DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
AG EXPLAINS OBJECT OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL....... 1
FURTHER EXIMPTIONS FROM JURY SERVICE PROPOSED.............. 3
LAND LAW BEING TIGHTENED................................... 5
CONVEYANCING LAW FURTHER IMPROVED ......................... 6
AMENDMENT OFFERS ADDED PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES ........... 7
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY TO CONFER HONORARY DEGREES PROPOSED .... 8
PROPOSAL TO EXPAND ASSOCIATION'S SERVICES ................. 8
PRIVATE BILL ON BAHA'I FAITH INTRODUCED ................... 9 ‘
CHANGE OF DATE FOR TABLING ACCOUNTS PROPOSED .............. 10
TWO BILTS PASSED........................................... 10
MEASURES TO CURB LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE ACCIDENTS ............ 11
NEW BORDER CROSSING WILL SOLVE CONGESTION PROBLEMS ........ 12
SOCIAL WORKER SHORTAGE UNDER STUDY ........................ 1?
RISK OF CONTAMINATED SEAFOOD REACHING MARKET SMALL ........ 14
CONTROLS ON IMPORTED MEATS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE ............ 15
CODES ENSURE SCHOOL GRANTS ARE SPENT AS INTENDED........... 16
IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES RECOGNISED................................................. 16
REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS NEARING COMPLETION ....... 17
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING ALLOWS BETTER USE OF RESOURCES ..... 18
MEASURES TO MINIMISE LANDFILL IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT........ 20
TRANSPORT STUDY TO DECIDE VIABILITY OF RAIL LINKS......... 21
MAINLAND OFFICIAL GIVES ASSURANCE ON POLICE JOBS............. 23
MAINLAND DRAFTERS INVITED FOR VISITS ........................ 25
SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT OUT TOMORROW ............. 25
NEW ISLANDS DB COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ............... 26
TWENTY-TWO PASSED MEDICAL EXAMINATION ....................... 26
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS COMPETITION PRIZE-GIVING ................ 27
'NO ENTRY' FOR PLB'S IN SHEUNG SHUT ......................... 28
TRAFFIC LANES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO BE CLOSED TEMPORARILY................................................... 28
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
AG EXPLAINS OBJECT OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL
THE COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL 1988 WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ENSURING A MORE LOGICAL MANNER OF TRIAL FOR SUCH CASES, TLE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THIS BILL IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE HONG KONG CONSULTATIVE PROCESS," HE SAID WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
"IT IS A BILL SEEKING TO REFORM AN AREA OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE BY MAKING SURE THAT NOT ONLY THE DESIRED END IS ACHIEVED BUT THAT If ACCORDS WITH THE INTERESTS AND WISHES OF THE COMMUNITY."
MR MATHEWS SAID THE OBJECT OF THE BILL WAS TO ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE WHEREBY THE REAL MATTERS AT ISSUE IN A COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME TRIAL WERE IDENTIFIED AT AN EARLY STAGE.
THEREAFTER, THE JURY WOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE DISPUTED QUESTIONS OF FACT AND PERFORM THEIR TASK OF ESTABLISHING GUILT OR INNOCENCE MORE EFFECTIVELY.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE LENGTH AND COMPLEXITY OF SOME MODERN COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES AND THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THEIR TRIAL WERE A MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
THIS WAS RECOGNISED AS LONG AGO AS 1984 WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS ISSUED A PROPOSAL FOR REFORM OF THE METHOD OF TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME.
HE SAID MUCH HAD BEEN LEARNT SINCE THEN THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SELECT COMMITTEE AND AD HOC GROUP, THE ROSKILL COMMITTEE AND THE LEGISLATION IMPLEMENTING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
"THE INITIATIVES IN THIS BILL WILL NOT SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS BUT THEY DO GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ENSURING A MORE LOGICAL MANNER ol TRIAL," HE SAID.
"THE BILL REFLECTS THE WISHES OF THE COMMUNITY.
"IN ANY CRIMINAL TRIAL IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT TJU* COMMUNITY TOO ARE A PARTY.
"THE ACCUSED AND THE COMMUNITY BOTH HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPEt f FAIR, IMPARTIAL AND EFFICIENT JUSTICE.
"ALL OF US INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF CRIMINAL TRIAL. Ml ' I CONTINUE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE INTERESTS OF BOTH PARTIES ARP. IMPORTANT.
/»»tf that
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1,
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"IF THAT ATTITUDE IS MAINTAINED THEN THIS BILL WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING THE LENGTH AND COST OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME TRIALS WITHOUT ANY ENCROACHMENT ON THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED AND THE COLLECTIVE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL THEREBY BE PROTECTED."
ON DECEMBER 11, 1987, THE COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL WAS PUBLISHED AS A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. THE BILL HAD BEEK BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY A LEGCO SELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRED B'. THE HON PETER C. WONG.
THE MAJOR AREAS OF REFORM RECOMMENDED BY THE SELECT COMMITTED WERE THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY PREPARATORY HEARINGS AND TH! ABOLITION OF COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS IN THESE CASES.
IT WAS PROPOSED THAT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF VARYIN' DEGREE BE PLACED ON THE PROSECUTOR AND THE ACCUSED.
THE PREPARATORY HEARING, WHILE PART OF THE TRIAL, WAS TO TAKi PLACE BEFORE THE JURY WAS EMPANELLED.
UNDER THE SCHEME PROPOSED THE PURPOSES OF THE PREPARATORY HEARING INCLUDED THE IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES LIKELY TO BE MATERIAL TO THE VERDICT OF THE JURY; AID TO THE JURY’S UNDERSTANDING OF SUCH ISSUES; EXPEDITION OF THE PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE JURY AND ASSISTANCE TO THE JUDGE’S MANAGEMENT OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
THE JUDGE WAS TO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE QUESTIONS OF LAW DURING THE PREPARATORY HEARING, INCLUDING QUESTIONS ON THE ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE.
MR MATHEWS SAID THAT WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION WAS FIRMLY BEHIND THE SELECT COMMITTEE’S PROPOSALS, IT WAS FELT TO BE APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW A FURTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THIS IMPORTANT MEASURE.
"AS THE WHITE BILL SOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT SELECT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS, PUBLIC COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED BY OMELCO RATHER THAN THE ADMINISTRATION," HE SAID.
THE COMMENTS AND REPRESENTATIONS ON THE WHITE BILL SHOWED BROAD SUPPORT FOR. THE ABOLITION OF COMMITTALS AND THE NEED FOR SOME SORT OF PREPARATORY HEARING PROCEDURE.
HE SAID COMPARISONS WERE MADE WITH THE UK CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1987 WHICH GAVE A GREATER ELEMENT OF JUDICIAL DISCRETION LN Till-: APPLICATION OF THE SPECIAL PROCEDURES THAN DID THE HONG KONG Will'll BILL.
IT WAS FELT THAT IN HONG KONG TOO, A JUDGE, RATHER THAN Till' ATTORNEY GENERAL, SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO DECIDE WHEN A PREPARARTORY HEARING SHOULD TAKE PLACE.
/MR MATHEWS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
MR MATHEWS SAID CONCERN WAS ALSO EXPRESSED ABOUT TH€ DEFINITION OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME AND THE EXTENT OF THE OBLIGATIONS ON THE DEFENCE TO DISCLOSE ITS CASE.
’’CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS WERE MADE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WERE DISCUSSED, ’ HE SAID.
"AS A RESULT OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS AMENDMENTS TO CATER FOR THE AREAS OF CONCERN WERE MADE TO THE WHITE BILL."
THE BILL BEFORE THE COUNCIL INTRODUCED A NEW FORM OF COURT PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME.
TURNING TO ANOTHER OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, MR MATHEWS SAID IT ALSO SUGGESTED THAT A DECISION SHOULD BE TAKEN ON THE TRIAL OF COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL 1985 IN THE LIGHT OF THE COMMITTEE’S CONCLUSION THAT THE MODE OF TRIAL FOR COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES SHOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED.
(THE 1985 BILL HAD SUGGESTED THAT A .JUDGE .ASSISTED BY TWO COMMERCIAL ADJUDICATORS, RATHER THAN A JUDGE AND JURY, TRY SUCH CASES).
"THE ADMINISTRATION AGREES THAT TRIAL BY JURY SHOULD REMAIN," MR MATHEWS SAID.
ACCORDINGLY, HE LATER DURING THE SESSION FORMALLY WITHDREW THE 1985 BILL UNDER STANDING ORDER 52.
DEBATE ON THE NEW BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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FURTHER EXEMPTIONS FROM JURY SERVICE PROPOSED
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FOUR MAIN PROBLEMS ARE ADDRESSED BY THE JURY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR DAVID SAID THE FIRST PROBLEM CONCERNED EXEMPTIONS FROM JURY SERVICE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 5 OF THE ORDINANCE EXEMPTED CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PERSONS FROM JURY SERVICE.
"THE PROVISION TO EXEMPT URBAN COUNCILLORS FROM JURY SERVICE WAS MADE IN 1971 WHEN IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THE COUNCILLORS’ DUTIES SHOULD TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER THEIR DUTY TO RENDER JURY SERVICE," HE SAID.
/"FURTHERMORE, AS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988-
"FURTHERMORE, AS CERTAIN DUTIES OF THE URBAN COUNCILLORS /ARE OF A JUDICIAL NATURE, SUCH AS THE GRANTING OR REFUSAL OF HAWKER LICENCES, THERE COULD BE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IF THEY WERE NOT EXEMPTED FROM JURY SERVICE.
"MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, HAVING SIMILAR DUTIES, SHOULD BE AFFORDED THE SAME TREATMENT AND BE EXEMPTED.
"THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO DELETE THE WORD ’ORDINARY’ FROM THE TERM 'ORDINARY MEMBER', WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY USED TO DESCRIBE MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AS THERE ARE NO LONGER 'OFFICIAL' MEMBERS ON THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS."
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS ALSO DESIRABLE TO EXEMPT FROM JURY SERVICE PROBATION OFFICERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WORKING IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AS THE DUTIES OF THESE OFFICERS WERE DIRECTLY CONCERNED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
THIS WAS ALSO IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT EXEMPTIONS FOR OFFICERS WORKING IN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FIELD.
THE SECOND PROBLEM AROSE FROM THE FACT THAT LISTS OF JURORS WERE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE BY THE PUBLIC.
"COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT COMMERCIAL FIRMS ARE USING THESE LISTS AS MAILING LISTS FOR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS," HE SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO DISCONTINUE PUBLICATION.
"BY VIRTUE OF THIS BILL, THE RIGHT TO PURCHASE JUROR LISTS IS REMOVED BUT THE LISTS MAY BE INSPECTED BY THE PUBLIC AT THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT."
SIR DAVID SAID THE THIRD PROBLEM RELATED TO THE NEED TO UPDATE THE ORDINANCE IN LINE WITH THE RECENT COMPUTERISATION OF JUROR LISTING.
FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THE COMPUTERISATION OF JURY LISTS, IN THE SELECTION OF JURORS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FORMING A PANEL, POTENTIAL JURORS WERE NO LONGER REFERRED TO BY NAMES BUT BY NUMBERS CORRESPONDING TO THEIR NAMES, AND BALLOT CARDS WOULD NO LONGER BE WRITTEN BUT PRINTED WITH NUMBERS CORRESPONDING TO THE NAMES OF THE JURORS SUMMONED TO FORM A PANEL.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE WOULD REQUIRE AMENDMENT AS A RESULT, HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
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SIR DAVID SAID THAT, FINALLY, THE EXISTING PROVISION FOR THE PROCEDURE WHEREBY APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION FROM JURY SERVICE WAS MADE TO THE COURT WAS NOT SATISFACTORY AS IT DID NOT PRESCRIBE THE MEANS Ob' DOING SO.
THE BILL CREATED A NEW SUB-SECTION THAT SET OUT THE PROCEDURE TO BE ADOPTED ON APPLICATION TO THE COURT FOR EXEMPTION FROM JURY SERVICE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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LAND LAW BEING TIGHTENED t t t t t
THE CONVEYANCING AND PROPERTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WILL CURE SEVERAL MINOR DEFECTS IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE SUBJECT WAS EXTREMELY TECHNICAL.
"THE BILL WILL CURE SEVERAL MINOR DEFECTS IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE BUT OTHER CHANGES TO OUR LAND LAW MAY STILL BE NEEDED.”
HE NOTED THAT THE HON PETER C. WONG HAD PROPOSED TWO SUCH CHANGES, NAMELY TO THE STATUTORY LIMITATION PERIOD FOR ACTIONS TO RECOVER LAND AND TO THE PROVISION IN THE LAND REGISTRATION ORDINANCE DEALING WITH FLOATING CHANGES.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THESE PROPOSALS WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988 .
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CONVEYANCING LAW FURTHER IMPROVED » » * »
THE CONVEYANCING AND PROPERTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 HAS INCORPORATED A NUMBER OF USEFUL PROPOSALS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE LAW RELATING TO CONVEYANCING AND PROPERTY IN HONG KONG.
THE HON PETER C. WONG, THE CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, MR WONG SAID THE AD HOC GROUP HAD MET SEVEN TIMES AND HAD HAD EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
AS A RESULT, A NUMBER OF USEFUL AND PRACTICAL AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN AGREED ON.
ONE SUCH AMENDMENT DEALT WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR A VENDOR TO PRODUCE, IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS TITLE TO THE LAND BEING SOLD, THE CROWN LEASE AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST 25 YEARS BEFORE THE CONTRACT FOR SALE.
MR WONG SAID THAT UNDER CLAUSE 5(A) OF THE BILL, THE PERIOD OF 25 YEARS WOULD BE REDUCED TO 15 YEARS, AND THE REDUCTION WAS WELCOMED BY MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP AS WELL AS BY PRACTISING CONVEYANCERS.
HOWEVER, THE AD HOC GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT THE STATUTORY LIMITATION PERIOD FOR ACTION TO RECOVER LAND, WHICH REMAINED AT 20 YEARS, SHOULD BE REDUCED TO 12 YEARS.
HE SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS RECEPTIVE TO THIS SUGGESTION AND WAS CONSIDERING AMENDING THE LIMITATION ORDINANCE AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY.
MR WONG SAID THAT VENDORS HAD AT TIMES FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO PRODUCE AN ORIGINAL POWER OF ATTORNEY WHERE THE POWER WAS GIVEN SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME BEFORE THE CONVEYANCING TRANSACTION.
HE SAID THAT CLAUSE 5(C) AMENDED THE LAW SO THAT, UNLESS THE CONTRARY INTENTION WAS EXPRESSED, THE VENDOR WAS ONLY OBLIGED TO PRODUCE THE ORIGINAL POWER OF ATTORNEY WHERE IT WAS EXECUTED LESS THAN 15 YEARS BEFORE THE CONTRACT FOR SALE.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT, AS CLAUSE 5(C) MIGHT NOT ACHIEVE THE DESIRED EFFECT, IT WOULD THEREFORE BE AMENDED FURTHER SO THAT THE PRESUMPTION THAT A POWER OF ATTORNEY WAS VALIDLY EXECUTED WAS CONCLUSIVE.
WITH REGARD TO THE EXECUTION OF DEEDS, MR WONG SAID THAT AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED BY THE GROUP THAT WITNESSING THE SIGNING OF A DOCUMENT SHOULD NOT BE A LEGAL REQUIREMENT AND THAT A DEED MIGHT BE SIGNED EITHER IN THE NAME OF A CORPORATION OR ITS AUTHORISED AGENT.
/FINALLY, HE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
7
FINALLY, HE SAID THAT AS THE DEFINITION OF FLOATING C HAUGES IN CLAUSE 18 WAS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MIGHT EVEN CREATE CONFUSION, IT HAD BEEN AGREED THAT THE PROPOSED DEFINITION BI- DELETE!; ANO SIMILAR AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO SECTION 2A(U OF THE LAN:: REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
MR WONG THANKED THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, THE LAW DRAFTSMAN AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE AND VALUABLE COMMENTS, AND HE ALSO THANKED THE LAW SOCIETY FOR ITS UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT.
-----------------------0------- AMENDMENT OFFERS ADDED PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES ♦ * ♦ * ♦
A BILL ENABLING EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS TO BE MADE FROM THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND IN CASES WHERE TOTAL CLAIMS AGAINST THE EMPLOYER ARE $5,000 OR LESS WAS READ A SECOND TIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE PURPOSE OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS EXPLAINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE.
HE SAID THAT THE PRESENT ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MIGHT MAKE EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS FROM THE FUND TO AN APPLICANT WHOSE WAGES OR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, OR BOTH, WERE DUE AND UNPAID, PROVIDED THAT EITHER A BANKRUPTCY OR WINDING UP PETITION HAD BEEN PRESENTED AGAINST THE EMPLOYER.
HOWEVER, A SECTION IN THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE DID NOT ALLOW THE PRESENTATION OF A BANKRUPTCY PETITION IF A DEBT OR THE TOTAL SUM OF DEBTS WAR $5,000 OR LESS.
"SINCE APRIL 1985, WHEN THE FUND CAME INTO OPERATION, EIGHT APPLICATIONS INVOLVING 16 EMPLOYEES HAVE HAD TO BE REFUSED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR BECAUSE OF THIS RESTRICTION,” MR BRIDGE SAID.
"IF CLAIMS OF $5,000 OR LESS ARE ACCEPTED, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE WILL BE ABOUT 30 SUCH CLAIMS A YEAR, INVOLVING PAYMENT OF ABOUT $150,000 FROM THE FUND. THIS REPRESENTS LESS THAN ONE PER CENT OF ANNUAL PAYMENTS FROM THE FUND.
"CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL SEEKS TO AMEND SECTION 16 OF THE ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO MAKE EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS FROM THE FUND TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PREVENTED FROM PRESENTING A BANKRUPTCY PETITION BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTION IN SECTION 6(1)(A) OF THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE."
MR BRIDGE SAID THE AMENDMENT HAD THE SUPPORT OF BOTH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE FUND BOARD.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
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SPECIFIC AUTHORITY TO CONFER HONORARY DEGREES PROPOSED ♦ ♦ » »
THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WERE GIVEN SECOND READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READINGS OF THE BILLS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, EXPLAINED THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WERE SPECIFICALLY AUTHORISED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ORDINANCES TO CONFER HONORARY DEGREES.
THE CITY POLYTECHNIC ALSO HAD THIS AUTHORITY IN ITS ORDINANCE ALTHOUGH IT HAD NOT YET MADE USE OF IT.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOT YET ANY SUCH PROVISION IN THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ORDINANCE OR THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE ORDINANCE.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE TWO BILLS WAS TO PUT RIGHT THIS OMISSION BY GIVING THESE TWO COLLEGES SPECIFIC AUTHORITY TO CONFER HONORARY DEGREES.
ALTHOUGH THE ORDINANCES ALREADY AUTHORISED THE COLLEGES TO CONFER "ACADEMIC AWARDS" AND ’’HONORARY AWARDS", IT WAS SUGGESTED WHETHER THE TERM "AWARDS" INCLUDED ’’DEGREES’’ WAS NOT CLEAR, HE NOTED.
THE BILLS WERE INTENDED TO CLEAR UP ANY UNCERTAINTY ON THIS POINT.
DEBATE ON THE BILLS WAS ADJOURNED.
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PROPOSAL TO EXPAND ASSOCIATION’S SERVICES » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION IS PROPOSING TO EXPAND ITS SERVICES TO A WIDER SPECTRUM, DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY I .
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 --A PRIVATE BILL — DR CHIU SAID THE EXPANSION WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A CHANGING SOCIETY AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BETTER.
"THE SERVICES IT PLANS TO EMBRACE INCLUDE REHABILITATION AND CONVALESCENT SERVICES AS WELL AS MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS IN GENERAL, SURGICAL AND GERJATR1CAL INSTITUTIONS," HE SAID.
/IN KEEPING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
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IN KEEPING WITH ITS LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN, THE ASSOCIATION WAS ALSO PREPARED TO BUILD UP AND MAINTAIN ITS INTERNATIONAL LINKAGE AND TO EXTEND ITS ACTIVITIES TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, HE ADDED.
DR CHIU EXPLAINED THAT THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION WAS INCORPORATED BY ORDINANCE IN 1948 WITH ITS MAIN PURPOSE TO COMBAT TUBERCULOSIS IN HONG KONG.
IN 1980, WHEN TUBERCULOSIS WAS UNDER CONTROL, THE ASSOCIATION EXTENDED ITS ACTIVITIES TO COVER ALL DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND HEART.
THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE FOR THE FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE SERVICES THAT THE ASSOCIATION NOW PROPOSED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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PRIVATE BILL ON BAHA'I FAITH INTRODUCED ♦ ♦ » » »
A PRIVATE BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF HONG INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE INCORPORATION OF
KONG, WAS INTRODUCED
„.11A , MOVJNG HIE SECOND READING OF THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA IS OF HONG KONG INCORPORATION BILL 1988, THE HON HILTON CIIEONG-LEEN SAID THE ASSEMBLY WAS A BONA FIDE RELIGIOUS BODY OF HONG CJIARITABI EWBODYRECOGN1SED BY ™E 1NLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AS A
HE
YEARS WITH REGISTERED
SAID THE BAHA'I FAITH HAD EXISTED IN HONG KONG FOR ABOUT THE FIRST LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY FORMED IN 1952 UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
40 AND
t THE LOCAL BAHA’I COMMUNITY WAS CURRENTLY ADMINISTERED BY THE
NA1IONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY" WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF ABOUT 800 ALL BUT
A SMALL HANDFUL BEING LOCAL PEOPLE.
MR CIIEONG-LEEN SAID THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE TRANSFER OF Aoel-Mn,1' AN” ASSETS VESTED IN THE EXISTING NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF BAHA’IS OF HONG KONG TO THE NEWLY INCORPORATED ASSEMBLY.
......Hl< f!A"’ TIIA’1 ACCORDING TO THE ASSEMBLY, THE BAHA’I FAITH BEGAN IN I ERSI A IN 1863 AND WAS NOW AN INDEPENDENT RELIGION WITH APPROXIMATELY 4.5 MILLION MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
HE SAID THIS BILL FOLLOWED THE STANDARD PATTERN OF AN ORDINANCE FOR THE INCORPORATION OF A CHARITY, CLUB OR PRIVATE INSTITUTION. iKivnii,
/IT PROVIDED .......
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IT PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND INCORPORATION OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS OF THE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ITS OBJECTS AND POWERS, AND TRANSFERS OF THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE EXISTING ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING THE EMPLOYMENT OF ITS STAFF, TO THE NEW ASSEMBLY.
IT ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE EXISTING ASSEMBLY ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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CHANGE OF DATE FOR TABLING ACCOUNTS PROPOSED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS TO CHANGE THE DATE BY WHICH THE AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND SHOULD BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
HE SAID THAT AT PRESENT THE ORDINANCE REQUIRED THIS TO BE DONE BY SEPTEMBER 30 EACH YEAR.
"THIS HAS PROVED TO BE IMPRACTICAL BECAUSE THIS DATE ALWAYS FALLS WITHIN THE ANNUAL RECESS,” HE EXPLAINED.
"TO AVOID SPECIFIC APPROVAL HAVING TO BE SOUGHT EACH YEAR FOR LATE TABLING, THE BILL PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE DATE TO DECEMBER 31.”
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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TWO BILLS PASSED * ♦ ♦
TWO BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE CONVEYANCING AND PROPERTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 AND THE GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
SIX OTHER BILLS WERE READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
/THESE BILLS ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
THESE BILLS WERE THE JURY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL 1988, THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
IN ADDITION, TWO PRIVATE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED AFTER THEY WERE BOTH READ A SECOND TIME.
THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF HONG KONG INCORPORATION BILL 1988 WAS INTRODUCED BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS INTRODUCED BY DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG.
THE COUNCIL ALSO PASSED TWO BUDGET-RELATED MOTIONS, MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX ORDINANCE AND THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE.
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MEASURES TO CURB LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE ACCIDENTS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASING TREND OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES AND HAS DRAWN UP MEASURES TO TACKLE IT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN, MR LEUNG SAID DRIVERS OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE TARGET GROUP.
"TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS SHOW THAT THEIR INVOLVEMENT RATE IS THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE MORE EXPERIENCED DRIVERS," HE SAID.
"IN VIEW OF THIS, IT IS INTENDED TO STOP GIVING NEW PRIVATE CAR DRIVING LICENCE HOLDERS AUTOMATIC APPROVAL TO DRIVE A LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE.
"INSTEAD, SUCH APPROVAL WILL NOT BE GIVEN UNTIL THE DRIVER HAS OBTAINED A LICENCE FOR THREE YEARS."
MR LEUNG ALSO STATED THAT THE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WOULD BE TIGHTENED UP.
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"AS A FIRST STEP, ALL SIX-YEAR-OLD LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES BELOW 1.9 TONNES, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR OVER 80 PER CENT OF THE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE FLEET, WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PRIVATE CAR INSPECTION SCHEME FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION," HE SAID.
"THE SECOND STEP WILL BE TO INSPECT ALL GOODS VEHICLES ANNUALLY WHEN THE NEW KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE IS FULLY OPERATIONAL LN 1991."
BUT THERE WAS NO INTENTION AT PRESENT TO CHANGE THE LAW TO INCREASE PENALTIES AS EXISTING PENALTIES FOR RECKLESS DRIVING WERE ALREADY QUITE SEVERE.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT UNDER THE EXISTING ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, A PERSON WHO HAD COMMITTED THE OFFENCE WAS LIABLE ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT TO A FINE OF $20,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE YEARS, AND ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS.
WHERE RECKLESS DRIVING CAUSED THE DEATH OF ANOTHER PERSON, THE PENALTIES WOULD INCREASE TO A FINE OF $25,000 AND FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT, AND ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $12,500 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
IN ADDITION TO THESE PENALTIES, THE OFFENDER SHOULD BE DISQUALIFIED IN A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION, AND MIGHT BE DISQUALIFIED IN A FIRST OFFENCE IN SERIOUS CASES.
ALSO, UNDER THE DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS SCHEME, A PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF RECKLESS DRIVING WOULD ATTRACT THE MAXIMUM 10 POINTS.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THESE MEASURES WERE DISCUSSED LAST MONTH WITH THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND WERE SUPPORTED FOR EARLY IMPLEMENTATION.
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NEW BORDER CROSSING WILL SOLVE CONGESTION PROBLEMS
*****
A NEW BORDER CROSSING POINT AT LOK MA CHAU, WHICH WILL OPEN EARLY NEXT YEAR, WILL SOLVE CONGESTION PROBLEMS AT VEHICULAR BORDER CROSSING POINTS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON RICHARD LAI, MR BARNES SAID THE CROSSING POINT WAS BEING BUILT JOINTLY WITH THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES AND WOULD HAVE A CAPACITY OF 40,000 VEHICLES A DAY.
/"BORDER OPENING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
"BORDER OPENING HOURS AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ARE REVIEWED REGULARLY BY A JOINT WORKING GROUP CONSISTING OF HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN OFFICIALS.
"ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE A 24-HOUR SERVICE AT THE MAN KAM TO BORDER CROSSING POINT, ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE AS NECESSARY, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BOTH SIDES," HE SAID.
"THE MAN KAM TO TERMINAL WAS FIRST SET UP IN JULY 1980 WHEN THE OPENING HOURS WERE FROM 7.30 AM TO 6 PM.
"THE CLOSING TIME WAS EXTENDED TO 8 PM ON OCTOBER 1, 1984 BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC THROUGH THE CROSSING POINT.
"CURRENTLY AN AVERAGE OF 8,940 VEHICLES AND 2,481 PASSENGERS USE THE CROSSING POINT EVERY DAY ALTHOUGH BOTH FIGURES ARE GREATER ON PEAK DAYS."
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT CONSTANT THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THERE WERE IDENTIFIABLE PEAKS IN THE MORNINGS AND IN THE AFTERNOONS, ADDING THAT TRAFFIC WAS USUALLY LIGHT AFTER 7 PM.
"INEVITABLY THERE -ARE SOME DELAYS AT THE, CROSSING POINT A'l PEAK HOURS, BUT CONGESTION IS NOT NOW AS SERIOUS "AS IT WAS IN THE AUTUMN OF LAST YEAR.
"THE SITUATION AT MAN KAM TO WILL BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW," HE ADDED.
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SOCIAL WORKER SHORTAGE UNDER STUDY » * » ♦ »
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING IS CONSULTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ON ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, BUT IS NOT ITSELF RESPONSIBLE FOR MANPOWER POLICY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR CHAMBERS SAID: "THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FORMULATING MANPOWER POLICIES AND PLANS RESTS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND MYSELF."
AS TO THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, HE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE HAD RECENTLY ASSESSED THE EXTENT OF THE SHORTAGE AND WAS CONSIDERING THE INTRODUCTION OF A NUMBER OF LONG AND SHORT-TERM MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM.
/"THE ADVISORY .......
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’’THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE VARIOUS MEASURES PROPOSED AT A MEETING YESTERDAY,” HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ADVISED THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
”1 LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THE ADVICE OF BOTH BODIES AFTER
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE,” HE ADDED.
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RISK OF CONTAMINATED SEAFOOD REACHING MARKET SMALL ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE RISK OF CONTAMINATED SEAFOOD REACHING THE MARKET IS SMALL AND THE PUBLIC WOULD BE WARNED IMMEDIATELY OF ANY CASES THAT ARE DETECTED, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE GREATEST POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK TO THE PUBLIC WAS THE CONSUMPTION OF POLLUTED SHELLFISH SUCH AS OYSTERS, MUSSELS AND GLAMS, WHICH COULD ACCUMULATE HARMFUL SUBSTANCES DUE TO THEIR FILTER FEEDING HABITS.
’’THE COLLECTION OF SHELLFISH FROM POLLUTED WATERS SUCH AS VICTORIA HARBOUR, ABERDEEN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN IS THEREFORE PROHIBITED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE,” HE SAID.
”IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT MONITORS THE CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF FISH AND SHELLFISH AND SAMPLES ARE REGULARLY TAKEN FROM RETAIL OUTLETS FOR ANALYSIS.
"IF ANY SEAFOOD IS FOUND TO BE UNSAFE FOR CONSUMPTION, ACTION IS TAKEN UNDER THIS ORDINANCE TO PREVENT ITS SALE AND, IF NECESSARY, TO PROSECUTE THE VENDOR.
"AS REGARDS THE MONITORING OF SEAFOOD CONTAMINATED BY RED TIDES, A SPECIAL PROCEDURE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY WHICH SAMPLES OF SEAFOOD AND SEAWATER ARE TAKEN FOR TESTING FOR TOXICITY,” HE CONTINUED.
’’FISH KILLED BY TOXIC RED TIDES ARE SEIZED AND DESTROYED.
"SPECIAL INSPECTIONS OF RETAIL OUTLETS ARE ALSO CONDUCTED TO DETECT ANY SUSPECTED FOOD ITEMS."
MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT IT HAD BEEN EMPHASISED IN PAST MEDIA CAMPAIGNS THAT SHELLFISH SHOULD ALWAYS BE PROPERLY COOKED.
/’’AS A..........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
"AS A SHORT-TERM MEASURE, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE COMPULSORY ARTIFICIAL PURIFICATION OF LOCAL SHELLFISH.
"LONGER TERM ANTI-POLLUTION MEASURES SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF FURTHER SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES AND CONTROLS ON THE DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT SHOULD ALSO REDUCE THE RISK."
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF POLLUTION OF HONG KONG’S COASTAL WATERS, SEAFOOD MIGHT BE CONTAMINATED BY THREE TYPES OF HARMFUL SUBSTANCE.
THEY ARE PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AND VIRUSES WHICH ARE PRESENT IN HUMAN SEWAGE AND LIVESTOCK WASTE; ALGAL TOXINS PRODUCED BY CERTAIN TYPES OF PHYTOPLANKTON WHICH MAY BLOOM AND FORM RED TIDES BECAUSE OF NUTRIENT POLLUTION; AND HEAVY METALS SUCH AS ORGANOCHLORINES AND OTHER CHEMICALS ORIGINATING FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTE.
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CONTROLS ON IMPORTED MEATS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE t t t » t
THE PRESENT CONTROLS ON THE SALE OF IMPORTED COOKED MEATS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ADEQUATE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PURPOSES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE SALE OF IMPORTED COOKED MEATS WAS GOVERNED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
"THERE ARE NO STATUTORY CONTROLS, HOWEVER, ON COOKED FOOD ITEMS BROUGHT INTO HONG KONG BY TRAVELLERS FROM CHINA OR ELSEWHERE FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL CONSUMPTION," HE SAID.
"THE QUANTITY OF COOKED FOOD ITEMS CARRIED IN BY INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLERS IS USUALLY SMALL AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE ITEMS ARE BEING RE-SOLD AFTER ENTRY.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ARE KEEPING THE SITUATION UNDER SURVEILLANCE AND, IN CASES OF DOUBT, FOOD ITEMS CAN BE REFERRED TO FOOD INSPECTORS FOR EXAMINATION."
MR CHAMBERS ALSO SAID THAT SHOULD THERE BE ANY EVIDENCE, IN FUTURE, THAT ATTEMPTS WERE BEING MADE TO CIRCUMVENT PROPER PROCEDURES OR THE SALE OF IMPORTED COOKED MEATS, THE NEED FOR TIGHTER CONTROLS UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE WOULD OF COURSE BE CONSIDERED.
"THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH ACTION IS WARRANTED AT THE PRESENT TIME," HE ADDED.
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CODES ENSURE SCHOOL GRANTS ARE SPENT AS INTENDED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE PURPOSE OF THE CODES OF AID, WHICH SET OUT THE CONDITIONS ON WHICH SCHOOLS MAY RECEIVE GOVERNMENT GRANTS, IS TO ENSURE THAT GRANTS ARE SPENT AS INTENDED, THAT IS, TO MAINTAIN EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THIS WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SZETO WAH, WHO HAD ASKED WHETHER AIDED SCHOOLS HAD TO OBSERVE THE CODE OF AID AND, IN CASES OF CONTRAVENTION BY AIDED SCHOOLS, WHAT ACTIONS WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
"IF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A SCHOOL IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF A CODE OF AID IT INVESTIGATES THE MATTER AND DISCUSSES IT WITH THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.
"IF A SCHOOL PERSISTED IN DISREGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT COULD REDUCE OR WITHDRAW ANY GRANT MADE TO THAT SCHOOL, BUT IN PRACTICE THIS HAS NEVER PROVED NECESSARY," MR BRIDGE SAID.
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IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES RECOGNISED * ♦ t » *
IN REVISING THE STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR BRIDGE SAID A PROVISION FOR FOUR ADDITIONAL TRIPS EACH WEEK WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW SCHEME TO ASSIST STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN SUCH ACTIVITIES.
"THIS LEVEL OF PROVISION FOR ADDITIONAL TRIPS WAS CONSIDERED REASONABLE BY THE SIX SECONDARY SCHOOLS COUNCILS THAT WE CONSULTED " HE SAID.
"MANY EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES DO OF COURSE TAKE PLACE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS ON SCHOOL PREMISES, AND IN SUCH CASES NO ADDITIONAL TRAVEL IS INVOLVED."
RECOUNTING THE PROCESS OF REVISING THE SCHEME, MR BRIDGE SAID A MAJOR REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN 1985 AND 1986, FOLLOWING CRITICISMS OF THE SCHEME BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.
/THE QUESTION .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
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THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE SCHEME SHOULD INCLUDE RECREATIONAL TRIPS WAS FULLY CONSIDERED IN THAT REVIEW.
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WERE ALSO CONSULTED, HE SAID.
FOLLOWING THIS CONSULTATION, THE OMELCO EDUCATION PANEL CONSIDERED THE ISSUE ON DECEMBER 20, 1985, AND AGREED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EXCLUDING RECREATIONAL TRIPS FROM THE SUBSIDY.
"HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE ADVICE OF THE EDUCATION PANEL, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECIDED THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1, 1986, RECREATIONAL TRIPS SHOULD CEASE TO BE SUBSIDISED," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"THE SUBSIDY WAS ACCORDINGLY WITHDRAWN FROM JOURNEYS MADE ON SUNDAYS AND IN THE MAJOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS."
DURING THE MOST RECENT REVIEW OF THE SCHEME, THE OMELCO EDUCATION PANEL, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, SIX SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNCILS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STUDENTS WERE CONSULTED, MR BRIDGE SAID.
THESE BODIES WERE FELT TO BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE BODIES TO CONSULT SINCE THE PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW WAS TO RELATE THE SCHEME MORE CLOSELY TO STRICTLY EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
MR BRIDGE STRESSED THE DECISION NOT TO SUBSIDISE RECREATIONAL TRAVEL HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN IN 1986.
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REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS NEARING COMPLETION
*****
THE REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS, A TASK OF SOME MAGNITUDE, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN, SIR DAVID SAID IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY TO EXAMINE OVER 200 APPEAL PROVISIONS IN MORE THAN 90 SEPARATE ORDINANCES.
"WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO ANALYSE, IN CONSULTATION WITH MANY DIFFERENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, THE DIVERSE EXPERIENCE OF APPEALS MADE UNDER THESE PROVISIONS," HE SAID.
"IN EACH CASE, THE REVIEW HAS SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THE PROCEDURES ARE \DEQUATE AND, IF NOT, WHETHER THERE ARE GROUNDS FOR CHANGE.
/"IT HAS
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18 -
"IT HAS LOOKED NOT JUST AT APPEALS TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, BUT ALSO AT APPEALS TO THE GOVERNOR, TO SPECIALIST TRIBUNALS AND TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS."
SIR DAVID SAID THAT ALTHOUGH GENERAL CONCLUSIONS HAD YET TO BE DRAWN, IT WAS CLEAR THAT, IN MOST CASES, THE EXISTING APPEALS PROCEDURES WERE WORKING WELL.
"I THINK IT UNLIKELY, THEREFORE, THAT ANY ROOT AND BRANCH CHANGE IS IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY.
"HOWEVER, SOME AREAS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED WHERE, SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, NEW APPEALS PROCEDURES MAY BE WARRANTED," HE SAID.
DR SOHMEN HAD ASKED WHAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE ON THE REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS WHICH HE SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD PROMISED WOULD RECEIVE EARLY ATTENTION WHEN HE LAST COMMENTED ON THE ISSUE IN THE DEBATE ON THE BANKING BILL 1986 IN MAY OF THAT YEAR.
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NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING ALLOWS BETTER USE OF RESOURCES ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICES (NPO) SCHEME ALLOWS BETTER USE OF POLICE RESOURCES AND MORE POLICE COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FA1, MR BARNES SAID THE NPO SCHEME ALLOWED POLICE RESOURCES TO BE DEPLOYED EFFECTIVELY.
HE SAID THE NUMBER OF CRIMES REPORTED HAD LEVELLED AND THERE HAD BEEN A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THOSE DETECTED SINCE THE SCHEME WAS REVISED.
’’FEWER REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO NPO BUT MORE HAVE BEEN MADE TO PATROLLING OFFICERS," HE SAID.
THERE WERE 144 NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICES: 57 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, 41 IN KOWLOON, 36 ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND 10 IN THE OUTLYING ISLANDS. A FURTHER 19 WERE EITHER PLANNED OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
MR BARNES SAID THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974 WITH THE AIM OF FOSTERING CLOSER TIES BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY IN FIGHTING CRIME.
/IT WAS ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
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IT WAS STRENGTHENED IN 1984 WHEN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE CO-ORDINATORS, POLICE SERGEANTS TRAINED IN PUBLIC RELATIONS, WERE INTRODUCED.
THE NPO SCHEME WORKED THROUGH THE POLICE CO-ORDINATORS, WHO WERE NORMALLY BASED AT NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICES AND WERE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS AT SET TIMES.
ALL NPO WERE INCLUDED IN THE BEATS OF THEIR PARTICULAR POLICE DIVISION AND WERE MANNED REGULARLY BY A PATROLLING CONSTABLE, USUALLY FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES IN EVERY HOUR.
THE NPO WOULD BE CLOSED WHEN THE CONSTABLE WAS AWAY ON PATROL BUT MOST HAD A PUBLIC TELEPHONE FOR 999 CALLS.
HOWEVER, MANNING OF NPO MIGHT VARY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE NPO AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE ON HONG KONG ISLAND WAS OPEN AS LONG AS THE STAR FERRY WAS OPERATING.
MR BARNES SAID THAT THE OLD NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNITS WERE POPULAR WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND MANY HAD MISGIVINGS WHEN THE NEW SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED.
"BUT THERE ARE NOW MORE NPO THAN IN 1984 AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE CO-ORDINATORS HAVE ESTABLISHED VERY GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITIES WHICH THEY SERVE," HE SAID.
"THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CONSIDERS THAT THE PUBLIC HAVE ACCEPTED THE CHANGES THE APPRECIATE THAT THE NEW SCHEME ALLOWS POLICE RESOURCES TO BE DEPLOYED MORE EQUITABLY AND EFFECTIVELY."
MR BARNES SAID THE NPO SCHEME WAS REVIEWED AT THE END OF 1984 AND AGAIN IN LATE 1987.
IN 1984, THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE REORGANISATION HAD ALLOWED BETTER USE OF POLICE RESOURCES; GENERAL CRITICISM BY THE PUBLIC HAD BEEN MINOR; AND THAT EXTERNAL TELEPHONES SHOULD BE FITTED FOR THE PUBLIC TO CALL 999 WHEN THE NPO WAS CLOSED.
"THE 1987 REVIEW CONFIRMED THAT THE NPO SCHEME IS A MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF POLICE MANPOWER, PUTTING MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREETS AND GIVING MORE EVEN POLICE COVERAGE THROUGHOUT HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"SINCE 1984 SLIGHTLY MORE ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC."
HE ADDED THAT THERE WERE NO PLANS TO REVISE THE NPO SCHEME ALTHOUGH IT WAS INTENDED THAT IT SHOULD EXPAND TO KEEP PACE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
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MEASURES TO MINIMISE LANDFILL IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT
*****
MEASURES ARE AT HAND TO MINIMISE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CAUSED BY THE REGIONAL LANDFILL TO BE SET UP IN THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED THAT HONG KONG’S LONG TERM STRATEGY FOR WASTE DISPOSAL INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THREE REGIONAL LANDFILLS IN THE WEST (WENT), NORTHEAST (NENT) AND SOUTHEAST (SENT) NEW TERRITORIES.
THE THREE LANDFILLS WOULD BE AMONG THE LARGEST AND MOST TECHNICALLY ADVANCED OF THEIR KIND IN THE WORLD.
"IN COMMON WITH ALL MAJOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS, PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS WERE CARRIED OUT ON BOTH WENT AND NENT BEFORE ANY COMMITMENT WAS MADE TO DETAILED FEASIBILITY STUDIES," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"SUBSEQUENTLY, RIGOROUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS WERE UNDERTAKEN TO DEFINE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION STRATEGIES WHICH MEET ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA."
THE MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF LANDFILL PROJECTS WERE THE CONTAINMENT, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF LEACHATES, THE CONTROL OF GAS EMISSIONS AND NOISE NUISANCE.
"A WELL ENGINEERED LEACHATE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM WILL BE PROVIDED AT WENT, COMPRISING AN IMPERMEABLE LINER AND DRAINAGE LAYERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LINER," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"THIS SYSTEM WILL PREVENT LEACHATE FROM SEEPING THROUGH TO THE GROUNDWATER AND INTO DEEP BAY.
"THE LEACHATE THUS COLLECTED WILL EVENTUALLY BE PUMPED TO THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES SUBMARINE OUTFALL FOR DISPOSAL INTO THE URMSTON ROAD."
BEFORE THIS PROJECT WAS COMMISSIONED, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE LEACHATE WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FOR DISPOSAL.
TURNING TO ODOUR PROBLEMS AND HAZARD OF GAS MIGRATION, MR CHAMBERS SAID A SERIES OF LANDFILL GAS COLLECTION WELLS WOULD BE PROVIDED TO PUMP GAS, INITIALLY FOR FLARING AND LATER FOR UTILISATION.
"IN ADDITION, THE DAILY COVERING OF REFUSE AND THE FILLING-IN OF CONTAINED CELLS WILL MINIMISE POTENTIAL NUISANCE FROM DUST AND VERMIN," HE SAID.
/"WHEEL WASHING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1t 1988
21
"WHEEL WASHING AND VEHICLE CLEANSING FACILITIES WILL HELP TO KEEP ROADS CLEAN AND REDUCE ODOUR FROM DELIVERY VEHICLES.**
MR CHAMBERS ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS THAT ALL PRACTICABLE STEPS WOULD BE TAKEN TO CONTROL NOISE CAUSED BY VEHICLES TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE FACILITIES.
"NEW ACCESS ROADS WITH NOISE BARRIERS WILL BE BUILT TO SERVICE THE LANDFILLS AND RESTRICTIONS WILL BE PLACED ON HOURS OF OPERATION,” HE SAID.
"WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME LOCAL WASTE COMING DIRECT IN REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES, ALL WASTE WILL BE CONTAINERISED.
"MOREOVER, HALF OF THE DAILY INTAKE OF WENT WILL BE BARGED IN BY SEA, THUS REDUCING OVERALL VEHICLE MOVEMENTS."
MR CHAMBERS SAID IT WAS NOT PROPOSED AT THIS STAGE TO INTRODUCE A SPECIAL CODE OF PRACTICE FOR LANDFILL SITES, ALTHOUGH PROVISION EXISTED UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE TO PUBLISH CODES OF PRACTICE ON ALL ASPECTS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT.
"ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS WILL, OF COURSE, BE ENFORCED THROUGH CONTRACT CONDITIONS," HE SAID.
"ALSO, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE FUTURE CARRYING OUT OF LANDFILL OPERATIONS BY SPECIALISED CONTRACTORS, WHICH WOULD ALLOW EVEN GREATER CONTROL TO BE EXERCISED THROUGH PERFORMANCE CONTRACT."
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TRANSPORT STUDY TO DECIDE VIABILITY OF RAIL LINKS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
FINDINGS OF THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY WILL HELP DECIDE THE RAIL LINKS BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE URBAN AREA, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAII, MR LEUNG SAID UNTIL THE FINDINGS OF THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY WERE KNOWN, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT BE IN A POSITION TO TAKE A FIRM VIEW AS TO WHETHER ANY EXTENSION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TO THE URBAN AREA WOULD BE VIABLE OR WHICH WOULD BE THE PREFERRED ALIGNMENT.
/THE KOWLOON-CANTON .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
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THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION CARRIED OUT A CONSULTANT STUDY ON THE POSSIBLE RAIL LINKS BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE URBAN AREA AND SUBMITTED THE REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
IN ITS SUBMISSION, THE CORPORATION HAD INDICATED THAT NONE OF THE THREE LINKS EXAMINED, NAMELY TUEN MUN TO TSUEN WAN, YUEN LONG TO TSUEN WAN, AND YUEN LONG TO TAI WO (IN TAI PO) , WAS VIABLE ON A STANDALONE BASIS.
HE SAID IT WAS ONLY WHEN THE LIKELY ENHANCEMENT TO THE HEAVY AND LIGHT RAIL SYSTEMS WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE YUEN LONG TO TAI WO I. INK WOULD BE A VIABLE OPTION, ADDING AS IT MIGHT MORE THAN 50,000 PASSENGERS TO THE SYSTEM PER DAY IN THE MID-1990'S.
THE CORPORATION HAD ALSO RECOGNISED THAT THERE WERE MANY FACTORS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE FINAL CHOICE OF A RAIL LINK AND HAD STRESSED THAT IT HAD NOT ELIMINATED FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.
MR LEUNG SAID: ’’GIVEN THAT THE CORPORATION'S STUDY CONCLUSIONS ARE BASED MAINLY ON THE ENGINEERING AND FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE VARIOUS LINKS, GOVERNMENT HAS TO CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVES PROPOSED IN THE LIGHT OF OVERALL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, AS EXPLAINED IN APRIL 1987 TO THE CORPORATION.
"EVALUATION IS NOW BEING DONE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY WHICH EXAMINES ALL RELEVANT FACTORS, INCLUDING THE PRESENT AND FUTURE TRAVEL PATTERNS, BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY, DISTRIBUTION OF EXISTING DEVELOPMENT, THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT ALONG VARIOUS ALIGNMENTS, THE STRATEGIC TRANSPORT NETWORK AND RELATED SOCIAL ASPECTS.
"PROGRESS HAS BEEN SATISFACTORY SO FAR AND WE HOPE TO RECEIVE PRELIMINARY RESULTS IN AUGUST THIS YEAR."
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
MAINLAND OFFICIAL GIVES ASSURANCE ON POLICE JOBS ♦ * * * *
A HIGH-RANKING CHINESE OFFICIAL HAS ASSURED THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANN1NG, THAT JOBS OF POLICE OFFICERS, INCLUDING EXPATRIATES, ARE SECURE AFTER 1997.
t
THE REASSURANCE WAS GIVEN BY MR LU PING, VICE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE COUNCIL’S HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE, DURING MR ANNING’S RECENT 10-DAY VISIT TO CHINA.
"THE MEETING WITH MR LU LASTED OVER AN HOUR AND WAS VERY FRIENDLY AND VERY REASSURING," MR ANN1NG TOLD THE POLICE NEWSPAPER, OFFBEAT, IN AN INTERVIEW.
"HE WENT TO GREAT PAINS TO ASSURE ME OF HIS GREAT REGARD FOR THE FORCE, OF ITS REPUTATION FOR EFFICIENCY AND THE HIGH STANDARD OF SECURITY IN HONG KONG."
IT WAS WHILE DISCUSSING THE POSITION OF THE FORCE RELATIVE TO THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD UP TO 1997 AND THEREAFTER DURING THE TERM OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT THAT MR LU DREW ATTENTION TO THE JOINT AGREEMENT AND ITS SPECIAL REFERENCES TO THE GUARANTEE OF' JOBS AND PENSIONS OF POLICE OFFICERS FOR AT LEAST HALF A CENTURY BEYOND THE HAND-OVER DATE.
J
"HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD HOW IMPORTANT THE FORCE WAS IN MAINTAINING STABILITY DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD AND EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT AS MANY OFFICERS AS POSSIBLE WOULD STAY ON AFTER 1997 TO SERVE THE SAR GOVERNMENT," MR ANN I NG WENT ON.
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE FUTURE OF EXPATRIATE OFFICERS, MR ANNING SAID BOTH HAD AGREED THAT THE "MIX" HAD SERVED THE COMMUNITY WELL IN THE PAST AND MR LU PING FORESAW A ROLE FOR EXPATRIATE OFFICERS IN A SIMILAR FASHION AFTER 1997.
"MR LU ALSO TOUCHED ON THE STATIONING OF ELEMENTS OF THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY IN HONG KONG FOR PURPOSES OF NATIONAL DEFENCE AND REASSURED ME THAT THERE WOUl(D BE NO INTERFERENCE BY THEM IN INTERNAL SECURITY OF THE WORKINGS OF THE POLICE FORCE WHICH WOULD BE A MATTER FOR THE SAR GOVERNMENT ALONE," MR ANNING POINTED OUT.
OPERATIONALLY, ONE OF THE MAIN TOPICS OF DISCUSSION WAS THE CURRENT HIGH RATE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. STATISTICS AND TRENDS WERE PASSED ON AND THE CO-OPERATION OF, THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WAS SOUGHT IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM.
"INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, AS AT THE TIME OF THIS INTERVIEW THE NUMBERS HAVE DROPPED, BUT IT'S FAR TOO SOON TO CONFIRM THIS TREND," MR ANNING SAID.
CONVERTED BUTTERFLY PISTOLS WERE ALSO DISCUSSED - A PROBLEM EQUALLY EXPERIENCED ACROSS THE BORDER - TOGETHER WITH THE PROBLEM OF EXPLOSIVES EMANATING FROM CHIN,A AND DISCOVERED IN CONNECTION WITH FISH BOMB CASES IN HONG KONG WATERS.
/UH ANNI.'.'G.
WEDNESDAY, JUN?3 1, 1988 ’
24
MR ANN ING SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT SOME PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE REGARDING THESE ISSUES AND THAT DETAILS HAD EMERGED THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORTHCOMING THROUGH NORMAL CHANNELS OF CORRESPONDENCE.
SO FAR AS NARCOTICS WERE CONCERNED, MR ANNI NG SAID HE HAD BEEN TOLD THAT SINCE CHINA HAD COMMENCED ITS OPEN DOOR POLICY IT WAS BEGINNING TO FIND A TRAFFICKING PROBLEM INVOLVING OVERSEAS VISITORS, INCLUDING SOME HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT DRUGS ARE TRANSITTING CHINA AND THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THEY ARE DESTINED FOR, OR ARE COMING FROM HONG KONG. THUS WE HAVE A JOINT INTEREST IN OBTAINING AS MUCH INTELLIGENCE ABOUT THIS ACTIVITY AS POSSIBLE. AFTER ALL IT COULD LEAD TO US UNCOVERING TRAFFICKING RINGS OR MANUFACTURERS HERE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY HAD BEEN ON HIS AGENDA, MR \NNING SAID THE SUBJECT WAS ALWAYS RAISED AS HONG KONG BANKNOTES COUNTERFEITED HERE COULD FIND A MARKET INSIDE THE PRC WHERE, PERHAPS, THEY WERE LESS EASILY RECOGNISED AS FORGERIES DUE TO UNFAMILIARITY.
"IN FACT ON THE MORNING OF OUR VISIT TO HANGZHOU THE HEAD OF CID TOLD US THAT JUST THE PREVIOUS EVENING THEY HAD ARRESTED A SYNDICATE IN POSSESSION OF A LARGE NUMBER OF FORGED HONG KONG $1,000 BANKNOTES AND MY OFFICERS HAVE TAKEN DETAILS FOR FOLLOW UP ACTION,” HE \DDED.
HANGZHOU AND QUILIN WERE NEW PORTS OF CALL COMMISSIONER AND HIS PARTY. "THIS IS BECAUSE BOTH CITIES DIRECT AIR LINKS WITH HONG KONG AND WE FELT IT IMPORTANT TO
FOR THE NOW HAVE ESTABLISH
CONTACT TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND OPEN UP AVENUES FOR FURTHER
CO-OPERATION SHOULD IT BE NEEDED,” MR. ANN I NG EXPLAINED.
ANOTHER FIRST OCCURRED IN PEKING WHERE THE VICE MAYOR, MR SU ZHONGXIANG, ARRANGED FOR A VISIT TO A POLICE STATION. "THIS WAS THE FIRST TIMI WE HAD BIEN INVITED TO VISIT A WORKING POLICE STATION AND IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THE DIFFERENCES IN PROCEDURE.
"FOR EXAMPLE WE WERE SHOWN THE WHEREIH EVERYBODY WHO LIVES IN THE OBVIOUSLY HELPS l.S ('RIME PREVENTION."
HOUSEHOLD REGISTRATION SYSTEM
DISTRICT IS REGISTERED, WHICH
HOWEVER , MR ANN I NG HASTENED TO SYSTEM BEING APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG.
ADD THAT HE DID NOT SEE SUCH A
THEIR WHOLE SYSTEM OF LAW AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE IS QUITE DIFFERENT TO OURS AND WHEREAS IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE OTHER WORKS, AND PERHAPS OCCASIONALLY PICK UP A POINT OR TWO, THERE ARE MANY FACETS WHICH WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE UNDER OUR JURISDICTION." HE ADDED.
"IN THE PAST WE HAVE BROUGHT BACK ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT WHICH WE Fl LT WERE WORTHWHILE EVALUATING AND, OF COURSE, THE REVERSE HAS APPLIED. IT IS ALWAYS USEFUL TO SWAP EXPERIENCE BETWEEN FORCES I ESPITI DI I I ! h’ENCI S IN JURISDICTION.”
/MR ANNING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
- 25 -
MR ANN1NG CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT THE FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS BETWEEN THE FORCE AND PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU AUTHORITIES IN CHINA AND HONG KONG HAD STRUCK JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE.
"SIX MONTHLY INTERVALS ALLOWS TIME TO ACCUMULATE SUFFICIENT DETAILS TO WARRANT THE NEXT VISIT. ANY MORE, AT THIS LEVEL, WOULD BE HARD TO SUSTAIN," HE SAID.
ACCOMPANYING MR ANNING ON THE CHINA VISIT - THE SEVENTH IN THE SERIES SINCE CHINA JOINED THE INTERPOL ORGANISATION - WERE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR CRIME, MR PETER LEE; THE STAFF OFFICER INTERPOL, MR JOHN CHUNG; AND MR ANNING’S PERSONAL ASSISTANT, MR RYAN LAI.
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MAINLAND DRAFTERS INVITED FOR VISITS » » « » »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS INVITED THE MAINLAND DRAFTERS OF THE BASIC-LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE TO MAKE A NUMBER OF FAMILIARISATION VISITS BETWEEN JUNE 20 AND 23 TO BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS WHILE THEY ARE IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
Illi' MAIN PURPOSE OF THESE VISITS IS TO BRIEF THE MAINLAND DRAFTERS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
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SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT OUT TOMORROW
*****
THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE WILL RELEASE ITS REPORT ON "THE OPERATION AND REGULATION OF THE HONG KONG SECURITIES INDUSTRY" AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR IAN HAY DAVISON, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, AND ITS MEMBERS MR S.L. CHEN, MR LAU WAH-SUM, MR PETER POON, MR CHARLES SOO AND MR PHILIP TOSE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL START AT 3 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM FOR ADVANCE READING FROM 1 PM. PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTENTS OF THE REPORT ARE EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL AFTER 3 PM.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
- 26 -
NEW ISLANDS DB COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS » * » » »
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SET UP THIS YEAR TO REPLACE THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIC EDUCATION, WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS CONCERNING EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE AND ORGANISE CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
APART FROM DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND CO-OPTED MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL ALSO ATTEND THE COMMITTEE’S MEETINGS.
ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AT TOMORROW’S MEETING INCLUDE THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 AND THE 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS OF ESTABLISHING A CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SOUTH LANTAU AND AN INDOOR ACTIVITY CENTRE IN NORTH LAMMA, THE FUNDING FOR FIRE WATCH TEAMS IN THE DISTRICT AND THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TII FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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TWENTY-TWO PASSED MEDICAL EXAMINATION ♦ » » » »
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A TOTAL OF 22 CANDIDATES HAVE PASSED PART 11 (ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL USE PAPER) OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS THIS YEAR.
THE PART II EXAMINATION HAS BEEN HELD TWICE THIS YEAR, IN MARCH AND MAY, GIVING CANDIDATES A CHOICE OF EXAMINATION DATES AND ALSO Till' OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO FAILED IN THE FIRST EXAMINATION TO TAKE IHIS PARI' OF THE EXAMINATION AGAIN IN THE SAME YEAR.
/OF THE ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
88tiJ * ! -V4UL , Y AG 88146.
- 27 -8r
OF THE 25 CANDIDATES Who TOOK THE PART II LICENTIATE EXAMINATION IN MARCH, 14 HAD PASSED. ANOTHER 12 CANDIDATES, INCLUDING EIGHT WHO FAILED IN MARCH TOOK THE MAY EXAMINATION, AND EIGHT WERE SUCCESSFUL. , < ,L.
:i0 ; j I .t »r. fie •• itrN CM .(I ‘ ■ . . ••
ALL' THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED THE PART1'II*EXAM 1NATION THIS YEAR ARE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE PART III EXAMINATION SCHEDULED FOR JULY THIS YEAR.
• aAO X30.ID Uf *• GZA • .< MiH 14 i 41 LilW .4011 «i i-.Jit IH1 1
THE PART III LICENTIATE EXAMINATION IS AN ORAL EXAMINATION ON CANDI DATES’’1 ABILITY TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS:1 ° G/ CM/H 10 v-Oi ■ •.
. UU'tll -HI tJj'J -I/-
EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE EXAMINED IN EACH OF THE THREE DISCIPLINES OF MEDICINE, SURGERY AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY.
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: I n’t T 3 fl Ut QAOH JHUM’J I 4 KDt 140! I MO ..i’A': IClA'C
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS COMPETITION PRIZE-GIVING
. MHUMOT H'l <H CU.'TUi 1*AHI BL‘ 1!' • •• J • '»• '• f
I •
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THIS YEAR’S COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE ROYAL GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
ft 4 MT ’ 1 ’I’’ IH’if-I ‘ f Hi’ • .»•’
THE COMPETITION, AIMED AT STIMULATING INTEREST AMONG SECONDARY STUDENTS IN VARIOUS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES, HAD ATTRACTED 215 ENTRIES FROM 1,076 STUDENTS OF 35 SCHOOLS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR SO FA1-CH0, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY, MR YIP SHIU-MING, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY TO BEGIN AT 3.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BIGIN AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE GARDEN ROOMS, THE ROYAL GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
----0-------
/?8........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988
- 28 -
I
'NO ENTRY' FOR PLB’S IN SHEUNG SHUI
» » » » *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 3), NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER HANG TAU ROAD IN SHEUNG SHUI AT ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO KAM TSIN.
THE RESTRICTION WILL BE IN FORCE ROUND THE CLOCK DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING NO-ENTRY BAN ON PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES IMPLEMENTED ON THE SECTION OF HANG TAU ROAD NEAR CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.
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TRAFFIC LANES ON LION
ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO BE CLOSED TEMPORARILY
MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED THAT BETWEEN 10 PM TOMORROW AND 6 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 3) AND BETWEEN 11 PM ON FRIDAY AND NEXT DAY, A 100-METRE STRETCH OF THE NORTHBOUND SLOW LANE ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR KAK TIN WILL BE CLOSED.
(THURSDAY)
6 AM THE OF LION
MEANWHILE, THE
NORTH OF HUNG MUI KUK
NORTHBOUND SLOW
LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL
INTERCHANGE, WITH A LENGTH OF ABOUT 120 METRES J
WILL ALSO BE CLOSED FROM 10 PM ON JUNE 6 TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY AND FROM 11 PM ON JUNE 7 TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
ROAD
THE MEASURES ARE TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK.
1
I*
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)
I
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS REAFFIRMS GOVT'S COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING HK'S STATUS ... 1
SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE SETS OBJECTIVE FOR HK............ 2
PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE HEED OF SECURITIES COMMISSION'S ACHIEVEMENTS: FS .............................................. 7
EXCO ENDORSES BILL ON FUTURES EXCHANGE AGM................ 9
PROVISIONS OF NOISE CONTROL BILL 1988 EXPLAINED.............. 10
EMSD SEWAGE PLANTS HELP CONTROL POLLUTION ................... 12
REGIONAL SECRETARY SEES TAI PO DEVELOPMENTS ................. 1J
ACAN CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR GREATER EFFORTS AGAINST NARCOTICS ... 14
FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO HELP BATTERED WOMEN .............. 15
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ANNOUNCED ................... 16
PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS ........ 21
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF MARCH RETAIL SALES SURVEY ............ 22
SAI KUNG TO HOLD CIVIC EDUCATION PARADE...................... 27
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS HELP DEVELOP PERSONAL SKILLS ............ 28
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG TO BE DEMOLISHED............. 2* '
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN SHA TIN ...................... 29
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN NEW TERRITORIES .............. 50
WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG...................................... 30
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
1
FS REAFFIRMS GOVT’S COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING HE’S STATUS t t » » »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, REITERATED THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRM COMMITMENT TO KONG’S STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
TODAY (THURSDAY)
MAINTAINING HONG
IN HIS STATEMENT ISSUED AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THE REPORT AND WOULD PROCEED QUICKLY WITH THE EXAMINATION OF THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
HE ADDED THAT A SPECIAL TEAM, MADE UP OF OFFICERS FROM THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, HAD BEEN SET UP FOR THIS PURPOSE.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S STATEMENT ON THE REPORT OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE:
"THE REPORT OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TODAY. THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THIS REPORT.
THE COMMITTEE HAS IDENTIFIED VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF OUR SECURITIES INDUSTRY CAN BE IMPROVED. I BELIEVE THE REPORT WILL SERVE AS A VALUABLE AND ESSENTIAL BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. 1 WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK HIE COMMITTEE AND ITS CHAIRMAN, MR IAN HAY DAVISON, FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND CONSTRUCTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REITERATE THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE. WE WILL PROCEED QUICKLY WITH OUR EXAMINATION OF THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS AND, AFTER WE HAVE CONSIDERED VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE REPORT AND AFTER CONSULTATION WITH INTERESTED PARTIES, WE WILL SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON SPECIFIC PROPOSALS AS SOON AS IS PRACTICABLE. FOR THIS PURPOSE, A SPECIAL TEAM, CONSISTING OF OFFICERS OF THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH AND THE LEGAI DEPARTMENT, HAS BEEN SET UP TO DEAL WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.
LASTLY, I WISH TO EMPHASISE THAT THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE CONSULTED WIDELY, BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS, BEFORE FORMULATING THEIR PROPOSALS. INTERESTED PARTIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE RERORT. ANY ONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS BY JULY 4, 1988."
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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 2 -
SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE SETS OBJECTIVE FOR HK * ♦ ♦ » *
HONG KONG SHOULD AIM TO BECOME THE PRE-EMINENT CAPITAL MARKET OF SOUTHEAST ASIA AND SHOULD WORK TOWARDS THE PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONALISATION OF ITS SECURITIES MARKETS BY STRENGTHENING ITS SYSTEMS AND REGULATORY ARRANGEMENTS.
THIS WAS THE MAIN OBJECTIVE SET FOR HONG KONG’S SECURITIES INDUSTRY BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE IN ITS REPORT ON ’’THE OPERATION AND REGULATION OF THE HONG KONG SECURITIES INDUSTRY” PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR IAN HAY DAVISON AND COMPRISING MR S.L. CHEN, MR LAU WAH-SUM, MR PETER POON, MR CHARLES SOO AND MR PHILIP TOSE, WAS APPOINTED ON NOVEMBER 16 LAST YEAR TO REVIEW THE CONSTITUTION, POWERS, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE HONG KONG STOCK AND FUTURES EXCHANGES AND THEIR REGULATORY BODIES.
IN ITS REPORT, THE COMMITTEE URGED HONG KONG TO CAPITALISE ON THE INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN ITS MARKETS AND TO STRENGTHEN ITS SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS TO MINIMISE THE RISKS INVOLVED.
HONG KONG HAS EXCELLENT ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS AND SHOULD BUILD ON THESE IN DEVELOPING ITS SECURITIES MARKETS, THE COMMITTEE SAID.
THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT REFORMS WERE ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVE THIS, AND RECOMMENDED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD AIM FOR FOUR THINGS:
♦ SYSTEMIC STABILITY SO THAT RISKS ARE MANAGED WELL;
» ORDERLY AND SMOOTH FUNCTIONING MARKETS SO THAT ALL THE SYSTEMS OPERATE PROPERLY;
♦ FAIR MARKETS SO THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE DISCLOSURE TO ENABLE ALL PARTIES TO DEAL ON AN EQUAL FOOTING; AND WITH ALL THESE
» ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR INVESTORS.
THE COMMITTEE STRESSED THAT THE CONCEPT OF EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT WAS ABSOLUTELY FUNDAMENTAL IN MEETING THESE OBJECTIVES. ALTHOUGH REFORM PROPOSALS WERE BASED ON SELF-REGULATION, THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT THERE MUST BE EFFECTIVE CHECKS AND BALANCES AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE SYSTEM. FOUR BASIC REQUIREMENTS WERE LAID DOWN IN THE REPORT:
» A TWO-TIER SUPERVISION SYSTEM WITH THE EXCHANGES REGULATING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF A SINGLE STATUTORY BODY;
♦ THE STATUTORY SUPERVISOR SHOULD BE DETACHED FROM THE GOVERNMENT SO THAT IF THE SUPERVISOR FAILS, THEN AND ONLY THEN, SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT STEP IN;
/• INDEPENDENT MEMBERS ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 5 -
« INDEPENDENT MEMBERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE BOARDS OF ALL EXCHANGES AND CLEARING HOUSES TO STRENGTHEN THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET BODIES; AND
* INDEPENDENT, WELL-PAID, AND QUALIFIED STAFF SHOULD BE PUT IN THE EXCHANGES TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SELF-REGULATORY SYSTEM.
THE REPORT PUT FORWARD SOME 160 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS COVERING THE CONSTITUTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE STOCK AND FUTURES EXCHANGES, THE OPERATIONS OF THE MARKETS, THE RISK MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, TRADING CONTROLS AND SURVEILLANCE OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE AND THE RECONSTITUTION AND AMALGAMATION OF SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSIONS AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES.
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ALSO PUT FORWARD IN RESPECT OF THE REGULATION OF INTERMEDIARIES, THE MARKETING OF NEW ISSUES, AND THE CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS OF LISTED COMPANIES.
THE REPORT, WHICH WAS COMPILED AFTER WIDE CONSULTATIONS BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, IS NOW ON SALE AT $55 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF A STATEMENT BY MR DAVISON, THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, AT TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE MARKING THE PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT:
"LAST THURSDAY, MAY 26, MY COMMITTEE FORMALLY DELIVERED ITS REPORT ON "THE OPERATION AND REGULATION OF THE HONG KONG SECURITIES INDUSTRY" TO THE GOVERNOR. WE WERE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR ON NOVEMBER 16, 1987 JUST FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE OCTOBER CRASH. AT THE TIME WE AGREED TO DO OUR BEST TO REPORT IN SIX MONTHS. WE FAILED -BUT WE ARE ONLY 10 DAYS LATE.
OUR TERMS OF REFERENCE - SET OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF CHAPTER II OF THE REPORT - CALL ON US TO REVIEW THE CONSTITUTION, POWERS, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE HONG KONG STOCK AND FUTURES EXCHANGES, THE SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSIONS AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES. WE WERE TO PREPARE A BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE RATHER THAN TO ALLOCATE BLAME FOR THE PAST.
THE BASIS FOR OUR REPORT WAS FIRSTLY THE EVENTS OF THE CRASH, THE CLOSURE AND THE SUBSEQUENT RESCUE OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE. THESE EVENTS ARE SUMMARISED IN APPENDIX 1. SECOND, 115 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES AND A LONG SERIES OF MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG FINANCIAL COMMUNITY. THE PARTIES ARE IDENTIFIED IN APPENDICES 6 AND 7. THIRDLY, CONVERSATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE WITH A WHOLE HOST OF OVERSEAS EXCHANGES AND REGULATORS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND LONDON. AND FINALLY A LOT OF THOUGHT, RESEARCH AND DEBATE IN WHICH THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN GREATLY HELPED BY OUR STAFF WHOSE EFFORTS WE ACKNOWLEDGE AT PARA. 2.27.
/CHAPTER I .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
CHAPTER I PROVIDES A BRIEF AND COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF OUR REPORT. OUR PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS THAT OBTAINED IN HONG KONG BEFORE OCTOBER 19 LAST YEAR ARE SET OUT IN PARAS. 1.6 AND 1.7. AS WE SAY IN PARA. 1.6."......THE CONCEPT OF SELF-
REGULATION AND MARKET SELF-DISCIPLINE HAD FAILED TO DEVELOP IN HONG KONG. WHAT IS EQUALLY UNFORTUNATE IS THAT, FACED WITH THIS, THE SUPERVISORY BODIES CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING THE MARKETS HAD LOST EFFECTIVE CONTROL." WE CONSIDER THAT ALL PARTIES MUST BEAR SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS: THERE WERE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATIONAL DEFECTS WITH THE TWO EXCHANGES, THE TWO COMMISSIONS AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES. THESE ARE SUMMARISED IN PARA. 1.7.
IN CHAPTER III WE SET OUT OUR STRATEGY AND OBJECTIVES. WE POINT OUT THAT, IN INTERNATIONAL TERMS, THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET IS A FRINGE MARKET - SMALL IN TERMS OF MARKET CAPITALISATION, WITH A NARROW RANGE OF LISTED COMPANIES, AN INADEQUATE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM AND LACKING REGULATION. OTHER FINANCIAL SECTORS IN HONG KONG - NOTABLY GOLD TRADING, BANKING AND FUND MANAGEMENT - ARE MORE SIGNIFICANT.
WE SUMMARISE OUR MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR HONG KONG IN PARAS. 3.11
AND 3.12 -
"... WE ACCEPT THAT BECOMING A CORNER OF THE SO-CALLED "GLOBAL MARKETPLACE" CARRIES RISKS, BUT WE BELIEVE OCTOBER DEMONSTRATES THAT THESE PROBABLY CANNOT NOW BE AVOIDED IN ANY CASE. HONG KONG MUST ACT TO CAPITALISE ON THE INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN ITS MARKETS WHILE MINIMISING THE RISKS BY STRENGTHENING ITS SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS. WE BELIEVE, THEREFORE, THAT HONG KONG SHOULD AIM TO BECOME THE PRE-EMINENT CAPITAL MARKET IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND TO THAT END, SHOULD SEE THE PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONALISATION OF ITS SECURITIES MARKETS AS AN IMPORTANT STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES; BY INTERNATIONALISATION WE MEAN THE USE OF HONG KONG’S MARKETS BY ISSUERS, INVESTORS AND INTERMEDIARIES FROM OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY."
HONG KONG HAS EXCELLENT ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS - IT SHOULD BUILD ON THESE IN DEVELOPING ITS STOCK MARKETS.
IF THIS IS TO HAPPEN REFORMS ARE ESSENTIAL. WE BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD AIM FOR FOUR THINGS: SYSTEMIC STABILITY (SO THAT RISKS ARE MANAGED WELL), ORDERLY AND SMOOTH FUNCTIONING MARKETS (SO THAT ALL THE SYSTEMS OPERATE PROPERLY), FAIR MARKETS (SO THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE DISCLOSURE TO ENABLE ALL PARTIES TO DEAL ON AN EQUAL FOOTING), AND, WITH ALL THESE, ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR INVESTORS.
IN THIS THE CONCEPT OF EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT IS ABSOLUTELY FUNDAMENTAL. IT WAS THIS THAT FAILED IN OCTOBER THREATENING THE SYSTEMIC STABILITY OF THE STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS.
/WE HAVE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 5 -
WE HAVE BASED OUR REFORM PROPOSALS ON SELF-REGULATION BUT AS WE SAY IN PARA. 3.24 "WE APPRECIATE THAT SO-CALLED SELF-REGULATION MAY APPEAR TO HAVE FAILED IN HONG KONG. NEVERTHELESS, WE CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND A PRACTITIONER-BASED SYSTEM AS THE BEST AVAILABLE TO MEET OUR OBJECTIVES FOR HONG KONG. WE DO SO BECAUSE WE WISH ABOVE ALL TO AVOID THE DANGER OF STRAIGHT-JACKETTING THE SECURITIES MARKETS BY A STRICT STATUTORY REGIME WHICH MIGHT ALL TOO EASILY LEAD TO INSENSITIVE OR HEAVY HANDED OVER-REGULATION. LAISSEZ-FAIRE HAS SERVED HONG KONG TOO WELL FOR IT TO BE ABANDONED ALTOGETHER JUST BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN INEPTLY USED AND GROSSLY ABUSED."
BUT IN VIEW OF HONG KONG’S EXPERIENCES OF INSIDER REGULATION WE BELIEVE THAT THERE MUST BE EFFECTIVE CHECKS AND BALANCES. IN OUR REPORT WE LAY DOWN FOUR REQUIREMENTS -
(1) A TWO TIER SYSTEM OF SUPERVISION WITH THE EXCHANGES REGULATING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF A SINGLE STATUTORY BODY.
(2) THE STATUTORY SUPERVISOR SHOULD BE DETACHED FROM THE GOVERNMENT SO THAT IF THE SUPERVISOR FAILS THEN AND ONLY THEN SHOULD GOVERNMENT STEP IN.
(3) THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET BODIES MUST BE UNDOUBTED AND WE PROPOSE THE INCLUSION OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS ON THE BOARDS OF ALL EXCHANGES AND CLEARING HOUSES.
(4) FINALLY, BUT MOST IMPORTANT DETACHED INDEPENDENT WELL PAID AND QUALIFIED STAFF IN THE EXCHANGES ARE ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SELF-REGULATORY SYSTEM.
APPLYING THESE PRECEPTS WF, SUMMARISE OUR MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS IN PARA. 1.9 OF THE REPORT:
(1) WE PROPOSE "A FUNDAMENTAL REVISION OF THE INTERNAL CONSTITUTION OF BOTH THE EXCHANGES; IN PARTICULAR, IN THE CASE OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE, THERE SHOULD BE PROPER REPRESENTATION ON THE GOVERNING BODY FOR INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE MEMBERS, COMBINED WITH AN INDEPENDENT ELEMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE EXCHANGE IS PROPERLY GOVERNED AND WORKS IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL MEMBERS AND USERS." WE RECOMMEND A COUNCIL OF 22 : 16 BROKERS OF WHICH 4 MUST BE CORPORATE MEMBERS AND 4 INDIVIDUAL; 5 INDEPENDENT NON-BROKERS; AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE. MORE DETAILS ARF SET OUT IN CHAPTER IV FOR THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND IN THE LATTER HALF OF CHAPTER VI FOR THE FUTURES EXCHANGE.
/(2) WE PROPOSE ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
(2) WE PROPOSE "THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STAFF OF PROFESSIONAL, INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVES IN THE TWO EXCHANGES, WITH THE EXCHANGE GOVERNING BODIES SETTING POLICY AND THE EXECUTIVES IMPLEMENTING IT." WE DEVELOP THIS THINKING IN CHAPTERS IV AND VI. AT THIS POINT I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO RECOGNISE THE CONSIDERABLE STEPS TAKEN BY THE NEW MANAGEMENT OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE UNDER MR ROBERT FELL AND OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE UNDER MR WILFRID NEWTON AND MR PHILLIP THORPE IN CARRYING OUT IMPORTANT REFORMS WHILE WE HAVE BEEN AT WORK.
(3) WE PROPOSE "AN EXTENSION OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE SETTLEMENT PERIOD TO THREE DAYS WHICH SHOULD BE STRICTLY ENFORCED AND THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRAL CLEARING SYSTEM." IT WAS THIS RECOMMENDATION WHICH PROBABLY GAVE US THE MOST DIFFICULTY. WE DISCUSS THE MATTER AT GREAT LENGTH IN CHAPTER V. SETTLEMENT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE SYSTEMIC STABILITY OF A MARKET. A FULL RECOGNITION OF THE RISKS INVOLVED IS VITAL. SUCH RECOGNITION WAS NOT ALWAYS PRESENT IN HONG KONG BEFORE OCTOBER.
(4) WE PROPOSE "THE CONTINUATION OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE AND ITS STOCK INDEX CONTRACT BUT WITH THE CLEARING AND GUARANTEE SYSTEM BEING RESTRUCTURED TO
STRENGTHEN THE RISK MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS; IN PARTICULAR, THE CLEARING HOUSE SHOULD BECOME PART OF THE EXCHANGE AND THE GUARANTEE SHOULD BE BACKED BY A CLEARING MEMBERS’ FUND." A KEY QUESTION WAS WHETHER OR NOT THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE AND THE HANG SENG INDEX FUTURES CONTRACT SHOULD CONTINUE. WE CONCLUDE IN THE FIRST PART OF CHAPTER VI THAT IT SHOULD BUT SOME REFORMS ARE ESSENTIAL AND OTHERS ARE DESIRABLE. THEY ARE REVIEWED IN DETAIL IN CHAPTERS VII AND VIII.
(5) TURNING TO THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY WE PROPOSE "REPLACING THE TWO COMMISSIONS AND THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE WITH A SINGLE INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE. IT SHOULD BE HEADED AND STAFFED BY FULL TIME REGULATORS AND FUNDED LARGELY BY THE MARKET. (WE SUGGEST THAT THE COMMISSION CONSIST OF 4 FULL-TIME MEMBERS AND 3 PART-TIME.) IT SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF MARKETS AND THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS. IN PARTICULAR, IT SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE EXCHANGES PROPERLY REGULATE THEIR MARKETS AND SHOULD HAVE EXTENSIVE RESERVE POWERS TO INTERVENE IF THEY FALL DOWN ON THE JOB." THE ARGUMENTS FOR THIS PROPOSAL ARE DEBATED AT LENGTH IN CHAPTER IX. OUR PRINCIPAL REASONS FOR MOVING THE COMMISSION OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE ARE TWO : TO ENABLE IT TO PAY SALARY SCALES APPROPRIATE TO ATTRACT MARKET PRACTITIONERS WITH EXPERTISE IN SECURITIES MARKETS; AND TO PROTECT THE GOVERNMENT. AS WE SAY IN PARA. 3.33 "IF THE SUPERVISOR FAILS THEN, AND ONLY THEN, SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT STEP IN; GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE INSULATED FROM DAY-TO-DAY MARKET CRISES LEST THE AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT BE UNNECESSARILY DAMAGED."
/IN THE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE ?, 1988
IN THE REST OF THE REPORT WE ADDRESS CERTAIN OTHER MAJOR ISSUES ESPECIALLY -
(1) LISTING ARRANGEMENTS EOR NEW SHARES. CHAPTERS V AND XI. WE RECOMMEND THAT SOLE RESPONSIBILITY EOR APPROVING LISTING DOCUMENTS BE TRANSFERRED TO A REFORMED STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING DEPARTMENT.
(2) LICENSING - RATHER THAN REGISTRATION - OF SECURITIES INTERMEDIARIES SO THAT ALL WILL HAVE TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE FIT AND PROPER PERSONS AND PASS TESTS OF HONESTY, COMPETENCE AND SOLVENCY. AS TO THE LATTER WE DO NOT RECOMMEND A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS. SEE CHAPTER X.
(3) WE DISCUSS THE OBLIGATIONS OF LISTED COMPANIES, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO ACCOUNTING AND DISCLOSURE IN CHAPTER XII.
(1) FINALLY IN CHAPTER XIII WE ADDRESS A NUMBER OF OTHER AREAS WHICH ALTHOUGH EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, WE WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE IN THE LIMITED TIME AT OUR DISPOSAL. HERE WE MAKI-: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION AND STUDY.
BEARING IN MIND THAT MY COMMITTEE HAS NOW BEEN DISCHARGED WE THINK IT ESSENTIAL THAT WF PUT ALL OUR ARGUMENTS FORWARD. AFTER ALL WE ONLY HAVE ONE BITE AT THE CHERRY. THE REPORT IS THEREFORE LENGTHY AND I HOPI': FULLY ARGUED. IT IS NOW UP TO THE AUTHORITIES AND THE SECURITIES MARKETS TO IMPLEMENT OUR PLANS AND 1 AM SURE THAT THEY W I LL.
LET ME CLOSE ON A POSITIVE NOTE BY THANKING MY COMMITTEE, ITS STAFF AND THE HONG KONG SECURITIES INDUSTRY FOR MAKING MY TASK EASY. HARD WORK IS NEVER UNPLEASANT WHEN CARRIED OUT IN A SPIRIT OF HELPFUL CO-OPERATION. "
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PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE HEED OF SECURITIES COMMISSION’S ACHIEVEMENTS: FS ♦ ♦ * t *
THE COMMUNITY SHOULD LOOK AT THE VERY SOLID ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AFTER GIVING THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT, MR JACOBS SAID HE THOUGHT ON THE WHOLE, THEY HAD PERFORMED VERY WELL BUT "WE ARE NOW REACHING A POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STAGE".
/’’THEY WERE..........
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 8 -
’’THEY WERE STRUCTURES, ORGANISATIONS THAT WERE SET UP A LONG TIME AGO IN A VERY DIFFERENT CONTEXT. AND I WOULD PREFER THAT THIS COMMUNITY SHOULD LOOK AT THEIR VERY SOLID ACHIEVEMENTS.
"AS FAR AS THE COMMISSION, THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, THE BRANCH AND INDEED MY OWN OFFICE ARE CONCERNED, I THINK YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER A NUMBER OF FACTORS.
"FIRST OF ALL, THE SECURITIES COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE CAME INTO BEING IN Till* EARLY 1970’S. THE STRUCTURE OF THAT OFFICE, THE STRUCTURE OF THE COMMISSION, WAS SETTLED QUITE A LONG TIME AGO.
"THINGS HAVE MOVED ON AMAZINGLY SINCE THOSE DAYS. THEREFORE WHEN I SAY THINGS HAVE MOVED ON, OBVIOUSLY THE STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN TESTED."
HE ALSO ASKED THE PUBLIC TO REMEMBER, IN LOOKING AT THE COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, ALL THE AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS THAT THEY HAD TO THEIR CREDIT.
"WHEN THEY WERE SET UP, THE STOCK EXCHANGES OF HONG KONG, THE STOCK MARKETS OF HONG KONG, WERE FRAGMENTED AND DARE I SAY VERY DISORDERLY," HE SAID.
"WHAT THE COMMISSION MANAGED COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE MANAGED TO ACHIEVE, SECURITIES MARKET FOR HONG KONG.
"THEY HAVE VERY MANY ACHIEVEMENTS REALLY THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS TO REMEMBER (’RI I’ IC ISE. "
TO ACHIEVE, WAS A VERY
WHAT THE
MUCH BETTER
TO THEIR NAME. I THINK THAT BEFORE STARTING TO
ASKED IF WORK WOULD BE NORMAL IN THE COMM ISSI ONER’S OFFICE IN THE INTERIM, MR JACOBS STRESSED THAT HE HAD NOT THE SLIGHTEST DOUBT THAT THEY WOULD WORK NORMALLY AND INDEED VERY WELL.
ASKED ABOUT ’HIE FUTURE OF THE STAFF, MR JACOBS SAID: "THAT AGAIN IS SOMETHING THAT WE’LL HAVE TO TACKLE LATER ON. BUT AS MR DAVISON HAS MADE CLEAR IN HIS REPORT, MANY OF THE STAFF IN Till-. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, ON THE ASSUMPTION OF THE SET UP OF A NEW BODY, COULD WELL BE ABSORBED INTO THE NEW BODY.
"BUT I THINK WE ARE LOOKING A BIT TOO FAR AHEAD AT THE MOMENT. CERTAINLY THESE THINGS CAN EASILY BE ACCOMMODATED.”
\S FOR HIS PERSONAL VIEWS ABOUT THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, MR JACOBS REITERATED THAT THE REPORT WAS CERTAINLY A VALUABLE BLUEPRINT.
"IT POINTS THE WAY FORWARD. I THINK MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE RECOMMENDAT1ONS THAT L WILL BE ABLE TO COMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BUT WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER THEM IN SOME DEIAIL.
/’’AND OF..........
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
’’AND OF COURSE WE DO NEED TO HAVE SOME RESPONSE FROM INTERESTED PARTIES AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.”
HE NOTED THAT IT WAS MADE QUITE CLEAR WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SET UP THE COMMITTEE THAT IT WOULD BE FORWARD LOOKING.
"WE DIDN'T WANT IT TO LOOK INTO THE PAST. WE DIDN’T WANT TO TRY AND APPORTION BLAME. AND IT HASN’T DONE SO.
"AND OBVIOUSLY IT HAS HAD TO EXPRESS CERTAIN VIEWS ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF WHAT WAS GOING ON PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMITTEE.”
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER THERE WERE ANY PARTS IN THE REPORT THAT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY, MR JACOBS SAID AN IMPLEMENTING TEAM HAD BEEN SET UP AND WOULD BE GOING THROUGH THE REPORT.
"IF THERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH QUICKLY AND EASILY AND NEED TO BE DEALT WITH QUICKLY, YES, THEN WE CAN PICK THEM UP."
ON WHETHER THE ONE-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD WAS ADEQUATE, MR JACOBS SAID THIS WAS ADEQUATE, ADDING THAT MR DAVISON AND HIS COMMITTEE HAD CONSULTED INTERESTED PARTIES THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF PREPARING THEIR REPORT.
"ACTUALLY A LOT OF PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF EXPRESSING VARIOUS VIEWS AND GIVING INFORMATION TO THE COMMITTEE,” HE SAID.
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EXCO ENDORSES BILL ON FUTURES EXCHANGE AGM * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ENDORSED A BILL THAT SEEKS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED DIRECTORS OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LIMITED (HKFE) TO STAY ON UNTIL THE END OF MARCH NEXT YEAR TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR PROCESSING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE (SRC).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LIMITED (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL 1988 WOULD EMPOWER THE FUTURES EXCHANGE TO DELAY HOLDING ITS 1988 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FOR SIX MONTHS WITH PROVISION FOR A FURTHER EXTENSION OF THREE MONTHS UPON RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT IS AN INTERIM MEASURE AIMED AT FACILITATING THE EXAMINATION AND POSSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SRC RECOMMENDATIONS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
10 -
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT PURSUANT TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LIMITED WAS REQUIRED TO HOLD ITS NEXT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BY SEPTEMBER 30, 1988 WHEN THE FOUR GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED DIRECTORS WOULD CEASE TO HOLD OFFICE.
’’THE IIKFE NORMALLY HOLDS ITS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR. ITS LAST FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED ON DECEMBER 31, 1987. UNDER SECTION 122 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, ITS ACCOUNTS AND BALANCE SHEET MUST BE LAID BEFORE AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WITHIN NINE MONTHS FROM THAT DAY,” HE SAID.
UNLESS THE HKFE'S NEXT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WERE POSTPONED, THE GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THE PRESENT CHAIRMAN AND THE EXECUTIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN, WOULD CEASE TO HOLD OFFICE.
IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE PRESENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WAS RETAINED FOR THE TIME BEING, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE BILL WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON JUNE 10 THIS YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON JUNE 22.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL MAY WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 24TH FLOOR, 18 HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG OR TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, HONG KONG.
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PROVISIONS OF NOISE CONTROL BILL 1988 EXPLAINED t * ♦ ♦ *
A BILL WHICH CONSOLIDATES EXISTING LAW RELATING TO THE CONTROL OF NOISE AND EXPANDS THE SCOPE OF CONTROL, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO NOISE FROM MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, TODAY (THURSDAY) AT X PRESS CONFERENCE TO EXPLAIN UH PROVISIONS OF Till' NOISE CONTROL BILL 1988 WHICH WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW.
SPE( IFICALLY, Till, BILL DEALS WITH THE FOLLOWING FORMS OF NOISE:
(A.) NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PREMISES AND PUBLIC PLACES (GENERAL NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE);
(B) CONSTRUCTION NOISE AND PILING;
/(C) NOISE FROM ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
( C)
NOISE FROM INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL PREMISES; AND
(D) NOISE EROM INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OF PLANT OR EQUIPMENT.
IN
THE NOISE CONTROL BILL WAS MARCH 1987 AND AMENDED AFTER A
FIRST PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT, THERE WAS NO COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATION FOR THE CONTROL OF NOISE POLLUTION WHICH WAS A SOURCE OF GREAT NUISANCE IN HONG KONG.
’’GENERAL NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE PROVISIONS NOW CONTAINED IN THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN ABSORBED INTO THE BILL LARGELY UNCHANGED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENFORCED BY THE POLICE,” HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO CONSTRUCT I ON NOISE, THE PERMIT SYSTEM FOR WORK AT NIGHT AND ON HOLIDAYS WILL. BE RETAINED. HOWEVER, THE SCHEME* OF CONTROL WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER’ PRESCRI BED CONSTRUCTION WORK WHICH MAY NO'I NECESSARILY REQUIRE THE USE OF POWERED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT.
IN RESPECT OF NOISE FROM PILING, THE BILL RECOGNISES I HE IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BETWEEN PERCUSSIVE YND NON-PERCUSS IVE PILING.
"IT IS PROPOSED THAT RESTRICTIONS ON QUIET NON-PERCUSSIVE PILING, SUCH AS HAND-DUG CAISSONS, SHOULD BE RELAXED WHILE CONTROL OF NOISY PERCUSSIVE PILING SHOULD BE TIGHTENED," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
IHI- CURRENT PROHIBITION ON SUCH WORK DURING THE RESTRICTED HOURS WILL BE RETAINED. IN ADDITION, PERCUSSIVE PILING WILL IN FUTURE REQU I RI* A PERMIT DURING THE DAY TIME HOURS.
"SUCH \ PERMIT MAY LIMIT NOISY PERCUSSIVE PILING TO (ERI AIN HOUR.*. Ob IHI DAY WHERE NOISE SENSITIVE BUILDINGS, SUCH AS SCHOOLS OR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AND WHERE QUIETER PILING METHODS ARE NOT PROPOSED," MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERMIT SYSTEM, THE BILL INTRODUCES THE CONCEPT 01 TECHNICAL MEMORANDA WHICH WILL BE ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH YND WELFARE ON THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
Till MEMORANDA CONTAIN THE TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES TO BE APPLIED IN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT A PERMIT SHOULD BE ISSUED AND WHAT CONDITIONS SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
Till' BILL ALSO INTRODUCES CONTROLS ON NOISE FROM COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRI AL PREMISES.
I J' |S INTENDED THAT NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICES WILL BE SERVED IT Till NOISE EMITTED IS C AUSING A NUISANCE TO YNY PERSON. OR IT II DOES NOT COMPLY WITH TECHNICAL CRI TER I A SET OUT IN THE RELEVANT TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM.
/THESE NOTICES .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- V -
THESE NOTICES WILL REQUIRE OWNERS OR OCCUPIERS TO BRING THEIR NOISE EMISSIONS INTO A STATE OE COMPLIANCE BY A CERTAIN DATE AND NON-COMPLIANCE WILL BE AN OFFENCE.
VARIOUS NEW POWERS ARE INCORPORATED IN THE BILL TO ENABLE THE CONTROL OE NOISE EROM INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OF PLANT OR MACHINERY, SUCH AS GENERATORS AND COMPRESSORS, ALTHOUGH THESE PROVISIONS WOULD ONLY BE USED WHEN TECHNICAL OR ADM1NISTRAT1VE DIFFICULTIES MADE OTHER FORMS OF CONTROL INAPPROPRIATE.
TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WILL BE ENFORCED IN A FAIR AND REASONABLE MANNER, AN APPEAL BOARD WILL BE APPOINTED.
"APPEALS CAN BE MADE AGAINST THE SERVICE OF NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICES, THE REFUSAL TO ISSUE PILING PERMITS OR AGAINST THE CONDITIONS OF SUCH A PERMIT,” MR CHAMBERS SAID.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WILL BE ENFORCED BY A NOISE CONTROL AUTHORITY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION W1LI BE THE AUTHORITY FOR THIS PURPOSE.
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EMSD SEWAGE PLANTS HELP CONTROL POLLUTION ♦ » ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CONTROLLING WATER POLLUTION IN THE TERRITORY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE END OF A TOUR OF SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
DURING THE VISIT, SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM OSBORNE, ON THE WORKINGS OF THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND PUMPING STATION AS WELL AS THE RECENTLY-COMPLETED WAN CHAI (WEST) SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT.
HE WAS TOLD THAT 27 SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS AND SEWAGE PUMPING STATIONS ARE NOW UNDER VARIOUS STAGES OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION AT A TOTAL COST OF $3,000 MILLION.
THE NEW FACILITIES, MOST OF WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, WILL GREATLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TREATED EFFLUENTS BEFORE DISCHARGING THEM INTO THE SEA.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED WITH INTEREST THE MASSIVE AND INTRICATE UNDERGROUND SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND THE HUGE AMOUNT OF RAW SEWAGE - ONE MILLION TONNES - DEALT WITH DAILY BY THE TREATMENT WORKS AND PLANTS.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT EMSD AT PRESENT OPERATES AROUND THE CLOCK 27 SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS OF ALL TYPES, 31 SEWAGE PUMPING STATIONS TO FEED THE TREATMENT WORKS AS WELL AS 26 SEPTIC TANKS FOR REMOTE LOCATIONS NOT SERVED BY A SEWERAGE NETWORK.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
SIR DAVID WAS ALSO TOLD THAT A DETAILED STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY OF PUMPING SEWAGE EFFLUENT FROM SHA TIN TO KAI TAK NULLAH WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT MONTH.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE WATER QUALITY OF TOLO HARBOUR.
- 0 - -
REGIONAL SECRETARY SEES TAI PO DEVELOPMENTS
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED TAI PO TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE IN TING KOK ROAD, MR SUEN WAS MET BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT, AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE OFFICE.
THE PARTY PROCEEDED TO THE ROOFTOP OF WANG YAN HOUSE IN KWONG FUK ESTATE, WHERE MR BURRETT BRIEFED THE REGIONAL SECRETARY ON TAI PO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
MR SUEN WAS TOLD THE NEW TOWN NOW HAD A POPULATION OF AROUND 156,000 PEOPLE AND THERE WERE PLANS TO DEVELOP THE AREA TO ACCOMMODATE 294,000 PEOPLE BY THE END OF THE 1990’S.
THE PARTY THEN WENT TO TA TIT YAN VILLAGE TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTNADING OF THE QUESTION OF PROVIDING VEHICULAR ACCESS FOR REMOTE VILLAGES.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY SAW THE EXTENT OF POLLUTION IN THE LAM TSUEN RIVER IN ITS UPPER, MIDDLE AND LOWER COURSES -- IN THE LAM TSUEN VALLEY, AT SHUI WAI AND KWONG FUK BRIDGE RESPECTIVELY.
MR SUEN THEN HAD LUNCH WITH LEADING RESIDENTS. THE LUNCH WAS HOSTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER.
AFTER LUNCH, HE CALLED AT THE OFFICES OF THE TAI PO AND SAI KUNG NORTH RURAL COMMITTEES TO MEET THE CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES.
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE SHUEN WAN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA TO VIEW THE MARICULTURE ZONES AT YIM TIN TSAI.
ON THE WAY TO THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, THEY PASSED PLUMMER VILLAGE WHICH WILL BE REMOVED BY A NON-DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE LATER THIS YEAR.
MR SUEN’S VISIT CONCLUDED WITH A TEA RECEPTION AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, WHERE HE MET MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
/14
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 14 -
ACAN CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR GREATER EFFORTS AGAINST NARCOTICS *****
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA, TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED FOR INTENSIFIED EFFORTS TO BE MADE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE IN HONG KONG.
DR CHOA SAID THAT ALTHOUGH LAST YEAR SAW SOME POSITIVE SIGNS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, THERE WERE INDICATIONS OF ANOTHER LARGE OPIUM HARVEST IN THE "GOLDEN TRIANGLE" THIS YEAR, AND HONG KONG COULD EXPECT TRAFFICKERS OF HEROIN TO REMAIN ACTIVE.
DR CHOA WAS SPEAKING AT THE DESTRUCTION OF SEIZED DRUGS AT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATION PLANT. ALTOGETHER, 1,024 KILOGRAMS OF ILLICIT DRUGS WERE BURNT. THEIR VALUE WAS PUT AT ABOUT $662 MILLION.
THE DRUGS, MAINLY HEROIN BASE AND CANNABIS, WERE PART OF SEIZURES MADE BY THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND IN PARTICULAR, SEIZURES RESULTING FROM THREE MAJOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO DRUG TRAFFICKING SYNDICATES. THESE ALONE NETTED MORE THAN 1,000 KILOGRAMS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS.
BURNING OF SEIZED DRUGS IS CARRIED OUT REGULARLY UNDER STRICT SECURITY, AND IN PRIVATE, UPON THE COMPLETION OF TRIALS OF CASES IN COURT.
DR CHOA POINTED OUT THAT THE BURNING TODAY, HOWEVER, WAS HELD IN PUBLIC FOR TWO REASONS.
"FIRST, OUR INTENTION IS TO IMPRESS ON OUR COMMUNITY, ONCE MORE, THE EVER-PRESENT MENACE WHICH DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE PRESENT, ESPECIALLY TO ITS YOUNG MEMBERS," HE SAID.
"OUR SECOND OBJECTIVE IS TO DEMONSTRATE OUR THANKS TO, AND OUR CONFIDENCE IN, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.
"THESE TWO FINE SERVICES REPRESENT OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE AGAINST THOSE WHO SEEK ILLEGAL PROFIT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE HEALTH AND THE FUTURE, NOT ONLY OF THOSE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO DRUGS, BUT OF THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, AND OF THOSE IN THE YOUNGER AGE GROUPS WHO ARE MOST AT RISK OF BECOMING ADDICTS.
"BUT, UNDER OUR FREE PORT AND FREE EXCHANGE SYSTEMS, BOTH THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS SERVICE LABOUR UNDER TREMENDOUS DIFFICULTIES.
"WE ALL RECOGNISE THE PROBLEMS THEY FACE IN LOOKING FOR DRUGS IN THE 47 MILLION TONS OF INCOMING CARGO WHICH ARRIVES HERE EVERY YEAR, THE 21 MILLION INCOMING PASSENGERS AND THE 128,000 INCOMING SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT.
/"YET, AGAINST .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
"YET, AGAINST THESE ODDS, OUR TWO SERVICES HAVE ACHIEVED SUCCESSES WHICH, OVER THE YEARS, HAVE EARNED FOR THEM BOTH AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR OUTSTANDING EXPERTISE, COMPETENCE AND DEDICATION.”
DR CHOA APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT TO THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS SERVICE ANY SUSPICIONS THEY MIGHT HAVE, OR ACTIVITIES WHICH MIGHT COME TO THEIR NOTICE, IN RELATION TO THE IMPORT, MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS.
"OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CAN DO WITH, AND DESERVE, ALL HELP WE CAN GIVE THEM," HE SAID.
GUESTS WITNESSING THE DESTRUCTION OF THE DRUGS INCLUDED MR YEUNG PO-KWAN, MR J.P. LEE, MR PAO PING-WING AND MRS PEGGY MIU LEE, WHO ARE MEMBERS OF ACAN; THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING; THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR TONG KANG-CING; AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY.
-----0----------
FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO HELP BATTERED WOMEN t * ♦ t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HAS BEEN RENDERING VARIOUS SERVICES TO HELP THE VICTIMS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF HARMONY HOUSE - A SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN - HELD AT THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING IN WAN CHAI, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT BATTERING OF A SPOUSE WAS THE MOST COMMON FORM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
SHE NOTED THAT UNLIKE IN THE PAST WHEN DOMESTIC PROBLEMS WERE KEPT STRICTLY WITHIN THE FAMILY, PEOPLE HAD BECOME MORE OPEN-MINDED BECAUSE OF RAPID SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THE INTERACTION OF CHINESE AND WESTERN CULTURES AND CONSEQUENTIALLY HAD BECOME MORE WILLING TO REPORT ABUSE CASES AND SEEK ASSISTANCE.
"ACCORDING TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S STATISTICS, THERE WERE 844 BATTERED SPOUSE CASES IN 1985 AND 824 IN 1986.
"LAST YEAR’S FIGURE OF 750 REPORTED CASES WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THOSE IN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS AND I HOPE THAT THIS NUMBER WILL CONTINUE TO DECREASE," MRS WONG SAID.
NOTING THAT OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE VICTIMS OF THE BATTERED SPOUSE CASES HANDLED BY THE DEPARTMENT WERE WOMEN, SHE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED A WHOLE RANGE OF SERVICES TO HELP THEM REGAIN STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE AND TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS.
/’’THERE ARE.........
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 16 -
"THERE ARE FAMILY SERVICES, SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE UNITS IN ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS TO PROVIDE THEM ASSISTANCE SUCH AS COUNSELLING, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, EMPLOYMENT, HOME HELP, CHILD CARE, EDUCATION AND LEGAL AID ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL CASES," SHE SAID.
"THERE ARE ALSO TWO SHELTERS FOR WOMEN - THE WAI ON CENTRE OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND HARMONY HOUSE.
"APART FROM PROVIDING TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR BATTERED WOMEN, THERE ARE SOCIAL WORKERS IN THESE HOMES TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING SERVICE TO COMFORT THE CLIENTS AND TO HELP SOLVE THEIR IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS.
"SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE CHILDREN BROUGHT ALONG TO THE HOMES BY THESE WOMEN AS THEY MAY HAVE HEALTH, BEHAVIOUR OR EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS DUE TO THE EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE IN THEIR EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO DIRECT SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ATTACHED IMPORTANCE TO FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, THROUGH WHICH THE PUBLIC’S UNDERSTANDING OF INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP COULD BE ENHANCED IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE.
"FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ENABLES YOUNG PEOPLE TO ADAPT TO FAMILY LIFE, TO TAKE UP RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THEIR FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES AND TO COPE WITH FAMILY PROBLEMS, WHICH WILL IN TURN REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,” SHE SAID.
"HOWEVER, GOVERNMENT EFFORTS ALONE ARE INADEQUATE TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT MANY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED IN THIS FIELD," SHE ADDED.
SHE COMMENDED THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HARMONY HOUSE, WHICH HAD SERVED SOME 900 WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT THREE YEARS AGO.
---------0 -----------
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ANNOUNCED ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) \NNOUNCED FOR THE SECOND TIME GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
/AN EPD .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY EPD IN ITS ROUTINE BEACH WATER QUALITY MONITORING I'ROGRAMME. THE E. COLI DATA USED FOR GRADING ARE BASED ON THE MEDIAN VALUES OF THE MOST RECENT FIVE RESULTS, OBTAINED OVER A PERIOD OF TWO AND A HALF MONTHS ACCORDING TO THE USUAL SAMPLING FREQUENCY.
THE GRADES FOR SOME BEACHES MAY FLUCTUATE. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF THE BEACHES IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE SWIMMING AREAS.
NEVERTHELESS THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES, AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST OF BEACH WATER QUALITY IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM OF GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
"A" GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN 0-99 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 DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OR POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE. NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR THE REGIONAL COUNC1L IF A "C" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY.
SIMILARLY, A RECOMMENDATION TO REOPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY Bl CONSIDERED IE A ”B" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAI NED.
AT PRESENT, FIVE BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS', CASTLE PEAK, SILVERM1NE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA AND ROCKY BAY. THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG EONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE FIVE Bl ACHES. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW:
/BEACH .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 18 -
LAST PRESENT
BEACH GRADING GRADING
(AS AT 19.5.88) (AS AT 2.6.88)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY B B
CHUNG HOM KOK B B
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN B C
MIDDLE BAY C B
REPULSE BAY B B
SHEK 0 A B
SOUTH BAY A A
ST. STEPHEN’S B B
TURTLE COVE A A
STANLEY MAIN B C
ROCKY BAY, SHEK 0 X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
ISLAND DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER A B
DISCOVERY BAY* A A
HUNG SHING YEH A A
KWUN YAM WAN A A
TONG FUK A A
LO SO SHING A A
/PUI 0 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 19 -
PU I O A
SILVERNINE BAY X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU A
TUNG O* A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH A
(’LEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A
HAP MUN BAY A
Kill TSUI A
PAK SHA CHAU A
SILVERSTRAND A
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) A
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ X
APPROACH B
CASAM B
GEMINI B
HOI MEI WAN B
LIDO B
TING KAU C
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLI) CAFETERIA X
A
X
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
X
B
B
B
B
B
C
A
X
/NEW CAFETERIA .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
20
NEW CAFETERM
CASTLE PEAK
KADOOR1E BEACH
BUTTERFLY
B
X
B
B
A
X
B
B
NOTE: "X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
SHEK 0 AND CHEUNG SHA LOWER, FROM "A” TO ”B”;
AND NEW CAFETERIA, FROM "B" TO "A”.
THE CHANGE FROM "A" TO ”B" OR VICE VERSA IS CONSIDERED TO BE WITHIN Till NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
HAIRPIN AND STANLEY MAIN, FROM "B" TO ”C”.
THE WATER QUALITY OF HAIRPIN BEACH HAS BEEN ACCEPTABLE IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THE BEACH IS OCCASIONALLY POLLUTED BY SEPTIC TANK El ‘FLUENT DISCHARGED FROM THE BUILDINGS IN ITS HINTERLAND
STANLEY MAIN BEACH IS AFFECTED BY SEWAGE DISCHARGED FROM A NEARBY SUBMARINE OUTFALL AND BY POLLUTED WATER FROM TWO STORMWATER DRAINS RUNNING INTO THE BEACH. ITS CHANGE OF GRADING FROM "B” TO ”C” IS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THIS BEACH.
MIDDLE BAY, FROM "C" TO ”B”.
THIS IS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE WATER QUALITY OF THE BEACH. THE BEACH IS AFFECTED BY A STORMWATER DRAIN DISCHARGING IMPROPERLY TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT FROM THE NEARBY BUILDINGS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO MR PAUL HOLMES, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER. POLICY) OF THE EPD, ON 3-721101 1.
-----0------
THURSDAY, JUNE 2,
1988
21
PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS * * » » »
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) IS ARRANGING PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS AND CONTROL AREAS.
OF THE 826 LIVESTOCK FARMS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS, 580 FARM OPERATORS HAVE REPLIED TO EPD CONFIRMING THEIR INTENTION TO CEASE OPERATION AND ACCEPT EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE.
SO FAR 17 FARM OPERATORS HAVE RECEIVED PAYMENT FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, AND ANOTHER SEVEN CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE ARF. AWAITING COLLECTION.
MEANWHILE, EPD HAS EXPEDITED THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS FROM THE AFFECTED FARMERS IN THE CONTROL AREAS.
THE PROCESSING OF THE FIRST BATCH OF APPLICATIONS FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FROM THE THREE CONTROL AREAS HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED; THE Fl RSI IWO CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE ARE READY FOR COLLECTION.
UP TO NOW, EIGHT FARM OPERATORS HAVE APPLIED FOR CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS AND PROCESSING OF THESE APPLICATIONS IS UNDERWAY.
LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS WHO HAVE NOT YET RESPONDED TO Till- OFFER OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE BY EPD ARE ADVISED TO DO SO \S SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT EARLY PAYMENT CAN BE MADE TO THE FARM OPERATORS CONCERNED.
FARM OPERATORS IN THE THREE CONTROL AREAS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO APPLY FOR CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS OR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
FARMERS WHO HAVE QUERIES MAY CONTACT EPD ON 3-7801165 OR 3-7801126.
STARTING FROM JUNE 2'1 THIS YEAR, THE KEEPING OF LIVESTOCK IN THE LIVESTOCK WASTE PROHIBITION AREAS IN THE URBAN AREA AND NEW TOWNS WILL BE BANNED.
CONTROLS IN RELATION TO THE COLLECTION, STORAGE, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE IN THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS -- TOLO HARBOUR AND TOLO CHANNEL CATCHMENT, MUI WO AND ANGLER'S BEACH ARIAS -- WILL ALSO TAKE EFFECT FROM THE SAME DATE.
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 22
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF MARCH RETAIL SALES SURVEY ♦ * ♦ »
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN MARCH 1988, ESTIMATED AT $7,885 MILLION, WAS 21 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1987 WHILST THEIR VOLUME WAS 11 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TC THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING MARCH 1988 WITH MARCH 1987, RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT DOWN BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF ’’OTHER CONSUMER GOODS” AND CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 35 PER CENT AND 24 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND 25 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME.
CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT FELL BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY BY 60 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 46 PER CENT IN VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS RECORDED INCREASES OF 31 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 18 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 21 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES ROSE BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF 1987, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS REGISTERED INCREASES OF 8 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS AND ’’OTHER CONSUMER GOODS” ROSE BY 34 PER CENT AND 31 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE WHILST THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN VOLUME WERE 22 PER CENT AND 21 PER CENT.
CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 18 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
/ANALYSED BY .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 54 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 41 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR SUPERMARKETS WERE 15 PER CENT AND 8 PER CENT.
MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS HAD INCREASES OF 44 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 31 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY THE HIGH LEVEL OF CONSUMER EXPENDITURE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD IN FEBRUARY, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR MARCH 1988 DECREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
FUELS DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT DOWN BY 11 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS” FELL BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES RECORDED DECREASES OF 4 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS DROPPED BY 26 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 27 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME.
MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT DOWN BY 14 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES AND SUPERMARKETS DECREASED BY 14 PER CENT AND 19 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND 16 PER CENT AND 21 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR FEBRUARY 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR MARCH 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 1988 (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 SPETEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF MARCH 1988 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR FEBRUARY 1988 AND WITH THOSE FOR MARCH 1987 AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF 1987 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/GRAPHS 1 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1988
24 -
GRAPHS 1 AND 2 DEPICT, RESPECTIVELY, THE MOVEMENTS OF THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES FROM SEPTEMBER 1986 TO MARCH 1988 AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED INDEXES AND TRENDS FROM SEPTEMBER 1986 TO FEBRUARY 1988.
AS SHOWN IN GRAPH 1, THE VALUE INDEX OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES USUALLY RISES SUBSTANTIALLY IN DECEMBER DUE TO CHRISTMAS AND IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY DUE TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, BUT DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE MONTH FOLLOWING THAT IN WHICH THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FALLS.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SALES VALUE INDEX AND TREND HAVE GENERALLY FOLLOWED A SMOOTHER UPWARD COURSE OVER THE YEARS.
THE VOLUME INDEX OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES, AS DEPICTED IN GRAPH 2, SHOWS A PATTERN OF MOVEMENTS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE VALUE INDEX.
HOWEVER, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SALES VOLUME INDEX AND TREND RISE MORE SLOWLY THAN THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED INDEX AND TREND FOR SALES VALUE, MAINLY DUE TO THE EFFECT OF PRICE INCREASES.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE MARCH 1988 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.
/TABLE 1 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 25
TABLE I : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales lor March 1988 (Provisional Figure) = HKI7,QB5 aillion
for February 198B (Revised Figure) = HKS0,437 aillion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR FEBRUARY 1908 AND MARCH 1988 (Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. B5 s LOO) *
I Index of ‘ ! March 1983 1 March 1988 I Jan. - Mar. 1988 1
Itea I Retail ! February ’ March coapared with 1 coapared with coapared with I
I Sales I 1968 1 1988 February 1988 ! March 1987 ! Jan. - Mar. 1987 ! L i
I ! (Revised ' I figures) : (Provisional ' figures) Points I ! « Points X Points X I •
: (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES 1 I 1
i : । •
: Value ! I5l 1 141 -10 -7 1 24 21 28 24 I
! Voluae ' I30 • 1 : 121 -10 -7 1 1 12 11 16 14 1
S (B) BY MAJOR TRADE 6R0UPS । । । । • । 1 1
> •
Foodstuffs, alcoholic ’ Value ! 132 : 117 -14 -11 1 5 4 10 9 »
drinks and tobacco 1 Voluae I 117 1 104 1 -13 -11 ! -6 -5 I 1 J
Fuels । । 1 Value I 95 1 1 93 -2 -2 : -4 -4 7 8 :
I ! Voluae ' 103 । » : 100 -3 -3 : 1 -8 -9 3 3 : <
• Clothing, footwear ■ । : Value : 184 1 136 -48 -26 1 10 8 • 43 34 '
and allied products ’ Voluae ' 157 । 1 : 114 -43 -27 I • -2 -2 25 22 1 ।
Consuaer durables 1 Value 1 152 ! Voluae I 125 ! 145 : 120 -6 -4 ! -6 -4 1 । 28 24 16 15 31 27 : 18 18 1
Other consuaer goods । • ! Value 1 162 : 161 -1 -1 1 42 35 37 31 1
! Voluae ' 138 t । 1 136 1 -2 -2 ; 27 25 23 21 : ।
! (0 BY SELECTED TRADES । । 1 1 । 1 । । । । 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 t 1 ! • i
(see note I below! । । । । » 1 1 ।
Superaarkets 1 Value 1 176 ! Voluae ! 158 : 142 : 125 -34 -19 ' -33 -21 : 15 12 5 4 21 15 I 10 8 :
Motor vehicles । • ! Value 1 226 1 195 -31 -14 I 46 31 63 44 !
and parts 1 Voluae I 165 । । 1 141 । -24 -14 : 21 IB 36 31 : •
Consuaer durables । 1 ! Value : 129 ; 130 1 1 : 23 21 21 20 :
other than aotor vehicles and parts ' Voluae I 113 1 ' 1 113 • t 1 : । 14 14 '13 13 I 1 •
Departaent stores 1 Value 1 190 1 Voluae 1 164 1 164 1 138 -26 -14 1 -26 -16 : 61 60 43 46 63 54 1 44 41 :
NOTES : I. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN aajor trade groups, the value and voluie indexes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(a) 'Supermarkets' - a trade in the 'Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco* group.
(b) 'Motor vehicles and parts" * a trade in the 'Consuaer durables* group.
(c) 'Consuaer durables other than aotor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the "Consuaer durables' group.
(d) 'Departaent stores' - a trade in the 'Other consuaer goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived froa the unrounded index figures.
3. "I" denotes change of less than 0.5.
/GRAPH 1: .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
26
Graph 1: Value Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Value index Value index
Graph 2: Volume Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Volume index Volume index
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 ol the U S Bureau ol the Census
— — - — 0 — — — “ /nr
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 27 -
SAI KUNG TO HOLD CIVIC EDUCATION PARADE ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION PARADE WILL BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL ON SATURDAY (JUNE 4), AFTER A BRIEF CEREMONY TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THE PARADE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION COMMITTEE AND THE REGIONAL OFFICE (KOWLOON EAST/SAI KUNG) OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE SINGING, DRAMA AND A QUIZ COMPETITION WHICH WILL TEST PARTICIPANTS’ KNOWLEDGE ON ANT I-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PARADE AND CLOSING CEREMONY.
AFTER THE CLOSING CEREMONY, A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION ON THE DISTRICT’S COMMUNITY REPORTERS SCHEME WILL BEGIN AT THE TOWN HALL. YOUNGSTERS, WHO ACTED AS REPORTERS BETWEEN MARCH AND MAY THIS YEAR, WILL EXHIBIT THEIR REPORTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN’S CLOSING CEREMONY AND THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 4) AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, PO TUNG ROAD, SAI KUNG TOWN.
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/P8........
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 28 -
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS HELP DEVELOP PERSONAL SKILLS » * » * *
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL COULD SERVE AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP INTELLECTUAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS IF PROPERLY TAUGHT, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR SO FAI-CHO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SIXTH COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION AT THE ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL, MR SO SAID THE COMPETITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HAD BEEN DESIGNED WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING TEACHERS TO USE A MORE LIVELY APPROACH IN THEIR TEACHING.
TEACHING METHODS IN COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS WERE INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY, TO COLLECT INFORMATION, CLASSIFY IT, AND TO MAKE INFERENCES FROM FACTS, MR SO SAID.
TO ACHIEVE SUCH A GOAL, STUDENTS WOULD BE INVOLVED IN A VARIETY OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PROJECT WORK AND GROUP WORK, WHICH WOULD HELP THEM DEVELOP INDUCTIVE THINKING, AND PROBLEM SOLVING, COMMUNICATION AND TiiE OTHER LEARNING SKILLS REQUIRED, HE SAID.
MR SO SAID THE INCLUSION OF COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL GAVE STUDENTS AN EARLY OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW A COURSE OF TRAINING WHICH WOULD SUBSEQUENTLY PREPARE THEM MORE READILY FOR THE WORKING WORLD.
STUDENTS RECEIVED A GENERAL PREPARATION FOR LIFE AS WELL AS A SPECIFIC TRAINING FOR COMMERCE WHILE THEY CONTINUED WITH THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION.
"IT ALSO PROVIDES THEM WITH SOME UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES OF HONG KONG WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY HELP THEM BECOME MORE INFORMATIVE, PROGRESSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
AS A RESULT, THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS AT THE SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL WAS NOW INCREASING RAPIDLY AND THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES ENTERING FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN COMMERCE ROSE FROM 691 STUDENTS IN 1978 TO 10,693 IN 1988.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION AND SPONSORSHIP OF THE COMPETITION, MR SO SAID THE AIM WAS TO STIMULATE INTEREST AMONG SECONDARY STUDENTS IN VARIOUS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES.
THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION ATTRACTED 215 ENTRIES FROM 1076 STUDENTS OF 35 SCHOOLS. THE FIRST AND THE THIRD OF THE OVERALL PRIZES WENT TO THE CCC ROTARY PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL WHILE STUDENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE CHENG WING GEE COLLEGE WON THE SECOND OVERALL PRIZE.
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/?9........
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 29 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG TO BE DEMOLISHED * * t
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE ROOFS OF THE THIRD FLOOR OF 2-8A YAN 01 COURT, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS FOLLOWS THE OWNERS* FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE BETWEEN 1985 AND 1987 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL /STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 7 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED.
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URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN SHA TIN
* ♦ ♦ I ♦
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHA TIN WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
THE SECTION OF NGAN SHING STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SIU LEK YUEN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES WEST OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO VUE TIN COURT WILL BECOME A PEAK-HOUR (7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
IN ADDITION, THE UNNAMED ROAD EAST OF TUNG LO WAN PLAYGROUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO ROAD NEAR THE PETROL STATION AT TUNG LO WAN AND IIS JUNCTION WITH SHING CHUEN ROAD WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THESE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1988
- 30 -
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN NEW TERRITORIES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SECTIONS OE SHA TSUI ROAD IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI EOO ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 \M ON SATURDAY (JONI I) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
IN TSUEN WAN, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TSUI ROAD, FROM X POINT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WO TIE STREET To iTS JUNCTION WITH TAJ HO ROAD ROUNDABOUT, WILL BECOME AN URBAN . LEARWAY OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK.
IN KWAI CHUNG, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWAI FOO ROAD, BETWrEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES 1ST Ol UI’S JUNCTION WITH KWAI YAN ROAD, WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC ' IGIIT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE OPERATING DAILY FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT.
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WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG * » ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CUT OFF OR REDUCED I' PRESSURE FROM 9 PM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 3) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DA\ FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED BY THE CUT IS BOUNDED BY KWAI CHUNG ROAD, LAI KING HILL ROAD, JUNCTION STREET, LAI CHO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THE AREA WITH REDUCED PRESSURE IS BOUNDED BY CONTAINER PORT ROAD, KVA I TAI ROAD, KWAI YUE STREET, WING SHUN STREET, TEXACO ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, SHING FUK STREET, KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, KWAI HING ROAD, WO TONG TSU I STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, LAI CHO ROAD, JUNCTION STREET, LAI KING HILL ROAD, KWAI (’HUNG ROAD AND TSUEN WAN ROAD, INCLUDING Till CONTAINER TERMINAL AND ALL BLOCKS OF MEI FOO SUN TSUEN TO THE SOUTH OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED ............. 1
DISTRICT BOARDS BRIEFED CW EPD'S WORK ........................ 2
BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO HANOI TO VISIT HK ...................... 3
INDUSTRIES NEED TO BE MORE CAPITAL, KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE.... 3
JI PENGFEI SEES AIRPORT OPERATIONS ........................... 4
COMPUTER MODEL TO HELP SOLVE MARICULTURE PROBLEMS ............ 5
CONSULTANT APPOINTED TO SET UP DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ........ 7
HOME HELP CENTRE OPENS ....................................... 8
PRESS CONFERENCE CW SECURITIES BILL........................... 8
PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 GAZETTED ................ 9
METROPLAN EXHIBITION OPINED.................................. 10
LEK YUEN BRIDGE WILL BE SHA TIN LANDMARK................... 11
AUTHORISATION FOR WORKS GIVEN ............................... 12
TIGHTER CONTROL ON BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS PROPOSED ......... 13
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND................ 15
VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS DISTRIBUTED WITH WATER BILLS ....... 15
TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL GAZETTED ........................... 16
ENROLMENT BEGINS FOR TECHNICAL SUMMER COURSES ............... 16
INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME ..... 1?
SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS REVALUATION OF RATES ................. 1?
ACCESS ROAD TO SHA LO WAN, LhNTAU............................ 18
BREAKWATERS AND CARGO WORKING AREA FOR KWUN TONG ROAD PROJECT 19
RECLAMATION IN JUNK BAY, ERECTION OF BEACON IN SAI KUNG PROPOSED.................................................... 20
DEVELOPMENT OF TIN WAN CLOSE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT......... 20
REf-AvVISICNING OF CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS ................... 21
SPORTS PROGRAMME STARTS OFF WITH EXCITING MATCHES........... 22
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE FACES DEMOLITION .......................... 22
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN CENTRAL .......................... 2?
NT RECREATIONAL BUS ROUTE RE-INTRODUCED ..................... 2?
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
1
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION J IMPLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, AND THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEF ART'ITS YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 78 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, EIGHT WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT Till- BORDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
THE REMAINING 70 HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY) W \S NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH OTIII.Ii’K ISb IS ONIA CHEATING HIMSELF," HE SAID.
THAT THERE
THAT THERE
TO BELIEVE
’HIE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
\ HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY TUI POI ICE AND THE SECUR ITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS," HE SAID.
DURING THE JOINT OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 5 AM YESTERDAY AND ENDED THIS MORNING, THE POLICE HAI) STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT (HECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT Till’ TERRITORY.
\S A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 43,824 PERSONS, 5,177 VEHICLES AND 1,811 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
\ TOTAL OF TWO PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED FOR FAILING TO PRODI ( E PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY, 16 WERE SUMMONED AND A FURTHER SEVEN WERE WARNED IN RESPECT OF THIS OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1,000.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 2,817 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAA BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION 01’ KEEPING PROPER RECORDS ()!■ THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL OF NINE PERSONS IN NINE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND WITHOUT PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY AND HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE I MM I GRAT I ON DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER I NV EST I GAT I ON.
/ANOTHER 18 .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
- 2 -
ANOTHER 18 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE EITHER KEEPING NO RECORD OR INCOMPLETE RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES, OR POSSESSING NO RECORD AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD TO $50,000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO A YEAR IF THEY WERE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
BE FINED UP
FOUND TO BE
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DISTRICT BOARDS BRIEFED ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
ON EPD’S WORK
MORE THAN 180 NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS FROM THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS ATTENDED TWO BRIEFING SESSIONS ORGANISED BY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY).
DB MEMBERS WERE TOLD ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION POLICY AND THE WORK OF THE MAIN EXECUTIVE ARM, THE EPD.
THE BRIEFING IS INTENDED TO STIMULATE DB MEMBERS' INTEREST AND UNDERSTANDING AND TO SOLICIT THEIR CO-OPERATION IN DEALING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT THE TERRITORY FACES AT BOTH THE LOCAL AND THE STRATEGIC LEVELS.
OFFICERS FROM EPD’S AIR GROUP, NOISE GROUP, PROJECT MANAGEMENT GROUP, LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL GROUP, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING GROUP WERE ON HAND AT THE BRIEFING SESSIONS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE DB MEMBERS.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSE OF THE BRIEFING, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID THAT SINCE THEY WERE ESTABLISHED, DISTRICT BOARDS HAD BEEN A MAJOR FACTOR IN INCREASING THE AWARENESS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO THE THREAT POSED BY POLLUTION AND TO THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
"WE IN THE EPD ARE VERY KEEN TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT BOARD.S AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THESE DISTRICTS AND TO GET THE NECESSARY ACTION TAKEN TO SOLVE THEM.
"IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO SORT OUT PRIORITIES FOR ACTION AND WE ARE PLANNING TO DO THIS THROUGH THE PREPARATION OF DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENTS (DES)," DR REED CONTINUED.
"THESE STATEMENTS WILL IDENTIFY ALL THE MAJOR PROBLEMS AND SET OUT THE ACTION THAT IS PLANNED FOR DEALING WITH THEM.
’’THE FIRST DRAFT DES WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE ADDED.
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/5........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
" 5 -BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO HANOI TO VISIT HK t ♦ t ♦ *
THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO HANOI, MR EMRYS DAVIES, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM JUNE 16 TO 19 ON HIS WAY TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
HE WILL TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE WILL ALSO TALK TO BUSINESSMEN ABOUT TRADE WITH VIETNAM.
MR DAVIES, WHO LAST VISITED HONG KONG IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, WILL STAY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
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INDUSTRIES NEED TO BE MORE CAPITAL, KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE t * » * * •
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG CAN NO LONGER RELY ON PRICE COMPETITIVENESS ALONE IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURE WORK WITH A RELATIVELY HIGH LABOUR CONTENT, AND HAVE TO BE MORE CAPITAL AND KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE TO COMPETE MORE IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY, QUALITY, AND INNOVATION.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A CONFERENCE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MBA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE THREE-YEAR MBA (CUHK) ASSOCIATION LTD.
HE EXPLAINED THAT AS HONG KONG'S ECONOMY GREW AND COSTS ROSE, MORE AND MORE OF ITS LABOUR INTENSIVE AND SUB-ASSEMBLY PROCESSES WERE BEING SUB-CONTRACTED ACROSS THE BORDER.
HONG KONG WAS ALSO FACING INCREASING COMPETITION FROM ITS ASIAN NEIGHBOURS IN THE MARKET FOR THE MORE SOPHISTICATED AND INNOVATIVE CONSUMER PRODUCTS, PARTICULARLY IN ELECTRONICS.
’’THE INNOVATION OF MORE SOPHISTICATED, HIGHER VALUE-ADDED, AND BETTER QUALITY PRODUCTS GENERALLY REQUIRE INCREASINGLY HIGHER TECHNOLOGY,” HE ADDED.
"IN A MARKET WITH RAPID CHANGES AND KEEN COMPETITION, PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY AND INNOVATION ARE THE KEY TO SURVIVAL AND TECHNOLOGY IS THE MEANS TO IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS.
"THE USE OF COMPUTER AND OTHER AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, TESTING AND MANAGEMENT WOULD ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY.
/’’TO PRODUCE.......
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, ^983
"TO PRODUCE QUALITY GOODS OF HIGHER PRECISION AND ACCURACY WITH BETTER RELIABILITY AND LOWER DEFECT RATES, MANUFACTURERS MUST MAKE USE OF NOT ONLY HARD TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS ADVANCED MACHINERY, PRODUCTION PROCESSES, TESTING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT BUT ALSO SOFT TECHNOLOGIES LIKE MODERN QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.”
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS SUPPORTING INDUSTRY IN TWO MAIN AREAS, INFRASTRUCTURAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL, IN LINE WITH CREATING A FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR PRIVATE INITIATIVES.
”IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT, IT PROVIDES INDUSTRIAL LAND AND ACCOMMODATION, AS WELL AS THE NECESSARY MANPOWER TRAINING TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND FOR MORE TECHNOLOGICALLY QUALIFIED MANPOWER.
’’DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT IS, HOWEVER, AIMED TO ACHIEVE HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTIVITY, TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR MANUFACTURED GOODS AND TO PROMOTE PRODUCT AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AND INNOVATION.”
THE VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT MEASURES TOGETHER WITH INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION EFFORTS WERE INTENDED TO FACILITATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY THE APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES, MR LEUNG ADDED.
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JI PENGFEI SEES AIRPORT OPERATIONS * t t ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, MR JI PENGFEI, VISITED THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING TO LOOK AT ITS OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES AND TO LEARN ABOUT ITS LATEST DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
MR JI AND HIS PARTY WERE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR TREVOR THORPE.
AT A BRIEFING SESSION IN THE VIP ROOM, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE AIRPORT PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, NOT LEAST IN TERMS OF FACILITATING THE STEADY GROWTH IN TRADE AND TOURISM BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
A PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO LOOK INTO THE FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE PORT, AIRPORT AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES, MRS CHAN SAID.
/THE GOVERNMENT........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
- 5 -
THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO TAKE DECISIONS REGARDING THE NEXT STEPS IN PORT DEVELOPMENT AND THE LOCATION AND TIMING OF AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION BY LATE 1989, SHE ADDED.
SHE TOLD MR JI THAT SHE VERY MUCH HOPED THAT, SHOULD A FINAL DECISION BE TAKEN TO CONSTRUCT A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT, THIS PROJECT WOULD RECEIVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF CHINA AS IT WOULD BE VITAL TO THE FUTURE GROWTH OF THE TWO ECONOMIES.
MRS CHAN ALSO BRIEFED MR JI ON A SERIES OF AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCIES WHICH HAD BEEN SET IN TRAIN TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG WOULD HAVE ADEQUATE AIRPORT FACILITIES WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
AMONG THESE WAS THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONSULTANCY WHICH WAS DUE TO REPORT IN THE FINAL QUARTER OF THIS YEAR ON THE ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF THE AIRPORT, WITH A VIEW TO TAKING A PRELIMINARY DECISION BY THE END OF THE YEAR ON THE NEED FOR AND THE TIMING OF THE PROVISION OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.
MRS CHAN TOLD MR JI THAT ANOTHER CONSULTANCY STUDY HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE SITES FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT. THIS STUDY STARTED IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND WAS DUE TO RUN FOR SOME 15 MONTHS WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING A PREFERRED REPLACEMENT AIRPORT SITE IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR.
A THIRD CONSULTANCY, MRS CHAN SAID, WOULD BE APPOINTED TO UPDATE THE MASTER PLAN FOR DEVELOPING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK WHICH WAS PREPARED IN 1983. THIS CONSULTANCY WOULD ALSO EVALUATE THE RELATIVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DEVELOPING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK OR IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR.
AFTER THE BRIEFING, MR JI TOURED THE ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES AREAS OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING BEFORE TAKING A BUS TOUR TO SEE THE AIRFIELD, AIRCRAFT PARKING AREAS, MAINTENANCE, CARGO AND FIRE FIGHTING FACILITIES.
MR JI ENDED HIS VISIT AFTER LOOKING OVER THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE AND TOWER.
-----o-----
COMPUTER MODEL TO HELP SOLVE MARICULTURE PROBLEMS
******
A MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECT TO PREDICT CHANGES IN THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN LOCAL FISH CULTURE ZONES HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE PROJECT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS IN THE WORLD IN ITS APPLICATION IN FISH FARMING.
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
- 6 -
IN THE FORM OF A COMPUTER MODEL, IT AIMS TO PROVIDE FORECASTS OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF OXYGEN DEPLETION IN THE WATERS WHICH MAY LEAD TO FISH KILLS, AND TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM LIMIT OF FISH STOCK AND ORGANIC LOADING IN THE FISH CULTURE ZONE.
CONDUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY’S CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, THE PROJECT WAS STARTED IN 1986 WHEN A COMPUTER MODEL WAS FORMULATED TO SIMULATE THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN YUNG SHUE AU AS A TYPICAL FISH CULTURE ZONE LOCATED IN SHELTERED WATERS.
AFTER TWO YEARS OF EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND FIELD WORK, THE COMPUTER MODEL DEVELOPED HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FAIRLY ACCURATE PREDICTIONS OF THE CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN IN THE WATERS.
THESE PREDICTIONS HAVE BEEN VERIFIED TO BE IN SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT WITH ACTUAL FIELD MEASUREMENTS.
THE SENIOR FISHERIES OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR RUDOLF WU, TODAY (FRIDAY) DESCRIBED THE COMPUTER MODEL AS ”A VERY EFFECTIVE SCIENTIFIC TOOL FOR MARICULTURE MANAGEMENT”.
’’THE DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVEL IN THE WATERS IS MODELLED BY QUANTIFYING THE COMPLICATED INTERACTIONS OF A NUMBER OF BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL FACTORS INCLUDING PHOTOSYNTHETIC PRODUCTION AND RESPIRATORY ACTIVITIES OF THE MARINE BIOTA, LIGHT INTENSITY, WATER TEMPERATURE, TIDAL FLUSHING AND WIND SPEED.
"BY FEEDING THE NECESSARY DATE INTO THE COMPUTER, THE MODEL ALSO HELPS TO DETERMINE THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE WATER BODY IN RELATION TO ORGANIC LOADING AND FISH STOCK DENSITY."
THE MODEL HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED THAT ALGAL RESPIRATION, FISH RESPIRATION AND BOTTOM SEDIMENT RESPIRATION IN YUNG SHUE AU ARE UNEXPECTEDLY HIGH.
"COUPLED WITH ADVERSE METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, SUCH HIGH OXYGEN CONSUMPTION RATES MAY CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO MAJOR FISH KILLS,” DR WU POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THAT THE COMPUTER MODEL COULD BE MODIFIED FOR APPLICATION FOR USE IN OTHER FISH CULTURE ZONES IN THE TERRITORY.
THE RESEARCH TEAM FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG COMPRISES DR JOSEPH LEE AND PROFESSOR Y.K. CHEUNG. THEIR WORK WAS SUPPORTED BY A GRANT AWARDED BY THE CROUCHER FOUNDATION.
- - 0 -----------
/7........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
7 -
CONSULTANT APPOINTED TO SET UP DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS APPOINTED THE CONSULTANT, MESSRS. BINNIE & PARTNERS (HONG KONG), TO SET UP LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT DEMONSTRATION PLANTS AT PRIVATE LIVESTOCK FARMS.
WORK ON THE $8 MILLION PROJECT WILL START IMMEDIATELY AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY TODAY (FRIDAY), EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER), MR MIKE STOKOE, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT WAS TO DEMONSTRATE THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY AND OPERATING COST OF THE VARIOUS LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS RECOMMENDED BY EPD UNDER PRIVATE FARM WORKING CONDITIONS.
"THIS IS ALSO ANOTHER MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN THE GOVERNMENT'S ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS IN COMPLYING WITH THE REGULATIONS ON THE CONTROL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE."
A PARTNER OF MESSRS. BINNIE & PARTNERS (HK), MR A.J. VAIL, SAID IN VIEW OF THE URGENCY OF THE PROJECT, THE THREE PROJECT TEAMS WILL IMMEDIATELY VISIT ALL THE 21 SHORTLISTED FARMS BEFORE RECOMMENDING WHICH FARMS SHOULD BE SELECTED FOR THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
THE CONSULTANT WILL THEN DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, COMMISSION AND OPERATE VARIOUS LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS AT THE SELECTED FARMS.
THE SYSTEMS WILL THEN BE HANDED OVER TO THE PARTICIPATING FARMERS WHO ALSO WILL BE TRAINED TO OPERATE THE SYSTEM UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CONSULTANT.
THE DEMONSTRATION SYSTEM COVER THE DRY-MUCK-OUT, WET-MUCK-OUT, PIG-ON-LITTER AND THE HYBRID SYSTEMS AT PIG, POULTRY AND MIXED FARMS.
THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED AFTER FULL CONSULTATION WITH THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED IN DECEMBER 1987, AND IS PART OF A CONTINUOUS EFFORT BY GOVERNMENT TO DEMONSTRATE THE APPLICATION OF THE PROVEN LIVESTOCK WASTE SYSTEMS BEING OPERATED AT THE TA KWU LING PIG BREEDING CENTRE BUT UNDER PRIVATE FARM CONDITIONS.
A STEERING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR I HE NEW TERRITORIES, AND COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS, WAS SET UP IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT AND TO SELECT SUITABLE FARMS FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES.
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/8........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
- 8 -
HOME HELP CENTRE OPENS * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (FRIDAY) COMMENDED THE HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOME HELP SERVICE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOCIETY’S WEST KOWLOON (LAI KOK) CENTRE IN SHAM SHUI PO, MRS WONG NOTED THAT THE SOCIETY USED TO ADOPT THE "HOME BASED MODEL" FOR ITS HOME HELP SERVICE, UNDER WHICH HOME HELPERS PREPARED MEALS, PURCHASED DAILY NECESSITIES AND CARRIED OUT LAUNDRY AND CLEANSING WORK AT THE CLIENTS’ HOMES.
SHE SAID THAT SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNIFIED HOME HELP POLICY IN 1982, THE SOCIETY HAD EXTENDED THIS SERVICE TO ASSIST THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED.
IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICE, THE SOCIETY CARRIED OUT VARIOUS PILOT PROJECTS AND HAD ADOPTED THE "CENTRALISED KITCHEN MODEL", UNDER WHICH MEALS WERE PREPARED AND COOKED AT A CENTRAL KITCHEN AND THEN DELIVERED TO INDIVIDUAL CLIENT’S HOME, SHE SAID.
"WHILE A CLIENT CAN RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL CARE UNDER THE ’HOME BASED MODEL’, MORE CLIENTS ARE SERVED UNDER THE COMBINED FACILITIES OF CENTRALISED KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY SERVICES," MRS WONG NOTED.
"AS BOTH MODELS OF SERVICES ARE IN OPERATION IN THIS NEW CENTRE IN SHAM SHUI PO, WHERE THE ELDERLY MAKE UP SOME 14 PER CENT OF THE OVER 400,000 POPULATION, CLIENTS CAN OPT FOR THE MODEL WHICH IS MOST SUITED TO THEIR NEEDS.
"I HOPE THE SOCIETY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MORE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ASSIST FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS IN NEED," SHE ADDED.
-------O - -
PRESS CONFERENCE ON SECURITIES BILL » ♦ ♦ * *
THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) BILL 1988 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL, FIRST PUBLISHED IN JUNE 1987 AS A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION, PROPOSES TO REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF LISTED COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG TO DISCLOSE THEIR SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE DEALINGS.
/MR DAVID .......
FRIDAY, JUNE J, 1988
MR DAVID NENDICK, WHO WILL BE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WILL CHAIR A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (JUNE 6) AT 2 PM AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM TO EXPLAIN THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, PARTICULARLY AMENDMENTS MADE AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC COMMENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) BILL 1988 WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (JUNE 6) AT 2 PM IN THE QIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
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PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 GAZETTED * * * ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND EXISTING LEGISLATION TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT DECISIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SHALL CONTINUE TO HAVE LEGAL EFFECT AFTER THE DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS DESIRABLE TO MAKE SUCH AN AMENDMENT AS THERE WERE PROVISIONS FOR THE PERIODIC DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
’’THERE IS SOME DOUBT WHETHER, FROM THE DATE OF THE DISSOLUTION, CERTAIN DECISIONS MADE BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, IN PARTICULAR THE DELEGATION OF ITS POWER UNDER SECTION 8 (3) TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE, WILL AS A MATTER OF LAW CONTINUE TO HAVE EFFECT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IF THEY DO NOT, THE NORMAL CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL BUSINESS WOULD BE DISRUPTED," HE ADDED.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 15.
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/1O
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
10
METROPLAN EXHIBITION OPENED
*****
THE METROPLAN STUDY PROCESS WILL BE VERY DEMANDING AND REQUIRE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, MR F.K. HU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR HU WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "METROPLAN -AIMS FOR A BETTER CITY EXHIBITION" AT THE LANDMARK WEST BRIDGE IN CENTRAL.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD EXPERIENCED DRAMATIC CHANGES AND ITS PEOPLE HAD PRODUCED A THRIVING AND EXCITING PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
"HOWEVER, THIS GROWTH HAS ALSO BROUGHT PROBLEMS AND WE NEED TO DEVELOP NEW IDEAS AS TO HOW TO IMPROVE THINGS," HE SAID.
"WE NEED TO BETTER CO-ORDINATE THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY.
"TO THAT END, METROPLAN IS BEING PREPARED TO PRODUCE A FRAMEWORK FOR LONG TERM URBAN GROWTH AROUND THE HARBOUR.
"METROPLAN WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF CURRENT INVESTMENT PLANS.
"RATHER, IT WILL ENDEAVOUR TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES UP TO 2011 WHERE NEW INITIATIVES CAN BE PURSUED BY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
"TO HELP BRING METROPLAN IDEAS TO FRUITION IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO TAKE A CAREFUL LOOK AT THE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COORDINATED IMPLEMENTATION OF WORKS."
THE EXHIBITION OPENS DAILY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 7 PM FROM TODAY TO TUESDAY (JUNE 7).
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/11 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
11
LEK YUEN BRIDGE WILL BE SHA TIN LANDMARK * » * t *
THE LEK YUEN BRIDGE WILL BECOME VERY POPULAR AND RANK AS AN IMPORTANT LANDMARK IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR BARNES WAS OFFICIALLY OPENING THE 170-METRE BRIDGE WHICH SPANS THE SHING MUN RIVER.
HE DESCRIBED THE BRIDGE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SHA TIN CENTRAL AREA BOTH IN TERMS OF ITS ROLE AND ITS DESIGN.
AS A PEDESTRIAN FACILITY, THE BRIDGE CONNECTS THE PROMENADE SYSTEM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER CHANNEL AND GIVES DIRECT ACCESS TO THE MAJOR RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES IN THE TOWN CENTRE TO THE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE EAST BANK OF THE RIVER CHANNEL.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADITIONAL DESIGN OF THE 11-ARCH BRIDGE WAS IN ACCORD WITH THE MANY CHINESE THEMES IN THE ADJOINING TOWN PARK AND SERVED AS A USEFUL REMINDER THAT THE MODERN TOWN WAS NOT VERY LONG AGO A SMALL VILLAGE.
THE DESIGN AND HIGH-QUALITY FINISH OF THE BRIDGE PROVIDED NOT JUST A USEFUL PEDESTRIAN LINK BUT ALSO A PROMENADE WHICH WAS PLEASANT TO WALK ALONG AS WELL AS TO LOOK AT.
"I CAN SEE THE BRIDGE BECOMING VERY POPULAR AND AN IMPORTANT LANDMARK IN THE NEW TOWN," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT OWED MUCH TO THE FULL COMMITMENT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WHO HAD CONCEIVED AND DESIGNED IT AND TO THE CONTRACTORS.
AMONG THE MANY SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BRIDGE ARE ITS RAINWATER DRAIN OUTLETS WHICH ARE DECORATED BY STONE CARVINGS IN THE SHAPE OF A DRAGON HEAD.
FOURTEEN PAIRS OF ORNATE LAMP-POSTS, ORDERED SPECIALLY FROM THE UNITED STATES, FORM ANOTHER ATTRACTION.
MATERIAL USED IN CONSTRUCTING THE BRIDGE INCLUDED 2,909 TONNES OF CONCRETE, 236 TONNES OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT AND 5,250 KILOGRAMS OF FINISHING MATERIAL.
THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IN 22 MONTHS, AT A COST OF $10 MILLION.
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/12........
♦
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
- 12 -
AUTHORISATION FOR WORKS GIVEN t » » « »
WORKS AT THREE SEPARATE LOCATIONS IN KOWLOON AND THF NEW TERRITORIES HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED TO PROCEED BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED (RECLAMATION) ORDINANCE.
THE WORK ITEMS IN KOWLOON ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT UNDER THE NORTH WEST KOWLOON SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL (REVISED SCHEME).
THESE INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF A TWIN 2.2 METRES DIAMETRE SUBMARINE PUMPING MAINS TO CONVEY SEWAGE FROM THE CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION TO THE STONECUTTERS ISLAND FOR TREATMENT.
A 150 MILLIMETRES DIAMETRE WATER SUPPLY PIPE WILL ALSO BE LAID IN A DREDGED TRENCH WHICH WILL BE BACKFILLED AFTER CONSTRUCTION.
AN EXISTING PIER AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WATERFRONT WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND RECONSTRUCTED ON THE SAME SITE AND A NEW PIER WILL BE BUILT TO THE SOUTHEAST OF THE EXISTING PIERS.
THE WORKS WILL AFFECT 10.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN AND THE STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE SECOND WORK ITEM IS THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 7,900 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TSI NG LUNG TAU IN TSUEN WAN.
THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED AS A BARGE LOADING AREA FOR THE SHIPMENT OF ROCK FILL MATERIALS PRODUCED IN TSING LUNG TAU TO THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL 7 SITE.
THE THIRD WORK ITEM IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A JETTY AT THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
THE JETTY IS FOR THE LOADING OF SLUDGE PRODUCED AT THE TREATMENT WORKS. ABOUT 6.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT.
NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION FOR THE CHEUNG SHA WAN AND SHA TIN PROJECTS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND THE NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION FOR THE TSING LUNG TAU PROJECT WAS GAZETTED ON MAY 27 THIS YEAR.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER SUCH FORESHORE AND SEABED THAT WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE WORKS MAY DELIVER A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DAY OF NOTICE.
/THE CLAIM .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
THE CLAIM SHOULD STATE THE SUM OF MONEY HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM TOGETHER WITH SUCH PARTICULARS AS HE MAY POSSESS TO SUBSTANTIATE THE CLAIM.
COPIES OF PLANS OF THESE WORKS AND COPIES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION MAY BE INSPECTED BY THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL.
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TIGHTER CONTROL ON BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS PROPOSED
*****
A BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) SEEKS TO REQUIRE (WITH THF EXCEPTION OF GENUINE PRIVATE HOMES) "ANY PLACE OPENED, KEPT OR USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLAYING BILLIARDS, SNOOKER, POOL OR SIMILAR GAMES" TO BE LICENSED BY THE AUTHORITY - THE URBAN COUNCIL OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL - UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 ALSO SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE AUTHORITY TO EXEMPT WHERE APPROPRIATE ANY BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENT FROM THE REQUIRMENT OF OBTAINING A LICENCE.
A MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, ANY PERSON WHO CONDUCTED THE BUSINESS OF A PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOON WAS REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT A PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOON LICENCE.
A PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOON WAS ANY PLACE OPENED, KEPT OR USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLAYING BILLIARDS, SNOOKER, POOL OR SIMILAR GAMES TO WHICH THE PUBLIC WERE ADMITTED WITH OR WITHOUT PAYMENT FOR ADMISSION.
"OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE GAME OF BILLIARDS HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE POPULAR AND A LARGE NUMBER OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN THE NAME OF PRIVATE CLUBS WHICH ARE SUPPOSEDLY OPEN ONLY TO MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, MEMBERSHIP OF SOME OF THESE PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS IS EASILY AND ALMOST INSTANTLY AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH PAYMENT OF A SMALL ENTRANCE FEE ($5 TO $10).
"THESE CLUBS PROVIDE FACILITIES VERY SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND IN PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS, AND A CHARGE IS LEVIED ON THE USE OF FACILITIES, MOSTLY ON AN HOURLY BASIS.
"THEY ARE IN FACT OPERATING AS DE FACTO PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS UNDER THE GUISE OF PRIVATE CLUBS, THEREBY AVOIDING THE NEED TO BE SUBJECT TO PAYMENT OF LICENCE FEES AND LICENSING CONDITIONS."
/THESE LICENSING ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988 •
14
THESE LICENSING CONDITIONS INCLUDED A PROVISION THAT PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO OPERATE BETWEEN 2 AM AND 8 AM.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE SO-CALLED PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE RELEVANT BY-LAWS UNDER CHAPTER 132 WHICH ENABLE THE AUTHORITY AND PUBLIC OFFICERS AUTHORISED BY THE AUTHORITY TO VISIT THE LICENSED PREMISES TO ENSURE THAT THE OPERATOR MAINTAINS GOOD ORDER ON THE PREMISES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 204 PRIVATE CLUBS WITH BILLIARD FACILITIES IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA, AND 83 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
"THERE IS LITTLE PRACTICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PRESENTLY LICENSED PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS AND THE MAJORITY OF PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS.
"INCREASED INCIDENCE OF CRIME IN PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS IS A MATTER FOR SERIOUS CONCERN, PARTICULARLY REGARDING THE POTENTIAL EFFECT ON YOUNG PERSONS MIXING WITH UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS ON PREMISES NOT SUBJECT TO CONTROL.
"THIS VIEW WAS SHARED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE TRADE WHEN THEY WERE CONSULTED ON THIS ISSUE."
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC, FROM THE LAW AND ORDER, PUBLIC HEALTH, FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY POINTS OF VIEW, IT WAS NECESSARY TO EXTEND CONTROL TO THE MAJORITY OF THE PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS.
"THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS," HE SAID.
AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL AMEND THE PLACES OF AMUSEMENT (URBAN COUNCIL)/(REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS TO EXEMPT FROM LICENSING ANY CLASS OR DESCRIPTION OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENT THAT IT IS INTENDED SHOULD BE EXEMPTED.
"THIS SHOULD CATER FOR THE MAJORITY OF BONA FIDE CLUBS WITH INCIDENTAL BILLIARD FACILITIES."
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 15.
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/15........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
- 15 -
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
*****
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND WERE.ANNOUNCED BY THE POST OFFICE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11 (QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY) AND NO DELIVERY ON MONDAY, JUNE 13.
ONE JUNE 11, 42 POST OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON. THEY INCLUDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON AND TSUEN WING STREET, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POSTS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JUNE 13.
DETAILS OF THE 42 POST OFFICES WHICH WILL BE OPEN ON JUNE 11 CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POSTAL ENQUIRY BUREAU ON 5-231071.
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VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS DISTRIBUTED WITH WATER BILLS * » » » »
COPIES OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION FORM WILL BE SENT TO ABOUT 500,000 WATER ACCOUNT HOLDERS TOGETHER WITH THEIR WATER BILLS THIS MONTH.
EXPLAINING THIS ARRANGMENT, THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR LAI KWAN-TAT, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND PART OF AN EXERCISE AIMED AT PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO WERE NOT YET ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL TO REGISTER.
"IT ALSO ENABLES THOSE REGISTERED ELECTORS WHO HAVE CHANGED RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES TO REPORT SUCH CHANGES," MR LAI SAID.
"NEW APPLICANTS, WHEN ACCEPTED FOR REGISTRATION, WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE NEXT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN MARCH 1989.
"RESIDENTS UNDER THE ABOVE CATEGORIES ARE INVITED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30.”
THE SAME ARRANGEMENT WAS MADE LAST SUMMER WHEN OVER 800,000 COPIES OF REGISTRATION FORMS WERE SENT TO WATER ACCOUNT HOLDERS, DRAWING A REASONABLE RESPONSE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT RESIDENTS WHO WERE ALREADY REGISTERED ELECTORS NEED NOT RE-APPLY BUT SHOULD KEEP THE REGISTRATION OFFICER INFORMED OF ANY CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
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/16
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
- 16 -
TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL GAZETTED ♦ * * ♦ ♦
A BILL TO GRANT A 30-YEAR FRANCHISE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL 1988 IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 8).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL COVERED THE OBLIGATIONS WHICH THE FRANCHISE HOLDER MUST CARRY OUT. THESE INCLUDED THE COMPLETION OF THE TUNNEL IN 37 MONTHS.
THE GAMMON-NISHIMATSU CONSORTIUM, WHICH HAS WON THE FRANCHISE, HAS FORMED THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL CO. LTD. TO CARRY OUT THESE OBLIGATIONS.
CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN ONCE THE BILL HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE IS MID-1991.
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ENROLMENT BEGINS FOR TECHNICAL SUMMER COURSES
* * * » »
EMPLOYEES ARE NOW BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR 236 COURSES OFFERED BY THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL THIS SUMMER.
THE SUMMER SHORT COURSES COVER A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS IN MANY FIELDS.
THEY ARE APPLIED SCIENCE, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, COMPUTING STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING, PRINTING AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.
THE COURSES, RANGING FROM EIGHT TO 60 HOURS, ARE OFFERED MAINLY FOR PEOPLE IN EMPLOYMENT WHO WANT TO UPDATE THEIR SKILLS OR KNOWLEDGE, THOUGH SOME OF THEM ARE RELATED TO HOBBY AND LEISURE SUBJECTS.
DETAILS OF THE COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN THE PRESS TOMORROW (SATURDAY). CLOSING DATE OF ENROLMENT IS JUNE 20.
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDES TO APPLICANTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND DISTRICT OFFICES, STARTING FROM TOMORROW.
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME * » » » «
THE NINTH AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME WILL BE INAUGURATED BY URBAN COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE, MR WALTER SULKE, AT THE CITY HALL TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SCHEME IS ONE OF THE STUDENT PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN. ABOUT 640 STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME THIS YEAR.
COMING FROM 32 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THESE FORM THREE TO FORM SIX STUDENTS WILL HELP THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CLEAN UP THE REPULSE BAY, DEEP WATER BAY, SHEK O, STANLEY MAIN BEACH AND BIG WAVE BEACH DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
THEY WILL ALSO ADVISE BEACH-GOERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR LITTER PROPERLY.
AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY, THE STUDENTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THEIR DUTY. THEY WILL RECEIVE THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN CAPS AND T-SHIRTS WHICH THEY WILL WEAR WHILE PERFORMING THEIR DUTY ON THE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 3.30 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL, CITY HALL LOW BLOCK, HONG KONG. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS REVALUATION OF RATES * « t t
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO DISCUSS THE REVALUATION OF RATES IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, MR C.S. WONG, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ISSUE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS.
THE INTRODUCTION OF SUMMER TIME IN HONG KONG WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING.
/THE PRINCIPAL
FRIDAY, JUNE 3,
1988
- 18 -
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (INFORMATION) OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH, MR MIKE ROWSE, WILL INVITE MEMBERS TO COMMENT ON THE DESIRABILITY OF THE PROPOSAL.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG. A PAPER ON THE ISSUE WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ REFERENCE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN PHASE III DEVELOPMENT PLAN, THE PROPOSED RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCE OF HANG HAU TOWN, APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, AND PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S REGIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, MR WAN YUET-KAU, AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. IT WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
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ACCESS ROAD TO SHA LO WAN, LANTAU *****
AN ACCESS ROAD WILL BE BUILT FROM NGONG PING ROAD TO SHAM WAT ON LANTAU ISLAND.
IT FORMS THE FIRST STAGE OF A PROJECT TO CONSTRUCT AN ACCESS ROAD FROM NGONG PING ROAD TO SHA LO WAN.
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ACCESS ROAD. A NOTICE IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE RECONSTRUCTION, WIDENING AND PROVISION OF PASSING PLACES ALONG THE SECTION OF THE EXISTING SHAM WAT ROAD NORTH OF NGONG PING ROAD; THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROAD WITH PASSING PLACES ALONG THE ALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING EARTH TRACK FROM SHAM WAT ROAD TO SHAM WAT; AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED, BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
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/19........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
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BREAKWATERS AND CARGO WORKING AREA FOR KWUN TONG ROAD PROJECT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BREAKWATERS AND A CARGO WORKING AREA FOR KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE II.
THESE ARE ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION WORKS TO ENABLE THE MAIN CONTRACT FOR THE KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE II TO COMMENCE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE.
THE WORKS ARE IN TWO SECTIONS WHICH WILL BE CONSTRUCTED SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THE FIRST SECTION CONSISTS OF BUILDING A NEW BREAKWATER AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING BREAKWATERS AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE KWUN TONG TYPHOON SHELTER.
THESE WORKS WILL INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE EXISTING TYPHOON SHELTER TO COMPENSATE FOR A FUTURE REDUCTION IN SIZE DUE TO THE SPACE OCCUPIED BY THE KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE II ROAD STRUCTURE ITSELF.
THE SECOND SECTION INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF A PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA AND ASSOCIATED ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON THE CHA KWO LING WATERFRONT.
THE NEW CARGO WORKING AREA WILL BE USED TO RELOCATE PART OF THE EXISTING KWUN TONG PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA WHICH WILL BE CLOSED TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE II.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT CONSTRUCTION WILL COMMENCE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY FREEMAN FOX/MAUNSELL FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A NOTICE ON INVITATION TO TENDER IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
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FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
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RECLAMATION IN JUNK BAY, ERECTION OF BEACON IN 3AI KUNG PROPOSED » * » * »
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 20.10 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT JUNK BAY.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, SCHOOLS, OPEN SPACE AND ROADS IN CONNECTION WITH THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
WORK WILL COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO INTENDS TO ERECT AN UNLIT BEACON SOUTHWEST OF YEUNG CHAU IN SAI KUNG HOI (INNER PORT SHELTER).
IT WILL BE ERECTED ON TOP OF A SUBMERGED ROCK TO AID NAVIGATION OF VESSELS IN THE VICINITY.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICES TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITES.
THE PLANS CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 2, THIS YEAR.
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DEVELOPMENT OF TIN WAN CLOSE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT
* * ♦ i *
A PORTION OF TIN WAN CLOSE IN ABERDEEN IS TO BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE BUILDING OF A NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT, THE EXISTING FOOTPATH AT TIN WAN CLOSE WILL ALSO BE IMPROVED.
/THE PROPOSED........
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
21 -
THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF TIN WAN CLOSE IS SCHEDULED TO BE IMPLEMENTED UPON COMMENCEMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.
THE EXISTING FOOTPATH WILL BE IMPROVED AFTER THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IS COMPLETED.
A NOTICE ON THE PROJECT IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG.
IT CAN ALSO DE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, HARBOUR CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; AND AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST W*NG, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 2 THIS YEAR.
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REPROVISIONING OF CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS.
A NOTICE FOR INVITATION TO TENDER IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACHES AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE.
ANCILLARY WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT UNDER THIS CONTRACT WILL BE THE DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY AMENITY BUILDING, DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND MINOR WORKS IN CHOI HUNG ROAD.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MOTT, HAY AND ANDERSON HONG KONG LIMITED FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
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SPORTS PROGRAMME STARTS OFF WITH EXCITING MATCHES t t * *
AN "INTER-HONG SPORTS PROGRAMME" WILL START OFF ON SUNDAY (JUNE 5) MORNING WITH A SERIES OF EXCITING TELEMATCHES AT THE BLAKE GARDEN IN PO HING FONG, SHEUNG WAN.
A TOTAL OF 16 TEAMS, EACH REPRESENTING A FIRM OR AN ESTABLISHMENT IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, WILL TAKE PART IN THE MATCHES.
THE "INTER-HONG SPORTS PROGRAMME" IS AIMED AT PROMOTING RECREATION AND SPORTS AMONG WORKING PEOPLE. A SERIES OF COMPETITIONS IN BASKETBALL, MINI-SOCCER, BADMINTON, SWIMMING AND SQUASH WILL BE HELD THIS MONTH AND IN JULY.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SUNDAY WILL BE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU, AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ELIZABETH TSE.
THE PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
*4 -
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "INTER-HONG SPORTS PROGRAMME" TO BEGIN AT 9 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 5) AT THE BLAKE GARDEN IN PO HING FONG, SHEUNG WAN.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURE FACES DEMOLITION * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK A CLOSURE ORDER AGAINST AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ON AND OVER THE YARD INCLUDING A COCKLOFT, AT NO. 1 IVY STREET, GROUND FLOOR, TAI KOK TSUI, KOWLOON, SO THAT ITS DEMOLITION COULD BE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC, t
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 4 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JANUARY THIS YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE.
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN CENTRAL » * » » »
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MONDAY (JUNE 6) FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK.
ELGIN STREET BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND STAUNTON STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON THAT DAY FOR CABLE-LAYING WORK.
TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS, MERCER STREET BETWEEN BONHAM STRAND AND HOUSE NO. 4 MERCER STREET WILL ALSO BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM. AT THE SAME TIME, THE REMAINING SECTION OF MERCER STREET WILL BECOME A CUL-DE -SAC. VEHICLES SHOULD ENTER MERCER STREET VIA JERVOIS STREET.
- 0 -
NT RECREATIONAL BUS ROUTE RE-INTRODUCED
*****
THE NEW TERRITORIES RECREATIONAL BUS ROUTE NO. 91R, PLYING BETWEEN DIAMOND HILL MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION AND CLEAR WATER BAY, WILL BE RE-INTRODUCED FROM SUNDAY, JUNE 5.
THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE ONLY ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SUMMER AT A 10-MTNUTE INTERVAL FROM 7.30 AM TO 8 PM. THE FARE WILL BE $3 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR: RESOLUTE ACTION AGAINST POLLUTION ................ 1
COMMUNITY RECOGNISES IMPORTANCE OF POLICE WORK — SIR
DAVID.................................................... 2
640 STUDENTS TO BE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS ................ 4
RADIO SHOW TO PROMOTE CLEAN HONG KONG ...................... 5
SPORTS, RECREATION ACTIVITIES TO MARK QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY .... 6
MEETING ON LOCALISATION OF LEGISLATION ..................... 7
HIGH STANDARDS SET IN SKILLS CONTEST ....................... 8
tram parade to publicise keep clean message ................ 8
SUMMER SPORTS SCHEME FOR SCHOOLS ........................... 9
FITTING-OUT OF SOUTHERN CENTRE ............................. 10
EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT .................................... 10
LORRY AND COACH PaRK IN ABERDEEN TO OPEN ................... 10
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING IN SHEUNG SHUI ......................... 11
SATURDAY, JUNE I, 1988
GOVERNOR: RESOLUTE ACTION AGAINST POLLUTION ♦ I * t *
THE GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO TO DEAL WITH HONG KONG’S POLLUTION PROBLEMS.
TAKING RESOLUTE ACT ION
THIS WAS REAFFIRMED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WHEN HE OPENED THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY HONG KONG 1988 AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION BEING HELI) AT THE GROUND FLOOR PLAZA OF THE HONGKONG BANK HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE HEAVILY, TO THE EXTENT OF $15 BILLION FACILITIES FOR THE PROPER DISPOSAL CHEMICAL WASTES.
GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO INVEST OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, IN OF SEWAGE AND MUNICIPAL AND
AS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BAN PIG-FARMING ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON LATER THIS MONTH AND TAKE ACTION TO CONTROL THE POLLUTION TH IS TYPE OF FARMING CAUSES IN THREE AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"WE WILL DESIGNATE THE SOUTH SIDE OF HONG KONG ISLAND AS OUR SECOND WATER CONTROL ZONE. WE WILL STEP UP OUR CONTROLS ON THE POLLUTION OK THE ATMOSPHERE AND INTRODUCE NEW CONTROLS ON NOISE.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT \NI) ENSURE THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ARE GIVEN SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN THE PLANNING PROCESS," SIR DM ID SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE ISSUE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COULD NOT BE LEFT TO THE GOVERNMENT ALONE.
"ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MUST PLAY THEIR PART IF THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PLAYING THEIR PART MEANS PICNICKERS TAKING THEIR LITTER HOME WITH THEM. 1’1’ MEANS INDUSTRIALISTS TAKING PROPER MEASURES TO PROCESS THE EFFLUENT THAT THEIR FACTORIES CAUSE.
"IT MEANS BEING PREPARED TO SEE LARGE AMOUNTS OF PUBLIC FUNDS BEING SPENT ON IMPROVING OUR. ENVIRONMENT. AND MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO PLAY THEIR PART,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR CITED THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT COULD BE DONE TO MAKE A LASTING IMPROVEMENT TO THE CLEANLINESS OF THE TERRITORY.
/’•ANOTHER ENCOURAGING.......
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
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THE A
OUR
"ANOTHER ENCOURAGING SIGN HAS BEEN THE PUBLIC RESPONSE TO RECENT TERRITORY-WIDE TREE PLANTING CAMPAIGN. WE NOW NEED AS COMMUNITY TO MAKE A SIMILAR EFFORT TO PROTECT THE REST OF
ENVIRONMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
OVER 25 EVENTS, INCLUDING COMPETITIONS, SYMPOSIA, CONCERTS AND TREE PLANTING CEREMONIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO CELEBRATE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TOURING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION, SIR DAVID URGED INDUSTRIALISTS TO TAKE MEASURES NOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH LEGISLATION WAS ONE WAY TO PROBLEMS, IT WAS NOT THE SOLE ANSWER.
CONTROL POLLUTION
"INDUSTRIALISTS ARE INCREASINGLY BECOMING CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT, AND THEY CAN TAKE STEPS LONG BEFORE THERE IS LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD FORCE THEM TO TAKE MEASURES," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN THE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION AND DISPLAYED A GREAT SENSE OF AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEMS OF POLLUTION.
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COMMUNITY RECOGNISES IMPORTANCE OF POLICE WORK -- SIR DAVID
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF THE POLICE, AND SAID IT SHOULD BE PROPERLY EVALUATED.
SPEAKING AT A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOI THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT "THE IMPORTANCE OF Illi WORK DONE BY POLICE OFFICERS IS WIDELY RECOGNISED IN OUR COMMUNITY".
"FOR ITS PART, THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND WORKLOAD OF THE POLICE FORCE SHOULD Bl ACCURATELY EVALUATED AND FAIRLY COMPENSATED. FOR THIS REASON ' HAVE COMMISSIONED A REVIEW OF THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF THE POLICE AND OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES", HE ADDED.
/THE GOVERNOR
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
3
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE REVIEW WHICH WILL ASSESS NOT ONLY THE NORMAL DUTIES OF THE POLICE OFFICER, BIT ALSO FACTORS SUCH AS DANGER, STRESS AND THE RESTRI CT JONS PLACED I TON OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
SIR DAVID WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE POLICE FORCE IN HONG KONG HAS AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR ITS PROFESSIONALISM, AND IT HAS IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES OVER A WIDE RANGE OF AREAS.
"ADDITIONAL DEMANDS CONTINUE To BE MADE ON IT, SUCH AS THE ILANS FOR THE FORCE TO TAKE OVER FROM THE ARMY THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANTJ-II.LEGAL IMMIGRATION DUTIES ON THE BORDER.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES, IN TERMS OF TRAINING, ACCOMMODATION AND EQUIPMENT, FOR THIS AND ANY OTHER NEW ROLE", HE STATED.
SIR DAVID ALSO TOLD THE GRADUATING OFFICERS THAT THEY WOULD BE FACED WITH MANA TESTING CHALLENGES.
"CRIMINALS BECOME MORE AND MORE SOPHISTICATED. BUT THE COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO EXPECT YOU TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF LAW AND ORDER THROUGHOUT IIONG KONG; TO SOLVE CRIMES QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY; AND NOT TO INCONVENIENCE THEM AS THEA GO ABOUT THEIR DAILY BUSINESS", HE SAID.
THEREFORE, POLICE OFFICERS NEED TO SHOW HIGH STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM AND PERSONAL BEHAVIOUR, BOTH ON AND OFF DUTY.
IN CONCLUSION, THE GOVERNOR ASKED THE OFFICERS TO REMEMBER ALWAYS Till WORDS CONTAINED IN THEIR OATH OF OFFICE: THAT THEY WOULD SERVE THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG HONESTLY, FAITHFULLY AND DILIGENTLY.
"IN LIVING UP TO ITUS COMMITMENT, YOU WILL FIND GREAT PERSONAL SATISFACTION. AND YOU WILL EARN THE RESPECT OF OUR SOCIETY", HE NOTED.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 230 POLICE INSPECTORS AND CONSTABLES WHO HAAI JUST COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL.
A GROUP OF RECRUITS, WHO WERE STILL UNDER TRAINING, AND THE POLICE BAND ALSO TOOK PART IN THE PARADE.
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A
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
640 STUDENTS TO BE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS * * * ♦ ♦
ALTOGETHER, 640 STUDENTS HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THIS SUMMER BY PARTICIPATING IN THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE STUDENTS’ ENTHUSIASM FOR THE SCHEME WAS PRAISED BY URBAN COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE, MR WALTER SULKE, AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE CITY HALL TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THIS IS THE NINTH TIME WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ORGANISE THIS VERY WELCOME STUDENT PARTICIPATION ACTIVITY IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN," MR SULKE SAID.
"IN THIS PARTICULAR WAY WE ARE INTRODUCING OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY," HE ADDED.
COMING FROM 32 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE FORM 3 TO FORM 5 STUDENTS WILL HELP THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CLEAN UP THE REPULSE BAY, DEEP WATER BAY, SHEK O, STANLEY MAIN AND BIG WAVE BEACHES DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
AS AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS, THE STUDENTS WILL ALSO ASK BEACH-GOERS TO DISPOSE OF LITTER PROPERLY.
MR SULKE SAID HE HOPED THAT THE STUDENTS WILL SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEIR PEERS, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO THE EFFORT THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE WAS MAKING TO KEEP THE CITY CLEAN.
AT THE CEREMONY, THE STUDENTS WERE BRIEFED ON THEIR DUTIES. THEY WERE ALSO GIVEN KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAPS AND T-SHIRTS WHICH THEY WILL WEAR WHILE ON DUTY.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
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RADIO SHOW TO PROMOTE CLEAN HONG KONG * t t t t
A MUSICAL RADIO SHOW ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE AND COMMERCIAL RADIO, THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 12 NOON TO 5 PM AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA, WITH A ONE HOUR LIVE BROADCAST FROM 4 PM TO 5 PM.
THE PROGRAMME WILL FEATURE A LYRIC WRITING COMPETITION ON THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN THEME SONG. WELL KNOWN LYRICISTS WILL BE PRESENT TO ADJUDICATE, AND DISC JOCKEYS AND SINGERS WILL ALSO BE IN ACTION.
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN MESSAGES WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON.
REGIONAL COUNCILLOR AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNC1L/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO BFG1N THE SHOW.
AMONG OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE URBAN COUNCILLOR AND MEMBER OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR JOSEPH CHAN, AND THE MANAGER OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROMOTION DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCIAL RADIO. MISS PEARL WONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA FROM 12 NOON TO 5 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 12 NOON. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE AT 11.55 AM. GIS OFFICERS WJ1L BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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/6........
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
- 6 -
SPORTS, RECREATION ACTIVITIES TO MARK QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY *****
A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN MANY SPORTS GROUNDS, PARKS AND SWIMMING POOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY ON JUNE 11 (SATURDAY).
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, YOUNG AND OLD, ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A DAY OF FUN AND GAMES AS THEY JOIN IN NEARLY 70 ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD SIMULTANEOUSLY AT 15 VENUES.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL JOIN THE SPECTATORS WATCHING THE PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND IN THE MORNING. THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, WILL ACCOMPANY HIM.
THE EVENTS WILL INCLUDE A BAND PARADE BY THE AUXILIARY POLICE, A CHINESE DANCE DEMONSTRATION, AN ALL-STAR VARIETY SHOW, SPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND SPORTS FUN FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE GOVERNOR WILL THEN MOVE ON TO THE NEARBY YUEN WO PLAYGROUND AND INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE WHERE THERE WILL BE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COMPETITIONS, A TENNIS FUN DAY FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, A SOCCER MATCH, YOGA PRACTICE, AND SQUASH AND BADMINTON COMPETITIONS.
A WATER SPORTS CARNIVAL AND A DIVING DEMONSTRATION WILL ALSO BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB SWIMMING POOL.
ACTIVITIES AT THE TUEN MUN TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND WILL BEGIN WITH A MILITARY BAND PARADE AT 9 AM. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED Bl A TAJ CHI DEMONSTRATION AND AEROBICS, FUN GAMES FOR ALL AGES AND AN EXHIBITION OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT.
THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL G.D. JOHNSON, WILL ATTEND THE ACTIVITIES THERE. HE WILL THEN GO TO THE TAI HING INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE TO WATCH A SQUASH DEMONSTRATION, VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION, A BADMINTON CHALLENGE FOR FUN, AND TABLE-TENNIS MATCHES.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN TUEN MUN WILL INCLUDE A BASKETBALL KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION AND SEVEN-A-SIDE SOCCER MATCH AT THE SIU HONG COURT, AND A SWIMMING GALA AT THE YAN 01 TONG SWIMMING POOL.
IN KOWLOON, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL VISIT THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND AT 9.30 AM WHERE ACTIVITIES WILL BEGIN AFTER A MILITARY BAND DISPLAY.
THERE WILL BE A FOLK DANCE DEMONSTRATION, SPORTS TELEMATCH AND MINI-KART RACE FOR CHILDREN. SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS WILL BE PONY RIDES AND AN ELECTRONIC TRAIN.
/ACTIVITIES AT
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
ACTIVITIES AT CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAYGROUND WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM AND WILL INCLUDE A WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL DEMONSTRATION, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, ROLLER SKATING DEMONSTRATION, AND A MINI-SOCCER MATCH FOR THE DEAF.
IN ADDITION, A CANOE POLO DEMONSTRATION AND A SWIMMING COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO PARK SWIMMING POOL AND FUN GAMES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE ARRANGED IN THE CHEUNG SHA WAN INDOOR GAMES HALL.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, MOST OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL TAKE PLACE AT VICTORIA PARK.
THE PROGRAMME THERE WILL START WITH A SCHOOL BAND DISPLAY AT 9 AM. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MRS ELSIE TU, AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS WILL BE PRESENT.
EVENTS WILL INCLUDE SPORTS AND GO-KART EVENTS FOR CHILDREN, MODEL BOATING, CHINESE FOLK SONGS AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, AND HANDBALL AND BASKETBALL COMPETITIONS.
RESIDENTS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN ANY OF THE EVENTS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS IN THEIR AREAS.
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MEETING ON LOCALISATION OF LEGISLATION » t » ♦ *
AS AGREED AT THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD IN NOVEMBER 1987, DETAILS OF THE LOCALISATION OF LEGISLATION WOULD BE DISCUSSED AT EXPERT LEVEL BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.
A MEETING TO DISCUSS THE LOCALISATION OF UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS RELATING TO ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION WILL BE HELD ON MONDAI (JUNE 6) IN PEKING.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY MR DAVID LITTLE, I’RINI I 1 AL CROWN COUNSEL (SPECIAL DUTIES), LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
8
HIGH STANDARDS SET IN SKILLS CONTEST
* t t t ♦
WITH A TOTAL OF SOME 20,000 GRADUATES EACH YEAR, THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEVELOPING THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORKFORCE IN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.
THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL, MR T.Y. CHUI, SAID THIS AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PROJECT AND SKILLS COMPETITIONS THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
’’THE APPLICATION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN MANY OF THE PROJECTS AND THE HIGH STANDARDS SET IN THE ANNUAL COMPETITIONS ARE THEREFORE REASONS FOR PRIDE AND ENCOURAGEMENT," MR CHIU SAID.
THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PROJECT CONTEST REQUIRED TECHNICAL STUDENTS TO RESEARCH, DESIGN AND MAKE A PRODUCT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
"THIS NOT ONLY DEVELOPS THEIR ABILITY TO APPLY THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS BUT ALSO EMPHASISES THE IMPORTANCE OF OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS PLANNING AND TEAMWORK," MR CHUI SAID.
THE SKILLS COMPETITION WAS OPEN TO TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS FOLLOWING CRAFT COURSES AND WAS AIMED AT PERFECTING THEIR PRACTICAL SKILLS WHICH FORM AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE TRAINING OF CRAFTSMEN.
SIXTY-NINE STUDENTS WHO EXCELLED IN THE COMPETITIONS WERE PRESENTED PRIZES AND TROPHIES AT THE CEREMONY. ANOTHER 35 STUDENTS WERE GIVEN CASH AWARDS UNDER THE CHEN HSONG SCHOLARSHIP FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.
-------O--------
TRAM PARADE TO PUBLICISE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE ♦ t t ♦ *
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 (WED) AND CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN IN WAN CHAI WILL BE HELD AT THE SHARP STREET TRAM DEPOT TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S WED WORKING GROUP, MR S.L. WAN; WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S WORKING GROUP ON WED AND CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, MR NORMAN LO.
/THE CEREMONY
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TRAM PARADE DURING WHICH BOOKMARKS PRINTED WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND KEEP CLEAN MlSSAGF WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN AT 9 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE SHARP STREET TRAM DEPOT.
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SUMNER SPORTS SCHEME FOR SCHOOLS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN ORGANISE A SUMMER SPORTS SCHEME FOR SCHOOLS DURING THE FORTHCOMING SUMMER VACATION.
MORE THAN 3,000 STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME WHICH IS BEING HELD FOR THE SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
THE SCHEME WILL BE HELD IN LIAISON WITH THE HONG KONG SPORTS COUNCIL AND WITH ASSISTANCE FROM VARIOUS SPORTS BODIES.
SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN A WIDE RANGE OF TRAINING COURSES IN ll SPORTS. THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 81 CLASSES.
IN AQUATIC SPORTS, DIVING WILL BE INTRODUCED AS A NEW EVENT THIS YEAR. THERE WILL ALSO BE CANOEING, ROWING, SAILING AND LIFE-SAVING.
IN LAND SPORTS, HANDBALL AND RUGBY (MINI) WILL BE INTRODUCED AS NEW EVENTS TO COMPLEMENT TO ARCHERY, FENCING, GYMNASTICS AND VOLLEYBALL.
DURING THE COURSE OF TRAINING, INSTRUCTORS WILL SELECT A BOY AND A GIRL FROM EACH CLASS AS THE BEST ATHLETES ACCORDING TO ATTENDANCE, IMPROVEMENT AND CONDUCT.
THE BEST ATHLETES WILL EACH RECEIVE A PRIZE AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 23 IN THE SCHOOL HALL OF CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL, NORTH POINT.
STUDENTS WITH AN ATTENDANCE RATE OF 80 PER CENT OR HIGHER WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE.
SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE JUNE 15.
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/10........
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
- 10 -
FITTING-OUT OF SOUTHERN CENTRE ♦ * ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR FITTING OUT OF ACCOMMODATION FOR THE SOUTHERN CENTRE (STAGE I) IN WAN CHAI.
THE WORK INVOLVES SEVEN AND A HALF STOREYS OF THE 31-STOREY BUILDING IN HENNESSY ROAD.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY JULY NEXT YEAR.
MAIN ITEMS OF WORK INCLUDE CARPETTING, FITTING OF DE-MOUNTABLE PARTITIONS AND PROVISION OF FURNITURE.
THE NEW OFFICES WILL BE USED BY SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND A NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
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EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT ♦ * ♦
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOKS MAY RECEIVE EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT IF THEIR PAYMENT DATES FALL ON THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM JUNE 11 TO 13.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY MAY CASH THEIR COUPONS ON JUNE 8 TO 10 RESPECTIVELY OR AFTER AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
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LORRY AND COACH PARK IN ABERDEEN TO OPEN ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
AN OPEN-AIR LORRY AND COACH PARK IN ABERDEEN WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 7).
THE PARKING AREA IS LOCATED TO THE EAST OF THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET. THE PARKING CHARGE WILL BE $1 FOR 30 MINUTES.
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/11........
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1988
11
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING IN SHEUNG SHUI ♦ * * t ♦
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 6), THE SECTION OF SAN SHING AVENUE IN SHEUNG SHUI BETWEEN FU HING STREET AND LUNG SUM AVENUE WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
THE MEASURE IS BEING IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT DETERMINED TO TACKLE POLLUTION PROBLEM............. 1
RADIO APPEALS TO COMMUNITY TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN............ 3
OFFICIALS, RURAL LEADERS TO SEE NT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES ... 5
PUBLIC VIEWS ON LOITERING LAW SOUGHT.......................... 6
HOTEL AMONG BUILDING PLANS APPROVED .......................... 7
SLOGAN COMPETITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT .............. 8
WAN CHAI SUPPORTS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ...................... 9
SUMMER SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION .......................... 1°
FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY REMINDER ...........................10
VOLUNTEERS RECRUITMENT DRIVE CONTINUES ....................... 11
SOUTHERN DB COMMITTEE ELECTS CHAIRMAN ........................ 12
SURVEY ON OWNER-MANAGERS' TRAINING NEEDS BEGINS.............. 12
FREE disposal service for UNWANTED BOATS ..................... 13
TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE SUSPENDS SERVICE...................... 1**
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1953-5** AND 1969 ............... 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER..................... 16
WATER CUT IN LAM TIN ......................................... 17
>UNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
GOVERNMENT DETERMINED TO TACKLE POLLUTION PROBLEM ♦ * » t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO TACKLE THE POLLUTION PROBLEM AND MAKE HONG KONG A PLACE OF WHICH WE CAN BE TRULY PROUD, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
’’BUT WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE COMMUNITY AND THAT SUPPORT WOULD ONLY COME WHEN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG REALISE HOW IMPORTANT A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT IS FOR THEM AND FOR THE FUTURE OF THEIR CHILDREN,” HE STRESSED.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING AT A TREE PLANTING CEREMONY HELD AT THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL TO MARK WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY HONG KONG 1988.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY MARKED ANOTHER STEP IN FOCUSSING PEOPLE’S ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM OF POLLUTION, HE SAID.
“IT MUST BE OBVIOUS TO US ALL, WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT, THAT WE SHOULD HAVE REALISED EARLIER THAN WE DID HONG KONG’S FAST GROWING ECONOMY WOULD BRING POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN ITS WAKE.
’’AFTER ALL, EVERY OTHER MAJOR CITY IN THE WORLD HAS FACED SUCH PROBLEMS,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
’’BUT ALL IS NOT LOST. HONG KONG HAS THE RESOURCES, THE WILL, AND THE DETERMINATION TO TACKLE THE POLLUTION PROBLEM AND MAKE OUR CITY A PLACE OF WHICH WE CAN BE TRULY PROUD,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY OUTLINED VARIOUS ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT MEASURES PLANNED FOR KWUN TONG WHICH IS ONE OF HONG KONG’S OLDEST INDUSTRIAL AREAS AND A PRIME EXAMPLE OF A DISTRICT SUFFERING FROM INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION AND POOR URBAN PLANNING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE PROBLEM IN KWUN TONG WAS THE INADEQUATE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
’’THE SMELL OF KOWLOON BAY GIVES AN UNFORTUNATE YET POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION TO MANY VISITORS TO HONG KONG,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SA 1 D.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD CARRIED OUT A NUMBER OF SHORT-TERM REMEDIAL MEASURES, INCLUDING INTERCEPTION OF POLLUTED SURFACE WATER AND INJECTION OF OXYGEN INTO THE WORST PARTS OF THE BAY.
”OUR CONSULTANTS ARE NOW WORKING ON THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION BY DESIGNING A SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN FOR EAST KOWLOON. THE STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WE WILL THEN HAVE CONCRETE PLANS ON HOW BEST TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM,” HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
2
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE COST OF IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL; IN KWUN TONG ALONE THE COST WOULD BE ABOUT $700 MILLION.
"THEY WILL BE EXPENSIVE IN TERMS OF RESOURCES ALSO.
"BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE TOP PRIORITY TO THESE MAJOR PLANS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AROUND IHE TERRITORY," SIR DAVID STRESSED.
"WE MUST GIVE HONG KONG ITS PROPER NAME -- "FRAGRANT HARBOUR " HE ADDED.
"AIR POLLUTION," SAID SIR DAVID, "IS ANOTHER PROBLEM IN KWUN TONG’S INDUSTRIAL AREAS. WE HAVE TAKEN A SERIES OF MEASURES UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTANTS, ONE OF WHICH IS SULPHUR DIOXIDE.
"WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTROLLING THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF INDUSTRIAL FUELS. IF WE MANAGE TO DO THAT, IT WOULD MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE TO THE AIR QUALITY IN MANY OF THE WORST POLLUTED AREAS," HE SAID.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A NEW SMOKY VEHICLE TEST CENTRE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR TO CONTROL BLACK SMOKE FROM ROAD VEHICLES.
"THIS CENTRE HAS THE CAPACITY TO CHECK 17,000 VEHICLES PER ANNUM, AND SHOULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLE SMOKE EMISSIONS, PARTICULARLY IN SUCH AREAS AS KWUN TONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
ON THE PROBLEM OF NOISE, SIR DAVID SAID IT HAD TAKEN THE GOVERNMENT A LONG TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
"THIS IS NOT BECAUSE OF ANY LACK OF WILL ON OUR PART, IT IS SIMPLY THAT DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE WIDELY DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW AND EACH HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AND RECONCILED IF Wl-ARE TO CARRY EVERYONE WITH US ON MEASURES SUCH AS THIS," HF EXPLAINED.
BUT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS OF DISCUSSION, CONSULTATION AND NEGOTIATION, SIR DAVID SAID HE SINCERELY HOPED THE NOISE CONTROL BILL WOULD BE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE CURRENT SESSION.
"THE BILL IS WIDE RANGING. IT NOT ONLY EXTENDS EXISTING CONTROLS IN ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE GENERALLY, BUT IT ALSO PUTS PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL NOISE," THE CHIEF SECRETARY ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A LESS NOTICEABLE YET SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM FOR HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT WAS THE VAST AMOUNT OF DOMESTIC AND OTHER WASTES THAT HONG KONG GENERATED DAILY. KWUN TONG ALONE PRODUCES ABOUT 1,400 TONNES PER DAY.
/"IN ORDER .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
"IN ORDER TO MEET THIS DEMAND, A MODERN REFUSE TRANSFER STATION, WITH FULL ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMMISSIONED IN KOWLOON BAY BY MID-1990. THIS WILL PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT AND HYGENIC WAY OF WASTE DISPOSAL FROM THE URBAN AREAS AND I HOPE IT WILL BE THE FIRST OF MANY OF ITS TYPE," SIR DAVID SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS LATER, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR THE LONG-TERM SCALE DEVELOPMENT TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AGAINST POLLUTION WOULD EXTEND BEYOND 1997 ALTHOUGH THIS DATE WAS NOT A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THE PLANNING PROCESS.
"1 DON’T THINK THERE’LL BE ANY PROBLEM AT ALL ABOUT THE SAR GOVERNMENT CONTINUING WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY GOOD POLICY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 HAD ATTRACTED A GREAT DEAL OF PUBLICITY AND EXTENSIVE MEDIA COVERAGE.
"THE MORE WE CAN DO TO AWAKE THE PEOPLE’S INTEREST IN THE ENVIRONMENT, OBVIOUSLY, THE BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT ANYTHING THAT WE DO," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE PROPOSED ENVIRONMENT BRANCH, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE HAVE RECOGNISED THE FACT THAT WE DO NEED TO PUT A GREATER EMPHASIS ON ENVIRONMENT, AND IT’S ALSO A FACT THAT HEALTH AND WELFARE PERHAPS IS NOT THE BEST HOME FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION."
"ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POLLUTION CONTROL IS OBVIOUSLY TO GET THE POLLUTION MEASURES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS CONSIDERED AT A VERY EARLY STAGE IN THE PLANNING STATE," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THEREFORE, OUR EARLY THINKING ON THE SUBJECT IS THAT WE SHOULD PUT PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT TOGETHER," HE ADDED.
------o--------
RADIO APPEALS TO COMMUNITY TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN * * * 1 *
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN MESSAGES WERE BROADCAST TO AN ESTIMATED ONE MILLION LISTENERS WHEN A RADIO SHOW WAS HELD TODAY (SUNDAY) AT Till SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REG1ONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE AND COMMERCIAL RADIO IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, THE SHOW HIGHLIGHTED A SENSE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN Till' KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN OPERATION.
/REGIONAL COUNCILLOR .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
REGIONAL COUNCILLOR AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNC1L/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, OFFICIATED AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY BEFORE THE SHOW BEGAN AT NOON.
THE 1988/89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN IS ORIENTED TOWARDS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, WITH EVENTS AND FUNCTIONS SPECIALLY TAILORED FOR DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, DR PANG SAID AFTER THE CEREMONY.
"IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVELY, WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE MASS MEDIA.
"COMMERCIAL RADIO IS ONE OF THE ORGANISATIONS WHICH SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN ENTHUSIASTICALLY, WHICH IN TURN CONTRIBUTES TO THE CAMPAIGN’S SUCCESS."
THE DAY’S PROGRAMME INCLUDED A LYRIC WRITING COMPETITION ON THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN THEME SONG.
"WE HAVE RECEIVED A VERY GOOD RESPONSE. THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 64 ENTRIES AND MOST ARE OF HIGH STANDARD," THE MANAGER OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROMOTION DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCIAL RADIO, MISS PEARL WONG, SAID.
WELL KNOWN LYRICISTS ADJUDICATED THE COMPETITION, AND POPULAR DISC JOCKEYS AND SINGERS WERE ALSO IN ACTION AT THF SHOW.
THE SHOW ATTRACTED A LARGE CROWD. ON LOOKERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE BY TRYING TO GUESS THE WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION AND ALSO BY TAKING PART IN A QUIZ ON THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
THE SHOW LASTED FROM NOON TO 5 PM, WITH A LIVE BROADCAST FROM 4 PM TO 5 PM.
AMONG THE GUESTS AT THE SHOW WAS URBAN COUNCILLOR AND MEMBER OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNC1L/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR JOSEPH CHAN.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
- 5 -OFFICIALS, RURAL LEADERS TO SEE NT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES t » * *
A GROUP OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND RURAL LEADERS WILL SPEND A DAY IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO SEE THE ONGOING AND PLANNED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES THERE.
IN THE PARTY WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MR MICHAEL SUEN; DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA; DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR KENNETH KWOK; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK’S CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT.
THEY WILL ARRIVE AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE FOR A BRIEFING ON Till' OVERALL RURAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND PLANS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BEFORE VIEWING THE BUTTERFLY BEACH RECREATION AREA UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE 9.2-HECTARE AREA, ON COMPLETION LATE THIS YEAR, WILL PROVIDE A RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDING SITTING-OUT AREAS, PLAYGROUNDS, SOCCER PITCHES, FISHING PLATFORMS, FACILITIES FOR HIRING ROWING BOATS, CAMPING AREAS AND OTHER AMENITIES.
NEXT STOP WILL BE SAN HING TSUEN WHERE A PILOT INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL UPGRADING SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.
ON THEIR WAY TO SHUN FUNG WAI AND NAI WAI, THE VISITORS WILL TAKE A LOOK AT A COMPLETED URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT ACCESS ROAD.
M'IER A LUNCH BREAK AT TUEN MUN, THE PARTY WILL HEAD FOR YUEN LONG TO SEE A LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT TO UPGRADE A PLAYGROUND AT CHUK HANG, WANG TOI SHAN.
AFTER THIS COMES A STOP AT A BAILEY BRIDGE AT SHUI TAU TSUEN, KAM TIN, WHICH WAS REPROVISIONED LAST YEAR AS AN URBAN FRINGE IMPROV EMENT PROJECT.
THE PARTY WILL THEN VISIT KAT HING WAI, KAM TIN, TO SEE THE SITE FOR A LOCAL OPEN SPACE BEFORE GOING TO SHUI NGAU LENG WHERE THE PROPOSED YUEN LONG TOWN PARK WILL BE LOCATED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ONE-DAY TOUR BY THE GROUP OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND RURAL LEADERS TO TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE TIME FOR PRESS INTERVIEWS AT THE END OF THE VISIT.
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL DEPART THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER IN TSIM SHA TSUI AT 9.15 AM TOMORROW.
THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY CAN JOIN THE TEAM AT 10 AM EITHER AT THE OPEN SPACE NEXT TO MELODY GARDEN AND OPPOSITE TO PAK KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA OR AT 2.15 PM AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
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/6........
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
- 6 -
PUBLIC VIEWS ON LOITERING LAW SOUGHT * ♦ ♦ * »
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S SUB-COMMITTEE ON LOITERING IS CALLING FOR PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE LAW OF LOITERING.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY COMMISSION MEMBER, MRS ROSANNA TAM, HAS WRITTEN TO MORE THAN 100 COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING CIVIC AFFAIRS GROUPS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER INTERESTED BODIES TO SEEK THEIR VIEWS ON THE LAW.
MRS TAM TODAY (SUNDAY) ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ANY OTHER GROUPS WITH AN INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS BY WRITING TO THE SUB-COMMITTEE.
IN A LETTER TO THE VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS WHOSE OPINIONS WILL BE CANVASSED, THE SECRETARY OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE SAID: "APART ’ FROM THE VIEWS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, THE MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ALSO WISH TO GATHER THE OPINIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE VIEWS OF YOUR MEMBERS ON THE SUBJECT, WHETHER COLLECTIVE OR INDIVIDUAL, WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED."
THE LAW ON LOITERING WAS AMENDED IN 1979. IT IS AN IMPORTANT CRIME PREVENTION MEASURE NOW WIDELY USED BY THE POLICE. BUT IT HAS ALSO BEEN CRITICISED, PARTICULARLY BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE LAW ENCROACHES ON THE INDIVIDUAL’S COMMON LAW RIGHT To REMAIN SILENT AND TO REFUSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHICH MIGHT INCRIMINATE HIM.
IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT ON NOVEMBER 17, 1987 THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ASKED THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION TO REVIEW THE LOITERING LAW CONTAINED IN SECTION 160 OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE WAS THEN FORMED TO LOOK INTO THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE LAW RELATING TO THE OFFENCES OF LOITERING SHOULD BE AMENDED, AND, IF SO WHAT CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE MET FOR THE FIRST TIME ON FEBRUARY 22, 1988.
THE LAW IN EFFECT CREATES THREE DISTINCT OFFENCES OF LOITERING IN A PUBLIC PLACE OR IN THE COMMON PARTS OF A BUILDING.
SECTION 160 (2) AND (3) ARE CONCERNED RESPECTIVELY WITH LOITERING ASSOCIATED WITH WILFUL OBSTRUCTION TO ANOTHER PERSON OR WHICH CAUSES REASONABLE CONCERN FOR ANOTHER PERSON’S SAFETY OR WELL-BEING.
"SUBSECTION (1) IS THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PROVISION AND GIVES RISE TO MORE DIFFICULTIES OF INTERPRETATION THAN THE OTHERS." SAID THE SECRETARY.
/AN OFFENDER
SUNDAY, JUNE 5. 1988
AN OFFENDER IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A $2,000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
HE EXPLAINED: "SINCE THE PRIVY COUNCIL’S DECISION IN 1986, IT IS NOW SETTLED THAT THE SUBSECTION IS TO PROHIBIT LOITERING IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT REASONABLY SUGGEST A PURPOSE OTHER THAN AN INNOCENT PURPOSE."
THE SECRETARY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE PRIVY COUNCIL’S DECISION HAD RESOLVED SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PROVISION, IT HAD NOT ALLAYED THE CRITICS’ CONCERNS.
THE CRITICS ARGUE THAT SECTION 160(1) MAKES UNACCEPTABLE INROADS INTO AN INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHTS TO REFUSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS PUT TO HIM BY POLICE OFFICERS. THEY ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE REQUIREMENT ON THE INDIVIDUAL TO EXPLAIN HIS CONDUCT GOES AGAINST THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT THE BURDEN OF PROOF LIES WITH THE PROSECUTION.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN CRITICISED FOR CREATING VICTIMLESS CRIMES AND CONCERNS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THE LAW IS OPEN TO ABUSE BY DISHONEST OR OVERZEALOUS POLICE OFFICERS.
"ARE THESE CRITICISMS VALID? DO THEY EXAGGERATE THE PROBLEMS AND NEGLECT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAWS AIMED AT CRIME PREVENTION? IS IT POSSIBLE TO EFFECTIVELY POLICE A CROWDED URBAN ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT A LAW SIMILAR TO SECTION 160?" ASKED THE SECRETARY.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT THE SUB-COMMITTEE HOPES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL ADDRESS.
THOSE WISHING TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY, SUB-COMMITTEE ON LOITERING, LAW REFORM COMMISSION, FIRST FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BEFORE OCTOBER 1.
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HOTEL AMONG BUILDING PLANS APPROVED
* * * »
A HOTEL PROJECT IN KOWLOON WAS AMONG THE NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
SITUATED AT 380 NATHAN ROAD, THE HOTEL WILL BE AN 18-STORFY BUILDING WITH 439 GUEST ROOMS.
\ TOTAL OF 66 PLANS WERE APPROVED IN THE MONTH. OF THESE, 23 WERE FOR PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 14 IN KOWLOON AND 29 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/ALSO APPROVED .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1°88
8
ALSO APPROVED WERE PLANS FOR FOUR FACTORIES - TWO IN FANLING, AND ONE EACH IN KWAI CHUNG AND TAI PO.
OF THE APPROVED PLANS, 56 WERE FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND 10 WERE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
CONSENT TO START WORK WAS GIVEN TO 51 PROJECTS. THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA WAS 208,023.5 SQUARE METRES, INCLUDING 95,392.8 SQUARE METRES FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND 112,630.7 SQUARE METRES FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH TOTALLED 215,887.3 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 95,064.4 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC AND THE REST FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN MARCH WAS $1,018 BILLION, BRINGING THE TOTAL FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR TO $2,996 BILLION.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 39 OCCUPATION PERMITS. FIFTEEN OF THESE WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FOUR IN KOWLOON AND 20 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 36 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AND 88 BUILDINGS WERE AFFECTED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 628 COMPLAINTS REGARDING ILLEGAL BUILDINGS AND ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 901 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 142 REMOVAL ORDERS DURING THE MONTH.
-----O-----
SLOGAN COMPETITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
*****
..J'1*1 'AU ISIM DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE IS HOLDING A CHINESE SLOGAN COMPETITION TO DR1VF HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AnJ JwY
IN VIEW OF THE PROLIFERATION OF EATING HOUSES IN THF YAU tqtm DISTRICT, THE COMPETITION THEME WILL DRAW THE ATTENTION OF RESIDENTS amiD EMPLOYEES IN THE TRADE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF DISPOSING OF GREASE AND FOOD LEFT-OVERS PROPERLY, SO AS NOT TO BLOCK DRAINPIPES.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO THE RESIDENTS OF IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS - ONE FOR THOSE UNDER AND THE OTHER FOR THOSE AGED OVER 14. ENTRIES ARE OR 14 WORDS.
THE DISTRICT, AND 14 YEARS OF AGE, RESTRICTED TO 10
/THE BEST.......
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
- 9 -
THE BEST ENTRY IN EACH SECTION WILL WIN A BOOK COUPON OR A GIFT COUPON OF $600 IN VALUE. TEN OUTSTANDING ENTRIES WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
ENTRY FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO SCHOOLS AMD COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 190 NATHAN ROAD, AND THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RETURNED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE BEFORE JUNE 30.
THE PRIZE-WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE SELECTED BY THE YAU TSIM ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MARY CHOW, AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON JULY 15.
- - 0------------
WAN CHAI SUPPORTS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ♦ t ♦ t ♦
A TRAM PARADE WAS HELD IN WAN CHAI THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 AND THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
MORE THAN 10,000 BOOKMARKS BEARING THE CAMPAIGN SLOGANS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE VARIOUS STOPS DURING THE FOUR-HOUR PARADI':.
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE Ol ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND KEEPING THE TERRITORY ('LEAN.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WERF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 WORKING GROUP, MR S.L. WAN; WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN (’HOW; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND ('HAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AND CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN IN WAN CHAI, MR NORMAN LO.
- 0------------
/1O........
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
10
SUMMER SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PARI IN THE SEVENTH SUMMER SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN JULY AND AUGUST TO IMPROVE THEIR TEACHING KNOWLEDGE IN THEORET1CA1 AND TEACHING ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SUMMER SCHOOL W1LI OPERATE 18 COURSES IN SPORTS TRAINING AT VARIOUS VENUES.
THERE WILL BE TRAINING COURSES ON THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND FIRST AID INJURIES, SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT, FITNESS FOR SPORT
ROLE AND VALUE OF RELATING TO SPORTS PERFORMANCE, HEALTH
AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG.
RELATED FITNESS,
COURSES IN TEACHING OF BASKETBALL, SWIMMING, FOOTBALL, HANDBALL, CANOEING, LIFE-SAVING AND FIRST AID - IN BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS - WILL BE CONDUCTED.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE COURSES IN IMPROVING TEACHING SKILLS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION, TEACHING OF CHINESE CLASSICAL DANCE AND CREATIVE DANCE.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE SUMMER SCHOOL SHOULD APPLY TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE JUNE 17.
-----0----------
FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY REMINDER ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY FOR THIS YEAR FALLS ON JUNE 13, THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF EMPLOYERS HAVE NOT ALREADY FIXED THE DATES FOR THE FLOATING HOLIDAYS FOR THIS YEAR AND THEIR EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT REQUESTED THE HOLIDAYS BE ADDED TO THEIR PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, EMPLOYEES SHALL BE GRANTED THE FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY ON THE ABOVE DATE AND THE SECOND FLOATING HOLIDAY ON AUGUST 29, THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND THOSE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING NOT NORE THAN $11,500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO BE PAID FOR THAT HOLIDAY IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNING ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY I I RMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OE LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY I-ROM DAY TO DAY, THE HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD Bl- I’HE AVERAGE DAILY EARNING DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS PRECEDING I’HE HOLIDAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOU’I STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
- - 0 - -
VOLUNTEERS RECRUITMENT DRIVE CONTINUES
♦ * t * t
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) TODAY (SUNDAY) CALLED ON THOSE CIVIC-MINDED YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO WOULD LIKE TO DO SOMETHING MEAN INGFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY AND TO LEARN NEW SKILLS TO BEF0BEITS RECRUI™ENT ™>ISE CLOSES
MEN ANlJ^WoS ™K REGIMENT JS L°0KING F0R 150 NEW MEMBERS, 130
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD BE 17 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE, HAVE • OMI’LEI ED SECONDARY EDUCATION AND HAVE A REASONABLE KNOWLEDGE OF SPOKEN ENGLISH. THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT AND SHOULD HAY I'. OBTAINED THEIR EMPLOYERS’ CONSENT FOR JOINING THE FORCE.
'SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING IN BASIC
MJL1IAIM SKILLS, INCLUDING HANDLING RIFLES, SUB-MACHINE GUNS VEHICLES AND ASSAULT BOATS, DRILL, OPERATING RADIO EQUIPMENT, MAP READING, FIRST AID, AND SO ON," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VOLUNTEERS SAID.
TRAINING FOR NEW RECRUITS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON FOUR EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND PER MONTH FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE MONTHS. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO ATTEND TWO NINE-DAY TRAINING CAMPS BEFORE PASSING OUT.
"THIS NO DOUBT HELPS IN BUILDING UP ONE’S PHYSIQUE AS WELL AS CULTIVATING A MORE MATURE AND CAPABLE PERSONALITY," HE SAID.
"VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN SUPERVISORY SKILLS, JUDGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING," HE ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISIRK I OFFICES AND THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT 1 SPORTS ROAD,
HAPPY VALLEY.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIMENT’S RECRUITING OFFICER ON 5-761371.
- - 0 -
/12
SUNDAY, JUNE 5
1988
f
- V -
SOUTHERN DB COMMITTEE ELECTS CHAIRMAN t ♦ * * *
AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, MADAM SO CHOW YIM-PING, HAS BEEN ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE.
AT ITS FIRST MEETING HELD RECENTLY, THE COMMITTEE ALSO ENDORSED AN ALLOCATION OF $853,200 FROM DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO FINANCE VARIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES TO BE ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT.
OF THE AMOUNT, A TOTAL OF $538,000 WILL BE SPENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTRICT BOARD CAMPAIGNS AND ON THE PROVISION OF SPORTS, MUSIC, ARTS AND CULTURE ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS.
THE REMAINING $315,000 HAS BEEN SF'I ASIDE FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS THROUGH GRANTS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS’, AND THE "BLOCK ALLOCATION SCHEME".
GRANTS, TOTALLING $250,000 ARE EARMARKED FOR FESTIVITIES AND NON-FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES ONLY. APPLICATIONS FOR THESE FUNDS CAN BE MADE TO THE COMMITTEE THROUGH THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
UNDER THE "BLOCK ALLOCATIONS SCHEME", BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN AREA CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATIONS OF UP TO $1,800 BEFORE RECOMMENDING THE APPLICATIONS TO COMMITTEE FOR ENDORSEMENT.
A SUM OF $65,000 HAS COMMITTEES, WHICH WILL BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS THE COMMUNITY BUILDING
\T THE MEETING, THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE ALSO AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO OPEN ITS FUTURE MEETINGS TO THE PUBLIC AND THE NEWS MEDIA. HOWEVER, PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS WILL CONTINUE TO Bl HELD IN CAMERA.
--------0----------
SURVEY ON OWNER-MANAGERS’ TRAINING NEEDS BEGINS
♦ * ♦ ♦ *
Till COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY TRAINING OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BE CONDUCTING A SURVEY ON THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF OWNER-MANAGERS THIS MONTH.
QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN SENT OUT TO 1,100 OWNER-MANAGERS RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM COMPANIES IN MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
/STARTING ON .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
STARTING ON TUESDAY (JUNE 7), INTERVIEWING OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT THE OWNER-MANAGERS TO COLLECT THE QUESTIONNAIRES, AND ASSIST IN COMPLETING THEM IF NECESSARY.
"OWNER-MANAGERS ARE URGED TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THEIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING BACKGROUND, THEIR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT NEEDS, THEIR COMPANIES’ MANPOWER PLANNING PRACTICES AND TRAINING RESOURCES AND SO ON," THE SPOKESMAN SAID,
THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARY WITHOUT REFERENCE TO INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES OR OWNER-MANAGERS.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8235075.
-------0 ---------
FREE DISPOSAL SERVICE FOR UNWANTED BOATS ♦ ♦ t » *
Till- MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY INTRODUCED A FREE SERVICE FOR. THE DISPOSAL OF DILAPIDATED OR UNWANTED VESSELS, INCLUDING PLI \SURI- VESSELS, WHICH ARE OF LESS THAN 30 METRES IN LENGTH.
OWNERS OR LICENSEES OF SUCH VESSELS, WHO WISH TO SURRENDER THEIR BOATS TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR DESTRUCTION BEFORE THE CANCELLATION OF LICENCES, SHOULD APPROACH THE NEAREST MARINE OFFICE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGMENTS.
"AN OWNER OR LICENSEE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A SURRENDER. CERTIFICATE," SENIOR MARINE OFFICER, MR P.K. CHENG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
IN DOING SO, HE WOULD STATE THAT HE WAS SURRENDERING HIS VESSEL VOLUNTARILY AND THAT HE WOULD NOT HOLD GOVERNMENT LIABLE NOR CLAIM COMPENSATION FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS BOAT.
"ONCE THESE PROCEDURES HAD BEEN COMPLETED, THE VESSEL WOULD BE RECEIVED BY THE LOCAL MARINE OFFICE."
MR CHENG POINT OUT THAT THE NEW SERVICE WAS ONLY ONE OF THREE METHODS RECENTLY DRAWN UP BY THE DEPARTMENT AS A GUIDELINE TO ADVISE OWNERS OF LOCAL CRAFT ON HOW TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNWANTED VESSELS BEFORE THE CANCELLATION OF VESSEL LICENCES.
/THE GUIDELINE.........
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
- 1U -
THE GUIDELINE, IN THE FORM OF A HANDOUT, IS WRITTEN IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE AND IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT ALL LO> G MARINE OFFICES.
IN ADDITION TO THE FREE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE OTHER TWO METHODS FOR DISPOSING OF UNWANTED VESSELS ARE ALSO DESCRIBED IN DETAIL IN THE GUIDELINE.
THE SECOND METHOD WOULD BE TO HIRE A MARINE CONTRACTOR SUCH AS A BOATYARD WHICH HAS THE EXPERTISE AND EQUIPMENT TO DISPOSE OF A VESSEL PROPERLY AND SAFELY.
"IF AN OWNER HIRES THE SERVICE OF A CONTRACTOR, HE SHOULD OBTAIN CERTIFICATION FROM THE CONTRACTOR AS PROOF OF THE DEMOLITION BEFORE THE LICENCE OF THE VESSEL CAN BE CANCELLED," MR CHENG SAID.
A THIRD METHOD WOULD BE FOR THE BOAT OWNER TO DEMOLISH THE VESSEL BY HIMSELF PROVIDED THAT PRIOR APPROVALS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED FROM RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION SITE AND THE WAY OF DESTRUCTION.
A STATUTORY DECLARATION, TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF WRITTEN APPROVALS FROM THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SHOULD THEN BE SENT TO THE NEAREST MARINE OFFICE FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THE VESSEL LICENCE.
MR CHENG STRESSED THAT IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VESSEL OWNERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNWANTED VESSELS IN A PROPER AND SAFE MANNER.
UNDER SECTION 72(A) OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE, ANYONE FOUND GUILTY OF ABANDONING A VESSEL IRRESPONSIBLY WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF FOUR YEARS, HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, MR (HENG NOTED THAT WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW ERI I SERVICE, NO OWNER NEED FALL FOUL OF THE LAW.
-------0----------
TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE SUSPENDS SERVICE
THE TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE OF MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE IN STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) DUE TO EXPIRY OF TENANCY LEASE.
IVY
THE
THE SUB-OFFICE WILL BE MOVED TO NEW PREMISES AT GROUND FLOOR, JUNE GARDEN, 28 TUNG CHAU STREET, WHERE WORK IS PROCEEDING FOR COMPLETION IN JULY.
SHOP NO. FITTING
4,
OUT
UNTIL THEN, TAI KOK TSUI RESIDENTS SEEKING PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES MAY MAKE USE OF THE HEAD OFFICE AT I 57 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
--------0----------
/15........
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
- 15 -
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1953-54 AND 1969 * * * * *
MEN BORN IN 1953, 1954 AND 1969 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM TUESDAY (JUNE 6) TO JULY 23.
MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH THE NEW CARD SINCE JULY 1 LAST YEAR NEED NOT APPLY AGAIN.
"ABOUT HALF OF THE MALE POPULATION BORN IN 1969 SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED WITH THE NEW CARD WHEN THEY REACHED THE AGE OF 18 LAST YEAR. ONLY THOSE WHO ARE STILL HOLDING AN OLD TYPE CARD ARE REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO THIS CALL," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"ONE OF THE MOST NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NIK (ARDS IS THAT THE ID CARD NUMBER IS PRINTED ON THE TOP RIGHT CORNER IN THE OLD ONE, BUT IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF THE NEW ONE.
"THE NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAV, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND THE AFTERNOONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS MAY USE THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. TEL. NO. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI.
TEL. NO. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
TEL. NO. 0-4981259
/6HA TIN
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
- 16 -
SHA TIN : SHA TIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK
STREET.
TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD. TEL. NO. 0-793291
TUEN MUN
SHEUNG SHU1
: CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
TEL. NO. 0-4580862
: TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI. TEL. NO. 0-927155
"APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING ID CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN 1 EARS AGO AND BEAR THE »*» SYMBOL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, IF A PERSON’S ID CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE *** SYMBOL, HE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE PERSONAL PROOF.
"IN ADDITION TO PRODUCING HIS EXISTING ID CARD, HE MUST PRODUCE HIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING (IF ANY) -HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE OR HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.
"IN SOME CASES, APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIM TO HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG. IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY WILL BE ADVISED INDIVIDUALLY."
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
-------o ---------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER * » * * »
TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS, CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM DAILY FROM WEDNESDAY (JUNE 8) FOR FOUR DAYS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON GLOUCESTER ROAD AND THOSE COMING FROM THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL GOING TO CAUSEWAY BAY Wll.l. BE DIVERTED VIA CANAL ROAD FLYOVER, MORRISON HILL ROAD, TIN LOK LANE, HENNESSY ROAD AND YEE WO STREET.
- O
/1?......-
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1988
- 17 -
WATER CUT IN LAM TIN ♦ ♦ » ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN LAM TIN TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 8) TO 6 AM THE NEXT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT BLOCKS NO. 1 TO 14, LAM TIN INCLUDING LAM TIN GOVERNMENT CLINIC.
WILL BE
DAY FOR
ESTATE,
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FEASIBILITY OF EXPO BEING EXAMINED : SIR DAVID FORD........ 1
QUARANTINE FOR VRS ON GREEN ISLhND ........................
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PRINCIPLE OF SHARES DISCLOSURE ........ 2
SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES ........................................ 5
ACTION BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE RURAL ENVIRONMENT ........... 6
POLICE FORCE STRfNGTHENED IN .............................. 9
SCHEME TO DEVELOP SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS ........ 9
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL EXTENSION ... 12
CS OPENS HOME FOR MOTHER'S CHOICE MOVEMENT................. 12
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES ........ 13
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ................
TUEN MUN ROAD PARTIALLY CLOSED FOR ROAD WORKS.............. 15
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY............. 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF COLLINSON STREET, KENNEDY TOWN........ 16
UPGRADING COURSE FOR JOURNALISTS TO BEGIN ................. 16
water storage figure....................................... 16
MONDAY, JUNE 6,
1988
FEASIBILITY OF EXPO BEING EXAMINED : SIR DAVID FORD
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD FURTHER EXAMINE A PROPOSAL FOR HONG KONG TO HOST A WORLD EXPO AND A SERIES OF REGULAR MEETINGS WOULD NOW BE HELD TO CHECK THE PROGRESS OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE PROJECT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE FIRST MOTHER’S CHOICE HOME AT KENNEDY ROAD, SIR DAVID SAID THE LATEST DECISION BY THE BUREAU INTERNATIONAL D’EXPOSITIONS (BIE) IN PARIS REQUIRED THAT WE SHOULD REGISTER AN INTEREST BY THE END OF NOVEMBER.
"THAT NOW CREATES A NEW URGENCY IN THE SITUATION AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID THAT ALL THE SECRETARIES INVOLVED WERE NOW WORKING ON THE FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT.
"THE SORT OF CONSIDERATIONS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY INVOLVED ARE VERY WIDE-RANGING. THEY INVOLVE TRANSPORT, THE SITING OF THE EXPO, AIR TRANSPORTATION, THE ABILITY OF HOTELS TO MEET THE DEMAND, THE QUESTION OF COSTING AND FINANCE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF LAND. THERE ARE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS TO BE LOOKED INTO," HE SAID.
ON THE PROPOSED SITES FOR THE EXPO, SIR DAVID SAID THAT FOUR OR FIVE POSSIBILITIES WERE BEING LOOKED AT.
WHEN ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER USING MORE FACTORIES TO ACCOMMODATE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, SIR DAVID SAID: "THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF STRESS, AS YOU KNOW, ON THE QUESTION OF ACCOMMODATION, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THIS MORNING IS WE DO HAVE SUFFICIENT ACCOMMODATION TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR THE TIME BEING.
"OBVIOUSLY IF THE DEMAND GOES UP, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER OTHER ALTERNATIVES."
0
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
QUARANTINE FOR VRS ON GREEN ISLAND
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SUSPEND ALL MOVEMENTS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TO AND FROM GREEN ISLAND AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE FOLLOWING THE DISCOVERY OF A SUSPECTED PLAGUE CASE INVOLVING A FOUR-YEAR-OLD VIETNAMESE GIRL.
"ALTHOUGH TWO SERIES OF TESTS CARRIED OUT ON THE GIRL TODAY HAVE SHOWN NEGATIVE RESULTS, NO MORE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WILL BE TAKEN TO OR FROM GREEN ISLAND UNTIL THE FINAL DIAGNOSIS IS AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALL NEW ARRIVALS WILL INSTEAD BE HOUSED TEMPORARILY ON A RENTED YAUMATEI FERRY COMPANY VESSEL. FOLLOWING PORT HEALTH CLEARANCE AND OTHER ROUTINE MEDICAL PROCEDURES, THEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER CLOSED CAMPS."
MEANWHILE, DISINSECTION AND ANTI-RODENT MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTENSIFIED ON GREEN ISLAND.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT STAFF WORKING THERE, INCLUDING THOSE FROM THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE WERE STILL FREE TO MOVE IN AND OUT OF GREEN ISLAND.
"THESE STAFF HAVE HAD MINIMUM CONTACT WITH THE BOAT PEOPLE WHO ARE DISINSECTED AND MEDICALLY CHECKED AS SOON AS THEY LAND ON GREEN ISLAND," HE SAID.
"CHANCES OF THE STAFF BEING INFECTED BY ANY DISEASE ARE EXTREMELY REMOTE," HE ADDED.
-------0 - - - -
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR
PRINCIPLE OF SHARES DISCLOSURE
*****
COMMENTS RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT DURING PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) BILL 1988 INDICATED GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF DISCLOSURE, AND CENTRED ON TECHNICALITIES IN THE PROVISIONS OF THE WHITE BILL.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD TODAY (MONDAY), THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, EXPLAINED THE BACKGROUND AND MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, THE FINAL FORM OF WHICH WAS GAZETTED LAST FRIDAY.
/"THE BILL,
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
"THE BILL, WHICH PROPOSES TO REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF LISTED COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG TO DISCLOSE THEIR SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE DEALINGS WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN JUNE 1987 AS A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION," MR NENDICK SAID.
’’DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, 20 SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
"HAVING CONSIDERED ALL THE COMMENTS RECEIVED, THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE CERTAIN AMENDMENTS.”
MR NENDICK SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC AND THE MANAGEMENT OF LISTED COMPANIES TO KNOW WHO ACTUALLY CONTROLLED THE LISTED COMPANY, AND THEREBY TO MAKE CREEPING TAKEOVERS AND INSIDER DEALING HARDER TO CONCEAL.
DESCRIBING ITS MAIN PROVISIONS, MR NENDICK SAID THE BILL IMPOSED A DUTY OF DISCLOSURE ON ANY PERSON WHO ACQUIRED A NOTIFIABLE INTEREST WHICH WAS SET AT 10 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE ISSUED VOTING SHARES OF A LISTED COMPANY.
A SHAREHOLDER WITH AN EXISTING NOTIFIABLE INTEREST WOULD ALSO BE UNDER A DUTY TO INFORM THE COMPANY WHEN THERE WAS A CHANGE OF ONE PER CENT OR MORE IN HIS HOLDING.
"THE BILL PROVIDES THAT EVERY LISTED COMPANY MUST KEEP A REGISTER AND INDEX TO RECORD INFORMATION DISCLOSED BY SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS IN RESPECT OF THEIR SHAREHOLDINGS AND DEALINGS,” HE SAID.
"THE LISTED COMPANY IS THEN REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE INFORMATION TO THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES. THE EXCHANGE WILL BE OBLIGED TO ARRANGE FOR THE INFORMATION TO BE DISPLAYED IN A PUBLIC PLACE.”
MR NENDICK EMPHASISED THAT A LISTED COMPANY WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO INVESTIGATE ITS OWN SHAREHOLDINGS.
THE COMPANY MAY, ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE, REQUIRE ANY PERSON WHOM IT KNOWS OR REASONABLY BELIEVES TO HAVE OR TO HAVE HAD AN INTEREST IN ITS SHARES WITHIN THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS TO SUPPLY IT WITH INFORMATION.
IF THE PERSON SHOULD FAIL TO SUPPLY THE INFORMATION REQUIRED, THE COMPANY MAY APPLY TO THE HIGH COURT FOR A "FREEZING ORDER" TO BE IMPOSED ON THE SHARES CONCERNED.
/A LISTED
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
A LISTED COMPANY MAY ALSO BE REQUISITIONED BY ITS MEMBERS HOLDING NOT LESS THAN 10 PER CENT OF ITS PAID-UP CAPITAL TO EXERCISE ITS POWER TO INVESTIGATE INTERESTS IN ITS SHARES IF THE REQUISITIONISTS CAN SHOW REASONABLE GROUNDS IN SUPPORT OF THEIR REQUISITION.
IN SUCH A CASE, THE COMPANY IS UNDER A DUTY TO PREPARE A REPORT ON CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION WHICH MUST BE KEPT AT THE COMPANY'S REGISTERED OFFICE AND BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION FOR SIX YEARS.
THE LISTED COMPANY MUST AGAIN NOTIFY THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES OF INFORMATION OBTAINED IN AN INVESTIGATION, OR AS THE CASE MAY BE, DELIVER A COPY OF ITS REPORT, IF THE INFORMATION OR REPORT RELATES TO LISTED SHARES.
THE BILL ALSO IMPOSES A DUTY OF DISCLOSURE IN RESPECT OF INTERESTS ON DIRECTORS, CHIEF EXECUTIVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
’’OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AS DEFINED, OF LISTED COMPANIES ARE UNDER A DUTY TO NOTIFY THE COMPANY OF THEIR INTERESTS IN SHARES OR DEBENTURES OF THAT COMPANY OR ANY ASSOCIATED CORPORATION. THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE COMPANY OF ANY CHANGES IN SUCH INTERESTS,” MR NEND1CK SAID.
”THE COMPANIES MUST KEEP A REGISTER SHOWING THE INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THEM FROM THE DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES AND MUST ALSO INFORM THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES.*
MR NEND1CK POINTED OUT THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE REGISTER OF SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS AND THE REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES' INTERESTS KEPT BY LISTED COMPANIES.
IN ADDITION TO A LISTED COMPANY INVESTIGATING ITS OWN SHAREHOLDINGS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAY APPOINT INSPECTORS TO INVESTIGATE AND REPORT ON THE TRUE OWNERSHIP OF A LISTED COMPANY.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAY IMPOSE "FREEZING ORDERS” ON SHARES WHERE THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING OUT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SUCH SHARES.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 8).
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/5........
MONDAY, JUNE 6,
1988
- 5 -
SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 1987.
THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE COVERED IN THE SURVEY:
» STORAGE AND WAREHOUSING FACILITIES FOR HIRE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
* POSTAL, TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, RADIO AND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, MESSAGE DELIVERY AND MESSAGE EXCHANGE SERVICES.
* ALL FINANCE (EXCEPT BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES; LOAN, MORTGAGE AND DISCOUNT COMPANIES; DEALERS/BROKERS AND EXCHANGES IN STOCKS AND SHARES, COMMODITY FUTURES, GOLD BULLION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE; PAWNSHOPS; MONEY CHANGERS; AND OTHER FINANCIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
* INSURERS, RE-INSURERS, AGENTS AND BROKERS OF ALL KINDS OF INSURANCE AND INSURANCE-RELATED SERVICES.
» ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING, ADVERTISING, DATA PROCESSING, EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY RENTAL, LEGAL, NEWS AGENCY, SECRETARIAL AND OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT TO A SAMPLE OF ABOUT 2.400 ESTABLISHMENTS OUT OF SOME 11,000 ESTABLISHMENTS FALLING UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE SURVEY.
DATA TO BE COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDE THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, BUSINESS TURNOVER AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
THE ECONOMIC DATA WILL PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION ON Till STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SECTORS CONCERNED AND ARE NEEDED FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
THE SURVEY RESULTS WILL ALSO BE USED BY THE GOVERNMENT AUD PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENTS IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
/IT IS .......
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
6
IT IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO RESPOND TO THE SURVEY. A CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER AUTHORISING THE CONDUCT OF THE SURVEY WAS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 11 OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 12 TN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES BY JULY 31 THIS YEAR.
OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WHO CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD WHILE ON DUTY, WILL VISIT THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED TO ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES, IF REQUIRED.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS STRESSES THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND THAT ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION, WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED.
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ACTION BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE RURAL ENVIRONMENT ♦ ♦ ♦ * t
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PILOT INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL UPGRADING SCHEME AT SAN HING TSUEN IN TUEN MUN IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF RURAL AREAS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ACCOMPANIED BY OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, REGIONAL COUNCILLORS AND RURAL LEADERS, MR SUEN TOURED TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG TO SEE DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
THE GROUP INCLUDED THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA; DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR KENNETH KWOK, CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S CAPITAL WORKS COMMITTEE, MR CARLOS CHEUNG; AND HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TOUR WAS A VISIT TO SAN HING TSUEN WHICH WAS SELECTED FOR THE PILOT UPGRADING SCHEME.
/MR SUEN
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
MR SUEN EXPLAINED THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE UPGRADING SCHEME WAS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN AREAS ALREADY OCCUPIED BY INFORMAL UNPLANNED SETTLEMENTS AND WHERE THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO UNDERTAKE LARGE-SCALE REDEVELOPMENT.
"SAN HING TSUEN WAS CHOSEN AS IT REPRESENTED AN AREA WHICH FACED ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND WAS QUITE HEAVILY SETTLED ALREADY, ' HE SAID.
"A LARGE NUMBER OF TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES AND TEMPORARY INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES AND USES ALREADY EXIST IN THIS AREA.
"HOWEVER, ROAD ACCESS IS OF A VERY LOW STANDARD AND INADEQUATE FOR EXISTING TRAFFIC. OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE DO NOT EXIST."
MR SUEN NOTED THAT A LAYOUT PLAN HAD BEEN DRAWN UP FOR SAN HING TSUEN AT THE END OF 1985 AND REVISED IN EARLY 198G TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PROJECT INVOLVED THE PROVISION OF IMPROVED ACCESS TO SAN HING TSUEN, TUEN CHI WAI, TSING CHUEN WAI AND THE NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
WORKS INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE CARRIAGEWAYS, CARPARKS, FOOTPATHS AND ANCILLARY DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPE WORKS.
MR SUEN SAID IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE PILOT PROJECT WOULD GRADUALLY TAKE SHAPE IN THE EARLY 1990’S, BUT THE PACE OF IT WOULD HINGE LARGELY ON PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVES, WHICH WERE EXPECTED TO INCREASE WHEN PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE.
THE SAN HING TSUEN PILOT PROJECT, IF SUCCESSFUL, COULD FORM THE BASIS FOR WORK ON OTHER UPGRADING AREAS IN THE YUEN LONG-TUEN MIN CORRIDOR.
"ACTION IS IN HAND TO UPDATE THE EXISTING LAND USE SURVEYS OF SOME OF THE POTENTIAL UPGRADING AREAS, INCLUDING TAN KWAI TSUEN, LAM TEI AND FUK HANG TSUEN, IN THE SUB-REGION.
"THESE RURAL UPGRADING PROJECTS, IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ADDITIONAL S100 MILLION," MR SUEN SAID.
DURING THE DAY, THE GROUP ALSO SAW OTHER CONTINUING OR PLANNED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INSPECTED THREE URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT (UF1) PROJECTS UNDER THE PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
/THESE WERE .......
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
8
THESE WERE THE IMPROVEMENT OF ACCESS TO SIU HANG TSUEN AND PO TONG HA TSUEN; RECONSTRUCTION OF A BAILEY BRIDGE AT SHUI TAU TSUEN, KAM TIN; AND IMPLEMENTATION OF VILLAGE LAYOUTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS TO SHUN FUNG WAI AND NAI WAI.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SERVED AS THE WORK AGENCY FOR THESE THREE PROJECTS. OTHER SUCH PROJECTS HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE GROUP ALSO WENT TO CHUK HANG IN WANG TOI SHAN TO SEE A LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PLAYGROUND WHICH IS BEING UPGRADED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. THE PROJECT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE UPON COMPLETION.
THREE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WERE ALSO VISITED. THESE WERE THE 9.2-HECTARE BUTTERFLY BEACH RECREATION AREA, THE YUEN LONG TOWN PARK AT SHUI NGAU LENG AND A LOCAL OPEN SPACE AT KAT HING WAI, KAM TIN.
CONSTRUCTION WORK AT THE BUTTERFLY BEACH RECREATION AREA WILL BE COMPLETED IN THREE PHASES WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
THE OTHER TWO PROJECTS ARE STILL IN THE PLANNING STAGE. THE KAT HING WAI PROJECT IS THE FIRST OF 15 CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS WHICH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL PLANS TO UNDERTAKE IN THE RURAL PARTS OF YUEN LONG IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
CONCLUDING THE VISIT, MR SUEN SAID IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO DO MUCH MORE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. AND THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT IN RURAL AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE GOVERNMENT WAS DRAWING UP A RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THESE AREAS.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WAS CO-ORDINATING THE EXERCISE WHICH INVOLVED SUBSTANTIAL INPUT FROM THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE HEUNG YEE KUK, RURAL COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE THE PROGRAMME WAS FINALISED, HE ADDED.
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/9........
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
POLICE FORCE STRENGTHENED IN N.T. ♦ t t t *
TO KEEP ABREAST OF NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORITIES, THE REGION’S ESTABLISHMENT HAS INCREASED BY NEARLY 25 PER CENT IN FOUR YEARS, WITH PLANS IN HAND FOR FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
’'NEW POLICE DISTRICTS AND DIVISIONALS HAVE COME ON STREAM, AND T WELCOME THE COMPLETION OF FIVE NEW POLICE BUILDINGS IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF THIS YEAR,” REGIONAL COMMANDER, MR RICHARD SMALLSHAW SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
PRESENTING COLONIAL POLICE LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS, COMMANDING OFFICERS’ COMMENDATIONS AND SOUVENIRS TO 114 OFFICERS, MR SMALLSHAW SAID IT WAS APPROPRIATE THAT THE CEREMONY WAS BEING HELD IN THE NEWEST POLICE DISTRICT OF TAI PO, IN A BUILDING ADJACENT THE NEW REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS WHICH WAS RISING WEEK BY WEEK AND WAS DUE FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
MR SMALLSHAW POINTED OUT THAT POLICING THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS NEVER BEEN AN EASY TASK, BUT IT HAD BECOME EVEN MORE DIFFICULT IN RECENT YEARS IN VIEW OF THE RAPID EXPANSION THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE.
EVEN SO, THE LEVEL OF CRIME — ALTHOUGH MARGINALLY UP LAST YEAR __ MUST STILL BE THE ENVY OF OTHER MAJOR CITIES OF THE WORLD.
" THERE IS, HOWEVER, NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT THE REGION’S CRIME IS KEPT AT A LOW LEVEL,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE WISHED TO THANK ALL NT OFFICERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE ON PARADE, FOR THEIR EXCELLENT DUTY PERFORMANCE AND FOR SERVING THE PUBLIC SO WELL.
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SCHEME TO DEVELOP SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE THE SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECT SCHEME IN SEPTEMBER, UNDER WHICH A GRANT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS CURRICULUM PROJECTS.
THE AIM IS TO ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO BE MORE DEVELOPING AN APPROPRIATE SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM TO MEET ............................................... A SPOKESMAN
POSITIVE IN
THE VARIED
NEEDS AND INTEREST OF PUPILS IN LEARNING
FOR THE
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
/OTHER OBJECTIVES
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
10 -
OTHER OBJECTIVES ARE TO MOTIVATE TEACHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPECIFIC INNOVATIONS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND TO MAXIMISE THEIR POTENTIAL IN IDENTIFYING THEIR OWN NEEDS, IN SOLVING PROBLEMS AND MAKING DECISIONS IN THE PROCESS OF TEACHING.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO PROVIDE A MORE FLEXIBLE DEVICE FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SOCIETY AND SUBSEQUENTLY TO EQUIP THEIR PUPILS WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR LIFE.
SCHOOL HEADS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE APPROPRIATE ADAPTATIONS TO THE (’ENTRALLY DEVISED CURRICULUM TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF THEIR OWN SCHOOLS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT A SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECT GENERALLY REFERS TO A PROJECT DEVISED BY A TEACHER, OR A GROUP OF TEACHERS, IN A SCHOOL OR IN A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS, TO SUIT THE PARTICULAR CURRICULUM NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.
"THE PROJECTS MAY LEAD TO THE PRODUCTION OF SIMPLE TEACHING MATERIALS," HE SAID.
"THESE COULD BE A SET OF WORKSHEETS FOR A SPECIFIC TEACHING TOPIC FOR A PARTICULAR LEVEL, OR MULTI-MEDIA TEACHING PACKAGES WHICH NORMALLY INCLUDE A TEACHERS’ GUIDE, TEACHING MATERIALS, OR. SUGGESTIONS FOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND A NUMBER OF AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS SUCH AS SLIDES, CASSETTE TAPES, AND OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCIES."
THE SCHEME WILL BE OPEN TO PRACTISING SCHOOL TEACHERS, SCHOOL HEADS, TEACHING STAFF OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, TEACHING STAFF OF THE SCHOOL/FACULTY OF EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND OTHER EDUCATIONALISTS AND SPECIALISTS IN RELEVANT CURRICULUM AREAS.
THE SCHEME WILL FUND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS WHICH ARE RELATED TO SOME KEY THEMES OR AREAS OF STUDIES IDENTIFIED BY THE SCHEME’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THIS WILL BE DONE ON THE BASIS THAT THESE PROJECTS WILL El l HER SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEWLY IMPLEMENTED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SYLLABUSES AND GUIDELINES OR PROMOTE THE TEACHING OF TOPICAL ISSUES IN THE CLASSROOM AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EDUCATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATIONS FOR A CURRICULUM PROJECT GRANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS RELATING TO THESE THEMES OR AREAS OF STUDIES WILL BE PARTICULARLY WELCOME.
/SELECTION OF
..c •
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
SELECTION OF THE PROJECTS WILL ALSO BE BASED ON ACTUAL NEEDS OF SPECIFIC SCHOOLS AND WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT RELEVANCE, CONTENT, FEASIBILITY, CREATIVENESS AND ORIGINALITY, AND SUITABILITY FOR WIDE APPLICATION OF THE PROJECTS.
AT PRIMARY LEVEL, THE SELECTED THEMES AND AREAS OF STUDIES FOR THE 1988-89 SCHOOL YEAR FOR KINDERGARTEN ARE FOOD, HOUSING. AND CLOTHING; AND FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL ARE TRAINING OF PUPILS’ LISTENING AND SPEAKING ABILITY IN PUTONGHUA, DRUG EDUCATION, CIVIC EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (PROTECTING AND MANAGING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES), ADAPTATION OF KODALY CHORAL METHOD IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR REMEDIAL CLASSES.
THE THEMES AND AREAS OF STUDIES AT SECONDARY LEVEL ARE TEACHING OF PUTONGHUA PHONETICS, SEX EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (THE POLLUTION PROBLEM IN HONG KONG), CIVIC EDUCATION, COMPUTER GRAPHICS BASICS, ADAPTATION OF KODALY CHORAL METHOD IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR REMEDIAL CLASSES.
THE CURRICULUM GRANT WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FORM OF : «
(A) AN AWARD FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED PROJECTS TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE SCHEME’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE; AND
(B) PRODUCTION EXPENSES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO BUY RAW MATERIALS AND TO PAY FEES OF PRODUCTION SERVICES IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A PROJECT.
THE GRANT WILL BE GIVEN AT THE FOLLOWING RATES :
LEVEL CATEGORY AWARD MAXIMUM CLAIMABLE PRODUCTION EXPENSES TOTAL
PRIMARY/ KINDERGARTEN A (FOR ONE LEVEL OF PUPILS) $3,600 $1,400 $5,000
B (FOR MORE THAN ONE LEVEL OF PUPILS) $12,000 $5,000 $17,000
SECONDARY A (FOR ONE LEVEL OF PUPILS) $5,000 $1,400 $6,100
B (FOR MORE THAN $16,000 $5,000 $21,000
ONE LEVEL OF PUP ILS)
PROGRESS MADE IN THE PROJECTS AND IN GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS ALLOCATED WILL BE MONITORED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SCHEME AND ITS MONITORING PANELS.
APPLICATIONS FOR TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION BEFORE JULY 25.
------0-------- /12...................
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
12 -
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL EXTENSION
*****
A $128.5 MILLION CONTRACT WAS AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) FOR A MAJOR EXTENSION WORKS PROGRAMME TO THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.
SCHEDULED TO START THIS MONTH, THE PROGRAMME WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTION OF A 14-STOREY PATHOLOGY BLOCK, ALTERATIONS TO THE HOSPITAL’S EXISTING BLOCK "B" FROM LOWER GROUND TO THIRD FLOOR, CONSTRUCTION OF SEVEN ADDITIONAL STOREYS ABOVE BLOCK "B” AND CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING SERVICES UNIT.
ON COMPLETION IN NOVEMBER 1990, THE PROGRAMME WILL PROVIDE A CLINICAL PATHOLOGY UNIT, TWO MEDICAL WARDS, TWO NEONATAL WARDS, ONE SECOND CLASS FEMALE WARD, ONE SPECIAL CARE PAEDIATRIC WARD, A CUSTODIAL WARD, AN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, A CORONARY CARE UNIT/CARDIAC LABORATORY, AN ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC UNIT, A RENAL UNIT AND A SCHOOL OF NURSING FOR POST BASIC STUDIES.
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CS OPENS HOME FOR MOTHER’S CHOICE MOVEMENT
*****
MOTHER’S CHOICE IS A MOVEMENT FOUNDED TO HELP UNMARRIED WOMB!" WHO HAVE BECOME PREGNANT, BY PROVIDING A SAFE AND PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE TO ABORTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE HOME FOR MOTHER'S CHOICE IN KENNEDY ROAD, SIR DAVID SAID BECAUSE OF THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL STIGMA THAT IT CARRIED, PREGNANCY FOR UNWED MOTHERS REMAINED ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH MANY PEOPLE WOULD NOT WISH TO TALK ABOUT, MUCH LESS TO SEEK PROPER GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE.
"YOUNG UNMARRIED MOTHERS OFTEN RESORT TO ILLEGAL ABORTION TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, OFTEN TO THE DAMAGE OF THEIR OWN HEALTH AT A LATE STAGE OF PREGNANCY," HE SAID.
"THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN FIND OUT HOW MANY SUCH CASES OF ABORTION TAKE PLACE IN AND OUTSIDE HONG KONG, BUT WHATEVER THE NUMBER, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE NEED THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR’S ASSISTANCE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM.
/"A PROBLEM
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
"A PROBLEM WHICH IS OFTEN SO PERSONAL AND SENSITIVE TO THE INDIVIDUAL MOTHERS CONCERNED, THAT THEY WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS."
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE IDEA BEHIND MOTHER’S CHOICE WAS BORN JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.
"A NEED WAS IDENTIFIED, AND A DEDICATED GROUP OF PEOPLE SET TO WORK TO FIND WAYS OF MEETING THAT NEED," HE SAID.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED FOR THEIR EFFORT AND CONTRIBUTION IN TURNING THE SCHEME INTO REALITY.
"1 HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE YOUNG WOMEN COMING TO MOTHER'S CHOICE, WILL FIND HERE A CARING AND POSITIVE RESPONSE TO THEIR NEEDS," SIR DAVID ADDED.
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LOCAL ORGANISATIONS PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES * » * » »
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE BEEN PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, IN PARTICULAR SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AT DISTRICT LEVEL, THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FUNG YING SIN KOON LIMITED SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AT CHEUNG WAH ESTATE IN FANLING, MR CHEUNG SAID FIVE INSTITUTIONS RUN BY VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS WOULD COMMENCE OPERATION IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE AGED IN NORTH DISTRICT.
HE NOTED THAT OF THE 150,000 RESIDENTS, ABOUT 17,000 WERE OVER 60 YEARS OLD, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE DISTRICT.
"A HOSTEL AND A RECREATION CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE SET UP IN TING PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR."
"TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE GROWING POPULATION IN FANLING SOUTH, A MULTI-SERVICES COMMUNITY CENTRE AS WELL AS A DAY CARE AND ATTENTION CENTRE FOR THE AGED WILL BE IN OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS," HE SAID.
/A CARE
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
- 14 -
A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE AGED AT WAH MING ESTATE TN FANLING WOULD ALSO BE READY FOR OCCUPATION DURING THIS PERIOD HE ADDED.
MR CHEUNG COMMENDED THE KOON, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 1929, AND REGISTERED AS A NON-PROFIT MAKING CHARITABLE ORGANISATION IN 1972, FOR ITS EFFORTS IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
REFERRING TO THE KOON’S PLANS TO OPEN A KINDERGARTEN AND A PRIMARY SCHOOL, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GIVE ITS SUPPORT SO THAT SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES COULD BE COMPLETED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
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DB COMMITTEE TO
CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS. THE APPLICATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN VETTED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRAMME FOR THIS YEAR’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, AND WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE AN ALLOCATION OF $20,000 FOR SPONSORING TWO ACTIVITIES PROPOSED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
A PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF $10,000 FOR PUBLICISING THE "MEET-THE-PUBL1C SCHEME" IS ALSO ON THE AGENDA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/15
MONDAY, JUNE 6,
1988
- 15 -
TUEN MUN ROAD PARTIALLY CLOSED FOR ROAD WORKS
*****
MOTORISTS SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TRAFFIC LANES ON TUEN MUN ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN JUNE 9 (THURSDAY) AND 16.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF TUEN MUN ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN SO KWUN TAN BRIDGE AND SIU LAM BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED ALTERNATIVELY TO FACILITATE ROAD SURFACING WORK FOR IMPROVING THE ROAD’S FRICTION.
UNDER THE WORK SCHEDULE, ONLY ONE OF THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE WORK ON NORMAL WEEKDAYS. HOWEVER, ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, OWING TO COMPARATIVELY LOWER TRAFFIC FLOW, TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE CLOSED, LEAVING ONE LANE OPEN FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC.
AS CONGESTION IS EXPECTED DURING THE AFFECTED PERIOD, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THEY CAN CHOOSE TO USE CASTLE PEAK ROAD. THEY SHOULD ALSO WATCH OUT FOR THE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
-------0----------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY
*****
THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY
IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY FROM
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN 10 AM TODAY (MONDAY) FOR ROAD WORKS:
» SHAN KWONG ROAD BETWEEN KING KWONG STREET AND YUK SAU STREET IS RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS.
* PO SHIN STREET BETWEEN SHAN KWONG ROAD AND WANG TAK STREET IS A TWO-WAY CUL-DE-SAC FOR ABOUT ONE AND A HALF MONTHS.
VEHICLES ON NORTHBOUND SHAN KWONG ROAD HEADING FOR WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD ARE DIVERTED VIA VILLAGE ROAD.
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1988
16
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF COLLINSON STREET, KENNEDY TOWN ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
COLLINSON STREET BETWEEN BELCHER’S STREET AND KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 9).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR DRAINAGE WORKS.
- - 0 - -
UPGRADING COURSE FOR JOURNALISTS TO BEGIN ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
AN UPGRADING COURSE ON TRANSLATION WILL BE OFFERED TO WORKING JOURNALISTS FROM JULY 18 TO AUGUST 12.
THE ’’TRANSLATION FOR JOURNALISTS COURSE” IS A JOINT EFFORT OF THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHINESE, TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
CLASS MEETINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY MORNING, FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM.
CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS JULY 1. FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRAINING BOARD ON 5-8932341, EXT. 283.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ ♦ *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 27.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 159.055 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 352.019 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 60.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
O
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE WATER FROM CHINA ..................................... 1
GOVERNOR GIVES ASSURANCE ON HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ............ 2
SGD OUTLINES REASONS FOR OPTIMISM ......................... 3
10 QUESTIONS AND 10 BILLS BEFORE LEGCO .................... 5
STUDENT WORK PROGRAMME A SUCCESS .......................... 5
CONTROLS AIMED AT FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS .................. 6
MEETING TO DISCUSS SPORTS CONSULTANCY REPORT .............. 7
SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME ........ 8
BOE MEMBERS VISIT HONG KONG SEh SCHOOL .................... 9
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH ..... 10
WATER CUT IN LAM TIN ...................................... 15
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN POK FU Li JI ........................... 15
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN FILING ....................... 15
TUESDAY, JUNE 7,
1988
MORE WATER FROM CHINA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG HAS ENTERED INTO AGREEMENT WITH CHINA TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF WATER OVER THE PERIOD FROM 1989/1990 UP TO 1994/95.
FOR THE CURRENT YEAR (1988-89), CHINA HAS ALSO AGREED TO SUPPLY AN ADDITIONAL 180,000 CUBIC METRES OF WATER DAILY FOR MAY TO SEPTEMBER ON TOP OF THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF 430 MILLION CUBIC METRES. DURING THIS PERIOD, CHINA MAY INCREASE THE ADDITIONAL SUPPLY TO 280,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
THE AMOUNT OF SUPPLY AS NOW AGREED FOR THE SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PRICES ARE:-
YEAR AMOUNT (MILLION CUBIC METRES) PRICE (HK DOLLAR/CUBIC METRE)
1988-89 430 1.112
1989-90 500 1.201
1990-91 535 1.297
1991-92 570 —
1992-93 600 —
1993-94 630 —
1994-95 660 —
(PRICES FROM THE YEAR 1991-92 ONWARDS ARE SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVIEW)
THE SUPPLY FROM CHINA STARTS FLOWING EVERY YEAR FROM MAY 1 TO THE END OF FEBRUARY THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
SUPPLY LAPSES EACH MARCH AND APRIL TO ENABLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO THE SUPPLY SYSTEM BY BOTH SIDES.
-----0 --------
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
- 2 -
GOVERNOR GIVES ASSURANCE ON HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE GREAT CARE TO ENSURE THAT THE VIEWS AND CONCERNS OF SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS ARE ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED ON THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY THROUGH THE SELECTION OF MEMBERS WITH APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH GIVEN BY THE ASSOCIATION OF PAST CHAIRMEN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, SIR DAVID SAID THE PLANNING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS STILL AT A PRELIMINARY STAGE.
"THERE ARE MANY ISSUES ON WHICH THE ADVICE OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL NEED TO BE SOUGHT," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE COULD UNDERSTAND THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECT WHICH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY MIGHT HAVE ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS HAD A LONG-STANDING GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH TUNG WAH AND WILL, AS ALWAYS, CONTINUE TO GIVF THE SUPPORT WHICH TUNG WAH NEEDS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID FROM AN ORGANISATION WITH THE TRADITIONAL OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING FREE MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, THE TUNG WAH GROUP HAI) DIVERSIFIED ITS ACTIVITIES TO LOOK AFTER THE NFEDS OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THE ELDERLY AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.
"SUCCESSIVE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE GROUP TN THE PAST DECADES HAVE PUT GREAT EFFORTS INTO THIS EXPANSION," HE SAID.
IT HAD BEEN A PRAISEWORTHY EFFORT AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP HAD EARNED THE RESPECT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"I AM SURE THAT THE TUNG WAH GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ITS ENDEAVOURS AND WILL PROVIDE MORE AND BETTER SERVICES TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY," SIR DAVID ADDED.
--------0 ---------
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
SGD OUTLINES REASONS FOR OPTIMISM * ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE EVIDENCE OF THE PAST THREE YEARS CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE IS WORKING, THE SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID IN THE UNITED STATES ON MONDAY.
"MEASURES WHICH ARE VITAL TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED IN LINE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION," MR WIGGHAM SAID AT THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
BOTH THE CHINESE AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS WERE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THIS PROGRESS, AND IT WAS ALSO CLEAR THAT DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN INVESTORS WERE CONTINUING TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG, HE SAID IN AN ADDRESS ENTITLED "COUNTDOWN TO 1997--AN INSIDER’S VIEWS".
FOR EXAMPLE, THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMY WAS FLOURISHING, ITS REGIONAL BUSINESS ROLE WAS EXPANDING, AND THE ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE OF HONG KONG AND (’HINA CONTINUED TO INCREASE.
TAKEN TOGETHER, THESE FACTORS FORMED ONE MAIN REASON WHY HE WAS OPTIMISTIC \BOUT THE FUTURE, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
THE OTHER MAIN REASON LAY IN THE FACT THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED-IN PARTICULAR HIE CHINESE GOVERNMENT--HAD A STRONG INTEREST IN MAKING Till JOINT DECLARATION WORK.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE AGREEMENT ON THE JOINT DECLAIMT I ON, CHINA HAD MADE ENORMOUS CAPITAL AND OTHER INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG.
"IN ADDITION, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT KNOWS THAT HONG KONG CAN MAKE AN ENORMOUS AND UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THEIR OVER-RIDING ECONOMIC GOALS - AND THAT HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO MAKE THIS CONTRIBUTION DEPENDS ON ITS MAINTENANCE OF ITS CAPITALIST SYSTEM AND OF THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE AND OF FOREIGN INVESTORS," HE SAID.
"FROM MY EXTENSIVE CONTACTS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS, 1 KNOW HOW COMMITTED THEY ARE TO MAINTAINING THE VALUE OF THEIR HUGE FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL COMMITMENT AND INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG."
ON WHAT HAD BEEN DONE SO FAR IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION, MR WIGGHAM REFERRED IN PARTICULAR TO THE PROVISION FOR MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S OWN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS.
/HOW HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
HOW HONG KONG HAD BECOME A CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND WAS NOW ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL.
FURTHER, IN CONSIDERING THE CONTINUED APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AFFECTING HONG KONG, THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS, REACHING AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN SOME 11 INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
MR WIGGHAM ALSO REFERRED TO THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW, WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD A PART IN PREPARING AND ON WHICH PUBLIC COMMENTS WERE NOW SOUGHT.
HE SAID THE DRAFTING AND REVISION OF THIS MINI-CONSTITUTION FOR HONG KONG AFTER THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 WOULD BE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS, LEADING TO ITS FINAL PROMULGATION IN 1990.
DESCRIBING HONG KONG TODAY AS "A THRIVING, POLITICALLY STABLE REGIONAL CENTRE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION", MR WIGGHAM ALSO OUTLINED THE UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF MAJOR NEW PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS THAT WERE IN HAND IN HONG KONG - MANY OF THEM WITH A PAY-BACK DATE EXTENDING WELL BEYOND 1997.
"THE PUBLIC PROJECTS - TOTALLING WELL OVER ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS - INCLUDE A NEW UNIVERSITY, A NEW LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM, NEW HOSPITALS, A ROAD TUNNEL LINKING TWO LARGE TOWNS AND A NEW CULTURAL COMPLEX," HE SAID.
"THE PROJECTS FINANCED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR - TOTALLING WELL OVER THREE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS - INCLUDE A SECOND CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, A SECOND TUNNEL THROUGH KOWLOON PEAK, TWO NEW CONTAINER TERMINALS, TWO NEW BANK HEADQUARTERS BUILDINGS AND A MASSIVE URBAN PROPERTY REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME."
MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT BOSTON HAD LONG-STANDING LINKS WITH HONG KONG AS WELL AS WITH CHINA, FOR WHICH HONG KONG TODAY SERVED AS A GATEWAY FOR MANY MAJOR U.S. CORPORATIONS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
EXPRESSING PLEASURE THAT A HONG KONG ASSOCIATION HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED IN BOSTON, HE OBSERVED THAT ONLY ONE YEAR AGO THERE WAS A SOLITARY SUCH ASSOCIATION IN THE UNITED STATES--IN SAN FRANCISCO.
"IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FIVE NEW HONG KONG ASSOCIATIONS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED LN NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, CHICAGO AND SEATTLE - AS WELL AS HERE IN BOSTON.
"THIS REFLECTS THE ENORMOUS RECENT GROWTH OF U.S. INTERESTS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
-----0------
/5.......
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
- 5 -
10 QUESTIONS AND 10 BILLS BEFORE LEGCO *****
TEN QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED AND 10 BILLS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
SIX OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE 'THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE AUDIT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) BILL 1988, THE NOISE CONTROL BILL 1988, THE TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEJ BILL 1988.
THE OTHER FOUR BILLS ARE DUE TO BE GIVEN A SECOND READING, AN! THEN GO FORWARD TO THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THESE ARE THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
-----0------
STUDENT WORK PROGRAMME A SUCCESS
*****
THIS YEAR’S WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR MORE THAN 1,100 STUDENTS HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND ITS SUCCESS BODES WELL FOR FUTURE PROGRAMMES.
FORTY-FIVE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN WAN CHAI, EASTERN, KWUN TONG, WONG TAI SIN AND MONG KOK SENT STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH.
THE MONTH-LONG EVENT INCLUDED GROUP VISITS TO 30 ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
THEY COVERED BANKS, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANIES, NEWSPAPERS, HOTELS, TELEVISION STATIONS AND TRAINING CENTRES OF DISCIPLINARY FORCES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROGRAMME WAS WELL RECEIVED BY BOTH CAREER TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.
/"FEEDBACK FROM
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
6
’’FEEDBACK FROM THE PARTICIPANTS INDICATES THAT THE PROGRAMME HAS FULLY MET ITS OBJECTIVE OF INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO ACTUAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH SUCH VISITS AND OBSERVING PEOPLE AT WORK IN VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS,” HE SAID.
’’THROUGH SUCH ACTIVITIES, THE STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO DEVELOP A MORE REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING JOBS BEST SUITED TO THEIR ABILITIES AND INTERESTS.”
IN VIEW OF THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE CONTENT AS WELL AS TO EXTEND THE COVERAGE OF THE PROGRAMME IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR.
---0------
CONTROLS AIMED AT FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS ♦ ♦ » t ♦
GOVERNMENT IMPOSES LICENSING CONTROLS ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CERTAIN ARTICLES IN ORDER TO FULFILL HONG KONG'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKINGS, OR FOR HEALTH, SAFETY OR SECURITY REASONS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR ALAN LAI SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG FOOD COUNCIL, MR LAI SAID THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ENFORCES SUCH CONTROLS UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE AND THE RESERVED COMMODITIES ORDINANCE.
"ACCORDING TO THE RESERVED COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF RICE, FROZEN OR CHILDREN MEAT/POULTRY IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG MUST BE COVERED BY VALID IMPORT/EXPORT LICENCES ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, EXCEPT PERSONAL EFFECTS OF AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING 15 KILOGRAMS," HE ADDED.
"THE AIM OF THE CONTROL MEASURES IS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC.
"UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME, FOR EXAMPLE, ONLY REGISTERED RICE STOCKHOLDERS MAY IMPORT RICE. THE SCHEME HAS BEEN IN FORCE SINCE JANUARY 1955 TO ENSURE REGULAR AND ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF RICE TO CONSUMERS AT REASONABLY STABLE PRICES.
/"A STOCK .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
"A STOCK OF ABOUT 57,000 METRIC TONS OF RICE IS KEPT IN RESERVE AT ALL TIMES IN HONG KONG, ENOUGH FOR TWO MONTHS' CONSUMPTION BY THE POPULATION,” MR LAI SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE QUANTITY OF RICE IMPORTS IS SUBJECT TO CONTROL> MR LAI STRESSED THAT THERE IS NO CONTROL AT ALL ON THEIR SOURCE OF SUPPLY AND TYPES OF RICE TO BE IMPORTED.
’’THIS HELPS MAINTAIN AN OPEN MARKET FOR FAIR COMMERCIAL COMPETITION WHILST PROVIDING MULTIPLE CHOICES FOR THE CONSUMERS,” HE EXPLAINED.
“RICE ON SALE IN HONG KONG IS IMPORTED MAINLY FROM THAILAND, CHINA AND AUSTRALIA, BUT WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE EATING NOTABLY LESS RICE IN RECENT YEARS, THE CONSUMPTION OF RICE PER CAPITA HAS DROPPED FROM 120 KGS PER YEAR IN 1961 TO 61 LAST YEAR,” HE SAID.
REGARDING THE CONTROL ON FROZEN AND CHILDREN MEAT/POULTRY, MR LAI SAID IT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ON SUCH IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, AND TO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT AT CRISIS SITUATIONS TO TAKE NECESSARY CONTROL ACTIONS TO CONTINUE SUCH SUPPLIES TO THE POPULATION.
"CHINA HAS BEEN THE LEADING SUPPLIER OF FROZEN MEAT OVER THE DECADE, WHILE THE USA IS THE MAJOR SUPPLIER OF FROZEN POULTRY," MR LAI SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT PROCESSED AND MANUFACTURED FOODSTUFFS ARE AT PRESENT UNDER EXPORT LICENSING CONTROL BY THE DEPARTMENT, BUT THERE IS NO CONTROL ON THEIR IMPORTS.
"CONTROL WAS IMPOSED ONLY AS A RESULT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF SUCH FOODSTUFFS FROM OVERSEAS IMPORTERS IN 1973 AND ALSO FOR THE SAKE OF MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S GOOD IMAGE AMONGST ITS TRADING PARTNERS," HE SAID.
----------------------0------- MEETING TO DISCUSS SPORTS CONSULTANCY REPORT ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JUNE 9) TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE CONSULTANCY REPORT ON SPORT IN HONG KONG FORWARDED BY THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
MR NICHOLAS FRY, AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY FROM THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE REPORT.
/A NUMBER .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
- 8
A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE TABLED AT THE MEETING. THEY ARE: THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF THE COMMITTEE FOR 1988/89, THE FINANCIAL POSITION AND PROGRESS OF DB SPONSORED ACTIVITIES AND PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 9.30 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 9) IN THE SHA TIN DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON 6/F, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
--------0----------
SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME
*****
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSED MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR 1988/89.
TO
FOR
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE PROPOSAL OF SETTING UP AN ORGANISING COMMITTEE TO CARRY OUT A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES EDUCATE KWUN TONG RESIDENTS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND RELA'I ED SERVICES
THE MENTALLY ILL.
THE LONG TERM GOAL OF THE PROGRAMME IS TO DEVELOP IN THE COMMUNITY A CARING SPIRIT FOR THE MENTALLY ILL AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SOCIAL
8) IN
DISTRICT
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SERVICES COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (JUNE THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
- 0-----------
/9........
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
BOE MEMBERS VISIT HONG KONG SEA SCHOOL ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
NINE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE HONG KONG SEA SCHOOL AT STANLEY TO SEE TRAINING FACILITIES PROVIDED IN SEAMANSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP FOR YOUNG MEN.
THE BOE MEMBERS, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN YING-LUN, MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MR TAM MAN-KWAN, MR TIMOTHY HA, MR ERIC LI, PROFESSOR BRAIN COOKE, DR JOHN CHEN, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING AND MR DOMINIC WONG, WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MR LUCAS CHAN, AND THE BOE SECRETARY, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MISS ROSE LAU.
THE BOE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THE SCHOOL CURRENTLY ACCOMMODATED SOME 510 BOYS , AGED BETWEEN 14 1/2 AND 17 1/2, WHO CAME FROM DEPRIVED HOMES AND WHO WERE CONSIDERED TO BE NEGLECTED OR SOCIALLY DEPRIVED.
THE BOYS WERE PROVIDED WITH SCHOOLING FROM PRIMARY 6 UP TO SECONDARY 3 LEVEL AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYMENT ON SHIPS.
THE VISITORS ALSO NOTED THAT A VARIETY OF E’TRA-CURRlCULAR ACTIVITIES, MOSTLY RELATED TO SEAMANSHIP AND PHYSICAL TRAINING WERE ORGANISED AFTER SCHOOL AND ON SATURDAYS. THESE INCLUDED TRAINING IN FIRE FIGHTING AND LIFE SAVING.
THE SCHOOL OFFERED ACADEMIC SUBJECTS SUCH AS CHINESE, ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, GEOGRAPHY AND INTEGRATED SCIENCE TO THE BOYS AND THE ORDINARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM WAS FOLLOWED AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE.
ALL PUPILS ATTENDED SEAMANSHIP TRAINING IN THE FIRST YEAR AND WERE ALLOWED TO TAKE EITHER SEAMANSHIP OR STEWARDSHIP TRAINING IN THE SECOND YEAR.
THE SEAMANSHIP TRAINING CURRICULUM LEADS TO THE EFFICIENT DECK AND CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION.
THE COURSE CONTENT IS BASED ON THE DEMANDS OF SHIPPING COMPANIES WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE USE OF ENGLISH WHICH IS THE PRIMARY MEANS OF COMMUNICATION ON SHIPS.
THE BOE MEMBERS ALSO LEARNED THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE ROYAL AIR FORCE ASSISTED IN TRAINING THE BOYS BY GIVING THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE BEFORE JOINING THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY.
- - 0 - -
/1O
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
- 10
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH
*****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 11 PER CENT AND 40 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM TRADE VALUES BY DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH ROSE BY 3 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT . AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF MARCH 1988 WITH MARCH 1987, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 6 PER CENT. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT. HENCE, TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT. DURING THE SAME PERIODS OF COMPARISON, BOTH THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT.
CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF BILATERAL TRADE IN ANY SINGLE MONTH, AS THE RESPECTIVE GROWTH RATES FOR INDIVIDUAL MONTHS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CONSIDERABLE FLUCTUATIONS. IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES IN EACH OF THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR ARE USUALLY AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR MARCH 1988 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
/AS CAN
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1?88
11
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN MARCH 1988 COMPARED WITH. MARCH 1987, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-43 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-35 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-29 PER CENT); CLOTHING (-29 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-20 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-10 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-8 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-7 PER CENT).
NEVERTHELESS, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+44 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+39 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+13 PER CENT); AND METAL MANUFACTURES (+3 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN MARCH 1988 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987.
THESE INCLUDED METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+8 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+8 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+5 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+5 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+5 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+4 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+4 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+4 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+3 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+3 PER CENT); AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+1 PER CENT). HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WAS RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-2 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR MARCH 1988 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN MARCH 1988 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987.
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN WHEAT AND FLOUR; FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; VEGETABLES; AND TEA AND COFFEE.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR; AND SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; WATCHES; AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES. A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED TN CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
/HIE IMPORT........
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
- 12 -
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN MARCH 1988 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987.
THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, AND SO ON, EXCEPT GLASS; PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS; THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS; AND BASE METALS, EXCLUDING IRON AND STEEL.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR COTTON YARN AND THREAD; RAW COTTON; AND MAN-MADE FIBRES.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 16 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN MARCH 1988 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT IN MARCH 1988 OVER MARCH 1987. THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY OTHER THAN TEXTILE AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT. A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.
IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES ROSE IN MARCH 1988 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987, RANGING FROM 3 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 7 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR MARCH 1988 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN MARCH 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987, RANGING FROM 21 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 49 PER CENT FOR FUELS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN MARCH 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1987. THOSE OF CAPITAL GOODS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT. RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY 1 PER CENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 5 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE MARCH 1988 ISSUE OF THE "BONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND JUNE 14 AT $2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 5-8234918).
/Table 1; .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP.
COMPARING MARCH 1988 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1988
WITH MARCH 1987 WITH JAN-MAR 1987
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING -25 5 -29 8 5 3
TEXTILE FABRICS -6 5 -10 7 ' 5 2
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -26 4 -29 -9 6 -15
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -14 8 -20 4 6 -2
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -41 4 -43 -26 5 -29
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 41 -2 44 38 -1 40
FOOTWEAR -5 4 -8 11 5 6
METAL MANUFACTURES 8 5 3 28 6 22
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 50 8 39 56 9 43
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 16 3 13 33 3 29
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -32 3 -35 -8 4 -12
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -6 1 -7 9 2 8
ALL COMMODITIES -3 3 -6 15 3 11
NOTES FOR TABLES 1 TO 3:
PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE CALCULATED FROM TRADE INDEXES TAKEN TO MORE DECIMAL PLACES THAN THOSE IN THE PUBLICATION "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS". THEY MAY THEREFORE DIFFER FROM THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES TO BE COMPUTED DIRECTLY FROM THE FIGURES TO BE PUBLISHED.
AABLE 2: .....
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
14
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING MARCH 1988 WITH MARCH 1987 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1988 WITH JAN-MAR 1987
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 9 15 3 11 16 3 13
CONSUMER GOODS 20 3 17 32 3 28
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 20 6 14 24 6 17
FUELS -15 1 -16 3 4 -1
CAPITAL GOODS 36 7 27 31 7 22
ALL COMMODITIES 21 5 16 26 5 20
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END -USE CATEGORY
COMPARING MARCH 1988 WITH MARCH 1987 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1988 WITH JAN-MAR 1987
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 28 1 27 34 1 33
CONSUMER GOODS 23 2 21 44 2 41
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 43 5 36 48 5 41
FUELS 42 -5 49 5 1 4
CAPITAL GOODS 45 3 41 44 2 41
ALL COMMODITIES 34 3 30 45 3 40
- 0 -
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1988
- 15 -
WATER CUT IN LAM TIN
* » ♦ » »
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN LAM TIN WILL BE TURNED OFF ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 8) FROM 11 P.M. TO 6 A.M. THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT BLOCKS NO. 1 TO 14, LAM TIN ESTATE, INCLUDING LAM TIN GOVERNMENT CLINIC.
-------o ---------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN POK FU LAM
♦ » * » »
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN POK FU LAM WILL BE DESIGNATED AS 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 10):
* A 120-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF POK FU LAM ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SASSOON ROAD.
* A 42-METRE LONG ROAD SECTION ON THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SASSOON ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH POK FU LAM ROAD.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES ON POK FU LAM ROAD AND SASSOON ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN FANLING » » » t ♦
TO FACILITATE THE REPAIR OF WATER MAINS, THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN FANLING FROM 9.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY:
» THE SHEUNG SHUI-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF ROAD D5 BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH CHEUNG WAH ESTATE ACCESS ROAD AND FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD (ROAD L2) WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
» TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FANLING KCR STATION FORECOURT. AT THE SAME TIME, KMB ROUTES NO. 70, 70K, 70X, 73, 73A, 77K
AND 78K WILL ALSO BE RE-ROUTED VIA FANLING KCR STATION BUS TERMINUS.
« NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM CHEUNG WAH ESTATE ACCESS ROAD ONTO ROAD D5.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1?88
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
PURPOSES OF TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL OUTLINED ............. 1
BILL AIMED AT MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE 3
SECURITIES DISCLOSURE BILL HAS FIVE MAIN FEATURES.......... 6
PROVISION FOR ELECTORAL FUNDING ........................... 9
AMENDMENTS SUPPORTED .................................... 10
BILLS TO IMPROVE HK'S PRUDENTIAL CONTROL SUPPORTED....... 11
PURPOSE OF AUDIT AMENDMENT BILL EXPLAINED ................ 13
MOVE TO FACILITATE PREPARATION OF LEGISLATION ........... 12*
FOUR BILLS PASSED ........................................ 14
MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO PROTECT WILDLIFE RESERVE ......... 15
POLICE AWARE OF HOLIDAY HOUSE PROBLEMS ................... 16
BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS: NO OBSERVABLE IMPACT ON HEALTH 17
16 ACCIDENTS ON CYCLE TRACK............................... 18
UNPAID WAGES: MEETING HELD ON LEGAL REMEDIES ............. 19
1991 LIKELY DATE FOR FORM 6 COMPUTER STUDIES ............. 21
WIDER USE OF FLEXITIME ENCOURAGED ........................ 22
COST OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHER ............ 23
HOSTELS FOR STREET SLEEPERS UNDER STUDY .................. 23
STEPS TO COMBAT NULLAH POLLUTION OUTLINED ................ 25
LORD GLENARTHUR TO VISIT HK................................. 27
STRIVING FOR BETTER PLANNING IN CULTURE AND RECREATION..... 27
FOOD SAFETY IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS, FOOD TRADERS TOLD..... 29
CARE IN COMMUNITY FOR THE ELDERLY........................... 30
SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ON SALE ................. 31
TENDER FOR GOVERNMENT LAND AND FORESHORE.................... 32
NORTH DISTRICT HAS VAST DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL: DO........... 33
BOARD TO DISCUSS YOUTH POLICY AND UC WORK PROGRAMME......... 35
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD............ 35
URBAN CLEARWAY ON KENNEDY ROAD, WAN CHAI ................... 36
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TUEN MUN ROAD FOR ROAD WORKS..... 36
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SEYMOUR ROAD........................... 36
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
PURPOSES OF TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL OUTLINED ♦ * » ♦ *
THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL 1988, WHICH SEEKS TO GIVE STATUTORY EFFECT TO THE TUNNEL FRANCHISE AND TO DETERMINE THE OBLIGATIONS THAT THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL COMPANY MUST PERFORM, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR LEUNG SAID THE TUNNEL WOULD BE FINANCED AND CONSTRUCTED BY THE COMPANY FORMED BY A CONSORTIUM OF BRITISH, CHINESE, JAPANESE AND LOCAL BUSINESS INTERESTS.
IN RETURN, THE COMPANY WOULD BE GIVEN A FRANCHISE TO OPERATE THE TUNNEL FOR 30 YEARS FROM THE START OF CONSTRUCTION.
THE BILL ALSO STIPULATED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF THE TUNNEL WOULD BE 37 MONTHS.
MR LEUNG SAID THE BILL HAD 11 PARTS AND WAS MODELLED ON THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ORDINANCE.
PARTS I TO V DEALT WITH THE LENGTH OF THE FRANCHISE, THE COMPANY STRUCTURE AND THE METHOD BY WHICH THE COMPANY SHOULD PAY ROYALTIES TO GOVERNMENT, MR LEUNG SAID.
THE RATE OF ROYALTY WAS 2.5 PER CENT OF OPERATING RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS AND FIVE PER CENT THEREAFTER. IN ADDITION, THE COMPANY SHOULD PAY A FURTHER ROYALTY IF THE NET OPERATING RECEIPT EXCEEDED THE AMOUNT PROJECTED.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPOINT TWO DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OF THE COMPANY.
PARTS VI AND VII PROVIDED FOR THE REMEDY OF DEFECTS BY THE COMPANY AND ITS OBLIGATION TO KEEP THE TUNNEL IN A STATE OF REPAIR TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS.
THEY ALSO EMPOWERED THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE SAFE AND EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE TUNNEL, AND TO TAKE OVER THE TUNNEL IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SECURITY.
THEY ALSO PROVIDED THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT POWER TO INSPECT THE TUNNEL AND FOR BY-LAWS TO BE DRAWN UP AND APPLIED IN THE TUNNEL AREA, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
PART VIII DEALT WITH TOLLS, AND MR LEUNG SAID, THE BILL SPECIFIED A TOLL REVIEW MECHANISM.
’’ANY TOLL INCREASE WILL NEED THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND WILL NOT BE GRANTED AS LONG AS THE TUNNEL COMPANY REMAINS REASONABLY REMUNERATIVE,” HE SAID.
/’’THE INITIAL.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
2
"THE INITlAu TOLLS, RANGING FROM $4 FOR PRIVATE CARS TO $8 FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, ARE SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE.
"THIS CAN ONLY BE VARIED WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, FAILING WHICH BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE COMPANY MAY SEEK ARBITRATION."
PART X CONTAINED AN IMPORTANT PROVISION FOR THE REVOCATION OF THE FRANCHISE IF THE COMPANY WAS IN DEFAULT.
HE SAID IT PUT DOWN, IN DETAIL, THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE COMPANY WOULD BE REGARDED AS BEING IN DEFAULT AS WELL AS THE PROCEDURES WHICH HAVE TO BE GONE THROUGH BEFORE THE COMPANY’S FRANCHISE COULD BE REVOKED.
REVOCATION WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE SANCTION AGAINST THE COMPANY IF IT FAILED TO FULFILL ITS PRIMARY OBLIGATIONS.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WOULD FORM A VITAL NEW LINK BETWEEN THE FAST DEVELOPING NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES AND URBAN KOWLOON AND WOULD BRING LONG-TERM RELIEF TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
"IT WILL STRETCH FROM SIU LIK YUEN IN SHA TIN TO DIAMOND HI I IN KOWLOON. ITS LENGTH IS 3.9 KM, THE LONGEST IN HONG KONG," HF SAID.
"IT WILL ALSO FORM PART OF A GREATER NETWORK LINKING THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, ALL THE WAY TO TOLO HIGHWAY.
"WHILE THIS $2 BILLION PROJECT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY II; PRIVATE SECTOR, GOVERNMENT WILL SIMULTANEOUSLY CONSTRUCT THE OTiU > PARTS OF THIS GREATER NETWORK.
"THESE INCLUDE, ON THE KOWLOON SIDE, THE KWUN TONG BYPASS AND THE PRINCJ- EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE AND, ON THE SHA TIN SIDE, A sF> BRIDGE ACROSS SHING MUN RIVER, THE T5 HIGHWAY AND THE APPROACH KOAs TO THE NORTHERN PORTAL OF THE TUNNEL."
MR LEUNG SAID THAT BY PRIVATISING THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT, FUNDS COULD BE RELEASED FOR OTHER IMPORTANT CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE BE CARRIED OUT AT A LATER DATE.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO RECEIVE ROYALTY PAYMENTS FROM THE COMPANY WHEN IT BEGAN OPERATION.
REFERRING TO THE KEEN RESPONSE FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHEN THE GOVERNMENT INVITED PROPOSALS FOR THE PROJECT IN MAY LAST YEAR, MR LEUNG SAID ALL THE SIX PROPOSALS RECEIVED WERE OF HIGH QUALITY, OFFERING ATTRACTIVE TERMS.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 5 -
THE GOVERNMENT SET OUT TO EVALUATE THESE PROPOSALS AND TO NEGOTIATE A DEAL WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE OF MAXIMISING THE BENEFIT TO TUNNEL USERS IN THE FORM OF A LOW INITIAL TOLL AND A STABLE TOLL STRUCTURE.
OTHER MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDED A SHORT CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, SOUND ENGINEERING DESIGN, PROVEN CONSTRUCTION METHOD AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN SIMILAR WORKS.
MR LEUNG BELIEVED THAT THE PACKAGE FINALLY ARRIVED AT WAS ONE WHICH CONFORMED THE MOST TO THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SET OUT TO ACHIEVE.
HE SAID THAT ONE PARTICULAR POINT WHICH MERITED SPECIAL MENTION WAS THE SHORT CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
"THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 37 MONTHS, ALMOST ONE YEAR EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY ESTIMATED. ON THE BASIS THAT THE COMPANY CAN START WORK IN JULY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE ORDINANCE, THE TUNNEL WILL BE OPEN TO PUBLIC USE IN AUGUST 1991," HE SAID.
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BILL AIMED AT EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE ♦ t ♦ t t
THE NOISE CONTROL BILL 19«8 WILL BRING ABOUT MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, Till HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY}.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE BILL WAS A CONSOL DAT1ON OF PIECEMEAL CONTROLS AT PRESENT CONTAINED IN DIFFERENT ORDINANCES, WHILE THE CURRENT SCOPE OF NOISE CONTROL HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDED.
THE BILL DEALT WITH FOUR MAIN TYPES OF NOISE:
» NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PREMISES AND PUBLIC PLACES (GENERAL NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE);
♦ CONSTRUCTION NOISE AND PILING;
♦ NOISE FROM INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL PREMISES; AND
♦ NOISE FROM INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OF PLANT OR EQUIPMENT.
"AT PRESENT, PROVISIONS TO CONTROL GENERAL NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE ARE CONTAINED IN THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
/"THESE PROVISIONS .......
UNCHANGED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENFORCED BY THE POLICE.”
ON CONSTRUCTION NOISE, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE PRESENT PERMIT SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING WORK AT NIGHT, BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM, AND ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS WOULD BE RETAINED.
THE CONTROLS WOULD, HOWEVER, BE EXTENDED TO COVER PRESCRIBED TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION WORK WHICH MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRE THE USE OF POWERED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT.
THE REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING SUCH WORK WOULD BE MADE AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, HE SAID.
"IN RESPECT OF NOISE FROM PILING, THE BILL MAKES A NEW AND IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BETWEEN PERCUSSIVE AND NON-PERCUSSIVE PILING," MR CHAMBERS CONTINUED.
"IT IS PROPOSED THAT RESTRICTIONS ON NON-PERCUSSIVE PILING, WHICH IS RELATIVELY QUIET, SHOULD BE RELAXED WHILE CONTROL OF NOISY PERCUSSIVE PILLING SHOULD BE TIGHTENED."
THE CURRENT PROHIBITION ON SUCH WORK DURING THE RESTRICTED HOURS WOULD BE RETAINED, AND PERCUSSIVE PILING WOULD IN FUTURE ALSO REQUIRE A PERMIT DURING DAYTIME HOURS, HE SAID.
THIS WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO LIMIT NOISY PERCUSSIVE PILING TO CERTAIN HOURS OF THE DAY IN LOCATIONS CLOSE TO NOISE SENSITIVE BUILDINGS, SUCH AS SCHOOLS OR RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS.
MR CHAMBERS SAID HE HOPED THAT THIS DISTINCTION WOULD ENCOURAGE THE USE OF QUIETER PILING METHODS.
"IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERMIT SYSTEM, THE BILL INTRODUCES THE CONCEPT OF TECHNICAL MEMORANDA WHICH WILL BE ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE ON THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WHICH WILL CONTAIN DETAILED TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE PREDICTION, ASSESSMENT AND MEASUREMENT OF NOISE," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"THESE PRINCIPLES WILL BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT A PERMIT SHOULD BE ISSUED IN ANY PARTICULAR CASE AND WHAT CONDITIONS SHOULD BE INCLUDED."
MR CHAMBERS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL INTRODUCED CONTROLS ON NOISE FROM COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PREMISES.
"CLAUSE 11 PROVIDES THAT NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICES MAY BE SERVED IF THE NOISE EMITTED IS CAUSING ANNOYANCE TO ANY PERSON, OR IF IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE TECHNICAL CRITERIA SET OUT IN THE RELEVANT TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM," HE SAID.
/’’THESE NOTICES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
5
"THESE NOTICES WILL REQUIRE OWNERS OR OCCUPIERS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR NOISE EMISSIONS COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NOTICE BY A SPECIFIED DATE; NON-COMPLIANCE WILL BE AN OFFENCE."
NEW POWERS WERE INCLUDED IN PART III OF THE BILL TO ENABLE THE CONTROL OF NOISE FROM INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OF PLANT OR MACHINERY, SUCH AS GENERATORS AND COMPRESSORS, WHICH WOULD BE PRESCRIBED IN REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, MR CHAMBERS NOTED.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THESE PROVISIONS WILL ONLY BE USED WHEN TECHNICAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES MAKE OTHER FORMS OF CONTROL INAPPROPRIATE."
TURNING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE BILL, MR CHAMBERS SAID ITS PROVISIONS, EXCEPT THOSE DEALING WITH GENERAL NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE, WOULD BE ENFORCED BY A NOISE CONTROL AUTHORITY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER CLAUSE 3.
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WOULD BE THE AUTHORITY FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WILL BE ENFORCED IN A FAIR AND REASONABLE MANNER, PART IV OF THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN APPEAL BOARD BY THE GOVERNOR," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
APPEALS CAN BE MADE AGAINST THE SERVICE OF NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICES, REFUSAL TO ISSUE PILING PERMITS OR AGAINST THE CONDITIONS OF SUCH A PERMIT.”
COMMENTING ON THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE LEGISLATION, MR CHAMBERS SAID AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COST IMPACT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL ON THE POTENTIALLY MOST AFFECTED CATEGORIES OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
THE STUDY SHOWED THAT THE COST IMPACT ON MANUFACTURERS SHOULD NOT IN GENERAL BE SIGNIFICANT WHEN COMPARED WITH OVERALL OPERATING COSTS.
WITH REGARD TO THE CONTROL OF PILING NOISE, THE EFFECT OF TIGHTENING THE CONTROLS ON PERCUSSIVE PILING DURING THE DAYTIME WOULD AT LEAST PARTIALLY BE OFFSET BY THE RELAXATION OF CONTROLS ON NON-PERCUSSIVE PILING DURING THE NIGHT.
"WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THIS LEGISLATION WILL BE SERIOUS," MR CHAMBERS REMARKED.
"I COMMEND THIS BILL TO MEMBERS AS AN IMPORTANT AND EFFECTIVE ADDITION TO Till' BODY OF LEGISLATION AIMED AT REDUCING VARIOUS FORMS OF POLLUTION."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 6 -
SECURITIES DISCLOSURE BILL HAS FIVE MAIN FEATURES ******
THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) BILL 1988 FOLLOWS CLOSELY THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM COMPANIES ACT, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL HAD FIVE MAIN FEATURES, MR NENDICK SAID IN MOVING ITS SECOND READING.
"FIRST, IT FORCES DISCLOSURE OF SHAREHOLDINGS OF 10 PER CENT OR MORE WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF THE DUTY ARISING," HE SAID.
"ONCE A SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDING HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, ANY CHANGE OF ONE PER CENT OR MORE MUST ALSO BE NOTIFIED."
HE EXPLAINED THE AIM WAS TO LOOK THROUGH CORPORATE INTERESTS TO GET AT THE REALITY OF CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS WOULD ATTRACT HEAVY PENALTIES UPON CONVICTION.
ON THE SECOND FEATURE OF THE BILL, MR NENDICK SAID IT GAVE LISTED COMPANIES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE A SHAREHOLDER TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT HIS HOLDING.
"IF A PERSON FAILS WITHOUT GOOD REASON TO GIVE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION, THE COMPANY MAY APPLY TO THE HIGH COURT FOR RESTRICTIONS TO BE PLACED UPON THE SHARES IN QUESTION," HE SAID.
"SIMILARLY, A LISTED COMPANY MAY BE REQUIRED BY 10 PER CENT OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS, UPON DEMONSTRATION OF GOOD CAUSE, TO INVESTIGATE INTO THE OWNERSHIP OF ITS SHARES."
THIRDLY, MR NENDICK SAID THE BILL FORCED THE DIRECTORS AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF A LISTED COMPANY TO DISCLOSE THEIR SHAREHOLDINGS IN THE COMPANY AND IN ANY ASSOCIATED COMPANY AND ANY DEALINGS THEY MIGHT HAVE IN THE REI,EVANT SHARES.
"FOURTH, IT ENABLES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO APPOINT INSPECTORS TO INVESTIGATE THE OWNERSHIP OF A LISTED COMPANY OR ANY BREACH OF THE DUTY OF DISCLOSURE BY DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES," HE CONTINUED.
"THE COST OF ANY SUCH INVESTIGATION WILL BE RECOVERABLE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES FROM THE PARTIES INVOLVED."
WHERE AN INVESTIGATION ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING OUT RELEVANT FACTS, MR NENDICK SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MIGHT IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON THE SHARES CONCERNED.
FINALLY, HE SAID THE BILL ALSO ENABLED THE COURTS OR, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OR DISPOSAL OF SHARES.
/"WHERE A .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
7
“WHERE A FREEZING ORDER IS MADE, ANY TRANSFER OF THE SHARES CONCERNED IS VOID,” MR NENDICK SAID.
“IN ADDITION, NO VOTING RIGHTS ARE EXERCISABLE IN RESPECT OF THE SHARES AND NO DIVIDENDS ARE PAYABLE."
AN ORDER MIGHT ONLY BE LIFTED BY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITY WHEN CERTAIN CONDITIONS WERE MET, HE ADDED.
TALKING ON THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE BILL IN JUNE LAST YEAR, MR NENDICK SAID WHILE MOST OF THE COMMENTS CENTRED ON TECHNICAL PROVISIONS, A FEW POINTS WERE OF WIDER IMPORTANCE.
THE FIRST CONCERNED THE APPLICATION OF THE BILL.
“WE PREFER TO FOLLOW THE UK PRACTICE, WHICH IS TO LIMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LEGISLATION TO LOCAL COMPANIES BUT TO REQUIRE ALL LISTED COMPANIES, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS, TO COMPLY WITH ITS PROVISIONS AS A LISTING REQUIREMENT," MR NENDICK SAID.
“WHILE WE AGREE IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE BILL SHOULD APPLY TO ALL HONG KONG LISTED COMPANIES, BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS INCORPORATED, THERE ARE PRACTICAL AND EXTRA-TERRITORIAL PROBLEMS IN APPLYING THE LEGISLATION TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES."
THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE SECURITIES (STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING) RULES WERE IN HAND, HE SAID.
THE SECOND POINT CONCERNED THE NOTIFIABLE PERCENTAGE FOR SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS.
“IN THE BILL, SHAREHOLDINGS OF 10 PER CENT OR MORE MUST BE NOTIFIED,” MR NENDICK SAID.
“THE VIEW THAT THIS FIGURE IS TOO HIGH HAS BEEN EXPRESSED BY SOME, MOST RECENTLY BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, AND THAT A FIGURE OF FIVE PER CENT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE."
WHILE A FIGURE OF FIVE PER CENT WOULD BE MORE IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, MR NENDICK SAID HE WAS NOT IN FAVOUR OF ANY CHANGE IN THE PRESENT PROPOSAL AT THIS STAGE.
"ANY CHANGE TO THIS KEY PROVISION WOULD REQUIRE FURUI’’ EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION AND WOULD UNAVOIDABLY DELAY THE PASSAGE OF THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH HAS BREN UNDER DISCUSSION SIN' I THE EARLY 197O'S,“ MR NENDICK EXPLAINED.
"I BELIEVE THAT 10 PER CENT IS A SUITABLE INITIAL TR1GGF POINT FOR DISCLOSURE FOR HONG KONG, BEARING IN MIND THAT A COMPAP. MAY ITSELF REQUIRE INFORMATION TO BE DISCLOSED IN RELATION TO /V LEVEL OF SHAREHOLDING."
/THIS PROVISION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 8 -
THIS PROVISION WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF THE OPERATION OF THE BILL AND IN THE COURSE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S CONSIDERATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, HE SAID.
THE THIRD POINT RECEIVED DURING THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE CONCERNED NOMINEE COMPANIES AND IN PARTICULAR WHETHER OR NOT A BANK’S NOMINEE COMPANY WOULD QUALIFY AS A BARE TRUSTEE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EXEMPTION.
"IT IS COMMON PRACTICE IN HONG KONG FOR A NOMINEE COMPANY, IN THE ABSENCE OF WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FROM ITS CUSTOMER, TO HAVE NO DUTY OTHER THAN TO HOLD THE PROPERTY TO THE BENEFICIARY’S ORDER BUT
TO RESERVE POWER TO VOTE IN WHICHEVER WAY IT CONSIDERS TO BE IN ITS
BENEFICIARY’S OR ITS CUSTOMER’S BEST INTERESTS," MR NENDICK SAID.
"OUR LEGAL ADVICE IS THAT SUCH A DISCRETIONARY VOTING POWER
DOES NOT PREVENT A COMPANY WHICH IS OTHERWISE A BARE TRUSTEE OR
NOMINEE FROM BEING A BARE TRUSTEE OR NOMINEE.
"IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION THAT NOMINEE COMPANIES, WHETHER OF A BANK OR OTHERWISE, SHOULD BE CAUGHT BY THE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS."
IT WOULD PLACE AN UNREASONABLE BURDEN UPON SUCH COMPANIES AND THERE WERE ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSE, HE NOTED.
"THE BENEFICIAL OWNER REMAINS UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO DISCLOSE A NOTIFIABLE INTEREST AND ALSO REMAINS UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS DESIGNED TO EXPOSE CONCERT PARTIES," MR NENDICK SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, WHERE A LISTED COMPANY WISHES TO ENQUIRE INTO THE OWNERSHIP OF ITS SHARES, IT MAY REQUIRE THE NOMINEE TO DISCLOSE THE BENEFICIARIES INVOLVED."
THE LAST POINT CONCERNED WARRANTS AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE COVERED BY THE BILL.
"THE SHORT ANSWER IS THAT THEY ARE NOT," MR NENDICK SAID.
"WARRANTS ARE MOST COMMONLY RIGHTS OR OPTIONS TO SUBSCRIBE FOR FUTURE SHARES AT A PARTICULAR PRICE WITHIN A FIXED PERIOD.
"AS SUCH, THEY DO NOT CONFER VOTING RIGHTS ON THE WARRANT HOLDER UNTIL THAT RIGHT OR OPTION IS EXERCISED."
HOWEVER, ONCE THE RIGHT OR OPTION WAS EXERCISED, MR NENDICK SAID THE DISCLOSURE OBLIGATION THEN AROSE.
"THE POSITION REGARDING DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES IS. GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE SAME," HE SAID.
"THEY MUST, HOWEVER, NOTIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT WARRANTS GRANTED TO THEM BY THE LISTED COMPANY OR BY ITS ASSOCIATED COMPANIES."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 9 -
PROVISION FOR ELECTORAL FUNDING * t t *
THE TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH DEALS WITH THE QUESTION OF FUNDING FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID SECTION 34 OF THE TRADE UNIONS ORDINANCE PROHIBITED THE USE OF TRADE UNION FUNDS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.
IN 1985, WHEN EMPLOYEE TRADE UNIONS WERE INCLUDED AS "ELECTORS" IN THE LABOUR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, MANY UNION LEADERS HAD ASKED FOR THIS PROHIBITION TO BE RELAXED.
"FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE THEN UMELCO, WE GAVE A COMMITMENT TO EXCLUDE FROM THE PROHIBITION DONATIONS TO CANDIDATES STANDING IN ANY CONSTITUENCY ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETURN1NE A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," MR BRIDGE SAID. •
"SUBSEQUENTLY, A GROUP OF UNION LEADERS SUGGESTED THAT THE RELAXATION SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALLOW THE USE OF UNION FUNDS FOR DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS.
"WE NOW THEREFORE PROPOSE TO AMEND THE TRADE UNIONS ORDINANCE TO ALLOW UNIONS TO USE THEIR FUNDS FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES IN DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
"ELECTORAL PURPOSES INCLUDE THE USE OF UNION FUNDS TO PAY ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY A CANDIDATE IN CONNECTION WITH HIS CANDIDATURE OR ELECTION; TO HOLD ANY MEETING; TO PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE ANY LITERATURE OR DOCUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF A CANAIDATE; AND TO REGISTER ELECTORS OR TO SELECT THE CANDIDATE.
"HOWEVER, SUCH EXPENDITURE WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE LIMITS ON ELECTION EXPENSES UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE."
MR BRIDGE SAID THAT TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUAL UNION MEMBERS, THE BILL STIPULATED THAT A UNION MUST SEEK THE APPROVAL OF ITS MEMBERS BY SECRET BALLOT BEFORE MONEY COULD BE SPENiT FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES. . J
THIS WAS PROVIDED FOR BY THE NEW SECTION 33A, WHICH REQUIRED A UNION TO OBTAIN THE AUTHORITY OF THE MAJORITY OF ITS VOTING MEMBERS BY SECRET BALLOT BEFORE IT SET UP AN ELECTORAL FUND FROM WHICH ELECTORAL EXPENSES MIGHT BE PAID.
"CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND ARE TO BE VOLUNTARY AND NO ONE IS TO BE PREJUDICED IN HIS RIGHT TO JOIN, OR CONTINUE TO BE, A MEMBER OF A UNION BECAUSE OF HIS REFUSAL TO CONTRIBUTE,” HE SAID.
/"ALTERNATIVELY, IF .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
10 -
f. "ALTERNATIVELY, IF A UNION PREFERS NOT TO ESTABLISH AN ELECTORAL FUND, THE NEW SECTION 33B WILL ALLOW IT TO OBTAIN AUTHORISATION FOR ELECTORAL EXPENDITURE FOR A PARTICULAR ELECTION BY A SECRET BALLOT OF MEMBERS PRESENT AT A GENERAL MEETING.
"THE AUTHORISATION WILL HAVE TO SPECIFY THE MAXIMUM EXPENDITURE TO BE INCURRED."
SINCE THE EXISTING RULES OF ALL UNIONS PROHIBITED THE USE OF FUNDS FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES, UNIONS WOULD HAVE TO PRESENT SUITABLE AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS FOR REGISTRATION.
THE REGISTRY OF TRADE UNIONS WOULD BE HAPPY TO ADVISE ANY UNION ON THE PROPER PROCEDURES, AND A SET OF MODEL RULES WAS AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE OPPORTUNITY HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO REPLACE THE TERM "THE COLONY" BY "HONG KONG" WHEREVER IT OCCURED IN THE ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
4
AMENDMENTS SUPPORTED * * *
COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS TO THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WERE SUPPORTED BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDTCK, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP DEBATES ON THE TWO BILLS, MR NENDICK PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO BOTH MEASURES BY THE HON MARIA TAM AND THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP OF WHICH SHE WAS CONVENER.
ON THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, MR NENDICK SAID THAT AS HAD BEEN POINTED OUT BY MISS TAM, CONSISTENCY SHOULD BE SOUGHT BETWEEN THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS ON SECRECY IN THE BANKING, SECURITIES, AND INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCES.
THERE WAS OBVIOUS MERIT IN MAKING SURE THAT, AS FAR AS 'POSSIBLE, THE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES HAD THE SAME FREEDOMS AND SAFEGUARDS IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR DUTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCES.
"I ACCEPT, THEREFORE, THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SATISFY HIMSELF AS TO THE ADEQUACY OF SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE OVERSEAS JURISDICTION BEFORE RELEASING ANY INFORMATION TO THE RESPECTIVE OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
/"IN PRACTICE, ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
11
H1N PRACTICE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES WILL PERFORM THIS DUTY BY SEEKING AND OBTAINING AN ASSURANCE FROM THE OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITY THAT IT WILL PROTECT THE INFORMATION TO BE DISCLOSED TO IT.
"IN THE EVENT OF A BREACH OF THIS UNDERTAKING, THE COMMISSIONER WILL WITHHOLD THEIR CO-OPERATION IN FUTURE.”
ON THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, MR NENDICK SAID THAT AS IN THE CASE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WOULD BE UNDER A STATUTORY DUTY TO SATISFY HIMSELF AS TO THE ADEQUACY OF SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE OVERSEAS JURISDICTION BEFORE HE MIGHT RELEASE INFORMATION TO THE OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN QUESTION.
IN PRACTICE, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WOULD PERFORM THIS DUTY IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT HE COULD CONFIRM THAT IN ADDITION TO ENSURING THAT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO OVERSEAS SUPERVISORS WAS ADI qUATELY SAFEGUARDED, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WOULD HAVE CAREFUL REGARD TO THE INTERESTS OF THE LOCAL INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN DETI.R IINING HOW HE EXERCISED HIS POWERS TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION.
--------0----------
BILLS TO IMPROVE HK'S PRUDENTIAL CONTROL SUPPORTED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ARITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, WHICH SEEK TO INTRODUCE CHANGES TO THE PRINCIPAL ORI- NANCES MAINLY IN THE PROVISIONS REGARDING OFFICIAL SECRECY AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, WOULD IMPROVE HONG KONG’S PRUDENTIAL CONTROL, THE HON MARIA TAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MISS TAM WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE TWO BILLS.
SHE NOTED THAT IT WAS AN INCREASING TREND FOR REGULATORY AUTHORITIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TO CO-OPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND SHARE OUT INFORMATION TO THEIR MUTUAL BENEFIT.
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT 1986 PROVIDED FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AMONG REGULATORY AUTHORITIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. SIMILAR LEGISLATION ALSO EXISTED IN THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA.
/•'AT PRESENT, .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1?88
12
”AT PRESENT, REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION HAVE TO BE TURNED DOWN BY AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTIVE NATURE OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATION.
"BY INTRODUCING THE NEW PROPOSALS IT WILL THEN BECOME POSSIBLE TO ENTERTAIN SUCH REQUESTS UNDER PRESCRIBED CONDITIONS AND ALSO TO ENCOURAGE OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITIES TO RECIPROCATE IN A MORE FAVOURABLE MANNER, THUS TO SECURE FURTHER HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE," MISS TAM SAJI).
SHE REFERRED TO A MAIN CONCERN OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE TWO BILLS.
THIS WAS TO ENSURE THAT INSURERS WOULD NOT SUFFER UNNECESSARILY FROM ANY INDISCRIMINATE DISCLOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION CONCERNING INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES OR THEIR DIRECTORS AND/OR CONTROLLERS IN THE EXERCISE OF THE DISCRETION BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY.
IT WOULD ALSO APPLY TO THE HANDLING OF INFORMATION BY THE THIRD PARTY, LOCAL OR OVERSEAS.
THE AD HOC GROUP, OF WHICH MISS TAM WAS CONVENER, HAD FOUND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE TWO BILLS WORTH SUPPORTING.
REGARDING THE DETA ILS, THE GROUP HAD REACHED AGREEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON SOME COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS, SHE SAID.
FOR THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, ONE COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT WAS THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES WOULD HAVE TO BE SATISFIED THAT THERE WERE ADEQUATE SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE OVERSEAS SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES BEFORE INFORMATION WAS DISCLOSED TO SUCH AUTHORITIES.
ANOTHER COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT WAS TO BRING THE PENALTIES FOR BREACH OF SECRECY PROVISIONS IN LINE WITH THOSE PROVIDED FOR BY THE BANKING AND INSURANCE LEGISLATION.
MISS TAM ALSO SAID THAT IN THE COURSE OF THE STUDY OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAD CONSIDERED THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THERE WAS A NEED TO PROVIDE INSURERS WITH A CHANCE TO BE HEARD BEFORE INFORMATION AFFECTING THEM WAS DISCLOSED BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW WAS THAT IF A HEARING WAS PROVIDED THIS WOULD LIKELY CAUSE DELAY IN ACTIONS WHICH WOULD REQUIRE TO BE TAKEN BY SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES CONCERNED.
MOREOVER, THERE WAS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY THAT INSURERS UNDER INVESTIGATION MIGHT EXPLOIT SUCH DELAY TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF POLICY HOLDERS.
/BESIDES, ABUSES ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 13 -
BESIDES, ABUSES BY OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES OF INFORMATION GIVEN TO THEM COULD BE PREVENTED AS THE DISCRETION TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION STILL LAY WITH THE LOCAL AUTHORITY WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT BILL, WOULD HAVE TO BE SATISFIED THAT THERE WERE ADEQUATE SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE JURISDICTION OF THESE OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES BEFORE RELEASING THE INFORMATION IN QUESTION.
MISS TAM ADDED THAT THE TWO BILLS WERE BUT TWO OUT OF A SERIES OF ITEMS OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S PRUDENTIAL CONTROL.
THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW.COMMITTEE REPORT, AND THE GROUP FULLY SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO EXAMINE THE SHORTCOMINGS IN THE OPERATION OF THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY SO AS TO BRING IN THE NECESSARY REFORMS, SHE SAID.
-------0 ---------
PURPOSE OF AUDIT AMENDMENT BILL EXPLAINED
* » * * »
THE AUDIT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS GIVEN A SECOND READING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TN
MO\'(NG THE SECOND READING, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO REQUIRE °F ACC0UNTINQ SERVICES TO TRANSMIT ACCOUNT STATEMENTS TO DIRECTOR OF AUDIT FOR FUNDS - OTHER THAN THE LOTTERIES FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 29 OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE
THE
THE
THE
THE BILL ALSO REQUIRED THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTS OF THESE FUNDS.
’THIS WILL IMPROVE THE PROCEDURE AND THESE ACCOUNTS INTO LINE WITH THE NORMAL EXPLAINED.
AUDIT TO CERTIFY THE f
BRING THE
PRACTICE,"
HANDLING OF
MR NENDICK
THE FUNDS ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 29 OF THE PUBLIC ORDINANCE ARE THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND, THE LOTTERIES FUND OWNERSHIP FUND, THE STUDENT LOAN FUND, THE MASS TRANSIT FUND CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
FINANCE
THE HOME
AND THE
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----o------
/1U .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 14 -
i <1 ilN • । I'.ftiT GT
MOVE TO FACILITATE PREPARATION OF LEGISLATION » * *
THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 SEEKS TO PERMIT A CHANGE IN THE FORMAT OF ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS BY ELIMINATING NOTES FROM THE MARGIN AND REPOSITIONING MARGINAL NOTES AS SECTION HEADINGS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR DAVID SAID THE PURPOSE WAS TO AMEND THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE.
"THE CHANGE WILL FACILITATE FASTER AND MORE ECONOMICAL PREPARATION OF LEGISLATION BY THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION AND THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT RECENT AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THIS CHANGE AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDING ORDERS TO BE MOVED LATER IN THE SESSION, WOULD COMPLETE THE AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO PUT IT INTO OPERATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0 -------
■ it 'A'' .Lilli I*'1 11 ,, . hiT’lA >‘> HOT’PIHHI
' 1 . ' ' : t 'A'' .. t , l I I Cl
,,u FOUR BILLS PASSED . ... ,
* * * '
FOUR BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COO^ClL TODAYA (WEDNESDAY).
THESE WERE THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE INSl|RANC$. ■■ COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) Bill. 1988, THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AI^D THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
SIX OTHER BILLS WERE, READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
i". ".ah :•!in .••/«>' ■' • . . ■
THESE WERE THE NOISE CONTROL BILL 1988, THE TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) BILL 1988, THE AUDIT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL 1988 AND THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
-------O----------
/15........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8,
1988
MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO PROTECT WILDLIFE RESERVE
******
DESPITE THE GENERAL DETERIORATION OF WATER QUALITY IN DEEP BAY, A MAJOR STUDY COMMISSIONED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE MAI PO WILDLIFE RESERVE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY POLLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR CHAMBERS SA<D THE MANGROVES, WHICH FORMED THE PRINCIPAL PLANT COMMUNITY, APPEARED TO BE UNAFFECTED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO REDUCTION IN THE SPECIES AND NUMBER OF BIRDS REPORTED IN THE AREA.
MR CHAMBERS SAID DEEP BAY WAS AN ENCLOSED BODY OF WATER WITH LIMITED CIRCULATION AND WAS, LIKE TOLO HARBOUR, AFFECTED BY SIMILAR POLLUTION PROBLEMS.
THE STUDY, AIMED AT REVIEWING THE ENVIRONMENT IN DEEP BAY AND ASSESSING THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE AREA, HAI) SHOWN THAT POLLUTION LEVELS IN THE INNER PART OF DEEP BAY WERE VERY HIGH AND THAT THE MAJOR SOURCE OF THIS POLLUTION WAS ORGANIC WASTE FROM LIVESTOCK FARMING.
"TO PROTECT THE WILDLIFE RESERVE, THE MARSHES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS A RESTRICTED AREA AND PUBLIC ACCESS IS LIMITED," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"IT IS PATROLLED BY NATURE WARDENS AND AN EDUCATION CENTRE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION."
IN ADDITION, TWO MAJOR INITIATIVES WERE BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN DEEP BAY, HE SAID.
THESE WERE THE EXTENSION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME TO THE YUEN LONG AREA IN 199 1 AND THE CONSTRUCT ION OF A TRUNK SEWER TO CARRY SEWAGE FROM TIN SHU1 WAI NEW TOWN TO DISCHARGE INTO THE URMSTON ROAD, WHICH WAS PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN 1992.
"THE FINAL STAGE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF DEEP BAY WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED IN JULY THIS YEAR, WILL RECOMMEND MEASURES TO BI INCORPORATED INTO THE VARIOUS FLOOD CONTROL, DRAINAGE AND OTHER PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THE AREA," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THESE MEASURES SHOULD PROVIDE FURTHK PROTECTION TO THE MAI PO MARSHES AND OTHER IMPORTANT CONSERVATION AREAS IN DEEP BAY," HE ADDED.
- 0 -
/16
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 16 -
POLICE AWARE OF HOLIDAY HOUSE PROBLEMS » » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE POLICE HAVE BEEN AWARE FOR SOME TIME OF PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE RENTING OUT OF PRIVATE HOUSES TO HOLIDAY MAKERS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR BARNES SAID SO FAR REPORTS HAD MAINLY INVOLVED OFFENCES IN THE OUTLYING ISLANDS, ESPECIALLY CHEUNG CHAU, LAMMA AND PARTS OF LANTAU.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO GIVE ACCURATE DATA FOR THE WHOLE TERRITORY OF THE TYPES OF CRIMES INVOLVED BECAUSE SEPARATE STATISTICS HAI) NOT BEEN KEPT OF THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE RESORT HOUSES OR THE OFFENCES COMMITTED IN THEM.
"THE POLICE HAVE SO FAR ONLY KEPT RECORDS OF REPORTS INVOLVING HOLIDAY MAKERS IN GENERAL IN THE CHEUNG CHAU DIVISION, WHICH INCLUDES LAMMA ISLAND, WHERE THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE MORE PREVALENT," HE SAID.
IN CHEUNG CHAU AND LAMMA COMBINED, 18 PER CENT OF CRIME REPORTS AND 10 PER CENT OF NUISANCE COMPLAINTS CONCERNED HOLIDAY MAKERS, BUT NOT ALL OF THESE INVOLVED RESORT HOUSES, HE SAID.
"THE PROBLEM OF OFFENCES ASSOCIATED WITH RESORT HOUSES HAS BEEN DISCUSSED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AND BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE."
MR BARNES NOTED THAT LEGALLY ANY PERSON COULD RENT OUT PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION AND NO LICENCE WAS REQUIRED, ADDING THAT A BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE WOULD BE NECESSARY IF THE RENTING CONSTITUTED A BUSINESS UNDER THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
"THE POLICE HAVE NO SPECIAL POWERS TO ENTER THESE HOUSES, WHICH COUNT AS PRIVATE PREMISES," HE SAID.
"ACCESS CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED BY INVITATION, BY SEARCH WARRANT OR BY EXECUTING POWERS UNDER AN APPROPRIATE ORDINANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE OR THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE.7
V
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION SPECIFICALLY GOVERNING THE RENTING OF PRIVATE RESORT HOUSE ACCOMMODATION.
"I ACCEPT THAT THERE ARE COMPLAINTS AND OFFENCES ARISING FROM GROUPS OF, MOSTLY YOUNG, PEOPLE RENTING THESE HOUSES," HE SAID.
"PROBLEMS ARISE WHEN LARGE GROUPS, USUALLY OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE URBAN AREA, RENT THESE PREMISES AND HOLD NOISY PARTIES.
/’’ALCOHOL IS.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
17
"ALCOHOL IS CONSUMED AND THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF DISPUTES BREAKING OUT RESULTING IN FIGHTS, SOMETIMES SERIOUS ASSAULTS.
"THE POLICE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED COMPLAINTS OF NUISANCE, MOST COMMONLY ABOUT NOISE."
MR BARNES SAID THE MATTER WAS BEING REFERRED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE FOR DETAILED CONSIDERATION OF THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND WHAT COULD BE DONE TO PREVENT IT BECOMING MORE SERIOUS AND OCCURRING IN OTHER AREAS.
"I AM SATISFIED THAT THE POLICE HAVE ADEQUATE POWERS TO DEAL WITH SERIOUS CRIME IN THESE PLACES, BUT WE MAY NEED TO CONSIDER WAYS TO IMPROVE THE GENERAL CONTROL OF THESE PREMISES," HE ADDED.
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BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS: NO OBSERVABLE IMPACT ON HEALTH » * » » *
ACCORDING TO DATA COLLECTED UNDER A PROGRAMME TO STUDY IN DETAIL THE BACKGROUND RADIATION IN HONG KONG, THE EXISTING LEVELS HAVE NO OBSERVABLE IMPACT ON THE HEALTH OF THE POPULATION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG, MR NENDICK SAID THAT THE PROGRAMME, FORMULATED IN 1984, AIMED AT COLLECTING DATA OVER A SUFFICIENTLY LONG PERIOD, BEFORE THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NUCLEAR POWER STATION AT DAYA BAY, SO THAT EXISTING LEVELS OF RADIATION THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY COULD BE ESTABLISHED.
"THIS BASELINE INFORMATION WILL PERMIT SUBSEQUENT CHANGES IN RADIATION LEVELS TO BE DETECTED,” HE SAID.
"THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN CO-OPERATION WITH SEVERAL OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND MONITORING STATIONS HAVE BEEN SET UP WITHIN THE TERRITORY. MEASUREMENTS BEGAN IN 1987.
"RESULTS TO DATE INDICATE THAT IN GENERAL THE BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS IN HONG KONG ARE COMPARABLE WITH THOSE IN MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD."
IN 1987, THE TOTAL ANNUAL DOSE FROM EXTERNAL RADIATION AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE TERRITORY RANGED FROM 0.5 TO 1.5 MILLISIEVERTS.
/THE ANNUAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 18 -
THE ANNUAL AVERAGE IN THE UNITED STATES RANGED FROM 0.4 TO 1.2 MILLISIEVERTS.
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT RADIOACTIVITY IN AIR AND RAINWATER HAD BEEN MEASURED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SINCE 1961.
’’THE MEASUREMENTS HAVE BEEN USED BY THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION, TOGETHER WITH MEASUREMENTS SUPPLIED BY OTHER METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, IN ORDER TO STUDY THE GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION OF RADIO-NUCLIDES RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE FROM NUCLEAR TESTS.
’’THE DATA HAVE GIVEN AN INDICATION OF HOW ATMOSPHERIC RADIOACTIVITY IN HONG.KONG HAS VARIED OVER THE YEARS,” HE ADDED.
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16 ACCIDENTS ON CYCLE TRACK ♦ ♦ ♦ »
POLICE STATISTICS SHOW THAT THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 16 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CYCLISTS ALONG THE CYCLE TRACK BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TAI I’O FROM SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR TO MARCH, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN, MR CHAMBERS SAID OF THESE ACCIDENTS, SEVEN WERE CLASSIFIED AS SERIOUS AND NINE SLIGHT.
"IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBERS OF CYCLISTS WHO USE THE CYCLE TRACK A NUMBER OF SPECIAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, TO ENSURE THAT INJURED CYCLISTS RECEIVE PROMPT ASSISTANCE,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES OPERATED A FIRST AID POST AT THE SHA TIN AMBULANCE DEPOT NEAR THE TRACK AND ANOTHER POST WOULD BE OPENED LATER THIS YEAR.
"IN ADDITION, THE POLICE MAINTAIN REGULAR PATROLS ALONG THE CYCLE TRACK.
"THESE PATROLS ARE EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE ON-THE-SPOT FIRST AID TREATMENT AND CAN SUMMON FURTHER ASSISTANCE BY RADIO IF NECESSARY.
"FIXED POLICE POSTS ARE MANNED AT SEVERAL POINTS ALONG THE TRACK ’1’0 OFFER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO CYCLISTS,” HE SAID.
AS FOR MEDICAL CARE, MR CHAMBERS SAID THERE WERE FOUR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS NEAR THE CYCLE TRACK TWO OF WHICH PROVIDED A 24-HOUR ACCIDENT EMERGENCY SEVICE. MORE SERIOUS CASES WERE DEALT WITH AT THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL.
/HE SAID........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 19 -
HE SAID IN THE LIGHT OF THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY THE SHA TIN AND TAI PO DISTRICT BOARDS EFFORTS WERE ALSO BEING MADE TO ENCOURAGE BETTER CYCLING STANDARDS IN ORDER TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
"THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE IS ACTIVELY PROMOTING GREATER SAFETY IN CYCLING THROUGH PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS IN SCHOOLS," HE SAID.
AN INTER-DISTRICT, INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED TO EXPLORE THE NEED FOR FURTHER FACILITIES ALONG THE CYCLE TRACK SUCH AS EMERGENCY PHONES AND MORE FIRST AID POSTS, HE ADDED.
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UNPAID
WAGES: MEETING ♦ ♦
HELD ON LEGAL REMEDIES
* * 1
A MEETING HAS RECENTLY BEEN HELD WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT, Involving the labour department, the official receiver’s office and THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, TO REVIEW WHAT LEGAL REMEDIES ARB AVAILABLE IF A FACTORY OWNER MOVES HIS OPERATIONS OUT OF HONG KONG WITHOUT PAYING WAGES DUE TO WORKERS.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
OUTLINING THE VARIOUS LEGAL REMEDIES, MR BRIDGE SAID IF THE EMPLOYER WAS STILL SOLVENT BUT DID NOT PAY THE WAGES, HE COULD BE PROSECUTED UNDER SECTION 63A(I) OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
"SECONDLY, ANY EMPLOYEE WHO IS OWED MONEY BY HIS EMPLOYER AND WHO HAS GOOD GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT HIS EMPLOYER IS ABOUT TO ABSCOND OR TRANSFER HIS ASSETS ELSEWHERE, CAN APPLY TO THE COURT FOR A WARRANT OF ARREST UNDER SECTION 67 OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
"THIRDLY, IF THE EMPLOYER IS AN INSOLVENT LIMITED COMPANY SUBJECT TO WINDING UP, HE IS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 271 01’ HIE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO DELIVER UP ALL THE PROPERTIES OF THE COMPANY IN HIS CUSTODY OR UNDER HIS CONTROL FOR DISPOSAL BY THE COURT.
"FOURTHLY, IF, WHEN A COMPANY IS BEING WOUND UP, II!' LIQUIDATOR OBTAINS FROM THE COURT A DECLARATION THAT THERE HAS Bl ANY BREACH OF TRUST OR MISFEASANCE INVOLVING ANY ASSETS OF III COMPANY, THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE IS LIABLE TO REPAY OR RESTORE Till VALUE OF THE ASSETS OR PROPERTY UNDER SECTION J76 OF THE COMPAN1 )■ ORDINANS'
/THESE ASSETS ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 20 -
THESE ASSETS COULD BE SOLD BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PREFERENTIAL AND ORDINARY CLAIMS TO EMPLOYEES, MR BRIDGE SAID.
"FIFTHLY, SECTION 224 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE COURT TO ORDER THE ARREST OF ANY RESPONSIBLE PERSON OF A COMPANY WHO HAS ABSCONDED OR IS ABOUT TO LEAVE HONG KONG TO EVADE PAYMENT OF PERSONAL DEBTS DUE TO THE COMPANY, OR OF AVOIDING EXAMINATION RESPECTING THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY."
MR BRIDGE SAID THESE PROVISIONS APPEARED TO BE REASONABLY ADEQUATE, BUT DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WOULD BE CONTINUED ON WHETHER THERE WERE ANY OTHER WAYS IN WHICH THE SITUATION COULD BE IMPROVED.
"MEANWHILE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S CONCILIATION OFFICERS WILL DO ALL THEY CAN TO HELP ANY WORKERS FACING PROBLEMS OF THIS SORT," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO A RECENT CASE IN WHICH THE OWNERS OF A PLASTICS FACTORY WERE ALLEGED TO HAVE MOVED THEIR FACTORY OUT OF HONG KONG LEAVING A LIABILITY OF ABOUT $660,000 IN UNPAID WAGES AND SEVERANCE PAY DUE TO THEIR 56 WORKERS, NR BRIDGE SAID THE CASE WAS NOW BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE.
"MEANWHILE THE WORKERS HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED PAYMENTS TOTALLING SOME $255,000 FROM THE INSOLVENCY FUND," HE SAID.
"FORTUNATELY THIS CASE IS NOT TYPICAL AND WE HAVE RECEIVED NO OTHER COMPLAINTS INVOLVING COMPARABLE ALLEGATIONS.
"IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S CONCILIATION OFFICERS HELPED IN 49 CASES ARISING FROM FACTORIES MOVING THEIR OPERATIONS OUT OF HONG KONG."
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT IN 16 OF THESE CASES THERE WERE QUERIES OR DISPUTES OVER THE AMOUNT OF WAGES OR SEVERANCE PAY DUE, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE EMPLOYER WAS UNABLE TO PAY OR TRYING TO EVADE PAYMENT.
"THESE 46 CASES INVOLVED A TOTAL OF 519 WORKERS AND $5.4 MILLION," HE SAID.
"FOLLOWING CONCILIATION BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 28 OF TIIEfU CASES WERE AMICABLY SETTLED AND 443 WORKERS OR 85 PER CENT OF Till CLAIMANTS RECEIVED PAYMENTS TOTALLING $1.6 MILLION.
"IN TWO CASES CONCILIATION WORK IS CONTINUING.
/"TEN CASE."
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 21 -
"TEN CASES HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR ADJUDICATION, SIX CASES WERE ENQUIRIES ONLY AND HAVE NOT YET LED TO ANY CLAIMS BEING FORMALLY LODGED."
IN THE REMAINING THREE CASES THE EMPLOYERS WERE APPARENTLY UNABLE TO PAY, MR BRIDGE SAID, NOTING THAT TWO OF THE CASES INVOLVED A TOTAL OF THREE GARMENT WORKERS.
"SUBJECT TO THEIR CLAIMS BEING VERIFIED THEY WIi.L RECEIVE PAYMENTS FROM THE INSOLVENCY FUND," HE SAID.
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1991 LIKELY DATE FOR FORM 6 COMPUTER STUDIES » t t * t
THE EARLIEST THAT COMPUTER STUDIES CAN BE AVAILABLE AS A NEW SIXTH FORM SUBJECT IS LIKELY TO BE IN 1991, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SZETO WAH, MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS LIAISING WITH THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY ON THE FORMATION OF SUBJECT COMMITTEES FOR NEW SIXTH FORM COURSES, INCLUDING COMPUTER STUDIES.
"IN 1986 THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ASKED THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER INTRODUCING COMPUTER STUDIES AS AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT FOR THE SIXTH FORM," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"THE AUTHORITY STUDIED THE PROPOSAL CAREFULLY, BUT CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS NOT PRACTICABLE TO GO AHEAD WITH DEVELOPING SYLLABUSES UNTIL WE HAD TAKEN DECISIONS ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SIXTH FORM."
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE AUTHORITY NEEDED TO KNOW LN PARTICULAR HOW THE NEW J LEVELS WOULD RELATE TO A LEVELS AND WHETHER THEY WOULD REPLACE H LEVELS.
THESE DECISIONS HAD NOW BEEN TAKEN AND WERE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 30.
ALLOWING FOR THE NORMAL LEAD TIME REQUIRED FOR THE PLANNING AND INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SUBJECT, COMPUTER STUDIES COULD HE INTRODUCED IN THE FORM 6 CURRICULUM IN 1991, WITH THE FIRST EXAMINATIONS TO BE HELD IN 1993, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8,
1988
- 22 -
WIDER USE OF FLEXITIME ENCOURAGED * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN ASKED TO CONSIDER WAYS OF BRINGING THE ADVANTAGES OF FLEXITIME TO THE ATTENTION OF EMPLOYERS SO AS TO ENCOURAGE THE WIDER USE OF THE SYSTEM, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARIA TAM, SIR DAVID SAID IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS WOULD NO DOUBT HEAVILY INFLUENCE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS ON WHETHER TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO WORK FLEXITIME.
"BUT I HOPE THE ADVANTAGES OF IT ARE OBVIOUS," HE SAID.
"IN PARTICULAR, IT SPREADS DEMAND ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AND HELPS RELIEVE CONGESTION ON MAJOR ROADS AND TUNNELS DURING BOTH THE MORNING AND EVENING PEAK HOURS.
"MANY FACTORIES ARE OF COURSE ALREADY OPERATED ON A SHIFT BASIS WHICH IN ITSELF IS A FORM OF STAGGERED WORKING HOURS," HE ADDED.
IN DEFINING FLEXITIME WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS AN ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY CIVIL SERVANTS MIGHT SELECT THE STARTING AND FINISHING TIME FOR THEMSELVES WITHIN CERTAIN LIMITS.
AS FOR STAGGERED WORKING HOURS, IT WAS A SYSTEM WHEREBY CIVIL SERVANTS MIGHT OPT FOR ONE OF A NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVE STARTING-TIMES PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENTS OR SECTIONS.
AT PRESENT, 31 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OPERATED SOME FORM OF FLEXITIME OR STAGGERED WORKING HOURS FOR ALL OR PART OF THEIR STAFF, HE SAID.
"THE 'CORE' TIMES AROUND WHICH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS PRESCRIBE THEIR STAGGERED WORKING HOURS ARE BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 12.30 PM AND BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 4.30 PM ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY," SIR DAVID SAID.
"I SHOULD STRESS THAT THESE ARE NOT THE WORKING HOURS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE BUT ARK THE CORE HOURS AROUND WHICH CIVIL SERVANTS ENGAGED IN OFFICE WORK ARE REQUIRED TO WORK A TOTAL OF 44 HOURS PER WEEK.
"TO GIVE THE SCHEME GREATER IMPETUS AND TO MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE, I HAVE ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TO ENCOURAGE DEPARTMENTS TO ADOPT GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN DECIDING ON THEIR 'CORE' OPERATION HOURS.
"IN SO DOING, DEPARTMENTS WILL OF COURSE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE REGARD TO THE CONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO WORK EFFICIENCY,” HE ADDED.
-------o ---------
/2-5..........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 23 -
COST OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHER *****
THE TOTAL COST OF PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHER OF CHINESE IN EVERY PUBLIC SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH 18 CLASSES OR MORE FOR THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR - THAT IS FOR THE SEVEN MONTHS FROM SEPTEMBER 1988 TO MARCH 1989 - IS ESTIMATED TO BE $35.8 MILLION INCLUDING ON-COSTS.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE COST FOR THE FULL YEAR 1989-90 AND THEREAFTER WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $61.4 MILLION PER ANNUM (EXCLUDING INFLATION AND CHANGES IN DEMAND).
--------o ---------
HOSTELS FOR STREET SLEEPERS UNDER STUDY
*****
THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET SLEEPERS, WHICH WAS FORMED LAST YEAR, HAS RECOMMENDED THAT CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF STREET SLEEPERS SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH SOME FORM OF PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR IN KOWLOON.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THESE CATEGORIES WOULD PROBABLY INCLUDE THOSE STREET SLEEPERS WHO WERE NOT SUFFICIENTLY OLD OR INFIRM TO BE REHOUSED INTO PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS, BUT WHO HAD AN OBVIOUS HOUSING NEED.
THEY WOULD PROBABLY ALSO INCLUDE THOSE ABLE-BODIED STREET SLEEPERS WHO COULD DEMONSTRATE A VALID REASON FOR NEEDING TO LIVE IN HONG KONG OR KOWLOON.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION HAS MERIT AND WE ARE NOW EXAMINING, IN CONJUCT1ON WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING URBAN AREA HOSTELS," HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT THESE HOSTELS WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM EXISTING HOSTELS IN THE RESPECT THAT THEY COULD PROVIDE LONG-TERM ACCOMMODATION AND WOULD BE OPEN ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.
/THE SOCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
2<f -
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONDUCT A PILOT SCHEME INVOLVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE OR TWO HOSTELS, SO AS TO TEST THE FEASIBILITY OF THIS APPROACH.
"IF THE PILOT SCHEME PROVES TO BE A SUCCESS, WE WILL CONSIDER INITIATING A FULL HOSTEL PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE COMMITTEE, IN COMPLYING WITH ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE -- TO REVIEW GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN ORDER TO CO-ORDINATE ACTION RELATING TO STREET SLEEPERS ---- HAD CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES RELATING TO STREET SLEEPERS.
HE SAID THAT THIS REVIEW, WHICH WAS COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR, CONCLUDED THAT THE PERSONALISED APPROACH WHICH WAS USED IN HELPING STREET SLEEPERS REMAINED APPROPRIATE, AND THAT THE NECESSARY SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE STREET SLEEPERS WHO WISHED TO MAKE USE OF THEM.
NOTING THAT IN THE COURSE OF THE REVIEW, THE COMMITTEE HAD PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROCEDURES WHEREBY STREET SLEEPERS COULD OBTAIN REPLACEMENT IDENTITY CARDS AND MEDICAL TREATMENT MR CHAMBERS SAID THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
"I DO NOT SEE ANY NEED TO CHANGE THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET SLEEPERS AS THE COMMITTEE CAN CONDUCT FURTHER REVIEWS ON ANY ASPECT OF GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES OR PROGRAMMES IN RELATION TO STREET SLEEPERS," HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE EXPANDING THE SIZE OF THE COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO BRING IN MEMBERS OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR WHO WERE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS FACED BY STREET SLEEPERS.
"I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL PUT FORWARD SOME INTERESTING SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW INITIATIVES WHICH THE COMMITTEE CAN EXAMINE,” HF SAID.
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
STEPS TO COMBAT NULLAH POLLUTION OUTLINED
PROJECTS ARE AT HAND TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION OF THE YUEN LONG NULLAH, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’THE YUEN LONG NULLAH IS A HEAVILY POLLUTED WATERCOURSE, WHICH CAUSES A CONSIDERABLE SMELL NUISANCE,” MR CHAMBERS SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH.
’’THE POLLUTION ORIGINATES FROM LIVESTOCK WASTE, UNSEWERED VILLAGES AND ISOLATED HOUSES, INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES, AND DISCHARGES IN SEWERED AREAS THAT ARE WRONGLY CONNECTED TO THE SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM.”
ONE OF THE PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE YUEN LONG NULLAH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, HE SAID.
"THIS PROJECT IS AIMED AT REDUCING THE SMELL AND VISUAL NUISANCE OF THE YUEN LONG NULLAH IN THE INTERIM PERIOD BEFORE THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROLS COME INTO EFFECT IN THIS AREA IN 1991, AND Till SEWAGE TREATMENT AND SEWERAGE SCHEMES ARE COMPLETED," MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE SCHEME COMPRISED:
(A) ERECTION OF AN INFLATABLE DAM DOWNSTREAM OF YUEN LONG TO EXCLUDE POLLUTED TIDAL WATERS;
(B) CONSTRUCTION OF LOW FLOW CHANNELS TO CONFINE THE FLOWS TO THE CENTRE OF THE NULLAHS, MAXIMISE VELOCITIES AND MINIMISE DEPOSITION OF SEDIMENT;
(C) CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION TO CONVEY LOW FLOWS AROUND OR OVER THE INFLATABLE DAM; AND
(D) CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONCRETE LINING OF THE NULLAH NORTHWARDS TO THE LOCATION OF THE INFLATABLE DAM,
THE $48 MILLION PROJECT WAS IN THE DESIGN STAGE AND IT WAS EXPECTED CONSTRUCTION WOULD BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER 1989 AND BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 1991.
AS REGARDS IMPROVEMENT TO THE YUEN LONG SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, MR CHAMBERS SAID A $125 MILLION PROJECT WAS PROPOSED TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF TREATMENT FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY AND ENSURE THAT A HIGH STANDARD OF EFFLUENT WAS DISCHARGED INTO THE NULLAH.
/WORK WAS .......
4
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
26
WORK WAS ALREADY TN PROGRESS AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED TN 1989.
TWO OTHER PROJECTS, COSTING $180 MILLION AND $98 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, WERE ALSO PROPOSED TO PROVIDE A SEWERAGE SYSTEM, PUMPING STATIONS, RISING MAINS AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES TO SERVE THE AREAS AROUND TIN SHUT WAI AND KAM TIN.
"THE COMBINED SEWAGE LOAD FROM THESE AREAS WILL BE PUMPED INTO AN EFFLUENT TUNNEL WHICH WILL DISCHARGE INTO A LONG SEA OUTFALL CONSTRUCTED OUT INTO URMSTON ROAD," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE IN THE SCHEME FOR A SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS SHOULD THAT PROVE NECESSARY IN FUTURE."
AN ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO INSTALL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS TO SERVE THOSE AREAS TO BE COVERED BY MAINS SEWERAGE, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
HOWEVER, THIS WOULD INCREASE THE LOAD ON DEEP BAY AND THE LOWER REACHES OF THE YUEN LONG NULLAH.
BESIDES THESE PROJECTS, MR CHAMBERS SAID FURTHER SCHEMES WERE BEING PLANNED TO REDUCE THE NUTRIENT LOAD ON THE NULLAH FROM THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AND TO PROVIDE SEWERAGE SYSTEMS FOR THE VILLAGES IN THE FLOOD PLAIN OF THE NULLAH SOUTH OF YUEN LONG TOWN.
WHILE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WOULD TAKE A NUMBER OF YEARS, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME WOULD ALLEVIATE THE EFFECTS OF THE POLLUTED NULLAH IN THE MEANTIME.
-----0-----
/27........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 27 -
LORD GLENARTHUR TO VISIT HK
» t *
LORD GLENARTHUR, MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, WILL PAY A VISIT TO THE TERRITORY FROM JUNE 29 TO JULY 1, AS PART OF A TOUR OF ASIA.
IT WILL BE HIS THIRD VISIT TO HONG KONG, INCLUDING ONE BRIEF TRANSIT VISIT IN FEBRUARY, SINCE HE ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS LAST YEAR. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY GLENARTHUR.
DURING HIS TWO AND A HALF DAY VISIT, LORD GLENARTHUR WILL HAVE TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND WITH MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
HE WILL MEET A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, INCLUDING BUSINESSMEN AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS.
THE MINISTER WILL VISIT TWO REFUGEE CAMPS.
HE WILL ALSO CALL ON THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND WILL TRAVEL ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
-------0----------
STRIVING FOR BETTER PLANNING ♦ ♦ ♦
IN CULTURE AND RECREATION » »
HONG KONG’S PROGRESSION IN CULTURE, PERFORMING ARTS, RECREATION AND SPORTS HAVE ACHIEVED IMPORTANT MILESTONES OVER THE YEARS, AND A MORE SOLID SYSTEM IN LONG-TERM PLANNING SHOULD BE FORMULATED TO FURTHER DEVELOP AND PROMOTE THIS ASPECT OF HONG KONG LIFE IN THE NEXT 10 TO 20 YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS SYSTEM, HE SAID, SHOULD BE DEVELOPED WITH FORESIGHT AND SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITY SO THAT THE NEXT GENERATION WOULD BENEFIT IN CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL PURSUITS.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON WEST, MR CHUI POINTED OUT THAT THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE AND RECREATION IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN GREATLY ENHANCED OVER THE PAST DECADE.
’’WITH THE DRAMATIC GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY, ITS PROSPERITY HAD ALSO BROUGHT ABOUT UNAVOIDABLE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION,” HE SAID.
/’’THE RISE..........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
28
"THE RISE IN LIVING STANDARDS HAS GIVEN THE GENERAL PUBLIC MORE RESOURCES, TIME AND INTEREST TO PARTICIPATE IN CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
MR CHUI SAID BOTH THE URBAN AND THE REGIONAL COUNCILS HAD CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO BEAUTIFYING THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND TO DEVELOP RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES.
"THEY HAVE ALSO BUILT NUMEROUS PARKS, SPORTS FACILITIES, LEISURE PLACES, LIBRARIES, IN-DOOR AND OUT-DOOR PLAYGROUNDS AND GROUNDS THAT CATER TO VARIOUS TYPES OF SPORTS," HE SAID.
MR CHUI CITED EXAMPLES OF LARGE-SCALE FACILITIES SUCH AS HONG KONG COLISEUM, THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL, TUEN MUN TOWN HALL, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, SPACE MUSEUM, KOWLOON CENTRAL LIBRARY, SHA TIN CENTRAL LIBRARY, AND THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. •
"FACILITIES DUE TO OPEN SOON ARE THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, THE NEW HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ART AND THE NEW KOWLOON PARK. OTHER FACILITIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION INCLUDE THE HONG KONG PARK, THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VARIOUS COMPLEXES AND LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," HE CONTINUED.
"THE URBAN AND THE REGIONAL COUNCILS ALSO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN OPEN SPACES OF OVER 500 AND 300 HECTARES RESPECTIVELY," HE SAID.
MR CHUI POINTED OUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH FACILITIES INVOLVED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
"WHEN COMPARED WITH THE LAST DECADE, THE EXPENDITURE ALLOCATED IN THESE AREAS FOR THE FUTURE HAD INCREASED DRASTICALLY," HE SAID.
"APART FROM THE CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES, THE MOST IMPORTANT AND DEMANDING TASK IS THE TRAINING OF MANAGEMENT STAFF," HE SAID.
MR CHUI EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS BASED ON A PRINCIPLE OF NON-INTERVENTION AND WAS AIMED TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ORGANISATIONS BY MEANS OF CAPITAL RESOURCES.
HE SAID THE RECENTLY RELEASED SPORT CONSULTANCY REPORT WAS AN EXAMPLE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO CONSULT PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE FUTURE SPORTS POLICY FOR HONG KONG.
MR CHUI SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON CULTURE AND RECREATION WAS CONSTANTLY REVIEWED, AND ONE OF ITS MOST NOTABLE EFFORTS HAD BEEN THE ACCREDITATION OF HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL ARTS.
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/?9........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8,
1988
- 29 -
FOOD SAFETY IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS, *****
FOOD TRADERS TOLD
AN URBAN COUNCILLOR TODAY UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERYBODY DOING THEIR SHARE IN MAINTAINING FOOD HYGIENE AS THE GENERAL PROCESS OF FOOD PRODUCTION MIGHT BE DIVIDED INTO MANY AREAS.
"IF THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG IN ANY SINGLE AREA SUCH AS PURCHASING, INITIAL PREPARATION, STORING, COOKING OR SERVING FOOD, SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES MAY RESULT WITH THE MOST COMMON ONE BEING FOOD POISONING,” SAID MR KWAN LIM-HO, CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A THREE-MONTH FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS AND THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
"WHETHER FOOD IS SAFE AND HYGIENIC DEPENDS ON WHETHER INDIVIDUAL FOOD WORKERS CAN FULFIL THEIR DUTIES TO PAY ATTENTION TO FOOD HYGIENE," HE SAID.
"THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN, 'FOOD SAFETY IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS', IS TO POINT OUT JUST THAT.
"1 MUST STRESS THAT THE FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN IS MERELY AN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY OF A THREE-MONTH DURATION, BUT MAINTAINING FOOD HYGIENE IS ESSENTIALLY A LONG-TERM JOB.
"IN SUMMER WHEN THE CAMPAIGN IS LAUNCHED, PARTICULAR ATTENTION MUST HE PAID TO FOOD HYGIENE, BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN THAI WE CAN BE SLACK IN OTHER PERIODS, OTHERWISE THE DRASTIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VIRAL HEPATITIS A CASES EARLY THIS YEAR CAN EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN."
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK -TURN, SAID NEW PROBLEMS OF FOOD SAFETY WERE MORE COMPLICATED AND HARDER TO HANDLE THAN TRADITIONAL HYGIENE PROBLEMS.
"WE HAVE TO COMBAT PROBLEMS SUCH AS AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION, TOXIC SEAFOOD, HORMONE ABUSE, ANTIBIOTIC ABUSE, FOOD ADDITIVE ABUSE, CARCINOGENIC SUBSTANCE AS WELL AS UNSAFE FOOD PACKAGING," SAID DR PANG.
"IN ORDER TO TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS EFFECTIVELY, INFORMATION GATHERING IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.
"THE FOOD HYGIENE SEMINAR HELD TODAY PROVIDES YOU WITH A PROPER CHANNEL TO GATHER SUCH INFORMATION."
/TO SU PPI.® ENT.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
TO SUPPLEMENT THE SEMINAR, A SLIDE SHOW AND A FILM ON FOOD HYGIENE PRINCIPLES WERE PRESENTED. AN OPEN DISCUSSION WAS ALSO HELD TO ENABLE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND PRINTED PUBLICITY MATERIALS INCLUDING POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND STICKERS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO PARTICIPANTS.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD FROM JUNE TO THE END OF AUGUST, A 24 -HOUR HEALTH EDUCATION HOTLINE (5-8916443) SET UP BY THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH PROVIDES A TAPED CHINESE MESSAGE ON PRINCIPLES OF FOOD HYGIENE. SPECIFIC ENQUIRIES RAISED BY INDIVIDUAL CALLERS WILL BE RECORDED AND ANSWERED.
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CARE IN COMMUNITY FOR THE ELDERLY » ♦ » ♦ ♦
CARE IN THE COMMUNITY IS THE MAJOR PREMISE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY FOR THE ELDERLY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THIS, A SERIES OF SERVICES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE PROVIDED FOR PEOPLE AGED OVER 60 TO ENABLE THEM TO CONTINUE LIVING WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT A ’PARTY FOR A THOUSAND AGED’ ORGANISED BY THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION AT CITY HALL, MRS WONG SAID THAT THESE COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDED CASH ASSISTANCE, HEALTH CARE, ASSISTANCE IN DAILY LIVING AND SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT.
FINANCIALLY, SHE NOTED THAT APART FROM PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, ELDERLY PEOPLE AGED OVER 60 WHO HAD BEEN CERTIFIED BY DOCTORS TO BE SEVERELY DISABLED AND IN NEED OF CONSTANT ATTENDANCE COULD RECEIVE A HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, WHICH WAS TWICE THE AMOUNT OF THE NORMAL DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, SINCE APRIL.
IN DAILY LIVING, SHE SAID THAT BOTH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, IN PROMOTING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, ENCOURAGED FAMILIES TO MAINTAIN HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR ELDERLY MEMBERS.
AS MORE CONTACTS AMONG PEERS AND THE CULTIVATION OF HOBBIES WOULD ENRICH THE ELDERLY PEOPLE’S LIVES, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAI SOCIAL CENTRES WERE PROVIDED FOR THESE PURPOSES.
’’EIGHT SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WERE SET UP LAST YEAR AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT ANOTHER 14 NEW CENTRES WILL COME INTO SERVICE THIS YEAR, MAKING A TOTAL OF 100 CENTRES BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR,' SHE SAID.
/’’IN ADDITION, .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
"IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SET UP ONE MULTI-SERVICES CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN EVERY ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT AND TWO SUCH CENTRES WERE ESTABLISHED LAST YEAR, WITH TWO MORE TO START OPERATION THIS YEAR.
"APART FROM PROVIDING COUNSELLING, HOME HELP AND LAUNDRY SERVICES, THERE ARE ALSO DAY CARE FACILITIES IN THESE CENTRES TO HELP THE SENIOR CITIZENS SOLVE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY OLD AGE," SHE ADDED.
CONCEDING THAT SOME OLD PEOPLE NEEDED INSTITUTIONAL CARE DESPITE ALL THESE SUPPORT SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID THE SERVICES OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE AGED HAD ATTRACTED ATTENTION, AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD DRAWN UP A CODE OF PRACTICE TO SERVE AS A REFERENCE FOR THE OPERATORS OF THESE HOMES.
"WE WILL ENCOURAGE THESE HOMES TO REGISTER WITH OUR DEPARTMENT VOLUNTARILY AND HOPE THAT A FURTHER STEP OF INTRODUCING LEGISLATIVE CONTROL WILL BE ACHIEVED IN 1990 SO AS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THIS SERVICE," SHE SAID.
"NEVERTHELESS, GOVERNMENT EFFORTS ALONE, WITHOUT INPUT OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT, ARE INADEQUATE IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICE," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG PRAISED THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS IN PROMOTING RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY, BESIDES THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
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SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT ON SALE
* * « » »
COPIES OF THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE REPORT OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHED TO COMMENT ON THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT TO WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AT ROOM 1804, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER 1, HONG KONG BY JULY 4, 1988.
/ALSO PRICED........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
ALSO PRICED AT $55 PER COPY, THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE REPORT
WILL BE READY FOR SALE FROM 10 AM TOMORROW AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COMPLIMENTARY MEDIA COPIES OF THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
- - 0 - -
TENDER FOR GOVERNMENT LAND AND FORESHORE
*****
TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND AND FORESHORE ARE BEING LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
ONE PIECE OF LAND AT AREA 47, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES, MEASURING ABOUT 6,817 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE PURPOSES (INCLUDING STORAGE OF CONTAINERS).
THE INITIAL TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER. THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 24.
THE OTHER PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND AND FORESHORE AT THE SOUTH WESTERN COAST OF AP LEI CHAU, HONG KONG, MEASURING ABOUT 1.216 HECTARES, IS FOR THE HANDLING OF AGGREGATE AND CEMENT INCLUDING THE BATCHING OF READY-MIXED CONCRETE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR FIVE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 1.
- - 0 - -
/53
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 33 -
NORTH DISTRICT HAS VAST DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL: DO *****
NORTH DISTRICT IS A FAST DEVELOPING DISTRICT WHICH HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM A SLEEPY RURAL AREA INTO A MODERN NEW TOWN, SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF TOLO HARBOUR, MR CHEUNG SAID NORTH DISTRICT OFFERS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT.
"ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION, COUPLED WITH A GOOD TRANSPORT NETWORK WITH THE REST OF THE TERRITORY AND THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE, ITS ON-GOING INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS, PLUS AN ABUNDANT LABOUR SUPPLY AND AVAILABILITY OF LAND, OFFER TREMENDOUS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO ENTREPRENEURS AND DEVELOPERS ALIKE," HE STRESSED.
MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT 1979 WAS AN IMPORTANT YEAR FOR NORTH DISTRICT, WHEN THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI AREA WAS DESIGNATED AS A NEW TOWN .
OUTLINING THE PROMINENT FEATURES OF THIS NEW TOWN, HE SAID, "WHEREAS MOST NEW TOWNS IN HONG KONG INCORPORATE SUBSTANTIAL AREAS RECLAIMED FROM THE SEA, FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI OCCUPIES AN ENTIRELY INLAND SITE OBTAINED BY LAND RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCE.
"ACCORDINGLY, UNLIKE OTHER NEW TOWNS WHOSE LINEAR URBAN STRUCTURES USUALLY FOLLOW SOME WELL-TRAINED RIVER COURSES, THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OF FANL1NG AND SHEUNG SHUI HAS TO TAKE AN ESSENTIAL I, (NEAR SHAPE WITH SOME IMPORTANT TERRITORIAL TRANSPORT LINKS SUCH AS THE RAILWAY AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD AS THE AXIS.
"AS A RESULT, MOST PARTS OF THE NEW TOWN ARE WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE TO THE MAIN TRANSPORT EXCHANGES WHICH MAKE READY CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY," HE ADDED.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT FEATURE WAS THE EASY ACCESSIBILITY AND PROXIMITY TO BORDER CROSSING POINTS, MR CHEUNG SAID.
"THE MAN KAM TO CONTROL POINT - THE MAIN VEHICULAR ARTERY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN - IS ONLY FOUR KILOMETRES AWAY FROM THE HUB OF THE NEW TOWN. THE SHA TAU KOK CONTROL POINT IS 10 KILOMETRES AWAY AND THE FUTURE LOK MA CHAU CROSSING, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, IS SEVEN KILOMETRES AWAY," HE ADDED.
HE SAID OVER THE PAST YEAR, CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC THROUGH MAN KAM TO HAD GROWN BY AN AVERAGE OF 30 PER CENT.
"THIS IS INDICATIVE OF THE RAPIDLY EXPANDING ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
/"NORTH DISTRICT .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1?88
- 31* -
"NORTH DISTRICT IS THUS EXCEPTIONALLY WELL PLACED TO SERVE A THE SPRINGBOARD TO THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE ON LOK TSUEN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN FANLING, MR CHEUNG SAID IT OCCUPIED AN AREA OF 16 HECTARES OF SOLID LAND WHICH, UNLIKE RECLAIMED LAND, POSED NO PROBLEM TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLANTS.
HE ADDED THAT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE ESTATE HAD TAKEN PLACE MAINLY BY WAY OF PRIVATE LAND EXCHANGES AND LEASE MODIFICATIONS AS MOST OF THE LAND WAS PRIVATELY OWNED.
AS AN ENCOURAGING MEASURE, MR CHEUNG EXPLAINED, THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED ATTRACTIVE BASIC TERMS FOR IN-SITU LAND EXCHANGES.
TO ENHANCE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THIS INDUSTRIAL AREA, AN EXTENSIVE RIVER TRAINING SCHEME IN THE NEARBY MA WAT RIVER AND A SUBSTANTIAL ROADS AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT COSTING OVER 1100 MILLION HAD RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FAN1ING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN, MR CHEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY S' ENT WELL OVER $2.7 BILLION AND ANOTHER $5 BILLION WOULD BE INVESTED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
ON THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES NECESSITATED BY A STEADY BUILD-UP IN DISTRICT POPULATION, HE SAID A TOTAL OF 23 PROJECTS, COSTING SOME $1.7 BILLION, WERE CURRENTLY UNDER PLANNING OR IMPLEMENTATION.
AMONG THESE FACILITIES ARE FIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS, A SECONDARY SCHOOL, A SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION IN SHEK WU HUI, A SEVEN-STOREY DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING IN FANLING, AND A 1200-BED NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL ADJACENT TO THE FANLING GOLF COURSE.
AS REGARDS RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES, MR CHEUNG SAID 29 PROJECTS WITH A TOTAL COST OF $255 MILLION, WERE BEING PLANNED OR IMPLEMENTED.
THESE INCLUDE TWO INDOOR RECREATION CENTRES IN SHEK WU HUI, TWO RECREATION GROUNDS, A SPORTS COMPLEX, A SWIMMING POOL AND A CENTRAL PARK WHICH WOULD HAVE AN OPEN PLAZA, A PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AREA, A CENTRAL LAKE AND GARDENS.
MR CHEUNG ADDED THAT WHILE THE SKYLINE OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI WAS CHANGING RAPIDLY, THE BORDER TOWN OF SHA TAU KOK WAS UNDERGOING A $300 MILLION FACELIFT.
"A LOW-DENSITY’ RURAL TOWNSHIP COMPLETE WITH MODERN AMENITIES AND FACILITIES IS TAKING SHAPE. ITS REDEVELOPMENT WILL UPGARDE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE 3,900 PEOPLE NOW LIVING IN TWO SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS IN SHA TAU KOK," HE SAID.
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/53.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
35
BOARD TO DISCUSS YOUTH POLICY AND UC WORK PROGRAMME
* » « « *
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH’S REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY AND THE URBAN COUNCIL’S FIVE-YEAR CAPITA), WORKS PROGRAMME.
THEY WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE DESIRABILITY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF SUMMER TIME AND ON A REPORT ON A LION ROCK TUNNEL TRAFFIC STUDY SUBMITTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF A WORKING GROUP ON A "PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY", THE BOARD’S STUDY 1OUR 10 AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, AND THE REVISED DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO HE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD AT 2 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM 37-39, TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON ♦ ♦ » ♦
LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ♦
MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED THAT A 220-METRE SECTION OF Till-' NORTHBOUND SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1(1 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND BETWEEN 11 PM ON JUNE 10 (FRIDAY) AND (5 AM Till NEXT MORNING.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 PM ON JUNE 11 TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY AND FROM 11 PM ON JUNE 15 TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE NORTHBOUND SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTH OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD, MEASURING ABOUT 90 METRES, WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
THE MEASURES ARE TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK.
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/36 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1988
- 36 -
URBAN CLEARWAY ON KENNEDY ROAD, WAN CHAI * * * «
KENNEDY ROAD EASTBOUND IN WAN CHAI FROM A POINT ABOUR 55 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SPRING GARDEN LANE TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WAN CHAI GAP ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 10).
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL RE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
------o--------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TUEN MUN ROAD FOR ROAD WORKS
* * * » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDS MOTORISTS THAT TRAFFIC LANES ON TUEN MUN ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR EIGHT DAYS UNTIL JUNE 16. DURING THE PERIOD, THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES ON TUEN MUN ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN SO KWUN TAN BRIDGE AND SIU LAM BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED ALTERNATIVELY TO FACILITATE ROAD SURFACING WORK FOR IMPROVING THE ROAD’S FRICTION.
UNDER THE WORK SCHEDULE, ONLY ONE OF THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE CLOSED FOR WORK ON NORMAL WEEKDAYS. HOWEVER, ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, OWING TO COMPARATIVELY LOW TRAFFIC FLOW, TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE CLOSED, LEAVING ONE LANE FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC.
AS CONGESTION IS EXPECTED DURING THE MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THEY CAN USE CASTLE ALTERNATIVE. THEY SHOULD ALSO WATCH OUT FOR THE SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
AFFECTED PERIOD, PEAK ROAD AS AN TEMPORARY TRAFFIC
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SEYMOUR ROAD
*****
TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS, SEYMOUR ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE (’LOSE!) TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM DAILY FROM SATURDAY (JUNE 11) FOR THREE DAYS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, CMB BUS ROUTES DIVERTED VIA BONHAM ROAD AND PARK ROAD TO VEHICLES HEADING FOR ROBINSON ROAD SHOULD
12, 23A AND 45 WILL BE
JOIN ROBINSON ROAD WHILE USE BREEZY PATH OR PARK
ROAD.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE ......................... 1
GIRL DOES NOT HAVE PLaGUE ..................................... 2
VR MOVEMENT RESUMES TOMORROW .................................. 3
STUDY OF FACTORY INSPECTION SYSTEM ............................ 3
TRADE BILL OUTCOME NOT UNEXPECTED.............................. 4
KMB'S FRANCHISE EXTENSION APPROVED ............................ 4
PRESS CONFERENCE ON REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES .......... 5
TUNG WAH GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS COMMENDED ........................ 6
POLYPROPYLENE FIRM TO SET UP REGIONAL TECHNICAL CENTRE .... 6
MEETING ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ......... 7
TELA ADVISES ON CATEGORY THREE FILMS .......................... 8
TRIALS ON EFFLUENT-FREE PIG RAISING TECHNIQUE ................. 9
EIGHT CLINICS TO STAY OPEN ................................... 11
SEMINAR FOR SaI KUNG ENGLISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS .............. 11
SEWERAGE SCHEME TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY OFF SHaU KEI WaN . 12
TUEN MUN GEARS UP FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES ...................... 12
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1988
1
GOVERNOR VISITS JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE
*****
THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING HONG KONG ATHLETES IMPROVE THEIR STANDARDS, AND IN SOME CASES ATTAIN INTERNATIONAL PROMINENCE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE GOVERNOR WAS VISITING THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN TO SEE ITS VARIOUS TRAINING FACILITIES.
HE WAS GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JSC BOARD, MR DENIS BRAY, AND THE CENTRE’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MR HOWARD WELLS.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THE CENTRE, THOUGH COMPLETED IN 1982, HAD BEEN PROVIDING COACHING SERVICES IN VARIOUS SPORTS AS EARLY AS 1979. THESE CURRENTLY INCLUDE BADMINTON, FENCING, GYMNASTICS, SOCCER, SQUASH, SWIMMING, TABLE-TENNIS AND TENNIS.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT ATHLETES TRAINED AT THE JSC IN BADMINTON HAVE ACHIEVED WORLD RANKINGS. THE TENNIS TEAM HAS ALSO ATTAINED VERY GOOD RESULTS IN RECENT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, BUILT ON A RECLAIMED LAND PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, IS DEVOTED TO RAISING THE STANDARD OF SPORTING PERFORMANCE IN HONG KONG AND ITS EXTENSIVE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FACILITIES AIM AT GIVING THE TERRITORY A COACHING CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL QUALITY.
VARIOUS GOVERNMENT BODIES HELP THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN RECRUITING COACHES, SELECTING AND TRAINING ATHLETES FOR THE CENTRE’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME, DEVELOPING COACHING PROGRAMMES, TRAINING NATIONAL SQUADS AND IN SPORTS-RELATED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
DURING A TOUR OF THE CENTRE, THE GOVERNOR WATCHED ATHLETES BEING TRAINED IN VARIOUS SPORTS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF COACHES. HE SHOWED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN A SPORTS INJURIES CLINIC RECENTLY SET UP AT THE CENTRE TO PROVIDE SPECIALISED MEDICAL TREATMENT INCLUDING PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR THE ATHLETES.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF ATHLETES WAS ALSO CARRIED OUT AT THE CLINIC TO ASSIST COACHES IN IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCES OF THEIR ATHLETES.
EARLIER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE GOVERNOR ALSO TOURED A BANKNOTE PRINTING PLANT, THOMAS DE LA RUE (U.K.) LTD, AT THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE. HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE BANKNOTE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AS WELL AS TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF EFFLUENT FROM THE PRINTING PROCESS.
THE PURPOSE-BU1 LT FACTORY WAS OPENED IN JANUARY 1985 VARIOUS CURRENCIES INCLUDING HONG KONG DOLLAR BANKNOTES.
TO PRINT
/SPEAKING TO .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1988
2
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TOURING THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WISHED HONG KONG’S ATHLETES TAKING PART IN THE OLYMPICS IN SEOUL WELL AND HOPED FOR SOME SUCCESS.
SIR DAVID WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE CENTRE’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME AND NOTED THAT THE TECHNIQUES IN MODERN SPORTS HAD DEVELOPED SO MUCH THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO SPEND A GREAT DEAL OF TIME IN ORDER TO REACH WORLD STANDARDS.
"AND FOR THAT REASON, HAVING PEOPLE HERE ON SCHOLARSHIP SO THEY CAN DEVOTE A GREAT DEAL OF TIME TO SPORTS, IS OBVIOUSLY VERY NECESSARY," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE CONSULTANCY REPORT ON SPORTS BY MR EMLYN JONES, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS A USEFUL REPORT.
"IT’S NOW GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF CONSULTATION. SO THE GOVERNMENT WILL WAIT AND SEE WHAT ANSWERS COME IN FROM THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND THEN WE’LL MAKE THE DECISIONS BASED ON THE REPORT AND ON THE CONSULTATION," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INCREASE ITS FUND ALLOCATION FOR SPORTS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT, URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD ALREADY PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO SPORTS FACILITIES, AND SUCH EFFORTS WOULD CONTINUE.
"BUT WE WANT TO GET RIGHT TWO THINGS. ONE IS ORGANISATION AND THE OTHER IS FUNDING," HE SAID. %
"IT SHOULDN’T JUST BE GOVERNMENT FUNDING. SPONSORSHIP IS ALSO VERY USEFUL FOR SPORTS PURPOSES," SIR DAVID SAID.
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GIRL DOES NOT HAVE PLAGUE *****
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE LABORATORY TESTS ON THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD VIETNAMESE GIRL SUSPECTED TO BE SUFFERING FROM PLAGUE SHOWED A NEGATIVE RESULT.
SHE IS THEREFORE CONSIDERED TO BE NOT A CASE OF PLAGUE AND IS BEING TREATED AS A CASE OF ORDINARY INFECTION. SHE HAS RESPONDED WELL TO TREATMENT AND IS EXPECTED TO BE DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL IN A FEW DAYS’ TIME.
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1988
VR MOVEMENT RESUMES TOMORROW
*****
FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY THAT THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD VIETNAMESE GIRL TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FROM GREEN ISLAND ON SUNDAY (JUNE 5) WAS NOT SUFFERING FROM PLAGUE. MOVEMENTS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TO AND FROM GREEN ISLAND WILL BE RESUMED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ABOUT 200 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES BEING RENTED YAU MA TEI FERRY VESSEL WILL BE STREET TEMPORARY CENTRE TOMORROW MORNING. RETURNED TO THE FERRY COMPANY.
HOUSED TEMPORARILY ON A TRANSFERRED TO THE ARGYLE THE VESSEL WILL THEN BE
IN THE AFTERNOON, 600 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WILL BE TAKEN FROM GREEN ISLAND TO THE ARGYLE STREET TEMPORARY CENTRE, AND ANOTHER JOO WILL BE TRANSFERRED FROM GREEN ISLAND TO CHI MA WAN CLOSED CENTRE.
MEANWHILE, DISINSECTION AND MEDICAL CHECKS ARRIVED VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO BE GREEN ISLAND.
FOR ALL NEWLY INTENSIFIED AT
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE 600 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES BOUND FOR ARGYLE CAMP WILL BE TAKEN IN TWO BATCHES FROM GREEN ISLAND TO THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AT CANTON ROAD IN THE AFTERNOON. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THEIR LANDING AT THE DOCKYARD SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE JORDAN ROAD FERRY PIER IN YAU MA TEI AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY). GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
------0--------
STUDY OF FACTORY INSPECTION SYSTEM *****
A HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPERT FROM BRITAIN IS NOW IN HONG KONG REVIEWING THE FACTORY INSPECTION SYSTEM OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE EXPERT, MR BRIAN BURKE, IS HERE AT THE INVITATION OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO REVIEW THE ROLE, OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE.
/HE WILL
THURSDAY, JUNE % 1988
HE WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE IMPACT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES ON THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE’S EXISTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AS WELL AS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
HE IS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT HIS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONER IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS’ TIME.
MR BURKE, WHO RECENTLY RETIRED FROM THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, HAS GREAT EXPERIENCE IN FACTORY INSPECTION.
BEFORE COMING TO HONG KONG, HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A PROJECT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION IN TURKEY ADVISING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
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TRADE BILL OUTCOME NOT UNEXPECTED
* ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FAILURE OF THE ATTEMPT IN THE U.S. SENATE TO OVER-RIDE PRESIDENT REAGAN’S VETO OF THE TRADE BILL WOULD APPEAR TO END THIS ADMINISTRATION’S PROSPECTS OF PASSING SIGNIFICANT TRADE LEGISLATION.
THIS WAS THE VIEW EXPRESSED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE.
"THE RESULT OF THE VOTE IS NOT UNEXPECTED," HE SAID. ’’HOWEVER TRADE IS LIKELY TO REMAIN A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS.’’
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KMB’S FRANCHISE EXTENSION APPROVED *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION BY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (KMB) FOR A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF ITS FRANCHISE FROM 1 SEPTEMBER, 1995 TO 31 AUGUST, 1997.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT KMB’S CURRENT FRANCHISE WAS FIRST GRANTED IN 1975 FOR 10 YEARS. IT HAS SINCE BEEN EXTENDED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FIVE TIMES, EACH FOR TWO YEARS. THE LAST EXTENSION TO 31 AUGUST 1995 WAS APPROVED IN MARCH, 1986.
/THE FRANCHISE
THURSDAY, JUNE 9t 1988
5 -
THE FRANCHISE EXTENSION, HOWEVER, DOES NOT PERMIT KMB THE RIGHT TO OPERATE BUS SERVICES WITHIN THE NORTH-WEST TRANSIT SERVICE AREA WHICH WILL BE SERVED BY THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT AND FEEDER BUS SERVICES OPERATED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, IN APPROVING KMB’S RECENT APPLICATION, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD CONSIDERED KMB’S CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT TO ITS SERVICES, WHICH IS REFLECTED BY THE GRADUAL DECLINE IN PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ABOUT ITS SERVICES.
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PRESS CONFERENCE ON REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES » ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, WILL RELEASE A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON PRUDENTIAL REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 4 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE G1S PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR JOSEPH YAM, AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR STEPHEN IP, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO EXPLAIN DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE G1S PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, AT 4 PM TOMORROW (FR1DAY).
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE READING FROM 3.30 PM. PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTENTS OF THE DOCUMENT ARE N.OT FOR RELEASE BEFORE THE START OF THE CONFERENCE.
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/6........
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1988
6
TUNG WAH GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS COMMENDED *****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (THURSDAY) COMMENDED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
DURING A VISIT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE GROUP, MR PAUL YU, REVEALED THAT APART FROM MAINTAINING A WIDE RANGE OF WELFARE SERVICES, THE GROUP WOULD FURTHER EXPAND ITS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THIS YEAR INCLUDED A HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHAM SHU1 PO, TWO SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN KWUN TONG AND SHA TIN AND A CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH CENTRE IN SHA TIN.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT RESIDENTS IN THE TERRITORY WERE ALREADY BENEFITT1NG FROM THE HIGH QUALITY SERVICES THROUGH THE GROUP’S CURRENT NETWORK OF 11 OLD PEOPLE'S HOSTELS AND HOMES, TWO SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, ONE MULTI-SERVICES CENTRE FOR THE AGED, 11 CHILD CARE CENTRES AND FIVE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES.
SHE SAID THAT THE PLANNED PROJECTS WOULD BE A WELCOME BOOST AND PLEDGED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CO-OPERATE WITH THE GROUP TO ACHIEVE ITS TARGETS.
--------o----------
POLYPROPYLENE FIRM TO SET UP REGIONAL TECHNICAL CENTRE
*****
A WORLDWIDE PRODUCER AND MARKETER OF POLYPROPYLENE WILL BUILD A REGIONAL TECHNICAL CENTRE AND POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES FACILITY IN THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO SFRVE THE ASIA-PACIFIC AREA.
ANNOUNCING THE PROJECT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY) THE U.S.-BASED HIMONT INCORPORATED AND ITS WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY HIMONT (EAST) LIMITED SAID THEY HAD REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION TO BUILD A 7,145 SQUARE METRE HONG KONG COMPLEX, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1990.
"THE CENTRE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE FAR EAST OUTSIDE JAPAN, WILL PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS FOR. CATALYSTS AND POLYPROPYLENE BASED MATERIALS, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COMPOUNDS AND ALLOYS, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HIMONT (EAST) LIMITED, MR BEN KO, SAID.
/"THE CENTRE
THURSDAY, JUNE 9* 1988
- 7 -
’’THE CENTRE WILL ALSO BE ABLfc TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SERVICE TO HIMONT’S JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS AND LICENSEES IN THE PACIFIC REGION.
"AS THE MARKET DEVELOPS, THE SITE CAN BE FURTHER DEVELOPED TO MANUFACTURE HIMONT PRODUCTS NEEDED IN THE AREA."
ONE STUDY INDICATES THAT BY 1995, 50 PER CENT OF THE WORLD'S CONSUMPTION IN PLASTICS WILL BE POLYMER COMPOSITES AND MATERIAL ALLOYS (PCMA).
HIMONT, OVER THE YEARS, HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN EXTENDING THE USE OF POLYPROPYLENE TO ENGINEERING PLASTICS IN STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, SUCH AS THE MANUFACTURING OF CAR BUMPERS.
"HONG KONG WAS SELECTED AS THE SITE FOR THIS REGIONAL TECHNICAL CENTRE BECAUSE OF ITS CENTRAL PACIFIC LOCATION, EASE OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND ITS LONG ASSOCIATION WITH PLASTICS PROCESSING, THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, HIMONT (WORLDWIDE), MR E.S. MOLER, SAID.
HIMONT OPERATES SIMILAR REGIONAL TECHNICAL CENTRES IN BAYREUTH, WEST GERMANY; FERRARA, ITALY; AND IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE AND LANSING, MICHIGAN IN THE UNITED STATES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROJECT WILL UPGRADE THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG AND CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO EXPORTS.
-----0-----
MEETING ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) CONVENED A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY, AND THE POLICE TO REVIEW CONTINGENCY PLANS TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES.
CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RICHARD SCURF1ELD, THE MEETING REVIEWED THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS OF LAST WEEKEND WHEN A FREIGHT TRAIN DERAILED AND THE CONGESTION AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL CAUSED BY THE BREAKDOWN OF A HEAVY TRUCK.
/FURTHER REVIEWS
THURSDAYt JUNE 9, 1988
8
FURTHER REVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO EXPLORE AREAS WHERE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PARTIES CONCERNED, DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND THE PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AS THE CO-ORDINATOR IN AN EMERGENCY CAN BE IMPROVED.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FELT THAT THE POLICY OF FLEXIBILITY IN RESPONSE WAS THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE CONTINGENCIES AND SHOULD BE MAINTAINED.
HOWEVER, THE EVENTS ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WOULD BE ANALYSED WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF FURTHER IMPROVING THE TIMING OF RESPONSES AND THE INTRODUCTION OF TRAFFIC REMEDIAL MEASURES AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS.
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TELA ADVISES ON CATEGORY THREE FILMS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) TODAY (THURSDAY) OFFERED ADVICE TO THE CINEMA TRADE ON "REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS" TO BE TAKEN WHEN SHOWING FILMS CLASSIFIED AS CATEGORY III UNDER THE NEW FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE DUE TO COME INTO FORCE THIS SUMMER.
SECTION 20 OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO EXHIBIT A CATEGORY III FILM TO A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
THE ORDINANCE STATES THAT IT SHALL BE A DEFENCE TO SUCH A CHARGE THAT THE PERSON TOOK ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT THE EXHIBITION OF THE FILM TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
CINEMA OPERATORS WERE ADVISED TO DISPLAY PROMINENT NOTICES IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE IN THE CINEMA FOYER, AT THE BOX OFFICE AND ON ALL ADVERTISING MATERIALS RELATING TO THE FILM TO THE EFFECT THAT PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE CINEMA WHERE IT IS BEING SHOWN.
TELA ALSO SUGGESTED THAT ALL TICKETS FOR ADMISSION TO CINEMAS WHERE CATEGORY III FILMS ARE TO BE SHOWN SHOULD BEAR A PRINTED BILINGUAL WARNING THAT NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 SHALL BE ADMITTED TO ANY EXHIBITION OF THIS FILM. THE TICKETS SHOULD BE PRINTED WITH DISTINCTIVE MARKINGS.
/SINCE CINEMA
9
SINCE CINEMA OPERATORS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO TAKE STEPS TO STOP UNDER-AGED PEOPLE FROM WATCHING CATEGORY III FILMS, CINEMA MANAGEMENT WAS ADVISED THAT THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR STAFF CARRY OUT THEIR WORK EFFECTIVELY AND REFUSE ADMISSION TO PERSONS SUSPECTED OF BEING UNDER-AGED.
"VERY YOUNG CHILDREN AND BABIES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ACCOMPANY THEIR PARENTS TO CINEMAS WHERE CATEGORY III FILMS ARE TO BE SHOWN," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"UNDER THE NEW LAW, CINEMA MANAGEMENT WILL HAVE TO ASK TICKET-HOLDERS TO PROVE THEIR AGE IF THEY SUSPECT THEY ARE TOO YOUNG TO BE ADMITTED. THEY WERE ALSO ADVISED TO AVOID SELLING TICKETS FOR CATEGORY III FILMS TO PEOPLE UNDER 18.
"THE SUGGESTIONS ON THE ’REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS’ ONLY REPRESENT ADVICE FROM TELA AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW. WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN A BREACH OF THE LAW IN AN INDIVIDUAL CASE IS UP TO THE COURT TO DECIDE,” HE SAID.
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TRIALS ON EFFLUENT-FREE PIG RAISING TECHNIQUE
♦ ♦ * » *
MEMBERS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON SAW THE LATEST TRIALS ON THE EFFLUENT-FREE PIG RAISING TECHNIQUE CARRIED OUT BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN THE TA KWU LING PIG BREEDING CENTRE.
TIIF LATEST TRIALS ON DRY AND FARROWING SOWS, SUCKLING PIGS AND WEANERS HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR. THE ANIMALS HAVE PERFORMED WELL DESPITE THE RECENT HOT AND HUMID WEATHER.
THE PROGRESS SO FAR HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING AND HAS INDICATED THAT THE TECHNIQUE COULD BE A PRACTICAL AND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE METHOD TO RAISE PIGS WITHOUT CAUSING ANY ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION.
WITH SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS MODIFIED A NUMBER OF THE EXISTING PIGSTIES IN THE PIG BREEDING CENTRE TO TRY OUT PIGS OF ALL STAGES IN THE PRODUCTION CYCLE.
/DURING THE
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1988
10
DURING THE VISIT TO THE MODIFIED PIGSTIES, THE SIMPLE VENTILATION AND ROOF INSULATION SYSTEMS WERE EXPLAINED TO THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO WERE ALSO SHOWN THE EXPERIMENT ON PORKERS WHICH HAS JUST COMPLETED A ONE YEAR’S CYCLE.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AGRICULTURE) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR THOMAS YIP, WHO CONDUCTED THE TOUR, BRIEFED MEMBERS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ANIMALS IN THE TRIALS, WHICH COMPRISE 32 PORKERS, 12 SOWS, TWO LITTERS OF SUCKLING PIGS AND A BOAR.
DR YIP SAID THAT THE PIGS REARED WITH THIS TECHNIQUE WERE ALL IN EXCELLENT HEALTH WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF DISEASE OR SKIN TROUBLE, AND WERE FREE FROM HOOF DAMAGE WHICH WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE CONVENTIONAL METHOD.
"THEIR MEAT TASTES JUST AS GOOD AS, IF NOT BETTER THAN, THAT FROM PIGS RAISED UNDER THE TRADITIONAL METHOD AS EVIDENCED BY THE TASTING TESTS CONDUCTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
"IN ADDITION, THE SAWDUST LITTER MIXED WITH THE BACTERIAL PRODUCT HAS THE EFFECT OF 1N-SITU COMPOSTING, RENDERING THE PIG MANURE SMELL-FREE AND RESULTING IN NO DISCHARGE OF EFFLUENT," HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE VISITORS, DR YIP SAID THAT CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED FROM THE PORKER EXPERIMENT. EVIDENCE SHOWED THAT THE EFFLUENT-FREE PIG RAISING TECHNIQUE WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR LOCAL PIG FARMING.
"LIVESTOCK FARMERS WILL FIND IT A WORKABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE EXISTING HUSBANDRY METHOD IF THEY FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT," HE ADDED.
MR LEO KWAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, DESCRIBED THE FINDINGS AS "VERY ENCOURAGING".
HE URGED LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO INTENDED TO CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS IN THE THREE CONTROL AREAS IN THE FIRST PHASE - TOLO HARBOUR AND TOLO CHANNEL, MUI WO AND ANGLER’S BEACH - TO VISIT THE TA KWU LING PIG BREEDING CENTRE TO SEE THIS NEW TECHNIQUE.
HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE EFFLUENT-FREE PIG RAISING TECHNIQUE WOULD BE WELCOMED BY LIVESTOCK FARMERS THOUGH SOME MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING FARM STRUCTURES WERE REQUIRED.
AN EPD OFFICIAL SAID THAT LIVESTOCK FARMERS USING THIS METHOD WERE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT’S CAPITAL GRANT AND LOAN TO COVER THE COST OF MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO EXISTING FARM STRUCTURES.
THE EFFLUENT-FREE PIG RAISING TECHNIQUE IS ONE OF THE FOUR LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT METHODS RECOMMENDED TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO TIE IN WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME FROM JUNE 24, THIS YEAR.
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/11 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1988
11
EIGHT CLINICS TO STAY OPEN ♦ » ♦ » t
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT EIGHT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN ON JUNE 13, THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
THESE CLINICS WILL ONLY OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM. ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
THERE WILL BE NO CLINIC SERVICES ON JUNE 11 (THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY) AND ON JUNE 18 (TUEN NG FESTIVAL).
THE EIGHT CLINICS TO BE OPEN ON MONDAY MORNING ARE :
VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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SEMINAR FOR SAI KUNG ENGLISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
ENGLISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS OF SAI KUNG WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR DISTRICT AT A SEMINAR TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THE SEMINAR AIMS AT UPDATING RESIDENTS’ INFORMATION ON THE DISTRICT’S LATEST DEVELOPMENT PLANS, EXISTING FACILITIES AND SERVICES AND THE PROGRESS OF ENV1RONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.
THE VARIOUS SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDE WATER POLLUTION, HOME SECURITY, CRIME PREVENTION, PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING CHILDREN AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SERVICES.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE CHAIRED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR ALEX BLUM. PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR P.R. HOLMES; TRAFFIC ENGINEER OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR SHIN YU-HING; AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE FORCE AND THE BOUNDARY JUNIOR SCHOOL WILL BE GUEST SPEAKERS. THERE WILL BE A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION AFTER EACH TALK.
INTERESTED RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL START AT 7.15 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
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/12
THURSDAY, JUNE 9,
1988
12 -
SEWERAGE SCHEME TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY OFF SHAU KEI WAN
* ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE QUALITY OF COASTAL WATERS OFF SHAU KEI WAN AND THE NEIGHBOURING AREAS WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED UNDER A SEWERAGE SCHEME DESIGNED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AS IT INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHAU KEI WAN SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT.
WORK ON IT IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN AUGUST AND TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT WILL FORM PART OF AN OVERALL SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR THE SHAU KEI WAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT, WHICH COMPRISES SHAU KEI WAN ITSELF, SAI WAN HO AND THE EASTERN PART OF QUARRY BAY.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "AT PRESENT, SEWAGE FROM THIS DISTRICT IS DISCHARGED UNTREATED INTO THE VICTORIA HARBOUR AT VARIOUS POINTS ALONG THE COASTLINE, CAUSING POLLUTION OF THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
"THE SHAU KEI WAN SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR A POPULATION OF 209,000 PROVIDING SCREENING AND DEGRITTING FACILITIES TO THE SEWAGE PRIOR TO DISCHARGE INTO VICTORIA HARBOUR VIA A MULTI-PORT SUBMARINE OUTFALL," HE SAID.
"CONTRACT FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION INCLUDES INLET SCREW PUMPING STATION, SCREENING CHAMBERS, GRIT TRAPS, PLANT HOUSE, TRANSFORMER HOUSE, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, ANCILLARY STRUCTURES, ASSOCIATED PIPEWORKS AND ROADWORKS.
"THE SECTION OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST BETWEEN TAM KUNG TEMPLE AND AH KUNG NGAM ROAD NOW TRAVERSING THE SCREENING PLANT SITE WILL ALSO BE REALIGNED AND WIDENED UNDER THIS CONTRACT," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 12 NOON ON JUNE 24.
------0-------
TUEN MUN GEARS UP FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES
» ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MORE THAN 50 TEAMS FROM THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WILL CONTEST THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES ON SATURDAY, JUNE 18, IN CELEBRATING THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THIS YEAR’S RACES WILL BE HELD FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM IN THE CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, OFF SAM SHING ESTATE.
/THE teams
THURSDAY, JUNE 9» 1988
THE TEAMS INCLUDE SEVEN IN THE LARGE BOAT CATEGORY. THERE ARE AT LEAST SIX MEDIUM BOATS IN THE INVITATION CATEGORY, AND 30 MEDIUM BOATS IN THE OPEN CATEGORY, AS WELL AS 10 PHOENIX BOATS.
THEY WILL COMPETE IN 21 EVENTS. THE COURSE FOR THE LARGE AND MEDIUM BOATS IS 400 METRES. PHOENIX BOATS WILL RACE OVER 200 METRES.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE AN INVITATION RACE IN WHICH TEAMS REPRESENTING THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD WILL TAKE PART.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY. THE RACES WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY TVB.
AS A LARGE CROWD IS EXPECTED, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT BY TAKING BUSES 52, 52M, 53 AND 62 TO REACH THE VENUE.
THE RACES ARE ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TUEN HUN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE BUDGET FOR THE RACES IS $800,000, OF WHICH $220,000 COMES FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND, $140,000 FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND $80,000 IS SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE REMAINING AMOUNT IS SPONSORED BY VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND ENTHUSIASTS.
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET ALSO COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE ’’DRAGON BOAT HOTEL”, A PERMANENT STORAGE SHED FOR DRAGON BOATS IN PILLAR POINT.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE ’’DRAGON BOAT HOTEL” AND THE ENTRY OF FOUR NEW DRAGON BOATS IN THE RACES, A COMBINED EYE-DOTTING AND OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, AT 11 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN PILLAR POINT, NEAR LUNG MUN ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’DRAGON BOAT HOTEL” AND THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR FOUR NEW DRAGON BOATS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 11 AM IN PILLAR POINT NEAR LUNG MUN ROAD.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 10 AM AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, WHERE TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE THEM TO THE VENUE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL 1988 GAZETTED ..................................................., 1
PRUDENTIAL REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES .................... 4
TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED ........................ 7
AMENDMENTS TO BANKING ORDINANCE SECRECY PROVISIONS PROPOSED 9
PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT GAZETTED ............ 10
COMPENSATION FOR WORKERS INJURED OUTSIDE HK PROPOSED .......... 11
EXPANSION OF JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION PROPOSED ............. 15
BILL ON TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME PUBLISHED.................... 14
LOCAL NEWSPAPERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 ........................ 15
AMENDMENTS TO BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES BILLS .................. 16
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR aPRIL RELEASED .................. 17
TV STATIONS ASKED TO SUBMIT SIX-YEAR FORECASTS ................ 24
POSTAL SERVICES TO VIETNAM RESUMING ........................... 24
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED ....................................... 24
BALANCED APPROACH REFLECTS CONCERN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .................................................... 25
EXTENSION WORK aT AIRPORT .................................... 26
DRAFT NGAU TaU KOK aND KOWLOON BaY OUTLINE ZONING PLaN <tMENDED....................................................... 26
MORE NEW HOMES IN KWAI TSING ................................ 28
YUEN LONG TOWN PaRK aND OPIN SPACES PROJECT ................... 28
NEW ROaDS FOR TIN SHUI Wal DEVELOPMENT ........................ 29
EASIER ACCESS TO SAN TIN WAI aND LEI UK TSUEN ................. 50
NEW ROaDS FOR JUNK BAY ........................................ 51
SHaU KEI W/iN Wal ILiNG STREET TO BE WIDENED .................. 51
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE AT CHATHaM ROAD SOUTH .................. 52
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
1
COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL * » t * t
1988 GAZETTED
THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED SOME OF ITS EARLIER PROPOSALS REGARDING THE TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS (C FOR AC) IN THE LIGHT 01 COMMENTS MADE BY THE PUBLIC AND A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP.
THE REVISED PROPOSALS WERE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE GAZETTE IN THE FORM OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL 1988.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BILL REPRESENTED THE OUTCOME OF A THOROUGH PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
"THAT EXERCISE STARTED IN AUGUST 1986 WITH THE PUBLICATION OF A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.
"A CLEAR MAJORITY OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN RESPONSE TO THAT DOCUMENT FAVOURED THE INTRODUCTION OF AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING MALADMINISTRATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILED PROPOSALS WERE THEN DRAWN UP FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PROCEDURES OF THE C FOR AC. THESE WERE PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 30 LAST YEAR IN THE FORM OF A "WHITE BILL", THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL 1987, AND PUBLIC COMMENT WAS AGAIN INVITED.
DURING THE TWO-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD WHICH FOLLOWED, 24 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM VARIOUS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO TOOK NOTE OF THE OPINIONS OF SOME 30 INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS AS REPORTED IN THE PRESS, AS WELL AS THE EDITORIAL VIEWS EXPRESSED BY NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS THEMSELVES.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SET UP AN AD HOC GROUP LAST NOVEMBER TO STUDY THE WHITE BILL AND THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON IT.
THE GROUP HELD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY AND SUBSEQUENTLY FORWARDED ITS DETAILED COMMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED MANY OF THE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE PUBLIC AND THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP AND HAS REFLECTED THESE IN THE REVISED BILL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE EXPLAINED, HOWEVER, THAT THE GOVERNMENT REMAINED OF THE VIEW THAT ACCESS TO THE C FOR AC SHOULD BE THROUGH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH MOST COMMENTATORS HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THEIR COMPLAINTS TO THE C FOR AC DIRECT.
/THE SPOKESMAN
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
2 -
THE SPOKESMAN GAVE FIVE REASONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSAL THAT ACCESS TO THE C FOR AC SHOULD ONLY BE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
"FIRST, OUR PRINCIPLE IS THAT THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING THE INDIVIDUAL AGAINST ANY WRONGFUL ACTS OF THE EXECUTIVE SHOULD REST WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE COURTS. ;
"THE REFERRAL SYSTEM RECOGNISES THIS PRINCIPLE AND ASSISTS LEGCO MEMBERS IN THEIR TASK OF MONITORING THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"SECONDLY, THE C FOR AC WILL BE REQUIRED TO INFORM TllE COMPLAINANT, AND THE LEGCO MEMBER BY WHOM THE COMPLAINT WAS REFERRED; OF THE RESULT OF HIS INVESTIGATION IN EACH CASE. THIS WILL ENABL'E LEGCO MEMBERS TO MONITOR CLOSELY THE WORK OF THE C FOR AC.
"THIRDLY, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE C FOR AC IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT AND STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING CHANNELS FOR THE REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES AND NOT TO REPLACE ANY OF THEM. WE MUST AVOID DISRUPTING THE OPERATION OF THE OTHER CHANNELS WHICH HAVE BEEN WORKING WELL.
"OMELCO HAS A WIDELY RECOGNISED ROLE AT THE APEX OF THE^ EXISTING CHANNELS FOR DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION. THIS SHOULD BE PRESERVED. \
"FOURTHLY, DIRECT ACCESS TO THE C FOR AC COULD RESULT IN* SERIOUS DUPLICATION OF RESOURCES AS MANY COMPLAINANTS TEND TO LODGE THEIR COMPLAINTS SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CHANNELS.
"FINALLY, THE C FOR AC’S FUNCTION IS TO INVESTIGATE ONLY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING MALADMINISTRATION. EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT MOST PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION CONCERN MATTERS OF POLICY OR ARE OTHERWISE OUTSIDE THE C FOR AC’S JURISDICTION.
"DIRECT ACCESS COULD WELL RESULT IN THE C FOR AC HAVING TO TURN AWAY LARGE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY FALL OUTSIDE HIS JURISDICTION.
"THIS COULD DO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO HIS CREDIBILITY EVEN BEFORE HE HAS HAD TIME TO ESTABLISH IT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT, WHILE A MAJORITY OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP'S MEMBERS WERE IN FAVOUR OF DIRECT ACCESS IN VIEW OF PUBLIC COMMENT, THE GROUP WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE COUNTER-ARGUMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ANOTHER VIEW COMMONLY HELD BY COMMENTATORS WAS THAT THE POLICE AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (1CAC) SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM THE C FOR AC’S JURISDICTION. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONCLUDED THAT COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE AND THE 1CAC SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE DEALT WITH BY SEPARATE MACHINERY.
/"THESE COMPLAINTS .......
I*
♦
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 3 -
THESE COMPLAINTS ARE AT PRESENT DEALT WITH BY INDEPENDENTLY MONITORED REDRESS SYSTEMS, NAMELY THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE TOGETHER WITH THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICE (CAPO), AND THE ICAC COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE. THESE HAVE WORKED WELL AND "HERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR REPLACING OR DUPLICATING THEM.
"ANOTHER POINT IS THAT COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE AND THE ICAC ARE OF A FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT NATURE TO MALADMINISTRATION COMPLAINTS, BEING FOR THE MOST PART JUSTICIABLE IN THE COURTS OR INVOLVING INTERNAL DISCIPLINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN OTHER RESPECTS, THE NEW BILL INCORPORATES THE FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF MINOR ONES;
» THE BILL INCLUDES A DEFINITION OF THE TERM ■MALADMINISTRATION" TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A CLEARER CONCEPT OF THE JURS1DICTION OF THE C FOR AC;
* A NEW CLAUSE HAS BEEN ADDED TO ENABLE COMPLAINTS TO BE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF OMELCO WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS DISSOLVED AND THERE ARE NO MEMBERS TO REFER COMPLAINTS TO THE C FOR AC;
» ANOTHER NEW SUB-CLAUSE REQUIRES THE C FOR AC TO INFORM THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF OMELCO OF THE RESULT OF HIS INVESTIGATION IN CASES WHERE THE MEMBER WHO REFERRED THE COMPLAINTS IS NO LONGER IN OFFICE;
» A CLAUSE ON RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN AMENDED. THE EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT IS THAT, WHILE THE C FOR AC WILL HAVE A DISCRETION NOT TO INVESTIGATE. COMPLAINTS OF A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR NATURE TO ONES ALREADY DEALT WITH, THE DISCRETION IS LIMITED TO CASES IN WHICH NO MALADMINISTRATION HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN FOUND;
♦ A NEW SUB-CLAUSE HAS BEEN ADDED TO ALLOW THE C FOR AC TO REPORT SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES TO THE GOVERNOR WHO WILL IN TURN TABLE SUCH REPORTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THIS POWER IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT. THIS PROVISION IS IN ADDITION TO THE POWER GIVEN TO THE C FOR AC TO REPORT HIS FINDINGS TO THE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OR, WHERE HE DEEMS THIS INAPPROPRIATE, TO THE GOVERNOR, AND TO REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR ANY LACK OF CO-OPERATION/ACTION ON HIS RECOMMENDATION BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS;
& )
/* A CLAUSE .........
I
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
♦ A CLAUSE IN THE 1987 WHITE BILL, WHICH PROVIDED FOR THE C FOR AC’S PROCEEDINGS NOT TO BE QUESTIONED OR TO BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW, HAS BEEN DELETED SO AS TO MAKE IMPLICIT ALLOWANCE FOR ANY OF THE COMMISSIONER’S ACTIONS TO BE SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW. THIS WILL PROVIDE A USEFUL CHECK TO PREVENT THE COMMISSIONER ABUSING HIS POWERS. HOWEVER, THE COMMISSIONER’S DECISIONS WILL STILL BE FINAL SO LONG AS THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN PROPERLY;
♦ A PROVISION IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE OF THE WHITE BILL, WHICH BARRED THE C FOR AC FROM INVESTIGATING ANY ACTION TAKEN FOR THE PURPOSES OF INVESTIGATING CRIME OR OF PROTECTING THE SECURITY OF HONG KONG, HAS BEEN DELETED. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE C FOR AC SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS. REGARDING ACTIONS TAKEN IN THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATING CRIME, THOUGH UNDER AN AMENDED CLAUSE, THE GOVERNMENT IS EMPOWERED TO WITHHOLD FROM THE C FOR AC SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION IF THEIR DISCLOSURE WOULD PREJUDICE THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME;
♦ ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO THE SECOND SCHEDULE SEEKS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT DECISIONS BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL NOT TO PROSECUTE OR COMMENCE PROCEEDINGS ARE AS IMMUNE FROM INVESTIGATION BY THE C FOR AC AS ARE DECISIONS TO DO SO.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL 1988 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 22.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, FIFTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES. LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
PRUDENTIAL REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES ♦ ♦ ♦ »
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON A PROPOSED SYSTEM OF PRUDENTIAL REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
EXPLAINING DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL AS SET OUT IN A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, MR NENDICK SAID IT WOULD PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK WHICH ALLOWED THE AUTHORITY, SCHEME MEMBERS, TRUSTEES, AUDITORS AND ACTUARIES TO PLAY A PART IN SCRUTINISING THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
/BEFORE FINAL
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
5 -
BEFORE FINAL DECISIONS ARE TAKEN, THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSAL BY SENDING IN VIEWS TO THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH BY SEPTEMBER 15, 1988, HE SAID.
"INFORMATION ON RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN HONG KONG IS RATHER SKETCHY. APART FROM THE SCHOOL PROVIDENT FUNDS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE, THERE IS VIRTUALLY VERY LITTLE REGULATION OF SUCH SCHEMES," MR NENDICK SAID.
"UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE MAY APPROVE RETIREMENT SCHEMES ACCORDING TO INLAND REVENUE RULES FOR TAX EXEMPTION AND DEDUCTION PURPOSES.
"AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, THERE WERE OVER 5,400 APPROVED SCHEMES IN HONG KONG. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE NUMBER OF SCHEMES, BOTH APPROVED AND UNAPPROVED, IS INCREASING AT A STEADY PACE," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE REASONS FOR SUPERVISING RETIREMENT SCHEMES, MR NENDICK SAID: "IT IS GENERALLY ACCEPTED THAT RETIREMENT BENEFITS ARE PART OF AN EMPLOYEE'S REMUNERATION PACKAGE ALTHOUGH UNLIKE SALARIES OR WAGES, THEY INVOLVE DEFERRED PAYMENTS TO EMPLOYEES. IT IS THE EMPLOYEE’S REASONABLE EXPECTATION TO RECEIVE HIS ENTITLEMENTS UPON RETIREMENT."
"UNDER THE PRESENT SET UP, FEW EMPLOYEES ARE IN A POSITION TO ASSESS THE FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS OF THEIR SCHEMES. AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES IS THROUGH A SYSTEM OF STATUTORY DISCLOSURE AND OTHER REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
HIGHLIGHTING THE FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM, MR NENDICK SAID: "THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM IS THE SEPARATION OF ASSETS OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES FROM THE BUSINESS ASSETS OF THE COMPANY. THIS ENSURES THAT ASSETS OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED EVEN IF THE COMPANY RUNS INTO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES."
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, ALL SCHEMES MUST BE REGISTERED WITH AN AUTHORITY TO BE SET UP AS PART OF THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
TO GAIN REGISTRATION, THE SCHEME MUST BE FRAMED AS A TRUST AND MUST COMPLY WITH CERTAIN PROVISIONS; FOR EXAMPLE CONDUCTING AUDIT AND ACTUARIAL REVIEWS. THE AUTHORITY WILL MAINLY RESPOND TO REPORTED IRREGULARITIES OR DEFICIENCIES, MR NENDICK POINTED OUT.
"EMPLOYERS PROVIDING RETIREMENT SCHEMES SHOULD ALSO DISCLOSE DETAILS OF THE SCHEMES TO BENEFICIARIES, INCLUDING THE TYPES AND CONDITIONS OF THE SCHEME, THE BENEFITS PROVIDED ETC. SCHEME MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH AUDITED ACCOUNT AND AUDIT CERTIFICATE OF THE SCHEME TOGETHER WITH ANNUAL STATEMENTS SPECIFYING THE BENEFITS THEY ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE.
/"BY DISCLOSING
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
6
"BY DISCLOSING THE DETAILS OF THE SCHEME, BENEFICIARIES COULD PLAY A MORE ACTIVE PART IN LOOKING AFTER THEIR INTERESTS AND REPORT ANY MALPRACTICE OR MISCONDUCT TO THE AUTHORITY," MR NENDICK SAID.
"TRUSTEES OF SCHEMES MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT THE ACCOUNTS ARE AUDITEDANNUALLYAND THATACTUARIAL REVIEWS ARE CONDUCTED BY ACTUARIES EVERY THREE YEARS, OR AFTER ANY MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS.
"THE ULTIMATE AIM OF PRUDENTIAL REGULATION IS TO ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS CAN BE DELIVERED TO SCHEME MEMBERS UPON RETIREMENT. APART FROM ANNUAL AUDITS AND REVIEW, A VERY FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT IS THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE FUNDS.
"FOR DEFINED CONTRIBUTION SCHEMES, THE FORMULA IS SIMPLE --------------- EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SIMPLY HAVE TO MAKE THEIR PREDETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS. FOR DEFINED BENEFIT SCHEMES, THE FUNDS EMPLOYERS HAVE TO SET ASIDE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE ACTUARIES," MR NENDICK CONTINUED.
"THE PROPOSED SYSTEM ALSO MAKES PROVISIONS FOR THE TERMINATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"UPON TERMINATION, ANY BENEFITS DUE TO BENEFICIARIES NOT COVERED BY SCHEME ASSETS WOULD FALL ON THE EMPLOYER AS A CIVIL DEBT. WE PROPOSE THAT THE BENEFICIARIES AS CREDITORS WOULD TAKE PRIORITY OVER OTHER CREDITORS IN A RECEIVERSHIP OR LIQUIDATION, THEIR CLAIMS RANKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUCH OTHER PREFERENTIAL CLAIMS AS WAGES AND SEVERANCE PAY,” HE SAID.
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION SIDE, MR NENDICK SAID: "NEW LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE TO BE ENACTED AND EXISTING ONES AMENDED BEFORE THE PROPOSED SYSTEM COULD BE PUT IN PLACE. WE ARE PROPOSING THAT WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THE ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION, ALL RETIREMENT SCHEMES SHOULD BE REGISTERED AND WITHIN THREE YEARS OF REGISTRATION, ALL UNFUNDED VESTED LIABILITIES MUST BE FUNDED. THERE WOULD THUS BE A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF UP TO FIVE YEARS."
"ALL UNFUNDED ACCRUED LIABILITIES MUST BE FUNDED OVER A PERIOD DECIDED BY THE EMPLOYER, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE TRUSTEES," HE ADDED.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT THE PUBLIC WERE INVITED TO COMMENT ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM OF REGULATION.
"THE PUBLIC CAN OBTAIN A COPY OF THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT FROM THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH OR, FROM JUNE 17 ONWARDS, THE DISTRICT OFFICES. EMPLOYERS WHOSE SCHEMES ARE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WILL ALSO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE DOCUMENT. IN ADDITION,COMMENTS WILL BE INVITED FROM PROFESSIONAL BODIES INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES."
"THERE IS A THREE-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD AND COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH BY SEPTEMBER 15, 1988," MR NENDICK SAID.
------0------- /7..................
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 7 -
TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL, WHICH SEEKS TO ASSIST THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY TO REGULATE ITS OWN ACTIVITIES WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THE PROPOSALS FOR SELF-REGULATION WERE ANNOUNCED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE PACKAGE OF MEASURES WAS DESIGNED TO MEET THREE OBJECTIVES:
FIRSTLY, TO INTRODUCE SELF-REGULATION OF THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY WITH LIMITED GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT;
SECONDLY, TO REPLACE THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND WITH A NEW COMPENSATION SCHEME TO OFFER THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC A DEGREE OF PROTECTION;
THIRDLY, TO SETTLE THE OUTSTANDING CLAIMS AGAINST THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND.
THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHEN ENACTED, WILL REQUIRE AS A STATUTORY CONDITION OF LICENCE, EVERY TRAVEL AGENT PROVIDING OUTBOUND TRAVEL SERVICES TO BE A MEMBER OF AN ’’APPROVED ORGANISATION”.
THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG (TIC) WILL BE DESIGNATED AS THE ’’APPROVED ORGANISATION” UNDER THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE.
ALL EXISTING AND PROSPECTIVE TRAVEL AGENTS WILL NEED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE TIC THROUGH JOINING ONE OF ITS SIX ASSOCIATION MEMBERS. THIS REQUIREMENT WILL BE A PRE-REQUISITE TO THE GRANT OF A LICENCE BY THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS.
AN APPEALS MECHANISM WILL BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE TIC CONSTITUTION TO ENSURE THAT APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE TIC ARE DEALT WITH FAIRLY AND IMPARTIALLY.
A TRAVEL AGENT WHOSE APPLICATION TO JOIN AS AN ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF THE TIC HAS BEEN REFUSED, MAY APPLY FOR HIS CASE TO BE REVIEWED BY AN APPEAL BOARD OF THE TIC. THE APPEAL BOARD WILL •OMPRISE PERSONS FROM BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY.
THERE IS PROVISION FOR A FURTHER CHANNEL OF APPEAL TO THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS. THE AMENDMENT BILL MAKES PROVISION FOR THE REGISTRAR TO GRANT A HEARING TO THE APPLICANT CONCERNED AND TO DIRECT THAT THE APPLICANT BE ACCEPTED AS A MEMBER WHERE THE REGISTRAR FINDS IN FAVOUR OF THE APPLICANT.
/BRIEFING SESSIONS
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 8
BRIEFING SESSIONS FOR EXISTING LICENSEES TO INFORM THEM OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATION AND THE NEW STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE ARRANGED SHORTLY.
THE TIC WILL HAVE A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH WILL INCLUDE A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE IN ADDITION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE TIC WILL FORM A SEPARATE COMPANY TO ADMINISTER A NEW COMPENSATION SCHEME CALLED THE TIC RESERVE FUND.
THE FUND WILL BE MANAGED BY A SEPARATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A CONSUMER COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE AND A NUMBER OF PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE TRADE.
THE BILL WILL ALSO REPEAL THE PROVISION UNDER THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRES NEW LICENSEES TO PAY A SUM OF $2,500 UPON GRANT OF LICENCE.
IN FUTURE ALL LICENSEES WILL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE TIC AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TIC RESERVE FUND INSTEAD. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEW FUND WILL BE MADE BY WAY OF A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON THE SALE OF ALL OUTBOUND PACKAGE TOURS.
THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND WILL BE ABOLISHED WHEN OUTSTANDING APPLI CAT IONS HAVE BEEN SETTLED.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, CLIENTS OF TRAVEL AGENTS WHICH DEFAULT IN FUTURE MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION FROM I’HE TIC RESERVE FUND EQUIVALENT TO 70 PER CENT OF THE UNSATISFIED CLAIM.
WINDING-UP ACTION IN RESPECT OF THE AUSTRAVEL CASE WAS COMPLETED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AT THE END OF MARCH. MORE THAN 2,700 APPLICATIONS FOR EX-GRATIA PAYMENT FROM THE TRAVEL AGENTS' RESERVE FUND HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM FORMER CLIENTS OF AUSTRAVEL.
AS ANNOUNCED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, TWO OPTIONS FOR PAYMENT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO AFFECTED CLIENTS. THE APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO INDICATE THEIR PREFERENCE FOR EITHER A ONE-OFF PAYMENT OF 70 PER CENT COMPENSATION OR 100 PER CENT TO BE PAID IN INSTALMENTS OVER A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING THREE YEARS, SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY.
WINDING-UP PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF P.C. TRAVEL SERVICE ARE CONTINUING, AND AFFECTED CLIENTS MAY APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION LATER.
/THE TIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
THE TIC WILL MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND TO MEET ELIGIBLE CLAIMS FOR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION FROM FORMER CLIENTS OF AUSTRAVEL AND P.C. TRAVEL SERVICE.
THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 15).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, 2/F, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
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AMENDMENTS TO BANKING ORDINANCE SECRECY PROVISIONS PROPOSED
*****
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, WHICH PROPOSES TO AMEND THE SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE BANKING ORDINANCE, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO DISCLOSE ’INFORMATION RELATING TO THE AFFAIRS OF AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG' TO OVERSEAS SECURITIES SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE BILL IS REQUIRED TO FACILITATE CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SUPERVISORS BUT ITS IMMEDIATE CAUSE ARISES FROM THE NEED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO UK REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UK FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT 1986, ' HE ADDED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE UK FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT 1986 PROVIDED FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION OF INVESTMENT BUSINESS IN THE UK.
"THIS INVOLVES, INTER ALIA, THE AUTHORISATION OF INSTITUTIONS TO CONDUCT SUCH BUSINESS. EACH INSTITUTION’S FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS WILL BE ASSESSED PRIOR TO AUTHORISATION AND MONITORED THEREAFTER.
"THERE ARE HONG KONG BANKS WITH UK BRANCHES WHICH REQUIRE, OR MAY REQUIRE, TO BE SO AUTHORISED AND SUPERVISED," HE POINTED OUT.
"THIS CONCERNS THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE TO CONFIRM TO THE UK AUTHORITIES - THE SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT BOARD (SIB) OR SELF-REGULATING ORGANISATIONS (SRO’S) - THE STANDING OF AN HONG KONG INSTITUTION BEFORE IT IS AUTHORISED AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, INFORM THE SIB OR THE SRO’S OF SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENTS RELEVANT TO THE EXERCISE OF THEIR POWERS," HE SAID.
/"SUCH DISCLOSURE
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
10 -
"SUCH DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION, HOWEVER, IS NOT POSSIBLE UNDER THE EXISTING BANKING ORDINANCE AND AMENDMENTS TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER TO DO SO ARE THEREFORE NECESSARY,” THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
HE SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO FACILITATE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO OTHER LOCAL SUPERVISORS.
"AT PRESENT, THE COMMISSIONER IS NOT FREE UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE TO DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING OR THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WITHOUT SEEKING THE PERMISSION OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN EACH CASE.
"WITH GROWING INTEGRATION OF FINANCIAL MARKETS, AND THE NEED FOR CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SUPERVISORS, THE NEED FOR INFORMATION SHARING IS INCREASING.
"AMENDMENTS ARE THEREFORE PROPOSED TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO PASS INFORMATION DIRECTLY TO OTHER LOCAL SUPERVISORS TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FUNCTIONS," HE SAID.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 22.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE PROVISIONS OF Till BILL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AT ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER ll, 24TH FLOOR, HARCOURT ROAD, OR TO OMELCO AT 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
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PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT GAZETTED
*****
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL CONTAINS A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS WHICH ARE MADE IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF THE SCHEME’S OPERATION SINCE JANUARY 1986.
UNDER THE BILL, AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS FULFILLED THE QUALIFYING PERIOD OF SERVICE FOR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A PAYMENT IF HE RESIGNS ON GROUND OF ILLNESS AFTER BEING CERTIFIED BY A DOCTOR IN A GOVERNMENT OR SUBVERTED HOSPITAL AS BEING PERMANENTLY UNFIT FOR HIS PRESENT JOB.
/AN EMPLOYEE
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
11
AN EMPLOYEE AGED 65 YEARS OR OVER WITH NOT LESS THAN 10 YEARS OE SERVICE SHALL ALSO BE ENTITLED TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT WHEN HE RESIGNS.
THE BILL FURTHER PROVIDES THAT THE SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS OF A DECEASED EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE A LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IF THE DECEASED HAD COMPLETED THE QUALIFYING PERIOD OF SERVICE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.
"HOWEVER, WHERE AN EMPLOYEE HAS DIED IN SERVICE AND A GRATUITY OR RETIREMENT BENEFIT IS DUE, THE GRATUITY OR BENEFIT MAY BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT EMPLOYERS ARE NOT LIABLE TO PAY A DOUBLE BENEFIT."
ANOTHER PROVISION IN THE BILL COVERS NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WHOSE WAGES DO NOT EXCEED THE WAGE CEILING, THAT IS, $11,500 A MONTH, WITHIN THE 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO DISMISSAL.
THIS IS TO PREVENT AN UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYER FROM RAISING AN EMPLOYEE’S WAGES SHORTLY BEFORE DISMISSING HIM IN ORDER TO AVOID LIABILITY FOR A LONG SERVICE PAYMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO MAKES IT CLEAR THAT IF AN EMPLOYEE RETIRES WITH BENEFITS NOT LESS FAVOURABLE THAN THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT, THEN FOR HIE PURPOSES OF FURTHER ENTITLEMENT TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT OR SEVERANCE PAYMENT, HIS RE-EMPLOYMENT SHALL BE REGARDED AS SEPARATE FROM JUS PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT.
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THE VARIOUS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 15).
------0-------
COMPENSATION FOR WORKERS INJURED OUTSIDE HK PROPOSED ♦ ♦ ♦ t t
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO COVER HONG KONG WORKERS INJURED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO THIS, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/A LABOUR
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
12
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PRESENT ORDINANCE DOES NOT COVER WORK INJURIES SUSTAINED OUTSIDE HONG KONG EVEN THOUGH THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN CONCLUDED IN HONG KONG WITH A HONG KONG EMPLOYER.
"WORKERS EMPLOYED IN HONG KONG BUT PERFORMING DUTIES OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY ARE THUS OUTSIDE THE AMBIT OF THE ORDINANCE AND MAY HAVE LITTLE PROTECTION FROM THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO WORK," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NUMBER OF INJUR IES TO SUCH WORKERS BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM 95 IN 1986 TO 189 LAST YEAR.
"HOWEVER, THE TRUE NUMBER OF SUCH CASES PROBABLY EXCEEDS THESE FIGURES BECAUSE EMPLOYERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REPORT SUCH ACCIDENTS TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR TO COMPENSATE THE INJURED EMPLOYEES OR THEIR DEPENDANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.
"IT IS THEREFORE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO COVER WORKERS WHO MEET WITH WORK INJURIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG WHILST THEY ARF IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF HONG KONG EMPLOYERS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TO PREVENT THE PAYMENT OF DOUBLE BENEFITS, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT ANY COMPENSATION AWARDED UNDER THE LAW OF THE COUNTRY WHERE A WORKER IS INJURED WILL BE OFFSET AGAINST COMPENSATION PAYABLE IN HONG KONG.
THE BILL ALSO EXTENDS THE EXISTING CERTIFICATE OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM TO COVER CASES INVOLVING INJURIES RESULTING IN NOT MORE THAN FIVE PER CENT PERMANENT INCAPACITY.
UNDER THE SYSTEM, THE COMMISSIONER CAN ISSUE A CERTIFICATE STATING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR PAYMENT DIRECT BY AN EMPLOYER TO THE INJURED EMPLOYEE.
"THIS WOULD ALLOW ABOUT 98 PER CENT OF ALL CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION TO BE SETTLED SPEEDILY," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
"THE REMAINING TWO PER CENT OF CASES WILL STILL BE SETTLED BY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE INJURED EMPLOYEE AND HIS EMPLOYER OR DETERMINED BY THE COURT."
THE BILL CONTAINS A NUMBER OF OTHER AMENDMENTS COVERING COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYEES WITH CONCURRENT EMPLOYMENT, ADVANCE PAYMENTS TO AN INJURED EMPLOYEE OR HIS DEPENDANTS, COMPULSORY INSURANCE AGAINST EMPLOYER’S LIABILITY, PENALTY FOR NON-PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION, AND TIME LIMIT FOR APPEAL TO THE COURT AGAINST ANY DECISION OR ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OR OF AN ASSESSMENT BOARD.
/IT IS .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 13 -
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO WORK INJURIES SUSTAINED OUTSIDE HONG KONG WILL COME INTO OPERATION THREE MONTHS AFTER THE BILL IS PASSED INTO LAW SO AS TO ENABLE EMPLOYERS TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVER FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 15).
------0-------
EXPANSION OF JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION PROPOSED ♦ » ♦ » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION ORDINANCE TO EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION AND TO PROVIDE FOR MAJORITY DECISIONS BY THE COMMISSION.
THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS FROM THREE TO SIX, MAKING A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF NINE, INCLUDING EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS.
"OF THE SIX MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, TWO SHALL BE JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT, ONE SHALL BE A BARRISTER AND ONE SHALL BE A SOLICITOR, AND TWO SHALL BE PERSONS NOT CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH THE PRACTICE OF LAW IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ARE THE CHIEF JUSTICE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE QUORUM TO FIVE MEMBERS.
"AT A MEETING OF THE COMMISSION, A RESOLUTION IS EFFECTIVE ONLY IF AT LEAST FIVE MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE MEETING VOTE IN FAVOUR OF IT, BUT A MAJORITY OF SIX MEMBERS IS REQUIRED WHERE EIGHT OR NINE MEMBERS ARE PRESENT," HE EXPLAINED.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 22.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE AMENDMENT CAN WRITE TO THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, FIFTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, OR TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
/14
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
14
BILL ON TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ »
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR A TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH.
THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, WHICH WAS 1988 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRIAD RENUNCIATION TRIBUNAL TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP.
UNDER THE EXISTING SOCIETIES ORDINANCE A PERSON WHO HAS JOINED A TRIAD SOCIETY IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION WHETHER OR NOT HE REMAINS AN ACTIVE TRIAD MEMBER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
UNDER THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, A SUCCESSFUL RENOUNCER WOULD BE ENTITLED TO A STAY OF PROSECUTION IN RESPECT OF SPECIFIED OFFENCES RELATING TO'TRIAD MEMBERSHIP UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE WHICH PRE-DATED THE RENUNCIATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DURING CONSULTATION ON THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE DOCUMENT "OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM", THE PUBLIC HAD GENERALLY SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION WHEREBY A TRIAD MEMBER COULD RENOUNCE MEMBERSHIP.
THE AMENDMENT BILL PROVIDES FOR THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A FULL-TIME CHAIRMAN AND PART-TIME MEMBERS TO THE TRIBUNAL.
THE PROCEEDINGS AND RECORDS OF THE TRIBUNAL WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
"THE TRIBUNAL WILL BE SERVED BY A SMALL SECRETARIAT CONSISTING OF GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, ALL OF WHOM WOULD BE SUBJECT TO STRICT SECRECY PROVISIONS.
"THE SECRETARIAT WOULD INCLUDE A SENIOR POLICE OFFICER WITH EXPERIENCE IN TRIAD MATTERS TO PROVIDE ADVICE TO THE TRIBUNAL WHERE NECESSARY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, PERSONS WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL. HOWEVER, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN SEEKING RENUNCIATION MAY APPEAR.
"WHERE AN APPLICANT FOR RENUNCIATION IS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN TRIAD RELATED ACTIVITIES BUT IS NOT A FORMAL MEMBER OF TRIAD SOCIETY, A FORM OF RECORD OF ATTENDANCE BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL WOULD BE MADE, PROVIDING THE APPLICATION IS JUDGED TO BE SINCERE.
/’NON-TRIAD* RENOUNCERS
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
H 'F
’NON-TRIAD’ RENOUNCERS THEREFORE WOULD BE GRANTED A STAY OF PROSECUTION FOR SPECIFIED OFFENCES UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED BY THEIR APPLICATION.
"THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO APPLIED TO THE SCHEME IN THE BELIEF THAT THEY WERE FULL TRIAD MEMBERS WOULD NOT BE LEFT EMPTY-HANDED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER GOVERNMENT STAFF AND, IN PARTICULAR, STAFF OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES, SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SCHEME WOULD BE OPEN TO ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING CIVIL SERVANTS, WHO WISHED TO RENOUNCE THEIR TRIAD PAST.
HOWEVER, THE. SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT MANY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES HAD TRIAD LINKS.
THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 22.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL, OR TO SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, SIXTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
-------0----------
LOCAL NEWSPAPERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 *****
A BILL SEEKING TO EMPOWER THE REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS TO REFUSE REGISTRATION OF A LOCAL NEWSPAPER BEARING A NAME IDENTICAL TO ONE BY WHICH ANOTHER LOCAL NEWSPAPER HAS ALREADY BEEN REGISTERED WAS GAZBTTED TODAY (FRI DAY).
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND OF THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WOULD HELP PREVENT POSSIBLE CONFUSION TO THE PUBLIC IN CASE TWO IDENTICALLY-TITLED NEWSPAPERS WERE REGISTERED AND PUBLISHED.
"THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO NARROW THE PRESENT, VIRY BROAD DEIINITION OF 'PRINTED DOCUMENT’ UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ORDINANCE BY EXCLUDING FROM THE DEFINITION ALL DOCUMENTS OF A BONA FIDE COMMERCIAL, PROFESSIONAL, SOCIAL OR ADM INISTRATIVE PURPOSE.
/"UNDER THIS
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
"UNDER THIS AMENDMINT BILL, DOCUMENTS USED BY PUBLIC BODIES SUCH AS PRESCRIBED FORMS WILL ALSO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFINITION," HE ADDED.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON JUNE 22, 1988.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 1/F, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO OMELCO AT 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
- 0 - -
AMENDMENTS TO BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES BILLS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO CONFER POWERS TO THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT TO HEAR UNCONTESTED BANKRUPTCY AND WINDING UP PETITIONS IN OPEN COURT.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988 WHICH WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE AIMED AT REDUCING THE TIME SPENT BY THE BANKRUPTCY JUDGE ON UNCONTESTED BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS, AND THE TIME SPENT BY THE COMPANIES JUDGE ON UNOPPOSED PETITIONS FOR WINDING UP OF COMPANIES.
"THE RE-DISTRIBUTION OF DUTIES WILL ENABLE THE BANKRUPTCY JUDGE AND THE COMPANIES JUDGE TO DEVOTE MORE OF THEIR TIME TO HEARING CONTESTED MATTERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILLS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 22.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILLS SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, FIFTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
- 0 - -
/17
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 17 -
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR APRIL RELEASED ♦ t » ♦ ♦
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN APRIL 1988, AT $76,772 MILLION, GREW BY 30 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON TRADE VALUE FOR APRIL 1988 RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT TO $16,055 MILLION IN APRIL 1988, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 45 PER CENT TO $20,636 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN APRIL 1988 TO $36,691 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASED OF 27 PER CENT OVER APRIL 1987.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT TO $40,081 MILLION IN APRIL 1988.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BETWEEN APRIL 1987 AND APRIL 1988, ALTHOUGH THE RATES OF INCREASE VARIED. SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE (+38 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+25 PER CENT), CHINA (+25 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+22 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES GREW BY ONLY ONE PER CENT.
IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN APRIL 1988 OVER APRIL 1987, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM THE U.S.A. (+41 PER CENT), SWITZERLAND (+37 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+36 PER CENT), CHINA (+30 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+30 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA, TAIWAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD, BY 86 PER CENT, 63 PER CENT, 50 PER CENT, 44 PER CENT AND 39 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO APRIL 1988, AT $272,676 MILLION, INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987. DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT TO $60,225 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 45 PER CENT TO $73,504 MILLION.
/THUS, THE
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 18 -
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT TO $133,729 MILLION. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT TO $138,947 MILLION.
COMPARING JANUARY TO APRIL 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS. THE MARKETS WITH THE LARGEST GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED SINGAPORE (+42 PER CENT), FRANCE (+25 PER CENT), CHINA (+24 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+23 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+17 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S LARGEST MARKET, THE U.S.A., GREW BY 2 PER CENT.
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO APRIL 1988 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND (+47 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+42 PER CENT), CHINA (+28 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+27 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (+26 PER CENT).
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, TAIWAN AND AUSTRALIA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY 86 PER CENT, 75 PER CENT, 53 PER CENT, 49 PER CENT AND 46 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 PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL 1988 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY JULY.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY TO APRIL 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE MORE NOTABLE ONES INCLUDED PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,268 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1,211 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $911 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $861 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRIC CURRENT (BY $58 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $20 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
/THE CHANGES
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 19 -
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JANUARY TO APRIL 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, INCREASES IN IMPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $4,311 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $3,175 MILLION OR 114 PERCENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,928 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,778 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $184 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT); AND RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $95 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JANUARY TO APRIL 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $3,337 MILLION OR 79 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $2,295 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $1,838 MILLION OR 232 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,597 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $47 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PRODUCTS AND PREPARATIONS (BY $21 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE AVAILABLE IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS. THE APRIL 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND JUNE 15 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $9.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN APRIL 1988 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN END-JUNE 1988 AT $17.50 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
20
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234915).
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET APR APR 88 JAN-APR JAN-APR 88
1988 OVER 1988 OVER
APR 87 JAN-APR 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
U.S.A. 5,315 + 1 19,719 + 2
CHINA 2,871 + 25 9,715 + 24
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,058 + 4 4,919 + 16
U.K. 1,097 + 22 3,987 + 23
JAPAN 806 + 8 2,976 + 17
CANADA 384 + 4 1,669 + 10
SINGAPORE 434 + 38 1,479 + 42
NETHERLANDS 367 + 25 1,362 + 14
FRANCE 353 + 13 1,255 + 25
AUSTRALIA 293 + 12 1 , 142 + 9
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY APR APR 88 JAN-APR JAN-APR 88
DIVISION 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
APR 87 JAN-APR 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL
AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 4,096 - 4 17,531 + 5
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED
ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY
CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES
AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,304 - 3 8,289 + »
/PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 2' 1
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS * 1,474 + 26 5,406 + 31
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,4 74 ♦ 26 5,094 + 22
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,330 - 5 4,789 + 2
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,330 + 18 4,697 + 9
» LESS THAN 0.05 PER CENT.
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER APR 1988 (HKD MN.) APR 88 OVER APR 87 (%) JAN-APR 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-APR 88 OVER JAN-APR 87 (%)
CHINA 12,080 + 30 41,487 + 28
JAPAN 7,710 + 28 26,093 + 24
TAIWAN 3,536 + 30 12,238 + 26
U.S.A. 3,434 + 41 11,717 + 26
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,056 + 36 7,113 + 42
SINGAPORE 1,294 + 12 5,148 + 22
U.K. 1,080 + 15 4,016 + 14
F.R. OF GERMANY 958 + 18 3,772 + 27
SWITZERLAND 775 + 37 2,868 + 47
ITALY 674 + 23 2,279 + 21
/TABLE 4
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 22 -
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY APR APR 88 JAN-APR JAN-APR 88
DIVISION 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
APR 87 JAN-APR 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 5,756 + 15 17,970 + 7
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,084 + 48 14,179 + 44
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,325 + 2 8,612 + 10
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,180 + 35 7,873 + 32
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,317 + 38 7,741 + 30
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,074 + 27 7,287 4 28
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET APR 1988 (HKD MN.) APR 88 OVER APR 87 (%) JAN-APR 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-APR 88 OVER
JAN-APR (%) 87
CHINA 7,044 + 50 23,858 + 44
U.S.A. 3,469 + 27 12,708 + 30
JAPAN 1,310 + 86 4,552 + 86
/TAIWAN
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 25 -
TAIWAN 156 + 44 4,190 + 49
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 955 + 25 3,668 + 37
SINGAPORE 678 + 26 2,551 + 33
F.R. OF GERMANY 609 + 63 2,232 + 75
U.K. 442 + 39 1,524 + 53
MACAU 334 + 19 1,245 ♦ 22
AUSTRALIA 237 ♦ 27 1,076 + 46
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY APR DIVISION I988 (HKD MN.) APR 88 OVER APR 87 (%) JAN-APR 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-APR OVER JAN-APR (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,918 + 19 9,760 + 20
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,140 + 75 7,585 + 79
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 1,676 + 2 7,002 + 14
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 1,939 + 59 6,464 + 55
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,320 + 47 4,532 + 54
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 750 + 14 2,862 + 19
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/2<t ..........
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
24
TV STATIONS ASKED TO SUBMIT SIX-YEAR FORECASTS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS FORMALLY INVITED ATV AND TVB TO SUBMIT TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY THEIR CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1, 1988 TO NOVEMBER 30, 1994.
GOVERNOR OF THE
SUBMIT A TO THE
"AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON MARCH 29, 1988 THE IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT AS A CONDITION FOR THE RENEWAL TELEVISION LICENCE, THE LICENSEE COMPANY CONCERNED MUST PROGRAMME OF CAPITA!, INVESTMENTS FOR THE NEXT SIX YEARS BROADCASTING AUTHORITY," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODA\.
"THIS IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING THE TELEVISION STATIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PROGRAMMES, AND TO ENSURE A STANDARD OF BROADCASTING A(CEPTABLE TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
I'HE TWO STATIONS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO SUBMIT IHE1R CAPI I \L INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES BY JULY 31, 1988.
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POSTAL SERVICES TO VIETNAM RESUMING
*****
THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT ALL LETTER AND PARCEL SERVICES TO THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM WILL BE RESUMED WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 14.
AT PRESENT THERE IS ONLY A LIMITED AIRMAIL SERVICE TO VIETNAM.
-----0------
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED » ♦ t
THE BANKING LICENCE OF FOUR SEAS COMMUNICATIONS BANK LIMITED (FSCB) HAS BEEN REVOKED WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 31, 1988. A NOTICE TO
THIS EFFECT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FOUR SEAS COMMUNICATIONS BANK WAS GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE IN 1965.
/IN 1973,
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 25 -».
IN 1973, THE BANK WAS ACQUIRED BY ANOTHER LICENSED BANK, THE OVERSEA-CHINESE BANKING CORPORATION LTD (OCBC).
"TO CENTRALISE THE SUPERVISION OF ITS OVERSEAS BRANCHES AND TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF FUNCTIONS, OCBC HAS TRANSFERRED THE BUSINESS OF FSCB IN HONG KONG TO ITS HONG KONG BRANCH WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 21, 1988," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALL THE ASSETS OF FSCB IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN TAKEN UP BY OCBC WHICH NOW ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR, AND INDEMNIFIES FSCB AGAINST, ALL THE LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FSCB’S HONG KONG BUSINESS.
FSCB HAD HENCE SOUGHT TO HAVE ITS LICENCE REVOKED VOLUNTARILY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AS FSCB HAS CEASED TO CARRY ON BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, APPROVAL HAS THEREFORE BEEN GRANTED TO HAVE ITS LICENCE REVOKED," HE SA ID.
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BALANCED APPROACH REFLECTS CONCERN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION t t * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN OVER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND LANDSCAPING IS REFLECTED IN ITS BALANCED APPROACH IN TOWN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH DISTRICT, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE NORTH DISTRICT TREE-PLANTING DAY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN AN AMENITY AREA AT BRIDE’S POOL ROAD, LUK KENG.
MR CHEUNG SAID A NUMBER OF DISTRICT-BASED PROJECTS AND FACILITIES SERVED TO SIGNIFY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED IN ITS EFFORTS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT.
THESE INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 13-HECTARE TOWN PARK STRADDLING SHEK WU HUI AND LUEN WO HUI, AND A RECREATION GROUND IN FANLING, AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF SITTING-OUT AREAS AND ROAD LANDSCAPING.
HE ADDED THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO TAKE PART IN THE FUNCTION WHICH COMMEMORATED THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988, AND ALSO PROMOTED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
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/?-(>.............
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
EXTENSION WORK AT AIRPORT * * » *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE AIRCRAFT PARKING APRON AND TAXIWAYS AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF 42,000 SQUARE METRES OF RIGID AND FLEXIBLE AIRCRAFT PAVEMENTS, 7,000 SQUARE METRES OF EQUIPMENT PARKING AREAS, AND PROVISION OF FIRE MAINS, DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING. ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL WORKS ARE ALSO INVOLVED.
ON COMPLETION, THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE FOUR AIRCRAFT PARKING STANDS AND TWO EQUIPMENT PARKING AREAS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE WORKS IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND TAKE ABOUT 13 MONTHS'TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 1.
-------O ---------
DRAFT NGAU TAU KOK AND KOWLOON BAY OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED * » » » »
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT NGAU TAU KOK AND KOWLOON BAY OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE AMENDMENTS, A SITE BOUNDED BY WANG CHIU ROAD, SHEUNG YEE ROAD, WANG HOI ROAD AND KAI FUK ROAD FLYOVER IN KOWLOON BAY, PREVIOUSLY ZONED ’COMMERCIAL’, ’OPEN SPACE’ AND ’ROAD’, IS NOW REZONED TO ’OTHER SPECIFIED USES’ ANNOTATED 'REFUSE TRANSFER STATION’.
TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF ’COMMERCIAL’ SITES AND LOCAL OPEN SPACES, THE FOLLOWING CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGES TO THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ARE MADE:-
* A SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF WANG YUEN STREET, WAN MAU STREET AND WANG TAI ROAD IS REZONED FROM ’INDUSTRIAL’ TO
’COMMERCIAL’;
» A SITE AT WANG HOI ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTIONS WITH LAM FOOK STREET IS REZONED FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO ’COMMERCIAL’;
/*- A SITE
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 27 -
* A SITE BOUNDED BY SHEUNG YEE ROAD, SHEUNG YUET ROAD, WANG CHIU ROAD AND LAM FUNG STREET IS ZONED ’OTHER SPECIFIED USES’ ANNOTATED 'COMMERCIAL USES WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS’ IS SWOPPED WITH AN ’OPEN SPACE’ SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF SHEUNG YUET ROAD AND WANG KWUN ROAD SO THAT A LARGER OPEN SPACE WOULD BE PROVIDED; AND
* THE ’COMMERCIAL’ SITE AT WANG KWONG ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH LAM WAH STREET IS SWOPPED WITH THE ADJOINING ’OPEN SPACE’ SITE AT WANG KWUN ROAD. THE RELOCATED ’COMMERCIAL’ SITE TOGETHER WITH THE ’OTHER SPECIFIED USES’ AT THE JUNCTION OF WANG KWUN ROAD AND SHEUNG YUET ROAD WILL FORM A FOCAL POINT FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AREA.
OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO ALLEVIATE THE GENERAL SHORTFALL IN OPEN SPACE IN NGAU TAU KOK BY REZONING THE AREA CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY BLOCKS 3, 4, 5, 9 AND 10 OF THE JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE AND ITS ADJOINING AREA FROM ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’, ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/
COMMUNITY’, ’GREEN BELT’ AND ’ROAD’ TO ’OPEN SPACE’ AND A PORTION OF THE ’UNDETERMINED’ AND ’GREEN BELT’ SITES AT CHOI HA ROAD TO ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ FOR A SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THE ALIGNMENT OF THE KWUN TONG BY-PASS PHASES II AND III, AS WELL AS THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACHES TOGETHER WITH MINOR LAND USE CHANGES HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED ONTO THE PLAN.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT!
* THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
» PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; AND
» KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, TUNG YAN STREET, 3RD FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BY JULY 1.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE MAP SALES COUNTER, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. THE PRICE IS $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR A COLOURED COPY.
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/?8........
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 28 -
MORE NEW HOMES IN KWAI TSING ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ABOUT 56,000 PEOPLE WILL MOVE INTO A TOTAL OF 13,000 NEW FLATS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT BEFORE JULY NEXT YEAR, CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER, MR LAU KWAN-YUEN TOLD THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY).
BRIEFING MEMBERS OF THE DMC AT A MEETING, MR LAU SAID PHASE II OF CHEUNG ON ESTATE AND CHEUNG FAT ESTATE WOULD ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 16,000 AND 10,000 RESIDENTS RESPECTIVELY, THE LARGEST INTAKE AMONG ALL NEW HOUSING ESTATES IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER HOUSING ESTATES DUE FOR COMPLETION IN THE FORTHCOMING YEAR INCLUDE PHASE II OF TSING YI ESTATE, PHASE III OF TAI WO HAU ESTATE, PHASE III OF SHEK LEI EXTENSION, A NEW ESTATE AT KWAI SHING AND A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, CHING TAI COURT, HE SAID.
SOME OF THE FLATS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO RESIDENTS OF REDEVELOPED BLOCKS AT KWAI CHUNG, MR LAU SAID.
ABOUT HALF OF THE 4,200 FAMILIES LIVING IN REDEVELOPED BLOCKS HAVE BEEN REHOUSED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND ANOTHER 700 FAMILIES HAVE OPTED TO PURCHASE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS. SIMILAR REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR THE REMAINING 1,400 FAMILIES SHORTLY.
THE CHAIRMAN OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR BRIAN COAK NOTED THAT THE HOUSING PROGRAMME DEVELOPED RAPIDLY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE RESIDENTS COULD BE GREATLY IMPROVED. •
’’PEOPLE WILL ENJOY BETTER FACILITIES IN THESE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, SUCH AS SHOPPING CENTRES, MARKETS, PARKS, ETC. AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AT CHEUNG FAT ESTATE WILL BE OPENED EARLY NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE VENUE FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES,** HE SAID.
-------O----------
YUEN LONG TOWN PARK AND OPEN SPACES PROJECT t * ♦ ♦ ♦
A TOWN PARK AND TWO OPEN SPACES WILL BE BUILT IN THE WESTERN PART OF YUEN LONG NEW TOWN TO PROVIDE MORE COMPREHENSIVE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
SITUATED INSIDE THE TOWN PARK ROAD SOUTH AND TOWN PARK ROAD NORTH CIRCULAR ROADS, THE PARK OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 7.5 HECTARES.
/FACILITIES INCLUDE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 29 -
FACILITIES INCLUDE FOOTBALL PITCHES, CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA, AN ORNAMENTAL LAKE AND WATER FEATURES, AN AVIARY AND A PAGODA, A REFRESHMENT KIOSK, FITNESS TRAIL AND BOTANICAL TRAIL AND OPEN LANDSCAPED AREAS.
ONE OF THE OPEN SPACES IS LOCATED NORTH OF THE TOWN PARK WHEREAS THE OTHER IS AT THE SOUTH. THEY HAVE A TOTAL AREA OF 0.72 HECTARES.
FACILITIES COMPRISE CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS, SITTING-OUT AREAS, BENCHES, A BASKETBALL-CUM-VOLLEYBALL COURT AND PERGOLAS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 18.
-----0------
NEW ROADS FOR TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT * * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT NEW ROADS, THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE, FOOTPATHS AND CYCLE TRACKS AS PART OF THE TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT.
THE EXISTING PING HA ROAD FROM NORTH OF KIU TAU WAI TO SOUTH WESTERN ACCESS ROAD WILL BE CLOSED.
SOME STRETCHES OF EXISTING FOOTPATHS AND TRACKS WILL BE CLOSED AND REPLACED.
THROUGHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, ACCESS TO VARIOUS PLACES WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGH TEMPORARY DIVERSIONS TO BE CONSTRUCTED.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY'S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE AND A NOTICE, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
/A COPY
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
- 30 -
A COPY OF THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKINGS SHOWING THE AREAS AND THE EXISTING ROADS OR FOOTWAYS BEING AFFECTED CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI K1U MARKET, NINTH TO ELEVENTH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG; AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISH TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 9, 1988.
-----0------
EASIER ACCESS TO SAN TIN WAI AND LEI UK TSUEN ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT CARPARKS AND FOOTPATHS IN SAN TIN WAI AND LEI UK TSUEN, IN SHA TIN TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO EXISTING VILLAGES AND PROPOSED EXTENSION AREAS.
THE SCHEME FORMS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT Till CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (SHA TIN), 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES; AND AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 9, 1988.
- 0-----------
/51
<
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
NEW ROADS FOR JUNK BAY » » * t IMI- '> 8JJI IITOO’J maw l.lzl f! Illi
I ZOH'I Ml (!.•■ ;iw 'ITATP.3
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN TOE ' NORTHERN PART OF JUNK BAY TO IMPROVE ROAD ACCESS AND PROVIDE TRANSPORT FACILITIES TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TOWN.
. .ITTrtSAU
THE WORKS, SCHEDULED TO START IN SEPTEMBER, WILL INCLUDE WIDENING THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAY, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ACCESS ROADS, A TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS, FOOTPATHS AND CYCLETRACKS. •>! i , rw
■•'■•AH'i M".M ii'M'.i.'IVOil
THE ROADWORKS FORM PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR’''’Tllti ‘1 DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN1. ' I "li .«AOH
• . UAW IHH '.)/;(■-! ,.•<">! । lo-HUP.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
Ti "a) 4AHTM3 r.IATHJlOag
A PI,AN SHOWING THE EXTENT OF TOfe PROPOSED WORK CAN BE SEEN Z1 A'T THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFlCtt, 1 CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENT'RAU GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 9, 1988.
MOM-1 Of! • <■'O-.i _ LAy-L 10_>WA,l ()■!<>(: Iin
8HT . ■•I.l’ .0.1 : k;.|?IH bah (IAOM OMOIIO ■ i! H I ■ ’'IT'JWUL BT1
YACIOT 1 ; O’ I ! i -Hl TMO’IP.MAIIT 5111’1 , ii -■! To OK I YAJ
. ( YAGI 51'1 ) SHAU KEI WAN WAI HANG STREET TO BE WIDENED
BIHT :r< ‘. •I’WOT ri«.'I*l «.1|W HOIHW . - | ;.|||T
HOI ' IF 1 £ lOllUAII P.P.OHO >IHT MOB T H’l IT I . I' .1,114 ,$IARY
U. .TAHTAIP) A(V OKUHO IAW/1 .IMA in’; u;I-: <>|| , OMOM
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO WIDEN WAI HANG STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN IieaWANNECTEON WITH THE SITO 'FOR»ATE(8«TW0RIK3"J/FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TIHflOHIAHI'REI WAN FOOTHILLS ( WESTEfOiPlBBUJC WHOUSING "ESTATE. ’ t. ’I -I I < H .HI J.IIW
H1IA <” i> H I IASIT ailT HO H I'll > • i l‘4 /.‘I (lOHIH'l
AS WAI HANG STREET WILL BE THE -MAMOR/ "VEHICULAR I'EGRESS 'IR0DTR/ FOR THE ESTATE, A SECTION OF THIS STREET BETWEEN TAI NING STREET AND TAIA'W STREET WILL 'BE WTOENEDOEBOftAPrSHHffESHNT WUDTH OF THBEBU’IMETRES TO 10.3 METRES WITH 3.5 METRE ->W TOM MOFOtfTWA V3 1 ON ’ BOTH SIDES OF "HUH?! STREET.
DURING HIE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, THE AFFECTED SECTION OF WAI HANG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES. PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO PROPERTIES ALONG THE STREET AND ACCESS OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO’ THE AREA WILL HE MAINTAINED. " ’’
/THE PROPOSED
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
THE PROPOSED SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILLS (WEST) PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1995 PROVIDING 4,200 FLATS FOR A POPULATION OF ABOUT 16,000.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/HONG KONG EAST, 12/F, HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; AND AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHAU KEI WAN SUB-OFFICE, G/F, 347-349 SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 9, 1988.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE AT CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH
♦ » t » »
THE INNER WESTBOUND LANE OF CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH LEADING FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HONG CHONG ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF WATER MAINS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LANE CLOSURE, WHICH WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL OCTOBER THIS YEAR, WILL AFFECT TRAFFIC FROM THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR MONG KOK, HO MAN TIN AND KWAI CHUNG VIA CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH.
TO MINIMIZE ITS IMPACT ON TRAFFIC FLOW, THREE TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE MAINTAINED AS BEFORE ON THIS ROAD SECTION THROUGHOUT THE WORK PERIOD BY REDUCING THE WIDTH OF THE TRAFFIC LANES. MOTORISTS ARB ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE.
THE WORK IS PART OF THE GASCOIGNE ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1990.
THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES THE EXTENSION OF GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER TO BEYOND WYLIE ROAD AND THE WIDENING OF A EASTBOUND SECTION OF CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, AIMS AT IMPROVING THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE JUNCTION OF WYLIE ROAD AND GASCOIGNE ROAD. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ROAD SURFACE OF THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE IMPROVED TO ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY.
.*5
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
. v' * •- ‘
SUPPLEMENT
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1988
EMBARGOED NEWS ITEM :
NOTE TO EDITORS OF The following announcement
NEWSPAPERS, NEWS AGENCIES on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List AND BROADCASTING STATIONS : will be made in London at 0001 hours GMT on Saturday, June 11.
Publication is permitted in Hong Kong newspapers tomorrow (Saturday, June 11), but no news agency or overseas radio transmission of the announcement may carry the information without the embargo qualification.
The news may be broadcast from 6 am onwards tomorrow (Saturday, June 11), ove*' the local radio and television stations.
On NO account should any of the recipients of Honours be contacted for interviews, or for information related to their careers, or be approached in any way in connection with their awards before these have been publicly announced.
HONOURS
KB - Knight Bachelor
CBE - Commander, Order of the British Enpire OBE - Officer, Order of the British Enpire ISO - Companion, Imperial Service Order MBE - Member, Order of the British Enpire BEM - British Enpire Medal QPM - Queen’s Police Medal
QFSM - Queen’s Fire Service Medal
CPM - Colonial Police Medal
Badge of Honour
1
Birthday Honours 1988
Knight Bachelor
The Hon LEE Quo-wei, CBE, JP
Mr Lee has a distinguished record of public service in many fields, and in particular to education. He served on the Legislative Council from 1968 to 1978 and on the Executive
Council since 1983.
/C.B.E. ...
2
C.B.E.
Alan John CARTER Esq, ISO, JP
Mr Carter was appointed Director of Immigration in 198.3 and has played a crucial role in respect of the important and difficult nationality issues arising out of the Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong. He has contributed remarkably to discussions in the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group designed to ensure the continued ease of travel of Hong Kong residents up to and beyond 1997 by participating as an expert on the British Side. He has also given sound advice to the Hong Kong Government and the British Government on other issues related to nationality, travel documents and immigration control.
The Hon William PURVES, DSO, JP
Mr Purves* contribution to banking stretches back over 50 years. He has also been a member of the Executive Council since May 1987, where his unrivalled experience has been particularly valuable in a year of crisis for the financial sector.’
The Hon Maria Wai-chu TAM, QBE, JP
Miss Tam has served on the Executive Council since 1985 and on the Legislative Council since 1981. Apart from being Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee and a member of the Education Commission, she is also a member of the committee which is drafting the Basic Law.
/O.B.E. ....
3
O.B.E.
Alistair Peter ASPREY Esq, AE, JP
Mr Asprey joined the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force as a volunteer cadet pilot in 1967- He was promoted to Wing Commander and Commanding Officer in April 1983* There have been significant developments in the role of the RHKAAF over the years and Mr Asprey has been closely involved in the preparations of plans, following the Joint Declaration.
Dr The Hon CHIU Hin-kwong, JP
Dr Chiu made an outstanding contribution to the practice of medicine both in the Executive and Legislative Councils, as Chairman of the Medical Development Advisory Committee, and in numerous other boards and committees.
Dr Victor Kwok-king FUNG
Dr Fung has played a highly effective public service role in Hong Kong’s development across the spectrum of the community's manifold activities. He is a member of the Public Service Commission.
Mr Dennis TING Hok-shou
Mr Ting is the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. His public service record includes membership of the Trade Development Council, the labour Advisory Board and the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee.
/ cont'd ...
4
O.B.E* (Cont’d)
James John O’GRADY, QC, JP (Honorary)
Mr O’Grady has had a long and distinguished career as a law draftsman and joined the Hong Kong Government in 1976 as Crown Counsel in the Law Drafting Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers, and after various promotions he was in 1985 appointed the Law Draftsman.
/I.S.O
Joseph Charles Anthony HAMMOND Esq, JP
Mr Hammond joined the Hong Kong Civil Service as an Administrative Officer in 196^. He was promoted to his present rank as Commissioner for Labour in 1985-
John WINFIELD Esq, JP
Mr Winfield has served in the Education Department for 29 years. He was chiefly responsible for the development of .the Curriculum Development Committee, which was set up in 1972. In 1981, Mr Winfield compiled ’’The Hong Kong Education System” and he has played a major role in the production of guidelines for teachers and schools on moral, civic, and sex education in the wake of social problems which universal education is producing.
6
Thomas Maclaren BIAIR
Mr Blair was first appointed as a Quantity Surveyor in the Public Works Department in 1967 and has been Chief Quantity Surveyor in the Housing Department since 1978.
Miss Marion Sum-suk FANG, JP
Miss Fang is a special educationist. She has been actively involved in the work of Special Schools Council and of other organisations concerned with rehabilitation work.
Mr MA Ning-hei, Nathan , JP
Mr Ma is actively involved in district administration, besides his contribution to primary, secondary and university education in Hong Kong as a school principal.
Miss Jacqueline Bryony Lucy PULLINGER
Miss Pullinger came to Hong Kong over 20 years ago and her whole time has been spent in the Kowloon Walled City, devoting herself to helping drug addicts, prostitutes, and street sleepers.
Mr Leonard Nylon TS'O
Mr TS‘O joined the Hong Kong Police Reserve as a Constable in 19^7 and advanced through the ranks to the position of Commandant, Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.
/ cont'd
7
M.B.E. (Cont'd)
Mr SO Yan-kin
Mr So joined the Hong Kong Government in 1955 and has been a student adviser for the past 16 years in London.
Mr William WONG, JP (Honorary)
Mr Wong joined the Hong Kong Government in 19^9 as a Temporary Clerk and attained the rank of Principal Executive Officer.
/B.E.M.
8
B.E.M.
Mr LEE Hong
Mr Lee has been employed in the Hong Kong Government as a Driver for over 25 years, having previously served as a civilian driver with the British Army.
Mrs LAI Kwok On-pong
Mrs Lai joined the
19/49 as a Nursing Member and
St John’s Ambulance Brigade in has risen through the ranks to
her present position as Area Superintendent
Mainland Area
Nursing Command.
Mr LAM Shun-pung
Mr Lam has been in the Government Service for 56 years and a founder member of the Government Land Transport Agency, first as a Clerical Officer and subsequently as a Transport Supervisor.
Mr CHAN Sik-kee
Mr Chan joined the General Clerical Service in 1956 and for the past 12 years he has been responsible for the section dealing with recruitment and appointment administration.
Mr WONG Kai-.chiu
Mr Wong joined the civil service in 1967 as a Labourer and rose to the rank of Senior Foreman. He retired in February this year.
/ con t•d ....
9
B.E.M. (Cont'd)
Mr CHUNG Wun-ching
Mr Chung joined the civil service as a Sanitary Coolie in 1957- He has been a Butcher Class 1 since 1970.
Mr CHAN Sum
Mr Chan is a Senior Foreman of the Regional Services Department and has served for the past 37 years.
Mr KWOK Bing-chau
Mr Kwok was first employed as a Temporary Clerk in 1955 and was promoted to his present rank of Senior Clerical Officer in 1973-
Mr TSOI Kwing-hi
Mr Tsoi has worked in the Medical and Health Department throughout his service and for the past 20 years he has been engaged in the work of recruiting nurses. He is a Senior Clerical Officer.
Ms LAI Lai-heung
Ms l/ii, until recently retired, had been working in the Nursing Administration Office of the Queen Mary Hospital since 19%• as a Workman II.
Mrs TSOI CHEUNG Sau-ha
Mrs Tsoi joined the
Medical and Health Department as
a Student Midwife in 1955 and
became a Staff Midwife in 1957-
/ cont•d ....
10
B.E.M. (Cont’d)
Mr KAN Kong-lam
Mr Kan joined the Customs and Excise Service as an Assistant Revenue Officer in 1958. He has been a Chief Customs Officer since 1981.
Mr CHUNG Hon
Mr Chung joined the Hong Kong Government as a Labourer in 1951 and rose to his present rank of Senior Overseer in 1978.
James THOMPSON Esq
Mr Thompson joined the Hong Kong Civil Service in 1966 as a Mechanical Inspector Class II and rose to his present rank of Senior Motor Vehicle Examiner in 1980, responsible for the Government’s efforts to improve and maintain the safe and efficient operation of motor vehicles on Hong Kong’s roads.
/Q.P.M. ....
11
Peter John Webb Esq, CPM
Mr Webb joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Probationary Inspector in 1962 and rose to his present rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1986.
Gordon Jack Esq, CPM
Mr Jack joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1957 and was appointed to his present rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1985*
Mr SO I.ai-yint CPM
Mr So joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1961 and was appointed to his present rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1985*
/Q.F.S.M. ....
12
q.F.S.M.
Mr LAM Chek-yuen, CPMT JP
Mr Lam entered the Hong Kong services as a temporary clerk, transferring in 195$ to the then Hong Kong Fire Brigade as a Sub-Officer. His present rank is Chief Fire Officer.
/C.P.M......
- 13 -
C.P.M.
(Royal Hong Kong Police Force)
Mr YIP Kwok-keung
Mr Yip joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Probationary Inspector in 1966. His present rank is Senior Superintendent.
Robert Charles TOAL Esq,-
Mr Toal joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Probationary Inspector in 1965 and rose to his present rank of Senior Superintendent in 1983.
Mr IU Yee-hung
Mr lu joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Constable in 19% and was promoted to his present rank of Superintendent in 1984.
Mr CHEUNG Chi-keung
Mr Cheung joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in April 1959 as a Police Constable and rose to his present rank of Senior Superintendent in 1985. He is the highest ranking serving officer in the Force to have been promoted from the rank of Police Constable.
Colin Malcolm BAKER Esq
Mr Baker joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1964 as a Probationary Inspector and rose to his present rank of Superintendent in 1975-
/ cont1d ...
1U -
C.P.M. (Cont'd)
Mr LI Kam-chuen
Mr Li joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1956 as a Police Constable and was promoted to Station Sergeant in 1977-
Thomas Albert BARNES Esq
Mr Barnes joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Probationary Inspector in 19&5 and rose to his present rank of Senior Superintendent in 1979-
Mr MAK Kwok-kuen
Mr Mak joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 196^ as a Constable and advanced through the ranks to Chief Inspector in 198?.
Mr CHAN Siu-chik
Mr Chan joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Probationary Sub-Inspector in 195*** His present rank is Chief Inspector.
Mr LAI Wun-wing
Mr Lai joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1953 as a Police Constable and progressed through the ranks to Chief Inspector in 1978. He has spent most of his career in Marine region.
/ cont’d
15
C.P.M. (Cont'd)
Mr CHEUNG King-tim
Mr Cheung joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Police Constable in 1950-
Mr LAV Chun-sang
Mr Lau joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Police Constable in 195° and rose to his present rank of Station Sergeant in 1972.
Mr KWOK Ping-tong
Mr Kwok joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Police Constable in 1966 and was promoted to Inspector in 1978.
Mr FUN Ying-kuen
Mr Pun joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in i960 as a Constable. His present rank is Sergeant.
(Fire Services Department)
Mr .James HO Kwok-chuen
Mr Ho joined the Fire Services in 195® as a Sub-Officer. He rose through the ranks and was appointed Senior Divisional Officer in 19^2.
/ cont’d ....
16
C.P.M. (Cont’d)
Mr HO Hon-kwan
Mr Ho joined the Fire Services in 1957 as a Fireman Class II in 1957 and was promoted to his present rank of Principal Fireman in 1976.
Mr LEE Wai
Mr Lee joined the Fire Services in 1955 as a Fireman Class I and was promoted to his present rank of Principal Fireman in 1975-
/Badge of Honour ....
17
Badge of Honour
Mr CHAN Yau-yue
Mr Chan has been the Chairman of the Stanley Sports Association since its formation in 1973 and has been active in promoting recreational activities for the young people throughout the Southern District.
Mr LI Ka-cheung, Eric
Mr Li has been involved in the work of the Hong Kong Physically Handicapped and Able Body Association since 1979 and became its Chairman in 1987*
Mr CHOI Hing-shun
Mr Choi is an appointed member of the Kwai Tsing District Board and has participated in district affairs and community activities for over 10 years.
Mr NG Kin-sun
Mr Ng is a dedicated social worker and enthusiastically participates in and supports the Yau Ma Tei Jordan Area Committee.
Mr LO Shin-cheung
Mr Lo has a long and impressive record of community service in Mong Kok. As President of the Mong Kok District Cultural, Recreational and Sports Association, he has donated generously towards the construction of the Lim Por Yen indoor recreation centre.
/ cont’d ...
18
Badge of Honour (Cont'd)
Mr KO Kim-ching
Mr Ko was appointed to the North District Board in 1982. He founded the North District Manufacturers Association in 1982 and has since been instrumental in promoting the development of On Lok Tsuen - the industrial estate of North District.
Mr CHOY Lo
Mr Choy has built up a strong community spirit among the residents of the Shun Lee Estate and was first appointed to the Area Committee in 1983*
Mr CHEUNG Chung-yan
Mr Cheung has been a village representative of Lo Wai Village since 1971 and is an elected member of the Tsuen Wan District Board.
Mr KWONG Kai-to
Mr Kwong is at present the headmaster of the Leung Sing Tak Primary School. He has been extremely active in community activities in various districts for at least two decades. His contributions notably lie with the Scout Association, the New Territories Women and Juveniles Welfare Association and the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association.
Mr CHAN Hon-ying
Mr Chan has served the community in Sha Tin for a number of years. He is an elected District Board Member and is Chairman of the Mutual Aid Committee of the Yuen Chau Kok Temporary Housing Area.
/ cont’d
19
Badge of Honour (Cont’d)
Mr LAI Kwong
Mr Lai is a prominent Auxiliary Medical Services Officer in the Tuen Mun District and takes a leading part in promoting AMS activities from which the Tuen Mun public benefit generally.
Dr Susan 1EUNG, JP
Dr Leong was appointed as the first Director of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in 1978. She has been actively involved in dealing with the problems of blood and blood collection for a number of years.
Mr LUI Kwan-fat
Mr Lui has been employed by the University of Hong Kong Student’s Union for years and during that time has dedicated himself to the work of the Union.
Miss Elizabeth Susan MAIR
After retiring from the Government, Miss Mair became a consultant in recreation management and has served on a large number of committees catering for the recreation and sporting needs of the community.
Mr YUNG ’fin-tack
Mr Yung is a very active member of the farming community and has devoted considerable effort in the development of co-operative marketing of vegetables through the Vegetable Marketing Organisation administered by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
20
BRITISH FORCES
M.B.E.
Major (QM) R.T. Bevan
Warrant Officer CHUNG Kan-fu
B.E.M.
Staff Sergeant K. Bath
Sergeant Hukumbahadur Thapa
Flight Sergeant P. Curzon
Mr SHAO Chun-kar
2nd King Edward Vil’s Own Gurkha Rifles
Chinese Drafting Office, Royal Navy
Army Air Corps, Joint Air Tasking Cell
7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles
Royal Air Force
Chinese Laundry Contractor, HMS Ark Royal
/
<•
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LORDS' DEBATE VALUABLE: GOVERNOR ............................. 1
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FORCES MAKE JOINT DECLARATION SUCCEED 1
SLIGHT DROP IN TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS .......................... 3
NEW LICENCES FOR URBAN AND NT TAXIS TO BE ISSUED.............. 5
REJECTION OF INCOMPLETE TRADE DECLARATIONS ................... 7
PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST MALARIA ............. 8
SUBMISSIONS INVITED FOR SOCIAL SERVICE PIONEER SCHEME ........ 10
JOINT COMMITTEE ON LRT SAFETY................................. 10
NEW RECREATION GROUND ALONG ABERDEEN WATERFRONT .............. 11
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.......................... 11
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TAI HANG ........................... 12
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION AND RIGHT-TURN BAN
12
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
LORDS’ DEBATE VALUABLE: GOVERNOR ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DEBATE YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG WAS A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM TO GIVE THEIR IDEAS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"I THINK IT WAS VERY VALUABLE TO HAVE THAT CHANCE TO LISTEN TO THE VIEWS OF A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS AFFECTING HONG KONG AND HAVE A BACKGROUND WITH WHICH THEY CAN PUT FORWARD IDEAS TO DEAL WITH PRACTICAL PROBLEMS,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN SHA TIN.
REFERRING TO TODAY S CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES IN SHA TIN, SLR DAVID SAID IT WAS GOOD TO SEE SO MAN> PEOPLF ENJOYING THEMSELVES DESPITE THE RAIN AND TO SEE FULL SF BE I W MADb OF THE EXCELLENT SPORTS FACILITIES
THESE SPORTING FACILITIES WERE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE LIVED IN SUCH A CROWDED ENVIRONMENT, HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE SORT OF CONCENTRATED FACILITIES THAT WE’VE GOT IN SHA TIN ARE ABOUT THE BEST EXAMPLE IN HONG KONG, OF THE SORT OF STANDARD THAT WE SHOULD BE AIMING AT.
"WE CAN’T ALWAYS ACHIEVE THIS STANDARD EVERYWHERE, BUT IT GIVES A LEVEL TO WHICH WE SHOULD TRY TO ASPIRE."
0 -------
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FORCES MAKE JOINT DECLARATION SUCCEED ♦ t » » t
BOTH POLITICAL EVIDENCE AND ECONOMIC FORCES AT WORK ARE CONVINCING THAT THE TRANSITION OF HONG KONG TOWARDS 1997 WILL SUCCEED, THE SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, HAS SAID.
THE FORECAST FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE WAS VERY BRIGHT INDEED, BASED ON THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED TO DATE IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION, MR WIGGHAM ADDED.
MR WIGGHAM WAS SPEAKING TO A JOINT MEETING OF THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS AND THE HONG KONG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF THE MID-WEST IN CHICAGO ON FRIDAY.
/SPEAKING "AS .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1°*8
2
SPEAKING "AS ONE WHO HAS ENJOYED AN INSIDER’S VIEW", MR WIGGHAM SAID BOTH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS TOOK VERY SERIOUSLY INDEED THEIR OBLIGATIONS OF ADHERING STRICTLY TO THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAD ACHIEVED SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN VARIOUS AREAS SINCE 1985 AFTER RATIFICATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION BY BOTH GOVERNMENTS.
THESE INCLUDED AGREEMENTS IN THE AREA OF NATIONALITY AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, IN THE CONCLUSION OF SEPARATE AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS BETEEEN HONG KONG AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES, IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEPARATE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER; AND IN THE FIELD OF EXTERNAL ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL RELATIONS.
ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE ADVANTAGES WHICH CHINA DERIVED FROM HONG KONG WERE OBVIOUS.
"HONG KONG PACKS A CONSIDERABLE ECONOMIC MUSCLE IN ITS 400 SQUARE MILES AND POPULATION OF 5.6 MILLION.
"AND HONG KONG IS BOOMING AND CONTINUING TO ATTRACT THF CONFIDENCE OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN INVESTORS," HE ADDED.
THE REAL GDP OF HONG KONG GREW 11.2 PER CENT IN 1986 AND 13.6 PER CENT LAST YEAR WHILE PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY ROSE BY 10 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN 1986 AND BY 28 PER CENT IN 1987.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 WAS AS LOW AS 1.9 PER CENT.
THERE WERE A REMARKABLE NUMBER OF MAJOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS IN HONG KONG WITH MANY OF THEM HAVING A PAYBACK DATE EXTENDING WELL BEYOND 1997, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
THESE PROJECTS NOT ONLY DEMONSTRATED STRONG PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE, BUT ALSO FURTHER INCREASED THE ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG TO CHINA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
CHINA WAS HONG KONG’S NUMBER ONE TRADING PARTNER, ACCOUNTING FOR OVER ONE-QUARTER OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXTERNAL TRADE.
IN TURN, HONG KONG HAD BECOME CHINA’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER; IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1987, TRADE WITH HONG KONG ACCOUNTED FOR OVER ONE-QUARTER OF CHINA’S TOTAL EXTERNAL TRADE.
INVESTMENTS FROM HONG KONG ACCOUNTED FOR AN ESTIMATED 60 PER CENT OF UTILISED FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA IN 1986, HE SAID.
/CHICAGO WAS .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
- 3 -
CHICAGO WAS THE FOURTH LEG OF MR WIGGHAM’S TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH WAS ORGANISED AS PART OF A REGULAR SERIES OF OVERSEAS VISITS BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO BRIEF HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY.
HE WILL TRAVEL TO WEST COAST WHERE HE WILL TAKE PART IN A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG.
-----0-----
SLIGHT DROP IN TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS
* ♦ t ♦
THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED 1,859 COMPLAINTS DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1987/88, A DROP OF SEVEN PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
’’ACCORDING TO THE QUARTERLY REPORT RELEASED BY TCU, COMPLAINTS ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ARE STILL THE LARGEST SINGLE GROUP OF COMPLAINTS HANDLED BY THE UNIT,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
’THESE COMPLAINTS AMOUNTED TO 881 OR 47 PER CENT OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED,” HE ADDED.
’’REGARDING THE ADEQUACY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE, 156 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED. THEY AROSE FROM PROPOSALS TO INCREASE THE EXISTING FREQUENCY OF SERVICE OR TO INTRODUCE NEW ROUTES AND EXTEND EXISTING ROUTES," HE SAID.
THERE WERE 21 COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUACY OF BUS SERVICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, LARGELY EMANATING FROM THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, 74 COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUS SERVICE MAINLY THOSE SERVING SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE RECORDED.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE STANDARD OF SERVICE OF THE VARIOUS MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT MADE UP 690 CASES. THESE COMPLAINTS WERE TAKEN UP INDIVIDUALLY WITH THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS CONCERNED OR THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES.
"COMPLAINTS ABOUT ERRATIC BUS SERVICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND WERE MAINLY DIRECTED AT BUS ROUTES SERVING THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUSES NOT KEEPING TO SCHEDULED FREQUENCY WERE MAINLY LEVELLED AT EXTERNAL ROUTES IN KOWLOON WEST AND NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES," HE SAID.
/REGARDING GREEN .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
4
REGARDING GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN COMPLAINTS WERE MISCONDUCT OF DRIVERS, ERRATIC SERVICES, NOT ADHERING TO APPROVED SCHEDULE AND INADEQUATE FREQUENCIES.
"COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXI SERVICE RECEIVED BY TCU IN THE QUARTER TOTALLED 334 CASES AS COMPARED WITH 287 CASES RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, A RISE OF 16 PER CENT.
"AS IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXI SERVICE WERE CONCERNED WITH MALPRACTICES AND MISCONDUCT OF TAXI DRIVERS, NAMELY TAXI DRIVERS REFUSING HIRE OR SOLICITING PASSENGERS, NOT TAKING THE MOST DIRECT ROUTEING, FAILING TO DRIVE TO DESTINATIONS AND OVERCHARGING," HE SAID.
"AS FOR RAIL TRANSPORT, 37 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED WHICH RELATED TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND HONG KONG TRAMWAYS. THE LEVEL OF COMPLAINT REMAINED QUITE STEADY COMPARED TO THE 41 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN THE LAST QUARTER," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"COMPLAINTS CONCERNING ROUTES OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY TOTALLED 11 CASES IN THE QUARTER UNDER REVIEW WHILE ONE COMPLAINT WAS LODGED AGAINST THE STAR FERRY COMPANY LTD. THE MAIN AREAS OF COMPLAINT WERE REGULARITY OF SERVICE AND PASSENGER FACILITIES," HE SAID.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION TOTALLED 256 CASES. AMONG THEM 63 CASES WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 130 CASES IN KOWLOON, 48 CASES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 15 CASES IN TUNNEL AREAS.
"FACTORS WHICH WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ROAD CONGESTION INCLUDED LOADING AND UNLOADING ACTIVITIES AT KERBSIDE, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MATTERS, INADEQUATE ROAD CAPACITY AND ROAD WORKS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"OF ALL CASES CONCERNING VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION CAUSING CONGESTION, 20 CASES OR 34 PER CENT AND 19 CASES OR 32 PER CENT WERE DIRECTED AT LORRIES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES RESPECTIVELY," HE ADDED.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES ROSE FROM 86 TO 121. THE MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN WERE TRAFFIC LIGHT PHASING AND TRAFFIC LANE ARRANGEMENT AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND ROAD SIGNS HAD DROPPED FROM 166 CASES IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO 131 THIS QUARTER.
"THE MAJOR AREAS OF COMPLAINT WERE DEFECTIVE ROAD SURFACES, MALFUNCTIONED TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND DAMAGED TRAFFIC SIGNS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CASES ROSE FROM LAST QUARTER'S 213 CASES TO 247 CASES THIS QUARTER. THEY WERE MAINLY RELATED TO REQUESTS FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL PARKING, ABANDONED VEHICLES AND OTHER TRAFFIC OFFENCES," HE ADDED.
-------0----------
SATURDAY, JUNE 11,
1988
- 5 -
NEW LICENCES FOR URBAN AND * * * *
NT TAXIS TO BE ISSUED *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ENDORSED RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES BE ISSUED EACH YEAR.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SATURDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE ISSUE OF NEW LICENCES FOR URBAN TAXIS WILL NOT BE MORE THAN 200 PER YEAR, WHILE THE ISSUE OF NEW LICENCES FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WILL BE 100 PER YEAR.
THE PRESENT MORATORIUM ON THE NUMBER OF LICENCES FOR LANTAU TAXIS WILL REMAIN AT 40 FOR TWO YEARS UNTIL JULY 1990.
IN JULY 1986 THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL DECIDED TO FREEZE THE NUMBER OF NT TAXIS AT 2,638 AND THE NUMBER OF LANTAU TAXIS AT 40, BUT TO CONTINUE THE ISSUE OF 200 NEW URBAN TAXI LICENCES PER YEAR FOR TWO YEARS. THE CEILING FOR URBAN TAXIS WAS THEN SET AT 14,400.
THE LATEST DECISION WILL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH MAY BE REGISTERED AS TAXIS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS TO 14,800 IN THE URBAN AREA AND 2,838 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE LIMITS WILL BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DECISION WAS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE TAXI POLICY REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS SET UP IN JULY 1986 TO CARRY OUT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF TAXI POLICY, HE ADDED.
"IN SUBMITTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE SUB-COMMITTEE CONSIDERED IT IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF TAXI SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT CAUSING UNACCEPTABLE ROAD CONGESTION. THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF TAXI OPERATION WAS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT," HE SAID.
GIVEN THE RAPID GROWTH IN TAXI TRAFFIC IN RECENT YEARS AND THE CURRENT STATE OF ROAD CONGESTION, THE SUB-COMMITTEE FOUND NO JUSTIFICATION FOR NEW URBAN TAXI LICENCES TO BE ISSUED IN LARGE QUANTITIES.
HOWEVER, TO ENSURE THAT THE SUPPLY OF TAXI SERVICES WILL BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE GROWTH IN DEMAND, IT RECOMMENDED THAT NOT MORE THAN 200 NEW LICENCES FOR URBAN TAXIS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ISSUED EVERY YEAR.
"THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF LICENCES FOR BIDDING AT EACH TENDER EXERCISE WILL BE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF REGULAR SURVEYS ON TAXI AVAILABILITY CARRIED OUT BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/REGARDING THE .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
6
REGARDING THE UTILISATION RATE OF NT TAXIS, HE SAID SURVEYS BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN NT TAXI PATRONAGE AND A DECLINE IN THEIR AVAILABILITY IN RECENT YEAR.
’’THE SUB-COMMITTEE THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT 100 NEW NT TAXI LICENCES SHOULD BE ISSUED EACH YEAR," HE SAID.
"AS FOR LANTAU TAXIS, THE SUB-COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS LIMITED SCOPE FOR ISSUING ADDITIONAL LICENCES BECAUSE OF THE LOW DEMAND ON WEEKDAYS. .THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE PRESENT MORATORIUM ON LANTAU TAXI LICENCES BE MAINTAINED FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS," HE ADDED.
ON OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS THE METHODS OF ISSUING NEW TAXI LICENCES, OPERATING BOUNDARIES OF NT TAXIS, FARE POLICY FOR TAXIS AND MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES, THE SUB-COMMITTEE ONLY PROPOSED PROCEDURAL ADJUSTMENTS AND THESE HAVE ALSO BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THEY ARE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"TO MINIMISE SPECULATIVE TENDERS FOR NEW TAXI LICENCES, THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSFER OF NEWLY-ISSUED LICENCES DURING THE 6-MONTH TAKE-UP PERIOD SHOULD BE PROHIBITED AND THAT THE TENDER DEPOSIT SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM $25,000 TO $50,000," HE SAID.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE PRESENT TENDER PROCEDURE WITH A VIEW TO SIMPLIFYING IT AND MAKING IT MORE EASILY UNDERSTOOD TO FACILITATE GENUINE OPERATORS TO BID FOR THE LICENCES, HE ADDED.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAS REVIEWED THE PRESENT CLASSIFICATION OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF TAXIS.
"TO ENSURE A BALANCED SUPPLY OF TAXI SERVICES FOR BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND NEW TERRITORIES, IT RECOMMENDED THAT THE PRESENT CLASSIFICATION OF NT TAXIS AS A SEPARATE CATEGORY SHOULD BE RETAINED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"NEVERTHELESS, IT RECOMMENDED THAT THE OPERATING BOUNDARIES OF TAXIS SHOULD BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE LIGHT OF NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED MAINTAINING THE EXISTING POLICY OF DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF FARE INCREASE BY THE RELATIVE CHANGES IN REVENUE AND OPERATING COSTS AFFECTING THE PROFITABILITY OF TAXI OPERATION, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT GENERAL INFLATION AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE INCREASES BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE DIFFERENTIAL IN FARES BETWEEN TAXIS AND OTHER TRANSPORT MODES.
"IT ALSO SUPPORTED THE CURRENT POLICY OF EXCLUDING THE VALUE OF LICENCE FROM THE ASSESSMENT OF PROFITABILITY OF TAXI OPERATION," HE SAID.
/MEASURES RECOMMENDED .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY THE SUB-COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE LAW FOR FARE PLATES AND IDENTITY PLATES OF TAXI DRIVERS TO BE DISPLAYED INSIDE TAXIS, PRODUCTION OF AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET ON TAXI SERVICES AND PUBLICITY TO ENCOURAGE TAXI OWNERS AND DRIVERS TO JOIN TAXI ASSOCIATIONS AND TO PARTICIPATE AT CONFERENCES WITH TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
TO IMPROVE THE COMPETENCE OF TAXI DRIVERS, THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE CRITERIA FOR ISSUING TAXI DRIVING LICENCES AND CONSIDER INTRODUCING A ROAD TEST IN ADDITION TO A WRITTEN TEST FOR TAXI DRIVERS, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S RESOURCES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN ORDER TO CURB THE MALPRACTICES OF TAXI DRIVERS, THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO DISQUALIFYING OR SUSPENDING THE LICENCES OF THOSE TAXI DRIVERS WHO ARE REPEATEDLY FOUND GUILTY OF MALPRACTICES," HE SAID.
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE PROGRESS IN THE FOLLOW-UP ACTION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE IN 6 MONTHS.
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REJECTION OF INCOMPLETE TRADE DECLARATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
WITH EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY (JUNE 15), TRADE DECLARATIONS NOT CONTAINING PROPER HONG KONG HARMONIZED SYSTEM (HKHS) ITEM CODES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 60, ANY PERSON OR FIRM WHO IMPORTS, EXPORTS OR RE-EXPORTS ANY ARTICLE OTHER THAN AN EXEMPTED ARTICLE IS REQUIRED TO LODGE WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE A COMPLETE AND ACCURATE IMPORT, EXPORT OR RE-EXPORT DECLARATION WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER IMPORTATION OR EXPORTATION OF THE ARTICLE.
THE DECLARATION MUST CONTAIN FULL AND DETAIL COMMODITY DESCRIPTION AND THE EIGHT-DIGIT HKHS ITEM CODES AS SET OUT IN THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST (HARMONIZED SYSTEM).
PROSECUTIONS MAY BE INITIATED AGAINST THOSE WHO, WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE, FAIL TO LODGE THE REQUIRED IMPORT, EXPORT OR RE-EXPORT DECLARATION.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
- 8 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT STRESSED THAT DECLARATIONS REJECTED MUST BE RE-SUBMITTED WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF 14 DAYS AFTER IMPORTATION OR EXPORTATION. A LATE LODGEMENT PENALTY WILL BE IMPOSED WITHOUT ANY FURTHER NOTICE, IF DECLARATIONS ARE RE-SUBMITTED OUTSIDE THIS PRESCRIBED PERIOD.
ANY PERSON WHO HAS DIFFICULTY IN FINDING THE CORRECT HKH.'J ITEM CODES FOR DECLARATION PURPOSES MAY VISIT OR WRITE TO THE TRADE CLASSIFICATION SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 17/F, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES MAY ALSO BE MADE TO THE TRADE CLASSIFICATION SECTION BY TELEPHONE. A TELEPHONE LIST FOR ENQUIRIES IS AVAILABLE AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST MALARIA
* * * » *
WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE IN THE SUMMER SEASON, RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO TRAVEL TO COUNTRIES WHERE MALARIA IS ENDEMIC, ARE URGED TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE RISK OF MALARIA INFECTION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THERE HAD BEEN A NUMBER OF IMPORTED MALARIA CASES DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS. THEY NUMBERED 162 IN 1985, 127 IN 1986 AND 106 LAST YEAR.
HONG KONG IS VULNERABLE TO MALARIA BECAUSE THE TERRITORY IS A MAJOR CENTRE FOR BOTH TOURISM AND BUSINESS. THERE IS ALSO A GREAT RISK OF THE MALARIA PARASITES BEING BROUGHT INTO HONG KONG BY TRAVELLERS FROM MALARIA ENDEMIC COUNTRIES.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED TRAVELLERS TO TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES, PARTICULARLY PERSONAL PROTECTION, AGAINST MOSQUITO BITES WHEN THEY VISIT MALARIA ENDEMIC COUNTRIES, WHICH INCLUDE CHINA, INDIA, PAKISTAN AND VARIOUS SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES.
TRAVELLERS SHOULD ALSO BE ON THE ALERT FOR MALARIA SYMPTOMS SUCH AS A CHILLS OR FEVER AND SEEK EARLY TREATMENT.
INTENDING TRAVELLERS CAN OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ON MALARIA ENDEMIC COUNTRIES FROM THE PORT HEALTH OFFICE.
"IN VIEW OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG, IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT THE IMPORTATION OF MALARIA INTO THE TERRITORY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HE FURTHER .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
HE FURTHER SAID THE ONLY EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICAL WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG CAN PROTECT ITSELF AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF MALARIA CASES IS THROUGH AN EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF SURVEILLANCE, CONSISTING OF CASE DETECTION, TREATMENT, INVESTIGATION AND REMEDIAL ACTION. THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED SUCH A SYSTEM.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED RESIDENTS TO TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES WHEN VISITING RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BECAUSE MALARIA IS TRANSMITTED BY ANOPHELINE MOSQUITOES WHICH ARE FOUND IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
PEOPLE GOING CAMPING OR TO PICNIC AREAS, AND ESPECIALLY THOSE PLANNING TO STAY OVERNIGHT, SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTION, FOR EXAMPLE WEARING LONG TROUSERS AND LONG SLEEVED SHIRTS OR COATS AND ALSO USE INSECT REPELLENTS. IN ADDITION, THEY SHOULD ALSO USE MOSQUITO NETS OR SCREENS.
’’BUT THE BEST PREVENTIVE MEASURES WOULD BE TO STOP MOSQUITOES FROM BREEDING,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MOSQUITOES TRANSMITTING MALARIA BREED IN CLEAR WATER STREAMS AND STAGNANT WATER WITH VEGETATION; THEY ARE MOSTLY FOUND IN IRRIGATION DITCHES, HILL STREAMS, EXCAVATION SITES AND ABANDONED PADDY FIELDS.
’’MALARIA IS A NOTIFIABLE DISEASE AND EVERY CASE NOTIFIED WILL BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED BY THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AS TO THE POSSIBLE SOURCE OF INFECTION,” HE SAID.
BLOOD SAMPLES ARE TAKEN FROM PATIENTS WITH CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA, AND ALL CASES ARE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.
AFTER TREATMENT IN HOSPITAL, FOLLOW-UP ACTION BY HEALTH OFFICIALS WILL CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER SIX MONTHS WITH BLOOD SCREENING AT MONTHLY INTERVALS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HEALTH EDUCATION IS ANOTHER ESSENTIAL PART OF ANTI-MALARIA ACTION UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT.
“THIS IS USUALLY IN THE FORM OF HEALTH TALKS TO VILLAGES AND SCHOOLS, DISTRIBUTION OF POSTERS AND LEAFLETS AND SOMETIMES HOUSE-TO-HOUSE VISITS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO MOUNTING LOCALISED ANTI-MALARIA PROGRAMMES IN SOME AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE URBAN SERVICES AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS ARE TAKING STEPS TO CONTROL MOSQUITO BREEDING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF LARVICIDES AND INSECTICIDES TO POTENTIAL MOSQUITO BREEDING SITES.
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/10........
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1988
10 SUBMISSIONS INVITED FOR SOCIAL SERVICE PIONEER SCHEME ♦ * * » *
NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO SUBMIT PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR A "SOCIAL SERVICE PIONEER SCHEME" SPONSORED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
THE SCHEME AIMS AT ENCOURAGING NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS TO CARRY OUT SOCIAL SERVICE PIONEER PROJECTS WHICH CAN PROVIDE REFERENCE INFORMATION FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN KWAI TSING RESIDENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE.
A TOTAL OF $45,000 HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS THAT ARE SELECTED FOR THE SCHEME.
THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE GEARED TOWARDS NEW SOCIAL SERVICE TECHNIQUES, EXPLORE NEW SOCIAL SERVICE AREAS AND BE BENEFICIAL TO RESIDENTS.
UNDER THE SCHEME, THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
PROJECT PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE WORKING GROUP OF SOCIAL SERVICE PIONEER SCHEME, 1OTH FLOOR, KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG, BY JUNE 28. FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 0-273593.
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JOINT COMMITTEE ON LRT SAFETY ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SERVICES WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14) TO DISCUSS CONTINGENT MEASURES TO ASSIST THE STRANDED PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF A DERAILMENT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE LRT ZONAL CHARGES AND FARE LEVEL, PROPOSED RAILINGS ALONG LRT TRACKS INSIDE SIU HONG COURT, AND A REPORTED INCIDENT INVOLVING THE SNAPPING OF AN LRT CABLE AT SIU HONG COURT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG JOINT COMMITTEE ON LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SERVICES AT 10.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON 3RD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 11,
1988
NEW RECREATION GROUND ALONG ABERDEEN WATERFRONT tit
A PUBLIC RECREATION GROUND WILL SOON BE BUILT ALONG ABERDEEN WATERFRONT, THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
COVERING SOME 9,500 SQUARE METRES, THE RECREATION GROUND WILL CONSIST OF A BASKETBALL COURT, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, AN OBSERVATION TOWER, PAVILIONS, FOUNTAIN AND POOLS.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH ABOUT $19.7 MILLION, ALSO INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A KIOSK, TOILETS, PLANT ROOMS, PLANTERS AND SITTING OUT AREAS.
WORK ON THE RECREATION GROUND, LOCATED NEAR THE ABERDEEN CENTRE, IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE. IT WILL LATER BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT *****
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14).
THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHENGTU ROAD TO A POINT
ABOUT 94 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BECOME A 7 AM TO 7 PM
DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
IN ADDITION, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WAH LAM PATH BETWEEN
WAH FU ROAD AND WAH LOK PATH WILL BE MADE A DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY
ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PEAK HOUR (7 - 10 AM AND 4 - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ON WAH LAM PATH WILL BE LIFTED.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 11,
1988
12 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TAI HANG * * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14), BROWN STREET BETWEEN SCHOOL STREET AND KING STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORK.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON TUNG LO WAN ROAD HEADING FOR KING STREET, SHEPHERD STREET AND SUN CHUN STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA WUN SHA STREET.
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URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION AND RIGHT-TURN BAN * * ♦ ♦
TO PREVENT INTERRUPTIONS CAUSED BY VEHICLES MAKING U-TURNS AT CHOI SHEK LANE NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH KWUN TONG ROAD, A 15-METRE STRETCH OF CHOI SHEK LANE NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KWUN TONG ROAD WILL BE MADE A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14).
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN KOWLOON CITY, THE RIGHT-TURNING MOVEMENTS FROM NGA TS1N WAI ROAD WESTBOUND ONTO HAU WONG ROAD WILL BE BANNED FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
MOTORIST ON NGA TSIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR HAU WONG ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FUK LO TSUN ROAD, CARPENTER ROAD, LION ROCK ROAD, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD EASTBOUND AND HAU WONG ROAD.
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F
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1?88
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PARENTS REMINDED NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED ............... 1
RAINFALL IN MAY AGAIN BELOW NORMAL .............................. 2
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER ...................................... 4
ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES PRESS CONFERENCE ..................... 5
EASTERN DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACES .............................. 6
NEW DRAGON BOATS TO BE LAUNCHED IN TAI RO ....................... 7
10,000 ENQUIRIES ON FREE LEGAL ADVICE............................ 8
DB COMMITTEE BRIEFING ON SHA TIN BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT........ 9
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN............................... 9
SPEED LIMIT ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO BE CHANGED................... 10
WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG ......................................... 10
SUNDAY, JUNE 12,
1988
1 PARENTS REMINDED NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED * * * ♦ »
CONTINUOUS EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT OFFICES TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING EXHIBITIONS, TALKS, FORUMS, COMPETITIONS, PARENTS’ MEETINGS, VARIETY SHOWS AND CARNIVALS, ARE HELD AT THE DISTRICT-LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT THE MESSAGE SPREADS FAR AND WIDE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE NOTED THAT MOST PARENTS WERE AWARE OF THE RISKS OF LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME UNATTENDED BUT SOME OF THEM MIGHT HAVE THE BELIEF THAT ACCIDENTS COULD NOT OCCUR TO THEM.
’’THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE LAUNCHES TERRITORY-WIDE PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGNS, SUCH AS FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND HOME SAFETY, TO PUBLICISE PROPER MEASURES OF ENSURING SAFETY AT HOME.
’’DISTRICT ACTIVITIES SERVE TO REINFORCE THESE CENTRALISED CAMPAIGNS THROUGH ESTABLISHING DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE TARGET CLIENTELE. THE PARENTS AND OTHER CARE AGENTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO SAID IT WAS VERY HEARTENING TO SEE THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS WERE WARMLY SUPPORTED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
"BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO APPEAL TO PARENTS THAT APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE FOR THE PROPER CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN WHENEVER THEY LEAVE HOME, WHETHER FOR A LONG OR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME,” THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
PARENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMMES ARE WELCOMED TO CONTACT ANY OF THE 13 DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICES.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
2
RAINFALL IN MAY AGAIN BELOW NORMAL » * » ♦ *
MAY WAS CLOUDIER THAN NORMAL. ALTHOUGH RAINFALL WAS RECORDED ON 26 DAYS, THE TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNT DURING THE MONTH WAS ONLY 115.2 MILLIMETRES WHICH WAS 61 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 298.1 MILLIMETRES, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID IN ITS MONTHLY REPORT RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY).
FROM JANUARY TO MAY THE TOTAL RAINFALL WAS THE FIFTH LOWEST ON RECORD, BEING ONLY 251.1 MILLIMETRES COMPARED WITH THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 561.1 MILLIMETRES.
THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY CLOUDY WITH SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS FOR THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF 1 HE MONTH. TOWARDS THE EVENING OF MAY 4, THE MOIST SOUTHWESTERLIES OVER THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS STRENGTHENED AND AS A RESULT THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED THE NEXT MORNING.
APART FROM A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS, THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY FINE FROM MAY 6 TO 9. SUNNY SKIES AND SOUTHERLY WINDS ON MAY 9 BROUGHT THE DAYTIME TEMPERATURE TO A MAXIMUM OF 31.7 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
THE FINE WEATHER GAVE WAY TO CLOUDY SKIES ON MAY 10 AS A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE APPROACHED FROM THE NORTH. THUNDERSTORMS ON THE EVENING OF MAY 11 HERALDED THE ARRIVAL OF THE TROUGH. WITH THE TROUGH IN THE VICINITY, THE RAINY WEATHER PERSISTED INTO THE NEXT DAY.
TOWARDS THE EVENING OF MAY 12, A COOL EASTERLY AIRSTREAM REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS. WINDS OFFSHORE BECAME STRONG AND THE WEATHER REMAINED OVERCAST WITH PERIODS OF RAIN.
TEMPERATURES ALSO FELL SIGNIFICANTLY BY MORE THAN EIGHT DEGREES TO 21.8 DEGREES BY THE MORNING OF MAY 13. THIS WAS ALSO THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH. WITH EASTERLY WINDS PERSISTING, SLIGHTLY COOLER, CLOUDY AND RAINY CONDITIONS CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
ON MAY 19, THE EASTERLIES WERE REPLACED BY WARM SOUTHWESTERLIES AND DAYTIME TEMPERATURES AGAIN SOARED TO OVER 30 DEGREES. THE MOISTURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS ALSO RESULTED IN SOME COASTAL FOG DURING THE DAY, WITH VISIBILITY AT WAGLAN ISLAND DOWN TO 100-200 METRES AT TIMES.
THE APPROACH OF A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE FROM THE NORTH BROUGHT SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO HONG KONG ON MAY 22. AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE TROUGH THAT EVENING, A SLIGHTLY COOLER EASTERLY AIRSTREAM THEN REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS, CAUSING A DROP IN TEMPERATURE AND FRESHENING OF WINDS ON MAY 23. THE WEATHER CONTINUED TO BE CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL RAIN.
/THE EASTERLIES .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
3 -
THE EASTERLIES WEAKENED EARLY ON MAY 25 BUT THE SKY REMAINED CLOUDY. WARMER AIR FROM THE SOUTHEAST RESULTED IN MISTY AND FOGGY CONDITIONS THAT DAY AND EARLY NEXT MORNING.
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ASSOCIATED WITH A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE NEAR THE SOUTH CHINA COAST AFFECTED HONG KONG ON MAY 26. CONDITIONS IMPROVED THE NEXT DAY AND, EXCEPT FOR A TRACE OF RAINFALL ON MAY 27, THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY FINE UNTIL MAY 30.
CLOUDINESS INCREASED ON MAY 30 AS AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA MOVED WESTWARDS. THIS AREA OF LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPED INTO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION IN THE VICINITY OF DONGSHA AND FURTHER INTENSIFIED INTO A TROPICAL STORM, NAMED SUSAN, DURING THE EVENING.
THE WEATHER ON MAY 31 WAS MAINLY CLOUDY AND SOME HEAVY SHOWERS ALSO OCCURRED THAT EVENING.
DURING THE MONTH, SUSAN WAS THE ONLY TROPICAL CYCLONE TO DEVELOP OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
SUSAN BEGAN AS AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA TO THE WEST OF LUZON AROUND MAY 27. IT THEN INTENSIFIED INTO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION ABOUT 380 KILOMETRES SOUTHEAST OF DONGSHA ON THE MORNING OF MAY 30.
WHILE REMAINING ALMOST STATIONARY, IT FURTHER DEEPENED INTO A TROPICAL STORM THAT EVENING. TROPICAL STORM SUSAN BEGAN TO MOVE NORTHWESTWARDS SLOWLY ON MAY 31 AND FURTHER INTENSIFIED INTO A SEVERE TROPICAL STORM.
THE STAND BY SIGNAL NO. 1 WAS HOISTED AT 4.30 PM WHEN SUSAN WAS ABOUT 560 KILOMETRES SOUTHEAST OF HONG KONG. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS HEADING NORTH-NORTHWESTWARDS SLOWLY TOWARDS THE SOUTH CHINA COAST.
DURING THE MONTH, NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON MAY 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 22, 24, 26 AND 31.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME
SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MAY 12 8 PM MAY 13 10 AM
TYPHOON 1 MAY 31 JUNE 1
SUSAN 4.30 PM 9 PM
/THE MONTH'S .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 119.2 HOURS » 43.4 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 13.48 MJ/SQ.M » 3.00 MJ/SQ.M BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 115.2 MM > 182.9MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 84 PER CENT * 11 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 86 PER CENT » 3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 28.8 DEGREES CELSIUS » 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 26.6 DEGREES CELSIUS > 0.7 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 25.1 DEGREES CELSIUS > 1.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 24.1 DEGREES CELSIUS • > 1.4 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 107.8 MM 9 35.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
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STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER * * * *
TUEN NG FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18) IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE GIVEN A DAY OFF IF THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY HAPPENS TO BE THEIR NORMAL REST DAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
"UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND THOSE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING NOT MORE THAN $11,500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"HOLIDAY DAY
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
- 5
’’HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE'S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES,” HE ADDED.
’’WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY-TO-DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAYS,” HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
-------0 ---------
ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES PRESS CONFERENCE ♦ ♦ * *
THE TRADITIONAL ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18) IN THE ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON, WILL ATTEND THE RACES AS OFFICIAL GUESTS.
DETAILS OF THE RACES WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE 1988 ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES ORGANISING COMMITTEE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE JUMBO FLOATING RESTAURANT IN SHUM WAN, ABERDEEN.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE JOINTLY HOSTED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, MR LIU LIT-FOR; VICE-CHAIRMEN, KEUNG YIN-MAN AND YUNG CHEK-CHOW; AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE ARRANGEMENTS OF THIS YEAR'S RACES AND WILL BE SHOWN A VIDEO FILM ON THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RACES HELD LAST YEAR.
AN EYE-DOTTING AND EMBLEM-HANGING CEREMONY FOR FIVE DRAGON BOATS WILL BE PERFORMED BY MR LIU AND OFFICIALS FROM THE POLICE, MARINE POLICE, MARINE DEPARTMENT AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
PRESS BADGES FOR COVERAGE OF THE RACES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
/THE ABERDEEN
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
- 6
THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES ARE SPONSORED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WITH ASSISTANCE BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (MONDAY).
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES BY BOAT TO THE JUMBO FLOATING RESTAURANT, WHERE THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD. ON THE WAY, THEY CAN HAVE A LOOK AT THE VENUE OF THE RACES.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 9.50 AM OUTSIDE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE’S BRANCH OFFICE AT G/F, SHOP 25, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET 7-11, ABERDEEN.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
-------0----------
EASTERN DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACES ♦ * ♦ * ♦
RESIDENTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT WILL CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL IN ADVANCE WITH DRAGON BOAT RACES TO BE HELD IN CHAI WAN ON THURSDAY (JUNE 16) AND IN SHAU KEI WAN ON FRIDAY.
THE CHAI WAN DRAGON BOAT RACES WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM AT THE CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS.
ON FRIDAY, THE SHAU KEI WAN FISHERMEN DRAGON BOAT RACES WILL BE HELD FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM AT THE WATER COURSE OUTSIDE THE BREAKWATER OF ALDRICH BAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, WILL PRESENT TROPHIES TO THE WINNING TEAMS.
A TOTAL OF 18 TEAMS IN LARGE BOATS, FROM ALL OVER THE TERRITORY, AND 25 TEAMS IN MEDIUM-SIZED BOATS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE COMPETING OVER THE TWO DAYS OF CELEBRATIONS IN CHAI WAN AND SHAU KEI WAN.
/THE EASTERN ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAD SUBSIDISED THE FISHERMEN SOCIETY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHAI WAN FISHERMEN RECREATION CLUB WITH $30,000 AND $20,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR ORGANISING THE DRAGON BOAT RACES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER BOTH EVENTS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, WILL ARRIVE AT CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN (NEXT TO THE OLD CHAI WAN FERRY PIER) AT 3.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 16); WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, WILL ARRIVE AT THE VIP STAND ON BOARD A HYF FERRY NEXT TO THE SHAU KEI WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET AT 3.30 PM ON FRIDAY.
-------0 ---------
NEW DRAGON BOATS TO BE LAUNCHED IN TAI PO
A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH TWO NEWLY-BUILT DRAGON BOATS WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14) IN FRONT OF THE TAI WONG YEH SHRINE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI, TAI PO.
THE DRAGON BOATS WILL BE USED IN THIS YEAR’S TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18).
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AN EXHIBITION RACE BY WINNING TEAMS OF LAST YEAR’S RACE.
OFFICIATING AT THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY TN FRONT OF THE TAI WONG YEH SHRINE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI, TAI PO, AT 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14).
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/8........
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
- 8 -
10,000 ENQUIRIES ON FREE LEGAL ADVICE * * * *
OUT OF THE SOME 10,000 PEOPLE WHO ENQUIRED ABOUT THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME. DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR, 941 REQUESTED ASSISTANCE AND SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED FREE CONSULTATION, ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1987, DURING WHICH 909 PEOPLE RECEIVED FREE CONSULTATION WITH DUTY LAWYERS UNDER THE SCHEME, THE FIGURE REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 3.5 PER CENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MOST OF THESE CASES INVOLVED MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL MATTERS, MATRIMONIAL MATTERS, COMPENSATION CLAIMS, CRIMINAL AND TENANCY MATTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SCHEME, IMPLEMENTED IN NOVEMBER 1978, WAS DESIGNED TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHED TO SEEK ADVICE ON CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO CONSULT A LAWYER.
THE SCHEME WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY AND FUNDED BY GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN NEED OF FREE CONSULTATION WITH VOLUNTARY LAWYERS UNDER THE SCHEME COULD APPROACH ANY OF THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICES AND THEIR SUB-OFFICES AS WELL AS THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI. ,
"APPLICANTS WILL FIRST BE INTERVIEWED BY STAFF OF THE CENTRES TO IDENTITY THEIR NEEDS. ARRANGEMENTS WILL THEN BE MADE FOR APPLICANTS TO SEE THE DUTY LAWYERS ATTENDING THE EIGHT EVENING BUREAUS IN DISTRICT OFFICES AT WAN CHAI, EASTERN, MONG' KOK, WONG TAI SIN, YAU TSIM, KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
"AN APPOINTMENT CAN USUALLY BE ARRANGED WITHIN 10 DAYS AT AN EVENING BUREAU OF THE APPLICANT’S CHOICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE SECTION AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON THE 13TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, HARBOUR CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON (TEL. 3-692255).
--------o ---------
/9........
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
- 9 -
DB COMMITTEE BRIEFING ON SHA TIN BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT ♦ » * * »
MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1988-89 (SHA TIN DISTRICT) AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14).
BRIEFING MEMBERS ON THE ISSUE WILL BE THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO; CHIEF TRANSPORT OFFICER (NT. EAST), MR SAM CHAN, AND SENIOR TRASNPORT OFFICER (PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLANNING/NT EAST), MR CHARLES LAU.
THE SETTLED PROGRAMME WILL FORM THE BASIC GUIDE FOR BUS SERVICE DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT ROM NOW TO END OF THE NEXT YEAR.
AT THE MEETING, A COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR WONG HONG-CHUNG, WILL ASK WHAT EXISTING OVERNIGHT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR SHA TIN RESIDENTS.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY FEEDER BUS SERVICE FOR HIN KENG ESTATE, REMOVAL OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM DRIVING LICENCES, PROPOSED DESIGNATED CYCLING AREA IN SHA TIN AND PROPOSALS TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE LEFT-TURN LANE OF TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD ONTO LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.
NOTE TO ED I TORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14) IN THE SHA TIN DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
-------0-----------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN ♦ t ♦ » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, THE SOUTHBOUND SLOW LANE OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN HO TUNG LAU AND FO TAN NULLAH WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON JUNE 14 (TUESDAY) TO 8 PM THE’NEXT DAY.
MEANWHILE, THE FAST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND TSANG TAI UK WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 21 TO 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING. DURING THE SAME PERIOD ON JUNE 27, THE SLOW LANE OF THE SAME SECTION OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
- 0-----------
/10........
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1988
- 10 -
SPEED LIMIT ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO BE CHANGED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 15), THE EXISTING SPEED LIMIT ON THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (SAN TIN SECTION) FROM A POINT ABOUT 900 METRES WEST OF PAK SHEK AU INTERCHANGE TO A POINT ABOUT 600 METRES WEST OF THE SAME INTERCHANGE WILL BE CHANGED FROM 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
THE MEASURE IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS NEARBY. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
--------0----------
WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG
* * ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 15) FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT AND SHUN LEE ESTATE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1?88
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW POLICE STATION IN HUNG HOM................................. 1
NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN IN SHA TIN............................. 1
TREE STAMPS ON SALE ON THURSDAY................................ 2
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY.................................. 3
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG MUST BE ATTESTED...... 3
TAI PO DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS .............. 4
RECORD TEAMS ENTERED IN ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES ............ 5
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY ..................... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI AND WESTERN ........ 6
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI ............................ 7
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON .................................... 7
TJEN MUN SAN ON STREET CARPARK TEMPORARILY CLOSED.............. 8
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1988
1
NEW POLICE STATION IN HUNG HOM
» * *
A NEW POLICE STATION WILL BE BUILT IN HUNG HOM AT A COST OF $38 MILLION.
WORK ON THE DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 22 MONTHS.
THE STATION WILL BE LOCATED AT DYER AVENUE AND WILL HAVE AN EIGHT-STOREY MAIN BLOCK.
THE MAIN BLOCK WILL ACCOMMODATE, AMONG OTHER FACILITIES, OFFICES, CUSTODIAL WARD, A CANTEEN, A REPORTING ROOM AND A LAUNDRY ROOM.
ANCILLARY FACILITIES TO BE CONSTRUCTED WILL INCLUDE A HEAVY EQUIPMENT STORE, AN EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT STORE, A DANGEROUS GOODS STORE, DOG KENNELS AND A PETROL REFILLING STATION.
-------0----------
NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN IN SHA TIN ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
A NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE OPENED ON FRIDAY (JUNE 17) ON THE GROUND FLOOR, CITY ONE PLAZA, SHA TIN.
THE YUEN CHAU KOK POST OFFICE WILL BE THE 104TH POST OFFICE IN HONG KONG.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, A SHORT OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM. THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR NG CHAN-LAM, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR GORDON SIU, AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, WILL OFFICIATE.
IN THE INTEREST OF PHILATELISTS, A SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE OCCASION WHEN UNREGISTERED FIRST DAY COVERS PREPARED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER.
THE COVERS WILL BE IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSONS PRESENTING THEM.
/BUSINESS HOURS .......
MONDAY, JUNE 1J, 1988
BUSINESS HOURS OF THE YUEN CHAU KOK POST OFFICE WILL BE 9 AM TO 1 PM AND 2.15 PM TO 5 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 0-6479444.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.
- 0 -
TREE STAMPS ON SALE ON THURSDAY t * ♦ * t
A SPECIAL SET OF STAMPS (50 CENTS, $1.30, $1.70 AND $5) FEATURING FOUR TYPES OF TREES COMMONLY FOUND IN HONG KONG WILL BE ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 16).
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS ARE ALREADY ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES.
IN ADDITION, A SOUVENIR SHEET CONTAINING A SET OF THE FOUR STAMPS WILL ALSO BE ISSUED AT $8.50 EACH.
ALL POST OFFICES ARE EXPECTED TO BE CROWDED WITH CUSTOMERS ON THURSDAY AND TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO TRANSACT NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS, ADDITIONAL COUNTERS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN POST OFFICES.
EXTRA STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY AT MOST POST OFFICES ON THURSDAY, BUT QUEUES ARE NEVERTHELESS EXPECTED TO FORM.
THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSACT, IF POSSIBLE, THEIR NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS ON THE PRECEDING DAY OR THE DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE OF THE SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE.
- O -
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1988
J -
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY
» » * «
THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18), THE DAY OF THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL, THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED.
ON THAT DAY, 42 POST OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON. THEY INCLUDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON, AND TSUEN WING STREET, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DETAILS OF THE 42 POST OFFICES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POSTAL ENQUIRY BUREAU ON 5-231071.
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EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG MUST BE ATTESTED
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS AND THEIR DULY AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES THAT THEY ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER INTO A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH MANUAL WORKERS WHOM THEY ENGAGE TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THE CONTRACTS MUST BE SIGNED BY THE WORKERS AND ATTESTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE.
THE CALL WAS MADE FOLLOWING TWO RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH THE PROPRIETORS OF TWO COMPANIES WERE FINED $3,000 AND $2,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR FAILING TO SUBMIT THE CONTRACTS SIGNED BY THE WORKERS WHO WERE EMPLOYED TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR FOR ATTESTATION.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT UNDER THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER OR HIS AGENT WOULD BE PROSECUTED IF HE FAILED TO ENTER INTO A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH A MANUAL WORKER BEFORE DEPARTURE OR INDUCED A WORKER TO DEPART FROM HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT BEFORE THE CONTRACT WAS ATTESTED.
UPON CONVICTION, AN EMPLOYER IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $50,000.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ORDINANCE FURTHER STIPULATES THAT A CONTRACT MUST CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT RATES OF WAGES AND OVERTIME, DAYS AND HOURS OF WORK, REST DAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"IT MUST ALSO PROVIDE FOR VARIATION OR TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT AND MAKE THE EMPLOYER RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING PASSAGES TO AND FROM THE PLACE OF WORK FOR THE WORKER," HE SAID.
/"THE CONTRACT .......
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1988
"THE CONTRACT SHOULD ALSO SPECIFY THE EMPLOYER'S LIABILITY TO PAY FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES.
"IN ESSENCE, THE RIGHT AND OBLIGATIONS DEFINED IN THE CONTRACT MUST BE BROADLY IN LINE WITH THOSE PROVIDED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, BOTH OF WHICH RELATE TO EMPLOYEES IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE RESPECTIVE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS UNDER THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE MAY BE MADE TO THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT 5-8523535 OR 5-8523537.
------0--------
TAI PO DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS t t ♦ t t
THE TAJ PO DISTRICT BOARD IS INVITING LOCAL BODIES TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
"A TOTAL OF $1,760,000 HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, WHICH REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
"FUNDS HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE TO SUBSIDISE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND BODIES TO LAUNCH CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL OR SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN TAI PO; TO STAGE EXHIBITIONS OR CONDUCT SURVEYS; AS WELL AS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES WHICH HELP RESIDENTS GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME."
"THE DB FUNDS ARE AIMED AT PROMOTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS, AND ENHANCING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT," HE ADDED.
ANY LOCAL ORGANISATION WISHING TO APPLY FOR THE FUNDS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION TO THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT 40 DAYS BEFORE THE ACTIVITY IS HELD.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS SUB-OFFICE AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-6577111 EXTENSION 237 OR 0-6584210.
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MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1988
- 5 -RECORD TEAMS ENTERED IN ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES *****
A TOTAL OF 83 TEAMS, THE HIGHEST IN RECENT YEARS, WILL TAKE PART IN THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES TO BE HELD ON JUNE 18 (SATURDAY) TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 1988 ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LIU LIT-FOR, SAID THE RACES WOULD TAKE PLACE ALONG A 330-METRE COURSE OFF THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT FROM 8.30 AM TO 5.30 PM.
THE GOVERNOR,' SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
THE RACES ARE DIVIDED INTO FULL-SIZED AND MEDIUM-SIZED DRAGON BOAT DIVISIONS, WITH THE LATTER SUB-DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, MEN’S AMATEUR, LADIES’ OPEN, AND INVITATION SECTIONS.
THERE WILL BE NINE TEAMS COMPETING IN THE FULL-SIZED BOATS DIVISION AND 74 TEAMS IN THE MEDIUM-SIZED DIVISION.
THE RACE TEAMS ARE FIELDED BY FIRMS, FACTORIES, YOUTH GROUPS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND FISHERMEN ORGANISATIONS.
THE FINALS WILL START AT 3 PM AND A TOTAL OF FOUR WINNERS OF THE MEN’S SECTIONS FROM BOTH DIVISIONS WILL COMPETE FOR THE OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT 4.30 PM.
THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 4.40 PM WITH WINNERS OF EACH SECTION TO BE PRESENTED WITH TROPHIES, AND ALL PARTICIPATING TEAMS WITH SOUVENIRS.
ON THE DAY OF THE RACES, TWO SPECTATOR STANDS WILL BE SET UP NEAR THE FLYOVER ADJOINING ABERDEEN MAIN RAOD AND THE ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD.
ENTRY TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN ABERDEEN CENTRE. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN ALSO WATCH THE RACES ALONGSIDE THE PROMENADE OF THE WATERFRONT.
THERE WILL BE LIVE TELEVISION COVERAGE OF THE EVENTS BY THE TVB JADE AND ATV GOLD CHANNELS.
AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR FIVE DRAGON BOATS WAS PERFORMED BY MR LIU AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE.
COSTING ABOUT $400,000, WITH $55,000 SPONSORED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES ARE ORGANISED JOINTLY WITH THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, POLICE, MARINE POLICE, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AND THE CIVIL AID SERVICES.
------0--------
/6 ......
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1988
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY *****
AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR A NEW DRAGON BOAT WILL BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN NEW PUBLIC PIER TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY.
THE NEW DRAGON BOAT IS MADE OF FIBRE GLASS AND IS DONATED TO THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACING ASSOCIATION BY AN ELECTRONICS COMPANY.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, A SMALL-SCALE DRAGON BOAT RACE WILL TAKE PLACE OFF THE SAI KUNG WATERFRONT. THE RACE IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACING ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR A NEW DRAGON BOAT AND A DRAGON BOAT RACE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 2.30 PM AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN NEW PUBLIC PIER. A TEA RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AFTER THE RACE.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI AND WESTERN
»»»♦»*
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI AND WESTERN DISTRICT FROM THURSDAY (JUNE 16).
THE EXIT FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD TO WESTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD NEAR STEWART ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10.30 PM TO 5.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.
THE CLOSURE IS BEING IMPLEMENTED TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORK. VEHICLES ON THE GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD HEADING FOR CENTRAL CAN TRAVEL TO GLOUCESTER ROAD VIA THE EXIT NEAR FENWICK STREET.
/MEANWHILE, THE
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1988
- 7 -
MEANWHILE, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 27 AND 55 WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-----0------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI t t t t
TAI YUEN STREET IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND CROSS STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 9 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 16) TO 7 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18) TO FACILITATE CABLE REPAIR WORKS.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON TAI YUEN STREET HEADING FOR JOHNSTON ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SPRING GARDEN LANE.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON * » t *
IN CONNECTION WITH THE STAGE
-- ----- III RECONSTRUCTION WORK OF FU
SIREET IN WONG TAI SIN, THE SECTION OF FU MEI STREET BETWEEN WANG HOM EAST ROAD AND .............
ONE-WAY WESTBOUND 15) .
JUNCTION ROAD WILL BE
TO TWO-WAY OPERATION
CONVERTED
FROM 10 AM
MEI
TAU
FROM THE EXISTING
ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE
MEANWHILE, FROM 9 AM ON JUNE 16 (THURSDAY) TO 7 PM ON JUNE 20 (MONDAY), NO VEHICLES ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE ALLOWED TO MAKE U-TURNS ONTO WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND OUTSIDE KOWLOON HOSPITAL.
THE MEASURE IS BEING IMPLEMENTED TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER.
MOTORISTS ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, SHEUNG HING STREET, PUI CHING ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND.
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1988
8
TUEN MUN SAN ON STREET CARPARK TEMPORARILY CLOSED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SAN ON STREET CARPARK IN TUEN MUN AREA 12 WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 15).
THE EXISTING 18 METERED CAR PARKING SPACES AND 35 METERED GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES AT THE CARPARK WILL BE CANCELLED AT THE SAME TIME.
THE VACANT AREA WILL BE CONVERTED LATER INTO A PRIVATE-OWNED CARPARK UNDER A SHORT-TERM TENANCY LEASED OUT EARLIER. THE NEW CARPARK WILL BE OPENED SOMETIME NEXT MONTH.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPLICATION FOR NEW HOME PURCHASE LOAN STARTS TOMORROW .... 1
OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE REPORT: ACTING FS .................. 3
TEN QUESTIONS AND 11 BILLS IN LEGCO TOMORROW .............. 4
JLG OFFICE OPENS IN HONG KONG NEXT MONTH .................. 5
DB TO DISCUSS INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ............... 6
TEMPORARY LIFE GUARDS REQUIRED FOR BEACHES, POOLS.......... 6
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ...................................... 7
NEW DRAGON BOATS LAUNCHED IN TAI PO ....................... 7
DRAGON BOAT EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY HELD IN SAI KUNG ......... 8
WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG .................................... 8
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YAU MA TEI AND SHEUNG SHU I ............ 9
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES......... 9
TUESDAY, JUNE 14,* 1988
- 1 -
APPLICATION FOR NEW HOME PURCHASE LOAN STARTS TOMORROW t t « t *
APPLICATIONS WILL BE INVITED FOR THE NEW HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME (HPLS) FOR FOUR WEEKS STARTING FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FRED PANG ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
"THE HPLS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING TRATEGY, AND IS TO PROMOTE AND SATISFY THE GROWING DEMAND FOR HOME iURCHASE.
’’THE NEW SCHEME WILL WIDEN THE RANGE OF CHOICES AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES SEEKING ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE AND WILL ENSURE THE FULL UTILISATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR'S RESOURCES,” MR PANG SAID.
MR PANG TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT "THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NEW SCHEME."
he was Accompanied by the acting deputy director of housing (ESTATE MANAGEMENT), MR Y.G. LIM AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (POLICY), MR THOMAS CHAN.
MR PANG SAID: “UNDER THE HPLS PHASE 1, A QUOTA OF 2 500 HOME PURCHASE LOANS WILL BE GRANTED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS. OF THESE, 500 ARE FOR ELIGIBLE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEAREES.
“SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL EACH BE GRANTED AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN OF $70,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PRIVATE SECTOR FLAT TO HELP OVERCOME THE PROBLEM OF INITIAL FINANCING FACED BY MANY FAMILIES WISHING TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES.”
THE REPAYMENT OF THE INTEREST-FREE LOAN BY EQUAL MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS CAN BE UP TO 20 YEARS, OR WITHIN THE TIME STIPULATED IN THE MORTGAGE DEED WHICHEVER REPAYMENT PERIOD IS SHORTER.
MR PANG SAID: "IN PRINCIPLE, FAMILIES WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME BY USING THE GREEN FORMS, ARE ELIGIBLE.
“THEY INCLUDE ALL HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATE SITTING TENANTS, AUTHORISED OCCUPANTS OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND COTTAGE AREAS, AND PROSPECTIVE PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS."
PROSPECTIVE HOUSING TENANTS CONSIST OF WAITING LIST APPLICANTS AND CLEAREES WITH RENTAL ELIGIBILITY AND JUNIOR CIVIL SERVANTS.
THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN MAY ONLY BE USED TO PURCHASE DOMESTIC FLATS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. NEW FLATS OR FLATS OF NOT MORE THAN FIVE YEARS OLD FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE OF THE OCCUPATION PERMIT MAY BE PURCHASED.
/HOWEVER, FLATS........*
TUESDAY, JUNE U, 1988
- 2
HOWEVER, FLATS IN AN UNCOMPLETED BUILDING MAY ALSO BE PURCHASED UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS.
MR PANG SAID THAT APPLICANTS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY AN APPLICATION FEE OF #30 EACH AND THE BALLOTING FOR THE HPLS PHASE 1 WOULD BE HELD IN EARLY AUGUST TO DETERMINE APPLICANTS’ ORDER OF PRIORITY.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A NEW HOME PURCHASE LOAN UNIT CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, JUNCTION ROAD, KOWLOON TO ASSIST APPLICANTS.
APPLICANTS CAN ALSO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE NEW SCHEME THROUGH THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN UNIT TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-365237 (FOUR LINES).
THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN UNIT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 9 AM TO 7 PM ON WEEKDAYS, AND ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BETWEEN 9 AM TO 12 NOON THROUGHOUT THE APPLICATION PERIOD.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A COLOUR BROCHURE GIVING DETAILS ON THE NEW HPLS.
DURING THE FOUR-WEEK APPLICATION PERIOD, APPLICATION FORMS AND COPIES OF THE HPLS BROCHURE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT ALL HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATE OFFICES, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND COTTAGE AREA OFFICES, THE APPLICATIONS SECTION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AT 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON, THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE AND THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN UNIT.
A FIVE-MINUTE VIDEO SHOW ON THE HPLS WILL BE SCREENED AT THE ELECTRONIC THEATRE OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE AND A SET OF DISPLAY ON THE NEW SCHEME WILL ALSO BE ON SHOW AT THE CENTRE'S EXHIBITION HALL.
APPLICATION FOR THE HPLS PHASE 1 WILL CLOSE ON JULY 12 THIS YEAR.
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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1988
OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE REPORT: ACTING FS
♦ * » * t
PRIORITY IS NOW BEING GIVEN TO THE EXAMINATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT WHICH PROVIDES A BLUEPRINT FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY FOR RTHK'S VIDEO SHOW ON “MONEY PROGRAMME”, MR NENDICK NOTED THAT THE PAST TWO WEEKS HAD BEEN EVENTFUL FOR THE SECURITIES MARKETS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT APART FROM ACCORDING PRIORITY TO THE EXAMINATION OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT PROPOSALS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON TWO OTHER FRONTS.
“FIRST, THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) BILL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEDNESDAY.
“THE BILL CONTAINS PROPOSALS WHICH WILL REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS OF LISTED COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG, I.E. THOSE HOLDING 10 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE SHARES, TO DISCLOSE THEIR SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE DEALINGS,” HE SAID.
THE SAME WILL APPLY TO ALL DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF SUCH COMPANIES. THE INFORMATION WILL BE RECORDED IN REGISTERS KEPT BY LISTED COMPANIES, TO WHICH THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE ACCESS.
“IN ADDITION, LISTED COMPANIES THEMSELVES, SHAREHOLDERS REPRESENTING 10 PER CENT OF THE PAID UP CAPITAL OF ANY SUCH COMPANY OR THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ACTING THROUGH INSPECTORS APPOINTED BY HIM, CAN REQUIRE INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED REGARDING THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHAREHOLDINGS OF ANY SIZE, IF THEY HAVE REASONABLE CAUSE TO OBTAIN IT,” HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THERE WOULD BE SEVERE PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.
“THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AS TO THE OWNERSHIP OF LISTED COMPANIES AND WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO IDENTIFY AND PENALISE THOSE WHO BREACH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE SECURITIES MARKETS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE NON-PROFESSIONAL INVESTOR,” HE SAID.
ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT, MR NENDICK SAID, WAS THE PASSING OF THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEDNESDAY.
/•’THE PROVISIONS
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1988
’’THE PROVISIONS IN THESE TWO NEWLY ENACTED ORDINANCES WILL ENABLE THE REGULATORY AGENCIES, I.E. THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, THE SECURITIES COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES TO SHARE INFORMATION ON A CONFIDENTIAL BASIS WITH OTHER REGULATORY BODIES BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS.
"WITH THE INCREASING INTER-RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN, AND INTERNATIONALISATION OF, OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS, THESE PROVISIONS WILL, 1 AM CERTAIN, PROVIDE ADDED PROTECTION TO THE INVESTING PUBLIC IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ON THE "MONEY PROGRAMME" TELEVISION SERIES, MR NENDICK SAID HE WAS SURE THE PUBLIC WOULD FIND THE SERIES OF GREAT VALUE.
"ALTHOUGH HONG KONG IS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, PARTICIPATION IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS IS NOT RESTRICTED TO PROFESSIONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AND A WIDE RANGE OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC," HE SAID.
HE FELT IT IMPORTANT THAT INVESTORS SHOULD KEEP ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MARKET-PLACE BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS AND THIS PROGRAMME WOULD CERTAINLY BE OF BENEFIT TO THE INVESTING PUBLIC.
--------0 - -
TEN QUESTIONS AND 11 BILLS IN LEGCO TOMORROW t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK 10 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 11 BILLS IN TOMORROW’S (WEDNESDAY) MEETING.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL ALSO MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS 1988.
OF THE 11 BILLS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE MEMBERS, SIX WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE THE PUBLIC Finance (amendment) bill 1988, the travel agents (amendment) bill 1988, THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
/OTHERS THAT
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1988
- 5
OTHERS THAT ARE DUE TO BE GIVEN A SECOND READING AND GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING ARE THE JURY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
TWO PRIVATE BILLS - THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF HONG KONG INCORPORATION BILL 1988 AND THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 - ARE ALSO DUE TO BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
-----0------
JLG OFFICE OPENS IN HONG KONG NEXT MONTH
♦ ♦ ♦ » »
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ANNEX II TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG THAT ’’FROM JULY 1, 1988 THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP SHALL HAVE ITS PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG”, THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS WILL EACH OPEN AN OFFICE IN HONG KONG ON THAT DATE.
THE OFFICES WILL BE FORMALLY DESIGNATED ’’OFFICE OF THE BRITISH/CHINESE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP”, AND WILL BE THE PERMANENT OFFICES OF THE TWO SIDES OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
THE TWO SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES WILL MEET IN HONG KONG ON JULY 1 TO MARK THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPENING OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES.
-------0-------
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1988
- 6 -
DB TO DISCUSS INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ♦ » » *
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JUNE 16) TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE CONTINUOUS INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES INTO HONG KONG AND THE ’’FIRST ASYLUM” POLICY.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY AND THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, MRS ROSANNA TAM, WILL BE PRESENT TO LISTEN TO THEIR VIEWS.
IN ADDITION, . A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH, MR MIKE ROWSE, WILL BRIEF THE BOARD ON A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON SUMMER TIME.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H. CHAU, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JUNE 16) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0------
TEMPORARY LIFE GUARDS REQUIRED FOR BEACHES, POOLS ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING TEMPORARY LIFE GUARDS FOR THE URBAN SERVICES AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS TO MAN GAZETTED BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE PREFERABLY AGED UNDER 35, OF GOOD PHYSIQUE AND HAVE GOOD EYESIGHT AND SHOULD POSSESS A BRONZE MEDALLION CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY.
THE JOB IS OPEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, AND CARRIES A MONTHLY SALARY OF $4,120 OR A DAILY WAGE OF $166.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE POST MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR TELEPHONE 5-270622, 3-695525, 3-265123 AND 0-4920154.
- - 0 -
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1988
7 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ ♦ ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 26.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 153.812 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 366.361 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 62.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
NEW DRAGON BOATS LAUNCHED IN TAI PO ♦ * * » ♦
TWO NEWLY-BUILT DRAGON BOATS FOR THIS YEAR’S TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE WERE LAUNCHED AT A CEREMONY IN FRONT OF THE TAI WONG YEH SHRINE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THE CEREMONY BEGAN WITH AN OFFERING OF DELICACIES TO THE PATRON GOD OF FISHERMEN, TAI WONG YEH, BY THE VICE CHAIRMEN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE 1988, MR HO YUNG-SANG AND MISS S.C. KWOK.
THE OFFERING WAS ACCOMPANIED BY PRAYERS IN THE HAKKA DIALECT.
AFTER THE OFFERING, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES LIMITED AND THE CHINA OVERSEA BUILDING DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED - THE NEW DRAGON BOATS’ DONORS - DECORATED THE DRAGON BOATS.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, THEN DOTTED THE EYES OF THE DRAGON BOATS.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AN EXHIBITION RACE BY TWO WINNING TEAMS IN LAST YEAR’S RACE.
COSTING $25,000 EACH, THE TWO NEW DRAGON BOATS WILL BE USED WITH 17 OTHER BOATS FOR THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACES THIS YEAR.
THE RACES, ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE 1988 AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE HELD ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FROM 9.30 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18).
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO.
-----0------
/8........
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1988
- 8 -
DRAGON BOAT EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY HELD IN SAI KUNG » * * * *
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN, DOTTED THE EYES OF A NEW DRAGON BOAT TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN NEW PUBLIC PIER.
THE BOAT WAS DONATED BY AN ELECTRONICS COMPANY TO THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACING ASSOCIATION. IT IS MADE OF FIBRE GLASS, AND IS ABOUT 14.6 METRES LONG AND 1.2 METRES WIDE.
COSTING ABOUT $36,000, THE BOAT WILL MAKE ITS DEBUT IN THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18).
A TOTAL OF 27 TEAMS HAVE ENTERED FOR THE RACES. TWENTY-THREE TEAMS WILL TAKE PART IN THE MEN’S OPEN COMPETITION AND FOUR TEAMS WILL COMPETE FOR THE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP.
THE EVENTS WILL BE HELD FROM 9 AM OVER A 1,000-METRE COURSE OFF THE SAI KUNG WATERFRONT. COMPETITORS HAVE ALREADY STARTED PRACTICE SESSIONS.
THE OFFICIATING GUEST AT THE RACES WILL BE THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL GARRY JOHNSON.
ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACING ASSOCIATION, THE RACES ARE SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
-----0------
WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT AND SHUN LEE ESTATE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1988
9
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YAU MA TEI AND SHEUNG SHUI
* * * » ♦
MOTORISTS SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR TRAFFIC CHANGES TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN YAU MA TEI/SHEUNG SHUI FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (.'UNE 17), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
IN YAU MA TEI, THE SECTION OF SHEK LUNG STREET BETWEEN SHANGHAI STREET AND YUNNAN LANE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, AND AT THE SAME TIME, YUNNAN LANE BETWEEN SHEK LUNG STREET AND MAN MING LANE WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC.
THE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION.
IN SHEUNG SHUI, NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE GREEN MINIBUS TERMINUS AND THE ADJOINING BUS LANE IN SHEUNG SHUI AREA 6B ADJACENT TO THE PETROL STATION OFF ROAD 601 AT ANY TIME.
HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITION ZONE ON THE SECTION OF SAN SHING AVENUE IN SHEUNG SHUI BETWEEN FU HING STREET AND LUNG SUM AVENUE WILL BE LIFTED.
-------0----------
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS t t t t
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES *
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 17) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
IN YUEN LONG, THE SECTION OF TAN KWEI TSUEN ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD (HUNG SHUI KIU) TO A POINT ABOUT 240 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A DAILY PEAK-HOUR (7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM) URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
IN TURN MUN, THE SECTION OF LUNG MUN ROAD BETWEEN ROAD Z8A (BUTTERFLY ESTATE ACCESS ROAD) AND THE SLIP ROADS LEADING TO AND FROM WONG CHU ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE BANNED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
’••ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES" -' BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
' ' WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
C CM TENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATE COUNCIL MEETING :
CS EXPLAINS REASONS FOR POLICY CHANGE ON BOAT PEOPLE .... 1
LEGISLATION FOR LABELLING, SAFE HANDLING OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS ................................................ 4
PROPOSAL FOR CENTRAL CENTRE ON CHEMICALS WILL BE STUDIED 8
NEW RULES ON INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS SUPPORTED ............ 9
FRAMEWORK FOR SELF-REGULATION OF OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY 10
IMPROVEMENTS TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME PROPOSED .... 14
BILL EXTENDS SCOPE OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION LAW ........ 16
CONTROL ON MAJORITY OF PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS NECESSARY . 19
BILL TO REMEDY TWO DEFECTS IN ORDINANCE ................ 20
EXTENSION OF FUND COVERAGE WELCOMED .................... 21
EXPANSION OF ASSOCIATION'S MEDICAL SERVICES WELCOMED .... 21
MORE SUPPORT FOR HOSPITALS ADVOCATED ................... 22
CONTINUING LEGhL EFFECT INTENDED ....................... 22
SEVEN BILLS PaSSED...................................... 23
LION ROCK TUNNEL CONGESTION AT TOLERABLE LEVEL.......... 24
TaVAS EXTENSION TO TRAINS RULED OUT .................... 25
/AIM IS........
AIM IS SELF^REGULhTION WITHE* PEST CONTROL INDUSTRY 26
stable pattern in e^rly retirements from police.......... 27
MEDICAL REPORT EXPECTED IN AUTUMN ........................ 28
CONSISTENT ACTION AGAINST OVERCHARGING ThXI-DRIVERS .... 28
STEPS TAKEN TO ASSIST FISH FARMERS......................... 29
MORE FINANCIAL AID LIKELY FOR LINGNAN COLLEGE.............. JO
LEASE ENFORCEMENT MEASURES TO PREVENT IMPROPER USE....... J2
MEASURES TO CURB CYCLING NUISANCE IN COUNTRY PARKS....... J J
GATEWAY FOR BOaT PEOPLE IS CLOSED : GOVERNOR.................. J4
NEW POLICY ON BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM ....................... j6
SIR S.Y. CHUNG WELCOMES VR POLICY CHANGE................... j8
FACES THAT WILL M^KE POSTAL HISTORY......................... J9
PROFILE OF SOCIAL WORKERS PUBLISHED.......................... 40
Radio PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SkFETY................. 42
YUEN LONG DB TO DISCUSS VR PROBLEM ............................ 4 J
CONSULTANT TO SELECT F.xRMS FOR DEMONSTRATION ................ 44
SPECIAL TRAFFIC aRR/lNGEMENTS FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES .......... 44
COLOURFUL SUMMER PROGRAMME ST.iRTS TODhY ..................... 46
DB TO CONSIDER luiNDFILL PROJECT AT TA KWU LING............... 46
ENROLMENT BEGINS FOR PUTONGHUA COURSE........................ 47
WOMEN’S TURN’ TO GET NEW I.D. CARD............................ 48
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES......................... 48
SHAM SHUI PO UNDERPASS TO BE CLOSED........................... JO
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15,
1988
CS EXPLAINS REASONS FOR *
POLICY CHANGE ON BOAT PEOPLE * * * *
THE TIME HAS COME FOR HONG KONG TO CHANGE ITS POLICY OF AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPTING AS REFUGEES ALL BOAT PEOPLE WHO ARRIVE HERE FROM VIETNAM, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A STATEMENT TO THE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID STRESSED THIS WAS NOT A DECISION WHICH WAS TAKEN LIGHTLY.
"THE MASSIVE INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAS CAUSED THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG GRAVE CONCERN," SIR DAVID EXPLAINED.
"COMING AS IT DOES AFTER TWO YEARS OF A STEADY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARRIVING AND A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF RESETTLEMENT PLACES ON OFFER, IT HAS CREATED AN INTOLERABLE BURDEN ON THIS ALREADY OVERCROWDED TERRITORY."
IN 1987, THE NUMBER OF BOAT PEOPLE COMING TO HONG KONG ROSE BY 65 PER CENT AND THOSE LEAVING TO BE RESETTLED DROPPED BY 12 PER CENT.
MORE THAN 5,000 PEOPLE HAVE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1988 AND A FURTHER 2,621 HAD ARRIVED SO FAR IN JUNE.
"ALL BUT A HANDFUL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE ETHNIC VIETNAMESE AND MORE THAN 70 PER CENT COME FROM NORTH VIETNAM AND HAVE NO CONNECTIONS OR FAMILY LINKS OUTSIDE VIETNAM," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THEIR PROSPECTS FOR RESETTLEMENT IN THIRD COUNTRIES UNDER CURRENT CRITERIA ARE NEGLIGIBLE."
THE ARRIVALS HAD SWELLED HONG KONG’S REFUGEE POPULATION TO 16,000 - A FIGURE HIGHER THAN AT ANY TIME SINCE 1980 - AND WERF STRETCHING LOCAL RESOURCES FOR THEIR RECEPTION, ACCOMMODATION, AND CARE TO THE LIMIT, HE SAID.
"RESETTLEMENT PLACES TO MATCH THE CURRENT ARRIVAL RATES OF BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, OR ELSEWHERE IN THIS REGION, ARE SIMPLY NO LONGER AVAILABLE," STR DAVID NOTED.
"THE MAJOR RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES ARE INCREASINGLY UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THESE PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY ETHNIC VIETNAMESE FROM NORTH VIETNAM, AS REFUGEES FOR RESETTLEMENT PURPOSES."
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THOSE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG, WERE NOT REFUGEES.
/THEY WERE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15i 1988
- 2 -
THEY WERE NOT LEAVING VIETNAM, IN THE TERMS OF THE 1951 UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE STATUS OF REFUGEES, BECAUSE OF A "WELL-FOUNDED FEAR OF PERSECUTION ON GROUNDS OF RACE, RELIGION, NATIONALITY OR MEMBERSHIP OF A PARTICULAR SOCIAL OR POLITICAL GROUPING."
THEY WERE SIMPLY PEOPLE SEEKING A BETTER LIFE, HE SAID.
"REPATRIATION FOR THOSE ACCEPTED BY HONG KONG AS REFUGEES CAN ONLY BE DONE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS AND ALL EFFORTS TO PRODUCE A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM ON THE REPATRIATION OF THE LARGE NUMBERS OF THEIR CITIZENS WHO CONTINUE TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG HAVE SO FAR MET WITH DISCOURAGING RESULTS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES STEADFASTLY REFUSE TO CONSIDER ACCEPTING THE RETURN OF THEIR PEOPLE EXCEPT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS."
A RECENT SEMINAR INVOLVING DELEGATES FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COUNTRIES AND HONG KONG CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM LAY IN VIETNAM, WHOSE GOVERNMENT HAD A CLEAR OBLIGATION TO RESOLVE IT, AND THAT IT WAS OF FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE TO DISCOURAGE FUTURE OUTFLOWS FROM THAT COUNTRY, HE NOTED.
IT WAS ALSO CLEAR THAT EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HELD OUT THE PROSPECT OR HOPE OF AUTOMATIC RESETTLEMENT FOR ALL WHO LEFT VIETNAM, FOR WHATEVER REASON, WERE A MAJOR ’PULL FACTOR’.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, OF A SITUATION THAT COULD NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED BY THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG, THAT THE CURRENT POLICY WAS REVIEWED, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
EXPLAINING THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, HE SAID AS FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY), ALL BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM WOULD BE SCREENED AND THERE WOULD BE A PROCEDURE TO DETERMINE THEIR QUALIFICATION AS GENUINE REFUGEES ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED CRITERIA.
THE SCREENING, CARRIED OUT BY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF ON THE BASIS OF INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS, WOULD BE BASED ON GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR), WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO MONITOR IT.
THERE WOULD ALSO BE A RIGHT OF APPEAL, HE SAID. ANY SCREENED IN AS REFUGEES WOULD BE ACCOMMODATED IN CLOSED CAMPS WITH OTHER REFUGEES, WHILE THE REST WOULD BE TREATED AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND BE DETAINED, PENDING REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM, IN THE HEI LING CHAU CENTRE.
/THE DETENTION
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THE DETENTION CENTRE, TO BE VACATED AND ADAPTED FOR THIS PURPOSE IN A FEW DAYS* TIME, WOULD BE MANNED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
’’THERE IS NO SIMPLE SOLUTION TO THE SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH CONFRONTS US, WE RECOGNISE THAT WE CANNOT SOLVE IT ON OUR OWN AND THAT INTRODUCTION OF SCREENING IS NOT THE WHOLE ANSWER,” SIR DAVID SAID.
’’BUT WE FEEL MOST STRONGLY THAT A STAND MUST BE TAKEN HERE AND NOW AGAINST THE CONTINUING OUTFLOW OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHOM HAVE NO CLAIM TO BE TREATED AS REFUGEES IN THE NORMAL INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SENSE.”
REFERRING TO THE 16,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES NOW IN HONG KONG — OF WHOM MORE THAN 3,700 HAD BEEN HERE FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS, SIR DAVID SAID THESE PEOPLE HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY HONG KONG AS REFUGEES AND MUST CONTINUE TO BE TREATED AS SUCH.
’’DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THESE REFUGEES MUST BE FOUND, AND THAT MEANS PRIMARILY RESETTLEMENT IN THIRD COUNTRIES,” HE SAID.
"BUT TO CONTINUE TO ACCEPT ALL ARRIVALS AS REFUGEES WOULD PREJUDICE EVEN FURTHER THE PROSPECTS FOR RESETTLEMENT OF THOSE ALREADY HERE AND INCREASE THE FRUSTRATION WHICH IS ALREADY WIDESPREAD AMONGST THEM.”
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT HONG KONG HAD GREATER NEED OF RESETTLEMENT PLACES NOW THAN AT ANY TIME IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.
LOOKING BACK ON THE PAST 13 YEARS SINCE THE BOAT PEOPLE BEGAN TO COME TO HONG KONG IN 1975, SIR DAVID SAID THE TERRITORY HAD GIVEN TEMPORARY ASYLUM TO NO LESS THAN 123,000 BOAT PEOPLE AND ITSELF HAD RESETTLED SOME 15,000 INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES.
”WE HAVE NEVER FORCED ANYONE AWAY, NOR WOULD WE CONTEMPLATE DOING SO NOW,” HE SAID.
’’PUSHING, OR TOWING, SMALL, LEAKY BOATS FILLED WITH MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN BACK OUT TO SEA WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN OUR HUMANE AND CARING COMMUNITY.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE THEREFORE TO OBSERVE OUR INTERNATIONAL AND HUMANITARIAN OBLIGATIONS.”
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID SAID A DURABLE HUMANITARIAN WAY MUST BE FOUND OF STOPPING THESE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM PUTTING TO SEA IN SMALL BOATS IN THE HOPE OF MAKING A NEW LIFE FOR THEMSELVES IN WESTERN COUNTRIES.
/"IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1$, 1988
”IT IS CLEAR THAT THESE WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE NO LONGER PREPARED TO OFFER A NEW LIFE TO THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE NOW LEAVING VIETNAM,” HE SAID.
"NOR SHOULD THIS TINY OVERCROWDED TERRITORY BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A HOME FOR THEM, EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO STAY HERE, AND IT IS CLEAR THEY DO NOT.
"WE THEREFORE URGE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE UNHCR TO FIND AN INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION TO THIS INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE, AS TO WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO RELAX ITS DEADLINE FOR BOAT PEOPLE ALREADY ON THE WAY TO HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID THAT TO ADOPT SUCH A SUGGESTION WOULD CREATE A GREAT NUMBER OF DIFFICULTIES.
AN EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE WOULD INEVITABLY LEAD TO A VERY LARGE RUSH OF PEOPLE TRYING TO BEAT THE NEW DEADLINE.
"I’M AFRAID WHENEVER THERE’S A CHANGE OF POLICY OF THIS NATURE SOME PEOPLE ARE INEVITABLY CAUGHT IN THAT CHANGE.
"BUT I’M SATISFIED, AS I HAVE SAID IN MY STATEMENT, THAT WE WILL HONOUR UNDER OUR NEW ARRANGEMENTS THE HUMANE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS WHICH WE TAKE MOST SERIOUSLY," HE SAID.
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LEGISLATION FOR LABELLING, SAFE HANDLING OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS ♦ » t t ♦
WITH THE INCREASING USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES IN INDUSTRY, HONG KONG NOW PROPOSED TO LEGISLATE FOR THEIR LABELLING, SAFE USE AND SAFE HANDLING ON THE FACTORY FLOOR, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BRIDGE WAS MOVING A MOTION ON THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS 1988 WHICH WERE MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON FEBRUARY 22.
FOLLOWING THREE MONTHS OF CONSULTATIONS ON THE REGULATIONS, HE MOVED THAT THE MEASURES, WITH TWO AMENDMENTS, NOW BE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.
/THE two
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THE TWO AMENDMENTS WERE PROPOSED BY COUNCILLORS FOLLOWING CAREFUL SCRUTINY OF THE REGULATIONS, MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT.
AS EMPLOYERS WOULD NEED TIME TO ADAPT TO THE REGULATIONS, MR BRIDGE SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR INTENDED TO BRING THEM INTO OPERATION SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE COUNCIL GIVING APPROVAL.
’’INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG IS USING AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES. MANY OF THESE SUBSTANCES ARE DANGEROUS IN THAT THEY MAY BE EXPLOSIVE, INFLAMMABLE OR HARMFUL TO HEALTH,” HE SAID IN MOVING HIS MOTION.
THE MANUFACTURE, CONVEYANCE AND STORAGE OF THESE SUBSTANCES WERE ALREADY CONTROLLED UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.
"WITH THE INCREASING USE OF THESE SUBSTANCES IN INDUSTRY, WE NOW PROPOSE TO LEGISLATE FOR THE LABELLING, SAFE USE AND SAFE HANDLING OF THESE SUBSTANCES ACTUALLY ON THE FACTORY FLOOR,” HE SAID.
HONG KONG APPEARED TO BE THE FIRST JURISDICTION TO INTRODUCE SUCH REGULATIONS.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE APPROPRIATE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HAD BEEN CONSULTED, AND SUPPORTED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REGULATIONS.
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE DANGERS ARISING FROM IGNORANCE ABOUT THE PROPERTIES OF SUBSTANCES AND THEIR CONSEQUENT MISUSE WERE DEMONSTRATED TRAGICALLY IN 1986 WHEN 14 WORKERS DIED AS A RESULT OF AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN A FUR FACTORY, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER USE OF A HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE LIQUID.
HE SAID THE REGULATIONS PROVIDED THAT THE PROPRIETOR OF A SPECIFIED INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABELLING IN A PRESCRIBED MANNER OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES WHICH WERE USED, HANDLED OR STORED IN HIS WORKPLACE.
"THE PROPRIETOR IS ALSO REQUIRED TO PROVIDE HIS EMPLOYEES WITH INFORMATION ON THE HAZARDS AND THE PRECAUTIONS NECESSARY IN HANDLING THESE SUBSTANCES.
"HE IS ALSO REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS, TRAINING AND SUITABLE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT TO EMPLOYEE! EXPOSED TO SUCH SUBSTANCES, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE CLOTHING ANI EQUIPMENT ARE PROPERLY USED.”
MR BRIDGE SAID THE REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRED EMPLOYEES T( COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND TO TAKE OTHER APPROPRIATI PRECAUTIONS.
/"AN EMPLOYEE .......
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"AN EMPLOYEE MUST USE THE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER IN A PROPER MANNER AND HE MUST REFRAIN FROM EATING, DRINKING OR SMOKING IN A WORKROOM IN WHICH DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES ARE USED.
"THE REGULATIONS WILL APPLY WHERE A DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE IS PRESENT IN A SPECIFIED INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING IN CONNECTION WITH AN INDUSTRIAL PROCESS OR OPERATION," HE SAID.
THE FIRST SCHEDULE LISTED 231 DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES COMMONLY USED IN INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG. THEY WERE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO SEVEN TYPES OF BASIC RISK. THE LIST COULD BE EXPANDED IN FUTURE BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE, AS NECESSARY.
SYMBOLS ADOPTED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS CODE WERE USED FOR THE SEVEN TYPES OF RISK. FORTY-NINE STANDARD RISK DESCRIPTIONS AND 46 STANDARDISED SAFETY DESCRIPTIONS WERE PRESCRIBED IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH SCHEDULES.
ALL LABELS HAD TO CONTAIN, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, THE CHEMICAL NAME OR COMMON NAME OF THE SUBSTANCE; THE RISK DESCRIPTION AND SAFETY CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSTANCE; AND A STANDARD SYMBOL INDICATING THE BASIC RISK.
"THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES PRESCRIBED FOR OFFENCES COMMITTED BY A PROPRIETOR RANGE FROM $20,000 TO $30,000 WHILE THOSE FOR OFFENCES BY AN EMPLOYEE ARE $10,000.
"SOME EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES HAVE SUGGESTED THAT IT IS UNFAIR TO MAKE EMPLOYEES LIABLE UNDER THE REGULATIONS.
"IT IS OUR FIRM VIEW THAT BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES MUST SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING SAFETY AT WORK," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE LABELLING SYSTEM PROPOSED IN THE REGULATIONS WAS IN LINE WITH THE METHOD USED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE CLASSIFICATION, PACKAGING AND LABELLING OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES REGULATIONS 1984.
THESE FOLLOWED UNITED NATIONS STANDARDS AND WERE AT PRESENT COMMONLY USED IN EEC COUNTRIES.
"SOME DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES IMPORTED FROM OVERSEAS MAY USE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LABELLING SYSTEM. DUE ALLOWANCE FOR THIS HAS BElN MADE IN THE PROPOSED REGULATION 7(A), WHICH PROVIDES FOR EXEMPTION WHERE THE PARTICULARS IN THE LABELS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THOSE PRESCRIBED," HE SAID.
/MR BRIDGE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1$, 1988
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT DURING THE PAST THREE MONTHS LEGCO MEMBERS HAD CAREFULLY SCRUTINISED THE REGULATIONS, SOUGHT CLARIFICATION OF VARIOUS POINTS AND RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS FROM INTERESTED BODIES.
"CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THERE MAY BE LOOPHOLES AND INADEQUACIES.
"THESE ARE COMPLEX REGULATIONS WHICH CONCERN PEOPLE’S LIVES AND SAFETY AND FULLY DESERVE THE DETAILED ATTENTION THEY HAVE RECEIVED. I AM THEREFORE MOST GRATEFUL TO MEMBERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS.
"THE FACT THAT, AFTER SUCH CAREFUL SCRUTINY, ONLY TWO AMENDMENTS HAVE NOW BEEN PROPOSED IS, I HOPE, AN INDICATION OF THE BASIC SOUNDNESS OF OUR APPROACH," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE TWO AMENDMENTS PROPOSED WERE, FIRST, TO SPECIFY HOW THE CONCENTRATION OF A SUBSTANCE SHOULD BE MEASURED AND, SECONDLY, TO DELETE THE CLAUSE BY WHICH LABORATORIES WITHIN FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WERE EXEMPTED FROM THE REGULATIONS.
"WE HAVE RECEIVED STRONG REPRESENTATION FROM VARIOUS QUARTERS THAT SUCH AN EXEMPTION WOULD CREATE A MAJOR LOOPHOLE, AND NOW AGREE THAT THERE IS A GOOD CASE FOR INCLUDING THEM UNDER THE REGULATIONS," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD PUBLISHED REFERENCE MATERIALS, TECHNICAL iFORLATION AND LITERATURE ON THE SUBJECT.
THESE INCLUDED A BOOKLET ON THE CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES COMMONLY USED IN INDUSTRY; LEAFLETS ON THE SAFE USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES; AND TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS FOR THE LISTED SUBSTANCES.
STANDARD SAMPLE LABELS, WITH PRESCRIBED RISKS, SAFETY INFORMATION AND SYMBOLS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO FACTORY PROPRIETORS BEFORE THE REGULATIONS CAME INTO FORCE.
IN THE SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE REGULATIONS CAME INTO OPERATION, A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WOULD BE CONDUCTED TO EXPLAIN THEIR PURPOSE AND CONTENT.
"WE SHALL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REGULATIONS ONCE THEY COME INTO FORCE," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"MANY OF OUR EXISTING REGULATIONS ALREADY MAKE IT CLEAR THAT BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE.
"I BELIEVE THAT THESE REGULATIONS ARE A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN OUR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE TOLL OF ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSES ARISING FROM UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS."
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PROPOSAL FOR CENTRAL CENTRE ON CHEMICALS WILL BE STUDIED
* » » * «
A PROPOSAL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CENTRAL INFORMATION CENTRE ON CHEMICALS, AND THAT THERE ALSO BE SAFETY COMMITTEES IN INDIVIDUAL FACTORIES, WENT RATHER BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE PRESENT REGULATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS MADE BY MEMBERS ON HIS MOTION THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS 1988.
HOWEVER, MR BRIDGE SAID HE WOULD ASK THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSALS.
I
THE SECRETARY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE AD HOC GROUP CHAIRED BY PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG WHICH HAD SCRUtlNISED THE REGULATIONS AND PROPOSED THE TWO AMENDMENTS WHICH WERE NOW INCLUDED.
ON THE CONCERN OF INTERESTED BODIES THAT THE LIST OF 231 CHEMICALS IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE MIGHT NOT BE ADEQUATE, MR BRIDGE EMPHASISED THAT THOSE ALREADY LISTED WERE ONES COMMONLY USED IN INDUSTRY.
"WE WILL CAREFULLY MONITOR THE SITUATION AND, IF NECESSARY, ADD TO THE LIST," HE SAID.
A SUGGESTION THAT IMPORTERS OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SAFETY DATA SHEETS WAS ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE REVIEW OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
ON A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SYMBOLS, THE USE OF BOTH CHEMICAL AND COMMON NAMES ON LABELS AND THE EXEMPTION OF SOME CONTAINERS, MR BRIDGE SAID THESE POINTS WOULD BE BORNE IN MIND IN MONITORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REGULATIONS.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD ADVISE FACTORY OWNERS TO PUT UP NOTICES AT ANY WORK PLACE WHERE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES WERE SUBJECT TO CHEMICAL CHANGE.
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI AND THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG WERE WORRIED ABOUT IMPOSING PENALTIES ON EMPLOYEES. "I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS EMPLOYERS SHOULD TAKE THEIR SHARE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, I AM SURE THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE GREAT CARE IN PROSECUTING EMPLOYEES."
/ON A
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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ON A PROPOSAL THAT CUSTODIAL SENTENCES BE CONSIDERED FOR CERTAIN OFFENCES UNDER THE REGULATIONS, MR BRIDGE SAID THIS WOULD BE DONE IN THE CONTEXT OF A SIMILAR PROPOSAL IN RELATION TO OFFENCES UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION, PUBLICITY AND MONITORING, MR BRIDGE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD ENSURE THAT THE REGULATIONS WERE ADEQUATELY PUBLICISED.
"WE WILL ALSO MONITOR THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AND, IF NECESSARY, INTRODUCE APPROPRIATE IMPROVEMENTS," HE ADDED.
THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.
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NEV. RULES ON INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS SUPPORTED » » » * *
NEW REGULATIONS WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE LABELLING AS WELL AS SAFE USE AND HANDLING OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES IN FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT STEP BY THE GOVERNMENT TO LEGISLATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS, PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PROF POON WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF A MOTION THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS 1988.
HI SAID THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO SCRUTINISE THE BILL HAD BEEN AT ALL TIMES CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO HAVE THE REGULATIONS ENACTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO AS TO GIVE PROPER PROTECTION TO WORKERS IN THEIR DAY-TO-DAY HANDLING OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.
THE Al) HOC GROUP, OF WHICH HE WAS CONVENER, HAD REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS.
ONE AMENDMENT WAS THE DELETION OF A PROVISION WHICH EXEMPTED BONA FIDE LABORATORIES FROM THE REGULATIONS.
’’MEMBERS IN THE AD HOC GROUP AS WELL AS THE REPRESENTATIVES IT MET WERE OF THE VIEW THAT IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO EXEMPT SUCH LABORATORIES AND MAY LEAD TO CONFUSION IF THE TERM COULD NOT BE CLEARLY DEFINED BY LEGISLATION,” HE SAID.
PROF POON ALSO SAID THAT ALL THE ORGANISATIONS WHICH MADE REPRESENTATION TO THE AD HOC GROUP FELT THAT THE LISTING OF 231 CHEMICALS IN THE REGULATIONS WAS INSUFFICIENT AND SHOULD BE EXPANDED.
/HE NOTED
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE WAS THAT THE LIST ONLY REPRESENTED THE FIRST STEP IN IDENTIFYING SUCH SUBSTANCES, AND DELETION OR ADDITIONS COULD BE MADE AS AND WHEN NECESSARY.
’’WHILE THE AD HOC GROUP APPRECIATES THE EXPLANATION PUT FORWARD BY THE ADMINISTRATION, MEMBERS FELT THAT THE VtEW OF THE ORGANISATIONS SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED AND THE LIST SHOULD BE REGULARLY REVIEWED TO SEE WHETHER IT ADEQUATELY REFLECTS THE RANGE OF CHEMICALS USED IN INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
ANOTHER POINT RAISED IN THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY THE AD HOC GROUP WAS THE PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE IMPORTERS OR SUPPLIERS TO PROVIDE SAFETY DATA SHEETS FOR ALL DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES USED IN THE TERRITORY.
PROF POON SAID IT WAS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO AMEND THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE SUPPLIERS OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS TO FORMALLY PROVIDE SAFETY DATA SHEETS. HE HOPED THIS COULD BE CARRIED OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS AND INTRODUCE APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS WHEN NECESSARY BY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE GAINED AFTER THE REGULATIONS BECAME EFFECTIVE.
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FRAMEWORK FOR SELF-REGULATION OF OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY
*****
THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 CONTAINS A BROAD FRAMEWORK AND THE ESSENTIAL STATUTORY PROVISIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY OF SELF-REGULATION OF THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NEND1CK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE BILL’S SECOND READING, MR NEND1CK DESCRIBED THE BILL AS THE CULMINATION OF MANY MONTHS OF EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION RESULTING IN A CONSENSUS OF OPINION THAT SELF-REGULATION OF THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
"IN THE INITIAL PHASE OF DEVELOPING SELF-REGULATION, TH GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PERFORM THE LICENSING FUNCTION," III SAID.
/"PROVISIONS HAVE
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"PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE BILL AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO OVERSEE THE SELF-REGULATION SCHEME AND THE NEW COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE INDUSTRY IN IMPLEMENTING THE VARIOUS MEASURES."
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT THE PROPOSALS FOR SELF-REGULATION WERE ANNOUNCED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AFTER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ENDORSED THE MAJOR PRINCIPLES OF THE POLICY. THESE MEASURES WERE DESIGNED TO MEET THREE OBJECTIVES:
» FIRST, TO INTRODUCE SELF-REGULAION OF THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY WITH LIMITED GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT;
* SECONDLY, TO REPLACE THE TRAVEL AGENTS' RESERVE FUND WITH A NEW COMPENSATION SCHEME TO BE ESTABLISHED BY THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY OFFERING THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC A DEGREE OF PROTECTION; AND
* THIRDLY, TO SETTLE THE OUTSTANDING CLAIMS AGAINST THE TRAVEL AGENTS' RESERVE FUND.
"SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE IN 1985, A NUMBER OF TRAVEL AGENTS HAVE DEFAULTED DUE TO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES OR THE ABSCONDMENT OF THEIR OWNERS," HE SAID.
"THE PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION HAVE PROVED TO BE INADEQUATE.
"ACCORDINGLY, THE GOVERNMENT, IN CONSULTATION THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF ALL LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUTBOUND TOUR ORGANISERS, COMMENCED A REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE."
THE REVIEW FOCUSSED, IN PARTICULAR, ON THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS AND ON THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF REGULATION OF THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP ON THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE ALSO GAVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE MATTER.
THE GENERAL CONSENSUS WAS THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF SELF-REGULATION WAS THE MOST APPROPRIATE MEANS OF ENCOURAGING BETTER PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
MR NENDICK SAID CLAUSE FOUR OF THE BILL AMENDED THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE, AS A STATUTORY CONDITION OF LICENCE, THAT ANY PERSON WHO WISHED TO PROVIDE OUTBOUND TRAVEL SERVICES SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF AN "APPROVED ORGANISATION".
/THE TRAVEL
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THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG (TIC) WOULD BE DESIGNATED THE "APPROVED ORGANISATION" IN THE NEW SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE.
TRAVEL AGENTS WOULD ACQUIRE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TIC BY JOINING ONE OF ITS SIX ASSOCIATION MEMBERS.
TIC MEMBERSHIP WOULD BE A PRE-REQUISITE FOR THE GRANTING OF A LICENCE BY THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS.
"THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS LICENSING CONDITION WILL ENSURE THAT ALL LICENSEES MEET CERTAIN MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS," MR NENDICK SAID.
"THE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA FOR JOINING THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL WILL INCLUDE, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, MINIMUM CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROVISION OF SUITABLE COMMERCIAL PREMISES AND EXPERIENCED STAFF TO RUN THE TRAVEL SERVICE.
"THE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA SET CERTAIN BASIC STANDARDS, BUT THEY ARE NOT UNDULY ONEROUS. BONA FIDE OPERATORS SHOULD HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN MEETING THEM."
MR NENDICK SAID THAT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA FOR JOINING THE TIC WERE ADMINISTERED FAIRLY AND IMPARTIALLY, AN APPEALS MECHANISM WOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
UNDER THE NEW TIC CONSTITUTION, TO BE ADOPTED UPON THE INCORPORATION OF THE TIC, A TRAVEL AGENT, WHOSE APPLICATION I'O JOIN ANY ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF THE TIC HAD BEEN REFUSED, MIGHT APPLY FOR HIS CASE TO BE REVIEWED BY AN APPEAL BOARD OF THE TIC AND THEREAFTER, BY FURTHER APPEAL, TO THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS.
"SHOULD THE REGISTRAR FIND IN FAVOUR OF THE APPLICANT CONCERNED, HE MAY DIRECT THE TIC TO ACCEPT THE APPLICANT AS A MEMBER.
"A SIMILAR RIGHT OF APPEAL IS PROVIDED FOR IN RESPECT OF AN AGENT WHOSE MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN SUSPENDED OR REVOKED BY THE TIC," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID IT WAS INTENDED THAT A NEW NON-STATUTORY COMPENSATION SCHEME SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND.
THE NEW COMPENSATION FUND WOULD BE NAMED THE TIC RESERVE FUND. THIS WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A SEPARATE COMPANY.
"IN ADDITION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TIC RESERVE FUND WILL INCLUDE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, A CONSUMER COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AND FOUR PROFESSIONALS DRAWN FROM THE LEGAL, BANKING, ACCOUNTING AND INSURANCE SECTORS RESPECTIVELY," HE SAID.
/MR NENDICK
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
1
- 13 -
MR NENDICK SAID SECTION 35 AND THE EXISTING SCHEDULE TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE REQUIRED NEW LICENSEES TO PAY $2,500 INTO THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND.
"UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, THESE PROVISIONS WILL BF RFPEALED BY CLAUSES 15(2) AND 17 OF THE BILL AND WILL BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT FROM JULY 15, 1988," HE SAID.
"THEREAFTER, ALL NEW LICENSEES AND TIC MEMBERS WILL BE REQUIRED UNDER THE TIC CONSTITUTION TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TIC RESERVE FUND BY WAY OF A LEVY ON THE SALE OF ALL OUTBOUND PACKAGE TOURS.
"THE LEVY HAS BEEN SET AT A RATE OF ONE PER CENT ON THE PRICE OF THE TOUR. THE PERCENTAGE OF LEVY PAYABLE MAY NOT BE AMENDED WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNMENT."
MR NENDICK SAID THE BILL ALSO CONTAINED A TRANSITIONAL PROVISION TO PRESERVE CLAIMS FOR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION LODGED WITH THE REGISTRAR UNDER SECTION 43 OF THE ORDINANCE, PRIOR TO A SPECIFIED DATE.
THE DATE WAS TO BE SPECIFIED BY THE GOVERNOR BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE. AFTER THAT DATE, NO CLAIMS WOULD BE ENTERTAINED AGAINST THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND.
"THE PURPOSE OF THIS TRANSITIONAL PROVISION IS TO ENABLE THE FORMER CLIENTS OF TRAVEL AGENTS WHICH DEFAULTED LAST YEAR, NAMELY AUSTRAVEL AND P.C. TRAVEL SERVICE, TO APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE SAID.
"THE WINDING-UP PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF AUSTRAVEL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND THE MAJORITY OF FORMER CUSTOMERS HAVE ALREADY APPLIED FOR EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS FROM THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND.
"THE WINDING-UP PROCEEDINGS FOR P.C. TRAVEL SERVICE WILL SOON BE COMPLETED AND FORMER CLIENTS MAY SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION LATER."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
14
IMPROVEMENTS TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME PROPOSED * » » t »
A NUMBER OF MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME ARE CONTAINED IN THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, HE SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THE PROPOSALS WOULD BE WELCOMED BY THE COMMUNITY AS A FURTHER SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE WELFARE OF WORKERS.
THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SO IN RELATION TO THE EXTENSION OF THE SCHEME TO COVER RESIGNATIONS DUE TO ILL HEALTH AND OLD AGE.
MR BRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME WAS ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER 1985.
IT PROVIDED FOR A LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF UP TO 12 MONTHS FINAL WAGES TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO WAS DISMISSED AFTER WORKING WITH AN EMPLOYER FOR A MINIMUM NUMBER OF YEARS: 10 YEARS IN THE CASE OF THOSE AGED BELOW 41, AND FIVE YEARS FOR THOSE AGED 45 OR MORE.
TO QUALIFY FOR THE SCHEME, THE EMPLOYEE’S CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT MUST BE TERMINATED ON GROUNDS OTHER THAN SUMMARY DISMISSAL, RESIGNATION OR REDUNDANCY.
FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE, A MONTHLY PAID EMPLOYEE AGED 41 OR MORE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR TWO-THIRDS OF A MONTH’S WAGES AND A DAILY-RATED OR PIECE-RATED EMPLOYEE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR 18 DAYS’ WAGES, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM PAYMENT OF 12 MONTHS’ WAGES. REDUCED PAYMENTS WERE SPECIFIED FOR YOUNGER WORKERS.
THERE WERE OTHER PROVISIONS GOVERNING RECKONABLE SERVICE AND PROVIDING FOR A GRATUITY OR PROVIDENT FUND PAYMENT TO BE SET OFF AGAINST THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
"WHEN THESE PROVISIONS CAME INTO OPERATION IN JANUARY 1988, THE ADMINISTRATION UNDERTOOK TO CONDUCT A REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"I AM NOW VERY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO RECOMMEND TO THIS COUNCIL A NUMBER OF MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SCHEME, WHICH HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD."
FIRST, HE SAID, IT WAS PROPOSED TO ALLOW AN EMPLOYEE WITH THE RELEVANT QUALIFYING PERIOD OF SERVICE TO BECOME ENTITLED TO A LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IF HE RESIGNED ON THE GROUNDS THAT HE WAS MEDICALLY UNFIT FOR HIS JOB AND WAS LIKELY TO REMAIN PERMANENTLY UNFIT FOR IT.
/A MEDIC AI,
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 15 -
A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE FROM A GOVERNMENT OR GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED HOSPITAL WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SUBSTANTIATE THIS CLAIM.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WAS EMPOWERED TO PRESCRIBE THE FORM OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, WHICH MUST SPECIFY THE PRECISE JOB FOR WHICH THE EMPLOYEE WAS UNFIT AND THE REASON FOR HIS UNFITNESS.
SECONDLY, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT AN EMPLOYEE AGED 65 YEARS OR OVER WITH NOT LESS THAN 10 YEARS’ SERVICE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A LONG SERVICE PAYMENT ON RESIGNATION.
THIRDLY, IT WAS PROPOSED TO ALLOW THE SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS OF A DECEASED EMPLOYEE TO BECOME ENTITLED TO A LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IF THE DECEASED HAD COMPLETED THE QUALIFYING PERIOD OF SERVICE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.
’’THE SPOUSE OF THE DECEASED WILL HAVE PRIORITY OVER HIS LEGITIMATE CHILDREN OR PARENTS," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"IF THERE ARE NO FAMILY MEMBERS, THE DECEASED’S LEGAL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT."
A GRATUITY OR RETIREMENT BENEFIT DUE TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAD DIED IN SERVICE MIGHT BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT. THIS ENSURED THAT EMPLOYERS WOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO PAY A DOUBLE BENEFIT.
FOURTHLY, IT WAS PROPOSED TO PREVENT AN UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYER FROM RAISING AN EMPLOYEE’S WAGES JUST BEYOND THE EXISTING WAGE CEILING AND THEN DISMISSING HIM IN ORDER TO AVOID THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT. i i
A CLAUSE PROVIDED THAT WHERE A NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEE EARNING MORE THAN THE WAGE CEILING WAS DISMISSED, BUT HAD BEEN EARNING BELOW THE CEILING WITHIN ONE YEAR BEFORE HIS DISMISSAL, HE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A LONG SERVICE PAYMENT FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD DURING WHICH HIS WAGES DID NOT EXCEED THE CEILING..
FIFTHLY, IT WAS PROPOSED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT AN EMPLOYER WAS NOT LIABLE TO PAY A DOUBLE BENEFIT IN RESPECT OF A LONG SERVICE PAYMENT OR SEVERANCE PAYMENT IF THE EMPLOYEE WAS RE-EMPLOYED IMMEDIATELY AFTER RETIREMENT. THE PERIOD OF RE-EMPLOYMENT WOULD BE TREATED SEPARATELY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/16
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
16
BILL EXTENDS SCOPE OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION LAW
♦ ♦ ♦ * »
THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 PROPOSES TWO MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND A NUMBER OF MINOR ONES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR BRIDGE SAID THE FIRST MAJOR PURPOSE WAS TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO COVER HONG KONG WORKERS REQUIRED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DUTIES TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"AS THE LAW NOW STANDS, WHEN SUCH WORKERS SUSTAIN INJURIES WHILE WORKING OUTSIDE HONG KONG, THEY ARE DEPRIVED OF THE PROTECTION OF THE ORDINANCE AND THEIR EMPLOYERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO COMPENSATE THEM OR THEIR DEPENDANTS," HE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, IT MAY WELL HAPPEN THAT THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH THE INJURY OCCURS."
MR BRIDGE SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD NOTED AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SUCH INJURIES. KNOWN CASES ROSE FROM 95 IN 1986 TO 189 IN 1987, AND THERE MIGHT WELL BE OTHER CASES WHICH WERE NOT REPORTED.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO KNEW THAT MANY EMPLOYERS HAD VOLUNTARILY TAKEN OUT INSURANCE COVER FOR THEIR WORKERS AND HAD ACTUALLY COMPENSATED THEM AS IF THEY WERE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE ORDINANCE.
"CLAUSE 10 OF THIS BILL WOULD MAKE THIS A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT," MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT, TO AVOID DOUBLE BENEFITS, IT ALSO PROVIDED FOR COMPENSATION PAID OUTSIDE HONG KONG UNDER THE LAW OF A FOREIGN JURISDICTION TO BE OFFSET AGAINST ANY COMPENSATION RECEIVED UNDER THIS ORDINANCE.
CLAUSE 12 OF THE BILL PROPOSED TO AMEND SECTION 40 OF THE ORDINANCE SO THAT EMPLOYERS’ INSURANCE LIABILITY IN RESPECT OF WORK INJURIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG WAS LIMITED TO STATUTORY LIABILITY UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND DAMAGES UNDER COMMON LAW AWARDED BY A HONG KONG COURT.
"THIS IS NECESSARY BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO REQUIRE INSURANCE COVER FOR DAMAGES AWARDED BY A COURT OUTSIDE HONG KONG. THIS AMENDMENT HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY," MR BRIDGE EXPLAINED.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
17 -
HE SAID IT WAS PROPOSED TO HAVE A THREE-MONTH NOTICE PERIOD FROM THE DATE OF ENACTMENT BEFORE THE PROVISIONS TOOK EFFECT, SO AS TO ALLOW EMPLOYERS TIME TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY INSURANCE COVER.
NOTING THAT THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR A SECOND MAJOR IMPROVEMENT TO THE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION SYSTEM, MR BRIDGE SAID CLAUSE 4(A) EXTENDED THE SCOPE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM TO COVER CASES INVOLVING INJURIES RESULTING IN NOT MORE THAN FIVE PER CENT PERMANENT INCAPACITY.
’’THIS QUICK AND EFFECTIVE SYSTEM HAS ALREADY HAD A DRAMATIC EFFECT IN SHORTENING THE TIME NEEDED TO SETTLE 83 PER CENT OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION CASES,” HE SAID.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD INCREASE TO 98 PER CENT THE PROPORTION OF CASES DEALT WITH BY THE VERY SUCCESSFUL METHOD.
OTHER CLAUSES OF THE BILL INTRODUCED MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING ORDINANCE.
CLAUSE 2 REQUIRED THE EMPLOYEE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HIS OTHER CONCURRENT EMPLOYMENTS TO HIS EMPLOYER ON REQUEST.
’’THIS WILL ENABLE THE EMPLOYER TO TAKE OUT FULL INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR HIS LIABILITY UNDER SECTION 11(7) OF THE ORDINANCE,” MR BRIDGE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THIS PROVIDED THAT WHEN AN EMPLOYEE HAD CONCURRENT CONTRACTS WITH TWO OR MORE EMPLOYERS AND WAS INJURED IN HIS PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT, HIS MONTHLY EARNINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPUTING COMPENSATION WOULD BE THE SUM TOTAL OJ HIS EARNINGS UNDER ALL THE CONCURRENT CONTRACTS.
’’THIS METHOD OF RECKONING EARNINGS WILL NOT APPLY IF THE EMPLOYEE FAILS TO SUPPLY THE PARTICULARS REQUESTED BY THE EMPLOYER,” MR BRIDGE EXPLAINED.
CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL RAISED THE CEILING OF AN EMPLOYER’S ADVANCE PAYMENT TO AN INJURED EMPLOYEE OR HIS DEPENDANTS IN A PENDING CASE FROM $10,000 TO $20,000 IN ORDER TO REFLECT WAGE AND COST OF LIVING INCREASES.
CLAUSE 5 REQUIRED THAT OBJECTIONS TO THE ASSESSMENT OF A COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT BOARD MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
HE SAID THIS WOULD ENABLE THE EXTENDED CERTIFICATE OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM TO BE IMPLEMENTED MORE EFFECTIVELY.
/’•AT PRESENT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
18 -
"AT PRESENT IT IS NOT AN OFFENCE FOR AN EMPLOYER NOT TO PAY THE COMPENSATION OR THE SURCHARGE. CLAUSES 4(D) AND 7(C) MAKE IT AN OFFENCE WITH A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A FINE OF $10,000," MR BRIDGE ADDED.
CLAUSE 8 EXTENDED THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPEALS TO THE COURT AGAINST ANY DECISION OR ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OR AN ASSESSMENT BOARD FROM 30 DAYS TO SIX MONTHS. MR BRIDGE SAID THIS WOULD PARTICULARLY HELP THOSE APPLICANTS WHO REQUIRED LEGAL AID.
CLAUSE 11 REPEALED SECTION 36D(2)(A) WHICH WAS NO LONGER NECESSARY.
"THIS SECTION NOW REQUIRES THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO GIVE THE EMPLOYER PARTICULARS OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE INJURY WHEN CLAIMING THE COSTS OF FITTING THE EMPLOYEE WITH A PROSTHESIS OR SURGICAL APPLIANCE," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"IN FACT THE EMPLOYER ALREADY HAS THIS INFORMATION."
AT PRESENT, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR HAD THE POWER TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER TO PRODUCE A CURRENT INSURANCE POLICY, BUT NOT EARLIER POLICIES.
MR BRIDGE SAID IN MANY CASES IT HAD PROVED NECESSARY TO CHECK A PREVIOUS POLICY WHICH WAS IN FORCE WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
"CLAUSE 14 EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO PRODUCE FOR INSPECTION A POLICY OF INSURANCE OR OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS RELEVANT TO ANY DATE SPECIFIED IN THE NOTICE," HE SAID.
"AN EMPLOYER WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS MORE THAN THREE YEARS OLD."
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT ALL THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND HE BELIEVED THEY REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/19
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 19 -
CONTROL ON MAJORITY OF PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS NECESSARY t * * * t
THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT CONTROL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE MAJORITY OF PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS WHICH IN REALITY OPERATE AS PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WEL!ARE, VTHE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE EXTENSION WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC, FROM THE LAW AND ORDER, PUBLIC HEALTH, FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY POINTS OF VIEW.
MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE PRESENT PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS WERE NOT REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED ALTHOUGH MANY OPERATED AS DE FACTO PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS.
THE BILL REPLACED THE PRESENT DEFINITION "PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOON" WITH A NEW DEFINITION "BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENT" WHICH MEANT ANY PLACE USED FOR PLAYING BILLIARDS OR OTHER SIMILAR GAMES.
IT ALSO EXEMPTED GENUINE PRIVATE HOMES FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN A LICENCE; AND EMPOWERED THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO MAKE BY-LAWS EXEMPTING ANY CLASS OR DESCRIPTION OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENT FROM LICENSING.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS HAD ENDORSED THESE PROPOSALS AND HAD AGREED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION THAT BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS WITH LESS THAN FOUR TABLES, WHICH WOULD NORMALLY NOT BE COMMERCIALLY VIABLE, SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM LICENSING.
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD ALSO SUPPORTED THE PROPOSALS AND MADE SOME SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING THE AGE AND HOURS OF PLAY IN RESPECT OF YOUNG PERSONS IN BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS, HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WOULD AMEND THE PLACES OF AMUSEMENT (URBAN COUNCIL) AND (REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS RESPECTIVELY AFTER THE BILL WAS ENACTED TO EXEMPT FROM LICENSING THE CLASS OR DESCRIPTION OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENT THAT WAS INTENDED TO BE EXEMPTED.
THERE WOULD BE A 12-MONTH GRACE PERIOD STARTING FROM THE ENACTMENT OF THE AMENDMENT BY-LAWS TO ENABLE EXISTING CLUB OPERATORS TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE OR TO WIND UP THEIR BUSINESSES, AFTER WHO II THE AMENDMENT BILL WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT.
"THE TWO COUNCILS WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW TH! LICENSING CONDITIONS CONCERNING AGES AND HOURS OR PLAY ON SUCH PREMISES, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF YOUNG PERSONS, IN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, " MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/20........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
20
BILL TO REMEDY TWO DEFECTS IN ORDINANCE ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL
NEWSPAPERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988
WAS
INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE BILL’S SECOND READING, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, LAID THE SHORT PIECE OF LEGISLATION WAS INTENDED TO REMEDY TWO DEFECTS IN THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL SOUGHT TO NARROW THE DEFINTION OF A "PRINTED DOCUMENT".
"THE EFFECT OF THE PRESENT DEFINITION FOUND IN SECTION 2 OF THE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY IN FORCE WOULD BE TO REQUIRE UNDER THE PRINTED DOCUMENTS (CONTROL) REGULATIONS THAT DOCUMENTS SUCH AS INVITATION CARDS OR PHOTOCOPIES OF CORRESPONDENCE BEAR THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PRINTER," HE SAID.
"WE HAD NOT INTENDED THAT THE ORDINANCE SHOULD HAVE THIS EFFECT AND I NOW PROPOSE, BY AN APPROPRIATE AMENDMENT, TO EXCLUDE DOCUMENTS PRINTED FOR BONA-FIDE COMMERCIAL, PROFESSIONAL, SOCIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES."
MR TSAO SAID THAT SECTION 7 OF THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ORDINANCE REQUIRED THAT EVERY LOCAL NEWSPAPER MUST BE REGISTERED.
THE REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS WAS OBLIGED TO REGISTER A NEWSPAPER IF ALL THE NECESSARY PARTICULARS OF THE NEWSPAPERS WERE FURNISHED TO HIM AND THE APPROPRIATE FEES PAID.
"THIS MEANS THAT HE CANNOT REFUSE TO REGISTER A NEWSPAPER THE TITLE OF WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO THAT OF A NEWSPAPER ALREADY REGISTERED," MR TSAO SAID.
"WHILE CIVIL REMEDIES ARE PROBABLY AVAILABLE, THE REGISTRATION OF TWO IDENTICALLY-TITLED NEWSPAPERS WOULD OBVIOUSLY CAUSE CONFUSION TO THE PUBLIC.
"CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL SEEKS TO PREVENT SUCH A POSSIBILITY BY EMPOWERING THE REGISTRAR TO REFUSE REGISTRATION OF NEWSPAPERS WITH A TITLE IDENTICAL TO AN EXISTING ONE."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/21.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 21 -
EXTENSION OF FUND COVERAGE WELCOMED
*****
THE STEP TAKEN TO EXTEND THE COVERAGE OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND TO INCLUDE CLAIMS BELOW $5,000 HAD BEEN WELL RECEIVED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EMPLOYEES OF SMALL EMPLOYERS WHO BECAME INSOLVENT WOULD NOW BE PROTECTED, MR BRIDGE SAID IN WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
"THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IS NOW REVIEWING THE SCOPE OF THE INSOLVENCY FUND; AND ITS EXTENSION TO INCLUDE SEVERANCE PAY IS ONE OF THE IDEAS BEING CONSIDERED.
"IN THIS CONTEXT WE WILL CERTAINLY TAKE MR TAM’S POINTS INTO ACCOUNT," HE ADDED, IN REFERENCE TO REMARKS MADE BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
------o--------
EXPANSION OF
ASSOCIATION’S MEDICAL SERVICES WELCOMED
*****
THE DECISION BY THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION TO EXTEND ITS SERVICES MUST BE HAILED AS A PROGRESSIVE STEP TAKEN BY A WELL-ESTABLISHED ORGANISATION TO FURTHER ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HONG KONG, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR HUI WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE ASSOCIATION’S ACTIVITIES TO A WIDER SPECTRUM OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
THE BILL WOULD ENABLE THE ASSOCIATION TO OPERATE GENERAL HOSPITALS, PROVIDE SURGICAL SERVICES, AND ALSO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE FOR GERIATRIC CASES.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THE SHORTAGE OF INFIRMARY BEDS IN HONG KONG, TOTALLING 1,500 PLACES, THIS TIMELY MOVE BY THE ASSOCIATION WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS RELIEVING THE PRESSURE AT PRESENT PUT ON OUR GERIATRIC WARDS AND CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES,” HE SAID.
-------O----------
/22........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
22
MORE SUPPORT FOR HOSPITALS ADVOCATED * ♦ ♦ » *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN URGED TO OFFER INCREASED FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR THE HOSPITALS UNDER THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION, SO THAT THEY CAN SERVE THE PUBLIC EVEN BETTER.
THE CALL WAS MADE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, WHEN SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
DR IP PAID TRIBUTE TO THE STAFF OF THE HOSPITALS FOR THEIR PATIENCE, DEDICATION AND WILLINGNESS TO ALTER THE NATURE OF THEIR SERVICES TO SUIT THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
SHE NOTED THAT WHEN THE INCIDENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS HAD BEEN REDUCED IN HONG KONG, AND THAT OF LUNG CANCER HAD INCREASED, THE ASSOCIATION HAD DIRECTED ITS EFFORTS TO THOSE STRICKEN WITH LUNG CANCER.
WHEN HEART DISEASE, PARTICULARLY CORONARY HEART DISEASE, BECAME ONE OF THE MAJOR KILLERS IN HONG KONG, THE ASSOCIATION WAS THE FIRST PUBLIC HOSPITAL, AND STILL THE ONLY ONE, TO OFFER CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY. AND IT HAD DONE THIS EXCEEDING WELL.
DR IP SAID SHE HAD NO DOUBT THAT WITH THE EXTENSION OF ITS SERVICES TO GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES, AS PROVIDED BY THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, THE ASSOCIATION WOULD LIKEWISE RENDER GOOD SERVICE TO MORE PEOPLE.
------0-------
CONTINUING LEGAL EFFECT INTENDED » » » ♦
THE PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS TO AMEND THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT DECISIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE LEGAL EFFECT AFTER DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE COUNCIL WOULD BE DISSOLVED ON AUGUST 25 THIS YEAR, MR NENDICK SAID WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
/HE SAID:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 23 -
HE SAID: "THERE IS SOME DOUBT WHETHER CERTAIN DECISIONS MADE BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, FROM THE DATE OF DISSOLUTION, WILL AS A MATTER OF LAW CONTINUE TO HAVE EFFECT.
"IF THEY DO NOT CONTINUE TO HAVE LEGAL EFFECT, THE NORMAL CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL BUSINESS WOULD BE DISRUPTED.
"THIS APPLIES PARTICULARLY TO THE DELEGATION OF POWER UNDER SECTION 8(3) TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------o---------
SEVEN BILLS PASSED * * *
SEVEN BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FIVE OF THEM WERE THE JURY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, AND THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
THE OTHER TWO WERE PRIVATE BILLS - THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF HONG KONG INCORPORATION BILL 1988 AND THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
SIX BILLS WERE GIVEN FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS THEN ADJOURNED.
THESE WERE THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988 AND THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
A MOTION UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, WAS ALSO APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.
THE MOTION WAS THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS 1988.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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LION ROCK TUNNEL CONGESTION AT TOLERABLE LEVEL
* » » » *
THE GOVERNMENT WAS HOPEFUL THAT WITH TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ROADS, TRAFFIC AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WOULD BE MAINTAINED AT A TOLERABLE LEVEL UNTIL THE OPENING OF THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL IN 1991, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, HE HON MAK CHUN-FONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CONRAD LAM, HE SAID SINCE 1HE INTRODUCTION OF TIDAL FLOW ARRANGEMENT AT THE TUNNEL FROM 6 AM TO 7.30 AM IN MID-JANUARY, THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASE OF 20 PER CENT IN THROUGHPUT OF SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM 3,300 VEHICLES TO ABOUT 3,900 VEHICLES BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 AM.
IT DEFERRED THE FORMATION OF THE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC QUEUE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD UNTIL 7.30 AM, AND REDUCED THEREAFTER THE AVERAGE QUEUE LENGTH FROM 3.5 KILOMETRES TO ABOUT 2.5 KILOMETRES.
AS A RESULT, THE JOURNEY TIME OF SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN THE MORNING PEAK HOURS HAD BEEN REDUCED BY AN AVERAGE OF 10 TO 15 MINUTES.
OTHER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES INTRODUCED INCLUDED THE USE OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO REGULATE MERGING MOVEMENTS AT THE SOUTHBOUND APPROACH TO THE TUNNEL AND THE INTRODUCTION OF BUS LANES ALONG KOWLOON-BOUND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND CHE KUNG MIU ROAD.
THE BUS LANES HAD RESULTED IN AN AVERAGE REDUCTION OF FIVE MINUTES FOR BUS JOURNEYS, MR MAK SAID.
"APART FROM THESE, A CONSULTANCY STUDY COMPLETED IN APRIL HAD MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE ONE-WAY TOLL SCHEME TO DIVERT NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC TO TAI PO ROAD SO THAT THE OPERATION PERIOD OF THE TIDAL FLOW CAN BE EXTENDED, FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE TIME FOR BUS LANES AND BUS PRIORITY SCHEME ALONG WESTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS WERE BEING CONSULTED ON THESE AND RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE PUT TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AFTER THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT BOARDS HAD BEEN CONSULTED.
THE ROAD PROJECTS WHICH WERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY INCLUDED THE MA ON SHAN - NAI CHUNG LINK ROAD, ROUTES 5 FROM SHA TIN TO TSUEN WAN, ROAD T6 ACROSS THE SHING MUN RIVER AND WIDENING OF TAI PO ROAD.
THE COMPLETION OF ROUTE 5 AND WIDENING OF TAI PO ROAD BY THE END OF 1989 WOULD RELIEVE SUBSTANTIALLY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE CORRIDOR, MR MAK SAID.
THE COMPLETION OF ROAD T6 IN 1990 WOULD PROVIDE A SHORTER ROUTE FROM TOLO HIGHWAY TO KOWLOON VIA THE MA ON SHAN - NAI CHUNG LINK ROAD, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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TAVAS EXTENSION TO TRAINS RULED OUT ♦ ♦ * » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED SEVERAL YEARS AGO NOT TO EXTEND THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME (TAVAS) TO COVER RAILWAY ACCIDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, MR CHAMBERS SAID HE DID NOT SEE ANY REASON TO CHANGE THIS VIEW AT PRESENT.
HE EXPLAINED THAT PERSONS WHO WERE INJURED ON TRAINS OR WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF RAILWAY STATIONS WERE NOT COVERED AT PRESENT BY ANY SCHEME SIMILAR TO THE TAVA SCHEME.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT THE QUESTION OF EXTENDING TAVAS TO COVER VICTIMS OF RAILWAY ACCIDENTS OR SETTING UP A SEPARATE FUND WAS CONSIDERED IN SOME DETAIL SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
THERE WAS HOWEVER A BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACCIDENTS ON THE ROADS AND ON THE RAILWAYS, HE SAID.
"WHEREAS EVERBODY HAS THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC ROADS, PEOPLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS ON THE RAILWAYS ARE EITHER FARE-PAYING PASSENGERS, WHO ARE IN A CONTRACTUAL POSITION WHEREBY THE CARRIER IS REQUIRED TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY, OR ARE TRESPASSERS ON RAILWAY PROPERTY," MR CHAMBERS NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY THE TAVA SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED WAS THE FREQUENT DIFFICULTY IN IDENTIFYING DRIVERS INVOLVED IN ROAD ACCIDENTS, WHILST THE PROBLEM DID NOT ARISE IN HIE CASE OF RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.
"IF ACCIDENTS DO OCCUR AND THE VICTIMS ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN COMPENSATION QUICKLY, ASSISTANCE CAN USUALLY BE PROVIDED THROUGH Till SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM OR THROUGH CHARITABLE FUNDS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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AIM IS SELF-REGULATION WITHIN PEST CONTROL INDUSTRY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT SELF-REGULATION WITHIN HF PEST CONTROL INDUSTRY, COUPLED WITH A HIGHER LEVEL OF PUBLIC AWARENESS, IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY TO ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO RAISE SAFETY STANDARDS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT AT PRESENT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT CONSIDERING THE INTRODUCTION OF STATUTORY CONTROLS OVER THE OPERATION OF PEST CONTROL COMPANIES.
•'INSTEAD, A NUMBER OF NON-STATUTORY MEASURES AIMED AT ENCOURAGING SELF-REGULATION WITHIN THE INDUSTRY ARE BEING CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THESE WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE HONG KONG PEST CONTROL ASSOCIATION, AN ASSOCIATION OF THE MAJOR PEST CONTROL COMPANIES OPERATING IN HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSED MEASURES INCLUDED DRAWING UP A CODE 01 PRACTICE WHICH WOULD BE BINDING UPON MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, THE INTRODUCTION OF TRAINING COURSES FOR PEST CONTROL OPERATORS AND THE ORGANISATION OF SEMINARS ON PEST CONTROL MATTERS FOR MEMBERS OF THE TRADE AND THE PUBLIC.
"THESE EFFORTS WILL BE ACTIVELY SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID THAT AN ELEMENT OF INDIRECT CONTROL WAS BEING CONSIDERED BY MEANS OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES ORDINANCE.
THESE AMENDMENTS WOULD EXTEND THE EXISTING CONTROLS UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO COVER THE IMPORT, SUPPLY, STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION, RETAILING, LABELLING, BOTTLING AND MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION LEVELS OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES, INCLUDING ALL THOSE CURRENTLY USED BY PEST CONTROL COMPANIES, MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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STABLE PATTERN IN EARLY RETIREMENTS FROM POLICE *****
THE FIGURES INDICATING THE SCALE AND PATTERN OF EARLY RETIREMENTS FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORGE HAVE BEEN STABLE AT A LOW LEVEL OVER RECENT YEARS AND ARE NOT A CAUSE FOR CONCERN, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, MR BARNES GAVE FIGURES ON EARLY RETIREMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS FROM THE POLICE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN 106 EARLY RETIREMENTS IN 1983, 70 IN 1984, 79 IN 1985, 46 IN 1986, 75 IN 1987 AND 27 SO FAR THIS YEAR.
THE FIGURES FOR EARLY RETIREMENTS OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS, WHICH CONSTITUTED THE MAJORITY OF THE TOTAL NUMBER, WERE: 96 IN 1983, 61 IN 1984, 72 IN 1985, 37 IN 1986, 66 IN 1987 AND 26 SO FAR THIS YEAR.
AS FOR RESIGNATIONS, MR BARNES SAID THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASE IN RESPECT OF INSPECTORS AND JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS IN 1987 AND THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THE FIGURES FOR INSPECTORATE OFFICERS WHO HAD RESIGNED FROM 1983 TO 1988 (UP TO MAY) WERE: 27 IN 1983, 29 IN 1984, 20 IN 1985, 19 IN 1986, 38 IN 1987 AND 14 THIS YEAR.
THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS WERE: 293, 220, 209, 222, 312 AND 228.
"I AM SATISFIED, HOWEVER, THAT ALTHOUGH THIS TREND MUST BE WATCHED CLOSELY, THESE RESIGNATIONS HAVE NOT SERIOUSLY AFFECTED THE EXPANSION PLANS DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE POLICE TO RESUME THE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DUTIES AT PRESENT UNDERTAKEN BY THE BRITISH GARRISON,” MR BARNES SAID.
"RECRUITMENT WILL OF COURSE PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THIS EXPANSION BUT I AM INFORMED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE THAT RECRUITMENT TARGETS ARE BEING MET WITHOUT REDUCING STANDARDS, AND THAT BOTH WASTAGE RATES AND RECRUITMENT ARE MATTERS WHICH ARE KEPT UNDER CLOSE AND CONSTANT SCRUTINY," HE ADDED.
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WEDENSDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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MEDICAL REPORT EXPECTED IN AUTUMN * * ♦ ♦ *
THE FINAL REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IS EXPECTED TO BE RECEIVED IN THE AUTUMN, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT IN THE MEANTIME IT WOULD BE QUITE INAPPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO REQUIRE THE WORKING PARTY TO CARRY OUT FURTHER CONSULTATION ON THE FORMATION OF A MEDICAL COLLEGE OR ANY OTHER MATTER.
’’THIS IS FOR THE WORKING PARTY TO DECIDE,” HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT THE WORKING PARTY ISSUED AN INTERIM REPORT IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
"IN THAT REPORT, A LIST OF POSSIBLE COLLEGES AND SPECIALTY BOARDS WHICH MIGHT FORM THE PROPOSED HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE WAS SET OUT,” HE SAID.
THE REPORT MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE LIST WAS TENTATIVE ONLY AND SOUGHT FURTHER VIEWS ON THE QUESTION FROM MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
"ONCE THE WORKING PARTY’S FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, I ACCEPT THAT IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT FURTHER CONSULTATION BEFORE THE PROPOSALS ARE PUT TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR DECISION," HE ADDED.
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CONSISTENT ACTION AGAINST OVERCHARGING TAXI-DRIVERS
*****
THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS TAKEN AGAINST TAXI DRIVERS BY THE POLICE FOR OVERCHARGING IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WERE CONSISTENTLY ABOUT 20 PER CENT, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MAK CHUN-FONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW, HE SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE POLICE IN 1985-86 AND 1986-87 WERE 155 AND 140 RESPECTIVELY.
"THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS INSTITUTED DURING THESE TWO YEARS WERE 33 OR 21.3 PER CENT AND 28 OR 20 PER CENT," HE SAID.
/MR MAK
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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MR MAK ADDED THAT IN 1987-88, 210 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED WITH 50 CASES PROSECUTED OR 20.2 PER CENT.
HE SAID: ’’THESE FIGURES INDICATED CONSISTENT EFFORTS B\ THE POLICE TO HANDLE COMPLAINTS ON OVERCHARGING.”
HE SAID THE EXISTING PENALTY FOR OVERCHARGING - A FINE OF $3,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS - WAS ADEQUATE.
’’TO DETER TAXI DRIVERS FROM OVERCHARGING OR OTHER MALPRACTICE AND TO ENCOURAGE COMPLAINANTS TO REPORT SUCH CASES, A COMPLAINT HOT LINE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) WAS DISPLAYED IN TAXIS," HE ADDED.
’’WHEN A PERSON MAKES A COMPLAINT TO THE UNIT, THE COMPLAINANT WILL BE ASKED WHETHER HE IS WILLING TO BE A COURT WITNESS. IF HE IS WILLING, TCU WILL ARRANGE WITH THE POLICE TO CONTACT HIM TO MAKE FURTHER ENQUIRIES."
HE ADDED THAT TO ENCOURAGE COMPLAINANTS TO REPORT TAX I MALPRACTICES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, EVERS EFFORT WAS MADE BY THE POLICE TO TAKE STATEMENTS AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THEM, FOR E\ \MPLE HOME, OFFICE OR THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.
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STEPS TAKEN TO ♦
ASSIST FISH FARMERS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IN VIEW OF THE FREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF RED TIDES, A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ASSIST FISH FARMERS TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN TOLO HARBOUR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WENDESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW WONG, MR CHAMBERS SAID \ REI) TIDE REPORTING NETWORK HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED TO GIVE EARLY WARNING TO THE FISH FARMERS.
IN ADDITION, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING ADVICE ON THE INTRODUCTION Ol MORE EFFICIENT AERATION DEVICES AND IMPROVED HUSBANDRY PRACTICES.
THE IMPLEMENTATION FROM JUNE 21 Ol THE TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PLAN, WHICH INCLUDED THE CONTROL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE IN THE AREA SURROUNDING TOLO HARBOUR AS WELL AS VARIOUS SEWERAGE AND SLUDGE CONTROL SCHEMES WAS EXPECTED TO BRING ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER QUALITY DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS, MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
30 -
HE SAID ACTION WAS BEING TAKEN BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL AREAS FOR MARICULTURE.
THESE INCLUDED AN EXTENSION TO THE SHAM WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE IN LONG HARBOUR AND THE POSSIBLE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW ZONE AT SHAM CHUNG, KAT 0.
HOWEVER, MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT MARICULTURE WAS ITSELF A POLLUTING OCCUPATION BECAUSE OF THE ORGANIC MATTER WHICH WAS PUT INTO THE SEA TO FEED THE FISH AND THE KITCHEN AND TOILET WASTES WHICH WERE FREQUENTLY DISCHARGED BY THOSE LIVING ON THE FISH RAFTS.
"GIVEN THE INTENSITY OF COMPETING DEMANDS FOR THE USE OF COASTAL WATERS, PARTICULARLY FOR RECREATION, FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE MARICULTURE INDUSTRY IS EXPECTED TO BE LIMITED," HE CONCLUDED.
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MORE FINANCIAL AID LIKELY FOR LINGNAN COLLEGE ♦ ♦ * * ♦
IT IS LIKELY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL RECOMMEND AN INCREASE IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR LINGNAN COLLEGE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON DANIEL TSE, MR BRIDGE SAID HE HOPED THAT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THIS EFFECT WOULD BE MADE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
DR TSE HAD ASKED WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO TAKE ON THE FUTURE OF LINGNAN COLLEGE AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT ASSESSMENT MADE BY THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS (CNAA) OF THE COLLEGE’S ACADEMIC PROGRAMME.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND AGAINST WHICH THE CNAA CARRIED OUT ITS ASSESSMENT, MR BRIDGE SAID IN 1978 THE COLLEGE WAS REGISTERED AS A POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE UNDER THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES ORDINANCE.
"IT ADOPTS A 2-2-1 COURSE STRUCTURE: THAT IS TO SAY, TWO YEARS OF FORM 6; A TWO YEAR POST-FORM 6 COURSE LEADING TO A LINGNAN HIGHER DIPLOMA; AND ONE FURTHER YEAR LEADING TO A LINGNAN HONOURS DIPLOMA," HE SAID.
/•’FOR THE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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’’FOR THE FIRST FOUR YEARS OF STUDY IT RECEIVES A SUBVENTION FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BASED ON A FORMULA DERIVED FROM THE UNIT COST OF A FORM 6 PLACE.
"THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, WHICH \LSO STIPULATED THAT THE STANDARDS OF THE QUALIFICATIONS AWARDED BY U CH ASSISTED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES SHOULD BE ASSESSED TO ENSURE COMPARABILITY WITH THOSE OF THE POLYTECHNIC."
MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THEREFORE ARRANGED FOR THE COLLEGE TO BE ASSESSED BY THE CNAA IN 1981.
"THE OUTCOME OF THAT ASSESSMENT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING AND IT WAS CLEAR THAT GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION COULD ONLY CONTINUE TO BE JUSTIFIED IF STANDARDS WERE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED.
"THE COLLEGE WAS THEREFORE TOLD THAT CHANGE WAS NEEDED," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID EARLY IN 1986 THE COLLEGE WAS TOLD THAT A FURTHER ASSESSMENT WOULD BE CARRIED OUT TOWARDS THE END OF 1987 AND THAT THE CONTINUATION OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE MIGHT DEPEND ON THE OUTCOME OF THIS ASSESSMENT.
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ACCORDINGLY INVITED THE CNAA TO MAKE A FURTHER ASSESSMENT OF THE COLLEGE IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR," HE SAID, "AND THE CNAA REPORT REACHED US IN MARCH.
"IT COMMENTED VERY FAVOURABLLY ON THE COLLEGE’S SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS SINCE THE PREVIOUS REPORT IN 1981 MAKING IT CLEAR THAT CONTINUED ASSISTANCE IS FULLY JUSTIFIED.
"WHILE WE WERE CONSIDERING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE REPORT, THE COLLEGE WROTE TO US EARLY IN MAY ASKING FOR INCREASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE CNAA.
"WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED EXAMINING THEIR PROPOSALS. WE ARE SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS THEIR REQUEST AND ARE RESPONDING TO IT QUICKLY."
MR BRIDGE SAID ON JUNE 1 THE COLLEGE MADE A FURTHER, SEPARATE REQUEST FOR IT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE SYSTEM.
"THIS PROPOSAL HAS CONSIDERABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LONGER TERM ROLE OF THE COLLEGE," HE SAID.
"IT WILL REQUIRE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IN CONSULTATION WITH THE UPGC.
"HOWEVER SYMPATHETIC WE MAY BE TO THE COLLEGE AND HOWEVER ENERGETICALLY WE MAY FOLLOW UP ITS PROPOSALS, IT WILL INEVITABLY BE SOME TIME BEFORE FIRM CONCLUSIONS CAN BE REACHED."
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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LEASE ENFORCEMENT MEASURES TO PREVENT IMPROPER USE
» ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TAKES LEASE ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AGAINST BREACH OF LEASE CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO PREVENT IMPROPER USE OF PRIVATE LAND AND BUILDINGS, AND TO SUPPORT OBJECTIVES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON ROBIN SAUNDERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR SAUNDERS ALSO STRESSED THAT SUCH LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WERE CARRIED OUT FAIRLY, PROFESSIONALLY, AND TN ACCORDANCE WITH WELL-DEFINED PROCEDURES.
HE SAID THERE WAS A SMALL LEASE ENFORCEMENT TEAM IN EVERY DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICERS WORKED TO PRIORITIES WHICH WERE AIMED AT ENSURING THAT THE WORST OFFENDERS WERE DEALT WITH FIRST, HE SAID.
"THE TOP PRIORITIES ARE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN RESIDENTIAL OR NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, PARTICULARLY THOSE UNDERTAKINGS WHICH ARE DANGEROUS OR OBNOXIOUS," MR SAUNDERS SAID.
WHEN A BREACH OF CONDITIONS WAS DISCOVERED, HE SAID, THE OWNER WOULD BE SENT A WARNING LETTER IDENTIFYING THE BREACH AND GIVING THE OWNER ONE MONTH TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.
"IF THE BREACH IS SUFFICIENTLY SERIOUS TO NEED MORE THAN ONE MONTH’S WORK TO REMEDY IT, THEN AN EXTENSION OF TIME WILL BE GIVEN, SUBJECT TO THE PAYMENT OF FORBEARANCE FEES, TO ENABLE THE OWNER TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION.
"IT IS ONLY IF AN OWNER IGNORES THE WARNING LETTERS AND TAKES NO REMEDIAL ACTION THAT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL INVOKE THE ULTIMATE SANCTION OF RE-ENTRY. RE-ENTRY IS THEREFORE ONLY TAKEN AS A LAST RESORT IF ALL OTHER AVENUES HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IF A BREACH OF CONDITIONS OCCURRED, THIS WAS USUALLY A MATTER OF FACT. BUT IN CASES OF DOUBT, LEGAL ADVICE WAS SOUGHT BEFORE LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WAS INITIATED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
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MEASURES TO CURB CYCLING NUISANCE IN COUNTRY PARKS » * » * t
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE NUISANCE CAUSED BY CYCLISTS, AND PARTICULARLY BY LEARNERS, IN COUNTRY PARKS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT CYCLING IN THE PARKS, IN ADDITION TO CAUSING ANNOYANCE, ALSO REPRESENTED A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER PARK USERS.
HE NOTED THAT UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS REGULATIONS, NO PERSON SHOULD, EXCEPT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE AUTHORITY, BRING INTO A COUNTRY PARK OR SPECIAL AREA ANY VEHICLE OR BICYCLE, OR DRIVE, USE OR BE IN POSSESSION OF ANY VEHICLE OR BICYCLE WITHIN A COUNTRY PARK OR SPECIAL AREA.
ON MEASURES BEING DONE TO CURB THE NUISANCE, MR LIAO SAID "NO CYCLING" SIGNS HAD BEEN ERECTED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO COUNTRY PARKS.
"IN ADDITION, ADVICE AND WARNINGS ARE GIVEN BY PARK WARDENS TO CYCLISTS TO DETER THEM FROM ENTERING RECREATIONAL SITES, AND PROSECUTION ACTION IS TAKEN WHERE NECESSARY," HE SAID.
I
IN 1987-88, A TOTAL OF 108 WRITTEN WARNINGS WERE ISSUED AND 163 PROSECUTIONS WERE INITIATED.
"THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY RECOGNISES, HOWEVER, THAT THERE IS A NEED TO PROVIDE AREAS WITHIN THE PARKS EXCLUSIVELY FOR CYCLING ACTIVITY.
"A PILOT CYCLING AREA FOR THIS SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE IS BEING DEVELOPED AT TAI MONG TSAI, SAI KUNG AND IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER," HE SAID.
IF THIS PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, IT WAS INTENDED THAT MORE WOULD BE DEVELOPED, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- -
A
GATEWAY FOR BOAT PEOPLE IS CLOSED : GOVERNOR
*****
HONG KONG SIMPLY CANNOT GO ON PLAYING HOST TO A NEVER-ENDING STREAM OF PEOPLE LEAVING VIETNAM BY BOAT, HOPING FOR RESETTLEMENT ELSEWHERE, WHEN THE PROSPECTS OF SUCH RESETTLEMENT ARE INCREASINGLY SLIM, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE MESSAGE WHICH OUGHT TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM NOW IS THOSE WHO SEEK TO COME TO HONG KONG LOOKING FOR RESETTLEMENT AND LEAVING ESSENTIALLY FOR ECONOMIC REASONS CANNOT HOPE TO FIND IN HONG KONG A GATEWAY TO RESETTLEMENT ELSEWHERE," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THAT GATEWAY IS CLOSED, AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE HONG KONG WILL SIMPLY BE A PLACE OF TEMPORARY DETENTION PENDING THEIR RETURN TO VIETNAM,” HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, SIR DAVID SAID WHAT HONG KONG WAS DOING NOW WAS TREATING THOSE WHO ARRIVE BY BOAT FROM VIETNAM AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
HF SAID: ’’AFTER THEY ARRIVE, THEY WILL BE SCREENED TO SEE WHETHER THEY JUSTIFY BEING TREATED AS REFUGEES UNDER UNHCR CRITERIA. HONG KONG, YOU MIGHT SAY, IS GOING TO BE A PLACE OF TEMPORARY REFUGE FOR GENUINE REFUGEES.
"WE ARE NOT GOING TO PUSH OUT TO SEA, FORCE OUT TO SEA THOSE WHO INSIST ON COMING HERE. BUT IF THEY INSIST ON COMING HERE, THEN THEY MUST TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE NEW POLICY," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID WENT ON TO SAY THAT IF THERE WERE PEOPLE IN VIETNAM WHO HOPED TO REJOIN THEIR FAMILIES OVERSEAS, THERE WERE PROPER CHANNELS TO DO SO.
"THAT IS THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY UNHCR. THAT’S A LEGAL WAY AND IT’S A SAFE WAY," HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER VIETNAM WOULD TAKE BACK THE REFUGEES, SIR DAVID SAID THAT WAS WHAT HONG KONG SHOULD NOW WORK ON.
SIR DAVID SAID: "UP TO NOW, AS YOU KNOW, VIETNAM HAS REFUSED TO TAKE BACK PEOPLE. OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, WHEN THEY HAVE PEOPLE LEAVING THEIR TERRITORIES ILLEGALLY, WOULD TAKE THOSE PEOPLE BACK.
"VIETNAM HAS SO FAR NOT AGREED TO DO THAT. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS TO PERSUADE VIETNAM THAT THEY SHOULD DO SO. THOSE ATTEMPTS WILL CONTINUE.
/’’ONE OF..........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 35 -
"ONE OF THE MOST RECENT WAS THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, SPEAKING TO THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN NEW YORK LAST WEEK. THAT EFFORT WILL BE CONTINUED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED WHETHER THERE WAS A MESSAGE TO WESTERN GOVERNMENTS ON THE NEW POLICY, SIR DAVID SAID THAT IF THERE WAS TO BE A LOOKING-AFTER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE GENUINE REFUGEES IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD, THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT ARRANGEMENT HAD TO BE THAT THERE SHOULD BE RESETTLEMENT ELSEWHERE.
"IT CANNOT SIMPLY BE A ONE-SIDED ARRANGEMENT WHERE PEOPLE STOP IN THE TERRITORIES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA AND HONG KONG AND DO NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO DO WHAT THEY WISH TO DO, WHICH IS TO GO ON ELSEWHERE," Hl-SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID THAT THE NEW POLICY WOULD NOT DESTROY THE IMAGE OF THE TERRITORY, BECAUSE HONG KONG HAD PLAYED ITS PART TO THE FULL IN LOOKING AFTER PEOPLE COMING BY BOAT FROM VIETNAM.
"WHEN THERE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING IN 1979 THAT ALL PEOPLE LEAVING VIETNAM BY BOAT WILL BE TREATED AS REFUGEES WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED, THE OTHER HALF OF THAT UNDERSTANDING WAS THEY WOULD ALSO BIRESETTLED.
"IT’S SELF-EVIDENT TO EVERYBODY THAT THE OTHER HALF OF THAT ARRANGEMENT NO LONGER APPLIES, 1 BELIEVE PEOPLE WILL FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT HONG KONG MUST NOW DETERMINE WHO IS A GENUINE REFUGEE \ND WHO IS NOT.
"I AM SURE THAT WOULD BE WIDELY UNDERSTOOD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
REFUTING A SUGGESTION THAT HONG KONG WAS ACTING IN CONCERT WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE HAVE EXPLAINED WHAT WE ARE DOING TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF COUNTRIES OF SOUTHEAST YSIA, MANY OF WHOM FACE THE SAME PROBLEMS. BUT IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT TO SAY WF ARI-ACTING IN CONCERT."
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/36........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
56 -
NEW POLICY ON BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM *****
HONG KONG WILL ADOPT A NEW POLICY FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) UNDER WHICH ALL VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE SEEKING TO ENTER HONG KONG AS ECONOMIC MIGRANTS WILL BE TREATED AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS UNLESS THEY ARE ACCORDED REFUGEE STATUS AFTER A SCREENING PROCESS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID TODAY.
ANNOUNCING THE NEW POLICY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR BARNES SAID FROM ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, ALL BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING FROM VIETNAM, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE LATER IDENTIFIED BY THE SCREENING PROCESS AS GENUINE REFUGEES, WILL BE HELD IN DETENTION CENTRES PENDING REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM.
"THEY WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO RESETTLEMENT PROCESSING," HE SAID.
"THOSE WHO ARE SCREENED IN BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AS REFUGEES ACCORDING TO THE 1951 UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION WILL BE ACCOMMODATED IN REFUGEE CAMPS WITH ACCESS TO RESETTLEMENT PROCESSING," HE SAID.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT GENUINE REFUGEES WHO HAD A "WELL FOUNDED FEAR OF PERSECUTIONS ON GROUNDS OF RACE, RELIGION, NATIONALITY OR MEMBERSHIP OF A PARTICULAR SOCIAL OR POLITICAL GROUPING" WOULD NOT BE PENALISED BY THIS CHANGE IN POLICY.
"THE SCREENING PROCEDURE WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNHCR GUIDELINES AND THERE WILL BE AN AVENUE OF APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"THOSE WITH REFUGEE STATUS ALREADY IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE TREATED ACCORDINGLY, AND WILL BE OPEN TO SUCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESETTLEMENT AS MAY BECOME AVAILABLE.
"BUT FOR THOSE SCREENED OUT AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, THE PROSPECT IS ONE OF DETENTION AT CENTRES ON HEI LING CHAU AND AT CHI MA WAN UNTIL THEY ARE REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM," HE SAID.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THIS CHANGE OF POLICY, WHICH HAD BEEN WORKED OUT BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH, AND WITH THE APPROVAL OF, THE UK GOVERNMENT, WAS NO QUIXOTIC MOVE.
"A DETERRENT HAD TO BE FOUND.
"HONG KONG HAS BEEN ACCEPTING VIETNAMESE DURING THIS TIME, WE HAVE GIVEN REFUGE TO ABOUT
REFUGEES SINCE 1975.
120,000 BOAT PEOPLE.
/"NONE HAS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 37 -
"NONE HAS BEEN TURNED AWAY AND NONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY NOW.
"WE DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO PUSHING OFF BOATS WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO ENTER OUR WATERS. BUT WE ARE AND WILL REMAIN A SMALL OVERCROWDED TERRITORY AND WE ARE FACED WITH A MOUNTING TIDE OF FRUSTRATION AND RESENTMENT AT THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF VIETNAMESE COMING TO HONG KONG AND THE COST AND EFFORT WHICH IT SEEMS HONG KONG IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO SHOULDER AS AN OPEN ENDED COMMITMENT".
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF RECENT ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM WERE ETHNIC VIETNAMESE.
"SEVENTY PER CENT COME FROM NORTH VIETNAM AND THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF THE BOAT PEOPLE ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES BUT MERELY ORDINARY PEOPLE, MOSTLY FARMERS AND FISHERMEN, SEEKING A BETTER LIFE.
"MOST HAVE NO CONNECTIONS OR FAMILY LINKS OUTSIDE VETNAM AND THEIR CHANCES OF RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS ARE REMOTE INDEED.
"OVER 3,000 REFUGEES HAVE NOW BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. THE OFFTAKE BY RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES SIMPLY CANNOT KEEP PACE WITH ARRIVALS, AND RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES ARE APPARENTLY NO LONGER PREPARED TO CONTINUE RESETTLING VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE INDISCRIMATELY AS REFUGEES.
"THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF HONG KONG CONTINUING TO BE USED, APPARENTLY INDEFINITELY, AS A TRANSIT CENTRE FOR THIRD COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY WHEN RESETTLEMENT IN NO WAY MATCHES THE NUMBERS ARRIVING," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE MESSAGE THAT HONG KONG MUST GET BACK TO THOSE CONTEMPLATING LEAVING VIETNAM IN THE HOPE OF RESETTLEMENT VIA HONG KONG WAS "DO NOT COME HERE. AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS YOU WILL ONLY FACE YEARS OF DETENTION PENDING REPATRIATION TO YOUR OWN COUNTRY."
HE SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT VIETNAM ALSO PLAYED ITS PART IN PREVENTING ITS PEOPLE FROM LEAVING ON SUCH HOPELESS AND HAZARDOUS JOURNEYS.
"ORDERLY DEPARTURE FROM VIETNAM ITSELF DIRECT TO RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES MUST BE THE AIM.
"AT THE SAME TIME WE ASK FOR THE UNDERSTANDING AND ASSISTANCE OF MAJOR RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES IN TAKING THOSE REFUGEES NOW IN OUR CROWDED CAMPS.
"FOR THE FUTURE, EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE BY HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT AND OTHER MAJOR COUNTRIES TO REACH A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM FOR THE RETURN OF OUR VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN A SAFE AND ORDERLY MANNER," HE ADDED.
- 0-----------
/38........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
SIR S.Y. CHUNG WELCOMES VR POLICY CHANGE
* « * * *
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WELCOMED THE CHANGE OF POLICY TOWARDS VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG.
"THIS IS A MAJOR STEP IN ELIMINATING THE DOUBLE STANDARDS PRACTISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN DEALING WITH ILLEGAL ENTRIES FROM CHINA AND VIETNAM," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT, WHEN ILLEGAL ENTRANTS FROM CHINA ARE INTERCEPTED, THEY ARE HANDCUFFED AND PUT INTO A DETENTION CENTRE, PENDING IMMEDIATE REPATRIATION.
BUT WHEN ILLEGAL ENTRANTS FROM VIETNAM ARE DISCOVERED, THEY ARE TAKEN ASHORE, EXAMINED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL, FED, HOUSED AND PROVIDED WITH EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
"MOREOVER, HONG KONG MAKES GREAT EFFORTS IN GETTING THEM RESETTLED IN WESTERN COUNTRIES," HE ADDED.
"IN FACT," SIR S.Y. SAID, "THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE NO DIFFERENT FROM THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA IN THAT THE VAST MAJORITY LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY SIMPLY FOR ECONOMIC REASONS, I.E. IN SEARCH OF A HIGHER MATERIAL STANDARD OF LIVING. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES WHO ARE LIABLE TO PER-SECUTION BY THEIR GOVERNMENT ON POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR ETHNIC GROUNDS."
"IT IS, THEREFORE, ONLY RIGHT THAT THEY BE TREATED ON ARRIVAL AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS," HE SAID.
"NONETHELESS, WE ARE INTRODUCING A SCREENING PROCESS TO ALLOW ANY GENUINE CASES TO CLAIM REFUGEE STATUS," HE ADDED.
SIR S.Y. DESCRIBED THE NEW MEASURE AS BEING FAIR.
"HONG KONG CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO TREAT AUTOMATICALLY EVERY SINGLE VIETNAMESE ARRIVING HERE BY BOAT AS A ’REFUGEE’," HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, SIR S.Y. HAS RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, INFORMING OMELCO MEMBERS THAT HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT ENDORSED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW POLICY.
IN HIS MESSAGE, SIR GEOFFREY SAID THAT THIS HAD RESULTED FROM HIS DISCUSSION OF THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM WITH HIS CABINET COLLEAGUES SOON AFTER HIS RECENT VISIT TO HONG KONG.
/SIR GEOFFREY .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 59 -
SIR GEOFFREY ADDED THAT APART FROM DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM WITH THE SOVIET AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTERS AS WELL AS THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE, MR GEORGE SHULTZ, HE HAD ALSO SPOKEN TO THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN NEW YORK, PRESSING HIM TO TAKE STEPS TO REDUCE ILLEGAL DEPARTURES AND TAKE BACK THOSE WHO HAD NO PROSPECT OF RESETTLEMENT ELSEWHERE. "WE SHALL KEEP UP THE PRESSURE," SIR GEOFFREY SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR GEOFFREY STRESSED THAT A "COMPLETE SOLUTION" WAS STILL BEING SOUGHT.
HE SAID, "THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IT CAN TO FIND A LASTING SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING THE REPATRIATION OF ALL BOAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES."
"WE ARE NOW IN TOUCH WITH ALL THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES, UNHCR AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION TO EXPLAIN HONG KONG’S CHANGE IN POLICY," HE ADDED.
SIR GEOFFREY CONCLUDED HIS MESSAGE BY COMMENDING HONG KONG FOR THE GENEROUS, EFFICIENT AND HUMANE WAY IN WHICH IT HAD DEALT WITH THE INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS.
-----0------
FACES THAT WILL MAKE POSTAL HISTORY ♦ * t ♦ ♦
FACES OF THE DEAF, THE AGED, THE BLIND AND THE NEEDY WILL BE PORTRAYED IN HONG KONG’S FIRST-EVER CHARITY STAMP ISSUE LATER THIS YEAR.
PERSONIFYING THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG’S MEMBER ORGANISATIONS, THE FOUR STAMPS IN THE SET ARE EXPECTED TO RAISE $1 MILLION ON THEIR FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ON NOVEMBER 3D.
AT LEAST 200,000 LOCAL PHILATELISTS ARE EXPECTED TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE HISTORIC STAMPS WHICH MIGHT FETCH A TOTAL OF $2.5 MILLION IF ALL 10 MILLION WERE SOLD.
THE STAMPS, IN DENOMINATIONS OF 70 CENTS, $1.60, $2.10 AND $6, ARE ISSUED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THR CHEST, WHICH WILL CELEBRATE ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
THE \MOUNT OF DONATION TO BE DRAWN — 10 CENTS, 20 CENTS, 30 CENTS AND $1 RESPECTIVELY — WILL BE SHOWN CLEARLY ON THE STAMPS, TOGETHER WITH THEIR NORMAL POSTAGE VALUE.
ACCORDING TO THE POST OFFICE’S SENIOR CONTROLLER (POSTAL MARKETING), MR ALBERT LEUNG MING-FAI, THE IDEA OF ISSUING CHARITY STAMPS IN HONG KONG WAS FIRST PUT FORWARD BY THE CHEST’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR DENIS BRAY, IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
/THE WORLD’S
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
40 -
THE WORLD’S FIRST CHARITY STAMP WAS ISSUED IN 1897, WHEN AUSTRALIA ISSUED TWO STAMPS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS.
THIS IDEA WAS SPEEDILY ADOPTED IN OTHER COUNTRIES, AND POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES SUCH AS GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND HAVE ISSUED CHARITY STAMPS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES. NEW ZEALAND RAISED FUNDS IN THE SAME WAY TO HELP PROMOTE HEALTH.
AS THE ISSUE OF CHARITY STAMPS IS UNPRECEDENTED IN HONG KONG, AN AMENDMENT TO THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN MADE TO EMPOWER THE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO ISSUE SUCH STAMPS FOLLOWING THE APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"PHILATELISTS ABROAD WILL ALSO BE ATTRACTED TO BUYING HONG KONG’S HISTORIC STAMPS, AND THOSE IN BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES AND MALAYSIA ARE EXPECTED TO BE THE BIGGEST PURCHASERS," MR LEUNG SAID.
"THE CROWN AGENTS PHILATELIC CORPORATION LIMITED IN U.K. WILL HE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SALE ABROAD AND MAIL ORDERS WILL ALSO BE OFFERED BY THE POST OFFICE PHILATELIC BUREAU TO PEOPLE OF OTHER COUNTRIES."
MR LEUNG SAID A 50-CENT DONATION WOULD ALSO BE ADDED TO THE NORMAL 50 CENTS CHARGE FOR AN OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVER.
"PURCHASE OF THE CHARITY STAMPS, HOWEVER, WILL BE VOLUNTARY AND THE NORMAL POSTAGE STAMPS WILL REMAIN ON SALE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO MAKE A DONATION," HE SAID.
IN VIEW OF THE EXPECTED ATTRACTION OF THE STAMP ISSUE, ADDITIONAL COUNTERS WILL BE SET UP IN MOST POST OFFICES AND EXTRA STAFF WILL BE DEPLOYED TO COPE WITH THE ANTICIPATED LARGE NUMBERS OF COLLECTORS.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR MICHAEL TUCKER, WHO FORMERLY WORKED IN THE SCHOOL OF DESIGN AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
-----o------
PROFILE OF SOCIAL WORKERS PUBLISHED
« » « t »
A PROFILE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN HONG KONG, COMPILED FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH A COMPUTERISED SYSTEM, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
IN ITS NO. 1 REPORT, THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER PLANNING SYSTEM NOTED THAT THE OVERALL WELFARE MANPOWER STRENGTH WAS 3,153 AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1987, COMPARED WITH 3,093 IN THE LAST MANPOWER SURVEY CONDUCTED IN 1984.
/AMONG THE..........
1
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
-41-
AMONG THE SERVICES, MORE WORKERS WERE WORKING IN THE SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILY WELFARE, ACCOUNTING FOR 29.5 AND 21.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE CORRESPONDING PERCENTAGES IN 1984 WERE 29.2 AND 19.4
SIMILAR TO THE 1984 SITUATION, ABOUT 72.1 PER CENT OF THE SOCIAL WORKERS WERE REPORTED TO BE MAINLY INVOLVED IN FRONTLINE SERVICE.
THE JOINT COMMITTEE, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WAS FORMED IN JULY 1987 TO ADVISE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPUTERISED DATA SYSTEM TO CENTRALISE AND MAINTAIN INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL WELFARE PERSONNEL AND ON THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF TRAINED WORKERS.
"SUCH STATISTICS ARE ESSENTIAL IN THE OVERALL MANPOWER PLANNING IN THE WELFARE FIELD," SAID MISS STELLA LEUNG, CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (TRAINING) OF SWD AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE.
SHE POINTED OUT THE MANPOWER SURVEYS IN THE WELFARE FIELD USED TO BE CONDUCTED MANUALLY.
"SUCH SURVEYS WERE TIME-CONSUMING AND THERE WAS A LONG TIME-LAG BETWEEN DATA COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF THE FINDINGS.
"BESIDES, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION CANNOT BE READILY OBTAINED,” SHE SAID.
t
THE COMPUTERISED MANPOWER PLANNING SYSTEM IS OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER PLANNING SYSTEM OFFICE OF THE SWD.
LN THE DATA COLLECTION EXERCISE LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER 1987, DATA WERE COLLECTED FROM 134 VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND SIX TRAINING INSTITUTES WHICH RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AND THE SWD.
FROM THE 141 ORGANISATIONS WHICH TOGETHER EMPLOYED 3,453 SOCIAL WORKERS, PERSONAL PARTICULARS WERE OBTAINED FROM 3,275, OR 94.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL STRENGTH ON VOLUNTARY BASIS.
DATA COLLECTED INCLUDED THEIR AGE, SEX, AREA OF SERVICE, JOB ROLE, HIGHEST QUALIFICATION OBTAINED, YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN SERVICE AND WHETHER WORKING FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME.
MISS LEUNG STRESSED THAT ALL THESE PERSONAL PARTICULARS WERE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND DATA WERE ONLY PRESENTED IN AGGREGATE FORM .
IN ADDITION TO PROFILES OF SOCIAL WORKERS, DATA WERE COLLECTED FROM PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS ON STRENGTH, VACANCIES, NEW RECRUITS, TURNOVER, DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF THEIR PERSONNEL.
/ANALYSIS OF ........
i
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1J, 1988
42 -
ANALYSIS OF THE DATA REVEALED THAT THE OVERALL DEMAND OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS FOR FILLING VACANCIES AND ADDITIONAL POSTS AND FOR REPLACEMENT OF WASTAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 1,452 FOR DEGREE HOLDERS AND 1,510 FOR DIPLOMA HOLDERS BY 1990-91.
BALANCING THE DEMAND WITH THE ESTIMATED SUPPLY, THE ESTIMATED CUMULATIVE SHORTFALL WOULD REACH 676 FOR DEGREE HOLDERS AND 519 FOR DIPLOMA HOLDERS BY THAT TIME.
"THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE STATISTICS FACILITATES THE EARLY WORKING OUT OF APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO COPE WITH THE MANPOWER SITUATION," MISS LEUNG SAID.
THE REPORT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING WHICH WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC).
THE SWAC IS SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS THE MANPOWER SITUATION AT ITS NEXT MEETING IN JULY.
TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS MANPOWER PLANNING SYSTEM, MISS LEUNG SAID THAT AN ANNUAL REVIEW EXERCISE WOULD BE CARRIED OUT SO THAT ANY UNREPORTED CHANGES DURING THE YEAR COULD BE RECAPTURED.
HOWEVER, SHE URGED THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS TO REPORT ANY CHANGE AS IT OCCURS AND TO SUPPLY UPDATED DATA PROMPTLY IN ORDER TO KEEP THE INFORMATION IN THE SYSTEM REALLY UP-TO-DATE.
ON BEHALF OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE, SHE THANKED ALL THOSE WHO HELPED TO SET UP THE SYSTEM, THE SOCIAL WORKERS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND TRAINING INSTITUTES FOR THEIR FULL CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT DURING THE DATA COLLECTION EXERCISE AND LOOKED FORWARD TO THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN FUTURE.
COPIES OF THE REPORT HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS AND TRAINING INSTITUTES.
-----0------
RADIO PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
» » » » »
A POPULAR RADIO SERIES STARTING MONDAY (JUNE 20) WILL LAUNCH THIS YEAR’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
THE SERIES, ENTITLED SAFETY HINTS IN INDUSTRY, CONSISTS OF 40 FIVE-MINUTE SEGMENTS.
THIS FOLLOWS THE SUCCESS OF A SIMILAR PROGRAMME ORGANISED JOINTLY BY COMMERCIAL RADIO AND THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE LAST YEAR.
/THE PROGRAMME
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- -
THE PROGRAMME WHICH AIMS TO ADVISE WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS ON MATTERS RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AT WORK, WILL BE AIRED ON COMMERCIAL RADIO I AT 2.30 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
DETAILS OF THE RADIO SERIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU, AND THE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL RADIO I, MISS KITTY IP, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT COMMERCIAL RADIO TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM TOMORROW ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF COMMERCIAL RADIO, NO. 3 BROADCAST DRIVE, KOWLOON.
------0-------
YUEN LONG DB TO DISCUSS VR PROBLEM ♦ * » ♦
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL AIR THEIR VIEWS ON WHETHER HONG KONG SHOULD CHANGE ITS PRESENT POLICY OF OFFERING FIRST ASYLUM TO THE BOAT PEOPLE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISCUSSION ON THE MERITS OF INTRODUCING SUMMER TIME IN HONG KONG. THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION (INFORMATION), MISS KITTY CHOI, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO COLLECT MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE ILLEGAL MOTOR CAR RACES IN YUEN LONG, PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS IN YUEN LONG TOWN EAST, TRAFFIC CONGESTION DURING MORNING HOURS ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR HUNG SHUI KIU, SERVICES PROVIDED IN HOMES FOR THE AGED IN YUEN LONG, AND A COMPLAINT FROM LAU FAU SHAN OYSTER FARMERS AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CAUSEWAY IN DEEP BAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO BOARD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT LONG.
COVER THE MEETING OF AT 9.30 AM IN THE DB OFFICES BUILDING, 2
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN
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/44........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15,
1988
44
CONSULTANT TO SELECT FARMS FOR DEMONSTRATION
*****
A CONSULTANCY FIRM RECENTLY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS HAS BEEN VISITING LIVESTOCK FARMS IN MUI WO, MA ON SHAN AND NORTH DISTRICT SINCE LAST WEEK AND WOULD SOON RECOMMEND A SELECTION LIST FOR THE PROJECTS.
SPEAKING AT THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE’S STEERING GROUP MEETING THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON, AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT BY THE END OF THE WEEK THE CONSULTANT WOULD HAVE VISITED ALL THE 24 LIVESTOCK FARMS WHICH SATISFIED THE PRELIMINARY SELECTION CRITERIA.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CONSULTANT WILL RECOMMEND A LIST OF 12 OR MORE LIVESTOCK FARMS SUITABLE FOR TAKING PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS FOR THE STEERING GROUP’S ENDORSEMENT AT ITS NEXT MEETING."
"IF EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY, THE INSTALLATION OF FACILITIES WILL COMMENCE BY MID-AUGUST," HE ADDED.
"HOWEVER, THE DRY-MUCK-OUT AND PIG-ON-LITTER METHODS ARE LIKELY TO BE IN OPERATION EARLIER AS ONLY MINOR MODIFICATION TO EXISTING FARM STRUCTURES IS REQUIRED," HE SAID.
THE STEERING GROUP WAS ASSURED THAT STAFF FROM THE CONSULTANCY FIRM WOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE TECHNICAL TRAINING AND ADVICE TO FARM OPERATORS DURING COMMISSIONING AND INITIAL OPERATION OF THE DEMONSTRATION TREATMENT FACILITIES.
-----0------
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DRAGON BOAT RACES ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
IN YAU MA TEI, MAN CHEONG STREET BETWEEN MAN WAI STREET AND FERRY STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY (JUNE 17) TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, MAN WAI STREET BETWEEN MAN CHEONG STREET AND MAN SING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO EASTBOUND TRAFFIC.
TRAFFIC ON SOUTHBOUND FERRY STREET HEADING FOR JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR FERRY PIER WILL HAVE TO USE FERRY STREET SOUTHBOUND, CANTON ROAD SOUTHBOUND, JORDAN ROAD FERRY CONCOURSE AND CANTON ROAD NORTHBOUND.
/TRAFFIC IN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 45 -
TRAFFIC IN THE FERRY POINT AREA HEADING FOR TS1M SHA TSUI WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MAN WU1 STREET, FERRY STREET NORTHBOUN ', SAIGON STREET, CANTON ROAD, KANSU STREET AND FERRY STREET SOUTHBOUND.
FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY, THE METERED PARKING SPACES IN MAN CHEONG STREET AND THE PUBLIC CAR PARK ADJACENT TO THE JORDAN ROAD VEH1CLUAR FERRY PE1R WILL BE SUSPENDED.
IN SHA TIN, SAND MARTIN BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 7.30 AM TO 1.30 PM ON SATURDAY. ALL VEHICLES CROSSING SHING MUN RIVER VIA SAND MARTIN BRIDGE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LION BRIDGE AND BANYON BRIDGE.
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB ROUTES NO. 48, 70, 72A, 73A, 81K, 170 AND 281, AND NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 65K AND 67K WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TA) PO ROAD, LION ROAD TUNNEL ROAD AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTIONS OF CYCLE TRACKS ALONG BOTH BANKS OF SHING MUN RIVER BETWEEN SAND MARTIN BRIDGE AND BANYAN BRIDGE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED DURING THE SAME PERIOD ON SATURDAY.
IN TAI PO, THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 2 I'M ON SATURDAY:
t DAI KWAI STREET SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH DAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED.
♦ CYCLISTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
♦ THE SERVICES OF KMB ROUTE NO. 72K RUNNING BETWEEN TAI PO KCR STATION AND TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WILL BE STEPPED UP TO MEET DEMAND.
AS IRAFFIC CONGESTION MAY OCCUR ALONG TING KOK ROAD NEAR THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT. IN ADDITION, ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES WILL BE TOW I D AWA} .
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/U6........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
- 46 -
COLOURFUL SUMMER PROGRAMME STARTS TODAY
* » » ♦ ♦
THE 1988 TUEN MUN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WHICH FEATURES SOME 430 EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES STARTED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND WILL RUN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15. i
THESE ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED BY 43 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS. THEY RANGE FROM HIKING, CAMPING, VISITS, PICNICS, COMPETITIONS, EXHIBITIONS, AND CARNIVALS TO LEADERSHIP TRAINING SCHEME, CATERING FOR PARTICIPANTS BETWEEN SIX AND 24 YEARS OLD.
THE BUDGET FOR THE DISTRICT PROGRAMME IS $280,000 WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB. LIKE LAST YEAR, THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME IS ’’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY”.
THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF THE PROGRAMME IS A GRAND OPENING SCHEDULED FOR 10.30 AM ON JULY 9 (SATURDAY) IN THE TUEN MUN TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND.
THE CEREMONY WILL COINCIDE WITH THE ’’GIRL GUIDES OUTDOOR CHALLENGE DAY”, A LARGE SCALE ACTIVITY TO BE PARTICIPATED BY MORE THAN 1,000 GIRL GUIDES AND WILL FEATURE A KITE DESIGN COMPETITION AND FOLK DANCE PERFORMANCE.
TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE THREE-MONTH PROGRAMME, A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9 IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE YOUTHS. IN ADDITION TO MUSIC AND DANCE ITEMS, THERE WILL BE TAE KWON DO AND CHILDREN’S CHOIR PERFORMANCES.
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DB TO CONSIDER LANDFILL PROJECT AT TA KWU LING t t t * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO COMMENT ON SUGGESTED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR \ND THE FINDINGS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON A PROPOSED LANDFILL AT WONG MAU HANG SHAN EAST OF TA KWU LING.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THIS LANDFILL WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY IN SHL’EN WAN WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE EXHAUSTED IN 1992.
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH (POLLUTION), MR PETER MANN, AND THE ASSISTANT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (WASTE AND WATER), MR JOHN BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROJECT.
XND WELFARE DI RI;( TOR OF BOXALL, WILL
/ALSO, MEMBERS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15t 1988
47
ALSO, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (NEW TERRITORIES), MR RICHARD MEAKIN, ON THE FINDINGS OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TRAFFIC STUDY CARRIED OUT BY A CONSULTANCY FIRM.
TWO MEMBERS WILL PRESENT PAPERS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING. ONE PAPER TOUCHES ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT, AND THE OTHER RELATES TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE TO LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS INVOLVING VILLAGE ACCESS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS ON ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMMES, AND AN APPLICATION FROM THE SECOND NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER, BIRD, INSECT AND FISH SHOW ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR GRANTS UNDER THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S DISTRICT FESTIVALS SUBSIDY SCHEME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 9.30 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
------0 -------
ENROLMENT BEGINS FOR PUTONGHUA COURSE
» * » ♦ »
JOURNALISTS ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR AN UPGRADING COURSE IN PUTONGHUA TO BE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES OF THE HONG KONG CITY POLYTECHNIC.
THE INTERMEDIATE PUTONGHUA FOR JOURNALISTS COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED ON EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY MORNING FROM AUGUST 8 TO SEPTEMBER 12 THIS YEAR.
CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS JULY 25. FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF THE TRAINING BOARD ON 5-8932341 EXT. 283.
- - 0 -
/48
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
48
WOMEN’S TURN TO GET NEW I.D. CARD * * * *
WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1951 AND 1969 WILL SOON BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A NEW I.D. CARD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: THOSE BORN IN 1967, 1968 AND 1969 WILL BE THE FIRST GROUP TO BE CALLED UPON TO COME FORWARD FOR THEIR NEW I.D. CARDS."
HE URGED WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP TO WATCH OUT FOR THE EXACT DATES FOR THEIR APPLICATION.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: "FULL DETAILS OF THE DIFFERENT PHASES FOR THE ISSUE OF THE NEW I.D. CARD FOR WOMEN WILL BE WIDELY PUBLICIZED OVER TV, RADIO AND IN NEWSPAPERS IN DUE COURSE."
HE SAID: "APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING I.D. CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE *** SYMBOL.
"HOWEVER, IF AN APPLICANT’S I.D. CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE «»» SYMBOL, SHE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ASSESSMENT OF HER RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AND SUBSEQUENTLY HER ELIGIBILITY FOR A PERMANENT I.D. CARD."
"THE DOCUMENT MAY TAKE THE FORM OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT, HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE OR HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, ETC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE REITRERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0 -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES * * t t
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY (JUNE 14) CONTAINS \ LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES.
\S FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 4.8 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 4.32 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.40 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
/INTEREST IS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
1*9
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED 10 PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 16, 1988.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE JUNE CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS: 16, 1988 WILL
2.52% PER ANNUM JANUARY 19, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR 1987 AND BEFORE MARCH 4, 1987; AFTER
3.00% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED MARCH 4, 1987 AND BEFORE APRIL 9, 1987; ON OR AFTER
3.36% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED APRIL 9, 1987 AND BEFORE JUNE 4, 1987; . ON OR AFTER
3.84% PER ANNUM JUNE 1, 1987 FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ’ AND BEFORE JUNE 24, 1987; ON OR AFTER
1.32% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR JUNE 24, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 14, 1987; AFTER
5.28% PER ANNUM OCTOBER 1 4 , FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 28, ON OR 1987 ; AFTER
1.32% PER ANNUM OCTOBER 28, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 30, ON OR 1987 ; AFTER
3.21% PER ANNUM OCTOBER 30, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 2, ON OR 1987 ; AFTER
3.00% PER ANNUM DECEMBER 2, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 9, ON OR 1987; AFTER
2.01% PER ANNUM DECEMBER 9, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED 1987 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 20 ON OR , 1988; AFTER
2.76% PER ANNUM FEBRUARY 20 FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED , 1988 AND BEFORE APRIL 13, ON OR 1988; AFTER
3.36% PER ANNUM APRIL 13, 1 FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED 988 AND BEFORE MAY 11, 1988; ON OR AFTER
1.32% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED MAY 11, 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 16, 1988. ON OR AFTER
/BUT ALWAYS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15> 1988
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE: $1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON JUNE 16, 1988,
JULY 16, 1988 AND AUGUST 16, 1988 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1988 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS -
ON $1,000, JUNE 16, 1988 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 1988 3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $4.00 PER MONTH = $12.00
ON $1,000, JULY 16, 1988 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 1988
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $4.00 PER MONTH = $8.00
ON $1,000, AUGUST 16, 1988 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 1988
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $4.00 PER MONTH = $4.00
$24.00
- - 0 -
SHAM SHUI P0 UNDERPASS TO BE CLOSED
* ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/NAM CHEONG STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LN SHAM SHUI PO, LEADING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE CLOSURE WILL FACILITATE CLEANING 01 THE UNDERPASS. MOTORISTS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG PING ROAD, FLYOVER AND NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HANOI TAKES NOTE OF HK'S NEW POLICY ................... 1
EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT PUBLISHED ................. J
GOVERNOR VISITS UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL ............. 5
LEGCO ELECTIONS VOTER REGISTRATION ATTRACTS 16,592 APPLICATIONS .........................................., 7
SIR DAVID FORD TO OFFICIATE AT TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES . 8
STUDY TOUR ON REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS.... 9
NT REGIONAL SECRETARY VISITS SAI KUNG ................. 11
NEW GENERATION PH BLOCKS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE ........ 12
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY -
APRIL ............................................... 1j
RESULTS OF 1986 SURVEY ON TRANSPORT aND RELATED SERVICES .. 15
RADIO SERIES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ............. 18
PROPOSED HOSTEL FOR STREET SLEEPERS ................... 19
SECOND METROPL. JI EXHIBITION OPTUS TOMORROW........... 19
FORTNIGHTLY GRADING OF BEACH WaTER QUALITY ............ 20
OUTSTANDING CHILDREN TO GET REWARDS ................... 24
SHAM SHUT PO DB TO RESUME MEETING ..................... 25
SPEEDPOST CHANGE....................................... 25
SPECTATORS .tDVISSD TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES ................................................... 26
TEMPORARY RO.J) CLOSURE IN SH«M SHUT PO
26
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
i HANOI TAKES NOTE OF HK'S NEW POLICY
THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN NOTE OF THE DETAILS OF HONG KONG’S NEW POLICY ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO HANOI, MR EMRYS DAVIES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT, HE SAID THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES HAD REACTED CAUTIOUSLY.
"THEY HAVE EXPLAINED AGAIN THEIR ATTITUDE, WHICH I THINK I SPOKE ABOUT WHEN I WAS HERE LAST SEPTEMBER, WHICH WAS THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO TAKE BACK PEOPLE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
"BUT THEY SAW ENORMOUS DIFFICULTIES IN TAKING LARGE NUMBERS."
MR DAVIES, WHO IS ON HIS WAY BACK TO THE UK FOR LEAVE, SAID THE REFUGEE ISSUE MADE HIS SHORT VISIT TO HONG KONG PARTICULARLY TIMELY.
"I SPOKE TO THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT, JUST BEFORE LEAVING, ABOUT THE NEW POLICY, AND SO I HAVE NOW COME TO EXPLAIN TO THE GOVERNOR WHAT THEIR REACTION WAS," HE SAID.
MR DAVIES NOTED THAT THE SITUATION HAD CHANGED SINCE HIS PREVIOUS VISIT, AND DRAMATICALLY SO IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COMING TO HONG KONG FROM VIETNAM.
"I WAS ABLE TO SHOW THEM THE FIGURES, AND TO TALK AT SOME LENGTH WITH THEM ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM.
"THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT THIS MATTER AND WE WOULD HAVE DISCUSSIONS WHEN I GOT BACK, OR POSSIBLY BEFORE THAT."
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS, MR DAVIES SAID THERE WAS NO INDICATION AT THIS STAGE THAT VIETNAM WOULD TAKE PEOPLE BACK IN BATCHES IN THE EARLY 1990’S.
HOWEVER, HE OBSERVED THAT VIETNAM HAD NOT ACTUALLY SAID NO.
AS TO WHETHER ANY ASSURANCES HAD BEEN GIVEN REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF THOSE WHO MIGHT BE SENT BACK, HE SAID: "WE HAVEN'T GOT TO THAT STAGE YET. CERTAINLY THE ONES WHO HAVE GONE BACK SO FAR, THE INDIVIDUAL CASES, THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS -- NO PROBLEMS AT ALL."
MR DAVIES ADDED THAT THE INDIVIDUALS HAD BEEN WELCOMED BACK, AND THEY HAD NOT SUFFERED ANY PROBLEMS.
"WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BACK AND CATERED FOR IN A PERFECTLY CIVILISED MANNER.”
/HOWEVER, GUARANTEES
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 2 -
HOWEVER, GUARANTEES FOR ANY LARGE NUMBERS WHO MIGHT GO BACK HAD NOT BEEN DISCUSSED AT THIS STAGE.
MR DAVIES SAID HE THOUGHT THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASING INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON IT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
"THEY ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF IT. AND THEY’RE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO CONSIDER IT SERIOUSLY — THEY HAVE TO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH THEIR PUBLIC IMAGE," HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER VIETNAM WAS PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION, MR DAVIES SAID HANOI STATED THAT IT DID SO, AND IT CERTAINLY HAD BEEN PUNISHING THOSE WHO HAD BEEN ORGANISING THE EXODUS.
THE GOVERNMENT PUNISHED THOSE WHO ACTUALLY TRIED TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF IT, AND THERE HAD BEEN SOME CORRUPTION WHICH THE AUTHORITIES HAD BEEN TRYING TO DEAL WITH, HE SAID.
"BUT THEY SAID TO ME THAT GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE COUNTRY, AND THE LENGTH OF COASTLINE, AND THE NUMBER OF FISHING BOATS WHICH PLY AROUND THE VIETNAMESE SHORES EVERY DAY, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO POLICE IT TO THE POINT WHERE THEY COULD ACTUALLY PREVENT ANYONE LEAVING," HE SAID.
"THEY SAID TO ME RECENTLY THAT THEY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THE BEST THING THEY COULD DO IN THE SHORT TERM AT LEAST, WAS TO FACILITATE WHAT THEY CALL THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME.
"AND 1 WAS TOLD THE INSTRUCTION HAD GONE OUT VERY FIRMLY TO ALL THE PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO GET RID OF ANY UNNECESSARY BUREAUCRATIC OBSTACLES.
"AND IT CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE WORKING IN THE SENSE THAT THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME IS DEVELOPING.
"AS FAR AS THE UK IS CONCERNED, WE’VE HAD MORE PEOPLE FROM THE ODP LIST GETTING TO THE UK THIS YEAR ALREADY THAN THE WHOLE OF LAST YEAR.
"BUT WHETHER THAT IS THEN HAVING A KNOCK-ON EFFECT ON THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IS ANOTHER QUESTION,” MR DAVIES SAID.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
5
EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT PUBLISHED
* « t » t
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S REPORT NO. 3 WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS, HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
“THE GOVERNMENT WILL WELCOME COMMENTS ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE REPORT DURING THE TWO MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, WHICH MERTS UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SIR Q.W. LEE, HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE REPORT SINCE LATE 1986. THE REPORT MAKES 53 RECOMMENDATIONS ON TWO MAJOR ISSUES.
IT ALSO SUMMARISES PROGRESS MADE IN IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS IN EARLIER REPORTS AND MENTIONS THE SUBJECTS WHICH THE COMMISSION WILL TACKLE IN FUTURE.
THE FIRST MAJOR SUBJECT DEALT WITH IN THE REPORT IS THE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
’’THE COMMISSION HAS EXAMINED A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF OPTIONS,” THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
”IT HAS CONCLUDED THAT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD ACCEPT STUDENTS INTO DEGREE COURSES ONLY AFTER THE TWO YEAR SIXTH FORM COURSE RECENTLY ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,” HE ADDED.
THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT THE LENGTH OF FIRST DEGREE COURSES SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES, SUBJECT TO THE EXISTING PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH THEY MUST APPROACH THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE WITH PROPOSALS.
THE COMMISSION HAS, HOWEVER, INDICATED THAT COURSES SHOULD BE OF THE SAME LENGTH AT ALL INSTITUTIONS FOR ANY GIVEN SUBJECT.
THE COMMISSION ALSO PROPOSE THAT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SHOULD ADOPT COMMON ADMISSION PROCEDURES AND THAT, IN DUE COURSE, THE POSSIBILITY OF A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE COMMISSION HAS NOT TRIED TO INFRINGE ON THE AUTONOMY OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS BY LAYING DOWN A "BASIC” LENGTH FOR DEGREE COURSES.
"THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS ALLOW FOR COURSES TO BE AS LONG AS IS EDUCATIONALLY NECESSARY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/’’THE COMMISSION........
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
"THE COMMISSION RECOGNISES THAT SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES AND THE GOVERNMENT SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND HOPES THAT THE UNIVERSITIES WILL CO-OPERATE IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR TO ALL HONG KONG’S STUDENTS," HE ADDED.
THE SECOND MAJOR SUBJECT IN THE REPORT IS THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
THE COMMISSION HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS OF A STRONG INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SCHOOL SECTOR SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED.
THE COMMISSION ALSO BELIEVES THAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS SHOULD, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, OPERATE FREE OF GOVERNMENT CONTROLS, IN PARTICULAR OVER FEES.
"THE COMMISSION HOPES THAT THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVOLVE INTO A GENUINE ALTERNATIVE TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR," THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ACHIEVE THIS THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT A NEW "DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME" (DSS) SHOULD BE INTRODUCED FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHICH ATTAIN A HIGH EDUCATIONAL STANDARD.
ADMISSION TO THE DSS WILL BE OPEN TO ALL EXISTING PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHICH REACH THE REQUISITE STANDARDS AS WELL AS TO AIDED SCHOOLS.
"THE COMMISSION EXPECTS THAT THE NEW SCHEME WILL WIDEN PARENTAL CHOICE AND IMPROVE THE STATUS AND STANDARDS OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO A LEVEL COMPARABLE TO THAT IN OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE PROPOSALS, SCHOOLS IN THE DSS WILL BE FREE TO SET THEIR OWN CURRICULA.
TO HELP PARENTS TO DECIDE WHICH SCHOOLS BEST SUIT THEIR CHILDREN’S NEEDS, EACH SCHOOL IN THE SCHEME WILL BE REQUIRED TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL PROSPECTUS, GIVING DETAILS OF THE SCHOOL’S CURRICULUM, ACADEMIC RESULTS AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DSS WOULD IN NO WAY AFFECT THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE PLACES OF AN INCREASINGLY HIGH STANDARD AT GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS TO ALL THOSE WHO REQUIRE THEM.
UNDER THE DSS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL NO LONGER BE USED AS A BUFFER AGAINST FLUCTUATION IN SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR SCHOOL PLACES.
I /THE existing .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 5 -
THE EXISTING BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME, UNDER WHICH THE GOVERNMENT BUYS PLACES AT A RELATIVELY LOW COST FROM PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO HELP MEET SHORTFALLS IN DEMAND FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION, WOULD BE PHASED OUT BY THE YEAR 2000.
IN THE INTERIM, THE STANDARDS OF SCHOOLS IN THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WOULD BE PROGRESSIVELY RAISED TO LEVELS COMPARABLE TO THOSE IN THE AIDED SECTOR.
"THIS WILL ENABLE SCHOOLS NOW IN THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME TO ACHIEVE THE STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR JOINING THE DSS," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE COMMISSION ALSO PROPOSES THE SETTING UP OF A PRIVATE SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS PRIVATE SCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE, TO BE CHAIRED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, WOULD MONITOR ENTRY TO THE DSS AND ENSURE THAT THE SUPPLY OF DSS PLACES DID NOT EXCEED THE DEMAND.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR VIEWS ON THE REPORT TO THE SECRETARY TO THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, 12TH FLOOR, WEST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT.PLACE, CENTRAL, AND FROM LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICES.
ALL VIEWS RECEIVED WILL BE CONSIDERED BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT TAKES A DECISION ON THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS.
-----0------
GOVERNOR VISITS UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL
t ♦ » » *
THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL WOULD BE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING POPULATION OF EAST KOWLOON WITH THE NEW EXTENSION NOW BEING BUILT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE HOSPITAL - AN ACUTE HOSPITAL COMMISSIONED IN 1973 AND SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT - WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BEDS FROM 640 TO 1,400 WITH ANCILLIARY FACILITIES, BY THE TIME THE NEW EXTENSION IS COMPLETED IN 1991.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
6
SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON TODAY VISITED THE INSTITUTION TO SEE THE OPERATION OF THE HOSPITAL WHICH SERVES THE COMMUNITY OF EAST KOWLOON, INCLUDING KWUN TONG.
AT PRESENT IT PROVIDES IN-PATIENT FACILITIES FOR MEDICAL, SURGICAL, PAEDIATRIC, GYNAECOLOGICAL, ORTHOPAEDIC AND PSYCHIATRIC CASES.
IT ALSO OPERATES GENERAL AND SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT SERVICES AS WELL AS 24-HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.
AFTER THE VISIT, SIR DAVID SAID THAT, BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE THE HOSPITAL PLAYED IN PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED SERVICES FOR ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED A CAPITAL SUBVENTION OF $1,032 MILLION OUT OF A TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $1,100 MILLION FOR THE HOSPITAL EXTENSION PROGRAMME.
THE HOSPITAL BOARD HAS ALSO RAISED A TOTAL OF OVER $70 MILLION IN DONATIONS FOR THE EXTENSION PROGRAMME. OF THIS SUM, $25 MILLION CAME FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, $30 MILLION FROM THE SHAW BROTHERS’ FOUNDATION AND $5 MILLION FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS IN KWUN TONG IN RESPONSE TO THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FUND-RAISING EFFORTS.
SIR DAVID PRAISED THE HOSPITAL FOR PUTTING GREAT EMPHASIS IN PROVIDING MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL IN THE FORM OF COMMUNITY NURSING CARE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECTS.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY DR LAWRENCE LAI, REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR KOWLOON, MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THEY WERE MET ON ARRIVAL BY UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS AND EXECUTIVES LED BY THE ACTING CHAIRMAN, THE RT REV PETER KWONG.
AFTER A BRIEF SLIDE PRESENTATION ON THE WORK OF THE HOSPITAL, SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON WERE TAKEN ON A TOUR OF SOME OF THE MAIN DEPARTMENTS OF THE HOSPITAL, INCLUDING THE OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND THE SURGICAL DEPARTMENT.
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/7........
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
LEGCO ELECTIONS VOTER REGISTRATION ATTRACTS 16,592 APPLICATIONS *****
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE 1988 VOTER REGISTRATION FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAS DRAWN 16,592 APPLICATIONS.
APART FROM A NUMBER OF DUPLICATE APPLICATIONS AND THOSE SUBMITTED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT YET REGISTERED ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL (FOR DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS), 9,569 NEW ENTRIES ARE INCORPORATED IN A PROVISIONAL REGISTER TO BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ANOTHER 5,804 APPLICANTS WHO ARE NOT YET REGISTERED ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL BUT ARE OTHERWISE QUALIFIED WILL HAVE THEIR NAMES INCLUDED IN THE FINAL REGISTER.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN MAY THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE A SPECIAL ONE-OFF CONCESSION FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ENTITLED TO BE BUT ARE NOT YET REGISTERED AS ELECTORS ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL, TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
THE FIRST PHASE OF VOTER REGISTRATION FOR THE LEGCO ELECTIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 15 AND LASTED UNTIL MAY 6.
FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO FAILED TO MEET THE CLOSING DATE, THEIR APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UP TO JULY 1 IN THE SECOND PHASE FOR INCLUSION IN THE FINAL REGISTER.
"THERE IS A REASONABLY SATISFACTORY RESPONSE FROM THE PROSPECTIVE ELECTORATE OF ALL ESTABLISHED FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES," MR LAI KWAN-TAT, REGISTRATION OFFICER, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE EXPANDED MEDICAL ELECTORAL DIVISION HAS DRAWN 893 APPLICATIONS (499 FOR THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER) FROM MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND DENTISTS.
APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT IN THE NEW HEALTH CARE ELECTORAL DIVISION AND THE ACCOUNTANCY CONSTITUENCY HAVE COME IN RATHER SLOWLY, MR LAI SAID.
THERE ARE ONLY 9,390 APPLICATIONS (4,813 FOR THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER) IN THE HEALTH CARE ELECTORAL DIVISION AGAINST A POTENTIAL ELECTORAL OF 20,417.
APPLICATIONS IN THE ACCOUNTANCY CONSTITUENCY STANDS AT 981 (812 FOR THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER) AGAINST A POTENTIAL ELECTORATE OF 3,223.
/"AS PROSPECTIVE
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
I
"AS PROSPECTIVE ELECTORS MAY TAKE A WHILE TO BECOME FULLY ALERTED, A FURTHER APPEAL HAS BEEN SENT OUT BY REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION, AND THEY WILL HAVE UP TO JULY 1 TO SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.
"THEY CAN HAVE THEIR NAMES INCLUDED IN THE FINAL REGISTER FOR PUBLICATION IN LATE JULY AND THEREBY BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AT THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS," MR LAI EXPLAINED.
THERE ARE NOW 52,088 ELECTORS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL, A NET INCREASE OF 9,069 OVER THE 1987 REGISTRATION FIGURE. THE OVERALL REGISTRATION RATE STANDS AT 53 PER CENT.
FOLLOWING IS A BREAKDOWN BY TYPES OF ELECTORS WITH THE 1987 FIGURES SHOWN IN BRACKETS:-
ELECTORS IN ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES 467 (438);
CORPORATE ELECTORS IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES 5,249 (5,215);
INDIVIDUAL ELECTORS IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES 46,373 (37,366).
THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION (HARBOUR CENTRE, WAN CHAI), CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS (WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI), CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE (HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL), KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE (TUNG YAN STREET, KWUN TONG), SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE (KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN) AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE (TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING).
THE PUBLIC MAY RAISE OBJECTIONS, ON VALID GROUNDS, TO THE INCLUSION IN THE REGISTER OF THE NAME OF ANY ORGANISATION OR INDIVIDUAL. SUCH OBJECTIONS SHOULD BE PUT ON SPECIFIED FORMS AND LODGED WITH THE REGISTRATION OFFICER BY JULY 6.
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SIR DAVID FORD TO OFFICIATE AT TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES ♦ ♦ » ♦ »
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID, AND LADY FORD WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1988 TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18) AMID THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT OF THE LEGENDARY TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE RACE IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR MAIN CATEGORIES WHICH INCLUDE THE LARGE BOAT, PHOENIX BOAT, MEDIUM BOAT INVITATION, AND MEDIUM BOAT OPEN SECTIONS, PLUS AN INVITATION RACE INVOLVING REPRESENTATIVES FROM TVB, TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/PRIZES WILL
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY AND A LARGE COLOURFUL BANNER WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO EACH PARTICIPATING TEAM OF THE LARGE BOAT AND MEDIUM BOAT INVITATION CATEGORIES.
THE RACE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM,. WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER FACING SAM SHING ESTATE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN; PRESIDENT OF THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT; AND CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SHU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, AND LADY FORD WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACE AT 12.30 PM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18) IN THE CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER FACING SAM SHING ESTATE, TUEN MUN. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT AND PRESS BADGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE VENUE.
AS THE RACE WILL START AT 9 AM ON THAT DAY, GIS STAFF WILL BE ON THE SPOT TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
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STUDY TOUR ON REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS * t * « *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN A DELEGATION TO VISIT CHINA’S JUDICIAL, SOCIAL AND PENAL SERVICES IN HER CAPACITY AS VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, HONG KONG (SROHK).
AT THE INVITATION OF THE CHINA LAW SOCIETY, THE DELEGATION, LED BY THE SROHK CHAIRMAN, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, WILL BE VISITING PEKING, HANGZHOU AND CANTON BETWEEN SATURDAY AND JUNE 27.
IT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR FAN RUI-FANG, SECRETARY OF THE CO-ORDINATION DEPARTMENT OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH).
THE DELEGATION COMPRISES MRS WONG; MR CHAN YING-LUN, SROHK VICE-CHAIRMAN; MR LAU CHING-MING OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND MEMBER OF THE SROHK EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND TWO STAFF MEMBERS OF SROHK.
/Mrs wong
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
10
MRS WONG SAID THAT THE TOUR WOULD ENABLE THE DELEGATION TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS IN CHINA.
"IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EXCHANGE WITH OUR HOSTS EXPERIENCE AND IDEAS IN THIS FIELD AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES.
"I HOPE TO SHARE WITH OUR FRIENDS IN CHINA SOME OF OUR CONCEPTS AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND DESCRIBE OUR LATEST SCHEMES, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS SCHEME AND THE YOUNG OFFENDERS ASSESSMENT PANEL IN HONG KONG SINCE EARLY LAST YEAR," SHE SAID.
"OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION WILL BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN HOW THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS IS DONE IN THE PENAL SETTING AND THROUGH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR," SHE ADDED.
THE SROHK WAS FOUNDED IN 1957 TO UNDERTAKE THE CARE AND SUPERVISION OF THE REHABILITATION IN HONG KONG OF OFFENDERS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED IN COURTS AND OF PRISONERS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM PRISONS THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING CASEWORK, COUNSELLING, ACCOMMODATION, EMPLOYMENT REHABILITATION AND RECREATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, HONG KONG DELEGATION TO CHINA WILL BE LEAVING FOP PEKING BY FLIGHT CA 102 ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18).
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, A PRESS CONFERENCE, TO BE CHAIRED BY MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY AND LEADER OF THE DELEGATION AND MRS ELIZABETH WONG, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY, WILL BE HELD AT THE AIRPORT VIP PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, AT 10.45 AM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. TELEVISION AND RADIO CREWS PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY TO SET UP EQUIPMENT.
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/11
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
11
NT REGIONAL SECRETARY VISITS SAI KUNG *****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOURED SAI KUNG DISTRICT TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, HANG HAU AND THE SAI KUNG TOWN AREA.
MR SUEN WAS MET BY SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN, AND WENT TO A VANTAGE POINT TO HAVE A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AREA.
AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE’S TEMPORARY SUB-OFFICE IN THE PO LAM ESTATE. MR SUEN WAS BRIEFED ON I’HE POPULATION INTAKE INTO JUNK BAY. HE THEN VISITED ONE OF THE FAMILIES WHO HAD MOVED INTO THE ESTATE RECENTLY.
ON THE WAY TO HANG HAU TOWN, MR SUEN WAS ABLE TO SEE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING THE YAU YUE WAN RESITE VILLAGE, A SITE FOR THE HANG HAU CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE YAN MING COURT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE KING LAM ESTATE.
IN HANG HAU TOWN, HE WAS MET BY MEMBERS OF THE HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEE WHO DISCUSSED WITH HIM PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE CLEARANCE OF THE TOWN.
MR SUEN PROCEEDED TO THE PAK SHA WAN PIER AND MET THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES. THERE THEY BOARDED THE GOVERNMENT BOAT "CLEMENTI" FOR NGAU MEI HOI (PORT SHELTER) AND SAI KUNG HOI (INNER PORT SHELTER).
THE SEA CRUISE ENABLED HIM TO HAVE A LOOK AT SOME ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT MEASURES ADOPTED BY FISH CULTURISTS AT TAI TAU CHAU AND THE PICTURESQUE SCENERY OF THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.
LATER, MR SUEN VISITED PO LO CHE AND NAM SHAN AREA TO SEE A NUMBER OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.
HE THEN TOURED SAI KUNG TOWN AND MET MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE AND KA I FONG’S ASSOCIATION.
HE ALSO STOPPED BY THE OLDER PIER AT SAI KUNG OLD TOWN TO VIEW THE CHUNG MEI TUK AREA AND THE FISHING AND DWELLING BOATS THERE. HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE SAI KUNG PACKAGE FIVE DEVELOPMENTS BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER.
BEFORE WINDING UP THE VISIT, MR SUEN VISITED THE SAI RUNG DISTRICT OFFICE WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE OFFICE.
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/12
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 12 -
NEW GENERATION PH BLOCKS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE
* ♦ ♦ • * •
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S BUILDING COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING (PH) DESIGN TO MEET THE HOUSING NEEDS IN THE 1990s.
APART FROM CHANGES IN THE BLOCK DESIGN, THE NEW GENERATION CONCEPT ALSO PROPOSED AN INCREASE IN FLAT SIZES OF ABOUT 10 PER CENT OVER EXISTING DESIGNS, A HOUSING SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
THE NEW ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS WILL HELP THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN ENSURING THAT ALL TYPES OF HOUSING NEEDS STIPULATED IN THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY IS SATISFIED WITH MINIMUM DELAY, HE SAID.
"TO MEET THE HOUSING NEEDS OF THE EARLY 1990s, THE FIRST PROJECTS USING THE NEW BLOCKS WILL NEED TO GO OUT TO TENDER IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989. THEREAFTER, THE NEW BLOCKS WILL BE USED IN ALL NEW PROJECTS WHEREVER PRACTICABLE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED NEW BLOCKS, ONE A SLAB BLOCK WITH 26 STOREYS ANU TWO TOWER BLOCKS, HAVE YET TO BE GIVEN NAMES.
EACH SLAB BLOCK WILL HAVE 390 UNITS, WHILE THE TOWER I AND II BLOCKS, WITH 39 AND 37 STOREYS, WILL HAVE 683 AND 642 FLATS.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT ALL THE NEW BLOCKS WILL BE MODULAR IN CONCEPT TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT MIX AND SIZE OF FLATS REQUIRED IN THE FUTURE AND, INSTEAD OF CLASSIFYING THEM AS ONE-PERSON, TWO-PERSON OR THREE-PERSON UNITS AS PRACTISED NOW, THEY WILL BE CALLED ONE-BEDROOM, TWO-BEDROOM AND THREE-BEDROOM FLATS.
THE FLOOR AREA FOR A SINGLE-BEDROOM UNIT WILL BE ABOUT 32 SQ METRES, AND 43 AND 52 SQ METRES FOR THE TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM UNITS.
"THIS IS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 10 PER CENT OVER A COMPARABLE UNIT IN A LINEAR OR TRIDENT BLOCK," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THERE IS ALSO A BATHTUB IN ALL FLATS PLUS MORE SPACE FOR A WASHING MACHINE IN THE UTILITY AREA.
IN DESIGNING THESE NEW BLOCKS, HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARCHITECTS HAVE CONCENTRATED ON SIMPLIFICATION OF STRUCTURAL DESIGN TO FACILITATE MECHANISED CONSTRUCTION, AS WELL AS STANDARDISATION OF BASIC BUILDING COMPONENTS.
"A GREATER DEGREE OF MECHANISATION IS NECESSARY FOR THE SAKE OF BETTER QUALITY CONTROL AND ALLEVIATING THE EFFECT OF ANY FUTURE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AN ADVANTAGE OF STANDARDISING BUILDING COMPONENTS IS TO FACILITATE MASS PRODUCTION OFF SITE.
/HE NOTED
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 13 -
’)
HE NOTED THAT THE NEW DESIGNS WILL ALSO ENABLE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN FLAT SIZES, TAKE ACCOUNT OF FALLING FAMILY SIZES AND INTER-CHANGEABILITY BETWEEN RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS.
IN VIEW OF THE MASSIVE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE NEW BLOCKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO FIT THE REDEVELOPED SITES.
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UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL
*****
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT REMAINED AT A VERY LOW LEVEL IN THE THREE MONTHS FEBRUARY - APRIL 1988, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES INDICATE THAT THE LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS HAVE REMAINED TIGHT, WITH THE LOCAL WORKFORCE FULLY EMPLOYED.
1
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1988 WAS 1.7 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.8 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988 AND 2 PER CENT FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
!
THE DECREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE DECREASE OF 0.3 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, AVERAGED OVER THE THREE MONTHS, WAS DUE TO THE RATHER LOW RATE FOR FEBRUARY 1988, WHICH PROBABLY RESULTED FROM FEWER JOB-SEEKERS LOOKING FOR WORK DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD, WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE CLASSIFIED AS UNEMPLOYED.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN FEBRUARY - APRIL 1988 WAS ESTIMATED AT 46,200, COMPARED WITH 48,900 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988 AND 54,100 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1987.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1988 WAS 0.9 PER: CENT, WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988 AND FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
/THE estimated
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
mum*
- 14
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR FEBRUARY -APRIL 1988 WAS 24,700, COMPARED WITH 26,000 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988 AND 24,800 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1987.
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 PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THkEE MONTHS PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THF SURVEY.
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST TREND IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT. AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1988 * 1 -T/PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL jUNDEREMPLOYMENT
RA'TO WAS dM TOR CW„ uri H.l ? ,!,z . ’-I UWHU • .’.HBr-
i! THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY i ■ .THE CENSUS AND STATIST^ ^^MENTi.rl .. '. H, .,M P.HT^.P
tV Lu T’i |-,,W '■ ■:A’>■‘n ' ..... » •!<> I 0 ■«»
■TH'iS , COVERS . A • QUARTERLY uSAMPLE OF-f •• SOME 44,000
HOUSEHOLDS' rfR 50,000 PERSONS, SELECTED1 SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION J.N i HONG KONG.
-iiHlT ,-IHT M I ‘ ' .'.‘/L l OIIIT/'-l o'1
PERSONAL/ND, LaBQUR. FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED,JN THE SURVEY ' BY 1 INTERVIEWING ’EApi INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ।ABOVE TIN THE HOUSEilOUife’ sXMPLpA... ,’j.|M5IHU ! ' ' ' " '
•!<> HMtIK'IV ‘HU
IN THE. SURVEY,. THBuDEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING f)(UNEMPLOYMENT ANDAUNDfefeEMPLpY'yfcNT,,FOLLO|W 'CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED .BY THE ILO. ■'i/ 'i -
I.,,L /hmh - ■ " :1” !
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIV^N IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 1988 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND JUNE 20, AT $10 PER COPY.
0 -
/15
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 15 -
RESULTS OF 1986 SURVEY ON TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES » t » » »
ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1986 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 34,304 TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1986, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF ONE PER CENT OVER 1985.
THEY ENGAGED, IN TOTAL, 138,255 PERSONS, AN INCREASE OF ONE PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
IN 1986, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $67,688 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME; AND SPENT $7,928 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AND $52,834 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1985, BUSINESS RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT; COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES BY 12 PER CENT, AND OPERATING EXPENSES BY 19 PER CENT.
THE SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED (REPRESENTING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GREW BY 17 PER CENT TO $16,258 MILLION IN 1986, FROM $13,933 MILLION IN 1985.
ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRANSPORT GROUP, THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT, IN 1986, "SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT" (SUCH AS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN AIR FREIGHT/SHIPPING FORWARDING, PACKING AND CRATING GOODS FOR TRANSPORTATION, TRAVEL AGENTS AND SHIPBROKERS) HAD THE LARGEST SHARE OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AT $29,557 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT OF THE SECTOR TOTAL.
"OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT" ACCOUNTED FOR ANOTHER 19 PER CENT, "AIR TRANSPORT" TOOK UP 15 PER CENT; "LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT" 11 PER CENT; "LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT" 4 PER CENT; "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT" 4 PER CENT; "INLAND WATER TRANSPORT" 2 PER CENT AND "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT" 1 PER CENT.
"LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT" CONTRIBUTED 29 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE SECTOR. THE SECTOR’S REMAINING CONTRIBUTION WAS MADE BY "OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT" (17 PER CENT); "AIR TRANSPORT" (17 PER CENT); "SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT" ( 13 PER CENT); "LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT" (11 PER CENT); "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT" (7 PER CENT); "INLAND WATER TRANSPORT" (4 PER CENT); AND "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT" (2 PER CENT).
/WHEN COMPARED
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 16 -
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1985, "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT" SHOWED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (31 PER CENT); FOLLOWED BY "SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT" (29 PER CENT); "AIR TRANSPORT" (22 PER CENT); "LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT" (15 PER CENT); "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT" (13 PER CENT); "LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT" (8 PER CENT); "INLAND WATER TRANSPORT" (7 PER CENT); AND "OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT" (5 PER CENT).
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, "AIR TRANSPORT" RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER 1985 (42 PER CENT); FOLLOWED BY "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT" (29 PER CENT); "SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT" (27 PER CENT); "LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT" (14 PER CENT); "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT" (13 PER CENT); "LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT" (11 PER CENT); AND "OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT" (4 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, "INLAND WATER TRANSPORT" SHOWED A DECREASE OF 4 PER CENT.
AN ACCOMPANYING TABLE COMPARES SOME SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS BY MAJOR GROUP FOR 1985 AND 1986.
THE 1986 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRANSPORT 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, BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AND ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH ANALYTICAL TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR GROUP AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED ”1986 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES".
THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AROUND MID-JULY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19/F., WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT WILL BE USEFUL TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR POLICY FORMULATION, AND TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234925).
/COMPARISON OF .......
THURSDAY. JUNE 16, 1988
17
COMPARISON OF SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS , IN THE TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES SECTOR BETWEEN 1985 AND 1986
MAJOR GROUP NUMBER or ESTABLISHMENTS NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED NUMBER or ZXPLOTEES COMPENSA- TION or D4PL0TEES OPERATING EXPENSES BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS VALUE ADDED
LAND PASSENGER 1986 20 9** 50 30* 29 211 $ Mn. 1 892 1 Mn. * 080 f Mn. 7 307 S Mn. 3 7*1 S Mn. * 720
TRANSPORT ' 20 9*7 51 317 29 76* 1 822 3 857 6 782 10 609 * 2*7
< change • -2 -2 • ♦* ♦6 ♦8 -65 ♦11
LAND FREIGHT 1986 9 391 25 250 15 821 686 1 71* 3 131 302 1 7**
TRANSPORT l9g5 9 870 25 095 1* 890 605 1 *69 2 718 187 1 53*
% change -5 ♦1 ♦6 ♦13 ♦17 ♦15 ♦6l ♦1*
SUPPORTING SERVICES 1986 77 1 212 1 182 60 206 581 * 369
TO LAND TRANSPORT 79 1 098 1 063 51 179 513 12 327
% change -3 ♦10 ♦11 ♦17 ♦15 ♦13 -6* ♦13
OCEAN AND CuASTAL 1986 3*7 1* 047 1* 021 1 383 9 886 12 775 90 2 78*
UTER TRANSPORT *01 15 097 15 081 1 352 9 555 12 121 718 2 690
% change -13 -7 -7 ♦2 ♦3 ♦5 -87 ♦*
INLAND MATER 1986 656 5 965 5 020 282 831 1 367 107 581
TRANSPORT ^5 7*7 6 738 5 6*0 299 729 1 275 133 603
< change -12 -11 -11 -6 ♦1* ♦7 -20 -4
SUPPORTING SERVICES 1986 953 8 037 7 276 *97 1 618 2 506 156 1 189
TO WATER TRANSPORT l9g5 758 6 836 6 15* 3*7 1 2*3 1 917 313 923
% change ♦26 ♦18 ♦18 ♦*3 ♦30 ♦31 -50 ♦29
AIR TRANSPORT 1986 5* 10 22* 10 22* 1 818 7 0*7 10 *6* 393 2 733
1985 % change 50 ♦8 9 388 ♦9 9 388 ♦9 1 *70 ♦2* 6 218 ♦13 8 571 ♦22 199 ♦97 1 922 ♦ *2
SERVICES INCIDENTAL 1986 1 882 23 216 22 583 1 311 27 *51 29 557 331 2 138
TO TRANSPORT 1 960 21 875 20 956 1 11* 21 1*1 22 838 3*2 1 685
< change -* ♦6 ♦8 ♦18 ♦30 ♦29 -3 ♦27
ALL TRANSPORT GROUPS 1986 3* 30* 138 255 105 337 7 928 52 85* 67 688 5 125 16 258
1985 % change 3* 811 -1 137 **5 102 935 ♦2 7 060 ♦12 ** 372 ♦19 56 73* ♦19 12 513 -59 13 933 ♦17
GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT 1986 3 1 185 1 185 179 291 1 335 9* 9^3
SERVICES 3 1 179 1 179 162 257 1 206 *7 851
change 0 ♦1 ♦1 ♦11 ♦13 ♦11 ♦101 ♦ 10
Notes i (l) Figures denoting changes are derived froa unrounded figures.
(2) Individual itena may not add up to total due to rounding.
(5) * denotes change of less than 0.5i»*
(4) Value added is a nessure of the contribution of an ’econoalc sector to Hong Kong's Gross Dooestlc Product. The definition can be found in the "1966 Survey of Transport and Related Services" report.
-----o------
/18.......
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 18
RADIO SERIES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
*****
THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR SHOWED A DECREASE OF ABOUT 14 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE LAUNCHING A 40-EPISODE RADIO SERIES ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
MR MAK SAID THAT BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH, 6,654 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WERE RECORDED IN ALL INDUSTRIES COMPARED WITH 7,783 ACCIDENTS FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF FATALITIES ALSO DECLINED - FROM 19 IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987 TO 11 FOR THE CORRESPONDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD THIS YEAR.
"INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE ACCIDENTS REPORTED WERE OF A MINOR NATURE CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF EITHER EMPLOYERS OR EMPLOYEES," MR MAK SAID.
"THIS CLEARLY INDICATES THAT EFFORTS MUST BE SUSTAINED TO IMPROVE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY STANDARDS AND SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG ALL CONCERNED AT THE WORK PLACE."
MR MAK SAID THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, APART FROM CARRYING OUT FACTORY INSPECTIONS, ALSO PLACED GREAT EMPHASIS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PROMOTION.
FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMMERCIAL RADIO, IS ORGANISING A 40-EPISODE RADIO SERIES FEATURING SAFETY HINTS IN INDUSTRY.
THE SERIES WHICH LAUNCHES THIS YEAR’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN, WILL BE AIRED ON COMMERCIAL RADIO ONE AT 2.30 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, STARTING NEXT MONDAY (JUNE 20).
IT WILL FEATURE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR SUMMER JOB WORKERS, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND HANDLING AND LABELLING OF DANGEROUS CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CONFERENCE TODAY WAS THE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL RADIO ONE, MISS KITTY IP.
SHE SAID A NUMBER OF POPULAR SINGERS WOULD BE TAKING PART IN THE PROGRAMME.
THEY INCLUDE ALEX TO TAK-WAI, ANDY HUI CHI-ON, BENNETT PANG KIN-SUM, ANN BRIDGEWATER, K.K. CHEUNG, HACKEN LEE AND MARIA CORDERO.
A QUIZ WITH PRIZES TOTALLING $20,000 WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR THE AUDIENCE.
THE PROGRAMME IS SPONSORED BY GOLDEN ELEPHANT THAILESE FRAGRANT RICE.
-------0 -
/19
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
PROPOSED HOSTEL FOR STREET SLEEPERS
♦ ♦ ♦ » *
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD IS PLANNING TO SET UP A HOSTEL FOR STREET SLEEPERS IN TUNG KUN STREET, YAU MA TEI.
THE PLAN, WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET SLEEPERS, WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE BOARD'S MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE HOSTEL, TO BE MANAGED BY THE SALVATION ARMY, CATERS FOR MALE STREET SLEEPERS WHO ARE AGED 55 AND ABOVE, AND ARE CAPABLE OF SELF-CARE.
EACH PERSON WILL BE CHARGED ABOUT $400 PER MONTH WHICH IS BELOW THE MAXIMUM RENT ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO PEOPLE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
THE HOSTEL IS AN EXPERIMENT AIMED AT ACCOMODATING STREET SLEEPERS WHO HAVE DECLINED OTHER REHOUSING SERVICES DUE TO THEIR PLACES OF WORK, PECULIAR WORKING HOURS AND OTHER REASONS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION ARE THE POLICY OF FIRST PORT OF ASYLUM FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, INTRODUCTION OF SUMMER TIME IN HONG KONG, TARGET LIST FOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT AND THE FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
- - 0 - -
SECOND METROPLAN EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW
» ♦ ♦ » »
THE SECOND METROPLAN EXHIBITION WILL OPEN AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED DAILY AT THE LEVEL TWO ARCADE FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM UNTIL TUESDAY (JUNE 21).
ON DISPLAY WILL BE 24 ILLUSTRATED PANELS EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO AND THE AIMS OF THE METROPLAN. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE FIRST EXHIBITION WAS HELD AT THE LANDMARK IN CENTRAL EARLIER THIS MONTH.
A THIRD EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE NEXT MONTH.
/2O
THURSDAY, JUNE 16,
1988
- 20 -
FORTNIGHTLY 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.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS EACHES.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE BEACH WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THE E. COLI DATA USED FOR GRADING ARE BASED ON THE MEDIAN VALUES OF THE MOST RECENT FIVE RESULTS, OBTAINED OVER A PERIOD OF TWO AND A HALF MONTHS ACCORDING TO THE USUAL SAMPLING FREQUENCY.
THE GRADES FOR SOME BEACHES MAY FLUCTUATE. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF THE BEACHES IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE SWIMMING AREAS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES, AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST OF BEACH WATER QUALITY IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
"A" GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN
0-99 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 1000 OR MORE PER 100 MILLILITRES, AND THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "C" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY.
SIMILARLY, A RECOMMENDATION TO REOPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "B” GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
/AT PRESENT,
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
21
AT PRESENT, FIVE BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS. THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS’, CASTLE PEAK, SILVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA AND ROCKY BAY.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTE AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE FIVE BEACHES. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN ”X” IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
THE GRADE ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW:
BEACH LAST GRADING (AS AT 2.6.88) PRESENT GRADING (AS AT 16.6.88)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY • B B
CHUNG HOM KOK B B
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN C B
MIDDLE BAY B C
N REPULSE BAY B B
SHEK 0 B B
SOUTH BAY A A
ST STEPHEN’S B A
TURTLE COVE A A
STANLEY MAIN C C
ROCKY BAY, SHEK 0 X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
/ISLANDS DISTRICT
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
22 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER B
DISCOVERY BAY* A
HUNG SHING YEH A
KWUN YAM WAN A
TONG FUK A
LO SO SHING A
PUI O A
SILVERMINE BAY X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU A
TUNG O» A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A
CLEAR WATER BAY A
1ST BEACH
CLEAR WATER BAY A
2ND BEACH
HAP MUN BAY A
K1U TSUI A
PAK SHA CHAU A
STLVERSTRAND A
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
B
X
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
/TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 25 -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS ’ x
APPROACH B
CASAM B
GEMINI b
HOI MEI WAN B
LIDO B
TING KAU C
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA A
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE BEACH B
BUTTERFLY B
X B
B
B
B B C
A
X
A
X
B
A
NOTE: ”X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING. » NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
ST STEPHEN’S AND BUTTERFLY, FROM "B" TO ”A"; AND PUI O. FROM ”A” TO ”B”.
THE CHANGE FROM ”B” TO "A" OR VICE VERSA IS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
HAIRPIN, FROM ”C” TO ”B”; AND MIDDLE BAY, FROM ”B” TO ”C”.
THE FLUCTUATION BETWEEN "B" AND "C" IS NORMAL FOR THESE TWO BEACHES•
/HAIRPIN BEACH
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
HAIRPIN BEACH IS OCCASIONALLY POLLUTED BY SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT DISCHARGED FROM THE BUILDINGS IN ITS HINTERLAND.
THE WATER QUALITY OF MIDDLE BAY BEACH IS BORDERLINED BETWEEN ”B” AND "C" GRADES. IT IS AFFECTED BY A STORMWATER DRAIN DISCHARGING IMPROPERLY TREATED EFFLUENT FROM THE NEARBY BUILDINGS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MR PAUL HOLMES, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF THE EPD, ON 3-7211044.
- 0 - -
OUTSTANDING CHILDREN TO GET REWARDS
» ♦ » ♦ ♦
OUTSTANDING CHILDREN WHO HAVE WORKED HARD DURING A CAMPAIGN UNDER THE GOOD CHILDREN MOVEMENT IN WAN CHAI WILL BE REWARDED AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING IN THE HALL OF THE ST JAMES’ SETTLEMENT.
THE MOVEMENT WAS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE WAN CHAI HEADMASTERS’ CONFERENCE, ST JAMES’ SETTLEMENT, WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, BAPTIST 01 KWAN SOCIAL SERVICE AND COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (WAN CHAI) AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AMONGST CHILDREN IN WAN CHAI.
THE PROJECT HAS ATTRACTED THE PARTICIPATION OF 19,000 PUPILS FROM 30 SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
DURING THE 12-WEEK CAMPAIGN NEARLY 7,000 CHILDREN WERE AWARDED WITH ’’GOOD CHILDREN CERTIFICATES” WHILE 17,000 PARTICIPANTS WERE GIVEN NOTE PADS FOR GOOD BEHAVIOUR.
CHAIRMAN OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION COMMITTEE, DR DANIEL TSE, WILL OFFICIATE AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY IN WHICH 180 BOYS AND GIRLS WILL RECEIVE THE ’’OUTSTANDING CHILDREN AWARDS”.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE GOOD CHILDREN MOVEMENT TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 7.30 PM IN THE HALL OF THE ST JAMES’ SETTLEMENT AT 85 STONE NULLAH LANE.
- - 0 - -
/25
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
- 25 -
SHAM SHUI PO DB TO RESUME MEETING ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL RESUME MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE ITEMS LEFT OVER FROM LAST THURSDAY'S MEETING.
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM AND THE FORMATION OF A WORKING GROUP ON A PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY.
NEW ZEA£!MDm0
ALSO ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE REVISED DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS.
N. THEY WILL DISCUSS A STUDY VISIT TO AUSTRALIA AND
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 37-39 TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
-----o------
SPEEDPOST CHANGE ♦ ♦ *
THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (JUNE 20), THE MAXIMUM SIZE FOR A SPEEDPOST ITEM TO BRAZIL AND THE SULTANATE OF OMAN WILL BE EXTENDED TO 1.05 METRES IN LENGTH AND TWO METRES FOR THE LENGTH AND WIDTH COMBINED.
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 5-8683868.
-----0------
/26........
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1988
26 -
SPECTATORS ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES ♦ * * * *
SPECTATORS GOING TO ONE OF THE TERRITORY’S LARGEST DRAGON BOAT RACES IN SHA TIN ON SATURDAY (JUNE 18) ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO AVOID TRAFFIC CONGESTION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE ORAGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE RACES, COMPRISING 136 TEAMS, ARE THE LARGEST-SCALE IN THE TERRITORY AND WE EXPECT LOTS OF VISITORS FROM THE URBAN AREAS TO WATCH THIS SPECTACULAR EVENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE RACES, FROM 7 AM TO 1 PM, CONSIST OF EIGHT DIVISIONS, NAMELY, NORMAL-SIZE DRAGON BOAT OPEN, NORMAL-SIZE DRAGON BOAT FRIENDLY, NORMAL-SIZE DRAGON INVITATION, SMALL-SIZE DRAGON BOAT OPEN, WOMEN’S DRAGON BOAT OPEN, THE AIRPORT INVITATION, BANKS INVITATION, AND ATV INVITATION RACES," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAD SPENT MORE THAN $80,000 TO BUY THREE NEW DRAGON BOATS OF NORMAL-SIZE, SMALL-SIZE AND ONE DESIGNED FOR WOMEN IN THIS YEAR'S RACES.
THE RACES WILL BE HELD ON THE SHING MUN RIVER BETWEEN SAND MARTIN BRIDGE AND BANYAN BRIDGE.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUEST.
--------0 ---------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHAM SHUI PO
« « * » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF PO ON ROAD SOUTHBOUND IN SHAM SHUI PO BETWEEN TONKIN STREET AND FAT TSBUNG STREET HAS BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC SO THAT A BROKEN SALT WATER MAIN CAN BE REPAIRED.
VEHICLES ON PO ON ROAD SOUTHBOUND ARE BEING DIVERTED VIA FAT TSEUNG STREET, KWONG LEE ROAD AND TONKIN STREET.
THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL THE EMERGENCY REPAIR WORKS-ARE COMPLETED.
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COUNCIL GEARED TO RAISE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH STANDARDS ................................................... 1
AMBASSADOR BRIEFS LEGCO MEMBERS ON VIETNAM .................... 5
STREAMLINING PROCEDURES IN MONEY LENDING BUSINESS ............. 3
LORD YOUNG ON FOUR-DAY VISIT .................................. 5
ENFORCEMENT MOVE AGAINST UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS 6
GOVERNOR TO ATTEND ABERDEEN DRAGON BOhT RACES ................. 7
QE FOUNDATION WILL ASSIST MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ................ 9
LEGCO ELECTION EXPENSES TO BE RAISED.......................... 10
easier collection of registered m^il ......................... 11
DRAFT TSIM SHA TSUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN /MENDED............... 12
CUSTOMS COMMISSIONER TO ATTEND OVERSEAS MEETING............... 13
AMENDMENTS TO DR JT KWAI CHUNG OZP PUBLISHED.................. 14
PENSION BENEFITS TO BE IMPROVED............................... 16
EPD ISSUES FUEL NOTICES TO TSING YI FACTORIES ................ 16
1.5 MILLION TO "SRkRE IN THE FUN" ............................ 17
POLICE ON ALERT FOR BEACH THIEVES ............................ 19
OPEN-aIR C,.R PARK FEES TO GO UP ............................. 20
TRAVEL BENEFIT FOR PERMANENT ID C/.RD HOLDERS ................ 21
warning given on use of unauthorised goods lifts ............. 22
AUSTRIAN BilNK GRANTED LICENCE................................ 23
OLYMPIC DAY RUN IN SHA TIN ................................... 23
YOUTH POLICY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .......................... 24
TWO SITES FOR SaLE BY PUBLIC ACTION .......................... 25
REPLACEMENT OF TAI TAM ROaD BRIDGE ........................... 25
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWUN TONG ................................. 26
n
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988 1
COUNCIL GEARED TO RAISE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH STANDARDS t * » » »
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO SET UP A STATUTORY BODY TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR RAISING THE STANDARDS OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN ALL AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG.
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL BILL 1988, WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO THIS, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL ALSO COVERS THE PURPOSES AND POWERS OF THE COUNCIL, ITS MEMBERSHIP, PROCEDURES, STAFFING AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
UNDER THE BILL, THE COUNCIL '.'.ILL CONSIST OF UP TO 20 MEMBERS, IN ADDITION TO A CHAIRMAN, TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE MEMBERSHIP WILL BE COMPOSED OF NOT MORE THAN 15 REPRESENTATIVES FROM EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC INTERESTS; AND NOT MORE THAN FIVE PUBLIC OFFICERS.
THE COUNCIL WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOUR MAIN AREAS:
» EDUCATION AND TRAINING;
» INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY;
* CONSULTANCY SERVICES; AND
» RESEARCH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD DESIGN AND CONDUCT TRAINING PROGRAMMES, PRODUCE TEACHING AIDS AND REFERENCE MATERIALS, CONDUCT PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS AND VALIDATE QUALIFICATIONS IN THE FIELD OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.
"IT WILL ALSO UNDERTAKE PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, AND COMPILE AND PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC USE INFORMATION ON SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL WILL PROVIDE SERVICES TO EMPLOYERS IN SUCH AREAS AS SAFETY SURVEYS, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, CONTROL AND MONITORING PROCEDURES AND ADVICE ON PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
"APART FROM ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY, THE COUNCIL WILL EITHER COMMISSION OR ITSELF CARRY OUT RESEARCH IN AREAS RELATED TO ITS PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS."
THE COUNCIL’S ACTIVITIES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY AN EXECUTIVE ARM OF PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORTING STAFF UNDER THE DIRECTION OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBLE TO THE COUNCIL.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
2 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE CLEARLY DEFINED AND THE SCOPE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S ACTIVITIES IN THIS AREA WOULD BE REDUCED SO AS TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.
’’SPECIFICALLY, THE CREATION OF THE COUNCIL WILL ENABLE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO CONCENTRATE ITS RESOURCES ON PREPARING, REVIEWING AND ENFORCING LEGISLATION RELATING TO OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ANY ADVICE WHICH THE COUNCIL OFFERS," HE SAID.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE A BROAD APPROACH TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF LEGISLATION WHILE THE COUNCIL WOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MORE GENERAL FUNCTIONS THAT ARE NOW CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT."
THE MAIN SOURCE OF FINANCE FOR THE COUNCIL WILL DERIVE FROM LEVY ON EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIA, THE RATE OF WHICH WILL BE PRESCRIBED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. 40
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT A ONE PER CENT LEVY WILL YIELD ABOUT $7 MILLION A YEAR.
SINCE THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL WILL AFFECT THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH OF ALL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING CIVIL SERVANTS, THE GOVERNMENT SHALL MAKE PAYMENTS TO THE COUNCIL EACH YEAR WHICH SHALL BEAR THE SAME RELATION TO THE TOTAL LEVY COLLECTED AS THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BEARS TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN HONG KONG.
THE SIZE OF THE CONTRIBUTION IN THE FIRST YEAR WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $0.5 MILLION.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE REQUESTED TO MAKE A GRANT OF UP TO $5.5 MILLION TO THE COUNCIL TO ENABLE IT TO OPERATE DURING THE INITIAL STAGE BEFORE LEVY INCOME BEGINS TO BE RECEIVED.
I
THE BILL, IF ENACTED, WILL TAKE EFFECT ON A DATE TO BE GAZETTED SOMETIME IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, THE PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE LEVY, OBJECTIONS AND APPEALS WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON JANUARY 1, 1989.
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND ENDORSED THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS ON JUNE 29.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
AMBASSADOR BRIEFS LEGCO MEMBERS ON VIETNAM ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO HANOI, MR EMRYS DAVIES, MET MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO BRIEF THEM ON THE LATEST SITUATION ON VIETNAM.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE BRIEFING, MR DAVIES SAID THE COUNTRY WAS CONFRONTED WITH QUITE SERIOUS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AND A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE PARTICULARLY IN NORTH VIETNAM.
HE SAID MANY PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM WERE SUFFERING FROM MALNUTRITION AND THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAD APPEALED TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR HELP.
MR DAVIES SAID EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO PERSUADE THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO PUBLICISE HONG KONG'S NEW POLICY FOR SCREENING VIETNAMESE ARRIVALS ON THEIR TELEVISION AND RADIO.
ASKED WHEN THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT WAS LIKELY TO GIVE ITS OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO HONG KONG'S SCREENING POLICY, MR DAVIES SAID THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER WAS STILL OUT OF THE COUNTRY.
’’WHEN HE GETS BACK, THERE'S A NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETING, SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SEVERAL WEEKS, I THINK, BEFORE WE GET A SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE," HE SAID.
-----0------
STREAMLINING PROCEDURES IN MONEY LENDING BUSINESS
* » » ♦ »
A BILL AIMED MAINLY AT STREAMLINING THE LICENSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES OF THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO MODIFY THE EXISTING LEGISLATION DIRECTED ESSENTIALLY AGAINST LOANSHARKING SO THAT GENUINE COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS ARE NOT INADVERTENTLY CAUGHT BY THE PROVISIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
EXPLAINING THE MAJOR CHANGES UNDER THE MONEY LENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, HE SAID IMPROVEMENTS WERE NOW REQUIRED TO OVERCOME A NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE EMERGED FROM THE OPERATION OF THE ORDINANCE SINCE ITS ENACTMENT IN 1980.
"APPLICATIONS FOR A MONEY LENDER'S LICENCE ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE AND DETERMINED BY THE LICENSING COURT COMPRISING A MAGISTRATE SITTING WITH TWO ASSESSORS.
/♦♦AT PRESENT,
FRIDAY, JUNE 17i 1988
“AT PRESENT, A HEARING BY THE FULL COURT IS REQUIRED, WHETHER OR NOT AN OBJECTION TO THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE.
“ON THE SUGGESTION OF THE MAGISTRATES ASSOCIATION, SUPPORTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT UNOPPOSED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY A MAGISTRATE SITTING ALONE,” THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
ANOTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENT CONCERNING THE LICENSING PROCEDURES IS TO PLUG A LOOPHOLE THROUGH WHICH CERTAIN LICENSEES TEND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD FOR THE PROCESSING OF THEIR RENEWAL APPLICATIONS SO THAT THEY NEED ONLY TO RENEW THEIR ANNUAL LICENCES ONCE EVERY 15 MONTHS.
“TO PROTECT GENERAL REVENUE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE RENEWAL OF A LICENCE SHOULD TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DAY ON WHICH THE ORIGINAL LICENCE WOULD HAVE EXPIRED,” HE SAID.
UNDER SECTION 28 OF THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE REGISTRAR OR ANY PERSONS AUTHORISED BY HIM ARE EMPOWERED TO ENTER ANY PREMISES AND INSPECT BOOKS, ACCOUNTS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
“AS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARRYING OUT SUCH INSPECTIONS RESTS IN FACT WITH THE POLICE, IT S PROPOSED THAT THE POLICE SHOULD BE GIVEN EXPRESS POWERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
“IT IS SPECIFIED THAI THE.' MAY ONLY BE USED WHEN THE POLICE HAVE A REASONABLE SUSPICION THAT HE MONEY LENDER HAS COMMITTED AN OFFENCE AND THAT THE DOCUMENTS SEIZED ARE RELATED TO THE OFFENCE.
“THE DOCUMENTS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE MONEY LENDER IF NO PROSECUTION IS INSTITUTED WITHIN THREE MONTHS,” HE ADDED.
ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT BEING SOUGHT IS THE EXTENSION OF THE TIME LIMIT FOR INSTITUTING CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS FOR OFFENCES UNDER SECTION 29(3), RELATING TO FAILURE TO REPORT CHANGE OF PARTICULARS IN A LICENCE, TO TWO YEARS.
THIS WOULD ENABLE THE REGISTRAR TO INSTITUTE PROSECUTIONS FOR THIS TYPE OF OFFENCE WHICH NORMALLY DOES NOT COME TO LIGHT UNTIL THE SIX MONTH PERIOD APPLICABLE TO THE PRESENT LEGISLATION HAS EXPIRED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT LAW REQUIRED THAT CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS FOR NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES MUST GENERALLY BE INSTITUTED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENCE.
’’EXPERIENCE REVEALED THAT THE EXISTING PROVISIONS GOVERNING OFFICIAL SECRECY ARE RESTRICTIVE
/"TO ALLOW
FRIDAY, JUNE 17« 1988
- 5 -
"TO ALLOW FOR GREATER CO-OPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HONG KONG, IT IS PROPOSED THAT INFORMATION MAY ALSO BE DISCLOSED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AND ANY OTHER PUBLIC OFFICER AUTHORISED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WHERE IN THE OPINION OF THE REGISTRAR IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR THE INFORMATION TO BE DISCLOSED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID EXPERIENCE HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT FURTHER GENERAL EXEMPTIONS FROM THE ORDINANCE WERE REQUIRED TO FACILITATE LEGITIMATE BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT UNDUE HINDRANCE.
"CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT WHICH OUGHT NOT TO BE, AND WERE NOT INTENDED TO BE CAUGHT. FLEXIBILITY IS ALSO NEEDED TO DEAL WITH SPECIFIC CASES.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE, BUT NOT THEIR SUBSIDIARIES, SHOULD BE WHOLLY EXEMPTED FROM THE PROVISION OF THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BUSINESS OF BANK LENDING PROVIDES ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF BORROWERS.
"IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE PROVISIONS ON EXCESSIVE INTEREST RATES SHOULD NOT APPLY TO ANY LOANS THAT ARE MADE TO A COMPANY WITH A PAID UP SHARE CAPITAL OF NOT LESS THAN $1 MILLION OR, IN RESPECT OF SUCH LOAN, TO ANY PERSON WHO MAKES SUCH LOAN," HE SAID.
UNDER ANOTHER AMENDMENT, IT IS PROPOSED TO GIVE POWERS TO THE REGISTRAR TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS, EITHER GENERALLY OR IN A PARTICULAR CASE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON JUNE 22.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AT ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 24TH FLOOR, OR TO OMELCO AT 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
LORD YOUNG ON FOUR-DAY VISIT
* * » t
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, LORD YOUNG WILL ARRIVE ON SUNDAY (JUNE 19) FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT.
DURING HIS STAY IN HONG KONG, LORD YOUNG WILL MEET MEMBERS OJ THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BRITISH TRAi COMMISSION ON UK BUSINESS INTERESTS HERE.
/THE SECRETARY
FRIDAY, JUNI 17t 1988
THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL VISIT MODERN TERMINALS LIMITED IN KWAI CHUNG, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING CONSTRUCTION SITES. THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 11.45 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 22) TO BE HELD AT THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION.
LORD YOUNG WILL BE MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR REG HOLLOWAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, LORD YOUNG, WILL ARRIVE BY FLIGHT TG 608 AT 2.25 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 19). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL. THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 1.40 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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ENFORCEMENT MOVE AGAINST UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS
♦ ♦ » * »
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO AMEND THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS ORDINANCE TO FACILITATE THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WHICH DEALS WITH THE PUBLICATION OF ADVERTISEMENTS AND ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE FORM OF LABELLED PACKAGES, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
"AT PRESENT, PROBLEMS ARISE WHERE ADVERTISEMENTS AVOID THE USE OF THE PRECISE TERMS APPEARING IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE AND USE INSTEAD COLLOQUIAL TERMS OR VEILED LANGUAGE SUCH AS SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE IN REFERRING TO THE TREATMENT AVAILABLE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN SUCH CASES IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PROVE THAT A PARTICULAR ADVERTISEMENT REPRESENTED THE MEDICINE OR TREATMENT ADVERTISED AS BEING EFFECTIVE FOR A DISEASE PROHIBITED IN THE SCHEDULE.
"PROBLEMS CAN ALSO ARISE IN IDENTIFYING AND PROSECUTING THE PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACING THE ADVERTISEMENT," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/THE BILL
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
- 7 -
THE BILL SEEKS TO REMEDY THESE DEFECTS BY MAKING THE PROHIBITION AGAINST ADVERTISING DEPEND NOT ON WHAT THE ADVERTISEMENT REPRESENTS, BUT ON WHETHER IT IS LIKELY TO LEAD PERSONS READING THE ADVERTISEMENT TO USE THE MEDICINE, SURGICAL APPLIANCE OR TREATMENT ADVERTISED FOR THE CURE OF ANY OF THE PRESCRIBED DISEASES.
IT ALSO PROVIDES PRESUMPTION CLAUSES TO IDENTIFY THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACING THE ADVERTISEMENTS.
"UNLESS THE CONTRARY IS PROVED, A PERSON WHO IS HELD OUT IN AN ADVERTISEMENT AS BEING A MANUFACTURER OR SUPPLIER OF MEDICINE OR SURGICAL APPLIANCES, OR AS BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE TREATMENT, IS PRESUMED TO HAVE CAUSED THE ADVERTISEMENT TO BE PUBLISHED."
WHERE AN ADVERTISEMENT INDICATES SOME MEANS OF CONTACTING A PERSON WHO PROVIDES TREATMENT, THAT PERSON IS PRESUMED TO HAVE CAUSED THE ADVERTISEMENT TO BE PUBLISHED.
THE BILL ADDS TWO NEW SCHEDULES OF PRESCRIBED DISEASES TO THE ORDINANCE.
THE PART OF THE BILL WHICH DEALS WITH THE PUBLICATION OF ADVERTISEMENTS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON ENACTMENT AND PART II, WHICH RELATES TO ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE FORM OF LABELLED PACKAGES WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION 24 MONTHS LATER TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR EXISTING LABELS AND PACKAGES TO BE MODIFIED IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW PROVISIONS.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 29.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, 7TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
0
GOVERNOR TO ATTEND ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES
•’ » » » «
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON WILL ATTEND THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE RACES WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG A 330-METRE COURSE OFF THE ABERDEEN WATER FRONT FROM 8.30 AM TO 5.30 PM. A RECORD NUMBER OF 83 TEAMS WILL TAKE PART.
SIR DAVID WILL DOT THE EYES OF DRAGON BOATS AT A CEREMONY AT 3.30 PM AND PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS AT THE END OF THE RACES.
/ALSO OFFICIATING
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
8
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE LADY WILSON; THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR T.H. CHAU; SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE RACES ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LIU LIT-FOR.
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN, AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS OLIVIA NIP, WILL ALSO ATTEND.
TOMORROW’S RACES IN ABERDEEN WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THE LARGE-SIZED AND MEDIUM-SIZED DIVISIONS, WITH THE LATTER BEING SUB-DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, MEN’S AMATEUR, LADIES’ OPEN AND INVITATION SECTIONS.
THE FINALS WILL START AT 3 PM AND THE OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM. SPECTATORS CAN WATCH THE RACES EITHER FROM THE SPECTATOR STANDS, TO WHICH ADMISSION IS BY TICKET ONLY, OR FROM THE WATERFRONT PROMENADE.
THE RACES WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY THE TVB JADE AND ATV GOLD CHANNELS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EYE-DOTTING AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONIES OF THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES TOMORROW (SATURDAY). THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL OFFICIATE.
FOR ADMISSION TO THE CEREMONY ARENA, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY PRESS BADGES ISSUED BY THE RACES ORGANISING COMMITTEE. THE BADGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY AN INFORMATION OFFICER ON THE SPOT.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE’ AT THE RECEPTION AREA IN THE SPECTATOR STANDS NEAR THE FLYOVER ADJOINING ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD AND ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD BY 3.30 PM.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, AND OTHER GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING TELELENSES FOR TAKING PICTURES OF THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT A FLOATING PLATFORM SOME DISTANCE FROM THE SPECTATOR STANDS.
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/9........
FRIDAY, JUNE 17,
1988
- 9 -
QE FOUNDATION WILL ASSIST MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
*****
A BILL WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PURPOSE OF SETTING UP THE FOUNDATION WAS TO FURTHER THE WELFARE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN HONG KONG, AND PROMOTE THEIR EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS.
"THE FOUNDATION WILL BE PARTLY FINANCED FROM THE #30 MILLION NET PROFIT ON THE SALE OF GOLD COINS TO COMMEMORATE THE 1986 ROYAL VISIT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"OTHER SOURCES OF FINANCE WILL COMPRISE A CONTRIBUTION OF $30 MILLION FROM GENERAL REVENUE, A CONTRIBUTION OF $30 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND A DONATION OF $1 MILLION BY THE SHAW FOUNDATION HK LTD, MAKING A TOTAL OF AT LEAST $91 MILLION FOR THE FOUNDATION.
"THE FOUNDATION WILL BE TREATED AS A CHARITABLE INSTITUTION OF A PUBLIC CHARACTER UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE. IT WILL BE EXEMPT FROM TAX, AND DONATIONS TO IT ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE."
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED BILL 1988 ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A COUNCIL.
THIS WILL COMPRISE A CHAIRMAN, A MEMBER NOMINATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, FIVE TO NINE OTHER MEMBERS, ALL TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION.
"THE COUNCIL WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION AND OF ITS ASSETS, AND WILL BE GIVEN THE POWER TO APPOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEES, PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO MANAGE AND ADMINISTER THE FOUNDATION'S ASSETS.
"THE STATEMENT OF THE ACCOUNTS OF THE FOUNDATION WILL BE SUBMITTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL TO THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS AND REPORT WILL BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31.
"THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, WHILE THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND INDIVIDUAL GROUPS OF PARENTS OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN HAVE EXPRESSED ENTHUSIASM FOR THE PROPOSAL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE BILL
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 29.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL CAN WRITE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO ELECTION EXPENSES TO BE RAISED
*****
THE MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF ELECTION EXPENSES THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY CANDIDATES OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SEEKING ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN RAISED BY ABOUT 18 PER CENT OVER THE CURRENT LIMITS.
UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION EXPENSES (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1988 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), THE ELECTION EXPENSE LIMITS FOR ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES HAVE BEEN INCREASED FROM $10,000 TO $12,000 AND FROM $30,000 TO $36,000 RESPECTIVELY.
THE WHITE PAPER, THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD" STATED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO REVIEW ALL LIMITS ON ELECTION EXPENSES REGULARLY, BOTH IMMEDIATELY AFTER EACH SET OF ELECTIONS AND AGAIN SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE NEXT SET OF ELECTIONS, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND INFLATION.
"ACCORDINGLY, THE LIMITS ON ELECTION EXPENSES FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WERE REVIEWED IN MARCH THIS YEAR," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT CARRIED OUT A POST-ELECTION REVIEW IN 1985 AND CONCLUDED THAT THE LIMITS AND RELATIVITIES OF THE THEN EXISTING ELECTION EXPENSE CEILINGS WERE GENERALLY APPROPRIATE.
THE REVIEW IN MARCH WAS THUS MAINLY CONCERNED WITH REFLECTING INCREASES IN PRICES SINCE THE PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
"THE ADJUSTMENT TO THE ELECTION EXPENSE LIMITS WERE MADE BY REFERENCE TO AN INCREASE OF THE HANG SENG CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OF 18.3 PER CENT SINCE 1985," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE NEW LEVELS WERE SET SO AS TO BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE LARGEST CONSTITUENCIES.
- - 0 -
/11
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
11
EASIER COLLECTION OF REGISTERED MAIL * » » ♦
FROM NEXT MONTH, REGISTERED ITEMS CAN BE COLLECTED AT THE POST OFFICE NEAREST TO THE RECIPIENT’S RESIDENCE, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR GORDON SIU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WAS PART OF THE POST OFFICE'S EFFORT TO REVIEW AND IMPROVE SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO CUSTOMERS’ REQUESTS, HE SAID.
MR SIU SAID THIS WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YUEN CHAU KOK POST OFFICE - THE 104TH IN THE TERRITORY.
”AT PRESENT TWO ATTEMPTS ARE MADE BY OUR POSTMEN TO DELIVER REGISTERED ITEMS TO ADDRESSEES* PREMISES,” MR SIU EXPLAINED.
"IF THE REGISTERED ITEM STILL CANNOT BE DELIVERED AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE ADDRESSEE WILL HAVE TO COLLECT THE ITEM FROM ONE OF THE 23 EXISTING DELIVERY OFFICES, THE ONE WHICH SERVES UIS AREA."
THE DELIVERY OFFICE, HOWEVER, MIGHT BE SOME DISTANCE FROM THE ADDRESSEE'S HOME OR OFFICE, HE SAID.
FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS FROM CUSTOMERS AND A REVIEW OF PROCEDURES, MR SIU SAID FROM JULY ADDRESSEES COULD COLLECT REGISTERED ITEMS AT THE CLOSEST POST OFFICE, OR AT ANY OTHER OFFICES, IF SO WISHED.
ON THE SECOND WAY TO IMPROVE POSTAL SERVICES, MR SIU SAID NEW OFFICES WOULD BE OPENED WHERE DEMAND JUSTIFIED.
CITING SHA TIN AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID: "TEN YEARS AGO WE HAD ONLY ONE POST OFFICE IN SHA TIN. NOW WE HAVE SIX, AND FIVE MORE WILL BE OPENED TO SERVE THE PUBLIC IN SHA TIN OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS."
CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR NG CHAN-LAM, AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, ALSO OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY.
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/12
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
12 -
DRAFT TSIM SHA TSUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED » » * » ♦
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TSIM SHA TSUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE MAJOR AMENDMENT INVOLVED THE REZONING OF A SITE BOUNDED BY SALISBURY ROAD/NEW WORLD CENTRE/HONGKONG CULTURAL CENTRE/HARBOUR FROM “OPEN SPACE” TO "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WITH UNDERGROUND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AND CARPARK".
THE NEW ZONING IS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TWO-LEVEL UNDERGROUND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AND A TWO-LEVEL BASEMENT CARPARK WITH A PUBLIC GARDEN AT STREET LEVEL.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT A "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" SITE ON CANTON ROAD HAS BEEN REZONED TO "COMMERCIAL" WITH THE INCORPORATION OF A PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINAL.
THIS AMENDMENT IS TO MEET THE HIGH DEMAND FOR COMMERCIAL FLOORSPACE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
MOREOVER, THE ANNOTATION OF THE "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ZONE FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION HAS BEEN AMENDED TO ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POSSIBLE SHOPPING MALL LINKING THE STATION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT IN HUNG HOM BAY, AND THE EXTENSION OF THE KCRC FINGER PIER.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO INCORPORATE THE POSSIBLE ALIGNMENT OF THE PROPOSED HUNG HOM BYPASS INTO THE PLAN. A 10-METRE WIDE PROMENADE LINKING THE EXISTING WATERFRONT PROMENADE IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN HUNG HOM BAY IS PROPOSED ALONGSIDE THE BYPASS.
THERE ARE SOME OTHER MINOR AMENDMENTS MADE TO REFLECT THE EXISTING USES OF THE VARIOUS SITES.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT:
» THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG
♦ PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG
* YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 490-492, NATHAN ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON
/ANY PERSON
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 19^8
- 13 -
AMY J’l RHON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, BY JULY 7 THIS YEAR.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP SALES COUNTER, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 1 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT J10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
-----------------------0------- CUSTOMS COMMISSIONER TO ATTEND OVERSEAS MEETING * » t * ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, ACCOMPANIED BY THE HEAD OF CUSTOMS INTELLIGENCE AND GENERAL INVESTIGATION GROUP, MR W.M. LI, WILL LEAVE FOR BRUSSELS TONIGHT (FRIDAY) TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CUSTOMS COOPERATION COUNCIL (CCC).
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD FROM JUNE 20 TO 24 AND WILL BE ATTENDED BY HEADS OF CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS OF 102 MEMBER COUNTRIES.
HONG KONG WAS ADMITTED AS AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER AT THE COUNCIL MEETING IN JUNE LAST YEAR, UPON THE PROPOSAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, WITH THE SUPPORT OF CHINA. SINCE THEN HONG KONG HAS PARTICIPATED ACTIVELY IN THE COUNCIL’S WORK. •
IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, HONG KONG WAS SELECTED AS THE CCC ESCAP (ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC) REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICE TO CO-ORDINATE THE INTERCHANGE OF DRUG INTELLIGENCE WITHIN THE REGION AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON CUSTOMS MATTERS.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS AND THE COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING EXTENDING IT TO OTHER REGIONS.
AT THE COUNCIL MEETING, MR WILLIAMSON WILL GIVE A REVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICE, STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TIMELY EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE BETWEEN CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS, AND URGE ALL MEMBERS TO ESTABLISH DIRECT CONTACT POINTS ROUND THE CLOCK FOR THIS PURPOSE.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR K.S. TONG, WILL ACT AS COMMISSIONER DURING THE ABSENCE OF MR WILLIAMSON.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
14
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT KWAI CHUNG OZP PUBLISHED
*****
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE.
A BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE TO INCORPORATE LATEST CHANGES IN LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IN THE AREA AS WELL AS TO UPDATE THE NOTES OF THE PLAN.
UNDER THE AMENDMENTS, THE SOUTHEASTERN BOUNDARY OF THE PLAN HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND ADJUSTED TO INCORPORATE THE BUTTERFLY VALLEY TO GENERALLY COINCIDE WITH THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE KWAI TSINQ AND SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICTS, AND WITH THE BOUNDARY OF KAM SHAN COUNTRY PARK.
EXISTING FACILITIES WITHIN THE EXTENSION AREA SUCH AS THE KAU WAH KENG SERVICE RESERVOIRS, THE O PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME AND AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION HAVE BEEN RETAINED AND ZONED "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" ON THE PLAN. THE REST OF THE AREA IS ZONED "GREEN BELT".
ANOTHER MAJOR AMENDMENT IS THE INCORPORATION OF THE NEW CONTAINER PORT ROAD WHICH IS THE KEY LINK TO THE EXISTING CONTAINER TERMINALS AND ALSO THE FUTURE TERMINALS 6 AND 7.
A NUMBER OF SITES WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 12 HECTARES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED FOR CONTAINER-RELATED USES TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH OFF-TERMINAL BACK-UP FACILITIES AS CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION, CONTAINER REPAIR AND STORAGE, AND CONTAINER TRACTOR/TRAILER PARKING AND REPAIR.
MOST OF THESE SITES HAVE OVER THE YEARS ALREADY BEEN USED FOR SUCH PURPOSES ON A TEMPORARY BASIS. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL RECTIFY THE EXISTING USES WHICH ARE IN GREAT DEMAND IN THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL.
THE PLAN WILL INCLUDE A RECLAMATION LOCATED TO THE WEST OF PILLAR ISLAND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LAND FOR A PROPOSED SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT AND TO CATER FOR THE EXTENSION OF CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 5. AS A RESULT, THE TOTAL LAND AREA DESIGNATED FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL USE ON THE PLAN AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 92 HECTARES.
LAND HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR A ROAD INTERCHANGE AT THE JUNCTION OF TEXACO ROAD AND KWAI FUK ROAD. THIS INTERCHANGE FORMS PART OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT TO TEXACO ROAD WHICH WILL BECOME AN IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN ROUTE 5, TSUEN WAN ROAD AND TSING TSUEN BRIDGE.
TWO SITES HAVE BEEN REZONED TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’’ TO PROVIDE LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
/ONE SITE
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
- 15 -
ONE SITE IS LOCATED AT SHEK YAM ON THE LAND NOW PARTLY OCCUPIED BY A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9.6 HECTARES AND CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 18,000 PEOPLE.
ANOTHER SITE WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 0.6 HECTARE AND SITUATED CLOSE TO KWAI SHING AND KWAI HING ESTATES IS INTENDED TO BE DEVELOPED FOR A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FOR 1,750 PEOPLE.
TWO "COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL" SITES LOCATED TO THE SOUTH OF THE MTR KWAI FONG STATION ARE REZONED TO "OPEN SPACE" AND "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" FOR A POSSIBLE CIVIC CENTRE TO SERVE THE KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT.
THESE TWO SITES WILL ALSO SERVE AS A BUFFER SEPARATING THE FUTURE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS TO THEIR NORTH FROM THE HEAVY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ALONG KWAI FUK ROAD AND THE INDUSTRIAL AREA FURTHER TO THE SOUTHWEST.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT:
» TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
» KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING
GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD,
KWAI CHUNG; AND
» PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG..
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE JULY 7 THIS YEAR.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION AT 382 NATHAN ROAD, AT J10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
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/16
FRIDAY, JUNE 17,
1988
- 16
PENSION BENEFITS TO BE IMPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING PENSIONS LEGISLATION BY CLARIFYING TERMS AND REMOVING TECHNICAL ANOMALIES WHICH HAVE COME TO LIGHT SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW PENSION SCHEME LAST YEAR.
THESE AMENDMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE PENSION BENEFITS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE LARGELY TECHNICAL AND WILL IN NO WAY AFFECT OR ERODE CIVIL SERVANTS' EXISTING PENSION RIGHTS. THE STAFF SIDES HAVE BEEN INFORMED,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON JUNE 29.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE AMENDMENTS CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 11TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL OR TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
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EPD ISSUES FUEL NOTICES TO TSING YI FACTORIES *****
FOLLOWING DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS OF THE AIR POLLUTION TO WHICH THE RESIDENTS OF CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON TSING YI ISLAND ARE BEING EXPOSED, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS ISSUED NOTICES TO THE OWNERS OF MORE THAN 30 FACTORIES WHICH ARE LOCATED CLOSE TO THE ESTATE.
THE NOTICES REQUIRE THE FACTORIES TO. USE A LOW SULPHUR FUEL SO THAT CONCENTRATIONS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE WILL BE REDUCED.
’’THE CHIMNEYS OF THESE FACTORIES WERE EMITTING LARGE QUANTITIES OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE AND THIS IS CAUSING AN AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM IN THE AREA," AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING IN 1986, THE EPD REFUSED TO GIVE APPROVAL TO APPLICATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF NEW STEAM BOILERS WHICH WOULD USE GRADE THREE FUEL OIL WHICH HAS A HIGH SULPHUR CONTENT, AT 2.5 PER CENT.
/DESPITE THE
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
" 17 -
DESPITE THE EPD’S REFUSAL AND ADVICE, THE FACTORIES CONTINUED TO INSTALL NEW BOILERS AND CHIMNEYS AND STARTED OPERATIONS USING GRADE THREE FUEL OIL, THUS AGGRAVATING THE AIR POLLUTION PRODI I'M.
"WE HAVE DECIDED, THEREFORE, TO ISSUE NOTICES, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, TO THE OWNF? G OF THE FACTORIES CAUSING THE POLLUTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT WE SHALL OBTAIN THE CO-OPERATION OF THE FACTORY OWNERS ON THIS OCCASION AND THAT THEY WILL START USING LOW SULPHUR FUEL, WHICH SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM."
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1.5 MILLION TO "SHARE IN THE FUN" « * * »
SHARING IN THE FUN WILL BE THE THEME FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE THIS SUMMER WHEN THEY PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN 11,000 ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATED BY THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE, SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES IN THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) WAS A RECORD.
"THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE IS ALSO A RECORD FIGURE," HE SAID.
"THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF THE PROGRAMME THIS YEAR IS ESTIMATED AT CLOSE TO $20 MILLION, OF WHICH THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS CONTRIBUTED $8.95 MILLION," MR LEE SAID.
"THE JOCKEY CLUB DONATION IS AN INCREASE OF 38 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR’S FIGURE," HE ADDED.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAD BEEN THE MAJOR DONOR TO THE SYP SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1969.
OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDS INCLUDE ALLOCATIONS MADE BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.
WITH THE CONTINUING THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", THE SYP IS TARGETTED AT YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN SIX AND 25 YEARS OLD WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING THEM TO HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND MEANINGFUL SUMMER.
PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INCLUDE MUSIC CAMP, FORESTRY CAMP, COMMUNITY PROJECTS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND MANY OTHER EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
/"WE HAVE
FRIDAY, JONE 17, 1988
- 18 -
"WB HAVE INCLUDED SOME NEW ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR, SUCH AS FENCING, GYMNASTICS, BADMINTON, TABLE-TENNIS AND SOCCER TRAINING," SAID MR LEE.
"THESE PROGRAMMES ARE ORGANISED BY THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE AND THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, WHO HAVE JOINED THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
THE DISTRICT BOARDS ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
A SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IS FORMED IN EVERY DISTRICT TO ORGANISE SUMMER ACTIVITIES.
"AS MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WITHIN THE DISTRICT, THEY KNOW WHAT KIND OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES ARE REQUIRED," SAID THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG, WHO ALSO SPOKE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
"THIS YEAR, THE DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES PLAN TO ORGANISE ABOUT 4,600 ACTIVITIES AND THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH 1.1 MILLION," HE ADDED.
THE 1988 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WILL BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, ON JULY 1 (FRIDAY) AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A "SWINGING SUMMER" VARIETY SHOW PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
OTHER PUBLICITY ON THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME INCLUDES THREE OTHER "SWINGING SUMMER" SHOWS BY RTHK AND A CONCERT PRODUCED BY COMMERCIAL RADIO IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, WHICH WILL MARK THE CLOSING OF THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CAN OBTAIN DETAILS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
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/19........
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
- 19 -
POLICE ON ALERT FOR BEACH THIEVES *****
COMBINED POLICE OPERATIONS TO CONTROL CRIME AND CROWDS AT THE BEACHES OF SOUTH HONG KONG ISLAND HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED FROM ABERDEEN DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS. OPERATION +DOGBANE+ HAS GONE INTO ACTION TO STOP CRIMINALS WHO PREY ON HOLIDAY CROWDS ENJOYING SUNNY DAYS BY THE SEA.
NINE GAZETTED BEACHES IN ABERDEEN DIVISION AND STANLEY SUB-DIVISION ATTRACTED OVER 6.8 MILLION HOLIDAY MAKERS LAST YEAP -CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HONG KONG.
THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF NEARLY 600,000 PEOPLE PEAKED AT OVER A MILLION IN THREE MONTHS, JUNE-AUGUST.
AND THE FIGURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE HIGHER THIS YEAR.
THE ABERDEEN POLICE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, SUPERINTENDENT TAM KWOK-WING SAID: "THESE ARE INCREDIBLE STATISTICS. WE ARE OBVIOUSLY EXPECTING A LARGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE ONTO THE SOUTHERN BEACHES IN THE HOLIDAY MONTHS AHEAD."
THE OPERATION WILL FOCUS INCREASED POLICE ATTENTION ON THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY CROWDS, THEIR PROPERTY AND THEIR TRANSPORT.
THE "WARM UP" PERIOD OF THE OPERATION, WHICH CONCENTRATED EFFORTS ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IS NOW BEING STEPPED UP TO A PERO1D OF HIGH DEPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL WHO WILL ATTEND BEACH AREAS ON A DAILY BASIS THROUGHOUT THE PEAK PERIOD TO EARLY SEPTEMBER.
THE OPERATION WILL PLACE ADDITIONAL COVERT PERSONNEL IN HOLIDAY BEACH AREAS, PLUS MORE UNIFORMED OFFICERS, AUXILIARIES, TRAFFIC POLICE AND WARDENS.
THE FINAL THIRD PHASE OF THE OPERATION WILL INCLUDE A SLOW WIND DOWN AS SCHOOLS REOPEN AND THE SUMMER ENDS.
BUSIEST OF THE NINE GAZETTED BEACHES IN ABERDEEN AND STANLEY AREA ARE REPULSE BAY, DEEPWATER BAY, STANLEY MAIN BEACH AND ST STEPHEN’S BEACH.
MOST LIKELY CRIMES ANTICIPATED AT THE VARIOUS SCENES ARE THEFTS FROM BEACHES, VEHICLES AND SWIMMERS; BURGLARIES, CRIMINAL DAMAGE, UNRULY BEHAVIOUR AND VANDALISM. IN ADDITION POLICE CONTEND WITH ILLEGAL BARBECUES, CAMPING ON BEACHES, NOISE, HAWKERS, ROAD RACING AND ILLEGAL PARKING.
POLICE ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM OF SUPERVISING THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF BUSES AND PRIVATE TRANSPORT CARRYING HOLIDAY MAKERS.
/SUPT TAM .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
SUPT TAM SAID: "GETTING PEOPLE IN AND OUT ON A NOT VERY SOPHISTICATED ROAD NETWORK IS A BIG PROBLEM AND WE HAVE INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE HERE FROM HONG KONG ISLAND TRAFFIC.
"THE MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC IS VERY IMPORTANT. IF THF TRAFFIC SNARLS UP PEOPLE GET HOT AND BOTHERED AND SHORT TEMPERED AND THEN SKIRMISHES TAKE PLACE. KEEPING ROADS CLEAR IS VITAL.
"HAVING NINE GAZETTED BEACHES, THE MAJORITY IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, IMPOSES A MAJOR POLICING COMMITMENT. ALTHOUGH OUR AREA DOES NOT INCLUDE OTHER BEACHES WHICH ARE ALSO POPULAR WE HAVE A HARMONIOUS WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER FORMATIONS FOR JOINT OPERATIONS TO COVER OTHER BEACHES ON HONG KONG ISLAND."
IN ADDITION TO SPECIALLY SELECTED TASK FORCE PERSONNEL OPERATING ON THE BEACHES IN PLAIN CLOTHS, THERE WILL BE A SI RONG VISIBLE POLICE PRESENCE ON BEACHES AND AT CAR PARKS.
SUPT TAM’S MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC ENJOYING THEIR DAYS AT THE BEACH WAS: "IF YOU DONT'T NEED IT ON THE BEACH DON’T TAKE IT.
"PEOPLE WHO LEAVE THEIR PROPERTY UNATTENDED WHILE THEY SWIM ARE SIMPLY ASKING FOR TROUBLE. IF THEY ARE IN A PARTY THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT ONE OF THEM STAYS WITH THEIR POSSESSIONS. AND THE LEAST THEY CAN DO IF THEY MUST TAKE VALUABLES WITH THEM IS TO LOCK THEM IN THE BOOTS OF THEIR CARS.”
ONE YOUNG COUPLE RECENTLY COMPLAINED WHEN THEY LOST MONEY AND JEWELLERY VALUED AT $5,000 WHICH THEY HAD LEFT UNATTENDED WHILE SWIMMING.
SWIMMING THIEVES ARE ALSO ON THF. WATCH FOR PEOPLE SWIMMING WHILE WEARING JEWELLERY.
"A MAN DOZING ON A LILO IN THE SEA WAS TIPPED INTO THE WATER BY A SWIMMER AND FOUND WHEN HE SURFACED THAT HIS NECKLACE HAD BEEN SNATCHED," SUPT TAM SAID.
- - 0
OPEN-AIR CAR PARK FEES TO GO UP * » t » »
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN INCREASE IN PARKING FEES AT THE FOUR GOVERNMENT OPEN-AIR CAR PARKS.
THE NEW PARKING FEES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1 AT MURRAY BARRACKS, TAI KOK TSUI, HO MAN TIN AND NORTH POINT CAR PARKS MANAGED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
/THE DAY-TIME
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
- 21
THE DAY-TIME HOURLY PARKING FEES WILL GO UP FROM *3 TO $5 AT MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK AND FROM $2 TO $3 AT TAI KOK TSUI CAR PARK. FOR HO MAN TIN AND NORTH POINT CAR PARKS, WHICH ARE USED EXCLUSIVELY BY GOODS VEHICLES, THE HOURLY RATE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1 TO $2.50.
MONTHLY PASSES WILL RISE FROM $400 TO $1,000 AT MURRAY BARRACKS, AND FROM $400 TO $600 AT TAI KOK TSUI. MONTHLY RATE FOR GOODS VEHICLES AT THE OTHER TWO CAR PARKS WILL BE INCREASED FROM $200 TO $500.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH THE INCREASES APPEARED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL IN PERCENTAGE TERMS - RANGING FROM 67 PER CENT TO 150 PER CENT FOR HOURLY RATES AND FROM 50 PER CENT TO 150 PER CENT FOR MONTHLY PASSES - THE FEES WERE STILL LOWER THAN THOSE AT THE COMMERCIAL CAR PARKS IN THE VICINITY.
HE SAID THE FEES WERE INCREASED TO ENSURE REASONABLE AVAILABILITY OF PARKING SPACES AT THE FOUR CAR PARKS. EXCEPT FOR THE TAI KOK TSUI CAR PARK, THE TURNOVER RATES IN THESE CAR PARKS WERE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE TARGET RATE OF 15 PER CENT.
THE LOW TURNOVER RATES WERE MAINLY DUE TO PARKING FEES BEING LOWER THAN THOSE CHARGED BY COMMERCIAL CAR PARKS IN THE VICINITY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT LOWER OFF-PEAK RATES WOULD BE RETAINED TO ENCOURAGE OFF-STREET PARKING OVERNIGHT AND DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE FOUR OPEN-AIR CAR PARKS WERE OPERATED AT LOSSES, WHICH AMOUNTED TO A COMBINED TOTAL OF $9.3 MILLION IN 1986/87 AND $11.9 MILLION IN 1987/88.
THE PARKING FEES SHOULD THEREFORE BE INCREASED TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE FACILITIES, HE SAID.
THE NEW FEES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE TOTAL REVENUE OF THE FOUR CAR PARKS BY $3.6 MILLION A YEAR.
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TRAVEL BENEFIT FOR PERMANENT ID CARD HOLDERS
*****
ADULT HOLDERS OF HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS (PIC’S) WHICH DO NOT BEAR THE * * * SYMBOL, MAY NOW TRAVEL TO MACAU WITHOUT THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AS THEY WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THEIR PIC'S.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
/"WE HAVE
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
I'
- 22 -
"WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED BY THE MACAU GOVERNMENT THAT ADULT HOLDERS OF PIC’S, WITHOUT THE * * * SYMBOL, MAY ENTER AND DEPART FROM MACAU ON PRESENTATION OF THEIR PIC’S AND THE COMPLETED ARRIVAL OR DEPARTURE CARDS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THEY DO NOT NEED TO PRODUCE THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR EXAMINATION BY THE MACAU IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES."
THIS MEASURE, IN THE PAST, ONLY APPLIED TO THOSE HOLDING ID CARDS WITH » » » SYMBOL, HE SAID.
UNDER THE CURRENT EASY TRAVEL SCHEME, ADULT HOLDERS OF PIC'S WITH OR WITHOUT * * » SYMBOL, ARE ALREADY EXEMPTED FROM PRODUCING THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHEN PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG’S COMPUTERISED CONTROL POINTS FOR JOURNEYS TO AND FROM MACAU, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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WARNING GIVEN ON USE OF UNAUTHORISED GOODS LIFTS t * » « ♦
THE OWNER OF AN UNAUTHORISED LIFT, OTHER THAN A SERVICE LIFT, WHICH HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES MAY BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND WOULD BE LIABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
THIS WARNING WAS GIVEN TODAY (FRIDAY) BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING THE CONVICTION EARLY THIS WEEK OF THE TWO PRINCIPAL OWNERS OF AN UNAUTHORISED GOODS LIFT IN A SEAFOOD SHOP AT WESTERN. THEY WERE EACH FINED $3,000.
THE UNAUTHORISED GOODS LIFT WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN JULY LAST YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT IF THE', WISHED TO INSTALL A GOODS LIFT THEY SHOULD APPROACH A REGISTERED LIFT CONTRACTOR WHO COULD ASSIST THEM IN OBTAINING THE PERMISSION FOR ITS OPERATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OWNERS OF UNAUTHORISED GOODS LIFTS ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION UNDER THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE. FURTHERMORE, ALL LIFTS IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR SIZE MUST BE EXAMINED BY A REGISTERED LIFT ENGINEER EACH YEAR.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
- 23 -
AUSTRIAN BANK GRANTED LICENCE ♦ » » ♦
AN AUSTRIAN BANK, CREDITANSTALT-BANKVEREIN, HAS BEEN GRANTED A LICENCE TO CONDUCT BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG. A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
• . t < '
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT CREDITANSTALT-BANKVEREIN, THE LARGEST BANK IN AUSTRIA, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1855 AND RANKED AS THE 93RD LARGEST BANK IN THE WORLD AT THE END OF 1986.
’’THE BANK CONDUCTS EXTENSIVE BANKING BUSINESS DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY WITH 170 BRANCHES IN AUSTRIA, LONDON AND NEW YORK; .NINE SUBSIDIARY BANKS AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES AND NINE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BANKING CENTRES, INCLUDING HONG KONG. .1 I.*!' ’’ » • • •
"IT IS THE FIRST AUSTRIAN BANK TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE HERE. THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCE WOULD FURTHER BROADEN HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN INTERNAATIONAL BANKING CENTRE WHILE THE CONTINUED INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET CAN BE SEEN AS ENHANCING THE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
A TOTAL OF 159 BANKS ARE NOW LICENSED IN HONG KONG. OF 1IHESE, 124 ARE BANKS INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
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OLYMPIC DAY RUN IN SHA TIN » * « « »
MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGES CAN TAKE PART IN THE OLYMPIC DAY RUN HONG KONG 1988 ON THE CYCLE TRACK ALONG THE SHING MUN RIVER llv SHA TIN ON SUNDAY (JUNE 19) MORNING.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE EVENT HAS & BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL, HONG KONG AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS THE AMATEUR SPORTS . FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG. •
MALES AGED OVER 15 WILL COVER 3.5 KILOMETRES AND ALL OTHER RUNNERS WILL COVER 2.8 KILOMETRES.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD REPORT AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND IN YUEN WO ROAD, SHA TIN, BEFORE 9 AM.
ALL RUNNERS WHO COMPLETE THE ROUTE WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES BY THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG.
/THE 150
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
- 24
THE 150 BEST RUNNERS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE AND THE 75 BEST RUNNERS WILL RECEIVE T-SHIRTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (COMMUNITY AFFAIRS) OF SHA TIN, MR ANDREW PYNE, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG, MR A. DE O. SALES WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 10 AM AT THE YUEN WO SPORTS GROUND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OLYMPIC DAY RUN HONG KONG 1988 TO START AT SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND IN YUEN WO ROAD, SHA TIN AT 9 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 19). THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE SPORTS GROUND AT 10 AM.
----------------0-------- YOUTH POLICY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA » » » » »
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY, RELEASED BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (JUNE 20).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PAPER WHICH SUGGESTS THE PROVISION OF A COMMUNITY CENTRE IN NORTHEAST TUEN MUN AS WELL AS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE MEETING WILL LOOK INTO THE DIRECT GRANT SCHEME PROPOSED BY THE’EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND CONSIDER VARIOUS APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (JUNE 20) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1988
- 25 -
TWO SITES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION » t » » *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE IN A PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD ON JULY 13 (WEDNESDAY).
THE AUCTION OF THE SITES, BOTH FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES BUT EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES, WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST SITE IS IN AREA 25, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES. IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,198 SQUARE METRES. THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE AT LEAST 3,594 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA BEFORE JUNE 30, 1992.
THE OTHER SITE IS IN KA YIP STREET, CHAI WAN.
THE AREA OF THIS SITE IS ABOUT 4,687 SQUARE METRES AND THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 33,746 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1992.
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REPLACEMENT OF TAI TAM ROAD BRIDGE » ♦ » * t
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A BOX CULVERT TO REPLACE A SMALL PRE-WAR BRIDGE SITUATED ON TAI TAM ROAD ABOUT 900 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHEK O ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, ABOUT 100 METRES OF THE APPROACH ROADS WILL BE REALIGNED AND WIDENED TO AN IMPROVED STANDARD.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; AND AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, NORTH POINT.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BY AUGUST 16.
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/26........
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1*988
26 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWUN TONG ♦ » ♦ * ♦
A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY STAGES TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IN 1989, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
AS PART OF THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME, HORSE SHOE LANE IN KWUN TONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 20).
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (PLB) STANDS WILL BE RELOCATED.
THE PLB STAND IN TUNG MING STREET BETWEEN YEE ON STREET AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE WESTERN SECTION OF YEE ON STREET BETWEEN TUNG MING STREET AND LUEN ON STREET. •
THE STAND IN HORSE SHOE LANE WILL BE MOVED TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE SAME ROAD TO COINCIDE WITH THE RE-ROUTEING.
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE SCHEME, WHICH INCLUDE TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS, ROAD WIDENING WORK, PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND RELOCATION OF PLB STANDS, ARE BEING PLANNED AND WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN DUE COURSE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE TRAFFIC ON THE RO.iDS ............................ 1
APRIL ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT ,JJD PAYROLL FIGURES
RELEASED 3
SUMMER ACTIVITIES aIMED AT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT .......... 7
VOLUNTEERS TO HOLD ANNUAL PAR1.DE...................... 8
SEMINaRS ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION .. 8
ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS WATER CONTROL ZONE PROPOS/JLS.... 9
SUMMER TIME ON KWUN TONG DB /.GENDA ................... 10
DB WORKING GROUP TO PUBLICISE DRAFT BaSIC LAW ......... 11
GO-AHE»iD GIVEN FOR FORESHORE, SEABED WORKS ........... 11
ROAD CLOSURE AND PLB RESTRICTED ZONE................... 12
WORKS FOR FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN ................ 13
salt water cut in mid-levels .......................... 14
ONE-LANE OPERATION FOR TUNNEL SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ...... 14
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
MORE TRAFFIC ON THE ROADS * ♦ ♦ t *
ALL MAJOR ROAD CORRIDORS IN HONG KONG RECORDED AN INCREASE IN TRAFFIC LAST YEAR, REFLECTING THE LEVEL OF CONGESTION EXPERIENCED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, ACCORDING TO SURVEYS CARRIED OUT BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN 1987.
AMONG THE KEY CORRIDORS THAT HAD BECOME MORE CONGESTED WERE THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE LION ROCK TUNNEL. THE NUMBER OF VEHICLE TRIPS MADE VIA THE TWO TUNNELS LAST YEAR RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.
COMPARED WITH 1986, VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BETWEEN HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON SHOWED A 7.5 PER CENT INCREASE, AND 89.7 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TRIPS WERE MADE VIA THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
AS FOR THE LION ROCK TUNNEL, TRAFFIC INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT, WHILE OVERALL TRAFFIC FLOWS BETWEEN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES INCREASED BY 9.9 PER CENT.
TRAFFIC IN THE KWAI CHUNG/CASTLE PEAK ROAD CORRIDOR ROSE BY 7.3 PER CENT AND THE BIGGEST INCREASE OF 30 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN THE CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD/PO LAM ROAD CORRIDOR REFLECTING SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN TRAFFIC GENERATED BY JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
WITHIN THE NEW TERRITORIES TRAFFIC INTO SHA TIN, TSUEN WAN AND THE MAIN URBAN AREAS FROM THE NORTH AND WEST NEW TERRITORIES INCREASED BY 15.7 PER CENT.
TRAFFIC BETWEEN TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG AND THE EAST INCREASED BY 8.8 PER CENT WHILE TRAFFIC TRAVELLING SOUTH FROM THE AREA NORTH OF TAI PO \ND YUEN LONG ROSE BY 7.6 PER CENT.
ON THE HONG KONG ISLAND, THE LARGEST INCREASE IN TRAFFIC, UP 15.2 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1986, WAS RECORDED BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN.
INCREASES OF 6.2 PER CENT WERE RECORDED FOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT, AND BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF THE ISLAND.
TRAFFIC INTO CENTRAL AND BETWEEN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI WAS UNCHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
KOWLOON EXPERIENCED LESS OF AN INCREASE IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1986 AND 1987. EAST-WEST TRAFFIC ACROSS KOWLOON PENINSULA AND TRAFFIC BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND THE REMAINING URBAN AREA WAS UNCHANGED.
A SMALL INCREASE OF 3.3 PER CENT WAS RECORDED FOR TRAFFIC TRAVELLING NORTH-SOUTH IN KOWLOON PEN1NUSLA.
/ON THE
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
- 2 -
ON THE BASIS OF OTHER SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT VEHICLES IN HONG KONG COVERED ON AVERAGE 17.63 MILLION VEHICLE-KILOMETRES PER DAY LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING A 7.9 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1986.
OF THIS FIGURE, 4.07 MILLION VEHICLE-KILOMETRES WERE MADE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 6.68 MILLION VEHICLE-KILOMETRES IN KOWLOON AND 6.88 MILLION VEHICLE-KILOMETRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE MAJOR ROAD USERS IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 PM WERE GOODS VEHICLES, PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THESE THREE CLASSES OF VEHICLE ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 31 PER CENT, 27 PER CENT AND 23 PER CENT. RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL VEHICLE KILOMETRAGE. ' ./
PASSENGER VANS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES (PLB) AND BUSES EACH ACCOUNTED FOR AROUND 5 PER CENT OF TOTAL VEHICLE KILOMETRAGE WHILE MOTORCYCLES CONTRIBUTED ONLY 2 TO 3 PER CENT.
BETWEEN 1986 AND 1987, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT GOODS VEHICLE KILOMETRAGE INCREASED BY AROUND 20 PER CENT. BUSES, TAXIS AND MOTORCYCLES ALSO RECORDED INCREASES OF ABOUT 8 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. VEHICLE KILOMETRAGE FOR PRIVATE CARS AND PLB’S REMAINED FAIRLY CONSTANT.
THE INCREASE IN VEHICULAR TRAFFIC COINCIDED WITH THE RISE IN THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES LICENSED DURING LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES LICENSED AT THE END OF 1987 WAS 289.386, ACCOUNTING FOR A 8.5 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1986. OF THESE, 115,809 WERE PRIVATE CARS, SHOWING A 1.9 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR.
THIS WAS THE FIRST UPTURN IN THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE CARS LICENSED AGAINST THE DECLINING TREND SINCE 1981. THE NUMBER HAD BEEN DROPPING SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF HEFTY INCREASES IN FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND LICENCE FEES IN 1982.
GOODS VEHICLES SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE. THE NUMBER OF GOODS VEHICLES LICENSED IN 1987 WAS 94,368, AN INCREASE OF 19.1 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
- 3 -
APRIL ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED * * * * *
IN APRIL 1988, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL AS IN MARCH 1988, BUT SHOWED A DECREASE OF 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THE APRIL 1988 LEVEL WAS ABOUT THE SAM! AS IN MARCH 1988, BUT WAS LOWER BY 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987.
IN APRIL 19S8, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING FIRMS SURVEYED INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, AND B' 13 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987.
COMPARING APRIL 1988 WITH MARCH 1988, THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED SLIGHTL1 IL THE WEARING APPAREL, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT DECREASED IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, THE ORDERS POSITION IN APRIL 1988 DROPPED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED PARTICULARLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND PLAST1C PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AND TO \ LESSER EXTENT IN THE TEXTILES AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF Till NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN APRIL 1988 OVER MARCH 1988, WHILE THAT IN OTHER INDUSTRIES SURVEYED REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL.
COMPARING APRIL 1988 WITH APRIL 1987, MORE SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN EMPLOYMENT WERE RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN APRIL 1988 INCREASED IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, EXCEPT FOR THE WEARING APPAREL AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, WHICH REGISTERED DECREASES. COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, THE INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED WERE GENERALLY QUITE SUBSTANTIAL.
INDUSTRIES WITH MORI- NOTABLE INCREASES INCLUDED FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (+20 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (+15 PER CENT), AND FOOD AND DRINKS (+15 PER CENT).
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN APRIL 1988 WAS ABOUT Till. SAME AS IN MARCH 1988 AND APRIL 1987 . PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988 AND SUBSTANTIALLY WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987.
/IN THE
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
IN THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN APRIL 1988 WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN MARCH 1988, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER APRIL 1987.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED MODERATELY, PARTICULARLY IN BANKS AND PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES, WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988. COMPARED WITH APRIL 1987, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN MOST OF THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICE 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 MAGNITUDES OF CHANGES INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE 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 APRIL 1988 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, I9TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234820.
TABLE 1: ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY
ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE END OF APRIL 1988 CHANGE WHEN WITH COMPARED APR IL. 8
MAR. 88
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4 . 36 * -3
— — — —
WEARING APPAREL 4.62 -7
TEXTILES 2.72 -3 -4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.63 -1 -7
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 1.38 + I -4
/ELECTRICAL AND
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS
- 5 -
5.06 +1 *
4.15 -1 _6
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
TABLE 2: EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OP APRIL 1988
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
MAR.88 APR.87
(%) (%) ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES » .3
FOOD AND DRINKS * t
WEARING APPAREL +1 _6
TEXTILES * q
PLASTIC PRODUCTS * _g
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS * *
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS » t
OTHERS _1 ..
CONSTRUCTION# t t
SERVICES t
• £
BANKS t +2
HOTELS t
PUBLIC UTILITIES t
OTHERS +1 +9
* ('llANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5% # PERSONS ENGAGED (OVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED
BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/Table 3
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
6
TABLE 3: PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE AS IN CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988 MAR. 88 APR. 87
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES (HK$ ) 4 , 186 (%) + 3 (%) + 13
FOOD AND DRINKS 1,721 + 9 + 15
WEARING APPAREL 3,379 -3 + 8
TEXTILES 4,442 + 10 + 14
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3,761 + 3 + 8
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4 ,14 2 -11 + 20
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRON I C PRODUCTS 4,007 + 4 + 15
OTHERS 5,595 + 4 + 16
CONSTRUCTION 5,952 + 4 + 15
SERVICES 7,258 + 6 + 16
BANKS 6,759 + 5 + 16
HOTELS 1,867 + 1 + 14
PUBLIC UTILITIES 7,030 + 6 + 10
OTHERS 8,830 + 8 + 24
♦ CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5%
NOTE TO TABLE 1-3: UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER 1 Till: FIRMS SURVEYED IS NOT ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN. "PER CAPITA EARNINGS", AMONGST THE FIRMS OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY MEANINGFUL INFORMATION A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS
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/7........
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
- 7 -
SUMMER ACTIVITIES AIMED AT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
» * « » *
MORE THAN 50,000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN A VARIETY OF WHOLESOME ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) THIS YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 650 PROJECTS AIMED AT PROMOTING A MORE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH WILL BE HELD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTHS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
APART FROM RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PURSUITS, THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SOCIAL AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR NGA1 WAI-MING SAID.
THE SERVICE ORIENTATED PROJECTS INCLUDE ’MAKING COOKIES FOR CHILDREN’S HOME’, 'SOCIAL SERVICE SCHEME THROUGH DRAMA’, ’YOUNG CITIZEN SCHEME,’, ’SERVING THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED’, AND ’LOOKING AFTER THE AGED’.
OTHER PROGRAMMES SUCH AS SAILING, KEEP-FIT CLASSES, DANCING, CALLIGRAPHY, SWIMMING, DRAMA, HAIRDRESSING AND SKIN CARE AND EXPEDITIONS WILL PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH FUN AND THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL.
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AREA COMMITTEES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, RESIDENTS’ AND KAI FONG ASSOCIATIONS, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WITH ABOUT $332 ,.000 SPONSORSHIP FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE DISTRICT’S SYP WILL START OFF WITH A CARNIVAL AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN THE AFTERNOON OF JULY 10 (SUNDAY).
BROCHURES OF THE ACTIVITIES AND FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE CARNIVAL WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 27 AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND KENNEDY TOWN.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523002.
O
/8........
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
8
VOLUNTEERS TO HOLD ANNUAL PARADE * ♦ * ♦ *
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS IN HAPPY VALLEY TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE COMMANDER, 48 GURKHA INFANTRY BRIGADE, BRIGADIER V.J. BEAUCHAMP, WILL INSPECT THE PARADE OF 97 MEN OF RECRUIT CADRE NO. 45 WHO HAVE COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMME AND WILL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT.
BRIGADIER BEAUCHAMP WILL PRESENT AWARDS TO THE BEST RECRUIT, THE BEST SHOT AND THE BEST SPORTING TROOP DURING THE CEREMONY.
THIRTY VOLUNTEERS WILL RECEIVE THE EFFICIENCY MEDAL AND TWO OTHERS THE EFFICIENCY DECORATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PARADE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM TOMORROW AT THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT 1 SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
MR F.K. KWOK OF THE REGIMENT AND GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
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SEMINARS ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION ♦ * ♦ » #
THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE THREE REPEATED SEMINARS ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR TEACHERS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION STARTING ON JULY 2.
THE SEMINARS AIM TO ALERT PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
THE SEMINAR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD ON JULY 2. TWO IDENTICAL SEMINARS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON, AND FOR TEACHERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ISLANDS WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 14.
THE SEMINARS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE LECTURE THEATRE OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN GASCOIGNE ROAD, YAU MA TEI.
/THE SEMTFMPS
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
THE SEMINARS WILL FOCUS ON THE PREVENTION OF COMMON SPORTS INJURIES AND THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THEM.
PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS REHABILITATION RELATING TO COMMON INJURIES IN SPORT AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR ORGANISERS OF SPORTS EVENTS.
SCHOOLS ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS TO THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE JUNE 29.
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ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS WATER CONTROL ZONE PROPOSALS * » * » t
MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON MONDAY (JI NE 20) IO DISCUSS PROPOSALS ON THE DECLARATION OF THE SOUTHERN WATERS AS A WATER CONTROL ZONE.
\ PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL HOLMES WILL Bl? I El MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSALS, INVITE COMMENTS ON THE DELINEATION OF THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE, AND SEEK SUPPORT FOR CONTROLS TO BE INTRODUCED ON SEWAGE EFFLUENTS.
THE QUESTION OF INTRODUCING SUMMER TIME IN HONG KONG WILL ALSO
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (INFORMATION) OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH, MR MIKE ROWSE, WILL INVITE MEMBERS TO COMMENT ON THE MATTER.
MEMBERS W1LI ALSO DISCUSS PROPOSED ROADWORKS FOR THE RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND RELATED DEVELOPMENT ON PENG CHAU AND THE ENGINEERING WORKS RELATED TO MUI WO DEVELOPMENT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, COMMITTEE REPORTS AND THE ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 20) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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/10........
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
10 -
SUMMER TIME ON KWUN TONG DB AGENDA ♦ » * t ♦
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS THIRD REGULAR MEETING ON MONDAY (JUNE 20) AFTERNOON.
HEADING THE AGENDA IS THE MATTER OF SUMMER TIME, ON WHICH A BRIEFING WILL BE GIVEN BY AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY (INFORMATION) OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH, MISS KITTY CHOI, BEFORE MEMBERS COMMENT ON THE ISSUE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME, WITH REGARD TO THE PROGRESS OF THE COUNCIL’S COMMITTED PROJECTS AND PRIORITY RATINGS ACCORDED TO THOSE PROJECTS WHICH ARE IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF PLANNING.
IN ADDITION, THE BOARD WILL EXPRESS VIEWS ON MATTERS RELATING TO VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, WITH A VIEW TO REACHING A CONSENSUS ON WAYS TO ALLEVIATE PUBLIC ANXIETY ABOUT THE OVERALL PROBLEM.
TWO PAPERS CONCERNING THE KUNG LOK ROAD HALF-WAY HOUSE PROJECT WILL BE PUT BEFORE THE BOARD FOR MEMBERS TO DECIDE WHETHER A DISCUSSION ON THE PROJECT SHOULD BE HELD DURING THE MEETING.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE ENDORSEMENT OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP, AND REPORTS BY THE CHAIRMEN OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND BY THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.
THE MEETING WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE ‘REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR T.H. CHAU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY (JUNE 20) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 18,
1988
11
DB WORKING GROUP TO PUBLICISE DRAFT BASIC LAW
» ♦ « » »
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON BASIC LAW CONSULTATION DOCUMENT WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (JUNE 20) TO REVEAL PLANS TO PUBLICISE THE DRAFT BASIC LAW AMONG RESIDENTS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR CHOW YICK-HAY; KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR LEE KIN-SANG WILL ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 20) ON 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
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GO-AHEAD GIVEN FOR FORESHORE, SEABED WORKS
*****
RECLAMATION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT SHA TAU KOK TO PROVIDE LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT.
THE RECLAIMED LAND OF ABOUT 3.3 HECTARES WILL BE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, A MARKET, CARPARKING AREAS, ROADS AND A WATERFRONT PROMENADE.
A MAIN DRAINAGE OUTFALL AND BREAKWATER WILL ALSO BE BUILT AS PART OF THE SHA TAU KOK OVERALL DEVELOPMENT.
THE WORK WILL AFFECT ABOUT 4.9 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
IT CAN NOW PROCEED FOLLOWING AUTHORISATION GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY UNDER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED (RECLAMATIONS) ORDINANCE.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
AUTHORISATION FOR TWO OTHER PROJECTS TO PROCEED HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
/the first ......
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
- 12 -
THE FIRST IS THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 2.9 HECTARES OF SEABED AT HUNG HOM BAY TO ENABLE THE EXTENSION OF A FINGER PIER.
THE EXTENSION OF THE PIER IS PART OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION’S KOWLOON GOODS YARDS EXPANSION.
ABOUT 7,200 SQUARE METRES OF THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE FOR THE PIER EXTENSION WHILE THE REMAINING RECLAIMED SEABED WITHIN THE LIMIT OF WORKS WILL BE SUBMERGED IN WATER TO FORM THE PIER EXTENSION’S FOUNDATION.
THE SECOND PROJECT IS THE REALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING GAZETTED MARINE SPOIL GROUND SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU.
THE SPOIL GROUND WILL BE USED FOR THE DUMPING OF DREDGED OR EXCAVATED MATERIAL. THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AFFECTED WILL BE ABOUT 535.6 HECTARES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER SUCH FORESHORE AND SEABED THAT WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE WORKS MAY DELIVER A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS.
SUCH CLAIMS SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF NOTICE, THAT IS, BEFORE JUNE 16, 1989.
THE CLAIM SHOULD STATE THE SUM OF MONEY THE CLAIMANT IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM TOGETHER WITH SUCH PARTICULARS AS HE MAY POSSESS TO SUBSTANTIATE THE CLAIM.
COPIES OF PLANS AND NOTICES RELATING . TO THESE WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED BY THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, ON THE 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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ROAD CLOSURE AND PLB RESTRICTED ZONE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS ON WATERLOO ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG, ST JOHN LANE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 20).
THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
IN WONG TAI SIN, DAILY PUBLIC LIGHT TUESDAY (JUNE 21).
TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7
BUS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM
PM ON
/They are.........
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
- 13 -
THEY ARE:
♦ THE SECTION OF CHING TAK STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 55
METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHEUNG TAK STREET TO A
POINT ABOUT 150 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE SECTION OF SHEUNG TAK STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH
CHING TAK STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF THE
SAME JUNCTION.
THE MEASURE AIMS AT IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA. NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE OF CHING TAK STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHEUNG TAK STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE LIFTED.
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WORKS FOR FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES AT THE FANLING RAILWAY STATION AND ADJOINING AREAS.
A NEW ACCESS ROAD, MAXICAB AND TAXI TERMINUS, FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS AND FOOTBRIDGES WILL BE BUILT.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO CARRY OUT WORKS IN FANLING AREA 23 NEAR LUEN WO HUI.
b
THESE WILL INCLUDE ACCESS ROADS, EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS, FOOTPATHS AND CARPARKS TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE AND LANDSCAPE WORKS.
ALSO, A FOOTBRIDGE IN AREA 23 WILL BE MODIFIED TO ACCOMMODATE A CYCLE PATH.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THESE WORKS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 15.
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/14........
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1988
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SALT WATER CUT IN MID-LEVELS » » * » *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 21) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY GARDEN ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, KENNEDY ROAD, BORRETT ROAD, BOWEN ROAD AND MAGAZINE GAP ROAD.
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ONE-LANE OPERATION FOR TUNNEL
*****
SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC
THE SLOW LANE OF THE SOUTHBOUND TUBE OF THE LION WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS (JUNE 20), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
ROCK TUNNEL
FROM MONDAY
THE CLOSURE, WHICH WILL BE IN FORCE FROM 10.30 PM TO 5.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON JUNE 20, 21 AND 22, WILL FACILITATE THE LAYING OF ANTI-SKID MATERIAL BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AT THE TUNNFL’S KOWLOON EXIT. o
MEANWHILE, IN TAI PO, THE MOST OUTER FAST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN PAK SHEK KOK BRIDGE AND ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE T° TRAFFIC ON BO™ 20 AND 21 TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR THE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND TO DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG IS A VERY IMPORTANT MARKET FOR UK: LORD YOUNG....... 1
VISIT USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE: DAVIES .......................... 2
SUFFICIENT TIME GIVEN TO FARMERS ............................. 3
S35OM TCNNEL-RELATED CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED.................... 4
GROWING IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO SERVICES FOR ELDERLY........... 5
45 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN APRIL........................... 6
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME .................. 7
SHA TIN DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER REVISIONS ................... 8
EASTERN DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS YOUTH POLICY ................. 9
LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS TO BENEFIT ISLANDERS ............. 9
CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE RENAMING OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT............. 11
WATER CUT IN SAN PO KONG ..................................... 12
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
1
HONG KONG IS A VERY IMPORTANT MARKET FOR UK: LORD YOUNG ♦ » ♦ * *
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, LORD YOUNG, SAID HE HAD COME OUT TO SEE HONG KONG IN THIS PARTICULAR TRIP BECAUSE HONG KONG IS A VERY IMPORTANT MARKET FOK THE UNITED KINGDOM.
ARRIVING HERE TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT, LORD YOUNG TOLD REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT THAT THE UK NOW DID FAR MORE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG THAN WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
”SO 1 HAVE REALLY COME OUT TO HAVE A LOOK AT COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN HONG KONG AND TO SEE HOW THE UK ACTUALLY COULD HELP TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
BRITISH EXPORTS TO HONG KONG HAD GONE UP BY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT IN THE PAST YEAR, REACHING OVER A BILLION POUNDS FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE NOTED.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, LORD YOUNG SAID HONG KONG IS IMPORTANT IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
” IT IS ALSO OF COURSE IMPORTANT IN RELATION TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT IN ITSELF. I HAVE COME OUT TO LOOK AT A LOT OF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND OTHER PROJECTS, WHICH I HOPE WILL BE PROCEEDING IN HONG KONG, AND IN WHICH I THE HOPE UK CAN HAVE ITS SHARE,” HE SAID.
LORD YOUNG SAID THE UK HAD A FAST IMPROVING ECONOMY AND HE BELIEVED IT WOULD BE WINNING ITS SHARE OF EXPORTS ROUND THE WORLD AND LOOKED TOWARDS HONG KONG AS BEING ONE OF THOSE AREAS WHERE THE UK WOULD IMPROVE EXPORTS.
HE DID NOT THINK THE STRENGTH OF THE POUND WOULD HINDER THAT DEVELOPMENT.
”WE HAVE GOT TO BE COMPETITIVE WHATEVER THE EXCHANGE RATE IS AND. IN MANY OF THESE CASE, IT IS OF COURSE QUALITY AND DESIGN AND OTHER. \REAS WHICH ARE IMPORTANT," HE \DDED.
0
/P........
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
2
VISIT USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE: DAVIES
*****
THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO HANOI, MR EMRYS DAVIES, HAS DESCRIBED AS "PRODUCTIVE" AND "USEFUL" HIS FOUR-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE LEAVING HONG KONG TODAY (SUNDAY) MR DAVIES SAID HE HAD HAD EXTREMELY USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE ISSUE.
"I WAS ABLE TO TELL THEM IN SOME DETAILS OF THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM AND IMMEDIATE REACTION OF THE VIETNAMESE TO THE NEW POLICY," MR DAVIES SAID.
"IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR ME TO FEEL THAT I AM FULLY UP-TO-DATE WITH WHAT IS GOING ON HERE, AND THE FEELINGS, THE FACTS OF THE SITUATION."
ASKED WHETHER HE WOULD BE MEETING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHILE IN LONDON, MR DAVIES SAID: "1 SHALL DISCUSS WITH THE PEOPLE IN LONDON AS TO WHAT WE DO NOW, WHERE WE GO FROM HERE, DEPENDING ON THE VIETNAMESE REACTION."
HE SAID IT WAS UNLIKELY THERE WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE FROM THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE END OF THEIR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN THE LAST WEEK OF JUNE.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON UNHCR’S REACTION TO HONG KONG’S NEW POLICY ON VIETNAMESE ARRIVALS, MR DAVIES SAID HE HAD BEEN TOLD BY THE UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE IN HONG KONG THAT IT HAD NO OBJECTION AS LONG AS THE MATTER WAS MANAGED IN A PROPER MANNER.
"BUT THE TIMING, THEY FELT, OR MR HOCKE (THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES) FELT, WAS PERHAPS A LITTLE UNFORTUNATE GIVEN HIS EFFORTS TO PRODUCE A SOLUTION ON A MULTI-LATERAL BASIS.
"THAT’S A MATTER OF JUDGEMENT. IT MAY BE THE CASE ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SITUATION HAD DEVELOPED SO QUICKLY HERE THAT I DON’T THINK THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANY ALTERNATIVE BUT TO TAKE ACTION WHEN THEY DID. '
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/3........
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
- 3 -
SUFFICIENT TIME GIVEN TO FARMERS ♦ » » » «
IN ORDER TO ALLOW AFFECTED FARMERS SUFFICIENT TIME TO ADJUST TO THE INTRODUCTION OF LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROLS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ADOPT A MORE FLEX IDLE APPROACH, FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, DURING THE EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTROLS.
LIVESTOCK KEEPING IN 1 HE LIVESTOCK WASTE PROHIBITION AREAS COVERING HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE BANNED FROM JUNE 24 (FRIDAY).
THE PROHIBITION AREAS ARE: SHA TIN, TAI PO, FANLING, SHEUNG SHU1 , TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHING, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TIN SHUI WAI AND JUNK RAY.
CONTROL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL IN THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS COVERING TOLO HARBOUR AND TOLO CHANNEL, MUI WO AND ANGLER’S BEACH AREAS WILL ALSO BE EFFECTIVE FROM THE SAME DATE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE CONTROLS TO BRING ABOUT IMPROVEMENT IN WATER QUALITIES IN TOLO HARBOUR, SILVERMINE BAY AND ANGLER’S BEACH, WHILST LIVESTOCK KEEPING WAS INCOMPATIBLE WITH URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HAD TO BE BANNED IN PROHIBITION AREAS.
UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, FARMERS IN CONTROL AREAS CAN APPLY TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT FOR CAPITAL GRANT AMOUNTING TO 50 PER CENT OF THE CAPITAL COST FOR INSTALLATION OF THE NECESSARY TREATMENT FACILITIES, WHILST THE REMAINING 50 PER CENT CAN BE COVERED BY LOW INTEREST LOANS FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
FARMERS IN PROHIBITION AREAS AND THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS CAN RECEIVE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT UPON CESSATION OF LIVESTOCK KEEPING OPERATIONS.
THE EIGHT TECHNICAL ADVISORY TEAMS -OF EPD- HAVE VISITED ALL THE FARMERS IN THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS WHO WISHED TO CONTINUE LIVESTOCK KEEPING OPERATION AND HAVE ADVISED THEM ON HOW TO COMPLY WITH CONTROL REQUIREMENTS.
EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON ADVISING FARMERS CONCERNED TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CONTROLS.
PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN ONLY IF REGULATIONS WERE STILL BEING BREACHED AFTER VERBAL AND WRITTEN WARNINGS HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE FARMER CONCERNED.
FARMERS SHOULD HAVE THE NECESSARY TREATMENT FACILITIES INSTALLED AND PUT INTO OPERATION BEFORE THE NEW CONTROLS COME INTO EFFECT.
FARMERS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS AND THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR THE CAPITAL GRANT OR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES ARE URGED TO DO SO WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY. FOR ENQUIRIES, THEY CAN CONTACT EPI) AT TELEPHONE 3-7801165 OR 3-7800126.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
- -
$350M TUNNEL-RELATED CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED *****
WORK ON THE SHA TIN CONNECTION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WILL BEGIN EARLY NEXT MONTH FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF A CONTRACT WORTH $350 MILLION ON FRIDAY (JUNE 24).
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CONTRACT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 2.2-KILOMETRE DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY AND INTERCHANGES.
THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IS DUE TO OPEN IN JULY 1991. IT WILL EXPEDITE TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES AND KOWLOON AND ALSO WITHIN THE SHA TIN AREA.
DESIGNATED TRUNK ROAD T6, THE 2.2-KILOMETRE CARRIAGEWAY WILL HELP CHANNEL TRAFFIC FROM NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES TO THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, AND VICE VERSA, WITHOUT IT HAVING TO GO THROUGH SHA TIN’S INTERNAL ROAD NETWORK.
TRUNK ROAD T6, 1.4 KILOMETRES OF WHICH WILL BE ELEVATED, WILL START FROM TOLO HIGHWAY NEAR THE KCR UNIVERSITY STATION AND SPAN THE SHING MUN RIVER NORTH OF THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO JOIN THE MA ON SHAN ROAD NEAR TAI SHUI HANG.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES BUILDING OF TWO GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGES AT MA LIU SHUI AND TAI SHUI HANG, AN ACCESS ROAD TO AREA 73, FOOTPATH, CYCLE TRACK, A CYCLE SUBWAY, CYCLE PARKS AND A TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE ADJACENT TO UNIVERSITY STATION.
ADDITIONALLY, STANDARD FEATURES SUCH AS EMERGENCY TELEPHONES AND CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAMERAS FOR SURVEILLANCE PURPOSES ARE INCORPORATED.
THE TRUNK ROAD T6 CONTRACT, TOGETHER WITH TWO OTHER CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR CONSTRUCTING TRUNK ROAD T5, WILL FORM THE MAIN CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS FOR THE SHA TIN CONNECTION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE $350 MILLION TRUNK ROAD T6 AND INTERCHANGES CONTRACT SIGNING TO TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 24) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, SHA TIN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN.
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/5........
SUNDAY. JUNE 19, 1988
5
GROWING IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO
SERVICES FOR ELDERLY
SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING IN A BALANCED WAY IN PAST YEARS IN ORDER TO HELP ALL PEOPLE AND FAMILIES IN NEED BUT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY HAVE DRAWN INCREASING ATTENTION IN RECENT YEARS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR LAW POINTED OUT THAT ELDERLY PEOPLE ACCOUNTED FOR SOME 11 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION, AND CARE IN THE COMMUNITY WAS STILL THE MAIN EMPHASIS IN PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
"IT IS CONSIDERED THE BEST ARRANGEMENT FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS TO ENJOY THEIR OLD AGE IN THEIR HOMES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE METHODIST EPWORTH SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AT HING MAN ESTATE, CHAI WAN, MR LAW NOTED THAT SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE FORM OF HOME HELP, SOCIAL AND MULTI-SERVICES CENTRES, DAY CARE CENTRES AND VISITS BY VOLUNTEERS WERE THUS PROVIDED.
ON SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID THE PLANNING RATIO WAS ONE CENTRE FOR EVERY 30,000 POPULATION AND THAT 120 SUCH CENTRES HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED THE PAST DECADE TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
"THE WARM RESPONSE TO THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE METHODIST EPWORTH SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY FULLY DEMONSTRATES THE DEMAND FOR THIS SERVICE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE CENTRES," HE SAID.
MR LAW STRESSED THAT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE CENTRES SHOULD NOT BE UNDER-ESTIMATED.
"AT THESE CENTRES, THE ELDERLY CAN ATTAIN SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, DEVELOP THEIR HOBBIES AND EVEN RENDER SERVICES FOR OTHER PEOPLE.
"IN THIS WAY THEY WILL FEEL THAT THEY ARE STILL VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE THEIR FAMILIES CAN SHARE THEIR JOY AND CONTINUE TO TAKE UP THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOOKING AFTER THEM AT HOME," HE SAID.
MR LAW COMMENDED THE METHODIST EPWORTH VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR DEVELOPING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1963, INCLUDING SERVICES FOR WORKERS, YOUTH AND THE ELDERLY, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, COUNSELLING AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECTS.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG.
/6........
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
- 6 -
45 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN APRIL ♦ * ♦ » *
PLANS FOR THREE HOTELS WERE AMONG THE 45 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN APRIL.
THE HOTELS WILL BE SITUATED AT 51-57 GLOUCESTER ROAD AND 77-91 JAFFE ROAD, ON HONG KONG ISLAND; 112-124 SOY STREET, KOWLOON; AND KWAN MUN HAU STREET, TSUEN WAN.
THE HOTEL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE THE HIGHEST. IT WILL BE A 31-STOREY BUILDING WITH 1,034 GUEST ROOMS.
OF THE 45 PLANS APPROVED, 20 WERE FOR PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 13 FOR PROJECTS IN KOWLOON AND 12 FOR PROJECTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
EIGHTEEN WERE FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND 27 WERE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
CONSENT TO START WORK WAS GIVEN TO 46 PROJECTS DURING THE MONTH THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA WAS 407,106.4 SQUARE METRES, INCLUDING 220,018 SQUARE METRES FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND 187,088.4 SQUARE METRES FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH TOTALLED 249,068.8 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 92,724.5 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC AND THE REST FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN APRIL WAS $841 MILLION, BRINGING THE TOTAL FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE YEAR TO $3,837 BILLION.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 26 OCCUPATION PERMITS. EIGHT OF THESE WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, TWO FOR KOWLOON AND 16 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. •
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 22 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AND 60 BUILDINGS WERE AFFECTED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 624 COMPLAINTS REGARDING ILLEGAL BUILDINGS AND ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 871 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 118 REMOVAL ORDERS DURING THE MONTH.
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/7
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
- 7 -
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME ♦ t » * »
PARENTS REQUIRING FEE ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN ATTENDING DAY NURSERIES OR KINDERGARTENS ARE URGED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS NOW, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
EXISTING RECIPIENTS OF SUCH ASSISTANCE ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO APPLY AGAIN.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT AN ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATE, SHOWING THE APPROVED AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE AND VALID FOR ONE SCHOOL YEAR, WOULD BE ISSUED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WHO SHOULD THEN PRESENT TO THE DAY NURSERIES OR KINDERGARTENS WHICH THEIR CHILDREN WERE ATTEND I NG.
ONCE THE CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED, HE SAID, NO ADJUSTMENT IN THE AMOUNT WOULD BE MADE TO REFLECT INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THE RECIPIENTS’ FAMILY DISPOSABLE INCOME WITHIN THE PAYMENT YEAR.
THIS NEW MEASURE WAS INTRODUCED TO STREAMLINE THE PROCEDURE.
THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES AIMS TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES PAY THE FEES CHARGED IN DAY NURSERIES OR hINDERGARTENS.
TO QUALIFY FOR FEE ASSISTANCE IN A DAY NURSERY, A CHILD MUST BE AGED AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND LESS THAN SIX YEARS. TO QUALIFY FOR FEE ASSISTANCE IN A KINDERGARTEN, THE CHILD MUST BE AT LEAST THREE YEARS OLD.
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR FEE ASSISTANCE MUST BE MADE BY THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD, WHO MUST ALSO BE PREPARED TO ATTEND A BRIEF INTERVIEW PERSONALLY WITH THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
COPIES OF A LEAFLET CONTAINING AN APPLICATION FORM ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS AND FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES; ALL DAY NURSERIES; DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION; AS WELL AS ■Illi-. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AND REGIONAL OFFICES AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS RM 326, 3RD FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, (AUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
/EDUCATION DEPARTMENT .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
- 8 -
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICE RM 612, 6TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE 9TH FLOOR, TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD, KOWLOON.
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SHA TIN DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER REVISIONS * * * »
MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (JUNE 21) MORNING TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE REVISIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE FORMATION OF A PUBLIC RELATIONS WORKING GROUP AND THE CREATION OF A NEW SUBHEAD TO PROVIDE ABOU I $20,000 AS PART OF FUNDING FOR AN EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THF ELDERLY.
THREE APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS WILL ALSO BE PROCESSED TO PROVIDE COVERS TO THE SURFACE CHANNELS AT TAI WAI NEW VILLAGE, AND FOR PRINTING OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERSHIP LISTS AND THE DISTRICT BOARD TERM REPORT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1987-88, AS WELL AS A FIVE-YEAR FORECAST OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR 1988-89 TO 1992-93.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 21) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE SHA TIN STATION. ’
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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
EASTERN DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS YOUTH POLICY
* * * «
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY (JUNE 21) AFTERNOON.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
THE CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, MR RAYMOND CHAN, WILL ALSO BRIEF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON "THE WAY AHEAD - A CONSULTANCY REPORT ON SPORTS IN HONG KONG".
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE REPORTS OF THE FOUR WORKING GROUPS UNDER THE COMMITTEE AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JUNE 21) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS TO BENEFIT ISLANDERS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
AMIDST ALL THE MAJOR GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT PACKAGES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME I LPW ) CONTINUES TO PLAY A MODEST YET IMPORTANT ROLE OF IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE ISLANDERS.
ADMINISTERED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, THE LPW HAS BEEN MAINTAINING ITS BASIC FUNCTION FOR NEARLY SEVEN DECADES ALTHOUGH ITS FORM HAS CHANGED CONSIDERABLY WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE LPW IS EVIDENT FROM ALL THE FOOTPATHS AND ACCESS ROADS THAT CRISS-CROSS VARIOUS SETTLEMENTS ON THE ISLANDS THE NUMEROUS RAINSHELTERS AND SITTING-OUT AREAS AT SCENIC VANTAGE POINTS AS WELL AS WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES TO REMOTE VILLAGES.
/EARLY HISTORY
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
10
EARLY HISTORY OF LPW REVEALED THAT IT WAS INITIATED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1919 AS A SELF-HELP SCHEME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHEREBY MATERIALS SUCH AS CEMENT, BARS AND PIPES WERE SUPPLIED TO VILLAGERS FOR THEM TO UNDERTAKE MINOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
AT THAT TIME THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WAS RELATIVELY SECLUDED, THUS THE EMPHASIS WAS ON THE PROVISION OF BASIC FACILITIES TO IMPROVE THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE ISLANDERS SO AS TO ATTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
HITHERTO THE 1960S, AGRICULTURE WAS THE MAJOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF THE ISLANDERS. SMALL IRRIGATION PROJECTS OF THE LPW HAD LED TO AN INCREASE IN THE ACREAGE UNDER CULTIVATION WHICH WAS SUFFICIENT TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE WELFARE OF THE VILLAGERS CONCERNED.
BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THE LPW EVEN STRETCHED TO THE FRINGE AREAS AS THE BREAKWATER BUILT IN 1960 ON SOKO ISLANDS AND THE TWO DIESEL ELECTRICITY GENERATORS INSTALLED IN PO TOI COULD ILLUSTRATE.
HOWEVER, OVER THE YEARS, THE VARIETY OF PROJECTS HAS INCREASED AND THE SCOPE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE LPW HAVE GRADUALLY GROWN BEYOND THE VILLAGERS' ABILITY TO HANDLE THEM.
IN 1959, A WORKS SECTION WAS SET UP IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO TAKE UP FORMALLY THE CO-ORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LPW PROJECTS.
EMPHASIS OF THE LPW HAS ALSO SHIFTED TO CATER FOR THE RECREATIONAL AND TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE ISLANDERS. HENCE, PLAYGROUNDS, BASKETBALL COURTS, VAN TRACKS AND FOOT BRIDGES BECAME POPULAR PROJECTS.
AT PRESENT, PROJECTS ARE NORMALLY INITIATED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS THROUGH THEIR VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES OR RURAL COMMITTEES OR BY DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF IN THE COURSE OF THEIR CONTACTS WITH THE RURAL COMMUNITIES.
WHEN A REQUEST FOR A LPW PROJECT IS RECEIVED, STAFF OF THE WORKS SECTION WILL FIRST MAKE A BRIEF APPRAISAL, FOLLOWED BY SITE VISIT AND PREPARATION OF A WORK PLAN.
ALMOST ALL PROJECTS ARE CARRIED OUT UNDER THE CONTRACT SYSTEM WHEREBY STAFF OF THE WORKS SECTION PRODUCE SETS OF DETAILED DRAWINGS AND BILLS OF QUANTITIES, AND TENDERS ARE CALLED.
USUALLY A PROJECT WILL TAKE WITHIN FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE AFTER IT HAS BEEN CONTRACTED OUT.
THIS YEAR, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT LPW HAS INDEED COME A LONG WAY WITH A RECORD ALLOCATION OF MORE THAN $4 MILLION WHEN COMPARED WITH THE MEAGRE $5,000 FOR THE WHOLE NEW TERRITORIES IN 1919.
/IN 1988-89..........
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
IN 1988-89, IT WILL BE ANOTHER BUSY YEAR FOR THE WORKS SECTION OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AS 57 PROJECTS HAVE BEEN PLANNED TO UTILISE THE LPW FUND.
AS REGARD THE USE OF LPW FUND, $2.3 MILLION WILL BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTING NEW FACILITIES, $1.6 MILLION FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORKS AND $110,000 FOR SQUATTER IMPROVEMENT.
COMPLEMENTARY TO THESE, THERE ARE OTHER PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE WORKS SECTION THROUGH THE LPW MACHINERY WHICH ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE ISLANDERS’ LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALREADY ALLOCATED $1.03 MILLION TO CARRY OUT MINOR ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WHILE THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO CHANNELLED $875,000 TO THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE FOR ITS ENVIRONMENT HYGIENE AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PROJECTS.
APART FROM THE GOVERNMENT SOURCE OF FUNDS, THE DONATIONS OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME WILL FORM AN INJECTION TO THE LPW MACHINERY. IN 1988, FOR INSTANCE, $1.5 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WILL BE USED FOR BUILDING A PIER AT PO TOI.
IN VIEW OF THE REMOTENESS AND THE COMPARATIVELY MINOR NATURE OF THE PROJECTS WHICH MAKE IT UNLIKELY THAT THEY WILL BE ACCORDED HIGH PRIORITY IF THEY ARE DEALT WITH BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AS PUBLIC WORK PROJECTS, THE VALUE OF LPW TO THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WILL STILL RE IRREPLACEABLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
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CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE RENAMING OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT
♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
A FOUR-MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED IN DISTRICT SHORTLY TO PROMOTE THE NEW NAME OF THE DISTRICT.
YAU TSIM
THE NEW NAME, A SHORT FORM FOR YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI, HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE APRIL TO REMOVE ANY MISCONCEPTION THAT TSIM SHA TSUI WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT SEPARATE FROM YAU MA TEI.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE CONTESTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY, BASKETBALL AND TABLE-TENNIS COMPETITIONS, A FAMILY DAY CAMP AND A CARNIVAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THE COLOUR-PHOTO CONTEST TO BE HELD IN JULY IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS, STUDENTS AND WORKERS IN THE DISTRICT. PARTICIPANTS CAN USE EITHER DISTRICT LANDMARKS AS BACKGROUND OR PHOTOGRAPH SOMETHING TO SHOW CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
/"TEN PRIZES ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 1988
- 12 -
’’TEN PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED AND THE CHAMPION WILL RECEIVE PRIZES WORTH $1,500,” HE SAID.
IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, AN OPEN COMPETITION IN TABLE-TENNIS AND AN INTER-SCHOOL BASKETBALL CONTEST WILL BE HELD RESPECTIVELY. A YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD TROPHY WILL BE AWARDED TO THE CHAMPION OF EACH CONTEST.
“ON JULY 31, WE SHALL ORGANISE A FAMILY DAY CAMP IN THE LEI YUE MUN PARK FOR 300 RESIDENTS. WE WILL PUBLICISE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AS WELL AS THE NEW NAME FOR THE DISTRICT THROUGH MASS GAMES,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A CARNIVAL IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16 (SUNDAY) AS A FINALE TO THE CAMPAIGN.
“AN EXHIBITION OF PRIZE-WINNING ENTRIES IN THE PHOTO CONTEST WILL BE HELD, AND THERE WILL BE GAMES-STALLS AND OTHER PERFORMANCES TO ADI) FUN TO THE DAY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
“PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE ACTIVITIES IS UNDERWAY, AND WE ARE ALSO PREPARING SPECIALLY DESIGNED T-SHIRTS, BOOKMARKS AND STICKERS TO HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE,” HE ADDED.
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $50,000 FOR THE CAMPAIGN, HE SAID.
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WATER CUT IN SAN PO KONG » » * t *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 22) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SZE MEI STREET, CHOI HUNG ROAD, TAI YAU STREET, TSEUK LUK STREET, KING FUK STREET AND KING HONG STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK OFFERS CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES - LORD YOUNG ........ 1
LIVELY RESPONSE DEMONSTRATES CONCERN FOR EDUCATION - CS ... 2
CS HIGHLIGHTS INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION, MANPOWER TRAINING .. 5
MOTORISTS URGED TO PAY FULL ATTENTION TO ROAD SAFETY ....... 5
EPCOM URGES MORE ANTI-POLLUTION EFFORTS IN N.T.............. 8
EMPLOYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON II JOB BAN ..................... 10
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ................ 11
SUMMER TIME ON TUEN MUN DB AGENDA .......................... 11
QUARTERLY REPORT ON LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS ........... 12
COURSES FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS ............................ 12
ORIENTEERING COI-iPETITION ON FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS....... 1?
CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICE CENTRE FOR WSD...................... 14
WATER STORAGE FIGURE........................................ 1*
SALT WATER CUT IN MID-LEVELS ............................... 15
TEMPORARY TRaFFIC CHANGES IN KWAI CHUNG .................... 15
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988 1
IIK OFFERS CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES - LORD YOUNG
» » » » »
THE UNITED KINGDOM’S INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS DO NOT \IEW 1997 \S THE CLOSING OF AN ERA BUT AS THE CONTINUATION OF THE PRESENT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HONG KONG MARKET, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, LORD YOUNG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HE TOLD THE BRITISH BULLDOGS AND THE BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG THAT IT WAS RIGHT TO VIEW 1997 WITH CONFIDENCE HONG KONG WAS \N IMPORTANT MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
"HONG KONG’S SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IS BUILT ON TRADE. THE UK’S ONE BILLION STERLING OF EXPORTS ACTUALLY AMOUNTS TO ONLY THREE PER CENT OF THE MARKET," HE SAID.
"I AM SURE THERE MUST BE MANY MORE UK COMPANIES WHO COULD BE HERE EXPLOITING OUR TIES OF LANGUAGE, CULTURE, BUSINESS PRACTICE AND ETHICS."
LORI) YOUNG SAID HONG KONG OFFERED EASILY ACCESSIBLE MARKETS, PAYMENT IN A READILY EXCHANGED CURRENCY AND A FREEDOM FROM BUREAUCRATIC CONTROLS.
AND ITS BOOMING ECONOMY MEANT THAT THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WERE THERE.
"OF COURSE THIS MEANS THAT HONG ‘KONG IS ALSO A VERY COMPETITIVE MARKET. BUT 1 AM CONVINCED THAT NEVER BEFORE HAVE UK COMPANIES BEEN AS WELL PLACED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE BRITISH ECONOMY, LORD YOUNG SAID: "WE ARE ENTERING OUR EIGHTH SUCCESSIVE YEAR OF STEADY GROWTH, FASTER THAN ALL OTHER MAJOR EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES.
"WE HAVE BEEN LOSING OUR SHARE OF WORLD TRADE ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY FOR OVER 100 YEARS. BUT NO LONGER. SINCE 1981 WE HAVE STOPPED THE ROT.
LAST YEAR WE ACTUALLY INCREASED OUR SHARE OF WORLD EXPORTS OF MANUFACTURED GOODS. AND PRODUCTIVITY IN MANUFACTURING HAS INCREASED l!V OVER \ HALF SINCE 1980, GROWING FASTER THAN ANY MAJOR INDUSTR1AL1SED COUNTRY."
LORD YOUNG SAID THE UK’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS WAS BUILT ON VERY MUCH THE SAME FOUNDATIONS AS HONG KONG’S.
/"WE TOO
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
2
"WE TOO BELIEVE IN OPEN MARKETS. WE TOO BELIEVE IN NOT INTERFERING IN THE MARKET PLACE. WE TOO BELIEVE IN LOW TAXATION AND LOW INFLATION," HE SAID.
LORD YOUNG CONCLUDED: "BUT THE MOST ENCOURAGING COMPARISON
BETWEEN THE UK AND HONG KONG LIES IN THE RESURGENCE OF AN ENTERPRISE CULTURE IN THE UK. THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE LONG HAD A REPUTATION
AS ENTREPRENEURS. 1 LIKE TO THINK THIS IS BECOMING MORE TRUE IN THE
UK . "
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LIVELY RESPONSE DEMONSTRATES CONCERN FOR EDUCATION - CS *****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 3 HAD GENERATED A VERY LIVELY RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING PEOPLE’S VIEWS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORI), SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE THIRD ASIA PACIFIC PHYSICS CONFERENCE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, HE NOTED THAT THE LIVELY CONCERN FOR EDUCATION IN HONG KONG WAS BEING DEMONSTRATED IN THE DEBATE, WHICH WOULD GO ON FOR THE PERIOD OF THE CONSULTATION.
SIR DAVID SAID: "OBVIOUSLY EACH SECTOR OF THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY WHICH IS AFFECTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BY THIS REPORT HAS THEIR OWN VIEW FROM THEIR OWN PARTICULAR STANDPOINT.
"WHAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS TRIED TO DO IS TO TAKE AN OVERALL LOOK FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY \S A WHOLE AND IT’S VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS REPORT AFFECTS THE SIXTH FORM SYLLABUS AND THE WHOLE OF THE SIXTH FORM COURSE AND MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THAT.
"SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TRY AND BALANCE \LL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS COVERED BY THIS REPORT."
HE ASKED CRITICS TO THINK UPON THAT FACTOR BEFORE THEY CAME TOO STRONGLY OUT FIGHTING FOR THEIR OWN CORNER WHICH WAS, OF COURSE, SOMETHING WHICH THEY WOULD WANT TO DO.
SIR DAVID SAID THE MAIN CONCERN IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS TO PROVIDE THE BEST EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM FOR ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE SIXTH FORM AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND THE REPORT WAS NOT IN ANY WAY GOVERNED BY FINANCIAL ASPECTS.
/WHEN ASKED
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
WHEN ASKED ABOUT AN INCREASED SHARE FROM THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IN THE COSTS OF THE UPKEEP OF REFUGEES, SIR DAVID REPLIED: "AS WE HAVE SAID, WE ARE STARTING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE UNHCR OVER THE QUESTION OF SHARING COSTS.
"WE BELIEVE THAT, AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THE UNHCR DO SHARE A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF THE COST OF LOOKING AFTER PEOPLE SCREENED IN AND SCREENED OUT AS REFUGEES, SO IN HONG KONG WE SHOULD NOT BE AN EXCEPTION TO THAT BROAD GUIDELINE.
"THAT IS WHY WE ARE ENTERING INTO DISCUSSION NOW WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND WE HOPE THAT THEY WOULD BE FRUITFUL AND HONG KONG’S SHARE OF THE COSTS WILL BE REDUCED."
ASKED ABOUT THE UNHCR’S ROLE IN THE RUNNING OF HONG KONG’S REFUGEE AFFAIRS, SIR DAVID SAID THE UNHCR WAS OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT.
"THEY ARE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS BODY HERE AND THEIR ROLE IS VERY IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF FINDING RESETTLEMENT PLACES FOR THOSE WHO ARE SCREENED IN AS REFUGEES," HE SAID.
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CS HIGHLIGHTS INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION, MANPOWER TRAINING « » » » *
INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AND MANPOWER TRAINING IS THE LARGEST COMPONENT IN PUBLIC SPENDING AND CAN BE EXPECTED TO KEEP ON RISING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HE SAID INVESTMENT IN THIS AREA HAD RISEN FROM 15 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE IN 1983-84 TO 18 PER (’ENT LAST YEAR.
"IN OUR FORECAST OF PLANNED TRENDS IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, THIS SHARE IS EXPECTED TO GROW EVEN FURTHER IN THE MEDIUM TERM FUTURE." Ill SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE THIRD ASIA PACIFIC PHYSICS CONFERENCE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE CONFERENCE, ONE OF THE LARGEST SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES op ITS KIND EVER HELD IN HONG KONG, IS BEING ATTENDED BY OVER 200 WORLD RENOWNED PHYSICISTS, INCLUDING THREE NOBEL LAUREATES.
/SIR DAVID
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT GENEROUSLY ENDOWED WITH NATURAL RESOURCES.
"INDEED, IT WOULD BE TRUE TO SAY THAT PEOPLE ARE OUR ONLY RESOURCE AND IT IS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR HUMAN RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SECURE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR FUTURE GROWTH," HE SAID.
THEREFORE, THE INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AND MANPOWER TRAINING BECAME THE LARGEST COMPONENT IN PUBLIC SPENDING, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID UP UNTIL RECENT YEARS, INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AND MANPOWER TRAINING HAD BEEN LARGELY CONCERNED WITH MEETING THE HEAVY SOCIAL DEMAND, AND THUS WITH THE CREATION OF PLACES AND FACILITIES.
"AS OUR INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY MATURES, AND AS OUR COMPETITIVENESS BECOMES MORE DEPENDENT UPON THE ABILITY OF OUR WORKFORCE TO ABSORB AND USE TECHNOLOGY THAN ON MANUAL DEXTERITY, WE HAVE TO LOOK TO THE QUALITY OF OUR EDUCATION MANPOWER TRAINING AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
"THIS IS WHY OUR THIRD UNIVERSITY WILL BE STRUCTURED TOWARDS A GROUPING OF SCHOOLS EMPHASISING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS STUDIES.
"IT ALSO ACCOUNTS FOR THE FACT THAT WE ARE WORKING ON A SCHEME OF SPONSORED TRAINING FOR PRACTISING ENGINEERS AND INDUSTRIAL MANAGERS TO HELP THEM ABSORB AND APPLY THOSE TECHNOLOGIES THAT CANNOT YET BE TAUGHT FORMALLY IN OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IT ALSO EXPLAINED WHY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC SET UP AN INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT CENTRE FOR THE PLASTICS CONVERSION AND RELATED INDUSTRIES.
IT ALSO EXPLAINED WHY HONG KONG WAS SEEKING TO FORGE AN EVEN CLOSER WORKING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE MANUFACTURING COMMUNITY ON THE OTHER, THROUGH THE MECHANISM OF TECHNOLOGY CENTRES, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID TOLD THE CONFERENCE THAT NINE YEARS OF FREE XNI) COMPULSORY EDUCATION HAD BEEN PROVIDED AND FIVE MAJOR TERTIARI INSTI TUT TONS WERE MAJ NTAI NED.
"WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE \ND TECHNOLOGY AND THE PLANNED PROVISION OF AN OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE, HONG KONG WILL HAVE, BY THE TURN OF THE PRESENT DECADE, SEVEN DEGREE-AWARDING INSTITUTIONS.”
/HE SAID
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
- 5
HE SAID THE HEAVY INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION WAS COMPLEMENTED BY HIE INVESTMENT IN MANPOWER TRAINING AT OPERATIVE, CRAFT, TECHNICIAN AND EQUIVALENT LEVELS.
"IN THIS AREA, WE NOW MAINTAIN NO FEWER THAN 16 TRAINING CENTRES, INCLUDING 12 THAT ARE WHOLLY DEVOTED TO THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, AND BY 1989 THEY ARE EXPECTED TO TURN OUT MORE THAN 22,000 GRADUATES," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE THIRD ASIA PACIFIC PHYSICS CONFERENCE WOULD PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCIENTISTS IN AND OUTSIDE THE REGION TO ANNOUNCE IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC RESULTS AND EXCHANGE IDEAS ON THEIR CURRENT AND FUTURE APPLICATION.
"OF COURSE WE ARE ALL AWARE THAT BREACHING THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE BY A NEW DISCOVERY DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY OR NECESSARILY LEAD TO ITS COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION, AND THAT WE HAVE TO WORK TOWARDS REALISING THESE GOALS.
"CERTAINLY, ACADEMIA HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS ALONG WITH GOVERNMENTS AND THE USERS OF’ TECHNOLOGY.
"IN HONG KONG, WE ARE PARTICULARLY AWARE THAT A DISCOVERY OR A NEW PROCESS THAT WORKS IN ONE INDUSTRIAL CULTURE DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK IN ANOTHER.
"BUT I KNOW ALSO THAT MANY AMONGST YOU HAVE MADE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND INDEED YOUR INTERNATIONAL REPUTATIONS, BY HARNESSING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
"WE LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MUCH FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE AND WISDOM DURING THE WEEK AHEAD," HE ADDED.
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MOTORISTS URGED TO PAY FULL ATTENTION TO ROAD SAFETY
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (MONDAY) URGED MOTORISTS TO BE COURTEOUS TO OTHER ROAD USERS AND TO PAY FULL ATTENTION TO SAFETY WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE ROADS HAD BECOME MORE CONGESTED AND ACCIDENTS HAD BEEN ON THE INCREASE, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
SPEAKING AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION, MR SO SAID THAT ROAD CONGESTION HAD CAUSED MUCH INCONVENIENCE AND FRUSTRATION TO ALL ROAD USERS AND HAD ALSO BEEN ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO A RISING ACCIDENT TREND.
/ALTHOUGH MEASURES
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
6
ALTHOUGH MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY WOULD CERTAINLY HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY IN REDUCING ACCIDENTS RESTED WITH THE ROAD USERS, Mi’ SO STRESSED.
HE CALLED ON ALL ROAD USERS TO BE PATIENT AND CAREFUL WHEN USING THE ROAD.
THE INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF CONGESTION COINCIDED WITH THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LICENSED VEHICLES.
IN 1987, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED VEHICLES INCREASED BY 8.5 PER CENT FROM 266,777 TO 289,386. THE TOTAL VEHICLE KILOMETRAGE RUN IN 1987 HAD ALSO RISEN BY ABOUT 8 PER CENT, CORRESPONDING WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE VEHICLE FLEET.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ABOUT 50 KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS WERE CONSTRUCTED, REPRESENTING SOME 3.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ROAD K1LMETRAGE OF 1,350 IN HONG KONG.
'THE TOTAL NET EFFECT OF THIS IS THAT OUR ROADS HAVE BECOME MORI CONGESTED, ESPECIALLY AT KEY CORRIDORS SUCH AS THE CROSS HARBOUR I’UNNEL, GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND CENTRAL, NATHAN ROAD, LION ROCK TUNNEL, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND KWUN TONG ROAD."
"OUR ROADS HAVE BECOME SO CONGESTED NOW THAT SHOULD THERE BE A MAJOR INCIDENT BLOCKING PART OF A KEY CORRIDOR, THE RESULT COULD BE DISASTROUS," MR SO SAID.
NOTING THAT IN THE LONG-TERM THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY AND OTHER STUDIES WOULD PROVIDE SOME SOLUTIONS TO THE CONGESTION PROBLEM, MR SO OUTLINED THE GOVERNMENT’S SHORT-TERM MEASURES TO EASF THE SITUATION.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE WITH ITS ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME AND IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS IT WAS EXPECTED THAT SOME 80 KILOMETRES OF NEW OR IMPROVED ROADWAYS WOULD BE OPENED.
IN ADDITION, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD TRY ITS BEST TO \PP1.Y TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ESPECIALLY ALONG KEY CORRIDORS.
THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TRAFFIC STUDY HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND STEPS WERE NOW IN HAND TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW TO AND THROUGH THE TUNNEL.
THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TRAFFIC STUDY HAD JUST BEEN COMPLETED AND WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
/A NEW .......
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
A NEW AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM COVERING THE WHOLE OF THE NORTH SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND WAS NEARING COMPLETION AND WHEN IT TOOK OVER THE EXISTING INITIAL SYSTEM LATER THIS YEAR, IT WOULD CERTAINLY HELP IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE CONGESTED PARTS OF CAUSEWAY BAY, WAN CHAI, CENTRAL AND WESTERN, MR SO SAID.
AS OUR ROADS BECAME MORE CONGESTED, ACCIDENTS INCREASED, HE SAID. SINCE 1987, TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS HAD INCREASED BY 8.8 PER CENT AND MOST ACCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
MR SO OUTLINED THE WIDE RANGE OF MEASURES NOW IN HAND TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
IN 1987, THE ROAD SAFETY AND STANDARDS DIVISION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATED A TOTAL OF 152 TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS AND RECOMMENDED REMEDIAL AND ENGINEERING MEASURES AT 107 LOCATIONS.
THESE MEASURES RANGED FROM STRAIGHTENING BENDS TO PAVING THE ROAD SURFACE WITH ANTI-SKID MATERIALS AND WERE GENERALLY EFFECTIVE IN CUTTING DOWN ACCIDENTS.
THE OTHER MEASURES WHICH WERE IN THE PIPELINE OR UNDER CONSIDERATION TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY INCLUDED STRICTER CONTROL OVER LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES AND PROPOSALS TO EXTEND THE SEAT BELT LAW TO COVER THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS OF TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES.
IN ADDITION, A NEW PIECE OF LEGISLATION WAS BEING DRAFTED AT PRESENT WITH THE AIM OF MAKING IT SAFER TO USE THE EXPRESSWAYS IN HONG KONG.
CONSIDERATION WAS NOW BEING GIVEN TO AMEND THE DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR DRIVERS WITH LESS THAN TWO YEARS DRIVING EXPERIENCE TO BE DISQUALIFIED AND TO INTRODUCE A DISTINCTIVE LICENCE FOR NEW DRIVERS.
TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY, A WHOLE SERIES OF LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WERE IN THE PIPELINE, MR SO SAID.
THESE INCLUDED REQUIRING LEARNER DRIVERS OF MOTORCYCLES TO COMPLETE A COMPULSORY OFF-STREET TRAINING COURSE AND PASS A TEST BEFORE GETTING A LEARNER LICENCE.
LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE THE FITTING OF GUARDRAILS TO LIGHT BUS WINDOWS AND TO APPLY PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE TO PRIVATE ROADS, MR SO ADDED.
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/8
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
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EPCOM URGES MORE ANTI-POLLUTION EFFORTS IN N.T. * t » » »
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TODAY (MONDAY) URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE EFFORTS TO CONTROL VARIOUS POLLUTION PROBLEMS AND TO ERADICATE NUMEROUS EYESORES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY WERE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT DISCARDED ITEMS STREWN ABOUT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SUCH AS ABANDONED VEHICLES, OLD TYRES, HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES AND BUILDING DEBRIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
AT A MEETING, EPCOM MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY OFFICIALS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON VARIOUS EFFORTS BY THE DEPARTMENT TO TACKLE POLLUTION AND POLLUTION-RELATED PROBLEMS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE FIRST HALF YEAR'S OPERATION OF Uli NEW VEHICLE SMOKE CONTROL PROGRAMME, AND ENDORSED A REVISED VERSION OF A CODE OF PRACTICE TO ENSURE THE SAFE HANDLING, TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS WASTES.
MEMBERS FELT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL DESIGNED TO CONTROL THE USE OF SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER, AND ENDORSED PROPOSED REGULATIONS TO RESTRICT THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF FUELS USED IN VARIOUS AREAS OF HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A MULTI-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP- HAD BEEN FORMED TO FORMULATE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE CONTROL OF DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS.
MEMBERS WELCOMED THE PROPOSAL TO SECURE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH THE UPGRADING OR REDEVELOPMENT OF 'AGRICULTURAL PRIORITY AREAS', AND EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE REST OF THE TERRITORY TO BRING ABOUT ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEY SUPPORTED CURRENT EFFORTS TO CLEAR UP EYESORES SUCH AS ABANDONED VEHICLES, DISCARDED TYRES AND BUILDING DEBRIS, BUT THEY REMAINED CONCERNED THAT ENFORCEMENT ACTION WAS LARGELY UNCO-ORDINATED, AND URGED THAT MORE STRENUOUS AND UNIFIED EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO CONTROL THIS PROBLEM, HF ADDED.
THE SMOKY VEHICLE TESTING CENTRE SET UP BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) BECAME OPERATIONAL ON FEBRUARY 5.
/UP TO
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
UP TO MAY 20, 1,953 VEHICLES HAD BEEN TESTED AND ABOUT SIX PER CENT OP THESE VEHICLES FAILED THE EXAMINATION.
THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF VEHICLES EMITTING SMOKE WAS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE, AND MOST VEHICLES TESTED HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN THE FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE TEST, EPCOM MEMBERS NOTED.
THE STAFFING FOR THE EPD’S VEHICLE TESTING PROGRAMME WOULD BE BROUGHT UP TO FULL STRENGTH WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. XT FULL CAPACITY, THE CENTRE WILL BE ABLE TO TEST 17,000 VEHICLES PER ANNUM.
A REVISED CODE OF PRACTICE ON THE HANDLING, TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS WASTES WAS ENDORSED BY THE MEMBERS.
THE CODE OF PRACTICE HAD BEEN UPDATED TO CATER FOR LARGE SCALE ASBESTOS DISPOSAL OPERATIONS, WHICH HAD BECOME COMMON SINCE THE CODE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN AUGUST 1985.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS FELT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BECOME A PARTY TO THE UNITED KINGDOM’S RATIFICATION OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS PROTOCOL, ISSUED UNDER THE VIENNA CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER, SPECIFIES CONTROLS ON THE CONSUMPTION XND USE OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS) AND HALONS, WHICH DAMAGE THE OZONE LAYER.
THE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION OF THESE CHEMICALS, COMMONLY USED AS REFRIGERANTS AND AEROSOL PROPELLANTS, ‘ AND FOR FOAM BLOWING, WILL PROGRESSIVELY REDUCE OVER 10 YEARS FROM 1989.
MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO MAKE REGULATIONS UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE TO RESTRICT THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF FUELS USED IN VARIOUS AREAS IN HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE EPD HAD, UNTIL NOW, CONTROLLED THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF FUELS IN FANLING/SHA TAU KOK, TAI PO, SHA TIN, PORT SHELTER AND JUNK BAY THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS.
THESE AREAS WERE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO AIR POLLUTION.
THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL REGULARISE THE EXISTING POLICY OF PERMITTING ONLY NON-SULPHUR-BEAR ING INDUSTRIAL FUELS IN SHA TIN, AND FUELS WITH LESS THAN ONE PER CENT SULPHUR CONTENT IN THE OTHER ARFAS.
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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
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EMPLOYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON II JOB BAN ♦ * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED EMPLOYERS TODAY (MONDAY) OF THE PROHIBITION ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND OTHER UNEMPLOYABLE PERSONS.
"ANY PERSON WHO EMPLOYS AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT OR ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND TO ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT UPON CONVICTION," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"IN 1987, 88 EMPLOYERS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OR TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS. FIVE OF THEM WERE GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT.
"IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, 84 EMPLOYERS WERE PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED, INCLUDING SIX WHO WERE SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT RANGING FROM THREE MONTHS TO SIX MONTHS," HE ADDED.
EMPLOYERS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO INSPECT THE IDENTITY DOCUMENTS OF EMPLOYEES. IN CASE OF DOUBT, THEY CAN SEEK ADVICE FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BY CALLING ITS HOTLINE - 5-8933744.
"LAST YEAR, WE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 3,881 CALLS ON THE HOTLINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF 97 PERSONS.
"IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE RECEIVED 1,427 CALLS, RESULTING IN 23 ARRESTS.
"EMPLOYERS WHO USE THE HOTLINE ARE NOT ONLY PROTECTING THEMSELVES BUT ALSO HELPING US IN OUR CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION."
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED. THOSE WHO HAVE BROKEN THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WILL ALSO BIPROSECUTED BEFORE REPATRIATION.
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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
11 TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW t * ♦ » ♦
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE CONSULTANCY STUDY REPORT ON THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE PROVISIONS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES BEFORE AND AFTER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY FARE REVISIONS IN MAY.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AN APPLICATION BY THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY LTD FOR AN EXTENSION OF ITS FRANCHISE.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE AIMS OF THE METROPLAN.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES. STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
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SUMMER TIME ON THEN MUN DB AGENDA
♦ t t ♦ »
AN OFFICER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH WILL ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO EXPLAIN THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF INTRODUCING SUMMER TIME.
THE MEMBERS WILL THEN GIVE THEIR OPINIONS ON THE MATTER.
AN OFFICIAL OF THE SECURITY BRANCH WILL ALSO ATTEND THE MEETING, TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATED TO HONG KONG AS BEING A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A DISCUSSION ON THE METROPLAN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, AND A PROPOSAL ON SETTING UP AN EFFICIENT TIMESCALE FOR DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS.
THE REPORTS OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEES WILL Bl- TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN Till- DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
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QUARTERLY REPORT ON LABOUR FORCE CHARACTER I ST H'S * * * * ♦
THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR JANUARY-MARCH 1988 IS NOW AVAILABLE.
IT CONTAINS STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE QUARTER.
IT ALSO CONTAINS DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, INCLUDING THEIR AGE AND SEX, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE UN’EMPI H D.
COPIES OF THE REPORT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING. CENTRAL. THE PRICE IS $10 PER COPY.
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COURSES FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS
t i t t
TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART AT A NUMBER OF EVENING COURSES OFFERED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE NEXT (1988/89) ACADEMIC YEAR, TO IMPROVE THEIR TEACHING SKILLS AND UPDATE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER.
THERE WILL BE ONE-YEAR COURSES ON MUSIC FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND TRAINING OF PROFICIENCY IN PUTONGHUA.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO-YEAR COURSES ON ART AND CRAFT FOR KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, FOLK DANC1 AND ORIENTAL DANCE FOR ALL TEACHERS.
EACH COURSE WILL CONSIST OF LECTURES AND PRACTICAL WORK, AND CLASSES WILL BE HELD NORMALLY FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM IN THE EVENING ONCE A WEEK.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE ON COMPLETION OF A COURSE.
APPLICATIOTN FORMS AND THE OUTLINE OF COURSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 5/F, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY AND THE COMPLETED FORM SHOULD REACH THE SECTION BEFORE JUNE 30.
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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
ORIENTEERING COMPETITION ON FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS » ♦ * ♦ *
THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT JUNIOR POLICE CALL ARE JOINTLY HOLDING AN ORIENTEERING COMPETITION TO DRIVE HOME THE ANTI-DRUG AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL MESSAGES.
THE COMPETITION, OPEN TO ALL YOUNGSTERS, IS DIVIDED INTO THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S DIVISIONS WITH EACH DIVISION CONSISTING OF TWO SECTIONS -- ONE FOR THOSE BETWEEN 13 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE AND THE OTHER FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 24.
IT WILL BE HELD AT UPPER PAK TIN ESTATE, SO UK ESTATE AND MEI FOO SUN CHUEN IN SHAM SHUI PO ON JULY 10, 17 AND 31 RESPECTIVELY.
COMPETITORS WILL BE REQUESTED TO COLLECT, WITHIN A TIME FRAME, QUESTION SHEETS AT DIFFERENT CHECK POINTS THROUGH GOING AROUND SOME PRE-DETERMINED AREAS AND ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS ON JPC AND ANTI-DRUG ISSUES.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP WILL GO TO THE ONE WHO SCORES THE HIGHEST MARK WITH THE SHORTEST TIME REQUIRED.
ENTRY FORMS AND DETAILS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE AT THE POLICE STATIONS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICES IN SHAM SHUI PO; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT JPC CLUBHOUSE AND THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
ENTRIES MUST BE RETURNED BY JULY 2, EITHER IN PERSON OR BY MAIL TO THE NARCOTICS DIVISION ON THE 23RD FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG OR THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT JPC CLUBHOUSE ON THE PODIUM LEVEL, 1ST FLOOR, ‘LAI LAN HOUSE, LAI KO ESTATE, SHAM SHUI PO.
ALL ENTRANTS WILL BE GIVEN A SOUVENIR.
INTERESTED PARTIES CAN CALL 5-8622766 OR 3-612737 FOK FURTHER INFORMATION.
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/14
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
14
CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICE CENTRE FOR WSD
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
OCCUPYING AN AREA OF 1,310 SQUARE METRES, THE CENTRE WILL BE A FIVE-STOREY STRUCTURE WITHIN A SITE OF ABOUT 4,300 SQUARE METRES.
ITS LOCATION IS BOUNDED BY KING'S ROAD, JAVA ROAD AND MAN HONG STREET, NORTH POINT.
FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A CANTEEN AND A RECREATIONAL ROOM.
A SINGLE STOREY GOODS STORE WILL ALSO BE BUILT INSIDE THE SITE.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
ON COMPLETION, THE CENTRE WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AS A SUB-OFFICE FOR THE HONG KONG AND ISLANDS REGION AND THIS CENTRE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE IN BULLOCK LANE.
TENDERS CLOSE AT NOON ON JULY 15.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9’AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 25.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 149.935 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 370.954 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 63.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1988
SALT WATER CUT IN MID-LEVELS
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SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 21) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY GARDEN ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, KENNEDY ROAD, BORRETT ROAD, BOWEN ROAD AND MAGAZINii GAP ROAD.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWAI CHUNG * » » t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KWAI CHUNG TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER OVER CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE RIGHT-TURNING SLIP ROAD FROM CHEUNG WING ROAD ONTO THE NEW TERR1TORTES-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 22) AND FRIDAY (JUNE 24).
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN RIGHT AT THE JUNCTION OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 23) AND SATURDAY (JUNE 25), THE SECTION OF CHEUNG WING ROAD BETWEEN THE RIGHT-TURNING SLIP ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG AND KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KWOK SHUI ROAD, LEI MUK ROAD AND PROCEED ONTO KWAI CHUNG ROAD FOR THE REST OF THE JOURNEY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BOAT PEOPLE FUNDING .......... 1
SURVEY FINDINGS OF STUDENTS ABUSING DRUGS RELEASED ......... 2
TAC CONSIDERS MEASURES TO EASE TUNNEL CONGESTION ........... 5
CONFIDENCE IN HK'S FUTURE AS FINANCIAL CENTRE: DAVID NENDICK .................................................... 6
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY LEGISLATION IN PERSPECTIVE ............. 6
AMENDMENT TO SOCIETIES ORDINANCE PROPOSED .................. 7
THIRTEEN BILD5, NINE QUESTIONS BEFORE LEGCO ................ 9
23 500 FLATS PRODUCED FOR SALE UNDER PSPS ................. 10
RECRUITMENT FOR FIREMEN AND STATION OFFICERS .............. 11
STUDY ON RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY ............................. 12
WAN CHAI DB TO DISCUSS GUEST HOUSE PROBLEMS ............... 13
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SPORT CONSULTANCY REPORT . I't
HET.PT.TNES BEING INSTALLED ON LANTAU, LAMMA............... 14
CARCASS OF RARE FISH FOUND................................. 15
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS CW SATURDAY ................ 16
COURSE PARTICIPANTS WORK ON SHOW .......................... 17
TEUaNCY SOUGHT FOR GOVERNMENT LaND......................... 18
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI ................ 18
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEaRWAYS IN CAUSEWAY BAY aND NORTH POINT . 19
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS CW WATERLOO ROaD ........... 19
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IN WONG TAI SIN ................ 20
WATER CUT IN SAN PO KONG AND HUNG HOM ..................... 20
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
1
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BOAT PEOPLE FUNDING ♦ * ♦ ♦ * i
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR THE RECEPTION AND ACCOMMODATION OF THE INCREASED NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, AND FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGE IN POLICY UNDER WHICH ALL VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARE BEING SCREENED ON ARRIVAL TO DETERMINE THEIR STATUS.
THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE POLICY CHANGE, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCREENING PROCEDURES, DETENTION CENTRES AND THE UPGRADING OF SECURITY AT GREEN ISLAND, ARE ESTIMATED TO BE SOME $39 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND $103 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE PER ANNUM.
THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF ACCOMMODATION AND CARE FOR BOAT PEOPLE ALREADY HERE ARE ESTIMATED TO BE SOME $88 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AND SOME $166 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
OF THESE, NEARLY $41 MILLION WOULD BE RECOVERED DIRECTLY FROM THE UNHCR UNDER THE CURRENT AGREEMENT ON REIMBURSABLE EXPENDITURE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO PERSUADE THE UNHCR TO INCREASE ITS SUBSIDY AND TO REVISE ITS APPARENT APPROACH THAT HONG KONG, AS A RELATIVELY PROSPEROUS TERRITORY, SHOULD RECEIVE RELATIVELY LESS SUBSIDY FROM THEM.
THE EXPENDITURE TO BE SOUGHT TOMORROW INCLUDES PROVISION FOR Till CREATION OF 1,126 NON-DIRECTORATE POSTS TO MAINTAIN SERVICES TO AND ACCOMMODATION FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ALREADY HERE, AND TO IMPLEMENT THE CHANGE IN POLICY.
OF THESE, 661 POSTS ARE NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO ARRIVED BEFORE THE CHANGE IN POLICY, WHILE 162 POSTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW POLICY OF SCREENING AND DETENTION.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME SAVINGS ON CERTAIN ITEMS IN LATER YEARS IF THE NEW POLICY WAS SUCCESSFUL AS A DETERRENT, AND THAT A REDUCED LEVEL OF PROVISION MIGHT BE INCLUDED IN Till ESTIMATES FOR 1989-90 AND BEYOND.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPROVING A DAILY RATE OF HONORARIUM OF $2,500 FOR MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE SPECIAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO ASSESS APPEALS FOR COMPENSATION ARISING FROM RESUMPTION CASES. THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE IS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE REGION OF $800,000 Y YEAR.
/ALSO ON .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
ALSO ON THE AGENDA IS THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF CREATING A POST OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY TO REPLACE THE POST OF GOVERNMENT SCIENTIST.
THE CREATION OF THE POST WILL PROVIDE A FULL-TIME SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
OTHER ITEMS ON TOMORROW’S AGENDA INCLUDE:
* THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT STAFF OF THE HONG KONG
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SHOULD RECEIVE THE SAME SALARY SCALES AND SIMILAR CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AS
EQUIVALENT STAFF OF THE OTHER TWO UNIVERSITIES;
* A NEW PROJECT ESTIMATE OF $6,151,000 FOR THE CONVERSION OF A SALVATION ARMY’S SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN; AND
* THE CREATION OF A SUPERNUMERARY POST OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH IN ORDER TO MEET INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES ON BROADCASTING AND LIAISON POLICY MATTERS.
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SURVEY FINDINGS OF STUDENTS ABUSING DRUGS RELEASED
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A SURVEY HAS SHOWN THAT ABOUT I.1 PER CENT OF SECONDAR\ SCHOOL STUDENTS AND 2.8 PER CENT OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE ABUSED PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS, MAINLY MANDRAX, CANNABIS AND SECONAL.
THE FINDINGS WERE GIVEN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (AC AN), DR GERALD CHOA , AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY) FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST LARGE-SCALE SURVEY ON Till ABUSE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AMONG STUDENTS.
THE SURVEY WAS MADE BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
ABOUT 110,000 STUDENTS HAD BEEN ENUMERATED. THESE INCLUDE! 88,147 IN 148 SECONDARY DAY SCHOOLS OUT OF A TOTAL OF SOME 441,00* STUDENTS IN 119 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE TERRITORY, AND ALL THE 21,243 WHO ATTENDED FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES IN AU THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
/ALL THE
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
ALL THE STUDENTS SURVEYED WERE ASKED TO COMPLETE CONFIDENTIALLY AND ANONYMOUSLY A QUESTIONNAIRE WITH 26 QUESTIONS.
DR CHOA SAID THAT FOLLOWING A SMALL SCALE PILOT SURVEY IN 1985, THIS TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY WAS STARTED LAST OCTOBER.
IT WAS AIMED MAINLY AT ASSESSING THE EXTENT OF PSYCHOTROPIC ABUSE PROBLEM AMONG STUDENTS AND OBTAINING INFORMATION ON THEIR SOURCES OF ILLICIT DRUGS, THEIR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AND THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ABUSE OF THESE DRUGS.
THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT CANNABIS, MANDRAX AND COCAINE WERE THE THREE DRUGS MOST COMMONLY HEARD OF BY STUDENTS MAINLY THROUGH TELEVISION OR FILMS.
A TOTAL OF 1,011 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, REPRESENTING 1.1 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SURVEYED, HAD CLAIMED TO BE DRUG ABUSERS.
TWO-THIRDS WERE MALES. ABOUT HALF LIVED IN PUBLIC OR SUBSIDISED HOUSING ESTATES, AND MANY (42 PER CENT) TOOK DRUGS REGULARLY.
THE MAJORITY OF THE REGULAR DRUG ABUSERS WERE WITHIN THE AGE GROUP OF 13 AND 17 AND WERE STUDENTS IN FORMS 2 TO 4. OVER HALF OF THEM TOOK DRUGS MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH.
DR CHOA SAID A HIGHER PROPORTION OF DRUG ABUSERS COULD BE FOUND IN PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS THAN IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS.
OF THE 21,243 TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS SURVEYED, THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN CONTINUED, 591, REPRESENTING 2.8 PER CENT, HAD BEEN REPORTED TO HAVE^ABUSED PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS.
OVER 95 PER CENT OF THEM WERE MALES, MORE THAN HALF LIVED IN ‘ PUBLIC OR SUBSIDISED HOUSING ESTATES, AND ABOUT ONE-THIRD TOOK DRUGS REGULARLY.
THE MAJORITY OF THE REGULAR DRUG ABUSERS WERE AGED FROM 15 TO 19 AND CAME FROM PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES AT THE CRAFT LEVEL. ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THEM ABUSED DRUGS MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH.
DR CHOA POINTED OUT THAT BOTH CATEGORIES OF THE STUDENT DRUG ABUSERS OBTAINED ILLICIT SUBSTANCES MAINLY FROM THEIR FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS OR RELATIVES WHILE THEY WERE AT HOME OR THEIR FRIENDS’ HOMES, IN DISCOS, PARTIES OR PICNICS.
/"MOST LIKELY
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1?8«
"MOST LIKELY THEY STARTED WITH MANDRAX OUT OF CURIOSITY AND THEY DID NOT GIVE UP ABUSING BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THE DRUGS WERE NOT REALLY DANGEROUS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, DR CHOA SAID MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE STUDENTS COVERED BY THE SURVEY CONSIDERED THAT THE NON-MEDICAL USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WAS HARMFUL.
MOST DID NOT APPROVE OF PEOPLE ABUSING DRUGS OCCASIONALLY OR REGULARLY AND THEY THOUGHT THEIR PARENTS WOULD DISAPPROVE IF THEY ABUSED DRUGS.
COMMENTING ON THE SURVEY FINDINGS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, SAID THE SURVEY HAD CONFIRMED THE EXISTENCE AND MEASURED THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM AMONG STUDENTS.
THIS FOLLOWED COMMUNITY CONCERN IN RECENT YEARS THOUGH IT WAS FAR FROM BEING A PROBLEM AS SERIOUS AS HEROIN ADDICTION, HE SAID.
ABOUT 97 PER CENT OF THE 39,000 ACTIVE DRUG ADDICTS REPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT'S COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE TAKE HEROIN AS THE PRIMARY DRUG.
MR MULLOY SAID: "PUBLICITY HAS, IN FACT, BEEN STEPPED UP SINCE LAST YEAR THROUGH POSTERS, LEAFLETS, EXHIBITIONS, AND TV AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST TO WARN YOUNGSTERS ABOUT THE DANGER OF ABUSING PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS.
"ADDITIONALLY, THE SCHOOL TALKS TEAM IN THE NARCOTICS DIVISION HAS INTENSIFIED ITS EFFORTS TO EDUCATE SECONDARY SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS ABOUT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THE DRUGS SO AS TO DISSUADE THEM FROM ABUSING OR EXPERIMENTING WITH ILLICIT SUBSTANCES," HE SAID. I
"WITH SUPPORT FROM ACAN, THE FIRST COUNSELLING CENTRE FOR PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSERS, PS 33, HAS ALSO BEEN SET UP BY THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE EARLY THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED.
"ALL THESE MEASURES CLEARLY INDICATE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN POSITIVE STEPS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM AND ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON PREVENTION EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY," HE ADDED.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION WHEN NECESSARY," MR MULLOY SAID.
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/5........
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
TAC CONSIDERS MEASURES TO EASE TUNNEL CONGESTION *****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED THE MEASURES IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TRAFFIC STUDY FOR ALLEVIATING TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE APPROACHES TO THE TUNNEL BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING NEXT YEAR.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT TUNNEL THROUGHPUT COULD NOT BE INCREASED BY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES AND THAT THERE WAS ONLY LIMITED SCOPE FOR INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF CROSS HARBOUR VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICES TO HELP RELIEVE CONGESTION AT THE TUNNEL.
IN VIEW OF THE SERIOUS EFFECT OF TRAFFIC QUEUES AT THE TUNNEL ON OTHER TRAFFIC USING THE SAME ROADS, MEMBERS AGREED WITH THE REPORT THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO SEPARATE NON-TUNNEL TRAFFIC FROM TUNNEL TRAFFIC.
AS FRANCHISED BUSES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND EFFICIENT CARRIERS OF PASSENGERS THROUGH THE TUNNEL, THE TAC AGREED THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE THEIR OPERATION.
THESE INCLUDED BUS ROUTE DIVERSIONS, RELOCATION OF CROSS HARBOUR BUS STOPS ON CHATHAM ROAD, AS WELL AS THE WIDENING OF THE BUS LAYBY OUTSIDE THE TOLL PLAZA, PROVISION OF NON-STOP AND SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES AND BUS ONLY TOLL BOOTH.
IN CONSIDERING THE TOLL MEASURES, MEMBERS LOOKED INTO A RANGE OF OPTIONS INCLUDING A GENERAL TOLL INCREASE, DIFFERENTIAL TOLLS BY VEHICLE TYPE AND DIFFERENTIAL TOLL BY TIME PERIOD.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, NO DECISIONS WERE MADE ON THE TOLL MEASURES. MEMBERS REQUESTED FURTHER INFORMATION FOR DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT TAC MEETING ON JULY 4 IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT A DECISION.
ON OTHER AGENDA ITEMS, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS ON THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES BEFORE AND AFTER THE MTR FARE REVISIONS IN MAY.
THE TAC ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE AN APPLICATION BY THE NEW LANTAU BUS COMPANY FOR A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF ITS FRANCHISE FROM MARCH 31, 1993 TO MARCH 31, 1995.
IN MAKING THE DECISION, MEMBERS CONSIDERED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY AND FELT THAT IT HAD CONTINUED TO IMPROVE ITS PERFORMANCE OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND HAD MADE PROGRESS IN OBTAINING A NEW DEPOT AT MUI WO TO PROVIDE IMPROVED MAINTENANCE FACILITIES.
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/6
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
CONFIDENCE IN HE’S FUTURE AS FINANCIAL CENTRE: DAVID NENDICK
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES HERE WITHOUT LET OR HINDRANCE, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
OFFICIATING AT THE TELERATE ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL OFFICE OPENING, MR NENDICK SAID HE WELCOMED THIS INDICATION OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNISE THAT THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS THE CENTRE WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, AND IS STILL ATTRACTING FURTHER SUCH INSTITUTIONS HAS ONLY BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A PARALLEL GROWTH IN A WIDE RANGE OF INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES, HE SAID.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS SUCH AS TELERATE ARE AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT, HE ADDED.
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CONSTRUCTION SAFETY LEGISLATION IN PERSPECTIVE
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING A SERIES OF DISCUSSION SESSIONS WITH INDUSTRIALISTS AND TRADE UNIONISTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE EXISTING LEGISLATION GOVERNING SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE.
THE FIRST SESSION, ENTITLED CONSTRUCTION SAFETY LEGISLATION IN PERSPECTIVE, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE DEPARTMENT'S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE I|4 CENTRAL ON FRIDAY (JUNE 24).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAD SEEN A BOOM IN RECENT YEARS BUT AT THE SAME TIME HAD BROUGHT ABOUT A LARGE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT AT LEAST SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WHICH DEAL WITH SAFE PRACTICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
/"ALTHOUGH REGULAR
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
"ALTHOUGH REGULAR REVIEWS ON THE ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT AND AMENDMENTS ARE MADE WHERE NECESSARY TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS, WE FIND IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO HAVE A FACE TO FACE DISCUSSION WITH THOSE IN THE TRADE SO AS TO FIND OUT THEIR VIEWS AND REAL NEEDS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
INVITATION TO ATTEND THE FIRST SESSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY RELATED TRADE UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS, INDUSTRIAL GROUPS, EXECUTIVES IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRAINING FIELD, AND MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE.
TO GIVE AN INSIGHT INTO THE CURRENT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LEGISLATION, DISPLAY PANELS AND AUDIO VISUAL AIDS WILL BE USED DURING THE SESSION WHICH WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEXT SESSION DEALING WITH HEALTH RELATED LEGISLATION IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE FIRST DISCUSSION SESSION WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL, AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 24).
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AMENDMENT TO SOCIETIES ORDINANCE PROPOSED ♦ » « t t
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE TO RECTIFY AN OVERSIGHT AFFECTING LARGE PARTNERSHIPS OF LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS AND STOCKBROKERS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SEEKS TO EXCLUDE THE APPLICATION OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE TO LARGE PARTNERSHIPS, THAT IS PARTNERSHIPS OF MORE THAN 20 PERSONS, PROVIDED THEY ARE ENGAGED SOLELY IN A LAWFUL BUSINESS AND ARE REGISTERED UNDER ANY OTHER ORDINANCE, SUCH AS THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
/THE FOLLOWS
TUESDAY > JUNE 211 1988
8
THIS FOLLOWS A DECISION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS MORNING (TUESDAY).
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS PROMPTED BY A PROBLEM THAT ARISES UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE WHERE LARGE PARTNERSHIPS WHICH FAIL TO REGISTER AS A SOCIETY ARE IN BREACH OF THE LAW AND ARE DEEMED TO BE ’’UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES”. AS THE LAW WAS NEVER INTENDED TO APPLY TO LEGITIMATE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO RECTIFY THE MATTER.
. » . r uvli , HBOITALMcL
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE LAW ALL ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING CLUBS, PARTNERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, UNLESS THEY APPLY AND ARE EXEMPTED BY THE REGISTRAR OR THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE. ’• • I '•
UNDER THE SCHEDULE, COMPANIES REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ARE EXCLUDED. SO TOO ARE PARTNERSHIPS ”... CONSISTING OF NOT MORE THAN 20 PERSONS, FORMED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF CARRYING ON ANY LAWFUL BUSINESS AND REGISTERED UNDER ANY ORDINANCE.”.-
THE 20-PARTNER LIMIT REFLECTED THE POSITION UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE BEFORE MID-1978 WHICH PROHIBITED ANY PARTNERSHIP WITH MORE THAN 20 PERSONS.
HOWEVER, ON JULY 7, 1978 THIS PROHIBITION IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED TO PERMIT PARTNERSHIPS OF MORE THAN 20 PERSONS, PRACTISING AS SOLICITORS, ACCOUNTANTS OR STOCKBROKERS.
"BUT, BY AN OVERSIGHT, NO CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT WAS MADE TO THE SCHEDULE OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE TQ SIMILARLY EXCLUDE SUCH-LARGE PARTNERSHIPS FROM ITS AMBIT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT MANY PROFESSIONAL FIRMS HAVE EXPANDED BEYOND THE 20-PARTNER LIMIT SINCE THEN BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO REGISTER UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
’THE CONSEQUENCE OF THEIR FAILURE TO REGISTER MEANS THEY HAVE BECOME ’UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES’ TECHNICALLY RENDERING THEIR PARTNERS, AND POSSIBLY THEIR EMPLOYEES, LANDLORDS, CLIENTS AND OTHERS HAVING DEALINGS WITH THEM LIABLE TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEIR UNLAWFUL STATUS COULD ALSO HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IN CIVIL LAW.
EXPLAINING THE DECISION TO AMEND THE LAW, HE SAID THE
ORDINANCE IS AIMED MAINLY AT CONTROLLING TRIAD SOCIETIES.
’’CLEARLY, THE ORDINANCE WAS NEVER INTENDED TO APPLY TO LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES AND SHOULD NOT APPLY,” HE SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT WHILE THE AMENDMENT RECTIFIES AN OVERSIGHT AND BENEFITS LEGITIMATE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, IT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY WEAKEN CONTROL AGAINST TRIAD SOCIETIES.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE COME INTO EFFECT FROM JULY 7, 1978, THAT IS THE DATE WHEN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED.
THE CHANGE WILL NOT, HOWEVER, AFFECT LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WHICH COMMENCED ON OR BEFORE TODAY (TUESDAY).
ON THE DECISION TO APPLY THE AMENDMENTS RETROSPECTIVELY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS A MATTER OF GENERAL PRINCIPLE, LAWS SHOULD NOT BE MADE RESTROSPECTIVE.
"BUT AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IT WAS FELT THAT IN THIS CASE, THE AMENDMENT HAD TO BE GIVEN RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY ENTERED INTO OTHERWISE LEGITIMATE TRANSACTIONS WITH LARGE LEGAL, ACCOUNTING AND STOCKBROKING FIRMS ARE NOT PRECLUDED FROM ENFORCING THEIR RIGHTS OR, ALTERNATIVELY, ARE NOT PERMITTED TO EVADE THEIR OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM SUCH TRANSACTIONS.
"THERE WAS ALSO CONCERN THAT WHERE THE LARGE FIRMS HAD ACTED AS AGENTS IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR IN COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL OR SHARE TRANSACTIONS, THE PARTIES FOR WHOM THEY ACTED AND PERSONS WITH WHOM THEY DEALT MIGHT BE UNABLE TO ENFORCE THEIR INTERESTS UNLESS THE AMENDMENT OPERATES RETROSPECTIVELY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE AMENDING BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 6.
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THIRTEEN BILLS, NINE QUESTIONS BEFORE LEGCO t » t t *
I
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK NINE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 13 BILLS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
OF THE 13 BILLS, EIGHT WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATE ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
/THEY ARE: .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
10
THEY ARE: THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL 1988, JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LTD (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL 1988, MONEY LENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, AND SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988.
THE OTHER FOUR BILLS WILL EACH BE GIVEN A SECOND READING, AND ARE THEN DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THESE ARE: THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, AUDIT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, AND TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
A PRIVATE BILL, THE RAINIER INTERNATIONAL BANK (TRANSFER OF HONG KONG UNDERTAKING) BILL 1988, WILL ALSO BE GIVEN FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
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23 500 FLATS PRODUCED FOR SALE UNDER PSPS ♦ » * » t
THE MARRIAGE OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS) SINCE ITS INCEPTION HAS PRODUCED ABOUT 23 500 FLATS AND MORE THAN 16 000 ARE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (CONSTRUCTION/GENERAL), MR TOM BLAIR, WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF A PSPS DEVELOPMENT IN SHEUNG SHUI TODAY.
THE PSPS SCHEME IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.SECTORS, MR BLAIR SAID.
IT HAS ALSO PROVED VERY SUCCESSFUL IN MANY FIELDS IN HONG KONG IN THE PAST, HE ADDED.
I
"ON THE ONE HAND THE SCHEME PROVIDES FLATS FOR SALE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO WISH TO OWN THEIR OWN HOME BUT WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A FLAT OF SIMILAR CALIBRE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"ON THE OTHER HAND THE FINANCIAL AND CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE WILLINGLY HARNESSED TO ACHIEVE THE SAME OBJECTIVE," MR BLAIR SAID.
/ON THE
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
11
ON THE SHEUNG SHUI PROJECT, MR BLAIR SAID THIS SCHEME WILL BE THE FIRST PSPS SINCE THE TRANSFER OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM GOVERNMENT TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SINCE APRIL 1 THIS YEAR FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FLATS UNDER BOTH THE HOS AND PSPS.
IT WILL ALSO BE THE FIRST SCHEME IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI AND WILL AUGMENT THE HOS DEVELOPMENT ALREADY COMPLETED AT SHEK WU HUI.
WHEN COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1989, THE PROJECT WILL COMPRISE SIX 28 OR 29-STOREY TOWER BLOCKS PROVIDING OVER 2 000 FLATS OF TWO AND THREE BEDROOMS.
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AND BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CAR PARKING SPACE.
A KINDERGARTEN AND RECREATION AREAS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED AND THE EXTERNAL AREAS WILL BE SUITABLY LANDSCAPED.
MR BLAIR ENVISAGED THAT THE VERY STRONG DEMAND FOR FLATS FOR SALE UNDER THE HOS AND PSPS IN THE PAST WOULD NOT ONLY CONTINUE BUT WILL INCREASE.
"TO MEET THIS EXPECTED INCREASED DEMAND, UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY GREATER EMPHASIS THAN HIGHERTO WILL BE PLACED ON THE PRODUCTION OF FLATS FOR SALE UNDER THESE SCHEMES.
"WITH THE LEVEL OF DEMAND RUNNING AS STRONGLY AS IT IS, COUPLED WITH THE IMPROVED ROAD AND RAIL SYSTEMS NOW SERVING THIS AREA OF THE NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES, THERE IS EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHEUNG SHUI SCHEME WILL BE MOST SUCCESSFUL WHEN IT IS PUT ON THE MARKET," MR BLAIR ADDED.
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RECRUITMENT FOR FIREMEN AND STATION OFFICERS ♦ » ♦ * ♦
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY LAUNCHING A RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR FIREMEN AND STATION OFFICERS.
"WE ARE OFFERING A CAREER OF VARIETY, INTEREST AND OPPORTUNITY TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY," A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID.
AN APPLICANT SHOULD BE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE, HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE AND NORMAL EYESIGHT, AND SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE.
/HE SHOULD
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
HE SHOULD BE 1.68 METRES TALL OR ABOVE AND WEIGHS AT LEAST 55 KILOGRAMS. HIS CHEST MEASUREMENT SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 86 CENTIMETRES DEFLATED, WITH AN EXPANSION OF AT LEAST FIVE CENTIMETRES.
ALL RECRUITS WILL BE TRAINED FOR GENERAL FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE WORK AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHILE STATION OFFICERS WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL iUPERVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES.
THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION REQUIRED FOR FIREMEN IS SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF FORM THREE AND APPLICANTS FOR STATION OFFICERS MUST POSSESS AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AT GRADE E OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THE STARTING SALARY FOR FIREMEN VARIES FROM $4,225 TO $4,655 PER MONTH DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS, AND RISES TO A MAXIMUM OF $6,165.
FOR STATION OFFICERS, THE STARTING SALARY VARIES FROM $8,110 TO $10,035, AGAIN DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND THE MAXIMUM IS $17,710.
APPLICATION FORMS (GF 340) ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE RECRUITMENT UNIT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 1 HONG CHONG ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE RECRUITMENT UNIT ON 3-7337675.
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STUDY ON RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY
* » » *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONDUCT A SURVEY ON RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY TO PROVIDE FOR BETTER TOWN PLANNING OF HONG KONG.
THE SAMPLE SURVEY WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH BY WAY OF QUESTIONNAIRES BETWEEN JULY 27 AND AUGUST 31 THIS YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 2,000 HOUSEHOLDS WHO RECENTLY MOVED TO NEW TOWNS AND ABOUT 2,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN OLD TENEMENT BLOCKS IN URBAN DISTRICTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED.
NEW TOWNS COVERED BY THE SURVEY INCLUDE TSUEN WAN, FANLING, SHEUNG SHUI, TAI PO AND SHA TIN AND THE OLD DISTRICTS INCLUDE YAU MA TEI AND WESTERN.
/THESE HOUSEHOLDS
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
THESE HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE ASKED ABOUT THEIR HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS, THE REASONS FOR MOVING TO NEW TOWNS AND FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR CHOICE.
RESPONDENTS IN OLD TENEMENT BLOCKS, ON THE OTHER HAND, WOULD BE ASKED ABOUT THEIR INTENTION TO MOVE AND PREFERENCES.
INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL PROVIDE GUIDELINES AND REFERENCES TO PROVIDE FOR BETTER TOWN PLANNING OF HONG KONG.
THE INFORMATION WILL BE TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL ONLY BE USED IN AGGREGATE FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.
HOUSEHOLDS CHOSEN FOR THE SURVEY WILL RECEIVE PRIOR NOTIFICATION BY MAIL.
A SMALL-SCALE PRE-TEST OF THE SURVEY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINE-TUNING THE QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND FRIDAY.
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WAN CHAI DB TO DISCUSS GUEST HOUSE PROBLEMS » * « » »
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF GUEST HOUSES OPERATING IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE BOARD WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE- FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME, SUMMER TIME, AND TARGET BUILDINGS IDENTIFIED BY THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE FOR IMPROVEMENT IN 1988-89. I
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL RAISE QUESTIONS ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND THE INTRODUCTION OF MAIL BOXES IN MTR STATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TODAY (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
- 14
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SPORT CONSULTANCY REPORT
* ♦ ♦ » *
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS A CONSULTANCY REPORT ON SPORTS IN HONG KONG.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN 1988/89.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE APPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL SUBSIDY AND APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN
TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
HELPLINES BEING INSTALLED ON LANTAU, LAMMA t t ♦ ♦ »
PEOPLE GOING HIKING ON LANTAU AND ALSO RESIDENTS OF THE ISLAND WJLI. BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME UNDER WHICH EMERGENCY HELPLINES ARE BEING INSTALLED.
BY USING THE HELPLINES THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CONTACT THE POLICE QUICKLY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
THE SCHEME WAS INITIATED AND IS BEING SET UP BY THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY AS A FREE SERVICE TO THE: COMMUNITY.
AT THE OUTSET, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WELCOMED THE SCHEME AND WAS INVITED TO PROPOSE PRIORITY SITES.
AFTER CONSULTATIONS WITH AREA COMMITTEES, FOUR SITES WERE IDENTIFIED ON LANTAU AND ONE ON LAMMA.
THESE SITES ARE NGONG PING ROAD, SHAM WATT ROAD NEAR SHAN HOI PAVILION, THE TOP PART OF TUNG CHUNG ROAD, AND THE NAM SHAN CAMP SITE ON LANTAU; AND TAI LUNG TSUEN ON LAMMA.
/AN INAUGURATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
- 15 -
AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR THE NGONG PING ROAD EMERGENCY HELPLINE WAS HELD TODAY (TUESDAY). THIS IS THE FIRST TO BE SET UP.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, SAID THE SCHEME WAS IMPORTANT TO THE DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE BIG INCREASE IN VISITORS ON HOLIDAYS.
"THE SITES WE RECOMMENDED ARE REMOTE AREAS WITH INFREQUENT POLICE PATROLS SO THAT AN AUTOMATIC LINK-UP TO 999 AND THE NEAREST POLICE STATION THROUGH THE HELPLINES IS ESSENTIAL IN CASE OF ACCIDENTS," MR LAM SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HELPLINES ARE LOCATED CONSPICUOUSLY.
MR LAM THANKED THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR INITIATING SUCH A SCHEME AND HE ALSO THANKED THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR EXPEDITING ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
OTHER GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY INCLUDED THE REGIONAL MANAGER (HONG KONG) OF THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY, MR KEITH VITTY, AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR MIKE HARRIS, WHO MADE AN INAUGURATION CALL ON THE SPOT.
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CARCASS OF RARE FISH FOUND * « *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY ) IDENTIFIED THE CARCASS OF A RARE FISH FOUND FLOATING ABOUT 30 METRES OFF CHUNG HOM KOK BAY AS THAT OF A STRIPED MARLIN.
FOLLOWING A REPORT RECEIVED AT ABOUT 10 AM, THE DEPARTMENT’S FISHERIES OFFICER, DR PAUL MAK, WENT TO THE SCENE AND IDENTIFIED THE FISH AS A FEMALE ADULT STRIPED MARLIN, WEIGHING ABOUT 90 KG AND MEASURING ABOUT 2.2 METRES FROM THE TIP OF LOWER JAW TO TAIL.
EXAMINATION OF THE CARCASS SHOWED THAT THE FISH HAD BEEN DEAD FOR TWO DAYS. ITS ROUND BILL OR THE UPPER JAW HAD BEEN CUT OFF AND THERE WERE CLEAR INDICATIONS THAT THESE CUTS WERE MADE BY A VERY SHARP KNIFE.
IT BELONGS TO THE SWORD-FISH GROUP RUT THE ONLY DISTINCTION IS THAT THE SWORD-FISH HAS A FLAT UPPER JAW.
/DR MAK
TUESDAY, JUNE 21t 1988
16 -
DR MAK SAID THAT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE BODY LENGTH OF THE FISH, THE UPPER JAW OF THIS STRIPED MARLIN SHOULD MEASURE ABOUT 4.5 METRES.
HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE FISH WAS RARELY CAUGHT IN HONG KONG WATERS, ITS CATCHES IN HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO SOME 300 KG IN 1986. IT WAS, HOWEVER, REGARDED AS COMMON IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN REGION.
’’THIS FISH SPECIES REACHES MATURITY WHEN GROWN TO A LENGTH OF 150 CM. AN ADULT STRIPED MARLIN CAN GROW TO A MAXIMUM LENGTH OF 3.5 METRES WITH A MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF 200 KG.
"IT IS A FISH SPECIES WELL SOUGHT AFTER BY FISHERMEN IN JAPAN, KOREA, AND TAIWAN FOR ITS HIGH ECONOMICAL VALUE. IT IS POPULAR FOR USE AS JAPANESE SASHIMI," DR MAK ADDED.
AS THE CARCASS HAD BEGUN TO DECAY, IT WAS LATER REMOVED FROM CHUNG HOM KOK BY USD CARCASS COLLECTION SERVICE STAFF FOR INCINERATION.
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AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR ♦ t »
NUMBERS ON SATURDAY t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
DS8996 DT308 1 DU308 DT525 DU6318
DS8088 DT33 2 DT328 DT6686 AU82
DT786 DW77 DS969 AS302 DU170
DT888 HK9876 DU1428 CR1881 HK770
AD938 DT280 XX8777 DU638 DT8
DT821 DT560 8996 AC133 DU398
AD3288 AS300 AC9876 AA1885 DU2823
AB58 DT9968 DU168 DT8707 AA1106
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
/A TRANSPORT
TUESDAY, JUNE 211 1988
- 17 -
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.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 126TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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COURSE PARTICIPANTS WORK ON SHOW * » » « «
AN END-OF-COURSE EXHIBITION OF WORK BY PARTICIPANTS IN COURSES ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELI) BETWEEN THURSDAY AND SATURDAY (JUNE 23 AND 25) .
THE COURSES ARE THE 12TH REFRESHER COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH AND THE FOURTH REFRESHER COURSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH.
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION AT THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION ON THE 21ST FLOOR, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK.
THE DISPLAY WILL INCLUDE PROTOTYPE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, TEACHING AIDS AND PROJECTS DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY THE COURSE PARTICIPANTS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (JUNE 23 AND 24), AND FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25).
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/18........
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
- 18 -
TENANCY SOUGHT FOR GOVERNMENT LAND ♦ ♦ » » ♦
A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IS BEING LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE LAND IN AREA 11, SHA TIN NEW TOWN, NEW TERRITORIES, MEASURING ABOUT 2,113 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR WORKS AREA AND STORAGE (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES AND CONTAINER STORAGE).
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDER FORM AND NOTICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 1.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI ♦ ♦ * t t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 21) FOR ABOUT 11 WEEKS TO FACILITATE WATER MAINLAYING WORKS.
LANDALE STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND JOHNSTON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO. ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
IN ADDITION, ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING FIVE METRES LONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THIS ROAD SECTION.
I
MEANWHILE, ANTON STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND JOHNSTON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
ALSO, ALL VEHICLES OVER SEVEN METRES LONG WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING FROM WESTBOUND HENNESSY ROAD TO EASTBOUND JOHNSTON ROAD.
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/19
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
- 19 -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT * *****
TWO EXISTING DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS (7 AM TO 7 PM) ON LEIGHTON ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE EXTENDED WESTWARDS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 24), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED,
THE EXTENDED URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
» THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF LEIGHTON ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CANAL ROAD EAST TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PERCIVAL STREET; AND
« THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 12 AND 54.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FOR TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN NORTH POINT WILL ALSO Bl DESIGNATED AS 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ROADWORKS.
THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF NORTH VIEW STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH FORT STREET TO A POINT ABOUT SIX METRES NORTH OF THAT JUNCTION AND A 15-METRE STRETCH ALONG NORTH POINT ROAD SOUTH OF IIS JUNCTION WITH JAVA ROAD WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR FOUR WEEKS AND TWO MONTHS RESPECTIVELY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON WATERLOO ROAD
* * * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON WATERLOO ROAD FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON THURSDAY (JUNE 23) AND FRIDAY (JUNE 24).
t ONE LANE ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN THE STARTING POINT OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER AND ARGYLE STREET-WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
* THE U-TURNING MOVEMENT FROM WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND ONTO WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND OUTSIDE KOWLOON HOSPITAL WILL BE BANNED. AFFECTED MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, SHEUNG HING STREET, PUI CHING ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND.
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/2O........
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
- 20 -
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IN WONG TAI SIN ♦ ♦ * * »
TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY, TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 23), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE:
t HAMMER HILL ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KING TUNG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 180 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
♦ PING TING ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HAMMER HILL ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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WATER CUT IN SAN PO KONG AND HUNG HOM ♦ ♦ » » *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 22) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS. ,
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SZE MEI STREET, CHOI HUNG ROAD, TAI YAU STREET, TSEUK LUK STREET, KING FUK STREET AND KING HONG STREET.
IN ADDITION, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN THE HUNG HOM DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF ON FRIDAY (JUNE 24) FROM 4 PM TO 10 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO .
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
COMMISSIONER WILL CONTRIBUTE TO MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT ... 1
SHW GIVES REASSURANCES ON MENTAL HEALTH BILL............ 4
MENTAL HEALTH BILL FURTHER IMPROVED..................... 7
PERSONAL LIBERTIES MORE PROPERLY SAFEGUARDED ........... 9
WORKING PARTY PLAN WELCOMED............................. 12
LEGISLATION STRIKES A REASONABLE BALANCE................ 13
CONCERN IN MEDICAL SECTOR............................... 15
SOME PROVISIONS RESTRICT PERSONAL LIBERTY .............. 16
IMPORTANT POINT IN MENTAL HEmLTH BILL NOT YET RESOLVED . 18
LEGISLATION REMOVES ELECTORAL /lNOMaLY.................. 20
MEASURES DESIGNED TO ENHANCE JUDICIARY’S INDEPENDENCE .. 21
aUTUMN STaRT INTENDED FOR TRIaD RENUNCIATION SCHEME .... 23
BILL REMEDIES PROBLEMS IN MONEY LENDER LAW ............. 25
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN EXCHANGE BELIEVED NECESS^iRY ..... 27
BANKING BILL PROPOSALS WILL FACILITATE CO-OPERATION .... 29
BETTER USE OF BANKRUPTCY JUDGE’S TIME................... 31
/HEARING OF .......
HEARING OF CONTESTED WINDING-UP PETITIONS.................. 32
PRIVATE bill on wk sale agreement ......................... 33
FOUR BILLS PASSED ............................•............ 33
CONSCIOUS OF NEED TO SUPPORT THE DISABLED................. 34
CASE AGAINST EXEMPTION FROM AIRPORT W ................ 35
CREDIT CARD SECURITY h MATTER FOR ISSUERS ................ 35
PROSECUTIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF MENT.'JiY HANDICAPPED .. 37
NEW CLINICS WILL IMPROVE SPECIALIST SERVICES .............. 37
ONLY ONE REPORT ON NON-TR.JJITION..L RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY .. 38
GOVT PREPARED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS......................... 39
EMERGENCY CONTROL UNIT TO HANDLE STRATEGIC ROUTE ACCIDENTS ................................................. 59
NERD FOR MaRINE RESERVES BEING EXAMINED.................... 41
FUNDS APPROVED FOR BOAT PEOPLE TaSKS ....................... 42
COMMITMENT ON PASSING INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT ............... 4}
INCLUSION OF COPEt ON FTWCT^HY DUTIES RECOMMEi.DED............ 44
aCaN SUPPORTS WORLD aNTI-DRUG DaY ............................ 46
ISLANDS DB MEMBERS ON OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR .................... 47
SAI KUNG TO REVIEW PEDESTRIAN BLACKSPOTS ..................... 4?
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REPORTS ON YOUTH POLICY .JTO SPORT .... 48
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND .APPLICATIONS.................... 49
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ............................. 49
TRaFFIC changes in the new territories ....................... 50
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
1 COMMISSIONER WILL CONTRIBUTE TO MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT » * * t «
THE PROPOSED COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS WILL BE INDEPENDENT AND HAVE SUFFICIENT MEANS WITH WHICH TO ENSURE THAT HIS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE HEARD AND ACTED UPON, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL 1988, SIR DAVID SAID THE COMMISSIONER WOULD ALSO HAVE SUFFICIENT STAFF TO CARRY OUT HIS DUTIES SWIFTLY AND EFFECTIVELY; HE WOULD HAVE ALMOST UNLIMITED ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT FILES AND POWERS OF ENTRY INTO GOVERNMENT PREMISES.
"IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY, OF THIS COUNCIL AND OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT HE SUCCEEDS IN HIS ENDEAVOURS, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO A MORE OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE BILL, SIR DAVID SAID THAT FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT: "REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES", THE GOVERNMENT AGREED IN PRINCIPLE WITH THE MAJORITY VIEW THAT AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO DEAL WITH COMPLAINTS ALLEGING MALADMINISTRATION.
A WHITE BILL ON THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL 1987, WHICH CONTAINED THE PROPOSALS, WAS PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON OCTOBER 30 LAST YEAR.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD STUDIED VERY CAREFULLY THE 24 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS BY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS, VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE PRESS AS WELL AS COMMENTS MADE BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE WHITE BILL, SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE BILL, NOW BEFORE MEMBERS, REFLECTS THE OUTCOME OF THIS CONSIDERATION AND INCORPORATES A TOTAL OF 22 CHANGES TO THE WHITE BILL," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THESE CHANGES HAD BEEN TO BROADEN THE JURISDICTION OF THF COMMISSIONER.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE THREE MAIN ASPECTS OF THE WHITE BILL IN RESPECT OF WHICH, AFTER CONSIDERING ALL THE RELEVANT FACTORS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED NOT TO ADOPT THE CHANGES SUGGESTED BY SOME COMMENTATORS AND SUPPORTED BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP.
THE FIRST OF THESE WAS THE QUESTION OF ACCESS TO THE COMMISSIONER BY COMPLAINANTS.
/WHILE NOTING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
2
WHILE NOTING THAT DIRECT ACCESS TO THE COMMISSIONER WAS FAVOURED BY MOST PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS, AS IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THIS WOULD EMPHASISE THE COMMISSIONER'S INDEPENDENCE AND MAKE HIM MORE EFFECTIVE AND CREDIBLE IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC, SIR DAVID SAID THE AD HOC GROUP HAD BEEN AWARE OF SOME COUNTER-ARGUMENTS.
HE NOTED THAT THE PRINCIPLE WAS THAT THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING THE INDIVIDUAL AGAINST ANY WRONGFUL ACTS OF THE EXECUTIVE SHOULD REST WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE COURTS.
THE PROPOSED REFERRAL SYSTEM, UNDER WHICH THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD ONLY INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS REFERRED TO HIM BY A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, RECOGNISED THIS PRINCIPLE.
THE COMMISSIONER WOULD BE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE COMPLAINANT, AND THE LEGCO MEMBER BY WHOM THE COMPLAINT WAS REFERRED, OF THE RESULT OF HIS INVESTIGATION IN EACH CASE.
THIS PROVIDED A USEFUL MECHANISM FOR LEGCO MEMBERS TO MONITOR CLOSELY THE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONER.
SIR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS WAS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT AND STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING CHANNELS FOR THE REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES AND NOT TO REPLACE ANY OF THEM.
HIT IS CLEARLY DESIRABLE TO AVOID DISRUPTING THE OPERATION OF THE OTHER CHANNELS WHICH HAVE BEEN WORKING WELL.”
"IN SHORT, BESIDES THE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF MAINTAINING OMELCO’S POSITION AS AN IMPORTANT CHANNEL FOR DEALING WITH PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE ADMINI STR IATTON, INDIRECT ACCESS FITS BETTER WITH OUR ALREADY COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR THE REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"PROVIDING DIRECT ACCESS COULD DISRUPT THE SYSTEM WE ALREADY HAVE WITHOUT PRODUCING ANY REAL COMPENSATING BENEFITS."
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT HE DID NOT AGREE TO THE VIEW THAT INDIRECT ACCESS WOULD RESULT IN BUREAUCRATIC DELAY AND OBFUSCATION.
HONG KONG WAS TOO SMALL A PLACE FOR THE REFERRAL PROCEDURE TO ACT AS AN IMPEDIMENT AND LEGCO MEMBERS WOULD NO DOUBT ACT PROMPTLY ON THE MALADMINISTRATION COMPLAINTS THEY RECEIVED.
THE SECOND MAIN ASPECT OF THE WHITE BILL WHICH WAS WIDELY COMMENTED UPON WAS THE EXCLUSION OF THE POLICE AND THE TCAC FROM THE COMMISSIONER’S JURISDICTION.
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 3 -
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT VIEWS ON THE ISSUE WERE DIVIDED AMONG MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP.
EXPLAINING THE GOVERNMENT’S REASONS FOR EXCLUDING THE POLICE AND ICAC, HE SAID THAT BOTH OF THEM ALREADY HAD INDEPENDENTLY MONITORED REDRESS SYSTEMS WHICH WERE WORKING WELL.
BESIDES, IF THE COMMISSIONER TOOK OVER THESE ORGANISATIONS, MOST OF HIS TIME WOULD BE TAKEN UP IN DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE WHICH NUMBERED ABOUT 400 PER MONTH.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE AND THE ICAC WERE OF A FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT NATURE TO MALADMINISTRATION COMPLAINTS, BEING FOR THE MOST PART JUSTIFIABLE TN THE COURTS OR INVOLVING INTERNAL DISCIPLINE, SIR DAVID ADDED.
"FOR THESE REASONS, WE DO NOT SEE INCLUSION OF THE POLICE AND THE ICAC AS A PRACTICAL OPTION.
"HOWEVER, I WILL SAY THAT IT IS OUR INTENTION TO APPOINT THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS AS AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF BOTH THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE AND THE ICAC COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE.
"THIS WILL ALLOW HIM TO LEND HIS EXPERTISE TO THESE MONITORING ORGANISATIONS AND BOLSTER THEIR OPERATION," HE SAID.
THE THIRD MAIN ASPECT IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED NOT TO MAKE ANY CHANGE RELATED TO THE METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER.
ON A SUGGESTION BY LEGCO MEMBERS THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT WOULD ENHANCE THE COMMISSIONER’S INDEPENDENT STATUS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW WAS THAT APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG’S EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
"I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT GREAT CARE WILL BE TAKEN WHEN MAKING THE APPOINTMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE CANDIDATE IS GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE TO THIS COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
REGARDING A PERCEPTION THAT THE PROPOSED COMMISSIONER WOULD BE INEFFECTIVE OWING TO LIMITED POWERS AND A DESIRE BY SOME COMMENTATORS FOR AN ALL-POWERFUL WATCHDOG TO MONITOR THE GOVERNMENT, SIR DAVID SAID SUCH NOTIONS WERE SOMEWHAT MISCONCEIVED BECAUSE THEY TOOK NO ACCOUNT OF EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS.
/"WE ALREADY
I
5
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
”WE ALREADY HAVE A WELL DEVELOPED AND COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR REDRESSING THE GRIEVANCES FELT BY THE PUBLIC ARISING FROM THE ACTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, BASED ON AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, A PARTIALLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE AND A RANGE OF OTHER CHANNELS.
“OMELCO IS WELL ESTABLISHED AS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF ALL TYPES.
THE FOCUS
FOR COMPLAINTS
’’THE INTRODUCTION OF ANY OMBUDSMAN-LIKE AUTHORITY HAS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS AND BE CAREFULLY DESIGNED NOT TO OVERLAP WITH THE EXISTING REDRESS SYSTEM,” SIR DAVID SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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SHW GIVES REASSURANCES ON MENTAL HEALTH BILL *****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER IS ALREADY TAKING STEPS TO SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF MAKING SEPARATE LEGISLATION RELATING TO THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT IT WAS HOPEI) THAT THE RATHER COMPLEX PROBLEMS INVOLVED COULD BE RESOLVED AND A CONCLUSION BE REACHED WITHIN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS.
HE SAID THAT CLEARLY ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PARTS OF THE BILL WAS THE NEW SECTION 7 IB WHICH GAVE POWERS TO THE POLICE TO REMOVE MENTALLY DISTURBED PEOPLE TO HOSPITAL FOR EXAMINATION BY A DOCTOR.
NOTING THAT SOME MEMBERS WERE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT THIS PROVISION MIGHT GIVE THE POLICE POWERS TO ENTER DOMESTIC PREMISES TO REMOVE A SUSPECTED MENTAL PATIENT, MR CHAMBERS EMPHASISED THAT NO NEW POWERS OF ENTRY WERE CONFERRED ON THE POLICE UNDER THE BILL.
’’PROVISIONS IN SECTION 71B ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO ALLOW POLICE OFFICERS TO TAKE ACTION TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE CARE OR CONTROL OF A PERSON WHEN NECESSARY, EITHER IN HIS OWN INTEREST OR THAT OF OTHER PEOPLE,” HE SAID.
/’•THE POWERS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
"THE POWERS UNDER THIS SECTION ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO THE TRANSFER OF A PATIENT TO AN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WHERE HE WILL RECEIVE PROPER MEDICAL TREATMENT AND BE SUBJECT TO A PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT OF HIS MENTAL CONDITION.
"THE PATIENT CAN BE DETAINED FOR THIS PURPOSE FOR NOT MORE THAN 24 HOURS, UNLESS FURTHER ACTION IS TAKEN UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE."
ON WHETHER SUSPECTED MENTAL PATIENTS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS OF .HOSPITALS WHERE THERE WAS A FULL PSYCHIATRIC BACK-UP SERVICE, MR CHAMBERS SAID WHILE THIS WAS A DESI RABI,E AIM THE CURRENT AVAILABILITY OF PSYCHIATRIC DOCTORS MADE IT UNATTAINABLE AT PRESENT.
"THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES HAS INDICATED THAT IT MAY BE ACHIEVABLE IN ABOUT FOUR YEARS' TIME.
"IN THE INTERIM PERIOD, AND WITHIN THE LIMITS OF AVAILABLE MANPOWER RESOURCES, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL DO ITS BEST TO ENSURE THAT ALL SUCH PATIENTS ARE SEEN BY A DOCTORS WHO HAVE WORKED FOR THREE YEARS OR MORE IN AN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCED A NEW CONCEPT IN HONG KONG -- THE CONCEPT OF GUARDIANSHIP FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS WHO WERE OVER IB YEARS OF AGE AND WERE THEREFORE OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE.
MR CHAMBERS NOTED A SUGGESTION THAT THE COURT AND NOT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE SHOULD MAKE THE FINAL DECISION CONCERNING THE NEED FOR GUARDIANSHIP.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE DIRECTOR WAS BEST PLACED TO DECIDE UPON SUCH MATTERS.
ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS EXISTED THROUGH THE DISTRICT COURT AND THE MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL FOR APPEALS AGAINST Till': CONTINUATION OF GUARDIANSHIP IN CASES WHERE THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS WERE FOR SOME REASON UNSATISFACTORY, HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THE DIRECTOR WOULD ACT WHEN NECESSRY \S GUARDIAN OF LAST RESORT, MR CHAMBERS STRESSED THE ESSENCE OF Till SYSTEM WAS ONF OF CARE AND PROTECTION FOR THE PERSON PLACED UNDER GUARDIANSHIP.
IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES THIS WOULD BEST BE PROVIDED IO A RELATIVE OR A CARING PERSON KNOWN TO THE PATIENT.
/WHEN THE........
- 6 -
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
WHEN THE DIRECTOR HAD TO ACT AS GUARDIAN OF LAST RESORT, MR CHAMBERS SAID SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WERE INTENDED TO BE OF AN INTERIM NATURE ONLY, UNTIL A SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE GUARDIAN COULD BE FOUND.
SOME CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED ABOUT THE CURRENT SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH MIGHT AFFECT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW GUARDIANSHIP PROVISIONS.
MR CHAMBERS TOLD THE COUNCIL THE PROVISIONS WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT ONCE THE REGULATIONS WERE PASSED, ALTHOUGH FULL IMPLEMENTATION MIGHT NOT BE POSSIBLE UNTIL MORE STAFF RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE.
TURNING TO CONCERN ABOUT THE SUPERVISION OF THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE MENTALLY INCAPACITATED, MR CHAMBERS ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT ADEQUATE STATUTORY PROVISIONS DID EXIST BOTH IN PART II OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE AND IN SECTION 12(4) OF THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE.
ANOTHER POINT OF CONCERN RELATED TO POTENTIAL DIFFICULTIES WHEN CONSENT WAS REQUIRED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS.
"I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED TO INTRODUCE A STANDARD FORM ON WHICH THE GUARDIANS OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS CAN INDICATE THEIR AGREEMENT TO MEDICAL TREATMENT, INCLUDING OPERATIONS, BEING CARRIED OUT WHEN NECESSARY,” MR CHAMBERS SAID.
ON THE CALL FOR A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH AND MORE NON-INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICES WAS ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT POLICY OF PROVIDING MORE CARE FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS OUTSIDE MENTAL INSTITUTIONS.
'THE PROVISION OF DAY PLACES IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS AND HOME BASED COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES IS PART OF A GENERAL EFFORT TO TREAT PATIENTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WHEREVER POSSIBLE,” HE SAID.
”A FURTHER ELEMENT IN THIS APPROACH IS THE HALFWAY HOUSE PROGRAMME TO WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED.”
MR CHAMBERS ALSO REFERRED TO SECTIONS OF THE AMENDED ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDED FOR THE NECESSARY MEDICAL OPINIONS TO BE GIVEN BY A PRACTITIONER APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, A DOCTOR WHO HAD SPECIAL EXPERIENCE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISORDER.
"THE INTENTION IS THAT AN APPROVED PRACTITIONER IN THIS CONTEXT SHALL. BE A DOCTOR WHO HAS WORKED FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS TN THE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE OF THE MED I (’AL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
"AT A LATER DATE WHEN THE SUPPLY OF PSYCHIATR1 STS HAS IMPROVED WE HOPE TO REVISE THIS CRITERION,” HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
MENTAL HEALTH BILL FURTHER IMPROVED t » » » *
THE HON ROSANNA TAM MOVED A NUMBER OF COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE BILL IN ITS AMENDED FORM WOULD IMPROVE CARE FOR MENTAL PATIENTS WHILE PROTECTING THE PUBLIC.
MRS TAM WHO LED OFF THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, SAID THE FIRST MAJOR CONTROVERSIAL AREA IN THE % BILL WAS THE DEFINITION OF ’’MENTAL DISORDER".
A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE BILL WAS CONCERNED THAT MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WHO WERE WITHOUT ABNORMALLY AGGRESSIVE OR SERIOUSLY IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT WERE LABELLED TOGETHER WITH THOSE MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE WHO SUFFERED FROM A PSYCHOPATHIC DISORDER, OR OTHER DISORDER OR DISABILITY OF MIND, SHE SAID.
THE AD HOC GROUP, OF WHICH SHE WAS CONVENER, FELT THAT MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS WITHOUT AGGRESSIVE OR IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO DETENTION IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL.
"AS A RESULT OF EXTENSIVE RESEARCH INTO VARIOUS DEFINITIONS AND IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF PATIENTS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED TO REMOVE ANY UNFORTUNATE LABELLING EFFECT WHICH THIS BILL MAY HAVE ON THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED," SHE SAID.
MRS TAM SUBSEQUENTLY MOVED A COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT TO THE BILL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS AGREEMENT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
SHE ALSO MOVED ANOTHER AMENDMENT SPELLING OUT THE TYPE OF PATIENTS LIABLE TO BE DETAINED IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL. THE AMENDMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO WERE WITHOUT AGGRESSIVE OR IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT WOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO DETENTION.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT MOVED BY MRS TAM ANSWERED THE CRITICISM THAT THE POWER OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MIGHT BE ABUSED SINCE THE BILL EMPOWERED THE DIRECTOR BOTH TO ACCEPT GUARDIANSHIP APPLICATIONS AND TO APPOINT HIMSELF AS THE GUARDIAN.
SHE SAID THE AMENDMENT RETAINED THE BENEFIT ARRANGEMENT, IN THAT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WAS TO DECIDE ON THE SUITABILITY OF THE NOMINATED GUARDIAN.
OF SUCH AN BEST PLACED
WHAT IT ACHIEVED WAS THE ASSURANCE THAT THE DIRECTOR WOULD ONLY ACT AS THE GUARDIAN OF LAST RESORT IN CASES WHERE THE GUARDIAN NAMED IN THE GUARDIANSHIP APPLICATION WAS FOUND TO BE NOT SUITABLE.
/"IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
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"IT IS PLEASING TO NOTE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS OVERCOME THE HESITATION TO IMPLEMENT THE GUARDIANSHIP PROVISIONS BEFORE 1989 BECAUSE OE MANPOWER CONSTRAINTS, AND WILL NOW IMPLEMENT THEM AS SOON AS THE GUARDIANSHIP REGULATIONS ARE MADE, SHE NOTED.
TURNING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH TRIBUNAL, MRS TAM SAID THAT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE TRIBUNAL COULD SERVE AS AN EFFECTIVE CHANNEL FOR PATIENTS DETAINED IN MENTAL HOSPITALS FOR A REVIEW OF THEIR CASE, THE GROUP PAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE STRENGTH OF ITS MEMBERSHIP.
SHE SAID THAT THE AD HOC GROUP HAD REPEATEDLY STRESSED THE NEED FOR A MEMBER OF THE TRIBUNAL TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK TO DISCUSS THE SOCIAL ASPECTS OF IHE CASES, INCLUDING SOCIAL ASSESSMENT REPORTS, AS WELL AS THE NEED FOR A MEDICAL MEMBER ON THE TRIBUNAL TO BE A DOCTOR WITH RELEVANT PSYCHIATRIC QUALIFICATIONS.
THESE POINTS HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND MRS TAM SUBSEQUENTLY MOVED A COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT TO THIS EFFECT.
SHE NOTED THAT A FURTHER CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE INVOLVED IN THE BILL WAS THE ROLE OF POLICE OFFICERS. THERE WERE CRITICISMS THAT THE POLICE WERE GIVEN TOO MUCH POWER.
IN THE BILL, IF A POLICE OFFICER FOUND IN ANY PLACE A PERSON WHO APPEARED TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER, HE COULD TAKE HIM TO A HOSPITAL.
SHE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP’S MAJOR CONCERN WAS THAT THE WELFARE OF THE PATIENT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AND IT CONSIDERED THAT IT WAS IN THE INTEREST OF THE PATIENT TO BE TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WHERE HE COULD RECEIVE TREATMENT RATHER THAN A POLICE STATION, AS WAS REQUIRED UNDER THE EXISTING LAW.
THUS THE SPECIFIC PROVISION FOR REMOVAL TO A HOSPITAL WAS NECESSARY.
SHE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP ALSO ACCEPTED THE VIEW THAT ALTHOUGH "ANY PLACE" INCLUDED PRIVATE PREMISES, A POLICE OFFICER COULD ONLY ENTER PRIVATE PREMISES IN PURSUANCE OF SOME STATUTORY OR COMMON LAW POWER.
THE BILL DID NOT CONFER UPON THE POLICE ANY ADDITIONAL POWER TO ENTER PRIVATE PREMISES.
HOWEVER, TO ENSURE FURTHER PROTECTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL, THE GROUP HAD PERSUADED THE ADMINISTRATION TO AGREE TO CERTAIN SAFEGUARDS.
THE GROUP FELT THAT A STRICTER DISCIPLINE SHOULD BE IMPOSED UPON THE POLICE OFFICER TN HIS ASSESSMENT BEFORE TAKING ACTION.
/THUS "A .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 221 1988
THUS "A PERSON WHO APPEARS TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER" SHOULD BE REPLACED BY "A PERSON WHOM HE REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER".
A COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INTRODUCED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS.
ONCE TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, THE PERSON SHOULD RECEIVE ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE PATIENTS SHOULD BE SEEN BY PSYCHIATRIC DOCTORS WHERE NECESSARY.
OWING TO THE SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER, SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE IN FOUR YEARS’ TIME.
THE GROUP HAD URGED THE ADMINISTRATION THAT IN THE INTERIM THESE PERSONS SHOULD BE SEEN BY DOCTORS WITH AT LEAST THREE YEARS’ EXPERIENCE.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO AGREED THAT PATIENTS WOULD BE INFORMED OF THEIR RIGHTS TO BE EXAMINED BY A DOCTOR OF THEIR OWN CHOKE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED THAT APPLICATIONS FOR THE DETENTION OF PATIENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO A DISTRICT JUDGE, MAGISTRATE OR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
BUT THE AD HOC GROUP FELT THAT A MAGISTRATE OR JUDGE WOULD BE BETTER QUALIFIED TO AUTHORISE THE DETENTION, PARTICULARLY WHERE A HEARING WAS INVOLVED.
AN AMENDMENT WAS THUS MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO DELETE THE REFERENCE TO A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE UNDER THESE PROVISIONS.
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PERSONAL LIBERTIES MORE PROPERLY SAFEGUARDED ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 PROVIDES BETTER TREATMENT AND CARE FOR INDIVIDUAL MENTAL PATIENTS WHILE THEIR PERSONAL LIBERTIES ARE MORE PROPERLY SAFEGUARDED, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, DR HO SAID THE ORIGINAL MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE HAD BECOME INADEQUATE DUE TO CHANGES IN REHABILITATION CONCEPTS AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE MENTALLY DISORDERED.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
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HE SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED DY DIFFERENT GROUPS INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECT OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND REPRESENTED WELL BALANCED CONSIDERATIONS.
'’FOR EXAMPLE, THE MEDICAL EMPHASIS IN THE TREATMENT AND CARE OF THE MENTALLY DISORDERED IS DELICATELY WEIGHED AGAINST THE LEGALISTIC EMPHASIS; THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL AGAINST THE PROTECTION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC; AND THE NEED tfOR THERAPY AND CARE OF THE MENTALLY SICK PERSONS WHO OFTEN LACK INSIGHT INTO THEIR ILLNESS AGAINST THE RESPECT FOR THEIR PERSONAL LIBERTIES,” HE SAID.
DR HO SAID THAT THERE WERE THREE ASPECTS OF THE BILL WHICH HAD CAUSED CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY. THESE WERE THE DEFINITION OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE ROLE OF THE POLICE, AND THE MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL.
REGARDING THE DEFINITION OF MENTAL DISORDER, HE SAID REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED HAD ARGUED THAT ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED POPULATION WAS AFFLICTED WITH MENTAL IMPAIRMENT WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH AGGRESSIVE OR IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT.
THEY THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS WITHOUT AGGRESSIVE CONDUCT SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO COMPULSORY DETENTION AND TREATMENT IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL.
AFTER CONSULTATION, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED THAT PERSONS SUFFERING ONLY FROM ARRESTED OR INCOMPLETE DEVELOPMENT OF MIND SHOULD NOT BE DETAINED, DR HO SAID.
’’FURTHERMORE, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED TO SET UP A WORKING PARTY TN THREE MONTHS’ TIME TO ASSESS THE NEED AND DESIRABILITY OF INTRODUCING SEPARATE LEGISLATION TO TAKE CARE OF THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF WELFARE OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.”
ON CRITICISMS THAT THE POLICE MIGHT BE GIVEN TOO MUCH POWER UNDER THE PROPOSED SECTION 7 IB, DR HO SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD NOW AGREED THAT TO EXERCISE HIS POWERS UNDER THIS SECTION, A POLICE OFFICER MUST SATISFY HIMSELF THAT TWO CONDITIONS HAD BEEN MET - THE CASE INVOLVED A PERSON WHOM HE REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER, AND THE PERSON WAS IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF CARE AND CONTROL.
HE SAID THE ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 7 IB DID NOT APPEAR TO HIM TO INFRINGE CIVIL LIBERTIES, BECAUSE MENTALLY SICK PERSONS OFTEN DID NOT KNOW THAT THEY NEEDED TREATMENT AND THEREFORE DID NOT TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO SEEK IT.
/FURTHERMORE, THE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 9 1988
FURTHERMORE, THE POLICE OFFICER WAS GIVEN THE POWER ONLY TO TAKE THE SUSPECTED MENTALLY SICK PERSON TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL WHERE HE WOULD BE PLACED IN THE AUTHORITY OF A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER AND BE EXAMINED WITHIN 24 HOURS.
HE STRESSED THAT SECTION 7 IB DID NOT GIVE THE POLICE POWER TO ENTER PRIVATE PREMISES TO ARREST SUSPECTED MENTALLY SICK PERSONS. THEY COULD ENTER ONLY BY INVITATION OR IN PURSUANCE OF A STATUTORY DUTY.
DR HO EXPLAINED THAT THE REASON WHY THE PROVISION OF THIS SECTION WAS NOT RESTRICTED TO PUBLIC PLACES WAS TO ENABLE A MENTAL PATIENT OR A NON-OFFENDER MENTAL PATIENT WHO WAS INCAPABLE OF RECOGNISING HIS NEED FOR MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT IN HIS OWN INTEREST, OR FOR THE PROTECTION OF OTHERS, TO RECEIVE EARLY CARE AND TREATMENT.
"I MUST EMPHATICALLY POINT OUT THAT SECTION 7 IB DOES NOT PROVIDE A POLICE OFFICER WITH GREATER POWER THAN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
"IT GIVES STATUTORY POWERS TO A POLICE OFFICER TO ENABLE HIM TO TAKE THE SUSPECTED MENTAL PATIENT DIRECTLY TO THE HOSPITAL RATHER THAN TO THE POLICE STATION."
NOTING THAT FEARS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED THAT DETENTION IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD MIGHT BE USED AS A READY EXCUSE TO DENY A PERSON HIS CIVIL LIBERTIES, DR HO SAID THAT CLAUSE 22 OF THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL.
HE SAID THE TRIBUNAL WAS EMPOWERED TO REVIEW CASES AUTOMATICALLY OR BY APPLICATION IN RELATION TO DETENTION, CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE, AND GUARDIANSHIP.
IT WAS ALSO AUTHORISED TO DEAL WITH ALL APPEALS LODGED WITH IT AND WAS EMPOWERED TO DISCHARGE PATIENTS ABSOLUTELY OR CONDITIONALLY, DR HO SAID.
HE SAID THAT GIVEN THE WIDE POWERS TO DECIDE ON THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE PATIENT'S NEED FOR DETENTION, THE PROPER OPERATION AND COMPOSITION OF THE TRIBUNAL WERE VITAL.
"THE OPERATION IS GOVERNED BY A SET OF RULES FORMULATED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE UNDER SECTION 59G. THESE RULES WILL BE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION AND THUS SUBJECT TO THE SUPERVISORY JURISDICTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 34 OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
DR HO SAID HE WAS GLAD THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD INCLUDED A SOCIAL WORKER AS A MEMBER OF THE MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL.
/•’THE INPUT...........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
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’’THE INPUT OF A SOCIAL WORKER WILL BE OF IMMENSE VALUE TO MAKING DECISIONS ON THE REHABILITATION AND AFTERCARE OF THE PATIENT OUTSIDE THE MENTAL HOSPITAL AND TO MINIMISING THE RATE OF RELAPSE AS A RESULT OF SOCIAL HARDSHIP AND STRESSES ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
FINALLY, DR HO POINTED OUT THAT THE ABOVE AMENDMENTS WERE GREAT IMPROVEMENTS ON THE CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, ITS SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE SPEEDY AVAILABILITY OF TRAINED PSYCHIATRIC MANPOWER AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT FACILITIES, BOTH OF WHICH WERE VERY MUCH IN SHORT SUPPLY.
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WORKING PARTY PLAN WELCOMED ♦ t * *
THE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO ESTABLISH A WORKING PARTY IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS TO LOOK INTO THE NEED AND DESIRABILITY OF A SEPARATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WAS WELCOMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR IP NOTED THAT THE BILL COVERED THE MENTALLY ILL IN GENERAL OUTLINE.
POINTING OUT THAT THE FINE DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHAT WAS MEANT BY MENTAL ILLNESS AND WHAT WAS MEANT BY MENTAL HANDICAP WAS ALREADY UNCLEAR TO A LOT OF LAYMEN, SHE SAID THE MINGLING OF THE TWO CONCEPTS IN ONE BILL WOULD SIMPLY LEAVE SUCH A STATE OF AFFAIRS INTACT.
THEREFORE, SHE THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY AN ADVANTAGE TO SEPARATE THE TWO.
DR IP ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE INADEQUATE NUMBER OF PSYCHIATRISTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
SHE SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFICIENCY, THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE BILL HAD TO ACCEPT RELUCTANTLY THAT INSTEAD OF TRAINED PSYCHIATRISTS, DOCTORS WITH THREE YEARS OF GENERAL MEDICAL EXPERIENCE WOULD BE GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE PATIENTS SUSPECTED TO BE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL DISORDER.
AND THEY WOULD MAKE APPLICATION, IF NECESSARY, FOR DETENTION IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION UNDER SECTION 31 OF THE BILL.
/NOTING THAT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
NOTING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD INDICATED THAT PSYCHIATRIC BACK-UP SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED WITHIN A FEW YEARS TO HOSPITALS, SHE ASKED THAT AN ASSURANCE BE GIVEN AS TO WHEN THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED.
DR IP CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT THE INCIDENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS WAS EVER INCREASING AND IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO TRY TO STAY FIT BOTH PIIYHICALLV AND MENTALLY.
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LEGISLATION STRIKES A REASONABLE BALANCE » » » »
THE PASSAGE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WOULD STRIKE A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID WHEN SUPPORTING THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT THROUGH THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, AND ITS IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE MANY REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE MEDICAL, LEGAL AND SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONS, THE BILL WOULD NOW BE AMENDED TO GIVE BETTER PROTECTION TO THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT A PERSON SUFFERING ONLY FROM ARRESTED OR INCOMPLETE DEVELOPMENT OF MIND WOULD NOT BE COMPULSORILY DETAINED IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL, UNLESS THE PATIENT WAS CERTIFIED BY TWO MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TO BE ABNORMALLY AGGRESSIVE OR THAT HIS CONDUCT WAS SERIOUSLY IRRESPONSIBLE.
"I AM ALSO GLAD THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED TO SET UP A WORKING PARTY IN THREE MONTHS’ TIME TO CONSIDER HAVING A SEPARATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED."
MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED THAT THE ORDINANCE HAD ALSO BEEN REVISED TO IMPROVE THE MANNER IN WHICH MENTAL PATIENTS WERE TO BE HANDLED.
"THOSE SUFFERING FROM PSYCHOPATHIC DISORDERS, OR ANY OTHER DISORDER OR DISABILITY OF MIND ASSOCIATED WITH ABNORMALLY AGGRESSIVE OR SERIOUSLY IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT, CAN BE DETAINED AND GIVEN MEDICAL TREATMENT IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRESCRIBED PROCEDURES AND HAVING REGARD TO ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS FOR THE LIBERTY OF THE INDIVIDUAL," HE SAID.
/HE WAS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
HE WAS PLEASED THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED THAT APPLICATION TO DETAIN A PATIENT FOR OBSERVATION SHOULD BE MADE BY A DOCTOR AND COUNTERSIGNED ONLY BY A JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE, AND NOT BY A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
"THE COUNTER-SIGNATURE BY A JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE, I BELIEVE, IS FULLY JUSTIFIED, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGAL PROCEDURES ARE COMPLIED WITH, BEARING IN MIND THE LIBERTY OF THE SUBJECT IS AT STAKE," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT CLOSE AND CO-OPERATIVE INTERACTION AMONG THE POLICE, THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE JUDICIARY WAS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE FOR THE SMOOTH, EFFICIENT, AND HUMANE ENFORCEMENT OF THE BILL’S PROVISIONS.
MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ADVISED THAT THE POLICE WOULD NOT EMPLOY THE POWER UNDER SECTION 71B MORE OFTEN THAN WAS NECESSARY.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE SHOULD CONSIDER IF IT WOULD BE PRACTICAL TO HAVE ON CALL AT STRATEGIC POINTS IN THE TERRITORY A NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO, IN ADDITION TO THEIR NORMAL DUTIES, WOULD HAVE HAD SPECIAL ORIENTATION IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE BILL’S PROVISIONS.
"PROVIDING TIME PERMITTED, A BEAT POLICEMAN IN CASE OF NECESSITY COULD CALL UPON SUCH TRAINED OFFICERS TO SWIFTLY GIVE SUPPORT OR ASSISTANCE ON-THE-SPOT," HE SAID.
SUCH SPECIALIST ORIENTATION WOULD BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL WHEN IT CAME TO ENTERING PRIVATE PREMISES UNDER WARRANT IN SEARCH OF ESCAPED MENTAL PATIENTS IN NEED OF CARE AND CONTROL.
HE ADDED THAT THE AD HOC GROUP HAD RECOMMENDED AS MANY SAFEGUARDS FOR THE LIBERTY OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONSISTENT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST AS WAS PRACTICABLE.
WHAT WAS STILL DISQUIETING, HOWEVER, WAS THE ADMINISTRATION’S ADMISSION THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE ANOTHER FOUR YEARS BEFORE THERE WOULD BE SUFFICIENT PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE BACK-UP IN HOSPITALS FOR THE PROPER ENFORCEMENT OF THE BILL’S PROVISIONS.
"THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD MONITOR PROGRESS BY THE ADMINISTRATION IN THIS REGARD, OTHERWISE MANY PROVISIONS IN THE BILL WILL BE UNENFORCEABLE DUE TO SHORTAGE OF PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL STAFF," HE SAID.
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/15........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
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CONCERN IN MEDICAL SECTOR * » » * »
THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 HAS RAISED CONCERN IN THE MEDICAL SECTOR ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF MENTAL DISORDER, THE MERITS OF HAVING A SEPARATE BILL FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, POLICE POWERS, AND MANPOWER SHORTAGE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE, DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SUPPORTING THE BILL, DR CHIU SAID THE DEFINITION OF MENTAL DISORDER, TAKEN WITH THE AGREED COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS, WAS ACCEPTABLE SINCE THE BILL WOULD NOW APPLY ONLY TO THE MENTALLY ILL AND THOSE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE OF ABNORMALLY AGGRESSIVE OR SERIOUSLY IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT.
REGARDING A SEPARATE BILL FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, DR CHIU NOTED THAT WHAT CONCERNED THE MEDICAL PROFESSION MOST WAS WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ANY BETTER SERVICES THAN THERE WERE NOW.
HE SAID THAT AT PRESENT, ABOUT 30 TO 45 PER CENT OF THE DAY HOSPITAL PLACES WERE TAKEN UP BY THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WHO DID NOT SUFFER FROM ANY FORMAL PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER.
MOREOVER, THE NUMBER OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PATIENTS ADMITTED INTO VARIOUS PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS OR UNITS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OWING TO BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS STOOD AT 300 EACH YEAR.
DR CHIU STRESSED THAT, CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME PEOPLE BELIEVED, PSYCHIATRISTS HAD NO INTENTION TO KEEP THESE PEOPLE THERE, IF THERE WERE OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE.
HE NOTED THAT A MAJORITY OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THE FIELD WERE IN FAVOUR OF GRANTING THE POLICE POWER TO TAKE A MENTALLY DISORDERED PERSON TO A PLACE OF SAFETY ON THE GROUNDS THAT THIS WAS A SAFEGUARD FOR SUCH PATIENTS.
"IT IS QUITE UNLIKELY THAT THE POLICE WILL ABUSE THEIR POWER, AS IT IS CONFINED TO ESCORTING THE PERSON SUSPECTED OF SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER TO THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE CARE FROM THE MEDICAL OFFICER," HE SAID.
ON THE MANPOWER SHORTAGE IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE, DR CHIU SAID THAT THE DOCTOR-TO-BED RATIO RECOMMENDED BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MDAC) WAS 1:20 FOR ACUTE BEDS AND 1:80 FOR CHRONIC BEDS, BUT THE ACTUAL RATIO WAS 1:100 IN GENERAL.
/THE REASON.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
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THE REASON WHY THIS RECOMMENDATION OF THE MDAC COULD NOT BE TRANSLATED INTO ACTION WAS THAT ON THE ONE HAND, HONG KONG EXPERIENCED SLOW GROWTH IN THE MANPOWER FOR PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, WHILE, ON THE OTHER HAND, THE DEMAND FOR PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES WAS RISING, HE SAID.
HE SAID THE MANPOWER SUPPLY IN CENTAL HEALTH SERVICE HAD BEEN FURTHER HAMPERED BY THE UNPOPULARITY OF PSYCHIATRY AMONG QUALIFIED DOCTORS.
ACCORDING TO DR CHIU, THE UNDESIRABLE DOCTOR-TO-PATIENT RATIO AND A HEAVY WORKLOAD HAD ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE QUALITY AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CARE TO A LARGE EXTENT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A RAPID TURNOVER RATE AND A SHORTAGE OF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL STAFF IN GENERAL, AND PSYCHIATRISTS IN PARTICULAR.
’’UNLESS MORE INCENTIVES SUCH AS BETTER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, WORKING CONDITION AND PROMOTION PROSPECTS CAN BE MADE IN THIS AREA, SENIOR POSTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE WILL SOON BE LEFT UNFILLED BECAUSE OF A LACK OF EXPERIENCED STAFF.
’’THEREFORE, WAYS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN DOCTORS, INCLUDING PSYCHIATRISTS, IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AS A WHOLE SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED,” HE SAID.
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SOME PROVISIONS RESTRICT PERSONAL LIBERTY *****
THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 STILL CONTAINS A FEW PROVISIONS WHICH REMAIN RESTRICTIVE TO THE PERSONAL LIBERTY OF MENTAL PATIENTS, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, MR HUI SAID THE POWER GIVEN TO THE POLICE TO REMOVE ANYONE SEEMINGLY SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER TO A PLACE OF SAFETY GAVE CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
’’FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO DECIDE ON A PERSON’S STATE OF MIND, ALBEIT HE HAS REASONS TO SUPPORT HIM, NOT ONLY OVER-ESTIMATES HIS ABILITY TO JUDGE, BUT ALSO UNDERMINES THE ARGUMENT ADVANCED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT THE DETENTION OF MENTAL PATIENTS IS ESSENTIALLY A MATTER OF MEDICAL OPINION,” HE SAID.
/SECTION 71B .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
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SECTION 7 IB OF THE BILL WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ABUSE AS IT GAVE THE POLICE THE POWER OF ARBITRARY ARREST, HE SAID.
THE BILL CARRIED AN OMINOUS THREAT TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND PERSONAL LIBERTY THAT MIGHT DEVELOP INTO DRACONIAN ACTIONS BY THE POLICE IN TIMES OF CRISIS.
MR HUI ALSO SAID THAT SOCIAL WORKERS WERE BOUND BY PROFESSIONAL ETHICS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AGAINST PRACTICES AND CONDITIONS HARMFUL TO HUMAN WELFARE.
THEREFORE IT WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO SPEAK UP FOR THE REPEALING OF 7 IB OF THE BILL, WHICH WA*S RELATED TO THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN TAKING MENTAL PATIENTS TO A PLACE OF SAFETY.
"IF, HOWEVER, THIS SECTION MUST REMAIN, I WOULD ESPOUSE THE BAR ASSOCIATION’S STANCE THAT THE POLICE RIGHT OF ENTRY BE RESTRICTED TO PUBLIC PLACES," HE SAID.
IN THE CASE OF A PERSON WHO APPEARED TO BE IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF CARE AND CONTROL BEING FOUND IN HIS OWN ABODE, ENTRY INTO HIS PREMISES BY THE POLICE SHOULD BE MADE IN THE PRESENCE OF A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER WITH THREE YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE, A
SOCIAL WORKER OR A COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSE.
"FURTHERMORE, THE POLICE OFFICER EXERCISING THE POWER OUGHT TO BE AN INSPECTOR IN RANK, IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE SUBJECTIVE AND UNTRAINED REACTIONS ON THE PART OF A POLICE CONSTABLE TO A COMPLICATED SITUATION," HE SAID.
MR HUI ADDED THAT THE SOCIAL WORK CIRCLE DEMURRED TO THE PROVISION FOR THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO ACT AS THE APPLICANT FOR GUARDIANSHIP AS WELL AS THE INTERIM GUARDIAN FOR MENTAL PATIENTS.
"WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE EXPLANATION GIVEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION, WE OBJECT TO THE 'JUDGE AND JURY’ PRINCIPLE AND PREFER A SECOND OPINION TO BE GIVEN BY THE DISTRICT COURT TO THE GUARDIANSHIP INITIATED AND GRANTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE," HE SAID.
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE BILL RESTED TOO MUCH DECISION-MAKING POWER TN MEDICAL PERSONNEL, ALTHOUGH THE CARE OF THE MENTALLY ILL SHOULD ADOPT A HOLISTIC APPROACH BY WHICH SOCIAL INTEGRATION, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND PSYCHOTHERAPY SHOULD CARRY A" MUCH WEIGHT AS MEDICAL TREATMENT.
THEREFORE, THE PROVISION OF A WIDE RANGE OF CARING AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL SUCH AS COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC NURSING SERVICE, HALFWAY HOUSES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING. SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, COMPASSIONATE HOUSING AND SOCIAL CLUBS WERE: ESSENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICES THAT COULD PROVIDE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS T<> THE CARE OF THE MENTALLY ILL.
/HE SUGGESTED
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 18 -
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE RELEVANT OMELCO STANDING PANELS SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND REVIEW THE EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM AND TO OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS BILL.
MR HUI ADDED THAT THE BILL CAME AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME WHEN SOCIAL WELFARE WAS HARD HIT BY MANPOWER SHORTAGE BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE LACK OF LONG-TERM MANPOWER PLANNING AND THE CURRENT BRAIN DRAIN.
UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FORESEE HOW THE TARGET SET BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO RECRUIT THE 50 SOCIAL WORKERS REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTING THE BILL COULD BE REACHED.
HE THEREFORE URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING THE MUCH-NEEDED PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AND TO CONSIDER TAPPING THE RESOURCES OF PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC PRACTITIONERS.
"IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT MUST PROVIDE THE NECESSARY TRAINING IN MENTAL HEALTH FOR SOCIAL WORKERS CONCERNED TO ACQUIRE ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE FOR THE EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES," HE ADDED.
-------0----------
IMPORTANT POINT IN MENTAL HEALTH BILL NOT YET RESOLVED * ♦ » * t
THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 HAS LEFT UNRESOLVED AN IMPORTANT POINT OF PRINCIPLE CONCERNING THE RIGHT OF A PERSON BELIEVED TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER TO BE HEARD BY A JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE BEFORE SUCH A PERSON WAS DETAINED IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEE SAID THAT THIS POINT HAD CAUSED GREAT CONCERN TO Members of the legislative council ad hoc. group set up to examine the BILL AS WELL AS TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
HE NOTED THAT ACCORDING TO THE RECORD OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN-HOUSE MEETING HELD ON JUNE 3; ’’SOME MEMBERS FELT THAT IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD HUMAN RIGHTS, IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR A PERSON TO BE HEARD BY A MAGISTRATE AND OR JUDGE BEFORE HE WAS DEPRIVED OF HIS LIBERTY".
/THE IN-HOUSE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 19
THE IN-HOUSE MEETING, AFTER FURTHER DELIBERATION, SUBSEQUENTLY AGREED THAT BEARING IN MIND POSSIBLE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD HAVE TO SORT OUT, THE AD HOC GROUP’S RECOMMENDATION THAT A PERSON SUSPECTED TO BE A MENTAL PATIENT SHOULD BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD BEFORE BEING DETAINED IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE.
"I HAVE CONSULTED THE BAR COMMITTEE FURTHER ON THIS POINT AND I AM STILL OF THE VIEW THAT THIS IS NOT A SATISFACTORY COMPROMISE BECAUSE IT IS TANTAMOUNT TO DISCRIMINATING AGAINST A CLASS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE THOUGHT TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER, SO THAT THE PRINCIPLE THAT NO PERSON BE DEPRIVED OP HIS LIBERTY UNLESS BY A COURT ORDER WILL NOT APPLY TO THEM, EVEN THOUGH THIS PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO ALL PEOPLE ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED SERIOUS CRIMINAL OFFENCES LIKE MURDER OR RAPE,” MR LEE SAID.
HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE A SAFEGUARD BY WAY OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION IN STIPULATING IN THE REQUISITE PRESCRIBED FORM THAT THE DOCTOR SHALL INFORM THE PATIENT OF HIS RIGHT TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE A JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE.
HE SAID THAT SUCH A PROPOSAL WAS NOT LIKELY TO BE EFFECTIVE BECAUSE THE PATIENT MIGHT BE A MENTALLY RETARDED PERSON OR INDEED, MIGHT EVEN BE INSANE. IT WOULD THEN BE POINTLESS FOR THE DOCTOR TO PUT SUCH A QUESTION TO HIM.
AS AN ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARD AND IN ORDER TO MAKE THE PRESENT COMPROMISED PROPOSAL WORKABLE AND MEANINGFUL, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE QUESTION BE ONLY PUT TO A PATIENT IN THE PRESENCE OF A RELATIVE, OR IF SUCH A RELATIVE COULD NOT BE FOUND THEN IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOCIAL WORKER.
”MY PROPOSAL WILL NOT ONLY ENSURE THAT THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD CAN BE SAFEGUARDED IN THE INTEREST OF THE PATIENT, BUT IT WILL ALSO AFFORD PROTECTION TO THE DOCTOR CONCERNED BECAUSE HE WILL HAVE A WITNESS WHO IS OF SOUND MIND TO BACK HIM UP, II NECESSARY, THAT HE HAS INDEED PUT THE QUESTION TO THE PATIENT, IN CASE OF A DISPUTE SUBSEQUENTLY,” HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HE DECIDED TO GIVE QUALIFIED SUPPORT TO THE BILL INSTEAD OF VOTING AGAINST IT BECAUSE HE HAD BORNE IN MIND THAT OVERALL THIS WAS A VERY USEFUL PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR HONG KONG AND THAT IT HAD TAKEN MUCH TIME AND TROUBLE TO REACH THIS STAGE.
FINALLY, HE POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THE RILL WAS PASSED INTO LAW, A POLICE OFFICER MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE PREMISES OF A PERSON LAWFULLY IN ORDER TO STOP HIM FROM COMMITTING SUICIDE INSIDE HIS OWN FLAT, IF THAT PERSON HAPPENED TO BE ALONE AND WOULD NOT INVITE THE POLICE INSIDE.
- O-----------
/2O.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
20 -
LEGISLATION REMOVES ELECTORAL ANOMALY t * * ♦ t
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS TO REMOVE AN ANOMALY BY WHICH TRADE UNIONS ARE THE ONLY REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS NOW PREVENTED BY LAW FROM USING THEIR FUNDS FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES IN DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON DOMINIC WONG, SAID THIS WHEN WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED IT APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW TRADE UNIONS TO SO USE FUNDS PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"WE DO NOT THINK THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WILL POLITICISE TRADE UNIONS AS THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE USE OF UNION FUNDS FOR OTHER POLITICAL PURPOSES IS STILL MAINTAINED,” MR WONG ADDED.
HE SHARED MEMBERS’ VIEWS THAT THE AMENDMENTS WOULD ENABLE TRADE UNIONS TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES AND APPRECIATED THEIR REMARKS ON THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL REGARDING FLEXIBILITY.
AS TO THE QUESTION WHETHER IT WOULD BE A PROPER FUNCTION OF A TRADE UNION TO SUPPORT ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES, MR WONG SAID THIS SHOULD BEST BE LEFT TO THE UNION ITSELF TO DECIDE.
"NEW SECTION 33A THEREFORE PROVIDES FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNION TO DECIDE BY SECRET BALLOT, AND THERE ARE OTHER SAFEGUARDS TOO,” HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE SUGGESTION OF TIGHTENING UP CONTROLS ON THE USE OF FUNDS BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES, MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT AGREE BECAUSE TO DO SO WOULD NOT BE IN LI NF WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED LIMITING THE SCOPE OF THE AMENDMENTS TO ONLY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND ALLOWING TRADE UNIONS TO MAKE SPECIFIC DONATIONS TO CANDIDATES ONLY.
"WE HAVE CONCLUDED PREVIOUSLY ALSO THAT IT IS ONLY FAIR TO ALLOW TRADE UNIONS TO DO WHAT OTHER ORGAN 1 SAT1ONS CAN DO.” MR WONG SAID.
"PARTIAL LIFTING OF THE PRESENT RESTRICTION IS NEITHER EQUITABLE NOR REASONABLE.”
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE BILL WAS MAINLY INTENDED TO PUT TRADE UNIONS ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF FUNDS FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES.
- 0 -
/21.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 21
MEASURES DESIGNED TO
ENHANCE JUDICIARY’S INDEPENDENCE t * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS PART OF A PACKAGE OF MEASURES DESIGNED TO UNDERLINE AND ENHANCE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND THE PROPOSALS EMBODIED IN THE BILL HAD THE FULL AGREEMENT OF THE JUDICIARY ITSELF, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID WAS REFERRING, WHILE MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, TO A COMMENT BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY ON THE NEED TO PRESERVE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY.
ON THE TWO BODIES’ CONCERN THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LACK OF PRIOR CONSULTATION, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE 12 DAYS AGO.
*'IT IS BEING INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL TODAY; AND THE DATE OF ITS SECOND READING AND SUBSEQUENT STAGES HAS YET TO BE FIXED,” HE SAID.
"THIS PROCEDURE PROVIDES AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERESTED PARTIES TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE BILL BEFORE A FINAL DECISION IS MADE BY THIS COUNCIL.”
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY HAD TAKEN THAT OPPORTUNITY.
TURNING TO THE SPECIFIC QUERIES RAISED BY THESE TWO BODIES, SIR DAVID NOTED THEY HAD ASKED WHETHER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SHOULD REMAIN AS MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION.
”THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW IS THAT IT WOULD BE ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE THAT THEY SHOULD DO SO: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BECAUSE OF HIS ROLE AS THE GOVERNOR’S PRINCIPAL ADVISER ON LEGAL MATTERS; AND THE CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, BECAUSE OF HIS INDEPENDENT STATUS AND HIS EXPERTISE IN APPOINTMENT MATTERS,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO NOTED THE TWO BODIES’ QUERY ON WHETHER THE LAY MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION SHOULD BE SELECTED AND APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW IS THAT THEY SHOULD, IN LINE WITH THE WELL-ESTABLISHED SYSTEM IN HONG KONG,” HE EXPLAINED.
ON WHETHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY SHOULD FORMALLY BE NOMINATED BY THE RESPECTIVE BODY, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF, AMONG OTHERS, A BARRISTER AND A SOLICITOR.
/’’AS WITH............
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 22
"AS WITH THE PRESENT JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION, THESE APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES AS PRACTISING MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, AND NOT AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL BODIES," HE SAID.
ANOTHER POINT THE TWO LEGAL BODIES RAISED WAS WHETHER THE PRESENT REQUIREMENT FOR ALL RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION TO BE UNANIMOUS SHOULD BE PRESERVED.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT CAN CLEARLY GIVE RISE TO DIFFICULTIES AND TO A THEORETICAL SITUATION, WHICH I HASTEN TO ADD HAS NOT HAPPENED IN PRACTICE, IN WHICH A SINGLE MEMBER COULD EFFECTIVELY VETO A DECISION OF THE REMAINDER," SIR DAVID REMARKED.
THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT IN FUTURE DECISIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN BY A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY, WHICH WOULD VARY DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE PRESENT.
SIR DAVID SAID THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD PROVIDE A MORE SATISFACTORY BASTS FOR DECISION-TAKING BY THE COMMISSION.
"FINALLY, THE TWO LEARNED BODIES HAVE ASKED WHETHER THE PRESENT PROCEDURE FOR SCREENING AND INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE ALTERED" THE CHIEF SECRETARY CONTINUED.
"THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER WHICH IS NOT DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE BILL AND SHOULD, I SUGGEST, BE FOR THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION ITSELF TO ADVISE UPON."
THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION FROM SIX TO NINE.
"AT PRESENT, THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION IS COMPOSED OF TWO MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, INCLUDING THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS CHAIRMAN; THREE MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, INCLUDING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; AND ONE LAY MEMBER, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT IS NOW PROPOSED TO EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION SO THAT IT IS COMPOSED OF THREE MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, INCLUDING THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS CHAIRMAN; THREE MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, INCLUDING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; AND THREE LAY MEMBERS INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION."
IN FUTURE, THE JUDICIARY, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND LAY MEMBERS WOULD ALL BE EQUALLY REPRESENTED ON THE COMMISSION, HE SAID.
AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP, THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR AN INCREASE IN THE QUORUM FROM THE CHIEF JUSTICE PLUS TWO MEMBERS TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE PLUS FOUR MEMBERS.
ANOTHER CHANGE PROPOSED IN THE BILL WAS TO REMOVE THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT FOR COMMISSION DECISIONS TO BE UNANIMOUS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------o-------- /25......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 2? -
AUTUMN START INTENDED FOR TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO START THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME IN THE AUTUMN, AND TO REVIEW IT AFTER SIX MONTHS OF OPERATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THERE ARE NO MEANS OF PREDICTING HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL COME FORWARD, BUT WE SHALL ENSURE A GOOD DEGREE OF PUBLICITY BEFOREHAND," HE SAID.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, MR BARNES SAID ITS PURPOSE WAS TO INTRODUCE THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME WHICH WOULD ALLOW A TRIAD MEMBER, OR A PERSON WHO BELIEVED HIMSELF TO BE A TRIAD MEMBER, FORMALLY TO RENOUNCE HIS TRIAD MEMBERSHIP.
"IT IS BELIEVED THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INITIATED AS TRIAD MEMBERS, OR HAVE JOINED TRIAD SOCIETIES, WHO MAY HAVE DONE SO UNDER DURESS," HE SAID.
"SOME TRIAD MEMBERS TAKE OATHS DURING THEIR INITIATION, AND THIS HAS GIVEN RISE TO THE ASSERTION: ’ONCE A TRIAD, ALWAYS A TRIAD’.
"UNDER THE LAW AS IT STANDS THERE ARE NO MEANS BY WHICH AN INITIATED TRIAD MEMBER CAN ABSOLVE HIMSELF OF HIS MEMBERSHIP. HE WILL ALWAYS FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF PROSECUTION UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE."
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT THE IDEA OF A STATUTORY SCHEME OF RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP WAS FIRST MOOTED IN THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S DISCUSSION DOCUMENT 'OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM’ PUBLISHED IN APRIL 1986.
THE DOCUMENT PROPOSED THAT THE SCHEME SHOULD BE RUN BY THE POLICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE JUDICIARY.
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, HOWEVER, CONSIDERED THAT, IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO RENOUNCE THEIR TRIAD MEMBERSHIP, THE SCHEME SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT OF POLICE OR JUDICIAL ASSISTANCE AND SHOULD BE ADMINISTRATIVE IN NATURE, SIMILAR TO A LICENSING OR PAROLE SCHEME.
IT WOULD APPLY TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT STAFF.
/"THE BILL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
24
"THE BILL PROVIDES FOR A TRIAD RENUNCIATION TRIBUNAL TO BE ESTABLISHED TO OPERATE THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME AND TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS EOR RENUNCIATION OE TRIAD MEMBERSHIP," HE SAID.
"THE PROCEEDINGS AND RECORDS OE CONFIDENTIAL AND RECORDS WILL ONLY CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE TRIBUNALS
BE RELEASED
WILL BE KEPT IN SPECIFIED
"THE TRIBUNAL WILL BE SERVED BY A OFFICERS, ALL OF WHOM WOULD BE SUJBECT TO
SECRETARIAT OF GOVERNMENT STRICT SECRECY PROVISIONS."
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS UNDER WHETHER THEY BE FORMAL MEMBERS OF RENOUNCERS, WOULD BE GRANTED A STAY SPECIFIED OFFENCES RELATING TO TRIAD 23 OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE WHICH WERE DISCLOSED IN THEIR APPLICATION.
THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, TRIAD SOCIETIES OR ’NON-TRIAD’
OF PROSECUTION IN RESPECT OF
MEMBERSHIP UNDER SECTIONS 19 TO PRE-DATED THE RENUNCIATION AND
AFTER FIVE YEARS, THE PROCEEDINGS FOR THESE OFFENCES WOULD LAPSE AND THE RENOUNCED WOULD BE LEFT WITH NEITHER A CONVICTION NOR ACQUITTAL BEING RECORDED.
DURING PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE TRIAD DISCUSSION DOCUMENT IN 1986, PUBLIC REACTION TO THE PROPOSAL FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A SCHEME OF TRIAD RENUNCIATION HAD BEEN FAVOURABLE, HE POINTED OUT.
A SURVEY OF PRISON INMATES ALSO SHOWED THAT THE SCHEME WAS WIDELY SUPPORTED.
TURNING TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS THEMSELVES, MR BARNES SAID THAT CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL INTRODUCED 13 NEW SECTIONS TO THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
HE SAID FORMAL APPLICATIONS FOR RENUNCIATION OF TRIAD MEMBERS!! I IP WOULD BE MADE ON A STANDARD FORM TO BE SPECIFIED BY THE TRIBUNAL.
APPLICATIONS WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE, AND ONLY THE RECORDS OF SUCCESSFUL RENOUNCERS WOULD BE KEPT. ALL RECORDS OF UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WOULD BE DESTROYED.
ALL PROCEEDINGS AND RECORDS WOULD BE KEPT CONI'1 DENT 1 AL AND RECORDS WOULD ONLY BE RELEASED UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN TWO SECTIONS.
UNDER ONE SECTION, A COURT WHICH HAD CONVICTED A PERSON OF SPECIFIED OFFENCES RELATING TO TRIAD SOCIETIES WAS REQUIRED TO CALL FOR A CERTIFICATE FROM THE TRIBUNAL, BEFORE PASSING SENTENCE, AS TO WHETHER Till DEFENDANT IN THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS HAD RENOUNCED TRIAD MEMBERSHIP.
MR BARNES SAID THAT IN ORDER TO DISCOURAGE FALSE OR FRIVOLOUS APPLICATIONS, IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE TO MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS TO THE TRIBUNAL OR TO IMPERSONATE OTHERS BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL. THE RENUNCIATION OF ANY PERSON COMM 1 IT I NG AN OFFENCE UNDER THE RELEVANT SECTION WOULD BE MADE VOID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 -
/25........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 25 -BILL REMEDIES PROBLEMS IN MONEY LENDER LAW ♦ ♦ t * *
A BILL TO REMEDY PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE OPERATION OF THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MONEY LENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, POINTED OUT THAT THE ORDINANCE HAD BEEN ENACTED IN 1980 PRINCIPALLY TO CURB LOANSHARKING.
MR NENDICK SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WOULD IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORDINANCE AND SIMPLIFY LICENSING PROCEDURE.
THEY WOULD ALSO WIDEN THE SCOPE OF EXISTING EXEMPTIONS FROM ALL OR PARTS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE AND EMPOWER THE REGISTRAR OF MONEY LENDERS TO GRANT GENERAL OR SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT A NUMBER OF WEAKNESSES HAD EMERGED IN THE OPERATION OF THE ORDINANCE OVER THE YEARS.
’’EXPERIENCE HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT CERTAIN GENUINE COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND INDEED, OUGHT NOT TO BE, CAUGHT BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE,” HE SAID.
THE FIRST SET OF AMENDMENTS SOUGHT TO SIMPLIFY THE LICENSING PROCEDURE.
MR NENDICK SAID AN APPLICATION FOR A MONEY LENDER'S LICENCE WAS DETERMINED BY A LICENSING COURT COMPRISING A MAGISTRATE AND TWO ASSESSORS.
AT PRESENT, A HEARING BY THE FULL COURT WAS REQUIRED, WHETHER OR NOT AN OBJECTION WAS MADE TO THE APPLICATION.
”AS AN UNOPPOSED APPLICATION IS INVARIABLY GRANTED, IT IS PROPOSED THAT SUCH APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY A MAGISTRATE SITTING ALONE,” HE SAID.
THE SECOND SET OF AMENDMENTS SOUGHT TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
AT PRESENT, AN ADVERTISEMENT TO LEND MONEY WAS ONLY REQUIRED TO SHOW THE NAME OF THE MONEY LENDER, MR NENDICK SAID.
”TO HELP THE POLICE IN CONTROLLING THESE ADVERTISEMENTS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE LICENCE NUMBER OF THE MONEY LENDER SHOULD ALSO BE PRINTED IN ANY ADVERTISEMENT,” HE SAID.
/FAILURE TO
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 26 -
FAILURE TO COMPLY WOULD ATTRACT A MAXIMUM FINE OF $100,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT, HE ADDED.
THE REGISTRAR OF MONEY LENDERS, OR ANY PERSON AUTHORISED BY HIM MIGHT ENTER ANY PREMISES AND INSPECT DOCUMENTS TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH.
"AS SUCH INSPECTIONS ARE IN FACT CARRIED OUT BY THE POLICE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE POLICE SHOULD BE GIVEN EXPRESS POWERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
"THESE POWERS SHALL ONLY BE USED WHEN THE POLICE HAVE A REASONABLE SUSPICION THAT THE MONEY LENDER HAS COMMITTED AN OFFENCE.
"ANY DOCUMENTS SEIZED MUST BE RELATED TO THE OFFENCE. IF NO PROSECUTION WERE INSTITUTED WITHIN THREE MONTHS, THE DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE RETURNED.”
UNDER THE PRESENT ORDINANCE, INFORMATION COULD ONLY BE DISCLOSED IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR IN REPORTS OF SUCH PROCEEDINGS.
"TO ALLOW FOR GREATER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, IT IS PROPOSED THAT INFORMATION MAY ALSO BE DISCLOSED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AND ANY OTHER PUBLIC OFFICER AUTHORISED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE THIRD SET OF AMENDMENTS SOUGHT TO WIDEN THE SCOPE OF EXISTING EXEMPTIONS FROM ALL OR PART OF • THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES LICENSED OR REGISTERED UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE WERE TO BE COMPLETELY REMOVED FROM THE AMBIT OF THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE.
AT PRESENT, THEY WERE SUBJECT ONLY TO THE PROVISIONS WHICH SPECIFIED A MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE OF 60 PER CENT A YEAR.
"WE CONSIDER THAT THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR BANK LENDING BUSINESS PROVIDES ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF BORROWERS," MR NENDICK SAID.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE 60 PER CENT RESTRICTION COULD INHIBIT THE PROPER WORKING OF THE INTEREST RATE MECHANISM IN THE WHOLESALE MONEY MARKET IN SUPPORT OF THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE."
THE TERMS OF LARGE CORPORATE AND SYNDICATED LOANS WHICH MIGHT MAKE REFERENCES TO WHOLESALE MONEY MARKET INTEREST RATES, WERE ALSO TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE INTEREST RATE CEILING.
"LARGE BORROWERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
/”IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22t 1988
- 27 -
nIT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT THE PROVISIONS ON EXCESSIVE INTEREST RATES SHOULD NOT APPLY TO ANY LOANS SPECIFIED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE THAT ARE MADE TO A COMPANY WITH A PAID UP SHARE CAPITAL OF NOT LESS THAN $1 MILLION," MR NENDICK SAID.
"ADDITIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO THE LIST OF EXEMPTIONS IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE A LOAN MADE TO A COMPANY WITH MORE THAN $1 MILLION PAID UP SHARE CAPITAL, A LOAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPORT AND EXPORT FINANCING, A LOAN UPON TERMS INVOLVING THE ISSUE OF SECURITIES WITH A PROSPECTUS, AND A LOAN MADE TO A PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANY ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG OR OTHER APPROVED STOCK EXCHANGES."
FINALLY, THE BILL WOULD EMPOWER THE REGISTRAR TO GRANT GENERAL AND SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT THE REGISTRAR MIGHT AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, EXEMPT A CLASS OF MONEY LENDER, OR A LOAN, OR CLASS OF LOAN, BY A CLASS OF MONEY LENDER FROM ALL OR ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THE REGISTRAR MAY ALSO, UPON APPLICATION BY A MONEY LENDER, EXEMPT HIM FROM SPECIFIED PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0---------
SUBSTANTIA!
CHANGES IN
EXCHANGE BELIEVED NECESSARY
♦
♦ ♦
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT YET COME TO A FINAL VIEW ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT, IT BELIEVED THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE FUTURES EXCHANGE TO INTRODUCE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL 1988, MR NENDICK SAID THE CHANGES WOULD INVOLVE BOTH THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE EXCHANGE AND THE WAY RISK WAS MANAGED.
"ALTHOUGH WE SHALL PROCEED WITH ALL DESPATCH, THE LIKELIHOOD THAT SUCH CHANGES CAN BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER IS EXTREMELY REMOTE," HE SAID.
/’•IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 28 -
"IT IS THEREFORE HIGHLY DESIRABLE FOR THE PRESENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THOSE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WHO HAVE THE INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE OF RUNNING THE FUTURES EXCHANGE SINCE LAST OCTOBER, TO RETAIN THEIR POSITIONS FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS IN ORDER TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURES MARKET DURING THE INTERIM PERIOD."
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED BY POSTPONING THE COMING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANY.
THEREFORE THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO POSTPONE THE HOLDING OF THE THIRD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LIMITED DUE TO BE HELD ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR BY A PERIOD OF UP TO SIX MONTHS.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS ALSO AN ADDITIONAL PROVISION FOR THE PERIOD TO BE EXTENDED FOR A FURTHER THREE MONTHS BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE NEED FOR THE TEMPORARY PROVISIONS SET OUT LN THE BILL AROSE FROM TWO INTER-RELATED ISSUES, MR NENDICK SAID.
FIRST, UNDER SECTION 122 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, THE ACCOUNTS AND BALANCE SHEET OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANY MUST BE LAID BEFORE AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WITHIN NINE MONTHS FROM THE END OF EACH FINANCIAL YEAR," HE SAID.
SINCE THE FUTURES EXCHANGE’S LAST FINANCIAL YEAR END ON DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR, THE NEXT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SHOULD BE HELD BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
SECONDLY, MR NENDICK SAID THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANY PROVIDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO APPOINT THE WHOLE OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANY’S INITIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AFTER THE ARTICLES HAD COME INTO EFFECT IN 1985. A
IN THE SECOND YEAR, 1986, TWO-THIRDS OF THE BOARD WAS TO RE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED, AND IN THE THIRD YEAR, 1987, ONE-THIRD.
"THESE PROVISIONS TO APPOINT GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS WILL, HOWEVER, EXPIRE WHEN THE EXCHANGE COMPANY HOLDS ITS 1988 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING," HE NOTED. 1
"IN THE FOURTH YEAR, AND THEREAFTER, THERE CAN BE NO GOVERNMENT APPOINTED DIRECTOR ON THE BOARD OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLES. ALL DIRECTORS MUST BE ELECTED FROM AMONGST MEMBERS OF THE EXCHANGE."
/MR NENDICK
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 29 -
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE FOUR CURRENT GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED DIRECTORS ON THE BOARD OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN AND THE EXECUTIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN, NEITHER OF WHOM WAS ELIGIBLE FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD AS THEY WERE NOT MEMBERS OF THE EXCHANGE.
THESE PERSONS WERE APOINTED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR TO ASSIST IN STEERING THE EXCHANGE THROUGH THE DIFFICULT PERIOD, HE ADDED.
DEBATE OF THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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BANKING BILL PROPOSALS WILL FACILITATE CO-OPERATION
» * t » t
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL WILL ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION CONCERNING LOCALLY INCORPORATED AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS TO SPECIFIED STATUTORY OFFICES IN HONG KONG AND TO THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR NENDICK SAID WHILE THE PROPOSALS AIMED AT FACILITATING CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SUPERVISORS, THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE FOR THE BILL AROSE FROM THE NEED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM REGULATORY AUTHORITIES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UK FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT 1986.
THE UK FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT 1986 REQUIRED CERTAIN REGULATORY BODIES THERE - THE SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT BOARD (SIB) AND A NUMBER OF SELF-REGULATING ORGANISATIONS (SRO'S) - TO ASSESS, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, TO MONITOR THE FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS OF THE INSTITUTIONS AUTHORISED TO CONDUCT INVESTMENT BUSINESS IN THE UK.
"IN THE CASE OF AN OVERSEAS INSTITUTION, THE SIB AND SRO’S WILL REQUIRE THE SUPERVISORS IN THE CENTRE IN WHICH THE INSTITUTION IS BASED TO ASSIST THEM IN THE TASK," HE SAID.
"IF CO-OPERATION IS NOT FORTHCOMING, THE INSTITUTION MAY BE REQUIRED TO INCORPORATE ITSELF IN THE UK OR MAY EVEN HAVE ITS AUTHORISATION WITHHELD."
/MR NENDICK
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 221 1988
30 -
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT ONE OF THE THREE HONG KONG BANKS WITH UK BRANCHES HAD SOUGHT TO BE AUTHORISED UNDER THE ACT AND OTHER HONG KONG BANKS MIGHT ALSO WANT AUTHORISATION IN DUE COURSE.
’’BUT AS OUR BANKING ORDINANCE NOW STANDS, IT IS NOi POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO THE UK SUPERVISORS," HE SAID.
CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL THEREFORE WOULD SEEK TO AMEND THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE AFFAIRS OF A AUTHORISED INSTITUTION TO OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, MR NENDICK EXPLAINED.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT SUCH INFORMATION WOULD ONLY BE DISCLOSED IF THE COMMISSIONER WAS SATISFIED THAT THE AUTHORITY CONCERNED WAS SUBJECT TO ADEQUATE SECRECY PROVISIONS AND THE INFORMATION WOULD ENABLE OR ASSIST THE AUTHORITY TO EXERCISE ITS FUNCTIONS.
MR NENDICK SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO FACILITATE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO OTHER LOCAL SUPERVISORS.
"AT PRESENT, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING IS NOT FREE TO DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING OR THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WITHOUT SEEKING MY PERMISSION IN EACH CASE," HE SAID.
"WITH THE GROWING INTEGRATION OF THE FINANCIAL MARKETS AND THE NEED FOR CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SUPERVISORS, THE NUMBER OF INSTANCES IN WHICH CONSULTATION IS NECESSARY IS INCREASING."
MR NENDICK SAID CLAUSE 2(2) OF THE BILL THEREFORE AMENDED THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO ENABLE INFORMATION TO BE PASSED DIRECTLY TO OTHER LOCAL SUPERVISORS TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FUNCTIONS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/31 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22,
198E
- 31 -
BETTER USE OF BANKRUPTCY JUDGE’S TIME * * * *
THE PURPOSE OF THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS TO ENABLE THE BANKRUPTCY JUDGE TO GIVE MORE TIME TO THE HEARING OF CONTESTED BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS BY ALLOWING THE SUPREME COURT MASTERS TO HEAR UNCONTESTED PETITIONS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THF. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER USE OF THE BANKRUPTCY JUDGE’S TIME," SIR DAVID SAID WHEN MOVING THE SECOND REAPING OF THE BILL.
"UNDER THE EXISTING LAWS, A BANKRUPTCY PETITION MAY BE PRESENTED BY A PETITIONING CREDITOR ON THE DEBTOR COMMITTING AN ACT OF BANKRUPTCY," HE SAID.
THE DEBTOR MAY OBJECT TO THE PETITION BY FILING HIS OBJECTION WITH THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER NOT LESS THAN THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING, ON NOTICE TO THE PETITIONING CREDITOR OR HIS SOLICITOR.
"A DEBTOR MAY ALSO PETITION FOR HIS OWN BANKRUPTCY AND THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER. IS ENTITLED TO APPEAR IN ANY PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF THAT BANKRUPTCY. THESE PETITIONS, WHICH ARE RARE, ARE GENERALLY UNOPPOSED."
SIR DAVID SAID THAT IF A CREDITOR’S PETITION WAS NOT CONTESTED, IT WAS SET DOWN WITH DEBTORS' PETITIONS ON THF UNOPPOSED LIST FOR HEARING ON THE SAME MORNING.
"IT IS THESE HEARINGS WHICH IT IS NOW PROPOSED SHOULD BE BEFORE A MASTER OF THE SUPREME COURT, RATHER THAN THE BANKRUPTCY JUDGE," HE SAID.
"IN THE EVENT OF LATE OPPOSITION TO A PETITION ON THE UNOPPOSED LIST, THE PETITION MAY CEASE TO BE UNOPPOSED AND THE MASTER WILL REMIT IT TO THE BANKRUPTCY JUDGE.
"THE MASTER MAY ALSO REMIT TO THE JUDGE ANY MATTER OF COMPLEXITY."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 -
/32
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 52 -
HEARING OF CONTESTED WINDING-UP PETITIONS
*****
THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988 WILL ENABLE THE COMPANIES JUDGE TO GIVE MORE TIME TO THE HEARING OF CONTESTED PETITIONS FOR THE WINDING-UP OF COMPANIES BY ALLOWING THE SUPREME COURT MASTERS TO HEAR UNCONTESTED PETITIONS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL WAS VERY SIMILAR IN ITS GENERAL INTENT TO THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL ON WHICH HE HAD JUST SPOKEN.
"A PETITION TO WIND UP A COMPANY IS PRESENTED AT THE SUPREME COURT REGISTRY, WHEN A DATE FOR HEARING IS APPOINTED," HE SAID.
"IT IS THEN ADVERTISED AND SERVED UPON THE COMPANY, UNLESS THE PETITION IS PRESENTED BY THE COMPANY ITSELF.
"ANYONE WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PETITION FOR THE WINDING-UP OF A COMPANY MUST FILE AN AFFIDAVIT FOR SUCH PURPOSE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE DATE ON WHICH THE PETITION IS FILED.
"IF A PETITION IS UNCONTESTED, IT IS SET DOWN WITH OTHERS ON THE UNOPPOSED LIST FOR HEARING THE SAME MORNING.
"IT IS THESE HEARINGS WHICH ARE NOW PROPOSED TO BE BEFORE A MASTER OF THE SUPREME COURT, RATHER THAN THE COMPANIES JUDGE.
"IN THE EVENT OF LATE OPPOSITION TO A PETITION ON THE UNOPPOSED LIST, THE PETITION MAY CEASE TO BE UNOPPOSED AND THE MASTER WILL REMIT IT TO THE COMPANIES JUDGE. THE MASTER MAY ALSO REMIT TO THE JUDGE ANY MATTER OF COMPLEXITY."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/35........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
PRIVATE BILL ON BANK SALE AGREEMENT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG IS SHOWN TO BE MOST RESPONSIBLE IN AFFORDING CERTAINTY OF OPERATION TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND CUSTOMERS, THE HON DAVID LI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN INTRODUCING THE RAINIER INTERNATIONAL BANK (TRANSFER OF HONG KONG UNDERTAKING) BILL 1988 INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THE PRIVATE BILL WAS NECESSARY TO ASSIST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A CONDITIONAL SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT MADE BETWEEN RAINIER INTERNATIONAL BANK AND THE DAIWA BANK LIMITED ON APRIL 27 THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT, DAIWA BANK LIMITED WOULD ACQUIRE THE HONG KONG UNDERTAKING OF RAINIER INTERNATIONAL BANK’S NINE BRANCHES IN THE TERRITORY.
’’UNDER HONG KONG LAW, AN AGREEMENT TO SELL A BANKING BUSINESS WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT WITHOUT ENABLING LEGISLATION,” MR LI SAID.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, THE INDIVIDUAL AGREEMENT OF EACH OF OVER 30,000 CURRENT AND DEPOSIT ACCOUNT HOLDERS WOULD BE REQUIRED.
’’THE BILL CLARIFIES A NUMBER OF SUCH MATTERS AND AFFORDS CERTAINTY TO THE BANK AND ITS CUSTOMERS IN HONG KONG.”
MR LI ALSO REASSURED MEMBERS THAT NO STAMP DUTY WOULD BE SAVED BY THE BILL. BOTH OF THE BANKS INVOLVED WOULD ENSURE THAT THE STAMP DUTY POSITION UNDER THE BILL SHOULD BE PRECISELY THE SAME AS BEFORE.
- 0 -
FOUR BILLS PASSED ♦ * ♦
FOUR BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILLS WERE THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE AUDIT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE TRADE UNIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 .
/EIGHT BILLS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22t 1988
EIGHT BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY WERE: THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BILL 1988, THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) BILL 1988, THE MONEY LENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988.
A PRIVATE BILL, THE RAINIER INTERNATIONAL BANK (TRANSFER OF HONG KONG UNDERTAKING) BILL 1988 WAS ALSO INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
DEBATES ON THESE NINE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
-----0------
CONSCIOUS OF NEED TO SUPPORT THE DISABLED » ♦ * » »
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO SUPPORT THOSE DISABLED PERSONS WHO MAKE AN EFFORT TO TAKE UP GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND PARTICIPATE IN ECONOMICALLY PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO CONSIDER OFFERS FROM SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND SELF-EMPLOYED DISABLED PERSONS WHO CAN PRODUCE GOODS OR SERVICES REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT A SATISFACTORY STANDARD AND AT FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICES," HE SAID IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
"WE WOULD ALSO CONSIDER INVITING SINGLE OR RESTRICTED TENDERS FROM SUCH ORGANISATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS, ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
"IN SO DOING, HOWEVER, WE MUST BEAR IN MIND THE OVER-RIDING OBJECTIVE OF GOVERNMENT’S TENDERING PROCEDURES, WHICH IS TO ENSURE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE VALUE FOR THE TAXPAYER’S MONEY."
IN OTHER WORDS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO ENSURE THAT IT RECEIVED THE BEST QUALITY GOODS AND THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICES WHICH WERE WAILABLE AT COMPETITIVE PRICES.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT HAD ALSO TO BE FAIR TO ALL POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS.
"FURTHERMORE, AS A SIGNATORY TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, WE ARE ALSO OBLIGED TO AWARD CONTRACTS FOR PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES OF VALUE OVER $1.3 MILLION BY MEANS OF OPEN TENDERS," MR NENDICK ADDED.
------o ------ /35.......................
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
CASE AGAINST EXEMPTION FROM AIRPORT TAX * * * * ♦
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO CONSIDER EXEMPTING DAWN-TO-EVENING VISITORS FROM PAYMENT OF AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR NENDICK SAID IN ADDITION TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF GOVERNMENT REVENUE, SUCH AN EXEMPTION WOULD BREACH THE REASONABLE PRINCIPLE THAT ONLY THOSE IN GENUINE TRANSIT THROUGH HONG KONG SHOULD BE EXEMPT FROM THE TAX.
"FURTHERMORE, TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE EXEMPT HAVE IN FACT ARRIVED ONLY THE SAME DAY WOULD INVOLVE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW MONITORING SYSTEM AT THE AIRPORT," HE SAID.
"THE COST OF INTRODUCING SUCH A SYSTEM WOULD BE DISPROPORTIONATE TO ANY POSSIBLE ECONOMIC BENEFITS THAT MIGHT ACCRUE AS A RESULT."
- 0 -
CREDIT CARD SECURITY A MATTER FOR ISSUERS * * « » «
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPROVING SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS REGARDING CREDIT CARDS MUST REST WITH THE ISSUING COMPANIES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN ON STOLEN CREDIT CARDS, MR BARNES STRESSED THAT THE ISSUING COMPANIES WERE BEST PLACED TO JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE REMEDIAL MEASURES THEY WISHED TO ADOPT.
"THE GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS PART, STANDS READY TO CO-OPERATE AS NECESSARY WITH THE CARD ISSUING COMPANIES," HE SAID.
AND THE POLICE WOULD CONTINUE TO ACT ON ALL REPORTS RECEIVED.
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
36 -
MR BARNES SAID THAT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE NUMBER OF CASES REPORTED TO THE POLICE OF THE UNLAWFUL USE OF STOLEN CREDIT CARDS HAD DECLINED - FROM 138 IN 1983 TO 53 IN 1987.
BASED ON REPORTS IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS, IT WAS ESTIMATED THERE WOULD BE 48 CASES THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, MR BARNES CAUTIONED THAT THE POLICE BELIEVED A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF STOLEN CREDIT CARDS WERE USED IN HONG KONG WITHOUT REPORTS EVER BEING MADE TO THEM.
HE SAID THE COUNTERFEIT AND FORGERY DIVISION OF THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU KEPT IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH SENIOR EXECUTIVES IN LOCAL CREDIT AND CHARGE CARD COMPANIES.
THE EXERCISE WAS TO KEEP THE POLICE ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN CREDIT CARD CRIME AND TO MINIMISE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CRIMINALS.
"IN 1987 AND EARLY 1988, THE DIVISION, WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS CARD ISSUING COMPANIES, CONDUCTED A NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS AGAINST OVERSEAS SYNDICATES USING STOLEN CREDIT CARDS IN HONG KONG,” MR BARNES SAID.
’’SIX KEY FIGURES WERE CONVICTED OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES RELATING TO SYNDICATE ACTIVITIES AND SENTENCED TO TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT BETWEEN SIX AND 18 MONTHS.”
TURNING TO PREVENTIVE MEASURES, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT SOME BANKS PERSISTED IN SENDING CREDIT CARDS THROUGH THE MAIL, OFTEN BY UNREGISTERED MAIL, AND MANY WERE STOLEN.
THERE WAS ALSO FIERCE COMPETITION IN THE CREDIT CARD INDUSTRY ITSELF WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOWER STANDARDS OF SCREENING CARD APPLICANTS.
THERE WAS CERTAINLY SCOPE FOR CARD ISSUING COMPANIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE OVERSEAS, TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN SECURITY, HE ADDED.
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/57
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 37 -
PROSECUTIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
♦ t t * t
IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, 62 CASES OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF MENTALLY
HANDICAPPED PERSONS WERE REPORTED, AND 30 PROSECUTIONS WERE INSTITUTED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON RICHARD LAI, MR BARNES SAID THAT 22 CASES WERE REPORTED IN 1985, 20 IN 1986, 18 IN 1987 AND TWO BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH THIS YEAR.
"IN 1986, EIGHT PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED, OF WHOM TWO WERE ACQUITTED AND SIX CONVICTED," MR BARNES SAID.
"IN 1987, SIX WERE PROSECUTED, OF WHOM TWO WERE ACQUITTED AND FOUR CONVICTED.
"BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH 1988, TWO PROSECUTIONS WERE INSTITUTED AND ARE NOT YET CONCLUDED."
ON THE SENTENCES PASSED BY THE COURTS IN 1986 AND 1987, MR BARNES GAVE FIGURES SHOWING THAT THESE RANGED FROM A FINE OF $400 FOR INDECENT ASSAULT TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SEVEN YEARS FOR RAPE.
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NEW CLINICS WILL IMPROVE SPECIALIST SERVICES t * t t ♦
TWO NEW SPECIALIST CLINICS WILL BE COMPLETED BY 1991 AND 1996 AS PART OF PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR SPECIALIST SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HO SAI-CHU, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE NEW CLINICS WOULD BE LOCATED AT THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL AND THE NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL RESPECTIVELY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITAL BEDS FOR ALL SPECIALTIES WOULD BE INCREASED BY OVER 50 PER CENT FROM ABOUT 22,000 AT PRESENT TO NEARLY 35,000 IN 1996, WHEN THE VARIOUS MAJOR NEW HOSPITAL PROJECTS AND EXPANSION SCHEMES HAD BEEN COMPLETED.
"THIS SHOULD RESULT IN A CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES," HE SAID.
/REFERRING TO
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1?88
- 58 -
REFERRING TO THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM WAITING TIME FOR CONSULTATION AT GOVERNMENT SPECIALIST CLINICS, MR CHAMBERS SAID IT VARIED CONSIDERABLY BETWEEN DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES.
HE SAID THAT WITH REGARD TO SURGERY, THE WAITING TIME RANGED FROM ZERO TO 78 DAYS, FOR PAEDIATRICS FROM TWO TO 164 DAYS, AND FOR MEDICINE FROM TWO TO 167 DAYS.
FOR ORTHOPAEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY, THE WAITING TIME WOULD BE FROM NINE TO 100 DAYS, FOR NEUROSURGERY FROM SEVEN TO 12 DAYS, FOR GYNAECOLOGY FROM FIVE TO 89 DAYS, FOR OBSTETRICS FROM EIGHT TO 97 DAYS, FOR RADIOTHERAPY FROM ONE TO TWO DAYS, AND FOR PSYCHIATRY FROM FIVE TO 20 DAYS.
NOTING THAT THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR MOST SPECIALTIES RANGED FROM TWO TO 42 DAYS, MR CHAMBERS SAID IN SOME AREAS SUCH AS OBSTETRICS AND MEDICINE, HOWEVER, IT WAS AS HIGH AS 59 AND 83 DAYS RESPECTIVELY.
BUT HE EMPHASISED THAT THE ABOVE STATISTICS REFERRED TO NON-ACUTE CASES ONLY. ALL URGENT CASES WERE EITHER ATTENDED TO IMMEDIATELY OR WERE REFERRED TO THE NEAREST ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FOR ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL IF NECESSARY.
-------0 --------
ONLY ONE REPORT ON NON-TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY » ♦ » t ♦
DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, ONLY ONE REPORT HAD BEEN RECEIVED - IN 1986 - BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONCERNING SUSPECTED NON-TRADTTIONAL RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES INVOLVING A FFW STUDENTS OF A GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DESMOND LEE, MR LIAO SAID THE INCIDENT HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE AND NO ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN DETECTED UPON INVESTIGATION.
’’THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL HAD ALSO DISCUSSED THE INCIDENT WITH THE STUDENTS AND THE PARENTS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
"SINCE THEN, NO FURTHER REPORTS OF UNUSUAL RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN MADE ON THE RELIGIOUS GROUP IN QUESTION."
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 39 -
GOVT PREPARED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS » * ♦ ♦ »
THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY PREPARED TO ARRANGE FOR THE VIEWS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW TO BE PASSED ON TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SZETO WAH, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS FOR THE COUNCILS AND BOARDS CONCERNED TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY DID WISH TO MAKE USE OF THIS PROCEDURE TO CONVEY WHATEVER VIEWS THEY MIGHT HAVE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
"IF THEY DO, THE REQUEST SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN RESPECT OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN RESPECT OF DISTRICT BOARDS,” HE ADDED.
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EMERGENCY CONTROL UNIT TO HANDLE STRATEGIC ROUTE ACCIDENTS ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S EMERGENCY TRANSPORT CONTROL UNIT WILL GO INTO ACTION WHENEVER ACCIDENTS OCCUR ON STRATEGIC ROADS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG, MR LEUNG SAID THE CONTROL UNIT, WHICH PREVIOUSLY WAS ACTIVATED DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF DISRUPTION OF TRANSPORT SERVICES, WOULD ASSUME THE ROLE OF CO-ORDINATING AND DEVELOPING OVERALL REMEDIAL MEASURES, AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.
IT WOULD NOW BE ACTIVATED IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NATURE OF THE ACCIDENTS ON STRATEGIC ROADS.
HE SAID THE NEWLY ADOPTED MEASURE WAS THE RESULT OF A FULL REVIEW OF CURRENT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TN THE WAKE OF TWO ACCIDENTS ON JUNE 4.
THE ACCIDENTS INVOLVED THE DERAILMENT OF A KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY GOODS WAGON NEAR UNIVERSITY STATION AND THE BREAKDOWN OF A CONTAINER LORRY AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
/HR LEUNG
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
40
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD WELL-ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITH THE BREAKDOWN OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES OR SERIOUS TRAFFIC DISRUPTION ON ROADS AND IN TUNNELS.
HOWEVER, THE JUNE 4 ACCIDENTS SHOWED THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES NEEDED TO BE BETTER PLANNED AND CO-ORDINATED WITH TRAFFIC DIVERSION ARRANGEMENTS, ESPECIALLY WHERE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON STRATEGIC ROADS.
"IN ADDITION, A CLOSER LINK BETWEEN GOVERNMENT’S EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND THOSE OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND UTILITIES IS ESSENTIAL."
ON STANDING PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING TRAFFIC DISRUPTIONS, HE SAID THE POLICE REPRESENTED THE FIRST LINE OF CONTACT.
THE POLICE UNDERTOOK ALL NECESSARY TRAFFIC AND CROWD CONTROL MEASURES, AND ENSURED THAT THE PUBLIC WERE INFORMED QUICKLY THROUGH RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS.
"THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL CO-ORDINATION AND ARRANGEMENT OF EMERGENCY PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES THROUGH THE AFFECTED AREA AND STRENGTHENING SERVICES IN OTHER AREAS," HE SAID.
"IT ALSO ADVISES THE PUBLIC TO AVOID THE SCENE OF INCIDENT, SO AS NOT TO CAUSE FURTHER CONGESTION.
"TRANSPORT OPERATORS ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WHENEVER THEIR SERVICE IS DISRUPTED SO THAT IT WOULD ARRANGE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT SERVICES.
"IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS REQUIRING THE OPENING OF ROADS FOR REPAIR OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, THE REPAIR WORK IS CARRIED OUT BY THE RELEVANT UTILITIES."
MR LEUNG SAID REINSTATEMENT OF THE ROADS WAS CO-ORDINATED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT. WHEREVER PRACTICABLE, REPAIR WORK WAS UNDERTAKEN OUTSIDE THE PEAK TRAFFIC PERIOD.
INVESTIGATIONS INTO TRAIN ACCIDENTS, INCLUDING DERAILMENT, WERE UNDERTAKEN BY THE RAILWAY CORPORATIONS THEMSELVES OR BY OUTSIDE EXPERTS, MR LEUNG SAID.
REFERRING TO RECENT KCR DERAILMENT INCIDENTS, MR LEUNG SAID A FULL INVESTIGATION WAS BEING CARRIED OUT BY AN OVERSEAS CONSULTANT AND A REPORT WAS EXPECTED IN ABOUT THREE WEEKS’ TIME.
HE ADDED THAT THE RAILWAY CORPORATIONS WERE ALSO REQUIRED BY LAW TO REPORT ON DERAILMENTS TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY. IF NECESSARY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY MIGHT CALL FOR A SEPARATE REVIEW BY A RAILWAY INSPECTOR.
/AS FOR .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 221 1988
41
AS FOR MAJOR BUS OR FERRY ACCIDENTS, THE FRANCHISED BUS AND FERRY OPERATORS WERE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO THE POLICE AND THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE RESPECTIVELY.
SIMILAR PROCEDURES EXISTED FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS AND REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT NO EMERGENCY PROCEDURES COULD EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE FOR THE VARIETY, COMBINATION AND EFFECTS OF ANY ACCIDENT.
HOWEVER, HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT ALL PRACTICABLE MEASURE WOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION.
INCONVENIENCE TO COMMUTERS WAS INEVITABLE, GIVEN HONG KONG’S CONGESTED ROADS AND THE VERY HIGH DENSITY OF VEHICLES PER KILOMETRE, HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY CALLED FOR PUBLIC PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND HE URGED MOTORISTS TO AVOID USING CONGESTED CORRIDORS.
------0-------
NEED FOR MARINE RESERVES BEING EXAMINED * ♦ » ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING THE NEED FOR MARINE RESERVES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSERVING CERTAIN AREAS OF THE LOCAL MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH ARE OF SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATIONAL INTEREST, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR CHAMBERS SAID CONSULTATION WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION WAS IN PROGRESS TO EXAMINE THE VARIOUS IMPLICATIONS OF A PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A MARINE RESERVE.
THE PROPOSAL WAS MADE RECENTLY BY THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE, HONG KONG, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
’’THE CONCEPT OF MARINE RESERVE PARKS IS AN ATTRACTIVE ONE, INVOLVING PLANNING CONTROLS AND STATUTORY POLLUTION PREVENTION IO PROTECT AN AREA OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
”IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF AREAS WHICH ARE AT PRESENT RELATIVELY OR COMPLETELY UNSPOILT, CONTAINING NATURAL FLORA AND FAUNA RARE OR UNIQUE WITHIN HONG KONG, AND DESIRED BY THE COMMUNITY TO BE KEPT IN THAT CONDITION."
MR CHAMBERS ADDED THAT IT DID NOT SEEM APPROPRIATE, HOWEVER TO USE THE MARINE PARK CONCEPT FOR THE PROTECTION OF GAZETTED BATH INC. BEACHES, FOR WHICH OTHER FORMS OF PROTECTION, COMPATIBLE WITH MASS RECREATION, WERE NECESSARY.
THESE INCLUDED THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES.
______0------- A2....................
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 42 -
FUNDS APPROVED FOR BOAT PEOPLE TASKS
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR THE RECEPTION AND ACCOMMODATION OF THE INCREASED NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, AND ALSO FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGE IN POLICY UNDER WHICH ALL VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARE BEING SCREENED ON ARRIVAL TO DETERMINE THEIR STATUS.
THE OVERALL FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSED ON A FULL YEAR BASIS, ARE ESTIMATED AT SOME $127 MILLION IN NON-RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND SOME $269 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE A YEAR.
OF THIS TOTAL, $88 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND $166 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ARE NEEDED FOR THE ACCOMMODATION, CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ENORMOUSLY INCREASED NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHO HAD ARRIVED BEFORE THE CHANGE OF POLICY PLUS ANY VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO MAY BE DETERMINED TO BE REFUGEES AS A RESULT OF THE SCREENING PROCESS.
NEARLY $41 MILLION OF THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IS RECOVERABLE FROM THE UNHCR UNDER CURRENT AGREED ARRANGEMENTS.
THE REMAINDER, ABOUT $39 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND $103 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, IS NEEDED FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NEW SCREENING AND DETENTION POLICY.
THIS INCLUDES PROVISIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCREENING PROCEDURES, DETENTION CENTRES, AND THE UPGRADING OF SECURITY AT GREEN ISLAND RECEPTION CENTRE.
NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNDERWAY TO PERSUADE THE UNHCR TO INCREASE ITS SUBSIDY AND TO REVISE ITS APPARENT APPROACH THAT HONG KONG, AS A RELATIVELY PROSPEROUS TERRITORY, SHOULD RECEIVE RELATIVELY LESS SUBSIDY.
THE OVERALL FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS APPROVED TODAY INCLUDE PROVISION FOR THE CREATION OF 1,126 NON-DI RECTORATE POSTS BOTH FOR MAINTAINING SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATION FOR THE INCREASED NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ALREADY HERE, AND ALSO FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGE IN POLICY.
OF THIS TOTAL, 712 POSTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 207 FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, 191 FOR THE POLICE, NINE FOR THE MED I (’AL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, FOUR FOR THE SECURITY BRANCH, AND THREE FOR THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES.
OF THESE ADDITIONAL POSTS, 664 ARE NEEDED FOR SERVICES FOR THE INCREASED NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED BEFORE THE CHANGE OF POLICY, AND 462 ARE NEEDED FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NEW POLICY OF SCREENING AND DETENTION PENDING REPATRIATION.
/THERE MAY .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
THERE MAY BE SOME SAVINGS ON SOME OF THESE ITEMS IN LATER YEARS AS THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED BEFORE THE CHANGE IN POLICY GET RESETTLED OVERSEAS, AND IF THE NEW POLICY IS SUCCESSFUL AS A DETERRENT IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF NEW ARRIVALS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
THIS MAY RESULT IN A REDUCED LEVEL OF PROVISION FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1989-90 AND BEYOND.
------0--------
COMMITMENT ON PASSING INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING AN UNRESERVED COMMITMENT TO THE TIMELY EXCHANGE OF RELEVANT INFORMATION ON CUSTOMS MATTERS AMONG MEMBER ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL WAS STRESSED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT AN ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CCC IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, MR WILLIAMSON SAID THAT THIS WAS SEEN AS THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF THE COUNCIL'S REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICE PROJECT FOR THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP).
HE ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF "TIMELY" EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND AWARENESS OF EACH OTHER’S NEEDS, THOUGH TIMELY DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN FAST.
"THE CCC ESCAP PROJECT IS CONCERNED WITH DANGEROUS DRUGS, BUT IT NEED NOT BE AND IS EASILY CAPABLE OF EXPANSION TO COVER ANY ISSUE OF INTEREST TO ANOTHER CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION.
"WE, IN HONG KONG, WILL NOT WAIT FOR ENQUIRIES, WE WILL PASS ON ANY INFORMATION IF WE THINK IT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST," HE SAID, NOTING THAT MUTUAL CONFIDENCE HAS BEEN A DEFINITE BENEFIT TO THE PROJECT.
MR WILLIAMSON ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BE FORMALLY INCLUDED IN THE CCC ESCAP REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICE PROJECT, AS THE PROJECT WAS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH DRUGS, MUCH OF WHICH WAS DESTINED FOR THOSE TWO COUNTRIES.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE OBJECTIVE MUST BE TO HAVE A WORLDWIDE NETWORK BUT THAT IN THE SHORT TERM WE SHOULD GO FOR MORE REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICES," HE ADDED.
/"THE PRESENT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- U4 -
"THE PRESENT PROJECT, THOUGH A VERY LIMITED ONE, HAS BEEN WORTHWHILE AND HAS SUCCEEDED IN SETTING UP A NETWORK OF CONTACTS PERSONALLY KNOWN TO EACH OTHER AND BETWEEN WHOM INTELLIGENCE CAN BE PASSED WITH AND IN CONFIDENCE."
THE PROJECT IS EXPENSIVE TO RUN, WITH STAFF COSTS AMOUNTING TO US$60,000 AND COMMUNICATIONS COST TO AT LEAST US$10,000 A YEAR.
-------0----------
INCLUSION OF CODES ON FIDUCIARY DUTIES RECOMMENDED » * » * «
A SHORT STATUTORY CODIFICATION OF THE GENERAL FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF COMPANY DIRECTORS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM RECOMMENDS IN ITS FOURTH REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE STANDING COMMITTEE FELT THAT THE CODIFICATION WOULD PROVIDE A READY REFERENCE FOR ALL DIRECTORS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE NEW TO THEIR POSTS AND PERHAPS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE BASIC PRINCIPLES.
HIGHLIGHTING OTHER MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE STANDING COMMITTEE ALSO LOOKED INTO AN ISSUE CONCERNING THE REGISTRATION OF PROSPECTUSES.
"SECTION 38D(5) OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES MAY REFUSE TO REGISTER A PROSPECTUS DELIVERED TO HIM FOR REGISTRATION IF IT DOES NOT COMPLY IN ALL RESPECTS WITH THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
"THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, IN CARRYING OUT HIS STATUTORY DUTIES, HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PROSPECTUSES WHICH CONTAIN VAGUE STATEMENTS OF GENERAL INTENTION BY THE DIRECTORS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S ATTEMPTS TO PERSUADE COMPANIES’ REPRESENTATIVES TO INTRODUCE A GREATER DEGREE OF PRECISION IN PROSPECTUSES HAD MET WITH ONLY VARYING SUCCESS.
"TO STRENGTHEN THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S HAND, THE STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT SECTION 38D(5) BE AMENDED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE REGISTRAR MAY REFUSE TO REGISTER WHERE 'IN HIS OPINION’ A PROSPECTUS DOES NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE OR CONTAINS MISLEADING INFORMATION,” HE SAID.
ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION INVOLVES THE POWER OF SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN PRIVATE COMPANIES TO WAIVE COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS AS TO ACCOUNTS.
/"THE STANDING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 45 -
"THE STANDING COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 14 ID OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE. THAT SECTION PROVIDES THAT WHERE ALL THE SHAREHOLDERS OF A PRIVATE COMPANY AGREE, THE NORMAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL ACCOUNTS, DIRECTORS’ REPORT AND AUDITORS' REPORT SHALL NOT APPLY.
"INSTEAD THE COMPANY’S BALANCE SHEET HAS TO COMPLY WITH MUCH SIMPLER REQUIREMENTS AND THE AUDITOR’S REPORT DOES NOT COVER THE PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT AT ALL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE STANDING COMMITTEE, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, RECOMMENDS THAT SECTION 14 ID BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE THE AUDITORS TO REPORT ON WHETHER THE ACCOUNTS SHOW A TRUE AND FAIR VIEW ON THE BASIS OF THE DISCLOSURE EXEMPTIONS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECTION, AND TO EXTEND THE REFERENCES TO THE COMPANY’S BALANCE SHEET IN THE SECTION TO INCLUDE THE COMPANY'S PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES AROSE IN HANDLING THE REGISTRATION OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES DOMICILED IN JURISDICTIONS WHICH DID NOT HAVE A COMPANIES REGISTRY AND WERE THEREFORE UNABLE TO PRODUCE A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
"TO OVERCOME THIS PROBLEM, THE STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE REGISTRAR GENERAL SHOULD BE GIVEN A STATUTORY DISCRETION TO ACCEPT INSTEAD, FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 333 OF THE ORDINANCE, SUCH OTHER DOCUMENT AS ESTABLISHES TO HIS SATISFACTION THAT A COMPANY IS DULY INCORPORATED IN AN OVERSEAS JURISDICTION," HE ADDED.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ALSO MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AMENDMENTS OF A TECHNICAL NATURE.
APART FROM THESE, IT CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ISSUES INCLUDING THE APPOINTMENT OF AUDIT COMMITTEES, PROHIBITION OF PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY A COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF ITS OWN SHARES, THE DOCTRINE OF ULTRA VIRES, CERTAIN ASPECTS OF FLOATING CHARGES, GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO THE CONTENTS AND FORMS OF ACCOUNTS AND LOANS TO DIRECTORS.
"CONSIDERATION OF THESE ISSUES IS STILL CONTINUING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE REPORT SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, COMMERCIAL DIVISION AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE MAIN TEXT OF THE REPORT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT COMMENTS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AT ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 24TII FLOOR, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 1988," HE ADDED.
O -
/46........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 46 -
ACAN SUPPORTS WORLD ANTI-DRUG DAY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A "HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL ANTI-DRUG DAY" COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 11.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 26) AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE ARENA OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN.
ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), THE EVENT IS TO BE HELD IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING AND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE DISTRIBUTION OF "ANTI-DRUG PACKS" TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE PACKS CONTAIN TWO LEAFLETS AND A NUMBER OF STATIONERY ITEMS SUCH AS BALLPEN, BOOKMARK, KEY-RING AND CLIPS CARRYING THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE.
IN ADDITION, AN EXHIBITION DEPICTING HONG KONG’S OVERALL ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS AND AN IN-PERSPECTIVE LOOK AT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ABUSING PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WILL BE STAGED THERE AND BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AFTER THE CEREMONY TILL 6 PM ON SUNDAY.
IT WILL ALSO BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM DAILY ON THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS.
OFFICIATING AT THE COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN, DR GERALD CHOA; THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY; MISS HONG KONG, PAULINE YEUNG; AND MEMBERS OF ACAN AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES WHO WILL ASSIST IN DISTRIBUTING ANTI-DRUG PACKS TO THE PUBLIC.
MEANWHILE, "ANTI-DRUG PACKS" WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO YOUNGSTERS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AT THREE OTHER SPOTS. THEY ARE THE ICE RINK AT CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING AND THE HONG KONG SPORTWORLD ASSOCIATION (ROLLER WORLDS) AT TELFORD GARDENS IN KOWLOON BAY AND CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 11.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 26) AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE ARENA OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN.
-------0----------
A7.....
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- -ISLANDS DB MEMBERS ON OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR *****
ELEVEN MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, ACCOMPANIED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARY, MRS MARINA WOODHEAD, SET OFF TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON THE BOARD’S FIRST OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR TO SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA.
ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, SAID SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA WERE CHOSEN FOR THE TOUR BECAUSE THERE WERE SIMILARITIES IN RURAL DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AND THE TWO COUNTRIES.
"AN INTERFLOW OF EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE STUDY TOUR MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES PARTICULARLY ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF TOURISM AND FISHERY - THE TWO MAIN INDUSTRIES OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT - IS WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH," MR LAM SAID.
"EXPERIENCE FROM THE STUDY TOUR WILL BE USEFUL TO OUR PLANNING OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT," HE ADDED.
DURING THEIR STAY IN SINGAPORE, MEMBERS OF THE STUDY TOUR WILL VISIT THE PONGGOL FISHING PORT WHERE THEY WILL BE BRIEFED BY OFFICIALS FROM THE PRIMARY PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT OF MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
THEY HAVE ALSO PLANNED TO PAY A VISIT TO THE SINGAPORE TOURIST PROMOTION BOARD AND THE JURONG INDUSTRIAL TOWN.
IN MALAYSIA, MEMBERS WILL MEET OFFICIALS FROM THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE WHEN THEY VISIT THE FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, ATTEND BRIEFINGS BY OFFICIALS OF THE TOURIST AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND TOUR THE FREE TRADE ZONE IN KUALA LUMPUR.
-----o-----
SAI KUNG TO REVIEW PEDESTRIAN BLACKSPOTS * » ♦ » »
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE 1987 ACTION PROGRAMME REVIEW ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS IN SAI KUNG.
THEY WILL DISCUSS THE DEFINITION OF A PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOT AND THE PROGRESS OF WORK FOR IMPROVING THE PEDESTRIAN FLOW.
/THE SAI
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 48 -
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1988-89 WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING. THE PROGRAMME WILL FORM THE BASIC GUIDE FOR BUS SERVICE DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT FROM NOW TO END OF 1989.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT PROPOSAL TO REMOVE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM DRIVING LICENCES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE FOR THE NEW ROAD LINKING MA ON SHAN AND NAI CHUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REPORTS ON YOUTH POLICY AND SPORT ♦ ♦ ♦ * t
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS REPORTS ON YOUTH POLICY AND SPORTS IN HONG KONG AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE REPORT, COMPILED BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, HAS PROPOSED THAT A COMMISSION ON YOUTH BE SET UP TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO YOUTH.
’THE WAY AHEAD, A CONSULTANCY REPORT ON SPORT IN HONG KONG’ WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH. ITS RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE SETTING UP OF A SPORTS SPONSORSHIP ADVISORY SERVICE AND A STATUTORY BODY TO DEVELOP SPORT AND RECREATION THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL LISTEN TO A TALK ON LEGAL AID TO BE GIVEN BY A LEGAL AID COUNCIL, AND DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS BY VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
-----0------
A9.....
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22,
1988
^9
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND APPLICATIONS » » » » »
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES AS PROPOSED BY A VETTING SUB-COMMITTEE.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO CONSIDER SOME APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ICAC REGIONAL OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST) WILL PRESENT AN INFORMATION PAPER ON ITS 1988-89 WORK PLAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 37-39 TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
-----0----------
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER t * t *
TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND ARE BEING LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
A SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND FUNG SHING STREET, KOWLOON, MEASURING ABOUT 1460 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS, VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS.
THE INITIAL TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE OTHER PIECE OF LAND IN D.D. NO. 51 AREA 25, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES, HAVING AN AREA OF ABOUT 2204 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 8.
-------0 - -
/5O........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1988
- 50 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 24), A "NO-ENTRY" BAN ON PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHEUNG SHUI WHILE TWO NEW ROADS IN FANLING WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
IN SHEUNG SHUI, NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER ROAD 7/2 IN AREA 7A AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
IN FANLING, THE SECTION OF ROAD L100 BETWEEN ROAD D6 AND FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT AND A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES WEST OF THE ROUNDABOUT, AND THE SECTION OF ROAD W100 FROM FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT ADJOINING KIU TAU ROAD WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROAD OPENING, THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
* THE LOOP ROAD ON ROAD W100 NEAR FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT OFF ROAD LI00 WILL BE MADE A BUS LANE. ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE BUS LANE 24 HOURS DAILY.
* THE FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT ON ROAD L100 WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY. NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 2J, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGAL DEPT OFFICERS PROMOTED ................................... 1
✓
LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME TAKES EFFECT TOMORROW ........... 2
NEW $226 MILLION CHINA FERRY TERMINAL OPENS IN SEPTEMBER .. 3
ENVIRONMENTAL BLACKSPOTS TO BE IDENTIFIED....................... 4
DISTRICT'S VIEWS ON CIVIC EDUCATION SOUGHT ..................... 5
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LRT FARES .............................. 5
SPORTS CONSULTANCY REPORT ON COMMITTEE AGENDA .................. 6
SAI KUNG TREE PLANTING DAY TO BE HELD TOMORROW.................. 6
YOUTH SURVEY FINDINGS TO BE ANNOUNCED........................... 7
SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES ......................................... 8
CSD PASSING-OUT PARADE AT STANLEY ............................. 12
WORKSHOPS WILL HELP TEACHERS .................................. 12
BALLET ACTIVITIES IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT ...................... 1J
MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET COMPLEX FOR YaU MA TEI ................... 14
EXHIBITIONS aND VARIETY SHOW FOR THE PUBLIC.................... 15
PRIZES FOR BEST PHOTOS OF SHa TIN FESTIVE LIGHTING ............ 16
PUBLIC TRANSPORT CHANGES FOR BOxT RaCES ....................... 17
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
1
LEGAL DEPT OFFICERS PROMOTED * « » »
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS HAS APPROVED THE PROMOTION OF MR FRANK STOCK QC AND MR PETER ALLAN TO LAW OFFICERS OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT MR STOCK (43) WAS APPOINTED LAW OFFICER (SOLICITOR GENERAL) AND MR ALLAN (43) WAS APPOINTED LAW OFFICER (CROWN SOLICITOR).
MR STOCK STUDIED LAW AT LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY AND GRADUATED WITH AN LLB DEGREE IN 1967. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR BY LINCOLN’S INN IN 1968. HE THEN PRACTISED AT THE ENGLISH BAR UNTIL 1978.
IN THAT YEAR HE CAME TO HONG KONG AND JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A CROWN COUNSEL.
DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF HIS CAREER IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, MR STOCK WAS ATTACHED TO THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION WHERE, FROM 1980, HE SERVED AS HEAD OF THE COMMERCIAL CRIME UNIT.
HE MOVED TO THE CIVIL DIVISION IN 1983 TO HEAD THE CIVIL LITIGATION UNIT. IN DECEMBER 1986, HE WAS APPOINTED ACTING SOLICITOR GENERAL HEADING THE POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION DIVISION.
MR STOCK IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO SONS.
MR ALLAN GRADUATED WITH AN LLB (HONOURS) FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND, IN 1969 AND WAS ADMITTED AS A BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND IN 1970.
HE WAS TN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN NEW ZEALAND FOR 10 YEARS BEFORE JOINING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1979 AS A' CROWN COUNSEL IN THE CIVIL DIVISION.
APART FROM A BRIEF PERIOD IN THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION, MR ALLAN'S CAREER IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN SPENT ENTIRELY IN THE CIVIL DIVISION.
MR ALLAN IS MARRIED AND HAS ONE DAUGHTER.
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/2
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
2
LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME TAKES EFFECT TOMORROW » » » » *
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1987 WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
STARTING FROM TOMORROW, LIVESTOCK KEEPING WILL BE BANNED IN THE LIVESTOCK WASTE PROHIBITION AREAS.
THE PROHIBITION AREAS COVER HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON, SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND ENVIRONS, AND PARTS OF TAI PO, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI, YUEN LONG, TIN SHU1 WAI AND JUNK BAY NEW TOWNS.
FARMERS IN THESE AREAS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO COMPENSATE FOR GIVING UP THE LIVESTOCK KEEPING.
SO FAR, SOME 600 FARM OPERATORS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS HAVE APPLIED FOR THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND PAYMENTS ARE BEING PROCESSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD).
CONTROLS IN RELATION TO THE COLLECTION, STORAGE, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE IN THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS COVERING TOLO HARBOUR AND TOLO CHANNEL, MUI WO AND ANGLER’S BEACH AREAS WILL ALSO HE EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW.
\ SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SAID CONTROLS IN Tlll< FIRST THREE AREAS WILL BE REGARDED AS A PILOT SCHEME AND WILL NOT BF EXTENDED TO OTHER CONTROL AREAS BEFORE THE COMPLETION Ol A REVIEW OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS NOW BEING SET UP ON PRIVATE FARMS.
UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, FARMERS IN CONTROL AREAS CAN APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE 1F THEY WISH TO CEASE LIVESTOCK KEEPING. THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE CAN APPLY TO EPD FOR CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS TO INSTALL NECESSARY TREATMENT FACILITIES.
EPD’S EIGHT ADVISORY TEAMS HAVE VISITED OVER 300 FARMS IN THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS AND HAVE ADVISED FARMERS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE LIVESTOCK KEEPING ON THE WASTE TREATMENT METHOD MOST APPROPRIATE TO EACH FARM.
THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FROM FARMERS FOR CAPITAL GRANTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF TREATMENT PLANTS.
IN ADDITION, FARMERS IN THE CONTROL AREAS ARE ABLE TO UTILISE THE LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE PROVIDED BY EPD SINCE LAST YEAR AT THE 104 CONVENIENT COLLECTION POINTS IN THE THREE CONTROL AREAS.
FARMERS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS AND THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS WHO HAVE: NOT YET APPLIED FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES OR CAPITAL
GRANTS ARE URGED TO DO SO WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.
FOR ENQUIRIES, THEY CAN CONTACT EPD AT TELEPHONE 3-7801165 OR 3-7800126.
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/5........
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
NEW $226 MILLION CHINA FERRY TERMINAL OPENS IN SEPTEMBER
*****
THE NEW $226.5 MILLION CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL IN SEPTEMBER TO PROVIDE MUCH-IMPROVED SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO CHINA-BOUND PASSENGERS.
THE SCALE OF THE NEW FEES FOR PASSENGER EMBARKATION AND BERTHING, WHICH IS THE SAME AS THOSE FOR EXISTING MACAU FERRY SERVICES, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
’’THE NEW FEES WILL COME INTO EFFECT AFTER THE OPENING OF THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN CANTON ROAD IN SEPTEMBER WHEN THE TEMPORARY FERRY TERMINALS AT TAI KOK TSUI AND CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE FEES WERE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE,AS THE FACILITIES AT BOTH THE NEW AND THE MACAU TERMINALS ARE COMPARABLE.
v
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE HIGHER FEES WERE INTRODUCED AT THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL IN CENTRAL WHEN IT WAS OPENED IN OCTOBER 1985, AND THE GOVERNMENT THEN DECIDED THAT THESE CHARGES WOULD ALSO APPLY TO ALL CHINA FERRY SERVICES IN FUTURE WHEN TERMINAL FACILITIES TO CHINA WERE BROUGHT UP TO STANDARD.
"THE LONG TERM INTENTION IS THAT BOTH CHINA AND MACAU SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED FROM EACH TERMINAL,” HE ADDED.
THE NEW SCALES ARE:
PASSENGER EMBARKATION FEES
(A) PASSENGERS PAYING AN AMOUNT EXCEEDING $15
$12 FOR A SINGLE JOURNEY OR TRAVELLING FREE OF CHARGE ON A COMPLIMENTARY TICKET
(B) OTHER PASSENGERS $6
BERTHING FEES PER TON
(A) DYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT FERRIES INCREASE FROM $1 TO $2
(B) CONVENTIONAL FERRIES INCREASE FROM $0.5 TO $1
(C) OTHER VESSELS NOT USED FOR FERRY INCREASE FROM $1 TO $2
SERVICES
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A....
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
ENVIRONMENTAL BLACKSPOTS TO BE IDENTIFIED ♦ » » » »
A COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO MOBILISE RESIDENTS TO IDENTIFY ENVIRONMENTAL BLACKSPOTS AND MODEL EXAMPLES OF GOOD ENVIRONMENT WILL BE LAUNCHED IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT IN THE COMING WEEKS.
THIS IS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY WORKING GROUP, MR YUEN BUN-KEUNG SAID THE AIM OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS TO FOSTER THE CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THROUGH TWO COMPETITIONS.
THE FIRST ACTIVITY INVITES PARTICIPANTS TO IDENTIFY FIVE ENVIRONMENTAL BLACKSPOTS AND FIVE MODEL PLACES IN THE DISTRICT BY JULY 13.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL THEN SELECT THE FIVE BLACKSPOTS WHICH MOST PEOPLE IDENTIFIED AND REFER THEM TO THE CONCERNED AUTHORITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE TOP FIVE PLACES WITH EXCELLENT ENVIRONMENT WILL BE AWARDED MEMORIAL PLAGUES.
MORE THAN 200 PRIZES SPONSORED BY COMMERCIAL FIRMS WILL BE AWARDED TO THE PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A LUCKY DRAW. THESE INCLUDE GOLD NECKLACES, WALKMAN CASSETTE RECORDERS AND ELECTRIC APPLIANCES.
ANOTHER ACTIVITY ENTITLED ’’ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME DESIGN COMPETITION” INVITES RESIDENTS TO SUBMIT WRITTEN PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE CERTAIN SPOTS OR FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT BY JULY 19.
THE ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR PRACTICALITY AND ORIGINALITY.
THE BOARD OF ADJUDICATORS FOR THIS COMPETITION WILL COMPRISE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT WORKS COMMITTEE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES AND TROPHIES. THEIR NAMES WILL ALSO BE INSCRIBED ON A MEMENT OF THE PROJECT IF THEIR PROPOSALS ARE IMPLEMENTED.
RESULTS OF THE COMPETITIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ON JULY 26.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT G/F, HARBOUR BUILDING, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND KENNEDY TOWN.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523000 OR 5-8523477.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 23,
1988
- 5 -
DISTRICT’S VIEWS ON CIVIC EDUCATION SOUGHT *****
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH MEMBERS OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON CIVIC EDUCATION DURING A MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE VISIT WAS THE FIRST OF A SERIES PLANNED FOR THE COMMITTEE THIS YEAR, TO GIVE MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK VIEWS AND SHARE EXPERIENCES ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
DURING THE MEETING, DR TSE EXPLAINED TO MEMBERS THE WORK PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THIS YEAR.
HE SAID NEARLY $1.9 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
PLANS ARE IN HAND TO DEVELOP EXISTING FACILITIES AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION INTO A CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCES CENTRE IN 1989.
ON THE DISTRICT SIDE, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR TERENCE TENG INFORMED THE MEETING THAT A TRAINING COURSE FOR VOLUNTARY WORKERS, A CIVIC EDUCATION CAMP AND A SERIES OF VISITS WOULD BE ORGANISED LATER IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMPAIGN.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LRT FARES
* * ♦ ♦
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE FARES OF THE LRT AND ITS FEEDER BUSES AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS ON THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSAL TO REMOVE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM DRIVING LICENCES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE NEW GREEN MINI BUS SERVICES PROPOSED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR YUEN LONG, THE SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (1988-89) FOR YUEN LONG, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A KMB X ROUTE LINKING LONG PING ESTATE AND KOWLOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FOOR, TAI K1U GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
- 6
SPORTS CONSULTANCY REPORT ON COMMITTEE AGENDA
♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
A SPORTS CONSULTANCY REPORT WHICH HAS RECOMMENDED OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD'S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE MEETING WILL ALSO SELECT CO-OPTED MEMBERS INTO THE COMMITTEE AND CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM AREA COMMITTEES AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL WORKS PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD'S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
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SAI KUNG TREE PLANTING DAY TO BE HELD TOMORROW ♦ ♦ * ♦ »
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL JOINTLY ORGANISE A TREE PLANTING DAY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE SHA TSUI PLAYGROUND IN SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE TREE PLANTING EXERCISE IS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE TOWN AREA AND TO SUPPORT THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE PLANTING OF SEEDLINGS.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS BETTY CHING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN, AND REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER, MR WAN YUET-KAU.
ABOUT 50 PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE TREE PLANTING DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT TREE PLANTING CEREMONY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE SHA TSUI PLAYGROUND, MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE CEREMONY WILL START AT 10 AM.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
- 7 -
YOUTH SURVEY FINDINGS TO BE ANNOUNCED * * » » t
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS OF A YOUTH SURVEY CONDUCTED IN WAN CHAI.
THE SURVEY WAS AIMED AT FINDING OUT THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CHANGES ON THE VALUE ORIENTATIONS AND BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS OF YOUTHS IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT.
IT WAS CARRIED OUT JOINTLY BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD'S CONCERN FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES WORKING GROUP; CHINESE YMCA HONG KONG CENTRE AND METHODIST CENTRE IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.
MORE THAN 500 YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGE OF 15 AND 21 WERE INTERVIEWED DURING THE EXERCISE.
PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONCERN FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES WORKING GROUP, MR KENNETH LEE; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE METHODIST CENTRE, MR NORMAN LO AND A LECTURER OF LINGNAN COLLEGE, MR KWOK HONG-KEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD TOMORROW AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, 8TH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD.
THURSDAY, JUNE 23,
1988
8
SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES *****
ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1986 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 194 STORAGE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1986 (AN INCREASE OF 13 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1985), AND THEY ENGAGED A TOTAL OF 4,072 PERSONS (+23 PER CENT).
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED #1,097 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (+26 PER CENT), AND SPENT $209 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (+26 PER CENT) AND #708 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES (+24 PER CENT).
THE VALUE ADDED OF THIS SECTOR, REPRESENTING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT TO #533 MILLION IN 1986.
IN THE COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR WHICH INCLUDES TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, COURIER, RADIO-PAGING AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES, THERE WERE 181 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1986, AN INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT OVER 1985. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED ROSE BY 16 PER CENT TO 22,663.
COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AMOUNTED TO #1,672 MILLION (+8 PER CENT) AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO $2,343 MILLION (+33 PER CENT).
BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT TO $8,024 MILLION, WHILE THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS SECTOR TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT TO $4,895 MILLION.
IN THE FINANCING SECTOR, 2,141 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION DURING 1986, AN INCREASE OF 7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1985. THIS SECTOR COMPRISES LOAN AND MORTGAGE COMPANIES, CREDIT INSTITUTIONS, FINANCE LEASING, PAWNSHOPS, INVESTMENT AND HOLDING COMPANIES, SECURITIES, FUTURES AND GOLD BULLION BROKERS AND DEALERS, MONEY CHANGERS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE BROKERS AND DEALERS.
COMPARED WITH 1985, THE SECTOR’S TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED WENT UP BY 7 PER CENT TO 21,262.
COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AMOUNTED TO $2,472 MILLION (+26 PER CENT) AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO $7,866 MILLION (+36 PER CENT).
/BUSINESS RECEIPTS .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2?t 1988
- 9 -
BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME GREW BY 47 PER CENT TO $26,766 MILLION, WHILE THIS SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED INCREASED BY 63 PER CENT TO $5,120 MILLION.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE FINANCING SECTOR MENTIONED ABOVE EXCLUDES BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WHICH ARE SEPARATELY COVERED UNDER THE 1986 SURVEY OF BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF FOREIGN BANKS, THE RESULTS OF WHICH HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE MARCH 1988 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
IN SUMMARY, THE NUMBER OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES IN OPERATION IN 1986 DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT TO 466 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1985.
WAGES AND SALARIES PAID AND OTHER EMPLOYEES BENEFITS OFFERED AMOUNTED TO $6,120 MILLION (+9 PER CENT) AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO $4,258 MILLION (+7 PER CENT).
NET INTEREST RECEIPTS (I.E. INTEREST RECEIVED MINUS INTEREST PAID) ROSE BY 13 PER CENT TO $12,374 MILLION, WHILE RECEIPTS FROM SERVICES RENDERED INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT TO $3^875 MILLION.
IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THERE WERE 6,043 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1986, AN INCREASE OF 16 PER CENT OVER 1985.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, INCLUDING LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, AUDITING AND DATA PROCESSING FIRMS; COMPANIES ENGAGED IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANCY, ADVERTISING, DESIGNING, SECRETARIAL AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES; TECHNICAL SERVICES AND MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT RENTAL COMPANIES; ENGAGED A TOTAL OF 58,272 PERSONS,. AN INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT OVER 1985.
THEY SPENT $3,990 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (+17 PER CENT) AND $7,203 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES (+36 PER CENT), AND GENERATED $14,585 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (+30 PER CENT).
THE SECTOR CONTRIBUTED $7,129 MILLION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (+25 PER CENT), MEASURED IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED.
IN THE INSURANCE SECTOR, WHICH INCLUDES GENERAL AND LIFE INSURERS, INSURANCE AGENTS AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES, THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 2 PER CENT TO 1,053, WHILE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT TO 13,235.
THIS SECTOR GENERATED $11,461 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (+34 PER CENT).
/COMPENSATION OF .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 2J, 1988
- 10
COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AMOUNTED TO $1,087 MILLION AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO $904 MILLION, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 18 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER 1985.
AN ACCOMPANYING TABLE COMPARES SOME SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS BY SECTOR BETWEEN 1985 AND 1986.
THE 1986 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS AND OF UPDATING THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS 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, BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH ANALYTICAL TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY SERVICES GROUP/SECTOR AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED "1986 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES".
THIS REPORT WILL BE PUT ON SALE IN EARLY NEXT MONTH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT WILL BE USEFUL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234926).
/Comparison of
THURSDAY, JUNE 1988
11
Comparison of selected principal statistics for all eatabll absents in the Storage, Communications, Firnncing, Insurance and Businoas Services Saetora between 1985 and 1^86
Sector Number of establishments Number of Persona enpged Number of employees Compensation of employees Operating expenses Business reoolpts and other ■* income Valne added
1 Na. 1 Mn, 1 Ms. 1 Ra.
Storego 1985 172 3 322 3 317 165.1 572.9 873.1 bOb.7
1986 19b b 072 b 06b 208.8 707.5 1 097.3 532.5
< change ♦15 ♦23 *23 ♦26 ♦2b ♦26 ♦32
Communications 1985 162 19 616 19 532 1 5*»2.9 1 737.b 6 5b8.O b 225.*
1986 181 22 663 22 533 1 671.5 2 3*2.5 8 023.7 * 895.b
< change ♦ 12 ♦16 ♦15 ♦8 ♦33 ♦23 ♦16
Financing 1985 2 009 19 81b 18 66b . 1 957.0 5 781.5 18 189.3 3 1*7.2
1986 2 1M 21 262 20 2bb 2 b72.2 7 866.3 26 766.1 5 119.7
< change ♦7 ♦7 ♦8 ♦26 ♦36 ♦b7 ♦63
Business services 1985 5 189 52 889 U8 <»59 3 *02.8 5 306.1 11 233.6 5 690.2
1986 6 0b3 58 272 53 016 3 990.1 7 203.3 1b 58b.7 7 128.6
% change ♦16 ♦10 ♦9 ♦17 ♦36 ♦30 ♦25
Insurance 1985 1 073 11 96b 11 U28 922.b 825.3 8 582.3 -
1986 1 053 13 235 12 616 1 086.9 903.9 11 b60.8 •
< change -2 ♦ 11 ♦10 ♦ 18 ♦ 10 ♦3b •
Go re rumen t/Seai- 1985 2 •» 512 * 512 b22.8 b33.2 1 067.b •
government institutions 1986 2 b 605 b 605 b78.7 5bb.O 1 228.8 -
< change • 0 ♦2 ♦2 ♦13 ♦26 ♦15 •
Notea : (l) In the financing sector, value added was not compiled for investment and bolding companies due to the special features of their business operation. Bence, total valne added for the sector did not include that of investment and bolding companies,
(2) Financing sector excluded banka and deposit-taking companies.
(3) Value added was not compiled for the insurance aector and governnent/seal-governmeot institutions.
(b) Oovernnent/seai-government inatitutiona comprised the Poet Office and the Mong Kong export Credit Insurance Corporation.
(5) figures denoting changea are derived from unrounded figures.
(6) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Rong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product. The definition can be found in the "1986 Survey of Storage, Communications, financing, Insurance and Business Services" Report.
----------o -------------- /12................................
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
12
CSD PASSING-OUT PARADE AT STANLEY
» » » »
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT STANLEY TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
HE WILL ADDRESS THE PARADE AND PRESENT SILVER WHISTLES TO THE TWO BEST RECRUITS.
ON PARADE WILL BE 32 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED THE DEPARTMENT’S BASIC TRAINING COURSE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL START AT 4 PM TOMORROW AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT 47 TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO USE THE SERVICE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE TO WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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WORKSHOPS WILL HELP TEACHERS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF MUSIC, PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND CONVENERS OF HEALTH EDUCATION SUBJECTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, STARTING ON JULY 9 (SATURDAY).
MUSIC TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO JOIN A WORKSHOP ON COMPOSING AND IMPROVISING IN THE CLASSROOM.
THE WORKSHOP, COMPRISING THREE HALF-DAY SESSIONS, WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 9, 11 AND 12 IN THE ANNEXE OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ON THE 11TH FLOOR, ARGYLE CENTRE, STAGE I, MONG KOK.
THE WORKSHOP AIMS AT PROVIDING MUSIC TEACHERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE WAYS OF COMPOSING AND IMPROVISING TN THE CLASSROOM.
/THE KNGLI6H
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER TWO IDENTICAL WORKSHOPS ON DESIGNING LANGUAGE EXERCISES FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS ON JULY 11 AND 12.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS VARIOUS TYPES OF COMMUNICATIVE WRITTEN EXERCISES AND TO DESIGN LANGUAGE EXERCISES SUITABLE FOR USE IN THE CLASSROOM.
CONVENERS OF HEALTH EDUCATION SUBJECTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS CAN JOIN TWO IDENTICAL WHOLE-DAY WORKSHOPS ON JULY 21 AND 22.
THE WORKSHOPS ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE PARTICIPANTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN SCHOOL AND TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND DISCUSS EXPERIENCES.
THE WORKSHOPS WILL HELP TEACHERS TO IDENTIFY DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED WHEN THEY PERFORM THE DUTIES OF A HEALTH EDUCATION SUBJECT CONVENER AND TO DEVELOP PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES.
THE WORKSHOPS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE SEMINAR ROOM OF THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD,
AND DISPLAY NORTH POINT.
SCHOOLS INTENDING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO TAKE PART IN THE WORKSHOPS ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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BALLET ACTIVITIES IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT * ♦ * » ♦
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND KWAI TSING BALLET GROUP WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25) TO ANNOUNCE THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS BY CHILDREN OF THE ’’BALLET IN THE ESTATES" PROGRAMME IN A RECENT OPEN EXAMINATION OF BRITAIN’S ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCING.
DETAILS OF A FORTHCOMING STUDY TOUR TO PEKING BY CHILDREN TAKING PART IN THE PROGRAMME AS WELL AS ITS NEW TRAINING COURSES SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST WILL ALSO BE ANNOUNCED.
/RESULTS OBTAINED
THURSDAY, JUNE 2J, 1988
RESULTS OBTAINED BY THE YOUNG DANCERS THIS YEAR ARE THE BEST SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE "BALLET IN THE ESTATES" PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND KWAI TSTNG BALLET GROUP TWO YEARS AGO TO PROMOTE CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN THE PERFORMING ART.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK; CHAIRPERSON OF KWAI TSING BALLET GROUP, MS ANNIE HO AND MEMBERS OF THE BEIJING DELEGATION WILL BE PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND KWAI TSING BALLET GROUP AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25) AT CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING (NEXT TO KWAI HING MTR STATION), KWAI CHUNG.
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MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET COMPLEX FOR YAU MA TEI * t » » »
A MODERN MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET COMPLEX FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE BUILT IN YAU MA TEI BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. IT WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN TWO YEARS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AFTER A $92.28 MILLION CONTRACT WAS AWARDED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMPLEX, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH.
LOCATED ON A 3,216-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT KWUN CHUNG STREET IN YAU MA TEI, THE FACILITY WILL BE KNOWN AS THE URBAN COUNCIL KWUN CHUNG COMPLEX.
TWO STOREYS WILL BE FOR A MARKET, ONE STOREY FOR A COOKED FOOD CENTRE, TWO STOREYS FOR OFFICE SPACE AND TWO STOREYS FOR SQUASH COURTS. PARKING WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE BASEMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AS WELL AS A LIGHT REFRESHMENT RESTAURANT.
THE MARKET AREA ALONE WILL EXCEED 6,000 SQUARE METRES
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/15
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
- 15 -
EXHIBITIONS AND VARIETY SHOW FOR THE PUBLIC *****
A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION, A CHINESE HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION, AND A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE STAGED IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25) FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
THE THREE ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF ITS NEW OFFICE. THEY ARE SPONSORED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION WILL DISPLAY THE WORK OF FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER SHUI WO TIN DURING HIS AFRICAN TRIP. IT WILL BE HELD FROM JUNE 25 TO JULY 3, FROM 10 AM TO 12 NOON AND FROM 2 PM TO 6 PM DAILY AT THE NEW OFFICE OF THE ARTS COUNCIL AT 2, LUNG HING HOUSE, LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.
THE CHINESE HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25) FROM 1.30 PM TO 4.30 PM AT THE OPEN AREA OUTSIDE LUNG HING HOUSE.
THERE WILL BE LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS BY EXPERIENCED CRAFTSMEN ON FLOUR DOLLS MAKING, DRAGON AND PHOENIX CALLIGRAPHY, CHINESE KNOTTING, CHINESE PAPER CUTTING, GRASSHOPPER WEAVING, AND DRAGON BEARD CANDY MAKING.
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD AT 4.30 PM AT THE BASKETBALL COURT ADJACENT TO LUNG GUT HOUSE, LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.
THERE WILL BE A DRAMA SHOW, CHINESE DANCING, SINGING BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR, LION’S DANCE, A BAND AND ACROBAT 1CS PERFORMANCES.
BEFORE THE VARIETY SHOW, AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE FOURTH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL WILL TAKE PLACE.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG; WONG TAI SIN DISTR1CI OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR MICHAEL LEE; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL, MR FUNG KWONG-CHUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOMED TO COVER THE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION, THE CHINESE HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION, AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL NEW OFFICE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 1.30 PM IIII SATURDAY (JUNE 25) AT THE BASKETBALL COURT ADJACENT TO LUNG GUT HOUSE, LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1988
- 16 -
PRIZES FOR BEST PHOTOS OF SHA TIN FESTIVE LIGHTING ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, WILL PRESENT PRIZES ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25) TO WINNERS OF A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION CONCERNING FESTIVE LIGHTING PUT UP IN SHA TIN.
THE NINE WINNING ENTRIES SHOW THE LIGHTING DECORATIONS PUT UP IN THE DISTRICT FOR CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR AND LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE FIRST FOUR WILL EACH BE AWARDED DELUXE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, QUALITY CAMERAS AND TROPHIES WHILE FIVE CONSOLATION PRIZES WILL CONSIST OF CAMERAS AND COUPONS FOR A BUFFET MEAL.
THERE WERE MORE THAN 300 ENTRIES.
GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY, TO BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 1987-88 SHA TIN DISTRICT FESTIVE LIGHTING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR LEE KWONG, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE KODAK FILM COMPANY AND THE HOTEL RIVERSIDE PLAZA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1987-88 SHA TIN DISTRICT FESTIVE LIGHTING COMPETITION TO BE HELD AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1O88
- 17 -
PUBLIC TRANSPORT CHANGES FOR BOAT RACES » * » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT CERTAIN BUS AND HOVERFERRY SERVICES WILL BE AFFECTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL - INTERNATIONAL RACES 1988 TO BE HELD AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE ON SATURDAY (JUNE 25) AND SUNDAY (JUNE 26).
THE HOVERFERRY SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WILL BE SUSPENDED ON BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB ROUTE NO. 5A (KOWLOON CITY TO STAR FERRY) ON ITS JOURNEYS TO STAR FERRY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH AND SALISBURY ROAD.
THE EXISTING BUS STOPS ON SALISBURY ROAD SOUTHBOUND OBSERVED BY ROUTE 5A WILL BE SUSPENDED. TEMPORARY BUS STOPS WILL BE PROVIDED ON CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH NEAR ITS JUNCTIONS WITH CHEONG WAN ROAD, GRANVILLE ROAD AND MODY ROAD.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY, A NEW SECTION OF WING KEI ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG BETWEEN WING KIN ROAD AND KWAI FUK ROAD WILL BE MADE A PEAK-HOUR (7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
_ _ 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CANADA SIGNED .................. 1
REVISION OF FEES FOR SENIOR SECONDARY, COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND ADULT EDUCATION COURSES ...................... 2
WORK STARTS SOON ON TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL .................... 5
TRAINING PROGRAMMES DEMONSTRATE EMPHASIS ON REFORM ......... 6
LEGISLATION IN HAND TO CLOSE UNLICENSED RESTAURANTS ........ 7
AMENDMENT SOUGHT TO JUSTICE BILL.......................... 8
LEGISLATION ALONE INSUFFICIENT TO ENSURE SAFETY ............ 9
WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES STATED ........................... 11
S35OM CONTRACT AWARDED FOR NT TRUNK ROaD-6 ................ 12
POWER TO HOLD MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS SOUGHT ................. 13
FUNCTIONS OF NEW PLACEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE DISABLED UNDERLINED................................................. 14
OPPORTUNITY FOR URBnN RENEWAL AND REPLANNING .............. 15
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MAY PUBLISHED .................. 16
TAI PO DFCC MEMBERS VISIT POLICE STATION .................. 19
WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL .............. 19
DTC REGISTRATION SUSPENDED................................. 20
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED .................................. 20
PUBLICITY BUS TO PROMOTE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ............ 21
HEALTHY SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KWUN TONG YOUTH.............. 22
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO SAUDI ARABIA EXTENDED ................ 22
DRAFT MID-LEVELS WEST OZP AMENDED.......................... 23
RECLAMATION OF L.JID FOR INDUSTRIAL USE PROPOSED........... 2U
ACCESS TO YUEN LONG VILLAGES TO BE IMPROVED ............... 25
LhND IN SIU TAU KOK TO BE RESUMED.......................... 25
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON ................................ 26
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN W„N CHAI ................ 27
WATER CUT IN T«I PO ....................................... 27
FRIDAY, JUNE 24,
1988
AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CANADA SIGNED ♦ * » ♦
AN AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT (ASA) BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WAS SIGNED IN HONG KONG TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG UNDER THE AUTHORISATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE TREASURY BOARD, THE HONOURABLE MISS PATRICIA CARNEY, SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA.
SIGNATURE OF THE ASA FOLLOWS DISCUSSION LAST YEAR BETWEEN UK AND CANADIAN DELEGATIONS AT WHICH PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON THE TEXT. HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED IN THE UK DELEGATION AT THOSE TALKS.
FOLLOWING SIGNATURE OF THE HONG KONG/NETHERLANDS ASA IN THE HAGUE ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1986 AND SIGNATURE OF THE HONG KONG/SWITZERLAND ASA IN HONG KONG ON JANUARY 26, 1988, THE HONG KONG/CANADA ASA IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES INTENDED TO PROVIDE SEPARATE HONG KONG ASA’S DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE SINO-BRIT1SH JOINT DECLARATION IN MIND.
THE ASA, WHICH PROVIDES FOR SCHEDULED SERVICES BY THE DESIGNATED AIRLINES OF THE TWO SIDES, ENTERS INTO FORCE UPON SIGNATURE.
IN THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 1987 UP TO NOW, SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA BY THE AIRLINES OF EITHER SIDE HAVE BEEN OPERATED UNDER TEMPORARY INFORMAL ARRANGEMENTS. BEFORE THEN, THEY WERE OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE UK/CANADA ASA IN FORCE AT THE TIME.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 2 -
REVISION OF FEES FOR SENIOR SECONDARY, COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND ADULT EDUCATION COURSES » » ♦ ♦ »
FEES FOR FORMS FOUR TO SEVEN IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS AND FOR TEACHER TRAINING AND ADULT EDUCATION COURSES OPERATED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE 1988-89 AND 1989-90 SCHOOL YEARS WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW FEES ARE FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH YEARS OF A FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME TO PHASE IN FEE INCREASES TO RESTORE THE REAL VALUE OF THE FEES ANNOUNCED IN THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION.
THIS PLAN WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED TN JULY 1986 AND THE PHASING IN ON THE INCREASES OVER FIVE YEARS IS TO AVOID ANY UNDUE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON PARENTS.
FOR FORMS FOUR TO FIVE, THE FEE PAYABLE TN 10 MONTHLY INSTALMENTS IN A YEAR WILL GO UP BY $20 TO $105 A MONTH NEXT SEPTEMBER. IT WILL RISE FURTHER BY $25 TO $130 A MONTH FROM SEPTEMBER 1989.
FOR FORMS SIX TO SEVEN AND FULL-TIME DAY COURSES IN THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HK TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, THE FEE WILL GO UP BY $25 TO $140 A MONTH FROM SEPTEMBER 1988 AND THEN BY $30 TO $170 A MONTH FROM SEPTEMBER 1989.
THE FEE ASSISTANCE FOR SECONDARY FOUR TO SEVEN BOUGHT PLACES IN NON-PROFIT MAKING PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT GRANTS FOR ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND LINGNAN COLLEGE WILL BE REVISED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE REVISED STANDARD FEES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID NEEDY STUDENTS COULD CONTINUE TO SEEK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME.
UNDER THE SCHEME, UP TO 45 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FEE INCOME FROM SECONDARIES FOUR TO FIVE AND 50 PER CENT FROM SECONDARIES SIX TO SEVEN MAY BE REMITTED.
AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT MAY RECEIVE EITHER HALF, THREE-QUARTER, OR FULL FEE REMISSION DEPENDING ON HIS FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF INTEREST-FREE LOANS AND MAINTENANCE GRANTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND HK TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
NEW FEES FOR ADULT EDUCATION COURSES AND OTHER COURSES OPERATED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE SCHOOL YEARS 19R8-R9 AND 1989-90 WERE ALSO ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL FEES FOR THE 1990-91 SCHOOL YEAR WOULD BE ANNOUNCED NEARER THE TIME.
/FEES IN .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1$J8
FEES IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS
£*£jfrilhC J988-39 I98^90 *$°°l wiil be Charged tn the following Government
Schools. Institutions and Courses as follows:— *
Type of Institution Secondary Grammar and Technical Schools Classes Secondary 1-3 Secondary 4-5 Secondary 6-7 1988-89 Tuition Fees Amount Nil SI,050.00 per annum Sl.400.00 per annum 1989-90 Tuition Fees Amount Nil SI.300.00 per annum SI. ’00.00 per annum
Name of Institution 1988-89 Tuition 1989—90 Tuition
Classes Fees Amount Fees Amount
Colleges of Education Full- time
2-year Course Sl.400.00 SI. 700.00
3-year Course per annum per annum
Sl.400.00 51.700.00
per annum per annum
Hong Kona Technical Full-time
Teachers^ College 3-yearand 1-year courses Sl.400.00 SI. 700.00
for technical teachers per annum per annum
Part-time Evening
Basic Course in Instructional Techniques SI 70.00 per course 5210.00 per course
Advanced Course in S210.00 per course
Instructional Techniques One-vear course for part-time lecturers S310.00 per course
S380.00 per course
Basic Teaching $170.00 per course 5210.00 per course
Techniques for Part-time Lecturers in Technical Institutes
Part-time Day Release
Basic Course in Instructional Techniques SI 70.00 per course S210.00 per course
Advanced Course in Instructional Techniques — S210.00 per course
Certificate Course in Training and Development SI70.00 per course 5210.00 per course
Block Release
• Basic Course in Instructional Techniques SI70.00 per course 5210.00 per course
Advanced Course in Instructional Techniques — S210.00 per course
/Name of Course........
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
4
.Name of Course Classes 1988-89 Tuition Fees Amount
Adult Education Section Evening Courses:
English Courses Primary SI70.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of S85.OO each)
Secondary S27O.OO per annum (By 2 termly instalments of SI35.00 each)
General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) S350.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of SI 75.00 each)
Adult Education Course (General Background) Lower. Middle & Upper Nil
Adult Education Courses (Practical Background) Woodwork SI20.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of S60.00 each)
Sewing and Knitting S60.00 per course
Cookery S23O.OO per course
Government Evening Secondary School Courses Secondary 1-3 Secondary 4-5 Nil • S55O.OO per annum (By 10 monthly instalments of S55.OO each)
Teachers’ Courses All courses S370.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of SI85.00 each)
Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies Short Courses SI 70.00 per course
Adult Education and Recreation Centres:
Hobby Groups Short Courses SI00.00 per course
Microcomputer Courses Short Evening Courses SI00.00 per course
1989-90 Tuition Fees .Amount
$210.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of S105.00each)
S320.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of SI 60.00 each)
S430.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of
S215.00 each)
Nil
Si 50.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of S75.00 each)
S80 00 per course
S290.00 per course
Nil
S670.00 per annum (By 10 monthly instalments of
S67.00 each)
S450.00 per annum (By 2 termly instalments of S225.OO each)
S210.00 per course
SI30.00 per course
SI30.00 per course
FRIDAY, JUNK 24, 1988
- 5 -
WORK STARTS SOON ON TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL » t » »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AUTHORISED THE CONSTRUCTION OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL ON WHICH WORK IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE EARLY NEXT MONTH.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, SUBJECT TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL, THE GAMMON-NISHIMATSU CONSORTIUM WOULD BUILD THE 3.9 KM-LONG TWIN-TUBE TUNNELS BETWEEN DIAMOND HILL IN KOWLOON AND SIU LEK YUEN IN SHA TIN. EACH TUBE WOULD ACCOMMODATE TWO TRAFFIC LANES.
THE CONSORTIUM WOULD ALSO CONSTRUCT A TOLL PLAZA AT SIU LEK YUEN AND THE TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS IN BOTH SHA TIN AND KOWLOON.
AT THE SAME TIME THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSTRUCT THE ROAD AND FLYOVER SYSTEM CONNECTING THE TUNNEL APPROACH ROAD INCLUDING PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE, KWUN TONG BY-PASS PHASES II AND III IN BAST KOWLOON AND TRUNK ROADS T5 AND T6 IN SHA TIN.
THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS IN NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES TOGETHER WITH GROWTH OF CROSS BORDER MOVEMENTS AT MAN KAM TO AND SHA TAU KOK HAD GENERATED CONSIDERABLE TRAFFIC THROUGH THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
WITH THE PLANNED OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IN AUGUST 1991, THE CONGESTION \T LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE GREATLY RELIEVED.
TO ABATE TRAFFIC NOISE THAT MAY AFFECT RESIDENTS IN BUILDINGS CLOSE TO THE APPROACH ROADS, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ARE INVESTIGATING THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING COVERS TO SECTIONS OF THE ELEVATED APPROACH ROAD NEAREST TO RICHLAND GARDENS IN KOWLOON BAY AND CHOI HUNG ESTATE IN WONG TAI SIN.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THE ROAD COVERS, IF IMPLEMENTED, WILL ENCLOSE ABOUT 115 METRES AND 120 METRES OF THE ELEVATED ROAD AT CHOI HUNG ESTATE AND RICHLAND GARDENS RESPECTIVELY.
’’THE PROPOSAL CAN BRING ABOUT A REDUCTION OF NOISE LEVEL FOR THE AFFECTED FLATS AT CHOI HUNG ESTATE AND AT RICHLAND GARDENS.
’’THE EXTRA COST IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $20 MILLION.”
HE ADDED THAT OTHER POSSIBLE NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES INCLUDING THE USE OF SPECIAL ROAD SURFACING MATERIALS WOULD ALSO BE ADOPTED AT SUITABLE LOCATIONS.
0 -------
/6........
FRIDAY, JUNE 24,
198b
- 6 -
TRAINING PROGRAMMES DEMONSTRATE EMPHASIS ON REFORM
♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE WORK OF THE MODERN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICER IS FAR REMOVED FROM THE DAYS WHEN PRISONS WERE MERELY PLACES OF PUNISHMENT AND THERE IS NOW A GREAT DEAL OF EMPHASIS ON REFORM AND REHABILITATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PASSING-OUT PARADE AT TJHE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT STANLEY, MR BARNES SAID THIS POINT’ WAS DEMONSTRATED BY THE WIDE VARIETY OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF OFFENDERS IN DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS.
’’FURTHER PROGRESS IN THE REHABILITATION OF PRISONERS WILL BE MADE POSSIBLE SHORTLY WITH THE INTRODUCTION ON JULY 1 OF THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION SCHEME AND THE PRE-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT SCHEME," HE ADDED.
UNDER THESE SCHEMES, THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION BOARD, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF A SERVING JUDGE, WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR, WHILE THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL UNDERTAKE THE CHALLENGING JOB OF SUPERVISING THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS AND ASSISTING THEM TO BECOME USEFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THAT APART FROM THE CUSTODIAL AND REFORMATIVE FUNCTIONS, THERE WOULD BE OCCASIONS WHEN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED UPON TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN OTHER DUTIES.
"A NOTABLE AND CURRENT EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN RUNNING THE CLOSED CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, NOW EXTENDED TO COVER ALSO THE NEW DETENTION CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
’’THE ADDITIONAL WORK AND THE STRAIN ON STAFF THESE DUTIES IMPOSE ARE VERY CONSIDERABLE," HE SAID.
RESOURCES WHICH
HE ALSO PRAISED THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF FOR THE CO-OPERATION, EFFICIENCY AND FOREBEARANCE THEY DISPLAYED IN PERFORMING THESE ADDITIONAL DUTIES.
"I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, AND STILL AM, GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE ADMIRABLE STANDARDS ACHIEVED IN THE INSTITUTIONS AND BY THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF THE STAFF," HE ADDED.
TODAY, 32 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED THE DEPARTMENT’S BASIC TRAINING WERE ON PARADE. THE TWO BEST RECRUITS, MR LAM CHOR-SHING AND MISS LEUNG WAI-CHUN, WERE PRESENTED SILVER WHISTLES BY MR BARNES.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 7 -
LEGISLATION IN HAND TO CLOSE UNLICENSED RESTAURANTS
* t » » *
A BILL SEEKING TO ENABLE STAFF OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS TO PHYSICALLY CLOSE PERSISTENTLY OFFENDING UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES OR VESSELS UNDER THE PUBLIC " HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND TO DISCOURAGE OPERATION OF UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES, OPERATORS OF SUCH BUSINESSES WERE CURRENTLY PROSECUTED UNDER THE FOOD BUSINESS (URBAN COUNCIL)/(REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS.
"IF THE LICENCE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED UPON THE SECOND CONVICTION, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT OR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD APPLY TO THE COURT FOR A PROHIBITION ORDER UNDER SECTION 128 OF THE ORDINANCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, PROHIBITION ORDERS HAVE NOT PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN DETERRING THE ILLEGAL FOOD OPERATORS FROM CONTINUING WITH THE UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES.
"SECTION 128 OF THE ORDINANCE EMPOWERS A MAGISTRATE, UPON APPLICATION BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL, TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF THE PREMISES OR VESSEL FOR ALL OR ANY PURPOSES (A PROHIBITION ORDER), OR TO MAKE AN ORDER TO CLOSE UNLICENSED PREMISES OR VESSELS EITHER WHOLLY OR IN PART (A CLOSURE ORDER).
"AS THIS SECTION CONTAINS NO PROVISION ENABLING THE DEPARTMENTS TO CARRY OUT THE CLOSURE ORDERS BY PHYSICALLY CLOSING PREMISES OR VESSELS, THE LAW HAS TO BE AMENDED TO THIS EFFECT."
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURE A CLOSURE ORDER COULD ONLY BE MADE CONSEQUENTIAL TO THE BREACH OF A PROHIBITION ORDER.
HE SAID THE BILL WOULD ALSO INCLUDE A PROVISION REQUIRING THE COURT TO MAKE A PROHIBITION OR CLOSURE ORDER ONLY WHEN IT WAS SATISFIED THAT AT LEAST 14 DAYS’ NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THE ORDER HAD BEEN GIVEN.
"MOREOVER, THE COURT WOULD PROVIDE ANY INTERESTED PARTY WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD UPON THE MAKING OF A PROHIBITION OR CLOSURE ORDER AND THE OCCUPIER OF THE PREMISES OR VESSEL WOULD THEN HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER," HE SAID.
"TO FACILITATE THE WORK OF STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN CARRYING OUT THE CLOSURE ORDERS, AUTHORISED PUBLIC OFFICERS WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO ARREST PERSONS WHO UNLAWFULLY ENTER OR REMAIN ON CLOSED PREMISES OR VESSEL, WITH POLICE ASSISTANCE WHERE NECESSARY."
/FOR THE
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 8 -
FOR THE OFFENCE OF ENTERING OR REMAINING ON ANY PREMISES OR VESSEL UNDER A CLOSURE ORDER, PENALTIES OF A FINE OF $60,000 AND 12 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT WITH A DAILY FINE OF $1,000 ARE PROPOSED, IN LINE WITH THE ’EXISTING MAXIMUM PENALTIES UNDER SECTION 128(3) FOR BREACHING A PROHIBITION OR CLOSURE ORDER.
"IT WOULD ALSO BE AN OFFENCE TO UNLAWFULLY INTERFERE WITH OR REMOVE ANY DEVICE USED FOR CLOSING THE PREMISES OR VESSEL, OR TO REMOVE ANY CLOSURE NOTICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"PENALTIES OF A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT, WHICH ARE THE EXISTING MAXIMUM PENALTY UNDER SECTION 139 FOR OBSTRUCTING OFFICERS IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR DUTY, ARE PROPOSED FOR THESE OFFENCES."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE LEGISLATION, IF ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WOULD COMF INTO OPERATION ON OCTOBER I THIS YEAR.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THE COURTS AND THE TRADE ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE NEW PROVISIONS. IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE THE NECESSARY PRE-ENFORCEMENT ACTION," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WERE SUPPORTED BY BOTH MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
THE RILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 29.
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AMENDMENT SOUGHT TO JUSTICE BILL
» » * » «
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988 AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL IN NEXT WEDNESDAY’S (JUNE 29) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
THE AMENDMENT SEEKS TO AMEND, INSTEAD OF REPEAL TOTALLY AS WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED, SECTION 46 OF THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE WHICH AT PRESENT PREVENTS PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 FROM RELYING ON THE COMMON LAW DEFENCES AVAILABLE TO MINORS WHEN THEY ARE SUED FOR DEBT OR OTHER LIABILITIES.
/A GOVERNMENT
FRIDAY, JUNE 2^t 1988
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODA/ (FRIDAY) EXPLAINED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988 WAS MAINLY AIMED AT INCREASING THE LIMITS OF JURISDICTION OF THE DISTRICT COURT IN CIVIL MATTERS FROM $60,000 TO $120,000 AND OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL FROM $8,000 TO $15,000.
THE BILL IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM ALSO SEEKS TO REPEAL SECTION 46 OF THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE SO AS TO RESTORE THE COMMON LAW POSITION IN THE DISTRICT COURT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT ON YOUNG PERSONS-EFFECTS OF AGE IN CIVIL LAW PUBLISHED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION (LRC) IN 1986.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT THE REPEAL OF SECTION 46 SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION TN THE REPORT REGARDING THE LOWERING OF THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM 21 TO 18 YEARS FOK THE PURPOSE OF CONTRACTUAL LIABILITIES.
AS THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE LRC REPORT ARE LIKELY TO BE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS, IT IS PREFERRABLE TO AMEND SECTION 46 SO AS TO HOLD ITS SCOPE AT THE PRESENT LEVEL, I.E. WHERE THE AMOUNT CLAIMED IS $60,000 OR LESS, INSTEAD OF REPEALING IT RIGHT AWAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF SECTION 46 WAS NEITHER REPEALED NOR AMENDED, ITS SCOPE WOULD INCREASE WITH THE INCREASE IN THE DISTRICT COURT’S JURISDICTION TO $120,000 AS EFFECTED BY THE BILL, WHICH WOULD BE A MOVE IN A DIRECTION CONTRARY TO THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
THIS AMENDMENT IS INTENDED AS AN INTERIM MEASURE UNTIL LEGISLATION IS BROUGHT FORWARD TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S REPORT ON A BROADER BASIS, INCLUDING THE REPEAL OF SECTION 46.
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LEGISLATION ALONE INSUFFICIENT TO ENSURE SAFETY * ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT’S ON-GOING PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN RECENT YEARS HAVE NOT ONLY HELPED PROMOTE AMONG EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND SAFETY-MINDEDNESS IN THE WORKPLACE BUT ALSO FOSTER A GENERAL SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, WHEN ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF A DISCUSSION SESSION WITH SOME 50 INDUSTRIALISTS AND TRADE UNIONISTS AT Till DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THE EVENT, ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
10 -
THE EVENT, ENTITLED CONSTRUCTION SAFETY LEGISLATION IN PERSPECTIVE, PROVIDES A FORUM FOR BOTH THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND THOSE WORKING IN THE TRADE TO HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION ON SAFETY MATTERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
IN PARTICULAR, SIX SETS OF CONSTRUCTION-RELATED REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WERE LOOKED INTO IN DEPTH DURING THE SESSION.
THESE WERE:
* CONSTRUCTION SITES SAFETY REGULATIONS
* CONFINED SPACES REGULATIONS
♦ WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR REGULATIONS
♦ CARTRIDGE-OPERATED FIXING TOOLS REGULATIONS
t SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS REGULATIONS
* WOODWORKING AND MACHINERY REGULATIONS
MR YIP POINTED OUT THAT WHENEVER A SERIES INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD QUERY ABOUT THE ADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING SAFETY REGULATIONS.
AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY WOULD ASK TO STRENGTHEN THE LEGISLATION SO AS TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR WORKERS.
’’HOWEVER, INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CAUSE OF SUCH ACCIDENTS OFTEN REVEALED THAT THEY WERE LARGELY RESULTED FROM EITHER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH OR NEGLIGENCE OF THE SAFETY REGULATIONS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE,” MR YIP SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT WHILE ENFORCEMENT OR ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS FUNDAMENTAL, IT WAS NOT BY ITSELF SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE INDUSTRIAL S A F ET Y.
"IN SHORT, THERE MUST BE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT* EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE TO FOSTER AN ATTITUDE OF MINI) FAVOURABLE TO SAFE PRACTICE IN THE WORKPLACE.”
MR. YIP ASSURED THE GATHERING THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD REVIEW THE INDUSTRIAl SAFETY LEGISLATION REGULARLY TO MEET THE (HANGING NEEDS.
/TODAY’S SESSION, .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 19BB
TODAY’S SESSION, THE FIRST OF A SERIES ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WAS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS' ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ASSOCIATION AND THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
USEFUL VIEWS WERE EXCHANGED ON A VARIETY OF SAFETY MATTERS.
THE NEXT SESSION DEALING WITH HEALTH RELATED LEGISLATION IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
-----0------
WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES STATED ♦ t » ♦
WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR WATERCOURSES IN THE SUBZONES OF THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SUBZONES INCLUDE THE SHING MUN RIVER, TAI PO RIVER, LAM TSUEN RIVER AND ALL OTHER WATERCOURSES IN THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE.
THE WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR THESE SUBZONES WERE DECLARED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
THE NOTICE CONTAINS THREE SCHEDULES: THE FIRST ONE STATES THE WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES, WHILE THE SECOND AND THIRD DEFINE AND DELINEATE THE SUBZONES.
THE WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES ARE INTENDED TO SAFEGUARD THE BENEFICIAL USES OF THE WATERCOURSES. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTROLLING DISCHARGES SO THAT THE WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES ARE ATTAINED AS SOON AS IS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE.
WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR THE MARINE RECEIVING WATERS OF THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE WERE DECLARED IN JUNE 1982. DECLARATION OF THE NEW WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND SUBZONES WILL HELP IMPROVE HE WATER QUALITY THROUGHOUT THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE.
-------0--------- /12....................
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1988
12
$3 5OM CONTRACT AWARDED FOR NT TRUNK ROAD-6
*****
WORK ON THE SHA TIN CONNECTION OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IS TO START EARLY NEXT MONTH WITH THE AWARD OF A $350 MILLION CONTRACT TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR CONSTRUCTING TRUNK ROAD T6 AND INTERCHANGES.
THE NEW WORKS WILL SPEED UP TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES AND KOWLOON AS WELL AS WITHIN THE SHA TIN AREA CONSTRUCTION WIL BEGIN NEXT MONTH.
THE TRUNK ROAD T6 WILL START FROM TOLO HIGHWAY NEAR THE KCR UNIVERSITY STATION AND SPAN THE SHING MUN RIVER NORTH OF THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO JOIN MA ON SHAN ROAD NEAR TAI SHUI HANG.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES A 2.2-KILOMETRE DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, 1.4 KILOMETRES OF WHICH WILL BE ELEVATED.
ALSO INCLUDED ARE TWO GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGES AT MA LIU SHUI AND TAI SHUI HANG.
THIS CONTRACT, TOGETHER WITH TWO OTHER CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR CONSTRUCTING TRUNK ROAD T5, WILL FORM THE MAIN CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS FOR THE SHA TIN CONNECTION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
THE CONTRACT PROVIDES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD TO AREA 73, FOOTPATH, CYCLE-TRACK, A CYCLE SUBWAY, CYCLE PARKS AND A TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE ADJACENT TO THE UNIVERSITY RAILWAY STATION.
IN ADDITION, STANDARD FEATURES SUCH AS EMERGENCY TELEPHONES AND CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAMERAS FOR SURVEILLANCE PURPOSES WILL BE INSTALLED.
-----0 --------
/13
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 15 -
POWER TO HOLD MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS SOUGHT » » » » ♦
AN AMENDMENT BILL WHICH AIMS AT STREAMLINING THE WORKING OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 SEEKS TO PROVIDE POWER TO THE FIVE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS OF THE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONS SET UP UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, TO HOLD EXAMINATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION.
THESE EXAMINATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO TEST THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARD OF THOSE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE NO RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, THE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS OF THE FIVE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONS - PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS, RADIOGRAPHERS AND OPTOMETRISTS WILL BE EMPOWERED TO DRAW UP THEIR CODES OF PRACTICE TO REGULATE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PROFESSIONAL PERSONS CONCERNED.
HOWEVER, THE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP THE
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL INFORMED OF SUCH CODES AND
SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS.
THE COUNCIL IS SET UP UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO
CO-ORDINATE AND SUPERVISE THE WORK OF THE FIVE PARAMEDICAL
PROFESSIONAL BOARDS.
THE BILL WILL ALSO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FOR APPLICANTS OF PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION FROM BEING PROSECUTED FOR PRACTISING WITHOUT BEING REGISTERED WHILE THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE STILL BRING PROCESSED.
UNDER Till* BILL, PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION STATUS WILL BE GRANTED TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PRACTISING IN THAT PROFESSION FOR MANY YEARS BUT DO NOT HAVE ANY FORMAL QUALIFICAT IONS OR I RA I NING FOR FULL REGISTRATION.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS TO LAY DOWN RESTRICTIONS ON PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WITHOUT SUPERVISION TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC FROM BEING TREATED BY INEXPERIENCED PERSONS.
IT ALSO SEEKS TO EXTEND THE CONTROL TO COVER PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS AND TEACH I NG INSTITUTES.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 6.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, SEVENTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
14
FUNCTIONS OF NEW PLACEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE DISABLED UNDERLINED *****
THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED CO-ORDINATED REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED ADULTS ENABLES THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PLAN AND OPERATE REHABILITATION FACILITIES EFFICIENTLY AND ACCURATELY, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT SCHOOL SPEECH DAY OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, MR LAW SAID THE NEW SYSTEM, WHICH HAD BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE APRIL, HELPED MONITOR THE ADMISSION OF THE DISABLED INTO REHABILITATION FACILITIES SUCH AS SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND HOSTELS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IN THE PAST, REFERRALS AND PLACEMENTS FOR SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES WERE CO-ORDINATED AT DISTRICT LEVEL BY THE SWD’S REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY PEOPLE OFFICES WHILE APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WERE HANDLED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.
THE SITUATION WAS FURTHER COMPLICATED BY SOME AGENCIES KEEPING THEIR OWN WAITING LISTS AND THE DIFFERENT ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.
"WITH THE NEW SYSTEM, ALL DISABLED PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE PLACEMENTS IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES OR HOSTELS NOW NEED ONLY TO FILL IN ONE COMPUTERISED APPLICATION FORM AND THEN BE PROVIDED WITH THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS," MR LAW SAID.
"UNDER THIS SYSTEM, A SIMILAR ADMISSION CRITERION IS ADOPTED BY FACILITIES RENDERING THE SAME KIND OF SERVICE SO THAT ALL APPLICANTS HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE OF BEING SERVED.
"THIS SYSTEM, WHICH KEEPS INFORMATION ON ALL THE VACANCIES, WILL ALSO ENSURE MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES AND HELP MINIMISE WAITING TIME AS THE WAITING LIST IS CO-ORDINATED CENTRALLY," HE SAID.
"THE SETTING UP OF THIS SYSTEM FULLY DEMONSTRATES THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO PLAN AND DEVELOP ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED AND I HOPE ALL PARTIES CONCERNED WILL CONTINUE TO CO-OPERATE CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO FURTHER IMPROVE AND PROMOTE SERVICES FOR THE HAND I CAPPED," HE ADDED.
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/15........
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- -
OPPORTUNITY FOR URBAN RENEWAL AND REPLANNING * * * ♦ t
THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PROVIDES AN UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY TO FACILITATE THE RENEWAL AND REPLANNING OF LARGE TRACTS OF CONGESTED URBAN HONG KONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SEMINAR ON VALUE ENGINEERING ORGANISED BY THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF (’BARTERED SURVEYORS, SIR DAVID SAID THE REDEVELOPMENT OF ABOUT 500 BLOCKS IN 40 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES INVOLVING 0.8 MILLION PEOPLE WOULD BE A POWERFUL FORCE FOR CHANGE AND THEIR VALUE WENT FAR BEYOND JUST THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ACTUAL ESTATES.
”WE ARE WELL ON THE WAY WITH REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF ALL OUR OLDER WORN OUT PUHI.IC HOUSING ESTATES,'’ SIR DAVID SAID.
"THESE ESTATES ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN AND OCCUPY LANI) IN THE HEART OF URBAN HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THEIR INTRINSIC VALUE TO SOCIETY WILL BE MUCH INCREASED IF THEY CAN BE REDEVELOPED TO PROVIDE MODERN AND UP-TO-DATE LIVING," HE ADDED.
BUI SIR DAVID WARNED THAT TN ACHIEVING ECONOMIES OF DESIGN, SAFETY AND DURABILITY MUST NOT BE SACRIFICED AS THERE HAD BEEN TOO MANY EXAMPLES IN HONG KONG OF POOR DESIGN AND BAD CONSTRUCTION WHICH PROVED TO BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE IN THE LONG RUN.
"THE EXERCISE OF SOUND PLANNING, VALUE ENGINEERING AND VALUE MANAGEMENT, COUPLED WITH PRUDENT COST ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CRITICAL TO OUR OPERATION AND OUR SUCCESS IN ACHI EV I NG OUR GOALS," HE SAID.
ON THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, SIR DAVID SAID ONE KEY OBJECTIVE IS TO PROMOTE AN EQUITABLE AND EFFICIENT USE OF SCARCE RESOURCES.
THIS, HF SAID, WOULD CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SOCIAL STABILITY AND SENSE OF BELONGING BY SECURING BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS FOR ’HIE NEEDY AND MAXIMISING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOME PURCHASE.
"IN OTHER WORDS WE HAVE SET OURSELVES THE TASK 01 MEETING SOCIALLY DESIRABLE OBJECTIVES IN THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE MANNER.
"THIS IS A DIFFICULT BALANCE TO ACHIEVE AND REQUIRES US TO ENSURE THAI PUBLIC SUBSIDY IS DIRECTED TO THOSE MOST IN NEED, WHILE AT THE SAMI- TIME TAKING STEPS TO KEEP A TIGHT REIN ON EXPENDITURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN RELEASING SCARCE RESOURCES TO DIVERT TO THOSE MORE IN NEED, THERE IS VALUE IN PROVIDING HOUSING SO THAT ALL WHO WISH TO PURCHASE A ELAT CAN DO SO.
HE EXPLAINED THAI EVERY ELAT THAT IS PURCHASED, EITHER IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, OR UNDER THE ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE SCHEMES, RELEASES RESOURCES FOR THE PROVISION OF RENTAL HOUS I NG TO THOSE WHO GENUINELY CANNOT AFFORD 1’0 PROVIDE THEIR OWN LIVING ACCOMMODATION.
------0------- /16....................
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 16 •
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MAY PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ * ♦ »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MAY 1988.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR MAY 1988 WERE 116.1 AND 116.4 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 7.1 PER CENT AND 7.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER MAY 1987.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE CPI(A) SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE AND THE CPI(B) INCREASED BY 0.2 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MAY 1988, AT 112.5 AND 112.6 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 6.5 PER CENT AND 6.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MAY 1987.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MAY 1988, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPT(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.7 PER MONTH.
THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
/CHANGES IN
FRIDAY, JUNE 2U, 1988
- 17 -
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR MAY 1988 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988 AND MAY 1987, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR MAY 88 PER CENT CHANGE OVER APR. 88 PER CENT CHANGE OVER MAY 87 INDEX FOR MAY 88 PER CENT CHANGE OVER APR. 88 PER CENT CHANGE OVER MAY 87
FOOTSTUFFS 113.9 -0.8 + 9.3 114.8 -0.5 + 9.4
HOUSING 112.9 + 0.1 + 3.1 110.3 + 0.2 + 2.8
FUEL AND LIGHT 93.4 + 0.4 + 0.9 93.9 + 0.5 + 0.7
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 124.1 + 0.3 + 6.5 124.8 + 0.4 + 7.0
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 125.6 + 1.8 + 8.8 • 128.0 + 1 . 7 + 9.3
DURABLE GOODS 118.3 + 1.6 + 6.3 117.5 + 1.5 + 6.4
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 121.5 + 0.2 + 5. 1 121.7 + 0.3 + 5.7
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 120.2 + 1.0 + 4.3 119.4 + 1.0 + 4.8
SERVICES 125.1 + 0.3 + 8.7 124.8 + 0.3 + 9.1
ALL ITEMS 116.1 -0.0* + 7.1 116.4 + 0.2 + 7.0
♦ LESS THAN 0 .05 PER CENT
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988, BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS
DECREASED
0.5 PER CENT IN CPI(B).
/THIS WAS .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 18
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO DECREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, SALT-WATER FISH, SHRIMPS, CRABS AND FRESH-WATER FISH, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 1.8 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.7 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.5 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER MTR FARES.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT” FOR MAY 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.50 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19/F., WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HNG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 121.2 IN MAY 1988, UP BY 0.9 PER CENT OVER APRIL 1988 AND UP BY 8.5 PER CENT OVER MAY 1987.
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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/19........
i (
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
19 -
TAI PO DFCC MEMBERS VISIT POLICE STATION » » ♦ » »
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE VISITED THE NEW TAI PO DISTRICT POLICE STATION THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE VISIT WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING THE MEMBERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT POLICE STATION IN ON PO LANE.
).
LED BY THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR LIM SAK-YEUNG, WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, THE MEMBERS TOURED THE 16-STOREY COMPLEX WHICH IS THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE TAI PO POLICE DISTRICT THAT WAS CREATED EARLY THIS YEAR.
(
THEY SAW THE REPORT ROOM, ARMOURY STORE, DATANET ROOM, BRIEFING ROOM AND IDENTIFICATION PARADE ROOM.
THE NEW BUILDING PROVIDES IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR THE 370 POLICE AND CIVILIAN STAFF EMPLOYED TO SERVE THE PUBLIC IN THE DISTRICT.
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WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL * » ♦ ♦ ♦
WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW TERM ON MONDAY (JUNE 27).
MEMBERS WIL DISCUSS THE RESUMPTION COMPENSATION FOR NEW KOWLOON INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS, AND WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, ON THE BACKGROUND AND THE PRESENT POSITION OF THE ISSUE.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND APPROACHES, AND THE PHASE IV CLEARANCE WHICH WILL MAKE WAY FOR THE ROADWORK SCHEME CONNECTING THE TUNNEL PORTAL AT THE JUNCTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND HAMMER HILL ROAD.
THEY WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE MAJOR POINTS OF DISCUSSION AT THE MEETINGS HELD BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND SQUATTER COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AFFECTED BY THE TUNNEL PROJECT.
/A PROGRESS
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 20 -
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL CLEARANCE WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JUNE 27) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE 4TH FLOOR OF SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, KOWLOON.
- 0 --------
DTC REGISTRATION SUSPENDED * t *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HE HAD SUSPENDED THE REGISTRATION OF HOARESTOTT FINANCE LTD AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY.
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DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED » » »
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF MIDLAND MONTAGU (ASIA) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
----o------
/21 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 21 -
PUBLICITY BUS TO PROMOTE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY « * » » »
A SPECIALLY DECORATED PUBLICITY BUS WILL TOUR THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO AROUSE LOCAL RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND TO PUBLICISE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988.
THE BUS WILL STOP AT BUSY SPOTS TO BROADCAST THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 THEME SONG, AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC TO REINFORCE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN, BEFORE THF TOUR BEGINS.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, MR S.L. WAN; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; AND ASSISTANT KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICFR MRS LORNA MA.
ALSO TAKING PART WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHI-KEUNG' AND CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT WORKING GROUP ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988, MR MAK KING-LUN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN, AND THEN TO JOIN THE PUBLICITY TOUR.
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/22........
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
22 -
HEALTHY SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KWUN TONG YOUTH ♦ ♦ » ♦ »
YOUNG PEOPLE IN KWUN TONG WILL BE ABLE TO SPEND A HAPPY AND HEALTHY SUMMER HOLIDAY BY PARTICIPATING IN THE EIGHT-WEEK KWUN TONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME 1988 WHICH WILL START ON JULY 3 (SUNDAY).
AROUND 400 EVENTS WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, WITH SPONSORSHIP OF $485,000 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE EVENTS INCLUDE SPORTS ACTIVITIES, YOUTH CAMPS, TRAINING COURSES, COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND COMPETITIONS.
THESE EVENTS, CARRYING THE CENTRAL THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
THE COLOURFUL PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN WITH A WATER CARNIVAL ON JULY 3 WHEN 600 YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO SHARE THE FUN AT THE KWUN TONG SWIMMING POOL.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE OPENING EVENT, WHICH WILL FEATURE SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING DEMONSTRATIONS AND VARIOUS COMPETITIONS, ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
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SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO SAUDI
ARABIA EXTENDED
♦ t ♦ ♦ t
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO SAUDI ARABIA WHICH IS AT PRESENT AVAILABLE TO 27 CITIES WILL BE EXTENDED TO TWO MORE CITIES, NAMELY KHAFJI AND QATEEF, FROM MONDAY (JUNE 27), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE 29 CITIES IN SAUDI ARABIA TO WHICH SPEEDPOST SERVICE WILL THEN BE AVAILABLE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
ABIIA JUBAIL SI NA I YA
AHSSA KHAFJI
AL B1KEJRIYA KHAMIS - MUSHAYT
AL KHARJ KHOBAR
/AL MEDHNAB
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
25 -
AL MEDHNAB MAKKAH
ALBAHA MEDINA
ARRAS QATEEF
BALGURASHI RIYADH
BUREIDA SAKAKA
DAMMAM TABOUK
DHAHRAN TAIF
GIZAN UNIEZA
HAIL YANBU
JEDDAH YANBU SINAIYA
JUBA IL
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 5-8683868.
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DRAFT MID-LEVELS WEST OZP AMENDED t t t t
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED AN AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT MID-LEVELS WEST OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD EXPLAINED THAT THE PLAN WAS AMENDED TO INCLUDE ’’PUBLIC CAR PARK" USE IN THE SECOND COLUMN OF THE NOTES OF THE ’’COMMERCIAL" ZONE.
THIS IS TO ALLOW FOR PROVISION OF CAR-PARKING FACILITIES IN THE "(’OMMERCIAL" ZONE THROUGH PLANNING APPLICATION TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
/The amendment........
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 24
THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT:
* TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY
SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, IITH FOLLR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE AMENDMENT MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, BY JULY 7 THIS YEAR.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE MAP SALES COUNTER, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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RECLAMATION OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL USE PROPOSED ♦ t ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 5.15 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT JUNK BAY.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES WHICH IS PART OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
THE WORK WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS. L.r.n.u
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE. THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT:
♦ THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE 11TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
♦ THE SAI KUNG I) I STR I CT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 31 CHAN MAN STREET. SAI KUNG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRJ I TEN OBJEI I I ON TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 23 THIS YEAR.
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/25
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
- 25 -
ACCESS TO YUEN LONG VILLAGES TO BE IMPROVED * » » t t
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD NEW FOOTBRIDGES AND FOOTPATHS IN TWO AREAS IN YUEN ACCESS TO THE DRAINAGE CHANNELS FOR MAINTENANCE IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE NEARBY VILLAGES.
ROADS, BRIDGES, LONG TO PROVIDE PURPOSES AND TO
OF THE TWO AREAS, ONF IS NEAR FUI SHA WAI, HUNG UK TSUEN AND TAI TO TSUEN; AND THE OTHER IS NEAR TIN SAM, SIK KONG WAI AND TSEUNG KONG WAI.
THE PROPOSED PROJECTS ARE ANCILLARY TO THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE STREAM COURSES NEAR THE TWO AREAS.
SOME EXISTING MINOR BRIDGES AND STRETCHES OF EXISTING FOOTPATHS AND TRACKS WILL BE CLOSED AND REPLACED. HOWEVER, PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED DURING CONSTRUCTION.
DETAILS OF THE WORKS IN THE TWO AREAS ARE PUBLISHED IN TWO NOTICES RESPECTIVELY IN THE GAZETTE TODAY IFRI DAY).NOTICES IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITES OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY; DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI K1U MARKET, NINTH TO IITH FLOORS, 2 K1U LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING,SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 23, 1988.
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LAND IN SHA TAU KOK TO BE RESUMED t t » »
TWELVE LOTS OF LAND, WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 541 SQUARE METRES, IN SHA TAU KOK WILL BE RESUMED FOR DEVELOPMENT.
THE LAND, COMPRISING 10 VILLAGE HOUSE LOTS OF 422.6 SQUARE METRES AND TWO AGRICULTURAL LOTS OF 121.4 SQUARE METRES, WILL BE USED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE III OF THE SHA TAU KOK DEVELOPMENT.
/THE ACTING
FRIDAY, JUNE 2«t, 1988
- 26 -
THE ACTING PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LANI) AGENT, MR C.M. MO, SAID THE DEVELOPMENT INVOLVED THE FORMATION OF INDUSTRIAL LANI) AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ROADS AND ASSOCIATED DRAINS AND SEWERS.
IT ALSO INVOLVED PROVISION OF A COMPOSITE MARKET AND FISH MARKET, SEA WALL AND WATER FRONT PROMENADE, CARPARKS, BUS STATIONS AND PERMANENT SHELTER ANCHORAGE.
"THE PROVISION OF INDUSTRIAL LAND WILL PROVIDE INCREASED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE SHA TAU KOK AREA AND THE WORKS WILL IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
THE WORKS WILL TAKE ABOUT 30 MONTHS TO COMPLETE
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON
t t t
MOTORISTS SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR TRAFFIC CHANGES TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN IIO MAN TIN, TSIM SHA TSUI AND WONG TAI SIN FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 27), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
IN HO MAN TIN, TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS, SHEUNG FOO STREET WILL BE CONVERTED FROM TWO-WAY OPERATION INTO ONE-WAY' TRAFFIC FROM FAT KWONG STREET TOWARDS SHEUNG SHING STREET.
THE MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE AFFECTED AT THE SAME TIME. KMB ROUTES NO. 7B, 8 AND 18 ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO HUNG HOM FERRY, STAR FERRY AND OI MAN RESPECTIVELY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FAT KWONG STREET DIRECT, WHILE ROUTE NO. 17 ON ITS JOURNEY TO OI MAN WILL HAVE TO OPERATE VIA SHEUNG SHING STREET AND FAT KWONG STREET.
A BUS STOP FOR THESE FOUR ROUTES WILL BE PROVIDED ON FAT KWONG STREET EASTBOUND TO THE EAST OF SHEUNG SHING STREET.
GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 8 AND 28M ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO TSIM SHA TSUI AND MONG KOK RESPECTIVELY WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA SHEUNG SHING STREET AND FAT KWONG STREET.
IN ADDITION, THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND FOR RED MINIBUSES LOCATED NEAR BLOCK 5 OF HO MAN TIN ESTATE WILL BF. TEMPORARILY RELOCATED TO SHEUNG FOO STREET NEAR BLOCK 6 FOR ABOUT ONE-AND-A-HALF MONTHS.
/IN TSIM SHA TSUI, .........
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988
27 -
IN TSIM SHA TSUI, THE SECTION OF PEKING ROAD BETWEEN HANKOW ROAD AND KOWLOON PARK DRIVE WILL BE MADE A DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY (7 AM TO 7 PM) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
IN WONG TAI SIN, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC’ CIRCULATION AT FUNG TAK ROAD AND SHAT IN PASS ROAD:
* YING FUNG LANE WILL BE CONVERTED FROM TWO-WAY WORKING INTO ONE-WAY ANTICLOCKWISE WITH ITS ENTRANCE AT THE WESTERN END AND THE EXIT AT THE EASTERN END.
♦ VEHICLES AT THE EASTERN END OF YING FUNG LANE WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT ONLY ONTO FUNG TAK ROAD WESTBOUND.
» VEHICLES ON SOUTHBOUND SHATIN PASS ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH FUNG TAK ROAD WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT ONTO FUNG TAK ROAD EASTBOUND ONLY, WHILE THOSE ON EASTBOUND SHATIN PASS ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH FUNG TAK ROAD WILL BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT ONLY ONTO SHATIN PASS ROAD NORTHBOUND.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI ♦ ♦ t ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 27) FOR FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE WATER MAIN-LAYING WORKS.
ALL VEHICLES OVER SEVEN METRES LONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM EASTBOUND JOHNSTON ROAD TO NORTHBOUND FLEMING ROAD.
THOSE LONG VEHICLES ON EASTBOUND JOHNSTON ROAD CAN JOIN HENNESSY ROAD VIA THE ROAD JUNCTION NEAR STEWART ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NORTHBOUND SECTION OF FLEMING ROAD BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND THOMSON ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEH I (’LES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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WATER CUT IN TAI PO ♦ » *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 27) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT TAI YUEN ESTATE, ON CHEUNG ROAD, ON CHEE ROAD, ON TAI ROAD, ON PONG ROAD AND TAI PO CENTRE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 198S
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TELEVISION AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED ...................... 1
DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT TO BE INITIALLED ................ 4
GREATER DIVERSIFICATION IN MANUFACTURING URGED .......... 4
INAUGURAL MEETING OF A AND F ADVISORY COMMITTEE.......... 5
EXTENDING SCIENTIFIC AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS ........... 6
SCOUTING BENEFICIAL FOR INMATES ......................... 8
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY........................ 9
ENROLMENT FOR TRAINING IN SELLING SKILLS ................ 12
82.9 MILLION TO IMPROVE LIGHTING IN ANOTHER BATCH OF UC AMENITY GROUNDS........................................
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION EROM DISTRICT BOARDS .............. 1J
PAVEMENT MADE WIDER FOR PEDESTRIANS ..................... 14
CHAIRMEN CHOSEN FOR SOUTHERN COMMITTEES ................. 15
SEMINAR TOMORROW ON YOUTH POLICY REPORT ................. 15
YOUNG BALLET DANCERS OF KWAI TSING TO VISIT PEKING....... 16
GATHERING OF PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHISTS ................ 1?
RESIDENTS VISIT OLD PEOPLE'S HOME ....................... 1?
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION...................... 18
VILLAGE LOTS TO BE RESUMED .............................. 18
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE AT LION ROCK TUNNEL .............. 19
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YUEN LONG ............................ 19
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
1
TELEVISION AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED * * * t t
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) GAZETTED THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE LEGAL ERAMEWORK EOR IMPLEMENTING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH NEW OFF-AIR TELEVISION LICENCES WILL BE GRANTED FOR A PERIOD OF 12 YEARS.
THE CURRENT LICENCES ARE DUE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS WERE ANNOUNCED IN MARCH THIS YEAR FOLLOWING DECISIONS BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
EXPLAINING DETAILS OF THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: 'THE OBJECTIVE OF ONE OF THE KEY PROVISIONS OF THE BILL IS TO ENSURE THAT CONTROL OF THE OFF-AIR TELEVISION LICENCES IS IN THE HANDS OF PERSONS WHO HAVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AT HEART.”
’’THE LEVEL OF SHAREHOLDINGS IN A LICENCES HELD BY PERSONS (INCLUDING COMPANIES) WHO DO NOT SATISFY CERTAIN HONG KONG RESIDENT REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO LIMITS,” HE NOTED.
UNDER THE BILL, THE RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION USED TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN LOCAL AND FOREIGN OWNERSHIP IS BASED ON WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST ONE CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AND IS BEING ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG.
IN THE CASE OF A COMPANY, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE DIRECTORS PARTICIPATING ACTIVELY IN THE DIRECTION OF THE COMPANY MUST EACH SATISFY THE RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION, HE SAID.
THIS REPLACES THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT THAT SUCH DIRECTORS MUST BE ’’COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG”.
”THE CRITERIA FOR ’ORDINARY RESIDENCE’ WITH RESPECT TO AN INDIVIDUAL REMAIN AS THEY ARE NOW IN SECTION 2 OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, BEING RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST 180 DAYS IN ANY CALENDAR YEAR, OR AT LEAST 300 DAYS IN TWO CONSECUTIVE CALENDAR YEARS,” HE POINTED OUT.
FOR PERSONS AND COMPANIES WHO/WHICH DO NOT MEET SUCH RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS, THE PERCENTAGE OF VOTING SHARES OF A LICENCEE THAT THEY MA\ HOLD IN AGGREGATE AT ANY TIME WOULD BE LIMITED TO 19 PER CENT UNDER THE BILL.
’’THE BILL FURTHER SEEKS TO RESTRICT THE PERCENTAGE OF SUCH VOTING SHARES WHICH MAY BE HELD BY ANY INDIVIDUAL PERSON (INCLUDING A COMPANY) WHO DOES NOT MEET THE RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION TO 10 PER CENT,” THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/IN CALCULATING .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
2
IN CALCULATING VOTING SHARES AND THEREBY VOTING RIGHTS, THE CONCEPT OF RELEVANT INTEREST HAS BEEN INCORPORATED IN THE BILL. THIS IS THE SAME CONCEPT AS THAT IN THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) BILL WHICH WAS RECENTLY INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
’’UNDER A NEW SECTION 17D( 3) IN THE BILL, IF A PERSON HOLDS 35 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE SHARES OF A COMPANY AND THAT COMPANY IN TURN HOLDS TWO PER CENT OR MORE OF THE SHARES OF A LICENSEE, HE IS TO BE REGARDED AS HAVING A RELEVANT INTEREST IN THE VOTING SHARES OF THAT LICENSEE UNDER A SIMPLE FORMULA WHICH IS A MULTIPLE OF THE TWO PERCENTAGES.
’’FURTHER, A PERSON WHO HAS CONTROL OF A COMPANY IS DEEMED TO HAVE A RELEVANT INTEREST IN ALL OF THE VOTING SHARES WHICH THAT COMPANY HOLDS IN A LICENSEE. THIS IS TO AVOID HIDDEN CONTROL OF A LICENSEE COMPANY," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT A PERSON WHO DOES NOT MEET THE NECESSARY RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION MUST SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF HIS VOTING SHAREHOLDING IN A LICENSEE IF, AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASE, THE SHAREHOLDING EXCEEDS TWO PER (’ENT, FOUR PER CENT, SIX PER CENT OR EIGHT PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VOTING SHARES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY MUST ALSO BE NOTIFIED IF THE SHAREHOLDING WERE TO BE DECREASED BELOW ONE OF THESE LEVELS.
"THE RESTRICTIONS MAY NOT APPLY AS REGARDS THE WHOLE OR PART OF SHAREHOLDINGS ACQUIRED ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 21, 19R7, IF AN APPLICATION IS MADE TO THE BROADCAST I NG AUTHORITY AND IT SO APPROVES," HE SAID.
LN ORDER TO ENSURE THE PRACTICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE 19 PER CENT LIMIT, THE BILL CONTAINS PROVISIONS FOR THE LICENSEE TO REQUIRE ITS SHAREHOLDERS TO MAKE DECLARATIONS ON CERTAIN PARTICULARS INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL STATUS BEFORE ANY OF ITS VOTING SHARES CAN BE TRANSFERRED.
"THE LICENSEE SHALL REFUSE TO REGISTER THE TRANSFER OF ANY OF ITS VOTING SHARES IF TO REGISTER THEM WOULD CONTRAVENE THE 49 PER CENT OR 10 PER CENT LIMITS."
THE BILL ALSO SETS OUT PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN AN APPLICATION IS MADE TO REGISTER AN ALLOTMENT, ISSUE OR TRANSFER OF VOTING SHARES.
ON THE PROVISIONS GOVERNING CORPORATE STRUCTURE, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A LICENSEE MUST NOT BE HELD BY A HOLDING COMPANY.
/’’THE BILI
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- 3 -
"THE BILL PROHIBITS THE GRANT TO OR HOLDING OF A LICENCE BY A COMPANY WHICH IS A SUBSIDIARY OF ANOTHER COMPANY."
"IT MAY NOT HOLD DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY SHARES IN ANY COMPANY UNLESS TWO CONDITIONS ARE MET: (A) THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH TELEVISION BROADCASTING; (B) IT HAS A MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN THE COMPANY AND HAS CONTROL OVER ITS MANAGEMENT."
"THE HOLDING OF ANY INTEREST BY THE LICENSEE IN ANY COMPANY MUST HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
AS FOR THE CALCULATION AND PAYMENT OF ROYALTY, THE BILL IMPOSES A NEW ROYALTY FORMULA TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE.
"THE ROYALTY PAYABLE BY THE LICENSEES SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNTS FOR FEES AND OTHER CHARGES IN RESPECT OF TELEVISION ADVERTISING. THIS WILL BE ON A SLIDING SCALE WITH AN OVERALL CEILING OF 12 PER CENT," HE SAID.
CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION OF A LICENCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WILL IN FUTURE BE EMPOWERED TO SUSPEND A LICENCE FOR UP TO 30 DAYS UNDER THE CRITERIA SPECIFIED. PROVISION IS MADE FOR THE LICENSEE TO APPEAL TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BY WAY OF PETITION AGAINST THE BA’S DECISION."
AS REGARDS REVOCATION OF LICENCE, THE EXISTING CRITERION THAT A LICENCE MAY BE REVOKED IF FINANCIAL PENALTY HAS BEEN IMPOSED ON THE LICENSEE ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS IS REPLACED BY MORE FLEXIBLE CRITERIA INCLUDING ANY SUSPENSION OF LICENCE AND THE NUMBER OF FINANCIAL PENALTIES IMPOSED ON THE STATION.
THE BILL ALSO SETS OUT THE REQUIREMENTS ON ADVERTISING, PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CLASSES OF ADVERTISING AND CERTAIN TECHNICAL CONDITIONS (E.G. TRANSMISSION) TO BE COMPLIED WITH BY LICENSEES.
THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 29).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, FIRST FLOOR, EAST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/U .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 25,
1988
- -DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT TO BE INITIALLED ♦ ♦ * » *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) CONFIRMED THAT A NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT WILL BE INITIALLED IN LONDON ON MONDAY (JUNE 27).
THE AGREEMENT, WHICH PROVIDES FOR AN APPORTIONMENT OF COSTS OF 65:35, WILL RUN FROM APRIL 1, 1988 TO JUNE 30, 1997.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED NEW AGREEMENT WILL BE PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN EARLY JULY.
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GREATER
DIVERSIFICATION IN ♦ t » ♦
MANUFACTURING URGED ♦
HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY MUST BE PREPARED TO MOVE INTO NEW END-PRODUCTS, COMPONENTS, AND PROCESSES INVOLVING HIGHER VALUE-ADDED, GREATER PRODUCTIVITY, BETTER QUALITY AND MORE DIVERSIFICATION, INSTEAD OF MERELY RELYING ON PRICE COMPETITIVENESS ALONE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MF? ANDREW LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR LEUNG WAS SPEAKING AT AN ANNUAL DINNER OF THE PLASTICS AND RUBBER INSTITUTE (HK SECTION).
HE SAID THAT IN VIEW OF INCREASING COMPETITION, GUARANTEED PRODUCT QUALITY AND RELIABILITY AS WELL AS QUICK DELIVERY WOULD PROVE TO BE INCREASINGLY CRUCIAL, RATHER THAN MERE FLEXIBILITY TO FOLLOW THE FAD PRODUCT IDEAS.
"I'HIS WILL ENTAIL BUILDING QUALITY INTO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FROM CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, THE USE OF MATERIALS, PRODUCTION, TESTING, MARKETING, DISTRIBUTION, AND TO AFTER-SALE SERVICE," HE SAID.
Ml? LEUNG ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF MARKET DIVERSIFICATION.
HE SAID THAT A MARKETING RESEARCH CONSULTANCY COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY I'HIS YEAR HIGHLIGHTED SUCH MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AS MEDICAL PLASTICS, AUTOMOTIVE PARTS AND CUSTOM MOULDINGS.
"PENETRATION INTO MARKETS OTHER THAN THE USA \ND THE EEC, SUCH AS JAPAN, HAD ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED," HE SAID.
/MR LEUNG ........
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- 5 -
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE LEVEL OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE WITH FURTHER DIVISION OF LABOUR.
"HONG KONG’S PLASTICS MANUFACTURERS WILL BECOME MORE SPECIALISED IN PRODUCT DESIGN, MARKETING AND TESTING, AS WELL AS PROVIDING QUALITY AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO THEIR ASSEMBLY-TYPE OPERATIONS IN CHINA," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT TO EQUIP HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES, A PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WAS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED ON THE CAMPUS OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WITH FUNDS OF $12.H MILLION AND A GENEROUS DONATION OF $10 MILLION FROM CHEN HSONG MACHINERY CO. LTD.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT FACILITY CAME INTO BEING AS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF A WORKING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRY.
INAUGURAL MEETING OF A AND F ADVISORY COMMITTEE
» » » t »
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (ACAF) WILL HOLD ITS INAUGURAL MEETING ON MONDAY (JUNE 27).
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ON THE I2TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH IS A GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED BODY, WAS FORMED LAST MONTH TO PROVIDE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON HIE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES PRODUCTION AND THE FORMULATION OF LONG-TERM POLICIES.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE IS THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
ITS MEMBERS INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND MARKETING SECTORS, AND EXPERTS IN THE RELATED FIELDS AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF OMELCO, THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.
/THE AGENDA .......
SATURDAY, JUNE ?5, 1988
THE AGENDA FOR THE INAUGURAL MEETING WILL INCLUDE THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMITTEE, PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND A PROPOSAL TO FORM SUB-COMMITTEES TO ADVISE THE COMMITTEE ON MATTERS IN DIFFERENT FIELDS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE MEETING.
TO FACILITATE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE MEETING, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR A PHOTO SESSION BEFORE THE MEETING AND A BRIEFING BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AFTER THE MEETING.
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EXTENDING SCIENTIFIC AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS t » t » «
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS CONTEMPLATING THE INTRODUCTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND A BROAD-BASED MULTI-DISCIPLINE SCIENCE COURSE FOR FORMS FOUR TO FIVE NON-SCIENCE STUDENTS TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC AWARENESS AMONG ALL SCHOOL STUDENTS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE ON "SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ALL : WHICH WAY FORWARD?" JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES IN EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
MR LAN SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR SCIENTIFIC APTITUDE.
"THIS IS BECAUSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PERMEATE VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IT BECOMES MORE IMPORTANT FOR EACH ONE OF US TO BRING A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO BEAR ON THE PRACTICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES OF MODERN LIFE," MR LAN SAID.
"ALL THIS AMOUNTS TO A NEED FOR WHAT I WILL CALL SCIENTIFIC AWARENESS," MR LAN ADDED.
/ON THE
SATURDAY, JUNE 1988
ON THE PRINCIPAL AIMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, MR LAN SAID THEY WERE TO AROUSE AN AWARENESS OF THE RATIONAL USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES, TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND TO INCULCATE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAKING RATIONAL USE OF ITS RESOURCES.
TURNING TO THE MULTI-DISCIPLINE SCIENCE COURSE, MR LAN SAID IT WOULD GIVE NON-SCIENCE STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY OF EXPOSURE TO THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF SCIENCE AND ITS TECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS.
”IT WILL DRAW EXTENSIVELY ON THE EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE OF PUPILS AND BE DIRECTLY RELEVANT IN PREPARING THEM FOR ADULT LIFE,” HE SAID. .
MR LAN CALLED ON SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TO RECOGNISE THE DESIRABILITY OF MAKING A SCIENCE ELECTIVE SUBJECT AVAILABLE TO ALL THEIR NON-SCIENCE PUPILS.
COMMENTING ON THE PRESENT SITUATION IN SCHOOLS, MR LAN SAID SCIENCE WAS BEING TAUGHT THROUGH THE SUBJECT OF INTEGRATED SCIENCE IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF THE SECONDARY EDUCATION.
"THE SUBJECT IS DESIGNED NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WITH A BROAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, BUT ALSO TO PREPARE THEM FOR MORE IN-DEPTH SCIENCE EDUCATION IN LATER YEARS," MR LAN SAID.
"THE SUBJECT IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROCESS OF IMPROVING! SCIENCE LITERACY AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE."
MR LAN NOTED THAT IN MANY SCHOOLS, SEPARATION INTO SCIENCE STREAMS AND NON-SCIENCE STREAMS BEGAN IN SECONDARY FOUR.
FOR SCIENCE STUDENTS, MOST WOULD BE EXPOSED TO MAJOR SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS INCLUDING PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY.
"FOR NON-SCIENCE STUDENTS, THEIR SCIENCE EDUCATION HAS ALSO NOT BEEN NEGLECTED. THERE IS A BROADENED CURRICULUM UNDER WHICH THE NEW SUBJECTS OF COMPUTER STUDIES AND HUMAN BIOLOGY WERE INTRODUCED I RECENT YEARS," MR LAN ADDED.
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- 8 -
SCOUTING BENEFICIAL FOR INMATES ♦ » * *
THE INCLUSION OF SCOUTING IN TRAINING CENTRES HAS YIELDED PROMISING RESULTS, AND PROVED THAT SCOUT TRAINING HAS CONSTRUCTIVE EFFECTS ON INMATES, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS ROSANNA TAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MRS TAM WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY, HELD AT LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE, TO MARK THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF A TRAINING CENTRE SCOUT GROUP OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
SCOUTING ACTIVITIES WOULD HELP YOUNG INMATES TO DEVELOP GOOD CHARACTER, MRS TAM SAID.
"THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT PROVIDES MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR INMATES TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS AND TO CULTIVATE SELF-CONFIDENCE.
"THROUGH PARTICIPATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES, INMATES CAN APPRECIATE THE MEANING OF HELPING OTHERS," SHF ADDED.
• J . ‘
THE SCOUT GROUP, KNOWN AS THE 221ST HONG KONG GROUP, WAS SET UP BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1986.
IT NOW HAS 105 MEMBERS; ALL OF THEM ARE BOYS FROM THE CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND THE LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE.
MEMBERS OF THE GROUP HAVE ALREADY ACHIEVED SUCCESS.
THE GROUP LAST YEAR WON THE FOOTDRILL COMPETITION IN THE HONG KONG ANNUAL SCOUT RALLY AND TWO MEMBERS WERE SELECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE 16TII WORLD JAMBOREE HELD IN AUSTRALIA IN DECEMBER.
TODAY’S CEREMONY ALSO MARKED THE INAUGURATION OF THE ROVER SCOUT CREW. THE CREW WAS SET UP TO PROVIDE-OPPORTUNITIES FOR INMATES OVER 18 TO JOIN THE SCOUT MOVEMENT.
THE UNIT NOW COMPRISES 15 INMATES FROM THE LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE.
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/9........
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- 9 -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY ♦ » * ♦ ♦
HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS RECORDED A LOW YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE IN MAY 1988, WHILE RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE RAPIDLY, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN MAY 1988 WAS $17,274 MILLION, $838 MILLION OR 5.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MAY 1987, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 46.1 PER CENT OR $6,770 MILLION TO $21,460 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $38,734 MILLION IN MAY 1988, WAS, THUS, 24.4 PER CENT OR $7,608 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN MAY 1987.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 26.9 PER CENT OR $8,384 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD, TO $39,558 MILLION IN MAY 1988.
AS THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN MAY GREW FASTER THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT WAS' LARGER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
IN MAY 1988, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT AMOUNTED TO $824 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS. THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $48 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO ONLY 0.2 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN MAY 1987.
PUTTING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1988 WAS $172,462 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $77,499 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $94,963 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1987
IN VALUE TERMS
TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $37,530
EXPORTS BY $7,996 MILLION OR
MILLION OR 11.5 PER CENT,
27.8 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY
DOMESTIC $29,534
MILLION OR 45.1
PER CENT.
OVER THE MILLION OR 27.5
SAME PERIOD, PER CENT, TO
THE VALUE OF
IMPORTS GREW BY
$178,505 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $6,043 MILLION
EQUIVALENT
$38,476
TO 3 . 1
PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS MONTHS OF 1988.
RECORDED IN THE FIRST FIVE
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $5,097 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.6 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
/COMMENTING ON .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
10 -
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SLOW-DOWN IN THE GROWTH OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS RECORDED IN RECENT MONTHS WAS LARGELY THE RESULT OF A SLOWER GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN SOME OF THE MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS, PARTICULARLY THE UNITED STATES, AND OF A GRADUAL REDUCTION OF THE BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON EXTERNAL COMPETITIVENESS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR (IN LINE WITH THE US DOLLAR) DURING 1987.
ON THE OTHER HAND, RE-EXPORT TRADE WITH CHINA CONTINUED TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE RAPID GROWTH IN HONG KONG’S OVERALL RE-EXPORTS.
DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1988, IN GROSS VALUE TERMS RE-EXPORTS ACCOUNTED FOR 55 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS, AS COMPARED TO A FIGURE OF SLIGHTLY OVER 48 PER CENT DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY 1988.
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $17,274 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS : $21,460 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $38,734 MILLION
IMPORTS : $39,558 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : $824 MILLION | IN DEFICIT]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS MAR 88 TO MAY 88 HK$ MN. MAR 87 TO MAY 8 7 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 47,382 45,458 1 ,924 4.2
RE-EXPORTS 60,685 42,809 1 7,876 41.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 108,067 88,267 19,800 22.4
IMPORTS 116,885 92,394 21,491 26.5
TRADE BALANCE -8,818 -4,127 -1,691
/SAME MONTH .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
MAY MAY INCREASE
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1988 HK$ MN. 1987 HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 17,274 16,436 838 5.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS (44.6%)(52.8%) 21,460 14,690 6,770 46.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 38,734 31,126 7,608 24.4
IMPORTS 39,558 31,174 8,384 26.9
TRADE BALANCE -824 -48 -776
MAY APRIL INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1988 HK$ MN. 1988 HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 17,274 16,055 1,219 7.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS (44.6%) 21,460 (43.8%) 20,636 824 4.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 38,734 36,691 2,043 5.6
IMPORTS 39,558 40,081 -523 -1.3
TRADE BALANCE -824 -3,390 2,566
JAN-MAY JAN-MAY INCREASE
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1988 HK$ MN. 1987 HKS MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 77,499 69,503 7,996 11.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS (44.9%) 94,963 (51.5%) 65,429 29,534 45.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 172,462 134,932 37,530 27.8
IMPORTS 178,505 140,029 38,476 27.5
TRADE BALANCE -6,043 -5,097 -946
/LAST 12 .......
SATURDAY, JUNE ?5, 1988
JUN 87 TO JUN 86 TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS MAY 88 MAY 87
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 203,250 170,658 32,592 19.1
RE-EXPORTS 212,314 144,542 67,772 46.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 415,564 315,200 100,364 31.8
IMPORTS 416,424 315,484 100,940 32.0
TRADE BALANCE -860 -284 -576
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ENROLMENT FOR TRAINING IN SELLING SKILLS ♦ » ♦ t »
THE HOTEL, CATERING AND TOURISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL CONDUCT A TRAINING COURSE ON SELLING SKILLS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG.
THE TWO-DAY TRAINING COURSE ON ’’EFFECTIVE SELLING SKILLS FOR TRAVEL AGENCY PERSONNEL’’ IS SUITABLE FOR TOURISM STAFF WHO ARE UNDERTAKING SALES DUTIES.
THE COURSE WILL EXAMINE TOPICS ON THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR STRATEGIC SELLING, ANALYSING PRODUCT AND SERVICE FEATURES, PROVIDING CUSTOMER RECEPTION, ASSESSING CUSTOMER NEEDS, PRESENTING PRODUCT BENEFITS, MEETING CUSTOMER OBJECTIVES, AS THE WELL AS OFFERING OF AFTER-SALES SERVICE.
CLASS MEETINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON JULY 11 AND 12, FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AWARDED AN ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE BY THE VTC UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.
CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS JULY 4. FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE TRAINING BOARD ON 5-8932341, EXT. 282.
SATURDAY, JUNE ?5, 1988
$2.9 MILLION TO IMPROVE LIGHTING IN ANOTHER BATCH OF UC AMENITY GROUNDS * • • * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS TO SPEND AN ESTIMATED $2.9 MILLION ON IMPROVING LIGHTING FACILITIES IN ANOTHER 14 OF ITS EXISTING PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
"THE COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD FOR THE PARKLIGHT/FLOODLIGHT IMPROVEMENT SCHEME TO BE CARRIED OUT AT THESE VENUES IN PHASES," SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.
"THE SCHEME AIMS AT ENHANCING THE USAGE AND SAFETY OF THE COUNCIL’S DIFFERENT TYPES OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS GROUNDS BY UPGRADING THE LIGHTING FACILITIES."
UNDER THIS ON-GOING SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED IN 131 COUNCIL PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
"A SURVEY ON THE SCHEME HAS SHOWN AN INCREASING USAGE OF THESE AMENITY GROUNDS WHERE LIGHTING HAS BEEN IMPROVED,” HE SAID.
"THERE IS ALSO FEEDBACK THAT MEMBERS THE PUBLIC FEEL SAFER AT VENUES WITH IMPROVED LIGHTING."
THE H VENUES WHERE IMPROVEMENTS WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT INCLUDE THE NORTHERN SIDE OF VICTORIA PARK, FA HUI PARK, TONG MEI ROAD CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND, KING’S ROAD PLAYGROUND, SHEK KIP MEI CENTRAL PLAYGROUND, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND KING’S PARK SPORTS GROUND.
- - 0 - -
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION FROM DISTRICT BOARDS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE PROVED THEMSELVES TO BE A VALUABLE PART OF THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, THE ASSISTANT NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER (COMMUNITY AFFAIRS), MR TIM MILNES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF AN OFFICE OF A NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHF.UNG SHUT.
"DISlie I cl BOARDS HAVE EFFECTIVELY EXERCISED THEIR ADVISORY AND MONITORING FUNCTIONS ON DISTRICT MATTERS SUCH AS COMMUNITY BUILDING, RECREATION AND TRANSPORT ISSUES," MR MILNES SAID.
"THEY ALSO REFLECT PUBLIC OPINION AND WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY."
/MR MILNES
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
14
MR MILNES SAID THAT WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER’S OFFICE, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND BOARD MEMBERS WOULD BE ENHANCED.
"MORE RESIDENTS CAN NOW HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BOARD MEMBER WHO WILL OFFER THEM ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE ON PROBLEMS THEY ENCOUNTER," HE SAID.
FROM MONDAY (JUNE 27), MR MILNES WILL TEMPORARILY TAKE OVER THE DUTIES OF THE OUTGOING NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, WHO WILL BE POSTED TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
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PAVEMENT MADE WIDER FOR PEDESTRIANS ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
PEDESTRIAN FLOW ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR FOOK HONG STREET IN YUEN LONG HAS GREATLY IMPROVED FOLLOWING RESUMPTION OF A PIECE OF PRIVATE LANI) TO MAKE THE PAVEMENT WIDER THERE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE ALONG THE CENTRAL DIVIDE OF THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD, PAVEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD HAD BEEN REALIGNED AND NARROWED.
HE NOTED THAT THE PAVEMENT IN QUESTION WAS PARTICULARLY NARROW BECAUSE THERE WAS A PIECE OF PRIVATE LAND INSIDE AND CONTIGUOUS TO IT.
"THE PRIVATE LAND HAI) LONG BEEN THE SUBJECT OF COMPLAINTS FROM NEARBY RESIDENTS BECAUSE IT HAD ON IT A RAISED PLATFORM FENCED OFF BY POSTS AND CHAINS, MAKING IT EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT FOR PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC."
"THE MOST WORRYING ASPECT WAS THAT DURING RUSH HOURS, MANY PEDESTRIANS TENDED TO ABANDON THE USE OF THE PAVEMENT AND WALKED ON TO THE CARRIAGEWAY, HENCE ENDANGERING ROAD SAFETY," HE ADDED.
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD HAI) REFLECTED RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE TO THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
AFTER CAREFUL DISCUSSION AMONG THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE PIECE OF PRIVATE LAND WOULD BE RESUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT SO THAT THE PAVEMENT COULD BE WIDENED.
"THE SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT OF THIS ISSUE CAN DEMONSTRATE THE EFFECTIVE ROLE PLAYED BY THE DISTRICT HELPING TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL," THE ADDED.
SERVE TO
BOARD IN SPOKESMAN
- 0
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- ^5 -
CHAIRMEN CHOSEN FOR SOUTHERN COMMITTEES t » t »
ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR MAN HON-MING, AND MR KO TAM-KAN, HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS THE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE RESPECTIVELY IN THEIR FIRST MEETINGS HELD RECENTLY.
THE REMAINING THREE COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD HAVE ALREADY ELECTED THEIR CHAIRMEN AT EARLIER MEETINGS.
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AND WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE ARE BOARD MEMBERS MADAM SO CHOW YIM-PING, MR CHAN YAU-YUE, AND MR ALBERT POON SHUN-KWOK, RESPECTIVELY.
THE TERM OF THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF ALL THE COMMITTEES WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF MARCH NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, ALL THE FIVE COMMITTEES HAVE AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO OPEN THEIR MEETINGS TO THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA.
HOWEVER, THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO PROCESS IN CAMERA APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS FROM DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS.
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SEMINAR TOMORROW ON YOUTH POLICY REPORT ♦ » ♦ » ♦
A SEMINAR ON THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH’S REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY WILL BE HELD AT HENRY G-. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, YAU MA TEI, TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE REPORT AND TO COLLECT VIEWS.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH POLICY UNDER THE YAU TSIM/MONG KOK YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE. IT IS CO-SPONSORED BY YAU TSIM AND MONG- KOK DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE THREE GUEST SPEAKERS ARE DR CHOI YUEN-WAN, A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH; MR SZETO WAH, PRESIDENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS’ UNION; AND MS ALICE YUK, DIRECTOR OF THE YANG MEMORIAL SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE.
AFTER THEY SPEAK, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SMALL DISCUSSION GROUPS.
/PROPOSAU3 MADE
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- 16 -
PROPOSALS MADE
AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE
COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD BETWEEN 2 AND 5 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI.
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YOUNG BALLET DANCERS OF KWAI TSING TO VISIT PEKING »»»♦»»
CHILDREN TAKING PART IN A "BALLET IN THE ESTATES" PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING BALLET GROUP AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE HAVE OBTAINED OUTSTANDING RESULTS IN AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED EXAMINATION AND WILL VISIT PEKI.NG AT THE END OF JUNE.
SPEAKING AT TODAY’S (SATURDAY) PRESS CONFERENCE, CHAIRPERSON OF THE KWAI TSING BALLET GROUP, MS ANNIE HO, SAID A TOTAL OF 40 PARTICIPANTS IN THE "BALLET IN THE ESTATES" PROGRAMME TOOK PART IN BRITAIN'S ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCING EXAMINATION LAST MONTH.
FOUR OF THEM OBTAINED HONOURS, THE FULL-MARK GRADE, AND ANOTHER 20 OBTAINED THE GRADES OF "HIGHLY COMMENDED" AND "COMMENDED", WHICH WERE THE BEST RESULTS SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE "BALLET IN THE ESTATES" PROGRAMME TWO YEARS AGO, SHE ADDED.
MS IIO SAID THAT SOME CHILDREN WHO HAD OBTAINED GOOD RESULTS IN THE EXAMINATION AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS OF THE PROGRAMME WOULD FORM A 18-MEMBER DELEGATION TO VISIT PEKING FROM JUNE 30 TO JULY 7.
THE DELEGATION WILL VISIT A DANCE SCHOOL AND SOME CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS IN PEKING WITH AN AIM OF LEARNING ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF BALLET THERE AND SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE CHINESE CAPITAL.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE A REPRESENTATIVE OF A LOCAL OIL COMPANY WHICH SPONSORS THE CHINA TOUR, MS MARIA WONG; LEADER OF THE DELEGATION, MR LAM YAU-KWONG, AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK.
MR COAK SAID THE "BALLET IN THE ESTATES" PROGRAMME WAS AIMED AT AROUSING CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN BALLET AND ALSO PROMOTING BALLET IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
/NEW BALLET .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- 17 -
NEW BALLET TRAINING COURSES WOULD BE ORGANISED AT CHEUNG CHING COMMUNITY CENTRE, LAI KING COMMUNITY HALL, SHEK YAM COMMUNITY HALL AND KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL IN EARLY AUGUST, MR COAK SAID.
"CHILDREN MAY APPLY FOR THESE COURSES THROUGH THEIR NEARBY '(IMMUNITY CENTRES OR COMMUNITY HALLS," HE ADDED.
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GATHERING OF PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHISTS
*****
MORE THAN 300 LOCAL PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHISTS WILL BE SHARING EXPERIENCE AND DEMONSTRATING THEIR SKILLS AT A GATHERING TO BE HELD AT THE MIRAMAR HOTEL TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AS PART OF ITS ON-GOING EFFORT TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST IN CHINESE CULTURE.
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE START OF THE GATHERING AT 1 PM TOMORROW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GATHERING OF PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHISTS TO BE HELD AT 1 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE, PENTHOUSE OF MIRAMAR HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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RESIDENTS VISIT OLD PEOPLE’S HOME * * * *
MORE THAN 250 RESIDENTS FROM MONG KOK TODAY (SATURDAY) VISITED 60 ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN A HOME FOR THE AGED IN TSUEN WAN AS PART OF A DAY’S OUT I NG.
THE OUTING WAS SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD AND THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME. IT WAS ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT COUNTRYMEN AND CLANSMEN ASSOCIATION.
THE OUTING INCLUDED VISITS TO TWO TEMPLES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND A VEGETARIAN LUNCH AS WELL AS THE VISIT TO THE OLD PEOPLE’S HOME.
------0-------
/18......
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- 18 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ♦ ♦ * ♦
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $897,500 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER DT8 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $120,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER DT888 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $100,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $2,000 FOR DT8707.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
DS8996 6,500 DT 308 12,000 DU 308 12,000 DT 525 20 ,000
DU6318 5,000 DS8088 10,000 DT 332 16,000 DT 328 33 ,000
DT6686 13,000 AU 82 50,000 DT 786 5,000 DW 77 35 ,000
DS 969 9,000 AS 302 12,000 DU 170 5,000 DT 888 100 ,000
HK9876 34,000 DU1428 4,000 CR1881 14,000 HK 770 22 ,000
AD 938 25,000 DT 280 16,000 XX8777 21,000 DU 638 33 ,000
DT 8 120,000 DT 821 10,000 DT 560 7,000 8996 35 ,000
AC 133 21,000 DU 398 16,000 AD3288 15,000 AS 300 33 ,000
AC9876 10,000 AA1885 6,000 DU2823 7,000 AB 58 8 ,000
DT9968 10,000 DU 168 80,000 DT8707 2,000 AA1106 5 ,000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITH 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 126TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $6,928,432.
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VILLAGE LOTS TO BE RESUMED
* * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME 62 AGRICULTURAL LOTS IN FANLING TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR POLICE OPERATIONAL TRAINING.
THE LOTS, WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 19,300 SQUARE METRES, ARE NEAR PAK FUK TSUEN.
AN OUTDOOR FIRING RANGE AND A CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE HOUSE FOR THE NEW POLICE TACTICAL UNIT DEPOT WILL BE BUILT ON THE RESUMED LAND.
RESUMPTION OF LAND IS REQUIRED NOW TO ALLOW WORKS TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
- - O -
/19
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1988
- 19 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE AT LION ROCK TUNNEL
♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SLOW LANE OF THE KOWLOON-BOUND TUBE OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED 70 TRAFFIC FROM 10.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO 5.30 AM ON MONDAY.
THE ARRANGEMENT WILL FACILITATE THE LAYING OF ANTI-SKID MATERIAL BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AT THE TUNNEL’S KOWLOON EXIT. SIMILAR WORKS WERE CARRIED OUT EARLIER THIS WEEK, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED OWING TO BAD WEATHER.
MOTORISTS SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YUEN LONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS TO WATCH OUT FOR TRAFFIC CHANGES TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN YUEN LONG FROM 10.30 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 27).
THE CHANGES ARE PART OF THE YUEN LONG TOWN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE SECTION OF TAI TONG ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG SECTION) AND KAU YUK ROAD WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC INTO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
MOTORISTS ON TAI TONG ROAD HEADING FOR CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG SECTION) WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI TONG ROAD, KAU YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG HONG LOK ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG SECTION).
IN ADDITION, FUNG NIN ROAD WILL BE REROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND INTO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE SITE SAFETY MEASURES ........... 1
KWAI CHUNG POLLUTION PROBLEM TACKLED AT SOURCE ............... 2
FEWER DRUG ADDICTS NEWLY REPORTED............................. 4
PUBLICATION OF NEW GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES REPORTS ......... 5
JUNE 1988 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL BEGINS 7
RESULTS OF 1986 SURVEY ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION RELEASED .... 8
I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR MEN BORN IN 1953/5*+ AND 1969 ......... 11
TAI PO I® TO DISCUSS BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM...................... 12
INTERESTING SUMMER FOR MONG KOK YOUTH ........................ 13
SUMMER FUN FOR YOUTH IN SHA TIN .............................. 13
ENTRIES INVITED FOR SAI KUNG SWIMMING GALA.................... 14
FUNDS FOR SOUTHERN MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES ............ 15
LEAFLET GIVES FACTS ON ISLANDS DB............................. 15
MODERN URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS .......... 16
CREATIVE ART WORK BY STUDENTS BEING DISPLAYED................. 17
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE NEAR HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE.......... 17
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING IN TAI KOK TSUI .......................... 18
WATER CUT IN TAI PO .......................................... 18
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE SITE SAFETY MEASURES
» t t t »
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE SAFETY MEASURES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY DURING THE RAINY SEASON, THE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SAID TEAMS, MADE UP OF FACTORY INSPECTORS, WOULD CALL ON ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES BETWEEN JULY AND SEPTEMBER TO ASSIST CONTRACTORS TO RAISE SAFETY STANDARDS AND TO SOLVE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM HIGH RISK PROCESSES SUCH AS WORKING AT A HEIGHT.
"OUR AIM IS TO ASSIST CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS TO IDENTIFY BLACKSPOTS SO AS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS," MR YIP SAID.
HE NOTED THAT SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR, 26 WORKERS HAD BEEN KILLED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, AND NINE OF THE FATALITIES HAD OCCURRED IN JUNE ALONE.
INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT OUT OF THE 26 FATALITIES, 18 INVOLVED WORKERS FALLING. FOUR WORKERS WERE KILLED BY FALLING OBJECTS, TWO BY MACHINERY, ONE WAS ELECTROCUTED AND ONE WAS KILLED IN AN EARTH SLIP.
"THESE ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS REPORTED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES," MR YIP SAID.
"BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS SHOULD THEREFORE ADOPT EXTRA PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES, IN PARTICULAR DURING THE RAINY SEASON, AS PAST EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT ADVERSE WEATHER COULD AGGRAVATE WORKING CONDITIONS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES."
HE SUGGESTED THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY:
* SCAFFOLDS MUST BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON SINCE EXPOSURE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY AFFECT THEIR STRENGTH OR STABILITY.
* PARTICULAR CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WHILE USING WET AND SLIPPERY WORKING PLATFORMS', GANGWAYS, LADDERS AND SCAFFOLDS.
» EMERGENCY ESCAPE SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS WORKING INSIDE EXCAVATIONS, SHAITS, TUNNELS, PITS OR OPENINGS IN THE GROUND IN CASE OF RISING WATER OR IRRUPTION OF WATER OR MATER I AL.
» EXCAVATION, EARTHWORK AND TIMBERING ERECTED SHOULD BE INSPECTED BA A ( OMI’FTENT PERSON BEFORE FURTHER WORK IS CARRIED ON.
/• ALL ELECTRIC ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
- 2
* ALL ELECTRIC SWITCHBOARDS, WIRING, APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT AFFECTED BY RAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON BEFORE THEY ARE USED AGAIN.
* 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 PRACTICABLE AND BEFORE THE APPLIANCES ARE AGAIN USED.
* LIFTING APPLIANCES SHOULD NOT BE USED UNDER WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKELY TO ENDANGER THEIR STABILITY.
MR YIP SAID ENQUIRIES ON CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY MAY BE MADE TO ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION.
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KWAI CHUNG POLLUTION PROBLEM TACKLED AT SOURCE ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS IMPLEMENTING A DRAINAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT YIP SHING STREET IN KWAI CHUNG WITH THE INTENTION OF ASSISTING FACTORY OWNERS IN ELIMINATING POLLUTION CAUSED BY
INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS DISCHARGED FROM THEIR FACTORIES. •
THE PROJECT INVOLVES WIDENING THE UNDERGROUND PUBLIC FOUL DRAINING SYSTEM TO COPE WITH THE LARGE VOLUME OF INDUSTRIAL TRADE EFFLUENT BEING PRODUCED.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF JULY, AT A COST OF $550,000.
ELEVEN FACTORIES ENGAGED IN ELECTROPLATING, DYEING AND BLEACHING OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN DISCHARGING HOT AND CORROSIVE EFFLUENT THROUGH UNAUTHORISED CONNECTIONS DOWN A NEARBY SLOPE.
FOLLOWING A DECISION BY THE KWAI TSING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY OFFICER, THE AREA WAS IDENTIFIED AS A TARGET RECOMMENDED IN A REPORT BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM.
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING KWAI TSI NG DISTRICT FOR. IMPROVEMENT, AS
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE THEN CARRIED OUT PREPARATORY WORK.
CO-ORDINATING
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT FROM THE FACTORIES.
TESTED THE EFFLUENT
/IN LIAISON
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
5
IN LIAISON WITH THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE FACTORY OWNERS AND ADVISED THEM OF WAYS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT CHECKED THE CAPACITY OF PUBLIC DRAINS IN COMPARISON WITH THE VOLUME OF DISCHARGE AND WORKED OUT WAYS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.
THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM HAS UNDERTAKEN THE OVERALL CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN FACTORY OWNERS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND HAS MONITORED PROGRESS OF THE WORK.
IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT SINCE MID-FEBRUAR^ TO ALLEVIATE THE POLLUTION THERE. ALL RUBBISH HAS BEEN CLEARED AWAY BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A DANGEROUS IRON WALKWAY HAS BEEN VOLUNTARILY REMOVED BY THE OWNERS, ON THE ADVICE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICERS.
IN ADDITION TO THE JOINT EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE CO-OPERATION OF THE FACTORY OWNERS HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IMPROVEMENT WORK.
THE ELECTROPLATING AND DYEING AND BLEACHING FACTORIES HAVE ENGAGED AUTHORISED PERSONS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED PLANS TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO RECTIFY DRAINAGE PROBLEMS.
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THESE PLANS INCLUDE LOWERING THE TEMPERATURE OF INDUSTRIAL TRADE EFFLUENT BEFORE DISCHARGE, ADJUSTING THE ACIDITY OR ALKALINITY LEVELS, AND MAKING PROPER DRAINAGE CONNECTIONS.
THROUGH THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WORKING THROUGH THE CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE-AND WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF FACTORY OWNERS, IT IS EXPECTED THAT POLLUTION AT YIP SHING STREET WILL DIMINISH IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AFTER COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
- 4 -
FEWER DRUG ADDICTS NEWLY REPORTED ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT'S COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE CONTINUED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE ’’HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL ANTI-DRUG DAY” COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY.
DR CHOA SAID THE NUMBER OF PERSONS OF ALL AGES NEWLY REPORTED DECREASED BY 36.8 PER CENT, FROM 771 TO 487, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
’’THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ALSO DROPPED CONSIDERABLY, BY 49.5 PER CENT, FROM 273 TO 138,” HE SAID.
THE DOWNWARD TREND HAD BEGUN IN 1984, HE ADDED.
DR CHOA PAID TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS, WHOSE UNCEASING OPERATIONS HAD RESULTED IN SEIZURES OF ILLICIT DRUGS.
"THE RECENTLY HELD PUBLIC DESTRUCTION OF MORE THAN 1,000 KILOGRAMS OF SEIZED ILLICIT DRUGS, WORTH OVER $600 MILLION AT TODAY'S PRICES, IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
"DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS THIS YEAR, THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS SEIZED A TOTAL OF 267 KILOGRAMS OF NO. 3 HEROIN, WHICH WAS ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SEIZURE LAST YEAR,” HE SAID.
REVIEWING THE SITUATION REGARDING PROSECUTIONS, DR CHOA SAID THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR ALL DRUG OFFENCES IN THE FIRST QUARTER INCREASED SLIGHTLY, BY 1.5 PER CENT, TO 2,863.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE 26.4 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR MAJOR DRUG OFFENCE WAS SIGNIFICANT, RISING FROM 1,106 IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR TO 1,777 THIS YEAR.
DR (’BOA ALSO SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO LEARN THAT GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN PREPARING DRAFT LEGISLATION AIMED AT RECOVERING PROCEEDS FROM DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
WHEN SUCH LEGISLATION BECAME LAW IT WOULD REPRESENT A IIEAVV STRIKE AGAINST TRAFFICKERS, HE SAID.
DR CHOA STRESSED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO LET-UP IN THE WAR AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, AND STEPS WOULD BE TAKEN TO FURTHER ENHANCE INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION.
/FOR ITS .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 26 1988
5
FOR ITS PART, ACAN WOULD STEP UP PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON THE ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULTING FROM ABUSE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES.
HE URGED THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS. PARENTS SHOULD PROVIDE PROPER GUIDANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, HE ADDED.
TODAY’S COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN. IT WAS ORGANISED BY ACAN IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING.
AN EXHIBITION DEPICTING HONG KONG’S OVERALL ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS AND ALSO COVERING PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE WAS STAGED AT THE PLAZA.
THIS EXHIBITION WILL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND TUESDAY.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY; MISS HONG KONG, PAULINE YEUNG; CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU, MR Y.P. TSANG AND MEMBERS OF THE ACAN AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES INCLUDING MR YEUNG PO-KWAN, MR J.P. LEE, DR S.C. LEUNG AND MR C.L. HO. THEY ALL TOOK PART IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO THE PUBLIC.
A TOTAL OF 1,000 "ANTI-DRUG PACKS" WERE DISTRIBUTED AT THE VENUE AND AT THE CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING AND TELFORD GARDENS IN KOWLOON BAY.
- - 0 - -
PUBLICATION OF NEW GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES REPORTS t » » * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED THE GEOTECHNICAL AREA STUDIES PROGRAMME REPORTS FOR THE NORTH NEW TERRITORIES (GASP V) AND NORTH LANTAU (GASP VI).
WITH THE RELEASE OF THESE REPORTS, THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE HAS COMPLETED SIX IN THE SERIES OF 12 GASP REPORTS CONTAINING GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES.
THE FIRST OF THESE REPORTS - FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON - WAS RELEASED IN JULY LAST YEAR AND THE LAST REPORT IN THE SERIES, GASP XII - A SUMMARY OF THE ENTIRE TERRITORY - IS EXPECTED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER, DR E.W. BRAND EXPLAINED THAT THE GASP STUDIES WERE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR PLANNING AND LAND MANAGEMENT PURPOSES, AND THEY WERE BASED ON A UNIQUE SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING THE GEOTECHNICAL LIMITATIONS OF LAND
/"THE GASP
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
- 6 -
"THE GASP STUDIES FORM PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO EVALUATE AND CONTROL SLOPE STABILITY WITHIN THE TERRITORY.
"THEY AROSE OUT OF THE MID-LEVELS MORATORIUM ON BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WAS IMPOSED IN MAY 1979 AND SUBSEQUENTLY LIFTED AFTER A COMPREHENSIVE GEOTECHNICAL STUDY OF THE AREA WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED," HE SAID.
DR BRAND POINTED OUT THAT THE GASP STUDIES EMPLOY TERRAIN CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUES WHICH USE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, FIELD RECONNAISSANCE AND EXISTING SITE INVESTIGATION RECORDS.
HE ADDED : "EACH REPORT CONTAINS A WEALTH OF FACTUAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, FOLD-OUT COLOUR MAPS, A NUMBER OF PLATES AND 1:20,000 SCALE MAPS WHICH PRESENT A GENERAL GEOTECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AREA."
THE GASP MAPS AND REPORTS PUBLISHED TO DATE COVER MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY AND CONTAIN INFORMATION OF GREAT VALUE TO THOSE INVOLVED WITH PLANNING, LAND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES.
THESE DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE OF INTEREST TO TEACHERS AND ACADEMICS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF THE LAND RESOURCES OF THE TERRITORY.
THE FOLLOWING REPORTS IN THE SERIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, GPO BUILDING,- CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND THE MAP SALES OUTLETS OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT:
GASP 1 - HONG KONG AND KOWLOON
GASP 1 I - CENTRAL NEW TERRITORIES
GASP III - WEST NEW TERRITORIES
GASP IV - NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES
GASP V - NORTH NEW TERRITORIES
GASP VI - NORTH LANTAU
DR BRAND SAID THE GASP REPORTS COMPLEMENT THE NEW SERIES OF GEOLOGICAL MAPS AND MEMOIRS WHICH THE GCO WAS PRODUCING AS PART OF THE REVISED GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORY.
THE NEW GEOLOGICAL MAPS AND THE GASP REPORTS FORM IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE GCO'S INTEGRATED APPROACH TOWARDS THE ASSESSMENT OF THE TERRITORY’S LAND RESOURCES.
--------o ---------
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
- 7 -
JUNE 1988 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL BEGINS
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN THE JUNE 1988 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN RESPECT OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988.
THIS SURVEY IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG.
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 170,000 ESTABLISHMENTS. THEY ARE RANDOMLY SELECTED 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).
INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON JUNE 30, 1988 WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH ESTABLISHMENT COVERED BY THE SURVEY.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS ARE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THESE 170,000 TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF APRIL - JUNE 1988.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON 5-8235076.
AS FOR THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT DURING APRIL - JUNE 1988, THEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE. FIELD OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING \ GOVERNMENT IDENTITY ('ARD, WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND DATI ON WHICH BUS INESS COMMENCED.
IN CASE OF ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE FIELD VISITS, RESPONDENTS SHOULD CONTACI THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON 5-8234770.
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/* .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
- 8 -
RESULTS OF 1986 SURVEY ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION RELEASED » * » * »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) RELEASED THE SUMMARY STATISTICS COMPILED FROM THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION COVERING THE REFERENCE YEAR 1986.
FIELD WORK FOR THE SURVEY WAS UNDERTAKEN BETWEEN MAY 1987 AND EARLY 1988.
THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATED THAT THERE WERE 50,099 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATING DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1986, WHICH WAS A PROSPEROUS YEAR FOR fHE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
THE VALUE OF GROSS OUTPUT IN THE SECTOR DURING 1986 WAS ESTIMATED AT $227,225 MILLION, REPRESENTING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 28.4 PER CENT IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS COMPARED WITH 1985.
THE TOTAL EXPENSES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1986 INCLUDED $150,985 MILLION ON THE PURCHASES OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL WORK/SERVICES; $39,686 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES; AND $18,865 MILLION ON OTHER EXPENSES.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR STOOD AT $62,779 MILLION IN 1986, REPRESENTING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 24.8 PER CENT IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS COMPARED WITH 1985.
VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE NET OUTPUT OF THE SECTOR AND REFLECTS THE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
RANKED ACCORDING TO THEIR VALUE ADDED, THE TOP FIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG WERE : WEARING APPAREL ($14,540 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR); TEXT I LES ' ($ 10,990 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT); FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ($10,235 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ($8,780 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT); AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS ($6,196 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT).
THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR THE MANUFACTORYNG SECTOR ANALYSED BY BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS ARE SHOWN IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE.
AS REGARDS THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS WERE THE "TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TSI NG YI" AND THE "NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG, LEI YUE MUN" DISTRICTS.
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE LOCATIONS ALTOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 17
PER CENT AND 46 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE GROSS OUTPUT AND VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
/WHEN ANALYSED .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 26 1J88
9 -
WHEN ANALYSED BY THE EMPLOYMENT SIZES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE STATISTICS SHOWED THAT SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING LESS THAN 10 PERSONS REPRESENTED ABOUT 67 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, BUT ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 8 PER CENT, 9 PER CENT AND 14 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE GROSS OUTPUT, VALUE ADDED AND TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
IN CONTRAST, ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 100 OR MORE PERSONS CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 51 PER CENT OF BOTH THE SECTOR’S GROSS OUTPUT AND VALUE ADDED AND EMPLOYED ABOUT 42 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE, THOUGH THEY REPRESENTED ONLY ABOUT 3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG.
THE 1986 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RELEVANT SECTORS COVERED, AND ESTIMATING THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
APART FROM THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING AND IN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1986 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE JUNE 1988 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS TOGETHER WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN THE SURVEY REPORT ENTITLED ”1986 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION”, WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JULY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE; AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-8234823.
/1O........
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
- 10 -
Summary results of thn 1966 Survey of Indus:riaJ. Iroductijn
analysis by broad manufacturing industry group
Broad Industry ' Group • Number of establishments Number of Compensation persons of employees engaged (3Kn) Purchases of materials, supplies and industrial work / services (2 Xn) Other Gross Value expenses output added ,Q an). (« «■) (*
Foo J, beverages i tobacco 976 (411) 24 667 (♦1) 1 254 (->11) 5 199 (>8) 1 153 (■48) 3 785 2 566 (+8) (+7)
Textiles (including knitting) 5 w* (+12) 133 196 (+17) 6 241 (+31) 2’’ 844 (+42) 3 219 (442) 40 813 10 990 (+41) (+46)
Tearing apparel, except knitwear & footwear 9 677 (’) 2’2 <»32 (+2> 11 307 (+14) 29 175 (->26) 3 966 (+13) 46 an 14 54c (+21) (+17)
Leather, wood & cork products 3 307 (-2) 28 995 (-4) 1 101 (->5) 3 264 (4.17) 447 U8) 5 181 1 487 (+15) (+10)
Pr.per products, printing & publishing 5 222 (-3) 51700 G>*0 2 356 (+17) 6 876 (*30) 1 151 (♦137 11 734 3 9J4 (+22) (+15)
Chemicals, rubber & non-metallic ciinsrs.1 products 1 379 (-8) t8 121 (+7) 880 (4Zr) 4 900 (+2?) 847 (+34) 7 497 1 854 (+28) (+33)
Plastic products 5 101 (-2) 94 109 (48) 3 757 (*27) . 13 454 (+40) 1 775 G-25) 21 094 6 196 (+34) (+3C)
Basic metals, fabrics ted metal products, machinery & equipment 13 875 (+5) 152 161 (-2) 6 424 G1O) 26 379 C+3D 2 ?44 (46) 38 764 10 235 (+25) (+20)
Alectricsl & electronic products 2 161 (-7) 125 285 (+3) 5 Q50 U16) 27 870 (*5O) 3 071 (-2) 38 730 8 780 (+37) (+35)
Other manufacturing industries 3 036 (-3) 32 067 (-6) T 355 G>3) 6 023 (♦36) 512 (45) 8 556 2 198 (+26) (+12)
Total 50 099 (♦2) 942 (+4) 39 686 (+17) 15c 985 <43'0 18 865 227 225 62 779 (♦14) (+28) (+25)
Notes ? (1) Individual entries may not add totals due to rounding. up exactly to the respective
(2) figures in brackets represent percentage changes in 1986 compared with 1985-
(3) ••• denotes a percentage chan/- e within ^C.%
(4) The ’•Number of persons engaged ” arc ‘full-yrur equivalent• figures,
i.e. for an establishment which operated for only part of 1986, the numbers of persons engnred as at the end of the quartern during which the establishment operated are summed up «ird divided by 4.
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/11
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
11
I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR MEN BORN IN 1953/54 AND 1969 * * » t *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1953, 1954 AND 1969 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE JULY 24.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, MEN OF THESE AGE GROUPS WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW I.D. CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY."
HE ADDED: "FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW I.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000."
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO RENEW THEIR I.D. CARDS.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE \DVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND THE AFTERNOONS."
THEY MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE \DDKESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. TEL. NO. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY GARDEN PLAZA, 2ND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD. TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2ND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI. TEL. NO. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET. TEL. NO. 0-4981259
SHA TIN : SHAT IN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK STREET. TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, 31 HOP VICK ROAD. TEL. NO. 0-793291
/THEN MUN .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
12 -
TUEN MUN
SHEUNG SHUI
THE SPOKESMAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
: CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
TEL. NO. 0-4580862
: TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
TEL. NO. 0-927155
REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR
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TAI PO DB TO DISCUSS BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM
♦ * * * t
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY (JUNE 28).
THEY WILL ALSO STUDY CONTINGENCY PLANS TO DEAL WITH MAJOR TRANSPORT BREAKDOWNS.
BRIEFING MEMBERS ON THE PLANS WILL BE THE ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RICHARD MEAKIN, AND THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, MISS ROWENA HO.
AT THE MEETING, MR MEAKIN AND THE CHIEF ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR MOK YUE-HO, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE DRAFT FINAL REPORT OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL STUDY.
THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR PAUL HOLMES, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO EXPLAIN MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO MITIGATE THE POLLUTION OF TOLO HARBOUR AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MEASURES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE AIMS OF THE METROPLAN AND THE SPORTS CONSULTANCY REPORT.
THE PROVISIONAL ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN 1988-89, AND THE PROPOSED CO-OPTED MEMBERSHIP FOR THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES WILL BE ENDORSED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD ON TUESDAY (JUNE 28) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD. TllE MEETING WILL START AT 9.30 AM.
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/13........
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
INTERESTING SUMMER FOR MONG KOK YOUTH » » « ♦ »
A FUN-FILLED AND ENJOYABLE SUMMER HOLIDAY IS IN STORE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN MONG KOK DISTRICT.
THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 103 DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS IN THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR THEM TO CHOOSE SOMETHING TO SUIT THEIR TASTE AND INTEREST.
THESE INCLUDE SPORTS AND GAME COMPETITIONS, TRAINING COURSES ON HOBBIES AND USEFUL SKILLS, SEMINARS, FORUMS, OUTINGS, CAMPING, CARNIVALS AND VARIETY SHOWS, MOST OF WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TN JULY AND AUGUST.
ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, THE FUNCTIONS ARE TARGETTED AT YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THEY WILL ATTRACT MORE THAN 60,000 PARTICIPANTS.
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND, ON JULY 3, TO LAUNCH THE SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES TO BE FOLLOWED BY FUN AT GAME STALLS AND AN EXHIBITION.
TICKETS FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY AND A PAMPHLET LISTING THE FUNCTIONS AND THE PROCEDURES FOR PARTICIPATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AT 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $171,600 TO THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER ACTIVITIES, WHILE THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $30,000 TO SPONSOR THE ACTIVITIES.
-------O -
SUMMER FUN FOR YOUTH IN SHA TIN
t » » » »
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN SHA TIN, COMPRISING AROUND 600 \( TIV1T1ES, WILL BE LAUNCHED IN NEW TOWN PLAZA ON SUNDAY (JULY 3) WHEN A FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION ON YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES BEGINS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SAID THAT THIS YEAR'S PROGRAMME WAS FUNDED SOLELY BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, INVOLVING $227,500.
/"OF THIS ......
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 19**
14
"OF THIS SUM, $167,618 HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND SCHOOLS FOR ORGANISING HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH DURING THE LONG VACATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CLOSING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 20 IN SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK, FOLLOWING A VARIETY SHOW AND A DRAWING COMPETITION.
A TOTAL OF 40,000 INFORMATION PAMPHLETS DETAILING THE MANY ACTIVITIES ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED FREE AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE ENQUIRY CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, AS WELL AS AT ALL THE COMMUNITY HALLS AND VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCY OFFICES IN THE DISTRICT.
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ON THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ABOVE VENUES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE ENTRIES SHOULD FOLLOW THE "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY" THEME.
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ENTRIES INVITED FOR SAI KUNG SWIMMING GALA
* ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SAI KUNG RESIDENTS AND SWIMMING ENTHUSIASTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART JN THE 1988 SAI KUNG DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA TO BE HELD ON JULY 17 (SUNDAY) IN THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, TUI MIN HOI, SAI KUNG.
THE SWIMMING GALA IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE SAI KUNG SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
THE FIRST EVENT WILL START AT 9 AM AND THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WILL END AT ABOUT 4 PM.
THE MEN’S DIVISION IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR GROUPS AND THE WOMEN'S INTO THREE, ACCORDING TO AGE.
WINNERS OF THE EVENTS MAY BE CHOSEN TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS SWIMMING COMPETITION.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS JULY 11. ADMISSION IS FREE.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (SAI KUNG OFFICE), BOTH IN SAI. KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, (’HAN MAN STREET.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON 3-7924149.
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/15........
SUNDAY, JUNE 26,
1988
- 15 -
FUNDS FOR SOUTHERN MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES * * ♦ ♦ »
RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS AND LOCAL BODIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT CAN NOW APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO SPONSOR ACTIVITIES IN CELEBRATION OF THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL.
’’APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS SET ASIDE A TOTAL OF $135,000 FOR FESTIVITIES IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN AREAS - ABERDEEN AND HARBOUR, POK FU LAM, TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN, WAH FU, WONG CHUK HANG, AP LEI CHAU, AS WELL AS STANLEY, SHEK O AND BAYS - HAVE EACH BEEN ALLOCATED $10,000 TO $23,000.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMITTEE HAS ALSO EARMARKED $115,000 FOR NON-FESTIVE ACTIVITIES. THE MONEY IS OPEN TO APPLICATIONS FROM DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS THAT WANT TO CARRY OUT COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
"APPLICATIONS, TOGETHER WITH DETAILS OF PROJECTS, SHOULD REACH THE COMMITTEE THROUGH THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE BY 5 PM ON JULY 4. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON JULY 25 TO CONSIDER EACH APPLICATION CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING ON THE AMOUNT OF GRANT TO BE GIVEN. "
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON 5-540271.
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LEAFLET GIVES FACTS ON ISLANDS DB
* * t t »
PEOPLE WHO WISH TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OE THE WORK 01 THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CAN OBTAIN A COPY OF THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED FREE INFORMATION LEAFLET ON THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE INFORMATION LEAFLET, PUBLISHED BY THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, OUTLINES THE ORGANISATION, MEMBERSHIP, TERMS OF REFERENCE AND SOURCE OF FINANCE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AS WELL AS THE ROLE OF ITS FIVE FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEES.
IT ALSO GIVES BASIC FACTS ABOUT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, INCLUDING POPULATION, ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, HOUSING, AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS.
/PUBLISHED IN .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, THE LEAFLET IS AIMED AT AROUSING THE INTEREST OF ALL ISLAND RESIDENTS IN THEIR DISTRICT BOARD SO THAT CONCERN FOR AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS CAN BE FOSTERED.
IT ALSO SERVES THE PURPOSE OF HELPING TO PROMOTE THE DISTRICT TO PEOPLE OVERSEA: MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD STUDY TOUR TOOK WITH THEM COPIES OF THE LEAFLET WHEN THEY LEFT FOR A VISIT TO SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA THIS WEEK.
COPIES OF THE INFORMATION LEAFLET ON THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AND THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICES AT MUI WO, LANTAU, AND ON CHEUNG CHAU.
- - 0 -
MODERN URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS
MONG KOK RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A WIDE RANGE OF MODERN MUNICIPAL FACILITIES WHEN THE URBAN COUNCIL’S $70 MILLION FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX COMES ON STREAM BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
"THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THE FA YUEN STREET MARKET AND HAWKER BAZAAR INTO A 13-STOREY ULTRA-MODERN COMPLEX PROVIDING FACILITIES RANGING FROM A MARKET, A LIBRARY TO AN INDOOR GAMES HALL," SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN TODAY.
"THE COMPLEX IS CENTRALLY LOCATED, COVERING AN AREA OF 1,700 SQUARE METRES BOUNDED BY FA YUEN STREET, MONG KOK ROAD, FIFE STREET AND TUNG CHOI STREET.
"THE MARKET WILL BE ON THE FIRST THREE FLOORS WITH 360 STALLS AND MINI STALLS FOR FISH, VEGETABLES, MEAT AND POULTRY PLUS A COOKED-FOOD CENTRE ON THE THIRD FLOOR.
"THE MARKET FLOORS AND THE COOKED-FOOD CENTRE WILL BE LINKED BY ESCALATORS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF HOUSEWIVES AND SHOPPERS."
ON THE FOURTH AND FIFTH FLOORS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THERE WILL BF A DISTRICT LIBRARY PROVIDING A FULL RANGE OF LIBRARY FACILITIES
INCLUDING AN AUDIO-VISUAL LIBRARY AND AN EXTENSION ACTIVITIES HALL.
"THE INDOOR GAMES HALL ON THE TOP FOUR FLOORS WILL HAVE A MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA WHICH CAN BE USED FOR BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL OR. BADMINTON, THREE GAMES ROOMS, SEVEN SQUASH COURTS, A DANCE ROOM AND A FITNESS ROOM," HE SAID.
"AS THE COMPLEX IS SITED AMIDST A DENSELY-POPULATED RESIDENTIAL AREA, IT SHOULD BECOME VERY POPULAR AMONG RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT."
- 0 -
/17
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
- 17 -
CREATIVE ART WORK BY STUDENTS BEING DISPLAYED ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO VISIT A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS ON STUDENTS’ CREATIVE WORK TO BE MOUNTED FROM SATURDAY (JULY 2).
THE EXHIBITIONS ON CREATIVE ART AND DESIGN BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE HELD FIRSTLY AT THE ATRIUM OF THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS BETWEEN JULY 2 AND 21.
THE EXHIBITS WILL BE DISPLAYED LATER AT THE EXHIBITION GALLERY OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL BETWEEN AUGUST 12 AND 24 AND AT THE EXHIBITION GALLERY OF SHA TIN TOWN HALL BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 5 AND 11.
THE EXHIBITIONS ARE ORGANISED BY THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.
LN ADDITION, AN EXHIBITION OF PRIMARY PUPILS’ CREATIVE WORK WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE IN PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, BETWEEN JULY 5 AND 30.
SCHOOLS INTENDING TO ARRANGE GROUP VISITS TO THE EXHIBITION ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENT WITH THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE CENTRE ON 5-621967.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE NEAR HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE » * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A SECTION OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD EASTBOUND LEADING FROM HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE TO LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON JUNE 28 (TUESDAY), 29 AND 30.
THE CLOSURE WILL FACILITATE ROUTINE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK. MOTORISTS TRAVELLING TO KOWLOON VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD WILL HAVE TO USE CHE KUNG MIU ROAD INSTEAD OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ALL-NIGHT SERVICE OF GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 63K (PAK TIN TO MONG KOK MTR STATION) WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA TIN SAM STREET, HUNG MUI KUK ROAD, CHE KUNG MIU ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ON ITS JOURNEYS TO MONG KOK MTR STATION.
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/18
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1988
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING IN TAI KOK TSUI » * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 29), THE SECTION OF FUK TSUN STREET IN TAI KOK TSUI BETWEEN WALNUT STREET AND PINE STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO TWO-WAY.
THE MEASURE WILL IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
- 0 - -
WATER CUT IN TAI PO » ♦ »
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE
TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT TAI YUEN ESTATE, ON CHEUNG ROAD, ON CHEE ROAD, ON TAI ROAD, ON PONG ROAD AND TAI PO CENTRE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
CONTENTS page no.
LORD GLENARTHUR ARRIVES ON WEDNESDAY ....................... 1
SROHK DELEGATION RETURNS FROM CHINA ........................ 2
FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES OF ACAF FORMED ......................... 3
CUSTOMS PRAISED FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTION ................... 4
PUBLIC SUPPORT BOOSTS FIGHT AGAINST CRIME .................. 5
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES TO BE INTRODUCED................... 7
PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SET UP IN SHAM SHUI PO 7
JOINT EFFORT FOR NEW ESTATE IN TAI PO ...................... 8
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING ............ 9
EARLY APPLICATION FOR UK STUDENT ENTRY CLEARANCE TO BEAT
SUMMER RUSH.....................................-......... 9
COURSE ON HELPING PUPILS WITH LEARNING PROBLEM ............ 10
NEW WATER SUPPLIES FOR TSING YI AND HONG KONG EAST......... 11
WEATHER EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELP IN PH SHOPPING CENTRES.... 12
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PHOTOS ON DRIVING LICENCES ........... 13
WAN CHAI DB COMMITTEE TO MEET.............................. 13
EXHIBITION ON YOUTH POLICY REPORT......................... 12*
STUDENTS MAKE SPECIAL CHAIR FOR WOMAN ..................... 1^
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN EASTERN ......................... 15
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MOURNED ............................. 16
WATER CUT TN KWUN TONG .................................... 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
17
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
LORD GLENARTHUR ARRIVES ON WEDNESDAY
*****
LORD GLENARTHUR, MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, WILL ARRIVE ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 29} AS PART OF A TOUR OF ASIA.
IT WILL BE HIS THIRD VISIT TO HONG KONG, INCLUDING ONE BRIEF TRANSIT VISIT IN FEBRUARY, SINCE HE ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS LAST YEAR. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY GLENARTHUR.
DURING HIS TWO-AND-A-HALF-DAY VISIT, LORD GLENARTHUR WILL HAVE TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND WITH MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
HE WILL MEET A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, INCLUDING BUSINESSMEN AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS.
THE MINISTER WILL VISIT TWO REFUGEE CAMPS.
HE WILL ALSO CALL ON THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, VISIT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND TRAVEL ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOWING ARE PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR LORD GLENARTHUR’S VISIT
TO HONG KONG:
WEDNESDAY JUNE 29
ARRIVAL - LORD GLENARTHUR ARRIVES BY FLIGHT CA 303 AT 11.35 AM WHEN A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE AIRPORT. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 10.30 AM.
VISIT TO TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE - LORD GLENARTHUR WILL ARRIVE AT THE JOHNSON ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTORY LTD AT 10-22 DAI SHUN STREET, TAI PO, AT 3.30 PM. A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE CGO CARPARK AT 2 PM FOR THE FACTORY.
THURSDAY JUNE 30
VISIT TO REFUGEE CAMP - LORD GLENARTHUR WILL ARRIVE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO CLOSED CENTRE AT 3.30 PM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 3 PM AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRE AT 325 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD (ADJACENT TO THE LAI KOK PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND TONKIN STREET).
/FRIDAY .JULY 1 ......
MONDAY, JUNE 2?, 1988
- 2
FRIDAY JULY 1
VISIT TO TUEN MUN NEW TOWN - LORD GLENARTHUR WILL VISIT THE NEW TOWN AND TRAVEL ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM. A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE CGO CARPARK AT 7.45 AM SHARP FOR TUEN MUN.
PRESS CONFERENCE - THE CONFERENCE WILL START AT 4.30 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. TV CREWS SHOULD SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE CONFERENCE STARTS. FULL TRANSCRIPT IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE ISSUED.
DEPARTURE - LORD GLENARTHUR LEAVES HONG KONG BY FLIGHT CX 251 AT 10.35 PM. A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 9.30 PM.
(PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE CHANGED IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER. ANY CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IF AND WHEN NECESSARY.)
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SROHK DELEGATION RETURNS FROM CHINA
* * t *
THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, HONG KONG (SROHK) DELEGATION TO CHINA IS DUE TO RETURN TO HONG KONG THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
AT THE INVITATION OF THE CHINA LAW SOCIETY, THE DELEGATION HAS BEEN SPENDING THE LAST 10 DAYS VISITING JUDICIAL, SOCIAL AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN BEIJING, HANGZHOU AND GUANGZHOU TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, SROHK CHAIRMAN AND LEADER OF THE DELEGATION, AND MRS ELIZABETH WONG, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND SROHK VICE-PRESIDENT, WILL MEET THE PRESS AT THE VIP ROOM AT THE KOWLOON STATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, HUNG HOM, WHEN THEY ARRIVE BY THROUGH TRAIN NO.95 AT 7 PM TODAY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
- - 0-------------
/5........
MONDAY, JUNE 27,
1988
- 3 -
FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES OF ACAF FORMED *****
THE FORMATION OF FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES TO ADVISE THE NEWLY FORMED ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (ACAF) ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES, WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THEY ARE THE CROP FARMING SUB-COMMITTEE, LIVESTOCK SUB-COMMITTEE, AQUACULTURE SUB-COMMITTEE, CAPTURE FISHERIES SUB-COMMITTEE AND MARKETING SUB-COMMITTEE.
THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE TO ADVISE THE ACAF ON THE FORMULATION OF LONG-TERM POLICIES AND ON THE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES.
THE FORMATION OF THESE SUB-COMMITTEES WAS ENDORSED BY MEMBERS OF ACAF AT THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S INAUGURAL MEETING HELD THIS AFTERNOON.
MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAF, SAID THE SUB-COMMITTEES WOULD BE CHAIRED BY MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF EACH SUB-COMMITTEE WOULD INCLUDE CO-OPTED PERSONS AND PUBLIC OFFICERS.
THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE SUB-COMMITTEES ELECTED AT TODAY’S MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WERE:
CROP FARMING SUB-COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT; VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI.
LIVESTOCK SUB-COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, DR STAN CHEUNG; VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR LEUNG CHIK.
AQUACULTURE SUB-COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, MR ANDREW WONG; VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR SO MOON-CHEUNG.
CAPTURE FISHERIES SUB-COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, MR LEUNG TIN-PUI;
VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR CHENG FOR-YAU.
MARKETING SUB-COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, DR ZEE SZE-YONG; VICE-CHAIRMAN,
MR YUNG TIN-TAK.
"THE CROP FARMING SUB-COMMITTEE WILL ALSO GIVE ADVICE ON THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES ON THE UTILISATION OF ARABLE LAND AND ON THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THEIR USAGE," DR LEE SAID.
"THE LIVESTOCK SUB-COMMITTEE WILL ADVISE ON ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY WITH THE ONLY EXCEPTION OF THE ISSUE OF LIVESTOCK WASTE WHICH IS PRIMARILY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF Till LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE."
/HE SAID .......
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
HE SAID THAT APART FROM GIVING ADVICE ON POLICY MATTERS, THE AQUACULTURE SUB-COMMITTEE WOULD ALSO PLAY AN ADVISORY ROLE IN THE DESIGNATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FISH CULTURE ZONES.
SIMILARLY, THE CAPTURE FISHERIES SUB-COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ADVISING ON THE FORMULATION OF LONG-TERM POLICIES ON ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING FISHING PORTS AND ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAPTURE FISHERIES INDUSTRY.
"THE MARKETING SUB-COMMITTEE WILL ADVISE ON THE POLICIES ON THE MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION OF FRESH FOODSTUFFS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETING FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS TO MEET THE INCREASING PUBLIC DEMAND," DR LEE ADDED.
AT THE MEETING, A DECISION WAS MADE THAT ACAF WOULD MEET AT A QUARTERLY INTERVALS AND THAT MEETINGS OF THE FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES WOULD BE HELD MORE FREQUENTLY.
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CUSTOMS PRAISED FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
» * » » »
VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT OVER THE YEARS HAS SATISFACTORILY CONTAINED THE PROBLEM OF VARIOUS TYPES OF PIRACY INCLUDING MUSIC, MOVIES, VIDEO, TELEVISION PROGRAMMES, PUBLICATIONS, PHOTO-COPYING AND COMPUTER SOFTWARES.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR K.S. TONG, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) AT A CEREMONY IN WHICH A PLAQUE WAS PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INDUSTRIAL SECURITY (HONG KONG CHAPTER), MR FRANK KNIGHT, IN RECOGNITION OF CUSTOMS EFFORTS IN PROTECTING THE COPYRIGHT OF THE AMERICAN FILM INDUSTRY.
MR TONG POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS AT LEAST ELIMINATED OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE ILLEGAL TRADE, LEAVING ABOUT LESS THAN 10 PER CENT WHICH OPERATE UNDERGROUND.
HE SAID A FIVE-PRONGED STRATEGY HAD BEEN DEVISED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM. IT INCLUDES STRONG LEGISLATION; SPECIAL TASK FORCE; VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT; EDUCATION, PUBLICITY AND WARNINGS; AND CLOSE CO OPERATION WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND COPYRIGHI OWNERS.
COMMENTING ON THE PROBLEM OF PIRATED COMPUTER SOFTWARES AND MANUALS, HE STRESSED THAT CRIMINAL ACTIONS CANNOT BE TAKEN UNLESS THERE IS A COMPLAINANT WHO CAN PROVE OWNERSHIP OF COPYRIGHT, IDENTIFY THE OFFENDING GOODS, AND TESTIFY IN COURT.
/''THERE ARE.........
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
- 5 -fx
"THERE ARE COMPUTER PRODUCTS FROM MORE THAN 50 SOFTWARE MANUFACTURERS IN THE WORLD BUT, SO FAR, LESS THAN 10 ARE WILLING TO COME FORWARD.
"IT IS NOT AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK TO CLEAR UP PIRACY BUT WE MUST REQUIRE CO-OPERATION FROM THE OWNERS," HE NOTED.
AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY, MR KNIGHT ALSO PRAISED THE EXCELLENT WORK PERFORMED BY OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN PROTECTING iNTELLECTURAL PROPERTY OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS AND PRESENTED LETTERS )F APPRECIATION TO 15 OFFICERS OF THE COPYRIGHT AND COUNTERFEIT INVESTIGATION DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
-------o - - - -
PUBLIC SUPPORT BOOSTS FIGHT AGAINST CRIME
*****
PUBLIC SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION FORMS AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF THE SUCCESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND IN 1987, CITIZENS’ ARREST RECORDED A VERY HEALTHY 11.2 PER CENT OF ALL ARRESTS.
/•
THIS WAS SAID BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER MRS ROSANNA TAM WONG YICK-MTNG AT A GOOD CITIZEN AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (MONDAY) TO HONOUR 54 PEOPLE WHO HAVE COURAGEOUSLY ASSISTED THE POLICE TO PREVENT AND DETECT CRIME.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE MR JOHN SHEPPARD, ACTING DEPU'l'Y COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPERATIONS) AND MR JIMMY MoGREGOR, DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
SAID MRS TAM: "HONG KONG HAS IN RECENT YEARS BEEN THE ENVY OF MANY COUNTRIES BECAUSE OF ITS PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS LIVING ENVIRONMENT. OUR SOCIETY IS FREE FROM CIVIL UNREST AND DISTURBANCES ANP AT THE SAME TIME OUR ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW RAPIDLY."
- SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY HONG KONG HAD achieved could be attributed to many ELEMENTS, one of the most IMPORTANT BEING A GOOD STATE OF LAW AND ORDER.
"ALL THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE STRENUOUS EFFORTS BY ALL THE •PARTIES CONCERNED INCLUDING THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, DISTRICT BOARDS, DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND THE POLICE.
"MUCH HAS BEEN DONE BY THEM TO EFFECTIVELY STAMP OUT ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES THUS MAKING OUR COMMUNITY AS SAFE AND HAPPY AS POSSIBLE," MRS TAM SAID.
/ON PUBLIC .......
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
ON PUBLIC EFFORTS, MRS TAM SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD FOSTERED A STRONG SPIRIT OF CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AND HAD EXPRESSED AN INCREASING WILLINGNESS TO COMBAT CRIME.
SHE CITED AS PROOF THAT MORE PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO COME FORWARD TO REPORT CRIME AND THAT THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME CLEARLY ILLUSTRATED PEOPLE’S EXPECTATION AND DETERMINATION TO HAVE A CRIME-FREE LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
MRS TAM SAID SHE WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED TO NOTE THAT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE WERE BECOMING AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
OF THE 54 AWARDEES, MANY ARE YOUTHS WITH NINE OF THEM UNDER I HE AGE OF 21 AND THE YOUNGEST BEING JUST 13 YEARS OLD. THEY HAVE ASSISTED THE POLICE TO ARREST CRIMINALS IN CASES OF ROBBERY, THEFT, BURGLARY, ARSON, PICKPOCKET AND OTHER OFFENCES.
THE AWARDEES, WHO WERE EACH PRESENTED WITH A CERTIFICATE AND A CASH AWARD, COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, COMPRISING WORKERS, DRIVERS, BUSINESSMEN, CIVIL SERVANTS, STUDENTS AS WELL AS PROFESSIONALS.
"WHILE SOME OF THEM OFFERED PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE IN CHASING THE CULPRITS AND IN SOME CASES, IN EVENTUALLY SUBDUING THEM, OTHERS USED THEIR WITS AND RESOURCEFULNESS TO FOIL THEM," MRS TAM SAID.
SINCE THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED 15 YEARS AGO, A TOTAL OF 1 921 GOOD CITIZENS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH THE COVETED AWARD.
WHILE COMMENDING THE AWARDEES’ COURAGE, SHARP OBSERVATION, CALMNESS AND THE IMPULSE TO ACT TO BRING THE EVILDOERS TO JUSTICE, MRS TAM SAID THEIR ACTIONS WOULD NOT ONLY STIMULATE ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE WORK OF FIGHTING CRIME, BUT WOULD ALSO INSPIRE OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT.
"COMBATING CRIME IS AN ON-GOING BATTLE, BUT AS MORE PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO OUR APPEAL OF 'FIGHT CRIME TOGETHER', A GREATER ADVANCEMENT IS IN SIGHT," MRS TAM ADDED.
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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES TO BE INTRODUCED
* * » * «
THREE NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED THIS WEEK TO SERVE KWUN TONG AND SAI KUNG AREAS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
TO CATER FOR THE TRAVEL DEMAND GENERATED FROM THE ESTATES OF LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING AND SHUN LEE IN KWUN TONG, A GREEN MINIBUS CIRCULAR ROUTE NO. 60 PLYING BETWEEN LAM TIN ESTATE AND SHUN LEE ESTATE WILL COME INTO SERVICE FROM WEDNESDAY (JUNE 29).
THE ROUTE WILL OPERATE AT A FREQUENCY OF EIGHT TO 10 MINUTES DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 PM. THE FULL FARE WILL BE $2.5 AND THE SECTION FARE WILL BE $1.3.
IN SAI KUNG, TWO NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 11 AND 12 WILL START TO OPERATE FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 30).
AS A CIRCULAR ROUTE PLYING BETWEEN HANG HAU AND PING SHEK, ROUTE 11 WILL OPERATE AT A 10-MINUTE INTERVAL BETWEEN 6.30 AM AND 9 PM DAILY. THE FULL FARE WILL BE $3, WITH A SECTION FARE OF $2 FOR JOURNEYS FROM TSENG LAN SHUE TO HANG HAU.
ROUTE 12 WILL OPERATE BETWEEN SAI KUNG AND PO LAM AT A 30-M1NUTE INTERVAL DAILY FROM 7 AM TO 9.15 PM. THE FULL FARE WILL BE $4 AND THE SECTION FARE WILL BE $2.
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PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SET UP IN SHAM SHUI PO *****
A PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAS RECENTLY BEEN SET UP IN SHAM SHUI PO WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE TO LOOK AFTER MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE COMMITTEE AT ITS FIRST MEETING ENDORSED ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE AS FOLLOWS:
* TO EXAMINE THE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, AND ADVISE ON A STRATEGY TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT;
* TO IDENTIFY TARGET BUILDINGS AND RECOMMEND PRIORITIES FOR FOLLOW-UP WORK BY THE DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM;
/• TO DISCUSS .........
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
- 8
» TO DISCUSS AND ADVISE ON GENERAL AND., SPECIFIC PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED BY THE DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM IN CARRYING OUT THE AGREED STRATEGY AND WORK PROGRAMME;
♦ TO CARRY OUT PUBLICITY AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF,V AND INVOLVEMENT IN, BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN THE DISTRICT; AND
» TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW GENERAL LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS RELATING TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE IS MR RAYMOND CHOY WAI-SHEK.
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JOINT EFFORT FOR NEW ESTATE IN TAI PO
t * * * ♦
THE TAI PO DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAS RECENTLY FORMED A SUB-COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH SPECIFIC ISSUES RELATING TO TAI PO ESTATE.
THE TAI PO ESTATE WHICH OCCUPIES ABOUT 15.7 HECTARES OF LAND IN THE TAI PO NEW TOWN IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. IT WILL ACCOMMODATE 40,000 PEOPLE WHEN COMPLETED.
THE NEWLY FORMED SUB-COMMITTEE IS AIMED AT MONITORING THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE ESTATE, ESPECIALLY THOSE RELATING TO TRANSPORT, EDUCATION AND WELFARE, WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT THESE SERVICES ARE ADEQUATE AND THAT THE PROVISION IS IN LINE WITH THE POPULATION INTAKE.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT) OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IF NECESSARY.
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/9........
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
- 9 -
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING » » * »
THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF THE 1988/89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN APPEAL DAY WHICH WILL BE HELD ON JULY 9.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL DISCUSS THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, NO. 2, 4/F., URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, EDINBURGH PLACE, HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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EARLY APPLICATION FOR UK
STUDENT ENTRY CLEARANCE TO BEAT SUMMER RUSH
*****
STUDENTS INTENDING TO STUDY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM SHOULD APPLY FOR ENTRY CLEARANCE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID THE SUMMER RUSH.
COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS MAY, IF THEY WISH, OBTAIN ENTRY CERTIFICATES BEFORE SETTING OUT FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THEIR ENTRY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"HOLDERS OF HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY, DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY OR DECLARATION OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES MUST HOLD A CURRENT VISA IF THEY WISH TO ENTER THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ANY PURPOSE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT STUDENTS ARE ADMITTED FOR UP TO ONE YEAR IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO FOLLOW A COURSE OF STUDIES AT A UNIVERSITY, A POLYTECHNIC OR FURTHER EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS, AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OR ANY BONA FIDE PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.
/THEY MUST........
I
MONDAY, JUNE ?7, 1988
10 -
THEY MUST BE ENTERING THE UNITED KINGDOM TO SPEND NOT LESS THAN 15 HOURS A WEEK IN ORGANISED DAYTIME STUDIES; AND MUSI SHOW THAT THEY CAN MEET THE COST OF THE COURSE, AND THEIR OWN MAINTENANCE; AND THAT THEY HAVE THE INTENTION TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY AFTER COMPLETING THE COURSE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A STUDENT APPLICATION, IF SUBMITTED AT THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS, WILL NORMALLY TAKE FIVE WORKING DAYS TO PROCESS.
BUT FOK SOME CASES WHICH REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AUTHORITIES, THE PROCESSING TIME WILL BE LONGER.
"SUMMER TIME IS THE PEAK SEASON FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR VISAS TO STUDY ABROAD," HE SAID.
LAST YEAR MORE THAN 4,000 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED OF WHICH TWO-THIRD WERE SUBMITTED BETWEEN JULY AND SEPTEMBER.
"BY APPLYING EARLY IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO BETTER PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THE TRIP AHEAD," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES MAY TELEPHONE 3-73331 11.
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COURSE ON HELPING PUPILS WITH LEARNING PROBLEM » t * t *
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE INVITED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO JOIN A COURSE ON HELPING PUPILS WITH LEARNING PROBLEMS BETWEEN JULY 20 (WEDNESDAY) AND 22 (FRIDAY).
THE COURSE IS ORGAINSED BY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT WITH AN AIM TO HELP TEACHERS UNDERSTAND PUPILS’ PROBLEMS IN THE CLASSROOM AND TO SUGGEST VARIOUS WAYS OF HANDLING THE PROBLEMS.
THE COURSE WILL DISCUSS THE WAYS AND MEANS OF HELPING PUPILS WITH EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND WILL INTRODUCE VARIOUS KINDS OF REMEDIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE THREE-DAY COURSE WILL FOCUS ON HELPING PUPILS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS. THERE WILL BE DISCUSSIONS AND TALKS ON STUDENT GUIDANCE SERVICE, THE ROLE OH PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES IN HELPING SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THE INTENSIVE REMEDIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
/OTHER TALKS .......
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988 11
OTHER TALKS WILL INCLUDE HOW TO HELP PUPILS WITH HEARING, SPEECH, PHYSICAL AND VISION PROBLEMS.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE AUDIOLOGICAL SERVICES AND PERIPATETIC ADVISORY SERVICE, SPEECH THERAPY SERVICE, RESOURCE HELP SERVICE AND THE SCREENING, REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT SERVICE OFFERED FOR THE PUPILS.
ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE ON THE LAST DAY OF THE COURSE FOR THE PARTICIPANTS TO VISIT THE PERTH STREET SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE WHICH PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN HO MAN TIN.
SCHOOLS HEADS ARE ADVISED TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO JOIN THE COURSE TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT 2/F., LEE GARDENS, 33-37 HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, BEFORE JULY 1.
0
NEW WATER SUPPLIES FOR TSING YI AND HONG KONG EAST » t t ♦ »
NEW WATER WORKS WILL BE BUILT TO IMPROVE FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLIES TO TSING YI AND HONG KONG EAST.
ITEMS OF WORKS AT TSING YI ARE TWO CIRCULAR REINFORCED CONCRETE WATER TANKS EACH WITH A CAPACITY OF 4,600 CUBIC METRES FOR FRESH WATER STORAGE, A CIRCULAR REINFORCED CONCRETE SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WITH A CAPACITY OF 600 CUBIC METRES AND A PUMPING STATION.
THESE INSTALLATIONS FORM PART OF THE SCHEME TO EXTEND THE FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLIES TO THE HIGH LEVEL AREAS IN THE NORTH EAST OF TSING YI ISLAND.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY 1990.
FACILITIES TO BE CONSTRUCTED FOR HONG KONG EAST INCLUDE A SERVICE RESERVOIR AT MOUNT BUTLER WITH A CAPACITY OF 3,600 CUBIC METRES, A PUMPING STATION AT EASTERN TREATMENT WORKS NEAR WONG NAI CHUNG GAP AND THE LAYING OF ABOUT 2,300 METRES OF WATER MAINS WITH DIAMETRES RANGING FROM 200 MILLIMETRES TO 450 MILLIMETRES.
THE NEW SYSTEM, WHEN COMPLETED, WILL IMPROVE THE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO HIGH LEVEL AREAS IN TAI HANG, JARDINE’S LOOKOUT, BLACK’S LINK, MIDDLE GAP, MOUNT NICHOLSON AND PARTS OF REPULSE BAY.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN 15 MONTHS.
TENDERS FOR THESE WORKS ARE BEING INVITED AND THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 8, 1988.
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/12......
MONDAY, JUNE 27,
1988
12 -
WEATHER EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD IN PH SHOPPING CENTRES ******
ADVICE ON THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING TYPHOONS WILL BE GIVEN TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS AT A "METEOROLOGY AND YOU" EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 29) .
' . i i a su ; i-thii* h.-<tu
THE EXHIBITION, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, IS ORGANISED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
I/.tfM'iJ' ’ .:<•( .1OI'fA’l IKUI JAl’iilMB dHT OT 3F.H
MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAN YING-LUN WHO IS ALSO A HOUSING AUTHORITY MEMBER, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, DR PETER LI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
"THE EXHIBITION AIMS TO PROVIDE PH TENANTS WITH INFORMATION ON WEATHER FORECASTS, TROPICAL CYCLONES, THUNDERSTORMS, FLOOD AND LANDSLIP WARNING SERVICES WHICH FORM PART OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY," A HOUSING SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
"THE SEVEN-DAY EVENT AT LOK FU IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF ROVING EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD IN OTHER ESTATES, NAMELY BUTTERFLY, 01 MAN, WO CHE AND FU SHIN IN THE COMING TWO MONTHS," HE SAID.
"THE EXHIBITION OPENS DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM, WILL SERVE AS A TIMELY REMINDER TO THE PUBLIC AS WE ARE MOVING INTO THE TYPHOON SEASON,” HF ADDED.
- - - - - , ■ ■.!
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A "METEOROLOGY AND YOU" EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT 12 NOON IN THE EXHIBITION HALL ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, JUNCTION ROAD, KOWLOON.
OFFICIATING WILL BE MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MR CHAN YING-LUN, AND DR PETER LI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
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/15........
MONDAY, JUNE 27,
1988
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PHOTOS ON DRIVING LICENCES ♦ * » * ♦
MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT PROPOSAL TO REMOVE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM DRIVING LICENCES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE REQUESTED TO ENDORSE THE CRITERIA FOR RECOMMENDING PRIORITY ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, AND TO APPROVE THE PRIORITY LIST IN RESPECT OF SUCH WORKS IN THE 39 TARGET BUILDINGS OF THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF A BUS AND FERRY DEVELOPMNENT PROGRAMME FOR 1988-89 FOR THE DISTRICT, AND CONSULTED ON THE RELATIVE PRIORITY OF PROPOSED BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN MONG KOK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
WAN CHAI DB COMMITTEE TO MEET * ♦ t t
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL TOMORROW (TUESDAY) CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS TO WHITEWASHING WORK AT REAR LANES AT FLEMING ROAD, KENNEDY STREET, JOHNSTON ROAD AND LEE TUNG STREET.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AND THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN IN WAN CHAI, AND A PROPOSAL FOR THE PROVISION OF AN ACCESS FROM THE HAPPY VALLEY TRAM TERMINUS TO THE HAPPY VALLEY SPORTS GROUND.
TWO MEMBERS WILL RAISE QUESTIONS CONCERNING REFUSE PROBLEM AND ROAD SURFACE CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD.
- - 0 -
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
14 EXHIBITION ON YOUTH POLICY REPORT * * * *
AN EXHIBITION ON THE "REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY" WILL BE HELD IN TSUEN WAN FOR TWO DAYS STARTING TOMORROW (JUNE 28).
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TSUEN WAN/KWAI TSING DISTRICT GROUP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATION COMMITTEE, WITH THE AIM OF AROUSING LOCAL RESIDENTS’ INTERESTS ON THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED YOUTH POLICY REPORT.
THROUGH THE EXHIBITION, IT IS HOPED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THE YOUTH, WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ON THE REPORT.
SEVEN EXHIBITION PANELS PRODUCED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, WHICH ILLUSTRATE THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT, WILL BE MOUNTED AT THE PODIUM OUTSIDE THE MTR TSUEN WAN STATION AND THE LUK YEUNG SHOPPING ARCADE.
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE A BETTER PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL RESIDENTS, EXHIBITION HANDOUTS, LETTER-SHEETS TO SOLICIT PUBLIC OPINIONS AND ENTRY FORMS OF A CROSSWORD PUZZLE COMPETITION WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE EXHIBITION.
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STUDENTS MAKE SPECIAL CHAIR FOR WOMAN
*****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK, AND A GROUP OF STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TODAY (MONDAY) PRESENTED A SPECIALLY DESIGNED CHAIR AND A PRIVATE DONATION TO A 105-YEAR-OLD WOMAN LIVING IN THE KWAI SHING CARE SHELTER FOR THE ELDERLY.
STUDENTS OF THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE VOLUNTEERED IT. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A SPECIAL CHAIR FOR MADAM CHAN SAI-MUI AFTER LEARNING THAT MADAM CHAN, WHO LIVED FOR A LONG TIME ON A FISHING BOAT, NOW HAD DIFFICULTY BOTH IN SITTING AND WALKING.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, THE STUDENTS LOOKED INTO MADAM CHAN’S PROBLEMS AND DECIDED TO PRODUCE A CHAIR THAT WOULD HELP MEET HER NEEDS.
ALTHOUGH THE STUDENTS RECEIVED A PRIVATE DONATION FOR MAKING THE CHAIR, THEY DECIDED THE MONEY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO MADAM CHAN AND THIS WAS DONE TODAY.
/THEY CONSIDERED .......
MONDAY, JUNE 271 1988
THEY CONSIDERED MAKING THE CHAIR THROUGH THEIR OWN MEANS A WORTHY WAY IN WHICH THEY COULD HELP SERVE THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HELP THE STUDENTS IN ANOTHER PROJECT.
THIS IS A FLOWER PLANT PROJECT IN WHICH STUDENTS WILL HELP OLD PEOPLE IN THE KWAI SHING CARE SHELTER TO PREPARE POTTED PLANTS IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THEIR SURROUNDINGS.
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SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN EASTERN
♦ » » * t
A TOTAL OF 200 YOUTH ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS OF EASTERN DISTRICT AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
THIS YEAR’S EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT’S YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, WITH A SPONSORSHIP OF $350,000 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE PROGRAMME COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FEATURING THE THEME OF ’’SHARING THE FUN WHILE SERVING THE COMMUNITY”.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE BY ATTENDING DIFFERENT TRAINING COURSES ON SPORTS ACTIVITIES, LANGUAGES AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING.
OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SOCIAL SERVICES SCHEMES, YOUNG REPORTERS SCHEMES, VISITS AND EXHIBITIONS WILL ALSO HELP PROMOTE THEIR CIVIC AWARENESS AND BROADEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE YOUTH CAMPS, COMMUNITY PROJECTS, COMPETITIONS, CARNIVALS, SEMINARS AND A VARIETY OF OUTINGS.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE 1988 EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, A SUMMER CONCERT WILL BE HELD ON JULY 2 (SATURDAY) AT 2.30 PM AT KIANGSU AND CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL, NORTH POINT.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (HK), MR KWOK NAI-SIK AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING OMMITTEE, MRS JEANNIE CHOW.
/FREE ADMISSION .......
MUWDAT, JUNE 27, ">988
16 -
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE SUMMER CONCERT ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. 1 - - -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1988 EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AND SUMMER CONCERT TO BE HELD ON JULY 2 (SATURDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF KIANGSU AND CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL, 30 CHING WAH STREET, NORTH POINT.
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DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MOURNED ♦ » » *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T. H. CHAU, HAS LEARNED WITH DEEP REGRET OF THE DEATH OF MR LO WAI-MAN, AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
MR LO HAD SERVED ON THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AS AN APPOINTED MEMBER SINCE 1982. HE HAD ALSO SERVED ON MANY COMMITTEES ON LOCAL AFFAIRS AND WAS AWARDED A BADGE OF HONOUR IN 1982.
MR LO PASSED AWAY ON JUNE 25 AT THE AGE OF 63.
”MR LO WAS ALWAYS HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM BY HIS COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS. HIS DISTINGUISHED AND DEDICATED SERIVCE TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED,” MR CHAU SAID.
MR CHAU ALSO EXTENDED HIS CONDOLENCES TO MR LO9S FAMILY.
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WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG t t ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM WEDNESDAY (JUNE 29) FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT KO FAT ROAD, SHUNG TAK WAI, TUNG VUEN STREET AND YAN YUE WAI.
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/17........
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988
- 17 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ ♦ ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 26.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 156.153 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 371.736 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 63.4 PER CENT OF CAPACIT .
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT FOR HK IN NEW DCA..................... 1
DAVID NENDICK WELCOMES EXCHANGE'S VOLUNTARY EFFORTS .......... 2
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES RAISED .................. 3
INDUSTRIALISTS URGED TO MOVE UPMARKET......................... 5
DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON HOMOSEXUALITY LAW PUBLISHED ........... 6
FOUR AIDS CARRIERS IN MAY..................................... 7
PUBLIC ADVISED NOT TO FEED OR TEASE MONKEYS .................. 10
TSUEN WAN TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR ROUTE 5 CONSTRUCTION............ 10
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED..................................... 11
DTC LICENCE REVOKED .......................................... 12
11 QUESTIONS, 1J BILLS BEFORE LEGCO........................... 12
NEW UNIT TO COORDINATE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES......... 13
ENTRY REMINDER FOR ANTI-DRUG ORIENTEERING EVENT .............. 14
QUARRY BAY TO HAVE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY......................... 15
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DRAFT BASIC LAW....................... 16
BUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR TUEN MUN DISTRICT .............. 16
FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN DISTRICT...................... 17
SAI KUNG DISTRICT TO LAUNCH FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN .............
FIRST-ADI COURSE FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ...................... 19
E3 COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SPORTS REPORT......................... 19
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES............ 20
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TO BE CLOSED ............................... 21
RE-ROUTEING OF COTTON PATH IN TAI HANG ....................... 21
WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG ....................................... 21
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT FOR HK IN NEW DCA » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL POSITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN LONDON ON MONDAY (.JUNE 27).
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, WHEN SPEAKING TO THE PRESS IN LONDON JUST BEFORE THE INITIALLING OF THE AGREEMENT WITH OFFICIALS OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE AGREEMENT WOULD RESULT IN A SAVING OF ONE THIRD IN HONG KONG’S CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE (’OST OF MAINTAINING THE GARRISON BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
HE ADDED THAT THE SAVINGS WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN THE ESTIMATED TWO BILLION DOLLARS IT WOULD COST TO EXPAND THE POLICE OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO LOOK AT THE APPORTIONMENT OF COSTS ALONF. IN MONEY TERMS, THE SAVINGS WERE SIGNIFICANT AND WOULD ALLOW FOR MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN HONG KONG, EQUIVALENT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEVERAL HOSPITALS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT ONE WOULD BE ACHIEVED WAS BY MAKING ECONOMIES GARRISON SUCH AS THE PROCUREMENT OF SUPPLIES KONG RATHER THAN FROM BRITAIN.
WAY IN WHICH IN EXPENDITURE AND EQUIPMENT
SAVINGS
ON THE
IN HONG
ASKED HOW HONG KONG WOULD REACT TO THE NEW AGREEMENT, MR JACOBS SAID III WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IF IT WAS NOT ACCEPTED AND WELCOMED BY HIE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE. MORE SO BECAUSE IT REPRESENTED A REVERSAL OF THE PAST TREND OF INCREASING COSTS.
COMMENTING ON THE NEGOTIATIONS, HE SAID THEY WERE A LONG HARD SLOG. ”THE BRITISH SIDE DID NOT COMMENCE THEIR NEGOTIATIONS CONTEMPLATING A REDUCTION. WE HAVE SECURED THAT."
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
DAVID NENDICK WELCOMES ♦ »
EXCHANGE’S VOLUNTARY EFFORTS » t t »
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, TODAY WELCOMED THE STOCK EXCHANGE’S VOLUNTARY EFFORTS IN BRINGING ABOUT EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAJORITY OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD.
THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE EXCHANGE SHOULD BE RECONSTITUTED AS A COUNCIL WITH A BROADLY-BASED MEMBERSHIP OF 22, INCLUDING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS DAILY OPERATIONS.
THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE’S MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION TO EFFECT THESE CHANGES, AS PROPOSED BY THE EXCHANGE, HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE SECURITIES COMMISSION.
THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EXCHANGE WILL COMMEND THEM TO ITS MEMBERS AT AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JULY 20.
IF THE EXCHANGE’S PROPOSALS ARE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED, THIS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE TIME REQUIRED FOR ESTABLISHING THE FIRST COUNCIL, WHICH CAN THEN BE IN PLACE BY OCTOBER THIS YEAR. WERE LEGISLATION REQUIRED, THE COUNCIL MIGHT NOT BE IN PLACE UNTIL AT LEAST THE END OF THE YEAR.
ENDORSING THE EXCHANGE’S INITIATIVE, MR NENDICK SAID: ’’THE INITIATIVE SHOWN BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE IS A COMMENDABLE MOVE WHICH WILL SPEED UP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS.”
"IT ALSO DEMONSTRATES THE EXCHANGE’S WILLINGNESS TO CO-OPERATE WITH GOVERNMENT IN ENSURING THAT HONG KONG’S SECURITIES INDUSTRY PLAYS ITS FULL PART IN MAINTAINING OUR POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE,” HE SAID.
MR NENDICK WISHED THE EXCHANGE EVERY SUCCESS IN ITS ENDEAVOURS, AND HOPED THAT A SUFFICIENT NUMBER, I.E. OVER 75 PER CENT, OF MEMBERS WOULD VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENTS ON JULY 20 FOR THEM TO BE IMPLEMENTED, SO THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT HAVE TO CONSIDER THE OPTION OF BRINGING ABOUT THE NECESSARY CHANGES THROUGH LEGISLATION.
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A
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 3 -
<u INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES RAISED t » ♦ ♦ *
THE GAZETTE PUBLISHED ON MONDAY (JUNE 27) CONTAINS A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES. AS FROM TOMORROW (JUNE 29), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 5.28 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 4.8 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.44 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 29 THIS YEAR.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE JUNE 29 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS-
3.00 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
K MARCH 4, 1987 AND BEFORE APRIL 4, 1987;
N S 3.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR APRIL 9, 1987 AND BEFORE JUNE 4, 1987; AFTER
I 3.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR JUNE 4, 1987 AND BEFORE JUNE 24 1987; AFTER
T •u 4.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 24, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 14, 1987;
A 5.28 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR OCTOBER 14, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 28, AFTER 1987 ;
S 4.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR OCTOBER 28, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 30, AFTER 1987 ;
*u 3.24 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR OCTOBER 30, 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 2, AFTER 1987 ;
:a
/3.00 PER CENT ........
N s
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
3.00 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 9, 1987;
2.04 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 9, 1987 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 20, 1988;
2.76 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 20, 1988 AND BEFORE APRIL 13, 1988;
3.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 13, 1988 AND BEFORE MAY 11, 1988;
4.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 11, 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 16, 1988; AND
4.8 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 16, 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 29, 1988;
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECTS TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF
EXAMPLE: $1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON JUNE 30, 1988, JULY 30, 1988 AND AUGUST 30, 1988 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1988 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS -
ON $1,000, JUNE 30, 1988 TO SEPTEMBER. 29, 1988
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $4.10 PER MONTH - $13.20
ON $1,000, JULY 30, 1988 TO SEPTEMBER 29, 1988
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $4.40 PER MONTH = $ 8.80
ON $1,000, AUGUST 30, 1988 TO SEPTEMBER 29, 1988
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $4.40 PER MONTH - $ 4 40
$26.40
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TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 5 -
INDUSTRIALISTS URGED TO MOVE UPMARKET
* * » *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED INDUSTRIALISTS TO INVEST IN ORIGINAL PRODUCT DESIGN AND PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT SO THAT HONG KONG CAN MOVE UPMARKET AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE WORLD MARKET.
MR MACLEOD WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1988 HONG KONG NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (CMA).
HE SAID THAT IN THE EARLY DAYS, HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS LARGELY PRODUCED GOODS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS’ SPECIFICATIONS, BUT IN RECENT YEARS, WITH THE INCREASING COMPETITION AND GROWING DEMAND FOR PRODUCTS INCORPORATING ORIGINALITY IN DESIGN, THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASING TENDENCY FOR INNOVATION AND IMPROVED QUALITY.
"TODAY WE SEE MORE AND MORE HONG KONG PRODUCTS BEING PRODUCED TO ORIGINAL AND GOOD DESIGNS AND HIGHER STANDARDS. MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW WELL AWARE OF THE NEED TO CONSIDER NOT JUST THEIR PRODUCTION COST BUT ALSO QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD CITED EXAMPLES OF HOW THE GOVERNMENT ASSISTED MANUFACTURERS BY PROVIDING NECESSARY SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP THEM UPGRADE THEIR CAPABILITY IN PRODUCT DESIGN AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.
"IN 1985, THE HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY LIMITED WAS SET UP WITH PUBLIC FUNDS TO PROVIDE MANUFACTURERS WITH A RANGE OF PRODUCT INNOVATION AND DESIGN SERVICES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN 1987, A SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TO ENABLE PRACTISING ELECTRONIC ENGINEERS TO GO ABROAD TO OBTAIN TRAINING IN THE DESIGN AND USE OF APPLICATIONS SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS.
IN CLOSING, HE PAID TRIBUTE TO CMA FOR ITS SUSTAINED EFFORT IN PROMOTING PRODUCT DESIGN AND QUALITY.
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A ...
I
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 6 -
DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON HOMOSEXUALITY LAW PUBLISHED ♦ * ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ENTITLED "HOMOSEXUAL OFFENCES: SHOULD THE LAW BE CHANGED? - A CONSULTATION PAPER".
THE PAPER FOLLOWS ON FROM RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IN 1983 THAT THE LAW GOVERNING HOMOSEXUAL OFFENCES SHOULD BE REFORMED.
THE CONSULTATION PAPER EXPLAINS THE CURRRENT LAW - WHICH PROVIDES A PENALTY OF UP TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS -AND SETS OUT THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST CHANGE.
TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL LAW, TRADITIONAL VALUES AND THE FAMILY, PUBLIC BEHAVIOUR, BLACKMAIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE PAPER EXAMINES IN TURN THREE'POSSIBLE OPTIONS -
OPTION 1: NO CHANGE TO THE PRESENT LAW;
OPTION 2: REMOVAL OF THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS IN PRIVATE BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS; AND
OPTION 3: REDUCTION OF THE PENALTIES FOR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS IN PRIVATE BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS.
IF PUBLIC RESPONSE INDICATES THAT CRIMINAL PENALTIES SHOULD BE REMOVED, THE CONSULTATION PAPER SUGGESTS ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW WHICH WOULD ENSURE THAT YOUNG MEN ARE FULLY PROTECTED FROM SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION.
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER, TN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ARE AVAILABLE IN DISTRICT OFFICES. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR EITHER TO CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, 12TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, OR TO THEIR DISTRICT OFFICE.
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/7........
TUESDAY, JUNE 28.
1988
FOUR AIDS CARRIERS IN MAY t ♦ » ♦ t
ANOTHER FOUR PERSONS IN HONG KONG WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY THE AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) VIRUS IN MAY.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHEN IT RELEASED THE LATEST MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OP CONFIRMED AIDS CASES REMAINS AT 13 WITH NO NEW REPORTED CASES. TWO OF THE PATIENTS ARE SURVIVING AND UNDER TREATMENT.
THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME IS CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE IN HONG KONG. THE HIGH RISK GROUPS TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY INCLUDE HAEMOPHILIACS, INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSERS AND SEXUALLY PROMISCUOUS PEOPLE.
THE LATEST FIGURE BRINGS TO 122 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS FOUND TO BE INFECTED BY HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS), INCLUDING THE 13 CONFIRMED AIDS PATIENTS.
SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE HIV SCREENING PROGRAMME IN APRIL, 1985, A TOTAL OF 92,457 PERSONS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS ANTIBODY.
OF THE 122 PERSONS FOUND TO BE HIV POSITIVE, 52 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 31 WERE REFERRALS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, 28 WERE REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE AND SUBVERTED SECTORS AND 11 WERE PATIENTS OF THE SOCIAL HYGIENE (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE) CLINICS.
IN MAY, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAD SCREENED A TOTAL OF 13,017 UNITS OF BLOOD AND NONE OF THE DONOR UNITS WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR HIV ANTIBODY.
SINCE THE RED CROSS COMMENCED ITS SCREENING PROGRAMME OF DONATED BLOOD FOR THE PRESENCE OF AIDS VIRUS IN AUGUST, 1985, A TOTAL OF 414,029 BLOOD UNITS HAVE BEEN SCREENED. SIX OF THESE WERE DETECTED TO BE POSITIVE FOR HIV ANTIBODY.
/8........
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
AID* Vint; Lilly)
Medical A. }ka
tjnj
Virus Unit
$£$5? • April 85 - April 88 May 88 Total No. tested 12 Ko. J VO
tested 4VP Lo. tested No. +VQ • ■
Referrals frcsn Govt, hoepitale and clinics 5 35<S 29 219 2 5 575 31
$ ‘^>7 |S,‘tA** Referrals frdm private 1 586 28 24 0 1 610 28
practitioners and subvented hospitals •
Attendances at social 79 026 9 3 120 2 82 146 11
hygiene clinioe T5 r
HaeaopniilacB 314 52 5 0 319« 52
vlL!il TV drag abusers Referrals fron 2 082 125 0 131 0 2 213 0
Family Flaming Association 0 0 0 125 0
Health oare personnel 458 0 11 0 469 0
Total 88 947 118 3 510 4 92 457 122
IV
* Thin Indieaten tbo number of rpfccir.mo and not porcona iiS tocto 3
am ropoatsd for contain individuals.
S'hz :lf
r‘onc Jed ^rosc
Jllool Trr-naufsion
Dorvico
April 85 - April 88 May 08l Total
Ko, No. No< Ko. Ko, ct.
tor tr»d 4 vo touted +vo tented 4yc
401 012 5 13 017 0 414 029 5
5
Jto<Uoal A Health Department
June 1988
I?
3
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 9 -
Annlystn of Ains cages in Hon/; Korg.
1» A’otal no. of caeo«
2. Total no. of deaths & ^\t!C
3. Risk factor
sexually noquirod
unknown |£_
4* Sox k*j male female
an of
13
11
10
3
13
12
1
13
as of
28,6,88
13
11
10
3
'
12
1
13
5. Age
Adult
National 1 Chinee.
Tlon-Chineen
13
6
7
13
13
6
7
13
Kedlcal <t Health deportment
Jun. 1988 --------------------------------o---------
/10........
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
10
PUBLIC ADVISED NOT TO FEED OR TEASE MONKEYS
♦ t t
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REITERATED ITS ADVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THEY SHOULD NOT FEED, TEASE OR DISTURB ANY MONKEY IN THE WILD.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWED A REPORT RECEIVED YESTERDAY CONCERNING A GIRL WHO WAS SCRATCHED BY A MONKEY WHEN SHE TRIED TO FEED IT IN WOODS NEAR A SEK KONG VILLAGE.
THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR RICHARD CHAN, SAID THAT SUCH ACTS MIGHT SOMETIMES RESULT IN INJURY AND EVEN POSE A RISK OF DISEASE.
"PEOPLE WHO FEED MONKEYS ARE, IN FACT, DOING INJUSTICE TO THE ANIMALS AS HABITUAL FEEDING MAY EVENTUALLY DEPRIVE THE MONKEYS OF THEIR NATURAL INSTINCT AND ABILITY TO FIND FOOD IN THE WILD," HE ADDED.
FURTHERMORE, MR CHAN SAID, WHEN ACCUSTOMED TO BEING FED BY HUMANS, MONKEYS WOULD DEVELOP A TENDENCY TO SOLICIT FOOD FROM PASSERS-BY AND THIS COULD ULTIMATELY CREATE A NUISANCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT MONKEYS SHOULD
BE ABLE TO FIND SUFFICIENT FOOD FOR THEMSELVES.
"IT IS THEREFORE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE MONKEYS, THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD LEAVE THESE ANIMALS ALONE AND NOT DISTURB THEM," MR CHAM EMPIIASI SEI).
-------O----------
TSUEN WAN TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR ROUTE 5 CONSTRUCTION t ♦ t t t
IHI I I.' MJSI'MRT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE HIE CONSTRUCTION Ol ROUTE 5, A SERIES OF TRAFFIC XND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHEK WAI KOK AND ( HI UNG SHAN XRFAS IM TSUEN WAN FROM IO AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 1).
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, Will (’ll WILL BE IN FORCE J OR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS, TEXACO ROAD NORTH BETWEEN TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AMD SUING MUN ROAD WILL BE COMPLETELY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
HOWEVER, THE SECTION OF WAI TSUEN ROAD BETWEEN TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND SHEK WAI KOI( ROAD WILL BE CONNECTED WITH TEXACO ROAD NORTH BY A NEW LINK ROAD AND WILL BE REOPENED TO TRAFFIC.
/CHEUNG SHAN .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST AND CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED EROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND AND ONE-WAY WESTBOUND RESPECTIVELY. IN ADDITION, NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM LUK YEUNG SUN TSUEN ONTO WAI TSUEN ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON TEXACO ROAD NORTH BETWEEN TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND SHING MUN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE WAI TSUEN ROAD AND THE NEW LINK ROAD; WHILE THOSE ON CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD HEADING FOR CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST WILL HAVE TO USE CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST.
TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS. THEY ARE THE SECTION OF WAI TSUEN ROAD BETWEEN THE TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD; AND THE NEW LINK ROAD CONNECTING WAI TSUEN ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD NORTH.
ROUTEINGS OF A NUMBER OF BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
FOLLOWING THE RE-ROUTEING OF CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROADS INTO ONEWAY WORKING, KMB ROUTES NO. 32A AND 32B AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 81, 81M, 82 AND 82M ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST.
KMB ROUTE NO. 32B AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 81, 81M, 82 AND 82M WILL HAVE TO OPERATE VIA WAI TSUEN ROAD AND THE NEW LINK ROAD BEFORE REJOINING TEXACO ROAD NORTH ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO TSUEN WAN.
ON THEIR JOURNEYS FROM TSUEN WAN, THEY WILL HAVE TO USE TEXACO ROAD NORTH, THE NEW LINK ROAD AND WAI TSUEN ROAD BEFORE REJOINING TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE.
- - 0 - -
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED
» t » » «
AN EMPLOYER WAS RECENTLY FINED $5,000 BY A KWUN TONG MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO TAKE OUT AN INSURANCE POLICY FOR HIS FIL1PINA DOMESTIC HELPER.
THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT WHEN THE DOMESTIC HELPER FELL TO HER DEATH WHILE CLEANING WINDOWS IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
IN PASSING SENTENCE, THE MAGISTRATE SAID IT WAS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE INSURED.
/UNDER THE
I
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, ALL EMPLOYERS MUST TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR FULL LIABILITIES TO COMPENSATE THE EMPLOYEES FOR INJURIES AND DEATH SUSTAINED AT WORK.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT AN INJURED EMPLOYEE WOULD OBTAIN COMPENSATION WHICH HE IS ENTITLED TO UNDER THE LAW," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT EMPLOYERS MUST BEAR THE FULL COST OF THE POLICIES AND ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DEDUCT IT FROM THE EARNINGS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
AN EMPLOYER WHO CONTRAVENES THE ORDINANCE IS LIABLE, UPON SUMMARY CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000 AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 5-8524030.
- - 0 -
DTC LICENCE REVOKED « * t
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FINANCIAL CORP. (U.K.) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- 0 - -
11 QUESTIONS, 13 BILLS BEFORE LEGCO » * » »
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK 11 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 13 BILLS TN TOMORROW'S (WEDNESDAY’S) MEETING.
SEVEN OF THE 13 BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATE ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE: THE PENSION BENEFITS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) Bill 1988, TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL BILL 1988, QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MFNTAILY HANDICAPPED BILL 1988, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENI) (NO. 2) HILI. 1988, UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, AND A PRIVATE BILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
/THE OTHER
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
13 -
THE OTHER BILLS WILL EACH BE GIVEN A SECOND READING AND ARE THEN DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THEY ARE: THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988, TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL 1988, REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1988, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, AND THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) RILL 1988.
-----0----------
NEW UNIT TO COORDINATE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES t t » » »
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS CONSIDERING SETTING UP A SPECIAL SECTION TO COORDINATE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF KOWLOON AT VICTORIA HOTEL, MR LI SAID HIS DEPARTMENT PROMOTED EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS THROUGH GUIDANCE AND ADVICE TO TEACHERS, ORGANISING INTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMES.
IN ADDITION, MR LI SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO SCHOOLS WHERE NECESSARY, PARTICIPATING IN THE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND SECURING THE COOPERATION OF RELATED AGENTS AND PERSONNEL.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL BODY WOULD BF. ABLE TO PLAN AND PROMOTE THESE ACTIVITIES ON A MUCH BROADER BASIS," HE ADDED.
"IN SO DOING, RESOURCES WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY UTILISED, THUS ENSURING GREATER AND FULLER PUPIL AND TEACHER PARTICIPATION," HE SAID.
ON EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MR LI SAID THAT COULD BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR TYPES - SUBJECT-BASED ACTIVITIES, EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY INTERESTS, SPORTING PROGRAMMES AND RECREATION FUNCTIONS, AS WELL AS ACTIVITIES THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK.
ON THE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, MR I,J SAID IT WAS VERY USEFUL FOR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AROUND THEM AT A TIME OF RAPID CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG.
"WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS RED CROSS YOUTH, JUNIOR POLICE CAI.I. AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC). HAVE BEEN PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER," MR LI SAID.
/CITING AN .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
CITING AN EXAMPLE, MR LI SAID THE CYC WHICH HAD A MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 230,000, BROKE THE WORLD RECORD LAST NOVEMBER BY PRODUCING THE LARGEST EVER POSTER MEASURING 2,582 SQUARE METRES WHILE CELEBRATING THEIR TENTH ANNIVERSARY LAST YEAR.
THE POSTER WAS REUSED BY SPLITTING IT INTO HUNDREDS OF CHRISTMAS CARDS WHICH WERE SOLD FOR CHARITY, HE SAID.
"IN ALL TYPES OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, STUDENTS STEP OUT OF THE CLASSROOM TO BROADEN THEIR SOCIAL EXPERIENCE, TO LEARN TO RESPECT AND COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND ABOVE ALL, TO APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT,” MR LI ADDED.
- 0-----------
ENTRY REMINDER FOR ANTI-DRUG ORIENTEERING EVENT ♦ t ♦ » ♦
ENERGETIC YOUNG PEOPLE WERE REMINDED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THERE ARE ONLY A FEW DAYS TO GO BEFORE ENTRIES FOR THE ANTI-NARCOTICS ORIENTEERING COMPETITION CLOSE. THE DEADLINE IS SATURDAY (JULY 2).
THE COMPETITION, WHICH IS OPEN TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, IS AIMED AT DRIVING HOME THE ANTI-DRUG AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL MESSAGES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SAID.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER
GROUP OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE SHAM SHUI PO
DISTRICT JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO MEN’S AND WOMEN’S DIVISIONS. EACH HAS TWO SECTIONS -- ONE FOR THOSE BETWEEN I 3 AND 17 YEARS OF THE OTHER FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 24.
DIVISION
AGE AND
THE COMPETITION WILL BE SPREAD OVER THREE DAYS. IT WILL BE HELD AT UPPER PAK TIN ESTATE ON JULY 10, SO UK ESTATE ON JULY 17 AND MEI FOO SUN CHUEN IN SHAM SHUI PO ON JULY 31.
COMPETITORS WILL BE REQUESTED TO COLLECT, WITHIN A TIME FRAME, QUESTION SHEETS AT DIFFERENT CHECKPOINTS AND TO ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS ON JPC AND ANT I-DRUG ISSUES.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP WILL GO TO THE ENTRANT WHO SCORES THE HIGHEST
MARK WITHIN THE SHORTEST TIME.
ENTRY FORMS AND DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT POLICE STATIONS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICES IN SHAM SHUI PO; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT JPC CLUBHOUSE, AND THE NARCOTICS DIVISION.
/ENTRIES MUST .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
15
ENTRIES MUST BE RETURNED EITHER IN PERSON OR BY MAIL TO THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, ON THE 23RD FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG OR THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT JPC CLUBHOUSE ON THE PODIUM LEVEL, FIRST FLOOR, LAI LAN HOUSE, LAI KOK ESTATE, SHAM SHUI PO.
ALL ENTRANTS WILL BE GIVEN A SOUVENIR.
INTERESTED PARTIES CAN TELEPHONE 5-8622766 OR 3-612737 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
-------0---------
QUARRY BAY TO HAVE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY * * » » *
RESIDENTS OF QUARRY BAY WILL HAVE A NEW LIBRARY ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE URBAN COUNCIL QUARRY BAY COMPLEX AT 38 QUARRY BAY STREET LATER THIS YEAR.
THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED THE DESIGNATION OF THE PREMISES AS A LIBRARY.
THE NEW LIBRARY, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED IN LATE SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER, WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING QUARRY BAY PUBLIC LIBRARY AT TAI KOO SHING.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO JOINTLY ORGANISE WITH THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR COMPUTER EDUCATION FOUR INTEREST CLUBS ON COMPUTERS FOR CHILDREN DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS. THE AIM OF THE CLUBS WAS TO AROUSE CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN COMPUTERS.
CHILDREN BETWEEN NINE AND 12 YEARS OF AGE WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST PRIMARY 3 WILL BE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR ENROLMENT IN THE PRACTICAL SESSIONS TO LEARN THROUGH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE.
EACH INTEREST CLUB ON COMPUTERS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE 40 CHILDREN AT A NOMINAL FEE OF $40 PER PARTICIPANT. THE SESSIONS WILL BE HELD IN JULY AND AUGUST TN THE CITY HALL PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE KOWLOON CENTRAL LIBRARY.
DURING THE MEETING, THE COMMITTEE APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO HOLD 48 EXHIBITIONS IN EACH DISTRICT LIBRARY AND 24 EXHIBITIONS IN EACH SMALL STATIC LIBRARY IN 1988/89 COVERING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE LIBRARY COLLECTION TO STIMULATE READING INTERESTS AND TO WIDEN THE SCOPE OF READING BY LIBRARY USERS.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO JOINTLY PRESENT AN EXHIBITION IN SEPTEMBER WITH THE BRITISH COUNCIL TO COMMEMORATE THE BIRTH CENTENARY OF THE WRITER T.S. ELIOT AND TO MARK THP 4OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN HONG KONG.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE WAS THE HOLDING OF A TRANSLATION CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER WITH THE HONG KONG TRANSLATION SOCIETY AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
- O
/16 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 16 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DRAFT BASIC LAW * t ♦
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (JUNE 30) TO DISCUSS THE PART ON POLITICAL STRUCTURE IN THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
A MEMBER OF BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE, MR SZETO W AH , WILL BE INVITED TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE MEETING TO PIGIN AT 4 PM AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, cj PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 4 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 30) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. DISCUSSIONS ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WILL START AT 5 PM.
- - 0------------
BUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR TUEN MUN DISTRICT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO INFORM MEMBERS OF THE SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1988-89 TN RESPECT OF THE TUEN MUN DI STR I CT.
MEMBERS’ ADVICE WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT ON A PROPOSAL TO REMOVE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM DRIVING LICENCES.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE REQUEST FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE ZEBRA CROSSING NEAR THE MELODY GARDEN BUS STOP, A PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE THE BUS STOPS BESIDE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL, AND THE ALTERATION OF THE EXISTING YUEN LONG-BOUND LANE AT FUK HANG ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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/17........
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 17 -
FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN DISTRICT ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
A YEAR ROUND PACKAGE OF FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES IS IN THE PIPELINE TO HELP FOSTER THE CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGE IN EASTERN DISTRICT.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LEUNG SAU-CHI SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ANTI-TRIAD ACTIVITIES, ANTI-SHOPTHEFT AND HOME SECURITY WERE THE MAIN THEMES OF THIS YEAR’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
A SUM OF $57,800 WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR ORGANISING FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES, OF WHICH $23,000 IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REST IS FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE FIRST ACTIVITY FOR THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME PHASE VI FORMATION CEREMONY CUM ANTI-TRIAD DRAMA TO BE HELD ON JULY 3 (SUNDAY) AT 8 PM IN CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
SIX BUILDINGS INCLUDING TWO PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS AND FOUR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WITH 1210 HOUSEHOLDS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PHASE VI OF THE SCHEME AND FORMED INTO OVER 100 UNITS.
FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER, THE COMMITTEE WILL ORGANISE THE BEST CARE-TAKERS AND WATCHMEN AWARD SCHEME AND WILL ARRANGE VISITS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AND SOME CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTES.
A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO JOIN THE FIGHT CRIME MOVEMENT. THEY INCLUDE SLOGAN AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITIONS AND SCHOOL TALKS ON ANTI-TRIAD AND ANTI-SHOPTHEFT.
TO TIE IN WITH THE ANTI-SHOP THEFT CAMPAIGN OF THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, A BUS PARADE WILL BE ORGANISED IN DECEMBER TO DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY PAMPHLETS NEAR SHOPPING CENTRES WHICH ARE THE MAJOR TARGETS FOR SHOP THIEVES.
A PRIZES PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN EARLY 1989 TO AWARD LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES IN HELPING POLICE TO COMBAT CRIME.
-------0----------
/18........
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 18 -
SAI KUNG DISTRICT TO LAUNCH FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ♦ * » ♦ *
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE 1988/89 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
MISS CHAN MAN-YEE, A TV ACTRESS WHO HAS ACCEPTED AN OFFER TO BE SAI KUNG DISTRICT’S STANDARD BEARER IN FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES, WILL BE PRESENTED WITH AN APPOINTMENT LETTER IN THE CEREMONY.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE SAI KUNG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS BETTY CHING; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG CHUN-HOI AND THE DIVISIONAL POLICE COMMANDER OF THE SAI KUNG DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION, MR NG CHIU-NGAI.
AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE PARTY WILL PROCEED TO CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BAY WHERE THEY WILL ERECT A PUBLICITY SIGNBOARD ON THE BEACH.
MORE PUBLICITY SIGNBOARDS WILL BE ERECTED AT VARIOUS CARPARKS AND BEACHES IN SAI KUNG SUCH AS THE CLEAR WATER BAY FIRST BAY, S1LVERSTRAND BEACH, PAK SHA WAN PIER AND SAI KUNG TOWN NEW 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 (WEDNESDAY).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN AT 1] AM. TRANSPORT WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE ERECTION OF SIGNBOARDS AT THE CLEAR WATER BAY AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
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/19
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 19 -
FIRST-AID COURSE FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS
* ♦ t t t
A FIRST-AID COURSE WILL BE OFFERED TO MONG KOK RESIDENTS BETWEEN JULY 19 AND AUGUST 18, ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS.
THE COURSE IS ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK EAST AREA COMMITTEE, AND THE CHARGE PER PERSON WILL BE $60, WHICH WILL COVER ALL NECESSARY ITEMS.
EACH SESSION WILL LAST FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS AND WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON, BY COACHES FROM THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.
ENROLMENT FORMS FOR THE COURSE ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, AND PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN MONG KOK.
-----------------0-------- DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SPORTS REPORT * * ♦ » *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE CONSULTANCY REPORT ON SPORT IN HONG KONG AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, MR RAYMOND CHAN, WILL BE PRESENT TO HEAR MEMBER’S VIEWS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY A REPORT ON DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN MAY AND JUNE AND CONSIDER APPLICATIONS BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI K1U GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
- 20 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES * ♦ » * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS TO WATCH OUT FOR TRAFFIC CHANGES TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN KWUN TONG, MONG KOK AND SAI KUNG FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 30).
IN KWUN TONG, SHUN KING STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES EXCEEDING FOUR TONNES GROSS FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
♦ VEHICLES EXCEEDING FOUR TONNES GROSS ON NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD HEADING FOR LEE ON ROAD, INCLUDING KMB ROUTES NO. 26, 26M AND 27K, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SAN LEE STREET TO REJOIN LEE ON ROAD.
♦ KMB ROUTES NO.29M AND 42 ON NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD HEADING FOR SHUN LEE BUS TERMINUS WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA SAN LEE STREET, LEE ON ROAD, SHUN ON ROAD, SHUN TIN BUS TERMINUS, SHUN ON ROAD AND REJOIN LEE ON ROAD TO THE BUS TERMINUS.
♦ CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE NO. 119 ON ITS JOURNEYS TO CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LEE ON ROAD, SHUN ON ROAD, AND SHUN TIN BUS TERMINUS BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTEINGS.
IN MONG KOK, UPON THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF BOUNDARY STREET AND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET NORTH, THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET NORTH WILL BE RE-OPENED TO ALL TRAFFIC.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEFT-TURNING MOVEMENTS FROM BOUNDARY STREET ONTO NORTHBOUND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET NORTH WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED.
IN SAI KUNG, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING HANG HAU ROAD, WHILE NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER HANG HAU ROAD PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS.
BOTH RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED 24 HOURS DAILY.
W ..
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TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1988
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TO BE CLOSED
» » »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN NORTH POINT, SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL BUILDING IS IN THE VACANT GROUND AND THE SPACE UNDER THE GARAGE AT 28 KAI YUEN STREET.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MAY 11 REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF HONG KONG ON AUGUST 26 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE A CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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RE-ROUTEING OF COTTON PATH IN TAI HANG
♦ » * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT COTTON PATH IN TAI HANG BETWEEN EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND THE REAR GATE OF ST PAUL’S HOSPITAL WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 1) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
VEHICLES CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THE CAR PARK AT THE BACK OF ST PAUL'S HOSPITAL VIA LEIGHTON ROAD, CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND COTTON PATH.
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WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT KO FAI ROAD, SHUNG TAK WAI, TUNG YUEN STREET AND YAN YUE WAI.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
LEGISLATION INTENDED TO INSURE TV COMPANIES ARE RESPONSIVE 1
POSITIVE STEP IN IMPROVING ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ......... 4
REDUCING THE COST OF JUSTICE.................................. 5
FLEXIBLE TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TUNNEL ................... 6
PROJECT AN INTERNATIONAL VOTE OF CONFIDINCE................... 8
NEW TUNNEL WILL IMPROVE TRAFFIC SITUATION .................... 9
GRADUAL IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHEME............................... 10
LEGISLATIVE LOOPHOLES PLUGGED................................ 11
FURTHER IMPROVEMENT TO LABOUR LAW ADVOCATED.................. 12
IMPROVEMENT OF PENSIONS LEGISLATION INTENDED ................ 1?
PURPOSES OF SAFETY COUNCIL EXPLAINED....................... 11*
MORE POSITIVE ACTION ON UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISING J.. 1?
CONTROL OF PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS SUPPORTED ................. 18
POWER TO CLOSE UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES .................. 20
QE FOUNDATION WILL IMPROVE WELLBEING OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ................................................. 21
CLARIFICATION OF ROLE OF HKU COUNCIL, SENATE................ 23
SIX BILTS PASSED ........................................... 25
YEAR OF CONTRAST FOR ICAC................................... 2,+
USE OF SEK KONG AIRFIELD RULED OUT........................... 25
POPULATION-JOB BALANCE SOUGHT IN NEW TOWNS .................. 26
EPD SEEKS STAFF WITH GOOD BASIC DEGREE...................... 2?
CHECKS ON FOOD CONTAINERS ................................... 28
NO PROVISION FOR CHINA WORKERS TO TAKE JOBS IN HK............ 29
/ACTION TAKEN .......
ACTION TAKEN TO EASE TYPHOON SHELTER CONGESTION............... 30
RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF HANDCUFFS ..........................
ACTION ON UNSAFE AIR-CONDITIONING FIXTURES ................
SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY IN PROPERTY NOT EXCESSIVE.............
ASBESTOS-CEMENT IN ESTATES POSES NO UNDUE RISK ...........
ESTABLSIHED PROCEDURES FOR CLOSING ROADS...................
TALKS IN CHINA ENCOURAGING - LORD GLENARIHUR.................
LORD GLENARTHUR VISITS TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE..............
JLG TEAMS TO GIVE RECEPTION..................................
PROTECTION FOR- SEMI-CONDUCTOR CHIPS ........................
STRINGENT MEASURES FOR FISH MARKET...........................
MORE EMSD PLANTS’TO TACKLE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION...........
FIFTY PER CENT OF REDUNDANT TEACHERS PLACED..................
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY PUBLISHED........................
FIGHT CRIME- CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN SAI KUNG...................
DB TO CONSIDER OBJECTIONS TO THA ............................
KOWLOON CITY DB TO DISCUSS REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY............
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS .*............
SAI KUNG COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT................
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO ..........
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT AND SHAU KEI WAN ... WATER CUT IN’KWAI CHUNG .....................................
\J1 VI VI
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
1
LEGISLATION INTENDED TO ENSURE TV COMPANIES ARE RESPONSIVE
*****
THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 PROVIDES THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE THE OFF-AIR TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE COMING YEARS.
IT ALSO SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT THE LICENSEE COMPANIES CONCENTRATE THEIR*EFFORTS ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
MR TSAO SAID THE BILL INTRODUCED THE AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO ISSUE NEW LICENCES TO TELEVISION COMPANIES IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ANNOUNCED IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
"IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THE MORE IMPORTANT CONDITIONS SHOULD BE BACKED UP BY LEGISLATION SO THAT THE LICENSEES WOULD HAVE A DEGREE OF CERTAINTY AS REGARDS THE FUTURE REGIME,” HE EXPLAINED.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT DRAFT LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO, AND I HOPE DISPOSED OF, DURING THIS .SESSION OF THE COUNCIL IN TIME TO PROCESS THE RENEWAL OF THE EXISTING LICENCES WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 1, 1988.”
HE ADDED THAT THE LICENSEES HAD HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO PLAN FOR NECESSARY CHANGES SINCE THE TERMS WERE ANNOUNCED IN MARCH.
NOTING THAT THE BILL WAS NOT THE OUTCOME OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, MR TSAO SAID SUCH A REVIEW WOULD BE CONDUCTED AND THE ORDINANCE RESTRUCTURED TO INCORPORATE POLICIES NOT ONLY ON OFF-AIR TELEVISION, BUT ALSO ON RADIO BROADCASTING AND CABLE TELEVISION.
THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL EMBODIED THREE PRINCIPAL CONCERNS:
(I) OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF OFF-AIR TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES;
(II) THE PROHIBITION ON THE LICENSEE COMPANY BEING HELD BY A HOLDING COMPANY AND RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES BY THE LICENSEE COMPANY; AND
(III) THE QUESTION OF ROYALTY.
ON OWNERSHIP AND’CONTROL, MR TSAO SAID THE BILL'S OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENSURE THAT MAJORITY INTERESTS REMAINED IN THE HANDS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
/’’THERE IS ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
2
"THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN HONG KONG IN THE CONCEPT OF RESTRICTING THE HOLDING OF VOTING SHARES OF A LICENSEE BY PERSONS OR COMPANIES WHICH DO NOT SATISFY CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS," HE NOTED.
"SIMILARLY, THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN REQUIRING THE DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF VOTING SHARES OF A LICENSEE." ,
BOTH PROVISIONS WERE ENSHRINED IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE.
THE BILL BROUGHT UP TO DATE THE RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN "LOCAL" AND "NON-LOCAL" SHAREHOLDERS, MR TSAO SAID.
IT ALSO INTRODUCED A CEILING ON THE HOLDING OF VOTING SHARES BY INDIVIDUAL "NON-LOCAL" SHAREHOLDERS, IN ADDITION TO A CEILING ON THF AGGREGATE SHAREHOLDING BY SUCH PERSONS.
STRICTER REQUIREMENTS ON NOTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE OF SHAREHOLDINGS BY "NON-LOCAL" PERSONS AND COMPANIES WERE INTRODUCED.
UNDER THE NEW RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS, MR TSAO SAID A "LOCAL" PERSON WAS DEFINED AS ONE WHO WAS ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, AND WHO HAD, AT SOME TIME, BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR \ CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS.
IN THE CASE OF A COMPANY, A "LOCAL” COMPANY WAS ONE WHICH WAS "ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG" AS DEFINED IN THE ORDINANCE.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING DEFINITION AS REGARDS COMPANIES INCLUDED A REQUIREMENT THAT THE MAJORITY OF DIRECTORS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE COMPANY MUST BE COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS ORDINARILY RESIDENT TN HONG KONG.
THE BILL AMENDED THIS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NEW RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS, AND ALSO REPEALED THE REFERENCE TO COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF HOLDING COMPANIES AND SUBSIDIARIES, MR TSAO STRESSED THAT THE ELEMENT OF INDEPENDENCE OF A LICENSEE COMPANY WAS THE "SPIRIT" AND REAL INTENTION OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE.
THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL WERE NECESSARY BECAUSE THE EXISTING SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE HAD PROVED INEFFECTIVE IN ACHIEVING THAT SPIRIT.
MR TSAO SAID THAT ll IMPORTANT PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE COULD BE AND INDEED HAD BEEN CIRCUMVENTED BY ' THE SETTING UP OF HOLDING COMPANIES OF WHICH THE LICENSEES HAD BECOME SUBSIDIARIES.
/EXAMPLES WERE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
3 -
EXAMPLES WERE THE PROHIBITION ON NOMINEE SHAREHOLDERS, IN SECTION 10(G) OF THE ORDINANCE, AND THE PROHIBITION ON DISQUALIFIED PERSONS EXERCISING CONTROL OF THE COMPANY UNDER SECTION 10(F).
THEY ALSO INCLUDED THE PROVISION UNDER SECTION 11(1)(B) RESTRICTING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP TO 49 PER CENT AND, UNDER THE SAME SECTION, THE PROHIBITION ON A LICENSEE ACQUIRING A CONTROLLING INTEREST TN ANY COMPANY THE BUSINESS OF WHICH WAS NOT DIRECTLY CONNECTED OR ASSOCIATED WITH TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
AS THE HOLDING COMPANIES WERE NOT SUBJECT TO THE ABOVE PROHIBITIONS, MR TSAO SAID THEY MIGHT AND IN FACT DID HAVE NOMINEE SHAREHOLDERS, AND WERE NOT LEGALLY PREVENTED FROM SETTING UP OR ACQUIRING BUSINESSES UNRELATED TO BROADCASTING.
ON ROYALTIES, MR TSAO SAID CURRENTLY THEY WERE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF PROFITS.
“SINCE AIR-WAVES ARE A COMMUNITY PROPERTY, THE LICENSEES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THEIR USE IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER A PROFIT IS MADE,” HE SAID.
“THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL ARE FOR ROYALTY TO BE PAYABLE ON GROSS INCOME FROM TELEVISION ADVERTISING, ACCORDING TO A SLIDING SCALE, BUT SUBJECT TO AN OVERALL CEILING OF 12 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL INCOME FROM TELEVISION ADVERTISING.”
TO PREVENT AVOIDANCE, ROYALTY WOULD BE PAYABLE ON THE AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED TO BE DUE TO A LICENSEE AT PUBLISHED MARKET RATES FOR PARTICULAR TRANSACTIONS, THAT IS ANY SPECIAL DISCOUNTS GIVEN IN PARTICULAR INSTANCES WOULD NOT BE DEDUCTED IN THE CALCULATION OF THE ROYALTY DUE.
“THE NEW SYSTEM OF CALCULATION IS NOT, HOWEVER, INTENDED TO BE A MEANS OF INCREASING REVENUE, BUT RATHER TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM THE•LICENSEES' PRIVILEGED USE OF A COMMUNITY PROPERTY,” MR TSAO SAID.
MR TSAO STRESSED THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL WAS NOT A PIECE OF LEGISLATION AIMED AT THE SMALL SHAREHOLDER.
A LICENSEE WAS REQUIRED TO NOTIFY AND SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WHEN A “NON-LOCAL” SHAREHOLDER ACQUIRED A SHAREHOLDING OF TWO PER CENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SHARES OF A LICENSEE.
“AT CURRENT SHARE PRICES THIS AMOUNTS TO OVER $110 MILLION IN •HE CASE OF ONE OF THE LICENSEES AND $12 MILLION IN THE CASE OF THE OTHER,” MR TSAO SAID.
“I THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR TO SAY THAT INVESTORS DEALING WITH SUCH LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO EXPERT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.”
/MR TSAO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
1»
MR TSAO ALSO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT TRYING TO DISCOURAGE FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES.
"BUT WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH A FREE ENTERPRISE," HE EXPLAINED.
"A TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENCE IS A FRANCHISE IN A HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL FIELD OF MASS COMMUNICATION.
"UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, SOME DEGREE OF CONTROL OVER LICENSEES IS NOT ONLY JUSTIFIABLE BUT IS, INDEED, A RESPONSIBILITY."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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POSITIVE STEP IN IMPROVING ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE *****
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988 TAKES A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR MATHEWS ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP FOR HER SUPPORT OF THE MEASURE.
MOVING AN AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 4 IN THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MR MATHEWS SAID CLAUSE 4(A) 01 THE ORIGINAL BILL WOULD SIMPLY REPEAL SECTION 46 OF THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDED THAT MINORITY - BEING UNDER 21 YEARS OR AGE - WAS NO DEFENCE TO CIVIL CLAIMS WHICH WERE WITHIN THE DISTRICT COURT’S JURISDICTION.
"THE REPEAL OF SECTION 46 WOULD RESTORE THAT COMMON LAW POSITION IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND WOULD BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF HONG KONG IN ITS REPORT ON ’YOUNG PERSONS - EFFECTS OF AGE IN CIVIL LAW’," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, ANOTHER PROPOSAL IN THE REPORT - THE LOWERING OF THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM 21 TO 18 FOR CONTRACTUAL PURPOSE - HAD BEEN ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WORK WAS IN HAND TO IMPLEMENT IT.
IT WAS CONSIDERED BETTER NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE REPEAL OF SECTION 46 AT PRESENT BUT INSTEAD TO IMPLEMENT BOTH RECOMMENDATIONS TOGETHER IN DUE COURSE.
/AS REGARDS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
- 5 -
AS REGARDS THE 18 TO 21 YEAR-OLD AGE GROUP, WHICH WAS FOR THESE PURPOSES THE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY WERE THE MOST ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE OF THOSE AFFECTED, THE EFFECT OF PROCEEDING WITH THE REPEAL OF SECTION 46 NOW WOULD BE TO CONFER EXEMPTION FROM LIABILITY BUT THEN TAKE IT AWAY AGAIN WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS OR SO WHEN THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATION ABOUT AGE OF MAJORITY WAS IMPLEMENTED.
"TO CHANGE THE LAW ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT POINT TWICE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME WOULD CREATE UNCERTAINTY AND CONFUSION," MR MATHEWS SAID.
HOWEVER, IF SECTION 46 WAS NEITHER REPEALED NOR AMENDED ITS SCOPE WOULD INCREASE WITH THE INCREASE WHICH THE PILL EFFECTED IN THE DISTRICT COURT'S JURISDICTION, SO THAT IN FUTURE IT WOULD APPLY IN CASES UP TO $120,000 INSTEAD OF $60,000.
I
MR MATHEWS SAID THIS WOULD BE A MOVE IN A DIRECTION CONTRARY TO THAT ALREADY DECIDED UPON FOR THE UNDER-18 AGE GROUP.
"THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE PROPOSES THAT THE SCOPE OF SECTION 46 SHOULD BE HELD AT ITS PRESENT LEVEL, THAT IS, WHERE THE AMOUNT CLAIMED IS $60,000 OR LESS,” HE SAID.
THIS WOULD SERVE AS AN INTERIM MEASURE UNTIL LEGISLATION WAS BROUGHT FORWARD, HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S REPORT ON A BROADER BASIS, INCLUDING THE REPEAL OF SECTION 46.
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REDUCING THE COST OF JUSTICE
♦ t ♦ t ♦
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988 WAS ANOTHER POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING THE PRACTICAL ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE MONETARY JURISDICTION OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL TO $15,000 AND THAT OF THE DISTRICT COURT IN CIVIL MATTERS TO $120,000, DR IP SAID THE AMENDMENTS SERVED TO REDUCE THE COSTS THE PUBLIC HAD TO BEAR WHEN SEEKING JUSTICE.
DR IP SAID DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE THAT THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL HAD MUCH TO OFFER THE PUBLIC BECAUSE IT PROVIDED A MUCH CHEAPER LEGAL PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH DISPUTES.
/"FIRSTLY, LEGAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
’’FIRSTLY, LEGAL REPRESENTATION IS NOT REQUIRED AND SO MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN RESORT TO JUDICIAL PROCESS AND YET NOT HAVING TO PAY EXPENSIVE LEGAL FEES,” SHE SAID.
"SECONDLY, THE PROVISION OF SERVICES BY THE TRIBUNAL IS COST-EFFECTIVE FROM THE TAXPAYERS’ POINT OF VIEW SINCE THE AVERAGE COST PER CASE HEARD IN THE TRIBUNAL IS SMALL."
SHE SAID THAT WITHOUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS IN THE BILL, CLAIMS BETWEEN $8,000 AND $15,000 HAD EITHER TO BE ARTIFICIALLY ADJUSTED DOWNWARDS IN ORDER TO COME WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL OR BE PURSUED IN THE DISTRICT COURTS.
"HOWEVER, WE ALL KNOW TOO WELL THAT IN THE LATTER CASE THE LEGAL FEES WILL SIMPLY WIPE OUT THE AMOUNT CLAIMED RIGHT AWAY," DR IP SAID.
"IN ANY CASE, BOTH OF THESE ACTIONS DETER CLAIMANTS FROM TAKING LEGAL ACTION TO EXERCISE THEIR LEGITIMATE RIGHTS AND, IN THE LONG RUN, WILL ONLY ENCOURAGE MORE DEBTORS TO DISHONOUR THEIR OBLIGATIONS," SHE ADDED.
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FLEXIBLE TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TUNNEL * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WILL BEGIN IN MID-JULY AND THE TUNNEL WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH A MODERN CONTROL SYSTEM ALLOWING FOR FLEXIBILITY OF TRAFFIC CONTROL.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL.
MR LEUNG WELCOMED A SUGGESTION THAT THERE BE A TIDAL FLOW ARRANGEMENT WHICH, JUDGING FROM THE EXAMPLE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL, WOULD HELP EASE CONGESTION DURING PEAK HOURS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
HE SAID THE IDEA WOULD BE PURSUED WITH THE CONSORTIUM DURING THE DETAILED DESIGN STAGE TO ENSURE THAT THERE WOULD BE SUCH PROVISION WITHIN THE DESIGN.
ON A SUGGESTION THERE BE A RAIL LINK BETWEEN SHA TIN AND EAST KOWLOON, MR LEUNG SAID SUCH A PROJECT, TOGETHER WITH OTHER RAIL AND ROAD OPTIONS, WAS BEING STUDIED UNDER THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY.
/REFERRING TO .......
X
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
REFERRING TO THE IMPACT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL ON THE ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID ADEQUATE MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT WERE REDUCED TO THE MINIMUM.
HE SAID THE CONSORTIUM HAD AGREED THAT APPROPRIATE MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO AMELIORATE ANY VISUAL, AIR AND NOISE IMPACT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE TUNNEL.
SUFFICIENT MEASURES WOULD ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED TO PREVENT SOIL FROM BEING CARRIED INTO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THE ADJACENT AREAS.
DETAILS REGARDING THESE OBLIGATIONS WERE CONTAINED IN THE PROJECT AGREEMENT.
MR LEUNG ALSO STRESSED THAT THE NEEDS OF ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE EXERCISE REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL WERE FULLY AND SYMPATHETICALLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES AND COMPENSATION PACKAGES TO BE OFFERED.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED HAD TRIED THEIR BEST TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION AND INCONVENIENCE TO THOSE WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT.
COMMENTING ON THE GUARANTEE AGREEMENTS MADE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CONSORTIUM, MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE PURPOSE WAS TO LIMIT THE SIZE AND FREQUENCY OF ANY FUTURE TOLL INCREASES AND TO ENSURE THAT THE TOLL STRUCTURE COULD BE AS STABLE AS POSSIBLE IN THE LONGER TERM.
HE ADDED THAT A TOLL INCREASE WOULD NOT BE GRANTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AS LONG AS THE TUNNEL COMPANY REMAINED REASONABLY REMUNERATIVE.
HE ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE CONSORTIUM HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AFTER VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
THE DECISION WAS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE CONSORTIUM AND ITS ABILITY TO PERFORM THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FRANCHISE REMAINED UNCHANGED AFTER THE RESTRUCTURI NG.
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/8
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
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PROJECT AN INTERNATIONAL VOTE OF CONFIDENCE *****
THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT IS ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, THE HON MARIA TAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MISS TAM NOTED THAT THE CONSORTIUM WHICH FORMED THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED COMPRISED BRITISH, CHINESE, JAPANESE AND LOCAL INTERESTS.
THE CONSORTIUM REPRESENTED INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG BY INVESTING IN A 30-YEAR TUNNEL FRANCHISE, MISS TAM SAID WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL 1988.
SHE SAID IT WAS WITH PLEASURE THAT THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO EXAMINE THE BILL GAVE ITS SUPPORT.
MISS TAM, THE CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP, SAID CONSUMERS WOULD BE PROTECTED FROM UNANTICIPATED TOLL INCREASES THROUGH A SERIES OF GUARANTEES GIVEN BY THE CONSORTIUM MEMBER WHICH WOULD ENSURE A LOW INITIAL TOLL AND A STABLE TOLL STRUCTURE.
THE GUARANTEES ASSURE!) TIMELY COMPLETION OF THE TUNNEL AND APPROACH ROADS WITHIN 37 MONTHS AND ALSO PREVENTED COST INCREASES DUE TO FLUCTUATION IN INTEREST RATES, ESCALATION IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS, LOWER THAN PROJECTED OPERATING INCOME FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS, AND DELAY IN COMPLETION, FROM BEING TRANSLATED DIRECTLY INTO TOLL INCREASES.
MISS TAM NOTED THAT UNLIKE THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WOULD NOT CARRY A RA IL LINK.
"THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAD ENQUIRED INTO THE REASON FOR THIS AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT IN ENGINEERING TERMS IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO CONSTRUCT A TUNNEL THROUGH THE ROCK WITH A DIAMETER SO WIDE AS TO RENDER CONSTRUCTION UNECONOMICAL," SHE SAID.
IF THE NEED SHOULD ARISE IN FUTURE, A SEPARATE RAIL TUNNEL COULD BE CONSTRUCTED AND IN FACT THIS WOULD BE A BETTER OPTION THAN TO HAVE BOTH ROAD AND RAIL LINK IN THE SAME TUNNEL.
MISS TAM ADDEt) THAT THE AD HOC GROUP HAD, IN VIEW OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL, REQUESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO THE DESIGNS OF THE APPROACH ROADS TO BOTH ENDS OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND ADVISE THE CONSORTIUM THAT THE TUNNEL APPROACHES SHOULD CATER FOR THE POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF TIDAL FLOW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS.
THERE SHOULD BE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY SO THAT IF THE NEED SHOULD ARISE, ALL THE FOUR LANES COULD BE USED FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE LION ROCK TUNNEL COULD ALLOW FOUR LANES TO GO NORTH. THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED TO PUT THESE PROPOSALS TO THE CONSORTIUM.
/THE TUNNEL’S........
s
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
THE TUNNEL’S COMPLETION IN 1991 WOULD BRING LONG AWAITED RELIEF TO THE RESIDENTS AND COMMUTERS OF NORTH AND EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES WHO TRAVELLED REGULARLY INTO THE URBAN AREAS.
"I CAN ENVISAGE THE BOOST THIS WILL BRING TO THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND PROPERTY VALUE IN THOSE PARTS OF THE TERRITORY WHICH THE TUNNEL HAS MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE,” SHE ADDED.
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NEW TUNNEL WILL IMPROVE TRAFFIC SITUATION ♦ ♦♦ft
CHAOS BROUGHT ABOUT BY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WOULD COME TO AN END FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, DR THE HON CONRAD LAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR LAM WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL 1988.
ON THE LIABILITY OF THE TUNNEL COMPANY IN' THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION, DR LAM SAID PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED THAT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE CONSTRUCT I ON WOULD BE TOO SERIOUS TO BE OVERCOME.
"THEY FEAR THAT DEBRIS AND GRAVEL WOULD BLOCK THE WATER AND DRAINAGE CHANNELS, CAUSING FLOODS WHEN THERE IS TORRENTIAL RAIN.
"BUT LOSS INCURRED BY THE RESIDENTS IN RELATION TO THE CONSTRUCTION OE THE TUNNEL HAS NOT BEEN SPECIFIED IN THE BILL,” HE SAID.
DR LAM NOTED THAT THE PROJECT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 37 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OE COMMENCEMENT OE WORK.
HE URGED THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO TRY THEIR BEST TO SEE THE DEADLINE WAS MET AND TO GUARD AGAINST ANY TRIVIALITIES WHICH MIGHT CAUSE DELAY.
ON TOLLS, DR LAM SAID THE PUBLIC DID NOT WANT TO SEE ANY INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF TUNNEL TOLLS AS A KIND OF FISCAL MEASURE TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
”TIIE PUBLIC CONSIDERED THAT THE FARES COLLECTED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (INCLUDING THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT) HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY MONITORED," HE SAID.
/’’THEY HOPE..........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
’’THEY HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GAIN EXPERIENCE FROM THE PRESENT INCIDENTS SO THAT THE TOLLS COLLECTED BY THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY MONITORED AND ONLY REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS COULD BE ALLOWED.
"AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE BURDEN IN OF SOLVING CONGESTION PROBLEMS IN TUNNELS SHOULD NOT BE BORNE SOLELY BY CAR-DRIVERS.
"GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH DEAL WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING OF OUR HIGHWAYS AND ROADS SHOULD ALSO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE."
THOUGH THE PROJECT WOULD COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ESTIMATED $818 MILLION IN TERMS OF SITE CLEARANCE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPROACH ROADS, DR LAM SAID IT WAS WORTHWHILE IN VIEW OF THE CONVENIENCE BROUGHT TO THE PUPJ FC AND ITS EFFECT IN RELIEVING TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE LEVEL OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE REASONABLY SET SO AS TO SPARE AFFECTED FACTORY OPERATORS AND SHOP OWNERS UNNECESSARY LOSSES.
- 0 - -
GRADUAL IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHEME
♦ * * t
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONTINUE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS GRADUALLY TO THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME FOR THE WELFARE OF EMPLOYEES, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON DOMINIC WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1988, MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION MEMBERS’ COMMENTS ON THE EXISTING PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE AMOUNT OF PAYMP-m^ p0R YOUNG EMPLOYEES AND THE QUALIFYING PERIOD OF SERVICE.
HE NOTED THAT MEMBERS HAD ALSO ASKED FOR THE LOWERING OF THE AGE LIMIT FROM 65 TO 60 FOR ENTITLEMENT TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT UPON RESIGNATION ON AGE GROUNDS.
"ALL THESE ARE USEFUL POINTS AND WE WILL TAKE THEM INTO CONSIDERATION IN FORMULATING THE NEXT PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS, AND IN SO DOING WE WILL OF COURSE ALSO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD," MR WONG STRESSED.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT SOME MEMBERS HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE TIME TAKEN TO INTRODUCE THE AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHEME.
/BUT HE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
BUT HE EXPLAINED THAT, AS ALREADY POINTED OUT EARLIER, IT WAS NECESSARY TO BE CAREFUL IN MAKING THE WORDING OF THE BILL CLEAR, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF THE PROVISIONS FOR PAYMENT UPON THE DEATH OF AN EMPLOYEE AND FOR THAT PAYMENT TO GO TO THE RIGHT PERSONS.
"THE FACT THAT MEMBERS NOW CONSIDER THE LEGAL LANGUAGE SATISFACTORY IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THAT THE TIME TAKEN IS WORTH IT," MR WONG ADDED.
REFERRING TO A SUGGESTION THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CERTIFYING PERMANENT UNFITNESS FOR JOBS, A GOVERNMENT OR SUBVERTED HOSPITAL DOCTOR SHOULD CONTACT THE EMPLOYEE’S OWN PRIVATE DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL RECORDS, MR WONG SAID THIS MATTER HAD BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED DURING THE DRAFTING STAGE.
HE SAID THAT THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT IN THE BILL WAS CONSIDERED TO OFFER A SATISFACTORY SAFEGUARD.
"UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT, HOWEVER, THERE IS NOTHING TO STOP AN EMPLOYEE FROM OBTAINING PREVIOUS MEDICAL RECORDS FROM HIS OWN PRIVATE DOCTOR IF HE SO WISHES, AND TO PRESENT SUCH INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT OR SUBVERTED HOSPITAL DOCTOR FOR REFERENCE AND IN SUPPORT OF HIS CASE," MR WONG ADDED.
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LEGISLATIVE LOOPHOLES PLUGGED
» * » * »
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988 SHOULD BE POPULAR WITH WORKERS AS IT IMPROVES THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME AND PLUGS LOOPHOLES IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL WHEN DEBATE ON IT RESUMED, MR HUI SAID IT WOULD ENABLE ELIGIBLE WORKERS TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION WHEN THEY RESIGNED ON GROUNDS OF PHYSICAL UNFITNESS FOR THEIR JOB OR ON REACHING THE AGE OF 65.
BUT MR HUI EXPRESSED RESERVATION ABOUT A PROVISION IN THE BILL WHICH REQUIRED WORKERS WHO RESIGNED ON GROUNDS OF ILL HEALTH TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION FROM DOCTORS OF GOVERNMENTS OR GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED HOSPITALS BEFORE THEY COULD BE COMPENSATED.
SUCH A REQUIREMENT MIGHT CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO THOSE WORKERS WHO HAD BEEN ATTENDING PRIVATE DOCTORS, AS THEY WOULD HAVE TO TURN TO GOVERNMENT OR SUBVERTED HOSPITALS JUST FOR THE SAKE OF OBTAINING THE NECESSARY CERTIFICATION, HE SAID.
/HE HOPED .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, I988
12 -
HE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS AUTHORISING DOCTORS OF GOVERNMENT OR SUBVENTED HOSPITALS TO APPROACH THE ATTENDING PHYSICIANS OF THE WORKERS CONCERNED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS EXPEDITIOUSLY.
MR HUI ALSO SAID THAT ONCE A WORKER HAD SERVED AN EMPLOYER FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, HE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT REGARDLESS OF HIS AGE AT THE TIME OF ACQUIRING ELIGIBILITY AND ALSO REGARDLESS OF WHETHER HE WAS DISMISSED OR RESIGNED ON HIS OWN INITIATIVE.
IT WAS REGRETTABLE THAT THE EXISTING METHOD OF CALCULATION WAS OBVIOUSLY UNFAIR TO YOUNG WORKERS, HE SAID.
’’WHY IS IT THAT WORKERS AGED OVER 41 YEARS ARE ELIGIBLE TO FULL PAYMENT WHEREAS THE CASE IS NOT SO FOR THOSE UNDER 40?” HE ASKED.
IF THE SCHEME WAS INTENDED TO PROTECT WORKERS WITH A CONSIDERABLE LENGTH OF SERVICE, THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY DISCRIMINATION WHEN IT CAME TO AGE DIFFERENCE, HE SAID,
MR HUI ALSO EMPHASISED THAT LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS SOME FORM OF RETIREMENT SCHEME.
IT SHOULD NOT BE SO REGARDED BECAUSE, FIRST, ONLY A HANDFUL OF EMPLOYEES WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT; SECOND, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF PAYMENT WOULD NOT EXCEED 12 MONTHS’ SALARY; AND THIRD, LONG SERVICE PAYMENT WAS NOT TRANSFERRABLE.
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FURTHER IMPROVEMENT TO LABOUR LAW ADVOCATED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED TO FURTHER REFINE THE SYSTEM OF LABOUR PROTECTION IN HONG KONG BY MAKING YOUNG WORKERS UNDER 40 YEARS OF AGE ELIGIBLE FOR FULL PAYMENT UNDER THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1988 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON ROSANNA TAM SAID HONG KONG HAD TO RELY HEAVILY ON ITS HUMAN RESOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ECONOMY.
SHE SAID THAT THE TERRITORY NEEDED A LABOUR FORCE BOTH LARGE IN NUMBER AND EXCELLENT IN QUALITY.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LABOUR PROTECTION LAY IN THE GOVERNMENT’S IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS SAFEGUARDS AND MEASURES TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO THE JOB MARKET AND TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE WORKFORCE.
/MRS TAM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
MRS TAM SAID THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME, WHICH TOOK EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1986, WAS A BIG STEP FORWARD IN THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS. HOWEVER, THE SCHEME WAS NOT WITHOUT FLAWS AND ITS SHORTCOMINGS HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF WIDESPREAD CONCERN.
"IT IS MOST WELCOME AND COMMENDABLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS KEPT ITS PROMISE AND REVIEWED THE SCHEME ONE YEAR AFTER ITS INTRODUCTION, AND THAT AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED IN THIS BILL TO EXTEND PROTECTION TO EMPLOYEES WHO RESIGN ON THE GROUNDS OF ILL HEALTH AND OLD AGE.
"HOWEVER, IT IS MOST DISAPPOINTING THAT THE REVISED LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME HAS NOT MADE ANY IMPROVEMENTS ON THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG EMPLOYEES," MRS TAM SAID.
SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD POINTED OUT IN 1985 THAT SINCE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT WAS TO BE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF THE LENGTH OF SERVICE, YOUNG WORKERS UNDER THE AGE OF 40 SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO INEQUITABLE PROVISIONS WHICH LIMITED THEM TO 50 PER CENT TO 75 PER CENT OF FULL PAYMENT, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD COMPLETED 10 YEARS OF QUALIFYING SERVICE.
"WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE EASY FOR ELDERLY WORKERS TO FIND A NEW JOB AFTER LEAVING THEIR ORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT AND THEY ARE PERFECTLY JUSTIFIED TO BE SECURED UNDER THE SCHEME, WE SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT THE YOUNGER WORKERS WHO HAVE DEVOTED THEIR PRIME YEARS TO THE SERVICE OF THEIR EMPLOYERS ARE EQUALLY JUSTIFIED TO BE PROTECTED UNDER THE SCHEME AND TO ENJOY SIMILAR BENEFITS AS THEIR SENIOR COUNTERPARTS," SHE SAID.
- 0 -
IMPROVEMENT OF PENSIONS LEGISLATION INTENDED
» » » » »
A BILL AIMING AT IMPROVING THE LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE SERVICE PENSIONS OF CIVIL SERVANTS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PENSION BENEFITS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED WERE LARGELY TECHNICAL AND WOULD NOT IN ANY WAY AFFECT OR ERODE CIVIL SERVANTS’ EXISTING PENSION
HE SAID TWO OF THE AMENDMENTS COVERED THE EARLY PAYMENT OF THE COMMUTED PENSION GRATUITY OF A DEFERRED PENSION AND THE REMOVAL OF THE LIMIT ON DEDUCTIONS FROM AN OFFICER’S PENSION BENEFITS FOR RECOVERY OF DEBTS WHERE HE CONSENTED.
/AT PRESENT,
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, *1988
14
AT PRESENT, THE APPROVAL OF EARLY PAYMENT OF A DEFERRED PENSION APPLIED BOTH TO THE COMMUTED PENSION GRATUITY AND TO THE REDUCED MONTHLY PENSION.
’’HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH WARRANT EARLY PAYMENT OF THE GRATUITY ONLY; FOR EXAMPLE, EXTREME FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON THE PART OF THE PENSIONER,” SIR DAVID EXPLAINED.
’’CLAUSE 5 THEREFORE AMENDS THE PENSION BENEFITS ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THIS FLEXIBILITY.”
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT SECTION 31(2) OF THE PENSION BENEFITS ORDINANCE INADVERTENTLY IMPOSED A LIMITATION ON THE AMOUNT OF DEDUCTIONS WHICH COULD BE MADE FROM AN OFFICER’S PENSION BENEFITS FOR THE RECOVERY OF DEBTS DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT, EVEN THOUGH THE OFFICER CONCERNED MIGHT HAVE CONSENTED TO LARGER DEDUCTIONS.
"THE ORIGINAL INTENTION WAS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A LIMIT ON DEDUCTIONS, AT 25 PER CENT OF PENSION BENEFITS, ONLY WHERE THE OFFICER DOES NOT CONSENT,” HE SAID.
"THE LEGISLATION IN ITS EXISTING FORM HAS CAUSED PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES TO THE GOVERNMENT IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE HOUSING LOAN AND DOWN PAYMENT LOAN SCHEMES.”
CLAUSE 7 OF THE BILL THEREFORE SOUGHT TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND CLAUSE 8 EFFECTED A SIMILAR AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12 OF THE PENSIONS ORDINANCE TO COVER ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE OLD PENSION SCHEME, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----------------0------- PURPOSES OF SAFETY COUNCIL EXPLAINED * ♦ ♦
THE PROPOSED OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL WILL ENCOURAGE GREATER INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION BY INDUSTRY AND THE COMMUNITY IN RAISING THE STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK, NOT ONLY IN INDUSTRY BUT IN ALL AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON DOMINIC WONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL BILL 1988.
MR WONG SAID THE COUNCIL WOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT BODY CONSISTING OF A CHAIRMAN AND UP TO 20 MEMBERS, REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT.
/’’PROFESSIONAL AND.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 15 -
"PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC INTERESTS WILL ALSO BE REPRESENTED SO AS TO WIDEN THE EXPERTISE ON THE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSALS, MR WONG SAID THAT [N 1976 MR J.A. LINEHAN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HEALTH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE WHICH SHOULD EVENTUALLY DEVELOP INTO A SAFETY COUNCIL.
"IN 1978 THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION WAS SET UP UNDER THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
"ENCOURAGED BY ITS INITIAL SUCCESS AND IN RESPONSE TO FURTHER CALLS FROM EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, THE COMMITTEE FORMED A WORKING PARTY IN 1984 TO EXAMINE THE POSSIBLE FORMATION OF AN INDEPENDENT COUNCIL.
"THE PRESENT PROPOSALS ARE BASED ON THE CONCLUSIONS OF THAT WORKING PARTY."
THE PROPOSED COUNCIL WOULD FOCUS THE ATTENTION OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE COMMUNITY ON THE PROMOTION OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK THROUGH FOUR MAJOR FUNCTIONS.
FIRST, IT WOULD DESIGN AND CONDUCT TRAINING COURSES, PRODUCE TEACHING AIDS AND REFERENCE MATERIALS, PROMOTE THE APPLICATION OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY, CONDUCT PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS AND VALIDATE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH QUALIFICATIONS.
SECONDLY, IT WOULD UNDERTAKE PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, COLLECT AND COMPILE STATISTICS AND INFORMATION, AND PREPARE SAFETY AND HEALTH LITERATURE FOR PUBLIC USE.
THIRDLY, IT WOULD DEVELOP CONSULTANCY SERVICES IN AREAS SUCH AS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH SURVEYS, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, PROCEDURES ON MONITORING AND CONTROL, AND ADVICE ON PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
FOURTHLY, IT WOULD ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON ANY LEGISLATIVE MEASURES NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK, AND WOULD EITHER CARRY OUT OR COMMISSION RESEARCH.
"AS REGARDS THE SOURCE OF FINANCE, THE PROPOSED COUNCIL WILL MAINLY RELY ON A LEVY BASED ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIA, TO BE PAID BY EMPLOYERS," MR WONG SAID.
"IT IS OUR PRESENT INTENTION TO PROPOSE A ONE P^R CENT LEVY WHICH WILL YIELD ABOUT $7 MILLION A YEAR.
"THE LEVEL OF LEVY WILL BE REVIEWED REGULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF
OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE."
/MR WONG .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
- 16 -
MR WONG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND WAS, STRICTLY SPEAKING, NOf SUBJECT TO THE LEVY.
"CLAUSE 18 THEREFORE PROVIDES FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNCIL IN ITS CAPACITY AS AN EMPLOYER.
"THE AMOUNT WILL BE CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION SHOULD BE AROUND $0.5 MILLION IF THE LEVY ON PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS WAS ONE PER CENT IN THE FIRST YEAR."
HE SAID IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION IN TWO STAGES.
THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL, ITS POWERS, MEMBERSHIP, PROCEDURES, STAFFING AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES WOULD COME INTO EFFECT IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE LEVY PROVISIONS, AND THOSE DEALING WITH OBJECTIONS AND APPEALS AGAINST ANY CONTRIBUTION ASSESSED AND ANY SURCHARGE IMPOSED DUE TO LATE PAYMENT WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
"THIS WILL ALLOW THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR LEVY COLLECTION," HE SAID.
MR WONG NOTED THAT IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO BEGIN WORK BEFORE THE FIRST LEVY INCOME WHICH BECAME DUE ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR BUT WAS NOT ACTUALLY RECEIVED UNTIL MAY NEXT YEAR, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WOULD BE ASKED TO APPROVE A SETTING-UP GRANT OF ABOUT $5.5 MILLION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AFTER THE SETTING UP OF THE COUNCIL, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WOULD HAVE TO REVIEW THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES AND SAFETY TRAINING COURSES TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS NO DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO REDEPLOY SOME MANPOWER RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN THE ENFORCEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0------
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- V -
MORE POSITIVE ACTION ON UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISING
THE ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO ADOPT A MORE POSITIVE APPROACH IN ENFORCING THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS ORDINANCE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ADOLF HSU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS WOULD FOLLOW PASSAGE OF THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, AND THE REMOVAL OF OBSTACLES TO PROSECUTION, MR HSU SAID WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
’’CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO WORKING OUT ARRANGEMENTS AMONGST THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO INITIATE PROSECUTION ACTIONS AGAINST THOSE WHICH MAY CONTRAVENE THE PROVISIONS,” HE SAID.
’’PENALTY FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE WILL BE INCREASED TO $10,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION AND $25,000 ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
"THE INTENTION IS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM BEING INDUCED BY SUCH ADVERTISEMENTS TO SEEK IMPROPER TREATMENT FROM UNQUALIFIED PERSONS OR TO RESORT TO WRONGFUL APPLICATION BY SELF-MEDICATION, WITH THE RESULT THAT THERE IS DELAY IN SEEKING PROPER TREATMENT, MAKING THE DISEASE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CURE.
"IN SERIOUS CASES THIS COULD CAUSE PERMANENT DISABILITY OR EVEN ENDANGER THE LIFE OF THE PATIENT.”
MR HSU SAID THAT DURING THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON THE BILL, MERCHANTS DEALING IN CHINESE MEDICINES HAD ASKED WHETHER CERTAIN CHINESE TERMS WHICH THEIR MEMBERS HAD BEEN USING IN THEIR ADVERTISEMENT WOULD CONTRAVENE THE LAW.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD GIVEN ITS OPINIONS FOR THE GENERAL GUIDANCE OF CHINESE MEDICINE DEALERS, POINTING OUT THAT MOST OF THEIR COMMONLY USED TERMS WERE ACCEPTABLE.
"WHILE NO VETTING MACHINERY WILL BE SET UP TO SCREEN EACH AND EVERY ADVERTISEMENT ON CHINESE MEDICINE PRIOR TO ITS PUBLICATION, THE ADMINISTRATION WELCOMES ENQUIRIES FROM THE DEALERS CONCERNED REGARDING TERMINOLOGIES OF DISEASES GENERALLY AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GUIDANCE,” HE SAID.
MR HSU EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE AT PRESENT, PUBLICATION OF ANY ADVERTISEMENT WAS PROHIBITED IF IT REPRESENTED ANY MEDICINE, SURGICAL APPLIANCE OR TREATMENT, WHETHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OR BY IMPLICATION, AS BEING EFFECTIVE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE.
/PROBLEMS OF .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 18 -
PROBLEMS OF ENFORCEMENT AROSE WHERE ADVERTISEMENTS AVOIDED THE USE OF THE PRECISE TERMS APPEARING IN THE SCHEDULE IN REFERRING TO THE TREATMENT AVAILABLE AND USED INSTEAD COLLOQUIAL TERMS OR VEILED LANGUAGE SUCH AS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE.
" IN SUCH CASES IT IS DIFFICULT TO PROVE THAT THE MEDICINE OR TREATMENT ADVERTISED HAS CONTRAVENED THE LAW.
"PROBLEMS CAN ALSO ARISE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF STREET ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS, IN IDENTIFYING AND PROSECUTING THE PERSON PLACING THE ADVERTISEMENT," HE SAID.
THE BILL THEREFORE SOUGHT TO REMEDY THESE DEFECTS BY MAKING THE PROHIBITION AGAINST ADVERTISING DEPEND NOT ON WHAT THE ADVERTISEMENT REPRESENTED, BUT ON WHETHER IT WAS LIKELY TO LEAD PERSONS READING THE ADVERTISEMENT TO USE THE MEDICINE, SURGICAL APPLIANCE OR TREATMENT ADVERTISED FOR THE CURE OF ANY OF THE PRESCRIBED DISEASES.
IT ALSO PROVIDED THAT UNLESS THE CONTRARY WAS PROVED, A PERSON WHO WAS HELD OUT IN AN ADVERTISEMENT AS BEING A MANUFACTURER OR SUPPLIER OF MEDICINE OR SURGICAL APPLIANCES, OR AS BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE TREATMENT, WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE CAUSED THE ADVERTISEMENT TO BE PUBLISHED.
"WHERE AN ADVERTISEMENT INDICATES SOME MEANS OF CONTACTING A PERSON WHO PROVIDES TREATMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, AN ADDRESS OR A TELEPHONE NUMBER, THAT PERSON IS PRESUMED TO HAVE CAUSED THE ADVERTISEMENT TO BE PUBLISHED.
"THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THESE ARRANGEMENTS AND THEY SEE NO OBJECTION TO THEM," HE SAID.
MR HSU SAID THE BILL ADDED TWO NEW SCHEDULES TO THE ORDINANCE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE. THESE WOULD UPDATE THE LIST OF PRESCRIBED DISEASES AND LIST THEM IN A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND RATIONAL MANNER.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------o ---------
CONTROL OF PRIVATE BILLIARD CLUBS SUPPORTED
*****
THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS \ SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS AND IS ALL IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, THE HON ROSANNA TAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, MRS TAM DESCRIBED AS "APPROPRIATE AND REASONABLE" THE PROPOSAL TO CLASSIFY PLACES WITH FOUR BILLIARD TABLES OR MORE AS BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS.
/SHE SAID .......
*
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
- 19 -•
SHE SAID THAT THERE WERE AT PfeESEN'l A LARGE NUMBER OF UNLICENSED PRIVATE CLUBS OPERATING IN THE GUIS! OF PITCH BILLIARD PARLOURS, AND THAT LOOPHOLES IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION HAD DISCOURAGED PROPER MANAGEMENT, MAKING THESE PLACES BREEDING GROUNDS FOR CRIME.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE ONLY CRITICISM OF THE BILL WAS THAT THE INTRODUCTION HAD BEEN TOO SLOW TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE NEEDS ARISING FROM THE ACTUAL SITUATION.
"BEARING IN MIND THE FACT THAT THE POPULARITY OF FASHIONABLE GAMES USUALLY DOES NOT LAST LONG, ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AT ONCE WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE OR ELSE LEGISLATION WILL APPEAR MEANINGLESS," MRS TAM SAID.
"ACCORDING TO RECENT PRESS REPORTS, BILLIARD GAMES HAVE BECOME LESS POPULAR AFTER THE BOOM WHICH STARTED A FEW YEARS \GO. THUS, 1 TRUST THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CONSTRUCTIVE XND MEANINGFUL IF THE BILL HAD BEEN INTRODUCED EARLIER."
•NOTING THAT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WOULD TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE EXISTING LICENSING CONDITIONS OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS, MRS TAM SAID SHE HOPED THAT SIMILAR PROVISIONS FOR THE AGE AND STATUS OF CUSTOMERS AS FOR OTHER GAMES CENTRES FOR ADULTS MIGHT BE INTRODUCED, SO THAT A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 16 OR WEARING UNIFORM WOULD NOT BE ADMITTED.
THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER STIPULATING THE SPACE REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN BILLIARD TABLES, SO AS TO MINIMISE THE CHANCES OF CUSTOMERS BUMPING AGAINST EACH OTHER AND CAUSING TROUBLE.
MRS TAM SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE STEPS TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PLACES FOR PLAYING BILLIARDS BY SETTING UP PUBLIC BILLIARD CENTRES OR BY SPONSORING INSTALLATION OF FACILITIES BY VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON DOMINIC WONG, THANKED MRS TAM FOR HER SUPPORT.
’I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE HER THAT HER SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING LICENSING CONDITIONS FOR BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS FOR CONSIDERATION.
"1 SHALL ALSO REFER HER PROPOSALS CONCERNING BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS RUN BY GOVERNMENT OR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS," HE SAID.
/?O........
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
20 -
POWER TO CLOSE UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES
*****
A BILL SEEKING TO ENABLE THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO STOP OPERATIONS OF UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES BY PHYSICALLY CLOSING THE PREMISES OR VESSELS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ADOLF HSU, SAID THAT TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, OPERATORS OF UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES WERE AT PRESENT PROSECUTED UNDER THE FOOD BUSINESS (URBAN COUNCIL)/(REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
"IF THE LICENCE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED UPON THE SECOND CONVICTION, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD APPLY TO THE COURT FOR A PROHIBITION ORDER OR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER SECTION 128 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO STOP THE ILLEGAL FOOD OPERATORS FROM CONTINUING WITH THEIR UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES," MR HSU SAID.
HE SAID THAT SECTION 128 OF THE ORDINANCE EMPOWERED A MAGISTRATE TO MAKE AN ORDER EITHER TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF THE PREMISES OR VESSEL FOR ALL OR ANY PURPOSES (A PROHIBITION ORDER), OR TO CLOSE THE UNLICENSED PREMISES OR VESSEL EITHER WHOLLY OR IN PART (A CLOSURE ORDER).
"AS THERE ARE NO FURTHER PROVISIONS IN THIS ORDINANCE ENABLING THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS TO CARRY OUT THE CLOSURE ORDERS BY PHYSICALLY CLOSING PREMISES OR VESSELS, THIS AMENDMENT BILL IS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE OBJECTIVE OF STOPPING UNLICENSED FOOD BUSINESSES TO BE ACHIEVED," HE POINTED OUT.
MR HSU SAID THAT BESIDES SEEKING TO EMPOWER RELEVANT PUBLIC OFFICERS TO PHYSICALLY CLOSE THE PREMISES OR VESSEL IN QUESTION, THE BILL ALSO AMENDED THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE POWER OF ARREST TO FACILITATE THE WORK OF STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN CARRYING OUT CLOSURE ORDERS.
PENALTIES FOR TWO NEW OFFENCES WERE ALSO PRESCRIBED.
ENTERING OR REMAINING ON ANY PREMISES OR VESSEL UNDER A CLOSURE ORDER WOULD ATTRACT A FINE OF $60,000 AND 12 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT, WITH A DAILY FINE OF $1,000.
UNLAWFULLY INTERFERING WITH OR REMOVING ANY DEVICE USED FOR CLOSING Till': PREMISES OR VESSEL, OR REMOVING ANY CLOSURE NOTICE, ETC. WOULD ATTRACT A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
/MR HSU .......
t
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
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MR HSU SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF PREMISES TO INCLUDE A VESSEL OR A STALL SO AS TO PUT BEYOND DOUBT THAT THE FOOD BUSINESS (URBAN COUNCIL)/(REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS, WHICH REGULATED ACTIVITIES ON FOOD PREMISES, ALSO APPLIED TO A VESSEL OR STALL.
’’UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURES, A CLOSURE ORDER WILL BE MADE CONSEQUENTIAL ON THE BREACH OF A PROHIBITION ORDER, RATHER THAN AS AN ALTERNATIVE SANCTION,” HE SAID.
"THE BILL INCLUDES A PROVISION REQUIRING THE COURT TO MAKE A PROHIBITION OR CLOSURE ORDER ONLY WHEN IT IS SATISFIED THAT AT LEAST 14 DAYS’ NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THE ORDER HAS BEEN GIVEN.
"MOREOVER, THE COURT WOULD PROVIDE ANY INTERESTED PARTY WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD UPON THE MAKING OF A PROHIBITION OR CLOSURE ORDER AND THE OCCUPIER OF THE PREMISES OR VESSEL WOULD HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.”
MR HSU ADDED THAT IT WAS PROPOSED THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WOULD COME INTO OPERATION ON OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THE TRADE IS FULLY AWARE OF THE NEW PROVISIONS. IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE THE NECESSARY PRE-ENFORCEMENT ACTION," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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QE FOUNDATION WILL IMPROVE WELLBEING OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ♦ ♦ * * *
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION, WHEN ESTABLISHED, WILL COMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME AND WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THE WELLBEING OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON DOMINIC WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WONG WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED BILL 1988.
HE SAID THE OBJECT OF THE BILL WAS TO ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION WITH THE PURPOSE OF FURTHERING THE WELFARE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND PROMOTING THEIR EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS.
MR WONG POINTED OUT THERE WERE ABOUT 110,000 MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, MAKING IT THE LARGEST GROUP AMONG ALL DISABILITIES.
/’’OFTEN THE.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
22
’’OFTEN THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED REQUIRE A WIDER RANGE OF SERVICES THAN OTHER DISABILITY GROUPS,” HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES IS BEING PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, THERE ARE STILL SIGNIFICANT SHORTFALLS IN THE SERVICES PROVIDED.
"MOREOVER, THE PUBLIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IS STILL GENERALLY POOR, AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FIND IT DIFFICULT TO RAISE FUNDS."
MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT THE NET PROFIT OF $30 MILLION ON THE SALE OF GOLD COINS TO COMMEMORATE THE VISIT OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN TO HONG KONG IN 1986, TOGETHER WITH A DONATION OF $30 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND A FURTHER MATCHING CONTRIBUTION OF $30 MILLION FROM GENERAL REVENUE, SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE FOUNDATION.
"APART FROM THE INITIAL PAYMENT OF $60 MILLION FROM THE SPECIAL COIN SUSPENSE ACCOUNT AND GENERAL REVENUE, THE BILL HAS ONLY MINOR IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE STAFFING AND FINANCE," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION WOULD LIAISE CLOSELY WITH THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT TJ1ERE WOULD BE NO OVERLAP BETWEEN WHAT WAS FUNDED FROM GENERAL REVENUE IN IMPLEMENTING THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION.
THE BILL PROVIDED THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION WOULD BE VESTED IN A COUNCIL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
"THERE WILL BE A CHAIRMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION AND FIVE TO NINE OTHER MEMBERS," MR WONG SAID.
TO GIVE THE FOUNDATION THE FLEXIBILITY TO UNDERTAKE MEANINGFUL PROJECTS FROM THE BEGINNING, THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE THE DISCRETION TO SPEND UP TO TEN PER CENT OF THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL OF THE FOUNDATION TN ADDITION TO ITS INCOME.
THE COUNCIL WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO APPOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEES, ASSISTANTS AND MANAGERS OF THE ASSETS AND TO PAY FOR VARIOUS NECESSARY EXPENSES.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF THE FOUNDATION BE AUDITED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND TABLED IN THE COUNCIL EVERY YEAR.
MOREOVER, THE BILL ENABLED THE COSTS INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR THE FOUNDATION TO BE CHARGED TO GENERAL REVENUE.
"THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAY DIRECT THAT AN ANNUAL FEE NOT EXCEEDING 2.6 PER CENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S INCOME IN THAT YEAR BE CHARGED IN RETURN," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/23......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
23 -
CLARIFICATION OF ROLE OF HKU COUNCIL, SENATE
* * I t t
A PRIVATE BILL WHICH SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNCIL AND SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID THE BILL CLARIFIED THAT IT WAS THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL TO ENQUIRE INTO THE FACTS OF ANY CASE WHERE TERMINATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A TEACHER MIGHT BE IN QUESTION, AND THAT IT WAS THE ROLE OF THE SENATE TO GIVE ADVICE ON THESE FACTS.
IT ALSO MADE CLEAR IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNCIL TO DECIDE IF GOOD CAUSE FOR TERMINATION EXISTED, HE ADDED.
THE BILL WOULD ALSO PROVIDE THE CHANCELLOR WITH THE POWER TO APPOINT A PERSON TO ACT AS PRO-CHANCELLOR DURING THE ABSENCE OF THE PRO-CHANCELLOR, MR WONG SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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SIX BILLS PASSED
» » »
SIX BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988, TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL BILL 1988, REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1988, AND Tills PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
SEVEN OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE: THE PENSION BENEFITS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988, TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ANU HEALTH COUNCIL BILL 1988, QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED BILL 1988, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1988, UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, AND A PRIVATE BILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
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/?4 .......
I
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
YEAR OF CONTRAST FOR ICAC
* * * t t
THE YEAR 1987 WAS ONE OF CONTRAST IN STATISTICAL TERMS FOR THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AS THERE WERE FEWER REPORTS OF CORRUPTION OVERALL AND YET THE NUMBER OF PERSONS CHARGED WITH OFFENCES ROSE BY 86 PER CENT TO 514, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR TSE, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CORRUPTION, WAS TABLING THE 1987 ANNUAL REPORT BY THE ICAC COMMISSIONER.
HE SAID THAT 2,299 REPORTS OF CORRUPTION WERE RECEVIED IN 1987, WHICH WAS 11 PER CENT FEWER THAN IN 1986.
YET THE ICAC*3 CASELOAD AND THE 1,068 CORRUPTION REPORTS INVOLVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR WERE THE HIGHEST EVER.
MR TSE SAID THE ANNUAL REPORT ALSO SHOWED THAT THERE WERE WELCOME REDUCTIONS IN CORRUPTION REPORTS AGAINST THE POLICE — 536
REPORTS, AND AGAINST OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS -- 624 REPORTS.
BOTH OF THESE FIGURES WERE 15 PER CENT BELOW THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES IN 1986.
THE COMMISSION HAD CONTINUED ITS THREE-PRONGED ATTACK ON CORRUPTION, HE SAID.
UNDER THIS, THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATED COMPLAINTS OF CORRUPTION AND OTHER OFFENCES WITHIN THE COMMISSION’S JURISDICTION, AND THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION DEPARTMENT EXAMINED PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES SO AS TO REDUCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION.
THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT EDUCATED THE PUBLIC ON THE EVILS OF CORRUPTION.
ON THE WORK OF THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT, DR TSE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ANOTHER BUSY AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR, AND WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF PROTRACTED CORRUPTION-BASED INVESTIGATIONS.
CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAD BEEN OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE, HE SAID.
"FOR EXAMPLE, ONE NOTABLE CASE CONCERNED THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK IN WHICH AFTER 16 MONTHS OF JOINT EFFORT BY OFFICERS OF THE POLICE AND THE ICAC, THE MAIN PART OF THIS ENQUIRY WAS CONCLUDED AND ALL THE FOUR MAJOR OFFENDERS WERE SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED FOR FRAUD," HE SAID.
/HE AI,SO...........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
HE ALSO NOTED THAT IN THREE DRUG RELATED CASES THERE WAS CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN RESPECT OF ONE OF THEM AND WITH THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HERE FOR THE OTHER TWO.
ON THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION DEPARTMENT, DR TSE SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT COMPANIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD BEEN TAKING A GREATER INTEREST IN IMPROVING THEIR SYSTEMS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT SO AS TO REDUCE CORRUPTION OPPORTUNITIES.
REFERRING TO THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, HE SAID IT HAD ORGANISED VARIOUS FUNCTIONS INVOLVING 327,000 PEOPLE DURING THE YEAR.
DR TSE SAID A HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR WAS THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION CONFERENCE HOSTED BY THE ICAC FROM NOVEMBER 2-6. THE CONFERENCE WAS ATTENDED BY 250 DELEGATES, 105 OF WHOM WERE FROM OVERSEAS, REPRESENTING 72 ORGANISATIONS AND 32 COUNTRIES.
HE ADDED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION TO THE WORK OF THE ICAC WHICH WAS REFLECTED BY THE CONFERENCE WAS VERY MUCH A REALITY. THE COMMISSION HAD INVOLVED ITSELF IN A WIDE RANGE OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO OFFENCES WHICH WERE COMMITTED IN HONG KONG BUT WHICH HAD IMPLICATIONS OVERSEAS.
THE CO-OPERATION THAT OVERSEAS AGENCIES HAD GIVEN TO THE ICAC WAS MUCH APPRECIATED. FOR ITS PART, THE COMMISSION IN TURN TRIED TO MEET REQUESTS FROM OVERSEAS FOR ASSISTANCE ON OPERATIONAL, TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS, DR TSE SAID.
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USE OF SEK KONG AIRFIELD RULED OUT » » * » t
NONE OF THE COMMERCIAL CIVIL INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT CURRENTLY OPERATING AT KAI TAK CAN BE SAFELY OPERATED ON A REGULAR BASIS AT THE SEK KONG AIRFIELD, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICh, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR NKNDICK WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG ON TUI POSSIBILITY OF DIVERTING SOME AIRCRAFT, PARTICULARLY SMALLER ONES, TO SEK KONG TO EASE THE HEAVY TRAFFIC AT KAI TAK.
EXPLAINING THE SAFETY CONSIDERATION, MR NENDICK SAID THE TOPOGRAPHY OF SEK KONG, SUI II AS THE MOUNTAINS TO THE NORTH, EAST AND SOUTH, WOULD NOT ALLOW SAFI- TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS BY COMMERCIAL INTERNATIONAL FL IGHTS.
/HE ALSO........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
?6
HE ALSO SAID THE NUMBER OF GENERAL AVIATION MOVEMENTS INVOLVING SMALL LOCALLY-REGISTERED PRIVATE AIRCRAFT AND EXECUTIVE JETS AT PRESENT CONSTITUTED A SMALL PROPORTION OF THE TOTAL AIR TRAFFIC.
IN 1987, LOCAL CIVIL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS AT KAI TAK ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 5,000 OF THE TOTAL OF SOME 87,000 MOVEMENTS.
"THE RELATIVELY LOW VOLUME OF SUCH AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS HAS PERMITTED THESE FLIGHTS TO BE ACCOMMODATED AT KAI TAK, ALBEII W1IH CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS TO ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT IMPINGE UPON THE DEMANDS PLACED ON THE USE OF THE AIRPORT BY COMMERCIAL AIRLINE OPERATIONS,” MR NENDICK SAID.
STRESSING THE CONTRIBUTION OE KAI TAK TO HONG LONG'S AVIATION NEEDS, MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT SAW NO NEED TO DIVERT AIR TRAFFIC TO SEK KONG.
THE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS NECESSITATED -- TO UPGRADE THE RUNWAY, TO INSTALL OTHER AIRPORT AND PASSENGER TERMINAL FACILITIES AND TO PROVIDE LOCAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE — ALSO LIMITED I HE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE SEK KONG AIRFIELD.
’’APART FROM COST CONSIDERATIONS, SUCH DEVELOPMENTS ARE CONSIDERED INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE MILITARY USAGE' OF THE AIRFIELD, HE ADDED.
MR NENDICK EMPHASISED THAI’ KAI TAK HAD SERVED HONG KONG'S AVIATION NEEDS WELL, AND WAS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DO SO FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
POPULATION-JOB BALANCE SOUGHT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IN NEW TOWNS
CREATION OF A BALANCE BETWEEN POPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES HAS BEEN AN AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY IN DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON ROBIN SAUNDERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS OBJECTIVE WAS EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF THE PRODUCTION, RESERVATION AND DISPOSAL OF LAND TO ACCOMMODATE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES COMMENSURATE WITH THE ANTICIPATED NUMBERS OF RESIDENT WORKERS, MR SAUNDERS SAID WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG.
/’’THE ESSENTIAL.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
- 27 -
"THE ESSENTIAL SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS WATER SUPPLY, DRAINAGE, SEWERAGE AND TRANSPORT IS DEVELOPED IN PHASE WITH THIS, THE AIM BEING TO CREATE ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR, AND AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS CONDUCIVE TO, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES IN THE NEW TOWNS AS THE POPULATIONS BUILD UP," HE SAID.
"ONCE THESE OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT GENERALLY INTERVENE DIRECTLY IN THE PROCESS OF CREATING JOB PLACES, AND IT CANNOT DIRECT POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS TO SET UP BUSINESS IN ANY PARTICULAR LOCATION.
"OTHER THAN THE INCENTIVES OF LOWER LAND COSTS, AN IN-BUILT WORKFORCE, AND SUITABLE SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE, THERE ARE NO OTHER SPECIFIC INCENTIVES OFFERED TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO ENCOURAGE THE CREATION OF JOBS."
HE ADDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE AVAILABLE LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO SET UP OPERATIONS IN THE NEW TOWNS.
EPD SEEKS STAFF WITH GOOD BASIC DEGREE ♦ ♦ t * ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT LOOKS FOR STAFF WITH A GOOD BASIC DEGREE IN A SCIENTIFIC OR ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE, TOGETHER WITH SOME RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN INDUSTRY OR CONSULTANCY, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ADOLF HSU, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE PROF THE HON C.K. POON, MR HSU SAID THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT GENERALLY SEEK TO RECRUIT GRADUATES WITH A FIRST DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES.
"STAFF WITH SCIENTIFIC OR ENGINEERING BACKGROUND ARE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE VARIOUS MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS THAT MAKE UP THE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
MR HSU SAID THAT SO FAR AS TRAINING IN SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL SUBJECTS WAS CONCERNED, THE EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON POST-GRADUATE TRAINING.
"ACCORDINGLY, THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN COLLABORATING WIlli VARIOUS TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG TO DEVELOP COURSES IN SUCH SUBJECTS AS PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEERING, NOISE AND VIBRATION, AIR POLLUTION CHEMISTRY AND CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND MANAGEMENT," HE SAID.
/"STAFF WHO........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
28
"STAFF WHO JOIN THE EPD ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE COURSES AS WELL AS ATTENDING SPECIALIST SHORT COURSES BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS, OR ARE ATTACHED TO RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS ABROAD."
HE NOTED THAT IN 1987-88, SEVEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS HAD ATTENDED PART-TIME MASTER OF SCIENCE COURSES AND 29 HAD ATTENDED SEMINARS AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES IN HONG KONG.
IN ADDITION, 15 OFFICERS HAD BEEN SENT OVERSEAS TO ATTEND CONFERENCES, SPECIALIST SHORT COURSES OR ON ATTACHMENT.
FORTY-FOUR TRAINING COURSES HAD BEEN ORGANISED FOR 1988-89.
"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, SUPPLEMENTED BY THE USE OF CONSULTANTS, WHO ARE ABLE TO RESPOND MORE QUICKLY TO PEAKS IN DEMAND, ARE ADEQUATE TO ENSURE THAT PLANNED ANTI-POLLUTION PROJECTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY STAFF SHORTAGES.
"THERE MAY, HOWEVER, BE TEMPORARY DIFFICULTIES IN THE SHORT TERM, DUE TO THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ACTIVITY IN THIS FIELD," MR HSU SAID.
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CHECKS ON FOOD CONTAINERS t * t
THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT CONTAINERS CURRENTLY BEING USED FOR HOLDING FOOD OR DRINKS POSE A HEALTH RISK TO THE PUBLIC IF HYGIENICALLY HANDLED, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE THE HON ADOLF HSU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR HSU SAID THAT THE USE OF PAPER FOR WRAPPING OR HOLDING OPEN FOOD WAS CONTROLLED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE FOOD BUSINESS (URBAN COUNCIL) AND THE FOOD BUSINESS (REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS MADE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
THESE PROVISIONS STIPULATED THAT NO. PERSON IN THE FOOD BUSINESS SHOULD WRAP UP OR OTHERWISE BRING ANY OPEN FOOD INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH ANY PRINTED NEWSPAPER OR UNCLEAN PAPER OR WRAPPING MATERIAL.
ANY FOOD BUSINESS OPERATOR WHO CONTRAVENED THIS BY-LAW COMMITTED AN OFFENCE.
"AS REGARDS FOOD CONTAINERS MADE OF OTHER MATERIALS, SUCH AS PLASTIC OR FOAM RUBBER, THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HAS BEEN COLLECTING SAMPLES FROM FOOD OUTLETS, WHICH INCLUDE FAST FOOD OUTLETS, FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MATERIAL IN ORDER TO DETECT UNDESIRABLE SUBSTANCES," MR HSU SAID.
/"THIS MONITORING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
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"THIS MONITORING PROCESS WILL CONTINUE."
"FOOD BUSINESS OPERATORS FOUND TO BE USING UNCLEAN OR UNSUITABLE CONTAINERS WHICH HAVE CONTAMINATED THE FOOD CONTAINED THEREIN WILL BE PROSECUTED."
MR HSU ADDED THAT THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WAS PLANNING TO CREATE A POST OF FOOD CHEMIST WITHIN ITS FOOD SECTION TO ENHANCE THE LEVEL OF EXPERTISE WHEREBY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE SAFETY OF PACKAGING MATERIALS WOULD BE FULLY INVESTIGATED AND EVALUATED.
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NO PROVISION FOR CHINA WORKERS TO TAKE JOBS IN HK «»»»*»
UNDER EXISTING IMMIGRATION POLICY, THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR WORKERS FROM CHINA TO ENTER HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES, BE IT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER FIELDS. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID HE WAS THEREFORE UNABLE TO PROVIDE SUCH FIGURES FOR DR THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN WHO HAD ASKED FOR PRECISE FIGURES FOR THE NUMBER OF WORKERS FROM CHINA, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELD, WHO HAD BEEN PERMITTED TO ENTER AND WORK IN HONG KONG LEGALLY.
"A SEPARATE CATEGORY OF ENTRANT IS, HOWEVER, THOSE WHO ARRIVE LEGALLY FROM CHINA FOR RESIDENCE PURPOSES BY MEANS OF CHINESE ONE-WAY EXIT PERMITS ISSUED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES," MR BARNES SAID.
"BY AGREEMENT WITH THE LATTER THESE ARE RESTRICTED TO 75 PERMITS PER DAY, AMOUNTING TO ABOUT 27,000 PERSONS PER YEAR AS A PERMANENT ADDITION TO HONG KONG’S POPULATION.
"SINCE 1979, 220,000 CHINESE PERMIT HOLDERS HAVE ENTERED HONG KONG."
MR BARNES SAID THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE FREE TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT AFTER ARRIVAL, AND HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT MANY OF THEM HAD IN FACT ENTERED THE LOCAL LABOUR MARKET.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
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ACTION TAKEN TO EASE TYPHOON SHELTER CONGESTION t ♦ * * t
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGERS TO NAVIGATION THAT THE CONGESTION IN TYPHOON SHELTERS MAY CAUSE AND HAS BEEN TACKLING THE PROBLEM TO ENSURE SAFE NAVIGATION THERE.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE PROBLEM OF CONGESTION WAS GENERALLY NOT SERIOUS IN HONG KONG WATERS, MR NENDICK SAID WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LIU L1T-F0R.
’’THE HARBOUR ITSELF IS BUSY BUT NOT CONGESTED. THERE IS, HOWEVER, CONGESTION IN MOST TYPHOON SHELTERS,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH WAS BEING TACKLED IN THREE WAYS.
MR NENDICK SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINED REGULAR PATROLS IN TYPHOON SHELTERS AND IN AREAS FREQUENTED BY LOCAL CRAFT TO ENSURE SAFE NAVIGATION AND TO MAINTAIN GENERAL DISCIPLINE.
"TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR PATROLS ARE MOUNTED DURING FESTIVALS AND IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THERE IS A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF LOCAL CRAFT IN TYPHOON SHELTERS," HE SAID.
A SECOND APPROACH WAS TO EXAMINE THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR WATER SPACE BY LOCAL CRAFT.
"BIENNIAL REVIEWS OF TYPHOON SHELTER SPACE REQUIREMENTS ARE CONDUCTED BY Till MARINE DEPARTMENT.
"THE CONCLUSIONS OF THESE REVIEWS ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER WAS AN EXAMPLE OF THE SYSTEM AT WORK
A THIRD APPROACH WAS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DWELLING VESSELS IN TYPHOON SHELTERS.
"THE NUMBER OF DWELLING VESSELS, WHICH ARE A MAIN CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO CONGESTION IN TYPHOON SHELTERS, HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 2,700 IN 1983 TO 658 TO DATE," HE SAID.
"THIS NUMBER WILL BE FURTHER REDUCED IN THE COMING YEARS THROUGH THE CLEARANCE PROGRAMMES INITIATED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT."
/MR NENDICK .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 31 -
MR NENDICK SAID THE SITUATION IN ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU, TO WHICH MR LIU REFERRED, WAS NOT SERIOUS.
"THE NUMBER OF DWELLING BOATS HAS REDUCED FROM SOME 680 TO 250 IN THE PAST THREE YEARS," HE SAID.
"THE SQUATTER PROBLEM HAS BEEN ELIMINATED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO SERIOUS NAVIGATIONAL ACCIDENTS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS."
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RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF HANDCUFFS
* » * » *
HANDCUFFS AND PLASTIC RESTRAINERS ARE NOT USED AUTOMATICALLY OR INDISCRIMINATELY WHEN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE ARRESTED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT, MR BARNES SAID THAT HANDCUFFS AND PLASTIC RESTRAINERS WERE USED ONLY WHEN NECESSARY FOR SPECIAL REASONS.
"THAT IS, IF THE ARRESTING OFFICER, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE TIME, BELIEVES THAT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MAY BECOME VIOLENT OR MAY TRY TO ESCAPE," HE EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THESE RESTRICTIONS IN THE USE OF HANDCUFFS AND PLASTIC RESTRAINERS WERE STIPULATED IN POLICE GENERAL ORDERS AND APPLIED TO ALL POLICE ARRESTS, NOT ONLY ARRESTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
MR BARNES ALSO EXPLAINED THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH AN ARRESTING OFFICER MIGHT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION AT THE TIME OF ARREST.
THESE CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDED THE NUMBER, TYPE AND MOOD OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND THE LOCATION AS WELL AS THE TIME OF DAY AND NIGHT.
THE DISTANCE TO BE COVERED, MODE OF TRANSPORT AND AVAILABILITY OF SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICER’S ACTION HAD ALSO TO BE CONSIDERED.
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/3?........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 3? -
ACTION ON UNSAFE AIR-CONDITIONING FIXTURES
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE HAD REMOVED, RELOCATED OR MODIFIED 74 AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS OR ASSOCIATED FIXTURES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON ROBIN SAUNDERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE ACTIONS WERE TAKEN AS A RESULT OF INVESTIGATIONS BY THE OFFICE INTO 410 SUCH CASES REPORTED TO IT DURING THE PERIOD, HE SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM.
MR CHUNG HAD ASKED WHETHER PRIOR APPROVAL WAS REQUIRED FOR ERECTION OF STRUCTURES ON EXTERNAL WALLS OF BUILDINGS TO SUPPORT WATER TANKS FOR AIR-CONDITIONING PURPOSES.
MR CHUNG ALSO WANTED TO KNOW THE NUMBER OF CASES OF INJURIES REPORTED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS CAUSED BY THE FALLING OF SUCH STRUCTURES OR WATER TANKS AND WHETHER DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED UNDERTOOK REGULAR INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE THESE STRUCTURES DID NOT' CONSTITUTE A POTENTIAL DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.
MR SAUNDERS SAID THAT PROVIDED NO MAJOR BUILDING WORKS, SUCH AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS OR SLABS WAS REQUIRED, THE INSTALLATION OF SUPPORTING STRUCTURES FOR THE PURPOSES DESCRIBED BY MR CHUNG WERE NOT REGARDED AS BUILDING WORKS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
GENERALLY, THEREFORE, APPROVAL FOR THE ERECTION OF THESE STRUCTURES WAS NOT REQUIRED, HE SAID.
"THIS MEANS THAT ANYONE WISHING TO INSTALL BRACKETS FOR AIR-CONDITIONING COOLING TANKS, PIPEWORK, DUCTS, FANS AND SO ON, NEED NOT OBTAIN PRIOR APPROVAL FOR THESE, AS THEY ARE REGARDED AS ’FIXTURES’ RATHER THAN BUILDING WORK," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, SANCTIONS WERE AVAILABLE TO THE BUILDING AUTHORITY UNDER SECTIONS 26 AND 31 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHERE SUCH FIXTURES WERE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC, -OR PROJECTED BEYOND THE BUILDING LINE.
HE SAID THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE DID NOT UNDERTAKE REGULAR INSPECTIONS BUT RELIED INSTEAD ON REPORTS FROM THE PUBLIC, THE POLICE OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"IF A FIXTURE IS FOUND TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL GIVE NOTICE TO THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION," HE SAID.
"FAILING THIS, THE AUTHORITY HAS THE POWER TO ENTER THE BUILDING AND EITHER MAKE THE INSTALLATION SAFE OR REMOVE IT, AND TO RECOVER THE COSTS FROM THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE.
/"THIS MIGHT .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 33 -
"THIS MIGHT EITHER BE THE LANDLORD OR THE TENANT, DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES."
REGARDING THE NUMBER OF CASES OF INJURIES CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF SUCH STRUCTURES, MR SAUNDERS NOTED THAT THE BOO DID NOT RECEIVE REPORTS OF SUCH INCIDENTS AS A MATTER OF ROUTINE AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE SUCH STATISTICS.
"1 AM ADVISED ALSO THAT THE POLICE DO NOT KEEP STATISTICS SPECIFICALLY OF SUCH INCIDENTS, ALTHOUGH IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE NUMBER OF CASES WHICH COME TO ATTENTION IS VERY SMALL," HE ADDED.
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SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY IN PROPERTY NOT EXCESSIVE t » » * »
UP TO NOW, SPECULATION IN THE PROPERTY MARKET SEEMS TO BE CONFINED LARGELY TO A SMALL NUMBER OF POPULAR RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENTS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR NENDICK SAID THAT IN A RISING MARKET, THE NUMBER OF PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS WAS LIKELY TO RISE AND SOME SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY MUST BE EXPECTED TO OCCUR.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY DID NOT YET APPEAR EXCESSIVE OR SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO PRODUCE DAMAGING EFFECTS ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.
"WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY, IT MUST BE FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO DECIDE UPON THEIR OWN PURCHASE DECISIONS," HE POINTED OUT.
"I WOULD NOT ENVISAGE OUR GIVING THE PUBLIC SPECIFIC ADVICE ABOUT THE RISK OF SPECULATION BUT CLEARLY IT NEEDS TO BE RECOGNISED THAT PROPERTY PRICES CAN FALL AS WELL AS RISE."
MR NENDICK ALSO SAID THAT WITH AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF NEW RESIDENTIAL FLATS COMING ON STREAM, FUTURE INCREASES IN FLAT PRICES WERE LIKELY TO BE RESTRAINED.
HE EXPECTED THAT THE RECENT FIRMING UP OF INTEREST RATES WOULD BE A FACTOR WHICH MIGHT RENDER SPECULATION LESS ATTRACTIVE IN FUTURE.
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/31*...........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- & -
ASBESTOS-CEMENT IN ESTATES POSES NO UNDUE RISK * » * ♦ *
ASBESTOS-CENEN'l USED IN THE BUILDING OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES DOES NOT POSE AN UNDUE HEALTH RISK TO RESIDENTS PROVIDED IT IS NOT DISTURBED, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON ROBIN SAUNDERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR SAUNDERS SAID THAT A TOTAL OF 325 PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS IN MARK III, IV AND V ESTATES BUILT BETWEEN 1962 AND 1969, AND HOUSING 667,000 TENANTS, HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS CONTAINING SOME ASBESTOS-CEMENT PRODUCTS.
THEY WERE USED MAINLY FOR BALCONY AND STAIRCASE BALUSTRADING AS WELL AS FOR ROOF INSULATION.
’’ALL THESE BLOCKS ARE SCHEDULED FOR REDEVELOPMENT UNDER THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY AND SAFE METHODS HAVE BEEN DEVISED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT, FOR THE REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS-CEMENT MATERIALS DURING DEMOLITION OR REPAIR PRIOR TO REDEVELOPMENT,” HE SAID..
"IN ADDITION, 1,664 TEMPORARY HOUSING STRUCTURES BUILT PRIOR TO 1984, HOUSING ABOUT 90,000 TENANTS, HAVE ASBESTOS-CEMENT ROOFING. THE USE OF THIS MATERIA! FOR ROOFING CEASED IN 1984.”
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ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR CLOSING ROADS
♦ » ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED EFFECTIVE PROCEDURES FOR CLOSING ROADS TO ENSURE THAT INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC IS MINIMISED, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FA1, MR LEUNG SAID THAT FOR ROAD CLOSURES WHICH COULD BE PLANNED AHEAD, THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WOULD CONSULT OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS AND, IF NECESSARY, DISTRICT BOARDS, TO ENSURE THAT THE CLOSURE WAS NECESSARY.
THEY WOULD ALSO DEVISE APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC DIVERSION SCHEMES SO THAT INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC WOULD BE MINIMISED.
/HE STRESSED........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
- 35 -
HE STRESSED THAT BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION EVERY EFFORT WAS MADE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AND, AFTER THE CLOSURE, DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WOULD MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY TO ENSURE THAT THE ROAD WAS NOT CLOSED LONGER THAN NECESSARY.
FOR EMERGENCY CLOSURES CAUSED BY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, NATURAL DISASTERS, FIRES, OR EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO PUBLIC UTILITIES, THE POLICE ALSO HAD DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANDLING THEM.
POLICE OFFICERS ATTENDING THE SCENE WOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO REGULATE TRAFFIC. ANY DECISION ABOUT SUBSEQUENT TEMPORARY DIVERSIONS OR ROAD CLOSURES WAS MADE AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE BY AN OFFICER OF SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT RANK.
FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE, THE INFORMATION WOULD IMMEDIATELY BE PASSED TO THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH FOR DISSEMINATION TO THE MEDIA.
"THE SITUATION IS MONITORED CAREFULLY TO ENSURE THAT THE ROAD IS REOPENED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE', ’* frK SAID.
ON THE AUTHORISATION OF 4 fV>AD CLOSURE, MR LEUNG SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WAS EMPOWERED TO CLOSE A ROAD OR ANY PART OF IT FOR SUCH PERIOD AS HE MIGHT THINK NECESSARY.
THIS WAS EFFECTED BY A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE, OR IN ONE ENGLISH AND ONE CHINESE NEWSPAPER.
IN EMERGENCY CASES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT OR THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WAS EMPOWERED, WITHOUT PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE, TO CLOSE A ROAD FOR NOT LONGER THAN 72 HOURS.
TO FACILITATE MINOR ROAD WORKS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ALSO HAD POWERS TO CLOSE A ROAD, THE AUTHORITY FOR WHICH HAD BEEN DELEGATED TO SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE HIGHWAYS, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES AND TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 36 -
TALKS IN CHINA ENCOURAGING - LORD GLENARTHUR *****
THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE HAD HAD SOME "INTERESTING AND VERY ENCOURAGING" TALKS WITH THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER AND VICE FOREIGN MINISTER DURING HIS FIRST VISIT TO CHINA.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ARRIVING FROM CANTON, LORD GLENARTHUR SAID HE WOULD HAVE A BUSY TWO AND A HALF DAYS IN HONG KONG, DURING WHICH HE WOULD BE MEETING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
LORD GLENARTHUR WAS GREETED AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR. SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON; THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN, AND THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR REG HOLLOWAY.
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LORD GLENARTHUR VISITS TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE *****
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, VISITED THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND TECHNICAL ADVANCES MADE IN THE INDUSTRIAL SEC FOR.
LORD AND LADY GLENARTHUR WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AND AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR MIKE ARNOLD.
DURING A TOUR AROUND THE ESTATE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, BRIEFED THEM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
MR CHEONG SAID THE CORPORATION AIMS TO BROADEN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE AND TO UPGRADE THE LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY.
"IT PROVIDES SITES AND STANDARD FACTORIES FOR INDUSTRIALISTS WHO, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES, ARE UNABLE TO FIND SUITABLE FACTORY PREMISES ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG,” HE ADDED.
/A PROPOSAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
- 37 -
A PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, AFTER TAI PO AND YUEN LONG, HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND IT WAS HOPED THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS PROJECT WOULD BE READY FOR OCCUPATION IN 1992-93.
IN 1986-87, THE CORPORATION HAD DISPOSED OF ABOUT 10.7 HECTARES OF LAND THROUGH 16 LEASE AGREEMENTS, AND THIS WAS NEARLY DOUBLE THE AVERAGE ANNUAL FIGURE ACHIEVED OVER THE 10 YEARS OF THE CORPORATION'S EXISTENCE.
LORD AND LADY GLENARTHUR NEXT VISITED THE JOHNSON ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTORY LTD WHICH PRODUCES MINIATURE DC AND AC MOTORS, USUALLY TAILORED TO CUSTOMERS’ APPLICATIONS.
THE PARTY WAS MET BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR PATRICK WANG, AND THE DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER, MR HENRY MEI.
AFTER A BRIEFING ON THE COMPANY’S HISTORY, PRODUCTION FACILITIES AND FUTURE PLANS, LORD AND LADY GLENARTHUR WERE SHOWN THE HIGH SPEED STAMPING PRESS, TRANSFER PRESS, ASSEMBLING OF MOTORS AND AUTOMATIC MACHINE ASSEMBLY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE END Ob’ THE VISIT, LORD GLENARTHUR SMI) IT WAS FASCINATING TO SEE A FACILITY WHICH HE THOUGHT MUST BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE OF ITS KIND ANYWHERE.
IT’S A FACILITY NOT ONLY COMBINING PRODUCTION, BUT ALSO THE DESIGN OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT ENABLES THAT PRODUCTION. IT’S THE LATEST STATE-OI-THE-ART EQUIPMENT," HE SAID.
- 0
JLG TEAMS TO GIVE RECEPTION * * t t
THE BRITISH AND CHINESE TEAMS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL HOST A JOINT RECEPTION ON FRIDAY (JULY 1) EVENING TO MARK THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THEIR PERMANENT OFFICES IN HONG KONG.
ALL JLG MEMBERS WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET IN THE MORNING AT THE NEWLY RENOVATED COLVIN HOUSE WHICH WILL REPLACE THE INFANT SCHOOL AT VICTORIA BARRACKS AS THE VENUE FOR JLG PLENARY AND EXPERT MEETINGS.
/THEY WILL ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE ?9, 1988
- 38 -
THEY WILL ATTEND A LUNCHEON PARTY GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE AFTER THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FOLLOWING JLG EVENTS ON JULY 1:
1. THERE WILL BE A 20-MINUTE GUIDED PRESS TOUR OF COLVIN HOUSE WHICH WILL START PROMPTLY AT 9 AM. THE TOUR WILL CONCLUDE AT 9.20 AM AND LATE COMERS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BRIEF PHOTO CALL IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM BEFORE THE MEETING.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE USUAL SECURITY CHECKS. YOU ARE THEREFORE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE BEFORE 8.15 AM FOR THIS PURPOSE.
2. A FIXED PRESS POSITION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR COVERAGE OF A BRIEF WELCOMING ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND SPEECHES BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE TEAMS AT THE JOINT RECEPTION IN THE EVENING.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE TAI PO AND SHEK O ROOMS AT LOWER LEVEL 1 OF SHANGRI-LA HOTEL IN TS1M SHA TSUI EAST. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE BY 6 PM.
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PROTECTION FOR SEMI-CONDUCTOR CHIPS
♦ * ♦ t
PROPOSALS WERE BEING INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE COPYRIGHT PROTECTION TO INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, OR SEMI-CONDUCTOR CHIPS, WHICH ARE AT THE HEART OF MUCH OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY, THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR STEVE BARCLAY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM LOCAL MANUFACTURERS THAT CHIP DESIGNS Dll) NOT RECEIVE ADEQUATE COPYRIGHT PROTECTION, HE SAID.
CHIP DEVELOPMENT IS EXTREMELY COMPLEX AND EXPENSIVE, YET THEY COULD, AT PRESENT, BE EASILY COPIED BY OTHERS, HE ADDED.
MR BARCLAY SAID THAT IT WAS PROPOSED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD INTRODUCE LEGISLATION BASED ON THE UNITED KINGDOM’S SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS (PRODUCTION OF TOPOGRAPHY) REGULATIONS, 1987.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THESE REGULATIONS INCLUDE:
/♦ THE DESIGNER ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 39 -
» THE DESIGNER OR OWNER OF AN ORIGINAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DESIGN HAS THE LEGAL RIGHT TO THAT DESIGN.
* THE DESIGNER OR OWNER OF THE DESIGN HAS THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO EXPLOIT THE DESIGN.
* THE PERIOD OF PROTECTION IS 10 YEARS IF THE DESIGN HAS BEEN COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED OR 15 YEARS IF IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPLOITED.
* CIVIL ACTION MAY BE TAKEN BY THE DESIGNER OR OWNER TO PROTECT HIS RIGHTS.
* THE RIGHTS OF THE DESIGNER OR OWNER ARE NOT INFRINGED BY "REVERSE ENGINEERING" - THE ANALYSIS OR EVALUATION OF A DESIGN FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING ANOTHER DESIGN, OR BY INNOCENT INFRINGEMENT.
MR BARCLAY SAID THAT THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH WAS SEEKING INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC COMMENT ON WHETHER THE PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION IS SUPPORTED AND WHETHER THE UK REGULATIONS ARE AN APPROPRIATE MODEL.
"WE WOULD LIKE COMMENT ON A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC ISSUES AS WELL," SAID MR BARCLAY.
- ARE THERE ANY TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAKE THE UK REGULATIONS OBSOLETE?
- SHOULD PROTECTION IN HONG KONG BE DEPENDENT ON THE DESIGN BEING REGISTERED WITH THE GOVERNMENT?
- SHOULD HONG KONG’S LAW PROVIDE FOR CRIMINAL, AS WELL AS CIVIL, REMEDIES?
THE QUESTION OF THE PROTECTION OF CHIP DESIGN IS SEPARATE FROM ISSUES CONCERNING SOFT-WARE.
A CHIP IS THE KEY ELEMENT OF MANY COMPUTERS AND OTHER MODERN PRODUCTS. FIRST A MANUFACTURER MUST ASSESS THE DEMAND OF POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS. THEN COMPLICATED DIAGRAMS MUST BE PRODUCED WHICH ARE TURNED INTO THREE-DIMENSIONAL CONFIGURATIONS WHICH REPRESENT THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF THE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT.
THESE ARE THEN TURNED INTO A SERIES OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL LAYOUT PATTERNS - A COMPLICATED AND EXPENSIVE PROCESS PRODUCTION OF THE CHIP IS EQUALLY DEMANDING, REQUIRING HIGH LEVELS OF TECHNOLOGY.
AS THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG STANDS AT THE MOMENT THE CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENT MADE BY A CHIP DESIGNER CAN BE UNDERMINED BY COMPE'I'ITORS WHO CAN SIMPLY COPY THE PRODUCT.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS ARE AVAILABLE FROM, AND COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
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/4O........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 40 -
STRINGENT MEASURES FOR FISH MARKET *****
STRINGENT MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT MONTH IN THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION’S CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE MARKETING ORDER IN THE MARKET.
EFFECTIVE FROM FRIDAY (JULY 1), FISH BUYERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ENTRY TO THE SORTING FLOOR OF THE MARKET WHERE FISH IS LANDED AND SORTED. ACCESS TO THIS AREA WILL, FROM THE SAME DATE, BE RESTRICTED TO FISHERMEN, THEIR AGENTS AND OTHER PERSONNEL REQUIRED TO WORK THERE.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), AN FMO SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STRINGENT MEASURES WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE IN PURSUANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP ON GANGS.
HE SAID THAT THESE MEASURES WERE DESIGNED TO ROOT OUT VARIOUS MALPRACTICES DISCOVERED IN THE MARKET INCLUDING THE INFILTRATION BY TRIAD MEMBERS ON THE SORTING FLOOR, RESULTING IN GOOD QUALITY FISH BEING PRE-SELECTED, MARKED AND MANIPULATED THROUGH THE SALE PROCESS.
"THESE MALPRACTICES HAVE MADE IT EXTREMELY UNFAIR TO THE MAJORITY OF THE FISH BUYERS WHO IN EFFECT ARE PREVENTED FROM PARTICIPATING IN A FAIR AUCTION OF THE FISH.
"IN VIEW OF THE SITUATION, AND SINCE ALL FISH BUYERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE FISH FROM THE AUCTION FLOOR, WE HAVE DECIDED TO PROHIBIT BUYERS FROM ENTERING THE SORTING FLOOR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT WITH BOTH BUYERS AND FISHERMEN AND THEY HAD EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THESE MEASURES GENERALLY, HE ADDED.
THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET IS ONE OF THE SEVEN FMO WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS. ITS DAILY THROUGHPUT IS ABOUT 60 TONNES, CATERING MAINLY FOR THE POPULATION OF WEST KOWLOON.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
41
MORE EMSD PLANTS TO TACKLE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION » * * * »
A PRELIMINARY SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT WILL BF COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS TO SERVICE A POPULATION OF 400,000 IN THE TO KWA WAN AND HUNG HOM AREAS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM OSBORNE, AFTER HE SIGNED A $21.9 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SEWAGE PUMPING, SCREENING AND BUILDING SERVICES EQUIPMENT FOR THE PLANT AT TO KWA WAN.
THE SCREENING PLANT, WITH A DESIGNED AVERAGE DAILY FLOW CAPACITY OF 129,000 CUBIC METRES, AND A MAXIMUM CAPACITY THREE TIMES THAT AMOUNT, WILL PROVIDE PRELIMINARY TREATMENT TO THE EXISTING AND FUTURE SEWAGE FLOW IN TO KWA WAN AND HUNG HOM AREAS.
AFTER BEING PUMPED AND UNDERGOING FINE SCREENING AND GRIT REMOVAL PROCESSES, THE SEWAGE WILL BE DISCHARGED INTO VICTORIA HARBOUR THROUGH TWIN SUBMARINE OUTFALLS WITH MULTI-PORT DIFFUSERS FOR BETTER DILUTION AND DISPERSION.
SITE WORK FOR THE PLANT, LOCATED NEAR BAILEY STREET, WILL COMMENCE IN LATE 1988 AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-19'90.
PRESENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES AROUND THE CLOCK 27 SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS OF ALL TYPES AND 31 SEWAGE PUMPING STATIONS TO FEED THE TREATMENT WORKS AS WELL AS 26 SEPTIC TANKS FOR REMOTE LOCATIONS NOT SERVED BY A SEWERAGE NETWORK.
MR OSBORNE SAID: "THESE FACILITIES ARE SITED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS TO ENSURE THAT THE EFFLUENT DISCHARGED IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT."
"TO ENSURE COMPATIBILITY IS ACHIEVED AS DESIGNED, EFFLUENT SAMPLES ARE TAKEN AT REGULAR INTERVALS ‘ AND ANALYSED AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LABORATORIES," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- *+2 -
FIFTY PER CENT OF REDUNDANT TEACHERS PLACED ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY PLACED SOME 200 OUT OF 400 REDUNDANT AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO REGISTERED WITH THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT DURING THE LAST THREE WEEKS.
THE ANNUAL EXERCISE OF PLACING REDUNDANT TEACHERS INTO NEW POSTS STARTED ON MAY 9 AND IT WAS EXPECTED TO TAKE AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH TO COMPLETE, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
TO SPEED UP THE PLACEMENT EXERCISE, THE SPOKESMAN URGED ALL AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL SUPERVISORS TO REPORT ALL AVAILABLE TEACHING VACANCIES IN THEIR SCHOOLS, ARISING FROM NEW CLASSES, WASTAGE AND RETIREMENT, IMMEDIATELY TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO CALLED ON SCHOOL MANAGEMENTS T0 ACCEPT THE REDUNDANT TEACHERS REFERRED BY THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT TO FILL THEIR VACANCIES.
’’WITHOUT THE FULL SUPPORT FROM SCHOOL MANAGEMENT, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT TO PLACE ALL REDUNDANT TEACHERS AT AN EARLY DATE,” HE SAID.
”AS A RESULT, TEACHING VACANCIES IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO BE FROZEN,” HE ADDED.
IN THIS CONNECTION, SCHOOL SUPERVISORS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER INTO ANY EMPLOYMENT WITH OTHER TEACHERS BEFORE THE PLACEMENT SERVICE HAS COMPLETED ITS TASK.
FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS CARRIED OUT THE ANNUAL EXERCISE OF HELPING TO PLACE REDUNDANT AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS INTO NEW JOBS BECAUSE OF A DROP IN POPULATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE AND A SHIFT OF POPULATION FROM URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS.
BETWEEN 1975 AND 1987, ABOUT 5,000 AFFECTED TEACHERS HAD BEEN HELPED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE TEACHING POSTS.
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A3.....
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY PUBLISHED « » » * *
STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH SHOW THAT HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN MAY COMPARED WITH APRIL. FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ON THE OTHER HAND, GREW MORE RAPIDLY IN MAY THAN IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
HK$M1 AND HK$M2 BOTH RECORDED DECLINES IN MAY WHILE HK$M3 WAS LITTLE CHANGED FROM THE PRECEDING MONTH.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW MODERATELY IN MAY COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH. LOANS FOR FINANCING VISIBLE TRADE AND OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG REGISTERED CONSIDERABLE INCREASES WHILE LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG EDGED UP ONLY SLIGHTLY.
AN ACCOMPANYING TABLE SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR MAY 1988 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 0.2 PER CENT IN MAY FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 1.5 PER CENT IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 2.1 PER CENT IN APRIL. OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS DECLINED BY 1.1 PER CENT AND 7.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 8.1 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MAY 1988, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 21.5 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 4 PER CENT IN MAY FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.2 PER CENT AND 2.9 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 2.4 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 5.8 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 23.4 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS ROSE BY 19.5 PER CENT IN MAY AFTER INCREASES OF 27.2 PER CENT AND 10.7 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 1.6 PER CENT IN MAY AND BY 19.2 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 2.9 PER CENT IN MAY AND BY 25.8 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS (ALL CURRENCIES) WITH BANKS INCREASED BY 2.2 PER CENT IN MAY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 3.9 PER CENT. THEIR RESPECTIVE INCREASES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MAY 1988 WERE 24.2 PER CENT AND 6.6 PER CENT.
/MONEY SUPPLY ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 AND HK$M2 FELL BY 1.6 PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN MAY WHILE HK$M3 RECORDED ZERO GROWTH. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING RATES OF -0.4 PER CENT, 1.3 PER CENT AND 1.6 PER CENT IN APRIL. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MAY, THE RESPECTIVE INCREASES FOR HK$M1, M2 AND M3 WERE 30.5 PER CENT, 24.8 PER CENT AND 22.4 PER CENT. ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HKIM2 GREW BY 0.9 PER CENT WHILE HK$M3 ROSE BY 1.3 PER CENT IN MAY. OVER THE YEAR, THEY GREW BY 22 PER CENT AND 20.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml FELL BY 1.4 PER CENT IN MAY WHILE TOTAL-ME AND TOTAL M3 GREW BY 2.1 PER CENT AND 2.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 0.2 PER CENT, 2.2 PER CENT AND 2.2 PER CENT IN APRIL. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MAY, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 30.7 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 24.5 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 22.5 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW BY 1.9 PER CENT IN MAY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.4 PER CENT AND 3.8 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR GREW BY 3.6 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES ROSE BY 0.7 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 3.8 PER CENT IN MAY AFTER INCREASES OF 1.2 PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 18.1 PER CENT. OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 3.3 PER CENT IN MAY COMPARED WITH RESPECTIVE GROWTH RATES OF 0.8 PER CENT AND 3.5 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 26.4 PER CENT. LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN MAY AFTER INCREASES OF 2.1 PER CENT AND 4.8 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 79.1 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 158. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 35, WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 228.
May IP88
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
“ - U5 M 3
MONETARY STATISTICS - MAY 1988
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, <3 -3 V > (0 t» ■ „
Earlier Br.r.ths,
(X change to M*y 1-988)
Money Sup;ly
mi . ure
Foreign currency
Totti
M2 - HKS
Foreign currency
Tctai
MS - EE*
Foreigr. currency
Total
Notes :-nd coins in circulation of which held by public
Deposit*
"£.53? 8.282 J9 .822
299.001 724.721 357.020 429.582 786,702
30.242
26,45?
Apr 1958 sg Feb 1985 Hay 19??
^2,”17 ( -i.e x • — 77.266 ( --.4 X, 54. eis ( 3c r. y.)
6.202 ( l.n 5.711 (-14.7 •/.} 6.282 t
80.918 ( -1.4 X) 66,599 (-82%) 61,054 ( 30.' r.)
327,333 ( -0.5 t) 76 6.156 ' -0.7 fc) 261,060 ( £4.' K)
382.534 ( 4.3 X» 359.861 { 10.9 %) 326.953 ( 24 1 %)
709,867 ( 2.1 X) 688,019 ( 5.3 To) • 562,033 ( 24.f 7.)
25?,015 ( 0.0 7) 385.787 ( 0.3 X) 291 . 736 ( 22.4 %)
4112.567 ( 4.1 t } 386.675 ( 10.1 %) i(( . 407 ( 22.6%)
765,606 ( 2.2 X ) 744.662 ( 5.6 X) 642.143 ( 22 : %)
30.642 ( -1.3 X) 33.092 ( -8.6 %) 24.514 ( 23.4 %)
27,164 ( -2.5 X) 28,716 i -7.6 X) 21.720 '. 22^.0 %)
Demand deposits
Saviy.gr deposits
Time deposits with banks
Time deposits with dtcs
HE? deposits
USS deposits
Other foreign currency deposits
All deposits
Foreign currency swap deposits
S3, Q Q Q 53,754 ( -0.6 X) 58.284 ( -8.5 X)
176. 199 182.903 ( -3.7 %) 190.868 ( -7.7 X)
455, 027 433.166 ( 5.0 X) 397 721 ( 14.4 * )
59. 95f 57,714 ( 3.9 X) 54,731 ( 9.5 X)
319. 066 318.355 ( 0.2 X) 316.336 ( 0.9 X)
227, 991 222.560 ( 2.4 X) 211,167 ( 8.0 X )
197. 455 166,622 ( 5.8 X) 174.101 ( 13.4 X)
744 . 513 727,537 ( 2.3 %) 701,604 ( 6.1 x)
30. 324 25,378 ( 19.5 X.) 18,014 ( 68.3 X)
39,374 141.199 370,553
56.239
262,569 213.202 231,593
607,365
30,650
(35.5 %)
(24.6 %)
(22.8 X)
( 6.6 7.) ( 21.5
( 6.9 X)
( 50.0 %} ( 22.6 %)
( -1 1 To)
Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade To finance merchandising trade
not touching H.K.
Other loans for use in H.K.
Other loans for use outside H.K.
Other loans where the place of
use is not known
Loans in HE$
Loans in foreign currencies
Total loans and advances
47.451 5,180 45."34 5,467 ( ( 3.8 X) -5.2 7.) 44 7 ,965 ' ,847 ( 5.5 -34.0 X) X) 40,176 5,634 ( ( 18.1 %) -6 1 X)
? O Q / Q 1 V w • A w. * 377,107 ( q - %) .572 ( 7.7 X-) 308,186 ( 26.4
326.624 324.582 ( o' 6 %) 303 .234 ( 7.7 X) 182.363 ( 79.1 • * / % '
60,061 60,”62 ( -1 .1 %> 62 ,515 ( -3.9 X) 37,101 ( 61.9 *)
340.919 329,175 ( 3.6 X) ' 3-15 ,058 ( 6.2 X) 264,274 ( 23.0 %)
487.646 484,476 ( 0.7 4 65 .074 ( 4.9 •- X) 289.285 ( 65.6 X)
828.767 813,651 ( 1.9 %) 7?? ,133 ( 6.2 X) 573,450 ( 44.5 %)
A6.....
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29,
1988
- 46 -
FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN SAI KUNG
*****
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WOULD ENABLE RESIDENTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CRIME PREVENTION AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAINTAIN CLOSER CO-OPERATION WITH THE POLICE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE SAID.
TO AROUSE PUBLIC ATTENTION, THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAS INVITED FILM ACTRESS, MISS CHAN MAN-YEE, TO BE THE STANDARD BEARER OF THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
MISS CHAN WOULD GIVE HER UTMOST SUPPORT TO THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN PLANNED TO PROMOTE THE MESSAGE OF "ANTI-SHOPTHEFT" AND "HOME-SECURITY". THE "ANTI-TRIAD" THEME WILL ALSO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FIRST PROGRAMME OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS THE ERECTION OF A PUBLICITY SIGNBOARD AT THE CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BAY TODAY.
THE SIGNBOARD SERVES AS A REMINDER TO BEACH-GOERS TO TAKE GREAT CARE OF THEIR BELONGINGS AND TO REPORT ANY BEACH OR VEHICLE THEFT TO THE POLICE.
OTHER PUBLICITY SIGNBOARDS WILL ALSO BE ERECTED AT VARIOUS CARPARKS AND BEACHES SUCH AS THE CLEAR WATER BAY FIRST BAY, SILVERSTRAND BEACH, PAK SHA WAN PIER AND SAI KUNG TOWN NEW PUBLIC PIER IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME, THE FIRST FIVE PHASES OF WHICH HAVE BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS, HAS STARTED ITS PHASE VI EXERCISE IN HOI FU HOUSE, TUI MIN HOI TSUEN, EARLY THIS MONTH.
IN THIS SCHEME, RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT CRIME TO THE POLICE AND GIVE MUTUAL HELP TO THEIR NEIGHBOURS SO AS TO DETER BURGLARS AND OTHER CRIMINALS.
THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL ALSO BE SPREAD THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW DISPLAY PROJECT IN WHICH PERSPEX SHEETS FOR DISPLAYING ANTI-TRIAD LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL THE SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
VISITS WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED FOR THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO THE KWUN TONG MAGISTRACY NEXT MONTH AND LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO THE SAI KUNG DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION IN OCTOBER. THESE VISITS WILL ENABLE THEM TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATION OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE A CRIME PREVENTION VARIETY SHOW CUM PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
/OTHER ACTIVITIES .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- ^7 -
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CRIME PREVENTION SEMINARS FOR RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS, ANTI-SHOPTHEFT POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND ANTI-TRIAD CROSS-WORD PUZZLE COMPETITION.
ALL SAI KUNG RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVED INTO THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES.
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DB TO CONSIDER OBJECTIONS TO THA
* ♦ ♦ »
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE' OBJECTIONS OF BEACON HEIGHTS RESIDENTS TO A PROPOSED TEMPORARY HOUSING PROJECT IN AN ADJACENT AREA.
THE THA PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED BY THE COMMITTEE AT A MEETING HELD LAST NOVEMBER, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS. MEMBERS HAVE DECIDED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE AGAIN IN RESPONSE TO RESIDENTS’ OBJECTIONS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1988-89, AND WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF FUND APPLICATIONS.
THEY WILL ALSO RAISE QUESTIONS IN RELATION TO THE PHASE 4 RE-DEVELOPMENT OF LEI CHENG UK ESTATE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE A REPORT ON THE PROJECTS FUNDED BY THIS YEAR’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT VOTE AND A REPLY BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE SHAM SHUI PO PRIVATE BUILDING STUDIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BEGIN TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 2.15 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 37-39 TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON.
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A8.....
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 48 -
KOWLOON CITY DB TO DISCUSS REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY * ♦ ♦ * ♦
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE REPORT ON YOUTH POLICY, THE FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME AND THE INTRODUCTION OF ' UMMER TIME IN HONG KONG.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO EXPLAIN THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT AND TO HEAR THE VIEWS OF THE MEMBERS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MISS ANISSA WONG, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PROGRAMME.
THE SPORTS CONSULTANCY REPORT IS ALSO ON THE AGENDA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
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\-v DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS t * » ♦
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UNDER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE RESITING ARRANGEMENT FOR ON-STREET LICENSED HAWKERS IN THE VINCINITY OF JAVA ROAD MARKET AND ELECTRIC ROAD MARKET AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CLEARANCE PROGRAMME FOR 1988/89 AND THE LAYOUT PLAN OF THE CHAI WAN PARK EXTENSION PROJECT.
SEVERAL MEMBERS WILL ALSO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNED T< GIVE REASONS REGARDING THE SHELVING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ALDRICH BAY PLAYGROUND PROJECT AND EXAMINE WHETHER THERE ARE ANY OTHER SUITABLI ALTERNATIVES.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
1
- 49
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROGRESS OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST RECONSTRUCTION WORKS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN ALDRICH VILLAGE AND TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF UC FACILITIES AT THE EXISTING SHAU KEI WAN LOW LEVEL SERVICE RESERVOIRS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE 1ST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
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SAI KUNG COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
» * » » *
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
THEY WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT WORK ON A FOOTPATH IN PING TUN VILLAGE AND A PROPOSED SITTING-OUT AREA IN NAM SHAN VILLAGE•
MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON IMPROVEMENT TO THF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE OF TAI PING VILLAGE AND THF TREATMENT OF DESERTED INCINERATORS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD. SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN
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/5O........
f
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 50 -
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO ♦ * ♦ * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO FROM 10 AM ' N FRIDAY (JULY 1) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AT UN CHAU STREET.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THREE ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES OPERATING FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
THEY ARE:
♦ THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TONKIN STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH UN CHAU STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
♦ PRATAS STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH UN CHAU STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
♦ UN CHAU STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TONKIN STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE BANNED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STANDS ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FUK WING STREET BETWEEN CAMP STREET AND PRATAS STREET WILL BE CANCELLED. NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STANDS WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FUK WING STREET BETWEEN CAMP STREET AND PRATAS STREET, AND ON THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PRATAS STREET BETWEEN UN CHAU STREET AND FUK WING STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, PRATAS STREET BETWEEN UN CHAU STREET AND FUK WING STREET WILL BE CONVERTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND INTO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND; WHILE CAMP STREET BETWEEN UN CHAU STREET AND FUK WING STREET WILL BE CHANGED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND INTO TWO-WAY WORKING.
IN ADDITION, VEHICLES ON PRATAS STREET SOUTH OF UN CHAU STREET WILL BE ALLOWED ONLY TO TURN LEFT ONTO UN CHAU STREET.
0
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988
- 51 _
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT AND SHAU KEI WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN NORTH POINT AND SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 2).
THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KING’S ROAD IN NORTH POINT FROM A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAIKOO SHING ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 115 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO FACILITATE SLOPE REINFORCEMENT WORKS. - ’
IN SHAU KEI WAN, HOI AN STREET BETWEEN HING MAN STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY. THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF ON SATURDAY (JULY 2) FROM 9 PM TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY KWAI CHUNG ROAD, LAI KING HILL ROAD, JOINT STREET, LAI CHO ROAD, AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD (EXCEPT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL).
AT THE SAME TIME, WATER PRESSURE TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE WEAKENED.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY CONTAINER PORT ROAD, KWAI TAI ROAD, KWAI YUE STREET, WING SHUN STREET, TEXACO ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, SHING FUK STREET, KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, KWAI HING ROAD, WO TONG TSUI STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, LAI CHO ROAD, JOINT STREET, LAI KING HILL ROAD, KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND TSUEN WAN ROAD, INCLUDING ALL BLOCKS OF MEI FOO SUN TSUEN TO THE SOUTH OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE JO, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SCREENING OF BOAT PEOPLE WIDELY ACCEPTED INTERNATIONALLY .... 1
LORD GLENARTHUR VISITS BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CENTRE AND CAMP 2 COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED ............. J
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED .................................... 6
TOUGH MEASURES AGAINST VICE PROPOSED ........................ 6
NEW SCHOOL OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING OPENS ..................... 8
CS VISITS KWAI CHUNG FACTORIES .............................. 8
YUEN LONG NEW TOWN FULLY DEVELOPED IN MID-1J9O'S............. 9
FARM PILOT SCHEME MAKES GOOD START .......................... 10
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY .............................. 11
DB COMMITTEE TO BE BRIEFED ON WATER QUALITY.................. 15
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION OPENING IN YUEN LONG.......... 16
1987 SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED............ 1?
1988 SYP KICKS OFF AT QES TOMORROW .......................... 20
CARNIVAL TO LAUNCH SYP IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.............. 21
MORE SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KWAI TSING YOUNG PEOPLE .......... 22
TUEN MUN RESIDENTS HELP TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT............... 22
TREE PLANTING TO MnRK ENVIRONMENT DAY........................ 2J
YAU TSIM FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN STARTS ON SATURDAY............. 2A
WORKS BRIEFING TOR NORTH DB ................................. 25
FIRING PRACTICE IN JULY...................................... 26
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS SOUGHT ............... 2?
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
1
SCREENING OF BOAT PEOPLE WIDELY ACCEPTED INTERNATIONALLY
HONG KONG’S NEW SCREENING SYSTEM FOR VIETNAMESE ARRIVALS HAS WON WIDE INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING, AS IT HAS DONE LOCALLY, THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE SHAM SHUT PO CLOSED CENTRE, LORD GLENARTHUR SAID HE HOPED THE NEW POLICY WOULD ALSO LEAD TO AN UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES THAT IT DID NO GOOD TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO LEAVE THIS WAY, AS THOSE SCREENED OUT WOULD ULTIMATELY FACE REPATRIATION.
HE SAID INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS SHOULD NOW BE DIRECTED TO MAKING VIETNAM UNDERSTAND ITS FOLLY.
”IT IS A MOST APPALLING INDICTMENT OF A SYSTEM TO LOOK AT THE PEOPLE AND THE CONDITIONS THEY INEVITABLY FIND THEMSELVES IN HERE, AND THEN TO TALK TO THEM AND TO REALISE THAT UNDER VERY, VERY FEW CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THEY REALLY AGREE TO GO HOME,” HE SAID.
“UNTIL THAT’S CHANGED, I FEAR THAT THINGS WILL NOT IMPROVE AS RAPIDLY AS WE ALL LIKE TO SEE THEM IMPROVE.”
LORD GLENARTHUR SAID THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, HAD RAISED THE MATTER WITH THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER AND THE SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER RECENTLY.
BRITAIN HAD ALSO SENT ITS AMBASSADOR TO HANOI TO THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTRY TO EXPRESS SERIOUS MISGIVINGS ABOUT WHAT LED TO THIS SITUATION, AND ALSO TO EXPLAIN HONG KONG’S NEW POLICY.
HE SAID: ’’THE POINT IS THAT WE’VE GOT TO SEE THE CHANGE IN VIETNAM WHICH IS GOING TO MEAN THAT THESE PATHETIC CASES DON’T ARISE, THAT THE ECONOMY OF VIETNAM IS SORTED OUT IN SUCH A WAY, THAT THEY SEE THEIR FUTURE IN THEIR HOME.
’’THIS IS BECAUSE IF THEY COME HERE AND THEY AREN’T TRUE REFUGEES, THEN THEIR FUTURE HERE IS GOING TO BE A VERY LONG AND INEVITABLY A MUCH SADDER ONE THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THEY WERE TO HAVE THE RIGHT CONDITIONS AT HOME.
“THOSE CONDITIONS DON’T EXIST AT THE MOMENT. THAT’S PRECISELY WHY THE SORT OF CONVERSATIONS AND PRESSURES HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND WHY WE ARE SEEKING TO BRING THE WHOLE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO WORK ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.”
LORD GLENARTHUR SAID THAT OVER THE YEARS, BRITAIN HAD TAKEN SOME 20,000 REFUGEES FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA.
/’’WE'RE ABOUT.........
THURSDAY, JUNE JO, 1988
2
"WE’RE ABOUT THIRD OR FOURTH - IT VARIES - IN THE LEAGUE TABLE," HE SAID.
"THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH WAS RAISED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHEN HE WAS HERE AND AGAIN THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IN THE ROUND WITH ALL THE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN TRY AND MEET THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM."
LORD GLENARTHUR ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE UNHCR AND ALL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR THEIR WORK IN HELPING TO TACKLE THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM.
- 0----------
LORD GLENARTHUR VISITS BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CENTRE AND CAMP
« » » t »
THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, ON THE SECOND DAY OF HIS VISIT, TOURED THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CENTRE AT HEI LING CHAU AND VISITED A REFUGEE CAMP AT SHAM SHUI PO THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
LORD AND LADY GLENARTHUR FLEW TO HEI LING CHAU BY HELICOPTER, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES; THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK; AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR M.Y. LEUNG.
AT THE DETENTION CENTRE THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE SCREENING PROCESS FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE BEGAN YESTERDAY — TWO WEEKS AFTER THE NEW POLICY ON THE STATUS OF NEW ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM WAS INTRODUCED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE BOAT PEOPLE WERE ECONOMIC MIGRANTS OR GENUINE REFUGEES.
ALSO IN THE PARTY WERE THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR NIGEL FRENCH, AND THE CHARGE DE MISSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES, MR FAZLUL KARIM.
LORR GLENARTHUR WAS TOLD THAT THE CENTRE’S CAPACITY WAS 2,400 BUT ACCOMMODATION COULD BE STRETCHED TO 3,000 IF REQUIRED THF CURRENT POPULATION IN THE CENTRE WAS ABOUT 1,000.
AT THE SHAM SHUI PO CLOSED CAMP, LORD GLENARTHUR WAS BRIEFER ON LIVING CONDITIONS, VARIOUS FACILITIES PROVIDED, AND THE INCREASER MANPOWER REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN AND SERVICE THE CAMP.
THE CAPACITY OF THE CAMP IS 4,500 BUT WHEN REFUGEES WERE MOVED THERE, THE FINAL COUNT TODAY WAS MORE THAN 5,000.
/EARLIER IN........
THURSDAY, JUNE JO, 1988
EARLIER IN THE DAY, LORD GLENARTHUR MET WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON; THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. HE ALSO ATTENDED A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
LORD AND LADY GLENARTHUR LATER ATTENDED A LUNCH WITH LOCAL BUSINESSMEN AT A CENTRAL RESTAURANT. THIS WAS HOSTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD.
LORD GLENARTHUR LATER VISITED THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN WAN CHAI AND MET COUNCIL MEMBERS. HE WAS BRIEFED ON TDC’S FUNCTION AND ACTIVITIES BY ITS CHAIRMAN, MISS LYDIA DUNN.
LORD GLENARTHUR WAS TOLD TDC LISTED MORE THAN 35,000 LOCAL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS, AS WELL AS SOME 107,000 OVERSEAS BUYERS IN THE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, WHILE THE TRADE ENQUIRY SECTION HANDLED ABOUT 16,000 ENQUIRIES WORLDWIDE EACH MONTH.
HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE FACILITIES OF THE TDC’S NEW $2.3 BILLION HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WHICH WILL BE THE LARGEST IN ASIA WHEN COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER.
IN THE EVENING, LORD GLENARTHUR WILL MEET WITH OMELCO MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, AND HE WILL BE JOINED BY LADY GLENARTHUR AND THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON AT A DINNER HOSTED BY OMELCO MEMBERS.
-----0------
COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED
*****
UNLIKE RECENT YEARS, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING DID NOT NEED TO CONCERT ACTION TO CONTROL OR TO ASSIST INSTITUTIONS FACING SOLVENCY DIFFICULTIES IN 1987, ACCORDING TO THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE REPORT NOTED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE COLLAPSE OF STOCK MARKET PRICES IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
"BUT FOR MOST INSTITUTIONS THESE PROBLEMS WERE CONTAINED WITHIN THEIR INCOME. DURING THE YEAR, SUCH DIFFICULTIES AS THERE WERE DID NOT AFFECT DEPOSITORS," THE REPORT SAID.
THE REPORT, WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, IS THE SECOND REPORT MADE UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE 1986. IT SURVEYS THE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE AND REVIEWS POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN 1987.
/ALSO IN .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 50, 1988
ALSO IN CONTRAST TO PREVIOUS YEARS, THE REPORT SAID, THE COMMISSIONER WAS NOT REQUIRED TO USE HIS PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORY POWERS OF CONTROL UNDER SECTION 52 OF THE ORDINANCE (CONTROL OVER AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS) OR POWERS UNDER SECTION 31(1) (ENFORCED REVOCATION OF REGISTRATION).
NO REPORT WAS MADE TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, OR TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY CONCERNING THE REVOCATION OF AUTHORITY OF A LICENSED BANK OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR TONY NICOLLE, STRESSED THAT THE ABSENCE OF THE USE OF FORMAL POWERS IN 1987 DID NOT HOWEVER INDICATE THAT THERE WAS AN ABSENCE OF EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION.
"A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE TO INSTITUTIONS ARISING FROM EXAMINATIONS, OR OTHERWISE. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE FOLLOWED UP, AS NECESSARY, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE .APPROPRIATELY IMPLEMENTED," HE SAID.
THE REPORT NOTED THAT THE CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENT UNDER PART XVII OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE WAS TO COME INTO EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER 1988, TWO YEARS AFTER ENACTMENT.
SINCE SEPTEMBER 1986, AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG HAVE REPORTED THEIR CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS.
AS AT THE END OF 1987, THE GREAT MAJORITY OF INSTITUTIONS HAD A RATIO OVER THE STATUTORY MINIMUM OF FIVE PER CENT.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, MR NICOLLE NOTED THAT HE CONFIDENTLY EXPECTED ALL INSTITUTIONS TO BE ABOVE THE MINIMUM BY SEPTEMBER 1988.
THE REPORT NOTED THAT AS AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1987 AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS HAD EXPOSURES TO 42 COUNTRIES WITH REPAYMENT DIFFICULTIES. CLAIMS OUTSTANDING AMOUNTED TO $33 BILLION, AND PROVISIONS AVERAGED 11 PER CENT FOR ALL BANKS AND DTCS.
MR NICOLLE SAID THAT IN THE LOCALLY INCORPORATED BANKING SECTOR, FOR WHICH HE HAD THE MAIN SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY, SUCH EXPOSURES WERE RELATIVELY MODEST AND PROVISIONS WERE UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, MUCH HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE LEVEL OF 11 PER CENT.
HE SAID HIS REPORT EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE AND AUDITORS.
"A TOTAL OF 18 TRIPARTITE MEETINGS - MEETINGS BETWEEN AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, THEIR AUDITORS, AND THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE - WERE HELD DURING THE YEAR.
/"THESE MEETINGS .......
THURSDAY, JUNE JO, 1988
"THESE MEETINGS WERE USUALLY INITIATED BY THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, AND THE MOST FREQUENT SUBJECT DISCUSSED RELATED TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF PROVISIONS AGAINST DIMINUTION IN VALUE OF INSTITUTIONS’ ASSETS," HE SAID.
THE REPORT ALSO NOTED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS STAFF TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH OVERSEAS BANKING SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES, WITH REGARD BOTH TO THE AFFAIRS OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS AND TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY.
ONE SECTION OF THE REPORT DISCUSSED THE STOCK MARKET COLLAPSE IN OCTOBER 1987, AND WHAT THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE DID DURING THAT DIFFICULT TIME.
THE REPORT NOTED THAT BANKS IN FACT SHOWED A CONSIDERABLE SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY IN WHAT WERE FOR MOST UNPRECEDENTED CIRCUMSTANCES.
ALTHOUGH A NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS WERE OVER-EXPOSED TO MARGIN CUSTOMERS, THE SUBSEQUENT PROBLEMS WERE ALL SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED.
THE REPORT IN ONE OF ITS SEVEN ANNEXES PROVIDES A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY IN 1987. IT NOTED THAT AT THE END OF 1987 THERE WERE 155 LICENSED BANKS; SIX NEW BANKING LICENCES WERE GRANTED DURING THE YEAR.
OF THE 155 BANKS, 120 WERE INCORPORATED OVERSEAS, REPRESENTING 25 OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, INCLUDING NEW ZEALAND AND NORWAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE NUMBER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AMOUNTED TO 267.
THE REPORT NOTED THAT, DURING THE YEAR, GENERALLY LOW LEVEL OF INTEREST RATES AND THE BUOYANT ECONOMY BOOSTED LOAN DEMAND, AND THAT MOST INSTITUTIONS REPORTED GOOD RESULTS.
AT THE END OF 1987, MORE THAN 65,000 PERSONS WERE EMPLOYED IN THE BANKING SECTOR, AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 3,000 OR FIVE PER CENT OVER 1986.
THE REPORT ALSO DISCUSSED SOME SUPERVISORY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM, CONSOLIDATED SUPERVISION, THE BASLE COMMITTEE CAPITAL ADEQUACY PROPOSALS, AND COUNTRY DEBT PROVISIONING.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT #15 EACH.
-------0----------
/6........
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
» » *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF B.A.J.I. (ASIA) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY).
- 0 - -
TOUGH MEASURES AGAINST VICE PROPOSED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO INTRODUCE MORE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO CLAMP DOWN ON SIGNS ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION SERVICES AND TO CONTROL NUISANCES CAUSED BY VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE MOVE HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS ADVISED THAT THE CRIMES ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING TOUGHER MEASURES TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE AMENDMENTS WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION FOR EIGHT WEEKS.
THE BILL SEEKS TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE TO PUBLICLY DISPLAY A SIGN ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION SERVICES. THE OFFENDER WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR SOLICITING IN A PUBLIC PLACE FOR ANY IMMORAL PURPOSE BE INCREASED FROM $1,000 TO $10,000.
UNDER THE BILL, THE POLICE WILL HAVE POWER TO REMOVE ANY SIGN WHICH IS REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION ACTIVITIES, AND THE COURT MAY ORDER A CONVICTED OFFENDER TO PAY THE EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE REMOVAL AND IN CARRYING OUT REMEDIAL WORK TO THE BUILDING CONCERNED.
IF NO CONVICTION IS OBTAINED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BEAR THE FULL COST.
THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES A MAGISTRATE TO ISSUE A SIX-MONTH CLOSURE ORDER IN RESPECT OF PREMISES WHERE TWO OFFENCES HAVE BEEN COMMITTED IN CONTRAVENTION OF CERTAIN VICE-RELATED PROVISIONS IN THE CRIMES ORDINANCE AND THE MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS ORDINANCE, RESULTING IN CONVICTIONS.
/THE ORDER
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
THE ORDER WILL BE ISSUED IF A SECOND OFFENCE IS COMMITTED WITHIN 12 MONTHS FROM THE FIRST CONVICTION.
IN ORDER TO AVOID PENALISING INNOCENT LANDLORDS AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSURE ORDER, THE POLICE INTEND TO NOTIFY THE LANDLORD CONCERNED OF THE CONVICTION RELATING TO HIS PREMISES. THIS WILL ENABLE HIM TO TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT A FURTHER CONVICTION BEING OBTAINED AND THE PREMISES CLOSED.
AS THE CLOSURE ORDER BY ITSELF WOULD LEAD TO PREMISES BEING LEFT UNOCCUPIED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN HARDSHIP FOR TH g LANDLORDS, THE BILL ALLOWS THEM TO APPLY TO A MAGISTRATE FOR THE ORDER TO BE SUSPENDED.
THE MAGISTRATE MAY SUSPEND THE CLOSURE ORDER FOR TWO YEARS ON CONDITION THAT THE PREMISES ARE OCCUPIED AND USED FOR LEGITIMATE PURPOSES. HE MAY ALSO IMPOSE OTHER CONDITIONS THAT HE THINKS FIT, INCLUDING A REQUIREMENT OF SECURITY.
THE MAGISTRATE MAY REINSTATE THE CLOSURE ORDER IF ANY CONDITION IS BREACHED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT MANY SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE NUISANCES CAUSED BY PROSTITUTION AND VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
’’THE PROPOSED MEASURES UNDERLINE THE GOVERNMENT’S AWARENESS OF THE WIDESPREAD CONCERN AND ITS DETERMINATION TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.”
HE SAID THE MEASURES, ON THE ONE HAND,. PROVIDE AN ENFORCEABLE PACKAGE WHICH IS SIMPLE, STRAIGHT-FORWARD AND EASILY COMPREHENSIBLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND, ON THE OTHER, WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING THE PROLIFERATION OF BLATANT SIGNS ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION SERVICES AND ABATING THE NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND LOCAL LEGAL ORGANISATIONS ARE WELCOME TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
THESE VIEWS MAY BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1. THE ADDRESS IS CNTA HEADQUARTERS, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/8 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
- 8 -
NEW SCHOOL OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING OPENS ******
A NEW SCHOOL OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING AT THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED BY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG.
THE NEW SCHOOL PREMISES IS PURPOSE-BUILT TO REPLACE THE OLD SCHOOL WITH BETTER AND MODERN TRAINING FACILITIES. IT HAS A TRAINING CAPACITY OF 430 WHICH IS 80 PER CENT UP ON THE CAPACITY OF THE OLD SCHOOL.
THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING WAS MORE THAN $11 MILLION OF WHICH $2 MILLION WAS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY THIS MORNING, DR THONG SAID THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW SCHOOL MARKED ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, WHICH WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WAS ESTABLISHED IN DECEMBER, 1959.
IT HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PRODUCING LOCAL PSYCHIATRIC NURSES FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE, AND ABOUT 900 REGISTERED AND 450 ENROLLED NURSES HAVE BEEN TRAINED SINCE ITS OPENING.
DR THONG POINTED OUT THAT IN A SOCIETY WHERE SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH ARE ALWAYS IN DEMAND, ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MORE DOCTORS AND NURSES WORKING IN THE FIELD IS MOST NECESSARY.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW SCHOOL WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL NOT ONLY IN INCREASING THE QUANTITY BUT ALSO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE FUTURE PSYCHIATRIC NURSES IN HONG KONG.
-------o ---------
CS VISITS KWAI CHUNG FACTORIES * ft t *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED TWO ELECTRONICS FACTORIES IN KWAI CHUNG TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG’S ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K. Y. YEUNG, SIR DAVID FIRST VISITED MITA INDUSTRIAL CO (HONG KONG) LTD AND WAS RECEIVED BY ITS SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR M. NAKAO.
/ESTABLISHED IN .......
THURSDAY, JUNE JO, 1988
ESTABLISHED IN 1979, THE COMPANY IS A SUBSIDIARY OF MITA INDUSTRIAL CO LTD OF JAPAN AND IS THE ONLY PHOTOCOPYING MACHINE MAKER IN HONG KONG. ITS MAJOR MARKETS INCLUDE THE U.S.A., CANADA AND EUROPE.
SIR DAVID LATER WENT TO I^pTOROLA SEMICONDUCTORS HONG KONG LTD AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE COMPANY’S DEVELOPMENTS BY ITS CORPORATE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF ASIA/PACIFIC SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS DIVISION, MR C.D. TAM.
THE COMPANY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1967 AS A SUBSIDIARY OF MOTOROLA INC OF THE U.S.A. IT PRODUCES SEMICONDUCTORS FOR THE LOCAL MARKET AND FOR EXPORT TO COUNTRIES IN THE FAR EAST, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY LAST YEAR ACCOUNTED FOR 21.5 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS, SECOND AFTER TEXTILES AND GARMENTS, AND EMPLOYED 106,835 WORKERS OR 12 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE.
- - 0 -
YUEN LONG NEW TOWN FULLY DEVELOPED IN MID-1990'S
******
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WAS TOLD DURING A VISIT TO YUEN LONG TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE YUEN LONG NEW TOWN WILL BE FULLY DEVELOPED IN THE MID-1990'S.
BY THEN, THE NEW TOWN WILL HAVE A FULL RANGE OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND ITS POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BE 150,000 COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT 90,000.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE THIS MORNING, MR SUEN WAS MET BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN WONG, AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE OFFICE.
THE PARTY PROCEEDED TO THE ROOFTOP OF YUK PING HOUSE IN LONG PING ESTATE, WHERE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY WAS BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG NEW TOWN AND THE YUEN LONG-TUEN MUN CORRIDOR.
THE PARTY THEN WENT TO WANG CHAU SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF TIN SHUI WAI WHERE ANOTHER NEW TOWN IS BEING 'DEVELOPED ON A SITE PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BY FISH PONDS.
MR SUEN WAS TOLD THAT SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR THE NEW TOWN BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 1987, WITH THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1991.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED IN THE MID-1990’S, PROVIDING HOMES FOR ABOUT 146,000 PEOPLE.
/LATER, MR
THURSDAY, JUNE JO, 1988
10
LATER, MR SUEN VENT TO A VANTAGE POINT IN KAI TEI TO SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EASTERN EXTENSION OF THE YUEN LONG TOWN. HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON WORK ON THE TUEN MUN-YUEN LONG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY TEEN INSPECTED THE YUEN LONG NULLAH WHERE HE WAS TOLD ABOUT PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH POLLUTION OF THE NULLAH AND MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THEM.
UNDER A GOVERNMENT PLAN, A $48 MILLION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WOULD BE LAUNCHED TO REDUCE THE SMELL AND VISUAL NUISANCE. CONSTRUCTION WORK WOULD BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND BE DUE FOR COMPLETION IN 19S1.
AFTER ATTENDING A LUNCH RECEPTION HOSTED BY YUEN LGNC DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR SUEN CONTINUED HIS VISIT AND DROVE TO LOK MA CHAU TO SEE PROGRESS ON TWO MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS - THE VEHICU1 AR BORDER LINK AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE VEHICULAR BORDER LINK, WHICH INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL TWO-LANE HIGHWAY, SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF HIE YEAR. THE BORDER CROSSING WILL PROVIDE A THIRD ROAD LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
MR SUEN THEN DROVE TO THE MAI PO MARSHES ALONG THE BORDER ROAD AND VISITED THE EDUCATION CENTRE OF THE WORLD WILD FUND FOR NATURE (HONG KONG).
ON THi: LAY BACK TO THE YUEN LONG NEW TOWN, MR SUEN VISITED POK 01 HOSPITAL AND WAS BRIEFED BY THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDANT ON THE HOSPITAL’S EXPANSION PROGRAMME.
BEFORE WINDING UP HIS VISIT, MR SUEN CALLED AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAMBERS AND THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT TO INSPECT THE FACILITIES THERE.
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FARM PILOT SCHEME MAKES GOOD START * * * * *
A PILOT PROJECT UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S AGRICULTURAL PRIORITY AREAS SCHEME, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO BRING FALLOW FARM LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BACK TO CULTIVATION, HAS MADE AN ENCOURAGING START.
THE OWNERS OF FOUR LOTS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN CHEUNG PO, YUEN LONG HAVE PLEDGED THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE SCHEME BY MAKING THEIR LAND AVAILABLE ON RENT TO THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION FOR SUBSEQUENT SUB-LEASING TO INTERESTED FARMERS.
/THE TOTAL
THURSDAY, JUNE V), 1988
THE TOTAL AREA OF THE FOUR LOTS IS ABOUT 8,056 SQUARE METRES.
THE TENANCY AGREEMENTS IN RESPECT OF THESE LOTS WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, AND THE LAND OWNERS CONCERNED AT THE PAT HEUNG VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY OFFICE.
AT THE CEREMONY, DR LEE WILL ALSO PRESENT CHEQUES TO THE OWNERS FOR FIVE YEARS OF RENT FOR THEIR LAND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TENANCY AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW.
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 8.30 AM.
- - 0 - -
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE LATEST GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC REGULARLY ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE BEACH WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THE E. COLI DATA USED FOR GRADING ARE BASED ON THE MEDIAN VALUES OF THE MOST RECENT FIVE RESULTS, OBTAINED OVER A TWO AND A HALF MONTH PERIOD ACCORDING TO THE USUAL SAMPLING FREQUENCY.
THE GRADES FOR SOME BEACHES MAY FLUCTUATE. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF THE BEACHES IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE SWIMMING AREAS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES, AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST OF BEACH WATER QUALITY IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
/THE SYSTEM
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
12 -
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
"A" GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN
0-99 PER 100 MILLILITRES, AND THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD.
"B" GRADE INDICATES THE MEDIAN E. COLI COUNT IS BETWEEN
100-999 PER 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 DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "C" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY. SIMILARLY, A RECOMMENDATION TO REOPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "B" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, FIVE BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS’, CASTLE PEAK, SILVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA AND ROCKY BAY. THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE FIVE BEACHES, WHICH ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH LAST GRADING PRESENT GRADING
HONG KONG SOUTH (AS AT 16.6.88) (AS AT 30.6.88)
BIG WAVE BAY B B
CHUNG HOM KOK B B
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN B A
MIDDLE BAY C C
REPULSE BAY B B
/SHEK 0........
THURSDAY, JUNE 50, 1988
- 15 -
SHEK 0 B B
SOUTH BAY A A
ST STEPHEN’S A A
TURTLE COVE A A
STANLEY MAIN C B
ROCKY BAY, SHEK 0 X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
ISLAND DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER B B
DISCOVERY BAY* A A
HUNG SHING YEH A A
KWUN YAM WAN A A
TONG FUK A A
LO SO SHING A A
PUI 0 B B
SILVERMTNE BAY X X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU A A
TUNG 0* A A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS
A
A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH
A
A
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH
A
A
HAP MUN BAY
A
A
/KIU TSUI ......
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
14
KIU TSUI A A
PAK SHA CHAU A A
SILVERSTRAND A A
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) A A
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ X X
APPROACH B B
CASAM B B
GEMINI B B
HOI MEI WAN B B
LIDO B B
TING KAU C C
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A A
TURN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA A A
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE BEACH B B
BUTTERFLY A A
NOTE: "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
HAIRPIN, FROM "B" TO "A"; AND STANLEY MAIN, FROM "C" TO "B".
/THE CHANGES .......
THURSDAY, JUNE JO, 1988
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE TWO BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MR PAUL HOLMES, THE EPD’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY), ON 3-7211044.
- 0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO BE BRIEFED ON WATER QUALITY
* » * * «
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL LEARN OF PROGRESS REGARDING IMPROVEMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN KAI TAK NULLAH AND KOWLOON BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A BRIEFING ON THE SUBJECT WILL BE GIVEN BY A SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR C.H. YAU. HE AND A SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR PETER BALDWIN, WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THE MEETING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A TRAFFIC NOISE IMPACT STUDY OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND APPROACHES PROJECT.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL SELECT CO-OPTED MEMBERS FOR THE COMMITTEE.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE PROGRESS REPORTS ON LOCAL WORKS PROJECTS AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
- - 0 -
/16
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
- 16 -
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION OPENING IN YUEN LONG
*****
A FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH WILL BEGIN AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL ON MONDAY (JULY 4).
THE EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
IT AIMS AT ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AS WELL AS INFORMING EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS OF VARIOUS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DISEASES, AND THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN.
"IN PARTICULAR, WE WOULD LIKE TO ADVISE SCHOOL LEAVERS WHO INTEND TO TAKE UP JOBS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH AT WORK, AND TO INTRODUCE TO EMPLOYERS THE METHODS OF MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE EXHIBITION WILL DESCRIBE NINE MOST COMMON DISEASES AND OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
THEY ARE ASBESTOSIS, SILICOSIS, OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS, DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS, LEAD POISONING, CHEMICAL GASES AND MIST, NON-IONISING RADIATION, AND SOLVENT VAPOURS.
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENISTS AND MEDICAL STAFF FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC AND TO CARRY OUT BREATHING TESTS FOR VISITORS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WILL BE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR TAI CHIN-WAH; THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK; YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG CHI-KWONG; OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, DR S.Y. CHAN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG SHUI-FAT.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 11 AM TO 8.30 PM DAILY UNTIL FRIDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, 4 TAI YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG, AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 4).
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THURSDAY, JUNE 30,
1988
- 17 -
1987 SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED ♦ « * » »
IN 1987, 14,876 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 90.0 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1,116 (OR 8 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 7.6 MILLION NRT (OR 9 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER 1986, ACCORDING TO THE HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT.
WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS ( + 769), DRY BULK CARRIERS H140) AND SEMICONTAINER VESSELS (+57), WHILE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (-112) AND OIL TANKERS (-49).
INCREASES IN NUMBER WERE RECORDED FOR SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+419), PANAMA (+339), LIBERIA (+85) AND WEST GERMANY (+69), BUT DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN THE U.S.A. (-108) AND SOUTH KOREA (-40).
THE NUMBER OF SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASEED (+543).
IN 1987, THERE WERE 14,853 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 90.0 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1,092 (OR 8 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 7.6 MILLION NRT (OR 9 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER 1986.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 18 PER CENT. ABOUT 65 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 84 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 16 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 56 PER CENT WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 44 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SINGAPORE (15 PER CENT), CHINA (13 PER CENT), JAPAN (13 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (10 PER CENT), SOUTH AFRICA (10 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (9 PER CENT).
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE U.S.A. (21 PER CENT), TAIWAN (11 PER CENT), CHINA (9 PER CENT), JAPAN (7 PER CENT) AND SOUTH KOREA (6 PER CENT).
/TRANSHIPMENT CARGO
THURSDAY, JUNE 50, 1988
- 18 -
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (30 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (20 PER CENT); AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN CHINA (20 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (12 PER CENT).
COMPARING 1987 WITH 1986, INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM INDONESIA (+80 PER CENT), SOUTH KOREA (+37 PER CENT), WEST GERMANY (+23 PER CENT), CANADA (+23 PER CENT) AND CHINA (+21 PER CENT); BUT A DECREASE IN TONNAGE WAS NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. (-11 PER CENT).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 9 PER CENT.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ORGANIC CHEMICALS (+46 PER CENT), CORK AND WOOD MANUFACTURES (EXCLUDING FURNITURES) (+43 PER CENT), CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+40 PER CENT) AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+38 PER CENT) .
DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF INORGANIC CHEMCIALS (-20 PER CENT) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (-9 PER CENT).
COMPARING 1987 WITH 1986, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT.
INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THAILAND (+105 PER CENT), SOUTH KOREA (+90 PER CENT), JAPAN (+59 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+54 PER CENT), WEST GERMANY (+39 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+31 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (+19 PER CENT).
A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (-32 PER CENT).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF NON-FERROUS METALS (+91 PER CENT), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+87 PER CENT), COTTON TEXTILES (+58 PER CENT) AND CLAY AND KAOLIN (+47 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (-34 PER CENT) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (-32 PER CENT).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 31 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
OF THAT LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 76 PER CENT WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
/IN TERMS ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
- 19
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 26 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM ITALY (99 PER CENT), FRANCE (97 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (86 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (82 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (69 PER CENT).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN 1987 ROSE BY 22 PER CENT OVER 1986.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 94 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 88 PER CENT OF TEXTILES OF MAN-MADE FIBRES, 84 PER CENT OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD AND 84 PER CENT OF CHEMICAL MATERIAL^ AND PRODUCTS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
OF SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 72 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALMOST ALL OF THE SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, THE U.S.A., WEST GERMANY, AUSTRALIA, CANADA AND THE NETHERLANDS.
£
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN 1987 ROSE BY 31 PER CENT OVER 1986.
THE SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED.
THESE INCLUDED COTTON GARMENTS; TOYS; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; FOOTWEAR; CANNED FOOD; PLASTIC MANUFACTURES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; COTTON TEXTILES AND TEXTILES OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPOWNERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
4 h i
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECASUE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING THE STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR 1987 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT" FOR 1987, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRE, CENTRAL, AT $29.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234891.
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/2O
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
20
1988 SYP KICKS OFF AT QES TOMORROW * * * * *
ABOUT 2,000 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM YOUTH GROUPS, VOLUNTARY AGANCIES AND SCHOOLS WILL BE TREATED TO AN HOUR OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE 1988 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SWINGING SUMMER CONCERT JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE, URBAN COUNCIL AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
THE EVENT WILL KICK OFF THIS YEAR’S $20 MILLION SYP THAT WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 1.5 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN 11,000 ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE THEM TO SPEND THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.
SOURCES OF THE FUNDS INCLUDE A MAJOR DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND ALLOCATIONS MADE BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.
WITH THE CONTINUING THEME OF ’’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY”, THE SYP IS TARGETTED AT YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN SIX AND 25 YEARS OLD WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING THEM TO HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND MEANINGFUL SUMMER.
PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INCLUDE MUSIC CAMPS, FORESTRY CAMPS, COMMUNITY PROJECTS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND MANY OTHER EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
ENQUIRIES ON THE DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CAN BE MADE AT ANY DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1988 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT 8 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND THE SWINGING SUMMER CONCERT THAT FOLLOWS.
ALSO PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG, WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO THE CHAIRMEN OF 19 DISTRICT COMMITTEES ON SYP AT 7.30 PM AT THE SAME VENUE, WHICH IS ALSO OPEN TO THE PRESS.
PRESS MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO CHECK IN AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM BEFORE 7.15 PM.
U
------o-------
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
21 -
CARNIVAL TO LAUNCH SYP IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT » * * ♦ ♦
KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY AN AFTERNOON OF FUN ON JULY 10 (SUNDAY) WHEN THE DISTRICT'S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENS WITH A CARNIVAL AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
THE EVENT IS 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 CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE GAMES STALLS, A COMPUTER GAME, A ROBOT, A SINGING COMPETITION, A CHILDREN TALENT SHOW AND FOLK DANCE GROUP PERFORMANCES.
FREE COUPONS FOR THE GAMES STALLS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVE BASIS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS TWO SUB-OFFICES AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.
ABOUT 340 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS, WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS CONTRIBUTING $360,000 TOWARDS THE COST.
ABOUT 40,000 PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THESE ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE HELD UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
THESE ACTIVITIES, CENTRED ON THE THEME OF 'SHARING THE FUN AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY’, WILL INCLUDE CAMPINGS, OUTINGS, CARNIVALS, GAMES, SPORTS, TRAINING COURSES AND SUMMER CLASSES FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS.
COPIES OF A BOOKLET WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ACTIVITIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS TWO SUB-OFFICES, ORGANISING AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY NEXT SUNDAY WILL BE THE 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 SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR NG KAI-KIN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR TANG PO-HONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 3.30 PM NEXT SUNDAY (JULY 10) AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
??
MORE SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR. KWAI TSING YOUNG PEOPLE * » * » »
THE KWAI TSING SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY (JULY 2) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
MORE THAN 600 ACTIVITIES WILL SE ORGANISED THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING A 20 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THAT OF LAST YEAR.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR SO HOI-PAN, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, MISS JENNIFER MAK AND CHAIRMEN OF THE COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUPS WILL BE PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE - TO BE HELD BY THE KWAI TSING SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AT 1J AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 2) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10/F, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING (NEXT TO KWAI HING MTR STATION). KWAI CHUNG.
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TUEN MUN RESIDENTS HELP TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT
* » * » *
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT WILL ORGANISE A CLEAN BEACH DAY AND TREE PLANTING DAY ON SATURDAY (JULY 2) IN THE BUTTERFLY BAY AREA TO GET THE CLEAN HONG KONG MESSAGE ACROSS TO RESIDENTS.
SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THE ACTIVITIES ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, TUEN MUN DISTRICT CLEAN HONG KONG COMMITTEE AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EVENTS IS TO PROMOTE THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN AND TO FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES.
STUDENTS FROM 26 SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PART IN A "COLLECTION OF RUBBISH COMPETITION” AT BUTTERFLY BEACH. THE COMPETITION WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
A SHOW HOSTED BY TWO RTHK DISC JOCKEYS WILL BE HELD ON THE BEACH FROM 1 PM TO -1 PM. THE FREE PROGRAMME WILL EMBRACE MUSIC, A TALK SHOW AND CLEAN BEACH SLOGANS.
/MEANWHILE, 80 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
- 25 -
MEANWHILE, 80 TREE SAPLINGS WILL BE PLANTED BY STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS AT THE OPEN SPACE BETWEEN THE BUTTERFLY ESTATE BUS TERMINUS AND MELODY GARDEN TO ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM AT THE ABOVE VENUE. DURING THE CEREMONY, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WINNING SCHOOLS IN THE RUBBISH COLLECTING COMPETITION.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAU WONG-FAT; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR MA NING-HEI; TUEN MUN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS M.K. NG; PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER, DR MICHAEL CHIU; CHIEF ARCHITECT (NT/NORTHWEST) OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR F. MINU; AND SENIOR INSPECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (COMUNITY YOUTH CLUB), MR C.B. LAU.
IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE DAY’S ACTIVITIES WILL BE POSTPONED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT CLEAN BEACH DAY AND TREE PLANTING DAY WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 2) AT THE OPEN SPACE BETWEEN BUTTERFLY ESTATE BUS TERMINUS AND MELODY GARDEN. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO TAKE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT TO THE VENUE ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9.45 AM ON THAT DAY.
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TREE PLANTING TO MARK ENVIRONMENT DAY ♦ * ♦ * ♦
A "TREE-PLANTING DAY" WILL BE HELD IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT ON SATURDAY (JULY 2) TO COMMEMORATE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED AS PART OF THE DISTRICT'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO AROUSE RESIDENTS' AWARENESS IN KEEPING THEIR SURROUNDINGS NEAT AND TIDY.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE AMENITY PLOT NEXT TO THE SPACE MUSEUM IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
/OFFICIATING WILL .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 50, 1988
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG; YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR GARY AHUJA; AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR PHILIP KWOK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TREE-PLANTING DAY CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE AMENITY PLOT NEXT TO THE SPACE MUSEUM, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 2).
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YAU TSIM FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN STARTS ON SATURDAY t * t » «
THE ANNUAL FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY DRIVE IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WILL START ON SATURDAY (JULY 2).
ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE DRIVE WILL CONSIST OF A NUMBER OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A FIGHT CRIME WEEK", SEMINARS, A SINGING CONTEST WITH ANTI-TRIAD AS THE THEME AND AN INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ ON FIGHT CRIME KNOWLEDGE.
AS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE COMMITTEE WILL PRESENT GOOD CITIZENS AWARDS TO HONOUR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE HELPED THE POLICE APPREHEND CULPRITS IN THE DISTRICT.
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 2) TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE PUBLICITY DRIVE.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DANCE AND SINGING PERFORMANCES AND AN ANTI-TRIAD DRAMA TO BE STAGED BY THE FRINGE CLUB. AMONG THE PERFORMING ARTISTS WILL BE MARIA CORDERO AND THE ’’EQUATOR".
A SPECIALLY DECORATED BUS WILL LATER TOUR THE DISTRICT, WITH CARTOON CHARACTERS DISTRIBUTING FIGHT CRIME LEAFLETS TO THE PUBLIC.
3
3
/OFFICIATING AT
THURSDAY, JUNE 50, 1988
- 25 -
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG; YAU MA TEI POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR IAN SEABOURNE; YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR YANG TZE-KIANG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ANNUAL YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY DRIVE TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 2) AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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WORKS BRIEFING FOR NORTH DB ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HIP NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE ANNUAL WORKS PROCRViriF IN THE DISTRICT AT A SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
BRIEFINGS WILL BE GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
TWO HI HBRRS WILL PRESENT PAPERS FOR DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING.
ONE PAPER TOUCHES ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT, AND THE OTHER RELATES TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE TO LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS INVOLVING VILLAGE ACCESS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE AN APPLICATION FROM THE SECOND NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER, BIRD, INSECT AND FISH SHOW ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR GRANTS UNDER THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S DISTRICT FESTIVALS SUBSIDY SCHEME, AND A REPORT FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
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FIRING PRACTICE IN JULY * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 18 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICES WILL
TAKE PLACE:
DATE TIME
JULY 1 (FRIDAY) 6 AM -7.30 PM
JULY 2 (SATURDAY) 6 AM - 7.30 PM
JULY 4 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 5 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 6 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 7 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 8 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 11 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 12 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 13 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 14 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .59 PM
JULY 15 (FRIDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 • PM
JULY 18 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 20 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 21 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 22 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 25 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 27 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1988
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CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS SOUGHT
» » » » *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON AP LEI CHAU SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THEY ARE LOCATED ON THE FLAT ROOF ADJACENT TO FLAT 7, 3RD FLOOR, BLOCK B, AP LEI CHAU CENTRE.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JULY 1985 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THESE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS. HOWEVER, THE OWNER FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 10 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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