER DATE, DEPENDING ON THE SUITABLE SITES THAT COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE .
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF THE SANDWICH CLASS OR MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES BEING ABLE TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES ON TERMS THAT THEY COULD AFFORD.
’’BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF OUR POPULATION MAY BE ACTIVELY CONSIDERING TO EMIGRATE TO OTHER COUNTRIES, AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE PUBLIC POLICY TO ENCOURAGE OUR MIDDLE CLASS, MANY OF WHOM ARE IN THE PROFESSIONAL, MANAGERIAL AND TECHNICAL GROUPS, TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG AND TO PUT THEIR FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS A CHALLENGING DYNAMIC INTERNATIONAL CITY WITH MUCH PROMISE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN," HE SAID.
"HOME OWNERSHIP ON TERMS THAT THEY CAN AFFORD WILL BE AN ADDED INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO DO JUST THAT, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE NOW SEEM TO BE RUNNING INTO A PERIOD OF HIGH RENTS IN PRIVATE SECTOR ACCOMMODATION."
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 29 -
SHORTFALLS IN HOUSING STRATEGY IDENTIFIED * * * * »
THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY REPRESENTS A RESPONSIVE STEP TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO MEET CHANGING HOUSING NEEDS IN HONG KONG IN THE LIGHT OF DWINDLING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING (PRH) UNITS, THE HON Y.F. HUI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE, MR HUI SAID THERE WERE, HOWEVER, TWO SHORTFALLS IN THE STRATEGY.
"FIRST, THE ADOPTION OF THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME (HPLS) INSTEAD OF PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS) AS THE LEAD STRATEGY; AND SECOND, THE EXCLUSION OF THE HOUSING NEEDS OF THE SANDWICH CLASS, FOR WHICH REASON THE DOCUMENT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATELY ENTITLED LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY FOR THE LOWER INCOME GROUP," MR HUI SAID.
MR HUI SAID ALTHOUGH THE HPLS OFFERED A BETTER CHOICE OF ACCOMMODATION TO THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD TO BUY THEIR OWN FLATS, INCREASED DEMAND FOR HOME PURCHASE WOULD EASILY INFLATE THE PRICES OF PRIVATE FLATS, WHICH WOULD IN TURN PUSH UP THE COST OF LIVING.
"IF THE LOAN OF HK$50,000 IS THE CARROT, THEN THE ENVISAGED RISING MORTGAGE PAYMENTS WILL BE THE STICK THAT BLUDGEONS THE HOME BUYERS INTO BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE PROPERTY MARKET," HE SAID.
"INDEED, IF INTEREST RATE SPIRALLED FROM ITS PRESENT LEVEL, THOSE HPLS PURCHASERS WHO ARE FORMER PRH TENANTS WOULD BE HELPING GOVERNMENT TO BUY ITS PRH FLATS BY PAYING PRIVATE DEVELOPERS HIGHER FLAT PRICES."
MR HUI SAID ALTHOUGH THE LOAN SCHEME AIMED AT ASSISTING THE LOWER INCOME GROUP TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES, IT IN FACT BENEFITTED THE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS BY WAY OF INCREASED LAND SALES, BOOSTED BANKING BUSINESS, AND INVIGORATED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES -- WHICH ALTOGETHER HELPED TO READJUST THE PROPERTY MARKET.
"FOR THIS REASON, I MUST DEMUR TO THE SCHEME THAT PROTECTS THE INTEREST OF THE RICH AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LOWER INCOME PEOPLE IN OUR MIDST."
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID THE PSPS CARRIED ALL THE MERITS OF THE LOAN SCHEME WITHOUT THE LATTER’S DEFECTS. "THE PSPS NOT ONLY REAPS FOR GOVERNMENT LAND PREMIUM PLUS INTEREST FROM PRIVATE DEVELOPERS; BUT LIKE THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS), ALSO GENERATES REGULAR PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF FLATS."
"WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS FINANCING AND BUILDING FLATS TO GOVERNMENT’S SPECIFICATIONS, THE ONLY COST GOVERNMENT HAS TO BEAR IS ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
"SINCE PSPS FLATS ARE READILY CONVERTIBLE BACK TO PRH UNITS WHEN DEMAND AND SUPPLY SITUATION REQUIRES, THE SCHEME OFFERS A MOST IDEAL STRATEGY FOR GOVERNMENT TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR HOME PURCHASE WITH MINIMUM FINANCIAL COMMITMENT ON ITS PART.
HE SAID IF GOVERNMENT WAS ANXIOUS TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR HOME PURCHASE, THEN IT HAD TO INCREASE ITS COMMITMENT IN TERMS OF LAND, MONEY AND STAFF RESOURCES FOR BUILDING MORE HOS AND PSPS FLATS.
"FURTHERMORE, IT SHOULD CONSIDER CONSTRUCTING DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOW COST HOUSING UNITS SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF LOW INCOME HOME BUYERS.
"WHILE STRONGLY DISAGREEING WITH GOVERNMENT’S INTERVENTION IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, I WISH TO POINT OUT THAT THE HPLS OUGHT TO BE PURSUED AS A SUPPORTING STRATEGY TO SATISFY THE DEMAND LEFT UNSATISFIED BY HOS/PSPS FLATS PRODUCTION.
"IN THIS RESPECT, A CORRECT BALANCE BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING PRODUCTION SHOULD BE KEPT CONSTANTLY UNDER REVIEW IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY SITUATION; AND IF NECESSARY, A LIMIT ON THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OF FLAT PRICES SHOULD BE IMPOSED.
MR HUI ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS EVERY REASON TO BELEIVE THAT GOVERNMENT MIGHT HAVE OVER-ESTIMATED THE DEMAND FOR HOME PURCHASE AMONG ITS PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WHOSE INCOME AND LIVING STANDARD COULD HARDLY QUALIFY THEM FOR HPLS FLATS.
"THE FACT THAT SOME 45 PER CENT OF PRH TENANTS IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE EXCEEDED THE WAITING LIST INCOME LIMIT CANNOT BE EQUATED WITH THE NUMBER OF HOME PURCHASERS; SINCE MANY OF THEM WOULD CHOOSE TO STAY IN PRH UNITS WITH IMPROVED AMENITIES."
HE SAID RATHER THAN PROVIDING THESE PEOPLE WITH A DOUBLE SUBSIDY THROUGH THE LOAN SCHEME, ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO PRIVATE HOUSING TENANTS WHO DID NOT QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
/"THIS MARGINAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
’’THIS MARGINAL GROUP, I.E. PEOPLE WITH A MONTHLY INCOME IN THE HK$8,500 - HK$12,000 BRACKET ARE PAYING HIGH RENTS FOR SUB-STANDARD ACCOMMODATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SOME OF THEM SHARING FLATS WITH OTHER FAMILIES, WHILE MANY HAVING BEEN ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING WAITING LIST FOR MANY YEARS.
"THEIR HOUSING PROBLEM IS AGGRAVATED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LOAN SCHEME --- IN FACT, ANOTHER REASON WHY I OPPOSE TO THE HPLS LEAD STRATEGY IS THE REPURCUSSIONS INCREASED FLAT PRICES MAY HAVE ON THE SANDWICH CLASS.
"AT THE MOMENT, ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF FAMILIES BELONGING TO THE SANDWICH CLASS WERE STAYING IN HOS UNITS AND ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF SUBSIDISED HOME PURCHASE," HE SAID.
"TO ACTIVELY ASSIST OTHER FAMILIES IN THIS GROUP, GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXERCISE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN WORKING OUT THE PROPORTION BETWEEN PRH UNITS AND HOS/PSPS FLATS IN ORDER TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR THE LATTER AMONG THE SANDWICH CLASS."
MR HUI SAID THAT BEARING IN MIND THE INCOME LEVEL OF THE SANDWICH CLASS, AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE LOAN SCHEME WOULD BE GRANTING THEM TAX ALLOWANCE ON HOME PURCHASE DOWN PAYMENTS TO BE CLAIMED OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
"AT THE SAME TIME, GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER GIVING FURTHER TAX ALLOWANCE TO THE SANDWICH CLASS TO COVER THEIR ANNUAL MORTGAGE PAYMENTS --- A POLICY WHICH IS BEING PRACTISED IN THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES."
MR HUI SAID THE LAUNCHING OF THE HOS IN 1977 SHOWED GOVERNMENT’S SENSITIVE RESPONSE TOWARDS CHANGING HOUSING NEEDS -------- GOVERNMENT NOT ONLY SUBSIDISED THE POOR THROUGH ITS PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, BUT ALSO WENT BEYOND PULBIC HOUSING TO CATER FOR HOME PURCHASE NEED NOT MET BY PRIVATE HOUSING.
"THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, HOWEVER, TEND TO TAKE A RETROGRESSIVE STEP. BY ADOPTING THE PRIVATE SECTOR LEAD STRATEGY, IT IS TURNING A SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICE INTO AN INVESTMENT-ORIENTED PROJECT THAT BENEFITS PRIVATE DEVELOPERS."
"ONLY BY INCREASING ITS COMMITMENT IN THE PRODUCTION OF HOS/PSPS FLATS AND ASSISTING QUALIFIED HOME PURCHASERS IN THE MIDDLE-LOWER INCOME GROUP TO BUY THOSE FLATS CAN GOVERNMENT MEASURE UP TO ITS LAUDABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN HOUSING --------- ABOUT THE ONLY SUBSTANTIAL WELFARE SCHEME HONG KONG HAS FOR OUR PEOPLE," HE ADDED.
/52........
!
i WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 52
PRIORITY FOR WAITING LIST APPLICANTS
*****
PRIORITY IN THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING MUST BE GIVEN TO THOSE ON THE WAITING LIST AND THOSE AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE, THE HON HU FA-KUANG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WHEN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD BASICALLY RESOLVED HOUSING NEEDS FROM THESE TWO CATEGORIES, ATTENTION COULD THEN BE GIVEN TO THOSE LIVING IN OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHICH REQUIRED ADDITIONAL 125,000 UNITS, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, MR HU SAID REDEVELOPMENT OF OLDER ESTATES WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIVING CONDITIONS, BUT REDEVELOPED ESTATES, DUE TO ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION COST, WOULD ALSO MEAN CONSIDERABLY HIGHER RENT FOR TENANTS.
MEANWHILE, ADDITIONAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHARGES FOR OLDER ESTATES WOULD HAVE COMPARATIVELY LESS EFFECT ON RENTAL CHARGE, HE SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD KEEP A RANGE OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING ESTATES WITH DIFFERENT RENTAL CHARGES DEPENDING ON THE STANDARD OF LIVING CONDITIONS AND SUPPORTING FACILITIES FOR THE APPLICANTS OR TENANTS TO CHOOSE," HE ADVISED.
"WE HAVE TO KEEP SOME OLDER LOW COST LOW RENT HOUSING ESTATES ESPECIALLY FOR THF LOWER-INCOME GROUP.
"THIS APPLIES PARTICULARLY TO HOUSING ESTATES WHICH HAVE BEEN FULLY DEVELOPED AND REDEVELOPMENT COULD NOT PRODUCE ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION," HE SAID.
MR HU SAID TENANTS IN THESE OLDER HOUSING ESTATES COULD MOVE TO EITHER NEWER ESTATES WITH HIGHER RENT OR PURCHASE HOS/PSPS FLATS OR FLATS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR IF THEY COULD AFFORD THE REMOVAL FINANCIALLY.
♦.
THE VACATED UNITS COULD THEN BE ALLOCATED TO APPLICANTS OR TENANTS WHO PREFERRED LOWER RENTAL PAYMENT.
HE SAID: "REDEVELOPMENT OF OLDER HOUSING ESTATES CAN BE CONSIDERED IF REDEVELOPMENT CAN PRODUCE ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION WHICH WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO THE WAITING LIST APPLICANTS.
"OLDER HOUSING ESTATES NOT TO BE REDEVELOPED MAY HAVE LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING LIVING CONDITIONS, BUT WITHOUT SERIOUS EFFECT ON RENTAL CHARGE."
/MH HU
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 33 -
MR HU CAUTIONED THAT REDEVELOPMENT OF OLDER HOUSING ESTATES SHOULD NOT SERIOUSLY DISTURB THE LIFE OF AFFECTED TENANTS WHO WOULD PREFER TO BE RE-SETTLED IN A NEARBY AREA FOR REASONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND PROXIMITY TO SCHOOLS.
MR HU ADDED THAT IN
HOUSING STRATEGY PAPER WHICH
HOUSING POLICY BUT WITH FLEXIBILITY TO COPE WITH THE
UTILISATION OF RESOURCES FROM
PRINCIPLE HE SUPPORTED
WAS A
ADDITIONAL CHANGING
CONTINUATION
REFINEMENT
THE OF THE
COUPLED
LONG TERM
ALL SOURCES.
SITUATION AIMING AT
PRESENT • WITH MAXIMUM
-------0----------
IMPROVEMENTS TO LOAN SCHEME PROPOSED ♦ * * * *
DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME AS A STRATEGY TO PROMOTE HOME OWNERSHIP AND TO BROADEN THE CHOICE OF HOME PURCHASE WAS WORTHY OF SUPPORT.
HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO MAKE THE STRATEGY WORK MORE EFFECTIVELY, HE SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS IN THREE AREAS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION’S CONSIDERATION.
SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, DR HO SAID FIRSTLY, HOME OWNERSHIP SHOULD BE MADE MORE EASILY AFFORDABLE BY RELAXING SOME OF THE TERMS OF THE LOAN SCHEME.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION MUST CONSIDER TO INCREASE THE INTEREST-FREE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SUBSTANTIALLY TO A LEVEL ENOUGH TO COVER OTHER NECESSARY ITEMS OF EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH HOME PURCHASE, SUCH AS LEGAL FEES, STAMP DUTY, FIRE INSURANCE PREMIUM AND DECORATION.
THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE HOME BUYER WOULD BE REDUCED, IF THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED TO MAKE MORTGAGE REPAYMENTS TAX-EXEMPTED, HE NOTED.
FURTHERMORE, IF THE LOAN WAS ONLY SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM AMOUNT WITHOUT THE 10 PER CENT OF THE FLAT PRICE RESTRICTION, THE ARRANGEMENT WOULD INEVITABLY RENDER THE MONTHLY MORTGAGE REPAYMENTS LESS ONEROUS FOR THE LOAN RECIPIENTS, HE ADDED.
SECONDLY, DR HO SAID THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE PRIVATE SECTOR TENANTS AND WAITING-LIST APPLICANTS WHO MET THE INCOME CRITERIA FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, AND THAT THE INITIAL 2,000 LOANS SHOULD BE DOUBLED TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOME PURCHASE.
/IN ORDER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
IN ORDER NOT TO MAKE AN UNDUE IMPACT ON THE PROPERTY MARKET, IT HAD BEEN ARGUED THAT PRIVATE SECTOR FLATS CONSTRUCTED IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR THE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME, HE SAID.
"A 5-YEAR LIMIT IS SUGGESTED BECAUSE SUCH A FLAT IS NORMALLY CAPABLE OF SECURING A MORTGAGE LOAN WORTHY OF 90 PER CENT OF ITS VALUE,” HE EXPLAINED.
FINALLY, DR HO SAID THE ADMINISTRATION MUST CONSIDER AND PUBLISH A CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR THOSE LOAN RECIPIENTS WHO WERE UNABLE TO FULFIL THEIR MORTGAGE REPAYMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR REASONS BEYOND THEIR ANTICIPATION AND CONTROL.
’’PERHAPS, THEY MIGHT BE ALLOWED TO MOVE BACK TO A PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING UNIT, IF THEY STILL MEET THE INCOME CRITERIA,” HE SAID.
- - 0
NO PROSECUTION AGAINST MAGAZINE AND NEWSPAPER INTENDED » * * » ♦
NO INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN, OR IS BEING INSTITUTED, IN RELATION TO THE PUBLICATIONS OF TWO STATEMENTS RECENTLY A MAGAZINE AND A NEWSPAPER, ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHEAL THOMAS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR THOMAS WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE WHETHER PROSECUTIONS WOULD BE INSTITUTED UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO THE PUBLICATION BY THE OUTLOOK MAGAZINE OF A STATEMENT ATTRIBUTED TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE, MR LI HOU AND THE PUBLICATION BY THE HONG KONG STANDARD OF CERTAIN STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO A FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN.
"NOR CAN I SEE ANY PROSPECT OF A PROSECUTION UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE IN THE LIGHT OF THE FACTS DISCLOSED BY THE QUESTION,” HE ADDED.
"WHEN THE BILL WAS DEBATED LAST MARCH, THIS COUNCIL SUPPORTED THIS SECTION ON THE BASIS THAT IT WAS DIRECTED AT THE IRRESPONSIBLE PUBLICATION OF BLATANT FALSEHOODS AND WOULD BE USED ONLY AS A MEASURE OF LAST RESORT,” HE SAID.
"THERE IS NOTHING IN THE QUESTION TO SUGGEST THAT THESE CASES COME ANYWHERE NEAR THE INTENDED SCOPE OF THIS OFFENCE,” HE SAID.
"INDEED, I AM RATHER SURPRISED THAT MR LEE SHOULD BE SUGGESTING THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO USING SECTION 27 IN SUCH CASES," HE ADDED.
- 0 -
,/35
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 55 -
MORE STRINGENT MEASURES TO
CURB EMPLOYMENT OF Il’S
* * * ♦ *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING MORE STRINGENT MEASURES TO CURB THE EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JEAFFRESON NOTED THAT THE NEW MEASURES "WILL PROBABLY INCLUDE REFINEMENTS TO POLICE PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH SUCH CASES AND AMENDMENTS TO THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE TO TIGHTEN UP THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS TO KEEP PROPER RECORDS AND TO CHECK THE VALIDITY OF IDENTITY DOCUMENTS PRESENTED BY NEW EMPLOYEES.”
HE POINTED OUT THAT FROM JANUARY 1985 TO JUNE THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 251 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE CAUGHT BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WORKING IN HONG KONG. OF THESE, 55 WERE INTERCEPTED IN 1985, 122 IN 1986 AND 74 IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1987.
’’MANY MORE HAVE BEEN CAUGHT BY THE POLICE IN RAIDS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND OTHER PREMISES, OFTEN IN THE COURSE OF OTHER INVESTIGATIONS. THE POLICE HAVE NOT BEEN KEEPING CONSOLIDATED RECORDS UNTIL THIS YEAR BUT SINCE JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, THEY HAVE FOUND 309 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AS A RESULT OF 93 RAIDS UP TO JULY 6,” HE ADDED.
MR JEAFFRESON WENT ON TO SAY THAT 79 LOCAL EMPLOYERS WERE
PROSECUTED FOR EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. OF THESE, 15 WERE PROSECUTED IN 1985, 33 IN 1986 AND 31 IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT INITIATED A TOTAL OF 57 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST EMPLOYERS WHO FAILED TO PRODUCE OR PROPERLY MAINTAIN RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES. FIFTY-THREE OF THE EMPLOYERS WERE CONVICTED.
------0-------
UNIVERSITIES FREE TO DECIDE OWN CURRICULA ♦ * * » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY DOES NOT SEEK TO DETERMINE OR INFLUENCE THE CONTENTS OF CURRICULA IN INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHELANGELO PAGLIARI, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON THE PROVISION OF DEGREE AND SUB-DEGREE PLACES AT THE INSTITUTIONS OF TERTIARY EDUCATION WHICH SOUGHT TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND ALSO TO PROVIDE TRAINED MANPOWER TN SPECIFIC AREAS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
/He said .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
HE SAID THAT THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS MADE THEIR ACADEMIC PROPOSALS TO THE UPGC ON A TRIENNIAL BASIS AND THE UPGC SCRUTINISED THESE TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT TARGET NUMBERS SET BY THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND WITH THE PLANNED EXPANSION OF FACILITIES AT THE INSTITUTIONS.
HE NOTED THAT THE UPGC ALSO ASSESSED THE FUNDING REQUIREMENT OF THESE ACADEMIC PROPOSALS AND SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT PROGRAMMES WERE PROVIDED IN THE MOST ECONOMICAL MANNER AND THAT DUPLICATION WAS AVOIDED.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN THE INTERIM REPORT FOR THE 1985-88 TRIENNIUM, WHICH WAS LAID BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON MARCH 25 THIS YEAR, THE UPGC STATED THAT IT HAD BEEN NOTIFIED BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG OF THE RECENT PROPOSAL BY THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY TO EXTEND THE CURRICULUM FOR DEGREE COURSES AT THE INSTITUTION FROM THREE YEARS TO FOUR YEARS AND OF THE SUBSEQUENT ESTABLISHMENT OF A SENATE WORKING PARTY TO ASCERTAIN THE ACADEMIC AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS PROPOSAL.
IT WENT ON TO SAY THAT WHEN FORMAL PROPOSALS WERE SUBMITTED, THE COMMITTED WOULD EXAMINE THEM CAREFULLY, WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE IMPACT ON THE UNIVERSITY, ON THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND ON THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT THE COMMITTEE’S CONSIDERATION WOULD INCLUDE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR FUNDING AND FOR STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR, BEARING IN MIND COMPETING DEMANDS FOR LIMITED RESOURCES.
MOREOVER, ACADEMIC PROPOSALS FOR THE 1988-91 TRIENNIUM WERE CONSIDERED IN DEPTH BY THE UPGC EARLIER THIS YEAR AND BLOCK GRANT PROPOSALS BASED ON THEM WERE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF COMPLETION.
’’THE EFFECT OF ANY RESTRUCTURING PROPOSALS FROM THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WHEN AND IF THEY ARE MADE, WOULD THEREFORE NOT BE FELT UNTIL THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1991-1992 AT THE EARLIEST,” HE SAID.
’’THE UPGC WILL EXAMINE THE PROPOSALS IN DETAIL TO CONSIDER, IN PARTICULAR, THEIR EFFECTS ON FUNDING AND ON STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS AND WHETHER THESE EFFECTS ARE JUSTIFIED BEFORE ANY SUCH CHANGES TAKE PLACE,” HE ADDED.
MR PAGLIARI POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS HAD TO BE AWARE THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS CURRENTLY EMBARKED ON A STUDY OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON SIXTH-FORM EDUCATION.
’’THE UPGC WILL NO DOUBT TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN COMING TO ITS CONCLUSIONS,” HE SAID, "THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL ALSO REQUIRE TO BE CONSULTED SHOULD THE UPGC’S CONCLUSIONS HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THF. STRUCTURE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION.”
HE ADDED THAT THE VERY SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS OF ANY RESTRUCTURING PROPOSAL BY THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FOR STUDENT NUMBERS, FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG, FOR THE FINANCING OF EDUCATION AND FOR THE STRUCTURE AND QUALITY OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED.
-------0--------- /?7...................
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 37 -
GOVERNMENT PROVIDES REQUISITE * t » *
FACILITIES FOR TOURISM
*
THE GOVERNMENT TRIES TO ENSURE THE PROVISION OF THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET THE TOURIST INDUSTRY’S NEEDS, ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT INVOLVE ITSELF DIRECTLY IN THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN YAXLEY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EITHER PROVIDE THE REQUISITE FACILITIES ITSELF, SUCH AS HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, OR ENABLE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DO SO, SUCH AS THE AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL HOTEL SITES, HE EXPLAINED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN,MR YAXLEY SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OBJECTIVES FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG WERE IN EFFECT, THOSE LAID DOWN UPON THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION IN PARAGRAPHS (A) TO (E) OF SECTION 4 OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION ORDINANCE, NAMELY:
» TO ENDEAVOUR TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO HONG KONG;
* TO FURTHER THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS A TOURIST DESTINATION;
* TO PROMOTE THE IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES FOR VISITORS;
» TO SECURE OVERSEAS PUBLICITY FOR THE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF HONG KONG; AND
* TO CO-ORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES OF PERSONS PROVIDING SERVICES FOR VISITORS TO HONG KONG.
"THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES MAINLY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION WHICH IS A STATUTORY CORPORATION WHOSE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT CONSISTS OF INDIVIDUALS FROM THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE INDUSTRY, MR YAXLEY ADDED.
/38........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICES SYSTEM WORKS WELL *****
THE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICES SYSTEM, WITH OPERATING HOURS ADJUSTED TO REFLECT PUBLIC DEMAND, IS THAT DIVISIONAL COMMANDERS HAVE MORE MEN AVAILABLE FOR BEAT PATROL AND CAN DEPLOY THEM WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JEAFFRESON SAID A REVIEW COMPLETED IN 1985 ON THE SCHEME REVEALED THAT, THROUGH MORE EFFICIENT DEPLOYMENT OF MEN AND RESOURCES, THE NEW SCHEME HAD ENHANCED THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICE FORCE IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
COVERAGE OF THE FORMER NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNIT AREAS, IN WHICH THE UNITS WERE MANNED 24 HOURS A DAY, HAD NOT DECREASED AND PUBLIC CRITICISM OF THE NEW NEIGHBOUR POLICE OFFICES SYSTEM HAD BEEN SLIGHT, HE ADDED.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT WITH THE INSTALLATION OF EXTERNAL DIRECT-LINE TELEPHONES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD NOW COMMUNICATE IMMEDIATELY WITH POLICE EVEN IF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICE WAS UNATTENDED.
THE CONTROL CENTRE COULD THEN, AS NECESSARY, CO-ORDINATE A QUICK RESPONSE FROM THE POLICEMEN PATROLLING IN THE VICINITY, USING THE BEAT RADIO SYSTEM, HE SAID.
TO STRENGTHEN CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE CO-ORDINATORS, ALL SERGEANTS, TO AROUND 140 FROM THE PRESENT 82.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID A SECOND REVIEW OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE SCHEME WAS NEARLY COMPLETE AFTER SUGGESTIONS BY SOME DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES THAT ANOTHER LOOK SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE SCHEME.
BUT MR JEAFFRESON SAID IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WOULD BE RECOMMENDED GIVEN THE FAVOURABLE FINDINGS OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICES SCHEME.
- - 0 -
/39
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 59 -
PROTECTION OF WORKERS IN RELOCATION OF WORK PLACE ADEQUATE
» ♦ ♦ * ♦
AN EMPLOYEE WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTIVELY DISMISSED AND BE ENTITLED TO SEVERANCE PAY IF THE CHANGING OF THE PLACE OF WORK ANYWHERE WITHIN THE TERRITORY CAUSES SO MUCH HARDSHIP AS TO MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO CONTINUE WITH THE EMPLOYMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON MICHELANGELO PAGLIARI, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
MR PAGLIARI CITED SECTION 31B(2)(C) OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, WHICH SAID THAT EMPLOYEES WOULD BE REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN DISMISSED BY REASON OF REDUNDANCY AND BE ENTITLED TO SEVERANCE PAY IF”THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT BUSINESS FOR EMPLOYEES TO CARRY OUT WORK OF A PARTICULAR KIND IN THE PLACE WHERE THE EMPLOYEE WAS SO EMPLOYED HAVE CEASED OR DIMINISHED OR ARE EXPECTED TO CEASE OR DIMINISH”.
HE SAID ADEQUATE PROTECTION WAS THEREFORE AVAILABLE TO THE EMPLOYEES IN QUESTION.
-------0 ---------
FLEXIBILITY NEEDED
IN DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS
♦ » » » ♦
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE CRIMINAL LAW, THERE WERE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT AGES AT WHICH YOUNG PERSONS WERE HELD BOTH TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS AND TO REQUIRE PROTECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THESE AGES WILL VARY ACCORDING TO THE DIFFERING CONCEPTS AND CRITERIA WHICH THE UNDERLYING POLICY ADOPTS TO ACHIEVE ITS DISPARATE AIMS," HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS ROSANNA TAM, MR THOMAS SAID HE COULD WELL UNDERSTAND THE FACT THAT THE WORD "JUVENILE" WHICH WAS DEFINED TO MEAN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS IN DIFFERENT ORDINANCES, COULD BE CONFUSING.
BUT HE SAID THIS APPROACH BEST ENABLED THE CRIMINAL LAW TO DEAL JUSTLY WITH THE WIDE VARIETY OF OFFENCES AND SITUATIONS INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE.
FOR EXAMPLE, A CHILD UNDER SEVEN WAS NOT CAPABLE OF COMMITTING AN OFFENCE AT ALL AND A PERSON BETWEEN THE AGES OF SEVEN AND 14 WAS PRESUMED NOT TO HAVE FORMED THE NECESSARY INTENT TO COMMIT AN OFFENCE, HE ADDED.
/MR THOMAS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8t 198?
40
MR THOMAS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT DIFFERENT PENALTIES WERE IMPOSED ON PERSONS CONVICTED OF SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG PERSONS, ACCORDING TO THE AGE OF THOSE YOUNG PERSONS.
THUS, HE SAID UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH A GIRL UNDER 13 ATTRACTED A PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT WHEREAS UNLAWFUL INTERCOURSE WITH A GIRL AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 16 ATTRACTED A PENALTY OF FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT. "THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE IS, OF COURSE, TO GIVE A GREATER DEGREE OF PROTECTION TO A GIRL UNDER 13," HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT IT WOULD BE WISE TO MAINTAIN THIS EXISTING APPROACH, EVEN AT THE RISK OF CAUSING SOME CONFUSION.
-------0---------
MAJOR COURTESY CAMPAIGN BEING CONSIDERED * * t ♦ i
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER HOLDING A TERRITORY-WIDE COURTESY CAMPAIGN AS PART OF ITS 1988-89 PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON T.H. CHAU. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HILTON CHAU SAID APART FROM THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND ASPECTS OF SUCH A CAMPAIGN, THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL PROMOTING COURTESY AS AN END IN ITSELF.
CHEONG-LEEN, MR
CIVIC EDUCATION TO BE SAID FOR
"I DO NOT MEAN TO PASS ANY JUDGMENT ON THE COURTEOUSNESS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG”, HE SAID.
"THE POINT IS RATHER THAT, HOWEVER COURTEOUS WE MAY ALREADY THERE MUST ALWAYS BE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT,” HE ADDED.
BE,
MR CHAU SAID AS FUNDS FOR THE 1987-88 PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS HAD ALL BEEN ALLOCATED, CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING YEAR’S PROGRAMME.
AS REGARDS MAKING IT AN ANNUAL EVENT, MR CHAU SAID: ”1 WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE HAD THE FIRST ONE BEFORE CONSIDERING WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE SUBSEQUENT ONES.”
-------0---------
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
41
RENTS TO BE DECONTROLLED IN FOUR YEARS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO ACHIEVE ITS LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE OF ELIMINATING RENT CONTROL IN FOUR YEARS, BUT IN THE MEANTIME TENANTS OF POST-WAR PREMISES WOULD BE PROTECTED FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS WHILE RENTS FOR PRE-WAR TENANCIES WOULD EE BROUGHT IN LINE TO MARKET LEVELS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON T.H. CHAU TCLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) RESOLUTION 1987, MR CHAU SAID THE PROPOSALS SOUGHT TO RAISE THE RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES TO MORE REALISTIC LEVELS AND AT THE SAME TIME EXTEND FOR TWO YEARS, THE DUAL PROTECTION OF RENT CONTROL AND SECURITY OF TENURE TO TENANTS OF POST-WAR PREMISES.
RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES COVERED IN PART ONE OF THE ORDINANCE WERE DERIVED FROM A STANDARD RENT AS AT DECEMBER 25, 1941. THE CURRENT PERMITTED RENT WAS SET AT 30 TIMES THIS LEVEL, AND THIS WOULD BE INCREASED TO 35 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT UNDER THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION, MR CHAU SAID.
"THIS WOULD BRING THE AVERAGE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR PREMISES UP TO 70 PER CENT OF THE MARKET LEVEL, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF ABOUT $190 PER MONTH, OR 17 PER CENT, ON CURRENT PERMITTED RENTS AFFECTING 1,860 DOMESTIC PREMISES," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID THE RESOLUTION ALSO PROPOSED A FURTHER EXTENSION OF TWO YEARS TO THE LIFE OF PART TWO OF THE ORDINANCE, FROM DECEMBER 19, 1987 TO DECEMBER 18, 1989, WHICH PROVIDED THE DUAL PROTECTION OF RENT CONTROL AND SECURITY OF TENURE TO 90,000 POST-WAR TENANCIES PLUS AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF SUB-TENANCIES AFFECTING ABOUT 180,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR SOME 650,000 PEOPLE.
"THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED RENTS FOR THESE TENANCIES NOW STAND AT ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
"FOR ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THESE TENANCIES, HOWEVER, THE RATIO IS BELOW THIS OVERALL AVERAGE AND FOR ABOUT TWO-FIFTHS, THE RENTS ARE LESS THAN 60 PER CENT OF MARKET RENTS.
"IF PART TWO IS ALLOWED TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 18 THIS YEAR, TENANTS CONCERNED WILL FACE, ON AVERAGE, AN IMMEDIATE RENT INCREASE OF MORE THAN 40 PER CENT AND A LARGE NUMBER WILL HAVE THEIR RENTS NEARLY DOUBLED," MR CHAU SAID.
THE LIKELY HARDSHIP AND DISLOCATION WOULD BE SERIOUS AND SOCIALLY DISRUPTIVE, HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID THIS SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE PERMITTED A MAXIMUM BIENNIAL INCREASE OF 30 PER CENT CN CURRENT RENT, PROVIDED THAT THE NEW RENT DID NOT EXCEED PREVAILING MARKET LEVELS.
/"THIS WILL
WEDNESDAY
JULY 8, 1987
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’’THIS WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF BRINGING RENTS FOR PART TWO TENANCIES PROGRESSIVELY CLOSER TO PREVAILING MARKET RENTS,” HE SAID.
"THE CURRENT PROPERTY AND RENTAL MARKET IS STABLE AND THIS IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE BECAUSE OF THE AMPLE SUPPLY OF NEW FLATS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS,” HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROL IN ABOUT FOUR YEARS, EVEN IF NO INCREASE WAS MADE THIS YEAR IN THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT IN THE RENT INCREASE MECHANISM FOR PART TWO TENANCIES.
"THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT FOUR YEARS IS A REASONABLE PERIOD IN WHICH TO ACHIEVE THE AIM OF ELIMINATING RENT CONTROL AND, THEREFORE, PROPOSES THAT THE LIFE OF PART TWO OF THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS IN THIS INSTANCE, SUBJECT TO A FURTHER REVIEW,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID IN REVIEWING THE WORKING OF THE ORDINANCE ANNAULLY, GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE STATE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET AND THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES BEFORE PROPOSING CHANGES TO THE LAW.
"THE PUBLIC CAN BE RE-ASSURED THAT ANY FURTHER STEPS TOWARDS DECONTROL WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THE SITUATION AT THE TIME AND WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OF THE NEEDS OF BOTH TENANTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS," MR CHAU SAID.
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FUEL DUTY REFUND TO KCRC FOR BUS OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ * » *
A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) TO GET A REFUND OF FUEL DUTY FOR ITS BUS OPERATION IN THE NORTHWEST TRANSIT SERVICE AREA WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING A MOTION TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE TO THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, NOTED THAT THE EXISTING POLICY ALLOWED THE DUTY ON LIGHT DIESEL OIL USED IN VEHICLES OWNED AND OPERATED BY FRANCHISED BUS OPERATORS TO BE REFUNDED AT A RATE OF $0.65 PER LITRE.
IN THE NORTHWEST TRANSIT SERVICE AREA, THE KCRC WILL OPERATE THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AND A NETWORK OF FEEDER BUS SERVICES TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR INTERNAL TRAVEL, REPLACING EXISTING FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES IN THAT PART OF THE TERRITORY.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT THE CURRENT FACILITY FOR REFUND OF FUEL DUTY BE EXTENDED TO THE BUS OPERATION OF THE KCRC IN THE NORTHWEST TRANSIT SERVICE AREA," SAID MR LEUNG.
UNDER SECTION 4(2)(B) OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 109), LEGCO MAY BY RESOLUTION AMEND THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE TO WAIVE OR REMIT ANY DUTY IMPOSED THEREIN TO ANY EXTENT.
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A3.....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- **3 -
FORMS USED IN MAGISTRATES COURTS UPDATED *****
THE MAGISTRATES ( FORMS)(AMENDMENT) RULES 1987 SEEKS TO TIDY UP AND BRING UP TO DATE THE VARIOUS FORMS USED IN THE MAGISTRATES COURTS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR THOMAS SAID THE AMENDMENT TO THE MAGISTRATES (FORMS) RULES WHICH ARE MADE UNDER SECTION 133 OF THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE, CAP. 227, WAS NO MORE THAN A USEFUL HOUSEKEEPING EXERCISE.
HE SAID THE EXISTING FORMS 1A AND IB WOULD BE REPLACED BY A NEW COMBINED FORM 1A.
HE ALSO SAID THE NEW FORM SIMPLIFIED THE FORMAT AND TOOK INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES TO SECTION 8A(5) OF THE ORDINANCE (WHICH INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF COSTS THAT A MAGISTRATE MIGHT ORDER), AND THE PROPOSED REVISION OF THE FOURTH SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE (WHICH WOULD ADD REFERENCES TO OFFICERS OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND REPLACED OBSOLETE TITLES OF DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS BY NEW TERMINOLOGY).
THE MOTION WAS PASSED.
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MOTION FOR SPECIAL TELEPHONE SERVICES PASSED
*****
A MOTION ENABLING TELEPHONE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED AND THE INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE SERVICE TO BE INTRODUCED WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN YAXLEY, SAID THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO LTD HAD PROPOSED TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED AND AN INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE SERVICE.
HE SAID THE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED COMPRISED ITEMS OF TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT OF PARTICULAR UTILITY TO THESE GROUPS. THESE INCLUDED TELEPHONE SETS OF USE TO THOSE WITH DEXTERITY PROBLEMS AND TELEPHONE AIDS FOR THE IMPAIRED OF HEARING, HE ADDED.
/ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 19&7
44
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR YAXLEY SAID THE INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE SERVICE WOULD FACILITATE TOLL-FREE CALLS TO SUBSCRIBERS IN HONG KONG. IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE OF PARTICULAR VALUE TO COMPANIES WITH INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AS IT ENABLED CUSTOMERS FROM ABROAD TO RING WITHOUT THEIR HAVING TO BEAR THE CHARGE, HE SAID.
"AS REGARDS THE PROPOSED SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE HANDICAPPED, PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN THE FIELD OF REHABILITATION HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH SERVICES CAN BE SUPPORTED.
"THE PROPOSED CHARGES AS CONTAINED IN THE RESOLUTION ACCOMPANYING THIS MOTION HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE REASONABLE", MR YAXLEY ADDED.
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NEW FEES INTRODUCED FOR BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS « ♦ » * »
THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) (NO 2) RULES 1987 AND THE BANKRUPTCY (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1987 WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE TWO AMENDMENTS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN YAXLEY SAID: "THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) (NO 2) RULES 1987 AMEND RULE 59 OF THE BANKRUPTCY RULES IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9(1) OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, EFFECTED BY THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1987.
"THESE AMENDMENTS INTRODUCE A REQUIREMENT FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICE OF BANKRUPTCY NOTICES AND BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS, WITH PROVISION FOR SUBSTITUTED SERVICE BY COURT ORDER IN APPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES."
ON THE BANKRUPTCY (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER, MR YAXLEY SAID THE ORDER PRESCRIBED A NEW SCALE OF FEES TO BE PAID IN RESPECT OF ASSETS REALISED AND BROUGHT TO CREDIT IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS.
"THESE FEES ARE TO BE CHARGED ON THE SUBMISSION OF ACCOUNTS BY BANKRUPTCY TRUSTEES, AT RATES SIMILAR TO THE NEW AD VALOREM FEES LAID DOWN IN THE COMPANIES (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER,' HE SAID.
THE COMPANIES AMENDMENT ORDER WAS ALSO PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
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A5.....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 45 -
NEW FEES FOR WINDING UP OF COMPANY APPROVED *****
AN AMENDMENT ORDER WHICH PRESCRIBES A NEW SCALE OF AD VALOREM FEES TO BE PAID IN RESPECT OF THE ASSETS REALISED AND BROUGHT TO CREDIT IN THE COMPULSORY WINDIN P OF A COMPANY, WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESP Y) AFTERNOON.
MOVING THE COMPANIES (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1987, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN YAXLEY, EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW FEES WERE PAYABLE UPON SUBMISSION OF A LIQUIDATOR’S ACCOUNT TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER OR, WHERE THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WAS THE LIQUIDATOR, BEFORE HE WAS RELEASED.
"COMPARED WITH THE EXISTING AUDIT FEES, THE AD VALOREM FEES TEND TO BE MARGINALLY HIGHER IN SMALL CASES AND CONSIDERABLY LOWER IN LARGE CASES," HE SAID.
THE REPLACEMENT OF AUDIT FEES BY THE NEW SCALE OF AD VALOREM FEES WOULD NOT RESULT IN ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN TOTAL REVENUE, MR YAXLEY SAID.
THE AMENDMENT ORDER ALSO PROVIDED FOR TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH SET OUT THE MANNER IN WHICH LIQUIDATORS’ ACCOUNTS THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN SUBMITTED WOULD BE TREATED.
"THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE IS THAT THE FEE TO BE CHARGED SHOULD BE THE LOWER OF THE FEE CALCULATED UNDER THE OLD SCALE AND THAT UNDER THE NEW SCALE," MR YAXLEY ADDED.
ALSO APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WAS THE COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) RULES 1987 WHICH AMENDED RULE 160 OF THE COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) RULES IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 295 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, EFFECTED BY THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT)(NO.2) ORDINANCE 1987.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
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RIGHTS OF INNOCENT THIRD PARTIES PROTECTED
» » » » *
THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL WOULD IMPROVE THE SAFEGUARDS OF THE RIGHTS OF INNOCENT THIRD PARTIES AND AT THE SAME TIME ENHANCE THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LEGISLATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUME DEBATE FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR THOMAS SAID THESE AMENDMENTS WERE READILY ACCEPTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
NOTING THAT THE LATEST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH HAD NOT SHOWN ANY DROP IN CORRUPTION REPORTS, MR THOMAS SAID THE ROLE OF THE COMMISSION IN UPHOLDING STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY AND TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY REMAINED AS VITAL AS EVER.
"AS ALWAYS IT IS NECESSARY CAREFULLY TO MAINTAIN A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN THE RIGHTS OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, EVEN ONE WITH THE HIGH REPUTATION OF I.C.A.C., AND THE RIGHTS OF THE LAW-ABIDING PUBLIC GOING ABOUT ITS BUSINESS," HE SAID.
HE THANKED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR THOROUGH AND HELPFUL STUDY OF THE BILL AND ITS COMPANION MEASURE, THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THESE BILLS HAD SURVIVED A LONG AND EXACTING PROCESS OF EXAMINATION, NOT ONLY BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, BUT PREVIOUSLY BY THE OMELCO STANDING PANEL ON SECURITY AS WELL AS THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY.
"MANY OF THE SUGGESTIONS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THESE BODIES HAVE AFFECTED NOT ONLY WHAT THE BILLS CONTAIN, BUT WHAT THEY NO LONGER CONTAIN," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE COULD NOW BE ASSURED BY THE FACT THAT ALL PARTIES WERE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE BILLS AS AMENDED TO INCORPORATE THE MINOR CHANGES PROPOSED BY THE AD HOC GROUP.
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A7.....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
EFFORTS AGAINST CORRUPTION BOOSTED
♦ » ♦ * ♦
THE HON PETER C. WONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SUPPORTED TWO BILLS WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SOUGHT TO EMPOWER THE COURT TO ORDER THE CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY FOUND aT A CORRUPTION TRIAL TO BE IN THE CONTROL OF THE CONVICTED CROWN SERVANT, WHETHER IT WAS IN HIS POSSESSION FOR IN THE HANDS OF A THIRD PARTY.
THE TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION WERE THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR WONG SAID CLAUSE 4 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WAS WITHOUT DOUBT THE MOST IMPORTANT.
THAT CLAUSE PROVIDED FOR THE MAKING OF AN ORDER FOR THE CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY OR PECUNIARY RESOURCES FOUND TO BE IN THE CONTROL OF A CROWN SERVANT WHO WAS CONVICTED OF A SECTION 10(1)(B) OFFENCE, THAT WAS BEING ON CONTROL OF UNEXPLAINED PECUNIARY RESOURCES OR PROPERTY DISPROPORTIONATE TO HIS OFFICIAL EMOLUMENTS.
HE SAID THAT WHILE ACCEPTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S VIEW THAT THE NEW POWER WAS NECESSARY FOR THE BETTER ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP WHICH STUDIED THE TWO BILLS HAD PAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE NEED TO PROTECT INNOCENT THIRD PARTIES AND THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION.
HE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP WAS SATISFIED THAT THE LIMITATIONS AND SAFEGUARDS IN THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE SUFFICIENT PROTECTION FOR INNOCENT THIRD PARTIES.
THE SAFEGUARDS WERE THAT THE APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER FOR CONFISCATION MUST BE MADE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WITHIN 28 DAYS AFTER THE CONVICTION AND THAT THE THIRD PARTY CONCERNED MUST BE GIVEN A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW CAUSE WHY THE ORDER SHOULD NOT BE MADE.
ANOTHER SAFEGUARD WAS THAT NO ORDER MIGHT BE MADE UPON ASSETS HELD BY A THIRD PARTY IF THE THIRD PARTY SATISFIED THE COURT THAT AN ORDER WOULD BE UNJUST IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
FURTHERMORE, A CONFISCATION ORDER AND A MONETARY PENALTY ORDER COULD NOT BE IMPOSED IN RESPECT OF THE SAME ASSETS, AND THE THIRD PARTY WAS GIVEN A RIGHT OF APPEAL.
TURNING TO THE POWER TO DETAIN A SUSPECT’S TRAVEL DOCUMENT, MR WONG NOTED THAT UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, THE MAXIMUN PERIOD FOR WHICH TRAVEL DOCUMENT MIGHT BE DETAINED WAS SIX MONTHS WITH A POSSIBLE EXTENSION FOR A FURTHER THREE MONTHS ON APPLICATION TO A MAGISTRATE.
/HE ALSO
WEMTSDAY, JULY 8, 198?
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HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROPOSED THAT A FURTHER ADDITIONAL THREE MONTHS EXTENSION SHOULD BE ALLOWED WHES." A MAGISTRATE WAS SATISFIED THAT AN INVESTIGATION COULD NOT REASONABLY HAVE BEEN COMPLETED WITHIN THE EXISTING TIME LIMITS OF NINE MONTHS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF COM! E AND EXTENSIVE CORRUPTION-RELATED COMMERCIAL FRAUDS.
HE SAID THE OMELCO SECURITY PANEL WAS NOT IN FAVOUR OF THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EXTENSION IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE DETENTION OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS COULD CAUSE GRrlAT INCONVENIENCE AND HARDSHIP TO PERSONS SUCH AS BUSINESSMEN WHO HAD TO TRAVEL FREQUENTLY.
HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE ADVICE OF THE NEL HAD BEEN HEEDED AND THE LAW NOW REMAINED UNCHANGED.
HE SAID ANOTHER AREA WHICH THE AD HOC GROUP FOCUSSED ITS ATTENTION RELATED TO THE NEW PROVISION WHEREBY INCOME FROM PROPERTY MIGHT BE FREEZED.
"IN APPLYING THIS NEW PROVISION, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SUSPECTED PERSON MAY BE LEFT WITHOUT MEANS TO SUPPORT HIMSELF OR HIS FAMILY OR TO PAY FOR LEGAL ADVICE OR REPRESENTATION," HE SAID.
MEMBERS’ CONCERN WAS SOMEWHAT ALLAYED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSURANCE THAT THE COMMISSIONER WAS ALWAYS PREPARED TO CONSIDER SYMPATHETICALLY AN APPLICATION FOR "NECESSARY EXPENSES". FURTHERMORE, THE SUSPECTED PERSON MIGHT APPEAL AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER’S DECISION, HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE AD HOC GROUP’S PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH A THIRD PARTY COULD APPEAL AGAINST AN ORDER FOR CONFISCATION FROM 14 DAYS TO 28 DAYS.
"SINCE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY APPLY FOR AN ORDER FOR CONFISCATION WITHIN 28 DAYS, IT WAS FELT THAT TO BE CONSISTENT, THE THIRD PARTY SHOULD ALSO BE ALLOWED 28 DAYS TO APPEAL," HE SAID.
ON THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, MR WONG SAID THE AD HOC GROUP WAS SATISFIED THAT THE RANGE OR SCOPE OF THE COMMISSION’S INVESTIGATORY POWERS HAD NOT BEEN EXTENDED BY THE INCLUSION OF THE NEW OFFENCES UNDER CLAUSE 4.
THE GROUP WAS ALSO SATISFIED THAT THE POWERS OF ARREST UNDER THE BILL WERE NO MORE AND NO LESS THAN THOSE NOW EXERCISED BY POLICE OFFICERS UNDER THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE.
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A9.....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
'*9
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY "0 INCLUDE CROSS-SECTION OF COMMUNITY t * » » »
THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND WILL ENSURE THAT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE A' IHORITY REPRESENTS A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY BILL 1987, MR FORD AGREED THAT CLAUSE 4(1)(B) SHOULD INCLUDE A RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION FOR A NON-OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
HE THANKED THE AD HOC GROUP, AND PARTICULARLY MR ALLEN LEE, I OR THE TIME AND EFFORT THEY HAD CONTRIBUTED TO ENABLE THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL TO RESUME WITHIN SUCH A SHORT TIME.
HE \GREED THAT THE STANDING ORDERS TO BE MADE UNDER CLAUSE 6(3) SHOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, INCLUDING CLAUSE 7 WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF MEMBERS’ INTEREST AT MEETINGS.
MR FORD SAID THE DUTY TO CONSULT AFFECTED LICENSEES BEFORE ISSUING ORDERS UNDER SECTION 35(1) AND 36 OF THE BILL WAS AN IMPORTANT ONE AND SHOULD RE INCLUDED INTO CLAUSE 9.
HE CONCEDED THAT THE ORIGINAI WORDING OF CLAUSE 13(3) WHICH PROVIDED THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE AUTHORITY TO RENDER ADVICE AS HE THINKS FIT” COULD CONCEIVABLY BE INTERPRETED TO ALLOW HIM TO REFUSE TO GIVE ADVJCi- to THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY. BUT MR FORD ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THIS WAS NEVER THE INTENTION.
"THE PROPOSED REFINEMENT TO THIS CLAUSE WILL, I AM SURE, REMOVE ANY SUCH POSSIBLITY," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD, MR FORD SAID THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WHEN IT WAS ESTABLISHED WOULD EXAMINE THEM CAREFULLY AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, IN< I,UDE THEM AS CONDITIONS IN THE RENEWED LICENSES OF THE TWO TV STATIONS.
THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD ALSO CAREFULLY CONSIDER POLICIES FOR ( ABI I TV AND RADIO BEFORE DRAFTING LEGISLATIONS TO ENABLE THE REGULATION OF THESE BROADCASTING SERVICES, HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
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COUNCILLORS WELCOME BROADCASTING AUTHORITY BILL » » t » »
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WELCOMED THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY BILL 1987, WHICH SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH THE AUTHORITY AND SET OUT IN LEGAL TERMS ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, THE HON ALLEN LEE SAID THE SETTING UP OF A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WAS AMONG THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE BRAODCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT AND THAT IT WAS SUPPORTED BY MEMBERS AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE REPORT IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
HOWEVER, MR LEE SAID THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SCRUTINISING THE BILL, OF WHICH HE WAS THE CONVENER, HAD IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF POINTS FOR CLARIFICATION WITH fllE ADMINISTRATION RESULTING IN IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE BILL BY WAY OF FOUR COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT WAS ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE AUTHORITY. MR LEE SAID ITS MEMBERSHIP SHOULD CONSIST OF AS WIDE A CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT IT COULD CARRY ITS FUNCTIONS EFFECTIVELY.
THEREFORE, THE RELEVANT CLAUSE OF THE BILL SHOULD BE FURTHER QUALIFIED BY A REQUIREMENT THAT NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY SHOULD BE PERSONS WHO HAD HAD NO LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS’ ORDINARY RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT, HE SAID.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO SERVE ON THE AUTHORITY WILL HAVE A GOOD BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST," HE ADDED.
MR LEE NOTED THAT THE OTHER THREE AMENDMENTS, WHICH WERE MORE TECHNICAL IN NATURE, WERE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE OBLIGATION TO CONSULT THE LICENSEES BEFORE PROHIBITION OF BROADCASTING WAS ALSO A MAJOR FUNCTION OF THE AUTHORITY; THAT TO ADVISE THE AUTHORITY WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING; AND ALSO TO PROVIDE THAT THE STANDING ORDERS REGULATING THE PROCEDURES OF MEETINGS COULD MAKE REFERENCE TO OTHER RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER POINTS WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BEAR IN MIND OR TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN THE < ONTEXT OF EITHER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILL OR IN THE REVIEW OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE AND THE DRAWING UP OF THE FUTURE BROADCASTING ORDINANCE.
CITING AN EXAMPLE, MR LEE SAID THAT ON THE QUESTION OF THE RENEWAL OF THE EXISTING TELEVISION LICENCES, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE RELEVANT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD WOULD BE INCLUDED AS NEW LICENSING CONDITIONS.
/THE BROADCASTING .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
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THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS, IF NECESSARY, BEFORE THE LICENCES WERE RENEWED, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF POLICY CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS AND THEIR INTER-RELATED IMPLICATIONS AS THE AUTHORITY’S RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD BE EXTENDED FROM WIRELESS TELEVISION TO COVER RADIO AND CABLE TELEVISION.
LASTLY, MR LEE PRAISED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS PROMPT AND HELPFUL RESPONSE TO THE AD HOC GROUP’S SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE THE BILL.
"THE SPEEDY BUT SMOOTH PASSAGE OF THIS BILL DESPITE THE LIMITED TIME WE HAVE, OWES MUCH TO THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE AD HOC GROUP," HE SAID.
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BROADCASTING AUTHORITY BILL SUPPORTED
*****
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO REPLACE THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD AND THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY WAS DEFINITELY AN IMPROVEMENT IN TWO ASPECTS, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY BILL 1987, DR HO SAID THE AUTHORITY VESTED WITH EXECUTIVE POWER WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT IN THE CONTROL AND REGULATION OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN POLICY FORMULATION IN THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY WAY OF A NON-OFFICIAL CHAIRMAN AND A MAJORITY OF NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS OF RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG.
HE NOTED THAT THE LENGTH OF RESIDENCE WAS NECESSARY FOR THE MEMBER TO BE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND MORAL CONDITIONS AND STANDARDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
DR HO SAID THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE SETTING UP OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND THE APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS.
"THROUGH THIS CHANNEL OF CONSULTATION, THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE AND TECHNICAL INPUT OF THE INDUSTRY CAN BE JUDICIOUSLY EXPLOITED, WITHOUT HAVING TO RUN THE RISK OF EVOKING A CONFLICT OF ROLES IN A FULL MEMBER," HE SAID.
/DR HO
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 52 -
DR HO POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISION OF A COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE UNDER THE AUTHORITY WAS A MUCH MORE DESIRABLE OPTION THAN A COMPLAINTS TRIBUNAL AS RECOMMENDED IN THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT.
HE SAID SOME MEMBERS HAD EXPRESSED THE WISH THAT THE REDRESS OF PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND DISSATISFACTION IN RESPECT OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AND ADVERTISING SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NORMAL PROCEDURES OF HONG KONG’S EXISTING JUDICIARY SYSTEM.
DR HO SAID AS A MEANS OF STEPPING UP THE MONITORING OF TELEVISION BRAODCASTING, THE PUBLIC MUST BE MADE AWARE OF THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO MAKE COMPLAINTS.
"TO THIS END, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY SHOULD MAKE IT A CONDITION OF LICENCE FOR THE TELEVISION LICENSEES TO BRAODCAST SUCH ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM TIME TO TIME," HE SUGGESTED.
"IN ADDITION, THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE SHOULD BE ADVISED TO ATTEND TO COMPLAINTS AS SPEEDILY AS ADMINISTRATIVELY POSSIBLE, SAY WITHIN A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAINTS, IN ORDER TO SISTAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC IN THE COMMITTEE," HE ADDED.
-----0----------
PUBLICITY PLANNED FOR WEIGHTS AND MEASURES BILL
*****
THERE HAS BEEN CONCERN AMONG CERTAIN TRADING GROUPS THAT SOME PROVISIONS OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES BILL WILL OUTLAW THEIR ESTABLISHED TRADING PRACTICES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE STRESSED THAT THE BILL IS NOT INTENDED TO DISRUPT LEGITIMATE TRADE AND THAT CERTAIN CLAUSES ALREADY PROVIDE FOR EXEMPTION WHERE IT IS CLEAR THAT EXEMPTION IS NECESSARY AND JUSTIFIED.
"ANY TRADER OR GROUPS OF TRADERS MAY SEEK CLARIFICATION FROM THF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE LEGALITY OF THEIR TRADE PRACTICES AND THEY MAI PROPOSE THAT REGULATIONS BE MADE TO EXEMPT THEM FROM THE LEGISLATION ALTOGETHER.
"INDEED, A FEW PROPOSALS FOR EXEMPTION CONCERNING CERTAIN SPECIFIC TRADES HAVE BEEN ALREADY BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION, AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY BE EXAMINING THEM IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TRADES CONCERNED."
REGARDING COMMENTS THAT THE BILL IS SOMEWHAT TECHNICAL AND DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND, MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT FOR A BILL OF SUCH NATURE IT IS DIFFICULT TO AVOID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR SO ORGANISE APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PUBLICITY TO EXPLAIN THE BILL AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT TRADERS AND CONSUMERS.
-------o----------
/53........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 53 -
GREATER PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS
*****
THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES BILL 1987 IS FULLY IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE CONSUMER PROTECTION, THE HON PETER C. WONG, CONVENER OF THE GROUP, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR WONG SAID IT WAS ALSO THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE FAIR AND ORDERLY TRADING.
"IT WILL BE WELCOMED BY HOUSEWIVES AND SHOPPERS, PROVIDING AS IT DOES GREATER PROTECTION AGAINST THOSE WHO SET OUT TO DEFRAUD IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.
"IT WILL ALSO, I BELIEVE, BE WELL RECEIVED BY MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS.
"THIS BILL, TOGETHER WITH THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE, WILL NOW PROVIDE CLEARER GUIDANCE ON HOW TO CONDUCT TRADING AND MANUFACTURING BUSINESS IN AN ORDERLY AND STRAIGHTFORWARD MANNER."
MR WONG SAID THE EXISTING WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE ENACTED MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO AND LAST AMENDED IN 1947 WAS TOTALLY INADEQUATE FOR THE COMPLEX SOCIETY IN WHICH WE NOW LIVED.
'THE PRESENT BILL, IN CONTRAST, TAKES A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO THE SUBJECT," HE SAID.
"IT PRESCRIBES MAXIMUM PENALTIES OF SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT AND A $20,000 FINE FOR OFFENCES CONTAINING AN ELEMENT OF FRAUD.
"THE BILL PUTS THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTING AND ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION TN THE HANDS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, WHOSE DEPARTMENT HAS CONSIDERABLE EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING OFFENCES CONNECTED WITH TRADE."
MR WONG SAID, HOWEVER, THE BILL CONTAINED A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL AND TRADE RELATED TERMINOLOGIES WHICH WERE BY NO MEANS EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND THESE WERE CAREFULLY EXAMINED BY THE AD HOC GROUP.
"ONE OF THE GROUP’S TASKS WAS TO ENSURE THAT LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO DETER AND PENALISE DISHONUEST TRADING WOULD NOT CAUSE UNDUE DIFFICULTY OR INJUSTICE TO THE HONEST TRADER," HE SAID.
"THE GROUP FOLLOWED CERTAIN PRINCIPLES, WHICH REFLECTED OUR VARIOUS CONCERNS.
/’’THE BILL..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 5<+
"THE BILL SHOULD BE EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY THOSE SUBJECT TO ITS PROVISIONS OR RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THEM. INNOCENT AND HARMLESS DEVIATIONS FROM SOME OF ITS LESS IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS RESULTING FROM IGNORANCE OR CONFUSION SHOULD BE TREATED LENIENTLY.
"FINALLY, THE VERY THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL SHOULD NOT STIFLE TRADE AND THEREBY THREATEN OUR PROSPERITY BY PENALISING SPECIALISED TRADES WHICH HAVE BEEN USING, IN A PERFECTLY HONEST AND ACCEPTABLE WAY, MEASURES OR WEIGHTS NOT SPECIFIED IN THE BILL."
MR WONG SAID THE GROUP’S FIRST CONCERN HAD PRODUCED A NUMBER OF TEXTUAL AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL TO MAKE THE DRAFTING CLEARER AND MORE CONSISTENT.
"OUR SECOND CONCERN, THAT OF ENSURING THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO INJUSTICE TO THE TRADER, HAS LED US TO EXAMINE VERY CAREFULLY THE POWERS CONFERRED BY THE BILL ON THE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AND THE PENALTIES PRESCRIBED."
HE SAID THAT SINCE IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PROVE CRIMINAL. INTENT, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE USE OF FALSE AND DEFECTIVE WEIGHING MACHINE OR TRADE, THE GROUP ACCEPTED THAT SOME OF THE OFFENCES IN THE BILL MUST CARRY STRICT LIABILITY.
"IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT IMPRISONMENT IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR OFFENCES WITH AN ELEMENT OF FRAUD, THAT IS, WHERE THERE IS AN INTENTION TO DECEIVE."
MR WONG SAID THAT IN ORDER TO AVOID PENALISING THE HONEST TRADER WHO UNWITTINGLY USED ESTABLISHED AND ACCEPTED SYMBOLS THAT WERE NOT LISTED IN THE SCHEDULES TO THE BILL, HE WOULD MOVE A COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT A PERSON ONLY COMMITTED AN OFFENCE IF HE USED A SYMBOL OR ABBREVIATION OF UNIT OF MEASUREMENT NOT SPECIFIED IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE WITH INTENT TO DECEIVE.
"THIS WILL ALLOW, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE USE OF THE TIME-HONOURED SYMBOLS OF THE APOSTROPHE AND DOUBLE APOSTROPHE TO INDICATE FEET AND INCHES RESPECTIVELY WHERE THERE IS NOT INTENTION TO DECEIVE."
THE GROUP’S THIRD CONCERN, THAT THE BILL SHOULD NOT HINDER FREE TRADE, HAD BEEN ECHOED BY A LOCAL OIL COMPANY AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
MR WONG SAID THE OIL COMPANY WAS CONCERNED ABOUT AEROPLANE FUEL SOLD AT THE AIRPORT WHICH WAS MEASURED IN U.S. GALLONS; WHILE THE FEDERATION WAS CONCERNED THAT THE NEW LEGISLATION MIGHT CREATE DIFFICULTIES FOR MANUFACTURERS USING FAST-FILLING EQUIPMENT TO PACKAGE GOODS WHICH SOMETIMES PRODUCED SLIGHT VARIATIONS IN THE NET WEIGHT OF THE PACKED GOODS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 55 -
HE SAID THESE WERE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS AND BOTH THE GROUP AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAD GIVEN THEM SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.
"FORTUNATELY, THE BILL ALLOWS FOR FLEXIBILITY. THERE IS PROVISION FOR EXEMPTIONS OF CERTAIN GOODS OR CLASSES OF GOODS AND FOR MAKING REGULATIONS.
"IN THE 12 MONTHS BETWEEN THE PASSING OF THIS BILL AND THE PROPOSED ENFORCEMENT OF THE BILL’S PROVISIONS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT GOVERNMENT WILL SYSTEMATICALLY AND ENERGETICALLY CONSULT AND EDUCATE TRADERS AND TRADERS’ ORGANISATIONS, LISTEN WITH UNDERSTANDING TO CASES FOR SPECIAL ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE, AND RESPOND SYMPATHETICALLY AND POSITIVELY, AND WITH A DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY, WHERE A CASE CAN BE MADE.
"BY DOING THIS, GOVERNMENT SHOULD BEAR IN MIND BOTH THE INTERESTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER AND THE FACT THAT OUR PORSPERITY AS A COMMUNITY OWES MUCH TO OUR POLICY OF MINIMAL INTERFERENCE IN TRADING PRACTICES."
MR WONG SAID ANOTHER IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PRESENT BILL AND THE ONE IT SOUGHT TO REPEAL WAS THAT THE BILL HAD BEEN DRAFTED AND GAZETTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
"BILINGUAL LEGISLATION IS A NEW EXPERIENCE IN THE HONG KONG CONTEXT. OUR AIM IS TO ESTABLISH A WORKING PROCEDURE WHEREBY BILINGUAL LEGISLATION MAY EFFECTIVELY BE PASSED INTO LAW WITHOUT UNDUE DELAY AND WITHOUT SACRIFICING OUR USUAL DETAILED SCRUTINY OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT AS TO THE CHINESE VERSION, A PRELIMINARY STUDY SHOWED THAT THE CHINESE TEXT VERY CLOSELY REFLECTED THAT OF THE ENGLISH VERSION.
"HOWEVER, THE CHINESE TEXT IS BY NO MEANS PERFECT AND MORE CONCERTED EFFORT HAS TO RE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE LINGUSTIC ASPECT," HE ADDED.
"THE GROUP PROPOSES TO CONTINUE ITS WORK DURING THE SUMMER RECESS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION."
MR WONG SAID A REFINED VERSION OF THE CHINESE TEXT, INCORPORATING THE AGREED AMENDMENTS, WOULD BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION IN DUE COURSE.
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/56........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 56 -
WEIGHTS BILL HAS PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS
*****
THERE ARE PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES BILL 1987, WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE BILL THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR CHEONG SAID INDUSTRY SUPPORTED THE SPIRIT OF THE BILL IN REGULATING TRADE TRANSACTIONS REGARDING GOODS SUPPLIED BY WEIGHT OR MEASURE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, LEGISLATION COULD SERVE ITS INTENDED PURPOSE ONLY IF COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT WERE MADE PRACTICABLE. •
MR CHEONG SAID: "FIRST OF ALL, THE BILL STIPULATES UNDER CLAUSE 16 THAT GOODS HAVE TO BE SUPPLIED BY NET WEIGHT OF MEASURE.
"IN THE CASE OF PRE-PACKED GOODS, ESPECIALLY WHERE THE FOOD INDUSTRY IS CONCERNED, THE USE OF HIGH SPEED FAST-FILLING EQUIPMENT MAY RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL SLIGHT VARIATIONS IN THE NET WEIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL PRE-PACKED ITEMS.”
TO ALLOW FOR REALISTIC AND PRACTICABLE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW, INDUSTRY DEFINITELY PREFERRED NET WEIGHT TO BE INTERPRETED AS AVERAGE NET WEIGHT WITHIN ACCEPTABLE DEVIATION LIMITS FOR SPECIFIED SAMPLE SIZESA, HE SAID.
MR CHEONG ALSO SAID IN OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LEGISLATION USUALLY MADE ALLOWANCES FOR QUANTITY DEVIATIONS UP TO SPECIFIED TOLERANCE LEVELS.
HE THEREFORE THOUGHT THAT THE ADOPTION OF SIMILAR ENFORCEMENT GUIDELINES BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNICATION OF THESE GUIDELINES TO THE TRADE WOULD BE A SENSIBLE MOVE.
SECONDLY, MR CHEONG POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, THE USE OF TRADITIONAL U.S. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT WAS ALLOWED.
"HOWEVER, SUCH UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE SECOND AND THE THIRD SCHEDULES OF THE BILL AND THEIR USE WILL THUS BECOME ILLEGAL IN HONG KONG WHEN THE NEW WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE COMES INTO EFFECT.
"THIS WILL RENDER IMPORTED GOODS WHICH ARE LABELLED IN TRADITIONAL U.S. UNITS, EVEN THOSE INDICATED IN PARALLEL WITH METRIC UNITS, ILLEGAL," HE SAID.
/HE SUGGESTED
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 198?
- 57 -
HE SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO MAKING THE EXPRESSION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES IN SYSTEMS OF UNITS OUTSIDE THOSE STIPULATED UNDER THE BILL LEGAL IF THEY WERE INDICATED IN CONNECTION WITH UNITS OF MEASUREMENT PERMITTED UNDER THE BILL.
THIRDLY, MR CHEONG SAID EXEMPTIONS SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO TRADERS WHO POSSESSED MEASURING EQUIPMENT CALIBRATED IN UNITS OTHER THAN THOSE AUTHORISED UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE IF THE EQUIPMENT WAS USED TO WEIGH OR MEASURE GOODS INTENDED FOR EXPORT OR RE-EXPORT TO PLACES OUTSIDE HONG KONG WHERE OTHER WEIGHTS AND MEASURES SYSTEMS WERE USED.
FOURTHLY, NOTING THAT THE REGULATIONS WOULD NOT COME INTO OPERATION BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THEY WERE GAZETTED, MR CHEONG WANTED TO SEEK CLARIFICATION AS TO WHETHER THIS COULD BE INTERPRETED AS THE MINIMUM GRACE PERIOD GIVEN TO THE TRADE.
"OBVIOUSLY MANUFACTURERS WILL HAVE TO RE-CALIBRATE THEIR MEASURING EQUIPMENT OR IMPORT NEW ONES TO MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARD," HE SAID.
"MOREOVER, ACCOUNT SHOULD BE TAKEN OF THE LEAD TIME NEEDED FOR THEM TO MAKE RELEVANT LABELLING AND PACKAGING ADJUSTMENTS."
MR CHEONG SAID A THREE MONTHS’GRACE PERIOD WOULD PROBABLY BE INSUFFICIENT IN MOST CASES.
IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE DIFFICULTIES POSED TO THE TRADE, HE SUGGESTED THAT, SHOULD ANY OF THE REGULATIONS BE DRAWN UP, THE TRADE SHOULD BE INVOLVED FROM AN EARLY STAGE THE DRAFTING PROCESS AND CONSULT THE TRADE ON A REASONABLE TIME-TABLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE REQUEST.
LASTLY, MR CHEONG SAID THE BILL FAILED TO GIVE A CLEAR DEFINITION AS TO WHAT "CAPACITY" MEANT.
IT DOES NOT INDICATE WHETHER MEASUREMENTS FOR ENERGY UNITS SUCH AS HORSEPOWER OR JOULE WILL BE OUTSIDE ITS COVERAGE.
"MOREOVER, FOR CERTAIN PRODUCTS, A STATED VOLUME OR CAPACITY, SAY, A CUBIC METRE OF GAS, IS NOT MEANINGFUL WITHOUT RELATION TO A SPECIFIED TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE."
"IN THE CASES WHERE THE QUANTITY OF GOODS CAN BE SUBJECT TO VARIATION BY MEANS OF CONTROLLED ADJUSTMENTS IN THE TEMPERATURE OR PRESSURE IN THE MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT RATHER THAN BY CLIMATIC INFLUENCES, PROVISIONS STIPULATING THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE UNDER WHICH QUANTITY SHOULD BE MEASURED WOULD BE NECESSARY," HE ADDED.
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/58.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 58 -
GOVERNMENT URGED TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON WEIGHTS BILL
*****
THE GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE POSITIVE STEPS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE AFFECTED BY THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 MUST BE GIVEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION, THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MRS CHOW SAID SHE SUPPORTED WHOLE-HEARTEDLY THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL AND URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SPARE NO EFFORT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS TO ENSURE THAT THE DETAILS AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF ITS CONTENT WOULD BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD, ESPECIALLY AMONGST HAWKERS AND STREET TRADERS, WHOSE DAILY DEALINGS WERE NECESSARILY CONCERNED.
"I WELCOME THIS BILL AS A LONG OVERDUE MOVE TO UPDATE AND MODERNISE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LEGISLATION AND IN PARTICULAR TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM FRAUDULENT OR UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES IN CONNECTION WITH QUANTITY," SHE SAID.
MRS CHOW RECALLED THAT AS EARLY AS 1975, A WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP BY GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE ANTIQUATED WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE ORIGINALLY ENACTED IN 1885.
"AND AFTER CONTINUOUS ROUNDS OF DELIBERATION, WITH THE HELP OF OVERSEAS EXPERTISE AS WELL AS LOCAL INPUT INCLUDING VIEWS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AT LAST COME UP WITH THE BILL."
MRS CHOW ADDED: "THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, ON OUR PART, IS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF INSTALLING A CALIBRATED WEIGHING MACHINE IN EVERY DISTRICT ADVICE CENTRE, SO THAT CONSUMERS CAN RESORT TO A DEPENDABLE STANDARD WHEN THEY SUSPECT FRAUDULENT TRADING."
ON ENFORCEMENT, SHE SAID THAT WHILE SHE AGREED THAT DIRECT CONTROL ON WEIGHING DEVICES MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO IMPOSE, ENFORCEMENT STAFF SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO DEMAND A CERTIFICATE OF CALIBRATION ON INSTRUMENTS USED IN TRADES WHICH WERE SUSPECT.
"THE CALIBRATION LABORATORY OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THIS WITH EASE," MRS CHOW SAID.
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/59
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8,
1987
- 59 -
WIDE PUBLICITY FOR NEW BILL ADVOCATED
*****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADVOCATED WIDEST POSSIBLE AND SUSTAINED PUBLICITY BE GIVEN TO THE CONTENTS OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES BILL 1987.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ; R CHEONG-LEEN SAID WIDE PUBLICITY WAS REQUIRED BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST BILL DRAFTED AND GAZETTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL IF ACTIVE COOPERATION COULD BE OBTAINED FROM BODIES SUCH AS DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL, CONSUMER COUNCIL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS, AS WELL AS HaWKER AND RETAILER ASSOCIATIONS.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT A SIMPLIER BILINGUAL VERSION OF THE BILL BE PRODUCED TO MAKE THE CONTENTS MORE DIGESTIBLE.
HE SAID HE WAS GLAD TO LEARN THAT A COORDINATING COMMITTEE UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH HAD ALREADY BEEN SET UP TO ENSURE THAT PUBLICITY WOULD BE SUSTAINED AND EFFECTIVE BEFORE THE BILL WAS FINALLY BROUGHT INTO EFFECT.
-------0---------
NEW CHILD ABUSE PROTECTION MEASURES TO BE MONITORED *****
THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID HE WAS "MOST GRATIFYING THAT THIS IMPORTANT BILL HAS RECEIVED A GENERAL WELCOME AND THAT IT WILL BE IN EFFECT BEFORE THE END OF THE PRESENT SESSION."
MR CHAMBERS SAID HE NOTED THE QUESTION OF WHETHER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR SOME CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF SEVEN TO APPEAR IN COURT.
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS PROVISION IS TO ENABLE THE COURT TO TAKE THE CHILD’S VIEWS INTO ACCOUNT. BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHILD NEED NOT ATTEND THE ENTIRE HEARING, AND THE JUDGE ALSO HAS DISCRETION TO REQUIRE THE PARENTS OR GUARDIAN TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COURT, IF HE WISHES TO HEAR THE CHILD’S VIEWS ON HIS OWN," HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS ALSO NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD OBSERVE CAREFULLY HOW THE AMENDED PROVISIONS OPERATE IN PRACTICE, AND IF NECESSARY, FURTHER AMENDMENTS COULD BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.
------0-------- /6O...................
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
SOCIAL WORKERS WELCOME BILL ON CHILD ABUSE
t ♦ * * *
THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES (AMENDMENT) BILL 3987 WHICH STREAMLINES PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING CHILD ABUSE CASES HAS WON PLAUDITS FROM THE SOCIAL WORK FIELD FOR ITS LIBERAL, FLEXIBLE AND COMPREHENSIVE PROVISIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE BILL REPRESENTED A TIMELY STEP TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO UPDATE AN OBSOLETE ORDINANCE WHICH WAS ENACTED ALMOST FOUR DECADES AGO.
MR HUI RECALLED THAT THE KWOK AH-NUI CASE LAST YEAR HAD JJD THE SOCIAL WORK SECTOR TO QUESTION THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE COULD BE EXERCISED WITHOUT INDUCING THE ABUSE OF POWER AND INFRINGING UPON HUMAN RIGHT.
HE NOTED THAT CLAUSE 7 OF THE BILL, BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE WORKING GROUP ON CHILD ABUSE, OFFERED A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM RAISED.
"IT STIPULATES THAT BEFORE FORCIBLE ENTRY INTO PREMISES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MUST OBTAIN A WARRANT ISSUED BY A MAGISTRATE, JUVENILE COURT OR DISTRICT COURT ACTING AS THE THIRD PARTY IN A MOVE THAT AFFECTS THE WELL-BEING OF THE FAMILY INVOLVED.
"SINCE THE COURT CAN ONLY ISSUE A WARRANT ON REASONABLE GROUNDS, ITS DECISION WOULD LEND SUPPORT TO THE PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT OF SOCIAL WORKERS," MR HUI SAID.
HE WELCOMED THIS AMENDMENT THAT NOT ONLY UPHELD THE CLIENT’S DIGNITY BUT ALSO FACILITATED THE WORK IN HANDLING CHILD ABUSE CASES.
MR HUI APPRECIATED THAT CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL, WHICH REQUIRED CHILDREN AGED 7 OR ABOVE TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN COURT AND PROVIDED THE COURT WITH DISCRETION TO BRING YOUNGER CHILDREN BEFORE IT IF NECESSARY, WAS AIMED AT AVOIDING EMOTIONAL TRAUMA FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.
HOWEVER, HE BELIEVED THAT INSTEAD OF TAKING AGE AS THE ONLY CRITERION FOR COURT APPEARANCE, THE MENTAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF ABUSED CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AS WELL.
HE CONCLUDED BY CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE OUTDATED PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, IN THE LIGHT OF RAPID SOCIAL CHANGES IN HONG KONG.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 61 -
TWO SCHEMES FOR RELEASE ON PAROLE PROPOSED
*****
A BILL SEEKING TO GIVE LEGAL EFFECT TO TWO PROPOSED SCHEMES FOR PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED ON PAROLE, NAMELY, THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION SCHEME AND THE PRE-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT SCHEME, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PRISONERS (RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION) BILL 1987, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION BOARD WHICH WOULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR ON MATTERS WHICH REQUIRED DECISIONS UNDER THE LEGISLATION.
MR JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT THE IDEA OF INTRODUCING A SYSTEM OF PAROLE IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD LONG CONSIDERED THAT THERE WOULD BE CONSIDERABLE BENEFITS BOTH FOR SOCIETY AND FOR THE PERSONS INVOLVED IN SUCH A SCHEME.
FOR THE SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SUCCESS OF A PENAL SYSTEM LARGELY DEPENDED ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT REDUCED THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS RETURNING TO CRIME ON RELEASE FROM PRISON.
"A PAROLE SYSTEM, IN THIS CONTEXT, PROVIDES A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED INTO THE COMMUNITY AT THE TIME WHEN, UNLESS THEY ARE HARDENED CRIMINALS, THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO RE-ESTABLISH THEMSELVES WITHOUT REVERTING TO CRIME.
"BY THUS PROVIDING FOR PRISONERS WHO ARE NOT HARDENED CRIMINALS TO BE RELEASED ON PAROLE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO REDUCE THE RISK TO SOCIETY OF THEIR SUBSQUENTLY MISBEHAVING," MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
AS FOR THE PRISONERS THEMSELVES, HE SAID A PAROLE SYSTEM PROVIDED ONE OF THE BEST MEANS TO HELP THEM TO ADJUST FROM A HIGHLY DISCIPLINED PRISON ENVIRONMENT TO THE FREEDOM OF LIVING NORMALLY IN THE COMMUNITY.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS HELP, THEY SHOULD BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO LEAD A LAW-ABIDING LIFE AND NOT TO RETURN TO CRIME AGAIN, "MR JEAFFRESON ADDED.
HE SAID THE PROBLEM IN THE PAST OF THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS FIELD AND THE DOUBT AS TO WHETHER THE PUBLIC WOULD SUPPORT SUCH A SCHEME HAD BEEN OVERCOME.
MR JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED THAT THE PAROLE INVOLVED THE EARLY RELEASE, UNDER SUPERVISION, OF CAREFULLY SELECTED PRISONERS WHOM IT WAS CONSIDERED WOULD BE MOST LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATED INTO THE SOCIETY.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
HE SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE EARLY RELEASE WOULD BE MADE AFTER 20 MONTHS OR ONE HALF OF THE SENTENCE WHICHEVER WAS THE GREATER.
NOTING THAT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD ALMOST 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AFTERCARE OF PERSONS WHO HAD BEEN IN TRAINING CENTRES, DENTENTION CENTRES AND DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO RENDER APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE TO THE ADULT PRISONERS RELEASED ON PAROLE.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH SOME ADDITIONAL STAFF FOR THIS PURPOSE.
TURNING TO THE REACTION OF THE PUBLIC/ MR JEAFFRESON SAID IT WAS NOW EVIDENT THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF REHABILITATION IN TREATING PRISONERS.
HE SAID THAT SINCE THE BILL WAS GAZETTED ON JUNE 26, SCHEMES SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED AS A MEANS BETTER TO REHABILITATE OFFENDERS.
’’GIVEN THIS PUBLIC SUPPORT, WE HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE PROPOSED SCHEMES HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF BEING A SUCCESS,” HE NOTED.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID A RELEASED PRISONER MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO RESIDE IN A HOSTEL WHICH WAS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND IF SO, UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE FROM THE HOSTEL WOULD BE PUNISHABLE.
"BUT WHETHER OR NOT HE IS REQUIRED TO RESIDE IN A HOSTEL, HE WILL RECEIVE A SUPERVISION ORDER FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, WHICH WILL SET OUT THE CONDITIONS AGREED FOR HIS RELEASE AND WILL SPECIFY THE DATE ON WHICH THE ORDER WILL EXPIRE,” HE SAID.
THE CONDITIONS OF HIS RELEASE WOULD INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT TO MEET REGULARLY WITH HIS SUPERVISOR AND TO DISASSOCIATE WITH CRIMINAL ELEMENTS, AND COULD INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT TO LIVE IN A CERTAIN LOCATION, TO CONTRIBUTE TO HIS FAMILY AND IF NECESSARY TO HAVE MEDICAL ATTENTION, MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
A PRISONER WHOSE APPLICATION FOR RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION WAS REFUSED WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A REVIEW OF THE DECISION TO REFUSE HIS RELEASE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR CASES IN WHICH A SUPERVISION ORDER MIGHT BE TERMINATED BEFORE ITS DUE EXPIRY DATE.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID A SUPERVISION ORDER WOULD BE CAPABLE OF BEING REVOKED BY THE GOVERNOR ON THE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION, OR BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE PUBLIC INTEREST REQUIRED IMMEDIATE ACTION.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 63 -
HE SAID IT WOULD ALSO CEASE TO HAVE EFFECT IN THE EVENT OF A FURTHER SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT BEING ORDERED AGAINST THE SAME PERSON. THE PRISONER WOULD THEN BE LIABLE TO BE REIMPRISONED FOR THE FULL REMAINDER OF HIS SENTENCE FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE, BUT WOULD BE ABLE TO APPLY TO THE BOARD FOR A REVIEW OF HIS CASE.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE SCHEME WOULD BE PROCEEDED CAUTIOUSLY. IT WAS EXPECTED THAT NOT MORE THAN 100 PRISONERS, OR FIVE PER CENT OF THOSE ELIGIBLE MIGHT INITIALLY BE RELEASED UNDER SUPERVISION.
HE ADDED THAT A COMPRESHENSIVE REVIEW WOULD BE CARRIED OUT THREE YEARS AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OR EARLIER IF NECESSARY AND, A REPORT ON THE BOARD’S WORK WOULD BE TABLED ANNUALLY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
BILL TO UPDATE *
BUILDINGS ORDINANCE
» » * «
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE BUILDINGS AMENDMENT BILL UPDATED THE BUILDING ORDINANCE TO ACHIEVE GREATER EFFICIENCY IN ITS APPLICATION.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR BARNES SAID THE AUTHORIZED PERSONS AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS REGISTRATION COMMITTEE COMPRISED THREE GOVERNMENT AND SIX NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS.
A QUORUM FOR THE COMMITTEE REQUIRED SIX MEMBERS, INCLUDING ALL THREE GOVERNMENT MEMBERS.
THIS HAD CREATED PROBLEMS THROUGH INDISPOSITION AND HAD RENDERED SCHEDULED MEETINGS AND PRE-ARRANGED PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEWS ABORTIVE.
THE BILL MODIFIED THE ORDINANCE SO THAT THE QUORUM ONLY REQUIRED TWO GOVERNMENT MEMBERS AND WAS REDUCED TO FIVE.
MR BARNES SAID ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RIGHT OF APPEAL AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE AUTHORIZED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS REGISTRATION COMMITTEE A SIMILAR RIGHT WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR DEFERRALS AND AS DEFERRALS COULD BE IMPOSED REPEATEDLY THIS WAS UNFAIR.
/A SUBSECTION
9
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 6^ -
A SUBSECTION WAS ADDED TO THE ORDINANCE WHICH ONLY PERMITTED AN APPLICATION TO BE DEFERRED ONCE.
ALUMINIUM AND OTHER METALS, GLASS, PLASTIC AND COMPOSITE MATERIALS WERE IN INCREASING USE IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, BUT DID NOT COME WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, MR BARNES SAID.
NEITHER DID EXCAVATION, PILING, AND FOUNDATION WORKS WHICH WARRANTED TIGHT SUPERVISION AND MONITORING TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.
CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THESE.
HE SAID THE BUILDING AUTHORITY UNDER THE ORDINANCE COULD CARRY OUT VARIOUS WORKS IN THE INTERESTS OF PULBIC SAFETY, AND COULD RECOVER THE DIRECT COSTS INCURRED FROM PERSONS WHO HAD FAILED TO CARRY OUT THE WORKS THEMSELVES.
HOWEVER, INCIDENTAL COSTS WERE OFTEN INVOLVED WHICH WERE NOT RECOVERABLE.
CLAUSES 5 AND 6 OF THE BILL AMENDED THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE FOR THESE.
’’THESE WORKS AND SERVICES WILL HOWEVER BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM,” MR BARNES SAID.
HE SAID UNDER THE ORDINANCE BUILDING WORKS NOT INVOLVING THE STRUCTURE OF A BUILDING MAY BE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
BUT IF ALTERATION TO EXISTING DRAINS WERE INVOLVED, HOWEVER MINOR, THE FULL APPROVAL PROCESS WAS REQUIRED.
"THIS REQUIREMENT DELAYS THE PROCESSING OF LICENCE APPLICATIONS PARTICULARLY FOR RESTAURANTS AND LICENSED PREMISES,” HE SAID.
CLAUSE 8 OF THE BILL MODIFIED THE ORDINANCE TO ALLOW MINOR DRAINAGE WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
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/65........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8,
1987
- 65 -ANTI-SMOKXNG COUNCIL A FOCAL POINT FOR ACTION *****
THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH BILL 1987 SEEKS TO PROPOSE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE BILL FOR SECOND READING, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICIES HAD ACHIEVED A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE OF SUCCESS IN MAKING THE COMMUNITY AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF SMOKING, IN ENCOURAGING SMOKERS TO STOP SMOKING AND IN DISCOURAGING NON-SMOKERS FROM STARTING TO SMOKE.
"WB REALISE THAT SMOKING AND HEALTH IS A DYNAMIC AREA WHICH REQUIRES PROMPT AND CONTINUOUS RESPONSES TO NEW RESEARCH, CHANGING PUBLIC ATTITUDES, NEW LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.
’’EXPERIENCE IN OTHER COUNTRIES INDICATES THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD OF KEEPING ABREAST OF SUCH DEVELOPMENTS IS TO SET UP AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC BODY TO SERVE AS A FOCAL POINT FOR ACTION ON THIS SUBJECT," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
THE MAIN TASKS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE:
(A) TO COLLATE THE LATEST INFORMATION AND RESEARCH CONNECTED WITH SMOKING AND HEALTH;
(B) TO ORGANISE ANTI-SMOKING PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES;
(C) TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND DEVELOPMENT 01 ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES; AND
(D) TO LIAISE WITH OTHER LOCAL BODIES AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES ON SMOKING AND HEALTH MATTERS.
THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN OPERATING IN A PROVISIONAL FORM SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
MR CHAMBES SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW, HOWEVER, THAT STATUTORY IN-CORPORATION WAS DESIRABLE IN THAT IT ESTABLISHED THE COUNCIL AS A LEGAL ENTITY SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT, PROVIDED A FORMAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE COUNCIL’S OPERATIONS AND CONFERRED PROTECTION ON MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNCIL AGAINST PERSONAL LIABILITY FOR ANY ACT DONE BY THE COUNCIL IN GOOD FAITH IN THE COURSE OF ITS OPERATIONS.
THE BILL FOLLOWED CLOSELY THE PATTERN OF OTHER LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING STATUTORY BODIES OF A SIMILAR NATURE, HR SAID.
/’’IT SETS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 66 -
"IT SETS OUT THE AIMS, FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COUNCIL, PROVIDES FOR APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER BY THE GOVERNOR, AND LAYS DOWN PROCEDURES AT MEETINGS.
"IT ALSO EMPOWERS THE COUNCIL TO APPOINT ITS OWN STAFF, AS WELL AS FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
THE COUNCIL WOULD BE SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND A SUM OF $1.2 MILLION HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR’S ESTIMATES, HE ADDED.
"ALTHOUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL WILL RELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT OF SOME OF THE EXECUTIVE DUTIES CONNECTED WITH ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMULATING THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IN THIS AREA AND FOR ENSURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT POLICY," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
THE DEBATE ON THIS MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.
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SEVEN BILLS PASSED * * *
INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
SEVEN BILLS WERE PASSED MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE: BROADCASTING BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1 987 ;
CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987; PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES MEASURES BILL 1987; AND EMPLOYMENT
AUTHORITY BILL 1987; PREVENTION OF
INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987; (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987; WEIGHTS AND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
MEANWHILE, THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED READINGS TODAY. THEY' ARE: HONG KONG COUNCIL BILL 1987; BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 UNDER SUPERVISION) BILL 1987. DEBATE ON
ADJOURNED.
MEMBERS ALSO APPROVED SIX MOTIONS IN MEMBER’S MOTION SEEKING TO DELETE. REGULATION CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1987 WAS DEFEATED.
FOR FIRST AND SECOND ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AND PRISONERS (RELEASE THE THREE BILLS WERE
TODAY’S SITTING. BUT A 3(A)(VII) OF THE FILM
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/6?........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 67 -
CALL TO COMBAT PROTECTIONIST PRESSURE *****
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO JOIN IN EFFORTS TO COMBAT PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES SO THAT THE WORLD OVER COULD ENJOY FREE ACCESS TO ALL MARKETS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WORLD APPAREL EXPO AND FASHION ACCESSORIES EXPO 87, MR SZE SAID A GOOD PART OF THE WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING WAS SUBJECT TO QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS AND PRESSURES FOR MORE PROTECTION IN THE WORLD’S MAJOR MARKETS SELDOM WANED.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG BELIEVED IN AND PRACTISED AN OPEN MARKET POLICY AND IMPOSED NO DUTY OR RESTRICTIONS ON IMPORTS.
"IN 1986, TEXTILES IMPORTS AMOUNTED TO HK$43 BILLION AND WE ALSO IMPORTED FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD GARMENTS WORTH HK$20 BILLION."
"HONG KONG IS THUS A VALUABLE MARKET FOR OVERSEAS SUPPLIERS WHERE ALL FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC PRODUCTS COMPETE ON AN EQUAL FOOTING."
ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING EXPORTS, MR SZE SAID HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST GARMENT MANUFACTURING CENTRES.
"IN 1986, CLOTHING EXPORTS FROM HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO HK$52 BILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED 34 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS."
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EYE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY IN KOWLOON CITY
* * * *
ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON CITY WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FREE EYE CHECK-UP AND SPECTACLES AS WELL AS TO LEARN ABOUT THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF EYE CARE DURING A TWO-WEEK ’EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY’ STARTING FROM JULY 19.
THE CAMPAIGN, DESIGNED FOR RESIDENTS AGED OVER 60, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND THE HONG KONG OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN, CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TANG PO-HONG, SAID THE CAMPAIGN WAS A SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY TO SHOW RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
/"IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
"IT IS ALSO A STEP FORWARD IN IMPROVING THE PROVISION OF CARE SERVICES AND ATTENTION TOWARDS THE ELDERLY," HE SAID.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL START WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN ON SUNDAY (JULY 19). THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EYE CARE EXHIBITION, FREE EYE CHECK-UPS AS WELL AS THE DISTRIBUTION OF EYE CARE BOOKLETS AT EIGHT VENUES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT IN THE FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS.
THE FREE EYE CHECK-UPS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION. ELDERLY RESIDENTS WHO TAKE PART IN THE CHECK-UPS WILL BE PROVIDED, IF NECESSARY, WITH SPECTACIES FROM APPOINTED OPTICAL SHOPS. THOSE WHO NEED FURTHER MEDICAL TREATMENT WILL BE REFERRED TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS OR GOVERNMENT CLINICS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MRS THERESA LAU, SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS TO AROUSE PUBLIC CONCERN TOWARDS ELDERLY SERVICES AND TO PROMOTE RESPECT FOR THE AGED.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THIS CAMPAIGN, THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY, WILL BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF EYE CARE," SHE ADDED.
MRS LAU SAID THIS WAS THE SIXTH TIME THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WAS ORGANISING SUCH LARGE SCALE SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
SHE ADDED THAT THE TUNG WAH GROUP PROVIDED NUMEROUS TYPES OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE EYE CARE CAMPAIGN COSTS ABOUT $200,000 WITH THE TUNG WAH GROUP PROVIDING $180,000 AND THE REMAINDER MET BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD.
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SSPA RESULTS TO BE RELEASED FRIDAY
* « » »
RESULTS OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION (SSPA) WILL BE RELEASED ON FRIDAY (JULY 10), THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A TOTAL OF 86,618 PRIMARY 6 PUPILS TOOK PART IN THE SSPA THIS YEAR AND ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FORM 1 OR MIDDLE 1 PLACES IN GOVERNMENT, AIDED OR PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
/AMONG THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 69 -
AMONG THE PRIMARY 6 LEAVERS, 36,618 (42.36 PER CENT) HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED PLACES OF THEIR FIRST CHOICE. ANOTHER 17,450 HAVE BEEN GIVEN PLACES OF THEIR SECOND AND THIRD CHOICES, BRINGING THE COMBINED TOTAL OF STUDENTS ALLOCATED PLACES OF THEIR FIRST THREE CHOICES TO 62.51 PER CENT.
UNDER THE SCHEME, PARTICIPATING PUPILS WILL BE GIVEN THREE YEARS OF FREE EDUCATION UP TO FORM 3 OR MIDDLE 3 LEVEL AND NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED.
ALLOCATION RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM PUPILS’ PRIMARY SCHOOLS ON FRIDAY. THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED PUPILS TO FOLLOW ARRANGEMENTS LAID DOWN BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHEN COLLECTING THEIR RESULTS OF ALLOCATION.
"ALL PUPILS SHOULD TAKE ALONG WITH THEM THEIR PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORMS SO THAT THEIR INDIVIDUAL ALLOCATION SLIPS MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE FORMS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY SHOULD REPORT TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED PLACES DURING THE FIRST REGISTRATION PERIOD BETWEEN JULY 15 AND 16 AND THOSE WHO FAIL TO REPORT TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS ALLOCATED ARE DEEMED TO HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE UP THE PLACES ALLOCATED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
WHEN REPORTING TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR REGISTRATION, PUPILS ARE ADVISED TO BRING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:
(A) PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORMS, TO WHICH THEIR INDIVIDUAL ALLOCATION SLIPS HAVE BEEN STAPLED OR GLUED;
(B) ADMISSION SLIPS;
(C) BIRTH CERTIFICATES, HONG KONG JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS OR OTHER DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR DATE OF BIRTH AND STATUS AS PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG;
(D) LATEST SCHOOL REPORTS, IF ANY; AND
(E) TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS.
"PARENTS SEEKING TRANSFERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN HAVE TO APPLY DIRECT TO THE SCHOOLS CONCERNED WHICH HAVE ENTIRE DISCRETION TO ACCEPT AN APPLICANT OR NOT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS HAVE TO RETRIEVE THE ADMISSION SLIPS FROM THE SCHOOLS WHICH THEY HAVE REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST REGISTRATION AND REPORT TO THE SCHOOLS TRANSFERRED NO THE SECOND REGISTRATION DAY ON JULY 23.
/IN CASE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
70
IN CASE OF CROSS-NET TRANSFERS, PARENTS MAY BE DIRECTED BY THE PRINCIPALS OF THE RECEIVING SCHOOLS TO OBTAIN APPROVAL FROM APPROPRIATE DISTRICT COUNCIL SECRETARIES BEFORE ADMITTING THEIR PUPILS.
"SHOULD THERE BE A TROPICAL CYCLONE, PERSISTENT HEAVY RAIN OR THUNDERSTORM DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIODS, SCHOOL HEADS AND PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO PAY ATTENTION TO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE MEDIA FOR ANY NECESSARY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION RESULTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON 5-8912200.
--------o----------
EXPANSION OF MARINE POLICE FLEET UNDER WAY * * * * *
MARINE POLICE HAVE TAKEN DELIVERY OF THE FIRST OF EIGHT NEW HIGH-SPEED INFLATABLE BOATS UNDER A CONTINUING EXPANSION AND MODERNISATION PROGRAMME THAT WILL ADD 32 NEW CRAFT OF VARIOUS TYPES TO THE FLEET BY THE YEAR'S END.
THE EIGHT SEVEN-METRE RIGID-HULLED INFLATABLES - WHICH WILL BE USED BY THE SMALL BOAT UNIT - HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE FORCE'S REQUIREMENTS. THE FIRST CRAFT PERFORMED FULLY UP TO EXPECTATIONS IN A DAY OF TRIALS LATE LAST MONTH.
TWO MORE OF
AND IT IS EXPECTED
THE BRITISH-BUILT BOATS WILL BE DELIVERED SHORTLY THAT THE REMAINING FIVE WILL ARRIVE BY NOVEMBER.
THE BOATS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT UNDER THE EXPANSION AND MODERNISATION PROGRAMME WHICH, SINCE 1979, HAS ALREADY ADDED 24 DIVISIONAL PATROL VESSELS, THREE LARGE AND FAST LOGISTICS VESSELS AND THREE WATER-JET BOATS TO THE FLEET.
TOTAL SPENDING ON THESE AND OTHER VESSELS, EITHER NOW BEING DELIVERED OR IN THE PIPELINE, WILL EXCEED $450 MILLION.
COMING ON STREAM THIS MONTH ARE 114.7-METRE FULLY INFLATABLE BOATS, COMPLETE WITH ENGINES AND SPARE ENGINES, WHICH WILL REPLACE THE ZODIACS NOW CARRIED BY DIVISIONAL PATROL LAUNCHES.
/"THESE CRAFT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 198?
- 71 -
"THESE CRAFT ARE DISTINCTIVE IN THAT THEY ARE BUILT TO ADVANCED SPECIFICATIONS AND ARE MADE IN NEW ZEALAND. THEY ARE THE FIRST BOATS WE HAVE BOUGHT FROM THERE. " SAID SUPT. VIANNEY WILLY-FURTH, STAFF OFFICER/SUPPORT, MARINE.
A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE BUILDING LOCALLY OF TWO DIVISIONAL COMMAND LAUNCHES - 3 AND 4. THE FIRST WILL BE DELIVERED THIS MONTH AND THE SECOND IN SEPTEMBER.
EACH COMMAND LAUNCH WILL CARRY TWO DIESEL-ENGINED RIGID-HULLED INFLATABLE BOATS, BUT THESE WILL NOT ARRIVE UNTIL NOVEMBER. THEY ARE BUILT BY THE SAME FIRM THAT IS PRODUCING THE NEW BOATS FOR THE SBU, AND THE SPECIFICATIONS ARE SIMILAR.
THE SBU CRAFT HAVE TWIN PETROL-DRIVEN OUTBOARD ENGINES, EACH GIVING 120 HORSEPOWER, WHEREAS THE COMMAND LAUNCH BOATS WILL HAVE A SINGLE DIESEL-DRIVEN INBOARD ENGINE, OPERATING ON THE WATER-JET PRINCIPLE.
"THESE RIGID-HULLED INFLATABLES ARE OF A UNIQUE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, AND ARE TAILOR-MADE FOR OUR NEEDS,"SAID SUPT. WILLY-FURTH. HE EXPLAINED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS BOAT-BUILDING FIELD IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
ALSO THIS MONTH, MARINE POLICE WILL BE ACCEPTING FROM A LOCAL SHIPYARD THE FIRST OF SEVEN HARBOUR PATROL LAUNCHES. THESE WILL REPLACE THE EIGHT LAUNCHES NOW IN SERVICE WHICH WERE BUILT IN 1944 IN AUSTRALIA. THE LAST OF THE SEVEN WILL BE DELIVERED IN NOVEMBER.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE GOING OUT TO CONTRACT SHORTLY FOR A FOUR-METRE RIGID INFLATABLE FOR EACH OF THE HARBOUR LAUNCHES. AND WE WILL ALSO BE GOING OUT TO CONTRACT FOR TWO 9.5-METRE RIGID INFLATABLES FOR THE SBU," SAID SUPT. WILLY-FURTH.
IN ADDITION, SPECIFICATIONS ARE BEING DRAWN UP FOR SEVEN INSHORE PATROL VESSELS, WHICH WILL BE ABOUT 8.5 METRES IN LENGTH AND BE CAPABLE OF 20 KNOTS, AND TWO 11-METRE FAST INSHORE PATROL BOATS. THE LATTER WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL AT 35 KNOTS.
EVEN HIGHER SPEEDS WILL BE ATTAINED BY TWO 8.5-METRE CATAMARANS FOR WHICH SPECIFICATIONS ARE NOW BEING PREPARED. THESE CRAFT WILL BE OPERATED BY THE SBU.
/"BESIDES ALL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 72 -
"BESIDES ALL THIS, IT IS INTENDED TO DEFINE, IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE LIMITED PROCUREMENT SPECIFICATION FOR SEVEN LAUNCHES TO REPLACE THE VOSPER 78 PATROL LAUNCHES WHICH HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE SINCE 1971," SAID SUPT WILLY-FURTH.
DISCUSSING COSTS, HE SAID: "WE TRY TO MAKE THESE VESSELS AS COST EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. YOU CAN CUT CORNERS, BUT THEN YOU END UP PAYING FOR IT IN THE LONG RUN. IF YOU BUY QUALITY, IT LASTS."
"OUR VESSELS HAVE TO BE BUILT TO VERY HIGH SPECIFICATIONS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE USAGE. WE GET MORE MILEAGE OUT OF ANY OF OUR CRAFT THAN DOES ALMOST ANY OTHER ORGANISATION LIKE THE FORCE."
"WE TRY TO KEEP OUR BOATS AT SEA FOR 300 DAYS OF THE ONLY 60 DAYS OF 'DOWN TIME’.
YEAR,WITH
"BASICALLY, WITH THESE NEW CRAFT, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A VISIBLE POLICE PRESENCE AT SEA 24 HOURS A DAY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR."
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CHILDREN’S CHOIR QUESTS FOR NEW TALENT « « » * »
THE MONG KOK CHILDREN’S CHOIR IS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS TO EXPAND ITS ACTIVITIES.
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 16 MAY APPLY FOR ENROLMENT IN VARIOUS TRAINING SESSIONS INCLUDING CHORUS SINGING, PERCUSSION BAND PLAYING AND DANCING; WHILE THOSE AGED OVER 16 MAY JOIN THE YOUTH GROUP FOR TRAINING IN CHORUS SINGING AND DANCING.
THE CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CENTRES. THE TRAINING FEE IS $100 A SEASON.
THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR, CURRENTLY WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF 130, WAS SET UP IN 1975 BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CULTURAL RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE PROPER AND FORMAL MUSIC TRAINING FOR CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT.
APART FROM TRAINING, THE CHOIR ACTIVELY TAKES PART IN FUNCTIONS TO POLISH ITS PERFROMING SKILLS AND ACQUIRE EXPERIENCE.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD; TAI KOK TSUI BRANCH OFFICE, 85 IVY STREET AND LIM POR YEN CENTRE, 110 BEECH STREET.
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/73........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
- 73 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MONG KOK, TAI PO * * » t »
MONG KOK ROAD BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND SAI YEE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FRIDAY (JULY 10).
STREET WILL BE FROM 10 AM GN
THE MOVE IS TO FACILITATE LOAD RECONSTRUCTION WORK AND WILL LAST FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
IN TAI PO, THE SECTION OF ON TAI ROAD BETWEEN ITS TWO JUNCTIONS WITH ON PONG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT TO 2.30 AM ON THE SAME DAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OVERHEAD FOOTBRIDGE.
POLICE WILL BE AT SITE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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RESTRICTED ZONES IN TSING YI ROUNDABOUT, KWAI CHUNG » » ♦ » »
THE TSING YI ROUNDABOUT WILL BE DESIGNATED A PROHIBITED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS WITH EFFECT FROM FRIDAY (JULY 10) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW THERE.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO INFORM MOTORISTS OF THE EXTENT OF THE PROHIBITED AREA. NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES AND GREEN MINIBUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE RESTRICTED AREA.
IN KWAI CHUNG, FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LEI MUK ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG CHI STREET \ AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
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/7^........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987
74
PLB RESTRICTED ZONES
*
IN SHEUNG SHUI AND TAI PO * * * *
THE PUBLIC CAR PARK AND THE GREEN MINIBUS TERMINUS IN SHEUNG SHUI AREA 6B, ADJACENT TO THE PETROL STATION OFF ROAD 601 WILL BE DESIGNATED PROHIBITED ZONES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 10).
NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PROHIBITED AREA 24-HOUR DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF ROAD L9 BETWEEN ROAD DI AND ROAD D7; THE SECTION OF ROAD D7 BETWEEN ROAD DI AND ROAD L9; AND ROAD 601 WILL BE MADE 24-HOUR RESTRICTED ZONES FOR PLBS.
NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
IN TAI PO, THE SECTION OF WAN TAU STREET TO THE SOUTH OF HEUNG SZE WUI STREET WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED A PLB PROHIBITED ZONE WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME.
ALL PLBS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE ABOVE AREA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC URGED TO HELP WITH BOMB ENQUIRIES .................... 1
GOVERNOR TOURS NORTH DISTRICT ............................... 2
IMPORTANCE OF COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION EMPHASISED ........... 5
FELL REASSURES GERI-UN BANKERS .............................. 5
SPECIAL TEAM SET UP TO INVESTIGATE TUNNEL ACCIDENT .......... 6
CALL TO DIVERSIFY SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM ............... 6
GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE HOME SAFETY ........................... 7
N.T. HISTORICAL BUILDING TO BE PRESERVED .................... 8
REPORT ON BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTaTE SURVEY PUBLISHED .................................................. 9
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TO BE DEMOLISHED .......................... 10
POST OFFICE .iRR-UIGEMENTS FOR ISSUE OF NEW STaMP........... 10
SPEEDPOST SERVICE EXPANDED .................................. 12
YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS TO TOUR SINGAPORE ....................... 12
ShI KUNG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM® STARTS ShTURDaY.............. 1J
SJMINAR ON GREIN PAPER FOR RESIDENTS ...................... 1*F
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVIDENT COMMITTEE TO MEET ............... 14
DESIGN EXHIBITION OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ................... 15
RESTRICTED ZONES IN THEN MUN, YUEN LONG .........<.......... 15
TSUEN WAN WATER CUT ........................................ 16
ROAD CLOSURE IN YUEN LONG .................................. 1o
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN ClUI ................................... 16
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
1
PUBLIC URGED TO HELP WITH BOMB ENQUIRIES
X X XXX
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, TODAY (THURSDAY) APPEALED TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO COME FORWARD TO ASSIST POLICE IN THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO YESTERDAY’S BOMBING INCIDENT IN TAIKOO SHING AND TO +IMMEDIATELY REPORT ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS THAT THEY SAW+.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TOURING THE NORTH DISTRICT, SIR DAVID SAID THAT +ALL OF US FEEL ENORMOUS ANGER THAT PEOPLE SHOULD CARRY OUT THIS SORT OF VICIOUS ATTACK ON INNOCENT PEOPLE.+
MR FORD, WHO HAD EARLIER OPENED THE VISITOR CENTRE AT SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK, TOLD REPORTERS THAT IT WAS TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF PEOPLE TO PLANT BOMBS IN CROWDED SHOPPING AREAS AND INJURING INNOCENT PEOPLE.
BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE CHIEF SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THE POLICE WERE DEVOTING ALL THEIR EFFORTS TO FINDING OUT WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE.
+THE ONE ADDITIONAL POINT I WOULD MAKE IS WHAT THE POLICE HAVE ALREADY SAID, AND THAT IS IF ANYBODY WHO KNOWS ANYTHING WHICH CAN HELP THE POLICE IN THEIR ENQUIRIES, I VERY MUCH HOPE THEY WOULD COME FORWARD,+ SIR DAVID SAID.
+WE MUST FIND WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE. WE MUST STOP THIS SORT OF THING FROM HAPPENING IN HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.
ASKED IF THE INCIDENT WOULD AFFECT STABILITY IN HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID HE DID NOT THINK THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE AFFECTED IN THAT SORT OF WAY.
+IT’S MUCH MORE A HUMAN DRAMA. WE FEEL ANNOYED THAT THIS SHOULD HAPPEN TO INNOCENT PEOPLE GOING AROUND THEIR ORDINARY BUSINESS, AND FOR THAT REASON, IT MUST BE STOPPED+.
MR FORD SAID THE PLANTING OF BOMBS IN SHOPPING ARCADES WAS A VERY SAD EVENT, BUT HE HAD BEEN ASSURED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE THIS MORNING THAT THE POLICE WERE SPARING NO EFFORT AT ALL TO TRY TO FIND OUT AS MUCH AS THEY COULD ABOUT THE BOMB AND WHO PLANTED IT.
+THEY ARE SPARING NO EFFORTS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IN HONG KONG IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE THIS SORT OF INCIDENTS HAPPENING WITHOUT HAVING THE CULPRITS BEING BROUGHT TO JUSTICE,* HE SAID.
AS TO THE MOTIVE FOR PLANTING THE BOMBS, MR FORD SAID THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WAS WORKING ON THAT PROBLEM, BUT HE HAD HAD NO INDICATION AT ALL SO FAR AS TO WHAT MIGHT BE THE MOTIVES OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED.
HE ADDED THAT THE POLICE WERE VERY CONCERNED WITH THESE INCIDENTS AND WERE LIAISING WITH THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE MORE VIGILANT.
- - 0 - -
/2
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
- 2 -
GOVERNOR TOURS NORTH DISTRICT * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON TODAY (THURSDAY) TOURED NORTH DISTRICT TO SEE THE TRADITIONAL ASPECT AND NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR JAMES HAYES, SIR DAVID ARRIVED BY HELICOPTER AT THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT HEADQUARTERS IN FANLING WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR PANG HANG-YIN.
THE GOVERNOR FIRST WENT TO SHEUNG SHUI VILLAGE AND TOURED MAN SHEK TONG, THE ANCESTRAL HALL (CHI-TONG) OF THE LIU CLAN WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1751 AND DECLARED A HISTORICAL MONUMENT IN 1985.
AFTER SEEING SOME OF THE EXHIBITS WHICH DATES BACK TO THE YUEN DYNASTY, THE PARTY PROCEEDED TO WAI NOI TSUEN, THE OLDEST WALLED VILLAGE IN SHEUNG SHUI, AND VISITED A FAMILY OF SEVEN AT FIRST LANE OF THE VILLAGE.
THEY THEN DROVE TO SHEK WU HUI, A MAJOR MARKET TOWN WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF 7,800 WITH 800 SHOPS ENGAGED IN VARIOUS KIND OF TRADES. THE GOVERNOR LEARNT THAT BOTH THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE GOVERNMENT WERE KEEN TO SEE AN EFFECTIVE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN AS WELL AS LUEN WO HUI IN FANLING.
AS THEY STROLLED ALONG SAN HONG STREET, FU HING STREET AND SAN FUNG AVENUE, SIR DAVID STOPPED BY A FEW SHOPS AND CHATTED WITH THE OPERATORS.
FROM SHEUNG SHUI, THE PARTY WENT TO CHEUNG WAH PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN FANLING AND VISITED THE FANLING GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (TAI PO AND NORTH), MR KWAN KI-TAI AND THE HEADMASTER, MR CHOW PUI-FONG, SIR DAVID SAW STUDENTS ENGAGED IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND WATCHED A TELE-MATCH.
LATER, HE PROCEEDED TO THE ROOFTOP OF CHEUNG CHI HOUSE FOR PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
BRIEFED BY THE PROJECT MANAGER (NEW TERRITORIES NORTHEAST), MR BOB HANNA, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER (NORTH), MR ROGER HARDING, SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT ON FULL DEVELOPMENT IN MID 1990’S, THE NEW TOWN WOULD HAVE A TOTAL POPULATION OF 246,000. SO FAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SPENT SOME $3.3 BILLION IN DEVELOPING THE NEW TOWN, AND ANOTHER $3.2 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT IN THE NEXT DECADE.
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT SEVEN LOTS COVERING A TOTAL OF 4.187 HECTARES OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES WOULD BE AUCTIONED IN THE CURRRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
BEFORE WINDING UP THEIR VISIT, SIR DAVID ATTENDED A TEA RECEPTION AT THE CHEUNG WAH SPORTS CENTRE WHERE THEY MET MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE END OF THE VISIT, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS VERY INTERESTING FOR HIM TO GO AROUND THE DISTRICT WHERE HE SPENT HIS WEEKENDS AND TO SEE ITS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE SORT OF HISTORICAL PROCESS.
/"GOING FROM
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 198?
- 3 -
"GOING FROM THE MAN SHEK TONG RIGHT UP TO THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, YOU SEE SOMETHING OF THE WHOLE HISTORY OF HONG KONG, MOVING FROM THE AGRICULTURAL VILLAGES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS."
SIR DAVID SAID PEOPLE USED TO THINK THAT THE DISTRICT WAS RATHER REMOTE, BUT THINGS HAD CHANGED NOW.
"WITH THE TRANSPORT NOW - KCR AND OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT -IT IS NOT REALLY REMOTE AT ALL, AND WHICH IS GOING TO DEVELOP EVEN MORE, I WOULD GUESS, AS ONE GETS AN INCREASE IN CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC BETWEEN HERE AND SHENZHEN."
REFERRING TO THE QUEUEING UP OF TRANSPORT GOING TO MAN KAM TO, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS A PROGRAMME OF WIDENING THE ROAD GOING ON AT THE MOMENT.
"IT WILL BE OF HELP TOO WHEN THE NEW BRIDGE IS BUILT FURTHER TO THE WEST AND PROBABLY WHEN THE TUNNEL ON THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE BORDER COMES INTO OPERATION AT THE EASTERN CROSSING.
"AT THE MOMENT, IT IS QUITE A CONSIDERABLE PROBLEM. IT IS A PROBLEM RESULTING FROM SUCCESS IN A WAY. THERE WERE 9,000 VEHICLES CROSSING THAT BORDER POINT THE OTHER DAY, WHICH IS FAR MORE THAN THERE WERE A FEW MONTHS AGO, OR A YEAR AGO. SO IT IS A PROBLEM OF SUCCESS," HE SAID.
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IMPORTANCE OF COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION EMPHASISED » * * t t
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, TODAY (THURSDAY) EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF INCREASED PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS TO CONSERVE HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE AND TO KEEP THE COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN AND ATTRACTIVE AT ALL TIMES.
MR FORD APPEALED FOR PUBLIC CO-OPERATION IN CONSERVING THE LOCAL COUNTRYSIDE WHEN HE OPENED THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S NEW SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE.
THE THIRD PURPOSE-BUILT VISITOR CENTRE, THE NEW CENTRE WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $2.3 MILLION ON A 200 SQUARE-METRE SITE AT PINE APPLE DAM IN SHING MUN. THE FIRST TWO ARE LOCATED AT PAK TAM CHUNG IN SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK AND AT TAI HANG TUN IN CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARK.
TOGETHER WITH TWO SMALLER ONES AT ABERDEEN AND TAI MEI TUK, THE SHING MUN VISITOR CENTRE BRINGS TO FIVE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH CENTRES IN THE LOCAL COUNTRY PARKS SYSTEM.
IN HIS ADDRESS, MR FORD RECALLED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS IN HONG KONG HAD ORIGINATED FROM A PILOT SCHEME OF COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION FUNDED BY THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION, WHICH STARTED IN SHING MUN 15 YEARS AGO WITH ONLY A NUMBER OF PICNIC TABLES, BENCHES AND BARBECUE PITS.
/"TODAY, THERE
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
- 4 -
"TODAY, THERE ARE 21 COUNTRY PARKS COVERING AN AREA OF OVER 40,000 HECTARES OF THE COUNTRYSIDE, WHICH IS NO LESS THAN 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LAND AREA OF HONG KONG.
"COUNTRY PARKS ARE, TODAY, AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR THE FAMILY," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THEY ATTRACTED A PATRONAGE OF NEARLY 10 MILLION LAST YEAR.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE MRS FORD, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR CARLOS CHEUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE, MR WILLIAM WAN.
MR FORD NOTED THAT THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY, ON THE ADVICE OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME, AND PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR ITS FUTURE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT AFTER EXAMINING THE MAJOR TRENDS AFFECTING THE COUNTRY PARKS.
THE REVIEW HAS IDENTIFIED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A DEMAND FOR MORE CONVENIENT, HIGH QUALITY FACILITIES AND FOR MORE COUNTRYSIDE EDUCATION AND VISITOR INFORMATION.
"THE OPENING OF THIS VISITOR CENTRE IS A TIMELY ADDITION OF A NEW SERVICE TO THE VISITORS OF THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK WHICH IS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR. LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF VISITORS EXCEEDED 380,000," HE SAID.
MR FORD SAID THAT THE VISITOR CENTRE AIMED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME IN GENERAL, AND THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK IN PARTICULAR, AND HELPED TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THE NEED FOR ITS CONSERVATION.
"I HOPE PEOPLE WILL MAKE USE OF THIS VISITOR CENTRE TO ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT, HAVING VISITED THE CENTRE, PEOPLE SHOULD COME AWAY WITH HEIGHTENED CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING OUR COUNTRYSIDE AND OF KEEPING THE COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN AND ATTRACTIVE AT ALL TIMES," HE ADDED.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, ACCOMPANIED BY MR CHUI AND DR LEE, TOURED THE VISITOR CENTRE AND THE NEARBY SHING MUN ARBORETUM WHERE HE SAW SOME OF THE LOCAL RARE AND PROTECTED PLANT SPECIES WHICH FORM PARTS OF A COLLECTION OF 1,900 TREE AND SHRUB SPECIMENS. THE ARBORETUM IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG.
THE NEW VISITOR CENTRE WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW. OPENING HOURS ARE FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM. IT CLOSES ON TUESDAYS.
VISITS TO THE SHING MUN ARBORETUM WILL BE RESTRICTED TO SCHOOL PARTIES OF FORM 6 OR ABOVE BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT. ADVANCE BOOKINGS CAN BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON 3-7332121.
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/5........
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
- 5
FELL REASSURES GERMAN BANKERS *****
COMMISSIONER OF BANKING 1R ROBERT FELL, PAINTED A BRIGHT PICTURE OF THE HONG KONG BANKING SCENE AND THE TERRITORY’S BUSINESS FUTURE WHEN SPEAKING TO LEADING WEST GERMAN BANKERS IN FRANFFURT ON TUESDAY (JULY 7).
MR FELL, GUEST OF HONOUR AT A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANK, SPOKE OF A RESURGENCE OF INTEREST IN HONG KONG BY EUROPEAN BANKS, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM WEST GERMANY, SCANDINAVIA AND ITALY. HE SAID THAT MANY GERMAN BANKS WERE UPGRADING THEIR STATUS IN THE TERRITORY.
THE COMMISSIONER ASSURED THE BANKERS THAT: "THE TROUBLED SCENE IN HONG KONG’S BANKING SECTOR IS OVER AND THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY DEALT WITH. A NEW BENCHMARK HAS BEEN SET FOR WHITE COLLAR CRIMES, THE MARKET IS NOW SAFER THAN IT EVER WAS AND THE CHANGES IN BANKING LEGISLATION HAVE STRENGTHENED THE POWER TO DEAL WITH ILLEGALITIES."
MR FELL REPUDIATED CLAIMS THAT THERE WAS PRESSURE FROM PEKING AND INTERFERENCE IN THE WAY HONG KONG WAS BEING RUN. HE SAID THE GROWING PRESENCE OF CHINA IN HONG KONG BUSINESS, THE INCREASED ROLE OF THE BANK OF CHINA AND THE ACTIVITIES OF OTHER MAINLAND COMPANIES HAD BEEN WELCOMED AND HAD ENHANCED HONG KONG'S STABILITY.
HE ADDED THAT REFORMS IN CHINA’S INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE, LEADING TO INCREASED HONG KONG TRADE WITH THE PRC WAS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE REMARKABLE ECONOMIC CHANGE IN HONG KONG IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS.
OTHER FACTORS WHICH HAD BROUGHT ABOUT THE CHANGE WERE THE RESURGENCE OF CONFIDENCE FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PEG BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND AMERICAN DOLLARS.
ON THE QUESTION OF CONFIDENCE AND REPORTS OF GROWING EMIGRATION TO CANADA AND AUSTRALIA, MR FELL TOLD THE GERMAN BANKERS THAT PEOPLE HAD ALWAYS EMIGRATED, BUT MANY OF THEM RETURNED TO LIVE AND WORK IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID CONFIDENCE WAS FAR FROM LOW, AS SUGGESTED IN SOME PRESS REPORTS. HE BELIEVED TOGETHER WITH MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, THAT CHINA WISHED HONG KONG TO GROW AND INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE TO BE MAINTAINED.
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/6........
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
6
SPECIAL TEAM SET UP TO *
INVESTIGATE TUNNEL ACCIDENT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A FOUR-MAN TEAM TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF A FATAL ACCIDENT AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN JUNK BAY ON TUESDAY (JULY 7).
THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE INSIDE A WATER SUPPLY TUNNEL RESULTING IN ONE WORKER KILLED AND ANOTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED BY A RUNAWAY PRESSCRETE LOADED WITH CONCRETE.
THE TEAM, LED BY A DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR, WILL LOOK INTO ALL POSSIBILITIES LEADING TO THE ACCIDENT AND COLLECT EVIDENCE FROM BOTH THE MANAGEMENT AND THE WORKERS WORKING INSIDE THE TUNNEL AT THAT TIME.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO COMPLETE.
UPON COMPLETION, A FULL REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CORONER’S COURT FOR CONSIDERATION.
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CALL TO DIVERSIFY SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
* * * it *
IT IS VITAL TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A GOOD SUPPLY OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL KNOW-HOW TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL INDUSTRY ON WHICH THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG WOULD HINGE, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE GRANTHAM, NORTHCOTE, AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT THE SHATIN TOWN HALL, MR CHAN SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO DIVERSIFY THE CURRICULUM OF SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THE AVAILABILITY OF MORE PRACTICAL COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS IN SCHOOLS WILL BETTER FACILITATE STUDENTS LESS ACADEMICALLY ORIENTED TO ENROL AT A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OR A POLYTECHNIC AFTER THEY HAVE COMPLETED FORM 3 OR FORM 5," MR CHAN SAID.
NOTING A CENTRE HAD BEEN SET UP BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LAST SEPTEMBER TO PROMOTE PRACTICAL TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MR CHAN SAID THE CENTRE PROVIDED PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL FACILITIES FOR SCHOOLS FOR THE TRAINING OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, HOME ECONOMICS. ART AND DESIGN.
MR CHAN HOPED THAT STUDENTS COULD BE ABLE TO LEARN THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND THE RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.
/HE ADVISED
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
- 7 -
HE ADVISED STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO EXERCISE CARE IN ARRIVING AT A DECISION ON WHETHER ONE SHOULD CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION IN A GRAMMAR SCHOOL, OTHERWISE HE WOULD FACE LEARNING AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS.
ON PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION, MR CHAN SAID 13 NEW PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WOULD BE BUILT TO BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO 28.
HE ALSO NOTED THE CLASS STRUCTURE OF PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WOULD BE MODIFIED SO THAT STUDENTS IN THESE SCHOOLS WOULD STAND A BETTER CHANCE TO RECEIVE SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE SAME SCHOOLS. THE MEASURE WAS BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 1.
THE THREE
COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE --------------------------------------------- OF EDUCATING THE NEW THEIR CHARACTER AND IN
IN CONCLUSION
MR CHAN URGED THE 1,015 GRADUATES
OF
NOT ONLY TO TAKE UP THE RESPONSIBILITY GENERATION BUT ALSO TO PLAY A ROLE IN SHAPING SHOWING CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY.
MRS CHAN PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO THE GRADUATES. ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WAS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI.
0 - -
GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE HOME SAFETY » » ♦ t ♦
THE PUBLIC WILL BE REMINDED THAT "A SAFE HOME IS A HAPPY HOME” AT THIS YEAR’S HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING CEREMONY ON SUNDAY (JULY 12) AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN.
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS IRENE YAU, AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ANDREW WONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
THE CAMPAIGN, RUNNING INTO ITS SECOND YEAR, IS ORGANISED BY THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WHICH WAS SET UP TWO YEARS AGO FOLLOWING THE INCREASE OF DEATHS RESULTING FROM ACCIDENTS OCCURRING AT HOME AS DEFINED BY THE CORONER’S COURT.
AIMED AT ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SAFETY AT HOME, THE CAMPAIGN, THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS, IS GEARED TO REMIND PEOPLE OF THE HIDDEN DANGERS AT HOME AND THAT ACCIDENTS CAN BE AVOIDED IF THEY DO NOT NEGLECT SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS TO MAKE THEIR HOMES A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, A 1-1/2-HOUR SHOW PRODUCED BY THE COMMERCIAL RADIO WILL FOLLOW, FEATURING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMES DURING WHICH USEFUL HINTS ON HOME SAFETY WILL BE DELIVERED.
/THE WHOLE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 198?
- 8 -
THE WHOLE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO CHANNEL 1.
TO ENRICH THE EVENT OF THE DAY, THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WILL PRESENT A PRACTICAL FIRST-AID DEMONSTRATION AND A FUN-FILLED COMPUTER QUIZ WILL BE OPEN TO THE SPECTATORS.
A COMPREHENSIVE DISPLAY ON HOME SAFETY WILL ALSO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TILL JULY 20.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING CEREMONY AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 12) AT THE ENTRANCE ARENA OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN. PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY, A FIRST-AID DEMONSTRATION WILL BE HELD AT THE VENUE AT 1 PM.
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N.T. HISTORICAL BUILDING TO BE PRESERVED
* * * * *
TAI FU TAI, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MANDARIN’S RESIDENCE, WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
THE BUILDING, LOCATED AT SAN TIN, YUEN LONG IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE ARCHITECTURE AND HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED TO BE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT HISTORICAL BUILDING IN HONG KONG.
THE HOUSE IS ELABORATELY DECORATED WITH FINE TERRA COTTA MOULDINGS, WOODEN CARVINGS AND WALL MURALS. THE SUPERB QUALITY CERAMIC DECORATIONS ON THE ROOF RIDGE OF THE FRONT HALL ARE DATED 1865 AND WERE MANUFACTURED AT HE SHEK WAN POTTERY. THERE IS ALSO SOME FINE STAINED GLASS IN THE WINDOWS AND ABOVE THE DOORWAY.
AN HONORIFIC BOARD WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WAS BESTOWED ON MAN CHUNG-LUEN BY THE EMPEROR.. DISPLAYED ABOVE THE MAIN HALL, IT IS EXQUISITELY CARVED AND INSCRIBED WITH BOTH CHINESE AND MANCHU CHARACTERS.
/FORMAL OWNERSHIP
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
- 9 -
FORMAL OWNERSHIP OE THE BUILDING AND THE SURROUNDING GARDEN AREA WILL REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF THE MAN WAH CHEUNG TONG. HOWEVER THE TONG HAS NOW AGREED TO TRANSFER THEIR REDEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO ANOTHER SITE, THEREBY ENABLING THIS UNIQUE, PRIVATELY-OWNED HOUSE TO BE DECLARED AS A HISTORL -\L BUILDING.
AS A RESULT < l; A DONATION OF $2,500,000 FROM KONG JOCKEN CLUB, I’ll I - NEGLECTED AND DILAPIDATED OLD BE REPAIRED AND RL’Sb ^ED TO ITS FORMER SPLENDOUR. PROGRAMME IS NOW IN HAND, AND WILL BF COMPLETED IN THE BUILDING WILL BE JPENED TO Till PUBLIC.
THE ROYAL HONG BUILDING IS TO THE RESTORATION EARLY 1989 WHEN
-------0----------
REPORT ON BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SURVEY PUBLISHED * * * * *
A STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED ”1985 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS” HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND IS NOW ON SALE AT $15 PER COPY.
PURCHASES MAY BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL OR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19/F, WANCHAT TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE REPORT COUTAINS COMPREHENSIVE STATISTICAL TABLES ON THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR: REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT; ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES; AND THE REAL ESTATE LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES SECTOR.
THE INFORMATION. RELATING TO 1985, WAS COLLECTED FROM ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE SECTORS IN A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FROM APRIL 1986 TO EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS SOME SUMMARY TABLES ON PAST DATA TO SHOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SECTORS IN RECENT YEARS.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPORT MAY BE MADE TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234855.
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/1O........
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TO BE DEMOLISHED * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL APPLY IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN RESPECT OF AN ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURE IN TO KWA WAN.
THE STRUCTURE IS OVER FLAT E ON THE 11TH FLOOR OF 16 - 26A, TAM KUNG ROAD, AND AN ORDER TO CLOSE IT WAS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
IT HAS NOT, HOWEVER, BEEN COMPLIED WITH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SAID A NOTICE INFORMING THE STRUCTURE’S OCCUPIERS THAT IT INTENDED TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER ON SEPTEMBER 9 HAD BEEN POSTED ON THE STRUCTURE.
HE SAID CLOSURE WAS NECESSARY SO THAT IT COULD BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO OCCUPANTS OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
DEMOLITION WOULD BE CARRIED OUT STRAIGHT AFTER THE COURT MADE THE CLOSURE ORDER, HE SAID.
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POST OFFICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ISSUE OF NEW STAMP * t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE POST OFFICE WILL ISSUE A NEW SET OF DEFINITIVE STAMPS ON
JULY 13, 1987 TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SERIES INTRODUCED FIVE YEARS AGO.
ALL POST OFFICES ARE EXPECTED TO BE CROWDED WITH CUSTOMERS ON THAT DAY AND TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO TRANSACT NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS, ADDITIONAL SPECIAL COUNTERS FOR THIS PURPOSE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
POST OFFICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND:
GENERAL POST OFFICE BEACONSFIELD HOUSE CAUSEWAY BA’k HENNESSY ROAD MORRISON HILL NORTH POINT
QUEEN’S ROAD SHEUNG WAN
/POST OFFICES
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
11
POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES:
KOWLOON CENTRAL CHEUNG SHA WAN GILLIES AVENUE KOWLOON CITY KWUN TONG MONG KOK SHAM SHU1 PO TSIM SHA TSUI TSUEN WING STREET
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID EXTRA STAFF WOULD BE ON DUTY AT MOST POST OFFICES ON THAT DAY BUT QUEUES WERE NEVERTHELESS EXPECTED TO FORM. HE APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO SHOW TOLERANCE AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO TRANSACT THEIR NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS ON THE PRECEDING SATURDAY (JULY 11) OR THE DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE OF THE NEW ISSUE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH 11 LOW-VALUE STAMPS (10 CENTS TO $2) AND TWO REEL STAMPS (10 CENTS AND 50 CENTS) AND CANCELLED WITH THE PHILATELIC BUREAU DATESTAMP WIL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $12.60 EACH AT THE FOLLOWING POST OFFICES:
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE CAUSEWAY BAY GENERAL POST OFFICE HENNESSY ROAD QUEEN’S ROAD TSAT TSZ MUI
KOWLOON
CHEUNG SHA WAN KOWLOON CENTRAL KWUN TONG MONG KOK SHAM SHUI PO TSIM SHA TSUI.
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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
12 -
SPEEDPOST SERVICE EXPANDED
» * * * ♦
THE MAXIMUM LIMITS OF WEIGHT AND SIZE FOR SPEEDPOST ITEMS TO COLOMBIA WILL BE INCREASED FROM MONDAY (JULY 13), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR A SPEEDPOST ITEM WILL BE INCREASED TO 20 KILOGRAMS AND THE MAXIMUM SIZE EXTENDED TO 1.05 METRES IN LENGTH AND 2 METRES FOR THE LENGTH AND GIRTH COMBINED.
’’SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES, MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS AND A FREE PICK-UP SERVICE IS AVAILABLE,’’ HE SAID.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8471108.
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YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS TO TOUR SINGAPORE *****
TO LAUNCH THE CELEBRATIONS TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 24 OUTSTANDING CYC MEMBERS WILL LEAVE FOR SINGAPORE FOR A SEVEN-DAY EDUCATIONAL TOUR ON MONDAY (JULY 13).
THE MEMBERS, COMPRISING 19 SECONDARY AND FIVE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, WERE SELECTED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANISED BY THE CYC UNDER THE MERIT AWARD SCHEME THIS YEAR.
IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE LAW’S FOUNDATIONS TRUST AND THE SINGAPORE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG.
TO MARK THE DEPARTURE OF THE DELEGATION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL PRESENT A FLAG TO THE TEAM LEADER OF THE PARTY AT A CEREMONY AT LEE GARDENS HOTEL TOMORROW (JULY 10) AFTERNOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT AT THE PROMENADE, LEE GARDENS HOTEL, FIRST FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (JULY 10). •
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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
SAI KUNG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS SATURDAY *****
THE 1987 SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED ON SATURDAY (JULY 11) WITH A CARNIVAL AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO; LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, MRS ROSANNA TAM• AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN.
PROGRAMMES AT THE CARNIVAL INCLUDE GAMES STALLS, DANCING, SINGING, COMPUTER GAMES, PUPPET AND MIME SHOWS AS WELL AS FILMS ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (SAI KUNG OFFICE) AND THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE (SAI KUNG) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
FIFTY-TWO EVENTS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED BY THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN JULY 11 AND THE END OF AUGUST.
ABOUT $160,000 INCLUDING $64,400 ALLOCATED FROM THE JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS, HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY CUM CARNIVAL OF THE 1987 SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT 3 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 11) AT SAI KUNG TOWN HALL.
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE LEAVING FROM THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, NEXT TO STAR FERRY, BY 2.15 PM. INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS MAQUITA WONG WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
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/14
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
SEMINAR ON GREEN PAPER FOR RESIDENTS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE NAM SHAN AND YAU YAT CHUEN AREA COMMITTEE IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL ORGANISE A SEMINAR FOR RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON SUNDAY (JULY 12)AFTERNOON.
THE SEMINAR WILL START AT 3 PM IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF CONCORDIA LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, 12 TAI HANG TUNG ROAD, KOWLOON.
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ALLEN LEE; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR RICHARD LAI; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR TONG KAM-BIU; AND SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN CHENG WILL ATTEND THE SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SEMINAR
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO MEET * » » *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORT ON LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME IN YUEN LONG FOR THE YEAR 1987/88.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS ADDITIONAL PROJECTS UNDER THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO VILLAGE LIGHTING.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE DISCUSSION ON PROGRESS REPORTS ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE STREET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
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/15
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
- 15 -
DESIGN EXHIBITION OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION OF DESIGN PROJECTS BY GRADUATES FROM LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE’S DESIGN DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN ON SATURDAY (JULY 11) AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE WORKS BY STUDENTS TAKING A TWO-YEAR DIPLOMA COURSE IN GRAPHICS, INDUSTRIAL, FASHION OR INTERIOR DESIGN.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 6 PM AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, CITY HALL. IT WILL BE OFFICIATED BY CHAIRMAN OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DESIGN EXHIBITION 1987 TO BE HELD AT 6 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL.
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RESTRICTED ZONES IN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
THE TWO NORTHWESTERN BAYS IN THE TEMPORARY TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE OFF THE TUEN NUN FERRY PIER IN AREA 44 WILL BE DESIGNATED PROHIBITED ZONES 24-HOUR DAILY FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN TAXIS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PROHIBITED AREA.
AT THE SAME TIME, SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN AREA ZB IN TUEN MUN WILL ALSO BE MADE RESTRICTED ZONES AROUND THE CLOCK.
THEY ARE: ROAD 2A, ROAD 2C AND ROAD 2B EXCLUDING THE SHAN KING ESTATE BUS TERMINUS.
NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
IN YUEN LONG, THE LONG PING ESTATE BUS TERMINUS WILL BE MADE A RESTRICTED ZONE WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME.
NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BUS TERMINUS 2 I-HOUR DAILY.
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/16
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1987
TSUEN WAN WATER CUT * * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF ON SUNDAY (JULY 12) FROM 7 PM TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY SO THAT WATER MAINS WORK CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT WANG LUNG STREET, FUI YIU KOK STREET AND 120-142, YEUNG UK ROAD.
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ROAD CLOSURE IN YUEN LONG * * * *
THE UNNAMED NULLAH-BUND ROAD BETWEEN LUNG TIN TSUEN AND FRASER VILLAGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 0.01 AM TO 4 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 12) FOR FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE TAI TONG ROAD, KAU YUK ROAD, MA TIN ROAD AND UNNAMED NULLAH-BUND ROAD (MA TIN -KUNG OM) ON JOURNEYS BETWEEN LUNG TIN TSUEN AND FRASER VILLAGE.
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ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI *****
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK, THE SECTION OF WAN CHAI ROAD BETWEEN BOWRINGTON ROAD AND CANAL ROAD WEST IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 11) FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON WAN CHAI ROAD HEADING FOR CANAL ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MORRISON HILL ROAD AND SHARP STREET WEST.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRADE STATISTICS FOR MAY PUBLISHED............................... 1
KEEN OVERSEAS INTEREST IN HK INSURANCE MARKET ................... 8
LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME EXPANDED ....................... 10
SEMLN’ARS ON GREEN PAPER...................................... 11
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ELDERLY SERVICES COMMITTEE aGREED ... 12
NEW MATERNITY LEGISLATION BECOMES EFFECTIVE .................... 1J
FOURTH RABIES CaSE CONFIRMED.................................... 13
SCS SEES AFD'S WORK ............................................ 14
CERTIFICATE OF . JPRECL.TION RECEIVED........................... 15
VILLAGE BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES DECLaRED D.J1GER0US .............. 16
RECLAMATION PROPOSED aT JEST THING YI .......................... 17
RESITE HOUSES TO BE BUILT IN T..I PO ........................... 17
BUILDING MaNaGEiiENT CaMPaIGN STaRTS TOMORROW .................. 18
RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR FIREMEN STaRTS ........................... 18
ROaD USERS' CODE PUBLISHED ..................................... 19
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB TO CELEBRATE 10TH .uNNIVERSaRY............. 20
SUMMER FUN FOR YOUTHS HI NORTH DISTRICT ........................ 21
K0WW0N CITY SUMMER YOUTH PROGRaMME OPENS ....................... 22
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN EASTERN DISTRICT ..................... 22
SUMMER YOUTH PROGR.1MME CARNIVaL ............................... 2J
BUS TOURS TUEN MUN TO PROMOTE SUbMER ACTIVITIES................. 24
SHA TIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENS ON SUNDAY ................. 24
CLEAN BEACH DAY IN TUEN MUN .................................... 25
TEMPORaRY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGjiRET ROaD NORTHBOUND...... 26
ROaDS IN YUEN LONG CLOSED FOR FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION ............. 26
BUS-ONLY LANE LIFTED............................................ 27
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 19.87
1
TRADE STATISTICS FOR MAY PUBLISHED » » * * *
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN MAY THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO $62,301 MILLION, REPRESENTING A GROWTH OF 10 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS WREN COMPARED WITH MAY 1986, ACCORDING TO TRADE STATISTICS RELEASEI; T.Y THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT 1>DAY (FRIDAY).
COMPARED WITH MAY 1986, L (mSTIC EXPORTS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 33 PER CENT TO $16,136 MILLION IN MAY 1987 WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 49 PER CENT TO $14,690 MILLION, BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN MAY 1987 TO $31,126 MILLION, WH1 WAS 40 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MAY 1986 .
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 39 PER CENT TO $31,174 MILLION IN MAY 1987.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BETWEEN MAY 1986 AND MAY 1987, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS REI CEDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN (+75 PER (’ENT), THE NETHERLANDS PER CENT), CHINA (+56 PER CENT), FRANCE ( + 19 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+41 PER CENT).
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM CHE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+82 PER CENT), SWITZERLAND (+56 PER CENT), CHINA (+47 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+42 PER CENT), AND TAIWAN (+39 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, TAIWAN AND THE U.S.A. INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY 169 PER CENT, 101 PER CENT, 70 PER CENT, 58 PER CENT AND 45 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. ON THE OTHER HAND, REEXPORTS TO INDONESIA DECREASED BY 9 PER CENT.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO MAY 1987, AT $274,961 MILLION, INCREASED BY 40 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986. ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT TO $69,503 MILLION WHILE REEXPORTS INCREASED BY 51 PER CENT TO $65,130 MILLION. THUS, THE VALUE TERMS BY 40 PER CENT TO $131,932 MILLION. IMPORTS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 39 PER CENT TO $110,029 MILLION.
COMPARED JANUARY TO MAY 1987 WITH THE SAME FIVE MONTHS IN 1986, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS. THE MARKETS WITH THE FASTEST GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED JAPAN (+72 PER CENT), CHINA (+70 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+68 PER CENT), FRANCE (+48 PER CENT), AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+4' PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S LARGEST MARKET, THE U.S.A., GREW BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
/IMPORTS IN........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
2
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO MAY 1987 FROM ALL MAJOR SIPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD .986. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIJ OF KOREA (+80 PER CENT), CHINA (+50 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+49 PEP CENT), ITALY (+49 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (+35 PER CENT).
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITE). . 1NGDOM, THE U.S.A., THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND TAIWAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY .01 PFR CENT, 99 PER CENT, 70 PER CENT, 65 PER CENT AMD 56 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ALL TRADE STATISTICS PRESENTED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON, A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PR. AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MAY 1987 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY AUGUST 1987.
THE CHANGES TN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1987 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS. THE MORE NOTABI.E ONES INCLUDE CLOTHING (BY $1,512 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $2,508 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT); TEXTILES I BY $2,471 MILLION OR 68 PER CENT); AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,926 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $36 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT); AS WELL AS VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $28 MILLION OR 30 PER CEN").
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR
COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1987 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986, INCREASES IN IMPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILES (BY $6,433 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (B. $4,610 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $3,142 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT); AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $3,255 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT). HOWEVER, 'DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $416 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT); AS WELL AS COAL, COKE YND BRIQUETTES (BY $110 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT).
/table a .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 5 -
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG'S TEN MAJOR MARK;-! , ARI SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1987 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986, INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTrRED FOi' TEXTILES (BY $3,495 MILLION OK 49 PER CENT); CLOTHING (Bl $3,35, MILLION OR 78 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES,
INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (B\
$2,439 MILLION OR 79 PER CENT); AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY 2,063
MILLION OR 59 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN
TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $344 MI' LION 'R 72 PER CENT); AS WELL AS COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, SPICES, AND >■ V1LFACTURES THEREOF (BY $138 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS >3Y MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND Bl COUNTRY ARE AVAILABLE IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE MAY’ 1987 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STA1 LSI l< h SUMMARY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND JULY 20, 1987, AT THE GOVFRNMENI
PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $5.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE.", WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN MAY 198 < WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY AUGUST AT $15 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG ON 5-214375 AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS 10 THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234915.
/TABLE 1: .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1?8?
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 87 MAY MAY 87
1987 OVER 1987 OVER
JAN-MAY 86 MAY 86
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
U.S.A. 25,819 + 15 6,539 + 24
CHINA 10,109 + 70 2,251 +•56
F.R.OF GERMANY 5,326 + 46 1,083 + 31
U.K. 4,379 + 29 1,129 + 41
JAPAN 3,323 + 72 785 + 75
CANADA 1,952 + 12 440 + 21
NETHERLANDS 1,498 + 68 305 +63
SINGAPORE 1,360 + 33 320 + 23
FRANCE 1,343 + 48 335 + 49
AUSTRALIA 1,326 + 10 282 + 19
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY JAN-MAY DIVISION 1987 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 87 OVER JAN-MAY 86 (%) MAY 1987 (HKD MN.) MAY 8 7 OVER MAY 86 (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 22,215 + 25 5,54 5 + 40
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 10,813 + 30 2,556 + 21
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6,117 + 68 1 , 13 1 + 64
/TELECOMMUNICATIC )NS AN D
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
5
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS
AND EQUIPMENT 5,484 + 54 1 , 162 <26
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 5,462 + 18 1,324 + 21
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 5,430 + 36 1,247 + 39
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER JAN-MAY 1987 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 87 OVER JAN-MAY 86 (%) MAY 1987 (HKD MN.) MAY 87 OVER MAY 86 (%)
CHINA 42,116 + 50 9,646 + 47
JAPAN 27,229 + 29 6,162 + 33
TAIWAN 12,512 + 49 2,769 + 39
U.S.A. 11,750 + 32 2,436 + 39
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 6,543 + 80 1,535 + 82
SINGAPORE 5,351 + 23 1,116 + 42
U.K. 4,455 + 22 938 + 10
F.R. OF GERMANY 3,863 + 29 903 + 33
SWITZERLAND 2,677 + 35 723 + 56
ITALY 2,350 + 49 464 + 32
/TABLE U:
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 6 -
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY JAN-MAY DIVISION 1987 (HKD MN.J JAN-MAY 87 OVER JAN-MAY 8G (%) MAY 1987 (HKD MN.) NAY 87 OVER HAY 86 %)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 22,133 + 41 5,288 437
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 12,750 + 57 2,882 + 44
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 9,962 + 53 2,113 + 46
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 7,723 + 73 1,760 + 75
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 7,678 + 28 1,734 + 39
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 7,377 + 52 1,701 + 43
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-MAY 1987 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 87 OVER JAN-MAY 86 (%) MAY 1987 (HKD MN.) MAY 8 7 OVER MAY 86 (%)
CHINA 21,195 + 48 4,683 + 42
U.S.A. 12,430 + 70 2,628 + 45
TAIWAN 3,609 + 56 804 + 58
/REPUBLIC OF
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,508 + 65 822 + 70
JAPAN 3,146 + 34 696 + 39
SINGAPORE 2,430 + 19 508 + 14
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,693 + 101 421 + 104
U.K. 1,385 + 99 389 + 169
MACAU 1,313 + 27 291 + 31
INDONESIA 1,011 + 13 201 -9
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 87 MAY MAY 87
DIVISION 1987 OVER 1987 OVER
JAN-MAY 86 MAY 86
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%>
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 10,647 + 49 2,484 + 48
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,629 + 78 1,505 + 46
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 5,551 + 59 I ,303 + 60
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 5,510 + 79 1,340 + 63
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,909 + 92 1 974 + 99
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,117 + 54 705 + 64
--------0-----------
/8.......
!TIP\Y, JULY 10, 1987
- 8 -
KEEN OVERSEAS INTEREST IN IIK INSURANCE MARKET * * ♦ ♦ »
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, IIP NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY T1AT DURING THE FIRST HALF-YEAR OF 1987 (FROM JANUARY 1 TO JUNE 30), SIX NEW COMPANIES, FOUR OF WHICH WERE OVERSEAS COMPANIES AND TWO LOCAL. WERE AUTHORISED TO CARRY’ ON INSURAN a BUSINESS AND 12 EXISTING INSURERS HAD THEIR AUTHORISATION WITHDRAW” FOLLOWING THE CESSATION AND ORDERLY RUN-OFF OF THEIR INSURANCE BUS: I SS TN HONG KONG.
AS AT JUNE 30, 1987 THERE WERE 282 AUTHORISED INSURERS OPERATING IN HONG KONG. OF THESf. 127 WERE INCORPORATED IN ilONJ KONG. THE REMAINING 155 INSURERS t AME '-ROM 28 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM (45), THE UNITED STATES (28), BERMUDA (11), JAE'A'i (8), SINGAPORE (7), SWITZERLAND (7), CANADA (6) AND FRANCE (5).
AS AT JUNE 30, 1987, THERE WERE 14 PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION FROM NEW INSURERS. THE KEEN INTEREST OF OVERSEAS INSURERS IN THE HONG KONG INSURANCE MARKET WAS AGAIN DEMONC7RATED BY THE FACT THAT 12 OF THE II PENDING APPLICATIONS WERE MADE BY OVERSEAS INSURANCE COMPANIES.
MR GLEESON INDICATED THAT ALL NEW APPLICATIONS WERE SUBJECT TO VERY CAREFUL SCRUTINY BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO ENSURE THAT ONLY INSURERS OF GOOD REPUTATION WHO MEET ALL THE CRITERIA OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WERE ADMITTED.
THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION WAS THEREFORE TIME CONSUMING, ANU THE NUMBER OF NEW AUTHORISATIONS IN THE FORTHCOMING SIX MONTHS WOULD NOT BE GREAT.
MR GLEESON ALSO SAID THAT, DURING THE FIRST HALF-YEAR, HE RAD EXERCISED HIS POWERS Ol INTERVENTI ON AS INSURANCE AUTHORITY IN RESPECT OF 12 INSURERS FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF POLICY HOLDERS, INCLUDING THE PETITION FOP THE WINDING-UP OF ONE INSURANCE COMPANY ENGAGED MAINLY IN FIRE AND MARINE BUSINESS. THE PETITION IN THAT CASE WAS DUE TO BE HEARD IN THE HIGH COURT ON JULY 27, 1987.
ALTHOUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE HAD BEEN FOUND TO BE GENERALLY EFFECTIVE IM PROVIDING A SUITABLE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
FOR THE REGULATION OF INSURANCE COMPANIES CARRYING HONG KONG, IT WAS UNDER- CONTINUOUS REVIEW To SEE CHANGES WERE NECESSARY FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF AND/OR TO PROVIDE MORE FLEXIBILITY TO INSURERS IN STATUTORY REQU IRFMENTS.
ON BUSINESS IN IF LEGISLATIVE POLICY HOLDERS COMPLYING WITH
/ONE SUCH
FRIDAY, FULY 10, 1987
- 9 -
ONE SUCH CHANGE WAS INTRODUCED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE NO. 4 OF 1987, WHICH WAS ENACTED ON JANUARY 16. THAT AMENDMENT ORDINANCE INTRODUCED, INTER ALIA, A NEW SECTION 22A TO ENABLE OVERSEAS INSURERS WHO CANNOT COMPLY WITH THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT TO SEPARATE THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES IN RESPECT OF THEIR WORLD-WIDE LONG TERM BUSINESS TO APPLY TO THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY FOR AUTHORISATION TO EFFECT THE SEPARATION IN RESPECT OF THEIR HONG KONG BUSINESS ONLY.
ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT WAS THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1987, GAZETTED ON JUNE 12, 1987. THE BILL WAS ENACTED ON JULY 3 AND IT NOW GIVES THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WIDER DISCRETIONARY POWER TO REFUSE APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION WHILE PROVIDING AN AVENUE OF APPEAL AGAINST ANY SUCH REFUSAL.
IN GENERAL, MR GLEESON SAID, THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN STEADY GROWTH WITH AN INCREASING VOLUME OF PREMIUM INCOME IN MANY TYPES OF INSURANCE BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY LIFE INSURANCE. PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT BUSINESS OPERATED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH.
THE INCREASING VOLUME OF INSURANCE BUSINESS AND THE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES COMING TO THE MARKET INDICATED CONTINUING CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND ITS GROWING IMPORTANCE AS A CENTRE OF INSURANCE IN THE REGION.
ALONG WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE INCREASING VOLUME OF INSURANCE BUSINESS, THERE WAS KEEN COMPETITION FOR BUSINESS AMONG THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
IF SUCH COMPETITION INTENSIFIES WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF PRUDENT UNDERWRITING, IT COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES. THE POSITION WAS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY.
THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, HAD CONTINUED ITS DELIBERATIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, AND THE INSURANCE AUTHOR 1 TV WAS IN CONSULTATION FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, THE LIFE INSURANCE COUNCIL, AND OTHER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN.
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/10........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
10 -
LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME EXPANDED
» ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMPETENCE OF LABORATORIES INVOLVED IN TESTING CONCRETE AND REINFORCING STEEL IN HONG KONG CAN NOW BE ASSESSED INDEPENDENTLY UNDER THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS).
AS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), THE SCHEME HAS BEEN EXPANDED WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 1 TO INCLUDE A CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS COMMODITY GROUP.
THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR OF HOKLAS, MR ERNIE EVANS, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT AT PRESENT THIS GROUP ONLY CATERS FOR CONCRETE AND REINFORCING STEEL TESTING BUT AT A LATER STAGE IT MAY ALSO INCLUDE OTHER MATERIALS.
MR EVANS, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, IS THE CO-ORDINATOR OF ALL ACCREDITATION ACTIVITIES.
HOKLAS IS A VOLUNTARY SCHEME PROVIDING FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION OF LABORATORIES IN HONG KONG. LABORATORIES WHICH FULFIL ALL THE CRITERIA ARE ACCEPTED FOR ACCREDITATION AND ARE ELIGIBLE TO USE THE HOKLAS ENDORSEMENT ON THEIR TEST REPORTS.
LABORATORIES TESTING PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT HAVE THE ADVANTAGE THAT HOKLAS ENDORSED CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THEM MAY BE ACCEPTED BY OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES, THEREBY OBVIATING THE NEED FOR FURTHER TESTING OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS IN THE COUNTRY OF IMPORT.
PREVIOUSLY, HOKLAS ONLY COVERED ASSESSMENTS IN FIVE COMMODITY GROUPS, NAMELY: ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND GARMENTS, TOYS, FOOD PRODUCTS AND CALIBRATION SERVICES.
WHEN HOKLAS WAS IMPLEMENTED IN MAY 1985 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WHOSE STAFF PROVIDE THE EXECUTIVE,
PROFESSIONAL AND SECRETARIAL FUNCTIONS, THE ACCREDITATION OF
LABORATORIES SERVING COMMODITY GROUPS OTHER THAN THE MENTIONED ABOVE WAS ALSO CONSIDERED. IN VIEW OF THE LARGE CONCRETE TESTING IN HONG KONG AND ITS S1GNIFICANCE TO
FIVE AS
VOLUME OF THE LOCAL
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY THE TESTING OF BUILDING MATERIALS IS BEING
INTRODUCED.
TO PREPARE FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE SCHEME, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TESTING AUTHORITIES (NATA) OF AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN RETAINED AS CONSULTANTS TO HOKLAS, IN ORDER TO ADVISE AND \CT1VELY PARTICIPATE IN THE ASSESSMENT OF SOME 20 CONCRETE AND REINFORCING STEEL TESTING LABORATORIES.
INITIALLY, LOCAL SPECIALIST \SSESSORS WILL WORK ALONGSIDE THOSE PROVIDED BY NATA 'IO CARIH OUT THE LABORATORY ASSESSMENT WORK. AT A LATER STAGE IN THE PROGRAMME THE LOCAL ASSESSORS WILL WORK INDEPENDENTLY.
/AS PART .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
11
AS PART OF THE INITIAL PROGRAMME OF WORK HOKLAS ACCOMPANIED BY NATA’S CONCRETE SPECIALISTS VISITED A NUMBER KONG’S LEADING CONCRETE TESTING LABORATORIES LAST LABORATORIES HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THE OPERATIONAL AREAS IMPROVEMENT UPON WHICH EVENTUAL ACCREDITATION MAY DEPEND.
OFFICIALS
YEAR. IN
OF HONG
THESE
NEED OF
CRITERIA SET BY HOKLAS
REQUIRES APPROACH
LABORATORIES
SEEKING
TO THE
ACCREDITATION TO HAVE A SYSTEMATIC
THEIR MEASURING DEVICES. THEY ARE THEREFORE REQUIRED INSTRUMENTS TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STANDARDS
CALIBRATION OF TO SEND THEIR AND CALIBRATION
LABORATORY FOR PERIODIC CALIBRATION.
LIKEWISE LABORATORIES WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCREDITED UNDER HOKLAS FOR CONCRETE AND REINFORCING STEEL TESTING WILL BE REQUIRE PARTICIPATE IN PERIODIC PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAMMES AS A
TO
OF
MEANS
MONITORING THEIR PERFORMANCE.
-----0----------
SEMINARS ON GREEN PAPER ♦ » ♦
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ORGANISE A SERIES OF SEMINARS AND HOLD A SPECIAL OPEN-AIR MEET-THE-PUBLIC SESSION TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
ORGANISED UNDER THE BOARD’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT’S SIX CONSTITUENCIES FROM EARLY AUGUST TO DISCUSS THE DOCUMENT.
THE SIX AREA COMMITTEES OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER AT THEIR MEETINGS.
AREA COMMITTEES MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE MOBILISED TO VISIT MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND COLLECT RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER.
A ROUND-UP SEMINAR WILL THEN BE HELD IN MID-SEPTEMBER TO CONSOLIDATE THE VIEWS COLLECTED.
THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL OPEN-AIR MEFT-THE-PUBLIC SESSION SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS TO DB MEMBERS.
/THE PUBLIC .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
12 -
THE PUBLIC VIEWS COLLECTED IN THE SEMINARS AND THE MEET-THE-PUBLIC SESSION WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
THE DISTRICT BOARD EARLIER SENT OUT MORE THAN 4,000 COPIES OF A POSTAGE-FREE POSTGRAMME TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS INVITING RESIDENTS TO SENO IN THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER.
ANOTHER 5,000 COPIES OF THE POSTGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE IN MORE THAN 70 DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING VARIOUS GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND PRIVATE BUSINESS PREMISES.
-------0----------
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ELDERLY SERVICES COMMITTEE AGREED *****
THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY) UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MISS LOLLY CHIU.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS ENDORSED THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF REFERENCE:
(A) TO REVIEW POLICY ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WITH REFERENCE TO THE PROGRAMME PLAN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS;
(B) TO MONITOR PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG AND TO DISCUSS ANY PROBLEMS ARISING THEREFROM;
(C) TO CO-ORDINATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND WELFARE AGENCIES; AND
(D) TO MAKE PERIODIC REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS APPROPRIATE.
THE COMMITTEE COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND WELFARE AGENCIES OPERATING ELDERLY SERVICES.
A PROGRAMME OF WORK HAS ALSO BEEN AGREED. THE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE VARIOUS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL CARE, ACCOMMODATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE, COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION, ETC. IT IS PLANNED THAT THE REVIEW WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN ONF YEAR.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 13 -
NEW MATERNITY LEGISLATION BECOMES EFFECTIVE ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
THE LEGISLATION WHICH GIVES PREGNANT WORKERS GREATER PROTECTION FROM DISMISSAL DUE SOLELY TO PREGNANCY BECOMES EFFECTIVE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
THE LEGISLATION PROVIDES THAT A FEMALE EMPLOYEE WHO HAS WORKED FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER UNDER A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 26 WEEKS MAY SERVE NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE ONCE HER PREGNANCY HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
SUCH MATERNITY LEAVE NORMALLY BEGINS FOUR WEEKS BEFORE THE EXPECTED DATE OF CONFINEMENT AND ENDS SIX WEEKS AFTER THE ACTUAL DATE OF CONFINEMENT.
HOWEVER, SHE IS REQUIRED TO INFORM HER EMPLOYER AS SOON AS IS PRACTICABLE IF HER PREGNANCY HAS CEASED OTHERWISE THAN BY REASON OF DELIVERY OF A CHILD.
THE LAW ALSO PROHIBITS A FEMALE WORKER TO GIVE NOTICE OF RESIGNATION DURING HER MATERNITY LEAVE JUST AS AN EMPLOYER IS NOT ALLOWED TO TERMINATE HER EMPLOYMENT DURING THIS PERIOD.
-------0----------
FOURTH RABIES CASE CONFIRMED » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ANOTHER INDIGENOUS (FRIDAY), BRINGING TO FOUR THIS YEAR.
CANINE RABIES
CASE
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
WAS RABIES
CONFIRMED CASES
SO
TODAY i FAR
TOOK
A
A TIN
WHEN BY
5) BITTEN SHU I LAI
(JULY
SUNDAY
LAST
THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE las i ounun. a 49-YEAR-OLD CHINESE WOMAN CHOW CHAU-MUI, WAS THREE-MONTH-OLD ROTTWEILER PUPPY OWNED BY HER SON, VILLAGE, SITUATED JUST ABOUT ONE KILOMETRE AWAY WHERE THE LAST OUTBREAK WAS UNCOVERED.
PLACE
IN FROM
LAU
UK
TSUEN
ANNOUNCING THE LATEST RABIES CASE, THE SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR NORMAN CHENG, SAID THAT THE CASE OCCURRED ON THE SAME DAY AS THE LAST OUTBREAK BUT DIFFERENT ANIMALS WERE INVOLVED.
/’’AFTER THE
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
14
’’AFTER THE BITING INCIDENT, THE BITER ANIMAL WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE SHEK WL’ HUI GOVERNMENT KENNEL FOR OBSERVATION BUT IT DIED THREE DAYS LATER.
’’LABORATORY EXAMINATION OF THE CARCASS CONDUCTED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THIS AFTERNOON THAT IT WAS A RABID ANIMAL,” DR CHENG SAID.
HE SAID STRINGENT RABIES CONTROL MEASURES INCLUDING MASSIVE STRAY SWEEPING OPERATIONS HAD BEEN STEPPED UP WITHIN THE AREA SINCE THE OUTBREAK AT SHEK TAU WAI ON JUNE 19 AND WERE CONTINUING.
”UP TO YESTERDAY, A TOTAL OF 659 STRAY DOGS AND 22 CATS HAD BEEN ROUNDED UP AND PUT DOWN,” HE SAID.
THIS IS THE 4 1ST RABIES CASE SINCE THE RESURGENCE OF THE DISEASE IN THE TERRITORY IN OCTOBER 1980.
DR CHENG SAID THAT AS SHUI LAU TIN IS WITHIN THE EXISTING RABIES INFECTED AREA OF KAM TIN AND PAT HEUNG, IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO EXTEND THE RABIES INFECTED AREA BOUNDARIES.
HOWEVER, HE APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE RABIES INFECTED AREAS FOR THEIR FULL CO-OPERATION TO SURRENDER UN INOCULATED AND UNWANTED DOGS TO THE DEPARTMENT AND TO REPORT STRAYS AS AND WHEN THEY ARE SIGHTED.
-------0----------
SCS SEES AFD’S WORK ♦ » ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING VISITED THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO ACQUAINT HIMSELF WITH THE VARIOUS FACETS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, HE WAS MET BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DR THOMAS YIP.
MR GREWAL WAS THEN TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FOUR OPERATIONAL BRANCHES RESPONSIBLE FOR DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION; MARKETING AND FISHERIES; AGRICULTURE, AND CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS MANAGEMENT.
/HR GREWAL........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
MR GREWAL WAS INTRODUCED TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTORS AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE RESPECTIVE BRANCHES AND WAS BRIEFED ON A WIDE RANGE OF DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES TO ASSIST THE FARMING AND FISHING INDUSTRIES TO ACHIEVE GREATER PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH INCREASED TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY, TO PROVIDE ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT WHOLESALE MARKETING OF FRESH FOOD, AND TO DEVELOP COUNTRY PARKS FACILITIES TO MEET THE INCREASING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
DURING THE VISIT, MR GREWAL SPOKE WITH STAFF IN THE GENERAL AND PERSONNEL REGISTRIES AND THE ACCOUNTS SECTIONS, AND LOOKED AT THEIR WORKING ARRANGEMENTS.
HE CONCLUDED HIS VISIT WITH A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF COMMITTEES AND ASSOCIATIONS FOR AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON STAFFING MATTERS.
------0-------
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION RECEIVED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t
A SOUVENIR HAS BEEN SENT BY THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FORESTRY TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN APPRECIATION OF THE DONATION OF $5 MILLION OF RELIEF SUPPLIES FOR VICTIMS OF THE RECENT FOREST FIRE DISASTER IN NORTHEAST (HINA.
THE CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION, BOUND IN CHINESE BROCADE, ARRIVED EARLY THIS MONTH AND CARRIED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE:
’’THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT YOU HAVE GENEROUSLY DONATED GOODS WORTH OF UK $5 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE SUPPRESSION OF THE HUGE FOREST FIRES WHICH BROKE OUT IN DAXJ NG’ANL1NG, NORTHEAST OF CHINA AND THE REHABILITATION OF THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE VICTIMS.”
THREE CONSIGNMENTS OF RELIEF ARTICLES, COMPRISING RICE, CANNED MEAT, BISCUITS, BLANKETS, DISPOSABLE SYRINGES, HOSPITAL AIR MATTRESSES, MEDICINE AND BLEACHING AGENT HAD BEEN SENT TO COLLECTION POINTS OF THE PROJECT FOR RECEIVING FOREST DISASTER RELIEF UNDER THE MINISTRY OF FORESTRY BY AIR AND RAILWAY LAST MONTH.
THIS FOLLOWED APPROVAL FOR $5 MILLION OF RELIEF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN RESPONSE TO AN APPEAL BY THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FORESTRY TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HELP THE 50,000 MADE HOMELESS BY THE I IRES AND I’HF THOUSANDS INJURED IN COMBATTING THE FIRES.
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/16........
FRIDAY, JULY JO, 1987
16
VILLACH- BUILDINGS, STRUG TURES DECLARED DANGEROUS ♦ t 1 ♦ t
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED 17 BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES IN A WONG TAI SIN VILLAGE TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION OR LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THOSE IN DANGEROUS CONDITION ARE NOS. I, 37, 48, 53, 54, 61, 62. 63, 64, 73 AND 73A, (’HUE YUEN UNITED VILLAGE, WHILE THE NOS. OF THOSE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS ARE 8, 9, 49, 52, 54B, 55 AND 107B.
THE PR INI'I DAI GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID SOME OF THE BUILDINGS WERE ONE OR IWO-STOREY VILLAGE-TYPE BUILDINGS AND SOME WERE TEMPORARY STRUCTURES ERI ('TED WITH SHORT-LIFE MATERIALS AND OF FLIMSY CONSTRUCTION.
"THE BUILDINGS ARE GENERALLY IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF
DILAPIDATION AND DETERIORATION,’* HI*
APART FROM THE TEMPORARY CRACKS ON Till* WALLS, SOME OF WHICH BRICKS AND BLOORS OF FARTII, W CUI A PLAIN MUD WITH AREAS OF EROSION.
SA I D.
STRUCTURES, THERE WERE NUMEROUS WERE CONSTRUCTED OF STONE RUBBLE, NUMBER OE OPEN JOINTS OR WHOLLY
WHERE HIE BUILDINGS WERT PARTIALLY CONSTRUCTED OF REINFORCED 'ONURETE, EXTENSIVE AREAS OF SPALLED CONCRETE WERE FOUND TO THE ( FILINGS AND THE UNDERSIDE OF BALCONIES, AND ALSO TO BEAMS AND LINTELS.
WHERE THE FLOORS AND ROOFS WIRE CONSTRUCTED OF TIMBER, SIGNS Ol* TIMBER DECAY AND TERMITE ATTACK WERE COMMON.
SOME OF HIE BUILDINGS HAD INADEQUATE FIRE ESCAPES.
HE SAID A PORTION OF THE ROOF AT THE REAR OF NO. 63 COLLAPSED SOME TIME AGO AX’D A PARTI Al ('OLI. APSE OF A SIDE WALL OF NO. 56 HAD RENDERED NO. 55 LIABLE To BECOME DANGEROUS.
"AIL THESE BUILDINGS ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE REACHED THE END OF THEIR USEFUL I IFF AND ARE BEYOND REASONABLE REPAIR," HE SAID,
NOTICES OT INTENTION To \pp|,Y FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN HONG KONG DISTRICT < OUR’T IN AUGUST ON ALL BUILDINGS EXCEPT NOS. I, , 37, 18, 54
Ml) 73A, WHICH ARE ON G< »V FRL‘MEN’1 L\NI>, WERE POSTED THIS .MORNING.
IN THESE OTHER c\s|. CROWN LAND NOTICES WILL BE GIVEN.
------O--------
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
17 -RECLAMATION PROPOSED AT WEST TSING YI » » « * »
THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AND THE SHELL IUCTARES Ol FORESHORE PURPOSES.
IS CONSIDERING GRANTING HONG KONG UNXTBD COMPANY <iF HONG KONG LIMITED ABOUT 41.35 AND SEA 9»D ON TSING YI FOR RECLAMATION
THE PROPOSED RECLAHAT J 01.', ON THE WEST COAST OF THE ISLAND, 13 TO PROVIDE LAND FOR SHIPBUILDING, 'SHIP REPAIRING, HEAVY ENGINEERING, CONTAINER RELATED USES, HULK STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND PETROCHEMICALS, TOGETHER WITH CONSTRUCTION OF PT'iRS.
THE AFFECTED AREA. SUBJECT To GOVERNMENT'S AGREEMENT TO GRANT THE LEA IES TO THE TWO COMPANIES, IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO (T'l’SIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUI DINGS AND LANDS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 9.
THE NOTICE AND A RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE VIEWED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING IN CENTRAL, AND AT KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF KWAI HING GOVERNMENT' OFFICES BUILDING IN hWAl CHUNG.
-------0 - - -
RESITE HOUSES TO BE BUILT IN TAI PO t t * » t
FORTY-TWO THREE-STOREY VILLAGE RESITE HOUSES ARE TO BE BUILT Al KAM SHEK SUN TSUEN, TAI PO, BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE THE THIRD AND LAST STAGE OF A DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BY THE AUTHORITIES IN THE AREA TO HOUSE RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES NEAR TAI PO HUI RAILWAY STATION.
THE FIRST ANU SECOND STAGES, COMPRISING A TOTAL OF 52 UNITS, WERE BUILT IN 19P3 AND 1985. f
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED TO CARRY OUT THE WORK WHICH WILL START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN JULY NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 31.
(> ------ /18....................
FKJD/.Y, JULY 10, 1987
- 18 -BUILDING MANAGEMENT CAMPAIGN STARTS TOMORROW * ♦ » » »
AM EXHIB'TION FOCUSSING ON VARIOUS ASPECTS O'1 PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS MANAGEMENT WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE TOMORROW (SATURDAY AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE
THE EVENT WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE DISTRICT’S PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
"THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN, Oli ERING A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AIMS AT ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF AND PARTICIPATION IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID.
AT TOMORROW’S EXHIBITION, 30 PANELS DISPLAYING PHOTOGRAPHS, DIAGRAMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ON GENERAL INFORMATION OF BUIuDlHGS AND THE MANAGEMENT PROCESS WILL BE SET UP.
IN ADDITION, LEAFLETS SUMMARISING THE MAIN THEMES OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PARTICIPANTS.
OTHER ACTIVITIES DURING THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDE TWO SEMINARS AND A SYMPOSIUM TO ALLOW RESIDENTS, ACADEMICS AND PROFESSIONALS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS RELATING TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OE THE CAMPAIGN TOMORROW WILL BE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR T.H. CHAU.
NOTE TO i.di tors:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD Al 2.15 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE, TS1M SHA TSU’. INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS BRENDA CHAN, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
-------o---------
RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR FIREMEN STARTS ♦ ♦ » »
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH' A THREE-WEEK RECRUITMENT EXERCISE FUR FIREMEN AND STATION OFFICERS STARTING TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
I
"WE ARE OFFERING A CAREER OF VARIETY, INTEREST AND OPPORTUNITY TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
/APPLICANTS SHOULD „
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
19 -
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE WITH NORMAL EYESIGHT AND BE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE. ALL RECRUITS WILL BE TRAINED FOR GENERAL FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE WORK, ’’HILE STATION OFFICERS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM SUPERVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES.
THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC QL .L1FICATION REQUIRED FOR FIREMEN IS FORM THREE LEVEL AND APPLICANTS FOR STATION OFFICER MUST POSSESS AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AT GRADE E OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERT FICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THE STARTING SALARY FOR FIREMaN VARIES FROM $3,895 TO $4,290 DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RISES TO A MAXIMUM OF $5,745. FOR STATION OFFICER, THE STARTING SALARY VARIES FROM $7,560 TO $9,355, AGAIN DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND THE MAXIMUM SALARY IS ’16,625.
ON JOINING THE SERVICE, A RECRUIT WILL BE PUT ON PROBATION FOR THREE YEARS. HE WILL BE CONFIRMED TO THE PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE ESTABLISHMENT AFTER HE HAS CARRIED OUT HIS DUTIES SATISFACTORILY AND PASSED THE REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS (GF 340) MAY BE OBTAINED FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE RECRUITMENT UNIT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 1 HONG CHONG ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
-------o ---------
ROAD USERS’ CODE PUBLISHED *****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR (TRAFFIC), ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, MR GEOFFREY ROPER, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE NEWLY-PUBLISHED ROAD USERS’ CODE ON TUESDAY (JULY 14.) AFTERNOON.
THE CODE, SET TO REPLACE THE HIGHWAY CODE, PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE FOR MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS CONFERENCE ROOM AT 28/F, HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG AT 3 PM ON JULY 14 (TUESDAY).
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/2O........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 20 -
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB TO CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY *****
THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) WILL CELEBRATE \T . 10TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR WITH PAGEANTRY AND MORE AND BETTER S’?! YU < S TO THE COMMUNITY.
AS A CURTAIN-RAISER OF THE CELEBRATIONS, 24 OUTSTAND!.. CYC MEMBERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED A SEVEN-DAY TRIP UNDER A MERIT AWARD SCHEME TO SINGAPORE TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT OF CYC AND TO ENRICH THEIR EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNITY WORK.
THE DELEGATION, WHICH IS DUE TO LEAVE ON MONDAY, WAS PRESENTED THE COLOURS OF CYC BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. I.T ODAY (FRIDAY).
THEY ALSO RECEIVED THEIR AIR TICKETS FROM MR T.P. LAW Or THE LAW’S FOUNDATION WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED LAST YEAR PRIMARILY ?O >\ MOTE CYC ACTIVITIES.
THE OVERSEAS TRIP PRECEDES THE CYC 10TH ANN1VERS, JAMI' NEXT MONTH. ABOUT 700 CYC MEMBERS WILL SHARE THEIR CAMARADEP f N FOUR-DAY CAMP AT WU KAI SHA.
UNDER A NEW SLOGAN SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, "10 YEARS DILIGENT CULTIVATION TO UPHOLD Th! CYC SPIRIT", A TERRITORY-WIDE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR TO ENLIST MORE STUDENTS INTO THE 200,000 S RONG BRIGADE.
THE CELEBRATIONS WILL REACH A CLIMAX WHEN 10,000 CYC MEMBERS CONVERGE AT THE COLISEUM ON NOVEMBER 20 FOR ITS ANNUAL PARADE WITH POMP AND COLOUR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR CYC SAID: "WE HAVE LINED UP A SPECTACULAR PARADE WITH MARCHING BANDS AND A TELESCREEN PRESENTATION O. YC’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS."
TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO PROVIBE CYC WITH A PERMANENT HOME AT SHAM SHUI PO TO PROMOTE ITS ACTIVITIES.
SUPERVISORS AND LEADERS OF CYC WILL ALSO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN A NEW AWARD SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED LATER THIS YEAR IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SERVICES AND CONTRIBUTIONS.
IN LINE WITH THE CYC SPIRIT OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY, ELDERLY PEOPLE FROM THE 19 CYC DISTRICTS WILL BE TREATED TO A DAY OF FUND AND GAMES TO BE GIVEN BY CYC MEMBERS AROUND CHRISTMAS.
CYC HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE IT WAS INAUGURATED 10 YEARS AGO WITH THE AIM TO MOBILISE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO PROMOTE THE CLE.-'N HONG KONG CAMPAIGN. ITS MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN FROM A MODEST START OF 20,000 TO 205,800 TODAY.
/under the
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 19&7
- 21
UNDER THE MOTTO "IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY", CYC MEMBERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO EVERY MAJOR CAMPAIGN FOR THE BETTERMENT OF HONG KONG.
APART FROM THEIR ON-GOING INVOLVEMENT IN THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, CYC MEMBERS HAVE ALSO TAKEN PART TN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION EXERCISES STAGED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, CULTURAL AND AMENITY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY LEADING TRADE AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS, AS WELL AS CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
THEY HAVE ALSO TAKEN PART IN FUND RAISING EXERCISES ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST. LAST YEAR, CYC RAISED MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
-------O----------
SUMMER FUN FOR YOUTHS IN NORTH DIS1RK I t * * t t
YOUNG PEOPLE IN NORTH DISTRICT WILL SERIES OF RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL XNI
BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIV ITIES THIS
SUMMER.
64 EVENTS
NEXT WEEK
TO THE END OF AUGUST.
ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY’, COMPETITIONS
THE GAMES
AND
SERVE AND
, WHICH FOCUS ON THE THEME SHARE FHE FUN, OUTDOOR ACT I V I T IES, SPORTS TALKS, TRAINING COURSES, CARNIVALS
WILL INCLUDE
SEMINARS AND
VARIETY SHOWS.
THIS YEAR THE ROYAL HONG KONG FOR THE DISTRICT SUMMER ACTIVITIES PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 WILL
JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED AND AN ESTIMATED 52,000
PART I ('I PATE.
$95,000 YOUNG
A PAMPHLET G1VJNG THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE (’HEUNG WAH PUBLIC HOUSING
AT AT
DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME IS N°W AVAILABLE itc PUHI IC ENQUIRY SERV ICES C------------
XU X I— SHUI.
CENTRES
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FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 22 -
KOWLOON CITY SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENS *****
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY-CUM-CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT 4.15 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 12) AT THE KO SHAN ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH, TO KWA WAN.
PROGRAMMES INCLUDE GAMES STALLS, CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AND THE PAINTING OF A FIVE BY FOUR METRE PICTURE HIGHLIGHTING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MR PETER LEE; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; AND DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (KOWLOON CITY), MR NG KAI-KIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
------0--------
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN EASTERN DISTRICT
*****
THE 1987 EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 8 PM IN THE CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING.
TO TIE IN WITH THE THEME OF ’SHARE THE FUN AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY’, THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE HAS PLANNED AND CO-ORDINATED A SERIES OF HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL PROGRAMMES FOR LOCAL YOUTHS BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $230,000 FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS TO ORGANISE ABOU'!' 160 YOUTH ACTIVITIES DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
THE PROGRAMME COVERS SOCIAL SERVICES AND YOUTH PROJECTS, SPORTS AND GAMES, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, VISITS AND OUTINGS, CARNIVALS, EXHIBITIONS AND SEMINARS.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW PERFORMED BY VARIOUS ARTISTES, LOCAL SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 23 -
OFFICIATING AT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG;
THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR
REGIONAL
CHAIRMAN
SOCIAL WELFARE
OF THE EASTERN
OFFICER (HK), DISTRICT YOUTH
MR KWOK
EASTERN DISTRICT SHUM CHOI-SANG; NAI-SIK AND THE
RECREATION CO-ORDINATING
COMMITTEE, MRS JEANNIE CHOW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 8 PM ON 2ND FLOOR, CI TYPLAZA SHING. INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS LILLIAN CHAN WILL BE ON
WILL BE
TAIKOO
HAND TO
ASSIST THE MEDIA.
-------o---------
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CARNIVAL
» * ♦ ♦ *
YOUTH PROGRAMME A FREE VARIETY
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SUMMER BE LAUNCHED ON SUNDAY I JULY 12) AFTERNOON WITH “ THE ('HATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT.
WILL SHOW
AND A FUN-FILLED CARNIVAL AT
DISTRICT OFFICER, MR OPENING CEREMONY.
LAM KAM-KWONG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE
THERE WILL BE SINGING BY POP SINGER, PANG DISTRICT’S CHILDREN’S CHOIR, LION DANCES, ORIENTAL BAND PERFORMANCES.
KIN-SUN AND THE
DANCES AND PIPE
PARTICIPANTS MAY ALSO TAKE PART
IN VARIOUS STALL GAMES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DISTRICT
PM ON
CENTRAL AND WESTERN
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING AND CARNIVAL SI AR I I NG Al qilNDAV ( JUIY 12) AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT. OFFICER, MISS VALENTINA CHAN, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE
2 : 30
INFORMALTION
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/24........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 24 -
BUS TOURS TUEN MUN TO PROMOTE SUMMER ACTIVITIES ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
A DECORATED BUS WILL TOUR TUEN MUN TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO PUBLICISE THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO BE HELD LATER THAT AFTERNOON.
THE VEHICLE WILL START ITS JOURNEY FROM BUTTERFLY ESTATE FROM 11 AM AND TOUR VARIOUS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN THE DISTRICT THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON WITH A LAST STOP AT SAN HUI BEFORE THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PROGRAMME AT 4.30 PM.
THE OPENING CEREMONY FEATURING GAMES STALLS WILL BE HELD AT THE YAN 01 TOWN SQUARE IN YAN CHING CIRCUIT.
AMONG THE GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN SELBY.
SOME 500 ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE GEARED TO THE THEME OF ’SHARE THE FUN AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY* HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT UNTIL MID-SEPTEMBER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT 4.30 PM AT THE YAN 01 TOWN SQUARE AT YAN (JUNG CIRCUIT ON SATURDAY.
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SHA TIN SUMMER YOUTH
♦
PROGRAMME OPENS ON SUNDAY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
YOUNG PEOPLE IN SHA TIN WILL HAVE AN EVENTFUL SUMMER AS MORE THAN 500 ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM EUN DAYS, EXHIBITIONS, VARIETY SHOWS TO LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS WILL BE ORGANISED AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
LAUNCHING THE SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE A LARGE-SCALE PAINTING COMPETITION AND A CAREER-CUM-SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME EXHIBITION TO BE STAGED AT 'HIE ROMAN FOUNTAIN AREA IN THE NEW CITY PLAZA ON SUNDAY (JULY 12).
SOME 300 PARTICIPANTS WILL TAKE PART IN THE PAINTING COMPETITION STARTING 10 AM AND OUTSTANDING WORKS WILL BE SELECTED AND DISPLAYED IN THE EXHIBITION IN THE AFTERNOON.
/DISTRICT OFFICERS, .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG,; SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MR ANDREW WONG; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MRS ROSANNA TAM WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AT THE ROMAN FOUNTAIN AREA AT 10.30 AM.
WITH A BUDGET OF SOME $109,000, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND CO-ORDINATED BY A SPECIAL COMMITTEE COMPRISING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AS WELL AS LOCAL AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS. DETAILED PROGRAMMES CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, VARIOUS COMMUNITY HALLS AND YOUTH CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT THE ROMAN FOUNTAIN AREA IN THE NEW CITY PLAZA, SHA TIN, AT 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 12).
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CLEAN BEACH DAY IN TURN MUN » t ♦ ♦ ♦
SOME 300 STUDENTS WILL HELP DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE TO KEEP HONG KONG’S BEACHES CLEAN AT A CLEAN BEACH DAY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT BUTTERFLY BEACH IN TUEN MUN.
THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN IN THE DISTRICT.
ACTIVITIES OF THE DAY WILL INCLUDE A REFUSE COLLECTION COMPETITION AND A QUIZ. .
THE ACTIVITIES WILL START FROM 11 AM WITH A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDWARD YAU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 26 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD NORTHBOUND
* * « » »
PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN PUI CHING ROAD AND ARGYLE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON MONDAY (JULY 13), JULY 15 AND JULY 17 FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER RECONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR WATERLOO ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE SLIP ROAD TO PUI CHING ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD.
HOWEVER, ACCESS TO THE PREMISES ALONG THIS SECTION OF PRINCESS - MARGARET ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE MAINTAINED. MOTORISTS ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD NORTHOBUND HEADING FOR THESE PREMISES MAY USE EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING DIVERSION ROUTES:
* PUI CHING ROAD, SHEUNG SHING STREET, SHEK KU STREET, PERTH STREET AND THE ACCESS ROAD UNDERNEATH THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER;OR
» PUI CHING ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND, U-TURN LOOP NEAR THE JUNCTION OF WATERLOO RAOD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD SOUTHBOUND AND THE ACCESS ROAD UNDERNEATH THE FLYOVER OPPOSITE PERTH STREET.
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ROADS IN YUEN LONG CLOSED FOR FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION *****
TRAFFIC LANES ON A NUMBER OF ROADS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM FROM MONDAY (JULY 13) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLYOVER.
FROM JULY 13 TO 16, ABOUT 35 METRES OF THE SECTION OF LONG YIP STREET WEST OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD/LONG YIP STREET/ON LOK ROAD JUNCTION WILL BE REDUCED FROM THREE LANE TO ONE LANE TRAFFIC.
FROM JULY 17 TO 18 AND FROM JULY 20 TO 21, ABOUT 45 METRES OF THE SECTION OF WESTBOUND CASTLE PEAK ROAD EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE REDUCED FROM THREE LANE TO TWO LANE TRAFFIC, WHILE ABOUT A 12-METRE SECTION OF ON LOK ROAD WEST OF THE JUNCTION WILL BE REDUCED FROM THREE LANE TO ONE LANE TRAFFIC.
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FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1987
- 27
BUS-ONLY LANE LIFTED
*****
THE BUS-ONLY LANE RESTRICTION ALONG A 90-METRE STRETCH OF CANAL ROAD EAST NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 13).
THE MEASURE, TO BE IN FORCE FOR FOUR DAYS, IS TO FACILITATE WORKS ON THE TRAM TRACK ADJACENT TO THE BUS-ONLY LANE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONGKONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG WILL RSKAIN STaBLE AND PROSPEROUS: CBF.............. 1
GOVERNMENT TjiKING MEASURES TO IMPROVE BUILDING MAN^GELENT ... 2
FORMATION OF IN-PLANT FIRE PREVENTION TEAMS ENCOURAGING ...... 3
WATER CONSUMERS TO GET VOTER REGISTRATION FORM ............... 4
BREAKTHROUGH OF JUNK BAY TUNNEL .............................. 5
FOOD HYGIENE aT HOME CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED ....................... 6
SEWaGE TREATMENT WORKS CONTRACT AWARDED....................... 8
YOUTHS URGED TO PRACTISE CIVIC EDUCATION ..................... 8
SOUTHERN DISTRICT SYP KICKS OFF WITH CARNIVaL ................ 9
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR SaI KUNG .......................... 10
PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER CLOSED AT NIGHT ............... 10
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD NEXT WEEKEND ..................... 11
CARNIVAL KICKS OFF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME .................... 12
YMT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STaRTS TOMORROW ................... 13
SWIMMING GaLa FOR ISLANDERS .................................. 13
SUPPLEMOT.JRY BC'aRD MEETING ................................. 14
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO ...............
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
HONG KONG WILL REMAIN STABLE AND PROSPEROUS: CBF
*****
HONG KONG WILL REMAIN THE STABLE AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY THAT IT NOW IS, IN FUTURE, IF PAST STANDARDS OF POLICE FORCE LOYALTY AND INTERGRITY IN TIMES OF CHANGE OR DIFFICULTY ARE MAINTAINED.
THE OUT-GOING COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL TONY BOAM, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, WONG CHUK HANG.
DESCRIBING THE POLICE FORCE AS A SERVICE WITH AN ENVIABLE RECORD AND FINE HISTORY, MAJ-GEN BOAM TOLD 181 RECRUITS THAT IT IS MADE UP OF LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE WHO WILL ASSIST, ADVISE AND DIRECT AT EVERY STAGE IN THEIR CAREER.
IN THE FORCE, OFFICERS HAVE TO MASTER MANY VARYING SUBJECTS RANGING FROM CRIMINAL LAW TO LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND WEAPON TRAINING TO LIFE SAVING AND FIRST AID, WHICH ARE THE BASIC GROUNDWORK BEHIND THE CAREER THEY HAVE CHOSEN, HE SAID.
"YOU WILL FIND THERE IS MUCH TO LEARN AND THE REALITIES OF PUTTING THIS KNOWLEDGE INTO GOOD COMMONSENSE USE WILL BE TESTING, AND WILL USE ALL YOUR RESERVES OF ENERGY, PATIENCE AND COURAGE.
"YOU WILL REQUIRE PAINSTAKING DILIGENCE AND AN EYE FOR DETAIL NOT EXPECTED IN MANY PROFESSIONS. YOU WILL NEED TO BE CALM IN DANGEROUS AND DISTRESSING SITUATIONS WHEN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AROUND YOU ARE NOT, AND ARE LOOKING TO YOU FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE AND REASSURANCE.”
MAJ-GEN BOAM SAID THEY MUST SET AN EXAMPLE TO THE COMMUNITY — ESPECIALLY THE YOUTH — AND THEIR HONESTY, INTERGRITY,FAIRNESS AND SELFLESSNESS MUST BE UNQUESTIONABLE.
HE ALSO SAID THEY WILL MAKE FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST FOR PROBABLY THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, FOR FRIENDSHIPS MADE IN SITUATIONS OF DANGER OR ADVERSITY ARE THE STRONGEST OF ALL.
"IT IS AN ASPECT OF SERVICE LIFE YOU WILL COME TO APPRECIATE GREATLY AND WHICH THOSE IN CIVILIAN LIFE HAVE NO RIVAL.
HE SAID THE FUTURE FOR THEM ALL IS ONE OF CHALLENGE AND COMMITMENT WHICH SHOULD BE MET CHEERFULLY AND WITH ENTHUSIASM, AND WHICH WILL GIVE THEM GREAT JOB SATISFACTION.
-----0------
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
- 2 -
GOVERNMENT TAKING MEASURES TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A SERIES OF MEASURES TO ENABLE BUILDING OWNERS AND TENANTS TO MANAGE THEIR PROPERTIES MORE EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR T.H. CHAU SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THEY INCLUDE THE SETTING UP OF THREE MORE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, OTHER THAN THE FOUR EXITING TEAMS IN YAU MA TEI, EASTERN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Y1 AND MONG KOK DISTRICTS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YAU MA TEI PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE.
"WE ARE ALSO PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS, WOULD SIMPLIFY THE FORMATION OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND TO STRENGTHEN THE RULES AND PROCEDURES IN RESPECT OF FINANCIAL MATTERS AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO DRAFTED A SET OF GUIDELINES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO NEW DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, MR CHAU ADDED.
"CONSULTATIVE PAPERS ON THESE PROPOSED MEASURES HAD ALREADY BEEN SENT TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO SOLICIT THEIR VIEWS," HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, MR CHAU STRESSED THAT THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF RESIDENTS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT WAS MOST VITAL TO BRING ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS AREA.
"BUILDING OWNERS AND TENANTS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE PROBLEMS AND FEATURES OF THEIR BUILDINGS AND THUS ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO BE INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT PROCESS," HE SAID.
IN FACT, HE SAID, THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT LAUNCHED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE WAS TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AND PARTICIPATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
"I AM SURE THAT THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN, PARTICI PANTS WILL REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND WILL COME TO FEASIBLE PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO RELATED PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN BEGAN TODAY WITH AN EXHIBITION FEATURING GENERAL INFORMATION ON BUILDINGS, COMMON PROBLEMS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
THE EXHIBITION HELD AT HIE NEW WORLD CENTRE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 17 AND AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU M/A TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM JULY 19 TO 26.
/OTHER ACTIVITIES .......
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 19^7
OTHER ACTIVITIES DURING THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDED SEMINARS AND A SYMPOSIUM WHICH WOULD ENABLE RESIDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS AND PROBLEMS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS, MR FRANCIS S.K. LAU; CHAIRMAN OF INSTITUTE OF HOUSING (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR C.K. CHU; DIRECTOR OF CENTRE OF URBAN STUDIES AND URBAN PLANNING, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR R.Y. KWOK AND ASSOCIATE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND SURVEYING, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MR G.R. BALDWIN.
THE FOUR-WEEK CAMPAIGN WAS SPONSORED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD.
-----0-----
FORMATION OF IN-PLANT FIRE PREVENTION TEAMS ENCOURAGING ♦ t ♦ ♦
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THE SPECIAL FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN APRIL AND MAY THIS YEAR HAD EFFECTIVELY PROMOTED SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS.
HE SAID AN IMMEDIATE RESULT WAS THAT FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT, 19 FACTORIES HAD ALREADY SET UP IN-PLANT FIRE PREVENTION TEAMS COMPRISING BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
AND PLANS ARE ALSO AFOOT IN SOME 100 OTHER FACTORIES TO ESTABLISH SIMILAR TEAMS.
’’CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IS NECESSARY TO FOSTER AN ATTITUDE OF MIND FAVOURABLE TO SAFE PRACTICE IN THE WORKPLACE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE SETTING UP OF FIRE PREVENTION TEAMS WITHIN THE FACTORY, THEREFORE, IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FOSTER THIS ATTITUDE OF MIND."
DURING THE TWO-MONTH CAMPAIGN PERIOD, THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT 12,580 INSPECTIONS ON FACTORIES MANUFACTURING NON-WOVEN POLYESTERFIBRE SHEETINGS, POLYURETHANE-FOAM PADDINGS, EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE PRODUCTS, QUILTS, PADDED GARMENTS USING SYNTHETIC SPONGY LININGS OR NATURAL-FIBRE UNDERLININGS, STUFFED TOYS AND CARTONS.
FACTORIES USING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS AND JEWELLERY WORKSHOPS USING PETROLEUM VAPOURISING JETS WERE ALSO CHECKED.
/AS A........
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 198?
4
AS A RESULT, THEY INITIATED 465 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST EMPLOYERS BREACHING THE FIRE PREVENTION AND HEALTH REGULATldNS.
APART FROM ENFORCEMENT ACTION, FACTORY INSPECTORS ALSO DISTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF 17,747 PUBLICATIONS ON INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, INCLUDING AN ILLUSTRATED LEAFLET ON THE CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES, TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR REFERENCE.
IN ADDITION, THE INSPECTORS CONDUCTED 155 DEMONSTRATIONS SHOWING WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT THE USE OF EQUIPMENT FOR MONITORING THE EXHAUST SYSTEMS IN PLANTS AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
IN VIEW OF THE SUCCESS OF THE CAMPAIGN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, SIMILAR CAMPAIGNS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN FUTURE TO SUSTAIN THE PROGRESS MADE SO FAR.
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WATER CONSUMERS TO GET VOTER REGISTRATION FORM *****
WATER CONSUMERS MAY FIND A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM ALONG WITH THEIR WATER BILLS IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT BY THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TO REMIND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED AS ELECTORS TO DO SO BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
’’ABOUT 800,000 HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE COVERED IN THIS MAILING EXERCISE WHICH DOES NOT INVOLVE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE GOVERNMENT,’’ REGISTRATION. OFFICER, MR K.T. LAI SAID.
’’THE REMAINING 600,000 WATER CONSUMERS WILL BE INCLUDED IN NEXT YEAR’S EXERCISE,” HE ADDED.
ANYONE WHO IS 21 YEARS OLD BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND IS A HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT OR HAS RESIDED HERE FOR SEVEN YEARS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER.
ONCE REGISTERED, THE ELECTOR WILL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE IN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
REGISTRATION IS EASY. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ONLY HAVE TO FILL IN POSTAGE FREE APPLICATION FORM AND PUT IT IN THE POST BOX OR RETURN IT TO ANY DISTRICT OFFICES.
/MR LAI .......
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 198?
5 -
MR LAI POINTED OUT THAT THE PUBLIC COULD NOW SEND IN THEIR REGISTRATION FORMS AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR. BUT TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS ENOUGH TIME TO PROCESS THEIR APPLICATION FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR, THEY SHOULD REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
A MAJOR VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE HAS BEEN PLANNED TOGETHER WITH THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR MID-AUGUST TO END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
REGISTRATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, AND HOUSING ESTATES OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONES 5-270380 OR 5-270369.
BREAKTHROUGH OF JUNK BAY TUNNEL
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN MOVED A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, OFFICIATED AT THE BREAKTHROUGH OF THE FIRST OF TWO TUBES FORMING THE NEW JUNK BAY TUNNEL. THE TUNNEL WILL BRING THE NEW TOWN ABOUT TWO KILOMETRES CLOSER TO KWUN TONG.
THIS WAS THE FIRST MILESTONE IN A $134 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE MAIN CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK FOR THE DIRECT PRINCIPAL ROAD ACCESS FROM JUNK BAY ROAD AT LAM TIN IN KWUN TONG TO THE POPULATION CENTRE IN JUNK BAY.
THE CONTRACT, WHICH COMMENCED LAST SEPTEMBER, INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF TWO 900-METRE-LONG TUBES WITH TWO TRAFFIC LANES IN EACH.
ROCK TUNNELLING IS BEING USED FOR A DISTANCE OF 700 METRES, WITH THE EASTERN 200 METRES BEING CONSTRUCTED USING CUT AND COVER METHODS.
THE TUNNEL WILL HAVE A CONCRETE LINING AND A 7.4 METRE WIDE ROADWAY IN BOTH TUBES.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS CONTRACT IS THE LAYING OF LARGE DIAMETER WATERMAINS AND UTILITY SERVICES BELOW THE ROAD IN THE SOUTHERN OF THE TWO TUBES. THE WATERMAINS FROM A PORTION OF THE FRESH WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FROM THE PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS IN SAI KUNG, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCION, AND WILL EVENTUALLY DISTRIBUTE FRESH WATER TO EAST KOWLOON, HONG KONG ISLAND AND JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
/THE CIVIL
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
THE CIVIL WORKS FOR THE TUNNEL ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN THE LATER PART OF 1989. FUTURE CONTRACTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRINCIPAL ROAD ACCESS TO JUNK BAY WILL INCLUDE THE EASTERN \PPROACHES FROM THE TUNNEL TO THE JUNK BAY RECLAMATION, COMPRISING MAJOR ROAD AND BRIDGEWORKS; ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTS FOR LIGHTING, VENTILATION, TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE AND TOLL COLLECTION; THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING; AND A ROADWORKS CONTRACT FOR THE SECTION FROM JUNK BAY ROAD TO THE WEST END OF THE TUNNEL, INCLUDING THE TOLL PLAZA.
THE WHOLE OF THE WORKS RELATED TO THE PRINCIPAL ACCESS ARE ANTICIPATED TO COST AROUND $520 MILLION AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF 1990.
TRAFFIC TO JUNK BAY WILL INITIALLY BE SERVED BY THE IMPROVED PO LAM ROAD. HOWEVER, AS THE POPULATION BUILDS UP IN THE NEW TOWN THERE WILL BE NEED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS TO JUNK BAY AND THIS WILL BE CATERED FOR BY THE TUNNEL IN ADVANCE OF TRAFFIC DEMAND.
THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL IS VIAN INI LAVORI S.P.A.
AND THE WORKS ARE BEING SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA.
-------------------0------- FOOD HYGIENE AT HOME CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
A TERRITORY-WIDE "1987 FOOD HYGIENE AT HOME DRIVE" WILL BE LAUNCHED DURING THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD HYGIENE.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, STAFF FROM THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WILL DISTRIBUTE CIRCULAR LETTERS WITH SUPPORTING PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO ESTATE/BUJLDJ NG MANAGEMENTS, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF SOME BASIC RULES IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF FOOD-BORNE DISEASES.
INFORMATION LEAFLETS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT
OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION,
OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL
DISTRICT
SERVICES
DEPARTMENT, SUPERMARKETS AND MARKET OFFICES.
THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL BROADCAST OF MESSAGES ON I OOI) HYGIENE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS AT STATUE SQUARE, CENTRAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY). BROADCASTS ON HYGIENIC FOOD PRACTICES WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS LATER.
/A SPOKESMAN
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 19&7
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT URGED THE PUBLIC TO MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOl R * HOT-LINE* SERVICE (5-8916443) WHICH WOULD BE IN OPERATION TILL THE END OF AUGUST 19K7 FOR INFORMATION ON FOOD HYGIENE AT HOME.
’’THEY CAN ALSO APPROACH DISTRICT HEALTH STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE,” HE SAID.
”AS SUMMER IS THE PEAK BREEDING SEASON FOR BACTERIA BECAUSE OF THE HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS, FOOD-BORNE DISEASES CAN EASILY SPREAD IF FOOD HYGIENE IS OVERLOOKED AT HOME,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE FOLLOWING PRACTICES ARE SUGGESTED AS BASIC RULES FOR FOOD HYGIENE AT HOME:
(I) PERSONAL HABITS TO BE OBSERVED WHILE PREPARING FOOD
(A) KEEP THE HANDS ('LEAN.
(B) NEVER COOK WHEN SICK.
(C) DRESS UP (UTS AND SORES.
(I)) NO SMOKING, COUGHING AND SNEEZING OVER FOOD.
(II) SOURCE OF FOOD
(A) DON’T BUY FOOD WHICH IS NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED AGAINST DUST AND VERMINS.
(B) DON’T PATRONISE ILLEGAL COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS.
(Ill) FOOD STORAGE
NEVER STORE FOOD IN ROOM TEMPERATURE FOR A LONG PERIOD. MAKE GOOD USE OF THE REFRIGERATOR.
(IV) FOOD PREPARATION AND COOKING
(A) ( B) (C) (D)
SEPARATE RAW AND COOKED FOOD COOK FOOD THOROUGHLY. DISPOSE OF REFUSE PROPERLY. KEEP THE KITCHEN CLEAN*
- - 0 -
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
- 8 -
SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS CONTRACT AWARDED *****
A $9.2 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SECOND STAGE OF SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, HUTCHISON-BOAG ENGINEERING LIMITED WILL SUPPLY AND INSTALL SLUDGE DIGESTION EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE THE WORKS.
A FEATURE OF THE EQUIPMENT IS THAT IT SAVES ENERGY FOR THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORK AS IT GENERATES ITS OWN ELECTRICITY. WHEN THE EQUIPMENT IS OPERATING, METHANE IS PRODUCED FROM THE SLUDGE WHICH IS TRANSFERRED TO THE POWER HOUSE FOR USE AS A FUEL FOR THE ELECTRICITY GENERATOR.
THE TREATMENT FACILITIES WILL BE CAPABLE OF COPING WITH A POPULATION OF OVER HALF A MILLION IN SHA TIN AND MA ON SHAN.
THE PLANT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND IS PART OF ON-GOING MEASURES TO CONTROL WATER QUALITY IN TOLO HARBOUR.
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YOUTHS URGED TO PRACTISE CIVIC EDUCATION
* * * » »
APART FROM LEARNING THEORIES OF CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH VARIOUS KINDS OF ACTIVITIES, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT YOUNGSTERS SHOULD GRASP EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PUT WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED TO PRACTICE, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TAI O SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, MR NG SAID: "EVERYONE OF YOU, FOR INSTANCE, CAN EXPRESS YOUR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT RELEASED IN MAY."
HE ALSO URGED QUALIFIED ISLANDERS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS DURING MID-AUGUST TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER AND TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS BY VOTING IN THE DISTRICT BOARD FLECTIONS IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
"AS THE THEME OF THE 1987 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS 'SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY,’ ITS AIM IS TO PROVIDE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS SO THAT THEY CAN MAKI- USE OF THEIR SIMMER HOLIDAY TO PREPARE AND EQUIP THEMSELVES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BETTER," MR NG SA 11).
/AMONG THI .......
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1?87
- 9
AMONG THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAMME, ’STEP ON THE CIVIC ROAD’ AND 'CIVIC EDUCATION TRAINING CAMP’ WERE TWO WHICH AIMED AT RAISING THE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE SO THAT THEY COULD SHOW MORE CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY, HE ADDED.
MORE THAN 1,000 YOUNGSTERS TOOK PART IN THE OPENING CEREMONY AND A CARNIVAL WAS HELD WITH SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCE AND GAMES STALLS.
-------O---------
SOUTHERN DISTRICT SYP KICKS OFF WITH CARNIVAL « * » * *
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL START OFF WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY-CUM-CARNIVAL FEATURING SPLENDID PERFORMANCES AND EXCITING GAMES TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE CHI FU FA YUEN SKATING RINK IN POK FU LAM.
THERE WILL BE PUPPETS SHOWS, SINGING AND DANCING; AND GAMES STALLS WILL BE SET UP TO PROVIDE FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR HUNDREDS OF YOUNGSTERS.
A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY WILL PRECEDE THE CARNIVAL. OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR YUNG CHEK-CHOW; SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SIMON LORD; PRESIDENT OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG SOUTH, MR FRANCIS TSANG; AND CHAIRMAN OF ABERDEEN CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR ALBERT POON.
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN THE DISTRICT WILL RUN FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER. MORE THAN 150 ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD AND MORE THAN 20,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED IO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY-CUM-CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT 11 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT CHI FU FA YUEN SKATING RINK. INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
/1O........
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SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
10 -
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR SAI KUNG ♦ t ♦ ♦ *
SAI KUNG RESIDENTS AND YOUTHS ENJOYED AN AFTERNOON OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN THE DISTRICT’S 1987 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY CUM CARNIVAL WAS LAUNCHED IN THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL.
PROGRAMMES FEATURED IN THE CARNIVAL INCLUDED GAMES STALLS, ORIENTAL DANCING, SINGING, MAGIC SHOWS, PUPPET AND MIME SHOWS, COMPUTER GAMES AS WELL AS FILMS ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL ORGANSIATIONS, THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME THIS YEAR WILL HAVE 52 EVENTS HELD UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
THE EVENTS, WITH THE THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", INCLUDE CAMPINGS, VISITS, EXHIBITIONS, CARNIVALS, QUIZZES, PICNICS, BARBECUING, BALL GAMES, WATER SPORTS ACTIVITIES, TRAINING COURSES AND VARIOUS KINDS OF COMPETITIONS.
A SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ACTIVITIES WERE DESIGNED TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRICT’S CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ASPECTS, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FUNCTIONS OF VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND TO DEVELOP X SENSE OF BELONGING TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
ABOUT $160,000 INCLUDING $61,100 ALLOCATED FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS AND ABOUT $10,000 SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMMES.
COPIES OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BOOKLET WITH DETAILED INFORMATION' OF ALL FUNCTIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.
-----------------------0------- PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER CLOSED AT NIGHT ♦ * t ♦ ♦
THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON TUESDAY (JULY 11) AND ON JULY 16 FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR RECONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILI BE DIVERTED VIA GROUND LEVEL WATERLOO ROAD AND PR INCESS MARGARET ROAD.
- 0 - -
/11
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
11
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD NEXT WEEKEND * * * -t t
THIS YEAR'S HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WILL BE HELD FROM JULY 18 (SATURDAY) TO AUGUST 2 AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG.
THE CAMP ORGANISED B\ THE MUSIC OFFICE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1980.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, OVER 200 YOUNG MUSICAL TALENTS WILL BE BROUGHT TOGETHER FOR INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING IN A SUMMER CAMP ATMOSPHERE.
RENOWNED MUSICIANS FROM AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA HAVE BEEN INVITED TO CONDUCT MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS. OTHER PROGRAMMES INCLUDE FILM SHOWS AND HI-FI MUSIC APPRECIATION.
REHEARSALS WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED TO PREPARE THE CAMPERS FOR A FINALE CONCERT TO BE HELD AT SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON AUGUST 1 (SATURDAY) AT 8 PM.
POPULAR PIECES ON THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE SCHUBERT'S ROSAMUNDE OVERTURE, D.644, BIZET’S SELECTION FROM L’ARLESIENNE SUITE NO. 2, TCHAIKOVSKY’S SWAN LAKE BALLET SUITE, OP. 20, ZHANG LI-KUN’S BONFIRE, HU DENG-TIAO’S JOYFUL EVENING AND MA SHENG-LONG’S FISHERMAN’S SONG OF THE EASTERN SEA.
CONCERT TICKETS AT $5 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING URBTIX OUTLETS: SHA TIN TOWN HALL, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, CITY HALL. QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, SPACE MUSEUM, HONG KONG COLISEL'MM NGAU CHI WAN CIVIC CENTRE AND TOM LEE MUSIC CO. BRANCHES AT CAUSEWAY BAY, CAMERON LANE, TAIKOO SHING CITY PLAZA AND MAN YEE BUILDING.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 5-8235311.
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/12........
SATURDAY. JULY 11, 1987
12 -
CARNIVAL KICKS OFF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME
» * » * «
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, PROVIDING MORE THAN 600 ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS THIS SUMMER, WILL START WITH A CARNIVAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON AT MORSE PARK.
THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES B\ A YOUTH BAND AND A MOTOR CYCLING TEAM. GAME STALLS SET UP BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL START AT 2 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY OBTAIN FREE GAME COUPONS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CARNIVAL ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE WONG TAJ SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL CHENG; CHAIRMAN OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MISS MARGARET HONG; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH; SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON), MR KWOK KA-CHI; AND CHIEF MANAGER (LEISURE SERVICES) KOWLOON EAST OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR WOO WAI-MAN.
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL RUN UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SAID.
THERE WILL ALSO BE CAMPS, SPECIAL INTERESTS COURSES, VISITS, TOURS, PICNICS, LAUNCHES, CARNIVALS \ND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY 39 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, HE SAID.
"THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS GRANTED 3292,100 TO THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT THIS YEAR, WHILE THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ENDORSED A SPONSORSHIP OF $20,000," HE SAID.
PAMPHLETS GIVING DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAMME CAN BE OBTAINED FROM HIE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS BRANCH OFFICES, SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENIN''. CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 3.15 PM AT THE MORSE PARK FOOTBALL PITCH.
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/15........
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
- 13 -
YMT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS TOMORROW ♦ » * » »
A VARIETY SHOW, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA TO MARK THE START OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME,
PROGRAMMES FOR THE DAY INCLUDE BAND PERFORMANCE, CHINESE DANCE AND MARTIAL ARTS.
AMONG THOSE TO OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE; YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH.
BOOKLETS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC DURING A BUS PARADE AROUND THE DISTRICT ON THE SAME DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 2:30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA.
T
W
P ------0--------
SWIMMING GALA FOR ISLANDERS
A
THE 12TH ISLANDS DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA WILL BE HELD AT THE ■SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON, f
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL' TAKE PLACE AT 1.30 PM.
/l F
C _________________________________________
NOTE TO EDITORS: >
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
TWO GOVERNMENT VANS WILL LEAVE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER, CENTRAL FOR SHA TIN AT 12.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY). PRESS MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THE TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT. INFORMATION OFFICER, MR RAYMOND TAM WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
-----0------
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1987
- 14 -
SUPPLEMENTARY BOARD MEETING * * * * *
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING ON MONDAY (JULY 13) TO DISCUSS OUTSTANDING ITEMS FROM ITS PREVIOUS MEETING ON JUNE 26.
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT AND THE NAMING OF STREET IN SHEUNG SHUI.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE FIVE COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING ON MONDAY (JULY 13) AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE.
--------0----------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO
*****
TONG MEI ROAD BETWEEN LARCH STREET AND TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM FROM TUESDAY (JULY 14) TO JULY 20 FOR ROAD WORK.
THE SECTION OF LARCH STREET BETWEEN TONG MEI ROAD AND FIR STREET WILL BE CONVERTED TO ONE WAY WESTBOUND.
MEANWHILE, A TEMPORARY SLIP ROAD WILL BE CONSTRUCTED TO LINK TUNG CHAU STREET WITH TONG MEI ROAD SO THAT MOTORISTS ON TONG MEI ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LARCH STREET, LIME STREET, TUNG CHAU STREET, THE SLIP ROAD AND TONG MEI ROAD NORTHBOUND.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, PO ON STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE DURING THE PEAK PERIODS.
THE AFFECTED SECTION RUNS FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES NORTHWEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WING LUNG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES SOUTHEAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
-------o ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MARCH EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED 1
HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN LaUNCHED .............................. 5
SAFETY OF SCAFFOLDERS TO BE DISCUSSED ...................... 6
PROPER USE OF AIR-CONDITIONERS SaVE MONEY .................. 7
CONCERTED EFFORTS NEEDED TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE .............. 8
JUNE DRIER THAN USUaL....................................... 9
SCHOOL COMMUNITY MORE AWARE OF aIDS ....................... 12
FUNDS FOR CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS ........................ 1j
MORE COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR TUEN MUN CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX .................................................. 14
FACILITIES FOR ABERDEEN WATERFRONT PUBLIC LADING aREA... 15
YOUTH'S SOCIAL AWaRINESS GROWS WITH CIVIC EDUCATION ....... 15
SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT .............. 16
COLOURFUL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM !E GETS UNDERWAY............ 17
ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS IN YaU Ma TEI ....................... 17
YOUTHS ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ............. 18
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRaMME OPENS......: 19
ISLANDS DISTRICT SWIM TNG G«LA ............................ 20
TaI PO NEW TOWN FAMILY SERVICES ON AGENDA.................. 20
ROAD CLOSURE IN W.il'i CHaI ............................... 21
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
MARCH EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED * * * * *
THFRE WERE 864,900 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN MARCH 1987, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 2.8 PER CENT IN COMPARISON W TH MARCH 1986, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 620,000 IN MARCH 1987, WAS 4.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1986.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 197,200, WAS UP BY 6.2 PER CENT.
EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 8.7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MARCH 1986.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN MARCH 1987 WERE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED EVERY QUARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR MARCH 1987 IN THESE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, BY COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1986 AND DECEMBER 1986, ARE AS FOLLOWS
PERSONS ENGAGED
(EMPLOYMENT) IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR. 86 DEC. 86 MAR. 87 MAR. 87 ON MAR. 86 MAR. 87 ON DEC. 86
MANUFACTURING 841,500 865,600 864,900 + 2.8 -0.1
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY) 66,000 70,800 71,800 + 8.7 + 1.4
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 595,300 620,100 620,000 + 4.2
/FINANCING, .......
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 198?
2
FINANCING, 185,700 194,300 197,200 +6.2 +1.5
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
«» LESS THAN 0.05%
COMPARING MARCH 1987 WITH DECEMBER 1986, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 0.1 PER CENT. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR REMAINED FAIRLY STABLE. ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 1.5 PER CENT AND 1.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE SURVEY ALSO PROVIDES VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS, OTHER THAN FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION. THE OVERALL FIGURES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1986 AND DECEMBER 1986, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF REPORTED
VACANCIES IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE*
—
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR. 86 DEC. 86 MAR. 87 MAR. 87 ON MAR. 86 MAR. 87 ON DEC. 86
MANUFACTURING 25,880 25,760 47,790 + 84.7 + 85.5
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 8,110 10,850 16,000 + 97.2 + 47.5
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 3,050 3,300 5,280 + 72.8 + 60.0
♦ BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
RELATIVE TO MARCH 1986, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE. REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 81.7 PER CENT, 97.2 PER CENT AND 72.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/COMPARED WITH .......
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
3
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1986, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES INCREASED BY 85.5 PER CENT, 47.5 PER CENT AND 60 PER CENT ?OR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RESPECTIVELY. THE INCREASE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS PARTICULARLY RAPID.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE#
SELECTED MAJOR 1ST QTR. 1987
SECTORS OF THE 1ST QTR. 1ST QTR. ON
ECONOMY 1986 1987 1ST QTR. 1986
HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING 8,369 9,471 + 13.2
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 6,713 7,795 + 16.1
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 3,216 3,802 + 18.2
» BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 13.2 PER CENT, 16.1 PER CENT AND 18.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN MARCH 1986 AND MARCH 1987, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED. TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. THESE TWO INDICES FOR MARCH 1986 AND MARCH 1987 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW:
/Nominal index........
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
- • / I. w .• - 4 -
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR. 86 MAR. 87 MAR. 87 ON MAR. 86
MANUFACTURING 203.6 227.3 + 11.6
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 201.8 227.6 + 12.8
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 195.7 219.2 + 12.0
REAL PAYROLL PER (JUNE INDEX OF PERSON ENGAGED 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR. 86 MAR. 87 MAR. 87 ON MAR. 86
MANUFACTURING 126.9 135.8 + 7.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 125.8 136.0 + 8.1
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 122.0 130.9 + 7.3
/BETWEEN MARCH .......
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 19^7
- 5 -
BETWEEN MARCH 1986 AND MARCH 1987, INCREASES OF 11.6 PER CENT, 12.8 PER CENT AND 12.0 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE NOM1NA1 INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUS’NESS SERVICES SECTOR, RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD THE n RRESPONDING INCREASES IN THF REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER 8RSON ENGAGED WERE 7.0 PER CENT, 8.1 PER CENT AND 7.3 PER CENT.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, MARCH 1987, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $11 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND "LOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AND AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD: WANCHAI, HONG KONG.
--------o----------
HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
» » »
THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS IRENE YAU, TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED THE PUBLIC TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO SAFETY AT HOME IN ORDER TO AVOID ACCIDENTS.
MRS YAU REVEALED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN, THAT IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR, 55 PEOPLE HAD DIED IN ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THEIR HOMES.
THESE FATAL ACCIDENTS INCLUDED FALLS, BURNS AND CHOKING FROM FOOD.
"IT IS EASY TO OVERLOOK POSSIBLE HIDDEN DANGERS IN HOMES AS PEOPLE FEEL BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENT THEY ARE USED TO AND TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT EVERYTHING IS SAFE," MRS YAU SAID.
EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROMOTE THE HOME SAFETY CONCEPTS SINCE THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WAS SET UP TWO YEARS AGO FOLLOWING THE INCREASE OF DEATHS RESULTING FROM ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AT HOME AS DEFINED BY THE CORONER'S COURT.
ACTIVITIES AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA TODAY INCLUDED A VARIETY SHOW, AN EXHIBITION AND A COMPUTER QUIZ THROUGH WHICH HINTS OF HOME SAFETY WERE DELIVERED.
THE EXHIBITION COVERS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HOME SAFETY AND ILLUSTRATES THE POTENTIAL DANGERS IN A HOME ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING DROWNING, FIRE HAZARDS, ELECTRICITY SHOCK AND SUFFOCATING. IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TILL JULY 20 AT THE VENUE.
/THE VARIETY........
SUNDAY, cdLY 12, 1987
6
THE VARIETY SHOW, FEATURING THROUGH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMES, BY THE COMMERCIAL RADIO CHANNEL ONE.
USEFUL HINTS OF HOME SAFETY WAS PRODUCED AND BROADCAS' IVE
AT THE
KNOW. .EDGE
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE VISITED THE COMPUTER QUIZ CORNER OiHER SIDE OF THE VENUE, MANY TOOK THE CHANCE TO TEST THEIR OF HOME SAFETY AND WERE AWARDED A HOME SAFETY HANDBOOK.
SPECTATORS ALSO LEARNED ABOUT FIRST-AID METHODS DEMONSTRATION GIVEN BY THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES.
-------0----------
SAFETY OF SCAFFOLDERS TO BE DISCUSSED
* * ♦ ♦ *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND THE HONG KONG BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION TO ATTEND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE (CISS) MEETING ON TUESDAY (JULY 14) TO DISCUSS THE SAFETY PROBLEMS IN THE TRADE.
THIS FOLLOWS THE SPATE OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SCAFFOLDERS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT MAINTAINED CONSTANT DIALOGUE WITH PROFESSIONALS AND THE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY, IT HOPED TO GET MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION WITH A VIEW TO FINDING SOME WAYS AND MEANS TO PREVENT FURTHER ACCIDENTS.
THE CISS, FORMED UNDER THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE, AIMS TO PROMOTE A VOLUNTARY SAFETY MOVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WHICH HAS MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS.
BUT THE INCREASED ACTIVITIES OF THE INDUSTRY HAVE ALSO BROUGHT ABOUT A CORRESPONDENTLY HIGH ACCIDENT RATE.
STATISTICS SHOW THAT THREE WORKERS INVOLVED IN SCAFFOLDING ACCIDENTS WERE KILLED IN 1985, EIGHT IN 1986 AND EIGHT SO FAR THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL SCAFFOLDS MUST BE OF GOOD CONSTRUCTION, MADE OF STRONG AND SOUND MATERIALS, AND FREE FROM PATENT DEFECTS.
/THEY I MOULD
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1?87
- 7
THEY SHOULD ALSO BE FIXED, SECURED OR PLACED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DISPLACEMENT.
AS FOR SLUNG SCAFFOLDS, THEY MUST BE PROPERLY AND SECURELY FASTENED TO SAFE ANCHORAGE OR SUPPORTING POINTS TO ENSURE STABILITY. ONLY WIRE ROPES SHOULD BE USED FOR THE SUSPENSION OF THIS TYPE OF SCAFFOLDS.
’’MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, HOWEVER, IS THAT ONLY COMPETENT WORKMEN WITH ADEQUATE EXPERIENCE AND UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A COMPETENT PERSON SHALL ERECT, ALERT OR DISMANTLE SCRAFFOLDS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’FURTHERMORE, ALL SCAFFOLDS MUST BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON MONTHLY, OR AFTER EXPOSURE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKELY TO HAVE AFFECTED ITS STRENGTH OR STABILITY OR AFTER IT HAS BEEN ALTERED,* HE ADDED.
-----0------
PROPER USE OF AIR-CONDITIONERS SAVE MONEY ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
PROPER INSTALLATION AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF
AIR-CONDITIONERS NOT ONLY ABATE NUISANCES SUCH AS DRIBBLING AND EMISSION OF EXCESSIVE NOISE BUT ALSO SAVE COSTS IN REPAIRS IN THE LONG TERM.
THE ADVICE CAME FROM THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AMID THE GROWING USE OF AIR-CONDITIONERS IN THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNIT SAID THAT DRIBBLING FROM THE COULD BE AVOIDED IF A WATER BASIN WAS FIXED AT THE BOTTOM MACHINE TO COLLECT WATER, THUS DIVERTING IT TO \ CONTAINER OPENING OF A DRAINAGE THROUGH A PIPE.
MACHINE OF THE OR THE
TO REDUCE THE EMISSION OF NOISE, HE SAID THAT RUBBER TUBING FILLING THE SPACE BETWEEN A WINDOW-TYPE AIR-CONDITIONER AND THE WINDOW FRAMES WOULD SERVE THE PURPOSE OF A CUSHION.
SOUND-PROOF AND HEAT-PROOF MATERIALS SHOULD BE USED FOR LARGE AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS, HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAI EXCESSIVE GREASE \ND DUST ACCUMULATED IN THE EXHAUST FAN WOULD MAKI IT DIFFICULT FOR THE SHAFT TO MOVE PROPERLY.
/••FRICTION CAN.........
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
8
’’FRICTION CAN BE REDUCED AND NOISE NUISANCES MINIMISED BY ALWAYS KEEPING THE EXHAUST FAN CLEAN AND BY APPLYING LUBRICATING OIL TO IT REGULARLY,” HE SAID.
HE CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN CHOOSING AN AIR-CONDITIONER. ’’BESIDES THE PRICE AND THE THERMAL UNITS, OTHER FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED ARE WHETHER THE UNIT IS OF A LESS XOISV TYPE AND WHETHER IT MAY DRIBBLE.”
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH \ND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO CAUSE NUISANCES LIKE DRIBBLING AND EMISSION OF EXCESSIVE NOISE OR HEAT FROM AIR-CONDITIONERS AND THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $10,000.
THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT HAS PRODUCED LEAFLETS OUTLINING SOME GENERAL GUIDELINES ON CHOOSING, INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING AN AIR-CONDITIONER. THESE WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WITH AIR-CONDITIONED SHOPPING ARCADES. RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OFFICES OF LARGE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO SUPPLIERS OF AIR-CONDITIONERS TO ATTACH A LEAFLET TO THE RILL OR WARRANTY FOR CUSTOMERS’ INFORMATION.
THE LEAFLETS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
-------0 --------
CONCERTED EFFORTS NEEDED TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE
» » * ♦ ♦
RECENT TRENDS SHOW THAT PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IS ON THE INCREASE AND APART FROM GOVERNMENT EFFORTS, CARE, GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THEIR FAMILIES, TEACHERS, FRIENDS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WILL HELP COMBAT THIS PROBLEM, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CARITAS LOK HEEP CLUB, MRS WONG SAID THAT THE SITUATION WAS BEING MONITORED CLOSELY BY THE GOVERNMENT WHO WAS CONDUCTING IN-DEPTH STUDIES INTO THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS ORGANISING PREVENTIVE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS FOR SCHOOLS AND FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT THE ABUSE OF HEROIN AND OPIUM, A SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBLEM. IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS, HAD BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL IN RECENT YEARS WITH NO SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ABUSERS.
/"ACCORDING TO
SUNDAY, -JULY 12, 1987
- 9 -
"ACCORDING TO THE REPORT OF THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE, THERE WERE 2,747 FIRST REGISTRATIONS RELATING TO DRUG PROBLEMS LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING A DROP OF 22 PER CENT FROM THE 3,523 FIRST REGISTRATIONS IN 1985. THE FIRST REGISTRATIONS OF DRUG ABUSERS UNDER 21 ALSO DECREASED BY 17.5 PER CENT FROM 949 IN 1985 TO 783 IN 1986," SHE SAID.
"THE SUCCESS IN CONTAINING THE HEROIN AND OPIUM ABUSE PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF THE UNCEASIN< COOPERATION AND EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND PREVENTION AND THE LOK HEEP CLUB HAS MADE REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTION IN REHABILITATION WORK," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG CONCEDED THAT PUBLIC DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DRUG ADDICTS DURING THEIR REHABILITATION PROCESS MIGHT PREVENT THEIR RE-INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY AND CONCERTED EFFORTS FROM ALL SECTORS WERE NEEDED TO QUASH SUCH DISCRIMINATION.
"FOR THE EX-DRUG ADDICTS, THEY SHOULD WORK HARD, MAIN AIN THEIR PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND SHOULDER THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TOK.iRDS THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY.
"WHILE FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD GIVE THESE EX-ADDICT3 MORAL SUPPORT AND CARE, EMPLOYERS SHOULD PROVIDE THEM WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
"THE SERVICES FOR EX-DRUG ADDICTS PROVIDED BY LOK HEEP CLUB IN THE PAST YEARS, WHICH HAD ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, DEMONSTRATE THAT THE COMMUNITY DO SUPPORT REHABILITATION OF EX-DRUG ABUSERS," SHE SAID.
THE CARITAS LOK HEEP CLUB, SET UP IN 1968, HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 1,500. MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE ASSISTED AND SUPPORTED THROUGH CASEWORK COUNSELLING, GROUP WORK SERVICE, RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE AIM OF HELPING THEM SOLVE THEIR PERSONAL PROBLEMS AND PREVENTING RELAPSE DURING AND AFTER THEIR REHABILITATION PROCESS.
-------o ---------
JUNE DRIER THAN USUAL * » » » »
JUNE 1987 WAS DRIER THAN USUAL WITH ONLY 231.2 MM OF RAINFALL RECORD WHICH WAS ONLY 54 PER CENT OF THE LONG TERM MEAN, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID TODAY.
HOWEVER, AS EARLY SEASON RAIN HAS BEEN PLENTIFUL, THE CUMULATIVE RAINFALL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE AMOUNTED TO 1,226.9 MM, WHICH WAS STILL SOME 24 PER CENT ABOVE THE HALF YEAR NORMAL.
/TROPICAL CYCLONE
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
10 -
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE HOISTED FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR DURING THE APPROACH OF TROPICAL STORM RUTH ON JUNE 18.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE WHICH CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ON THE EVENING OF JUNE 1, THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH WAS CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL THUNDERY SHOWERS. TWO FINE DAYS FOLLOWED BEFORE WEATHER TURNED OVERCAST WITH THUNDERY SHOWERS YGAIN. AN UPPER-AIR DISTURBANCE MOVED IN FROM THE WEST AND BROUGHT A TOTAL OF 87.3 MM OF RAIN TO THE ROYAi. OBSERVATORY ON JUNE 4 AND 5. MINOR LANDSLIPS WERE REPORTED AT WONG TAI SIN, SAI KUNG AND HAPPY V4LLEY ON JUNE 5.
THESE NOTWITHSTANDING, HONG KONG WAS SPARED OF THE TORRENTIAL RAIN THAT SOMEHOW STOPPED SHORT TO OUR WEST.
ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS, HEAVY RAIN IN THE WESTERN PART OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE FROM JUNE 4 TO 6 CAUSED WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND DAMAGE. A TOTAL OF 70,700 HECTARES OF FARMLAND WERE INUNDATED WITH 80,000 HOUSES DESTROYED. IT WAS ALSO REPORTED THAT 22 F7OPI.E WERE KILLED AND 268 INJURED.
A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPED OVER CENTRAL CHINA ON JUNE 5. IT MOVED STEADILY SOUTHWARDS AND INTENSIFIED INTO A COLD FRONT ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 7 BEFORE CROSSING THE SOUTH CHINA COAST LATER THAT EVENING, GIVING RISE TO THUNDERSTORMS IN HONG KONG.
AFTER THIS COLD FRONT PASSAGE, TEMPERATURES DROPPED TO A MINIMUM OF 21.4 DEGREES CELSIUS MAKING THE MORNING OF JUNE 8 THE COOLEST OF THE MONTH. WEATHER IMPROVED SLOWLY AND IT REMAINED MAINLY CLOUDY ON JUNE 8 AND 9. THEREAFTER, FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER PREVAILED IN HONG KONG, FROM JUNE 10 TO 15.
ANOTHER TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPED OVER CENTRAL CHINA ON JUNE 13. IT LATER TURNED INTO A WEAK COLD FRONT TO CROSS THE SOUTH CHINA COAST BY JUNE 15. WEATHER IN HONG KONG WAS SHOWERY DURING THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
TROPICAL STORM RUTH FORMED OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON JUNE 18. IT MOVED NORTHWESTWARDS AND CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ABOUT 290 KM TO THE WEST OF HONG KONG ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. DURING THE APPROACH OF RUTH THERE WERE GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY SHOWERS AND NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE STAND BY SIGNAL NO. 1.
FROM JUNE 21 TO 30, WEATHER WAS MAINLY FINE APART FROM SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS. AFTERNOONS WERE VERY HOT AND TEMPERATURES ON JUNE 30 ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 33.4 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH.
TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC DURING THE MONTH. RUTH FORMED AS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 18, WAS SHORT-LIVED AND MADE LANDFALL IN WESTERN GUANGDONG ON JUNE 19.
/SPERRY DEVELOPED
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
11
SPERRY DEVELOPED OVER THE PACIFIC ON JUNE 27 ABOUT 250 KM NORTH-NORTHWEST OF THE ISLAND OF YAP. IT INTENSIFIED TO A TROPICAL STORM ABOUT 12 HOURS AFTER FORMATION AND MOVED STEADILY NORTH-NORTHWESTWARDS. ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 29,IT FURTHER INTENSIFIED INTO A SEVERE TROPICAL STORM. SPERRY TURNED ON A NORTHERLY TRACK EARLY ON JUNE 30 WHEN THE CENTRE WAS ABOUT 370 KM TO THE EAST OF OKINAWA. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS IT WEAKENDED INTO A TROPICAL STORM.
DURING THE MONTH, 12 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JUNE 1, 4, 5, 6 AND 7. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JUNE 4 AND 19.
THE ONLY SIGNAL HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WAS AS FOLLOWS:
DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
TROPICAL STORM 1 JUNE 18 3.45 PM JUNE 19 11.15 AM
RUTH THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
SUNSHINE 147.8 HOURS ; 11.4 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 15.09 MJ/SQM ; 1.66MJ/SQM BELOW NORMAL
RAINFALL 231.2 MM ; 200.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUDINESS
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
77% ; 2% MORE THAN NORMAL
82% ; 2% LOWER THAN NORMAL
MEAN MAXIMUM 29.7 DEGREES CELSIUS ; 0.7 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW
TEMPERATURE NORMAL
MEAN 27.5 DEGREES CELSIUS ; 0.2 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW
TEMPERATURE NORMAL
MEAN MINIMUM 25.8 DEGREES CELSIUS ; 0.2 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE
TEMPERATURE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 24.1 DEGREES CELSIUS ; 0.4 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW
NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION
119.9 MM ; 28.8 MM BELOW NORMAL
-------O----------
/12........
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
12
SCHOOL COMMUNITY MORE AWARE OF AIDS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING INROADS IN ENHANCING THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY’S AWARENESS OF THE SPREAD OF AND PREVENTION AGAINST AIDS AND OTHER BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES.
SINCE THE TERRITORY-WIDE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AGAINST AIDS WAS LAUNCHED LAST APRIL, MORE THAN 1,200 TEACHERS, SCHOOL HEADS AND STAFF OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAVE ATTENDED A SERIES OF SEMINARS ON THE SUBJECT JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE SEMINARS RECEIVED VERY POSITIVE RESPONSE. IN GENERAL, THE PARTICIPANTS SHOWED A KEEN INTEREST IN LEARNING HOW THE VIRUS OF AIDS AND OTHER BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES INCLUDING VIRAL HEPATITIS B WAS TRANSMITTED, SYMPTOMS OF THESE DISEASES AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
"THE SEMINARS WOULD CERTAINLY HELP PROMOTE A HEALTHY AND SENSIBLE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE AIDS CAMPAIGN AMONG THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TO FURTHER ASSIST TEACHERS TO PASS THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON THE SUBJECT TO STUDENTS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO GATHERED A GOOD COLLECTION OF RESOURCE MATERIALS INCLUDING FILMS, TEACHING PACKAGES, BOOKS AND JOURNALS ON BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES AT THE SEX EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE AND THE AUDIO VISUAL EDUCATION CENTRE WHICH ARE OPEN TO TEACHERS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ARE WORKING JOINTLY ON A SET OF GUIDELINES ON PREVENTION OF AIDS AND OTHER BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES FOR SCHOOL USE. IT IS EXPECTED THE GUIDELINES WILL BE READY FOR DISTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ARE EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF INCLUDING THE TOPIC IN THE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME IN SEPTEMBER.
ALSO IN STORE ARE PLANTS TO INCORPORATE THE TOPIC IN THE CURRICULUM OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND OTHER RELATED SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TO PRODUCE AN ETV PROGRAMME ON AIDS FOR SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
- V -
FUNDS FOR CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS
♦ * ♦ ♦ »
A TOTAL OF $500,000 HAS BEEN GRANTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION TO SUBSIDISE 23 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROJECTS ON CIVIC EDUCATION THIS YEAR.
"THIS IS DOUBLE THE AMOUNT GRANTED UNDER THE FIRST TERRITORY-WIDE CIVIC EDUCATION COMMUNITY PROJECTS SCHEME ORGANISED LAST YEAR," CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SUB-COMMITTEE, MR MAK HOI-WAH SAID.
"THE RESPONSE TO THE SCHEME THIS YEAR WAS VERY ENCOURAGING AND OVER 100 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, REQUESTING FOR A TOTAL SUBSIDY OF MORE THAN $2 MILLION," MR MAK ADDED.
AFTER CAREFUL VETTING, 23 PROJECTS WERE SELECTED BASED ON THE CONTENT OF THE PROJECT, THE TARGET GROUP AND NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS, THE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REQUIRED AND THE FEASIBILITY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMME.
"WE EXPECT OVER 100,000 PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM THESE PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDED EXHIBITIONS, VOLUNTEER TRAINING SCHEMES, DRAMAS, SEMINARS, SURVEYS, PRODUCTION OF AUDIO V1SUAI AIDS, PUBLICATION OF HANDBOOKS ON CIVIC EDUCATION, CARNIVALS AND MANY OTHER DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES," MR MAK SAID.
THE BASIC CONTENT OF THESE PROJECTS COVERED ’RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP’, CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG AND UNDERSTANDING CHINA’S PAST AND PRESENT.
"WITH INCREASED RESOL’RC I ; THIS YEAR, THE COMMITTEE IS ABLE TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM SUBSIDY PER PROJECT TO $50,000 AND WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN ATTRACTING PROJECTS OF A LARGER SCALE AND TERR I TORY-WIDE IN NATURE", HE ADDED.
THE SUBSIDY FOL EACH PROJECT RANGES FROM A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS TO OVER $45,000. SUfESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED NEXT WEEK .
ALI PROJECTS SUBSIDISED BY I’HE SCHEME COULD ALSO TAKE PART IN AN OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION AWARD S( HEME TO BE HELD EARLY NEXT YEAR.
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SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
Ui
MORE COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR TUEN MUN CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX ♦ * » * *
A LIBRARY AND POST OFFICE BUILDING, TOGETHER WITH A LANDSCAPED GARDEN, WILL BE BUILT IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF TUEN MUN AS PART OF THE CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX DEVELOPMENT.
THE PROJECT, ('OVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 4.4 HECTARES, IS BEING DEVELOPED IN THREE PHASES TO PROVIDE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR THE NEW TOWN’S GROWING POPULATION.
THE FIRST TWO PHASES, COMPRISING AN AUDITORIUM, AN EIGHT-STOREY GOVERNMENT OFFICES BLOCK, A LAW COURTS BUILDING, A BUS STATION AND A PODIUM GARDEN, HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.
A FOUR-STOREY LIBRARY AND POST OFFICE BUILDING, A LANDSCAPED GARDEN AND ANOTHER MULTI-STOREY OFFICES BLOCK WILL BE INCLUDED IN THIS LAST PHASE TO BE BUILT IN TWO STAGES.
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR CONSTRUCT ION OF THE LIBRARY AND POST OFFICE BUILDING AND THE GARDEN, WORK ON WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 3,250 SQUARE METRES, MAINLY ON THE UPPER FLOORS OF THE BUILDING, WILL BE USED FOR A STANDARD LIBRARY PROVIDING REFERENCE, INFORMATION, AUDIO-VISUAL AND STUDY FACILITIES.
THE POST OFFICE, TO BE LOCATED AT GROUND FLOOR AND PODIUM LEVELS, WILL OCCUPY ABOUT 1,100 SQUARE METRES. UPON COMPLETION, IT WILL REPLACE EXISTING FACILITIES IN TUEN MUN SAN HUI AND SERVE TO MEET RAPID EXPANSION OF DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS ARISING FROM DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A DOOR-TO-DOOR DELIVERY SERVICE TO VILLAGES TN THE DISTRICT.
THE GARDEN IS PLANNED TO BE A FOCAL POINT OF THE COMPLEX, LINKING THE LIBRARY AND POST OFFICE BUILDING WITH THE BUS STATION, AUDITORIUM, OFFICE BLOCKS AND LAW COURTS BUILDING.
IT WILL HAVE AN OPEN SPACI OF ABOUT ONE HECTARE WITH PAVED ARFAS, LANDSCAPED TERRACES, SITTING-OUT ARFAS, FOUNTAINS AND PLANT BOXES.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 31.
THE COMPLEX WILL BE FULLY COMPLETED IN THE EARLY 1990’S.
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SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
FACILITIES FOR ABERDEEN WATERFRONT PUBLIC LANDING AREA
*****
A NEW ROAD AND CAR PARKING FACILITIES ARE TO BE PROVIDED AT THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT PUBLIC LANDING AREA TO IMPROVE VEHICULAR ACCESS THERE.
THE WORK COMPRISES CONSTRUCTION OF A 7.6-METRE WIDE, TWO-LANE CONCRETE CARRIAGEWAY, A FOOTWAY AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS NEAR THE WHOLESALE FISH MARKET.
A TOTAL OF 13 METERED PARKING SPACES AND A LOADING AND
UNLOADING PLACE FOR GOODS VEHICLES AND COACHES WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WORK ON WHICH WILL COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED WITHIN NINE MONTHS. THEY SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON JULY 31.
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YOUTH’S SOCIAL AWARENESS GROWS WITH CIVIC EDUCATION
* * * * »
THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IS BEGINNING TO PAY OFF AS EVIDENCED BY AN OBVIOUS TREND THAT THEY ARE SHOWING MORE CONCERN FOR THEIR SOCIETY, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT, MR LAM SAID THAT AMONG SOME 500 EVENTS ORGANISED THIS YEAR, MANY WERE GEARED TO PROMOTING SOCIAL AWARENESS AND TO ENHANCE YOUNG PEOPLE’S INTERESTS IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
HE ALSO ENCOURAGED THOSE WHO WOULD HAVE REACHED 21 YEARS OF AGE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR TO REGISTER AS ELECTORS SO THAT THEY COULD EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND VOTE IN DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
MR LAM STRESSED THAT IT WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACCEPT GREATER SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
HE ALSO URGED THEM TO READ THE GREEN PAPER AND TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, A CARNIVAL FEATURING POP MUSIC, CHORAL SINGING, AND DANCE PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS GAMES STALLS WAS HELD.
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SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
16
SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
***** 4
SOME 20,000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WOULD BENEFIT FROM MORE THAN 150 ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME THIS YEAR, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR YUNG CHEK-CHOW SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, MR YUNG SAID THAT WITH THE THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", A GOOD DEAL OF ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WERE INCORPORATED WITH AN ELEMENT OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
"THIS YEAR’S ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE ORGANISATION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR SQUATTER AREAS AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS BY YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES, VISITS TO THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY AND COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR PROBLEMS STUDENTS AND YOUTHS," MR YUNG SAID.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SEMINARS, CONTESTS, RECREATIONAL AND TRAINING CAMPS, CARNIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS.
THESE ACTIVITIES WILL BE PROVIDED BY 31 PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS COMPRISING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER LOCAL BODIES.
THE PROGRAMME COST, AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $200,000, WAS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WHICH GAVE $180,000, AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG SOUTH.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SIMON LORD; ABERDEEN CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR ALBERT POON; POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER (WESTERN), MR LAU WAI-CHUNG; RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER (SOUTHERN), MRS SIMMY. WHITTAKER; YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICER (SOUTHERN), MR PETER TAM; AND DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER (SOUTHERN), MR LAW KWAN-HUN.
IT WAS FOLLOWED BY A CARNIVAL ORGANISED BY THE ABERDEEN CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE, WHICH FEATURED PERFORMANCES AND GAME STALLS ATTRACTING HUNDREDS OF YOUNGSTERS.
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SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
COLOURFUL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME GETS UNDERWAY
*****
A TWO-MONTH LONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN SHA TIN BEGAN TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE NEW CITY PLAZA IN COLOURFUL STYLE AS SOME 300 YOUNG PEOPLE PAINTED THE CONCEPTION OF THEIR HOMES IN SHA TIN AND THE JOY OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
THE PARTICIPANTS WERE COMPETING IN A PAINTING COMPETITION WHICH WAS PART OF THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PROGRAMME.
OUTSTANDING WORKS WERE ADDED TO A SUMMER-YOUTH-PROGRAMME-CUM CAREER EXHIBITION BEING STAGED IN THE NEW CITY PLAZA.
MORE THAN 500 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS ROSANNA TAM PRAISED THE SHA TIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR PROVIDING A FULL RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, WHICH WOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO INTEGRATE WITH THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWN.
SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG POINTED OUT THAT AN IMPORTANT DIMENSION IN THESE ACTIVITIES WAS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEARN TO BE CIVIC-MINDED. HE ALSO CALLED ON SHA TIN RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER AND TO REGISTER AS VOTERS IN THE COMING VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN.
THE SHA TIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WAS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WITH A BUDGET OF SOME $109,000.
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ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS IN YAU MA TEI
*****
THE PRIME OBJECTIVE OF ORGANISING SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES WAS TO PROVIDE HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL PURSUITS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 DURING THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS, CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, MR LEE SAID," WE HOPE THE ACTIVITIES WILL HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL, BETTER UNDERSTAND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING AND RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY."
/HE NOTED
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 198?
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HE NOTED THAT MORE THAN 100 ACTIVITIES, INCORPORATING THE CENTRAL THEME OF ’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY’ WERE BEING ORGANISED IN YAU MA TEI DISTRICT THIS SUMMER.
THEY INCLUDED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, TRAINING COURSES, EXHIBITIONS, CARNIVALS, FILM SHOWS AND VARIETY SHOWS.
THIS YEAR, A SUN OF $190,000 HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE PROGRAMME, WITH $155,400 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE REST MET BY DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND PRIVATE DONATIONS.
AMONG THOSE OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING BAND PERFORMANCE, CHINESE DANCE AND MARTIAL ARTS WAS STAGED BY LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
----------------------0------- YOUTHS ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
YOUTHS IN THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) ENCOURAGED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTICIPATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL CHENG SAID YOUTHS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES TO SHARE THE FUN AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
MORE THAN 600 RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT THIS SUMMER, HE SAID.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD ENDORSED A SPONSORSHIP OF $20,000. THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CO-ORDINATING THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, HE SAID.
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE CARRIED OUT UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER. DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS BRANCHES.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE CHAIRMAN OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MISS MARGARET HONG AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH.
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SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
KOWLOON crn DISTRICT summer youth programme opens ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ i • »
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AT A TIME WHEN HONG KONG WAS EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHANGES, CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME SUB-COMMITTEE OF CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MR PETER LEE, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CARNIVAL AT THE KO SHAN ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH, MR LEE SAID: ’’THROUGH HEALTHY RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RELAX AND WIDEN THEIR SCOPE OF LEARNING.”
"BY TAV I NG PART IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO REALISE THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL IN BUILDING A BETTER SOCIETY,” HE SAID.
THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER PROGRAMME IS ’’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY".
THE CARNIVAL WAS ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED GAMES STALLS, A CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AND THE PAINTING OF A SIX BY FOUR METRE PICTURE HIGHLIGHTING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KOWLOON CITY.
THIS YEAR, ABOUT 360 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS. THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD HAVE ALLOCATED MORE THAN $300,000 FOR THESE ACTIVITIES.
ACTIVITIES IN THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE CAMPINGS, OUTINGS, VISITS TO ELDERLY CENTRES, SEMINARS, GAMES, SPORTS, SUMMER CLASSES FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS AND TRAINING COURSES.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S SUMMFR YOUTH OPENING CARNIVAL WERE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; AND DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR NG KAI-KIN.
ABOUT 36,000 YOUNG PFOPII IN THE DISTRICT ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THESE ACTIVITIES WHICH Will LAST UNTIL THE END OF AUGUSI.
A BOOKLET CONTAINING DETAILED INFORMATION OF THE ACTIVITIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT Till' KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS TWO SIB-OFF1CES AND ORGANISING \GENCIES.
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
20 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA *****
MORE THAN 120 ISLANDERS TOOK PART IN THE 12TH ISLANDS DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA AT THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SWIMMING GALA, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, SAID THAT AS SPORTING ACTIVITIES HAD BECOME A PART OF THE ISLANDERS' DAILY LIVING, THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS HAD WORKED TOGETHER TO PROMOTE ACTIVELY SPORTS IN RECENT YEARS.
"VARIOUS SPORTS TRAINING SESSIONS AND COMPETITIONS ARE HELD EVERY YEAR IN ORDER TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF SPORT IN THE DISTRICT.
"THE SUCCESS OF THE ANNUAL SWIMMING GALA PROVES THAT COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IS FRUITFUL," MR NG SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THROUGH THE SWIMMING COMPETITION, COMMUNICATIONS AMONG DIFFERENT AREAS WITHIN THE DISTRICT WOULD BE ENHANCED.
THE SWIMMING GALA IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE EIGHT RURAL COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT.
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TAI PO NEW TOWN FAMILY SERVICES ON AGENDA
* * * *
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF FAMILY SERVICES IN THE NEW TOWN.
AT THE MEETING THEY WILL ALSO STUDY THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE KWONG FUK HALFWAY HOUSE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS OF TAI PO IN 1990’S, THE 1987/88 ‘’ANTI-SMOKING PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AND THE 1CAC WANG FUK COURT INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE AT 152-172 KWONG FUK ROAD.
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1987
21
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI t * ♦ I t
THE SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD LINKING FENWICK PIER STREET TO HARCOURT ROAD JN WAN (’HAI WILL BE ( LOSE!) TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 15) FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON HARBOUR’ ROAD HEADING FOR GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL HAVE TO USE FENWICK STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONGKONG TEL5-233191
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SWAC DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES ...................... 1
IMPROVEMENT TO CHILD CARE TRAINING.......................... 2
SEMINAR ON GREEN PAPER IN SHA TIN .......................... 3
INSOLVENCIES CONTINUE DOWNWARD TREND ....................... 3
EMPLOYERS WARNED AGAINST EMPLOYING IIS...................... 4
DRUG PERILS PRESENTED IN DRAMA ............................. 5
DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN BEGINS ....................... 6
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE DEMOLISHED.......................... 7
CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS................................................ 7
CONTRACT FOR HIGH SPEED ROADS MAINTENANCE .................. 8
REDUCED WATER PRESSURE IN YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI...... 8
WATER STORaGE FIGURE........................................ 8
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1987
1
SWAC DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
♦ » » ♦ ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) ENDORSED AT ITS MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) THAT INCREASED PROVISION AND IMPROVEMENT OF RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY SHOULD BE ACCORDED TOP PRIORITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELFARE SERVICES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
OTHER SERVICES TO BE ACCORDED PRIORITY FOR IMPROVEMENT WILL BE HOME HELP, FAMILY CASE WORK, OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK, CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY AND POOL BUS SERVICE.
THESE WILL THEN BE FOLLOWED BY INCREASED PROVISION OF SMALL GROUP HOMES, DAY CRECHES AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN CHILDREN’S HOMES AND HOMES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS; PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR EX-DRUG DEPENDANTS; IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARD COST FOR EIGHT ADDITIONAL SERVICES; INCREASED PROVISION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND IMPROVEMENT IN STAFFING OF THESE CENTRES; IMPROVEMENT IN STAFFING OF COMMUNITY CENTRES AND IMPROVEMENT OF MANNING RATIO OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
ALSO DISCUSSED AT TODAY’S MEETING WAS THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON DEVELOPMENT OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES.
IN ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT, THE COMMITTEE SAW THE NEED FOR MORE ATTENTION TO BE PAID TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF FOSTER CARE, TRAINING AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
IT WAS ALSO AGREED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SHOULD BE ASKED TO SET UP A STEERING GROUP TO OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE NEXT DISCUSSED A REPORT FROM THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER SUPPLY SITUATION.
AFTER LENGTHY DELIBERATION, THE COMMITTEE ACCEPTED THAT AS A SHORT TERM SOLUTION TO THE SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED GRADUATES, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE TO RECRUIT NON-SOCIAL-WORK TRAINED GRADUATES FOR THE RANK OF ASSISTANT SOCIAL WORK OFFICER.
HOWEVER, THE COMMITTEE MAINTAINED THAT IT IS ONLY WHEN SUITABLE TRAINED GRADUATES ARE NOT AVAILABLE THAT THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS APPOINTING GENERAL DEGREE HOLDERS OF THE RIGHT CALIBRES.
IT WAS FURTHER AGREED THAT THIS POLICY SHOULD BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY.
AFTER THE MEETING, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR J.P. LEE, PRESENTED A SOUVENIR TO THE RETIRING MEMBER, MR LACHLAN MACQUARRIE, ON BEHALF OF OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
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MONDAY, JULY 13, 1987
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IMPROVEMENT TO CHILD CARE TRAINING ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE TRAINING OF CHILD CARE WORKERS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE CHILD CARE COURSE OF THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, MRS WONG SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FIRST t’TRODUCED IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS IN 1962 AND SINCE THEN, A TOTAL OF 3,800 WORKERS HAD BEEN TRAINED.
’’STARTING FROM 1987-88, THIS FIVE-WEEK COURSE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO EIGHT WEEKS, TO PROVIDE WITHIN SIX MONTHS MORE INTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO WORKERS SERVING IN CRECHES AND NURSERIES.
’’THE COURSE CONTENT HAS ALSO BEEN IMPROVED TO INCLUDE THE PREPARATION OF CURRICULA AND PROGRAMMES FOR CHILD CARE CENTRES, EARLY DETECTION OF CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHILD CARE WORKERS,” SHE SAID.
CONCURRENTLY, NINE SIMILAR COURSES WOULD BE RUN BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC PROVIDING 270 PLACES, MRS WONG ADDED.
"THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, APART FROM CONTINUING WITH ITS TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE CHILD CARE CERTIFICATE COURSE, HAS SINCE THIS YEAR INTRODUCED A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE TO PROVIDE GOOD TRAINING TO WORKERS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THEY TAKE UP CHILD CARE WORK," SHE SAID.
ON THE ROLE OF CHILD CARE WORKERS, MRS WONG STRESSED THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AND FLEXIBLE CURRICULUM TO ASSIST CHILDREN TO ACQUIRE BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND GOOD HABITS FOR THEIR DAILY LIFE, TO STIMULATE THEIR INTEREST IN LEARNING, THUS LAYING A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THEM TO DEVELOP INTO HEALTHY, SOCIABLE AND LAW-ABIDING MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
IT WAS ALSO NECESSARY FOR WORKERS TO KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH PARENTS TO ENSURE THAT PROPER CARE WAS RENDERED TO CHILDREN BOTH AT HOME AND IN THE CHILD CARE CENTRE, SHE SAID.
"FACED WITH THIS CHALLENGING MISSION, APART FROM THE PROFESSIONAL KNOW-HOW YOU LEARN FROM THIS COURSE, IT IS ALSO NECESSARY FOR YOU TO BE KIND AND LOVING, EMOTIONALLY STABLE, HEALTHY AND TO HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR," SHE TOLD THE GRADUATES.
LEE WAI LEE HAS PROVIDED TRAINING FOR MORE THAN 200 CHILD CARE WORKERS SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CERTIFICATE COURSE IN 1980.
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/3........
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1987
- 3 -SEMINAR ON GREEN PAPER IN SHA TIN » » ♦ * »
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE IN SHA TIN FOR RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ON JULY 26 (SUNDAY).
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY A SELECT COMMITTEE ON GREEN PAPER OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WITH THE SUPPORT OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT.
’’LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, OWNERS INCORPORATIONS AND REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS TO INVITE THEM TO THE SEMINAR,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE FUNCTION MAY ALSO GET ENTRY FORMS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT OFFICE ON 6/F., KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, OR OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ON 0-6048078 EXT. 471.
A SERIES OF CONSTITUENCY-BASED SEMINARS WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER IN WHICH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AND RESIDENTS’ VIEWS WOULD BE COLLECTED AND SUBMITTED TO THE SURVEY OFFICE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, A DISTRICT SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S WORK TO SOUND OUT RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER.
CHAIRED BY DR FANNY CHEUNG, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE GREEN PAPER COMPRISE 16 MEMBERS WITH A BUDGET OF $76,000.
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INSOLVENCIES CONTINUE DOWNWARD TREND » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THERE WERE 138 NEW COMPULSORY WINDING-UPS AND 167 NEW PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES OF 159 AND 204 RESPECTIVELY IN 1986, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON DISCLOSED TODAY (MONDAY)
IT COULD BE SEEN, THEREFORE, THAT NEW INSOLVENCIES DECREASED BY 15.98 PER CENT, MR GLEESON SAID. THIS WAS A CONTINUATION OF A RECENT DOWNWARD TREND WHICH REFLECTED THE GOOD PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS AND THE ECONOMY GENERALLY.
/BY COMPARISON
MONDAY, JULY 1}, 19$7
- 4 -
BY COMPARISON THERE WAS ALSO A 8.56 PER CENT DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES IN THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1986 OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF 1985.
NOTABLE COMPANY FAILURES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR INCLUDED N.F.F. CO. LTD., AUSTRAVEL CO. LTD., UNITED STATES LINES, INC., JAN SIN MEE GARMENTS MANUFACTURING (1981) CO. LTD., JAN SIN MEE (HOLDINGS) LTD., MARIGOLD RESTAURANT LTD., RIGHT TIME CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD., AND THAI GEAR CO. LTD.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSOLVENCIES BEING HANDLED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT THE END OF JUNE, 1987 WAS 2,937, COMPRISING 1,620 COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND 1,317 PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES.
FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AT THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR TOTALLED $1,348 MILLION, A DECREASE OF 0.88 PER CENT AS AGAINST $1,360 MILLION AT THE END OF JUNE, 1986. THE DECREASE WAS PARTLY DUE TO THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF TOTAL DIVIDENDS PAID BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER DURING THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1987 WHICH AMOUNTED TO $123.96 MILLION IN 190 INSOLVENCIES, AS AGAINST $20.13 MILLION IN 87 INSOLVENCIES FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1986.
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EMPLOYERS WARNED AGAINST EMPLOYING IIS ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARMENT HAS JUST COMPLETED A THREE-DAY OPERATION ON NON-INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO CHECK ON EMPLOYEES’ RECORDS AND THE IDENTITY OF EMPLOYEES WORKING THERE.
IT WAS ONE OF THE MANY CAMPAIGNS LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE LABOUR LEGISLATION AND PART IVB OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE WHICH PROHIBITS THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITHOUT VALID PROOF OF IDENTITY.
DURING THE RECENT OPERATION, MORE THAN 3,300 WORKERS IN 827 EATING ESTABLISHMENTS, COOKED FOOD STORES, AND FISH, POULTRY AND FRUIT WHOLESALE MARKETS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WERE CHECKED.
AS A RESULT, 15 EMPLOYERS WERE FOUND NOT MAINTAINING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES. ONE WORKER WHO DID NOT CARRY ANY PROOF OF IDENTITY WAS REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THESE SPECIAL CAMPAIGNS WERE CONDUCTED FROM TIME TO TIME ON DIFFERENT TRADES AND IN DIFFERENT LOCALITIES.
/’’OUR INTENTION
MONDAY, JULY 1J, 1987
- 5 -
"OUR INTENTION IS TO IMPRESS UPON EMPLOYERS THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE LAW TO EMPLOY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS," HE SAID.
"IT IS ALSO OUR AIM TO LET THE Il’S KNOW THAT THEY SIMPLY CANNOT FIND A JOB IN HONG KONG WITHOUT BEING DISCOVERED BY THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED."
UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, ANY EMPLOYER WHO OFFERS JOBS TO Il’S IS LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF ONE YEAR.
AND AN EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO KEEP PROPER RECORDS OF HIS EMPLOYEES WOULD ALSO FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 UPON CONVICTION.
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DRUG PERILS PRESENTED IN DRAMA *****
MORE THAN 500 STUDENTS FROM SOUTHERN DISTRICT WERE TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED OF THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE THROUGH THE DRAMATIC PRESENTATION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THREE CONFUSED TEENAGERS.
SPONSORED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND STAGED AT THE CHAN PAK SHA MEMORIAL SCHOOL, THE DRAMA ---- "A DANGEROUS GAME" --- IS SPECIALLY WRITTEN AND PRESENTED BY THE CHUNG YING THEATRE COMPANY WITH AN AIM TO EXPLORE THEATRICALLY THE IMPACT OF DRUG ABUSE ON HONG KONG’S YOUNGER GENERATION.
"A DANGEROUS GAME" IS A PLAY FOR YOUNGSTERS AND THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT THEM. IT REFLECTS THE EFFECTS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS ON THREE CONFUSED TEENAGERS WITH DETAILED DEPICTIONS IN ADOLESCENT EXPERIENCE, ANGER AND FRUSTRATION, FUN AND EXCITEMENT, FEELING OF LOSS AND BEWILDERMENT.
AS PART OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES, TWO ADDITIONAL SHOWS WILL BE STAGED FOR LOCAL YOUTH CENTRE SOCIAL WORKERS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE (MAC) MEMBERS ON JULY 28 AND 29.
MEANWHILE, LOCAL MAC MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED AT A RECENT SEMINAR ON GOVERNMENT’S WORK AND STRATEGIES IN THE BATTLE AGAINST NARCOTICS BY THE POLICE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER OF ABERDEEN, SUPERINTENDENT LEUNG CHI-BUN AND MRS WENDY WONG OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. MEMBERS WERE ALSO URGED TO GIVE MORE CARE TO THEIR CHILDREN TO PREVENT THEM FROM GETTING HOOKED ON DRUGS.
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MONDAY, JULY 13, 1987
- 6 -DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN BEGINS * * * * *
A SERIES OF COLOURFUL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN DRAWN UP FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THEY INCLUDE VISITS, A JOINT CONFERENCE, AN INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE COMPETITION, A GOOD RESIDENTS AWARD SCHEME, DISPLAY OF PUBLICITY SIGNBOARDS, A LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION AND A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL.
"ALL THE ACTIVITIES ARE AIMED AT DRIVING HOME THE MESSAGE OF CRIME PREVENTION AND TO BOLSTER PUBLIC AWARENESS TO FIGHT CRIME," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR MAU KEI-ON SAID.
MR MAU SAID SPECIAL EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF GRASS ROOTS ORGANISATIONS.
STARTING FROM AUGUST, THE COMMITTEE WILL MAKE A SERIES OF VISITS TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION.
IN ADDITION, A JOINT CONFERENCE WILL BE ORGANISED IN OCTOBER TO DISCUSS WITH THE AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES ON FIGHT CRIME MEASURES.
TO ENCOURAGE DI STRICT-WIDE PARTICIPATION IN THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, MR MAU SAID A COMPETITION WOULD BE HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME TO SELECT A LOGO DESIGN FOR THE COMMITTEE, IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL GOOD RESIDENTS AWARD SCHEME AND INTER-SCHOOL DEBATES WHICH WERE HELD LAST YEAR.
THE YEAR’S ACTIVITIES WILL REACH A CLIMAX AT A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR. THE CARNIVAL, FEATURING GAMES STALLS, EXHIBITIONS, VARIETY PERFORMANCES AND PRIZE PRESENTATION FOR VARIOUS FIGHT CRIME COMPETITIONS, WILL WIND UP THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR.
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ALLOCATED A SUM OF $19,000 THIS YEAR FOR ORGANISING FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
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MONDAY, JULY 13, 1987
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE DEMOLISHED *****
NOTICES WERE POSTED ON ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES IN TWO LOCATIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND TODAY (MONDAY) INFORMING THAT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WOULD BE APPLYING TO HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT IN SEPTEMBER FOR CLOSURE ORDERS.
AT ONE OF THE LOCATIONS, 989-991A KING’S ROAD, THE STRUCTURES ARE OVER FLATS 1, 3 AND 6 ON THE 27TH FLOOR OF BLOCK D AND OVER FLATS 2 AND 4 ON THE 27TH FLOOR OF BLOCK F. THE OCCUPIERS HAVE IGNORED AN ORDER REQUIRING THE STRUCTURES’ DEMOLITION ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO.
THE CLOSURE ORDER, WHICH WILL BE APPLIED FOR ON SEPTEMBER 17, IS REQUIRED SO THAT DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE OTHER STRUCTURES ARE OVER FLAT B ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF 2-4 CROWN TERRACE, POK FU LAM, AND THEIR DEMOLITION WAS ALSO ORDERED MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
THE APPLICATION FOR A CLOSURE ORDER WILL BE MADE ON SEPTEMBER 22.
IN BOTH CASES IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WILL TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
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CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS * * * *
THE CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A MUSIC DAY CAMP, A MID-AUTUMN LANTERN FESTIVAL, A CANTONESE OPERA NITE, A DRAMA NITE AND AN AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 4 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AT 201 HENNESSY ROAD, 8TH FLOOR, TUNG WAII MANSION, WAN CHAI.
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/8
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1987
- 8 -
CONTRACT FOR HIGH SPEED ROADS MAINTENANCE
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING CONTRACTORS WITH SPECIALIST PLANT AND EQUIPMENT TO BID FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HIGH SPEED ROADS FOR TWO YEARS.
THESE COVER THE COMPLETED SECTIONS OF ROUTE 1 FROM LION ROCK TUNNEL TO PAK SHEK AU; ROUTE 2 FROM LAI CHI KOK TO TUEN MUN; AND THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO SHAU KEI WAN.
THE CONTRACT, COMMENCING IN NOVEMBER, WILL INCLUDE MAINTENANCE AND CLEANSING OF ROADS, DRAINAGE AND SLOPES AND MINOR ROAD WORKS, AS WELL AS MECHANICAL ROADSWEEPING, LITTER COLLECTING AND GULLY EMPTYING.
THE WORK WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES AND HONG KONG REGIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 21.
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REDUCED WATER PRESSURE IN YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI * * » ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE REDUCED IN PRESSURE FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 16) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY SO THAT MAINS WORK CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, SALISBURY ROAD, CANTON ROAD, MAN WUI STREET, MAN CHEONG STREET, FERRY STREET AND DUNDAS STREET, INCLUDING BUILDINGS AT THE SEAFRONTS.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 63.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 371.592 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 353.078 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 60.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGCO MEMBERS GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON GREEN PAPER ........... 1
AIDS CAMPAIGN ENTERS SECOND PHASE ....................... 1
AIDS SEMINAR FOR SOCI.-JL WORKERS ....................... 3
ROaD USERS' CODE PUBLISHED .............................. 3
JSEA RESULTS TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW .................... 5
CALL TO RETURN ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS QUESTIONNAIRES ... 7
SHOW TO HER-iLD MONG KOK FESTIVAL........................ 8
ADVICE TO SCHOOL LEAVERS ................................ 9
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENT CONTROL ................ 9
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROPOSED REFRESHMENT KIOSK ......... 10
FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR ELDERLY ISLANDERS ............ 10
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS .......................... 11
VISIT TO PO TOI 0 VILLAGE, SAI KUNG ..................... 12
SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR JUNK BAY ........................... 12
ACCESS ROAD FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN WESTERN ............. 13
TEMPORARY ROJD CLOSURE IN H.J'PY VALLEY ................. 13
TRAFFIC ARR.-.NGEK2NTS Hi TUSi MUN, SHEUNG SHUI ......... 14
RESTRICTED ZONE ON FORT STREET LIFTED.................... 14
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
LEGCO MEMBERS GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON GREEN PAPER
*****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON A MOTION BY MISS LYDIA DUNN ON THE GREEN PAPER DURING A TWO-DAY MEETING OF THE COUNCIL STARTING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
TWENTY-TWO MEMBERS WILL SPEAK TOMORROW WHILE THE REMAINING 23 WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY ON THE MOTION WHICH READS:
"THAT THIS (LEGISLATIVE) COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE GREEN PAPER: THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT".
OTHER MATTERS ON THE AGENDA FOR TOMORROW WILL INCLUDE TWO BILLS AND ONE QUESTION.
THE TWO BILLS, WHICH ARE DUE FOR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING, ARE THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH BILL 1987 AND THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
A QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY WILL BE RAISED BY MR PETER C. WONG. HE WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE GRANTING OF LEGAL AID TO FOUR FILIPINO MAIDSTO CHALLENGE THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S RIGHT TO CUT SHORT THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG AND THE BASIS ON WHICH SUCH AID WAS GRANTED.
DURING THE MEETING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, WILL MOVE A MOTION SEEKING CHANGES TO THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR PETER JOHNSON, WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN YAXLEY, WILL MAKE A REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE FINAL QUARTER OF 1986-87.
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AIDS CAMPAIGN ENTERS SECOND PHASE *****
THE AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ENTERED ITS SECOND PHASE TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH LAUNCHING OF A NEW PACKAGE OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS.
AND THE
THE THEME FOR THIS PHASE OF THE AIDS CAMPAIGN IS SAFE SEX PRACTICES AND THE USE OF CONDOMS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTION.
/THE NEW........
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
- 2
THE NEW PUBLICITY MATERIALS INCLUDE A 30-SECOND FILM WHICH WILL BE SCREENED BOTH ON TELEVISION AND IN CINEMA, A POSTER AND A LEAFLET.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT, TUBE CARDS CARRYING MESSAGES ON SAFE SEX PRACTICES FOR DISPLAY IN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY COACHES.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED IN LATE APRIL THIS YEAR WITH THE OBJECTIVE TO AROUSE AWARENESS ON AIDS AND AT THE SAME TIME TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH BASIC INFORMATION ON THE DISEASE AND ITS MODE OF TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE METHODS OF PREVENTION.
THE EDUCATION PUBLICITY PROGRAMME ON AIDS IS PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS SET UP IN JANUARY 1987.
BEFORE THE START OF THE CAMPAIGN, A SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN EARLY APRIL TO PROVIDE A BASELINE OF THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ON AIDS.
A SECOND SURVEY WAS ALSO CARRIED OUT BETWEEN MAY 21 AND 29 TO TEST THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN SO AS TO MEASURE THE CHANGE IN PEOPLE’S AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS AIDS.
THE FINDINGS OF THE SECOND SURVEY REVEALED THAT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE PROPORTIONS OF PEOPLE CLAIMING TV, POSTERS AND PAMPHLETS AS THEIR SOURCE OF LEARNING ABOUT AIDS AND SUBSEQUENT DECREASE OF THE PERCENTAGES MENTIONING OTHER SOURCES.
FOR OLDER AND LESS WELL-EDUCATED MALE RESPONDENTS, THEY TENDED TO REMEMBER MORE ABOUT THE SHORT PROMOTIONAL FILM AND DOCUMENTARIES ON TELEVISION THAN THEY DO ABOUT NEWS REPORTS.
THE RESPONDENTS ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE MORE SEXUAL PARTNERS ONE HAS, THE MORE THE CHANCES OF CONTRACTING AIDS.
THERE WAS ALSO A RISE IN THE AWARENESS OF THE AIDS COUNSELLING SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
SINCE THE START OF THE CAMPAIGN, A TOTAL OF 5,239 CALLS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE COUNSELLING SERVICE.
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TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
AIDS SEMINAR FOR SOCIAL WORKERS
« » * * *
THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A SEMINAR ON ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS) FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AT THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL ON JULY 17.
THE SEMINAR IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT SOME 300 SOCIAL WORKERS FROM MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICES, FAMILY SERVICES, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, PROBATION SERVICE, RESIDENTIAL TRAINING CENTRES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND REHABILITATION HOMES AND HOSTELS OF THE DEPARTMENT; AS WELL AS THOSE FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
TWO SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICERS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR PATRICK LI OF AIDS COUNSELLING SERVICE AND DR NGAN CHUNG-MING OF CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WILL SPEAK ON THE NATURE OF THE DISEASE, THE MODES OF TRANSMISSION AND THE METHODS OF PREVENTION.
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ROAD USERS’ CODE PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
A COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT FOR ALL ROAD USERS REPLACING THE OLD HIGHWAY CODE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
LAUNCHING THE DOCUMENT - THE ROAD USERS’ CODE - AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO SAID THE BILINGUAL ROAD USERS’ CODE WAS AIMED AT ALL ROAD USERS AND NOT JUST MOTORISTS AS WAS THE HIGHWAY CODE. ITS MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY.
"THE CODE, PREPARED UNDER SECTION 109(1) OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, IS DESIGNED NOT ONLY TO GIVE A COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF HONG KONG’S TRAFFIC LEGISLATION REQUIREMENTS IN LAYMAN TERMS BUT ALSO TO SET OUT RULES OF CONDUCT FOR ALL ROAD USERS ON HOW TO USE OUR ROADS SAFELY," HE SAID.
"MOREOVER, THE CODE GIVES ADVICE ON THE LAW AND RULES OF CONDUCT, AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION AS WELL AS EXPLAINS VARIOUS ROAD FEATURES AND TRAFFIC SIGNS,” MR SO ADDED.
/ALSO PRESENT .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
4
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR (TRAFFIC), ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, MR GEOFFREY ROPER, AND THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S ROAD SAFETY AND STANDARDS DIVISION, MR DAVID WILLDAY.
A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OF THE CODE OVER THE OLD HIGHWAY CODE IS THAT IT ADOPTS A FRESH APPROACH IN PRESENTATION WITH INCREASED USE OF GRAPHICS TO EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS FEATURES WHICH FACE ROAD USERS EVERY DAY.
THERE ARE SEPARATE CHAPTERS FOR ROAD USERS IN GENERAL, PEDESTRIANS, PASSENGERS, CYCLISTS, DRIVERS IN GENERAL, PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS, MOTOR CYCLISTS AND THE CHILD AS A ROAD USER.
THE REMAINING TWO CHAPTERS, ON EMERGENCIES AND THE LANGUAGE OF THE ROAD, SHOULD BE READ BY EVERYONE.
"THE GOVERNMENT HOPES THAT THE CODE WILL BECOME WIDELY USED AS A GENERAL REFERENCE BOOK FOR EXPERIENCED ROAD USERS AND LEARNER DRIVERS, AS WELL AS SPECIFIC GROUPS SUCH AS CYCLISTS," MR SO SAID.
"IT IS ALSO INTENDED THAT THE CODE WILL BECOME A BASIC EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING TOOL FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS IN TEACHING SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS TO THE YOUNG, AND FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS IN PUBLISHING OR GIVING ADVICE OR INFORMATION ON ROAD SAFETY," HE SAID.
ON THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE DOCUMENT, MR SO EXPLAINED THAT FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE CODE WOULD NOT IN ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE. NEVERTHELESS, HE STRESSED THAT SUCH FAILURE MIGHT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN ANY COURT PROCEEDINGS.
FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE DEPARTMENT WILL START GIVING FREE COPIES OF THE CODE TO DRIVING TEST APPLICANTS, DRIVING LICENCE HOLDERS RENEWING THEIR LICENCE AND THOSE FIRST ISSUED WITH A DRIVING LICENCE.
THE CODE WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED FREE TO DRIVING INSTRUCTORS, ROAD SAFETY ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT ONE MILLION COPIES OF THE CODE WILL BE GIVEN AWAY FREE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
THE CODE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AT $10 PER COPY.
4
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
- 5 -
JSEA RESULTS TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW *****
THE RESULTS OF THIS YEAR'S JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA) WILL BE RELEASED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
6
A TOTAL OF 54,364 SECOND'PY THREE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED AIDED SECONDARY FOUR PLACES COMPARED WITH 52,738 LAST YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 77,775 STUDENTS TOOK PART IN THE LAST JSEA SCALING TEST WHICH WILL BE ABOLISHED If THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR. APART FRO 4 THE 54,364 STUDENTS ALLOCATED AIDED SECONDARY FOUR PLACES, 3,493 STUDENTS HAVE ACCEPTED FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSE PLACES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
ANOTHER 1,703 STUDENTS OPTED OUT DURING THE YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
OF THOSE STUDENTS GIVEN AIDED SECONDARY FOUR PLACES, MORE THAN 86.6 PER CENT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED BACK TO THEIR OWN ’FEEDER’ SCHOOLS COMPARED WITH 85.6 PER CENT LAST YEAR AND 84.9 PER CENT IN 1985. j
OF THESE 98 PER CENT WERE ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS OF THEIR CHOICES COMPARED WITH 98.6 PER CENT IN 1986 AND 97.9 PER CENT IN 1985.
REGISTRATION OF FEEDER STUDENTS (I.E. STUDENTS ALLOCATED PLACES IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS) WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY). STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD LEAVE THEIR REGISTRATION FORMS WITH THE SCHOOL OFFICE.
THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO OTHER SCHOOLS SHOULD REPORT FOR REGISTRATION ON THURSDAY (JULY 16). WHEN REPORTING FOR REGISTRATION, STUDENTS SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING:
(A) PUPIL IDENTIFICATION FORM;
(B) REGISTRATION FORM;
(C) INDIVIDUAL RESULT SLIP;
(D) STUDENT’S HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD; AND
(E) TWO RECENT PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS AND SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF MONEY UP TO ABOUT ONE MONTH'S SCHOOL FEE WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE SCHOOL FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSE, t
STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACCEPTED A PLACE OFFERED BY TECHNICAL INSTITUTES/INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE SHOULD REPORT FOR REGISTRATION ON THURSDAY (JULY 16) AND STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACCEPTED A PLACE OFFERED BY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES SHOULD REPORT FOR REGISTRATION ON SUNDAY (JULY 19).
/IF A........
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 198?
- 6 -
IF A STUDENT IS UNABLE TO COLLECT HIS ALLOCATION RESULT OR GO FOR A REGISTRATION TOMORROW OR ON THURSDAY, HIS PARENT SHOULD AUTHORISE, IN WRITING, A REPRESENTATIVE TO COLLECT THE RESULT OR REPORT TO THE SCHOOL FOR REGISTRATION ON HIS BEHALF. THE LETTER OF AUTHORISATION MUST HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL. IT SHOULD BE PRODUCED AT THE TIME OF COLLECTION OR REGISTRATION BY THE APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE.
IN REGISTERING WITH A SCHOOL, A STUDENT MUST SURRENDER HIS REGISTRATION FORM TO THE SCHOOL. IN THE EVENT OF A SUBSEQUENT TRANSFER, THE STUDENT MUST RETRIEVE HIS REGISTRATION FORM FROM THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL WHICH WILL THEN CANCEL HIS REGISTRATION IN THAT SCHOOL.
"SCHOOLS MAY NOT ADMIT ANY STUDENT WITHOUT HIS REGISTRATTON FORM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
STUDENTS WHO HAVE MOVED TO ANOTHER DISTRICT AUD WISH TO TRANSFER TO A SCHOOL NEARER TO HIS NEW RESIDENCE AFTER ALLOCATION MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM WHICH IS AVAILABLE FROM THE SCHOOL IN WHICH HE COMPLETED HIS SECONDARY THREE. THE COMPLETED FORM MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL FOR ONWARD TRANSMISSION TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY (JULY 18) BY 12 NOON AND ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE.
STUDENTS REALLOCATED TO OTHER SCHOOLS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 20). REGISTRATION OF TRANSFERRED STUDENTS WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY (JULY 23).
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOCATED AN AIDED SECONDARY FOUR PLACE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INFORMATION SHEET OUTLINING THE ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM. THE SHEET CONTAINS ADDRESSES AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FROM WHICH STUDENTS MAY OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION.
PAMPHLETS ON COURSES OFFERED BY THE INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES WILL ALSO BE ISSUED TO STUDENTS NOT ALLOCATED AN AIDED SECONDARY FOUR PLACE.
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION INTO GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY CLASSES WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY. APPLICANTS MUST CALL IN PERSON AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 5/F., LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-8392309), BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR JSEA RESULT SLIP AND A PHOTOCOPY OF THE SLIP FOR RETENTION PURPOSE.
IN THE EVENT OF A TYPHOON AFFECTING HONG KONG DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIODS, SCHOOL HEADS AND STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE MEDIA FOR ANY NECESSARY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING ALLOCATION RESULTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON 5-8919099.
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/?.......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
- 7 -
CALL TO RETURN ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS QUESTIONNAIRES
» * » » »
THE CLOSING DATE IS DRAWING NEAR FOR THE RETURN OF SURVEY QUESTIONNARIES FOR A NUMBER OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS FOR 1986.
THEY INCLUDE: THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION; THE SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS; THE SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS; THE SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES; AND THE SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES.
THESE SURVEYS ARE CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME OF COLLECTING ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT SECTORS IN THE ECONOMY. SUCH ECONOMIC DATA ARE NEEDED FOR ASSESSING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC SECTORS TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG. THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS WILL ALSO BE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY THIS YEAR TO SOME 27,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH HAD BEEN SAMPLED FOR THE SURVEYS. THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31, 1987.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES WITHOUT DELAY. ANY RESPONDENT WHO FAILED TO DO SO MAY BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE, HE ADDED.
CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS, WHO CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD WHILE ON DUTY, ARE MAKING VISITS TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED TO ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES IF REQUIRED.
THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS WERE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION RELATING TO INCOME AND EXPENDITURE. THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATIONS WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF RETURNS. THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED THEREFORE NEED NOT WAIT FOR THEIR AUDITED ACCOUNTS BEFORE COMPLETING THEIR QUESTIONNAIRES.
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND THAT ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION WHICH DID NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE RELEASED.
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/8........
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
8
SHOW TO HERALD MONG KOK FESTIVAL » * » *
MONG KOK RESIDENTS WERE TONIGHT (TUESDAY) TREATED TO A FREE POP CONCERT AS A PRELUDE TO THE MONG KOK FESTIVAL TO BE HELD LATER THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ALL STAR SHOW AT ANCHOR STREET PLAYGROUND, MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI SAID: "AS THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL IS ON ’HOME’ THE PROGRAMMES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP RESIDENTS CULTIVATE A SENSE OF BELONGING AND AFFILIATION WITH THE COMMUNITY."
"IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THE FESTIVAL WILL ENHANCE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY AND TRADE IN THE DISTRICT,” HE SAID.
MR CHOW SAID THE ACTIVITIES FOR THE FESTIVAL WOULD BE LAUNCHED IN TWO PHASES.
THE FIRST PHASE INVOLVES ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND LOCAL BODIES AIMED AT BUILDING UP A FESTIVE MOOD FOR THE FESTIVAL PROPER IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE SECOND PHASE INCLUDE A TRADE FAIR FEATURING EXHIBITS BY FLOWER, FISH AND BIRD TRADERS WHOSE BUSINESSES ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRICT; CHRISTMAS LIGHTING ALONG THE MAIN STREETS AND A LARGE-SCALE POP CONCERT.
MR CHOW SAID THAT MORE THAN $700,000 HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE FESTIVAL.
TODAY’S SHOW WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, DISTRICT BOARD AND THE WEST AREA COMMITTEE.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR HO KWONG-HUNG ALSO OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
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/9 .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
ADVICE TO SCHOOL LEAVERS t » *
SCHOOL LEAVERS WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) GIVEN ADVICE ON HOW TO FACE THE NEW STAGE IN LIFE BEFORE THEM BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW.
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE SOCIETY OF BOYS' CENTRES, MR LAW SAID THAT FIRSTLY, IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE AND NOT TO FEEL DEPRESSED BY MINOR SETBACKS.
SECONDLY, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FRIENDS AND TO TREASURE THE FRIENDSHIP BECAUSE EVERYONE HAD TO LEARN FROM OTHERS, NOT ONLY IN SCHOOL BUT ALL THROUGH LIFE, HE SAID.
THIRDLY, THERE WAS THE NEED FOR SELF-CONFIDENCE, HE SAID, ADDING: "ONLY WITH AN APPROPRIATE MEASURE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE CAN ONE GET THINGS DONE AND FEEL HAPPY."
MR LAW FELT THAT INTEGRITY WAS ALSO IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS WOULD WIN RESPECT FROM OTHER PEOPLE.
LASTLY, HE SAID THAT FULFILLING ONE’S RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE AGENCY FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SERVICES FOR YOUTHS WITH PROBLEMS OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS.
- - 0 - -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENT CONTROL
AT A MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD S IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY (JULY 16), BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE DISTRICT S CONTROL WORKING GROUP.
ENVIRONMENTAL
MEMBERS WILL
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROPOSED MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS AND PUBLIC WOMS PROJECTS WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING.
LOCAL
NOTE TO EDITORS:
AM ON
BOARD
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 10 THURSDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE AT
152-172 KWONG FUK ROAD.
---------0------------ /“>0.............................
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987 10
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROPOSED REFRESHMENT KIOSK » ♦ * * ♦
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF A REFRESHMENT KIOSK ON THE CYCLE TRACK ALONG THE TOLO HIGHWAY AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 16).
THE ISSUE WAS A LEFT-OVER ITEM FROM THE COMMITTEE’S LAST MEETING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR TAI PO RESIDENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE AT 152-172 KWONG FUK ROAD.
-------0 -
FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR ELDERLY ISLANDERS * ♦ * ♦ ♦
ELDERLY ISLANDERS OF PO TOI WILL BE GIVEN FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS AT A ‘HEALTH DAY* PROGRAMME TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND IT WILL START AT 10.45 AM AT A SERVICE CENTRE TO BE SET UP AT THE PO TOI VILLAGE OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ’HEALTH DAY* PROGRAMME.
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THE TRANSPORTATION ARRANGED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE LAUNCH ‘CLEMENTI’ WILL LEAVE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER IN CENTRAL AT 9 AM FOR PO TOI.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR RAYMOND TAM WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
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TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
* » » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL
CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (JULY 18) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY
HALL RECITAL HALL. A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL • CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
BIDDING. THEY ARE: AB8881 DN1832 DM9887 CH33 DM9171 DM6848 DM8262 DN3378 HK797 DP688 DC13 DP1828 CD750 AK938 DN1698 DN1623 CD297 4387 DP1338 560 DD9779 HK629 AA629 BB8186 DP168 DN923 DN6088 AA3898 DN229 DC999 641 DL6128 DN812 DN560 DN1868 DN5 CK383 DR7310 AA1180 DP8238 SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 115TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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/12
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 198?
- 12 -
VISIT TO PO TOI O VILLAGE, SAI KUNO
>■;
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL VISIT PO TOI O VILLAGE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO SEE WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS THERE.
SAI KUNG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS BETTY CHIjfc; REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SAI KUNG WILL ALSO ATTEND.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Vr
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VISIT TO PO TOI O VILLAGE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT $HE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN, AT 9.50 AM SHARP. INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS MAQUITA WONG WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
......... i
SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR JUNK BAY * » » * *
A SECONDARY SCHOOL IS BEING BUILT ON A 6,445-SQUARE-!<ETRB SITE AT YAU YUE WAN IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE ONE BLOCK OF 24 CLASSROOMS AND ANOTHER FOR SPECIAL ROOMS, INCLUDING SCIENCE LABORATORIES, TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS, A LIBRARY, MUSIC ROOM, DOMESTIC SCIENCE ROOM AND OFFICES.
JI’
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT ARE AN ASSEMBLY HALL, BASK^BALL COURTS AND STAFF QUARTERS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $120,000 CONTRACT FOR A VENTILATION AND PUMPING INSTALLATION FOR THE SCHOOL.
ALL THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE E^JD OF JULY, 1988.
THE SCHOOL WILL SUPPLEMENT EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AVAILABlfe IN THE NEW TOWN WHERE THE POPULATION WILL GROW TO 75,000 PEOPLE BY 1990.
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
ACCESS ROAD FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN WESTERN
♦ » * ♦ ♦
A NEW ROAD WILL BE BUILT ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION NEAR WATER STREET, SHEK TONG TSUI, TO SERVE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 340-METRE LONG, 13.5-METRE WIDE BITUMINOUS CARRIAGEWAY WITH ASSOCIATED FOOTWAYS AND DRAINAGE WORKS ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION NEAR THE JUNCTION OF WATER STREET AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST.
IT WOULD SERVE AS AN ACCESS ROAD TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA SUCH AS THE PROPOSED WESTERN TRAM DEPOT AND THE WESTERN WHOLESALE FRUIT MARKET. CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE, IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED AND ITS CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WORKS WERE INVITED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. THEY ARE TO BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON JULY 31.
I
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»
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN HAPPY VALLEY
» » ♦ ♦
TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY ROAD WORKS, THE SOUTHBOUND SECTION OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN LEIGHTON ROAD AND LINK ROAD IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM THURSDAY (JULY 16) FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES LEADING FROM LEIGHTON ROAD EASTBOUND TURNING TO CAROLINE HILL ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TUNG LO WAN ROAD AND EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD.
MEANWHILE, VEHICLES LEADING FROM LEIGHTON ROAD WESTBOUND TO CAROLINE HILL ROAD WILL HAVE TO PROCEED VIA WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD, BROADWOOD ROAD AND LINK ROAD.
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TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1987
14
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TUEN MUN, SHEUNG SHUI * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM YAN CHING STREET ON TO TAK CHING COURT IN TUEN MUN TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW THERE FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 17).
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR TAK CHING COURT ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA YAN CHING STREET EASTBOUND, THE YAN CHING STREET LOOP AND YAN CHING STREET WESTBOUND.
WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME, SEVERAL ROADS IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE DESIGNATED PROHIBITED ZONE FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
THEY ARE:
♦ ROAD LI 3 FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD L9,
» ACCESS ROAD TO AREA IB FROM ROAD L9,
♦ ACCESS ROAD TO AREA 6A FROM ROAD L9,
» EASTERN ACCESS ROAD TO AREA 6B FROM ROAD 601,
♦ WESTERN ACCESS ROAD TO AREA 6B FROM ROAD 601 SOUTHBOUND,
AND
* WESTERN ACCESS ROAD TO AREA 6B FROM ROAD 601 NORTHBOUND.
NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PROHIBITED AREA 24-HOUR DAILY.
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RESTRICTED ZONE ON FORT STREET LIFTED ♦ * ♦
THE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON FORT STREET BETWEEN NORTH VIEW .STREET AND CHEUNG HONG STREET IN NORTH POINT WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 17).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES -BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
........ WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
.... . CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE 'COUNCIL MEETDiG ': ''
BCMBING ENQUIRIES ACCORDED TOP PRIORITY ................. 1
MORE IN-DEPTH SCRUTINY OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS ALLOWED ......... 2
BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) -BILL PASSED........................ 4
BUILDINGS (TENEMENT) BILL 1987 WELCOMED................. 't
FIRM ANTI-SMOKING POLICY PLEDGED ........................ 5
ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH COUNCIL SUPPORTED ............ 6
NATIONALITY-NOT A CRITERION IN GRANTING OF LEGAL AID ..... 7
NORTH-WEST RAILWAY BY-LAWS APPROVED ..................... 7
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION REPORT TABLED .................... 8
DUNN MOVES NOTION ON GREEN PAPER........................ 9
CHANGES -MUST -HAVE DUE -REGARD TO BASIC LAW ............ 12
DIRECT ELECTIONS 'A NATURAL STEP' ....................... 16
ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED IN HASTE ............ 18
THREE GUIDELINES FOR POLITICAL REVIEW ................. 21
CONTENTS OF GREET' PAPER BASED ON JOINT DECLARATION ..... 25
DIRECT ELECTION NOT PANACEA............................ 27
DIRECT ELECTION WITH LEAST DISRUPTION PROPOSED .......... 31
/INTRODUCTION OF......,
INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTION NEXT YE.-.R PREHaTURE... 34
CHINa should have faith in hk people ...................... 36
LEGCO SEnT FOR ACCOUNTANTS URGED .......................... 38
CALL FOR EXPANSION OF FUNCTION,J, CONSTITUENCIES........... 39
FURTHER MAJOR CHANGES TO PRESENT SYSTEM DUBIOUS ........... 42
HK PEOPLE'S WISHES SHOULD BE MET .......................... 45
TWO BILLS PASSED......................................... 47
POLITICAL DEBATE CRUCIAL IN SH.iPING FUTURE SYSTEM ............ 48
UNEMPLOYMENT .-ND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR MaRCH - MaY 1987 ....................................................... 49
EASY TRAVEL, SCHEME. PHASE TWO STARTS ON AUGUST 1 ............. 51
$181 M. CONTRACT.FOR NT CIRCULAR.ROAD TO BE SIGNED TOMORROW 52
GOVERNMENT SITE,TO LET..................................... 52
FORUMS ON TRAFFIC STUDY TO BE DISCUSSED........................ 53
ADDITIONAL,RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS ...................... 53
ISLANDERS GET.HEALTH.aDVICE.................................. 54
eastbound tube of.airport.tunnel.closed ...................... 55
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS .ON HONG KONG .ISLAND .................... 55
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
1 BOMBING ENQUIRIES ACCORDED TOP PRIORITY » » « « «
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAD GIVEN TOP PRIORITY TO THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE RECENT BOMBING INCIDENTS.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, MR FORD POINTED OUT THAT ENQUIRIES WERE BEING CONDUCTED BY THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BUREAU, SUPPLEMENTED BY OFFICERS DRAFTED IN FROM REGIONAL UNITS AND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMPUTER FACILITIES.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF MR FORD’S STATEMENT:
"MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN, PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY, ON EXPLOSIONS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED RECENTLY. THEY HAVE BEEN OUTRAGED, IN PARTICULAR BY THE INDISCRIMINATE AND CRUEL ATTACK IN CITY PLAZA ON JULY 8, IN WHICH 15 PEOPLE WERE INJURED.
"MEMBERS WILL PROBABLY HAVE HEARD THAT ANOTHER SMALL EXPLOSION OCCURRED INSIDE THE QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT NOON TODAY. NO WARNING WAS RECEIVED AND THE MOTIVE IS UNCLEAR. SIR, NO ONE WAS INJURED BY THAT EXPLOSION.
"YOU SIR, AND 1 HAVE PUBLICLY CONDEMNED THESE SENSELESS ACTIONS AND HAVE REASSURED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THE POLICE ARE DOING ALL IN THEIR POWER TO ARREST THE CULPRITS.
"THIS AFTERNOON, I SHOULD LIKE TO SAY AGAIN THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAS GIVEN TOP PRIORITY TO THE INVESTIGATION INTO ALL THESE INCIDENTS. ENQUIRIES ARE BEING CONDUCTED BY THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BUREAU, SUPPLEMENTED BY OFFICERS DRAFTED IN FROM REGIONAL UNITS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMPUTER FACILITIES. A MAJOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATING ROOM HAS BEEN SET UP AND INTENSIVE DOOR-TO-DOOR ENQUIRIES ARE UNDERWAY IN THE CITY PLAZA TO LOCATE FURTHER WITNESSES. POLICE PATROLS, IN UNIFORM AND IN PLAINCLOTHES, HAVE INCREASED IN BUSY SHOPPING AREAS. SHOPKEEPERS HAVE ALSO BEEN ADVISED AS TO HOW TO MAKE THEIR PREMISES MORE SECURE AND WHAT TO DO IF THEY FIND A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE. P'.IVATE SECURITY GUARDS HAVE BEEN URGED TO BE MORE VIGILANT. SIR, FROM ALL I HAVE SAID I HOPE IT IS CLEAR TO MEMBERS AND TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE POLICE HAVE RESPONDED IN A MOST COMMENDABLE WAY.
"THEIR DETERMINATION HAS ALR. ADY BROUGHT SOME RESULTS. MEMBERS WILL BE AWARE THAT ONE MAN IS NOW IN CUSTODY, CHARGED WITH THE POSSESSION OF AN EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCE CONTRARY TO SECTION 55 OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE. SINCE THIS MAN’S ACTIVITIES ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION I WOULD PREFER NOT TO DIVULGE THE RESULTS OF POLICE INVESTIGATIONS SO FAR BUT I WOULD SO EMPHASISE THAT THE INTENSIVE POLICE ACTION WHICH I HAVE OUTLINED ABOVE IS CONTINUING."
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
2
MORE IN-DEPTH SCRUTINY OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS ALLOWED
* * » * *
A MOTION ENABLING THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT TO EXTEND THE RANGE AND DEPTH OF THEIR ^INVESTIGATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL ACCOUNT WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY PROVIDING A SEPARATE MACHINERY FOR THE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT THROUGH AMENDMENTS TO THE ^STANDING ORDERS OF THE.LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"BY THIS METHOD, THE HEAVY WORKLOAD OF THE PAC, NOW CONCENTRATED IN ONE THREE MONTH PERIOD, WILL BE SPREAD OVER TWO PERIODS EACH OF THREE MONTHS," THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, SAID IN MOVING THE MOTION.
MR FORD SAID AT PRESENT STANDING ORDERS AUTHORISED THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON HIS EXAMINATION OF THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THE PAC’S PUBLIC EXAMINATION OF THIS REPORT STARTED WITH ITS TABLING IN NOVEMBER EACH YEAR AND ENDED THREE MONTHS LATER WHEN THE PAC REPORTED ITS FINDINGS, HE ADDED.
UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR, PAC AND ADMINISTRATION TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 19 LAST YEAR THE DIRECTOR MIGHT, IN ADDITION, CONDUCT VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS AND REPORT HIS FINDINGS TO THE COUNCIL. MR FORD SAID CLAUSE 19(A) EMPOWERED THE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THESE REPORTS AND TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE COUNCIL, WHILE CLAUSE 19(C) PROVIDED A SEPARATE MACHINERY FOR THESE REPORTS TO BE EXAMINED.
"WITH THE PROVISION OF THIS SEPARATE MACHINERY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WILL TABLE TWO REPORTS A YEAR AND THE PAC WILL RESPOND WITH ITS OWN REPORT ON EACH OF THESE, "MR FORD SAID. THE FIRST OF THESE WOULD BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND FEBRUARY EACH YEAR WHILE THE SECOND WILL BE TABLED IN APRIL EACH YEAR AND REPORTED ON BY THE END OF THE SESSION.
"THIS SHOULD ENABLE BOTH THE PAC AND THE DIRECTOR TO EXTEND THE RANGE AND DEPTH OF THEIR INVESTIGATIONS AND IMPLEMENTS A RECOMMENDATION THE PAC ITSELF MADE IN ITS 8TH REPORT IN FEBRUARY, 1986," MR FORD SAID.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT CONTAINS IN THE MOTION PROVIDED FOR THE REPLACEMENT IN STANDING ORDERS OF REFERENCES TO "UNOFFICIALS".
THIS FOLLOWED THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE LATE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR OF THE DECISION TO DISPENSE WITH THE TERM "UNOFFICIALS".
/IN EVERYDAY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 198?
IN EVERYDAY USE, MEMBERS WHETHER APPOINTED, ELECTED, OR OFFICIAL, WERE ALREADY KNOWN SIMPLY AS MEMBERS, BUT FOR THE PURPOSES OF STANDING ORDERS WHERE DIFFERENT ROLES WERE ASSIGNED TO MEMBERS„ DEPENDING ON WHETHER THEY WERE OFFICIAL OR OTHERWISE, IT WAS NECESSARY TO REFER TO ’’OFFICIAL MEMBERS" OR TO "MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICIAL", MR FORD SAID.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT WAS DESIGNED TO EXTEND THE PERIOD AVAILABLE FOR ADJOURNMENT DEBATES UNDER STANDING ORDER 9(7) FROM 30 MINUTES TO 60 MINUTES.
"THIS CHANGE REFLECTS THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF ADJOURNMENT DEBATES IN THE PROCEEDINGS OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE INTEREST WHICH MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED IN SPEAKING IN THEM," MR FORD SAID
HE ADDED THAT EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT THE 30 MINUTES RULE COULD RARELY BE ENFORCED.
"HOWEVER, IF THE CHARACTER OF ADJOURNMENT DEBATES IS TO BE PRESERVED, IT IS DESIRABLE TO IMPOSE SOME TIME LIMIT. A 60 MINUTE LIMIT, OF WHICH THE FINAL 15 MINUTES WILL BE RESERVED FOR THE OFFICIAL REPLY, SEEMS ABOUT RIGHT," MR FORD SAID.
HE SAID IN EXTENDING THE LIMIT, NO CHANGE WOULD BE MADE TO THE PROVISION WHEREBY THE PRESIDENT MIGHT DETERMINE A LONGER PERIOD. HOWEVER THE NEW LIMIT SHOULD MAKE THE OCCASIONS ON WHICH THE PRESIDENT HAD TO RESORT TO THIS PROVISION A RARE EXCEPTION RATHER THAN THE RULE AS IN THE PAST.
THE OTHER AMENDMENT CONCERNED WITH THE PROCEDURES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
MR FORD SAID THAT FROM TIME TO TIME, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE COUNCIL WAS IN RECESS, IT WAS DESIRABLE FOR THE COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH PAPERS BY CIRCULATION.
HE SAID CLAUSE 18(C) SOUGHT TO AMEND STANDING ORDER 60 TO ALLOW THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO DO SO, BUT THERE WOULD BE A SAFEGUARD THAT, WHERE ANY MATTER WAS NOT APPROVED ON CIRCULATION BY ALL MEMBERS IN HONG KONG AT THE TIME, THE MATTER SHOULD BE DEEMED TO BE REFERRED FOR DECISION AT A SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1987
BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL PASSED * ♦ * * *
THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 PASSED ITS AT TODAY’S (WEDNESDAY’S) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
THIRD READING
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, THANKED COUNCILLORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE BILL AND IN PARTICULAR CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS FROM MR CHENG HON-KWAN.
HE SAID: "MR CHENG QUITE RIGHTLY POINTED AUTHORITY MUST ENSURE THAT WORKS CARRIED OUT PUBLIC SAFETY ARE DONE AT MINIMUM COST AND TO A
OUT THAT THE BUILDING IN THE INTERESTS OF SATISFACTORY STANDARD.
I WOULD REASSURE HIM THAT THE AUTHORITY’S TENDERING OF CONTRACTS AND SUPERVISION OF THE WORKS ACHIEVING PRECISELY THIS."
PROCEDURES FOR
ARE AIMED AT
-----0-----
BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WELCOMED
*****
THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A PROPOSAL IN THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WHICH EMPOWERED THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO RECOVER COSTS FOR NECESSARY INCIDENTAL WORKS AND SERVICES WOULD GREATLY ASSIST PRIVATE BUILDING OWNERS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR CHENG SAID UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WAS EMPOWERED TO CARRY OUT WORKS IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO RECOVER THE DIRECT COSTS INCURRED, WHEN THE PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BUILDING HAD FAILED TO CARRY OUT THE WORKS THEMSELVES.
"INDIRECT OR INCIDENTAL COSTS ARE NOT RECOVERABLE, AND THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TENDS TO OMIT ANY WORK INCIDENTAL TO THE REMOVAL OF DANGER," HE SAID.
MR CHENG SAID OMELCO HAD IN FACT RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS FROM DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND PRIVATE BUILDING OWNERS WHO POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS UNSATISFACTORY.
HE SAID THE OMELCO LANDS AND WORKS PANEL HAD DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE ADMINISTRATION. THE PROPOSAL CONTAINED IN THE BILL WAS A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
/However, mr
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1987
- 5 -
HOWEVER, MR CHENG SAID THE AUTHORITY MUST ENSURE THAT ONLY THOSE OTHER WORKS WHICH WERE NECESSARY SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT AND AT THE MINIMUM COSTS INCURRED, SO AS NOT TO CREATE UNNECESSARY FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR THE OWNERS.
"THE OWNERS WITH WHOM LIES THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BUILDING SHOULD DO THEIR PART AND GIVE FULL COOPERATION TO THE AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
"GOOD COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES WILL ENSURE THAT SUCH WORKS DONE AND COST INCURRED ARE TO THE SATISFACTION OF ALL CONCERNED," HE ADDED.
-------0---------
FIRM ANTI-SMOKING POLICY PLEDGED
t » « » »
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH IN NO WAY INDICATES ANY WEAKENING OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO A FIRM POLICY ON THE DANGERS OF SMOKING, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH BILL 1987, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH WAS ALREADY CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS FOR TIGHTENING UP CONTROLS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND EXTENDING NO-SMOKING AREAS.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD NO DOUBT PURSUED THESE MATTERS FURTHER, AND HE LOOKED FORWARD TO RECEIVING ITS PROPOSALS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT MANY FACTORS WHICH IMPINGED ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S ATTITUDES TO SMOKING WERE QUITE BEYOND SCOPE OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROL. SUCH FACTORS AS PEER PRESSURE, EXAMPLE OF PARENTS AND COMMUNITY ATTITUDES, COULD ONLY BE CHANGED GRADUALLY THROUGH EFFECTIVE PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION, HE ADDED.
-------0 -
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 6
ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH COUNCIL SUPPORTED *****
DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SUPPORTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES IN ALIGNMENT WITH GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICY.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH BILL 1987, DR CHIU SAID THE BILL SIGNIFIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DETERMINED TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS THE PREVENTION OF THE HAZARD OF SMOKING WHICH WAS AN ADDICTIVE HOBBY RESPONSIBLE FOR 10 PER CENT OF DEATHS EACH YEAR IN HONG KONG.
THE FIRST STEP BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS ITS WISE DECISION OF A PHASED-IN TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENT FROM ELECTRONIC MEDIA, HE SAID.
DR CHIU POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WAS WELCOMED BY HIS COLLEAGUES OF THE MEDICAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, THE ANTI-CANCER SOCIETY, THE HONG KONG CARDIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG SMOKE-OUT COMMITTEE.
HE SAID EFFORTS TO RESTRICT TOBACCO ADVERTISING, TO PUBLICISE HEALTH WARNINGS ON CIGARETTE PACKET AND TO RAISE THE TAX OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS WERE THE ONLY AREAS THAT GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO AFFECT DIRECTLY IN ITS ANTI-SMOKING POLICY.
WHILE OTHER FACTORS THAT COULD NOT BE SIMILARLY INFLUENCED BY GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, SUCH AS SOCIAL PRESSURE, PEER INFLUENCE, PARENTAL AND TEACHER EXAMPLE, MIGHT HAVE MORE IMMEDIATE INFLUENCE ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S DECISION TO SMOKE, HE SAID.
"IF THESE AREAS ARE NOT GIVEN SPECIAL CONCERN, LEGISLATION ON SMOKING OR GOVERNMENT POLICY ON HEALTH EDUCATION CAN ONLY HOPE TO ACHIEVE THEIR DESIRED RESULTS AND EVENTUALLY WILL PROVE TO BE INEFFECTIVE," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT IT WAS ALWAYS MORE YOUNGSTERS THAN ADULTS WHO STARTED TO SMOKE, DR CHIU SAID ANOTHER AREA THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK INTO WAS SPORTS SPONSORSHIP BY THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.
HE SAID THOSE SPORTS SPONSORSHIP MIGHT ACT AS ADVERTISING TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
DR CHIU SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A STRICTER CONTROL MEASURE TO PROTECT NON-SMOKING PEOPLE FROM THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PASSIVE-SMOKING, BECAUSE A SURVEY OF PUBLIC OPINION CONDUCTED HERE IN 1981 SHOWED THAT MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE IN FAVOUR OF BANNING SMOKING IN ALL ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES.
HE SAID HE WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER SUFFICIENT FUND WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO THE COUNCIL TO ENABLE IT TO PERFORM ITS VARIOUS FUNCTIONS EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
FINALLY, DR CHIU STREESED: " GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT IS CRUCIAL IN ANTI-SMOKING PROGRAMMES, WITHOUT WHICH THE CONCERNED EFFORTS ARE DOOMED TO BE A FAILURE."
-------0----------
/7........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
NATIONALITY NOT /\ CRITERION
* * »
IN GRANTING OF LEGAL AID * t
THERE IS NO LIMITATION ON THE GRANT OF LEGAL AID ON THE GROUNDS OF AN APPLICANT’S NATIONALITY, AND ALIENS MAY APPLY AND RECEIVE LEGAL AID, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS REFERRING TO A CASE IN WHICH LEGAL AID WAS GRANTED TO FOUR FILIPINA MAIDS TO SEEK JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION’S POLICY ON THE EXTENSION OF STAY OF OVERSEAS DOMESTIC HELPERS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER C. WONG, MR FORD SAID SECTION 24(1) OF THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A LEGALLY AIDED PERSON AND THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID AND THE COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS ASSIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR IN SUCH A CASE WAS PRIVILEGED.
"ACCORDINGLY, I AM UNABLE TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE GRANTING OF LEGAL AID OR THE BASIS ON WHICH LEGAL AID WAS GRANTED TO THE FOUR FILIPINA MAIDS.
"IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT FOR ME TO DISCUSS THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THEIR CASE BEFORE IT WAS ARGUED IN COURT," HE SAID.
MR FORD NOTED THAT THE FILIPINA MAIDS’ APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO APPLY FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW HAD BEEN GRANTED BY THE HIGH COURT LAST FRIDAY. "IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE HEARING WILL BEGIN ON JULY 30," HE SAID.
-------0----------
NORTH-WEST RAILWAY BY-LAWS APPROVED *****
NORTH-WEST RAILWAY BY-LAWS CORPORATION (KCRC) EARLIER COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE MADE BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY JULY 3 WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT HON PETER JOHNSON, SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXAMINED BY-LAWS CAREFULLY AND CONSIDERED THEM ACCEPTABLE.
1987 ON
THE THESE
UNDER SECTION 31 OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 372), THE KCRC IS EMPOWERED TO MAKE BY-LAWS WHICH, HOWEVER, ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/"THESE BY-LAWS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 198?
’’THESE BY-LAWS ARE REQUIRED BY THE KCRC TO EXERCISE EFFECTIVE CONTROL IN THEIR OPERATION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM AND ITS ASSOCIATED BUS SERVICES IN THE NORTH-WEST TRANSIT SERVICE AREA,” MR JOHNSON SAID, ADDING THAT THEY WERE MODELLED ON THE EXISTING KCRC BY-LAWS FOR THE MAIN RAILWAY LINE, WHICH HAD BEEN WORKING SATISFACTORILY.
’’THE BY-LAWS SET OUT THE CONDITIONS FOR THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, THE ISSUE OF PASSENGER TICKETS AND CONTROL OF PERSONS AND VEHICLES ON THE LRT SYSTEM AND ITS FEEDER BUSES.
’’THEY ALSO PRESCRIBE THE AUTHORITY OF CORPORATION STAFF, THE CONDUCT OF PERSONS ON THE LRT SYSTEM AND THE CORPORATION’S BUSES AND THE PENALTIES FOR THE CONTRAVENTION OF THESE BY-LAWS," HE SAID.
-------0----------
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION REPORT TABLED ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $1,991.2 MILLION WAS APPROVED FOR THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1986-87, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN YAXLEY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING A SUMMARY OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1986-87 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR YAXLEY SAID $1,595.6 MILLION OF THIS SUM AROSE FROM THE 1986 CIVIL SERVICE AND SUBVERTED SECTOR PAY ADJUSTMENTS.
"OF THE AMOUNT OF $1,991.2 MILLION, $1,080 MILLION IS OFFSET BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME HEAD OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS VOTES. THE REMAINING $911.2 MILLION IS NET SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
"THE LATTER HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(8)(A) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
-------0---------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 9 -
DUNN MOVES MOTION ON GREEN PAPER » ♦ » ♦ ♦
SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT CHANGES IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE INEVITABLE BECAUSE THE JOINT DECLARATION HAS COMMITTED IT TO THE GREATEST CHANGE OF ALL.
MISS DUNN WAS REFERRING TO HE FACT THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE SAR IS TO BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS WHEREAS THE PRESENT COUNCIL IS ONLY PARTLY ELECTED.
"NOW OF COURSE WE COULD SAY NO FURTHER CHANGE FOR 1988," SHE SAID, "BUT IN THE LONG RUN, NO CHANGE IS NOT AN OPTION."
"THE LONGER WE POSTPONE FURTHER CHANGE, THE GREATER WILL BE THE PRESSURE FOR IT AND THE SHORTER THE TIME AVAILABLE T. SEE IT SMOOTHLY INTRODUCED," SHE ADDED.
IN MOVING A MOTION AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL "THAT THIS COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE GREEN PAPER : THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT", MISS DUNN STRESSED THAT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE SHOULD PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
"STABILITY WITH A LESS THAN PERFECT SYSTEM IS PREFERABLE TO THE INSTABILITY THAT IS AN INEVITABLE PRODUCT OF SUDDEN RADICAL CHANGE, HOWEVER CLOSE TO PERFECTION THE NEW SYSTEM MAY BE SEEN TO ITS PROPONENTS," SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, SHE WAS QUICK TO EXPLAIN THAT STABILITY IN A HUMAN SOCIETY WAS OBTAINED NOT BY TRYING TO SET THINGS IN CONCRETE, BUT BY ALLOWING ITS SYSTEMS AND INSTITUTIONS TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGES THAT OCCURRED IN SOCIETY.
SHE DESCRIBED "EDUCATION" AS THE MOST POTENT FORCE FOR CHANGE, CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY "PROSPERITY".
SHE POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE THE TWO HAD GONE HAND IN HAND FOR MANY YEARS PAST, THE CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S SOCIETY AND POLITICAL SYSTEM HAD NOT BROUGHT ABOUT INSTABILITY.
"THEY HAVE INSTEAD ENSURED CONTINUED STABILITY. THAT, ABOVE ALL, WE MUST PRESERVE," MISS DUNN SAID.
EXPRESSING HER VIEWS ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, MISS DUNN POINTED OUT THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS NOT A "REVOLUTIONARY INNOVATION" BUT AN "EVOLUTIONARY STEP".
"WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS TO HONG KONG, BUT ONLY ABOUT EXTENDING AN EXISTING ELECTORAL PRACTICE TO THIS COUNCIL," SHE SAID.
/DIRECT ELECTIONS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, '>987
10
DIRECT ELECTIONS ALREADY EXISTED FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL
SHE DID NOT THINK THAT ANY OF THESE EXAMPLES OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, OR ANY OF THE INDIRECT ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HAD LED TO THE KIND OF IRRESPONSIBLE VOTE-CATCHING THAT OPPONENTS OF DIRECT ELECTIONS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEEMED TO FEAR.
"I DO NOT THINK THAT THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE FROM PAST ELECTIONS THAT ORDINARY PEOPLE CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO SEE THEIR OWN LONG TERM INTERESTS CLEARLY AND THAT ONLY THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SECTORS CAN BE TRUSTED TO DO THAT", SHE SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT TO KEEP POWER IN THE HANDS OF CERT?IN SECTORS OF SOCIETY WAS IN ITSELF DANGEROUS TO STABILITY.
"IT IS FAR BETTER TO DIFFUSE POWER SO THAT EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO INFLUENCE HIS OWN FUTURE AND NO ONE SECTOR CAN DETERMINE THE FATE OF ALL", SHE SAID.
BUT SHE POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED BY ALL WAS "HOW THE NECESSARY DIFFUSION OF POWER IS TO BE ACHIEVED GRADUALLY AND WITHOUT A LURCH TOWARDS INSTABILITY," AND IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED ON THE BASIS OF SUSPECT ARGUMENTS.
"IN THE LONG RUN, IT IS THE GOOD SENSE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE THAT IS OUR SAFEGUARD AGAINST ALL THE IMPERFECTIONS OF ANY ELECTIVE SYSTEM."
MISS DUNN WARNED THAT WHILST INDIRECT ELECTION COULD HAVE THEIR DISADVANTAGES, DIRECT ELECTION WAS BY NO MEANS PANACEA.
"IT DOES NOT GUARANTEE BETTER GOVERNMENT OR EVEN GOOD GOVERNMENT. ABOVE ALL, IT IS NOT A WEAPON TO BE USED TO CONFRONT CHINA NOR A SHIELD TO PROTECT HONG KONG FROM INTERFERENCE," SHE SAID.
SHE SAID HONG KONG’S FUTURE LAY IN COOPERATING WITH CHINA, BUILDING MUTUAL TRUST, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT; AND BEING SENSITIVE TO EACH OTHER’S CONCERNS.
SHE SAID THAT TO HER, THE CASE FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS PURELY AND SIMPLY THAT, OF ALL OTHERS, IT WAS THE FAIREST WAY OF SELECTING PEOPLE TO EXERCISE PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES.
SHE VIEWED THE INTRODUCTION OF A FEW DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS A "LOGICAL NEXT STEP" IN HONG KONG’S MOVE TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"AS I SEE IT, THE REAL ARGUMENT IS NOT SO MUCH ’WHETHER’ AS ’WHEN’,” SHE SAID.
/ON THE.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 198?
11 -
ON THE QUESTION OF TIMING, MISS DUNN FELT THAT SINCE THE COUNCIL HAD TAKEN A BIG STEP FORWARD LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A CASE FOR A PAUSE BEFORE TAKING THE NEXT STEP.
IT WOULD DO THE COUNCIL NO HARM IF MEMBERS GAVE THEMSELVES MORE TIME BEFORE THEY MADE ROOM 5 R ANOTHER NEW WAVE OF MEMBERS, AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN A FEW HORE YEARS TO FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COUNCILLORS DID AND HOW WELL THEY OPERATED.
TURNING TO THE FUTURE ROLE OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS DUNN SAID THAT THE OVERRIDING PREOCCUPATION MUST BE TO PRODUCE A BALANCED AND EFFECTIVE LEGISLATURE, BUT > ? ALSO HAD TO FIT THE MOULD OF THE LEGISLATURE ENVISAGED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION, PROVISION FOR WHICH WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BASIC LAW.
SINCE IT WAS TO BE A LEGISLATURE "CONSTITUTED BY LECTIONS", THERE COULD BE NO PLACE FOR EX-OFFICIO OR APPOINTED OFFICIAL AS MEMBERS, SHE SAID.
THE JOINT DECLARATION ALSO REQUIRED THAT THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
MISS DUNN REITERATED THAT SOME FORM OF "MINISTERIAL TYPE SYSTEM" SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
"I DO NOT MEAN A FORM OF PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT IN A WESTMINSTER ’MODEL’," SHE STRESSED.
"IN THE LONG TERM, WE SHOULD AIM TO LINK THE NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS TERRITORY RATHER THAN RELY ON OFFICIAL MEMBERS ALONE TO PROVIDE THAT LINK," SHE SAID.
"THIS COULD BE ON THE BASIS OF THE GOVERNOR APPOINTING NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROGRAMME AREAS AND WOULD PUT FORWARD THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES, INTRODUCE ITS LEGISLATION AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AS THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS DO NOW," SHE ADDED.
ANOTHER POSSIBILITY WAS THAT OFFICIAL MEMBERS MIGHT REGULARLY ATTEND THE COUNCIL MEETINGS BUT WOULD NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
SHE URGED THAT THIS ISSUE BE TACKLED BEFORE CONSIDERING ANY FURTHER REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
MISS DUNN COMMENDED THE APPOINTED MEMBERS ON THEIR GOOD SERVICE TO THE COUNCIL.
/"THEY HAVE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 ♦ 1987
12
’’THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN YES-MEN, NOR HAVE THEY EVER SEEN THEMSELVES AS HERE TO DO THE GOVERNOR’S BIDDING. THEY HAVE BEEN AS SCEPTICAL AND QUIRKY AND CANTANKEROUS AND AS DIFFICULT TO PLEASE AS ANY OF OUR NEWLY ELECTED COLLEAGUES,” SHE SAID.
SHE HOPED THAT ELECTED MEMBERS WOULD AGREE THAT THEIR APPOINTED COUNTER-PARTS HAVE A CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE AS MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR SOME YEARS TO COME.
COMMENTING ON THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS DUNN BELIEVED THAT IT SHOULD BE MADE POSSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNOR TO NOMINATE SOME OTHER MEMBERS ON THE COUNCIL TO PRESIDE FROM TIME TO TIME IN HIS PLACE IN VIEW OF THE FREQUENCY AND LENGTH OF COUNCIL MEETINGS NOWADAYS.
CONCLUDING HER SPEECH, MISS DUNN EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR HONG KONG TO SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF ACCEPTABLE PRINCIPLE AND WORKABLE PRACTICE BY LISTENING TO THE VIEWS OF'THE PEOPLE.
- 0 - -
CHANGES MUST HAVE *
DUE REGARD » * ♦ ♦
TO BASIC LAW
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
THE HON CHEN SHOU-LUM
TOLD THE
(WEDNESDAY) THAT THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE CRITICISED THE GREEN PAPER ON THE GROUND THAT IT LACKS GUIDING DIRECTIONS.
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR CHEN SAID THOSE CRITICS HAD CHOSEN, DELIBERATELY AND AGAINST THEIR BETTER JUDGMENT IT SEEMED, TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT IN PREPARING THE PAPER, THE GOVERNMENT MUST, AT THE OPINION GATHERING STAGE, HAD A COMPLETELY OPEN MIND ON THE MATTER OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND MUST DO NO MORE THAN HIGHLIGHTING THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS WITHOUT APPEARING TO FAVOUR ANY PARTICULAR ONE OF THEM.
TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT ONLY BE WRONG BUT WOULD INVITE ACCUSATIONS OF MANIPULATING PUBLIC OPINION, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE URGED READERS OF THE GREEN PAPER TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE FACTORS WHICH WOULD HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL BEARING ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
/MR CHEN
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
MR CHEN SAID: "FIRSTLY, WE NEED TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS NOT AND WILL NOT BE AN INDEPENDENT STATE. THE CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH HONG KONG OPERATES WILL CHANGE AS FROM JULY 1, 1997."
MR CHEN SAID, SECOND! Y, HONG KONG WOULD BECOME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHIN.i IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. "JUST AS THE LETTERS PATENT HAVE PROVIDED THE AUTHORITY FOR HONG KONG TO BE GOVERNED BY THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION, THE BASIC LAW WILL PROVIDE THt GOVERNMENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE SAR," HE SAID.
"IT IS CLEAR THEREFORE THAT WHATEVER CHANGES WE MAY WISH TO BRING WITHIN THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT SYSTEM, THEY MUST HAVE DUE REGARD TO WHAT MAY BE PROVIDED IN THE BASIC LAW," HE ADDED.
MR CHEN POINTED OUT THAT THE STATED PURPOSE OF THE 1987 REVIEW WAS TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GO''?RNMENT IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED.
IN CONSIDERING THIS QUESTION, HE SAID ONE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY AND TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT IN 1997.
"PERHAPS THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THIS QUESTION IS TO CONDUCT A BRIEF APPRAISAL ON THE EXISTING SYSTEM TO SEE HOW IT HAS BEEN WORKING TO SUSTAIN HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY," HE SUGGESTED.
MR CHEN SAID HONG KONG’S ASTONISHING GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS HAD BEEN REGARDED BY MANY AS NO LESS THAN AN ECONOMIC MIRACLE. FEW WOULD NOT CONCEDE THAT APART FROM ITS ENTERPRISING ENTREPRENEURS AND RESILIENT WORK FORCE, HONG KONG OWED ITS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT TO A STABLE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT SYSTEM THAT HAD BEEN RELATIVELY FREE FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF POLITICS, AND WITHIN WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ABLE TO CONCENTRATE ON DOING A GOOD JOB OF ADMINISTERING THE TERRITORY WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY IN MIND.
HE SAID IN TERMS OF STABILITY AND EFFICIENCY THE EXISTING SYSTEM APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN WORKING WELL. IT HAD THE FLEXIBILITY REQUIRED TO ENABLE PEOPLE FROM ALL STRATA OF THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE, THROUGH DIFFERENT MEANS AND IN DIFFERENT FORUMS, IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES WHICH AFFECTED THE LIVES OF ALL IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID: "THROUGH AN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM, CANDIDATES WITH DIFFERENT SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS ARE APPOINTED TO BODIES AT DISTRICT, REGIONAL AND CENTRAL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT OF WHICH THIS COUNCIL FORMS A PART.
/”AS FAR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 14
"AS FAR AS THIS COUNCIL IS CONCERNED, AND I AM SURF THE SAME IS TRUE FOR OTHER BODIES, DECISIONS ARE NORMALLY TAKEN ON THE BASIS OF BROAD CONSENSUS BETWEEN DIFFERENT OR EVEN CONFLICTING INTERESTS IN THE COMMUNITY."
"THE SYSTEM HAS ENSURED NOT ONLY THAT INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS CANNOT DOMINATE OVER OTHERS BUI ALSO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS MAY SPEAK THEIR MINDS WITHOUT BEING HINDERED OR INFLUENCED BY POLITICAL PRESSURE OF ELECIONS. THE VALUE OF SUCH A SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE UNDERMINED," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MIGHT BE ACCUSED OF DEFENDING THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM BECAUSE OF VESTED INTEREST, MR CHEN TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE KNOWN HIS INTENTION TO RETIRE FROM BOTH THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS AT THE END OF THE CURRENT SESSION TO COINCIDE WITH HI RETIREMENT FROM HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN THE PUBLIC UTILITY SERVIC SECTOR.
"MY VIEWS EXPRESSED TODAY SHOULD THEREFORE BEAR NO INFLUENCE ON THE WHILE PAPER ON THE ISSUE," HE SAID.
MR CHEN NOTED THAT IN 1985 THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM UNDERWENT A MOMENTOUS CHANGE WHEN GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED INDIRECT ELECTIONS THROUGH WHICH VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE PERMITTED TO SELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID SINCE OCTOBER 1985, THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN MUCH BUSIER BUT THE PRODUCTIVITY WAS RELATIVELY LOW.
"ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF BILLS PASSED DURING THE CURRENT SESSION IS ONLY MARGINALLY LESS THAN THAT FOR THE 1984-85 SESSION,, the 'Number of meetings of the ad-hoc groups and panels to deal with THE BUSINESS HAD INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY INDICATING THAT EITHER THE BILLS HAD TO BE EXAMINED IN MUCH GREATER DEPTH THUS REQUIRING MORE AND LENGTHIER DISCUSSIONS OR, MORE LIKELY, THE RESULT OF INCREASING DIFFICULTY IN REACHING CONSENSUS, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH," HE NOTED.
"WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED ACTIVITIES IN THIS COUNCIL, MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION MUST HAVE ALSO HAD TO PUT IN EXTRA AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT TO DEAL WITH THE WORK GENERATED, SUCH AS RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ASKED IN THIS CHAMBER, PREPARING REPLIES TO DEBATES AND ATTENDING MEETINGS TO DISCUSS AND BRIEF MEMBERS.
"I AM SURE THE ADMINISTRATION MUST HAVE FELT THE STRAIN AND I SHALL NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE IN THE BUDGET NEXT YEAR LARGER THAN USUAL REQUESTS FOR INCREASE IN THE STAFF ESTABLISHMENT."
/HOWEVER, MR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 15 -
HOWEVER, MR CHEN SAID WHAT WAS MORE WORRYING WAS THE TENDENCY THAT IN TRYING TO BE RESPONSIVE TO OPINION, THE GOVERNMENT WAS BECOMING UNDULY SENSITIVE TO POLITICAL PRESSURE.
"BECAUSE OF THIS, I AM INCREASINGLY CONCERNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM, PRESENTLY EXECUTIVE-LED MAY GRADUALLY AND UNWITTINGLY BECOME LEGISLATIVE-LED. SUCH A TREND IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF GOVERNMENT," HE SAID. "IS THIS WHAT HONG KONG WANTS?" HE QUESTIONED.
MR CHEN STRESSED THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM HAD SERVED HONG KONG WELL AND THERE WAS REALLY NO COMPELLING REASON FOR HASTY AND DRASTIC CHANGES.
"WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS, PERHAPS, FINER TUNING OF AN ALREADY WELL-RUN MACHINERY," HE SAID.
MR CHEN SAID CHANGES MUST BE INTRODUCED IN A PRUDENT AND GRADUAL MANNER.
"WE MUST FIRST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE POST-1997 POtoTTICAL STRUCTURE IS LIKELY TO BE BEFORE WE COULD DECIDE WHICH DIRECTION POLITICAL REFORMS DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD" SHOULD TAKE TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT IN 1997.
"WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND OTHER INDEPENDENT STATES. IN ANY DEMOCRACIES, THE PEOPLE CAN THROW OUT OR CHANGE THEIR GOVERNMENT IF THEY FIND IT INEFFECTIVE OR UNSATISFACTORY. BUT HONG KONG CAN NEVER BE SUCH A DEMOCRACY EITHER NOW OR IN THE FUTURE."
FINALLY, MR CHEN SAID: "I THINK THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON DOING WHAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE BEST, THAT IS TO WORK HARD TO ENSURE HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY, WHICH IS THE VERY FOUNDATION FOR HONG KONG’S EXISTENCE, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE."
"CONTINUED PROSPERITY DEPENDS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS RATHER THAN HASTY AND DRASTIC CHANGES," HE ADDED.
/16.......
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 16 -
DIRECT ELECTIONS ’A NATURAL STEP’ » ♦ t * ♦
THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE CONCEPT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IS GENERALLY ACCEPTED AS A NATURAL STEP IN THE EVOLUTION OF A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM, AND VIEWS DIFFER ONLY ON THE TIMING OF ITS INTRODUCTION.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE MOTION ON* THE GREEN PAPER, MR WONG SAID THAT WHEN CONSIDERING THE TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, APART FROM PUBLIC RESPONSE, AT LEAST TWO ISSUES WERE RELEVANT: POLITICAL MATURITY AND THE QUESTION OF CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW.
ON THE QUESTION OF CONVERGENCE, HE SAID THAT FEW POLITICAL ANALYSTS WERE AGAINST THE CONCEPT OF CONVERGENCE.
"WHICHEVER WAY ONE LOOKS AT IT, CONVERGENCE IS CERTAINLY DESIRABLE, IF ONLY TO AVOID DEVELOPING A POLITICAL SYSTEM WHICH MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BASIC LAW," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE ARGUMENT ONE OFTEN HEARD WAS THAT SINCE THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDED FOR THE POST-1997 LEGISLATURE TO BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS, SOME ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988 WAS NOT LIKELY TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE BASIC LAW.
"THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE, SINCE ELECTIONS DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN DIRECT ELECTIONS," HE SAID.
REGARDLESS OF ONE’S VIEW ON THIS ISSUE, THERE WAS LOGIC IN THS ARGUMENT THAT IDEALLY DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED ONLY AFTER THE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW AND THUS ENSURED CONVERGENCE. THE IMPORTANT THING WAS THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS ACCEPTED. ITS INTRODUCTION WAS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIMING, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF THE POLITICAL MATURITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, MR WONG SAID THAT DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, HONG KONG HAD DEMONSTRATED A GREAT AWARENESS OF ITS CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. MANY BELIEVED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE POLITICALLY MATURE ENOUGH AND READY TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN T < PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT.
"IT IS THEREFORE LOGICAL TO CONCLUDE THAT SHOULD THE PUHI l( OPT FOR EARLY INTRODUCTION, THERE IS CERTAINLY A STRONG CASE FOR SOME ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO INTRODUCED IN 1988," HE SAID.
/CONVERSELY, IF
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 17 -
CONVERSELY, IF THE MAJORITY WAS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AT A LATER DATE, GOVERNMENT WAS DUTY BOUND TO TAKE FULLY INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS SO EXPRESSED, HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT MOST PEOPLE APPRECIATED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS. IT WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF ITS IMPLICATIONS. A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THESE IMPLICATIONS WOULD CERTAINLY ENABLE THOSE WHO INTENDED TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS TO FORM THEIR VIEWS INTELLIGENTLY.
MR WONG ALSO URGED THE PUBLIC TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND SUBMIT THEIR CONSIDERED VIEWS TO THE SURVEY OFFICE ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1987.
HE SAID THAT CRUCIAL TO THIS EXERCISE WAS THE SILENT MAJORITY. THEY MUST NOT REMAIN SILENT, IF THE CONSULTATION WAS TO BE MEANINGFUL, HE STRESSED.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE GOVERNMENT MUST SPARE NO EFFORTS IN REACHING OUT TO THEM, HE SAID.
"EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO BRING HOME THE FACT, THROUGH THE NUMEROUS CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATIONS AND IN PARTICULAR THE MEDIA, THAT POLITICAL REFORM IS IMPORTANT. IT AFFECTS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY EACH AND EVERYONE OF US WHO LIVE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS AND IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, THE PUBLIC MUST BE PREPARED TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN. AND DID SO CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR. IN THIS WAY AND THIS WAY ALONE COULD DEMOCRACY BE ATTAINED, HE ADDED.
MR WONG SAID THAT HE BELIEVED IN PRACTICAL POLITICS, IN REALISM AND NOT IDEALISM, IN RECONCILIATION AND NOT CONFRONTATION AND ABOVE ALL, IN COMPROMISE AND THE VIRTUE OF PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE.
"WHATEVER CHANGES MAY BE INTRODUCED IN 1988, I AM CONFIDENT THAT GIVEN GOOD SENSE AND OUR EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD, HONG KONO WILL CONTINUE TO BE STABLE AND PROSPEROUS," HE SAID.
-------0----------
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 18 -
ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED IN HASTE
*****
DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT DIRECT ELECTION IS A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE FOR HONG KONG’S POLITICAL REFORM AND SHOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED IN HASTE AND WITHOUT PROPER REGARD TO THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES PREVAILING IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER, DR HO NOTED THAT THE BASIC LAW, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR HONG KONG’S POLITICAL STRUCTURE AFTER 1997, WOULD BE PROMULGATED IN 1990.
"IT WILL SPECIFY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE FORM OR FORMS OF ELECTION AND WILL THUS HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FORMATION AND COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATURE," HE NOTED.
UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID HE WAS INCLINED TO REGARD THE TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS LEADING TO 1990 AS AN INTERIM PERIOD.
"DURING THIS SHORT RUN-UP, I PREFER TO SEE ONLY MINOR, INCREMENTAL CHANGES AT MOST TO OUR GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, IN ORDER TO LEAVE THE PRESENT INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS LEAST DISTURBED, WHICH ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN ACHIEVING SOCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY,” HE SAID.
DR HO ADDED THAT IF REFORMS WERE INTRODUCED HURRIEDLY AND RECKLESSLY AND WERE FOUND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW, THERE WAS NO OTHER VIABLE ALTERNATIVE BUT TO HAVE THEM WITHDRAWN OR REVERSED IMMEDIATELY.
"IN CASE OF THIS EVENTUALITY, OUR ECONOMY WILL INVARIABLY SUFFER FROM TREMENDOUS DISRUPTIONS AND OUR CONFIDENCE IN OUR POLITICAL FUTURE WILL LIKEWISE BE INFLICTED WITH LASTING DAMAGE," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, DR HO BELEIVED THAT A FRANK, RATIONAL AND DISPASSIONATE EXPRESSION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT OF DIRECT ELECTION IN THE DEBATE AND OTHER FORUMS WOULD EFFECTIVELY SERVE THE PURPOSE OF DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL AND THE CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE TO THE PREFERENCE AND ASPIRATION FERVENTLY CHERISHED IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AFTER 1997.
HE ALSO REMINDED PROPONENTS OF DIRECT ELECTION THAT DIRECT ELECTION MUST NOT BE SEEN AS AN END IN ITSELF. IN ORDER FOR THE SPIRIT AND THE EFFECT OF DIRECT ELECTION TO REALISE, A GREAT MAJORITY OF THE POPULACE MUST HAVE ATTAINED A HIGH LEVEL OF POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND MATURITY, DR HO ADDED.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 19 -
HE SAID THAT IN A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM, IT WAS UP TO THE GENERAL ELECTORATE TO MONITOR WHETHER THEIR CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS rWERE SAFEGUARDED AS PROMISED, WHETHER JUSTICE AND EQUITY WERE DONE,h AND WHETHER THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES HAD HONOURED THEIR ELECTION PLEDGES.
"BY REFERENCE TO THE RECENT EXPERIENCES OF THE ELECTIONS TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, I AM OF THE VIEW THAT THE GENERAL LEVEL OF POLITICAL MATURITY AND SOPHISTICATION ON THE PART OF THE ELECTORATE DOES NOT MATCH THE DEMAND MADE ON THEM BY A GOVERNMENT SYSTEM BASED ON DIRECT ELECTIONS. CIVIC EDUCATION HAS A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS RESPECT," HE SAID.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE AVERAGE MAN AND WOMAN IN THE STREET MUST NOT ONLY HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL, BUT ALSO THE KNOW-NOW TO ASSESS, CENSURE, PROD AND IMPEACH THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN RESPECT OF THEIR PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT.
DR HO WENT ON TO SAY THAT IN COUNTRIES WHERE DIRECT ELECTION BY UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE WAS PRACTISED, POLITICAL PARTIES WERE A SPONTANEOUS FEATURE. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT COULD NOT COUNTENANCE PARTY POLITICS IN HONG KONG AND THAT IT MIGHT ACTIVATE THE COMMUNIST ELEMENTS INTO A PARTY SHOULD POLITICAL PARTIES EMERGE HERE.
THE IMPLICATION OF AN ACTIVE, POWERFUL COMMUNIST PARTY IN HONG KONG’S DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE WERE FAR-REACHING, DR HO NOTED.
DR HO SAID PARTY POLITICS WAS ADVERSARIAL AND CONFRONTATIONAL IN CHARACTER. THE IMMEDIATE TASK OF THOSE PARTIES NOT IN POWER WAS TO TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT. THEY WOULD FIND FAULT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES, HARASS THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS’ BEHAVIOUR, DISCREDIT GOVERNMENT’S DECISIONS AND SHATTER THE PUBLIC’S CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT.
THE END RESULT WAS A SUCCESSION OF CHANGES OF GOVERNMENTS, RESULTING IN A LACK OF CONTINUITY OF POLICY. EVIDENCE OF THIS UNSTABLE GOVERNMENT WAS ABUNDANT IN COUNTRIES PLAGUED BY A PLURALTY OF POLITICAL PARTIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, WHERE DIRECT ELECTION WAS PRACTISED WITHOUT THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES, A DIFFERENT SCENARIO WHICH WAS ALSO UNDERSIRABLE, MIGHT LIKELY EMERGE. THERE WAS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THE LEGISLATURE WAS COMPOSED OF MEMBERS REPRESENTING ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF PROFESSIONS AND SECTORS.
"THIS LOBSIDED PHENOMENON WAS VIVIDLY BORNE OUT BY THE ELECTION OUTCOME OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS. THIS STATE OF LOBSIDED REPRESENTATION WILL LIKELY BE EXACERBATED UY THE SMALL NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE EARMARKED FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS," HE SAID.
/"IN THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15» 1987
20 -
"IN THE INTEREST OF BALANCED DEVELOPMENT, A LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE FILLED BY AS WIDE A SPECTRUM OF OCCUPATIONAL, GEOGRAPHICAL AND SECTORAL INTERESTS AS POSSIBLE, THIS EXPLAINS THE CALLS FOR THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO BE INCREASED," HE SAID.
■ TURNING TO THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR HO SAID HE DID NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THE THINKING THAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG SHOULD NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE NOTED THAT CONSTITUTIONALLY, THE GOVERNOR WAS THE SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATIVE OF THE QUEEN’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG AND EXERCISED THE POWERS OF THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE.
THIS MEANS THAT HIS POWERS AS GOVERNOR WERE COMPREHENSIVE AND INCLUSIVE OF HIS POWERS AS PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. EVEN IF HE APPOINTED SOME OTHER PERSON TO PRESIDE ON HIS BEHALF, THE GOVERNOR WOULD CONTINUE, BY VIRTUE OF THE LETTERS PATENT AND THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS, TO RETAIN THE POWERS THAT ENABLED HIM TO CONTROL THE BUSINESS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNOR COULD EXERCISE CERTAIN POWERS WHICH THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT ENTITLED TO: INCLUDING TO ASSENT TO, OR WITHHOLD HIS ASSENT FROM, LEGISLATION PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; DETERMINE WHETHER A SITTING BE HELD OUTSIDE THE NORMAL SESSION; AND DISSOLVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT THEREFORE SERVES NO USEFUL PURPOSE TO REPLACE THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY ANOTHER PERSON," HE SAID.
MOREOVER, WHILE THE BASIC LAW WAS BEING PROMULGATED DURING THIS INTERIM PERIOD, THERE WAS NO KNOWLEDGE AS TO THE RELATIONSHIP AND THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR (OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE) IN THE FUTURE HKSAR LEGISLATURE.
"THEREFORE, IN THE INTEREST OF CONVERGENCE, I PREFER THE OPTION TO MAKE NO FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE TO THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BUT ALLOWS HIM DISCRETION TO APPOINT SOME ONE TO PRESIDE IN HIS ABSENCE FOR SPECIFIC SITTINGS OR PART OF A SITTING," DR HO SAID.
FINALLY, DR HO URGED THE PUBLIC TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
"IN HIS/HER DELIBERATIONS, I EARNESTLY URGE THAT HE/SHE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT THE POLITICAL REFORMS REFERRED TO IN 1988 SHOULD BE VIEWED AS INTERIM MEASURES, WHILE AWAITING THE PROMULGATION OF BASIC LAW,” HE SAID.
-------o ---------
/21 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
21
THREE GUIDELINES FOR POLITICAL REVIEW *****
THERE ARE THREE GUIDELINES WHICH HONG KONG HAS TO OBSERVE IN THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE HON F.K. HU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR HU SAID FIRSTLY, ANY CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES MUST BE UNDERTAKEN WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
"SECONDLY, THE RESULTANT CHANGES FROM THE CURRENT REVIEW HAVE TO CONVERGE WITH THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT MODEL TO BE STIPULATED IN THE BASIC LAW, WHICH IS STILL BEING DRAFTED.
"THIRDLY, IN THE COURSE OF CHANGES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED."
MR HU RECALLED THAT IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ON JANUARY 9, 1985 HE HAD CALLED FOR A CAUTIOUS APPROACH.
I REPEAT THE CALL TODAY WITH A STRONGER CONVICTION," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE 1985 REVIEW HAD INTRODUCED ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THROUGH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
"THE NEW SYSTEM STILL HAS NOT SETTLED IN AND WE WOULD NEED MORE TIME TO ASSESS THE EFFECTS OF THESE CHANGES WHICH WERE MADE ONLY TWO YEARS AGO.
"BEFORE THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE TO CONVINCE US OF THE NEED FOR ANY CHANGE, WE MUST NOT COMMIT OURSELVES TO FURTHER CHANGES JUST FOR THE SAKE OF CHANGE AND RISK DISTURBING OUR PRESENT SYSTEM UNNECESSARILY." HE STRESSED.
MR HU THEN SPOKE ON THE OPTIONS IN THE 1987 GREEN PAPER AND BEGAN WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"IN PRINCIPLE I SUPPORT A DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I BELIEVE DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN DUE COURSE AND THEREFORE THE PROBLEM HERE IS ONE OF TIMING," HE SAID.
"AS 1 HAVE MENTIONED, THE CURRENT POLITICAL REVIEW HAS TO RF CONDUCTED UNDER CERTAIN GUIDELINES, AND CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW IS CLEARLY ONE.
/"THE HONG KONG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 22 -
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TERRITORY BEFORE 1997. BUT 10 YEARS LATER THE POWER OF HONG KONG’S SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE BASED ON THE ROYAL INSTRUCTION OR THE LETTER’S PATENT, Bi!T THE BASIC LAW INSTEAD.
"THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE BEEN ASSURED TiME AND AGAIN THAT BOTH THE BASIC LAW AND THE CURRENT POLITICAL REVIEW WILL BE BASED ON THE SAME PUBLIC OPINIONS IN HONG KONG. 1 AGREE THAT IN REGARD TO THE ISSUE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, THERE WILL NOT BE MUCH DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE OUTCOMES OF THE TWO EXERCISES."
BUT HE SAID THIS POSSIBILITY SHOULD NOT BE USED AS AN EXCUSE TO PREEMPT THE OUTCOME OF BASIC LAW BY INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.
"IT IS BECAUSE DESPITE OUR CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL HAVE A FUTURE LEGISLATURE WITH A DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT IN IT, THERE IS NO WAY OF TELLING THE DETAILS INVOLVED. IF WE INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988, WE WILL BE FORCING IT ON THE BASIC LAW WHICH IS STILL IN THE DRAFTING STAGE.
"THE CONSEQUENCE OF SUCH BLATANT DISREGARD FOR OUR FUTURE CONSTITUTION CANNOT BE FATHOMED AT THE MOMENT. BUT ONE THING IS SURE, IT WILL NOT BE IN ANYWAY BENEFICIAL TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
"HAVING SAID THAT, I STILL BELIEVE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO A PROPORTION OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN A LATER YEAR," MR HU ADDED.
HE SAID IN HIS VIEW, A MORE APPROPRIATE TIMING MIGHT BE IN THL YEARS 1991 TO 1992 WHEN THE BASIC LAW WOULD HAVE BEEN PROMULGATED, GIVEN IT WOULD HAVE A PROVISION FOR DIRECT ELECTION.^ .
"FUTURE DIRECT ELECTIONS, AS I PERCEIVE IT, SHOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE. AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS COULD BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES.
"IN THE FIRST STAGE, NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL HA E TO BE MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, URBAN COUNCIL OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY OF CANDIDATES HAVE REACHED A CERTAIN STANDARD.
"AT THE SECOND STAGE THERE CAN BE DIRECT NON 1 KAI IONS FRO?: T’fF. DISTRICTS TO ENSURE THAT ANYONE WHO INTENDS TO STAND FOR ELECTION WILL HAVE A FAIR CHANCE OF DOING SO."
ON THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCII, MR HU SAID HE ENTIRELY AGREED WITH THE OBSERVA* ION STATE.’ li • GREEN PAPER.
/"MANY COLLEAGUES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
25
"MANY COLLEAGUES HAVE SHARED THE FRUSTRATION OF HAVING OUR QUESTIONS UNSATISFACTORILY ANSWERED SINCE THE OFFICIALS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUES CONCERNED ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL," HE SAID.
"IF WE FURTHER REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE EFFICIENCY OF THIS COUNCIL’S OPERATION WILL INEVITABLY BE AFFECTED. I WOULD SUPPORT THE OPTION THAT THE EXISTING NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS BE UPHELD."
IN REGARD TO APPOINTED MEMBERS, MR HU SAID THE SYSTEM HAD CONTRIBUTED VERY MUCH TO THE STABILITY AND CONTINUITY OF THE COUNCIL’S OPERATION.
"HOWEVER, AS THE GREEN PAPER HAS ALSO POINTED OUT, SUCH A SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE ABOLISHED EVENTUALLY. TO PREPARE FOR ITS FINAL ABOLITION, A LIMITED REDUCTION OF THE APPOINTED SEATS WILL BE DESIRABLE AT THIS STAGE."
MR HU SAID THE SEATS VACATED BY THE REDUCTION OF APPOINTED MEMBERS COULD GO TO AN EXPANDED FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SYSTEM.
"ELECTIONS THROUGH THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAVE BEEN PROVED SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG’S SITUATION. ITS MERITS HAVE BOTH BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE GREEN PAPER AND WIDELY ACCEPTED BY THE PUBLIC."
"I SUPPORT OPTION (III) IN PARAGRAPH 88 THAT THE NUMBER OF SEATS ALLOCATED TO FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE REASONABLY INCREASED FOR A NUMBER OF NEW CATEGORIES NEXT YEAR. BUT WHICH NEW CATEGORIES SHOULD BE CREATED HAVE TO BE DECIDED AFTER FURTHER PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS," HE SAID.
ON ELECTORAL COLLEGE, MR HU SAID MORE CAUTION WAS REQUIRED IN PLANNING FOR ITS FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
"THE SYSTEM, INTRODUCED ONLY TWO YEARS AGO, HAS LED TO POLITICAL BICKERING WITHIN THE DISTRICT BOARDS. CHANGES WILL NOT BE PREFERABLE NEXT YEAR SINCE WE SHOULD GIVE MORE TIME TO TRY OUT THIS SYSTEM BEFORE DECIDING ON THE NEXT MOVE."
MR HU SAID HE FOUND THE IDEA OF A NEW BROADLY-BASED ELECTORAL COLLEGE TO ELECT A PROPORTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE MOST APPEALING SINCE IT WOULD BE ABLE TO SUBSTITUTE THE FUNCTION OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERS SYSTEM.
"I ENVISAGE THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A NEW ELECTORAL COLLEGE COMPRISING A WIDE RANGE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL SECTORS AND STRATA OF THE COMMUNITY, CAN ELECT THE APPROPRIATE TALENTS TO MEET PREVAILING NEEDS AND THUS ACHIEVE A BALANCING EFFECT AS APPOINTED MEMBERS USED TO DO."
/ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
24
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE GOVERNOR SHOULD REMAIN PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID HE DID NOT SEE ANY URGENCY IN MAKING CHANGES AND IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO LEAVE THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS INTACT AT THIS STAGE.
AS REGARDS THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM, MR HU SAID THE KEY WORD FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG WAS EFFICIENCY. "I HAD OBJECTED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEPARATE REGIONAL COUNCIL ALONGSIDE THE URBAN COUNCIL TO TAKE CARE OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN THE RURAL AREAS. I STILL THINK THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IS REDUNDANT AND IS A WRONG DECISION," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, WE CANNOT PUT THE CLOCK BACK AT THIS STAGE. MY VIEW IS THAT WE SHOULD LEAVE THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS AS THEY ARE WITH AS LITTLE CHANGE AS POSSIBLE BEFORE 1997.
FURTHERMORE, TWO ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN THE PRESENT THREE-TIER SYSTEM, THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WERE ONLY ESTABLISHED IN RECENT YEARS. THE FIRST DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION WAS HELD IN 1982 WHILE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ONLY FORMALLY CAME INTO BEING LAST YEAR.
"WE SHOULD ALLOW MORE TIME FOR THE COMMUNITY TO FIND OUT HOW THIS SYSTEM WORKS AND REASSESS THE DIFFERENT ROLES CONCERNED.
"HOWEVER, I WOULD SUPPORT SOME FINE-TUNING OF THE SYSTEM. FOR INSTANCE, WE NEED TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATION AND IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATION AMONG THE THREE LEVELS."
MR HU SAID HE SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO GIVE DISTRICT BOARDS A ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CERTAIN DISTRICT FACILITIES AS THIS WOULD PROVIDE THEM VERY USEFUL TRAINING IN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT.
"IN THE LONG RUN, WE WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER MERGING THE EXISTING THREE-TIER SYSTEM INTO A TWO-TIER ONE. HONG KONG IS SO SMALL THAT IT DOES NOT REALLY REQUIRE A COMPLICATED SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT," HE SAID.
"ONE OF THE FUTURE TWO TIERS SHOULD BE DISTRICT-ORIENTED WHILE THE OTHER SHOULD OF COURSE BE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL."
HE SAID THE LAYER-IN-BETWEEN, THE PRESENT URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL, COULD BE FADED OUT AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME.
"BUT ALL THESE CHANGES SHOULD ONLY TAKE PLACE AFTER 1997 WHEN HONG KONG HAS SETTLED IN ITS NEW MODEL OF ADMINISTRATION."
ON THE CURRENT SURVEY EXERCISE IN REGARD TO THE GREEN PAPER, MR HU SAID HE HAD CANVASSED A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE ABOUT THE GREEN PAPER AND HAD THE DISTINCT FEELING THAT THERE WAS A GENERAL IGNORANCE ABOUT ITS CONTENTS.
/"BEFORE THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
"BEFORE THE PUBLIC CAN HAVE A FULL GRASP OF THE ' IMPLICATIONS OF THE OPTIONS THRUSTED UPON THEM, IT WOULD BE VERY RISKY INDEED IF WE JUST ASK THEM TO SAY EITHER 'YES’ OR 'NO' TO THE OPTIONS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
"HOW TO ENSURE THAT THE OUTCOME OF THE SURVEY WILL TRULY REFLECT THE PUBLIC’S WISH IS THE JOB OF THE SURVEY OFFICE. BUT I WANT
TO MAKE A POINT HERE THAT IF THE SURVEY IS BASED ON UNINFORMED AND
IMMATURE OPINIONS, THE FINDINGS MAY BE VERY MISLEADING."
MR HU SAID IN THE LONG RUN, A STRENGTHENED CIVIC EDUCATION
PROGRAMME MIGHT HELP PROMOTE THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST IN AND
UNDERSTANDING OF POLITICAL ISSUES.
"BUT AS LITTLE CAN BE DONE AT THE MOMENT CONCERNING THE SURVEY ON THE GREEN PAPER, HONG KONG SHOULD ONLY TAKE A CAUTIOUS APPROACH AT THIS STAGE," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
CONTENTS OF GREEN PAPER BASED ON JOINT DECLARATION » » * ♦ *
IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO POINT OUT THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE GREEN PAPER ARE BASED ON THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION SIGNED BY THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, THE HON K.C. CHAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR CHAN SAID THOSE WHO TRIED TO MISINTERPRET ITS CONTENTS WERE TALKING NONSENSE OR RUBBISH.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE BASIC LAW WAS NOT YET A LAW AND MIGHT NOT EVEN BE CALLED A BILL.
"HONG KONG IS EVOLVING AND DEVELOPING EVERY DAY IN ALL RESPECTS WHAT BASIC LAW ARE WE GOING TO CONVERGE TO?” HE ASKED.
"AS THE BASIC LAW IS ONLY ONE PART OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND CANNOT EXCEED IT, WE ONLY NOW TAKE THE WORDS CONTAINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION FOR CONVERGENCE," MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION SAID, INTER ALIA, THAT THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) SHOULD BE VESTED WITH EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL POWER, INCLUDING THAT OF FINAL ADJUDICATION.
/"NOW WE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 26 -
"NOW WE ALREADY HAVE INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL POWER BUT JUST CONVERGE TO THE FINAL ADJUDICATION.
"NOW WE HAVE A LEGISLATURE WITH LEGISLATIVE POWER AND WE JUST HAVE TO CONVERGE TO CONSTITUTION BY ELECTION.
"NOW WE HAVE AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES BOTH ABIDE BY THE LAW AND WE SHALL CONVERGE INTO THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES WHICH SHALL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE."
MR CHAN SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION ALSO STATED THAT THE SOCIALIST SYSTEM AND SOCIALIST POLICIES SHOULD NOT BE PRACTISED IN THE SAR AND THAT HONG KONG’S PREVIOUS CAPITALIST SYSTEM AND LIFE-STYLE SHOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997.
"AS WE ARE PRACTISING THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM AND THE CAPITALIST WAY OF ELECTION IS THEREFORE IN ORDER," HE SAID.
"TO THOSE WHO SAID THAT HONG KONG IS NOT A STATE AND CANNOT HAVE DIRECT ELECTION, I JUST FAIL TO SEE WHAT AUTHORITATIVE REFERENCE THEY MAY QUOTE FROM.
"IN THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM, DIRECT ELECTION MAY BE USED TO VOTE MAYORS, GOVERNORS OR HEADS OF STATE INTO OFFICE."
MR CHAN SAID THE ESSENCE OF A DEMOCRATIC ELECTION WAS FREEDOM OF CHOICE. "IT PROVIDES EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE AS VOTERS AND AS CANDIDATES.
"THERE IS NO FAIRER SYSTEM THAN UNIVERSAL FRANCHISE AND DIRECT ELECTION. DIRECT ELECTIONS ARE USED IN MANY POWERFUL AND PROSPEROUS COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES," HE SAID.
"I CONSIDER THAT THE TIME IS RIPE TO HAVE DIRECT ELECTION. IT IS NOW OR NEVER.
"THERE SHOULD BE ONE SEAT EACH FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS IN 1988. WITHOUT INCREASING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE, SOME SEATS MAY BE CREATED BY REDUCING NUMBER OF APPOINTED AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO OCCUPY SEATS IN EXCO AND LEGCO."
ON APPOINTED MEMBERS IN LEGCO, MR CHAN SAID: "WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND TO HAND OVER OUR EXPERIENCE TO THE ELECTED MEMBERS AND WHEN THE TIME IS RIPE, WE JUST BOW AND LEAVE WITH A SMILE ON OUR FACE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.
"FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT AGREE, I SHALL REFER THEM TO SHAKESPEARE’S JULIUS CAESAR ’THE EVIL THAT MEN DO LIVES AFTER THEM, THE GOOD IS OFT INTERRED WITH THEIR BONES’ SO LET IT BE WITH THE APPOINTED MEMBERS," HE ADDED.
-------0--------- /27...................
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 27 -
DIRECT ELECTION NOT PANACEA
* ♦ * »
DIRECT ELECTION MUST NOT BE REGARDED AS THE PANACEA TO ALLAY FEARS ABOUT POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE FROM CHINA AFTER 1997, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR CHEONG SAID BECAUSE "IT SIMPLY CANNOT REALISTICALLY PROVIDE MUCH RELIEF IF AND WHEN THE SOVEREIGN STATE DECIDED TO ACT IRRATIONALLY OR IRRESPONSIBLY.”
"WE NEED ALSO TO GUARD OURSELVES AGAINST FALLING INTO AN EMOTIONAL TRAP OF SIMPLY AGREEING TO DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 BECAUSE WE NEED TO SHOW SOME COLOURS TO CHINA,” HE SAID.
’’SUCH ACTIONS WOULD NOT BE PRODUCTIVE TOWARDS MAINTAINING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN HONG KONG.
’’IN FACT, THE DIVISIVE ATMOSPHERE ALREADY CREATED IN HONG KONG OVER THIS ISSUE WOULD TEND TO ERECT MORE OBSTACLES TO THE CRUCIAL NEED OF DEVELOPING BETTER UNDERSTANDING AMONGST THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IT CERTAINLY HAS NOT HELPED IN PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG.”
MR CHEONG POINTED OUT THAT POLITICAL CHANGE MUST FOLLOW POPULAR POLITICAL AWARENESS AND NOT PUSHING FOR CHANGE FOR THE SAKE OF CHANGE, OR FOR THE SAKE OF IDEALS OR FOR THE NOTION OF DEMOCRACY AGAINST COMMUNISM.
"IT IS A FACT THAT HONG KONG IS STILL AT A STAGE WHERE CIVIC EDUCATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING,” HE SAID.
’’COMPARED WITH POPULAR DEMOCRACIES OF EUROPE OR AMERICA, THE POLITICAL AWARENESS OF HONG KONG IS BARELY AWAKENING FOR THERE IS STILL WIDESPREAD APATHY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY ON POLITICAL ISSUES.”
HE SAID A RECENT SURVEY REPORTED FAIRLY WIDELY IN THE MEDIA CONFIRMED THIS REALITY.
THE SURVEY WAS CO-SPONSORED BY A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER AND UNDERTAKEN IN A HOUSING ESTATE WHICH HOUSED OVER 19,000 PEOPLE; IT FOUND THAT OF THE 3,500 QUESTIONNAIRES SENT OUT, ONLY 52 RESPONDED, AND OF THE OVER 250 PEOPLE APPROACHED FOR STREET INTERVIEWS, ONLY 45 BOTHERED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
"OUT OF THE 45 WHO RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS, 36 PEOPLE EITHER DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF THE GREEN PAPER OR THEY HAD NOT READ IT. ALSO, THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW THE PRESENT LEGCO IS BEING CONSTITUTED.
/••WHEN ASKED..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 28 -
’’WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD TAKE PART IN THE VOTING IF DIRECT ELECTIONS WERE INTRODUCED IN 1988, 39 PEOPLE REPLIED THAT THEY WILL NOT VOTE.”
UNDER SUCH A CLIMATE OF GENERAL POLITICAL APATHY, MR CHEONG SAID: "SHOULD WE NOT ASK OURSELVES WHETHER OR NOT IT IS ADVISABLE TO DRAW VERY FIRM CONCLUSIONS RIGHT NOW?”
"IS THE OPINION CLAMOURING FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 REALLY THAT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WISHES OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE AT LARGE?"
MR CHEONG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S RETURN TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY WAS ANOTHER FACT.
"THE FACT WILL NOT BE ALTERED BY SUDDENLY THROWING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS OPEN," HE SAID. "THAT FACT WILL NOT BE ALTERED NO MATTER HOW SOME OF US WOULD SINCERELY HARBOUR DISTRUSTS ON CHINA’S INTENTIONS OR HER ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT THE CONCEPT OF ONE-COUNTRY-TWO-SYSTEMS . ”
"WE SHOULD WORK TO EFFECT THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO WHAT WE PRESENTLY ENJOY. THERE IS NO POINT TO PRETENDING THAT THE 1980’S AND THE 90’S ARE AN INDEPENDENT, ISOLATED ERA IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG.
"THERE IS NO POINT TO SPREADING THAT FALSE ILLUSION. IT IS UNREALISTIC TO PRETEND THAT THE BASIC LAW IS NOT DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE PRESENT DEBATE OVER POLITICAL REFORMS."
"THIS IS A TRANSITION PERIOD, AND ANY CHANGE THAT WE MAKE, EVERY ACTION THAT WE TAKE, MUST BE DONE WITH THE AIM OF TRYING TO MAKE 1997 A NON-EVENT.
"THE ACTUAL DATE OF HANDING BACK SOVEREIGNTY TO CHINA SHOULD BE VIEWED LIKE ANY OTHER DAY IN HONG KONG, WITH PEOPLE GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS OF WORKING, PLAYING, STUDYING, AND STRIVING," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG SAID HE WOULD HOPE THAT THE GOALS OF THIS SOCIETY WERE THE SAME GOALS REPEATED AGAIN AND AGAIN BY LEADERS IN BRITAIN, CHINA, AND HONG KONG, AND THE SAME GOALS WHICH ECHOED ENDLESSLY IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE ORDINARY CITIZENS OF HONG KONG.
"THOSE GOALS ARE FOR STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, NOW, IN 1997, AND FAR INTO THE FUTURE." THE FUTURE OF THIS TERRITORY IS CONTAINED IN THOSE TWO WORDS. WE NEED STABILITY SO THAT OUR PEOPLE CAN HAVE PROSPERITY. WE NEED PROSPERITY SO OUR PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT WHICH HAS MADE THIS CITY GREAT: STRIVE FOR EVER BETTER LIVING STANDARDS FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR DESCENDANTS.
/’’IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15. 198?
- 29 -
"IT IS ON THESE BASIC PREMISES THAT THE BUILDING OF OUR FUTURE POLITICAL STRUCTURE MUST BE BASED. WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SERVICE STRUCTURE THAT HAS BROUGHT SUCH GOOD RESULTS TO HONG KONG OVER THE YEARS. WE NEED TO MAINTAIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH MORALE AND EFFICIENCY OF OPERATION.
"FOR THE BEST WAY OF MINIMISING EFFECTIVELY POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE FROM CHINA IN FUTURE LIES IN HOW WELL WE CAN PERFORM IN ACHIEVING THE TWIN GOALS OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY," HE SAID.
"IN MY VIEW KEEPING THE PRESENT CIVIL SERVICE STRUCTURE AND EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATION IS THE KEY FOR WITHOUT THE PRESENT CIVIL SERVICE STRUCTURE HONG KONG CANNOT BE WHAT WE ARE TODAY AND WITHOUT THEM HONG KONG WILL CERTAINLY BE WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE IN FUTURE. THEREFORE NO SYSTEM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED IF IT WILL HAVE A DAMAGING EFFECT ON THE AUTHORITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATION."
HE SAID: "IN THE PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY THAT WE HOPE TO LIVE IN HONG KONG I RECOGNISE WE MUST HAVE A BALANCE REPRESENTATION WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE AND IT IS IN THE PRINCIPLE OF PROVIDING BALANCE IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT I PROPOSE WE SHOULD CONSIDER SERIOUSLY HAVING AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTION, SAY 25 PER CENT MAXIMUM, IN FUTURE.
"THIS ELEMENT SHOULD REPLACE A PRESENT GEOGRAPHICALLY BASED ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN 1992. TO INTRODUCE THESE EARLIER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH TIME FOR HONG KONG TO PREPARE FOR SUCH A CHANGE IN THE QUEST OF SEEKING MORE BALANCED RESULTS.
"FURTHERMORE HOLDING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1992 WOULD ALLOW HONG KONG MORE TIME FOR SUFFICIENT, DEVELOPED, AND DETAILED PREPARATION FOR COMMON SUFFRAGE.
"HONG KONG HAS NEVER HAD DIRECT ELECTIONS FOR ITS LEGISLATURE -ELECTIONS OF ANY KIND, IN FACT, ARE A VERY RECENT DEVELOPMENT. YET HAVING INTELLIGENT, EFFECTIVE DIRECT ELECTIONS REQUIRES AN ADVANCED STAGE OF CIVIC EDUCATION. BOTH VOTERS AND CANDIDATES MUST BE POLITICALLY MATURE.
"RELATIVE TO THE LONG TERM FUTURE WE ALL HAVE TO FACE FOUR YEARS IS VERY SHORT INDEED. IS IT THEREFORE TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR JUST A SHORT PERIOD TO PREPARE OURSELVES BETTER FOR OUR PROGRESS TOWARDS OUR FUTURE?"
MR CHEONG SAID ONE NEED NOT LOOK FAR FOR COUNTRIES WHICH PREMATURELY WENT FOR THE CONCEPT OF WESTERN DEMOCRACY. "THEIR ECONOMIES DEVELOPED INTO CHAOS BECAUSE THEY WERE THRUST TOO SOON INTO THE POLITICAL STORM."
/"ECONOMIC CHAOS, .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 19^7
’’ECONOMIC CHAOS, OF COURSE, IS THE LAST THING THAT HONG KONG SHOULD EVER HAVE, FOR IT CERTAINLY WILL MEAN UNREST WITHIN THE SOCIETY. OUR PROSPERITY DEPENDS ON STABILITY; OUR FREEDOM DEPENDS ON OUR HAVING AN ORDERED SOCIETY.
"WE MUST PRESERVE THE BEST OF WHAT HONG KONG PRSENTLY OFFERS ITS CITIZENS - FREEDOM, OPPORTUNITY, CHALLENGE, AND AN EFFICIENT, ECONOMICAL, AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
’’THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT CALLS FOR RADICAL CHANGE SOUND IMPRESSIVE. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT SAYING ’NOW’ IS MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN SAYING ’LATER’.
’’BUT HONG KONG DOES NOT NEED SUPERFICIALLY ATTRACTIVE OPTIONS. HONG KONG DOES NEED OPTIONS WHICH ARE WELL THOUGHT OUT, CONSIDERED, AND GRADUAL. IT NEEDS OPTIONS WHICH ARE PRAGMATIC YET PROGRESSIVE.”
MOVING TO OTHER AREAS COVERED BY THE GREEN PAPER, MR CHEONG SAID HE HAD RESERVATIONS TO THOSE OPTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF CHANGING THE ADVISORY ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
"HONG KONG THRIVES ON THE ABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BEING ABLE TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES WITHOUT TOO MUCH INTERFERENCE FROM POLITICAL INFLUENCES."
HE SAID IF THE ADVISORY ROLE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE CHANGED TO HAVING SOME EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, IT WOULD BE A FUNDAMENTAL DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG’S FORMULA OF SUCCESS AND THIS WOULD HAVE INEVITABLE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON BOTH THE MORALE AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.
"PERHAPS IT MAY BE TIMELY TO POINT OUT THAT A SIZEABLE MAJORITY OF THOSE HON COLLEAGUES PRESENT IN OUR IN-HOUSE MEETING WHEN WE PRELIMINARY EXAMINED AND EXCHANGED VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER WERE ALSO OF THE OPINION THAT THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED."
MR CHEONG ALSO SUPPORTED THE OPTION THAT THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGCO SHOULD, IN 1988, STILL BE THE GOVERNOR AND THAT IT WAS ONLY FITTING THAT THE GOVERNOR MUST HAVE THE OPTION OF APPOINTING OTHER PERSONS TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAIR IF THE NEED AROSE.
HE ALSO SAID IT WAS A FACT THAT THERE WERE DEFICIENCIES IN CERTAIN PRACTICAL ASPECTS IN RELATION TO THE ELECTION EXPERIENCE WE HAD IN 1985. "THEREFORE I AM INCLINED TO SUPPORT THE PREFERENTIAL ELIMINATION SYSTEM FOR OUR FUTURE ELECTIONS."
"ONE WORD OF CAUTION HOWEVER IS THAT «UCH A SYSTEM WILL FALL APART UNLESS THERE ARE RULES TO STIPULATE THAT EVERY VOTING PAPER MUST BE MARKED WITH ALL THE PREFERENCES OR ELSE SUCH A VOTE WOULD NOT BE COUNTED.
/"ALSO, IN
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
-"ALSO, IN RELATION TO THE AMOUNT OF ELECTION EXPENSES ALLOWED, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD LOOK SERIOUSLY AND SYMPATHETICALLY TO HON SZETO WAH’S SUGGESTION WHICH I HAVE PLEASURE IN SUPPORTING LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I SUPPORT THE IDEA OF A FOUR YEAR TERM."
MR CHEONG APPEALED TO THE SILENT MAJORITY OF HONG KONG TO SPEAK OUT AND SPELL OUT THEIR TRUE WISHES. "PLEASE DO NOT FORSAKE OUR FUTURE BY DEFAULT," HE SAID.
"IF AT THE END OF THIS EXERCISE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CLEARLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY INDICATES WHICH ROUTE OUR DEVELOPMENT SHOULD EMBARK UPON, I FOR ONE WOULD SEE IT MY DUTY TO ABIDE BY SUCH WISHES AND WOULD FURTHER UNDERTAKE TO WORK WITH THE BEST OF MY ABILITY FOR THE LONG TERM FUTURE OF HONG KONG, A PLACE I DEARLY LOVE AND TREASURE."
------0-------
DIRECT ELECTION WITH LEAST DISRUPTION PROPOSED
» t » » «
HONG KONG WILL RISK THE LEAST DISRUPTION IF THE EXISTING POPULIST BASED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE EXPECTED BY DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988 WITH NO CHANGE IN ABSOLUTE NUMBER OR PROPORTION, THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MRS CHOW SAID. HOWEVER, THAT IN ORDER TO AVOID UNNECESSARY CONFLICTS THERE MUST BE NO DUPLICATION OF POPULIST ELECTIONS.
DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS SHOULD REPLACE THOSE PRESENTLY ELECTED FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
"BUT IN ORDER TO RETAIN THE SUCCESSFUL LINK BETWEEN THE DB'S AND LEGCO, NOMINATION, SHOULD REST WITH THE DB’S. IN THE ABSENCE OF PARTY POLITICS, THE DBS CAN SERVE AS EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE TRAINING GROUND FOR BUDDING POLITICANS."
MRS CHOW SAID SECONDLY, THERE MUST BE SUFFICIENT AGAINST THE ABUSE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES BY POLITICAL HOPEFULS.
SAFEGUARD
IT HAS BEEN COMMENTED OFTEN IN THE LAST FEW ELECTIONS THAT EMPLOYEES IN SUBVENTED SOCIAL SERVICES HAVE HAD UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE RUNNING OF CAMPAIGNS BY MOBILISING PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR COURTING VOTES.
/"AFTER SEATS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
"AFTER SEATS ARE WON, SUCH ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES COUI NOT DEVOTE THE TIME THEIR ORIGINAL JOBS REQUIRIE OF THEM, AND WHILE THEY WOULD STILL RECEIVE THE SAME PAY FOR THE WORK THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO,THEIR SENIORS WOULD HAVE TO FIND OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PAY FOR THEIR SUBSTITUTES.
"IN THE END, THE TAXPAYERS HAVE TO PAY MORE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT GOVERNMENT MUST ADDRESS FAIRLY AND METICULOUSLY."
MRS CHOW SAID IT WOULD BE MISLEADING TO ADVOCATE DIRECT ELECTIONS AS THE BASIS FOR A WESTERN STYLE DEMOCRACY HERE.
"ELSEWHERE, WHERE PARTY POLITICS IN EFFECT AIMS TO CONTROL AND INFLUENCE THE CHOICE OF THE VOTING PUBLIC IN ELECTIONS, THE INAL GOAL FOR THE PARTIES IS TO FORM A GOVERNMENT, AND WHEN ONE PARTY SUCEEDS TO DO THIS, IT IS THE BUSINES OF THE OPPOSITION TO ’ DERMINE AND EVENTUALLY DISPLACE THE RULING PARTY.
"IN SUCH A SITUATION, THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES FALL INTO TWO CATEGORIES, THOSE IN THE ADMINISTRATION, AND THOSE OUTISDB OF GOVERNMENT, AND THEIR BEHAVIOUR IS LOGICALLY DICTATED BY THEIR RELATIVE POSITIONS."
IN HONG KONG, SHE SAID, THERE WAS NO PARTY POLITICS AS SUCH. ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES HERE WERE NOT BOUND BY PARTY PLATFORM AND DISCIPLINE, AND THEY WERE HELD TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUENCIES BY COMMON INTERESTS ARRIVING FROM COMMON GEOGRAPHICAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS OR PROFESIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUNDS.
"BETWEEN THEM FROM TIME TO TIME IN AND SENSATIONAL ONES LEFT OUT IN ORDER CONSTITUENCIES.
THERE IS NO COMMON GROUND EXCEPT WHAT MAY DEVELOP RELATION TO ISSUES, PARTICULARLY CONTROVERSIAL THAT NO ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE CAN AFFORD TO BE THAT THEY ARE SEEN TO BE SERVING THEIR
"ARE WE NOT THEN UNNECESSARILY PAYING THE PRICE OF CONFRONTATIONARY POLITICS WITHOUT THE REMOTEST POSSIBILITY OF REAPING THE BENEFITS? ARE WE NOT GIVING TO OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES RIGHTS WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITIES? ARE WE AS A COMMUNITY LIKELY TO SACRIFICE THE PRAGMATIC JUDGMENT OF WHAT IS IN OUR OVERALL INTEREST FOR WHAT IS POPULAR TO THE MORE VOCAL SECTORS, AND CAN WE AFFORD THE PRICE?"
MRS CHOW SAID NO DOUBT SOME WOULD SAY THAT WITH THE ADVENT OF THE S.A.R. GOVERNMENT, AND WITH THE PROMISE OF AUTONOMY, THERE MUST BE CHANNELS OF PARTICIPATION FOR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES THERE TO PUT THE PUBLIC VIEWS FORWARD AND TO INFLUENCE DECISIONS.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THEY ARE THERE TO SERVE AS CHECKS AND BALANCES TO THE SYSTEM, AND TO ENSURE OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC.
/"I AGREE,
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1?8?
- 35 -
"I AGREE, BUT I FAIL TO SEE HOW DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS CAN DO ANY BETTER THAN WHAT OUR INDIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
"IN FACT, I SEE THE RISK OF DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS PLAYING THEIR ROLE AS THE PERMANENT OPPOSITION, DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO UNDERMINE THE CREDIBILITY AND GOOD WILL OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"IN MY VIEW, THEREFORE, THERE IS NO NEED FOR DIRECT ELECTION TO ACHIEVE A BETTER HONG KONG. BUT THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT I DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A LARGE PROPORTION OF OUR PEOPLE WANT IT.
"NO ONE, WHEN ASKED WHETHER HE WANTS POLITICAL RIGHTS, WOULD DENY HIMSELF THAT. AND I COULD WELL UNDERSTAND THE ACUTENESS OF THIS NEED AS A FORM OF ASSURANCE OF FREEDOM WITH THE APPROACH OF 1997 AND THE FORMATION OF A NEW GOVERNMENT.
"WITH THAT IN KIND, AND HAVING BEEN ASSURED OF ACCEPTANCE OF SOME DEGREE OF DIRECT ELECTION IN 1997 BY OUR CONSERVATIVE SECTOR AS WELL AS CHINA, I AM PREPARED TO ACCEPT A SMALL PROPORTION OF DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS IF HONG KONG SO WISHES IT.
"I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS ANY JUSTIFICATIONS IN DELAYING THE INTRODUCTION, IF HONG KONG PREFERS CHANGES TO BE GRADUAL. THE MORE WE DELAY THE BIGGER WILL EACH STEP BE.
MRS CHOW SAID EARLIER IN HER SPEECH THAT HONG KONG WAS EXPERIENCING THE BIGGEST POLITICAL CONTROVERSY IN ITS HISTORY.
"HOW WE RESOLVE IT WILL PROVE HOW DEMOCRATIC WE TRULY ARE. HOW WE ARE ALLOWED TO RESOLVE IT WILL PROVE HOW TRULY AUTONOMOUS WE ARE, AND HOW FREE OF INTERFERENCE WE MAY BE FROM CHINA AND BRITAIN.
"AND IF HONG KONG CHOOSES TO ABANDON ITS OWN SAY IN THE MATTER, WE CAN BLAME NO ONE BUT OURSELVES IF WE SUFFER FOR THE CONSEQUENCES."
SHE SAID THE 1987 REVIEW HAD BEEN PROMISED AS A REVIEW OF THE EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM THE 1984 WHITE PAPER.
"BUT APART FROM LOOKING BACK, VE MUST BE CONSCIOUS PARAMETERS FOR THE FUTURE WHICH WERE LAID DOWN AND AGREED BY THE IWO SOVEREIGN POWERS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AS THE PRINCIPLES THAT UNDERLIE THE S.A.R. GOVERNMENT IN 1997.
"SO LONG AS THE REVIEW RECOGNISES AND ADHERES TO THESE TERMS OF REFERENCE, IT SHOULD BE FREE TO DISCUSS AND EXAMINE VIEWS ON ALL OPTIONS INCLUDED IN THE GREEN PAPER.
"AND IT WOULD ONLY BE REGARDED AS A GENUINE REVIEW IF THE RESULTS BY-AND-LARGE REFLECTS THE WISHES OF OUR PEOPLE, INCLUDING THOSE OF THE SILENT MAJORITY.
/MRS CHOW ..
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 54 -
MRS CHOW SAID NEXT TO STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, T? ' WORD CONVERGENCE HAD BEEN MOUTHED MOST OFTEN IN LAST FEW MONTHS, WHEN MR TIMOTHY RENTON VISITED HONG KONG, BUT MORE SO SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER.
"IT HAS BEEN STRESSED, FAR TOO OFTEN IN MY VIEW, HOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONVERGE WITH THE BASIC LAW, WITHOUT IT BEING EQUALLY STRESSED THAT COVERGENCE TAKES TWO SIDES, THAT THE BASIC LAW IS BY NO MEANS FINALISED AND THEREFORE COULD BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO TAKE IN THE CURRENT POSITION OF OUR REFORMS, BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF UL, THAT CONVERGENCE COMES NATURALLY IF OUR REFORMS AND THE BASIC LAW BOTH ABIDE BY THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND THE WISHES OF OUR PEOPLE.
"IT IS TOTALLY INCONCEIVABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE TE.Vl TAIN OPTIONS IN THE GREEN PAPER SHOULD BE OFF LIMITS JUST BECAUSE THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE HAS NOT MADE UP ITS MIND. Tl- I ARGUMENT COULD ONLY BE INTERPRETED AS INTERFERENCE THROUGH THE BAS LAW INTO THE PRE-1997 AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
-----o------
INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTION NEXT YEAR PREMATURI t t » » »
DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988 WAS AS PREMATURE AS PRESCRIBING A NEW DURG FOR A YET UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS.
SHE ADDED THAT PREOCCUPATION WITH DIRECT ELECTION ALONE WAS LIKE TREATING AN ILLNESS WITH A SINGLE DRUG AND FORGETTING THAT A COMPREHENSIVE CURE REQUIRED A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH.
"WHENEVER THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE, A WELL TRIED DRUG IS ALWAYS SAFER," SHE SAID.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, DR IP SAID SHE HAD MORE FAITH IN INDIRECT ELECTIONS.
SHE SAID SHE HAD THE GREATEST ADMIRATION AND RESPECT FOR THOSE INDIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS FROM THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND ELECTORAL COLLEGES IN THE WAY THEY HAD FAITHFULLY REPRESENTED AND FOUGHT FOR THE INTERESTS OF THEIR ELECTORATES.
FURTHERMORE, THEY HAD BROUGHT HUMOUR AND NEW IDEAS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SHE ADDED.
/"AS THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 198?
? .
- 55 -
"AS THE PUBLIC CAN SEE WITH MOST MEMBERS RECOGNISING
WE HAVE LIVELY DEBATES Ui ICT CONCLUDES THAT THE MAJORITY RULES," SHE NOTED.
DR IP POINTED OUT THAT REPRESENTATIVENESS WAS ONLY ONE OF MANY IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
4 "A BALANCE MUST ALSO BE SORT FOR ABILITY, EXPERTISE, CONSTRUCTIVE CONTRIBUTION, TRACK RECORD, RESPECT FROM ONE’S PEERS, AND CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK AND ANSWERABILITY TO A WORKABLE NUMBER OF i," SHE SAID.
DR IP SAID SHE WOULD ONLY CONSIDER SUPPORTING DIRECT ELECTIONS THREE PROVISOS.
FIRSTLY, IT SHOULD PRODUCE ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF THE ATIVE MEMBERS, SECONDLY, IT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AF’’ ER 1988 IF AS ALSO THE DIRECTION OF THE BASIC LAW, AND THIRDLY, CANDIDATES OMINATED FOR ELECTION BY A DEFINITIVE BODY WHICH COULD ASSESS ALITIES OF THE CANDIDATE.
DR IP SAID SHE SAW THE 1988 ELECTIONS TO BE A PHASE OF IDATION AND FINE TUNING OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND RAL COLLEGES WHILE PERHAPS PREPARING THE GROUNDS FOR DIRECT ON TO COME.
SHE SAID HER STANCE NOW REMAINED THE SAME IN ITS ENTIRETY AS WHEN SHE SPOKE IN THE 1985 DEBATE ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
IN 1985, SHE SPOKE ON STREAMLINING AND FINE TUNING OF THE VARIOUS ELECTIONS, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS TO BETWEEN 60 TO 70 IN NUMBER AS A FINAL OBJECTIVE,INCREASING THE NUMBER OF .FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND ELECTORATE COLLEGES IN THE EXPENSE OF THjiftAPPO INTED MEMBERS, KEEPING THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS, AND CRH/jriNG FOUR YEAR LEGISLATIVE TERMS.
|'.| SHE HAD ALSO POINTED OUT THE NEED TO STANDARDIZE THE METHOD OF ELECTION FROM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND TO INCLUDE PROFESSIONS S®C® AS THE ACCOUNTANTS, DENTISTS AND PARAMEDICAL PROFESSION.
VAf FINALLY, SHE SAID STAGGERING ELECTIONS HAD ITS ADVANTAGES OF G^NTINUITY, BUT SUCH ADVANTAGES WOULD BE OFFSET BY THE MAGNJ MOS TTY OF TMTWORK IF DONE ANY SHORTER THAN TWO YEARS APART.
THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS SHOULD BE MADE MORE LIKE THAT OF THE-' REGIONAL COUNCIL; AND THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD REMAIN PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, UNTIL THE MAJOR CHANGE.'; IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNCIL HAD STABILISED SHORTLY PRIOR TO 1097, SHE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
36
CHINA SHOULD HAVE FAITH IN HK PEOPLE *****
THE HON MRS RITA FAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS SHOULD HAVE FAITH IN HONG KONG PEOPLE’S KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY AND AVOID MAKING COMMENTS WHICH MIGHT BE INTERPRETED AS ACTS OF INTERVENTION.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MRS FAN SAID MUTUAL TRUST BETWEEN THE PEOPLE IN CHINA AND THOSE IN HONG KONG WAS THE BASIS OF A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP IN FUTURE. ■
SHE SAID THAT WHEN CONSIDERING THE VARIOUS OPTIONS IN T* GREEN PAPER, SHE ADHERED FIRMLY TO THREE PRINCIPLES. FIRST, ECONOMY FACTORS PLAYED A LEADING ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG. SECOND, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE GRADUAL AND STEP BY STEP.,! THIRD, OVERLAPPING REPRESENTATION SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM* SHffl ADDED. ™
TURNING TO DIRECT ELECTIONS, SHE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS A LOGICAL STEP TO PROCEED GIVEN THE EXPERlENjfl ACQUIRED FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF INDIRECT ELECTION TO
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1985.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE EVERY CITIZEN WITH A RIGHT TO VOTE AND ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO ELECT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH WAS PART OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE.
"THIS WILL ENHANCE THE PEOPLE'S SENSE OF BELONGING AND HELP T' ENSURE MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES," SHE SAID.
nl
THEREFORE, SHE BELIEVED DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON A 'ONE MAN ONE VOTE’ BASIS COULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1988. MEMBERS SO ELECTED SHOULD CONSTITUTE 15 PER CENT TO 18 PER CENT OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL. AS TO WHETHER THERE WAS A PROBLEM OF CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW, SHE DID NOT THINK THERE WOULD BE ANY PROBLEM.
REGARDING THE TWO OPTIONS RELATED TO DIRECT ELECTIONS MENTIONED IN PARAGRAPH 107 OF THE GREEN PAPER, SHE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF A DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING CATEGORIES OF MEMBERS WOULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN OVERLAPPING REPRESENTATION BETWEEN MEMBERS RETURNED FROM GEOGRAPHICAL ELECTORAL COLLEGES AND THOSE RETURNED FROM DIRECT ELECTIONS.
"THE SUGGESTION TO REPLACE MEMBERS RETURNED FROM GEOGF\PHI JAL ELECTORAL COLLEGES BY DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS IS ACCEPTABLE," JWF. SAID.
/HOWEVER, ITS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1$, 1987
- 37 -
HOWEVER, ITS IMPLEMENTATION MIGHT CUT OFF THE EXISTING LINKAGE BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNLESS DISTRICT BOARDS WERE INVOLVED IN THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES STANDING FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, THAT WAS, CANDIDATES MUST BE NOMINATED BY A FIXED NUMBER OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE PROCESS OF DISTRICT BOARD NOMINATION SHOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CANDIDATES, TO CONTROL THEIR NUMBER AND TO ENHANCE THE CANDIDATES’ IMAGE AS WELL AS THE CONFIDENCE OF VOTERS, SHE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE VOTING AGE SHOULD BE LOWERED FROM 21 TO 18, MRS FAN NOTED THAT THOSE IN FAVOUR OF LOWERING THE VOTING AGE MAINTAINED THAT SINCE THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAD RECOMMENDED TO LOWER THE AGE OF MAJORITY TO 18 WHICH MEANT THAT YOUNGSTERS WHO HAD REACHED THAT AGE COULD ENTER INTO CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS OR OBTAIN A LOAN FROM OTHERS, IT WOULD BE ILLOGICAL TO DEPRIVE THEM OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
IF THE AGE OF MAJORITY WAS FIXED AT 18, THERE DID NOT SEEM TO BE A STRONG CASE FOR NOT ALLOWING PERSONS AGED 18 TO VOTE OR TO STAND FOR ELECTIONS, SHE SAID.
NONETHELESS, SHE SAID THERE WERE TWO KINDS OF CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH SHE WOULD OBJECT TO LOWERING THE VOTING AGE IN 1988. FIRST, THE AGE OF ENTITLEMENT TO VOTE SHOULD NOT BE LOWERED BEFORE THE AGE OF MAJORITY WAS LOWERED TO 18.
SECOND, IF DIRECT ELECTIONS WERE TO BE INTRODUCED IN 1988, WHICH WOULD BRING ABOUT A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN HONG KONG’S SYSTEM, OTHER CHANGES SUCH AS THE LOWERING OF VOTING AGE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT A LATER STAGE IN LINE WITH THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT.
ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS, MRS FAN SAID THAT JUDGING FROM THE EXPERIENCE GAINED OVER THE PAST 20 MONTHS OR SO, THIS ARRANGEMENT HAD PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ENABLING THE VIEWPOINT OF VARIOUS TRADES AND PROFESSIONS TO BE DULY REFLECTED IN THIS COUNCIL, THUS CONTRIBUTING TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
SHE THEREFORE FELT THAT THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES COULD BE INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHILST AT THE SAME TIME, THE SCOPE OF SOME EXISTING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES COULD BE FURTHER EXTENDED.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION AND THE TOURIST INDUSTRY WHICH HAD BOTH CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION AS NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 58 -
ON THE OTHER HAND, SINCE CITY DEVELOPMENT COULD NOT BE SEPARATED FROM THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, PERHAPS PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS ARCHITECTS, LAND SURVEYORS, ETC. WHO WERE CLOSELY RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT TRADES SHOULD ALSO BE CATEGORISED AS A NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
’’HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY WILL OVERLAP WITH THE ENGINEERS CONSTITUTENCY, FURTHER THOUGHTS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE WAY IN WHICH VOTERS ARE TO BE ALLOCATED BETWEEN THE TWO FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES,” SHE SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT IF THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE EDUCATION CONSTITUENCY WAS TO BE INCREASED IN FUTURE, PRIORITY CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ALLOWING EACH SCHOOL/EDUCATION INSTITUTION TO BE GIVEN A VOTE AND SELECT A MEMBER TO REPRESENT THE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES OF VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN ORDER TO REFLECT THEIR VIEWS AND TO FORMALLY RECOGNISE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
-------0---------
LEGCO SEAT FOR ACCOUNTANTS URGED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HON PETER POON TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADVOCATED THE INCLUSION OF ACCOUNTANTS AS A NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR POON SAID THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION FULFILLED ALL THE CRITERIA OR GUIDELINES FOR NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES LISTED IN THE GREEN PAPER.
’THE NON-INCLUSION OF ACCOUNTANTS AS A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY IN 1985 WAS A GLARING OMISSION WHICH SHOULD BE REMEDIED,” HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST FINANCIAL CENTRES AND THAT DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ECONOMY, ACCOUNTANTS HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS HAD A MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 3,000 AND OVER 10,000 STUDENTS, AND THAT ITS MEMBERS SERVED IN PUBLIC PRACTICE, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE GOVERNMENT. HE SAID.
MR POON POINTED OUT THAT SINCE 1985, MEMBERS REPRESENTING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAI) MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEREFORE, HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CREATION OF SOME NEW CONSTITUENCIES.
/HE ALSO
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
39
HE ALSO SUPPORTED THE RETENTION OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
“UNTIL A BETTER OR MORE SUITABLE CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM CAN BE DEVISED, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REAL NECESSITY TO MAKE CHANGES IN THIS REGARD,” HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE PRESENT ROLE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BUT IT SHOULD BE ENSURED THAT THEIR ADVICE WAS ACCEPTED WHENEVER POSSIBLE AND ACTED UPON PROMPTLY.
HE ADDED THAT THE PRESENT PROPORTION OF APPOINTED AND ELECTED MEMBERS SEEMED TO WORK WELL AND DID NOT WARRANT ANY CHANGE.
AS REGARDS THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR POON SAID HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF SOME REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE OPTION PROPOSING THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO APPOINT SOME OTHER PERSON TO PRESIDE IN HIS ABSENCE FOR SPECIAL SITTINGS OR PARTS OF SITTINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
------0 -------
CALL FOR EXPANSION OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
» ♦ » » ♦
DR THE HON KIM CHAM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPAND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO INCLUDE OTHER SECTORS IN THE LEGISLATURE.
ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, DR CHAM SHARED THE VIEWS OF MANY BUSINESSMEN WHO PREFERRED A SLOWER PACE OF CHANGE.
HOWEVER, IF THE GENERAL CONCENSUS WAS THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1997, IT WAS LOGICAL TO START WITH ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1988. ’’THIS WILL HELP US TO GAIN EXPERIENCE FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS,” HE SAID.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER, DR CHAM SUGGESTED THAT THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WHILE THE FINANCIAL CONSTITUENCY SHOULD GET A SECOND SEAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WAS BEYOND DOUBT. ACCOUNTANTS NOT ONLY SERVED AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEREST OF SHAREHOLDERS IN HONG KONG’S FREE ENTERPRISE ECONOMY BUT ALSO SERVE DIRECTLY IN MANAGERIAL POSITIONS IN BUSINESS.
/’’IT IS...........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
40
"IT IS TIME THAT AN INDISPENSABLE SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY SHOULD BE RECOGNISED BY CREATING A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY IN ACCOUNTING," DR CHAM SAID.
TURNING TO THE FINANCIAL CONSTITUENCY, DR CHAM NOTED THAT AT PRESENT IT HAD ONLY ONE SEAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"UNDOUBTEDLY, HONG KONG IS THE THIRD LARGEST FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE WORLD AND IT IS NOT THE BANKS ALONE WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SIZE AND IMPORTANCE," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG’S STOCK MARKET WAS THE SECOND LARGEST IN ASIA. THE LOCAL STOCK INDEX FUTURES MARKET AND THE GOLD MARKET BOTH RANKED AS THE THIRD LARGEST MARKETS IN THE WORLD.
FURTHERMORE, THE FINANCIAL SECTOR WAS ONE WHICH BOOSTED A HIGH RETURN TO THE LABOUR INPUT REPRESENTING HIGHER WAGES TO ITS EMPLOYEES. THE NEED FOR VENTURE CAPITAL HAD BEEN POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED WITH THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND DIVERSIFICATION FOR OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
HE SAID HONG KONG MUST RECOGNISE THE HARD WORK WHICH THE ORGANISERS OF FINANCIAL MARKETS HAD PUT IN TO NURTURE ITS MARKETS, TO INTERNATIONALISE THESE MARKETS AND TO BUILD UP THE CONFIDENCE THE WORLD HAD IN HONG KONG. HONG KONG MUST ALSO REALISE THE SPEED AND PACE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THIS SECTOR WHICH HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO MEET IN FACE OF KEEN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.
"FOR OUR LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, WE NEED THOSE WHO ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE TRADE, WITHOUT WHOM THIS WILL RESULT IN THE BLIND LEADING THE SOPHISTICATED," HE SAID.
HE URGED THAT SERIOUS CONSIDERATIONS BE GIVEN TO CREATE A SECOND SEAT FOR THE FINANCIAL CONSTITUENCY CONSISTING OF MEMBERS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG, MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER SOCIETY AND MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE.
"THIS WILL GIVE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS AND IN TUNE WITH OUR EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG AS ONE OF THE THREE LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRES OF THE WORLD," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE DISTRICT BOARD SYSTEM, HE NOTED THAT SOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS CONSIDERED THAT THEIR ADVICE WAS NOT ACTED UPON BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY WOULD WISH. HE SAID THIS WAS UNDERSTANDABLE AS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR ADVICE MAY INVOLVE COMPLICATED CO-ORDINATION OF DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
HE SAID THE PROPOSAL TO ELECT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH URBAN DISTRICT BOARD TO THE URBAN COUNCIL MAY NOT BE AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO THE FRUSTRATION WHICH THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAD. IN HIS OPINION, IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD TO BE REPRESENTED IN THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1% 1987
41
HE SAID THE (HAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, TOGETHER WITH THE
CHAIRMEN OF THE VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES, DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FIRST AS MEMBERS.
CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SHOULD TAKE OVER THE
SHOULD JOIN THE LATER ON, THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF
THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAI WORK WAS CARRIED OUT
AND PROBLEMS SOLVED IN LINE WITH THE WISHES OI THE DISTRICT BOARD
CONCERNED.
’’SUCH MANAGERIAL PARTICIPATION IS VITAL TO THE HARMONIOUS FUNCTIONING OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,” HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE REPEATED BALLOT SYSTEM IN ELECTORAL COLLEGE ELECTIONS, DR CHAM SAID HE FELT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR A CANDIDATE TO RECEIVE MAJORITY SUPPORT IN HIS CONSTITUENCY.
HE NOTED THAT TWO CRITICISMS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM HAD BEEN ADVANCED IN THE GREEN PAPER. THE FIRST WAS THE TIME TAKEN FOR VOTING AMONG SEVERAL CANDIDATES AND THE SECOND WAS THE DISCERN OF VOTER IDENTITY.
TO OVERCOME THE LENGTH OF TIME TAKEN TO SECURE A RESULT AND IN PARTICULAR TO AVOID FIVE BALLOTS IN SEVEN HOURS, HE SUGGESTED THAT CANDIDATES WHO RECEIVED LESS THAN 15 PER CENT OF THE VOTES IN THE PRELIMINARY ROUND OF VOTING SHOULD BE ELIMINATED. AFTER THE PRELIMINARY BALLOT, IF THERE WERE MORE THAN THREE CANDIDATES REMAINING, ONLY THE LEADING THREE CANDIDATES WOULD PROCEED TO A SECOND ROUND. HENCE A TOTAL OF THREE ROUNDS OF VOTING WOULD BE NECESSARY.
ON THE DISCERN OF VOTER IDENTITY, THAT WAS WHETHER CANDIDATES WOULD KNOW WHO VOTED FOR WHOM, DR CHAM SAID THE ELECTORS IN AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE MUST ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHOOSING THE BEST CANDIDATE WITHOUT FEELING EMBARRASSED IN AN ELECTION. THERE MUST BE A WINNER AND A LOSER. EVERYONE MUST WORK TOGETHER AFTER A FAIR ELECTION AND SENTIMENTS DURING AN ELECTION MUST BE SET ASIDE. WE MUST ALL ACCEPT THIS.
HE ALSO SAID THAT FEW WOULD DISAGREE THAT THE EXPECTATION OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS FOR CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY. AS SUCH, HONG KONG NEEDED A GOOD GOVERNMENT RATHER THAN A HIGH SOUNDING GOVERNMENT.
"TO PRESERVE THE INCENTIVE AND ENTERPRISE QUALITIES OF OUR SOCIETY, WE MUST HAVE LEADERS WHO MAKE SENSE AND NOT JUST NEWS.
’’INDEED, FUTURE LEADERS OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE DOERS RATHER THAN DREAMERS, FOR THE PRAGMATISTS WILL ACHIEVE RESULTS WHILE DREAMERS WHO CONCENTRATE ON WINNING POWER WILL GIVE US ONLY FANTASIES,” HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 15,
1987
42
FURTHER MAJOR CHANGES
* *
TO PRESENT SYSTEM DUBIOUS
* * *
THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE FELT EXTREMELY DUBIOUS ABOUT THE WISDOM OF EMBARKING ON FURTHER MAJOR CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT NOW.
SPEAKING DURING THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR CHENG SAID HE WAS OPPOSED TO MAKING MAJOR CHANGES TO A SYSTEM WHICH HAD NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY TESTED.
"HAVE WE ADEQUATELY TESTED THE STRUCTURES OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WHICH HAVE ONLY BEEN IN USE FOR TWO YEARS?” HE QUESTIONED.
HE SAID TWO YEARS WAS AN ABNORMALLY SHORT TESTING TIME IN THIS FIELD.
"I AM AWARE OF THE PRESSURES ON US TO TRY TO GET AN AGREED, VIABLE AND ENDURING SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN PLACE AND IN OPERATION TOWARDS 1997.
"BUT IF WE WERE TO APPLY NORMAL TIME STANDARDS TO THE STRUCTURES WE ARE NOW USING, FOLLOWING THE MAJOR INNOVATIONS IMPLEMENTED IN 1985, I BELIEVE WE WOULD STILL REGARD THEM AS BEING IN THE ’SHAKEDOWN’ PHASE,” HE NOTED.
MR CHENG ADDED THAT HE WAS CAUTIOUS ABOUT STARTING MAJOR CHANGES TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THREE OTHER FACTORS.
FIRSTLY, WHILE NO POLITICAL SYSTEM MIGHT BE FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY, HE WAS NEVERTHELESS CONSCIOUS OF THE BEST FEATURES OF OUR FRAMEWORK WHICH HAD BROUGHT A SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPED COMMUNITY WITH PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
SECONDLY, IMMEDIATE RADICAL CHANGE WOULD NOT BE CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WHICH PLACED GREAT STRESS, EXPLICITLY AND IMPLICITLY, ON CONTINUITY AND A STEP-BY-STEP EVOLUTION OF OUR STRUCTURES.
THIRDLY, AND MOST IMPORTANT, HE BELIEVED THAT IF SUBSTANTIAL OR SWEEPING INNOVATIONS WERE INTRODUCED SOON SUCH A MOVE WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE INTERPRETED AS PRE-EMPTING THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING THE BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG -- A PROCESS WHICH WOULD NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL 1990.
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR, MR CHENG SAID THIS WOULD BE A MAJOR INNOVATION.
"THE ISSUE, AS I SEE IT, IS WHETHER IN INTRODUCING THIS ELEMENT WE WOULD BE PUTTING THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS AT RISK," HE SAID.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
HE SAID TIMING WAS ALL-IMPORTANT AND THAT IN PRINCIPLE, HE WAS NOT AGAINST DIRECT ELECTION WHICH HE BELIEVED WOULD EVENTUALLY FORM PART OF THE ELECTION SYSTEM IN THE LEGISLATURE.
"BUT DIRECT ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR WOULD NOT BE A NATURAL EVOLUTIONARY PROGRESSION," HE NOTED.
HE SAID: "FOR ONE THING, WE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWING OURSELVES ANYTHING LIKE ENOUGH TIME TO WORK OUT THE ELECTORAL DETAILS.
"FOR ANOTHER, TIME WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR INTENSIFYING THE PROCESS OF CIVIC EDUCATION — A PROCESS WHICH I BELIEVE IS AN ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE TO DIRECT ELECTIONS."
HE SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE REALLY MUST MAKE UP THEIR MINDS ABOUT HOW SERIOUSLY THEY REGARDED THE BUSINESS OF HARMONISING THEIR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE SYSTEM THAT WOULD BE PROPOSED IN THE BASIC LAW.
"SURELY IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE GO ALL-OUT TO ACHIEVE HARMONISATION, OR CONVERGENCE," HE NOTED.
MR CHENG FOUND THE WORDS "CONVERGENCE" AND "EVOLUTION" PRACTICALLY INTERCHANGEABLE IN SUCH CONTEXT.
"IF YOU IMPERIL CONVERGENCE, THEN YOU’RE ENDANGERING THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS, AND VICE VERSA," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT FOUR PROFESSIONAL GROUPS IN THE ENGINEERS AND ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONS CONSTITUENCY HAD BEEN SEEKING THE VIEWS FROM THEIR MEMBERS ON THE GREEN PAPER.
SO FAR, TWO GROUPS OF SURVEY HAD BEEN COMPLETED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS AND A CONCERNED GROUP ON 1987 POLITICAL REVIEW, SHOWING THAT 39 PER CENT AND 60 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THOSE RESPONDED SUPPORTED DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988.
MR CHENG SAID THE VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE WERE SPLIT AND UNFORTUNATELY BOTH GROUPS HAD RECEIVED VERY POOR RESPONSE. "THE SILENT MAJORITY STILL REMAIN SILENT," HE NOTED.
TURNING TO THE ROLE OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, MR CHENG SAID MEMBERS REPRESENTING THESE CONSTITUENCIES HAD MADE NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND THAT THEIR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE HAD PROVED VERY VALUABLE IN THE PROCESS.
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT ELECTIVE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED HERE AS A NATURAL PROGRESSION FROM A PREVIOUS INFORMAL SYSTEM OF APPOINTING MEMBERS AND THAT THEY HAD NOW PROVED THEMSELVES WELL WORTH RETAINING.
/MR CHENG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
44
MR CHENG SAID HE SUPPORTED THE REQUEST BY NON-ENGINEERS OF THE ENGINEERS AND ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONS CONSTITUENCY FOR A MORE IDENTIFIABLE REPRESENTATION.
HE SAID MEMBERS OF THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION AND THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION WHO HAD MADE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG BUT WERE NOT ENFRANCHISED IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, SHOULD BE REPRESENTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ON OTHER OPTIONS LISTED IN THE GREEN PAPER, MR CHENG SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE MAINTAINED; THAT THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS MIGHT BE FURTHER REDUCED TO ALLOW A CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY MEMBERS; AND THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONTINUE TO PRESIDE OVER THE COUNCIL.
MR CHENG ALSO DID NOT FAVOUR RADICAL CHANGE AT THE DISTRICT BOARD OR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL LEVELS OR TO THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM, AND SAID THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RETAINED.
NOTING THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD SHOULD REMAIN ADVISORY IN CHARACTER, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO SEE THAT THEIR ADVICE WAS CAREFULLY HEEDED AND PROMPTLY ACTED UPON.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS BEING ELECTED TO THE URBAN COUNCIL TO ENHANCE CROSS-MEMBERSHIP.
FINALLY, HE SAID: "I HOPE IN THIS POLITICAL REVIEW GOVERNMENT WILL SENSIBLY ASSESS THE COLLECTED VIEWS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ENSURE THAT ANY CHANGES WILL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR CONTINUING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL STABILITY WHICH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION."
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- -
HK PEOPLE’S WISHES SHOULD BE MET * ♦ * ♦ *
THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SHOULD THE REPORT OF THE SURVEY OFFICE INDICATE A STRONG MAJORITY FAVOURING A NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988, IT WOULD BE UP TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION TO MEET THE WISHES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT FROM THE STATEMENT MADE IN LONDON " LAST WEEK BY AMBASSADOR KE ZAISHUO, HEAD OF THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE ‘ JOINT LIAISON GROUP, IT WAS NOW CLEAR THAT CHINA WAS NOT OPPOSED TO AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THAT IF SUCH WERE A PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN HONG KONG, CHINA WOULD SUPPORT AND PROMOTE SUCH DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
HE RECALLED THAT LAST YEAR HE HAD CALLED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF 12 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988 FROM LARGE REGIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WITH HONG KONG ISLAND GETTING THREE SEATS, KOWLOON EAST THREE SEATS, KOWLOON WEST THREE SEATS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES THREE SEATS.
HE HAD ALSO SAID LAST YEAR THAT THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGCO SEATS BE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED WITH EVERY ELECTION UNTIL BY THE YEAR 1997, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS REACHED A MAXIMUM OF 30 PER CENT OF THE LEGISLATURE.
"THERE IS HOWEVER MUCH DIVERGENCE OF VIEWS IN HONG KONG AS TO WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988. IT IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE THEREFORE THAT WE AWAIT THE REPORT OF THE SURVEY OFFICE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF OCTOBER," MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED. ~
AS REGARDS THE NUMBER OF INDIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS, HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF AN INCREASE OF SIX SEATS FROM 24 TO 30 MEMBERS IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGES OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
ON THE QUESTION OF THE AGE OF ENTITLEMENT TO VOTE, HE SAID THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE TO WHOM HE TALKED WERE IN FAVOUR OF LOWERING THE VOTING AGE FROM 21 TO 18, NOT IN 1988 BUT IN 1991.
THE MAIN REASON PUT FORWARD WAS THAT MORE CIVIC EDUCATION NEEDED TO BE PROMOTED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO WERE UNDOUBTEDLY BETTER EDUCATED TODAY THAN THE PREVIOUS GENERATION, MORE ACTIVELY AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
/IN RB3ARD........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 46 -
IN REGARD TO THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS, WHILE A NUMBER OF DISTRICT BOARDS HAD PROPOSED THAT THEY ELECTED THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR CHEONG-LEEN DID NOT BELIEVE THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THIS TO TAKE PLACE IN 1988, SINCE ELECTED URBAN COUNCILLORS WERE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, AND THEY WERE A CONSTRUCTIVE AND EFFECTIVE CHANNEL BETWEEN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
"I THEREFORE URGE GOVERNMENT NOT TO PREMATURELY RUSH INTO GRAFTING THE REGIONAL COUNCIL STRUCTURE ON TO THE URBAN COUNCIL, SINCE CONDITIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE IN THE URBAN AREA," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED ONLY RECENTLY AND IT WOULD REQUIRE SOME TIME FOR THE STRUCTURE THERE TO BE ASSESSED BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER WHAT WAS SUITABLE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS EQUALLY SUITABLE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL, WHICH HAD A VERY GOOD RECORD IN MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION AND THE PROVISION OF MUNICIPAL FACILITIES IN THE URBAN AREA.
"I WOULD THEREFORE URGE THAT THE PRESENT STRUCTURE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL IN RELATION TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS REMAIN AS IT IS AT PRESENT WITHOUT ANY CHANGE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE 1987 GREEN PAPER REVIEW," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SHOULD AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BE DECIDED UPON FOR 1988, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL/MUNICIPAL COUNCILS/D1STRICT BOARDS WOULD HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES, HE ADDED.
PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD THE RIGHT AND THEY MUST TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE OF SHAPING THEIR OWN FUTURE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND IN PARALLEL WITH CHINA’S MODERNISATION AND OPEN POLICY TO THE WORLD FOR THE UPLIFTING OF LIVING STANDARDS OF ITS 1,000 MILLION PEOPLE, HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
47
TWO BILLS PASSED * * *
TWO BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH BILL 1987 AND THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
MEANWHILE, TWO MOTIONS, ONE ON THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE OTHER ON THE NORTH-WEST RAILWAY BY-LAWS, WERE ALSO APPROVED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, MADE A STATEMENT ON THE RECENT BOMBING INCIDENTS IN THE MEETING.
A TOTAL OF 21 MEMBERS SPOKE TODAY ON A MOTION MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, MISS LYDIA DUNN, ON THE GREEN PAPER. ANOTHER 24 WILL SPEAK WHEN THE COUNCIL RESUMES TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
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/48........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- U8 -
POLITICAL DEBATE CRUCIAL IN SHAPING FUTURE SYSTEM *****
ONE OF THE MOST ABSORBING AND IMPORTANT MATTERS FACING HONG KONG AT PRESENT IS TO DECIDE ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT AND ITS ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY, THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (JULY 15).
SPEAKING ON "HONG KONG: YEARS OF TRANSITION" AT A LUNCH AT THE ROYAL OVERSEAS LEAGUE IN LONDON, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THERE WAS A VIGOROUS DEBATE GOING ON IN HONG KONG AT THE PRESENT TIME AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER: TEE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"FROM THIS DEBATE, AND FROM THE DELIBERATIONS ON THE BASIC LAW THE PRINCIPLES WILL HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED ON THE PROCEDURES WHICH WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO BE FORMED AND THE SHAPE IT WILL TAKE IT," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE INDUSTRY AND VERSATILITY OF ITS PEOPLE WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO FLOURISH BY CONSISTENT GOVERNMENT POLICIES TO PROVIDE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ALLOW PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE AND TO PROSPER.
"THE ECONOMY HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO BREATHE FREELY, ECONOMIC STRAINS ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM, PEOPLE PAY THE PROPER UNSUBSIDISED PRICE FOR GOODS AND SERVICES AND THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND INITIATIVE TO FLOURISH," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE LOW TAXATION ATTRACTED INVESTMENT AND ENCOURAGED ENTERPRISE. PROFITS WERE MADE BUT WERE AGAIN PLOUGHED BACK INTO FUTURE GROWTH.
SIR DAVID SAID RECENT EMIGRATION AND TALK OF EMIGRATION IN HONG KONG HAD TO BE SEEN IN PERSPECTIVE.
"BOTH CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE THIS YEAR INCREASED THEIR QUOTAS OF IMMIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG AND THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL CHINESE COMMUNITIES IN MANY OF THE CITIES OF NORTH AMERICA, FOR EXAMPLE, 250,000 IN TORONTO ALONE."
HE ADMITTED THERE WAS UNDOUBTEDLY A VERY STRONG "PULL-FACTOR" AND MANY PEOPLE WERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE HIGHER IMMIGRANT QUOTAS. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WERE BETWEEN 40,000 TO 50,000 HONG KONG STUDENTS STUDYING OVERSEAS, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM WOULD RETURN.
"THERE IS NOT, THEN, SO MUCH AS A BRAIN DRAIN, BUT A FLOW IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
/"ULTIMATELY THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
49
"ULTIMATELY THE TEST WILL BE — HOW WELL THE ECONOMY PERFORMS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND HOW STRONG OTHER PARTS OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE ARE CONSTRUCTED, SUCH AS THE BASIC LAW, TOGETHER WITH ALL THOSE COMPONENTS WHICH WILL INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY GROUNDS FOR CONFIDENCE.
IN ADDITION TO THE JOINT DECLARATION ITSELF AND THE MEASURES WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT IT, HE SAID PRACTICAL STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN AND WERE BEING TAKEN STEADILY TO PUT IN PLACE THOSE VERY IMPORTANT LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG WITH WORLD ORGANISATIONS AND ITS TRADING PARTNERS.
"THERE IS THE VISIBLE PRESENCE IN HONG KONG OF 75 OUT OF 100 LEADING BANKS IN THE WORLD; THERE ARE OUR GROWING TRADING AND INVESTMENT LINKS WITH MAINLAND CHINA; AND THERE IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MEETING PLACE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST TO THE REST OF THE WORLD," SIR DAVID NOTED.
"IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND OPPORTUNITY
FOR THE WORLD," HE STRESSED.
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UNEMPLOYMENT AND
UNDEREMPLOYMENT » » » »
STATISTICS FOR MARCH * * *
- MAY 1987
BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION REMAINED STABLE IN THE THREE MONTHS MARCH - MAY 1987, COMPARED WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1987, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1987 WAS AT A VERY LOW LEVEL OF 1.9 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 2 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1987 AND 3 PER CENT FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER. THE DECREASE OF 0.1 PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT, WHILE THE DECREASE OF 1.1 PERCENTAGE POINTS BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN MARCH - MAY 1987 WAS ESTIMATED AT 50,500, LESS THAN THE FIGURES OF 52,600 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1987 AND OF 80,300 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1986.
/THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 50 -
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1987 WAS 1.1 PER CENT WHICH COMPARES WITH 1 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1987. THE RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1986 WAS 2.4 PER CENT. THE INCREASE OF 0.1 PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTH PERIOD STATISTICALLY NOT SIGTNIFICANT, WHILE THE DECREASE OF 1.3 PERCENTAGE POINTS BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR MARCH - MAY 1987 WAS 29,600, COMPARED WITH THE NUMBER OF 27,400 FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY 1987 AND OF 64,200 FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDING MAY 1986.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF MANUAL EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION FROM SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES FOR THE LATEST MONTH, PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST TREND IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION. THE PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED, FOR APRIL - JUNE 1987 WAS 1.7 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.1 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 14,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 51,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 1987 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND SEPTEMBER 20, 1987 AT $9.50 PER COPY.
0 -
/51........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 51 -
EASY TRAVEL SCHEME PHASE TWO STARTS ON AUGUST 1 » * * * »
WHEN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE EASY TRAVEL SCHEME (ETS) BECOMES OPERATIONAL ON AUGUST 1, TRAVELLERS USING THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS (HKIC) AT LO WU AND HUNG HOM IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO FILL IN ARRIVAL-DEPARTURE CARDS.
"HOLDERS OF HKIC BEARING THE ’tit’ SYMBOL WILL FURTHER BENEFIT FROM THE SECOND PHASE OF THIS SCHEME BY BEING EXEMPTED FROM REQUIRING A HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMIT FOR JOURNEYS TO CHINA VIA THE TWO CONTROL POINTS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"AT THIS STAGE, WE WILL ONLY EXTEND THE SERVICE TO COVER LO WU AND HUNG HOM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS SIMPLIFICATION IN PROCEDURES IS THE RESULT OF THE GRADUAL COMPUTERISATION OF THE TERRITORY'S IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN FOUR PHASES AS FROM MAY 1.
"THE FIRST PHASE WHICH PROVIDES SUCH SERVICE FOR TRAVELLERS TO MACAU AT THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL AND SHAM SHUI PO PIER HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE MAY 1, 1987," HE SAID.
DETAILS OF SUBSEQUENT PHASES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PHASE IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION
2 LO WU AND HUNG HOM TERMINALS AUGUST 1, 1987
3 MAN KAM TO AND SHA TAU KOK TERMINALS NOVEMBER 1, 1987
4 HONG KONG AIRPORT MID 1988
SHA TIN - MEI SHA AND HONG KONG - MID 1988
CHINA TERMINALS
LOK MA CHAU TERMINAL MID 1989
THE SPOKESMAN SAID, "ALL CHILDREN AGED BELOW 18 AND SOME ADULT TRAVELLERS WILL STILL NEED TO OBTAIN HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS WHEN TRAVELLING TO AND FROM CHINA AND MACAU."
"THESE ADULT PERSONS INCLUDE THOSE WHOSE HKIC’S «»» HAVE BEEN PERFORATED, DEFACED, LOST OR THOSE WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM OBTAINING HKIC," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE EXISTING HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMIT MAY CONTINUE TO BE USED WITHIN ITS VALIDITY AND CHILDREN INCLUDED IN THE PERMIT MUST TRAVEL WITH THE PRINCIPAL HOLDER.
------0--------- /52.................
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 52 -
$181 M. CONTRACT FOR NT CIRCULAR ROAD TO BE SIGNED TOMORROW » ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, WILL SIGN A $181 MILLION CONTRACT WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF CHINA FUJIAN CORPORATION FOR INTERNATIONAL TECHNO-ECONOMIC COOPERATION, MR HUANG XUNGENG, FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A FURTHER SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE NEW SECTION, FROM MAI PO TO FAIRVIEW PARK, IS PHASE III OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES A 12-KILOMETRE-LONG 11IGH-CAPACITY TRUNK ROAD FROM FAN KAM ROAD TO AU TAU.
UPON FULL COMPLETION, THE PROJECT WILL REDUCE CONGESTION IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND BECOME PART OF A DIRECT ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONTRACT SIGNING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE COM ERENCE ROOM OF HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF EMPIRE CENTRE, 68, MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, AT 10.30 AM.
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GOVERNMENT SITE TO LET ♦ ♦ ♦
A NON-INDUSTRIAL SITE IN CENTRAL IS TO BE LET ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE SITE, AT 23 - 25 WING LOK STREET, IS ALSO FOR OPEN STORAGE, BUT EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE TENANCY FOR THE 180-SQUARE-METRE LOT IS TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON JULY 31.
- 0 - -
/53
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 55 -
FORUMS ON TRAFFIC STUDY TO BE DISCUSSED * » * *
MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER ORGANISING OPEN FORUMS ON THE WESTERN DISTRICT TRAFFIC STUDY AT THEIR MEETING ON FRIDAY (JULY 17).
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL SUBMIT A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE STUDY TO THE COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE WYNDHAM STREET TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AND REVIEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE DISTRICT’S PEDESTRIAN BLACK SPOTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JULY 17) AT THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, 14/F., HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD,CENTRAL.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS TO ENABLE THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICES TO MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT SPEECH DAY OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, MR LI SAID ADDITIONAL TEACHERS HAD BEEN PROVIDED TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS UNDER A PILOT SCHEME LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER 1983 TO HELP THE AUTISTIC CHILDREN TO DEVELOP THEIR LANGUAGE AND LEARNING SKILLS.
FROM SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, 17 SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WOULD BE ABLE TO EMPLOY ONE TO TWO MORE REMEDIAL TEACHERS FOR INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP TEACHING OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN, MR LI ADDED.
IN ADDITION, FROM APRIL THIS YEAR, SPONSORING BODIES OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS OPERATING 30 OR MORE CLASSES WERE ALLOWED TO EMPLOY AN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR THE REVIEW AND REASSESSMENT OF PUPILS IN THEIR OWN SCHOOL, MR LI SAID.
/FOR SPECIAL
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 19^7
FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS WITH FEWER CLASSES, SUPPORT SERVICE WOULD BE PROVIDED BY EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR LI ADDED.
HE PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PARTICULARLY THE OPERATION OF 12 SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR 1,500 MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE ASSOCIATION WOULD BUILD THREE MORE SCHOOLS IN THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, SAID MR Li, ADDING THAT THE NEW SCHOOL AT LAI KING IN KWAI CHUNG WOULD BE OPERATIONAL IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR WHILE THE TWO OTHERS IN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN WOULD OPEN IN 1989 WITH A TOTAL PROVISION OF 700 SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
-------0---------
ISLANDERS GET HEALTH ADVICE ♦ ♦ » t ♦
ELDERLY RESIDENTS AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF HONG KONG -- THE PO TOI ISLAND — OBTAINED FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FROM A MEDICAL TEAM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ISLANDERS AGED 60 AND OVER, WHO MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY TRAVELLING A LONG DISTANCE TO SEEK HEALTH ADVICE WERE ACCORDED THE PRIORITY TO GET THE SERVICE.
AS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES ARI COMMON DISEASES FOR THAT AGE GROUP, THE MEDICAL TEAM CONCENTRATED ON CHECKING BLOOD PRESSURE AND SCREENING DIABETES FOR THE ISLANDERS AT A SERVICE CENTRE SET UP AT THE PO TOI VILLAGE OFFICE.
THE PROGRAMME WAS A ‘HEALTH DAY* PROJECT ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM THE HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY STUDENT UNION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID: ’’THE HEALTH DAY PROJECT IS PART OF THE DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AND IT IS THE THIRD TIME THAT SIMILAR PROJECT HAS BEEN ORGANISED, FOLLOWING IWO SUCCESSFULL ONES AT TUNG (HUNG AND SHA LO WAN PREVIOUSLY.”
"ISLANDERS LIVING AT THE REMOTE AREAS OF THE DISTRICT, REGARDLESS OF HOW DISTANT THEY ARE, WILL NOT BE LEFT OUT IN OUI CONSIDERATION TO PROVIDE THIS KIND OF SERVICES,” HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
- 55 -
EASTBOUND TUBE OF AIRPORT TUNNEL CLOSED ♦ » » » »
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 19) FOR ABOUT A MONTH TO TIE IN WITH THE CLOSURE OF THE EASTBOUND TUBE OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL.
THIS IS THE SECOND STAGE OF THE CLOSURE OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL AND IS TO FACILITATE THE RENEWAL OF FIRE MAINS AND OTHER MAINTENANCE WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE WESTBOUND TUBE OF THE TUNNEL WILL BE CONVERTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, OWING TO THE CLOSURE OF THE EASTBOUND TUBE, VEHICLES ON EAST KOWLOON WAY NORTHBOUND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL VIA THE AIRPORT TUNNEL SLIP ROAD TO SUNG WONG TOI ROAD. THEY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE EAST KOWLOON WAY TO KOWLOON CITY ROAD AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD.
ALTHOUGH TWO-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED AT THE TUNNEL, TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR ON THE APPROACH ROADS TO THE TUNNEL DURING PEAK PERIODS. TO AVOID ANTICIPATED TRAFFIC CONGESTION, MOTORISTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM HUNG HOM TO KWUN TONG MAY USE CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, MA TAU WAI ROAD, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST AND KWUN TONG ROAD; OR VICE VERSA FROM KWUN TONG TO HUNG HOM.
MEANWHILE, MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM HUNG HOM TO HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MAY USE CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, MA TAU WAI ROAD, CHE KIANG STREET, TO KWA WAN ROAD, SUNG WONG TOI ROAD AND OLYMPIC AVENUE.
•----0------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND
THE SPEED LIMIT ON TWO SECTIONS OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD IN ABERDEEN WILL BE CHANGED FROM 50 TO 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 18).
THEY ARE THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HEUNG YIP ROAD, AND THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HEUNG YIP ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD.
/AT THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1987
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF EASTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN CONNAUGHT PLACE (EAST) AND CONNAUGHT PLACE (WEST) WILL BE EXTENDED TO OPERATE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THE MEASURE IS TO LAST FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE PUBLIC UTILITY DIVERSION WORKS.
NO VEHICLE EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL. 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
DEBATES MARKED WORKING STYLE OF LEGCO .................... 1
’SATISFACTORY’ RESPONSE TO GREEN PAPER ................... 2
OUTSTANDING SERVICE OF RETIRING MEMBER COMMENDED ......... 4
DUNN PAYS TRIBUTE TO CHEN................................. 5
DUNN WINDS UP DEBATE...................................... 6
STEP BY STEP APPROACH TOWARDS CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE ...... 6
DRASTIC CHANGES NOT FAVOURED ............................. 8
PRESENT SYSTEM WORKING ’WELL ............................. 9
COUNCILLORS MUST PROVIDE LEADERSHIP ..................... 11
HK FUTURE HINGES ON DIRECT ELECTION: LEE................. 14
CALL FOR PRUDENT CHANGES ................................ 17
HK NOT READY FOR DIRECT ELECTION ........................ 18
RESERVATIONS ON DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 ................ 20
SOHMEN SPEAKS AGAINST DIRECT ELECTIONS .................. 22
DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988 TOO HASTY........................ 26
CASH AID TO TAIKOO SHING EXPLOSION VICTIMS.................. 28
S181 M CONTRACT FOR NT CIRCULAR ROaD SECTION ^W/HWED..... 28
GOVERNOR TO BE PATRON OF SIR EDWARD YOUDE FUND.............. 29
NEW SERVICE TO CURE RABIES OUTBREAKS ....................... 30
600 YOUTHS PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS ............... 31
'DISTRICT BOARD DISTRICT TABULATIONS PUBLISHED .............. 32
carnival for thousands on sundry ........................... 32
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS ON aGENDa ........................... 34
SEMINAR ON CAREERS IN FREIGHT INDUSTRY ..................... 34
I2TVIR0NMENT COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW....................... 35
FOOTBRIDGE TO OPEN ......................................... 35
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE IN PxK SHA WAN ............ 36
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
1
DEBATES MARKED WORKING STYLE OF LEGCO *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE WORKING STYLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS MARKED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEBATE AND IN THIS SESSION, THERE WAS A RECORD NUMBER OF ADJOURNMENT DEBATES,
IN HIS CLOSING REMARKS OF THE 1986-87 SESSION, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT "IT IS THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF DEBATE, COMBINED WITH QUESTION TIME, THAT THIS COUNCIL PERFORMS ONE OF ITS MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS, THAT OF QUESTIONING THE ADMINISTRATION ON ITS POLICIES; PUTTING FORWARD SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT; AND SUBJECTING LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO CRITICAL EXAMINATION."
HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN MUCH PUBLIC COMMENT ON SOME OF THE DIFFERING VIEWS WHICH HAD BEEN AIRED IN THE COUNCIL DURING THE SESSION, BUT HE DID NOT SEE DEBATES WITH DIFFERING VIEWS AS AN UNHEALTHY SIGN.
"IT IS RIGHT THAT THE DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO CRITICAL ANALYSIS IN THIS COUNCIL AND THAT, HAVING DONE SO THE COUNCIL SHOULD, IF NECESSARY, VOTE ON THE POLICY TO BE ADOPTED.
"IT IS ONLY IN THIS WAY THAT SENSIBLE POLICIES, WHICH MEET THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, CAN BE DEVISED," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE EVENTS OF THE SESSION HAD ALSO DEMONSTRATED THAT, WHATEVER THEIR DIFFERENCES ABOUT MEANS, MEMBERS WERE AT ONE ABOUT THE DESIRED END: THAT OF SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THE POEPLE OF HONG KONG AND PROMOTING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY.
SIR DAVID PAID TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNTIL HIS DEATH IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS GRATEFUL TO MEMBERS FOR THEIR THOUGHTFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS.
"THESE HAVE DONE MUCH TO IMPROVE THE POLICIES AND BILLS THAT THE COUNCIL HAS CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT IT WOULD BE A PITY IF THE MORE PUBLIC EXCITEMENTS OF THIS SESSION WERE TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM THE MANY HUNDREDS OF HOURS THAT MEMBERS HAD SPENT IN THE COMMITTEES AND AD HOC GROUPS OF THE COUNCIL AS WELL AS OMELCO'S PANELS SCRUTINISING THE ACTIVITIES AND PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"SUCH WORK IS RARELY GLAMOROUS. IT IS SERIOUS AND DEMANDING. I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO MEMBERS FOR DEVOTING SO MUCH OF THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO IT. NOR WOULD I WISH TO OVERLOOK THE CONTRIBUTION OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND OF OFFICIALS WHO ATTEND THE VARIOUS COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL.
/"AS THE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 2
"AS THE WORK OF THIS COUNCIL INCREASES, SO DOES THE BURDEN ON BOTH GROUPS. THEY HAVE SHOULDERED IT CHEERFULLY AND EFFICIENTLY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT HE WAS SURE MEMBERS WOULD WISH TO JOIN HIM IN PAYING WARM TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE HAD WORKED WITH QUIET AND EFFICIENT DILIGENCE BEHIND THE SCENES TO SUSTAIN THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL, IN PARTICULAR THE CLERK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND HIS STAFF, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF OMELCO AND HIS STAFF AND THE OFFICERS OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION.
"THIS SESSION, IN WHICH THE COUNCIL HAS SAT FOR A RECORD OF ALMOST 126 HOURS, HAS GIVEN THEM A GREAT DEAL OF WORK. THEY HAVE CARRIED IT OUT WITH DEDICATION AND SKILL," HE NOTED.
IN CONCLUSION, SIR DAVID WISHED MEMBERS AND STAFF "AN ENJOYABLE, REFRESHING AND THOROUGHLY WELL DESERVED RECESS".
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'SATISFACTORY' RESPONSE TO GREEN PAPER
*****
THE SURVEY OFFICE HAS SO FAR RECEIVED OVER 1,500 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS ON THE GREEN PAPER OF WHICH THE MAJORITY HAVE COME FROM INDIVIDUALS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
WHILE NOTING THE RATE OF RESPONSE SO FAR HAD BEEN SATISFACTORY, MR FORD SAID VIEWS ON EACH AND EVERY ASPECT OF THE ISSUES IN THE GREEN PAPER WOULD BE WELCOMED AND RESPECTED.
"WHEN THE GOVERNMENT COMES TO CONSIDER THE DRAFTING OF THE WHITE PAPER AT THE END OF THE YEAR A CLEAR INDICATION OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ALL THESE ASPECTS WOULD BE OF GREAT BENEFIT IN HELPING US TO REACH DECISIONS WHICH ARE IN THE OVERALL INTERESTS OF HONG KONG," HE SAID DURING THE DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER.
NOTING THAT COMMENTS HAD BEEN MADE IN THE DEBATE SEEKING GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS ON THE WEIGHT WHICH WOULD BE GIVEN TO PUBLIC OPINION IN ASSESSING THE OPTIONS CONTAINED IN THE GREEN PAPER, MR FORD SAID FROM THE DAY THE PAPER WAS PUBLISHED THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT AND CLEAR AND REMAIN SO TODAY.
/"IN REACHING .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
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"IN REACHING ITS CONCLUSION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC."
"AS WE HAVE ALSO MADE CLEAR, OTHER FACTORS ARE RELEVANT," HE ADDED.
"A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE SAID IN THEIR SPEECHES THAT ONE FACTOR WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IS THAT IT IS THE BASIC LAW, WHICH IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DRAFTED, WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION," HE SAID.
AS TO THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE REVIEW WAS BEING CARRIED OUT, MR FORD QUOTED PARAGRAPH TWO OF THE GREEN PAPER WHICH READ: "IT WILL BE CONDUCTED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF HONG KONG’S EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS. IT WILL ALSO TAKE FULLY INTO ACCOUNT THE TERMS OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG, WHICH PROVIDES FOR HONG KONG TO BECOME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FROM JULY 1, 1997,"
"IT FOLLOWS THAT ALL THE OPTIONS IN THE GREEN PAPER ARE IN OUR VIEW CONSISTENT WITH THAT FRAMEWORK AND ARE GENUINE OPTIONS," MR FORD SAID.
HE ADDED, THAT NONE OF THE OPTIONS IN THE GREEN PAPER WOULD, IF IMPLEMENTED, INVOLVE A BREACH OF THE UNITED KINGDOM’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.
MR FORD REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PRECONCEIVED IDEAS AND THERE WAS NO PRE-DETERMINED OUTCOME.
"I BELIEVE THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO WEIGH ALL THE FACTORS MOST CAREFULLY AND TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL AT HEART."
MR FORD POINTED OUT THAT IF CONSULTATION ON THE GREEN PAPER WAS TO REVEAL A TRUE PICTURE OF THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT A FULL RANGE OF OPINIONS WAS EXPRESSED TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
"WE ARE LOOKING FOR ALL VIEWS, NOT ONLY THE VIEWS OF THOSE WHO MAY HAVE MADE UP THEIR MINDS BEFORE THE GREEN PAPER WAS PUBLISHED."
TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO LEARN ABOUT THE GREEN PAPER, MR FORD SAID RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG HAD PRODUCED A 12-PART SERIES OF FIVE-MINUTE TELEVISION PROGRAMMES CALLED THE "GREEN PAPER MADE EASY" WHICH WERE BEING SHOWN AT PEAK TIMES.
/HE CALLED .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
HE CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS, AND REMINDED THEM THAT VIEWS MIGHT ALSO BE EXPRESSED ORALLY TO THE STAFF AT THE OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WHO WOULD RECORD THEM AND FORWARD TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
"WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT AT THE END OF THIS PROCESS OF CONSULTATION WE CONCLUDE BY DECIDING ON A WAY FORWARD WHICH WILL ENSURE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION, INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE AND HELP TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY WHICH IS SO FUNDAMENTAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
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OUTSTANDING SERVICE OF RETIRING MEMBER COMMENDED
• ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE RETIRING HON S.L. CHEN, WHO HAS SERVED NEARLY 11 YEARS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN A VALEDICTORY SPEECH, SIR DAVID SAID THE COUNCIL WOULD BE LOSING A MEMBER OF IMMENSE EXPERIENCE, WHO WOULD BE VERY HARD TO REPLACE.
SIR DAVID SAID MR CHEN WOULD ALSO BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION IN THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, HIS WORK IN DEVELOPING THE POLICE COMPLAINTS SYSTEM AND, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, IN DEVELOPING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.
"WHATEVER THE TASK, MR CHEN HAS ADDRESSED IT WITH THE PRECISION AND THOROUGHNESS OF AN ENGINEER AND WITH THE MODERATION, CALMNESS AND OBJECTIVITY WHICH HAVE BEEN HIS MARK AS A MAN," SIR DAVID SAID.
"I HOPE THAT, PERHAPS, MR CHEN WILL FORGIVE ME IF I REVEAL TODAY A SECRET, WHICH I’M TOLD, HAS HAUNTED HIM THROUGHOUT HIS TIME IN THIS COUNCIL — AND THAT IS THAT ONE DAY THE LIGHTS MIGHT FAIL.
"TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED. AND IF SOME LUSTRE WILL BE MISSING FROM THIS CHAMBER WITH HIS DEPARTURE, THE LIGHTS WHICH ARE REPRESENTED BY THE FRIENDSHIPS THAT HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE BUILT UP OVER THE YEARS WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO SHINE VERY BRIGHTLY."
SIR DAVID WISHED MR AND MRS CHEN A LONG, HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS RETIREMENT.
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/5........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
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DUNN PAYS TRIBUTE TO CHEN *****
SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, TODAY (THURSDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HON CHEN SHOU-LUM FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MR CHEN WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE COUNCIL AT TRE END OF THE CURRENT SESSION.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO MARK THE RETIREMENT OF "AN OLD AND MUCH-LOVED FRIEND", MISS DUNN SAID MR CHEN'S WORK BEHIND THE SCENES WAS LESS KNOWN PUBLICLY.
SHE SAID MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD ESPECIALLY REMEMBER HIS THOROUGH AND DEDICATED WORK AS CONVENER OF THE OMELCO CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS PANEL.
"THEIR REPORT AND THE FULL, THOUGHTFUL, AND WELL-RESEARCHED SPEECHES WE HAVE HEARD TODAY AND YESTERDAY OWE MUCH TO THAT PANEL’S DETERMINATION TO HEAR AND EXAMINE EVERY POINT OF VIEW WITH A RECEPTIVE AND SYMPATHETIC MIND," SHE SAID.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE, MISS DUNN SAID MR CHEN AND SHE JOINED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE SAME DAY AND THEY HAD FOR 11 LONG SESSIONS BEEN THE HAPPIEST AND CLOSEST OF NEIGHBOURS.
"LIKE MANY PAST AND PRESENT COLLEAGUES, I HAVE COME TO RELY ON HIM FOR HIS WISE AND RELIABLE ADVICE AND FOR HIS NEVER FAILING CHEERFULNESS AND GOOD HUMOUR.
"NOR SHOULD I FORGET THAT WHEN LAST SUMMER THE DAYA BAY DEBATE THREATENED TO GET OVERHEATED, AND WHEN 1 HAD LONG BEFORE VANISHED TO COOLER CLIMES, MR CHEN REMAINED BEHIND IN MY PLACE, AND, WITH TACT AND UNDERSTANDING, PREVENTED A MELTDOWN," SHE SAID.
"WE SHALL MISS MR CHEN FOR HIS WARMTH AND SENSE OF HUMOUR AND FOR HIS MODESTY AND COURTESY; THESE QUALITIES WILL BE AS HARD TO REPLACE AS HIS WISDOM AND EXPERIENCE.
"WE WISH HIM AND HIS WIFE DORIS THE HAPPIEST AND HEALTHIEST OF RETIREMENTS," SHE ADDED.
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/6........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
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DUNN WINDS UP DEBATE * * * *
IN WINDING UP THE TWO-DAY DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY), THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT MEMBERS, BY TAKING PART IN THE DEBATE, HAD STIMULATED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO SPEAK UP ON THE OPTIONS.
SHE SAID THE FACT THAT ALL 45 MEMBERS WHO WERE IN HONG KONG HAD SPOKEN IN THE DEBATE WAS AN INDICATION OF THE IMPORTANCE THEY ATTACHED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN THE TERRITORY.
"I HOPE THAT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS COUNCIL WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE NOW TAKING PLACE," SHE SAID.
"THERE IS MUCH TO BE WORKED OUT AND ACCOMPLISHED IN THE YEARS AHEAD," SHE ADDED.
MISS DUNN CONCLUDED HER SPEECH BY REPEATING WHAT SHE HAD SAID IN THE DEBATE ON THE 1984 WHITE PAPER:
"AS WE CONSIDER THE POLITICAL CHANGE ENVISAGED IN THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT AND AS WE EMBARK UPON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, WE SHOULD SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THIS NEW PHASE IN OUR HISTORY DOES NOT INVOLVE A SHARP BREAK WITH THE PAST. THAT IS TO SAY, WHATEVER MAY BE THE ULTIMATE FORM AND STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG, WE MUST PRESERVE THE HONG KONG STYLE AND THE HONG KONG SYSTEM INTACT."
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STEP BY STEP APPROACH TOWARDS CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE *****
THE HON ALLEN LEE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) HE PREFERRED A GRADUAL STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TOWARDS CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR LEE SAID INSTEAD OF INTRODUCING A LARGE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS IN 1992, WHY NOT START BY INTRODUCING FIRST IN 1988 A SMALLER NUMBER.
"THIS COULD BE DONE BY REPLACING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. WE SHALL THEN HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE BEFORE PLUNGING INTO A MUCH ENLARGED LEGISLATURE IN 1992," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID WHEN HE SPOKE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 9, 1985, HE HAD ALREADY MADE IT KNOWN THAT IN PRINCIPLE, HE WAS IN FAVOUR AND IN SUPPORT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATURE IN 1988.
/"IT HAS
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
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"IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY BELIEF THAT AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPS, THE PEOPLE WILL ASK FOR MORE PARTICIPATION."
"MY SUPPORT FOR DIRECT ELECTION IS TO ALLOW HONG KONG PEOPLE MORE PARTICIPATION. IT IS NOT CHANGE FOR THE SAKE OF CHANGE," HE ADDED.
MR LEE SAID DIRECT ELECTION WAS NOT SOMETHING NEW TO HONG KONG.
"WE HAVE HAD DIRECT ELECTION TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANY YEARS AND AFTER THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WERE ESTABLISHED, WE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN DIRECT ELECTION."
HE SAID THE ONLY NEW FACTOR WAS THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, WHICH WAS IN PROGRESS, AND WHICH WOULD PRESCRIBE THE SHAPE OF THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AFTER 1997.
"I TOTALLY AGREE THAT WE MUST NOT INTRODUCE CHANGES WHICH MAY NOT CONVERGE WITH THE LEGISLATURE OF THE SAR AFTER 1997.
"BUT I HAVE STUDIED WITH CARE AND INTEREST, THE PRESENTATIONS MADE BY MANY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BEING CONSULTED BY THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS IN THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ARE IN FAVOUR OF DIRECT ELECTIONS. THE MOST CONSERVATIVE OF THESE GROUPS WHICH IS KNOWN WIDELY AS THE GROUP OF 73 OF THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATURE WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT HAPPEN IN 1992."
MR LEE SAID HE WAS ATTRACTED BY THEIR MODEL BUT QUERIED WHETHER ACCOMMODATING SUCH A TREMENDOUS CHANGE OF THE LEGISLATURE STARTING IN 1992 WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID HIS IDEA WAS A VARIATION OF THEIRS. "I FAVOUR A STEP-BY-STEP APPROH A SMALL STEP AT A TIME."
MR LEE ALSO ADDED THAT IN THE HONG KONG POLITICAL SYSTEM, CHANGES IN THE FUTURE WERE INEVITABLE AS STIPULATED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"I TOTALLY REJECT THOSE WHO ARGUE THAT DIRECT ELECTION IS A MEANS BY WHICH TO SHIELD HONG KONG FROM CHINESE INTERFERENCE IN THE FUTURE.
"CHINA WILL BE OUR SOVEREIGN STATE AFTER JUNE 30, 1997. WE MUST CO-OPERATE WITH CHINA AND FOSTER A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP.
/"THIS DOES
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
8
"THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE SHOULD NOT PUT OUR VIEWS FORWARD AND ARGUE OUR CASE. BUT I SUGGEST THIS SHOULD BE DONE IN A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL TRUST, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL RESPECT."
MR LEE SAID THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS UNIQUE IN ITS FORMATION.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE MEETINGS MIGHT BE GETTING LONGER, DISCUSSIONS ON ISSUES MORE LENGTHY AND VIEWS MIGHT DIFFER, BUT THE COUNCIL TODAY WAS BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID AS HONG KONG CONTINUED TO DEVELOP, HE FELT THERE WAS STILL AN ELEMENT MISSING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"IT IS THE ELEMENT OF TRUE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND I HOPE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE,’ HE SAID.
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DRASTIC CHANGES NOT FAVOURED
♦ * * » *
DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY)THAT HE WAS STRONG AGAINST ANY ABRUPT CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, DR CHIU SAID THE REASON WAS THAT ANY DRASTIC OR MAJOR CHANGE IN THOSE AREAS DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD WOULD BE DISRUPTIVE TO THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY.
BUT HE MAINTAINED THAT TO HAVE A REASONABLE PERCENTAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEAT PRODUCED FROM DIRECT ELECTION SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS DRASTIC.
"IT IS JUST A NATURAL AND LOGICAL DEVELOPMENT HEADING TOWARDS A MORE OPEN, A MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT SOME PEOPLE REGARDED THIS AS A SOLID GUARANTEE THAT AN ACCOUNTABLE LEGISLATURE IN THE EXISTING POLITICAL SYSTEM WOULD BE CARRIED OVER TO 1997 AND BEYOND.
"DEEP DOWN IN THEIR HEART, THEY TEND TO BELIEVE THAT A REASONABLE ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTION, TO A LARGE EXTENT, CONSOLIDATES ’ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS’ WHICH HAS BEEN PROMISED TO US," HE SAID.
/DR CHIU
9
DR CHIU BELIEVED THAT IF AND WHEN AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE SPOKE IN A LOUD AND CLEAR VOICE IN FAVOUR OF DIRECT ELECTION, THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE DEVELOPED ALONG THAT DIRECTION.
”1 BELIEVE THAT THE WISHES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE SHALL BE
RESPECTED GENUINELY,” HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, DR CHIU MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE VIEWS OF THE MEDICAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY WERE STILL BEING COLLECTED AND WOULD BE REFLECTED AT A LATER STAGE.
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PRESENT SYSTEM WORKING WELL » * ♦ » *
THE HON THOMAS CLYDESDALE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HONG KONG’S EXISTING SYSTEM IS WORKING VERY WELL AND SHOULD ONLY BE ALTERED TO THE EXTENT THAT WAS COMPLETELY NECESSARY.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR CLYDESDALE SAID HE DID NOT EXPRESS ANY OPINION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS DURING THE DEBATE BECAUSE HIS CONSTITUENCY WAS PRESENTLY ENGAGED IN A DETAILED SURVEY TO OBTAIN MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER.
”1 CAN HOWEVER MAKE SOME GENERAL REMARKS ON THE BASIS OF THE WORK DONE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS WITHIN MY CONSTITUENCY,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT MOST BUSINESSMEN CERTAINLY FAVOURED A STEP BY STEP APPROACH TOWARDS FURTHER CHANGING AN ESTABLISHED SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WITHIN WHICH POLITICS HAD NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO DOMINATE OR FRUSTRATE PROGRESS.
MANY BELIEVED THAT THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE EXECUTIVE-LED SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH HAD GUIDED ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH OUTSTANDING SUCCESS FOR THE LAST FEW DECADES SHOULD BE RETAINED, HE SAID.
"IF IT TRANSPIRES THAT A SUBSTANTIAL LEVEL OF SUPPORT EXISTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, I BELIEVE THAT THE BULK OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD AGREE THAT POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE NO PLACE IN AN SAR GOVERNMENT OR INDEED IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION BEFORE 1997,
HE SAID.
/HE ADDED
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
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HE ADDED THAT HE DID NOT PERSONALLY THINK THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NECESSARILY MEANT THAT POLITICAL PARTIES WOULD BECOME INEVITABLE AND THAT CONFRONTATIONAL POLITICS MUST FOLLOW -ALTHOUGH WHAT WERE SEEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER IN RECENT WEEKS MIGHT LEAD TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THEY WERE ALREADY HERE.
"I THINK THERE IS A DANGER THAT THE CLAMOUR OF THE SO-CALLED PRESSURE GROUPS FOR POLITICAL REFORM AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE AND REGARDLESS OF THE LIKELY RESULTS ON PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM MAY BE GIVEN DISPROPORTIONATE CONSIDERATION IN THE MEDIA AND IN PUBLIC DEBATE AS OPPOSED TO THE VOICES WHICH CALL FOR THE LESS EXCITING BUT IN MY VIEW MORE REALISTIC POLICY OF GRADUAL CHANGE IF CHANGE IS PREFERRED," HE SAID.
HE SAID PRESSURE GROUPS WERE LEGITIMATE, INDEED ESSENTIAL VEHICLES FOR PUBLIC OPINION BUT PRESSURE GROUPS DID NOT NORMALLY REPRESENT A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF OPINION AND QUITE OFTEN DID NOT REPRESENT LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE. "I SUGGEST THAT THEIR VIEWS ARE CONSIDERED IN THAT LIGHT," MR CLYDESDALE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG WOULD NEVER BE A SOVEREIGN ENTITY AND HAD NEVER HAD A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT, NOR INDEED HAD CHINA IN ALL ITS HISTORY.
YET HONG KONG HAD ENJOYED THE FRUITS OF A DETERMINED, ENLIGHTENED, EXPERIENCED AND NON-POLITICAL GOVERNMENT WHICH HAD CARED FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND WHICH HAD SUCCESSFULLY ENGINEERED THE DEVELOPMENT OF ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC ENTITIES THE WORLD HAD EVER KNOWN, HE ADDED.
"I SUGGEST THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF THIS SYSTEM IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO THE REAL INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAN THE INTRODUCTION OF A POLITICALLY ORIENTED SYSTEM THAT COULD DIVIDE THE COMMUNITY AGAINST ITSELF AND DIVERT RESOURCES, BOTH MATERIAL AND HUMAN, INTO CONFRONTATION BETWEEN DIFFERING POLITICAL GROUPS," HE SAID.
MR CLYDESDALE ALSO URGED HONG KONG PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"WE MUST ALL HELP THE GOVERNMENT TO GET THE FORMULA RIGHT FIRST TIME.
"WE CANNOT AFFORD A HIT AND MISS METHOD NOR A SYSTEM THAT PROCEEDS BY TRIAL AND ERROR," HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
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COUNCILLORS MUST PROVIDE LEADERSHIP
*****
THE HON RICHARD LAI SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, AS LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY, MUST PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR LAI SAID LEADERSHIP MEANT DIRECTION, NOT DICTATION.
HE SAID: "TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE PUBLIC IN THE HOPE OF INTIMIDATING THEM INTO MAKING A CHOICE THAT IS AGAINST THEIR INCLINATION IS NOT DIRECTION, BUT DICTATION.
" DIRECTION MEANS DISCERNING THE ASPIRATION OF THE PEOPLE, AND LEAD THEM IN ACHIEVING THE END. THAT IS DIRECTION. THAT IS LEADERSHIP."
POINTING OUT THAT THE NEED OF APPEARING BEFORE THE PUBLIC WITH NO PRECONCEIVED IDEAS ABOUT THE REVIEW WAS APPRECIATED, MR LAI SAID HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT MEAN THE SURRENDERING OF THE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD; IT MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO REGRESS TO A STATE OF PHOBIA FOR SPEAKING OUT ON THE ISSUES THAT WARRANTED DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP.
HE NOTED THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS HAD SO FAR LAGGED BEHIND IN THE REVIEW, THAT THEY HAD BEEN AT THE REAR OF THE PEOPLE, AND THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN PROVIDING DIRECTION A3 THEY SHOULD.
HE SAID: "WE MUST ASK A SOUL-SEARCHING QUESTION WHETHER WE ALL IDENTIFY WITH THE QUEST TO DEVELOP A TRUELY REPRESENTATIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT, WHETHER DEMOCRACY IS A GOOD THING.
"IF WE DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE WILL TO ASSERT THAT DEMOCRACY AND EQUALITY IS AN IDEAL TOWARDS WHICH WE SHOULD STRIDE, THEN WHAT DO WE STAND FOR ANYWAYS?
"IF WE AFFIRM THAT THEY ARE OUR ULTIMATE GOAL, THEN I THINK MAKING COMPROMISES TO INTEGRATE THE DYNAMICS OF POLITICAL REALITY IS ACCEPTABLE AS A MEANS TO ACHIEVING OUR FINAL END. POLITICS, AFTERALL, AS THE OVER-USED PHRASE SAYS, IS AN ART OF COMPROMISE."
NEVERTHELESS, MR LAI SAID EQUALITY AND DEMOCRACY WERE THE PRINCIPLES THAT THEY COULD NOT SACRIFICE.
HE SAID: "NO MATTER WHAT THE POLITICAL CLIMATE MAY BE, WE MUST KEEP THEM CLEARLY IN FOCUS. WE MAY HAVE TO TAKE A DETOUR WHEN THERE IS AN OBSTACLE UP AHEAD; WE MAY GO AROUND THE OBSTACLE, BUT WE MUST NOT GO AWAY FROM THE ULTIMATE GOAL. ONCE THIS PREMISE IS ESTABLISHED, THE REST FOLLOWS."
/MR LAI
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
12 -
MR LAI SAID THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN ASSURED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS A GENUINE OPTION IN THE REVIEW AND THAT IT HAD ALSO BEEN CONFIRMED THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS WOULD NOT CONTRAVENE THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"IF THE PRINCIPLE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IS CORRECT AND POLITICAL REALITY IS RECEPTIVE TO THEM, IF THE SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE JUSTIFIES THEM, ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT PERMITS THEM, WHY CAN’T WE HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988?" MR LAI QUESTIONED.
HE SAID: "AFTERALL, INTRODUCTION OF A SMALL PORTION OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE IS CONDUCIVE TO A GRADUAL PROCESS OF POLITICAL CHANGES IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997.
"MERE TECHNICAL DETAILS DO NOT CONSTITUTE ANY GROUNDS FOR DELAYING FURTHER OPENING UP OF THE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT TO THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PEOPLE," HE SAID.
"THAT IS A SIMPLE ARGUMENT, ONE THAT IS FORMULATED TO CLARIFY, NOT TO CONFUSE, AND ONE THAT I TRUST IS AT THE HEART OF THE CURRENT DEBATE OF WHETHER TO HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS AND HAVE THEM IN 1988. I SEE NO CHANCE ANYONE CAN PROVE THE CONTRARY.
"HAVING SAID ALL THAT, HAVING ESTABLISHED ALL THE PREMISES AND DERIVING ALL THE ARGUMENTS, WHY CAN’T WE STAND UP AND TAKE THE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY AS LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO POINT TO THE WAY OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AND UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE?" MR LAI ASKED.
HE STRESSED THAT COUNCILLORS COULD NO LONGER HIDE BEHIND THE SHELTER OF THE SO-CALLED "SILENT MAJORITY" AND SHOULD FOR ONCE TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
MR LAI SAID: "WE HAVE BEEN CRITICISED AS BEING DEAF TO THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, OUR CREDIBILITY TOOK A BEATING IN THE DAYA BAY EPISODE AND THE PUBLIC ORDER FIASCO."
"IF THE PUBLIC CLEARLY POINTS TO DIRECT ELECTIONS AND WE CANNOT EVEN FOLLOW THIS TIME, WE WILL LOSE THE RIGHT TO BE HERE, IN THIS CHAMBER EVEN AS FOLLOWERS OF THE COMMUNITY, LET ALONE ITS LEADERS," HE NOTED.
MR LAI SAID BEING A REALIST, HE WAS WILLING TO MAKE COMPROMISE IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEED OF GRADUAL CHANGE.
WHILE DIRECT ELECTIONS WERE UNDOUBTEDLY A MORE ADVANCE FORM OF PRACTISING DEMOCRACY AND ACHIEVING A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, HE THOUGHT IT PRUDENT TO RETAIN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEMS, AT LEAST FOR ANOTHER TERM TO EFFECT A GRADUAL TRANSITION.
/HE THEN
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
HE THEN PROPOSED A CHANGE IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEREIN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGES, FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, DIRECT ELECTIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS ALL TOOK UP A QUARTER OF THE SEATS.
IN THE REDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS, HE SAID SERIOUS CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE DEMAND MADE BY THE HEUNG YEE KUK TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
IN LINE WITH HIS GRADUAL APPROACH TO POLITICAL CHANGE, HE BELIEVED THAT THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM SHOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR THE TIME BEING, EVEN THOUGH HE AGREED THAT A CASE COULD BE MADE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TWO-TIER SYSTEM IN WHICH THE DISTRICT LEVEL WOULD ALSO BE VESTED WITH SOME EXECUTIVE POWER.
MR LAI SAID CONSIDERATION SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO SEAT ALLOCATION TO ELECTORAL COLLEGES THAT COMPRISED MORE THAN ONE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.
HE SAID: "FOR INSTANCE, MY CONSTITUENCY, NEW TERRITORIES SOUTH, COMPRISES OF HEAVY INDUSTRIAL AREAS LIKE KWAI CHUNG, TSING YI, TSUEN WAN, AND RURAL AREAS IN SAI KUNG AND THE ISLANDS. TO ENSURE THAT THEIR INTERESTS WILL BE FULLY REFLECTED, PERHAPS A REALLOCATION OR EXPANSION OF SEATS IS WARRANTED."
MR LAI SAID THE PRESENT THREE-YEAR TERM OF OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST ARRANGEMENT FOR COUNCILLORS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PROPORTION OF ELECTED MEMBERS WAS INCREASING. HE THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE LENGTHENED TO FOUR YEARS.
HE SAID: "THE TIME AND EFFORTS NEEDED TO RUN AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN MAY DISTRACT MEMBERS FROM THE COURSE OF LEGCO BUSINESS.
"EXTENDING THE TERM TO FOUR YEARS WILL GIVE ELECTED MEMBERS MORE TIME TO CONCENTRATE ON THE WORK OF THE OFFICE."
"MOREOVER, IF WE DECIDE TO START FOUR YEARS TERMS FROM 1988, WE WOULD NOT HAVE AN ELECTION YEAR IN 1997 WHEN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF HONG KONG WILL BE RETURNED TO CHINA. THIS MAY HELI’ USHER IN A NEW ADMINISTRATION WITH THE MINIMUM DISRUPTION," HE ADDED.
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THURSDAY, JULY 16,
1987 .
14
HK FUTURE HINGES ON DIRECT ELECTION: LEE
» * * ♦ »
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON MARTIN LEE, TODAY (THURSDAY) WARNED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT WHETHER OR NOT DIRECT ELECTION IS INTRODUCED IN 1988 WOULD MAKE OR BREAK FOR THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR LEE SAID THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD TO DECIDE NOW WHETHER TO TAKE THE "APPARENTLY BROAD AND EASY ROAD" BY KEEPING THE PRESENT COLONIAL SET-UP, KNOWING THAT AT THE END OF THE ROAD WAS CERTAIN FAILURE OR TO TAKE THE "NARROW AND BUMPY ROAD" WHICH WOULD LEAD TO A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY IN THE GOVERNMENT AND A SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS POLICY.
HE URGED THE PEOPLE TO WAKE UP FROM THEIR POLITICAL LETHARGY AND TAKE THEIR FUTURE IN THEIR OWN HANDS BY DEMANDING FOR A VOTE IN THE 1988 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION.
MR LEE SUGGESTED THAT BY 1988, 25 PER CENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE RETURNED BY DIRECT ELECTION; 25 PER CENT FROM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES; 25 PER CENT FROM ELECTORAL COLLEGES; WITH THE REMAINING 25 PER CENT TO CONSIST OF APPOINTED MEMBERS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT DIRECT ELECTION WAS NOT AN END BUT A MEANS TO AN END. THE ULTIMATE AIM IS TO IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFULLY THE POLICY OF ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS, HE ADDED.
"IN ORDER TO DO THAT," HE SAID. "IT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE HONG KONG SAR CAPITALIST SYSTEM SEPARATE FROM THE MAINLAND SOCIALIST SYSTEM. AND TO ACHIEVE THAT, THE SAR GOVERNMENT NEEDS A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY WHICH HAS BEEN PROMISED TO US IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.”
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE KEY QUESTION WAS HOW TO ENSURE THAT THE SAR GOVERNMENT COULD ACTUALLY EXERCISE THAT HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.
HIS ANSWER WAS THIS: "THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT NEEDS THE MANDATE FROM AND THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE IT GOVERNS. IT IS THEREFORE VITAL TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE GIVEN A VOTE SO THAT THEY CAN CHOOSE THEIR OWN LEADERS. AND IF THEY FIND THAT THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE ELECTED INTO OFFICE DO NOT PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS, THEN THEY WILL NOT RETURN THEM INTO OFFICE FOR ANOTHER TERM."
MR LEE ADMITTED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988 COULD NOT IN ITSELF ACHIEVE THE ABOVE OBJECT. "BUT IT IS A NECESSARY FIRST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION'” HE SAID.
/IN EXPLAINING
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 15 -
IN EXPLAINING WHY HE BELIEVED DIRECT ELECTION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1988, MR LEE" SAID, "DIRECT ELECTION HAS BECOME A PIECE OF LITMUS PAPER WHEREBY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN SEE WHETHER THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS ARE GENUINE IN THEIR INTENTIONS OF IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION AND WHETHER THEY WILL TAKE HEED OF THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.”
HE PERCEIVED THIS AS A "POSITIVE MEASURE" TO ENSURE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997 WOULD BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE IT GOVERNED AND WOULD THEREFORE HAVE THEIR SUPPORT AND WOULD BE ABLE TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.
HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY IN REGAINING THE CONFIDENCE OF ITS PEOPLE BY DEMONSTRATING THAT IT WAS NOT A LAME-DUCK ADMINISTRATION AND THAT IT HAD BOTH THE WILL AND ABILITY TO GOVERN HONG KONG DURING THESE TEN YEARS.
THEN THE PEOPLE WOULD SEE THAT THERE WAS HOPE YET IN THE FUTURE AND WOULD BE PERSUADED TO STAY LONGER - PERHAPS EVEN BEYOND 1997, HE SAID.
MR LEE STRESSED THAT THE POLICY OF "HONG KONG PEOPLE ADMINISTERING HONG KONG" COULD NOT SUCCEED WITHOUT THE TRUE PARTICIPATION OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG.
"WE CANNOT CONSCIENTIOUSLY CONTINUE TO DENY 97.5 PER CENT OF OUR PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS," HE SAID.
MR LEE WAS CONVINCED THAT IT WOULD BE WRONG TO THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THE RECENT REMARKS BY CERTAIN CHINESE OFFICIALS, THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW DIRECT ELECTION TO BE INTRODUCED IN 1988.
HIS FIRST REASON WAS THAT TO DO SO IN 1988 WAS ENTIRELY A MATTER FOR THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG ACCORDING TO CLAUSE 4 OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
SECONDLY, HE SAID THERE WAS NO STATEMENT BY ANY CHINESE OFFICIAL THAT WAS IRREVERSIBLE, IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANTED IT, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF STRONG PUBLIC OPINION.
HE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS THE DUTY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO ASK FOR THE MAXIMUM WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE JOINT DECLARATION UNDER WHICH THE SAR GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.
"AND THE HIGHER THAT AUTONOMY, THE BETTER IT IS FOR HONG KONG AND CHINA, BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFULLY THE POLICY OF ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS," HE SAID.
/PEOPLE SHOULD
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 198?
- 16 -
PEOPLE SHOULD TELL THE CHINESE LEADERS WHAT THEY WANTED AND NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR THE BEST FOR HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
"IN OUR DELIBERATIONS ON OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM, IT IS WRONG TO ASSUME THAT CHINA HAS A BASE LINE FOR THE FUTURE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE SAR. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANY OF THE CHINESE LEADERS WHO CAN DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG KNOWS OUR SYSTEM WELL ENOUGH YET. INDEED THAT IS WHY THE CHINESE LEADERS WANT TO HEAR OUR VIEWS, HE SAID.
MR LEE DISMISSED AS TOTALLY UNCONVINCING THE ARGUMENT THAT HONG KONG WOULD NEVER ATTAIN TRUE DEMOCRACY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A SOVEREIGN STATE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE JOINT DECLARATION SUGGESTING THAT THERE COULD NOT BE A DEMOCRACTIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG; NOR WAS THERE ANYTHING TO SUGGEST THAT DIRECT ELECTION COULD NOT BE INTRODUCED IN 1988.
HE RECALLED VARIOUS OCCASIONS WHERE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD BEEN ASSURED OF A REPRESENTATIVE OR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT BEFORE ITS RETURN TO THE PRC. THESE OCCASIONS INCLUDED SIR GEOFFERY HOWE’S PRESS CONFERENCE IN APRIL 1984, FOLLOWED BY THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER IN JULY, THE DRAFT JOINT DECLARATION IN SEPTEMBER AND THE WHITE PAPER IN NOVEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR.
"MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE ENCOURAGED BY THESE PROMISES, AND THEY ACCEPTED THE JOINT DECLARATION BECAUSE OF THEM. MANY SAW THAT THERE IS HOPE FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE TO BE BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY," MR LEE SAID.
"NOBODY THEN SAID WE MUST NOT MAKE ANY CHANGE TO OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM UNTIL AFTER THE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW. INDEED, NOBOD’i THEN SEEMED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT 'CONVERGENCE’ OR THE LACK OF IT.
BUT SINCE THEN, MR LEE SAID, CHINA’S STAND AND TONES HAD CHANGED. BUT HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT CHINA WOULD CHANGE ITS ATT! TUI?! BUT FOR THE OVER WILLINGNESS ON THE PART OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO GIVE IN, OR TO "CONVERGE" WITH THE CHINESE.
IN MR LEE’S VIEW, THE SOLUTION WOULD BE FOR HONG KONG TO HOLD BOTH THE CHINESE AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS TO THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WHEREIN LAY PEOPLE’S ONLY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
"WE MUST NOT ALLOW THE JOINT DECLARATION TO BECOME A LIT:.?.”/ OF BROKEN PROMISES," HE SAID.
ON THE POINT OF ’CONVERGENCE’ WITH THE BASIC LAW, LI ' MENTIONED THAT OF THE SIX PROPOSALS RAISED AT THE RELEVANT SUI! IT' OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE, RELATING TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE SAR, FIVE SUPPORTED DIRECT ELECTION AS BEING ONE OF THE MODES OF ELECTION IN THE FUTURE LEGISLATURE. LIKEWISE, THE GREAT PREPONDERANCE OF VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE BASIC LAW CONSUL, J A l i VE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO IN SUPPORT OF DIRECT ELECTION.
/HE, THEREFORE
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
HE, THEREFORE, COULD NOT BELEIEVE THAT IF THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WAS IN SUPPORT OF DIRECT ELECTION IN THE FUTURE SAR LEGISLATURE, THERE WOULD STILL BE NO PLACE FOR IT IN THE BASIC LAW.
’’THE POSSIBILITY OF A LACK OF ’’CONVERGENCE*' IN THIS REGARD IS THEREFORE EXTREMELY REMOTE,” HE CONCLUDED.
TURNING TO THE ARGUMENT THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ENONGH TIME TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTION IN THE AUTUMN OF 1988, MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS HAD BEEN REPEATEDLY ASSURED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT IF IT BE DECIDED THAT IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC OPINION DIRECT ELECTION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1988, THEN ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT TIME-TABLE, THERE WOULD BE AMPLE TIME FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION,
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CALL FOR PRUDENT CHANGES
» ♦ * ♦ *
SPEAKING TODAY (THURSDAY) IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, THE HON DAVID K.P. LI CAUTIONED THAT ANY CHANGES IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE MADE GRADUALLY AND PRUDENTLY SO AS NOT TO RISK DESTROYING THE SUCCESS THAT ITS PEOPLE HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO BUILD.
"IN OUR SOCIETY, CHANGES ARE INEVITABLE IF WE ARE TO PROGRESS, AND WE MUST KEEP AN OPEN MIND TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRESERVING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG MUST BE PARAMOUNT IN OUR MINDS,” MR LI SAID.
’’LET US NOT HAVE CHANGE MERELY FOR THE SAKE OF MAKING CHANGES.”
HE POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS OF THE FINANCIAL CONSTITUENCY WERE OF THE VIEW THAT PROPOSED CHANGES MUST BE EXAMINED IN THE CONTEXT OF PRESERVING A STABLE GOVERNMENT, LAW AND ORDER, AND CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.
MR LI AND HIS CONSTITUENTS ALSO BELIEVED THAT SHOULD IT BE DECIDED TO CREATE NEW CONSTITUENCIES, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS WOULD HAVE A STRONG CASE FOR REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR LI POINTED OUT THAT THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT CHALLENGED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO CHART THE COURSE OF ITS DESTINY.
/"WHAT MATTERS
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 198?
- 18 -
"WHAT MATTERS NOW IS THAT WE MEET THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US THROUGH POSITIVE ACTION," HE SAID.
"NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MUST STAND UNITED, OR BE CONQUERED BY DIVISION AND DELUSION OF OUR OWN MAKING."
HE URGED THE PEOPLE TO READ CAREFULLY AND DISCUSS COHERENTLY AND COHESIVELY THE OPTIONS CONTAINED IN THE GREEN PAPER; EVALUATE THEM RATIONALLY AND COOLLY; AND EVENTUALLY MAKE CHOICES FOR THE GOOD OF HONG KONG.
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HK NOT READY FOR DIRECT ELECTION » * * *
THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT SAID THE SUGGESTION FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988 IS OBVIOUSLY A RAPID CHANGE TO THE BASIS OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL SYSTEM WHEN CONDITIONS ARE NOT YET READY FOR IT.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR NGAI SAID THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG, BEING CHIEFLY EXPORT-ORIENTED, SMALL IN SIZE AND WEAK IN FOUNDATION, WAS VULNERABLE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCES. IT WAS THEREFORE NOT DESIRABLE TO INTRODUCE ANY RASH POLITICAL REFORM.
"IF CHANGE IS REQUIRED, IT SHOULD BE MADE STEP BY STEP. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD WE CARRY OUT DRASTIC CHANGES TO THE POLITICAL SYSTEM TO WHICH WE ARE SO USED AND UPON WHICH OUR PROSPERITY DEPENDS," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT IN THE CONTROVERSY CONCERNING DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO NEXT YEAR IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS MEANT DEMOCRACY; AND THAT DEMOCRACY MEANT THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR FUTURE; AND THAT CONFIDENCE MEANT THAT A CONTINUED PROSPERITY WAS ENSURED. IT HAD ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED THAT IF DIRECT ELECTIONS WERE NOT INTRODUCED NEXT YEAR, THERE WOULD BE NO HOPE FOR HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
HE SAID HE FELT SORRY FOR THIS KIND OF RIDICULOUS LOGIC, WITH WHICH HE TOTALLY DISAGREED.
HE SAID THAT THE EFFICACY OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM AND ITS BENEFITS TO HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WERE SOMETHING ABOUT WHICH MANY ADVOCATES OF DIRECT ELECTIONS SAID NOTHING.
/HE ADDED
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 198?
- 19 -
HE ADDED THAT ON THE CONTRARY, THEY WENT ABOUT SUBJECTIVELY Pointing out the deficiencies of the present system by virtue of a COUPLE OF SPECIOUS EXAMPLES. THEY DID SO IN A BIASED AND WILFUL MANNER WITH A VIEW TO ILLUSTRATING THAT THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION WAS A LAME DUCK GOVERNMENT.
"THEY CALL FOR IMMEDIATE DIRECT ELECTIONS BY MEANS OF FAR-FETCHED REASONS WITH COMPLETE DISREGARD TO THE IMPACT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS ON OUR SOCIETY, ECONOMY AND THE INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE," HE SAID.
MR NGAI WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL SYSTEM WAS A LONG-TERM AFFAIR AND PEOPLE SHOULD NOT FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION ONLY ON THE QUESTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS.
"FOR THE SAKE OF OUR LONG-TERM INTERESTS WE SHOULD WIDEN OUR VIEW INSTEAD AND DIRECT OUR ATTENTION TO THE SMOOTH CONVERGENCE OF OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM WITH THE BASIC LAW WITHOUT CAUSING ANY SOCIAL TURMOIL," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT AFTER 1997 THE BASIC LAW, WHICH WOULD BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, WOULD FORM THE BASIS OF THE RULE OF LAW. IN OTHER WORDS, THE BASIC LAW WOULD BECOME HONG KONG’S FUTURE CONSTITUTION ON WHICH ITS FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM WOULD BE BASED.
"SINCE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ATTACH SO MUCH IMPORTANCE TO THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW AND OUR FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, WILL BE A CONTINUATION OF THE PRESENT, IT FOLLOWS THAT ANY POLITICAL REFORM SHOULD CONVERGE WITH THE BASIC LAW," HE SAID.
MR NGAI ALSO SAID HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF THE OPTION THAT NO CHANGE SHOULD BE MADE IN THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"BUT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SEATS FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, INCLUDING IN PARTICULAR ONE SEAT FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TERTIARY EDUCATION FIELD IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
HE ADDED THAT THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS RETURNED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SHOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED. REGARDING THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE AGREED THAT THE PRESENT SITUATION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED, THAT WAS, THAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE ALSO ENDORSED THE VIEW IN THE GREEN PAPER THAT THE PRESENCE OF THE GOVERNOR WAS SYMBOLIC OF THE STATUS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND ADDED TO THE DIGNITY OF ITS PROCEEDINGS. THE GOVERNOR, AS PRESIDENT OF BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, PROVIDED A SYMBOLIC LINK BETWEEN THE TWO COUNCILS, HE ADDED.
/"SINCE THE
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 20 -
“SINCE THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS OF SUCH GREAT SIGNIFICANCE, CAREFUL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGE, AND NO DECISION SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE SYSTEM OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, HE SAID THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE HAD BEEN SERVING HONG KONG WELL, AND THERE WAS NO URGENT NEED TO MAKE ANY MAJOR CHANGE TO THIS STRUCTURE.
HE SAID THE AUTHORITIES HAD ALREADY MADE IT CLEAR AT THE BEGINNING THAT DISTRICT BOARDS WERE PRIMARILY ADVISORY BODIES ON DISTRICT MATTERS.
“ANY CHANGE OR WIDENING OF THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE AND THE CENTRAL LEGISLATURE WILL LIKEWISE BE AFFECTED.
“SUCH CHANGE WOULD NOT BE BENEFICIAL TO THE EFFICIENCY OF HONG KONG’S ADMINISTRATION,” HE STRESSED.
REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, HE FELT THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO CHANGE THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT UNDER WHICH ALL ELECTED MEMBERS WERE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF A DISTRICT BOARD, NOR SHOULD THERE BE ANY CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF SEATS ON THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE STRUCTURE OF ITS COMMITTEES SO AS TO MAINTAIN ITS TOTALITY AND INDEPENDENCE.
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RESERVATIONS ON DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988
* ♦ » ♦ ♦
PROFESSOR THE HON C.K. POON SAID HE SUPPORTS DIRECT ELECIIONS BUT HAS SOME RESERVATIONS REGARDING ITS HASTY INTRODUCTION IN 1988.
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY), PROFESSOR POON SAID DIRECT ELECTION WAS AN EXPRESSION OF AN IDEAL WHEREBY EVERY MAN EXERCISED HIS INALIENABLE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT HE DESIRED.
"IT IS AN IDEAL WHICH WE ALL STRIVE FOR AND WORK TOWARDS. HOWEVER, THE KEY ISSUE IS WHETHER HONG KONG IS READY TO IMPLEMENT DIRECT ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.
/"I BELIEVE
THURSDAY, JULY l6t 1987
- 21
"I BELIEVE THAT ANY KIND OF POLITICAL CHANGE MUST BE PROCEEDED WITH CAUTIOUSLY AND IN STEPS.
”WE ALL RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF CONVERGENCE BETWEEN THE BASIC LAW AND CHANGES BEING INTRODUCED.
’’ALTHOUGH IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS WILL CONSTITUTE AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE ELECTION PROCESSES TO THE LEGISLATURE IN THE BASIC LAW, THE CHANCE OF NOT HAVING DIRECT ELECTIONS IS NOT ABSOLUTELY ZERO.
"IF WE INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS INTO OUR LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR, AHEAD OF CHANGES YET TO BE DRAFTED AND RECTIFIED BY THE BASIC LAW, WE MAY TAKE THE RISK - REMOTE PERHAPS, BUT NEVERTHELESS GRAVE ONE - OF INITIATING A PROCESS WHICH WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO BRING TO A HALT SHOULD THE NEED ARISE, WITHOUT CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF DISRUPTION TO OUR STABILITY.”
PROFESSOR POON SAID VOLATILE AS HONG KONG WAS, IT COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE ANY POLITICAL GAMBLE AS WHAT WAS AT STAKE WAS THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF A COMMUNITY OF WELL OVER FIVE MILLION PEOPLE.
"IT SEEMS TO ME MORE PRAGMATIC AND WISER TO TAKE A CAUTIOUS APPROACH BY POSTPONING DIRECT ELECTIONS UNTIL, SAY, 1991 OR 1992 SO THAT OUR EMBRYONIC DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION CAN HAVE TIME TO DEVELOP TO POLITICAL AND SOCIAL MATURITY BEFORE TAKING THIS BIG LEAP FORWARD,” HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT IF THE REPORT THE SURVEY OFFICE FINALLY PRODUCED SHOWED THAT A CLEAR MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG DID FAVOUR SOME FORM OF DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988, THEN HE WOULD AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE MAJORITY VIEW BECAUSE IT WOULD OTHERWISE BE LETTING HONG KONG PEOPLE DOWN IF THEIR OPINION WAS NOT IN ANY WAY RESPECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH ASKED FOR IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
"IF DIRECT ELECTION IS TO BE INTRODUCED IN 1988, I SUPPORT THE SUGGESTION THAT IT SHOULD PREFERABLY BE INTRODUCED IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE TO REPLACE ITS PRESENT SYSTEM OF INDIRECT ELECTION."
ON OTHER OPTIONS, PROFESSOR POON SAID HE SUPPORTED SOME REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS IN 1988 BUT IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO REDUCE FURTHER THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
HE ALSO SAID THAT TWO TO FOUR NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE CREATED WITH THEIR OWN SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"A NEW CONSTITUENCY FOR ACCOUNTANTS, AND AN EXTRA SEAT FOR THE ENGINEERS AND ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONS CONSTITUENCY SHOULD BE GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.”
/REGARDING THE
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 22
REGARDING THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE GOVERNOR SHOULD REMAIN AS THE PRESIDENT BUT MIGHT APPOINT SOME OTHER MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL TO PRESIDE IN HIS ABSENCE FOR SPECIFIC SITTINGS OR PARTS OF SITTINGS.
HE ALSO FAVOURED A CHANGE IN THE BASIC SEQUENCE OF ELECTIONS TO ONE IN WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION FOLLOWED THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ELEMENT OF "STAGGERING" BY HOLDING THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY AND ELECTORAL COLLEGE ELECTIONS IN DIFFERENT YEARS.
HE ALSO SAID THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE LENGTHENED TO FOUR YEARS.
-----o------
SOHMEN SPEAKS AGAINST DIRECT ELECTIONS ***** .
NEVER BEFORE IN HONG KONG HAVE SO MANY SAID SO MUCH TO EXPRESS SO LITTLE TO SO FEW, THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR SOHMEN SAID IF THE QUESTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM WAS NOT SERIOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US, ONE MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO BE AMUSED BY SOME OF THE "CONVOLUTED REASONING BEING APPLIED BY ALL SIDES TO IMPRESS THE GULLIBLE".
"THE NAIVE ASSERTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD LOSE ALL CREDIBILITY AND THAT HONG KONG’S FUTURE WILL BE IMPERILLED IF WE DO NOT ACCEPT MORE RADICAL CHANGE AT AN EARLY STAGE ARE AS MISLEADING AS THE ARGUMENTS THAT ONLY DIRECT ELECTIONS MEAN DEMOCRACY, OR THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION’S REFERENCE TO AN ’ELECTED’ LEGISLATURE COULD ONLY HAVE MEANT DIRECT ELECTIONS," HE SAID.
"IT THIS WAS THE CASE, THEN WHY DID THE JOINT DECLARATION NOT SAY SO AND WHY IS THERE AN ARGUMENT ABOUT INTERPRETATION BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS?
"WHERE IS THE 'PRESSING SOCIAL NEED’ NOW SO FREQUENTLY MENTIONED AS A REASON FOR RUSHING INTO FURTHER REFORMS, AND WHAT REALLY ARE THE SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM, AND THE TANGIBLE ADVANTAGES OF THE NEW ONE?
/"WHICH GUARANTEES
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 19^7
- 23 -
’’WHICH GUARANTEES CAN THE PROPONENTS OF MORE RADICAL OFFER THAT CHANGES TO OUR POLITICAL STRUCTURE WILL MAKE
TRANSITION TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 SMOOTHER RATHER THAN MOR 7 DIFFICULT?
’’AND IF IT WAS TRUE, AS SOME MAINTAIN, THAT THESE REFORMS WOULD NOT IN ANY EVENT DISTURB THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, OR COMMERCIAL EQUILIBRIUM IN HONG KONG, THEN WHY THE URGENCY TO EFFECT CHANGES BEFORE THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE LONGER-TERM FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY IS AGREED UPON?”
MR SOHMEN SAID: "IF THE REFORMERS TRULY BELIEVED THAT Ti.L BASIC LAW WILL IN ANY EVENT PROVIDE FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS, THEN WHY THE HASTE IN FORCING THE PACE NOW - DOES THIS PRESSURE NOT IN ITSE’ ’• IMPLY A MEASURE OF DOUBT THAT THE BASIC LAW COULD COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT SOLUTION, SO THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO GET A FOOT IN THE DOOR?
"OR ARE OUR POLITICAL ACTIVISTS AFRAID THAT IF THEY LOSE THE MOMENTUM NOW, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A PITCH AGAIN IN 1991 OR 1992? CLEARLY THEIR POLITICAL CREDIBILITY WOULD THEN SUFFER BUT IS THIS A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO ACCEPT SOLUTIONS THAT ARE NOW IN TUNE WITH THE PRESENT REALITIES GOVERNING THE HONG KONG SITUATION?"
HE SAID HONG KONG WOULD NEVER BE A SOVEREIGN ENTITY AND ANY EFFORTS TO PRETEND OTHERWISE WOULD BE DOOMED TO FAILURE.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD TO ACCEPT LEGAL CONSTRAINTS ON ITS SCOPE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION IN A DEMOCRATIC FASHION, INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGISLATURE TOWARDS A FUTURE CENTRE OF POLITICAL POWER.
MR SOHMEN SAID THE CHIEF SECRETARY, IN INTRODUCING THE GREEN PAPER TO THE COUNCIL, HAD SAID THAT ALL OPTIONS CONTAINED WERE GENUINE AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PRE-CONCEIVED IDEAS AS TO THE MERITS OR DEMERITS OF EACH.
"THIS MANY WELL BE TRUE BUT HIDES THE FACT THAT THE OPTIONS THEMSELVES ARE LIMITED BECAUSE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS MUCH LESS ROOM TO MANOEUVRE IN 1987 THAN IT HAD IN 1984, WHEN EXPECTATIONS OF DIRECT ELECTIONS WERE FIRST RAISED.
"THERE IS NO MENTION AS TO WHERE CHANGES MADE IN 1988 TO THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM WOULD ULTIMATELY LEAD. THERE IS CERTAINLY NO REFERENCE - AS THERE WAS IN THE 1984 GREEN PAPER - TO A GREATER REPRESENTATIVE ELEMENT IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, OR TO THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM WHICH - AS THE NOW SENIOR MEMBER SAID IN HER SPEECH IN THE 1984 DEBATE - SHOULD BE THE "LONGER-TERM OBJECTIVE" IN ORDER TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WOULD HAVE REAL INFLUENCE.
/’’WHAT IS..........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
24
”WHAT IS THE PURPOSE THEN OF CREATING AN ODD ASSEMBLY OF APPOINTED, DIRECTLY-ELECTED, AND INDIRECTLY-ELECTED MEMBERS, IF ULTIMATELY THEY ARE ALL MEANT TO CARRY THE SAME RESPONSIBILITIES AND HAVE THE SAME STATUS AND THE SAME VOTE?
“WHAT ELSE COULD DIFFERENTIATE THE DIRECTLY-ELECTED MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY IF THEY ARE KEPT IN THE MINORITY, FROM THEIR FELLOW-MEMBERS OTHER THAN THEIR CLAIM THAT ONLY THEY TRULY REPRESENTED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEREFORE COULD INTRINSICALLY SPEAK WITH GREATER AUTHORITY AND WERE THUS ENTITLED TO MORE RESPECT FOR THEIR VIEWS?
•'DOES THIS NOT SUGGEST THAT WE SHALL BE CREATING A PERMANENT OPPOSITION IN THIS COUNCIL WHOSE MEMBERS’ ROLE AS FREQUENT OBJECTORS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND ACTIONS AND OF MAJORITY DECISIONS WILL ALMOST BE THRUST UPON THEM SINCE THEY HAVE TO PROVE TO THE ELECTORATE THAT THEY, AND NOT THE MAJORITY, SPEAK FOR THE POPULATION?”
MR SOHMEN ASKED WOULD THE GOVERNMENT NOT THEN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DISREGARD OR OVERRULE THE VIEWS OF THE DIRECTLY-ELECTED MEMBERS WITHOUT RUNNING THE RISK OF BEING SEEN AS INSENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
"AT THE SAME TIME, ARE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CONVINCED THAT BY HAVING A DIRECTLY-ELECTED ELEMENT IN THIS COUNCIL AND THUS ALMOST BY DEFINITION A GROUP OF FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS, WE SHALL SEE AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM, OR HELP THE GOVERNMENT TO AVOID THE ’LAME DUCK’ LABEL - IN OTHER WORDS, WILL DIRECT ELECTIONS INCREASE GOVERNMENT’S POLITICAL KUDOS?
”1 DOUBT IT. ON THE CONTRARY, I BELIEVE THAT THE NEED FOR CONSTANT POLITICAL BARGAINING WITH THE POPULIST ELEMENTS TO MAINTAIN AN APPEARANCE OF EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT WILL TEND TO REDUCE GOVERNMENT’S AUTHORITY AND DECISION-MAKING FLEXIBILITY.
’’THE TENDENCY WILL THEN BE TO BOLSTER ITS POSITION AGAIN BY CLOSING BUREAUCRATIC RANKS AND ALSO BY RELYING MORE ON CHINA TO SUPPORT ITS DWINDLING AUTHORITY IN DEALING WITH THE OPPOSITION,” HE SAID.
’•WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MOVE TOWARDS GREATER DEMOCRACY COULD THEREFORE TURN OUT TO HAVE THE EFFECT OF PROMPTING MORE AUTOCRATIC RULE.”
’’WISHING TO AVOID CONFRONTATION AND RETAIN THEIR LEADERSHIP ASPIRATIONS, AND WANTING TO BE SEEN AS CREDIBLE AND OPEN-MINDED CONTRIBUTORS TO THE DEBATE HAVE PROMPTED A NUMBER OF MY HONOURABLE COLLEAGUES AS WELL AS SO-CALLED ESTABLISHMENT GROUPS TO WITHDRAW THEIR EARLIER RESERVATIONS AND TO ESPOUSE THE CONCEPT OF PARTIAL DIRECT ELECTIONS AS AN ACCEPTABLE COMPROMISE, SUBJECT ONLY TO TIMING.
/’’AS A
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 198?
- 25 -
"AS A MEMBER OF THE SO-CALLED ESTABLISHMENT I AM NATURALLY EXPECTED TO FALL IN LINE. BUT I CONTINUE TO REGARD THIS LIMITED ACCEPTANCE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS ONLY AS THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS AND NOT AS THE BETTER ALTERNATIVE THAT IS STILL AVAILABLE TO US?"
MR SOHMEN SAID THE REFORMERS BEYOND EXTOLLING THE VIRTUES OF "ONE-MAN ONE-VOTE", HAD YET TO DEMONSTRATE HOW A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE WOULD ALLOW US TO DO EVEN BETTER, WOULD HELP STRENGTHEN HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO ATTRACT FUNDS AND COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY, WOULD STOP EMIGRATION, OR MAINTAIN THE HIGH LEVEL OF MOTIVATION OF HONG KONG’S WORKING POPULATION.
HE SAID HE STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS, ESPECIALLY PARTIAL DIRECT ELECTIONS, WERE NOT THE BEST FORMAT TO ACHIEVE THIS REPRESENTATIVENESS AND AT THE SAME TIME CREATE A STRONG, UNIFIED AND RESPONSIBLE BODY.
"IT IS A GREAT PITY THAT THE ISSUE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS HAS BECOME SO EMOTIONAL, SO MUCH A MEASURE OF THE DEGREE OF FUTURE AUTONOMY AND SUCH A SYMBOL OF HONG KONG'S ABILITY TO RESIST ANY CONSCIOUS ATTEMPT OF INTERFERENCE FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"DIRECT ELECTIONS PROVIDE NO IMPROVED SAFEGUARDS FOR AUTONOMY BUT ON THE CONTRARY LEND THEMSELVES QUITE EASILY TO "PATRIOTIC FRONT" MOVEMENTS OF THE TYPE WE HAVE SEEN COMING TO POWER IN EASTERN EUROPE, FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER WORLD WAR II."
MR SOHMEN SAID: "IT SEEMS GENERALLY AGREED THAT WE SHALL CONTINUE TO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997, AND THE GREEN PAPER CERTAINLY DOES NOT SUGGEST OTHERWISE.
"APART FROM LOCALISING THE CIVIL SERVICE, WE MUST UNDOUBTEDLY DEVELOP LOCAL POLITICAL LEADERSHIP, BUT THIS CAN ALSO BE DONE WITHOUT A FUNDAMENTAL REFORM OF OUR CURRENT POLITICAL SYSTEM AND WITHOUT A FURTHER FRAGMENTATION OF POLITICAL POWER THROUGH THE CREATION OF ANOTHER CLASS OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED LEGISLATORS WITH UNTESTED PEDIGREES, LIMITED STAYING POWER, AND A TENDENCY TOWARDS RADICALISATION.
"THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG IS DISORGANISED AND SPLINTERED, ITS LEADERS ARE NOT UNITED. IN A SOCIETY AS PRAGMATIC AS HONG KONG’S, IT IS NOT AT ALL CERTAIN THAT THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENTS WILL PRODUCE THE FUTURE LEADERS ACCEPTABLE TO A MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION HOWEVER MUCH THEY MAY TRY."
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/26........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
26 -
DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988 TOO HASTY ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
DIRECT ELECTIONS FORM THE BASIS OF A GOOD ELECTORAL SYSTEM BUT IT MAY BE TOO HASTY TO INTRODUCE THEM IN ^1988, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE GREEN PAPER, MR TAI EXPLAINED THE REASONS FOR HIS RESERVATIONS.
’’THE COUNCIL HAS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES JUST THREE YEARS AGO WHEN 24 MEMBERS WERE ELECTED FROM DIFFERENT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCES OF THESE CHANGES TO BE ABSORBED AND ASSESSED,’’ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN MORE TIME TO ASSIMILATE THE CHANGE ALREADY MADE AS WELL AS THE PROSPECT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN EARLY 1992.
ANOTHER REASON PUT FORWARD BY MR TAI WAS THAT BY INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988, IT WOULD NOT GIVE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR PARTIES TO BE EFFECTIVELY FORMED AND GOOD CANDIDATES TO BE CHOSEN.
’’PARTIES FORMED IN SUCH HASTE WOULD BE IMMATURE AND MAY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD TO THE DIRECT ELECTION SYSTEM,” HE SAID.
MR TAI MENTIONED THAT SIX RURAL DISTRICTS IN HIS CONSTITUENCY (WEST NEW TERRITORIES ELECTORAL COLLEGE) HAD STRONG RESERVATIONS AGAINST INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988. HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY VIEW WAS THAT THERE MUST BE DIRECT ELECTIONS BEFORE 1997 TO ACHIEVE POLITICAL EQUALITY.
TURNING TO THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM, MR TAI WAS SATISFIED THAT ITS OPERATION WAS BASICALLY SOUND AND HARMONIOUS.
”1 SEE NO URGENT NEED TO CHANGE THIS ARRANGEMENT BUT FREQUENT REVIEWS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED,” HE SAID.
MR TAI SAID THAT THE EXISTENCE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS WAS SUPPORTED BY MOST RESIDENTS AND THE GENERAL OPINION WAS THAT THEIR PRESENT ROLE SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED.
BUT SOME PEOPLE FELT THAT THE EXTENT OF THEIR ADVISORY ROLE SHOULD BE MORE SPECIFIC AND DEFINITE AND THIS SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE WORDING OF THE DISTRICT BOARD ORDINANCE.
/MR TAI .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 27
MR TAI URGED THAT THE ADVICE OFFERED BY DISTRICT BOARDS TO THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ACCOMMODATED AND ACTED UPON WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
IF THE ADVICE COULD NOT BE ACTED UPON FOR ANY REASON, A REASONABLE EXPLANATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THEM, HE ADDED.
REGARDING THE ROLE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, HE SAID THE GENERAL CONCENSUS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE NEED TO CHANGE ITS STRUCTURE, OPERATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND COMPOSITION.
HOWEVER, SOME RESIDENTS FELT THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD PLAY A BIGGER ROLE IN RESPECT OF SMALL LOCAL PROJECT WHILST THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN LARGER PROJECTS FOR THE BETTER UTILISATION OF RESOURCES.
MR TAI POINTED OUT THAT THE GREEN PAPER HAD PUT TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
"IF HONG KONG IS TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE POEPLE OF HONG KONG, THEN THE COMPOSITION AND FUNCTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED UPON WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS," HE SAID.
MR TAI PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION BY THE HEUNG YEE KUK TO THE WELFARE AND PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE SAID: "IT IS THE DESIRE OF THE CONSTITUENCY WHICH I REPRESENT, AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF OTHER DISTRICTS, SUCH AS TAI PO, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI, THAT THE KUK’S CONTRIBUTION DESERVES RECOGNITION BY THIS COUNCIL AND SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AS A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY."
REGARDING THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR TAI SAID THERE WAS NO GREAT URGENCY FOR ANY CHANGE IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT.
"THERE DOES NOT YET APPEAR TO BE ANY BETTER ALTERNATIVE. PERHAPS THIS IMPORTANT STEP SHOULD BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS,” HE SAID.
- - 0 -
/28........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 28 -
CASH AID TO TAIKOO SHING EXPLOSION VICTIMS
» * * » *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) PAID OUT A TOTAL OF $13,095 OF INTERIM CASH ASSISTANCE FROM THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION (CLEIC) FUND TO VICTIMS WHO WERE INJURED IN AN EXPLOSION IN TAIKOO SHING EIGHT DAYS AGO.
OF THE 15 PEOPLE INJURED IN THE INCIDENT, EIGHT VICTIMS, COMPRISING FOUR WOMEN, TWO MEN AND TWO BOYS, WERE AWARDED INJURY GRANTS RANGING FROM $960 TO $1,680; AND TWO OF THEM WERE ADDITIONALLY AWARDED INTERIM ADJUSTMENT GRANTS OF $375 EACH. BESIDES TWO APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE BEING PROCESSED, THE REMAINING WERE EITHER NOT QUALIFIED OR NOT INTERESTED IN CLAIMING COMPENSATION.
MEANWHILE, SEVEN VICTIMS ARE STILL IN QUEEN MARY HOPITAL WHERE TWO OF THEM ARE IN FAIR CONDITION AND THE REMAINING IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION.
IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL AID, THE DEPARTMENT’S MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS AND WORKERS FROM VARIOUS FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES WILL CONTINUE THEIR PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING COUNSELLING AND HOME HELP SERVICES, TO VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE CLEIC SCHEME AIMS AT PROVIDING CASH ASSISTANCE BOTH FOR THOSE WHO ARE INJURED, DISABLED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF A CRIME OF VOLIENCE AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE ACCIDENTALLY INJURED, DISABLED OR KILLED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER USING A WEAPON IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY.
THE SCHEME IS NON-MEANS TESTED AND ONE OF THE QUALIFYING CONDITIONS IS THAT THE INJURY GAVE RISE TO AT LEAST THREE DAYS’ LOSS OF EARNINGS OR WORKING CAPACITY.
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$181 M CONTRACT FOR NT CIRCULAR ROAD SECTION AWARDED
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A $181 MILLION CONTRACT IN CONNECTION WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE CHINA FUJIAN CORPORATION FOR INTERNATIONAL TECHNO-ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION, MR HUANG XUNGENG.
IT COVERS A SECTION FROM MAI PO TO FAIRVIEW PARK AND FORMS THE THIRD PHASE OF A SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE HIGHWAY.
/THE SECTION
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
29
THE SECTION IS PART OF A 12-KILOMETRE-LONG HIGH-CAPACITY TRUNK ROAD FROM FAN KAM ROAD TO AU TAU, RUNNING ALONG THE ALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD THROUGH KWU TUNG, SAN TIN, MAI PO AND SAN WAI.
THE FIVE-PHASE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $1.3 BILLION.
PHASE I, FROM FAN KAM ROAD TO PAK SHEK AU, WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC LAST APRIL.
PHASE II, FROM PAK SHEK AU TO MAI PO, IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1988.
WORK ON PHASE III WILL COMMENCE LATER THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1989.
CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE IV, FROM FAIRVIEW PARK TO AU TAU, AND PHASE V, THE AU TAU BYPASS, ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN 1988 AND 1989 FOR COMPLETION BY EARLY 1990 AND LATER 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
UPON FULL COMPLETION, THE PROJECT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE CONGESTION ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND BECOME PART OF A DIRECT ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA VIA THE BORDER CROSSING AT LOK MA CHAU. THIS IS NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED AND IS DUE FOR COMPLETION AT THE SAME TIME AS PHASE II WORK.
PHASE III WILL INITIALLY BE A FOUR-KILOMETRE-LONG DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH A TWO-WAY SERVICE ROAD ON EACH SIDE. ADDITIONAL LANES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AT A LATER DATE TO WIDEN THE CARRIAGEWAY TO DUAL THREE-LANE.
GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGES WILL BE BUILT AT SAN TIN, MAI PO AND FAIRVIEW PARK. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED AT WAI TSAI, YAU MEI SAN TSUEN, CHUK YUEN AND SAN WAI.
OTHER ASSOCIATED WORK WILL INCLUDE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, LANDSCAPING AND ROAD LIGHTING.
------o-------
GOVERNOR TO BE PATRON OF SIR EDWARD YOUDE FUND
* » » ♦ »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO BE THE PATRON OF THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND, MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FUND, MR PETER POON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FUND, MEMBERS OF BOTH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND COUNCIL INVITED THE GOVERNOR TO BE THE FUND’S PATRON.
/MR POON ........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 198?
- 50
MR POON WAS SPEAKING AT A CHEQUE PRESENTATION CEREMONY THIS MORNING AT THE ANTE CHAMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, WHERE HE RECEIVED A DONATION OF $50,000 FROM THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG WATCH MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, MR GORDON CHOW.
HE THANKED MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE FUND AS WELL AS ITS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATCH INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
MR POON NOTED THAT THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE FUND NOW STOOD AT $84 MILLION INCLUDING INTEREST EARNED.
’’THE BOARD STILL LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING FURTHER CONTRIBUTIONS, AND DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT ANY DISTRICT OFFICE OR TREASURY OFFICE, AS WELL AS AT ANY BRANCHES OF THE HONG KONG BANK, THE HANG SENG BANK AND THE HANG LUNG BANK,” HE ADDED.
-----0------
NEW SERVICE TO CURB RABIES OUTBREAKS
» ♦ ♦ * ♦
A NEW ’’INOCULATION SERVICE ON WHEELS” WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) LAUNCHED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO REINFORCE ITS RABIES CONTROL WORK IN THE RABIES INFECTED AREA OF KAM TIN AND PAT HEUNG.
CONDUCTED BY SIX TRAINED INOCULATORS IN THREE TEAMS EQUIPPED WITH MOTORCYCLES, THE NEW MOBILE SERVICE WILL INITIALLY COVER VILLAGES ON THE OUTSKIRT OF THE RABIES INFECTED AREA.
IN TODAY’S INAUGURAL OPERATION, THE TEAMS VISITED TUNG SHING LEI, YEUNG UK TSUEN AND SHAM CHUNG TO BRING THE INOCULATION SERVICE TO THE DOOR STEPS OF VILLAGERS.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR NORMAN CHENG, SAID THIS WAS A NEW MEASURE AIMED AT ESTABLISHING AN IMMUNITY BARRIER AROUND THE RABIES INFECTED AREA TO PREVENT THE DISEASE FROM FURTHER SPREADING.
HE SAID THE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW SERVICE WAS ITS CAPABILITY TO PENETRATE REMOTE RURAL VILLAGES WHICH ARE OTHERWISE INACCESSIBLE BY THE DEPARTMENT’S DOG VANS.
’’WITH THE FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE VILLAGERS, WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO BOOST THE IMMUNITY OF DOGS AROUND THE RABIES INFECTED AREA.
’’TOGETHER WITH OUR INTENSIFIED STRAY SWEEPING OPERATIONS AND HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SEARCH FOR UNLICENSED ANIMALS, THERE IS EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT THE DISEASE WELL UNDER CONTROL,” DR CHENG ADDED.
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 31 -
600 YOUTHS PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS
*****
SOME 600 YOUTHS AND STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVING PROJECTS IN TSUEN WAN TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECTS AND SOME 400 ORGANISED ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAMME ARE GEARED TO THE THEME OF ’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY’.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON THE PODIUM OF LUK YEUNG SUN CHUEN NEAR TSUEN WAN MTR STATION AT 9.30 AM.
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY INCLUDE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE 600-STRONG YOUTH WORKERS INCLUDING STUDENTS, SCOUTS AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS WILL CARRY OUT THEIR DESIGNATED SERVICE OF THE DAY.
THESE INCLUDE TENDING TO THE AGED AND THE HANDICAPPED, AND CLEANING AND BEAUTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENT AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
WHEN THEY HAVE COMPLETED THE DAY’S PROJECT, THEY WILL GATHER FOR A REPORT BACK SESSION AND TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM THE ASSIGNMENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE TSUEN WAN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO BE HELD ON THE PODIUM OF LUK YEUNG SUN CHUEN (NEAR THE LIU PO SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE) AT TSUEN WAN MTR STATION AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 52 -
DISTRICT BOARD DISTRICT TABULATIONS PUBLISHED * * * * *
FOLLOWING THE ISSUE, IN MAY 1987, OF THE THREE REPORTS ON THE 1986 BY-CENSUS PROVIDING SUMMARY TABLES OF CENSUS DATA AT THE TERTIARY PLANNING UNIT LEVEL, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED 19 FURTHER REPORTS, (ONE FOR EACH DISTRICT) GIVING DETAILED CROSS-TABULATIONS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
THESE REPORTS, ENTITLED "HONG KONG 1986 BY-CENSUS-DISTRICT BOARD DISTRICT TABULATIONS", DESCRIBE THE BROAD RANGE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OPULATION OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARD DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG.
THE CROSS-TABULATIONS CONTAINED IN EACH OF THE REPORTS COVER SUCH DETAILED INFORMATION AS HOUSEHOLD SIZE, HOUSEHOLD RENT, HOUSEHOLD INCOME, HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION, AGE AND SEX, MARITAL STATUS, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, INCOME FROM EMPLOYMENT AND ACTIVITY STATUS. MAPS SHOWING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICTS ARE ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE REPORTS.
"THE DISTRICT BOARD DISTRICT TABULATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE USEFUL, COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON THE POPULATION OF EACH DISTRICT BOARD DISTRICT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
"DETAILED ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE BY-CENSUS RESULTS ARE NOT ATTEMPTED IN THESE REPORTS. THIS WILL BE PRESENTED IN THE MAIN REPORT ON THE BY-CENSUS TO BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR."
THE 19 REPORTS ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
-------o----------
CARNIVAL FOR THOUSANDS ON SUNDAY
*****
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL BE ENJOYING A FUN-CUM-CHARIT't DAY AT THE VICTORIA PARK THIS SUNDAY (JULY 18).
THE CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE LIONS CLUB OF MOUNT CAMERON, HONG KONG, AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY CURRENTLY UNDER WAY.
ANNOUNCING THE CARNIVAL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE ASSISTANT CHIEF POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER, MR HARR\ RAZACK, SAID VISITORS TO THE CARNIVAL WOULD BE ENTERTAINED TO A COMPREHENSIVE WHOLE-DAY PROGRAMME.
/"SOME 60 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
- 33 -
"SOME 60 STALLS WILL BE ERECTED ON THE FOOTBALL PITCHES IN THE PARK FEATURING GAMES, DISPLAYS AND A VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENTS.
"THE STALL GAMES ARE DESIGNED BY JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS, MANY OF WHICH CARRYING THE THEME OF FILIAL PIETY AND ATTRACTIVE PRIZES.
"DISC JOCKEYS FROM THE RADIO TELEVISION OF HONG KONG AND COMMERCIAL RADIO WILL HOST PLAY-ON-REQUEST CHARITY PROGRAMMES, AND THERE WILL ALSO BE LIVE PERFORMANCE BY POPULAR SINGERS.
"ANOTHER ATTRACTION WILL BE PALM-READING BY A FAMOUS FORTUNE-TELLER. ALSO, THERE WILL BE SOUVENIRS, T-SHIRTS, MAGAZINES AND OTHER PETTY ITEMS ON SALES. ALL ARE FOR CHARITY."
MR RAZACK SAID THE CARNIVAL FORMED THE SECOND PHASE OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE FILIAL PIETY CAMPAIGN. THE SINGING, DRAMA AND TALENT QUEST COMPETITIONS AMONG JPC SCHOOL CLUBS HAVE NOW ENTERED INTO THE FINAL STAGE; AND THE THIRD PHASE WOULD SEE THE DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOS TO OLD PEOPLE IN TIME FOR A CHINESE OPERATIC SONG NIGHT SPECIALLY DEDICATED TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
"MORE THAN 20 000 RADIOS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND THE DISTRIBUTION EXERCISE, BY MEMBERS OF JPC AND THE LIONS CLUB OF MOUNT CAMERON, HONG KONG, HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONTH."
AND THE MONEY RAISED IN THE CARNIVAL WOULD BE USED FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS, HE SAID.
WHILE THANKING VARIOUS PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS LOCAL GROUPS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE CAMPAIGN, MR RAZACK CALLED ON YOUNG PEOPLE TO BRING THEIR PARENTS AND ELDERLY RELATIVES TO THE CARNIVAL TO HAVE A DAY OF FUN. ADMISSION IS FREE.
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, MR TAM WING-KUN, ONE OF THE CAMPAIGN CHAIRMEN, SAID: "IN VIEW OF THE ENCOURAGING BACKING BY THE COMMUNITY, WE ARE CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE CAMPAIGN BY HOLDING MORE ACTIVITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE."
THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE LIONS CLUB OF MOUNT CAMERON, HONG KONG, WITH AN AIM TO ENHANCE THE AWARENESS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE TOWARDS RESPECTING AND CARING FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
ALSO ATTENDING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE MR PETER LEUNG OF THE LIONS CLUB, MISS AGNES TANG OF RTHK, MR CHOW CHUNG OF COMMERCIAL RADIO, AND MR WILLIAM KWAN OF POLYGRAM RECORDS LIMITED.
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/3*
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS ON AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE WORKS PROGRESS OF THE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT (MEI) PROJECT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $520,000 FOR CARRYING OUT MEI WORKS IN THE DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SITTING-OUT-AREAS AND INTRODUCTION OF COMMUNAL LETTER BOXES IN SQUATTER AREAS.
PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE INSTALLATION OF WATER SUPPLY TO WESTERN TSUEN WAN AND MA WAN WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ CONSIDERATION.
QUESTION ON IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE RAISED IN THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR OF TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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SEMINAR ON CAREERS IN FREIGHT INDUSTRY ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT AND PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL CONDUCT A SEMINAR FOR CAREERS MASTERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ON SATURDAY (JULY 18).
THE SEMINAR ON CAREERS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE INDUSTRIES WILL BE HELD AT 10 AM AT ASSEMBLY HALL OF HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 702 LAI CHI KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.
EXPERTS FROM THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY, AIR FREIGHT INDUSTRY AND WAREHOUSING HAVE BEEN INVITED TO GIVE TALKS ON THEIR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRY. THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION. ADMISSION TO THE SEMINAR IS FREE.
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THURSDAY, JULY 16,
1987
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ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW T * * ♦ ♦
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
THEY INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF PLANTS IN THE FLOWER BEDS ADJACENT TO THE JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR FERRY PIER, BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT AT THE RETAINING WALL OF KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND PROVISION OF PROTOTYPE RAIN SHELTER IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON I HE AGENDA INCLUDE AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTION PROGRAMME TO BE CARRIED OUT IN YAU MA TEI IN 1987-88.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
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FOOTBRIDGE TO OPEN
♦ * * » ♦
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM AT THE HEART OF WAN CHAI WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MRS PEGGY LAM AND MR ARTHUR CHAM, TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE FOOTBRIDGE, COSTING $7.5 MILLION, SPANS QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND QUEENSWAY, AND GOES ACROSS ARSENAL STREET AND HENNESSY ROAD.
IT WILL PROMOTE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND ALLOW UNINTERRUPTED TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG THESE ROADS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT MONMOUTH PARK AT THE JUNCTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND MONMOUTH PATH, WAN CHAI, AT 11 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1987
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PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED zSnE IN PAK SHA WAN ♦ * * ♦ t
THE PAK SHA WAN CAR PARK OFF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY WILL BE DESIGNATED A PROHIBITED ZONE FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 18).
NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CAR PARK ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
CCHx'ANTS PAGE HO,
GOVERNOR TO BRIEF UK OFFICIALS 03 EK DEVELOPMEJTS......... 1
PRAGMATIC ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES KEY TO EK SUCCESS....... 2
RULES OF CONDUCT F0xt Aw vxiox^T ADVISERS TO BE EXAMINED.. 3
BILL TO BAN USE OF CYANIDE FOR FISHING ................... 4
POLICE HOTLINE USEFUL IN ANTI-H OPERATION ................ 5
QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
REIT.hIA AFT) «•••••••••*••• •..••••••••••••••«•»••• ••••••••••••• 6
WAGE INDICES FOR MARCH 1987 .............................. 10
REVISED LEAVE AND PASSAGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVICE .... 14
EXPERT PARTICIPATION IN 0H7MTC1AL WASTE TREATMENT PROJECT INVITED ................................................... 15
MRS RITA FAN APPOINTED EDUCATION BOARD CHAIRMAN .......... 16
FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM AT WAN CHAI JUNCTIONS OPENS............. 16
$186 MILLION LAND WORKS CONTRACT IN JUNK BAY.............. 18
42 PASS FINAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION ..................... 18
VEHICLE LICENCE MUST BE VALID ............................ 19
GOVERNMENT VANS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE GREEN PAPER............ 19
GALT, TO GUARD DANGEROUS PARTS OF WOODWORKING MACHINERY... 20
CHINESE MUSICIANS ARRIVE TO JOIN MUSIC CAMP .............. 21
ENROLMENT OF TECl'E ' " ’ " F VULL-TB3 COURSES INVITED .. 21
KOWLOON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE DEMOLISHED .............. 22
CYCLE PARK REDEVELOPED AND BEAUTIFIED..................... 23
SPEEDPOST TO PHTI.l . _ .. s©....... ■ ■ -............. 23
PUBLICITY BUS TOURS TSUEN WAN ............................ 24
SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH CHOIR PERFORMS ................... 25
SHAM SHUT PO SEMINAR ON GREEN PAPER....................... 25
EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY OPENS....................... 26
SQUATTER CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED ................... 26
REGISTRATION OF DTC REVOKED .............................. 27
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG WAN ............. 27
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
1
GOVERNOR TO BRIEF UK OFFICIALS ON HK DEVELOPMENTS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID LAST (FRIDAY) NIGHT THAT WHILE IN LONDON HE WOULD BE BRIEFING SENIOR OFFICIALS ON THE RECENT DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER AND WOULD BE BRINGING THEM UP-TO-DATE ON LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT, SIR DAVID SAID IT WOULD BE THE FIRST CHANCE FOR HIM TO PERSONALLY BRIEF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, SINCE HE HAD BEEN HERE.
"I WILL BE BRINGING SIR GEOFFREY UP-TO-DATE PERSONALLY ON ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE HERE. I WOULDN'T SELECT ANY ONE PARTICULAR TOPIC OUT OF THAT.”
SIR DAVID SAID IT WOULD ALSO BE A VERY GOOD CHANCE F<R HIM TO MEET AGAIN LORD GLENARTHUR, THE NEW MINISTER OF STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS, AND TO BRIEF HIM ON WHAT HAD BEEN HAPPENING HERE RECENTLY.
"FOR THE REST OF THE TIME, I SHALL BE TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS OFFICE AND MEETING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO TAKE AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS AND SEEING PEOPLE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE."
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD ALSO BE TALKING TO MINISTERS ABOUT THE RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN THE DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER AND TELLING THEM ABOUT THE LEGCO DEBATE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS.
NOTING THAT IT WAS A VERY GOOD DEBATE WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEWS PUT FORWARD WHICH HAD BEEN VERY WELL ARGUED, HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS.
"I HOPE NOW THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL PUT IN THEIR VIEWS AS SERIOUSLY AND AS CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT AS MEMBERS OF LEGCO DID OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS," HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD BE MENTIONING THE SUBJECT WHILE MEETING THE FOREIGN SECRETARY.
"IT’S A VERY LARGE PROBLEM. IT’S A GROWING PROBLEM. THERE IS NO OBVIOUS SOLUTION IN SIGHT, BUT WE REALLY MUST WORK FOR A LONG-TERM AND DURABLE SOLUTION TO IT.
"IT IS A PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN WITH US FOR A LONG TIME, AND AT THE MOMENT, IT’S GETTING SLIGHTLY WORSE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SEEN OFF BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DAVID FORD, THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN.
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/2 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
2
PRAGMATIC ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES KEY TO HK SUCCESS » t t t *
THE CREATIVE ENERGY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, WHICH IS GIVEN FULL OPPORTUNITY TO FLOURISH BY PRAGMATIC ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES, IS THE KEY OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS, THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AFTER A CEREMONY IN WHICH SIR DAVID WAS CONFERRED THE HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF CIVIL LAWS BY THE UNIVERSITY, HE SAID THE PRAGMATIC ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES DISCOURAGED UNNECESSARY INTRUSION AND INTERFERENCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN AFFAIRS.
"HONG KONG HAS ITS LAWS AND REGULATORY MECHANISMS BUT THE SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE IS NOT CRUSHED BY A BURDENSOME BUREAUCRACY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT HONG KONG HAD DEVELOPED ITS OWN STYLE OF GOVERNMENT BASED UPON BROAD AGREEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT EXCESSIVE CONFRONTATION AND ADVERSARIAL POLITICS.
HE SAID IN EACH DISTRICT, THERE WAS A LOCALLY BASED PUBLIC SERVANT - A DISTRICT OFFICER - WHO COULD LISTEN TO COMPLAINTS, FEEL THE PUBLIC PULSE, EXPLAIN POLICIES AND FORESTALL PROBLEMS.
SIR DAVID SAID LOCAL RESIDENTS HAD ALSO ELECTED THEIR OWN-COMMITTEES TO MAINTAIN SECURITY AND IMPROVE MANAGEMENT. HE SAID THEY EXERTED A COHESIVE FORCE IN A "DISPARATE HIGH-RISE ENVIRONMENT".
"THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG IS NOW COVERED BY NINETEEN DISTRICT BOARDS, FORMED MAINLY BY DIRECT ELECTIONS, WHOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT LIMITED BY CONFINING LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
"FINALLY OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CONTAINS A MIXTURE OF APPOINTED AND INDIRECTLY ELECTED POPULIST MEMBERS AND MEMBERS REPRESENTING FUNCTIONAL GROUPS," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID IN THIS WAY THE POLITY OF HONG KONG WAS LINKED TOGETHER BY A COMPLEX WEB OF INTERLOCKING RELATIONSHIPS WHICH GAVE A RESILIENCE AND RESPONSIVENESS AND ENABLED IT TO FACE UP TO CHALLENGE AND CHANGE.
PRESENTING SIR DAVID TO THE CONGREGATION, THE READER IN MEDIEVAL HISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT, DR A.P. SMYTH, SAID SIR DAVID WAS A CAREER CIVIL SERVANT WHO HAD SPENT HIS CAREER IN THE SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG.
DR SMYTH SAID SIR DAVID WAS THE ARCHITECT OF HONG KONG'S NEW DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM IN 1981.
/"HE WAS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
"HE WAS INVOLVED, TOO, WITH THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG IN 1984, AND WITH ORGANISING THE FIRST ELECTIONS TO THAT COUNCIL IN 1985," HE SAID.
DR SMYTH DESCRIBED SIR DAVID AS A PUBLIC SERVANT WITH TENACITY AND RELIABILITY.
DR SMYTH SAID: "WHAT MORE NECESSARY VIRTUES COULD BE FOUND IN ONE CALLED TO SERVE HIS PEOPLE, IN THESE MOST CRUCIAL YEARS OF THEIR HISTORY, AS HONG KONG APPROACHES A NEW PHASE IN ITS POLITICAL LIFE?"
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RULES OF CONDUCT FOR INVESTMENT ADVISERS TO BE EXAMINED ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING, MR DEREK MURPHY ANNOUNCED THAT A WORKING PARTY TO CONSIDER RULES OF CONDUCT FOR INVESTMENT ADVISERS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY, COMPRISING INDIVIDUALS FROM THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY INDUSTRY, THE UNIT TRUST INDUSTRY, A STOCKBROKER AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIFE INSURANCE COUNCIL ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MR JOHN CHEUNG, WARDLEY INVESTMENT SERVICES LIMITED
MR RAYMOND CHEUNG, CONNAUGHT INVESTMENTS LIMITED
MR DAVID DUNKERLEY, F1NEXCO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS
MR IAN GILL, MONITOR MONEY WORLDWIDE LIMITED
MR BILL GLOVER, PERSONAL FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS LIMITED
MR HOWARD GORGES, SUN HUNG KAI SECURITIES LIMITED
MR TERRY JENKINS, NATIONAL MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED
MISS MARY RICHARDSON, PANURGY LIMITED
MR BOB SCRIVENER, MONEY PLAN (ASIA) LIMITED
MRS ANNE WEST, SCIMITAR ASSET MANAGEMENT ASIA LIMITED
THE WORKING PARTY WILL EXAMINE THE CURRENT STATE OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, AND WILL CONSIDER WHETHER THERE ARE SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS SEEKING INVESTMENT ADVICE.
IT WILL SUGGEST POSSIBLE GUIDELINES AND PROPOSE DRAFT RULES OF CONDUCT FOR INVESTMENT ADVISERS, AND ALSO CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENT TO THE LAW, IF NECESSARY, HAVING PARTICULAR REGARD TO THE DEFINITION OF WHAT CONSTITUTES AN INVESTMENT ADVISER.
AS A FIRST STEP, THE WORKING PARTY AGREED THAT A QUESTIONNAIRE BE DRAWN UP AND SENT TO ALL INVESTMENT ADVISERS IN ORDER TO GET A BETTER PROFILE OF THE WAY THE INDUSTRY PRESENTLY OPERATES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE WORKING PARTY WILL HOLD A NUMBER OF MEETINGS BEFORE REPORTING ITS VIEWS TO THE COMMISSIONER.
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/4........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
BILL TO BAN USE OF CYANIDE FOR FISHING ♦ * * ♦ »
PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF CYANIDE AND OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES FOR FISHING WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ON THE ADVICE OF THE XECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE FISHERIES PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 19’7 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR USING EXPLOSIVES OR TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN FISHING.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS, THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR PHILIP CHEUNG, SAID THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AND THE REGULATIONS MADE THEREUNDER SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND AN IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS.
THE EXISTING FISHERIES PROTECTION REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF THREE MONTHS FOR CONTRAVENING THE PROHIBITION WHILE THE PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSON IN CHARGE OF A VESSEL INVOLVED IN SUCH A CONTRAVENTION ARE A FINE OF $2,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF TWO MONTHS.
MR CHEUNG SAID: ’’PRIOR TO 1983, THERE WERE VERY FEW PROSECUTIONS INVOLVING THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES FOR FISHING PURPOSE. THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS HAS HOWEVER INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS BETWEEN 1983 AND 1986, A TOTAL OF 18 PROSECUTIONS WERE INSTITUTED.
"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE MAXIMUM FINES, WHICH WERE SET IN 1962, NO LONGER SERVE AS AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT. IT IS NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES TO A REALISTIC LEVEL, HAVING REGARD TO OTHER COMPARABLE OFFENCES AND PENALTIES."
MR CHEUNG SAID THE SCHEDULE OF PROHIBITED TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTAINED IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE WOULD ALSO BE AMENDED TO REPLACE THE REFERENCE TO "YU TANG" TO "ANY SUBSTANCE CONTAINING ANY PROPORTION OF ROTENONE" AND TO INCLUDE THREE OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES, NAMELY CYANIDE, PHENTHOATE AND PERMETHRIN.
THE OTHER TYPE OF TOXIC SUBSTANCE ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE EXISTING SCHEDULE IS "CHA TSAI PENG".
CYANIDE IS INCLUDED AS PART 1A OF THE POISONS LIST OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE. PHENTHOATE AND PERMETHRIN ARE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN PESTICIDES KNOWN TO BE USED BY SOME PEOPLE TO CATCH FISH AND THESE ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES ORDINANCE.
"AS THESE ARE HARMFUL TO FISH, IT IS NECESSARY TO ADD THEM TO THE SCHEDULE IN ORDER TO PROHIBIT THEIR USE IN FISHING," HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG ADDED THAT THE MAJOR FISHERMEN ORGANISATIONS HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND THEY SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS IN THAT GOVERNMENT IS TAKING ACTION TO SAFEGUARD TERRITORIAL FISHERIES RESOURCES AND PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH.
FRIDAY, JULY 17. 1987
5 -
POLICE HOTLINE USEFUL IN ANTI-II OPERATION » » » * »
THE RENOWNED POLICE HOTLINE 5-277177 HAS PROVED TO BE A USEFUL MEANS, NOT ONLY TO FIGHT CRIME, BUT ALSO TO COUNTER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZENS, MORE THAN 60 REPORTS ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR THIS YEAR BY THE POLICE HOTLINE, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 93 PEOPLE.
COMMENTING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE HOTLINE IN COMBATING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH, (DESIGNATE) MR JOHN DUNN, SAID: WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE INTERCEPTED AT THE BORDER, MANY OF THOSE WHO MADE IT TO THE URBAN AREAS WERE CAUGHT DURING POLICE OPERATIONS.
"I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT SEVERAL OF THOSE SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS WERE THE RESULT OF INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE PPRB HOTLINE."
CITING AN EXAMPLE, MR DUNN SAID 23 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS NETTED SUBSEQUENT TO A REPORT TO THE HOTLINE EARLY THIS MONTH.
WERE
ON JULY 1, A CALLER TELEPHONED SAYING THAT A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD BEEN SEEN WORKING INSIDE A CONSTRUCTION SITE AT SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
ACTING ON THE INFORMATION, POLICE MOUNTED A SERIES OF RAIDS AT THE 18 BLOCKS AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE AND ARRESTED THE 23 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO WERE LATER REPATRIATED TO CHINA.
AMONG THOSE ARRESTED THROUGH HOTLINE REPORTS 35 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES INCLUDING USING OTHER PEOPLE’S IDENTITY CARDS.
MR DUNN ADDED: "THE ENCOURAGING TREND HAS SHOWN THAT THE PUBLIC ARE NOW MORE AWARE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PROBLEM AND THE THREAT IT POSES TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.”
HE BELIEVED THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD FOLLOW THE GOOD EXAMPLE SET BY THESE PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZENS BY REPORTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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/6........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS
*****
AND PURCHASES RELEASED
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987, ESTIMATED AT $5,572 MILLION, WAS 14 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1986, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 10 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1986, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987 WAS $2,454 MILLION, WHICH WAS 19 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1986.
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, BARS RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE (19 PER CENT) IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1986, FOLLOWED BY FAST FOOD SHOPS (18 PER CENT), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (16 PER CENT), NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (6 PER CENT) AND OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES (COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY ETC.)(5 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT; THOSE OF BARS AND CHINESE RESTAURANTS BY 12 PER CENT; AND THOSE OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES BY 1 PER CENT.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS; AND THE VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT.
INCREASES WERE REGISTERED ONLY FOR FAST FOOD SHOPS WHERE TOTAL RECEIPTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOR CHINESE AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE TERMS AND DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. TOTAL RECEIPTS OF OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE OF BARS DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1986 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987.
/TABLE 2
FRIDAY, JULY 198?
- 7 -
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE FIRST AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1986 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
CHART 1 DEPICTS THE MOVEMENTS OF THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FROM THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983 TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234941.
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 198?
8
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
4th qtr. !98b (Revised figures) 1st qtr. 1987 (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in aillion) 5 590 5 572
Total purchases by restaurants (in HKS aillion) 2 424 2 454
TABLE 2 ; VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 4TH QUARTER 1996 AND 1ST QUARTER 1987
(Quarterly average of October 84 - September 85 = 100)
। Index of । ।
• total 4th 1st 1st qtr. 1987 1st qtr. 1987 ;
Type of restaurant restaurant quarter quarter coaoared with coapared with ,
1 4 __ .4 receipts 1986 1987 4th qtr. 1986 1st qtr. 1986 J
। । (Revised (Provisional Points X Points X '
1 • figures) figures) t । t
Chinese restaurants Value 124 123 » t 17 16 1
1 ।
• । Voluae 119 117 -2 -2 13 12 ; 1
। । * Non-Chinese restaurants । Value 107 106 t t • ‘ i
1 । । Voluae 100 98 -2 -2 1 1 1 ' 1 1
। । • Fast food shops । Value 124 126 2 2 1 19 18 5 :
• « । । Voluae 119 120 1 1 15 14 '
1 ’ Bars । Value 129 122 -7 -5 । 20 19 ! 1
i । । । Voluae 118 111 -7 -6 12 12 1
1 tither eating and drinking places । Value 114 112 -2 -2 ‘ ’ ■
। ■ । Voluae 109 ! 104 1 -5 -5 > 1 : J
1 • Entire restaurant sector Value 120 120 1 t 1 1 is 14 ;
1
: I Voluae 115 113 -2 -2 ii io ;
Notes: 1.Figures denoting changes are derived froa unrounded figures, and positive figures denote increases whereas negative figures denote decreases.
2J denotes change of less than 0.5.
/9........
_ .FRIDAY, JULY 17, W
Chart 1: Value and Volume Indexes of Restaurant Receipts
(Quarterly average of Oct. 1984 — Sept. 1985 = 100)
_J______1____I_____I____1______!____I____I____I______I___I_____I____I____I-----L_
03 04 Oi 02 03 04 O1 02 03 04 Qi 02 03 04 Q»
1983 1984 1985 1986 1037
--------0----------- /<A
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 10 -
WAGE INDICES FOR MARCH 1987 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR MARCH 1987, AT 142.9, INCREASED BY 8.6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1986 AND BY 3.8 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1986. ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE MARCH 1987 AND MARCH 1986 INDICES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 8.3 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 8.9 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 8.1 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 9.7 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 8.7 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE MARCH 1987 AND DECEMBER 1986 INDICES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR BOTH THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR INCREASED BY 3.9 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 4.3 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 3.5 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.7 PER CENT.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDICES FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1986 TO MARCH 1987 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 106.6 IN MARCH 1987, WAS 3.9 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN MARCH 1986 AND 2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN DECEMBER 1986.
FROM MARCH 1986 TO MARCH 1987, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR BOTH THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 3.6 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 4.3 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 5.1 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 4 PER CENT.
COMPARING MARCH 1987 WITH DECEMBER 1986, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 2.1 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.5 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.6 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 0.9 PER CENT.
THE REAL WAGE INDICES FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1986 TO MARCH 1987 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
/THE NOMINAL .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
THESE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDICES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EACH QUARTER BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, COVERING BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLTSALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH INDICES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982, WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDICES.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDICES AND THE INDICES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE.
IN ADDITION, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES THAT ARE PAID LESS FREQUENTLY THAN MONTHLY, ARE CONVERTED TO AN EQUIVALENT MONTHLY RATE WHEN COMPILING THE WAGE RATE INDICES.
TOTAL PAYROLL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS. APART FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASH RECEIPTS, IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
/THE SURVEY........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 198?
- 12 -
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, MARCH 1987 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN EARLY AUGUST 1987.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDICES CAN BE MADE THROUGH THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NOS. 5-8234746 OR 5-8234747.
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDICES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDICES (MARCH 1982 = 100 )
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR 1986 JUN 1986 SEPT 1986 DEC 1986 MAR 1987
MANUFACTURING 131.2 133.7 135.2 136.8 142.1
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 124.1 125.4 128.3 130.1 135.2
TRANSPORT SERVICES 151.7 154.4 156.4 157.3 164.0
BUSINESS SERVICES 135.4 139.8 143.7 143.6 148.6
PERSONAL SERVICES 125.8 130.2 130.0 133.1 136.7
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 131.6 134.0 136.2 137.7 142.9
TABLE 2: NOMINAL WAGE MANUFACTURING INDICES SECTOR FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE
INDICES (MARCH 1982 = 100 )
INDUSTRY MAR 1986 JUN 1986 SEPT 1986 DEC 1986 MAR 1987
GARMENTS 122.9 125.7 126.1 127.0 128.3
GLOVES 140.8 142.0 144.4 145.7 149.1
/handbags .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17» 1987
HANDBAGS 124.9 125.8 128.9 131.9 135.9
COTTON SPINNING/WEAVING 135.5 139.8 144.3 148.1 161.8
KNITTING 134.2 137.4 138.8 138.5 140.8
BLEACHING AND DYEING 139.1 144.9 148.4 150.0 160.3
PRINTING 135.7 139.9 141.5 142.6 145.2
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 132.2 134.1 135.6 136.7 144.8
METAL PRODUCTS 135.3 137.2 139.3 140.8 145.6
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 143.3 145.7 148.2 151.5 159.2
ELECTRONICS 136.2 137.2 140.3 143.5 153.2
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 141.8 145.0 144.8 147.9 156.9
MANUFACTURING 131.2 133.7 135.2 136.8 142.1
TABLE 3: REAL WAGE INDICES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDICES (MARCH 1982 = 100 )
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR 1986 JUN 1986 SEPT 1986 DEC 1986 MAR 1987
MANUFACTURING 102.3 102.7 103.2 103.9 106.0
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 96.7 96.4 97.8 98.8 100.9
TRANSPORT SERVICES 118.2 118.7 119.3 119.4 122.4
BUSINESS SERVICES 105.5 107.5 109.6 109.1 110.9
PERSONAL SERVICES 98.1 100.1 99.2 101.1 102.0
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 102.6 103.0 103.9 104.5 106.6
-----0-----
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 14 -
REVISED LEAVE ADD PASSAGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVICE ,«****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF REVISED
ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVICE LEAVE AND PASSAGES.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DIRECTORATE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE FIRST PHASE WILL AFFECT MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND WILL COME INTO FORCE ON AUGUST 1.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR DOMINIC WONG, SAID THE MAIN CHANGE INVOLVED WAS TO SIMPLIFY THE TWO TYPES OF LEAVE NOW AVAILABLE TO LOCAL CIVIL SERVANTS BY COMBINING THEM.
"THE NEW UNIFIED LEAVE WILL BE CALLED VACATION LEAVE AND STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO USE IT WITH MUCH GREATER FLEXIBILITY," MR WONG SAID.
DAYS POLICY TO BE
"AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE NEW LIMITS TO THE NUMBER OF OF LEAVE WHICH THEY MAY ACCUMULATE. THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE THAT LEAVE EARNED IS MEANT TO BE TAKEN WHEN POSSIBLE AND NOT
STORED UP," HE ADDED.
ANOTHER MAJOR CHANGE AFFECTS ABOUT 1,100 OVERSEAS OFFICERS EARNING SALARIES OF BETWEEN $16,700 AND $25,200 PER MONTH.
"UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE HOME LEAVE WITH PASSAGES EVERY YEAR, INSTEAD OF ONCE EVERY TWO AND A HALF YEARS. THIS IS IN LINE WITH PRESENT-DAY DEVELOPMENTS," MR WONG SAID.
"THE COST OF THE EXTRA PASSAGES WILL BE PARTIALLY MET BY A REDUCTION IN THE LEAVE EARNING RATES AND BY THE PROVISION OF EXCURSION FARE. THIS IS CONSIDERED A REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE," HE SAID.
THE SECOND PHASE, PERMITTING MORE FLEXIBLE LEAVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCAL OFFICERS ON AGREEMENT TERMS AND OTHER NON-DIRECTORATE OVERSEAS OFFICERS, IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED IN EARLY 1988.
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 15 -
EXPERT PARTICIPATION IN CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT PROJECT INVITED ******
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ESTABLISH A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMEN. CENTRE BY EARLY 1990 TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROPER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE.
TO ENSURE THE COMMISSIONING OF THE CENTRE ON SCHEDULE, GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED A GAZETTE NOTICE TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITING BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES WITH SUITABLE AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE TO MAKE AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST SUBMISSION.
THE CENTRE WILL BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED PARALLEL WITH THE ENACTMENT OF NECESSARY LEGISLATION FOR REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT.
THE TREATMENT CENTRE WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH AN AQUEOUS WASTE TREATMENT PLANT, AN OILY WASTE RECOVERY PLANT, A HIGH TEMPERATURE INCINERATOR; AND THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FACILITIES TO ENSURE PROPER PROCESS CONTROL, PLANT MAINTENANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING.
A DETAILED FEASIBILITY STUDY IS CURRENTLY BEING CARRIED OUT BY CONSULTING ENGINEERS INTO THE TECHNICAL, ORGANISATIONAL AND ECONOMIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT.
THE TIMING OF THE PROJECT PROVIDES FOR AN 18 MONTH DESIGN-CONSTRUCT-COMMISSION PERIOD. THE CONTRACT WILL BE ON DESIGN-CONSTRUCT-OPERATE BASIS AND EQUITY PARTICIPATION IN PROJECT IS AN OPTION.
FIRMS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST, RELATING TO THOSE PARTS OF THE OVERALL SCHEME THAT ARE FULLY WITHIN THEIR COMPETENCE.
IT IS NOT NECESSARY AT THIS STAGE TO FORM A CONSORTIUM FOR THE VENTURE. A LIST OF COMPANIES WILL LATER BE CIRCULATED TO ALL PARTIES TO ASSIST THE FORMATION OF CONSORTIA ABLE TO EXECUTE THE PROJECT.
THE SUBMISSION SHOULD INDICATE THE AREAS OF RELEVANT EXPERTISE OF THE COMPANY, THE PART OF THE PROJECT THE COMPANY WOULD WISH TO BE INVOLVED IN, ANY INTEREST IN EQUITY PARTICIPATION AND JOINT VENTURE WITH OTHER FIRMS; AND ENCLOSE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SUCH AS PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REFERENCES.
THE SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (FOR THE ATTENTION OF OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY GROUP), 18/F., SINCERE BUILDING, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG, BY REGISTERED POST, BEFORE AUGUST 10, 1987 ENCLOSING THREE COPIES OF THEIR SUBMISSION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
---0------
/16 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 16 -
MRS RITA FAN APPOINTED EDUCATION BOARD CHAIRMAN
* * * *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MRS RITA FAN HSU LAI-TAI HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
MRS FAN HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOARD SINCE 1984. HER NEW APPOINTMENT AS CHAIRMAN BRINGS WITH IT EX OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, MR PETER C. WONG WILL REMAIN A MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN HIS PERSONAL CAPACITY.
MRS FAN IS AN ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, A MEMBER OF THE OMELCO EDUCATION PANEL, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THREE NEW MEMBERS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1. THEY ARE MRS TSO WONG CHIU-YOK, PRINCIPAL OF THE TRUE LIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL; PROFESSOR S.W. TAM, DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; AND MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, A PARTNER IN THE ACCOUNTING FIRM, MESSRS LI TANG CHEN & CO.
APART FROM MR PETER C. WONG, FOUR OTHER FORMER MEMBERS HAVE NOW RETIRED FROM THE BOARD. THEY ARE MRS PEGGY LAM, MRS MABEL CHOW, MISS MARION FANG AND PROFESSOR TO CHO-YEE.
- 0 ---------
FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM AT WAN CHAI JUNCTIONS OPENS
* * * *
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM RUNNING ACROSS QUEENSWAY, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, HENNESSY ROAD AND ARSENAL STREET IN WAN CHAI WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC TODAY (FRIDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MRS PEGGY LAM AND MR ARTHUR CHAM.
MRS LAM SAID, DUE TO ITS PROXIMITY TO CENTRAL, "THIS PART OF WAN CHAI IS DEVELOPING INTO A THRIVING COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS AREA."
SHE SAID BUSINESSMEN WERE DRAWN TO THE AREA PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF ITS CONVENIENT LOCATION.
/ONE OF .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1?87
ONE OF THEIR MAIN CONCERNS WAS THAT THEY COULD TRAVEL TO AND AROUND THE AREA WITHOUT DELAY AND IN SAFETY.
’’WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD THEREFORE VERY MUCH WELCOMES THE OPENING OF THIS NEW FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM WHICH WILL ENSURE SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND THUS GREATLY FACILITATE BOTH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS.
"WE HOPE THAT IT WILL ALSO OPEN UP THE AREA, PARTICULARLY QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, FOR MORE DEVELOPMENT,” SHE SAID.
MR BEATON SAID QUEENSWAY WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR TRAFFIC ROUTES ON THE ISLAND, LINKING CENTRAL AND EASTERN DISTRICTS AND PROVIDING ACCESS FOR EASTBOUND TRAFFIC TO GLOUCESTER ROAD BY WAY OF THE ARSENAL STREET FLYOVER.
’’THIS ROUTE CARRIES SOME 80,000 VEHICLES PER DAY AND THIS FLOW MUST INCREASE IN THE FUTURE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VICTORIA BARRACKS AND THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION,” HE SAID.
’’THIS RATHER COMPLEX FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE PEDESTRIANS WITH A FREE PASSAGE OVER QUEENSWAY, ARSENAL STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, THUS PERMITTING UNINTERRUPTED VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FLOW, BUT AT THE SAME TIME PROMOTING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE WILL USE THE FOOTBRIDGES DURING PEAK PERIODS,” MR BEATON SAID.
THE 250-METRE-LONG FOOTBRIDGE PROVIDES A CONTINUOUS ELEVATED FOOTWAY LINKING THE BUSY QUEENSWAY/QUEEN’3 ROAD EAST AND HENNESSY ROAD/ARSENAL STREET JUNCTIONS.
OTHER WORKS UNDER THE PROJECT INCLUDES PROVISION OF ASSOCIATED STAIRCASES AND LANDINGS, CONSTRUCTION OF A COVERED TRAM ISLAND ON QUEENSWAY, AND REPROVISIONING AND LANDSCAPING OF MONMOUTH PARK AT QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
WORK ON THE $7.5 MILLION FOOTBRIDGE STARTED 23 MONTHS AGO.
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 18
$186 MILLION LAND WORKS CONTRACT IN JUNK BAY *****
A $186 MILLION CONTRACT FOR RECLAMATION AND LAND FORMATION WORK AT JUNK BAY NEW TOWN WAS SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY) BETWEEN THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (TDD) AND AOKI CORPORATION.
THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE TDD’S NEW TERRITORIES/SOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR Y.Y. NG, SAID THE WORK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT AT THE NORTHWESTERN SIDE OF JUNK BAY TO PROVIDE 16 HECTARES OF LAND FOR ROADWORKS, RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND GOVERNMENT FACILITIES.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF THREE KILOMETRES OF ROADWORKS, PART OF WHICH WILL BE THE ELEVATED EASTERN APPROACHES TO JUNK BAY TUNNEL NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START NEXT WEEK AND TAKE 42 MONTHS TO COMPLETE. CIVIL WORKS ON JUNK BAY TUNNEL WILL BE COMPLETED BY EARLY 1990, WITH THE TUNNEL SCHEDULED TO OPEN TO TRAFFIC IN MID-1990.
SO FAR, ABOUT 100 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN FORMED AT JUNK BAY, WHICH WILL TAKE IN ITS FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS. THE NEW TOWN WILL HAVE A CAPACITY FOR 225,000 RESIDENTS BY THE MID-1990S UNDER ITS PHASE I DEVELOPMENT. PHASE II WILL PROVIDE FOR ANOTHER 100,000 RESIDENTS.
- - 0 ---------
42 PASS FINAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION
* * * *
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT 42 OUT OF 141 CANDIDATES HAD PASSED THE FINAL PART OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS.
THIS EXAMINATION, HELD FROM JULY 7 TO 9, WAS AN ORAL ONE TO TEST THE ABILITY OF CANDIDATES TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS.
CANDIDATES WERE EXAMINED BY TWO PANELS OF EXAMINERS IN EACH OF THE THREE DISCIPLINES - MEDICINE, SURGERY, AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN 18-MONTH PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING IN HOSPITALS APPROVED BY THE MEDICAL COUNCIL STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.
-----o-----
/19........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 19 -
VEHICLE LICENCE MUST BE VALID
» ♦ »
CAR OWNERS WILL HAVE TO ENSURE THAT VEHICLE LICENCES DISPLAYED ON THEIR MOTOR VEHICLES ARE VALID.
THE REQUIREMENT IS STIPULATED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) AMENDMENT (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1987 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS STATE THAT NO MOTOR VEHICLE SHALL BE LEFT UPON OR USED ON ANY ROAD UNLESS A VALID VEHICLE LICENCE IN RESPECT OF THE VEHICLE IS DISPLAYED.
"THE ORIGINAL REGULATIONS MAKE IT COMPULSORY FOR CAR OWNERS TO DISPLAY VEHICLE LICENCES ON THEIR MOTOR VEHICLES BUT MAKE NO REFERENCE TO THE VALIDITY OF THE LICENCES," A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS WOULD ENSURE THAT ALL VEHICLES ARE PROPERLY LICENSED AND THIS, IN TURN, WOULD HELP REMIND OWNERS OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO HAVE VALID THIRD PARTY INSURANCE.
FURTHERMORE, IT WOULD HELP RESOLVE ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS FACED BY THE AUTHORITIES IN CASES WHERE MOTOR VEHICLES ARE DUMPED ON PUBLIC ROADS WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE.
------0-------
GOVERNMENT VANS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE GREEN PAPER
» * ♦ *
TWO GOVERNMENT VANS WEEKEND AND SUNDAY TO MAKE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PUBLIC.
WILL TOUR BUSY AREAS OF THE TERRITORY THIS AVAILABLE COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER ON THE IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT TO MEMBERS
THE EXERCISE WHICH FOLLOWS A TWO-DAY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IS AIMED AT INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE GREEN PAPER.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID COPIES AVAILABLE FREE AT VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES OUTLETS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE GREEN PAPER ARE ALSO AND SOME 300 GOVERNMENT
HE SAID A TOTAL OF 1.9 MILLION COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER HAVE BEEN PRINTED. OF THESE, AT LEAST, 1.4 MILLION COPIES ARE NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE PUBLIC.
--------Q ---------
/20........
FRIDAY, JULY 17,
1987
- 20 -
CALL TO GUARD DANGEROUS PARTS OF WOODWORKING MACHINERY ******
THE PROPRIETOR OF A FACTORY WAS RECENTLY FINED $10,000 BY A SOUTH KOWLOON MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO GUARD A WOODWORKING MACHINERY WITH PROTECTING RIVING KNIFE.
THE CASE SHOWED THAT A CARPENTER WHILE USING A CIRCULAR SAW TO CUT PIECES OF WOOD HAD HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER AMPUTATED AND LEFT THUMB LACERATED.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) EXPLAINED THAT MOST ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CIRCULAR SAWS WERE DUE TO THE TIMBER CLOSING-IN ON THE SAW AND BEING FLUNG BACK OR OFF WITH GREAT VIOLENCE. THE RIVING KNIFE IS THE MEANS OF PREVENTING THIS, HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WOODWORKING MACHINERY) REGULATIONS ALREADY LAID DOWN STANDARDS OF FENCING FOR MACHINERY AND IMPOSED DEFINITE DUTIES ON THE EMPLOYER TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THOSE OPERATING THEM.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE ADDED, THE REGULATIONS ALSO PLACED A LEGAL OBLIGATION ON EMPLOYEES TO USE THE GUARDS AND SAFETY DEVICES WHICH THE EMPLOYERS PROVIDED.
ANYONE WHO CONTRAVENES ANY OF THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE, UPON CONVICTION, TO A FINE OF $30,000.
DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT SOME 300 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST FACTORY PROPRIETORS FOR FAILING TO GUARD THE DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY.
OF THE TOTAL, 276 CASES WERE TAKEN OUT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATING OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, RESULTING IN A TOTAL FINE OF $894,400.
THE REST WERE TAKEN OUT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WOODWORKING MACHINERY) REGULATIONS AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ABRASIVE WHEELS) REGULATIONS. FINES IMPOSED UNDER THESE TWO REGULATIONS AMOUNTED TO $78,500.
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 21 -
CHINESE MUSICIANS ARRIVE TO JOIN MUSIC CAMP
♦ * ♦ * ♦
THREE RENOWNED MUSICIANS FROM CHINA ARRIVED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO JOIN THE 1987 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG FROM TOMORROW TO AUGUST 2.
THEY ARE MR MA SHENGLONG, RESIDENT CONDUCTOR OF THE SHANGHAI FOLK ORCHESTRA, MR YU LIANGMO OF THE CENTRAL BROADCASTING FOLK ORCHESTRA AND MR LI ZHENGUI OF THE CENTRAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC IN PEKING.
FIVE OTHER OVERSEAS MUSICIANS, MR RONALD SMART, MR ROBERT INGRAM AND MISS SUSAN BLAKE FROM AUSTRALIA, DR WILLIAM LAWING FROM THE UNITED STATES AND MR GORDON HEARD FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO BE THE CAMP’S GUEST CONDUCTORS AND INSTRUCTORS.
DURING THE CAMP PERIOD, THEY WILL CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS.
THE MUSIC CAMP IS ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING TO YOUNG MUSICIANS AS WELL AS TO FOSTER INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MUSIC.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, OVERSEAS CAMPERS INCLUDING TWO FROM AUSTRALIA AND THREE FROM MACAU WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S CAMP.
-------0 -
ENROLMENT OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FULL-TIME COURSES INVITED » » * * *
EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ARE NOW INVITING FORM 3 AND FORM 5 LEAVERS TO APPLY FOR ENTRY INTO FULL-TIME, PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE AND BLOCK-RELEASE COURSES COMMENCING SEPTEMBER.
ABOUT 200 COURSES WILL BE OFFERED AT THE MORRISON HILL, KWAI CHUNG, KWUN TONG, HAKING WONG, LEE WAI LEE, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN AND CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN THE 1987/88 ACADEMIC YEAR.
NEW COURSES WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED AT THE COUNCIL’S NEW CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TO MEET DEMAND FOR SPECIALISED STAFF FROM THE FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY AND SERVICING SECTOR.
/NEW COURSES .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 198?
- 22
NEW COURSES INCLUDE FOOD TECHNOLOGY, FOOD PROCESSING* SUPERVISORY MANAGEMENT, IMPORT/EXPORT STUDIES, DISTRIBUTIVE STUDIES, CHILD CARE, BASIC RETAILING, STORES SUPERVISION, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (POLLUTION) AND LABORATORY TECHNICIANS.
COURSES ARE GROUPED UNDER 15 DISCIPLINES: HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, PRINTING, TEXTILE INDUSTRIES, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, DESIGN, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING, APPLIED SCIENCE AND COMPUTING STUDIES.
THEY ARE OFFERED AT CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVELS, FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLETED FORM 3 AND FORM 5, RESPECTIVELY. APPLICANTS FOR PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE AND BLOCK-RELEASE COURSSE HAVE TO BE SPONSORED BY EMPLOYERS.
DETAILS OF THE COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN LOCAL PRESS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.
CLOSING DATE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS NOON, AUGUST 15 (SATURDAY).
-----o------
KOWLOON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE DEMOLISHED
*****
A NOTICE WAS POSTED ON ROOFTOP ILLEGAL STRUCTURES OF A KOWLOON BUILDING TODAY (FRIDAY) WARNING OCCUPANTS THAT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY INTENDS TO SEEK A COURT ORDER TO CLOSE THEM.
THE STRUCTURES ARE OVER THE FIFTH FLOOR OF 196 SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET.
MORE THAN 15 MONTHS AGO THE OCCUPIERS WERE TOLD TO DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURES THEMSELVES, BUT THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO APPLY IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 17 FOR A CLOSURE ORDER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID IT WAS FIRST NECESSARY TO CLOSE THE STRUCTURES SO THAT THEY COULD BE DEMOLISHED AFTERWARDS WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE," HE SAID.
-----o------
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 23 -
CYCLE PARK REDEVELOPED AND BEAUTIFIED *****
THE CYCLE PARK IN TAI WAI, SHA TIN HAS TAKEN ON A NEW LOOK AFTER THE COMPLETION OF A $800,000 PROJECT TO REDEVELOP AND BEAUTIFY THE PARK IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
THE CYCLING AREA HAS BEEN ENLARGED, BICYCLE HIRING STALLS HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ORGANISED; SITTING-OUT AREAS IMPROVED, AND NEW FACILITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, THERE WILL BE A TREE PLANTING DAY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE CYCLE PARK AT 10 AM.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; CHAIRMAN OF BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORT COMMITTEE, MR WONG PO-MING; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LAU HON-KIT AND DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER, MR LAU TAK-SIU. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR LEE KWONG AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CYCLE PARK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR WAI KWOK-HUNG WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CUM TREE PLANTING CEREMONY AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE CYCLE PARK, WHICH IS AT AREA 17, CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, TAI WAI, OPPOSITE THE TAI WAI KCR STATION.
-----0 ---------
SPEEDPOST TO PHILIPPINES EXTENDED * * * *
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO THE PHILIPPINES WILL BE EXTENDED TO PARANAQUE AND PASIG WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (JULY 20), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES TO WHICH SPEEDPOST SERVICE WILL THEN BE AVAILABLE ARE MANILA, QUEZON CITY, PASAY CITY, CALOOCAN CITY, MAKATI, SAN JUAN, MANDALUYONG, PARANAQUE AND PASIG.
/ON THE.........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 198?
- 24 -
ON THE SAME DAY, THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR A SPEEDPOST ITEM TO MALAYSIA WILL BE INCREASED FROM 10 KILOGRAMS TO 15 KILOGRAMS.
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS AND A FREE PICK-UP SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8471108.
-----0-----
PUBLICITY BUS TOURS TSUEN WAN
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ORGANISE A ROUND THE DISTRICT PUBLICITY BUS TOUR TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
THE OPEN-DECK BUS WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ON BOARD WILL FIRST CALL AT SHAM TSENG AT 10 AM AND ON ITS WAY BACK TO THE TOWN CENTRE THE BUS WILL STOP AT VARIOUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES.
PRE-RECORDED MESSAGES CALLING ON PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS WILL BE BROADCAST ALONG THE WAY.
AT EACH STOP COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
OTHER ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON POLITICAL REVIEW IN RELATION TO THE PUBLISHING OF THE GREEN PAPER INCLUDE A SURVEY AND A SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PUBLICITY BUS TOUR.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND PARTY WILL BOARD THE BUS AT 9.45 AM AT PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 TAI HO ROAD IN TSUEN WAN.
-----0------
/25........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
- 25 “ SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH CHOIR PERFORMS *****
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A FREE CONCERT BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH CHOIR ON SUNDAY (JULY 19).
THE CHOIR’S CHINESE CLASSICAL FOLK SONGS CONCERT, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE DISTRICT’S ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE HELD AT 7.30 PM AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF URBAN COUNCIL ABERDEEN CIVIC CENTRE.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENING INCLUDE A VARIETY OF WELL-KNOWN CHINESE FOLK SONGS PERFORMED IN SOLO, DUET, GROUP OR MIXED CHORUS.
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH CHOIR WAS FORMED IN 1983 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD FOR YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS IN THE DISTRICT.
IT HAS HELD THREE CONCERTS AND MADE A NUMBER OF GUEST PERFORMANCES IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR, ALL OF WHICH HAVE RECEIVED WARM SUPPORT FROM THE AUDIENCE.
-----0-----
SHAM SHUI PO SEMINAR ON GREEN PAPER *****
A SEMINAR ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ORGANISED BY THE SHEK KIP MEI AREA COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JULY 19) AFTERNOON AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, NAM CHEONG STREET, SHAM-SHUI PO, KOWLOON.
THE TWO-HOUR SEMINAR WILL START AT 2.30 PM WITH LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, MR ANDREW WONG AND MR CHUNG PU1-LAM; AND A SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR WONG LUEN-KIN AS GUEST SPEAKERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SEMINAR.
-----0------
/26........
FRIDAY, JULY 17,
1987
EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY OPENS *****
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY OPENING CEREMONY, EYE CARE CHECK-UPS AND AN EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JULY 19) AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, HO MAN TIN.
THE CAMPAIGN, STARTING FROM JULY 19 TO AUGUST 2, WILL PROVIDE FREE EYE CARE CHECK-UPS, SPECTACLES AND MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR RESIDENTS AGED OVER 60.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND THE HONG KONG OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION.
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H. CHAU; CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MRS THERESA LAU; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TANG PO-HONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 19) AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 89 CHUNG HAU STREET, HO MAN TIN.
- - 0
SQUATTER CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED * * * * *
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL LAUNCH A CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN SQUATTER AREAS FROM SUNDAY (JULY 19).
THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE PUBLICITY, COMPETITIONS, AND CLEANSING EXERCISES IN THE SQUATTER AREAS.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY AT 10.30 AM AT THE OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO THE DIAMOND HILL MTR STATION.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S SQUATTER AREA COMMITTEE, MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM; CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S WORKING GROUP, MRS PAULINE NG; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MISS FOK PUI-YEE; AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHESTER KWOK, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
/FOLLOWING THE
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1987
%
- 27 -
FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY WILL BE A CLEANSING DEMONSTRATION BY URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF AND VOLUNTARY WORKERS.
A PUBLICITY VAN BROADCASTING THE ’CLEAN HONG KONG’ THEME SONG WILL TOUR THE SQUATTER AREAS TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE.
HOUSEHOLD VISITS WILL BE MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE CAMPAIGN’S WORKING GROUP DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD. THEY WILL ALSO DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY LEAFLETS AND GARBAGE BAGS TO RESIDENTS.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS ALSO ORGANISED A SLOGAN-WRITING COMPETITION AND A COLOUR-SHADING COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, PRIVATE CONTRACTORS WILL BE EMPLOYED TO CLEAR DUMPING SITES AS WELL AS THE DRAINAGE. PEST-CONTROL EXERCISES WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO PUT UP A NUMBER OF BANNERS AND POSTERS AT CONSPICUOUS LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT’S SQUATTER AREAS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JULY 19) AT 10.30 AM AT THE OPEN SPACE AT THE JUNCTION OF SOCIAL AVENUE AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD IN NGAU TSUEN AREA (NEAR DIAMOND HILL MTR STATION).
------o-------
REGISTRATION OF DTC REVOKED
» * » » t
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF MULTILIGHT CREDIT LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE 1986.
------o-------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG WAN * * *
NO VEHICLE EXCEEDING 4.6 METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF TAI PING SHAN STREET BETWEEN TUNG STREET AND UPPER STATION STREET IN SHEUNG WAN FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 20).
AT THE SAME TIME, SQUARE STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY.
THESE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS IN UPPER STATION STREET.
------Q-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
HALF-WAY HOUSE A NECESSARY MEANS TO REINTEGRATION...... 1
POLICE MUSEUM TO GET PERMANENT HOME.................... 3
RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS......................... 4
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ENTERS ’CLEAN BEACH’ PHASE .... 5
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY kUCTION ................... 6
RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN SHA TIN COMPREHENSIVE . 7
SEMINAR GN GREEN PAPER................................. 8
MONG KOK TO HOLD SEMINAR ON GREEN PAPER................ 9
NORTH DB TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER........................ 9
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KJUN TONG...................... 10
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TAI HANG..................... 1*
WATER CUT IN QUARRY BAY AND SHaU KEI WAN
10
S/XTURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
1
HALF-WAY HOUSE A NECESSARY MEANS ♦ t * * t
TO REINTEGRATION
THE DIRECTOR OF (SATURDAY) APPEALED TO WAY HOUSES IN ORDER TO WITH SOCIETY.
SOCIAL WELFARE,
MRS ELIZABETH WONG,
THE PUBLIC TO ACCEPT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
TODAY HALF-
HELP DIS' ’’XRGED MENTAL PATIENTS REINTEGRATE
HEALTH PUBLIC
OPEN DAY OF THE HONG KONG MENTAL
SPEAKING AT THE ------
ASSOCIATION’S IRENE HOUSE, THE I.BST HALF-WAY HOUSE SET UP IN
HOUSING ESTATE, SHE NOTED THAI BECAUSE OF THEIR LONG 1ERIOD OF HOSPITALISATION, A COMPREHENSIV A ■ D INTENSIVE TRAINJ.NG PRC GRAMME WAS NEEDED TO HELP MENTAL PATIENTS TO REI • i fcGRAi’E. WITH iOCIE ..
"FOR MANY YEARS, THE WELFARE SECTOR AND THE GOVERWiH-BEEN WORKING HARD TO DEVELOP HALF-WAY HOUSES WHICH INVOLVES PLANNING MORE PROVISIONS BUT ALSO ENSURING THAT THE PUBLIC THE PURPOSE OF HAVING SUCH INSTITUTIONS, SO THAT PATIENTS CAN BE ACCEPTED BY THE SOCIETY AND THEIR PROBLEMS PROPERLY RECOGNISED AND UNDERSTOOD," SHE SAID.
NOT
1AVE
ONLY
UNDERSTAND JSCHARGED AND NEEDS
HOWEVER, THERE WERE OBSTACLES ON THIS ROAD TO REHAB 1-L1 TM ‘ .
"THE RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT MENTAL PATIENTS. A.ND THE UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PROBLEMS IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE-
LACK OF
"IGNORANCE BREEDS FEAR AND FEAR LEADS TO REJECTION,.
SAID.
MRS
WONG
"AS A ABSENCE OF ’ABNORMAL’
LAYMAN, I BELIEVE THE
MAJOR OBSTACLE ARISES
A UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED SHE ADDED.
"TO A SOCIAL VALUES
EROM
DEFINITION OF ’NORMAL
THE AND
CERTAIN EXTENT, ’NORMAL* OR OTHERWISE DEPENDS OF THE TIME AND THE CULTURAL BACKGROUND.
ON
THE
"UNFORTUNATELY, INSTEAD OF
VALUES AND CULTURAL INCLINATION MOST PEOPLE TEND
RE-ASSESSING THEIR OW\
SET TO
OF
THIS
TO OBJECT
THEIR NEIQHPQURHOOD ON
THe'gROUNDSTHATTHE DISCHARGED PATIENTS ARE ’ABNORMAL' OR THAT THEY
REHABILITATION SERVICE BEING CARRIED OUT
IN
THAT
BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY FROM ’NORMAL* PEOPLE.
"AS A RESULT, DOUBLE STANDARD APPEARS THEY SUPPORT A CERTAIN PROJECT BUT ON THE OTHER, SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD,
IN THAT ON
THEY
THE ONE HAND, SAY THAT IT
MRS WONG SAID.
ANOTHER OBSTACLE CAME FROM THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS.
MRS WONG SAID THAT AS EXPLAINED BY EXPERTS, MENTAL PATIENTS, BE THEY NEUROTIC OR PSYCHOTIC, LIVED IN A WORLD Ob THEIR OWN AND I HEY SEEDED MEDICAL TREATMENT AND AFTER-CARE SERVICES BUT THEY WOULD NOT HARM ANYBODY.
/"TH3 THIRD,
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
2
’’THE THIRD, AND ALSO THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE, IS THE QUESTION OF MENTAL ILLNESS INVOLVING VIOLENCE,” SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THAT ANYBODY COULD SUDDENLY BECOME VIOLENT AND THEREFORE IT WAS UNFAIR TO ASSOCIATE MENTAL PATIENTS WITH VIOLENCE.
"IN FACT, HALF-WAY HOUSES PROVIDE CARE AND SUPERVISION OVER THE RESIDENTS, THUS REDUCING SUBSTANTIALLY THE CHANCES OF THEIR RELAPSING IN THEIR ILLNESS AND BECOMING VIOLENT,” SHE EXPLAINED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT A PATIENT COULD ONLY LEAVE THE HOSPITAL IF HIS MENTAL STATE HAD BEEN ASSESSED BY THE PSYCHIATRIST AS STABLE AND THE QUESTION WAS HOW TO MAINTAIN THIS STABLE CONDITION.
”FOR SOME, THIS CAN BE DONE THROUGH MINIMUM CARE WHILE FOR OTHERS, MORE INTENSIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE REQUIRED BEFORE THEY CAN REGAIN THE ABILITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY,” SHE SAID.
BOTH COULD BE DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL AND MOVE INTO HALF-WAY HOUSES, SHE NOTED.
"THOSE WHO REQUIRED MINIMUM CARE CAN MOVE INTO HALF-WAY HOUSES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR PURPOSE-BUILT HALF-WAY HOUSES.
"FOR THOSE REQUIRING MORE INTENSIVE CARE, THEY WILL ONLY BE ACCOMMODATED IN PURPOSE-BUILT HALF-WAY HOUSES WHERE THERE ARE MORE FACILITIES, BIGGER SPACE AND BETTER EQUIPMENT TO PROVIDE MORE CENTRALISED AFTER CARE SERVICES.
"SUBJECT TO FUNDS AVAILABLE, THE SUPERVISOR POST IN PURPOSE-BUILT HALF-WAY HOUSES WILL BE UPGRADED TO SOCIAL WORK OFFICER AND THERE WILL BE TWO ADDITIONAL POSTS TO BE FILLED BY NURSES EXPERIENCED IN LOOKING AFTER MENTAL PATIENTS,” SHE SAID.
"APART FROM THE INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME, THERE WILL BE REGULAR CASE CONFERENCES WITH PSYCHIATRISTS TO ASSESS THE PROGRESS OF THE RESIDENTS.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE A HOT LINE LINKING UP WITH THE NEAREST MENTAL HOSPITAL OR CLINIC SO THAT ASSISTANCE CAN BE OBTAINED IMMEDIATELY IN ALL CASES OF EMERGENCY," SHE ADDED.
SIMILAR TO HALF-WAY HOUSES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE CAPACITY OF A PURPOSE-BUILT HALF-WAY HOUSE WOULD ALSO BE 40 PLACES, BUT 25 PER CENT WOULD BE FOR ACCOMMODATING DISCHARGED PATIENTS WHO REQUIRED INTENSIVE CARE.
"SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT IS TO ENABLE THE STAFF TO DEVOTE MORE ATTENTION TO THESE PATIENTS AND AT THE SAME TIME, TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL HELP AMONG DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS," MRS WONG SAID.
/at present, .......
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
AT PRESENT, SHE SAID, IT WAS PLANNED TO SET UP 11 SUCH HALF-WAY HOUSES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO PROVIDE 110 PLACES FOR PATIENTS REQUIRING THIS LEVEL OF CARE. THEY WERE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE IN FOUR YEARS.
"WE ARE SINCERELY STRIVING TO PROVIDE DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS THE NECESSARY REHABILITATION SERVICES SO THAT THEY CAN RETURN TO SOCIETY.
"I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT THESE PATIENTS BACK TO THE SOCIETY JUST AS YOU ACCEPT THOSE FROM A CLINIC, A HOSPITAL AND THOSE WHO ARE PHYSICALLY INJURED," SHE SAID.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE HONG KONG MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS IT MADE IN THE PAST 33 YEARS, MRS WONG SAID THAT THE IRENE HOUSE HAD LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HALF-WAY HOUSES AND ITS REPROVISIONING TODAY ALSO TURNED A NEW LEAF IN THE STANDARDS AND QUALITY OF THE SERVICE.
--------0----------
POLICE MUSEUM TO GET PERMANENT HOME *****
WORK HAS STARTED ON REPROVISJON1NG AND CONVERTING THE FORMER WAN CHAI GAP POLICE STATION INTO A PERMANENT MUSEUM TO DISPLAY ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE EXHIBITS.
MISS H.M. CHAN OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL SUPERVISE THE PROJECT, SAID THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED NEXT MARCH.
SHE SAID CONTRACTS FOR THE PROJECT, WORTH A TOTAL OF ABOUT $1.5 MILLION, WOULD INVOLVE REDECORATING AND RE-FLOORING THE 19TH CENTURY STATION BUILDING; REPROVISIONING THE AIR-CONDITIONING, SECURITY AND FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS; REWIRING; AND VARIOUS OTHER RENOVATION WORK.
THE SINGLE-STOREY STATION, INCLUDING A BASEMENT, WILL PROVIDE MORE EXHIBITION AREAS THAN THE EXISTING FORCE MUSEUM LOCATED IN A COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN HENNESSY ROAD.
THE CURATOR OF THE FORCE MUSEUM, MR H.C. TANG, SAID THE NEW FACILITY WOULD BE RENAMED "POLICE HISTORICAL AND CRIME MUSEUM" WHEN IT IS OPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
/HE SAID .......
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 198?
4
HE SAID IT WOULD HAVE ROOM TO DISPLAY 450 EXHIBITS AT A TIME, COMPARED TO 200 ITEMS INTHE EXISTING FORCE MUSEUM. THE EXHIBITS, COVERING THE HISTORY OF THE POLICE FORCE FROM ITS INCEPTION IN 1844 TO THE PRESENT, WOULD INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHS AND VARIOUS LITERATURE, POLICE UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT, WEAPONS, CONFISCATED DANGEROUS DRUGS AND TRIAD SOCIETY ARTIFACTS.
ADMISSION TO THE NEW 560-SQUARE-METRE FORCE MUSEUM WILL REMAIN FREE. IT WILL ALSO OPEN FOR LONGER PERIODS AND AT MORE FLEXIBLE HOURS AS IT WILL NO LONGER BE SUBJECT TO THE MANAGEMENT RESTRICTION OF A COMMERCIAL BUILDING, MR TANG SAID.
OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS OFFICES, A REFRESHMENT CORNER TO CATER FOR VISITORS, STORES AND TOILETS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
--------0-----------
RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS
*****
RESTAURANT OPERATORS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VIE FOR THE HONOUR TO BE DESIGNATED RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR 1987 IN A HYGIENE COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.
THE COMPETITION, OPEN TO ALL LICENSED RESTAURANTS IN THE TERRITORY, IS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE HYGIENE STANDARD AND PROMOTING THE IMAGE OF THE BUSINESS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID THAT HYGIENE STANDARD OF THE COMPETING RESTAURANTS WOULD BE ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF CLEANLINESS OF PREMISES, FOOD HYGIENE STANDARD, PERSONAL HYGIENE STANDARD OF THE STAFF AND CLEANLINESS OF EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS USED.
ENTRIES TO THE COMPETITION WILL BE CLASSIFIED INTO FIVE GROUPS ACCORDING TO THE SIZE AND NATURE OF BUSINESS. THEY ARE:
* LARGE CHINESE RESTAURANTS WITH AN AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 500 SQUARE METRES;
♦ CHINESE RESTAURANTS WITH AN AREA SMALLER THAN 500 SQUARE METRES;
♦ HOTEL RESTAURANTS;
* NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS INCLUDING WESTERN, JAPANESE, VIETNAMESE, INDONESIAN AND INDIAN RESTAURANTS; AND
* FAST FOOD SHOP RESTAURANTS
/"A PANEL .......
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 19«7
5 -
”A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL VISIT THE PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS IN AUGUST TO SHORTLIST TEHEE RESTAURANTS FROM EACH GROUP TO ENTER THE FINALS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE BEST RESTAURANT OF THE RESPECTIVE GROUP WILL BE SELECTED BY ANOTHER PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS CONSISTING OF REGIONAL AND URBAN COUNCILLORS.
"A NUMBER OF MERIT PRIZES WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO THOSE WHICH HAVE ATTAINED A HIGH STANDARD IN THE COMPETITION AND EACH PARTICIPANT WILL BE GIVEN A CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION,” HE SAID.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES TO THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN SET FOR JULY 31 AND RESUTLS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON SEPTEMBER 24.
-----0------
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ENTERS ’CLEAN BEACH’ PHASE t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ENTERED ITS SECOND PHASE WITH THE LAUNCHING OF A TWO-MONTH CLEAN BEACH DRIVE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT URBAN/REGIONAL COUNCIL KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, IN ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF BEACH PHASE, SAID THAT APART FROM THE NORMAL MASS MEDIA SEVERAL MAJOR FUNCTIONS WOULD BE ORGANISED.
KEEP HONG THE CLEAN PUBLICITY,
THE MEDI/X COMPONENTS OF THE CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGN INCLUDE A 30-SECOND TELEVISION API (ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST), A RADIO API AND A POSTER.
THE TV API FEATURES WELL-KNOWN MOVIE PERSONALITIES ’’PITCHING IN” TO KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN.
ORIGINAL TO KEEP [ LYRICS
"IN ORDER TO INJECT A SUMMERY MOOD TO THE API, THE I SOUND TRACK OF THE CAMPAIGN THEME SONG - ’’WE’RE PITCHING IN HONG KONG CLEAN” - HAS BEEN RE-ARRANGED WITH SPECIALLY-WRITTEN TO COMPLEMENT THE VISUALS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A SUPPORTING POSTER HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR DISPLAY CHANNELS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING THE URBAN COUNCILS’ VENUES AND GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES.
VIA VARIOUS
AND REGIONAL
/TO COINCIDE
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
TO COINCIDE WITH THE MEDIA PUBLICITY, A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ARE ALSO BEING CARRIED OUT.
IN THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST, AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS WILL BE PATROLLING THE URBAN BEACHES TO URGE THE PUBLIC TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF LITTER IN WASTE BINS.
THE OBJECT IVES OF THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME, INTRODUCED EIGHT YEARS AGO, ARE TO INSTIL A SENSE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE SPIRIT AMONG THE YOUTHS AND TO DEVELOP THEIR CIVIC-CONSCIOUSNESS TOWARDS A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT.
A TOTAL OF 600 VOLUNTARY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S SCHEME.
MOREOVER, THE JOINT UC/RC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMMERCIAL RADIO, WILL ORGANISE TWO BEACH SHOWS AT THE REPULSE BAY AND THE CAFETERIA (OLD) BEACH ON JULY 25 AND AUGUST 15 RESPECTIVELY TO APPEAL TO THE BEACH-GOERS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE BEACHES CLEAN.
THE SHOWS, EACH OF ONE HOUR'S DURATION, WILL ADOPT AN ENTERTAINMENT-CUM-EDUCATIONAL APPROACH.
THE 1987/88 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN, THE LARGEST-EVER SINCE ITS LAUNCHING 15 YEARS AGO, IS A JOINT EFFORT OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION
*****
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $785,000 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 641 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $127,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER 560 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $121,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR DM9171 AND DR731O.
/FOLLOWING ARE
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY ’S AUCTION:
AB8881 $ 7,000 DN1832 $ 9,000 DM9887 $ 3,000 CH 33 $ 66,000
DM9171 1,000 DM6848 2,000 DM8262 6,000 DN3378 3,000
HK 797 26,000 DP 688 30,000 DC 13 45,000 DP1828 12,000
CD 750 2,000 AK 938 11,000 DN1698 11,000 DN1628 15,000
CD 297 3,000 4387 11,000 DP1338 13,000 560 121,000
DD9779 6,000 HK 629 20,000 AA 629 11,000 BB8186 6,000
DP 168 51,000 DN 923 8,000 DN6088 4,000 AA3898 10,000
DN 229 4,000 DC 999 18,000 641 127,000 DL6128 8,000
DN 812 6,000 DN 560 7,000 DN1868 4,000 DN 5 60,000
CK 383 19,000 DR7310 1,000 AA1180 10,000 DP8238 8,000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH 01
CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITH 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 115TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $45,428,932.
- - - - 0 ---------
RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN SHA TIN COMPREHENSIVE
* * * *
RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN SHA TIN ARE COMPREHENSIVE AND IN LINE WITH THE DISTRICT’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CUM TREE PLANTING CEREMONY OF THE RE-DEVELOPED CYCLE PARK IN TAI WAI, SHA TIN, MR YUNG NOTED THAT CYCLING WAS NOT ONLY A POPULAR SPORTS BUT ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRICT.
/"A MAIN........
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
8
"A MAIN ATTRACTION OF THE DISTRICT IS THIS CYCLE PARK MANAGED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, WHICH HAS BEEN PATRONISED BY ABOUT 110,000 CYCLISTS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS," HE SAID.
"TO PROMOTE THE SPORT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BUILT A 68-KILOMETRE LONG CYCLE TRACK IN SHA TIN, RUNNING AROUND HOUSING ESTATES AND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SHING MUN RIVER," HE ADDED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR LEE KWONG, SAID THE RE-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OF THE CYCLE PARK TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS TO COMPLETE AT A COST OF ABOUT $800,000.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORT COMMITTEE, MR WONG PO-MING; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU HON-KIT; DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER, MR LAU TAK-SIU AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CYCLE PARK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR WAI KWOK-HUNG.
- 0 --------
SEMINAR ON GREEN PAPER
*****
A SEMINAR ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD ON MONDAY (JULY 20) EVENING.
THE SEMINAR IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WILL START AT 8 PM.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR ARE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR, DR DANIEL TSE AND A MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MRS MIRIAM LAU.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS INVITED MEMBERS OF AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, RURAL COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
- - 0 ----------
/?........
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
- 9 -
MONG KOK TO HOLD SEMINAR ON GREEN PAPER *****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD HAS ORGANISED A SEMINAR ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER.
SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MISS MARIA TAM AND MR MARTIN LEE. DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, AND MEMBER, MR WONG YUEN-WEI WILL BE THE MODULATORS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON THE GREEN PAPER TO BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) ON 6TH FLOOR, GRAND TOWER HOTEL, 627-641 NATHAN ROAD.
-----0-----
NORTH DB TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER
* * » «
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY (JULY 20) TO DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
A MONITOR OF THE SURVEY OFFICE, MR ANDREW SO; ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE SURVEY OFFICE, MR MARTIN WHITE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR NICHOLAS YEK WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY (JULY 20) AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE.
-------0----------
/10 .......
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1987
- 10 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE RIGHT TURNING MOVEMENT FROM LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND ON TO JUNK BAY ROAD WILL BE BANNED TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 21).
MOTORISTS ON LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR JUNK BAY ROA WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KAI TIN ROAD.
_ _ Q-----------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TAI HANG » * ♦ * *
THE SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN BROADWOOD ROAD AND MOUNT BUTLER ROAD IN TAI HANG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 21) TO FACILITATE SLOPE REMEDIAL WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PERKINS ROAD
AND MOUNT BUTLER ROAD.
----------0 ------------
WATER CUT IK QUARRY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN QUARRY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF ON TUESDAY (JULY 21) FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY SO THAT MAINS WORK CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN A LARGE AREA BETWEEN EAST OF FINNIE STREET IN QUARRY BAY AND WEST OF ALDRICH STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN, INCLUDING NAM FUNG SUN CHUEN, KORNHILL, TAI KOO SHING, TAI ON BUILDING, INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN WESTLANDS ROAD AND ALDRICH, TSIN SHU1 MA TAU, FU TAU WAT, NAM ON FONG AND HOLY CROSS PATH VILLAGES.
--------0 ----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
57 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MAY .............................. 1
DIRECTORY OF ACCREDITED LABORATORIES PUBLISHED ................. 2
FIRST GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES PROGRAMME REPORT PUBLISHED . 2
CALL TO REGISTER AS SAFETY OFFICERS ............................ 4
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE LAUNCHED IN KWAI TSING ................ 5
STUDENT TRAVEL CARDS INVALID DURING SUMMER VACATION ............ 6
EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS LAUNCHED ................ 7
TANGLING BROOMS CUT TO START OFF CAMPAIGN ...................... 7
YOUTH AMBASSADORS OFF TO JaPaN ................................. 8
SINGING CONTEST FOR YOUNG TALENTS .............................. 8
BOARD TO DISCUSS BUILDING MANAGEMENT ......................... 9
COMMITTEE DISCUSSES BEACH WATEP QUALITY .................... 10
DISCUSSION ON TSIM SHA TSUI TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS............... 10
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1987
57 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MAY
» * * * *
ONE WORKSHOP AND SEVEN FACTORY PROJECTS, MOSTLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WERE AMONG 57 PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN MAY.
THE WORKSHOP WILL BE ON CHEUNG CHAU, WHILE THE FACTORIES WILL BE AT FANLING, TSUEN WAN, YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG (2), TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND YAU TONG.
THE LARGEST NUMBER OF APPROVALS (23) ONCE AGAIN RELATED TO APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL PROJECTS, WITH THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT BEING AT NORTH POINT, WHERE FOUR 27-STOREY BLOCKS AND ONE 24-STOREY BLOCK WILL BE BUILT AT TANNER ROAD FOR KADER INDUSTRIAL COMPANY LIMITED.
ALSO APPROVED DURING THE MONTH WERE A 41-STOREY BUILDING FOR STANDARD CHARTERED BANK AT 4 - 4A, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, ON HONG KONG ISLAND; 14 BLOCKS OF STAFF QUARTERS FOR THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AT TAT CHEE AVENUE, KOWLOON TONG; AND A 126-ROOM HOTEL IN YAU MA TEI.
OF THE APPROVALS, 16 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 15 IN KOWLOON AND 26 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
CONSENT TO START WORK ON 35 PROJECTS WAS GIVEN DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING 10 APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL PROJECTS, 10 RESIDENCES AND FIVE FACTORY/GODOWN DEVELOPMENTS.
SIX OF THE CONSENTS RELATED TO PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THREE IN KOWLOON AND 26 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING SIX SEPARATE DEVELOPMENTS TOTALLING 134 RESIDENCES AT DISCOVERY BAY ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN MAY WAS $796 MILLION, BRINGING THE TOTAL FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR TO $2,861 MILLION.
A TOTAL OF 32 CONSENTS TO DEMOLISH AFFECTING 61 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED DURING THE MONTH. THEY INCLUDED TWO MOBIL OIL PETROL FILLING STATIONS, ONE AT TAI PO ROAD, SHA TIN, AND THE OTHER AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 558 COMPLAINTS DURING THE MONTH, CARRIED OUT 935 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 159 ORDERS.
-------0---------
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1987
2 -
DIRECTORY OF ACCREDITED LABORATORIES PUBLISHED
*****
UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON LABORATORIES ELIGIBLE TO ISSUE TEST REPORTS WHICH MAY BE ACCEPTED BY THE ACCREDITATION AUTHORITIES OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS IS NOW AVAILABLE IN A HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) PUBLICATION.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, MR ERNIE EVANS, SAID THE PUBLICATION, WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE TO INTERESTED PARTIES ON REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT, WILL IDENTIFY FOR HONG KONG EXPORTERS HOKLAS-ACCREDITED LABORATORIES WHICH CAN ASSESS THEIR PRODUCTS. THIS MAY OBVIATE THE NEED FOR FURTHER TESTING IN IMPORTING COUNTRIES. DETAILS OF FACILITIES OFFERED BY SUCH LABORATORIES ARE ALSO PUBLICISED.
ENTITLED "DIRECTORY OF ACCREDITED LABORATORIES IN HONG KONG", THE THREE SECTIONS OF THE HOKLAS PUBLICATION, IDENTIFIED BY DIFFERENT COLOURS, LIST DETAILS OF THE NINE HOKLAS-ACCREDITED LABORATORIES; THE TYPES OF TESTS AVAILABLE AND THE LABORATORIES ABLE TO PERFORM THEM; AND LISTS HONG KONG LABORATORY FACILITIES ACCEPTED BY HOKLAS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCREDITED BY OVERSEAS LABORATORY ACCREDITATION ORGANISATIONS.
HOKLAS WAS EXPANDED IN JUNE TO ASSESS THE COMPETENCE OF LABORATORIES INVOLVED IN TESTING CONCRETE AND REINFORCING STEEL IN HONG KONG, THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING FIVE EXPORT COMMODITY GROUPS OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND GARMENTS, TOYS, FOOD PRODUCTS AND CALIBRATION SERVICES.
OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN MAY 1985, HOKLAS IS A VOLUNTARY SCHEME PROVIDING FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION OF LABORATORIES IN HONG KONG.
- - 0 ---------
FIRST GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES PROGRAMME REPORT PUBLISHED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) PUBLISHED THE FIRST OF 12 REPORTS ON THE REGIONAL GEOTECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS OF ALL LAND IN THE TERRITORY.
GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES PROGRAMME (GASP) REPORTS, BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WOULD BE INVALUABLE TO THOSE INVOLVED WITH PLANNING, LAND DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER, DR E.W.
THE
NEW
BEING PREPARED
BRAND, SAID.
/"THEY WILL
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1987
"THEY WILL ALSO BE OF INTEREST TO TEACHERS AND ACADEMICS, AS THEY PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF NATURAL LAND RESOURCES OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
DR BRAND SAID THE GASP STUDIES WERE PART OF GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO EVALUATE AND CONTROL SLOPE STABILITY WITHIN THE TERRITORY AS A RESULT OF THE MID-LEVELS MORATORIUM ON BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IMPOSED IN MAY, 1979, AND SUBSEQUENTLY LIFTED AFTER A COMPREHENSIVE GEOTECHNICAL STUDY OF THE AREA WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
HE SAID THE STUDIES WERE BASED ON A UNIQUE SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING THE GEOTECHNICAL LIMITATIONS OF LAND, INVOLVING LARGELY TERRAIN CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUES USING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, TOGETHER WITH FIELD RECONNAISSANCE AND THE EVALUATION OF HUNDREDS OF EXISTING SITE INVESTIGATION RECORDS.
THEIR REPORTS WERE CONCEIVED MAINLY AS PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR TERRITORIAL LAND USE PLANNING, FOR WHICH PURPOSE A MAPPING SCALE OF 1:20,000 WAS SUITABLE.
HOWEVER, DR BRAND SAID, THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORTS ALSO PROVIDED A GOOD BASIS FOR ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES OF LARGE SITES.
FOUR MAPS, WHICH FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART OF EACH REPORT, WERE DESIGNED FOR A RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL USERS. SOME OF THESE WERE QUITE TECHNICAL, BUT OTHERS WERE NON-TECHNICAL AND FULLY COMPREHENSIBLE TO THE LAYMAN, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GEOTECHNICAL LAND USE MAP CLASSIFIED ALL LAND INTO FOUR CLASSES ACCORDING TO THE ASSESSED GEOTECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. THE PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS MAP PRESENTED THE MAJOR PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS LIKELY TO INFLUENCE LAND DEVELOPMENT. THE GENERALISED LIMITATIONS AND ENGINEERING APPRAISAL MAP DELINEATED BROAD AREAS WITH GOOD POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT FROM A GEOTECHNICAL POINT OF VIEW. THE ENGINEERING GEOLOGY MAP GAVE BASIC GEOLOGICAL AND GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION OF INTEREST FOR ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES.
THE FIRST 170-PAGE REPORT, JUST PUBLISHED, COVERS HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON. AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING IN CENTRA! AT $240. IT CONTAINS A WEALTH OF FACTUAL INFORMATION, AND IS ACCOMPANIED BY A SET OF FOUR LARGE MAPS WHICH PROVIDE AN OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONSTRAINTS ON ALL LAND IN THE AREA.
THE OTHER 11 REPORTS IN THE SERIES WILL BE PUBLISHED AT INTERVALS OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS. EACH WILL COVER A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE TERRITORY.
/THE GASP
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 198?
THE GASP REPORTS ARE TO COMPLEMENT A NEW SERIES OF 15 GEOLOGICAL MAPS AND SIX ACCOMPANYING DESCRIPTIVE MEMOIRS NOW BEING PRODUCED BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE.
THE GEOLOGICAL MAP OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON AND THE ASSOCIATED MEMOIR HAVE BEEN ON SALE FOR A FEW MONTHS AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE.
"THE NEW GEOLOGICAL MAPS CONTAIN BASIC DETAILED GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION OF THE KIND AVAILABLE IN ALL DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, WHEREAS THE GASP REPORTS PROVIDE A GREAT DEAL OF ADDITIONAL LAND RESOURCE INFORMATION OF IMPORTANCE FOR REGIONAL PLANNING AND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY," DR BRAND SAID.
-------0 - - - -
CALL TO REGISTER AS SAFETY « » » * *
OFFICERS
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED 223 APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS SAFETY OFFICERS SINCE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS) REGULATIONS 1986 CAME INTO EFFECT IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
OF THE TOTAL, 107 APPLICATIONS WERE APPROVED AND FIVE WERE REFUSED. THE REST ARE BEING PROCESSED.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED BUILDING CONTRACTORS THAT THE PROVISION GOVERNING THE COMPULSORY EMPLOYMENT OF SAFETY' OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, A PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOROR A SPECIALIST CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO EMPLOY ONE REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICER FULL-TIME IF HE EMPLOYS 200 OR MORE PEOPLE ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE OR SITES, AND TO EMPLOY' ONE SAFETY SUPERVISOR ON EACH CONSTRUCTION SITE ON WHICH HE EMPLOYS 20 OR MORE WORKERS.
A PROPRIETOR WHO FAILS TO EMPLOY A SAFETY OFFICER IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $20,000.
IF HE FAILS TO EMPLOY A SAFETY SUPERVISOR OR CONTRAVENES ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATIONS, HE IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $10,000.
/THE SPOKESMAN
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1987
- 5 -
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON THOSE WHO INTEND TO REGISTER WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AS SAFETY OFFICERS TO OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM ANY OF THE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OR TELEPHONE 5-8524064 FOR ENQUIRIES.
TO QUALIFY FOR REGISTRATION AS A SAFETY OFFICER, A PERSON MUST POSSESS EITHER:
♦ A DEGREE OR DIPLOMA IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE, ENGINEERING OR RELATED DISCIPLINE WITH AT LEAST ONE YEAR’S RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD; OR
♦ A CERTIFICATE IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OR OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE WITH AT LEAST TWO YEARS’ RELEVANT EXPERIENCE; OR
» A CERTIFICATE IN CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE OF NOT LESS THAN TWO YEARS.
-----0------
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE LAUNCHED IN KWAI TSING ♦ * * t ♦
PUBLICITY TO ENCOURAGE ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS WILL BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI DISTRICT.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT PUBLICITY COMMITTEE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION HAS PLANNED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD FROM TOMORROW UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ARRANGE DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS TO HOUSING ESTATES AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WITH ASSISTANCE OF TEMPORARY COMMUNITY ORGANISERS AND VOLUNTEERS.
’’DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS HAVE PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN SECURING RESIDENTS’ SUPPORT IN THE PREVIOUS VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN,” THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG, SAID.
’’APPEAL LETTERS WILL ALSO BE SENT TO LOCAL INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH HAVE A WORKFORCE OF 200 AND ABOVE, HE ADDED.
THE PUBLICITY PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES THE SETTING UP OF A MOBILE REGISTRATION COUNTER AT FOUR MTR STATIONS (LAI KING, KWAI FONG, KWAI HIHG^AND TAI HOHAU). DISPLAY OF POSTERS AND BANNERS WHICH CARRY THE THEME OF "EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS, REGISTER AS VOTER , AND TOURS BY
BROADCASTING VAN IN THE DISTRICT.
/"A JOINT
SUNDAY, JULY 19t 1987
”A JOINT PROMOTIONAL FUNCTION WILL BE ORGANISED NEXT MONTH AND ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER WILL ALSO TIE IN WITH THE THEME,” MR LEUNG SAID.
MR LEUNG DISCLOSED THAT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT HAD A POTENTIAL ELECTORATE OF OVER 230,000 OUT OF A TOTAL POPULATION OF 410,000.
HE APPEALED TO ALL ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS AND TO ELECT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE DISTRICT BOARD IN NEXT YEAR’S ELECTION.
ANYONE AGED 21 OR OVER BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, BEING A HONG KONG RESIDENT OR HAVING RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS, WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION.
VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, SEVEN SUB-OFFICES AND THE MTR MOBILE REGISTRATION COUNTER.
- 0 - -
STUDENT TRAVEL CARDS INVALID DURING SUMMER VACATION ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED STUDENT TRAVEL CARD HOLDERS THAT THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO TRAVEL ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT CONCESSIONARY FARES DURING THE SUMMER VACATION FROM JULY 16 TO AUGUST 31 INCLUSIVE.
SINCE OCTOBER 5 LAST YEAR, THE STUDENT TRAVEL CARDS HAVE BECOME INVALID ON SUNDAYS AND DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM DECEMBER 25 TO JANUARY 1 INCLUSIVE.
THE MOVE IS AIMED AT REDUCING GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY FOR RECREATION TRAVEL BY STUDENTS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE ALSO REMINDED THE STUDENTS THAT THEIR 1986-87 STUDENT TRAVEL CARDS WOULD EXPIRE ON SEPTEMBER 30.
IN THE 1986-87 ACADEMIC YEAR, 485,570 CARDS WERE ISSUED TO STUDENTS TO ENABLE THEM TO TRAVEL AT CONCESSIONARY FARES ON ALL MAJOR FORMS OF FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
- O -
SUNDAY, JULY 19,
1987
EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS LAUNCHED *****
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (SUNDAY) WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY, AN EXHIBITION AND EYE CARE CHECK-UPS AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, HO MAN TIN.
THE CEREMONY WAS OFFICIATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H. CHAU; CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MRS THERESA LAU; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR TANG PO-HONG.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL LAST FOR TWO WEEKS TO PROVIDE FREE EYE CHECKUPS, SPECTACLES AND EYE-CARE TREATMENT FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CAMPAIGN COSTS ABOUT $200,000 WITH A SPONSORSHIP OF $180,000 FROM THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND THE REMAINDER BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD.
-----0-----
TANGLING BROOMS CUT TO START OFF CAMPAIGN
*****
A RIBBON TANGLED WITH BROOMS AND RUBBISH BINS WAS TODAY (SUNDAY) CUT TO MARK THE OPENING OF A CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN CARRIED OUT IN THE SQUATTER AREAS OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S WORKING GROUP, MRS PAULINE NG, SAID THE CAMPAIGN WOULD LAST ABOUT A MONTH WITH A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION OF THE SQUATTER AREAS.
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD HAD ALLOCATED $35,000 TO RUN THE CAMPAIGN, SHE SAID.
BANNERS AND POSTERS HAVE BEEN PUT UP IN THE SQUATTER AREAS. A PUBLICITY VAN BROADCASTING THE 'CLEAN HONG KONG’ THEME SONG WOULD TOUR THE AREAS AND HOUSEHOLD VISITS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP.
A SLOGAN-WRITING COMPETITION AND A COLOUR SHADING COMPETITION WOULD ALSO BE CONDUCTED, MRS NG SAID.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, PRIVATE CONTRACTORS WOULD BE EMPLOYED TO CLEAN CHOKED DRAINAGE AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF WOULD CARRY OUT PEST CONTROL IN ALL SQUATTER AREAS.
MRS NG URGED RESIDENTS TO CO-OPERATE AND TO CLEAN THEIR DRAINAGE REGULARLY AND TO AVOID RUBBISH PILING UP.
------0------- /8....................
SUNDAY, JULY 19,
1987
- 8 -
YOUTH AMBASSADORS OFF TO JAPAN
♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
TWENTY YOUTH AMBASSADORS FROM TSUEN WAN WILL LEAVE FOR JAPAN TOMORROW (MONDAY) ON A WEEK-LONG GOODWILL VISIT AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
THEY WILL TRAVEL TO KAGOSHIMA AND TOKYO WHERE THEY WILL VISIT UNIVERSITIES, CULTURE AND SPORTS FACILITIES, MUSEUMS AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS.
THE YOUNG AMBASSADORS ARE ALL SECONDARY STUDENTS STUDYING IN TSUEN WAN. THEY ARE EITHER PARTICIPANTS OF THE ARTS AND SPORTS NURTURE SCHEMES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD OR NOMINATED BY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE TSUEN WAN YOUTH AMBASSADORS SCHEME WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1985 IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
A BRIEF CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 10 AM TOMORROW IN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE TO PRESENT A BANNER TO THE GROUP BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE IN THE AFTERNOON.
TUSEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
------0-------
SINGING CONTEST FOR ♦ * ♦ ♦
YOUNG TALENTS »
YOUNG TALENTS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE '87 MID-SUMMER NIGHT FOLK SINGING CONTEST ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ARE URGED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY (JULY 24).
’’LAST YEAR, THE CONTEST ATTRACTED MORE THAN 300 ENTRIES AND MANY TALENTED SINGERS AND SONG-WRITERS WERE DISCOVERED,” A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"APART FROM
SUNDAY, JULY 19t 19^7
’’APART FROM SINGING AND SONG OR LYRIC COMPOSITION. PARTICIPANTS MAY ALSO COMPETE IN THE POP MUSIC BAND’S SECTION THIS YEAR,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 30 ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
WELL-KNOWN POP MUSIC BANDS AND POP SINGER TERENCE TSOI WILL PERFORM AND ADJUDICATE AT THE FINALS TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 23 AT THE HONG KONG CARITAS IN CAINE ROAD.
THE PROJECT IS CO-ORGANISED BY WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE (WDCC) AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, WDCC, HONG KONG CARITAS OR SHEK TONG TSUI CARITAS CENTRE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523462 OR 5-463024.
-----0------
BOARD TO DISCUSS BUILDING MANAGEMENT ♦ » » ♦ *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (JULY 21) TO DISCUSS A CONSULTATION PAPER ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR FRANKIE LUI, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE PAPER.
BOARD MEMBER MR JUSTEIN C. WONG WILL ASK ABOUT MEANS TO STOP THE SILT DISCHARGE FROM THE SHA TIN WATER TREATMENT WORKS INTO SHING MUN RIVER, AND THE CLEANING AND REMOVING OF SMEAR ALONG THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS A REPLY FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO THE REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION SERVICES FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS IN SHA TIN, PROGRESS REPORTS BY COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN, AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MATTERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 21) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON 6/F KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
-----0-----
/10........
SUNDAY, JULY 19,
1987
10 -
COMMITTEE DISCUSSES BEACH WATER QUALITY
» * ♦ ♦ *
THE GRADING OF WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (MONDAY).
MEASURES TO CONTROL THE WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS DRAINAGE PROBLEMS IN YICK YUEN TSUEN AS A RESULT OF FLOODING DURING HEAVY RAINS.
THE AGENDA INCLUDES PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND WORKS PROGRAMMES IN TUEN MUN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
-----0------
DISCUSSION ON TSIM SHA TSUI TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS TERMINAL POINTS AND METERED PARKING SPACES IN MIDDLE ROAD AND HANKOW ROAD.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE 1986 ACTION PROGRAMME REVIEW ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS IN YAU MA TEI DISTRICT AND THE WITHDRAWAL OF HOVERFERRY SERVICE BETWEEN NORTH POINT AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
URGENT NEED TO INTRODUCE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROLS ........ 1
MAY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED 2
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES PREVENT GAS MAINS MAINTENANCE ......... 5
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS.......................... 5
ORDINANCE ENSURES PROPER TRAINING FOR APPRENTICE ......... 6
SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION ............................. 7
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER SECTION FARES ON KMB ROUTES ........ 7
TONG MEI ROAD CLOSED FOR ROAD WORK ....................... 8
NEW ROAD «ND LRT RESERVE IN TUEN MUN PROPOSED ............ 9
SALT WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN ........................... 9
WATER CUT IN SOUTHERN, TSUEN WAN ........................ 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE..................................... 10
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
URGENT NEED TO INTRODUCE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROLS
*****
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO INTRODUCE CONTROLS ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TO PREVENT IRREVERSIBLE POLLUTION DAMAGES TO TOLO HARBOUR AND OTHER WATERWAYS, ACTING DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR ROBERT LAW, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
AND THE NEW WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL WAS A "CORNERSTONE" IN THE PROGRAMME FOR TOLO HARBOUR, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF VICTORIA, MR LAW SAID LIVESTOCK WASTE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING LIKE 70 PER CENT OF ALL STREAM POLLUTION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ORGANIC POLLUTION ENTERING THE SEA.
A GREATER CONCERN WAS THAT THE POLLUTANTS FOUND THEIR WAYS INTO THE LARGE ENCLOSED BODIES OF WATER, SUCH AS THE TOLO HARBOUR. THE PROBLEM WITH TOLO HARBOUR WAS THAT IT WAS ALMOST LANDLOCKED, WITH VERY POOR DISPERSION CAPABILITIES, WHICH MEANT THAT POLLUTION LOADS THAT MIGHT BE JUST ACCEPTABLE FOR THE OPEN OCEAN WERE CATASTROPHIC IN TOLO.
"ON THE BASIS OF PRESENT KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE NUTRIENT AND ORGANIC POLLUTION LOADS ENTERING TOLO HARBOUR, WE BELIEVE THAT IF NO DRASTIC ACTION IS TAKEN IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE TO REDUCE THESE LOADS, WE MAY WELL PASS THE POINT OF NO RETURN IN TOLO, WHERE THE POLLUTION EFFECTS BECOME IRREVERSIBLE.
"WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT RED TIDES COULD BECOME SO PREVALENT AS TO OVERLAP IN A SINGLE BLOOM, AND CONSEQUENT EXTREME SWINGS IN OXYGEN CONCENTRATION WOULD DESTROY MUCH OF THE REMAINING ANIMAL LIFE.
"EVENTUALLY, POLLUTED SEDIMENTS WOULD BUILD UP AND WE WOULD IN EFFECT HAVE A GIANT KAI TAK NULLAH."
MR LAW SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD AN EIGHT-POINT ACTION PLAN TO DEAL WITH THE TOLO HARBOUR PROBLEM, WHICH INCLUDED MODIFICATION TO THE PROCESSES IN THE SHA TIN AND TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, THE POSSIBLE EXPORT OF THE TREATMENT WORKS EFFLUENT TO BETTER RECEIVING WATERS AND THE CONSCIENTIOUS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO FACTORY DISCHARGE.
"BUT THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR PROGRAMME FOR TOLO, AND INDEED FOR CLEANING UP MOST OF OUR WATERWAYS, IS THE ENACTMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO IN JUNE.
"THIS BILL PROVIDES THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK TO ALLOW US TO GET OUR HOUSE IN ORDER CONCERNING THE LIVESTOCK WASTE PROBLEM. IN DOING SO, THE GOVERNMENT IS INTENDING TO SPEND $509 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.”
ON FEARS THAT THE PROPOSED EFFLUENT TREATMENT STANDARDS UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL MIGHT BE IMPRACTICAL, MR LAW SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE, ON A WORKING FARM, SIMPLE TREATMENT FACILITIES AIMED AT ACHIEVING THE STANDARDS. PLANS TO CONSTRUCT THESE FACILITIES WOULD ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO FARMERS.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
- 2 -
MAY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) IN MAY 1987, AS REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL AS IN MAY 1986, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING MAY 1987 WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1986, A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND WAS RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, WHILE A SLIGHT DECREASE WAS REGISTERED FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
HOWEVER, THESE WERE OFFSET BY THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND RECORDED IN ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, THE ORDERS POSITION IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, WHILE THAT IN ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN MAY 1987 INCREASED WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY COMPARED WITH MAY 1986.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, THE FOOD AND DRINKS, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES RECORDED SOME INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT, WHILE THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED A SLIGHT DECLINE.
COMPARED WITH MAY 1986, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WEARING APPAREL, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES DROPPED, WHILE THAT IN ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES SURVEYED INCREASED.
PAYROLL IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED IN MAY 1987 WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987 AND MAY 1986. ON THE OTHER HAND, PER CAPITA EARNINGS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, BUT INCREASED APPRECIABLY COMPARED WITH MAY 1986.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, PAYROLL INCREASED MODERATELY IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED BUT DECREASED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. PER CAPITA EARNINGS ALSO INCREASED IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED BUT DECREASED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
/COMPARED WITH
MONDAY, JULY 20, 198?
- 3 -
COMPARED WITH MAY 1986, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN PAYROLL AND IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE TEXTILES, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ALL INCREASED IN MAY 1987 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987 AND MAY 1986. THE INCREASES OVER MAY 1986 WERE SUBSTANTIAL.
IN THE SERVICES SECTORS, OVERALL EMPLOYMENT IN MAY 1987 WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN APRIL 1987, BUT PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED SLIGHTLY.
AMONG THE VARIOUS SERVICES SECTORS, SOME DECREASES IN PAYROLL AND IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN HOTELS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES FOLLOWING THEIR ISSUE OF BONUSES IN APRIL 1987.
COMPARED WITH MAY 1986, OVERALL EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICES SECTORS INCREASED DESPITE A SLIGHT DECREASE RECORDED IN HOTELS. PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN ALL THE SERVICES SECTORS SURVEYED RECORDED SIGNIFICANT INCREASES OVER MAY 1986.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 AND 2 BELOW.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT THE MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE INDICATED BY TEH SURVEY MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE. NEVERTHELESS, THESE RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR MAY 1987 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19/F., WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 5-8234820.
/Table 1
4
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
Table 1 : Ordere-on-hand. in manufacturing industries
Industry Orders-o n-hand
for May 1987 Increase over
Apr* 8.1 May 86
(months) W) (%)
All Industries 4.48 -1 «
Wearing apparel 4.95 # 3
Textiles 2.82 # 8
Plastic products 3.54 -9 -13
Fabricated metal products 4.42 -3 15
Electrical and electronic products 5.04 * -2
Others 4.38 # 2
Table 2 : Employment and earnings
Industry/Services Persons engaged at the end of May 1987 Per capita earnings
Increase over Apr* 87 Kay 86 in May 87 Increase Apr. 87 1 over •Say 86
■■ (*) (59 *(BK3) (%)
Manufacturing 2 -1 3,691 * 13
Food and drinks 1 5 4,168 1 5
Wearing apparel * -7 3,216 3 11
Textiles # 4 4,139 6 21
Plastic products 7 -9 3,18? -8 9
Fabricated
metal products -1 —4 3,540 3 18
Electrical and
electronic products 4 1 3,454 -1 15
Others 1 2 4,738 -2 4
jj Construction 2 10 5,290 3 12
Services # 2 6,160 -1 10
Banks 5 5,878 1 .10
Hotels 1 -1 3,910 -9 13
Public utilities * # 6,125 —4 9
Others 1 5 7,220 1 10
* Changes within -o«5%
# Persons engaged cover company employees onlyj site workers employed by labour-only sub-contractors are not included.
Note ! Unlike ’’order s-on-hand” and ’’per capita earnings” which are average figures, the total number of persons engaged by the firms surveyed is not meaningful information on its own (because this is a panel survey) and is therefore not shown.
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/5........
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
- 5
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES PREVENT GAS MAINS MAINTENANCE
*****
A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT WHICH ARE PREVENTING THE MAINTENANCE OR REPLACEMENT OF GAS MAINS ARE TO BE DEMOLISHED, A BUILDING AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE STRUCTURES ARE IN A LANE AT THE REAR OF 29 - 31 AND 41 -
55 FORT STREET, AND 330 - 348 AND 368 - 394 KING'S ROAD, AND THE AUTHORITY WANTS THEM CLOSED PRIOR TO DEMOLITION.
"WE WILL BE APPLYING IN THE DISTRICT COURT, HONG KONG, FOR A CLOSURE ORDER ON AUGUST 4 AND POSTED A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE OCCUPIERS WERE TOLD IN MARCH TO DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURES THEMSELVES, BUT THEY HAD IGNORED THE INSTRUCTION.
"THESE STRUCTURES ARE IN A PRIVATE LANE WHERE GAS MAINS CANNOT i’E PROPERLY MAINTAINED OR REPLACED DUE TO THEIR PRESENCE," HE SAID.
"THEY ALSO OBSTRUCT THE MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM ADJOINING BUILDINGS.
"THEREFORE, A FIRE HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDINGS EXISTS.
"THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD FULLY SUPPORTS THE CLEARANCE OPERATION AGAINST THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN VIEW OF THE HAZARD THEY POSE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID A CLOSURE ORDER WAS NECESSARY SO THAT DEMOLITION, WHICH WOULD FOLLOW IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS OBTAINED, COULD BE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT DANGER TO OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
-------0 ---------
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHO ARE MARRIED TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND WHOSE MACAU IDENTITY CARDS WERE ISSUED IN FEBRUARY, MARCH AND APRIL 1980 MAY APPLY, TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN, TO JOIN THEIR HUSBANDS IN HONG KONG.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED AS FROM AUGUST 4, 1987 (TUESDAY) BY THE HONG KONG SPONSORS IN PERSON TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, 61 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS ENTRY SCHEME MAY CALL THE DEPARTMENT'S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 3-7333126.
-------o ---------
/6........
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
6 -
ORDINANCE ENSURES PROPER TRAINING FOR APPRENTICE
* » * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN 42 DESIGNATED TRADES ARE REMINDED OF THEIR PROTECTION UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE THAT THEIR INTERESTS ARE BEING LOOKED AFTER BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EMPLOYERS MUST DRAW UP AN APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACT WHEN ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND UNDER 19 WITHIN THE DESIGNATED TRADES AND HAVE IT REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THE AIM OF THE ORDINANCE IS TO ENSURE AN ORGANISED TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND A REGULAR SUPPLY OF SKILLED LABOUR FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIES.
CONTRACTS FOR APPRENTICES ABOVE THE AGE OF 19 OR IN NON-DESIGNATED TRADES CAN ALSO BE REGISTERED VOLUNTARILY.
AN APPRENTICESHIP CONSISTS OF THREE TO FOUR YEARS ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, DURING WHICH THE APPRENTICE WILL ATTEND PART-TIME COURSES RELEVANT TO THEIR TRAINING AT A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OR THE POLYTECHNICS.
INSPECTORS FROM THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT REGISTERED APPRENTICES REGULARLY TO SUPERVISE ON TRAINING PROGRESS AND TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN DEALING WITH PROBLEMS ARISING FROM TRAINING.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING, REGISTERED APPRENTICES WILL r;E ISSUED A CERTIFICATE WHICH IS COMMENDED BY MAJOR ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG AS A LEVEL OF ACCEPTANCE FOR SKILLED WORKERS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE ORDINANCE AND APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME CAN BE MADE AT BRANCH OFFICES OF THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION. .|||:,I >|J l< Al.'b |,.I<\|ID \l II- ... h- h < il-ll.lll l \l VO EWA WAN (3-7151326), TSIM SHA TSUI (3-667463), KWAI CHUNG (0-297039) AND KWUN TONG (3-491109).
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MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
- 7 -
SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ABOUT 100 CAREERS TEACHERS WILL PARTICIPATE AT THE 9TH SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION TO BE HELD AT THE INSTITUTE OF CHINESE STUDIES, CHINESE UNIVERSITY, IN SHA TIN ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 22).
THE ONE-DAY EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
THE SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE TALKS ON ASPIRATIONS OF YOUNG SCHOOL LEAVERS IN THE CHOICE OF CAREERS, AND WAYS TO DEAL WITH ASPIRATIONS OF YOUNG SCHOOL LEAVERS IN THE EMPLOYMENT MARKETS. THESE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION ON PROBLEMS IN CAREERS GUIDANCE.
GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE DR LEUNG KWOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND MR YING WANG-BUN OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH STARTS AT 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY AT THE INSTITUTE OF CHINESE STUDIES, CHINESE UNIVERSITY, SHA TIN.
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COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER SECTION FARES ON KMB ROUTES ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 22) TO CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF SECTION FARES ON KMB ROUTES IN THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING SECTION FARES FOR ROUTE 77K, PLYING BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND YUEN LONG WEST, AS WELL AS ROUTE 69 FROM CHOI YUEN TO YUEN CHAU KOK.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT THE JUNCTION OF LUNG SUM ROAD AND JOCKEY CLUB ROAD OUTSIDE TIN PING ESTATE AND IMPROVEMENT TO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE CONCOURSE OF THE FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI RAILWAY STATIONS.
/OTHER ITEMS
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
- 8 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE 1986 ACTION PROGRAMME REVIEW ON PEDESTRIAN BLACK SPOTS; PROPOSALS FOR INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN SHEK WU HUI AND IMPROVEMENT TO TRAFFIC FLOW OUTSIDE SHEUNG SHUI RAILWAY STATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS: * I
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 22) AT 2 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
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i
TONG MEI ROAD CLOSED FOR ROAD WORK ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF STREET AND TUNG CHAU STREET, MONG KOK TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5
TONG MEI ROAD BETWEEN LARCH WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM AM FOR ROAD WORK.
THE PERIOD OF CLOSURE ARE: JULY 21 TO JULY 25; JULY 28 TO AUGUST 1; AUGUST 4 TO AUGUST 8; AND AUGUST 11 TO AUGUST 15.
i
DURING THE CLOSURE, LARCH STREET BETWEEN TONG MEI ROAD AND FIR STREET WILL BE CONVERTED TO ONE WAY WESTBOUND AND A TEMPORARY SLIP ROAD WILL BE CONSTRUCTED TO LINK TUNG CHAU STREET WITH TONG MEI ROAD.
MOTORISTS ON TONG MEI ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LARCH STREET, LIME STREET, TUNG CHAU STREET, THE SLIP ROAD AND TONG MEI ROAD NORTHBOUND.
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MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
NEW ROAD AND LRT RESERVE IN TUEN MUN PROPOSED t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO BUILD A NEW ROAD AND FORM A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) RESERVE IN TUEN MUN BETWEEN THE SWIMMING POOL AND WU KING ESTATE.
THE NEW ROAD WOULD BE A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN 7.3 AND 10 METRES IN WIDTH WITH AN ASSOCIATED BRIDGE ACROSS THE NULLAH, FORMING PART OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE, ALSO INCLUDING A BRIDGE OVER THE NULLAH TO CARRY LRT VEHICLES, WILL FORM PART OF THE REGIONAL LINKS OF THE LRT SYSTEM.
ALSO INCLUDED INTHE PROPOSAL ARE FOOTWAYS AND CYCLEWAYS ALONG THE CARRIAGEWAY AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE; AND CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS, DRAINAGE WORKS AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
WRITTEN OBJECTIONS MUST REACH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15.
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SALT WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN ♦ » » ♦ ♦
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO WANG TAU HOM AND UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATES WILL BE TURNED OFF ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM FOR MAINS WORK.
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/10
I
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1987
WATER CUT IN SOUTHERN, TSUEN WAN *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT REPULSE BAY ROAD BETWEEN WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD AND ISLAND ROAD, SOUTH ISLAND SCHOOL AND 45-68, DEEP WATER BAY ROAD.
ON THE SAME DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY SO THAT MAINS WORK CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT TAI HA STREET, TAI WO HAU ROAD, SHEK TAU STREET, SHEUNG KOK STREET, 23-75 TEXACO ROAD, TAI WO HAU ESTATE, BLOCKS 1-18 KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, TAI WO HAU COTTAGE AREA, TAI WO HAU MTR STATION, TAI WO HAU PARK AND 15-23 CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ » » *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 63.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 371.102 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 364.955 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 62.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TAXI POLICY REVIEW ........................................ 1
DEFENCE COST TALK TO BE HELD IN HK ........................ 2
812.JM GRANT FOR STEREO BROADCASTING ...................... 3
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION APPOINTMENT ...................... 3
ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP SAPIENTIA COLLEGE STUDENTS............ 4
SWORN IN AS ACTING GOVERNOR ............................... 5
AP LEI CHhU DREDGING WORK TO BEGIN ........................ 6
PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR SHEK WUHUI ............................. 6
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOaRD TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER ............ 7
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PING SHaN SOUTH LAYOUT PLaN .......... 7
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ................... 8
DB COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO MEET ................... 8
DISCUSSION ON STREET SLEEPERS ............................. 9
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED .................................. 9
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN SHEUNG SHUI ....................... 10
SALT WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND LAI KING .............. 10
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1987
TAXI POLICY REVIEW t * *
DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE ASKED WHETHER THEY WISH TO BE CONSULTED ON THE TAXI POLICY REVIEW CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC).
AT ITS MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY), THE TAC ENDORSED A CONSULTATIVE PAPER SETTING OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE REVIEW, THE WORK DONE BY THE SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE SUB-COMMITTEE’S PRELIMINARY VIEWS ON THE POLICY ISSUES INVOLVED.
THE KEY ISSUES ARE THE PROPER ROLE OF TAXIS IN THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM, THE SIZE OF THE TAXI FLEET, FARE POLICY, THE CLASSIFICATION OF TAXIS INTO URBAN, NEW TERRITORIES AND LANTAU TAXIS, QUALITY OF SERVICE (GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF TAXI SERVICES AND THE METHOD OF ISSUING TAXI LICENCES;
IT WAS DECIDED THAT DISTRICT BOARDS (DB) SHOULD BE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY OF DISCUSSING THE REVIEW AT THEIR MEETINGS DURING THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER. TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ATTEND THE DB DISCUSSIONS.
TAXI ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE CONSULTED THROUGH THEIR REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
COLLATION OF FEEDBACK FROM DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE TAXI TRADE WILL BE DONE IN DECEMBER AND THE SUB-COMMITTEE AIMS TO FORMULATE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORT TO THE TAC IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.
TAC MEMBERS ALSO CONSIDERED AN APPLICATION BY THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY (NLB) TO EXTEND ITS FRANCHISE FOR A FURTHER FOUR YEARS FROM APRIL 1, 1991 TO MARCH 31, 1995 TO RESTORE THE FRANCHISE TO ITS ORIGINAL EIGHT-YEAR DURATION IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE COMPANY’S FORWARD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
NLB’S FRANCHISE WAS EXTENDED IN 1983 AND 1986, ON BOTH OCCASIONS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, TO MARCH 31, 1989 AND MARCH 31, 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT NLB’S PERFORMANCE SINCE THE LAST EXTENSION OF ITS FRANCHISE HAD SHOWN CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT AND WAS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY.
THE COMMITTEE DECIDED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ANOTHER TWO-YEAR EXTENSION FOR NLB’S FRANCHISE TO MARCH 31, 1993 IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND TO REVIEW THE COMPANY’S PERFORMANCE AGAIN WITHIN ONE YEAR TO SEE WHETHER THE FRANCHISE SHOULD THEN BE "ROLLED FORWARD" AGAIN FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS.
/MEMBERS ALSO
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 198?
MEMBERS ALSO CONSIDERED A PROGRESS REPORT, PREPARED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, ON THE REHAB TAXI PILOT SCHEME WHICH HAD BEEN OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION (HKSR) SINCE JANUARY 15 OF THIS YEAR.
UNFORTUNATELY THIS SCHEME HAD BEEN SERIOUSLY HAMPERED SO FAR BY THE POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE CONCERNED (A SECOND-HAND LONDON-TYPE TAXI) WHICH HAD SPENT ALMOST HALF OF THE TRIAL PERIOD OFF THE ROAD FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK.
THE TRIAL WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE AND ANOTHER EVALUATION OF THE SCHEME WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE HKSR LATER IN THE SUMMER.
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DEFENCE COST TALK TO BE HELD IN HK
*****
THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS ON RENEGOTIATION OF THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT (DCA) WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG BETWEEN JULY 24 AND 28, 1987, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS FOLLOWS THE FIRST ROUND, WHICH WAS HELD IN LONDON ON MAY 21-22, AND WORKING LEVEL DISCUSSIONS WHICH WERE HELD IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF JUNE
THE PRESENT DCA WILL EXPIRE 'ON MARCH 31, 1988; IT IS INTENDED THAT THE EXISTING AGREEMENT BE REPLACED BY A NEW ONE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS LEADING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TEAM IN THE NEGOTIATIONS; THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TEAM IS LED BY THE ASSISTANT UNDER SECRETARY (GENERAL FINANCE) AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, MR B.H. COUSINS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, FOLLOWING AN INITIAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS IN THE FIRST ROUND, FURTHER DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WOULD NOW TAKE PLACE.
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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1987
$12.3M GRANT FOR STEREO BROADCASTING t ♦ » *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT OF $12.3 MILLION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A VHF PLAN WHICH WOULD PROVIDE TERRITORY-WIDE STEREO BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG IN TWO YEARS’ TIME.
WITH THE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION, THE TOTAL COST FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN NOW STOOD AT $32 MILLION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THE ADDITIONAL FUND IS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO BECOME FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VHF PROJECT INSTEAD OF JOINTLY IMPLEMENTING IT WITH COMMERCIAL RADIO AS PREVIOUSLY PLANNED.
"UNDER THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RETAIN FULL CONTROL OF THE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF BROADCASTING SITES WHICH IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED NUMBER OF SITES SUITABLE FOR BROADCASTING AND THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR THEIR USE FROM COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"SUCH CONTROL WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO JOINTLY OWN THE SITES WITH A THIRD PARTY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ACCESS TO THESE SITES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FACILITIES WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO OTHER USERS IN RETURN FOR AN APPROPRIATE FEE UNDER LICENCE AGREEMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION APPOINTMENT
* t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED DR KIM Y.S. CHAM TO BE A MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1987.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED MR F.L. WALKER AND MR DAVID A. MORRIS TO BE MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION UNTIL JUNE 30, 1989.
MR WALKER IS THE FAR EAST DIRECTOR OF THE CABLE AND WIRELESS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION DURING ITS EARLY YEARS OF INCEPTION. MR MORRIS IS THE CHAIRMAN OF GAMMON (HONG KONG) LTD. AND SERVES ON VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT DR VICTOR K.K. FUNG RETIRED FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION ON JUNE 30 AFTER SERVING ON IT FOR FOUR YEARS.
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A....
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1987
ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP SAPIENTIA COLLEGE STUDENTS t ♦ ♦ » ♦
PARENTS OF THE SAPIENTIA COLLEGE ARE BEING INFORMED OF THE LATEST ARRANGEMENTS THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS MADE TO ASSIST THEIR CHILDREN TO FIND ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PLACES BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
THE EMPHASIS IS STILL, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, ON GIVING PARENTS AND STUDENTS A DISCRETION TO SELECT A SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE FROM A LIST OF SCHOOLS WITH VACANCIES.
THIS WAS DONE THROUGH A LETTER ISSUED YESTERDAY (MONDAY) BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE TO PARENTS OF ALL THE 680 STUDENTS WHO NEED TO FIND ANOTHER SCHOOL TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES
ATTACHED TO THE LETTER IS A FULL LIST OF SCHOOLS WITH FORM 2-FORM 5 VACANCIES IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND KOWLOON. THE LIST INDICATES WHERE ENTRANCE TEST IS NOT REQUIRED. WHERE SUCH A TEST IS REQUIRED, THE DATE IS GIVEN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS WHO HAD APPROACHED THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS, THE LIST GAVE A FULL PICTURE OF THE VACANCIES AVAILABLE TO THE AFFECTED STUDENTS. THE INTENTION WAS STILL AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO HELP STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO SELECT A SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE.
HOWEVER, THE LETTER EMPHASISED THAT SHOULD ANY OF THE PARENTS AND STUDENTS FAIL TO FIND A SCHOOL PLACE BY EARLY AUGUST, THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY SEEK FURTHER ASSISTANCE FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE AT KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, 7/F., 166-174 HING FONG ROAD WHICH WOULD THEN TAKE POSITIVE STEPS TO PLACE THE STUDENTS TO A SCHOOL BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1. THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WERE SUFFICIENT PLACES TO ACCOMMODATE ALL THE STUDENTS AFFECTED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SO FAR ABOUT 100 SAPIENTIA COLLEGE STUDENTS HAD TAKEN UP OFFERS IN OTHER SCHOOLS OF THEIR CHOICE, WHILE THE REMAINDERS WERE STILL AWAITING RESULTS OF THE ENTRANCE TESTS WHICH THEY EITHER HAD TAKEN OR WERE ABOUT TO TAKE.
THE SPOKESMAN INDICATED THAT AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE, IT WAS QUITE APPROPRIATE FOR A SCHOOL TO ENROL STUDENTS THROUGH AN ENTRANCE TEST AS DISTINCT FROM THE ENROLMENT THROUGH A CENTRAL ALLOCATION PROCESS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT QUITE A NUMBER OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE LIST WERE LOCATED IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG. THEIR INCLUSION IN THE LIST WAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE 199 STUDENTS LIVING IN TUEN MUN.
/COMMITTING ON........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1987
- 5 -
COMMENTING ON A SUGGESTION THAT THE SIX NEW AIDED SCHOOLS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN TUEN MUN THIS SEPTEMBER SHOULD OPERATE MORE CLASSES TO ACCOMMODATE SAPIENTIA COLLEGE STUDENTS LIVING IN TUEN MUN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN FACT, THERE WERE ONLY THREE NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS AVAILABLE FOR THE SIX SCHOOLS OF WHICH HALF ADVANCED THEIR OPENING DATE BY ONE YEAR. THEY W I LD SHARE THE THREE SCHOOL PREMISES UNTIL THE BUILDINGS FOR THE TH. EE ADVANCE OPENING SCHOOLS WERE COMPLETED IN 1988.
UNDER THIS INTERIM ARRANGEMENT, THE NUMBER OF ROOMS DESIGNATED FOR THE HEADMASTERS, TEACHING AND OTHER SCHOOL STAFF HAD TO BE DOUBLED. AS A RESULT, THESE SCHOOLS WOULD BE OPERATING VIRTUALLY WITHOUT ANY SPARE ACCOMMODATION IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ASK THEM TO OPERATE ANY MORE CLASSES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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SWORN IN AS ACTING GOVERNOR *****
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MR DAVID FORD, WAS SWORN (TUESDAY)MORNING AS ACTING GOVERNOR WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 21.
IN THIS
THE OATHS WERE ADMINISTERED BY THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE YANG, IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
JUSTICE, MR
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, NOW IN LONDON ON DUTY UNTIL JULY 23, IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON AUGUST 12 HIS LEAVE.
VISIT
AFTER
TUESDAY, JULY’ 21, 1987
6
AP LEX CHAU DREDGING WORK TO BEGIN » » * * *
A PLAN PROVIDING FOR THE DREDGING AND EXCAVATION OF THE FORESHORE AND SEABED AT AP LEI CHAU EAST TO GIVE VESSELS ACCESS TO BOATYARD SITES WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CESD), WILL COMMENCE IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED BY NEXT MARCH.
CESD PROJECT ENGINEER, MR K.K. CHAN, SAID 2.4 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED WOULD BE DREDGED AND EXCAVATED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT DEPTH OF WATER FOR ACCESS TO AND OPERATION OF BOAT BUILDING AND BOAT REPAIRING SITES.
THE SITES ARE TO BE LEASED TO BOATYARD OPERATORS AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED AP LEI CHAU NORTH RECLAMATION.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED PLAN SHOULD WRITE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY SEPTEMBER 16.
TO THE
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PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR SHEK WU HUI » * t » 1
A S7.6-MILLION CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BETWEEN THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A CONTRACTOR FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SHEK WU HUI, SHEUNG SHU1.
THE SCHOOL WILL BE LOCATED AT SO KWUN PO, ABOUT 10 MINUTES’ WALK FROM SHEUNG SHUI KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION.
IT WILL COVER A SITE AREA OF ABOUT 3,600 SQUARE METRES AND THE PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF A SEVEN-STOREY SCHOOL BLOCK CONTAINING 24 CLASSROOMS, A COVERED PLAYGROUND, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND FIVE SPECIAL PURPOSE ROOMS.
OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE STAFF QUARTERS, A BASKETBALL COURT AND CAR PARKING SPACES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START LATER THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN READINESS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR STARTING AFTER THE 1988 SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
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/7
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1987
7
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER » » « » *
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) TO DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE SURVEY OFFICE, MISS ANISSA WONG AND MONITOR, MR ANDREW SO WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO HEAR MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THE DOCUMENT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE VIEWS OF AREA COMMITTEES ON THE GREEN PAPER, REPORTS OF MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S DISCUSSION GROUP ON HONG KONG’S POLITICAL SYSTEM; REPORTS FROM THE BOARD’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT’S SIX AREA COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, NO. 7-11, NAM NING STREET, MEI FUNG COURT, 2/F., ABERDEEN CENTRE. INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PING SHAN SOUTH LAYOUT PLAN * » « * t
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TOWN PLANNING AND AREA DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PING SHAN SOUTH LAYOUT PLAN.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE PRINTING OF AN INFORMATION LEAFLET FOR LAND OWNERS AND PEOPLE AFFECTED BY LAND RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCES IN YUEN LONG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE DISCUSSIONS OF NEW ROADS IN YUEN LONG TOWN SOUTH AND AGRICULTURAL PRIORITY AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT 3 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
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/8
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1987
- 8 -
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET
*****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS A REVIEW ON PEDESTRIAN BLACK SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT.
PRESENTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE REVIEW SHOWS THAT A TOTAL OF 19 PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT AREAS AND 21 PEDESTRIAN BLACK SPOTS WERE IDENTIFIED IN 1986, AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO PROVIDE PROPER CROSSING FACILITITES AND IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN FLOW IN THE AREAS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSPORT FACILITIES AT HEGN FA CHUEN AND THE NEW TRAFFIC PROPOSAL AT THE JUNCTION OF FORTRESS HILL ROAD AND FORTRESS GARDEN/METRO FORTRESS GARDEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMITTEE MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF DISTRICT OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
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DB COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO MEET
* * * *
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) TO CONSIDER ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR PUBLICISING THE BOARD’S ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO LOOK AT A PROGRESS REPORT FROM A WORKING GROUP ON THE COMPILATION AND PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION CARDS ON DISTRICT RESOURCES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, 14/F, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1987
DISCUSSION ON STREET SLEEPERS
* ♦ t t
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN JVAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO STREET SLEEPERS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE PROJECT ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS IS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WILL BRIEF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL.
QUESTIONS ON MEDICAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES PROVIDED IN TSUEN WAN WILL ALSO BE RAISED. •
THE AGENDA INCLUDES PROGRESS REPORTS ON WORKING GROUPS ON YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND CIVIC EDUCATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED *****
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON CHIU SAU-LAI AND LAU MAN-CHEUNG ON DECEMBER 11, 1985 AND JANUARY 21, 1986 RESPECTIVELY SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF 30 YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT.
CHIU WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF CHEUNG WAI-CHUN WHILE LAU WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF HO HO-YIN.
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/1O........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1987
10 -
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN SHEUNG SHUT ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE ACCESS ROAD TO WAH SHAN FROM ROAD L9, SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE DESIGNATED A PROHIBITED ZONE FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 24).
NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PROHIBITED AREA 24-HOUR DAILY.
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SALT WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND LAI KING t ♦ ♦ * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF ON FRIDAY (JULY 24) FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY KING’S ROAD, LAU SIN STREET, HING FAT STREET, WHITFIELD ROAD, ELECTRIC ROAD AND MERLIN STREET, INCLUDING WATSON ROAD.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN LAI KING AND TAI WO TSUEN WILL ALSO BE TURNED OFF ON THE SAME DAY FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
AFFECTED WILL BE ALL PREMISES ALONG WAH KING HILL ROAD, LAI KING HILL ROAD, TAI WO TSUEN (WAH YUEN CHUEN), WONDERFUL VILLAS, CHING LAI COURT, YUET LAI COURT, LAI KING ESTATE, LAI YIU ESTATE, CHO YIU ESTATE AND LAI KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
’HIGH* PROPERTY MARKET ACTIVITIES RECORDED ............ 1
MARBLE IN THE YUEN LONG AREA ..........................
NEW NT CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE PLANNED.............. 5
UNITED STATES SENATE TRADE BILL........................ 7
RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL TO BE RE-DEVELOPED................. 7
SERVICES TO FOSTER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT .................. 9
ALL REDUNDANT PRIMARY TEACHERS PLACED..................
COMPUTER-AIDED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT SIGNED. 11
ACTRESS TO BE SAI KUNG’S ANTI-CRIME ADVOCATE........... 12
SURVEY TO GAUGE WAN CHAI VIEWS ON GREEN PAPER.......... 13
DISCUSSION ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND................... 13
TENANCY SOUGHT FOR STORAGE SITE .......................
SPEED LIMIT IN YUEN LONG...............................
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL.............. 15
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
1
’HIGH’ PROPERTY MARKET ACTIVITIES RECORDED
* * » * »
THE NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS IN THE URBAN AREA, THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THEM IN UNCOMPLETED BUILDINGS, REGISTERED IN THE LAND OFFICE INCREASED BY 34.8 PER CENT AND DROPPED BY 9.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1986.
REPORTING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON HIS DEPARTMENT’S FIGURES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS IN THE URBAN AREA (HONG KONG ISLAND,KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON) DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1987, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID THAT IN ALL 30,296 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1987.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE AGREEMENTS HAD INCREASED BY 58.8 PER CENT FROM $16,836 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF AND BY 10.6 PER CENT FROM $24,179 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1986 TO $26,731 BILLION.
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1987, 46,828 ASSIGNMENTS OF UNITS IN COMPLETED BUILDINGS, THE MAJORITY RESIDENTIAL, WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 35,025 AND 45,462 RESPECTIVELY DURING THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1986, SHOWING INCREASES OF 33.7 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS ALSO INCREASED BY 36.3 PER CENT FROM $21,271 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1986 AND BY 19.7 PER CENT FROM $24,231 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF TO $28,999 BILLTON.
A TOTAL OF 3,425 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE COMPLETED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, COMPARED WITH 4,511 AND 5,264 IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1986 RESPECTIVELY, SHOWING CONTINUED GOOD PROGRESS IN THIS AREA.
THERE WERE 415 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS. THIS WAS 24.3 PER CENT AND 30.1 PER CENT MORE RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HAVLES OF 1986. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE ASSIGNMENTS DECREASED BY 70.3 PER CENT FROM $23,017 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1986 AND INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT FROM $5,106 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF TO $6,843 BILLION.
TWENTY-ONE BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 51,513 OTHER MORTGAGES WERE REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1987, COMPARED WITH 29 AND 32,387 RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST HALF AND COMPARED WITH 20 AND 43,617 RESPECTIVELY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1986.
/THE TOTAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1987 DROPPED BY 36.1 PER CENT FROM $552 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF AND BY 0.9 PER CENT FROM $356 MILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1986 TO $353 MILLION. THE AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES HOWEVER ROSE BY 56.5 PER CENT FROM $14,970 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF AND BY 29.3 PER CENT FROM $18,116 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1986 TO $23,424 BILLION.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, WERE UP BY 6.5 PER CENT FROM $11,016 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF AND BY 5.1 PER CENT FROM $11,167 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1986 TO $11,737 BILLION.
SEARCHES IN THE LAND OFFICE DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1987 BY THE PUBLIC REACHED AN ALL TIME HIGH OF 711,370, UP BY 28.6 PER CENT AND 6.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1986.
OF THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES, FIVE HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE OVER THE REMAINING THREE REGISTRIES, NAMELY, ISLANDS, TAI PO AND NORTH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1987, THE FIVE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 91,310 INSTRUMENTS, INCLUDING 22,496 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS, 19,414 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS, 1,621 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 13 BUILDING MORTGAGES, 26,959 OTHER MORTGAGES AND 13,390 MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, REASSIGNMENTS AND CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF CONSIDERATIONS OF $11,625 BILLION, $7,714 BILLION, $1,382 BILLION, $334 MILLION, $8,005 BILLION AND $4,057 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
SIGNIFICANT GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS COMPLETED DURING THE HALF YEAR OF 1987 INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:-
(1) THE GRANT BY PRIVATE TREATY OF A 1.518-HECTARE SITE (LOT NO. 1576 IN DD 115) IN YUEN LONG TO KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION AT A PREMIUM OF $21 MILLION FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) DEVELOPMENT WITH A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM TERMINUS AND COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION ON JANUARY 6, 1987.
(2) THE SALE BY PUBLIC TENDER OF A 2.224-HECTARE SITE (TUEN MUN TOWN LOT NO. 246) IN AREA 5, TUEN MUN TO LEADCHOICE DEVELOPMENT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $210 MILLION FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP (PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION) SCHEME ON FEBRUARY 9, 1987.
/(J) THE MODIFICATION
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 198?
- 3
(3) THE MODIFICATION OF LEASES OF MARINE LOT NO. 277 AND THE EXTENSION THERETO, MARINE LOT NO. 281 AND THE EXTENSION THERETO AND INLAND LOT NO. 1395 (NORTH POINT SHELL DEPOT) AT A TOTAL PREMIUM OF $87 MILLION SO AS TO PREMIT REDEVELOPMENT OF A COMBINED 3.476-HECTARE SITE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOOWN OR HOTEL) PURPOSES ON MARCH 20, 1987.
(4) THE GRANT BY PRIVATE TREATY OF A 5,956-SQUARE METRE SITE (SHAU KEI WAN INLAND LOT NO. 795) AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI ON STREET, SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HOLY CROSS PATH TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AT A PREMIUM OF $216 MILLION FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH A MTR STATION COMPLEX AND GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION ON MARCH 31, 1987.
(5) THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION OF A 2,098-SQUARE METRE SITE (INLAND LOT NO. 8667) AT THE JUNCTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND JUBILEE STREET TO HANG SENG BANK LIMITED AT A PREMINUM OF $840 MILLION FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES ON MAY 29, 1987.
(6) THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION OF A 3,200-SQUARE METRE SITE (CHAI WAN INLAND LOT NO. 134) AT KA YIP STREET TO MINBASE LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $83 MILLION FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES ON MAY 29, 1987.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY ROSE BY 4.7 PER CENT FROM 866,105 IN JUNE 1986 TO 906,957 IN DECEMBER 1986 AND AGAIN BY 3.6 PER CENT TO 939,120 IN JUNE 1987.
ALL IN ALL, THESE FIGURES REFLECTED THE CONTINUING HIGH LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IN A RELATIVELY FIRM PROPERTY MARKET WITH STRENGTH PARTICULARLY IN THE LOWER END OF THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, MR GLEESON SAID.
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A....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
MARBLE IN THE YUEN LONG AREA
* ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE HAS RECENTLY CONFIRMED THE EXISTENCE OF MARBLE BEDROCK IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AS PART OF ITS NEW GEOLOGICAL MAPPING PROGRAMME OF THE TERRITORY.
THE MARBLE OCCURS IN ISOLATED PATCHES BENEATH AN APPROXIMATELY TWO KILOMETRE WIDE STRIP OF LAND FROM NORTH OF SHENZHEN TO JUST NORTH OF TUEN MUN. IT IS PARTICULARLY PREVALENT IN THE YUEN LONG AREA AND FORMS PART OF WHAT GEOLOGISTS CALL THE YUEN LONG FORMATION, WHICH IS OF CARBONIFEROU AGE (ABOUT 250 MILLION YEARS OLD).
NO MARBLE CAN BE SEEN AT THE GROUND SURFACE BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETELY COVERED BY A THICK LAYER OF ALLUVIAL SOIL. ITS EXACT LOCATIONS ARE THEREFORE UNKNOWN, AND INFORMATION AS TO WHERE IT EXISTS HAS ONLY BEEN FORTHCOMING FROM BOREHOLES DRILLED THROUGH THE ALLUVIUM INTO THE ROCK FOR THE DESIGN OF BUILDING FOUNDATIONS AND GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION WELLS.
PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER, DR E.W. BRAND, SAID THE MARBLE HAD POSED PROBLEMS FOR SOME BUILDING WORKS IN THE YUEN LONG AREA BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN FOUND TO CONTAIN CAVITIES IN A FEW PLACES.
IN FACT, THE EXISTENCE OF CAVITIES IN THE MARBLE WAS FIRST DISCOVERED MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AGO, AND A TECHNICAL PAPER DESCRIBING PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING FOUNDATIONS IN YUEN LONG WAS PUBLISHED BY K.L. SIU AND S.H. KWAN OF FREEMAN FOX AND PARTNERS AS EARLY AS 1982, HE SAID.
MARBLE IS MADE OF CALCIUM CARBONATE. OVER MILLIONS OF YEARS, THIS IS DISSOLVED BY THE WEAKLY ACID GROUNDWATER TO FORM CAVITIES.
’’THE CAVITIES CAN BE VERY LARGE, AND THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHERE THEY WILL OCCUR ON THE YUEN LONG PLAIN,” DR BRAND SAID. ’’THEY CAN ONLY BE FOUND BY DRILLING DEEPLY INTO THE MARBLE BENEATH THE ALLUVIUM.”
DR BRAND EMPHASISED THAT MARBLE DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYWHERE UNDER THE YUEN LONG PLAIN, AND EVEN WHERE IT DOES OCCUR IT MAY NOT CONTAIN CAVITIES. HOWEVER, THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR DESIGNING BUILDINGS JIN THE AREA SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE COULD BE PROBLEMS WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOUNDATIONS IF MARBLE EXISTS UNDER THEIR SITES.
’’ALL THE PROBLEMS CAN BE OVERCOME BY A GOOD GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER,” STRESSED DR BRAND, ” BUT MORE THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS ARE REQUIRED ON SUCH SITES, AND THE FOUNDATION COSTS MIGHT BE HIGHER THAN USUAL. ”
/DR BRAND
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 198?
- 5 -
DR BRAND ALSO EMPHASISED THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER TO EXISTING BUILDINGS AS NO LARGE CAVITIES HAD BEEN REPORTED IN CONNECTION WITH EXISTING BUILDINGS, NOR WERE THERE ANY SIGNS THAT THEY WERE AFFECTED.
THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE HAS NOW COMPILED INFORMATION FROM ALMOST 3,000 BOREHOLES IN THE AREA, SOME OF WHICH INDICATE THE EXISTENCE OF CAVERNOUS MARBLE IN A FEW LOCATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN YUEN LONG.
"IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AS MUCH ASSISTANCE AS POSSIBLE TO ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS WORKING IN THE YUEN LONG AREA, THE DATA COLLECTED CAN BE VIEWED AT ANY TIME IN THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE," HE SAID.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE YUEN LONG MARBLE FORMS ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE DATA BEING COLLECTED FOR THE NEW 1:20,000 SCALE GEOLOGICAL MAPS NOW BEING PREPARED FOR THE WHOLE TERRITORY.
THE FIRST TWO OF THESE, AND THE TWO ACCOMPANYING DESCRIPTIVE MEMOIRS, WENT ON SALE RECENTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES OUTLETS.
THE GEOLOGICAL MAP AND MEMOIR WHICH COVER THE YUEN LONG AREA WILL BE AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
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NEW NT CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE PLANNED
*****
THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO SET UP A CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NEXT YEAR.
AND WITH FUNDS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, IT IS ALSO PRODUCING A NEW SERIES OF VIDEO FILMS ON JOBS AVAILABLE IN THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS.
THESE WERE DISCLOSED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, AT THE OPENING OF THE 9TH SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHEN TOLD A GATHERING OF ABOUT 100 CAREERS TEACHERS WHO ATTENDED THE EVENT THAT THE NEW CENTRE, SIMILAR TO THE EXISTING THREE RUN BY YEAS, WOULD PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A VARIETY OF REFERENCE MATERIALS, SOUND-OM-SLIDES, AS WELL AS VIDEO-CASSETTE RECORDINGS ON CAREERS INFORMATION AND FURTHER STUDIES.
/HE NOTED
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
6 -
HE NOTED THAT YEAS, IN PROVIDING A CAREERS GUIDANCE SERVICE, HAD PUBLISHED A RANGE OF PAMPHLETS AND ORGANISED ANNUALLY A CAREERS EXHIBITION, A CAREERS QUIZ AND A WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE TO CHOOSE A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR INTERESTS AND ABILITIES.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, IT HAD ORGANISED IN 1986/87 SEVEN CAREERS DAYS IN TWO TRAINING CENTRES AND FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES SO AS TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE TYPES OF COURSES AND THE TRAINING FACILITIES PROVIDED THERE.
MR CHEN ALSO COMMENTED ON THE CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LOCAL MARKET WHICH, HE SAID, WOULD HAVE AFFECTED THE ASPIRATIONS AND CHOICE OF CAREERS OF YOUNG SCHOOL LEAVERS IN VARIOUS DEGREES.
HE HOPED THAT THE SEMINAR WOULD PROVIDE THE PARTICIPANTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE MORE CLOSELY AND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE AND VIEWS ON CAREERS GUIDANCE.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WHO ALSO OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY SAID THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CAREERS TEACHERS WAS GETTING GREATER AND GREATER IN THE FAST CHANGING SOCIETY.
HE SAID CAREERS TEACHERS MUST BE FULLY AWARE OF THE CHANGES TAKING PLACE AND THE IMPACT OF SUCH UPON THEIR STUDENTS.
"CLEARLY FREQUENT PARTICIPATION IN CAREERS VISIT, DISCUSSION SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND TRAINING COURSES WILL UPDATE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN CAREERS GUIDANCE.
"IT WILL ALSO KEEP CAREERS TEACHERS ABREAST OF CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN SOCIETY."
HE PLEDGED THAT THE CAREERS EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WHICH HAD BEEN UPDATING AND REPLENISHING VARIOUS TYPES OF INFORMATION FOR THE REFERENCE OF TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS, WOULD JOIN HANDS WITH THE CAREERS TEACHERS IN FACING THE LATEST CHANGES AND NEEDS SO AS TO RENDER FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN GUIDANCE WORK.
THE ONE-DAY SEMINAR FEATURED CAREERS EDUCATION AND ASPIRATIONS OF YOUNG SCHOOL LEAVERS IN THE 80’S. GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDED DR LEUNG KWOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND MR YING WANG-BUN OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
UNITED STATES SENATE TRADE BILL *****
THE UNITED STATES SENATE APPROVED A TRADE BILL ON TUESDAY BY A MAJORITY OF 71 VOTES TO 27.
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR RETALIATION AGAINST COUNTRIES WITH UNFAIR TRADING PRACTICES AND MIGHT MAKE EXPORTING TO THE UNITED STATES MORE DIFFICULT.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY): "THE U.S. TRADE BILL STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY AT THIS STAGE WHAT THE FINAL BILL WILL LOOK LIKE. AT THE MOMENT IT IS OVER 1,000 PAGES LONG AND INCLUDES 275 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS."
HE ADDED THAT THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAD APPROVED A DIFFERENT VERSION OF THE BILL IN APRIL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT "THE NEXT STEP WILL BE FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE VERSIONS OF THE BILL TO BE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY KEY MEMBERS OF THE TWO CHAMBERS TO IRON OUT A COMPROMISE TEXT IN CONFERENCE. THIS IS NOT LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE UNTIL AT LEAST SEPTEMBER.
"THE BILL THEN HAS TO GO TO THE PRESIDENT, WHO MAY CHOOSE TO VETO IT."
AS IT STANDS, THE BILL CONTAINS A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS WHICH ARE OBJECTIONABLE TO HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY WHERE THEY ERODE THE PRESIDENT’S DISCRETION IN NEGOTIATING TRADE AGREEMENTS. HOPEFULLY THESE WILL NOT SURVIVE THE CONFERENCE STAGE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL TO BE RE-DEVELOPED * * * *
THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM IN WAN CHAI WILL BE UPGRADED INTO A GENERAL HOSPITAL FROM AN ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS INSTITUTION UNDER A REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHICH IS NOW UNDERWAY.
FUNDS FOR THE EXTENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE OLD HOSPITAL, RUN BY THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION, HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROGRAMME IS ESTIMATED TO BE $279.9 MILLION OF WHICH 80 PER CENT IS CONTRIBUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
/THE REDEVELOPMENT
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
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THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT INCLUDES THE BUILDING OF A FIVE-STOREY PODIUM WHICH IS THE HEART OF THE NEW HOSPITAL FOR ALL ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES.
THERE WILL BE THREE HIGH BLOCKS - A MAIN HOSPITAL BLOCK WITH 16 WARDS, A NURSES QUARTERS AND A SENIOR STAFF AND MEDICAL OFFICERS QUARTERS.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THE NEW HOSPITAL IS ABOUT 42,000 SQUARE METRES.
WHEN COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1989, THE NEW RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE MEDICAL, SURGICAL, GERIATRICS, TUBERCULOSIS AND CHEST, INTENSIVE CARE AND INFIRMARY SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
THE NEW HOSPITAL WILL HAVE 462 GENERAL BEDS, 152 INFIRMARY BEDS AND 50 GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL PLACES.
SITE FORMATION AND FOUNDATION WORK OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN HOSPITAL BUILDINGS WHICH COSTS $178 MILLION WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY FOR THE MAIN BUILDING OF THE RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE $178 MILLION CONTRACT WILL BE SIGNED BY ACTING CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HOSPITAL, MR TSENG CHENG.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR (HONG KONG) OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR KATHLEEN SO, WILL BE PRESENT TO WITNESS THE SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL, NURSES QUARTERS, RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM, 266 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, HONG KONG.
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/9........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
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SERVICES TO FOSTER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
*****
ADDITIONAL FUNDS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF 28 MORE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER POSTS IN SEPTEMBER TO IMPROVE THE MANNING RATIO, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, SHE OUTLINED THE VARIOUS SERVICES FOR HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT.
SHE NOTED THAT 40 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION, OR 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE, WERE UNDER 24.
ONE OF THE MANY SERVICES FOR THEM WAS THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, WHICH WERE SET UP AT VARIOUS DISTRICTS AT A PLANNING RATIO OF ONE CENTRE EVERY 20,000 POPULATION, SHE SAID. AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 163 YOUTH CENTRES AND 151 CHILDREN CENTRES.
"THESE CENTRES ARE MANAGED BY TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS WHO ASSIST THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL AND SOCIALISATION SKILLS," MRS WONG SAID.
"THIS SERVICE HAS ATTAINED ITS OBJECTIVE, BUT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONSIDERING WHETHER THERE IS A NEED TO REVIEW THE PLANNING RATIO.
"THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE CONSULTED AND WE BOTH AGREED THAT A MORE FLEXIBLE AND PRACTICAL STANDARD IS REQUIRED TO COINCIDE WITH THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE YOUTH POPULATION.
"THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) SHORTLY FOR CONSIDERATION," SHE SAID.
APART FROM JOINING THE YOUTH CENTRES, YOUNG PEOPLE COULD ALSO TAKE PART IN THE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THESE ACTIVITIES WERE FURTHER SUPPLEMENTED BY MORE IN-DEPTH INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT.
"YOUTH SERVICES THEREFORE ALSO EXTEND TO SCHOOLS, FAMILIES AND THE WORKING YOUTHS TO ENHANCE THE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND TO PROMOTE THE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND MORAL ETHICS," SHE ADDED.
IN THE SCHOOLS, A CONTINGENT OF 123 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS ARE NOW SERVING SOME 463,000 STUDENTS IN 465 SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
/URS WONG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
10 -
MRS WONG ANNOUNCED THAT FUNDS HAD BEEN APPROVED TO ESTABLISH 28 MORE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER POSTS IN SEPTEMBER TO IMPROVE THE MANNING RATIO, AS RECOMMENDED BY A EVALUATION STUDY AND SUBSEQUENTLY ENDORSED BY SWAC.
"SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS SUPPLEMENT THE TEACHING RESOURCES IN HELPING STUDENTS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT THEIR STUDIES, THEIR MOODS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT.
"FURTHERMORE, THEY CAN HELP STUDENTS TO COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH THEIR PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, REALISE THEIR OWN SHORTCOMINGS, AS WELL AS UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE PROPER WAYS TO MEET THEIR DESIRES AND TO MAKE BETTER USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THAT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WAS YET ANOTHER SERVICE BEING ACTIVELY PROMOTED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE AND TO PREVENT FAMILY PROBLEMS.
"ONE OF THE THEMES OF THIS COMMUNITY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IS TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLE IN THE FAMILY AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, TO PREVENT THEM FROM GOING ASTRAY DURING ADOLESCENCE AND TO PREPARE THEM TO FACE THE ADULT WORLD, THE WORKING LIFE AND MARITAL RELATIONSHIP IN FUTURE," SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK OF THIS CAMPAIGN WHEREAS THE ACTUAL RENDERING OF SERVICE WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES THROUGH 56 FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WORKERS.
MRS WONG EMPHASISED THAT ULTIMATELY THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUNG PEOPLE CAME FROM THEIR PARENTS WHO SHOULD GIVE THE CHILDREN LOVE AND PROPER GUIDANCE AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEM BECAUSE FAMILY WAS ALWAYS THE BEST SHELTER AND THE FIRST PLACE FOR LEARNING TO THE CHILDREN.
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/11 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22,
1987
ALL REDUNDANT PRIMARY TEACHERS PLACED * * * ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY PLACED ALL 382 REDUNDANT AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO REGISTERED WITH THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT IN MAY THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR. THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THANKED THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES FOP THEIR FULL SUPPORT AND COOPERATION TO ACCEPT THE REDUNDANT TEACHERS REFERRED TO THEM BY THE DEPARTMENT TO FILL THEIR VACANCIES.
ALL AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE INFORMED IN WRITING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) THAT THEY ARE FREE TO ENTER INTO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS WITH OTHER TEACHERS STARTING TOMORROW.
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HOLDS AN ANNUAL EXERCISE SINCE 1975 TO HELP REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS SEEK ALTERNATIVE JOBS AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN POPULATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE AND A POPULATION SHIFT FROM URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS IN RECENT YEARS.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT, ABOUT 5,000 TEACHERS HAVE BEEN HELPED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE POSTS IN THE LAST 12 YEARS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
COMPUTER-AIDED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT SIGNED
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR. K.Y. YEUNG, WILL SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON A CO-ORDINATED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN/COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURE TECHNOLOGY.
THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM ON JULY 24 (FRIDAY) AT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 1402, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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/12
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
ACTRESS TO BE SAI KUNG’S ANTI-CRIME ADVOCATE
*****
FILM ACTRESS, MISS WAI YING-HUNG, HAS ACCEPTED AN OFFER TO BE SAI KUNG DISTRICT’S STANDARD BEARER IN FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES.
A CEREMONY TO PRESENT THE APPOINTMENT LETTER TO MISS WAI A3 THE STANDARD BEARER OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG CHUN-HOI AND THE DIVISIONAL POLICE COMMANDER OF THE SAI KUNG DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION, MR P.C.C. LAWRENCE.
AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE PARTY WILL PROCEED TO CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BAY WHERE THEY WILL ERECT A PUBLICITY SIGNBOARD ON THE BEACH.
ABOUT 10 OTHER PUBLICITY SIGNBOARDS WILL BE ERECTED AT VARIOUS CARPARKS AND BEACHES SUCH AS THE CLEAR WATER BAY FIRST BAY, SILVERSTRAND BEACH, TRIO BEACH, HAP MUN BAY, PAK SHA WAN PIER AND SAI KUNG TOWN PUBLIC PIER IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THE SIGNBOARDS WILL BE A REMINDER TO BEACH GOERS TO TAKE GREAT CARE OF THEIR BELONGINGS AND TO REPORT ANY BEACH OR VEHICLE THEFT TO THE POLICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND THE ERECTION OF PUBLICITY SIGNBOARDS FOR THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN TOMORROW (THURSDAY). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN AT 10 AM. TRANSPORT WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE ERECTION OF SIGNBOARDS AT THE CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BAY AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
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/15
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
SURVEY TO GAUGE WAN CHAI VIEWS ON GREEN PAPER ♦ » ♦ ♦ *
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD HAS COMMISSIONED A RESEARCH COMPANY TO CONDUCT A SURVEY ON RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMONTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
THE FIRM, CONSUMER SEARCH HK LTD., WILL INTERVIEW 500 HOUSEHOLDS AT RANDOM FROM THE FIVE CONSTITUENCIES IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO THE SELECTED FAMILIES INFORMING THEM OF THE EXERCISE.
RESULTS OF IHii SURVEY WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD BEFORE THEY ARE PRESENTED TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
THE BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $50,000 FOR THE SURVEY IN AN EFFORT TO GAUGE PUBLIC OPINION ON THE GREEN PAPER.
APART FROM THIS, THE BOARD HAS ALSO SET ASIDE FUNDS TO ORGANISE SEMINARS IN A BID TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE GREEN PAPER. SO FAR, THREE LOCAL GROUPS HAVE RECEIVED FUNDS FROM THE BOARD FOR CONDUCTING SEMINARS ON THE SUBJECT.
-----0------
DISCUSSION ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND * ♦ ♦ * *
MEMBERS OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE SETTING UP OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A REPORT ON THE SALE AND OCCUPANCY OF FLATTED INDUSTRIAL UNITS IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD.
-----0------
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
TENANCY SOUGHT FOR STORAGE SITE
*****
AN OPEN STORAGE SITE AT TUEN MUN IS TO BE LET ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE l.l-HEI TARE SITE IS AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR SIU LAM SAN TSUEN.
REPAIRING OF CONTAINERS IS ALSO PERMITTED.
THE TENANCY IS TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 7.
- - 0 - -
SPEED LIMIT IN YUEN LONG *****
THE EXISTING SPEED LIMIT OF 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ON FAN KAM ROAD AND KAM TIN ROAD IN YUEN LONG WILL BE REDUCED TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 24).
THE AFFECTED SECTIONS ARE: FAN KAM ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KAM TIN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND KAM TIN ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FAN KAM ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES WEST OF THF SAME JUNCTION.
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/15
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1987
- 15 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL » » t »
TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORKS, THE EXISTING BAN ON VEHICLES EXCEEDING SEVEN METRES IN LENGTH ON THE SLIP ROAD SOUTH OF THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK IN CENTRAL WILL BE EXTENDED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 25).
AFFECTED VEHICLES INCLUDING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTE 103 ON ITS JOURNEY TO POKFIELD ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUEENSWAY, RODNEY STREET, DRAKE STREET, TAMAR STREET AND HARCOURT ROAD TO REJOIN COTTON TREE DRIVE.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY (SATURDAY), A 35-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WELLINGTON STREET WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PEEL STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
MEANWHILE, THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND ON THE SAME SECTION OF WELLINGTON STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE ALONG A 35-METRE STRETCH OF THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WELLINGTON STREET EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN STREET WILL BE LIFTED.
THESE MEASURES WILL LAST FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH TO FACILITATE GAS MAINS LAYING WORKS.
-------o----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL PRIZES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS................................................ 1
INCREASED LEVEL OF COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES RECORDED.......... 3
1985 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION REPORT NOW ON SALE.. 6
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS GOING ABROAD ............. 6
WESTERN DISTRICT BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS .............. 7
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR TOURS AIRPORT ...................... 8
HONG KONG CHOIR ENTHRALLS LONDON .......................... 8
FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN SAI KUNG........................... 9
KWUN TONG DB MEMBERS VISIT REGIONAL COUNCIL .............. 10
SHAM SHUT PO PILOT SCHEME TO TACKLE SCHOOL CRIME.......... 10
CONSTABLE TO RECEIVE GALLANTRY MEDAL FROM QUEEN .......... 11
POSSESSION OF INVALID IDENTITY CARDS AN OFFENCE........... 12
WEAK CHILD TURNED TOUGH WOMaN POLICE INSTRUCTOR........... 13
ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS TO GET PRIZES................... 14
ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN WaN CHAI.......................... 15
SUMMER RACING CaRNIVaL ON SUNDAY.......................... 16
TRAM-ONLY T.-NE CANCELLED TEMPORARILY
16
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL PRIZES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS '.il
... ... 1 ”2
♦ ♦ » t »
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) A SCHEME OF PRIZES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS WORTH.j„ MORE THAN $2 MILLION FOR LOCAL STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS. ' ;
"THE SCHEME IS DECIDED BY THE COUNCIL WHOSE MEMBERSHIP ,1)(* INCLUDES LADY YOUDE," THE COUNCIL’S CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, SAID. <
Mi
LADY YOUDE WAS IN HONG KONG IN MAY AND ATTENDED A JOINT MEETING OF THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND !
COUNCIL. IMPORTANT FIRST IDEAS FOR MAKING AWARDS IN THE 1987-88
ACADEMIC YEAR WERE DISCUSSED AT THAT TIME; PROPOSALS AND DETAILED
PLANS WERE FORMULATED AND CONSIDERED BY THE COUNCIL SINCE THEN. Y’i
l* ‘
"ALTHOUGH LADY YOUDE IS UNABLE TO ATTEND OUR RECENT MEETINGS, V • WE HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM GETTING HER INVOLVED AND OBTAINING HER VIEWS ON OUR PROPOSALS AND PLANS,” MR
CHEONG SAID. > ’■
THE COUNCIL WILL MAKE AWARDS IN 1987-88 AS FOLLOWS:
* SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN TO FORM 5. ( STUDENTS AND STUDENTS FROM EITHER FORM 6 OR 7 . ALL SCHOOLS, IN HONG KONG WHICH ADMIT THESE STUDENTS WILL BE INVITED TO ?' NOMINATE ONE STUDENT FOR EACH CATEGORY. STUDENTS WILL BE f SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF GOOD ACADEMIC RESULTS AND PARTICIPATION IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN THEIR SCHOOLS 'OR IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PRIZE VALUE WILL BE $400 -‘
' EACH; I ”•
» SIXTY SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE ( AWARDED TO FINAL YEAR DIPLOMA AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE. THE COUNCIL .... WILL BE LOOKING FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT ONLY EXCELLED ACADEMICALLY, BUT HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE LIFE OF THE STUDENT BODY IN THEIR INSTITUTIONS OR TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG. THE SCHOLARSHIP VALUE WILL BE $10,000 EACH; AND
/* TWENTY TO
f
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
2
* TWENTY TO 25 SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS WILL BE AWARDED TO POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS STUDYING FOR THEIR HIGHER DEGREE BY RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC; THESE ARE THE THREE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH OFFER POST-GRADUATE DEGREES AT PRESENT. THE COUNCIL WILL AWARD THE FELLOWSHIPS IN RECOGNITION OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH WHICH IS OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG. THE FELLOWSHIP VALUE WILL BE $25,000 EACH YEAR.
MR CHEONG SAID THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THAT THE COMBINATION OF PRIZES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS WOULD MEET THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND.
"THE COUNCIL IS FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT ITS PRIORITY SHOULD BE TO USE THE PROCEEDS OF THE FUND TO ASSIST THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IDENTIFYING IN THE PROCESS FUTURE LEADERS WHO WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE TERRITORY AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE.
"ALTHOUGH EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF POTENTIAL LEADING SCHOLARS AND RESEARCHERS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL, PRIZES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO ATTAIN A HIGH STANDARD IN LEARNING AND TO CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE COUNCIL HAD ONLY JUST BEGUN WORK IN MAY THIS YEAR AND IT NATURALLY MUST CONCENTRATE ITS FIRST EFFORTS ON MAKING AWARDS TO STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS LOCALLY.
"WE ARE CONSIDERING OTHER AREAS FOR WHICH THE INCOME OF THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND MAY BE USED AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE A SCHEME FOR SENDING OUR BRIGHT STUDENTS ON SCHOLARSHIPS TO OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES IN 1988-89," HE ADDED.
THE COUNCIL WILL BE WRITING TO THE PRINCIPALS OF ALL ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS AND HEADS OF THE FIVE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG SHORTLY TO INVITE NOMINATIONS. CANDIDATES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS WILL BE INTERVIEWED IN SEPTEMBER AND SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FOR ALL THE AWARDS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER 1987. A PUBLIC PRESENTATION BY LADY YOUDE IS PLANNED FOR FEBRUARY 1988.
THE COUNCIL STRONGLY HOPES THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUND SO THAT MORE BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE WLL BE ENCOURAGED TO USE THEIR TALENTS TO THE FULL IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.
/THE SIR ......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
- 3 -
5
■THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL THIS YEAR. IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE USES OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE FUND FOR PROMOTING THE EDUCATION AND LEARNING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND ENCOURAGING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG. THE COUNCIL’S MEMBERSHIP IS AS FOLLOWS:
MR STEPHEN CHEONG (CHAIRMAN)
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER
LADY YOUDE
PROFESSOR LEUNG WAI-SUN
DR BENJAMIN TSOU
DR LUI MING-WAH, AND
MR ANTHONY KAN
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND AT PRESENT STANDS AT $82
MILLION. IT IS MANAGED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRED BY MR Q.W. LEE.
THE COUNCIL MAY HOWEVER USE THE PROCEEDS OF THE FUND ONLY, I.E. IT
MAY NOT USE THE CAPITAL SUM OF THE FUND. ANY PERSON OR PARTY WILLING
TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUND MAY SEND THE CONTRIBUTION TO ANY OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES OR TREASURY OFFICES, AS WELL AS AT ANY BRANCHES OF THE HONG KONG BANK, THE HANG SENG BANK AND THE HANG LUNG BANK.
- 0 -
INCREASED LEVEL OF COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES RECORDED
» t « t *
MAJOR INCREASES OF ACITIVITY IN MOST COMMERCIAL AREAS AND MINOR DECREASES IN OTHERS WERE RECORDED FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE CALENDAR YEAR 1987 BY COMPARISON WITH THE SAME PERIOD OF 1986, FIGURES RELEASED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, FOR THE COMMERCIAL DIVISION OF HIS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) INDICATED.
THE COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AT THE END OF JUNE 1987 AS COMPARED WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1986 HAD INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT FROM 161,986 TO 172,300 WHILE THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1987 HAD INCREASED 63 PER CENT FROM 7,262 TO 11,860 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1986.
/the total .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1?87
- 4 -
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEA COMPANIES WHICH HAD ESTABLISHED A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI AT THE END OF JUNE 1987 AS COMPARED WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1986 INCREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT FROM 2,238 TO 2,244. THE NUMBER OF OVERSEA COMPANIES ESTABLISHING A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1987 WAS 114, A DECREASE OF 25 PER CENT OVER THE NUMBER OF SUCH COMPANIES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1986. NO SEPARATE STATISTICS ARE MAINTAINED ON HOW MANY OVERSEA COMPANIES INCORPORATE LOCAL SUBSIDIARIES OR TAKE UP A MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN A HONG KONG COMPANY.
IN THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1987 EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY $24,366 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 177 PER CENT OVER THE INCREASE OF $8,811 MILLION IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1986, WHILE THE NOMINAL CAPITAL OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED DURING JANUARY -JUNE 1987 INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT FROM $1,819 MILLION TO $1,957 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED BY CHARGES REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES INCREASED BY 60 PER CENT FROM $20,568 MILLION TO $32,912 MILLION AND THE NUMBER OF CHARGES FILED IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1987 HAD INCREASED BY 47 PER CENT FROM 6,823 TO 10,016 OVER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1986, WHILE THE AMOUNT REPAID ON CHARGES, AS EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, DECREASED BY 44 PER CENT FROM $7,593 MILLION TO $4,271 MILLION, AND THE NUMBER OF CERTIFICATES HAD INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT FROM 4,535 TO 4,556 IN THE SAME PERIOD.
DURING THE PERIOD, A TOTAL OF 57 PROSPECTUSES OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 22 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED AS AGAINST 48 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 27 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, DURING THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1986.
THE NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECEIVED FOR FILING DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1987 AS COMPARED WITH THAT FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986 INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT FROM 247,974 TO 291,832.
THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES FOR AVAILABILITY OF RESERVATION OF NAMES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1987 WAS 93,289 WHICH WAS 47 PER CENT INCREASE FROM THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 63,481 FOR 1986, AND A 26 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE JULY 1986 - DECEMBER 1986 PERIOD OF 74,034.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUMMONSES ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS FOR BREACHES OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, MAINLY FOR FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH ACCOUNTS, IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1987 WAS 111, COMPARED WITH 200 DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN 1986.
DURING THE PERIOD, 37 SUMMONSES WERE WITHDRAWN (E.G. BECAUSE OF NON-SERVICE), 164 RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS COMPARED WITH 163 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1986 AND 118 REMAIN TO BE HEARD BY THE COURT (129 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1986).
/THE TOTAL........
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED FOR CONVICTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1987 WAS $149,013, COMPARED WITH $224,421 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1986.
THE TRADE MARKS REGISTRY, AS A RESULT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW TYPE OF PART B REGISTRATION UNDER THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1985 ON SEPTEMBER 1, '86, SHOWED A NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED DURING THE HALF YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1987, AT 4,168 AS AGAINST 3,323 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. AT 1,660, THE NUMBER OF NEW TRADE MARKS REGISTERD DURING THE HALF YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1987 WAS HIGHER THAN IN CHF SAME PERIOD OF 1986, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TRADE MAF.K3 NOW REGISTERED TO 47,590.
IN THE PATENTS REGISTRY, THE NUMBER OF UNITED KINGDOM PATENTS RE-REGISTERED LOCALLY DURING THE HALF YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 987 WAS 500 AS AGAINST 490 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF "LIVE" PATENTS RE-REGISTERED WAS NOW APPROXIMATELY 13,000. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO GIVE A PRECISE FIGURES AS THIS DEPENDED ON THE LIVES OF THE PATENTS AS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN THE UK PATENTS OFFICE IN LONDON.
WITH REGARD TO THE MONEY LENDERS REGISTRY, DURING THE HALF YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1987(1986), 222(197)* APPLICATIONS FOR A MONEY LENDER’S LICENCE WERE RECEIVED, COMPRISING 180(151) RENEWAL APPLICATIONS AND 42(46) NEW APPLICATIONS.
OF THESE, 222(197) APPLICATIONS AND 76(85) APPLICATIONS PENDING AT DECEMBER 31, 1986(1985), 199(185) WERE GRANTED, 1(1; WAS DISMISSED AND 5(0) WERE WITHDRAWN, LEAVING 93(96) APPLICATIONS OUTSTANDING.
IN ADDITION, 38(19) APPLICATIONS FOR ENDORSEMENT OF NEW OR ADDITIONAL BUSINESS PREMISES ON A LICENCE WERE APPROVED. AT JUNE 30, 1987(1986), THERE WERE 437(429) LICENSED MONEY LENDERS.
* FIGURES IN BRACKETS REFER TO THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR THE YEAR 1986.
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/6
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
- 6 -
1985 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION REPORT NOW ON SALE *****
A STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED "1985 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION" HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT PRESENTS THE M JOR FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED FROM MAY 1986 TO EARLY 1987, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SURVEY METHODOLOGY. IT IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REPORTS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY ON THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION.
THE SURVEY COVERED ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, AS WELL AS THOSE ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING, AND IN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
IN THE SURVEY REPORT, SUMMARY STATISTICS SHOWING THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SECTORS COVERED ARE GIVEN.
FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, STATISTICS WITH BREAKDOWN BY INDUSTRY GROUPS AND OTHER ANALYTICAL VARIABLES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
THESE STATISTICS PROVIDE A BASIS FOR ASSESSING INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE, IDENTIFYING STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES AND MAKING INTER-INDUSTRY COMPARISONS.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $16 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMANT PULICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19/F, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
--------o ---------
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS GOING ABROAD
*****
PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE URGED TO USE THE FREE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF RUSHING INTO A WRONG DECISION IN SELECTING A SCHOOL FOR OVERSEAS STUDY.
THE CENTRE IS STOCKED WITH A GOOD COLLECTION OF INFORMATION AND REFERENCE MATERIALS ON OVERSEAS EDUCATION. IT HAS AN AUDIO-VISUAL ROOM WHERE SLIDES ARE SHOWN ON STUDYING ABROAD IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE ALSO DISPLAY AREAS PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
/ON AVERAGE.........
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1967
ON AVERAGE, THE OFFICE OFFERS ADVICE TO MORE THAN 25,000 STUDENTS AND HANDS OUT SOME 50,000 COPIES OF INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON STUDIES IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, ENGLAND AND UNITED STATES A YEAR.
THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT ROOM 530, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
APART FROM OFFERING ADVICE TO INDIVIDUAL VISITORS, THE OFFICE ALSO ORGANISES DISCUSSIONS AND SEMINARS FOR GROUPS OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. FOR GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND SEMINARS, ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE WITH THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS) ON 5-8392568.
-----0-----
WESTERN DISTRICT BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ♦ i t *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED NO. 7 LI SING STREET, IN WESTERN DISTRICT TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING, WITH TIMBER FLOORS AND REINFORCED CONCRETE ROOF ON SOFT BRICK LOAD-BEARING WALLS, WAS IN AN ADVANCED STATE OF DILAPIDATION.
HE SAID RECENT INSPECTIONS HAD REVEALED VERTICAL FRACTURES OF VARYING LENGTHS AND DEPTHS AT THE MIDDLE OF THE PARTY WALLS INDICATING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE FRONT MAIN WALL TOWARDS LI SING STREET.
A LONGITUDINAL 25 MILLIMETRE GAP WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE SECOND FLOOR PAVING AND THE PARTY WALL WITH NO. 5 FOR THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THIS WALL INDICATING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THIS PARTY WALL TOWARDS THE VACANT SITE OF NO. 5.
’’THESE LATERAL MOVEMENTS HAVE RENDERED THE BUILDING DANGEROUS,” THE PGBS SAID. "THEREFORE, IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH IT.”
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 23 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY.
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/8........
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
8
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR TOURS AIRPORT
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THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MR DAVID FORD, VISITED KAI TAK AIRPORT THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON AND TOOK A FIRST HAND LOOK AT THE FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS THERE.
HE WAS BRIEFED BY CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ON THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT, THE PRESENT AIR TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR NORMAN LATHAM, MR FORD ALSO TOURED THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE AND THE CONTROL TOWER WHERE HE SAW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IN ACTION.
AT THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING, HE WAS SHOWN THE IMMIGRATION PROCESSING OF PASSENGERS BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER.
BEFORE WINDING UP HIS VISIT, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR TOURED THE HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINAL AND THE HONG KONG AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING COMPANY.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS ONE OF A SERIES OF FAMILIARISATION VISITS BY MR FORD TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
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HONG KONG CHOIR ENTHRALLS LONDON ♦ It*
THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR ENTHRALLED VISITORS TO ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL TODAY (THURSDAY) DURING A LUNCHTIME RECITAL.
SNAP-HAPPY TOURISTS AND CITY WORKERS THRONGED THE HISTORIC CATHEDRAL TO HEAR HONG KONG’S VISITING AMBASSADORS.
THEY THRILLED THE AUDIENCE WITH RENDITIONS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE FOLK SONGS AND CHORAL MUSIC. THE ENCORES BROUGHT THE CHILDREN BACK BENEATH THE GREAT DOME OF THE CATHEDRAL TO THE DELIGHT OF THE AUDIENCE.
"IT WAS A REALLY HEART-WARMING AND MOVING OCCASION. I AM GLAD I WAS HERE TO LISTEN TO SUCH TALENT SO MANY MILES AWAY FROM THEIR HOME AND MINE," SAID ONE TOURIST.
THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR ARE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO TAKE PART IN "CHINESE OSTERLEY" AT OSTERLEY PARK THIS WEEK AND AT THIS YEAR’S ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL LATER THIS MONTH.
THIS SUNDAY THEY WILL PERFORM TO A SELL-OUT CONCERT AT THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE IN LONDON.
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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
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FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN SAI KUNG » * * *
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TODAY (THURSDAY) WOULD ENHANCE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CRIME PREVENTION AND ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO MAINTAIN CLOSER CO-OPERATION WITH THE POLICE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE SAID.
SINCE CRIME SUCH AS MURDER, ROBBERY, BURGLARY, BLACKMAIL, RAPE, ASSAULT, DRUG TRAFFICKING, AND ALL SORTS OF THEFT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME, IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO AROUSE PEOPLE’S CONCERN TO PREVENT CRIME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS YEAR, A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN PLANNED TO PROMOTE THE MESSAGE OF "HOME SECURITY" AND "NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH". IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-TRIAD THEME WILL ALSO BE INCORPORATED INTO PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES.
TO AROUSE PUBLIC ATTENTION, THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAS INVITED FILM ACTRESS, MISS WAI YING-HUNG,. TO BE THE STANDARD BEARER OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
THE FIRST PROGRAMME OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS HELD EARLY THIS MONTH WHEN MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE VISITED THE IDENTIFICATION BUREAU AND THE NARCOTICS BUREAU OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY VISITS TO THE TAI LAM CHUNG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL IN AUGUST AND OCTOBER AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES AS WELL AS SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE A CRIME PREVENTION VARIETY SHOW CUM PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME, GOOD CITIZENS AWARD SCHEME, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS ON CRIME PREVENTION AND THE DISPLAY OF PUBLICITY SIGNBOARDS AT VARIOUS BEACHES AND CARPARKS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND CALENDARS CONTAINING CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGES AND THE CONTACT NUMBER OF THE SAI KUNG DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION WILL BE PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS YEAR’S FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES IS ABOUT $55,000, SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
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KWUN TONG DB MEMBERS VISIT REGIONAL COUNCIL
*****
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD TOOK A FIRST HAND LOOK OF THE OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WHEN THEY VISITED THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
LED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, THE GROUP WAS MET BY THE COUNCIL’S CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN TSUEN WAN BEFORE TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE COUNCIL.
AFTER THE TOUR, MEMBERS SAT IN ON A COUNCIL MEETING AND OBSERVED HOW THE COUNCIL PLANNED AND ORGANISED THE PROVISION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS PART OF AN ON-GOING ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO VISIT PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN IMPROVING THE OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD.
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SHAM SHUI PO PILOT SCHEME TO TACKLE SCHOOL CRIME * * * *
A PILOT SCHEME HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT WITH THE AIM OF TARGETTING YOUTH CRIME IN SCHOOLS.
’’SHAM SHUI PO HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF HOUSING ESTATES WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES, AND THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IS CORRESPONDINGLY LARGE,” EXPLAINED DISTRICT COMMANDER MR PAANG KUI-SAN. ’’ACTION TO DEAL WITH OR PREVENT YOUTH CRIME IS THEREFORE GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY.
”WE HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR CONTACTS WITH SCHOOLS THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT ANTI-TRIAD SQUAD (DATS).”
MR PAANG POINTED OUT THAT HIS OFFICERS WERE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT COMBATTING TRIAD INFILTRATION, AND RESEARCH HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT. THIS HAD IDENTIFIED A SMALL NUMBER OF "PROBLEMATIC” SCHOOLS DESERVING OF CLOSE ATTENTION AND DATS SERGEANTS HAD BEEN DESIGNATED AS ’’CONTACT OFFICERS”.
THE OFFICERS’ JOB IS TO VISIT THE SCHOOLS REGULARLY IN ORDER TO BUILD UP A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STAFF AND, IN ADDITION, THEY ALSO MEET AND MIX WITH STUDENTS AT APPROPRIATE FUNCTIONS.
/’’THE ULTIMATE......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1?87
’’THE ULTIMATE AIM IS TO COUNTERACT TRIAD INFLUENCE AND TO BE READY TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO ANYONE WHO MAY FEEL THAT HE HAS TRIAD-CONNECTED TROUBLE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE SCHOOL,” SAID MR PAANG.
IN HIS VIEW, EVEN AT THIS EARLY STAGE, WORTHWHILE RESULTS ARE BEING ACHIEVED. "WE HAVE ALREADY HAD A REVIEW, AND THE EVIDENCE WE HAVE TO DATE INDICATES A MARKED DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOLS CONCERNED,” HE ADDED.
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CONSTABLE TO RECEIVE GALLANTRY MEDAL FROM QUEEN ♦ t ♦ t ♦
COURAGEOUS POLICE CONSTABLE CHIU KA-PING LEAVES FOR LONDON TODAY (THURSDAY) TO RECEIVE THE GALLANTRY MEDAL FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON JULY 28.
THE YOUNG CONSTABLE IS BEING ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, LAI-WAN, WHOSE TICKET HAS GENEROUSLY BEEN PROVIDED BY BRITISH AIRWAYS.
"IT IS GOING TO BE AN OCCASION THAT I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER,” SAID PC CHIU, WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL FOR HIS COURAGE IN ENGAGING A GANG OF ARMED ROBBERS, EVEN THOUGH SHOT IN THE HIP AND THIGH.
”1 AM GRATEFUL THAT I CAN ACCOMPANY MY HUSBAND, AND SEE HIM RECEIVE THE MEDAL FROM QUEEN ELIZABETH,” ADDED MRS CHIU.
PC CHIU SPENT SOME TIME IN HOSPITAL UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR HIS GUNSHOT WOUNDS, BUT MADE A FULL RECOVERY.
ANOTHER CONSTABLE, PC TUNG YAU-KEUNG, RECEIVED A COMMENDATION FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE FOR HIS STEADFASTNESS IN THE ACTION.
PC CHIU WILL WEAR HIS WINTER UNIFORM FOR THE MORNING PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT BENNY NG, WHO WAS DISTRICT COMMANDER IN KOWLOON CITY WHEN THE ROBBERY AT A JEWELLERY SHOP OCCURRED IN MARCH, 1985.
MR NG, NOW ON A SENIOR COMMAND COURSE AT BRAMSHILL, WILL LOOK AFTER THE CONSTABLE AND HIS WIFE WHILE THEY ARE IN THE UK.
A RECEPTION FOR PC CHIU WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON, AND SUPERINTENDENT DICK WORRALL, NOW BASED THERE AS APPOINTMENTS OFFICER (POLICE), WILL BE AMONG FORCE COLLEAGUES ATTENDING.
/PG CHIU .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 198?
12
PC CHIU AND MRS CHIU WILL LEAVE LONDON ON THE RETURN JOURNEY ON JULY 31. WHILE THEY ARE AWAY PC CHIU’S MOTHER WILL BE LOOKING AFTER THEIR EIGHT-MONTH-OLD SON.
THE WELFARE BRANCH HAS GRANTED PC CHIU $15,750 TO MEET SUBSISTENCE AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
MRS ANNA YIU OF THE WELFARE BRANCH SAID THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE BRANCH HAS GIVEN ASSISTANCE IN MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR OFFICERS TO GO TO LONDON TO RECEIVE THE QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
THE PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS WERE PC (NOW STATION SERGEANT) HO HING-CHUEN IN 1979 AND PC ( JW SERGEANT) YEUNG CHUN-HING IN 1981.
HO HING-CHUEN BRAVELY TRIED TO APPREHEND ARMED BANK ROBBERS IN WATERLOO ROAD IN NOVEMBER, 1977 .
YEUNG CHUN-HING ALSO ENGAGED ARMED BANK ROBBERS, IN TAI KOK TSUI IN DECEMBER, 1979.
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POSSESSION OF INVALID IDENTITY CARDS AN OFFENCE t t * * ♦
THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO THE EFFECT THAT ONCE A PERSON HAS REPORTED THE LOSS OF HIS IDENTITY CARD TO A REGISTRATION OFFICER, THAT CARD WILL BECOME INVALID.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO STIPULATE THAT THE POSSESSION OF AN INVALID IDENTITY CARD IS AN OFFENCE AND THE MAXIMUM PENALTY OF WHICH IS A FINE OF$3,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID: "ANY PERSON WHO HAS REPORTED LOSS OF HIS IDENTITY CARD TO A REGISTRATION OFFICER AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECOVERED THE LOST AND INVALID CARD SHOULD HAVE IT DELIVERED TO A REGISTRATION OFFICER FOR DISPOSAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"A PERSON WHO IS IN POSSESSION OF A LOST OR INVALID IDENTITY CARD CAN BE EASILY IDENTIFIED BY THE COMPUTER SYSTEM OF THE DEPARTMENT.
"IN ADDITION, ANY PERSON WHO WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE OBTAINS MORE THAN ONE IDENTITY CARD COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $20,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS."
BETWEEN JULY 1 AND 22, 59 PERSONS HAVE SO FAR BEEN IDENTIFIED TO BE IN POSSESSION OF INVALID IDENTITY CARDS AND ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.
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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
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WEAK CHILD TURNED TOUGH WOMAN POLICE INSTRUCTOR ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
AS A CHILD CHEUNG HO-Y1N OFTEN SUFFERED ILL-HEALTH. NOW SHE IS PUTTING MEN THROUGH THE HOOP AS AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE TOUGH POLICE ADVENTURE TRAINING UNIT (PATU) AT FANLING.
TAKING UP HER NEW POST RECENTLY, WOMAN SERGEANT CHEUNG FULFILLED A DESIRE WHICH SHE HAD HARBOURED SINCE 1979 WHEN SHE HERSELF UNDERTOOK A PATU COURSE.
”AT THAT TIME I THOUGHT THE INSTRUCTORS WERE SUPERB AND LONGED TO DO THE SAME THING,” SHE SAID.
RECALLING HER SICKLY CHILDHOOD, SHE EXPLAINED THAT HER MOTHER HAD NOT LET HER CARRY OUT ENERGETIC PURSUITS.
”BUT YOUR HEALTH SUFFERS IF YOU DON’T EXERCISE AND I REMEMBER I WAS MISERABLE AT THAT TIME.”
HOWEVER, EVERYTHING CHANGED WHEN HO-YIN JOINED THE POLICE FORCE IN 1976.
NOT ONLY WAS SHE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, BUT HER HEALTH AND FITNESS QUICKLY IMPROVED.
ON LEARNING, EARLIER THIS YEAR, THAT A VACANCY EXISTED AT PATU SHE TOOK THE PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, WHICH ENABLED HER TO QUALIFY FOR THE JOB. SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE COURSE, SHE RECEIVED HER CERTIFICATE ON JULY 10.
THE COURSE WAS, IN FACT, THE THIRD TO BE HELD AT PTS, SINCE FIRST INTRODUCED LAST YEAR. IT COVERED TEACHING TECHNIQUES, PHYSIOLOGY, FITNESS AWARENESS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES, FIRST AID, SWIMMING INSTRUCTION AND LIFE SAVING.
ALTOGETHER 50 JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED AS PHYSICAL TRAINING INSTRUCTORS.
W/SGT CHEUNG CONSIDERS THAT PATU COURSES OFFER GOOD RELAXATION FROM POLICE WORK WHILE AT THE SAME TIME DEVELOP ABILITY AND WILLPOWER.
”1 HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS BUT IT WAS ONLY AFTER TAKING THE COURSE THAT I REALISED HOW MUCH MORE I COULD LEARN ABOUT THESE,” SHE SAID. A KEEN LONG-DISTANCE RUNNER, SHE HAS WON MORE THAN 30 MEDALS OVER THE YEARS.
AND HOW DOES SHE CONSIDER HER MALE CANDIDATES WILL REACT TO HER PRESENCE AS AN INSTRUCTOR AT PATU?
”1 AM SURE IT WILL STIMULATE PARTICIPANTS TO DO THEIR VERY BEST,” SHE SAID. "MEN ARE NOT LIKELY TO ACCEPT THAT THEY CANNOT DO AS WELL AS A WOMAN AND WILL THEREFORE STRIVE ALL THE HARDER TO ACHIEVE THE BASIC COURSE REQUIREMENT.”
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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
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ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS TO GET PRIZES *****
WINNERS OF A SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ESSAY COMPETITION ON THE THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY" IN KWAI TSING WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE ESSAY COMPETITION WAS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE YOUNG PEOPLE’S AWARENESS IN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
IN THEIR ESSAYS, THE WRITERS DESCRIBED THEIR EXPERIENCE IN TAKING PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND VOLUNTEERS’ WORK.
THE SIX WINNERS WILL JOIN A STUDY TOUR TO SINGAPORE IN EARLY AUGUST AND DETAILS OF THE TOUR WILL BE DISCLOSED AT THE CEREMONY BY CHAIRMAN OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI.
AFTER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION, THE LEADER OF THE STUDY TOUR WILL RECEIVE A FLAG FROM THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG.
AN EXHIBITION OF THE WINNING ENTRIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF LAST YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL ALSO BE HELD AT THE VENUE.
ALSO ATTENDING THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO TUNG-CHING; SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MR LEE SHEW-LAI AND CHIEF EDITOR OF WAH KIU YAT PO, MR WONG SHEK-YEUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND THE EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT 11:00 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10/F, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1987
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ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN WAN CHAI ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
AN INTENSIVE EFFORT TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF ROADS WILL BE LAUNCHED IN WAN CHAI ON SATURDAY (JULY 25) WITH THE OPENING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL LATE SEPTEMBER, IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, WHOSE MEMBERS ARE DRAWN FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, THE POLICE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD TO PUBLICISE ROAD SAFETY MEASURES, INCLUDING OPENING CEREMONY CUM CYCLING SAFETY DAY, A CYCLING SAFETY WEEK, TALKS FOR THE AGED, A ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION WEEK AND AN ENFORCEMENT WEEK, A MODEL PEDESTRIAN COMPETITION, AND A CLOSING CEREMONY CUM FUN FAIR.
LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD ADVISING THEM OF WHAT THEY SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO WHILE ON THE ROAD, AND STICKERS BEARING THE CAMPAIGN’S MESSAGE WILL BE SENT TO CAR DEALERS AND CAR PARKS.
WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME WAS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PROPER USE OF ROADS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS ROAD USERS. PARTICULAR EMPHASIS WOULD BE PUT ON GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS TO CHILDREN UNDER 14 AND THE ELDERLY PEOPLE OVER 60, WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE TWO GROUPS MOST VULNERABLE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
’’RESIDENTS WILL BE ALERTED TO TRAFFIC BLACK SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND WILL BE ASKED TO OBSERVE TRAFFIC RULES, AND TO ASSIST THE DISABLED. IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED, THE PUBLIC WILL BE MORE AWARE OF ROAD SAFETY MEASURES, AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WILL BE REDUCED,” MR GARCIA SAID.
THE OPENING OF THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL START AT 10.30 AM IN SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR STEPHEN WONG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR LAU TO-YEE. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SHOW FEATURING LION DANCE, CYCLING PERFORMANCES AND SINGING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN OPENING CEREMONY CUM CYCLING SAFETY DAY TO BE HELD AT 10.30 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 25) AT THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND. INFORMATION OFFICER ELLEN CHAU WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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THURSDAY, JULY 23,
1987
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SUMMER RACING CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY ♦ ♦ *
A FUN-PACKED CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND ON SUNDAY (JULY 26) OFFERING AN AFTERNOON OF ENTERTAINMENT TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG YOUTH SERVICES CORPS AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE ’SUMMER RACING CARNIVAL’ INCLUDES A NUMBER OF AMUSING TELE-MATCHES AND GAMES STALLS WHICH WILL GUARANTEE LOTS OF FUN FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN.
THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 1 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE AND ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. GAMES STALL TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
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TRAM-ONLY LANE CANCELLED TEMPORARILY ♦ t ♦
ALL VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE EASTBOUND TRAM TRACK OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 349 AND 367 FOR ANOTHER THREE WEEKS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 25).
THE TRAM-ONLY LANE RESTRICTION ON THAT SECTION OF TRAM TRACK WAS LIFTED IN JUNE TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION AT THE JUNCTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND WHITTY STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 198?
CONTENTS Page no.
NEW RULES FOR SCHOOL VANS AND MOTOR VEHICLES ................ 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JUNE 1987 ........................ 2
HONG KONG TO ACCEPT CHANGES IN AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT ................................................ 4
GOVERNMENT GRANTS $4.2 MILLION FOR CAD/CAM DEVELOPMENT ...... 5
1986 CRIME IN EASTERN DROPS BY 10 PER CENT................... 7
NO COMPENSATION FOR OTB SHAREHOLDERS......................... 8
EMPLOYERS URGED TO MAKE TYPHOON ARRANGEMENTS ................ 8
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WESTERN TO BE DEMOLISHED .............. 9
SHEK WU HUI PSPS SITE UP FOR SALE........................... 10
RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR ELDERLY ESSENTIAL ................ 10
ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS TO VISIT SINGAPORE ............... 11
CIVIC EDUCATION C.J-IPaIGN AT LONG PING ESTaTE.............. 12
VARIETY SHOW TO SPREaD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE ................. 1J
CLEAN BEACH CAMPaIGN TO BE LAUNCHED ........................ 1J
SEMIN.iR TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER ............................ 14
FREE CONCERT FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS ............... 15
SHA TIN DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA ............................. 15
JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS OF RHKR PaSSING OUT P,JUDE............. 16
FINALS OF SCHOOLS SUMMER OLYMPE J).......................... 16
TRAFFIC CHANGES ON HONG KONG ISLaND ........................ 17
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KWUN TONG .............................. 17
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
1
NEW RULES FOR SCHOOL VANS AND MOTOR VEHICLES
*****
ALL SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES WILL HAVE TO CARRY A CONTINUOUS» HORIZONTAL YELLOW STRIPE WHICH GOES ROUND THE VEHICLE BODY AS WELL AS DISPLAY A "CHILDREN" WARNING SIGN ON THEIR REAR FROM NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
ALSO, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES REGISTERED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH A HAZARD WARNING DEVICE.
THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE STIPULATED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1987 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE NEW REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGP.T BUSES WILL ENABLE OTHER ROAD USERS, IN PARTICULAR MOTORISTS, TO IDENTIFY THESE VEHICLES MORE EASILY AND PROMPT THEM TO EXERCISE EXTRA CAUTION IN VIEW OF THE LIKELY PRESENCE OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE VICINITY OF THE SCHOOL BUSES," A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
AT PRESENT, THESE VEHICLES ARE ALREADY REQUIRED BY LAW TO CARRY ON BOTH THE NEAR AND OFF SIDES OF THEIR BODY THE WORDS "SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUS" IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE. THE ENGLISH LETTERS AND CHINESE CHARACTERS MUST BE AT LEAST 150 MM IN HEIGHT AND MUST APPEAR ON A YELLOW BACKGROUND.
HOWEVER, THERE IS NO MARKING OR SIGN TO ENABLE THE SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES TO BE IDENTIFIED FROM THE FRONT OR REAR.
"THIS UNDESIRABLE SITUATION IS RECTIFIED BY THE AMENDMENT REGULATION WHICH STATES THAT THE YELLOW BACKGROUND SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO FORM A CONTINUOUS, HORIZONTAL BAND OF A UNIFORM WIDTH OF NOT LESS THAN 200 MM ALL ROUND THE VEHICLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE "CHILDREN" WARNING SIGN TO BE DISPLAYED ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DESIGN, COLOUR AND DIMENSIONS OF THE SIGN ARE SPECIFIED IN THE THIRTEENTH SCHEDULE ADDED TO THE REGULATIONS.
"THIS WARNING SIGN SHOULD BE SHOWN AGAINST THE YELLOW STRIPE ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT MUST NOT BE PLACED ON THE REAR WINDSCREEN AS THIS MAY INTERFERE WITH THE DRIVER’S VISION THROUGH THE REAR MIRROR," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
AS FOR THE COMPULSORY HAZARD WARNING DEVICE, HE EXPLAINED THAI THE DEVICE SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPERATE ALL THE DIRECTION INDICATORS OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY.
"THIS PROVIDES A MEANS TO WARN OTHER ROAD USERS WHEN THE VEHICLE POSES A POSSIBLE DANGER," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED, ADDING THAT THE GRACE PERIOD OF NEARLY SIX MONTHS WOULD ALLOW IMPORTERS TO ADVISE OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS OF THE NEW REGULATION AND ENSURE THAT ALL VEHICLES BROUGHT INTO HONG KONG ARE FITTED WITH THESE DEVICES.
/NEVERTHELESS, MOTORCYCLES,
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 198?
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NEVERTHELESS, MOTORCYCLES, PEDESTRIAN-CONTROLLED VEHICLES, INDUSTRIAL TRACTORS AND LAND TRACTORS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE HAZARD WARNING DEVICE RULE AS THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH DIRECTION INDICATORS.
ENQUIRIES ON THE NEW REQUIREMENTS CAN BE MADE AT 5-200933.
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CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JUNE 1987 * » * t *
PRICE INDEX
REPRESENTING
OVER JUNE
THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND NEW CONSUMER (B) FOR JUNE 1987 WERE 109.8 AND 109.9 RESPECTIVELY, INCREASES OF 5.8 PER CENT AND 5.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY 1986, ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH MAY 1987 AND BEARING IN MIND COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, INCREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT AND THE CPI(B), BY 1.1 PER CENT.
THAT THIS
NEW CPI(A)
THE AVERAGE NEW CPI(A) AND AVERAGE NEW CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1987 WERE 106.1 AND 106.4 RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDING JUNE 1987, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED NEW CPI (A) AND NEW CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN Av'ERAGF RA OF 0.7 PER CENT PER MONTH.
DURING JUNE, FOOD PRICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF FRESH VEGETABLES, SALT-WATER FISH AND FRESH FRUIT WERE HIGHER. CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES AND PRICES OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ALSO WENT UP. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR SLIGHTLY DECREASED.
THE NEW CPI(A) AND THE NEW 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 ™E Jwunfnq HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE NEW CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,199 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND FHE NE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
/CHANGES IN
FRIDAY, JULY 2<+, 1987
CHANGES IN THE INDICES FOR JUNE 1987 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDICES, AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1987 AND JUNE 1986, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
SECTION INDEX FOR JUN 87 CPI(A) % CHANGE OVER MAY 87 % CHANGE OVER JUN 86 INDEX FOR JUN 87 CPI(B) % CHANGE OVER MAY 87 % CHANGE OVER JUN 86
FOODSTUFFS 107.1 + 2.7 + 4.9 107.5 + 2.3 + 5.0
HOUSING 109.6 + 0.2 + 4.8 107.5 + 0.2 + 3.2
FUEL AND LIGHT 92.6 + 0.1 + 3.7 93.4 + 0.1 + 4.0
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 116.8 + 0.2 + 5.9 117.0 + 0.3 + 6.4
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 115.2 -0.1 + 6.4 117.0 -0.1 + 7.1
DURABLE GOODS 112.1 + 0.7 + 6.1 111.3 + 0.8 + 6.0
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 115.9 + 0.3 + 12.0 115.7 + 0.5 + 11.0
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 115.4 + 0.2 + 8.2 rtx. 1 1 1 .’1 i + 0.2 + 7.7
SERVICES 115.5 + 0.4 + 6.2 115.0 + 0.5 + 6.1
ALL ITEMS 109.8 + 1.3 + 5.8 109.9 + 1 . 1 + 5.5
COMPARED WITH MAY 1987, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 2.7 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(A) AND BY 2.3 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, SALT-WATER FISH, FRESH FRUIT AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES. THE EFFECT MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX I‘O FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
/THE INDEX
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 198?
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT N NEW CP1(A) AND BY 0.8 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(A) AND BY 0.5 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF TOILET REQUISITES AND COSMETICS.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 0.4 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(A)
AND BY 0.5 PER CENT IN NEW CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARLES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ADMISSION FEES TO SWIMMING POOLS.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS OF THE CONSUME' PRICE INDICES WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INPE REPORT" FOR JUNE 1987, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.5 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDI.. , GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19/F, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHA.', HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BASKERVILLE HOUSE, DUDDELL STREET, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-8235089.
I
MEANWHILE, THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 112.8 IN JUNE 1987, UP BY 0.9 PER CENT OVER MAY 1987 AND BY 6.5 PER CENT OVER JUNE 1986. THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT HK$10,000-24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
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HONG KONG TO ACCEPT CHANGES IN AGREEMENT ♦ » * » t
ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNC1L1S ADVICE, HONG KONG IS TO ACCEPT THE PROTOCOL AMENDING THE AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
AT PRESENT HONG KONG IS A PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT DRAWN UP UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT).
/THE AGREEMENT
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 198?
- 5
THE AGREEMENT AIMS TO ENSURE OPEN COMPETITION ON A NON-DISCRIMINATORY BASIS IN THE FIELD OF GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT. IT CONTAINS DETAILED RULES PERTAINING TO THE INVITATION AND AWARD OF TENDERS FOR PURCHASING CONTRACTS BY DESIGNATED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT APPLY TO INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS OF A VALUE OF, OR EXCEEDING, SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS (SDR) 150,000 (ABOUT HKS1.4 MILLION).
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS HONG KONG’S DESIGNATED ENTITY TO WHICH THE AGREEMENT APPLIES.
FOLLOWING NEGOTIATIONS AIMING AT BROADENING AND IMPROVING THE AGREEMENT IN THE GATT, A PROTOCOL OF AMENDMENTS HAS BEEN CONCLUDED.
THE AMENDMENTS IMPROVE THE AGREEMENT BY BRINGING MORE GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS UNDER THE AGREEMENT BY LOWERING THE THRESHOLD VALUE FROM THE EXISTING LEVEL OF SDR 150,000 TO SDR 130,000. IN ADDITION, SOME OF THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT ARE STRENGTHENED.
MR MILLER EXPLAINED THAT HONG KONG’S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROTOCOL OF AMENDMENTS WAS IN LINE WITH HONG KONG’S POLICY TO SUPPORT THE GATT IN GENERAL AND THE LOWERING OF THE THRESHOLD WILL MEAN INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE IN OVERSEAS GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
-----O ---------
GOVERNMENT GRANTS $4.2 MILLION FOR CAD/CAM DEVELOPMENT » » ♦ ♦ ♦
ON THE ADVICE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB), THE GOVERNMENT IS GRANTING $4.2 MILLION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FOR A CO-ORDINATED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN/COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURE (CAD/CAM) TECHNOLOGY, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY WITH THE TWO UNIVERSITIES FOR THE LAUNCHING OF THE PROGRAMME, MR YEUNG SAID THE PROJECT WILL BENEFIT LOCAL MANUFACTURERS BY MAKING CAD/CAM TECHNOLOGY MORE ACCESSIBLE AND IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
/"THE CHINESE
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
6
"THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WILL BE DEVELOPING A GENERAL PURPOSE CAD/CAM WORKSTATION, BASED ON A POPULAR MICROCOMPUTER, WHILE THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY WILL BE CREATING COMPATIBLE SOFTWARE PACKAGES SPECIALLY TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
"IT IS ALSO INTENDED, AT THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, TO ESTABLISH A COMPANY TO MARKET THE PRODUCTS, POSSIBLY BY LICENSING PRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE MANUFACTURERS."
MR YEUNG NOTED THAT THE PROGRAMME ALSO HAS ANOTHER IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE OF ENABLING THE TWO UNIVERSITIES TO ACQUIRE FURTHER EXPERTISE IN CAD/CAM TECHNOLOGY, WHICH CAN IN TURN BE PASSED ON TO STUDENTS AND PRACTISING ENGINEERS.
"THIS WILL FACILITATE THE CREATION OF A POOL OF SKILLED MANPOWER WHICH IS NECESSARY IF INDUSTRY IS TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUTOMATING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
IN EXPLAINING THE USE OF CAM/CAM TECHNOLOGY FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, MR YEUNG STRESSED IT CAN HELP MANUFACTURERS TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO MARKET DEMANDS FOR NEW PRODUCTS BY REDUCING THE TIME TAKEN TO DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE THEM.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OTHER INITIATIVES ARE ALSO TAKEN ON THE ADVICE OF THE IDB TO ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO EXPLOIT CAD/CAM AND OTHER NEW AND USEFUL TECHNOLOGIES.
"THEY INCLUDE GOVERNMENT FUNDING OF A MAJOR EXPANSION OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL’S INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION CAPABILITIES AND POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE COUNCIL’S PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT SERVICES.
"AT THE GOVERNMENT REQUEST, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IS RUNNING A SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME TO ENABLE ENGINEERS TO UNDERGO OVERSEAS TRAINING IN THE DESIGN OF APPLICATION SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS.
THE VICE-CHANCELLORS OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, PROFESSOR ROSE YOUNG AND DR MA LIN, TODAY SIGNED THE AGREEMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG RESPECTIVELY.
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FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
7
1986 CRIME IN EASTERN DROPS BY 10 PER CENT ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE OVERALL CRIME RATE IN EASTERN DISTRICT IN 1986 DROPPED BY 10.1 PER CENT, OVER 1985, DESPITE THE RAPID POPULATION GROWTH.
A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEE YU-TAI, MADE THIS COMMENT DURING A PASSING-OUT CEREMONY AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
HE SAID THE 253 ROBBERY CASES REPORTED IN THE DISTRICT IN 1986 WERE THE LOWEST IN 16 YEARS. MOREOVER, BURGLARY WENT DOWN BY 14.3 PER CENT DURING THE YEAR, AND FURTHER DECREASES WERE OBSERVED IN MAY AND JUNE THIS YEAR.
MR LEE ATTRIBUTED THE TREND TO THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE POLICE--BOTH REGULARS AND AUXILIARIES--IN CRIME PREVENTION AND ANTI-TRIAD OPERATIONS.
EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE RECENT BOMB EXPLOSIONS, PARTICULARLY THE ONE IN TAIKOO SHING, MR LEE SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT ABOUT THE FORCE’S CAPABILITY TO SOLVE THESE CASES AND IN STAMPING OUT ALL SABOTAGE.
HE CALLED ON AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS TO KEEP UP THEIR GOOD WORK IN MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER IN THE TERRITORY.
PASSING-OUT TODAY WERE 165 AUXILIARY OFFICERS FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT. THEY HAVE JUST COMPLETED A ONE-WEEK RESIDENTIAL REFRESHER COURSE.
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/8........
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
- 8 -
NO COMPENSATION FOR OTB SHAREHOLDERS *****
THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK COMPENSATION TRIBUNAL DETERMINED UNANIMOUSLY ON JULY 3, 1987 THAT NO COMPENSATION WAS PAYABLE TO THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF SHARES BECAUSE THE VALUE OF A SINGLE SHARE OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK ON THE DAY PRIOR TO ACQUISITION BY GOVERNMENT WAS NIL. THE DETERMINATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TRIBUNAL WAS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 3 OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (COMPENSATION OF REGISTERED HOLDERS OF SHARES) REGULATIONS 1986. IT COMPRISES MR JUSTICE MORTIMER AS CHAIRMAN AND MR KIM CHAM YAU-SUM AND MR NIGEL MELVILLE AS MEMBERS.
THE FUNCTION OF THE TRIBUNAL IS TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION, IF ANY, TO WHICH ANY REGISTERED HOLDER OF SHARES OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK IS ENTITLED, BASED ON THE VALUE OF A SINGLE SHARE ON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) ORDINANCE, THAT IS JUNE 7, 1985, MULTIPLIED BY THE NUMBER OF SHARES HELD BY THAT SHAREHOLDER TOGETHER WITH INTEREST FROM THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT TO THE DATE OF PAYMENT.
IN THE COURSE OF REACHING ITS DECISION, THE TRIBUNAL CONDUCTED 12 DAYS OF HEARING AND HEARD REPRESENTATIONS BY COUNSEL FOR THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INCORPORATED AND THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF SHARES.
--------o ---------
EMPLOYERS URGED TO MAKE TYPHOON ARRANGEMENTS
♦ t ♦ * ♦
EMPLOYERS ARE TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED TO MAKE PRIOR AGREEMENT WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES ON WORKING ARRANGEMENTS DURING TYPHOON.
SUCH AGREEMENT SHOULD INCLUDE RULES FOR REPORTING TO WORK AND RELEASING EMPLOYEES FROM WORK, AND THE METHOD OF CALCULATING WAGES UNDER VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID ALTHOUGH THE LAW DID NOT LAY DOWN ANY PARTICULAR PROVISIONS, IT WOULD BE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOR AGREEMENTS TO BE REACHED.
HE SAID EMPLOYERS SHOULD GIVE PRIOR CONSIDERATION TO THEIR WORKERS’ SAFETY, BOTH AT THE WORKPLACE AND WHILE TRAVELLING TO AND FROM HOME DURING A TYPHOON.
/"NORMALLY, EMPLOYERS
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
- 9 -
"NORMALLY, EMPLOYERS SHOULD NOT REQUIRE EMPLOYEES TO REPORT FOR DUTY OR TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR WORK WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8 OR A HIGHER SIGNAL IS HOISTED, OR WHEN PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS ABOUT TO STOP," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS, HOWEVER, DOES NOT APPLY TO THOSE WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL OR EMERGENCY DUTIES DURING A TYPHOON."
EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN DRAFTING OR PREPARING TYPHOON ARRANGEMENTS CAN APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE FOR ADVICE.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WESTERN TO BE DEMOLISHED * * * » »
OCCUPIERS OF SEVERAL ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WESTERN, WHO HAVE IGNORED AN ORDER TO HAVE THE STRUCTURES DEMOLISHED THEMSELVES, NOW FACE COURT ACTION.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL MAKE AN APPLICATION IN THE DISTRICT COURT, HONG KONG, ON SEPTEMBER 23 FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FOR DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES, ON THE FLAT ROOF ADJACENT TO FLAT E ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF 7-13 YAT FU LANE, AND 18-20 SOUTH LANE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID THE ORIGINAL ORDER TO DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURES WAS ISSUED IN MARCH, 1985. HE SAID A NOTICE INFORMING OCCUPIERS OF THE AUTHORITY’S INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID IT WAS LIKELY THAT DEMOLITION WOULD TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER WAS OBTAINED.
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/10
FRIDAY, JULY 24,
1987
- 10
SHEK WU HUI PSPS SITE UP FUR SALE t t * t
A PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME DEVELOPMENT IS TO BE BUILT IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SHEK WU HUI IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SCHEME WILL PROVIDE FROM 1,978 TO 2,078 RESIDENTIAL UNITS RANGING BETWEEN 35 AND 55 SQUARE METRES IN AREA ON THE 2.09-HECTARE SITE.
UNDER THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE GROSS FLOOR AREA OF ITS SUPERSTRUCTURE SHOULD NOT EXCEED 111,600 SQUARE METRES.
THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO INCORPORATE A BASKETBALL COURT, TWO TABLE TENNIS COURTS AND A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND INTO A 7,300-SQUARE-METRE OPEN SPACE TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A KINDERGARTEN, A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, A MINIMUM OF 250 CAR PARKING SPACES AND 2,100 SQUARE METRES OF SPACE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, ON WHICH GODOWN DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
THE DEVELOPER MAY ALSO OPT TO BUILD A NURSERY.
THE SITE IS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY TENDER BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE CLOS ’G DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 11.
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RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR ELDERLY ESSENTIAL * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
UP IN
TWO MORE SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE SET
NORTH DISTRICT IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS TO PROVIDE SOCIAL RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR THE SENIOR RESIDENTS THERE, REGIONAL SaS OFFICER FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR CARLOS LEUNG, SAID
THE AND
SOCIAL TODAY
(FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHOI YUEN FUN FAIR DAY FOR THE ELDERLY, MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THE POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN ON THE RISE FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF SEVERAL NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND THOSE OVER 60 TOTALLED SOME 16,700.
HR SAID DEMANDS FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF SOCIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE ELDERLY, HAD ALSO INCREASED CORRESPONDINGLY.
/’’IN THE
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
11
"IN THE PAST, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY MAINLY FOCUSED ON THEIR HOUSING, FINANCIAL AND HEALTH NEEDS WHILE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES CATERED MOSTLY FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
"AS A MATTER OF FACT, OLD PEOPLE DO NEED APPROPRIATE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM MAINTAIN A HAPPY AND HEALTHY LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT," HE SAID.
THE CHOI YUEN FUN FAIR DAY FOR THE ELDERLY WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB EASTERN DISTRICT HONG KONG, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
MR LEUNG COMMENDED THE CLUB FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY.
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ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS TO VISIT SINGAPORE
* ♦ t * ♦
SIX WINNERS OF AN ESSAY COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WILL GO ON A SIX-DAY TOUR OF SINGAPORE ON AUGUST 1.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) DURING A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI, SAID THE SINGAPORE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG HAD ARRANGED A PROGRAMME FOR THE WINNERS WHO WERE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 20.
THE CHAMPIONS OF THE SENIOR SECTION AND THE JUNIOR SECTION ARE MISS POON YI-WA AND MISS WONG HANG-SHAN RESPECTIVELY.
THEY WILL VISIT SINGAPORE’S PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS, THE NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE AND A COMMUNITY CENTRE. THE PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES A DAY OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AT A WATER SPORTS CENTRE.
THE DELEGATION WOULD PROMOTE HONG KONG AND EXCHANGE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN SINGAPORE, MR CHAN SAID.
FOLLOWING THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG, PRESENTED A FLAG TO THE LEADER OF THE DELEGATION.
/MJMBERS OF........
FRIDAYt JULY 24, 198?
- 12
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION WILL REPORT ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THE STUDY TOUR AFTER THEY RETURN ON AUGUST 6.
EXPERIENCE AND
FROM SINGAPORE
AN EXHIBITION OF THE WINNING ENTRIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF LAST YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WAS ALSO HELD AT THE VENUE.
OTHER GUESTS ATTENDING TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE KWAI TSINd DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO TUNG-CHING; SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER. MR LEE SHEW-LAI AND CHIEF EDITOR OF WAH KIU YAT POt MR WONG SHEK—
- - 0----------
CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AT LONG PING ESTATE *****
A FREE VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING AT LONG PING ESTATE, YUEN LONG TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE 1987 CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI KUEN AND ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALDAN KWOK WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY. ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON YUEN LONG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, MR. CHAN YAT-TUNG.
THE EVENT, INCORPORATED WITH THE "ANTI-FALLING OBJECT NIGHT”, AIMS AT PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG YUEN LONG RESIDENTS AND TO REMIND THEM OF THE DANGER Of FALLING OBJECTS.
PROGRAMME OF THE EVENING WILL FEATURE SINGING, MAGIC SHOW AND FUN FAIR.
TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC EDUCATION, THE WORKING GROUP HAS PLANNED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN YUEN LONG SUCH AS VISITS, EXHIBITION, INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE CONTEST, ESSAY COMPETITION AND FUN FAIR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY)IN TUNG KOON SCHOOL, LONG PING ESTATE, YUEN LONG. INFORMATION OFFICER, MRS BRENDA RUMJAHN WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
- 13 -
VARIETY SHOW TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE
» * * ♦ *
RESIDENTS IN NORTH DISTRICT WILL BE ENTERTAINED WITH A VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE CHEUNG WAH CENTRAL PLAYGROUND TO HELP SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE.
ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE SHOW AIMS AT ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME SAFETY AND THE PREVENTION OF SHOPLIFTING.
THE TARGET AUDIENCE WILL BE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW ON THEIR SUMMER VACATION AND AN ESTIMATED 10,000 YOUTHS WILL PARTICIPATE.
PROGRAMME FOR THE SHOW INCLUDE ORIENTAL DANCE, DRAMA AND PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR TV ARTISTES.
AMONG THE GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WIL'., PE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG AND THE FRONTIER POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR GYWN LLOYD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 7.30 PM IN THE CHEUNG WAH CENTRAL PLAYGROUND, CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING.
------0-------
CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED t * » *
THE ’CLEAN BEACH’ PHASE OF THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN THE FORM OF A VARIETY SHOW AT REPULSE BAY TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE PROGRAMME OF THE VARIETY SHOW WILL INCLUDE SINGING PERFORMANCES BY CHAN WAI-HAN, CHENG KING-KEI AND CHIANG CHI-KWONG, A SHORT DRAMA AND GAMES FOR THE BEACH-GOERS. THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY COMMERCIAL RADIO II. '
PRIOR TO THE SHOW, THERE WILL BE AN OPENING CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY URBAN COUNCILLOR MR TONG KAM-BIU.
/'RONALD MCDONALD’
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
•RONALD MCDONALD’ WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO PERFORM A MAGIC SHOW FOR THE CHILDREN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE FUNCTION WHICH BEGINS AT 1 PM AT REPULSE BAY. A VAN (UC18 OR UC37) FOR THE PRESS WILL DEPART AT 12 NOON FROM EDINBURGH PLACE, URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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SEMINAR TO DISCUSS GREEN PAPER ♦ ♦ ♦ *
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JULY 26) AT THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE IN SHA TIN FOR RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
SPEAKERS INCLUDE DR MARGARET NG, MR LEE CHIK-YUET AND MR LAI KAM-CHEUNG.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY A SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE GREEN PAPER OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SEMINAR AT 9.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 26) IN THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE IN FUNG SHUN STREET, SHA TIN.
/15
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
- 15 -
FREE CONCERT FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS ♦ » ♦ * *
SOUTHERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL GIVE A FREE CONCERT ON SUNDAY (JULY 26) AT 7.30 PM IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ABERDEEN CIVIC CENTRE.
THE CONCERT, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE DISTRICT’S ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, WILL FEATURE A VARIETY OF WESTERN AND CHINESE FOLK SONGS AS WELL AS INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCES OF POPULAR TUNES.
ESTABLISHED IN 1978, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF SOME 100 WITH SEVERAL INSTRUMENT SECTIONS.
THE CHOIR HAS PERFORMED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, INCLUDING DISTRICT AND TERRITORY-WIDE FUNCTIONS AND TV PROGRAMMES.
-----0------
SHA TIN DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ABOUT 300 SWIMMERS WILL VIE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES IN THE SIXTH SHA TIN DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA AT THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX ON SUNDAY (JULY 26).
THE EVENT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WITH THE HELP OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL BE DIVIDED INTO EIGHT DIVISIONS ACCORDING TO SEX AND AGE.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9.15 AM BY SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM; THE BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG PO-MING AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, MR CHEUNG CHI-YUEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA TO BE HELD IN THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AT 10 YUEN WO ROAD, SHA TIN ON SUNDAY (JULY 26). THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 9.15 AM.
-----0------
/16........
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987
16 -
JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS OF RHKR PASSING OUT PARADE * * * ♦ ♦
THE JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WILL HOLD A PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS IN HAPPY VALLEY ON SUNDAY (JULY 26).
THE HONORARY COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT, COLONEL JOHN HEYWOOD,WILL INSPECT THE PARADE OF 121 BOYS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 15 OF THE NO.6 RECRUIT CADRE WHO HAVE COMPLETED A RECRUIT TRAINING COMPRISING A FOUR-DAY BASIC CAMP, SEVEN SUNDAYS AND AN EIGHT-DAY SUMMER CAMP.
DURING THE PARADE, AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BEST RECRUIT, THE BEST SHOT, THE BEST TROOP, THE BEST IMPROVED TROOPER, THE BEST SPORTS SQUADRON AND THE CHAMPION SQUADRON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PARADE WHICH BEGINS AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 26) AT THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS IN SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
------0--------
FINALS OF SCHOOLS SUMMER OLYMPIAD ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FINALS OF BADMINTON, VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL COMPETITIONS OF THE SECOND SCHOOLS SUMMER OLYMPIAD WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WAN CHAI ON SUNDAY (JULY 26).
THIS YEAR’S SCHOOL SUMMER OLYMPIAD, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS, ATTRACTED A TOTAL OF 2,600 ATHLETES FROM 74 SCHOOLS.
THEY COMPETED IN FIVE SPORTS, NAMELY SWIMMING, ATHLETICS, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL AND BADMINTON.
THE FINALS OF ATHLETICS AND SWIMMING TOOK PLACE EARLIER THIS WEEK, WHILE THOSE OF THE BALL GAMES WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON SUNDAY STARTING 9.30 AM.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IMMEDIATELY AI- TER THE FINALS OF THE BASKETBALL GAME AT 5.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE EVENTS AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON SUNDAY (JULY 26).
------O-------- /17......
FRIDAY, JULY 24,
1987
TRAFFIC CHANGES ON HONG KONG ISLAND *****
THE EXISTING PEAK HOUR (I.E. 7 - 10 AM AND 4 - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IN WAN CHAI ON THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TIN LOK LANE BETWEEN WAN CHAI ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED TO OPERATE THROUGHOUT THE DAY FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 27).
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY, NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
ALSO FROM MONDAY, VEHICLES ON NORTHBOUND NAM LONG SHAN ROAD IN WONG CHUK HANG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT TO SHAM WAN ROAD FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY THROUGHOUT MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WESTBOUND WELFARE ROAD, WELFARE ROAD ROUNDABOUT, EASTBOUND WELFARE ROAD AND SOUTHBOUND NAM LONG SHAN ROAD.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
- 0 - -
RESTRICTED ZONES IN KWUN TONG * * * * ♦
WING YIP STREET AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE MADE RESTRICTED ZONES FOR VEHICLES FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 27).
THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING YIP STREET WILL BE
DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY, WHILE THE
EXISTING RESTRICTION ON NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WESTBOUND FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY WILL BE EXTENDED SOUTHWARD FOR ABOUT 17 METRES.
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL; 5-233191
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1987
cqntbjts page no.
FIRST SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION FOR FALSE TRADE ADVERTISING .... 1
JUNE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED .................... 3
CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED ............................... 6
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS URGED TO PAY ATTENTION TO ROAD SAFETY .... 7
SAFE CYCLING CAMPAIGN ON ISLAND LAUNCHED .................... 8
YOUTH SCHEME WINS DISTRICT SUPPORT .......................... 9
ADMISSION TO BRITISH UNIVERSITIES .IND POLYTECHNICS.......... 11
TWO SITES OFFERED FOR SALE................................... 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG WaN ................ 12
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHAM SHUI PO, TSUI SU. TSUI EAST......... 13
AIRPORT TUNNEL SLIP ROAD RE-OPENS ........................... 13
ROAD CLOSURE IN CENTRAL...................................... 14
SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON, TSU EI J WAN
14
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1987
- 1 -
FIRST SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION FOR FALSE TRADE ADVERTISING
* * t t »
MANY POTENTIAL BUYERS OF JEWELLERY ITEMS, SINCE LAST AUGUST, HAD BEEN OFFERED, THROUGH ADVERTISING BROCHURES, AT AN INCREDIBLY LOW COST, WHAT WERE DESCRIBED AS "RUSSIAN DIAMONDS".
THOSE WHO DID RESPOND FAVOURABLY TO THE ADVERTISEMENT MIGHT THINK THAT THEY HAD A VERY GOOD BARGAIN - UNTIL THEIR ATTENTION WAS CAUGHT BY A RECENT COURT CASE, THE FIRST IN LOCAL CUSTOMS HISTORY RELATING TO FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS USED IN ADVERTISING.
A MAIL ORDER HOUSE DEALING IN JEWELLERY ITEMS, WHICH PUBLICISED CUBIC ZIRCONIA AS "RUSSIAN DIAMONDS" FOR SALE, P'EADED GUILTY AT WESTERN MAGISTRACY ON JULY 11, AND WAS FINED $5,000.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY PROVIDED FOR THE OFFENCE OF FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS IS A FINE OF $100,000 AND TWO YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT ON SUMMARY CONVICTION, OR A FINE OF $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE YEARS ON INDICTMENT. ALL GOODS SEIZED UNDER THE ORDINANCE ARE LIABLE TO FORFEITURE.
HEAD OF THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, MR JOHN HOWARD TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THAT DESPITE THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR CASES BEING INVESTIGATED, THE CASE WAS SIGNIFICANT, AS IT WAS THE FIRST WHICH HAD LED TO SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION.
FROM 1981 TO JUNE THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THIS CASE, THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED AND ACTED ON 19 COMPLAINTS REGARDING MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS. WITH REGARD TO OTHER CASES WHICH DID NOT AMOUNT TO AN OFFENCE AGAINST THE LEGISLATION THE OFFENDERS WERE WARNED AND THEY SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED THE WORDING WHICH HAD LED TO COMPLAINTS.
"THESE COMPLAINTS VERY OFTEN DID NOT LEAD TO PROSECUTION ON THE GROUNDS OF INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE," MR HOWARD SAID.
HE COMMENTED THAT TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE INVOLVED IN BRINGING DEFENDENTS OF THIS NATURE TO COURTS.
QUOTING THE RECENT CASE AS AN EXAMPLE, MR HOWARD SAID IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT BY THE DIAMOND IMPORTERS ASSOCIATION (DIA) LAST OCTOBER.
BEFORE THAT THE DIA HAD WRITTEN TO THE COMPANY TWICE, ASKING IT TO STOP DISTRIBUTING ADVERTISING BROCHURES WHICH MISLEADINGLY REFERRED CUBIC ZIRCONIA AS "RUSSIAN DIAMONDS”. THE COMPANY REFUSED TO DO SO, SAYING THAT THE TERM WAS WIDELY ACCEPTED BY THE TRADE.
/customs officers .......
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1987
2
CUSTOMS OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE DIA’S COMPLAINT AND SEARCHED THE COMPANY’S PREMISES IN JAUNARY THIS YEAR, SEIZED 1,931 BROCHURES WHICH PUBLICISED SUCH SIMULATED STONES AS "RUSSIAN DIAMONDS". EXPERTS’ OPINION GIVEN BY THE GEMOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG MAINTAINED THAT "IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO NAME CUBIC ZIRCONIA AS RUSSIAN DIAMONDS".
INVESTIGATION ESTABLISHED THAT THE COMPANY HAD CLEARLY CONTRAVENED THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE.
PROSECUTION THUS BEGAN. THE FIRST CONVICTION OF FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS USED IN ADVERTISEMENT CAME ON JULY 11 THIS YEAR.
MR HOWARD FELT THERE WERE USED FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS IN SUPPLIED IN THE COURSE OF TRADE PUBLIC SHOULD MAKE COMPLAINT ADVERTISEMENTS WERE DELIBERATELY
NOT MANY CASES IN WHICH A COMPANY ITS ADVERTISEMENTS TO PROMOTE GOODS AND BUSINESS BIT MEMBERS OF THE TO THE DEPARTMENT IF THEY FELT MISLEADING.
"WE DO NOT CONSIDER THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG THAT WE SHOULD TAKE PROSECUTION ACTION, EXCEPT WHERE-ESTABLISHED THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF FRAUD WHICH WOULD TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE," SAID MR HOWARD, NOTING
IS SO SERIOUS IT IS CLEARLY CONTRAVENE THE THAT IT WOULD
BE PREFERABLE FOR ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE IAS TO ADVISE XDVERTISERS
ON CORRECT STANDARDS OF ADVERTISING. (THE 4AS STANDS FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF ACCREDITED ADVERTISING AGENTS OF HONG KONG.)
TO THIS END A CODE OF PRACTICE WAS ISSUED BY THE IAS TO THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY IN 1981 AND HAS BEEN PERIODICALLY AMENDED AS NECESSARY TO SUIT PRESENT DAY CONDITIONS.
THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE PROHIBITS FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS, THE FORGERY OF TRADE MARKS AND MISSTATEMENTS IN RESPECT OF GOODS PROVIDED IN THE COURSE OF TRADE AND PROVIDES OFFENCES FOR MISDESCRIBING GOODS IN THE FORM OF ADVERTISEMENTS.
THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1981, UPDATING THE FORMER MERCHANDISE MARKS ORDINANCE.
IN THIS FIRST HALF YEAR UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS RDINANCE THE NUMBER OF SEIZURES MADE BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS TOTALLED 525, WITH A VALUE OF $27.1 MILLION. NOT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE RECENT CASE, THE NUMBER OF PERSONS OR FIRMS PROSECUTED WAS 115 AM) FINES AMOUNTED TO $2.11 MILLION. THE NUMBER Of PERSONS GIVEN CUSTODIAL SENTENCES WAS 1 4 .
-----0------
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1987
- 3 -
JUNE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED » » * » »
THE RAPID GROWTH IN EXTERNAL TRADE RECORDED SINCE THE LATTER PART OF 1986 WAS SUSTAINED IN JUNE 1987, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JUNE 1987, AT $16,292 MILLION, INCREASED BY 29.9 PER CENT OR $3,746 MILLION OVER JUNE 1986, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 53.2 PER CENT OR $5,105 MILLION TO $14,703 MILLION.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $30,995 MILLION, WAS 40 PER CENT OR $8,851 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1986. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 40.7 PER CENT OR $9,292 MILLION OVER JUNE 1986 TO $32,127 MILLION.
AS THE GROWTH IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS SLIGHTLY FASTER THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP (THAT IS, THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS) IN JUNE 1987 WIDENED TO 3.5 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH A GAP OF 3 PER CENT IN JUNE 1986. IN ABSOLUTE VALUE TERMS, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT RECORDED IN JUNE 1987, AT $1,132 MILLION, WAS $441 MILLION LARGER THAN THAT RECORDED IN JUNE 1986.
PUTTING THE MONTH’S TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1987 WAS $165,928 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $85,795 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $80,133 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1986, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $47,522 MILLION OR 40.1 PER CENT, THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $20,422 MILLION OR 31.2 PER CENT, AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS BY $27,100 MILLION OR 51.1 PER CENT.
OVER THIS PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $48,821 MILLION OR 39.6 PER CENT, TO $172,155 MILLION.
A CUMULATIVE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $6,227 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.6 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1987. THIS COMPARES WITH A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $4,928 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1986, WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO 4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THAT PERIOD.
/COMMENTING ON
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 198?
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN RECENT MONTHS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE STRONG DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN OVERSEAS MARKETS, AND TO THE STIMULATING EFFECT OF THE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, IN LINE WITH THAT OF THE U.S. DOLLAR, AGAINST MOST OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES DURING THE COURSE OF 1986 AND THE EARLY MONTHS OF 1987.
THE EVEN MORE RAPID GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE FLOURISHING ENTREPOT TRADE WITH CHINA, WHICH FEATURED PROMINENTLY BOTH AS A SOURCE AND AS A MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS. THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT, GIVEN THE STRONG GROWTH IN IMPORTS, EXPORT PERFORMANCE WAS LIKELY TO REMAIN GOOD IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE 1987.
TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE, 1987
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE:-
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS: $16,292 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS : $14,703 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $30,995 MILLION
IMPORTS : $32,127 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : $1,132 MILLION [IN DEFICIT]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
APR 87 TO APR 86 TO INCREASE
LATEST 3 MONTHS JUN 87 JUN 86
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 47,267 36,228 11,039 30.5
RE-EXPORTS 13,648 29,028 14,620 50.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 90,915 65,256 25,659 39.3
IMPORTS 93,790 67,662 26,128 38.6
TRADE BALANCE -2,875 -2,406 -469
/SAME MONTH........
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 198?
5
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR JUNE 1987 HK$ MN. JUNE 1986 HK$ MN. INCREXSE HK$ MN. %
DOLJSTIC EXPORTS 16,292 12,546 3,716 29.9
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (52.6%) (56.7%)
RE-EXPORTS 11,703 9,598 5,105 53.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 30,995 22,144 8,851 40.0
IMPORTS 32,127 22,835 9,292 40.7
TRADE BALANCE -1,132 -691 -411
LAST MONTH JUNE 1987 HK$ MN. MAY 1987 HK$ MN. INCREASE IIKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 16,292 16, 136 -114 -0.9
(X OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (52.6%) (52.8%)
RE-EXPORTS 1 1,703 1 1,690 13 0. 1
TOTAL EXPORTS 30,995 31,126 -131 -0.4
IMPORTS 32,127 31,171 953 3.1
TRADE BALANCE -1,132 -18 -1,084
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-JUN 1987 HK$ MN. JAN-JUN 1986 IIKS MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 85,795 65,373 20,422 31.2
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (51.7%) (55.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 80,133 53,033 27,100 51 . 1
TOTAL EXPORTS 165,928 118, 106 17,522 40.1
IMPORTS 172,155 123,331 18,821 39.6
TRADE BALANCE -6,227 -4,928 -1,299
/LAST 12 .......
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 198?
6
JUL 86 TO JUL 85 TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS JUN 87 JUN 86
HK$ MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 174,405 134,848 39,557 29.3
RE-EXPORTS 149,646 105,661 43,985 41.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 324,051 240,509 83,542 34.7
IMPORTS 324,776 241,981 82,795 34.2
TRADE BALANCE -725 -1,472 747
-----o-----
CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED t » »
THE CLEAN BEACH PHASE OF THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED AT REPULSE BAY BEACH TODAY (SATURDAY).
URBAN COUNCILLOR MR TONG KAM-B1U, IN DELIVERING AN OPENING ADDRESS,SAID THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WAS THE LARGEST-EVER SINCE ITS LAUNCHING 15 YEARS AGO.
"THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN HAS GAINED THE SUPPORT OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS," HE SAID.
MR TONG EMPHASISED THAT THE CAMPAIGN THEME SONG AND SLOGAN -WE’RE PITCHING IN TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN - HAD PENETRATED EACH AND EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN THE TERRITORY.
"WITH THE APPROACH OF SUMMER, THE CAMPAIGN HAS ENTERD INTO THE SECOND PHASE - THE CLEAN BEACH PHASE - WHICH IS BEING PROMOTED THROUGH MEDIzX PUBLICITY AND VARIOUS ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
BEFORE JOINING OTHER GUESTS IN PERFORMING A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY, MR TONG URGED BEACH-GOERS AND PICNICKERS TO KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN BY DISPOSING OF LITTER IN WASTE BINS.
/THE OTHER .......
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 198?
THE OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WERE: LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR YEUNG PO-KWAN; DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN), MR SIMON LORD.; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (LEISURE SERVICES), URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR ROBIN GILL; CHAIRMAN, KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, MR GEORGE YUEN AND SENIOR PRODUCER, COMMERCIAL RADIO CHANNEL II, MR WONG TIT-HUNG.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, COMMERCIAL RADIO CHANNEL II PRODUCED A ONE-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME CENTERING ON THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN THEME.
APART FROM SINGING PERFORMANCES FROM POPULAR SINGERS CHAN WAI-HAN, CHENG KING-KEI AND CHIANG CHI-KWONG, THE PROGRAMME ALSO CONSISTED OF A SHORT DRAMA AND PHONE-IN GAMES FOR THE AUDIENCE.
MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS ALSO PLEDGED SUPPORT TO TODAY'S EVENT BY LINING UP 200 STAFF MEMBERS TO ( LEAN 1' THE REPULSE BAY BEACH AREA. 'RONALD MCDONALD’ WAS ALSO PRESENT TO PERFORM A MAGIC SHOW FOR THE CHILDREN.
--------0----------
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS URGED TO PAY
ATTENTION TO ROAD SAFETY
t * » * *
WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO ROAD SAFETY MEASURES AND TO OBSERVE TRAFFIC RULES WHEN USING THE ROAD.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR GARCIA SAID ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE FUNCTION WAS TO BRING HOME THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE, AND TO DRAW ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC BLACK SPOTS AND PROBLEMS IN WAN CHAI.
AS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING BICYCLES WERE ON THE INCREASE WITH THE GROWING POPULARITY OF CYCLING, EMPHASIS WOULD BE PLACED ON EDUCATING CYCLISTS OF SAFETY RULES, HE SAID.
ANOTHER SPEAKER AT THE CEREMONY, WAN CHAI DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR LAU TO-YEE, SAID THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 906 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT LAST. YEAR, RESULTING IN 12 DEATHS.
HE BELIEVED THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT RATE WOULD BE GREATLY REDUCED IF MOTORISTS WERE MORE CAREFUL AND PATIENT, AND PEDESTRIANS WOULD REFRAIN FROM CROSSING ROADS CARELESSLY.
/THE PROJECT, .......
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1987
8
THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL RUN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 26, IS ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, COMPRISING MEMBERS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, DISTRICT BOARD AND THE POLICE FORCE.
CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES ALSO INCLUDE A CYCLING SAFETY WEEK, A ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION WEEK AND AN ENFORCEMENT WEEK, A MODEL PEDESTRIANS SELECTION, TALKS FOR THE AGED AND A CLOSING CEREMONY CUM FUN FAIR.
PART OF TODAY’S PROGRAMME WAS A CYCLING SAFETY DEMONSTRATION BY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AIMED AT GIVING THE PUBLIC A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN CYCLING.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR STEPHEN WONG AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM.
APART FROM CYCLING SHOWS, A LION DANCE AND SINGING PERFORMANCES WERE ALSO STAGED. LEAFLETS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE AUDIENCE TO REMIND THEM OF THE THEME OF THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
THE CAMPAIGN WAS SPONSORED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WITH AN ALLOCATION OF $80,000, AND THE POLICE FORCE WHICH CONTRIBUTED $5,000.
--------0----------
SAFE CYCLING CAMPAIGN ON ISLAND LAUNCHED t * t * »
A SAFE CYCLING CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN LAUNCHED ON HONG KONG ISLAND IN A BID TO REDUCE BICYCLE ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES.
ACCORDING TO POLICE STATISTICS, THERE WERE 754 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING BICYCLES IN 1986, INJURING 503 CYCLISTS, 10 OF THEM HAD DIED. ALSO, A TOTAL OF 9 310 SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED TO CYCLING OFFENDERS AND SEVEN ARRESTS WERE MADE.
THE SAFE CYCLING WEEK, ORGANISED BY THE POLICE ROAD SAFETY SECTION OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND RUNNING FROM JULY 25 10 31, IS TO DRAW CYCLISTS’ ATTENTION TO THE PROPER WAY OF CYCLING AND THE ROAD SAFETY CODE.
THE CAMPAIGN WAS KICKED OFF THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING AT A CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR STEPHEN WONG; THE WAN CHAI DISTRICI OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA; AND THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR LAU TO-YEE, AT THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND.
/THE CEREMONY........
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 198?
THE CEREMONY FEATURED DEMONSTRATIONS ON CYCLING SAFETY AND TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS LION DANCE.
UNDER THE WEEK-LONG CAMPAIGN, MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROL WILL STARTING FROM TOMORROW SWING INTO ACTION TO DISTRIBUTE CYCLING SAFETY LEAFLETS AT SHEK 0 WHICH IS CROWDED WITH CYCLISTS IN THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, A POLICE PATROL CAR WITH BROADCASTING FACILITIES WILL BE RUNNING ON THE BIG WAVE BAY ROAD TO REMIND CYCLISTS OF TAKING NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. AND A ROAD SAFETY BUS WILL BE STATIONED ON THE SHEK O CARPARK DISPLAYING VIDEO SHOWS, A TRAFFIC SIGNS COMPUTER TEST AND ROAD SAFETY EXHIBITIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR MAN HON-MING, AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR KUNG WIN-MAN, MR MIU WAH-CHANG AND MR CHAN YAU-YUE WILL JOIN rilE SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROL MEMBERS TO DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS TO CYCLISTS AT THE SHEK O CARPARK ADJACENT TO THE BEACH AT 11 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY). COVERAGE IS INVITED.
- - 0
YOUTH SCHEME WINS DISTRICT SUPPORT t * » *
THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME, FIRST LAUNCHED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1971, IS TAKING ON A NEW DIMENSION THIS YEAR.
IT WILL DE CO-SPONSORED BY THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
"WITH THEIR SUPPORT, ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO ENABLE MORE YOUTH GROUPS TO IMPLEMENT SERVICE PROJECTS TO BENEFIT BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO GIVE PRIORITY CONSIDERATION TO PROJECTS AIMING TO HELP THE HOMELESS IN RESPONSE TO THE DESIGNATION OF 1987 BY THE UNITED NATIONS AS THE 'INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS’.
/"IT IS
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 198?
- 10 -
"IT IS PARTICULARLY MEANINGFUL THAT DISTRICT BOARDS AND CNTA ARE SPONSORING THE SCHEME THIS YEAR AS HELPING THE HOMELESS CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT YOUTH GROUPS SHOULD PLAN PROJECTS ADOPTING THE GENERAL THEME OF SHOWING CONCERN FOR OR SERVING THE HOMELESS, INCLUDING STREET SLEEPERS, THOSE WHO LIVE IN INADEQUATE HOUSING, SUCH AS IN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS OR SQUATTER AREAS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUBSIDIES TO FUND THE PROJECTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SWD’S YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICES, DISTRICT BOARD OFFICES AND CNTA DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE FORMS, TOGETHER WITH DETAILED PROPOSALS, SHOULD REACH THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICES BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1987.
ALL PROJECTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE JANUARY 15, 1988.
EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25; AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, YOUTH AGENCY OR BUSINESS ORGANISATION. DISCRETION MAY BE GIVEN TO ALLOW FOR SOME MEMBERS TO Exceed THE AGE LIMIT TO UP TO 30.
GROUPS WITHOUT ANY SPONSOR, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY), MAY ALSO APPLY.
PROCESSING OF THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DONE BY SWD OFFICERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA INCLUDE THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, THE EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT, FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, AND OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATION.
THE MAXIMUM SUBSIDY FOR EACH APPROVED PROJECT IS $1,500.
ON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT ITS MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT TO COMPETE FOR THE TERRITORY-WIDE "BEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AWARD".
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SATURDAY, JULY 25,
1987
- 11 -
ADMISSION TO BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS
*****
LOCAL STUDENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO BRITISH UNIVERSITIES ARE ADVISED THAT APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE ONE YEAR IN ADVANCE THROUGH THE UNIVERSITIES CENTRAL COUNCIL ON ADMISSIONS (UCCA) IN ENGLAND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID UCCA APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MID-AUGUST AT THE DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION (OSSS) AT ROOM 530, 5TH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, 33-37 HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE COMPLETED UCCA APPLICATION FORM AND A FEE OF 5 POUND STERLING MUST REACH UCCA BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1 AND OCTOBER 15 FOR THOSE WHO ARE APPLYING FOR PLACES IN OXFORD OR CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITIES. THE CLOSING DATE FOR ALL OTHER UNIVERSITIES WILL BE DECEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
LATE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY UCCA OFFICE BETWEEN DECEMBER 16 AND MARCH NEXT YEAR WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE UNIVERSITIES CONCERNED FOR CONSIDERATION AT THEIR DISCRETION.
APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO THE FIRST YEAR OF FIRST DEGREE AND DIPLOMA OF HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES AT ALL POLYTECHNICS AND SOME COLLEGES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD BE MADE THROUGH THE POLYTECHNICS CENTRAL ADMISSIONS SYSTEM.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S OSSS OFFICE WHERE RELEVANT MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION IN THE AUTUMN OF 1988 IS DECEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
STUDENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO DEGREE COURSES LEADING TO QUALIFICATIONS IN INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING AND DEGREE AND DIPLOMA COURSES IN ART AND DESIGN OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY SECTOR SHOULD APPROACH THE CENTRAL REGISTER AND CLEARING HOUSE AND THE ART AND DESIGN ADMISSIONS REGISTRY RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE WISHING TO GAIN ENTRY INTO POLYTECHNICS, COLLEGES AND INSTITUTES FOR OTHER COURSES MAY APPLY THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S OSSS STARTING NOVEMBER 1 FOR ADMISSION IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER NEXT YEAR. THE CLOSING DATE IS JUNE 22 NEXT YEAR.
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/12
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1987
- 12 -
TWO SITES OFFERED FOR SALE
* * ♦ ♦
A RESIDENTIAL SITE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND AN INDUSTRIAL SITE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE TO BE AUCTIONED ON MONDAY (JULY 27).
THE RESIDENTIAL SITE IS AT TAI HANG DRIVE, NEAR TIGER BALM GARDEN, AND MEASURES 1,568 SQUARE METRES.
THE 947-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, BUT EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES.
THE AUCTION, TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE AUCTION WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM
-----0------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG WAN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
TO FACILITATE RECONSTRUCTION WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF HILLIER STREET WITH BONHAM STRAND IN SHEUNG WAN, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 28) FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE OF HILLIER STREET BETWEEN BONHAM STRAND AND WING LOK STREET WILL RE DIVERTED VIA MERCER STREET JERVOIS STREET AND MORRISON STREET. " ’
IN ADDITION, HILLIER STREET BETWEEN BONHAM STRAND AND JERVOIS STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY AND THE PARKING METERS AND MOTOR CYCLE PARKING SPACES IN THIS ROAD SECTION WILL BE SUSPENDED.
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/13........
SATURSDAY, JULY 25, 1987
- 13 -
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHAM SHUI PO, TSIM SHA TSL’I EAST
*****
CHEUNG YUE STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO BETWEEN ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH TAI NAN WEST STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 28).
NO PLB'S WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
MEANWHILE, IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, SCIENCE MUSEUM SQUARE BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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AIRPORT TUNNEL SLIP ROAD RE-OPENS
* * *
THE AIRPORT TUNNEL SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM THE EASTBOUND TUBE OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL TO SUNG WONG TOI ROAD WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 28).
MOTORISTS ON EAST KOWLOON WAY NORTHBOUND CAN OPERATE VIA THE SLIP ROAD TO SUNG WONG TOI ROAD. ALTERNATIVELY, THEY MAY OPERATE VIA THE EAST KOWLOON WAY TO KOWLOON CITY ROAD AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD.
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/14
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1987
- 14 -
ROAD CLOSURE IN CENTRAL
t » * ♦ ♦
TO FACILITATE THE REMOVAL OF A DANGEROUS SIGNBOARD, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN CLEVERLY STREET AND MORRISON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT TO 2.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 28) MORNING.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CLEVERLY STREET, WING LOK STREET AND MORRISON STREET TO REJOIN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
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SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON, TSUEN WAN
♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN DISTRICTS OF KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF ON TUESDAY (JULY 28) FROM 10 PM TO 5 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT HUNG HOM, KOWLOON CITY, KOWLOON TONG, WONG TAI SIN, LOK FU, WANG TAU HOM, TUNG TAU ESTATE, CHUK YUEN, FUNG WONG SAN TSUEN, TSZ WAN SHAN, DIAMOND HILL, HAMMER HILL, KAI TAK AND KOWLOON HOSPITAL.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL ALSO BE TURNED OFF ON THE SAME DAY FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM FOR THE SAME REASON.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT HEUNG CHE STREET, HEUNG WO STREET, TSO KUNG STREET, TAI PA STREET, YUEN TUN CIRCUIT AND FU YUNG STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN DISTRICT ................... 1
COURSES TO ENHANCE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ....................... 2
MORE JOINING IN TO HELP THE HOMELESS ....................... 3
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES FOR TUEN MUN ....................... 4
INTEREST CLASSES FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS .................... 5
HK STUDENTS WIN GOLD MEDALS IN WORLD-WIDE aRT EXHIBITION ... 5
INCREASE IN SPEEDPOST WEIGHT LIMITS FOR SINGAPORE AND KUWAIT 6
SEA WATER PUMPS TOR HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION ............... 6
TEMPORARY COOKED FOOD CENTRES TOR MONG KOK ................. 6
OUTGOING GLTA HEAD FETED ................................... 7
BUS DIVERSION IN YUEN LONG TOWN ............................ 7
/
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987
1
FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN DISTRICT » t * » »
A SERIES OF FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES ARE IN THE PIPELINE TO HELP FOSTER THE CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGE IN EASTERN DISTRICT.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW FL’NG-CHEUNG SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT HOME SECURITY, ANTI-TRIAD ACTIVITIES AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME WERE THE MAIN THEMES OF THE CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR.
ABOUT $42,000 WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR ORGANISING FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES; OF WHICH $20,000 IS SPONSORED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REST FUNDED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE FIRST ACTIVITY FOR THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN WILL BE SEMINAR ON THE SECURITY FOR OPERATORS OF GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY SHOPS TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
IN AUGUST, AN OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME PHASE FOUR WILL BE HELD AT THE CITYPLAZA TO MARK THE FORMATION OF THE WATCH TEAMS IN SIX BUILDINGS, INCLUDING AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING IN CHAI WAN.
IN ADDITION, TWO TRAINING SESSIONS FOR CARETAKERS AND WATCHMEN AND A VISIT TO THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL WILL BE ARRANGED IN AUGUST.
IN OCTOBER, A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO JOIN THE FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS VISITS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL, FIGHT CRIME CARTOON DRAWING COMPETITION AND SCHOOL TALKS ON 'DRUG ABUSE'.
A TOTAL OF 20 RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING IN HELPING POLICE COMBAT CRIME WILL BE GIVEN THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN JANUARY.
THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS ALLOCATED $5,000 TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO ORGANISE ANTI-TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
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/2
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987
2 COURSES TO ENHANCE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY *****
THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS TO HOLD MORE THAN 150 FREE SAFETY COURSES FOR WORKERS, SUPERVISORS, MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYERS BETWEEN AUGUST AND DECEMBER.
THESE ARE IN ADDITION TO THE 200 SIMILAR COURSES ORGANISED IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THE COURSES WERE SPECIALLY TAILORED TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO IDENTIFY UNSAFE ACT AND UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS IN THEIR WORKPLACES.
"THEY WILL ALSO BE TAUGHT ON HOW TO TACKLE SAFETY PROBLEMS AND TO ZERO IN ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY," HE ADDED.
THE COURSES COVER A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING BASIC INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION; SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION, PLASTICS AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES; SAFE USE IN ABRASIVE WHEELS, POWER PRESS AND WOODWORKING MACHINERY; WORK IN CONFINED SPACES, COMPRESSED AIR AND CAISSON; AND MANUAL LIFTING AND HANDLING.
OTHER SPECIALIST SAFETY TRAINING COURSES FOR SUPERVISORY STAFF INCLUDE HEARING CONSERVATION; INTRODUCTION TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS; LABELLING AND SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS; HAZARDS IN THE USE OF ASBESTOS AND ITS CONTROL; DUST HAZARDS AND CONTROL IN CONSTRUCTION AND QUARRYING INDI STR IES; SAFETY SUPERVISORS; AND ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS.
ALL COURSES LAST BETWEEN HALF A DAY AND FIVE DAYS AND ARE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE. THEY WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRE ON THE 13TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENTRE OR AT TELEPHONE 5-8523563.
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SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987
- 3
MORE JOINING IN TO HELP THE HOMELESS *****
IT IS VERY HEARTENING TO SEE SO MANY ORGANISATIONS RESPONDING WARMLY TO THE PLEA TO HELP THE HOMELESS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE "KNIT YOUR CARE, SHOW YOUR LOVE" FUNCTION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG JAYCEETTEES AT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA, MRS WONG SAID THAT 1987 HAD BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS AS THE "INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS" CALLING FOR INCREASED AWARENESS AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE HOMELESS.
"IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE POLICY AND TO CO-ORDINATE THE WORK FOR STREET SLEEPERS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
"SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO SET UP ITS OWN STEERING GROUP TO EXAMINE ALL THE RELATED ISSUES, TO MAP OUT THE STRATEGY AND TO CO-ORDINATE ALL THE ACTIVITIES, IN THIS AREA," SHE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, FOUR REGIONAL OUTREACHING TEAMS HAVE BEEN FORMED, AND TOGETHER WITH STAFF FROM THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, THEY RENDER SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS WHO ARE ELDERLY, DISABLED, PHYSICALLY OR MENTALL ILL, OR WHO ARE SUSPECTED DRUG ABUSERS.
"TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND DAY CENTRES ARE ALSO BEING OPERATED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CATERING FOR THESE PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT MANY ORGANISATIONS WERE ALSO RESPONDING TO THIS CALL FOR MORE SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS AND THE KNITTING COMPETITION BEING ORGANISED TODAY WAS A MEANINGFUL FUNCTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CAUSE.
A....
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SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES FOR TUEN MUN *****
APART FROM LOOKING AFTER THE SAFETY AND THE HEALTH OF PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, CHILD CARE CENTRES SHOULD ALSO ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR CARLOS LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCHES OF HONG KONG SO SUM MEMORIAL NURSERY AT SHAN KING ESTATE, MR LEUNG SAID CAREFULLY-DESIGNED LEARNING AND PLAYING ACTIVITIES WOULD HELP YOUNG CHILDREN TO LAY A SOUND FOUNDATION FOR THEIR EDUCATION, DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS, TRAIN THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS AND ENSURE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR CHARACTER.
NOTING THAT SOCIAL SERVICES IN TUEN MUN, ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING NEW TOWNS, HAD BEEN RAPIDLY DEVELOPING, MR LEUNG SAID THAT THERE WERE MANY NUCLEUS FAMILIES IN THE NEWLY-BUILT SHAN KING ESTATE AND THAT THE NUMBER OF WORKING MOTHERS THERE WAS HIGH.
’’CHILD CARE CENTRES PROVIDE URGENTLY-NEEDED SERVICE FOR THESE FAMILIES SO THAT THE PARENTS CAN GO OUT TO WORK WITH THEIR MINDS AT EASE.
•’THERE ARE NOW 16 GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED DAY CHILD CARE CENTRES AND TWO PRIVATELY-RUN NURSERIES IN TUEN MUN, PROVIDING SOME 2,000 PLACES.
”1N ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S WELFARE PLAN, FOUR MORE SUBVENTED CHILD CARE CENTRES WITH 100 PLACES WILL COME INTO SERVICE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS TO MEET THE DEMAND,” HE SAID.
MR LEUNG COMMENDED THE ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCHES OF HONG KONG FOR PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE PAST 30-ODD YEARS, INCLUDING HOSPITALS, CHILDREN’S HOMES AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE SO SUM MEMORIAL NURSERY, THE FIRST CHILD CARE CENTRE OPERATED BY THE ASSOCIATION, PROVIDES 100 PLACES FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN TWO AND SIX AND THE ASSOCIATION PLANS TO OPEN ANOTHER DAY CHILD CARE CENTRE IN TAI PO IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
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SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987
- 5 -
INTEREST CLASSES FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A SERIES OF INTEREST CLASSES ARE BEING ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS OF THE MONG KOK SOUTH AREA DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
THESE INCLUDE CLASSES ON DANCING FOR CHILDREN, PHOTOGRAPHY AND FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE CONDUCTED BY SPECIALISTS IN EACH FIELD.
THE COURSES CONSIST OF EIGHT SESSIONS AND WILL BE HELD FROM AUGUST TO EARLY SEPTEMBER AT HONG KONG VERNACULAR NORMAL SCHOOLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOOL IN SAI YEE STREET.
THE CLASSES ARE ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK SOUTH AREA COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN WHOLESOME PASTIMES AND RECREATION AMONG RESIDENTS.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE ON 3-802251.
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HK STUDENTS WIN GOLD MEDALS IN WORLD-WIDE ART EXHIBITION
TWO YOUNG STUDENTS WERE RECENTLY AWARDED GOLD MEDALS FOR THEIR DISTINGUISHED ENTRIES IN A WORLD-WIDE CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION SPONSORED BY THE KANAGAWA PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT IN JAPAN EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE WINNERS ARE A 13-VEAR-OLD GIRL, LO WAI-YIN, OF THE SKH CHI NAM (AM) PRIMARY SCHOOL AND A 1 O-YEAR-OLD BOY, CHOI CHUN-MAN, OF TAK SUN SCHOOL.
CHOI CHUN-MAN WAS HONOURED FOR A PAINTING DEPICTING VIVIDLY THE TRADITIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL AND LO WAI-YIN’S WINNING ENTRY WAS A PAINTING IN RICH HUES ON A HAPPY TOMORROW.
THE COMPETITION AIMS TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH ART OF DIFFERENT CULTURES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
IT ATTRACTED A TOTAL OF 24,988 ENTRIES FROM 85 COUNTRIES OF WHICH 551 WERE FROM HONG KONG PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THE PRIZE-WINNING WORKS ARE NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE GALLERY IN THE KANAGAWA PREFECTURE.
TWO SILVER MEDALS ALSO WENT TO HONG KONG STUDENTS IN THE COMPETITION. THEY WERE A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL LAU LAI LI OF CHIU SHEUNG SCHOOL AND A 12-YEAR-OLD BOY M/\ KAI-CHO OF §KH CHI NAM (AM) PRIMARY SCHOOL. IN ADDITION, SEVEN HONG KONG STUDENTS WERE AWARDED OTHER PRIZES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ENTRIES.
0
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987
INCREASE IN SPEEDPOST WEIGHT LIMITS FOR SINGAPORE AND KUWAIT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1 THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT FOR A SPEEDPOST ITEM TO SINGAPORE AND KUWAIT WILL BE INCREASED FROM 15 KILOGRAMS TO 20 KILOGRAMS.
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES, MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS AND A FREE PICK-UP SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8471108.
- - 0 - -
SEA WATER PUMPS FOR HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A $3.6 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SEA WATER PUMPS, VENTILATION AND RELATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES FOR THE HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW PUMPS ARE PART OF PHASE I OF THE RECLAMATION WHICH WILL BE LOCATED ALONG THE SEAWALL AND NEXT TO THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE.
THE PUMPS WILL PROVIDE SEA WATER FOR COOLING THE AIR-CONDITIONING PLANTS OF THE CENTRE, THE HONG KONG COLISEUM AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION’S HUNG HOM STATION.
THE CONTRACT WORKS, TO BE UNDERTAKEN B^ DAH CHONG HONG (ENGINEERING) LTD., WILL COMMENCE IN OCTOBER AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY NEXT APRIL.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY COOKED FOOD CENTRES FOR MONG KOK ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
TWO TEMPORARY, SINGLE-STOREY COOKED FOOD CENTRES ARE TO BE BUILT IN SHANGHAI STREET, MONG KOK, TO ACCOMMODATE A TOTAL OF 35 STALLS TO BE RESITED FROM STREETS NEARBY.
A S1.2-MILLION BUILDING CONTRACT FOR ONE OF THE CENTRES AT THE JUNCTION OF SHANGHAI AND SOY STREETS HAS JUST BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
/IT WILL
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1987
- 7 -
IT WILL COVER A SITE AREA OF ABOUT 160 SQUARE METRES AND PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR 15 COOKED FOOD STALLS WHEN COMPLETED NEXT JANUARY.
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND CENTRE AT THE JUNCTION OF SHANGHAI AND NELSON STREETS.
IT WILL HAVE 20 STALLS AND OCCUPY A SITE OF ABOUT 200 SQUARE METRES.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 14. CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED NEXT APRIL.
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OUTGOING GLTA HEAD FETED * t » * t
STAFF MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY (GLTA) BADE FAREWELL TO THEIR RETIRING CONTROLLER, MR JOHN GRAY, AT A DINNER RECEPTION LAST (SATURDAY) NIGHT.
MR GRAY WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN NOVEMBER AFTER 10 YEARS’ SERVICE.
AT THE DINNER ATTENDED BY OVER 150 STAFF MEMBERS, HE WAS PRESENTED A SILVER PLATE AS SOUVENIR.
MR GRAY JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1977 AS A GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT OFFICER. HE BECAME THE FIRST CONTROLLER OF GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT IN 1978 AND TOOK CHARGE OF THE GLTA WHICH WAS FORMALLY SET UP IN 1979.
HE WILL START HIS PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE IN MID-AUGUST.
SUCCEEDING HIM WILL BE THE TRANSPORT MANAGER OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR PETER WALKER.
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BUS DIVERSION IN YUEN LONG TOWN ♦ » » » »
THE EXISTING BUS ONLY RIGHT TURN FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD WESTBOUND ON TO K1K YEUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FROM WEDNESDAY (JULY 29) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
AS A RESULT, KMB ROUTES NO. 54, 64K, 76K AND 77K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, MA MIU ROAD, ON NING ROAD AND KIK YEUNG ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG (WEST) BUS TERMINUS.
THESE BUS ROUTES WILL OBSERVE THE BUS STOP ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD OUTSIDE YUEN LONG TRADE ASSOCIATION PRIMARY SCHOOL DURING THE PERIOD OF DIVERSION.
- O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, JUDY 27, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
$100 M LOAN TO LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION APPROVED......... 1
NEW BORDER CONTROL FACILITIES AT LOK MA CHAU ................ 1
STI EXPRESSES REGRET AT BALDRIGE'S DEATH..................... 2
WINDING UP OF INSURANCE FIRM ORDERED ........................ 3
TWO GOVERNMENT LOTS SOLD FOR $87.3 M......................... 3
APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS INVITED ......................................... 4
CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE WUNTS SPECIAL DISPLAYS....... 5
SEMINARS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT ............................. 6
NOISE POLLUTION SURVEY IN EASTERN DISTRICT .................. 7
COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SERVICES........................... 8
KWAI TSING CHILDREN SHOW CONCERN FOR DISTRICT AFFAIRS ....... 9
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MONG KOK TRAFFIC .......................
CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO MEET......................... 1°
WATER STORAGE FIGURE......................................... 11
WATER CUT IN FANLING ........................................ 11
1
$100 M LOAN TO LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION APPROVED t * ♦ ♦ *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED THE GRANTING OF A LOAN OF UP TO $100 MILLION FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) TO FINANCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CORPORATION AND ITS INITIA1 OPERATION.
THE CORPORATION, TO BE SET UP FORMALLY THIS OCTOBER, IS AIMED AT PROMOTING AND UNDERTAKING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE OLDER URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A PROPOSAL ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LDC WAS FIRST APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN JUNE, 1985.
THE PROPOSAL FOLLOWED EARLIER ATTEMPTS AT URBAN RENEWAL IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES, WHICH INCLUDED THE CO-ORDINATION OF PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT INTERESTS IN AREAS WITH REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL AND PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE FRAGMENTED OWNERSHIP OF BUILDINGS IN SUCH AREAS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A PROVISIONAL LDC BOARD, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, HAD BEEN SET UP LAST AUGUST TO OVERSEE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATUTORY CORPORATION, TO ADVISE ON THE RECRUITMENT OF A CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND TO UNDERTAKE PRELIMINARY WORK ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS SUITABLE FOR REDEVELOPMENT BY THE LDC.
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NEW BORDER CONTROL FACILITIES AT LOK MA CHAU * ♦ * *
NEW BORDER CONTROL FACILITIES WILL SOON BE BUILT AT LOK MA CHAU TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF VISITORS AND CARGOES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (MONDAY) BY A PROJECT ARCHITECT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR JORGE GRACA, WHO ALSO SAID THE DEPA.tiMENT HAD CALLED FOR TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT AND WOULD SUPERVISE ITS CONSTRUCTION.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED B\ THE END OF 1988.
THE FACILITIES TO BE BUILT INCLUDE A MAIN TERMINAL BUILDII TWO CARGO EXAMINATION BUILDINGS, AN ANIMAL INSPECTION STATU , WEIGH-BRIDGE, A HELICOPTER PAD AND POLICE POST, MR GR k 8AH.
/THE T HMIMA.L
•M
r
2
THE TERMINAL BUILDING WILL HAVE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 4,000 SQUARE METRES TO ACCOMMODATE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.
IN THE TWO SEPARATE INCOMING AND OUTGOING CARGO EXAMINATION WILDINGS, THERE WILL BE 18 KIOSKS FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND 14 FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT. THE ANIMAL INSPECTION STATION WILL BE STAFFED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
MR GRACA SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOK MA CHAU CROSSING WOULD BE ENHANCED WITH THE COMPLETION OF BOTH THE NEW BRIDGE ACROSS THE SHENZHEN RIVER AND THE NEW TRUNK ROAD JOINING THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, EXPECTED TO OPEN TN LATE 1988.
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STI EXPRESSES REGRET AT BALDRIGE’S DEATH
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG TODAY (MONDAY) EXPRESSED DEEPEST REGRET AT THE DEATH OF THE UNITED STATES COMMERCE SECRETARY, MR MALCOLM BALDRIGE.
IN A LETTER CONVEYING A CONDOLENCE TO MR BALDRIGE’S FAMILY THROUGH THE U.S. CONSUL-GENERAL IN HONG KONG, MR YEUNG SAID: "WE ARE DEEPLY SHOCKED AND SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE TRAGIC AND UNTIMELY DEATH OF MALCOLM BALDRIGE, WITH WHOM ALL OF US IN HONG KONG SHARE SUCH A CLOSE MUTUALITY OF INTERESTS IN PROMOTING A BETTER AND FREER WORLD TRADING SYSTEM.
“WE ARE TRULY SORRY TO HAVE LOST AN ADMIRABLE FRIEND AND ALLY."
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MONDAY, JULY 27, 1987
WINDING UP OF INSURANCE FIRM ORDERED * * * *
STANDFAST INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED WAS TODAY (MONDAY) ORDERED TO BE WOUND UP BY THE HIGH COURT. THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF THE COMPANY.
THE ACTING REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR SHUM LAP-SHING, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, SAID HE HAD PETITIONED FOR THE WINDING-UP OF THE COMPANY ON JUNE 19, 1987 ON THE GROUNDS THAT, INTER ALIA, THE COMPANY HAD FAILED TO MEET THE SOLVENCY MARGIN REQUIREMENT OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND HAD NOT KEPT PROPER BOOKS OF ACCOUNT.
HE SAID HIS ACTION WAS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY’S POLICY HOLDERS, POTENTIAL POLICY HOLDERS AND OTHER CREDITORS.
MR SHUM SAID THE COMPANY WAS INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG AND HAD BEEN CARRYING ON GENERAL INSURANCE BUSINESS INCLUDING FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE. IT HAD ALSO CARRIED ON INSURANCE AGENCY BUSINESS ON BEHALF OF OTHER INSURERS.
HOWEVER, HE HAD, IN HIS CAPACITY AS OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF THE COMPANY, ISSUED NOTICES OF TERMINATION TO CANCEL THE COMPANY’S POLICIES AND ADVISED POLICY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO TAKE UP INSURANCE WITH ANOTHER AUTHORISED INSURER WITHOUT DELAY.
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TWO GOVERNMENT LOTS SOLD FOR $87.3 M » t «
A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITE ON HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL SITE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE SOLD FOR MILLION AT A GOVERNMENT AUCTION TODAY (MONDAY).
THE RESIDENTIAL SITE, AT TAI HANG DRIVE, GARDEN, MEASURES ABOUT 1,568 SQUARE METRES.
ISLAND AND AN A TOTAL OF $87.3
NEAR TIGER BALM
BIDDING OPENED AT $50 MILLION.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY KINGFRONT LIMITED FOR $77 MILLION.
UNDER THE BUILDING COVENANT, COMPLETE AT LEAST 4,700 SQUARES METRES SEPTEMBER 30, 1991.
THE BUYER IS REQUIRED TO OF GROSS FLOOR AREA BEFORE
/THE NEW.......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1987
THE NEW TERRITORIES LOT, WHICH IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, BUT EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES, IS LOCATED AT ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING. IT WAS SOLD FOR $10.3 MILLION.
BIDDING FOR THE 947-SQUARE-METRE SITE STARTED AT $3 MILLION.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER - COMMERCIAL CHAMPION LIMITED - WILL HAVE TO ERECT A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 2,841 SQUARE METRES BY SEPTEMBER 30, 1990.
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APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS INVITED
* * » » «
THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON STUDENT FINANCE WHICH ADMINISTERS GOVERNMENT’S SCHEME OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS FROM NEW STUDENTS IN RESPECT OF THE 1987-88 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE SCHEME PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF A COMBINATION OF GRANTS AND LOANS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FULL-TIME COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (FOR POST-ADVANCED LEVEL STUDENTS ONLY).
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, APPLICANTS MUST BE FULL-TIME STUDENTS WHO HAVE RESIDED OR BEEN DOMICILED IN HONG KONG CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THEIR APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
PROPSECTIVE STUDENTS WHO SATISFY THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS OF AND HAVE APPLIED FOR ADMISSION TO EITHER UNIVERSITY MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS AT THE COMMITTEE’S OFFICE AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG OR AT THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED, ON PRODUCTION OF THE RESULT SLIPS OF THEIR ADVANCED/HIGHF.R LEVEL EXAMINATION.
THEY SHOULD, HOWEVER, SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED ADMISSION BY THE UNIVERSITIES CONCERNED.
NEW STUDENTS ADMITTED BY EITHER POLYTECHNIC OR THE BAPTIST COLLEGE MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION.
/ALL NEW .......
5
ALL NEW STUDENTS SHOULD RETURN THEIR COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED AND THE CLOSING DATES FOR SUBMISSION ARE:
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AUGUST 28, 1987
UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG EARLY SEPTEMBER 1987
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC OCTOBER 10, 1987
CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG OCTOBER 10, 1987
HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE OCTOBER 10, 1987
APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE SUBJECT TO MEANS
TESTS, WHICH TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A STUDENT’S FAMILY INCOME AND ASSETS LESS PERMITTED DEDUCTIONS TO ARRIVE AT THE STUDENT’S ANNUAL DISPOSABLE INCOME FOR SETTING AGAINST HIS GRANT/LOAN REQUIREMENTS.
STARTING FROM THE 1987-88 ACADEMIC YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT THE BASIS OF APPORTIONING THE STUDENT’S ANNUAL DISPOSABLE INCOME BETWEEN GRANT AND LOAN SHOULD BE REVISED FROM THE RATIO OF 50:50 TO 60:40, AND THAT INTEREST OF 2.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM SHOULD BE CHARGED ON LOANS.
UPON SUBMISSION OF HIS APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT AND/OR AN ADULT MEMBER OF HIS HOUSEHOLD (PREFERABLY THE PERSON WHO DECLARES HIS APPLICATION) WHO KNOWS THE FAMILY'S CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE INVITED THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE INSTITUTION TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW AT THE COMMITTEE'S OFFICE TO CLARIFY THE INFORMATION REPORTED IN THE APPLICATION.
A COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN SOUNDED A SPECIAL NOTE OF WARNING THAT INCORRECT OR INACCURATE INFORMATION NOT ONLY WOULD LEAD TO REJECTION OF AN APPLICATION BUT MIGHT ALSO GIVE RISE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE DECLARANT.
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CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE MOUNTS SPECIAL DISPLAYS ******
THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL MOUNT SPECIAL DISPLAYS OF CIVIC EDUCATION MATERIALS STARTING SATURDAY (AUGUST 1).
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND SERIES OF SPECIAL DISPLAYS CONSISTING OF THE WINNING PROJECTS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL SECTION OF THE INTER-SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION HELD LAST YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL ALSO BE A REGULAR EXHIBITION OF CIVIC EDUCATION MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS’ INFORMATION AND REFERENCE.
/TEACHERS ARE........
6
TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION AT THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE AT ROOM 303-304, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND OCTOBER 30.
THE OPENING HOURS OF THE CENTRE WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM ON MONDAYS; AND FROM 9 AM TO 12.30 PM AND 2 PM TO 6.30 PM OF WEDNESDAYS AND FIRDAYS; AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.
TEACHERS WISHING TO PAY GROUP VISITS OUTSIDE OPENING HOURS AND TO HOLD ON-THE-SPOT DISCUSSIONS WITH THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE CENTRE ARE ADVISED TO TELEPHONE 5-656239 TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH THE CENTRE IN ADVANCE.
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SEMINARS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT
*****
RESIDENTS OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND PROFESSIONALS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT AT TWO SEMINARS TO BE HELD THIS WEEK.
THE SEMINARS ARE PART OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CURRENT YAU MA TEI PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT. THEY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW AND ON SATURDAY.
’’THEY ARE AIMED AT AROUSING THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT PROCESS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID.
SPEAKING AT TOMORROW’S SEMINAR AT THE SPACE MUSEUM WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE, LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THEIR TOPICS WILL COVER THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT NOTICE, NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
AFTER THE TALKS, PARTICIPANTS WHO WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT’S AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS, WILL SHARE THEIR VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT WITH OFFICIALS DURING A QUEST1ON-AND-ANSWER SESSION.
AT SATURDAY’S SEMINAR, TO BE HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, DIFFERENT TOPICS WILL BE INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE INSTITUTE OF HOUSING.
/THEY- WILL..........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1987
THEY WILL GIVE TALKS ON FIRE PREVENTION AND REGULATIONS, REPAIR ORDERS AND MANAGEMENT IN PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS
TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT, HANDBOOKS HAVE ALSO BEEN PREPARED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE SEMINARS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINARS. TOMORROW’S SEMINAR WILL START AT 8 PM IN THE LECTURE THEATRE OF THE SPACE MUSEUM WHILE THE SEMINAR ON AUGUST 1 (SATURDAY) WILL START AT 8 PM AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SEMINARS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE.
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NOISE POLLUTION SURVEY IN EASTERN DISTRICT » * » *
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND CONCERN OVER KNOWLEDGE AND RELATED LEGISLATION ABOUT NOISE POLLUTION, A NOISE POLLUTION SURVEY GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP, MR CHAN CHI-KEUNG, TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THE WORK OF THE GROUP WAS TO USE A SCIENTIFIC SURVEYING METHOD TO FIND OUT THE EXENT OF NOISE POLLUTION PROBLEMS AND TO SUBMIT THE SURVEY FINDINGS TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR REMEDIAL OR PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
THE GROUP HAS IDENTIFIED THREE MAJOR CATEGORIES OF NOISE POLLUTION CASES AS TARGETS FOR CARRYING OUT THE SURVEY.
"THESE ARE NOISE FROM ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS, SUCH AS CINEMAS AND RESTAURANTS; NOISE FROM TRAFFIC SUCH AS FLYOVERS, TRAM AND BUS TERMINUS AND, FINALLY, NOISE FROM FACTORIES," MR CHAN SAID.
AFTER IDENTIFYING THE NOISE POLLUTION BLACK SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT, THE GROUP WILL INVITE A POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTE TO CARRY OUT A SURVEY ON THE PROBLEM SPOTS DURING OCTOBER TO DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE GROUP ALSO HOPED TO PUBLISH THE SURVEY RESULTS WITHN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, MR CHAN SAID.
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/8........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1987
8
COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SERVICES * * * * »
PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN TO NEARBY MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES TO MAKE USE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL INFANTS FROM BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OLD. THE AIM OF THE COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SERVICES IS TO PROVIDE ROUTINE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING TESTS TO CHILDREN SO THAT ANY CONGENITAL OR ACQUIRED ABNORMALITIES CAN BE DETECTED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE FOR TREATMENT AND FOLLOW UP.
UNDER THE PRESENT SCHEME, SCREENING TESTS ARE CARRIED OUT FOR CHILDREN AT THREE DIFFERENT STAGES, NAMELY, 10 WEEKS, NINE MONTHS AND THREE YEARS OF AGE.
TESTS ON PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, HEARING, SPEECH, VISION AND BEHAVIOUR ADAPTABILITY WILL BE CONDUCTED TO ASSESS A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT.
ANY CHILD WHO IS SUSPECTED TO BE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEFECT WILL BE REFERRED TO THE CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE OR RELEVANT SPECIALIST CLINICS FOR A THOROUGH RE-EXAMINATION SO THAT THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT AND COUNSELLING MAY BE PROVIDED TO ENHANCE THE SUCCESS OF REHABILITATION.
TO ASSIST PARENTS TO MONITOR THEIR CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES HAS ALSO PRINTED A "CHECKLIST ON DEVELOPMENTAL WARNING SIGNS".
THE CHECKLIST CAN BE USED TO HELP PARENTS TO WATCH OUT FOR ANY SIGNS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IN THEIR CHILDREN. IF THEY SHOULD HAVE ANY SUSPICION ABOUT THEIR CHILD’S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BRING THEM BACK TO THE NEARBY MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE FOR SCREENING AND FOLLOW UP.
THE CHECKLISTS CAN BE OBTAINED FREELY AT ALL MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES.
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MONDAY, JULY 27, 1987
KWAI TSING CHILDREN SHOW CONCERN FOR DISTRICT AFFAIRS * t ♦
MORE THAN 50 CHILDREN FROM THE KWAI FONG CENTRE OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ASSOCIATION AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS KWAI SHING CHILDREN CENTRE HAVE COMLETED THEIR SEPARATE VISITS TO THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD TO LEARN ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE BOARD AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH RESIDENTS.
CHAIRMAN OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO TUNG-CHING SAID TODAY (MONDAY) IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE TAKEN SUCH KEEN INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
DURING A BRIEFING GIVEN BY THE CHAIRMAN, SOME CHILDREN RAISED QUESTIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TRAFFIC MATTERS, AND MR HO EXPRESSED SATISFACTION THAT THEY SHOWED CONCERN ABOUT DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND SAID HE WOULD REFER THE CASES TO THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
MR HO PRESENTED THE NEWLY PUBLISHED KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD ANNUAL REPORT TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHILDREN.
AS PART OF THE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION, ANOTHER VISIT TO THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE ON FRIDAY (JULY 31) HAS ALSO BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ASSOCIATION.
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MONG KOK TRAFFIC
♦ ♦ » »
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS A TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT SCHEME TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE MONG KOK SOUTH AREA.
THE SCHEME WILL FOCUS ON SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET SOUTH WHICH IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST STREETS IN THE AREA.
PROPOSALS INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS, RELOCATION OF TAXI AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STANDS, AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF PARKING METERS FOR GOODS VEHICLES AND MOTOR CYCLES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER PROPOSED MEASURES TO UPGRADE ROAD AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI NAN STREET AMD POPLAR STREET.
/THEY WILL
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1987
THEY WILL REVIEW LAST YEAR’S PEDESTRIAN BLACK SPOTS AS SHOWN IN DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS CARRIED OUT AT 15 LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS IN THE RESUMPTION OF KAM FONG STREET WHICH IS THE FIRST PRIVATE STREET TO BE RESUMED IN MONG KOK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
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CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO MEET t * * t *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 29) MORNING TO DISCUSS PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE SHA TIN ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE FINANCIAL POSITION AND PROGRESS OF DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORED ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS THE FIVE-YEAR FORECAST AND ANNUAL ESTIMATES OF FUNDS FOR THE BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MEETING, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 29) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON 6/F., KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
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MONDAY, JULY 27, 1987
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE » » »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 65.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 382.022 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 370.555 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 63.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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WATER CUT IN FANLING
• * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLIES TO SOME PREMISES IN FANLING WILL BE TURNED OFF ON THURSDAY (JULY 30) FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT SHA TAU KOK ROAD, LUEN ON STREET, WO TAI STREET, LUEN FAT STREET, LUEN WO ROAD, LUEN CHEUNG STREET, LUEN SHING STREET, LUEN HING STREET, LUEN FU STREET, WO FUNG STREET, WO LUNG STREET AND LUEN WO SAN TSUEN.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
PROGRAMME FOR HONG KONG DELEGATION TO GUANGDONG ............. 1
DEFENCE TALKS ’CORDIAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE’ .................... 1
DREDGING AND RECLAMATION FOR NE^ CONTAINER TERMINAL.......... 2
TWENTY-THREE LIFE SAVERS HONOURED ........................... 2
BOARD TO DISCUSS PRIVATE BUILDING MjJLiGEMENT ............... 3
KWUN TONG ON-STREET OVERNIGHT PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES.........................,........................... 4
SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON EAST............................... 4
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1987
PROGRAMME FOR HONG KONG DELEGATION TO GUANGDONG ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
A DELEGATION OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, LED BY THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL LEAVE BY TRAIN TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FOR GUANGDONG FOR A FIVE-DAY PROGRAMME OF VISITS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
THE DELEGATION WILL INCLUDE THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES; THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO; THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR G.A. HIGGINSON; THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER/OPTIMISATION STUDIES, DR CHOI YU-LEUK; THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANNIE WONG; THE ASSISTANT POLITICAL ADVISER, MR CHRISTOPHER WOOD; PLUS A SECRETARY AND AN INTERPRETER.
THE DELEGATION WILL MEET AND BE BRIEFED BY A VICE-GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG, MR YANG DEYUAN. THERE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE PROVINCIAL PLANNING, ECONOMIC AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSIONS. EACH MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL GIVE A PRESENTATION ON DEVELOPMENTS IN HIS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.
SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID HE AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION WERE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THE VISIT AND TO EXCHANGING VIEWS ON ALL THE TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED.
THE DELEGATION WILL ALSO VISIT SITES OF INTEREST IN CANTON AND SPEND SOME TIME IN DONGGUAN AND SHENZHEN WHERE THERE WILL BE DISCUSSION WITH RELEVANT OFFICIALS.
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DEFENCE TALKS * CORDIAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE’
*****
’’THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS ON RE-NEGOTIATION OF THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN CORDIAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE,” THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
’’DISCUSSIONS COVERED A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES. THE TWO SIDES HAVE EXCHANGED A NUMBER OF WORKING PAPERS.
”A FURTHER ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS IS PLANNED FOR THE AUTUMN THIS YEAR. WORKING LEVEL DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE AS REQUIRED,” MR JACOBS SAID.
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TUESDAY, JULY 28, 19g7
2
DREDGING AND RECLAMATION FOR NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL ♦ * * * *
GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD FOR DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 263.7 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT LAI CHI KOK TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL AND BACK UP AREAS.
IT IS PART OF FURTHER EXPANSION OF KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT WHICH, IN TERMS OF THROUGHPUT, RANKS ONLY SECOND TO ROTTERDAM.
WORK, INCLUDING DREDGING OF THE SEA-BED FOR MARINE APPROACHES, IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN APRIL, 1988, AND BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1993.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE RECENT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS WITHIN ONE YEAR.
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TWENTY-THREE LIFE SAVERS HONOURED
TWENTY-THREE PEOPLE WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED FOR THEIR CIVIC-MINDEDNESS IN SAVING 57 PEOPLE FROM DROWNING LAST YEAR.
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SELFLESS AND COURAGEOUS ACTS, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, PRESENTED THEM WITH THE RESCUE STARS, THE HIGHEST HONOUR AWARDED FOR RESCUING PEOPLE IN DISTRESS AT SEA, AT PUBLIC BEACHES AND IN SWIMMING POOLS.
AMONG THE AWARD RECIPIENTS WERE 10 LIFE GUARDS OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIVE LIFE GUARDS OF THE OCEAN PARK AND EIGHT FISHERMEN. THE FISHERMEN HAD SAVED A TOTAL OF 23 PEOPLE.
TWO OF THE FISHERMEN, MR CHOW KAM-FOOK AND MR LAI SHUI-YAU WERE COMMENDED FOR EACH RESCUING FIVE PEOPLE IN THE PAST YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB IN REPULSE BAY, DR LEE SAID THAT IT WAS NOW THE 25TH YEAR SINCE THIS VERY WORTHY ANNUAL EVENT WAS FIRST ORGANISED IN 1962 JOINTLY BY THE CLUB AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
’’OVER THESE YEARS, 774 RESCUE STARS HAVE BEEN AWARDED BY THE CLUB TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, FISHERMEN IN PARTICULAR,” DR LEE SAID.
/HE ALSO .......
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1987
HE ALSO PRAISED THE CLUB FOR ITS CONTINUED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE SAVING OF LIFE AT SEA. LAST YEAR, IT PROVIDED VOLUNTEER LIFE GUARDS ON SOME 7,600 OCCASIONS DURING WHICH 694 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED FROM DROWNING.
THE CLUB ALSO ACTIVELY PROMOTED THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE GREATER AWARENESS OF SAFETY AT SEA. SOME 12,000 YOUNG PEOPLE BENEFITED LAST YEAR FROM THESE PROGRAMMES WHICH INCLUDED COURSES ON LIFE-SAVING AND FIRST AID, POSTER DESIGN AND WATER SPORTS COMPETITIONS.
"ALL THESE ARE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE CLUB FOR THIS VERY IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENT," DR LEE ADDED.
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BOARD TO DISCUSS PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT
»*»*■»
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BORAD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JULY 30) TO DISCUSS THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF HO MAN TIN INTO AN IDEAL RESIDENTIAL AREA, AS WELL AS VIEWS ON DEVELOPMENTS OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE AREA.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE AN APPLICATION FOR DB FUNDS TO ORGANISE AN OPEN MEETING ON THE GREEN PAPER, AND A VISIT TO FACILITIES OF ICAC.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.15 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141-113, KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, 1 ST FLOOR, KOWLOON.
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A....
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1987
4
KWUN TONG ON-STREET OVERNIGHT
*
PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES
* « t »
A TOTAL OF 60 ON-STREET OVERNIGHT PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE PROVIDED IN KOWLOON BAY AND YAU TONG FROM SATURDAY (AUGUST 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE MOVE IS DESIGNED TO HELP RELIEVE THE DEMAND FOR GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES IN KWUN TONG.
THESE PARKING SPACES ARE LOCATED AT THE SECTION OF CHEUNG YIP STREET SOUTH OF WANG CHIU ROAD IN KOWLOON BAY; AND THE NORTHERN SIDE OF KO FAI ROAD IN YAU TONG.
THE OPERATING HOURS OF THESE SPACES WILL BE FROM 8 PM TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY AND PARKING IN THESE SPACES WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP AT BOTH ENDS OF THESE LOCATIONS TO INDICATE THE DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES AND NO CARRIAGEWAY MARKINGS WILL BE PAINTED SO AS TO AVOID CONFUSION TO MOTORISTS DURING DAYTIME.
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SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON EAST
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KOWLOON EAST WILL BE TURNED OFF ON FRIDAY (JULY 31) FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT LAM TIN ESTATE, SAU MAU PING ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT, SHUN LEE TSUEN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, CHOI WAN ESTATE, HONG NING ROAD , KUNG LOK ROAD AND HONG LEE ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CROSS-BORDER MEETING ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS........ 1
DECISIONS SOON ON FINANCING OF HEALTH CAFE.................. 2
RED TIDE DETECTED IN FISH CULTURE ZONE...................... 3
TSUEN WAN MARINE DISTRICT IMPORTANT ASSET OF HONG KONG PORT J
MORE CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR TUEN MUN HOSPITAL................ 5
SAFE CYCLING TIPS FROM ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL ................. 6
VOLUNTEERS TO BRING MESSAGE OF CARE TO THE ELDERLY ......... 6
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS EMBARK ON OVERSEAS TRAINING ........... 7
SHA TIN DB ON JAPAN STUDY TOUR ............................. 8
BRITISH FORCES 'PITCH IN' TO HELP .......................... 8
UC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE TO MEET .................. 9
PRESS CONFERENCE ON VICE ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY .............. 10
TWO STORAGE SITES FOR RENT
10
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
CROSS-BORDER MEETING ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS
*****
THE REASON FOR A GROUP OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO VISIT CANTON IS TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG, THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY TERMINAL AT HUNG HOM BEFORE DEPARTING FOR CANTON, SIR DAVID SAID "THE FACT IS THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY IS GROWING VERY LARGE, ALSO THE ECONOMY OF GUANGDONG IS EXPANDING VERY RAPIDLY.
"HONG KONG IS IN THE PROCESS OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SO TOO IS GUANGDONG. AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE MATCH UP THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS ON BOTH SIDES," HE NOTED.
ASKED IF HE WOULD LOOK INTO THE PROPOSALS TO BUILD AN AIRPORT AT SHENZHEN DURING HIS VISIT, SIR DAVID SAID THEY WOULD TALK ABOUT A WHOLE RANGE OF QUESTIONS, NOT SIMPLY AIRPORTS.
"IT’S AN EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ABOUT ROADS, RAILWAYS, FERRIES AND AIR TRANSPORT. AND WE WON'T BE TALKING ABOUT ANY SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ON THIS OCCASION," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE CANTON TRIP WAS THE FIRST MEETING OF SUCH KIND. "ALTHOUGH WE HAD LIAISON, VERY USEFUL LIAISON, ABOUT CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, WE NEVER HAD ANYTHING ON THIS SORT OF MACRO-SCALE BEFORE," HE SAID.
ASKED IF HE WOULD HOPE TO LOOK AT ANY OF THE PROPOSED AIRPORT SITES IN SHENZHEN, SIR DAVID SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT THE PROPOSALS TO BUILD AN AIRPORT THERE.
"THE MERE AIM OF OUR VISIT IS A FACT-FINDING VISIT AND IT’S AN EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION EXERCISE," HE SAID.
ALSO LEAVING ON THE FIVE-DAY VISIT THIS MORNING WERE THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES; THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO; THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR GERRY HIGGINSON; THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER/OPTIMISATION STUDIES, DR CHOI YU-LEUK; THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANNIE WONG; AND THE ASSISTANT POLITICAL ADVISER, MR CHRISTOPHER WOOD.
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/2
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
2 -
DECISIONS SOON ON FINANCING OF HEALTH CARE
» * * * «
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL SOON HAVE TO MAKE MANY HARD DECISIONS ON THE FINANCING OF HEALTH CARE IN HONG KONG IN VIEW OF ESCALATING COSTS AND RISING DEMANDS FOR A READILY AVAILABLE HEALTH SERVICE WHICH CAN MATCH THE STANDARDS OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, IN MANILA WHEN SHE ADDRESSED A WEEK-LONG SEMINAR ON "HEALTH CARE FINANCING" ORGANISED BY THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.
MISS CHUNG TOLD PARTICIPANTS FROM 16 ASIAN COUNTRIES THAT HONG KONG HAD ACHIEVED IMPRESSIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE PAST DECADES AND QUALITY HOSPITAL SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT TOKEN CHARGES.
"THE PRESENT VIRTUALLY FREE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MEANS A POTENTIALLY GREAT DEMAND ON THE HEALTH SERVICES AND THERE IS ALREADY A VERY HIGH UTILISATION RATE," SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT APART FROM OPERATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THE HOSPITALS INCLUDING OVERCROWDING, AND THE UNEVEN UTILISATION OF RESOURCES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS, THERE WERE LONGER TERM CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEVEL OF FUTURE GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF RESOURCES.
"IN THIS RESPECT, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH THE DELIVERY OF HOSPITAL SERVICES. IT WOULD CREATE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WOULD ALLOW A MORE EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES, GREATER FLEXIBILITY OF MANAGEMENT, A SHORTER CHAIN OF COMMAND AND THE CHANCE FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN POLICY DECISIONS," SHE EXPLAINED.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF CHARGING HEALTH SERVICE USERS MORE FULLY, MISS CHUNG SAID THAT IT WAS LIKELY THAT INCREASING COSTS OF HOSPITAL SERVICES AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT RESOURCES WOULD INCREASE THE PRESSURE FOR COST RECOVERY FROM THOSE SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT COULD AFFORD TO MAKE A GREATER CONTRIBUTION FOR THE USE OF THESE SERVICES.
HOWEVER SHE ASSURED THAT THE PROBABLE INCREASED RANGE OF CHARGES SHOULD STILL BE WITHIN THE CAPABILITY OF MOST PATIENTS TO PAY.
"IF THEY ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO DO SO, THEN THEY WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR EXEMPTION BY A MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER AS AT PRESENT," SHE SAID.
THE WORLD BANK AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION ARE ALSO REPRESENTED AT THE SEMINAR.
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/3........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
RED TIDE DETECTED IN FISH CULTURE ZONE *****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DETECTED THE OCCURRENCE OF RED TIDE AFFECTING MOST OF THE MARINE FISH UNDER CULTURE IN THE YUNG SHUE AU FISH CULTURE ZONE, THREE FATHOMS COVE IN TOLO HARBOUR.
FOLLOWING A REPORT RECEIVED THIS MORNING, A FISHERIES RESEARCH OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT, DR PATSY WONG, CONDUCTED AN ON-SITE INVESTIGATION TO IDENTIFY THE RED TIDE THAT CAUSED SERIOUS FISH KILL IN THE AREA.
THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE DOMINANT SPECIES OF PLANKTON WAS "PERIDINIUM FAEROENSE" AND ON-SITE MICE BIOASSAY PROVED THAT THE RED TIDE WAS NON-TOXIC. THE PLANKTON BLOOMED AND COLLAPSED DURING THE NIGHT, RESULTING IN RAPID OXYGEN DEPLETION IN THE WATERS WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FISH KILL.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT 60 TONNES OF FISH CONSISTING LARGELY OF SEABREAMS, GIANT PERCH AND GROUPERS WERE AFFECTED. AS THE FISH DIED ONLY OF OXYGEN DEPLETION, THEY WERE FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HAS IMMEDIATELY BEEN INFORMED OF THE SITUATION.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED MARICULTURISTS TO MINIMISE THEIR LOSS BY IMPROVING THE OXYGEN LEVEL IN THE WATERS THROUGH MECHANICAL MEANS.
"THEY SHOULD ALWAYS DO SO WHEN LOW CURRENTS AND STAGNANT TIDES ARE DETECTED," DR WONG SAID.
0 - -
TSUEN WAN MARINE DISTRICT IMPORTANT ASSET OF HONG KONG PORT
*****
TSUEN WAN MARINE DISTRICT COVERS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE HONG KONG WATERS INCLUDING TSUEN WAN BAY, RAMBLER CHANNEL, WATERS AROUND TSING YI, MA WAN AND THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF LANTAU ISLAND, ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR P.J. WU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE DISTINCT HYDROGRAHPICAL FEATURES OF THIS SPREAD OF WATERS MAKE IT A PARTICULAR ASSET OF THE PORT OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/NR •>rU
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 198?
MR WU WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY WHICH MARKED THE OPENING OF Tin NEW TSUEN WAN MARINE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.
"THE OPENING OF THIS BUHDING MARKS THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE TSUEN WAN PUBLIC WORKING AREA RE-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, IN WHICH THE OLD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING .ND THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA (PCWA) IN TEXCO ROAD WAS REPROVISIONED HERE TO GIVE WAY TO RECLAMATION," HE SAID.
MR WU SAID THE WELL-SHELTERED TSUEN WAN BAY FORMED A NATURAL ANCHORAGE FOR COASTAL AND LOCAL VESSELS.
"THE CARGO WORKING SEAFRONTAGE FOR LIGHTERS ARE ESPECIALLY VALUABLE DUE TO THEIR CLOSENESS TO THE HIGHLY DEVELOPED INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI. THE DEEP WATER BERTHS ALONG THE SOUTH AND WEST COAST OF TSING YI ARE IDEAL FOR DEEP DRAFT OCEAN-GOING VESSELS," HE ADDED.
MR WU POINTED OUT THAT PAST DEVELOPMENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI AREAS, BOTH IN TERMS OF INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION, HAD GENERATED HEAVY DEMAND FOR CARGO WORKING BERTHS.
"THIS GENERAL NEED WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE WITH THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. WITH THIS IN MIND, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ESTABLISHED TWO PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN THE DISTRICT, NAMELY THE TSUEN WAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA AND RAMBLER CHANNEL PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA, IN 1978 AND 1982 RESPECTIVELY," HE SAID.
THE TWO PCWA'S HAVE A TOTAL OF OVER 10 HECTARES OF SEA AND LAND AREA WITH A LINEAR SEAFRONTAGE OF OVER 1,600 METRES. DAILY TONNAGE OF CARGO ACROSS THE SEAWALL EXCEEDS 6,000 TONNES WHILE AN AVERAGE OF 130 VESSELS AND 1,200 VEHICLES HANDLE CARGO IN THE TWO PCWAS.
MR WU SAID THE DISTRICT MARINE OFFICE ADMINISTERED ALL MARINE RELATED MATTERS SUCH AS CONTROL OF LOCAL CRAFT, DWELLING VESSELS AND MARINE STRUCTURES IN RESPECT OF THEIR LICENSING, MOVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES AND MANAGEMENT OF PCWA’S.
"IT ALSO PROVIDES INPUTS AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS AFFECTING THE MARINE DISTRICT.
"THE EFFICIENT AND SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE MARINE DISTRICT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THE PORT USERS.
/"IT CAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 291 1987
- 5 -
"IT CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH CO-OPERATION OF ALL THOSE INVOLVED, FROM THE CREWS OF THE VESSELS USING THE FACILITIES, THE CARGO OPERATORS, STEVEDORES AND LORRY DRIVERS WORKING IN THE CARGO AREAS, TO OUR STAFF WHO CONTROL AND REGULATE THESE ACTIVITIES.
"I TRUST THAT THE TSUEN WAN MARINE DISTRICT OFFICE, TOGETHER WITH ALL OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE BEST TO MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT MARITIME WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE GENERAL NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT," SAID MR WU.
THE NEW TSUEN WAN MARINE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING WAS LATER OFFICIALLY DECLARED OPEN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN.
GIS 11 -
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MORE CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR TUEN MUN HOSPITAL * ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED TWO CONTRACTS, TOTALLING ABOUT $1 MILLION, FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF LOW VOLTAGE CUBICLE SWITCHBOARDS AT FIVE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE SWITCHBOARDS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICITY TO VARIOUS EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE BUILDINGS.
THEY WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE HOSPITAL’S 17-STOREY NURSES’ TRAINING SCHOOL BLOCK WHICH WILL INCLUDE A STUDENT’S QUARTERS ON THE UPPER FLOORS, AND FOUR OTHER QUARTERS BLOCKS, RANGING FROM 17 TO 26 STOREYS, FOR SENIOR MEDICAL AND NURSING STAFF.
INSTALLATION WORK STARTED LAST WEEK AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER.
THE HOSPITAL, DUE FOR COMPLETION NEXT YEAR TO SERVE THE POPULATION OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND THE NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES, WILL HAVE 1,656 BEDS AND COSTS ABOUT $2 BILLION.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
6 -
SAFE CYCLING TIPS FROM t » *
ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL * »
"SAFE CYCLING" IS THE THEME OF THE 5TH ISSUE QUARTERLY PUBLISHED BY THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL.
OF ROAD SAFETY
THE QUARTERLY IS TO PROMOTE ROAD
ROAD USERS, EACH ISSUE COVERS A
AND IS DISTRIBUTED FREE TO THE
WHILE THE OVERALL AIM OF SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG ALL PARTICULAR ASPECT OF ROAD SAFETY
PUBLIC.
"SAFE CYCLING WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF CYCLISTS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS IS INCREASING," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL SAID.
"THE ACTUAL NUMBER MIGHT BE CONSIDERABLY LARGER THAN THE RECORDS SHOWN AS MANY CYCLING ACCIDENTS ARE NOT REPORTED, HE ADDED.
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE ADVICE ON CLEAR SIGNALLING, THE RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR RIDING ON CYCLEWAYS SUCH AS THE TOLO HIGHWAY CYCLEWAY, AND THE SPECIAL CARE REQUIRED ON THE OUTLYING ISLANDS WHERE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE URBAN AREAS.
ALSO INCLUDED IS AN ARTICLE DEFINING THE PENALTIES IMPOSED FOR VARIOUS CYCLING OFFENCES.
THE EDITORIAL AND COMPILATION WORK FOR THE QUARTERLY, IS SPONSORED BY CALTEX OIL HONG KONG LTD. WHICH HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH IT SINCE ITS LAUNCH LAST YEAR.
COPIES OF THE QUARTERLY ARE AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES, THE HONG KONG CYCLING ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG CYCLING TOUR ASSOCIATION.
_ _ 0 -
VOLUNTEERS TO BRING MESSAGE OF CARE TO THE ELDERLY ♦ * » * *
ABOUT 1 000 YOUTH VOLUNTEERS WILL BE VISITING OVER 5,500 FLDERLY SINGLE’PERSONS LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND BEDSPACE IS™ NEXT MONTH TO SHOW THEIR CONCERN AND RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY.
THIS TERRITORY-WIDE YOUTH SCHEME, ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WRLFARE^DEPARTMENT, ALSO AIMS AT TRAINING YOUNG PEOPLE IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO IDENTIFY THE NEEDS AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE ELDERLY, AND TO MOBILISE COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND RENDER ASSISTANCE.
/A CEREMONY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 2) WHEN SOME 200 YOUTH VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE PRESENTED WITH BANNERS TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE VISITS.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG; A PIONEER IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE, MRS DOROTHY LEE; MRS HONG KONG, MRS ALICE PONG; AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG SHUMEI CHURCH OF DIVINE GUIDANCE AND A DONOR TOWARDS THE PROJECT, MR SO KAM-MING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 104 CHING TAK STREET, WONG TAI SIN AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 2) AS WELL AS THE FIRST ROUND OF VISIT TO WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AFTER THE CEREMONY.
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IMMIGRATION OFFICERS EMBARK ON OVERSEAS TRAINING * ♦ ♦ ♦
WILL
FOUR SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS FOR A SEVEN-WEEK OF IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES, ARRANGED BY AUTHORITIES IN THE KINGDOM, FRANCE AND ITALY.
LEAVE
STUDY
UNITED
CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, MR CHAN SUI-HUNG, MR TSOI HON-KUEN AND MR WOO TSANG-WOON AND ACTING CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR CHOY TAK-PO, WILL VISIT BRANCHES OF THE HOME OFFICE CONCERNED WITH IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY MATTERS, AS WELL AS IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND PORTS.
IMMIGRATION, MR A.J. TO OFFICERS OF THE
AT A BRIEFING BEFORE THE OFFICERS’ DEPARTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF CARTER, SAID THAT HE ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHING CONTACTS WITH THEIR UNITED KINGDOM, AND ALSO LEARNING FROM THE
rnilNTFRPARTS IN THE —________
EXPERIENCE OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICES OF OTHER COUNTRIES.
THE TRIP WOULD ALSO ENABLE
THE OFFICERS TO HAVE A BETTER
AND SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS OF COURSE OF THEIR DUTIES, HE
UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFERENT CULTURAL OVERSEAS VISITORS WHOM THEY MET IN THE ADDED.
/8........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29,
1987
- 8 -
SHA TIN DB ON JAPAN STUDY TOUR *****
MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL GO ON A WEEK-LONG TOUR OF JAPAN ON FRIDAY (JULY 31) TO STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, TRANSPORT AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY.
THE TWO MAIN STOPS WILL BE SAPPORO AND TOKYO, WHERE THE 11-MEMBER DELEGATION WILL VISIT THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE DIET, THE METROPOLITAN EXPRESSWAY PUBLIC CORPORATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY.
LED BY SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM, THE GROUP INCLUDES DB MEMBERS MESSRS CHAN HON-YING, CHOY KAN-PUI, LAM HUNG-CHIU, LAU KONG-WAH AND JUSTEIN C. WONG, AS WELL AS CO-OPTED MEMBERS AND A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE.
SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, AND SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR BENEDICT LI, WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THE GROUP.
THE DELEGATION WILL COMPILE A REPORT ON THEIR STUDY TOUR AFTER THEIR RETURN ON AUGUST 6.
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BRITISH FORCES ’PITCH IN’ TO HELP *****
THE BRITISH FORCES ’PITCHED IN’ AT THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG-KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AGAIN BY JOINING HANDS WITH TWO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN A CLEAN-UP OPERATION AT THE SAI KUNG SAI WAN AREA THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
EARLIER, STAFF FROM THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PICKED UP RUBBISH FROM THE SAI WAN BEACH AND SAI WAN VILLAGE.
THE ACCUMULATED GARBAGE AND JUNK WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE SAI KUNG TUI MIN HOI TSUEN PIER IN A LANDING CRAFT PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH FORCES.
THE GARBAGE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DISPOSED OF AT THE CONTROL TIP AT JUNK BAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE SAID THE BRITISH FORCES HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR.
/"THE FORCES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
- 9 -
"THE FORCES RENDER ASSISTANCE BY CLEARING REFUSE, SOMETIMES BY MAKING USE OF SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, ON A NUMBER OF BLACKSPOTS WHICH ARE NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SAI KUNG SAI WAN, A REMOTE AREA SITUATED AT THE SAI KUNG EAST COUNTRY PARK, WAS CHOSEN FOR TODAY’S OPERATION AS IT COULD NOT BE REACHED BY CONVENTIONAL VEHICLES.
"ONLY THE FLAT-BOTTOM BOATS FROM THE BRITISH FORCES COULD LAND ON THE BEACH FOR REMOVING THE JUNK TO THE DISPOSAL POINT," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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UC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE TO MEET *****
MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR WALTER SULKE, WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN ACTIVITIES.
REPORTS WILL BE MADE ON THE PROGRESS OF SUCH ACTIVITIES AS THE CLEANSING OF PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, CLEAN BEACH PHASE ACTIVITIES, AND THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, INCLUDING SUPERMARKETS, OIL COMPANIES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM NO. 2, 4/F., URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, EDINBURGH PLACE.
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/10........
i t
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1987
10
PRESS CONFERENCE ON VICE ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY
*****
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF A FORTHCOMING SURVEY ON THE EFFECTS OF VICE ESTABLISHMENTS ON FAMILY LIFE IN MONG KOK.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE "COMMUNITY-IN-PERSPECTIVE" PROJECT, SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL MATTERS.
MORE THAN 1,000 FAMILIES WILL BE INTERVIEWED ON THE EXTENT AND SERIOUSNESS OF THE EFFECTS OF SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS.
CHAIRMAN OF THE PROJECT ORGANISING COMMITTEE, DR KWAN YUI-HUEN; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR WONG YUEN-WEI AND MEMBER, MR LAU TAK-KI WILL BE PRESENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
-------o ---------
TWO STORAGE SITES FOR RENT *****
TWO STORAGE SITES ARE BEING OFFERED FOR LETTING ON SHORT TERM TENANCIES BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
ONE OF THEM, AT THE JUNCTION OF DUNDAS AND TAK CHEONG STREETS, MONG KOK, MEASURES 135 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR STORING GOODS.
THE TENANCY IS SIX MONTHS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE OTHER SITES, AT TIN WAN HILL ROAD IN ABERDEEN, IS FOR STORING GOODS AND VEHICLES AND/OR FOR USE AS A COMMERCIAL GARDEN FOR STORAGE AND SALE OF POTTED PLANTS.
THE TENANCY FOR THE 179.4-SQUARE-METRE SITE IS TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON AUGUST 14.
-------o---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1987
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ......................... 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JUNE PUBLISHED ................. 5
LESS COMPLAINTS ON BUS SERVICE RECEIVED ............... 10
gathering views on green paper.......................... 12
FINAL REGISTER OF LEGCO ELECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION . 13
CALL FOR MORE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN CONSTRUCTION SITES . 14
VACANCIES IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES FEATURED IN MONTHLY DIGEST................................................... 16
SAMPLING FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR USE................... 16
SURVEY ON EFFECTS OF RESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENTS......... 17
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN RESUMED PRIVATE STREETS CLEARED... 18
KEEP HONG KONG CLErJi COMMITTEE MEETS................... 19
YEAR-LONG EFFORT TO BOOST CIVIC AWARENESS .............. 20
SUMMER VACATION STARTS AT BOY;S HOME.................... 21
COMMITTEE TO VISIT RSD FACILITIES ...................... 21
TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH CERQ-IONY ON SATURDAY............... 22
PLB RESTRICTED ZONES IN KWAI CHUNG ..................... 22
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN CENTRAL.............................. 23
TRAFFIC CHrJ^GES IN SHEUNG WAN ......................... 23
THURSDAY, JULY JO, 1987
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR PAUL HOLMES, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM THE INTENDING SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC REGULARLY ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
STARTING FROM THIS WEEK, THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT BIWEEKLY INTERVALS DURING THE BATHING SEASON TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY EPD IN ITS ROUTINE BEACH WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THE E. COLI DATA USED FOR GRADING ARE THE AVERAGE (OR MORE EXACTLY, MEDIAN) VALUES OF THE MOST RECENT FIVE RESULTS, OBTAINED OVER A TWO-AND-A-HALF MONTH PERIOD ACCORDING TO THE USUAL SAMPLING FREQUENCY. ALTHOUGH THE GRADES FOR SOME BEACHES MAY FLUCTUATE, THEY GIVE A GENERAL PICTURE OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THE BEACHES AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST OF THE BEACH WATER QUALITY IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS BELOW:
A GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN ZERO AND 99 PER 100 MILLILITRES AND THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD.
B GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN 100-999 PER 100 MILLILITRES AND THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE.
C GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS 1,000 OR MORE PER 100 MILLILITRES AND THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY :
BEACH GRADE
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY
A
CHUNG HOM KOK
B
/DEEP WATER........
THURSDAY, JULY 50, 1987
2
DEEP WATER BAY B
HAIRPIN A
MIDDLE BAY B
REPULSE BAY B
SHEK 0 A
SOUTH BAY B
ST. STEPHEN’S B
TURTLE COVE A
STANLEY MAIN B
ROCKY BAY, SHEK O B
TO TEI WAN » A
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER B
DISCOVERY BAY* A
HUNG SHING YEH A
KWUN YAM WAN A
TONG FUK B
LO SO SHING A
PUI O B
SILVERMINE BAY C
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU A
TUNG 0* A
/SAI KUNG .......
THURSDAY, JULY JO, 1987
- 3 -
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH B
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A
HAP MUN BAY A
KIU TSUI A
PAK SHA CHAU A
SILVERSTRAND A
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) A
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ B
APPROACH B
CASAM B
GEMINI B
HOI MEI WAN B
LIDO B
TING KAU B
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA B
NEW CAFETERIA B
/CASTLE PEAK
THURSDAY, JULY 50, 1987
CASTLE PEAK C
KADOORIE BEACH B
BUTTERFLY B
» NON-GAZETTED BEACHES
MR HOLMES SAID THE PROPOSAL FOR THE GRADING SYSTEM AND FOR PUBLISHING SUCH GRADES REGULARLY FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION WAS FIRST PUT FORWARD BY THE BEACH WATER POLLUTION GROUP (CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT) IN JUNE. THIS WAS RECENTLY ENDORSED BY THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
IN ADDITION TO THIS REGULAR REPORTING SYSTEM, AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE WATER QUALITY OF ALL THE BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE PREPARED BY EPD AFTER EACH BATHING SEASON.THIS WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BEACH MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES ON THE SUITABILITY OF INDIVIDUAL BEACHES FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE GRADING SYSTEM CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR HOLMES 3-7211044.
-------0----------
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1987
- 5 -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JUNE PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
THERE WAS A FASTER INCREASE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS IN JUNE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS TWO MONTHS, STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH SHOWED.
THIS WAS PARTLY A REFLECTION OF THE RAPID INCREASE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEMAND DEPOSITS CAUSED BY A NEW SHARE FLOTATION ON THE STOCK MARKET IN LATE JUNE. FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS FELL SLIGHTLY DURING THE MONTH.
REFLECTING THE FASTER RATES OF GROWTH IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS INCREASED FASTER IN JUNE AFTER THE SLOW GROWTH RATES RECORDED IN APRIL AND MAY.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES CONTINUED TO INCREASE. GROWTH IN OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG WAS SLOWER IN JUNE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS MONTHS. LOANS TO FINANCE HONG KONG’S VISIBLE TRADE, ON THE OTHER HAND, GREW FASTER IN JUNE WHILE LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG ALSO GREW RAPIDLY.
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR JUNE 1987 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. A BREAKDOWN OF FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INTO THOSE DENOMINATED IN US DOLLAR AND THOSE DENOMINATED IN OTHER FOREIGN CURRENCIES, AS WELL AS FIGURES FOR SWAP DEPOSITS, ARE ALSO GIVEN IN TABLE 1.
TABLE 2 SETS OUT FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
DEPOSITS
IN JUNE, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEMAND DEPOSITS INCREASED RAPIDLY, BY 8.9 PER CENT AS SUBSCRIPTION MONIES TO A NEW SHARE ISSUE WERE LOCKED UP IN THE BANKING SYSTEM. SAVINGS DEPOSITS INCREASED ONLY MARGINALLY BUT TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 2.8 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 2.4 PER CENT IN JUNE AFTER INCREASES OF 0.7 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 0.2 PER CENT IN MAY. OVER THE YEAR (I.E. FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE), TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 22 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS FELL BY 0.4 PER CENT IN JUNE AFTER INCREASES OF 3.7 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 1.8 PER CENT IN MAY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE DEPOSITS GREW BY 36 PER CENT. OF THE TOTAL, DEPOSITS IN US DOLLAR ROSE BY 0.2 PER CENT IN JUNE AFTER INCREASES OF 1.7 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 2 PER CENT IN MAY.
/AT THE
THURSDAY, JULY ^0, 1987
- 6 -
AT THE END OF JUNE, US DOLLAR DEPOSITS ACCOUNTED FOR 62.2 PER CENT OF ALL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS. DEPOSITS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES OTHER THAN US DOLLARS DECREASED BY 1.4 PER CENT IN JUNE AFTER INCREASES OF 7.2 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 1.5 PER CENT IN MAY.
THE REBOUND OF THE US DOLLAR IN THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET DURING MAY AND JUNE WAS PROBABLY THE MAIN FACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DECREASE IN GROWTH RATE OF NON-US DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, GIVEN THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WAS STABLE AGAINST THE US DOLLAR UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 7.9 PER CENT IN JUNE TO SLIGHTLY OVER $33 BILLION. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 3 PER CENT IN JUNE WHILE ADJUSTED FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT.
DEPOSITS (ALL CURRENCIES) WITH BANKS INCREASED BY 0.9 PER CENT IN JUNE WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 0.2 PER CENT. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE, THE FORMER GREW BY 4.6 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER BY 2.2 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
HONG KONG DOLLAR Ml GREW BY 4.3 PER CENT IN JUNE, BEING INFLUENCED BY THE RAPID INCREASE IN DEMAND DEPOSITS. HK$M2 AND HK$M3 RECORDED INCREASES OF 2.1 PER CENT AND 2.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THESE GROWTH RATES WERE HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 0.9 PER CENT AND 0.8 PER CENT IN APRIL, AND THE 0.6 PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CENT IN MAY. OVER THE YEAR, HK$M2 GREW BY 28.8 PER CENT WHILE HK$M3 GREW BY 22.9 PER CENT.
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY Ml ROSE BY 7.4 PER CENT IN JUNE AFTER A DECREASE OF 0.8 PER CENT IN MAY. GROWTH IN TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3, ON THE OTHER HAND, SLOWED DOWN IN JUNE. TOTAL M2 GREW BY 0.9 PER CENT AFTER INCREASES OF 2.4 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 1.3 PER CENT IN MAY, WHILE TOTAL M3 GREW BY 0.8 PER CENT IN JUNE AFTER INCREASES OF 2.3 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 1.3 PER CENT IN MAY. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 39.5 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 34.7 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 29.5 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW FASTER IN JUNE, BY 5.1 PER CENT AFTER INCREASES OF 2.3 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 2.8 PER CENT IN MAY.
THE MORE RAPID INCREASE IN TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS IN JUNE WAS DUE TO A SUDDEN INCREASE IN LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG OF 13.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES, LOANS DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 1 PER CENT IN JUNE WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES INCREASED BY 9.1 PER CENT.
/WITHIN the
THURSDAY, JULY JO, 1987
WITHIN THE TOTAL, LOANS TO FINANCE THE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG ROSE BY 5.7 PER CENT AFTER THE SLOW INCREASES OF 0.4 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 1.7 PER CENT IN MAY; OVER THE YEAR THESE LOANS GREW BY 25.3 PER CENT. GROWTH IN OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG SLOWED DOWN IN JUNE, INCREASING BY 0.6 PER CENT AFTER INCREASES OF 3.2 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 1.8 PER CENT IN MAY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 25.5 PER CENT.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY
SECTOR
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987, LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 2 PER CENT AFTER INCREASES OF 5.8 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1986 AND 4.3 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 20 PER CENT.
LOANS TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES INCREASED BY 5.7 PER CENT FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 0.1 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 12.7 PER CENT.
LOANS TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR FELL BY 2.7 PER CENT AFTER AN INCREASE OF 6.4 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS FELL BY 1.8 PER CENT.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) CONTINUED TO INCREASE RAPIDLY, BY 10.5 PER CENT AFTER INCREASES OF 7.7 PER CENT AND 9.2 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS, REFLECTING THE CONTINUED GROWTH IN ACTIVITY IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 44.9 PER CENT.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN HOME PURCHASING ALSO GREW RAPIDLY, BY 10.4 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 56.8 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND REPORTING LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 151 AND 35 RESPECTIVELY WHILE THE NUMBER OF REPORTING REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY THREE TO 245.
/TABLE 1 :
8
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 198?
(HKSmn)
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - JUNE 19&7
Jun 1907 Earlier months
--------- (X change to Jun 1987)
Honey Supply May 1987 Mar 1987
Hl - HKS 57,157 54 ,813 ( 4.3 7.) 54.193 ( 5.5 7.)
Foreign currency 8,437 6 ,282 ( 34.3 7.) 5, 190 ( 62.6 7.)
Total 65,594 61 ,094 ( 7. 4 7.) 59,383 ( 10.5 7.)
112 - HK$ 266,480 261 080 ( 2. 1 7.) 257.310 ( 3.6 7.)
Foreign currency 321,060 320 ,953 ( 0.0 7.) 303,553 ( 5.8 7.)
Total 587,541 582 033 ( 0. 9 7.) 560,863 ( 4.S 7.)
M3 - HK$ 298,050 291 736 ( X) 287.802 ( 3.6 7.)
Foreign currency 349,550 350 ,407 ( -0. 2 7.) 331,799 ( 5. 3 7.)
1 otal 647,601 642 143 ( 0.8 7.) 619,601 ( 4.5 7.)
Notes and coins in circulation 24,185 24 ,514 ( -1.3 7.) 23.411 ( 7.)
of which held by public 21,126 21 .720 ( -2. 7 7.) 20,410 ( 3. 5 7.)
Deposits
Demand deposits 44,468 39 .374 ( 12.9 7.) 38.974 ( 14. 1 7.)
Savings deposits 141,408 141 199 ( 0. 1 7.) 137.204 < 3. 1 7.)
Time deposits with banks 37 O,350 370 553 ( -0. 1 7.) 355.711 ( 4. 1 7.)
Time deposits with dtcs 56,139 56 239 ( -0.2 7.) 54,910 ( 7.)
HK* deposi ts 268,996 262 569 ( 2. 4 7.) 260,361 ( T T 7.)
U3$ deposits 213,562 213 202 ( 0.2 7.) 205,524 ( 3.9 7.)
Other -foreign currency deposits 129,807 131 593 ( -1.4 7.) 120,914 ( 7. 4 7.)
All deposits 612,364 607 365 ( 0.8 7.) 586,798 ( 4.4 7.)
Foreign currency swap deposits 33,058 30, 650 ( 7.9 7.) 28,340 ( 16.6 7.)
Loans and advances
To finance U.K.’s visible trade 42,447 40, 176 ( 5.7 7.) 39,360 ( 7.8 7.)
To finance merchandising trade 5,497 5 634 ( -2.4 7.) 4.482 ( 22.6 7.)
not touching H.K.
L’1 her lorns for use in H.K. 310,044 308, 186 ( 0.6 7.) 293,151 ( 5. 8 7.)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 207,446 182. 363 ( 13.8 7.) 172,400 ( 20.3 7.)
Other ’oans where the place of 37,076 37 101 ( -0. 1 7.) 35,908 ( 3.3 7.)
use ig not known
Loens in HK$ 286,934 284, 174 ( 1.0 7.) 268,729 ( 6.8 7.)
Locris in foreign currencies 315,576 239. 285 9.1 7.i 276.572 < 14.1 7.)
Fc’ti’l leans and advances 602,510 573, 460 ( 5. 1 7.) s^s.joo ( 10.5 7.)
Jun 1986
42,854 ( ( 33.4 102.5 7.) 7.)
4, 167
47, 021 ( 39. 5 7.)
206. 836 ( 78.8 7.)
229, 438 ( 39.9 7.)
436, 274 ( 34.7 7.)
242 432 ( 22. 9 7.)
257.’ 674 ( 35.7 7.)
500, 107 ( 2^.5 7.)
20, 080 ( 20.4 7.)
17, 248 ( 22.5 7.)
/ 29,772 ( 49.4 7.) 104,471 ( 35.4 7.) 278,543 ( 33.0 7.)
60,108 ( -6.6 >.) 220,409 ( 22.0 7.) 182,662 ( 16.9 7.)
69,823 ( 85.9 7.) 472,894 ( 29.5 7.)
30,303 ( 9.1 7.)
33,882 ( 25.3 X) 4,961 ( 10.8 X)
247,037 ( 25.5 7.) 159,185 ( 30.3 Z)
25,467 < 45.6 X)
233,975 ( 22.6 X)
236,556 ( 33.4 X) 470,531 ( 28.0 7.) /TABLE 2 .......
9
THURSDAY, JULY JO, 1987
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - JUNE 1987
(HK«mn>
Jun 1987
Earlier quarters (7. change to June 1987)
Mar 1987 Dec 1986 Jun 1986
Manufacturing 26,762 26,227 ( 2.0 7.) 25,140 ( 6.5 7.) 22,294 < 20.0 7.)
Transport and transport 10,208 18,583 ( -2’0 7.) 18,060 ( 0.8 7.) 19,988 ( -8.9 7.)
equi pment
Building, construction and 35,822 36,819 ( -2.7 7.) 34,603 ( 3.5 7.) 36,466 ( -1.8 7.)
property development
Wholesale and retail trade 35,593 33,688 ( 5.7 7.) 33,650 ( 5.8 7.) 31,577 ( 12.7 7.)
Financial concerns* 24,621 23,975 ( 2.7 7.) 23,064 ( 6.8 7.) 21,113 ( 16.6 7.)
Indivi duals:
to purchase -flats in Ownership Scheme and Sector Participation the Home Pri vate Scheme 7,260 6,435 ( 12.8 7.) 6,260 ( 16.0 7.) 6,030 < 20.4 7.)
to purchase other residential property 51,744 46,848 ( 10.5 7.) 42,902 ( 20.6 7.) 35,699 ( 44.9 7.)
other purposes 38,408 34,791 ( 10.4 7.) 29,410 < 30.6 7.) 24,489 ( 56.8 7.)
Others 71,626 65,786 ( 8.9 7.) 57,640 ( 24.3 7.) 49,380 ( 45. 1 7.)
Total 310,044 293,151 ( 5.8 7.) 270,729 ( 14.5 7.) 247,037 ( 25.5 7.)
This excludes funds advanced to banks
and deposit-taking companies
- - 0
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1987
10 -
LESS COMPLAINTS ON BUS SERVICE RECEIVED
» * * * *
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS REMAINED THE MAIN SUBJECTS OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS, ACCORDING TO THE 1986/87 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY).
DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM APRIL 1986 TO MARCH 1987 COVERED BY THE REPORT, TCU, A STANDING BODY UNDER THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, RECORDED 6,813 COMPLAINTS, COMPARED WITH 5,719 REGISTERED IN 1985/86, AN INCREASE OF 19 PER CENT.
OUT OF THESE 6,813 COMPLAINTS RECORDED, 41 PER CENT WERE ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES. APPROXIMATELY ONE-FIFTH STEMMED FROM ROAD CONGESTION. OTHER MAJOR COMPLAINT AREAS WERE ENFORCEMENT AND ROAD MAINTENANCE.
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF TCU, MR MOHAMMED RUMJAHN, SAID THAT COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUS SERVICES ACCOUNTED FOR 23 PER CENT OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED. THE ACTUAL NUMBER HOWEVER, WENT DOWN BY 5 PER CENT FROM 1,642 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO 1,562 IN 1986/87. THE MAIN AREAS OF CONCERN WERE INADEQUATE SERVICE AND STANDARD OF SERVICE.
ALTOGETHER 685 COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUATE FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES WERE RECEIVED. BUS SERVICES FOR HONG KONG ISLAND DREW 17 PER CENT FEWER COMPLAINTS THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, HOWEVER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS CONCERNING KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ROSED BY 15 PER CENT.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUATE BUS SERVICES FOR HONG KONG ISLAND DROPPED FROM 169 IN 1985/86 TO 141 IN 1986/87. THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICE IMPROVEMENT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT WAS MET BY THE INTRODUCTION OF THREE NEW ROUTES SERVING CHUNG HOM KOK, STANLEY AND AP LEI CHAU.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUATE BUS SERVICES FOR KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES TOTALLED 490, AN INCREASE OF 64 CASES OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE NEW TERRITORIES BUS SERVICES ACCOUNTED FOR 80 PER CENT OF THESE COMPLAINTS, OR 398 CASES RECEIVED. IN ACTUAL NUMBERS, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 96 CASES WHEN COMPARED WITH 302 RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
"THERE WERE STILL COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUATE EXTERNAL BUS ROUTES FROM THE RESIDENTS OF NEW TOWNS AND THEY WERE OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY REQUESTS FOR DIRECT BUS SERVICES TO URBAN KOWLOON WHICH WERE ALL REFERRED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR CONSIDERATION", MR RUMJAHN SAID.
/AFTER THE .......
THURSDAY, JULY JO, 1987
AFTER THE MTR ISLAND LINE HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO SHEUNG WAN IN MAY 1986, TCU RECORDED FEWER COMPLAINTS ABOUT CROSS HARBOUR BUSES. HOWEVER, THERE WERE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO INTRODUCE NEW CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES. TWO WERE INTRODUCED DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW - ROUTE 107 BETWEEN ABERDEEN AND KAI YIP IN KWUN TONG AND ROUTE 109 BETWEEN CENTRAL AND HO MAN TIN.
THE STANDARD OF SERVICE OF THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES WAS THE SUBJECT OF 769 COMPLAINTS, 133 CASES FEWER THAN IN 1985/86.
COMPLAINTS INVOLVING CMB TOTALLED 325. THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WITH ALMOST THRICE THE FLEET SIZE OF CMB’S, ATTRACTED 406 COMPLAINTS. WHEN COMPARED WITH THE 468 COMPLAINTS RECORDED IN 1985/86 ABOUT CMB’S STANDARD OF SERVICE, THERE WAS A DROP OF 30 PER CENT. THERE WERE FEWER COMPLAINTS ABOUT CMB BUSES NOT KEEPING TO SCHEDULES -FROM 155 IN 1985/86 TO 121 IN 1986/87. COMPLAINTS ABOUT CMB BUS DRIVERS DROPPED BY 17 PER CENT FROM 161 IN 1985/86 TO 133 IN 1986/87.
THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A GENERAL INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS ABOUT KMB’S STANDARD OF SERVICE. THE FIGURE CLIMBED FROM 330 IN 1985/86 TO 406 IN 1986/87, AN INCREASE OF 23 PER CENT. COMPLAINTS ABOUT NON-ADHERENCE TO SCHEDULED FREQUENCY ROSE FROM 117 IN 1985/86 TO 203 IN 1986/87. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A 10 PER CENT INCREASE IN KMB’S FLEET SIZE FROM 2,554 TO 2,810 DURING THE YEAR, COMPLAINTS ABOUT KMB BUS CAPTAINS ALSO ROSE BY 16 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
"A TOTAL OF 3,050 COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WERE RECEIVED IN THE YEAR AND OF THESE, 1,305 WERE RELATED TO ROAD CONGESTION. OTHER COMPLAINTS WERE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION AND ILLEGAL PARKING", SAID MR RUMJAHN.
OVER HALF (56 PER CENT) OF THE 1,305 COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION WERE GENERATED FROM SIX DISTRICTS : KWUN TONG (160), CENTRAL AND WESTERN (133), KOWLOON CITY (120), SHAM SHUT PO (112), KWAI TS1NG (110) AND WAN CHAI (100). COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES MADE UP ONLY 24 PER CENT, AND ONE-THIRD OF THESE CASES WERE RELATED TO CONGESTION IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT.
DURING THE YEAR, MR RUMJAHN SAID, SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO ROAD CONGESTION WERE IMPLEMENTED IN 70 LOCATIONS INCLUDING 14 IN HONG KONG, 32 IN KOWLOON AND 24 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TAXI SERVICE TOTALLED 536 IN 1986/87, WHICH WAS 294 PER CENT, OR 400 COMPLAINTS, OVER THAT REGISTERED IN 1985/86. OF THE 536 COMPLAINTS, OVER 85 PER CENT, OR 459 CASES, WERE DIRECTED AGAINST MALPRACTICES OF TAXI DRIVERS.
/WITH THE .......
THURSDAY, JULY JO, 198?
12
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TCU HOTLINE SINCE NOVEMBER 1, 1986 ON THE NEW TAXI FARE PLATE MORE COMPLAINTS WERE REGISTERED. FOR THE 5-MONTH PERIOD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1, 1986 AND MARCH 31, 1987, THERE WERE 364 TAXI COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, OR APPROXIMATELY 70 PER CENT OF SUCH COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN 1986/87. OF THESE 364 COMPLAINTS, 325, OR 90 PER CENT, OF WHICH WERE DIRECTED AGAINST THE MALPRACTICES OF TAXI DRIVERS.
THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT WAS SET UP UNDER THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO RECEIVE AND MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS. COMPLAINTS CAN BE MADE TO THE UNIT BY TELEPHONING THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE 5-776866.
AFTER INVESTIGATING THE COMPLAINTS, THE UNIT WILL GIVE ITS CLIENTS AN ANSWER EITHER VERBALLY OR IN WRITING, AS APPROPRIATE.
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GATHERING VIEWS ON GREEN PAPER * * * * *
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD IS TO HOLD A SEMINAR AND A SPECIAL MEET-THE-PUBLIC SESSION THIS WEEKEND FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED FOR THE DISTRICT’S SIX CONSTITUENCIES UNDER THE BOARD’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, WILL FIRST BE HELD ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 1) AT THE PUI TAK PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR THE ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU AREA.
STARTING AT 2.30 PM, THE SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE A VIDEO PRESENTATION ON THE GREEN PAPER AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND REPORTS BY PARTICIPANTS.
RESIDENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS OF THE CONSTITUENCY ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO HOLD A SPECIAL OPEN-AIR MEET-THE-PUBLIC SESSION AT ABERDEEN SQUARE ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 2).
A COUNTER WILL BE SET UP FROM 10 AM TO 12 NOON AT THE SQUARE AND BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE PRESENT TO LISTEN TO RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER.
/STAFF FROM .......
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1987
- 13 -
STAFF FROM THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE ON HAND TO RECORD THE VIEWS FOR SUBMISSION TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
A ROUND-UP SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN MID-SEPTEMBER TO CONSOLIDATE THE VIEWS FOR SUBMISSION TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
SEMINARS ORGANISED FOR OTHER CONSTITUENCIES IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS, ARE AS FOLLOW:
DATE/TIME CONSTITUENCY VENUE
AUG.8/2.30 PM AUG.22/2.30 PM AUG.23/2.30 PM AUG.27/8 PM POK FU LAM TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN WAH FU WONG CHUK HANG AND BAYS YU CHUN KEUNG MEMORIAL SCHOOL SHEK PAI WAN ST. PETER’S PRIMARY SCHOOL WAH FU COMMUNITY HALL WONG CHUK HANG CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
SEPT.3/7.30 PM STANLEY AND SHEK 0 0 - - ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE
FINAL REGISTER OF LEGCO
ELECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE FINAL REGISTER OF
YEAR 1987 WILL BE
PUBLISHED DISTRICT
LEGISLATIVE
FOR PUBLIC OFFICES AND
COUNCIL ELECTORS FOR THE INSPECTION FROM TOMORROW
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
AT THE REGISTRATION
AND
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION (THURSDAY) SAID THE FINAL REGISTER WOULD REMAIN IN FORCE FOR THE 12 MONTHS. ’’DURING THIS PERIOD, ONLY AMENDMENTS AND NO ADDITIONS BE MADE TO THE REGISTER,” HE SAID.
TODAY NEXT WILL
HE URGED ELECTORS TO REPORT ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO REGISTRATION OFFICERAT HARBOUR CENTRE, 10/F, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, CHAI, HONG KONG.
CORPORATE ELECTORS ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO REPORT ANY CHANGE THEIR AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES TO THE REGISTRATION OFFICER.
THE WAN
OF
/THE SPOKESMAN
THURSDAY, JULY 50, 19^7
14
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT 736 NEW ELECTORS WERE ADDED TO THE REGISTER THIS YEAR WHILE 581 NAMES WERE OMITTED FROM THE 1986 REGISTER.
"THE 1987 FINAL REGISTER CONTAINS THE PARTICULARS OF 43,019 ELECTORS, REPRESENTING A NET INCREASE OF 155 FROM THE 1986 REGISTRATION FIGURE," HE SAID.
FIGURES SHOWING VARIOUS TYPES OF ELECTORS LISTED AND 1987 FINAL REGISTERS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FINAL REGISTER 1987 IN THE 1986 FINAL REGISTER 1986
NO. OF ELECTORS IN ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES 438 436
NO. OF CORPORATE ELECTORS IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES 5,215 5,137
NO. OF INDIVIDUAL ELECTORS IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES 37,366 37,291
TOTAL NO. OF ELECTORS 43,019 42,864
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CALL FOR MORE PRECAUTIONARY
MEASURES IN CONSTRUCTION SITES ♦ ♦ ♦
WORKERS ARE URGED TODAY (THURSDAY) TO CONSTRUCTION SITES DURING RAINY
BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND ADOPT EXTRA PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN
SEASON.
THE PLEA WAS MADE BY CHAIRMAN SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE (CISS), MR PETER
OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NIE.
’’PAST EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT WORKING CONDITIONS IN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS,” HE SAID.
ADVERSE WEATHER COULD AGGRAVATE
SITES, THUS AFFECT THE SAFETY OF
/MR NIE
THURSDAY, JULY 50, 1987
MR NIE SUGGESTED THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY:
♦ ALL ELECTRIC SWITCHBOARDS, WIRING, APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT AFFECTED BY RAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON BEFORE THEY ARE USED AGAIN.
» EXCAVATION, EARTHWORK AND TIMBERING ERECTED SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON BEFORE FURTHER WORK IS CARRIED ON.
» EMERGENCY ESCAPE SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS WORKING INSIDE EXCAVATIONS, SHAFTS, TUNNELS, PITS OR OPENINGS IN THE GROUND IN CASE OF RISING WATER OR IRRUPTION OF WATER OR MATERIAL.
♦ PARTICULAR CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WHILE USING WET AND SLIPPERY WORKING PLATFORMS, GANGWAYS, LADDERS AND SCAFFOLDS.
♦ SCAFFOLDS MUST BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON SINCE EXPOSURE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY AFFECT THEIR STRENGTH OR STABILITY.
♦ THE ANCHORAGE OR BALLASTING ARRANGEMENT FOR LIFTING APPLIANCES SHOULD BE EXAMINED BY A COMPETENT EXAMINER AFTER EXPOSURE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO HAVE AFFECTED THE STABILITY OF THE APPLIANCES AS SOON AS PRATICABLE AND BEFORE THE APPLIANCES ARE USED AGAIN.
* LIFTING APPLIANCES SHOULD NOT BE USED UNDER WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKELY TO ENDANGER THEIR STABILITY.
THE CISS IS ONE OF THE SIX INDUSTRY-BASED SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEES FORMED UNDER THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN HONG KONG.
IT COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND WORKERS’ UNIONS FROM THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
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/16........
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1987
- 16 -
VACANCIES IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES FEATURED IN MONTHLY DIGEST *****
THE MAY ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ENTITLED "VACANCIES IN THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES."
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN COMPILING REGULARLY STATISTICS ON NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES AND NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN VARIOUS ECONOMIC SECTORS.
VACANCY STATISTICS PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE SIZE OF THE UNSATISFIED DEMAND FOR WORKERS. TOGETHER WITH STATISTICS ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, THESE STATISTICS PROVIDE A READY REFERENCE ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. THEY ARE ESSENTIAL FOR UNDERSTANDING THE BEHAVIOUR AND OPERATION OF THE LABOUR MARKETS.
THE ARTICLE IN THE CURRENT ISSUE PRESENTS A BROAD SUMMARY OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF MANUFACTURING VACANCIES BY MAJOR INDUSTRIES, BY SIZE OF ESTABLISHMENTS AND BY LOCATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS. A SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND VACANCY RATES DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND A BRIEF COMPARISON WITH OTHER NON-MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES ARE AL.SO GIVEN,.,,
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $28 PER COPY. PURCHASES CAN BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER, 19/F., WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
----o------
SAMPLING FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR USE
*****
THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPATMENT'S CENTRAL REGISTER WHICH KEEPS PARTICULARS OF AROUND 300,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG.
THE COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTER SERVES MAINLY AS THE SAMPLING FRAME FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S SURVEYS ON BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS.
MANY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO MAKE USE OF THE REGISTER FOR PUBLICITY, SURVEY AND RESEARCH WORK.
/THE PRIVATE .......
THURSDAY, JULY JO, 1987
- 17 -
THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN ALSO MAKE USE OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS RECORDED IN IF FOR MARKET RESEARCH, STATISTICAL SURVEY, BUSINESS AND PRODUCT PROMOTION PURPOSES.
IN THIS CONNECTION, APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SUPPLY OF A PHOTOCOPY OR A MAGNETIC TAPE OF THE LISTING OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL PARTICULARS SUCH AS THE NAME, THE ADDRESS, THE MAJOR TYPE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND THE EMPLOYMENT SIZE CLASS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
A CHARGE WILL BE LEVIED FOR THIS SERVICE, AND THE RATES ARE:
♦ $2.50 PER PHOTOCOPY CONTAINING ABOUT 10 ESTABLISHMENTS; AND
♦ $330 PER STREAM HOUR OF COMPUTER TIME IF THE INFORMATION IS
REQUIRED ON A MAGNETIC TAPE WHICH IS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 5-8234760.
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SURVEY ON EFFECTS OF RESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD HAS ENDORSED A SURVEY PROJECT TO FIND OUT THE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ON FAMILY LIFE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
THE ’COMMUNITY-IN-PERSPECTIVE’ PROJECT IS A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SCHEME AIMED AT ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL AFFAIRS AND TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES.
"WE WILL LOOK INTO HOW SOME OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS SUCH AS ONE-WOMAN BROTHELS, RECREATION CENTRES, BALLROOMS, GUEST HOUSES, UNLICENSED MASSAGE PARLOURS, NIGHTCLUBS AND ESCORT COMPANIES, WHICH TOTALLED MORE THAN 400, AFFECT RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, CHAIRMAN OF THE PROJECT ORGANISING COMMITTEE, DR KWAN YUI-HUEN, SAID.
"ABOUT 1,000 FAMILIES WILL BE INTERVIEWED TO FIND OUT THE EXTENT AND SERIOUSNESS OF THE EFFECTS SUCH AS INCONVENIENCE, CRIME SITUATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCES CAUSED.
/•’THEY WILL
THURSDAY, JULY JO, 198?
18 -
"THEY WILL ALSO BE ASKED ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE IN TAKING ACTION TO COMBAT PORNOGRAPHIC ACTIVITIES." DR KWAN SAID.
THE ENTIRE PROJECT WILL COVER A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS FROM AUGUST TO FEBRUARY.
THIRTY VOLUNTARY WORKERS WILL BE RECRUITED IN THE DISTRICT TO ASSIST IN THE INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS.
THEY WILL BE GIVEN TRAINING COURSES ON SURVEY METHODS AND PROCEDURES, THE MECHANISM FOR CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS AND KNOWLEDGE OF INTERPRETING STATISTICS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE REGULATIONS RELATING TO VICE ESTABLISHMENTS AND PORNOGRAPHY BEFORE EMBARKING ON THEIR ASSIGNMENTS TO GATHER DATA ON THEIR TYPE, NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION.
AN OPEN FORUM WILL BE HELD EARLY NEXT YEAR TO ANNOUNCE THE SURVEY FINDINGS AND TO ALLOW RESIDENTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE TOPIC.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT RESIDENTS’ VIEWS, A REPORT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE COMPILED FOR SUBMISSION TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
"PREVIOUS STUDIES IN THE 'COMMUNITY-IN-PERSPECTIVE' PROJECT HAVE INCLUDED SIGNBOARDS, VIDEO GAMES CENTRES, BILLIARD SALOONS, THE EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION ON SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS YOUTHS’ PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT MATTERS,” DR KWAN SAID.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS EARMARKED $27,000 FOR THE PROJECT.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN RESUMED PRIVATE STREETS CLEARED * * * *
MORE THAN 50 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WERE CLEARED TODAY AT FOUR RESUMED PRIVATE STREETS IN TO KWA WAN UNDER A IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
(THURSDAY)
SCHEME TO
THE FOUR STREETS — MING LAN STREET, CHUNG SUN YIN STREET AND HING YAN STREET -- WERE RESUMED BY I HE APRIL UNDER A PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTION PROGRAMME.
STREET, HING
GOVERNMENT IN
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SPEND ABOUT $1.65 MILLION TO REPAIR ROAD SURFACES AND OTHER UTILITIES THERE.
/A SPOKESMAN
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 19$7
- 19 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE SAID AFTER THE COMPLETION OF ALL NECESSARY REPAIR WORKS, SOME OF THE ROADS WOULD BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC.
TWENTY-SIX OUT OF 30 FAMILIES COMPRISING 73 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE OPERATION WERE REHOUSED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
THIRTEEN BUSINESS OPERATORS ELIGIBLE FOR EX-GRAT1A ALLOWANCE WERE GRANTED PAYMENT AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $150,000.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RESUMED FOUR OTHER PRIVATE STREETS IN TO KWA WAN UNDER A PILOT SCHEME LAUNCHED IN 1983. ABOUT $1 MILLION WAS SPENT TO IMPROVE THE ROAD SURFACES, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SANITARY CONDITIONS OF THE STREETS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID COMMON PROBLEMS IN PRIVATE STREETS WERE OBSTRUCTIONS BY TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, UNCONTROLLED PARKING OF VEHICLES, DAMAGE TO ROAD SURFACE, CHOKED OR BROKEN DRAINS AND FIRE HAZARDS.
HE SAID THERE WERE 37 PRIVATE STREETS YET TO BE RESUMED IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT, MOST OF WHICH WERE IN TO KWA WAN AND HUNG HOM.
THE PRIVATE STREET CLEARANCE OPERATION WAS CO-ORDINATED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE. THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING ROAD SURFACES AND OTHER UTILITIES.
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE MEETS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE WERE TOLD TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE USERS OF THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS WOULD BE URGED TO PITCH IN AT THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN BY KEEPING THEIR AREAS CLEAN.
SPECIALLY-DESIGNED POSTERS WOULD BE PUT UP IN PROMINENT LOCATIONS AT PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS TO PUBLICISE THE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE. MOREOVER, MEMBERS OF THE CARGO WORKERS’ ASSOCIATION AND OTHER ASSOCIATED GROUPS WOULD BE INVOLVED TO CONDUCT SPECIAL CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS.
AHE COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, JULY 50, 19^7
20 -
THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO HEARD THAT FAVOURABLE RESPONSES HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM A NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS LARGE SUPERMARKETS, OIL COMPANIES, MTRC, KCRC, HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO., ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
THEIR SUPPORT IS IN VARIOUS FORMS, FOR INSTANCE, BROADCASTING THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN JINGLE, PRINTING THE CAMPAIGN SLOGAN AND LOGO ON RELEVANT MATERIALS, SPONSORING LITTER BINS, DISPLAYING CAMPAIGN POSTERS AND PHYSICALLY CLEANING-UP BEACHES AND LITTER BLACK SPOTS.
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YEAR-LONG EFFORT TO BOOST CIVIC AWARENESS
» » * * ♦
THE NORTH DISTRICT STEERING COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS IN THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL AS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS THIS YEAR.
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC AWARENESS WAS AN ON-GOING PROCESS AND HAD AN IMPORTANT BEARING THIS YEAR WITH THE CONSULTATION ON THE GREEN PAPER AND THE CAMPAIGN ON VOTER REGISTRATION TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT MONTH.
FOCUSED ON THE THEME ’DEVELOP YOUR POTENTIAL, PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES’, A SERIES OF RECREATIONAL AND WHOLESOME ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR CHILDREN, YOUTHS AND ELDERLIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SCHOOL QUIZ COMPETITIONS, ATTENDENCE OF DISTRICT BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS BY STUDENTS, ANTI-FALLING OBJECT CAMPAIGN, AN EXHIBITION ON THE HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT, COURTESY CAMPAIGN AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF WOOLLEN HATS FOR THE ELDERLIES.
IN ADDITION, TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER, A MOBILE EXHIBITION WILL BE MOUNTED AT THE FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI RAILWAY STATIONS NEXT MONTH.
0
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1987
21 -
SUMMER VACATION STARTS AT BOY’S HOME
♦ * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S O PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME TODAY (THURSDAY) HELD A CEREMONY TO MARK THE END OF THE SCHOOL TERM AS WELL AS THE BEGINNING OF ITS SUMMER PROGRAMME.
THE HOME IS A REFORMATORY SCHOOL FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS UNDER 14 YEARS-AND-A-HALF CONVICTED BY THE COURT AND IT PROVIDES PREVOCATIONAL TRAINING AS WELL AS FORMAL SCHOOLING FOR THE BOYS.
APART FROM EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BOY’S SCOUTS, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME AND INTEREST GROUPS LIKE THE BUGLE BAND AND JUDO GROUPS, THE HOME ALSO RUNS EDUCATIONAL TALKS AND THERAPEUTIC GROUPS FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE STUDENTS.
ACTIVITIES IN THE HOME’S SUMMER PROGRAMME, STARTING FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), INCLUDE SUMMER CAMPS, OUTINGS, OBSERVATIONAL VISITS AND EDUCATIONAL TALKS.
MAGISTRATE OF THE TSUEN WAN JUVENILE COURT, MR L.C. STRETTON, WHO OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, PRESENTED ACADEMIC AWARDS TO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS AS WELL AS BRONZE AND SILVER AWARDS UNDER THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME TO THE BOYS WHO HAD COMPLETED THE SCHEME.
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COMMITTEE TO VISIT RSD FACILITIES
» ♦ ♦ ♦ »
MEMBERS OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL VISIT AN ABATTOIR AND THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY IN TSUEN WAN, AND THE INCINERATOR AND CREMATORIUM IN KWAI CHUNG TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR LEE SHEUNG-YEE, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE OPERATION OF THE FACILITIES.
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW SUM AND MEMBERS, MR LEE SHUNG-SHIN, MR LUK KING-SHING, MR SIN CHUNG-KAI, MR SIU KONG-YU, MR WONG YIU-CHUNG AND REPRESENTATIVES OF AREA COMMITTEES WILL JOIN THE VISIT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10/F, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG AT 8.40 AM. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED.
------0 ------ /22......................
THURSDAY
JULY 30, 1987
TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH CEREMONY ON SATURDAY * ♦ ♦ t
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE ROUTE 5 TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH CEREMONY AT TSUEN WAN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 1).
TWO SECTIONS OF TUNNEL TOTALLING 2.5 KILOMETRES IN LENGTH ARE BEING BUILT UNDER SMUGGLERS’ RIDGE AND NEEDLE HILL AT SHING MUN AS PART OF ROUTE 5 WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LINK SHA TIN TO TSUEN WAN WHEN IT IS COMPLETED AT THE END OF 1989.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH CEREMONY. TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE FROM MURRAY BUILDING CARPARK, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AT 8.30 AM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THE REQUEST OF THE CONTRACTOR, ONLY MALE REPORTERS WILL BE INVITED TO ENTER THE TUNNEL FOR THE CEREMONY.
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AFTERWARDS.
0 - -
PLB RESTRICTED ZONES IN KWAI CHUNG ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A SECTION OF LAI KING HILL ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH KWAI FUK ROAD FLYOVER AND THE ACCESS ROAD ADJACENT TO LOK KING HOUSE WILL BE MADE PLB RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
MEANWHILE, THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HING FONG ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI WO HAU ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI HING ROAD; AND ITS SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KWAI HING MTR STATION AND A POINT ABOUT 300 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI HING ROAD; WILL BE DESIGNATED PLB RESTRICTED ZONES DURING PEAK HOURS.
NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
- - O
/25
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1987
- 25 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN CENTRAL
TO FACILITATE THE HOISTING OF MACHINE FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS, HARBOUR VIEW STREET IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5.30 PM FROM SATURDAY (AUGUST 1) TO MONDAY (AUGUST 3).
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF POTTINGER STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 65 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THE MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORKS.
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY, NO VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON A 40-METRE STRETCH OF THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF POTTINGER STREET SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE LIFTED.
_ _ _ _ o-----------
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SHEUNG WAN
» » » *
TRAFFIC CHANGES ON HILLIER STREET IN SHEUNG WAN ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO COME INTO EFFECT ON TUESDAY (JULY 28) FOR ROAD WORKS, HAVE BEEN CANCELLED AS A RESULT OF REVISIONS TO THE WORKS PROGRAMME.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING AND SUSPENSION OF PARKING SPACES ALONG THE SECTION OF HILLIER STREET BETWEEN BONHAM STRAND AND JERVOIS STREET.
HOWEVER, THE SECTION OF HILLIER STREET BETWEEN BONHAM STRAND AND WING LOK STREET WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MERCER STREET, JERVOIS STREET AND MORRISON STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, JULY J1, 1987
COIVIE NTS PAGE NO.
FS GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY ............................ 1
EXCO APPROVES NT TAXI FARE INCREASE .......................... 2
BANK OF NEW ZEALAND GRANTED LICENCE .......................... 3
BILL TO STOP USE OF 'UNOFFICIAL' TITLE ....................... k
IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTARY SaFETY MOVEMENT STRESSED ............. 4
FIRST TILTING TEST PLATFORM FOR TRI-AXLE BUSES ............... 6
TUEN MUN SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, PHASE II ..................... 6
ELECTRONIC POSTAGE ISSUING SERVICE EXTENDED .................. 7
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES' SECOND ENROLMENT EXERCISE BEGINS ....... 8
BAND CONCERT DRAWS FULL CAPACITY ............................. 9
GREEN PAPER SEMINAR FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS .................. 9
EXHIBITION ABOUT SYCAMORE AREA ............................... 10
FIRING PRACTICE NOTICE ....................................... 11
SPEEDPOST WEIGHT LIMIT FOR INDIA INCREASED ................... 12
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WaN ....................................... 12
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1987
FS GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (FRIDAY) GAVE HIS FULL SUPPORT TO THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BY ANNOUNCING A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENTS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE SECTOR’S QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE.
DRAWING ON THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY’S 22 PER CENT SHARE OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND ACCOUNTING FOR 35 PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE, MR JACOBS SAID THAT THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WAS FORMULATING PROPOSALS FOR ADDITIONAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT TO SERVICE THE SECTOR.
AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, HE SAID GENERAL INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT ENOUGH AND THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO PROVIDE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES.
"NOT ONLY SHOULD WE ADDRESS SUCH MANUFACTURING-WIDE ISSUES AS POLLUTION CONTROL AND AUTOMATION, BUT ALSO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS FACED BY SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES OR GROUPS OF INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT, THE STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY HAD BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY IN THE U.K. AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION WAS NOW BEING SOUGHT FOR THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME.
"BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY," SAID MR JACOBS, "THE WAY IN WHICH THESE SERVICES COULD BE USED TO SUPPORT A TERRITORY-WIDE AND MANUFACTURING-WIDE MOVEMENT TOWARDS BETTER QUALITY MANAGEMENT HAS TO BE CONSIDERED."
HE ADDED THAT ADVICE WAS BEING SOUGHT ON HOW THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED.
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAD INITIATED DESIGN INNOVATION SERVICES THROUGH THE HONG KONG DESIGN AND INNOVATION COMPANY, TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WERE NOT YET CAPABLE OF TEACHING THOSE RECENT TECHNOLOGIES WHICH WERE REVOLUTIONISING CERTAIN INDUSTRIES.
"ACCORDINGLY, WE HAVE SET UP A PILOT SCHEME OF TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENABLE PRACTISING ELECTRONIC ENGINEERS TO GO ABROAD TO LEARN THE SKILLS INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN AND USE OF APPLICATIONS SPECIFIC TO INTEGRATED CIRCUITS," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WOULD SOON INTRODUCE A PILOT INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION SERVICE.
/STAFF OF
FRIDAY, JULY J1, 1987
2
STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WOULD INITIALLY VIS SEVERAL HUNDRED FACTORIES AND ’ASSESS WHETHER A FACTORY COULD BENEFIT FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT SERVICES CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT, THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS. AND, IF IT SEEMED RIGHT, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TRY TO "SELL" THAT PARTICULAR SERVICE TO THE MANUFACTURER.
"IN THE PROCESS, WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT HOW FAR MANUFACTURERS ARE AWARE OF THE EXISTING RANGE OF SERVICES AVAILABLE AND HOW FAR THEY HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THESE SERVICES.
"WE WILL BE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN LISTENING TO MANUFACTURERS’ VIEWS ON THE SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THESE SERVICES AND WHETHER A DEMAND EXISTS FOR OTHER SERVICES WHICH ARE NOT CURRENTLY BEING PROVIDED," SAID MR JACOBS.
EXCO APPROVES NT TAXI FARE INCREASE
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(:>
A FARE INCREASE OF 12.5 PER CENT FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. <
THE NEW FARE SCALE WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 24.
UNDER THE NEW FARE SCALE, A TAXI TRIP IN THE NT WILL COST $4.5 INSTEAD OF $4 FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES AND 90 CENTS INSTEAD OF 80 CENTS FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.4 KILOMETRE. CHARGES FOR WAITING TIME WILL ALSO BE INCREASED FROM 80 CENTS TO 90 CENTS FOR EVERY TWO MINUTES.
THE LAST INCREASE IN NT TAXI FARES WAS INTRODUCED ON MARCH 1 LAST YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE FARE RISE WAS APPROVED FOLLOWING A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE OVERALL OPERATING ECONOMICS OF THE NT TAXI TRADE.
"THE FARE INCREASE APPROVED IS EXPECTED TO ENCOURAGE OPERATORS OF NT TAXIS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
THE NEW FARE SCALE WILL BE SHOWN IN A CONVERSION TABLE WHICH WILL BE ISSUED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT UNTIL THE TAXI METERS ARE RECALIBRATED.
NT TAXIS ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THE TABLE PROMINENTLY INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
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/3........
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1987
BANK OF NEW ZEALAND GRANTED LICENCE * » * ♦
THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND BAS BEEN GRANTED A BANKING CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN (FRIDAY).
LICENCE TO SAID TODAY
BANK OF NEW ZEALAND, INCORPORATED IN 1861, IS THE LARGEST BANK IN NEW ZEALAND AND IS OWNED BY THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT. IT HAS MAINTAINED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG SINCE 1981 AND A WHOLLY-OWNED REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SINCE MARCH 1986.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND’S APPLICATION HAD BEEN APPROVED EVEN THOUGH THE BANK DID NOT MEET THE CURRENT ASSET REQUIREMENT OF U.S.$14 BILLION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LICENSING POLICY FOR BANKS INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG HAD RECENTLY BEEN REVISED, AS ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 11, 1987, SO THAT APPLICATIONS FROM BANKS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE U.S.$14 BILLION ASSET REQUIREMENT MAY ALSO BE ACCEPTED WHERE:
(1) THE APPLICANT IS OF UNDOUBTED STANDING; AND
(11) GRANTING A LICENCE TO THE APPLICANT WOULD SERVE HONG KONG'S INTEREST AS A BROAD-BASED INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG BY BANKS FROM THE APPLICANT BANK’S COUNTRY.
IN THE CASE OF THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND, IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT A LICENCE SHOULD BE GRANTED AS THE BANK IS OF UNDOUBTED STANDING AND BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF A NEW ZEALAND BANK IN HONG KONG WOtLD ENHANCE HONG KONG’S IMAGE AS A BROAD-BASED INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"IT IS ALSO LIKELY TO LEAD TO INCREASED LEVELS OF TRADE AND
INVESTMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NEW ZEALAND," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IBIS IS THE FIRST BANKING LICENCE TO
BE GRANTED TO A RANK FROM NEW ZEALAND. THE TOTAL NUMBER O1 NEW BANKING LICENCES GRANTED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS FIVE. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG NOW STANDS AT 155.
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A ...
FRIDAY, 31 JULY, 1987
BILL TO STOP USE OF ’UNOFFICIAL’ TITLE
* * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DISCONTINUE THE USE OF THE TITLE ’UNOFFICIAL’ TO REFER TO THOSE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS WHO DO NOT HOLD OFFICE UNDER THE CROWN.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CONTINUED USE OF THE TERM ’UNOFFICIAL’ COULD BE CONFUSING TO THOSE WHO WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE HONG KONG CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM.
THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (MEMBERS) BILL 1987 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) WILL AMEND VARIOUS ORDINANCES TO REPLACE THE TERM ’UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ WITH ’MEMBERS, OTHER THAN EX-OFFICIO OR OFFICIAL MEMBERS’ WHEN REFERRING TO EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS; AND ’MEMBERS, OTHER THAN OFFICIAL MEMBERS’ WHEN REFERRING TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN TO EXEMPT OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS FROM JURY SERVICE AFTER A REVIEW OF THE JURY ORDINANCE.
"THIS IS NO MORE THAN A RATIONALISATION OF PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS AS OFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE ALREADY EXEMPT BY VIRTUE OF THEIR OFFICE UNDER OTHER SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE,” HE SAID.
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IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTARY SAFETY MOVEMENT STRESSED
*****
A SENIOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING CALLED ON FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO SET UP IN-PLANT SAFETY COMMITTEES INVOLVING BOTH MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS.
DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID THAT THE COMMITTEES, THROUGH THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION OF ALL CONCERNED, SHOULD AIM AT PROVIDING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND AT AROUSING SAFETY AWARENESS OF ALL WORKERS.
"TO ACHIEVE THESE, EMPLOYERS SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO ORGANISE SUITABLE STAFF TO SIT ON THE COMMITTEES AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ADEQUATE TRAINING TO DEAL WITH ALL KINDS OF SAFETY MATTERS WITHIN THEIR OWN ORGANISATIONS," HE ADDED.
/SPEAKING AT .......
FRIDAY, JULY J1, 198?
SPEAKING AT A DINNER MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB THIS EVENING, MR CHAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD SET UP A SAFETY PROGRAMME PROMOTION UNIT IN APRIL THIS YEAR TO PROMOTE VOLUNTARY SAFETY MOVEMENT IN INDUSTRIES.
"ITS MAIN TASES ARE TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP A STRONG SENSE OF -SELF-REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITY AMONG EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TOWARDS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION AT WORK, AND TO ADVISE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT 01 IN-PLANT SAFETY COMMITTEES, ORGANISATION OF SAFETY PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE SAFETY MANAGEMENT," MF (HAN SAID.
"IT IS HOPED Tl’AT THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE UNIT, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES COULD DEVELOP A COMMON INTEREST IN FOSTERING A RIGHT ATTITUDE OF MIND FAVOURABLE TO SAFE PRACTICE IN THE WORKPLACE."
SINCE: THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIT, IT HAS VISITED MORE THAN 60 SIZEABLE FACTORIES AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES AND ASSISTED 22 IN-PLANT SAFETY COMMITTEES TO REVIEW AND PLAN THEIR SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMMES FOR WORKERS. THE PROPRIETORS OF THESE ORGANISATIONS HAD GENERALLY ACCEPTED THE PROPOSED PLANS PUT FORWARD BY THE UNIT.
MR CHAN SAID THAT WHILE IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND ADEQUATE TRAINING FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES, IT WAS EQUALLY VITAL FOR WORKERS TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS IN IMPLEMENTING SAFETY MEASURES, FOR EXAMPLE, BY OBSERVING NO-SMOKING SIGNS, BY WEARING PROTECTIVE CLOTHINGS PROVIDED AND BY NOT MOVING THE GUARDS FROM 1ACHINER IES.
"IF POINTS SUCH AS THESE WERE SCRUPULOUSLY OBSERVED, THE ACCIDENT RATE AND THE CHANCE OF BREAKING THE LAW WILL BE GREATLY REDUCED," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN FURTHER TOUCHED ON THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDED FREE SAFETY TRAINING COURSES FOR MORE THAN 7,000 EMPLOYEES, MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND WORKERS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
HE CALLED ON ALL EMPLOYERS TO MAKE USE OF PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY PROGRAMME PROMOTION UNIT AND SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE SO AS TO IMPROVE STANDARDS
THE FACILITIES
THE INDUSTRIAL
OF SAFETY AND
HEALTH AT WORK.
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FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1987
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FIRST TILTING TEST PLATFORM FOR TRI-AXLE BUSES * * * * *
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE FIRST TILTING TEST PLATFORM FOR THE INSPECTION OF TRI-AXLE BUSES IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHEET PILING, PILED FOUNDATION AND REINFORCED CONCRETE PIT TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH A PLATFORM AT THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE.
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 12 NOON ON AUGUST 21.
A MAINTENANCE SURVEYOR OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR C.K. HUI, SAID THE WORK WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR. ANOTHER CONTRACT WILL THEN BE LET FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE PLATFORM ITSELF AND THE NECESSARY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SERVICES. IT WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL BEFORE THE END OF 1988.
"THIS NEW TILTING TEST PLATFORM WILL BE THE FIRST AND ONLY SUCH DEVICE IN HONG KONG SPECIALLY MADE TO TEST TRI-AXLE BUSES. THE ONLY OTHER TILTING TEST PLATFORM AT THE TO KWA WAN VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE IS NOT ENTIRELY SUITABLE FOR THE TESTING OF TRI-AXLE BUSES," MR HUI SAID.
LIKE THE TO KWA WAN PLATFORM, THE NEW ONE WILL BE OPERATED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
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TUEN MUN SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, PHASE II
*****
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND PHASE OF TUEN MUN SWIMMING POOL B1G STEP forwARD TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH THE COMMENCEMENT Or PILING WORK.
THIS FOLLOWED I HE RECENT AWARD OF A $5.7 MILLION CONTRACT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE WORKS, WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT JANUARY.
An™™ ™E PR0JECT ARCHITECT SAID UPON COMPLETION OF THE PILING WORKS ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD INVITF TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PHASE II SUPERSTRUCTURE. LENDERS FOR
/IT COMPRISES .......
FRIDAY, JULY 1987
IT COMPRISES A SECONDARY POOL, TWO TEACHING POOLS, ONE TRAINING POOL, ONE DIVING POOL AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES. THESE ARE EXPECTED TO BE BUILT BY JUNE, 1989.
THE PHASE II SUPERSTRUCTURE WILL BE DESIGNED AND ITS CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
PHASE I OF THE COMPLEX WAS COMPLETED IN 1985. IT INCLUDED A MAIN POOL, TWO PADDLING POOLS, A SPECTATOR STAND, FOUR SQUASH COURTS AND AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. THE FACILITIES ARE NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE PROJECT ARCHITECT SAID BY 1989-90 THE POPULATION OF TUEN MUN WAS EXPECTED TO REACH 390,000, WHICH WOULD WARRANT PROVISION OF ALL THE FACILITIES OF A STANDARD SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX.
IN PARTICULAR, THE TEACHING FACILITIES WERE URGENTLY NEEDED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CONSTITUTED A HIGH PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION, HE SAID.
UNDER THE HONG KONG OUTLINE PLANNING STANDARD A STANDARD SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IS TO BE PROVIDED FOR EVERY AREA WITH 280,000 RESIDENTS.
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ELECTRONIC POSTAGE ISSUING SERVICE EXTENDED * ♦ ♦ ♦ *
A SECOND ELECTRONIC POSTAGE ISSUING MACHINE WILL BE BROUGHT INTO USE AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE ON AUGUST 18, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE LABEL IMPRESSION OF THE ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL ISSUING MACHINE WOULD BE CHANGED FROM THE CARP TO THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT DESIGN.
"ON THE SAME DAY, NEW LABEL PAPER WILL BE INTRODUCED BEARING A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND PATTERN. BOTH THE LABEL IMPRESSION AND THE BACKGROUND PATTERN OF THE LABEL PAPER WERE DESIGNED BY MR MICHAEL TUCKER," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS INTERESTED LN COLLECTING THE LABELS, PRE-PACKAGED SETS OF FOUR FIXED VALUES (10 CENTS, 50 CENTS, $1.30 AND $1.70) WILL BE PUT ON SALE AT $3.60 PER SET AT THE FOLLOWING SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES:
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, JULY J1, 1987
8
HONG KONG ISLAND
GENERAL POST OFFICE
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
KOWLOON
TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE
AIRPORT POST OFFICE.
"THERE WILL BE NEITHER OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS NOR A HAND-BACK SERVICE ON THAT DAY.
"THE POST OFFICE WILL CHANGE THE DESIGN OF THE LABELS AND LABEL IMPRESSION EVERY YEAR TO INCORPORATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ANIMAL. THE LAST ISSUE OF THIS ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL SERIES WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1998," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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TECHNICAL INSTITUTES’ SECOND ENROLMENT EXERCISE BEGINS ******
THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ARE AGAIN INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY INTO 66 PART-TIME EVENING COURSES SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER.
THE INSTITUTES WILL OFFER A TOTAL OF 125 EVENING COURSES IN THE 1987/88 ACADEMIC YEAR. APPLICATIONS WERE FIRST INVITED IN APRIL.
"THE COURSES FOR WHICH APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED ARE HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, TEXTILE INDUSTRIES, MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, APPLIED SCIENCE AND MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
"THESE COURSES ARE AT CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVELS, PROVIDING ONE TO THREE YEARS’ COMPLEMENTARY EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/DETAILS OF........
FRIDAY, JULY )1, 1987
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DETAILS OF THESE COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN THE LOCAL PRESS TOMORROW (SATURDAY). APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AS WELL AS FROM DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE CLOSING DATE OF APPLICATION IS TUESDAY, AUGUST 11. APPLICANTS WHO HAVE RESPONDED TO THE FIRST EVENING COURSE STUDEN1 ENROLMENT IN APRIL/MAY THIS YEAR MAY RE-APPLY.
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BAND CONCERT DRAWS FULL CAPACITY
A BAND CONCERT HELD AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL TODAY (FRIDAY) DREW A FULL CAPACITY AND WAS HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BY THE AUDIENCE.
THE CONCERT WAS PART OF THE PROGRAMME FOR THE CAMPERS OF THE 1987 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE.
SOME 130 YOUNG WIND PLAYERS OF THE CAMP’S JUNIOR AND SENIOR BANDS DELIGHTED THE AUDIENCE WITH THEIR SUPERB SKILL AND POPULAR PIECES SUCH AS VERDI’S TRIUMPHAL MARCH FROM "AIDA", BLON’S FLAG OF VICTORY MARCH AND CARCI ONE’S LIBERTY MARCH WERE PERFORMED.
TWO MORE CONCERTS WILL BE HELD IN SHA TIN TOMORROW. THE CAMP’S SENIOR BAND WILL PERFORM AT A COMMUNITY CONCERT AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA AT 3 PM WHILE THE ('AMP’S SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL BE FEATURED AT A FINALE CONCERT AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AT 8 PM.
THE MUSIC (AMP WILL END ON SUNDAY.
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GREEN PAPER SEMINAR FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS ♦ ♦ I ♦ ♦
A SEMINAR TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL BE HELD IN KWUN TONG ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 2).
SOME 200 MEMBERS OF THE AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN DISCUSSIONS ON THE DOCUMENT.
/ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER .......
FRIDAY, JULY 51, 1987
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE SURVEY OFFICE, MISS ANISSA WONG AND MONITOR, MR ANDREW SO WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO HEAR VIEWS.
THE FUNCTION, ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON GREEN PAPER CONSULTATION UNDER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 PM AT THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE, TELFORD GARDENS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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EXHIBITION ABOUT SYCAMORE AREA I * t ♦ ♦
AN EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE SYCAMORE ART GALLERY TO PROMOTE THE IDENTITY OF THE SYCAMORE AREA AMONG MONG KOK RESIDENTS.
PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND DIAGRAMS ABOUT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA, STRUCTURE OF THE SYCAMORE AREA COMMITTEE AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WILL BE DISPLAYED.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE SYCAMORE AREA COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI; DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE AREA COMMITTEE, MR HO KWONG-HUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT SYCAMORE ART GALLERY, 64 SYCAMORE STREET, MONG KOK.
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/11
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1987
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FIRING PRACTICE NOTICE
* » » » »
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 19 DAYS IN AUGUST.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE:
DATE TIME
AUGUST 3 (MONDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM
AUGUST 4 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 5 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 6 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 7 (FRIDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 10 (MONDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 11 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5. 30 PM
AUGUST 12 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5. 30 PM
AUGUST 13 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .30 PM
AUGUST 14 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5. 30 PM
AUGUST 17 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 10 । PM
AUGUST 18 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 10 PM
AUGUST 19 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .30 PM
AUGUST 20 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5. 30 PM
AUGUST 21 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
AUGUST 24 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 27 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 28 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
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FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1987
12 -
SPEEDPOST WEIGHT LIMIT FOR INDIA INCREASED ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT FOR A SPEEDPOST ITEM TO INDIA WILL BE INCREASED TO 10 KILOGRAMS AND THE MAXIMUM SIZE EXTENDED TO 1.05 METRES IN LENGTH AND TWO METRES FOR THE LENGTH AND GIRTH COMBINED FROM NEXT MONDAY (AUGUST 3), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS AND A FREE PICK-UP SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE ARE
REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8471108.
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WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ♦ * ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF ON MONDAY (AUGUST 3) FROM 8 PM TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT WO YI HOP ROAD FROM NGONG HOM ROAD TO CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, LO WAI ROAD , HILL TOP ROAD, YI PEI CHUN ROAD, ROUTE TWISK, FU YUNG SHAN ROAD, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, CHEUNG SHAN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, KWU HANG CHUBN, HILL TOP COUNTRY CLUB, SAM TUNG UK, WO YI HOP CHUEN, LO WAI, HOI PA CHUEN, PAK TIN PA CHUEN, MA SIN PAI CHUEN, SAI LAU KOK CHUEN, TUNG PO TO, FU YUNG SHAN CHUEN, CHUK LAM SIM YUEN, YUEN YUEN HOK YUEN AND BLOCK NOS. 7-10 LEI MUK SHU ESTATE.
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO THE ABOVE AREAS WILL ALSO BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 AM ON AUGUST 3 TO 10 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
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